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Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17 (currently 16; 19 vs. Greater Shadow); HP 119/119, CMD 24; Fatigued (-2 penalty to Str and Dex)
Friday August 10th, 2018 12:23:40 AM
"We should move on before more of those things come after us," suggests Kezzem. "Not that I'm scared, mind you. Paladin's don't get scared--we're immune you might say. Unfortunately, we aren't also immune to stupidity."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 21 Touch 14 Flat 19 CMD 26 Hero Points 6
Friday August 10th, 2018 2:14:18 AM
Updating HP

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 24 Touch 17 Flat 19 CMD 26 Hero Points 6
Friday August 10th, 2018 2:14:58 AM
Updating AC

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 13 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Friday August 10th, 2018 2:18:05 AM
Correctly updating AC this time

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Friday August 10th, 2018 2:18:55 AM
Dang it, This time it's correct. I have a cold, cut me some slack.

Succotash Slenderstick and Miss Piggy (Jeremy Canaday) AC26-touch 13/ CMD26 - HP 102/102, Miss Piggy AC27 / CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, Electric
Friday August 10th, 2018 5:21:44 AM
“I agree with Kezzem”, Succotash remarks, “I know I’m in danger of sounding like a broken record, whatever that means, I mean, when my cousin Freidric broke the record for eating the most pies in one minute, I didn’t hear anything, but let’s get out of here”.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Friday August 10th, 2018 9:16:50 AM

Bliss is in favor of leaving and demonstrates his opinion by sitting still, swishing his tail, and staring at shadows.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22/ 18(25, 21), HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23/16(27/20), HP 61, CMD 23
Friday August 10th, 2018 11:36:20 AM
"All right, all right. We can get going if you are going to be that much of a baby about it."

Turning to Talia, she points at all the scaredy cats. "The brave and less emotional sex, am I right?"

When the circle reforms, Pressi whisks the group out of the area.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large (Huge) Air Elem. AC/FF/T 24/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Friday August 10th, 2018 3:39:30 PM
[OOC: Melvin, now that we all are on the plane, we are not required to keep touching each other - witness the combat. The spells says, "Any creatures touched by you when shadow walk is cast also make the transition to the borders of the Plane of Shadow. They may opt to follow you, wander off through the plane, or stumble back into the Material Plane."]

Murphy rejoins the circle as Pressi requests, but mentions they should be able to continue travelling together without constantly having to touch each other - he thinks.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22/ 18(25, 21), HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23/16(27/20), HP 61, CMD 23
Friday August 10th, 2018 4:17:40 PM
[OOC: I wasn't clear whether we were still in the plane of shadow or had been bounced out into the material plane. Point is that we are off either way - and while its technically true that we don't need the circle for the former, I prefer the flavor of starting in a circle.]

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41)
Friday August 10th, 2018 5:43:17 PM
Zaragosa noticed that Murphey had the same spell and probably could have used it on himself. Zaragosa thought highly of the gesture. Despite being useless in the fight, he started to feel like a part of the group.

Zaragosa also wishes to get going but keeps his opinion to himself since he is both new and did not do much in the last battle

Spells
lvl1 4/5
lvl2 5/5
lvl3 3/3

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large (Huge) Air Elem. AC/FF/T 24/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Friday August 10th, 2018 6:37:30 PM

[OOC: All right, good flavor!]

Murphy is 16' long x 4' wide (and weighs 8 lbs) - so there's a lot of ephemeral air elemental stuff to grab on to for those nearby. He returns his wispy hand to Pressi's shoulder, and the other to Skipper's collar.

"Circle Up, All Aboard!" he calls. And moves with the others as Pressi resumes their journey toward Emerald City.

DM Ken: Shadow Showdown - LINK TO MAP d100=40
Friday August 10th, 2018 6:45:40 PM

(Sorry! I posted, sent an email, and went to bed, only to get post unsuccessful and email not delivered notices! My internet is pretty bad in Oklahoma)

A speak with dead spell is in fact possible, but the party seems to be in favor of moving on and letting the dead rest.

The jelly like ooze dries up as the travelers move on, and Pressi makes her Circle of Exit without trouble.

As they step from the realm of shadow, they feel themselves pulled strongly to the north, and are deposited safely in a forest of strong, healthy looking oaks.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large (Huge) Air Elem. AC/FF/T 24/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Friday August 10th, 2018 7:37:25 PM

Murphy casts know direction, identifying true north. He indicates that to the group. "Oaks. I love oaks." He goes up to touch the bark of one, and says, "Hello, noble oak."

About what time is it?

Murphy flies up a ways above the trees, checking to see if he can discern a city in the distance, or if it seems to be forest all about. Then he particularly focuses towards the north, as he had sensed an attraction in that direction. He then descends and reports what he saw.

If it is still night time, and if he did not discern that they are reasonably near a city, Murphy says, "It's night. We've been in a fight. Rest might be in order - unless several feel strongly we should move on now. If not, let's take a quick look around this area, and secure a site to camp, get a good night's sleep, then set out again after we're rested up, with new spells. Other ideas?"

Should no city be in sight, and the party agree to the camping idea, Murphy sets to work, partnering with at least one other to scope out a good spot to camp, then helping to set it up. He offers to take last watch.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+20=25 ;
Friday August 10th, 2018 9:02:16 PM
Not wanting to caught in difficult terrain again, Talia cast Overland Flight on herself. She then does her best to catch up to the group while being ever so mindful of that around them...[Skill: Perception: 25]

[OOC: I have a cold...sorry this is so late.]

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (spells left lvl1 4/5 lvl2 5/5 lvl3 3/3)
Friday August 10th, 2018 9:17:56 PM
(OOC first off, DM , I LOVE the image you set for Zaragosa. second, I know that Zaragosa missing the fight was not his or my fault since I had to deal with family tragedy, but the character Zaragosa still feels guilt over it and does blame himself.)

Zaragosa sets through to get to the forest. He knew he was pretty useless when it came to nature but the others seemed to have that settled. Wanting to make up for his past screw-ups, he set out to make himself useful but asking detect magic on the area.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17 (currently 16; 19 vs. Greater Shadow); HP 119/119, CMD 24; Fatigued (-2 penalty to Str and Dex)
Saturday August 11th, 2018 12:45:36 AM
"Well that was...draining," says Kezzem. "I feel like I could sleep for a day or two."

Succotash Slenderstick and Miss Piggy (Jeremy Canaday) AC26-touch 13/ CMD26 - HP 102/102, Miss Piggy AC27 / CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, Electric
Saturday August 11th, 2018 5:28:14 AM
Upon arrival in the woods, the first thing Succotash does is summon Miss Piggy to his side saying, “Missed ya girl, glad to see me?”. Then noticing that Zaragosa, still seems a little off, and assuming he’s still feeling guilty for passing out, Succotash walks over to his friend, puts his hand on his shoulder, and says, “Don’t worry about it, the way things are going, you’ll have plenty of chances to redeem yourself, not that you need to, sometimes things just happen”. “In a way, I kinda understand how you feel, remember when I shared the story of how I got this scar?” he says, while pointing to the scar on his left cheek, “Even though I had no control over the situation, that day, and even though we were ultimately victorious, I personally felt responsible for the loss of so many good men”. “The guilt consumed me for years”, lamented the normally happy go lucky Paladin, “It even kept me from enjoying the company of true brothers in arms, and the joy that I only recently discovered was possible, of being part of a group”. “So as I was saying, I understand how you feel, but don’t let it bring you down, this group of heroes, and I don’t use that term loosely, has already done everything they can to try to put your heart at ease, so instead of dwelling in what is now the past, I ask that you consider looking towards the future, and I beg you not to let this eat you up, like I did, it’s just not worth it”.

Succotash Slenderstick and Miss Piggy (Jeremy Canaday) AC26-touch 13/ CMD26 - HP 102/102, Miss Piggy AC27 / CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, Electric
Saturday August 11th, 2018 5:40:34 AM
If the report is that there is no city nearby, Succotash will help set up camp, and pitch his tent for himself and Miss Piggy, and then goes out and gathers enough dead firewood from the forest floor to last the night, with extra for preparing breakfast in the morning, being carful to avoid any wood still attached to a tree, then brings the wood back to camp, and gets a fire going.

If there is a settlement nearby, he will encourage his friends to make haste, so they can get the rest they so desperately need.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6 d20+18=24 ; d20+20=27 ; d6+11=15 ; d6=1 ;
Saturday August 11th, 2018 9:48:22 AM
Hobie will head out with Succotash and Miss Piggy to collect wood. While they walk around he will keep his eyes peeled for any animals they might find in the forest. Any Wolpertingers, to bring back, or any deer or other animals that Hobie could bring back for dinner.

Perception roll 24 to notice an animal

Attack Roll 27 to fire an arrow at any dinner animal.
He will use his Seeker Arrow ability, which allows the arrow to bend around any trees or obstacles between Hobie and the animal.

Damage = 15 Piercing, 1 Electric

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle) d20+27=30 ; d20+22=38 ;
Saturday August 11th, 2018 12:19:05 PM
Bliss scouts around the site making sure there are no dangers or interesting things nearby.

If Hobie shoots at him, his AC32 should keep him safe?

Stealth 30, Perception 38.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Saturday August 11th, 2018 6:10:23 PM
Hobie knows that Bliss is not dinner

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Saturday August 11th, 2018 10:35:05 PM

If we remain to camp (that is, it does not seem the city is nearby, or easily reachable in a short amount of time):

"It's great to have someone such as you with us, Succotash. You and Miss Piggy have spent a good deal of time traveling by yourself, and know how to get on." Murphy drops his air elemental form, going back to halfling.

"Thanks for building the fire. Say, here in the Culverwood, sometimes the wood itself can get a bit antsy about fires. But, have you heard of the ranger's fire hole before? Doesn't seem so much to raise the ire of the Culverwood - and it's safer, and lets out less light to the surrounding area - harder for opponents - or anyone - to spot from much more'n fifteen feet away. Even keeps most of the smoke from kicking up. Heats up a cooking pot faster, to boot.

"If you're interested, we can build it together. Something our group has done from way back. The gist is, you dig two pits - one for the fuel, and one for a chimney downdraft, and join them at the bottom."

If the paladin is open to the idea, Murphy gets out a shovel and a spade, and gets to work with the spade, for the draft chimney, handing Succotash the shovel for the wood section. If anyone else wants to join in, he's fine with that. If Succotash is not interested, then Murphy backs off.

[If anyone wants to see what Murphy is talking about - what he calls the 'ranger's fire hole' is described in our world as a 'Dakota fire pit' - you can take a look here #1: dakota fire pit diagram (closest to Murphy's design)
Here #2: dakota fire pit construction video
Here #3: dakota hole description and diagram (scroll down about 1 screen for explanation, then see illustration on top of the following page).
Here #4: dakota camp fire video]

Once either the above ground fire is built, or the ranger's fire is built, Murphy builds a tripod for the former, and hangs a pot above it, or places the cooking pot above the sunken fire pit, more directly on some transverse, wetter, less dry sticks (which he monitors and changes out as needed), and gets some water boiling. Create water, the appropriate amount, should do the job.

"Kezzem, rest, buddy. How are the rest of us faring?" He looks up at Pressi, knowing that some tension still remains following the mid afternoon wolpertinger reconnaissance.

Succotash Slenderstick and Miss Piggy (Jeremy Canaday) AC26-touch 13/ CMD26 - HP 102/102, Miss Piggy AC27 / CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, Electric
Sunday August 12th, 2018 5:48:18 AM
“I have no arguments with the ranger’s fire pit, if you think it’s best Murphy, it’s actually a system I’ve used in the past”, Succotash concedes. “Growing up on the border of the Culverwood, you learn to respect the forest, which is why I made a point to only gather dead wood from the forest floor, so if you think this system would be less intrusive, let’s do it”, he adds as he grabs the offered shovel, “though with the subdued light, it’s going to make keeping watch more difficult”.”Miss Talia, would you mind if the people on watch borrowed your Sunrod, just in case?”

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (spells left lvl1 4/5 lvl2 5/5 lvl3 3/3)
Sunday August 12th, 2018 12:33:54 PM
Zaragosa gives a weary smile at Succotsha "Thank you most noble Paladin" He said, "Or, if I could so, most noble friend. Your words are very kind. I am proud to be in your number, and shall prove myself." He takes a look around while they get a fire going. "If we are to camp, Miss Piggy still has my bag of holding. My bedroll is in there. I have this nifty Ring of Sustenance so I only require a couple hours of sleep.

Succotash Slenderstick and Miss Piggy (Jeremy Canaday) AC26-touch 13/ CMD26 - HP 102/102, Miss Piggy AC27 / CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, Electric
Monday August 13th, 2018 5:14:45 AM
Succotash removes Zaragosa’s Bag of Holding from Miss Piggy’s saddle horn, and hands it to him saying, if you are still in need of Piggy’s assistance in the morning, just go ahead and hang your satchel on her saddle horn, and please feel free to call me friend, as to that, I believe I can safely say that you should feel free to call all us Sword’s friends “.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22/ 18(25, 21), HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23/16(27/20), HP 61, CMD 23 d4=4 ;
Monday August 13th, 2018 11:21:31 AM
As much of the activity continues around her, Pressi is mostly quiet. She does, however, burn her other L5 spell before returning to normal form. With the spell of prying eyes, she gets a view of the immediate area. As 13 eyes spin around her, she sends each in a different direction, telling it to return if it spots anything other than ordinary animals or vegetation. If any return (any eye that doesn't see anything disappears at the mile mark), she reviews what they spotted.

With nothing else to do but wait, she sits in silence, mostly ignoring JTT and Kezzem unless they approach her. (Most others seem to be scouting, gathering wood, etc.) Occasionally, she pets Harper, who is dozing at her feet. She helps prepare food brought back, based on the current time. She also begins to cast divinations (10 minute casting time) and prepares to heal the incoming damage. (Last time, she was able to ask as many questions as her constitution could bear.)

In response to Murphy's question, she tells him that she is fine, just tired along with everyone else. With tensions calmer, she isn't planning to revisit any fights. She is going to need to take the first or last shift after a day like today, though.

DM Ken: Easy Camping d100=54 ;
Monday August 13th, 2018 3:13:50 PM

The campsite is confirmed secure by multipe woodsmen, prying eyes, Harpers nose, and other fine adventurers. A few of the Sword deal with personal dealings, share feelings, or brood quietly in reflection on the days events.

Though this trip through the shadow realm was dangerous, not all of them are such forays or frought with danger. Misfortune struck this time, next time might not have any at all.

Murphy flies up and north, but in the dark of night and the expanse of trees, he does not identify any cities. Perhaps morning light will yield more information.

Pressi remembers her last set of divinations, but finds these are not nearly so dangerous. Before, the Sarr was interfering with magic, especially divination. This time, the process is both simple and calming, and she finds herself feeling the logical and expectant gaze of the Hags upon her.

The spell functions as it normally should, and Pressi is certain she is going to receive honest answers to her questions.

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (spells left lvl1 4/5 lvl2 5/5 lvl3 3/3) d20+7=18 ;
Monday August 13th, 2018 9:10:00 PM
(Posting to post for the day)

Zaragosa thanks Succotsha then sets up his bedroll and other items. He reiterates that he only requires two hours of sleep but he also lets the party know that he isn't the best at spotting things

(if the perception check is needed for lookout, I rolled for a total of 18)

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+20=33 ;
Monday August 13th, 2018 9:38:39 PM
"Mister Murphy that's an awesome idea...this Dakota Fire Pit!" says Talia all excited! Turning around to face Mister Slenderstick, while reaching into her haversack, she says, "Sure, you can hold onto the Sunrod just in case, a have a couple of others as well, Mister Slenderstick" handling Mister Slenderstick a sunrod.

How has what watch? I need two (2) hours of sleep, by the way just in case I forgot to mention that.

Before taking up a meditative rest spot, Talia will look around, just to set her mind at ease.

[Skill: Perception: 33]

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22 d20+27=28 ;
Monday August 13th, 2018 10:22:38 PM

Roughing it easy...
Murphy delights both in Succotash's acquaintance with, and Talia's pleasure in the ranger pit set up.

"I have two everburning torches," Murphy informs Succotash as they discuss lighting. Just then Talia offers a few sunrods. "Those can be pretty handy - they last about two hours, each, about the length of a nightwatch rotation. One tactice with them is to light it as needed, and toss it a distance to get farther-off lighting. You hear a bunch of noise from one direction? Light up the area.

"If the person on watch requires steady illumination, then he or she can use one of the everburning torches - hold it, lay it on a tree branch, or the like, and have another at the ready." He pulls once from his haversack, and the other he draws out of Skipper's left saddlebag. "As I am on last watch, I'll put them away in the morning." He hands off to whomever will be on first watch. In the future, take it as given that Murphy shares these items each time we begin a period of watches. Without going into too much detail, he follows the custom taught him by others of having for a party a 2' pit dug a short distance from the camp for depositing the end process of digestion, hoping that Bliss doesn't start up another conversation about poop.

Around the campfire, Murphy takes time to brush down Skipper's coat, and make sure his dog is fed - and ups his acquaintance with the other animals in the group. He asks Pressi, "You want to try sleeping up in a tree? I saw a couple of nice spots in that oak over there. Nestle in the branches, set up a bit of canvas and roping to keep from spilling out in the middle of the night, as well as to lower oneself to the ground in a jiffy, and there you go!"

"So, both Talia and Zaragosa get by on two hours shut-eye? Sweet. If one of you can take second watch, and one third watch, then that will give those of us who need a longer rest the chance to take early or last watch. As I said, I dibs last watch, mostly."

"How about this for watches?" Murphy asks:

1st watch - Bliss
2nd watch - Zaragosa
3rd watch - Talia
4th watch - Murphy

"Our paladins and Pressi and Hobie can get a long rest. Another night we can switch things up a bit - but I'm almost always happy with 4th watch." For whatever reason, Murphy's perception (28, nat 1) during his watch is not bad, but it's pretty poor compared to his average perception. Lots to think about, perhaps. Along with his custom of setting things up for morning breakfast during the latter portion of 4th watch, that all can enjoy a warm meal to start the day - taking advantage of what it was that Hobie was able to bag for supper/breakfast.

He reminds all that his mother just before noon gave each a goodberry, and from his own supply gives everyone two more of the magical filling/healing items. "If someone is down, and there's no time for a big healing, popping one of these into their mouth can help them recover a wee bit. So, now, each of you has 3 of 'em." He adds, "One time my brother told me he knew he was about to get hit by a goblin, so popped one in his mouth without chewing it, then bit down on it after he got hit. He bit the berry, that is, not the goblin." [So, gang, each, please, add 3 goodberries to your equipment - maybe in a pouch, or wherever.]

In the morning, he prays with eyes wide open during watch, and receives new spells after folks arise.

IMPORTANT: Is anyone still down in ability points from the shadow/wight encounter?

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle) d20+25=30 ;
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 12:19:51 AM
Bliss is happy to take first watch and is careful to look around.

Perception 30

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC 26/ touch 13/ flat 25 CMD 26 - HP 102/102, Miss Piggy AC 27/ touch 11/ flat 26 CMD 23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, d4=4 ;
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 6:08:50 AM
Lay of Hands 9/10
smite evil 4/4
boots of speed 10/10

1st level spells:
lesser regeneration 2/3
2nd level spells:
remove paralysis 2/2
3rd level spells:
Heal mount 1/1
cure moderate wounds 1/1

Succotash thanks Murphy for the thoughtfulness involving the everburning torches, he also thanks Talia for the use of the sunrods, then he draws Twinklesting, allowing her blue torch like glow to be added to the illumination problem, insisting that the sword be kept near at hand just in case he needed it in a jiffy, "Also, something Miraculous happened to Piggy after we fought the Sarr, she took on some celestial aspects, one of which is darkvision, out to 60 ft, I believe". "Hey Kezzem, did Rumpus gain darkvision as well?"

As is his custom while bivouacking, Succotash sleeps in his armor, then uses a mercy to remove the fatigue in the morning, after spending a hour in prayer and meditation, he prepares his spells, and promptly casts lesser restoration on himself to remove the lingering -2 strength. He than thanks Murphy for breakfast as well as the goodberries.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 6:12:42 AM
header adjustment

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 11:34:21 AM
The more formal and comforting setting makes Pressi nervous as she finishes her offering (25 gp spent) and her general prayers. She still wants to avoid the embarrassment of asking them a stupid question, like "settle the boat-shadow walk argument for us" or "am I silly for not wanting to get married?" or other questions.

She starts with the basic questions that could be expected.
1) Can I find the flying jackelopes (womp evers) closer than the position disclosed?
2) Will the culverwood itself effect my shadow walk?
3) What were the shadows we encountered before they died?
4) What debt did they need repayed?

But she had to ask the question. The question that nagged her from the moment this mission began. She wanted so to ask whether the mayor's new bride was who she claimed to be, if she was a threat, and slowly formed the question in her mind.

5) If the mayor gets married to this stranger... Will he be happy? Will the marriage be good for him?

Pressi knew there would be no do overs for that question.

(If there are any other requests for questions, post them now.)

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

Pressi finishes her divinations and finishes setting up the campfire and taking care of Harper. As to Murphy's question, she doesn't really think she needs to set up in a tree. (She does have a few spells left, so she isn't completely defenseless.) Honestly, she just wants to finish up, say goodnight to everyone, and get to bed.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17 (currently 16; 19 vs. Greater Shadow); HP 119/119, CMD 24; Fatigued (-2 penalty to Str and Dex)
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 12:43:08 PM
"Well I'll be sure to prepare some restoration spells this time!" says Kezzem. "If you still feeling drained, let me know and I'll...restore you?"

Abilities:
Lay on Hands 7/day
Smite Evil 4/day

Spells Prepared:
1st Level: Lesser Restoration x3
2nd Level: Shield Other x2
3rd Level: Cure Moderate Wounds x2

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (spells left lvl1 4/5 lvl2 5/5 lvl3 3/3)
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 12:49:24 PM
Zaragosa agrees to take the second watch. He would sleep without his armour for the first watch then wake up for the second. He would stay awake from then on with his amour on, trying to be ready for anything. He would be open to start a conversation any time other than his turn to keep watch. He stays away from people as they pray out of respect for his teammates.

When Succotash is awake, he would give back his second bag of holding so Miss Piggy can carry it.

Any free time is spent practising tying and untying knots.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 2:26:29 PM
Hobie takes the full night of rest that's offered to him and wakes up the morning, and prepares his spells for the day.

Alright, any of y'all wise folks know where we can find some Wolpertingers?

=========
Boots of Speed Used 0/10
=========
Spells Prepared:

Arcane Object Free Spell

Level 0: Read Magic, Detect Magic, Light, Mage Hand

Level 1: Grease, True Strike, Feather Fall, Enlarge Person, Shield

Level 2: Spider Climb, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Cat's Grace

Level 3: Fly, Flame Arrow, Rage

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 2:32:31 PM
ooc; Jon-Paul, have you decided on Talia's spells known yet? They aren't on your character sheet. I want to know if Talia knows Haste since you are a transmutation specialist. If you could cast haste on the party at the beginning of battles it would be a huge bonus to the party. I can prepare it and cast it, but if Talia were to cast it instead then that's an extra full round of arrows Hobie can fire. And that would be 5 arrows at 3d6+17 each, so potentially great damage.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 3:10:08 PM

The druid suggest to Pressi that she add the questions, "Will Murphy ever stop being occasionally stubborn?" Also, "How long will people have troubles getting the name of our group right?"

After her divinations are complete, Murphy asks Pressi about what she was able to learn from her queries.

If in the evening, Pressi was able to discern there are wolpertingers in the area, and can tell approximately where, then Murphy suggests they head that general direction on the morrow. On foot if nearby. Using other means if more distant. If she is able to discern distance and direction, then he will hold off on using another divination spell. If such is vague, then he will cast commune with nature, seeking out the creatures of their quest. He also tries to discern where Emerald City (or any dwellings) might be relative to their position, if it within eleven miles of their position.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17 (currently 16; 19 vs. Greater Shadow); HP 119/119, CMD 24; Fatigued (-2 penalty to Str and Dex)
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 7:56:22 PM
"Also, be sure to ask when or if we are updating to 2nd edition," says Kezzem. "I hear that's a thing now."

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+20=30 ; d3=1 ; d20+20=34 ; d20+20=38 ;
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 9:46:25 PM
[OOC: Sorry, Updated the hyperlink. Look for the tab that says Spell list -- don't have haste, have slow]

When it's time for Talia's watch, she will be very perceptive. [Skill: Perception: 30,34,38] While waiting, she will reach into her right pocket and remove 8 sling stones, cast "light" on each stone, and then will toss them
about 20 feet in each of the compass point direction from the center of the camp. Time 'til they extinguish (110 minutes) -- N,E,W,S, NE, NW, SW, SE in order to have a better sense of "what's" out there.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 10:04:25 PM

Bliss changes into a halfling long enough to laugh at Murphy and Kezzem's jokes.

Also, he likes the Light spells idea, but as he expects, when you cast one light spell, the prior one winks out. You can only have one light spell active at a time. Except maybe with a wand?

You can also have just one dancing lights active at the same time, too. Unless you make it permanent.

DM Ken: Easy Camping d100=18 ; d100=65 ; d100=94 ; d100=95 ;
Tuesday August 14th, 2018 10:08:10 PM

The night watches go without incident. The most exciting thing is the answers to Pressi's divinations. she casts and fires off five divination spells, taking a good amount of her night. (Under normal circumstance, a divination can answer one question.)

As soon as she asks the first, she feels her psyche taken to a place outside of her body. Three crones stare at her as she makes her request.

1) Can I find the flying jackelopes (womp evers) closer than the position disclosed?

The crones answer is calm in tone, but scathing in content.

"Think girl. You are casting a divination to question a spell, that is in it's essence, a divination? The druids spells have given sound answers"

2) Will the culverwood itself effect my shadow walk?

The answer again is calm, but direct.

"No. The Culverwood did not effect your last spell, you had the misfortune of coming across some denizens of the realm of shadow."

3) What were the shadows we encountered before they died?

"Merchants and a noble. They were underpaid for goods crafted. Like fools, they agreed to meet those who cheated them to collect the rest of their pay. Instead, they were given their deaths."

Pressi's last two questions fail. Either the crones lost patience, or Pressi's concentration faltered. Either way, the spells are lost. (Pressi has a 70+caster level % chance of getting an answer. Her last two divination %'s failed. The Crones are not malicious or trying to deceive her, so she does not receive false answers. )

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 5:30:09 AM
“Hey Mr Zaragosa, By chance do you know the haste spell, I know Hobie does, but as our team cannon, wasting an opportunity to unload with his bow, to cast a spell, can literally be the difference between life and death”. “Personally I just picked up these stylish boots of speed, but Piggy, and let’s face it, the rest of the team, would really benefit from said spell”.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 8:20:57 AM

"I love that spell," says Bliss, switching from kitty to halfling and back just to say it. Then he purrs.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 10:30:27 AM
OOC: I wanted to clarify question 2 since there seems to be some confusion. I understand that this is a non-random encounter that happens to work whether we use boats or shadows to travel, and thus won't normally happen (since the wold doesn't do random encounters).

The question is specific to the magic of traveling through the Culverwood itself. Specifically the magical, time and space twisting parts that we encountered at L6 and that make the area an immortal power in its own right. I wanted to make sure that we don't get lost due to strange interactions and wind up on some spaceship vs robo-dinosaur nonsense.

We now return to how Pressi completely misinterprets her divinations.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 10:39:46 AM
OOC: Some bookkeeping. Pressi has 3+1 spells, divination is a BW spell or domain spell. She cast 1 L4 spell for the day (threefold aspect) so she only has three questions left.

I leave it up to the DM as to whether she gets the first three questions or if I get my pick (1, 3 and 5 not answered) but knowledge-wise or offering wise it doesn't much matter. And I'll endeavor to stick to one question per spell going forward.

DM Ken: Easy Camping
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 11:10:13 AM
(It's fine. Pressi learns the answers that were posted. The last two questions would have failed on the d% roll, not dm fiat.

Also, no, the Culverwood will not mess with your Shadow Walk spell, because it is aware that you casting that spell means you are leaving, in a sense.)

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 12:27:40 PM
Well, what did you learn Press? How do we find these wolpertingers? What did you learn about those ghost things? Did they attack us because of these two and their stink of holiness? he points and grins at the Paladins with the last comment

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 12:31:17 PM
As in yesterday's post, "If such [Pressi's wolpertinger info request response] is vague, then he will cast commune with nature, seeking out the creatures of their quest. He also tries to discern where Emerald City (or any dwellings) might be relative to their position, if it within eleven miles of their position."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17 (currently 16; 19 vs. Greater Shadow); HP 119/119, CMD 24; Fatigued (-2 penalty to Str and Dex)
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 12:32:49 PM
"And what about Murphey's question about whether he'll stop being so stubborn?" asks Kezzem. "That would be really useful information to have."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 4:24:01 PM
Pressi wrestled with some strong feelings as she slept fitfully. She had responded to her god's increasing exasperation with her trademark bluster but she could not handle the strong emotions from within.

She decided, however, that perhaps her doubts about Murphy (in many ways) were clearly to be ignored. Did not her own gods just bless his plans, tell her to stop trying to get around his skills? (Okay maybe its a stretch from "The druids spells have given sound answers" but it's the stretch Pressi has clearly searched for.)

It is in this frame of mind that she snuck behind Murphy at the end of her sleep, a burst of make-up affection from the inwardness of the day before.

In answer to their questions, Pressi tells them that the plan is to rely more on Murphy's spells to find the creatures. (In answer to Kezzem's question, he's probably not going to stop soon after this.) Commune with nature appears to be a good place to start, and Pressi can raise a few other divinations to supplement.

Pressi more accurately portrays the answers about who the spirits were, raising her opinion that justice does need to be served.

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells)
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 5:35:59 PM
Zaragosa answers Succotash question "Yes sir indeed, The greatest and most favoured of my spells" He answers then continues with a grin "I even have these magic boots that give it to me for a full minute every day"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 7:24:07 PM
“Just so we are clear, the plan hasn’t changed. We still need to know where the city is, except our need to visit it has a couple more reasons. We still need a mix of shadow jaunts and short trips to find the creatures. And we still need whatever scouting or trapping or divination tricks we have.”

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 8:32:29 PM
[OOC: I can use my "New Arcana to add Haste if you think that would be wise for this group]

"So, where are we with respect to watches?" asks Talia to Mister Murphy.

DM Ken: Easy Camping
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 9:40:40 PM

Murphy begins to cast his commune with Nature spell. He lets it be known all the things he desires to know, and like before, experiences a strange resistance. He is freely told that the Emerald City is 10 miles east.

-Murphy must make a Diplomacy Check DC 25 to reveal any information that pertains to the Wolpertingers.

Pressi explains the results, as she knows them, of her divinations. The night passed without any fuss, and now day has come.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22 d20+13=19 ;
Wednesday August 15th, 2018 11:16:17 PM

I should like to appeal the DC 25 requirement, since earlier when Murphy made an identical inquiry, the DC was 20 (and he rolled a 27). Also, Murphy shall expend a hero point to up his persuasiveness on the matter.

As he communes with the Culverwood, he gently asks the reason for the reluctance. If his pursuit of the wolpertinger is considered a Bad Thing, he would like to understand why. "Teach me," he communes with the land. He conveys a sense of openness, humility, a desire to learn, and a desire to live, so far as he is able, in harmony with the spirit of the land.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Thursday August 16th, 2018 3:45:10 AM

Earlier, post sneak attack response
Faced the unexpected rapprochement with Pressi in the morning, Murphy responds with affection, touched with a small dollop of restraint. "I think, in some ways, that certain definitions of terms may be leading to misunderstandings here and there - and that is on me." He nuzzles her neck, and whispers, "Suppose we might be able to puzzle things out together?"

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Thursday August 16th, 2018 5:35:26 AM
“So, are we going to trek the 10 miles to Emerald City, or are we going to start looking for these crazy beasts so we can get home?” Succotash asks, “Were you able to gain anything more Murphy?”

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18
Thursday August 16th, 2018 3:47:40 PM
Talia, now rested, and thinking about the request to add haste to her repertoire of known spells, decides to add haste to her list of known spells using theNew Arcana Bloodline Power.

Talia asks, "Has it been decided to journey to the Emerald City? "

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17 (currently 16; 19 vs. Greater Shadow); HP 119/119, CMD 24; Fatigued (-2 penalty to Str and Dex)
Thursday August 16th, 2018 3:56:57 PM
Kezzem begins to sing softly to himself:

"One short day
In the Emerald City
One short day
Full of so much to do
Ev'ry way
That you look in the city
There's something exquisite
You'll want to visit
Before the day's through."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Thursday August 16th, 2018 5:30:32 PM

[I'd like to respond to your question(s), but must await DM Ken's next post, to exit spell-result limbo. :-) ]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Thursday August 16th, 2018 6:33:21 PM
“Well at minimum I’d like to report these dead guys. And I am still hoping that Murphy is right about finding a guide there. But I am glad to also blast right into forest central if everyone else wants to bypass it.”

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Friday August 17th, 2018 5:24:38 AM
“That’s a good point Pressi”, Succotash remarked, “While getting these wopeltingers is our main objective, undead wearing expensive looking jewelry is a bit of a mystery, a mystery that warrants investigation”. “However, if Murphy is able to track some of the little beasts down, near our current location, well then, we would be foolish to pass up the opportunity”.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Friday August 17th, 2018 9:34:57 AM
"I should mention that I'm not entirely sure how I feel about going back to this city," Pressi replied.

"Not that I expect anyone to remember me in this city, but if they do it's as a surly employee or small time thief. Somehow, coming back as the wicked witch of the valley doesn't seem a step up."

DM Ken: Easy Camping
Friday August 17th, 2018 2:39:24 PM

Murphy finds that the difficulty in negotiating with the Culverwood has indeed, gotten more difficult. The situation has also changed. He asks several questions not usually associated with the Commune with Nature spell, but the Culverwood seems eager to answer. It's voice pounds in his head.

"You come to hunt. I seek to preserve. Wolpertingers are magical beasts, and rearing young. You are from these lands, and are counted as a natural predator. I do not intend to aid, but will not hinder."

Murphy senses some hesitation, like a friend doing a favor it does not want. He cajoled it into helping him once, with proper diplomacy as demonstrated earlier, he could maybe convince it once more.

----------

Pressi and the others are concerned about reporting the shadows to the Emerald City. At least the Culverwood was willing to guide Murphy in that particular direction, as he has not yet convinced it for more information on the Wolpertingers.

---------

Speaking of Jewelry, one of the Sword did successfully appraise the spoils from the last encounter.

All players add 850 Xp.
Appraised value of the jewelry, silks, and finery is 8,000 gp.

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells)
Friday August 17th, 2018 4:22:40 PM
Zaragosa again will politely object to receive any reward for a fight in which he did nothing. He also shares his gratitude for all the kind words his teammates have shown him. "I am covered in head to toe in magical items, I lack for nothing. I only wish to continue with you, perhaps gain some fame or locate some lost friends."

He also stays out of the decision to share information with the Emerald City since he has no idea what that is.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22 d20+21=36 ;
Friday August 17th, 2018 5:06:15 PM
Murphy communes further with the Culverwood:

"Ah, thank you, mighty Culverwood. You have helped me better to understand," Murphy replies with genuine gratitude. "I will tell you freely, we sought for five of the creatures. As they are rearing young, though, and we do want them to flourish... I shall seek for only two. If I can capture, rather than kill outright, I will try. I cannot guarantee no deaths of these wondrous creatures while here in your realm, but that shall be my effort in this matter.

"Though, yes, I do hunt, I would never wish to hunt such creatures to extinction. I will make a covenant with you, if you will. I cannot promise an exact time frame on this, but will within coming years take steps to aid the wolpertingers, to help them breed, though not beyond reason. Each creature has its place. If that place is threatened, I would do what is in my power to aim for balance, for restoration where possible. For intelligent migration if necessary.

"Should you concur with me on this, and help me know where to look, and how not to overstep, then I shall covenant with you to help protect the wolpertinger line, so they do not cease to be.

"If not, in accordance with what you have said to neither help nor hinder me, I will seek information elsewhere, to keep a promise I made to another. My worry, though, is, if I involve others than my close friends, I cannot control what an unknown guide may do after we leave - will such a guide lead others to the wolpertingers?

"Yet, if you vouchsafe their whereabouts to me, I shall extract promises from my friends to hold that information in confidence from others, and invite those who wish to share with me in this covenant to do what we are able to ensure survival of this marvelous sort of beast.

"Furthermore, I shall raise a shrine to you on a bit of land where I spend some time, and speak to others of the careful discernment you exercise in caring for the creatures who call your domain home, and the need to walk with respect and wisdom while in this mighty forest."

Murphy awaits a response to his covenantal proposal.

Diplomacy: 36 (including +8 from hero point)

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+20=34 ;
Friday August 17th, 2018 5:28:43 PM
Talia asked the assumed group that isn't otherwise engaged in an activity, "How do you make permanent a light type spell on a sling stone?"

Ever vigilant since the "Shadow Walk" journey, Talia makes sure they are safe, by keeping an eye on their surroundings. [Skill: Perception: 34]

"So, are we camping another day before heading off?" asks Talia of Pressi.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Friday August 17th, 2018 5:47:49 PM

If 'Yes' to the proposed covenant, Murphy says:

"Friends, the wolpertinger are with young. We may take only two adults - and no nursing mothers. Before we hunt, we must obtain two very strong cages which their mighty teeth may not destroy, and attempt to take a pair alive.

"Also, as we were asked to bring four, or five, for the uniting families to share at feast, an explanation will need to be provided as to why only two were provided. If we do manage to capture, rather than kill, might we be able to persuade them to preserve the wolpertingers, and we can return them to the forest? I don't know. If they choose to kill and prepare them for the wedding feast, then that will be their choice, and I shall not gainsay it.

"So, cages. First, let's go to Emerald City. Second, no guides. The Culverwood has given me guidance, and knowledge of the whereabouts of the wolpertingers is not to be provided to others."

If no further information is provided:

"Friends, the wolpertinger are with young. The Culverwood is concerned for their preservation, and neither will aid nor resist me, us. But their location, I was not given. They are somewhere within 11 miles of this place we are at. So, as Bliss had suggested two days ago, we may need to hire a guide. Also, to buy two stout cages, not vulnerable to their sharp teeth and claws.

"Let us endeavor to capture a pair of them, to not kill any others. Bliss knows how to subdue an opponent without bringing it death. Most of my spells are not so subtle. Talia's slow spell could prove useful - as could haste."

After his report, Murphy stretches, and works a kink out of his neck. "Emerald City is that way. Shall we travel afoot, or otherwise? I'm open to options."

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Friday August 17th, 2018 11:48:13 PM

Bliss grins. "Good job, Mister Murphy! You are a good guide!"

The halfling is eager to follow Murphy's newly gained intelligence.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Saturday August 18th, 2018 9:31:38 AM
“Well, that’s unfortunate because I don’t know if it’s a deal we can make,” Pressi replied. “We we’re searching for others and they presumably wanted four for a reason. And even if they could make due with two, we promised four and can’t ask to change it now.

“And that’s before the logistics of targeting the right number and no nursing mothers. And for what? The vague hope that the Culverwood will help us a little? Look, if I took over the negotiations, nature would throw half my Sargrass speech in my face. I know I am being a bit of a hypocrite. But at least I enter negotiations knowing what I can offer.”

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17 (currently 16; 19 vs. Greater Shadow); HP 119/119, CMD 24; Fatigued (-2 penalty to Str and Dex)
Saturday August 18th, 2018 11:32:33 AM
"But you didn't do nothing," says Kezzem. "You lay their really good and distracting like."

"Eh, don't worry Press, I'm sure Murph can figure this out...he's pretty good at this nature stuff."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Saturday August 18th, 2018 5:26:39 PM
To Talia's question while Murphy is talking to the Culverwood "Well, first you'll need to be able to cast Permanency. It's a Level 5 Wizard spell, I don't know that I've ever heard of a Sorcerer who knew that spell, but many an experienced Wizard will have it in his spellbook. I imagine in the Emerald City we could find one who knows it. The only other problem though, is that I've never heard of Light being made permanent on an object. I've seen Dancing Lights made permanent a few times, but never Light. Couldn't hurt to ask around though."

When Murphy comes back and tells us we can only take two:
Pressi's right, we need 4. Any arrangement you made with the Culverwood for only 2, you'll need to renegotiate. I'm sure we aren't going to kill off the species by killing 4 of them. If it's really that big of a problem, why don't we take 4 males, and then you can come back next mating season and summon more males to get the females pregnant. We've got a job to do for the Mayor, and frankly I care more about getting the job done than I do about making sure there are no seasonal dips in the birthrate of Wolpertingers. Heck, if it matters so much, why don't we just find one of whatever naturally preys on Wolpertingers and kill one of those too. That'll keep the balance in line.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Saturday August 18th, 2018 6:31:19 PM

While communing with nature, Murphy has keep a telepathic communication channel open with Pressi, so she is tuned in to the conversation.

Just before the Culverwood responds, Murphy adds with a sigh,

"My lady love tells me we need four, to keep another agreement. I shall try to persuade her that three will do. And still see for the general health and welfare of the wolpertinger as time goes on."

Pressi can 'hear' what he is saying as he communes.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Saturday August 18th, 2018 7:31:05 PM

"We coulda saved some trouble by just going to Plateau City and getting a wizard to Poly Any Object four pigs into Wolperthingies," muses Bliss.

"Them's good eating!"

Bliss changes into a cat just so he can lick his chops better. His nose too, if he stretches his cat tongue a bit.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Saturday August 18th, 2018 9:27:35 PM
“You know Bliss, you might be on to something”, Succotash says, “why didn’t we think os the polymorph idea before we left Humble’s Ford!” At the mention of the pig option, Miss Piggy gives a disapproving squeal, and Succotash quickly adds, “Maybe we could use domestic rabbits instead?”

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17 (currently 16; 19 vs. Greater Shadow); HP 119/119, CMD 24; Fatigued (-2 penalty to Str and Dex)
Saturday August 18th, 2018 9:50:08 PM
Kezzem scratches Miss Piggy behind the ear. "Don't worry, Miss P, I'm sure that meanie Bliss meant polymorphing 4 kitty-cats into whatsa-tigers."

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Monday August 20th, 2018 5:34:02 AM
“So Murphy, what do you think about the polymorphic solution, it may solve some of our issues with the Culverwood, and besides, if the Wopeltingers are an endangered species, I would rather create our own than kill a few”.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Monday August 20th, 2018 1:32:27 PM
Pressi shakes her head as Murphy begins to negotiate with her, and as teammates begin to propose 8th level spell solutions.

"Or maybe we can hand them buckets of air, tell them that we liquidated them to invisible vapor, and try to fool our mayor and a couple of people that have done us no wrong and are counting on us. On the odd chance that works, would you feel good about it?

"Look, if something changes, I may switch sides on this. But for the most part, I think we have to remember why we are out here. People are counting on us and they didn't leave a lot of wiggle room or even an explanation of what they are using these creatures for, and I can't tell you if killing 2 or 4 makes that much of a difference to the population.

"At least let me try to message them with a scrying spell before we make a deal on their behalf."

In answer to the question of why we didn't think of this before, "Because it's of far greater magic than anything even Talia and I can do. Regular polymorphs don't actually change the creature so we need to find someone who's probably pretty hard to find, not to mention expensive. Oh, and we need a duration to last through the wedding, and a hope that magic modification doesn't change the taste."

Pressi begins the scrying spell, hoping to send a message to the mayor.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+20=31 ;
Monday August 20th, 2018 9:59:15 PM
Talia wants to know when the plans to migrate will be finalize, and who has the rooster for the watches tonight?

While waiting for the cacophony & Din of organization to subside, she's look around...[Skill: Perception: 31]

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Monday August 20th, 2018 11:15:26 PM

Murphy is on hold with the Culverwood...

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Monday August 20th, 2018 11:34:37 PM

"Miss Pressi, you are right. I think you should be the leader of the group."

Bliss watches carefully to see how Talia is going to come upon with a rooster. A Baleful Polymorph, maybe?

"It just better not wake me up at dawn!" Bliss warns.

He takes whatever watch Pressi suggests.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Monday August 20th, 2018 11:45:40 PM

[Gang: It's morning, right after breakfast. Do we need to worry about watches yet?]

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 5:22:42 AM
As a way to pass the time, Succotash and Miss Piggy mock wrestle, using exaggerated moves for comedic reasons, and of course Piggy Wins. “No fair, you cheated”, Succotash fakes indignation. “You’re bigger than me, you should have let me win!”, He concludes with a chuckle.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22 d20+27=45 ;
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 6:19:06 AM

"Very well, then," Murphy communes, "We're going for four, to keep another promise. And I will still do what I can in the future to ensure the welfare of wolpertingers here in the Culverwood - and all I can to ensure no more than four are killed or captured, and that the nursing mothers and their kits are not hurt by any who are with me."
========

"Talia, a cleric or wizard or sorcerer simply casts the spell continual flame on to a regular torch. Since the spell itself creates a permanent effect, you may not need to use a permanencyi spell in order to make it."

"Mister Zaragosa - Might I suggest you take the share offered to and declined by you, and, since you do not feel you earned it yet, use it to help us buy some cages in Emerald City stout enough to carry perhaps one or two wolpertinger per cage - with a dividing wall inside to ensure they don't fight each other while caged. Let's see if we can't capture them alive. Whether we can get them back to our town via shadow walking again, or boating back up the river - hiring a couple of sailors to help us, or finding a giant sling to hurl us as a group all the way back to the valley - let's get what we need to carry them with us in relative safety for us and the critters."

"Thank you Bliss. The spell was a bit taxing this time around." [Should have more to say once a DM rings in on the Culverwood's final response.] "Say, Bliss, Pressi, Talia - Would you all tally the spell resources we have, and work with the team on optimizing - I mean, on making the best use of the spells we can cast as we try to figure out the best way to get the flying deer bunnies?

"Everyone, as I said, Emerald City is that direction," he points again, "ten miles east of here. We know that here in the forest there is always a chance of running into obstacles and encounters.

"Shall we shadow walk? Or use some other means to get there - such as riding our mounts, some flying?"

"Are you all open to the notion of trying to capture alive, rather than to kill the wolpertingers? Once we have caught four of them, I think we need to get them out of the area where the others are as quickly as we can.

"How might we subdue those we do not capture?

"What means do we have for having some of us sneak up to them, and capturing a few, if possible, before they even know we are there?

"If the group is fine with heading toward the city before we continue the hunt, then how about we discuss strategies and tactics along the way?"

Regarding Succotash's query about polymorph, Murphy concurs Pressi's response. "We might use baleful polymorph, as Talia earlier discussed, to transform one or more real wolpertingers into rabbits - but then we need to cage them quickly enough that the unpolymorphed wolpertingers don't consider them a tasty snack. Then whichever of us initially polymorphed them in the first place, after we have gotten them back to Crescent Valley, we can reverse the spell, so they return to their true form. I think. Right?" he asks his fellow spell casters. "If it works that way, it should deal with any questions of taste."

"Oh, I could store a spell in a staff, too."

Before they leave the area, Murphy suggests that a few of the members of the party who are able to fly, do so, to mark from above this specific area, so that they will all recognize it, should the group need to return to this spot where we camped. He wildshapes into an air elemental to fly up high - as high as 1000 feet above the tree tops, seeing if at that angle he can spot evidence of the city off to the east, as well as picking out several landmarks - or treemarks - for navigating from here to there, and possibly back again. Then will drop back down. Depending upon the mode of travel that the group chooses, he will decide whether to go back to halfling form or not.

Perception: 45

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 1:37:17 PM
"Oh, and Pressi, are you up for going There? I know you seemed reluctant, due to past acquaintances, or the like?" Murphy asks.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 2:49:53 PM
"I'm completely okay with the plan to bring them alive if possible. But these are flying critters, and if one of them is about to get away, I'm gonna put an arrow through it's heart."

Hobie has a solemn look on his face.

"Succotash almost died, for the sake of a dumb wedding feast. I want to get these stupid things and be done with it. I'm not concerned with nursing mothers or mating pairs or whatever. I'm concerned with getting the job over with.'

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 3:29:03 PM
It should have been simple. Find four wolpertingers, get them back to Humble's Ford dead or alive, and finally get the town leadership to take the issue with the Giant Towers seriously.

Yet, here they are. They've communed with the Culverwood, tried to barter the wolpertinger bounty down to two without one party there to negotiate with, and are still en route to Emerald City to hire a guide to make all this easier...not to mention almost getting their souls ripped out and being transformed into shadows.

Murphy's discussion with the Culverwood ends with a simple answer: It will not aid, nor hinder, as it said before.

It is morning. The plan seems to be to continue onwards towards Emerald city, which lies a mere 5 hours away if they walk at a good, non-stressful clip. There's talk of shadow walking, but what if they shadow walk right past a nest of wolpertingers?

One thing's for sure: they're not going to get anywhere standing around and planning. It's time to move.

***

IF the party continues towards Emerald City without shadow-walking, I need a survival check from everyone who has at least 1 rank.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 3:38:24 PM
Pressi finally calmed down as people spoke over each other, and tried to calm others as well.

"Ok, a lot going on. But I think its settled, we'll try to take four and we'll try to take them alive and not harm the population, practical convenience issues, blah blah blah. And Murphy, I appreciate the time to speak my mind. It's not like I have a stake in this, but I did feel I needed to speak for the ones that do.

"It... is a shame that we need to stop off at the city to get supplies and do research, but I'm sure we could find some cages. As for planning, I was going to just let the new guys do it, but in general... I can do non-lethal melee and there probably are a few tricks I can use - polymorphs, flesh to stone, deep slumber, charm monster - but the key is probably going to be simple pit, net and other traps, probably should have asked what these things eat. The real trick, as Hobie noted, is that it's really going to be difficult to keep them alive but under control through the trip back, and I probably can't shadow walk carts... or them (they'd have to be added to the creature count). I won't have more than a slot or two to spare, so it looks like we are boating back. That, I don't really have any good ideas. But we probably need to shadow walk now to allow for some time later... if I can find sufficient shadowy areas within the next 10 minutes."

When Bliss is ready, Pressi begins their morning rituals and then prepares shadow walk (if she can find any shadowy areas).

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 4:03:31 PM
"Are you sure that's safe Press?" asks Kezzem as she preps for another shadow walk. "I don't want us to get attacked by the darkness again. I don't have any magic missiles to cast at it!"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22 d20+27=44 ;
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 5:22:30 PM

After his overhead reconnaissance for visual memory and later map-making purposes, the druid returns to the ground.

"Hobie, if one is getting away, but there are more to be had - or if we already have some, why kill the escaping one?" Murphy asks. "I'm sure I can fly faster than these critters. How about if you fit some of your arrows with bird blunts? Knock 'em out, rather than knockin' 'em dead. And that way, you probably don't get blood all over their feathers and fur."

He offers an option. "Shadow walking should get us to or near the city in about ten minutes, once we start. Sounds good to me. If anyone thinks it a good idea, most of you can shadow walk with Pressi, and I can fly above the tree level to get a bird's eye view of the forest between here and the city. Just in case there happen to be any wolpertingers in this stretch of woods, I might have a chance of seeing them.

"We should arrive in the city about the same time, and Pressi and I can communicate to figure out where each is, then regroup.

"But if y'all want us to stick together through the walk, I'm happy to come along that way. Any preference, friends? Some aerial recon, or all walk together?"

If enough people are open to the split group to cross the distance, then Murphy flies just above the treetops, looking and listening as well as one might when traveling over 60 miles per hour at that height. Otherwise, he's with the group. Perception 44

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 5:49:35 PM
"Mister Murphy?" says Talia in a questioning tone. "Didn't you say the Culverwood said that the WhoperTings are magical creatures? What if they have Spell Resistance?! What is they can fight back? There are too many "What if" questions here that I do not believe we are actually taking into account for this little soiree!" says Talia.

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells)
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 7:29:10 PM
"That sounds like an excellent idea!" Zaragosa says to Murphey, as he tips his hat to Murphey "That would help us in our current task. I could track ahead. I can be very stealthy when needed though I have never hunted anything like this before so I don't know what I would do. I am ready to follow any order given, within reason of course."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 7:45:48 PM

"Yes, they are magical creatures. Depending upon how we approach the task - there's a fair chance some of them will try to fight back. Spell resistance? I'd be surprised if they do - I don't think they are fae creatures, but, if they do have some, then, they might resist a spell or two. There are plenty of 'what ifs' to think about - good on you for bringing some up. That will not necessarily help them to resist nets, though.

"I can cast owl's wisdom, which raises the effectiveness of the spells I cast. If someone has the means to bolster your already entrancing charisma, and that of the paladins, or the intellect of our witches, that could somewhat help us in the situation you described.

"I can cast a 45' high wall of wind, making it so they cannot fly through it - though they might fly above it with some effort. What if you had baleful polymorph prepared to alter them just as they fly above the wall?"

"What other 'what ifs' can we come up with? Thanks for those, Talia."

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+2=12 ; d20+20=31 ;
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 7:51:10 PM
After saying her say, Talia casts Overland Flight on herself. Using her skills for survival [Skills: Survival: 12] and her perception while traveling -- [Skills: Perception: 31].

Assuming the travel order with place Talia somewhere in the middle of the troop.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 d20+14=22 ; d20+19=28 ;
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 9:25:14 PM
(OOC: Apologies. I posted at the same time as Ken.)

Woldsblood. Crone form. Ritual of Warding. Ritual of extended shared shield of faith+lore, CLW wand on Bliss. Mockery at Kezzem. Just a normal day.

It seems that people are splitting into groups between Murphy (land moving) and Pressi (shadow walk) but we still await the particular split (other than Talia). Pressi does reassure Kezzem that shadow attacks are not the norm.

Still, if basically everyone wants to join Murphy, she will too. (Survival 22, Perception 28). She considers joining Talia with her own ability, flying broom, but the group will probably want her on the ground for tracking (Relentless Tracker from Justicar - add 2 CL to the above roll if for tracking.)

As for Talia, she doesn't have a ready answer beyond "run away" as an "autonomous collective." She does point out, though, that they have a lot of options at their disposal, and she has an ability to scan all the strengths and weaknesses of any creature with a simple touch. Also, SR gives you no protection from pit traps. Just saying.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle) d20+13=23 ;
Tuesday August 21st, 2018 9:31:57 PM

Bliss does his morning prep with his coven partner.

Grimalkin for Bliss and Shield of Faith for a Shared Spell.

Let me know if you need rolls.

Bliss leads the way to the Emerald City!

Survival 23!

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 d20=12 ; d20=15 ;
Wednesday August 22nd, 2018 5:29:04 AM
Succotash rolls 12+3=15 for survival
Miss Piggy rolls 15+7=22 for survival

Succotash mounts Miss Piggy and says, “Lead on Bliss, Emerald City awaits, by the way, isn’t there supposed to a a yellow brick road or something?”

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Wednesday August 22nd, 2018 12:22:47 PM
"Well, the whole point of getting to the culverwood was that the Wolpertingers are here right? I'd prefer to just walk through the woods here rather than shadow walk, in case we run across a couple. Either way, I go where Pressi goes. Let her lead on."

To Murphy "Obviously I'm not gonna kill them if we can take them alive. If you can outfly them then by all means do, but if one is going to escape, I'm shooting it. As for blunted arrows, what I wouldn't give to get my hands on some of those, but unfortunately they don't exist in the Wold. I've heard of other worlds where the gods granted people Advanced weaponry, but as far as I know, in the Wold our gods have only given us Core weaponry. Alas!"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Wednesday August 22nd, 2018 12:44:16 PM
Since the consensus is everyone walks, Pressi doesn’t cast shadow walk.

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Wednesday August 22nd, 2018 1:17:52 PM
Pressi's nerves settle down. Her and Bliss are able to find a moment to complete their morning rituals.

Talia and Murphy have a chat about the wolpertingers fighting back. They may fight back, but Humble's Sword has taken down a dragon. Surely they can handle a few wolpertingers.

Murphy takes a moment to get an aerial view of the area. There's talk of whether or not to shadow walk to Emerald City. Hobie makes the point that the wolpertingers are right here in the forest, and skipping over it may not be their best bet.

Pressi decides she'll join Murphy and the rest on land, and seeing how she's the primary source for shadow-walking, that kind of settles it.

...and she almost misses it. If not her her Justicar training, she would have missed it. They're rabbit tracks. There's just a few of them in a clearing, with none exiting or leaving the surrounding vegetation. It could very well be a large hair on the run leapt into the clearing and leapt out, or it could have flown. They do not look fresh; it's likely been several days since they were made.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22 d20+15=16 ; d20+15=35 ;
Wednesday August 22nd, 2018 3:18:11 PM

Earlier conversation with Hobie
"Alas? So the Catacombs do not sell them," Murphy says to Hobie. "A dagger to remove the point, and make a light notch on each side near the end of the shaft for string to bite into. A bit of cloth. A foot or two of string or twine. You can make your own bird blunt arrow, Hobie. It takes maybe ten minutes the first time. With practice, maybe five minutes or less per arrow. I've got string and twine, and cloth. I'd be happy to help you with it."

If Hobie agrees, Murphy does help, switching back to his halfling self so he can access the materials he listed, but not quite as expertly as he expected he might - Survival 16 for the first bird blunt attempt - not terrible, but not magnificent. At least Hobie should get the gist of how to blunt an arrow, and he leaves him with 25 feet of string, a square of canvas, and a cloth bag. "You can use leather, too, for such a tip."

At present
So, the group sets out for a traipse through the forest, with Murphy riding Skipper. "I love these woods," the druid remarks. And Pressi spots the rabbit tracks. "Great eye, Diamond Dust." He looks over the area.

"Trackers - time to get to work. We may be able to find a nest in this neck of the woods. As Pressi pointed out, the tracks are a few days old." Murphy looks at the main direction the footprints point. Were there some with a heavier imprint, such as from landing, or from a take-off point? If so, he tries to gauge the direction.

Next, he uses his druidic ability to pass without trace to check the surrounding vegetation, to see if there is a sign within the bushes of a critter passing through the leaves, perhaps breaking twigs here and there, or leaving additional imprints in the soil under the brush, as well as evidence of passage through the undergrowth. He follows the trail for a short distance and reports back if such is found. If not, he likewise passes on the lack of nearby rabbit tracks within the local vegetation. Surely other members of the group will be conducting a similar search.

"We don't know, should these be wolpertinger tracks, whether it was flying from the burrow, or back towards it. Thoughts?"

Survival, tracking: 35

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle) d20+13=31 ; d20+22=41 ; d20+27=37 ;
Wednesday August 22nd, 2018 6:20:28 PM
Bliss changes into a cat and smells the tracks (scent ability).

he uses his brand spankin new survival skills to track. He is sneaky in hunting mode.

Survival 31
Prception 41
Stealth 37

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells) d20+23=37 ; d20+5=15 ; d20=6 ;
Wednesday August 22nd, 2018 9:19:31 PM
Whenever he travels with the group anywhere, Zaragosa will whisper to one of the rings he carries. This helps him travel more quietly then he already does. (+10 if the DM allows for the circumstance.) Zaragosa will not trail ahead to scout until requested, but he does take his time to be quiet whenever possible. (unless the group wants to travel at faster paces.

He was not a man of the outdoors, but being a bard, he knew a little of everything. So he would take a look at the tracks and see what he could come up with. He just wanted to know if it was the animal, these wolpertingers, they were tracking (knowledge nature? He did look to see if he could follow the tracks, but he knew he was no good at actual tracking.

Stealth 37 (or 47 with the ring)
Knowledge nature 15
survival 6

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Wednesday August 22nd, 2018 9:56:04 PM

Quick Query: How far from our campsite did we travel towards Emerald City before we came upon the 'bunny' tracks? The total distance between campsite and city is ~10 miles.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24 d20+1=7 ; d20+9=19 ; d20+1=11 ;
Wednesday August 22nd, 2018 11:43:07 PM
Kezzem puts his less than formidably tracking skills to the test, but honestly, he has trouble following Murphy's tracks.

Perception: 7.
Stealth: 19.
Survival: 11.

"Hey, were did Bliss and Zaragosa go?" he asks as the pair seemingly vanish into the Culverwood.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 d20+3=15 ; d20+7=11 ; d20+7=8 ; d20+7=12 ;
Thursday August 23rd, 2018 5:25:24 AM
“Ok Piggy, time to put your nose to work, and we’re not looking for truffles this time”, Succotash says with a smile, “However, If you do find some truffles, those things are delicious!”

Succotash: survival 15, perception 11
Miss Piggy (scent): survival 8, perception 12

“Umm, Piggy, the tracks are over here!”

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 d20+7=12 ; d20+6=10 ;
Thursday August 23rd, 2018 5:31:02 AM
Succotash rolls a 12 for stealth, and Miss Piggy rolls a 10.
“Guys, I hope you weren’t wanting me to move stealthily, full plate armor tends to interfere with that”.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 d20+19=39 ; d20+24=41 ; d20+1=18 ; d20+6=11 ; d20+9=29 ;
Thursday August 23rd, 2018 10:36:51 AM
"Yeah, my eyes had nothing to do with it," Pressi replied. "The Wolpertingers know they are being tracked... on some primitive level. The downside to Justicar abilities."

Pressi turns off her ability for now, choosing to aid another (no fail) for Bliss, along with using perception (Nat 20) and stealth (41) to hunt.

Harper makes an attempt to help. (Rolls: survival 18, perception 11, stealth nat 20).

Pressi also makes an attempt to cast locate creature: wolpertinger. (I need a DM ruling as to whether seeing a drawing is sufficient to fulfill the requirements.)

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

crone form
ritual of warding
shared spell: extended shield of faith

L1: 7+1
L2: 5+1
L3: 4+1
L4 1/3+1 (2?)
L5: 0/2+1

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22
Thursday August 23rd, 2018 2:42:50 PM

[Actually, Pressi, you have two pictures - the one that Murphy sketched, and the one that Mayor Bumbleluck provided.]

"I hope that we find only normal wolpertingers, and not the larger dire ones," Murphy says. "If we find the latter, then one could probably feed a fair-sized wedding party. But they can be nasty in combat." He then adds, "But, judging by the footprints left, if a wolpertinger, it looks like the small version."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Thursday August 23rd, 2018 3:55:07 PM
ooc: DMs, is Kim right? Can Hobie craft blunted arrows? I always assumed I just can't have them because they are in the APG and not in the CRB, but if its possible for me to have them, I definitely want some blunted arrows. Would have helped a lot against that crystal construct.

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues d20+14=27 ; d3=2 ;
Thursday August 23rd, 2018 4:32:05 PM
Murphy sets to work hunting down the wopletingers he hopes are nearby. He's a skilled enough tracker to determine the direction the tracks were heading and can follow them, but they don't lead anywhere interesting in the immediate vicinity.

(Humble's Sword travelled about 2 miles before finding these tracks.)

Bliss has an ability Murphy lacks in his present form: Scent. The passing happened too long ago to leave any scent, however. Bliss smells lots of interesting things, but isn't quite sure what a wolpertinger smells like. He's quiet, though. It's unlikely he scarred any off.

Jack can hide better than his mannerisms would indicate. He can't track worth a tinker's cuss, though.

Kezzem...is Kezzem, and we love him.

Succotash and Pig try to track as well, but Piggy's not interested in wolpertingers. She does find a very small truffle, though!

Pressi makes sure folks know that the wolpertinger who made these tracks knows it's being hunted. Thankfully, the rest of the pack shouldn't. Her perception skills are on point, but can't find anything that Murphy and Bliss can't. Harper can't help much, but manages to stay quiet. She tries getting a bead on any nearby, but feels her spell won't cut it. She may know what they look like, but her magic is much too personal for a painting to substitute for actual contact.

Hobie needs some blunted arrows. He wonders why he hasn't thought of them before.

With no other leads and with a somewhat active trail, our capable heroes follow the trail. It is not easy. The longer you follow, the further apart the tracks become. Soon, you find that tracks come down at different angles than they came from. While this does lend credence to the idea that these are wolpertinger tracks, it doesn't make the job of tracking them any easier. The party is forced to fan out to locate each set of tracks.

It is Bliss who first sees the creature. It seems to be alone, and is almost certainly trying to hide from you. (Perception vs stealth of 27 - success. Rolled d3 to determine who spots it.) As soon as its eyes lock with Bliss', it takes off into the brush.

It appears the hunt is on!

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 halfling AC/FF/T 22/18/16 CMB 10 CMD 22 d20+27=43 ;
Thursday August 23rd, 2018 10:05:51 PM

Murphy messages to Pressi, "Bliss found it. It's bounding through the underbrush. Ask folks not to kill it, if it looks like they're about to try. We're on the chase." He tells her this as he pulls out his folded net to set beside him, and wild shapes into an air elemental. Aloud, he says in halfling, "Capture."

Perception (sight and hearing): 43

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+20=29 ; d20+20=26 ; d20+20=35 ; d20+2=4 ; d20+2=7 ; d20+2=17 ;
Thursday August 23rd, 2018 10:20:34 PM
Talia, casts Fly on herself in hopes to be able to keep the quarry in sight as it flees. Talia will stay between 10 and 15 ft above the ground while trying to keep up with the WhopperTinger.

Using her skills of Perception [Skill: Perception: 29, 26, 35] & Survival, [Skill: Survival: 4,7,17] while flying above the quarry.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Thursday August 23rd, 2018 11:53:07 PM

Bliss dashes off after it, at a speed of 50 with his barbarian and magical boosts. He tries to get a good sniff, so he will know it next time, even if getting the scent means he loses some ground.

Then he chases!

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27 d20+13=22 ;
Friday August 24th, 2018 2:36:12 AM

(just in case we're not yet in combat rounds)

Air Murphy picks up the folded net, and sets off in pursuit of the deer bird bunny, following the sounds, and what views he may be able to pick up. As he flies 115, perfectly (expertly dodging trees and other obstacles in his path above the bushes), he intends to get up and ahead of the critter. He readies the net should the wolpertinger fly up above the underbrush. First ranged touch attack comes in at... 18 (forgot to subtract -4 for nonproficiency). This might be a few rounds ahead though...

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Friday August 24th, 2018 3:43:52 AM
Hobie sees Bliss take off running, so he chases after, gripping Prowler tightly in his left hand. He is watching Murphy and Bliss to see how well they handle the capture, deferring at first to them before casting any spells or loosing any arrows.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 d20+7=17 ; d20+7=23 ;
Friday August 24th, 2018 5:37:59 AM
Succotash lightheartedly scolds Miss Piggy, and then takes the truffle saying “it’s pretty small, but with these things, a little goes a long way, should add some lovely flavor to dinner tonight”. He than mounts Miss Piggy, and follows his friends with the net Murphy gave him in hand. When Bliss spots the first wolpertinger, he holds back a little, figuring his friends have things under control, instead he and Piggy try to see if any others are hidden.

Succotash perception: 17
Miss Piggy perception (scent): 23

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Friday August 24th, 2018 10:36:52 AM
Harper takes off like a shot but not directly at the creature. Pressi instead orders Harper to stay by the creatures side in an attempt to corner the creature. (An action is readied to attempt a grapple if the rabbit runs towards Harper.)

Pressi chooses to attempt casting deep slumber on it if she can get within 45 feet of it (or can cast through Harper via shared spell). (Will DC 20).

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24
Friday August 24th, 2018 1:10:20 PM
"I really should have thought to do this this before we started hunting," says Kezzem. "Rumpus, to me, my loyal steed. Your speed is needed."

OOC: Summon Mount (full-round action).

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells) d20+33=42 ; d20=12 ; d20+7=23 ;
Friday August 24th, 2018 7:45:54 PM
(OCC, I laughed when I read the DM's response about my character. My wife thought I was crazy)

Zaragosa did not like the idea of fanning out on the trails. He was not good at this 'nature' thing at all and thought he might get lost. He would ask anyone if he could travel with them.

If so. He would go at their pace. If quietly, then extremely quietly. If they need to move quickly, Zaragosa would whisper to his boots which would double his movement speed but only for a minute (boots of speed)

If not, he would try his best not to get lost while going at half speed to be stealthy in hopes that someone will find him later

stealth 42
survival tracking 12
perception 23

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Friday August 24th, 2018 8:32:18 PM
The wolpertinger doesn't make it very far on land before it takes to the skies, but Bliss is too fast, too graceful, and too fierce for it to get away.

(Your rolls are too high for it to escape w/ anything other than a Nat1, so I'm moving this along.)

CatBliss' distaste for blood comes in handy as he's able to quickly subdue the thing. A constant pressure on the beast's throat ensures it stops thrashing in a few minutes. Its breathing continues once Bliss lets go (if he wants to!).

The rest of Humble's Sword comes tearing through the forest. Kudos to the team for knowing how to snap into action, but it's a shame it worked out so anticlimactically.

There are no signs of any other wolpertingers nearby.

(Only one survival roll is necessary. Reveal up to your point of failure.)

Survival DC 10, Highlight to display spoiler: {This is an adolescent wolpertinger.}
Survival DC 20, Highlight to display spoiler: {Wolpertingers of this age have already left their packs.}
Survival DC 25, Highlight to display spoiler: {...but siblings do tend to stick together when they leave their parents. Solitary wolpertingers are rare.}
Survival DC 30, Highlight to display spoiler: {Given the age, and assuming all the rest of the wolpertingers in the pack are about the same age, they probably hunt in an area of roughly 2 sq miles. Of course, it's unlikely those 2 sq miles are centered on your exact location.}

It is still before noon.

***

In the interest of not having two missing DM posts in a week, I'll post again this weekend if everyone can get a post in by Sunday morning.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+2=3 ;
Friday August 24th, 2018 9:04:01 PM
Talia, realizing the quarry is had, flys down the the ground and joins Bliss. Looking at the wolpertinger, coupled with her survival skill [Skill: Survival::3 (NAT 1) ], Talia couldn't tell the back end from the front!

Asking Bliss, "Should I through a tanglefoot bag on it or turn it in a snail for easy transporting?"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24 d20+1=2 ;
Friday August 24th, 2018 10:00:46 PM
Kezzem mounts Rumpus and attempts to follow after his friends.

Survival: 2 (natural 1).

Unfortunately, tracking is not his strong suit. "Hey, where did everyone go?"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27 d20+15=25 ; d20+27=30 ;
Friday August 24th, 2018 10:22:17 PM

"Nicely done, Bliss. Might I wrap it for you?" He unfolds the net, offers to wrap it a few times about the wolpertinger. Then he uses the 10' length of rope at a corner of the net to tie after the critter is wrapped. As he does so, he gets a good look at the air rabbit, attending to the lay of the feathers, the colors.

"There may be another one nearby. This one is adolescent."

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells) d20=8 ;
Friday August 24th, 2018 11:52:03 PM
(missing the DM posts are fine by me. Classes just started so I missed one myself)

Survival score of 8 because Zaragosa no so good at outdoorsy

Zaragosa was just relieved to find the rest of the humble sword. They seem to have captured at least one of these things but Zaragosa has no idea on where to find another one.

"Well done Bliss! you have shown us all up! Very well down indeed, good show" Zaragosa blunders out as he catches his breath

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 d20+7=10 ; d20+3=4 ;
Saturday August 25th, 2018 5:54:01 AM
Miss Piggy with a survival roll of 10 knows that this is a adolescent wolpletinger, however apparently, Succotash is too busy trying to decide what to use the truffle for to notice anything (natural 1).

Succotash scratches Bliss (while in cat form) behind the ears, and says, “Well done my friend! Now we only need 3 more”.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27 d20+27=36 ; d20+15=31 ;
Saturday August 25th, 2018 8:09:01 PM

Murphy comments as things settle down from the quick chase, "I hope the local wolpertinger nest is under threat by no one except for us. If not, we may have to defend those whom we pursue." He looks around to ensure everyone is in good shape. "Shall we continue to hunt? Succotash, might I place - say, is that a truffle you've got there?" he asks as he flies closer with the wrapped wolpertinger package. "Nice. I was going to ask, might we tie this critter to the back of Miss Piggy? Then we can set out and look for more."

If Succotash (or someone else with a mount, or someone with a better suggestion) is good enough to lash the bunny to the back (or figure out a better way to carry the net-wrapped fellow), then Murphy flies up high above the treetops, and takes a quick look about. [Perception: 36; Survival: 31]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 d20+14=20 ; d20+19=38 ;
Saturday August 25th, 2018 9:00:43 PM
Survival 20.

"I don't really have a better way to transport him... Well, maybe "deep slumber" or "flesh to stone." Honestly, it probably would have been better off if we just snapped its neck. But since you asked... First, I don't think its a good idea to hunt around here. This guy clearly left his pack. Second, I guess it depends on what you consider the most dignified and least painful... I guess the back pack thing works unless we can find better at Emerald City."

Pressi does take some time to also look around (Perception 38).

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle) d20+13=25 ; d20+13=14 ;
Saturday August 25th, 2018 10:22:44 PM
Survival 25

Bliss does not kill the odd bunny, and lets Kim bind it. When it is secure, he turns into a halfling long enough to say that maybe it has siblings around abouts.

Maybe Mister Murphy can ask it if it has brothers or sisters or others of its folk nearby.

Then Bliss changes back into a cat and begins circling around for another trail.

Survival to track ... 14.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 d20+7=21 ; d20+7=11 ;
Sunday August 26th, 2018 7:03:53 AM
“I’s small but this little packed is packed with yummyness, any ideas as to how to use Murph?”, Succotash says while holding up the truffle, “and of course we can sling the makeshift net bag on Miss Piggy’s saddle, she’s a tough pig, and this doesn’t weight that much so no problem”.
Succotash rolls a 21, and Miss Piggy an 11 for perception while looking for more signs of the beasts.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Sunday August 26th, 2018 7:40:00 AM
"Nice job Bliss! I wonder where we might find three more?"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27
Sunday August 26th, 2018 1:38:58 PM

"What to do with the truffle? Yes, Succotash. I've cooked with them before, and they are exquisitely delicious. I'd suggest we see if we can find some more, and add them to the .Mayor's wedding feast," Murphy answers his friend. "What do you think of that notion?"

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Sunday August 26th, 2018 4:22:44 PM
Talia and Kezzem are both very clueless about this wolpertinger.

Murphy secures their prey in his net, noting it's just an adolescent.

OOC: Kim, what are those rolls for? It looks like survival and perception. Is that right?

Zaragosa isn't much better about outdoorsy stuff than Talia and Kezzem. He congratulates Bliss on his capture.

Murphy ties the secured wolpertinger to Miss Piggy's back. Then, he takes off to look for more.

Pressi mentions killing it would be easier. Maybe she's right? It's going to be eaten if it's handed over to the mayor back home anyway. Her finely tuned senses take in the surrounding area.

Bliss suggests Murphy speak with the thing before turning back into a cat and continuing. He has a good idea on what wolpertingers smell like now, so his scent ability will be useful. He fails to find anything nearby, though.

Hobie asks around, wondering how they can find more.

Murphy and Pressi are both able to take in the surrounding area. Unfortunately, Pressi is not a tracker, and Murphy is above the treeline and unable to see anything other than...well, tree tops.

***

OOC: Hey folks, rolling survival checks until you luck out may work in a sit down game, but in this format it's just wasting time and not at all fun.

The original plan was to head to Emerald City. If you guys want to keep doing that, cool, we'll move on to that. If you want to search, I'm going to allow you to take 20 on a survival check if you spend an hour looking.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24
Sunday August 26th, 2018 7:15:06 PM
Kezzem takes 20 on his Survival check and eventually finds his friends.

"Oh, there you guys are!" says Kezzem. "I think Rumpus had me going in circles!"

Rumpus shakes his head. If a pony could roll its eyes, he would.

"Hey, you did you find a whatsistiger?"

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells) d20=13 ; d20+7=21 ;
Sunday August 26th, 2018 9:05:26 PM
(Survival 13: zaragosa still knows nothing about the outdoors. He is starting to wonder where the indoor toilets are (just kidding). I don't care about the games pacing. It only helps me keep up with this new style of gaming. Just know I have very little to contribute.)

Zaragosa, not wanting to be useless. Tries to keep a lookout for any enemies while the others are tracking.'

Perception 21 to look out for anyone that means us harm.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Monday August 27th, 2018 5:24:05 AM
“Well, unless someone more skilled than I was able then find any other signs of the wopeltingers, I suggest we head to Emerald City, get some cages, and maybe a guide, and then see if we can find more of these little beasts”, Succotash suggests. “Murphy you could try casting speak with animals, and talking to the thing, like Bliss suggested”, Succotash offers, “ but I don’t know how much help it would be, I doubt it would be willing to give us the location of its family”.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Monday August 27th, 2018 1:12:29 PM
If people are taking an hour to search, Pressi decides to take the time to search for tracks too.

(Survival 40 for an hour. She gets 20 from take 20, 14 from skills, and 6 from Justicar ability.)

"Isn't the help of speak with animals clear?" she asks Succotash. "To ease our conscience, we have deigned it necessary to capture only those animals that wish to be eaten. If our captive is anything short of enthusiastic to getting in our belly, even after soft persuasion, then surely eating him will be an affront to the predator-prey relationship. This is why I talk to the undead before eating them.

"Or I can question it until it cracks. A couple of the right spells ought to do it. By which I mean ensure my doom when the inevitable mechawhomp finally arrives."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27
Monday August 27th, 2018 1:37:44 PM

Murphy takes 20 on survival: 35. [And, yes, Carl, his rolls in an earlier post were for perception and survival, as was mentioned at the very bottom of the post.]

"I suggest a patterned sweep, angling north, then south, as we head in a generally easterly direction toward the city. If we find something, good. If not, after we visit the city, we can return for a broader look."

If more wolpertinger are found, then we'll move into action. If not, then on to the city.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27
Monday August 27th, 2018 1:56:47 PM

... Or, if we stir up some other critters, well, that might be entertaining, too.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18
Monday August 27th, 2018 3:05:35 PM
Talia thinks to herself, "Seeing as she is not a Ranger or of any suitable class for this journey, I'll just wait while they ply Hide and seek with the 'TIngers! I'll practice my Prestidigitation!"

Tailia practices the various aspects of gifts of Prestidigitation! Talia starts by cleaning the area she is sitting in with a bit of house dusting by Prestidigitation.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27
Monday August 27th, 2018 7:18:08 PM

"And, uh, gang - let's try to stay reasonably close together as we do this. Say, no more than a couple hundred yards distance between us as we search," Murphy encourages the group. "Talia, how 'bout you walk a straight line to the east," he says, pointing that direction. "And make the trail clean and sparkle as you go along!" he teases her lightly.

Also, it should be mentioned that Murphy's searching while flying, is well below the treetops. Say in the 20'-50' altitude, depending upon the height and density of the local foliage.

"Bliss, and Succotash, I could try speak with animals. I hardly think it sporting, though, to chat with the poor fellow, and ask, 'By the way, do you suppose you can tell me where your fellows are?' Guys, I feel bad enough about this task as it is."

"Pressi, what in the Wold is a 'mechawhomp'? You know so many things, sometimes I just feel ignorant in your presence. Of course, I am ignorant about many things. Got to keep chipping away at my lack of knowledge in so many realms."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Monday August 27th, 2018 10:51:43 PM
"Sporting isn't our concern right now, we've got a job to do. We aren't hunting for hobby here. I'm with Succotash, I think we should keep heading to Emerald City"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27
Monday August 27th, 2018 11:05:33 PM

"Fine, Hobie, you're irritated with me, because that is the rule now. Looked like some others were searching, too, including Pressi. I waited until I saw what she was doing before I suggested a pattern to a sweep as we move toward the east. I agree we head to the city - that is where we are going, but that we keep our eyes and ears and... noses on the alert as we travel toward the city, right? No brag, just fact - I can move almost six times faster than a few members of the party. You think it unwise that we look on the way? Or is this just part of the requirement to remain angry with Murphy?"

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Tuesday August 28th, 2018 5:09:26 AM
“ I’m not ANGRY with you Murph. I’m just annoyed at how much we are talking about their feelings and wellbeing and whatnot. We are hunting them so that our mayor can EAT them. Alive or dead, what does it matter?

He nocks an arrow and aims at the captured Wolpertinger

”In fact, why keep it alive and risk it escaping? If we kill it, you can just Gentle Repose it and keep the meat nice and fresh.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Tuesday August 28th, 2018 5:36:49 AM
“Don’t be to annoyed with Murphy, Hobie”, Succotash interjectes, “he’s a Druid, and you know how Druids are when it comes to critters, it’s in their nature to want to preserve and protect them”. “And yes, gentle repose is an option, but, I would rather keep them alive if possible. I’m not sure why, but I guess, I feel sorry for the little guy”.

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Tuesday August 28th, 2018 1:05:22 PM
Kezzem has a look around, but tracking is still not his thing. Zaragosa's in the same boat, so he stands guard instead.

Succotash suggests heading to Emerald City, and that Murphy tries talking to the one they caught.

Pressi says some words that don't make sense to some folks, though everyone's sure they're supposed to be sarcastic.

Fortunately, her and Murphy are very good trackers. More tracks are found, and the two manage to narrow down a small number of possible locations for the local pack's lair.

Talia starts to clean the wilderness.

Tense words are shared between Hobie and Murphy regarding the fate of their captured wolpertinger and their next moves. Perhaps Hobie's desire to move on to Emerald City is somewhat diminished when Murphy and Pressi make progress in tracking down additional specimens? The consensus does seem to be on keeping the wolpertinger alive for the time being, though.

***

Thanks to the efforts of Pressi and Murphy, the two slowly, but surely, progress closer and closer to what they believe to be the...den? burrow? What do you call the nesting place of a bunch of wolpertingers? Anyway, they close in. Both are confident that with a little bit more effort, they'll be right on top of them.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18
Tuesday August 28th, 2018 1:57:25 PM
[OCC: A group of jackalopes is called a flaggerdoot ~ perhaps the same for Wolpertingers?]

Talia will stop with cleaning activities as the mighty trackers hone in on the quarry of Flaggerdoot!

Not being much up to the task of ranger / wilderness living...Talia will hang back with Kezzem & Zaragosa Guarding & watching the group.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Tuesday August 28th, 2018 2:58:37 PM
"Mechawhomp is a common term meaning 'Really really big Wolpertinger out for revenge against those that disrespect their kin' or 'Wow, I thought you'd be used to my weird sense of humor by now.' Also, stop pretending you don't know what things like mecha are. We've literally fought a half dozen different types of them. I have a spell that summons one when I need to lift stuff.... That said, I guess Constructigger is more recognizable and funnier. Never mind."

Pressi does back Murphy up against Hobie. "First, I'm allowed to talk a certain way to Murphy because I make up for it in the bedroom, and you should know I don't share. Second, I'm the reason Succotash got hurt and the reason we are wandering out here so stop blaming Murphy and be more mad at me. Third, Succotash seems to have gotten over the shadows and the forest, so take it down a notch.

"And fourth, I'm actually a lot more torn about these creatures than I maybe let on. Sort of connected to nature myself and all, though a little less so than the average witch. But while I don't appreciate the extra work, I respect it. Frankly, it wouldn't kill you to start expressing your feelings and softer side for a change."

Pressi settled down. "Besides, its almost over. We found the tracks, we found the burrow, our hunting party is almost done. And Murphy, you can calm down. We've fulfilled the mission and I think nature should be pleased. So, shall we all calm down and begin. Any suggestions on what to do next?"

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells)
Tuesday August 28th, 2018 3:29:43 PM
Zaragosa was a bit uncomfortable with the arguments going around. Being new, he couldn't decide if this was how the group always got things done, or if there was bad blood between the members. He would have spoken up in his usually over-the-top manor if he knew, but since he did not he would remain quiet and on the lookout.

He tries to keep watch, forgetting about looking for tracks.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27
Tuesday August 28th, 2018 4:00:55 PM
Murphy laughs with Pressi's word etymologies, and appreciates the general tenor of what she has to say. "Thank you, Succotash, Pressi, and Hobie. Also Talia, for teaching us a new word, Jack for keeping a lookout, and Kezzem for tracking us down.

"Actually," he addresses Hobie, "you have in a way managed to point out to me that I have not yet sexed the wolpertinger. If it's female..." As he speaks, he kneels down to begin partially to untie the critter enough so he can determine its gender [which I am assuming is male]. After checking, he re-bundles him. "If male - ah, yes - we keep him. To keep my promise to the Culverwood, it should help to communicate with them on our journey back to our town. I can actually memorize speak with animals, and see if that works to communicate with them. I'm embarrassed to admit I don't have it at hand at the moment. That could help me know better what things to do to help them thrive.

"I suppose I am soft. But, I will help in the hunt. And hope we can get what we need while keeping four specimens alive. Might make upcoming conversations with them a little bit easier, despite that they are scheduled for dinner in a few days. Does that make sense to you, good archer? Later we can grab suitable cages in Emerald City for transport, and hire the help of a couple of river sailors for the trip home."

Approach ideas - add to these as you wish
With Pressi, and a suitable downwind distance from the target site that conversation will not be overheard, Murphy briefs the group on where the wolpertinger nest - flaggerdoot - is, and how they appear to be arrayed. "If someone can cast invisibility upon one of us who can fly, that one can get a better look without disturbing them overmuch... though smell may rile them up. Actually, I don't think in this form [air elemental] that I have any particular scent aside from normal air." He gives as wry a look as he can manage in his present form and adds, "Though some opinions on that may vary."

"Let's see if we might capture up to six of them, in addition to the one we have. That way, if some are female, then they can be returned once we've had a chance to check.

"I have two instances of baleful polymorph available. If I use it, I'll try to turn the wolpertinger into an armadillo." He describes what they look like. "When threatened, they tend to roll up into a ball. So, if you see one, then grab it up, before it tries to burrow away. Also have wind wall, which will keep them within one area for a little over a round or two, unless they fly up and over the 55' height. Though perhaps I should shape it so that there is at least one open area to channel them through as they try to escape.

"Mind the wee ones and their mothers! Please. I'll cast owl's wisdom [+4 wis 11 minutes] on myself, to help with polymorph. Here is a thought. Bliss, if I cast freedom of movement [110 minutes] upon you, and entangle a portion of the nest area, that might enable you to move within the area and do what you can do to some of the critters. If you like that - or if someone else thinks that they'd like to do that, then let me know. I have only one of each spell.

"I have available cat's grace [+4 dex 11 minutes], bear's endurance [+4 con 11 min.], barkskin [+4 enhancement to natural armor 110 min.] -- if any need one or more of those, speak up. I know calm animals [make docile and harmless 2d4+11 hd], but don't know if that would work on wolpertinger. Hmmm, actually, I can cast it twice. We could try it in our little guy here, just to see, or find out in the thick of things."

"Second to the last thought for the nonce. So that we do not raise a huge ruckus walking through the brush on our way to the site, I could carry maybe four of you in the air, and set you down near the nest.

Murphy retrieves a net from his dog Skipper. "We have eight more nets among us - say if you want one, and it's yours."

"Other ideas, friends?"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24
Tuesday August 28th, 2018 4:39:52 PM
Kezzem has a conversation with himself.

"Hey Kezzem, there you are...we were afraid we lost you."

"Don't worry about it, Kezzem, I can take care of myself."

"All the same, Kezzem, I am glad you are okay."

"I appreciate it, Kezzem."

At Murphey's prompt for ideas, Kezzem ads "Turn them into a newt...they'll get better, right?"

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle) d20+13=23 ; d20+22=34 ; d20+27=38 ; d20+34=48 ; d20=1 ;
Wednesday August 29th, 2018 12:17:42 AM

As a cat, Bliss uses his scent and hunting skills to sneak right up to the burrow.

Survival 23
Perception 34
Stealth 38

If he sees a bunnything, he jumps on it, like last time. What was that, a grapple check? Bliss rolls acrobatics to avoid an AoO and then an attack:

Acrobatics 48
Attack: rolls a nat 1.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Wednesday August 29th, 2018 5:17:22 AM
Succotash holds back,as he doesn’t want the noise of his armor to give away his position, but he is ready with his net in case one comes his way.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+20=21 ; d20+14=33 ;
Wednesday August 29th, 2018 8:10:19 AM
Talia seeing her chance to be an active participant in this chase, casts both Invisibility &
Fly on herself, and tries her best to stay above CatBliss by about 10 feet, hovering waiting to drop a tanglefoot bag on the flaggerdoot when they emerge!

[Skills: Perception: 21 (NAt 1) & Fly: 33]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 d20+24=43 ;
Wednesday August 29th, 2018 11:50:32 AM
Pressi looks around for some shadows. If she finds some, she grabs a net and Hides in Plain Sight. (Stealth 43)

Otherwise, she prepares to cast Deep Slumber on the burrow entrance (DC 20).

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27 d20+29=32 ;
Wednesday August 29th, 2018 2:32:09 PM

[Wolpertinger don't tend to burrow. Antlers, right?]

Murphy casts owl's wisdom (+4 wis), and heads to the nest, to see what there is to do. If he sees what he thinks might be a male hopper, he casts baleful polymorph on it, changing it into an armadillo [Fort save DC 27 or change form; Will save DC 27 or lose several abilities: but keeps HD]. He is at a height of 30 feet.

"Capture, don't kill!" Murphy reiterates in the halfling tongue.

Perception: 32

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Wednesday August 29th, 2018 4:32:27 PM
When they arrive at what they believe is the Wolpertinger burrow, Hobie draws his bow and looks down into the hole.
Get your nets ready guys, I'll drive them out into the open

Using his Imbue Arrow ability, he fires an arrow with the Obscuring Mist spell down into the burrow. He is hoping this will cause the Wolpertingers to flee the burrow.

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Wednesday August 29th, 2018 10:07:56 PM
Apologies in advance for the low effort post I'm about to throw at you. I'm sitting in a crappy hotel room in Atlanta between wife and daughter on the eve of the eve of her heart surgery. I've driven all day, but by golly I'm not gonna be on my report.

***

Pressi and Murphy have done their tracking, and their work was correct.

Humble's Sword has made solid preparations, but in the end these are simple creatures who are just no match for them. Pressi's deep slumber spell alone is enough to make capturing them trivial.

The Culverwood spoke true: there are very young wolpertingers in the nest. All told, not including the one already captured, there are 3 adult females, 4 adult males, and 5 newborns.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Wednesday August 29th, 2018 11:15:17 PM

Bliss is glad to have helped with the capture. "We take five adult males and we're good!" he says in halfling form. "Can we shadow walk back today or should we camp out overnight?"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27
Thursday August 30th, 2018 1:23:17 AM
"Good job, everyone. Great work!

"Bliss, that leaves the mothers and young with very little defense. I promised the Culverwood to take no more than four. How about this? We take three adult males, and the younger one we already have."

Murphy checks the sex of each critter, and asks for his friends' help in choosing which three adult males to bring along. Once decided, using the nets, and the 10' net rope about them, so they are secure, but can breathe, and are not more uncomfortable than necessary. Then suggests they leave the rest to their nest, and depart with as little additional stress on the poor critters as they can manage.

Once they are well away from the much-disturbed nest, Murphy adds, "And, when we get to town, I'm going to appeal to the wedding party - in private, well before the ceremony - to spare one of them, that I may return it to the forest. If they say no, it's all four, then I will not appeal further."

"How about these two options for travel?" He asks his friends. "Option 1: We hire river guides in Emerald City, and go by boat. Total? About 18 hours of water travel, say split into two days.
"Option 2: Pressi shadow walks, with most of the group, including one of the bunnies - maybe the younger one, back to our place just outside Humble's Ford. I fly over the other three, and meet you all there, with not too much time one way or the other in our respective arrival times."

===========
Notes for DM Carl: Murphy carefully marks from the above the territory where the group found the wolpertingers, for future reference. He knows that, after the trauma they introduced to the group, they may choose to move. But he wants to know how to get back to the same vicinity. He also gathers up some of the local fauna,

He checks on their well-being fairly frequently, pets them as well as he can through the netting, speaks soothingly to them in the Sylvan tongue. As the group travels, he will occasionally provide them water.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Thursday August 30th, 2018 5:47:03 AM
“Hey Hobie, didn’t you say you had a scroll of teleport?”, Succotash asks, “ why don’t we send the critters ahead , along with whom ever wants to accompany them, and then the rest of us can follow using Pressi’s shadow walk spell”.

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells)
Thursday August 30th, 2018 10:01:01 AM
(OOC Sorry for my lack of posting. I (a) don't have a lot of skills in this and (b) wait for the DM but then sometimes forget to check back.

As for the DM, I am grateful that you all were understanding when I had family issues, so I too understand that you have family issues. Family come first. respect and prayers for your wife)

Zaragosa tilts his head as he decided to speak his mind a bit more. "I don't want to risk shadow walk with our captured creatures. Succotash was hurt last time and I could barely handle that plane of existence. Now that we have our new 'pets', we should try hard not to lose them. I vote to go by boat.

"Also, Do we have to talk all of them? Do we need five, right? Can we leave the rest to take care of the newborn?"

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18
Thursday August 30th, 2018 11:00:34 AM
Rejoining the group, Talia will back up Mister Murphy, in whatever way he believes we shall ship the Flaggerdoot back.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Thursday August 30th, 2018 11:40:43 AM
"Yeah Sucker, I've got this scroll of teleport, but here's the thing, it can only bring the caster, which would have to be Talia unless someone else can cast fifth level spells, plus three extra creatures, of which I'd like to be one. We can bring as many OBJECTS as we can carry, but it's four willing creatures max."

Hobie pauses, and is careful to keep his voice calm, as he doesn't want to provoke a fight.

"I know some of you guys are real keen on keeping these things alive, but remember, we did catch them so that they could be somebody's dinner. If you'll just let me kill them, we can put them in my handy haversack and get them to the mayor in about 5 minutes. Then the rest of the group can take their time riding back on the river. And as I know you are worried about them not being uncomfortable Murph, trust me, I can make sure it's absolutely painless. One arrow each, they won't feel a thing, just a quick cessation of life.

But if we insist on keeping them alive until we get back home (where, let me remind you, we will then proceed to kill them) then it's gonna complicate things as they can potentially resist any forms of magical travel, be it Teleport, Shadow Walk, or anything else."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Thursday August 30th, 2018 11:53:51 AM
DM question (How many days has it been since we left? I'm kinda confused, but it seems like it's only been about 3 days or so, is that right? If it's been less than 10 days, I want to retcon my last post, but if it's been more than 10 days let my last post stand instead of this one. )

Yeah Sucker, I've still got the scroll of Teleport, but I don't think it's really necessary right now. The mayor gave us 14 days to get back with the Wolpertingers, so now that we have them, and still have plenty of time, I think we should take the conservative option and follow Murphy's suggestion of taking the boats back to town. We can always teleport if we get into trouble and are running up against the deadline.

I also just remembered that while the Mayor told us we needed to bring back 4 of these things,he said that a fifth would be nice to place on the ceremonial plate for his deceased mother. So I say we bring back a fifth as well."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Thursday August 30th, 2018 1:58:51 PM
"I can't speak for the rest of us but I (or someone else) still have to head to Emerald City. You know, report a murder, show people the symbol, yada yada. I have no other opinions on travel, except that Talia is the only one who can cast fifth level spells. (Except me, but I presume I've been excluded because I'm needed to cast shadow walk.)

"I leave the particular mix up to you though I am pretty sure we can take one female instead of a male."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27
Thursday August 30th, 2018 5:12:33 PM
[OOC: Nick: We left Humble's Ford two days and four hours ago, roughly.]

"Please, stay your hand, Hobie," Murphy intercedes.

"Right, Pressi. Emerald City is a couple hours travel from here. I'd like to get a cage, or cages."

At her suggestion to take one female, rather than a male, he concurs - so long as the female is not nursing young. If he can determine that to be the case, he is fine with that substitution, and helps effect it, for more than one reason.

To the group he says, "I agree it would be more convenient in some regards just to off these unique creatures. Yet doing so leaves fewer options open. Such as allowing the cooks to fatten them up for a week or so before their slaughter. These are very rare creatures. One of them, cooked, likely has about nine pounds of meat. Let one more remain with the nest. Please, let us take only three from this group, besides the young one we already have, for the sake of the remaining group's survival, as the Culverwood intends for this magical animal." Murphy restrains himself from saying more.

When all are ready, Murphy travels with them - presumably Emerald City-bound.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Air Elemental AC/FF/T 29/22/19 CMB 12 CMD 27
Thursday August 30th, 2018 7:15:25 PM
Oh, and just before they leave the area, the druid marks a good-sized tree - oak, or yew, or the like. He places an airy hand upon it, moves all the way around it, and says in Sylvan, "Perhaps I'll see you soon."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24
Thursday August 30th, 2018 11:21:45 PM
Kezzem gently places a net over a sleeping wolpertiger.

"Yea, I did something," he says without much enthusiasm. This hunting expedition has not been his forte,

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Thursday August 30th, 2018 11:30:21 PM
Emerald City it is, then!

Murphy makes preparations to find this place again in the future. Assuming the nest stays put, Murphy's more than skilled enough to make sure his bearings are accurate.

There is some lingering disagreement about the status of the wolpertingers, but unless Hobie decides to go completely rogue and outright attack them over the objections of the others, they'll stay alive.

Regardless of how the party travels, the trip to Emerald City is uneventful.

***

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure how many days its been. If you can give me a few more days to get over this trip, I swear I'll be back to the DM you guys deserve.

ADM Kim - Time Lapse - coming up on 3 days in about 4 hours.
Friday August 31st, 2018 1:09:20 AM
Carl - don't sweat this. You watch over your honey.
=================
Time since we left:
9am depart from Humble House
~11am arrive in Hovel. Discuss options
~Noon or early afternoon Murphy takes 45 minute round trip to talk to the Culverwood

Once the sun sets and twilight shadows begin, the group, via Pressi's agency, shadow walks to a place in the Culverwood forest. Despite a shadowy encounter on the way, they get there midnight-ish. Unknown to them at the time, they are about 10 miles west of Emerald City (we overshot - maybe the Culverwood helped us get in the right vicinity). After further consultation with the Culverwood, about 10am or so they leave their nice camp, and find 8 miles away from the city their first wolpertinger, an adolescent, some time before noon, as DM Carl states in the *snipped* quote from his post:

=======
DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Friday August 24th, 2018 8:32:18 PM
... [capture of wolpertinger #1 by Bliss] ...
It is still before noon.
========

Further party discussion, general movement toward Emerald City, searching along the way, a nest of wolpertingers is found, a certain number taken. Time & distance unspecified by DM, but, perhaps one or two hours after the adolescent, so, say 1:30pm, maybe 6 miles from the city?

Some discussion after that. Heading toward Emerald City by 2pm. With mounts and other abilities, slowest movement 40, likely we'll arrive to the city at or before 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

By this evening at 7pm, it will be three (3) days since he had us to dinner, and afterwards asked us to go on this snipe hunt.

So, next DM post may have us coming in to Emerald City, about 4pm. Hi, elves!

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 d100=9 ; d100=46 ;
Friday August 31st, 2018 12:52:37 PM
(Ignore the d100 rolls. Not sure what happened there.)

As Murphy lays out all the factors and timetables, Pressi turned to the rest of the group. "This is why he's in charge instead of me," she remarked. "If I had to pay attention to this stuff, I'd calcify my brains out."

There isn't too much else to say. Pressi isn't inclined to take more of nature than required and "nice to have" for a centerpiece doesn't quite meet Pressi's view of "requirement." (Plus she already picked one battle and isn't ready for another.) She already said her piece about keeping them alive and is ready to do her best in that regard.

To the new guys especially, "Sorry that I didn't give you guys a chance. I'm still getting used to some of my newfound powers. But I'm sure you'll all have a chance to show us what you guys can do."

(OOC: What are the odds that Pressi "animal growths" one of the Wolpertiggers and sends it loose through the wedding. Make your bets now.)

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Friday August 31st, 2018 12:56:52 PM
So as I wrote in my retconned post, once I realized it's only been a few days, Hobie would not be at all interested in killing them yet. We have plenty of time and could definitely fatten them up for another week or so. He is however interested in taking a fifth as per the mayor's request.

"The forest really can't spare one more Wolpertinger for the wedding? They are magical beasts sure, but they are still just animals, come on."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large (Huge) Air Elemental
Friday August 31st, 2018 1:00:11 PM

"Kezzem, I almost chose newt, as you suggested!" Murphy tells the paladin. "Buck up, buddy. It'll get better. You got one! Well, not a newt."

As they travel toward the city, Murphy speaks up. "Look, friends, I know that some of you feel that I may be running roughshod over you. Honestly, that is not my intent. I really care about the purpose and success of our group. Yet I think I have not always been alert to what each of you are looking for.

"I do not want us to be at each other's throats. I may seem to some of you to be intransigent at times. Uh, that can mean stubborn, or can mean resolute. I can't promise to turn that around, presto change-o. But, I do want us to work together as a team. A reasonably unified team. I have no desire to be bullheaded. I do not wish to dictate, nor to be an autocrat. Where the group is concerned, I've nearly always tried to work hard, to encourage others, to hold high standards.

"One or more of you have mentioned Pressi for leadership. I concur. She's smart, innovative, knowledgeable.

"I'm not opposed to rotating leadership, or to particular domains of such.

"You may suppose that I will never stop planning, never stop looking out for the welfare of the Sword, and of those we serve to protect. Never stop trying to serve you, never stop trying to be an example in diligence and, as much as I can muster, in seeking wisdom in our ways.

"I mentioned purpose. Each of us needs to ask: 'Why am I a member of an adventuring group? And why this group, Humble's Sword? What are my aims? What are the group's aims?' Also, 'Is having one or more leaders a bad idea? Or does it have merit? If so, in what parameters?'

"Speak freely, friends. Bliss, and all, please tell me to my face your thoughts. Let's share with each other."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large (Huge) Air Elemental
Friday August 31st, 2018 1:07:32 PM
[Sorry - looks like I was finishing up my post as Pressi and Hobie posted. I've got to run in a couple minutes, but have time for this.]

"Hobie, now that we know where to find them, I can get all seven of us - with no mounts or extra animals - back to a spot about 150 yards from where we found them in under a minute from a tree near our place in Humble's Ford. If the mayor insists, after we have talked with him, on another, I am willing to get us back here. Recall, he said, 'It would be nice.' From one perspective, yes. From a bit larger perspective, I think no. And we'll blame it on me. I think, though, once he understands their rarity - and the Culverwood's pressback - he will concur. If I am wrong, then I owe you a whole banquet. I will gladly tell him of your generous heart."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large (Huge) Air Elemental
Friday August 31st, 2018 7:48:45 PM

Hey, I was wrong:ONLY TWO DAYS SINCE DINNER WITH MAYOR
[sorry for the uppercase shout]

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells)
Friday August 31st, 2018 8:36:47 PM
Zaragosa will travel, again, mostly in silence. He tries to stay out of the discussions, especially about who is in charge. While walking he would ask either Succotash or Kezzem when he could catch one or both alone. "Do these debates happen often?"

(I wish I had more to do, sorry for all the short posts)

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Friday August 31st, 2018 9:14:42 PM
Succotash answers Jack, “Well in the short time I’ve been in the party, there have been a few of these conversations, however it’s easy to see that there is a general sense of respect and dare I say, love for each other, and at the end of the day, everyone really gets along swimmingly”.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+20=35 ;
Friday August 31st, 2018 9:54:11 PM
Talia, having cast Overland flight upon herself, will trail the group as they head to the E-City while scanning the area for impending danger...[Skills:Perception: 35]

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Friday August 31st, 2018 11:57:12 PM
Bliss is excited about seeing a real live elf city, and he keeps changing from cat to halfling and back each time he thinks of something to say.

"Will they have elf bears and elf flowers?"

"Are there real buildings or just tree houses everywhere?"

"I bet there will be lots of music! Good music!"

"None of us are dwarves, right? I hear they don't much like dwarves."

"Do you think that there will be anyone from the family that's my friends? I can show their crest around on my elfish lunchbox!"

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Saturday September 1st, 2018 12:01:43 AM
Ah, Emerald City. What to know what a bunch of elves would do with their freedom after years of being kept impoverished by a green dragon? Well then our heroes are in the right place!

It's not exactly recent events, but the area's still coming into its own after the Emerald Dragons freed them.

...that's all well and good, but Emerald City is a fairly big place, and our diminutive heroes probably aren't well aquanited with the place. Still, one can always depend on the hospitality of elves, right?

Let's find out.

Walking out of the Culverwood, the city comes quickly into view. Elves on the outlying areas stop to observe a company of halflings in their midst. Pressi has business in town, though. Not outlying farms and whatnot. Let's see how she goes about it...

Meanwhile, our heroes really can't seem to agree on wolpertinger hunting, but is it reallllly that big of a deal? The mayor wanted 4 wolpertingers, he's getting 4 wolpertingers. He can get married without losing face, and immediately start neglecting his wife to deal with the very real danger hanging over the town with the Giant Tower being down.

More on that later, though. Pressi's gotta talk to some elves first.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large (Huge) Air Elemental
Saturday September 1st, 2018 3:46:44 AM

Murphy listens for the elven tongue. He speaks the language. He'll wait to see what Pressi might have to say.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24
Saturday September 1st, 2018 12:39:18 PM
"Kezzem, I almost chose newt, as you suggested!" Murphy tells the paladin. "Buck up, buddy. It'll get better. You got one! Well, not a newt."

"Thanks, Murph, I appreciate it," says Kezzem.

Murphey: "I mentioned purpose. Each of us needs to ask: 'Why am I a member of an adventuring group? And why this group, Humble's Sword? What are my aims? What are the group's aims?' Also, 'Is having one or more leaders a bad idea? Or does it have merit? If so, in what parameters?'

"Because we're a family," says Kezzem.

----

Zaragosa: "Do these debates happen often?"

"Friend, you have no idea," says Kezzem. "This is tip of the iceberg. We may bicker and argue, like a family, but as I said, that's what we are, a family."

----

Bliss: "None of us are dwarves, right? I hear they don't much like dwarves."

"We're all halfings, last I checked. Unless one of us is secretly a dwarf who shaved his beard and disguised him- or herself as a halfling! That's would be a fun surprise."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Saturday September 1st, 2018 3:02:56 PM
"We are most definitely a family. And make no mistake new friends, I might argue with ole Murph today, or Kezzem tomorrow, but if anyone hurts any one of you, he's getting an arrow in his trachea faster than he can blink."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24
Saturday September 1st, 2018 10:04:37 PM
"Hey Bliss, I had a thought," says Kezzem, "What if the secret dwarf wasn't disguised as a halfling...but as a pig! Think about it, that's genius! Nobody suspects the pig!"

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Sunday September 2nd, 2018 3:45:53 PM
Over hearing Kezzem’s comment about Miss Piggy, Succotash pipes up, “That would be hilarious, I mean I was expecting a pony much like Rumpus, the first time I summoned my mount, when much to my surprise, and joy I might add, I got a pig, well if Piggy was actually a dwarven lass, well wouldn’t that be a great joke played on me by lord Pantheon!”

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Sunday September 2nd, 2018 9:54:38 PM
Families...well, sometimes families are difficult to get along with. Every family has that crazy uncle, or the father who spouts off opinions from the political fringe, or the cousin whose interests deviate so completely from everyone else's that one has to wonder if there's an actual relation there.

When those families contain a bunch of capable adventurers, things can get heated. It's a good thing, then, that Humble's Sword is always so quick to acknowledge their...passionate disagreements and differences of opinion, and reaffirm that disagreements or no, they're still a unit that presents a unified front to the outside world!

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Sunday September 2nd, 2018 10:12:08 PM

Bliss laughs and turns to try his Dwarven on Miss Piggy. He stands open mouthed for a moment, then remembers that he does not even KNOW Dwarven! [OOC: Had to check my sheet, coulda sworn I did!]

"Wowsy, I gotta learn Dwarf!" he declares.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Sunday September 2nd, 2018 10:33:50 PM
OOC: I could have sworn that an unavoidable encounter of a bunch of murdered people now undead with a prominent symbol would be an obvious hook for a sidequest, what with our team filled with paladins and roguelike spellcasters, etc. Clearly, I was mistaken and will wrap this up quickly.

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

Pressi basically goes into reporting mode. She tells the police about the bodies, symbol and divination. She pokes around quickly to see if she gets a hook. And she tries to give her condolences to the family.

Normally, a mystery like this would be hard to resist. Between her justicar abilities, her domain, her enchantment spells and her face and rogue skills, a sidequest like this is just what she was waiting for. A chance to match wits against suspects, break into filing cabinets, learn the shocking truths about victims... but hunting overhyped rabbits is important too.

Sensing the teams increasingly thin patience and knowing that they are already on a mission, she thus performs the minimum her job requires and gets back to the task at hand. Rest up, find ways to keep the rabbits alive, and prepare for the leisurely trip back.

As for whether they are family, you're not going to get an admission more than grudging "only sort of indifferent."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24
Monday September 3rd, 2018 1:56:26 AM
"Heh, so that's how you and piggy met, Succo? I had Rumpus from before I was paladin. Well, technically, he was Murphey's, but I was riding him. He had a bunch of ponies, but who wouldn't want one named Rumpus? Anyway, I became a paladin later and kept him as my mount."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large (Huge) Air Elemental
Monday September 3rd, 2018 3:17:42 PM
"A family of friends, no?"

Inspired somehow by Pressi's stories from the theater, Murphy asks, "But wait, what about all the detective stories where at some point it is declared, 'The pig did it!'?"

Murphy seeks a source of suitable traveling containers, cages for the animals. He also asks about druid in town, and whether

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells)
Monday September 3rd, 2018 5:24:26 PM
Zaragosa was amused how they went from arguing to making pig jokes. Since he spoke Elvish (and dwarven for that matter) he follows Pressi to see who she reports the information to.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Monday September 3rd, 2018 7:20:55 PM
“Yup”, Succotash answers Kezzem with a smile, “I wanted to gain a mount, so I prayed to Pantheon, and then he showed me how to do the whole summon mount thing, and presto, Miss Piggy was there!”

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85
Monday September 3rd, 2018 8:49:53 PM
... Murphy asks about druids in town. He also asks if there is a shrine or temple dedicated to the spirit of the Culverwood.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Monday September 3rd, 2018 10:59:53 PM
Bliss looks around wide-eyed. He is eager to see elvish sights.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Tuesday September 4th, 2018 6:01:32 AM
Succotash joins bliss in his exploration of the city, and though he has seen many things in his travels, he is always empressed by the architecture and city planning of elves.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 d20+20=33 ;
Tuesday September 4th, 2018 12:03:33 PM
Talia, not wanting to get lost in such a big place, will join Mr. Slenderstick and Bliss in their tour, stp every once and again to make note of interesting places, shops, etc.

[Skills: Perception: 33]

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Continues
Tuesday September 4th, 2018 12:29:21 PM
Humble's Sword is eager to take in the sights of Emerald City. They find a town in flux that will one day be a beacon of architectural beauty. For now, there's a lot of scaffolding.

Still, there's an energy in Emerald City. A city of humans probably would have rebuilt and moved on already, but elves know they'll be putting up with their mistakes for centuries and act accordingly. As such, no one is in a hurry to erase the past and move on. There's a mixture of fear and excitement present. The elves of the Emerald Kingdom are free to flourish, but after years of being protected by Parnoth, they are once again open to attack from the ignoble hordes of Izen. The kingdom's saviours, the Emerald Dragons, have been quiet for years. One can hope they continue working off the Wold's stage in ensuring the continued safety of these lands.

Pressi, however, has a job to do.

Locating a temple to the Southern Crones is unlikely, but finding the temple of Pantheon is not difficult. Her appearance is met with some weariness, but all that goes away once she makes her report. A fellow Justicar who introduces herself as Faraine takes her report. As they were in the shadow realm when they were attacked, it's impossible to provide a concrete location for them to investigate. They can at least narrow down the search area, though. Pressi is thanked for her time, then unceremoniously shown the door. They're not rude, just highly practical.

...and just like that, job's done. Locating druids, cages, etc. poses no real challenge. The party is free to explore if they wish, but they're doing so with four angry, snarling wolpertingers who spend their every waking moment gnawing away at whatever's holding them.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Tuesday September 4th, 2018 1:36:06 PM
Hobie is excited to be in the Emerald City, he's never actually been, but he knows how Elves love their archery, and he's thrilled to find people who share his passion.

Since we don't need to be back for 11 days, assuming that we will spend a few days here, Hobie is happy to indulge the group in whatever they would like to do here, but he wants to take some time for himself while they are here, perhaps while Pressi is asking around at the temples and talking with the Justicar.

Hobie would love to go find some sort of Archers Guild, and talk with the other archers, discuss theory, get some advice from Elves who have been shooting much longer than he has. He also plans to shop around and look at some of the beautiful Elven made bows, fill up his stock of arrows if one of the fletchers can make him some small sized arrows. Perhaps he might even test his skill against some of the Elves if the opportunity arises.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Tuesday September 4th, 2018 11:53:51 PM
Bliss really enjoys the views, even under construction and renovation. And he wishes he had time to look up his elf friends, the ones who gave him his magic lunchbox.

But we do not have that time.

"Friends, we have these wild beasts. We need to get them back home. Please do let's be off first thing tomorrow, right after we prep spells and such."

"Maybe we can see more sights next time."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85
Wednesday September 5th, 2018 5:11:09 AM
Murphy takes all in that he is able. In addition to contact with those he mentioned [Note to DM: See Email for private message], he adds to his list the local WLA chapter. He asks whether they might help his group find lodging for the evening, and perhaps take advantage of the time to exchange information - and ask about a couple of contacts who are decent river guides (with sailor skills). He checks with J.T.T. Zaragoza as to whether he is still interested in financing the enclosures for the wolpertingers.

Primary focus, for wolpertingers: Suitable enclosures, perhaps solid metal (or something equally tough) on four sides, and metal mesh on front and back, with a small opening to place food and water within, and full opening gate for entry and exit, with a latching/locking mechanism to ensure that clever wolpertingers will not be able to free themselves.

With the metal encasing, he also looks for some tough leather lining within, so that they don't have to be in direct contact with metal, and a softer, layered bottom (perhaps a small blanket?) to allow rest. One cage per animal; something to allow them to be latched or strapped side by side and top to bottom. A typical configuration might be with cages numbered 1 through 4, 1 is on top left, 2 on top right, 3 on bottom left, 4 on bottom right, as one faces the front of the cage. Alternatives include all side by side, and all top to bottom.

There should be enough space to accommodate antlers, body, wings, and allow animal to curl up. Before placement within, figure out a suitable wrap so that antlers are protected, and don't get stuck in cage door mesh. The druid's concern is for security, relative comfort. Murphy also seeks multiple animal bladders which he spends time figuring out how to attach to either individual or grouped cages. He strings them together, and uses netting to help affix them. Should the group return by boat, and should something happen to cause a capsizing or sinking, he wants to ensure secured animals and their cages do not sink. AND - he looks for suitable food for them, provides water to drink. On full stomachs, perhaps that will help calm them somewhat. He speaks calmly with them in the sylvan tongue, and tries to gauge their reaction to that - do they seem to understand at all?

Murphy will also clean up messes they make - or ask Talia to cast prestidigitation to do so. Once they are transferred into the cages and fed, Murphy uses mending to repair the damage done to the nets, as it is possible they will need at some point again to be wrapped with them.

Spellstaff tonight, Transport Via Plants stored in the morning
The druid checks as to whether a halfling sling staff might be used as a recepticle for the 6th-level spell Spellstaff. If so, he casts spellstaff on his slingstaff. If not, he buys a halfling-sized quarterstaff (at 20gp, right?), and casts spellstaff on this new staff. In the morning, he makes available the Transport Via Plants spell, then casts to store it in his spellstore staff.

=============

Bird Mail
On a strip of paper, Murphy writes neatly and concisely:

To Mayor Bumbleluck: Captured alive 4 wolpertingers: 3 adults (2 male, 1 female); 1 adolescent (male). Now in Emerald City. Should return within 2-4 days from [today's date]. Ask Foreman George to prepare As Soon As Possible at our new compound a four-compartment metal cage with four 8'Lx8'Wx6'H segments, a door for each, 1' dirt over solid stone flooring for containment. Ask help from Primula PipeLeaf if needed. Greetings to all. Pray for our safe journey home. -Murphy B. Leafwin Pipewood of H.S.

He carefully wraps the message in a strip of leather which he folds lengthwise to enclose the paper, then invokes his bird feather token, wraps and ties the message carefully to one leg of the bird, and directs it to deliver the message to Mayor Bingo Bumbleluck of Humble's Ford. He launches it into the air towards Humble's Ford.

==============

Time with friends, and those of Emerald City
If WLA representatives will meet with them either that evening, or at breakfast the following morning, Murphy lets his friends know, and suggests they gather together for exchange of information. Though he would love to spend a night on the town, he is rather concerned to oversee the welfare of the animals, and barely lets them out of his sight for more than a moment or two as necessary - then ensures someone else from the group is watching over them should he need to be absent for a short period.

He will happily spend time with any who are willing to hang close by, though.

If any outside the group ask him about their intentions with the animals, he tells them that they have been assigned to retrieve them. He really does not think it anyone's business who asked, nor what they intend to do with these four. He communicates his intent to study them as much as he is able, and to do what he can to ensure that this type of animal continues to have the ways and means to survive and thrive as a species within the Culverwood.

Hired river guides?
If via contacts, the group has been able to hire two river guides, and, should the group agree to leave in the morning after breakfast (per Bliss's suggestion) (and all shopping & other activities concluded): With conveyance available, Emerald Kingdom to Troll would take ~6.03 hours; Troll to Trader's Corner ~3.02 hours; T.C. to Hovel ~4.23 hours - unless obstacles, etc. pop up.

How is the group with this plan? Murphy is OK with it, but also would be OK with up to one more day in the Emerald Kingdom, if others so desire.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Wednesday September 5th, 2018 5:46:21 AM
After a brief tour of the city, Succotash heartily agrees with Bliss’s desire to get back with the wolpertingers, and after a good nights sleep is ready to head out.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Wednesday September 5th, 2018 10:05:31 AM
"It just gets so frustrating," she tells Zaragosa on the way out. "I know that its an organization of the book and by the book but they must realize how much quicker they could solve the mystery if they just left it in my hands. You know its because they don't respect me or trust me yet.

"And look, I get I'm the oddball in an oddball organization. I'm not a divine. I'm not a wilderness fighter. I'm not technically a lawful follower of a normal god or even a normal halfling. I look and fight and figure out stuff a lot less like them than like the guys they track. I get that. But if they aren't going to cut me loose, the least they can do is treat me as if I wasn't a joke."

Pressi calmed down to the best that we could. "If I was less of a coward, I'd take you around the city and we'd probably have no problems figuring out the murderer ourselves. Frankly, I don't think I'm ever truly going to be able to let this go. But I care about what other people think of me, and we've got our own separate mission, so fine. Let them handle it." She sighed. "Would have been nice to lean on at least one bartender, though."

Aside from that, there isn't much else Pressi wants to do in the city, and her teammates have everything else in hand. As Bliss said, its probably going to be a good idea to get moving in the morning, and its probably going to be a leisurely boat ride back. (Even if she wanted to argue for shadow walk again, 1) they now have too many creatures, and 2) some of her teammates seem unwilling to stomach the trip again.)

She does share with Zaragosa (and maybe some others) that this mission, centered around an upcoming wedding, has brought up some feelings about her own relationships and possible future. "So, how about you? Any thoughts about whether you'd ever get married or start a family?"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24
Wednesday September 5th, 2018 10:37:24 AM
Kezzem checks in with the local temple of Gargul. If there isn't one, then he heads to the cemetary and constructs a simple shrine and prays to Gargul to watch over the dead.

DM Carl - The Snipe Hunt Concludes!
Wednesday September 5th, 2018 2:02:48 PM
Finding a perfect set of cages for the wolpertingers that match his exact specifications is unlikely, but they're able to find four sturdy steel cages that should survive even wolpertinger fangs for a few days. Finding additional leathers to provide them some comfort is also well within the means of Humble's Sword.

(OOC: Regarding these kinds of purchases, I tend to address it in a way similar to how White Wolf games use the resources perk. You guys are 11th level heroes. You've secured thousands of gold worth of treasure for yourselves. You can afford some cages and leather. Were this a first level game, I would likely make you account for how you're paying for them. I for one don't enjoy nit-picking my own character's ledger, and don't expect you folks to either. So long as you don't abuse this, I'm content to hand-wave away these minor purchases.)

Murphy is able to ensure some comfort for the doomed wolpertingers. It doesn't seem to make them happy, but they'll probably appreciate not drowning. Mayor Bumbleluck should know if a few hours that their mission was successful.

He finds his spellstaff spell sticks to his sling staff just fine. Handy, that.

Meanwhile, Bliss is keen to leave soon. Druids may not mind constantly snarling companions, but they really should get the things home soon.

Hobie would love to spend more time here, and perhaps someday he may. Finding quality fletchers and skilled archers in a town of elves is not difficult. They remain unimpressed, mostly since elves will be elves. Still, Hobie's charm and skill with his own bow manage to ellicit some nods as the elves reconsider his worth. He finds plenty of arrows that would fit his quiver, should he wish to purchase more.

Succotash enjoys the sights, but is in agreement with Bliss to leave tomorrow morning.

Kezzem does indeed find a temple of Gargul that is much different than what is typically associated with the god of death. The elves here seem to have chosen to embrace the life aspect of the god of life and death. His temple can only be described as verdant. It is an open air affair with a thick layer of grass as the carpet (check your shoes at the door...or at least you would if you weren't a halfling). The seating and altar are all living trees shaped into chairs, pews, and an altar as they grew, and many budding branches can be seen growing from them. The priests of the temple are thrilled that a paladin of their god has come to pay a visit, and Kezzem is immediately given an audience with their high priestess, Maeraddyth Gael. "Our lord has dark days ahead," she says, some worry darkening an otherwise flawless face. "Keep your faith, little one. Lord Gargul will need all his servants for what lies ahead." She refuses to elaborate further on what could possibly be going on.

...and then there's Pressi, who is not happy. No one can argue that she is not a tireless seeker of justice, nor can one argue that she is not more than capable in the role. Her method of practicing her craft is just...unsettling to some, especially here in the Northern Continent. Worship of the Crones is common on the bottom of the Wold, but here it's unheard of. Add to that the fact that she tampers with raw Woldsblood (especially after that bloodweed nightmare), and it's almost understandable that some would be wary of her.

Almost.

All that said, she finds her treatment by Faraine to be fair and pleasant, though it is pretty concise. She understands Humble's Sword is engaged, but asks Pressi to look her up should she ever return to the Emerald Kingdom.

***

Murphy finds that there is minimal prescense of the WLA in Emerald City. Such an organization would never have been allowed here while Parnoth reigned, and the elves are in no greater hurry to construct their new headquarters here than they are to complete the rest of their many construction projects. The party is able to identify several members of the WLA in the general population, though none have any insight into local chapters.

***

The next morning, a guide is hired to take the party down river towards home. Pressi is correct in her assessment that the live wolpertingers make shadow walking back with them impossible. Murphy's cartography skills prove spot on as usual, and the party finds themselves in Hovel later that evening. It would have been an exceedingly pleasant trip had these bloody wolpertingers not spent every moment snarling at you. Leaving for Humble's Ford immediately would put the party in town at around midnight, so lodging is instead secured for the evening in Hovel...which really does not deserve it's name. It's a quaint, pleasant little town.

An early start the next day puts our heroes back in their beloved Humble's Ford at midday. Mayor Bimbo meets the party at the edge of town; he must have been keeping an eye out for you since he received Murphy's note. He smiles sadly at the sight of the angry wolpertingers (seriously, how long can these things stay angry?). "Well folks, looks like my last hope of getting this wedding called off just fell victim to your abundance of competance."

The next couple of days are a whirlwind of activity as the entire town prepares for the closest thing Humble's Ford is ever going to get to a royal wedding. The wolpertingers are taken by the bride's family as soon as the party makes it back into town. Maybe some of our heroes are glad to be rid of them. Maybe some of them will miss their savage ways (they were pretty cute when they were sleeping).

Kezzem is walking along one day when a pebble beans him in the head. Looking over, Candy BadApple and her crew start motioning him over from their resting spot on top of a nearby hill. Her crew can be found kicking back, looking up at the party's newly constructed tower. "You folks done real well buildin' this," she starts. "Yea!" shouts another. "Them elementals play in it all day, I never..." He is shut up by a light kick from Candy. The look on her eyes is unmistakable: I am telling the story here. He gets the picture. She continues.

"It's pretty, and we've been content to sit here for days watchin'...but there's a weddin' coming up, and you needs to do us a favor. Getting kicked out and sneakin' back into the last party we threw was the most fun we've had in months. Then Mr. Murphy went and got everyone actin' all responsible." The word seems to hurt to say.

"Anyways, we need you to tell Murph to let us have our fun this time, k?" She plucks an apple from the tree and tosses it to Kezzem before shooing him off. They have elementals to watch...

***

Tomorrow's post will be the mayor's wedding. The post after that will be the aftermath. The last post of the week will start our new module. You were given significant downtime after the bloodweed event, so I won't be providing much since this was more interlude than module. Three in-game days will pass between returning to Humble's Ford and the next module starting.

I am awarding 10k XP for completing your mission with the wolpertingers alive. I will entertain any hero point nominations anyone would like to make (nominating yourself is absolutely acceptable).

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6
Wednesday September 5th, 2018 5:20:25 PM
Back home, Hobie is happy to sleep in his comfy bed. He makes sure to bring his lute to the wedding party and asks Succotash to bring his drums. Maybe they can do some jamming during the festivities.

Housekeeping-wise, Hobie will take the days off from adventuring and scribe some scrolls,
4 scrolls of Waterbreathing

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells)
Wednesday September 5th, 2018 7:42:38 PM
(sorry AGAIN for missing yesterday. I will endeavour to do better)

To Murphey "By financing you mean make sure they are locked up? I would love to be useful to you, and I am good at tying knots. I have not done much this trip so I will stand by and watch over these critters all night if you wish me to! I will work hard to keep them from escaping!"

Since he was following Pressi he took the time to get to know her and listened to her story respectfully, "I know a little of what you mean. I am not a thief, yet I have the skills. I studied bardic spells, but I cannot sing. I'm just a man who entertains. This group seems to be full of oddballs, which is good because then the two of us fit in. I want to let you know, that I trust you, for what that is worth.

"Perhaps we could convince the others to stay one more night in this city? I would love to look around more and perhaps both of our skills combined can solve some of this problem. I speak elvish so I won't get in the way. If that doesn't work, we should come back here once we deliver the strange rabbit things. I am here at your aid. Whatever I could do to help"

"As for me, I'm not sure marriage or family is in the cards. I haven't given it too much thought but I never knew my family. I feel I wouldn't know how to be a husband nor father since I have no examples. I guess I am still finding what other purposes I could have. An entertainer or perhaps adventurer? What about you, Pressi ? What are your thoughts? does your future have you as someone's spouse?"

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18
Wednesday September 5th, 2018 10:44:29 PM
Talia, having basically been meandering behind the group, would like to know if there is a place she can place her assorted collections of stuffs. Asking Mister Murphy, "If there some corner of this expansive compound, I might be able to claim for a bit? For my stuffs, and to house Rayya while I'm about?"

As Talia lays no claim to heritage within the Crescent Valley, but knowing she is of Halfling descent, she will meander within the limits of Humble Ford to get a feeling the customs of the place and especially for the appropriate decorum for the wedding.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24 d20+14=26 ;
Wednesday September 5th, 2018 11:20:59 PM
Kezzem attempts to Sense the Motive of Candy BadApple and her crew. He will also try it the paladin (i.e., detect evil).

Sense Motive: 26.

If everything seems on the up-and-up, he approaches Murphy:
"Everyone's been working hard getting are new base up and running. Maybe we should let the locals have a bit more...fun...at the wedding. Might be good for town morale."

If he otherwise Senses mischief or Detects ill-intent, he also approaches Murphy:
"Young Miss BadApple and her crew are lookin' to stir up trouble at the wedding. Best be on the lookout for them."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85
Thursday September 6th, 2018 12:00:32 AM

In the morning Murphy casts the spell transport via plants to store in his spellstaff. Well, spell-slingstaff.

"Thank you, Jack!" Murphy responds to the offer to help watch over the animals, so he can get some sleep, especially on the last leg of the trip home. During part of the trip, he wildshapes and catches some fish to feed to the wolpertingers, trusting that may calm them somewhat. He does ask to stop for 15 minutes at Traders Corner, which is on the way, as the pub next to the docks there is the only place in the area that sells Brock's Best Beer (250gp a barrel). He buys a barrel as a gift for the wedding party, and some carrots from a local for the bunnies to crunch on and cleanse their palate as they near the end of the trip.

Pipewood family growth in Hovel
He learns in Hovel that his sister-in-law, Airin, bore two days ago not one, not twins, but triplets! A girl, and a boy, and another girl, each one distinct. The labor was hard, but Airin came through with the help of the midwives. He rejoices with his family. As the children are small, they are undergoing special care, so they cannot see them as of yet. Murphy promises to come back when he can to see them when he can do so proper. Brother Kendry says that they are waiting on a naming day for a short time, and will invite all who care to come at that time. Murph tells everyone in the group the news.

A Place for Talia
"Of course, Talia, you are now one of us. There is a place for you in the Humble House, as well as in the big rock building. Pressi can show you about, and help you pick a suitable spot. Rayya is welcome wherever she chooses to perch. I love owls."

Druid Stuff that's important to Murphy, but maybe nobody else (Bliss & Kezzem and anyone else - feel free to skip this section - wait for the next underline)
When back in Humble's Ford the bride's family comes into sight, he turns briefly, casts a quick owl's wisdom, and, before they can lay full claim to the wolpertingers, Murphy stands in front of the creatures, and introduces the members of Humble's Ford, and last, himself. "We brought these back. I spoke with the Culverwood about these furry, feathery beasts. That great power was reluctant to have us go for them, and wanted to protect them. Quite amazing creatures, fierce and lovely, these wolpertingers. Before we turn them over to you - forgive me for not simply handing them to you directly - but, could you tell me, briefly, of the origins of this nuptial custom?" He awaits their reply. Should they tell him, he thanks them genuinely.

He asks if he might speak with them privately before the animals are removed. If they accommodate this request, he says: "These are rare beasts, indeed, and magical, and the symbolism of your customs are rich. May I make a request? All traditions have roots. Some change over time. We risked our lives on our way to capture them. One of us almost died. So, here is my request. One of these creatures has perhaps eight pounds of edible meat, aside from antlers, bones, feathers, organs, and offal. That leaves a fair amount to eat."

"So that this species might last, I have a need to study them. In order that the Culverwood would not oppose us in this hunt, I made a promise to that Power, in whose shadow we dwell. That is, to ensure the survival of this species.

"Though it be a slight alteration of your tradition, what if you were to take only two of the creatures to serve at meal - one for bride and groom, one for the three living parents to share together? That would leave two for study, and eventually return to the wood to breed, so that more are born over time." If they seem resistant to that notion, he then presents this alternative. "Perhaps, then, one for the bride and groom to share, one for the mother and father of the bride, and one for the father of the groom? That would leave me one, at least, to care for, and study." Should they yield on either of these requests, he promises another wedding celebration offering popular among some families in the Crescent Valley. "It's called, and is, 'Brock's Best Beer'."

If necessary, he will push lightly at least for his last proposal, that one survive - preferably the adolescent. If they will allow two to survive, then he suggests the female and adolescent be spared, and offers to name an area where a new nest of wolpertingers might eventually be planted in honor of their family.

If they appear indecisive he does add, "If you need time to think this over for a few minutes, please, take your time, talk it over among yourselves."

Should the matter come up, he insists, "No, the groom did not ask this of me. This is I, a druid, asking for the welfare of the species, so that, perhaps, future couples might be able to enjoy a similar feast."

If they are insistent that all four be slaughtered, then he says, "Life includes a series of negotiations - of occasionally mutual yielding one to another. My desire is not to oppose your traditions. I do wish you and your family well, and that the union of these two houses be fortuitous, and a blessing for you and yours, and for us and ours. Perhaps, though you have turned down both options, at some time in the future, should I ask a favor, you might be open. Should you change your mind at all in this matter we presently discuss, I shall hold you in even higher esteem. My prayers for you all," and he gestures to include the bride's family and the locals, "as two families unite!" He will then turn and walk away.

Murphy realizes, depending upon which way things go, he could be setting himself up for conflict with the mayor's bride. Not his desire, but, it could happen.

[WHAT ARE THE NAMES of the FATHER & MOTHER of the BRIDE, of the BRIDE HERSELF, and of any other significant people accompanying them?]

==============

Aside on the Air Elemental Tower
Murphy is happy to see that it looks ready, or at least nearly so. He will have to get closer to find out for certain. He may pass by his house to learn more, first.

Apples
Murphy will listen to Kezzem's counsel regarding the BadApples. "What'd they say? or, do?"

Shiney new place
"Look at all this!" he says to Pressi, and all, as they arrive back at their place just outside town. Pretty much everything is up, and according to plan. "Amaaazing!" He takes time to thank Foreman George and his crew.

Viewpoints
"Hey, Press, let's climb your tower!" he suggests. Being a gentlehalfling, he lets her go ahead of him. And enjoys the view from the climb. He telepathically lets her know that he spots some very attractive buns on the way up. He prepares to defend himself against being thrown down the spiraling stairway, laughing. As they ascend further, he looks around, noting the rooms on different levels. At the top, he takes her by the waist and swings her about. "This is your place, Pressi. Your tower! You can do whatever you want here! And the walkway up top scoots over to the big castley-rock." From their vantage point, he looks over the grounds. Right now the shrines are merely framed areas, awaiting the touches and features and decor which will render them proper places to honor the many powers that be, once they are suitably dedicated.

"So, babies born in Hovel. A wedding here in Humble's Ford," Murphy comments as he leans over the wall. He glances over to this bright, unusual, brave hobbit whom he has come to appreciate much. He licks his finger, and says, "You've got a spot on the tip of your nose," and he touches her there with the damp finger, "that is a little wet now." He teases her a little more, then grows a bit more serious.

"I know I get obsessed with some things. I know that some folks do not fully appreciate your multitudinous talents. To me you are a marvel. Despite getting annoyed with me from time to time - how would you feel if I asked: Would you like to spent the rest of your life with me, that we might entertain one another with our mutual quirks? And, maybe, add some more potential adventurers to the Wold?" He pauses, then continues gently, "You do not have to answer now. Think it over, Press."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85
Thursday September 6th, 2018 12:19:51 AM

Just a reminder, the Sanctuary of Humble's Sword (or Humble House, or...) can be looked at here.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)
Thursday September 6th, 2018 12:49:27 AM

As the group travels, Bliss finds himself developing some measure of affection for the angry beasties.

In other words, Bliss likes wolpertingers for their savage ways.

:-)

Back home, Bliss checks in with his coven and sees how progress is going at the new Humble House.

He is looking forward to the wedding. Well, more precisely, to the wedding cake!

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5
Thursday September 6th, 2018 5:36:55 AM
Succotash tells Hobie, that he loves the idea of jamming at the wedding reception, and brings his drum along. He says, “I think I’ll name my drum Bonham”. At the wedding, he makes sure to congratulate the mayor and his soon to be in laws, and offers up a prayer for the 2 families, that they may be united and content.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 89/94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23
Thursday September 6th, 2018 1:36:28 PM
In response to JTT's suggestion, she laughs at the thought of doing the investigation on their own, but she knows they aren't going to actually do it. She does assure him that oddballs (mechanically and personality) thrive in this environment.

Pressi is actually caught off guard at JTT asking her back. Or maybe not. She must have known that she'd have to answer the same question in return, and yet was unprepared.

"I... don't know. I guess I kind of put marriage or even staying in one town for long out of my head for a while. Kind of spent a lot of time on my own. Seemed the best for all concerned. Also, I'd kind of spent a lot of time trying not to be just the 'love interest' healer role that our fans seem to expect. I guess if the time ever came, I figured I'd be ready... sorry, I'm rambling about nothing. Probably would feel different if the mayor wasn't dragging his feet. I just... really haven't had the time to work any of this out or talk about it.

"At any rate, I've got plenty of time. Murphy isn't even thinking about getting serious, either."

Return To Index Next Module (Interlude - The Wedding of Bingo Bumbleluck and May Greenbottle)