"Come" [DM Jerry] Monday January 28th, 2019 9:32:59 PM
The mist begins to fade....then to grow again. It increases in size and activity. It smells of ozone like at the end of a thunderstorm.
The Wold fades as all is covered in mist. Time seems....absent.
Then out of the mist, a lone figure walks. Blacker than the darkest night. Shorter than a halfling, yet his calm confidence makes him seem taller.
Using a knotted cane that he does not need he approaches and stops. He scrutinizes each of you one at a time.
"Yes, back at the beginning....good."
He turns and begins walking away. He stops.
"Come, he states simply."
"Come, witness, and learn. The dead can bury the dead. The cannibals will not return."
Sensing the hesitancy. He adds.
"You are safe."
There is no doubt. You sense it.
He leads the way through the mist.
=====
OOC: I am going to run an "interlude" while I prepare your next scene and the future with Mark. He is out of town this week. I have talked to DM Mark, Carl, and ACM Rich. Nuff said for now. Email me with questions or concerns. I will post in the evenings usually before 10PM. Until we recruit a new DM, I am your DM with Mark. I am looking forward to it.
'Lil - (Carl) - 13/13 HP - AC 17/11/16 - CMD 13 d8+1=3 ; Monday January 28th, 2019 10:41:24 PM
'Lil watches this new guy come and go.
"The heck? Who's this guy? Is all adventurin' this weird?" She puts Ramona on her back and secures her, slightly miffed the hammer never actually connected in her last fight. "First day in the Sargrass and I get naked half orcs, cannibal halflings, and mysterious strangers." She winks at Grindar.
"Still, let's follow the coot." She punches Caewlyn in the arm as she walks. It smarts, but he feels better for it.
CLW: 3 HP to Caewlyn...I quit. No more dice.
BigbyWolf ( Michael) 10/10 HP - AC/T/FF: 16 /13 /14 - CMD 13 -Animal Companion: HP: 19/19 -AC 17 Monday January 28th, 2019 11:16:09 PM
Bigby about forgets what he was heading to do as he was about to say to Sol, "sure let's go." But now with the dude and the mist and the comfort that this is all exuding. He and Wolfgang are drawn in and forget about the original task. "I think we need to do this first Sol. I don't know why, but it's been a strange time here in the Sargrass, and sometimes we need to do strange things to survive in this land." Bigby and Wolfgang head into the mist.
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy Canaday) AC 18/12/16, CMD 17, HP 11 Tuesday January 29th, 2019 5:52:03 AM
When 'Lil winks at him Grindar blushes again, this time, even his ears turn red. For some reason he feels compelled, well maybe compelled is too strong a word, but he definitely has strong urges to follow the stranger into the mists, and he says, "I would and will be happy to share my story, why I'm here, and all that, but for now I think we need to follow this guy".
Haemir - (Rich) HP:5/8 - AC/T/FF:15/13/12 - Fand: HP:18/18 AC:17 d8+1=8 ; Tuesday January 29th, 2019 10:26:19 AM
Seeing that Caelwyn is still injured Haemir completes his healing with a cure (another 8 HP's).
Although the mist is unnerving the elf is transfixed by the small figure and has to almost wake himself up. "Do you think we should bring the dwarves along? Just in case we don't come back here"?
He starts to follow the mysterious figure not even aware if he is carrying a dwarf along or not...
Xel'Aw (Grant) 6/8 HP - AC/T/FF: 12 /10 /12 - CMD 9 Tuesday January 29th, 2019 3:18:37 PM
The last Xel'Aw saw of the dwarves, they were not conscious and incapable of saving themselves, even with the cage open and their captors gone. But Xel'Aw knows he cannot lift one and feels compelled, he supposes, to follow. It isn't the weirdest thing to happen since he woke up, so follow the little man he does.
ELIJAH "SOL" SOLOMON (DANIEL) HP: 6 AC/T/FF:11/11/10 Active Spells: Mage Armour Tuesday January 29th, 2019 4:57:58 PM
Sol nods to Bigby.
"I am very glad you all said you saw him too. I thought I was going mad. Though it is quite exciting to see something new, and so unfamiliar."
He smiles widely at this new experience.
"This is going to seem like I ate something very odd before bed when I write this in my book..."
Caelwyn Alterius - (Casey) - 13/13 HP - AC 19/10/19 - CMD 14 d20=7 ; Tuesday January 29th, 2019 7:31:21 PM
Caelwyn had immediately turned his spear toward the newcomer, but quickly lifts it as he listens to him speak. "I agree, Haemir, we must save the dwarves...but I somehow don't think this creature will force us to leave them behind. Let us follow him and see what he has to tell us - we will be sure to come and retrieve the dwarves."
H gives a sigh of relief as the pain recedes and his wounds are quickly healed. He thanks Lil and Bigby for their help as they follow the strange man into the mists. He will keep his wits about him as much as possible, however, looking for any kind of danger. (Perception 7)
In the Newness of Time [DM Jerry] Tuesday January 29th, 2019 9:57:20 PM
As you walk into the eternal mists, you see other beings like the one leading you racing from the grasses as they carefully and tenderly tend to the dwarves--silent, but capable. One young one turns to you and waves with a toothy grin as you disappear. He is silently fussed at by a woman you presume to be his mother. The boy is penitent.
A time passes. You walk in the vision.
The short dark fellow speaks softly as he walks, but his voice carries strangely in the mist as if in a dream.
"I am Mahyawu. My people are called the Manfri. We are native to the Sargrass and are satisfied to finally be allowed to return now that our homeland is....
"Now that our homeland is."
He pauses to walk with you.
He approaches a small village under construction. Some large bulb like grass has been cultivated in a circle and short knee high grasses lie tamely in between. In the center are about 10 women, all pregnant.
He sits in the grasses and bids you to join him.
"Observe quietly and learn. Afterward I will answer questions about what you see.
In worship he tones, “From the grass we came, with the grass we live, to the grass we will go.”
The women lay back while on the grass while others minister to them.
One by one they intermittently grimace in pain. After a time, one gives birth. It appears premature. The young lady rises and others give her leaves to wrap and clean the newborn. She then moves forward to one side of their camp. A strange plant with very large folded leaves is there. She unfolds a leaf and you see a pod within. It is something like a giant pea pod in appearance. She places the baby within cooing over it. It does not cry. She blesses the pod and the plant and withdraws.
Another gives birth and does the same. Within a time, all have delivered its child.
"And the dream said that in the newness of time would strangers see our ways and understand them."
Later he says, "Do you see? They are born, but are not joined. They now continue to grow.
"On the annual celebration of the double full moon, a holy celebration, Sparks of Life wishing another life will be summoned from the Lands of Rest. Each Spark will join with its chosen Manfri baby, who will crawl out of the pod to its mother."
He reaches to his left and tears a small undeveloped pod off of an empty podtree. He then squeezes a milky substance from a pod onto the leaf. "If you are injured, put three drops into your canteen. Drink."
He shows you adding three drops into his drinking gourd and drinking.
Mahyawu smiles and you see him visibly relax and become less formal.
"Now we wait. While we do so, you may ask my anything...softly lest even I am rebuked. I will answer as I have the wisdom to do so."
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy Canaday) AC 18/12/16, CMD 17, HP 11 Wednesday January 30th, 2019 5:45:31 AM
Grindar is transfixed by the whole situation, and just stands there staring. Finally, he snaps out of his quasi entranced state and asks Mahyawu, "Good sir, this is very interesting, but I must be a dullard, for I must confess I have no idea as you what you would have us glean from seeing this".
Xel'Aw (Grant) 6/8 HP - AC/T/FF: 12 /10 /12 - CMD 9 Wednesday January 30th, 2019 8:45:57 AM "What of the Manfri children themselves - do they not have their own spark? Or, moreover, do you retain memories of lives not your own? Or do I misunderstand?"
Xel'Aw puts three drops in his canteen and takes a drink.
"I don't remember much, but I do know I was looking for the Manfri. Your people know the grasses better than anyone, and your weavers are raved about everywhere, even while you were gone. I seek knowledge, so perhaps I could stay with you to learn?"
BigbyWolf ( Michael) 10/10 HP - AC/T/FF: 16 /13 /14 - CMD 13 -Animal Companion: HP: 19/19 -AC 17 Wednesday January 30th, 2019 11:12:29 AM
Bigby listens intently to Mahyawu and attempts to take it all in. Bigby looks at everyone else wondering if he should wait for the charismatic people to talk but then relaxes and realizes he should just talk. And then says, "so this is all a celebration of the double full moon?" Bigby waits and then adds, " we would like to understand your ways better."
'Lil - (Carl) - 13/13 HP - AC 17/11/16 - CMD 13 Wednesday January 30th, 2019 11:16:57 AM
'Lil wants to bolt upright and start shouting. She didn't know much 'bout raising babies, but she knew you didn't just leave'em in pods. Were these guys any better than the halflings?
She drinks, not cause she's hurt, but because she's curious. She takes a moment to compose herself before she opens her mouth. These people had been around a lot longer than she had.
Sometimes, 'Lil wonders if life would be more fun if she didn't have a good head on'er shoulders.
"Hey Mahyawu. I'm 'Lil since we never got introduced. I don't wanna be rude or nothin', but this whole thing kinda...I don't wanna say stinks, but I'm a little reminded of Ga'al here, you know? Tryin' not to judge, but I'm kiiiiinda freaking out about this puttin' newborns in pods business."
Haemir - (Rich) HP:5/8 - AC/T/FF:15/13/12 - Fand: HP:18/18 AC:17 Wednesday January 30th, 2019 11:53:38 AM
Haemir watches the Manfri & listens to Mahyawu in a reverent trance - simply honoured to be shown their ways.
Seeing the younglings born first from the Manfri and then held in the pods till their spark journeys through the realms of shadow makes his eyes well up. 'Beautiful in both its elegance and magic' he thinks. Before he even realises it he has whispered the Manfri mantra to himself... 'From the grass they come, with the grass they live, to the grass they will go'. He feels he should ask a question just to show that he is listening, but catches himself - having been a professor himself it just .. well it didn't feel like he needed to. He had always spotted when students did that and anyway Mahyawu's explanation although totally unexpected - made a rhythmic sense deep down.
After a while he notices Xel'Aw drop the white liquid in to his water and does likewise drinking from his own waterskin.
Completely overwhelmed he forgets to mention his own interest in learning to weave the grass - somewhere in a dream didn't he speak to someone - Tishe’? Didn't she make him a hat from the grass...? 'spell-weaver' hadn't he wanted to find out more?
Fixing his gaze on Mahyawu Haemir bows his head as a thank you for sharing. On some level he felt at home in Sargrass - there was something here - he couldn't quite put his finger on it. It just felt right. He was sure there would be terrors and blood, pain and things he couldn't understand - but here and now he was content and breathed in the air feeling more alive then he had in a very long time.
ELIJAH "SOL" SOLOMON (DANIEL) HP: 6 AC/T/FF:11/11/10 Active Spells: Mage Armour Wednesday January 30th, 2019 6:08:18 PM
Sol watches the whole thing in stark silence, with no smile, which is odd for him. However his eyes are wide with wonder as he watches the process of birth and being placed in pods.
He frowns and tilts his head as he watches as if trying to understand what it is they are trying to do, and while he listens to Mahyawu, he begins to comprehend, he furrows his brow thinking quietly, listening to the other questions and Mahyawu's words.
After a time that seems longer than it should, he thinks for a moment and asks his question.
"Is this a physical place or spiritual?"
Caelwyn Alterius - (Casey) - 13/13 HP - AC 19/10/19 - CMD 14 Wednesday January 30th, 2019 9:13:12 PM
Caelwyn sits, curious, simply watching the events unfold.
Do You Begin to See? [DM Jerry] Wednesday January 30th, 2019 9:45:11 PM
Mahyawu turns to Grindar and says, "When you live in the Sargrass it is as if you have left the Wold and entered a different world. The land itself holds mysteries that must be understood if you are to survive. The Manfri are the one people native to the Sargrass. It is the essential place to begin your education. Strange upon strange--and stranger and more dangerous the deeper you go."
-----
To Xel'Aw he says, "All babes in their mother's womb have the parts that come from their parents. However, all Woldians also have the "spark" that comes from the Lands of Rest and the Gods. This may be a spark remaining from a previous life now reincarnated again. Or it may be a new spark experiencing life for the first time. This is not unique to the Sargrass or the Manfri. However, the Manfri are unique in that our babies are born early and finish their development in the arms of the Sargrass.
"It is not your destiny to remain with our tribe, but to begin learning here. Your destiny is powerful and I have seen much as I waited for the Sargrass to again....be. These things are sealed within me and may yet change so I cannot share them with you."
-----
He turns to Bigby. "The double full moon is coming soon. At that time, these infants will be ready to be born for the second time of the Sargrass. Our babies are always conceived and born so that they emerge from their pods on that night. Yes we celebrate the double full moon of Kerracles and Wardd and it is sacred to us for this reason.
"I am made glad that you want to understand our ways. It give me hope that you may live to fulfill many of the things I have was gifted to see."
-----
"I am pleased to learn your name Lil. Be not afraid. These children will be born with freedom to choose their way among the grasses. No one controls their destiny or free will. Have you experienced Ga'al's forms of cruelty then?"
-----
Mahyawu watches Haemir as he struggles with the truth of what he has seen. He smiles and lays a hand upon his shoulder patiently.
Those who do drink water with the drops of white liquid from the pod plant are fully healed.
He smiles as he sees the expressions of Haimir's face change as his thinking circles.
-----
He turns to Sol listening to his question. He brightens at his question. "It is both physical and spiritual. and something more. It is alive and the grasses as a whole are semi-sentient. They can react to danger and even transmit fear to the native creatures that belong to it. This grew towards the end of the last age birthing the power known as Sarr. However, I have not sensed this babe of a power as of yet in my dreams or my reality. Funny that I had not even thought of this until now. I know not is this remembering is for the good or ill. Sarr created a multitude of blessings and ills that complicated things and hastened the end.
"In some ways this is the second age. The Sargrass lived, died and has returned. That would make this the second age. However, before the Sargrass was the time of the Druids and the Trees. The Sargrass came of them. So perhaps this is the third age.
"All things now wish for one of the three incarnations of this place: The time of the druid trees and tame grasslands known as the Sarghass forest, the time of the Sargrass, and this new age of mutated grasses and creatures.
"All who live here will contend for the age they prefer, if they have a preference. The Manfri were born from the Sargrass. We contend for a return to the time before the mutations spread through the Wold when the Crystal Mountains exploded carrying it outwards and forcing this new age.
"There are those who wish a return to the Sarghass forest of ancient times before Eberyon betrayed the Wold. I call them the Restorationists. They wish to preserve and return to those original times.
"Secondly, there are those who wish for a return to the last age with the purity of the Sargrass era. Where animals evolved into the next higher form within THE CIRCLE. I call this group the Preservationists. They want the mutations to be defeated leaving the purity of the Sargrass.
"Thirdly, there will be those who wish to push the mutations as far as they can go and to help them spread to cover the Wold. I simply call them the Mutants. Not that they are mutated, though some indeed are, but for lack of a better term, they believe that these mutations should be fostered to their ultimate end, whatever that turns out to be--something I believe to be a form of ultimate evil and chaos."
-----
Do you begin to see why I chose to bring you here? To show you a glimpse of what now is? Learn well and master its secrets. Go where I cannot. I have dreamed for a long time of the possibilities to come and what you do will affect the Sargrass and what is to become of it."
He picks a piece off of a nearby stalk of grass, puts it in his mouth and sucks on it.
Xel'Aw (Grant) 6/8 HP - AC/T/FF: 12 /10 /12 - CMD 9 Thursday January 31st, 2019 1:52:55 AM "So, I take it you're a preservationist and want us to walk that path? What would you have us do?
Also, can you teach us how to subsist of the grasses? I would rather not resort to what those halflings did.
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy Canaday) AC 18/12/16, CMD 17, HP 11 Thursday January 31st, 2019 5:29:23 AM
Grindar says, "Thank you for the explanation, good sir, I am starting to understand what you mean. I would have never expected halflings who ate people, and if the Sargrass holds other such and possibly more strange and dangerous oddities, well, my stay here in the Sargrass isn't going to be dull". He adds, "By the way, my name is Grindar, and like my friend Xel'Aw here said, can you teach us how to use the grasses to help us in our adventures?"
Haemir - (Rich) HP:8/8 - AC/T/FF:15/13/12 - Fand: HP:18/18 AC:17 Thursday January 31st, 2019 8:40:20 AM
"Mahyawu, I am honoured to meet you. My name is Haemir Farydark" he bows before continuing, "The city people speak of the plains as changeable, they believe that if they draw maps the very land itself changes shape, like it doesn't wish to be known. From what I have seen today and your words of wisdom I believe that to be true now" he pauses.
"I understand that to steal water from some of the grasses brings death, piecing together what you have said and looking at this from the grasses point of view, a man breaking it apart and stealing it's water would probably cause it to project fear. I can imagine nearby creatures picking up on this, investigating and potentially killing him. Is there any truth in this theory"?
He listens to Mahyawu's reply then asks "I would be honoured to record the Sargrass Plains, your people, the Sar. These different diverse groups, the Restorationists, Preservationists, a sort of biography. Where I come from, my tribe respect the land, we would ask permission and only use the branches of trees they had discarded or fallen. If we are to survive we need to learn but also to educate. We can't have the people who came with us causing ill feeling to the grass or land. How do I get permission to write about the land that changes things it doesn't want people to know? Also, how do we even start to learn about the grass"?
BigbyWolf ( Michael) 10/10 HP - AC/T/FF: 16 /13 /14 - CMD 13 -Animal Companion: HP: 19/19 -AC 17 Thursday January 31st, 2019 11:43:49 AM
Bigby introduces himself to Mahyawu after realizing he forgot to do so. Bigby takes all of this information in (he thinks of himself) and then asks, "can you tell us more about the mutations?"
'Lil - (Carl) - 13/13 HP - AC 17/11/16 - CMD 13 Thursday January 31st, 2019 2:14:37 PM
'Lil feels better.
"Ga'al? Nah, I'm from Hook City. Folks don't worship gods there too much. It's becoming more common since a bunch'a the Dragons worship them. Gargul, Wardd, and Pantheon especially have growing...churches, I'd guess you say. Ga'al and his teachin's ain't welcome, no sir.
"You should know that we was sent here by some guy with too much money who got all upset when he learned there were a bunch'a resources that he wasn't exploiting yet. He's payin' us, but I can tell just by my first 24 hours here that he don't know what he's gettin' himself into. Some lands just ain't for taming."
She sits back and listens as Haemir asks his questions, wondering where one learns to talk like that. She elbows him. "Remember how Lord Whatshisface got all mad when he learned he'd put out a call to find folks to map the Sargrass? That was fun." She chuckles.
ELIJAH "SOL" SOLOMON (DANIEL) HP: 6 AC/T/FF:11/11/10 Active Spells: Mage Armour Thursday January 31st, 2019 6:13:31 PM
Sol nods, remaining seated when Mahyawu speaks, he adopts a meditative position.
"I thank you. Will we remember this afterwards? Once we leave this spiritual plane?"
Sol seems too distracted to introduce himself, as the questions he wants to ask and the answers he is getting are far too interesting.
Tame the Sargrass? [DM Jerry] Thursday January 31st, 2019 9:52:56 PM
The patience of Mahyawu seems to be eternal. He continues teaching by answering the questions of our heroes. At times his eyes seems to gleam with pride as the questions show great intelligence and insight. He evidently places a great amount of hope in these young adventurers. It makes one wonder what he has seen in his dreaming.
He turns to Grindar. "I didn't expect cannibal halflings either. They are not part of the local scene, nor are they a significant concern in the larger picture. I can start you on your on your journey. That is part of my purpose here. Your ability to perceive will be crucial. However, now that the grass and its creatures can mutate, things are much more complicated. Learning to know when something has "changed" will help both you and I. Luckily, so far at least, it is not difficult to know when something has become changed. They tend to have a reddish tint."
=====
"I am honored to learn your name, Haemir Farydark. As for the Sargrass changing to remain unknown, I honestly don't know. The Sargrass is the Sargrass. However, the mutations again make things more difficult. The Sargrass is semi-sentient and acts to defend itself when attacked, expands to reproduce when attacked to a greater extent than a normal plant would.
One must gather water from the plants as there are not any lakes, streams or other surface gatherings of water."
He begins to rise. Let us look at a few. He walks continuing on past the village pointing out some of the basic types. He shows you Purple Grass. "There is plenty of water here, but you want to gather from the mid level of the stem. Lower and it is like blueberry syrup in consistency and very oily. Use cloth to filter several times before drinking. The taste is...not unpleasant, but neither is it enjoyable."
He shows you Glass Grass. "There are many varieties of this depending on the size and thickness of the stalks. Squeezing the roots provides water. Beware the blades however as they cut. The blades, of course, are good for cutting and when dried and distilled makes an alcohol that can be imbibed for enjoyment or to clean a wound."
He continues on showing you the basics.
"Yes some types of grass can be poisonous and different grasses have varying defenses. As a rule, alll plants in the Wold are this way, but here these abilities are more fully realized. Some are magical. As for discernment, your skills will grow and it is impossible to teach one everything in a day. You will have to continue your own education by trial and error."
"Haemir, you may record things as you wish; however, it is the techniques that help. The variety is too vast to ever make notations of each variety. And now it seems that mutation complicates things further. As no one "rules" here, there is no one to ask permission of."
-----
"It is my good fortune to learn of you Bigby. We do not know much of the mutations yet. It is new. That the Sargrass exists again is new. The source seems at first examination to be involved with the Crystal Mountains, but the evidence will be difficult to gather as the Crystal Mountains have exploded carrying the mutation throughout the Wold. Thank the gods that the call went out to all adventurers of The Wold and the initial attempt to spread this mutation across the lands of Wold war successfully opposed.
We must study it; however, and learn its truths or we all will continue to be at extreme risk."
-----
To 'Lil he says, "I have been to Hook City, but long ago I fear. I do not know how long I have been absent awaiting the rebirth of Sargrass."
He continues to listen to Lil. "Yes, it is in the nature of the Noble Races that some will try to exploit things that they do not understand. And such folk usually send others to risk their lives while they remain in ignorance."
You hear Mahyawu laugh for the first time. "Tame the Sargrass?" His eyes crinkle as he laughs and tears of mirth come out of the outside corners of his eyes. "That is....amazing."
He pauses looking at 'Lil more closely. "Ahh, you use sarcasm well to help you express what you have learned. I begin to understand how you grow."
-----
He nods to Sol. "Manfri have the ability to travel the Sargrass as a sort of "vision." Everyone must learn to traverse the Sargrass and this method is safer than most, especially when in larger groups. Some make ships from the Druid trees of the Grasslands of yore. They "float" above the grasses.
"The Climbers use stilts to get above the grasses or race along on a form of skiff. Some use spells or other innate abilities.
"To pick your way through grass much higher than your head blade by blade when you can't see far beyond your reach is to invite doom."
"Though we travel in vision, it is reality. You will remember all you see. This is reality, just altered reality."
Caelwyn Alterius - (Casey) - 13/13 HP - AC 19/10/19 - CMD 14 Thursday January 31st, 2019 10:01:26 PM
Caelwyn sits quietly, processing everything he has seen so far. After others have spoken, he inclines his head to their host.
"I am Caelwyn Alterius, sir. Thank you for the assistance and the knowledge you are sharing with us. I am curious - do you believe the Restorationists to be evil? Or simply supporting a view that you would disagree with?"
Xel'Aw (Grant) 6/8 HP - AC/T/FF: 12 /10 /12 - CMD 9 Friday February 1st, 2019 1:42:13 AM
Xel'Aw waits to speak, wondering if he offended the Manfri in assuming his intentions.
He keeps his hands open and up, as if in surrender, and waits.
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy Canaday) AC 18/12/16, CMD 17, HP 11 Friday February 1st, 2019 5:28:01 AM
Grindar thanks his host for sharing the wee bit of information on the grasses, and ponders the idea of a boat that "floats" on the grass, then asks, "Where would one obtain one of these boats that float on the grass, such a vessel sounds amazing!"
BigbyWolf ( Michael) 10/10 HP - AC/T/FF: 16 /13 /14 - CMD 13 -Animal Companion: HP: 19/19 -AC 17 Friday February 1st, 2019 10:06:49 AM
upon hearing Grindar saying that Bigby responds, "you're in for a surprise when we get back to camp Grindar, because we do have one of those." He turns back to respond to Mahyawu, "ah yes the adventurers of the Wold...I did have a chance to meet them in a strange bar...a story for another time perhaps...it is my hope that we continue to learn about these mutations as well. I myself believe to have been affected by all of this but I confess I don't fully understand it."
'Lil - (Carl) - 13/13 HP - AC 17/11/16 - CMD 13 Friday February 1st, 2019 11:21:31 AM "I begin to understand how you grow."
"Hey, you talk like...what's his name...he was at the Yule Party at the Ghost. Trellus. That was it. Guy had a lingo that was just out there."
Anyway, 'Lil didn't have much to say about this whole preservationist/mutationist/restorationalist stuff, mostly because she knew nothing about it. She sits and listens, trying to soak it all in.
Haemir - (Rich) HP:8/8 - AC:15 (FF:13/T:12) - Status: None - Fand: HP:18/18 AC:17 Friday February 1st, 2019 12:12:14 PM
Haemir smiles at 'Lil's description and comments about the Duke feeling they are probably quite accurate before asking: "Mahyawu, this reddish tint around the mutations, is it also something to do with this bloodweed I've heard about or was that also caused by the Crystal Mountains? Is there anyway to heal the plants and animals or have they been forever changed"?
Haemir is a like a kid in a sweet shop as the Manfri shows him the different grasses and talks about their uses, staring wide eyed and full of attention he asks a couple of minor questions and jots some notes/sketches down and thanks Mahyawu. He then breaks in to a grin at Grindar's question about the boat and nods towards Bigby when he mentions the one back at camp.
"Please forgive me but I am struggling with the differences between the Restorationists and Preservationists. From what you say they both share a desire to see the mutations gone, they only differ in the state they wish to return the plains to after, am I right? Yet the mutants ... we need a better name for them... How about Transformationists or Evolutionists, anyway they want complete change. If the wold we knew before the mutations is what the Preservationists want, do the Restorationists want to inhibit the animals of the plains in some way, I have no idea what the Wold was like before Eberyon's ... well you know"?!
ELIJAH "SOL" SOLOMON (DANIEL) HP: 6 AC/T/FF:11/11/10 Active Spells: Mage Armour Friday February 1st, 2019 6:56:59 PM
Sol listens quietly to the other questions. His eyes darting back and forth between speakers, but clearly listening intently to all the answers, as he tries to remember them.
"Mahyawu, is there a way we can willingly return to this place to speak with you again? I would love to learn more from you as I suspect that if this... reality is connected to our own, then at some point we will return to the one we are used to. I would like to discuss more things with you than what we may have time for here and now."
The Grand Mystery That Will Fill Our Lives [DM Jerry] Saturday February 2nd, 2019 9:10:03 AM
To Caelwyn he answers, "The Restorationists are not evil as a group, though some individuals may be. People are people. Some are good and some evil. We just disagree with them....very much disagree with them.
"The Manfri were born from the Sargrass, Xel'Aw, very intimately as you have seen. So to a person, we are preservationists. Why bring the Sargrass back if it is not to save it. However, why it became mutated is a great concern. I am concerned since we have such close ties to the Sargrass. Could we mutate with it? What caused this mutation to happen? We must know and defeat it."
To Grindar he smiles broadly and says, "Obtain? The Sargrass has just opened and I've seen but one since we arrived back home. They are made from the wood of the Druid trees. Druid trees are sentient and bound one to one with a druid. The Restorationists, therefore, hate them and anyone who would murder one of their trees. When a tree dies, I suppose it would be possible to obtain one that way, but how does one ask for the body of a living being to form into a boat? Of course some of the Harvesters do not share such concerns."
"Haemir, learning the answer to where the mutations came from and how to defeat them with the bloodweed is the grand mystery that will fill our lives. I hope we find the answer. There are those, who wish to foster this. Yes you are right, in that both the Restorationists and Preservationists would defeat the mutations, but neither of us will compromise in what we return the land to. We were opponents all through the last age. Names are important, I agree. It helps mold what we think. '
"Sol, we traveled through dream to get here; however, the place is in the Sargrass. We are about half a days walk, if one were not hindered by the grass, from where Rattledam once stood. I will show you the way as I return you home. We wish for there to be good relations between our peoples.
"There is another group of outsiders setting up a village on the opposite side of the Sargrass, towards the western edge. You should make contact with them at some point. I foresee that settlement being very important for outsiders since Zaren City is to the west. Being closer that gnomish city will be more prominent for obtaining supplies, training, and all things needed from outside the Sargrass than Hook City.
"I should return you. I highly suggest that you build a permanent domed village on the old site of Rattledam. As outsiders, you will need the protection of the dome. To do that, you would need to contact the Climbers and obtain their assistance. I have seen evidence of their presence in the Sargrass, but have not come upon one yet."
He stands, nods to the women and says, "I shall return soon. I feel the vibrations of the men. They will return shortly with....Ahh here they are now."
About 10 male Manfri return with polegrass holding the bodies of several creatures that they have felled. There are three creatures the size of a large horse that looks sorta not like a bullfrog. A spit with a slug-like animal, and some bird like creatures. The men look up with surprise seeing the party and glances at Mahyawu with a frown, which seems to say much more than is easily discerned.
[You may make Perception and other checks if you wish to learn more.]
After consulting with another, the man returns. "We have plenty. Take two of the Ranthoms and samples of the others back with you, Mahyawu. Good news. We saw swallows evolving. We did not take the newly formed pigs, but said the proper words to protect the site for a time. I will show you when you return."
A woman stands. "I will come with you Mahyawu. Someone will need to show the outsiders how to prepare things properly and obtain the spices and preservatives."
She grabs several packs almost as large as herself and bounds over.
"I am Ahyoka. Here. Pick them up and carry them." She grins motioning furiously at the party to carry her packs.
She looks up at Mahyawu and says, "What are we waiting for ageless one? The moth to send you in flight?"
Xel'Aw (Grant) 6/8 HP - AC/T/FF: 12 /10 /12 - CMD 9 d20+8=28 ; Saturday February 2nd, 2019 11:41:55 AM
Xel'Aw watches with rapt attention (perception 28!!!) as the men return.
He grabs a couple packs that he can handle, but his small frame is already fairly encumbered.
BigbyWolf ( Michael) 10/10 HP - AC/T/FF: 16 /13 /14 - CMD 13 -Animal Companion: HP: 19/19 -AC 17 d20+9=13 ; Saturday February 2nd, 2019 5:57:35 PM
perception 13. Bigby grabs what he can as suggested. "domed village...contact climbers...pick up packs...got it."
Xel'Aw (Grant) 8/8 HP - AC/T/FF: 12 /10 /12 - CMD 9 Saturday February 2nd, 2019 10:13:59 PM OOC - Updated link for character sheet to new Excel format and adjusted health to reflect drinking the plant juice.
Haemir - (Rich) HP:8/8 - AC:15 (FF:13/T:12) - Status: None - Fand: HP:18/18 AC:17 Sunday February 3rd, 2019 6:19:38 PM
Haemir feels like he is missing an unspoken communication but shrugs it off and greets Ahyoka, picking up a pack or two... (Perception & Sense motive fails for some reason the rolls disappeared but they were very poor)
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy Canaday) AC 18/12/16, CMD 17, HP 11 Monday February 4th, 2019 5:37:07 AM
Being at a loss of words, Grindar picks up any remaining packs.
'Lil - (Carl) - 13/13 HP - AC 17/11/16 - CMD 13 Monday February 4th, 2019 1:05:57 PM
'Lil scratches her head. "What's a climber, and why do we need one? We can climb. I just to climb stuff all the time as a kid. Is Rattledam's dome damaged? Can we just move in? Let me guess, it's filled with dangerous creatures we have to chase out?"
She doesn't have any idea what any of the other people were talking about, but trusts that stuff'll be revealed. She picks up a pack before Grindar grabs them all. "Show off," she says with a slight elbow to his midsection.
ELIJAH "SOL" SOLOMON (DANIEL) HP: 6 AC/T/FF:11/11/10 Active Spells: Mage Armour d20+1=10 ; d20+9=29 ; d20-2=1 ; Monday February 4th, 2019 6:36:18 PM
Sol listens intently, nodding his understanding.
He gets up to go and grab a bag, but realises that with his slight frame he will be of little to no help, so tries to pick up at least one or two bags, but in the end he can only manage the smallest, lightest bag he can find.
He looks over the other men, and also looks at them with a decidely more arcane bent, trying to see if there is something more mystical about them. (10 on Perception, 29 on Arcana (Nat 20))
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