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Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid AC 29/T-20/Fl-24 CMD 35 HP 162 
Sunday January 5th, 2020 12:39:31 AM

Murphy expresses his gratitude to all who helped out, and is quite willing to meet their modest requests for compensation - plus 25% on top of what they asked. "It's a holiday. Thank you for acting in the spirit of it - and here's a little extra to help spread it further. If my brother, Kendry, were here, or our bardic friend Jack, surely they would come up with a song in your honor. That is not my strength, though. Since I am a druid, though, I shall right now cast a spell of plant growth. Over the coming year, all your vegetation within half mile of the bonfire shall yield another 25 to 30 percent more than usual." He walks out to the bonfire area in order to cast the spell. He concludes with, "Bless this town, Eberyon."

"Hobie, a couple of questions. Does anyone in the party that you know of have a wand of endure elements? Also, did I detect that your arrows of late are seeming to do more in the way of subdual damage, rather than lethal damage? How does that work? Or am I mistaken?"

He retires to the inn, partakes of some of the wonderful food - little bit of this and that - a good sampler plate, and washes it down with hot cocoa. He wishes his friends a good sleep, gives Pressi a good night kiss, and heads to his room to enter slumbertown.

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Sunday January 5th, 2020 2:27:44 AM
"Aye, Murph, I've got a wand of Endure Elements, still with 40 charges. Anyone is welcome to it, but I'd prefer if we save it until the cold is actually dangerous, not just uncomfortable. And yeah, I've given Prowler the Merciful enchantment, it gives the bow a little more stopping power and makes the damage I do nonlethal. Although when you do nonlethal damage in the quantity Prowler does, it's still plenty lethal."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 62/111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Sunday January 5th, 2020 10:59:04 PM
Pressi may be more of a dry liquor girl, but she's never been known for turning down a drink.

She's also been quite adept at ducking relationship questions.

Besides the obvious question of how to plan a wedding in the brief moments of not fighting robots, a sticking point had developed. To this day, Pressi hadn't spoken much about her parents, and Murphy expressed some hope in meeting them.

Pressi was much less enthusiastic about the idea.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 106/106 Valerie AC 37/15/32 CMD 27 HP 100/100 Spells 
Monday January 6th, 2020 5:47:06 AM
As the merry making winds down, Succotash heads to his bed. He chuckles to himself at the bed to occupant size difference and attempts to climb in. With a boost from Valerie, he is able to make it into bed and then seeing as though there is so much room left, Valerie jumps into the bed as well. The velociraptor curls up at the foot of the bed, and quickly falls asleep. Meanwhile, Succotash has time to think about how blessed he is to have such faithful friends, and to be part of such a band of heroes as Humble’s Sword, before sleep takes him.

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Monday January 6th, 2020 8:44:48 AM
As the first of the group goes off the bed, Hobie goes too. He doesn't have much trouble falling asleep, and dreams of his family growing up. In the dream he and his cousins are chasing a chicken around the yard, attempting to capture the family's evening dinner. After the children grow tired and frustrated at their failures, their grandfather, H.R. Hornblower (from whom both Hobie and his cousin Roscoe take their names) stands on the porch holding a familiar bow, engraved with the name "Prowler." He smiles as he fires a perfectly aimed arrow directly into the chicken's tiny heart. Hobie is the first to grab the chicken and carry it to his grandfather, who pats Hobie's head, and says "Young legs are no match for a well aimed arrow, even from an old fart like your grandpa."

At this point in the dream Hobie wakes. He stretches and gets out of bed, removes Prowler from it's extradimensional space in his quiver, holds it out, and looks over it. He's filled with memories: his grandfather's stories, their archery lessons together, their hunting trips, and finally of his Gran's face, wet with tears of both joy and sadness as she gave Prowler to Hobie on the day of Grandpa's funeral.

Hobie wipes a tear from his own eye, and smiles as he puts his bow away. He dons his armor, puts on his cloak, and heads out the door, ready to get going with whatever adventure is next.

DM Kathy 
Monday January 6th, 2020 11:55:36 AM
Your night in the inn is peaceful and undisturbed. In the morning, you can have porridge for breakfast, or leftover pie and gingerbread. Or, you know, both.

You are soon back on the road, in pursuit of the menagerie which appears to have kidnapped the halfling village of Thaelhaven and forced the villagers to play the part of "savage cannibal halflings." The snow that fell last night is still on the ground, slowing your travel. Hopefully, the menagerie wagons are also having to deal with snow, so they aren't pulling away from you.

It is cold, but still not dangerously so. If you were caring for young children, or invalids, or elderly people, you might have been concerned for them, but you are all healthy adults, with healthy adult animals, and the cold is not a threat to you so far.

You pass through another human town that day, and can confirm that the menagerie stopped there. You push on, however, eager to make up time, and wind up camping that night in an alder grove near a small stream.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Monday January 6th, 2020 1:09:56 PM
Kezzem casts Endure Elements on both Rumpus and himself. No sense being cold when they don't have to be.

"Man, I can't wait to catch-up to this menagerie. I need to speak to their manager."

Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle  d20+26=34 ;
Monday January 6th, 2020 2:17:00 PM

Bliss thinks that Sir Kezzem has a good point. "What DO we do when we catch up at last?" he asks, as the group sits around a campfire that evening. They do not seem to have killed anyone? Is it "speak sternly" or "death to slavers"?" He ponders. "Our standard murderhobo tactics may not be the most appropriate response. Let's resolve to use nonlethal attacks until we get everything figured out?"

Bliss takes first watch with Mookie and stays alert. Perception 34.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 106/106 Valerie AC 37/15/32 CMD 27 HP 100/100 Spells 
Monday January 6th, 2020 6:22:33 PM
Succotash ponders Bliss's words for a bit than says, "While I agree with you Bliss, non-lethal isn't something Valerie can do, and other than buffs and heal spells, I don't have much in my bag of tricks either. I guess we have to hope they feel like surrendering without a fight, otherwise..."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 62/111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Monday January 6th, 2020 9:38:54 PM
Pressi scoffed at Bliss. “There are worse things than death, and this is one of them. When we find them, I intend to teach them what a true halfling savage can do. It will be quite the show.”

Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle 
Monday January 6th, 2020 10:05:28 PM
"I just want to be sure we are the heroes, not the villains," says Bliss.

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 92/92 
Monday January 6th, 2020 11:39:46 PM
World Travelers

Tali sticks to her standard routine everyday, that is to say, mediate for two (2) hours before returning to sleep if in an inn, and to a 2am watch if in the wilds.

In the morning or before a 2am watch, Tali casts her standard spells: Overland Flight & Mage Armor

Having observed many people the the previous towns, Tali says the proper command swords to change her Bill's Stylish pants o' Plenty into something more befitting the area & the peoples coupled with whatever she and Mister Murphy crafted with the warmer materials.

Spells in Effect:

Overland Flight | 840 of 840 minutes
Mage Armor | 840 of 840 minutes

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 12:15:35 AM
Hobie will speak up to the issue that Bliss has brought up “Well you know me, I’m one to shoot arrows first and think second, so if provoked, I’m firing a barrage of nonlethal arrows. But maybe Bliss has a point, what if we at least kept them alive long enough to figure out what happened, and maybe after ending whatever curse they’re under we could let the halflings decide the outcome?”

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid AC 29/T-20/Fl-24 CMD 35 HP 162 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 12:16:30 AM
At the campsite, Murphy runs his usual security chores, and provides a pot and tripod, filling the pot and a few buckets with water - but leaves it to others to do the cooking. "Mookie - how would you like Magic Fang, Greater (+3 att/dam) before I fall asleep? With Bliss's Metamagic Rod of Extend, that should be good until bedtime tomorrow. I think I've fallen behind in my promised daily allotment to you." He offers one more casting to who asks for it to endure until midmorning. Or on himself, if no one takes him up.

Am going to assume that, through Murphy's promptings and questions over the past few days, he has been able to pry the following from his companions, who gathered most of this information prior to his return. "Based upon what you all have told us, there are 11 wagons - some rolling cages, some carry cargo. The manager - Olog Breaktooth, a half-orc - has a special wagon he sleeps in, the rest sleep in tents. There are four guards - 'tough customers' who keep order and quell trouble. And a dozen workers. There are two drow. Whether those two are always caged, or somehow assist when between towns, I do not know. If the latter, then perhaps one of them provided wizardly services, such as the spell of silence in the halflings' cage. Pure speculation, that.

"Then there are the lioness, a piebald black bear, several monkeys, peacock, peahen, tropical birds, an ocelot family, and a cage of stirges." He appends, "And the world's largest baby. A giant's baby, perchance?"

"If I were them, facing an assault, besides the four toughs, I might call into play the lioness, the bear, the stirges and, if they would help, the dark elves. They have their dozen other workers - some may help, some may hide. And if I were them, I might possibly threaten the halflings. 'Come any closer and I fireball 'em!'" Especially seeing that we are a bunch of halflings."

"So, what are some of our best plays to accomplish the halfling & circus liberation, while considering justice, and, where applicable, kindness, and a dash of mercy?"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid AC 29/T-20/Fl-24 CMD 35 HP 162 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 12:22:15 AM
Forgot to include: "I have a spell, transmute metal to wood, that can make the metal cage quite easy to break. I could memorize it twice, for a second cage."

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 1:31:48 AM
"That could be a helpful spell for sure Murph. And well, if we are concerned that our presence as halflings could lead to them using the other halflings for leverage, I can scribe a bunch of scrolls of Disguise Self or even Alter Self, and we could go in as a band of Goblin bandits. That could help a bit. It would probably lead to them underestimating our abilities."


DM Kathy 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 12:04:09 PM
As you travel and make camp, you discuss strategies for dealing with the menagerie once you've caught up with it. What should be your approach? Frontal assault? Stealthy recon? Demand to speak to the manager? Murphy reminds everyone of what you can expect to find. Will you have to fight the animals? The dark elves? It's hard to say.

The night is uneventful, and the next day you pass through two towns. In each, you are able to verify that the menagerie has come through. It spends at least three days in each town, so you are definitely catching up.

That night is also uneventful. The following day, it begins to rain, turning the snow into slush, and making travel a slow, frustrating, cold, wet experience. Just past noon, you arrive in the town of Yellowdale. There is an inn here, so you could stop for the day and continue tomorrow when the slush is (hopefully) gone. That would also give Hobie a chance to scribe his scrolls, if he's so inclined. Or, you could press on. You know you're getting very close.



Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 106/106 Valerie AC 37/15/32 CMD 27 HP 100/100 Spells 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 6:37:31 PM
As they are discussing strategy, Succotash pipes in, "I have this spell called Animal Shapes which as of right now I can cast on up to 15 willing animals. What it does is polymorphs them all into a huge sized animal and gives them a boost to their strength (+6) and boasts their natural armor (+6) the down side is their dexterity suffers a bit (-4) and they all have to become the same animal. It lasts a crazy long time too! (1 hour per level) I can cast it on Mookie, Rumpas, Harper, and even Valerie if we can think of a critter type that would benefit us the most, like an allosaurus, though I think Valerie would lose more than she gained by the spell. I could hook up your pony too Hobie, or your owl Tali but I don't think it would be wise, at least not as a combatants, as they haven't learned to take a hit like the rest of the animals."

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 7:52:08 PM
Just a Menagerie

Tali sticks to her standard routine everyday, that is to say, mediate for two (2) hours before returning to sleep if in an inn, and to a 2am watch if in the wilds. Tali goes through the motions, upon awaking, which is to say, in the morning or before a 2am watch, Tali casts her standard spells: Overland Flight & Mage Armor .

Community Discussions

"Er, Succotash? I leave Rayya at home and she lives vicariously through my stories when we touch base again. Its best for her, she's a companion, a lover of Nature, but not a fighter." explains Tali to Mister Succotash.

Tali, will experiment with the command words that activate her pair of trousers better known as "Bill Stylish Pants o' Plenty. " Tali is trying to come up with a combination of winterish colors to compliment to additional clothing that Mister Murphy and her designed, sewed, stiched together, and in some cases, even lined with a cotton or linen fabric to cushion the winter blow. Perhaps a pattern like a snow lepord. {Dm Kathy, do you thnk this is possible, Winter Overalls with a snow lepord pattern? }

While working on her Stylish pants ol' plenty, Tali can be heard to be humming a tune and occasionally mutters words to accompany this tune.

Tali hums,"...It¹s a gutter ballet...Just a menagerie...Still the orchestra plays...On a dark and lonely night...To a distant fading light..."

So, clan, are we hunkering down in the nature or in an inn?

Spells in Effect:

Overland Flight | 800 of 840 minutes
Mage Armor | 800 of 840 minutes



Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 8:38:58 PM

Bliss cocks his head and looks at Brother Succotash. "Um, uh, that's a witch spell too, and you do not have to just cast it on animals. You could cast it on ALL of us. And you do not have to use only huge size shapes. Sure, you could change us all into elephants, but you could also change us all into diminutive bats and we could all fly in sneaky like."

"Trust me, I know from changing shapes!"

Answering Tali, Bliss thinks we should all press on. "We're hot on the trail, I feel it. We should go on! We're heroes, right? No need for comfy beds, at least not every night."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 62/111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 8:40:01 PM
To Bliss, "Of course, any action should keep an eye on justice, morality, strategy, all that stuff. But as of now, I'm not worried about lethal damage corroding our souls."

Regarding the town, "I really wish that we had some better idea of how this circus traveled and how long they stayed. You'd think we'd have caught up by now, even with all the inn and camping stuff and the head start. Are they really only staying one night per town? Are they really with all those caravans and equipment outrunning what is frankly a rather speedy halfling strike force? For that matter, how do they decide which towns to go to in the first place and through what paths?

"I guess the bottom line is this. Is there any way, say through divinations or implanted dreams or well placed bribes, that we could force these guys to come to us? Or beat them to their next destination?"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Tuesday January 7th, 2020 8:48:09 PM
"Wait, could we change ourselfs into like super fast animals?" asks Kezzem. "That would allow us to make up ground quickly? Like some really fast leopards? Or woild that make us cheat-ahs."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid AC 29/T-20/Fl-24 CMD 35 HP 162  d20+17=22 ; d20+17=37 ; d20+17=35 ; d20+13=25 ; d20+13=20 ; d20+13=32 ; d20+26=38 ; d20+26=44 ; d20+26=27 ;
Wednesday January 8th, 2020 4:34:52 AM
During travel Murphy plies his friends with questions - perhaps to the point of annoyance on the part of some, trying to pull out as many details as possible about what was learned before his arrival. At the two towns they pass through where the traveling circus has performed, Murphy invites any who wish to join in to do so, but beloved (and shrewd) Pressi especially, and Tali for charm and optics - and makes multiple queries about the circus - but splitting the queries among different people. He intersperses the following with fluffier queries, such as, "What was the most fun part of the show?" Fluffier, casual questions may outnumber more substantive ones. He'll buy drinks to loosen tongues, or offer other small inducements. And crosscheck with other sources.
- "What did the dark elves do? Did they perform?" [If so:] "How? Were you able to talk with them?"
- "Were any animals freed from their cages? Did they perform, do tricks?" He looks to learn which animals did what tricks.
- "What did they do with the stirges? Were they locked up well? They are nasty little birds, you know."
- "What order were the wagons in as they came into town? Did that order vary when they left town? Did they form into a circle or some other formation with their carts and wagons?"
- "How many horses, mules, oxen, other draft animals were there?"
- "Did they say where they were going next?" "How many days ago did they leave?"
Murphy spent a fair bit of his own funds during this trip already. He checks with his companions to see if any might reimburse him for coin spent to loosen people's tongues, where necessary.

In Yellowdale he asks when the animal show left. Once he gets an answer, he asks, out of earshot of townsfolk, "Pressi, does that new information help? They are staying on average 3 days. We're [X] days behind now - surely better than the 21 days lead they once held." [Our great DM can fill in the [X]]

"Let's stay here tonight. Talk over what we've picked up from the last two towns. Discuss spell selections based upon some of the things we have learned. Perhaps additional scrying and divinations can be done. I know, too, how much my scouting trips tend to cause anxiety among you my friends, but I can travel very, very fast as an air elemental. If someone wanted to come with me for backup - I could easily carry two - we can gather additional information. Another alternative, at twilight Pressi can shadow walk us to maybe two or so towns ahead, if we're willing to take that risk."

The druid sits back, awaiting his friends' responses.
==========
Town One: Diplomacy: 22; Knowledge, local: 25; Sense motive: 38
Town Two: Diplomacy: 37; Knowledge, local: 20; Sense motive: 44
Yellowdale: Diplomacy: 35; Knowledge, local: 32; Sense motive: 27

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 106/106 Valerie AC 37/15/32 CMD 27 HP 100/100 Spells 
Wednesday January 8th, 2020 7:50:07 AM
“Bliss, I know that the spell works on people as well, I was just offering a way to boost our animal friends combat prowess, must a flashback to my Paladin days, you thinking offensively”.

“Murph, I’ll go along with you, you can fly us fast, and I can teleport us out of harms way, and back to our friends if trouble arrives”.

DM Kathy 
Wednesday January 8th, 2020 12:13:03 PM
You continue discussing strategy. Succotash has a spell that can turn your animal companions into large, ferocious beasts! Or, as Bliss points out, turn the whole party into little bats! Kezzem suggests turning everybody into something fast, which would mean figuring out what to do with the cart.

Pressi frets about how long it's taking to catch the menagerie, but really, it isn't taking long at all. The menagerie had about a month's head start on you by the time you left Salbe. Since then, you've traveled a little less than a week and you've almost got them. You're actually catching up pretty quickly.

Tali is just trying to get her pants to work. [If Tali has ever seen a snow leopard, or a snow leopard pelt, then you can have that pattern. Otherwise, no.]

Murphy works to gather additional information. You learn that the dark elves did perform magic tricks. One of the elves waved his hand and plunged the whole tent into total darkness, just like that! People were divided on whether it was scary or just impressive. The stirges were in a cage, similar to the tropical-bird cage. As far as you can tell, both cages remained closed the entire time. The peacock and peahen were free, strutting about their tent. The world's largest baby wasn't in a cage exactly, he or she was set up in a cart. The baby didn't seem able to walk yet, and showed no interest in trying to crawl. The other animals seemed to stay in their cages. There was an area set up near the bear's cage that seemed to be for a performance, but nobody you talked to actually saw the bear perform.

Nobody you talked to really noticed what order the wagons traveled in. There were 15-20 draft animals, mostly horses, although there were mules and oxen as well.

Murphy is inclined to stay in Yellowdale and discuss strategy; Bliss is in favor of pressing on. Your DM will strongly hint that you need a plan before you go too much further. And if you want Hobie to scribe his scrolls, you'll need to stop here.


Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Wednesday January 8th, 2020 1:09:54 PM
"I don't know that going as an air elemental with two people in tow is such a great idea Murph, thats pretty conspicuous. But I do think we are pretty close, and perhaps if you, me, and anyone else who can polymorph themself into a bird, it could be good to do some very stealthy flyover recon. Perhaps we could go as owls and scout out their camp at night.

If we want to appear as something other than halflings, between the two scrolls in my pack and my daily prepared spells, I could cast disguise self on each of us.

Then in the end, it might be a good idea for us to sneak in and let the halflings out of their cages before we open up any kind of assault on the camp. Maybe I could cast Invisibility on Succotash and you could go in, because we are probably going to need you to cast Remove Curse on these halflings before they'll be able to escape."


Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 106/106 Valerie AC 37/15/32 CMD 27 HP 100/100 Spells 
Wednesday January 8th, 2020 1:33:20 PM
“Well, Hobie, I can only prepare remove curse 5 times, which means I can only remove cures on 5 individuals. Escape is out of the question if they are cursed, though I’m willing to go invisible and investigate then “pop” back when the time arrives!”

Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle  d20+12=22 ;
Wednesday January 8th, 2020 1:44:33 PM

Bliss is willing to stay the night so that we can make the necessary preparations that we need to make. He practices that night doing the Magic Jar trick with Mookie ... he possesses Mookie, leaving his body behind. Then he looks out of Mookie's eyes and possesses that cockroach in the corner, say. He roams around as a cockroach for a while before switching back and letting the thing go free.

"But what the heck am I going to do with your body, Kid?" Mookie asks.

"What if I'm a kitty?"

"You can cast a still silent Magic Jar in cat shape?"

"Oh, yeah, no, not yet. If I had a rod of Silent Spell ... "

"That's the best use for your ONE 6th level slot?"

"Hmmm," Bliss ponders. "I should use a contingency, come to think of it." He calls out, "Anybody have an ivory statue of me I could have?" [OOC: That's the focus for a Contingency spell]

Finally listening to his friends, Bliss mentions that in cat form he is pretty sneaky, so he volunteers to sneak into the camp to free the captives.

And since we are in town here, he asks around to see if there are any ivory merchants in this village. Gather Info 22. [OOC: Dr. Google tells me that you can make ivory from warthog tusks. HEY! That Ypotryll had tusks! Missed opportunity! Anyway, maybe there is an ivory carver in town!]

"So here's our plan. We find the travelling menagerie quiet like so they do not know we are here. Some of us sneak in to rescue the halflings. Hobie, can you (or anybody) cast Knock?"

"If anyone wants to stay back, Mookie will stay with you and he and I can use telepathy to keep everyone in the loop."

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Wednesday January 8th, 2020 4:20:03 PM
Hobie reaches into his haversack and pulls out a scroll. “Of course I can cast Knock. What kind of wizard can’t cast knock? I can cast it, or with the scroll Talia or somebody else can cast it too”

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101 
Wednesday January 8th, 2020 11:29:59 PM
Planned Menagerie

Tali suggests to the group, when able, "I vote for a night in an inn, so we can sure up our plans. I get the feelings this may be as complex as the Iron Giant battle. I do not prefer to go into this confrontation with a simple "Hello?!" and a wave!"

"So, our plans are?" asks Tali.

Spells in Effect:
Overland Flight | 800 of 840 minutes
Mage Armor | 800 of 840 minutes

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 12:48:04 AM
"I suggest not splitting up this time," says Kezzem. "We tried that during the giant invasion and it didn't work so well."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid AC 29/T-20/Fl-24 CMD 35 HP 162 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 1:01:04 AM
Murphy learns the caravan left only two days ago, and makes certain all know. He finds out from the locals the name of the next town, and the distance in miles.

The following Murphy communicates in the halfling tongue, as far as possible out of earshot of anyone else. "They're likely set up, or are getting set up, in the next town. Hobie, yes, if we swooped into the town directly as an elemental & friends - that would be conspicuous. You should know we can be more subtle than that. How we approach, use invisibility... I'm developing a growing appreciation for your scouting and information gathering skills. Were you not going to work on the scrolls, I'd suggest you come.

"Here's my suggestion. A few come with me. Those who can easily assume another form. Bird? Crow, or farm finch, or sparrow - something common, that does not fear a bit of snow. If the distance is within 18 to 20 miles, I can get us within sight of it in 15 minutes, dive to the ground well before we're spotted, then, if you haven't already done so, we change into our avian forms, fly to town, and observe the arrangements. Direct sight is one of the best ways to learn of others. So long as we act bird-like - if you see someone drop some food near the caravan, go for it - what is more birdlike? Squabble with competitors - but not overmuch. Fly to the top of a cage, sit there and observe those there for a moment. Don't raise a ruckus with them. Just watch. Dodge rocks. And don't stay in one place too long.

"Really, though, we could get there and back again in about, say, ninety minutes? Twenty there, scope things out - maybe watch a show, or at least find out when they tend to run their shows. Leave after a bit less than an hour, exit town, and fly back here. I'd be in contact with Pressi. If Bliss comes, he can talk remotely with Mookie, who will interpret Bliss in his own inimitable fashion to you all. You could be a cat, too, Bliss. If Succotash comes, he can teleport us back when needed, and perhaps detect evil here and there. If Tali comes, she has some spells - invisibility is lovely. And she loves flying. If Pressi comes, she can do all kinds of things, and make wisecracks suitable for a blackbird, though she won't be back where she can relay what's happening. [b]Kezzem, if you come, you could give us good bon mots in imitation sparrow language, and think about what you might do once you return as a paladin well armed - or maybe you have an even better idea that does not involve trying to give me a noogie.

"What do you say? A scouting outing, round trip between one and two hours. Once we report back, we have about as good intelligence as we are likely to get - unless you want me to embed with the caravan until you catch up. I know, I know, 'Don't go solo, Murphy!' Anyway, I'll bet our ideas for spell usage and tactics would be well fed by such a reconnoiter.

"What do you think, Pressi?"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid AC 29/T-20/Fl-24 CMD 35 HP 162 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 1:07:44 AM
[Just saw Kezzem's post after mine was posted]. "Kezzem - when Tali and I went miles ahead of the party, and got the storm going - that went well. It slowed them way down, and we gained information. As for later in the battle, there were things to do both within the giant and outside of it - but I'll not gainsay you wholly." He stares at the ground for a moment, thinking with rue how he was plucked from the midst of battle, when he was of full heart to remain and defend his friends and their town.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 62/111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 11:42:14 AM
Pressi boggles at all the questions and all the planning. "I don't think we recognize how much of this is from bits of pieces of eyewitness accounts and conjecture. It's not like I've got the caravan itinerary in my backpack."

As for the time, "It helps, but the fact remains we may wish to consider a plan under our terms. Though confronting them in a city, even if we arrive early, could raise further potential hostage situations. I do agree that scouting is a good idea, and this plan of Murphy's does seem thought out. I am fine to either hang back or join into sneaking my way in, though I think my skills are better suited than simply a messaging conduit.

"For example," Pressi patted her lockpick set. "I don't need some inelegant scroll to do the job."

Pressi can't really recommend much to Bliss about her body, having lost it the last soul gem excursion herself. (HIPS can help, but it still can be beaten.) She can lend a rod of (lesser) silent spell but not a contingency idol. (Also - did they change the BW class on us? I'm not getting the usual page.)

DM Kathy 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 12:44:46 PM
You seem to be forming a consensus that you want to stop in Yellowdale overnight. You arrange for rooms at the Pitchfork Inn.

You are able to learn that the next town is called Crofters Crossing, and it's a little less than 20 miles away.

Bliss is unable to find a source of ivory in town. Murphy begins planning a recon mission.

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 12:58:06 PM
"I'll gladly join in the recon mission. I'm not sure scribing the scrolls is prudent right now, I can just prepare the spell enough times if we decide we all want to Disguise Self. I'd like to get a look at the enemy. I think Pressi's on to something as well, maybe approaching them in the town itself could lead to other innocents being hurt, and if were to know what town they will visit after this current one, we could go ahead of them and prepare an ambush. Dig pit traps that will crash under the weight of the wagons, get them stuck in a choke point, give me and Talia a place to provide proper ranged support, etc. Approaching them on our own terms sounds like a solid idea."

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 12:59:00 PM
ooc: it would be super fun to do a recon and then planned out ambush.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 106/106 Valerie AC 37/15/32 CMD 27 HP 100/100 Spells 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 1:28:08 PM
“I have a better Idea!”, Succotash says with a smile, “How about I turn all of us into a nice winter bird, like a chickadee or a cardinal, and we all go on the recon mission, in the morning, together! That way we all know what to expect, we will all be there, with a single action, we will be our normal selves, if needed, and only one spell is used to do the job”.

Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 10:01:42 PM

Bliss likes that idea a lot. "Everyone should be little birds. Then we can all sneak right in!"

[OOC: there are good stats for a diminutive bird here. But I should mention that Wold House Rules say we are limited to Bestiary I and II animals. Nothing wrong with a flock of ravens or bats!]

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Thursday January 9th, 2020 11:17:25 PM
"What about eagles?" asks Kezzem. "I don't want to be a bat or a raven."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid AC 29/T-20/Fl-24 CMD 35 HP 162 
Friday January 10th, 2020 12:51:11 AM

"I like eagles, too, Kezzem. Seeing 15 of them together? - I've never seen so many together."

"I have a way to boost the betterness of your idea, Succotash," Murphy says. "Yes, let us do that all together on the morrow. But yes, let also a few of us take an earlier look, today. I'm thinking of the notion of fairly non-invasive deal. We don't go there and try to interact with the caravan people or victims. We do a fly-by. Maybe land on top of a wagon to preen some feathers and take a bird-like, cursory look to see where obvious locks are on the halflings. Do they keep that cage covered when not performing? This is observation, not tight interaction. Maybe, we'll not land, but just circle for a good look - and fly fast elsewhere if one of those dark elves pulls out a bow.

"Perhaps we'll overhear when they will perform. Hear people talking about what has been going on, or what is coming up. Also, we can learn what types of birds are common to Crofters Crossing. If a few of us show up as ravens, then find out that owls or hawks or something else are more common, then, good. That can help us decide what feathers to don tomorrow.

"So, come. I will go in, say, an hour. If this idea is not terrible, then who will come with me at that time for a quick fly-by?"

He adds a suggestion that, when they come within a few miles of the town, they fly low in a semi-circle, and come in from a side a quarter section (90 degrees) to the right of (north of?) their approach. They flit around until the caravan is spotted. They fly over to the line up - perhaps one or two on one end, another from the other side toward the center. Show brief, birdlike curiosity, then fly on, not back the way they came, but toward the main exit on the other side of town - look to see the direction of that path. Maybe find out from the local layout why the town is called a crossing. Continue a mile or two, until out of direct view of the town. Then broad arc southward, and back to somewhere to land slightly out of visual range, go back to halfling, and walk back to Yellowdale.

"Hobie, when we go a ways on the other side of Crofters Crossing, maybe you'll see a reasonable spot for an ambush." "How does this sound to you, Succotash? Again, I love your idea. I'm just looking to multiply our intelligence."

With this plan, and with the additional walking - Murphy says he assumes he'll carry people as an air elemental to cover about 15 to 18 miles of the intermediate legs of the journey for speed purposes, as well as on the return. "If I fly us pretty low, well off the road, it's unlikely we'll be easily spotted."

Murphy asks the innkeep about the next town or two past Crofters Crossing. "Anyone have travel maps around here? Everything is so new here to me!"

Tali (Kim for Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101 
Friday January 10th, 2020 1:29:21 AM

"Well, I'd be willing to go, but, I don't have means to change to a bird on my own. With enough diamond dust, I could. If you want me to go as myself - maybe I can wear some of the clothing we just put together to be less recognizable... and change my hair color?" She shrugs. "Probably I'll wait until tomorrow, when we all are chickadees, or eagles, or hummingbirds." She giggles.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid AC 29/T-20/Fl-24 CMD 35 HP 162 
Friday January 10th, 2020 2:54:55 AM

"Or, you and I, Bliss, can go in as cats. Beg for scraps, and learn the lay of the land," Murphy suggests with a smile.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 106/106 Valerie AC 37/15/32 CMD 27 HP 100/100 Spells 
Friday January 10th, 2020 7:45:47 AM
“I’d be willing to do the cat walk”, Succotash says, “but I don’t have beast shape or animal shape prepared today, of course I’ll prepare animal shape tomorrow, but if someone is willing to hook me up, I would love to go. After we get the lay of the land, and we are out of sight, if I’m returned to normal, I can teleport us back so we still have time to get a good nights sleep before tomorrow’s encounter begins”.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 62/111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29  d4=4 ;
Friday January 10th, 2020 11:06:42 AM
"Tali, I have no idea what spell requires diamond dust, but I can absolutely help you, assuming that we are all going to just change to birds that fly around. Also, I can help you with the snow leapord pattern. Here's Harper, and here's a bag of flour. I can't say with absolute certainty that's what a snow leapord looks like, but I think it's a solid guess. You're welcome."

If the group is staying for the night, Pressi takes some time to attempt scrying on the caravan in an attempt to get a better idea of the location and layout. She also takes some time to "legend lore" the town (40 minutes) in an attempt to see the carnival or ringmaster (if either are "on hand", she legend lore's them.)

"So, are we all just going? I thought we would just send a few scouts."

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Friday January 10th, 2020 1:41:06 PM
Hobie loves the idea of taking bird form and all flying together. Especially if Succotash can make them all birds with one spell. He'll make sure to fly past the town as well and scout out possible places where they might be able to ambush the caravan on their way out.

ooc: Maybe we could all commit to just observing, and then if theres not any dangers we could just hand wave the recon mission? That way we don't spend days and days of real life time on it and just get to the actual encounter of ambushing them?

DM Kathy 
Friday January 10th, 2020 2:40:15 PM
You decide, as your DM understands things, on two recon missions. The first, undertaken immediately, will involve Murphy and whoever he brings along, as birds, carried on the airstream of air-elemental-Murphy. The second, undertaken in the morning, will involve everyone, in animals forms still to be determined.

Murphy and his team: Highlight to display spoiler: { You are able to fly to Crofters Crossing by (mostly) following the road. You find another mostly-human frontier town. In a large open field on the outskirts of town, several wagons have been drawn up around three large tents and a few smaller tents. The large tents have been set up with entrances that lead from one to the next. Outside the main entrance, a human man stands ready to collect money from any townsfolk wanting to enter. Behind him stands a tough, rangy human with a rapier at his hip. There is nobody trying to enter at present. Another human is at one of the wagons, putting something into a bucket. As you watch, he leaves the wagon and carries the bucket into one of the large tents. }

Those of you in town find the Pitchfork Inn to be a decent place. It isn't time yet for the evening meal, but it's nice to be in out of the slush. The common room is warm, the ale is good, and they have hot cider available for those who prefer.

Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle  d20+25=28 ;
Friday January 10th, 2020 2:52:50 PM

Bliss definitely went on the recon mission, and hopefully EVERYBODY went. He also looked on the road out of town to see a good spot to set up an ambush. While he was at the camp of the menagerie, he scouted around and looked for halflings.

Perception 28

The next day, he prepares with a Warding ritual. He expects to be polymorphing into a fighting form tomorrow, likely OctoBliss.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid AC 29/T-20/Fl-24 CMD 35 HP 162  d20+37=50 ; d20+37=42 ; d20+37=55 ; d20+26=39 ; d20+19=35 ; d20+13=19 ;
Friday January 10th, 2020 4:13:37 PM

Murphy thanks Bliss and any others who come. As they sit a few hundred yards away, his back to the caravan, and since he can talk normally in his current - let's say raven - form, the druid whispers in halfling to his adjacent friends, "Let's check this out first for 15, 30 minutes tops. When you hear me, or another of us, caw four times, then let's head into town, scatter a bit to get a lay of the town. Let's scatter, listen to different people talking here and there. About 20 minutes of that, then on to the road on the other side as we discussed. See if there is more than one road out of town. Anyone want speak with animals? Only lasts 15 minutes." He listens to any additional ideas and suggestions.

"You know how birds try, cautiously, to get close to sources of food? I'm thinking of getting over by where the fellow picked up the food, and search for bits along the path he walked. Alert to any who shoo me away, of course, flying up to the top of the food wagon. After a bit fly to the top of a tent pole, try to hear sounds within, then another tent. And listen, look, preen. Will do that for a bit - no more than 20 minutes. Sound okay? Caw once for yes, two for no." Unless outvoted, he does so. "Oh, and anyone caws three times? Means 'I'm in trouble.'"

He takes a measure of the dimensions of the tents. And absorbs what else he might. He longs to enter the tents, but that was not part of the agreement. Though he might be tempted to a quick peek if it looks like there is an opening to get inside along the edge of the canvas, or through a venting slit, but only if he is aware of a separate escape avenue. If someone else does, he'll be alert to running what interference he might if necessary.

If she is not along he keeps Pressi updated on what they are doing and seeing, so that all might know.

Are entrance fees listed on a sign by the money collector?
============
Perception rolls (apply as desired): 50, 42, 55
Sense motive: 39
Knowledge nature: 35 (to discern animal sounds)
Knowledge local: 19

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101 
Friday January 10th, 2020 4:42:27 PM
It's all going to the birds!

"I guess I'm in the second wave, then?"asks Tali.

Before nightfall, Tali will mediatate for 2 hours as it has become her routine, everynight. Upon waking, she casts upon herself, two (2) Spells: Overland Flight & Mage Armor.

Tali is still uncertain how she is to transform (polymorpth) into anything?!

Spells in Effect:
Overland Flight | 800 of 840 minutes
Mage Armor | 800 of 840 minutes

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Saturday January 11th, 2020 11:46:41 AM
“I’m going to talk to the animals and see if they can fill me in on anything”, Succotash says in halfling. He than flys around until he finds the animal cages, then using his “Speak with Animals” spell like ability he goes from cage to cage until some critter is willing to share with his raven self. He tells the animals that they are there to rescue the halflings, but would gladly free any animal that wishes freedom, and for any that may be too domesticated he offers them a cage free home at the Swords Sanctuary.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 62/111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29  d20+19=30 ;
Sunday January 12th, 2020 8:40:58 PM
Pressi, sighing, hits Tali with a polymorph spell and tells her to come on.

Assuming she can't stay behind (the pressure is for everyone to come), Pressi proceeds to Beast Shape 1 or 2 herself (depending on what is needed). If possible with a silent rod, she proceeds to detect magic during flight.

As for morning rituals, Pressi makes an attempt to reach for the healing intermediate ritual. (And remind me again. It's 18 for heal skill, +1 from Harper, +5 from her coven (via cauldron call), and I am assuming Bliss and Mookie would prefer to skip. Even if it's only +19, she hits 30. So all her heals are now D12s.

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Monday January 13th, 2020 9:20:58 AM
Hobie spends his part of the flight mission flying past the town, exploring what might be their next road, looking for a good place for an ambush. Any luck spotting a good place?

DM Kathy 
Monday January 13th, 2020 12:56:53 PM
Bliss, Murphy, Succotash, and Hobie are definitely up for the first recon mission. Tali, Pressi, and Kezzem can go along, too, or they can stay in Yellowdale.

At the menagerie, Bliss looked for halflings. You don't see any. Presumably, they are in one of the tents. Then, he and Hobie begin scouting the road out of Crofters Crossing to the next town, looking for possible ambush sites. Nothing jumps out at you right away, although there are some spots that would be better than others. How far down the road do you go?

Murphy, playing the timid bird looking for food, flies down to the wagons and hops around a bit. You don't see any food along the path the worker took. You fly over to the wagon, and find no food there, either; just a large sack of charcoal. You fly to one of the tent poles. You hear a murmur of voices from the tent, then hear a voice saying clearly, "Jens, get away from that cage!" The air coming from the tent feels warmer than the air around you, and you smell some kind of fire. Possibly that is what the charcoal was for. You fly to another tent pole, and find much the same.

Succotash is looking for cages, but doesn't find any. Presumably, all the menagerie animals are inside the tents. If it's animals you want, though, you can see the oxen, mules, and horses that pull the menagerie wagons in the next field over.

Meanwhile in Yellowdale, the lamps are being lit as the short winter day comes to a close. Townsfolk begin coming into the Pitchfork after a hard days' work, looking for a drink, a bite of supper, and a bit of companionship. Shepherd's Pie is on the menu.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Monday January 13th, 2020 1:40:00 PM
"Eh, I better not," says Kezzem. "My cleric told me I need to cut down on shepherd. Do you have any vegan options?"

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Monday January 13th, 2020 4:55:05 PM
Succotas, the raven, flies over to the beasts of burden, and using his Speak with Animals SLA, tries to glean anything he can from them. Are they treated well, do they know what tent the halflings are in, do they know where the caged animals are, approximate how many bad guys are there, are the Drow masters or slaves, would they rather be taken care of by a bunch of good loving, kind hearted halflings, ECT...

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101  d20+30=49 ; d20+25=33 ; d20+15=34 ;
Tuesday January 14th, 2020 12:28:54 AM
Yellowdale & The Pitchfork Tavern

Tali will venture into the Pitchfork tavern as to inquire about the menu. Looking at the specials, see's Shepard's Pie. Tali loves Shepard's Pie. "Yummy!" squeals Tali. Walking up to the bar, Tali orders a Shepard's Pie meal along with a goblet of mead if they have it. If no mead, then apple cider. If any of the others accompany Tali, she will pay for their food and one round of drinks. [Diplomacy Check: 49 | Bluff Check: 33]

Using her skills [Diplomacy Check: 49 | Bluff Check: 33 | Gather Information Check: 34], Tali will mingle with the bar tender, any person local looking for companionship, and any of the locals that recall the Mengagerie when it passed through.

When the tavern slows down, Tali makes her way back to whatever rooms we procured. If none were procured ahead of time, Tali will pay for lodging for the group. Then make her way to the rooms to tidy up before her friends arrive.

If any companions from her group { Pressi, or Kezzem} that didn't join Mister Murphy's recon efforts, are in the Tavern, she will wait for them unless waved off. If any Tavern townfolk tries to "pick her up", she will politly decline any invitation if it appears too sketchy.

NightWatch

If Murphy's group isn't back by Midnight, Tali meditates and awakens by 2AM, to take her watch.

{OOC: what time is it & how much was the tab in the tavern? The rooms?}

Skill Checks:
Diplomacy Check: 49
Bluff Check: 33
Gather Information Check: 34

Spells in Effect:
Overland Flight | 750 of 840 minutes
Mage Armor | 750 of 840 minutes

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - Raven AC 32/T-21/Fl-28 CMD 33 HP 132  d20+40=52 ; d20+40=49 ; d20+40=49 ;
Tuesday January 14th, 2020 12:40:49 AM
Since Pressi is along, Murphy mentally communicates, "So, you mind if I dash into the tents, see what and who are inside, then fly out?" He lets her know his plan as explained below.
-----
As indicated earlier, he had been on the lookout for small vents, openings along the bottom of the fabric, along the ground, or where various points came together. Also, the tent openings are said to go from one to another. It's unclear as to whether these are sealed with fabric, or if there is a gap or any opening whatsoever. Should he locate any opening anywhere along either of the two tents farther away from the entrance and the rapier-armed fellow (note earlier perception checks of 50,42,55 - they were for such a time as this), then he determines to use something other than the main entrance to pop in.

First he flies a distance away. Perhaps up into a tree a ways away, or up on top of a building. He takes a very good look about to ensure no one is in particular earshot or eyeshot - sitting on a branch opposite the tents, or on a suitable part of a roof. Then he casts on himself owl's wisdom; freedom of movement; magic fang, greater; bull's strength; cat's grace. He flits back. Then he slips in through whatever opening may be provided, and circumnavigates the whole exhibit. If after a lap, his entry point is available, he exits that way. If another opening he deems wiser, then there.

He takes care the whole time to ensure his movements are always raven-like. To add verisimilitude, if there's an obvious bit of food in easy reach without great risk, he'll grab it. Goal? Flyby-observe on the wing as much of the layout as he can, and learn who and what are where. Does anyone throw up a net to catch him? Elude, evade, escape. If he does not cause too much disruption, he moves as a curious/bold, but not too foolhardy, crow, quick to jump back if threatened (or, to one side or another). Mainly stays up high. Then, completing as much of the circuit as he can, he leaves, and flies toward town. He gives four caws ('time to go') as he wings away.
-----
If Pressi recommends against it, then he replies, "All right, what's your plan, then? Seen enough?
================
Perception rolls (one for each tent entered): 51, 48, 48 (subtract one from rolls above)

Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle  d20+26=40 ;
Tuesday January 14th, 2020 1:29:02 AM

Bliss will fly at least a mile down the road and then come back to scout for ambush spots. That's the whole idea, anyway. If there is time, he tries to overhear any news from the menagerie owners.

Perception 40

He also keeps in telepathic contact with Mookie, so that at least the folks left behind can know what is going on.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 62/111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Tuesday January 14th, 2020 11:31:07 AM
To Murphy, "Ok, but be careful. I don't want you trapped and trampled. I'll remain outside and prepare to cover you."

She continues to take a broader eye view, sizing up the ringmaster and the cashier first. She also uses her "remote viewing" ability (clairaudio) to make sure nobody is coming towards any of them.

There isn't much else she can do at this form and she left Harper in the village. (She can't cast spells with a somantic component, for example.) She does take stock of the type of people who are going to the carnival, and of how they seem to feel as they see the animals.

DM Kathy 
Tuesday January 14th, 2020 2:22:05 PM
Succotash flies over to talk with the draft animals. You learn that they are reasonably contented with their life. They get enough to eat, they are brushed regularly, illnesses and injuries are taken care of. Some of them would prefer a cozy barn to this slushy field, but it's clear none of them are actually suffering. They say that the other animals are in the tents, and attempt to tell you which animals are where, but they have some vocabulary trouble. They tend to refer to "that tent" and "the other tent" without making it clear which ones they are talking about. And they don't know the names of the kinds of animals, so you have to decipher "big predator" and "little predators." You end up with a vague idea of the same information Murphy uncovers (see below). You ask how many people take care of the menagerie, but none of them can count that high, so all you get is "lots." You ask whether the dark elves are masters or slaves, and they don't know. Most of them don't even understand the question. You ask if they would rather be taken care of by some nice halflings, and they seem fine either way.

Murphy prepares himself and then flies into the tents. The large central tent is easiest to fly into, so you start there. You fly a circle inside the tent and see the lioness, the bear, the monkeys, and the ocelots. The tent is fairly warm, and you see a couple of charcoal-burning braziers which are apparently the source of heat. There are a few townsfolk in here, looking at the animals, and you hear a small child say, "look! a birdie!" as you fly by. The entrances to the other tents are covered in drapes of canvas, too heavy for you to move in bird form. Luckily, the worker with the bucket of charcoal opens one drape to enter, and you are able to nip through before it closes. The worker yells "hey!", sets down his bucket, and starts after you. You fly around the smaller tent with the worker in hot pursuit. You see the stirges, the tropical birds, and the halflings. This tent is also warm, and you see another brazier in here. The worker is not trying to catch you; he is trying to shoo you out of the tent, and eventually you let him. You can infer that the other small tent contains the dark elves, the peafowl, and the large baby.

Bliss scouts for ambush spots, but doesn't see any especially good ones. You return to the menagerie and try to overhear conversations, but mostly you hear complaints about the slush and arrangements for the next day's schedule. From the latter conversation, you gather the menagerie plans to stay at least one more day.

Pressi doesn't detect anybody sneaking up on the group. The menagerie has no ringmaster, and the guy collecting money seems pretty ordinary. The fellow with him, the one with the rapier, seems more formidable.

In Yellowdale, Kezzem says he's trying to cut down on shepherd. "Oh, it isn't made from shepherd, sir," the innkeeper explains sincerely. "It's meat and veg, covered in mashed potato. You should try it." You ask about vegan options, and the innkeeper looks puzzled. "We don't raise vegans around these parts," he says at last.

Tali has some shepherd's pie. The potato topping is a little dry, but the beef and vegetables are moist and tasty. You can get mead with it. You ask about the menagerie, and since it only left town a few days ago, you find many people more than willing to talk about it. Nobody seems to have any new information, however.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Tuesday January 14th, 2020 3:24:40 PM
"Why don't you just call it beef pie then?" asks Kezzem, continuing to play dumb.

He will relent and have some Shepard pie. And mead.

"Well Tali, at least we're eating well on an adventure for once!"

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Tuesday January 14th, 2020 6:59:36 PM
Succotash flies over to where he hopes his friends are, and in raven speak, says, "We should head back, I don't think we'll get anymore intel tonight, let's fly out of town revert back to halflings, and since there is only 5 of us, I'll teleport us back, hopefully in time for dinner".

Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle 
Tuesday January 14th, 2020 8:38:30 PM

Raven-Bliss tries to find his friends and fly back. He's not sure what they learned, other than that the menagerie folk are here, and that there is no good ambush spot.

Truth to tell, Bliss is not sure that an ambush is the right idea, Something is not right about this, and he is hesitant to go in spells a-blazing.

When at last everyone is together, finishing their second or third shepherd pie, Bliss says, "Look, friends, I think we should just walk in, pay our admission, and find the captive halflings. AND have a heart to heart with them to find out what is REALLY happening before we make a move we cannot take back."

Mookie cocks his head and stares. "Kid! Wowsy! You're talking like a grown-up."

"Ha!" says Bliss.

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101  d20+8=16 ;
Tuesday January 14th, 2020 11:54:30 PM
The Pitchfork Tavern in Yellowdale

NightWatch
Tali returns to the rooms procured for us by us {myself or others} to await the group. In the meantime, she will meditate up to two (2) hours in the room, or one of the rooms. Tali will hover prone towards the ceiling of the room is possible while meditating; so she can get the drop on violators.

Skill Checks:
Acrobatics check: 16

Spells in Effect:
Overland Flight | 700 of 840 minutes
Mage Armor | 700 of 840 minutes


Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - Raven AC 32/T-21/Fl-28 CMD 33 HP 132 
Wednesday January 15th, 2020 6:10:30 AM

"Maybe teleport us back to the place where we took our guises, outside town, off the road a little ways, so that it will be unlikely people see us just popping in. Sound good, Succotash?" Murphy asks.

Murphy thanks Succotash for the great transportation. He relates what he observed, then repeats his observations when they rejoin the others. "It seems as though it is in some regards a source of entertainment and education for folks who go to see it. That they would kidnap hapless halflings, though, is a crime.

"However, I concur with you, Bliss. Rather than treating these caravan folks as if they are evil giants who will not be reasoned with, there may be a better way to go about this than simply blasting away and wreaking destruction. Succotash, were you able to discern whether any of the workers were of an evil bent? No doubt there may be a few who can be prone to at least occasional wickedness. But others seem normal.

"What do you suppose might happen were we to get a large crowd of people there in the tents, and one of us casts a dispel magic on the halfling's cage, and the silence effect dissipates, and then they tell their story in front of the gathered crowd? How might that sit?"

He tucks in to the shepherd's pie, and enjoys the mead. "What kinds of ideas do you all have? Mmm, this is good." He tips the cook and the server a gold piece for the good meal.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Wednesday January 15th, 2020 12:18:04 PM
After the recon, Pressi discusses the next steps with Murphy and Bliss.

"I'm willing to concede that they probably aren't monsters who will fight to their last breath. Probably, at least not uniformally. However, they aren't just people who made a minor clerical error or stole a candy bar, either. They went in and kidnapped a bunch of people and threw them in cages, though I will concede that the story may have a twist or two later. But for now, I need justice to be done. And I am oathbound to pursue crimes, regardless.

"So, I think the idea remains that we can at least gain entry easily enough. We can probably walk in as unassuming halflings so long as we have the coin, though we certainly have some tricks even if they are keeping a lookout for halflings. Aside from diplomacy, we could always lie our way to the leadership, see if they are looking to buy more slaves, for example. Or as a circus in our own right, but I'd have to come up with the lie part.

"As for just releasing them and bringing them to the crowd? Could be trivial enough but we'd need some pretty strong crowd control. And remember, we still don't know how they managed to take down an entire town without signs of struggle, so I'm still expecting a last trick or two."

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Wednesday January 15th, 2020 12:49:16 PM
Hobie is happy to have some shepherd's pie when they get back. It's one of his favorite meals. He enjoys the mead, and thinks a long time about what spells he might prepare for the next day.

He really thinks that it would have been great if there was some spell that might make a pit under the vehicles of the caravan!

ooc: I just learned that all of the Pit spells didn't come until the APG! I thought for sure that Create Pit would have been a CRB spell. Alas!

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Wednesday January 15th, 2020 2:15:35 PM
OOC: Nick, I guess you could say...that's the pits!

DM Kathy 
Wednesday January 15th, 2020 2:33:55 PM
The recon mission finished, you teleport back to Yellowdale for some tasty shepherd's pie and a strategy session. You discuss the possibility of simply paying admission to further scout the menagerie, perhaps with an eye to freeing the halflings. You wonder about the menagerie employees, whether they are good, bad, or somewhere in between, and how they managed to kidnap an entire village.

It's been weeks for you, but only days for your characters, so your DM will remind you that Hobie talked to a guy in Idlewood named Jake, who had been hired for odd jobs with the menagerie. Jake had said that the menagerie was owned by a half-orc, and that there were four guards that Jake described as "tough customers." The other employees seemed to be ordinary workers, and you can now confirm that the guy taking money, and the guy delivering charcoal, seemed pretty ordinary. If they do turn out to be evil, you're pretty sure you can defeat them without much bother. The guy with the rapier seemed like he'd be more of a challenge--no doubt one of the "tough customers." You saw no sign of the other three, or of the half-orc owner, but you have to assume they're around.

You continue discussing strategy, and eventually retire to bed. The night is largely uneventful--however, you do have odd dreams. You awaken somehow aware of the fact that Serenbeth is alive and has joined the Gods of the Wold, that Wardd has also joined the Gods of the Wold, and that Ceroldra is no more. These heaven-shaking events do not seem to have had much immediate impact on these simple frontier towns, but over time, who knows what kind of new world will come to be?

Casters can renew their spells as normal, and then there are decisions to make. Do you attempt further recon as animals, or do you load up your cart and travel to Crofters Crossing as yourselves?

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Wednesday January 15th, 2020 3:24:21 PM
"Didn't someone say they can make us look like biguns?" asks Kezzem. "We should probably not go as halflings. They might think we 'want' to join their act."

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Wednesday January 15th, 2020 5:57:49 PM
Succotash does his morning prayers and prepares his spells. He finds it interesting that Serenbeth and Wardd are now in his pantheon, and he makes sure to revere them along with rest. He is saddened by the knowledge of Ceroldra's death, but since it doesn't seem to have any effect on his abilities, he doesn't let it drag him down.

"I was thinking the same thing Kezzem. Hobie, was it you that mentioned having the appropriate scrolls, and would someone be able to turn Valerie invisible? I would prefer that she be at full fighting ability, but, I don't know how they would feel about me walking in with a dinosaur!"

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101 
Wednesday January 15th, 2020 10:48:33 PM
The calm before the storm

NightWatch
Tali returns to the rooms procured for us by us {myself or others} to await the group. In the meantime, she will meditate up to two (2) hours in the room, or one of the rooms. Tali will hover prone towards the ceiling of the room is possible while meditating; so she can get the drop on violators.

Skill Checks:
Acrobatics check: 16

Spells in Effect (after Meditation):
Overland Flight | 840 of 840 minutes
Mage Armor | 840 of 840 minutes

Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle 
Wednesday January 15th, 2020 11:42:08 PM

"Maybe I'm getting too cocky," Bliss says, "but even these four 'tough customers' can't be all that tough. If they were as tough as us, they would be leading crime gangs, or taking over a town, or something besides running a travelling show for silvers and coppers. So either we are GROSSLY exagerrating the threat level here, or there are deeper waters of which we do not know."

"If we want to play it safe, then let's follow the plan, go in as guests, see what we can see, and that's it."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - Raven AC 32/T-21/Fl-28 CMD 33 HP 132 
Thursday January 16th, 2020 5:33:28 AM

"I can change my appearance a bit,"* says Murphy. His face adjusts, and now he looks like a dwarf with a full red beard, braided. He says in the dwarf tongue, "I am shopping for mushrooms. And want to see the menagerie, so I can sneer at the dark elves."

"Let's think carefully about the spells we will choose, and head out early on the morrow," he says in halfling, after reverting to his normal countenance.

*[Druidic A Thousand Faces ability, as alter self]

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - Raven AC 32/T-21/Fl-28 CMD 33 HP 132 
Thursday January 16th, 2020 7:31:30 AM

He thinks to add, after hearing of Hobie's interest in pit spells, "I can cast expeditious excavation, Hobie. It makes a 5' cubic pit. I used that spell in this group's first adventure, the Crescent Valley Competition, where we went head-to-head in the finals against the BadApples - who cheated. Also at the Parley House in the Red Hills, against an ogre."

To Succotash, he comments, "You know we have shrines to many Woldian deities and powers at the Sanctuary. Looks like we may need to add at least one. Wardd's is already there."

He also rearranges his spells [which should be reflected on his CS by Saturday - super busy atm]

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Thursday January 16th, 2020 12:29:17 PM
Kezzem throws his fists in the air triumphantly. "Mushrooms!"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Thursday January 16th, 2020 1:08:27 PM
I’ll fill in later today. But for now, Pressi continues with planning.

DM Kathy 
Thursday January 16th, 2020 2:16:56 PM
It is morning now, so Tali and Murphy have rested and renewed their spells. The Pitchfork is serving up breakfast hash.

As you plan strategy, Kezzem and Succotash discuss various options for disguise. Bliss opines that the guards can't possibly be as tough as all that.

The group seems to be agreeing to a plan of scouting the menagerie today as people--if not necessarily halflings--by simply paying the cost of admission.



Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Thursday January 16th, 2020 2:33:03 PM
"I mentioned that I can make us look not like halflings, but I can't make us look like biguns. I can prepare Disguise Self enough times for all of us, but at most I can make us look one foot taller. Seven super short humans all walking in together might look a little conspicuous. I can easily make us Goblins or Gnomes or something else roughly our size though. The spell would give us an hour in disguise."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Thursday January 16th, 2020 2:54:27 PM
"Goblins probably not a good idea. If we have to stay small, I guess gnomes would be better? They don't have any gnome acts, right? So there's that at least. What about dwarves? Or are they too bulky?"

Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle  d8=3 ; d8=8 ; d20+18=24 ;
Thursday January 16th, 2020 4:42:10 PM
Bliss's spell prep for the day: Rolls a d20+16 vs DC16 ... cannot fail. He draws Woldsblood with no problem.
Bliss's rituals for the day:
Cat for Basic Ritual, rolls d20+18 vs DC20 ... rolls a 24 no problem.
Share Shield of Faith with Mookie and himself for Intermediate Ritual, rolls d20+29 vs DC30 ... cannot fail. As part of his internediate ritual he casts a Surrender self to boost the Shield bu +2 caster levels, and he uses a rod of extend spell to double the duration. He uses two charges from his wand of CLW to get back to top health.

"Miss Pressi, what's your basic ritual? If it is warding, can Mookie join you?"

Bliss figures he can travel in cat form and pose as a familiar or pet. Mookie will stay back (but in telepathy range (100 ft), just in case the group needs a rescue. "Murphy can be a dwarf for a long time. Disguise Self only works on the caster. But we can still be disguised enough!"

Bliss thanks Murphy very kindly for the +3 Greater Magic Fang for himself in cat form, and he casts a 2 hour +5 AC Barkskin on Murphy (or whatever other witch spell he wants) when he is ready for it, probably just before entering the show. Extended Shield of Faith is pretty good for 24 minutes; Stone Skin too but you have to pay for the 1,000 gp diamond dust yourself.

Mookie sets his armor to look like a black cape, so as to be the least noticeable option. "I'll try to find a tree of perch on a tent pole or something and just lay low. But I'll fly in to save the day against whatever took you all out, for sure, no worry!"

"Thanks old buddy," Bliss answers, ignoring the sarcasm.

[OOC: Have updated my Bliss Sheet, My CatBliss Sheet, and Mookie's Sheet.]

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101 
Thursday January 16th, 2020 10:06:07 PM
Breakfast at the Pitchfork

Tali asks the assembled group, "What is the reason why it's as weird as it is, is "Silence"? What is every one of the critters/races has been the victim of a spell-like Silence?" Wouldn't that also be a cause for alarm or at least a serious precursor for extreme precaution on our behalfs?"

Spells in Effect (after Meditation):
Overland Flight | 600 of 840 minutes
Mage Armor | 600 of 840 minutes

(OOC: What time is it?)

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - Raven AC 30/T-20/Fl-26 CMD 35 HP 132 
Friday January 17th, 2020 4:03:40 AM

"I'd love to know the extent of witch spells available, Bliss. And Pressi. No one has ever sat down and gone over those with me," Murphy says. He is happy to cast the requested spell upon Bliss.

"I can look like a gnome," and he suddenly looks like a gnome, "but I don't know the language. Maybe I was raised by dwarfs. Though, in some ways, going in as a little bird on someone's shoulder might give us more options. Or, a weasel, owl, cat, dog, uh, elephant? I could clear the way as a skunk."

Setting aside his silliness, Murphy sighs. "I can only imagine the sorrow and despair the halfling captives can be feeling.

"When we go in, we can't let ourselves give way to acting out on our righteous indignation. Or to trying to whisper to the halflings that we plan to rescue them - because we might be overheard. Some of us might show appreciation at the exhibits. Awe at the tricks the dark elves display. We need to get to know those who have kidnapped a whole village. Then gauge our next actions..."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Friday January 17th, 2020 11:00:55 AM
"Ok, first of all, I think we can walk in at least still as halflings... though it might be prudent to keep the armor and weapons at least somewhat covered. I find that more of an issue than of race.

"Second, I think traveling in a large group without a decent cover story like "we're a school on a field trip" might also be a red flag. It might be prudent to break up into smaller groups: a family here, a traveling soldier there, and maybe a halfling or two actively trying to join the circus. For example, I could probably just walk in with Harper, a couple of whips, my entertainers outfit, and a couple of cantrips. Just ask to see the manager, then start negotiating salary while asking some "interview" questions. If someone would like to volunteer as an assistant, that would probably work too.

"I do agree that some subtlety will be required, but I don't know if halfling itself is a red flag. They do have halflings in this region, after all. And if you are worried, a disguise into small child should do the trick."

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

For routine:
Catching the Woldsblood - no fail
Basic - ritual of warding with Mookie and Bliss (no fail)
intermediate - raising heal dice to D12 (can I just use my last roll since I seem to have jumped the gun? Pass if so.)

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Friday January 17th, 2020 11:20:54 AM
In answer to Murphy, "Ok, really quick, because I'm going over seven spell levels...

"Generally speaking, the blood allows a choice between 17 spells plus the domain per level. They include spells that are rarer in the universe (APG and homebrew), at the cost of some of the utility spells that tend to be relied on by others, like invisibility. Think of it as a sorcerer/cleric hybrid casting with a focus on flair.

"The spells can be subdivided into three categories. There's the clerical stuff (debuffs galore, heals, a few cures and buffs), the druid stuff (summons, polymorphs, flesh to stone), and the rogue stuff (the mind control, some divinations, a few interrogation tricks like pain strike). Domains and other abilities and gear can fill the gaps. Most witches focus on one of the categories and dip as needed. Bliss focuses on building himself into a tank with some self-healing. I tend to do the clerical casting in combat and the rogue stuff outside. But you don't get the "there's a spell for that" breadth of other casters, so you have to be a little more flexible and better at the planning. Particularly since the smartest move is to layer spell upon spell."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Friday January 17th, 2020 4:16:31 PM
"We could say we're mushroom farmers," suggests Kezzem. "Maybe it will work thia time."

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Friday January 17th, 2020 5:45:00 PM
"Kez you should say you are an aspiring mushroom farmer, that wouldn't be a lie. I think perhaps I'll go in separately from everyone else and go as a gnome. If anyone else wants me to cast Disguise Person on them please tell me now as I am preparing my spells. I can make you any small humanoid (ooc: any that are approved) so, gnome, goblin, dwarves aren't much taller than us so I can pull that off, or a human child. I could even make you a Grippli if you wanna get crazy.

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101 
Friday January 17th, 2020 10:37:47 PM
“I have no polymorph spells but I could go invisible!” Says Tali.

Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle 
Friday January 17th, 2020 11:09:22 PM

Bliss nods at Pressi's wise summary, and he is happy to take an hour or three to go over the [link href="https://www.woldiangames.com/Woldipedia/index.php/Bloodwitch#Blood_Witch_Spell_List"}witch spell list[/link] with Murphy. "You can have any of these that you need," Bliss says.

And he loves the idea of being in the animal act! He changes into a cat and starts practicing acrobatic tricks as a cat. Walking on his forepaws, flips, leaps, etc.

So here's the disguise plan:

Group one
Pressi - halfling animal tamer (with Harper)
Bliss - cat (part of Pressi's act)

Group two
Hobie - gnome adventurer
Murphy - dwarf adventurer

Group three
Kezzem - halfling mushroom farmer
Succotash - ?halfling?
-- Valerie invisible
Tali - invisible

"Please make suggestions for where and what you want to be," says Bliss.

DM Kathy 
Friday January 17th, 2020 11:53:21 PM
You continue discussing spells, disguises, and strategies.

[OOC: It's around 8 am, unless that presents difficulties.]

As Pressi points out, it isn't necessarily a problem trying to go as halflings. Trying to go as a large group of obviously-heroic halflings will probably present more difficulty. There are a variety of ways to avoid looking like a rescue party.

Bliss begins practicing one, trying his acrobatic kitty act. Hobie and Murphy can look like gnomes. If all else fails, Tali can go invisible. There may be other options.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Saturday January 18th, 2020 7:03:28 AM
Succotash offers an idea to is friend, "Maybe if we divide into a couple of groups as Pressi suggested, and then have one group go in, as paying customer, and maybe Pressi as a cat trainer, than we can do one of two things. I can turn the rest into wee critters, maybe pet mice?, and ride in on the shoulders of the others, or someone on the inside sets up a message spell with either me or Tali, or Hobie,or all the above, and we stay just out of sight, then if or when the going gets tough, we use dimensional door to drop the rest of us right into the fray. I'm sorry, you guys know that spell right?".

OOC... Sorry for the missed post, I'm traveling, and even though I've had the opportunity, it completely slipped my mind.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - AC 30/T-20/Fl-26 CMD 35 HP 132 
Sunday January 19th, 2020 9:35:55 PM

When Murphy flew through two of the three tents, how were the cages been arranged - what is their layout? Are the halflings still up on a cart or movable platform? Is there a harness attached to it? Likewise for the other exhibits. Are they placed upon the ground, or slightly elevated, or still resting upon the carts and wagons which drew them? If still resting upon mobile conveyances, how much effort might be required to pull one out of its parking spot?

"That is very helpful Pressi, Bliss. I'll let you know, Bliss, in a moment - maybe the one you suggested, but I want to think through this list a little more. Give me five, ten minutes tops."

"Hobie - how about I go in as a bat on your shoulder?" Murphy asks. "Or, I could go as a raven. 'Yeah, boss, I knew you'd like to see this circus.'"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - AC 30/T-20/Fl-26 CMD 35 HP 132 
Monday January 20th, 2020 3:18:55 AM

"All right, after thinking it over for seven minutes - let's go with your first suggestion, natural armor - a few minutes before we come in earshot or clear view of the caravan. Thanks, Bliss."

Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle  d20+38=46 ;
Monday January 20th, 2020 11:03:05 AM

Not bothering to change back, Bliss meows agreement with Murphy and continues to refine his "act." He starts using Harper as a platform, walking on his hind paws only from his larger pal's tail to shoulders, then jumping up and flipping, then landing on Harper's head!

Acrobatics 46!

"Wheeee!" says Bliss to anyone who understands cat (or has a telepathic connection to his brain).

"The Kid says 'Wheeee'," reports Mookie.

DM Kathy 
Monday January 20th, 2020 1:12:59 PM
You continue discussing strategy. Murphy recalls that the lioness, the bear, and the halflings were in rolling wagon/cages obviously intended to be hitched up to draft animals. You're pretty sure you saw wagon-tongues; you did not see actual harnesses. The stirges, tropical birds, ocelots, and monkeys were in large wire cages--smaller than the wagon/cages but still pretty big. You're not sure how they were moved into place--maybe dollies? None of the cages were elevated.

Succotash suggests two small groups, with extra party members changed into tiny animals.

Bliss continues to practice his kitty tricks.

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101 
Monday January 20th, 2020 2:47:06 PM
"Er, guys, what if someone goes back using a True seeing spells to see if there are any tricks afoot?"



Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle 
Monday January 20th, 2020 3:07:34 PM
Tali asks what if someone has True Seeing ...

"Then we FIGHT!" declares Bliss!

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Monday January 20th, 2020 3:32:38 PM
“No Bliss, Tali is talking about one of us looking around with true ceiling”, Succotash corrects his friend, “That’s a good idea Tali, does anyone have that ability?”

Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle 
Monday January 20th, 2020 7:54:33 PM

"Oh" says Bliss, who has evidently turned back into a halfling for talking. "You mean if WE cast True Seeing. Well, can anybody do that?"

Just for the sake of further confusion, Bliss uses his spider cloak to walk on the ceiling.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 12:09:26 AM
"True Ceiling?" asks Kezzem. "That's a good spell. You don't want to have an imaginary ceiling after all: rain will get in."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - AC 30/T-20/Fl-26 CMD 35 HP 132 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 12:21:43 AM

"I may be able to cast True Ceiling. Uh, Seeing," affirms Murphy, looking upwards at Bliss. "It lasts for about fifteen minutes."

[I think a while back I said somewhere Murphy bought or acquired components for the various spells he can cast. But I don't remember whether he picked up the eye ointment for that spell. I did select that as one of his spells for the day... doh!]

"Say, what if a couple of us check to see if there's a store here in Yellowdale with a link to the Catacombs. And, if not, then that same couple of us can fly on ahead of the group to see if there is one in Crofters Crossing. I'm thinking Hobie and I could be that couple of us. You up for that, Hobie?" He scratches his nose. "That way, you and I could be among the first to visit and take a true seeing gander through the place. I can telepath to Pressi what we learn, so that the next people who come through will have the benefit of what information we can gather. I may have forgotten to get the special eye ointment for the spell."

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 7:03:45 AM
"If you need to get to the catacombs Murph, I can teleport you there and back", Succotash offers.

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 11:20:11 AM
The Planning Phase

Tali tells the assembled group, "Silly Boys, I have that spell, but I am out of the material component for it. I'm trying to be useful here, but you are making it difficult for me. Something is obviously awry here, you all but explained that with your reconnaissance. We know we have to be up against formidable odds, because what other reason could their be, unless all the captives believe they are supposed to be there and are happy with it. That's brainwashing!!!"

Spells in Effect (after Meditation):
Overland Flight | 540 of 900 minutes
Mage Armor | 540 of 900 minutes



Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 1:14:41 PM
"Well, I have no trouble going back, and I would be glad to cast true seeing," Pressi replies. "Or, if I happen not to have the component, I still have a number of tricks up my sleeve like detect thoughts and divinations."

(* I keep forgetting about the material component, I've been using it almost at will, and the DM never said anything. Someone really needs to add a key to the bloodwitch spell list or write up a shopping list.)

"But honestly, even if they have a massive amount of power, there have to be some question as to how they think and worry, how their psychology works. And they themselves have to balance security with the desire to make money.

"That's the beauty of my particular plan. There's no magic, and no direct assault on any potentially protected area. There isn't even technically a lie. I really am a halfling entertainer with a trained animal and a flair for the dramatic. And I do presume that I can attract the attention of a circus leader who might want to discuss employment."

DM Kathy 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 1:27:05 PM
You continue discussing strategies.

You have passed through several frontier towns in your pursuit of the menagerie, and you have yet to see one with a Catacombs entrance. It is extremely unlikely that there is one in Crofters Crossing. Teleportation is always an option, of course.

You discuss having somebody return to the menagerie with an active True Seeing spell to see if anything is different. It is probably doable, with a quick jaunt to the Catacombs. But is it necessary? Or do you have enough information to don your disguises and make the attempt?

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 3:14:11 PM
That plan sounds good to me, Murph, I can even keep Dimension Door and some Invisibility Spells ready in case we need it

Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 3:26:55 PM
Bliss says, "Let's go." Then he changes back to a cat and starts walking.

(He won't go far unless everyone is following.)

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 4:21:00 PM
"You heard the kitty, folks," says Kezzem. "Transform and roll out!"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - AC 30/T-20/Fl-26 CMD 35 HP 132 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 6:52:55 PM

"Yep. We'll have to do without true seeing, looks like, and just use our eyes and ears," Murphy says. "Next time we can get to the Catacombs - let's stock up on things, like diamond dust, eye ointments, and other precious material components. Right, Tali uh, Tali?"

He responds to Tali's suppositions. "Brainwashing? Sounds messy. But, you could be right - perhaps some or all of the folks involved in the shows are fine with it. Only thing that might gainsay that, is pretty near everyone who has talked about the halflings agree they all look pretty sad. And they are enveloped in silence. Kind of listless, maybe?"

He proposes to the group, "Since we discussed separate, staged movements, what say Hobie and I go first, scope things out? Pressi and her talented and blissful kitty cat show up twenty minutes, half an hour later, and then the halfling mushroom team and their truffle-sniffing velociraptor show up after another, what, half an hour? Along with invisible Tali. What sort of timing - and order - do you all think would work out? We could go in the order Bliss suggested, or the way I flipped group one and two. Some advance intel for Pressi might be helpful, and ready backup near at hand should something go awry. Halfings at the end might be the best bet.

"If Bliss can have a message spell going with someone from team three and with Hobie and/or me, and Tali can have the same going with me and Hobie and Pressi, maybe? That way we can have another means of passing information around. How many can you include in your messaging?" he asks of Bliss, Tali, and Pressi. Those are all the people he knows who can cast that spell.

"I can cast detect magic when Hobie and I are a short but discreet distance from the tents, and have it up and running as we enter. Perhaps they have some sort of antimagic fields set up. I want to see what the dark elves do, what sort of act, if any, they have.

"Since by the time we get there, they may be running some of their last shows, those who have not yet seen the menagerie, or want to see it one more time, may be there. Blending in with the crowds - if such there are - may be helpful for some of us.

"Are there any sorts of code words we should arrange before we arrive?" he asks the group.

Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 7:02:00 PM
" 'Meow' " says Bliss.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Tuesday January 21st, 2020 7:38:39 PM
“I’d be OK with that idea Murph”, Succotash says, then adds, “I have dispel magic at the ready, if we wish to try to break a silence spell, giving the crowd a glimpse of the truth, if we wish to go that way”.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - AC 30/T-20/Fl-26 CMD 35 HP 132 
Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 3:28:43 AM

Murphy's quick replies:

- "That's a good multipurpose code word there, Bliss."

- "Great, Succotash. Now, if through suasion alone we can figure out a way for the enterprise to do the right thing and let our people go, then, wonderful. It could turn out that more than words may need to be used. Anyhow, as usual, let us, as my father sometimes says, play it by ear."

- "Those are handy spells to have, Hobie. You are becoming an ever more complex person in my eyes, friend."

- "Pressi, Tali, Kezzum - any additions, redirections, concurrences?"

Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle 
Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 9:57:19 AM

"They probably don't open until the afternoon. Let's have breakfast now, and walk on over there around noon, and get there in time for lunch. I bet they have good carnie food. I like the sausages and funnel cakes, even in cat shape!"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 11:46:04 AM

Pressi interjects into the brainwashing discussion. "It may be a messy business but... remember how we discussed witch magic? Squeezing the life force out of nature to twist innocent minds to my bidding is kind of my job. And I heal a little bit on the side to ensure you overlook it. As for what to expect, I'm trying not to overestimate them."

Regarding the plan, "I think the staggered order and messaging works well. Remember, the key is infiltration, not confrontation. And the code word, as always, is Roshambo. When you hear it, go man, go. (Pause.) Meow works too."

After the first group enters, Pressi begins preparing herself. She activates her glammer armor, switches her cowl for shades, and begins to touch up her makeup and drape some of the cloth Murphy spent gathering over Harper's armor. (She still intends to ride Harper, Bliss and Mookie tucked behind her, into the area before asking to speak to HR. Some touches of prestidigitation and ghost sound complete the costume and make her look more showmanlike.

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

Ritual of Warding
Ritual of Healing
glammers active

DM Kathy 
Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 1:54:02 PM
You have the makings of the plan. You will forego a second reconnaissance, trusting in the information you already have. You will infiltrate the menagerie in small groups, and see what you can accomplish.

You can further refine the idea as you travel. Crofters Crossing is 20 miles from Yellowdale, so first you've got to head down the road a ways. Your DM is assuming you'll do this as a group, bringing the mule and cart that Murphy acquired, along with all your other animals.

The slush is mostly gone, but the road is muddy and sloppy. It rains off and on throughout the morning, which doesn't help the condition of the road one bit. After a few hours' travel, you see the smoke of several chimneys up ahead. You estimate that you are within a mile or two of the town.

Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle 
Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 5:05:48 PM

Bliss changes back to halfling to cast extended CL12 Barkskin on Murphy. That's +5 bonus to natural armor lasting 4 hours.

What the heck, he casts it on Mookie and himself, just with the regular 2 hour duration.

"Anyone else want any spells?" he asks.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 5:41:51 PM
Succotash uses his speak with animals ability to tell Valerie he is going to uses share spell to cast Beast Shape III to turn her in to a rat, and that she should ride on his shoulder, pretending to be a pet. He then casts the spell, and Valerie climbs onto his shoulder.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells  d20+23=30 ;
Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 7:24:52 PM
"Man, I wish I had fun spells to disguise myself with," says Kezzem. "Stupid paladin code. Let me practice my story. We did sell gather mushrooms for that dwarf fellow so it's not a lie!

Kezzem practices. "Yes, mushrooms are my trade. I am a shroomer. My name is Kezzem the Shroomer. I arrange, design, and sell mushrooms."

Diplomacy 30 (or Bluff 10).

"Wait, how does one design and arrange mushrooms? Maybe I should workshop that some more. Also, if I'm selling mushrooms, I should probably have some. Murphey, could you druid-up some mushrooms for me?"

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101  d20+10=14 ;
Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 9:30:26 PM
The Planning Phase II

Tali will hover 16 inches above the ground so as not to soil her clothes. When the times comes, Tali will cast invisibility on herself (1min / level). Then hover 15 feet above the ground to keep the group in her sights & to avoid obstacles in her flight path. {Perception Check = 14}

Spells in Effect:
Overland Flight | 540 of 900 minutes
Mage Armor | 540 of 900 minutes

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - AC 30/T-20/Fl-26 CMD 35 HP 132  d20+37=38 ; d20+20=28 ; d20+37=44 ;
Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 10:27:16 PM
Murphy is happy to search for mushrooms along the way for Succotash. Mushroom hunt score: Perception: 38; Survival: 28. Our DM can let us know how successful the druid was in this endeavor.

"Time to get this show going," he says. "I'll go as a raven, Hobie. Your very own, friend-of-a-gnome talking raven. Here are fifteen gold pieces to cover admission, snack items, tips for performers. I'll be Bombo, the Raven Talker. Got that, everyone? Just call me Bombo." ... "Thanks for the extra protection, Bliss!"

"When we go in, ask the fellow at the front whether he needs to pay for the bird to enter with you. They'll probably say no, but then that way they can't rebuke you later for not paying for me. Hope you don't mind me sitting on your shoulder. Though I don't promise to stay there the whole time. I might get down, and just hop next to you as we make the rounds. If someone tries to shoo me away - happened last time I was here - just tell me to get back on your shoulder, and maybe apologize to the shooer. 'He's just an inquisitive bird,' you can tell them. 'He's murder on worms, but don't worry about him trying to bother anyone overmuch.'"

He explains that he wants to see first what's in the first tent because, well, it's the first tent, and he didn't see inside the last time. Go for a nice stroll through the exhibits. He'll pass on a mental map to Pressi. By the way, for the halflings' cage, he can transmute metal to wood. Might be handy. It's easier to break through wood than it is iron or steel. Maybe he'll do that when no one seems to be looking. "You might not want to be right up next to it when I do so - any metal you're wearing could also be affected. If you want me to cast it, just say, 'Knock on wood,' and I'll take the hint."

A bit before the town, he takes out a few more items. He gives Hobie a couple pounds of cheese, and a couple loaves of bread - 'for the halflings, or to feed others, if you feel like it,' he explains. He also, if Hobie is willing to put it in his quiver (if there's room) his spell staff. "It has greater dispel magic stored in it. If I caw out, 'Staff, staff!', then pull it out. I can dispel magic in a 20' radius with that, or do a more targeted dispel. Also, if I touch it to the ground and say a command word, it will tranform into a treant-like creature." He asks if there are any more questions or plans before he wild shapes. When all else is ready and done, then he lays down in the wagon, and wild shapes into a raven. In common he says, "Caw! Bombo am I. Bombo am I! Caw!"

"So, Hobie, what name will you use? Your raven, Bombo, is too stupid to speak Gnome, by the way." He picks up in his beak a thin 9-inch strip of leather from near where he lay before wild shaping. "Hobie, can you tie this around my left ankle? Wrap it a few times and tuck it in tight, so there are no dangling ends."

Once they approach the tent, if that's what Hobie does, Murphy/Bombo perches on his right shoulder. Or left, if that is what the gnome prefers.

[Who casts message, and upon whom?]
===========
Perception at Tent Entrance area: 44

Spell effects at the time of reaching entrance to tent:
Extended Barkskin - Natural armor +5 for 4h 45m
Longstrider: 14h 44m
Magic Fang, Greater: 14h 45m

on Bliss:
Magic Fang, Greater: 29h 29m

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Thursday January 23rd, 2020 2:47:23 AM
Hobie ties the leather strap around the raven's ankle, and places the staff in his quiver and the other things in his haversack.

He uses disguise self and turns into a meek blue haired gnome with looooong blue eye brows.

"You can call me 'Francis', Bombo"

Once they are ready, Francis will walk into the tent with Bombo on his shoulder. He enters with an excited and inquisitive expression and nature, eager to see anything new that he can see.

"Oooooh whats in here Bombo!? What kind of new things might we find?"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Thursday January 23rd, 2020 12:58:53 PM
Pressi watches Hobie and Murphy head into town, then begins to wait half an hour. Her messaging spells and telepathy begin to run overtime as she waits for the group to settle in.

If there are carts available (she wants Kezzem to have at least one cart), she piles Bliss and Mookie in there before getting on Harper.

DM Kathy 
Thursday January 23rd, 2020 2:33:21 PM
Bliss casts some protective spells.

Succotash makes Valerie travel-sized for his convenience.

Kezzem practices his role as a shroomer, getting the profession confused with that of a shrubber. Murphy is able to find some good mushrooms.

Tali turns invisible.

Hobie becomes Francis the Talking Gnome, and Murphy becomes his talking raven sidekick.

Pressi takes possession of the cart (and, by extension, the mule), and prepares to follow Hobie and Murphy.

So, as your DM understands things, Hobie (gnome) and Murphy (raven) will go in first. Tali (invisible) may be accompanying them. Everybody else is waiting for now, using Message spells to keep in contact.

Hobie and Murphy head into Crofters Crossing, and find it busy despite the rain. You see a lot of carts and wagons; Crofters Crossing, as its name suggests, stands at a crossroads. You go to the field where the menagerie has set up, and see the same arrangement as yesterday: three main tents, with smaller tents and vehicles nearby. A small crowd has gathered near the entrance, and it appears the menagerie is just opening for the day. A human man begins collecting money from the crowd as they move past. Behind him stands an imposing half-orc with a scimitar at his belt and a longbow on his back.

You get to the head of the line. "One silver piece, please," the human says pleasantly.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - AC 31/T-21/Fl-27 CMD 35 HP 132  d20+37=49 ;
Thursday January 23rd, 2020 5:43:31 PM
Murphy - Bombo the talking raven - lets Hobie do the talking and paying. He looks about at the small gathered crowd, taking in the sorts of people who have showed up to enjoy the show. He looks at the orc, and gives a subdued 'Awk,' while eying the imposing fellow (taking a solid visual inventory of what he wears and carries). He looks at the human fare taker, and then takes a moment to preen an area under his right wing.

He passes on items of interest to Pressi. [i]"Maybe get here in fifteen to twenty minutes, Sweetcakes the Magnificent,"[i] he telepathically recommends.
========
Perception: 49 - take in members of the crowd, and the orc guard.

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells  d20+25=43 ;
Thursday January 23rd, 2020 6:34:18 PM
“Oooooh what a great deal for such an interesting exhibit!!!!!”
The gnome fumbles with his coin purse and hands a silver piece to the man.
“TELL ME, TELL ME, TELL ME, What’s your favorite thing in the Menagerie!? What should I surely not miss?!"

Hobie. as a proud archer, will slyly pay attention to the half orc's longbow, and will even detect magic and use spellcraft to determine any magical properties it has. Spell craft= 43

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Thursday January 23rd, 2020 6:38:54 PM
Succotash waits impatiently for his time to arrive. he figures he will fall in the last group with Kezzem pretending to be mushroom farmers, though he doesn't see how Kezzem's armor, and his clerical robes are going to pass as mushroom farming garb. He suggests to Kezzem, "I know you love the idea of pretending to be mushroom farmer, but it may be more convincing if we used the traveling priest and his protector as a cover story instead, besides you wouldn't even be telling a half truth, since we Swords make a point of protecting each other".

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32 HP 174/174; Rumpus AC 29 HP 74/74; Spells 
Thursday January 23rd, 2020 8:10:02 PM
"Well, of course you need armor to farm mushrooms. You never know when they might sneak up on you and attack from behind. Oh wait, that's trees, not mushrooms."

"How about a traveling priest that sells mushrooms?" offers Kezzem in compromise. "You can even sell one to me for a copper now so it wouldn't even be a lie."



Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle 
Thursday January 23rd, 2020 8:17:26 PM
Bliss looks forward to heading out with Miss Pressi.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Friday January 24th, 2020 7:32:29 AM
Succotash smiles at Kezzem’s compromise. He loves how the Paladin has such a simple and uncomplicated outlook on life. He chuckles to himself as he says, ”OK, that seems possable-ish, Here, this ones one the House, but you’ll have to pay for the next one!” He than tosses his friend one of the mushrooms Murphy found, while trying not to bust out laughing.

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Friday January 24th, 2020 8:51:09 AM
(Wait so doesn't that make Succotash the mushroom salesman, not Kezzem?


Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Friday January 24th, 2020 10:05:23 AM
(OOC... Kezzem is Succotash’s bodyguard)

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101  d20+8=26 ; d20+19=36 ; d20+10=16 ; d20+2=19 ;
Friday January 24th, 2020 12:47:43 PM
The Menagerie

Invisible Tali using her skills {Skill checks - see below} will stick close to Mister Murphy as she casts a Message spell between her and him.

Pointing to Mister Murphy, Tali whispers under her breath, "Hey, Mister Murphy, I casted a Message spell between us..I'm hovering invisibly near you as reinforcement in case you need an emergency Sorcerer in a fight!

Spells Cast

Message - between Tali & Mister Murphy | 150 / 150 minutes

Skill Checks

Acrobatics: 26
Fly: 36
Perception:16
Sense Motives: 19

Spells in Affect

Invisibility: 15 /15 minutes
Overland Flight | 540 of 900 minutes
Mage Armor | 540 of 900 minutes

DM Kathy 
Friday January 24th, 2020 2:23:41 PM
Murphy scans the crowd. You see families with children. You're not sure whether it's three families or two--or possibly one extended family. They all seem to know each other. You can see that the half-orc is wearing a chain shirt, and a fancy belt that is probably magical.

Hobie (with invisible Tali hovering nearby) pays his admission and asks the employee what his favorite exhibit is, and what shouldn't be missed.

"Ah, sir," the man replies, "all the exhibits are marvels. Fascinating and one-of-a-kind. Don't miss any of them!"

Hobie also eyes the half-orc's longbow. It is a good bow, well-crafted. You start to cast a Detect Magic, and that doesn't go well.

"Hey!" yells the admissions-taker.

"None of that!" growls the half-orc, drawing his scimitar. "No spells!"

Meanwhile, Succotash and Kezzem are refining their cover story, while Pressi and Bliss prepare to go in as a traveling cat-act.

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Friday January 24th, 2020 2:31:26 PM
“Oh sorry sir!! I’m just so excited by new things and your bow is so interesting to me!!!! Is it a maaaaaaaagic bow! ? My grandpa had a magic bow when I was but a tiny gnome. Well, a tiny-ER gnome!!”

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Friday January 24th, 2020 2:36:07 PM
As the time continues, Pressi continues to wait and listen... to Kezzem and Succotash, apparently.

If nothing of note happens within a half hour (twenty minutes if needed), Pressi begins moving her cart and horse down towards the town below. Dancing lights, firework sounds and other prestidigitations fire off as she attempts to attract a crowd. (In the cart, with Bliss and Mookie, Harper begins to whine.)

At last, she makes her way to the front (or to any particular worker). It is here that a rather uncommon accent begins to leave her lips. "You take me now to boss, you take me, yes? He wishes to speak with me, even if he somehow knows me not."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 111, CMD 24; Harper AC 30 (35 with rituals), HP 85, CMD 29 
Friday January 24th, 2020 4:00:10 PM
(OOC: Sorry, posted when Kathy posted.)

If Murphy warns her in advance, Pressi changes out of her armor into her actual entertainer's outfit (adjusting AC accordingly).

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - AC 31/T-21/Fl-27 CMD 35 HP 132  d20+14=29 ; d20+15=35 ;
Friday January 24th, 2020 4:25:01 PM
Murphy/Bombo was hoping to be INSIDE the tents by now. "Boss, let's just go inside and look at the fun things. Sheesh! Sorry fellas, he just gets excited when he sees a bow. He likes blue ceramic bowls, too. I'll keep an eye on him for you. I'll bet you six worms he could barely pull back the string on your arrow, sir. I mean bow. Don't let him get started on his youthful adventures. Caw! Can we just go inside, sirs? That's why we're here, boss, to see the fun things inside, right?"

He holds up a wing to give a loud stage whisper as an aside to the man and orc. "I should get paid extra to take care of Francis, here. Really, he's pretty harmless - just curious all the time, and he makes silly comments. And he casts detect magic almost every day." He returns the wing to his side, and says, "Francis, pay them an extra silver for the trouble, and promise not to cast that spell again while we're here! Promise? I'll tell Pookie if you don't promise! Caw! And you won't get your bedtime story. And tell them you're sorry." He looks up at the ticket taker. "Are any talking animals inside? It's all right if there's not, but one can always hope."

He turns his attention to those still waiting in line. "You think this is fun? It's gotta be better inside, any day! Sorry for holding up the queue."

He hopes that Hobie plays along with him, and doesn't take offense at his attempt to defuse the situation. Who knows, maybe the druid is making it worse, himself.

Murphy/Bombo telepathically relays to Pressi, "Hobie decided to cast a spell in front of the ticket taker and orc muscle before we got in the tent. Hoping they'll just let us get inside. Sheesh! We'll need to hold classes on how not to draw undue attention to yourself when going undercover. So, I decided to add to the undue attention by talking as a raven. So, be ready to bring your best act, Press!"

============
Spellcraft: 29 (Murphy knows Hobie was casting detect magic)
Diplomacy: 35 (nat 20) to persuade man and orc to give them a break

Bliss | CatBliss HP154/154 AC33 | Mookie HP76/76 AC39 | Cayzle  d20+38=52 ;
Friday January 24th, 2020 9:06:43 PM

Bliss starts performing with his acrobatics, especially with flips and backflips.

Acrobatics 52

Hobie (Nick T) HP 126/126 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Prepared Spells 
Sunday January 26th, 2020 4:23:24 AM
Francis will go into his coin purse and get an extra silver like Bombo suggested.

“The bird is right, I don’t mean to make any trouble, I just love seeing all kinds of new things!!!! And I really love seeing the magic behind those things!!! I promise I was only detecting the magic auras!!!!!”

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells 
Sunday January 26th, 2020 11:01:47 AM
"Well Kezzem, my friend, I'd say I've always wanted my own personal body guard, but that would be a lie, as I've never even considered having one, but this could be fun!"

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (KimMc) Druid - AC 31/T-21/Fl-27 CMD 35 HP 132 
Monday January 27th, 2020 6:20:53 AM

"Yeah, yeah. Calm down, and we'll get you some hot cocoa later," Borbo says to Francis. "We'll just go in and look around. Y'know, without bouncing up and down on your toes."

"I'll try to help him pipe down," the raven tells the ticket taker. "Never knew how excitable purple eyebrows might make one."

Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 101/101  d20+8=18 ; d20+19=34 ; d20+10=28 ; d20+2=13 ;
Monday January 27th, 2020 10:05:34 AM
Secret Infiltration of the Menagerie

As Invisible Tali, using her skills {Skill checks - see below}, Tali will hover close to the tent top in order to cast Detect Magic in a 60 ft. cone to cover as many items as possible for 3 rounds of concentration. Upon discovering her findings, Tali will relay them via Message spell with Mister Murphy, she cast last round.

Pointing to Mister Murphy, Tali whispers under her breath, "Hey, Mister Murphy, I just cast a Detect Magic spell on a 60 ft. cone for as much as possible within this tent. I will tell you what I found after 3 rounds of concentration!"

Spells Cast

Detect Magic - Concentration; Duration up to 1 minute / level

Skill Checks

Acrobatics: 28
Fly: 34
Perception:28 {NAT 20}
Sense Motives: 13

Spells in Affect
Detect Magic - 15 minutes / 15 minutes
Message - between Tali & Mister Murphy | 150 / 150 minutes
Invisibility: 15 /15 minutes
Overland Flight | 540 of 900 minutes
Mage Armor | 540 of 900 minutes

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