DM Kathy Tuesday August 24th, 2021 10:47:30 PM
[Everybody take 1,000 XP for the previous scene]
Beech checks in on construction projects and suggests creating a quay where barges can tie up. Several townsfolk agree with the idea, and promise to get to work on it first thing.
Sahabiel tours the encampment, helping here and there where she can. She is able to re-position a couple of tents to make them a bit more comfortable.
Ash relates what the group found, and discusses their plan to go to Karri.
Lothlo attempts to speak with the local fey. It is difficult to get them to focus, and it's difficult to ask the question, since many of the fey measure time differently. A brownie asks, "Do you--do you mean back during the Dragon Days?" and the other fey shudder a bit. You know that "Dragon Days" is how some fey refer to the reign of Parnoth, and you realize that the woman you found might have died during that time.
Karri, the Emerald City, is downstream from Freedom's Landing, so you just need to follow the river. You could do this on foot, or in the Folding Boat, each of which have their advantages. Which will you choose?
Zazu (AC18, HP25/25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) Tuesday August 24th, 2021 11:37:25 PM
Zazu likes the Folding Boat. "What a joy to sail downstream, breeze blowing, watching life go by."
In Kari, Zazu plans to seek out a powerful wizard who can cast a permanency spell. A permanent Reduce Person will be a good defensive spell, and later to be followed up with a permanent Enlarge Person for Boyo.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Wednesday August 25th, 2021 2:12:54 AM
Ash has no preference as to how the group travels. They've been to Karri before and she tries to remember the size of the river along the way. Was it big enough to fit a ship the entire way, or was a barge about it?
She checks in with key people in the settlement one last time to see if anyone needs anything urgently from Karri, otherwise she is ready to travel.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Wednesday August 25th, 2021 7:58:31 AM
Sahabiel will ride Kohlrabi, if only because she would not want to burden these refugees with looking after something as big and hungry as her heavy warhorse while she would go on a boat trip. Also, if the way to Karri is downstream, then coming back will mean following the river upstream... they would not want to load a boat up too heavily with more people and cargo than absolutely need to use it.
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character Wednesday August 25th, 2021 5:06:53 PM
Beech will ride or trot along, whichever is needed. He's used to using his feet to get along....
Nightingale (JonS) HP 27/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Wednesday August 25th, 2021 7:22:43 PM
Nightingale prefers the boat ride, it was nice to find water plants that could be useful, and tasty.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 Wednesday August 25th, 2021 9:16:38 PM I'd prefer not to take the boat today, not until we know the thieves guild is no longer angry with us. If we run into trouble we are pretty much trapped on a boat.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 20/23 , CMD = 16 Wednesday August 25th, 2021 9:25:43 PM
I am just about to recommend the boat when Lothlo speaks up, and his reasoning makes sense. They also tried to take over a river crossing. If they block the way somehow we would be stranded. Traveling by land makes more sense.
Zazu (AC18, HP25/25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) Wednesday August 25th, 2021 11:49:10 PM
Zazu is convinced. "Travel by land is safer. Save the boat in case we need it for later."
On the walk, Zazu daydreams about the day when Boyo will be big enough to ride.
DM Kathy Wednesday August 25th, 2021 11:51:07 PM
You discuss your options. Zazu and Nightingale would rather take the boat.
Ash and Beech have no preference.
Sahabiel would like to ride her warhorse, which means traveling on land. Lothlo opines that overland would be safer; if the Thieves' Guild attacks, you don't want to be stuck in a boat.
Naithi, who had been about to agree to the boat, is swayed to Lothlo's viewpoint.
So, two heroes want to ride the boat, three want to go overland, and two more have no preference. Since there isn't a clear consensus, your DM will give this one more day.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 27/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Thursday August 26th, 2021 1:19:58 AM
Nightingale laughs at the party's impasse, "Not owning a horse has lead to this, I know it. I am willing to walk, or run, or skip through wildflowers if needed. We can travel by boat another time."
Ash (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Thursday August 26th, 2021 2:52:09 AM "You know eventually, when the settlement gets bigger, we could look at implementing some sort of teleportation circle. Karri will almost certainly be our biggest trading partner and first stop for many of our needs"
That's some time in the future though. Right now travel will need to be by foot, and Ash is ok with that.
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character Thursday August 26th, 2021 1:16:11 PM "I know the level of magic required for a circle like that..... It's gonna be a long time before we can sustain something like that.... Mom does all of the Ports from Black Bird Lake herself and and she doesn't do it very often. What we might be able to do instead is have someone live there and we set up a message system to them, then they can relay our needs to one of the caravans based there."
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 Thursday August 26th, 2021 9:04:28 PM If we go on foot, we can also scout out additional resources while we go. It never hurts to know where a few additional food sources or medicinal herbs can be found.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 20/23 , CMD = 16 Thursday August 26th, 2021 9:35:50 PM Nightingale, if you want, you can ride Cuddly Mule. The weight shouldn't be a problem for her, and her long curly hair is extremely soft and silky. She's good at following Camalayas and I, just don't expect her to stick around in a battle. You'll need to dismount if that happens.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 27/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Thursday August 26th, 2021 10:15:18 PM
Nightingale smiles at Naithi, [b] " That's a generous offer that I will accept."
DM Kathy Friday August 27th, 2021 12:31:58 AM
You discuss the issue a bit more, and opt for the overland route. Ash dreams of one day having teleportation circles to solve this pesky problem, but as Beech is aware, such magic is very powerful and well beyond your reach for the foreseeable future.
The Folding Boat is useful, however, in getting the entire party, animals included, across the river. You have to make a few trips, but in the end you are all on the opposite bank and ready to depart.
Walking along the bank of the river is quite pleasant, if a bit soggy. The ground and the plants are still wet from last night's rain, making the whole area smell fresh and clean, and testing the integrity of your boots.
The day gets a bit warmer--and dryer--as morning gives way to afternoon. Soon enough, afternoon gives way to evening, and it is time to look for a place to camp.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 d20+10=15 ; d20+6=14 ; Friday August 27th, 2021 12:52:11 AM
Like Beech, Sahabiel considers the talk of magical transportation to be wildly premature. Already connected by a navigable river, she is sure that if this refugee demesne develops into something worth trading with, then the matter of carrying freight and messages between the two will be well enough solved by enterprising merchants. More concerned she is by these constant background mentions of a Thieves' Guild, and what the state of things must be like for such an organization to be able to have such long reach and tight grip on the land...
"...so, if we do run into banditry, 's there anything ya need to tell me afore I break things?"
After grooming her mount and letting Kohlrabi feed on some healthy looking vegetation, and refreshing herself with a quick wash by the riverside and a light meal as well, Sahabiel is pretty much as ready to travel as she was when encountered.
(OOC: Survival (1d20+10 = 15), add +2 when terrain is woodland - as the party moves slow enough to investigate their surroundings for resources, Sahabiel not only travels the terrain well regardless road conditions, she also manages to find more than enough food and water on the go to not have to resort to her travel rations. Perception 1d20+6 = 14 to spot anything else.)
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 d20+12=19 ; Friday August 27th, 2021 9:01:34 PM
Lothlo runs his fingers through his hair as he thinks about Sahbiel's question.
Hmm. Well, if we made it this far without issue I don't think we'll have any issues from the real thieve's guild. Maybe a warning when we get to the city to stay out of trouble. But really, they view us as being pretty insignificant, and as long as we stay out of their hair I don't think they will give us a second thought.
Now, apparently there is someone else posing as the theive's guild. In theory they are the ones that kidnapped our friend. But I don't expect much from them either, in theory they already handed off our kidnapped friend to someone else, so their business is likely done.
And then there is the mystery party that has our friend. All we know is that they like to take ownership of young women who were violently kidnapped.
And of course, with the thieves guild involved we can't trust any of the information we have.
That said, I think about all you need to know should we run into bandits is that we are trying to give the thieves guild a wide berth, but if someone attacks first don't hold back on breaking things.
Lothlo keeps an eye out for sign they are being watched as the look for a place to make camp that will be safe and easy to defend.
Perception = 19
Zazu (AC18, HP25/25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) d20=9 ; Friday August 27th, 2021 11:50:49 PM
Zazu helps to Aid Another as Sahabiel scouts the camp.
Natural 9 with Zazu's plusses makes that a success for a +2 to the check.
Also, per usual, Zazu sets up a tripwire around the camp to alert the party if there are intruders.
Craft Trap, taking 10 with a +12 nets a 22.
"Watch out Boyo! Stay away from the line."
Ash (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Saturday August 28th, 2021 2:41:42 AM
Ash finds somewhere to take a seat and remove her boots. They've done quite a bit of walking today so it's good to free her feet.
"We've met a few people that claim to be from the Thieves Guild, and while we've had a few fights with them we might not have the full focus of the guild on us yet. Chances are they are big enough and powerful enough to make things very difficult for our small settlement. We'll need to be careful not to start a war we can't win." Ash taps the bottom of her shoe to loosen some of the dirt.
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character Saturday August 28th, 2021 9:20:35 PM "Oh, and don't forget that there is a mysterious person or persons who sent a stranger to start negotiations with us that wished to remain unknown, but are willing to give us assistance." As if there is not enough confusion being strewn about, where the group is involved.
Zazu (AC18, HP25/25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) Sunday August 29th, 2021 10:35:23 AM
"Oh yeah, that lady," says Zazu. "I'm glad I melted my ring down and left the lump back home."
"Honestly, I've had enough of mysterious 'friends' and 'foes' lately. The Thieves Guild claimed to have kidnapped Myre, then said it was just punking us for some odd reason. Then they tried to extort a farmer in our neighborhood."
"So who really did kidnap Myre?"
"And who are these mysterious people who claim to be friends but keep too many secrets?"
"It is too much for me!"
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 20/23 , CMD = 16 d20+12=17 ; d20+10=18 ; Monday August 30th, 2021 1:51:46 PM
Camalayas and I like around for anything suspicious. How do we want to break up the night watch? Does anyone have dark vision?
Survival= 17 Perception = 18
DM Kathy Monday August 30th, 2021 6:37:12 PM
As you travel, you discuss your ongoing feud with the Thieves' Guild. Did they ever have Myre? What are they planning next?
You also bring up your mysterious benefactor, the one behind the platinum rings. Zazu doesn't trust "that lady." Especially when he finds out that everyone else remembers it was a man.
You are able to find a good place to camp, and you keep watch during the night. Nothing disturbs your rest.
The next day, you set out again, hoping to reach Karri by afternoon. The day is well underway when you hear something. It sounds like....music.
Everyone please make a DC 16 Will save. Those who fail must move toward the beautiful, wonderful music using the most direct means available.
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character d20+12=30 ; Monday August 30th, 2021 7:22:36 PM
(Using a Hero Point)
Beech hears the music, his first instincts kick in and he wedges some cloth in his ears. (rolled a 30 for Save) He then wracks his brain.... and since they are near the river he can only come up with one creature... a Relative of the mermaid, near-something... While he concentrates on that, he then realizes his friends may need his help and starts to look around to see if any are entranced....
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 d20+4=14 ; Monday August 30th, 2021 9:00:40 PM
Lothlo is walking along talking with the group as the get closer to the city. The thing about huckleberries is, once you've had fresh, you'll never go back to canned... ooh, what's that pretty music?
Will = 14
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 d20+6=18 ; Monday August 30th, 2021 9:35:23 PM
Sahabiel listens with calm and patience to the sundry stories about the uncertain relationship between the settlement and this shadowy organization. With a smile directed at Zazu, she suggests; “....and this is why der vast majority of tribes that live within Culverwood are isolationists, ya know. Ah, if ‘t helps, cousin, as long as I am convinced that yer settlement will not threaten the domain of the Culverwood, I have no problem with throwin’ me support behind seein’ ya not starve out there. Good neighbors are hard enough ta find.”
Seeing well enough by the light of stars alone like anyone with elven blood, Sahabiel will volunteer for a watch that does not interfere with her prayer times. She is gladdened when it passes without incident.
In the morning around breakfast, the elven cataphract can be seen exercising and practicing her weapon arm, swinging the heavy weapon repeatedly with a bit more ease than might be expected of a young woman of her size.
Later in the day, the half-elf is following along when her ears suddenly pick up something out of the ordinary.. “Say.. What is that?”
(OOC: Willpower save against DC 16: 1d20+6 = 18, success)
Zazu (AC18, HP25/25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) d20+4=19 ; d20+2=14 ; Monday August 30th, 2021 10:41:19 PM
Zazu resists the music.
Seeing a friend is affected, grabs the befuddled Lothlo and tries to hold him back.
Grapple check 14.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 d20+9=16 ; Monday August 30th, 2021 11:09:58 PM
Ash responds to Naithi. "We used to have a standard watch order however we've lost and gained companions along the way, and it hasn't been something we've revisited. Does anyone have any preference for a time? I'm happy to fit in wherever"
The next morning Ash can hear the beautiful music and is able to resist it's charm. She doesn't have the strength to be able to stop anyone (or anything) else from pursuing it though.
---------- Will Save vs DC16: 16=Pass
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 d20+8=15 ; Tuesday August 31st, 2021 2:11:05 PM
Seeing that Zazu is trying to hold back Lothlo, who seems to be a bit dazed and trying to walk towards the source of that odd tune, Sahabiel is quick to understand that some kind of intervention is needed.
She hurries Kohlrabi over to him and, reasoning that a human can not walk into trouble if his feet do not reach the ground, attempts to lift him up and hold him there up in the air. "Oi, snap out of it will ya?"
(OOC: Contingency, since what happens really depends on whether Lothlo would be actively resisting or is too dazed to? I double checked Sahabiel's lifting and carrying capacity and movement rates, and not only can she pick up and carry the weight of Lothlo and all his gear, in addition to all her own gear.. but the combined total does not even constitute a heavy load for her or slow her movement beyond what her armor already does. However, if Lothlo is actively resisting, then Sahabiel fails her grapple check against the much more agile human this round)
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 Tuesday August 31st, 2021 9:04:36 PM
Lothlo gets thrown to the ground. Ooof! But... music..
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 20/23 , CMD = 16 d20+5=8 ; d20+1=13 ; Tuesday August 31st, 2021 9:49:57 PM
I am immediately drawn to the music and almost move towards it. My saving grace is Camalayas rock like presence anchoring my mind. Once again she saves me.
---------------- Naithi will save = 8 Camalayas will save = 19 (4 for Naithi's druid class, 1 for Naithi's lost child class, 2 for Camalayas wis stat)
ooc: Camalayas save is probably higher as I haven't added her bonus for "mind". Lost child made every formula in my spreadsheet need editing, so I'm still updating it
ooc2: Against mind affecting, level/ability draining or instant death spells and effects (Disintegrate, Finger of Death, etc.), both the Lost Child and Sibling roll to save (when applicable). If either saves, both resist the attack.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 20/23 , CMD = 16 Tuesday August 31st, 2021 9:50:52 PM
Camalayas and I see the others moving towards the music and tackle two who try to go towards it.
LOG ON