DM Kathy Friday November 26th, 2021 11:24:48 PM
[Everybody take 200 XP for the previous scene.]
Nightingale sets up her tent and makes it comfortable. She checks on the townsfolk, but they are pretty well-situated for clothes and blankets. Of course, minor mending always needs to be done.
Panzer continues digging foundations. Lothlo suggests building a perimeter wall, but it's unclear what a wall could be built from.
Sahabiel continues working on her tree. So far, you've put a total of three weeks into it.
Ash approaches the hunters and notes that they look concerned. "Well, we are a bit," one of the hunters says. "Fact is, we were going to come and find you guys. This deer," he gestures to the carcass now being dressed by the cooks, "was wounded when we found it. Wounded by something big. I've never seen marks like that before. It's not safe having something like that so close to town. Do you think you could go look for---whatever it is?"
Ash (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Friday November 26th, 2021 11:55:49 PM
With the deer carcass already being handled by the cooks it's likely too late Ash could get any clues as to the claw marks without causing alarm.
"Of course." She starts steering the hunters out of the kitchen and outside where they can speak a little more privately. "Let's head over towards my tent"
As they walk she asks one of the hunters to very quietly go and alert the rest of the party that 'something is up' and to 'please meet at Ash's tent'.
When the others arrive Ash briefs them on what she knows. Which is to say very little.
"Tell us all that you know. Where you found the deer, were there any other tracks or trails, what the marks looked like, and so on. Anything that you recall would be useful." Ash starts brewing some tea to help the men calm down. "You're right though. Anything that could do that to a deer could be dangerous, especially if any children were to run off and play. We'll try and do what we can to keep the town safe and only look to kill it if absolutely necessary"
----------- Knowl checks to ID possible creatures that could have make the wounds: 21 (Take10) Perception: 20 (Take10) to get a good look at the wounds before the cooks have ruined the evidence. Is she able to determine the size of the wounds, whether it was claws or teeth, etc?
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 Saturday November 27th, 2021 1:18:18 AM
ooc: The lyre of building we have magically constructs things, if I'm understanding your question, we don't need any additional resources to build a basic wall (and after your update, something we should probably be prioritizing).
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) Saturday November 27th, 2021 8:13:14 AM
At first Zazu does not see the point of a short wall.
"What monster or enemy will be stopped by such a thing? They'll just climb over!"
But then the elf thinks about beasts and creatures who might be daunted by such a thing. "Animals of the wild probably would not cross such a wall, especially if we smear it with ash and fire smells. Beasts would avoid those. And it would be fine for keeping children from wandering off."
So Zazu lends a hand and if happy to help build this thing.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 45/45 ) Character Sheet Saturday November 27th, 2021 3:12:54 PM
OOC The lyre's write up specifically says it performs the work. It does not indicate that it provides the materials. Therefore we need to have building materials on hand for it to 'work' with. On that note Panzer is digging foundations and working the stone that will make up his home. This could provide some materials. What I would suggest is a 3' wide x 3' deep ditch surrounding the village with a low (3x3) wall just inside the ditch. This provides a 6' tall barrier that those inside the town, even little Panzer, can see over. Add some stakes to the ditch and animals won't want to cross it unless they are starving and humanoid attackers will at least be inconvenienced by the wall and slowed long enough to be stabbed in the face with a spear. IC Panzer does think a wall sounds good and has ideas on how to build it. The ravaging of some beastie outside the village does sound concerning and He is up for investigating as soon as the group can make ready. If he can he will acquire a small short bow from the village stores to supplement his non-exsistant ranged capability and maybe a spear too.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Saturday November 27th, 2021 7:40:30 PM OOC: I believe David is right, since the Lyre is based on Fabricate, not Major Creation. Now, I am not sure what you mean by a basic wall, but I do know that historically what you would see army units do for defensive construction that could be made by manpower only (not needing to be supplied bricks or other outside materials), would be one-two of trenches and earthen ramparts - one is formed by digging away earth, and the other is almost its natural complement formed by piling up that excavated earth on the side the defenders are going to be behind. I suppose palisades are out of the question, as those are sure to require cutting a lot of trees?
Nightingale (JonS) HP 27/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Sunday November 28th, 2021 2:30:49 PM OOC: Earthen worked trenches have been used for centuries. If the lyre needs "material" do make stuff, then why can't it turn the freshly dug dirt into hardened blocks to make a short wall on the inside on the trench. Wooden stakes or further deterrents can be added as materials are found, as well, the defenses added to.
Nightingale is cheerfully darning some socks when the hunter comes to "fetch" her. Putting her work down she heads for Ash's tent to see what's going on.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Monday November 29th, 2021 2:19:43 PM I am personally against the idea of putting up a trench. One of the goals here is to strike a balance with nature and keep the Culverwood happy. I large trench would be an eyesore might look to the Culverwood they were are dominating nature rather than embracing it. Perhaps splitting the river to flow around the town withe be a better option, assuming the sprites do not mind. Or perhaps we could design something that is concealed until we need it.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 d20+3=12 ; Monday November 29th, 2021 9:09:02 PM
Lothlo examines the carcass to determine what lives in the area that is could cause the damage he sees. Or at the very least, any details that can help them track the creature.
I am pretty sure a natural wall isn't a big concern, but more importantly our original fears about disrupting things and causing the same issues the prior settlement had no longer apply. We now know that was they Fey that live here, and now live among us as friends. In any case, the wall doesn't need to be a permanent fixture, just a temporary measure until this creature is no longer a threat... and the thieves guild return their focus to their prior tasks elsewhere..
Knowledge (Nature) = 12
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Monday November 29th, 2021 10:23:15 PM
After arriving at Ash's tent, Sahabiel too hears the hunter's report and agrees with Ash's take on what little they know about the creature that inflicted such wounds. "We can not hope to protect the entire encampment simultaneously against every possible creature it could have been. Ya don't know if it ambushes or stalks, nor if it walks, flies, or burrows.", she suggests, "We can find out more either by waiting fer something to happen, or we take the initiative and investigate, hm? We know that it considers deer food, and that it very recently hunted one that got away."
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) Monday November 29th, 2021 10:53:00 PM
"If we are plowing fields, we could use the rocks we dig out of the fields to be part of the wall. I don't like the idea of spikes, but a bit of a ditch and a bot of a wall can't hurt. We could improve it later."
DM Kathy Monday November 29th, 2021 11:56:13 PM Ash takes the hunters aside to ask more about the wounded deer and the marks they saw.
"It had a cut on its flank," one of them says. "Not done with a claw, nor a tooth. Nor a weapon, though it looked closest to that. But it was too ragged, too uneven to have been wounded by another hunter."
The hunters can describe to you where they first saw the deer, and you're pretty sure you could find the spot.
"We followed the blood trail back a ways," another hunter says. "Found signs of a scuffle of sorts, but--" he looks doubtfully at the others, who look doubtfully back at him. "We couldn't say what kind of creature it was."
The rest of the group is still talking about walls, though Sahabiel comes to Ash's place in time to hear the hunters' report.
Lothlo attempts to examine the carcass, but it is being cut up for food. You are able to see the hide where the flank was wounded. As the hunters said, it is a fairly straight cut, that doesn't look like the result of a claw, or a tooth, or a bladed weapon.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Tuesday November 30th, 2021 12:10:27 AM "Ok. We'll go take a look. In the mean time, try and limit your hunting to the other side of the settlement. Let's give 'whatever it is' some space and not give it reason to feel threatened. It might think we are hunting on its ground and if it's feeling territorial things could escalate. We don't want anyone getting hurt."
Ash will thank the hunters for coming to them and if they have no further information to share, bids them well.
After they leave she speaks with the rest of the party and lets them know all she has learned.
"We need to check it out and make sure it isn't a threat to us. It could just be the creature was hunting for food - though the fact it left the carcass behind would suggest otherwise. Let's go investigate and try and make some sense of this. It's possible we could make this creature into an ally, so perhaps we don't try and kill it straight away"
Ash will see whether Myre wishes to travel with the party again or whether she wants to spend more time in the town.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Tuesday November 30th, 2021 10:43:59 AM
Sahabiel looks a bit puzzled... a fairly straight cut but ragged, and not by tooth, or claw, or bladed weapon? She is not certain what about the wound suggests that it could not be one of those, and most creatures she knows with horns are not usually predatory... also, she trusts the hunters would know the difference between cut and pierced.
More disturbingly though... "How do ya even give a deer a straight cut across the flank?", she thinks out loud. "Now if there were any sign of the attack having come from behind, like marks on the hind legs to suggest it was grabbed while running away, an the attacker reaching around the hind legs... but without that, that's just not the side a deer presents to any danger it is aware of, is it? We might be looking for an ambusher that is pretty good at lashing out with little warning for something its size, or perhaps it was a pack of somethings and the deer could not avoid having to turn its flank to at least one, and that one took advantage? "
She shrugs and grins, getting mentally ready to pack her bag for what might be a few days in the forest following a cold trail.
"Let's be careful everyone. What did this is big and either somehow very stealthy, or there are more than one, or, assuming we are just not seeing all the evidence, still something that sprints faster than a mature deer. Not sure if I like any of those."
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character Tuesday November 30th, 2021 2:56:28 PM
Beech takes a look at the wound, wonders if it was a magical spell of some sort that caused the gash, that might explain the position of the wound. He gathers up his gear and after a quick stop at the kitchen to grab a bit of fresh food, he's ready to travel, bow in hand as usual.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 27/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Tuesday November 30th, 2021 3:01:02 PM
Nightingale looks at the poor creature as well. "Could the wound be the cause of a trap, maybe we have guests closer than we expected?"
OOC: I updated Nightingale's spells, in case you needed to know
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Tuesday November 30th, 2021 7:45:35 PM
I I suppose the only way we'll find out is to go check the area out. Is everyone prepared?
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 Tuesday November 30th, 2021 9:13:17 PM A trap would be my first thought, but not if they saw signs of a scuffle. Perhaps something with a nasty tail swipe. Of course, the Thieves Guild has used creatures as traps before, so it could still be a trap.
I am ready to go when everyone else is, I just need a moment to make sure the watchmen in the towers are aware there is a possible danger and are on heightened alert.
DM Kathy Tuesday November 30th, 2021 11:44:14 PM Ash is concerned that the creature left the dead deer behind, but that isn't the case. The creature, whatever it was, wounded the deer, the deer got away, and the town hunters finished it off some time later. Ash also checks on Myre, and finds her companionably mending a fish trap with Grindar. She seems fine where she is.
Sahabiel reasons that a cut on the flank may mean a creature attacking from ambush, and your DM is very impressed. Take a Hero Point.
Beech looks at the hide (the entire wound is unavailable as the meat is being cut up for stew). You can't think of a magical spell that would do this. Magic usually mimics weapons, or does force or elemental damage. This isn't any of those.
Nightingale wonders whether the wound could have been caused by a trap, but Lothlo reminds her that the hunters saw signs of a scuffle.
Naithi is ready to go. You make sure the sentries in the watchtowers are vigilant--and found that a couple of the hunters had climbed up the towers to help ensure that very thing.
Satisfied, you set out in search of the unknown creature. You are easily able to find the spot the hunters described. You see the start of a blood trail. You see churned-up ground, and very odd tracks.
Survival or Profession: Soldier DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { There are a lot of dead leaves, small branches, and soil thrown about. It looks as if something was camouflaged here, and broke cover suddenly.}
Survival DC 12 Highlight to display spoiler: {The attacker had six legs, with comparatively small feet. That says "insect" to you--but it was and insect the size of an elephant.} If you got that information, Survival or Knowledge: Nature 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Pincers! Some insects have pincers, and a pincer could have made that wound.}
Ash (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Wednesday December 1st, 2021 12:01:03 AM
Ash casts Toros's Taurs Try and looks about the area.
"There!" she says pointing to a pile of dead leaves, small branches, and soil. "It looks as if something was camouflaged here and broke cover suddenly"
She kneels down to get a closer look at the tracks and trail. "The attacker had six legs, and I'm thinking 'insect' but it was very large. The size of an elephant perhaps?"
"Hmm. I'm thinking that if it was an insect then the damage could have been caused by pincers. That would explain the wounds."
She stands up and dusts off her hands. "Well, there is a blood trail to follow. Since it looks like this creature is very good at ambushing we should take extra care." To that end, Ash isn't volunteering to lead the way. She's far too soft and squishy. She also recalls previous encounters with insects and how ineffectual some of her spells can be.
-------------- Cast Toros's Taurs Try (Centaur) to get a +2 bonus to Survival checks Survival check vs DC15: 16 (Take10) = Pass! Survival check vs DC12: 16 (Take10) = Pass! Knowl Nature check vs DC20: 21 (Take10) = Pass! Knowl check to determine something that fits the bill as a large insect with pincers: 21 (Take10) Perception: 20 (Take10)
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) d20+10=18 ; d20+10=17 ; d20+10=28 ; d20+10=16 ; Wednesday December 1st, 2021 12:32:01 AM
Three Culverwood Survival Checks: 18, 17, 28
Zazu confirms Ash's intuition. "Yes, good eyes, my friend."
The elf thinks about Buggo's mouth-parts and tries to guess if the wound may have been from a cousin of the party's pet dire cricket.
Zazu tries to follow the trail of the big insect. Survival 16.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Wednesday December 1st, 2021 5:05:03 AM Sahabiel's Survival checks are 22 on a Take10 every time, so no individual rolls, she passes all the checks and draws the same conclusions Ash and Zazu do.
Sahabiel shakes her head as she studies the scene. "I am sorry, Ash, but I think this does not bode well for yer hope to win the creature over. Giant or not, insects tend to run on mindless instinct - nothing in them to train or bargain with.
Seeing hesitancy in the unarmored Ash to lead the way into the domain of a natural ambush hunter, Sahabiel steps forward. To protect is in her nature, and she is the one wearing the knightly armor besides.
"...I will take point then", she volunteers, "We may not have far to go. As far as I have ever known, ambushing insects don't roam much, although I do not know how much its territory would scale for one of this size."
Now that she knows what they are looking for, she will treat anything that looks like something could have burrowed under it as a possible terrain hazard. She knows her armor is good, but she would still rather identify the threat without triggering it!
Move at half speed, agree with Ash and Zazu that they use their Survival skills to Aid Another on hers so the group together consistently beats DC26 just using Take10s. After every round of following the trail, take a round standing still to scrutinize the terrain they will be walking into next.
Contingency; If Sahabiel does fail to anticipate an ambush and her AC22 is not enough to protect her, use a Hero Point
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 45/45 ) Character Sheet Wednesday December 1st, 2021 8:11:24 AM
Panzer knows that Sahabiel is a tough resourceful woman who is a match for him in strength and combat ability. He knows this, however his upbringing and his knowing that he is supposed to be the meat shield of the group makes him pipe up right after she says she will take point with... " I think I should take point, here is why. One, I don't want to see you get hurt, not that you can't take a hit but I just don't want that to be an option. Two, I am smaller and an ambush hunter will always go for a weaker target, being small means I am less capable of fending it off so clearly I make more of a target. Three, I can't heal you if you get messed up, but you can heal me. I know we are a multi talented group and have more than one healer, but I just don't think we want to make a healer a target. I haven't been in a fight with you guys yet so I can see where you might have been the choice for taking the brunt of an attack before now, but I am a trained fighter and I want to pull my weight, if you know what I mean. I hope I said all that right because I don't want you to be angry at me."
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) Wednesday December 1st, 2021 8:59:57 AM
Zazu casts Mage Armor.
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character d20=14 ; Wednesday December 1st, 2021 9:52:12 AM
Beech follows suit and casts Mage Armor as well. He readies the large quiver to be dropped at a moments notice. He thinks to himself, If they want to discuss who's going to play Bait to a bug, as long as it wasn't him. Beech knew that being the bait, at least on purpose was not the job for him. Knowing he gets distracted easily, Beech does his best to stay focused looking for an ambush. Panzer may have only just joined the group, but he was new to it not all too long ago himself.
Perception 14
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Wednesday December 1st, 2021 2:48:07 PM
Camalayas and I sit quietly and think about the tracks. I don't know of any six legged bugs with pincers. An eight legged scorpion is the closest that comes to mind, but I think we should assume it is something similar. An armored shell, possible stinger and poison are all likely. If it is six legged, I would also prepare for it to have wings and be able to fly, and we must assume it has camouflage... ... ... Also, if it is they large, I would expect it to have a lair. Maybe a cave or burrow. An elephant sized bug would have been spotted long ago and from a distance otherwise. If we are lucky, we could trap it inside and maybe fill the place with smoke, or ambush it when it comes out.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Wednesday December 1st, 2021 8:18:46 PM
Sahabiel gives Panzer a nod. She will let the stocky fighter take point then, but she will still work with Zazu and Ash to identify the trail and evaluate the terrain ahead for natural hazards.
Question to David - does Panzer have enough tracking skill to be on point, if the aim is to follow a trail? If not, he would have to rely on those walking behind him to tell him which way the trail goes.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 d20+12=31 ; Wednesday December 1st, 2021 9:17:02 PM A scorpion the size of an elephant... now that's terrifying! I suppose if it was a scorpion it also would have used it's tail to poison the thing. Everyone keep an eye out if this thing uses camouflage. We know how it camouflages itself now, and if it's the size of an elephant it probably had to move around quite a bit of dirt to hide if it doesn't want to stand out. And keep an eye on the tree branches, just in case it can fly.
Lothlo is on high alert, he draws his bow and continuously scans the area for signs of an ambush. Perception = 31
DM Kathy Thursday December 2nd, 2021 12:34:45 AM Ash readily reads the signs of the scuffle, and Zazu confirms her analysis. He and Beech cast Mage Armor.
Naithi thinks the insect may be scorpion-like, although scorpions have eight legs. [OOC: All the scorpion pictures your DM looked at appeared to have six legs, though your DM is far from being a scorpion expert and (thankfully) lives in a part of the country where there aren't any. So, there may or may not be some kind of elephant-sized six-legged scorpion involved here.]
Lothlo is on high alert, and warns his companions about a scorpion's poison sting.
Sahabiel volunteers to take point, but Panzer persuades her that he is the better option. Sahabiel worries about Panzer's tracking abilities, but as you get underway you realize that it isn't going to be a problem. Tracking an elephant-sized insect is not difficult.
After about a quarter-mile, you see that the tracks are more plentiful, crossing and re-crossing one another. You're pretty sure that there's only one of these creatures, but you must be close to its lair because it seems to frequent this area.
Perception checks.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 27/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Thursday December 2nd, 2021 4:16:13 AM
When Panzer offers to go first, Nightingale speaks up, "I'll go with you. I'm not as delicate as I appear to be." With that she casts a spell on herself, and her skin takes on a 'wooden' look
Using her Barkskin domain spell, adds +2 to her AC for 30 minutes, she's AC 20 now
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 d20+6=11 ; Thursday December 2nd, 2021 9:35:57 AM Perception check - passive 16, active (spotting) 1d20+6=11
Sahabiel is not giving the scorpion theory much credit. She is sooner expecting something with pincer-like mandibles, not pincers like a lobster. Either way, she knows to be ready for the unknown. Her morningstar feels reassuring in her grip... at least if they come up against a giant insect, she has the right kind of weapon to crack chitin.
(OOC: Normally Sahabiel would prepare for an expected battle by casting Magic Vestment on her armor, but if this is happening same day as the hunters returning with news of it, then Sahabiel would still have that Prayer swapped out for the extra Plant Growth she has been using lately to grow reed.)
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 45/45 ) Character Sheet d20+1=7 ; Thursday December 2nd, 2021 1:43:00 PM @ Esther, No, Panzer has the survival bonus that all beastkin have but he lacks the patience to use it well. The skill is still positive but he isn't good at it. Thankfully that wasn't necessary for following this bull in a china shop. Panzer feels better about being the bait. He doesn't want to see any of his new friends get hurt and is glad they let him do the job. Most small people would feel less secure as they discussed scorpions the size of elephants but Panzer comes from Honey Badger stock. Naturally afraid of nothing, Honey Badgers would fight ridiculous odds and sometimes even win. He draws his blades and pushes on along the trail, following the clear signs of the bug. Like Sahabiel, he does not picture this bug as a scorpion, he thinks it more of a giant stag beetle with a large horn that it used to wound the deer. When they reach the area it frequents he briefly thinks about using magic to protect himself, but his spells are too short of a duration to use until engaged in battle. Perception 7
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Thursday December 2nd, 2021 2:10:47 PM
ooc: I believe scorpions are technically arachnids and have 8 legs. There are several that look like they have 6, but they is because they use 2 as feelers. I believe there are also pseudo scorpions with six legs. I think iurid scorpions have six legs, but I cannot remember if they are pseudoscorpions, use two as feelers, or are a special family within the scorpions... But this is way more than Naithi knows.
Mandibles never occurred to me.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Thursday December 2nd, 2021 2:17:36 PM
I pat Camalayas side as we prepare for battle. Unfortunately, most of my spells are too short a duration to be practical, and were not chosen with this potential combat in mind. However I can feel the fey essence stirring in me ever since our dance, and I know it won't be long until it is a part of me that I can begin to tap into (I'll be a little less squishy after taking a level of Morphling).
Ash (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 d20+10=18 ; Thursday December 2nd, 2021 6:36:09 PM
Ash casts a Mage Armor spell to make herself mildly less squishy. She hangs back to let the more muscular of the group take the lead. She starts going through the list of spells she has available to work out what will and won't work against insects. Unfortunately the ones that will be effective are somewhat limited.
Perception: 18
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character Thursday December 2nd, 2021 8:42:18 PM
Beech starts listing off things it could be..."Well, there didn't seem to be any poison in the flesh, so I personally count that as a not probable. The hide wasn't scorched, so that probably counts out fire beetles of unusual sizes. So, there are scarabs, but they like dry hot places... Dung beetles, some crab types, maybe spiders, in particular trap door spiders. Rhino beetles and a whole list of others.... Oh... If we are near it's lair, let's be extremely careful, it may have a egg clutch or about to soon lay the eggs."
Beech nocks an arrow and readies to loose it if any over sized beetle should appear and start moving in on the group or it's willing bait....
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 d20+12=18 ; Thursday December 2nd, 2021 9:13:14 PM
Lothlo keeps an arrow ready, but is focus in on jumping out of the way should there be a surprise ambush.
As much as I'd hate an ambush it's probably safer than finding it in it's lair.
perception = 18
***Active spells and abilities*** Spells and Conditions in effect on self:
Sharpshooter Skills "Can shoot ranged weapons at opponents in melee without penalty, +1 bonus on attack and damage with ranged weapons at ranges up to 30 feet, can take a –1 penalty on all ranged attack rolls to gain a +2 bonus on all ranged damage rolls (increases at +4 bab), Only a –1 penalty per full range increment between you and your target" -Trick shots available: Disarm Trick, Ricochet Trick, Staple Trick Consumables Tracking: 0 arrows
DM Kathy d20+13=17 ; d8=5 ; d20+21=30 ; d20+13=26 ; d8=7 ; d20+21=23 ; d20+13=30 ; d8=7 ; d4=4 ; Thursday December 2nd, 2021 10:55:59 PM Nightingale also moves toward the front of the group, casting Barkskin on herself.
Panzer is privately happy to be used as bait to protect his friends.
Ash casts Mage Armor. Naithi decides against casting anything at the moment, as her spells don't last long.
Beech and Lothlo have arrows nocked. Sahabiel is on high alert.
Alert as you are, this thing is very good at camouflaging itself. The first you see of it is when it attacks. It is a scorpion; its mottled carapace blending seamlessly into the leaves and bracken on the forest floor.
It lashes out at Panzer with one pincer-like claw. It hits! Panzer takes 13 damage. Worse, the insect holds tight, and Panzer is grappled!
Its other claw snaps at Nightingale. It hits! Nightingale takes 15 damage and is also grappled.
Its tail stabs down at Sahabiel. It hits, doing 15 damage. Sahabiel must make a DC 20 Fort save or take 4 points of Strength damage.
I'm going to try to do this combat without a map. The creature is Huge in size and has 15-foot reach. Right now, Panzer and Nightingale have been pulled into its space, so they are in melee range, although grappled. Nobody else is in melee range unless they also have 15-foot reach. Approaching the creature to attack it in melee may result in an Attack of Opportunity, although its pincers are full at the moment so maybe not. Sahabiel is still in range of being attacked by the scorpion; everyone else is too far away to be attacked. For now.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 32/45 ) Character Sheet d20+7=15 ; d20+7=25 ; d20+7=19 ; d3+7=8 ; d3+7=10 ; d3+7=8 ; Thursday December 2nd, 2021 11:37:32 PM
Panzer was gazing into the shadows in the clearing and wondering where the bug was when all of a sudden he felt a slamming grab around his middle and felt his mail crushed into his fur and skin. " OWW what the... Oh, um that's way bigger than I imagined." Then his feet were no longer on the ground and his perspective radically changed. He saw Nightingale grabbed right next to him and then he saw the tail stab at Sahabiel. Panzer reversed his grip on his knives and tried to drive them both into a joint in the thing's chitinous armor. As a swift action he made his knives magical as they descended towards the joint. Main hand Hits AC 15 for 8 damage (magical and adamantine) Off hand Hits AC 25 and confirms to AC 19 for 10 damage(if not critical) or 18 damage (if critical) (magical and adamantine)
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) Thursday December 2nd, 2021 11:58:25 PM
[ooc: i post every day, hopefully, but today i went after the dm, sorry. also, on my laptop that often does not shift for caps, sorry.]
zazu immediately casts a minor illusion of a fog cloud that covers only the wizard and boyo.
the enemy gets no save unless they come into contact with the cloud.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Friday December 3rd, 2021 1:55:15 AM
Ash looks in wonder at the scorpion and is amazed the deer escaped it alive. "That was one lucky deer". Well, it was lucky to escape the huge scorpion. Not so lucky to run into the hunters and land in the town's kitchen. That deer had a really bad day.
Focusing back on the fight, Ash keeps her distance and casts a Spectral Hand spell. She has a feeling she's going to need it to cast cure spells from range - and probably a few Delay Poison spells.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 32/45 ) Character Sheet d20+3=6 ; Friday December 3rd, 2021 1:35:40 PM
OOC sorry, first combat with the new character. I forgot he has a bite, I think I need to almost crit to hit but eh, what do I have to lose. IC Panzer drives his offhand blade deep and then, instinctively bites at the claw that holds him. His face bounces off the chitin so hard he wonders if he chipped a tooth.
Bite Hits AC 6 miss
Grappled condition ( this applies to both Panzer and the scorpion, so I think he just barely confirmed the critical) A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Casting Spells while Grappled/Grappling: The only spells which can be cast while grappling or pinned are those without somatic components and whose material components (if any) you have in hand. Even so, you must make a concentration check (DC 10 + the grappler’s CMB + the level of the spell you’re casting) or lose the spell.
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character 3d6=10 ; Friday December 3rd, 2021 5:37:01 PM
Beech casts a Flaming Sphere and targets an area where his friends aren't, then drops the quiver with his large arrows.... It's time to get even bigger....
Reflex to negate DC 16 Damage = 10 fire
Spells in effect: Mage Armor (hours) Flaming Sphere 5 Rounds
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Friday December 3rd, 2021 8:12:20 PM
ooc: if our players are grappled, doesn't the scorpion automatically gain the grappled condition and lose the ability to make AOO unless it drops the grapple?
Ooc2: What is the terrain?
My post will come in a little bit, after dinner.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 32/45 ) Character Sheet Friday December 3rd, 2021 8:40:03 PM
Yup
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 d20+10=23 ; d20+9=24 ; d4+4=8 ; d6+1=3 ; Friday December 3rd, 2021 8:56:55 PM
I quickly run through my spells and the animal forms I know, but nothing seems to be of much use in this situation. Let go off my friends, your bully! As I shout it out, I realize how childish it sounds, and remember that scorpions don't speak common. It doesn't matter, Camalayas is in agreement as we are already charging forward, teeth barred, as we look for a soft spot to sink our teeth... Preferably the eyes.
Naithi ------ Charging bite attack, hit ac 23 did 8 dmg
Camalayas ------ Charging bite attack, hit ac 24 for 3 dmg
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 d20+14=31 ; d20+14=32 ; d8+3=11 ; d8+3=9 ; Friday December 3rd, 2021 9:01:46 PM
As their attacker reveals itself, the immense size of what they are facing starts to sink in. That's a nasty looking shell that thing has on it, I hope my arrows are effective. Keeping well out of the reach of the scorpion, Lothlo rapidly shoots two arrows at some spots that look more vulnerable.
(assuming we are with 30 feet) Attack 1 = 32 Damage 1 = 11
Attack 2 = 33 Damage 2 = 9
***Active spells and abilities*** Spells and Conditions in effect on self:
Sharpshooter Skills "Can shoot ranged weapons at opponents in melee without penalty, +1 bonus on attack and damage with ranged weapons at ranges up to 30 feet, can take a –1 penalty on all ranged attack rolls to gain a +2 bonus on all ranged damage rolls (increases at +4 bab), Only a –1 penalty per full range increment between you and your target" -Trick shots available: Disarm Trick, Ricochet Trick, Staple Trick Consumables Tracking: 2 arrows
DM Kathy d20+5=19 ; d8=4 ; d8=1 ; d20+11=14 ; Friday December 3rd, 2021 11:23:19 PM
Grappled, Panzer attacks with his knives and his teeth. He only hits once, but he makes the most of it by hitting critically.
Zazu hides himself and Boyo in an illusory mist.
Ash ponders the deer's lucky escape and casts Spectral Hand.
Beech places a Flaming Sphere in the scorpion's space, but it manages to dodge the damage.
Naithi yells at the scorpion--who, indeed, does not speak Common. Presumably, however, it understands pain, and you and Camalayas were able to inflict some.
Lothlo fires twice at the scorpion and hits both times.
The scorpion squeezes its captives. Panzer takes 12 points of constriction damage; Nightingale takes 9 points.
Seeing the new threat, the scorpion attempts to sting Naithi, but the stinger hits the ground next to her.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 20/45 ) Character Sheet d20+7=9 ; d20+7=13 ; d20+3=15 ; Saturday December 4th, 2021 1:25:54 AM
Panzer gets squeezed and starts to realize that this may not have been the best idea. However he realizes that his training and stamina have kept him alive so far where others might be worse off. Seeing the damage he has done and watching Lotholo skewer the bug twice so far. He hopes he can outlast the scorpion. He again enchants his weapons and then continues chopping away at the scorpion. Main Hand Hits AC 9 Miss Off Hand Hits AC 13 Miss Bite Hits AC 15 Miss Not his best showing, Panzer grits his teeth and hopes his Allies do better.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 d20+5=15 ; d20+7=8 ; Saturday December 4th, 2021 2:02:24 AM OOC: I can not believe I just missed my first post deadline in a month, during combat! Can this still count towards the current round?
Saving throw vs poison (DC20): 1d20=15, failed
Sahabiel is taken by surprise, and the staggering hit leaves her still on her feet although barely. Almost instantly her muscles feel less responsive, as poison courses through her veins. Never mind the deer from before, she felt lucky to be alive herself after that...!
At least she was still breathing. She would love to do something about all those wounds, but... truth be told, she was more of an out-of-combat healer, as her only skill at mass heals would also heal the scorpion, and making this a long drawn out battle would not be in their favor. More reflexively than out of any particular strategy, Sahabiel attacks once with her morning star, but she disastrously miscalculates how much strength she can manage and the strike is a mess. Still... their best hope is for the ranged casters to roast this thing, and for that, someone needs to be the front line. As the creature is literally holding Panzer in one pincer, that means the line to stop the beast from rushing their casters is now her.
Natural one on her attack roll. 1d20+7 = 8
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 25/40 Saturday December 4th, 2021 2:03:57 AM OOC: My previous post did not reflect current hit points, so adding this update
Nightingale (JonS) HP 12/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 d20+5=22 ; d20+5=24 ; d6+1=5 ; d6+1=4 ; Saturday December 4th, 2021 3:58:43 PM
Nightingale, caught in the scorpion's claw, and very upset about it, punches said claw twice
Left Hand: AC22, 5 damage Right Hand: AC24, 4 damage
Ash (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Saturday December 4th, 2021 7:13:24 PM
Ash can tell that Sahabiel isn't her normal 'buff' self. That poison must be coursing through her veins. Ash casts a Delay Poison spell to be delivered via the Spectral Hand. That ought to help her out a bit.
----------------- Standard: Cast Delay Poison on Sahabiel
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character 3d6=18 ; d20+5=15 ; d20+5=10 ; d8+1=9 ; d8+1=7 ; Saturday December 4th, 2021 7:37:36 PM
Seeing the trouble some of his friends were in, taking the time to do more prepping is out of the option list for available responses. Beech ignores the dropped quiver and starts shooting the beetle, in the mean time, he lets the flaming sphere sit there and try to roast the scorpion as well.
Reflex to negate DC 16 Damage = 18 fire
Arrow 1 Hit AC 15 Damage 9 Arrow 2 Hit AC 10 Damage 7
Spells in effect: Mage Armor (hours) Flaming Sphere 4 Rounds
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) d20+7=17 ; 5d6=23 ; Sunday December 5th, 2021 11:31:59 PM
Zazu, from the total concealment of the created "mist," attacks unseen. The monster loses its dex bonus to AC and Zazu gains a +2 on attacks.
Of course, the moment Zazu makes an attack, the required concentration needed to maintain the illusion ends. That's ok -- a minor image persists for two rounds after the caster ceases concentration, and Zazu's illusion school extends that to three rounds.
For the first round of three, Zazu casts Scorching Ray, aiming for the portion of the monster that is not next to a friend (to avoid the -4 penalty for shooting into melee). Zazu hits touch AC (without dex) of 17. Hopefully that hits.
If it does, the damage is 4d6 fire damage plus 1d6 sneak attack fire damage. That's 23 fire damage to the monster.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 d20+8=23 ; d20+8=13 ; d20+8=23 ; d4+4=7 ; d6+4=7 ; d4+4=5 ; d8+8=10 ; d8+8=11 ; d8+8=15 ; d6+1=6 ; d4+1=3 ; d4+1=3 ; Monday December 6th, 2021 2:25:37 PM
After sinking our teeth into the scorpion we discover that it tastes like really good beef jerky. Spurred on by this we continue to attack. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. This big guy is gonna feed us all.
Naithi - Full Attack --------- Claw Atk 1, Hit AC 23 for 7 dmg Claw Atk 2, Hit AC 13 for 5 dmg Bite Atk, Hit AC 23 for 7 dmg
Camalayas - Full Attack -------- Claw Atk 1, Hit AC 10 for 3 dmg Claw Atk 2, Hit AC 11 for 3 dmg Bite Atk, Hit AC 15 for 6 dmg
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 d20+15=23 ; d20+15=34 ; d8+3=8 ; d8+3=5 ; Monday December 6th, 2021 4:30:12 PM I'm sure he will make a fine meal, but I'll settle for the town being safe again. Lothlo loads two more arrows into his bow and sends them flying toward the scorpion.
Roll each twice: D20 + 14(+1 within 30'), 1d8 +2 (+1 within 30')
Attack 1 = 23 Damage 1 = 8
Attack 2 = 34 Damage 2 = 5
***Active spells and abilities*** Spells and Conditions in effect on self:
Sharpshooter Skills "Can shoot ranged weapons at opponents in melee without penalty, +1 bonus on attack and damage with ranged weapons at ranges up to 30 feet, can take a –1 penalty on all ranged attack rolls to gain a +2 bonus on all ranged damage rolls (increases at +4 bab), Only a –1 penalty per full range increment between you and your target" -Trick shots available: Disarm Trick, Ricochet Trick, Staple Trick Consumables Tracking: 4 arrows
DM Kathy d20+4=6 ; Monday December 6th, 2021 10:46:48 PM Panzer keeps going with knives and teeth, but is finding it difficult to connect what with all the squeezing.
Sahabiel loses some strength, but doesn't let that stop her from attacking. Her attack is ineffectual, but she realizes she needs to hold her ground if the group is to have any chance.
Nightingale lashes out with her fists, connecting twice.
Ash uses her Spectral Hand to cast Delay Poison on Sahabiel. That will prevent her from losing more strength, and hopefully you'll be in a position to deal with the poison after the fight.
Beech's arrows do not hit, but his Flaming Sphere does damage.
Zazu fires a Scorching Ray, hoping it will hit. The scorpion is Huge, so its Touch AC is a funny, funny joke. It takes 23 points of fire and sneak damage.
Naithi and Camalayas attack with natural weapons, doing more damage.
Then Lothlo fires twice and hits twice, finishing it off. The massive insect falls.
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) d20+13=32 ; Monday December 6th, 2021 10:59:47 PM
Zazu says alert in the fog, which lasts another two rounds in case something pops out.
Perception 32
Ash (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 d8=4 ; d8=6 ; d8=3 ; d8=3 ; d8=6 ; d8=1 ; d8=2 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 12:10:52 AM "I wonder what scorpion tastes like?" Ash asks aloud to noone in particular. She takes out the party CMW wand and gets tappin'
-------------- Just doing 3 rounds worth to start with in case 'something' jumps out and interrupts us...
Use CMW Wand on Nightingale. 4 + 6 + 3 = 13pts healed. Use CMW Wand on Panzer. 3 + 3 + 3 = 9pts healed Use CMW Wand on Sahabiel. 6 + 2 + 3 = 11pts healed
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 25/40 Tuesday December 7th, 2021 1:50:41 AM
Sahabiel is glad that she was right about her friends being able to quickly lay the monstrously large vermin low. She carefully sets down her morning star, and in the immediate aftermath of the incident sits with Nightingale and Panzer for a little wound treatment.
"Naithi is something else, hm? I am not sure if I would dare bite down on a scorpion like that."
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 29/45 ) Character Sheet d20+1=16 ; d100=70 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 6:21:42 AM "I tried but the chitin was too tough to get my teeth through. Are you two OK? That sting looked nasty and Nightingale it looked like he was squeezing you pretty hard."
With a little healing done to him and all of the others seemingly OK, Panzer decides to look around the joint. He casts Detect Magic and has a look around the area both for magical auras and for more mundane loot. If this is where the creepy crawlie lived then there is a good shot it would drag it's food back here too, thus there might be valuables laying around. Perception 16 ( pretty good for Panzer's limited attention span)
[Formatting fixed by Cayzle]
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character d20=11 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 11:15:53 AM
Beech helps Panzer look around, he's not much help in the healing department, so after collecting the arrows that missed, he starts to help search the area...
Search 11, aids..
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 d20+3=11 ; d20+3=23 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 9:01:47 PM I hope the Thieve's guild didn't bring this thing here as a way to torment us... do you think they are just living rent free in my head at this point? I suppose not since we were just told they were still mad at us last time we were in town.
Lothlo tries to remember whether such scorpions are native to these parts and something the town will need to take measures against in the future.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Tuesday December 7th, 2021 9:05:13 PM My teeth are a bit tougher than average, a quality a gained from Camalayas. As for the scorpion, the outside is crunchy and bitter, but the inside is like a fine beef jerky. If you cook it, it will taste kind of like a fried chicken skin.
Where we come from, life was a bit....tougher and did was scarce. If we fought anything, the best was brought back to the clan and we would feast.
ooc: Can the carapace and stinger be used for crafting weapons, barding, and armor? Say a druid friendly hide or plate armor? Can the poison sack or stinger be salvaged?
DM Kathy Tuesday December 7th, 2021 10:39:38 PM Zazu remains alert, but the scorpion remains dead.
Ash wonders idly if they are good eatin', before beginning to heal the party.
Naithi is interested in scavenging bits from the scorpion. It's possible the carapace could be used to craft armor and/or weapons, but it would require a master crafter. Certainly nobody in Freedom's Landing could manage it.
Lothlo knows that large insects like this one do inhabit forests. This particular one probably lived for a time in the Deep Culverwood, then somehow came here to the Tamed Lands. Try as you might, you can't figure out a way the Thieves' Guild could be responsible for it.
Sahabiel waits patiently for her turn for healing. She is still poisoned, and needs two successful DC 20 Fort saves in a row to get rid of it. Luckily, Ash's spell will keep her from feeling the effects in the meantime.
Panzer and Beech begin looking for the scorpion's lair and/or treasure cache. You don't turn anything up immediately, but after a few false starts and some poking around, you find a spot where Beech's Detect Magic reveals a few auras.
Eventually, you find a magic cloak, two scrolls, and a potion.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 3d6=3 ; d6=3 ; d6=2 ; d6=4 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 10:46:45 PM
Sahabiel will ask if any still have need of assisted healing. If any do, she will invite them to sit around her so that they can all bathe in a surge of life-force strengthening positive energy. This is not so much a divinely guided act of restoration like the incantation in the wand, and more akin to supercharging natural healing, but the result is the same even if the method is less precise.
OOC: 3d6=3 means all rolls were 1s, house rule is to reroll 1s when channeling healing. Subsequent rolls are one at a time. 3+2+4 = 9 hp recovered for everyone near Sahabiel
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 d20+10=23 ; d20+13=31 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 11:24:17 PM
I examine the carapace and begin loading it up, along with all the meat Camalayas, Cuddly Mule and myself can carry. I know there is no one capable of crafting such armor in camp, but perhaps I can find someone in the Emerald Kingdom that can, or I can learn to craft it myself. (Worst case scenario this will be reskinned standard armor for rp)
Knowledge Nature = 23 Survival to collect poison and crafting materials= 31
Harvesting from Dead Creatures: Once a venomous creature is slain, its venom sacs can be removed, allowing 1 or more doses of its venom to be harvested for later use. In order to harvest venom, the creature must have been dead for less than 24 hours. Every hour the source creature has been dead reduces the lifespan of the harvested poison by an hour. Removing venom sacs is a messy and time-consuming process, requiring 10 minutes of work, access to surgical tools, and a container to store the venom in. If proper surgical tools are not available, a dagger or other light slashing weapon can be used, although this imposes a –2 penalty on checks to harvest the venom. The harvester must succeed at a Survival check (DC = 15 + the dead creature’s CR) in order to successfully harvest poison. On a success, the harvester acquires a single dose of the creature’s venom, plus 1 additional dose for every 5 by which the result of this check exceeded the DC (to a maximum number of doses equal to the creature’s Constitution modifier, minimum 1). Failing the check causes all of the venom to be lost. Failure by 5 or more exposes the harvester to 1d3 doses of the creature’s venom unless she has the poison use class feature.
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character d20+7=13 ; d20+7=25 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 11:29:35 PM
Beech uses Read Magic to determine the scrolls, then Spellcrafts the cloak and potion to identify them.
Cloak =13 Potion =25
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) d20+15=21 ; d20+15=20 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 11:42:10 PM
Zazu also looks at the items to ID them ... 21 and 20
Ash (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Wednesday December 8th, 2021 2:40:22 AM
Ash has a look at what Beech and Zazu are doing. She casts Detect Magic and has a go herself, taking her time while she does so to make sure she does a good job.
Always prepared, Ash has a glass bottle in her backpack which she retrieves and hands to Naithi. "I could give a go at preserving that poison" Ash offers while Nathi extracts it from the scorpion. "I'm getting ok at alchemy and that sort of thing." She has no real interest in the huge carapace of the scorpion, though does want just a small amount to make the handle of a dagger at some stage. Nothing immediate.
------------------ Spellcraft to ID each item: 27 (Take10)
Nightingale (JonS) HP 12/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 d20+9=26 ; Wednesday December 8th, 2021 12:33:59 PM
While the others are looking for the, and at, the treasures, Nightingale wants to look around for remains of any other creatures or people whom the scorpion may have gotten, as it might give a clue as to who has been around here lately
OOC: Not sure what to roll for this one, but I included a perception check in case that works
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 d20+13=15 ; Wednesday December 8th, 2021 1:30:02 PM
I thank Ash for the jar and accept any help she offers. I'm not really sure what to do with this. The poison should be safe to ingest, I have no plans on putting it on my teeth or claws. I also refuse to sell it, just for it to end up in the hands of the thieves guild to be used against us. However, leaving it feels like rejecting nature's gift.
After field dressing the the scorpion I examine the place we were ambushed from and try to determine if it was an ambush point or lair. If it didn't live there I will attempt to track there prints back to it's nest .
Survival check to track = 15
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 38/45 ) Character Sheet Wednesday December 8th, 2021 6:22:17 PM
With all the magic capable people in the group, Panzer doesn't even try to figure out what the magic stuff is. He does however cuddle up for that healing that Sahabiel offers. After that he scratches his head and tentatively, at first, then with some more conviction, addresses the elephant in the room. " So, I hear, almost every day from at least one of you guys, that you are afraid of these thieves. One of the reasons Papa let me go out and have this adventure was to make me learn that fear is just , well, kinda silly. It can keep you alive, and yeah, fear for the well being of friends or family can be a big motivator for getting things done, but overall it just hampers you from living life to the fullest. " "Anyway, the thieves guild keeps coming up. Papa's friend wants thm removed so that his friends can be safe. You want them gone because they have wronged you and threaten the village you are building. I am no big planner, I mean stuff just works better for me when I fly by the seat of my pants. But we should really, I mean really look into making these guys a memory. Besides, they probably have access to the foodstuffs and materials to help the village prosper. So lets stop being afraid of them and start doing something to get rid of them." " Oh, and Naithi, If you fill up some sacks I can carry some more scorpion meat back too. I'm small but I can carry alot."
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 Wednesday December 8th, 2021 9:18:12 PM Right now the Thieve's Guild are a thousand angry hornets nests, one of which is in our back yard. And we we're taught the hard way that we are currently the foolish child down the street throwing stones at a single hive. A hive big enough to destroy everyone in our town. Maybe one day we'll be able to stand up to them, but we aren't there yet. Last time they literally Mi-Go, a creature no from the Wold, to try to kill a ferryman we had never met as a warning to us. Next time they won't give us a chance to stop the murderer before they kill. At the moment we are best off keeping a wide berth until they have forgotten about us.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Wednesday December 8th, 2021 10:00:26 PM
Sahabiel keeps watch while everyone else mills about, needing a few minutes to fight off the poison even with the help of the magics that Ash cast -- and for which the half-elf offers her gratitude.
All in all though, she finds herself in agreement with Panzer where it comes to the group's awkward fixation on the Thieves' Guild. "Being on their bad side is a problem to be sure, but what did ya ever do to them that they would devote even half as much time to yer as ya seem to worry they do?"
DM Kathy Wednesday December 8th, 2021 11:08:37 PM Sahabiel provides some additional healing, if needed.
[OOC: Good reminder. When healing, roll those dice one at a time!]
Naithi is able to harvest 2 doses of scorpion venom, as well as part of the carapace. Ash is able to assist her, and claims a small bit of the carapace for a handle.
Nightingale takes a look around, and readily sees that the scorpion has been snacking on forest creatures. You find bones of deer, raccoon, skunks, rabbits, and other creatures.
Panzer asks about the Thieves' Guild, and Lothlo warns him that they are not to be trifled with.
Beech discovers that the scrolls are Neutralize Poison and Locate Object. You consider using the neutralize scroll on Sahabiel, but she does (eventually) shake the poison on her own.
Zazu determines the cloak to be a Cloak of Elvenkind. The potion is Endure Elements.
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) Wednesday December 8th, 2021 11:59:51 PM
Zazu puts on the cloak. "I love this! I hope no one minds if I wear it until we figure out who gets it when we get back?"
Boyo sneezes.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Thursday December 9th, 2021 1:44:30 AM
Ash's eyes go wide as she looks at Naithi. "Safe to ingest? You want to eat it? I was just thinking of carrying it around just in case it comes in handy some day"
If Naithi does want to give the poison a taste, Ash has a Delay Poison spell on hand and ready to cast.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 12/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Thursday December 9th, 2021 3:19:38 AM
After looking around for a bit, Nightingale will share. "I don't see that the scorpion was eating anything other than forest dwellers. it probably was the cause of the wound on the deer as I see deer bones in it's refuse pile."
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Thursday December 9th, 2021 8:42:44 AM
I give a light laugh. I don't plan to eat it. I think people usually apply this poison to their weapons, but since Camalayas and I use our teeth in combat, I was meaning it could make poisoning our weapons troublesome.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 38/45 ) Character Sheet Thursday December 9th, 2021 11:03:24 AM " Well aside from whoever was wearing these items anyway. " Panzer says pointing at the cloak, potion and scrolls and smiling at Nightengale. " I wonder if stuff like this wanders out of the Deep Culverwood often? We should makes sure the hunters don't tangle with something like this if they see it first. If they don't see it first... do we have a board or anything that people going out into the woods post where they are hunting or foraging each day? That way if someone doesn't come back we know where to go looking. I was wondering what color they sky was today when it jumped out and grabbed me, I'm sure the hunters are far more observant. Anyway...." Panzer turns back to Lotholo and tries his best to be reassuring. " Like Sahabiel said If they are not trying to get rid of you full time you must not have disturbed them enough. The thing is you know about them and the threat they could pose to your village. Instead of worrying about it all the time, start doing the stuff I am not good at. PLAN. The old resistance against Parnoth is willing to help you get info on the guild. They are good people. My papa worked with them and while neither he nor they killed the tyrant, they helped put the Emerald Dragons in a position to do just that. Learn their moves, gauge their strengths and weaknesses and when we are ready we remove the assassins from their guild and return it to the rebels, greatly stabilizing the region. To answer your question though, yes, you are currently giving them way too much room in your head." Hearing Ash's gasp and only hearing half the conversation Panzer says " Well of course we can eat it. A creature this big, properly preserved could feed the village for months." Pamzer pauses wrinkling his nose for a second, you realize that he is thinking, at least you think that's what he is doing. " Can any of you preserve this corpse for a few days, with magic or other skills? If so we could bring the kitchen staff out here and harvest ALOT of this big boy. Pickle him, can him, smoke him and lay in a good stock of meat, at least for awhile. The Culverwood might even be happy about it. We removed a disrupting presence and then used it's meat to keep us from having to hunt as much for awhile. Can we do that?"
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character d20+7=14 ; Thursday December 9th, 2021 11:47:54 AM "Well, I'm not a bad cook, the elders made sure I knew how to prepare and store food. I spent a few weeks a couple times a year out on the Isle. They kept me active in schooling me in what I would have learned if I lived out there full time. At least I didn't end up with a set of scars like mom. Let's see if its actually edible, it is a vermin after all, and not everything is safe to eat, especially if it's tainted."
Beech will start a small camp fire, pull out his pans and carve off a couple small parts. And after the fire gets settled to a nice even heat, he'll try a couple different types of the meat and a couple cooking styles.
Profession Cook 14
Once finished, he'll off it to Panzer, he seems willing to try most anything.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 d20+2=6 ; d20+13=32 ; Thursday December 9th, 2021 1:56:13 PM
As the others talk of cooking the scorpion I try to offer my help, but suddenly only recipes using the uncooked meat come to mind. Steak Tartare and scorpion sushi...I doubt anyone but Camalayas and myself would appreciate it (cooking=6)
I have a complete spice kit in my gear and cooking utensils. I also have a blessed frying pan that heats up on command without the need of fire.
As for preserving the food, we have come across this problem before. Using the spells purify food and water and prestidigitation we can keep everything in good condition. I don't have them prepared now, but I can prepare the purify spell in the morning. I also field dressed the scorpion, so it should keep well enough in the short term.
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) d20+10=16 ; Thursday December 9th, 2021 4:10:10 PM
Zazu lends a hand with survival skills as best as possible to preserve the meat -- and to tell if it is good.
Survival 16
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character Thursday December 9th, 2021 4:35:57 PM
Beech indicates he bought a master work cooking gear while they were in the city, and that no, he needs a heat source with it. "Prestidigitation, isn't a problem.... I think I learned that trick as my second spell when i was a toddler. Have you ever tried to get mud and gunk out of fur and from between the pads of your feet? Let me tell you, it's almost impossible without a full bath and a clean rinse afterwards."
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Thursday December 9th, 2021 7:59:52 PM
In answer to Panzer’s question, Sahabiel grins and says, “Speaking as one who only too recently came out of the Deep Culverwood myself, I can say ya don’t see the likes of that very often even there. Although I’ll give ya that unusual things do happen there a lot more often than outside. I would not be at all surprised if this scorpion were something that stumbled up into the Wold from the First World(*) below… the boundaries can be a bit thin at times, especially around crossroads.”
(*) Sahabiel actually speaks this name in the Sylvan fey language, using their own more respectful name for the place rather than calling it “Wold’s Cradle”.
Food again proves to be a sure way to get Sahabiel’s attention, and when the smell of parts of the monstrously large scorpion being cooked starts to drift across the temporary camp site, the knightly half-elf is there eager to try the meat as much as Panzer is. Sahabiel does recite a prayer of purity (Purify Food and Drink) over her meal, and over any meal served to anyone else just to be safe. “I can not add flavour or preserve, but by the grace of my Patron and the Will of the Wood, I can at least ensure that it is safe to eat.”
Hearing that the blessing of her purify prayer can be used in conjunction with a bit of arcane magic to help preserve the state of food, she gladly works together with Beech who has that magic, to make sure they get to bring a lot of meat home!
(Sahabiel has Putify Food and Drink prepared right now (and always), so that will not need to wait for Naithi to change their spell selection)
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 Thursday December 9th, 2021 9:04:20 PM In answer to your question about what we did, we broke up an illegal operation they had going on here run by low level thugs. They sent a single professional to send us a warning, a woman named Silken. A thief so skilled that we didn't notice her until she was already whispering in our ears. But it was the warning she gave that sticks. You see, she didn't go after us. She didn't go after people we cared about. She sent us racing to a man we had never met that she had laid an ambush for. She wanted us to know that any further interference would be responded to swiftly, and that people would die for our actions.
It's been long enough that hopefully they've calmed down, but this was a similar MO, and a hunter learns to keep an eye out for the track of both his prey, and signs he's being hunted by something. Hopefully at this point we don't need to worry about them sending us another message, if we've learned our lesson I'm sure they have more important things to do.
DM Kathy Thursday December 9th, 2021 10:21:55 PM Zazu puts on the cloak. For the moment, nobody claims the scrolls or potion.
Your attention turns to scorpion meat, whether it is good, how it can be preserved, and how it can be prepared. You soon find that most of the usable meat is in the tail, with some meat in the claws. The body and legs, you soon discover, are mostly carapace, with stringy sinews for movement. A person could eat them if they were desperate, but you are not desperate, so you concentrate on the tail and claws.
You clean some of the meat and cook it to try it. The flavor proves to be a bit gamey, but it's perfectly edible.
As you eat, you discuss your ongoing feud with the Thieves' Guild. You haven't heard anything from them in a while, but nobody is so optimistic as to believe they've forgotten about you.
After your scorpion snack, you'll need to make a plan for packing up what you can and getting back to Freedom's Landing before dark.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 12/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Friday December 10th, 2021 12:11:47 AM
Nightingale wonders aloud, "Before we head back, should we look around this area to see if there are any more of these large creatures wandering around, or see if there is anyone else around?"
Ash (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Friday December 10th, 2021 12:27:33 AM
Ash chuckles with Naithi, now realizing the joke about drinking the poison.
She's ready to try and put the thieves guild out of mind. "They may likely go after a softer target now and leave us alone. We may not be worth the effort. That, or they'll want to make an example of us and will throw whatever they can at us. Either way, we can't live in fear and expect to see them everywhere. We live our lives and deal with them when we have to"
Ash will do one last circle of the area to make sure there aren't any humanoid bones about. After that she's ready to move on.
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character Friday December 10th, 2021 2:48:47 PM
Beech is not the physically the strongest, but his body will probably let him carry the most weight, especially since he isn't wearing armor that has actual weight. He'll just need help making sure it's balanced correctly, so it's easier to walk with it on his back and hanging in saddle bag type backpacks.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 38/45 ) Character Sheet Friday December 10th, 2021 6:31:26 PM
Panzer is naturally strong from his mining days and will pack out as much of the claw and tail meat as he can carry.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Friday December 10th, 2021 8:53:54 PM
I help carry the scorpion, bite give a lot of it to Cuddly Mule.
Please don't over burden yourselves. There is always the the chance we'll be attacked again. Cuddly Mule travels with me for just this sort of thing.
ooc: A light load for a mule is up to 230 pounds; a medium load, 231-460 pounds; and a heavy load, 461-690 pounds. A mule can drag 3,450 pounds.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 Friday December 10th, 2021 9:06:10 PM I don't think there are any more scorpions, we were tracking them the whole time and only saw the one set. Granted, we didn't see the elephant sized scorpion hiding within striking distance... so a second look is probably a wise move.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Friday December 10th, 2021 10:51:14 PM
At Nightingale's suggestion, which comes conveniently around the time she is recovering, Sahabiel will study the tracks, to make sure they are not overlooking the possibility of there being more than one such scorpion. She focuses her mind with a prayer before attending the tracks.
Guidance prayer for +1, Take10 on the check, 10+12+1 = 23
She suggests to keep the Neutralize Poison scroll in the settlement's emergency supplies, unless someone can use it to learn to cast the spell themselves, in which case that might be more beneficial. With this half-foraging lifestyle, it could be a matter of time before someone eats something they should not have, and it might save a settler's life then.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 12/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Friday December 10th, 2021 11:40:15 PM
Nightingale offers, "I can do some healing if anyone needs any, also, I can store some of the scorpion bits and pieces in my bag if needed. If we're sure there are no others of these then maybe we should make our way back home."
Zazu (AC20, HP25) and Boyo the bunny (AC16, HP12) (Cayzle) Saturday December 11th, 2021 12:30:08 AM
Zazu helps lead the way home. The native-born elf feels comfortable finding the way in the Culverwood.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 20 (T14, FF17) CMD 20 HP 38/45 ) Character Sheet Saturday December 11th, 2021 10:44:08 AM
Panzer marches back to town, eager to continue getting houses done in preparation for winter.
DM Kathy Saturday December 11th, 2021 12:27:17 PM Nightingale suggest searching for signs of other large predators, and Sahabiel and Lothlo are eager to help. There is only time for a cursory search, but you don't find anything. Indeed, it is unlikely the local ecosystem could support two predators of the size you just fought. Perhaps, now that the huge scorpion is dead, another large predator will move in to fill that niche, but that's another problem for another time.
Ash looks around and confirms what Nightingale found earlier--the scorpion has been eating animals not people.
Beech and Panzer each take a large portion of the scorpion meat, and Naithi is able to put quite a bit on Cuddly Mule. Among the group, you are able to carry the tail and claw meat, as well as the harvested carapace bits. You leave the sinewy body and legs for the forest scavengers, and Zazu leads the way home.
You arrive back in Freedom's Landing shortly after sunset. The evening meal is mostly over, but there is enough venison stew left over for you to have some. The camp cooks are overwhelmed by the addition of so much scorpion meat, and put it away to be dealt with in the morning.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 12/27 AC 18 CMD: 21 Saturday December 11th, 2021 6:05:43 PM OOC: I totally forgot that I'm wandering around with a Bag of Holding as Nightingale's "backpack," so we do have extra storage space for future encounters where we can bring back fresh fruits/veggies/meat.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 41/41 Saturday December 11th, 2021 7:30:34 PM
Back at the town, Ash goes looking for the hunters. She wants to let them know that the problem has been dealt with (and what it actually was!)
Beech (JohnC) AC 14(18)/14/14,HP 20/20 Character Monday December 13th, 2021 5:42:03 PM
Beech is more than happy to shed the load he helped carry back to camp.... It was manual labor.... perish the thought... But he wasn't the spellcaster his mom is, at least not yet. Maybe a few spells that make life easier could be a choice for the near future. He heads back to his tent and gets ready to sleep, letting the others handle the return to camp.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 40/40 Monday December 13th, 2021 8:29:11 PM
After dinner and helping to unload the spoils of their hunt, Sahabiel sees that everything that needs attending is already attended to. As she was able to spare the magics she needs for her tree, she will go about her usual ritual for growing and shaping her tree, before retiring to bed herself.
Since we never changed the arrangement, I assume Sahabiel still shares accommodations with Beech, who she has come to considers a good friend.
If Beech is still awake when she joins him, she will make light conversation about the day... the low of which for her was definitely taking a hit from that poison stinger. She thanks Beech for his part in bringing that monster down before it could do worse to her or anyone else.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 45/45, CMD: 21 Monday December 13th, 2021 9:03:55 PM
Lothlo returns to camp, relieved that this is one threat that seems to be taken care of and won't be weighing on his mind. He joins the others in some hearty stew.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/13/17 HP: 50/50 , CMD = 16 Monday December 13th, 2021 10:18:41 PM
I spend some time collecting berries for my good berries and check in on Buggo and the crops. After that I take Camalayas and Fizzgig and invite the girls to join me in cleaning up down at the river.
We look for a secluded spot where the river forms small pocket under a weeping willow. I then use shape wood on the branches to create a privacy curtain and on a log to make a thin wall to block the current. I then cast Rose's temperature control on the wood to heat up the water in our very own make shift bath house.
Camalayas, Fizzgig and I then spend some much needed down time cleaning up, playing in the water, and taking a relaxing soak with whoever joins us
ooc: This is designed to be a temporary retreat that I expect nature to reclaim overnight. It is not a permanent structure.
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