DM Kathy Tuesday June 21st, 2022 10:24:38 PM
You have a pleasant journey to Freedom's Landing, discussing strategy and trying out new skills.
Zazu learned that many of the lesser thieves you captured accepted exile for their crimes, and are presumably on their way to Dirt City. Silken was not offered such a deal, nor was councilor Pagolor. Evidence is still being gathered and sorted for their upcoming trials.
On your return, you find Freedom's Landing much as you left it. Has it really only been a couple of weeks? The riverside quay is complete, as is the small building near the quay. The townsfolk have started work on a substantial treehouse, which they hope will serve as a home for two or three families.
As Ash had previously learned, Myre had departed seeking adventure in Plateau City, but everyone else is still there, including Grindar, who is hard at work on the new treehouse.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 d20+7=11 ; d20+7=21 ; Tuesday June 21st, 2022 10:27:26 PM Updated current hit points
Sahabiel notices that Zazu does something (she has a fairly high passive perception of 17 due to having both Keen Senses and Alertness), but since she isn't suspicious of Zazu she doesn't pay too much attention and doesn' t quite catch what it was, believing them to be merely adjusting something for her. She chuckles as she listens to the explanation and trap-making intent... "Oh, if ya did it exactly that way, I am afraid ya would be in for a rather nasty surprise... any glyphs I know how to write work by calling to the divine Will of the Wood, and a divinely empowered glyph would not be that easily fooled as to who caused it to be activated, hm? Still, with a few tweaks I figure ya have something that could work there..."
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Tuesday June 21st, 2022 10:48:16 PM
Beech looks over the quay, and is satisfied with the current work, He still thinks they need a Bridge for getting across the river as well as a dry dock for repairs and eventual building of flat bottom or mostly flat bottom boats for river use. He had a new thoughts, of a ramp to pull them up to a pivot plate and then able to rotate it to one of four other slides where work can be done on dry ground, without needing a pumping system to empty out water. Beech also informs the group that he can finally cast the spell his mom calls Party Favors, As she says, "It's not a party, until the bombs start exploding and the rats start running." Highlight to display spoiler: { Fireball }
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Tuesday June 21st, 2022 11:12:52 PM
ooc: Naithi's fighting style was like that, and will be like that again now that she is becoming more fey, except her style is more balletic, like River from Firefly.
I recommend a couple things.
1)Roll an acrobatics roll and the higher it is the more flashy the attack 2)Use acrobatics to mine through threatened squares and past enemies 3)Use acrobatics to high jump and kick someone in the face or run up a larger enemy 4)Use acrobatics to long jump over obstacles to get at enemies
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 4:26:44 AM
Ash checks in with the people of Freedom's Landing. She's keen to hear what has been happening these past few days. Any incidents she should know about? Everyone happy? Everyone healthy?
When she's done fussing she makes sure to spend some free time with the children. She'll cast some cantrips for fun, play hide-and-seek and other games with them, and (when parents aren't looking) cast Prestidigitation to make some of the food taste really sweet!
Other than that, she tries to find any small offerings that can be made to the fey and the forest. She'll see if she can find a plate of cookies to leave by the edge of the forest. Fey like cookies, right?
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 1:56:41 PM
OOC: Thanks for the info
Nightingale will check on her home. If everything is in order then she'll wander around and check in on folks, to see if anyone needs any help with anything.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 9:01:50 PM
When they get back Lothlo feeds his trusty mule, giving her a good meal and a long over due brushing. He then makes his way to the guard towers, and briefs those on watch of the events in town. Lothlo doesn't particularly expect the exiled thieves to cause trouble, but still wants to make sure the proper precautions are taken on the off chance there are a few angry guild members hanging around.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 9:12:52 PM
Naithi enjoys being back and checks on the progress of the city as well as Buggo and his training.
ooc: Quick post as I need to finish my character sheet updates
DM Kathy Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 10:45:49 PM
Discussions of strategy make way for discussions of the new town. Ash finds that everyone is healthy and there is no trouble apart from a few minor squabbles.
Nightingale also checks on people and finds them well. The crafters show her the first few items with mother-of-pearl inlays made from the river mussels. The pieces are beautiful and probably worth decent coin to the right buyer.
Naithi checks on the progress of the city. You remember that a couple of large buildings have been built, and most of the townsfolk are sheltering in them. Now, people are eager to build family houses so they can move out of the buildings and turn them to their intended use.
Lothlo checks on the guard towers and finds they are holding up well. The town does keep a watch, but...well, they are townsfolk, not soldiers. They do the best they can.
Beech tours the waterfront, dreaming of a boatbuilding and dry dock facility. You could maybe create such a thing, but it would eat up most of the waterfront and make it difficult to turn Freedom's Landing into a trading city. There is a likely-looking spot across the river; perhaps the facility could go there.
That evening, supper is an impromptu celebration of your return, and the townsfolk are eager to hear tales of your adventures.
[OOC: I've promised to let you guys do a certain amount of town-building each module, so let me know if there's anything particular you'd like to see. Right now, the townsfolk have decided to concentrate on building homes. Do you concur? Or do you have other thoughts?]
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 11:00:31 PM
At supper, Beech eats, but also lets the Ioun stone orbit his head in all of it's flaming glory. He also makes a suggestion, "I agree that homes are important, but maybe a suspension bridge across the river up in the trees for just foot traffic, will make life easier. Continue using the ferry for cargo right now until we get time for my pivot bridge to be built for horses and wagons, or whatever is used for pulling the cargo around. Also, there's a nice tree over there, I'd like to eventually use as the foundation for what I want as my own dwelling, as long as no one else has claimed it." Spending a lot of time on the supper, (take 10 or if possible 20 gets a 16 or 26 Profession Cook check) The new spices are just the thing.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Thursday June 23rd, 2022 12:23:18 AM
Zazu is happy that things are going well. The elf does feel stupid about one thing. "We should have looked up that witch back in the Emerald City, the one who said she would come help us with ideas for agriculture. We gotta hold her to her promise some time."
"I think a shipyard on the far side of the river is a great idea," Zazu tells Beech. "I'm not sure a bridge should take priority over houses, though. People really want homes."
Zazu practices with the new ranged legerdemain, and works with Sahabiel and Naithi to cast Glyphs and Fire Traps on boxes and flasks, if it seems to be working out. [OOC: Kindly DM Kathy, please see the Rules Board. Can I use Sleight of Hand to plant items? Can I use Open to trigger traps from afar? Up to you!]
Zazu puts some time into improving the water traps the rogue helped set up to catch fish and crawdads and such. [OOC: spending personal wealth on this, but I'll know how much after getting served in the CC.]
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Thursday June 23rd, 2022 1:39:48 AM
Nightingale has some skills she can use around the town ... not sure what she can "Take 10" on ... Survival +7 Craft: Clothier +7 Swim: +8 Prof: Midwife +7
She's also willing to teach martial arts and dancing to anyone who's interested
Otherwise she'll help out with the building and exploring, unless we're running off on another adventure
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Thursday June 23rd, 2022 7:38:50 AM
Panzer heads to his tent and puts away his gear. He then starts digging again, trying to get his home finished before winter.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Thursday June 23rd, 2022 7:36:03 PM
Sahabiel joins Ash in meeting with the leading figures in the settlement such as Murzush and Codru, to catch up on what happened while they were away, and to ask what the people need most right now.
She also privately approaches the 'reborn' Naithi -she is a little unclear on that actually, but Naithi has been positive that it is a blessing from Queen Mab, and Sahabiel is not going to second-guess that particular elder archfae unless she absolutely has to- with a proposal for a ritual that is going to need both of their talents... "Being suddenly away from caring for my tree and garden for a few days like we just had, I have been thinking about calling on the help of the nature spirits", she explains, "This is going to take at least a week, with help, or else two, to produce a magical plant spiritually suitable of serving as the body for one.. but once we do, I believe it would be a strong step towards restoring a little of the old primal connection of the Deep Culverwood to the area behind my tree. It would be a step towards creating a grove, as well as a garden where the spirits would be able to raise plants of greater spiritual potency that would otherwise be difficult to grow. But to do it I need someone who can work at least some druid magic for the one part of the ritual I can't do myself.. and since I thought ya might like the idea of bringing a few friends from the faewild over, perhaps ya would help?"
(ooc: Sahabiel is proposing to perform the ritual to create a leaf leshy, the little 1/2CR plant-bodied spirit gardeners that can tend groves. Additionally, since both her own patron and Naithi's are connected to the Primal Faewild where leshy spirits are also native, she would augment the process using a Calling prayer (Lesser Planar Ally) to first bring over a Sunflower Leshy (a 2 HD creature) and instead of asking it to perform a service, offer her help in the leshy's own instinctive goal of forming communities. Having a leshy involved in the creation of another leshy both reduces the requirement for materials (by a quarter) and time (by half), and more importantly waives the failure chance at the end of the process because one leshy will always be able to bring another leshy spirit to inhabit the plant body. Sahabiel's ritual offering in the Calling of the first leshy would be 500 gold worth of blessed and specially treated and refined (with Herbalism skill checks) seeds and herbs. The subsequent incorporation of a locally grown leaf leshy would then require a reduced 375 gold worth of such materials and one week of work. The place to grow the leaf leshy body would be in the soil at the foot of her tree, which from all the prayer and channeling she has used there must by now be fairly charged with residual divine magic for purposes like this?)
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Thursday June 23rd, 2022 9:04:06 PM
Naithi offers to go help Sahabiel if there is any way she can. She also likes on on the crops and orchard she helped set up and the mushroom cavern.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Thursday June 23rd, 2022 9:12:55 PM
Sharp shooter considers Zazu's idea of a shipyard. If we were capable of building our own ships and doing repairs for people that would certainly help our town grow. Do you think we have the skills needed for such a venture? If nothing else, a few fishing boats could come in handy in the winter when foraging isn't as fruiteful.
In the evening Lothlo takes a well deserved rest joins in the celebratory dinner, pulling out his lyre and playing while recanting the adventure.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Thursday June 23rd, 2022 9:17:12 PM
When everything is taken care of Naithi crosses the river and heads North West towards The Deep Culverwood. On her way she looks for a nice place to set up her Druid Grove.
She carefully prepares the area and cultivates it before blessing it with plant growth to boost the plants potential.
ooc: I was reviewing our past plans and just remembered that Naithi had tried starting her grove and was told she had to wait until after the bridge was finished.
DM Kathy Friday June 24th, 2022 12:04:59 AM
At dinner, Beech suggests building a bridge, and claims a tree for his own dwelling.
Zazu points out that homes may be more useful at this point, and helps repair and create some traps for catching food.
Nightingale helps out around town. There's no current need for midwifery, but her other skills come in handy. [OOC: your DM is a big fan of taking 10; you can take 10 on most things]
Panzer puts in some more work digging his new home.
Sahabiel approaches Naithi with an idea for creating spirit gardeners. Naithi is all for it, and also begins thinking about where to situate her grove. [OOC: The town does not yet have a bridge, but you can still cross the river and look around.]
Lothlo is intrigued by the idea of a shipyard, but wonders whether you have enough skilled craftspeople.
Indeed, nobody currently living in Freedom's Landing has trained as a shipwright. You may be able to attract some in time, especially if you intend on building a nice new facility for them, but it may be best to concentrate on other things first. If you want to become a center for trade, it might be best to concentrate on things to promote trade.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Friday June 24th, 2022 4:33:29 AM
Ash practices some of her new spells with Zazu, no doubt having fun with Invisibility!
She has no grand plans for town and leaves those sort of designs to the others. For now, she's quite content with how things are.
She tries to find ways to relax and enjoy the downtime she has in the town.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Friday June 24th, 2022 10:02:56 AM
The cultivation of a plant into becoming one that a leshy spirit will inhabit takes many days, but only a little time on each day before the final day-long ritual, so Sahabiel has ample time to involve herself with the people of the settlement both in her duties as a priestess and healer/herbalist to help keep up morale and the occasional scrapes and illness, and as someone who is familiar with (and learned much of her common sense in) a community living within the sometimes challenging environment of the Deep Culverwood.
With so many houses being built, and talk of bridges and docks and building boats to go onto the river, Sahabiel can feel that she is not going to resolve the settlement's hunger for building materials with reed and clay alone.. and she is genuinely concerned that the policy the settlement has been pursuing to only take 'spontaneous' resources such as wood from trees such as that had naturally fallen over in storms, could only be stretched so far.
Using her own high skill at foraging, and spreading word through the local leaders, she begins organizing daily gatherings as she did before when she spread the use of reed, wattle and daub, but this time for the groups of hunters, wood-gatherers, and others that work to provide for their families and tribe with the bounty of the surrounding land. With a bit of preaching the tenets of the Culverwood and a lot of practical advise, not to mention spending of her own coin to import proper tools for those drawn to her guidance, Sahabiel starts forging the disparate individual efforts together and fostering a sense of group identity around what she is lovingly calling the "Hand that Brings", as a group that shares information, makes sure nobody wastes effort going where another had already just gone over, and can pool tools or mobilize extra manpower towards larger tasks. (ooc: she is making herself a founding member and financier of what in a human society might be called a Forestry Guild, but with the large number of tribal orcs and other non-humans in Freedom Landing, it would be more culturally familiar to them to wrap such an organization in a little veneer of mysticism and initiations as part of learning the forestry trade)
The group values that Sahabiel nurtures in the Hand that Brings are to religiously pursue responsible stewardship, a symbiosis of forest and people, replanting everywhere that can sustain it, culling where needed so that what remains grows vigorously, and taking only as much as what they also help nature regenerate. For the hand of man (or orc) to labor to strengthen nature's ability to rejuvenate itself, and take their fair share of the resulting excess bounty with respect to the forest and pride in their work.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Friday June 24th, 2022 10:28:49 AM
Upon hearing of Sahabiel and Naithi's plans, Nightingale will offer her services as an extra devotee of Queen Maab to their endeavor.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Friday June 24th, 2022 2:51:12 PM
Naithi offers to help Sahabiel in her efforts and shows her what steps she initially took to help preserve the land while providing the growing town with the supplies it needs.
To my knowledge, you are the only other person here currently capable of replicating this practice. Ages ago this land was part of the Deep Culverwood and it was by some magic of Parnoth, the green dragon, that the forest retreated from around the Emerald Kingdom. That is the reason why I have no qualms about replanting so many trees here.
In order to provide the resources we needed for a growing town, I collected a variety of plants that would help assist us the most and planted them together. I them cast plant growth in them, you cleric domain should grant you the spell. It turned the area into an overgrown thick jungle. We them replanted the fruit trees into an orchard, crops to another area, and thorny plants, like raspberry bushes, around the border of the town. They were to be part of a natural defense if the orcs we escaped from tried to recapture us. We also used plants to form a natural border that would keep children from wandering into The Deep Culverwood accidentally.
After our crops were planted I cast plant growth again to enrich the growing areas and increase the yield. We decided we would rather nurture what is here than deforest the area.
Also, I grew up in a forest Similar to the Deep Culverwood. Increasing the number of trees growing throughout Freedoms Landing makes it feel more like home to me.
ooc: We started the game in a forest, but there was miscommunication on the map and it was changed. According to Jerry: "Remember, you're in the Tamed Lands. Think golf course or city park--artificial looking? There are trees, but not a wild forest. Parnoth did this to keep Deep Culverwood at bay. The elves of the forest still HATE Parnoth for this."
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Friday June 24th, 2022 3:42:44 PM
Beech argues, "I said a cargo bridge was the idea for the future, but setting up a rope bridge up in the trees across the river at a height of say 25' will be a huge help. People would be able to cross freely, without having to wait on the ferry boat. It won't take a lot of time, or a lot of resources to build, but the benefits will out way the slight delay in the building of homes, which I agree are needed." He will scout out two trees on both sides of the river, which will make great anchors for the bridge as well as the steps up to the bridge level. He also realizes it's going to be expensive to buy the next wand he wants....
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Friday June 24th, 2022 8:34:30 PM
Zazu mentions that we found a quarry for stone, and we either have built or are building a kiln for making bricks. Wood should NOT be a regular building material for this town!
Reeds and mud seem fine too, but is the climate dry enough to make that work? We cold use the kiln to dry them maybe? Or maybe sod would work better in a similar way?
Zazu agrees that maybe a rope bridge would be a good option for now. That should not be too hard to make, right?
The most important thing right now is that everyone is housed and fed. Hopefully with the mussel beds, the crawdad traps, and regular fishing, we have meat covered. What are we doing for farmland? We really need to get that greenmage witch to advise us.
And building houses is a good way to get everyone under a roof that is not canvas.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Friday June 24th, 2022 8:48:13 PM
Panzer kept digging. He was getting the rough shape done and soon would need things like doors, windows and stove.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Friday June 24th, 2022 9:05:58 PM
Lothlo joins some of the others in the party as they discuss possible future plans for the town.
We are making good progress right now, the is true. I think we are in good shape for the winter from what I've seen, but I'll check in the morning to make sure things are progressing as planned. If things look good, I think our next focus should be to start build some store houses so that we can protect our harvest and safely store fuel for the winter. We want to have a buffer of supplies for an emergency, and if we ever get enough stored up we can always trade surplus food for other useful items.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Friday June 24th, 2022 10:40:40 PM
ooc: We might need to get creative in the farming arena or get the DM to allows us to change some things. We planned to grow crops on the other side if the river, but that hasn't happened yet from what I can tell.
What we did grow were a lot of vine plants for a hanging garden. That was before we realized we were supposed to be in a grassy Tamed Land and not a forest.
We have a fruiting orchard, are growing tubers, berries, etc and a mushroom farm in an underground cave
DM Kathy Friday June 24th, 2022 10:51:03 PM Ash has no grand plans for the town, and is content to practice her spells and enjoy her downtime.
Sahabiel works a little each day on the plant that will become a leshy spirit. She also helps the townsfolk with building materials, but finds that many of her lessons are unnecessary. She'd gone over many of these same concepts just a few weeks ago, and the townsfolk hadn't yet developed any bad habits.
Nightingale and Naithi are eager to help Sahabiel with the leshy ritual, and with the building as well. Nightingale details what she was able to achieve with Plant Growth.
Zazu points out that you are also quarrying stone, and that you have plans to make bricks as well (but as far as your DM knows, no kiln has yet been built). The town isn't cutting wood for building purposes. They are cutting down some trees to make room for the actual town, but they are leaving most of them. The ones they cut down, however, are being used for building because waste not, want not.
Panzer keeps digging. Lothlo finds that the town is in pretty good shape for winter.
Beech explains his plan for a footbridge in the trees. You can certainly build this, but it may not be necessary to build it so high. There really isn't a need to make the river navigable upstream of Freedom's Landing. You've been up there, and it's just that cave and the mussels. Merchant traders aren't going to want to harvest that stuff themselves; they'll be content to buy from you. And the town's fishing boats can just put in upstream of the bridge. So, instead of a footbridge through the trees, you could build a normal, sturdy bridge at ground level--maybe even make it wide enough for a wagon.
Over the next week, as the leshy plants grow, several wattle-and-daub houses are built. Progress on the tree house is good, thanks to the Lyre of Building. You have a chance to get a closer look at the pieces the crafters have completed. They are the kinds of things traders might come here for. There are carved wooden hair combs, wooden boxes of various sizes, and even a wooden lap harp, all decorated with mother-of pearl inlay. (Maybe not quite this fancy, but this kind of thing.)
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Sunday June 26th, 2022 10:13:14 AM
"Ash, practicing stuff is a good idea!"
"Hey everybody! You guys know I cast illusions, right? I especially like to cast both real and illusion mists because it makes it hard for enemies to knwo which is which. But *WE* should all know! So let's use our Sylvan, and if I say I'm making a FOG then it is FAKE, and if I say it is CLOUD it is a CONJURATION! Get it? The first letter tells you! It works better in Sylvan." Zazu coaches just those two words with anyone who does not speak Sylvan.
Zazu practices illusions with the party (not anyone else around) so that people know what it is like.
Zazu also practices riding Boyo after casting Spider Climb on the dire bunny. They hop up trees, up the building, in the building, upside down on the ceilings, etc. They practice going up and along ropes with Spider Climb too.
And they practice with Zazu casting Jump on Boyo. And they practice running -- the magic saddle boosts Boyo's speed from 40 to 70! Zazu practices casting spells and picking pockets while Boyo hops around at speed!
How wide is our river? This rope bridge offers some good opportunities for practice. Climbing, jumping, and swimming practice!
Zazu laughs, long hair streaming out behind, wind whipping all around, as the bunny and trickster speed past a target, scorching ray blasting it as the bunny dashes hither and yon!
Zazu also practices using ranged legerdemain to plant vinegar and spices onto unsuspecting targets. "I'm PICKLING POCKETS too!"
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Sunday June 26th, 2022 7:39:35 PM
Ash has a look at all the hand-crafted items. If the traders are happy to sell her some items, she buys a haircomb and a small keepsake box to store it (and a few other smaller items) in.
She wonders about creating some sort of stamp for items produced in Freedom's Landing. If things are of high quality it could make them a sought after brand.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Monday June 27th, 2022 7:33:16 PM
When not working on helping others, Nightingale will also start looking for a place to make her own house. A treehouse would be nice, if there are any large enough to make such a home.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Monday June 27th, 2022 9:04:39 PM
A period of calm seems to be a rarity these days, and Lothlo enjoys the opportunity to let his weary muscles recover. Some days he joins the hunters to help keep the town supplied with enough meat, as well as furs that will be needed for warmth in the winter. Other days he head out to the fields, aiding in whatever is needed to keep the crops thriving. In the evenings he takes the opportunity to laugh and joke around the fire while he helps the craftsmen replenish the towns stockpile of arrows that they need for hunting and keeping dangerous animals away from the town.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Monday June 27th, 2022 10:11:19 PM
Naithi begins the work of planting her druid grove and making it such that it will grow into a peaceful haven of nature where fey and leshy can reflect on the majesty of nature.
She chooses a place between Freedom's Landing and The Deep Culverwood, looking for the largest and oldest tree in the area, a massive Weeping Willow. To either side she plants a small Druid Tree.
Next she plants two large circles of weeping willows to use as her root stock. The entire outside of the grove will be ringed to with weeping pine, spruce, elm, cedar and willows to create a wall of privacy. The inner ring will be Weeping flowing trees including weeping cherry, redbud and wisteria. (Right now it is just weeping willow trees, which can be grown from cuttings from one tree, and she will do the grafting in the future.)
Next she plants a large mushroom towards the center. Out from here will grow underground tendrils, the start don't e of mushroom which serve as a fairy circle the fey can dance around.
Her work requires many hours of transplanting saplings and cuttings followed by the casting of many spells. In fact, every night the group is in Freedoms Landing Naithi will expend her remaining spells to form the earth and speed the growth of her trees.
As she does this she ponders how she might infuse the trees with the magic of the Culverwood to enhance it's beauty and tranquility.
(ooc: looking at magic tree cultivation as a possible black genie project)
DM Kathy Monday June 27th, 2022 10:30:44 PM Zazu practices spellcasting and works out a code for his companions. It's an open question how many of the speak Sylvan, and how many of them will remember the code in the heat of battle, but time will tell. Zazu also practices with Boyo, climbing and jumping. (OOC: The river is between 15 and 20 feet wide here.)
Ash acquires a few pieces from the crafters, and thinks about creating some kind of stamp to mark goods made in Freedom's Landing.
Lothlo helps out around town. Crops were planted late, so they're not quite ready for harvest, but additional meat is always welcome.
Nightingale looks around for a place to create her own home. There are a couple of trees that might do, if she doesn't mind a very small house. There is also a nice rise along the river just north of town that would be a pretty spot for a house.
Naithi crosses the river to find a good spot for her druid grove, and makes a good start on it.
Over the next two weeks, a lot of progress is made on the town. More wattle-and-daub houses are built. They are not exactly pretty, but they are sturdy and will keep the elements at bay. The large buildings begin to empty as families move out to new homes.
A bridge is built across the river--either a footbridge at treetop level, or a wider bridge at ground level; your choice.
The townsfolk meet to decide what to build next. An inn? A temple? Something else? They are open to suggestions.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Monday June 27th, 2022 11:07:25 PM
Ash is in favor of a wider bridge at ground level. "It would be easier for traders - both to and from - to cross with carts and animals and things like that." she reasons.
As for the next building... "It may be getting cold soon and I'm not sure what sort of weather we might face. Perhaps we need to consider ways that we can store food? Or perhaps an inn or tavern of sorts if we want to encourage visitors?" Those are just suggestions. Ash is happy to go with whatever the group decide will help the settlement grow.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Tuesday June 28th, 2022 2:25:05 AM
Nightingale's vote would be for an inn, with a large cellar to store food items in, for the community and the inn
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Tuesday June 28th, 2022 8:42:09 AM
As Naithi supports her efforts bringing benign nature spirits to Freedom Landing, so too is Sahabiel there to support Naithi in establishing her druid grove, as the goals of the two align closely. She also volunteers to assist Beech a few times on the points where the bridge building calls for simple strength, such as hauling in the ropes to lift the building materials up there -- she is aware that even in a town where half the population is orcs, she is still one of the stronger people on two legs around, and Kohlrabi one of the stronger on four, and she feels it would set a bad example if she shirked. That is all she will do for that project though, as she doesn't know the first thing about bridge engineering.
And as two weeks are passing, the leshy body is maturing, and Sahabiel makes her preparations for the lengthy ritual to seal the deal. As it has turned out that her teachings had already reached the other hunters and gatherers from her sessions with the more stay-at-home settlers, she actually has more time left to go out and forage for whatever she can find, be it some extra food, medicinal, or otherwise useful materials to herself or the settlement, and then process them in the after hours.
(ooc: between Guidance, skill ranks, and her headband-boosted Wisdom, Sahabiel can auto-succeed on DC 22 Profession (Herbalism) checks, and she will do so every day to account for preparing the plant-based ritual materials.)
With shelter, food, and fuel starting to look good for the coming winter, it will not hurt that at least some of the by-catch of Sahabiel's work is that which she adds to the community's stores of non-magical everyday salves, balms and herbal home remedies in preparation for when the weather turns wet and cold, and everyone will be spending more of the winter days close together indoors.
As is her wont, she will try to work with other community members in this, rather than shoulder the whole endeavor herself.
(ooc: Many of the slaves and the female tribe members that escaped with them were underappreciated but skilled supporting roles to the orc tribe, would it be much to hope that there are a few more among them with advanced skill in healing and herbalism? It is going to be a problem later if for every injury or disease, the entire community has to depend on the few cure spells the magically capable among us can manage per day.)
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Tuesday June 28th, 2022 8:54:41 AM
Panzer finished the rough shaping of his underground home. He looks about the area for fuel sources for the winter. He will spend a few days walking up and down stream looking for any Peat bogs and another few days surveying the hills for possible coal deposits. ( I think I asked about these earlier and I think the DM answered, but my mind is like a sieve and I can't remember) Beyond that he will use a little of the stone he removed himself and some from the quarry to finish his floors ceilings and walls. When all is said and done the fireplace should heat all of the stone to amke the place cozy in the winter.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Tuesday June 28th, 2022 6:22:05 PM
Zazu still thinks that a kiln, pottery, and bricks are the best option for construction, long term. "But there's not much I can do about that," the elf complains to anyone who will listen. "I don't know anything about pottery or bricks. So the next time we're in town, I will have to recruit someone. Meanwhiles maybe I can put some whispers in the ears of our allies."
What kind of traffic is there these days, if any, between the Emerald City and Freedom's Landing? Are people going back and forth at all? If so, Zazu writes a few letters ... If not, the elf talks with friends about the danger in sending a messenger (or a few) back to town.
"At some point we need merchant trade from here to there. If we are not already seeing merchants, we need to consider that, soon, right? I mean, we're producing trade goods."
Sending them via regular traffic or by messenger, letters ...
- To Ena, asking how things are going, what the deal was that the thieves were trying to pass ... and if she can help Zazu hire a person to supervise building and running a kiln for pottery and bricks. Either long term or to train a person to run it after it is established.
- To Greenmage Nelly, gently reminding her of the partnership the party agreed to. She owes us help with establishing agriculture here of a plant that would be suitable. [OOC, per DM post of 29 July 2020: Nelly says to the party, “So how about that trade? A mindslaver mold which is sentient, mobile and trouble that wants to enslave things in exchange for a safe, non-sentient, stationary food plant of some kind later. Deal? I want to make sure everybody is on board with this.” ]
- To Merchant Rhys Featherbrook, making sure he got his 1,000 gp gift, and asking how he is doing.
By now, Zazu has given all his components to Naithi and he has cast Fire Trap on 10 flasks of alchemist's fire (5 with smokesticks tied to the flasks). And Sahabiel has cast Blast Glyphs on 5 tiny boxes, for acid, cold, fire, electricity, and sonic energy, each doing 3d8 damage in a 5 ft radius.
That leaves five tiny boxes free for playing tricks and practicing.
[OOC: Technically still awaiting Catacombs service, but hopefully that is no problem.]
Zazu and Boyo practice ... Boyo racing toward a target while Zazu draws a box and drops it in the target's square. The trickster tries dropping the box by hand and doing so via ranged legerdemain. Then, as Boyo sprints away, Zazu casts open on the box. [OOC: This requires one (or more?) concentration checks for acting while on a moving mount.]
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Tuesday June 28th, 2022 6:55:10 PM
Beech decides that a bridge just above water level will be best, and that it'll be wide enough for a standard wagon + a couple feet. With the bridge in for now it can also be use as a net anchor for fishing and people can fish off the side, when a wagon isn't crossing. He also suggests that crossing rules be instituted, where wagons get right of way, only after military and law people(if any). The Eventual plan is a second bridge adjacent for two way traffic, but that probably won't be needed for a couple years... He picks a area for his dwelling where there are 3 or 4 trees 15 to 20' apart. Any more than that will require him to buy a wand in the future. But he had his idea set in his mind, although he'd need a carpenter for the finishing parts of his ideas. The area between the trees, is where he sets up his large tent, to "Stake his claim" so to say...
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Tuesday June 28th, 2022 9:04:38 PM
Lothlo also agrees that a tavern would be a good idea. As we are getting more travelers and traders, an inn would provide them some much desired services, as well as a little more income to our town. And we will be more likely to attract people if they know there is a warm bed and a good meal waiting for them when they get here.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Tuesday June 28th, 2022 9:56:20 PM
Naithi ponders Zazu's boxes for a free minutes, trying to think of alternative uses. Have you considered filling the boxes with insects? I know many wizards have a hard time casting when covered ina swarm of insects.
When the topic of building comes up she agrees with the idea of an inn.
DM Kathy Tuesday June 28th, 2022 11:11:03 PM Ash suggests that a food storage facility might be a better choice than an inn.
Nightingale points out that the two could be combined: an inn with a large cellar for storing food.
Sahabiel completes the leshy ritual and assists with the druid grove. She also gathers herbs and creates some simple medicines.
There are several orc and half-orc women skilled in herb lore. And, one of the large buildings was intended to house shops. With Sahabiel's help, a mother and daughter prepare to set up an herbalist/apothecary shop.
Panzer finishes the basics of his home. He looks for fuel, but there is no peat bog nearby. There is plenty of brush and undergrowth--not suitable for building, but perfectly adequate for fuel. You could burn it as is, or turn some of it into charcoal.
Beech agrees that the bridge should be built at ground level, and soon the first pilings are being sunk.
Lothlo agrees that an inn would be a good choice.
Naithi helps Zazu with his boxes, and suggests filling some with insects.
Zazu writes some letters. You are pondering how to get them to Karri, but then the first traders come to town!
There is a great deal of excitement as the trade caravan (well, alright, two wagons) pulls into the center of town. The wagons turn out to belong to a family of halflings, who tour the area between Karri and Acid City.
"We heard there might be a town here worth visiting," the older halfling man explains. "You folks look to be just starting out, but do you have anything for trade?" As he speaks, a halfling woman, probably his wife, alights from the same wagon. A younger halfling man, driving the second wagon, stays where he is.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 2:49:03 PM OOC: Sometimes I'm such a noob. Nightingale is a clothier. Given sufficient materials, she can craft winter clothes, and other items, not only for the community but for trade as well. From here out, if we encounter "bodies", she may start looting their clothing to process for something else, or to clean up and then embellish, if that's kosher...She's also a midwife, which may be helpful to those in need of such services
She will wander out to meet the halflings, and to see what items they may have to trade or sell
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 8:15:55 PM "Hi there! I'm Ash" the young woman extends her hand to the newcomers "We sure do. Why don't you have a look over here" Ash gestures towards the wood crafters.
"Do you have anything to trade with us?"
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 9:09:23 PM
Lothlo greets the new guests. Well met. I'm Lothlo Windwood, I hope your journey has been a pleasant one so far. While you look around, could you tell me if you've heard any news about what's been happening in the city? There was a lot going on with the Thieves Guild last I heard, I was curious how that's progressed the last few weeks.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 9:35:53 PM
Naithi and Camalayas join the others in seeing what goods the trader may have to sell.
Although she hasn't made any crafts yet, she's hoping to start brewing and distilling spirits from the fruits if the Culverwood for a unique local export. In the name she has a few animal pelts and carapace and a variety of dried mushrooms in addition to a small pile of gold she can spend.
DM Kathy Wednesday June 29th, 2022 10:04:48 PM
You all approach the wagon. Nightingale and Naithi are thinking of what they could craft to contribute to the town's trade goods.
Your DM is honestly not expecting you guys to craft and trade. You'll be off adventuring most of the time. If you want to do a little crafting for role-play purposes, that's fine, but please don't think the town's success depends on you.
Ash points the traders at the woodcrafters, and asks if they have anything to trade. They do. Linen cloth, iron for smithing, halfling brandy, crop seeds, and spices. They are traders, not merchants, so they deal in large quantities; you couldn't buy less than a full bolt of the cloth, for example.
Lothlo asks about what's happening in the city. "Which city?" asks the woman, reasonably enough. Then she laughs a little. "I don't suppose it matters. It's been weeks since we left Acid, and we're just on our way to Karri. I'm afraid we wouldn't have news from either place."
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 d20+7=24 ; Wednesday June 29th, 2022 10:24:43 PM "Halfling brandy you say? What're you asking for it?" Ash isn't a big drinker. In fact, she prefers non-alcoholic drinks. They just taste better! It would be nice to offer her guests a drink when she gets a house though. And guests.
Ash is looking to buy a barrel, but before purchasing she tries to appraise the market value of the drink. She wants to know a fair price before she tries to haggle.
She has a quiet word with the rest of the party "The town still has some gold in reserve. About 2,000 pieces I think. Perhaps buying some of these materials would make sense?"
--------------- Appraise check: 21 (Take10) Diplomacy: 24 (to haggle for a good price)
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Wednesday June 29th, 2022 10:50:41 PM "We just left Karri a week or so ago, there was some doins with a thieves guild, not being of the sort of the Old Tales. It's a pretty descent place, just be sure you have everything in order to do your trading. In face, we may have a couple people here who might need a couple things delivered to a couple people there." He looks over the spices, but that kind of bulk, only pepper or salt are the only things that will keep long enough to use that volume....
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 11:50:54 PM
Sahabiel is quite pleased with herself at the successful 'birth' of the first leshy to call Freedom Landing home, and she shows it around where trees have been planted. It is not so much for the leshy's sake really, as it would have found every sapling soon enough them with or without her -- rather, it is to show the rest of the population that this plant-bodied creature is with Sahabiel and not a threat.
When the halfling trading caravan arrives in the settlement, Sahabiel suggests to them; "Close to the Deep Culverwood as we are, we may find opportunity to grow some unusual things here. Ya know that if ya were to keep an eye out for what of such a nature ya would be able to find a good buyer for, then I am sure we would be able to turns that opportunity for us, into also an opportunity for ya to make a very fair commission on that particular trade once we get production running. Interested?"
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Thursday June 30th, 2022 12:19:15 AM
Zazu asks if these good folks can carry letters to Karri. For a reasonable fee, of course. And speaks highly of Master Rhys, a member of your fraternity of merchants, and a good contact for your busines dealings in Kari.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Thursday June 30th, 2022 6:48:37 AM
Panzer looks the wagons over and tries to get a feel for the halfings. He doesn't see much in the way of security and wonders if they will be OK on the road. " You folks OK to travel the rest of the way? Do you need a security escort?" If they do he can check in on Galen and the proceedings with the prosecution of the guild. If not well at least he offered.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Thursday June 30th, 2022 3:10:29 PM
Beech raises a eyebrow at the asking if they needed a escort, they seemed to be fairly self-sufficient. He had passed on the info he felt was worth passing on, and just watched the general area, he seriously still remembered the last trader they had. He knows not all people will be criminals, but they seemed to attract more than their fair share of them. He isn't hiding the fact he was keeping watch, but he is watching the general area, not just them....
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Thursday June 30th, 2022 3:25:31 PM
Nightingale will examine any bolts of cloth they may have as she has coin to spend. even though she'll be adventuring, she could still spend down time working on simple warm cloaks, or patchwork blankets.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Thursday June 30th, 2022 9:39:06 PM
Naithi inquires into the price of spices and crop seed. She also asks if he has more exotic materials. Hides, carapaces, etc.
Even if you don't have any now, I would appreciate it if you think of me if you come across any in your travels. As a Druid, I am limited in the armor I can wear. Steelgrass, dragon hide, or something similar works be ideal. I would also be interested medicinal seeds and plants that can be cultivated in the area.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Thursday June 30th, 2022 10:16:52 PM
Lothlo thinks to himself that no news is good news, if they had heard of something it might just mean that something else crazy had happened since then to cause the news to spread like wildfire. He shows the group around and answers any questions they may have.
DM Kathy Thursday June 30th, 2022 10:47:55 PM Ash asks about the brandy. The halfling man obligingly brings out a barrel for Ash to examine. Since the barrels are strapped to the underside of the wagon, this takes a while.
While he is working, the younger halfling man sets the brake on his wagon, climbs down, and disappears around to the back. He reappears with a halfling woman about his own age. She is heavily pregnant, visibly uncomfortable, and leaning hard on the arm of her--husband? Probably.
Two other young halfling women also alight from that wagon. They look enough alike to be pretty clearly sisters--though they don't look much like the pregnant woman.
The trader sets a barrel in front of Ash it is stamped with a stylized fox head in front of a stylized tree. "Fox Hollow," the trader says with some satisfaction. "One of the finest brandies in the Wold. I'm asking 800 gold for it, and you won't find a better price this side of Crescent Valley."
Ash considers. It's quite a high price, but if it really is top-shelf brandy then it's--well, still expensive, but not overly so. But you're not familiar enough with brands of halfling brandy to know whether this is one of the top marks or not.
Beech looks over the spices, but there's nothing as common as salt or pepper here. And, as you've already noted, nobody needs this much coriander.
Sahabiel asks whether the traders would be interested in any exotic crops from Deep Culverwood. Since her husband is busy with Ash, the trader's wife takes this one. "They have such in Karri," she explains. "We buy there pretty much every time we come. If you could sell cheaper, or could sell something they didn't have...perhaps."
As the rest of you approach, she sighs a little, and says, "My husband sometimes forgets his manners. We're the Goodsong clan. I'm Robin, and this is my husband Wates. That's our son Elbert and his wife Petal. She's expecting, you see. And those are our daughters, Blythe and Camelia. Petal, honey, come look at this stuff. Petal's kind of our expert on art and things," she explains.
As Petal examines the crafters' goods, Nightingale asks to see bolts of cloth. Blythe brings out a bolt for you to examine. It is good-quality linen--not the absolute finest, but it will wear well. The bolt you're examining is undyed. "Most of them are undyed," Blythe explains. "A lot of merchants like to dye their own. But we have a few dyed bolts--indigo and butternut."
Zazu asks about carrying letters. "Yes, we can do that," Camelia replies. "You'll have to fix the price with Da, though."
Naithi looks at the spices and the seed. The spices, as Beech has already discovered, are in too great a quantity to be a sensible purchase for a person, or even this whole town. The seeds are reasonably priced; it would be a matter of deciding what exactly Freedom's Landing is going to grow, since it would be impractical to buy all of them. You ask after exotic materials, but come up blank. "Not much call for that kind of thing on our route," Elbert explains. "We couldn't deal in large enough quantities to make it worth our while."
Panzer asks whether they need an escort, but the Goodsongs decline. "It's safe enough," Robin explains comfortably, "and we have crossbows for when things get interesting. That sees us through well enough."
Wates, meanwhile, leaves off with the brandy and goes to talk to his daughter-in-law. "What do you think, Petal?" he asks.
"They're quality pieces," she replies, absently rubbing her belly. "Out of our usual line, but I think we could sell them. And the combs, at least, don't take up much space."
"Well, we'll think on it," Wates says. "Is there a place we can tether the mules?" he asks.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Thursday June 30th, 2022 10:55:35 PM
Naithi smiles. I figured you wouldn't have anything of that nature, but I had hoped that if you come across anything thay you would bring it here, knowing you have a buyer.
Steel grass and dragon hide cannot be bought in the Catacombs. Although I cannot afford them now, I was hoping to create a potential connection for the future.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Friday July 1st, 2022 1:00:29 AM
Sahabiel nods at the trader's wife Robin. "That does actually cut to the crux of the question, doesn't it? Ya would know better than we do what ya are already buying from Karri, and what ya can not get there that ya wish ya could. If there's any crop ya are confident ya could sell on the next leg of the trade route if only ya could buy it around these parts, letting us know about it while we're still setting up is the best way to make us consider growing it in the future."
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Friday July 1st, 2022 2:08:45 AM "I'm sorry. That's very much outside my budget. I can see how a tavern might make that investment and then sell it on for a profit I'm sure. For a collector like myself I just can't afford that right now". Ash didn't have her heart set on the brandy. It was just to be something to have in her house after all. She does have some tips to pass on to the traders. "If you are heading to Karri it might be worth checking out The Elder Treant Inn. We've stayed there several times and the tavern is amazing. They might be interested in the brandy. If you're going to the Blue Shutters though you might want to keep your guard up. They had some Thieves Guild problems recently"
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Friday July 1st, 2022 1:12:04 PM
Panzer asks if the halflings have any home goods for sale. Pitchers and basins, bathtub, desk, chairs, tables, beds, windows, doors, those types of things. Having recently finished the main construction it was time to furnish his home.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Friday July 1st, 2022 3:46:04 PM
Nightingale will offer to buy all their bolts. She will then turn her attention to the pregnant lady. "You look pretty far along, I'm a midwife, are you in any pain, or need any help. Let me start with finding you a seat in the shade..."
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Friday July 1st, 2022 7:38:09 PM "Will ya stay the night here?", Sahabiel casually inquires. "My apologies that as a stopover point, our hospitality may be a bit lacking in terms of inns, or any proper traveler's rest at all for that matter. As it stands, I would not be surprised actually if the comfort of a halfling wagon well surpasses any bed this fledgling settlement could offer."
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Friday July 1st, 2022 9:01:56 PM We do have a lovely place for you to tether your mules. I'd be happy to take you, mine will be wanting a treat about now any way. Hopefully next time you visit we'll have an inn set up, we were just discussing the possibility now we've made good progress on the town's essentials.
DM Kathy Friday July 1st, 2022 11:27:42 PM Naithi thanks Elbert for his time. She hadn't held out much hope, but it's still a bit disappointing.
Sahabiel asks whether there's a crop not available in Karri that they would be interested in. Robin gives it some thought. "Night onions," she says at last. "They have them in Karri, but we could move more if they were available. Mind you, they're tricky to grow."
Ash declines the brandy, but recommends the Elder Treant Inn. "The Elder Treant," Wates says fondly. "I know it well. They'll buy our spices. Not sure about the brandy, though--their sommelier prefers Auld Granddad. Has a supplier for it, too."
Panzer asks whether the halflings have home goods for sale. "I think you're looking for a peddler," Robin says kindly. "Or perhaps a shop. We're traders; we deal in quantity."
Nightingale offers to buy all of the cloth, which is a lot of cloth. Each bolt is 300 gold, and has enough cloth to outfit most of the town. There are 8 bolts total.
Nightingale also steps up to help Petal. You ask if she is in any pain, and she grimaces. "Just the usual," she says with a grimace. "My back hurts, my feet hurt, and the little stinker won't let me sleep--kicking all night." You take her to a place in the shade, and her husband provides the seat, bringing over a little padded bench from the wagon.
Lothlo takes Wates to a spot to tether the mules. After making sure his wife is in good hands, Elbert helps his father unhitch and care for the animals.
Sahabiel offers the town's hospitality, such as it is. "Thank you," Robin says. "Camping is nothing new to us, and it's nice to have folks to share a fire with."
The Goodsongs talk it over, and in the end tell you they'd like to buy all the combs available. "Like Petal said, they don't take up much room," Wates says. "And we can probably find a place to sell them. If they do well, we'll be back for more. Now, how much were you thinking of asking?"
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Friday July 1st, 2022 11:27:56 PM
Zazu is happy to pay for message delivery. "How much?"
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Saturday July 2nd, 2022 7:15:23 AM "That's not for us to say" Ash says in regards to the combs "We didn't make them, but I can take you to those that did. Here, right this way".
Ash will accompany the Goodsongs to whoever in the settlement crafted the combs. She'll stand by to watch the trade and to make sure it is done fairly.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Saturday July 2nd, 2022 8:27:00 AM
Zazu, who is trained in appraising stuff, takes a look at the combs and makes sure that our people do not sell themselves short.
[OOC: Taking 10 at +10 is a 20]
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Saturday July 2nd, 2022 2:09:51 PM
Nightingale will dive into her Bag of Holding and count out 50 bloodstones (50gp each), the extra is to cover their costs to come back in the future. She'll take the bolts of cloth, maybe having someone help her pack them to her house...
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Saturday July 2nd, 2022 7:06:37 PM "Night onions.. thank ya, I will keep that in mind."
Sahabiel thanks the Goodsong trader, and does not further tire them with questions, but of course she does welcome any stories and news from the lands further out.
In the evening, she returns home to perform her usual rituals for the growth of her tree, and she speaks (in Sylvan) with the leshy about the state and growth of the plants and trees it has seen today.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Sunday July 3rd, 2022 8:58:03 PM
Letting the others deal with the traders, Beech just heads back to his pavilion tent and over a small fire, makes a spicy stew just like he learned out on Liontaur Isle. He'll need to remember to talk to his mom about transportation magics when it's time. She had a semi permanent set up, because she needed to be both there and at Black Bird Lake often on the same day. He does make enough to share, but few like the spice level....
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Monday July 4th, 2022 8:10:00 AM
Panzer has nothing more that he needs from the traders and bids them a happy stayover. He has little left to accomplish at his home so he follows Beech and watches the Liontaur makes the stew. He asks for a bowl. Sometimes he likes the spice that Beech uses, but it can wreak havok on his digestion, so on the trail he avoids it. But here, here he is safe and can partake.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Monday July 4th, 2022 8:43:44 AM
Zazu goes back for seconds on the stew. "So tasty!" says the spice-loving elf.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Monday July 4th, 2022 2:30:38 PM
Once Nightingale has stashed her purchases, she will follow her nose to Beech's stew. "That smells delicious, may I have some." After a few bites she grins at Beech, "Perfect amount of spice. The heat from the spices is good for our bodies. It helps keeps the blood clean and our stomach safe from, well, bad stuff." She tries to laugh around a bite full of stew and ends up choking for a moment. Once she can breathe again she adds, "My mother always told me to not talk with my mouth full, now I know why."
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Monday July 4th, 2022 8:22:41 PM
Sahabiel is never one to keep her distance when she sees Beech so much as look at a cooking fire. She is also not one to freeload, so for a bowl of stew today, she wordlessly hands over a sack of fresh edibles from her foraging that he can use for stew tomorrow.
Her only regret is that Freedom Landing still does not have the capacity to brew its own ale, because if their supply was not so limited she would have loved to wash the spicy food it down with a good mug...
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Monday July 4th, 2022 9:01:23 PM
Lothlo feeds his mule, brushes her down, then rejoins the group.
ooc: short post, holiday today.
DM Kathy Monday July 4th, 2022 9:37:17 PM Zazu asks how much to deliver the messages. "Well, it's not far," Wates says. "A copper per message."
Ash brings the traders to the crafters, then she and Zazu watch to ensure a fair trade. After some dickering, most of the combs are exchanged for a single bolt of the undyed linen cloth. That is, unless Nightingale really is determined to bogart the entire supply.
Sahabiel, Beech, Lothlo, and Panzer are essentially done for the day, and make ready to eat the evening meal and retire.
The Goodsong clan, clearly well-practiced in setting up camp, soon have their animals seen to, a couple of small tents set up, and their own cookfire going.
The night is uneventful, and morning sees the halfling family striking their camp and loading up their wagons.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Monday July 4th, 2022 11:47:58 PM
Zazu asks the merchants to be careful with the deliveries and offers a gold piece for each letter. And reminds them to look up Master Rhys.
Today Zazu and Boyo celebrate by jumping the river back and forth over and over. The Jump spell makes it easy.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Tuesday July 5th, 2022 2:46:39 AM "Well, I hope you come back this way again some time. We're always looking for good folk like yourselves to trade with" Ash shakes hands with Wates.
Later, she checks in with Mike (the tanner/trapper/smith) and Brianna (the herbalist/alchemist) to make sure they have all the supplies they need to contribute to the settlement and hopefully - in the not too distant future - start creating items for trade.
She's also been practicing her string performance skills, so if someone is needed to play the lyre she is ready to leap in. She's pretty sure there was agreement on an Inn or Tavern as the next big project.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Tuesday July 5th, 2022 3:27:32 PM
Nightingale will leave a few of the bolts of cloth, but still overpay them for maintenance and repairs and expenses to come back. She's got money to blow as she doesn't spend it on things like armor and weapons. Although at some point, once her house is done, she'll want to go shopping for drapes, and furniture (at least what the local artisans can't make), and maybe some enchanted lights, and well, the list may be ever growing lol
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Tuesday July 5th, 2022 5:46:59 PM
Naithi and Camalayas say farewell to the merchants and hope they someday return with steelgrass or dragon hide she can use as armor.
ooc: Happy 4th of July.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Tuesday July 5th, 2022 9:01:33 PM
In the evening Lothlo makes sure those on watch are keeping an extra eye on their guests. The Thieves Guild doesn't seem to be after them any more, but it's always worth keeping an extra eye on newcomers, especially new friends you want to keep safe.
In the morning Lothlo puts on a pot of coffee and does what he can to help the others get ready to depart, making sure that the mules are fed and watered in preparation for their journey.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Tuesday July 5th, 2022 9:36:02 PM
Beech gladly shares, but he sees he'll need to have a real kitchen in his house when built... Yep, a wand is desperately needed for that...And if he can't use it, he has a friend that can...
DM Kathy Tuesday July 5th, 2022 10:01:02 PM Zazu pays one gold coin per message. "Sir, this is too much," Wates protests, but accepts in the end. Zazu and Boyo spend the rest of the day jumping back and forth across the river, much to the irritation of the crew building the bridge.
Ash checks in with Mike and Brianna. You find that there are already plans to open an herbalist/apothecary shop in one of the shop buildings. Mike's talents are still mostly being used by the village; he isn't generating a lot of surplus for trade. Perhaps next year.
Nightingale only buys most of the cloth, and so ends up with one bolt of indigo-dyed, two bolts of butternut-dyed, and several undyed bolts, which she can use as is or attempt to dye herself.
Lothlo helps the Goodsongs get on their way, while Beech dreams of a real kitchen.
Work continues on the bridge and on the herbalist shop. The townsfolk decide that an inn will be next, and begin laying the foundations and digging a substantial cellar for storage. The woodcrafters talk of opening a shop in the space next to the herbalists, so they can show off their wood and mother-of-pearl creations.
The town is truly taking shape. Nobody is living in tents anymore. Instead, wattle-and-daub houses form a rough semicircle opposite the town hall and the shop building. There are also a couple of wooden cottages, and of course the treehouse. There is a quay for boats to tie up, and soon there will be a bridge across the river. Along the river approach are the little building that can serve as a customs or dock master shed, and the beginnings of the new inn. The watchtowers, strategically placed, protect the entire area.
You know that in a few days your presence will be required in Karri to give testimony about the Thieves' Guild. You have time to do a few things before you leave.
[OOC: This is Last Call for town-building stuff.]
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Tuesday July 5th, 2022 11:22:41 PM
Sahabiel spends her days between foraging, herbalism, religious duties, and working on her tree house. This includes getting the leshy started on looking after her home tree and others she planted. A significant part of that first leshy's 'duties' however will be to grow a seed from its body and plant that at the base of Sahabiel's tree, so that a second leshy plant body can grow and become the vessel for another little nature spirit in a week's time.
(ooc: the leshy can help one additional leshy per week to take a bodily form this way, with automatic success)
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Wednesday July 6th, 2022 4:27:00 AM
Ash will visit each of the houses to check on the townsfolk to make sure they have all they need or to see if there's anything she can do to help. She'll try to find some way to help each one, even if it's just a simple prestidigitation spell to help clean the floors.
Later one night she speaks with the rest of the party. "You know, we're out adventuring a lot of the time and the settlement needs people to help guide them, to raise concerns to, or to make decisions in the best interest of the town. What do you think about setting up a council? Sure, we can hold elections and the rest in the future, but for the immediate need there are already some senior figures that could take it on and that people look to."
Ash is referring to Hilia, Tianna, Jigger, Codru, Painter, Brother Matthew, and Murzush. They're the ones that people already go to for help. It wouldn't take much just to make it official.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Wednesday July 6th, 2022 5:44:28 AM
Panzer realizes that he has a town full of craftspeople that he neglected to think of when getting his house set up. He will confer with the long timers and find a suitable carpenter to see about getting a table, about a dozen chairs, a bed, a few small tables/nightstands made for his home. In the future he will probably need or want chests and coatracks and the like, but these p=ieces of furniture should get his home rolling for now.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Wednesday July 6th, 2022 9:07:17 AM
Zazu, still sleeping in the common building, makes sure the new inn has at least a couple rooms to board. "That way there will always be a place for me and Boyo to sleep when we are in tpown."
Zazu also crafts some traps and snares and helps train people in how to use them, for catching rabbits and squirrels and such. Zazu makes sure that these are non-lethal and painless, in case a fey wanders into one.
Speaking of which, Zazu starts the practice of leaving out offerings at the border to the deep Culverwood. Bowls of milk, pretty little things, etc. The elf encourages everybody to do this from time to time.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Wednesday July 6th, 2022 7:24:20 PM
Beech, packs up his tent the morning they play to leave. Until then, he just practices his spells, trying out various ways of using them....
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Wednesday July 6th, 2022 7:47:26 PM
Naithi finishes what she can on her druid grove before heading back to join the others.
She followed Zazu's example, not only leaving gifts at the border of the Deep Culverwood, but also at the river for the sprites and where the group lady met the fey.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Wednesday July 6th, 2022 8:31:35 PM
Sahabiel, having sought to work together with the less adventure-bound community leaders and the common folk of the settlement at every step so far, is in favor of giving the communities existing leadership figures some more recognition.
She asks though; "...ya are not wrong about such leadership being needed in yer absence, but I think it would be a mistake to instate such a council from up high, as if their mandate somehow flows from ya all rather than from the community already looking up to them. Or rather.. before ya even try, ya should each have clear what ya all are to this settlement as it is now, what yer role is now and what it will be once this council thing would be up and running?"
- - -
On the matter of Zazu making offerings to the Culverwood, Sahabiel of course encourages such acts of respect and gratitude.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Wednesday July 6th, 2022 9:11:22 PM
Lothlo checks the list to see how many people are still awaiting their own dwelling places. Like Zazu, Lothlo is staying in the common building right now. It doesn't make sense to work on his own place with the amount of traveling he is doing, he figures he'll go on the list when those with greater need have all bee taken care of.
Regarding the offerings, Lothlo has no problem with making the occasional offering but only if he's traveling with a group. Things get pretty weird as you get close to the border so it's a journey he would rather make with others by his side.
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