Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:13/13/10. hp:21/21. d20+1=19 ; Tuesday May 17th, 2022 8:54:28 PM
"Oohh, an official summons! Sounds so formal, yeah. I'm more accustomed to the usual slap, push and kick in the arse." He readies for the trip.
(Knowledge [Local]: 19)
DM BatMark -- Message for you, Sir! Tuesday May 17th, 2022 9:14:13 PM Torrynashkabbeth returns from the Catacombs with a cool (hot?) necklace. She heeds the summons from Phaedra, and smilingly prods Manolo into action. Drack throws his gear on and follows Torryn’s lead. Manolo drowses through the summons until prodded by Torryn. Ash pockets his well-gotten gains and heads out with the others. Mole recognizes the summons as the time sensitive request that it is, and gears up to head out. Mortimer is impressed by the official summons and prepares for the trip over. Loryn apparently forgets that the town is taking over the boarding house and starts feeling large and in charge. Or at least in charge. He nevertheless falls in line to move out.
The party makes its way to the Keep without further incident. The militia guard on duty in Phaedra’s outer office welcomes you, and hooks a thumb at Phaedra’s closed door. ”She’s gotta another visitor at the moment.” He sits back at a battered desk, and drums his fingers on the top in boredom. You can tell that there is an argument going on behind the stout oak door.
(OOC: From where you stand in the entryway, you may make perception checks to hear more. If you succeed on the higher checks, you also learn what was revealed by the easier checks.)
DC5 Highlight to display spoiler: {You hear a raised male voice and a calmer female one, arguing over the idea of the civilian night watch.} DC10 Highlight to display spoiler: {The loud man is none other than your nemesis, Angus, while the other is Phaedra herself. } DC15 Highlight to display spoiler: {Angus demands Phaedra not trust the town’s future to foreigners and ne’er-do-wells.}
Torryn turned to her friends and whispered. "That sounds an awful lot like Angus. He's very shouty... again." She wasn't worried though. She had her spear and her friends. If Angus wanted to start trouble, she was pretty sure that they could finish it.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 15 d20+6=14 ; Wednesday May 18th, 2022 7:51:04 AM
"Agreed Torry. Angus is all bent out of shape about something. What it is, I didn't quite catch. That guy is going to end up being a pain in the butt."
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+10=13 ; Wednesday May 18th, 2022 9:19:49 AM
Mole recognizes the sound of whinnying donkey, Angus. "Something's got that dung pile all riled up." He didn't catch what they were talking about.
AC 13 HP 19/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+2=20 ; d20+4=15 ; Wednesday May 18th, 2022 11:56:17 AM
Loryn hears what is going on as well and decides to ask the bored guard, "So what brings the area's most unpleasant person to the keep today. ? Some news of danger about from the likes of Angus or did he run out of kittens to drown" Diplomacy 15
Loryn also apologizes and wants to cast a spell to clear some air and casts Prestidigitaiton so that the spell is now active for the next hour
Loryn will Readied action on Angus exit, cast Ghost Sound Highlight to display spoiler: {a Fart, and use the active Prestidigitaion spell to add smell}
Mortimer agrees with Drack and adds with a wicked smile, "Sounds like we're the pain in his arse ... and I'm perfectly fine with that."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=24 ; d20+6=9 ; d20+6=21 ; Wednesday May 18th, 2022 7:24:22 PM
Manolo sort of starts to understand what is going on but keeps silent at that moment. "Angus says we are not to be trusted", he whispers to the group.
Perception 24 Perception 9 Perception 21
DM BatMark -- Best watch it, mister! Wednesday May 18th, 2022 9:12:22 PM Torrynashkabbeth hears Angus’ shouty voice inside, but isn't too concerned. Drack agrees that Angus is present and angry. Ash Mole also recognizes the whiny donkey that is Angus, but isn’t sure what they are talking about. Mortimer opines that the party is the cause of Angus’ anguish. Loryn asks the guard what brings Angus to the Keep, casts a spell and readies another. Manolo reveals that Angus doesn’t seem to think the party can be trusted.
The guard smiles sardonically at Loryn, and opines, That lazy feller don’t seem to like yer idear that everyone should take a turn on the night watch. Not like it’s that hard or nuttin.”
The door bangs open, and a red-faced Angus emerges. He sees the party and sneers, ”Oh, speak of the devils! Aell, you haven’t heard the last of this ‘useless burden’” This last is said over his shoulder to Phaedra as he storms out of the office, but not before a loud fart is heard and a noxious stench wafts around him. Phaedra rolls her eyes and waves you in. She has a modest desk, which has several papers, a quill and ink pot, and a book atop it. ”Thanks for coming, and sorry for the wait while that blowhard let off some steam.”
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Thursday May 19th, 2022 2:45:33 AM "I think he let off more than steam.. Torryn noted as she entered, grateful to be away from the smell.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 15 Thursday May 19th, 2022 9:00:11 AM
Drack shakes his head at the stupidity of Angus as he walks in to the office.
"That man definitely seems to be foul. In a variety of ways. How can we help you Captain?"
AC 13 HP 19/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Thursday May 19th, 2022 10:32:43 AM
Loryn waves his hand vigorously "Angus please, some us are more well endowed than others and our nose is at a rather unfortunate height, you boat fly!" as Angus storms away, he chuckles. Only 'useless burden' about here is the one that just left."
Loryn uses the Prestidigitaion spell he has active to freshen the air and heads into the Captain's office.
"Hope to improve your morning, regardless of how low that bar is."
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Thursday May 19th, 2022 10:53:58 AM
" I believe they call that spell Stink Cloud. " Ash jokes as he heads into the captains office. "From now on, when i smell a deathly smell. I'll call it an angus. "
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Thursday May 19th, 2022 1:39:20 PM
Mole doesn't add anything to the banter. He's said all he'll say about it and walks into the office.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:13/13/10. hp:21/21. Thursday May 19th, 2022 4:27:16 PM "Speak of the Devils," repeating what Angus had called them. Mortimer suggests, "I like that ... we could call ourselves the Devil's Dandies. Or D&D, for short. Nice sound to it, yeah!" Mortimer is quite taken with the idea.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Thursday May 19th, 2022 6:49:35 PM
Manolo simply says "I would like not be near that uncultivated stench in the future"
DM BatMark -- Bright Ideas Thursday May 19th, 2022 8:14:46 PM Drack shakes his head at Angus and asks how you can help the Captain. Torrynashkabbeth makes a jape at Angus’ expense. Manolo opines that staying away from Angus’ stench would be preferred. Ash jokes about a stink cloud spell and heads in. Mole keeps his peace and walks in. Mortimer suggests that the party be called the Devil’s Dandies, or D&D for short. Loryn mocks Angus and clears the air before heading into the office.
Captain Phaedra relaxes a bit as Angus leaves the premises. She continues, ”I’ve been thinking over Loryn’s idea about having folks take turns standing watch at night, as things have been a bit lively here lately. I’ve been consulting with various people around the Hamlet, to gauge their thoughts. Clearly, Angus is too important for such things, haha. But of course he doesn’t want anyone he doesn’t like or trust to do it either. But tell me, do you have other thoughts you can share about it? How might I make effective use of folks, and not just have a bunch of surly conscripts causing trouble? Should we include visitors and travelers?” Phaedra pauses to hear your advice…
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Friday May 20th, 2022 6:11:55 AM "Perhaps you could some incentives to undertaking guard duty. It doesn't have to be money. Maybe offer access to the pastures for grazing. perhaps a badge of honour that's gives the guards first look at new stuff coming into town. Then again, it can be something as simple as an honorific title. So, if you are addressing the town it would be 'Guardians, Ladies and Gentlemen'. The perceived elevated status could be reward enough in itself. It might be slow to take effect initially, but once people start to buy in you should see a cultural change. You could make it aspirational; teach children in classes of the virtue of becoming a 'Guardian'. I'm sure that the others will have better ideas than me though." Torryn concluded with a smile. Smiling was good. It always predisposed people more positively towards you. So, if her ideas were dreadful, then wouldn't necessarily be mocked. That was her hope anyway.
Having nothing further to offer she waited to see what the others had to say.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 15 Friday May 20th, 2022 8:11:53 AM
"Mortimer, I will have nothing to do with Devil's or dandies. Nice try though. Something will come up."
"I don't really have too much for you Captain. I'm not used to dealing with tactics other than mine own. Only thought I would have is that if there are one or two locations in town, perhaps a roof top or something that would provide the largest viewing location of what is coming or happening, that would be ideal. I'm sure the smart folks will be able to be a little more helpful."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Friday May 20th, 2022 8:40:15 AM
Manolo wants to wait for the others to say what is on their mind but alas he is too eager to voice his opinion.
"I am sure that the concerns for foreigners to take place in the watch would be very difficult thing for some people to accept..... but I simply think its a great idea" Manolo pauses for a second thinking and continues to speak "Everybody would be happier if they knew that heroes and adventures protect them at night from great evil I guess the only problem is not rather to convince putrid face that its a good idea but rather how do we make sure that the watch is only accepting able and good hearted folks without sinister motives".
He takes time to ponder and think and now lets the others speak as well.
AC 13 HP 19/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Friday May 20th, 2022 11:09:57 AM
Loryn is a bit surprised that the good people of of the hamlet wouldn't simply want to protect their own homes and lives or that they might not trust their neighbors to do so in good faith. but then again, if he thought about, they were ready to burn one of their fellow neighbors alive.
he opts to simply voice his first thought, "Are you saying that the people of Windhorne don't want to keep themselves safe? I would think you would ask and you would receive volunteers. The 'job' as it were, is simply to be out at night and raise alarm if the town falls under some type of attack. You know something totally bizarre, like creatures running about and setting things on fire."
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Friday May 20th, 2022 5:00:03 PM
Ash nods in agreement to Torryns suggetsions of not being paid, but some merit trade.
" i agree with the others... no visitors, well atleast until they defeat a family of gremlins and get accepted to the town.. then they can help I guess."
DM BatMark -- Wanna Write That Up? Friday May 20th, 2022 9:31:15 PM Drack is not keen on a party name involving devils or dandies. He suggests that some sort of high ground would be a good place to put watchers. Torrynashkabbeth suggests some incentives and offers a smile. Manolo eagerly supports the idea of foreigners being involved, and wonders how to involve only good-hearted folk. Ash agrees with Torryn, but suggests foreigners having to prove themselves first. Mole looks thoughtful. Mortimer thoughtfully looks on. Loryn is surprised that the locals wouldn’t want to defend their homes, and makes a few subtle self-referential points about firestarters.
Phaedra is impressed with the party’s ideas. ”I would like to compile these proposals and put them forward to the Hamlet for general acclaim. Would you be so kind as to write them out for me in the next few days, so that I could talk them over with the mayor, then gather the people to discuss them? Oh, and it would be good to get some of the local influential types to contribute their thoughts to the proposal, which would help gain support. Would you talk to Heorstan, Grog, and (heavy sigh) Angus about it? That would make them feel like they were part of the solution.”
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Saturday May 21st, 2022 3:40:51 AM "I'll talk to Angus. It might be for the best if it's just me. He won't feel threatened... hopefully.". Torryn offered. It would also provide a decent test of her diplomatic skills. She tended to rush headlong into things. This would require some calm and patience.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Monday May 23rd, 2022 7:19:07 AM She's getting us to do her work... He thinks before walking out.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 15 Monday May 23rd, 2022 8:32:53 AM
Drack listens to Phaedra, and frowns as she mentions us talking to people about it. He frowns even more when Torry offers to go talk to Angus. He just nods and gets up to leave with the rest as Mole moves to leave.
Once outside, Drack looks at Torry. "You're not going to see him by yourself, I'm going with you. I don't trust him, And he did have a group of people waiting to help him the night you all fought. "I'd like to get a "look" at him, and make sure that he's not more than the blowhard bully he appears.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Monday May 23rd, 2022 10:19:47 AM "But if we go as a group, it will only add fuel to his fire, I think. Still, I guess if he was willing to burn one harmless old lady, it wouldn't hurt to have just the two of us......wit maybe the others nearby in case of a crisis. I expect though that he'll just shout and try to pander to whatever audience he has. I was only going to ask his opinion and relay it to Phaedra. it's not like I'll be making any of the decisions." Torryn replied. She was actually grateful for Drack's intervention. As usual, she was all too ready to charge off on a whim without thinking things through. She felt sorry for her teacher, Agratha; Torryn must be just about the worst student ever!
AC 13 HP 19/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Monday May 23rd, 2022 10:26:13 AM
Loryn shrugs, "Sure I can write something up I suppose."
After they have left, Loryn agrees with Drack to a point. "I don't think you see Angus alone, but we all should not go. Drack and Torry make a good team there, though before anyone talks to anyone, we should probably decide what it really is that we are going to be talking about. For you see, what my suggestion was a few weeks back is not what seems to be on Pheodra's mind. What I was thinking was some citizens being awake in the night hours so that an alarm could be raised if something were to happen, and what she seems to be thinking is some type of security force. Am I off on what she is thinking or asking?"
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Monday May 23rd, 2022 5:32:08 PM "I don't think so."[/b} Agreed Torryn. [b]"Which was why I was advocating a kind of ciltural embracing of the idea; so it became aspirational. As to Angus, all I was proposing was to listen to his arguments and objections and bring back any counter-proposals. I'm not going to negotiate. I don't have that authority for a start. Basically, we are just going to make Angus feel valued and that his opinion counts. It's for Phaedra to decide how much its worth."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Monday May 23rd, 2022 6:48:13 PM
"You guys want to trust Angus !", Manolo says. "I don't trust him because of his farty demeanor and I will be careful with him either way", Manolo adds.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:13/13/10. hp:21/21. Monday May 23rd, 2022 7:14:10 PM
"Excellent choice of those two. When it comes to Angus, I'm the last voice he wants to hear." He knows he shouldn't, but he likes entertaining the idea that his voice will be the last one he ever hears.
Answering Manolo, he replies, "Of course not. Don't trust that dodgy git not one bit. He doesn't want eyes lookin' around, not unless those eyes belong to him."
DM BatMark -- Book 'em, Phaedra Monday May 23rd, 2022 9:50:30 PM Drack wisely counseled Torryn to accept his company in talking to Angus. Torrynashkabbeth proposed to talk to Angus solo, but is persuaded that it would be better if Drack went along. Manolo doesn’t trust Angus, and intends to be careful about him. Ash looks to the others for the moment. Mole thinks Phaedra is getting you to do her job. Mortimer agrees that Torryn and Drack are a good pair to talk to Angus, agreeing with Manolo about Angus’ untrustworthiness. Loryn shrugs and agrees to write something up. He wonders whether Phaedra is making too much of his original idea.
You may make DC 10 insight checks to ponder whether Phaedra is going much farther with the watch idea than Loryn intended. If successful, Highlight to display spoiler: {You realize that Phaedra is open to something less grandiose, but is just looking for help in setting up some ground rules that make sense and would be acceptable to most.}
As you turn to go, Phaedra interrupts, pointing to the book on her desk. ”I know this book isn’t yours, as it was here before you got here. But I’m not sure who it does belong to. Can you check with those who were here earlier today, when you talk to them about the night watch, and ask if the book is something that they left here? That would be Angus, Heorstan, and Grog. The inside cover of the book says it was written by a Mailed Fist mercenary named Kandruth Walker, if that helps figure out who owns it now. I’ll hold on to the book in the meantime.”
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=5 ; Tuesday May 24th, 2022 5:31:41 AM
Was Phaedra making more of Loryn's idea? Torryn gave it no thought. (6).
Instead she focussed on the task at hand. She had 2 questions to ask Angus. - What was his view of encouraging locals and/or others to help guard the hamlet?.... and - Had he left a book behind?
She saw no point in prevarication, but that was hardly surprising. Once again Torryn was rushing headlong into things.
"Shall we go now then, Dracky?" She asked with a smile.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 15 d20=5 ; Tuesday May 24th, 2022 8:14:19 AM
Drack has no clue, but does offer to let Angus know about the book.
After leaving, Drack responds to Loryn. "I'm not sure what she is looking to do. Perhaps when we talk to the three people she asked us too, we see what they want to do? It's their village, so as far as I'm concerned, they can do as they see fit."
"Yeah, Torry. I'm ready. Might as well get it over with."
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Tuesday May 24th, 2022 8:16:52 AM
(Header correction)
AC 13 HP 19/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20=10 ; d20+10=22 ; Tuesday May 24th, 2022 11:08:23 AM
Loryn puzzles over his own question and observation and settles on Phaedra simply looking to them for advise on the idea itself. Insight 10
Before leaving Loryn asks if Pheadra minds if he gives the book a quick magical detection. It struck him as odd that the book would be left behind on accident. If she agrees, Loryn casts Detect Magic to see if there are any auras on the book. Spellcraft 22 for CL 7 on the item
Loryn states his thoughts on what they are asking the other s to endorse. "I think Windhorne could benefit from a night watch. A group of 4-6 citizens in 2 groups to be out and about through the overnight hours. the purpose is to sound an alarm if something happens. no authority or anything like that, just everyone helping keep everyone and our stuff safer."
With that, Loryn heads over towards Heorstan's, "Cmon Mortimer, lets go chat with Heaorstan."
Mortimer totally gets what Phaedra is trying to do. "Not to worry, we have bits 'n bobs in the bag. Everything will be hunky dory!" He spins around and exits with the gnome. "Ever up and onward, Loryn!"
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+2=17 ; Tuesday May 24th, 2022 6:15:48 PM
Ash pats Drack and Torryn on the back as he heads out. He looks to the others, seeing if anyone grabbed the book.
"We can head to Grog 1st and ask, then maybe meet with Torryn and Drack and visit the other guy. "
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+7=23 ; Tuesday May 24th, 2022 6:50:58 PM
Manolo get intrigued about the group trying to find more information. He decides to go around and ask people about Angus, perhaps even for a fart he might be a good one. Although Manolo found it difficult to believe.
Local Knowledge 23
DM BatMark -- Around Town Tuesday May 24th, 2022 9:59:40 PM Torrynashkabbeth reviews her lines in her head, and asks Drack whether he is ready to go. Drack for his part is unsure what Phaedra intends, but is ready to accompany Torryn to visit Angus to ask about the book and other matters. Manolo goes out to ask around about Angus, thinking maybe the fellow is ok, as hard as that is to believe. Manolo Highlight to display spoiler: {You learn that Angus is quite the polarizing figure about town. His message about the good old days for the town resonates with some folks who are falling on hard times, but his anger about the current state of things puts other folks off. You meet a nice old granny in the Green Grape Wine & Spirits Shoppe who reminds you a bit of your own grandmother Barleybloom. When asked about Angus, she pronounces his family name oddly, as ‘Cai’ which rhymes with ‘sky’. You know that name is associated with the Second Adventurer’s Crisis aka Big Bad Times, with the Gold Dragons having to come in to save the day.} Ash notices that no one has grabbed the book, but sees that Phaedra is keeping it on her desk, just as she said she would. He’s ready to go look for Grog, and then meet up with the others. Mole waits to see what the others do. Loryn concludes that Phaedra is just looking for advice. He provides some, and then is allowed to cast detect magic on the book. Highlight to display spoiler: {The book radiates strong conjuration magic, but you are not able to determine other aspects of its function.} That accomplished, he asks Mortimer to go with him to see Heorstan. Mortimer totally gets what Phaedra is trying to do, and sets off with Loryn to find Heorstan.
Torryn and Drack find Angus emerging from Trebor’s herbalist shop. He tries to ignore you, but can’t credibly do so because you are in such close proximity. He scowls and tries to step around you. “I have business, step aside,” he says frostily.
Heorstan is easily found at his laboratory. He is working intently on some sort of strange contraption when Loryn and Mortimer show up. You cannot divine the purpose of the strange workings. With any luck, it won’t explode while you are on the premises.
Ash finds Grog tending to his business, and is greeted warmly. The sword you helped recover is back in its place of honor on the mantle behind the bar.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=17 ; Wednesday May 25th, 2022 3:53:23 AM "Good morning, Angus." Torryn replied cheerily, giving him her finest, infuriatingly optimistic smile. "I can see that you are busy; so won't detain you long. Just two questions. that's all. I sure you don't mind. After all, you DO want your voice heard - your concerns to be heeded, right? Of course, you're absolutely free to walk on and Phaedra will do as she wills regarding the Night Watch and that Kandruth Walker book. So..." Again Torryn smiled pleasantly. She was very pretty and that smile had got her out of lots of trouble in the past.
(Diplomacy: 23)
"Your opinion counts, Angus. What's your view of the whole Night Watch idea?"
After politely listening and retaining her smile throughout, she then appended her second question.
"And the book? Is it yours? It's not Phaedra's and she's just looking to return it."
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Wednesday May 25th, 2022 8:05:08 AM
Drack waits for Angus' response to Torry's questions. She had pretty much summed up the reason we had come to find him.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Wednesday May 25th, 2022 8:53:12 AM
Mole decides to go talk to Grog. He doesn't like the idea of being used like this but since everyone else seemed on board, he go along. If he was going to talk to anyone, it might as well be over an ale.
He orders an ale at the tavern before finding Grog. Seeing him, Mole goes up to him and getting his attention he says "Phaedra wants to start a night watch. What'ya think?" He lifts the mug of ale to take a drink. After he says "You know a Kandruth Walker?"
AC 13 HP 19/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Wednesday May 25th, 2022 11:54:44 AM
Loryn will tell Phaedra that the book radiates strong conjuration magic and if she is able to, he suggests a secure location where it could not 'accidently' be activated.
Entering the lab of Heorstan, the inner tinkerer of Loryn leaps to life. He understood none of it, but desperately wanted to touch, twist and fiddle with everything he saw. His eyes sparkle and his heads whips about like a small child staring about a toy shop or candy store. Mortimer was likely going to have to lead the conversation, or at the very least, keep the gnome grounded to the reason for the visit
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Wednesday May 25th, 2022 12:14:07 PM
(Stepping back to the meeting with Phaedra.)
Drack will comment that if the book radiates magic, the group should identify it, and verify what it does. It could be a danger depending on the results of use.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Wednesday May 25th, 2022 5:08:29 PM
Ash turns his head side ways and nods at Moles abruptness. He slides up next to him and orders a drink too. No sense asking anything, as mole already took care of that.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:13/13/10. hp:21/21. d20+4=9 ; Wednesday May 25th, 2022 8:28:43 PM
When Loryn and him were walking across town to Heorstan's lab, he felt good in a kind of way he was unfamiliar with. He felt better than good ... he felt like a boss. Wearing his new mithril shirt, that was possibly worth more than most peoples' homes. His shiny, new Journeyman WLA badge in full view. He even had his boots shined while top side. He felt good ... in fact he walked with a swagger.
When they arrive, he notices Loryn is a bit taken with all the trinkets and baubles of Heorstan's lab. The fascinated gnome forgets to announce themselves. Mortimer speaks up, "Knock, knock, Heorstan. We've come for a little visit. May we enter," he asks as they stand at his chamber door? For some reason, he felt compelled to ask before they entered. An impulse he'd never had before; to enter uninvited.
"We wanted to discuss the nightwatch with you. I bring with me the originator of the plan," as he motions to Loryn.
(Diplomacy: 9)
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. Wednesday May 25th, 2022 8:31:37 PM
(Diplomacy: 11 ... I forgot to include +2 WLA badge bonus. I'm also correcting my AC.)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Thursday May 26th, 2022 8:39:59 AM
Drack waits on a response from Angus
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Thursday May 26th, 2022 5:28:34 PM
Manolo wants to ask more from the lady but decides to spend more time enjoying the wine. He puts a gold piece for the granny token of appreciation before saying goodbye, "You remind me my own grandma in some ways", he says as he gets his backpack on his back and and goes outside to wander around with no goal or aim. If the opportunity arises he goes to a library or place where he can learn more about history of the place his memory wasn't as sharp after a few glasses of wine.
DM BatMark -- We want information... Thursday May 26th, 2022 9:01:33 PM Drack suggests that the party identify what the book does and whether it is dangerous. He then goes with Torryn to talk at Angus, letting her sum things up. Torrynashkabbeth turns on her incandescent charm, inquiring about Angus’ views of the night watch and knowledge of Kandruth Walker. Manolo gives the granny a gold piece and heads out to look for more information. Mole goes with Ash to talk to Grog over an ale, and asks his views of the night watch and Kandruth Walker. Ash sits next to Mole and quaffs a drink while listening to Grog’s response. Mortimer felt like a boss swaggering across town, shiny new WLA badge proudly worn. He politely knocks at the door to Heorstan’s lab, and asks about the night watch idea. Loryn reveals that the book radiates strong conjuration magic and suggests it be kept somewhere safe. In Heorstan’s lab, he tries hard to keep his hands to himself, distracted from the questioning that he came here for.
Angus moves around Torryn and Drack. ”I already told Phaedra my views, we shouldn’t have scum like you patrolling the town. And I would never leave something as valuable as a book just lying around.” With that, he storms off in a huff, ignoring any followup queries.
Grog ponders the watch idea, but knows nothing of Kandruth Walker. Sounds like a good idea overall, what with all the bad tidings around here recently. Can’t say as I have much interest in picking up my blade again, gave that up long ago. But I reckon there are folks like yerself what might be ready to step up? And I’d give my staff nights off to take their turns, if need be.”
Heorstan is a bit alarmed at the idea of having to pull guard duty, but brings up the subject of the book himself. ”It’s not mine, but I saw it there and she promised I could have it if no one claims it! Why, the promise of learning something new is always such a thrill!”
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Thursday May 26th, 2022 9:48:48 PM
Ash downs his drink. " Thanks Grog, always can count on you for the hospitality and help when needed."
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Thursday May 26th, 2022 9:48:49 PM
Ash downs his drink. " Thanks Grog, always can count on you for the hospitality and help when needed."
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d20+6=11 ; Thursday May 26th, 2022 10:49:46 PM
"You know what they say about books," he imparts with a smile, "a book shelf is like a grave, and the spirits come out of the pages at night." After an awkward pause, he adds, "I like to read by candlelight. The flickering shadows give the words new life."
Mortimer doesn't know why he said that. It was like someone else was speaking with his voice. As of late, he has developed a renewed interest in reading ... and can recall two new languages to boot. He was troubled by this new insight at first, but his concern and desire to reflect upon it was fleeting.
"Understand your reluctance, I do. I like ta get my winks in at night. What would you propose?"
(Diplomacy: 11)
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=1 ; Friday May 27th, 2022 4:32:37 AM
Torryn shrugged. "Pleasure as always, Angus. You keep smiling." She said with infuriatingly good cheer. As Angus grumped off, she turned to Drack. "Well, that wasn't so difficult, was it?" Of course, she'd no real clue as to whether he was lying about the book. Her instincts simply refused to kick in. (Sense Motive: 1) It didn't worry her one bit. They'd been tasked to ask two questions of Angus and had done so.
"I guess we should go report back." She concluded.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Friday May 27th, 2022 7:23:53 AM
With Grog's answer, Mole nods, orders two more ales, watching Ash finish his. "We got time for another." He says handing Ash one of the mugs.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Friday May 27th, 2022 8:18:56 AM
As Angus turns to stalk off, Drack activates his ability to quickly detect evil, and concentrates on Angus. Drack wants to make sure that Angus is just an angry bully, and that there isn't something more sinister going on.
Once Drack has his answer, he looks to Torry. "Yeah, we might as well let let Phaedra and the rest of the group that Angus was as pleasant as ever. Let's get this over with. I don't like getting involved in town politics."
AC 13 HP 19/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+4=10 ; Friday May 27th, 2022 9:55:20 AM
Loryn oohs and ahhs and drools a bit as he looks about the contraption and impulses and daydreams about what it might do if he were to pull a knob or twist a dial. Heorstan's answer about the book brings him around a bit. "Odd." The practical side of his gnomish heritage sparks up a bit with the book. "The book has powerful magic upon it Heorstan. It is something you will need to be very careful with if it you end up able to pursue it. I saw conjurational magic unlike a power I have seen and you don't want to accidently open a rift to the Shadow realms or the Land of Twightlight." He waves off the subject and returns to the topic of a few good citizens keeping an eye out in the overnight hours.
"And it isn't guard duty per say. We are looking to build some support among the influential, you, to back the idea that some of the good citizens be first alert types. No fighting, no detaining citizens or anything like that. If you saw a pack of gremlins coming, or if a fire breaks out, the point is something would be up to see it and raise the alarm. Then, the actual forces of good could come deal with it or something like that. That's what we are talking about here."
"What do you say, in right?"
diplomacy 10
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Friday May 27th, 2022 7:14:38 PM
Manolo reads about Woldian history if he can find a place anywhere to read about the history about this place and it's history. Or Alternatively Will try find more about Angus History or his family history.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+7=12 ; Friday May 27th, 2022 7:15:02 PM
Local knowledge 12
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Friday May 27th, 2022 7:20:32 PM "Me neither." Torryn agreed with Drack. She was impressed. Drack was always so alert and focused. She'd completely forgotten to check Angus for the taint of evil. It was a good thing that Drack had come with her. She felt confident that he hadn't forgotten.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Friday May 27th, 2022 7:33:18 PM
Ash clinks his mug to Moles... " theres always time for another." He says as he starts downing his drink
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. Friday May 27th, 2022 8:24:59 PM
"Huh, the Shadow Realms, really? That's a bit of a sticky wicket, yeah!" In response to Loryn's description of the book.
After hearing Loryn's description of the Night Watch's responsibilities, something he hadn't fully understood until now, he agrees, "Yeah, that sounds about right."
Best to fake it till you can plausibly deny it.
Cordial Discussions
DM BatMark -- Tempers Flare Friday May 27th, 2022 11:42:52 PM Drack thinks it is time to report back, but also attempts to detect evil as Angus departs. Highlight to display spoiler: {You sense the faintest whiff of evil, but Angus turns a corner before you have concentrated long enough to be sure it is coming from him. Once he is gone, however, you no longer detect even that faint aura of evil in the immediate vicinity.} Torrynashkabbeth is pleased to have gotten answers from Angus to her two questions, and agrees it is time to report back. Manolo tries to learn more about local history and Angus, but has pretty much learned what is possible given the lack of a library. Mole nods at Grog’s answers and orders a pair of ales. Ash enjoys another ale with Mole. Loryn warns Heorstan of some potential consequences of messing with a magic book, and pitches an easygoing version of the night watch idea. Mortimer is impressed with some of the dark outcomes described by Loryn, and nods along with the watch ideas.
You are able to complete your inquiries and head back toward the keep through the town square. As you each move in that direction, something seems a little off, kind of like the beginnings of the mob scene when some villagers turned on Agatha.
Please make a single perception check (and you may read any spoiler with a DC equal to or lower than your check):
DC 10: Highlight to display spoiler: {the people of Windhorn are bickering with each other. “You’re not going to cheat me!” “Mommy, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna” “You dung-headed goblin! Sow barley instead of rye?” } DC 19: Highlight to display spoiler: {Tempers are really flaring in righteous anger. At the wool merchants, they are poking each other in the chest…} DC 23: Highlight to display spoiler: {By the well, there are two strangers, richly dressed and well fed, who are watching everything happening with a smile on their faces…}
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=13 ; Saturday May 28th, 2022 3:30:04 AM
There were a lot of unhappy people around. That wasn't typical of Windhorn. Torryn did her best to look calm and assured. Perhaps that would help.
(OOC: I will have to post again. My tablet refuses to highlight fully.)
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Saturday May 28th, 2022 4:39:57 AM
OOC: Perception: 20 (That's better! I can read it all now)
She'd seen this sort of behaviour before. Were the gremlins back and up to more mischief? Whilst it wasn't unusual for someone to become angry or for another to feel aggrieved, to hear so many discontented voices at once was far from normal. Or maybe it was normal. Torryn had been fortunate enough to grow up outside of town. Maybe this was more common than she liked to think. yet perhaps there was evil afoot. Still endeavouring to seem casual, Torryn scanned the vicinity hoping to root out the cause of all this malcontent.
(Detect Evil.)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 d20+6=14 ; d20+7=12 ; Saturday May 28th, 2022 9:17:41 AM
On the way from leaving Angus, Drack will tell Torry that he went to detect evil on Angus, and picked up a faint trace of it before Angus turned the Corner(For the Paladin, one round will tell you everything that three rounds does with the spell, and it only works on the selected target, unless the DM post needs adjustment, Drack had to sence evil from Angus.) Drack will inform the rest of the group of it as well.
Drack wasn't able to pick up more than the fact that they were bickering and arguing again(perception 14)
He moves to the edge of the group of villagers, and tries using diplomacy to calm everybody down.(diplomacy 12. stupid die roller)
(DM note: You are correct, I had forgotten about the special paladin version of detect evil. You know that Angus has a faint evil aura, and are able to inform the party of that fact.)
As they walk back, whatever fluids required, in Mortimer's brain, that power his keen observational skills were obviously rerouted elsewhere. Today, he's more into showing off his fancy, new chain shirt. If he can angle himself just right to reflect his chain shirt's glare into peoples eyes, he will. Maybe that will shut them up and look at him. His new found wealth is definitely bringing out his devil's haircut.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+2=3 ; Saturday May 28th, 2022 9:02:54 PM
Grog's Ale must have been a little stronger then usual, because Ashe saw nothing out of the ordinary.
DM BatMark -- Tempers Flare Higher Sunday May 29th, 2022 7:27:36 PM Torrynashkabbeth notes an unusual number of unhappy people around. She scans for evil. Highlight to display spoiler: {You do detect an aura of evil somewhere in the square. You may continue to concentrate for more information. You also notice two well dressed strangers, standing by a vegetable stall in the market, watching the proceedings with smiles on their faces. } Drack attempts to calm some of the nearby villagers, but to no effect. They seem very fixated on their squabbles. Ash seems affected by the strength of Grog’s ale and notices little in the square. Mortimer lets the sun glint off his shiny new armor as he walks back to the square. It distracts him from noticing more about what is going on.
The volume and intensity of the disagreements around town seem to be escalating. It might remind you of some of the gremlin-inspired incidents that you recently experienced, but somehow seems even darker…
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Sunday May 29th, 2022 7:40:44 PM
Torryn nudged Drack and then tugged on his arm. She nodded towards two strangers standing at a vegetable stall: both were well dressed. Neither seemed angry or upset. Indeed judging by the looks on their faces, they appeared to find the whole incident amusing. Spear in hand Torryn made a beeline towards them.
She'd been scanning the area for evil. Now she refined her focus. It was the two strangers that she targeted. She trusted Drack to follow: to not only follow, but use his own - likely superior skills to confirm her suspicions - that they were the cause of all the dissent and squabbling. Otherwise, she was probably going to get herself into trouble. Again. Lots of trouble.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Monday May 30th, 2022 6:56:39 AM
Having failed to calm any of the villagers, Drack follows Torry's lead over towards the two strangers, activating his detect evil and concentrating on one of them on the way.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=17 ; Monday May 30th, 2022 7:47:35 AM
Manolo only notices discontent of people with each other. He thought was crazy or tired only to hear a stranger nonsensical conversation. He puts his hands on his shortsword, preparing for a possible fight or skirmish. Perception 17
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Monday May 30th, 2022 8:45:49 AM
Ash seeing Drack and Torryn head towards some villagers, follows the duo... unaware of what is going on.
AC 13 HP 19/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+4=11 ; d20+4=18 ; Monday May 30th, 2022 9:32:44 AM
Loryn notices the bickering as he and Mortimer walk through town and the gnome starts to pivot about. He has been here long enough to know that this is not normal behavior and with the still recent gremlin activity, his hackles are up.
"Mortimer friend, I think we have some situations brewing that Mole would not like the taste of."
Loryn selects the area where the child is complaining about wanting stuff and heads that direction.
"Why hello there" he calls out pleasantly upon arriving and then continues, "Seems to be a bit of air about, Is there anything I or Mortimer might do to assist in the disagreement?"
Perception 11 Diplomacy 18
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+10=12 ; Monday May 30th, 2022 12:08:34 PM
Mole notices the increase in hostilities among the people.
"Looks like the people are a little more dwarf-like today." He says to Ash. "Everyone has an axe to grind"
DM BatMark -- What the heck is that? d20+1=11 ; d20+1=21 ; Monday May 30th, 2022 8:43:21 PM Torrynashkabbeth nudged Drack and pointed out the strangers. She picked one to focus her detect evil on. Highlight to display spoiler: {The stranger on the left does not detect as evil.} Drack follows Torryn’s lead in detecting evil on one of the strangers. Highlight to display spoiler: {The one on the right does not detect as evil.} Manolo notices the discontent and readys for a fight. Ash follows Torryn and Drack, still unsure what they see. Mole makes a criminally bad dwarf joke, but there are no dwarven police about, so all is well. Except for the hostility among the people of the town. Loryn hears the discontent and heads to where the voices of complaining children are coming from, trying to intercede.
Your efforts to discern evil and intercede in events are brought up short by the appearance of an attractive,well-formed human four feet in height, with black wings that shine with an iridescence in the light of its flaming bow. It shimmers into existence in the center of the square, then swoops up 20 feet into the air, its musical voice speaking loud enough for everyone to hear: [b]“Do not be afraid. The worst is over. I know someone is reading Kandruth Walker, and I have been called to help reveal the truth! Why, I know Agatha is stirring up woodland creatures against the town, that Angus and his friends have strangers destroying their way of life, that there is a warpack of ogres in the Red Hills coming this way…”
It seems like everyone hears what they want to hear, and after a pause, fists start flying! Villagers are brawling all around the square, fists flying and throwing each other to the ground for further pummeling. Two villagers near the squabbling children turn on Loryn, and take a swing at him, chastising him for the impertinence of interfering with their child rearing. Only one connects, boxing Loryn in the ear for 2 points of non-lethal damage.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. Monday May 30th, 2022 8:55:18 PM
Feeling somewhat irritated with Loryn for breaking his stride. To maintain a proper swagger takes a great deal of concentration, "Wha?! SHUT IT! I'm workin' over here!"
Mortimer suddenly stops in his tracks! Then the sounds of bickering from all around suddenly sets in.
"So so SORRY, Loryn! Don't know what came over me! Didn't feel right."
He stays with Loryn, thinking a situation was about to happen. "Who open this box of toys?" He then mutters a few words of power.
(Mortimer casts Detect Magic, and begins to concentrate on the area around them.)
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. Monday May 30th, 2022 8:57:26 PM
(ooc: DM beat me by a few minutes. My post was meant before his. :)
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d20+9=14 ; Monday May 30th, 2022 9:12:18 PM "OYE," shouts Mortimer as he moves between Loryn and the two villagers that struck him. "Keep your dirty mitts off him! OR you'll haveta answer ta ME!"
(Intimidate: 14)
DM BatMark -- What the heck is that 2.0? Monday May 30th, 2022 9:28:02 PM
Mortimer Highlight to display spoiler: {Mort definitely detects magic in the square. There are several faint auras. You can continue to concentrate and learn more, or attempt the intimidate roll.}
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. Monday May 30th, 2022 9:45:58 PM
Mortimer ceases to concentrate as soon as Loryn is attacked. The brief moment of detection was enough to satisfy his suspicions. But as for now, he's more concerned with defending his friend. He stands with clinched fists and an intimidating glare.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=13 ; Tuesday May 31st, 2022 5:03:35 AM
The creature could only be Fey. Torryn immediately decided that it was Dark Fey. Well, she did have black wings. Wasn’t that a total give-away? In truth her appearance had little to do with Torryn’s conclusion. Her words were telling. ”The truth? Who summoned you? Tell me that.” She challenged. However, Torryn’s voice was not the strongest and amidst all the shouting, bawling, crying and fighting she really didn’t expect to be heard. If only she could detect lies as readily as the presence of evil. That thought made her immediately shift focus from the well dressed men to the Dark Fey - as she was determined to name it. Did that beautiful creature emanate evil? Not that there was much she could do about it if she did. Twenty feet aloft was more than she could throw her spear.
She sighed a deep breath of frustration before embracing Agrathas’s teachings and calming herself amid the storm that raged around her. She saw a chicken flapping frantically as it fluttered over an upturned stall hurling chicken imprecations to al and sundry. Dogs barked and charged through the crowd only to add to the chaos. Torryn remained calm. She held her spear in both hands, just behind the head. The butt was planted into the ground just in front of her feet. She sought to exude calm. Yet if anyone were to try to accost her, she would kick the butt end up and whip it into a most tender part of any would-be attacker’s anatomy.
(OOC: Torryn sought to keep an eye on the well-dressed men too; notably to see if they sought to use the Dark Fey’s appearance to vacate the scene. Her primary focus though is the Dark Fey herself – is she evil? Perception: 20)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 d20+4=11 ; Tuesday May 31st, 2022 8:43:12 AM
Still thinking that they may having something to do with what is going on, but having not detected evil on the stranger, Drack turns his attention to the winged woman. He activates his detect evil ability and focuses on the creature. While focusing his detect evil, he will also try to sense the motive of what it is saying if he is able to do so, without breaking his concentration.(sense motive 11)
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+11=19 ; Tuesday May 31st, 2022 1:54:43 PM
Loryn turns towards Mortimer with a small frown, but catches himself from saying anything, What on earth started to come over him he turns back just in time to receive a glancing blow to the forehead,. "Advantage of being really low to the ground." he says to no one in particular.
"I can handle this Mortimer, You got magic that could more easily reach out to our winged friend there. Let the blighter have it."
Loryn casts Grease in the 10' directly in front of himself and steps back from the soon to be prone villagers. Reflex DC 14 Cast Defensively 19 success
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=15 ; Tuesday May 31st, 2022 2:45:54 PM
Manolo tries to find a safe place in this chaos that is unfolding in front of his eyes. He tries to make sense of everything that is happening.
Perception 15
DM BatMark -- Go ahead, I'm taunting them a second time d20=19 ; d20=9 ; d20=10 ; d20=17 ; Tuesday May 31st, 2022 9:51:19 PM Torrynashkabbeth decides that the black winged creature must be a Dark Fey, and shifts the focus of her detect evil to it, while standing staunchly with her spear and watching the local livestock go bonkers. Highlight to display spoiler: {It has a strong evil aura. The two strangers still do not seem to be doing anything other than enjoying the mayhem.} Drack also switches his focus to the flying creature. Highlight to display spoiler: {It has a strong evil aura. You cannot discern a motive beyond its obvious pleasure at the enraged mob of villagers.} Manolo looks for a safe place to observe the chaos, and finds a quiet spot near Ash watches quietly Mole watches quietly Mortimer steps in to defend Loryn after detecting magic in the square. He is looking fierce, but the rampaging villagers don’t seem to be put off by his menacing presence. Loryn takes the light blow from the villager in stride, and encourages Mortimer to use some magic on the flying foe. He casts grease to keep the villagers at bay.
One of the villagers facing Loryn slips and falls on the grease, while the other one wobbles his way out of it. Another nearby villager also goes down. Loryn earns a hero point for disrupting the villagers’ fighting in a way that does not permanently harm them. All around the square, though, the angry rioting continues.
Above, the winged creature swoops back around the square, calling out additional words of encouragement to those scrapping below. ”Yes, that one was looking at your wife with nefarious intent! And that fellow never does his fair share of work, does he? Always shirking while you do the hard part.” The creature laughs darkly at the continued madness.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=17 ; d6=1 ; Wednesday June 1st, 2022 3:56:09 AM
The Dark Fey had asked questions, but ignored hers. It was perfectly apparent that the creature had no intention of co-operating or being reasonable. It simply wanted to sow dissent and chaos. If it wasn't stopped, someone would get hurt. So Torryn unleashed her Fey Spark. Lightning leapt from her hand to unerringly (?) strike the Dark Fey.
OOC: Hit AC: 22. I do not know what this creature's SR is, but if the magic strikes true, she will suffer a whole point of damage :)
Whilst the spell appeared largely ineffectual, it would Torryn hoped stop it from continuing its attempts to foment unrest.
"That is but a warning. Now answer my questions, Dark Fey." Torryn was calling the creature's ire down upon herself, but better that than permit it to cause anarchy amongst the good people of the village.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 d20+7=27 ; d20+7=20 ; d8+7=15 ; d8+5=10 ; Wednesday June 1st, 2022 8:11:12 AM
Drack senses the aura of evil emanating from the winged monstrosity, he decides to smite evil upon the foul beast(+3 to hit, +1 damage, bypasses DR, +3 ac.)
The Paladin pulls his bow and fires off an arrow, praying to Domi as he does it. Hit ac 27, natural 20. Hit ac 20 for the crit. damage is 13(the +7 is supposed to be a +5). if evil outsider, damage is 16. if critical hit, damage is 23, and if evil outsider, damage is 26
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Wednesday June 1st, 2022 9:35:22 AM
Fists in the bar start flying. Mole grabs his ale and steps out of the way. He watches to make sure it becomes nothing more that a fist fight. If weapons start to be drawn, he will move to step in.
"Ash if you got anything to calm the crowd, now would be a good time to use it cause I got nothin'."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+5=12 ; d20+6=25 ; Wednesday June 1st, 2022 10:01:00 AM
Manolo shouts to that winged chaos being. Trying to intimidate him "Careful I would one shot you ! Begone !", only to cough immediately after lose a grip on his sword for a moment. 'I will definitely miss him ', Manolo thinks as he remembers his days in the past running away from Bow lessons . He begins to lie and shouts again to get the winged being attention and distract him "I have a magical cursed ring and I won't hesitate to use it against you !"
Intimidate 12 Bluff 25
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Wednesday June 1st, 2022 10:10:52 AM
"Sure thing Mole" Ash replies, coming out of his stupor. He pulls a rose petal from his cloack, "Imperius nocturnus" ... as he crushes the rose petal in his hand.
Cast Sleep into the crowd, effecting 4hd.
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Wednesday June 1st, 2022 10:24:28 AM
With the immediate area about him handled, Loryn turns his attention to the winged creature as well. "Didn't he just say someone is reading the book and that's why he is here?"
Grabbing his friend by the waistcoat, Loryn starts pulling in the direction of the keep.
"Mortimer, Let's get back to Pheodra and that book!" Loryn starts heading there at his underwhelming top speed. not having a group moniker he simply shouts and hopes the others are paying some attention.
"To the Keep and the Book!"
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d20+4=14 ; d6+2=3 ; Wednesday June 1st, 2022 11:20:30 AM
"Right behind you, but I think I can drop that blatherskite from the sky!" Mortimer speaks a few dark words of power and a black, coruscating ray springs from your hand and sent streaking at the winged creature. Then follows after Loryn.
(Mortimer casts Ray of Enfeeblement at the winged creature. Hit TouchAC: 14. Effect: Ray. Range: 30ft. Fort Save: 15 for half. Damage: 3 Strength (minimum damage, of course!)
DM BatMark -- Bows at 10 paces d20+9=23 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+8=13 ; d20+1=3 ; Wednesday June 1st, 2022 7:23:56 PM Torrynashkabbeth speechifies nicely, then follows up with a fey spark that singes the winged creature. Drack follows the fey spark with a smiting shot from his bow, skewering the dark creature right in the chest, near where the heart might be if it has one. It screeches in pain and outrage, and looks seriously hurt. Drack earns a hero point for striking such a mighty blow! Manolo tries to intimidate and bluff the dark thing into thinking he could one-shot him, or use a cursed ring on him. The creature looks both alarmed and intrigued at this last possibility. Mole watches the crowd for signs of lethal intent, and asks Ash to step in with something to calm the crowd. Ash responds to Mole’s suggestion with a sleep spell, which puts several villagers right out of the action. Ash gains a hero point for saving them from themselves. Loryn is alarmed by the reference to the book, and encourages Mortimer and the party to go with him to Phaedra in the keep, where the book last was. Mortimer follows Loryn, but not before hitting the dark creature with a ray that saps its strength a little bit. (It appears to have saved, so it only lost 1 STR point.)
The winged creature had been lining up a shot on Loryn, but quickly changes its mind when Drack smites it. As it continues to swoop around the square, it fires a flaming arrow at Drack, but the arrow skitters harmlessly along the ground before lodging in a water barrel. The villagers who are still awake or otherwise not prone continue their belligerence, one taking a swing at Mortimer that misses widely.
Dark creature: AC 17 -27hp, -1 STR
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=14 ; d6=2 ; Thursday June 2nd, 2022 4:37:03 AM
Maybe the book was as important as Loryn asserted, but Torryn could not permit the Dark Fey to continue its torment of the villagers. It was clearly hurt. How could it not be after Drack's impressive blow? Likely she couldn't do more than tickle it again, but Torryn unleashed another Fey Spark.
To her surprise, she struck true! (AC:19. 2 damage!) To her dismay, she again succeeded in only "tickling" it. Still, such a distraction might provide an opening for another lethal strike from Drack. She really ought to get a bow. She could make arrows after all. It was almost embarrassing not having one. Truly, how hard could it be to point the thing, draw back a string and hit something?
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 d20+7=26 ; d8+3=9 ; Thursday June 2nd, 2022 8:22:52 AM
Drack catches Mole and Mortimer heading towards the keep in his peripheral vision, but there is no way that Drack is leaving this flying evil beast before one of them is dead. He is surprised that the fiend didn't drop after the first shot, he thought he had skewered it through the heart. Hopefully another blow would bring it down.
The Paladin knocks an arrow and says another prayer to Domi as he lets the shot fly. hitting ac 26 for 9 damage(bypasses DR)
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Thursday June 2nd, 2022 10:27:13 AM
None of the others were coming, but then a glance over his shoulder and to his surprise, they were looking to have the upper hand in the fight with this dark fey. Practice makes perfect with those gremlins he supposed. It did not change his plan though, someone needed to get to that book and confront the source.
Loryn casts Grease again to distract another group of the village about Mortimer
Reflex DC 15
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d20+4=12 ; d6+2=7 ; Thursday June 2nd, 2022 2:35:35 PM
Mortimer was much unimpressed with his ray attack. "That should have dropped him!" But he knew while he cast it, it wasn't his best. He could do much better! The lil bastard wouldn't stay aloft if it were too weak to fly. And he wanted to watch that thing drop back to earth so bad!
He pauses and fires another black, coruscating ray from his hand at the winged creature. Then, once again, continues to follow after Loryn.
(Mortimer casts Ray of Enfeeblement at the winged creature. Hit TouchAC: 12. Range: 30ft. Fort Save 15 or half. Damage: -7 Strength.)
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 2d4+2=8 ; d3=1 ; Thursday June 2nd, 2022 3:27:10 PM
Thinking the villagers weren't the true enemey, and seeing the others go after the winged creature, Ash changes his game plan and throws 2 magic missles at the creature... "achamedius.... " he yells as the bolts fly from his hand. 8 dmg.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+10=24 ; Thursday June 2nd, 2022 3:43:35 PM
Ash heads out of the tavern in a hurry. Mole follows. Outside he spots a dark figure flying over the square, Perception DC 24, and heads off in that direction.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Thursday June 2nd, 2022 6:51:50 PM
Manolo runs to the keep after hearing the possible bad news about the book. 'what was that happened to Angus relatives long time ago?', Manolo thinks while running, trying to remember something that might have been useful.
DM BatMark -- Victory! Thursday June 2nd, 2022 7:54:52 PM Torrynashkabbeth could not let the dark creature go, even if the book was so important. She struck it again with her fey spark! And considers getting a bow… Drack is also unwilling to let the thing go, and lets fly with another mighty arrow strike. It hits the creature solidly, prompting another unearthly wail, but not bringing it low. Manolo runs toward the keep, thinking about Angus’ old relatives. Loryn is surprised to see how well his comrades are dealing with the dark creature, but is determined to go after the book. He casts another grease spell to keep the villagers from hurting anyone. Ash sees the others go after the dark winged creature and strikes it with two magic missiles that deal the killing blow. Mole follows Ash from the tavern and spots the flying baddie. Mortimer is about to fire another ray at the creature when Ash strikes it down with his spell. (OOC: Mortimer may save the spell slot if he wishes.)
Skewered with arrows, singed by fey sparks, and blasted by magical force, the dark creature plummets to the ground in the center of the square, lying motionless on the cobbles, the flames from its bow extinguished. All around the square, the villagers stop fighting and look around in bewildered exhaustion. They look horrified by what they have done, and look about dumbly, as if trying to make sense of it all.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Friday June 3rd, 2022 7:57:49 AM
Drack begins to revel in the death of the creature for a half second before realizing he needs to go. The Paladin moves over and scoops up the dead creature and starts off at a jog towards the keep.
He calls to the others who hadn't already headed for the keep. "To the keep. Loryn may need backup. This may not be over. We will deal with the townsfolk after this is done."
As he jogs he offers a silent prayer of thanks to Domi for the strength and resolve to destroy the evil abomination. He then ponders the wisdom of taking the dead body with him, but decides that it might be important once this is over, and if left at the scene, the townsfolk may have burned it.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Friday June 3rd, 2022 8:52:23 AM
" Running... ewww.." Ash says as he falls in behind Drack and jogs along.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Friday June 3rd, 2022 4:37:48 PM
Manolo keeps running, his lungs not burning yet. 'What is going on ?', he thinks to himself.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Friday June 3rd, 2022 7:18:15 PM
Torryn needed no encouragement. She ran quickly towards the keep. Unburdened by armour or equipment, her progress was swift. As she got close to the door she opened her senses and sought to determine if any evil lurked in the vicinity.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. Friday June 3rd, 2022 9:20:49 PM
Mortimer prepares to send another black ray, but before he can finish the words, the fiend is struck by another arrow and two darts of light. A final one-two punch that sends the creature spiraling down to the ground. It was a beautiful thing to watch, ending in a very satisfying 'splat'.
"Awww ... whatta pity to be you, you gobby twit!"
Before turning back to the Keep, he points a threatening finger at the villager that threw a punch at him. "I will let you have that ONE," implying that if they tried to strike him again, he wont be so forgiving. He then follows after Loryn on his way to the Keep.
Who Has the Book?
DM BatMark -- I feel the need, the need to read Friday June 3rd, 2022 9:57:36 PM Drack grabs the creature’s body and jogs toward the keep, offering up a prayer to Domi. Torrynashkabbeth runs swiftly toward the keep, opening her senses to evil as she approaches. Highlight to display spoiler: {You detect no evil as you approach.} Manolo keeps running to the keep, wondering what in the Wold is going on. Ash runs along despite his distaste for the activity. Mole arrives to see the rest of the party hurrying to the keep. Mortimer saves his spell as he sees the foe fall, and expresses mock pity before following the others to the keep. Loryn arrives at the keep with Manolo, the others close behind.
As Drack picks up the body, he sees the obviously magical bow lying nearby, along with the flash of gold in several places on the body. As you all approach the keep and the guard rooms, you notice that the laconic guard is no longer in the outer office. You hear quite the racket from within Phaedra’s office, frantic words coming unintelligibly through the door, occasional slams and crashes punctuating them.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Friday June 3rd, 2022 10:43:20 PM
"Where's everyone goin'" He says as he looks around. "Always in a hurry running here and there." He moves to keep up.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Saturday June 4th, 2022 6:50:27 AM
Whilst it was always rude to simply barge in, Torryn did not hesitate. It would be far better to apologise for impertinence than try to explain to the dead why you waited to act. Besides, Torryn was never one to wait. She charged headlong into the room, trident at the ready.
(OOC: Presuming that the door is neither locked nor barred.)
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Sunday June 5th, 2022 8:43:31 AM
Loryn rushes right in behind Torryn
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Sunday June 5th, 2022 12:19:40 PM
Mole continues to trudge along at dwarven speed.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Monday June 6th, 2022 5:31:42 AM
Manolo goes in together with Torryn and Loryn.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Monday June 6th, 2022 7:25:59 AM
Drack grabbed the bow, along with the body of the foul creature, before heading off to the keep. He should arrive right after the others, and takes the dead creature with him as he enters Phaedra's office
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d20+10=24 ; d20+1=4 ; Monday June 6th, 2022 8:43:15 PM
Mortimer doesn't rush into Phaedra's office immediately, like the others. He waits for Drack to arrive with corpse in hand. He then strolls in behind him, like he owns the place and doesn't care.
(Bluff: 24, to hide his curiosity and interest.)
He gives the room a cursory glance, but his real interest is the corpse's body. He secretly scrutinizes it from where he stands for items of interest ... like a ring of wishes or something. 'Ohhh, what's that.' he silently wonders?
(Perception: 4)
DM Steve – Always in a hurry running here and there. Monday June 6th, 2022 10:39:04 PM Torrynashkabbeth heads to Phaedra’s office and rudely barges in. Drack brings the body and the bow to Phaedra’s office at the Keep. Manolo follows Torryn and Loryn. Mole asks where everyone’s going as he tries to keep up. Mortimer strolls in cooly after the others. He tries to surreptitiously inspect the body, but is playing it a little too cool to notice anything. Loryn rushes in behind Torryn. Ash is quiet.
Phaedra ignores the rudeness of being barged in upon, or doesn’t notice. The normally poised captain of the guard has obviously been searching the place for something – her organized desk is in disarray, and she barely looks up at the group’s entrance. She talks before anyone can explain the body or ask a question. “Oh, good! There you are! The Book – Kandruth Walker’s Book – is missing. I had a great need to only read one chapter. Fascinating! But now I can’t find it.”
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Tuesday June 7th, 2022 5:15:42 AM "No, Captain!" Torryn told Phaedra emphatically. "You must NOT read that book. LOOK what a reading has brought to town." She turned to point at the body that Drack was carrying. "The book is evil and the reading of it brings only woe. Yes, it must be found - if it is even still in town, BUT it most not be opened." Perhaps she was wrong, but Torryn didn't think that was likely. Phaedra's out of character behaviour coupled with the Dark Fey's statement pointed directly to the book being the agent for its appearance. Whilst it was worrying that reading from the book could summon other evils, Torryn was also concerned that the act of reading pulled the reader closer to The Dark. She opened her senses and sought out the presence of any lurking evil. It might help her locate the book. Equally, she was somewhat ashamed to admit, she was testing Phaedra. Has she been corrupted?
In scanning the area, her gaze swept over the others who'd hastily followed her in. She had great faith in Loryn and Drack to articulate matters better than she.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Tuesday June 7th, 2022 7:58:52 AM
Drack frowns at the obvious change in Phaedra.
"I'll leave the magic to the others, that's not really my thing, but to me it sounds like the book is cursed and meant to create chaos and hate. All I know is that this thing appeared in the center of town, and it's presence caused all the town folk to start physically fighting with each other. It said the book had been read, and that was why it was here. I'm guessing if someone else reads the next chapter, things will get worse."
"You can do as you wish Phaedra, but I would suggest calling everyone together, and telling them what happened so that they don't blame themselves for what occurred in the square. With any luck, someone will have found the book and turn it in. I'm not counting on it though"
"Can anyone tell me what this creature is?" Drack drops it's body to the floor, but hangs onto the bow. "Mortimer, you want to search it?"
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+11=14 ; d20+11=29 ; d20+11=31 ; d20+10=11 ; Tuesday June 7th, 2022 8:43:53 AM
Ash holds a spell ready in incase Torryn and Dracks words don't do the trick. He didn't want to fight Phaedra, as she was an ally..but he was prepared to take her out of the fight if it came to that.
Taking a quick scan at Dracks creature, Ash tries to figure what it is.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Tuesday June 7th, 2022 9:41:55 AM
Mole finally catches up. He is unaware of the all that transpired with the book. He watches and listens.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Tuesday June 7th, 2022 10:08:02 AM
Manolo pauses for a moment thinking how all of this happened because of a book. "How did you manage to lose it !, when was the last time you had your hands on the books", he asks quickly.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d100=16 ; d100=69 ; Tuesday June 7th, 2022 1:28:15 PM
"I did detect magic out in the street when the crowd was fightin' and this dead git was flappin' about. Did you all notice those two dodgy strangers? Awfully pleased with themselves, they were."
Mortimer then exits and returns to the street where the incident took place. He casts Detect Magic (ASF10= 16%, success)* and begins to concentrate.
*Arcane Spell Failure 10% while wearing his mithral chain shirt ... for now.
DM Steve – You must NOT read that book. Tuesday June 7th, 2022 10:40:07 PM Torrynashkabbeth tells the captain not to read the book and that it brought trouble to town. Worried that Phaedra may have been corrupted, she looks for evil. Drack explains that something summoned the creature whose body he has brought, and caused the townsfolk to fight among themselves. He suggests calling everyone together to explain what happened. Mortimer mentions detecting magic earlier, and the two strangers. He exits and detects magic back out in the street. Loryn Ash tries to identify the creature, but his knowledge isn’t sufficient. (He guesses it must be some sort of outsider.) He has a spell ready in case Phaedra really isn’t herself. Manolo asks about when Phaedra last had the book. Mole catches up with the group.
Phaedra is still not herself as the group talks about what happened, but takes some limited interest in the body Drack brought in, her eyes returning to it frequently as they search around the room.
Out in the street, Mortimer finds people are still bewildered but sees no sign of the strangers. He detects only dim, lingering auras. Make a DC 18 knowledge arcana check: Highlight to display spoiler: {He detects conjuration (summoning) and illusion (figment) auras.}
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+11=19 ; Wednesday June 8th, 2022 12:16:31 AM
Ash crinkles his nose and tries again to figure out what planar creature it was. Knowledge planes 19
Ooc: That knowledge arcana in the last post was suposed to be planar, but i wrote the wrong word.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Wednesday June 8th, 2022 6:58:15 AM "Captain, I do not think you are listening. The book is CURSED. Look what a reading of its pages has summoned. Look at the strife perpetrated as a consequence. Further reading will likely just bring greater woes." Perhaps it wasn't the wisest course of action to admonish the Captain of the guard, but Torryn felt it needed to be said, so she said it.
Mortimer's comment about the stranger brought them back to the forefront of her thoughts. They hadn't radiated any evil; at least, none that she'd discerned. Yet neither did they make any attempt to stop the mayhem. Perhaps they were agents of Chaos rather then agents of Evil. If they were, that would still be highly problematic, but Torryn could only deal with one issue at a time. Currently that issue was getting Phaedra to realise the enormity of the situation. It seemed to Torryn that it was Phaedra who'd read the book. Thus she'd been cursed by it: that curse demanding that she continue to read until all the evil of the book was unleashed. In the doing thereof it would, Torryn suspected, turn the reader to the path of Evil. All this though, was supposition. She didn't really know anything. She did though, trust her instincts.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Wednesday June 8th, 2022 9:53:08 AM
“I’ve said what I needed to say. I’m going to go back to the square and let the towns people know that what happened wasn’t their fault.”
Drack will head out, and back to the square, with the creature in tow unless someone needs it longer to figure out what it was.
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+9=16 ; Wednesday June 8th, 2022 10:41:09 AM
Loryn listens and follows the frantic captains eyes about the place. he was pretty sure he knew what happened and it was not a good thing. Cursed book with a compulsion to read it. Reading it conjures a creature, or summons one and then the book vanishes to another location for someone else to find and repeat. The gnome wondered how long the obession would last and he knew there was nothing outside of talk that he could do to help
Drack heads out and Loryn hopes the captain does not turn violent. She did not seem to be listening at all to Torry, the gnome tries a slight change to the approach of reason.
"Captain, calm down and think. You read the book and must have simply paced about while reading. Happens to me all of the time. Getting lost in the work. We'll help you look for it. OKay? It'll be fine"
turning to the group, "Just trying to clam her down, don't leave Drack out there solo Couple of you go with him. The rest of us can handle in here."
Bluff on Pheodra 16
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Wednesday June 8th, 2022 12:31:08 PM
“I can stay if a couple other folks want to take this thing and go talk to the town folk”
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Wednesday June 8th, 2022 6:46:38 PM
Perhaps it would be best if she left. She did know several of the townsfolk. Maybe she'd have more luck in calming them than she'd had with the Captain.
"I'll go. I don't think I am helping matters here greatly.". Torryn offered.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d20+5=14 ; d20+1=13 ; d20+6=17 ; Wednesday June 8th, 2022 7:28:46 PM
As Mortimer scans the square, he becomes increasingly irritated. He can sense multiple lingering auras as they fade to nothingness. "Argh! Just a crowd of nutters and a big pile of diddly!"
He looks around the crowd for individuals that appear more composed than the others. (Perception: 13)
Once he makes his pick, Mortimer puts on his best face and walks over with a question. (Diplomacy: 17)
"Pardon me," he says while tapping his badge, "Official business, yeah. You recall seein' two strangers standing just over there? You happen to see where they bugger off to?"
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Wednesday June 8th, 2022 7:53:50 PM
Manolo volunteers to keep an eye on the captain.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Wednesday June 8th, 2022 10:12:15 PM
Still not completely sure of what happened. Mole just looks a little confused. "I'll go with the lass."
DM Steve – We'll help you look for it. Okay? d20=9 ; Wednesday June 8th, 2022 10:35:51 PM Mortimer becomes irritated as he scans for magic, feeling it fading. He asks one of the townsfolk about the strangers that had been there. Torrynashkabbeth admonishes the captain, who clearly doesn’t grasp the situation. It seemed to Torryn that Phaedra had been cursed by the book. She offers to go talk to the townsfolk if Drack stays. Manolo volunteers to keep an eye on the captain. Ash again tries to figure out what the creature was. Loryn has his guesses about what’s going on, and doesn’t like it. He tries to help Phaedra recall where the book must be, or at least tries to make her think he’s helping as he calms her down. He suggests Drack not go out alone. Drack offers to go talk to the townsfolk. He then offers to stay if others want to go. Mole is still not sure what happened, but offers to go with Torryn.
Phaedra is trying to focus, but keeps slipping off topic. She shouts, ”Borad! Please come help Loryn find the book!” But she sits in an attempt to calm herself while they look.
As Ash thinks through what he knows of outsiders, he decides that this one was from an infernal plane – that is, a minor devil. A betrueger.
Mortimer’s question gets a confused look in response. ”Strangers, sir? I don’t know. I was too angry to notice them, I guess.”
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Thursday June 9th, 2022 6:24:47 AM
Drack hands off the dead creature to Torry and whoever else is going to speak with the villagers. “Take this with you to show them what was responsible. Check it for treasure on your way. Try and make them understand that if anyone finds or has the book, it should be brought to us immediately to keep this from happening again.”
After the others leave, Drack stands by, keeping an eye on Phaedra, while Loryn helps Borad search for the book. Drack doubts they will find it, and is slightly concerned about what Phaedra may do in that instant.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=10 ; Thursday June 9th, 2022 9:49:51 AM
Torryn made her way quickly back to the centre of the village. There she found a lot of hurt, angry or embarrassed individuals. Had the demon merely allowed the darkness in their hearts to speak freely, or had they had their goodness corrupted so that they spoke completely out of character? Torryn didn't know, but she did know a way to quickly mend the situation.
She trotted up to the first person she met, shook their hand and pulled them into an embrace. She hugged them briefly before separating with a broad, comforting smile.
"You're not a bad person. Pass it on. Go on. You can do it; shake a hand, give a hug, smile." With that she was away, onto the next nearest. It helped that she was young and pretty. Torryn had found that her youth, looks and enthusiasm had got her out of a great many scrapes and had alleviated a great many sour moods. She hoped that they would again.
(Diplomacy: 16)
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Thursday June 9th, 2022 7:27:04 PM
Loryn gives Pheodra a pat on teh hand, "There now, just relax and we'll find your book for you." Nodding towards the door, Loryn speaks to the others, "Hey pop out there and find Borad. Good chance this book is popping about and might end up somewhere close."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Thursday June 9th, 2022 8:28:58 PM
Manolo still keeps an eye on Pheodra....
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Thursday June 9th, 2022 8:45:28 PM
Ash shares with the others about the creature being a minor devil.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Thursday June 9th, 2022 10:14:22 PM
Mole watches Torryn give hugs to people. "Hope you're not expectin' me to give hugs." He says. "I'll tend to minor injuries."
Mole will tend the scraps and cuts of the people in the town square. (Take 10 Healing check is DC19)
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d20+1=9 ; Thursday June 9th, 2022 10:19:56 PM
Mortimer thanks the villagers for their help, but is ultimately disappointed with what he couldn't find. When Torryn had arrived and the hugs and cuddles began to flow, he couldn't help but smile and look on in pure bewilderment. Only she could get away with that. He could only imagine the amount of coin she could have pinched if properly schooled at picking pockets. He scratches and shakes his head at the thought.
He decides to go over to the spot where the strangers stood and have a butcher's at what they saw.
(Perception: 9)
DM Steve – You're not a bad person. Thursday June 9th, 2022 11:01:02 PM Mortimer thanks the villagers, but is disappointed. He watches Torryn’s attempt to calm the crowd. He decides to look at what the strangers would have seen. Loryn comforts Phaedra and starts looking for the book. He suggests someone go find Borad. Torrynashkabbeth heads back to the center of the village and starts offering hugs to everyone. Manolo keeps an eye on Phaedra. Mole won’t give hugs, but tends wounds instead. Drack offers Torryn the devil’s body to help explain what happened. He stays to keep an eye on Phaedra. Ash shares what he has figured out about the creature.
In the keep, Loryn, Manolo, Drack, and Ash restore some order to the room as they look for the book and watch Phaedra’s mood. She seems to be calming, slowly.
Guard Borad runs into Phaedra’s office, out of breath, disheveled, and scared out of his mind. “Captain! The Book is gone! I borrowed it just to take a peek, I greatly needed to read it, and now my guard post stinks like a swamp!”
. . .
In the square, where Mortimer, Mole, and Torryn are, people begin to get their bearings again. There are a few who don’t seem shaken by what happened, but most were and Torryn’s therapy does some good for them.
Mortimer can’t figure out what the strangers would have seen in particular, but he does decide that the square doesn’t seem as crowded as it did when the devil was speaking.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Friday June 10th, 2022 4:44:47 AM
Having given out as many hug as she reasonably could, Torryn's thoughts turned to the book and to the creature that it had summoned. Weren't summoned creatures meant to vanish in a puff of smoke or something like that? That's what the stories said. yet this one remained; a grim warning to what could happen if the book was read. She then wondered whether Angus had acquired it for precisely this purpose. Was that being mean? Would he really do something like that? People were bad for a reason, be it power or money or something else. Having the townsfolk turn on one another seemed to fulfil none of those objectives. Then again, demons just did bad things because they were bad. All this though, was simply conjecture. More practically, they needed to find the book. It was such a pity that the strange sage wasn't still around. He'd have ben an ideal repository for such a cursed item.
Unable to think up any cunning means of locating the book, Torryn resorted to her Fey sight and then her Scared Dancer ability to uncover evil.
(OOC: Scan the area for Magic and then for Evil)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Friday June 10th, 2022 6:39:25 AM
Drack curses under his breath.
"Take us to where it smells Borad. I don't think this is over yet." on the way, Drack asks Borad. "Did you read any of the book? Who else had access to it?"
"Manolo, will you run and grab the others? we may need them."
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Friday June 10th, 2022 8:04:41 PM
Ash shakes his head at Borad's revelation.
" Can you show us to your guard post Borad?"
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Friday June 10th, 2022 8:23:07 PM
Manolo starts to run before stopping for a second after thinking. "Careful folks, it seems like the book makes people compelled or cursed or persuased by something to read it", he says out loud hit thoughts before running to get the others.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d20+5=19 ; Friday June 10th, 2022 9:39:44 PM
Mortimer ponders what he had witnessed during the riot and the general state of befuddlement in its aftermath. He notices the crowd has lessened since the melee. Had it dispersed naturally as people recovered their senses, or should he start questioning the existence of many of the participants. This was an attack on the mind, just as much the body, possibly more.
(Knowledge [Arcana]: 19)
What he witnessed was shared by everyone it seems; not a personal experience. We were all in on the narrative. "Where are the trouble starters, bloody instigators? All that remain are the fear addicted, still drunk; intoxicated, yeah! This all feels like one bloomin' illusion; more precisely a figment."
And another thing ... Mortimer is confounded by all this new found knowledge. He's been a sorcerer for a few short months. With little to no instruction, he now contemplates the various schools of arcane lore. Not to mention becoming fluent in two languages he's never once spoken. He rubs his forehead.
"Will you just shut it?!" he blurts out to no one in particular.
DM Steve – I don't think this is over yet. Saturday June 11th, 2022 12:34:01 PM Torrynashkabbeth begins thinking about looking for the book, and realizes her sight can help her find magic or evil things. She looks for both in the town square. Drack tells Borad to take them where the problem is, and whether he read the book. He asks Manolo to get their friends who went out. Manolo runs to get Torryn, Mortimer, and Mole. He wonders why people seemed compelled to read the book. Ash asks Borad to show the group his guard post. Mortimer ponders what he has seen, and wonders how much of the commotion was real and how much illusion. He decides as much as a third of the crowd may not really have been there. Loryn is quiet in Phaedra’s office; Mole is quiet in the town square.
Manolo finds Torryn, Mortimer, and Mole and tells them that there seems to be a problem in the keep now. Inside the keep, Board explains to the others that he just had to have a quick peek at the book. “I couldn’t have read much, honest! Anyway, the book is on the shelf in my post. I left it there before I made my rounds, and when I got back – well, you can smell it easy enough.”
Borad’s guard post is next door to Phaedra’s Office. As the group arrives from within the keep and without, a musty and fetid smell permeates the room and spills out in the corridor. Anyone looking in the supposedly small alcove discovers it is now much bigger on the inside than the outside! The floor is damp, and growing swampy as folks watch. The swampiness is seen in the floor of the corridor, which is likely to be a swamp itself in a minute!
Needless to say, with the guardpost wall missing there is also no shelf for personal items.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Saturday June 11th, 2022 1:35:00 PM
Was it all real? It didn't seem possible. Still, Torryn elected to see if her fey Sight would help (Detect Magic). Thereafter she sought out the presence of evil. One little peek and the book was capable of causing all this distress? It hardly seemed credible, yet here she was stood at the threshold looking at the evidence with her own eyes!
"It smells pretty bad." She offered, not knowing what else to say.
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Sunday June 12th, 2022 10:12:51 AM
Loryn wrinkles his nose, "Curse my endowments." he mutters as the smell assaults his sences. "When I first looked at teh book, it was strong in conjuration magic. It would seem it has some compulsion magic as well. Nagging at your mind until you crack the cover and it would seem with random results."
Loryn retreats from the area some, "As Mortimer is saying, it looks like there could be illusion magic as well. The biggest problem is we have no way to track this book. It's bouncing about and all we can do is follow and try to clean up."
Loryn turns to Borad, "So you read some of it and then went on your rounds, so how long was the book available for someone to scoop up like you did ?"
"Only think i can think of is to get out and start asking about the book. Someone has it or saw someone with it"
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Monday June 13th, 2022 6:31:36 AM
“Is this real Loryn? It seems like awful powerful magic to end up in a tiny town like this. Also, are we sure there is nothing in the swamp barracks? It seems like the swamp is still growing, and where a swamp was created, it seems like some sort of occupant would be created as well.”
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+9=21 ; Monday June 13th, 2022 12:39:19 PM
"Sounds to me like we this book is mimicking fey magic, illusion and compulsion magic, to cause trouble. These people sitting and watching the chaos, could they be fey?"
Mole takes the description of the pair watching the chaos to see if they are fey or any other natural trouble maker. Natural Knowledge DC21
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Monday June 13th, 2022 12:40:06 PM
Loryn shrugs towards Drack, "I dunno, like all good heroes, I'm just making this up as I go"
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+11=16 ; Monday June 13th, 2022 2:19:21 PM
"An illusion?" Ash asks no one in particular. Ash looks around at the swamp, trying to discern anything of the magic behind the swamp. Is it a conjured swamp, or an illusion.
"If this is real, we're gonna have to figure out a way to counteract it otherwise this whole bulding might end up a swamp."
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Monday June 13th, 2022 5:51:04 PM
Torryn didn't know how to counteract anything like this. She was seeking magical auras and also looking for any lurking evil. At this point there didn't seem like there was much more she could do.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=9 ; Monday June 13th, 2022 7:07:02 PM
Manolo tries to keep alert but the smells and sights seem to overwhelm him. perception 9
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21. d20+4=24 ; Monday June 13th, 2022 9:03:12 PM
Mortimer rushes in from the street and finds the group in a swamp. "Ohh, this brings back a memory or two," he exclaims.
He affirms his findings out in the square, in a mildly smug and smarmy tone, he replies, "YEAH!" sniff, "more like a Figment. Not all the rioters were actually there. Neither is this." He calmly strains to disbelieve and see through the swampy illusion.
(Will Save: 24, natural 20, to disbelieve the illusion.)
DM Steve – Ohh, this brings back a memory or two. Monday June 13th, 2022 10:15:03 PM Mortimer comes in from the street. Based on his deductions from their last encounter, he declares the swamp isn’t real, and attempts to disbelieve. Ash examines the swamp, trying to discern the magic at work here. Mole considers what the book has done and wonders if it may be associated with the fey. From the descriptions of the strangers, he tries to think if they may have been fey. Manolo finds it hard to stay alert with the distractions. Drack thinks this is awfully powerful magic to crop up in a small town like Windhorn. He wonders what lives in the swamp that is rapidly forming. Torrynashkabbeth isn’t sure that what she’s seeing is real, but it smells bad. She detects magic to learn what she can. But she has no idea how to deal with the magic. Loryn, trained gourmand, may find the smell even more unpleasant than the rest. He considers the magical implications, and asks Borad how long the book was unattended. He suggests going out and asking about the book.
Ash is unable to identify the spell (or spells) just by examining the results. The swamp growing here seems real to all of his senses (particularly that of smell). Torryn senses illusion (glamer), conjuration (summoning), and transmutation, but no evil. While Mortimer is no doubt correct that there is an illusory component to what is going on, it is real enough to pose problems.
Where Borad’s post was, there is now a fifteen-foot gap in the wall of the keep. Somehow the keep seems to have stretched around it. Inside is a smelly, squishy swamp, the vegetation mere feet away. The corridor is now also muck, and movement is difficult. Small biting flies appear, unpleasant but not dangerous.
From back in the swamp, its source unseen, comes a low susurrus of babbling voices. Everyone (except Torryn) make a DC 13 Will save or Highlight to display spoiler: {be lulled to sleep}.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Tuesday June 14th, 2022 5:38:41 AM
What was that noise? Instinctively Torryn shifted her senses seeking out the presence of evil. She was simultaneously grateful that she wore long boots and that she was so light. She figured that she wouldn't sink as much into the mire. She stepped forward to see what more could be ascertained from an unhindered vantage point.
(OOC: Move to M11. with spear at the ready.)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 d20+6=23 ; Tuesday June 14th, 2022 6:52:18 AM
Drack moves forward, following 5 feet behind Torry. "I'll follow you Torry. If I step in a bad spot, i'll sink like a stone with all this armor on."
Drack hears the noise, and doesn't know what to make of it, so he ignores it for now.(Will save 23, 25 if it is an enchantment)
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+4=15 ; d3=1 ; Tuesday June 14th, 2022 12:29:28 PM
" You hear that? " Ash asks. The sleepiness didn't effect him, but if anyone else begins dropping, he'll go into action waking them up.
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+3=18 ; d20+3=8 ; Tuesday June 14th, 2022 1:00:56 PM
Loryn looks and stops down to pick up some of the muck. The voices from further in lift his attention for a moment, but he ignores them and returns to his study. Will save 18
Torry was talking Illusions, he was pretty adapt at making them and, as a gnome, sniffing them out. Loryn interacts with the illusion to trey and determine it reality state Will save 8 or 10 vs illusion
"Seems entirely real despite the complete illogic of it all." Loryn summons his Dancing Lights and sends them out in front or Torry by 20'
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. d20=10 ; d100=46 ; Tuesday June 14th, 2022 5:54:20 PM
(Will Save: d20+4=14, forgot to add the modifier to my Will save roll.)
He feels that if he had any chance to see through the illusion, he would have with that last attempt. Then the mumbling of magical words sends a strange feeling over his body, but he was able to fight off the effects. He casts an extra layer of protection in preparation.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+3=23 ; Tuesday June 14th, 2022 7:30:28 PM
Manolo feels repulsed by what is going on. "Smells and looks like this place is turning into a swamp", he says and stays where he is at the moment. Manolo readies his dagger.
Will save 23 (natural 20)
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Tuesday June 14th, 2022 9:53:02 PM
(ooc: sorry, forgot to move)
Mortimer moves into the murkiness to get a look at their attacker (M12).
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+7=16 ; Tuesday June 14th, 2022 10:10:44 PM
Will save DC16
Mole moves up behind Torryn.
DM Steve – Smells and looks like this place is turning into a swamp. Tuesday June 14th, 2022 10:32:22 PM Torrynashkabbeth steps forward, spear ready, to get a better look. Drack plans to follow Torry, worried about sinking in the muck. As she hasn’t moved far forward, he stays put for the moment. Mortimer realizes this is not the sort of illusion magic to be disbelieved, and casts shield. He moves to get a better look. Loryn studies the muck, trying to determine if it is an illusion. He sends dancing lights into the swamp. Ash asks if the others heard the noise. Manolo is repulsed by the swamp. He readies his dagger. Mole moves up behind Torryn.
The swamp continues to expand, and there is – a thing – in it.
The thing defies description or reason. It is amorphous, slowly changing shape, and is covered in a large number of mouths and eyes. The mouths speak independently of one another, although no sensible words come out of them. The effect is lulling, perhaps hypnotic had anyone succumbed to it. The thing does not move quickly, but in the swampy and difficult terrain this part of the Keep has become, it seems to be moving well enough.
Perception DC 10 – Highlight to display spoiler: {A maid and a farmer walk around a corner towards the guard post, unconcerned by anything going on.} DC 15 – Highlight to display spoiler: {They appear to be asleep.}
"I think that thing needs to be quiet." Torryn told the others as she again moved forward. She invoked her Fey Armour and a thin, ghostly, shimmering veil of tumbling leaves shrouded her lithe form. Moving closer, she tried to recall all that Agratha had said about "walking lightly as a feather". It was something like that, she was sure, but not so sure that she could accurately emulate her teacher's skill.
OOC: Torryn will move to L8 ready to attack next round. Should the thing lunge, she can brace her trident and it does accord her some reach.)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PEwCn4Ab_xuODPQPsOql0ivp4dBgDuR2VUneAgsI2eQ/edit# d20=3 ; Wednesday June 15th, 2022 3:26:31 AM
Drack drew his curved blade. If there was fighting to be done, he'd do it. His focus on the babbling aberration he saw nothing else of note. Purposefully Drack stepped forward ready to slice the thing in twain!
(OOC: Sub-posting)
He'll move right up to K7.
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+2=5 ; Wednesday June 15th, 2022 2:15:48 PM
Loryn suddenly finds his mind hopelessly lost. The swamp, the book, denizens of the outer planes, something in the swamp...It was all too much and the gnomes perception and mind was simply taking a different route on processing the information by not doing so. Perception 5
"Be careful guys." he mumbles
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=10 ; Wednesday June 15th, 2022 7:51:57 PM
Manolo sees the two walking and shouts to them "be careful folks " he. He tries to catch up to them to see what they are doing in this place.
Perception 10
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+11=19 ; d20+11=14 ; d20+10=22 ; d20+11=28 ; d20+10=14 ; d20+2=16 ; Wednesday June 15th, 2022 9:15:23 PM
Ash begins going through the encyclopedia in his head, trying to figure out what the creature is.
"Ehhh..anyone see the farmer and maid sleepwalking?
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+11=19 ; d20+11=14 ; d20+10=22 ; d20+11=28 ; d20+10=14 ; d20+2=16 ; Wednesday June 15th, 2022 9:15:24 PM
Ash begins going through the encyclopedia in his head, trying to figure out what the creature is.
"Ehhh..anyone see the farmer and maid sleepwalking?
Seeing the farmer and the maid is concerning. It would probably be best if they stay out of the way.
Mortimer speaks a few shadowy words of power and a black, coruscating ray springs from your hand.
(Mortimer casts Ray of Enfeeblement on the monster. ASF10: 80, success. Hit TouchAC: 11. Fort Save 15 for half. Damage: -6 Strength. Duration: 3 rounds.)
DM Steve – Anyone see the farmer and maid sleepwalking? d20=20 ; d20=16 ; d20+7=23 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=16 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+7=15 ; d4=4 ; d4=4 ; d4=3 ; d20+7=27 ; d3=3 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+7=24 ; Wednesday June 15th, 2022 11:09:22 PM Mortimer casts a spell at the thing. Unfortunately, he misses. Torrynashkabbeth moves forward and invoked her fey armor. She prepares to attack. Manolo shouts a warning to the maid and farmer, and moves to intercept them. DM interprets this as crossing the swampy area. Ash tries to figure out what the thing is, and asks if anyone else sees the sleepwalking people. Loryn feels lost. He tells the others to be careful. Drack moves forward and draws his weapon. Mole is quiet.
Ash realizes that this creature is an aberration – not natural, probably warped by magic somewhere in its ancestry. The problem with such creatures is that they are likely to have odd abilities. But they aren’t (that he can recall) particularly immune to things.
Borad bangs on Phaedra’s door. The maid and the farmer continue walking into the swamp.
The thing attacks Drack, slurping up to him and trying to bite. It makes it past his armor three times. Each of the mouths that bit Drack stays attached and sucks. Drack takes 11 points of damage from the bites and also has the grappled condition.
This does not keep its free mouths from continuing to babble.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 d20+6=23 ; d20=7 ; Thursday June 16th, 2022 6:07:47 AM "Ugh!" Grunted Drack. This thing was determined to die and he was just the man to help it achieve that goal. He whipped his sword around to drive it straight downwards skewering the beats! At least that was the plan. Unfortunately the many mouths that were latched onto him made that for more challenging than he'd expected.
(Hits AC:14. - if such is permitted whilst grappled.)
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=13 ; d6=6 ; Thursday June 16th, 2022 6:14:12 AM
Seeing Drack's plight Torryn immediately attacked. Given that Drack was so closely embroiled with the unnatural creature, Torryn eschewed the spear and instead kicked it - right in the mouth!
(AC:18 hit - 6 damage if that hits.)
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Thursday June 16th, 2022 7:10:59 AM
Mole moves up to support Drack.
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+4=19 ; d6+1=4 ; Thursday June 16th, 2022 1:23:01 PM
Loryn is willing to try and moves forward to get the thing in range. (k/11)
Loryn pumps his fist towards the creature and sends an opaque murky brown ray at the creature Acid Ray 30' range touch AC 19 Dmg 4
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. d20+4=10 ; d100=49 ; d3=3 ; Thursday June 16th, 2022 5:45:57 PM
Mortimer moves closer (M10) as fast as he can in this imaginary muck. He fires a ray of frost along the way. Trying his best to get to Drack.
(Mortimer fires a Ray of Frost. ASF10: 49, success. Hit TouchAC: 10, miss. Damage: 3 frost damage.)
"Bollocks!"
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=18 ; d20=19 ; Thursday June 16th, 2022 6:31:44 PM
Manolo takes a quick good look at the farmers. He sighs and tries to wake them up by shouting at them and gently shake them. Perception 18 Another d20 roll if needed - 19
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 2d4+2=7 ; Thursday June 16th, 2022 8:52:48 PM
"Running a little low here" Ash exlaims as he finishes up the verbal component of another magic missle. - 7 dmg
Spells Left Magic Missle, Acid Arrow x2
DM Steve – Bollocks d20=14 ; d20=14 ; d20+7=10 ; d20+7=16 ; d20+7=18 ; d4=1 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=8 ; d20+7=11 ; d4=1 ; d4=4 ; d4=3 ; d20+6=10 ; Thursday June 16th, 2022 10:01:40 PM Mortimer moves closer. He misses with a ray of frost. Loryn moves forward and casts a spell. His acid affects the creature. Torrynashkabbeth attacks, and comes very close in her attempt. Manolo spends the round waking the farmer and the young lady. Mole moves up. Drack attacks the thing, but misses. Grappled condition copied below. Ash casts magic missile.
The two townsfolk are surprised to find themselves being woken, but react better than might be expected upon finding themselves on the edge of a swamp. Still, they hastily retreat.
The thing is stuck to Drack and unable to move, just like Drack is stuck to it. With the three mouths that succeeding in grappling him, it drains blood from Drack. With three more, it attacks anew. Two of these attacks hit, but neither succeeds in latching on. Drack takes a total of 5 damage from attacks and 2 from blood drain (total of 7 damage) and the blood drain also causes loss of 1 constitution.
Another mouth spits at Loryn, but misses. The spittle sizzles as it hits the muck at his feet, obviously acidic.
Grappled condition: 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.
DM Edit:Correction -- upon re-reading the thing's big attack mode, I think that it does one blood drain per victim per round instead of one blood drain per attached mouth per round. Drack's damage above has been reduced accordingly from the 13 total damage and 3 constitution originally posted.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d8+3=6 ; d20+11=12 ; Thursday June 16th, 2022 11:18:31 PM
Mole casts a cure spell at Drack.
CLW - 6 points healed.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 25/30 - AC 17 d20=9 ; d6=6 ; Friday June 17th, 2022 5:01:04 AM
(Sub-post)
Perhaps he could break. Perhaps he should break free, but Drack knew that he had the creature's attention. Whilst it was focussed on him, it was harming no one else. So, despite the difficulty, he battled on. That task was made the harder by his inability to put his favoured weapon to use (The Elven Curve Blade is a 2 handed weapon) He quickly dropped the blade and pulled his short sword from its sheaf.
(Hits AC:13 (-2 figured in): 9 damage if successful.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=3 ; Friday June 17th, 2022 5:05:54 AM
Torryn saw Drack valiantly fight on. Her heart sank somewhat when she saw that he was forced to drop he favoured weapon. She needed to help. So again , calling upon all of Agratha's teachings - completely missed her intended target.
She'd gone for a daring hook kick. her heel was meant to have knocked the creature away from Drack. Sadly her foot sailed harmlessly over its head.
(Only hits AC: 8)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 25/27 - AC 17 (CN:-1) Friday June 17th, 2022 8:43:39 AM
OOC: Amended the damage. However, if his CN is reduced; so too surely will be his health as he's denied a certain amount of the bonus accruing from such. I've reflected that in the above stat line.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 2d4+2=8 ; Friday June 17th, 2022 9:12:33 AM
This thing might get enjoyment from an acidic missle." Ash thought to himself. "But maybe not a magic one."
Magic missle - 8 dmg
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+4=13 ; d20+1=15 ; d6+1=6 ; Friday June 17th, 2022 10:39:54 AM
The gnome smiles a bit to himself when the creature's acid attack strikes nearby. That was a threat he was well prepared for and acquainted with. He closes with the creature and Drak Move to K/9
From there he sends another Ray of Acid Ranged Touch Attack AC 13 Dmg 6
"Hang on Drak! I'll save you" sometimes the gnome simply cannot help himself
Previous round Loryn had moved to K/11, but map I access shows otherwise and ignore the accidental d20+1
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. d20+4=21 ; d6+2=8 ; d100=12 ; Friday June 17th, 2022 11:53:47 AM
Mortimer continues to move in for the kill. He speaks a few dark words of power and another black, coruscating ray springs from his raised right hand. This time his ray strikes hard. The creature feels the unsettling negative energies drain it of its strength and vitality. He hopes this weakens the creature enough to lose its hold on Drack.
(Mortimer casts Ray of Enfeeblement. ASF10: 12, success. Hit TouchAC: 21. Fort Save: 15 for half. Damage: -8 Strength. Duration: 3 rounds.)
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Friday June 17th, 2022 7:34:09 PM
Manolo leave the town folks to run away and makes his way to help Drack.
DM Steve – Hang on Drack! I'll save you. d20+8=14 ; d20+3=21 ; d6=4 ; d20+6=16 ; d4=4 ; d4=1 ; Saturday June 18th, 2022 12:24:21 AM Loryn hits the creature with another ray of acid. Torrynashkabbeth attacks the creature but misses. Drack thinks about breaking free, but decides to fight on. He changes weapons and misses his attack. Mole heals Drack. Manolo moves to help Drack. Ash sends another magic missile into the thing. Mortimer casts a ray of enfeeblement, weakening the creature significantly.
The thing seems to being holding its own in combat, but the spellcasters are whittling it down. This round, it tries to climb Drack and fold itself around him. Despite being weakened, it succeeds in swallowing him. Drack takes 4 hit points and 1 constitution damage from blood drain, and is now inside the creature. Inside the creature, Drack retains the grappled condition.
The creature also spits again, this time targeting Loryn again. It hits AC 16 – Loryn must make a DC 18 Fortitude save or be blinded.
Borad spends the time waking another sleepwalker and sending him off.
=== Here is a map. Thing – AC 19 (Touch 13), 25 damage, -8 STR 1/3
Grappled condition: 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.
Blinded condition: The creature cannot see. It takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class, loses its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), and takes a –4 penalty on most Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks and on opposed Perception skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Perception checks based on sight) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) against the blinded character. Blind creatures must make a DC 10 Acrobatics skill check to move faster than half speed. Creatures that fail this check fall prone.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/27 - AC 15 (CN -2) d20=3 ; Saturday June 18th, 2022 5:28:30 AM
(OOC: By my calculations the above stat line is correct. Please let me know if it isn't. I adjusted max health to reflect the reduced CN. He is at -2 to hit.
"Enough of this!" Bellowed Drack shortly before being engulfed. It was time to free himself from this pest
(OOC: Having been swallowed - I am unsure whether a grapple check will suffice to extricate himself. So, the plan is .... 1. Opposed check to 'break free'. If such is no longer applicable... 2. Deploy the short sword to devastating effect.)
(Alas, Chris will hate me - I rolled 3!)
Unfortunately for Drack neither of his great plans came to fruition. The foul creature was simply too fluid and amorphous to get to grips with.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=20 ; d6=1 ; Saturday June 18th, 2022 5:36:41 AM
(OOC: Now that I've been posting for Drack, I've lost the link to the character sheets. How do i reinstate that?)
It was horrifying. The abhorrent creature was eating Drack! It was now practically slithering down past his shoulders, clearly intent on wholly engulfing him and Torryn had been utterly useless in endeavouring to prevent that from happening. Now, if she attacked, surely a blow would impact the injured Drack too? Given her current poor form, there really didn't seem much prospect of that. Still, she decided that it would be best not to take a chance. Torryn unleashed a Fey Spark.
The spark unerringly flew to sting the monstrosity, but it's effects were so negligible as be redundant - like all her attempts to help so far.
(Sometimes if it wasn't for your bad luck, you'd have no luck at all.)
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Saturday June 18th, 2022 7:48:34 AM
(ooc: If you need to make a roll, use a hero point. Might as well use them. You can’t hoard them at this level. You can only have a number of hero points equal to your level. If your maxed out, any future hero points you earn are lost. Might as well reroll your grapple check with a +4 bonus while the monster is weak.)
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+3=8 ; d20+1=18 ; Saturday June 18th, 2022 10:09:11 AM
Mole moves in and grabs the creature and attempts to pull it off drack.
Grapple DC 8, Strength check DC18
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+3=8 ; d20+3=11 ; Saturday June 18th, 2022 3:35:07 PM
Loryn catches a face full of nasty and everything goes black. "Ahhh! I Can't see, I cant see." the blinded gnome fumbles and claws at his face as he falls back and tries to keep his feet in the swampy sludge.
Fort save 8 Hero Point reroll 11 still blind
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. d100=59 ; d20+4=19 ; d6=3 ; d20+4=13 ; d6=2 ; Saturday June 18th, 2022 7:17:04 PM
Mortimer is not liking this ... not one bit! While he empathizes with Loryn, and hopes his vision will return, the urgency at the moment is Drack. This creature must have the strength of an ogre if it's still having its way Drack.
With grim determination, Mortimer begins to speak words of power. The shadows around him coalesce become drawn into him. Suddenly the flesh of his hand bursts with an icy, blue energy. The bones within his hand can easily be seen in black silhouette. He steps forward and delivers his touch.
(Mortimer casts Chill Touch and attacks the creature. ASF10: 59. 3 charges. Hit TouchAC: 19. Damage: 3 negative energy damage. Fort save: 15 vs. -1 Strength damage.)
(Hero Point Extra Action: Attack again with Chill Touch. Hit Touch AC: 13. Damage: 2 negative energy damage. Fort Save: 15 vs. -1 Strength Damage.)
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+2=4 ; d4+1=2 ; Monday June 20th, 2022 6:00:31 PM
Manolo tries to move near the monster and attack it out of rage and desperation....seeing Drack getting into a deadly situation affected him dearly.
Attack 4 Damage 2
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d6=2 ; Monday June 20th, 2022 6:02:14 PM
Sneak attack damage if it applies here - 2
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+2=8 ; d20+2=7 ; Monday June 20th, 2022 9:15:28 PM
Ash pulls out a but of rhubarb and a dried piece of an adders stomach. He points his pointer finger at the creature, and yells Acidious. Unleashing an acid arrow. Unfortunately the spell misses.. and misses ekrse after the hero point.
DM Steve – Enough of this! d20+8=21 ; 4d6-5=5 ; d20+3=7 ; d20+3=6 ; d20+3=16 ; d20+3=20 ; d20+3=13 ; d20+3=18 ; d4-4=0 ; d20+6=10 ; d20+7=21 ; Monday June 20th, 2022 9:55:17 PM Loryn is blinded. Mortimer worries that the creature is too strong, and casts chill touch. He wounds it further but does not weaken it further.. Drack tries to escape from inside the creature, but is unable to use his weapon effectively at the moment. Mole attempts to grapple the creature, but finds it too amorphous to get a good grip with this attempt. Ash sends an acod arrow at the monster, but misses. Manolo makes a desperate attack on the creature, but misses. Torrynashkabbeth struck the creature with a fey spark. She wishes it were more powerful.
Although Loryn lost his actions for that round, the blindness is not permanent and he manages to clear his eyes. He will be able to act again normally.
Inside the creature, Drack is subject to its digestive processes – including mouths inside the creature. Drack suffers 5 hit points and -2 constitution damage.
Perception DC 12 Highlight to display spoiler: {}Not only is Drack inside the creature, but a few undigested items are in there as well.[.spoiler]
Those near the creature learn that it can still bite. Although it is sluggish now, and unable to drag Drack from its current spot, it attempts to bite Manolo, Mortimer, and Mole. It succeeds in biting Mole once, but in its weakened state does only 1 point non-lethal damage. It spits at Torryn, but misses.
Phaedra shouts out, ”That’s a gibbering mouther. You should smash it with clubs or staves if you can.” She does not stop to help, though, but goes to stop several sleepwalkers. ”I never heard of one luring sleeping people before!” At the other end of the swampy area, Borad deals with more sleeping people.
=== Here is a map. Thing – AC 19 (Touch 13), 28 damage, -8 STR 2/3
[i]Grappled condition: 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.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield d20+4=21 ; d6=6 ; d20+4=9 ; d6=5 ; Monday June 20th, 2022 10:39:38 PM
Mortimer again strikes the icky, mouthy thing with his icy touch. Frost can visibly be seen on his breath. Upon striking the creature for a third time, his hand reverts back to its normal fleshy state. With one exception, the tips of his fingers appear discolored.
(Mortimer attacks the Thing with Chill Touch. Hit Touch AC: 21. Damage: 6 negative energy. Fort Save 15 vs. -1 Strength damage.)
===========================================
Loryn Glitterfall: AC:13. HP:19/19 2. Posting for Dan Knotts
Rubbing the remains of the Thing's filth from his eyes, Loryn turns around and glares at the nasty creature. "What a repugnant fellow you are!" He then returns the favor by sending another Ray of Acid at the beast. Loryn winces with dissatisfaction at the trajectory of his ray. He has little luck trying to guide it with hand gestures. He ultimately hopes the Thing's ability to dodge his attack is diminished by the fact that it's locked in a grapple with Drack.
(Loryn casts Ray of Acid at the Thing. Hit Touch AC: 9. Range: 30 feet. Damage: 5 acid damage.)
DM Steve – Enough of this! d20+8=11 ; Monday June 20th, 2022 11:18:25 PM
Correcting the damage to the creature, since I missed Mortimer's second attack last round (and the mouther failed to save against it): Thing – AC 19 (Touch 13), 30 damage, -8 STR 2/3 & -1 STR
Drack (Chris J) - hp 13/24 - AC 15 (CN -4) d20=13 ; d20=3 ; d20=6 ; Tuesday June 21st, 2022 3:46:44 AM
(OOC: Perception: 19. There is however, no clue as to what those other things are.)
He'd wanted to protect the others. In that regard he'd done an excellent job: it just wasn't quite in the manner that he'd intended. Now Drack found himself getting consumed by some foul, amorphous aberration. His favoured sword lay on the ground and his short sword could not effectively be employed. Surely, now was the time to escape? Drack up a silent prayer. He focused his efforts and again sought his liberty. To no effect. (3) Clearly he needed to pray harder. This he did, this time through gritted teeth and then shoved!
(Hero Point spent. Feels naughty as I am subbing for Chris and it didn't have a massive effect(6), but with Drack's strength that becomes a super impressive (9). However, if the -2 for Grappled still applies; that's (7). I strongly advocate me never subbing for anyone again:)
He was stuck.
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d20=16 ; d6=5 ; Tuesday June 21st, 2022 3:51:53 AM
Torryn could see Drack struggling. Yet no matter what he did, he seemed unable to extricate himself. She had to save him! Her Fey Spark though had done next to nothing. It was time to get physical! Torryn kicked it. (AC: 21)
She jumped and spun in the air, backwards. her heel raked through the strange, shifting substance that was its flesh. It did at least feel like she'd inflicted some real damage. (5)
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+4=24 ; d20+4=13 ; d6+1=6 ; d6+1=4 ; Tuesday June 21st, 2022 9:45:17 AM
Mole fires a line of acid at the creature.
Touch AC 24 (crit if possible, AC13); damage 6 (or 10 if can crit).
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+2=20 ; 2d4=4 ; Tuesday June 21st, 2022 10:05:45 AM
Ash pulls out more rhubarb and a dried piece of an adders stomach. He points his pointer finger at the creature again, and yells Acidious a second time. Unleashing an acid arrow, and this time strikes true.
4 acid damage, 2d4 next round.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield d100=29 ; d20+7=25 ; d20+4=22 ; d3=2 ; d20+4=23 ; d6+1=7 ; Tuesday June 21st, 2022 7:20:44 PM
Mortimer can't help but notice all the acid being flung around. "Am I the only bloke here without an Acid attack?!"
He begins to cast defensively, to avoid being struck by an opportunistic, mouthy blob. He sends an icy ray into the Thing.
(Mortimer Defensively Casts: Concentration check: 25, success. Cast Ray of Frost at the Thing. ASF10: 29%. Hit Touch AC: 22. Damage: 2 cold damage.)
Loryn Glitterfall: AC:13. HP:19/19 2. Posting for Dan Knotts
Loryn repeats his last attack. Too many people in the way for his other spells. A smirk forms across his face with the return of his satisfaction.
(Loryn casts Ray of Acid at the Thing. Hit Touch AC: 23. Damage: 7 acid damage.)
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=22 ; d20+2=12 ; d4+1=4 ; Tuesday June 21st, 2022 7:43:38 PM
Manolo sees something out and shouts "I can see several items inside the thing's mouth'. He tries again to stab the thing . Attack 12 Damage 4
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Tuesday June 21st, 2022 7:43:54 PM
Perception 22
DM Steve – What a repugnant fellow you are! d20+8=25 ; Tuesday June 21st, 2022 10:47:42 PM Manolo notices things inside the creature. He tries to stab it, but misses. Ash hits the creature with an acid arrow. Loryn casts ray of acid but misses. Torrynashkabbeth kicks the creature firmly. Mortimer uses his chill touch on the thing one more time, landing a solid hit. Mole fires acid at the creature as well, striking it squarely. Drack tries to burst out of the creature, but to no effect.
Loryn does not repeat the attack this round. Mortimer does not make the ray of frost attack this round. Sorry if my post to update the creature’s damage caused confusion.
Under the barrage of attacks from the party, the creature just sort of slumps. It does not try to attack anyone when it should have had the chance. A moment later the lingering effect of the acid arrow renders a portion of it goo. Mortimer realizes he’s about the only one not using acid.
Drack is still in there. However, it will probably be easier to get him out now.
=== Here is a map. Thing – AC 19 (Touch 13), 47+ damage, -8 STR 3/3 & -1 STR
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 2:05:10 AM
(ooc: Sorry, yesterday was a disorienting day. Didn’t mean to post twice. Being the longest day of the year, 100+ degree weather, air conditioning going out in the car, and no sleep for 48 hours, we’re all contributing factors to my befuddlement. :)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 24/24 - AC 15 (CN -4) (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 d6=3 ; d6=2 ; d6=1 ; d6=5 ; Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 5:18:52 AM
Somewhat tiredly, but with determination Drack pulled himself free of the disgusting creature. he'd seen some of the items that the thing had been unable to devour. It seemed only fair that he retrieve some of those. He saw little point in leaving them so place so unpleasant. yet before he did so, he paused to thank his friends.
"THAT, was not what I intended when i set out to spare you from undue suffering. So....ah...my thanks." He then bent to retrieve his weapons that he might better open up the monstrosity. Of course there was healing to be administered. Drack didn't feel guilty healing himself. He was the only one injured.
It took a lot of healing to return himself to even a vague approximation of what he'd lost.
(Used 4 x Lay on Hands - 2 remain)
Torrynashkabbeth (Nick K) HP: 9 AC:14 d20=20 ; Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 5:22:15 AM
Torryn was relieved; very relieved. She'd been genuinely worried for Drack.
"Thank you, Drack. That was very brace of you." She told him quietly as she examined the fallen creature.
(OOC: Perception 20! - To see what can be espied within its mouths.)
DM edit: There was a single open bracket "[" missing from the link for this post. Telling you that doesn't really explain, though. Look at Stephen F's post below for a good explanation.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XTBGUllt8XNEcx4AeK6cYOTxZWLk3u2_AlpXzVxGVpw/editTorrynashkabbeth/link] (Nick K) HP: 9 AC:14 Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 5:23:30 AM
OOC: Just trying to fix my header. Please ignore.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 1:06:08 PM
"Drack, my friend, I am not one for martial weapons... but I never thought of using myself to choke my opponent. Smart...." he says as he taps his head and smiles.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 2:24:23 PM
Nick try this: (just replace sink with link)
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 6:14:56 PM
Manolo pats Drack on the back,"Glad you made it alive", he says, happy to see his friend still alive after all that he went through.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 8:24:12 PM
While Loryn withholds his attack after the creature appears to have finally expired, Mortimer has no such qualms. As Drack pulls himself free of the beast, the young sorcerer performs what he refers to affectionately as a 'double tap' (or 'zap' in this case).
(Enter 2nd attack from previous round: Hit Touch AC: 22. Damage: 2 cold damage.)
"Oy ... talk about gettin' down and dirty, Drack! You okay?"
Loryn Glitterfall: AC:13. HP:19/19 2. Posting for Dan Knotts
Loryn moves in for moral support. He refrains from touch Drack, unless pressed to do so. He finds the black ooze a bit too repellant. However hearing curious words of items being found within puddling black sludge, he casts Detect Magic to see if there is the presence of magic.
(Loryn casts Detect Magic.)
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+4=16 ; Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 10:03:54 PM
Mole strikes with his warhammer. The attack bounces off the gelatinous shape.
AC 16
DM Steve – Glad you made it alive Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 11:05:07 PM Loryn casts detect magic to see what is. Manolo is happy to see Drack still alive. Mole strikes the creature with his warhammer. Mortimer deals a final blow to the creature. He asks if Drack is ok. Torrynashkabbeth tells Drack he was brave. She also looks at the creature to see what was in it. Ash compliments Drack on successfully choking the opponent. Drack finished freeing himself from what’s left of the creature. He thanks his friends, and lays hands on himself a few times.
In addition to Drack and his now-retrieved weapons, the gibbering mouther contained a variety of gems and coins, a pair of pants, three flasks, and two scroll cases. Loryn identifies everything except the gems and coins as magic. A quick assessment places the value of the non-magical items at 2,800 gp.
Borad and Phaedra can be heard around the corners, continuing to wake people. However, they are now moving away as they do so.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Thursday June 23rd, 2022 12:07:36 AM
Ash uses Read Magic to determine what is on the scrolls if Magical. He'll share the info with the others.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 24/24 - AC 15 (CN -4) (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6ttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1XTBGUllt8XNEcx4AeK6cYOTxZWLk3u2_AlpXzVxGVpw/editTorrynashkabbeth/link] (Nick K) HP: 9 AC:14 Thursday June 23rd, 2022 4:58:16 AM
Drack was tired. Fighting that thing had taken more of his reserves than he'd initially thought. Perhaps though, it was nothing a good night's rest wouldn't cure. he idly wondered if that's how most felt who'd almost been eaten!
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21. AC: 20.F:4. R:6. W:7. Thursday June 23rd, 2022 5:10:23 AM
Torryn stepped over and summoned her Fey magic. She decided that he'd look and feel a lot better once he wasn't covered in saliva and less identifiable gunk.
(Mending - repeated as needed.)
"Perhaps we should go see what else has transpired. I noticed there were some apparently sleepwalking. I don't see how that's related to this thing, but we should probably take a look around."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Thursday June 23rd, 2022 6:02:58 PM
Manolo agrees with Torryn.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+3=9 ; Thursday June 23rd, 2022 7:05:15 PM
Mole had little he could do about Drack's fatigue. He looks about. Is the swamp still here? He recalls his healing spell and cast it again on Drack.
CLW - heals 9
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield d20+1=6 ; d100=46 ; d20+4=5 ; d3=2 ; d20+4=15 ; Thursday June 23rd, 2022 9:40:14 PM
Mortimer looks around the swampy room for the book (Perception:6). "Anyone see that bloody book,"[/b} he asks to no one in particular? If there are any open swampy areas where there should logically be a wall, he fires an icy ray at it to see what happens. Does his ray pass through or crashes into an invisible wall.
[b](Cast Ray of Frost at a swampy area where there should be wall. Hit Touch AC: 5. Damage: 2 cold damage. If the ray crashes into something, he'll attempt to disbelieve and see through the illusion. Will Save: 15 to disbelieve.)
Loryn Glitterfall: AC:13. HP:19/19 2. Posting for Dan Knotts
Loryn suggests, "We should deliver these items to a more suitable location. I don't wish to soil them any more than we need to." He begins to gather up the items and remove them from the swamp.
DM Steve – We should probably take a look around. Thursday June 23rd, 2022 11:43:02 PM Loryn begins to gather the items they’ve found. Torrynashkabbeth tries to help Drack by using mending. She suggests they find out what else was happening. Manolo agrees with Torryn. Mole looks to see if the swamp is still there. Drack is tired. Ash uses read magic to see what’s on the scrolls. Mortimer looks for the book. He casts ray of frost at the swampness.
Looking around, the group finds that the swamp is still there, and Mortimer’s ray continues on where he thinks there should be a wall. As they watch, the swamp is slowly changing, but this change is no where near as quick as the appearance of the swamp was. At least, as what they saw of it’s appearance.
Manolo says the scrolls are rage (bard 2) and lesser restoration (cleric 3). Checking the pants finds that two of the pockets are larger on the inside. Figuring out what the potions are will take a little more time.
There is no sign of the book, but there is also no sign yet of the guard station.
After a few minutes, Phaedra returns. She seems to be back to her normal self. ”Now what was it you were saying about this book?” she wants to know.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 24/24 - AC 15 (CN -4) (Nick K) HP: 21/21 AC:16/16/12 CMD: 16. F:4; R: 6; W: 6 Friday June 24th, 2022 4:33:07 AM
Drack stepped forward - carefully through the swap - and explained to Phaedra that what she sees is but a small fraction of the misery that reading the book brings. He stressed both the need NOT to read or even open the book and also their need to find it, that it might be put away safely.
[link href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XTBGUllt8XNEcx4AeK6cYOTxZWLk3u2_AlpXzVxGVpw/edit"]Torrynashkabbeth[/linkHP:21. AC: 20.F:4. R:6. W:7. ] Friday June 24th, 2022 4:38:12 AM
It seemed to Torryn that the book was not within the present vicinity. She opened her senses and turning slowly, looked for the existence of any Evil. She had no idea what to do beyond that. Then a thought occurred.
"We should likely look for odd behaviour around town. A book that wants to be read needs someone to read it."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=11 ; Friday June 24th, 2022 7:04:38 PM
Manolo tries to look around for more possible clues, but he is curious about the potions so distracts himself with them for a few moments.
Perception 11
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield d20+6=26 ; Friday June 24th, 2022 9:40:17 PM
(ooc: Question - By saying, "this book," are you implying that Phaedra is presently holding the book? If so ...)
(Diplomacy: 26, natural 20)
With a very serious tone, he answers with a cool, calm voice, "Be very, very careful with that book. Bewitched by those pages, you were, just moments ago. Maybe you should hand it over."
Mortimer holds out his hand to receive it. He thinks that being aware of its power would at least help from succumbing to it.
Loryn Glitterfall: AC:13. HP:19/19 2. Posting for Dan Knotts
Loryn spins around when he hears Phaedra's question. "Oh my!" He steps forward and adds, "Yes, one should exercise extreme caution when handling such a powerful tome." He focuses his divination (Detect Magic) at the book and hopes he doesn't go blind again.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d4=2 ; Friday June 24th, 2022 11:44:58 PM
Mole moves up to Drack. Laying his hand on the big oaf, he cast a spell to relieve his fatigue.
Cast Lesser Restoration: heals 2 points of ability damage. (didn't realized I had it memorized. I should check my sheet more often.)
DM Steve – A book that wants to be read needs someone to read it. Saturday June 25th, 2022 12:50:38 PM Torrynashkabbeth looks for, but does not find, evil in the area. She suggests looking for odd behavior around town. Manolo divides his attention between finding more clues and looking at the potions. Drack explains a bit to Phaedra about the swamp she sees, and stresses that they need to find the book but not open it. Mole restores some of Drack’s loss of vitality to the gibbering mouther (2 constitution restored). Mortimer mistakenly thinks Phaedra has found the book, and asks for it. Loryn follows Mortimer’s thought, and wants to cast detect magic on the book. Ash is lost in thought.
Phaedra answers, ”No, sorry, I don’t have the book. What I have is a village where half the people have fallen asleep, and a good number of those have approached this keep. They’ve stopped, presumably when you killed that thing. You were saying something about another fight earlier. I think I need the full story now. From the beginning.” Phaedra further explains that Borad is waking people and getting others to help him. Once they’re done, she’s going to need to be able to answer their questions about what’s going on.
Sense motive: DC 10 Highlight to display spoiler: {Phaedra is looking for information that might help her protect the people here in Windhorn.} DC 12 Highlight to display spoiler: {She seems really worried about the power this book seems to have.} DC 17 Highlight to display spoiler: {Phaedra has not much more experience than the party, and needs to seem confident in front of the town.}
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=6 ; Saturday June 25th, 2022 4:46:09 PM
Torryn explained about the Dark Fey, the arguments in the town square and the two strangers that seemed unaffected. She included the reference that the Dark fey had made to someone reading the book. She then elaborated about Borad taking the book, just to sneak a quick peek and the emergence of the swamp as well as the foul thing that had almost eaten Drack!
It seemed to her that the book would move itself after each time it was 'read'. She mentioned this to the others as much as she did to Phaedra. She was however, clueless how to proceed
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 d20+4=10 ; Monday June 27th, 2022 6:37:56 AM
(ooc: thanks for subbing Nick)
"Thanks Mole, I needed that. Feels like I could handle another when you happen to memorize one."
Drack picks up a little of what Phaedra is feeling, and is in total agreement with her(sense motive 10). He listens as Torry rattles off the basics to her.
Drack looks toward the spellcasters. Well, How do we find the book? waiting for something really nasty to appear doesn't seem like a great plan."
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Monday June 27th, 2022 6:38:48 AM
header fix
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20=9 ; Monday June 27th, 2022 2:15:56 PM
Loryn nods along with Torry's explanation. That was as accurate as he could get and so he had nothing to add aloud. The gnome looks back at the paladin and shrugs. "And before you ask, No, I dont know how to unswamp anything either."
He turns back to Pheodra, "You don't know who dropped off the book in your office, can you narrow down how long it was there or when you first noticed it? We eliminated all three of the people last in your office. Borad apparently scooped it from your office read it and now it has gone elsewhere."
Loryn purses his lips and gives his large nose a rub, "Perhaps the book does not translocate. Borad took the book and read it, It didn't just appear. So just after he read it and summoned the swamp, someone might have come and gone. Make sure none of the folks that were here have it and as we got nothing better, I say move out and start seeing those closes to the keep here are walking off with it."
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+4=15 ; Monday June 27th, 2022 5:03:25 PM
He nods to Drack.
Mole listens to the discussion. Nature was his area of expertise, but magic itself was something he didn't delve into. He leaves that to the experts.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Monday June 27th, 2022 5:16:06 PM
Well, that was a bit embarrassing. She'd postulated - to the Captain of the guard, no less - that the book could move itself and then Loryn comes up with a FAR more sensible and practical interpretation of events. Oh well, it wasn't the first time she'd put her foot in it and wouldn't be the last. Now if only Phoedra has asked her about dancing! She'd have got the answer right then, for sure.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=23 ; Monday June 27th, 2022 7:40:48 PM
Manolo understands Phaedra and says. "Be confident in front of the people even if you don't know what is the true power of the book", Manolo says and sighs. He turns to the group and says, "So, what do we do now? Do we know how to find this book? Can we counter it with different book?", He lets the last questions fall on the magic caster of the group making direct contact with them.
Sense Motive 23
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Monday June 27th, 2022 7:58:14 PM
Ash relays what he learned about the scrolls befire heading with the others to Phaedra's office.
There, he listens to the account of the sleeping people.
Mortimer doesn't have the slightest clue what Phaedra is saying or implying.
"Sooo ... you don't have the book? Well then, we're back where we started."
He continues to look around for the book. "If I were a freebootin' guard, were would I hide a book? Where is Borad's bed chamber?"
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield Monday June 27th, 2022 9:56:38 PM
(ooc: Whoops, I forgot to include: Perception: 18.)
DM Steve – I dont know how to unswamp anything either. Monday June 27th, 2022 10:21:00 PM Torrynashkabbeth explained about the Dark Fey and Borad taking the book. She suggests the book moves itself after it is read. Loryn asks Phaedra more about who might have dropped off the book. He suggests that people who find the book are reading from it. And that it might already have been found again. He suggests looking for anyone who might have it. Ash tells the others about the scrolls, and listens to Phaedra’s account of the townsfolk. Drack thanks Mole and notes that he still feels a bit drained. He wants to find the book before more trouble happens. Mortimer doesn’t follow what Phaedra was asking, and wonders if Borad could have the book tucked away. Mole listens, but leaves the explanations to the experts. Manolo tells Phaedra to be confident. He asks if another book could counter this one.
Phaedra is confident Borad doesn’t have the book. His guard post is still swamp, although the swamp is slowly receding. She sums up what she has heard to make sure she has it right.
”So, after I read from the book, a fey creature appeared in the town square and caused people to fight each other. Then after Borad read from it, a swamp formed in the Keep with a monster in the middle of it. We have no idea what will happen if someone else reads from it, but we don’t want to risk it – the sleep magic affected people almost a mile away.” After a moment of thought, she says, ”It won’t be dark for about eight hours. Borad and I will inform the town that they’ll be sheltering in the Keep tonight if we haven’t found the book before then. A few reminders about what’s happened today and the troubles the town once had should find volunteers to look for it. The book is to be brought straight here if found – no reading from it.”
She looks at the group, and especially Drack, appraisingly. ”Until the book is found and disposed of, it will be easier to protect everyone together. You’re welcome to do what you see fit – help look, gather folks, or rest up just in case. Come back by dark, or when the alarm bell sounds.”
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Tuesday June 28th, 2022 4:49:01 AM
Torryn assessed her options. She didn’t really have any fresh ideas about finding the book, but decided that it wasn’t going to come to her.
”I’ll take a walk around town. I may see something suspicious. At the very least I can help wake a few sleepwalkers if I see any.”
She did not intend to do this all day. An hour or so would be sufficient, she was sure. Then she’d wash, eat and rest. It was likley going to be a busy night.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Tuesday June 28th, 2022 8:48:43 AM
(ooc: I'm assuming it's same day, and Drack only has two uses of lay hands remaining.)
"Seems to me then, that the spellcasters should rest if they can, and try and recover spells before whatever unfolds next. The rest of us should try and find this book before it gets read again. Probably starting with the remaining guards, and then spreading out from there."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20=18 ; Tuesday June 28th, 2022 5:23:00 PM
Manolo volunteers to check the guards for any clues about the whereabouts of the book
d20=18 Perception or Sense motive at +6 Local Knowledge is at +7
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+2=18 ; Tuesday June 28th, 2022 5:53:53 PM
Loryn claps his hands together, "OK that's the plan then. Team up and take a spin through town, we might get lucky. Barring that, get some rest and be ready for a long night.
Loryn moves to team up with Drack
out and about, he tries to keep a sharp eye and ear out perception 18
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+10=20 ; Tuesday June 28th, 2022 8:17:59 PM
Mole nods at the plan. "I'll start looking in the area and move outward."
Perception DC 20
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Tuesday June 28th, 2022 9:05:45 PM
Ash was about to offer to help Torryn, when Drack brings up a good point.
" Thats right Drack, we'll probably need our spells in Full."
When given the chance, he heads off to rest and recuperate his spells.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Tuesday June 28th, 2022 9:42:34 PM
“Loryn, Mole? You two need to replenish your spells? I don’t know what you used in the fight, but the next one could be even worse if the the book is read. You guys should be at full capacity. If there is extra, I wouldn’t mind having a little of my vitality back. I will manage without it, but if it’s an option, id take it.”
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield d20+1=8 ; Tuesday June 28th, 2022 10:24:31 PM
Mortimer chimes in on the subject.
"Many of us could use a proper snoozing, but haven't we also learned by now that it isn't wise to be splitting up. I almost died when over half the gang decided to go lollygaggin' about. If the whole town is to come here, I suspect HERE is where the trouble shall be."
(Perception: 8, he sees nothing, he hears nothing.)
DM Steve – Everything happens so much. Tuesday June 28th, 2022 10:53:47 PM Mole says he’ll start looking. Mortimer says that the party could use rest but shouldn’t be splitting up. He predicts that any trouble that occurs will be at the Keep, where everyone is going to gather. Torrynashkabbeth proposes to walk around town and look for anything suspicious. After an hour of that, she plans to rest. Manolo volunteers to check with the guards. Loryn agrees with Drack’s plan. He plans to team up with Drack. Drack proposes that the spellcasters rest and the rest look for the book. He thinks it best to start with the guards. When Loryn and Mole talk about looking for the book, he asks if they need to replenish spells. Ash listens to Drack, and decides to recover spells.
The discussion with Phaedra and planning next moves has taken some time. As the group prepares to leave the keep, Borad’s guard post is reappearing. The guard post is just an alcove with a shelf for the personal belongings of whoever’s on duty. After a few moments more, that shelf appears with a water flask, two ‘fiddle balls’, and a scrap of paper. There is no book. The paper, however, in a bold script says, “I am sure you are working diligently to find the owner, but I thought there may be some clue within the book itself. The promise of learning something is always such a thrill!”
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21. Shield Tuesday June 28th, 2022 11:56:17 PM
Mortimer grabs the paper from the shelf and gives it a quick read. His eyes go wide with a sudden realization.
"Bollocks!"
He reads it again.
"That Heorstan is a right foul git, he is! Said the same thing to us when we stopped by his lab! That bastard has the book!"
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 5:56:15 AM
Hearing this, Torryn stopped in her tracks. "Oh, I suppose we should go there first then." She commented. Mortimer's powers of recall were truly impressive. She doubted that she'd have remembered something so important. She then looked to the others to see if they agreed.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 8:02:02 AM
"Should we inform Phaedra first before heading over there? Either way, something bad is probably about to happen."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 8:01:58 PM
"We can inform Phaedra but is the time lost is worth it ?", Manolo asks Drack back. "Or should we just run to the lab"?, he asks.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 9:45:54 PM
"Sigh He says. "Looks like we have a place to go."
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Wednesday June 29th, 2022 10:29:27 PM
"We can inform Phaedra after. We can be of more use in the present and solving this riddle. "
DM Steve – Something bad is probably about to happen. Wednesday June 29th, 2022 10:58:45 PM Torrynashkabbeth figures they should go to Heorstan’s first, astounded Moritmer would remember a detail like that.. Mole agrees they have a place to go. Drack suggests they inform Phaedra before heading to Heorstan’s. Manolo wonders if informing Phaedra is worth the time it will take. Mortimer recognizes a phrase in the note as something Heorstan said. Ash suggests informing Phaedra afterward. Loryn ponders.
The group heads off to Heorstan’s workshop. Borad is coming in as they are going out, and if they ask him to tell Phaedra what they’ve learned, he promises to do so.
As the party approaches Heorstan’s place not far out of town, Rena is out working in their large garden. When she sees them, she assumes the worst. ”I’ve heard about some goings on in town, but if you’re here – Heorstan didn’t get hurt, did he? No, Agatha would’ve told me. . . After you fellers were here talking to him this morning, Heorstan got all worked up about some book and went into town to see about getting it. But he shouldn’t have been near the market, said it was in the Keep proper.”
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Thursday June 30th, 2022 7:14:42 AM
Drack will tell Borad that Heorstan may have the book. "We are going to his house to see if he's there."
Upon arriving at Heorstan's, Drack will quickly ask Rena "We have to find him before he reads that book Rena. Is he here?"
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Thursday June 30th, 2022 7:31:19 AM "Has he gone to the Keep itself then?" Queried Torryn. All this walking! She was glad she was wearing her sensible, long, outdoors boots and not her dancing boots.
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Thursday June 30th, 2022 11:04:50 AM
Loryn scurries along to keep pace with the larger folk. "Is Heorstan back then?" he asks right after Drack to Rena "if not, is there a private place he favors where he might have taken something to look over in hopes of not being disturbed?"
Earlier, the gnome reassures Drack that he has plenty more magic and will not hesitate to save the paladin next time he falls into a pit of gungdarks or some other aberration
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Thursday June 30th, 2022 7:38:28 PM
Manolo sighs and says/asks rhetorically "Cant we stop them before reading the book ?!"
DM Steve – Cant we stop them before reading the book? Friday July 1st, 2022 12:54:52 AM Torrynashkabbeth asks if Heorstan has gone to the Keep. Manolo asks about their chances of stopping Heorstan from reading the book. Drack tells Borad that Heorstan may have the book. At Heorstan’s he asks Rena if Heorstan is there. On the way, Loryn tells Drack he has plenty more magic. Once there he asks if Heorstan is back, and if not whether there is a place he goes when he doesn’t want to be disturbed. Mole, Ash, and Mortimer follow the lead of the others.
Rena suggests a few places where Heorstan has sought solitude in the past. It sounds as if he is adept at finding new ones once one becomes known to Rena. She also mentions that Agatha might know of some, in tones that suggest maybe she still hasn’t forgiven the woman for not saying anything about Heorstan keeping those lizards. From the places and the distances, walking from one to another looking for Heorstan could eat up the afternoon.
Further, as the group moves about, they encounter people heading for Bearclaw Keep per the orders. Others ask for information about what’s going on as if they are looking for an excuse to refuse (or at least considering doing so).
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Friday July 1st, 2022 6:51:35 AM "I think that the maximum amount of carnage and chaos could be perpetrated at the Keep, especially if everyone is meeting there. So, perhaps we should ensure that the Keep is safe. If Heorstan isn't there, that's good. It means those that are are likely safer and we should have time to track him down. What do you think?" Torryn asked the others. If there were lots of places, it made sense to establish that at least one - the most populace - would be safe.
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Friday July 1st, 2022 9:26:50 AM ooc I was under the impression that we just came from the keep Could I get a DM clarification
DM: The fight with the gibbering mouther and where you found the note was at the keep. After deducing that Heorstan hasvthe book, you came to his house looking for him and talked withbhis wife, Rena.o
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Friday July 1st, 2022 11:49:14 AM
“I suppose Torry makes sense. We make sure he’s not at the keep, and then try and find him if he’s not.”
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Friday July 1st, 2022 1:40:45 PM
“I suppose Torry makes sense. We make sure he’s not at the keep, and then try and find him if he’s not.”
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+9=22 ; Friday July 1st, 2022 3:41:28 PM
"We just came from the keep guys. He swiped the book, left a note and bolted to somewhere private like to read it. Unfortunately, that location could be just about anywhere, but most likely is out of town. I'm heading to the fair grounds, it's away from buildings and such and has some cover in the form of hedges and trees so he could be out of sight."
Upon encountering townsfolk and their questions, the gnome gets wide eyed and drums his fingers nervously on his own chest. "Dark times people, Dark times, the gremlin attacks and the fire were only the beginnings. There's a foul demon about. get to Keep and try and stay calm, we're on it."
Bluff 22
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Friday July 1st, 2022 5:48:10 PM
"Don't go alone Loryn....", Manolo says. He pauses for a moment. "We can check the fairground but then ...Should we split into groups?", Manolo says and then asks.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Friday July 1st, 2022 6:59:40 PM "I think that's a good idea." Torryn agreed. "We can cover lots more ground that way and time does seem to be of the essence."
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Friday July 1st, 2022 8:37:22 PM
"Let's ask the people around the keep if they saw him and increase our search range from what we learn."
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21 d20+1=16 ; Friday July 1st, 2022 9:56:52 PM
Mortimer is quite miffed about Heorstan taking his book. But he can help but feel a little impressed. He got into the Keep, without being noticed, and pinched the book while under guard. There has to be another way into the Keep.
"Lets search the keep, for other ways to get into it, yeah. Maybe there be a secret door, yeah."
If only there was a 'Find a secret door' spell.
(Perception: 16)
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Friday July 1st, 2022 11:16:07 PM
"Lets see if we can ask some of his underlings. Maybe they know where he likes to hide from work.. you know, the private spot he can hide from his duties and maybe catch a wink or two?"
DM BatMark -- Night Falls Saturday July 2nd, 2022 9:51:11 AM Loryn reminds everyone that you just came from the keep, so Heorstan is likely to be elsewhere, and suggests the fairgrounds first. Manolo suggests splitting into groups, perhaps checking the fairground first. Mole prefers checking with people near the keep first, then increasing the search area if needed. Mortimer is impressed that Heorstan got away with the book, and suggests finding his alleged back way into the keep. Ash wants to ask Heorstan’s underlings where he might be. Torrynashkabbeth first opines that the best good can be done at the keep, but then agrees with splitting the party. Drack agrees with Torryn’s first thoughts.
You recall that Rena has already told you some of Heorstan’s regular haunts, but that he is also prone to find new places of solitude when he needs some peace and quiet to think. You spend the next several hours spiraling out from the Keep, checking old and potential new hiding places for Heorstan, but he is nowhere to be seen. Occasionally, you encounter local folks who have gotten word and are headed for the safety of the Keep, but none has seen Heorstan today. Eventually night falls. Do you continue searching or retire to sleep and recover from the day? If the latter, do you return to the Keep as Phaedra has directed everyone to do, or do something else?
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Saturday July 2nd, 2022 10:57:15 AM
Wherever Heoerstan had secreted himself, it was sufficiently well-hidden that Torryn was very much of the opinion that she wouldn't find him and certainly not in the dark. Whilst it was tempting to check the cave that they'd discovered, it was a long way away. Furthermore, she doubted that Heorstan even knew of it. So getting as much rest as possible before the mayhem again unfolded seemed a wise recourse.
Meeting up with those that elected to return to the Keep she informed them of her thoughts.
"I', going to get a bite to eat and then stretch - a lot, before resting. It'll likely be useful to have a fuill selection of magic available, as well as not being tired."
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Sunday July 3rd, 2022 9:09:58 AM
Loryn wants to grab a bite and head to the Keep. He feels things will get interesting after midnight. So Loryn will be getting some rest as soon as possible
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Monday July 4th, 2022 8:07:03 AM
"Agreed. Heorstan could be anywhere. Food and then some sleep. the second reading of the book seemed a little nastier than the first. If that continues, things are going to get ugly. The keep is the best spot to be, it will have the largest grouping of people."
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Monday July 4th, 2022 9:05:43 PM
Mole has no problem with the Loryn's plan. Some rest and preparation for the next encounter is a wise course of action.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21 Monday July 4th, 2022 9:23:00 PM
Mortimer is just fine with some rest. He brings his over night gear in case there isn't a proper bed for him at the Keep. Assuming there is a dining hall in the Keep, he finds an empty table to spend the evening before bedding down. He welcomes any of the others to join him, if they'd like.
He notices the shadow of his pint cast across the surface of the table. He takes his hand and gently twirls it within the shadow. The shadow wafts like mist from his agitation before returning back to the shape of his pint. He's noticed this odd manipulation of shadows for close to a month now. It's obviously something to do with being a sorcerer. He's never known anyone else with the ability to manipulate shadows like this. Maybe this is a precursor of what is to come. "Shadows feel cold to the touch. Good thing ... the cold never bothered me anyway."
DM BatMark -- Shaking things up a bit Monday July 4th, 2022 9:23:20 PM Loryn grabs a bite to eat and heads to the Keep for some rest. Torrynashkabbeth opts for a stretch and rest, to get back her full selection of magic. Drack agrees with getting some food and rest, then being at the Keep with the largest group of people. Mole follows suit with the rest and relaxation plan. Mortimer Ash and Manolo go along without comment.
You manage to get some food and rest as planned, but are awakened just before dawn by low tremors that shake the ground. Those gathered in the Keep are alarmed by the shaking, but nothing terrible seems to happen immediately. When dawn arrives, however, it is most unusual. A jagged, low-hanging cloud about a mile across hovers over the Keep, with the light of the sun dimly seen beyond its edge. More tremors come, making it hard to maintain your footing. Please make a DC 5 Acrobatics check. If you fail, you fall prone.
What do you wish to do?
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=14 ; Tuesday July 5th, 2022 7:16:57 AM
Torryn had no trouble keeping her footing. Being a dancer certainly had its advantages. Still, being a dancer in no way helped in understanding low, brooding clouds and earth tremors. Had the book somehow summoned a Cloud Giant to wreck havoc or were the tremors entirely unrelated? This clearly needed sager minds than hers. So it was that Torryn swiftly dressed, collected her spear and sought out the others.
"Any ideas what this is?" She enquired. "Do you think that the cloud and the tremors are related?"
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+1=3 ; Tuesday July 5th, 2022 7:44:14 AM
As soon as the shaking begins Drack is knocked from his feet. Once he can stand he takes a minute to put on his armor and grab his gear.
"Let's go have a look boys and girls and see what nightmare awaits us."
Once dawn breaks, and he sees the sky, he looks to the spell casters for any hint of what is going on.
AC 13 HP 19/19 2 non lethal Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+2=9 ; Tuesday July 5th, 2022 10:44:36 AM
Loryn hops out of bed at the first quake. Gotta be the book he thinks to himself And it's looking like Drack is going to be right
Checking in with the others and moving outside, the small gnome looks up at the cloud. "That does not give me a good fee..." the greater quake hits and nearly throws him to the ground Drack goes down unceremoniously and now was not the time for an amazing remark.
"We need to get to the top of a tower or something that gives us a view. I have a bad feeling about where the rest of Windhorn might be..."
Catch up when you can Drack. The paladin was going to be 5 minutes or more, but that was fine. the group could get some info and then he'd be all set to smite it something like that.
Loryn looks for the nearest tower that he can gain entrance to and begins heading up
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20=17 ; Tuesday July 5th, 2022 12:18:43 PM
Ash was able to keep his footing, somehow. He moves with the others, but is dumbfounded at what surprises are in store for them now.
'Top of the tower sounds like a good plan, Loryn"
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+8=13 ; Tuesday July 5th, 2022 5:46:31 PM
The tremors awakened Manolo "Here we go again", he shouts grumpy.
Acrobatics 13
The Third Disaster
DM BatMark -- A Dark and Stormy...Dawn Tuesday July 5th, 2022 9:33:15 PM Manolo is awakened and grumpified by the tremors, but at least manages to not fall out of bed. Drack tumbles to the ground from the tremors, but regains his feet and gears up. Loryn hops out of bed, and seeks a good vantage point. Ash agrees with Loryn and heads up the tower with him. Torrynashkabbeth gracefully keeps her feet, but is uncertain what to make of the tremors and clouds. Mole follows mutely. Mortimer finishes brooding over shadows and sorcery. (OOC: Sorry, looks like we posted within seconds of each other. Feel free to add to your next post to make up for that.)
(OOC: You all got sufficient rest to recover the usual 3 HP and spells.)
The gatehouse tower provides the view you are seeking, and you gather there to see what is coming. The clouds above are growing and starting to glow eerily. Small tremors continue, but you are now prepared for them, and so can keep your footing. Down below, in the light of the glow and the torches that illuminate the area in front of the main gate, you see a wild-haired humanoid stagger and stumble into view. You may make a perception check, with results as below, depending on your level of success:
DC10 Highlight to display spoiler: {It is Heorstan, looking a little worse for wear.} DC15 Highlight to display spoiler: { Heorstan is carrying a large book! He is muttering something, but you can’t make it out.} DC20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Heorstan is gibbering something about learning and regrets, and is holding the Book that you are looking for.}
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21 d20+5=17 ; Tuesday July 5th, 2022 9:56:18 PM
During the night, Mortimer finds himself in another familiar dream. However this time, it's not deep within a dark forest in front of a roaring fire; it's seated at a table in a modest public house. More like a private dining room within a modest public house. Also seated at the table are the same people, he assumes are his family, partaking of a meal, wine and conversation.
In front of him is a spoon and bowl full of a savory broth with various cuts of meat and poultry. There's an empty wine goblet set to the side. Mortimer would have liked to take part in the meal, but like all his previous dreams, he is frozen in place, unable to move. All he can do is watch and listen. The serving wench stops by and fills his goblet. It's at that moment he feels a rumbling. The wine in his goblet ripples from the quake. Lord Ambrose turns to him and commands, "You have a job to do. Off with you!"
Mortimer wakes and sits up on his cot. He feels the rumble again, but now more profoundly (Acrobatics: 18, the modifier is actually a +6.) He avoids falling out of bed. He sets his feet on the floor and sighs. "I haven't had my morning elixir yet ... A moment, if you PLEASE!" He removes a flask from a pocket and takes a sip. He takes another sip.
(Question: Do we have our spell slots back?)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Wednesday July 6th, 2022 8:05:03 AM
(ooc: Drack will continue putting on his armor until it's completed, or the situation dictates otherwise. Please advise upon completion)
Drack continues putting on his armor.
AC 13 HP 19/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+2=22 ; d20+2=10 ; Wednesday July 6th, 2022 12:31:19 PM
Lryn peers into the dim light provided by hte torches and odd clouds, "Domi's beard! Thats' Heorstan!" he pauses as he sees his mouth moving, "Shadows, he read the book all right, he's going on about learning and regret and that is definately the book we want."
Time here could be importatnt and Loryn opts for the fastest way down he can think of and hops off the Gatehouse. He hits harder than he'd hoped and rolls to gain his feet and get to the stumbling Heorstan as fast as possibble
"Heorstan! Come on man and give me that" he calls as he heads to him
perception 22 acrobatics 10
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+2=9 ; Wednesday July 6th, 2022 2:31:15 PM
"Where?" Ash asks when everyone says Heorstan is this. " This damn cloud is too thick for me to see anything."
Ash continues to scan, to no avail. "Loryn, be careful "
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+2=9 ; Wednesday July 6th, 2022 2:31:15 PM
"Where?" Ash asks when everyone says Heorstan is this. " This damn cloud is too thick for me to see anything."
Ash continues to scan, to no avail. "Loryn, be careful "
Torryn saw and heard exactly what Loryn had. She still found it difficult to believe that the gnome had jumped off the building! Her tutor, Agratha, knew how to do such things safely. Torryn had yet to acquire such skills. Still, she was faster on her feet than Loryn, so elected to run. She'd back Loryn up as best she could.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=24 ; Wednesday July 6th, 2022 7:41:08 PM
Manolo runs after Loryn. "Careful !, we don't know what is going to happen soon", he shouts.
Perception 24
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21 Wednesday July 6th, 2022 8:29:56 PM
Mortimer finally stands from his cot and puts his flask away. He is already wearing his chain shirt, he had slept in it. Having lived a hard life on the open roads and streets has afforded him a similar measure of hardiness. His pale and gaunt appearance was most deceptive, for the young man was quite swift, agile and could take a punch that would drop a more sturdy and stout-looking brute. (Endurance Feat)
He looks back at Drack, still trying to don his armor. With a smirk, he asks, "Need an assist, yeah?" He will do what he can to help speed up the process. He'll take advantage of some of the armor training he received from the WLA.
DM BatMark -- Wild Eyed Local Boy 2d6=5 ; Wednesday July 6th, 2022 9:40:17 PM
(OOC: You were all able to don armor or otherwise gear up before meeting on the gate tower, so feel free to add to this coming turn if you would have done more.)
Mortimer shakes off his dream and rises up, armor already in place, to offer a quip to the still donning Drack, before moving to the roof. Ash calls for Loryn to be careful, but Loryn isn’t paying attention to his advice, apparently. Drack is able to wrestle into his armor and join the others in time to see the wild man arrive in front of the tower. Loryn identifies the wild man and book as Heorstan with the tome that you seek. He takes a leap of faith, landing with a bit of a thump (take 5hp of damage) and falling prone. He is nevertheless able to stand up and move to reach Heorstan, who looks at him wildly. Manolo runs to catch up with the plummeting Loryn, shouting for caution. Torrynashkabbeth watches amazed as Loryn jumps off of the tower, then she hustles down the stairs, arriving at the gate to see Loryn approaching Heorstan. Mole takes it all in.
Heorstan is apologetic, frightened, and soot stained. [b]“I needed the thrill of learning. I needed to. I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”[b] He holds the book possessively as he continues to look about wildly.
Above, the cloud continues to grow, with the top starting to rise up higher into the sky, an eerie glow emanating from its highest reaches.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Thursday July 7th, 2022 6:24:29 AM
That book was nothing but trouble. She'd have destroyed it, but doubted that something so evidently magically could be so easily dispatched. She ran up to join Loryn and Heorstan.
"That book needs to be under lock and key - if it cannot be burnt." She stated. It seemed the best place to start. They did not as yet know what the storm cloud brought, but did know that the book only brought woe and misfortune.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 d20+10=21 ; Thursday July 7th, 2022 8:13:11 AM
Mole watches in silence.
Perception DC21
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+6=10 ; d20+3=8 ; Thursday July 7th, 2022 11:34:23 AM
Having already donned his armor, and already on the ground, Drack moves toward Heorstan, He only notices that Heorstan doesn't look right, but then Torry Mentions the book that he is holding. Drack remembers that Phaedra had not been right until the book had been away from her for awhile, So Drack attempts to take the book from Heorstan, physically if necessary(STR check 8. stupid die roller)
"Heorstan, let go of the book, it's changing you."
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Thursday July 7th, 2022 3:07:50 PM
Ash stays put incase something is coming in these clouds.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d4=2 ; d20+6=9 ; Thursday July 7th, 2022 7:30:22 PM
Manolo tries to look up, but it surprises him, the storm was getting worse. "Do we stop him now? Or do we deal with whatever is coming now?!" Perception 9
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21 Thursday July 7th, 2022 9:10:44 PM "Me thinks being on the ground a better place than up here in a storm." Mortimer then makes his way back to the stairs on his way down. He begins to wonder why he had come up here in the first place. He offers any guard he sees an advisory to batten down the hatches. "A storm is a brewin'!"
AC 13 HP 14/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Thursday July 7th, 2022 11:09:50 PM
Heorstan seemed pretty out of it. "Drack, its ok lets get him in and get to safety, We can worry about gettting the book later"
Loryn does not try to get the book, but directs the man at the keep and tries to hurry him along. the speaks quietly to him as he moves, "We got you, its OK Heorstan, Come along and we'll get this straightened out
DM BatMark -- This can't be good Friday July 8th, 2022 6:23:26 AM Manolo tries to look up and sees the storm getting worse. He asks whether you should stop Heorstan or whatever is coming now. Mole watches in silence. Mortimer heads down to get out of the coming storm, and warns the guards on the way. Ash stays put and keeps an eye out for threats from the clouds. Drack makes a grab for the book, warning Heorstan that it is changing him. Loryn wants to get Heorstan to safety first. Torrynashkabbeth suggests that the book needs to be locked up or burned.
Drack’s clumsy attempt to take the book is slightly less awkward than Heorstan’s wild flailing, and Drack ends up with the book. Heorstan moans and sinks to his knees in what appears to be some combination of despair and relief. The cloud above keeps growing, now shaped like a mountain. An eerie flow comes from the top with a plume of what looks like white smoke. In the town, you can see ghostly figures moving about, looking up fearfully at the cloud and plume. A fine ash starts to slowly rain down from the sky.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Friday July 8th, 2022 6:41:55 AM "Well, that doesn't look good." Torryn commented needlessly. "Do you think that if we destroy the book, the things it summons will be destroyed too? Drack if you place the book on the ground maybe we can burn it." She very much doubted that her Fey Sparks would do much harm to the book and felt it would likely be just ridiculous to stab it with her spear; so was hoping that someone had the means to actually harm the tome. She doubted that they had anything to lose by trying to destroy the book and It wasn't as if they could attack a cloud.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Friday July 8th, 2022 8:56:38 AM
Drack hears Torry, and pauses a moment before setting down the book. He has no idea what is going, and looks to the spellcasters. “Well, what do we do?”
AC 13 HP 14/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+3=12 ; Friday July 8th, 2022 3:01:10 PM
Loryn glances about and grimaces. "So far, every reading has been accompanied by a creature of some kind and After it's destruction, things went back to normal. I think we need to backtrack Heorstan and locate whatever fun thing he brought with the volcano."
"Somebody see if they can get some information out of Heorstan, specifically where he was when he read the book. And Drack Why don't you just keep that thing right in your bag eh?"
"Heorstan, Where were you when you read the book, we need to get there." Diplomacy 12
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 Friday July 8th, 2022 3:51:16 PM
Ash can only shrug to Drack. Being a spell caster didnt prepare him for some evil book like this.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Friday July 8th, 2022 5:18:39 PM
Torryn held Loryn in very high regard. He was wise and was typically right about most things. Still, she didn't understand how destroying the book would not end the current crisis. Surely that was easier than trying to find whatever it was that Heorstan had inadvertently summoned. She wasn't going to say that though. Loryn was right far more often than he was wrong and certainly far more often than she was. She consoled herself with the knowledge that she was a far better dancer.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Friday July 8th, 2022 7:09:54 PM
"Not sure if burning it'll work. Can you erase it? Nothin' to read, no curse." He says. "Once we deal with the newest curse effect is dealt with."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=20 ; Friday July 8th, 2022 8:26:15 PM
Manolo looks around for anything or anyone that might surprise or ambush them
Perception 20
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:17/13/14. hp:21/21 d20+6=11 ; Friday July 8th, 2022 9:52:39 PM
Mortimer looks at his friends with the book. He looks up at the volcanic mountain forming in the sky. He turns and spots the ghostly figures in the street. He normally tries to ignore the spirits because once they know you can see them, they just won't leave you alone. However it's odd that he can see them in the light of day.
"Pardon me, official WLA business, yeah," he asks the spirits while tapping his badge, "Would you mind telling me the name of that smoky peak? Where are we?" (Diplomacy: 11)
After getting silence or an answer, he turns back to his friends and asks, "Are you guys seein' these haunties? Normally I be seein' them at night when the veil between the shadows is .. uh, gossamer-like. Never during the light of day!"
DM BatMark -- Wicked Fun! Friday July 8th, 2022 10:45:40 PM Manolo looks around for threats. Mole wonders whether to burn or erase the book, once the newest curse effect is dealt with. Mortimer tries talking to the spirits nearby and wonders whether the others can see them. Ash shrugs, this is beyond his magics to discern. Drack puts down the book and looks to the casters for guidance. Loryn tries to get information to backtrack what Heorstan did with the book. Torrynashkabbeth suggests trying to destroy the book, but is unsure what way is best. She is uncertain when Loryn suggests it might not be possible.
The party is divided over what to do with the book. Manolo sees no new threats nearby, but you all notice that the ashfall is slowly getting heavier, to the point that it becomes hard to see. (-2 Perception, -2 ranged attacks, but -10 to hide checks because the ash outlines folks as it covers them.) Heorstan is not coherent enough to provide useful information regarding the location of his recent activities and reading of the book, and continues to mutter apologies. The spirits are also of no help in that regard. As you ponder, the spirits start to scream and several separate groups of small humanoid creatures with thin, leathery wings, small horns, and mischievous smiles emerge. The nearest group of four takes wing and starts flapping toward the party, with eyes like embers! Another group further back can be heard beginning to rampage through the nearby shops, although you know that the villagers have fled to the keep already, so that’s perhaps some comfort. (DC13 Knowledge planes Highlight to display spoiler: {These are mephits, with the closest ones being fire mephits.})
The creatures are about 40 feet away, but closing fast, cackling with wicked glee as they come. What do you do?
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 Saturday July 9th, 2022 4:42:20 AM
Torryn saw wickedly grinning creatures approach. She stepped forward. As she did she invoked her "Fey Armour" (Mage Armour). Seeing that they were approaching at speed, she recalled something her tutor had mentioned about 'bracing a weapon'. She placed a foot at the base of her spear and at the last moment angled to receive their 'charge'. Of course, flying as they were, it was entirely possible that they'd merely deviate in flight to avoid that peril, but it was her best idea. If they kept their distance she could deploy her Fey sparks, but that was for later. Possibly.
(OOC: I did not roll for Knowledge, Planes as Torryn has no points in that. I did not roll to attack as I anticipated there being a round of 'setting up' etc. Please roll if such is needed.)
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Saturday July 9th, 2022 4:44:34 AM
Torryn moves to J.14.
I forgot that bit. I've also adjusted the header to reflect her Mage Armour spell. (sigh)
AC 13 HP 14/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+4=23 ; d6+1=4 ; Saturday July 9th, 2022 9:49:22 AM
"Almost on queue" the gnome remarks as he spies the flying creatures. Loryn had not spent anytime studying the planes and knew next to nothing. at least 1 rank is required to make DC 11+ checks
He moves up next to Torry and sends a ray of acid at one of the fliers B1 Ranged Touch AC 23 Dmg 4
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21 Shield d100=54 ; Saturday July 9th, 2022 7:05:45 PM
With a defiant sneer forms across his face as he steps up next to Loryn to face the coming onslaught. With a few well-spoken words of power, shadows coalesce into an invisible shield of force in front of him.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+7=14 ; d10+4=11 ; Monday July 11th, 2022 7:56:01 AM
Knowing nothing about these things, and seeing the group has already formed a bit of a line, Drack will pull his sword as he moves, and step up next to Mortimer. Drack will then ready himself to swing at the first creature that comes in his range.
If the readied attack comes to pass, 14ac to hit, 11 damage.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 27/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Monday July 11th, 2022 7:58:20 AM
Drack first put the book in his back pack, which he did as soon as Loryn said to do that.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 33/33; CMD 15 Monday July 11th, 2022 8:01:06 AM
Mole moves up. "Any idea what these things are?"
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/21 Shield Monday July 11th, 2022 12:46:23 PM
Answering Mole, he replies, "They are dead, if I have anything to say about it!"
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 23/23 d20+11=30 ; 2d4+2=5 ; Monday July 11th, 2022 2:35:11 PM
" Mephit Imps" Ash yells out. " Use no fire, and watch their stingers. "
With that, Ash lets forth 2 balls of Energy at B3.(5 dmg)
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Monday July 11th, 2022 8:18:31 PM
Manolo moves near Loryn and readies his weapon.
DM BatMark -- Come on baby, light my fire d8=6 ; d8=7 ; d20+5=7 ; d20+5=8 ; Monday July 11th, 2022 8:53:40 PM Manolo steps up and readies a weapon. Mole moves up and asks what these things are. Mortimer brings forth a shield of shadows as he steps into the battle line, making a bold response to Mole’s question. Ash lets the party know that these are fire mephits, and unleashes two balls of energy (magic missile, I assume?) that strike home against B3. Highlight to display spoiler: {Great knowledge roll! These critters are immune to fire, vulnerable to cold, require magical weapons to do full damage, breath fire, and can cast a few spells.} Drack, having safely tucked away the book, steps into the line with sword drawn and readies an attack. Loryn knows nothing about these creatures, but lets fly a ray of acid at the northmost one. Torrynashkabbeth invokes her fey armour and tries to brace her spear, but doesn’t have time after casting the spell. (OOC: Note that bracing the weapon requires you to ready an action. You can still attack normally this turn if you wish.)
Loryn’s acid ray catches B1 square in the chest, causing it 4 hp of damage, just as Ash’s magic missiles smack into B3 for 5hp. Drack takes his readied swing at B3 as it closes in, but the little critter is too dodgy to hit this time.
B1 swoops to the north of the front line and breathes a cone of fire that catches Mole, Loryn, and Torryn. You each take 6hp of fire damage, DC13 reflex save for half.
B4 similarly flies to the south of the front line and breathes fire on Mortimer, Drack, Manolo, and Ash. You each take 6hp of fire damage, DC13 reflex save for half.
B3 flies down to attack Drack, but misses horribly with both of its claws. It seems quite angry about this.
B2 seems entranced by Mortimer’s sparkly chain shirt, and its claws move in arcane gestures as it points at Mort. Mortimer may make a DC14 Will save to negate the heat metal spell.
Fire Mephit B1 -4hp Fire Mephit B2 Fire Mephit B3 -5hp Fire Mephit B4
Mephits are all AC 17/Touch 14
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:18/21 Shield d20+5=14 ; d20+4=14 ; d20+4=8 ; d100=70 ; d3=2 ; Monday July 11th, 2022 9:57:21 PM
(Reflex save: 14 vs fire, success. Will save 14 vs heat metal, success.)
Mortimer winces from the searing flame. If it wasn't for his quick reflexes, it could have been worse. He takes a step backwards (5ft step) and casts a Ray of Frost at the nearest Mephit (B3).
(Mortimer casts Ray of Frost at B3. ASF10: 70. Hit TouchAC: 8. Damage: 3 cold damage.)
Torryn gasped in horror at the flames and did her best to dodge out of them. She wasn't at all sure whether it was her dancer's reactions or the magic of the fey armour, but she escaped with just a slight singeing. She was very grateful that her hair hadn't caught fire. She was intent on that not happening so hefted her spear and threw it at the nearest one.
(5'step to K.13 and throw at B1.)
Torryn launched her spear. It was a good throw. (AC:17) Yet good enough to hit the elusive little critters? That was another matter entirely
(OOC: It's really rather academic. If she does hit she'll inflict only 1 point of damage.)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 24/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+5=15 ; d20+7=26 ; d20+7=15 ; d10+4=10 ; Tuesday July 12th, 2022 7:47:44 AM Loryn! If you get a chance, I think that magic weapon thing you do would be helpful. If I get a chance, I'll move closer to you
Drack winces from the fire, but but manages to avoid the worst of it with a quick side step(reflex 15).
Drack swings at B3, hitting(26), but failing to connect on a critical strike(15). Damage 10
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 30/33; CMD 15 d20=9 ; d20+5=23 ; d20+4=21 ; d6+1=2 ; Tuesday July 12th, 2022 12:06:28 PM
(Reflex save DC23)
Mole avoids much of the flames. The targets the creature to his left and fires a ray of acid at it.
Bolt of acid: R Touch AC21, damage 2
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 20/23 d20+2=22 ; d3=2 ; 2d4+2=8 ; Tuesday July 12th, 2022 3:15:48 PM
Ash looks like a dancing fool, and somehow doesn't take the brunt of the fire.
He unleashed another magic missle at B3. 8 dmg.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+5=18 ; d8=8 ; Tuesday July 12th, 2022 4:28:49 PM
Manolo tries to shoot quickly at Fire Mephit that is in front of him (B2).
Attack 18 (deducted nothing as I don't remember the rules about ranged attacks) Damage 8
DM BatMark -- Smoke em if you got em d20+5=22 ; 4d6=10 ; d8=3 ; d20+7=24 ; d20+7=10 ; d20+7=13 ; d20+7=11 ; d3+1=3 ; Tuesday July 12th, 2022 9:33:09 PM Manolo shoots B2, hitting it for some damage, but not as much as his shot would normally do. Mole dodges most of the flames and shoots an acid ray at B1, burning it for 2hp of damage. Mortimer winces even as he dodges some of the flames, and fires back a ray of frost that goes wide. Ash avoids most of the flames and fires another magic missile at B3. Drack calls for a spell to make his weapon magical, and swings hard at B3. He hits it, but isn’t quite as effective as normal. Loryn pauses. Torrynashkabbeth dances away from the flames and throws her spear at B1, striking but doing no damage to its surprisingly hardy form.
The mephits continue to cackle and attack, although B3 seems much less amused now. – B1 shoots a scorching ray at Mole in retaliation for the acid. It hits for 10hp of fire damage. – B2 moves up and breathes fire on Manolo, Ash, Mortimer, Mole, and Heorstan. You each take 3hp of damage, DC13 save for half. – B3 and B4 five foot step to flank Drack, and attack with their claws. Only one claw hits, doing 3hp of damage.
The fire mephits are all AC 17/Touch 14 DR5/Magic
Fire Mephit B1 -6 hp Fire Mephit B2 Fire Mephit B3 -18 hp Fire Mephit B4
Mortimer moves with a blurry swiftness. The latest fiery attack is but a mild annoyance.
He attempts to send another Ray of Frost at the injured mephit (B3).
(Mortimer casts Ray of Frost at B3. ASF10%: 35. Hit Touch AC: 11. Damage: 3 Cold Damage.)
Every failed attack is more and more infuriating. The young sorcerer is beginning to take this personally. The whites of his eyes go black as pitch with the swell of anger within him. Even the air around him becomes noticeably cooler.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=6 ; d20=1 ; Wednesday July 13th, 2022 5:59:04 AM
Torryn had an idea. She didn't have very many, so was particularly pleased when this one presented itself. Of course, it was one of HER ideas so there was no little risk involved. Nor was there any guarantee of success. Still, having thought of it she felt compelled to try.
(OOC: Please feel free to amend the following if I am overstretching)
Torryn tumbled backwards diagonally away from the nasty critter hovering before her (B2).
(First roll Acrobatics +7: 13. This to reduce the chance of any AoO.)
Having dodged aside (hopefully)., she called upon her patrons as a Sacred Dancer to help her vanquish her foes. (Smite Evil). She then unleashed her empowered Fey Spark at the foul creature near Loryn. (B1).
Fizzle.
Nothing happened!
That wasn't right. Clearly she had to get right in its face and punch it!
(Smite Evil is still in effect against B2; so it (and only it) is trying to hit AC:23. She's 20 versus the others. She's now at I.13. and will close with B1)
It seemed clear that the horrid creatures possessed some ability to curse their victims with misfortune and to negate their magic. There could be no other reason why she and Morty were having such abominably bad luck.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+7=10 ; Wednesday July 13th, 2022 8:41:13 AM
Drack presses his attack on B3, missing horribly (ac 10).
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 d20+4=16 ; d6+1=3 ; Wednesday July 13th, 2022 9:10:05 AM
Mole tries to get out of the way of the ray of flame, but catches it squarely in the shoulder. He returns the favor towards the creature.
Acid Ray: R Touch AC16, damage 3
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+2=5 ; Wednesday July 13th, 2022 10:23:57 AM
Ash isn't as lucky this time, as he takes the brunt of the fire.
He answers back with another spell, this time A Sleep spell trying to get as many as possible.
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+3=20 ; Wednesday July 13th, 2022 11:36:12 AM
Loryn dodges left to escape the worst of the fire blast. Reflex 20
“You got it!” He replies to Drack. Loryn moves to Drack and casts Magic Weapon on Drack
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+3=20 ; 3d4(4+3+3)=10 Wednesday July 13th, 2022 2:29:12 PM
As the pair flanks Drack, Loryn steps back and casts Burning Hands, converting the energy to Acidic.
Reflex 14 for half
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+7=17 ; d20+5=15 ; d8=8 ; Wednesday July 13th, 2022 8:07:25 PM
Manolo moves quickly only to get a small flame, 'nothing that will hurt me', he thinks as he feels quite lucky. He tries to reload the crossbow and shoot again but misses the shot as the little flame spread heat across his shoulder.
Reflex 17 Attack 15 Damage 8
DM BatMark -- Fire! Fire! Huhuhuh d20+5=15 ; d20+3=20 ; d20+5=9 ; d20+5=12 ; d20+7=11 ; d20+7=18 ; d20+7=20 ; d20+7=19 ; 3d3+3=11 ; Wednesday July 13th, 2022 8:47:39 PM Manolo takes a shot, but misses. Mole takes the brunt of the flame from B2. He shoots a ray back, but it misses as he tries to thread the ray past his companions and into melee (-8 total penalty). Mortimer evades most of the flame, but his aim is spoiled and his cold ray goes astray. Ash also eats a boatload of flame, then retaliates with a sleep spell aimed at B2 & B3. B2 yawns, but shakes off the effects of the spell. Drack presses the attack on B3, unsuccessfully. Loryn dodges the fire, moves to enchant Drack’s weapon, the whirls to cast a spray of acid at B2 and B3. Torrynashkabbeth tumbles backwards, but the quick little thing gets a claw swipe at her as she goes. Lucky for her, it misses! Unfortunately, her fey spark fizzles.
Loryn’s spray of acid is too much for B3, who slumps into a steaming pile of gooey flesh with something sparkly on top.
B1 makes some gestures at Drack. Please make a DC14 Will save.
B2 makes a five foot step to flank Drack again, making two claw attacks. B4 does the same, and Drack takes a total of 11 hp of damage from three hits.
The fire mephits are all AC 17/Touch 14 DR5/Magic
Fire Mephit B1 -6 hp Fire Mephit B2 -10 hp Fire Mephit B3 dead Fire Mephit B4
Torrynashkabbeth HP:21 AC:20 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=8 ; d6=5 ; Thursday July 14th, 2022 5:35:22 AM
Torryn figured that all that moving had likely disrupted her concentration. So this time, poised and ready, she'd definitely - HIT!
(8+8: 16 . From Base and Smite Evil. vs B1 Damage 5+2 from Smite Evil:70
The Fey spark leapt from her hand to unerringly strike the vile fiery creature.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 12/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+6=22 ; d20+8=28 ; d20+8=10 ; d10+5=7 ; d6=2 ; Thursday July 14th, 2022 7:13:59 AM
Drack ignores whatever spell the little monster cast at him(will save 22), he can't however ignore the multiple hits dealt to him. Realizing that the two of these things together is enough to take him down, he does his best to reduce the odds, and attacks B2 again, this time with Loryn's magic weapon spell.
Drack hits once(ac 28), but fails to connect on the critical again. 7pts. damage
Drack then lays hands on himself, and restores 2 whole hit points.(swift action, no AoO)
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 d20+11=21 ; d8+3=9 ; Thursday July 14th, 2022 11:17:59 AM
Mole moves and cast a spell, defensively on Drack. "Gabhail ri leigheas na tìre." A green glowing light encompasses Drack healing his body.
Defensive Cast DC21; CLW - healing for 9 points on Drack.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d100=23 ; d20+6=12 ; d6=1 ; Thursday July 14th, 2022 6:55:50 PM
Mortimer whispers words of power, delivered with a hissing serpentine quality. The flesh of his right hand erupts in a flash of dull, blue energy. One can clearly see the black, silhouetted shapes of the bones in his hand.
The pale sorcerer swiftly and carefully moves around (H19) behind one of the mephits(B4) fighting with Drack; taking up a flanking position. He strikes!
(Mortimer casts Chill Touch. Flanking Attack. ASF10%: 23. Charges: 3. Hit TouchAC: 12. Damage: 1 neg. energy damage. Fort Save: 15 vs. -1 Strength damage.)
Mortimer growls with frustration from his lackluster performance. A ghostly voice bellows within his head, only a voice he can hear, 'Stop this childish tantrum. Wield your anger like a weapon; harness its power. Try not to choke on it!'
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 2d4+2=8 ; Thursday July 14th, 2022 8:17:29 PM
Back to the original plan Ash says to himself, as he unleashes his last magic missle at B4.
8 dmg
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+5=10 ; d8=4 ; d6+1=7 ; Thursday July 14th, 2022 8:28:39 PM
Manolo shouts at the Fire Mephit "Over here ugly!"
Attack 10 Damage 4 Sneak Attack 7 (if it applies here, in case of a flank)
DM BatMark -- Regroup! d20+5=24 ; d3+1=2 ; Thursday July 14th, 2022 10:46:37 PM Manolo takes a swing at B2 but misses widely. Mole carefully casts a healing spell on Drack in the midst of battle, giving him back 9hp! Mortimer tries a nasty sounding spell on B4, but fails to connect. Ash blasts B4 with his last magic missile for 8 hp of damage. Drack shakes off the heat metal spell, barely feeling a wave of warmth. He hits B4 with his newly enchanted weapon, which seems to work just fine against the mephit. Loryn Torrynashkabbeth smites B1 for 7hp of damage! Her ranged attack does draw an attack of opportunity from B2, though.
Torryn gets ripped for 2hp of damage by B2 when it seizes the opportunity raised by her fey spark attack. It then withdraws backwards and 40’ up into the air, avoiding attacks of opportunity. B1 and B4 do the same.
The fire mephits are all AC 17/Touch 14 DR5/Magic
Fire Mephit B1 -13 hp Fire Mephit B2 -10 hp Fire Mephit B3 dead Fire Mephit B4 -15hp
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Friday July 15th, 2022 4:39:43 AM
It was a scratch. Nothing more, but it upset Torryn. She was better than that - better than these "things. That wasn't going to happen again. She summoned her magic and invoked her Fey shield. Her Fey Spark would fly on their next sortie.
(OOC: Darn that little thing did well hitting AC:23. Fixed that. Torryn is now AC:24 - front facing - to all and AC:27 vs B.1.)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+4=6 ; Friday July 15th, 2022 8:31:14 AM
"Thanks Mole."
Drack sheathes his sword, and pulls out his bow. "I'm not going to do much damage to them with this unless I get a couple of good shots off."
Drack fires an arrow at B4, which misses wildly
"Any of you casters got some something for flying bad guys?"
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Friday July 15th, 2022 11:57:13 AM
Mortimer grimly remarks, "Yeah, but they're out of range for my spells."
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Friday July 15th, 2022 12:05:42 PM
He adds, "Where are the gobbys and orcos; the random ghoully or skelly? What's with all these weird, bum muppets?"
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+5=23 ; d8=1 ; Friday July 15th, 2022 8:31:09 PM
Manolo aims again and shoots. (B2) Attack 23 Damage 1
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d20+4=21 ; d4=1 ; Friday July 15th, 2022 9:14:10 PM
Mortimer doesn't let this set back stop him. He's always been persistent. He always lived my the motto, 'If at first you don't succeed, fail, fail again!'
He takes his dagger, having nothing else he can throw, and sends it flying at the mephit he attacked just before (B4). "OYE, LIL' FIRE BABY!! RUNNIN' OFF TA MUMSY, ARE YA?!"
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Friday July 15th, 2022 9:16:17 PM
(OOC: Forgot to list my attack)
(Mortimer throws Dagger at B4. Hit AC: 21. Damage: 1 measly point.)
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+2=11 ; Friday July 15th, 2022 9:23:25 PM
Ash is almost spent, but he tries a new spell unleashing an acid arrow at B3 but missing.
"Almost out of spells here" he says aloud.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 d20+4=24 ; d20+4=19 ; d6+1=4 ; d6+1=6 ; Friday July 15th, 2022 10:25:10 PM
Mole sends another bolt of acid towards B2.
Acid Bolt: R Touch AC 24 (crit AC19); damage 4 (10 for crit)
DM BatMark -- On the ropes, but not quite out of gas d20+5=17 ; Saturday July 16th, 2022 10:00:10 AM Manolo shoots and hits, but to no effect. Mole fires a bolt of acid at B2, hitting it squarely and turning it into a plummeting pile of goo. Mortimer wishes for more normal foes, and throws a dagger at B4. It hits but bounces off with no harm done. Ash casts an acid arrow that goes wide. Drack takes a shot at B4, but misses. Loryn is stunned speechless but all the action. Torrynashkabbeth summons her Fey Shield.
B4 retaliates for B2’s death by shooting a scorching ray at Mole, but it misses, merely burning a line in the turf behind him. B1 seems to be biding his time. Both remain aloft and badly injured.
The fire mephits are all AC 17/Touch 14 DR5/Magic
Fire Mephit B1 -13 hp Fire Mephit B2 dead Fire Mephit B3 dead Fire Mephit B4 -15hp
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=20 ; d6=1 ; d20=16 ; Saturday July 16th, 2022 10:39:41 AM
Torryn had primed her defences. Now it was time to attack. A quick gesture, a whispered word and her Fey Spark left unerringly to hit the fluttering imp.
(I am unsure of the rules concerning a Natural 20. Suffice to say - it hits. B1 is still subject to her Smite Evil and so takes 3 points of Damage. Is there to be a second roll to determine if it's a critical? If so, I just rolled and confirmed!)
She was actually surprised. One Fey Spark had fizzled out. This one struck the creature practically between the eyes! It seemed that her patrons powers had overcome the luck-draining capabilities of the foul imps.
(2 Fey Sparks used Mage Armour and Shield used)
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d20+7=12 ; Saturday July 16th, 2022 10:55:42 AM
Since the mephits are 40ft in the air, and outside the range limits of all cantrips and most 1st level spells, Mortimer is left with no other options but to hurl insults and taunts, like he did the previous round.
Even through he hasn't connected with a single attack, he could, at least, be threatening enough to give others a better chance to hit ... but not anymore after their retreat. These creatures have clearly lost this fight, why do they linger, he asks himself. Even that Scorching Ray they cast, had no chance of hitting anyone, being out of range.
Mortimer continues to attempt to ignite their fiery tempers by taunting them with insults. Make them mad or make them cry, whichever comes first. (Intimidate: 12.. die roller hates me!)
DM BatMark -- Addendum Saturday July 16th, 2022 2:40:44 PM
(OOC: Mort is right re the ranges, sorry for the oversight. Let's assume that they are in the square 11-15 above their locations noted on the map, and calculate ranges accordingly. You can move yourselves on the map this round to get where you need to be if required.)
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Saturday July 16th, 2022 3:50:53 PM Torryn can make a half move to M:11 and still utilise her Fey Spark. Finding the map is no longer easy - at least not for me.
DM BatMark -- BattleMap Saturday July 16th, 2022 9:54:44 PM
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Monday July 18th, 2022 8:39:27 AM
Loryn touches Drack again and provides the paladin with another Magic Weapon
"Sorry friends, my brain wandered off there for a few moments. Pickles, really who knew they were so versitile"
Spells Cast: Magic Weapon x2 Acid cantrip
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+5=10 ; Monday July 18th, 2022 9:13:04 AM
"Torry, don't separate too far from the group. I'm staying near the spellcasters."
"Thanks Loryn, at least if I hit him now, he'll know it."
Drack fires another arrow at B4, this time magically enhanced. "Nuts. Missed again."(ac10)
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d100=27 ; d20+4=24 ; d20+4=15 ; d3=3 ; d3=2 ; Monday July 18th, 2022 10:55:45 AM
Mortimer realizing that the little fiery beasts are actually closer to the ground than he thought, he steps forward (5ft step) and sends a frosty ray of cold at the creature nearest him (B4).
(Mortimer casts Ray of Frost at B4. ASP10%: 27. Hit Range TouchAC: 24, crit threat. 14 Confirm. Damage: 3 + 2 x1.5 = 7 or 8 cold damage, DM choice.)
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+2=22 ; d20+2=10 ; 2d4=3 ; Monday July 18th, 2022 11:39:59 AM
"Last spell before cantrips" Ash exclaims to the others.
He lets an acid arrow fly at D1 connecting. 3 dmg.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Monday July 18th, 2022 7:45:04 PM
Manolo scoffs as he realizes that his crossbow and arrows are ineffective. He shouts out of frustration and does nothing else.
DM BatMark -- Fire is out! BattleMap Monday July 18th, 2022 9:15:37 PM Torrynashkabbeth steps up and lets fly with her fey spark, dealing 3hp of damage to B1. Mortimer taunts your foes, then fires a ray of frost at B4 that is super-effective. The mephit completely frosts over, falls to the ground and shatters into gleaming frozen shards! Ash hits B1 with an acid arrow, and the thing melts out of the sky to thud into the ground with a fizzy wet splat. Loryn snaps back to the present and enchants Drack’s bow. Drack calls for Torryn to stay close, thanks Loryn, and fires a hasty shot that goes astray. Manolo shouts in frustration. Mole
Your sparks, acid, and frost lay low the last of the fire mephits! Luckily there wasn’t enough grass or foliage this close to the keep to feed a brushfire, so just a few remaining tendrils of smoke curl up from the area.
Please make a perception check: DC5 Highlight to display spoiler: {There is some kind of ruckus over in the shops just to the east. You can hear clattering and chattering.} DC10 Highlight to display spoiler: {The sounds are coming from the same direction that the second group of mephits–which looked different than the fire mephits–headed towards.} DC15 Highlight to display spoiler: {Amidst the remains of the fire mephits are scattered small, bright objects.}
Fire Mephit B1 dead Fire Mephit B2 dead Fire Mephit B3 dead Fire Mephit B4 dead
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 d20+10=23 ; Monday July 18th, 2022 9:40:19 PM
After the last of the creature is defeated, Mole puts out any remaining fires. He also points out the shiny stones among the remains of the creatures.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=12 ; Tuesday July 19th, 2022 4:47:57 AM Perception:19.
"I think we should go investigate that noise straight away." She told the others and ignoring Drack's sage counsel set off quickly to do so. She still had yet to master the whole 'not being so impulsive' thing.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+6=14 ; Tuesday July 19th, 2022 6:32:00 AM
"Yeah, doesn't sound good. That's the direction the rest of the flying creatures went."(perception 14)
Drack moves with Torry, putting his bow away, and pulling his sword while on the move.
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+2=19 ; Tuesday July 19th, 2022 10:06:48 AM
Loryn turns in the direction of the clatter and Drack and Torry heading out. He even takes a step first, "Right Torry, Straight awa- Oh, shiny baubles."
Loryn pauses for just enough time to grab the shinies and then heads off after the others
perception 19
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 d20+10=21 ; Tuesday July 19th, 2022 6:59:07 PM
Mole follows after putting out the fires.
Mortimer’s jaw drops when the mephit iced up and crashed so splendidly. He hadn’t seen that kind of power before from that little cantrip. It felt different as well. He knew it the moment it was cast. Was it from channeling his anger; focusing those negative feelings. It was something to explore later, for something else has caught his attention. There amidst the mephitic remains were bright and shiny objects. “What now … what are these things?” He stoops down to pick them up and quickly examines them. As his friends start to head over to the shop, Mortimer answers back, “Yea, sure!” His eyes never leave the shinies. “Yea, I’m on my way!”
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=8 ; Tuesday July 19th, 2022 7:36:00 PM
Manolo instinctively goes east, where the ruckus is. Perception 8
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+2=4 ; Tuesday July 19th, 2022 7:54:00 PM
Ashe is oblivious to anything. He moves towards the rest of the party, sticking tight with the others.
DM BatMark -- Down to earth folks BattleMap Tuesday July 19th, 2022 8:01:35 PM Torrynashkabbeth wants to investigate the noise immediately, and sets off impulsively. Drack agrees with Torryn and draws his sword as he advances. Mole stamps out the last sparks and points to the shiny bits in the remains of the mephits, before following. Manolo heads east toward the ruckus. Ash sticks with those moving forward. Loryn sees the wisdom of Torryn and Drack’s idea, but is lured to the sparklies first. Mortimer too is drawn to the shinies.
Heorstan, slightly singed from the earlier flames, has managed to crawl to the gate and is let safely inside. Those party members who stop the loot the remains Highlight to display spoiler: {You find a total of 2625gp worth of small fire opals and garnets.}
Party members who advanced toward the ruckus can make out a group of four creatures partly around a corner to the southeast. They are similar to the fire mephits, but have a dirty cast to their flesh, pebbled with small stone like protrusions. They seem to be having a grand time, biting chunks out of nearby buildings, scooping up troughs of earth with their claws, trying to knock holes in walls, and the like. It reminds you of a drunken crowd after their team has won or lost a major game of ‘head in the basket’ or ‘sticks and kicks’ against a major rival. They don’t seem to have noticed you yet, so engrossed are they in their merrymaking.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=7 ; Wednesday July 20th, 2022 3:03:53 AM
Torryn moved up. (AA:16) and unleashed her Fey Spark. (AC:12) Sadly, she lacked the means to attack and hurt it physically, not that she seemed particularly adept in any case. Even her Fey Spark went wide of the mark. Oh well, at least she had its attention.
(OOC: The dice roller has a bad case of the glums - still)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+8=19 ; d10+5=14 ; Wednesday July 20th, 2022 7:11:04 AM
Drack assumes that something is headed after Torry since she fired her magic spark, and moves to AA17, and readies to strike any bad guy that comes within reach of his now magical sword.
hit 19ac, damage 14
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Wednesday July 20th, 2022 10:38:30 AM
Loryn gathers and pockest the shinies with Mortimer and makes a note to say, "We are splitting this with the others Mortimer. Now lets get going to help."
Loryn spends a bit of time scooping up the fire opals and garnets, and then takes off as his short legs can carry
Group treasure 2,625gp in fire opals and garnets
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Wednesday July 20th, 2022 11:57:14 AM
(Happy 1st Year Anniversary Everyone!)
[b]I will add the fire opals and garnets to the Party Treasure list. Which reminds me I need to enter the treasure from the previous combat in the swamp.[/i]
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+11=17 ; Wednesday July 20th, 2022 6:46:23 PM
Ash tries to figure out if these Mephits are some other kind of demon. The postules make him feel some sort of diseases type.
Knowledge Planes 17
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d20+1=19 ; Wednesday July 20th, 2022 9:16:51 PM
After gathering up what fire opals and garnets he could find, he hurries over and joins up with the rest of the group. He gives Loryn a grin and a nod. Glad he took the initiative to help gather up the loot. Who knows, Heorstan probably had his eyes on it too. Mortimer thinks he should plan another visit of his laboratory. If his fingers are as sticky as his, he should have something interesting.
(Perception: 19)
DM BatMark -- Party Poopers BattleMap Wednesday July 20th, 2022 9:31:03 PM Drack moves up to protect Torryn, magic blade at the ready. Loryn lines his pockets with gems, lets the others know of them, then moves up a bit. Mortimer goes along with letting the party in on the looting’s proceeds, and hurries to catch up. Torrynashkabbeth moves up and tries to unleash fey spark on B1. Manolo Mole Ash identifies these creatures as earth mephits. They are similarly partly resistant to non-magical weapons as their fiery kin, but don’t have any special vulnerabilities.
B1 suddenly grows to human size and steps around the corner, walking right into the blade of Drack, who can used his readied action to hit the creature if he likes. B2 and B3 get closer but pull up short and exclaim, ”Hey, party poopers, why youz gotta go disturbing our dirt? Weez just having a good time here, and youz lousing it up.” B4 still seems to be enjoying rolling in the dirt and digging gouts out of the stone of the nearby building, cackling all the while.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Wednesday July 20th, 2022 11:05:37 PM
Mole moves up behind Drack, but his movement takes him too far to do anything else.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=20 ; d6=3 ; Thursday July 21st, 2022 4:39:53 AM
If what she'd been told was true; that magic was required to hurt these things -and the evidence did seem to support that, then Torryn was left with just the one rapidly depleting option: her Fey Spark. She flicked her hand out and that Fey Spark flew unerringly into the creature's chest
20! - it inflicts 3 points of damage NB: Torryn now only has 2 more remaining.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Thursday July 21st, 2022 5:44:23 AM
Just to confirm to him what he already believes, Drack will quickly use his detect magic ability before swinging(move action). If they are evil, Drack will take his readied swing, if not detecting as evil he will hold his swing and advise them that they must leave this plane and go back to where they came from.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d20+4=7 ; Thursday July 21st, 2022 5:43:53 PM
Mortimer moves up behind Torryn and chimes in with as much charm he can muster.
(Diplomacy: 7, ack!)
"Hey... I'm not one ta poop on any parties, heh ... but that dirt belongs ta somebody. It's not polite messin' with someone's dirt. There be plenty of dirt outside of town ... more than enough for you all."
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+2=3 ; Thursday July 21st, 2022 7:02:08 PM
Ash is a little embarrassed when his acid splash spell is wasted when he spikes it into the ground.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Thursday July 21st, 2022 8:18:44 PM
Manolo stands confused and asks "What should I do?" , He asks "I can't hurt them with this", he says and points to his crossbow.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Thursday July 21st, 2022 9:05:23 PM
(Correction: detect evil, not detect magic.)
DM BatMark -- Huh, what did he say? BattleMap Thursday July 21st, 2022 9:44:44 PM Manolo wonders what he can do. Highlight to display spoiler: {They are DR5/magic, so if you roll well enough on damage, you can hurt them a little bit. Roll a crit (19 or 20 for a crossbow) and you can do decent damage.} Mole moves up behind Drack. Mortimer tries a bit of diplomacy, but none too eloquently. Ash has apparently joined the mephits in gouging the earth, dissolving a bit with his splash of acid. Drack detects no evil on the mephit directly in front of him, and holds his swing, while trying to persuade the mephits to scram. Highlight to display spoiler: { Note that you can only get the quick result by targeting a single creature. Also, you technically lose your readied action when your next turn starts, so you could have detected evil and used a regular attack, but not a readied attack in this case. It doesn’t seem to matter in this case, as it is not evil so you held your swing regardless, but just for future reference.} Loryn Torrynashkabbeth continues her fey sparking, singing B1 for 3hp of damage.
B1 looks down in dismay, back up at Torryn, and back down at the stinging from where the spark hit it. ”Hey, that waznt very noice, now wuz it? Youz better stopz it.” B2 and B3 listen a bit to Mortimer, then to Drack, but seem to get bored with their droning on, and start to fidget a bit. Perhaps someone more persuasive or scary could turn the tide? B4 continues to play roughly with the local masonry.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=19 ; Friday July 22nd, 2022 4:52:48 AM
Torryn was momentarily taken aback at being scolded, but she recovered her composure quickly.
"Well, you were being naughty." She replied reasonably, if a little indignantly. "That's not yours to play with. I just gave you a little 'slap' to tell you to stop. So do not start crying and complaining. As to stopping, yes, I'll stop if you stop - all of you. Things don't need to escalate further, but they will if you don't behave."
Diplomacy: 22.
She'd tried to maintain a calm tone and not resort to bluffing or intimidation. Both had sorely tempted her, but she felt that to indulge in either wasn't really the way of a Sacred Dancer. Whatever would Dracky think of her had she done that!
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+7=25 ; Friday July 22nd, 2022 5:34:36 AM
Drack will also use his diplomatic skill and attempt to work with Torry to convince them that they need to leave this realm and go home,(diplomacy check 25)
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+2=16 ; d3=1 ; Friday July 22nd, 2022 7:50:33 PM
This time Ashe connects, lobbing an acid splash at B1for 1dmg.
" If some of you have some big attacks... nows the time. "
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 d20+4=13 ; Friday July 22nd, 2022 8:50:24 PM
Mole watches the other try to talk down the creatures. They don't seem overly hostile, more likely they are just playing.
What little warmth exhibited by Mortimer's half-hearted attempts at diplomacy quickly begins to cool down. He's well aware that Toryn and Drack both have put him to shame. They possess the 'gift of the gab' in this conversation and he finds it mildly irritating. This distraction prevents him from fully realizing that Ash, from behind the corner of the building, is casting a spell!
"What," he mutters as he turns around and backs up to the corner to find Ash and Manolo? He holds out his hand, motioning him not to cast, "What are ya doin', mate?! Read the room!"
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Saturday July 23rd, 2022 6:04:57 AM
As the acid splash pops into the discussion and hits a Mephit, Drack looks over his shoulder at Ash, and gives him a quick unpleasant glare. He then starts to apologize to the attacked creature.
DM BatMark -- What will happen next? BattleMap Saturday July 23rd, 2022 6:25:27 AM Torrynashkabbeth offers a retort, it then makes a more even handed offer to de-escalate matters. Drack adds to Torryn’s deal making, and it is quite a persuasive case. Mole senses that these things are just playing around, although they are playing by different rules than are standard hereabouts. Ash starts to cast a spell to attack the mephit. Mortimer reads the situation and, in an attempt to save the efforts to send the Mephits away peacefully, tries to get Ash to stop casting his attack spell. Manolo Loryn
The moment seems frozen in time. Torryn and Drack are speechifying, Ash is wiggling his fingers arcanely, and Mort is waving him off. What does Ash do?
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Saturday July 23rd, 2022 9:52:05 AM
Ash intentionally stops his casting, looking a little embarrassed.
"Sorry mates... my mind saw mephit.. said time to fight. "
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Saturday July 23rd, 2022 10:03:37 PM
Mole waits for the reaction of the creatures. He hopes for a non-violent solution.
DM BatMark -- Adendum BattleMap Saturday July 23rd, 2022 10:35:41 PM
As Ash stops casting, tensions seem to deflate, and talks continue. The mephits grumble a little, but eventually shuffle off to where they came from. "Yeah, we can havz some lovely mineralz back home, just az well, and without all this nasty air and stuff. Youz guys aren’t much fun, but I guess youz are ok enough. See yourz laterz. You may have gotten rid of us today, but you will never get rid of Kandruth Walker!”. And they are gone. The mountain, ash, and impending volcano fade into the morning light…
The gates open and Phaedra emerges, clapping and praising you as heroes of Windhorn Hamlet. There are cheers from the militia men in the gatehouse, and you can here villagers calling out in relief from inside the keep.
(OOC: you each earn a hero point for solving the encounter without unnecessary bloodshed, or whatever it is that mephits leak when injured.)
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Sunday July 24th, 2022 7:01:05 AM
Torryn wanted to ask - 'Why can't we get rid of Kandruth Walker?' But the chance was gone. She turned at smiled at the warm reception. Once again she and her friends had somehow managed to save the day. It felt good, but it would be nicer if they had a name to pin such accolades to, rather than just being a group of individuals. Being independent and individualistic was all well and good, but there were times when only order and co-operation could succeed. yet, what would be an appropriate name?
Loryn was always full of good ideas. She turned to him and asked. "Say Loryn, do you think we could be The Bearclaw Crew?" It wasn't the most imaginative idea, but they were a team and a crew was a team, and they were from Bearclaw.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Sunday July 24th, 2022 7:36:08 AM
Drack takes a small sigh of relief as the Mephits depart, until they mention Kandruth Walker. He quickly pulls off his back pack, and opens it to make sure the book is still there. If it is, he quickly closes it back up and puts it back on. Drack watches as the Phaedra heads for the them, and while nice, accolades aren't what he's doing this for. He says a prayer to Domi upon completion of another succesful battle, and thanks him for the wisdom to know when to kill, and when to make peace.
Drack quickly turns to Mole "When you get a chance, could you fix me me up with another one of those spells you used? I still don't feel quite up to to my normal self."
As Torry once again brings up the the naming of the group, Drack chimes in "How about the Windhorn warriors?"
He then turns to greet Phaedra, and asks if there were any injuries or losses among the people
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Sunday July 24th, 2022 1:29:31 PM "Or maybe the Windhorm Wonders?" Torryn giggled. Not everyone was a warrior, but they each brough a bit of Wonder to the group.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Sunday July 24th, 2022 8:44:29 PM
After hearing some of Toryn's name suggestions, Mortimer offers up his own idea.
"Been thinkin' up a name, I have. This place is known for Dragon Bay and the Sentinels that ward off the dragons. Now that the Sentinels are no longer charged, the dragons have returned, but this time, not to destroy. That's what we are ... 'The Many Headed Dragon'. Each of us, our own head, our own color, yeah. What ya think?" He looks around at everyone's reaction. "Inspires both awe and fear, it does."
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Sunday July 24th, 2022 10:00:33 PM
“Well Mortimer, from what you said, a many headed dragon is what I’ve heard of as a hydra. Perhaps we should call ourselves hydra. It’s a little quicker of the tongue.(kill one head, and two more shall take its place).
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Monday July 25th, 2022 3:46:58 AM "Dragons are more noble than hydra, if I remember correctly. So I'd favour that option. Perhaps we could be The Dragonfold or simply The Bearclaw Dragons." Thinking up names was fun. She liked Dragonfold. It was a flock of dragons where they each looked out for each other.
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+8=15 ; Monday July 25th, 2022 12:45:48 PM
Loryn gives a small smile as the situation deescalates without further violence. A lesson well learned, Not everything is a horrible evil monster to be destroyed. "Well done Drack and Torry, very well done indeed."
The gnome turns to Phaedra and gives a slight wave. "Thank you." Loryn purses his lips as the names start flying on what to possibly call themselves as a group or for easy reference by others. It was the last part that had him thinking on the thought the most.
"Having a moniker that others beyond our little hamlet could use to request or aid or send word, would certainly be of benefit in the years to come. Something straightforward and to the point I would think. Something that reflects not only what we are, but what we wish to be and be known for. Personally i would prefer to avoid tags such as gang, group, crew and such. I like the concept Mortimer, but I think the name needs to be more concise"
"Does anyone know anything about what our next problem very well likely is, this 'Kandruth Walker'? Is Kandruth a place and this creature is a Walker or is that it's actual name?"
Loryn's only area of any expertise was in Arcana, and so magical Beasts and such. Even then, despite what others might believe, he really didn't know all that much.
Know Arcana 15
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Monday July 25th, 2022 1:53:30 PM
In response to Drack's hydra, he replies, "Ehh, from the stories I've heard from sailors, a hydra is more a mindless sea serpent than a dragon." Upon hearing Torryn's suggestions, a smile forms across his face, "Dragonfold, yeah ... not bad at all! Though I see no need to name ourselves after the guard tower."
Mortimer's expression turns perplexed as he adds, "Why did they ever name it Bearclaw Keep? Doesn't fit at all! This is a seaside hamlet on the coast of Dragon Bay. Not some ranger's hunting lodge, high up in the mountains. When have ya ever seen a bear?"
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Monday July 25th, 2022 2:08:11 PM "Never heard of this Kandruth Walker; not until this book. Maybe we can sell it to that toff from the Sage's Guild. He's a bit of a boffin when it comes to these cursed things."
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Monday July 25th, 2022 5:48:14 PM
The issue of the name still dominated Torryn's thoughts. Dragons and hydras were all well and good, but was that really them? Loryn's objection to a collective noun was also noted. "Um...perhaps we could be The Starfold" She offered. "Stars are celestial like our gods and it's indicative of our lofty aspirations without being too threatening. I mean, no one actually knows what a Starfold is, so that's a good start. Um...it's obviously US though." She decided to shut up. Let others have their say. they'd likely come up with something far better anyway.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+11=12 ; Monday July 25th, 2022 6:55:30 PM
"Dont the Dragon groups get a little testy when new groups name themselves anything like Dragons?" Ash asks. " I'd still be down for it, if concensus has it. "
Ash tries to recall the name in all his studies of the planes. Knowledge planes 12
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Monday July 25th, 2022 8:42:29 PM
Manolo simply listens. 'It would be nice if that sage would have been here',Manolo thinks.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Monday July 25th, 2022 10:21:30 PM
"Do we have any way to research this man? How about WLA? Don't some of you have access to their resources? They may be reference to him."
"As far as a group name, any dragon name seems inappropriate, at least at this point."
Mole remains silent. Manolo listens and wishes for the Sage to be here still. Torryn suggests a number of potential names for the party, and appreciates the warm reception that the heroes gain for Phaedra and the rest. Ash reminds the group that Dragons and those heroes associated with them tend to be protective of the name. He is pretty sure that would not be received well. He is equally sure that he has never heard of Kandruth Walker before. Mortimer likes Dargpnfold, but knows nothing of this Kandruth Walker. He suggests pawning the book off on the Sage. Loryn suggests a name with broader applicability if the party ever ranges wider. Drack wonders if Hydra wouldn’t be a better name than anything explicitly Dragonish. He double checks that the book is in his pack, which it is. He asks for more healing as well.
Phaedra hears you discussing Kandruth Walker, and ushers you into her office after a bit more cheering and celebrating. She relates what she learned from the preface of the book.
"There are things that dwell in the dark places of the world — terrible things that can destroy your body and shatter your mind. The wise man does not seek out such nightmares. But there are those who are unwise or unlucky enough to find the darkness. Reader, what you hold in your hands is an account of my travels in Norcia, Kingsport, and Kramah. These are not pleasant excursions, as charming as these places may have once been said to be. Some places, beautiful and idyllic as they are, undergo transformations and times of crisis. Norcia, the quaint cliffside village overlooking the Bay of Umbria was one of these. What happened to the generous and gentle people of Norcia happened through no fault of their own. Other places create their own undoing. Kingsport housed a proud and clever people. They did not learn until too late that cleverness is not wisdom. The city now lies in ruins, its people scattered. Too often folks approach a new situation with the habits they developed to deal with quite different circumstances. The last tale takes place in uninviting Kramah. It is a reflection not on trouble coming to find you, but on ensuring the precautions you take to avoid trouble are adequate. I, myself, witnessed the events I describe in these three places. I hope that you may learn from these tales without the need to experience what I experienced. Those drawn into darkness often find it infecting them, corrupting them in ways both subtle and disgusting. Learn if you can how to avoid them – the signs of danger may be subtle, but they are always there for those who can recognize them. Gain wisdom from these tales.
So that provides some insight into Walker, although even she is at a loss to explain much more. She asks what you intend to do with the book, now that you have it and the,immediate threat is dealt with.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Tuesday July 26th, 2022 4:23:42 AM
Drack nods at the kudos from Loryn, but he didn’t feel the need to say anything. He was just glad he didn’t try to kill creatures that didn’t need killing.
“Obviously, from what Phaedra says, Walker was or is a person. Fallen fist sounds like some sort of mercenary group. As to what to do with the book, I haven’t a clue. Sounds like a task for arcane spell casters. Either way, I’m pretty sure we shouldn’t read it.”
“Phaedra seems to remember a lot more than she initially did. Perhaps with a little time, Heorstan might have something to add.”
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Tuesday July 26th, 2022 5:07:47 AM "Perhaps that's just the lure." Torryn offered. "Given the stated 'credentials' of the author, it invites credence and the curiosity of the reader. So, it's a well written book. It doesn't mean that any of it is 'real'. I mean, that there IS sure a person as Kandruth Walker. To be honest, that's pretty unimportant. Reading the book invites the subtle shifts towards corruption that the book hints of. It's basically telling you not to read it. Personally, I'd like to give it to the snotty. old mage. At least he and his cohort have a lot of experience in dealing with cursed items. If that's not an option than I think that Dracky had best continue to secure it. The temptation for others to peruse its pages is too great to simply try to hoard it away 'safely' here...um...no offense intended." She finished weakly.
Truth be told, she didn't know what to do with the book. They could try to destroy it, but burning books somehow felt wrong.
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Tuesday July 26th, 2022 2:55:51 PM
Loryn listens to the recap, "Fallen Fist, as in the Mailed Fist I'd wager. 'Fallen' sounds like a moniker that the Fist unit was taken out. In general The Mailed Fist is the largest mercenary outfit on the Elennian Peninsula. Disciplined, highly trained and tactically astute and a group we should approach with caution, but I think that is where our path leads. Resources of the WLA should be able to point us at the nearest outpost."
"I think we keep the book and start there. It also seems likely to me that what we have experienced so far, is perhaps what befell theses towns our good author is referencing. Somehow the fall of these places have been wholly recreated if you will in this book. Reading causes a reenactment if you will of the beginning or end."
Loryn turns to Pheadra and informs her that they will be keeping the book safe at this point forward
"I suggest we take a day to locate the Fist, set our provisions for the trip and depart."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Tuesday July 26th, 2022 4:05:13 PM
Manolo agrees with Loryn.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Tuesday July 26th, 2022 8:07:45 PM
Ash nods as Lorryn shares some information. He was book smart, so knowledge if local groups and heroes was best left to another of his teammates.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d20+1=2 ; d20+8=28 ; d20+3=22 ; d20+2=7 ; d20+5=11 ; d20+5=24 ; d20+5=13 ; Tuesday July 26th, 2022 8:36:16 PM
Mortimer nods his head in agreement when Loryn speaks of the Mailed Fist. To be perfectly honest, which he is not, this is all news to him (Knowledge [Local]: 2, natural 1). In fact, he struggles to recall the name Loryn had just called them.
"Yeah, I remember hearin' talk of that sort. Had another name for them, we did ... a less flatterin' one. A hard gang of toughies, for sure."(Bluff: 28, natural 20)
Mortimer decides he hasn't had a proper appraisal of the book. He looks over the cover and binding, NOT daring to open its pages. He tries to determine what kind of leather the cover is made from. Any writing on the cover and spine. Any symbols or runes present? Besides common, he's also fluent in Draconic and High Woldian.
(Appraise: 22. Linguistics: 7. Knowledge [Arcana]: 11. Spellcraft: 24.) Last roll was an accidental double click.)
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Tuesday July 26th, 2022 10:14:13 PM
"Wouldn't it be better to hide the book? If reading it causes maladies to occur, isn't it dangerous to keep it in anyone's hands?" he says regarding the book. "I can hide it easily enough. Preventing any accidental reading. Something to think about."
DM BatMark -- Chapter the Next BattleMap Tuesday July 26th, 2022 10:42:53 PM Mole wonders about reaching Walker, or asking the WLA for information. He wonders if hiding the book might be a better option. (OOC: sorry about missing your post last night, still wrangling with technology during my travels.) Drack is pleased to have avoided a fight, suggests not reading the book, and supposes that Heorstan might now recall more from the book. Loryn suspects a connection to the Mailed Fist, and wants to seek them out as a next step. Manolo agrees with Loryn. Ash also nods in general agreement. Mortimer nods along and relates tales of the Fallen Fist’s less than flattering past. He carefully tries to examine the book’s outside. Highlight to display spoiler: { The book is tattered, with a thin black leather binding, and a patinaed clasp. There are no other markings on its outside.} Torrynashkabbeth is suspicious of the book, and prefers to pawn it off on the snotty Sage, or at least have Dracky secure it.
You recall that Grog has an association with the WLA, and might be able to assist in your inquiries. As Mortimer examines the book, it, despite his intentions, falls open to a page that reads ‘Theophilus’ but is otherwise blank, as is the facing page. Phaedra, in a voice not quite her own, says,
”I was assigned at the time to guard Theophilus, Archdeacon of the Church of Caeroldra, God of Love. The parts of this story that I did not witness myself, I confirmed with those who had. Theophilus was a noble and generous man who was loved by all the local communities that it touched, for he was also treasurer of the church and freely used what it collected for the betterment of those communities. It came as no surprise to anyone that he was asked to lead the church upon the death of his superior, Cilicia. It surprised few when he turned the position down, for he was happy serving the people where he was and had no need for greater power. Alphonsus, instead, took leadership of the church.
But the city leaders saw an opportunity lost, for they could have profited from being home to the leader of the Church of Love. They grew bitter towards Theophilus, and schemed to drive a wedge between Alphonsus and Theophilus. Whispered secrets and lies set the region in suspicion and strife. Soon the jealous Alphonsus relieved Theophilus of his duties.
In turn, Theophilus was desperate for redemption. Baffled by the calumny, Theophilus turned to an acquaintance for advice, but was decieved, for the man was a dark wizard. Led at midnight to a place where four cross-roads met, he conjured an automaton of righteous fury. The creature promised to restore Theophilus’ position and name in exchange for a soul. My duty lay to Theophilus’ body, and I did not interfere. Perhaps he thought his soul already belonged to Caeroldra, and he could escape the bargain.
The very next day, Alphonsus proclaimed his error before all the people of the city, and restored Theophilus to his former post. The whispered anger died away, and all that the outsider promised came to pass. Shortly thereafter, Theophilus died.
After making his agreement, Theophilus was never the same. It may be that he worried about the loss of his soul. It may be that he never knew whether the beast he had bargained with actually had a hand in the events that followed. It may be that he mourned the diminishing of his beloved city, for it afterwards lost considerable stature.”
Phaedra then blinks, coming back to herself, and remarks that she had forgotten those details in the ensuing hubbub. The tale does remind her of the feeling she had when hearing about the encounter with the Betrueger…
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Wednesday July 27th, 2022 3:42:55 AM
Torryn was not impressed by Phaedra's recitation, nor the idea that traipsing after some mercenary group was going to resolve matters. She moved to quickly kick the book shut before anything else happened.
"I do not see anything other than woe coming from this book. As much as I dislike the notion of burning books, I say this one goes on the pyre." Mole had been vague about the "hiding it" idea, but she'd opt for that if she was over-ruled on destroying the book. She didn't like and wanted nothing to do with it. How could anyone have time for something that only brought woe?
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Wednesday July 27th, 2022 6:26:02 AM
Drack listens intently as Phaedra almost to seems recite from the book on cue. He knows he isn't likely to remember it all, but counts on the spell casters for that.
As Torry goes to kick the cover closed, Drack jumps in, and slams the book shut. "not sure if using your foot would be a great idea. This thing almost has a mind of it's own. Mortimer had no intention of opening this thing, but somehow, it opened. I've heard of cursed things that make their curses come to pass. Question is, how did it come to be in Phaedra's office? What if it can call to some, and make them open it, or do what it wants in order to be read? I say we secure it until we find a way to safely destroy it."
"If we tried to burn it, I wouldn't be surprised if the cover started to burn, all the pages came loose, and spread across the area upon a sudden wind."
Drack carefully picks it up, and makes sure to hold it closed as he does so, so that it can't possibly open. While holding it, he detects evil upon the tome.
I think Heorstan has much more to tell us than he knows. After that, we should talk to Grog, and find out more about this Kandruth Walker or the people he was with. For now, let's secure it. "we need a cord or a belt to cinch it closed. if nobody has one, let's get one."
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Wednesday July 27th, 2022 6:26:33 AM
Drack listens intently as Phaedra almost to seems recite from the book on cue. He knows he isn't likely to remember it all, but counts on the spell casters for that.
As Torry goes to kick the cover closed, Drack jumps in, and slams the book shut. "not sure if using your foot would be a great idea. This thing almost has a mind of it's own. Mortimer had no intention of opening this thing, but somehow, it opened. I've heard of cursed things that make their curses come to pass. Question is, how did it come to be in Phaedra's office? What if it can call to some, and make them open it, or do what it wants in order to be read? I say we secure it until we find a way to safely destroy it."
"If we tried to burn it, I wouldn't be surprised if the cover started to burn, all the pages came loose, and spread across the area upon a sudden wind."
Drack carefully picks it up, and makes sure to hold it closed as he does so, so that it can't possibly open. While holding it, he detects evil upon the tome.
I think Heorstan has much more to tell us than he knows. After that, we should talk to Grog, and find out more about this Kandruth Walker or the people he was with. For now, let's secure it. "we need a cord or a belt to cinch it closed. if nobody has one, let's get one."
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Wednesday July 27th, 2022 12:37:09 PM "How much of the book did you read?" He asks Phaedra.
"Well, at least the book isn't bound in human skin, which is popular among the toffs of high society," he adds. [b]"Made from mundane materials, it is. But I don't believe it would burn ... that would be too easy."
He considers what he saw when the book opened to the Theophilus tale and it produces a thought to consider.
"Oye, you all notice how all the words were missing from the pages Phaedra had read, yeah. I've been learning up on magic on my down time. Got a book from the WLA titled, 'Humperdink's Guide to Spellcasting for Daft Simpletons'. If you can get past all the insults and name calling, it's quite informative. In the chapter about Scrolls, it says once a scroll is read and the magic released, all the writing disappears. Maybe this book is like a scroll. If so, then the spell Read Magic would let ya read it, without castin' the magic ... maybe!"
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Wednesday July 27th, 2022 1:13:30 PM
Loryn listens to Mole and also wishes the dwarf had been a bit more forthcoming with the details on 'hiding' the book. Perhaps some time of stone shaping type of thing. The gnome is wholly against trying to destroy the book. It is obviously magical and without knowing more, trying could make things so much worse.
Blank pages and a recitation by Pheadra Following on Mortimer's thoughts, "Almost like what has already been read, is now removed from the book to help it take shape or something. I agree that you are on the right path Mortimer. I'd prefer not to tinker with it until we know more though. Drack has the right of it. Let's tie the biter shut and I still think, our hands is the best place.
"Automoton of righteous fury? Anyone been keeping up on their planar reading lists? My opinion on our starting point hasn't really changed. We do have more names to the story though, to perhaps look into Theophilus, Archdeacon of the Church of Caeroldra, Cilicia.of the Church of Caeroldra Alphonsus of the Church of Caeroldra
I am going to speak with Grog and get access to the WLA resources."
Loryn heads off to do just that
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Wednesday July 27th, 2022 5:38:06 PM "Hmff." Grunted Torryn with hands on hips. Why did everyone else have to be so clever about things? Well, she wasn't going to see Grog. She and her 'stupid ideas' would just patrol and keep a weather eye out for more mischief.
She just wanted some time alone. That way she wouldn't be comparing herself to the others and their incisive ideas. Torryn was good at stuff - just not so much the thinking ahead and planning stuff. Now if there was some dancing involved! - Then she really came into her own.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Wednesday July 27th, 2022 6:15:18 PM
Manolo stands there mesmerized by what they have just been told
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Wednesday July 27th, 2022 10:09:08 PM
It is apparent Mole's suggestion of hiding wasn't getting it. "It seems I need to be a little more descriptive about hiding the book. I can head into the hills, I cannot be tracked, I am unaffected by terrain and I can make a clay hole in a rock only I know the location and cover it back up." He says letting the others take in what he said. "Basically, only I would know the location of the book. That means no one would be able to read it. As a dwarf, I am naturally resistant to magic, so I would have a better chance to resist any compulsion of the book."
DM BatMark -- Chapter the 2nd BattleMap Wednesday July 27th, 2022 10:26:04 PM
Torrynashkabbeth suggests burning the book after all, or at least hiding it, then hmffs when others have some good ideas. Drack slams the book shut and secures it as well as possible, while detecting evil on it. He suggests talking to Heorstan, then Grog. Highlight to display spoiler: {The book does not detect as evil, but Drack knows that curses, while not necessarily inherently evil, often nevertheless serve evil ends.} Mortimer asks Phaedra how much of the book she read, and speculates that it somehow functions like a scroll, with the words disappearing when read. Manolo is mesmerized by the proceedings. Mole offers to head into the hills, untracked, to hide the book in a rock. Ash Loryn is against trying to destroy the book, and suggests researching some of the names further, heading off to see Grog for that purpose.
Phaedra notes that she read the preface of the book, then was tempted or even compelled to read the first chapter, after which the book went missing. There is a knock at the door, and the guard Borad enters, with a blank look on his face. He impassively intones,
”There is a road I have heard of in my youth, a road that had to be passed, but travelers learned to be well away from the area when night fell so that they would not have to camp there. The place was plainly unhealthy, perhaps because of the dampness and noxious growth, the general sickish smell.
Those who died were not all cut, caravans were not attacked. Rather, their vitality was sapped: anemia, consumption, insanity or death. This much I knew before I first had to brave the road while hired to guard a caravan.
Not until I had to lead a troop through the region myself did a sage I knew set before me the notes and data which he had collected concerning the region. Long-winded, statistical, and drearily geographical as some of the matter was, there ran through it a continuous thread of brooding, tenacious, and preternatural malevolence which impressed me no little amount. A new and burning curiosity grew in me, and a determination to investigate the area thoroughly with a small force.
So it was that five of us braved The Road at night, with the intention to spend a few days there. What baffled us was our utter ignorance of the aspect in which we might encounter the danger. We had contrived to obtain ghost touch weapons in case it might be incorporeal. It never occurred to us that our venture was far from safe. But the thing – whatever it was – had shown no sign of bravery to date, and in our ignorance we found confidence.
We arrived just before noon, and searched the area for several hours. At last we set our watch and settled in for sleep. Sleep seized me quickly, and I was at once haunted with dreams of hostility and combat. Such is the life of a soldier, but these held a malevolence to which I was unaccustomed. I woke with a start before my shift, to find the man on watch dead and one of my comrades missing. After quickly waking the others, I easily found the missing man’s tracks leading into the ravine and we followed them by torchlight.
We picked our way through the swampy path, between fetid and luminous patches, until we found the man in one of the larger glows. He had a bloody sword in his hand. Though slumped into a heap when we found him, he leapt up and threatened us as we drew nearer. He did not then get the chance to attack us. Out of the fungus-ridden earth around him steamed up a vaporous corpse-light, yellow and diseased, which bubbled and lapped to a gigantic height. When it attacked, our resolve crumbled under its warbling cries and we fled.
That is the last I remember until waking with a caravan near the Float. They said I came into their camp in a delirium, clinging to rather than riding my horse. No doubt reaching the horse saved me; they are imminently more practical than we are. My companions were never heard of again. And whatever affects the merchants, let them thank the stars that distance slows the progression of their suffering.”
Much like Phaedra, Borad seems to snap out of his haze after reciting the chapter, and he looks around in mild embarrassment. ”Kinda reminds me of the whole swamp in my guard post episode, I think.”
(OOC: Feel free to try knowledge checks that seem appropriate, either now or after consulting with Grog as the WLA rep.)
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+11=24 ; d20+11=21 ; d20+10=18 ; d20+9=28 ; d20+11=13 ; Wednesday July 27th, 2022 11:09:15 PM
Ash scratches his head, trying to rack his brain.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=9 ; Thursday July 28th, 2022 8:06:30 AM
All Torryn had was her burgeoning knowledge of matters religious. It really seemed woefully inadequate to cover such things as were mentioned in the book. (Know, religion: 13) It was a relief though that wiser heads than hers were prevailing. It was good that Drack was 'guarding' the book and that Loryn was asking pertinent questions. She was content to simply keep an eye open for more trouble.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 d20+4=19 ; Thursday July 28th, 2022 8:28:01 AM
(knowledge religion 19)
"I've said what i have to say. You all are the thinkers. whatever you decide is good by me. Don't think I want to go down the road that Borad was talking about though."
once the book is strapped close, Drack will put it back in his back in his backpack. if nobody has anything to secure it with, he will ask Borad to try and quickly locate a cord a few feet in length, or a couple of belts that we might use.
"If I start feeling a need to read the book, I will let you all know. if I start acting unusually odd, secretive, or take the straps off the book, stop me... preferably not fatally."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Thursday July 28th, 2022 7:17:56 PM
Manolo hears more but says nothing. He stands by and says "Another one is probably coming soon to tell us more"
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d20+6=21 ; d20+5=25 ; d20+4=7 ; Thursday July 28th, 2022 8:54:25 PM
Agreeing with Manolo, Mortimer adds, "Yeah, let's get that Heorstan in here an have him tells the story of that volcano and those fire and mud muppets!"
He then makes a request of Phaedra and Borad, "It would be very helpful if you could put these stories to pen and paper, since they are now missin' from the book." (Diplomacy: 21)
Mortimer will also consider all he's learned of Arcana and Religion. "Oh Wardd, we could use a bit of luck if we're relying on what's in my noggin!"
"OHHHH ... that's right! I'm not so daft now, am I, you Humperdinkin' wanker," he says with satisfaction to the ghost of his book's author. Who may or may not be present.
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+9=17 ; Thursday July 28th, 2022 9:56:52 PM
Loryn makes a face as Drack comments on the thinkers of the group. His father would certainly not agree. know Arcana 17
"Manolo's prolly right on that. I don't think it will help us much, but we might as well here the next bit. Wonder where the Float was when this Wlaker guy was there. I heard it got whisked away from Central Plateau a bit ago. You guys keep crackin,"
Lryn goes to see Grog and get the WLA ino, if any, on this Mailed Fist Walker guy and see if he can uncover anything useful
On a side not, "Not a bad plan Mole. Long as you don't unalive yourself and leave us in a lurch not knowing where the thing is buried," he adds with a smile
DM BatMark -- Chapter the 3rd Thursday July 28th, 2022 10:08:40 PM Manolo expects another tale teller to come along soon. Mole Mortimer suggests finding Heorstan to get the rest of the tale, and asks the others to write down their chapters. Ash wracks his brain for understanding of the tale. Drack secures the book further and gives instructions in case he loses control of his faculties. Loryn is ok with Mole’s hiding plan, as long as he lives. He starts to set off toward Grog’s place. Torrynashkabbeth adds her thoughts and is glad that folks were doing what is necessary.
Ash, Drack, and Torryn compare notes and remember that there was a Caeroldra among the Gods of Testing, who was God of Passion, but in this Age she is no longer listed among the gods at all. Flower is, of course, the current God of Love.
Manolo is proven right when Loryn opens to the door to leave, allowing Heorstan to enter the room and hold forth.
”The Town was in the well-known fertile region of the coastal Windbourne Hills. In its hollows begin the vine bearing hills and the celebrated effects of the juice of the vine, famous the world over, and, as writers have said, the venue of the greatest competition between Maab and local powers… These shores are watered by hot springs and in no seas can the repute of the famous fish and shellfish be equaled.
My uncle was stationed here when my mother drew his attention to a plume of unusual size from the mountain. It was a great height and appeared like a tree, with a trunk and branches. In places it looked white, elsewhere blotched and dirty. Soon a message arrived. Julius, a Fist Sergeant, was stationed at the foot of the mountain across the bay. He was terrified by the cloud and implored my uncle for a rescue. My uncle gave orders for a ship to be launched and went on board himself with the intention of bringing help to many more people besides, for this lovely stretch of coast was well populated.
Ashes were already falling, hotter and thicker as the ships drew near, followed by bits of pumice and blackened stones, charred and cracked by the flames: then suddenly they were in shallow water, and the shore was blocked by the debris from the mountain. Meanwhile, I had remained across the bay. We fared better, but not entirely well. Ashes were already falling within hours of my uncle’s departure. A dense black cloud was coming up behind us, spreading over the earth like a flood. ”Let us leave the road while we can still see,” I said, ”or we shall be knocked down and trampled underfoot in the dark by the crowd behind.”
We hiked several hours and had scarcely sat down to rest when darkness fell, not the dark of a moonless or cloudy night, but as if the lamp had been put out in a closed room. You could hear the shrieks of women, the wailing of infants, and the shouting of men; some were calling their parents, others their children or their wives, trying to recognize them by their voices. People bewailed their own fate or that of their relatives, and there were some who prayed for death in their terror of dying.
On the mountain, broad sheets of fire and leaping flames blazed at several points, their bright glare emphasized by the darkness of night. The buildings were now shaking with violent shocks, and seemed to be swaying to and fro as if they were torn from their foundations. Elsewhere there was daylight, but the town was still in darkness, blacker and denser than any ordinary night, which they relieved by lighting torches and various kinds of lamp.
My uncle tried to bring people aboard to escape by sea, but he found the waves wild and dangerous. Then the flames and smell of sulphur which gave warning of the approaching fire drove the others to take flight and chance the wild seas. My uncle stayed at the wheel while his companions hid below decks and prayed. When daylight returned - two days later - the damaged ship was in our harbor, all the people below alive and safe. And my uncle? He was dead. Intact and still fully clothed, he was covered in ash, still clasping the steering oar in an unmoving grip.
Many besought the aid of the gods, but still more imagined there were no gods left, and that the universe was plunged into eternal darkness for evermore. I could boast that not a groan or cry of fear escaped me in these perils, but I admit that I derived some poor consolation in my mortal lot from the belief that the whole world was dying with me.”
Drack feels a twitch in his backpack…
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Thursday July 28th, 2022 10:17:04 PM
"I'm goin' to get a drink. I'll be back in a bit. This story is nice an all, but I'm standing here as the line of story tellers keep us here." With that Mole heads out to find the nearest alcoholic beverage.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Thursday July 28th, 2022 11:41:09 PM
Ash shares what little information he learns, and listens to the rest of the story. His mind continues to try and make sense of it all.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Friday July 29th, 2022 3:14:06 AM
Torryn watched Mole leave. She didn't drink, but was sorely tempted to follow him. All the stories were well told and certainly invited the reader to continue reading, but what were they supposed to do about it?
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Friday July 29th, 2022 7:54:49 AM
Drack listens with a frown to the story told by Heorstan, and frowns.
Until he feels the movement in his backpack.
A surprised and unhappy look quickly crosses his face.
"Mole. I don't think you should go anywhere. Something in my backpack just moved as soon as Heorstan's story ended. I'm not liking it. Almost like...The book is ready to continue it's tale."
Drack carefully takes off his back pack, and sets it on the ground in the middle of the group. He doesn't move to open the pack.
"What do we do? It might now be open and waiting to be seen by the first person opening this pack."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+8=27 ; d20+7=11 ; Friday July 29th, 2022 6:17:18 PM
Manolo volunteers to open the pack, he takes a spare bolt and opens it in a slow, calm and calculated way without hesitation. He doesn't think too much about finding a trap but rather focuses on opening the backpack in a safe way.
Disable device 27 Trap finding 11
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Friday July 29th, 2022 7:52:02 PM
Mole stops at Drack's suggestion. "Why don't we get that thing out of the city or at least to a large open area. If something happens, this crapped space will make it hard to respond to it."
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d20+1=9 ; Friday July 29th, 2022 9:33:25 PM "I must say," Mortimer professes, "that one, really got to me. Even in death, he kept the ship straight and true." He turns away to hide any hint of vulnerability.
When Mole announces he's going to get a drink. At first, he thinks that's a brilliant idea; until the book begins to twitch in Drack's pack.
"Why does this Walker want to tell US his story? Why us? Why now? All this theatrics was meant ta get our attention, I think. Well ... you got it, Walker. I'm all ears; eyes too. Show yourself."
Mortimer stares off into the shadows of the room, hoping to catch a glimpse. (Preception: 9)
(ooc: Knowledge checks were requested during the previous round. Did the natural 20 Arcana (25) check bring any enlightenment?)
Kandruth Walker
DM BatMark -- Epilogue Pt1 Saturday July 30th, 2022 7:19:28 AM Ash shares what he learned about Caeroldra and ponders the mystery. Drack frowns at the story, then puts the twitching pack down. Mole starts to go grab a drink, but stops when the pack twitches and suggests moving somewhere safer. Manolo searches the pack for traps, finding none, then artfully opens the straps. Torrynashkabbeth watched Mole start to leave and wondered what the party was supposed to do about the story. Mortimer demands that Kandruth Walker show himself. Loryn
No sooner has Manolo opened the pack and Mortimer summoned Walker, then you see that the book is somehow atop the contents of Drack’s pack, and with a quick shimmer, flips open and the pages riffle themselves front to back. It is over in an instant, and the book transforms into a half-elf male who steps out onto the ground. He is dressed in a soldierly, old-fashioned manner, and is disheveled and wounded with a haunted look about him. He takes a moment to take in his surroundings before his eyes focus on you. ”Thank you, my friends, for this chance. I am Kandruth Walker. For freeing me from this curse, allow me to give you this token.” And he gives the party a silver armband shimmering with pearls.”
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Saturday July 30th, 2022 8:24:01 AM "Oh." Said Torryn, decidedly taken aback by what had just transpired. To think, she'd wanted to burn the book! That might have cost the man his life. Might. As Loryn and the others said, curses were not so easily circumvented and it likely would have had no effect - particularly given that it could move itself! Still, she did feel rather embarrassed. Hopefully Morty or Loryn, or Drack would say something clever and appropriate. For her, nothing sprang to mind. She looked to Ash, Mole and Manny, maybe they had something to add that would cover up her very presence.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 d20+4=5 ; Sunday July 31st, 2022 10:00:46 AM
"Hold up there lad." Mole says. "You hang on to that armband, if you don't mind." He says to Kandruth. "I wanna make sure you're not passing that curse on to anyone else."
Mole cannot sense anything from Kandruth. (Sense Motive DC5)
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Sunday July 31st, 2022 4:03:43 PM
Loryn turns at Dracks mention of the twich in his pack. Manolo goes to investigate and Loryn finds himself holding his breath. He still very much wanted to back track Mr. Walker's adventures, but the party was not apparently as eager as he.
With the appearance of the spirit, Loryns eyes go wide. Imagine being trapped within a book. I wonder how that happened.
"You are very welcome Mr Walker. Do not be too disappointed witht he reception being given. The last few days have been trying. We appreciate the offer, but might we hear from you on the final moments you recall before the curse took hold and sent you into that book and what year was it?"
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d20+4=22 ; Sunday July 31st, 2022 7:44:21 PM
When Kandruth Walker appears, Mortimer is more surprised that the others can see him too. When spectres and phantoms come around, he is usually the sole spectator. The time is usually at night when the veil between the shadows is the most clear.
"Good to finally meet you, it is, Mr. Walker. Mortimer Margrave, at your service," he says with a nod."From what we've read," he adds, "you've lived an extraordinary life. How did this curse come to pass?"
(Diplomacy: 22. If Walker is familiar with the WLA badge, then it's 24.)
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Monday August 1st, 2022 7:15:09 PM
Ash starts daydreaming, wondering what it's like to be trapped in a book. He starts to stare off into space, oblivious of anything or anyone around him.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=12 ; Monday August 1st, 2022 7:47:55 PM
Manolo tries discern what is the half-elf motives regarding giving the armband
sense motive 12
DM Steve -- How did this curse come to pass? Monday August 1st, 2022 10:28:24 PM Mole tells Kandruth to hang onto his armband, and tries to figure out why he offered it to them. He thinks it might be cursed. Mortimer is surprised the others can see the half-elf, and welcomes Walker most graciously. He asks how the curse happened. Loryn is surprised by the appearance of Kandruth Walker, but welcomes him nicely. He asks about Walker’s experiences immediately prior to being trapped in the book. Ash daydreams about being trapped in a book. Torrynashkabbeth feels a bit of remorse at wanting to burn the book that just turned into a half-elf, and looks to the others to cover her embarrassment. Manolo tries to figure out why the half-elf offered them the armband. (He gets no sense of nefarious motives.) Drack is quiet. How often does a half-elf step out of one’s pack?
The half-elf considers what he has seen and addresses Mortimer when he replies, “You have reasonable questions, but I cannot delay. I must away. If I cannot complete my quest, I will once again change places with that cursed Book. It will come to the Wold and I will again be in torment under the Lavender Moon. If I fail, the best I can provide you is to leave your land so the curse won’t again visit your town. Farewell!” And with a flick of his cape, Kandruth Walker turns to go, offering the armband again to anyone who reaches to take it.
Know Religion or Planes – DC 19. Highlight to display spoiler: {There’s a strange bit of knowledge of a story linking a lavender-colored moon with a place called Koshe Marr.} DC 23. Highlight to display spoiler: {Koshe Marr is a plane of nightmares beholden to the Independent god, Marteus.}
Mortimer is going to let a pearled armband get away, if it were offered or not. If it were cursed or not. He reaches out his and takes it from Kandruth before he departs for his quest.
"Do any of you know what he meant by that Lavender Moon business?"
Once Walker has left, he casts Detect Magic and concentrates on the pearly armband. "Nice weight, it has."
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Monday August 1st, 2022 10:58:52 PM (edit: "Mortimer ISN'T* going to left a pearled armband get away...")
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 d20=13 ; Tuesday August 2nd, 2022 4:43:49 AM (Know Religion:17)
Torryn was really rather relieved, both when Kandruth vanished and when Morty took the armband. She hadn't even had chance to determine whether it was evil or magical. She doubted that it was the former. Dracky would certainly have picked up on that. He did take the pressure of her, but she reasoned that was only natural: it was the difference between being a full-blown Holy Warrior and a Sacred Dancer. Still, she'd always be able to dance better.
Detect Magic
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Tuesday August 2nd, 2022 8:08:00 AM
Loryn straightens a bit and pulls at one ear as Kandruth declares himself away, "Now hold on there captain go it alone. We can help you on this if you give us a bit on what 'this' is." He gives his friends a nod, expecting to see cheery and enthusiastic faces to join the quest, whatever it may be.
"Especially as you are saying that we here are tied to this book in some way and our little happy home is now under threat as long as we remain in it." Loryn hustles himself to get in front of Kandruth Walker and holds up a hand to stop him. "So you need to spill the quest and let us help so we don't have to just follow you and help anyways."
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Tuesday August 2nd, 2022 5:16:18 PM
Mole's concerns go on deaf ears. He says no more and start rummaging through his pockets looking at the stones for his next project.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+11=12 ; d20+10=28 ; Tuesday August 2nd, 2022 6:28:21 PM
Ash recalls hearing of the Lavender Moon and shares what he knows. "There’s a strange bit of knowledge of a story linking a lavender-colored moon with a place called Koshe Marr. Koshe Marr is a plane of nightmares beholden to the Independent god, Marteus."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Tuesday August 2nd, 2022 7:29:56 PM
Manolo shudders. "Koshe Marr...Lanliss once told me about this....place.....a living nightmare", Manolo says slowly as his body shakes from fear for a few moments. "Gragul didn't scare him as much as Koshe Marr did", he adds
DM Steve -- a living nightmare Tuesday August 2nd, 2022 11:41:19 PM Manolo grows fearful at hearing about Koshe Marr. Torrynashkabbeth is relieved how turned out, belatedly realizing she could have detected for evil or magic. Ash shares what little he knows about the Lavender Moon, Koshe Marr, and Marteus. Mortimer takes the armband, unwilling to let valuables get away even if they may be cursed. He casts detect magic. Loryn gets in front of Walker and both demands answers and offers help. Mole’s advice ignored, he says no more. Drack again is quiet.
Mortimer and Torryn agree that the armband is not magical – which at least means it’s not cursed. The group estimates it to be between 4000 and 5000 gp value.
Kandruth regards Loryn. The half-elf is clearly not at his best right now. He moves slowly and deliberately, and does not appear capable of swift action. Still, he also carries himself with the unconscious ease of an accomplished veteran. ”t is not thee who threaten thy home, but I. Yond lytel, I wast cursed after refusing an unconscionable order. thee art not the first to free me, and I knoweth from the previous times what wilt followeth. t very much is best for thee and thy home that I beest not hither at which hour those orcneas breech the wold looking for me. those orcneas wilt befall within the cycle of the moon of Wardd. if 't be true I succeed at evading those ilk, I wilt returneth and giveth a more mete explanation.”
Everyone knows that the moon of Wardd is erratic, making the length of the moon cycle unpredictable.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Wednesday August 3rd, 2022 4:05:54 AM
Torryn really wasn't sure what to make of all that. It did seem though, that she'd likely have to vacate her home and travel. Events were all happening so fast. She wasn't ready! She was just a dancer. Well, not 'just'. She was now a Sacred Dancer and so perhaps it was inevitable that she'd have to travel and bring the blessings of her patron deities to those communities that had need of them. Still, she had people to see: her parents and her teacher, not least amongst them.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Wednesday August 3rd, 2022 4:09:58 AM Subbing - Apologies for the missed day.
Drack did not want to bring the misery of the curse down upon the town. If such could be avoided, it was incumbent upon them to do so.
"Mole, if I prevail upon your kindness: it seems we are destined to travel and soon. Would that I were in better health. If your god could find it it within him to restore my vigour, that would be both helpful and appreciated."
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Wednesday August 3rd, 2022 8:56:11 AM
Mole was glad to see the bracelet was not magical, but he was still weary. The man's speech was hard to understand. Common was not his native language, but understandable enough. His speech was a different manner. It felt as he was speaking another altogether.
"Don't worry, lad, I can fix that stamina." he says to his large companion.
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Wednesday August 3rd, 2022 3:42:52 PM
Loryn was having a hard time following the strange speech as well and he looked to the humans for some back up and the mention of Koshe Marr sends an unwanted chill down his spine. What child of the Wold had not been told of the tales of Koshe Marr at the very least as a tale told by an uncle or older sibling to terrify a child.
"So some orcs hunt you down and the area in which they find you suffers? If that is what you are saying, I think it best if we all away from Windhorn and see about what defense we can put forth to bugger these orcs when they come for you this time. There is no need for you to face this trial alone Walker."
Loryn was going to accompany the man is able and only looks to the others for confirmation of their resolve in his salvation as he was.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Wednesday August 3rd, 2022 5:17:54 PM
Manolo still feel scared, he can not understand everything the half-elf said. Manolo comes to his senses and asks the half-elf "Did you meet or heard about the Keepers Of the Vale? The Keystone ?! The party that tricked Marteus!" Later Manolo asks the party to tell him what the half-elf said.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Wednesday August 3rd, 2022 9:00:58 PM
Ash is nervous with the mention of Koshe Marr, but hes more worried about the possibility of a group chasing Kandruth and the possibility of another fight. With no spells, and his stance on martial weapons.. the mage was useless at the moment.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Wednesday August 3rd, 2022 9:21:20 PM "Yeah, Walker is speakin' Old Common. There are two or three in the cemetery who talk like that," he says nonchalantly as he finishes appraising the value of the pearled armband.
"And this Koshe Marr ... Priestess Noma told me all about it back when she took me in as gravedigger. In fact, whole town was once swallowed into Koshe Marr, it was. The Gold Dragon group brought it back. Noma calls the basement in the Chapel the 'Lucky Basement'. The only structure that survived the trip, there and back." Mortimer considers what he said and adds, "I always thought it was some kinda ghost story."
He carefully put the pearled armband into his backpack for safe keeping.
DM Steve -- a living nightmare Thursday August 4th, 2022 12:36:50 AM OOC: Sorry for the short post tonight.
Kandruth seems to be at a loss for how to explain. After a moment he sighs and says, "Sooth. Allow us compose a hasty retreat aroint from any dwellings. Doth thou hast horses?"
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Thursday August 4th, 2022 11:02:20 AM
"No horses. We gotta walk. Get movin' 'fore whatever it is shows up."
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Thursday August 4th, 2022 4:11:50 PM "Alas, we are without horse at this time." Drack responded in a a manner that he hoped Kandruth would readily understand. He then looked to Mortimer. Horses were expensive. Did they have sufficient funds for such?
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Thursday August 4th, 2022 4:14:21 PM
"Gotta walk"? Thought Torryn. Well, yes, they could walk, but not without adequate preparation. She didn't have many things, but if she was to leave, she most certainly wanted to bring them with her and say farewell to her loved one.
This was all so sudden.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield d20+1=16 ; Thursday August 4th, 2022 7:04:50 PM
Mortimer replies to Drack's question about money for horses, "Yeah sure, we've got coin for your bog standard of riders. Me thinks a horse, tack and saddle would be 100 gold or so. Not certain what kind of selection the local stables have."(Knowledge [Local]: 16)
He turns to Phaedra and Borad to continue his inquiry, "Don't the town guard keep a stable of horses ... for patrol an whatnot?"
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20+6=16 ; Thursday August 4th, 2022 7:05:43 PM
Manolo will walk the group but keeps an eye and/or ears for anyone following or ambushing them
Perception 16
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Thursday August 4th, 2022 7:44:10 PM
Loryn was not getting on or even trying to get on one of those four legged death steeds and others called horses. "Walking sounds like a perfectly reasonable mode of travel to me" However if time and distance were important it would be the more prudent move to ride. He would need a smaller steed, riding as a passenger would not do at all.
He followed Mortimer's question, were steeds available. If not with much relief he was prepared to head on on foot
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Thursday August 4th, 2022 8:25:22 PM
"How fast do we have to move? Do we have enough time for a rest?"
DM Steve -- Walking sounds like a perfectly reasonable mode of travel to me Thursday August 4th, 2022 11:38:15 PM Mole casts a spell to restore Drack. He finds the stranger’s language confusing, and says they will have to walk. Torrynashkabbeth isn’t sure she is ready to leave her home. When talk of leaving got serious, she feels the need to prepare and say goodbyes first. Loryn was having a hard time with the half-elf’s archaic speech, but reacts when Ash mentions Koshe Marr. He tells Walker he does not have to face the trial alone. He does not plan on riding. Drack does not want to bring any more curse onto the town, and asks Mole to help him regain his vigor. He explains to Kandruth that they do not have horses, and wonders if they have the funds to buy any. Manolo is still scared, and does not understand some of the half-elf’s speech. He asks about some heroes that tricked Marteus. He plans to watch for an ambush if they walk. Ash is nervous about Koshe Marr but more worried about another fight – if one happens now, he will be useless. He asks if they have time to rest. Mortimer explains that Walker is speaking Old Common. He relates that Windhorn was once swallowed by Koshe Marr. Mortimer estimates that horses would be 100 gold pieces each, equipped, and they have enough to buy some. He asks Phaedra if they can get horses in town.
A DC 15 linguistics check learns. . . Highlight to display spoiler: {The old common word orcneas does not refer to orcs, it means “devil-corpse”.}
Phaedra tells Mortimer that of course they will be able to find horses and ponies suitable for riding. She doubts they can find enough in one location. They will not be able to find combat-trained animals, though.
At the mention of walking, Walker becomes visibly shaken. ”I want the craft to walketh!” he explains. He starts for the door, suddenly decisive, but not quick, gently deflecting Loryn in any attempt to stop him. (It is easy for the party to keep up with Walker, who moves as if bone-tired.)
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Friday August 5th, 2022 4:22:06 AM "What does that even mean?" Asked Torryn. What was the craft? A collective noun for their group? Another term for knowledge? Or perhaps something else? She didn't know, but it was clear that Kandruth got his name from a definite love of 'walking' as he'd already set off.
"You know, if he's going NOW, I'm going to have to say some swift farewells and grab some things." She explained to the others. This was all so very vague.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30 - AC 17 Friday August 5th, 2022 4:25:23 AM "My thanks, Mole and to you generous God. I feel much the better and ready to undertake whatever befalls us next." Drack acknowledge with a genuine smile.
"Let us see whence this fellow would travel." He then matched his actions to his words and followed Kandruth.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 d20+9=24 ; Friday August 5th, 2022 7:42:26 AM
Ash shakes his head in exaggerated annoyance. " Guess that is a no on the rest. " he says, as he falls in line behind Drack and follows Kundruth.
"Hold up... hold up" he says, putting his hands up to try and get a second. "orcneas does not refer to orcs, it means “devil-corpse. I don't know how i missed that."
In full agreement with Ash, Mortimer adds, "Oye ... a devil-corpse IS what he's sayin'! That's a bit more dodgy than some orcie git. Maybe we should find a wagon and two horses. Sounds easier to round up, it does."
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Friday August 5th, 2022 8:18:46 PM
Manolo follows the walker for the time being.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Friday August 5th, 2022 10:04:26 PM
Mole nods to Drack and falls in as the group moves out.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30 - AC 17 Saturday August 6th, 2022 10:00:03 AM "Devil-Corpse? I have never heard of such a thing." Drack rubbed his chin as he thought over the implications of such a thing running amok in Windhorn. [b["Does anyone know anything more?"[/b]
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Saturday August 6th, 2022 10:02:11 AM
Torryn's eyebrows rose in alarm. She'd certainly never heard of a Devil-Corpse. It did not sound like a pleasant thing at all. She would be more than a little pleased to avoid having something of that ilk appear in her hometown.
DM Steve -- Maybe we should find a wagon and two horses. Saturday August 6th, 2022 12:54:41 PM Manolo follows Walker. Torrynashkabbeth does not understand what Kandruth is saying. She needs to say farewells and prepare before they go. Ash guesses they aren’t going to get to rest. He explains the term “orcneas”. Mortimer thinks “devil-corpse” is a bit more dangerous than “orc”. He suggests using a wagon. Drack thanks Mole for the help. He follows Kandruth, and does not like the sound of “devil-corpse.” Mole accepts Drack’s thanks. Loryn is quiet.
A DC 15 linguistics check learns. . . Highlight to display spoiler: {“I want the craft to walketh!” – Kandruth was complaining about an inability to walk.}
”Whither art we?” Kandruth asks as the group make slow progress around Windhorn. If the question isn’t understood immediately, then after repeated attempts and insight from Ash and Mortimer it becomes clear that Kandruth knows he has returned to the Wold, but does not know where. He is quick to grasp that Windhorn is on the Elennian Peninsula, slower to understand that it is within New Elenna. Still, that much knowledge satisfies him. He mentions spending time in the Windbaere Hills.
Kandruth has a good eye for horses. After looking at what’s available in town he goes looking for other things… He asks about the best place to get a bow, a lance, armor, and field rations. He also asks about where the wilderness is and where the cities are, seemingly pleased to learn that Windhorn is on the edge of the country and under frequent threat from the tribes of the Red Hills. Through the conversation it becomes clear that he is concentrating on outfitting a single rider, not the group.
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+9=12 ; Saturday August 6th, 2022 1:29:56 PM
Loryn purses his lios a bit as some of the studied linguists add interpretation to what Kandruth is saying. As to outfitting single rider vs the group, he really doesn't care. They could outfit themselves and travel along. "Devil-corpse says to me the walking dead. Always a good time right?"
Loryn will outfit up a good solid mule or donkey. He would need one to have any hopes of keeping up. The gnome would simply trust in not being taken advantage of and might hint minorly at the magical problems that could befall the stable, owner and hands if he were cheated Bluff 12
In all between provisions and the mount, Loryn is willing to spend about 20gp to include 10 days of provisions for him and the donkey
Torrynashkabbeth HP:19/21 AC:24 F4: R:6 W:7 Sunday August 7th, 2022 5:30:59 AM
Torryn decided that it would be best to wait and see what Morty had to say about available funds. If they were going to be travelling, she'd need some equipment and, from what had been said so far, likely a horse. She'd had a few lessons in riding, from her father. She hoped that she'd remember them well enough not to embarrass herself.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 (sub) Sunday August 7th, 2022 5:34:51 AM
Drack understood "whither" well enough. Still it was strange: why did Kundruth speak archaic Woldian when the book was written in a far more modern style? Likely that wasn't important. What was important was ensuring that their continued presence did not bring a plague of undead upon the town. To be away swiftly and effectively, he required a horse.
"What funds are available to each of us, Mortimer? It seems that we are in need of transport and supplies."
Torrynashkabbeth HP:27/27 AC:16 F9: R:10 W:12 Sunday August 7th, 2022 5:36:15 AM
OOC: header test.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/21 Shield Sunday August 7th, 2022 5:41:36 PM
Mortimer pulls out a scroll with a list of items and gold piece totals from his backpack. He does his best to answer Drack's question.
"From what I can tell, each of us have earned 3,000 gold ... uh, yeah, 3000 ..wow! We also have an unclaimed Flaming Composite Longbow (+1) and a pair of Trousers O Plenty. A collection of various potions and magical scrolls, we also have."
(*This list is from a recent email from DM Steve, he listed out everything we earned from each encounter of this module.)
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Monday August 8th, 2022 7:24:10 AM
"I'm gonna need to ride with someone. I cannot ride a pony."
Torrynashkabbeth HP:27/27 AC:16 F9: R:10 W:12 Monday August 8th, 2022 12:11:02 PM "You can ride with me if you wish, Mole. I will be getting a horse. At least that's how things are looking. Apart from Loryn, I probably weigh the least of our number; so I doubt that the horse will mind. If it eases your mind, I do know how to ride ....it's just been a while." Torryn offered.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 (sub) Monday August 8th, 2022 12:14:35 PM "Hmm, it's worrying. I shall need to purchase a steed, but alas destriers are not commonplace hereabouts and I feel loathe to risk a noble animal in battle. Still, if some could care for the steeds when trouble strikes, that would be one less thing to worry about. For make no mistake, horses and ponies are not stupid. If something unnatural or predatory presents itself, they WILL choose to flee." Drack aired his thoughts so that the others might also be prepared for what was inevitably to come.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Monday August 8th, 2022 5:38:57 PM
Ash waits for the others to decide on the gameplan, if they're buying horses.. or one horse.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Monday August 8th, 2022 7:40:50 PM
Manolo keeps a watchful eye on the walker.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/26 Shield d20+2=16 ; Monday August 8th, 2022 9:14:28 PM
With his Detect Magic still active, Mortimer turns his gaze at Kandruth Walker and attempts to determine if he is magical in any way.
He continues to walk along, wondering that it could be very possible that Mr. Walker could disappear as soon as he mounts a horse. If he is a spirit, then such an act could allow him to move on.
(Lingustics: 16.)
Mortimer thinks that Walker is walking fairly well for someone that is complaining he can't.
DM Steve -- Destriers are not commonplace hereabouts. Monday August 8th, 2022 10:47:10 PM Manolo watches Walker. Mole asks about riding with someone. Mortimer reads off the tally of items the group has recently acquired, and notes that in addition to the money there are some magic items. He looks to see if Walker is in any way magical. Ash waits to see what the others decide. Drack ponders the unpredictableness of language. He asks Mortimer about funds. He worries about purchasing a steed. Loryn negotiates for a capable donkey. He considers the implications of “devil-corpse.” Torrynashkabbeth waits to see what Mortimer says about funds. She has had some riding lessons, if it comes to travel by horse. She is willing to have Mole ride with her.
The shopping trip takes most of the day. During that time, the party gets a bit of a feel for Walker, having plenty of time to observe him. Although he does not have weapons or armor a bit of a picture forms from his callouses, the things he searches for, and the things he describes. Walker is a very experienced cavalryman and archer, used to heavy armor. He is also somehow wounded or weakened – he does not act as swiftly as you would expect. He appears strong enough, but no more than average in most other traits. How much of this comes from having been under the lavender moon is anyone’s guess. He has a pouch with some money – you would estimate much less than the value of the armband he gave you – and is carefully negotiating to get as much as he can afford. This is much less than he would like.
Late in the afternoon, as he glimpses up and sees Wardd’s moon, Kandruth gives a sigh of relief and gives in to his fatigue. He says, ”Those orcneas won’t beest coming this night, so i shall receiveth some rest.” and heads towards the stables.
(OOC: The language barrier is still there, as well, the DM is just not going to try to go through every detail in a post meant to sum up the day’s activities.)
Torrynashkabbeth HP:27/27 AC:16 F9: R:10 W:12 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 5:45:19 AM
Torryn did some quick mental arithmetic. She could afford a horse and a minor magical weapon, if what she remembered from her last visit to the catacombs was correct.
OOC: I did some checking. Light horses are listed as 75gp (non-combat trained). Can we similarly obtain heavy horses (not combat trained) If I recall correctly they are 110. A +1 spear should be 2000.)
"I could put that bow to good use." She offered. In fact she was likely a far better shot than she was at melee - except for when punching and kicking. She had worked hard to embrace all that Agratha had told her. She now felt just as adept at that as she did with the bow.
It was her plan to equip herself and then test out her steed by visiting her parents to say her farewells. Only having done that would she rest in readiness for the next day.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 21/30 - AC 17 - con -2 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 7:24:20 AM
Drack follows along with the others, and likely takes a trip to the catacombs, for himself and the group(details being handled by email).
If Walker buys a horse, Drack will grudgingly get one himself. "I don't know much about riding, but I suppose I'd better start to learn if we are going to start traveling by horseback."
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 7:25:01 AM
(header adjustment)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 30/30 - AC 17 2d6=3 ; 2d6=4 ; 2d6=9 ; 2d6=8 ; 2d6=5 ; 2d6=6 ; Tuesday August 9th, 2022 7:31:48 AM
Before bed, Drack will Use all his Lay hands except one to heal up some of the party, using 1 on himself for 3hp, one on Mortimer for 4hp, one on Ash for 9hp, one on Loryn for 8hp, and two on Mole for 11hp
AC 13 HP 11/19 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Tuesday August 9th, 2022 10:03:48 AM
Loryn knows that Ash wil be delighted that the group does not need to head out and that the wizard could get some well needed and deserved rest. Loryn firmly taps Kanduth on the hip as the man turns towards the stables. "Kanduth, we have room and beds. You are most welcome to both. A true nights rest and the promise of a hearty breakfast that does not contain any trail rations is what I offer. Come with me."
Loryn leads Kanduth to Minerva's and to a room. He has a thought, but he also believes Mole could track the horse if Kanduth tries something stupid, like departing early or even in the night. The gnome plans to get up early to start breakfast for the gang and puts several large glasses of water down his throat to encourage his body to wake up
Drack (Chris J) - hp 35/35 - AC 17 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 10:25:37 AM
Further Header update
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:17/26 Shield Tuesday August 9th, 2022 4:03:01 PM
(HOUSE RULE ON HEALING: When rolling the amount of healing for a cure spell, you're allowed to reroll 1's.)
Drack (Chris J) - hp 35/35 - AC 17 d6=5 ; Tuesday August 9th, 2022 4:07:54 PM
(Thanks: correction on the lay hands for Drack. 7 hp healed. I’ll roll them separately from now on. Wish you could correct 2’s on hp’s)
Torrynashkabbeth HP:27/27 AC:16 F9: R:10 W:12 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 5:13:03 PM OOC: If anyone still needs to be healed, Torryn can now assist with that. You do, however, need to catch her before she heads off to visit her parents.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 5:54:16 PM
Ash smiles and pumps his fist when told they'll be getting a chance to rest.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 7:39:54 PM
Manolo makes a mental note to buy a horse. He prepares all his stuff and belongings for whatever they might encounter in their journey.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:21/26 Shield Tuesday August 9th, 2022 8:51:33 PM
Mortimer takes Torryn up on her offer for a Lay on Hands.
"Don't need much healin'. Just needing a little. A good nights sleep will handle the rest."
He takes another look at Walker and whispers to others, "Me thinks Walker's wounds be very old."
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 10:21:07 PM
If the group is not leaving that day, Mole will heal who he can, but he is limited because he cannot renew his spells until the following morning.
DM Steve -- Me thinks Walker's wounds be very old. Tuesday August 9th, 2022 10:44:51 PM Mortimer lets Drack and Torryn heal him and a good sleep will take care of the rest. He wonders about Walker’s wounds. Loryn tells Kandruth he can stay with them and not at the stables, offering a true nights rest and a hearty breakfast. He figures if Kandruth tries to slip away, Mole will be able to track him. He makes plans to rise early. Torrynashkabbeth is interested in a heavy horse. (Heavy horses are 200 gp. Combat trained light horses are 110 gp.) She is also interested in the bow from the betrueger. Manolo prepares his stuff for a journey and makes a mental note to buy a horse. Mole contributes to the healing as much as he can. Drack makes a trip to the Catacombs. He notices Walker being very picky about purchases. Drack helps the group heal as much as he can, as well. Ash is all in for a chance to rest.
Walker is very picky about horses he will look at, but eventually buys a light riding horse. He also gets a chain shirt. In each case, he would obviously prefer something heavier. The composite longbow he finds is good, but not masterwork. He would also prefer a military saddle to the riding one he settles for. Still, he does not grumble about what he is able to find, and does not try to buy more than he can afford.
When Loryn offers a real bed, Walker accepts after a warning that he cannot trust that the moon will not change tomorrow, and should be away as soon in the morning as possible.
The group is settling in for the night when there is a knock on the door. It’s Borad. ”Phaedra says you’re needed at the Happy Half-Ogre. Says it’ll be easier to let folks toast to your health than to herd a bunch of disgruntled drunks home come midnight. Or have you forgotten you’ve stood up for the town three times in two days now?”
From a back room come Kandruth’s snores – surprisingly loud for a slim half-elf.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:27/27 AC:16 F9: R:10 W:12 d100=60 ; Wednesday August 10th, 2022 4:26:16 AM
Torryn delighted in healing those that needed it, sealing the endeavour with a gentle kiss to the forehead. Of course, that was after she's been to the catacombs and the stables. It had felt very strange to spend such a a large amount of money. Given that she had so much, she felt it necessary to donate a tenth to the church. As a Sacred dancer it was expected and she didn't object in the slightest.
Before setting off to the inn, Torryn had collected her Horse: a dappled combat trained mare called Petal. She bought a riding saddle, saddle bags, horse feed for 3 days (knowing Petal would forage too.), a better traveller's outfit- although she retained her beloved boots - Trail rations for 7 days, a ubiquitous winter blanket a healer's kit and a magical (+1) spear! It had been a busy day. Incredibly she still had a good amount of money left over.
The prospect of dancing at the inn excited her greatly and she was one of the first to announce her readiness to attend.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:27/27 AC:16 F9: R:10 W:12 Wednesday August 10th, 2022 4:54:27 AM OOC: Having updated Torryn's sheet and checked on carrying capacities, Petal will have to be a Heavy Horse. Poor Mole weighs a ton! Add in the weight of feed and equipment and even Petal will be carrying a heavy load with the 2 of them, albeit it's not significantly heavy - as it would be were the horse light.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 35/35 - AC 17 Wednesday August 10th, 2022 7:12:44 AM
Earlier that Day, Drack prepared to head off to the catacombs, and wanted to double check with the group. "So, am I selling the pants and the magical bow, and we are splitting the remaining potions and scrolls amongst us? Seems like the most effective thing to do." After waiting for a majority consensus, Drack headed to the catacombs.
Drack will follow along with Kandruth during the day, to see what the seasoned warrior is looking for. Not sure he completely believes the man, or trusts his motives, Drack will also watch for anything that seems amiss. Drack will also pick up a heavy horse, and the necessary equipment. Not too many other animals would support the weight of him and his equipment.
Drack nods at Borad when the guard comes to request their presence. "Alright Borad, we will be there shortly. Drack will then grab his gear, and head to the Inn with Torry, and whomever else goes.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Wednesday August 10th, 2022 9:46:18 AM
Mole will give Torryn 100 gold for the upgraded horse. He is a heavy load to carry and the larger mounts are more expensive.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 Wednesday August 10th, 2022 6:49:27 PM
Manolo simply asks "Should I stay here to keep an eye on him?"
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Wednesday August 10th, 2022 8:17:55 PM
"This close" Ash mutters under his breath. "This close to rest."
He begrudgingly gets ready and heads over with the others.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Wednesday August 10th, 2022 8:17:55 PM
"This close" Ash mutters under his breath. "This close to rest."
He begrudgingly gets ready and heads over with the others.
A free round or two of drinks is always a good thing. A little face time never hurt anyone. He eagerly heads over to Happy Half-Ogre to drink with his adoring fans. The same people who once crossed the street to avoid him. This could be a perfect opportunity to spread a little discomfort and awkwardness.
DM Steve -- This close to rest. Wednesday August 10th, 2022 11:12:16 PM Torrynashkabbeth made careful purchases and tithed as well. She looks forward to dancing at the inn. Drack confirmed his plans for the Catacombs with the rest. He watches Kandruth, half-suspicious. He tells Borad they will go do the inn. Mole helps Torryn pay for her horse. Mortimer happily accepts Board’s invitation. Ash sees a night at the inn interrupting his rest, but heads over. Manolo asks if anyone should stay to keep an eye on Walker. Loryn contemplates breakfast.
As Manolo questions going to the inn, Borad says that he can stay if they are worried about their guest. His heart doesn’t seem to be in the offer, but they know that he will stay if they take him up on it. ”You don’t have to stay late,” he says to Ash, ”but people will want to see you.”
As the group makes their way over the the Happy Half-Ogre, it is clear that both Grog’s establishment and friendly rival the Belt and Belch are doing good business tonight. Rumor of the town’s curse fills the air, though folks can’t seem to agree on just what that is. People stop to thank the group before they reach either local watering-hole. A few words and a nod in the direction of a bar seems enough to let them pass.
Cerdic beams when the heroes come in and moves quickly, shaking each of their hands. He offers a round of a local brew, on the house. Behind the bar, Valma sets up the orders. A chorus of offers of seats greets them.
Torrynashkabbeth HP:27/27 AC:16 F9: R:10 W:12 Thursday August 11th, 2022 5:26:45 AM
'Where's the music?' Thought Torryn. Wherever there was music, that was where she was going. After all, you couldn't really have a proper celebration without some dancing - preferably lots of dancing. She listened. It was so noisy and raucous. Was that a band warming up?
Drack (Chris J) - hp 35/35 - AC 17 Thursday August 11th, 2022 6:37:30 AM
“No Borad, you do not need to stay. Kandruth is not our prisoner, and is free to come and go as he pleases. If he does not wish for our assistance, we can not force it upon him. We are in the business of helping those who both want and need our help.”
AC 13 HP 15/26 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K Thursday August 11th, 2022 5:02:36 PM
Loryn gives a small chuckle at Ash's distress. "Ah the chores of fame my friend." Loryn gets ready, throws a Prestidigitation spell to extra clean up, and at his earliest convenience, adds a hint of lavender to the air about Mole.
He heads out in good spirits and with a sense of pride.
"Cerdric, a pleasure as always good sir. Now with a drink and such a gathering, surely there will be some music and dancing?" he asks aloud and purposefully for Torryn to hear
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Thursday August 11th, 2022 7:52:02 PM
Mole begins to sniff the air. "Lavender?" he says looking around only to catch Loryn's prank. "If yur gonna make something smell good, make it smell like bacon. Bacon makes everything better, even lizard tail tastes, and smells, better with bacon."
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:21/17/18. hp:26/26 Shield Thursday August 11th, 2022 9:38:15 PM
After guzzling down a large portion of his pint, Mortimer plonks it down against the bar and inquires, "Did someone say bacon!" He whips his head around looking for any kind of meat source.
DM Steve -- Ah the chores of fame. Thursday August 11th, 2022 11:29:05 PM Mole tells Loryn he should have chosen bacon scent, not lavender. Drack explains to Board that Kandruth is not a prisoner, and does not need to be watched. Loryn uses his magic to clean folks up, with particular attention to Mole. At the Happy Half-Ogre, he calls for music. Mortimer hears “bacon” and looks for food. Torrynashkabbeth wonders where the music is. She listens for a band. Manolo and Ash get caught in the crowd.
Upon hearing calls for music, competing factions develop. Windhorn’s own Bedic brings out his lute, on which he plucks a stately tune. Anoushok – a traveler – counters with a long two-string instrument he calls a horsehead fiddle. His style of playing is livelier, but strange to the locals. There being little space for dancing in the place, the two are accompanied out back where it is easier to make room. They trade off songs – Bedic providing old standards, and Anoushok growing on the crowd in time.
Taking a cue from Mortimer, Valma sees that the party gets food.
With plenty of folks wanting to thank them, buy drinks for them, or wish them well, the group gets pulled in different directions. There is no lack of company, and plenty of chance for dance.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 35/35 - AC 17 Friday August 12th, 2022 6:46:07 AM
Drack thanks everyone as he goes, and consistently tells people that no thanks is needed. He also keeps an eye out for Angus, knowing that if the man was at or saw the festivities in the groups honor, he would not be happy.
At the first opportunity, he will slip away, and head back to get some needed sleep. Kandruth will likely be moving at first light, and Drack wanted to be ready.
Manolo (Michael A) -- AC 17/15/12 -- CMD 17 -- HP 12/13 d20=2 ; Friday August 12th, 2022 9:23:22 AM
Manolo drinks and dances with little regard to how well he could dance while intoxicated.
D20=2
Torrynashkabbeth HP:27/27 AC:16 F9: R:10 W:12 Friday August 12th, 2022 6:56:14 PM
Dancing! There was dancing. Fortunately delighted in all forms of it. From lively polkas to sedate waltzes, from simple jigs to dramatic flamenco, Torryn threw herself into each and every one. Yet it was not solely about demonstrating her skill, but about bringing the joy of dance to as many as possible.
Times could be hard. Events could overwhelm people. It was important to celebrate the good times and cherish them. Dancing helped create good memories. Manolo had the right of it: it didn't matter how good at dancing you were. What mattered was that you participated. Of course, in Manolo's case his memories would likely be less than clear.
Despite the prospect of an early start the next day, Torryn could not bring herself to depart early. She stayed and danced and brought as much joy as possible to proceedings as her own Thank You and farewell to her home town.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:18/13/15. hp:26/26 expeditious retreat d20+10=19 ; d20+22=33 ; Friday August 12th, 2022 7:21:49 PM
After getting some liquor and some food in him, Mortimer is feeling right well with himself. He is sincerely jovial and full of genuine merriment. With everyone else dancing a gig, he decides to join them. He recalls a dance he was taught by nomadic tribes that he travelled between cities. He would frequent use these caravans during times he was required to make a hasty escape.
With a deep bow and a flourish, he tries to sneak in a quick casting of a spell. (Bluff: 19, to conceal casting Expeditious Retreat)
He begins to rapidly stomp the floor, combined with quick, little kicks and gyrations. He claps his hands and slaps his arms, legs and feet when in reach. There seems to be a rhythm to his claps and stomping. Suddenly he performs a standing high jump as he attempts to leap up onto the bar.
(Acrobatics: 33 = 4ft standing high jump.)
If his jump is sufficient, he stomps out a few more dance steps and strikes a pose!
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:18/13/15. hp:26/26 expeditious retreat Friday August 12th, 2022 7:33:59 PM
(ooc: sorry, my writing especially bad this evening. too tired to proofread. the jumping math used up what few brain cells i had left :)
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Friday August 12th, 2022 11:36:31 PM
Ash does his part of eating the food and drinking the drinks. He even does his part of accepting the thanks and graditude. When given a chance, he heads back and prepares his spells and naps.
DM Steve -- Ah the chores of fame. Saturday August 13th, 2022 11:45:32 AM Mortimer enjoys the food and drink. He even joins the dance, pulling off astounding moves – and few if any folks notice he is magically enhanced. Drack thanks everyone but slips away as soon as he feels he can. Ash enjoys the food and drink, then leaves when he can to get some rest. Manolo dances and enjoys himself. Torrynashkabbeth throws herself into the dance. She enjoys herself and stays late. Loryn and Mole draw a small crowd of their own. “Is that bacon I smell?”
As Drack and Ash try to leave, Cerdic stops each of them and lets them know that Grog wants to see them. Cerdic deftly finds each of the group and asks them to go to Grog’s table. The sight of gangly Cerdic two-stepping out to talk to Torryn gets a few laughs.
Since this is Grog’s establishment and (at one hundred eleven years) Grog is too old to tend to the day-to-day operations anymore, Grog has his table. People in town know they can find Grog here most afternoons and evenings, and no one sits without an invitation. For much of his life, Grog has been the town’s stout defender. For a time there, an adventuring group called the Gray Dragons made Windhorn their home. Grog was around when they were, and afterwards was part of the adventuring tradition the area is known for.
Tonight, Grog is sharing his table with Edwina Pippin, the mayor of Windhorn. He asks everyone to sit, and offers another round of drinks.
AC 13 HP 15/26 Loryn Glitterfall; Dan K d20+5=8 ; Saturday August 13th, 2022 11:50:44 AM
Loryn smiles “Noted my good friend. Bacon indeed”. Loryn shifts the spell and the aroma of fine maple bacon wafts through the air about Mole. Loryn moves through the crowd and shakes hands, gives waves and all around makes nice.
He enjoyed a good time, but like any good gnome, did not over due things. ‘Too much of anything is not a good thing.’
He spends some time with Anoushok as well. The musician may have a few tales from abroad
Diplomatic 8
Torrynashkabbeth HP:27/27 AC:16 F9: R:10 W:12 d20=7 ; Saturday August 13th, 2022 1:01:28 PM
Torryn spun and weaved through the dancers to make her way to the table. She was smiling broadly as she cheekily perched on the end of the table. Grog was a good man, but she hoped his speech would be short, so that she could get back to dancing. Still, out of respect, she did her best to compose her features and not fidget. [Bluff:11] Torryn was not as adept at hiding her impatience as she was at dancing.
Mole; (RichP) AC 18; HP 20/33; CMD 15 Sunday August 14th, 2022 8:58:07 PM
All this attention is putting Mole at the edge of his ability to handle. He chases away several townsfolk with his crass demeanor. Although the invite to Grog's table is meant as an honor, Mole can't do it. With more attention than he could possibly deal with, the dwarf grabs some food and disappears from the tavern.
Drack (Chris J) - hp 35/35 - AC 17 Monday August 15th, 2022 7:57:08 AM
Drack happily heads off to bed once being able to get away from the party. It had been a long day so far. Once Cerdic stopped him, he inwardly sighed and turned back toward Grog’ s. “Sure Cerdic it would be an honor.” Drack says as he makes his way to Grog’s table to see what he wanted.
Ash Macfarlane - Shawn R; AC: 11(T 11, FF 10), CMD: 24 HP: 17/23 Monday August 15th, 2022 8:28:00 PM
Ash inhales air and exhales it a little louder than he wanted to. Grog was a friend, and Ash could take the time to see what he wants.
At the table, he takes the drink but doesn't drink it.. as he really doesn't want to slide down that slope.
Mortimer Margrave (Stephen F.): ac:18/13/15. hp:26/26 expeditious retreat Monday August 15th, 2022 9:14:12 PM
Mortimer begins to wind down from his dance. You'd think someone who had just exerted themselves with a vigorous dance and a leap would be somewhat winded; however he barely takes a breath. Upon hearing the request to join Grog at his table, he finishes his drink and makes his way to Grog's private room. He gives a nod of greeting upon entering and takes a seat when acknowledged by their large host.
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