DM Kathy Friday September 16th, 2022 11:31:39 PM Ash, Zazu, Naithi, Beech, and Sahabiel make it through the veil on their first attempt.
[Your animals come with you automatically]
Nightingale makes it on her second attempt.
Panzer, after failing his first attempt, uses some of the powder. Please make a DC 13 Fortitude save. If you fail, Highlight to display spoiler: {Lothlo's nose has grown really long and it is hilarious}. With the powder's help--or perhaps in spite of it--Panzer makes it through on his second attempt.
Lothlo also uses the powder. Please make a DC 13 Fortitude save. If you fail, Highlight to display spoiler: {your feet are melting. It doesn't hurt or anything, but for some reason it's really embarrassing.} Even with the powder's help, however, he is unable to push through on his first attempt. He can try again, and the powder bonus is still in effect.
For those who made it through (everyone but Lothlo, I believe), you find yourself in a forest clearing. You see a grove, similar to the dryad grove, but smaller. Everything here seems...more. The colors are more intense, the air is sharper, the forest itself seems even more alive.
As you look around, you see that there is a small forest pool nearby. Sitting beside it, propped on one arm, is a dryad. She is gazing intently into the pool and seems lost in thought.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Friday September 16th, 2022 11:54:44 PM
"Hello miss. I am Zazu, a friend of the Culverwood. Are you the Lady Brancha?" asks Zazu.
The elf repeats these words in Sylvan.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Saturday September 17th, 2022 1:23:38 AM
Ash does a quick head count. "Where's Lothlo?" she's a little alarmed. Either he didn't make it through, or he's gone somewhere else. Even deeper perhaps?
On seeing the dryad, Ash gives her traditional greeting. "Hi there! I'm Ash". She keeps looking about to try and see the archer. "I don't suppose you've seen anyone else around here lately?"
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Sunday September 18th, 2022 2:27:20 PM
Beech, stays where he appeared, he will wait for everyone to make it through to this Deeper Culverwood. "Don't wander to far, at least until everyone makes it. Splitting up is a bad idea anyways, splitting up here, I'm betting it's an absolutely a terrible horrible idea." Beech, pulls his bow and just waits....
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Monday September 19th, 2022 5:18:16 PM
Naithi climbs on Camalayas back and checks on her animals. She says hello, but let's the others speak, not wanting the dryad to r overwhelmed.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Monday September 19th, 2022 6:52:28 PM
Sahabiel simply smiles at the dryad by the pool, as it would not do to be broken from reverie by a half dozen people trying to introduce themselves at the same time. The half-elf wonders if it might be a comforting sight for the dryad that her skin too is a sylvan green, the Wood's mark on her from years of training to be a channel and vessel for the energies of the Culverwood.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 d20+9=25 ; d20+6=11 ; Monday September 19th, 2022 8:19:34 PM
fort save = 11 My feet... I think they've forgotten how to... be feet. Dude... look at my feet... they're melting. This is sooo awkward. I can't even remember how feeting works... footing... feetering...
After a brief moment Lothlo is able collect his thoughts and tries to once again go deeper.
DM Kathy Monday September 19th, 2022 10:16:59 PM
Upon seeing the dryad, Zazu and Ash move closer to speak with her. When you get within 5 feet of the pool, you are suddenly struck with a knotty moral or philosophical question. Questions might include “is it morally right to kill baby dragons, even evil ones?” or “how do creatures with natural telepathy ever learn a language?” or “what do the gods really want from me?” Make a DC 18 Will save. If you fail, you are compelled to sit by the pool, reflecting on your question. [If you have an idea what question suddenly strikes your character, please feel free to share it, even if you make your save.]
Beech hangs back and draws his bow, watching for signs of danger. Naithi and Sahabiel also hang back.
A moment after you arrive, Lothlo shows up, seeming oddly obsessed with his feet. Lothlo Highlight to display spoiler: {yes, they're still melting.}
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) d20+7=24 ; Monday September 19th, 2022 10:35:13 PM
Zazu wanders closer and is suddenly struck by a question that has been a puzzlement to the elf from time to time: "What is more true? The way you see yourself? Or the way others see you?"
But the trickster has worked with illusions and pondered appearances and realities for a long time now, and the philosophical puzzle does not force any entrancement on the elf. [Will Save 24]
Zazu pushes away the long brown strands of hair that obscure vision. "I suppose we'll just see," the elf says. "But anyway, Lady Dryad, we have come looking for a Miss Brancha. Are you her?"
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 d20+10=11 ; Monday September 19th, 2022 11:14:36 PM
Ash doesn't get a chance to look for Lothlo, and finds herself lost in thought. "If the gods have a plan for me, am I simply acting out that plan? Do I have free will? Does anyone have free will? Is even just thinking this a part of the plan and I'm not thinking it by choice?"
She takes a seat next to the dryad and dwells on the question. "Did I sit down by choice or was it already decided I would sit? If it was decided I would sit, does that mean everything that brought me here was also a part of the plan just to get me to sit here? What does this all mean!?!"
Ash stares into the pool as she tries to find an answer.
-------- Will Save vs DC18: 11. Nat1= Fail!
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Tuesday September 20th, 2022 12:11:58 PM
Beech continues to wait and watch, there is still a group member not yet here, he'll worry about those who are here after everyone arrives. He hears both those that approached the dryad, and watches the reaction.... he tries to figure out why they reacted that way....
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Tuesday September 20th, 2022 12:26:58 PM
Nightingale takes a few moments to become accustomed to the new environment. She notices the lady by the pool, and then also notices Ash go sit next to the dryad ... Nightingale will hang back and keep an eye out for "danger"
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet d20+4=23 ; Tuesday September 20th, 2022 5:45:29 PM
When Panzer arrived he saw the same things the others saw. The greens were greener and the woods were woodsyer. He also saw that everything had a more sinister aura, at least to him. each leaf was hiding some toothy horror and the shadows were much deeper and more sinister. Just about when Beech mentioned not wandering off, Ash and Zazu went over to the woman by the pool and spoke to her. Heres to following orders he thought The woman acknowledged neither of his friends and Ash sat down beside her. Odd. He pulled out the pair of Kukri that were at the small of his back, different from the ones he normally used. These were cold iron and from what he knew, the Fey didn't like that. He scanned the area for a bush or tree or something that might use the water as a lure. Something was not right. Perception 23
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 d20+7=22 ; Tuesday September 20th, 2022 7:14:04 PM Sorry I'm late... My feet melted. Suddenly Lothlo is overcome with the question If your feet melt in the forest and no one is around to see it, did they really melt? He puzzles over this for a minute, but then realizes there is a simple solution. Hey guys... do my feet look melted to you?
Will save = 22
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Tuesday September 20th, 2022 7:22:57 PM
Sahabiel is briefly distracted by the intensity of this place.. it is as if the Culverwood on this side of the veil is even more vibrant, more present, more alive, more divine than on the other. Surely everyone is noticing the increased intensity, but to Sahabiel just being here feels like a religious experience... she considers sheepishly that she may have been more right than she imagined, earlier when she thought that learning this crossing technique could be useful in helping her commune more closely with the power of the Culverwood. Tracing a holy symbol in the air with her finger, she thanks the Culverwood and closes with the words whispered to herself, "Wood's Will be Done". Which still somewhat timely reminds her that she has something to do here. Looking back to Beech, she asks softly; "Is the area secure?"
DM Kathy Tuesday September 20th, 2022 10:39:29 PM
As Zazu and Ash approach the pool, they are struck by deep philosophical questions. Zazu resists the urge to pause and think about his, but Ash sits next to the pool to reflect upon hers. Zazu calls out to the dryad, but she continues gazing into the pool and does not respond.
Beech continues his vigil with his bow, now joined by Panzer with his kukri. Nightingale is also on alert.
Lothlo arrives, asking if his feet look melted. [You only need to save against the pool if you approach within 5 feet of it.]
Sahabiel offers up a brief prayer before asking Beech whether the area is secure.
So far, you don't see anything that seems like it's going to attack you. But there is that pool, which seems to have ensnared the dryad and now Ash as well.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Tuesday September 20th, 2022 11:13:25 PM "Well... It's the Culverwood.. umm, excuse me, the Deeper Culverwood. I don't see anyone about to attack, but there's something strange about the pool over there. With it being the Culverwood, you never know about the environment itself. Panzer seems on edge, but that seems to be just his normal reaction to anything strange. Maybe someone should break Ash free of whatever has a hold."
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Tuesday September 20th, 2022 11:57:13 PM
Zazu says, "Come on, Boyo, let's save them."
The elf cleverly ties one end of a silk rope to Ash and another to the dryad. Boyo holds the middle firmly in his teeth. "Hyaa!" calls Zazu, and the dire bunny pulls the two people free of the entrancing pond.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Wednesday September 21st, 2022 8:30:20 AM
Ash considers the big questions. "Does this mean that Zazu was meant to buy a silk rope for this occasion, or was it just luck? Is there such a thing as luck, or is it simply the way things were supposed to be? Who decided what was supposed to be?"
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Wednesday September 21st, 2022 11:35:53 AM
ooc: I intended to join the group at 5 feet from the pool so I made a roll. It was unclear if I was joining with the group or where they originally landed
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Wednesday September 21st, 2022 1:28:23 PM
Nightingale is surprised at the ingenuity of her companion, but is also worried about how the "Wood" will react. "Sahabiel, is this going to make the Wood mad?"
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 d20+7=24 ; d20+8=15 ; Wednesday September 21st, 2022 2:18:14 PM
Naithi and Camalayas pause a moment, suddenly overwhelmed by the question "At what point does self defense become genocide?" as images of a race connected by a hive mind flood their senses... And just like that it is gone.
With their minds clear they quickly attempt to grab those that succumbed and pull them back from the pool.
Naithi save= 24 Camalayas save = 15 (fail, but due to Share Hitpoints (Ex) if either Naithi or Camalayas pass they both pass)
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Wednesday September 21st, 2022 2:19:43 PM
ooc: I somehow overlooked Zazu's post. We will assist him if he needs help, or help Ash and anyone who needs help if not.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Wednesday September 21st, 2022 6:32:29 PM
Zazu urges Boyo onwards, and thanks Naithi for the help.
"I'm little when I'm riding Boyo, so I appreciate your muscles, my friend!"
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet d20+10=12 ; Wednesday September 21st, 2022 7:04:25 PM
Looking on, Panzer come by himself to the same conclusion that Nightengale has. This is probably gonna make the Culverwood or whomever is keeping Brancha here angry. Because of this he pulld out his wand and taps himself with it, gearing up for a fight. The wand fails to function. UMD 12, not a 1 so still usable today.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Wednesday September 21st, 2022 7:58:34 PM
Sahabiel shakes her head, not even sure of what is going on over there by the pool, but Ash and Zazu seem to be doing.. something involving rope.. and she is going to trust that her companions on the spot had more of an idea of what was needed there than she did. With a reassuring look to Nightingale she replies; "I can hope that if the Culverwood as a whole has much of a stake in this one way or the other, someone would have mentioned it in the teachings of harmony... and nothing specific comes to mind right now. I think ya should be safe from any imminent smiting if that is what ya are worried about. But if the Will of the Wood speaks to me in my next dream and demands yer atonement, I will let ya know. Anyway, we are being noisy so let's keep our eyes open in every direction."
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 d20+7=12 ; Wednesday September 21st, 2022 8:10:28 PM
Lothlo approaches the water, but this time fails to shake his thoughts.
Will save = 12
DM Kathy Wednesday September 21st, 2022 10:11:44 PM Beech isn't sure about surrounding dangers, but does suggest that someone break Ash free.
Nightingale asks whether this will make the Culverwood angry. Sahabiel isn't sure, but is inclined to think it won't.
Panzer, ever the pessimist, prepares himself for battle anyway.
Zazu pulls out some rope, ties it to Ash and the dryad, and has Boyo pull them away from the pool. It is a successful, if somewhat rough, means of restoring them. The dryad looks up with a plaintive "ow."
Ash returns to herself, conscious of having been scraped along the ground for a ways, and perhaps still with unanswered questions about predestination.
Lothlo, having successfully resisted the pool's pull once, now succumbs and sits beside it. However, Naithi and Camalayas are able to pull him free.
Nobody is currently ensnared by the reflecting pool, and as long as nobody else wanders over there, you are free from its threat.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Thursday September 22nd, 2022 12:44:22 PM " Too easy> There has to be a catch"
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 d20=12 ; d20+1=2 ; d20+10=21 ; d20+12=30 ; d20+13=24 ; d20+13=28 ; Thursday September 22nd, 2022 1:53:00 PM
Naithi scratches Camalayas ear as she observed the others. The Culverwood it's dangerous, but that doesn't make it malicious. This might be a natural feature as opposed to a trap. This pool might be doing anything from helping us to answers questions they are preventing us from finding a deeper spiritual peace to helping The Culverwood developer it's own philosophical understand if morality.
Ms. Dryad, are your alright? Do you need any healing? I cannot restore and constitution damage your might be experiencing from behind separated from your the, but I may be able to give you a temporary boost with bears endurance.
Are your by any chance Brancha, the Dryad we have been asked to look for?
Naithi quickly checks for traps and enemies as well as noting interesting features of the forest trying to determine the nature of the pool and is anything may be beneficial to bring back to Freedoms Landing.
Perception = 30 Knowledge Nature = 25 Survival = 28 Camalayas diplomacy = 12 Naithi diplomacy= 1 Survival to keep from getting lost = 38
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Thursday September 22nd, 2022 1:59:41 PM
Beech, thinks there will be more... Nothing and he means nothing is ever as easy as this has been.... He continues to keep watch.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Thursday September 22nd, 2022 3:54:11 PM
Nightingale, while she appreciates the 'Wood, is also uncertain about how their actions will be perceived. "Friends, we might want to move further back from that pool, just in case..."
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Thursday September 22nd, 2022 6:45:57 PM
Sahabiel cautions the others against damaging or taking anything that looks important - from what she has heard and seen, she presumes that this is either a coexistent plane, or the border of a coterminous one - and in either case, this side of the veil would, in some ways, come to reflect the other and vice versa. To remove anything of power on this side then, might in the long run diminish the dryad's grove on theirs in some way...
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 d20+14=33 ; Thursday September 22nd, 2022 8:06:37 PM I don't know if it's malicious or not, but I really need someone to answer a question for me... are my feet melting? Or are those spores messing with my head?
Lothlo takes a moment to analyze what exactly is going on with his feet and to try to determine if it's real or if it's just in his head,
Perception = 14
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Thursday September 22nd, 2022 9:56:59 PM "That was ... interesting" Ash likes to dwell on the mysteries of the universe, but that was just a little too compelling for her liking.
She doesn't want to overwhelm the dryad and wants to try and put her at ease. "Grandmother Yew sent us"
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) d20=2 ; Thursday September 22nd, 2022 10:18:19 PM
Zazu bows to the Dryad and tries to aid everybody in making friends.
Diplomacy vs DC10 to Aid Another ... 2 oops.
DM Kathy Thursday September 22nd, 2022 10:48:36 PM Panzer thinks the whole thing was entirely too easy. Beech is inclined to agree, though he doesn't say so out loud.
Nightingale suggests everyone move farther from the pool, and Sahabiel cautions the group against taking or damaging anything.
Naithi speaks kindly to the dryad, who holds up an arm. "I got scraped when that rope dragged me along the ground," she says. Looking at it, you can tell that it's superficial (nonlethal) damage, but the dryad is clearly sheltered and not used to rough treatment. "Why yes, I am Brancha," she replies.
Ash adds that Grandmother Yew sent you. "Well, that was thoughtful of her." She frowns. "I-I don't remember how long I was sitting next to that pool. It seemed terribly important at the time. Have I been gone long?"
Zazu tries to help with the get-acquainted conversation, but doesn't have much luck. It seems, though, that Brancha is well-disposed toward your group.
Lothlo can tell that his feet are not melting. Also, the weird floaty sensation he'd been feeling has subsided. You're pretty sure the powder has just about worn off.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Thursday September 22nd, 2022 10:56:00 PM
Zazu suggests that maybe there is treasure at the bottom of the pool. After all, this magic acts as a great guardian to stop creatures from exploring the depths.
The arcane trickster tries to grope around in the pool with ranged legerdemain.
If that does not work, maybe there is another option. "If you tie a rope to me, I could dive in, and you guys can pull me out. Or someone with a stronger mind than me."
"Anybody have a water breathing spell?"
"Or send an unseen servant?"
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Heal Check - to check for maladies? d20+9=16 ; Friday September 23rd, 2022 12:00:59 PM
Nightingale sadly shakes her head, "I don't have access to either of those spells." The dryad hasn't responded to anything asked of her yet, is she aware of the party, or still under the grasp of the pool?
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Friday September 23rd, 2022 6:45:13 PM
Panzer stares the stare of disbelief at Zazu as the elf suggests doing exactly what the person who should know best just advised against. While continuing to stare down the forest waiting to be eaten he responds. " Wecould also all strip out of out armor, slather ourselves in butter and await the forest eating Us Zazu. I mean that makes as much sense as trying to do exactly the opposite of what it was just suggested we not do. I mean maybe I'll even make it easy for the Culverwood to eat me and shave off my fur first so that the butter can really soak in." He pauses a second and then continues. " Even though I would love to become better acquainted with our new druid friend here, could we please stick to the plan and appraise her of the situation and quickly and quietly return to the relative safety of the druid grove before I have a stroke worrying about what out here wants to messily eat lil' ol' me? Please?"
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Friday September 23rd, 2022 8:48:07 PM
Sahabiel feels that she still has some work to do with her own comrades when it comes to convincing them that the Culverwood is not actively conspiring to kill them at every turn. In any case, it would appear that the dryad just Zazu drew away from the pool is indeed the one they were looking for, and hopefully that means that they will be able to return to the regular side of the world with a minimum of complications for once...?
"Ya have been not been seen on the other side of the veil for over a week, according to what Quercia told us. Long enough that yer sisters were worried and called on us to help look for ya where they can not easily go themselves.", she begins answering a few of the dryad's questions, "And speaking of that.. Miss Brancha, are ya aware of where ya are relative to your home tree?"
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Friday September 23rd, 2022 9:06:00 PM Those are all... ideas... I think. Probably best not to do anything crazy until we've got our bearings. Give me a moment, those spores did a number on me, I want to make sure I'm clear headed.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Friday September 23rd, 2022 9:25:15 PM
Ash is also curious about the water, though not so much what might be at the bottom of it. She's considering using an unseen servant to take an empty vial and fill it with water from the pool. The water might have magical properties that she can learn from.
She waits to see what happens with Zazu's ranged legerdemain attempts before offering a spell.
"I've got an unseen servant spell ready to cast. Let's wait a moment for people to get a safe distance from the pond before we try anything though"
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Friday September 23rd, 2022 10:04:25 PM
"Range on Unseen Servant is only what mages call 'close,' now that I recall," says Zazu. "And it can't swim, though it can walk on water."
DM Kathy Friday September 23rd, 2022 11:19:49 PM Zazu devises various schemes to search the pond for treasure. Your ranged legerdemain turns up nothing. You suggest using a rope or an Unseen Servant spell.
Nightingale doesn't have that spell, and is concerned because she didn't hear Brancha's answers to the questions she'd been asked. She did answer, though.
Panzer, exasperated, sarcastically suggest slathering everyone with butter to make them more appetizing to whatever's going to come out of the woods and eat them.
Sahabiel tells Brancha she's been missing for over a week. "No, that's not possible," Brancha says. "I admit I lost track of time there by the pool, but it was only a few hours, surely." Sahabiel also asks where Brancha's tree is. The dryad turns to face the smaller grove that is on this side of the veil, and frowns. "It's over there," she says, gesturing vaguely. "But I don't see it. And I don't recognize this pool. Where are we?"
Lothlo declines to do anything for the moment, wanting to make sure he is clear-headed.
Ash can cast Unseen Servant. People are already a safe distance from the pool, unless you're going to throw a grenade or something.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Friday September 23rd, 2022 11:43:31 PM
Beech gets a bit "technical" and explains that she is "Deeper" in the Culverwood than she realizes and that the group was sent to make sure she returned safely. He explains about going deeper into the fae realms and that she seems to have done so by accident. And that they should proceed to get back across the veil to the relative safety of her sister and the grove....
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Monday September 26th, 2022 11:49:03 AM
Nightingale will walk over and gently hug the dryad. "You've gone deeper. Grandmother Yew told us that our perceptions of time and distance would be altered here. What were you thinking about by the pond?"
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Monday September 26th, 2022 1:31:59 PM
Naithi listens carefully. It is possible they time passes differently here in the Deep Culverwood. If so, we should return as quickly as possible.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Monday September 26th, 2022 3:48:33 PM
Sahabiel supports Beech's explanation. "Ya can think of it as having unintentionally walked one of the old paths, and ended up on the other side of the féth fíada** between the Wold and this place. The smaller grove on this side is.. sort of a reflection of the one at home -- but in any case, I believe we should all head back and find out how long we've been gone from our side? Miss Brancha, if you are unfamiliar with how to cross back, I have memorized the instructions as Grandmother Yew taught them to us so I could pass them on to ya."
Sahabiel makes a mental note also of the relative direction of the pool to the center of the grove... if a powerful site like the dryad grove is reflected on this side of the veil, she has a theory of what the pool might be... but they would have to return and ask a few questions of Quercia.
(** in Irish faerie lore, the veil between magical places and the normal world )
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Monday September 26th, 2022 8:26:42 PM
Ash casts the Unseen Servant spell and directs it to carry an empty vial to the pool of water and fill it up. She then directs it to return to her with the vial. If she starts to feel compelled to ponder life's meaning she'll have it pour the water back.
If the water has magical properties, then she's curious what they might do to some of the plants in the grove back home (after testing it of course).
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Monday September 26th, 2022 8:38:23 PM
"The nice lady said it was easier to return to the shallow Culverwood than to go deeper. Anybody have any idea on how to do that?"
On a whim, Zazu clicks heels three times and says, "There's no place like home."
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Monday September 26th, 2022 9:00:56 PM I would give you my theory, but I have a hunch you have far more knowledge about the Culverwood than I could ever dream of. What I can tell you for sure is that the amount of time since we were contacted to help find you because you were missing is already many times longer than you think has passed.
You said that that's the direction you came from? Then that may be the best way to leave again, can we escort you back?
Lothlo looks in the direction the Dryad pointed to and makes a note on if it's the same direction they came from when they left the glade.
DM Kathy Monday September 26th, 2022 10:49:43 PM Beech starts to give a very technical explanation of going deeper. Sahabiel adds a more intuitive explanation, and Brancha seems to understand.
Nightingale asks Brancha what she was thinking about. "I was wondering," Brancha says. "There are so many stars in the night sky. But where do they go in the daytime? And how do they know where to go when they return? Is there ever a mixup?"
Naithi points out that time may move differently here, and suggests you return as soon as possible.
Ash has her Unseen Servant bring her some water. It seems to be just water; Ash does not feel the need to sit down and ponder some deep question.
Zazu reminds the group it should be easier to return than it was to get here.
Lothlo looks in the direction Brancha pointed. To be clear, she wasn't asked which direction she came from; she was asked where her tree is. It is not quite the same direction you traveled to go deeper.
Returning is easier than going deeper; if just one of the party succeeds at their check, the entire group can go with them.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Tuesday September 27th, 2022 9:10:04 AM
Ash is capable of concentrating and helping the group return to the less deep version of the Culverwood. She doesn't presume to do it until everyone is ready to go though.
-------- Take10 passes both the Knowl check and the Spellcraft check to return
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Tuesday September 27th, 2022 10:09:22 AM "Oi Nightingale, just to satisfy my curiosity.. if ya are still carrying that compass around, could ya take it out and tell me if the needle might be pointing either away from or towards that pool?"
On the Wold side of this area, the woods are covered in a large area enchantment that befuddles the mind to keep people turning away from the direction of the ancient, ancient grove... and Sahabiel has been thinking that enchantment must be anchored somewhere. Her initial guess would have been the thousand-year-old sacred yew tree, but now that she can see a discrete spot on this side of the veil that enchants and befuddles the mind into not moving away from it, it is not a large leap to wonder if this might not be a reflection of that anchor, or perhaps even the opposite pole of the very same enchantment? Eldritch magic had always been about balance, give and take... so a quirk like this would not surprise her in the least.
Of course, the compass might have been keyed to something else independent of the enchantment around the grove, so the compass might not even respond to anything here.. but Sahabiel still thinks it will be interesting to at least try that before they cross back.
Regardless the result of the compass reading, Sahabiel offers to attune herself to the forest again and lead the path to slip back through the veil, though she knows she is not the only one in the group who can expect to succeed with pretty much certainty.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet d20+6=11 ; Tuesday September 27th, 2022 12:22:55 PM
Panzer concentrates on Survival but is unable to pass back through the veil on his own
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Survival check? d20+7=20 ; Tuesday September 27th, 2022 3:37:06 PM
Nightingale will look at the compass, but not sure what the needle is telling her, as it took her a few times to get to this side of the veil
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Tuesday September 27th, 2022 5:30:06 PM
Zazu has mixed emotions. On one hand, this is a marvelous place. On the other, the party has obligations to meet, not least being to bring back this dryad.
"Seeing as we are so deep in, we should at least say a prayer," suggests Zazu, and then calls out, in Sylvan, "Thank you, mighty Culverwood, for the marvels and wonders of this visit, and for the privilege you accord us in allowing us to be here!"
Then it is time to return.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Tuesday September 27th, 2022 7:21:19 PM
Beech is ready to go.... but most of the others seem to find things to do yet....
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Tuesday September 27th, 2022 7:58:54 PM Brancha, everything here is somehow... more than back home. Do you know if it would be acceptable to bring back a small token from this place, such as a leaf or small pebble, as a reminder of the incredible life and energy of this place? Or would the Culverwood typically frown on that?
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Tuesday September 27th, 2022 8:19:27 PM
Naithi is torn between jumping into the pool to explore and getting Brancha back quickly.
If we want to explore the water, I have the best chance since Camalayas can help keep me grounded, and I can change into an animal to explore the water. If I tie a rope around me, you can easily pull me back... But I understand if we need to get Brancha back quickly.
DM Kathy Tuesday September 27th, 2022 11:17:00 PM Ash can succeed at the check to move the group back to where they started, but the group is divided on whether or not they want to leave yet.
Sahabiel asks Nightingale about the compass. As a reminder, you do not have a compass; you have a lodestone. You used it to put together a kind of makeshift compass and if that's still together, that's fine. I just don't want people thinking you have an actual compass compass because you don't.
[Mind you, this is the same group that kept referring to the powder as "spores" long after I specifically said it was not spores, so I fully expect that everyone will come to believe you have an actual compass. :) ]
Nightingale checks the lodestone and finds that it is behaving much as it did when you were in the druid grove. That is, it spins in a lazy circle, indicating you are at your destination.
Zazu offers up a prayer, then he and Beech and Panzer are ready to go. So is Brancha.
Lothlo asks Brancha if he might bring back a token, but Brancha does not know the answer.
Naithi is keen to explore the pool. She offers to turn into an animal and tie a rope around herself.
You can leave whenever you're ready. But it looks like not everyone is ready.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 43/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Know: Nature (not proficient yet) d20+2=11 ; Survival check (if that will help) d20+7=24 ; Wednesday September 28th, 2022 12:19:09 AM
Nightingale sighs, then brightens, "Naithi you do that, we'll pull you out if needed, if the pond doesn't draw you in, would you grab me some nice rocks?" Nightingale will then look around for any seeds or seedling plants that she could bring back to plant at her house ...
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet d20+10=15 ; Wednesday September 28th, 2022 12:44:52 AM
Panzer pulls out the tube of powder he brought and pours some on his tongue. He then again tries to track his way back to the grove. Again, he fails.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 d20+7=11 ; d20+8=21 ; Wednesday September 28th, 2022 1:46:44 PM
Naithi asks for suggestions on the best animal to use for exploring. Her best idea is an octopus they can grab and pick things up, but she is open to suggestions.
She then sets out a rope with a bag tried to it, and empty potion bottle(s) to collect samples of water, rock and soil, or treasure.
If there are no objections she will transform and tie the rope around herself.
Will save = 21
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Wednesday September 28th, 2022 4:40:17 PM
Sahabiel would very much prefer if Naithi did not unnecessarily go near the pool again at all, if she is honest... but she is hesitant to act as if she is in charge of the mission. "Naithi... I will not stop ya from trying, but Quercia and the others are no doubt waiting for us on the other side to return with news of Brancha, and also.. well.. the Culverwood is a fairly innately magical place to begin with, and we are much closer to the fey side now - if we are going to explore every enchanted site as if someone deliberately created it to guard some treasure, we might be a while...? Besides, like I said, things on both sides of the veil can reflect or influence each other, and with a sacred tree of over ten centuries at stake, here in particular is not somewhere that I would want to shift any balances without first having some extensive communion with the Will of the Wood... please?"
(ooc: once everyone is on board with returning, I think we can move the scene back to the other side without ado? Since only one of us needs to make the roll, and several of us beat the DC automatically just taking 10)
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Wednesday September 28th, 2022 6:52:44 PM
Naithi will return if that is the groups will.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Wednesday September 28th, 2022 8:47:37 PM
Zazu sees that some people want to play in the enchanting waters. "Having had my own chance with Ranged Legerdemain, I can empathize," the trickster says, "But at some point you have to ask yourself, is it safe to taunt the Happy Fun Pool?"
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Wednesday September 28th, 2022 9:08:02 PM Naithi, didn't you already have a lesson with jumping in a Culverwood pool? We are deeper now, I have to assume that any effects would be even stronger, if not permanent. Are you sure you want to do this?
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 d8=7 ; Wednesday September 28th, 2022 10:50:41 PM
Naithi smiles. Last time I temporarily turned into an animal, yet I'm one of the sloth people actively merging with my wild sibling and taking on more and more her animal traits. You warn of the fey, yet as a morphling I embrace the whimsical fluidity they embody and I'm in the process of becoming feykin myself. Change isn't as scary as you think
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