DM Mitch Town Map Monday November 7th, 2022 7:25:04 AM Marest smiles on realizing that the dinosaurs are animals Grim nods at Rothlorean’s words of advice and then hands in his crude ammunition to the communal stores before asking the elf lady about her path that is hard for the Thunder Gods to follow Ezekiel states that with respect to food, medicine and weapons what is really sought which is time which is an illusion with lunchtime being doubly so. Yofiel makes many suggestions and a few references. She is told dinosaur senses can vary wildly so there is no advice that will help as there is no way to know what is still in town.
The party is able to scrounge up a few extra rations out of the meager supplies left. The trip through the woods is quiet and uneventful, though there are a few scares with harmless wild animals like deer. Yofiel leads them to where she climbed around, but it doesn’t look very feasible for a large party. It’s a tough climb, they have no good climbing equipment, and it’s narrow so they’d have to cross one at a time. Unless the group is extraordinarily good at climbing or lucky at least a few of them would certainly fall to their deaths.
Rothlarion’s suggestion, if the party wants to take it, is to approach the town from the market side and stop at the edge of the woods. That wll give them a good view of most everywhere they need to go and with most of the market flattened they can spy out any big dinosaur threats.
Map key:
1) The Cracked Hoof Tavern - Best taken care of building in the town. The tables, bar, and decorations are all mismatched, but someone with a fine eye for such things really made something of it.
2) Nimbus Castle and Lift - Guardhouse, jail, and lift to the bottom of the plateau.
3) No Hope Chapel - on the right wall are busts and holy symbols of most of the gods that anyone ever worshiped here carved out of wood. One grabs a bust and a holy symbol and moves it to the back of the chapel where there are places to place the items of worship. If one wishes. On the left side are a series of beds and medical supplies. Bandages, politics, even a few magical healing potions all set up for people to come in and treat themselves or be treated. A donation box is inside the door. A sign says, “Leave things as you found them.” There’s usually someone around to monitor things and treat the wounded, but not always.
4) Market - no rental, just pick a stall and sell stuff.
5) Lift Beasts Corral - the beasts that operate the lift are kept here. The best feed and care is always given to these animals.
6) Town corral - sections for small, medium and large mounts. Same for the stable just to the west of it.
7) Lookout Park - a place to sit and contemplate life.
8) Jail - a place to lock folks up. A main room with a desk, chair and a hammock. 3 small cells on one side. Bars well crafted and secure.
9) Windy Arms - Rooms for rent. General Store/Blacksmith - a mish mash of survival equipment, tools to fix things that are broken, On the backside is a shed open to the back side with an anvil and other equipment needed for blacksmithing. Most of the equipment is geared to repair the lift and to repair mount gear and wagons.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 13/13/10; HP 8/8 Monday November 7th, 2022 9:53:11 AM
"My wisdom knows no bounds," says Ezekiel to Yofiel, "neither upper nor lower."
"I could feather fall us down the cliff, but I won't know that spell until Tuesday, and I'm not even sure which Tuesday that will be. But I will know it on some Tueaday in the future! Of this I am fairly certain."
Kazzor (Jeremy) AC 15/10/15 CMD 18 HP 16/16 Monday November 7th, 2022 10:41:44 AM
Kazzor grunts at the idea of stealth or climbing, "I'm a minotaur, we aren't made for stealth. and your cliff will kill half of our group. Even though we will probably all die, we should probably take the most direct route. Where should we go first? I have no preference, but I can take point."
Yofiel thanks Rothlarion for his additional insights. [And Kim thanks our DM for the map key.]
"Right, Kazzor. When I brought it up, I mentioned that some of us might use it. I was thinking it could be a way that those who are built for climbing could get around. It is not the best way for everyone in the group."
She waits for a moment after hearing Kazzor's offer to go first. He certainly is one of the largest in the group. "You are big and strong. You mentioned you are not made for stealth. Might it be wise to have the few of us who can be more stealthy to go a little bit ahead of the group, scout things out?
"When we know we are going straight on to face a surmountable foe, I'd love for someone of your courage to take point," she adds with sincerity.
That is... Yofiel thanks Rothlarion for his additional insights.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 11 Ffted 15 HP 17/17 CMD 12 Monday November 7th, 2022 7:29:10 PM
OOC: for all practical purposes, MOST those in the group know the layout of the town, the plateau, what vegetation, etc. since they've BEEN HERE SOME TIME!
So, if the DM pleases, give one (or more) of the PCs ideas of how to get back. I mean, GOOD ideas. It's not like the PCs were sequestered in one little town and unable to wander and explore the plateau so they only know what's up to the outer Out House and back. Geez.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 11 Ffted 15 HP 17/17 CMD 12 Monday November 7th, 2022 7:34:40 PM
OOC: ok, so my post came BEFORE I read the DM post. Oops. Sorry. :)
Marest Bralfah(Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:3/R:3/W:2), HP:11/11 Monday November 7th, 2022 8:07:03 PM The Direct Approach
"I might have the lithe body of a wonder Drow, but believe me, I'm better off with the direct approach," says Marest. "Climbing is not my strong point." continues Marest.
"Who else is going to approach the town from the market side and stop at the edge of the woods?" asks Marest.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 11 Ffted 15 HP 17/17 CMD 12 d20+5=25 ; Monday November 7th, 2022 9:41:10 PM
As far as Grim was concerned, the path was ok. But it is obvious that it is not a path for most of their group.
"We all go together," Grim states.
"The Thunder Gods have the best in smelling prey or danger. Those that hunt see you well. How could they hunt if they didn't? They see, they smell, they hear. But they eat things that run and things that play dead. So, better is to run."
He looks around. Rothlorien's directions are somewhat familiar to him but he's never been outside the town. On the other hand, it's a plateau, how can they miss the town? Or what's left of it?
Find big sticks. Everyone. If anyone has magic that can make fire and light the sticks, be ready. Thunder Gods do not like fire. They may not fear your spears, but they do fear fire."
Grim finds a decent sized (for his size) dead branch and starts towards the town.
Perception +5 = 25 N20 Keeping a lookout for T.G's.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19/15/15 HP 12 CMD 14 d20+2=13 ; d20+12=29 ; d20+7=25 ; Monday November 7th, 2022 9:47:18 PM
"I will," RJ answers Marest. "I have some climbing gear, as required by my job, but I'd rather see the climbing situation at the market first. And I'd rather not split up our group yet, not even at the risk of taking point."
He nooks a bolt into his crossbow. "Besides, I've got some rope and climbing skill but I'm not foolish enough to try my own luck against the shear face. I just barely conquered trees."
RJ starts with some watching for signs of anything nearby (survival 13 for dino tracks), then makes his way to the edge of the forest by the market (stealth 29, perception 25).
At Grim's suggestion, he takes out a couple of torches from his pack, moving aside some rations.
Dapple (Kathy)k] Monday November 7th, 2022 10:06:23 PM
Dapple is fine with skipping the cliff climb. " It's really not a good idea to tempt Wardd like that, " she says.
Following Grim's advice, she picks up a little stick. "Though I don't think there's much that will make a dinosaur afraid of a halfling."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard d20+6=21 ; d20+10=11 ; Tuesday November 8th, 2022 2:52:59 AM
The elf lass strings her bow, nocks an arrow, and is able to hold a few extra arrows with her left hand against the convex side of the bow. Her rapier is available to draw with her right hand from her left hip. A sheathed dagger is on her right hip. The 2nd dagger is strapped to her thigh hidden beneath her skirt. Her guittern rests against her back, held by a strap which allows her to swing it around to the front for playing.
She has used a piece of the beautifully dyed cloth she bore into the cave a few days ago to wrap a bit of meat in to use as a possible distraction should they be pursued by a hungry critter.
Yofiel is fine fitting in near the front, or to the right side of the group as they walk through the woods. Once they arrive near the edge of the trees, unless they face immediate opposition, she quietly says she will climb a tree. The arrows she places back in her quiver adjacent the guittern, the bow she places across her back, and she climbs, using the rope [climb DC 21]. Once she reaches about 15' to 20' above the ground, she takes a good look about. Ow! A branch thwacked her in the face, so she shifts her position a little higher, with care, giving her eyes a chance to stop watering. [Perception 11 - not terrible, but that was a natural 1]. Will try again next post - unless compelled otherwise.
DM Mitch Town Map Tuesday November 8th, 2022 7:31:00 AM Ezekiel states that his wisdom knows no bounds and he says he could featherfall them down the cliff except he won’t know that spell until some future Tuesday. Kazzor grunts at the idea of being stealthy or climbing. He suggests they take the most direct group asking who will go first while volunteering for point. Yofiel clarifies that her suggestion only applied to some of the group and suggests that some of the stealthier members of the group scout things out first. Marest explains she isn’t built for climbing preferring the direct approach and asks who else is for approaching the market from the woods. Grim votes they all go together and cautions that Thunder Gods will eat both things playing dead and things that run so running is the better option. He also suggests everyone get sticks and prepare to light them on fire to keep the Thunder Gods at bay. He also learns the danger of posting before reading the DM post :P R.J. volunteers to go first although he did have climbing gear he could use he does not want to split up at this time and thoughtfully removes some torches from his pack before advancing. Dapple is glad to avoid the cliff however she doesn’t think there is much that will make a dinosaur scared of a halfling.
The party circles back around town. RJ keeps his eyes open for tracks and sees lots - the attack left tracks everywhere and not all of them have faded. However from what he can make of the mess there aren’t any large dinosaur tracks newer than several days more if not longer. The freshest tracks are smaller and from animals native to the plateau.
Once they’re back around the north side of town they look out over the market. Crushed stalls and bodies are everywhere and there’s a carpet of scavengers picking at the dead, dinosaur and human alike. Everything from vultures to small, chicken like dinosaurs. They don’t see any of the big dinosaurs that lead the charge against the town though.
Seeing the little town post attack is quite startling. In addition to the leveled market many of the buildings are heavily damaged - some torn open by great jaws like a bird cracking a nut, others seemingly damaged by accident as giant beasts ran and fell and crashed about. The three buildings you’re most interested in seem mostly intact at least, though evidence of violence around them abounds.
Knowledge Nature 10 or Local 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { You recognize the small dinosaurs as Compsognathus (just going to call them Compies). Mostly scavengers or small game experts they have a powerful venom and can be shockingly dangerous if they decide to fight. Most of the time however they will just flee from larger animals though, especially if another food source is within easy access.}
Kazzor (Jeremy) AC 15/10/15 CMD 18 HP 16/16 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 11:21:40 AM
As Kazzor scans the gruesome scene, Fenton appears and says, "What do you think, do you still want to join the dead Kazzor? Pretty nasty sight." to which Kazzor answers, "Everyone dies sooner or later!"
In truth, Kazzor no longer has a death wish, having a purpose can do that, but that doesn't mean he has reverted back to his old carefree self, it will take more than a purpose in life to do that. No I'm afraid our minotaur friend is permanently scarred emotionally.
Sniffing the air, Kazzor says, in his gruff voice, "The stench of rot is almost over powering, lets get to our destinations and than get out of here. Any preference as to where we should go first?"
"It appears to me, that if Miss Yofiel uses her meat snack as a decoy we would probably be successful in reaching the market place." explains Marest just loud enough so the surround group can hear her. Marest doesn't wish to get the group killed.
Marest continues to explain, that, " applying my Knowledge of Nature skillset, I have determined that:
the small dinosaurs as Compsognathus. Mostly scavengers or small game experts, they have a powerful venom and can be shockingly dangerous if they decide to fight. Most of the time however they will just flee from larger animals though, especially if another food source is within easy access."
"So, a combination of Fire sticks and meat decoys should do the trick here to get us into the marketplace." states Marest.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 13/13/10; HP 8/8 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 4:45:13 PM
Ezekiel picks up a rock and casts light on it. "I can distract them with shiny things," says Ezekiel. He then uses mage hand to flitted it about.
"An if tha fails, I can give them a stern whispering."
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 13/13/10; HP 8/8 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 4:45:14 PM
Ezekiel picks up a rock and casts light on it. "I can distract them with shiny things," says Ezekiel. He then uses mage hand to flitted it about.
"An if tha fails, I can give them a stern whispering."
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19/15/15 HP 12 CMD 14 d20+12=13 ; Tuesday November 8th, 2022 8:31:12 PM
RJ nods. "Want me to be putting out rations, moving bodies or just keep a crossbow cocked in case I need to peg one in the head?"
For now, he keeps a compy in his sights.
Readied action if anyone asks: he circles around the marketplace (stealth 13) and proceeds to lead the compys to a food source.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 11 Ffted 15 HP 17/17 CMD 12 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 11:29:14 PM
Spells in effect: rotting flesh stench: area effect. radius - all around within hundreds of yards, depending how the wind blows.
The stench doesn't bother Grim. "Well, we got plenty of food for Thunder Gods laying around, let's not waste any of ours."
Grim takes Marest's word on what the Thunder Godlings are. He just knows they hunt in small packs and are very dangerous despite their size. The young Orc Warrior will typically hunt these small ones but part of growing up and living to grow up is to know which ones to just leave alone.
He points at different group members and says a bit gruffly. "Join together in a pack, just like those Thunder Godlings do. They will pick you off easily if we continue as we are. Come together and hold your weapons outward. Then we go to inn first. It has cellars that are hard to get to. You," pointing to whomever ends up in the circle pointing to the inn, "start moving, and everyone keep sharp."
Grim practices what he preaches by holding his guisarme firmly forward.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard d20+8=14 ; d20+8=9 ; d20+10=24 ; Wednesday November 9th, 2022 5:33:28 AM
"Two suggest the market first. It is on the way to the inn - the Windy Arms, that is. Let us see the market, then consider whether the inn.
She agrees with the formation that Grim suggests. She chooses the right side of the group, arrow nocked. And heads toward the market, which, as she pointed out is between where they stand and the Windy Arms. ======= Perception: 24 - keep an eye, and ears, on what is going on about them.
DM Mitch Town Map Wednesday November 9th, 2022 7:39:03 AM Kazzor scans the gruesome scene and Fenton appears asking him if he still wants to join the dead. Kazzor replies that everyone dies sooner or later though Kazzor no longer has a death wish he just isn’t the carefree person he once was. He suggests they get to their destinations and then out of there due to the overwhelming stench of rot. Marest suggests that if they use Yofiel’s meat snack as a decoy they’d probably be able to reach the marketplace considering what she knows about the Compies ahead of them adding that the fire sticks should also scare them back. Ezekiel casts light on a stone and flits it around with mage hand offering to distract them with that or failing that give them a stern whispering. R.J. asks if he should be putting out rations, moving bodies or covering the dinos with his crossbow waiting for the time being with one of them in his sights while preparing to stealth around and try to lead them to a food source. Grim suggests there is plenty of food for the Thunder Godlings lying around so they shouldn’t waste any of theirs. He also suggests the party join together in a pack to prevent them from getting picked off individually, their weapons facing outward as they make their way towards the inn as the cellars are hard to get to.
Yofiel agree’s with Grim’s formation and says they should head through the market on their way to the inn.
The debate about the compies and how to avoid or scare them away proves redundant, as they scatter at the party’s approach. Unfortunately many run into the various buildings, including the places the party plans to visit.
Still it’s a safe, if incredibly gruesome, walk to the inn. The PC’s native to the area will know many of the dead they pass, though many more have been rendered unrecognizable in their half eaten state. The stench is terrible.
At the inn there is a ring of dead fighters near the door. It seems many died trying to fight their way out of the place. You don’t hear any sounds from inside but saw at least a few of the dinosaurs rush in here.
Kazzor (Jeremy) AC 15/10/15 CMD 18 HP 16/16 d20+2=6 ; Wednesday November 9th, 2022 11:52:46 AM
Kazzor, with his ax at the ready, approaches the door to the inn. "This is were I bite it!", the minotaur says to himself. Before entering, he turns back to the party and growls, "This looks like a good place to get killed, keep your eyes peeled!" (perception 6)
Marest Bralfah(Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:3/R:3/W:2), HP:11/11 d20=18 ; d20+2=9 ; d20+9=15 ; d20+9=24 ; d20+9=18 ; Wednesday November 9th, 2022 3:51:27 PM Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Marest having not previously located a heavy stick for self-defensive use, now locates one (Perception check: 18), and using her dagger, sharpens one end. Marest believes that a torch should also have a point.
Using her other skills, she tries to be helpful to the group as she joins the "Pack" formation.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 13/13/10; HP 8/8 Wednesday November 9th, 2022 4:30:45 PM
"This one seems eager to die," says Ezekiel. "I, other hand, plan to continue living even past my death. If you need me I'll be hiding behind him."
Ezekiel casts mage armor and takes cover behind Kazzor.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 11 Ffted 15 HP 17/17 CMD 12 d20+5=21 ; Wednesday November 9th, 2022 8:51:16 PM
Special: Darkvision 60'
Grim switches from his guisarme to his falchion. "If you don't see well in the dark, make sure you have a torch or magical light," he says gruffly.
Next to minotaur, Grim holds a hand up and asks for silence, then (assuming the doorway is open), listens for the Compsies. Perception +5 = 21
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19/15/15 HP 12 CMD 14 d20+7=27 ; Wednesday November 9th, 2022 8:51:59 PM
The carnage does begin to affect RJ, almost as if he faced less war than he might have implied earlier.
"Ok, on the count of three... One, two..."
RJ gets to the side of the door, crossbow ready. When the rest of the group gets into position, RJ kicks the door open and then swings back beside the frame for cover. (Perception 27 to listen/watch for dinosaur noises or humans or other activities).
Readied action: attack (std) any dinosaur that runs through the doors.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard Wednesday November 9th, 2022 9:01:53 PM
Note: I put the map and key up on our Woldipedia page. You can also get there any time by clicking on the link at the top of the page which says "Click here to visit the Woldipedia Cloudhaven game page."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard d20+10=13 ; Thursday November 10th, 2022 4:04:29 AM
When we walked by the market - could we see anything inside? If no one else looked, then at least, as she had stated, Yofiel looked inside from whatever opening (likely through open, or busted down doors), what things would have been obvious from there? Is the market open air, or has it a roof to cover it?
Having seen some compies rush in to the Windy Arms (this is the Windy Arms, #9 on the map, right?), that would imply the doors already are open, would it not? And, if the doors are not already open, then are there other openings they are using?
Does it look as though someone who is used to climbing various places might be able to get to the roof of the inn without serious trouble? Are there windows available to peer through? Other doors about the building?
Sigh. The boys want to rush in before checking the perimeter. Well, the new member of the WLA is not going to let folks do so without her direct support. Arrow nocked, string slightly pulled so she can quick pull and loose an arrow should one of those chicken-sized lizards show up, Yofiel prepares for the let's-enter-the-building-with-as-little-information-as-possible approach.
Upon entering, Yofiel will look for places she can get up on. A counter. A chair. A table. Solid shelves that might be climbed. And the like. ======= Perception: 13
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