Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Thursday October 13th, 2022 6:32:27 PM
Father Beringer gets a pained look on his face, as much as a ghost can get one. "That door leads to the Bell Tower. The Chaos Bell is still in there, resting. The Fey, those who, who came before and still find their way in, have done something to the door. I gaze upon it, when a candle needs replacing on that end of the room. So much power lies behind that door, so much terrible power...stay away from it would be my advice ... it is awake, just waiting to be rung again ...
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Thursday October 13th, 2022 7:41:06 PM
Snark will pick up a candle.
“Thanks for the candle.
"Terrible power eh? Kinda depends on who's usin' that power. But if you think it's bad I'll take yer word for it. How 'bout the rest of this place. What's down here?"
Snark will walk carefully north to the area with the stalls, checking with his staff to make sure the floor is solid. He's also ready to run if there's another creature.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Thursday October 13th, 2022 7:58:40 PM "If Father Beringer says to stay away from it, it's probably wise to do so. As for where we go now, I vote that we explore the garden deeper. I was always a fan of flowers, and who knows what rare species may exist in an Abbey such as this?" Corym will sit down near Dao, not meditating but contemplating his situation.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Friday October 14th, 2022 12:12:55 AM
Onesimos thanks Beringer, nods at his sage words. ”It has to be an artifact of immense power, and the stories about them often have curses that match their power. Since Snark is already exploring, let’s catch up! C’mon Corym, Dao, and Teddy!”
Benni nods to Isaac and then squeezes to follow Snark down the narrow corridor.
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Friday October 14th, 2022 6:01:26 PM
This hallway is narrow, mainly due to one wall being thick as it’s the outside wall. The hallway is dark, with something providing light at BY55. When you reach that spot, you find a thickly paned stain-glass window. Ther are bars on this side, and best guess there’ll be bars on the outside.
The light coming in through the window is soft, only “lighting” up a few spaces. The temperature here is cool, but the stone is clear of moss/mold/lichen/etc.
This area holds nine small cells for the monks...each is set up the same way: simple bed, simple wooden chest for clothes and other items. Small writing desk, with a pitcher for water, and a small basin for washing. All these items are covered in dust … some fall apart when touched. Nothing in any of these cells glows magic, however, you do find several books that are in good condition:
Tantalizing Pies: 4 Mouth-watering Recipes – Written in Infernal, this cookbook discusses how to cook meats from swampy regions using spicy seasonings and peppers to make the meat palatable. The book is beautifully illustrated [it’s thin, less than 100 pages – and offers lists of substitutions, some hand written on the meats and vegetables that can be used].
You find a contemporary guidebook entitled Mysterious Voyages in the Wasteland: The Road to Redemption Revealed. This book is meant to give insight about crossing deserts, in general, and the perils they may contain. This book is leafed through, but otherwise good condition. It is written in Common Speech. It is a very thick book [almost 1000 pages, with many hand drawn illustrations].
You find a recently written biography entitled Truthful History of the Captain: The Complete Volume. This book is an account on someone's life written by someone else. This book is leafed through, but otherwise good condition. It is written in Draconic (Draconic Signs and Symbols). It contains magnificent pictures. Whom the "Captain" is or was is not mentioned, but the story sounds like it could be one of many in history [its about 500 pages long].
You find a old cook book entitled Splendid Fare: Contemporary Cuisine. This book teaches you how to cook and prepare poultry - pheasants, chuckers, game hens, and chickens. This book is leafed through, but otherwise good condition. It is written in Common Speech. It has metal hinges and clasps, the lock on the book is broken.
You find a contemporary religious doctrine entitled Hallowed Mysteries of the Halflings (Halfling “religion” and “pantheon”, specifically the Halfling gods of drinking/eating and dancing/singing). This book is a written body of teachings of a specific religious organization. This book is leafed through, but otherwise good condition. It is written in Common Speech. It has a lengthy foreword or dedication to someone.
Perception DC20 – around BV56 Highlight to display spoiler: { there is something “different” about the southern wall while looking around }
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 22/39 AC 12/12/11 Friday October 14th, 2022 6:15:18 PM
Teddy and Gore'Thum immediately gravitate towards the books and look over the halfling one as they can both read common and enjoy theology.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC24/ T13 / FF 21 d20+3=13 ; Friday October 14th, 2022 10:12:42 PM
Isaac is confused by the thin book (he can't read Infernal) but he notes the food in it looks good, but he would need to get some one to translate if for him. He is very interested in book about the halfling gods since he enjoys mysteries. The others look to be interesting reads and he is intrigued by the strange words written in draconic. "Can any one read these?" he points to the Truthful History of the Captain and Tantalizing Pies.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) d20+6=22 ; Saturday October 15th, 2022 9:39:19 AM
Onesimos let’s the others look at the books, and he smiles a bit when one claims there are specific gods for Halflings. Maybe somewhere beyond Jericho Space, but not in the Wold! The elf actually chuckles.
But the distraction was enough for something to catch his eye, there on the south wall…. ”What have we here?”. He casts a Light orison to see and investigate better…
Perception 22
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Saturday October 15th, 2022 5:25:58 PM
Dao stays in the cells but leaves the books to the others. He’s good with checking out the gardens .
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Saturday October 15th, 2022 5:38:23 PM
Dao goes over to investigate what Benni sees on the south wall.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 d20+13=25 ; d20+13=18 ; Saturday October 15th, 2022 7:14:00 PM
Snark casts Guidance on himself before he thumbs through the books.
He can read the ones in Common and Draconic, and will let the others know what they contain.
The one with the pies is written in a language he does not know, but the pictures help and his linguistics roll (25) lets him get the gist of it. "Oooh, this pie one is written in Infernal. I'm glad to see it's not about how to make people pies.
"These others - a travel book, a biography about a captain, one about halfling gods, and another cookbook - these seem like nice books, but not magic."
At Isaac's mention of the wall, Snark will take a look but sees nothing unusual. "Not sure what's up with that wall Benni, but it's not magical. Maybe its got a secret door or something."
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 22/39 AC 12/12/11 Sunday October 16th, 2022 8:12:49 PM
After the last book Gore'Thum read that turned out to be cursed you'd think he'd be more cautious.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 d20+12=25 ; Monday October 17th, 2022 10:21:28 AM
Roll for Dao to help Benni discover what is interesting about the south wall = 25.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Monday October 17th, 2022 3:05:52 PM
Onesimos looks very interestingly at the south wall.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Monday October 17th, 2022 3:23:06 PM
Snark moves nearer to Benni to back him up.
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Monday October 17th, 2022 5:56:09 PM
OOC: Old age is setting in, I reads through everything that was posted, and I forgot why I had y'all looking at the wall ... sigh
Benni and Dao approach the wall, after Snark tells them it isn't magical. The stone wall, from first appearances looks like the others around it. Once you get within a few feet you realize it is different, this section of wall is covered in bells, the largest is 4" across, the smallest is maybe .5" around. The majority of the bells are all facing one way. Dao and then Benni are able to figure out which one's aren't and they find that they are movable. When the last one is put right, there is an audible "click" followed by the sounds of gears moving.
The wall slowly and dustily slides down into the floor. The space beyond is an "arming" room. There are six man-sized forms ... each is wearing slightly shiny chainmail with an open-faced helm that matches (solid metal on top that comes down to cover half the ear, then fine mail that covers down to the shoulders). A heavy metal shield rests at the feet of each form. A heavy-looking Morningstar, the head made of the same shiny metal, is held at "port arms." The armor is covered by a tabard, which looks to be well-crafted as it has stood the test of time. The tabard is black cloth, with silver fur lining the edges, and embellished by a large silver bell on the front.
Appraise DC20 Highlight to display spoiler: { Each suit, with helm, shield, weapon, and tabard (which is apparently wyvern hide), is valued around 300gp - while not masterwork quality, the metal itself has some rust-resistant property }
Know: Dungeoneering DC15+ Highlight to display spoiler: {The metal has been treated with an old dwarf technique of adding chrome to the metal during the forging/crafting process. This creates a metal that is rust-resistant, including when facing rust monsters, or so the rumors go }
At the back of the "room" is a stone table, on which is an altar cloth, a portable or traveling altar, four candelabras all set with three candles, smaller versions of what Father Beringer uses, and a holy book that discusses the Chaos Bell (general info, nothing that isn't already known).
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 d20+6=16 ; d20+10=16 ; Monday October 17th, 2022 6:22:26 PM
(Appraise and Dungeoneering both 16)
Snark will cast Guidance on himself before he looks at the armor and weapon. He is not able to determine value, but he knows a little about the quality. "I saw this stuff before at a port where a dwarf was shipping some armor. The metal has been treated with an old dwarf technique of adding chrome to the metal during the forging/crafting process. This creates a metal that is rust-resistant, including when facing rust monsters, or so the rumors go. It made it pretty popular near the sea. Seems like it was kinda expensive, but not sure how much."
Snark will also cast Detect Magic to see of the armor or weapons have any enchantments. He will also check the alar and items there.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 d20+4=11 ; d20+9=21 ; Monday October 17th, 2022 8:07:24 PM
(11 appraise, 21 dungeoneering) Corym approaches by Snark's side, also looking at the armor. "I've also heard of this metal, though I'm not sure of its worth. I wonder why it's here? What use would an Abbey have for rust-resistant armor?"
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 d20=12 ; d20+4=22 ; Monday October 17th, 2022 9:43:59 PM
Dao runs a feather light touch along the cold, dusty links. “All that is composed must decompose, chrome or not. Such is the impermanence of samsara.” He wanders about the room, stopping to examine the altar under and around the stone table. “The bells call the brothers to services, to meditation, to meals, to chores. They are the audible representation of the frequency of reality. The vibration that infuses existence. They transcend sound.”
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Monday October 17th, 2022 10:10:15 PM
The little gnome looks up at Dao with a narrow-eyed stare. "The bells transcend sound? What does that even mean?"
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC24/ T13 / FF 21 Monday October 17th, 2022 10:53:00 PM
Isaac looks at the rust resistant armor "This might be useful. If it's ok to take it" Isaac looks for a way to take the armor off the stand.
Isaac thinks for bit and answers Snark "Maybe it's like a dog whistle."
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Tuesday October 18th, 2022 1:12:23 AM
Onesimos looks about the alter, careful not to disturb anything: it’s certainly not of the Woldian Pantheon. Absentmindedly, he nods to Isaac. ”Yes, I think it’s safe for you to take, and for us to sell the ones that no one wants. The Abbey is less a mile from the ocean, I could see why they would be useful from the salt air.”
“Yes, Dao, entropy is in all things in the Wild, but I think that trying to preserve is worthy of it supports good people. Trying and failing isn’t bad; not trying is.”
Benni considers the taller elf. Dao has some strange words, but the ideas behind them seem to mesh very well with what Onesimos himself considers important. He helps collect the arms, armor, and tabards for re-sale. ”I considered suggesting for us to use the tabards as a symbol of our team, but I don’t think that would go over well with the people of Gateway Downs!”
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Tuesday October 18th, 2022 6:43:01 AM Borrowed from Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue Altar Case: For many of the established and churchly faiths, altars (when sanctified) act as powerful tools for priests. However, clerics must commonly leave this tool behind when setting off on adventures. In response to this dilemma, artisans are often commissioned to create traveling altars of fine wood. Within these narrow boxes is room for small holy implements and vessels, an altar cloth, and a compact prayer book. By blessing these boxes and properly provisioning them, priests can take their temple with them.
Benni Highlight to display spoiler: { Once you hold the tabards in hand, it would be simple for a seamstress to remove the 'bell' artwork and replace it with something more appropriate }
The armor is buckled onto the wooden forms as if it was buckled onto a person. It's fairly easy to remove the armor and helm. The leather straps on the armor and shield might need some leather oil, but it was well cared for, and in a fairly airtight room.
The two 10'x10' rooms on the western side of this area: the upper one is a sitting room. The furniture is in disrepair, and many of the books & scrolls are destroyed. However, several seem in better shape than others: The "Collected" works of Hertab Drumlend - Beasts of the Marshland; Seasonal Foraging; Plainscreatures; Butcher's Guide; and Stews and Pies. These books are all written in stylized common with illustrations.
DM Question to players Highlight to display spoiler: { OOC: I was thinking these would help with Survival checks when out in the wilderness, but it would take like d4 minutes of perusing to gain the bonus, what do y'all think?}
Snark's Detect Magic locates a book written in elvish calligraphy: Yellow Passion. This book discusses the topic of Necromancy. This book is more than likely outlawed in most regions due to the "evil knowledge" it contains. Proceed with caution when dealing with this book. This book is leafed through; otherwise, it's in good condition. Survival DC15+ Highlight to display spoiler: { It is written in poisoned ink }
One final book that's located in the seat of one of the chairs, Innovative Menus: The Human Choice. Written in orcish, this book teaches you how to cook and prepare "human - the other white meat," as well, has recipes for many of the "goodly" races. Why it's here, and been read through is anyone's guess.
The very bottom room must have been a high priest's private room. The furnishings are all top-notch, and everything is in fairly good shape. The bed, although a double, is a four-posted monstrosity that almost touches the ceiling. The blanket on top is interesting ... the top looks like softened white leather edged with black fur. The underneath is lambswool which is very soft. The blanket is heavy (like 20 pounds) and doesn't look as though it's ever been used.
Under the pillow is a sheathed jambiya. The sheath is made of darkened and oiled wood. The blade is masterwork quality and has silver mixed into it.
In the small desk that is in this room there is a scribe's satchel (like military rucksack). Inside are 20 sheets of high quality vellum, 6 vials of ink (in the light it looks black'ish and has something glittery mixed in), 10 high quality quills, 10 nibs, a small knife for trimming the quills, a small block of wax, and a signet ring. Also there is a slim book, wooden front and back covers held together with leather straps. The Night's Embrace : A book about the primordial titans, mostly legend and myth, collected by an eccentric young wizard who traveled the planes looking for information about them. This book is highly frustrating to scholars because the last entry is the beginning of a summary of an actual historical document, which has never been found. The book is unfinished, and the wizard has not been seen for hundreds of years. There are some handwritten notes at the back of the book, that look more like someone was performing auguries for information on where the wizard may be buried.
Snark (Detect Magic) Highlight to display spoiler: { Buried under a pile of clothes is a dark glass bottle. It holds about 2 liters of liquid. The bottle and stopper are glowing magic, with a transmutation aura. The bottle is half-full of some form of thick liquid }
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 22/39 AC 12/12/11 Tuesday October 18th, 2022 7:13:12 AM
Teddy has little interest in the overly large armor for him and keeps reading his book.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Tuesday October 18th, 2022 10:24:41 AM
To Snark, Dao replies, “Sound is vibration, as are we. All of reality, even that which appears to be solid is, in fact, moving very fast at different frequencies, which means that, at our basest level, we are all songs.” He smiles. “The song of Snark.” To Benni: “Try to preserve? Sounds exhausting! Although, I’ll grant that these could prove useful.” He picks up Hertab Drumlend’s collected works and begins reading about marsh beasts.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Tuesday October 18th, 2022 12:54:14 PM
Onesimos chuckles. ”I would be happy to discuss what is and what appears to be for a hundred year or more with you, Dao, and I suspect that though our words differ, our meanings are very similar. But that is a thought for years to come. Now, let us collect the treasures we have found.”
Benni will carefully fold and preserve the ‘travel alter’, intending to keep it for future use with Flower.
He helps the others collect the other stuff. “The tabards look like we can take the Bell symbol off and add something for the Luck Makers, like dice in a wine cup. We can use them on official occasions.”
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC24/ T13 / FF 21 Tuesday October 18th, 2022 7:27:39 PM
Isaac starts taking the armor off the stands and brings them out side. He does pause and ask about the various books they find. He is disgusted by the human cook book."Makes me thinknk all these other cook books are being used with substitutions."
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Tuesday October 18th, 2022 7:49:56 PM
“We eat other creatures,” Dao says to Isaac. “Why is it disgusting to consider that other creatures eat us? I wonder what we taste like.”
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Tuesday October 18th, 2022 9:33:09 PM
Snark was puzzled by Dao's comments about everybody vibrating. But his comments about eating people is too much for the little Gnome.
"Dao - what's wrong with you? Screw you head on straight! We don't eat people, and it's never OK for anything to eat any of the the noble or ignoble races. Yer making me worried, boy."
After finding a magic bottle, the wizard will walk over and pull it out. "Huh. Wonder what this is?"
Snark will cast Guidance on himself, and then using Detect Magic and Spellcraft 30 he should identify the properties of the bottle up to Caster Level 15.
(Rolled 30 for Spellcraft over on another board - probably cause some confusion for the Taur Islands game tomorrow.)
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Tuesday October 18th, 2022 10:24:32 PM
Corym looks at the hustle and bustle around the room and simply peruses some of the books. "Knowledge is found in the most unlikely places."
(ooc, perusing the books that would help with survival)
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 22/39 AC 12/12/11 Wednesday October 19th, 2022 8:40:12 AM
Much reading!
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Wednesday October 19th, 2022 9:10:05 AM
The greater marsh lizard … Dao glances up from the book and smiles. “Noble and ignoble races? And who gets to make those classifications? Is the husband who abuses his children and beats his wife more noble than, say, a horse due to the mere fact that he is human? Is his life worth more?” Dao finishes is page, puts the book in his haversack and helps Benni and Isaac gather up the items they wish to take. For his own part, he hasn’t shown an interest in anything but the book. Although, when he finishes it, he’ll place it back with the others for the next party member to read. “The garden, then?”
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Wednesday October 19th, 2022 10:59:54 AM
Onesimos chuckles. ”in this Wold, Dao? The Jericho made that determination. Perhaps in other planes beyond the Wold things are less defined. Why, if you imagine long enough, there may even be a place where mortals can’t prove their gods exist! But there is no question in the Wold.”
“The garden then.
And Benni leads the Luck Makers back to the strangely sunny garden.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Wednesday October 19th, 2022 12:20:05 PM
OOC: What is the Jericho?
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC24/ T13 / FF 21 Wednesday October 19th, 2022 9:02:45 PM
Isaac looks at Dao with concern. "Carful with that kind of talk.People here are superstitious." Isaac follows the others to the garden.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Wednesday October 19th, 2022 9:54:59 PM
Corym takes a second to think about Dao's comments, looking contemplative. Eventually, he follows the group to the garden.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Thursday October 20th, 2022 11:16:08 AM
Benni walks to the garden.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Thursday October 20th, 2022 4:24:27 PM
Dao accompanies Benni and the others to the garden. He will offer to help carry some of the acquired items in his magical haversack.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Thursday October 20th, 2022 4:37:41 PM
Snark picks up the identified(?) bottle and heads to the gardens with the others.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC24/ T13 / FF 21 Thursday October 20th, 2022 6:05:22 PM
Isaac looks around at the statues in the garden a feeling of ease and hairs standing up on the back of his neck.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 22/39 AC 12/12/11 Friday October 21st, 2022 7:09:38 AM
The pair finishes a book and starts up on another.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Friday October 21st, 2022 2:52:13 PM
Onesimos warns the others what he saw last time he looked into the garden. It was bright and sunny, with some several things flying in the sky. They hadnt seen Benni and he hadnt persued.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Friday October 21st, 2022 3:35:55 PM
“What sort of flying things?” Dao asks.
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Friday October 21st, 2022 6:48:36 PM
OOC: OK, I'm really sorry guys. My last few days has been rough between work, school, and life in general.
So you all decide on how to store the armor, tabards, and weapons, and add more books to your growing collection. The vote then is to return to the garden you all spotted on the way from the carriage house into this section of the Abbey. With the displacer beast dead, and this section explored the croaking noises are gone, but the clear notes of Father Beringer can still be quietly heard.
The Garden - at one time this area was designed as a healing and/or meditative garden, with flowers, trees, rock gardens and a few benches. The statues, from the entrance all look like people, possibly monks, saints, or representations of the Gods.
Looking up the flying things are still there, but from this distance it is hard to determine what they exactly are... Nature DC 15+ Highlight to display spoiler: { They're bats, big ones, with 2 to 3' wingspans }
As you enter, that feeling of doom and gloom comes back full force .... [Not enough to require a roll, but it does make y'all consider that this area hasn't been truly "cleared" as of yet]
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Friday October 21st, 2022 8:24:16 PM
(What about the identification on the bottle with the magical stopper and seal?)
Snark whistles as he looks around the garden with wonder. "Wow. 'Cept for that creepy feeling of doom, this place is pretty cool. Those are some pretty big bats!"
Take 10 to succeed on the Knowledge Nature roll.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC24/ T13 / FF 21 Friday October 21st, 2022 10:21:56 PM
Isaac looks up at the flying creatures "Are they hostile?" he asks the others
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Saturday October 22nd, 2022 3:33:52 AM
Onesimos is surprised but has no doubt of Snark’s eyesight or knowledge. ”Bats? In daylight? Something is wrong here, and not just the feeling of doom. But nothing will get better until we confront the area…”
Benni steps into the garden, buckler and Morningstar at the ready, waiting to be pounced on by, well, whatever.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 d20=3 ; Saturday October 22nd, 2022 9:48:59 AM
Dao slips off his moccasins and follows Benni and the others into the garden. He walks slowly, his feet caressing the grass with each step. He smiles as he feels the sun on his face. He disregards the feeling of doom and gloom, seeing them as he sees all such feelings, as temporary clouds floating across the clear, blue sky of his consciousness.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 22/39 AC 12/12/11 d20+13=29 ; Sunday October 23rd, 2022 10:11:56 PM "Actually not all bats are nocturnal." Teddy points out. He still doesn't trust anything in this place and stays close to Gore'Thum.
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Monday October 24th, 2022 7:05:46 PM
Snark Highlight to display spoiler: { The bottle and stopper are both glass, and there's a metal bar that locks the stopper in place, like some of the older beer bottles used to have. Both are made of glassteel. Opening the bottle, the smell of cinnamon wafts out - but it's mixed with something, as the liquid glows ... someone has blended cinnamon schnapps with the Remove Disease spell. Looking at it holding 2 litre's - and a normal potion generally having 1 ounce to it, I was thinking that a 6 ounce drink will clear diseases and get you pretty buzzed }
As the party enters the garden, well Snark, Benni, Dao, and Corym ... with GoreThum and Teddy in the entrance, the bats take notice, they begin swooping down to investigate their next meal ... their wingspan is actually larger the closer they get
Bats (Not the ones who chill with Batman) OOC:I've updated the map with where the bats are headed towards, they are moving pretty darn fast - Fly of 50 AC 20
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Tuesday October 25th, 2022 12:35:04 AM
Onesimos sees this is going to be a hard fight. He pauses, waiting for the bats to get within 10 feet and then… a burst of Prayer affects the Luck Makers and bats together!
…. Readied Action. Cast Prayer when first bat is within 10 feet.
Prayer. All allies get +1 on all rolls, all opponents get -1 on all rolls. (Attack, damage, save, skill checks)
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Tuesday October 25th, 2022 12:35:07 AM
Onesimos sees this is going to be a hard fight. He pauses, waiting for the bats to get within 10 feet and then… a burst of Prayer affects the Luck Makers and bats together!
…. Readied Action. Cast Prayer when first bat is within 10 feet.
Prayer. All allies get +1 on all rolls, all opponents get -1 on all rolls. (Attack, damage, save, skill checks)
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Tuesday October 25th, 2022 1:07:38 AM
Snark readies an action until the bats descend to attack. He does his best to catch as many as he can in the Slow spell he casts before one is close enough to attack the little gnome. (DC 18 Will save negates.)
--------------------------------------- Slow - Range 35', up to 5 creatures, and no two creatures affected can be more than 30' apart. Creatures affected by this spell are staggered and can take only a single move action or standard action each turn, but not both (nor may it take full-round actions). Additionally, it takes a -1 penalty on attack rolls, AC, and Reflex saves. A slowed creature moves at half its normal speed (round down to the next 5-foot increment), which affects the creature’s jumping distance as normal for decreased speed.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 22/39 AC 12/12/11 d20+8=16 ; d6=5 ; Tuesday October 25th, 2022 8:12:37 AM
Gore'Thum moves into the garden to join the others and defend the group if attacked. Readied action to attack any bat in reach if they damage or attempt to damage any party member (16 to hit and 7 damage)
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Tuesday October 25th, 2022 9:49:03 AM
Like Gore’Thum, Dao will use readied action to protect the group if they are attacked. He will attack any attacking bat.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 d20+6=18 ; d20+6=8 ; Tuesday October 25th, 2022 3:21:03 PM
Corym will shoot at the bats after drawing his bow once more. Seeing the arrow whiz past the swarm of bats, he curses to himself and readjusts his grip on the bow. "Bats always creeped me out. Those weird eyes are hiding something."
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Bat 1 WILL Save: d20+3=8 ; Bat 2 WILL Save: d20+3=23 ; Bat 3 WILL Save: d20+3=11 ; Bat 4 WILL Save: d20+3=5 ; Bat 5 WILL Save: d20+3=13 ; Bat 6 WILL Save: d20+3=10 ; Bat 2 trying to eat Benni: d20+4=18 ; Dao Stunning Fist Attack: d20+6=24, Dao's second Flurry attack: d20+6=11; Bat 2 FORT save vs stunning fist: d20+4=19; damage form Dao's attack: d8+3=11 Tuesday October 25th, 2022 7:01:34 PM
The party prepares to engage the large bats ...
Waiting close to the last minute, Snark casts a spell to slow the bats ... Bat 2 continues on it's rapid descent, the rest seem to slow their roll ... the circle on the map is Snark's spell area, Benni's encompasses a larger area by 10 more feet
Benni then blasts out with a Prayer to Flower, and the party feels protected and better able to handle this situation, while the bats, well, the look on their large faces could be second-guessing their actions ...
Slowed - for 5 rounds these bats take a -1 penalty on attack rolls, AC, and Reflex saves - and their speed is now Fly 25 / Ground 15
Disdain (opposite of Prayer) - for 5 rounds all the bats take a -1 to their attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks
GoreThum attacks Bat 6, but misses it Corym shoots at Bat 1, but misses it
Bat 2 goes for Benni, it's mouth open - but it misses as it pulls up before slamming into the ground
Dao, waiting for this moment, focuses his chi, drawing it from the tan tien just below his navel and releasing it through his fist as he launches a powerful reverse punch at the incoming bat (stunning fist DC fort save 14 or be stunned) The second strike of his flurry of blows is a vicious left hook that snaps around with the full torque of his twisting hips behind it. Attack bonus 6. Damage d8+3 x 2.
Bat 2 makes it's save against being stunned, but does take 11 damage from the monk smacking it
********************************************************************************************* Snark & Benni Highlight to display spoiler: { When you both cast your spells, you both 'feel' like it took extra effort to call upon and get the magic to work ... this is a new sensation }
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Tuesday October 25th, 2022 7:25:01 PM
OOC: What about Dao’s attacks?
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 d20+5=16 ; 4d6=18 ; Tuesday October 25th, 2022 8:39:24 PM
(Note that the Slow spell is not an area effect, but it affects individuals and it lasts 5 rounds. Bats 1,3-6 are slowed as noted above for 4 more rounds.)
Snark will take a 5' step to move out of the room and then fire off a Scorching Ray at the one attacking Benni. He hits a Touch AC of 16, hopefully inflicting 18 points of fire damage on the thing.
"I slowed some of them down, and that makes them a bit easier to hit. But that's gonna wear off soon."
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Tuesday October 25th, 2022 8:53:33 PM
Dao focuses his chi, drawing it from the tan tien just below his navel and releasing it through his fist as he launches a powerful reverse punch at the incoming bat (stunning fist DC fort save 14 or be stunned) The second strike of his flurry of blows is a vicious left hook that snaps around with the full torque of his twisting hips behind it. Attack bonus 6. Damage d8+3 x 2.
I added these to the bottom of the last rounds info - so you'll need to post some new attacks for this new round
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 d20+7=26 ; d6=3 ; Tuesday October 25th, 2022 10:20:08 PM
Isaac pauses for a moment as he is used to fighting in melee. He puts away his shield an draws his light crossbow to take shots at the bats. He fires a bolt at one of the bats
Isaac loses his shield bonus to AC. I've altered the AC. Attack roll 27 forgot to add the +1 to the roll Damage 3
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) d20+7=18 ; d8+3=9 ; Wednesday October 26th, 2022 12:33:02 AM
Onesimos feels resistance at his spell and glances at Snark in a what-was-that look. He sees Snark attacking Bat 2, and Dao stunning Bat 1. ”Finish the fey creatures off to reduce numbers. We don’t have enough melee warriors to hold a line with so many!”
Putting words to action, Benni tries to finish off Bat 2 (or Bat 1 if 2 is down) with his Morningstar.
……
AC 18. Damage 10
Prayer. 2/5 rounds. All allies get +1 on all rolls, AND all opponents get -1 on all rolls. (Attack, damage, save, skill checks)
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Wednesday October 26th, 2022 1:16:10 AM
Snark looks back at Benni. "Yeah, I saw it too. Sumpthin's messing with the magic here."
(Thanks. Snark actually hits Touch AC 17.)
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 22/39 AC 12/12/11 d20+8=28 ; d20+8=16 ; d6=3 ; Wednesday October 26th, 2022 7:39:50 AM
Gore'Thum presses the attack (28 to hit, 16 to confirm crit, 5 damage). Teddy tries a new spell, Deep Sleep, putting up to 10 CR of creatures asleep. He starts with b5 and goes down numerically, DC 16 to resist.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Wednesday October 26th, 2022 8:22:44 AM
Dao uses flurry of blows on bat 1. Launching a pickaxe kick to hammer the bat from the sky, followed by an uppercut (stunning fist) to knock it back up into it. Attack roll 6.
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Dao Kick Damage roll: d8+3=6 ; Dao's Punching Damage: d8+3=10 ; B6 Will Save: d20+2=8 ; B5 Will Save: d20+2=21 ; B4 Will Save: d20+2=21 ; B3 Will Save: d20+2=16 ; Wednesday October 26th, 2022 6:14:38 PM
The remaining bats use this turn to move in on party members so they can attack next turn (which would be round 3) ...
Snark blasts B2 with a firebolt, and it dies with a smoldering wound in its chest
Dao launches attacks on B1, striking it both times
Benni then slides over and finishes off B1
Issac and GoreThum both attack B6
Teddy casts Deep Slumber ...
B1: 16 from Dao, 10 from Benni - it's dead B2: Dead B6: Issac hits for 3, GoreThum hits (non-crit) for 5
Deep Slumber Saves their penalties are figured in B6: an 8, it drops to the ground, snoring ... B5: makes its save, but it does bobble in the air for a moment and yawns ... its breath stinks to high heaven B4: makes its save, but it does bobble in the air for a moment and yawns ... its breath stinks to high heaven B3: Barely makes its save, but it does bobble in the air for a moment and yawns ... its breath stinks to high heaven
***************************************************************************** Teddy Highlight to display spoiler: { When you cast your spell, you 'feel' like it took extra effort to call upon and get the magic to work ... this is a new sensation for you }
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 d20+5=14 ; d6+2=6 ; Wednesday October 26th, 2022 8:00:17 PM
(I think Deep Slumber only affects creatures within a 10' radius.) (Bats 3-6 are slowed for 3 more rounds: -1 attack, AC, and Reflex. Half speed, limited to 1 action.)
"Two down, four to go and one of those is snoozing. Good work Teddy putting that one to sleep. Maybe we can gang up on it later and put it out of our misery."
Snark looks at the bat - what kind of armor or hide does it have? Maybe their tough hide is worth something.
He will lob an Acid Dart at B3 over in the corner. Hit Touch AC 14 for 6 damage.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 d20+8=16 ; d6=5 ; Wednesday October 26th, 2022 9:53:46 PM
Isaac takes another pot shot at the giant bats. Isaac contemplated the measly damage his own crossbow was doing he really needed to get an upgrade in the future.
Attack 16 Damage 5
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) d20+7=17 ; d8+3=9 ; Thursday October 27th, 2022 12:23:18 AM
Benni takes a step to Bat 3 in the corner and swings again!
……
AC 17 Damage 9
Prayer. 3/5 rounds. All allies get +1 on all rolls, AND all opponents get -1 on all rolls. (Attack, damage, save, skill checks)
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 22/39 AC 12/12/11 d20+8=15 ; Thursday October 27th, 2022 7:02:08 AM
Gore'Thum moves to 3 and attacks but misses (15 to hit). Since it worked one Teddy will use his last 3rd level spell to try to sleep the bats again, same order and same DC (16 will)
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 d20+6=24 ; d20+6=14 ; Thursday October 27th, 2022 8:47:24 AM
Dao uses flurry of blows to get two attacks against B4. He launches a spinning backfist and builds off his momentum to throw a spinning hook kick. He again uses stunning fist. He is doing unconscious damage. Damage d8+3. Possible stun.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 d20+6=14 ; d20+6=13 ; d8-1=0 ; d8-1=2 ; Thursday October 27th, 2022 7:34:41 PM
Corym shoots into the air again targeting the bats, taking more time to line his shots up this time. (15 to hit, 1 damage, and 14 to hit, 3 damage)
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map B5 Will Save: d20+2=7 ; B4 Will Save: d20+2=17 ; B3 Will Save: d20+2=12 ; B4 Fort save: d20+3=17 ; Dao fist attack: d8+3=10 ; B4 attacking GoreThum: d20+4=22 ; B4 damage: d8+4=6 ; Thursday October 27th, 2022 7:34:45 PM
Dire Bat Hide - Know: Nature or Craft: Leather DC15+ Highlight to display spoiler: { According to what I found, and that makes sense to me, is that the hide, as its dark in color already, is useful in making darkened, or black "leather" based armors }
Dire Bat Hide - Know Arcana or Craft Magic Arms & Armor DC20+ Highlight to display spoiler: { If I get in trouble for this, I'll claim being blonde - the hide/leathers/wings could be used to make Cloaks of the Bat, or, add echolocation/Blindsense }
GM prerogative - I changed the line-up of who's actions went off first
Snark thinks about these bats as he slams an acid dart into B3
Teddy summons his will and attempts to put the remaining Dire Bats to sleep ... B5 and B3 both drop to the ground snoring B4 stays awake, and looks pissed off (if that's possible)
Issac, Benni, and GoreThum all participate in the Coup de Gras of Bat 3 ...
Dao uses his attacks to attack Bat 4 - it isn't stunned, but Dao hammers it pretty good
B1: Dead B2: Dead B3: Dead B6: Dead
B4: Dao does 10 damage as it moves up to attack GoreThum
GoreThum takes 6 damage as B4 takes a small'ish chunk out of him
B4: 10 damage so far B5: Asleep
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 d20+8=14 ; d6=3 ; Thursday October 27th, 2022 10:28:30 PM
Isaac takes one last shot at the still flying bat to try and take it down. After that he'll put away his crossbow and take out his sword and shield.
Attack 14 Damage 3
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) d20+7=17 ; d8+3=10 ; Friday October 28th, 2022 12:33:26 AM
Onesimos rounds on Bat 3 and gives it a good smash.
………… Ac. 17. Dam 10.
Prayer. 4/5 rounds. All allies get +1 on all rolls, AND all opponents get -1 on all rolls. (Attack, damage, save, skill checks)
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Friday October 28th, 2022 6:25:00 AM
Instead of attacking bat 4 again, Dao will go defensive and, grabbing the sleeping bat 5, empty out his magic haversack and place the bat within.
OOC, they're too big to fit in your backpack, so if you want to change your action, feel free
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 d20+8=9 ; Friday October 28th, 2022 7:06:16 AM
Gore'Thum grimaces in pain and strikes out but misses badly (natural 1). Teddy holds his spells since the fight seems to be almost over.
"You know, these bat's are tough to hit. I figure their hide might be worth something and might even be good for crafting magical items with bat properties."
Snark figures the party can just gang up on the sleeping one later, so he will fire off another blob of acid at B3 (unless it's already dead). He only hits Touch AC 10, so likely a miss but 6 damage if it somehow hit.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 Friday October 28th, 2022 6:25:27 PM
Isaac looks at the bats and asks "People would pay for these things hide? They look mangy to me."
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map B4 attacking Benni: d20+4=13 ; Friday October 28th, 2022 10:49:58 PM
B1: Dead B2: Dead B3: Dead B6: Dead B5: Asleep
Dao gently picks up B5, and tries to slide it into his magical backpack, however, the bat is just too big to fit, and it begins cooing in its sleep
Issac attacks B4, but misses, so he switches from missile to melee drawing his sword and prepping his shield
Benni spins and attacks B4 (as the others are dead or asleep/being held) and whacks it for a solid hit
GoreThum, having issues with his bite, misses his attacks on B4, and Teddy seems to be holding his actions until something happens
Snark fires off another glob of acid, this time at B4, as it's still alive, though barely, but misses
B4: 20 damage to this point
B4 tries to bite Benni, but misses
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 d20+8=20 ; d8=8 ; Friday October 28th, 2022 11:00:21 PM
Corym will shoot at the Bat again, frustrated he hasn't been able to make contact with any of them this fight. (20 to hit, 8 damage)
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Saturday October 29th, 2022 9:38:52 AM
Dao will tie the sleeping bat securely and stand over it, nor allowing any harm to come to it.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 d20+5=13 ; Saturday October 29th, 2022 7:54:20 PM
Snark will fire another blob of acid at the remining bat, but his shot goes wide.
He can see the monk has taken up a protective stance over the sleeping bat.
"Hey Dao, what's your plan with the homicidal bat?"
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Monday October 31st, 2022 8:03:51 AM
“I have big plans for this bat, but let’s not ruin the surprise, hmm?”
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 d20+8=16 ; d6=5 ; Monday October 31st, 2022 8:34:20 AM
Gore'Thum has better luck this time hitting AC 16 for 5 damage.
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Monday October 31st, 2022 1:53:57 PM
With one bat awake and attacking, Dao takes time to carefully tie up bat 5 who's peacefully snoring ... its kinda cute, still has bad breath though.
Corym fires an arrow off at B4, It lands on the ground, and GoreThum walks up and smacks it. It flops over dead.
As soon as B4 dies, a feminine scream goes off, the voice makes your bodies react like someone has scratched nails on chalk-board. Following the cringe, the garden is bathed in sunlight. The party can see blue skies above them.
The grass and plants that are here have a "odd" or "off" appearance: Know: Nature DC15+ Highlight to display spoiler: { They are Fey touched ... although 'healthy' when you first arrived, they seem to be shriviling in the direct sunlight.}
There are several plants that seem hale, and that aren't shriviling up. Know: Nature DC15+ Highlight to display spoiler: { There are lavender, mint, chamomile, and calendula. }
Now that the sunlight has brightened the place up, you can see the statues more clearly as well. These were once beautifully hand carved statues of a female. All look the same, or they did. Now in the light, they have all been crudely defaced and changed ... Know: Religion DC15+ Highlight to display spoiler: { The statues were all once images of Queen Maab, in her various aspects. They have been unsubtly changed to show Queen Maab as an evil aspect of the Fey. }
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Monday October 31st, 2022 6:34:15 PM
Snark is intrigued by Dao's statement, but he'll let the monk keep his secrets.
He is caught off-guard by the piercing shriek, but the change in sunlight is interesting. He will look carefully at the plants and the statues, taking 10 as he does so to succeed on these rolls.
"Most of these plants are fey-touched and seem to not like this new sunlight in here. There are some I recognize that will do fine in this new sunlight - lavender, mint, chamomile, and calendula. I'd put money on the place being covered in the mint in a few months though. That stuff's pretty invasive." The gnome is also an herbalist, so he pick some of the better specimens to tuck away in his pack for now.
Looking at the statues, he frowns a bit. "That's too bad. These were once all nice statues of Maab, but they've all been defaced to make her look evil. Maab can be a lot of things, but evil's not one of them."
(Taking 10, Snarks "rolls" are Knowledge Nature 23 and Knowledge Religion 19.)
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 d20+11=30 ; Monday October 31st, 2022 10:23:52 PM
Corym cringes at the feminine scream, and then tries to look around for the source of it. (Perception 30). "Maybe whoever just screamed is the one who defaced the statues?" he says, his head on a swivel.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) d20+7=25 ; Tuesday November 1st, 2022 1:28:26 AM
Onesimos nods. He doesn’t know plants, but the gods, immortals, and powers? Yes, quite well versed.
”That hardly makes sense for Maab blesses the fey, unless it is from those who are warped by her estranged husband, Eberyon. Keep alert!”
The elf moves further into the garden, holy symbol of Flower and Morningstar ready.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 Tuesday November 1st, 2022 8:07:35 AM
Teddy cringes and looks about wildly expecting another attack. Gore'Thum moves close to him and stays on guard.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 d20=5 ; d20=2 ; d20+4=15 ; Tuesday November 1st, 2022 8:47:32 AM
Dao sits in the grass next to the bound bat and gently pets it’s shaggy head as he enjoys the sunshine and idly chews on a mint leaf or two. “Seems to me you could use one of these,” he tells the big bat as he watches the others cautiously move through what appears to be a garden. “Om mani padme hum.”
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Tuesday November 1st, 2022 10:12:21 AM
Snark will also cast Detect Magic and scan the garden area.
Does he think a Mending spell will restore these statues of Maab?
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 d20+14=23 ; Tuesday November 1st, 2022 6:12:27 PM
Isaac recognizes the the statues as Queen Mab even in their defiled form. He gets his sword and shield ready after that scream he feels the fight is just beginning. "I hope that Mab isn't mad we slew those bats. From these statues I say she has quite the temper when mad."
Jon S (James's other half ... he's the pretty one) Map Tuesday November 1st, 2022 7:31:41 PM
Snark determines that the herbs are safe, and that now since the "Fey" aspect has lifted, that they will begin growing in more, replacing the plants that are essentially dying.
The scream is unsettling, and Benni, Corym, GoreThum and Teddy, and Issac all prepare for more attacks ... yet nothing happens after a few moments. Best guess, is that whatever was "inhabiting" the garden has fled, thus why the sunlight has come in. Whether it was Queen Maab or something else is yet to be determined. The scream itself seemed to come from everywhere at once, not from a specific location within the garden.
Snark uses his Detect Magic spell to search the garden and the statues. Magic was used in the defacement, so it is possible that magic could be used to repair the damage ... although whether "Mending" would work, is unknown.
Spellcraft DC15+ Highlight to display spoiler: { Spells that allow stonework to altered may need to be used rather than something simple like Mending }
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Tuesday November 1st, 2022 7:34:32 PM
Corym nocks an arrow, still looking around, searching for that feminine voice.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Tuesday November 1st, 2022 8:33:44 PM
OOC: How large is the garden? What borders it? The bats came from the sky, but does there appear to be a home for them here? A cave, cliff, well, hollowed-out tree or log? Is there an apparent water or food source for them (besides us)?
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 d20+10=28 ; Tuesday November 1st, 2022 8:49:23 PM
(Take 10 on Spellcraft for 27)
Snark sends his little bat Luna up to have a look around. He wants to know if this garden is just open to the local sky, or if it's a portal to the fey plane, or maybe just some pocket universe all it's own.
(For the DM, are there any more unopened doors around that we can still open? I seem to recall most are magically barred to us.)
"These statues were modified by magic. It'll take similar magic or some real stonework skill to restore them. Might be best to just destroy them rather than leave them as an affront to Maab." To that end, he will try to push one over. If he's unable to push it over himself, he'll use his staff to cast Hydraulic Push to knock one down.(Bull rush 28)
"Hey, I could use a rest. Maybe we should head back to town."
------------------------------------------------ Hydraulic Push - You call forth a quick blast of water that knocks over and soaks one creature or square. You can use this blast of water to make a bull rush against any one creature or object. Your CMB for this bull rush is equal to your caster level plus your Intelligence modifier.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Wednesday November 2nd, 2022 1:18:30 AM
Onesimos assesses what the Luck Makers have accomplished this one foray: the Displacer beast and statue, the bell and candle room, the garden room. He looks up, drinking in the sunlight and taking a deep breath.
It is a small garden, and he is out of keys. ”Yes, I am tired and nearly out of spells. Let’s go back to Heranmar, rest, and look for a different direction.”
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 Wednesday November 2nd, 2022 7:55:43 AM
(The garden is the pink room we're all in. It's about 20 by 30.)
If there is no attack coming Teddy gathers some of the useful herbs before they go. Perhaps he can start a herb garden in town away from the hauntings and monsters.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Wednesday November 2nd, 2022 4:05:40 PM
Dao puts a drop of holy water on his thumb and anoints the bat’s forehead with it. “Are you evil or merely hungry,” he murmurs softly to the large bat.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Wednesday November 2nd, 2022 8:46:25 PM
Corym holsters his bow after the uncomfortable pause between the scream and any other action, and says "Back to Heranmar sounds nice. I haven't been there for a bit. I wonder if much has changed?"
DM Jon S Map d100=78 ; d100=64 ; Wednesday November 2nd, 2022 8:58:36 PM
The garden is open to the sky. There is a section on the back wall that is discolored, but it doesn't appear to be a secret or concealed door, just looks "off" ... it's a 10' x 10' section of the wall.
Snark sends his familiar up to check out the immediate area ... it comes back to report nothing out of the ordinary, but didn't find any roosts, or even guano
How the bats have been existing is anyone's guess as there really isn't any apparent food and water for them in this garden
Corym doesn't relax his guard, knowing that the Abbey is a tricky foe
Snark is considering statue 5 as Benni mentions returning to town to rest
Snark then mentions either destroying or knocking the staues over, and uses his staff to make a blast of water topple statue 5 off its base. It hits the ground with a solid "THUD" but doesn't break. A small space is revealed in the base - about one foot each side and deep. It is empty ...
Dao dabs a bit of holy water on the bats head, and ponders it's alignment to the world ... Handle Animal DC10+ Highlight to display spoiler: { The bat accepts the dab of water and doesn't seem to want to eat you or any of your fingers ... if anything it seems as curious about you as you to it }
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 Thursday November 3rd, 2022 12:49:00 AM
Isaac is a bit shocked at Snark's rough handling of the statue. "Snark I hope you know what your doing." Looking at the now visible hole at the bottom he is intrigued "Huh I wonder if the other statues have hollow bases?" Deciding to try something he goes over to one of the other statues and calls Snark "I'll try and tip it over just enough to lift the base can you see if there's anything under it?"
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) d20+3=13 ; d20+7=18 ; Thursday November 3rd, 2022 1:30:27 AM
Onesimos considers the garden, then helps Isaac leverage another statue. Wile doing so, he speaks of evil in the Wold. ”Most selfish things in the Wold aren’t evil enough to be affected by holy water, or be seen by a Detect Magic spell. It takes a powers there. And whatever power was here, I believe we heard it’s scream when it left.”
Benni will continue to look under each statue, then pull his attention to the discolored wall. A mosaic? A secret? He wonders…. ………..
Strength check. 13. Assist Isaac Perception 18
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Thursday November 3rd, 2022 2:22:26 AM
The little gnome looks up a the Paladin. He smiles as he replies, "Sir Isaac, as a wizard I always know exactly what I'm doing. The consequences? Well, that's a different matter. I mean, you don't really know the consequences of your actions until after you act, eh? As for these statues, they've all been defaced so as to disrespect my god, so I'd just as soon see 'em all knocked over. But let's at least check under 'em to see what they're hiding."
Snark will pull out his wand of Enlarge Person and make Isaac large to make this all easier. Then he will cast Dancing Lights so he can peer under each one as Isaac and Benni tip them back one by one. He'll also reach in an pull out anything he finds. He also looks for lead or other materials that might have shielded these niches from his earlier Detect Magic spell.
If we do find anything, Snark will again cast Detect Magic to try to discern their properties.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 Thursday November 3rd, 2022 8:13:36 AM
Teddy is ready to go. Gore'Thum decides that two fights and three rooms is sufficient and makes no objections.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 d20=2 ; Thursday November 3rd, 2022 8:28:30 AM
Dao caps off the holy water and returns it to his haversack. Noticing the discolored wall, he picks up the bound Bat Van Winkle and wandering around the statue-topplers, ambles over to the discolored wall. Setting him (or her) down gently, he will examine the wall using all his senses (except taste) to see what makes it different from the rest of the wall. Perception 12.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Thursday November 3rd, 2022 7:33:02 PM
Seeing the party immediately begin toppling statues brings a smirk to Corym's face. He had joined the right people. "They've already been desecrated, so what's the harm?' he says, leaning against the wall as it seemed Snark, Isaac, and Benni had it covered. Knowing that the group will be heading back soon, Corym chugs the rest of his waterskin and, when the party heads out, will grab another waterskin of holy water.
DM Jon S Map d100=71 ; d100=8 ; d100=85 ; d100=86 ; d100=89 ; Thursday November 3rd, 2022 11:24:46 PM
While Corym leans against a wall, the rest of the party, sans Dao, begins knocking the other statues over ... under each statue is a depression, the same as Snark found.
Only one has something in it, something wrapped in a piece of cloth. Opening the cloth, exposes a piece of skin or hide (it is smooth and pliable - and is about 6" long, 4" wide, and a quarter of an inch thick) which contains a hand-drawn section of a map ...
Know: Dungeoneering DC15+ Highlight to display spoiler: { This is a fragment of a larger map. While the piece you have doesn't correspond with anything you've encountered, that you found it beneath one of these statues is a good indicator that the map belongs to the Abbey grounds }
Dao and his semi-sleeping bat wander over to check out the "different" section of wall, however, other than the fact that it visibly looks different, Dao is unable to discern anything about it (If you lick that wall, Benni will be forced to wash your mouth out with soap and holy water, just saying)
Benni follows the strange monk, who at one point appears to be considering licking the wall, and checks the section of wall out himself -
For Benni Highlight to display spoiler: { There is something about the wall, best guess it's an opening of some kind, but as it didn't show up as magic, then it must require something for it to open, something y'all haven't found yet, at least that's your guess }
After watching his friends mill about, Corym toasts their efforts, draining his waterskin ... which he considers refilling with Holy Water before the group heads back to town.
Teddy and GoreThum watch their friends, waiting for them to get done playing in the garden so everyone can go home and rest
DM Jon S Map Thursday November 3rd, 2022 11:29:58 PM
OOC: So, until James takes back over, I'm gonna share my "Life Schedule" so y'all can help keep me on task - I work overnights on Monday and Tuesday from 10pm to 830am - Pacific Time, as I'm in Oregon. I work a double shift on Wednesday's going in at 3pm, and not getting off until Thursday morning at 830. I then spend Fri/Sat/Sun at the sister building to the one I work at from 930am to 6pm ... as I'm in the final stretch (this is week 4 of 26 I have left) I have homework due several times a week ... so if I haven't responded to y'all or made a post - please feel free to text me ... I'm sure y'all can bribe Art or James to throw hungry Tarrasque's my way, as they both do when I go silent for a day or two ... thanks for putting up with me =)
my cell# 9716004429
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Friday November 4th, 2022 12:02:32 AM
(No worries on the schedule Jon, but thanks for letting us know. The DM posts seem pretty consistent.)
Snark looks around. He'll pick up the partial map (Take 10 on Knowledge Dungeoneering for 19). "Huh. Looks like a map to places we can't go in the Abbey. Swell. At least we knocked over these statues that were an an affront to Maab.
"Let's head back to town."
The gnome will head back with the others.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 Friday November 4th, 2022 7:50:01 AM
Teddy leads the way home.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Friday November 4th, 2022 8:19:27 AM
Dao brings up the rear. He never had any intention of licking the wall.
CDM Jerry [OOC post] Friday November 4th, 2022 12:53:03 PM
Heranmar DMs James and Jon:
Please answer an email from me.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 Friday November 4th, 2022 5:36:30 PM
Isaac once back to normal size Isaac goes back to town with the others he does pour out his water skin and fills it back up with any holy water remaining.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Friday November 4th, 2022 5:42:26 PM "So Dao, you can't keep that bat tied up forever. What's your plan with that critter?"
DM Jon S Map Friday November 4th, 2022 8:07:23 PM
Dao releases the bat from its ropes, which causes it to wake up. It sleepily looks at the monk, and then its surroundings, and after Dao's benediction, it stretches its wings and lifts off back into the sky.
After a few more water bottles are refilled with holy water, the party makes their way back to town, with little to no difficulty ...
Though they haven't been gone that long, the party can tell from the way the townsfolk are acting that something has happened, as many are sporting their protective items, including things made of the dyed Woad.
The Inn is warm, and the smell of roast beef, root vegetables, sweet brown bread, and something cinnamony waft out as the door is opened.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Saturday November 5th, 2022 3:08:23 AM
Snark sees Dao come out without the big bat. Hands on his hips, he gives the monk a flat look. "You let it go, didn't you."
He lets the matter go though, and heads to town with the others. He casts Mount to summon a pony so he can better keep up with the others on the way back.
"Well, we got four waterskins full of holy water, we got a BIG bottle full of cure disease potions, and thanks to Dao, we have a displacer beast skin. So, that's something. Oh, and we got a map of, well, of somewhere in that abbey, I think. But right now, I'm hungry. And tired."
Snark is glad to get to the inn, where he found his supper waiting for him.
And it was still hot.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Saturday November 5th, 2022 3:18:34 AM
(Ooc: sorry for missed post!)
Onesimos tells the others what he suspects about the strange wall. ”As suspected, another barrier and we will need to collect another key. But its not a door, so it might look like anything.”. He watches Dao release the bat. ”Although I wouldn’t be surprised if it were a statuette of a bat or Ma’ab.”
Going to town, Benni is immediately on alert. ”Lets check our sources and meet at the Blue Cat Tavern. I’ll meet the old priest at the Sanctuary of the Sea. Can someone cover speaking with Akoka and the WLA?”
The elf goes to see his old liontaur friend at the Sanctuary to find out what’s going on.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Saturday November 5th, 2022 12:02:32 PM
Dao smiles and nods in answer to Snark. “If you want to know why, Benni can explain better than I.” “May I accompany you, Benni,” he asks the cleric.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Saturday November 5th, 2022 12:04:52 PM
Dao Would like to purchase a second water skin he can fill with drinking water.
DM Jon S Map Saturday November 5th, 2022 12:56:38 PM
OOC: IS there anything specific y'all want/need to accomplish in town so I can be ready for Monday's post ... and did anyone keep track of what "loot" y'all found, if not I can go back through my posts ... what will you do with the armor/tabards/weapons?
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Saturday November 5th, 2022 1:23:02 PM
In addition to buying a new waterskin, Dao would like to look into having the displacer beast pelt treated and fashioned into garments that could be worn by the party members. Please let me know how many such garments could be made. He would also like to buy 10 gp worth fresh fruits and vegetables. He would like to find people in the poor quarter who are struggling with starvation and bring them the fruits and vegetables. Those who can’t pay for their lodging, he will leave a total of 8 of his 10 10-gp tiger eyes, reserving 1 gem for himself. He would prefer to do this anonymously, leaving the food/gems when the families aren’t home. He will do this when apart from the other party members. If there is manual labor to be done, he will happily pitch in and help. He does this when not with the group. In game terms, this should not affect the game in any way. I don’t want him delaying the progress of the game and he should always be with the group during significant events and when there are decisions to be made and actions to be taken. Hey, you asked.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 d20+10=21 ; Sunday November 6th, 2022 9:08:43 AM
Isaac while very interested in the cinnamon smell decides to ask around the tavern about why everyone seems on edge. He also goes to the church and get some containers for the holy water.(water skins don't break when trown after all.)
Gather info with diplomacy:21
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Sunday November 6th, 2022 7:00:36 PM
Snark will also ask around about what's been going on.
"What's the buzz, tell me what's a happening, What's the buzz, tell me what's a happening..."
Snark will also ask around about any new wizards in town. If he cannot find access to a fireball spell, he will go buy one in the Catacombs. (There are some other spells he seeks as well.)
As for what party treasure we brought out of the Abbey, here's what I have:
1800 GP - 6 xArmor Set: Chain Mail, Helm, Shield, Tabard, Weapon (300 GP Each) 8250 GP - 11 x Potion, Remove Disease (750 GP Each) 400 GP - 16 x Holy Water (25 GP Each) ? GP - 1 x Glassteel bottle - 2 liter
Did I miss anything? Any of these items we want to keep?
OOC: The bottle's worth 500gp
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Sunday November 6th, 2022 8:09:33 PM
You didn’t list the displacer beast pelt. Dao wouldn’t mind a vial of holy water and a remove disease potion. He doesn’t have any interest in anything else, although using some party money to have the pelt turned into garments might be a good use of some of the money.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 d20-1=2 ; Sunday November 6th, 2022 10:19:21 PM
Corym will ask around for any information regarding his parents whereabouts, as he hasn't seen them in quite a while and is looking for a reunion. Gather info w/ diplo: 2 :(
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Monday November 7th, 2022 12:19:54 AM
Benni isn’t interested in gethering new equipment or goods at the moment. (Ooc: I can’t think of anything on the fly; will have to wait until next opportunity.)
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 Monday November 7th, 2022 7:08:59 AM
Teddy immediately notes the attitude in town and seeks to learn what happened. And also maybe to get a talisman to protect himself from whatever danger is around. Gore'Thum frowns disapprovingly at this but doesn't stop Teddy.
DM Jon S Map Monday November 7th, 2022 2:36:43 PM
Kind of a long one this morning....
Displacer Beast Hide: Could be made into a set of MW armor, either leather or hide armor ... or the choiceier pieces could be made into a hooded cloak and gloves
Benni makes plans to visit the Sanctuary of the Sea, and asks someone else to check in with Akoka and the WLA.
Dao makes a shopping list in his head of things he wants to buy and do, but asks to accompany Benni to visit the Temple.
Issac tries to gather information on “what’s up” while at the tavern and the church
Snark is looking forward to a hot meal as the party approaches the Blue Cat Tavern. And also pokes around trying to find out “What’s the Buzz?” Snark is also looking for any new wizards, and makes plans to go purchase a spell from the Catacombs if one isn’t found.
Corym asks around for information on his parent’s
Teddy and GoreThum can sense something is “off,” and Teddy decides a protective talisman might be a good idea, which GoreThum doesn’t approve of. Tae-Che
Benni and Dao wander to the Sanctuary. On the way Dao discusses helping out any poor or destitute folks in town. Benni explains that there aren’t that many but that the Sherriff might be a better person to ask. Once at the Sanctuary, Reshakka again is in a hushed conversation with Honora, both appear upset about their topic. When they realize they have an audience they cease their conversation.
Benni asks about what’s going on, and the answer, almost spoken in unison is “We Don’t Know.” Seeing the looks on Benni and Dao’s faces, Honora shakes her head, ”Something is interfering with magic, divine and arcane. We don’t know why. It’s just started in the last day or so. Neither of us understand why as the Crones are confused as well.”
OOC: For Dao, and anyone else interested: The native fruits of the Gateway Downs are the following: small purple plums, sloes, wild currants, brambles, raspberries, wood strawberries, cranberries, blackberries, red-berries, heather-berries, elder-berries, roan-berries, haws, holly-berries, hips, hazel-nuts, acorns, and beech-mast. Apples are non-native, but can be bought.
No one at the tavern seems willing to discuss what’s up, however, the “gist” is that someone or thing is messing with the magic of the region. The church also seems to be puzzled about the goings on as their magic is acting up as well. At the mention of empty vials/bottles, the church can offer a dozen older ones that have been cleansed, just not had a use yet.
Snark too is told that no one seems to know what the heck is happening with magic, there are mutters about “Dark Powers” and that the “Spirits of the Swamp are upset” but that’s all conjecture. No new wizards are in town, no one has seen Olostim for a week or more, so the Catacombs trip will be how Snark obtains what he needs.
Corym gets a few dark looks when he asks about his parents, but in the end, no one has seen them.
Teddy seeks out an amulet, or charm of some kind. After visiting a few of the people who would have one, he encounters an old woman standing under a tree admiring the blossoms., Withjout turning she says, ”You’re looking for protection aren’t you little one. I have something, made by your friend actually. It is yours if you wish.”Amulet"It is green bloodstone, which brings out courage and strength within its wearer, I’m sure she would be pleased for you to have it.” The lady won’t accept any money for this.
OOC: I said something to James about checking in with Levi. I’ll get him rolling once we get confirmation he is good to go
OOC2: The cinnamon smell is a large apple crisp, served with cold cream. Something to combat the cold, and whatever else is going on.
For Dao Highlight to display spoiler: {, While you and Benni are headed out to the sanctuary, and while you're there, you're fairly sure something has followed the two of you and is flying high above your heads }
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 d20+12=25 ; Monday November 7th, 2022 3:10:01 PM
“What form does the interference with magic take? What have you noticed?” Dao asks them.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Monday November 7th, 2022 3:56:02 PM
Onesimos introduces Dao to the old liontaur, Reshakka, and the human, Honora, and the small Sanctuary itself.
Within this square temple is a central area open to the sky on the top and to the north. Within are 5 identical alcoves. Most of these at any time are dedicated to one of the powers that are currently in favor, or perhaps currently feared. At the rear of the temple, under the open sky, is the Gift Wall, where one can place gifts and various items of superstition to the gods ‘in general.’ An inscription there says, “To the powers of past and future. May they be kind to us.”
Benni’s own patron, Flower goddess of Love, is conspicuously missing. ……
Benni thanks the two for the information and tells them of the Luck Makers’ own adventure in the Abbey, especially the ghostly bell-and-candle tender. Nothing more to do, he patiently waits for Dao, and then will lead the other elf to the Blue Cat Tavern.
”I noticed a … resistance… like it was hard to cast my Prayer spell when we were fighting the Giant Bats. I thought that was an Abbey effect, but perhaps not. We should compare notes with the others.”
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Monday November 7th, 2022 5:37:20 PM
Corym, dejected about the silence regarding his parents, simply relaxes in a few of the taverns he used to frequent. It was nice to be back in his old stomping grounds, regardless of his parents whereabouts. (he will also buy a new waterskin.)
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 Monday November 7th, 2022 6:37:08 PM
Isaac after returning to the inn buys a slice of pie and takes the vials up to his room. There he starts transferring the holy water from the water skin to the vials he will do this for the others as well if they come see him.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Monday November 7th, 2022 7:33:39 PM
Dao is delighted to meet the two and shakes their hands warmly. “Nice fellows,” he comments as he follows Benni back to the Blue Cat. At one point, he mumbles something that sounds like “…hard to know. Friend or foe? Whither we goest so doth he go…
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 7:17:05 AM
Teddy takes the amulet and puts it on after admiring it for a minute. "Which friend? I'm starting to have lots." he says before pausing. He'd never had more then one friend before, but things just sort of happened and now he has 7 he's willing to do scary things for and a bunch of townfolk he's gotten to know some. For all that his life has become more terrifying he's suddenly very grateful at what he has and will probably be all smiles all day.
He still wonders which one though so waits for an answer.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 8:05:31 AM
“Why was there no Flower of Love represented in the sanctuary?” Dao asks Benni on the way back.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Tuesday November 8th, 2022 12:41:51 PM
Onesimos smiles wryly. ”I seem to be the only worshipper of Flower in Heranmar, though there are those who are coming to appreciate the wisdom and parables I convey. And I won’t demand or set up a shrine on my own: force is the worst way to change someone’s beliefs or values. So I stay and help and talk. Maybe in a human generation or two they will accept. And I will still be a young man. As elves, we can afford longer strategies.”
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 1:03:16 PM
“I think most people believe in and appreciate love,” Dao replies. “It seems to me that they pray for it more often than pray to it, although I guess that amounts to the same thing. Everyone has love in one form or another. Unfortunately, one of the most prevalent forms it takes is self-love, which, ironically, is the source of all suffering. Whereas, the love for others, is the source of all virtue and happiness. Were people to come to this realization, you would have more converts than you could handle. Sadly, I’m not sure this is something that can be taught. It must be learnt through experience. I think the best you can do is continue to be a good example. Be happy and others will want to know your secret.” He looks about to say more and then stops himself. “And here we are,” he bows and gestures for Benni to proceed him inside the Blue Cat.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 2:50:07 PM
Once all the party is back at the Blue Cat Inn, Snark says,
"Yeah, sumpthin's weird with the magic around here. I kinda wonder if this place really is cursed and we all need amulets like Teddy there.
"Anyway, I'm going to the Catacombs to sell our stuff and get you folks some money. I need a couple scrolls and I wanna pick up a few Tanglefoot bags - they 're good for flying critters like those bats."
So, Snark is about to sell all the Holy Water, Cure Disease Potions, the armor sets, and the glassteel bottle, EXCEPT for the following:
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 3:19:22 PM
“Can they make this hide into light bending garments in the catacombs?” Dao asks. “If not, where should we take them?”
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 6:58:27 PM
The little gnome looks at the monk towering above him. He hops up on a table and claps the man on the back.
"Dao, the Catacombs typically doesn't make stuff for you so much as it buys and sells magic items it sources from across the Wold. You can bring in an item to have the enchantments increased, but all in all it's pretty much just standard stock magic items. I guess we can go ask them though.
"Another thought is you can make this into a cool souvenir." ________________
(For the DM - we were not given a value for the Displacer Beast hide, and I'm guessing this may be on purpose? I can appreciate that this makes a good start to a Cloak of Displacement and such, but the Catacombs does not really deal in discounted goods based on us having raw materials. Also, I don't think we can have locals make magic items for us, right? PCs need to handle all magic item transactions though the Catacombs. Does the DM want to take a different approach here?)
DM Jon S Map Tuesday November 8th, 2022 8:21:16 PM OOC: I'm not sure what the dollar figure on a displacer beast hide would be ... hmmm ... well according two two issues of Dragon Magazine, "Properly cured displacer beast pelts may be valued at between 500 and 1500 gp, varying considerably depending on condition." Figure on 1000gp for the hide as it can be used for several different magical items, makes sense to me.
Benni explains to Dao how limited worship is of Flower in this region, however, after the Luck Maker's being here so long, and helping Heranmar survive many things, perhaps some residents may be leaning towards seeking Benni out ... he does get respectful bows and nods from folks, and the children love his stories.
Teddy and GoreThum think for a few moments, and then remember Tae Che, their friend who enjoyed making bracelets and other pieces of jewelry ... she is perhaps still looking out for her diminutive friends
Issac took food to his room to relax and fill vials with Holy Water. Though hot, the apple crisp is very tasty - the interplay between the cinnamon, cloves, and other spices blend well with the cold and sweetened cream.
Snark, Benni, Teddy, and the others all pool what they've learned ... within the last week, higher level magics "feel" harder to cast, like something is preventing the magic from flowing correctly, and it is definitely impacting both divine and arcane magics.
Several fishermen who are eating and enjoying the warmth of the hearth appear to be muttering that something is out beyond the harbor, "grabbing folks off ships" - "Oh aye, me cousin said several smaller boats are missing" - "I hope this isn't Jack's wrath, I'm glad he's gone, but something is going on out there."
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Tuesday November 8th, 2022 8:46:54 PM
It is worth using up a 1,000 gp hide on some gloves and cloak of they offer no actual bonus beyond being a trophy?
Snark looks at the hide. "Huh. At 1,000 gold we oughta sell it."
(For the DM - Can we sell that hide locally for full price? Is the DM suggesting that if we make it into something, it is somehow magical? Also, will that 500 GP glassteel bottle sell locally for full price? Not sure if the Catacombs will buy these non-standard items, and if they did it would probably be for half price.)
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 d20-1=6 ; Tuesday November 8th, 2022 10:48:49 PM
Corym will take interest in the fishermen's tales, sitting with them and attempting to learn more about what is going on beyond the harbor. (Gather info = 6)
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 d20+10=30 ; Tuesday November 8th, 2022 11:50:57 PM
Isaac comes down after eating his pie and bottling the Holy water. He sits at the counter and tells the bartender " That pie was fantastic loved the cinnamon." As he overhears the sailors talking about people being pulled off ships he in a hushed town asked the bartender what sailors were talking about. Diplomacy: 30
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Wednesday November 9th, 2022 12:30:35 AM
Onesimos is interested in Dao’s opinion, and considers it carefully without accepting it. ”You are partly right, friend Dao, self-love has a negative, but also a positive, like many things. Good Philautia is self-esteem, which supports emotional resiliency, tolerance, forgiveness, and joy. Selfish Philautia can lead to narcissism or hubris, both which discount other people’s presence, thoughts, and feelings and promotes injustice, conflict, and enmity, like Marteus. Love of others is another aspect that is good but taken to extreme leads to hubris and righteousness. Good love may also be celebrated passionately, or in family, brotherly, playfully, or even with a shared purpose.”
“What I want to find out is what can we do about Hard Magic? If it is local, it is probably an object or creature and easier to find. But if it is covering all Gateway Downs or even beyond, it has planar or immortal origins.”
Benni takes a day of recovery, and then goes to Akoka and the Woldian League of Adventurers. The Luck Makers need to report this and research if it has happened before.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 Wednesday November 9th, 2022 7:27:20 AM
Gore'Thum also takes interest in the sailors tale and wonders if that should be the next adventure he drag's Teddy to. Teddy, guessing Gore'Thum's thoughts, makes his escuses and goes with Benni to the WLA to search for leads there and maybe avoid being dragged out to sea to be kidnapped. Probably not but he can hope right?
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Wednesday November 9th, 2022 8:38:43 AM
Benni was so close! He had his hand on the curtain and had but to pull it aside. The thought of giving him a tiny hint appeared but Dao immediately dismissed it. That had never worked out in the past. He had only just gotten here. He didn’t see the wisdom of being branded a lunatic and run out of town just yet. When it was Benni’s karma to know, he would know and until that time, nothing in the universe could make it happen. He looked at the cleric with genuine affection. Here was a good person doing good things. Living a meaningful life. He was happy for him. For all of them. They were helping. Making things better. He was happy to be with them. “Thank you for the gifts of your wisdom and friendship. I am grateful for you.”
The magic was disrupted. Some were digging into the mystery while others were planning to investigate the missing boats. We’re they connected? He cleared his mind and ate his meal slowly, his entire focus on the food and drink. When finished, he asks the others where he might find the sheriff. He hasn’t seen much suffering in town, but perhaps there was some way he could help. When night falls, he will open the window to his room to the night and gaze without. Perhaps he would be blessed with a visitor.
Misc Items Wednesday November 9th, 2022 11:57:55 AM
DM James: My thoughts are that unless the item has local value you'd need to sell it through a middleman for half it's true value. Merchants arrive the 1st of every month on Nymph Day, as do ships travelling to and from Hook City. I'm sure there are people in the town that would be your proxy if you weren't there to meet with the merchant. I also think that if a PC was going to craft an item himself, or planned to, having the components would be handy. The only exceptions I'm aware of is if the crafting requires specialized knowledge. For instance crafting armor from Sargrass can only happen in the Sargrass by a qualified artisan.
Last thing..A skilled person has to collect the component. In the case of the hide I'd think a DC 15 Survival Check would ensure a suitable piece of hide was recovered.
Of course DM Jon has the final say at this time.
DM Jon S Map Wednesday November 9th, 2022 1:14:14 PM
The DB hide - Dao rolled rather skillfully to remove the skin ... in my head I imagined it looking like a bear skin rug ... having someone rub salt into the underside and stretch it would keep it from seizing up and ruining the hide ... with the amount of hunters in the area, one of them would know how to do this, if no one in the party has leatherworking skills ... heck even just turning it into a rug would give someone a reputation boost - especially if small white lies were used to enhance how they got it ...
If Snark wanted to find someone in town to act as a negotiator he could find someone, the other person to check with might be Mojo, or his sons if they happen to be in town.
Issac and Corym try to find out more about the recent events...Corym get's glares and mutters, Issac on the other hand catches the barkeep in a talkative mood, "Ah laddie. Well, we've a rough life here, with the swamps and other beasties; someone or something is messing with the fisherman and their boats. As it's happening outside the docks, it's not the Devil. Sailors are saying they see people in the water, but what kind of people live in the water ... 'cepting elves, I heard sea elf maidens are quite fair to gaze upon..." That's when he looks off into space, and Issac can guess at what he's thinking about
Benni and Teddy head to Akoka and the WLA ... they find the place in the same state it was last time. Akoka seems to be looking for something as they two enter. She turns to look at them, "Hello dears, what can I help you with?"
Dao asks to talk to the Sherriff. Whip actually stops by for a quick meal and sits to talk with Dao, "Hello , Dao is it. I saw you come off a ship not to long ago. The Luck Maker's seem to have taken you in, thet're a bright bunch, and have helped us out a lot. Now, what did you want to see me about?"
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Wednesday November 9th, 2022 3:15:45 PM
OOC: Dao rises and offers his strong, heavily-callused hand to shake. “We’ll met, Sheriff. Yes I’m Dao. I was just going up for a cider. Would you mind joining me at the bar?” If Whip accompanies him: “I’m expecting to come into a little money soon and I would like to put it where it will do the most good,” he quietly tells the sheriff. “As you said, I’m new in town. I was hoping you could help direct me to any folks who might be struggling with hunger or paying rent. I’d like to help out anonymously, which is the real reason I dragged you over here. I was hoping this could be our little secret.”
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Wednesday November 9th, 2022 6:09:39 PM
Corym, realizing this town has grown and moved past him, decides to do his favorite activity: holing himself up in a library and just reading. Mostly arcane in nature, but he also reads about the history of Heranmar and what has happened in the time since he has left.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 Wednesday November 9th, 2022 11:30:05 PM
Isaac thinks long and hard but the creatures that come from the sea usually are those best not seen in the light. He thanks the barkeep and hands him two gold for the information. It was good to keep the barkeeps on your side. Isaac see's the monk Dao and the sheriff coming over and gives them a smile and wave. He tells the group privately what he found out. Something has been attack fishermen and that's why everyone in town is so scared apparently some sort of humanoid if what the barkeep said is anything to go off.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 22/39 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16/39 AC 12/12/11 Thursday November 10th, 2022 7:54:35 AM "Something's going on with magic and we wondered if the WLA records might provide any clues." Teddy explains. "If you've heard anything that would be helpful to, no one seems to want to talk about it."
Talinyl (Levi S) HP 46/46 AC20/T15/F15 CMD20 Thursday November 10th, 2022 1:33:05 PM
Talinyl, exhausted from a long trek into town, decided that he would treat himself with the local cuisine before reporting in with the WLA for something to do. Having spent some time sampling the roast beef and the apple crisp, he sits by himself for some time and just enjoys being off his feet. Once the food settled and his sense of duty set back in, Talinyl realizes that he should get to work. Heading over to the WLA he enters right about when Teddy says about "something going on with magic". His slightly-pointed ears perk up at this, and he clumsily inserts himself into the conversation.
"Something's wrong with magic around here, you say?" Talinyl asks Teddy rhetorically. Turning to face Akoka, he gives a slight bow. "I am Talinyl, a WLA member just in from Hook City. I've only just arrived here in town, but I've come looking for work. Hopefully related to whatever this fellow here is talking about."
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Thursday November 10th, 2022 6:41:54 PM
Snark listens to what Isaac has to say. "Hmmm. Fisherfolk got trouble and the magic's off in town. Trouble a brewin'. Best keep our eyes open, eh? I'ma go see what I can do about gettin' us some operating funds."
Snark offers to take Dao with him to meet Mojo and to see the Catacombs location in Heranmar. And he's happy to bring Benni, Isaac and Corym along if they like.
He will head out of the tavern and go visit Mojo Filter to see if the man can help the Luck Makers sell this hide and the glassteel bottle. He knows the man will take a cut of the sale, but hopes the Luck Makers prior help might get them a little better deal than from some stranger. He'll say he knows the displacer beast hide is worth about 1,000 gp and the large glassteel bottle is worth about 500 gp.
After this he will make a trip to the Catacombs to sell the armor, the remaining holy water and the rest of the Remove Disease potions.
If the WLA HQ is on the way to the Catacombs, the gnome wizard will stop on to say hi. If Dao, Benni and Corym came with him, this may land all of us at the WLA.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Thursday November 10th, 2022 7:51:30 PM
Dao will gladly accompany Snark and whoever else accompanies them.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Thursday November 10th, 2022 7:52:33 PM
Corym accompanied Snark, attempting to make small talk with him (and potentially anyone else who tagged along). Admiring the WLA HQ, he exclaims "I don't believe I've been here before, but it sure is nice."
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 53/53 AC21/ T13 / FF 19 Thursday November 10th, 2022 9:22:54 PM
"I should stay behind for now Snark. I wanted to see if I can get some more info about what is causing this disturbance I'm gonna go see if I can get one of the sailors to get a bit more info. I'll see if Jim Terrance is in town. He may have seen something."
OoC: should I roll to see if he's in town or the DM?
DM Jon S Map Thursday November 10th, 2022 9:54:18 PM
OOC: I'll make a proper post tomorrow - both of my parents are having medical issues and I'm not sure what's up ... doesn't help that one is in California, the bonus is my Mom is 15 mins from me but in an ALF, and that's who just called me
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Friday November 11th, 2022 8:17:20 AM
Dao will gladly accompany Snark and whoever else accompanies them.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18. CMD16. HP 20/ 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Friday November 11th, 2022 11:47:55 AM
Onesimos looks up from his cleaning at the WLA and comes over to join the conversation. His pale and narrow face is framed by long brown hair untidily bound with a fragile-appearing diadem. The elf is in simple clothes with elaborate embroidery and counter-stitching in a wild flower motif, but most is covered by his armor and a sleeveless calf-length coat. Summer sky eyes watch without weighing, and a woven ivy and willow design in High Woldian is on a woven band around his neck. His WLA pin is prominent. A peaceful tenor chimes, “Welcome to Heranmar! I am Onesimos Elpis, though less formally, call me ‘Benni’.”
“We are a part of a team that’s been solving mysteries, protecting the community, and things like that. Right now, Teddy and I are trying to tidy the WLA booth so we can start researching if there are any past stories of ‘difficult magic’.”. He sends a fond look at Akoka who has never been able to keep the booth looking less than a complete wreck.
DM Jon S Map d100=82 ; d3=3 ; d100=29 ; Friday November 11th, 2022 1:42:36 PM
While people are deciding on their actions, Dao meets Sherriff Whip and has a side conversation with him...Highlight to display spoiler: { You tell Whip what's up. He nods and smiles, "That's awfully nice young man. We have a few folks, mostly older, although there is a brother and sister who've lost their parents that need help. You get the money to me, and I'll make sure it goes where it needs to be, no questions asked. By the way, I'm looking for some "fill-in" deputies, if you want to talk about that, come see me later at my office."}
As Benni and Teddy enter the WLA Office and greet Akoka, an elf enters, looking around. This is not someone the two Luck Maker's have met before. Teddy asks Akoka "Something's going on with magic and we wondered if the WLA records might provide any clues."
At that statement, and before Akoka can answer, the elf speaks up, "I am Talinyl, a WLA member just in from Hook City. I've only just arrived here in town, but I've come looking for work. Something's wrong with magic around here, you say?"
Benni then added “We are a part of a team that’s been solving mysteries, protecting the community, and things like that. Right now, Teddy and I are trying to tidy the WLA booth so we can start researching if there are any past stories of ‘difficult magic’."
Looking around the WLA Office, it appears that several wars have taken place, due to the amount of papers, dust, spider webbing, and general disarray present.
Akoka had looked surprised when Benni and Teddy entered, she completely appears flustered as another adventurer enters her 'domain', but takes everything in stride, "Difficult Magic, hmmm, not that I've heard of, but then, I've been cleaning. A history of magical issues, hmmm, well, there was problems when that Bell was rung, but outside of that, nothing I can remember. The history section would be over there ( points to a cluttered bookcase holding a collection of older books, and knick knacks), you are welcome to look for information."
*************************************************************************** Snark, Dao (after his convo), and Corym all head for Mojo's house. Although not "super" happy to see the group, he does look at the two items, he flicks the bottle and smiles as it sounds like steel and not glass, "I'll give you 1250 gold for the two. I know someone who might take them off my hands, but he's out on an extended fishing trip ... looking for some white whale or some nonsense." Highlight to display spoiler: { Mojo is very firm on the figure - but will add another 100 gold if the party agrees to come to him with future finds from the Abbey that they want to sell }
Once done, the trio head for the Catacombs via the WLA office. As they arrive, they find Teddy and Benni in a conversation with Akoka, and an unknown elven adventurer.
Issac goes looking for Jim Terrance. After asking around, it is determined that the Triple Tail isn't due back to Heranmar for a few more days. However, the gossipy person Issac asks, "So what have the 'Makers been up to, that Abbey is a cursed place. If you're playing around in there, you better go get clensed by the Temple...
OOC: I think I got everything caught up
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC17 T13 F10, CMD 12, HP 34/34 Friday November 11th, 2022 6:02:16 PM
Snark will introduce Dao and Corym to Master Mojo Filter as kind of a big deal businessman here in town.
(Unless any of our party has any objections), Snark is glad to unload those the Displacer Beast pelt and the glassteel bottle for 1,250. "Sold! Thanks pal. I'm gonna have to pass right now on committing to bringing everything from the abbey to you, but it's very likely we will. I just don't want to take your retainer when I can't predict the future.
"Say, we did bring back these six sets of armor - chainmail, shield, helmet, and mace. The metal is treated with some dwarvish thing that makes 'em rust resistant. Oh, and they all have this fancy tabard with a bell on it. 'Cause, you know, the Chaos Bell I guess. Anywho, if'n you're interested, I can sell them to you. I figure each set is worth 300 gp. What'll you give me?"
Whatever the answer, Snark will then go with Dao and Corym to the WLA.
At the WLA, Snark looks around. He says as an aside to the new elf, "Boy, I sure hope you're here to get this place straightened out. I mean, Akoka's doing a swell job holding down the WLA fort here, but organization is just not her thing. Beggin' yer pardon Mistress Akoka."
After this he will go to the Catacombs, which should wrap everything up.
Dao (Art P) HP 24/24, AC 19/15, CMB 8, CMD 22 Friday November 11th, 2022 10:51:39 PM
“I am Dao,” the tall, lean and oh-so-bald half-elven monk introduces himself to mistress Akoka and the stranger with a broad smile of good-natured greeting. His lustrous brown eyes sparkle with mirth and a touch of knowing amusement, as if they all shared a secret. “We’ll met.” Later, when Snark visits the catacombs, Dao accompanies him.
Corym Morhice (Ben V) AC20 T15 F16 CMD20, HP 32/32 Friday November 11th, 2022 11:30:09 PM
Corym stays at the WLA, talking to whoever is the "front desk" person is, learning a bit more about the organization and what the whole deal is. Wherever the party goes afterwards, he will follow.
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