The Shallow Culverwood ... the Plot Thickens ... or Rather, DIMS! (DM Cayzle) Saturday November 12th, 2022 7:46:58 AM
Grindar casts his spell, and certainly SOME information comes his way:
(1) Animals ... he senses that at least some animals are magically adapting to less light, mostly with better vision or other senses.
(2) Plants ... he senses that leaves are getting darker, the better to absorb as much light as possible. There seems to be more mushrooms and fungi, too.
(3) These changes are really very minimal and subtle. You would not have picked up on them except for the spell. But the direction of change is clear ... slow adaptation. But he does not get a sense of whether the Culverwood Itself approves or disapproves.
Trellus - MikeK - (AC22 T14 F18, CMD 40, HP (176/176) Saturday November 12th, 2022 11:33:58 AM
Trellus sighs.
"I'm totally off the loom here, dudes. Does anybody know if we should try to stop what's happening, or everything's shady...pun intended."
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Saturday November 12th, 2022 12:02:26 PM "My spell has informed me that the flora and fauna are magically adapting, and it will certainly be a healthy environment for them. However, I'm not sure whether the Culverwood itself approves of the changes. Does anyone have the ability to communicate with the Culverwood, or at the least communicate with some power who can?"
Elyngael (Lynnette D) AC: currently 28 T:17, FF:22, CMD 39, HP 185/197 Saturday November 12th, 2022 3:42:26 PM
Elyngael takes out her bag of holding and returns everyone's armor. She puts her own armor back on as well. "Well my friends at this point I think I will be parting ways with you. I think it's time to return to my family and help with the guarding of the wagons." She gets on Brawn and they trot away.
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Saturday November 12th, 2022 6:17:02 PM "Fare-thee-well friend Elyngael. Many shadows to you on your journey!"
Armand (Robert D)AC 26/ t 12/ f 24 HP 137/149n CMD 30 Air Walk 10ft high Character Sheet Sunday November 13th, 2022 2:47:58 PM
Armand dons his armor. He pauses in contemplation. "My friends I think I shall be leaving you as well. Much water has run under the bridge and most of the Wardens that I began my journey with have gone on to other things as well. Gargul keep you safe."
He casts Ethereal Jaunt and disappears.
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Sunday November 13th, 2022 3:59:17 PM
Grindar is about to respond to Armand, but he disappears before he has a chance. "Many shadows to you as well friend Armand!", he says to the blank space the cleric once stood. Turning to the rest of his friends he says, "This is a sad day. I pray they find what they seek, and who knows, maybe one day the great loom will weave them back to us."
CDM Jerry [OOC post] Sunday November 13th, 2022 10:27:17 PM
Hey players! We lost two players this weekend Lynnette and Robert. So I've sent you an email as we're down to two players who are not the 2nd PCs of DMs. Read, ponder, and reply to me. In fact, please reply that you've read it even if you want a couple of days to think.
'Osul (Graham) AC:26 (T:21, FF:25), CMD:30, ST:(F18/R14/W29 + RNL), HP:115/115, Wildshape(XX):Unlimited, Hero Pts:3/18 Monday November 14th, 2022 4:27:29 AM "Fare..." He looks to Trellus, Grindar and Cotton. "I need to see this righted. I cannot leave The Wood - not like this!" "Any thoughts on the ritual?"
Moridark (Wade) AC: 25 T: 16 F: 21 R: 14 F: 12 W: 23 HPS: 58/134 CMD: 28 Phantom Steed (Extended) d20+32=37 ; d20+32=49 ; d20+32=44 ; d20+38=50 ; Monday November 14th, 2022 11:12:00 AM
Moridark waves to Armand and Elyngael as they depart, a biting sadness in his heart written on his face. The orc throws is hood over his face as the tears stream quietly down his cheeks. Moridark chokes a bit and then turns to the others, "We should probably get back to the task at hand." The mage looks out into the forest and begins to note the changes and what they might mean, (Arcana 37, Nature 49, Planes 50, Religion 44)
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Monday November 14th, 2022 1:51:30 PM "It seems to me that we would do well to somehow communicate with the Culverwood itself, or at least someone who can. If the Culverwood likes the change, who are we to try to undo it? On the hand, if the forest isn't keen on the current weave, we need to do whatever we can to make it right. I don't have it prepared, but we could head back to the Tree, get a good nights sleep, and than either you, friend Osul, I, or both of us can prepare Speak with Plants in the morning, and try to chat with Deeproot. He has a connection with the forest, mayhaps he may be able to let us know which strands we should weave next."
"Or I can Speak with Animals right now, or Commune with Nature right now, or Speak with Plants right now (though that at some small cost). I can do all these things, but when it comes to communication, it has been long since my meditations were a two way communication, not counting the gifts The Wood bestows upon me. But, for a hour at dawn I will as ever be receptive to the will of The Wood, and I will have shared in my meditations what has happened this last day."
"Still, my warning dream has not yet come to pass -- I am physically whole and not torn assunder by the battling plants."
"In the morning I was figuring to find the location of the entmoot, if The Wood will permit it. It would be of significance to The Wood, and so a Find the Path so bestowed would have the best chance. We've not been there before. We just have the painting."
'Osul casts Commune with Nature, and will accept and share what The Wood provides him by way of information.
After the spell concludes and he shares, 'Osul takes a few moments to reassess their position. {Perception: 47, Survival: 66+Forest Walking, Arcana: 36, Nature: 54+Forest Walking}
The Shallow Culverwood ... the Plot Thickens ... or Rather, DIMS! (DM Cayzle) Tuesday November 15th, 2022 11:00:05 AM
Elyngael and Armand ponder the situation and decide that the time is right to leave the party. Grindar, Trellus, 'Osul, and Moridark offer their farewells, sad to see their friends depart. But ever is it so in the lives of heroes, for karma weaves as it wills, and perhaps fate will bring your strands back together some day,
As for the dilemma facing the four who remain ...
Trellus is not sure what to make of the gloom, and asks his friends for advice.
Grindar suggests finding some way to contact the spirit of the Culverwood directly.
'Osul seems to ponder a parting as well for a moment, but then resolves that it is not yet time to go. Is he thinking about a return to the Dark, Deep Culverwood? "Any thoughts on the ritual?" he asks ... meaning the ritual you all used to go Deeper? Or the ritual used by the Dark Druids to dim the forest?
Moridark sets his razor-sharp mind to the issue at hand. He recalls the odd mention of some immortal power that has allied itself with the Culverwood ... a power of darkness? From where? It occurs to him [thanks to that Knowledge (Planes) check of 50!] that the Valleys of Twilight, ruled by Queen Maab, include factors of darkness, fey magic, nature, and things left over from other ages of the Wold ...
Grindar suggests communing with the tree spirit who has guided you in the past.
'Osul wishes to commune with the spirit of the Culverwood by direct means. Still, it is a rare thing that a god will communicate directly with a mortal, even with a major priest, without the intervention of major divination magic. But on a positive note, the druid considers the alternatives: "Still, my warning dream has not yet come to pass -- I am physically whole and not torn assunder by the battling plants."
The Druid also considers a Find the Path to locate those who might know better. He also ponders the lore of the forest, and he deduces that a change has been made to spread darkness, that it probably does not cover more than a small area of the Culverwood yet, and that it certainly seems likely to expand if it can.
Perhaps a battle between light and dark is the war of trees that he has seen in his vision?
[OOC: I gave the result of a general Commune with Nature last post.]
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Tuesday November 15th, 2022 1:53:39 PM "I'm open to any suggestions, as I really don't know what to do next. Do we make a trip to the Valleys of Twilight, in hopes of seeking an audience with Queen Maab, and if so how do we get there? Are you able to cast Plane Shift friend Moridark? Or do we try to find the Entmoot? Or do we try to return to the deeper levels and find that pack of deceivers and force them to fix what they broke? Are there any options I'm missing?"
Trellus - MikeK - (AC22 T14 F18, CMD 40, HP (176/176) Tuesday November 15th, 2022 2:28:00 PM
Trellus makes a face. The entire situation reminds him of the city's monks from his childhood. They never gave a straight answer either.
"I guess Queen Maab sounds best," he opines.
Moridark (Wade) AC: 25 T: 16 F: 21 R: 14 F: 12 W: 23 HPS: 58/134 CMD: 28 Phantom Steed (Extended) Tuesday November 15th, 2022 8:54:42 PM
Moridark relays the information he gleaned from his studies to the others. "I cannot cast planeshift but I can teleport us wherever we may need to go. Although it does sound like Maab is the first solid clue we've had. "
'Osul (Graham) AC:26 (T:21, FF:25), CMD:30, ST:(F18/R14/W29 + RNL), HP:115/115, Wildshape(XX):Unlimited, Hero Pts:3/18 Wednesday November 16th, 2022 6:37:25 AM "Count me in! Queen Maab it is. We can always delve deeper here again."
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Wednesday November 16th, 2022 1:53:45 PM "I'm all for going to see Maab, but how do we get from this plane to another? I'm not sure a normal teleport will do the job, but I'm no expert on such things."
The Shallow Culverwood ... the Plot Thickens ... or Rather, DIMS! (DM Cayzle) Wednesday November 16th, 2022 4:35:46 PM
You have discussed several options. Communicating somehow with the actual Culverwood. Talking with the great tree Deeproot. Seeking out the Entmoot. Visiting Queen Maab.
This last one seems like the best to you, but with Armand gone, who will cast the Gate spell you need? Other spells will do -- Plane Shift, Shadow Walk, etc. Have you a way?
Honestly, with only four of you remaining, have you thought about getting advice or assistance, some way or another, to help?
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Thursday November 17th, 2022 12:18:32 PM "I just had an idea. As I've mentioned in the past, I used to roam the Culverwood with the pack from Freedom Point. Maybe we should go chat with them, and ask them for some assistance. With just the four of us, we could use the help, and besides, as they live here, in the Culverwood, they are certainly going to be impacted by this, and deserve a heads up."
'Osul (Graham) AC:26 (T:21, FF:25), CMD:30, ST:(F18/R14/W29 + RNL), HP:115/115, Wildshape(XX):Unlimited, Hero Pts:3/18 Thursday November 17th, 2022 3:41:50 PM "I can get us anywhere on Yrth with similar trees... such as the Druid Quarter in Plateau City. That will give us access to the headquarters of the WLA and well stocked shops and services."
Trellus - MikeK - (AC22 T14 F18, CMD 40, HP (176/176) Thursday November 17th, 2022 4:23:47 PM
"I can cast Plane Shift, at least I will be able to tomorrow," Trellus notes.
"But, I'm with Grindar. Having a talk with a local adventuring group seems like a reasonable plan."
Moridark (Wade) AC: 25 T: 16 F: 21 R: 14 F: 12 W: 23 HPS: 58/134 CMD: 28 Phantom Steed (Extended) Thursday November 17th, 2022 10:39:16 PM
Moridark shrugs , ”If it takes either of those then we have to rely on you. I can give it s a safe place to stay for the night with the mansion spell and we can be off at dawn.”
The Road to the Emerald Kingdom (DM Cayzle) Thursday November 17th, 2022 10:42:59 PM
Grindar recalls a group of heroes he was once part of, and since they too are based near the Culverwood, suggests paying them a visit. It would not be hard to teleport over ... or really, just walk. It's not more than a hundred miles away or so, and four or five days would get you there.
Grindar recalls that you will have to travel through Karri, the capital city of the Emerald Kingdom, so any shopping or training you would like to do can be handled there. That should satisfy 'Osul's needs.
Trellus can cast Plane Shift, but agrees that a visit to the Culverwood group would be a better path.
Moridark casts his Mansion spell for the night, and in the morning you are off.
A half a day's walk brings you to the southern edge of the Culverwood, and the road is before. Looking south, the way back home to the Tree of Parting is to the left. And the way to the Emerald Kingdom is to the right.
Trellus - MikeK - (AC22 T14 F18, CMD 40, HP (176/176) Friday November 18th, 2022 2:56:32 PM
Trellus indicates the road into the Culverwood, and waits for Grindar to lead the way.
The Road to the Emerald Kingdom (DM Cayzle) Friday November 18th, 2022 11:24:15 PM
The road leads you west, and as you travel, you see that the Culverwood, to your right as you walk, is indeed dimmer than it used to be. The shadows are deeper. The leaves are darker. Not everywhere, not uniformly, but it is a trend.
On the left, the rolling hills of Izen rise before you.
As you arrive at the border of the Emerald Kingdom, you pass a small fort, Fort Peace. Beyond that is the town of Waypoint, an important trading partner with the Tree of Parting. You cross a tall bridge and then travel north toward Karri, the Emerald City. It is evening when you are about a quarter of the way to Karri. It is easy to find an inn, and the innkeeper invites you to join in the fun in the Common Room.
Moridark (Wade) AC: 25 T: 16 F: 21 R: 14 F: 12 W: 23 HPS: 58/134 CMD: 28 Phantom Steed (Extended) Friday November 18th, 2022 11:30:28 PM
Moridark shrugs , ”If it takes either of those then we have to rely on you. I can give it s a safe place to stay for the night with the mansion spell and we can be off at dawn.”
Moridark (Wade) AC: 25 T: 16 F: 21 R: 14 F: 12 W: 23 HPS: 58/134 CMD: 28 Phantom Steed (Extended) Friday November 18th, 2022 11:32:46 PM
Moridark pays for a room with as few words as he can politely get away with. The mage bids good night to his remaining friends and stays away from the festivities in the common room.
Huge Air Elemental-'Osul (Graham) AC:31 (T:22, FF:27), CMD:37, ST:(F18/R17/W29 + RNL), HP:115/115, Wildshape(XX):Unlimited, Hero Pts:3/18 - Darkvision 60', Fly 120' (Perfect), DR 5/-, Whirlwind, and Im Friday November 18th, 2022 11:46:24 PM
'Osul sees that Transport via Plants is not required, and settles in for a good night's rest, prior to last watch, and the end of that being his meditation. He recounts in his mind the actions of the previous day before seeking renewed gift (spells - to be adjusted). Once they reach the road, and final directions are chosen and taken, 'Osul takes on overwatch in Huge Air Elemental Form (large size and 100' up).
He knew the road, but he recalls the party avoiding The Emerald Kingdom, for reasons he no longer recalls.
Huge Air Elemental-'Osul (Graham) AC:31 (T:22, FF:27), CMD:37, ST:(F18/R17/W29 + RNL), HP:115/115, Wildshape(XX):Unlimited, Hero Pts:3/18 - Darkvision 60', Fly 120' (Perfect), DR 5/-, Whirlwind, and Im Saturday November 19th, 2022 12:06:42 AM ...after returning Faelyn to family in Anti after finishing up in The House that Crazy Built (2016)
'Osul reverts to human form on the road as they near Fort Peace, and enjoys stretching his legs the rest of the way. In so much as he can as the darkening of The Wood continues to weigh on his mind. It would have to be incredible fun to lift his mood, but he chances it.
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Monday November 21st, 2022 11:25:44 AM
Grindar is quick to join in the evening activates at the inn. Being this close to where he once called home, the ranger is actually a little excited. He understands the urgency of their trip, but at the same time, he looks forward to seeing some of his old friends.
Trellus - MikeK - (AC22 T14 F18, CMD 40, HP (176/176) Monday November 21st, 2022 12:13:39 PM
Trellus accompanies Grindar, curious to see more of the people of this land.
Once the group retires, he takes first watch,
Moridark (Wade) AC: 25 T: 16 F: 21 R: 14 F: 12 W: 23 HPS: 58/134 CMD: 28 Phantom Steed (Extended) Monday November 21st, 2022 8:31:28 PM
Moridark pays for a room with as few words as he can politely get away with. The mage bids good night to his remaining friends and stays away from the festivities in the common room.
Welcome to Karri (DM Cayzle) Monday November 21st, 2022 11:41:37 PM
The morning sees you on the road again, and by midday you have reached Karri, the Emerald City. When Parnoth the Green Dragon conquered this land, he ruled from this city, enslaving all elves and encouraging other races to immigrate. But now the Tyrant is dead -- killed by true heroes of the Wold -- and the nation is ruled by a Council of the Wise.
This is a true city, and it's origins as an elvish realm are obvious, from the many trees to the delicate and tall elvish architecture.
Any shopping, crafting, training, and so forth is available here. A WLA branch, a door to the Catacombs, a tower of the Star Mages.
You find the town abuzz with news of Grindar's old friends from Freedom's Landing. Evidently they recently squashed the local Thieves' Guild and exposed some corruption on the ruling Council. They come into town every once in a while to buy supplies for their new town, to the west on the river.
"They were here just before winter" one merchant tells Grindar. "They were here buying supplies."
It is now getting close to spring.
Activities worth taking a little time in the city? Or heading out west to the frontier?
Huge Air Elemental-'Osul (Graham) AC:31 (T:22, FF:27), CMD:37, ST:(F18/R17/W29 + RNL), HP:115/115, Wildshape(XX):Unlimited, Hero Pts:3/18 - Darkvision 60', Fly 120' (Perfect), DR 5/-, Whirlwind, and Im Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 6:01:21 AM
last watch, dawn, meditate, breakfast, get sorted, go west Keep an ear to the ground and a eye on the foliage.
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 12:16:39 PM "I'm ready to head to Freedom's Landing right away, but if anyone needs to take care of any business, I have no problem sticking around a bit."
Trellus - MikeK - (AC22 T14 F18, CMD 40, HP (176/176) Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 2:11:12 PM
Trellus chuckles and shakes his head.
"This is all new to me, friend Grindar. Let us continue."
Moridark (Wade) AC: 25 T: 16 F: 21 R: 14 F: 12 W: 23 HPS: 58/134 CMD: 28 Phantom Steed (Extended) Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 10:04:24 PM
Moridark looks over the city and feels the yearning for a good meal, bath , and comfortable bed. However, the mage quickly agrees with his friends that he T is time to press on.
Welcome to Karri (DM Cayzle) Wednesday November 23rd, 2022 6:22:53 AM
A good meal, a hot bath, and a soft bed. Those are not hard to find in Karri, and the team does not stay long for sightseeing.
In the morning, it is not hard to find a boat owner willing to sail you upriver. In fact, she recognizes Grindar.
"I know you," the sturdy barge-operator says. "You hung with the heroes upriver, didn't you?"
The half-elf woman looks Grindar up and down. And her eye turns to the rest of you. "Fellow adventurers, I take it? Well, you're all in good company. I was headed upriver anyway, and for the likes of you, the ride is free. Welcome aboard!"
The trip to Freedom's Landing is not long, and although the Emerald Kingdom is made of "Tamed Lands" -- that is, outside the domain of the Culverwood proper, nonetheless you sense, as you travel, that you are approaching the Culverwood you recently left. You leave behind cultivated farmlands and meadows, and there are more stands of trees and larger copses. Soon it is forest. Not yet the Culverwood, but close.
Moving upriver, to the west, you arrive at a small new dock on the southern bank. The river has narrowed here. The settlement, which was just a few longhouses and tents when Grindar left, has grown. There are five longhouses now, and a small villge of huts and a few more buildings has sprung up aroundabouts. There's a small cottage up in a tree. The huts seem sturdy, warm, and new -- probably made just in time to weather the winter just passed. There is a slender bridge spanning the river.
You dock and debark at Freedom's Landing. Really, it does not look like all that much. A new place, newly settled. And why are there orcs walking the streets? Grindar knows that the town was settled by former slaves and orc women from a tribe in the south, and those female orcs are villagers now.
And you see a group of what can only be adventurers too, but of course Grindar sees familiar faces.
OOC: Feel free to post here today if you like, and ALSO to post on the Culverwood Game Board after I make my DM Post there later on today, especially if your post contains anything that the Culverwood players should see. I will be posting summaries here as well for the record, but the action will take place there starting this evening.
Grindar, Son of Grindor (Jeremy) AC 29(35)/18/25(32) CMD 40 144/144HP Cotton AC 34/14/30 CMD 35 126/126 HP Wednesday November 23rd, 2022 8:16:36 PM
Grindar answers the half-elf, "I've been away for some time, but yes, I used to call Freedom's Landing home. We are on our way their to talk to my former friends. There is trouble in the Culverwood and we need their help, as you can see, there is but 4 of us, and thier numbers should help turn the tide."
Freedom's Landing (DM Cayzle) Wednesday November 23rd, 2022 9:46:03 PM
At this point, play continued on the Culverwood Game Page.
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