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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