Dapple (Kathy) Tuesday June 13th, 2023 1:24:13 PM
Dapple can be of little help assisting Delilah to another tree, so she scampers along behind the group like somebody's overlooked pet.
However, she can be of some assistance once the group reaches the tree. She gives Delilah a Bit of Luck to help with the Will save.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 10/14 (1 is nonlethal) Tuesday June 13th, 2023 2:16:39 PM
Yofiel agrees that the dryad needs to return to her tree - or to find another. Yet, first, let her pay her respects to the father of her daughter.
She thinks about the notion of exhuming Gaston's remains and burying them near the roots of Delilah's tree, though she does not say so out loud yet.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 d20+5=15 ; d20+6=23 ; d20+6=21 ; Tuesday June 13th, 2023 7:22:14 PM
Grim has been in the surrounding forest quite a bit, looking for sap glue trees and poles for gremlins, so he volunteers to find a suitable tree for her to bind to.
"My Shaman did not foresee me going tree hunting for a dryad, but here I go. I'll search for an old tree that she can bind to. Maybe being close to us she will be more friendly."
DM Mitch House Combat Map Tuesday June 13th, 2023 8:48:20 PM Ezekiel says Tree Lady ahoy and suggests she is land-seasick and asks if anyone has any licorice root R.J. is finally recovered from his dealings with the poison and is less than thrilled about this. He hasn’t arranged payment from the last weird mission and this new one seems pretty strange to him. Yofiel rushes to the dryad’s side and offers to take her to Gaston’s memorial before asking some questions. Dapple points out that Delilah has been without her tree too long and asks if another will do Grim is at a loss for what to do as they had been traveling for a day when they reached the grove last time. He says if they knew what kind of tree she had that could help because if they found one similar it could work. Yofiel asks if the Dryad’s tree is well and leads the way to the gravesites. Siolo rushes over to try to help. Marest explains that she can ritually claim a new tree, but it will take all the time they have. She restores Deliah and rushes to try to find a suitable tree. Dapple can be of little assistance in finding another tree and has a bit of luck to help with the check. Yofiel agrees that it’s urgent they help the Dryad but should have time to mourn first. Grim is willing and able to help find a local tree.
Delilah follows as she’s led to the gravesites. Distractedly, she says to Yofiel, “I hadn’t heard from you all in a while and was worried that Cloudhaven had been attacked again and if it had I wanted to reunite with my Gaston and Annabelle. I may have made a foolish mistake, I almost couldn’t find the place. I’ve never left my tree before and I don’t know if we can make it back in time or if there is a suitable tree around here. I guess I didn’t really think this one through.”
Upon being shown where her husband and child are buried she settles to her knees and bows her head. Lost in grief, reflection, or prayer, she stops responding to the party’s questions. It looks like they’ll have time to discuss before action must be taken.
Grim is right that it took more than a day to get to the grove, but they were zig zagging across the plateau and stopped for lunch and other needs. - per pathfinder rules people usually travel for 8 hours a day. With the map made and knowledge gained from the trip they should, in theory, make it with plenty of time if they moved quickly with no breaks. However, the weather seems to be getting steadily worse and may make the trip far more complicated.
Useful skills that will help in this situation will be Knowledge: Geography and Survival, along with the endurance for a long trek.
Alternatively Marest is right about the ritual being an option. It will take some preparation for the party and effort from Deliah, but it could work. The ritual is not guaranteed to work though, and she clearly only has once chance to try it before her strength gives out. The party will have to try to assist her in succeeding however they can.
Useful skills for attempting this will be knowledge: nature, Spellcraft, and a variety of crafting skills.
What option do you take?
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:15/16 d20+9=25 ; d20+5=12 ; d4=2 ; d20+9=17 ; d8+2=3 ; d20+6=11 Tuesday June 13th, 2023 9:23:16 PM The Oak Tree
Marest continues to search for the right tree for Ms. Deliah. Using her Knowledge: Nature skills, (to Identify a fey creature’s abilities and weaknesses) she realizes or recalls that the tree of choice for a Dryad is an Oak tree. Hopefully, she found a suitable tree earlier and we are preparing for the Dryad ritual. Using her other Knowledge skills, Marest tries to recall what that ritual actually is and how we might support her to get her through it successfully. "I can cast Lesser Restoration two more times today in an effort that this boosts Deliah to complete the ritual."
Marest, when given the chance, will cast Cure light wounds upon herself. Then, Marest casts Lesser Restoration upon Deliah, providing 2 additional temporary Constitution points.
Looking at her friends, Marest asks, "What would you like to do: Travel and Relocate?"
Spells in Effect: Lesser Restoration (1d4): 1d4 = 2 (another 2 points of Constitution temporarily restored to Deliah) Cure light wounds (1d8 points of damage + 1 point per caster level ) = 1d8+2 = 3
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 20/24 CMD 15; -3 str Tuesday June 13th, 2023 9:57:13 PM
RJ isn't sure, and wishes that he could level up first.
He has some basic abilities in survival, know nature, crafting, etc. (Though it's unclear whether craft bow, alchemy or traps will be of use.)
Kneeling near Delilah, "At the end of the day, though, it really comes down to what you want. With your family's graves here, your original tree there, and duty in both places, it really comes down to where do you consider home. Where would you want to live? Where would you want to die? I don't think we can tell you where you have to take root, you need to do that for you."
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 14/14 d20=4 ; Tuesday June 13th, 2023 11:58:21 PM
((Survival 4+8=12))
"We can make it back Delilah!" Siolo says confidently, with a concern. "We need to leave soon with this weather getting bad."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 10/14 (1 is nonlethal) d20+9=16 ; d20+9=17 ; Wednesday June 14th, 2023 6:43:22 AM
She says to her friends, standing out of easy earshot of the dryad, "I have made maps of the area. I know, following the maps, and our memories of the place, that we can make it there, and that in time. We lack Kazzor, who is strong enough to carry a cart by himself, but we have you, Grim, also one of great strength. RJ, you know the area. Siolo, though you are new to the plateau, you have a druid's skills, and have spent time out in the woods and jungle. All of us - Marest, Dapple, Ezekiel - have skills and insights to help us succeed, for our dryad friend must live beyond tomorrow. Don't anyone go running off until we decide what to do, together. But getting Delilah back to her grove is the surest way of restoring her to health. The chances of a day-long ceremony working, in her grave condition, are far too slim.
"Let us be ready to depart from here in half an hour. If Rothlorian, or others of Cloudhaven, have further counsel, then let us hear it.
She approaches one of the locals who has at least rudimentary skills in carpentry. "We need a travois (also here, and my favorite), and fast."
She describes it of consisting of two stout wooden poles, or strong bamboo, crossed over at one end, and a seat to rest upon where the poles diverge wider, and two or more smaller pieces of wood joining the larger end - perhaps three to four-and-a-half feet long. Ropes can form webbing for a person to lay upon, as well as to absorb some of the shock of traveling over uneven ground. It is for carrying a person, or gear, over rough and varied terrain. It can be pulled by one person, or two. Where obstacles are, three or four can lift and bear it over the way. We should line the carried portion with good cloth for comfort, padding, and a measure of shelter. Some of the cloth belonging to her mother would serve as a good inner wrapping.
Then a thought strikes her. "The wood she gave us. Let us get a piece of it - it is part of her tree. That may help revive her, somewhat? Grant her greater endurance?" She asks if someone can fetch one of the wooden pieces from the dryad's tree that now makes up part of the tower lift.
Once Delilah begins to come around - or after they rouse her, for time is precious, the bard says, "Oh, my. We really ought to have returned to you, to let you know. Forgive me for that oversight. The townsfolk are so grateful for your generous offering to help us restore the lift. Dear one, please, come with me for a moment. The precious wood you provided has gone into the repairs. There are a few other parts that our smith is helping to fashion, so it is not yet finished. But you must see the sign."
The sign the elf refers to reads 'Tower of Annabelle'. "We kept that promise to you."
Yofiel then places in the dryad's hands the piece of wood from her tree someone chose to retrieve from the tower. "We want you to live. This is part of your tree - perhaps it may help sustain you for the journey, for we know the way to your grove. May we take you back? What is your wish?"
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 10/14 (1 is nonlethal) Wednesday June 14th, 2023 3:28:57 PM
[Once upon a time our scout troop was tasked to make a travois. It took us ~45 minutes, including finding some small trees, cutting them down, and using rope and some leather strips to fasten the wood together, make the netting, and a simple harness. We were reasonably fast! We laid a wool blanket over the rope webbing, then carried the lightest member of the group around a field using the travois.]
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16; Mage Armor Wednesday June 14th, 2023 5:56:01 PM
Ezekiel could help with Spellcrafting, but it sounds like the group is in favor of returning to her tree
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 8:13:47 PM
Grim locates a tree and marks it (not by chopping it down, but by strewing fronds, flowers, and other stuff around it). When he returns he hears there is indeed an option to get the dryad back to her tree if they hurry and don't meander around too much.
"I can carry her and the rain won't bother me. I been out in the pouring monsoon rains often enough. Sometimes it's the only time an orc gets what you others call a bath. Hunting for crocodiles is the other way we get a bath.'
Grim waits for Delilah's decision but starts putting a food bag ready just in case.
He checks on his drying skulls and manages to put them out of the rain for the moment.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 20/24 CMD 15; -3 str Wednesday June 14th, 2023 8:55:30 PM
RJ listens as people make plans, particularly Yofiel and Grim.
"Ok yeah I know the area. If it's one thing dog-men know, its probably trees."
He thought for a bit. "Ok, sounds like we have a plan."
Dapple (Kathy) Wednesday June 14th, 2023 9:31:02 PM
Dapple nelps with the travois. She had used many such items when she and her family traveled about.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 14/14 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 10:19:09 PM
Siolo listens on as Yofiel takes charge. He is a bit envious of her decisiveness and commanding presence. Her reference to his druid skills is encouraging and he begins focusing on how he can help in that way.
When the others take Delilah to the lift, Siolo checks in with the small animal network he has knit togetherfor any perspective dangers on the route to be taken.
Marest will follow the group lending a hand where she can.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Thursday June 15th, 2023 7:42:11 AM Marest continues to search for a tree for Delilah, locating an oak that will do. She then heals herself a little and casts lesser restoration on the Dryad. She also asks the others their opinions R.J isn’t sure so he asks Delilah what she would like to do. Siolo is certain in their ability to make it back to her tree however he says they should leave soon with the storm rolling in. Yofiel reasons with her knowledge of the area that they can make it back in time and that is the surest way to restore the dryad. She makes her case to her friends and tries to get some folks to create a conveyance. She shows the name of the tower and calls for a piece of the wood they were granted in the hopes it would rejuvenate her. Ezekiel could help with spellcasting but it sounds like the group is in favor of returning to the tree. Grim Ripr locates a tree and marks it but then hears that they can make it back to the Dryad’s tree if they hurry. He volunteers to carry the Dryad as the rain won’t bother him. He also puts together a food bag while waiting for Delilah’s decision and then gets his drying skulls out of threat from the rain. R.J listens as folks make plans specifically Yofiel and Grim. He opines that dog-men know trees and that it sounds like they have a plan. Dapple helps with the travois as she had used them in the past when her family traveled. Siolo listens as Yofiel takes charge becoming envious of her ability to take command. He starts focusing on how he can help and checks with the local animals to see if they know of any potential dangers. Marest decides to go with the group
Once done paying her respects to the graves and asked her opinion on what plan to go with Delilah says, ”It was my foolish decision that got me into this. I trust you to decide how best to save me.
Most of the party seems to be in favor of taking her back. Preparations are made and Delilah is informed of the plan. ”Let’s get back to my tree then. I have a duty to Gaston’s memory and Cloudhaven.”
Everyone make either a knowledge: geography or survival check. The totals will reduce the amount of travel time taken to get to the tree. Hustling will allow you to make twice as much progress in 1 hour, but it will cause you to take 1 non-lethal damage, doubling each hour you hustle (so 1, 2, 4, 8, etc.) For every hour over 8 hours it takes to reach your destination a constitution check will be required, doing non-lethal damage on a failure.
For the first two hours Delilah will be able to travel with the group, though the Travois will certainly be needed eventually.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 10/14 (1 is nonlethal) d20+9=22 ; Thursday June 15th, 2023 10:35:43 AM
Yofiel is wondering whether the stick from Delilah's own tree is providing any comfort to the dryad. When RJ earlier had said, "If it's one thing dog-men know, it's probably trees," Yofiel gave him a large grin.
As they walk the way, the elf asks her, "Delilah, if you feel up to it, would you be open to telling us more about your friendship with Gaston, and raising your daughter? A story or two? A memory? I myself did not have the pleasure of knowing them, but would love to learn from you."
She consults and occasionally updates her map along the way.
========= Knowledge, geography: 22
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 20/24 CMD 15; -3 str d20+3=19 ; Thursday June 15th, 2023 1:10:31 PM
RJ takes some time to scout ahead, wondering what they got themselves into.
Roll Survival: 19.
With some decent survival instincts, RJ proceeds to look for Delilah's tracks and signs of danger.
Dapple (Kathy) Thursday June 15th, 2023 7:10:28 PM
Dapple isn't much help pulling the travois, and she struggles to keep up with the long-legged Big Folk. One thing she can do, though, is heal. Whenever the group has accumulated a decent amount of damage (say 4), Dapple channels positive energy.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Thursday June 15th, 2023 7:29:40 PM
OOC: was there a mention on her size and approximate weight? If so, please repeat it, if not, let us know because it makes a big difference.
IC: Grim strongly suggests two or more people carry the travois rather one pulling it. He can manage the front the whole way and who picks the back end can switch out ever 15 minutes or so.
"It will be too difficult to drag this contraption along the ground, the rocks, and tree roots. Doing this all day will most likely destroy it. I'll carry the front end and Marest take one side of the back and Yofiel take the other side of the back. Then Muffins and Ezekiel, and so forth."
He picks up the front end of the travois and calls out, "NOW! HOP TO IT YOU TWO! WORK UP A SWEAT!"
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 10/14 (1 is nonlethal) d20+6=24 ; Thursday June 15th, 2023 8:32:17 PM
[Yes, Delilah's weight will be a factor. I got the impression that dryads in general are fairly lithe, almost elf-like, but our DMs will have to let us know explicitly for what we are doing.
"Grim, sorry, but a travois is supposed to have the two rear poles drug along the ground. Now, in places where it gets really rough or bumpy, sure, two or three of us can lift it over the rough patches. But most of the way, the small area in which we are walking, the ground is level enough. It's not like the plateau is made up of a whole bunch of boulders jumbled together, each one or two or three feet in size, and we're all going to have to worry about twisting our ankles every ten feet. Most is reasonably level, at least along the route that the map indicates. Yes, there are ups and downs, but that is different from jumbled ground. However, since we will hit a few dicey spots here and there, let's practice a little, so we have an idea what we're doing when those places show up."
She is happy to take one of the long ends that usually drag on the ground. "Siolo, do you want to hold that other end next to me? Let's carry it about 100 yards, with Grim in front." She looks to one side. "Hey, let's see if we can cross over that log together." Yofiel points to a fallen log about two feet in diameter lying near the pathway.
"And, friends, trust me, it is almost easier for one to drag, than for three to carry. I am not terribly strong, but I think I could pull for a while. Surely Grim and Siolo are each capable. I agree, Dapple, a smaller load to pull would be easier for one your size. Marest, you are very strong of mind, and seem to have good endurance, but I would not ask you to lift too great a load. Ezekiel, I think you can hold up a conversation from time to time, and likely could charm the socks off of a cat, if the cat wore socks. You do well carrying that wand, and dealing out electricity. RJ, you're our scout, and I trust your instincts. Maybe, though, if we come to a real tough patch to cross, you could lend a hand, too, to help keep things steady?"
She looks up at Grim, who has her beat by two inches in height, and by quite a bit in mass. "I'd be willing to bet that you could pull for most of the journey, but let me know if you think I am mistaken. I am going to work on getting stronger, so I'll try pulling for a while. You're just tougher than me, though, all told."
============= Acrobatics: 24 - for Yofiel's part in The Crossing Of The Log with Grim and Siolo
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16; Mage Armor d20=2 ; Thursday June 15th, 2023 9:12:16 PM
"Onwards!" says Ezekiel as he attempts to lead using mage hand on his staff to point the way, Luckily others are around to point him in the right direction.
Survival: 2.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Thursday June 15th, 2023 9:36:59 PM "You don't get it. This contraption was put together hastily and not by experts. Dragging it could destroy it despite your confidence the way will be 'smooth'. Why risk it? Besides, how comfortable do you think this is being dragged along this imperceptibly rugged terrain as opposed to being carried?"
He jiggles the travois a bit to see how sturdy it is.
"Since Delilah can walk for now, we test your skills at holding up a piece of travois for a hundred yards. If you fail, then I'll drag it until it falls apart then carry her the rest of the way," he replies gruffly.
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:15/16 d20+9=15 ; d4=1 ; Thursday June 15th, 2023 10:26:06 PM The Journey
Spells in Effect: Lesser Restoration (1d4): 1d4 = 1 (another 1 point of Constitution temporarily restored to Deliah)
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 14/14 d20+2=10 ; Thursday June 15th, 2023 11:43:37 PM
"Dapple worked on it. She said she and her family has used them before," she answers Grim. She remembers having arguments with her brother.
She goes ahead and engages in the 100 yard travois walk. "Dabble, can we carry you do see how we do? Hold on tight!"
Survival check: 10 - to make a quick inspection of the quality of the bindings. She shrugs her shoulders. When Siolo joins Grim and herself, whether or not Dabble is willing to be their experimental halfling cargo, and she does the walk, including over the log. [use earlier acrobatics 24 for that task]
With all this, she thinks of one more thing. Additional rope to help keep their passenger in - over each shoulder and under each opposite arm, over the chest, over the hips, over the thighs. She wraps the rope lengths that touch the body with bit of her mother's fabrics to add comfort, avoid chafing - and to make certain that should someone tilt the device too far one way or another, the passenger will be unlikely to fall off.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 d20+6=19 ; Friday June 16th, 2023 12:14:57 AM
OOC: forgot my Survival/Geography rolls
Aid Another Survival +6 = 19
Add +2 to the highest roll.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 14/14 Friday June 16th, 2023 2:07:09 AM
Siolo listens on as Yofiel takes charge. He is a bit envious of her decisiveness and commanding presence. Her reference to his druid skills is encouraging and he begins focusing on how he can help in that way.
When the others take Delilah to the lift, Siolo checks in with the small animal network he has knit togetherfor any perspective dangers on the route to be taken.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 14/14 d20=4 ; Friday June 16th, 2023 2:16:17 AM
Siolo offers to help carry. "While I do not have Grim's strength, I am not without." He happily follows the directions of Yofiel.
Siolo stays quiet for much of the beginning of the journey, trying to learn what he can from those more experienced.
((Survival 4+8=12))
DM Mitch House Combat Map Friday June 16th, 2023 6:41:53 PM Yofiel wonders if the branch is comforting the dryad and asks Delilah for a story. R. J. scouts ahead and looks for Delilah’s tracks. Dapple isn’t much help pulling the travois but can heal. Grim thinks the travois should be carried by two and offers to carry the front in the entire way and suggests a pattern of switching who carries the back. Yofiel explains how a travois works and gets people to put some practice in as they travel. Ezekial tries to point out the way but instead has to be guided himself. Grim is of the opinion that it was hastily made by non-experts and fears it will fall apart. Yofiel suggests they test it with Dapple and get some rope to make sure the passenger won’t fall out. Siolo is a bit envious of Yofiel’s take charge attitude and checks with his animals for danger.
The party sets out. It’s not to bad at first, what with it only being a light drizzle and the thick canopy to give them cover. It promises to get much worse; within the hour the drizzle turns into a steady rain, breaking through the canopy and making everyone soaked and miserable. The thick jungle of Cthonia is only sustainable via heavy rainstorms and this is promising to be one of them. Siolo finds that all of his animal friends are huddling in cover and not wanting to come out, telling him he should get to shelter as soon as possible. That’s one good thing actually - the forest is silent and free of activity as animals great and small seek cover from the coming storm, promising no danger from them on the trip.
The travois proves manageable. It was put together hastily true, but the survivors of Cloudhaven have had to hone their crafting skills quickly and it seems sturdy enough to survive the trip. It can be easily dragged for large portions whenever the party finds a nice game trail or other level area, but other times when weaving past thick roots or underbrush it will require two. Fortunately, at least for these first two hours, it is moot as Delilah is able to keep her feet and march with the group.
The dryad is mostly quiet on the trip. She’s a little unsteady on her feet and grips the log given to her grimly as she makes steady progress. It’s impossible to say if it’s from her tree - the special wood came from the entire grove after all and none of the party collected the wood. Still she holds onto it like a lifeline, even if it only provides moral support. She’s about 95 pinecones, 95 pounds 6.7 stones, or 43.09 kg depending on your preferred standard of measurement. 5’ 6” or 167 centimeters tall.
Progress is good for the first two hours. Yofiel is able to guestimate that they’ve already made it about a quarter of the way there. If not for the weather you could make it with no problem - as is the coming storm promises to slow you down greatly later in the trip.
DM Mitch House Combat Map d6=1 ; d6=3 ; Friday June 16th, 2023 7:57:43 PM
(oh and I think we'll just cover 2 hours each post till you get there)
Dapple (Kathy) Saturday June 17th, 2023 11:35:53 PM
Dapple concentrates on maintaining a steady pace. She is determined not to slow the party down.
As the rain pelts down, she thinks longingly of the cozy wagons in her family's little caravan. They are just the place to duck under cover and ride out a storm. Of course, they would be wildly impractical in this environment, but a girl can dream.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Sunday June 18th, 2023 11:56:50 AM
Grim carries the travois, managing to weave through the jungle with little difficulty. For much of his life, this was his home. Warriors, once they come of age, don't stick around their village much. They are either out hunting or patrolling, come rain or shine. Not that all that much [i]shine[/] gets through the jungle canopy.
The dryad shouldn't be bothered by the rain either, he thinks, but it it weren't for her condition to start with.
"Once we get there and get Delilah back to her tree and know she will be all right, we could go check on that cave again, see it that Thunder God is still there," he suggests.[/b]"And maybe gather some more fruit on our way back."[/b]
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 14/14 d20+9=16 ; Monday June 19th, 2023 12:02:03 AM
As it seems Delilah is beginning to tire, Yofiel gently suggests the party take five minutes. "Why don't you lie down, now, friend? Mighty Grim here will give you a ride, and I'll walk beside as much as I can.
She takes a few minutes to arrange the woolen blankets, and the silk fabric from her mother's small store of textiles. The elf makes a silky hood of sorts so that the dryad can see a bit of what is behind the party, yet also so that rain will not fall on her face. She enlists those who will help secure her with enough firmness to keep her from falling out should the travois tip to one side or another - or even upside down. But she also ties the knots in a fashion allowing for quick release should the need arise.
"Bless you for your devotion to those you love. If you would like, I can sing songs as we travel, or walk quietly. Maybe I'll do some of each, Delilah. Any needs or requests before we move off?" If the dryad expresses any particular desire, she will if she can reasonably accommodate it.
Otherwise, it's away they go.
Responding to Grim's suggestions, Yofiel says, "Good things to think about. Some extra food would be welcome, no doubt - and we have a nice conveyance here for that if needed. We will, whether now, or fairly soon, want to see about that cave, too." She asks the others, "Any thoughts?"
After some discussion, she does suggest, "We may have enough to think about and concentrate upon during this short journey, though. May the powers above watch over this way."
==================== Knowledge, geography: 16 - Yofiel was quite confident in the first quarter of the march. Now she is reasonably sure of the best way to go, yet may need some additional guidance as to the details of that way. It's good that Grim knows the area to a fair degree, too.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Monday June 19th, 2023 7:38:39 AM Dapple concentrates on maintaining a steady pace, being determined not to slow the party down. She thinks of the cozy wagons of her family’s caravan where she used to hide from storms in the past though said wagons would be impractical for traveling through Cthonia. Grim Ripr carries the travois through the jungle with little difficulty. As a warrior of his tribe he is used to being out in the jungle in rain or shine though there wasn’t that much shine to be had. He thinks the dryad shouldn’t be bothered by the rain but isn’t sure given her current condition. He suggests they check out that cave to see if the Thunder God is still there once they get Delilah back in her tree and then get some fruit on the way home. Yofiel suggests a 5 minute break to get Delilah on the Tavois. She makes it as comfortable as possible for the dryad and offers to sing on the journey. She likes Grim’s suggestions.
Delilah seems grimly determined to press on, but unsteady on her feat. At Yofiel’s suggestion she accepts the inevitable and lets herself be hauled the rest of the way. She quietly says she would appreciate music.
As the party presses on both the rain and the terrain get worse. The rain goes from heavy to torrential, visibility, already poor, gets far worse, and the party finds themselves traveling through an area of dips and rises, none too big but now flooding with rushing water and making it difficult to navigate a way through. The Travois is a life saver - it makes hauling the dryad far easier then it would be slinging her over a shoulder.
Make new survival and geography checks to navigate the difficult area. Athletics checks for anyone helping to carry Delilah.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 14/14 d20=2 ; Monday June 19th, 2023 9:31:46 AM
((Survival 2+8=10))
Despite Siolo's thorough training in wilderness survival, it seems to be altogether different to experience it. He knows that in torrential rain you keep to high ground. But, high enough ground is either hard to find or hard to access.
Dapple (Kathy) d20=11 ; d20+3=8 ; Monday June 19th, 2023 2:08:57 PM
Getting along in the out-of-doors is not something Dapple is good at. [Geography 10, Survival 8]
The flooded low points are inconvenient to the rest of the party, but they're downright dangerous to 2'6" Dapple. She tries to keep going, but her strength is waning.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16; Mage Armor d20=20 ; Monday June 19th, 2023 8:59:53 PM
"I think the Grove is thatsway," says Ezekiel as he lucks into pointing the right direction.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 20/24 CMD 15; -3 str d20+3=6 ; d20+3=21 ; d20+2=12 ; d20+2=8 ; Monday June 19th, 2023 9:11:30 PM
Survival check: 6 (And if I can still add for Friday: 21)
(And a Know Geography Check: 12 and 8).
The heavier rain makes RJ's scouting difficult, and he begins to lose his nerve throughout the trip. And despite a few shakes, he looks miserable, more rat than wolf. But he doesn't run off during the thunder, that's some good training right there.
WIth a sneeze, he continues to trudge on.
Tim Kenner Monday June 19th, 2023 11:51:26 PM
Test post
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 d20+6=21 ; Tuesday June 20th, 2023 1:03:38 AM
Survival +6 = 21
Grim takes the front of the travois and heads out. It takes a bit to get used to the slower pace and not pull forward too fast.
He does well in the rain and does manage to encourage the others, specially Dapple, and suggests she can climb on his back if necessary.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 14/14 d20+6=8 ; d20+6=12 ; d20+9=10 ; Tuesday June 20th, 2023 3:35:15 AM
[Using Yofiel's anticipatory knowledge geography of 16 from her prior post for this segment]
If the group was depending upon Yofiel to help steady the travois during a tricky section, well, she did not acquit herself well [Acrobatics: 8]. Siolo did a little better with his Survival 10. If she is needed a second time, well, 12 is a little better.
Fortunately Grim was doing a great job. And, hey, Ezekiel pointed in the right direction! This time, the bard agrees with him.
She also tried a knowledge nature check to see if she can anticipate how long this weather is likely to last. That was a 10 (nat 1). Probably too long for her liking, anyway.
[And, hi, Tim!]
DM Mitch House Combat Map Tuesday June 20th, 2023 7:28:23 AM Siolo is not helped by his thorough wilderness survival training seeing that the torrential rain is an altogether different experience. He knows he should keep to the high ground but the high ground is hard to find or hard to access. Dapple is not good at getting along outdoors. While the flooded lowpoints are inconveniences to the rest of the party they are dangerous to her short halfling body. She tries to keep going but her strength is waning. Ezekiel says he thinks the Grove is that way R.J. has his scouting hampered by the heavier rain as he begins to lose his nerve on the trip. Despite a few shakes he looks miserable, more rat than wold but he doesn’t run off in spite of the thunder so with a sneeze he presses on. Grim takes the travois and leads the way. Yofiel tries to help keep the party on track and the travois stable with mixed success. She tries to judge how long this weather will last.
It takes a while but eventually Grim is able to navigate through the rough patch. Or at least the first one. The plateau is getting inundated and new small rivers and streams are cropping up everywhere as the water flows towards the edges of the plateau. The party’s pace slows to a crawl as the limited visibility and various hazards force them to move slowly and carefully to not get washed away downstream. Adding to the misery is that on a normal march they would have a break and food by now, so hunger starts to gnaw at the party in addition to everything else. The distant sound of lightning, ferocious and frequent, is another ominous sign…
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 20/24 CMD 15; -3 str d20+3=22 ; d20+2=22 ; d20+8=10 ; Tuesday June 20th, 2023 5:03:24 PM
RJ looks at the storm, then across towards the storm.
"Let's rope together so that one of us does not get swept away in the deluge," recommends Yofiel. She loops one of her 50' ropes and adds several looped segments to give people a spot to put a wrist or an arm through, spaced out about 5 to 7 feet apart. She finds a stick along the way, and binds it to a section of the rope right behind her, making a special grab spot for Dapple. "I can pull you along a little, Dapple. Just wrap this part around your forearm, and call out if you need more help."
She checks on Delilah to see if she is awake or asleep. She puts her hand on her forehead to see if her temperature is in a reasonably healthy range, or too hot, or too cool.
She says, speaking loudly to overcome the sounds of the storm, "From what I can recall if we angle off a little to the left here*, the ground is a bit higher than off to the right. Of course, that means it is higher up if lightning strikes, too. Still, I'd recommend we veer slightly to the left to avoid us all having to swim."
She turns to Ezekiel. "Does that sound good to you, electro-sorcerer?"
============= Knowledge, Geography: 23 Acrobatics: 26 (to help keep the travois stable in tricky situations) Perception: 18
* "a little to the left here" - or whatever direction the DM deems the higher path.
Spells in Effect: Lesser Restoration (1d4): 1d4 = 1 (another 1 point of Constitution temporarily restored to Deliah)
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 d20+6=16 ; d20+6=16 ; Tuesday June 20th, 2023 10:38:49 PM
Survival +6 = 16 Perception +6 = 16
Grim points out the obvious, "These 100' tall trees should work well enough to catch any lightning,"
It was one interesting thing about the jungle here. The trees are close enough together that up at the top some 100' up, the tree cover is so dense, each tree fighting for sunlight as much as it can, you may not even know it rained. But when these torrential rains come, nothing up there will stop the deluge down at root level.
"On the positive side, you don't have to swat at the stinging, biting, blood sucking insects that constantly swarm around you while it rains like this.'
He encourages as well as warns the group when they start again, "Two dangers down here, a sudden flood and mudslides. So the sooner we get to higher ground the better, otherwise the muddy hillsides will make it nearly impossible to get out of the lowlands."
He follows, carrying his half of the travois, and give pointers here and there as to less muddy paths to follow.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 14/14 d20=12 ; Tuesday June 20th, 2023 11:17:08 PM
((Survival 12+8=20))
Siolo notices the changes in the currents as they stream around them. The current changes would come from higher elevations or other things that could raise above the ground like roots or rocks. It is a strange but parallel occurrence to 5gat of normal rivers whose levels raise suddenly.
DM Mitch House Combat Map d20=8 ; d20=18 ; d20=20 ; d20=5 ; d20=20 ; d20=2 ; d20=2 ; d20=15 ; d20=12 ; d20=11 ; d20=18 ; d20=8 ; 4d4=10 ; d8=4 ; 4d4=10 ; d8=7 ; 4d4=12 ; d8=5 ; 4d4=6 ; d8=4 ; d8=1 ; Wednesday June 21st, 2023 7:22:19 AM R.J. looks at the storm, then across towards the storm and realizes there is no stopping now.
Dapple struggles on
Yofiel suggests the party rope together in case one of their number is swept away by the deluge. She also suggests that the ground to left is a little higher if they angled towards it and asks Ezekiel if that sounds good to him.
Marest tries her hand at helping Delilah find the way.
Grim informs the others that the tall trees will block the party from lightning but on the positive side they won’t have to worry about the stinging insects but points out the dangers of the sudden flood and mudslides and concurs with Yofiel that they need to get to the high ground.
Siolo notices the changes in the currents as they stream around them and notes that the changes come from higher elevations or things that raise above the ground like roots or rocks.
Grim is absolutely right about the trees absorbing the lightning strikes. Lightning always strikes the tallest thing in the area. Being on a plateau jungle with massive trees all around ensures that no one will be directly struck by lightning. That does not mean it is safe though.
As the plateau is pounded by rain and lightning a bolt strikes a tree near RJ and a massive branch comes crashing down. He needs to make a DC 14 reflex save, taking 10 damage on a failure or half on success. 20 minutes later a bolt causes a tree near Siolo to rupture, sending splinters flying everywhere. DC 14 reflex save, 10 damage or half on success.
40 minutes after that the ground suddenly gives way under RJ and Grim as they cross one of the temporary streams that are showing up everywhere. Worse, Grim is holding Delilah! Grim must make a reflex save - if he beats an 18 he can jump clear with himself and Delilah. If he beats a 14 he can save either himself or her. If he fails both fall and suffer 12 damage. RJ merely has to make a DC 14 save or take 6 damage.
Fortunately the suggested ropes prevent anyone from being washed away and eventually everyone is able to cross, but at this point the party has been going for 8 hours with no food and it’s become incredibly dangerous out here. You should be close, within an hour or two even with the weather, but at this point fatigue is as dangerous as the weather - everyone will take 1d6 non-lethal damage over the next hour. If you try to hurry you can double your travel speed in exchange for 1 non-lethal damage.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16; Mage Armor Wednesday June 21st, 2023 11:38:33 AM
Ezekiel waves his staff about cackling like a madman in the storm.
"Come on, lightning! Strike me again if you dare!"
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 11/24 CMD 15 d20+7=10 ; d20+7=9 ; d8+1=7 ; d20+3=12 ; d20+2=6 ; Wednesday June 21st, 2023 4:07:04 PM
RJ is normally more nimble but the branch strikes him square on, and he begins to whine.
And then he is struck once again upon the ravine. Bloodied, he wonders if the god that doesn't exist can show someone else some love. That or Delilah is going to have to move over. (Failed both reflex saves.)
He stops to use his one potion of CLW (7 HP back) if he can (I assume that doesn't slow him down the way eating or rest would.) He's really not interested in picking up the pace given the accidents that already befell him, but he continues on his way.
(Survival 12, Know Geog 6).
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 14/14 d20+9=12 ; d20+6=19 ; Wednesday June 21st, 2023 4:16:33 PM
"Five minutes," says Yofiel. She reaches into her bag and pulls out a full loaf of bread and a block of cheese. She leans her body over to shield the food from the precipitation. She uses her knife to cut the cheese into eight pieces, and does likewise with the bread, keeping a piece for herself, and passing out the rest to each of the members of the party.
"It's good we ate breakfast just before we left, but we have been working hard. Take this bit of food - it might help us finish stronger."
The portions of bread and cheese she kept for herself she divides in two, offering half to Delilah if the dryad is awake enough to take it. If not, she eats the rest herself.
Yofiel then stands for a few moments, letting the torrent of rain fall into her mouth, rinsing and carefully swallowing the bits of cheese and bread.
"Dapple, are you all right?"
After this five-minute break, she is ready to carry on.
Fore whatever reason, though she is certain they are closer, the elf does not feel quite as certain as before about the present best path to take [knowledge, geography 12]. She does have a rough idea, but only rough. She seeks counsel of Grim, RJ, Siolo, or whoever else can provide better insight.
If a steadying hand is needed, her acrobatics may help - 19.
Dapple (Kathy) d8=7 ; Wednesday June 21st, 2023 7:03:22 PM
RJ can save his potion. Dapple casts Cure Light Wounds on him, restoring 9 damage.
Dapple looks like a mud golem. She is muddy from head to toe. She gobbles her bread and cheese from filthy hands, hoping she isn't eating disease along with them. One problem at a time.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 18/30 CMD 17 d20+1=2 ; Wednesday June 21st, 2023 8:36:14 PM
Grim must make a reflex save - if he beats an 18 he can jump clear with himself and Delilah. If he beats a 14 he can save either himself or her. If he fails both fall and suffer 12 damage.
Ref +1 = 2
Grim, his size and weight a major factor in working his way through the brush, trees, roots, and now all very wet and sloshy, muddy path, causes a section of unstable bank of an impromptu stream to give way, dumping him and Delilah into the rushing stream.
He struggles mightily and manages to get Delilah and the travois back up the slope and out of the water, with the help of ropes and his friends.
He worries about Delilah and asks Dapple to see what she can do.
"The bath was good but now all this mud means I'll have to start my bath all over again!" he grumbles.
Marest, with fatigue setting in, takes 2 points of non-lethal damage. Marest is more than ready to exchange distance for non-lethal damage. "Should we all speed up? I'll cure any one that does..."says Marest to the group.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 4/14 , NL 1 d20=4 ; d20=5 ; d6=1 ; Wednesday June 21st, 2023 11:17:44 PM
((Reflex 4+5=9; Survival 5+8=13))
Siolo is too focused on the ground and is not ready to dodge the exploding tree. Shards of tree lodge into and slice him savagely.
He is similarly unprepared for the ground underneath Grim to change consistency. Thankfully the rope plan payed off.
When they've stopped, Siolo is nearly unconscious. He has trouble contributing to navigation due to a lack of ability to focus.
"We should hurry the last little bit," he manages amidst panting. "Delilah needs to play her role in this jungle. The nature itself needs her."
DM Mitch House Combat Map d6=5 ; d20=6 ; d20=7 ; d20=12 ; d20=15 ; d20=20 ; d20=20 ; d8=5 ; d8=8 ; d6=2 ; d6=4 ; 4d4=7 ; 4d4=11 ; Thursday June 22nd, 2023 7:58:33 AM Ezekiel throws caution to the wind and asks the lightning to strike him again if it dares.
R.J. is normally more nimble but the branch strikes him and he begins to wine. He is then struck once more upon the ravine. He goes to use a potion but is prevented from using it by Dapple as she heals him. He’s really not interested in picking up the pace given the accidents befallen him but he continues on nonetheless.
Yofiel breaks out some food and distribute it amongst the group with a brief break. She checks on Dapple and gets the sense they are closer to their destination but she doesn’t feel as certain about how to proceed as before.
Dapple casts cure light wounds on RJ. She looks like a mud golem and gobbles her bread and cheese from filthy hands hoping she doesn’t catch disease.
Grim is caught in a section of muddy path from an impromptu stream as he and Delilah end up in a forced bath in the steam. He struggles mightily and manages to get Delilah and the travois back up the slope and out of the water with the help of the ropes and his friends. He worries about Delilah and asks Dapple to see what she can do. He opines that the bath was good, but all the mud means he’ll have to start all over again.
Marest starts to feel the fatigue setting in but she is more than willing to trade speed for further damage and asks if they should speed up offering to cure anyone who needs it.
Siolo is too focused on the ground and fails to dodge the exploding tree. He gets sliced up and also surprised when the ground gives way under Grim. When they’ve stopped Siolo is nearly unconscious and has trouble contributing due to a lack of focus. He concurs with Marest that they should hurry the last bit so Delilah can play her role in this jungle as nature needs her.
After a short break of meager raisins and healing the party has to set out again. An hour passes - for those who did not roll their non-lethal damage they will take 5 from this hour of travel. Delilah is unconscious for most of it - the fall was bad for her and she’s bleeding a brown, sap-like substance from a long gash.
More misfortune and danger strikes. Dapple, having to divide her attention between treating the wounded and traveling, steps on an unstable rock that sinks and slides in the mud sending her tumbling - reflex 14, 7 damage or half on success. Another lightning bolt strikes, this time near Grim, and he must again make a DC 14 reflex save to avoid the splinters - though this time his body is between Delilah and the danger so she remains safe.
Despite her wounds and the weather Delilah starts to stir near the end of the hour. ”We’re getting close.” she suddenly announces, then she unstraps herself from the travois and stands. Unsteadily, limping at first, she takes the lead of the party, seeming to grow stronger with every step closer to her tree.
Everyone please roll 1d4 to determine how much non-lethal damage you take on the remainder of the journey.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16; 7 nonlethal d4=2 ; Thursday June 22nd, 2023 10:02:13 AM
"Too bad, Grim, you almost got lightning powers there!" says Ezekiel as the lightning misses him. "But nevermind that, we're almost there. Onwards!"
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) d20+4=15 ; d4=2 ; d6=1 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; Thursday June 22nd, 2023 1:27:02 PM
Dapple steps on an unstable rock and goes for a slide, but manages to right herself before too much damage is done. [Reflex 15]. "Thanks, Wardd," she gasps. "I owe you one."
Since everybody is hurt, she takes a moment to channel positive energy. Everybody heals 9. Remember that each point of normal damage healed also heals a point of nonlethal damage.
Dapple is beyond relieved to see Delila looking better and moving toward her tree. "Almost there," she gasps. "C'mon Dapple. Almost there."
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 d4=2 ; d20+3=10 ; d20+8=15 ; Thursday June 22nd, 2023 2:23:51 PM
RJ shakes and grooms himself in vain. He's quite grateful for all the healing.
(Survival 10).
With them getting close, RJ looks around to see if any surroundings look familiar (Perception 15).
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16 Thursday June 22nd, 2023 2:44:39 PM
"Thanks Dapple," says Ezekiel. "Nothing invigorates like traversing through a tumultuous storm, except when doing so with magical healing!"
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 11/14 d4=3 ; d20+9=29 ; Thursday June 22nd, 2023 6:29:15 PM
"Ah, Wardd's blessings - thank you, Dapple." [I figure the halfling did that at the start of the last leg of our journey to the tree, so am adding the 3 hp nonlethal on after the healing.]
Yofiel knows this is the proper path. She understands that Delilah is being drawn by her attachment to her dwelling tree.
Along the way, she says to the half-orc, "Grim, you are a rock. Let me pull the travois for a while now. We can use it later when we go to gather fruit." If he agrees, she takes over the now unburdened conveyance. She does wish to build her strength and figures this to be an opportunity.
She recalls her grandmother telling her, "Yofiel, exercise your voice and lungs, and you will sing more prettily. Exercise your limbs, and you will dance with greater grace." The elf figures this will help with lungs and limbs.
Marest takes 4 points of non-lethal damage bringing her into the single digits, so she stops to cast Cure Moderate Wounds onto herself; healing herself for 8 points bringing her to full health.
Meanwhile, Marest attempts to assist where she can with her knowledge of geography and her keen perception.
Spells in Effect: Cure Moderate Wounds: (2d8+2) =8
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 22/30 CMD 17 d20+2=11 ; d20+1=21 ; d20+2=19 ; Friday June 23rd, 2023 12:27:18 AM
Previous round Con check +2 vs DC10 = 11 no dmg
Ref + 1 vs Splintering tree DC 14 = 21 for half (5pt) success. Dapple's healing +9 pts.
This round Con check +2 vs DC10 = 19 no dmg
Grim seems more in his element than when in town and seems enjoying the exercise except for the bursting tree. He thanks Dapple for the healing and is anxious to get the party to the grove safely.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 d4=2 ; d20=8 ; Friday June 23rd, 2023 2:02:29 AM
Siolo looks rough as the last leg begins. However, Warrd's blessing nearly fully revitalizes him.
"I am very grateful Dapple," he leans over to say at one point. "I could not have made it without you. "
Siolo gives a smile when Delilah stands up and begins leading. He is relieved to know that Delilah is safe once more.
((Survival 8+8=16))
DM Mitch House Combat Map Friday June 23rd, 2023 7:58:29 AM Ezekiel tells Grim he almost got lightning powers and then tells the half-orc they are almost there. Dapple steps on an unstable rock but manages to steady herself. She thanks Wardd for his intervention and channels positive energy to heal the party. She is relieved to see Delila looking better and moving towards the tree concurring with Ezekiel that they are almost there. R.J. shakes and grooms himself in vain, though he is grateful; for all the healing. Now that they are close he takes a look around to see if anything looks familiar. Ezekiel also thanks Dapple for the healing Yofiel thanks Dapple for the healing too. The elf is convinced they are on the right path and that Delilah is being drawn to her tree. She compliments Grim on his stamina and volunteers to take a turn with the travois and that they can use it to gather fruit when done later. She also remembers her grandmother’s advice. Marest casts cure moderate wounds on herself to help her since the hurrying has been taking a toll on her. She also tries to assist whoever she can with her knowledge of geography and keen perception. Grim is doing well other then the damage from random accidents. Siolo is very grateful for the healing and smiles when Delilah starts moving on her own.
The party staggers into Delilah’s grove, filthy, injured, exhausted, but successful in their mission. The Dryad goes straight to a tree in the center of the grove and vanished into it for several moments. Then she reappears fully revitalized and standing tall. ”You have risked everything to save me. Now it is my turn to save you.”
A sudden stillness fills the grove. Despite the rain and the wind all the trees are motionless. Then with much creaking and groaning the branches all move, intertwining to form a roof over a 50 foot area blocking all the rain so that it flows away to one side. ”You will be safe here. Rest, recover - even should a thousand lightning strikes come you will be untouched.”
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16 Friday June 23rd, 2023 11:16:58 AM
"That's a nice trick, but why do we want to keep the storm out again?" asks a very confused Ezekiel. "That's where all the fun is!"
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Friday June 23rd, 2023 1:25:32 PM
Dapple drops her pack to the ground, and flops down beside it. Vaguely, she thinks that there are clean, hopefully dry clothes in the pack, but struggles to understand what that means. She lies back, reluctant to get up off the nice, comfortable ground. If she could just shut her eyes for a few minutes....
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 11/14 Friday June 23rd, 2023 9:09:00 PM
Upon arrival After pulling into the grove, a fairly spent Yofiel sets down the travois. She leans her hands just above her muddy knees. She takes a minute to breathe in, breathe out, in, and out, slowly, deeply, until she feels she can stand erect again. Then Delilah emerges from her tree - Yofiel missed even seeing her enter it. She marvels at the dryad's restored health and radiant beauty. She hears her say the words, "...my turn to save you."
The elf looks above as swishes and creaks and groans emanate from the living weave of the grove. She takes it in. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Then, Yofiel slowly raises her arms and leans back her head.
"A living canopy!" exclaims the elf. "How wonderful!" she claps her hands together as though a little girl. Though her face is now flushed with pleasure, she takes a moment to compose her features. The bard quite politely curtsies, and says in formal tones, "Thank you, trees. You are most kind."
Yofiel then sings in elvish, face upraised to the branches, a childhood song of trees.
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Friday June 23rd, 2023 11:45:27 PM Deliah's Grove
Marest is relieved to have finally reached their destination and that Lady Deliah has survived! She is also overjoyed to watch the trees forming a 50' tall living canopy above them to protect them from the storm raging outside!
Meanwhile, Marest drops what she is carrying, stretching to loosen up her stiffness. She then sits cross-legged in a meditative state and begins to relax.
When she finishes her practices, the will thank both Lady Deliah and the trees for their services.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 11(3 non-lethal)/14 Saturday June 24th, 2023 1:24:56 AM
Settling In After a few moments of meditative though, and silent prayers of gratitude, Yofiel finally looks around at the stalwart, and well-fatigued, small band of adventurers.
And, she laughs. "Aren't we a sorry sight!" she says. "Mud and runny rivulets all over our faces and bodies." She crinkles her nose. "Well, let's see if we can't clean ourselves up a bit, eh?"
Yofiel casts Prestidigitation, and uses the spell to do as much clean up on the team members as she can, or at least as much as they will allow her.
For up to an hour, for each round, she can clean up to one cubic foot of things. She aims it at clothing, skin, hair, backpacks, shoes, and the like. She even makes the ropes and travois look better.
That done, she gets out some food, offers it around, eats, drinks water, and a couple of sips of wine.
"Good night, Dapple. Marest. Siolo. RJ. Ezekiel. Good night, Grim." And, last, she sings two lullabies. One in common, one in elvish. Then the long-marched elf curls up wrapped in a woolen blanket and falls asleep.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 22/30 CMD 17 Saturday June 24th, 2023 11:33:55 PM
Grim looks up and marvels at the trees' movements that create a roof over their heads. He is brought back to 'earth' by Ezekiel's apparent desire to stay in the storm.
OOC: this is before Yofiel acts
IC: Grim reaches out and puts his large muscley arm around Ezekiel's shoulders and heads to the perimeter of the grove's protective covering. "Well, Ezekiel, lets put your courage where your mouth is. I need to clean up again and so do you. Let's do this the orcish way, out in the rain, open to the blessing of the Great One's natural bathing method. Eh?"
Grim's grip on Ezekiel is strong enough to be hard to break, and his pull equally so as well, however, he will not force Ezekiel into the rain.
"Will you join me in praise to the Great One's way to rejuvenate the land and make things grow? Or stay in the safety of the grove?" It is clearly a test of Ezekiel's mettle, to put up or shut up.
If Ezekiel goes out into the rain, Grim will show him how to dance and sing a song of praise to The Great One. If Ezekiel pulls away and refuses to go, Grim lets go with a fiendish laugh then heads outside the umbrella on his own.
He can be seen doing a strange dance with an occasional howl up to the sky as the rain washes the mud away, at least away form his outer layer of armor and clothes. The inner parts will take more work, which he gladly accepts form Yofiel when he gets back in.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16 Sunday June 25th, 2023 12:45:07 PM
"I have no idea what you are talking about," says Ezekiel. "But I'm a storm sorcerer. I'm at home where the rain is."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 11(3 non-lethal)/14 Sunday June 25th, 2023 3:24:03 PM
Step back to Grim/Ezekiel interaction.
"Well, Ezekiel, you say so. But are you going to go out in the rain with Grim, or just talk about it?" teases Yofiel.
[OOC: Action, Ezekiel, action!]
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Monday June 26th, 2023 12:00:08 AM
Siolo watches with wonder as the canopy closes in to make a roof and then takes shelter beneath.
"Delilah, what do you know about Maab?"
DM Mitch House Combat Map Monday June 26th, 2023 7:57:45 AM Ezekiel appreciates the tree canopy but asks why they want to keep the storm out as that is where the fun is. Dapple drops her pack and flops beside it. She lies back reluctant to get off the nice ground and thinks if she could only shut her eyes for a few minutes Yofiel sets down the travois and leans her hands just above her muddy knees. She breathes in and out and then looks above as the living canopy forms. She thanks the trees for their shelter and sings a song in Elvish.
Marest is relieved to have finally reached their destination and that Delilah has survived. She also is overjoyed to watch the trees forming the canopy to protect from the storm raging outside. She drops what she is carrying and stretches to loosen her stiffness. She sits cross-legged and begins to relax. After a brief meditation she thanks Delilah and the trees. Grim looks up at the tree movement that creates the roof over their head. He then offers to take Ezekiel outside and teach him the orcish way to clean and give praise to the Great One. Ezekiel says he has no idea what Grim is talking about but is a storm sorcerer and at home in the storm. Yofiel asks if Ezekiel is going to go out in the rain or just talk about it Yofiel finally looks around at the stalwart and fatigued small band of adventurers. She laughs and remarks they are a sorry sight and starts using prestidigitation to clean up as much as she can. She then gets out some food and water and offers to share it before saying good night and singing a lullaby before bed. Siolo asks Delilah what she knows about Maab.
Were this a story the success of their mission would queue the rain slowing and a break in the clouds to send a beam of sunlight to highlight the restored dryad. Instead the lightning continues to pound the area for another 6 hours and the rain all night.
Delilah proves a surprisingly adept hostess considering she’s a dryad in an isolated, dangerous area. She provides a tasty meal of various herbs, roots, and plants supplemented by the party’s rations and little honey cakes she apparently made somehow. She’s finally able to tell of some stories of her past. How she’s been here well over a hundred years and knew of the town predating Cloudhaven, though that town had no respect for nature and she was hostile to. She met her husband when he was young and accompanying his master to meet with her so the new town could have a more amicable relationship with the local powers than their predecessors. ”He was very respectful and curious about me, while his master was all business. He told such amazing stories of the outside world as well.”
The morning dawns grey and damp, but at least it isn't raining much anymore.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16 Monday June 26th, 2023 10:34:30 AM
Ezekiel was going with Grim back out into the rain if that wasn't clear from the dialogue.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16 d20+4=8 ; Monday June 26th, 2023 10:37:57 AM
Ezekiel sings a sea shanty. Badly.
Performance: 8
"Come all you young sailor men, listen to me, I’ll sing you a song of the fish in the sea
And it’s- Windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys. When the wind blows, we’re all together, boys; Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow, Jolly southwester, boys, steady she goes.
Up jumps the eel with his slippery tail, Climbs up aloft and reefs the topsail
And it’s- Windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys. When the wind blows, we’re all together, boys; Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow, Jolly southwester, boys, steady she goes.
Then up jumps the shark with his nine rows of teeth, Saying, 'You eat the dough boys, and I’ll eat the beef!'
And it’s- Windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys. When the wind blows, we’re all together, boys; Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow, Jolly sou’wester, boys, steady she goes.
Up jumps the whale., the largest of all, If you want any wind, well, I’ll blow ye a squall
And it’s- Windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys. When the wind blows, we’re all together, boys; Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow, Jolly sou’wester, boys, steady she goes."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 22/30 CMD 17 Monday June 26th, 2023 7:37:48 PM
OOC: nope, Ezekiel wasn't clear on what he was going to to. :)
IC: Grim and Ezekiel spend some time in the rain getting washed, long enough for Ezekiel to sing a song. If it was badly sung, Grim didn't notice. Grim's chants might have been considered just as bad, or worse.
Back inside, clean from outside to inside, Grim marvels, once again at Delilah's uncharacteristic dryad behavior. Hearing that the previous settlements had no respect for Nature, Grim is reminded of the history of his orc tribe before fleeing into The Great One's Forest. 'Nature' was not an entity they considered, just a commodity to use and use and use. Meeting the Great One those early years in the Great Forest helped change their perspective. It was either learn to respect all things in the forest and the forest itself or The Great One wasn't going to protect them. An easy decision to make. Thus, cutting trees down, gathering fruit, killing an animal for food, all had its ritual showing their respect for is given by The Great One.
Grim thanks Delilah for the delicious meal and didn't even notice it lacked meat. That's how hungry he was!
Marest sits back and listens to the stories go around; of Lady Deliah, and his friends. Of times past and how people respected Nature and the powers that be, then she hears the name that forces her to catch her breath...Maab. At her name, Marest spies Siolo and his interests in the Queen of the Fae...
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Monday June 26th, 2023 9:26:04 PM
Dapple falls asleep right there on the ground, awaking an hour or so later when somebody trips over her. In something of a daze, she eats the good dinner and cleans up a bit.
Before she turns in, she makes sure that the party is fully healed up, then she goes gratefully back to sleep.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Monday June 26th, 2023 10:24:03 PM
(that moment when you meant to include something but realize 12 hours later tyou didn't...)
Of Maab Delilah knows only what most know, fairy tales and fables. She has always lived in this wood and knows little of the outside world.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Tuesday June 27th, 2023 1:44:05 AM
Siolo clearly had gotten his hopes up after Delilah spoke of times long past. He had heard the similar stories before from the Circle. His largely formal education included both instruction of how to respect nature as well as the cautionary tales of what happens when you don't.
But, with her age, Siolo hoped she knew more of Maab. He became deflated when she revealed that she knew no more than most. He put away a leather-bound book he looked ready to write in.
Maab was always a subject of interest to him. When learning about the natural wold, he learned that had a hand in its various forms. What a mind to create so specifically! Someday he hopes to meet Maab. Someday...
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 14/14 d20+7=16 ; Tuesday June 27th, 2023 6:31:10 AM
The bard smiles as Ezekiel and Grim go back into the rain. Was that Ezekiel's voice singing a song?
Yofiel is so pleased that Delilah was finally feeling well enough to be able to talk about her husband, Gaston. When they met, he was a young man...
As a member of a long-lived race, Yofiel ponders this. To love one, to marry one of a race that tends toward a much shorter life - how would that be? And, sadly, Gaston's life was cut off early. Their daughter lost on that same day -- it seemed too much. "Love is strong as death," she murmurs aloud at some point. "Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away."
After a time of silence on her part, Yofiel speaks again. "Delilah, I value the stories you have given us. They are precious to me."
==========
Morning comes, and Yofiel finds herself well rested - yet with some sore muscles from yesterday's exertions.
As they breakfast, the bard asks the dryad if she can help them learn about the members of her orchard. "What is this tree called? And this?" She will inquire as to the characteristics - what fruit, what properties. Should she sense that any of her queries touch a sensitive nerve, Yofiel will apologize. "If I pry too much, then tell me plainly. As I was raised, I asked questions. My parents, and my people, would answer many. At times, my father would challenge me. 'Yofi, let me see if you can figure out the answer to your own question.' -- He wanted me to observe, speculate, and do some learning for myself. And to some queries, I would be told, 'That is for you to learn about later when you are ready.'"
After everyone seems up and about, the elf asks, "So, what now, friends? To the cave? To the orchards? Or back to Cloudhaven?"
Before any have much of a chance to respond to her questions, she asks, "Ah, but, Delilah, is there aught else we might do for you?"
She will attend to her response.
If the party does leave at this time, Yofiel asks Delilah, "The piece that you gave us weeks ago, and that we used in Annabelle's Tower, and then I returned to you in hopes it might help you on the journey - do you wish to retain it? If so, perhaps we can find another."
================ Sense Motive: 16
DM Mitch House Combat Map Tuesday June 27th, 2023 8:48:19 AM Ezekiel joins Grim outside in the rain and badly sings a sea shanty Grim gives a performance of his own in giving thanks to the great one and it may just be on par with the shanty. He thanks Delilah for the meal and doesn’t even realize it was meatless he was so hungry. Marest sits back and listens to the stories. Dapple falls asleep right away and wakes up later to eat. Siolo is disappointed Delilah didn’t know much of Maab. Yofiel ponders what it’s like to love those who live shorter lives, asks about local trees, and asks the party where else they can go. She also asks if there is anything else they can do for Delilah.
The party had discussed checking in on the t-rex while they were out here. The fruit grove was also mentioned - does the party want to head to either one?
Delilah is able to tell the party much of the surrounding area, having long learned it intimately, and doesn’t seemed bothered by Yofiel’s questions. If anything she seems wistful, as exchanging information about the local area for information about the wider world is how she first got to know her husband.
”I lived her for many decades before I had anyone to talk to but the trees and the animals. This was my home and I was content. As I came to love Gaston I started to want to know more of the world and look forward to interactions with people. Now that he is gone I find a future here in my grove bleak and lonely.
You said you found a tree that I might like near your town - once you have finished visiting the cave or the grove could you come back here to teach me the way to your town so I might come and perform the ritual to move? Things only became so desperate because I could not find you, once I know the way I can visit, try the ritual, and return until it succeeds. I would like to be nearer to people so I might... I think the word is socialize.”
The Dryad seems very nervous about the request. You get that feeling that though she has grown fond of people she's uncertain about moving to a place with so many, even after the attack shrank the population to a small fraction.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 14/14 d20+7=18 ; Tuesday June 27th, 2023 9:13:18 AM
"Yes, oh yes - Grim, Siolo - you found one, did you not? A suitable tree? Marest, did you help with that, too?" rushes Yofiel. "It would be ever so lovely to have you closer to us, Delilah."
"Uh, I know little of dryads. Can you have bonds with two different trees? I mean, at the same time?"
The bard senses some of Delilah's nervousness. "You know, would you like us first to speak with the rest of the people of Cloudhaven, too, and answer questions they might have? AND, for the few scamps among us, set out some, shall we say, firm guidelines for those who wish to visit? Now that they know it was you that provided the wood - really, to protect your privacy, we did not tell all about how you did so, only the leader, Rothlorian, we told a little. Anyway, since they know you have helped us to rebuild the tower, so that trade and travel can resume, they will be ever so grateful."
=============== Sense motive: 18
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16 Tuesday June 27th, 2023 11:04:55 AM
"You say you can speak to animals," says Ezekiel. "Any of us can speak to animals, but when you speak. .do the animals listen? I ask because there is a rather large lizard in a cave, and it would be nice if said lizard would relocate if you could ask it politely."
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Tuesday June 27th, 2023 7:21:27 PM
Dapple nods agreement to Yofiel's suggestion. "And," she adds, "If we encounter too much opposition, too much superstitious ignorance, we will advise against the move. We can manage against a handful of yahoos; we cannot manage against half the town."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Tuesday June 27th, 2023 8:03:54 PM
Despite being rested, healed, eaten well (sort of, no meat, but...), clean, rain letting up, and getting the notion that Ezekiel might turn out to be alright (broad definition of 'alright') after all, Grim is a bit gloomy to start the day.
"Ezekiel, you've shown a bit more than that there other half-orc, whats-his-name, Gater. Keep it up," he comments as they get together in the morning. Then Ezekiel suggest Delilah talk to the Thunder God watching over the cave and Grim rolls his eyes.
"Yeah, that's what the Thunder God needs in his diet, roughage," he grumbles.
Althought the idea of Delilah taking a look at it is not that bad. More in tune with Nature, she might be able to discern why its not behaving its 'natural' way,
When talk of moving Delilah closer to the village, Grim grumply asks, "Ok, but the special wood for the lift is in this grove...," and leaves the rest unsaid, going to the edge of the canopy to watch the light rain. From there he hollers back, "This rain could last a whole week. It's the way of the Rainy Season. Let's not get too comfy here, we might need to build a canoe to get back."
Marest (Kim sub for Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Wednesday June 28th, 2023 2:20:52 AM
Marest eats breakfast and joins in the morning conversation. "You know, Delilah, when Grim speaks of the thunder god, he means a tyrannosaurus rex - a dinosaur we saw sitting at the entrance to a cave several hours walk, eh, that way from here," as she points in what she thinks is the general direction. "After you provided wood for the tower, we then went that way. I did not see him myself. I think only RJ and Siolo saw it - and it looked right at one of them, though - which one of you did it see, or seem to see?" she asks.
She adds, "It was a rocky area, and the cave was under a large hill."
DM Mitch House Combat Map Wednesday June 28th, 2023 8:14:40 AM Yofiel asks if she can bond with one tree and tries to soothe the dryad’s nerves. Ezekiel wonders if Delilah can talk to animals and maybe make a certain trex relocate. Dapple agrees with Yofiel and says they’ll get a read on the town before Delilah moves. Grim wakes up grumpy and mentions the Dryad talking to the trex might not end well. He also comments the special wood is here, and that it could start raining again so they should move. Marest clarifies about the trex situation.
Delilah relaxes a little once the party says they’ll help. ”I cannot help convince the dinosaur to move I'm afraid. While I can talk to plants and have them talk back to animals I speak just as you do, with no true understanding between us. I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
The conversation is interrupted by a visitor. A human walks into the grove, one the party may or may not recognize as someone who hurt his leg in the attack and has been recovering.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Wednesday June 28th, 2023 9:03:20 AM
Slight, gangly, ragged, and utterly unremarkable from a distance, the young, young man before you has deep brown eyes under a cascade of brown hair. Eyes and hair contrast sharply against his pale skin. His clothes show the worn patches and frayed edges of long use. His shirt and breeches are short at the ankles and wrists. His leather jerkin bears a few long scars; one along his left ribs and a second just above his left hip.
He has a sturdy walking staff, a dagger at his belt, and another strapped to his thigh.. A pack slung over his shoulders hangs low over his butt.
A small grey dog, that might look like a miniature sheepdog if it's fur hadn't been hacked down to relieve the heat, tirelessly circles his legs closely, but never trips him nor suffers an accidental kick.
Noticing you noticing him, his movement becomes less free and his shoulders slump forward. He says simply, "Hi, I'm Colt. Rothlorian thought you left so quickly that you might not have brought enough food. He sent me to try to find you."
And then he stops walking toward you.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 14/14 Wednesday June 28th, 2023 1:27:15 PM
"Ah, hello, Colt," Yofiel says. "Well, that was thoughtful of Rothlorian, and very brave of you." The redhead elf tilts her head to the side a moment. "I remember, when we brought Grimelda back from the tunnels, I think I saw you two talking together when our community had gathered together."
She turns toward the dryad. "This is Colt, and Colt this is Delilah, and this is her grove. She helped provide wood for the repair of the tower lift, and she is our friend."
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Wednesday June 28th, 2023 2:40:58 PM
"Well, hey, look who it is!" Dapple exclaims. "How's the leg?"
Dapple is a halfling woman, a cleric and healer, who would have helped tend to Colt's leg while he was injured.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Wednesday June 28th, 2023 7:54:50 PM "Hi, Delilah." Colt nods and lurches back into motion, leaning slightly on the staff. "Yeah, Grimelda gave me a job when I got to Cloudhaven. She's nice. Thank you. Thank you all for bringing her back."
Reaching the edge of your circle, he shrugs off the pack. The small grey dog scurrries out from under the pack just before it hits the ground. Colt loosens the drawstrings, reaches in, and draws out a package. "Jerky and hard tack. Who's hungry?"
While passing out the dry packages, he answers Dapple's question. "Much better thanks. It wasn't a bad sprain, but painful. I feel almost normal now."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Wednesday June 28th, 2023 8:01:55 PM
Grim, standing at the edge of the temporary canopy on the other side of where the newcomer entered hears a new twist to the conversation and turns around and sees the newcomer.
The over 6' tall 270 lb half-orc tread over to the group he looks Colt up and down. "Colt, eh? Rothlorien thought you could bring enough food for all of us? Well, whadya got? A big juicy steak? Delilah knows her fruit and veggies better'n anybody, but I need some solid roasted meat now and then, more now than then."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 14/14 Wednesday June 28th, 2023 8:52:53 PM
"Salted beef. Use your saliva to add the juice, Grim," Yofiel pokes back.
"Say, Colt, what is your dog's name?"
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Wednesday June 28th, 2023 11:19:18 PM
A newly matured half-elven man of nearly six foot with minorly tan skin. His emerald eyes contrast his auburn hair in a striking way. He wears sturdy leather boots and leather breeches with a sickle hanging from a throng at his side. His torso is covered by boiled leather sections sewn together fashionably and skillfully.
He kneels down and beckons to the small dog as he says, "Hello Colt. It is always nice to meet new people."
Marest (Kim sub for Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Thursday June 29th, 2023 6:20:11 AM
Marest does recall seeing Colt around Cloudhaven several times, but has not had very much interaction with him. "We thank you for coming and bringing food. Do you want to come with us to see a dinosaur? I am Marest, by the way." Likely Colt already knows that, but, best to be polite.
A tall woman - 6'5" - she has silky blue skin. Her hair is dyed a mixture of colors, with green and purple predominating, and red, pink and blue woven in as well.
R.J. Muffins (Kim sub for Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Thursday June 29th, 2023 6:39:14 AM
RJ Muffins has been quiet for the most part. He had trudged through the rain storm with the rest of them, mostly kept firm-enough footing along the way, but was glad for the rope on one occasion. He scouted a short way ahead for a good part of the journey.
When they arrived, he watched and listened. Ate the food. Slept well. Felt fine that the dryad is doing all right now. Wondered what sort of pay there might be for this task, but didn't bring it up to anyone.
Colt showed up. RJ has a nodding acquaintance with him, but mainly because of Colt's dog. There have been a few times in the past when RJ slipped the dog a little extra snack.
He reaches into his bag. Just rations. Standard stuff. Not exciting. But - ah, here's a bit of meat.
After Siolo finishes greeting the dog, RJ draws near, sits on his haunches, and holds out a fist, fingers down, toward the critter. As he knows him, the dog draws near, sniffs RJ's hand, and sits. The wolfish beastfolk opens his hand, and extends it slightly. "Good to see you, Fogbank," RJ says to the dog, and scratches behind his ears. "Good to see you, Colt," he says as he stands. "I'll take some hard tack and jerky."
DM Mitch House Combat Map Thursday June 29th, 2023 8:07:40 AM Colt reveals himself and tells the others he was sent by Rothlorien to bring them food as they might not have taken enough when they set off. Yofiel thanks Colt for the food delivery and introduces him to Delilah and Delilah him. Dapple ask how Colt’s leg is Colt explains he took a job for Grimelda and he thanks the party for bringing her back. He pulls out the preserved food goods and answers Dapple’s questions. Grim asks if Colt brought a big juicy steak because he needs solid roasted meat every now and then. Yofiel says salted beef is likely and asks for the dog’s name. Siolo says hi to the person and the dog. Marest says hi and asks if he wants to come see the dinosaur. RJ nods to the human and more thoroughly greets the dog.
With the newcomer greeted and a tentative plan for Delilah moving made it’s about time to head out. There’s a big more discussion with the dryad - no, she cannot have two trees, yes, that does mean the lift wood is unguarded, but the guard was for greedy visitors seeking to steal some and the town isn’t exactly receiving many of those at the moment. Then it’s time to head out.
It takes slightly more than half a day to reach the north end of the plateau. The now familiar rocky expanse begins to overtake the jungle and you find the small stream near where you find the trex last time.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16 Thursday June 29th, 2023 11:02:11 AM
Ezekiel pokes the stream with his staff.
"Can't be too careful. The big thunda lizzie could be hiding in there. And don't he saying that the stream be too shallow, we don't know what kind of tricks that lizzie has got."
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Thursday June 29th, 2023 12:29:12 PM
Dapple snorts a laugh. "Lizzie," she says.
"I assume we're sending scouts? Scouts that aren't me? Anybody want a Bit of Luck before they leave?"
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Thursday June 29th, 2023 1:50:52 PM
Backing up a bit --
When Grim comes over, Colt shrinks back a half step. He agrees somewhat hesitantly with Yofiel, "Sorry. Nothing juicy about this beef."
Then he turns to the bard. "That's Fogbank, or sometimes Foggy. 'cause he swirls like the fog on the harbor back home."
He's polite to Siolo. "It's nice to meet you too, sir."
A second later with a bit of a smile, "Marest, nice to meet you. I think -- I might want to see this dino."
Colt hands RJ some jerky and bread. "Good to see you too, sir." Fogbank thumps his hind leg on the ground during the head scratching, then watches intently while RJ eats.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Thursday June 29th, 2023 1:54:34 PM
At the stream --
Colt looks from face to face and waits a few seconds before saying, "I could go scout. I'm pretty good at being quiet and hiding."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Thursday June 29th, 2023 8:24:19 PM
When Colt shrinks back a half step Grim opens a wide toothy grin baring his half-orc fangs.
"I'll take that jerky, thank you," and nabs the ration pack. While the others greet and converse with Colt, Grim rips the jerky into small pieces and tosses each piece into the air to fall down into his open maw. He doesn't do his usual loud smacking noise because there really isn't any pieces of jerky big enough to really smack.
It is hard to know if Grim remembers seeing Colt around, although Grim did spend a lot of time scouting around the perimeter.
As they prepare to leave and head to the cave, Grim thanks Delilah for the food and shelter. He likes dancing in the rain but prefers to sleep in the dry.
Setting foot on the path once more only cheers Grim up slightly more than the glum he awoke with. However the dangers of the jungle still keep him on guard, especially the closer they get to the cave.
"He aint the only Thunder God out here, but he's the only one with some unusual smarts," he comments regarding Ezekiel's warning.
Grim's size and metal armor pretty much disqualifies him as Sneaky Scout, so he waits for other's to volunteer. Colt seems to be quite confident in his skills, and Grim snickers. "You can't hide your smell, so make sure you are downwind when you sneak in there."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Thursday June 29th, 2023 8:25:42 PM
OOC: Meant to say 'He nabs his ration pack.', sounded like he went to nab the whole thing. He wouldn't do that to his friends. :)
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 d20=13 ; Friday June 30th, 2023 1:14:09 AM
((Stealth 13+5=18))
Siolo stands up with a smile. Finally his expertise can be seen once more.
"I'll scout as well. I have prepared some magics that should help."
Marest (Kim sub for Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Friday June 30th, 2023 1:38:07 AM
Marest laughs lightly at Colt's explanation of Fogbank's name, the god swirling like the fog.
She bows to Delilah. "We will speak with the people of Cloudhaven on your behalf. I am happy we all made it here safely." She thinks a moment. "If you do move closer to us - could any of the trees of this grove somehow join you there? Or could we plant some shoots from their limbs to give you some of the same types of trees over time?"
Once they come to the stream, Marest says, "I do not think me the best for scouting, but I could come along, but stay back away from the forward scouts, if you need a small amount of magical backup, I suppose."
R.J. Muffins (Kim sub for Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Friday June 30th, 2023 1:44:32 AM
"Good shelter you gave, lady of trees," RJ tells Delilah. "See you later, I suppose." Yes, that was a long enough speech.
So, Colt can scout too, eh? Fair enough. We'll see, RJ thought to himself. Siolo, he already knows about. "Marest. You can do that message thing, right? Do it to two or three of us - how many can you have it for?"
He describes to Colt the options of coming in up over the back of the hill, as well as taking the long way around. "That lizard seemed to know where we were but did not do anything. I don't know if we can count on it doing nothing this time." He shrugs his shoulders. "Maybe it won't be there this time."
R.J. Muffins (Kim sub for Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 d20+13=24 ; Friday June 30th, 2023 1:45:50 AM
BTW, Stealth for RJ Muffins: 24
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Friday June 30th, 2023 2:03:10 AM
Prior to departure, the bard had taken the maps out of her backpack to calculate the best pathway from the grove to the hill cave, and from the hill cave to the fruit orchards. She tries to figure out the best spot to carry the travois to so they can leave it at a good pick-up point from hill cave to the orchards.
Yofiel graciously takes leave of Delilah and the grove. "Thank you, trees, for sheltering us."
She receives the rations from Colt, and tucks them into her backpack, but not before breaking off some hard tack to chew on as they travel.
Yofiel drags the travois along as they leave. At approximately midway towards the dinosaur, and as the land slowly shifts from forest to rocky, she finds as good a hiding place as she might for the travois so they can pick it up on the way back, and bring it to the orchards. Maybe she'll use it as a little portable wall to fend off marauding monkeys.
Once they come to the stream, the elf volunteers, "I too think I shall remain farther back. Is there a suitable spot around here we might retreat to if the monster tries to attack us? Can someone help us find such?" she asks those gathered. "How do we want to play this? What are our goals today?"
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Friday June 30th, 2023 2:04:57 AM
P.S.: P.S.: In the header, I'm linking my 3rd-level version of Yofiel, as Saturday is the new leveling point. I still need to add more gear, etc.
DM Mitch House Combat Map d20=16 ; Friday June 30th, 2023 7:23:27 AM Colt apologizes for the lack of beef to Grim and introduces Fogbank or Foggy the dog. He then tells Siolo and Marest that it is nice to meet both of them and hands R.J. some jerky and bread. Ezekiel says that they can’t be too careful as the big thunda lizzies could be hiding in there. He also points out how the shallow stream could conceal tricks. Dapple snorts a laugh at “Lizzie” and surmises they are sending scouts that aren’t named Dapple but are blessed with a “bit o’ luck” Colt looks from face to face and volunteers to scout Grim makes a show of cutting his jerky up into pieces and tossing them up into the air only to catch with his maw. When they set out again he thanks Delilah for the shelter she provided so he could sleep in the dry. When they reach the stream Grim knows his armor precludes him from being a scout and he advises Colt that they can’t hide his smell so he better stay downwind of the Thunder God Siolo says he has magics to help with scouting. Marest laughs at the dog’s name explanation, asks some follow up questions with Delilah, and says she isn’t the best scout. RJ is ready to see if Colt can scout and explains what happened last time. Yofiel plans a route so they don’t have to carry the travois the whole way but can use it to hold fruit later. She asks about the party’s plan if things go wrong.
Colt and RJ creep up the incline to where the trex and it’s cave were last seen. It’s still there, laying in the perfect position to block any entry in the cave, but this time they seem to have come during lunch time. A large pile of meat lays in front of the trex, and it is taking slow measured bites of the food as it stands guard. Again it notices the scouts right away, looking right at them as they poke their heads up to look as if it heard them coming and knew right where to look, only looking away briefly to grab another bite of food as it finishes chewing.
Interestingly the meat does not take the form of a dead animal or animals. It's cuts of meat, maybe salted though it's hard to tell from here, like someone would prepare for long term storage.
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Friday June 30th, 2023 2:29:44 PM
Dapple gives each scout a Bit of Luck, and explains to Colt what that means.
She explains it without using game terms, but on your next d20 roll, you can roll twice and take the best result.
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Friday June 30th, 2023 10:19:17 PM The Wait
Marest mediates while the forward scouts are doing their scouting.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 d20+1=4 ; Friday June 30th, 2023 11:34:30 PM
Grim inspects the stream looking for tasty fish. One of their clans on a different plateau found gold in a stream and Grim wanders if there could be some up here also. He dips his hand in a sandy spot like he saw them do and sifts through it.
Appraise + 1 = 4
Nothing. Not that he'd know unless it was a pretty big nugget. He watched them do it but was never shown really what to look for.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Friday June 30th, 2023 11:36:13 PM
Colt immediately ducks from under the dino's gaze. He wants to watch it, but doesn't want it watching him. Insted he tries to focus his hearing forward. A ploy doomed to fail when he asks RJ, "That's weird. This one is so much calmer than the ones that attacked the village. What do you think? Can we get closer?"
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16 Saturday July 1st, 2023 1:44:38 PM
While waiting for the scouts to do their thing, Ezekiel practices his magic with random gestures and phrases to see if he can intuit any new spells while he's waiting.
"Go lightning! Zap 'em! Shazam!"
R.J. Muffins (Kim sub for Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Saturday July 1st, 2023 4:01:41 PM
"We could walk around and come from the front entrance and offer the saurus some jerky," offers RJ. "Who knows? It could get to like us... Or, while I offer it jerky from one side, you sneak in the other side and take its big steaks. Grim would like that." He waits a moment, then says, "Just kidding, of course. I don't know. Sure, we can get closer. You lead on this one. I'll be behind, and maybe off to one side."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Sunday July 2nd, 2023 6:23:26 AM
"Who is the fastest runner among us? And how fast does a T-Rex run?" Yofiel asks aloud before the scouts head out.
She also casts message before the scouts head away from the party so as to be able to maintain voice contact.
[Might it be possible to get a rough map of where the stream runs, where it is in relation to the hill, the circumference of the hill, the area in front of and up to the cave, relative altitudes, terrain features, and the like? Words are great when they are sufficient. Maps help eliminate a good deal of fuzzy planning and communication.]
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 16/16 d6=6 ; Sunday July 2nd, 2023 3:22:47 PM
HP for level up: 1d6 = 6.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Sunday July 2nd, 2023 7:53:52 PM
Character sheet updated
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 d8=4 ; Monday July 3rd, 2023 1:48:36 AM
The young half-elf looks over the scene carefully. His face contorts in thought before speaking up.
"I might be able to...befriend the creature," Siolo whispers to the others in the scouting group. "But, it might be wise to have everyone else ready in case I fail."
((4 HP))
DM Mitch House Combat Map Monday July 3rd, 2023 7:49:54 AM Dapple gives each scout a bit of luck and explains to Colt what that means. (OOC: some of the best jokes in OOTS revolve around the PCs breaking the 4th wall by discussing game mechanics) Marest meditates while the scouts are in the forest Grim inspects the stream looking for tasty fish. He also tries to pan for gold but doesn’t find anything. Colt ducks under the dino’s gaze. He tries to focus his hearing forward and asks RJ if they can get closer considering this one is acting strange. Ezekiel starts practicing spells with random gestures. R.J. suggests they walk around and offer the saur some jerky or maybe some big steaks. He then reveals he was joking and says they can get closer but maybe Colt should lead the way. Yofiel starts pondering who is the fastest runner of the group and how fast they run in comparison to a T-Rex. She also had cast message before the scouts had left. Siolo might be able to befriend the thing. He thinks.
Colt and RJ discuss getting closer. Experiments show that it doesn’t mind them approaching, but growls a warning if it at all looks like they are heading towards the cave. It doesn’t seem viscous, but it also seems very likely to be able to kick someone back over the top of the hill and to the steam if they were foolish enough to try to get past. If it doesn’t just chomp the trespasser in half.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Monday July 3rd, 2023 8:11:50 AM
"Thunder, thunder, thunderbolts...ho!" says Ezekiel as lightning crackles in his hands and destroys a rock.
"Thunderbolts and lightning, very very frightening. I lie it!"
"Hey, while we're waiting for the scouts, I found this badge and some scrolls back in town the other day. They had some good info on magic, but does anyone know what this badge is about?" He holds up a copper badge with the letters WLA emblazoned onto it.
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Monday July 3rd, 2023 9:31:27 AM Exclusive Membership
Marest walks over to Mister Ezekiel, looks at the badge and then says, while showing him her badge pinned to her outer clothing, " You mean this badge?! This is the badge to the Exclusive Membership into the group called, The Woldian League of Adventurers!...I guess you're not a member then, eh? When you take the oath and join the WLA, you receive a magical badge, a Fate Item, known all over the Wold. It is in the shape of a battlemented tower with the WLA symbol in Old High Woldian. You should join! "
Marest shakes her head and thinks to herself..."I thought her was a Wold wide traveled and seasoned Wizard! Guess there is no accounting for some..."
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Monday July 3rd, 2023 12:03:49 PM
"So this badge will tell people that I'm a great sorcerer? Then sign me up."
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Monday July 3rd, 2023 2:34:43 PM
Dapple laughs. "It's not just about being a good sorcerer," she says. "It's about being a good person, too."
She begins reminiscing. "One time one of the wagons broke down during this awful rainstorm at night. The road was nothing but mud, we were all soaked to the skin, and nobody could fix the wagon because nobody could even see what was broken. It was too dark and our lanterns were no help at all.
"Then this group of adventurers rides up. This one lady cast a spell [OOC: Daylight] and poof! the entire place wass bright as day. She looks at the wagon and says she can fix it; just give her about 15 minutes. Only she went off by herelf--nowhere near the wagons. Then she came back and cast a spell. Of course, I know now why she needed the 15 minutes, but at the time we were all mystified. Anyway, she cast the spell [OOC: make whole] and poof! the wagon was fixed.
"Then one of the guys cast a different spell [OOC: speak with animals] and talked to the mules. They were getting very balky in the rain, but they straightened up and followed this guy neat as you please. The fella that did all the talking [OOC: the bard], he explained that they were all members of the Woldian League of Adventurers, and because of that, they had to be good people and help wherever they could.
"Uncle Tarlo said that meant we didn't have to pay them, but Granny told him to hush and mind his manners. When we got to the next town, we paid for their rooms at the inn and bought them a round of drinks.
"Anyway, that's how I know about the WLA"
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Monday July 3rd, 2023 2:47:08 PM
"Well, I just wondered around in a storm to save a dryad. Would I do that if I wasn't a good person? Actually, bad example, I would do that because I like wondering around in storms. But I'm not too fond of rats, so there's that."
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Monday July 3rd, 2023 3:37:09 PM
RJ thinks about his options.
"In all seriousness, I still think that one should distract while the other one sneaks past. And I don't really trust any form of sneaking besides invisibility. But maybe if we took to the trees, we could get over him, or at least keep him focused on us out of harms way. Or maybe we just need to knock it out.
"At any event, the rest of the group must be tired of waiting for us. Maybe it's time to head back and let them propose some solutions."
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Monday July 3rd, 2023 11:00:36 PM
Colt gapes at RJ. He doesn't like the idea of being bait or of sneaking into the cave behind the 'rex alone. He eyes the big crossbow. "You guys are the heroes. Can't you just shoot it?"
But he readily agrees to return to the others. Once there, he can only tell you what you already know. "The dinosaur is still there. And it doesn't behave like the ones that destroyed Cloudhaven. It knows we're there, and it's happy just to warn us off. "
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Tuesday July 4th, 2023 12:02:14 AM
Living in an orc tribe, in the middle of the wilds of a rain forest jungle, only outside contact were the attempts to make a go at a settlement on this plateau for some weird reason called Cloudhaven, Grim does not know a thing about any organizations.
Grim leans back against a tree and laughs, "Ezekiel, That badge won't tell anyone anything but that you are a fool! With MY people, you get such a thing AFTER you done something great, not before! Whatever Marest did to get hers, I'm sure it fit the requirements they set. Maybe you kill that Thunder God you earn that thing. But who out here can be the judge of what you need to earn something from some clan or tribe or group far, far away? You want to earn a place in MY tribe? It will be a lot harder than picking up a piece of cloth and say 'Looky what I found! It's mine and now I'm a great wizard!'"
Grim lets out another guffaw.
Grim recovers some seriousness when Colt returns with their scouting report.
"We knew that! Great Thunder Gods don't just sit around contemplating cloud shapes. They roar, then eat you. This one has Intelligence, trained like one of our guard worgs. It's guarding that entrance for someone and knows its orders and follows them. Our plan will have to be more cunning than it's master can plan for."
Grim goes to the stream for a gulp of water then adds, "We need to find out who the master is. That means staying out here on watch for weeks on end if necessary. Killing it not knowing who the master is may be more dangerous than facing those teeth and tail."
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Tuesday July 4th, 2023 3:22:20 AM "Who the master is could be revealed by searching in that cave," Siolo speaks up. "Also, waiting for the master could lead to a situation where we have to deal with both the master and the thunder god."
"I have magic from my circle that can charm animals, but I have to get close. It is not guaranteed, though. It us risky no matter how we play it."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Tuesday July 4th, 2023 7:41:56 AM
"How about this?" Yofiel begins. "We tie a rope about your waist. Actually, I think we should join two, so that, after joining them together and securing you, we have a bit over 90 feet to play with. You approach, alone... but with Grim on the other end of the rope, and myself ready with a rope trick spell if needed. See if you can make friends. Find out its favorite color, what it dreams about, the usual getting-to-know-you things. Just a bit of levity there. Anyway, see how you do. If you get chummy, great. If you do, what might be the next step?" She reaches into her bag. "Here - I only ate a little of the jerky, so you can take the rest, Siolo. Maybe the guardian might like to try this flavor."
She prepares the rope set-up as she described. If Siolo and the others are fine with it, she ties him in - yet in a way he can exit the harness if he so chooses. He will have to actively pull one of the knots to do so. With that in mind, if he is rendered unconscious, and has not loosened the knot, we can pull him up.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Tuesday July 4th, 2023 9:18:29 AM Ezekiel sings about the lightning and then shows the others the badge he found with WLA on it. Marest shows the fact that she has one of the badges to Ezekiel and remarks on her disappointment of his lack of knowledge. Ezekiel then says since it will tell folks that he is a great sorcerer that he wants to be signed up Dapple laughs and explains it isn’t just about being a good sorcerer but a good person as well and she tells her story about how a WLA member fixed a wagon in the darkness one time that aided her family. Ezekiel points out that he just wondered around in a storm to save a dryad then realizes it was a bad example in the first place as storm wondering is a hobby but then he points out that time with the rats. R.J. considers his options and suggests to Colt that maybe one distract while the other tries to keep sneaking but he doesn’t trust any form of sneaking besides invisibility or maybe they just knock it off and go back to the others as it has been a while. Colt returns and reports. He wonders if the heroes can just shoot the thing. Grim is amused by the thought of a badge declaring someone a great wizard without it being earned. He adds that they kind of already knew it was acting differently and thinks they should camp out to find it’s master. Siolo thinks exploring the cave is a good way to find out who the master is and wonders if he can make friends with the animal. Yofiel suggests they tie a rope around Siolo to pull him back if things go wrong in the making friends line of work.
A tentative plan is made to let Siolo make friends with the dinosaur. The party only has supplies to stay out here a day or so - do they try the plan now or come back later when more prepared?
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Tuesday July 4th, 2023 1:11:01 PM
"If it has orders not to let anyone into the cave, I doubt it will do so if you ask nicely," suggests Ezekiel. "What if you tried asking who it's master is? Or who brings it meat? They might not have thought to order the big thunda lizzie to not reveal such information."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 Tuesday July 4th, 2023 2:07:01 PM
Grim leans back on a tree again.
"Go over your plan again please, because I fail to see the purpose of a rope. You didn't splain what I'm supposed to do with it. Pull back what chunk of meat is left over when you think it got friendly but only eyes you as desert? I won't stop you from trying to befriend it, but I won't take part in stupidity. You want to climb the cliffs so you are safe enough from immediate danger before you try to befriend it, fine. But if you need to get closer for your spells to work then that decision is on your head."
He stretches and yawns then adds, "Something brought out that meat in nice cut up chunks. I'll vote to come back with supplies for a week and stake the place out. We'll have more success getting an intelligent response from the master than from that pea brained animal. But I won't stop you from giving it a try. Shouldn't take but a few minutes to know if your plan works or not."
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Tuesday July 4th, 2023 2:33:18 PM
Colt listens while the heroes discuss their plan. But he can't help but interject when Grim speaks. "So you did see the purpose of the rope! " Colt laughs nervously. He continues with, " How high can one of those things jump?" Then he quickly shuts up again to let the adults talk.
When Grim mentions the stake out, Colt's face droops a little, but he can see the advantages. "That probably wouldn't even take a week. That thing is so big it must eat a lot. And you could still try friends from above."
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Tuesday July 4th, 2023 3:37:59 PM
"The person who brought the meat--did they leave a trail?" Dapple asks. "Could someone track them?"
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Tuesday July 4th, 2023 10:39:04 PM
RJ just quietly watches.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Wednesday July 5th, 2023 5:19:43 AM
The bard listens as some options are discussed.
"My inclination, if you're really up for it, is for you to give it a try, Siolo," Yofiel says. "It seems pretty risky, and if you, or the majority of the party, deem it to be too much so, there is no harm in not trying it now. If you do it, and succeed, though, well, that could be marvelous.
"Let us say you try and succeed. What then? I do not know the next step for you, or for us, to take."
"We could just head out now to go get some fruit, and come back later with a more clarified plan. Perhaps get some WLA training in the interim."
[Thanks for the map. How deep is the drop off? What is the diameter of the hill? Right now it looks like a donut, but how steep is the ground going into the dip, how big across is the center piece, which side is the cave entrance on, etc.?]
DM Mitch House Combat Map Wednesday July 5th, 2023 8:51:15 AM Ezekiel reasons that if it has orders not to let people into the cave he doubt it will do so if asked nicely. He suggests asking who its master is or who brings it meat as the person commanding it might not have thought to censor such information. Grim asks for a recap of the plan again because he fails to see a purpose for the rope. He suggests all he’ll be doing is pulling back a chunk of meat when instead of getting friendly it only eyed Siolol as desert. He says he won’t stop Siolo from trying to befriend it but he won’t sanction a suicide attempt. He suggests if he wants to climb the cliffs to safety before trying that is one thing but getting closer than that so spells work is on Siolo’s head. He says since someone brought meat they should come back later with supplies for a week and do a stakeout as they’ll have more success getting in. They’ll get a more intelligent response out of the master than the pea brained animal but it won’t take more than a few minutes to know if Siolo’s plan worked or not. Colt points out that Grim did see the purpose of the rope, then asks how high one of those things can jump. When Grim mentions the stakeout Colt gets a little disappointed but he can see the advantage of the other plan. Since the T-Rex must eat a lot it probably won’t even take a week and they could still try to befriend it just from above. Dapple asks if the meat bringer left a trail they could follow RJ quietly watches. Yofiel is inclined to have Siolo try but if everyone thinks it is to much a risk then they can always come back later.
The area is examined for the trail of the bringer of food. It’s mostly hard stone around here so it’ll be hard to find if there is one (DC 20 base for hard surfaces). The hill isn’t so steep as to slow people down or be difficult terrain, both going up and going down in to the dip, though it’s more of a drop where the Trex is settled. Dropping things on the Trex might work but it’s still a bit of an angle and the trex is mostly sheltered by the cave (also that would make it mad and you would die).
Most of the party seems to feel Siolo’s plan is too dangerous, at least for now, so presumably after making their survival checks the party will be ready to head back out towards the fruit oasis.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 d20+3=7 ; Wednesday July 5th, 2023 3:28:35 PM
RJ tries his best (survival 7) but cant really make out much in the difficult terrain.
He knows he's not the make plans guy but he still feels a little sheepish at not having any good ideas for right now.
Shaking it off, he prepares to head back.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 d20=17 ; Wednesday July 5th, 2023 8:47:09 PM
"Well, if we ain't talkin' to the big lizzie, then I suggest we move on to the fruit...land island."
Ezekiel throws his staff up in the air. Using mage hand to pick it up, he starts heading off in a different direction than the one to which it points.
"It's this way, fight?
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Wednesday July 5th, 2023 9:36:01 PM
"I'm willing to wait while you guys investigate, but it's starting to sound like you can't agree on a plan," says Dapple. "Maybe we're better off getting some fruit."
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Wednesday July 5th, 2023 10:43:15 PM Game
Marest is "Game" for whatever the group decides in this...but she thinks the plan is humorous.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 d20+14=23 ; Wednesday July 5th, 2023 10:49:28 PM
"Fine. Almost, Ezekiel. This way." The direction which Yofiel indicates is almost a bisection of where the staff points and where Ezekiel is walking. "I can help us back to where I left the travois, then on to the orchards, and perhaps monkeys and huge 'saurs." As they walk a short way, she adds, "Or something else."
=========== Perception: 23
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 d20+2=5 ; Wednesday July 5th, 2023 11:17:40 PM
Colt mostly follows RJ or Grim while looking for tracks, but he sees nothing at all. Fogbank circles Colt, sniffing furiously. Unfortunately, the little dog has no idea what he's sniffing for.
Colt's content to follow the party wherever it goes.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 30/30 CMD 17 d20+6=11 ; Wednesday July 5th, 2023 11:20:14 PM
Survival + 6 = 11
"Well, I got what I came for, that is see if that beast is still there. It is, so it gives me more time for thought. More thought leads to better planning. That's what my father taught me. I understand the Great Thunder God well enough to lead a hunt, but this one is different enough to need more thought. It can sense or see you no matter how careful you are, so a normal hunt probably won't work."
He turns to follow Yofiel, "That travois can more than double what we can bring back, let's get it and get the fruit. Can you believe it? I'm thinking more about fruit than meat these days," he laughs, displaying a rare sense of humor.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Wednesday July 5th, 2023 11:34:13 PM
OOC: testing new header. if it works, DM can review my PC sheet for approval. Haven't 'purchased' anything new yet.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 d20=17 ; Thursday July 6th, 2023 3:26:27 AM
Siolo is disheartened by the reception of his idea, though he quickly sees the wisdom of their criticisms. "Patience and preparation are probably for the best."
((Survival 17+10=27))
After the disappointment, Siolo leaps at the opportunity to try and track the meat supplier.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Thursday July 6th, 2023 7:44:48 AM RJ tries his best to find a trail to follow back to the food leaver. He knows he isn’t the make plans guy but still feels sheepish for not having a good idea right now. He shakes it off and prepares to head back. Ezekiel says if he ain’t talkin to the big lizzie then they should move on to the fruit land island. He tosses his staff in the air and catches it with mage hand before setting off in a different direction and asks if he’s headed in the right direction. Dapple says she’s willing to wait why people investigate but it is starting to sound like no one agrees on a particular plan so maybe they are better off getting fruit. Marest is game for whatever but thinks the plan is amusing. Yofiel is able to lead the group back to the travois and towards the fruit oasis. Colt is ready to help the group find tracks but doesn’t have much luck. Grim is satisfied with what the party learned and amused he’s thinking more about fruit then meat these days. Siolo is a bit disheartened but rallies at the chance to check for tracks.
The party looks about for tracks but can’t find any. However this brings about some interesting implications. Siolo is pretty sure if there had been tracks he would have found them, even on the stone, especially with the help of the others. That means whoever is brining the food either did not leave tracks, or is inside the cave that is being guarded. There are several ways to not leave tracks with magic, or even just being a druid as skilled as Siolo, so there’s still a wide range of possibilities.
The party heads towards the fruit grove. The trip is mostly uneventful beyond general travel problems. There’s still a lot of water left from the heavy rain, causing some navigation issues, and at one point there’s a bit of a stand off with a pack of hunting dinosaurs - were you a smaller group they likely would have attacked, but they seem to decide the large group is too much of a risk. The eventual sight of the oasis at the end of the day is a great relief.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Thursday July 6th, 2023 4:38:40 PM
RJ heads in to the oasis.
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Thursday July 6th, 2023 5:37:10 PM
"Okay," says Dapple. "The monkeys were bad, but I'd prefer them to the dinosaurs. Sheesh!"
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Thursday July 6th, 2023 11:42:09 PM
In open ground, Fogbank ranges all around the party, but seldom leaves sight. In more thickly wooded areas, the little dog stays closer, but is often hidden for minutes at a time, investigating rodent burroughs and interesting smells.
Colt stays close to RJ, watching how the veteran moves through the brush and trying to emulate it.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Friday July 7th, 2023 12:52:22 AM
Grim trudges along, alert. When the pack of smaller hunting Thunder Gods circle around looking, studying the group, he starts banging his falchion on his armor and making a lot of noise, belting out loud howls.
In a way he hoped one or two would get close enough to taste his blade, he did want some fresh roasted meat. But they didn't, so it was the Will of the Great One that he eat fruit again.
"It will take longer to gather fruit this time as we won't have the help we had last time. Let's make camp here for the rest of the day. Those not tired can start picking."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Friday July 7th, 2023 1:36:54 AM
"A shake of a lamb's tail, and I'm ready to harvest. Whoever wants to join in, here's a chance.," Yofiel says. She looks about for about ten minutes to see what the local harvesting opportunities might be. Then she gets started. Bananas, mangoes, melons, citrus, squash, vegetables, edible leaves and flowers, tubers, berries, nettles collected wearing gloves), some barks (making certain to harvest in a manner that does not harm the tree), pineapple, coconut... whatever is available, and identifiable.
The elf has several bags, and she hands them out for others to use in the gathering.
"Siolo - you know plants, right? Let us know if you find something particularly good."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Friday July 7th, 2023 1:36:55 AM
"A shake of a lamb's tail, and I'm ready to harvest. Whoever wants to join in, here's a chance.," Yofiel says. She looks about for about ten minutes to see what the local harvesting opportunities might be. Then she gets started. Bananas, mangoes, melons, citrus, squash, vegetables, edible leaves and flowers, tubers, berries, nettles collected wearing gloves), some barks (making certain to harvest in a manner that does not harm the tree), pineapple, coconut... whatever is available, and identifiable.
The elf has several bags, and she hands them out for others to use in the gathering.
"Siolo - you know plants, right? Let us know if you find something particularly good."
DM Mitch House Combat Map Friday July 7th, 2023 8:50:12 AM RJ heads to the oasis. Dapple says the monkeys were bad and she prefers the dinos Colt stays close to RJ while his dog runs all over the place. Grim makes noise when the raptors look at them and is a bit disappointed he didn’t have an excuse to kill any. He suggests they camp and harvest fruit. Yofiel gets started harvesting fruit.
It’s a quiet night at the oasis. The small family of giant dinosaurs is already bedding down on the far side of the small lake when the party arrives and they decide to harvest the fruit despite how tired they are from the trip. They manage to harvest a good amount.
The next morning dawns clear of clouds finally. There’s a freshness to the air that’s invigorating. The big dinosaurs are up early, tromping about and munching on the tallest trees but they don’t bother the party.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Friday July 7th, 2023 11:18:31 AM
"I don't know, Dapple. "The thunder lizzies have enough sense not to attack us. The monkeys didn't have that."
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Friday July 7th, 2023 7:43:46 PM
..The night before.. "Thanks Yofiel," Siolo says gratefully as he unconsciously puffs up at the confidence the elf places in him. With marked energy he sets out and gathers edible vegetation.
Occasionally his red head can be seen bobbing about in the brush.
When he returns, he seems to be in quite a cheery mood. He sets down his veritable vegetable vittles for the crew to peruse.
"Yofiel?" he inquires abruptly, "What do you know about Maab?"
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 d20+12=30 ; d4=1 ; Friday July 7th, 2023 9:52:08 PM
"Oh, look what you brought!" she says to Siolo. Some things she recognizes as good to eat, but not all. "Oh, I didn't know you could eat those... we'll have to try them." [Am keeping vague what 'those' are as it's likely more in the purview of our DM or our druid.]
What about Maab? "What do I know about Maab?" she echoes his query. "Well, a few things. My father fancied stories about her. No doubt you'll know much of this, if not all. Let me start with the basics. In bard school they want you to learn about all sorts of things, including the gods and powers and such.
"So, she is Queen over the Fey. Her husband Eberyon - King of the Fey, created the Wold's Cradle, and had a lot to do with the Wold's creation. Now, details of how it came about I am thin on, but after a while Maab began to think her husband's actions were becoming rash and harmful, so she managed to lull him, and somehow put him into a deep, deep sleep - a sleep that lasted through many ages of the Wold.
"Taking a few steps back, the story goes that very early on Eberyon created the Fey Realm above the elemental planes by exercising the power of the Four Rings of Creation. And he made friends to share it with - the Nobel Fey. Eberyon shared his power, and jointly they made flora and fauna, rivers and streams, vales and stars, and many other suchlike. Among the Nobel Fey, Maab was said to be the most gifted crafter of all. She made many animals and plants - trees with broad leaves, flowers, furry animals, butterflies and moths.
"Eberyon and Maab fell in love, and married. It was some time after their wedding that the Jericho created the Wold above the Fey Realm, just as Eberyon had created his kingdom above the elements. Some call that the Second Creation.
"Yet the Wold came to crowd the Fey Realm, the latter now called the Wold's Cradle, for it did, in a sense, cradle the Wold. But, just as a cradle can caress and shield the child, so also it might receive, well, what comes out of babies' bottoms. Over time the Fey came to call this 'Second Creation' the 'Invasion'.
"We elves speak often of what came next. The Jericho created our race, modeled on the Fey, for there were many aspects in common. There seemed harmony between elves and the Fey. Conflicts began to arise, though, with the coming of the dwarves, humans, orcs, and worse. Now it is said that the Jericho did not create the ignoble races such as goblins and ogres, but stories point this way and that, perhaps to the Elder Gods, of whom only Pantheon remains."
At that point, she looks to Grim. "Now, this is how the story is told among my people. No doubt you," and her she looks first to the half-orc, then to the others, "may have other perspectives or stories, which I would love to learn. But I am trying to answer Siolo's query."
Put Maab on pause, prepare food for travel She pauses. "Perhaps we might spread this story out a bit. If I say too much at once, my friends may go cross-eyed. Let us for now wrap with care, and gratitude, what we have gathered so as to protect from bruising along the way, and figure how we might protect the food should monkeys decide we once again are travelers of interest to them."
And going with that idea, she says, "Before we leave, let's get some extra bananas. If monkeys show up, let's throw bananas all about, scattering them around, so as to serve as a distraction, and allow us to hurry on past them. And, if monkeys do not show up, then, hey, extra bananas!"
====================== Knowledge, Religion: 30 - responding to Siolo's queries about Maab
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Friday July 7th, 2023 11:25:53 PM
Dapple asks for a boost up one of the trees. When she gets to some fruit, she starts harvesting it and tossing it to the people below. When the harvesting is done, she helps Yofiel sort through the bags and make sure everything is organized.
Marest (Kim subbing for Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 d20+9=28 ; Saturday July 8th, 2023 3:55:53 AM
Marest also helps out with the harvest. She is not strong enough really to boost Dapple up, but trusts that one of the stronger people will do so. The dark elf picks from the more easily accessible plants, and occasionally observes what Siolo is picking, and looks to find similar plants to harvest.
As Yofiel responds to the question about Maab, her ears pick up. She is seeking to bind herself to Maab. She has heard most of what the elf relates about the background of the Queen of the Fey.
She adds, "I understand that Maab oversees the Vales of Twilight in the Lands of Rest, which the Jericho made in the Third Creation."
Marest figures that RJ or Grim will say when they figure it is time to leave. "Are there spices, herbs we can gather there, too?" she asks around. "I can carry some of the lighter things."
=========== Knowledge, religion: 28
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Saturday July 8th, 2023 11:34:47 PM
"So, Colt, are you going to help us harvest here? How good are you at climbing trees?" Yofiel asks. "Are you any good with ropes? You needn't be shy around us, just pitch in as you are able."
She adds, "RJ, you want to pair up with Colt on this?"
[OOC: Both of you (Melvin and Tim) need one more post to get in 5 this week! So does Siolo (Joe), and another from Grim (Jonathan)]
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Sunday July 9th, 2023 11:24:37 AM
Responding to Yofiel, Colt takes a bag and jumps to work. "Sure, I'll help. Climbing trees is easy and fun. " Skinny as a rail, but still strong, Colt swarms up a nearby tree and is soon working to fill the bag, and his stomach. A short while later he's back on the ground, handing the fruit to the elf, before ascending another tree.
Fogbank finds a shady spot in some deep grass and lies down.
Between the third and fourth tree, he mentions to Yofiel, "This isn't so different from working in town. I thought things would be more exciting with all of you. I mean, we did try to sneak up on that big dinosaur, but then nothing happened. And there was the pack of smaller meat eaters, but they sometimes skirt the edge of town. So we have to watch for them there too. "
OOC: Thanks for the heads up, Kim. I put off Friday's post thinking I'd have some time Saturday, but that didn't work out. Anyway I beat the buzzer today.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Monday July 10th, 2023 12:42:14 AM
Grim watches the activity of the morning. He's takes the travois and starts loading it. As he does so he watches the docile Thunder Gods move about chomping on the fruit, easily reached by their size. It occurred to him that they needed something similar, mechanical.
"We need something big and tall like that to help us harvest, and we have something like that. If we built towers like watchtowers and added wheels on the legs, we could push them around from tree to tree and harvest fruit much like riding one of those Thunder Gods!" he blurts and comments he'll put the idea to Rotholorien. A handful of carpenters and a week out here should do to build at least one mobile harvesting tower.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Monday July 10th, 2023 8:15:03 AM Ezekiel points out that the thunder lizzies have enough sense not to attack but the monkeys don’t. Siolo previously gathered vegetation and inquired to Yofiel about Maab. Yofiel gives Siolo a rundown about Maab and Eberyon before saying that she wants to spread the story about Maab over some time. She also suggests they protect the fruit and gather some bananas as a monkey distraction. Dapple asks for a boost up one of the trees and then starts harvesting and tossing to people below. She then helps Yofiel with the sorting. Marest helps with the harvest. Although she can’t boost Dapple herself she gathers the more accessible edible plants. As Yofiel talks about Maab the bloodwitches ears prick up. She throws in a tidbit about Ma’ab and then asks about gathering herbs. Yofiel asks Colt about helping with the harvest and suggests he team up with RJ. Colt starts helping with the harvest and climbs a tree while fog bank lies in the deep grass. He tells Yofiel this isn’t much difference than working in town. Grim wonders about making a tower that could help with the harvesting.
Having done this before the party is able to gather the fruit a bit easier than last time. Soon their packs are all filled up and it’s time to move on. The way back to town is uneventful. In fact it’s a bit too uneventful - last time this area had monkeys all over the place. Even if they didn’t gather to swarm you you’d expect to see a few hanging around, and yet the entire trip is completely unbothered by sight or sound of the little mischief makers.
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Monday July 10th, 2023 1:31:24 PM
"I wonder what happened to the monkeys," Dapple says. "I hope they didn't run into a monkey-eating dino."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Monday July 10th, 2023 7:47:40 PM
Grim grew up in this jungle and is quite familiar with the noises. Monkeys are quite common, many different types and sizes. You always hear them, far off or way up in the tops of the trees. So not hearing any or even glimpsing one or two flitting around up there puts Grim a little on edge.
"Their escapade with us would put them on guard against us and they'd be up there screaming at us to get out of their territory, but not make them vanish altogether. Something has scared them into hiding. I'll bet a gremlin head on that!" Grim adds to Dapple's comment.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 d20=12 ; Monday July 10th, 2023 8:44:33 PM
Siolo seems concerned about the lack of primate interruption. "It may not be as simple as them being scared away. The longer I spend in this area, the more I want to find out what is disrupting the nature."
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Monday July 10th, 2023 9:12:58 PM
RJ considers this. "Yes, well, the best solution is a simple just move and get out of here, isn't it."
If anyone presses further, he does do some tracking but he's not too concerned.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Monday July 10th, 2023 10:30:04 PM
"Hopefully it was the storm that scarred them away and not something worse," says Ezekiel.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Tuesday July 11th, 2023 12:53:06 AM
"Yes, Colt, occasionally things are quieter," Yofiel responds to his comments. "Did I tell you about the time, though, that a diplodocus picked me up off the ground, and placed me in the top of a fruit palm? She was rather grouchy, and stomped off afterwards, but I thought it a fun and elevating experience!" she says with a smile. She points to 'Marest - "She interpreted for us, and gave her - the diplo - my request to help me up."
The elf nods her head at the halfling's comment.
I forgot to mention one thing Yofiel intended - to begin to catalog the food sources in the orchard, with a map showing what plant kinds predominate in various areas, and in particular mark on the map some of the scarcer items.
She shares Grim's concern, and Siolo's, but does not want to spend too much time at the moment to investigate further. She is simply glad that the outpost will have extra bananas!
During the return march, she adds additional details to the mapping she had done the previous time through here. "Hey - that's the spot that they attacked us before!"
"Yep, RJ, that's the simplest. Let's do it."
"Could have been the storm, surely, Ezekiel."
Once they arrive in town, the bard sings out, "We picked up some tasties, and no one got killed! Anyone care for a banana?"
Marest (Kim subbing for Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Tuesday July 11th, 2023 1:06:42 AM
"It would be fun to see if several of the dinosaurs communicate in the same language, or something close to it. I wonder if there is a special area of linguistics to cover dinosaur tongues?"
Marest carries a bag with some of the lighter fare - some herbs and spices, most like.
"I wonder if someone in town can help us with WLA training?" she asks.
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