DM Mitch House Combat Map Tuesday July 11th, 2023 7:31:47 AM Dapple wonders what happened to the monkeys and hopes they didn’t run into a dino. Grim bets a gremlin head that something has scared the monkeys into hiding Siolo says it may not be as simple as them being scared away and that something could be disrupting nature. Ezekiel hopes it was the storm that scared them away and not something else. Yofiel agrees with Colt that occasionally things are quieter then recalls the story of the Diplo that gave her a helping lift. She shares some of Grim’s and Siolo’s concerns and agrees with R.J’s suggestion and Ezekiel’s reasoning. She also continues to work on her maps as they go. Marest thinks it would be fun to see if Dinosaurs share a common language. She carries her herb back and asks if anyone in town can help with the WLA training.
The disquieting absence of monkeys bothers the party some but they press on. It’s about mid afternoon when they find themselves back in town - and find out where the monkey’s went.
Monkey’s are everywhere. The roofs of the buildings have monkeys running and resting on them. The streets have monkey's wandering about openly, looking around in curiosity. The windows of abandoned buildings have monkey’s pressing their faces against the glass. Passersby on the streets yell at monkeys to go away as they follow them trying to snag anything that gets their attention. It’s a monkey apocalypse, though no one seems to be panicking from what you can see from the outskirts of town.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Tuesday July 11th, 2023 7:45:54 AM
Colt laughs. "OH, so these are the monkeys you were talking about." But he soon sobers up. He knows from encounters with rats in another town, that large groups of small animals can be inconvenient or even hazardous. (Not Grimelda's rats though. She keeps them pretty much in line. )
"What do we do now?"
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Tuesday July 11th, 2023 8:26:04 AM
"We need to move it!" says Ezekiel. "Move it!"
(Sorry, I had to)
"So does anyone have a plan? So far all I've got it blast things with lightning."
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Tuesday July 11th, 2023 3:57:05 PM
"I don't really have a plan. I honestly thought before today that monkeys would avoid the dog with the crossbow."
He looks around.
"Still, the lack of danger as of yet means that we can think about this. Perhaps we could smoke or noise these monkeys away. Assuming they still act like monkeys."
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Tuesday July 11th, 2023 8:59:45 PM
"The dinos attacked the town as if they were drawn to it," Dapple muses slowly. "Then the gremlins showed up. And now the monkeys. And, yes, those things happened weeks apart, but....could whatever drew the dinos here still be working? Only now it's drawing other things like gremlins and monkeys?"
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Tuesday July 11th, 2023 11:13:58 PM
Grim looks at Dapple with a smirky smile. "That could be to our advantage. Since one of our group can talk to one of them, all we need to do is make a deal, an exchange of favors, and we'd have the best alarm system for hundreds of miles around. Either that or eat them."
He smacks his lips and burps, then adds [/b]"Let's get on into town and see what Rothlorien has in mind."[/b]
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 d20=13 ; Tuesday July 11th, 2023 11:58:14 PM
((Wild Empathy 13+6=19))
Siolo surveys the scene and then speaks up. "While it could be coincidence, it could also be a distraction. Some of you should check on our food stores and other valuable things here," he says quickly. "I will try to make contact."
With that, Siolo becons one of the monkeys over to speak with. He pulls out a fruit to assist.
(Siolo is attempting Wild Empathy followed by Speak with Animals) ((Casting Time 1 standard action Components V, S Effect Range personal Target you Duration 1 min./level Description You can ask questions of and receive answers from animals, but the spell doesn't make them any more friendly than normal. Wary and cunning animals are likely to be terse and evasive, while the more stupid ones make inane comments. If an animal is friendly toward you, it may do some favor or service for you.))
Soon after attracting a monkey, Siolo crouches down with his knuckles on the ground and begins whooping and grunting at the monkey. ("Where are you from?") ("Why are you here?") ("Who told you to come here?")
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Wednesday July 12th, 2023 1:59:03 AM
"Yes, let us use peaceful means if possible. I suppose, too, that there may be good and bad monkeys as with people."
"And, as there may be hungry monkeys, let us get our food supplies right away into firm and secure storage."
Reflecting on Dapple's surmise, as Siolo starts his interaction with one of the simians, Yofiel recommends, "You might ask him or her to 'take me to your leader.'"
She asks Grim, if he is willing, to haul the travois to - say, there is a finished room lined with stone in the basement of the adventurers' house she has been working on, and it is secured with a solid door. "To the house, to the basement storage room." She goes along. If Grim is unavailable, she enlists a few folks to help her drag it to their place - even an NPC or two, if PCs are unavailable. The food on it is well wrapped with blankets, and secured with rope.
Marest (Kim subbing for Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Wednesday July 12th, 2023 2:29:23 AM
Marest sees that the monkeys seem to be curious, but, so far, calm.
She has the calm animals spell in mind should a nearby group get too excitable. She will help her friends as she is able. She will go with the food to help take it to storage.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Wednesday July 12th, 2023 6:39:31 AM Colt laughs and realizes that these were the monkeys everyone was talking about and then asks what they do now Ezekiel says everyone needs to move it, move it and asks if anyone has a plan. R.J says he didn’t have a plan as he was hoping the monkeys would avoid the dog with the crossbow. He suggests smoking or noising the monkeys away if they still act like monkeys. Dapple starts wondering if maybe whatever drew the dinos there in the first place is drawing gremlins and monkeys now Grim suggests to Dapple if that is the case they could turn the monkeys into an alarm system or eat them. He then suggests they follow up with Rothlorien Siolo surveys the scene and speculates this could be a distraction and suggests folks check on the food supply and other valuables while he tries to find a monkey to talk to. Yofiel would like to resolve things peacefully and talks to Grim about where to store the travois. Marest has a spell that will calm things down if needed butt for the moment the monkeys seem only curious.
As the sentries raise the alert that the party has returned a crowd starts to form. It seems everyone was expecting you to come right back so when you didn’t everyone feared the worst. The food is quickly moved into the tavern, which is properly sealed to keep mischievous monkeys out, then the travois stored. From what the party is told the monkey’s showed up this morning and have been annoying but not dangerous. They’ve mostly been taking anything not being attended by anyone, though just as often they play with it a while before leaving it somewhere. A few people who tried to attack or chase off the monkey’s got poo thrown at them but no one has been seriously hurt or major harm been done.
Siolo’s attempts to talk to a monkey meet poor results. The problem is every time he tries to approach one to offer fruit and convince he’s friendly it runs off before he can say much of anything to them. They seem incredibly wary of people. Capturing one might be necessary to give him time to talk, or finding one that already knows and has a reason to trust the party so won’t run away.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Wednesday July 12th, 2023 9:55:58 AM
"I doubt the gremlins are connected. Controlling lizards and primates is a different skill set."
"Strange that they seem wary of people yet have been drawn to an area with a large concentration of people."
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Wednesday July 12th, 2023 12:54:31 PM
With a sigh, Dapple goes to check on the temple. It still doesn't have walls in the strictest sense of the word, and she wants to see what (if anything) the monkeys have taken.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Wednesday July 12th, 2023 9:20:32 PM
Ezekial points out something interesting, even to Grim. "That is strange. That these monkeys travelled half a day to get here, how did they even know of this place? Families of monkeys are very territorial and don't travel unless they run out of food or are chased out. I doubt if is lack of food because these jungles are teeming with food. Just about every tree produces something for somebody to eat. They just need to travel half a mile for fresh trees. (OOC: Grim says this because there's been no mention of any over large groups of tree residents during their trips). As for us, the grove is the most efficient place to gather food than right next door due to the concentration of types of fruit we eat. But these monkeys eat a lot of stuff we can't, so there not here because of food."
He asks Siolo, "What was that promise you made to them again?"
Grim gladly takes the travois to its storage place. The temptation to have roasted monkey tonight is very high and maybe keeping busy will stymy that.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 d20+3=21 ; d20+8=24 ; Wednesday July 12th, 2023 9:56:41 PM
RJ considers the situation before trying to determine where the monkeys even entered from (survival 21) and if there's anything near the perimeter (perception 24).
Any monkey that comes close gets a sharp bark but he avoids any actual threats or attacks.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Wednesday July 12th, 2023 10:10:27 PM
Siolo wrinkles in frustration at the failed attempts to goad any monkeys to get close.
With a sigh he says quietly to himself, "Time for plan B."
Siolo then carefully gets within 30 feet of a monkey and casts Charm Animal. After, he incants and magically speaks to the monkey.
((Casting Time 1 standard action Components V, S Effect Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Target one animal Duration 1 hour/level Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes Description This spell functions like charm person, except that it affects a creature of the animal type.))
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Wednesday July 12th, 2023 11:25:35 PM
Colt shadows Siolo as the druid approaches the monkeys. He pulls the long cords of his sling from a belt pouch, slips the loop at the end of one cord over his wrist. A quick flip raises the free end of the cord into the air and he snatches that with the cord-looped hand. The other hand extracts a bullet from the pouch , but he doesn't fit it into the leather pocket a the center of the sling. He just waits a dozen feet behind Siolo and watches the monkeys with a mixture of strong curiousity and vague apprehension.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Thursday July 13th, 2023 3:33:20 AM
Yofiel flexibly changes her recommendation for the food relocation from 'the basement storage room' to 'the tavern!'
Once the food is secured she lets some of the nearby folk know that they were able to get Delilah back in time to her grove, and she is doing well. If Rothlorian is spotted, she thanks him for sending Colt their way. "He had some good ideas, showed courage, and also climbed those palm trees like a monkey!" Might as well appreciate a bit of the humor of their current circumstances.
She will let him know, too, that, having considered things, the dryad is feeling lonely since her husband and daughter perished in the dinosaur invasion. "She does feel a measure of apprehension, though. If she should move close to Cloudhaven, will she be safe? There was a time years ago when prior inhabitants of the area maltreated her. Should we get a commitment from the folk here to treat her with dignity and respect, with the understanding her grove could only be entered by her invitation, she could become a valued member of our community, albeit dwelling in the outskirts."
As the place is swarming with them, the bard looks to see if she recognizes any of the monkeys from their prior encounter. She ponders whether they are skittish as the result of the party's earlier interactions with them. And, she seeks to discern whether there are any particular monkeys that others appear to be looking for direction from. Are there some dominant figures?
If she sees any monkey that appears to be sneaking up on any of the people of Cloudhaven, she will walk casually in their direction, catch of eye of the monkey, and wag her raised index finger in a warning manner, letting the simian know she is watching. If, however, the monkey seems at all playful, rather than intending harm, then she laughs and spins deosil, then widdershins.
Marest (Kim subbing for Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Thursday July 13th, 2023 3:36:38 AM
"Ezekiel, you are beginning to sound even smarter," teases Marest. She nods at Grim's thoughts, then joins Dapple to check out the temple with her.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Thursday July 13th, 2023 7:35:44 AM Ezekiel doubts the gremlins are connected and wonders why they are here if they are wary of people. Dapple sighs and goes to check on the temple. Grim agrees with Ezekial’s point. He points out that the monkeys could just get food from most anywhere in the jungle and would only leave due to lack of food or being chased away. He asks Siolo what he promised them. RJ tries to track down where the monkey’s came from and if there is anything in the perimeter of town. Siolo gets frustrated and casts plan b. Yofiel thanks Rothloian for sending Colt, tells him about Delilah, and tries to see if she recognizes any of the monkeys. She’ll non-verbally warn any monkeys not to bother people. Marest comments on Ezekiel sounding smarter.
The temple is… not bad. It could be worse. Ok it’s kind of a mess. The monkey’s seem to have found many things of great interest in the building that are now scattered all over the place. Register seems to have done his best to keep the most important things safe and is there when Dapple walks in.
Rothloian takes in Yofiel’s report. ”I don’t think it should be any problem. We’re used to taking in strange people and misfits - just look at Grimelda. If no one cares that a wererat is living here no one will mind a Dryad.”
RJ, Siolo, and Colt all investigate the origin of the monkeys. Signs seem to point to them coming from roughly the same direction as the party did en mass. RJ’s able to track down and spot a good candidate for Siolo to charm - a slightly bigger one that seems to be leading 4-5 smaller ones. Though still wary, the spell makes it friendly enough to let Siolo approach and ask questions while the others hang back in case of danger.
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Thursday July 13th, 2023 1:10:36 PM
"Well, let's put this stuff back where it was, then try to figure out what's missing," Dapple says. "Then we can try to figure out how to keep them out of here.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Thursday July 13th, 2023 6:08:11 PM
"Surely, I was thinking along the same lines," Yofiel responds to Rothlorian. "We did assure Delilah that we would discuss her coming with the people here. Once we resolve the monkey invasion, or, maybe in the middle of it, perhaps we can arrange for all of the folks to meet, briefly, to do so." Then she adds, "Say, I'm a member of the Woldian League of Adventurers, as are one or two more of us - and some wish to join. But as we are somewhat isolated from the WLA up here on the plateau, we are trying to figure out how to arrange training. Any ideas, sir? Oh, I have updated the maps, and will make a copy for our records here." The briefly relates the highlights of the party's travel from here to the grove to the t-rex to the orchard and back again.
[P.S.: I'm not posting for Marest any longer, as Jon-Paul again has internet. Would someone be so kind as to delete the 'Marest' post prior to this one, as it was really for Yofiel, and had the wrong header? Thanks!]
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Thursday July 13th, 2023 8:56:19 PM
Siolo grunts and whoops at the charmed monkey, Why are you all here?", "Did someone tell you to come here?" , "Who is the one that told you to come here?"
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Friday July 14th, 2023 12:08:50 AM
Grim is busy storing the food and securing the travois in a good place. He takes a mango and chomps down on it wishing it were meat. Maybe monkey meat soon. If he doesn't get meat more often, he'll loose his fierce complexion and start looking like a wimp.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Friday July 14th, 2023 1:29:18 AM
Colt watches Siolo charm and then talk to the monkeys with something approaching awe. Although the half elven druid seems to have everything under control, the young man watches the small number of monkeys behind the larger leader carefully.
"Maybe he could talk to the big dinosaur."
Fogbank stays close to Colt's side.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Friday July 14th, 2023 1:52:13 AM
RJ watches closely as Siolo talks to the monkeys.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Friday July 14th, 2023 7:22:30 AM Dapple suggests putting things back where they belong then figuring out what is missing, then figuring out a way to keep the monkeys out. Yofiel tells Rothlorien she was thinking the same thing then asks if they could somehow arrange for a meeting with the townfolk with after sorting out the monkeys or during and then gives an update on the maps and asks about the WLA Siolo grunts and whoops at the monkey and asks it why it was here, if someone told it to come here and who that might be. Grim starts storing food and securing the travois. He chomps down on a mango and wishes it were meat. He thinks he might have some monkey meat soon and if he doesn’t get meat whatever the source he’ll start looking like a wimp. Colt watches Siolo talk to the monkey in awe. He thinks the druid might be able to talk to the big dino. Fogbank stays by his side R.J. watches closely as SIolo talks to the monkeys.
Rothlorian nods. ”We can discuss it this evening once everyone’s done with their work for the day. The monkey’s have been making everything more difficult. As for the WLA, I’ve been a member for a good while and I could show you the ropes.”
The town does have food stores - the fruit are used to supplement it since until the survivors can re-establish contact and regular supply shipments with the investors supporting the settlement. As such Grim is able to get some salted meat for his meal.
It takes an hour or two but between the two of them Dapple can get the temple cleaned up with Regtar (how did that get changed to register last post…?)
The monkey, now chewing on his fruit, is joined by a few of the small ones it was with and they share it. They answer Siolo’a questions with variations of, ”The king!” “The King!’ “Julian” “King Julian!” “He of the shiny disk!” “and fancy hat!”
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Friday July 14th, 2023 3:40:40 PM
Pleased that he is making headway, Siolo continues "Where is King Julian? Is King Julian a monkey like you or a legs walker like me?"
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Friday July 14th, 2023 3:58:20 PM
"Nice work, Regtar,' Dapple says. "And now, I think we've earned some delicious fruit." Dapple checks to see if anyone has opened a pineapple yet. If not, she tries it herself, but a haling-sized dagger wielded with halfling strength makes it slow going.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 19 (before prone)/15/15 HP 15/24 CMD 15 Friday July 14th, 2023 4:53:15 PM
RJ decides to move on to scrounging around for new equipment. He wants to be ready when the shooting happens
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Friday July 14th, 2023 5:43:31 PM
While Ezekiel is exited to learn more about the WLA, particularly if it gives him access to more scrolls and tomes on magic, the monkey problem is quite distracting.
"Ask them how fancy of a hat are we talking about? And what type of fancy hat is it. Is it big and furry?"
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Friday July 14th, 2023 10:00:30 PM Of the shiny disk & Funny hat
Marest listens to the Moneys & her troupes conversation, but remains silent.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 d20+6=7 ; Friday July 14th, 2023 11:29:16 PM
Grim has no interest in monkey talk. The salted meat lacked a key ingredient, juice, like fat and blood. He takes up his bow and quiver and finds a couple other villagers interested in a short hunting trip. He's looking for Tapir or jungle deer, or some such type animal.
Hunting trip: Survival +6 = 7
Disappointed, he blames the scarcity of animals on monkeys scaring them away.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Saturday July 15th, 2023 4:20:40 AM
"You yourself can train us? Oh, that is wonderful news, sir," Yofiel says. "I will tell the others. For now, though, I should get back out there and see how things are going with the monkeys."
She comes out and finds Siolo in conversation, and picks up from the others the gist of what is being learned. "Ask what King Julian's face looks like, and how tall he is," she suggests to the druid.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Saturday July 15th, 2023 1:58:08 PM
Keeping his eyes on the monkeys, Colt drifts over to Yofiel. "He's really talking to them. Maybe his plan to talk to the Thunder God, isn't bad. I mean if you can talk to a monkey, you can talk to a dinosaur."
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Saturday July 15th, 2023 8:50:14 PM
OOC: Header Update. Let me know if I can start making stuff/buying from the catacombs.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Monday July 17th, 2023 7:55:07 AM Siolo asks where King Julian is and who King Julian is Dapple congratulates Regtar and then starts carving a pineapple R.J. decides to scrounge for new equipment Ezekiel wants to learn more about the WLA but then suggests asking more about Julian’s hat. Marest listens to the convo between the monkeys and Siolo but remains quiet. Grim has no interest in monkey talk and tries to gather a hunting party to find a Tapir or Jungle deer but the monkeys are making too much noise. Yofiel is happy that Rothlorien can train them but goes back to the others to see how the Monkey situation is progressing. She suggests they ask about what King Julian’s face looks like and his height. Colt drifts over to Yofiel and reasons if Siolo can talk to a monkey then he could talk to a dinosaur
Siolo’s first question of where the king is starts all the monkeys off on a mad dash through town. Evidently they expect Siolo and his friends to follow them but they don’t make it easy to do so.
For those not with Siolo they are informed by whomever they happen to be with that more stuff has been found and added to the possibly useful adventurer gear pile for the party to pick over whenever they find the time (you may shop at your convenience)
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Monday July 17th, 2023 3:12:16 PM
Dapple follows the monkeys, a slice of pineapple still in her hand. "This stuff is amazing," she says through a mouthful.
She peeks curiously at the gear, wondering if any of it is sized for a halfling.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Monday July 17th, 2023 4:11:13 PM
"Makes sense," Yofiel responds to Colt regarding Siolo's capabilities. "Hey - they are running off, and Siolo with them - Let's go!" She starts at a jog, then switches to a faster pace just to keep up.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Monday July 17th, 2023 9:30:02 PM "Right behind you! Hey, Fogbank! Come on!"
Colt and his dog follow Yofiel, the monkeys and presumably Siolo. "RJ! Come on!"
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Monday July 17th, 2023 9:57:53 PM
Grim is still out hunting (these things take a while) and is unaware of the Charge of the Monkey Brigade. However they are probably running towards the jungles (away from the cliffs) and thus towards Grim (to some degree).
OOC: his hunting role last round is for at least an hour of hunting so I'll still use the bad roll, specially since it will really make sense in short time.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 d20+9=24 ; d20+4=11 ; Monday July 17th, 2023 10:15:47 PM
RJ follows Colt to the best of his abilities, and wonders when he signed up for monkey duty.
"So," he finally asks Colt. "First time pack running? Didn't really get your story."
He's not the fastest but he can keep an eye on the monkey's movement (Perception 24, survival 11) so he should be good to track them.
--------------
RJ considers adding more to the crossbow but it seems a little silly for the moment. (Having a legacy bow jump to +1 would make it almost the WBL. Better to spend that money elsewhere.)
Marest while silent must has dozed off, for when she comes too, all her friends are gone.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Tuesday July 18th, 2023 1:00:49 AM
Though he us surprised at first, Siolo quickly follows and clearly enjoys the following. A big smile is plastered on his face as he mimics the monkeys ss much as he can.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Tuesday July 18th, 2023 7:27:43 AM Dapple follows the monkeys, carrying a slice of pineapple as she goes. She spares a glance at the pile of gear wondering if any of it came in her size. Yofiel agrees with Colt’s assessment of Siolo’s abilities then points out the monkeys are running off and takes after them. Colt follows after Yofiel, calling for Fogbank and RJ to come with. Grim is still on his failed hunting mission while parts of the party are running off after the monkeys. R.J follows the others to best of his ability and asks Colt if it is his first time pack running as he didn’t catch the man’s story. Marest while silent has dozed off and when she awakens all the party has run off. She's able to get a general idea of the direction they went from passersby if she asks. Siolo is surprised by enjoys the chase.
The monkey leads the group towards the outskirts of town and the first few trees where jungle meets it. There, standing on a branch to a tree and surrounded by lesser monkeys, stands who you presume is King Julian. At least some of the party recognize him.
A bit bigger than the other monkeys he doesn’t really look that much different from them physically, but a coin on a bit of string adorns his neck - a coin the party gave him - and a sort of fan of grass sticks out of a bowl shaped bit of yellow wood to serve as his hat. He squeaks and chitters in greeting and excitement as the party approaches, even as the other monkeys look nervous as the large group of humans.
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Tuesday July 18th, 2023 4:36:00 PM Well, okay, this guy is a king, right?[i] Dapple thinks. [i]Guess I'd better mind my manners.
Dapple drops the remainder of her pineapple slice and bows to the king.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 d20+12=32 ; d20+8=19 ; Tuesday July 18th, 2023 7:03:47 PM
As the King comes in sight, and people and monkeys are rushing forward (and about), Yofiel casts a spell she finally figured out - comprehend languages - which will allow her to understand what the monkeys have to say. She pays particular attention to King Julian, but also picks up on what some of the others have to say - especially if the monkeys respond in particular to what others say or do, and to their perceptions of members of our group.
=============== Perception: 32 (nat 20) Sense Motive: 19
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Tuesday July 18th, 2023 8:11:21 PM
RJ keeps watch and contemplates how this makes the "Squirrel Wars" seem... somewhat less weird. Still weird, just less so.
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 Tuesday July 18th, 2023 9:43:48 PM Catching up
Marest asks the CloudHaven folks where her friends went, and eventually catches their trail. As she approaches, she is cautious and there are a great deal of primates in the area.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Tuesday July 18th, 2023 10:30:15 PM
"Wait...was he king before or after we gave him a coun," wonders Ezekiel.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Tuesday July 18th, 2023 11:33:14 PM
Grim stops in his tracks. The jungle is just a few yards away and possible real meat for supper. However, a loud ruckus has erupted behind him and by the growing sounds, coming his way.
Turning, he sees hundreds of yapping monkeys heading to the jungle. "What the blazes did they do!" he wonders out loud, knowing his friend's diplomacy skills lacked luster. He watches the spectacle from behind a crumbled piece of town wall.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 d20=3 ; Wednesday July 19th, 2023 12:20:05 AM
Siolo stands before the 'king' that the other monkeys were talking about. The magic he was using to speak with the others has run out. He thinks fir a moment and then speaks to the lead monkey in sylvan, "Are you king Julian?"
((Wild Empathy if relevant 3+6=9))
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 d20=3 ; Wednesday July 19th, 2023 12:20:05 AM
Siolo stands before the 'king' that the other monkeys were talking about. The magic he was using to speak with the others has run out. He thinks fir a moment and then speaks to the lead monkey in sylvan, "Are you king Julian?"
((Wild Empathy if relevant 3+6=9))
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Wednesday July 19th, 2023 2:20:08 AM
Yofiel notes that Siolo has switched from the monkey language to Sylvan. She looks about to see if Marest is in the area - she can speak with monkeys, as she has done before.
"Marest!?" she calls out. "Marest, over here!"
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Wednesday July 19th, 2023 2:21:55 AM
Oh, and Yofiel will interpret what the monkeys are saying if Siolo is unable to so continue. She can understand & interpret, but just not speak their tongue yet.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Wednesday July 19th, 2023 6:21:17 AM
Colt dashes along in the monkey's wake, laughing. This is almost a game. He slows when they reach King Julian's tree-lined court. And watches again.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Wednesday July 19th, 2023 9:03:43 AM Dapple reasons Julian is a king and resolves to mind her manners. She drops the pineapple slice and bows. Yofiel casts comprehend languages in order to get an idea of what the monkeys and King Julian have to say. R.J. keeps watch and contemplates how this makes the squirrel wars less weird Marest asks after her friends and cautiously makes her way towards them. Ezekiel wonders if the monkey was king before he got the coin. Grim hears the commotion and is alarmed. He finds a safe spot to watch from. Siolo tries to talk to ‘the king’ in sylvan as his speak with animals had run out. Yofiel waves Marest over as someone else who can speak with animals. Colt finds the chase fun and laughs as he runs.
A few efforts are made to speak to the monkey in sylvan, or with comprehend languages, but it seems that the monkey remains a simple monkey, though he wears things monkeys usually don’t. His language is as much body language and motions as it is chittering so comprehend languages doesn’t work and he does not understand sylvan.
Presuming someone recasts speak with animals Julian is able to explain the situation. ”I king now! Old king big, strong, fierce. Defend nesting grounds. Invaders! Kill old king! Nesting ground no longer safe! Cannot fight, new king small, clever, not fight. Shiny givers strong. Beat hundreds of monkey. So come here,ask help.”
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Wednesday July 19th, 2023 3:08:58 PM
Dapple doesn't understand Monkey, so she waits quietly until she can somehow contribute.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Wednesday July 19th, 2023 5:07:58 PM
RJ continues to wait.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Wednesday July 19th, 2023 8:16:21 PM
Yofiel is a bard, with an understanding of performance. Her perception on this was 32, her sense motive 19, and the monkey did do some vocalizations, and often monkey's faces and gesticulations can be read, at least somewhat. She is no druid, but she is a bard, and cast the spell comprehend languages. So, I am thinking she might have gotten at least the gist.
"Uh, all right, I think he is saying something about he is the - chief? King? Right, they called him the king. Or, the other king? Um, something about fighting. Fending off? Then, - see he is holding up the coin, and pointing to us. We are - smelly? Powerful? Uh, we beat - um chase off monkeys? Er, we are here? Help you? Or, what, does he mean we help him? Them?
"Sorry your spell ran out, Siolo. Where is Marest? She can do much better than I at this. I get some feelings about what he is saying, but I might not be getting the whole thing right."
Marest, seeing and hearing that her comrades are having difficulty understanding the King, she casts Comprehend languages on herself. Then she moves into range of the King, and she bows & curtseys with kindness. (Diplomacy Check=11)
When able she will concentrate on King Julian to understand what they require from them.
Spells in Effect: Comprehend languages | 30 minutes
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Wednesday July 19th, 2023 11:16:06 PM
Colt continues to watch.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Wednesday July 19th, 2023 11:32:12 PM
"These invaders might be linked to those who attacked the town," says Zeke, assuming someone translates. "Perhaps aiding our primate friends could yield more clues."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Thursday July 20th, 2023 1:20:37 AM
OOC: there's a very logical reason why there's 'Speak with Animals' and 'Comprehend Languages".
IC: Grim is too far away to hear normal conversation, specially over the loud monkey chit-chat. But if he hears any battle yelling and such, he'll rush forward.
However, at the moment he does notice things are relatively calm and notices the interaction centered around a unique monkey.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Thursday July 20th, 2023 8:40:12 AM Dapple doesn’t understand Monkey so she waits until she can contribute somehow. R.J. also continues to wait Yofiel applies her bardic training, keen observation and ability to sense the motive of others to get a partial translation of what ‘King Julian’ had to say. Marest also tries comprehend languages. Colt continues to watch. Ezekiel wonders if the invaders are at all connected to those that invaded the town. Grim can’t hear what’s going on exactly but knows enough to be able to rush in if there is trouble.
Without Siolo’s magic the party is only able to get a very general idea of what is going on. The monkey seems distressed by something, but also seems more comfortable around the group than the other monkeys so it’s not the humanoids bothering him. He seems to want something from the party, though what is unclear since no one can understand monkey at the moment despite attempts to comprehend languages. Sensing that the message is not getting across he moves a ways into the forest before stopping to look at the party - he must want you to follow him.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Thursday July 20th, 2023 4:30:22 PM
RJ is cautious but he carefully follows the monkey, keeping an eye out for any problems.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Thursday July 20th, 2023 5:20:15 PM
Yofiel joins RJ in following King Julian.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Thursday July 20th, 2023 7:14:30 PM "I know that look. Fogbank gives it to me when he smells something good to eat. I think he wants us to follow him." Anticipating another chase, Colt steps forward, closer to the simian king.
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Thursday July 20th, 2023 7:34:32 PM
Dapple troops along after the monkey and her companions, trying hard not to think "monkey see, monkey do."
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Thursday July 20th, 2023 7:41:26 PM
Siolo gets the sense that something is wrong. The behavior of the 'king' is different as he begins to guide the group once more. Siolo runs his hand through his hair, takes a deep breath and follows.
Something is different.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 Friday July 21st, 2023 12:15:19 AM
Grim watches. Noticing the monkey 'chieftain', for it seemed like he was a 'chieftain' considering how the others scampered around him, heading towards the jungle, he follows, but remains far enough away from the main group just in case there's some kind of trap. Monkey Business is shady at best. Whoever is in that cave that can command a Greater Thunder God could easily command monkeys.
DM Mitch House Combat Map Friday July 21st, 2023 7:15:06 AM R.J. is cautious but carefully follows the monkey while keeping an eye out for any problems. Yofiel joins RJ in following King Julian Colt says he knows that look and it is the same look Fogbank has when he smells something good to eat and wants us to follow him. Dapple troops along after the monkey and her companions, trying hard not to think, “monkey see, monkey do.” Siolo gets the sense that something is wrong as the behavior of the king is different as he begins to guide the group once more. Siolo runs his hand through his hair and takes a deep breath and follows. Grim follows along behind at a distance in case of a trap.
The monkey’s lead the party for a couple of hours. By this point a large number of monkeys have joined the group and it’s impossible to get lost with the cloud of monkeys leading and following them. They all stop advancing as a group, looking nervous. The monkey with the coin and the hat leads on a way before pointing towards a grove.
The monkey grove is a small clearing in a rocky area with trees scattered throughout. It likely provides shelter from rain and from predators wandering in. Leafy nests are everywhere, on the ground, in the trees, on the rocky cliffs, all now empty and disturbed as if some animal was digging through them. Massive bones scatter the area - knowledge nature 13 Highlight to display spoiler: { these are the bones of a dire ape, likely the bones of a great alpha or leader among the monkeys. The bones are gnawed on and something clearly killed at ate it.}
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 d20+7=11 ; Friday July 21st, 2023 8:41:13 AM
An hour into the cross country trek, the fun began to wear off. Cutting through jungle is harder work than a fast dash through town, and Colt soon began to regret not taking some food before departing. Still, the young man is near the front of the pack when the monkeys stop and Julian alone leads them into the monkey's grove.
"There must be dozens of monkey nests here." he says with a trace of wonder in his voice. "And look at those bones. "
He steps into the clearing. HIs eyes search first the trees above, then the ground. (Perception 11)
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 d20+9=29 ; Friday July 21st, 2023 10:07:44 AM
"The bones?" asks Ezekiel. "Wait, was this the work of rabbits? I hear they can be fierce."
Ezekiel will scan the area for magic.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 = 29.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 d20+8=21 ; Friday July 21st, 2023 11:21:39 AM
RJ looks around, studying the bones for an entire minute (and making scratches in his field manual). He pokes the bones with a bolt. He sniffs them. He considers licking one but figures it might be misconstrued.
"It's a dire ape," RJ finally intoned. "Really large. Must have been the original alpha or leader. Looks like something killed and ate it. You can see the markings on the bones that something gnawed on them."
RJ began to stand up. "A rather sad affair, but a reminder that the wild does not show mercy. I am concerned, though, with how targeted this attack seems to have been. This seems unusual behavior for a hungry predator, starting with what considers a dire ape prey?"
Dapple [HP 19/19] (Kathy) Friday July 21st, 2023 2:12:41 PM
"Maybe it was that T. Rex?" Dapple says. "I mean, somebody is feeding it. Maybe that somebody can get it to follow commands."
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 d20=10 ; Friday July 21st, 2023 9:38:51 PM
((Kn Nature 10+6=16))
Siolo looks at the bones with RJ and nods at his conclusions.
"Be ready folks. It is normal for predators to be larger than their prey. And this ape was large.."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 d20+12=19 ; d20+8=13 ; Friday July 21st, 2023 11:26:49 PM
"I think I'm going to need to learn to speak their language," Yofiel says. She concurs with RJ's conclusion.
She sketches on the ground a tyrannosaurus rex. She asks, "Did the attacker look like this?" while understanding that they may not understand her language, but hoping they may show recognition, or negation. If it looks like there may be some recognition, she draws another image of it in a different position. She has seen them attack. She pantomimes the T-Rex attack, roar, bite.
Perform: 19. Sense Motive: 13
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 d20+5=13 ; d20+7=26 ; d20+6=13 ; Saturday July 22nd, 2023 4:32:02 PM
Grim has followed and caught up with the group but stayed outside the enclosure keeping watch. By now Grim is sure the monkeys know he's close by watching and if there was some kind of trap or deception it would have revealed itself by now as he watch several of their group look over the monkeys' lair and inspect the bones.
He ambles in but keeps any comments to himself, taking a look at the remains and tracks, if any are left after all the trampling over the several months since the monkey massacre happened. Even though it's rained a lot, under the canopy of trees Thunder God tacks should still be somewhat visible.
Knowledge Nature + 5 DC13 = 13 Perception + 7 = 26 Survival (look for tracks other than monkey type tracks) + 6 = 13
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:16/16 d20+9=13 ; d20+9=26 ; d20=15 ; d20+9=28 ; d20+9=27 ; d20+9=15 ; Sunday July 23rd, 2023 10:19:56 PM Alpha Dire Ape
Marest stares at the bones in the surrounding area. "WOW! The bones of a Dire Ape, and something clearly was gnawing on them! I wonder if that's what killed the ape?"
Marest uses her perception and her Survival skills to try to determine tracks made by anything other than primates in the area, especially that which killed the Alpha Dire Ape!
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Monday July 24th, 2023 8:06:56 AM
"Yofiel, stop trying to eat the monkeys!" says Ezekiel.
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Monday July 24th, 2023 8:35:56 AM Colt notices the fun begin to wear off as the trek becomes long. He regrets not taking food before he left. He remarks that there must be dozens of monkey nests and points out the bones before taking a look around. Ezekiel speculates that the bones could be the work of fierce rabbits. R.J. looks around and studies the bones. He makes some notes and reasons that the bones belonged to a dire ape. He points out the fact that they have been gnawed. He also voices concern about the targeted nature of the attack. Dapple suggests maybe it was the T. Rex as someone was feeding it and that maybe someone can get it to follow commands. Siolo looks at the bones with RJ and concurs and also warns that predators tend to be larger than their prey and that this ape was large. Yofiel realizes she needs to learn to speak the language also agreeing with RJ’s conclusion. She then tries to make a sketch of a T-Rex to try to ask if their attacker looked like that. Grim has followed the group but says outside the enclosure keeping watch. He figures the monkeys did not set a trap or trick and inspects the bones. He ambles in but keeps comment to himself, taking in the remains and tracks if there are any left. Even though it rained a lot Thunder God tracks should still be visible somewhat. Marest stares at the bones and concurs with the others that something had been gnawing on them. She then turns her attention to see if there are any tracks in the area other than monkey ones and tries to figure out if any of them could have belonged to what killed the Dire Ape.
The party closes in to examine the bones. Colt tries to keep an eye out, but it’s Grim’s experienced eyes and Marest’s alertness that gets the party the warning in time - the predators that kill the monkey have claimed the lair and are sneaking right on top of the party!
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Monday July 24th, 2023 9:02:25 AM
Ezekiel moves to put some distance between himself and the hyenas and casts Mage Armor.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 d20+6=18 ; d4=3 ; Monday July 24th, 2023 12:33:06 PM
Between Grim and Marest's warning, and a sudden bout of barking from Fogbank, Colt realizes they have hostile visitors close at hand.
'How did I miss that!?' He stares at the hyena barely 15' away. His hands drop to his knives while he backs away; there's no time for his sling.
"What do we do now?"
[ooc] Quarterstaff is in hand. Move as shown, draw dagger as he goes. Ready action to throw dagger at a hyena that gets within 10'. (to hit 18. Damage 1d4+2 = 5 ) [/ooc]
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 d20+11=20 ; d8=5 ; Monday July 24th, 2023 2:39:31 PM
RJ feels pretty bad that he forgot to keep up his guard.
"Well," he began slowly in response to Colt, as he slowly draws his crossbow. "I figure we're getting started."
(Attack Roll 20 against H3, 5 damage)
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) Monday July 24th, 2023 3:40:23 PM
Dapple draws a dagger and casts Bless on the party.
Everyone gets +1 to attack rolls and saves against fear effects
Marest starts by casting spectral hand. She then turns to stare at H2.
Spells in Effect Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level) Duration 1 min./level (D) = 3 Minutes Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 37/37 CMD 18 d20=6 ; d20+7=11 ; Monday July 24th, 2023 11:53:47 PM
Grim was weary from the start, now he may never trust monkeys again. Good thing he was still suspicious!
Grim growls a warning to his friends. His orc clan had never seen these canine beasts until they came into the jungles a long time ago. Their wargs and these hyenas became natural enemies at that point. Grim respected them but hated them. Their nature was to wait for another predator to make the kill then rob the kill from him when they could easily do their own hunting. This will be a fight Grim will enjoy more than puny rats!
Rage Discipline check: Base DC12 (< passes, > fails) Situational Mod -2 Adjusted DC 10 = 6
For the moment, his hatred against the hyenas his stymied. He takes a 5' step back then swings his guisarme at the Dire Hyena. Att at range +7 = 11 + 1 (bless) = 12
The dire hyena, despite it's size, knows how to dodge a swinging blade. Grim lets out a howl of anger as his natural instincts begin to take over.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 15/12/13 ; HP 13/14 , NL 2 Tuesday July 25th, 2023 12:57:16 AM
Siolo reacts quickly to the warning and points at the large hyena. "Pack animals lose morale when their leader is taken down! Focus the big one!"
He then incants and clenches his hand that pointed to the large hyena while drawing his shield with the other hand.
((Casts Hold Animal on the DH)) ((Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level) Target one animal Duration 1 round/level (D); see text Saving Throw Will negates; see text; Spell Resistance yes Description This spell functions like hold person, except that it affects an animal instead of a humanoid.))
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 d20+5=18 ; d20+12=13 ; Tuesday July 25th, 2023 4:42:02 AM
Yofiel, while trying to imitate the posture of a t-rex, notices the hyenas once their presence is mentioned. She had been fully engaged in acting the part to try to communicate with the monkeys.
Well, the hyenas also ought to be suitably impressed. Just in case they are not, however, and heeding Siolo's counsel, Yofiel moves forward from Y26 to U22, casts animate rope, tossing the end of the rope toward the dire hyena at Q21 (etc.). The ranged touch attack at that distance hit AC16 (rather than 18 due to range increment). She instructs the rope to 'loop and knot' about the grinning ugly.
If the dire hyena fails a DC 14 Reflex save, it gains the entangled condition[An entangled creature moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity.]
She plans to observe directly how hyenas fight, just in case she needs to act the role of a hyena in future explanations.
========== Perception: 13 (apparently something close to tunnel vision on the dire hyena at the moment)
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map d20=20 ; d20+6=21 ; d20+6=20 ; d6=6 ; d6=4 ; d20+8=21 ; d20+3=13 ; Tuesday July 25th, 2023 8:04:32 AM Ezekiel moves to put some distance between himself and the hyenas and casts Mage Armor. Colt belated realizes they have visitors close at hand given Grim and Marest’s warning as well as a sudden bout of barking from Fogbank. He asks how he missed their assailants and draws a knife as he backs away. He asks the others what they do now while preparing to throw at the first Hyena to get within 10 feet. He doesn’t have to wait long and successfully hits Hyena 2 with his thrown dagger. RJ feels bad that he forgot to keep his guard up and tells Colt they get started. He fires a shot at Hyena 3 hitting it. Dapple draws a dagger and casts bless on the party Marest casts a spectral hand spell then stares at H2 Grim decides not to trust monkeys as he finds himself facing a hated foe. He swings but misses. Siolo advises the group to go for the big one and tries to hold it still but it makes the save (with a nat 20 even) Yofiel was caught up in her acting but manages to react quickly enough to throw an animated rope at the dire hyena.
The dire hyena is big but it’s quick on it’s feet. It resists Siolo’s spell and dodges both rope and Grim’s swing before answering with its own attack. Its fangs dig into Grim’s shoulder and it twists, knocking over the half-orc (attack + trip, 20 to hit and 21 to trip, 16 damage)
Hyena 1 rushes Colt but its jaws fail to find purchase against the rogue. Hyena 2 charges Marest and the momentum of the charge is enough for the beast to pierce her guard. (1d20 + 5 = 15; 1d6 + 3 = 7 damage) but it fails to trip her (1d20 + 3 = 5) Hyena 3 moves past the bones to bite at Siolo, getting nothing but leather.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 2d4+1=6 ; Tuesday July 25th, 2023 8:34:13 AM
"Bad kitty!" says Ezekiel as he fires a pair of magical missiles at the dire hyena. He takes a 5 ft step away from the other three hyena (albeit closer to the dire hyena)
Damage: (1d4 + 1) x 2 = 7. (multiroll didn't add the plus to both missiles like I thought it would)
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 Tuesday July 25th, 2023 9:12:50 AM
Siolo steps away from the smaller hyena, still focused on the large one. He then takes a quick breath and tries the same spell again.
((Casts Hold Animal on DH, will DC 14))
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) d20+5=23 ; d8=2 ; Tuesday July 25th, 2023 3:08:43 PM
Dapple looks around a bit, then casts Spiritual Weapon.
Wardd's preferred weapon is a hand crossbow, which is no good in this situation. So she conjures a battleaxe, the preferred weapon of Chaos [at least, according to the PRD].
The spectral battleaxe swings at H3, hitting AC 23 for 3 damage.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 d20+13=21 ; d8=7 ; Tuesday July 25th, 2023 3:11:18 PM
RJ reloads and fires into the one Hyena that's not in melee, Hyena 1.
(Attack roll 21, damage 7).
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:5/R:2/W:3), HP:6/16 d4=3 ; d20+6=25 ; d6+1=5 ; Tuesday July 25th, 2023 9:31:34 PM A Touch of Gracelessness
Through her Spectral hand, Marest casts [/i]Touch of Gracelessness[/i] on the Dire Hyena figuring, if you take out the big one, the rest run!
Marest will pivot to prepare for the next attack from H2.
Attacks:
1d20 + 2 (Spectral Hand) + 1 (Bless) + 3 (BAB, ranged) = 1d20 + 6 = 25 (should hit) Dire Hyena takes a loss of 5 points of Dexterity. In addition, if the subject moves at more than half its speed, it falls prone.
Spells in Effect:
Spectral Hand Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level) Duration 1 min./level (D) = 3 Minutes Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no The spell gives you a +2 bonus on your melee touch attack roll HP = 3
*-=-=-=-*
Touch of Gracelessness: Casting Time 1 standard action Components V, S Range touch Target creature touched Duration 1 round/level = 3 rounds Dexterity loss = 5 points Saving Throw Fortitude partial; Spell Resistance yes
In addition, if the subject moves at more than half its speed, it falls prone. A successful Fortitude save halves the penalty to Dexterity and negates the possibility of falling prone or the reduction to fly maneuverabilities.
*-=-=-=-*
Bless (cast by Dapple) Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 19 Tch 15 HP 27/37 CMD 18 d20+9=28 ; 2d4+9=13 ; Tuesday July 25th, 2023 10:21:30 PM
The DH launches itself at Grim, caught a little off balance from his swing, and manages to take a vicious bite and knock Grim over.
This, of course, is one recipe stirred correctly to bring Grim's blood to full Rage. In doing so his instincts also activate his Guarded Stance (a Move Action that does not provoke AoO) giving him more battle awareness (+4 AC while Raging).
Rage HP +6 (new HP in header reflects damage), -2 AC (factored in with Guard. Stance).
He then springs to his feet (Move Action provoking AoO) then takes another angry swipe with his guisarme (spend Hero Point).
Rage Att +9 +1 Bless = 29 Damage 2d4+9 = 13
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 19 Tch 13 HP 27/37 CMD 18 Tuesday July 25th, 2023 10:23:48 PM
Rage Rounds 9/10
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 d20+4=15 ; d6+3=7 ; d6+3=4 ; Tuesday July 25th, 2023 11:51:44 PM
Colt feels more than sees Dapple and Marest behind him, and stops backing up. He stops the hyena with a short thrust of his staff, then pivots it into a swing at the beast's head. (quarterstaff v H1, bless 15 +1 = 16. 4 damage. )
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 d20+12=17 ; d6+1=6 ; d20+15=20 ; d20+5=16 ; d20+1=18 ; d6+1=2 ; d20+15=35 ; Wednesday July 26th, 2023 3:42:36 AM
Yofiel plucks a feather token (whip) from a pouch, and lets the feather transform into a huge dancing whip that she sends on its way to attack the killer of the dire ape, hitting AC 17 for 6 hp damage. It ties the dire hyena's CMD with its CMB roll of 20, and tie goes to the defender, so the whip does not manage a grapple this round.
The animated rope, still adjacent to the big hyena, she instructs again to 'Loop and knot.' It does, ranged touch attack hitting AC 16, and if DH fails a DC 14 Reflex save, it gains the entangled condition[An entangled creature moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity. An entangled creature can slip free with a DC 20 Escape Artist check.]
Summary: DH Hit by huge whip for 6 hp damage, but not grappled DH Entangled by animated rope if it fails DC 14 Reflex save P.S.: [ignore 'd20+1=18 ; d6+1=2 ; d20+15=35' rolls - first one I meant to be d6+1, but the latter two rolls are the wrong rolls for the rope]
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map d20=17 ; d20=20 ; d20=20 ; d20=2 ; d6=5 ; d20=9 ; d20=16 ; d20=4 ; Wednesday July 26th, 2023 7:33:25 AM Ezekiel says “Bad Kitty!” and takes a 5 foot step away from the advancing Hyenas while firing magic missiles at the Dire Hyena. Siolo steps away from the smaller hyena and tries to hold the Dire one again. The Dire Hyena fails the save (12 vs 14 = failure) Dapple looks around for a bit and then casts Spiritual Weapon and conjures up a battle axe that hits the third hyena R.J. reloads and fires at Hyena 1 hitting it Marest debuffs the Dire Hyena, but draws an attack of opportunity from the Hyena next to her. Grim rages and stands up to attack the hyena (you can keep your hero point, standing is move action, attack is regular action, and it failed it’s save and is held so you don’t have to worry about a trip chain). Colt stops backing up and holds his ground vs hyena 1, hitting it in the face with his staff. Yofiel sends a variety of ropes and whips at the dire hyena. Since it failed to save vs hold person and has been debuffed it loses it’s dex bonus to various things so fails to resist being tied up or grappled.
The Dire Hyena struggles against it’s various bonds. It manages to fight off the magical hold (another nat 20 wow) but that takes it’s engine round and it is still grappled and tangled. It snarls it’s rage at these intruders and the bonds they try to place on it.
Hyena 1 attacks Colt and hits (23 vs AC; nat 20; 5 to confirm = no crit for 1d6+3 = 7 damage and CMB vs 22 to trip) dragging the rogue down to the ground. (OOC: Colt is prone) Hyena 2 continues to attack Marest, missing the AoO but hitting it’s regular attack (8 vs AC; miss, nat 20, no confirm, 8 damage and 12 to trip so no trip) Hyena 3 steps after Siolo but decides to attack RJ, but the sharpshooter avoids the attack by a hair (19 to hit)
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 3d4=7 ; d4+1=3 ; d4+1=5 ; Wednesday July 26th, 2023 12:21:46 PM
"Siolo, would you be so kind to move to the side?" just north of Zeke. "Unless you don't mind being blasted by lightning."
If Siolo complies, Ezekiel will cast "burning" hands on H1 and H3. Damage: 3d4 = 7, DC 15.
Otherwise, Ezekiel will cast another pair of magical missiles on the big kitty.
Damage: 1d4+1 x2 = 3 + 5 = 8.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 d20+9=17 ; Wednesday July 26th, 2023 3:19:18 PM
RJ considers his options, and decides he needs some level of distance.
RJ retreats past behind the bones, Acro 17 to avoid AoO, and reloads his crossbow.
Since the rope and whip are doing their work in securing the bad one, the bard switches over to her bow, takes a 5-foot step from U22 to T22, and her arrow impales AC 23 for 4 hp damage to the DH.
Then she glances around. Oh, no! Has Marest fallen? "Dapple, Dapple, look at Marest!"
=========== Perception: 28
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) d20+6=8 ; d20+6=16 ; d8=4 ; Wednesday July 26th, 2023 6:30:21 PM
"On it!" Dapple steps up to Marest. The hyena is right there, too, so Dapple has to cast defensively. She fails.
Her spiritual weapon continues attacking Hyena 3. It hits AC 15 for 5 damage.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 19 Tch 13 HP 27/37 CMD 18 d20+11=23 ; 2d4+9=13 ; Wednesday July 26th, 2023 8:09:51 PM
Spells in effect: Bless (+1 to hit, saves vs fear), Guarded Stance (+4 AC while Rage) Rage 9 of 10 rounds
Grim only has eyes for the Dire Hyena and seeing the thing caught up in a magical rope, Grim drops his guisarme and steps forward drawing his falchion as he goes and slashes at the entangled creature.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 d20=17 ; d6=3 ; Wednesday July 26th, 2023 8:57:33 PM
Siolo draws his sickle, now focusing his attention on the nearby, smaller hyena. He quickly sweeps the blade across and dives backward to get out of the way of the lightning.
((17+4=21 to hit, for 3+2=5 slashing damage))
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Wednesday July 26th, 2023 9:17:39 PM
Fending the hyena back with his staff, Colt rolls away from it. (5' crawl as shown. )
Then he plants the staff between himself and the hyena and pulls himself up the staff to his feet.
OOC: That'll be 2 move actions. Hopefully the first one provokes & it only has one AoO. Status: 21/28 hit points.
Marest, being down and apparently prone to getting beat up, casts upon herself Cure Moderate Wounds adding 12 points back to her pool. She then burns a hero point to cast another spell. This time, it's Hyena's turn: casting Pox Pustules on H2; that annoying Hyena that has been bothering her.
Spells in Effect: Pox Pustules Casting Time 1 standard action Components V, S, M (leaves from a toxic plant) Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Target one creature Duration 1 minute/level | 3 minutes = 180 seconds Saving Throw Fortitude negates; Spell Resistance yes
You inflict a painful, itching rash on the target creature. The target is sickened and takes a –4 penalty to Dexterity (this penalty cannot lower Dexterity below 0). The target can spend a move action scratching furiously at the rash to remove the sickened condition (but not the Dexterity penalty) until the start of its next turn.
*-=-=-=-*
Cure Moderate Wounds 2d8+3 = 12
*-=-=-=-*
Spectral Hand Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level) Duration 1 min./level (D) = 3 Minutes = 170 Seconds | 180 Seconds Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no The spell gives you a +2 bonus on your melee touch attack roll HP = 3
*-=-=-=-*
Touch of Gracelessness: Casting Time 1 standard action Components V, S Range touch Target creature touched Duration 1 round/level = 2 rounds Dexterity loss = 5 points Saving Throw Fortitude partial; Spell Resistance yes
In addition, if the subject moves at more than half its speed, it falls prone. A successful Fortitude save halves the penalty to Dexterity and negates the possibility of falling prone or the reduction to fly maneuverabilities.
*-=-=-=-*
Bless (cast by Dapple) Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map d20=19 ; d20=2 ; d6=2 ; d20=18 ; d20=3 ; Thursday July 27th, 2023 8:40:54 AM Ezekiel asks Siolo to stand to the side before casting burning hands on hyenas 1 and 3. He manages to catch Hyena 1 completely knocking it out but only partially effects Hyena 3.
R.J uses the bone pile as cover and reloads his crossbow Yofiel switches to her bow and hits the dire hyena with an arrow before drawing Dapple’s attention towards Marest Dapple tries to defensively cast a healing spell on Marest but fails however her spiritual weapon keeps attacking hyena 3 which is enough to drop it. Grim switches to his falchion and slashes the Dire Hyena Siolo attacks Hyena 1 with his sickle Colt moves away from the Hyena and stands from prone, which would have provoked an AOO had Hyena 1 not been down. Marest heals herself and debuffs the aggressive hyena next to her.
Hyena 2 gets an AoO when Dapple moves up to heal and hits, doing 5 damage and knocking her over (22 to hit, 21 to trip). It then tries to continue it’s attack on Marest but she manages to avoid this one.
The Dire Hyena struggles to free itself from it’s various bonds but fails to do so.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 d20+7=25 ; d6+1=2 ; Thursday July 27th, 2023 9:33:57 AM
"Two down!" says Ezekiel. He casts elemental ray on the remaining regular hyena.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 d20+11=30 ; d20+8=28 ; d8=2 ; Thursday July 27th, 2023 12:50:02 PM
RJ fires at the dire hyena.
(Attack roll 30, damage 2).
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) d20+6=9 ; Thursday July 27th, 2023 3:36:26 PM
[OOC: Dapple took a 5-foot step, which does not provoke, them cast defensively, which doesn't provoke. The spiritual weapon continued attacking with no action required from Dapple, so it didn't provoke either.]
Dapple takes a 5-foot step away from H2, and uses her move action to make H2 the target of her spiritual weapon. It attacks H2, but misses.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 d20+5=12 ; d6+3=4 ; Thursday July 27th, 2023 4:55:24 PM
Flames wash over the hyena while Colt stands. He looks back along the path of the fire, and smiles briefly at Ezekial. Then he looks around. He sidesteps around Marest and swings his staff down and to the right, hoping to hurt the hyena and drive it away from the wild-haired drow.
Marest looks at H2 as a look of horrendous despise crosses her face...she twitches as she vomits forth a Swarm of Spiders as she casts Vomit Swarm..." All for you little hyena!" says Marest spitting free a stray spider.
Spells in Effect: Casting Time 1 standard action Components S EFFECT Range personal Effect one swarm of spiders Duration 1 round/level = 3 rounds *-=-=-* Pox Pustules Casting Time 1 standard action Components V, S, M (leaves from a toxic plant) Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Target one creature Duration 1 minute/level | 3 minutes = 180 seconds Saving Throw Fortitude negates; Spell Resistance yes
You inflict a painful, itching rash on the target creature. The target is sickened and takes a –4 penalty to Dexterity (this penalty cannot lower Dexterity below 0). The target can spend a move action scratching furiously at the rash to remove the sickened condition (but not the Dexterity penalty) until the start of its next turn.
*-=-=-=-*
Cure Moderate Wounds 2d8+3 = 12
*-=-=-=-*
Spectral Hand Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level) Duration 1 min./level (D) = 3 Minutes = 170 Seconds | 180 Seconds Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no The spell gives you a +2 bonus on your melee touch attack roll HP = 3
*-=-=-=-*
Touch of Gracelessness: Casting Time 1 standard action Components V, S Range touch Target creature touched Duration 1 round/level = 2 rounds Dexterity loss = 5 points Saving Throw Fortitude partial; Spell Resistance yes
In addition, if the subject moves at more than half its speed, it falls prone. A successful Fortitude save halves the penalty to Dexterity and negates the possibility of falling prone or the reduction to fly maneuverabilities.
*-=-=-=-*
Bless (cast by Dapple) Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 19 Tch 13 HP 27/37 CMD 18 d20+11=31 ; d20+11=25 ; 4d4+18=29 ; Thursday July 27th, 2023 8:04:00 PM
Spells in effect: Bless (+1 to hit, saves vs fear), Guarded Stance (+4 AC while Rage) Rage 8 of 10 rounds
Grim keeps his focus on the Dire Hyena. He sees a lot of blood on it and plans open more venues for it to gush out. With a roar of anger he slashes down!
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 d20=6 ; d6=1 ; Thursday July 27th, 2023 8:04:13 PM
Siolo looks to the dire hyena and then thinks better of it and moves around to flank the last conscious, normal sized hyena. He then takes the advantage and slashes at it.
Yofiel plants another arrow into the dire hyena. AC 20, 6 hp.
She instructs the whip to strike again. It does so. AC 18 for 6 hp nonlethal damage, followed by a successful free grapple attack, CMD 33 on the dire hyena.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Thursday July 27th, 2023 8:25:20 PM
Sorry, that should be 5 hp nonlethal damage from the whip.
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Friday July 28th, 2023 7:33:26 AM Ezekiel keeps score and casts elemental ray on the remaining Hyena. RJ fires at the dire hyena Dapple aims her spiritual weapon at H2 but it misses Colt also advances on H2 but his attack misses as well Marest looks at H2 and vomits out a swarm of spiders at it. The spider swarm damage the hyena for 4 damage and the Hyena must make a DC 11 Fort save to avoid their poison and it fails and takes 2 strength damage Grim keeps focus on the Dire Hyena and kills it in dramatic fashion by decapitation Siolo moves to strike at the remaining Hyena and misses Yofiel switches her target from the dire hyena since it is so obviously dead as it is missing its head and is not a hydra to the remaining normal hyena and drops it with her arrow.
The field is clear. All the hyenas are either dead or dying. The monkeys had stopped several hundred feet back, too afraid to approach. Julian followed the party at a distance as they moved forward, staying hidden, and several braver monkeys moved up to watch the fight as it went on. As the last Hyena goes down Julian and the others let out a great cry and soon the party is buried in ecstatic monkeys as they rush in to reclaim their nesting grounds now the invaders are dead.
Dire Hyena: 55 damage; grappled, entangled -2 dex, dead
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Friday July 28th, 2023 8:10:18 AM
"Huzzah!" shouts Ezekiel in triumph. "All hail Ezekiel and the Lightning Bolts!"
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Friday July 28th, 2023 8:13:59 AM
Colt watches the spiders engulf the hyena in an amazement, that doesn't prevent him from stepping back quickly so that the swarm doesn't spread to him. He looks around at the other dead hyenas, his eyes finally falling on the dire hyena, blood still oozing from its open neck, the head lying a few yards away. He draws an appropriate conclusion, but is almost immediately overwhelmed by monkeys.
Perhaps misreading their intent, the young man thrashes at the simians, trying to keep them off his head and shouting for them to stay away.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 Friday July 28th, 2023 7:56:59 PM
While nature is competitive, it is still disappointing to Siolo. He sinks down into a kneeling position to think about the situation. He wonders if he could have found out more if he had prepared another animal speaking incantation for the day. He also wonders if it was for the best to place a thumb on the ecological scale.
Marest stands up after dismissing the swarm. Shakes the dust & dirt off of herself, and then casts Cure light wounds on herself. Marest then asks, "is anyone else in need of healing?"
Spells in Effect: Cure Light Wounds on self 1d8+3 = 8
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 19 Tch 13 HP 27/37 CMD 18 Friday July 28th, 2023 10:31:10 PM
Spells in effect: Bless (+1 to hit, saves vs fear), Guarded Stance (+4 AC while Rage) Rage 7 of 10 rounds
Grim snarls at the headless Hyenodon, 'Take THAT you mangy thug!' then whips around for more combat. Seeing all other hyenas prone and seemingly dead (hyenas aren't known for 'playing dead'), Grim considers the combat over and victory to them. He takes the few steps over to the large carcass of the Dire Hyean and puts on foot on it while raising his head up to the 'sky' and letting out his roar of victory!
As the Rage starts to subside, he takes his knife and starts cutting open the belly of the Dire Hyena. He didn't see how the others were downed and now didn't care. It was time to show The Great One the respect due for one of the beasts of His creation, eat the raw heart!
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Friday July 28th, 2023 11:36:44 PM
RJ just thinks more about how strange all this was, and reminds himself that Hyenas are actually cats.
He takes some time to look around at the area and wonder if they are getting paid.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Saturday July 29th, 2023 6:25:18 PM
Yofiel commands the rope to 'Untie' and pulls it back in, coiling the now blood-spotted line.
Yofiel notes their newest companion's discomfort. "Cole, relax. They are not trying to hurt you. They are thanking you for taking down their enemies. Trust me, it's better to have them as friends, than as annoying opponents."
She still is not quite comfortable with Grim's custom of eating the hearts of downed foes, but figures she simply needs to get used to it. He is formidable in battle. "Well struck, Grim, well struck."
"Thanks for the blessing, Dapple," the bard shouts above the din.
The bard has the huge feather-token whip lift into the air, and crack sharply into the space about 20 feet above the fallen dire hyena, then do likewise above each of the fallen lesser hyenas.
While she gives it the verbal instructions to do so, she smiles at the surrounding, jubilant monkeys, hugging a few of them, patting them on the shoulder, and dancing about with them. And she shouts, "Yay, Ezekiel bolts!"
Yofiel finally finds King Julian, and hands him the whip. It is a huge whip. She commands it to strike a spot maybe 12' above his head, then relax in his hand. She is fine if he keeps it. It will disappear in less than an hour, but she really has no way to explain that to him.
She hands Marest the wineskin she usually has along. "In case you want to rinse out your throat, right?"
"Good job, RJ." She hands him a gold piece. And gives him a wink.
When things settle down a bit, she takes a moment with Siolo. "Why so glum, friend?"
She collects the few arrows she shot. If broken, she will keep the broken arrows, too. One can often reuse the tips, and sometimes the fletching.
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) Saturday July 29th, 2023 8:01:55 PM
Dapple was on the verge of suggesting that the group gather away from the hyenas, so she could channel positive energy for healing, but then the entire area was swarmed by monkeys. Dapple gives up momentarily on trying to heal anybody, and concentrates on not being knocked over.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Saturday July 29th, 2023 9:52:36 PM
Cueing off Yofiel, Colt relaxes and even begins to enjoy the monkeys. Limping, he weaves through the press of them to pull his knife out of one of the hyenas. He wipes it on the hyena's fur to clean it, and returns it to its sheath. Then he returns to the rest of the party.
"That was incredible. Four hyenas! One of them a giant. And we killed them all! Grim killed the giant with a a single blow! You guys really are heroes!"
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 Sunday July 30th, 2023 3:12:24 AM
Siolo looks up to Yofiel, his tousled red hair obscuring part of his eyes. His face is not filled with grief, but is solemn.
"Lady Yofiel, I don't like killing. I know that it is a part of nature, but it doesn't feel good. To add to that, it is really hard to tell if these hyenas were just pawns of the disrupter. If not, should we be putting our thumb on the natural scale?"
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Monday July 31st, 2023 7:44:43 AM Ezekiel gives a victory shout. Colt watches the spiders engulf the hyena in amazement and steps back quickly. Being nearly overwhelmed by monkeys the young man thrashes at the simians trying to keep them off his head. Siolo wonders if things could have turned out differently had he prepared another animal speaking incantation and wonders if it is best to place one’s thumb on the ecological scale. Marest dismisses her swarm, heals herself and asks if anyone else could use healing. Grim snarls at the headless Hyenodon and sees the others down so he lets out a roar of victory before preparing to give thanks to the Great onea by eating its raw heart. R.J thinks about how strange this was then reminds himself that Hyenas are actually cats. He takes some time to look around the area and wonder if they are going to get paid. Yofiel has her rope untie itself, before telling Colt to relax. She’s not quite comfortable with Grim’s habit of eating raw hearts but figures he is formidable and tells him that it was well struck. She thanks Dapple for the blessing. She does some exhibitions with her feather token before handing it to King Julien. She hands Marest a wine skin and gives RJ a gold piece. She asks Siolo why he is glum and then collects arrows or parts of arrows as the case may be. Dapple was on the verge of suggesting the group gather away from the hyenas so she could channel some positive energy but instead decides to focus on not getting bowled over. Colt relaxes and begins to enjoy the monkeys he weaves through the pres of them to pull his knife out of one of the hyena, wipes it and returns it to his sheath. He thinks it is amazing and he’s really with a company of heroes. Siolo looks up to Yofiel and says he doesn’t like killing. He says he knows it is part of nature but it doesn’t feel good and who is to say if the hyena is a pawn of the disruptor and asks if they should put their thumb on nature’s scale.
If this was part of some plot against the town then it’s hard to see how. Mostly this area seems like a really, really good nesting area and competition for it isn’t that improbable - the small cliffs and trees keep it sheltered from both weather and hostile animals.
It is funny that RJ brings up a reward for King Julian claps his hands and a group of monkey carry a silver cog to the party and drop it at their feet before scurrying away.
Appraise DC 12 Highlight to display spoiler: { There is something strange about that cog. It is worth more than its weight in silver. Perhaps if someone were to detect magic on it and concentrate they’d get more of an idea of what the cog can do. Either that or ask King Julian}
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Monday July 31st, 2023 12:33:48 PM
Colt wanders over to Ezekial. "Thanks for that burst of fire. That hyena had already tripped me up and chewed on my leg. I thought it might kill me."
The thought prompts him to think about his leg, and looks down at it, and as he does so, the adrenaline that's been propping him up starts to leave his system. He nearly drops to the ground, but catches himself on his staff. He sits down carefully, pulls up his trouser leg and looks at the punctures and torn flesh above his ankle, the blood trickling down along his achille's tendon.
Then he starts looking around for the healer who helped his sprained ankle weeks before. "Dapple!, Dapple!"
OOC: Colt might mostly have noticed the burning hands, but RJ had put a bolt in that hyena earlier and Dapple's bless must have pushed someone's attack from a miss to a hit. ANd if the rest of ya'll hadn't been so darn lethal we might still be fighting. So thanks all around.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Monday July 31st, 2023 12:34:51 PM "DAPPLE! Have you got some bandages?"
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Monday July 31st, 2023 3:16:51 PM
RJ stares at Yofiel for a bit but ultimately takes her action in enough stride.
He notes the silver cog that has been brought to them.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Monday July 31st, 2023 3:33:57 PM
As an air element sorcerer's Ezekiel does electricity damage with burning hands, despite the name.
"Glad I could help," replies Ezekiel. "I just figured out how to do that Thursday!"
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) Monday July 31st, 2023 4:36:52 PM
Dapple is still swarmed by monkeys, some of whom are nearly as tall as she is.
"Uh, little help?" she asks.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 19 Tch 13 HP 27/37 CMD 18 Monday July 31st, 2023 7:42:30 PM
It takes Grim a few moments to get his 'system' settled down from the few moments he went 'berzerk' but he becomes more attuned to his surroundings with a mouthful of Dire Hyena heart.
He gulps a bite down and laughs at Siolo. "YOU being here, ALL of you being here, are disrupters of the natural order. You haven't pledged allegiance to The Great One, therefore you are NOT part of the Natural Order. My tribe did, se we ARE part of it, that's why I honor the Great Hyena for it's ferocity, even if I hate it's guts for it's hatred of our beloved worgs."
He smacks his lips then adds "Maybe they are natural up here, maybe not. Cloudhaven should know if they've been around all along. Whatever got up here, however they did it, except for birds, has had to stay up here for many lifetimes as there's no known way down but the lifts. Monkeys probably can climb the cliffs at a few spots, but not hyenas."
He then gets up and ambles over to Dapple and growls at the monkeys surrounding her, waving his arms about and accidentally splattering Dapple with some Dire Hyena heart blood. 'Shoo! Shoo!" His opinion has changed in the matter of the alleged trap, but it sort of was a setup anyway.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 21/37 CMD 18 Monday July 31st, 2023 7:55:53 PM
OOC: updating header now that the Rage has subsided.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 Monday July 31st, 2023 8:12:31 PM
As Grim shoos the monkey from Dapple, Siolo grins in amusement. "While I would love to agree with your analysis that you are a part of the instinctual wold, it just isn't true. You are as much a part of the natural order as I am. Your pledge has done nothing that I can observe to change that. The only difference being that you are from around here and I am not. Though," he he trails off slightly, "there could be a point in that."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 d8+3=4 ; d8+3=7 ; d20+12=22 ; Monday July 31st, 2023 8:54:48 PM
[OOC: Note: I wrote all this before Grim's post]
Yofiel nods to acknowledge Siolo's words [prior to DM post]. "Possibly, I suppose. On the other hand, we may have won a period of friendship with our local simians." She pauses, then adds, "I do appreciate folk who evidence a thoughtful conscience."
...
"Thank you, King Julian, and our friends the monkeys!" She claps her hands in delight. "Let us be friends always!" She does not think they will understand her words, yet hopes they might read her countenance.
...
"Dapple is a little busy, Colt. Let me take a look at your leg." She looks, touches, and effects cure light wounds, healing 7 hp. [And Colt's header should now read "HP 28/28" - gotta keep up with the Character Sheet stats!]
"Let's go help Dapple, eh?" She moves to provide some space for Dapple, channeling away the handful of monkeys still going after one of their rescuers closer to their physical stature. "All right, everyone, it's Ring-Around-Our-Dapple time, so she can find room to breathe!" She playfully shoos away the rejoicing ones.
...
Once things settle down enough, the bard says, "I will see if this has any magic to it." She casts detect magic
========== Spellcraft on silver hub: 22, to identify its properties
Marest thinks its beyond weird for Monkeys to award a Silver Cog as a reward, so like most magic users, Marest casts Detect Magic on the Silver Cog spending 3 minutes (rounds) concentrating on said Cog to determine why it was awarded to us.
Marest then uses her various skillsets to determine what else she can figure out about the Cog!
Spells in Effect: Detect Magic for 3 minutes of Concentration
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Tuesday August 1st, 2023 8:03:37 AM Colt wanders over to Ezekiel and thanks the mage for the burst of fire. He is then reminded of his leg and calls for Dapple to help him. R.J. stares at Yofiel a bit then takes her action in stride. He notes that the silver cog has been brought to them. Ezekiel tells Colt that he was glad that he could help. Dapple is still being swarmed by the monkeys and then asks for a little help. Grim becomes more settled down after a bit especially with the mouthful of Dire Hyena heart. He then explains to Siolo that he and the rest of the party aren’t a part of the natural order because he didn’t swear allegiance to the Great One as his tribe did and he explains how he honors the Dire Hyena for its ferocity even though it was an enemy of his tribes’ worgs. He smacks his lips and questions if the hyenas were natural or not pointing out that monkeys could climb cliffs but hyenas could not. He then helps Dapple to shoo the monkeys away getting her and the monkeys with some of the dire hyena heart blood. Siolo grins in amusement and informs the half-orc that the pledge to the Great One has done nothing to alter whether half-orc is part of the natural order or not. Then again Grim is from around here and Siolo isnt’. Yofiel nods to acknowledge Siolo’s words and points out they may have won a friendship with the local simians. She thanks King Julian and the monkeys and says they should be friends always. She then helps heal Colt as Dapple is a little busy and then suggests it is ring around the Dapple time before casting Detect Magic on the cog. Marest find the gift a little odd and detects magic on it.
Yofiel Only Highlight to display spoiler: {This silver cog is a priceless Fate Item. Hang it in/on a building that is either damaged or under construction and the cog will magically build or repair the same amount as a construction crew of 12 humans would working for a day(8 hours). It takes 24 hours for the cog to become attuned to a new building but after that day the cog will build or repair the building it is attuned to as a team of 12 humans would each day it remains affixed}
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Tuesday August 1st, 2023 11:28:09 AM
After spending a few minutes with the cog, Yofiel gasps. "Oh my! Oh, my! Marest, did you sense the same thing?"
She takes a few deep breaths. "If I am reading this right, this cog has an enchantment to aid in building. I sense it to be a Fate Item. If you were to hang it on to a building that was damaged or under construction, after a period of attunement of about one day, it will magically build or repair as if a dozen workers spend a working day - about 8 hours - effecting construction on it. And so long as it remains there, each day another day's building work by a dozen people will take place! Oh! This is marvelous! Priceless!"
She looks for King Julian. If he and his fellow monkeys have not scurried too far away, she approaches and sings a song to them.
[Song to follow later today... off now to an appointment.]
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Tuesday August 1st, 2023 1:26:28 PM
RJ is about to say something about Grim (re dialing it back some) when Yofiel blurts out her understanding of the cog.
RJ catches on quickly. "Sounds like the town can be repaired over a week or two at that rate."
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) d6=5 ; d6=6 ; Tuesday August 1st, 2023 2:41:33 PM
Freed of the enthusiastic monkeys, Dapple channels positive energy to heal.
Everybody heals 11
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 32/37 CMD 18 Tuesday August 1st, 2023 10:39:25 PM
OOC: couple of things Grim missed, the spider vomit (good thing) and he's assuming all the hyenas are dead-dead, not just barely nearly almost dead.
IC: Grim feels the healing wash over him and he feels invigorated, almost like new. "Thank you Dapple. Here, wanna a bite? he offers what's left of the hyenodon heart.
If she takes it, he smiles and heads back to the Dire Hyena to start skinning it. If she doesn't, he finishes it off before starting the skinning of the carcass.
"Roasted meat tonight, boys!"
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 Tuesday August 1st, 2023 10:45:05 PM
Siolo looks at the cog in wonder. He had never seen a Fate item, he had only heard of them.
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Wednesday August 2nd, 2023 7:53:49 AM Yofiel asks Marest if she sensed the same thing and then explains what the cog does. She goes over to King Julian and sings a song of thanks to the little monkey. R.J is about to say something about Grim when Yofiel explains how the cog works and he reasons the town could be repaired in weeks with the cog. Dapple now free from the monkeys channels positive energy to heal folks. Grim prepares the meat for cooking and offers the heart’s remains to Dapple. Siolo stares in wonder.
With the monkey’s assisted and a marvelous treasure secured it’s probably time to go. The monkey’s are still running around and bothering the party in excitement and probably won’t stop until the party leaves. They presumably do so. The monkey’s den is only an hour or two from the town thankfully so the party should be back in time for lunch.
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) Wednesday August 2nd, 2023 1:06:14 PM
"Oh," Dapple says. "Oh. Thank you, Grim, that's...that's really nice of you. But honestly, raw meat isn't good for you. It could make you sick."
She is relieved to be able to walk away and leave the monkeys behind her.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Wednesday August 2nd, 2023 2:43:12 PM
RJ finds some humor in the Grim-Dapple commentaries. Really, just in the fact that there was another job well done.
He even starts humming "I Wanna Be Like You" a little bit as he repacks his crossbows.
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:6/R:4/W:6), HP:22/22 Wednesday August 2nd, 2023 7:57:48 PM Construction Cog
"I wonder where the monkey's found this Cog?" muses Marest to know one in particular. "It reallt is a priceless gift!" "I wonder how long it would take to rebuild the lift with this Cog?"
Marest is as happy as everyone else to close this Monkey chapter and return to the town.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Wednesday August 2nd, 2023 8:17:20 PM
"Say, Grim. Did you want to stick the head you removed on a pole, to serve as a warning to other hyenas that might want to mess with the monkeys?" Yofiel asks him, sincerely, not to mess with him. She does not know what the monkeys might think of that.
Regardless of his answer, she is ready to return to town with the lovely gift from King Julian. "Good question, Marest. I wonder if there are some abandoned buildings round about."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 32/37 CMD 18 Wednesday August 2nd, 2023 8:38:42 PM
OOC: yep, Grim HAS thought of it, really. :)
IC: The group seems too ready to return when there's still a lot to do. The hyena carcasses will be easier to carry after gutted, and since the monkeys won't eat any of it, it would be a shameful waste of meat to leave it here.
Yofiel ask Grim about leaving a hyena head and he agrees to do so, but he's not going to leave the giant one to those who won't appreciate it like he. He takes the head off one of a smaller one and chops a small branch into a pole with a nice point. Then he sets it up with the hyena head just outside the nesting site border next to the trail they used to get there.
He's got the Dire Hyena gutted but it is still too big for even him to carry without assistance. OOC: Bestiary says they can weigh up to 900lb. Gutted may take 100lb off that. Still a bit much.
So he cuts it up in pieces after he removes the pelt. The rib area he has to leave behind but the rest he ties ropes to and starts to drag them, with the head skewered on his guisarme strapped to his back. He doesn't ask for help but if anyone offers, he is visibly elated. He wishes the Minotaur was still with them.
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Wednesday August 2nd, 2023 11:51:22 PM
[ooc] Backing up a bit ***
Colt thanks Yofiel with a broad smile on his face and a little wonder in his eyes. Then he follows her to help Dapple.
He stares open-mouthed while the magically inclined discuss the cog. "It looks like some of the other parts for the lift." is all he can offer.
[ooc] And up to now ***
Colt watches the big half orc struggle with the load of meat. He's surprised that Grim has to work so hard, and recognizes a chance to talk to the imposing warrior.
"Maybe I could give you a hand with that?"
The young man isn't as strong as Grim, but he'll do the best he can. (14 Str)
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 Wednesday August 2nd, 2023 11:58:31 PM "That looks like a bit much for even you, Grim. I'll take some to ease the burden."
Well, Siolo thought, there is something to be said for killing if...
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Thursday August 3rd, 2023 7:42:42 AM
"Ten minutes, and we'll have another travois." She cuts four stout sticks - two long ones, two a bit shorter. "If anyone wants to help, that would be nice."
She lays the long sticks so they cross at one end with the ends extending about 4 feet beyond the junction. At the junction she wraps rope around, criss-crossing and looping, with a solid knot to finish that connection. About five feet on the other side of the junction one of the shorter sticks is laid across the two stick as they spread, lashes those on, and a few feet away, the second shorter stout stick, similarly tied. She cuts (or has others cut) more sticks to lash underneath the two shorter stout sticks to give the burden a place to rest upon, and uses up the rest of one of her 50' ropes to lash those firmly in place, with the rope providing a bit of webbing, too.
"Most of us have used one of these. Let's put most of the meat on it - and let the travois help us carry it back to Cloudhaven."
On the relatively short journey home, Yofiel sings some of the walking songs she learned in her youth, including a round in the common tongue. The bard teaches some of the songs to her friends.
Shortly before they arrive back at the settlement, she pauses for a moment. "I think we make a good crew," she tells them all.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Thursday August 3rd, 2023 11:27:47 AM
"That cog sounds pretty neat," says Ezekiel. "I wonder if it would work on a ship? Be great to have something to patch up a breach in the hull during a storm!"
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) Thursday August 3rd, 2023 4:19:03 PM
Dapple helps with the butchering process as much as she can, which honestly isn't much. She doesn't know how to butcher a carcass, and even if she did, she's not strong enough to be super effective at it. And she can't carry very much.
"I need to get one of those Haversack deals," she says.
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Thursday August 3rd, 2023 5:36:04 PM Dapple thanks Grim for his offer of the heart’s remains but points out that raw meat isn’t good for you and can make one sick. R.J. is amused by the Grim-Dapple interactions and starts humming the song “I wanna be like you” while packing his crossbow bolts. Marest wonders how long the cog will take to repair the lift. Yofiel suggests putting the head on a pike for the monkeys. Grim does put up one of the smaller heads. He is ready to cart off the giant hyena carcass but it’s to heavy for him and he wishes the minotaur was still around. Colt is a bit in awe at events and offers to help with the meat. Siolo also helps. Yofiel is all ready to make another travoise. She sings some on the way back and opines that the party is a good crew. Ezekiel wonders about magic cogs and ships. Dapple tries to help but isn’t good at cutting or carrying meet. Maybe she should get a magic sack.
Despite what assumptions some might be making the monkey’s are omnivores and will likely clean up any meat left behind. As the party enters town the sentries signal their arrival, mostly by yelling. Soon a small crowd is forming as people come out curious to see what adventure the party has been up to. The now missing monkey’s are noticed and many seem to be assuming the party dealt with them now.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Thursday August 3rd, 2023 6:42:31 PM
Yofiel lets out a potent yodel as they pass the sentries, then calls out, "The monkeys are happy now, and they gave us a present!" She sweeps her hand toward her companions. "Behold, the Cloud Hunters!"
She leaves it to the others to start filling in the details.
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:6/R:4/W:6), HP:22/22 Thursday August 3rd, 2023 8:48:34 PM Home Coming
Marest is happy to have returned home, eager to see how her garden grows.
Marest holds back behind the rest of the group to see how the group is received.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Thursday August 3rd, 2023 10:08:12 PM
RJ nods to the welcoming party, and to the rest of the group.
"So, are we going to be making this hunting party a common occurrence? Go out there as a hunter for hire, maybe next by ocelots?"
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Thursday August 3rd, 2023 11:31:34 PM
Because Colt leans forward to pull the load and drives his leg hard, trying to keep up with Grim, he's exhausted by the time they reach Cloudhaven.
He smiles shyly at the small knot of people that come to greet the party, and slows down, drifting to the rear of the party. He gratefully turns over the rope to another villager and walks toward the well for a long draught of water.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 32/37 CMD 18 Friday August 4th, 2023 12:03:33 AM
Grim is elated with all the help. Real meat at last, for a little while at least. He's not about to leave any good parts to the monkeys. They'll have to be contented with the innerds of the hyenas, but that's a lot of meat there too.
Arriving back at Cloudhaven, he takes the hyena pelts to the tanner. He hopes to trade them for stuff for the party. The Hyaenodon pelt Grim will keep for their trophy room.
Naturally, with the hyaenodon head on his guisarme, Grim displays it with gusto. The people need to know there was something really bad out there. That skull is much larger than the dino one, a more suitable ceremonial headpiece.
A large bbq feast for all is announced and preparations ordered.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Friday August 4th, 2023 10:07:36 AM
"Cloud Hunters?" says Ezekiel. "What happened to Ezekiel and the Lightning Bolts? Justice like Thunder!"
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Friday August 4th, 2023 4:41:17 PM
"Ocelots? What do you suppose they might want us to take down? Pteranodons?" she asks RJ.
As no one has yet chosen to fill in the people on what happened, the bard gives a short version. "The former leader of the monkeys had been slain by hyenas, who took over their breeding grounds - a very nice place, with clean water, lovely land, with good shade. You can see there the head of the leader. It had three smaller ones with it, and they came on us as we saw where the large ape had fallen. We all fought, and some of us were wounded. But by working together, we overcame them. You should have seen the mighty blow that Grim gave it! Well, right there, you can see the results."
She looks around. "The new leader of the monkeys - his name is Julian - gave us a gift. We will wait until the rest of the folks can meet with us to tell you about it. Now, who wants to help prepare for a victory feast?"
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Friday August 4th, 2023 5:03:51 PM
RJ looks insulted at Yofiel. "Hey, at least I'm not trying to be a band from the 70s, Ezekiel."
He's quiet for a bit. "Sorry, that was out of line. It's just that as a beastfolk, I'm really not fond of all the thunder stuff. Also as a guy who wants to snipe in silence."
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 Friday August 4th, 2023 9:31:00 PM
Siolo engages with some of the present villagers telling them about what it's like to talk to the monkeys. [B]"They often have scattered focus. However, unlike many other animals, they can maintain a decent level of focus."[b]
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Friday August 4th, 2023 10:43:15 PM
After a few glorious minutes in the limb of the limelight, Colt decides that he's uncomfortable there and slips away with a large cut of meat to Grimilda's hut. He and Fogbank sit and talk to the old beastfolk while she portions the meat and trows it in a pot with wild onions. Sensitive to the nature of this pack and his status in it, Foggy is quite careful to stay clear of any rats that are about. The little dog curls up under the chair that Colt sits in cross-legged.
The boy moves his hands to illustrate everything that's gone on the last few days, walking in the jungle with only Fogbank and some sketchy directions, finding and feeding the heroes, the Tyrannosaurus at the cave, harvesting fruit at the grove, the monkey chase, the battle with the hyenas, and the arduous trip home with the hyena meat.
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:6/R:4/W:6), HP:22/22 Saturday August 5th, 2023 12:00:35 AM Observing
Marest tags along with the group...nodding & smiling all the while staying silent. When able, Marest consumes fresh veggies & fruit, not really the BBQ gal.
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) Saturday August 5th, 2023 1:56:21 AM
Once the townsfolk have been updated, and the meat squared away, Dapple goes to the temple to offer up a prayer of thanksgiving to Wardd.
"Hey, big guy," she says, pulling a small set of dice out of her pocket. "Thanks for the whole 'not dying' thing during the battle. And thanks for the monkeys--they're yours, right? i mean, that amount of chaos has to belong to you. Anyway, thanks. This one's for you." She rolls the dice.
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Saturday August 5th, 2023 1:59:31 AM Yofiel lets out a yodel as she passes the sentries and lets them know the monkeys are happy now and they gave them a present before presenting the Cloud Hunters and letting the others fill in more detail. Marest is happy to be home. Rj wonders if they should make regular hunting a thing. Colt gets tired by the time there back and looks to surrender his load to someone else. Grim is thrilled to have a bunch of help. He puts the new, bigger head on his pike and presents it proudly before trying to organize a bbq party. He drops off the hides at the tanners. Ezekiel asks about another name that he’d never mentioned before. Yofiel fills the town in. Rj is insulted and says so before apologizing for a bit out of line. Siolo mentions what it’s like to talk to monkeys. Colt enjoys the limelight briefly before trying to retreat to the background. He then misremembers Grimelda’s race (she’s a dwarf wererat and is normally just in dwarf form). Marest tags along.
Grimelda doesn’t like big crowds so is happy to retreat to a more private setting to talk to her coworker Colt. She’s currently living in a somewhat intact part of the corral. It has a small attached room she lived out of so she could keep a close eye on the animals and it’s been damaged some, but not as much as the rest of the coral - some big dinosaurs forced their way in and killed the lift beasts so the main body of the building is really wrecked.
With all the meat brought back people are happy to have an excuse to have a good time and so the BBQ party quickly gets into full swing. After being told about the magic cog there’s a lot of debate on where to use it and how it works. Will it fix things inside the building, or just the main structure? Can it be used on the lift, which is sort of part of the keep but also maybe not?
A few places seem to be commonly considered the best place to use the cog first:
The keep. If it will work on the lift, then it would make repairing it a lot easier. If not, it might at least fix the gates which while they failed to hold against the massive beasts in the attack would still provide much better protection in case of emergency. The Smithy. Timothy has been working to make new gears and parts to repair/replace the lift but it’s been slow work and he’s had to work around the damage to it. It should be a relatively quick fix and might speed up the lift repairs if the cog doesn't’ actually work for the lift. The chapel. It got badly damaged and Dapple and Regtar have only been able to set up a small shrine in a somewhat dry place. Fixing it is a big project perfectly suited to the cog and it’d be a relief to many to have a place to pray at again.
Of course the party might have their own ideas and with the general good impression the survivors have of them could probably sway people to their line of thinking if they’d prefer someplace else.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Sunday August 6th, 2023 7:34:14 PM
All three ideas suggested for the cog sound good. "Dapple, what do you suppose Wardd would suggest? I'm thinking we should first try the Keep, but both the Temple and the Smithy are good targets, too."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 32/37 CMD 18 Monday August 7th, 2023 12:16:34 AM
With all the preparations for the bbq party, Grim has little time to devote to the new item. However it intrigues him that the lift might be able to be fixed quickly.
How that will affect the situation, he does not know. He does not hold to the optimism the townsfolk will probably have. A properly working lift will only attract unwanted attention from the entity or entities that destroyed it in the first place before they are ready.
But then again, what does being 'ready' for another Thunder God attack entail?
"Fix the buildlngs first., We've manage all these months without a lift, we can manage a bit more. Let's have something decent to show any visitors that show up after the lift is fixed."
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 Monday August 7th, 2023 12:46:45 AM "I agree with Grim on this one," Siolo adds. "Buildings are where live their lives. Morale depends heavily on them."
He also helps with the party preparation by volunteering for the simple tasks. He is trying to overwhelm himself with the people of Cloudhaven to understand their role in this environment.
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Monday August 7th, 2023 8:39:25 AM Yofiel asks Dapple which of the three buildings Wardd would reckon would be the best place to use the cog. Grim is intrigued about the lift being fixed more quickly, but thinks the buildings take priority. Siolo agrees that the buildings take priority and volunteers to help with a bunch of things.
The impromptu party quickly gets into full swing. Dori does her best to supplement the meat with stores from the tavern while Gatter and Timothy take the chance to take a break from their duties. Regtar says a prayer to the gods to bless the meat before ending up in a eating contest with Stella, the liontaur tanner. The two taurs really pack it in! Rothlorian seems to enjoy the chance to unwind without having to deal with the endless stream of problems he’s been facing since becoming the unofficial leader of the little community.
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) Monday August 7th, 2023 2:40:44 PM
Dapple laughs a little. "I don't think Wardd cares much one way or the other," she says. "To me, the smithy makes the most sense."
Then she gets down to the very serious business of eating.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 d20=3 ; Monday August 7th, 2023 8:14:36 PM
Yofiel agrees with Dapple's assessment, after thinking it over a bit more. "It seems it would be wise for someone to gain an understanding of how the cog works. Can someone oversee how it does things? Help set priorities? Since Timothy is a maker, he is a really good candidate for that. I also would like to understand the silvery cog. What does it do to attune itself to a building in need of construction or repair? Does it move around, explore, or just sit where you put it as it somehow senses its surroundings? Then, when it begins the work, how does it actually do it? Do we need to have all the materials at hand? Can it pull things from thin air? Can it communicate what it needs? Lots of questions. I'd like to keep an eye on it. Not full-time, but for a while each day, especially as it is starting out."
She takes a very small portion of the hyena meat. She does not deem it a particularly attractive sort of animal to ingest, yet overcomes a bit of squeamishness to at least give it a taste. She decides it is not for after thoroughly chewing and swallowing it down. Yofiel takes a fruit drink made from squeezed mangos and follows that with a good banana. These are enough to rid her mouth of the taste. She is glad, nonetheless, that others are enjoying it.
As she joins in the celebration, she makes the rounds to see if others think that having Timothy's smithy be a test case for the cog is a good idea.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Monday August 7th, 2023 9:14:47 PM
RJ mostly seems out of place, stoic, when it comes to party gatherings like this, though he does mix in with Colt, Foggy, Grimelda, and the other beastfolk for a while.
It's almost like he half expects the worst to happen if he ever stop to enjoy himself.
He does note Yofiel's statements by disagreeing with Grim, thinking that opening up the area for resources should be the top priority (albeit a priority that should be more heavily guarded). He will, though, be on board with Smithy as a "test" should the situation require it.
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 32/37 CMD 18 Monday August 7th, 2023 10:10:22 PM
Grim thoroughly enjoys the fresh meat and eating what portion Yofiel doesn't eat in addition. He stays out of the conversation over the magical cog. If asked again, he says, "Which buildings get fixed first is Rothlorien's problem. Not mine."
Marest still thinks repairing the Lift using the Cog is the best plan of action.
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Monday August 7th, 2023 10:39:05 PM
"Well don't look at me," says Ezekiel. "Fixing things isn't my department. Quite the opposite. I blow stuff up!"
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Monday August 7th, 2023 11:16:40 PM
Drawn by the sounds and smells of the barbeque, Colt and Grimelda join the others. Colt takes an unlikely large portion of meat which he eats with the same fingers that feed Fogbank. Apparently once it's cooked, he can be as indiscriminate as Foggy, or even Grim, in his diet.
"The lift basket was heavy. That's why we had the lift beasts. It doesn't make sense to me to rebuild the lift until we have some beasts to work it."
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Monday August 7th, 2023 11:18:31 PM "On the other hand, we want the lift ready in case a caravan shows up. If they come and only see wreckage and no one greets them, they may think we've all died and never come again."
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 4:23:10 AM
"Ezekiel, lightning frequently comes from clouds, right?" she asks him.
Yofiel approaches RJ when he is not too occupied. "Say, you looked miffed when I took what seemed a light-hearted mention of ocelots requesting our assistance, and in what I thought to be a similar humorous vein positing pteranodons might be a source of concern to them. Really, no offense was meant. Have I been frequently ruffling your feathers - not that you have feathers - without having a clue?" She adds, "I value you, and I appreciate your skills. Tell me, please, of any offense on my part toward you."
To Colt's thoughts on the beasts, she grabs Timothy to hear what he has to say, pulls in Marest who evidenced an interest in the topic and adds her own thoughts. "I wonder - cogs and gears and such can make work lighter or weightier, slower or faster. If the gear ratios are adjusted, might the lift be able to work without the aid of the massive muscles and weight of such beasts, and instead work with lighter creatures, even with people? And, if so, would the lift work as quickly as before? Would there even have to be a difference? Could there be a machine that would allow someone simply to press a pump repeatedly with their legs, or rotate a wheel of sorts with pedals? How about a counterweight down a slide you could place at various angles?" She sketches out a few ideas for Timothy to look over as she describes her ideas.
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Tuesday August 8th, 2023 8:10:57 AM Dapple tells Yofiel she doesn’t think Wardd cares one way or another but to her the Smithy makes the most sense. She then tucks into the food. Yofiel agrees with Dapple’s assessment and thinks Timothy being a maker might be a good candidate to study the cog as it does its thing. She also wants to understand a lot of how the cog attunes itself and works in general. She takes a small portion of the hyena meat and a large fruit drink to wash the taste. She also gauges the others’ thoughts on the smithy as a first test case for the cog. R.J is stoic and somewhat out of place. He does mix in with Colt, Foggy, Grimelda and the other beastfolk for a while. He half expects the worst to happen if he stops to enjoy himself. Though he does think opening the area up for resources albeit while being better guarded about it is a priority but the Smithy as a test case has his blessing. Grim enjoys the fresh meat eating whatever Yofiel doesn’t finish in addition to his own. He stays out of the conversation regarding the cog as he figures that is a Rothlorien problem. Marest thinks the lift is the best option. Ezekiel says he blows things up he doesn’t fix them. Colt thinks that without lift beasts fixing the lift is useless. Then again if a caravan shows up then they want a fixed lift so that devastation isn’t the only thing the traders see. Yofiel comments to Exekiel, apologizes to RJ, and tries to pull together a consultation with Marest, Colt, Timothy, and whomever else is interested.
Timothy is able to give the group, or at least those interested, a more complete explanation of how the lift works and his own plans and project. ”First of all there’s no chance I fix the lift like it was before. I’m just not skilled enough. Fortunately, I don’t have to. The whole set up with the lift beasts and the gears and things were so that hundreds of pounds of supplies, trade goods, and people could all be lifted up at once. We didn’t go so far as to lift up entire wagons, but their contents would be put on the lift and usually a half dozen people would go up with it which adds up to a lot of weight, especially with some of the taurs in the guard.
We don’t need that, at least not for a while. We just need the option to get the lift and maybe a half a dozen people up and down so we can get out of here if it becomes needed and so we can check on things down below. As far as I can tell the lift platform and everything connected with it is fine, it’s just all the mechanisms that let us move it that got destroyed. I’ve been trying to jury rig a set up that will let a few strong folk operate it instead of the team of animals. Rothlorian and Regtar are both plenty strong so probably them. It’s been a few weeks now, and I think I’m getting close. If you’re thinking about putting that magic gear in the smithy it’d be a help to have a proper roof over my head but either way I think I can have the lift moving within a week.”
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 12:00:06 PM
"Lightning comes from my hands not the clouds, Yofiel. Pay attention."
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) Tuesday August 8th, 2023 12:47:06 PM
"So if we use the cog for the smithy first, it shouldn't take too long. Then we can swap it to the lift." She sighs. "It would be nice to have the temple fixed, but other things have priority."
Colt Human Rogue (Tim) AC 16 T 14 FF 12 HP 22/22 CMD 18 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 7:34:49 PM
Colt nods while Tim explains his progress with the lift. When the ersatz smith is finished, Colt says quietly, almost murmurs, "If it will speed up the lift repairs, the smithy might be a good place to start then with the cog. But it's not really my decision." He continues to listen while the conversation goes back and forth. And he watches Grim.
When the barbarian rises to leave the feast, Colt watches him go.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 8:12:16 PM
Siolo decides to take the time to chat with Rothlorian. "How are you holding up? You've got a lot on your shoulders," he asks with concern in his voice.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 9:26:03 PM
"But, Ezekiel, your head is always in the clouds, you sparky sorcerer, so what I said stands," Yofiel teases.
"All right. As repairs to the smithy likely will take the least amount of time, compared to the other two top candidates for the cog treatment, it should serve as a good chance to observe, learn, and ensure that Timothy's workshop is as ready for work as it can be."
The bard takes time to briefly summarize the three options to the local folks and asks for their insights and perspectives and cautions. She then asks Rothlorian how he would like to handle the decision. Really, though an advocate for the Smithy for starters, she can see benefits to any of the options and is disposed to abide by his direction.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 9:31:54 PM
RJ shrugs at Yofiel's concern. "Just that I wasn't expecting to have someone counter my own humor, I suppose. On the rare times I do attempt it."
RJ looks out towards as Timothy comes across, speaking again to Yofiel. "It's been weird, out here. I was just supposed to be passing through, heading to the coast. Unit out there. How about you? What brings you out here? Anything waiting for you when that lift is fixed?"
-----------------
RJ thinks about this for a while, when something strikes him. "Those groups on the ground, unloading and so forth. Have there been any attempts to get them a message or them to message us?"
Marest says, "As we will need the smithy for just about everything moving forward, yes, I reckon giving the Smith the Cog first!"
Ezekiel (BrianW) - AC 17/13/14; HP 24/24 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 10:38:57 PM
Ezekiel looks upwards at the sky. "I know we are pretty high up on this plat...plot...flat land wave, but I don't believe my neck reaches that high. Unless it's foggy."
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 32/37 CMD 18 Wednesday August 9th, 2023 12:48:53 AM
Grim only pays half attention to the conversation, but RJ's comment about attempting to get a message to the bottom of the plateau gets a response from him.
"The caravans take months to get here, stay a few weeks, then months to get back. So, by now those who sent the caravan may be weary of something happening here, but it will be months again before anything gets here again. So, that's why the lift can wait a bit longer."
DM Mitch Jungle Rumble Map Wednesday August 9th, 2023 7:41:14 AM Ezekiel correct’s Yofiel that lightning comes from his hands and not the clouds and his neck is not long enough to reach the clouds. Dapple reasons that if the repairs to the smithy won’t take long then they can swap it out to the lift and while it would be nice to have the temple fixed other buildings have higher priority. Colt reasons that if using the cog on the smithy will speed up the lift repairs it might be the best place to start but he also points out it isn’t really his decision and he watches Grim go. Siolo takes the time to have a chat with Rothlorean asking the Skald how he is holding up as he has a lot on his plate. RJ talks to Yofiel about humor and his plans that got interrupted before asking about people stranded below the lift. Marest agrees that the smithy should go first. Grim misunderstands RJ’s point and talks about how long it will be till the next caravan.
Rothlorian appreciates Solo's show of concern but claims he’s holding up fine. ”It’s not what I’m used to but it’s necessary and I’m dealing with it.”
RJ’s question gives Rothloian a pained look. ”No, but without the lift how could we communicate with them? They would have mostly been merchants and a few guards, most of the escort came up here to unwind as soon as the caravan arrived. I’m not sure if they could have survived all this time on their own in the jungle below. I think the lift was partway up when the attack happened and some people probably got stuck on it as well. They would have had to climb up or jump down. No telling who or what we’ll find when we get it fixed.”
The party all seems to be for the smithy and general town consensus is easily swayed by their arguments. So after the party the cog is hung from a hook in the smithy. The next day Rothlorian finds time in his busy schedule to try to help train some of the party, those interested in WLA things. He was part of the organization for years and knows some of their training methods.
Dapple [AC 18; HP 28/28] (Kathy) Wednesday August 9th, 2023 4:16:33 PM
Dapple watches the training, calling out with occasional smart-aleck comments and basically having a great time.
R.J. Muffins (Melvin) AC 20 (before prone)/15/16 HP 28 CMD 16 Wednesday August 9th, 2023 7:39:37 PM
RJ takes Grim's words and Rothlorian's to heart. "I of course meant no disrespect."
He asks if there is anyone who can do his organization, the star chamber/hunter training.
Marest (Jon-Paul) AC:13 (T:13, FF:10), CMD:12, Saves:(F:6/R:4/W:6), HP:22/22 Wednesday August 9th, 2023 8:07:43 PM WLA Training
"Mr. Rothloian", I would be more than happy to attend one of your trainings regarding the WLA" says Marest as she points to her WLA badge; beaming.
"I was really interested in improving my Magical Aptitude." grins Marest. "Have you any trainings on that subject?" inquires Marest.
Siolo (Joe) - AC 16/12/14 ; HP 19/19 , NL 0 d6=1 ; d20=6 ; Wednesday August 9th, 2023 9:49:06 PM
Siolo takes more time speaking with the local animals and attempting to build a network.
((Wild Empathy 6+7=12))
Grim Ripr (JonathanT) AC 17 Tch 11 HP 32/37 CMD 18 Thursday August 10th, 2023 12:11:04 AM
Grim is shocked to hear that the town, Rothlorien in particular, hadn't taken the time to rig a way to get the lift up and just left whoever was on the lift to rot. He, and his group were too busy sent hither and thither to think about it that Grim just figured the lift was up during the attack and mostly destroyed or had gone crashing to the bottom. But Rothlorien had the notion that it might be stuck in the middle and did nothing?
'So Rothlorien couldn't get the survivors' pulling power to pull the lift platform up? A simple wheel and pully system could get the job done and they've had months to put that together. And not a word to his group about helping get it up.'
Grim shrugs, takes the Dire Hyena head to the back are where he typically sets them up to dry out and get cleaned up. This head will be a mask for him.
OOC: i'd have to go way back and look but I've got this feeling the issue of the lift was that it had crashed to the bottom so there was no real incentive to 'save' anyone that might have been on it.
Yofiel (Kim McCoy), female elf bard AC 14/14/12 HP: 21/21 Thursday August 10th, 2023 3:38:42 AM
WLA Training Yofiel goes for her 2nd point of WLA skill 'knowledge', and, echoing Marest's choice, the feat Magical Aptitude (+2 bonus on Spellcraft and Use Magic Device checks). At first level, she gained 1 skill point in Perception (prior to Cloudhaven).
She expresses gratitude (along with the 1,000 gp fee for 3rd level membership).
Other than her training time, she spends time as mentioned earlier with Timothy in the smithy observing the cog to try to figure out how it functions. She will use detect magic and spellcraft from time to time on it, jotting down notes and observations. The elf shows Timothy what she has discerned, and seeks his insights on it as well.
"Ezekiel, are you acquainted with the concept of metaphor? 'Head in the clouds' is such. Your head is not often in the clouds literally, but seems to spend a good deal of time there figuratively."
LOG ON