Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 56/56, CMD: 23 Friday August 4th, 2023 9:07:08 PM I've always wondered whether it was foolish or brilliant for humans to decide to use gold as money. It may have a pretty shine, but you are right that it's way too heavy, and really is pretty useless other than looking pretty. But better to gave the greedy fight over shiny lumps of metal than hoarding something useful like food, so perhaps it was a wise move..
Zazu Bridgebuilder (AC24, HP61) and Boyo the bunny (AC19, HP30) (Cayzle) Friday August 4th, 2023 9:54:13 PM
"I'm getting sleepy," says Zazu. The young elf snuggles on Boyo and takes a nap. "Wake me up if anything interesting happens, please."
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 51/51 Character Saturday August 5th, 2023 4:05:36 PM "Appreciate that Thorn, I only have a little skill in the use of Illusions, more of my spells are of the destructive kind.
Oh, and Lothlo, I believe there was a city on the Southern Continent that used something other than coins, but I believe the Heroes that were living there broke the machine that produced them. Mom said I was mass chaos for a while."
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 23/11/22 -- HP: 65/65 Saturday August 5th, 2023 6:34:33 PM "Well now, it is good to be out of the rain, so let's all observe the good rules of hospitality as we share this shelter", Sahabiel says. While she is not distrustful of the fey, she finds it does help to be clear about which courtesies and basic rules should apply in any dealings with them.
Taking a small pot out of her pack, she sets it to collect rainwater just outside the shelter, where she can keep an eye on it. Once it is full, she will recite the prayer for purifying food and drink over the water so that she can use it for cooking. "I am going to get a broth started to make us all a bowl of frumenty later. we might as well eat something while we are stuck here, right?"
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 56/56, CMD: 23 Saturday August 5th, 2023 8:37:44 PM
ooc: Naithi is traveling and will post later tonight
Nightingale (JonS) HP 64/64 AC 21 CMD: 23 Monday August 7th, 2023 2:21:12 AM
Nightingale will wander over and ask Sahabiel, "What help do you need with brunch, linner, dinner, whatever meal this would count as..."
DM: Nick K. A new Day Monday August 7th, 2023 1:12:01 PM
Sahabiel Establishes rules of etiquette and commences to make some dinner. Panzer Thanks all for their consideration in drying etc. Zazu Elects to get some rest. Beech. Thanks Thorn for her illusion and recounts a tale of some odd machine to the South. Lothlo Quietly takes it all in. Naithi Quietly takes it all in. Nightingale Offers to help Sahabiel Berotha Quietly takes it all in.
Time passes, but the storm does not; at least not for a good while. In fact it worsens to hammer away at the protective dome. It seems that streams of water rather than rivulets pour from it. Beyond its protective compass you see that the ground is now awash. It’s very evident that the going shall be either unpleasant, tricky or both.
Sahabiel and Nightingale concoct a hearty broth. Thorn too partakes of this repast and compliments the chef’s before delightedly darting around changing the colour of random objects, be it a weapon’s tip, a rabbit’s tail or a boot (Just the one; where would be the fun in having two the same?)
(OOC: Anyone can decide if it is they that are affected or otherwise. Just a small role-playing opportunity.)
It was late and dark when the rain ceased. A gentle wind coerced the reluctant clouds to slowly move along now that their work was done. Unsurprisingly nothing had disturbed the group’s rest. Certainly Thorn had no compunction about sleeping. As soon as she did, she vanished from sight. Come the morning, there was no sign of the sprite. However, she appeared to have taken nothing, nor left anything other than odd coloured boots. Beyond the dome the ground was extremely wet. The trees still dripped heavy droplets. The lower foliage hung heavy, replete with moisture, just waiting for someone to pass along that they might discharge some of their heavy burden. In contrast, the fine cobwebs that were strewn like a myriad fine nets through the grasses, ferns and brambles glittered, displaying the tiny silvery jewels of water that clung to them and sparkled in the burgeoning light.
DM: Nick K. A new Day Monday August 7th, 2023 1:12:48 PM
(OOC: Apologies, life got in the way and I forgot! hence the late post.)
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 56/56, CMD: 23 Monday August 7th, 2023 4:39:36 PM
ooc: from your update it sounds like you didn't see that I had made a post on Friday. No problem if it wasn't part of the update, just want to make sure you didn't think I missed a day
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 56/56, CMD: 23 Monday August 7th, 2023 4:43:37 PM
Lothlo wakes up and notices that a few of his arrows have been changed to a green color that matches the skirt Thorn was wearing. Looking around, the archer notices that their new friend is nowhere to be seen. Thorn, are you still hanging around here somewhere? You disappeared when you fell asleep, so I'm not sure if you left already, or are just asleep.
Lohtlo starts to prepare a pot of coffee as the others slowly start to wake up.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 23/11/22 -- HP: 65/65 Monday August 7th, 2023 6:32:57 PM "Wood's grace that the rains did not last longer than our shelter", Sahabiel remarks in the morning, "Did Thorn leave already? We should have asked how to reach her if we run into her Brownie friend later. It would be just our luck to come across him in our travels."
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 51/51 Character Monday August 7th, 2023 6:54:08 PM
Beech, stretches. "Gonna be a long day, if she's around or not. and we're gonna get soaked too, it looks like." He'll off his cooking, but it appears others are taking that over....
Zazu Bridgebuilder (AC24, HP61) and Boyo the bunny (AC19, HP30) (Cayzle) d20+16=25 ; d20+17=19 ; Monday August 7th, 2023 7:28:30 PM
Boyo sniffs around to sense whether the fey creature is around or not [OOC: scent, plus Perception roll for the familiar of 25].
"I'm glad the storm ended before my spell," says Zazu. "What are these boots?"
The elf detects magic, and if magical, attempts to ID them.
Spellcraft 19
Then it is time to prep spells for the day.
Berotha (Jason W) -- AC: 21/13/18, HP: 83/99, CMD: 29 Monday August 7th, 2023 9:15:17 PM
Berotha wakes to see that Thorn has changed the color of the blade on her grandmother's glaive. She snorts heavily and takes several deep, calming breaths. Then she turns to the others, barely containing her powerful feeling of offense "The Fey can be... surprising... at times. Would someone change this back to its proper color?" She knew better than to whisper her frustration at the blasted capricious creatures in the woods, even under her own breath.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 29 HP 100/100 ) Character Sheet Monday August 7th, 2023 10:36:30 PM
When Panzer wakes he looks out into the wold and sighs. "This will be challenging." He rearranges his kit and stows his armor in his pack. It doesn't slow him exactly, but it does make things like swimming and climbing harder. A little bite to eat and he was ready to head out wherever his guides pointed him. He did look around and find a staff before departing. It would be wise to prod ahead a little and knock some of the wet off the trees before he got too wet.
DM: Nick K. The Panzer Scale Tuesday August 8th, 2023 5:17:28 AM
Sahabiel Is thankful that the shelter has outlasted the storm. Panzer Readies for departure and finds a stick to knock excess moisture from the flors. Zazu Seeks to determine if the boots are magical. Boyo Checks to find Thorn Beech. Beech expects that they will still get wet.. Lothlo Makes coffee and checks for Thorn’s presence. Naithi Makes ready for departure. Nightingale Makes ready for departure Berotha Is disgruntled to find her glaive’s handle is now bright pink. She asks that this be reversed if possible.
(OOC: Yes, I did miss Lothlo’s Friday post. Sorry about that. The main thing though is that the sheriff knows and that we are still moving forward as intended.)
Boyo informs Zazu that there’s no hint of the tiny Fey’s continued presence, but does idly wonder whether such things can change the way they smell. Wouldn’t that be interesting? Thorn does not answer when called upon and in short order it is apparent that she is indeed gone. Whilst the breakfast is warming and welcome, the sight before the group is much less so: whilst they’ve avoided a horrendous deluge, much of the water remains yet, clinging tenuously to all the luxuriant plant life that surrounds them. This is not an issue for the many and varied birds of the area. They sing enchantingly before darting away through the thick canopy: a canopy that drips -drips big, fat, heavy droplets of cold water that you know will time their fall perfectly to fall down a neck! The walk ahead is not one that appeals to many. Perhaps worse; the ground being so saturated will be muddy. The mud will cling to boots and feet leaving a trail for anyone to follow should they be so minded. A trail of any sort would surely be more preferable to pushing through such uninviting terrain. On the other hand, once you’re wet, you don’t get much wetter, albeit Panzer’s Scale of Wetness would disagree with that.
(OOC: Plan for the day ahead including “marching order” and precautions taken, etc.)
Zazu Bridgebuilder (AC24, HP61) and Boyo the bunny (AC19, HP30) (Cayzle) Tuesday August 8th, 2023 9:42:07 AM
Zazu continues to seek to determine if the boots are magical.
What is the terrain? Wooded? Heavily wooded? If Zazu thinks that the trees and branches are close enough together, then a spider climb (for Boyo) will keep the duo from getting their paws wet.
"What do you guys think? Leaping from branch to branch like a squirrel would be cool, right?"
(Note that Boyo has a climb speed of 20 without magic. Is the spider climb spell even needed?)
Berotha (Jason W) -- AC: 21/13/18, HP: 83/99, CMD: 29 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 1:08:40 PM
Berotha consider the wet terrain and sighs. "Well there is nothing for it. It must be dealt with." She is happy to keep watch in the front or the back as the group moves along.
OoC: +24 perception to keep an eye out for trouble since we're in my +4 favored terrain.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 29 HP 100/100 ) Character Sheet d20+6=24 ; Tuesday August 8th, 2023 5:54:17 PM
Panzer's unarmored AC 1s 17
Panzer and the Culverwood have an understanding. The 'wood is going to try and kill him at just about every opportunity it gets, and he is going to dread it until it finally succeeds. He takes point and does his best to stick to the most traversable path he can find. He isn't super good at this so he just does his best. Survival 24 to find a usable path. As for direction, the others will guide him.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 51/51 Character Tuesday August 8th, 2023 6:42:01 PM
Beech, cuts a branch off that's 7 or 8 feet in length. He plans on using it to shake limbs that still are loaded with water, after the others have gone through. He doesn't expect many to still have soaking levels of water on them. The main reason is to protect his bow string, because he still wants it handy.... the stick will be first thing dropped...., he plans on going near the back of the party as usual, and Berotha has been near by, which keeps him feeling comfortable, just not completely safe, yet, as he's still getting a feeling for the Minotaur.....
Nightingale (JonS) HP 64/64 AC 21 CMD: 23 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 8:36:12 PM
Nightingale is amused at her pink and yellow boots. Responding with a "Thank you Thorn, stay safe my small friend." Nightingale's demeanor changes when she sees the mud, and the water, although she does enjoy checking out the spider webs.
Standing up, she'll turn to Sahabiel, "Cousin, a question, we both have the ability to make make the grasses and plants reach out and grab people and things, do you have any thoughts on how we might change that to make the plants harden or shore up a path for us?"
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 23/11/22 -- HP: 65/65 d20+24=36 ; Tuesday August 8th, 2023 8:43:41 PM
Keeping her eyes on the terrain, Sahabiel as before helps point out to Panzer the most traversable way to keep making progress in the direction the party seeks to travel - along preexisting trails if such opportunity presents itself, though this being the Culverwood, she is not counting on there being many helpful ones.
Survival d20+24 = 36
She is wearing good outdoor gear which gives a fair degree of protection against the weather, but she considers awareness of her surroundings to be her best asset in dealing with the wet terrain.
Mud, of course, will be mud. She can avoid the worst of it, but it would be nigh impossible to leave no tracks. But then -- why should they assume they need to beware pursuers at this time? Even the more dangerous hunting creatures of the woods shouldn't waste their energy chasing random trails around in this weather..
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 56/56, CMD: 23 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 9:03:27 PM
Lothlo agrees with Panzer. We are going to be in danger no matter what, and staying in one spot increases the amount of time we are here and the chances we are found. Besides, this is the Culverwood, isn't everything always moving and changing? I don't know how that would affect the ability to follow tracks, but at least it won't as easy as normal right? And with our numbers, hopefully it will make anything think twice before following our tracks.
DM: Nick K. Upon The Trail Wednesday August 9th, 2023 4:58:17 AM
Sahabiel Feels well prepared and deems the likelihood of pursuit at this stage, remote. Panzer Leads the way with some resignation, yet with a sharp sense of which is the best route to take, Zazu Wonders are the boots magical, or just coloured strangely? It is quickly determined that they are merely brightly coloured. The terrain is of intermittent woodland. Between swaying grasses – that are currently leant over with their watery burdens, the trees grow thickly. Those trees are predominantly deciduous. Boyo Doesn’t need a spider climb to navigate through the trees, although he realises that whilst his paws won’t get muddy, his fur will get just as wet. Also, leaping from tree to tree, where necessary will require some skill and effort (Acrobatics checks if the branches of the trees do not mesh) Beech. Cuts a branch!….or does he?….Then elects to stay near the back with Berotha. Lothlo Agrees with Sahabiel. She deems it time to move. Naithi Readies herself quietly for departure. Nightingale Admires her colourful boots and wonders whether magic might aid a drier passage. Berotha Keeps a keen eye open for trouble and is equally happy whether at the front or the back.
Beech (only) Highlight to display spoiler: { As you hack at a likely bough; one that isn’t too large, but offers the much needed aid that is sought, a sense of being watched fills you. That unseen gaze is not friendly. Beech may collect the branch as stated or desist and proceed without. Please state which.}
Clouds pass slowly across the sky, seemingly a few lazy followers of the dense, dark armies of the day before. The wind is gentle, but still fresh. That wind diminishes still further once the group’s path takes them into woodland. As suspected, the going is wet. That wetness brings cold, but nothing debilitating. Yet the storm has brought a freshness too. The colours seem more vivid. Even the scents of woodland and grass seem stronger.
Nothing troubles the travellers and they feel that despite the conditions they have made good progress. Around midday Panzer hears a fluttering in a large willow to his left.
(OOC: Perception checks: Due to the branches and leaves you seeking to pierce a barrier to see what is up there. DC: 28)
Berotha (Jason W) -- AC: 21/13/18, HP: 83/99, CMD: 29 d20+24=37 ; Wednesday August 9th, 2023 9:37:06 AM
Berotha keeps an eye out in the branches as well.
OoC: I think that perception check might be for Panzer only? If not, I got a 37.
Zazu Bridgebuilder (AC24, HP61) and Boyo the bunny (AC19, HP30) (Cayzle) d20=16 ; Wednesday August 9th, 2023 10:15:08 AM
[If Boyo can take 10 on acrobatics checks, he should be fine. With a +14, that's a 24 taking ten for being surefooted. Plus Climb speed.]
Zazu casts Prestidigitation every so often to dry off everybody. The elf keeps a keen lookout as Boyo hops from branch to branch. Plus ranged legerdemain to make sure random branches don't whap us in the snouts.
Perception 16+22 = 38
Nightingale (JonS) HP 64/64 AC 21 CMD: 23 Wednesday August 9th, 2023 3:10:54 PM
The muddier her boots get, and the wetter she gets even though she's trying to avoid the water laden plants and trees, Nightingale wonders if she should have been a wizard ... which makes her laugh out loud, and then blush at her outburst
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 51/51 Character d20+11=13 ; Wednesday August 9th, 2023 4:58:51 PM
Beech, once he gets that feeling, stops gathering the branch. He opens the quiver with regular sized arrows, and sorts through them. after going through about 6 or 7, he pulls one out and checks it over.... "Hey Panzer, take a look at this will you? Does this look like it's off. It seems to be just slightly off to me, but then again we are in the Wood and everything here seems to hate us." He hopes Panzer, or at least one of the others who pick up things, catch the message....
Bluff to pass message : 13
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 23/11/22 -- HP: 65/65 Wednesday August 9th, 2023 5:17:45 PM
Sahabiel is looking to guide the party along a safe path through the terrain, and with her senses already focused on that task her gaze can not be on the willow tree at the same time.
( ooc: I don think it would be fair to let her roll active Perception while she is already acting on her Survival skill, so I am only using passive Perception which is not enough to meet DC 28, so instead she'll depend on those who have the spare time to keep a guard eye out while the group is on the move. Unrelated - I think the group is now out of sync with Beech' action which seems to take place still at the site we left from? )
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 56/56, CMD: 23 d20+15=30 ; Wednesday August 9th, 2023 8:20:21 PM
Lothlo notices Beech checking an arrow and readies one of the green arrows Thorn had colored the night before. Have you been successful in keeping the water off your bow? I have never tried your technique before.
Perception = 30
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 29 HP 100/100 ) Character Sheet d20=8 ; d20=6 ; Wednesday August 9th, 2023 8:24:31 PM
Perception 12 that ship was never gonna sail anyway. Panzer keeps moving on until Beech calls him. He turns around and squints at Beech having no idea what the Liontaur is talking about Wisdom check 6
DM: Nick K. Upon The Trail Thursday August 10th, 2023 5:27:21 AM
Sahabiel Sahabiel focuses effectively on sterering the group true. Panzer Has no clue what Beech is mumbling about. Zazu Aids travel and the mood of the group by regularly drying everyone.. Boyo Happily hops through the trees, albeit somewhat slowly at times. Beech. Sends Panzer a coded message. Lothlo Readies an arrow and asks Beech about keeping the bows dry. Naithi Quietly follows. Nightingale Gets muddy and wet and considers the ludicrous option of being a wizard. Berotha Spots something in the thick branches of the trees.
(OOC: My understanding is that Taking 10, means you take ten times longer thereby eliminating certain elements of chance. Thus waiting for Boyo to “take ten” before each leap would slow travel considerably. I may be wrong. Please correct me if so.)
Berotha only. Highlight to display spoiler: { You spot, high amongst the branches of a stout willow, three large crows. It’s difficult to tell with the gentle sway of the branches but – did they have red eyes? You think so.}
Despite a halting start; one wherein Berotha has reason to stop and stare (and possibly comment thereafter), the day is better than most expected. The ground absorbs much of the wetness and it’s possible to wipe away the mud in the grassy areas between the trees. By midday much of the moisture has left the plants courtesy of bright, warming sunshine. The Culverwood is alive with birdsong. Bay willow herb seed drifts laconically across your way. (It’s much like dandelion seeds) The tall, purple blossomed plants thrived amongst the grasses. Then the birds grew silent.
(Perception (Noise) DC: 15)
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 51/51 Character Thursday August 10th, 2023 12:48:17 PM
taking 10 Highlight to display spoiler: { Taking 10: When your character is not in immediate danger or distracted, you may choose to take 10. Instead of rolling 1d20 for the skill check, calculate your result as if you had rolled a 10. For many routine tasks, taking 10 makes them automatically successful. Distractions or threats (such as combat) make it impossible for a character to take 10. In most cases, taking 10 is purely a safety measure—you know (or expect) that an average roll will succeed but fear that a poor roll might fail, so you elect to settle for the average roll (a 10). Taking 10 is especially useful in situations where a particularly high roll wouldn’t help.
There is nothing that says it adds time, it's taking the Average of 10 on the D20}
Nightingale (JonS) HP 64/64 AC 21 CMD: 23 Perception: d20+14=29 Thursday August 10th, 2023 4:22:59 PM
Not catching on to what Beech, Panzer, and Lothlo are discussing, Nightingale will look around and then up in the canopy above them, hoping to spot the sun, and not more rainclouds
(Edited post as my roll didn't show up)
Zazu Bridgebuilder (AC24, HP61) and Boyo the bunny (AC19, HP30) (Cayzle) d20+21=28 ; d20+14=28 ; Thursday August 10th, 2023 5:12:25 PM
[OOC: At +22 Zazu cannot fail that check. Also, it is taking 20 that requires extra time, not taking 10.]]
From the branches above, Zazu and Boyo enjoy the outdoors until the birds fall silent. Quickly, Zazu casts Mage Armor and (if there is time) Detect Magic.
The pair look for a good place in the foliage above in which to hide.
Stealth Zazu 28 Boyo 28
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 29 HP 100/100 ) Character Sheet d20+4=5 ; Thursday August 10th, 2023 5:39:56 PM
Perception 5 Wondering what Beech is on about Panzer hears nothing. With no explanation forthcoming he turns back to the job at hand and blazes a path.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 56/56, CMD: 23 Thursday August 10th, 2023 6:06:44 PM Beech, what was that back there? Did you notice something? Was there something hiding in the tree, or do you think something is following us? If it was just something in the tree, no big deal, but if something is following us we may want to make a plan.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 23/11/22 -- HP: 65/65 d20+7=13 ; Thursday August 10th, 2023 6:22:21 PM (ooc: Nick, I think you are confusing it with Take20, that is a different can of worms. Taking 10 does not make performing the action take any longer.)
(Since I missed my Perception roll, there is nothing in the previous post for me to interact with, please assume Sahabiel proceeds as she was?)
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 51/51 Character Thursday August 10th, 2023 8:52:33 PM
With the group having traveled a fair distance, "When I went to cut that branch, I got this feeling of severe danger, almost like a threat to my well being. I tried to pass the message, but I see I need a lot of practice in passing messages that way." Beech, says only slightly louder than a whisper...
Berotha (Jason W) -- AC: 21/13/18, HP: 83/99, CMD: 29 Thursday August 10th, 2023 9:32:22 PM
Berotha looks back over her shoulder and fills in the others in low tones. "I saw three crows in that willow tree high above us. I believe they may have had red eyes but I cannot say for certain from such a distance."
DM: Nick K. Upon The Trail Friday August 11th, 2023 5:58:33 AM
(OOC: Thanks for clarifying the rule on Taking 10)
Sahabiel Notices nothing remis and carries on Panzer Continues on, leading the way. Zazu .Invokes magical protection and looks for concealment Boyo .Seeks the protective cover of the trees. Beech. Conveys his experience to Lothlo and those in earshot. Lothlo Asks Beech what causes such concern. Naithi Follows the others. Nightingale .Looks around to maintain her bearings. Berotha Reports seeing 3 crows – possibly they had red eyes.
Nightingale spots some shadowy shapes in the canopy. Berotha & Nightingale: Highlight to display spoiler: { It’s unclear; did those birds just fly off or did they turn into smoke and vanish?} There’s a brief cessation of progress as certain members of the group stop to uneasily look around. Zazu, protections firmly in place scans for magic, but determines nothing definitive. Seeking magic in and around the Culverwood is sometimes ….challenging. In this instance it does seem reasonable to assume that ‘no news is good news’. Certainly the crows are no longer evident.
You press on and less than an hour later, you find yourselves in a lush clearing. A small stream, barely a rivulet, trickles into a pristine pond. White lillies dot the surface. Towering bullrushes dominate its southern bank. The clearing itself is, by your rough estimation, about 50 feet in diameter. The air is thick with mayflies. A golden dragonfly hovers near the water’s edge before darting away. The sun shines. The wind abates yet further. This quiet space seems to exude a soothing aura or perhaps given all that’s happened, that’s just wishful thinking.
(All to make an Intuition check W:14. Success Highlight to display spoiler: {you feel at peace, relaxed and calm. Your spirits are lifted. Gain 1 temporary hit point and 1 temporary point of CH whilst in the grove.} FailureHighlight to display spoiler: { There’s definitely something unsettling about this place. You are at -1 to hit and saves whilst in the area}
Nightingale (JonS) HP 64/64 AC 21 CMD: 23 Intuition check: d20+4=7 ; Friday August 11th, 2023 8:12:09 AM
Nightingale doesn't realize she's missed anything out of the ordinary, only that this location gives her the willies
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 23/11/22 -- HP: 65/65 d20+4=8 ; Friday August 11th, 2023 10:13:39 AM
Sahabiel fails her check, and feels uneasy. Not that she did not have enough reasons to already.
"I feel like we are being toyed with", opines Sahabiel quietly. "From that time we received visitors from the Tree of Parting, it feels like some faceless threat just has had it in for us. Dark druids, Darkening, some mingling of fey and undeath, Dark Masters.. both allies and enemies keep teasing things that just don't add up to a whole picture, and despite our best efforts, we keep coming up not knowing anything about what we are even up against. And yet, it has attacked our home over and over whenever we are away, and it seems that one vague threat or another has us under surveillance wherever and whenever."
She sighs.
To the others who call Freedom Landing home, which does not quite include Berotha yet, she confesses: "When we return.. if we return.. to Freedom's Landing, I have half a mind to ask Ghundit and Limka to move somewhere safer. And then.. I don't know.. my original mission was to see yer settlement grow in harmony with the Culverwood, but that is pretty much scuttled from the other end right now. I serve the Will of the Culverwood. My tribe.. the rest of my family.. they are all still in there. Part of me has been wanting to ride back, deep into the wood, to go home and see what has happened to my home village, see if they are holding out against this faceless dark.. see if everyone is still alive. I don't right now even understand how what we are fighting and the power that I serve relate to each other... am I even on the right side of my own faith anymore?"
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 29 HP 100/100 ) Character Sheet d20=7 ; Friday August 11th, 2023 1:44:53 PM
Wisdom 7 Panzer sighs in relief when he sees the clearing and picks up the pace to get to the pool. Three steps into the clearing his relief turns to uneasiness, then outright suspicion. He looks down and finds both of his blades in his hands and his hackles rise up. Too open. This place is too open and something waits at the edges to murder them. Wordlessly he backtracks, stepping back into the trees at the edge of the clearing and dropping his pack as soon as he reaches the wood line. He starts donning his armor, knowing it is too late but craving the assurance it brings.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 56/56, CMD: 23 d20+2=10 ; Friday August 11th, 2023 6:35:38 PM
Lothlo shudders, despite the happy dragon fly, there is something unsetteling about this place. Naith, do me a favor and don't go swimming in this water. I'm already on edge for some reason, I don't want to think about what another dip in the water could do this time.
wisdom = 10
Zazu Bridgebuilder (AC24, HP61) and Boyo the bunny (AC19, HP30) (Cayzle) d20+1=6 ; Friday August 11th, 2023 9:46:43 PM
Will check at 6.
Zazu notices nothing. But that does not stop the trickster from delivering an opinion.
“I’m getting a bad feeling about this. We should stay safe by keeping cautious.”
Berotha (Jason W) -- AC: 21/13/18, HP: 83/99, CMD: 29 d20+2=8 ; Friday August 11th, 2023 11:17:57 PM
OoC: Incredible how consistently we failed that, assuming W for wisdom not will. If will, then I get a 15 on the same dice roll.
Berotha is unsettled as well in this area and listens to Sahabiel's concerns. "Indeed, I do not understand why people would try to build a town so close to such a dangerous wood. Perhaps the settlers should move? Maybe one of you can explain it to me."
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 51/51 Character d20=7 ; Saturday August 12th, 2023 7:00:21 PM
Beech, still feeling the effects from earlier, is not in the least surprised that he feels uncomfortable in the clearing...."I get the feeling that anyplace that looks safe in the change taking place in the Culver Wood, is nothing but a trap in reality..."
DM: Nick K. OOC NOTE Sunday August 13th, 2023 7:26:35 AM
Greetings all, The PTB are reviewing the next module. I am seeking to make a seamless transition (which is why you haven't been home). Matters were not made easier by the sudden departure of your last DM.
The 3 saves, Fort (F) Reflex (R) and Will (W) I annotate with the single capital letter. So the previous post requires a W save, not Wisdom.
Congratulations on awesomely low rolling. It's good to see that the heroes of Bearclaw keep aren't the only ones to achieve such abject low rolls. (We can do it on a consistent basis though.)
DM: Nick K. Not something you see every day Monday August 14th, 2023 5:55:50 AM
Whilst the clearing looks calm and inviting, there is something – something unsettling about the vista that makes the group uncomfortable; uncomfortable enough that they are loathe to enter the clearing. As they stand quietly, airing their misgivings, a creature rises from the water! Water cascades from the gorgeous nymph’s back. Her water-darkened blonde hair sticks to her pristine flesh. She makes her way unhurriedly to the rivulet that empties into the pond. Her progress is at times obscured by the tall bullrushes, but she reappears to sit adjacent the tiny stream. Her hair is now dry, lustrous and reflects the sun enchantingly. The birds continue to sing, untroubled by her presence. The insects dart about their important business with the same industry as before.
Zazu Bridgebuilder (AC24, HP61) and Boyo the bunny (AC19, HP30) (Cayzle) Monday August 14th, 2023 6:30:53 AM
Zazu calls out softly, “helloooo! excuse us please. sorry to be a bother. hope we can beg just a couple minutes of your time?”
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 23/11/22 -- HP: 65/65 d20+15=20 ; Monday August 14th, 2023 6:51:20 AM (ooc: our mistake then -- if that roll should have been a Willpower save instead of a Wisdom check, then even with a low roll, Sahabiel succeeded. So I am going to reinterpret the situation from the assumption that instead, Sahabiel would have felt good about this place on arrival)
Sahabiel was about the explain the Berotha that until very, very recently, settling near the Culverwood had been perfectly safe, and the wood a fairly benign place (in her own, slightly biased opinion of course) for those who respected its laws. It was only that those laws included to give as much as was taken, and to refrain from many of the forms of exploitation of nature that people from outside the woods considered a normal state of affairs, that it had a reputation of a wild, monster-ridden wood that pushed back against 'civilization'.
At this point however, something rises from the water, and Sahabiel...
(Knowledge (Nature) for a monster lore check to identify a fey as a nymph, DC 10+CR = 17, roll d20+15 = 20, success)
...recognizes that the group must have stumbled upon a nymph's pond. She quickly assumes a position of apology, for having invaded the nymph's domain without seeking her permission, and in Sylvan belatedly greets their host with a blessing, <"Mo sheacht mbeannacht ort!">.
Berotha (Jason W) -- AC: 21/13/18, HP: 83/99, CMD: 29 Monday August 14th, 2023 9:33:04 AM
OoC: Ah then Berotha also passed the roll. What is 1 point of CH? I don't know what that acronym means in this context.
Berotha's body tenses when the nymph appears but she studiously thinks to herself "Do not draw your weapon... Do no draw your weapon..." She waits to see the nymph's response.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 29 HP 100/100 ) Character Sheet Monday August 14th, 2023 10:10:16 AM
OOC astonishingly Panzer was within a point of making that when it became a will save. IC Panzer finishes strapping on his gear and reshoulders his pack. As far as he could tell from where he stood, this nymph had forgotten to wear clothes while frolicking in the pool. for he modesty Panzer averts his gaze.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/16 HP: 113/114 , CMD = 22 Camalayas AC = 24/18/18 Monday August 14th, 2023 1:40:32 PM
ooc: I am back from vacation. I hope Will was able to relay my message. I was supposed to have Internet access, but it kept going out. I'm going to try to catch up on the posts as quick as I can.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 51/51 Character Monday August 14th, 2023 4:04:49 PM
Beech, not trusting of anything that comes out of the Culverwood, stays on edge....
DM & EveryoneHighlight to display spoiler: { please don't use abbreviations for saves and stuff like that, typing 3 or 4 extra keys won't kill anyone }
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 56/56, CMD: 23 Monday August 14th, 2023 7:25:40 PM
Lothlo feels a sense of calm when he sees the nymph, the brief moment of unease washed away from him as if it was never actually there. The archer notices Sahabiel's actions, and since she appears to know the unwritten rules and proper decorum for the Culverwood, he follows her lead and assumes a position of apology
ooc: I feel like the confusion was all on me for this one. I actually read it as a Will save, thought to myself that I wished my wisdom was higher for will saves... then proceeded to check my Wisdom score instead of Will because I'm the sleep deprived father of a three month old.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 64/64 AC 21 CMD: 23 Monday August 14th, 2023 7:34:18 PM
OOC: As a Will save, Nightingale would have saved as well, she's got a +14
IC: Nightingale wathces in awe as the water nymph rises and moves through the clearing. Looking down at the state of her clothes she wonders if the nymph would be kind enough to let the party clean up and then talk about whats been happening in the region.
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