Newcomer speech (DM MikeK) Saturday October 5th, 2024 10:53:52 AM
It is Zanderallen who instantly recognizes the name, Vanius. Cyro gives the paladin a startled look at the drawing of sword and subsequent declaration.
It is only after the sword has been sheathed and the group has walked on for several minutes does the elf summon the courage to correct him. "I have not heard of Fidelia or Harrowed Moon," he offers quietly. "This is Varun, domain of Lord Vanius."
At the gate, Stock sizes up the halfling guard and judges him to be a seasoned professional. He wears a chain shirt and a short sword sits in a scabbard at his waist. The equipment is well maintained and of good quality, though it doesn't appear to be magical.
And he's had enough experience to size the Shields up in one glance and arrive at the same conclusion Stock does. You are way out of his league.
Nevertheless, he holds his ground.
"I don't know any of those names. But you're obviously new here, so I'll tell you what I told the last group. Big folk stay at The Waystation, the tavern behind me."
A quick glace up at Bart. "They have mead, food, and a place to rest. Though I don't know if even they have beds big enough for you and the missus."
He continues with what now sounds like a standard speech.
"Merchant House is to your left (indicates the two story building on the left side of the square). Stable and smithy to your right (indicates the two story building on the right side of the square).
This is a halfling town. If you've no business with us halflings, then there's no reason for you to be poking around the rest of the town.
Any violence, threats of violence, or general antagonizing of our folk will result in exile from Margon Hill and you can take your chances with the woods. Whoever you're looking for, do it nicely."
He steps aside. "If you're good with that, come inside so we can get these gates closed."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+32=36 ; Saturday October 5th, 2024 12:54:24 PM
Delia offers the halfling a respectful nod of agreement. "No desire to make trouble for you, sir." She takes a long look behind them, making sure they aren't letting anything in with them before following the rest of the Shields in.
Perception 36 (+4 v undead)
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:113/153 AC 21/17; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Sunday October 6th, 2024 11:22:24 PM "Sounds like terms we can easily live with, right dear?" Bartomus turned to Stohp and winked. Then he looked towards where the guard had indicated that the tavern was that they were to stay.
"Thank you, Sir, for the advise and the clear rules for us to follow."
He started off for the inn.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+23=38 ; Monday October 7th, 2024 12:15:37 AM
Armalad says, "I guess we're headed to the Waystation then."
Once at the inn she decides to chat up the clientele about their quarry (Diplomacy - Gather Information: 38)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=14 ; Monday October 7th, 2024 8:35:32 AM
Stohp has no objections to a quiet night and a quick exit. She'll aid whomever is asking around when it comes time (38 diplomacy to aide another)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 216/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 6/16 SE 5/6 Monday October 7th, 2024 11:35:09 AM
Zanderallen salutes the guard, "Thank you, you shouldn't have any trouble from us." He then proceeds to the Waystation ready for a rest.
Waystation (DM MikeK) Monday October 7th, 2024 7:13:17 PM
The Shields readily agree to the guardsman's terms and enter the square. Several check their backs and are satisfied nothing has followed them inside. They do note the guards waste no time closing the gate
The group finds themselves in an enclosed square formed by three two-story structures right, front and left, and the wall behind them. The building to the front sports a set of large double doors, closed. Offset a touch to the right of those doors is a regular door with a signpost above that reads Waystation.
"Tavern doubles as a second wall before getting to the town proper," Cyro offers. "There's a passage through the building where them big doors are, and the tavern also has doors on each side."
Entering the Waystation, the group finds an unremarkable but well kept tavern - bar, tables and chairs, a couple fireplaces, windows on either side of the main floor, stairs leading up presumably to rooms. It is nearing midnight, so the place is pretty empty. Just a quartet of dwarves playing cards at one table. They look up at your entrance, regarding Bart and Stohp with great curiosity.
Armalad and Stohp head over to see what they can find out. Which is not much. While the pair win the dwarves over with the wit and charm, the four have only been in town for two days. They're from a town called Targu further up the road and are waiting for a caravan to form before attempting the road you just arrived from.
None have heard of any trolls. In fact, none have heard of any minotaurs, which explains why Bart and Stohp are getting such looks.
The innkeeper has plenty of rooms and hands out keys.
Armalad's conversation with him turns up a bit more. A couple of weeks ago, another group of strange strangers, also armed to the teeth came through. They were not at all friendly. Intimidated folks, started fights, and generally downright nasty. Town was forced to call the Sundowners. One of the strangers got himself killed and the rest skipped town. At the end they were asking a lot about the Harchess Manor, but by then nobody felt much like talking to them, so out they went.
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:113/153 AC 21/17; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Monday October 7th, 2024 8:21:49 PM
Bartomus accepted a key and thanked the innkeeper for taking them at such a late hour. He then went on to order a pitcher, as it would serve as a mug, of cold honey mead. He also asked if he could order something delicious to eat. Then he thought about it and asked if he could order a few pitchers of the ale, and more of things to eat to share with the rest of the Shields. He offered up a few gold pieces as a downpayment on the tab that he was creating.
Then Bartomus went about looking around the inn. He came up behind Armalad and just listened. He nodded at the others.
"Should be some mead and food coming our way," Bartomus said to Stohp and Armalad. "We should be able to share with you all as well."
Bartomus smiled at the cardplayers.
"Oh, I am Bartomus with the Silver Shields."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Monday October 7th, 2024 11:23:19 PM
Delia follows Bart to the innkeeper, putting in her own order of food and drink if it's still being served. She settles in a corner where she can watch the room and entry points while her friends chat.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday October 8th, 2024 2:34:21 AM
Armalad shares what she knows with the rest of the Shields and then posits a theory.
"Could it be possible that Granthan Drell is no longer a Troll. I mean granted Stohp and Bart are both Minotaurs which are apparently rare here as Trolls are as well. Could he have been transmuted further into something more normal for this place or are we just in the part of Koshe Marr that doesn't have Minotaurs or Trolls and we have to go deeper to find them? Well Trolls I mean."
Armalad picks up a potential thread and while placing an order for food and drink for herself and Joker asks the innkeep further about this Harkness Manor and why someone might be interested in it.
She also formally introduces herself and Joker while doing so
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday October 8th, 2024 6:24:17 AM "There's no telling with this place. For now our best bet is probably heading to the next town, Targu, and asking more questions there." Stohp suggests.
Stock (JonM) HP:255/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 15/46 used d20+1=14 ; Tuesday October 8th, 2024 8:47:49 AM
Stock joins the group of dwarves for conversation, if not cards. He asks about their home of Targu and recent happenings there. Lastly he asks what they know of Harchess Manor.
—- Diplomacy 14 unless his Woldian League of Adventurers prestige has any impact - then it is a 17
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 216/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 6/16 SE 5/6 27d6=106 ; Tuesday October 8th, 2024 3:18:23 PM
Zanderallen thanks the innkeeper for the room and joins the others for a quick debrief before heading to bed. "There is something strange going on here. As much disgust as it brings me, we may have to seek out Vanius to a chance at any real answers. Or atleast talk to whoever these sundowners are. It feel like asking someone of the Fence level about the going on of the Open Air level. They're just not part of that world."
Before they head to their rooms Zander will expend his remaining lay on hands to channel energy 3 times. "Everyone heals 106 hp
Asking questions (DM MikeK) Tuesday October 8th, 2024 5:44:06 PM
Bart lays in some dinner with the innkeeper, who is more than happy to serve, for the appropriate fee. In no time the staff has laid out roast pork, potatoes, carrots and bread for the party.
The dwarves nod pleasantly at Bart. They introduce themselves as Tarin, Gloin, Bardin, and Darrik, of Targu - which appears to be both town and clan name. "Nothing happens in Targu," they reply to Stock with a chuckle "Mining town it is. We bring up stone and the occasional gem and sell what we can."
Harchess Manor is Margon Hill's local oddity. "Big mansion up against the mountain," Tarin states. "Halflings here can't decide if its abandoned or haunted or crawling with monsters. Everyone of 'em has a different rumor to tell."
Armalad also follows up with the innkeeper. "Out in the back corner of town," he replies about the Manor. "Folk claim the old Baron is dead and haunts the place." The halfling gives Armalad a look and casually slides forward a tip jar.
Delia settles into a chair and keeps watch. Nobody comes in or out.
Among themselves at the tables, the Shields discuss options.
Zanderallen is the first to head up for the night, after ensuring his friends are healed.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday October 9th, 2024 12:41:39 AM
Armalad puts 10 gold in the tip jar and then finishes her meal before heading upstairs and to bed.
She wonders if the mansion really is haunted
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Wednesday October 9th, 2024 1:23:53 AM "The pleasure is mine in meeting you four," Bartomus said with a smile and then turned to making a small plate of the food that ws served to the group. He took time to enjoy and savor the mead which might have been the warmth that he had felt, or maybe it was Zander's healing ways. Regardless, he was comfortable and that was a good thing.
When the others started heading up to their rooms, Bartomus rose and made a point of shaking the hand of each of the dwarves.
"Was a pleasure to meet and share a meal with you folk. Appreciate the company and the conversation. Safe journeys to you all and good night."
He smiled and waived at the inn keeper as well. Then he headed up to his assigned room and made a point of quietly finding his bed. Soon he was asleep.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday October 9th, 2024 8:32:05 AM
It's time to sleep on things and decide in the morning. Stohp says her goodbyes to the helpful dwarves and heads upstairs.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used Wednesday October 9th, 2024 9:21:11 AM
Before heading to bed, Stock leans in close to the dwarves, “Thank you for your kindness toward a group of travelers, friends. If I may ask, how would we go about contacting these sundowners or Lord Vanius were we interested?”
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 6/16 SE 5/6 Wednesday October 9th, 2024 1:36:56 PM
While the haunted mansion certainly sounds intriguing they probably shouldn't get sidetracked from Gargul's mission. But if something points them there...
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+34=53 ; d20+46=58 ; Wednesday October 9th, 2024 5:37:47 PM
Once she gets her 2 hours of sleep needed with the Ring of Sustanence, Delia spends the rest of the night haunting the hallways for any danger while her friends sleep.
Perception: 53 Stealth: 58
Nightmares (DM MikeK) Wednesday October 9th, 2024 6:05:07 PM
Armalad drops some coin and turns to finish her meal. But, she's misinterpreted the halfling's motive. He grabs her arm before she can leave and leans in close.
"Baron Harchess is alive. And he's hiding something. Them strangers here before knew it. Wanted to find him bad. Now you show up. Only the second set of strangers ever come through here, right on the heels of the first set, and looking for someone too. Quite a coincidence."
Stock asks about contacting Sundowners or Vanius. The dwarfs look at each other uncertainly. "You mean, intentionally?" Bardin responds softly, after checking for observers. "I'd say you're crazy. But I guess you'd go to The Keep and ask."
The Keep, it turns out, is a fifth town. Its the government of Varun and is about a four days travel back the way you came.
The Shields bed down for the night and get some much needed rest.
Except for Delia. Delia - Highlight to display spoiler: { You cannot sleep. As soon as you doze off, you are back at the bridge. Mutilated bodies swing from hooks. Skeletal monsters claw at your face. You try to flee but feel like you're walking in sand. Unseen voices chuckle gleefully as the monsters close. You wake up. }
The ranger no sooner closes her eyes than she's bolt upright, screaming. A nightmare she says and tries to go back to sleep. But she cannot. The torment repeats. Again and again she closes her eyes only to relive the nightmares.
Delia gets no rest at all. Delia takes -1 morale penalty on future attack rolls, saves, skill checks and ability checks.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Wednesday October 9th, 2024 10:33:33 PM -1 morale penalty on future attack rolls, saves, skill checks and ability checks, Darkvision, Urban +2
Once she relives the bridge for the third time, Delia gives up on sleep all together. Her hallway haunting begins a little earlier than intended and with darker circles under her eyes. But still she readies her gear and herself to head out as soon as the Shields are ready.
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Thursday October 10th, 2024 1:16:15 AM
After her second scream, and his second check in on Delia, Bartomus began to wonder if sleep was going to be elusive. When she made it clear that she would just stay up, Bartomus stumbled back to his bed and went to sleep.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday October 10th, 2024 2:18:23 AM
Armalad prepares spells for the day and changes some things around from the previous day. She casts Mage Armor on herself and her familiar and Overland Flight on herself.
She also casts message targetting the group and whispers to the party what the halfling innkeeper told her about Baron Harkness being alive and hiding something. She says, "What if that something being hidden is Grantham Drall? Guess what spell I prepared today? Locate Creature though we'd have to be within 920 feet of him. I guess we could investigate the Harkness estate and if it roughly that size or smaller maybe we could try to see if Grantham Drall is being hidden there"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday October 10th, 2024 8:26:09 AM
After repeated wake ups from Delia Stohp is looking grim. "We should have destroyed that bridge when we were there. Can someone check if it's laid some kind of curse on Delia?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used Thursday October 10th, 2024 8:41:37 AM
Stock wakes up to the sound of Armalad’s message in his brain. “Armalad- you know what time normal folk wake up, right? Anyway, do we suppose this Harchess Manor is the right place to cast your spell? Hopefully you memorized more than one copy…920 feet is about a city block so unless this Manor is Huge, your spell should work from outside.”
Stock breaks his fast in the public dining room with the dwarves of they are available and then readies his gear for the day.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 d20+7=27 ; d20+15=26 ; Thursday October 10th, 2024 2:52:18 PM
Zanderallen rises early and eats breakfast in the main room. He talks with Delia about her nightmares and does his best to check her out. "It might not be the bridge, it could be this place."
As Armalad shares her findings with the group he ponders the meaning, "Wait, we know Karkasan has agents looking for the same artifacts we are. And they wouldn't be likely to be the friendly types. If Gargul knew Grantham has the Scepter of the Dead than most likely Karkasan does to. If they were looking for Harchess, then that's as good a lead as any we have. I say we go to the manor as soon as we finish up breakfast." ======= Heal: 27 (Nat 20) Know(Rel): 26
The Manor (DM MikeK) Thursday October 10th, 2024 7:42:14 PM
Delia gives up on sleep and haunts the halls.
Some of the Shields check up on her throughout the night. Zanderallen gives her a more thorough inspection in the morning. The paladin ends up suspecting the ranger suffers from a stronger version of the fear effect that sent Bart, Stock, and Joker fleeint from the scene at the bridge.
Armalad prepares some Grantham finding spells.
Those that wish have breakfast in the common room. The quartet of dwarves are there, as well as a couple of elves at a different table.
Zanderallen shares his theory with the party.
After breakfast, at Armalad's prompting, the innkeeper provides directions to Harchess Manor. "Please don't cause any trouble," he implores the elf. "It'd come back on me hard."
The group walks out the back door and find a scene out of a storybook. Paths weave through green foothills at the base of steep, stony mountains. The foothills all appear to be hollowed out, set with doors and windows. Cheerful gardens line the way. Halflings move about, some tending to gardens, some herding sheep toward the mountains, some working in some kind of honey harvesting operation.
The Shields follow the innkeeper's directions, following paths the work their meandering way toward the back left corner of the city.
There, a sheer cliff dropping from the mountains intersect with the city wall. Nestled in this intersection is a large U shaped hillock. A high, thick hedge runs in front of the hillock, anchored at either end by the Wall and the cliff. The path to the manor runs up to the hedge, ending at a closed, but unlocked, rusty iron gate.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+28=44 ; d20+30=39 ; Friday October 11th, 2024 1:33:55 AM
Armalad pulls her familiar close to get the benefit of alertness and then surreptitiously checks out the unlocked gate for traps and if she finds any she attempts to disarm them from a distance with ranged legerdemain.
(Perception: 44) (Disable Device: 39 vs DC +5 since she's doing it from a distance
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday October 11th, 2024 8:24:54 AM
If Stohp was following things correctly then Z was suggesting the go prod someone who's attack them before hoping they're after the same thing and are a valid lead. She honestly can't remember the enemy in question - there's been a lot of them over time - but would prefer not to poke the bees nest if possible. Given past experience though it seems inevitable the old foe would get involved though so might as well initiate it rather then wait for an unpleasant surprise.
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20+17=19 ; d20+17=26 ; Friday October 11th, 2024 11:10:32 AM
Bartomus took his morning meal with the dwarves and made a point to greet the elves. He left a gold coin with the inn keeper on his way out being sure to thank then for the lodging.
Then as they walked through the town, he took note of those that might be surprised and staring. He waived and smiled at them.
He made a point of looking at the hedge and waited for Armalad to finish their efforts
Perception of 19
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Friday October 11th, 2024 5:19:58 PM
Zanderallen further explains his reasoning, "The other group of strangers the innkeeper mentioned. They might be Karkasan's agents looking for the scepter of the dead as well. They were asking after Harchess so without any other leads we follow where they went."
He shakes his head after inspecting Delia, "Koshe Marr". As they approach the gate Zander holds up a hand, "Delia, any sign of anyone having passed this way?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+26=45 ; Saturday October 12th, 2024 12:17:06 AM
Delia waves away the concern of her party members in the morning, "We were warned about this place by the god of death. It's bound to be grim."
Still, she starts when Zanderallen addresses her, uncharacteristically jumpy. She shakes herself minutely and checks for tracks, the edginess she feels here not able to draw her attention away from her task.
Survival 44 (-1 due to fear, +9 for tracking, +4 v undead, +2 urban or plains)
It's bound to be grim (DM MikeK) Sunday October 13th, 2024 7:20:27 PM
Armalad surreptitiously checks out the unlocked gate and finds no traps.
Bart notes on his walk that pretty much everybody that sees him starts in surprise and stares. The taur smiles and waves, eliciting one of two reactions. Some duck their heads in embarrassment of having been caught and diligently busy themselves with, well, anything. Most shyly wave back.
At the gate, Delia jumps at Zanderallen's request, before dutifully checking for tracks. Not much gets past the ranger. Despite its state of disrepair, the gate seems to get plenty of use.
The is evidence of a mule drawn wagon going in and out, not often, perhaps weekly. But it has been going on for some time, judging by the depth of the groove the wagon wheels are wearing into the dirt. There are also many sets of small halfing feet. These have apparently been climbing over the gate. Lastly, almost obscured by the others, she finds several separate sets of tracks made by large lizardfolk. As far as Delia can tell, they never went through the gate.
The manor continues to sit silently before the group.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+25=35 ; d20+28=44 ; d20+28=36 ; Monday October 14th, 2024 1:22:31 AM
Armalad asks Delia, "Do the Lizardfolk tracks just disappear or do they move on?"
If Delia says it seems like the Lizardfolks disappeared she casts Detect Magic and starts searching for some kind of hidden door perhaps with a magic tirgger. She pulls Joker Close.
If needed Perception: 35 Know[Arcana]: 44 Spellcraft: 36
Otherwise if Delia suggests the Lizardfolk moved on she says, "Shall we proceed to the mansion"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+24=41 ; Monday October 14th, 2024 8:36:12 AM
Well it sounds like someone is meeting here regularly, and the place is supposed to be abandoned (or haunted) so they likely won't appreciate witnesses. Stohp keeps her eyes out for traps and danger as they go in (perception 41)
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used d20+37=46 ; d20+29=37 ; Monday October 14th, 2024 9:59:19 AM
Stock nods, impressed, as Delia show off her hard won expertise.
“Yes- let me do a little scouting first…”
He takes a potion of invisibility and disappears. The rest of the party hear him jogging toward the mansion.
======== Invisible for 3 minutes Stock will scout out as much of the mansion as time allows Stock will make an effort to be back before he is visible Stealth 46 Perception 37
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+32=36 ; Monday October 14th, 2024 11:59:15 AM -1 morale penalty on future attack rolls, saves, skill checks and ability checks, Longstrider, Urban/Plains +2
Delia gives her report and answers any questions the party has. She looks around the manor grounds from a distance, absently trying to catch hints of Stock's passage.
Perception 36 (+4 v undead)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Monday October 14th, 2024 12:00:25 PM
**Perception 35 (+4 v undead)(forgot the -1 despite adding it to my post text lol)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Monday October 14th, 2024 2:30:21 PM
Zanderallen nods along as Delia makes sense of the mangled earth in front of them. "Large lizardfolk sound like potential Karkasan agents. And this place is way less abandoned than the innkeeper believes. Something fishy is going on here. Maybe smugglers spreading myths to keep people away? If so they're likely to know more than most."
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20=19 ; d20+17=23 ; Monday October 14th, 2024 6:16:32 PM "Agreed Zander," Bartomus said with a nod. "Lizardfolk makes a lot of sense, but the half lings, now that a bit odd. Though your theory is the best. "
Bartomus punctuated that with a shrug and followed along. He looked about the gate and the wagon talks and then about the yard.
Perception 19 and 23
Shall we proceed to the mansion (DM MikeK) Monday October 14th, 2024 7:27:49 PM
Investigations continue.
Delia spots a couple more sets of lizardfolk prints further down the path, leading away from the manor. It appears they stopped at the gate and then moved on.
Stock does his best impression of a fully armored thief. The gate squeals loudly as the dwarf pushes it open. But then he is able to freely move about.
At which point Delia should be rather impressed by his ability to move about stealthily.
The U shaped hillock accommodates three areas. Doors in each of the wings lead to a stable, smithy, and two room guesthouse. The doors are closed but unlocked. All the outer areas and the hedge, like the gate, are in a state of bad disrepair.
There is a large brass door knocker set into the metal reinforced wood door in the manor’s main entrance. A speaking tube sits to one side.
Stock also notes the ruts of the wagon circling close the edge of the outer areas, directly in front of the main entrance, and then back out the gate.
Curtains are drawn against all visible windows. The dwarf is unable to see light or movement from within.
No one appears to be about.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday October 14th, 2024 11:51:49 PM
Armalad said, "I suppose I should have done the scouting. I too could have turned invisible and I wouldn't have made any noise at the gate as I could just fly over it."
Assuming Bart reports back that everything is all clear she'll first cast the message spell on everyone.
Then both her and Joker will fly low over the gate.
Once on the other side she'll whisper to the party over the message spell "So are we going to knock on the door or try the speaking tube? Or do you want me to pick the lock, course picking the lock could get us in trouble with those SunDowners which I still think is a questionable name choice."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday October 15th, 2024 8:26:01 AM "The place is abandoned, haunted, or both. Anyone here is almost certainly doing illegal activities of some variety, so we have no reason not to just go in ready for a fight." Stohp points out.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used Tuesday October 15th, 2024 8:53:18 AM
“That seems a rather redundant thing to say, Stohp. Everywhere I go, I go ready for a fight, don’t you?
Either way, it looks clear. I think we try the front door of the manor.”
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20+17=33 ; Tuesday October 15th, 2024 10:23:10 AM
Hearing Armalad's whisper, Bartomus looked about and then nodded.
"Thinking if we go up and knock, then we can at least say that we were trying to find out information about recent visitors that were lizardfolk or dragonkin," Bartomus replied in a voice a bit louder than a whisper.
He walked up to the house and took a second to scan it. Then he stepped up to the door and knocked three times with his knuckles. He looked back over at the others as he waited for a response.
Perception 33
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Tuesday October 15th, 2024 12:38:53 PM
Zanderallen shrugs his shoulders and walks up to the front door with the others. His experience on the Fence level had thought him that those conducting illegal activity were usually the most informed on what was going on. You just had to get past the fact that they generally didn't like to share that knowledge. But the Silver Shields were known to be fairly convincing.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+31=47 ; Tuesday October 15th, 2024 5:33:06 PM -1 morale penalty on attack rolls, saves, skill checks and ability checks, Longstrider, Urban/Plains +2
Delia follows the party, keeping an eye on the grounds around them and muttering to herself, "Yup. We're just walking right up to the haunted house and potential hotbed of criminal activity and knocking on the door. Sounds about right. Sounds like us."
As they get close to the manor, she keeps an eye on the house for any flickers of movement or shadows that would indicate a reaction to their approach.
Perception: 47 (+2 urban, +4 v undead, +4 v humans)
Shall we proceed to the mansion (DM MikeK) Tuesday October 15th, 2024 7:57:21 PM
Despite Delia's unspoken feelings on the matter, the Shields walk right up to the haunted house and potential hotbed of criminal activity and knock on the door.
Nothing happens.
Bart waits for a response. There is none.
Nor does anyone or anything jump out or attack or make any noise.
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Tuesday October 15th, 2024 10:02:32 PM "Well, so nothing." Bartomus said after waiting a while and then a while more. "It's being polite Delia."
Bartomus winked at her and then took a step back from the door.
"Two options. One, we see if there is a back door - maybe where the wagon tracks have been going. Or, two, we see if there is a way to just go on in. I am thinking the back door check might be a better option. Also, if we were to find that door ajar or open, you know we would want to make sure anyone inside is ok and not in need of help..."
Bartomus looked and then stepped to each of the door.
[I]If a decision is made, Bartomus would follow along with the others.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+27=45 ; Tuesday October 15th, 2024 10:25:04 PM
Armalad whispers over the message spell, "Well I can use ranged legerdemain to make it so that a door happens to be ajar or at least unlocked from 30 feet away, I mean technically besides disable device I can use sleight of hand and apply 5 pounds of force or less so that might be enough to pull the door ajar slightly after I pick the lock. If we did it this way I could honestly say I didn't personally physically touch the lock and it would technically be true. I'm going to inspect the front door first for it being locked and/or trapped and then we can survey the back and once we know the state of both doors we can decide which is the better one to work on."
Armalad pulls her familiar close and inspects the door for traps and the lock to get an idea of its quality if possible.
(Perception: 45; forgot that alertness grants +4 to Perception if the person gaining the benefit has 10 or more ranks in Perception)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday October 16th, 2024 9:14:32 AM "Lets just go in. Finding a back door or some excuse to enter will just waste time."
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used Wednesday October 16th, 2024 9:20:02 AM
“Agreed, Stohp…unless we want Armalad to cast his location spell out here…”
Stock will lead the way into the mansion once the Shields are ready. Unless the door is locked in which case he will look to Armalad for an assist
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Wednesday October 16th, 2024 10:25:47 AM
Extraplanar breaking and entering was a crime he was not sure the Silver Shields had committed before. But the local authorities already avoided this place so what was the worst that could happen.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Wednesday October 16th, 2024 12:05:31 PM -1 morale penalty on attack rolls, saves, skill checks and ability checks, Longstrider, Urban/Plains +2
Delia snorts in amusement at Bart's wink, her spooky-realm-induced bad mood lifting for a moment. "I don't think there's much to gain from being sneaky now after tromping up the main path and knocking." She stands ready to head in, bow in hand.
Tromping and knocking (DM MikeK) Wednesday October 16th, 2024 8:17:48 PM
Bartomus muses about a back door. Several items of note: - The wagon tracks do not circle the building, they describe a loop coming in through the gate, circling the inner courtyard to the main door, and then back out the gate. - The manor house is tucked up against a corner described by the town's wall and a stone cliff of the mountains. Checking around each side for more doors is doable, but a rear entrance may take some work.
Armalad inspects the door. It is locked, but not trapped. Unlike the rest of the place, the lock is of good quality (Disable Device DC 30 to pick the lock)
The voices are back. This time each member of the Shields "hears" the same thing in their heads.
"How you thrash about with choices and options. You seek the Scepter. We know where it is. We will tell you where it is. And all you need to do is return to the Waystation and convince that quartet of dwarves to journey to Silbius alone."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+30=50 ; d20+28=40 ; Wednesday October 16th, 2024 10:38:17 PM
Armalad says to the voices, "Why do you wish for those 4 dwarves, who seemed nice enough in response to our questioning to brave the road we previously traveled alone without a caravan? What designs do you have on them?"
While waiting on an answer from the voices Armalad will get to 30 feet out from the door and make a ranged legerdemain disable device check against it (Disable Device Check: 50 = nat 20 vs 35 to attempt the lock at range)
She then utilizes sleight of hand to try to pull the door ajar also with ranged legerdemain (Sleight of Hand Check: 40)
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20+17=37 ; Thursday October 17th, 2024 12:36:43 AM "Agreed, why do you have an interest in my drinking partners?" Bartomus said aloud in response to the voices and Armalad's comments. He watched her step back and waited to see what happened. He readied his glave as he stood to the side of the door awaiting to see what occurred when the door was opened.
Perception 37
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday October 17th, 2024 8:25:02 AM "Just ignore them. Responding or playing their games is giving them more credit and attention then they deserve." Stohp says dismissively. Distracted, she heads straight for the door as soon as she hears the click, possibly walking into a trap if there was one.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Thursday October 17th, 2024 11:50:53 AM -1 morale penalty on attack rolls, saves, skill checks and ability checks, Longstrider, Urban +2
The voices conjure images of the bridge and Delia takes in an unsteady breath, shaking her head to banish the fear from last night. She forcibly steadies her voice, saying lightly, "Well if they don't want us here, that makes me want to be here even more. The voices probably just want to see what we're willing to do to take the easy path. They seem pretty rude."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Thursday October 17th, 2024 4:22:22 PM
Zanderallen puts a steadying hand on Delia's shoulder. "You're right, Delia. There has to be something here. We will not put innocents in danger for our own gain."
They seem pretty rude (DM MikeK) Thursday October 17th, 2024 7:22:03 PM
The Silver Shields are not at all interested in any bargaining.
At range, Armalad picks the lock and opens the door.
Stohp does her best Stock impression and heads straight through the door.
She is not vaporized. The rest of the Shields follow.
The party finds themselves in a dimly lit foyer. To their front, a ramp climbs to an upper level. To their left is a closed set of double doors. To their right is an open set of double doors with an elderly male halfling standing there, looking at you with a shocked expression.
"Who are you? Were you the ones ringing? You're not kids at all. What are you? Are those actual horns? What do you want? Don't try robbing me. I can defend myself. Why are you in here?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+24=28 ; Friday October 18th, 2024 8:41:59 AM
Stohp raises an eyebrow and looks closely at things. Does the place look abandoned, does anything look off that might indicate a ghostly illusion or something? (28 perception). On the off chance they did just break into random innocent person's house she'll apologize. "Oh, apologies. We were informed this place was abandoned and possibly haunted. We're looking for someone, someone whom an abandoned 'haunted' manor would make a good hiding place for."
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20+9=16 ; Friday October 18th, 2024 10:08:11 AM
Bartomus sighed. Of course there was someone in here, he thought to himself.
"Really sorry about disturbing you, sir." Bartomus added to Stohp's apology. "We are looking for someone, a rather dangerous someone."
Adding a bluff role even though we are looking for someone really dangerous - 16
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 d20+30=47 ; Friday October 18th, 2024 12:38:11 PM
Something is off here, Zanderallen thinks before stepping forward with arms opened in a peaceful gesture, "Sorry for disturbing you. But we've heard many different rumors about this place and are hoping to speak to Baron Harchess. It's a matter of some importance." He puts on his most charming smile and demeanor. ============== Diplomacy: 47
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+23=39 ; d20+20=36 ; Friday October 18th, 2024 3:39:27 PM
Armalad and Joker decide to aid Zanderallen's diplomatic overture
Armalad says "We tried knocking first and then the door became ajar so we came in to investigate and make sure if anyone was in here they weren't in jeopardy and ultimately speak with Baron Harchess if he was in." (Diplomacy Aid another: 39 vs 10 = Zander gets +2 so he's at 49)
Joker adds, "And we are ultimately looking for someone too, a criminal who got on the wrong side of one of the Gods." (Diplomacy: 36 vs 10 = Zander gets another +2 so he's at 51)
Delia decides the best thing to do is vanish into the curtains instead of deal with an awkward social situation. She waits to see how this plays out.
Stealth: 54 (w/ hide in plain sight in an urban environment)
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used d20+27=47 ; Saturday October 19th, 2024 1:20:38 PM
Stock is disarmed by the elderly halting. He slides to the back of the group and keeps his eyes open.
Perception 47
Prince Charming (DM MikeK) Sunday October 20th, 2024 6:46:42 PM
Stohp apologizes to the halfling. But she also gives the area a close look. She thinks everything she sees is real. She also notes a thick layer of dust on the ramp to the upper level. No one has gone up there in quite some time.
Bart also apologizes. Stock hides behind the party. Delia just plain hides.
Zanderallen turns on the charm offensive, ably aided by Armalad and Joker. The paladin is a wonder to behold and the halfling beams.
"Why, I am Baron Harchess. Baron Mikal Harchess." He moves to shut the front door. "It is I who should apologize. The local children play some game of knocking on my door and then running off. It has gotten to the point where I simlply do not answer.
Come in, come in. The parlor is directly ahead of you." Harchess makes shooing motions toward the right entrance, where a parlor is visible.
"The Manor is neither haunted nor abandoned, as you can see. But I am alone here now and I'm ashamed to say house maintenance has suffered. Come in, come in."
Harchess indicates various chairs and couches arranged around an unlit fireplace. He asks you to sit while busying about throwing wood in it and then trying to start a fire while simultaneously turning to you. "Have been here my whole life, you see. Know just about everyone, though they've forgotten me. Who is it you wish to find?"
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+25=41 ; d20+2=6 ; Monday October 21st, 2024 4:24:42 AM
Armalad decides to defer to someone else in the party to explain the situation. She pulls Joker close and observes Harchess.
Perception: 41 Sense Motive: 6
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday October 21st, 2024 8:25:21 AM
Stohp will let Z do the talking as he seems to have the best grasp of what's going on.
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Monday October 21st, 2024 2:28:25 PM "Thank you, Baron for your understanding," Bartomus Added a slight bow to accentuate his relief.
"We are new to this territory and do your assistance in aiding us to find the dangerous individuals we are here looking for. "
Bartomus followed the others into the study and realized the man trying to start a fire for their benefit. Bartomus comes near.
"Here, I can do that, Sir," Bartomus offered. The Taur then took over in getting the for started.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Monday October 21st, 2024 3:41:00 PM
Zanderallen moves into the parlor, careful to avoid bumping into anything. He decides on a guy check to take a chance with the halfling. "Nice to meet you Baron Harchess. I am Zanderallen and we are the Silver Shields. We are travelers from far away so forgive us if we seem a little lost. We know these lands by a different name and are a little confused as to where exactly we are. We are looking for Grantham Drall, who may be connected to a item known as the Scepter of the Dead. Have you heard of either of these? Or could point us to where we might learn more about the surrounding lands?"
Looking for Grantham Drall (DM MikeK) Monday October 21st, 2024 6:56:53 PM
Baron Harchess steps back gratefully to allow Bartomus to start the fire.
Armalad and Stohp let Zanderallen do the talking.
Zanderallen lays it out for the Harchess. The blood drains from the halfling's face at the mention of Grantham. Unbelievably, he's able to go another shade whiter upon hearing "Scepter of the Dead".
The Baron moves away from Bart and Zanderallen the rest of the Shields. His back hits a wall. His eyes flick fearfully at all of you.
"You're here for the Scepter," he whispers, dreading his own words. "I will not tell. By all we hold dear, no evil shall grasp the Scepter."
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20+13=14 ; Monday October 21st, 2024 10:44:46 PM "Baron," Bartomus said as he rose from the hearth. "There are some very evil folk, dragonkind and lizard, coming here with wicked intentions regarding the Scepter, this plane, and many others."
[b]"We could use the help to save so many people."[/b
Sense motive - natural one for a total of
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+23=25 ; Monday October 21st, 2024 11:50:14 PM
Armalad says, "Remember how we told you that the one we seek got on the wrong side of a God? Well we were sent here by Gargul, the Lord of Death to collect both Drall and the Scepter. We are Woldian heroes, the good guys, and we are after the Scepter to prevent it from being used to unleash Karkasan."
She tries to be diplomatically earnest (Diplomacy : 25)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday October 22nd, 2024 9:02:09 AM
Huh. He did know stuff. That's much better then wandering around blindly. There's hope for this yet.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used d20+17=36 ; Tuesday October 22nd, 2024 9:52:53 AM
“That’s great to hear, Baron. We couldn’t be more in agreement that evil shall not grasp the scepter. You can test us in anyway you see fit. You’ll see we aren’t evil.”
Stock wonders if this is another moment where some important context is being lost. He tries to judge the Barons response…
——— Sense Motive 36
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 d20+30=47 ; Tuesday October 22nd, 2024 10:36:57 AM
Zanderallen stays passive as Harchess reacts. Now they were getting somewhere. He remains calm and seated as the halfling backs away keeping his arms well away from all weapons. With deliberate effort he keeps his voice low but firm, "Mikal, I swear by Domi, who I serve, that we are not seeking the scepter for evil. Since you seem to know about it let me share our intentions and you can judge for yourself. We come from the Wold, near the prison of an ancient evil. Recently this evil has managed to exert his influence outside his prison. And he is seeking to get out. He has agents scouring the realms for the artifacts needed to free him. The scepter is one of those artifacts. We believe his agents are here ahead of us, in fact we tracked them to your front gate. We will not harm you but it is extremely important we find that scepter before they do. And they won't be nice about how they get it. So please help us." ============== Diplomacy 47
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+31=37 ; Tuesday October 22nd, 2024 2:15:17 PM -1 to many things, Longstrider, Urban +2
When invited in, Delia relaxes out of her vanishing and joins the Baron in the parlor. She remains lurking in the doorway, an eye on the front door. At his reaction to the mention of Grantham and the Scepter, she gets nervous, paranoid even, and slips over to look out the nearest windows looking towards the front.
Perception: 37 (+4 v undead, humans, aberrations, +2 v constructs)
Please Help Us (DM MikeK) Tuesday October 22nd, 2024 6:45:52 PM
Delia checks windows. She sees nothing coming to get them.
The rest of the Shields focus on the Baron. Zanderallen continues defusing the halfling's fears.
Harchess blinks, licks his lips, swallows several times and spends several minutes looking each Shield in the eye.
"All right," he breathes. "All right." The halfling edges his way to the nearest chair and collapses into it.
Looking down, he replies to Zanderallen. "Grantham Drall is leader of the Guardians, sworn to protect the Scepter with his life. As I once was. Unlike me, he will not turn it over, no matter what threats you may say he faces.
Both Grantham and the Scepter reside on another domain. There is a Gate deep within the Eastern Tunneau that leads there.
Stock believes the Baron is being truthful.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday October 22nd, 2024 9:06:59 PM
Armalad asks, "Is Drall still a troll? How do we get to the Eastern Tunneau?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Wednesday October 23rd, 2024 9:57:42 AM -1 to many things, Longstrider, Urban +2
"Huh. So the Lord of Death was helping us," Delia remarks to no one in particular as she continues to hold her paranoid vigil.
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20+13=25 ; d20+13=16 ; Wednesday October 23rd, 2024 10:45:03 AM "Grateful for your sharing what you have already. If you can answer Armalad's question, we can be on our way, for we have an obligation to the Float, and Lord Gargul we have to try to fulfill." Bartomus said. He smiled at the Baron and took a moment to get a sense of the halfling's response to the Shield's questions and the situation.
The Taur didn't want to add to the Baron's distress and he suspected that the Baron may already be questioning what he had shared with the Shields. He did give Delia a small nod in agreement to her assessment.
Sense motive 25 - not sure why it rolled twice.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used Wednesday October 23rd, 2024 10:51:05 AM
“Who are The Guardians? And what is this other domain of which you speak? And has anybody else been by here recently asking about The Sceptre?”
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday October 23rd, 2024 11:23:05 AM
Well thats... good. Probably. Stohp speaks up. "It sounds like we're all on the same side; we don't truly want the scepter, we want it secured, which is the job of these guardians. One of the gods themselves sent us here to bring both guardian and artifact to him. If we respectfully meet with them, make clear our intentions, and are convincing enough it may be as simple as them securing the artifact for transport and us acting as guides to get them out. We don't have to ever see or touch it ourselves, letting the sworn guardians do their sworn duty, and once we get where we're going we have a way to bring us to Gargul's throne where it can be safely secured - what could be better possible protection then that of a god himself?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Wednesday October 23rd, 2024 4:44:39 PM
Zander releases the breath he was holding after making his appeal to Harchess. He holds out a hand to the halfling, "Thank you for trusting us. Have you heard from Grantham recently? Gargul made it sound like something had happened to him. And if I might ask one more question. What with all the wagon tracks outside?"
More answers (DM MikeK) Wednesday October 23rd, 2024 7:50:57 PM
Harchess nods in response to Armalad's first question. To the second he answers, "take the road toward Targu. A half mile after crossing the bridge over the West Run you will see an ancient, vine covered stone pillar on the side of the road. Travel due south from that pillar for one mile. You will find a second stone pillar standing within a small depression. Place your hands on the eastern and western face of the pillar. The Gate will open."
In response to Stock - "The Guardians are pledged to keep anyone from possessing the Scepter. Grantham Drall leads them. The domain is...another domain. Not Varun. No one else has asked me about the Scepter."
Stohp states their purpose. Harchess rolls his eyes and snorts. "Good luck to you then."
The Baron frowns at the Zanderallen's odd question. "The wagon brings me supplies weekly. Food and wood."
As for Grantham. "No, not for several years."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday October 23rd, 2024 10:29:02 PM
Armalad says, "Just one more thing. Since we've gotten here we've encountered voices on the wind. They've tried to temp us to abandon a compatriot, abandon a stranger we found in trouble, and when we got here before we spoke with you they wanted us to convince some folks we met to change their travel plans in exchange for the location of the scepter. Do any of the Guardians possess such abilities or do you know of anyone not of the Guardians that could possibly have this ability? If the voices are of the Guardians then presumably they'd seek to mislead us but if the voices don't belong to the Guardians just what are they playing at? Do you know?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday October 24th, 2024 8:10:20 AM
Stohp is ready to go. The sooner they leave this place, the better.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used Thursday October 24th, 2024 9:18:53 AM
Stock gathers his things and stands near the door, ready to go.
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Thursday October 24th, 2024 4:53:06 PM
Bartomus nodded at the Baron and took special note of the halfling's response to Stohp's explanation.
"Thank you again for you time, Baron." Bartomus turned and joined the others at the door
Seem to be done here (DM MikeK) Thursday October 24th, 2024 7:19:12 PM
Baron Harchess shakes his head in reply to Armalad. "I don't know of any such abilities," he says.
The Shields leave.
It is midmorning.
The Shields have initiative.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Thursday October 24th, 2024 8:18:01 PM
Zanderallen thanks Harchess for the information committed the instructions to memory. "Then let's be off. And pray the next realm is full of as friendly a people as this."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Thursday October 24th, 2024 10:21:54 PM -1 to many things, Longstrider, Urban +2
Delia carefully listens to the directions as well, ready to be off. The lingering exhaustion of the nightmares are making her feel twitchy and Hawky shifts on her shoulder, sensing the uncommon agitation.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday October 24th, 2024 11:52:50 PM
Armalad and Joker are in agreement with the rest of the shields.
"To the Eastern Tunneau then, following the Baron's instructions"
Her and Joker fly slightly off the ground as the party follow the instructions Harchess laid out.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+24=41 ; Friday October 25th, 2024 9:11:57 AM
Stohp will keep her eyes and ears open as they proceed to their next destination. For food she'll just eat trail rations on the move. (41 perception)
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20+17=23 ; Saturday October 26th, 2024 10:11:45 AM
Bartomus kept pace with his fellow Shields as they left the walled estate of the Baron. He glanced back over his shoulder to see what, if anything, their unexpected host did as they left his house.
Perception 23
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+14=21 ; Saturday October 26th, 2024 9:26:24 PM -1 to many things, Longstrider, Urban +2
Delia sends Hawky up about 40 ft and he flies above as they march.
H Perception: 21 (25 v undead, humans, aberrations)
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used d20+27=39 ; Sunday October 27th, 2024 2:06:31 PM
Stock leads the way along the road, as usual…although following the directions of the other Shields.
Perception 39
On the march (DM MikeK) Sunday October 27th, 2024 7:40:37 PM
Deciding there's no time like the present, the Shields gather up whatever they may have left at the Waystation, and follow Baron Harchess' directions.
The road to Targu leads north for an hour before swinging back east. The Shields recross the river, though further north. This time the crossing is without incident.
Delia keeps a step count. As she declares the group has traversed half a mile from the bridge, Stock looks to his right and there's the pillar.
It is late afternoon when the Shields leave the road and enter the wood.
The woods are composed mainly of pine trees. The canopy blocks out most light. In the late afternoon, visibility is limited. The forest floor is covered in a layer of pine needles several inches thick, deadening all sound.
The Baron said only to travel due south for one mile.
There is no trail.
[Survival Check please]
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+18;Heal+12 d20+10=15 ; Sunday October 27th, 2024 11:32:04 PM
Bartomus had started into the forest and quickly moved his fingers asking for guidance. He felt off and made his way a bit into the woods. After about five or six strides, he stopped and looked about. Then back at the Shields.
"This is south here right?" Bartomus asked.
Frig - Survival plus Guidance for a total of 15. Using Woodland Stride.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20=19 ; Monday October 28th, 2024 12:26:04 AM
Survival: 19
Armalad checks Bartomus's bearings with her own and gives her appraisal of his bearings
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+24=44 ; Monday October 28th, 2024 8:51:57 AM
Stohp will have to trust the others for not getting lost, she's never been the wilderness type. She'll just keep her eyes open for any traps or possible problems. (44 perception)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d3=2 ; d20+33=36 ; Monday October 28th, 2024 10:54:43 AM -1 to many things, Longstrider, Darkvision 60ft, Forest +8 (d3 was a misclick)
Delia will take a moment to cast Darkvision on herself to help with the lower light levels, then settle into her pathfinding rhythms. She'll send Hawky up above the trees to help them keep their bearings.
She looks at Bart, then Armalad, then points a slightly different direction, "South."
Survival: 38 (with Hawky auto succeeding survival aid)
South (DM MikeK) Monday October 28th, 2024 7:52:59 PM
There is a short debate regarding due south. One emphatically ended by the ranger.
Delia keeps the bearing and the Shields proceed through the woods, unmolested.
As the Baron said, exactly one mile later, the party arrives at the lip of a small depression. about 40' in diameter. In the middle of the depression is another stone pillar. Surrounding it is the scene of a fairly recent battle. The remains of armor, weapons, gear, and mostly scavenged body parts are strewn about, accompanied by telltale signs of high level combat - scorched earth, shattered trees, arrows buried into tree trunks, etc. Woodland scavengers have gotten to the bodies, which are mostly skeletons by this point.
While not a rare sight to the Shields, again, this scene strikes particularly hard.
Will Save (fear based) Zanderallen immune Stohp and Armalad DC 13, Stock, Bartomus, Delia, and Joker DC 15. Resistance bonus (such as from a Cloak of Resistance) cannot be applied.
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+18;Heal+12 d20+18=27 ; d20+18=22 ; Monday October 28th, 2024 9:20:09 PM "Not liking the fact that someone got here before us," Bartomus said with a bit of distaste. "Nor, the fact that there was a fight which leads me to believe we have two parties looking for what we are looking for at the same time.
Bartomus shrugged off the distaste and the brief shiver that ran down his spine. He looked at the skulls to see what type of creatures were part of the earlier battle.
Will save - with modifier from head band +18 - for 27; without head band, 22. Saved. Perception 22
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+9=12 ; d20+9=23 ; d20+23=36 ; d20+28=45 ; d20+28=47 ; d20+28=31 ; Tuesday October 29th, 2024 12:48:19 AM
Joker - Will 12 = fail Armalad - Will 23 = pass
Armalad offers an alternate theory, "Do we know for sure there are two other groups seeking the Scepter or might this have been a skirmish between the Guardians and the other group we know about?"
Armalad casts Detect Magic and examines the site of the battle (Perception: 36, Know(Nature):45, Know(Arcana): 47, Spellcraft: 31)
She tries to glean clues about the make-up of the two groups that fought in order to tell who may be right her or Bart.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=1 ; Tuesday October 29th, 2024 6:43:58 AM
Stohp has been lucky so far but here it ends and she is shaken by the scene, cursing in Taur and turning away. So much for convincing the guardians to come with and an easy walk out. (will 9)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+12=13 ; d20+12=13 ; Tuesday October 29th, 2024 10:06:08 AM Longstrider, Darkvision, Forest +8, -1 to ability checks, saves, attacks, Improved Iron Will reroll used
Delia stops short. Stares at the gory scene in front of her. She tries to muster her will, but it fails her. She turns away, hands on her hips and breathing heavily.
Will 13 reroll for 13 (destined to fail that one apparently with double 1's)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 d20+10=30 ; Tuesday October 29th, 2024 4:16:46 PM
Zanderallen pauses at the scene of destruction. He wonders if this is how others feel coming upon the aftermath of fights the Shields have had. Shaking such thoughts from his mind he turns to the group, "It looks like Karkasan's agents are still ahead of us. That pillar should be the entrance to the next realm. Take a minute to gather yourselves and then we must push on." He gives a sympathetic look to his companions as he moves to look over the bodies for any clues. ============ Perception 30 (Nat 20)
Bad feelings (DM MikeK) d4=4 ; d4=2 ; d4=4 ; d4=1 ; 5d6=17 ; Tuesday October 29th, 2024 7:08:29 PM Stock - Please make a Will Save vs DC 15.
The scene overcomes several of the Shields Delia and Joker are Nauseated for 3 rounds.
Stohp is Shaken for 17 rounds.
Fortunately, nothing attacks the party during this period and all return to a semblance of normal.
Armalad casts Detect Magic. The pillar is extremely powerful magic. But she find no magic on the bodies.
Upon inspection, she surmises the dead were stripped of their loot. Most are without armor or weapons. She also notes all of the skeletons appear to be scion lizardfolk. One still wears a tattered cloak fastened with a metallic clasp inscribed with the emblem of a single eye centered over an open, tooth filled maw. The group has seen the symbol before on followers of Karkasan.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+28=29 ; Tuesday October 29th, 2024 11:22:36 PM
Armalad tries to identify the remains of other races involved in the battle besides the skeletons of scion Lizardfolk. Were there any taurs? elves? half-elves? humans? dwarves? gnomes? halflings? beastfolk? drow? trolls? something else?
She then moves over to the pillar and says, "Before we put our hands on the eastern and western side of this pillar I should probably make sure no one trapped it."
Armalad pulls Joker close (to benefit from Alertness) and examines the Pillar (Perception: 29 to locate traps; +4 from alertness; +1 when looking for traps)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday October 30th, 2024 6:41:34 AM
Stohp just wants to move on from this place quickly, but keeps turned away and awaits the rest of the group being ready.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Wednesday October 30th, 2024 9:51:56 AM
Once he confirms the bodies have been stripped and notes Karkasan's symbol Zander spends very little time combing through everything. He turns his attention to the pillar nodding to Armalad, "Good idea. Once you clear it I will open the portal. I believe I have the most resilience in case the gate has some sort of blow back."
If Armalad gives the all clear he steps up to the southern face of the pillar and places his hands on the east and west sides.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used d20+10=17 ; Wednesday October 30th, 2024 9:58:53 AM
Stock stares transfixed by the scene for a moment and then shakes it off. Stock looks at the remains of the battle and says, “So who else was fighting here? Those Guardians maybe? At any rate I’d say we are on the right path.
===== Will save 17
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+33=41 ; Wednesday October 30th, 2024 10:15:43 AM Longstrider, Darkvision, Forest +8, -1 to ability checks, saves, attacks, Improved Iron Will reroll used
Delia leans over her knees, eyes fixed shut and breathing deeply until she recovers. To pass the time while the rest of the group recovers, she tries to determine how long ago the battle happened, if there were many more troops than those remaining, and which direction the survivors went.
Survival: 41
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+18;Heal+12 Wednesday October 30th, 2024 3:06:06 PM
Bartomus stepped away from the site with the other Shields who were overcome by the carnage that confronted them. He spent some time trying to help sooth their spirits and refocus their thoughts to the challenges ahead. When they were ready, he stepped back with them to join the other Shields. He walked up near Armalad.
"Odd thought," Bartomus said quietly. "Could the carnage here be the results of their not knowing the proper way to activate the portal?
Open the portal (DM MikeK) Wednesday October 30th, 2024 7:10:03 PM
"Odd thought," Bartomus said quietly. "Could the carnage here be the results of their not knowing the proper way to activate the portal?"
Possibly.
But after a thorough search, Delia is reasonably confident there was a fight ten or so days ago between six scion lizard folk and a group of medium sized boot wearing humanoids. And the lizard folk lost. The humanoids did not come from the pillar. They came from the wood, occupied the high ground surrounding the depression, and at some point, charged into the fight. They left back through the woods.
She and Armalad confirm all the bodies are lizard folk.
Armalad also finds no traps on or near the pillar.
Receiving the all clear, Zanderallen steps up to the southern face of the pillar and places his hands on the east and west sides.
A doorway opens beside the portal. On the other side is black rock under a dark, cloudy sky. Lightning streaks back and forth through the clouds.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday October 30th, 2024 11:56:12 PM
Joker says, "Nirvana is coming. The Mystic Portal Awaits"
Armalad looks at Joker quizzically
Joker says, "I'm sorry that just felt appropriate to say now."
Armalad says, "erm...Yes, well...Once more into the breach dear friends?" as she grabs Joker's hand and together they enter "The Mystic Portal"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 38 T: 15 FF: 37 CMD: 36 LoH 16/16 SE 6/6 Thursday October 31st, 2024 11:15:51 AM
With the battle report from Delia, Zanderallen keeps a wary eye on the surrounding area as he opens the portal. When the portal opens and nothing comes charging out he motions everyone through. "Let's get in before we get ambushed."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+33=34 ; Thursday October 31st, 2024 2:11:52 PM Longstrider, Darkvision, Forest +8, -1 to ability checks, saves, attacks, Improved Iron Will reroll used
Delia keeps an eye behind them as they move through the gate.
Perception: 34
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 21/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+24=39 ; Thursday October 31st, 2024 3:24:16 PM
Well at least the presumed bad guys lost. Stohp keeps a sharp eye out as they go through, though she tries not to do so as she walked up given the effect the sight is having on her. (39 perception)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 154/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday October 31st, 2024 11:27:43 PM
(OOC: checking in) Time slows down as Armalad and Joker enter the portal
Bartomus(Rod) // HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+18;Heal+12 Friday November 1st, 2024 12:16:53 AM "A little thunder, a little lightning," Bartomus said with a laugh. "Better knock on wood then."
Bartomus tapped his glave and then walked through the portal with the rest of the Shields.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 35/32/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 44; Rage: 0/46 used Friday November 1st, 2024 12:51:06 AM
Stock was the last one through the portal this time. He takes one last look around at the desolate place the Shields find themselves and then steps through to yet another desolate location.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Saturday November 2nd, 2024 4:15:47 PM Longstrider, Darkvision, Forest +8, -1 to ability checks, saves, attacks, Improved Iron Will reroll used
Delia pushes the lingering images of the bridge and now this battle out of her mind as she steps into the gate. Into somewhere new. Maybe full of new horrors, but she needed to be at the top of her game right now. The threats would come and, at the end of it, the Shields would stand. They would remain as guardians between the Float and whatever threatening it. This was just their next obstacle. And they'd get through it as through everything else.
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