DM Hugh - Traveling Through Swampland Monday November 4th, 2024 4:39:30 AM
Mundhi suggests a direction is North The Twins agree Cyrion looks up at the sun then around then sticks a finger in the air Zeoll has a slightly different bearing Mundhi then agrees with Zeoll Asimov defers to his friends
And so the party sets off once more for another day of traveling guided by Zeoll’s bearings. The first half of the day is uneventful and you break at midday to partake of some provisions the innkeeper packed for you. The second half of the day however is different. The terrain starts to become more difficult to traverse. While there is still a trail the forest is gradually turning into a swamp and the land on either side of the trail is often mud or water or muddy water.
As it gets later in the day you see a small building in the distance with a sign that reads “Flat Bottom Boat Rentals”
What do you do?
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Monday November 4th, 2024 8:29:17 AM
Might as well rent something. It'll probably cost a pittance to adventurers.
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Monday November 4th, 2024 9:56:46 PM
Zeoll is willing to take to water if the boat is big enough for large folk!
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Tuesday November 5th, 2024 2:20:20 AM
"Let's go ask about the rentals," Mundhildur agrees with her companions.
Once able to speak with someone about the arrangements, she asks a series of questions: "How far in might we travel by flat-bottomed boat before we can again continue walking? Also, are there known hazards in this swamp? Is there anything special we might want to do to prepare? Will someone accompany the boat with us?
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Tuesday November 5th, 2024 10:14:30 PM
At the prospect of getting onto a boat, Cyrion will look himself up and down, and then look at Mun, "Hey fellas, how much weight will these boats handle? I'm not looking forward to a swamp bath tonight, or tomorrow, or ever."
DM Hugh - Xurgaf's Boat Rentals Thursday November 7th, 2024 12:22:38 AM
The Twins figure they might as well rent something since it will cost a pittance to them as adventurers Zeoll is willing to take to the water if the boat is big enough for large folk Mundhi suggests they ask about the rentals and then peppers the person manning the shack with questions Cyrion looks at himself and Mundhi and then asks how much weight a boat could handle Asimov agrees with the other about inquiring about the boat
The party approaches the shack. An adolescent half-orc is fiddling with a banjo and looks up as you approach.
He calls out to someone further back, “Hey pa we got potential customers!”
The half-orc puts down the banjo and says, “Welcome to Xugarf’s boat rentals. How may I help you”
Mundhi asks her questions followed by Cyrion
Q: How far might we travel by flat bottomed boat before you can continue walking
The half-orc says, “You don’t necessarily need to rent a boat as the trail more or less continues through the swamp, course at points the trail actually goes into the swamp so you might want the boat. With that being said it is a 3 days journey from this end of the swamp to the other. We have another boat rental shack on the other side so you could rent boats here, traverse the swamp and drop your boats off at the other shack when done.
Q: Are there any known hazards in the swamp? The half-orc says, “Well there have been reports of strangely acting gators and possibly even some sort of half-man half-gator creatures but surely that must be swamp gas causing delusions no?
Q: Is there anything special we might want to do to prepare? The half-orc asks “Do you want to set out now when it will be dark soon or would you rather make camp and leave in the morning?” if you want to set out now do you have light or some means to see if you want to travel at night? Regardless of when you setout do you have netting or some means to repel insects if you make camp in the swamp?
Q: Will someone accompany the boat with us? The half-orc says, “For an additional fee either myself or my Pa will accompany you”
Q: how much weight will these boats handle? The half-orc gauges the party and says, “between the metal men, the giantess and the liontaur you guys are probably going to need multiple boats.”
“The Taur could probably take a boat with a single person”
“One metal man could share a boat with a single person”
“The other metal man could share a boat with a single person”
“I suppose the fourth boat could take the remaining two people or one of us and two of yours if you opt in to pay for a guide”
The half-orc looks expectantly at you all. He seems to be expecting a big sale(from his perspective) from the party, How do you want to proceed?
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Thursday November 7th, 2024 7:46:23 AM
The Twins are fine with hiring a guide. They came the opposite way and from a different direction on their way last time.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Thursday November 7th, 2024 12:45:52 PM
"What would you charge us for these, what, three boats, plus one of you coming along?" Mundhi asks. She is at her medium size - 7'4", 370 lbs.
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Thursday November 7th, 2024 11:09:18 PM
Cyrion stands back and lets his friends do the haggling, there's always haggling, he just isn't used to it.
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Friday November 8th, 2024 10:02:09 AM
Zeoll does not stoop to haggling. He's ready to pay for all the boats. Like four? With both people as guides? He has almost 600 gp cash if needed.
"We'rre on a one-way trrip, so you both should come along to brring the boats back afterr we get to the otherr side of the swamp."
"If we meet any gatorrs, I'll charrm them. It would be neat to meet some gatorr-taurrs. Always glad to meet potential cousins."
"I have a flaming skull forr light," the liontaur says, holding up a skull into which a Continual Flame has been cast. "But I got nothing to stop bugs."
Xurgaf's Boat Rentals - part 2 Sunday November 10th, 2024 1:12:02 AM
The half-orc starts doing some figuring He says “first off it is a 25 gold refundable deposit per boat so with 4 boats that would be 100 gold, which we would return to you upon reaching of the other end of the swamp minus any deduction for damage incurred during the trip” He then says “second passage is 10 gold 8 silver pieces each for the Liontaur, and the two metal men. For the rest of you it is 5 gold 4 silver pieces” He then says “third for the services of 2 trained guides for 3 days of work is 1 gold 8 silvers” He totals that up and says “175 gold, 8 silvers with 100 gold being potentially refundable depending on the shape of the boats on the other side.” He says, “We also sell mesh netting for 5 silvers per square foot now I don’t know about the metal men being impacted by the bugs but I’d say a 10 foot square of mesh would work for the liontaur and giantess with the non-metal men medium folk of your party getting away with 7 foot squares just to be safe. He does some more figuring and says, “So that is 175 gold, 8 silvers for the boats with guides with 100 of those gold pieces potentially being refundable depending on the shape of the boats on the other side and 20 gold and 5 silvers for the mesh netting assuming you want the mesh netting. Do we have a deal?”
Assuming Zeoll agrees considering the total came in under what he had to spend the half-orc calls out "Pa, we need to ready 4 boats. Also they want us both to come with them so we need to close the shop."
He says, "Do you want to set out now or wait till the morning?"
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Sunday November 10th, 2024 11:38:03 PM
Zeoll is content to wait for morning. He has no desire to be on the marshes at night. But he defers to the group's wishes.
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Monday November 11th, 2024 9:02:34 AM
Hrm, must be latter then the Twins thought, they were under the impression that had daylight to spare. Stupid daylight savings time.
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Monday November 11th, 2024 7:49:06 PM
Cyrion is fine either way, he just needs a few hours to recharge himself, kind of like an Elf's Reverie
Xurgaf's Boat Rentals - part 3 Tuesday November 12th, 2024 9:51:40 PM Zeoll opts to wait until morning
The Twins realize it was later than they thought
Cyrion is fine either way just needing a few hours to recharge
Asimov defers to the group
The adolescent half-orc says, "Pa, wait a tick. We need the boats for tommorow not now. Bring out the mesh netting though as they'll probably need it for tonight."
The adolescent shows the party to a clearing near the shack where the party can camp for the night
With the mesh netting in place the party sleeps soundly and at first light Xurgaf and Son have your boats ready to go.
The boat loadouts are:
Asimov and Irony
Zeoll and Femmu
Cyrion and Mundhildur
Xurgaf, son and the Twins
Xurgaf and Son do a quick demo of how to use the pole to navigate the swamp. 1 person from each boat has to use either knowledge[nature], survival or profession[sailor] to navigate the swamp using the boat.
How do you proceed?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+10=11 ; d20+3=5 ; d20+9=12 ; Wednesday November 13th, 2024 3:51:11 AM
For starters, Mundhildur's normally decent survival skills are at a low ebb, with Survival: 11 Knowledge, nature is even worse: 5 Well, at least she's a decent swimmer. Huh, just barely: 12 [So I rolled 1, 2, 3]
She just tries to get by.
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Wednesday November 13th, 2024 9:54:26 AM
Well the Twins will likely be in the lead given that they are in the boat with the guides. They'll let the pair do their job and enjoy a nice boat ride.
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) d20+13=26 ; Wednesday November 13th, 2024 3:07:02 PM
Zeoll ponders the poling lesson.
[OOC: His highest is knowledge[nature] at +13, so he'll roll that.]
Roll: 26
Zeoll polls as if it were second nature.
"Just sit back, Lady," he says to Femmu. "I got this."
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Wednesday November 13th, 2024 10:47:41 PM
Cyrion, for all his bravado, sits very still in the boat, making the most minimal of movements. It's not that he can't swim, he just sinks like a rock fairly quick. He'll watch how to pole the boats as well ... on the off chance that he needs to
However he did build a flying minion so he sends Irony flying slightly ahead of their little flotilla of flat bottomed gondolas
Irony - Perception 14
DM Hugh - Traversing the swamp d20+11=17 ; Thursday November 14th, 2024 2:49:42 AM Mundhi has a bit of a rough start but manages to get her and Cyrion's boat moving albeit slower than others
The Twins let their guides manage boat operations
Zeoll ponders the lesson and polls like second nature telling Femmu to sit back
Cyrion sits still in the boat after paying attention to the pollng lesson just in case
Asimov polls decently and sends Irony on aerial reconnaissance
Zeoll polls best and his and Femmu's boat end up taking the lead slightly behind Irony (26)
Asimov's suddenly lightened boat is just behind Zeoll's (21)
Xurgarf polls his boat decently enough (17) and is slightly behind Zeoll and Asimov not getting quite the initial performance Zeoll had and carrying much more weight than Asimov as Irony is flying
Mundhi's and Cyrion's boat is a little behind the others (11)
Xurgaf calls back to Mundhi and Cyrion, "There's a second poll in each boat; you both could work together on polling if it would help"
(OOC: please continue to have at least one person in each boat make Know[Nature], Survival or Profession[sailor]; a second person can roll vs DC 10 to aid another and provide bonuses to primary roll)
Despite the uneven speed of the flotilla you start out at first light at a more or less steady pace.
This part of the swamp doesn't seem to be too difficult to navigate and there are few hazards
What do you do as you continue to poll through the swamp?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+10=18 ; Thursday November 14th, 2024 3:37:39 AM
Mundhildur sees Cyrion nearly frozen in place on the boat. "Here, let's make this easier for you. I'm tieing two ropes to you so that you can go to either edge of the boat, but without enough slack to go overboard. Also, each rope has a quick-release knot to free yourself from the restraint should you need to. You stand on the left and push against the bottom with the pole to help us move forward, and I will do likewise on the right. We're getting too far behind the others, and the monster that grabs laggards may eat us if you don't help us catch up."
Survival: 18. It took her a bit, but she is getting this thing figured out.
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 d20=6 ; Thursday November 14th, 2024 10:49:54 AM
The Twins aren't much help with the boat, but that's why they're in the boat with the experts (6 to aid another)
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) d20+13=30 ; d20+23=32 ; Thursday November 14th, 2024 8:45:14 PM
Still Polling: 30
Zeoll keeps alert and looks around.
Perception 32
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Row Row Row your boat, Survival check: d20+11=21 ; Thursday November 14th, 2024 11:30:21 PM
Once Mund has Cyrion tied down, well to a point, he'll assist with the polling so they don't end up getting too far behind
While Irony flies ahead (Perception:12) and continues to scout
Traversing the Swamp - 2 d20+11=30 ; d20+5=14 ; Friday November 15th, 2024 4:00:54 AM Mundhi helps Cyrion by tying him to the boat but setting up some quick releases in case of need and then asks him to help poll
The Twins aren't much help with the boat
Zeoll keeps polling too while also keeping his eyes out
Cyrion helps poll having been tied to the boat
Asimov continues to Poll while Irony Scouts
Xurgaf's son takes the second poll from the twins when it became apparent they were of little help and aids his father in getting ahead of Zeoll's boat
Zeoll is able to keep his boat moving smoothly just getting passed by Xurgaf and son
Asimov keeps pace slightly behind Zeoll
Mundhi and Cyrion working together are able to gain ground on the rest of the boats
30 - Zeoll 20 - Mundhi Asimov - 24 Xugarf - 32
The boats continue like this for much of the morning. Once the party cleared the immediate area of the boat rental shack the water got deeper compared to the draft of the flat bottomed boats and the passage was fairly wide all things considered. With deep enough water, a lack of hazards and everyone polling fairly well you move relatively quickly as early morning turns to mid-morning and beyond.
It is between midmorning and noon when Xugarf calls back to the party, "This next bit of swamp up ahead is shallower and has some rocks and other hazards that could potentially damage boats if we aren't careful. We've been making good time so far but I'd recommend we slow a little and then when we are through there is an island nearby we could stop for a lunch break at if you want."
(OOC: please continue to have at least one person in each boat make Know[Nature], Survival or Profession[sailor]; a second person can roll vs DC 10 to aid another and provide bonuses to primary roll; if you cut speed add +2 circumstance bonus to your roll and indicate you are doing so; if you don't take a -2 penalty on the roll and indicate you are doing so)
What do you do now?
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Friday November 15th, 2024 8:40:00 AM
The Twins ask their guides about any good boat songs they know while they travel. They'll try to learn the words and sing along. The lunch plan sounds great.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+10=19 ; Friday November 15th, 2024 11:41:02 AM
Mundhildur would love to learn songs about boating.
"Thanks for joining in, Cyrion!"
Mundi, Survival: 19 - to help in poling (one L, not 2 - 'polling' means asking questions, or tallying - 'to pole' - use a pole to push a boat along, is 'poling')
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Survival check: d20+11=14 ; Friday November 15th, 2024 10:37:32 PM
Cyrion tries to keep an eye out for stuff, but he's too worried about flipping the boat over and possibly drowning Mund .. as he doesn't breathe
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) d20+15=35 ; Sunday November 17th, 2024 11:14:41 AM
Zeoll cuts speed and rolls a nat 20.
Traversing the Swamp - 3 d20+13=17 ; d20+7=19 ; d20+11=28 ; Monday November 18th, 2024 1:44:51 AM The Twins ask their guides about boating songs
Mundhi would also like to learn songs about boating and thanks Cyrion for helping
Cyrion tries to keep an eye out for stuff but he's too worried about flipping the boat
Zeoll cuts speed and continues to exhibit expert boating skills
Asimov also cuts speed and does a decent job as Irony continues to play eye in the sky
Xurgaf and Son cut speed together and actually start to fall a little behind the rest of the boats
Although speed is reduced Zeoll is proving he really is good at this and has no trouble avoiding the obstacles while adroitly maneuvering the boat. (35)
Asimov is behind Zeoll and Femu (26)
Mundhi and Cyrion behind them (21)
Xurgaf, Son and the twins are in the rear (19)
As you move through the narrow rocky part of swamp you first start to notice an abundance of logs in the water, first in front, then beside, then behind.
Upon further examination (Perception DC 28) Highlight to display spoiler: {those aren't logs those are...Alligators }
Nothing seems to change for now but you can feel a palpable tension in the air as if something is out there waiting for something.
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 d20=8 ; Monday November 18th, 2024 6:24:35 AM
Row, Row, Row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+13=29 ; d20+12=22 ; Monday November 18th, 2024 11:04:15 AM
"Look, alligators that look like logs!" Mundhildur calls out to those ahead of her and Cyrion.
She slows, and suggests likewise to her flatboat mate, to take greater care in navigating both the waters, and the 'gators.
Perception: 29 Survival: 22 (includes +2 from taking greater care) for poling through this part of the swamp.
Zeoll the Green Singer starts singing to the greenies. He uses his special Beast Soother ability:
Beast-Soother: You can improve the attitude of one animal or magical beast per character level by making a Perform (Sing) check as a Diplomacy check.
That's 12 alligtors with Diplomacy 27.
After that, he uses his speak to animals ability to talk with them.
"Hello Alligators. We are not food or threats. We are floating by in peace."
[No accent speaking Alligator!]
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Perception: d20+13=14 ; Survival for Poling: d20+11=25 ; Monday November 18th, 2024 8:47:47 PM
Cyrion looks at Mund, then around the area, "All I see are water-heavy logs."
Cyrion has no clue what an alligator is, but all he's sees are logs, oh well, he's so much odd stuff lately that nothing seems to faze him. He keeps a steady hand on the boat pole though
Asimov says, "I see them too. Good Call Zeoll using music to soothe these beasts."
Traversing the Swamp - 4 d20+11=15 ; d20+5=6 ; d20+13=20 ; Tuesday November 19th, 2024 1:28:55 AM The Twins start singing a song they are familiar with Mundhi points out the gators that look like logs while suggesting even more caution is needed Zeoll starts singing to soothe the alligators. There are actually about 18 in total but the 12 closest are moved by his ability. He calls out that they are not food or threats but floating by in peace Cyrion says all he sees are logs Asimov says he sees the gators too and think Zeoll uses the right move
Asimov's boat starts to take the lead (Survival 31; forgot the +2) Mundhi and Cyrion working together move into the second position (Survival 24 or 25) Although Zeoll was preoccupied Femmu grabs a pole and pitches in while Zeoll sings and talks with the gators (22; forgot the +2) Xurgaf and son and the twins are still in the rear (17; forgot the plus 2)
The 6 gators outside of the range of Zeoll's song hang back from the 12 were influenced by Zeoll's singing.
One of the 12 nearest gators replies to Zeoll, "That isn't what we were told. Some of us who can become like some of you told us we could get food if we waited here for the moving floating things with beings in them. However, you all seem really nice so maybe it was different moving floating things we can get food from?" it asks
The 12 gators Zeoll "soothed" are now visible as gators not logs since they seem actively interested in following the boat and learning more about this friendly singing felline-man creature and companions
What do you do now?
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Tuesday November 19th, 2024 9:40:12 AM
The Twins sail along with the experts and will react as they react. If the experts seem unconcerned by the crocs they will presume attacks on boats are rare and relax. If the experts look worried they will draw their bow and be ready to fight if it seems like an attack is coming.
Zeoll casts two Goodberry spells (getting 13 berries) and tosses berries down the gullets of the alligators.
He asks for more details about the were-alligators. Names? What they look like?Any info he could use to cast legend lore, maybe?
He compliments Lady Femmu on her boating.
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) d20+26=43 ; Tuesday November 19th, 2024 4:20:18 PM
Extra Diplomacy check if that would be helpful: 43
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Tuesday November 19th, 2024 11:33:10 PM
Cyrion will watch the display of Zeoll feeding what are apparently "NOT LOGS" his berries, and sighs in relief when he realizes he isn't going to become a chew toy for whatever these beasties are
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+8=26 ; d20+10=14 ; Wednesday November 20th, 2024 9:11:21 AM
Mundhildur joins in, singing harmony to Zeoll's tune, adding +2 to his overall effects (Perform, singing: 26)
She has two goodberries from the liontaur bard, and recalls he has given out goodberries to the rest of the party. She sings a message to her friends, mixed into her harmonies. "You each have goodberries, one or two, so feed unfed gators if they draw near to you."
Survival: 14+2=16
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Survival for poling: d20+11=25 ; Perception: d20+13=16 ; Wednesday November 20th, 2024 11:42:59 PM
Cyrion watches in amazement as his friends sing and feed what he thought were logs, which are apparently some kind of swamp creatures ... this world never ceases to amaze him
Traversing the Swamp - 4 d20+11=13 ; d20+5=15 ; d20+13=29 ; Thursday November 21st, 2024 12:11:03 AM The Twins sail along with the experts and plan to take queues from them. While the father and son pair look a little nervous as Zeoll and Mundhi sing to the gators and feed them berries they gradually relax
Zeoll feeds the gators good berries and asks for more details on the were-gators while complementing Femmu on her boating
Cyrion watches Zeoll feed the “not logs” and sighs in relief when he isn’t going to become their chew toy.
Mundhi sings two part harmony with Zeoll and gives her own good berries to the gators
Cyrion watches as his friends sing at what he thought were logs and were actually some kind of swamp creatures and revels as the world never ceases to amaze him
Asimov tosses his own berries to the gators while poling and Irony scouting
Femmu starts efficiently poling the boat while Zeoll deals with the gators and is soon the lead boat again (Nature: 31 forgot the +2)
Asimov remains in second position (Survival 23; also forgot the plus 2)
Xurgaf and Son and The Twins gain ground on Mundhi and Cyrion (Survival 19)
Mundhi and Cyrion are roughly tied with Xurgaf and Sons (16) considering the gained ground
The gators respond to Zeoll's questioning
"Well the ones like us that can be like you come and go as they please. They are lead by the one known as Swamp-Maw. Some of Swamp Maw's followers were with us when your floating things started to drift by and they were the ones that told us we could find food with you but they broke off when the rest of us started to follow you with the singing. Swamp-Maw is big when in gator form larger than the rest of us and has a distinctive scar over his right eye at least when in gator form and in half and half form. We don't really see them when they look completely like you. They seem to be able to control what they look like and often times choose to leave the swamp looking like you but then when they come back they are either looking like us or half and half. They often rope us in to their plans especially when it comes to things in the swamp."
Xurgaf calls to the other boats, "Considering we picked up some company perhaps we skip the island lucnh and just eat under way. We are almost at the island and things will get less crowded after that so we'll be able to move at full speed again. However, if you want we can still stop at the island providing you can assure us it is safe to do so as you seem to have things well in hand with our fellow travelers as it were"
What do you do?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+10=15 ; Thursday November 21st, 2024 12:42:16 AM
"Yes, travel on!" agrees Mundhildur. She does not ken what they say to Zeoll, but perceives it as friendly conversation.
Taking care as they travel along, trying not to run over any of their new ... friends?
Poling: 15 - not bad, but, a bit 'meh' - maybe Cyrion can help augment their travel a little.
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Thursday November 21st, 2024 8:36:21 AM
The Twins will follow the advice of the experts, besides they're not comfortable stopping and getting out of boats with all these gators around that may change their mind on how tasty they are if they get out.
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Survival Poling: d20+11=27 ; Thursday November 21st, 2024 11:17:16 PM "A luncheon on the water sounds acceptable," Cyrion will turn to Mund, "I'll pole so you can eat."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Friday November 22nd, 2024 3:47:23 AM
"Thanks, Cyrion!" Mundhildur pulls an apple out of her bag, and begins to eat it. When she gets down to the core, she tosses it over to a gator farther away than the rest.
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) d20+26=36 ; d20+32=34 ; Friday November 22nd, 2024 4:48:55 PM
Zeoll explains to everybody via message cantrip what the alligators said. There are were-alligators who know about us and who are enemies. The leader is named Swamp-Maw, who is big and has a distinctive scar over his right eye.
"We cannot ignorre this thrreat and just paddle on!" the liontaur protests. "As forr me, I'm calling in rreinforrcements!"
Zeoll asks the largest alligator to stay around for a short time and asks the other alligators to go about their business and hunt elsewhere. Diplomacy 36
If that works, he casts Charm Monster on the big one he asked to stay behind. The will save DC is 23. If that works, great. If not, Zeoll asks him to leave.
Then Zeoll uses his Fey Friend ability:
Fey Friend: As a spell-like ability, you use Planar Ally spells to call fey folk and magical beasts. This SLA takes one full round of singing to activate; there is no gold cost; and the duration is one minute per character level. The creature only appears if it likes your song: make a Perform (Sing) check vs DC20 + HD called. At level 5, use as Lesser Planar Ally, 1/day; at level 10, up to Planar Ally, 2/day; at level 15, up to Greater Planar Ally, 3/day.
He calls for a fey friend and hopes he'll get someone useful. The duration is just ten minutes, but he will use that time to ask for advice, and scout around and report back in case the fey learns anything. Perform check 34 = up to 14 hit dice called.
Finally, he has Bill the eagle go aloft and keep watch for alligators, humanoiods, and anything in-between.
Traversing the Swamp - 5 d20+8=25 ; d4=2 ; d20+11=26 ; d20+5=13 ; d20+13=28 ; Saturday November 23rd, 2024 1:30:55 PM Mundhi agrees they should travel on while trying to avoid running over their new friends although she does not know what Zeoll and they are talking about The Twins will follow the advice of the experts besides they are not comfortable making landfall with all the gators Cyrion is fine with lunch on the water and offers to help pole Mundhi thanks Cyrion and starts eating an apple. She tosses the core to the gators Zeoll explains over message that there are were-alligators stalking the party and their leader is named Swamp Maw who is big and has a distinctive scar over his right eye The liontaur reasons they cannot ignore the threat and paddle on and so he calls in reinforcements. He has no trouble directing most of the gators to go about their business and hunt elsewhere nor convincing the largest gator to stick around When he goes to cast Charm Monster The largest gator makes the save (25 vs 23) so he too goes on his way shortly after that
Zeoll uses his fey friend ability and ends up summoning a small fey that appears to have the chest and head of a halfling and the legs, tail and feet of a rabbit.
The Lemkin introduces it self as Rem and sets out to investigate the nearby area after giving Zeoll this advice
“If I want to deal with someone who is harming the local plants and animals I typically , send an endless stream of notes to that person carried by every kind of animal from mice to great brown bears. The notes will contain anything from poetry to silly insults to misleading directions. Once that person is thoroughly confused, I use ghost sound and ventriloquism to get them running in a random direction. Finally, I use hallucinary terrain to make sure that person is completely lost.
Although people were poling Zeoll's suggestion they do something about Swamp-maw sort of led to the boats stopping near a sand bar
Zeoll's Boat, poled by Femmu(28) followed by Xurgaf, Son and Twins (also 28) followed by Cyrion and Mundi(27) with Asimov last (16)
You have some time while Rem, Bill and Irony are scouting about, what do you do?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+5=14 ; d20+13=33 ; Sunday November 24th, 2024 10:31:50 PM
Mundhildur figures it's a good time to eat a bit more. She passes around two loaves of bread and a couple pounds of cheese. Carrots. Apples. Turnips. "We need more meat."
If she can understand the advice Zeoll receives, she laughs. "No doubt that would do it for Swamp Maw."
She practices throwing stones up into the air and catching them. She starts two-stone juggling. She does okay, but occasionally misses one (Acrobatics 14 - don't know if that is the right skill to use for juggling, but it can't be too far off).
Taking the description of Swamp Maw, she looks around at times to see if anyone or anything resembles the fellow. Perception: 33
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Monday November 25th, 2024 8:52:25 AM
The Twins enjoy lunch, not bothered by the relatively light fare.
Whle the party waits, Zeoll pulls the boat well onto the sand bar and then paces.
He keeps alert: Perception 24.
He wants to cast Legend Lore on Swamp-Maw, but the group does not have the luxury of 1-10 days.
So he casts Legend Lore on this very place, this patch of swamp, this sandbar, on the off chance that something of significance has happened here. That only takes 10-40 minutes.
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Monday November 25th, 2024 11:27:35 PM
Cyrion just sits and waits for something exciting to happen. He doesn't have a 'ranged' weapon so to speak, other than the gemstone embedded in his head
Traversing the Swamp - 6 or the origins of Swamp-maw Tuesday November 26th, 2024 1:20:08 AM Mundhi figures it is a good time to eat a bit more and starts passing out provisions. She realizes the Lemkin told Zeoll's its modus operandi being somewhat of a fey protector of plants and animals. She then practices juggling and keeps an eye out for Swamp maw
The twins enjoy lunch
Zeoll pulls the boat well onto the sand bar and paces. He wants to cast legend lore on swamp-maw but he doesn't have the time so instead he gambles and he casts legend lore on the sandbar.
Cyrion sits and waits for something exciting to happen
Asimov eats and watches what Zeoll is up to
Sometimes the universe smiles on the long odds bet
This is one of those times...
Zeoll Highlight to display spoiler: { Apparently were-gators breed like gators and not like a noble race. Female Swamp Gators lay large clutches of eggs on land often land that is muddy or has vegetation nearby that can be built up several feet around the egg clutch. It just so happens that this very sand bar was where Swamp-Maw was born a score or so of years ago.
Swamp-Maw earned his scar over his eye at a young age as an older actual gator attacked him hoping to make a meal of the young were-gator. The young were-gator knew he couldn't fight the actual gator as the actual gator was larger, faster and stronger but even from a young age Swamp-Maw was a cunning survivor. The larger gator charged swamp maw and even managed to take a chunk of swamp maw's hide giving Swamp Maw his distinctive eye scar but Swamp Maw won the war because there was a sharpened treebranch extending out of a log that Swamp Maw was aware of and when the real gator charged him, swamp maw turned the branch so that the actual gator impaled itself on branch and died.
Young Swamp-Maw the survivor decided after that that he needed to leave the swamp and learn how to use all his forms to his advantage. Swamp-Maw adopted his hybrid form for the first time in his life and used it to traverse the swamp and ultimately leave.
Things are a little unclear after that as Swamp-Maw had left the sandbar and the swamp but then one day more recently Swamp-Maw returns. He had maybe 2 or 3 other were-gators with him at this time. Together the 3 were gators assembled the gators and were-gators of the swamp around the sandbar that Swamp-Maw had been born at
Swamp-Maw addressed the were-gators and gators of the swamp and suggested life had been unfair to the gators and were-gators of the swamp as they were locked in a constant kill or be struggle between themselves and the other animals of the swamp.
Swamp-Maw said he had been to a city and learned things in the city, things about strategy and magics and skills needed for robbery and banditry, stealth, misdirection, ambush tactics, etc.
This swamp is near a major trade route and sometimes people take detours through the swamp to save time or go an unexpected way to throw off enemies or competitors.
Swamp-Maw figures life could be so much better for the were-gators and gators of the swamp if they banded together to raid wealthy traders traveling on or near the swamp.
In the swamps the gators and were-gators have strong advantages in their gator and hybrid forms but outside the swamp the were-gators could take their noble race form and attack the merchants moving on the nearby trade routes.
The gators and were-gators seemed 100% on board with Swamp-Maws idea to be a bandit king of the swamp and surrounding areas.
Zeoll gets one more vision of the sand bar and this too involves Swamp-Maw and it seems his were-gator lieutenants.
They were meeting on this very sand bar. Swamp-Maw in hybrid form, "It is obvious that someone has been talking to the local militia or the mailed fist. That last trade caravan was ready for us and we lost some good men for nothing."
"Or so it seems. However, their deaths will not have been in vain because only one of you knew of my plan to ambush that particular caravan. I knew we had a traitor in our midst and I decided to compartmentalize the information of our upcoming plans. I'd tell different lieutenants different details and when I found the caravan that had been forewarned of the plans that is when I knew I'd find the mole"
"Hard-scale how could you? You were my own son and yet you sold us out to these lesser beings who only have one form."
The identified "traitor" responds, "Maybe we don't have to be bandits? Maybe we don't have to live in the samp? We can control our forms, why not leave the swamp and have a normal life? Or if that isn't suitable take our gifts and become adventurers, you know helping people instead of hurting them."
Swamp-Maw says, "I thought I tought you better than this. The wold turned its back on this forsaken swamp. We were intended to fight amongst ourselves for scraps of food while others prospered. Even wnen I left the swamp and journeyed to the city I arrived essentially an orphan beggar
"I lucked out thoguh as the thieve's guild was interested in orphan beggars and so I augmented my natural gifts with the skills of a rogue, wizard and arcane trickster but it was really hard going for me, however I resolved to one day come back from where I hailed and improve things for those I felt a kinship with, the were-gators and gators of the swamp."
I'm sorry it has come to this HardScale but I can't let you live. Bring out the impaling Log!
Swamp-maw impaled his own son to death on the log on this hear sand bar for betraying the group's competence }
It only took 10 minutes for Zeoll to receive his legendary visions and so Rem, Bill and Irony returned and reported what they had found
Aside from some of the gators Zeoll had charmed (whose teeth were stained with the good berry juices) there weren't any gators in the immediate vicintiy. It is as the charmed gators had said, the gators either were-gators or otherwise in-line with Swamp-Maw's plan had decided to give the party and their boats a wide-berth when it became known the group was adventurers and could do what Zeoll did.
If the party is going to want to go hunting for Swamp-Maw they are probably going to have to detour from their path to the other side of the swamp to go deeper in in search of swam-maw. Xurgaf and son's might not be on board for the detour considering it is more danger than they signed up for.
What do you do now?
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Tuesday November 26th, 2024 10:33:46 AM
Zeoll sits, stunned for a moment, as the visions come hard and fast!
Then the older liontaur speaks. "Wowsy, turrns out this verry sandbarr is wherre Swamp-Maw was hached -- and has since then had meetings herre!
“When he was little, he fought an alligatorr herre and got his scarr.
“Then he went to a town orr city and learrned wizarrdrry, thiefing, and became an arrcane trricksterr!
“He came back to set up a bandit kingdom, turrning the alligatorrs and werre-alligatorrs into allies.
“He knows about tactics and rrobbing folks and so forrth. He plans to ambush the merrchants that come by. He is not stupid, so I expect he will rrob rratherr than kill, because he wants to leech off trrade, not destrroy the trrade rroute.
“His son wanted to learrn to live in peace herre orr maybe in the widerr worrld, and he betrrayed Swamp-Maw, and then Swamp-Maw executed him, rright therre!”
Zeoll points to the spot.
[OOC: Zeoll is telling all he learned, so there arre no secrets in the spoiler text. So go ahead and read it, as it would be a shame that only I get to read the story. Great post, Mitch!]
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Tuesday November 26th, 2024 2:39:18 PM
I think you meant Hugh.
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Tuesday November 26th, 2024 11:05:00 PM
Cyrion listens to what Zeoll is sharing ... it's a good thing his face doesn't show much expressions, as first he would have been incredulous, towards the end, he was concerned that their enemy might be as wily as he and his friends
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Wednesday November 27th, 2024 2:50:01 AM
"What a story!" Then Mundhi says, "So, do we go find Swamp-Maw? Or do we head back for our little friend? Or, if we fight the people-gator, do we find something that will help Daniella?"
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Wednesday November 27th, 2024 8:52:24 AM "While this is a situation that has to be dealt with..." "Daniella's health was failing when we left." "If we do not hurry back our entire quest" "would prove pointless." The Twins point out.
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Wednesday November 27th, 2024 10:50:15 PM
Cyrion looks at his friends, "Swamp-maw will know we are here already. If he wants to mess with us, he'll come ahunting us, so lets save Daniella, and worry about the crocodile man when he shows up."
Asimov - HP 85/96 AC 19/14/17 CMD 24 & Irony HP 53/53 AC 31/13/28 Hardness 6 CMD 23 -- Hugh Wednesday November 27th, 2024 11:02:51 PM
Asimov says, "Or he doesn't want to mess with us when he saw what just Zeoll could do. He obviously planned to ambush us with all those gators at the choke point but what he didn't know was that Zeoll could charm animals and that ruined his plan. I guess the question is does he think what we are carrying is worth a confrontation when he knows Zeoll can spoil one of his big advantages he usually enjoys? He might be happy to see us go on our way and thus return the swamp to its status quo where the gators are all fundamentally under his control or he might figure we are adventurers and decide to attack us in a different way as adventurers tend to be wealthier than the average person. If he doesn't attack us I say we mark this swamp and come back here after we save Daniella and if he does attack us then we try to end his threat once and for all"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Wednesday November 27th, 2024 11:52:28 PM
Listening with care to each person - to the Twins, and Cyrion, and then Asimov, she considers. "Asimov. I like the way you think." She turns to the liontaur bard. "How do you lean on the question, Zeoll?"
Traversing the Swamp - 7 Thursday November 28th, 2024 12:41:48 AM Zeoll shares what he's learned from the legend lore
Cyrion listens to Zeoll's tale without an expression on his face. He figures Swamp-maw might be as wily as their group.
Mundhi asks if they go after Swamp-Maw or return to Daniella
The Twins reason that since Daniella's health was failing when they left they need to hurry back lest their quest prove pointless
Cyrion points out that Swamp-Maw will be there regardless so they should save Daniella and deal with Swamp-Maw if he shows up
Asimov reasons Swamp-Maw might not show up or at least not in the swamp considering Zeoll's ability foils much of his swamp advantage and that either he gives them a wide berth or attacks them a different way
Things kind of pause for a moment and it is Xurgaf who breaks the silence
"So then I take it we should get underway again yes?" I think we can make good time to a relatively dry island area where we can camp the night at. I mean it is only midday but with the distance we need to travel, typically we camp on that island the first night and we can still make it there with time to spare."
The party heads out and sure enough as the sun starts to set the boats approach the promised island
What do you do?
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Thursday November 28th, 2024 7:01:58 AM
"My frriends, I agrree that afterr all this time and much efforrt, we need to brring Lady Femu back home as ourr top prriority. I fearr becoming entangled, though. Can we do anything to stay hid or at least prrotected durring the night?"
"I can coverr the island in Spike Stones, myself."
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Thursday November 28th, 2024 7:05:13 AM
(it's not nighttime at the moment)
"Lets move as quickly as we can." "Maybe we can get out of his territory before he attacks." the Twins suggest.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Friday November 29th, 2024 3:52:05 AM
"Spike stones - a good idea. Leave a path for us to get out, though, lest we rip up our feet. Yes, let us sleep on the island. Did anyone besides me bring food? I know Zeoll can do the goodberry thing."
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Friday November 29th, 2024 1:44:36 PM
Cyrion agrees, "Continuing sounds good."
(OOC: Functions as Tiny Hut and since I'm the DM when it says it can be any color you choose I choose the color night colored camo and the hut takes on a pallet of dark slate grey, fern green, green brown and charcoal)
"I can't leave the shelter once I create it but it would last for 24 hours if I didn't leave it but I figure we need less than that. I figure Femmu should shelter in the hut all night too since she is the person we have to get to Daniella, Xurgaf and Son as well as they are noncombatants so that leaves 6 spots in the hut with Mundhi, The Twins, Cyrion, Irony, Zeoll and Bill considered which puts us at 8 so that is 2 over. Irony can stay outside the Hut all night and stand watch so that puts us at 7 out of 6 so I guess some of you need to rotate in and out on watch with Irony. The hut will kind of blend in and some of it extends underground so I think between the spell and the spiked stones we will be pretty protected from Swamp-Maw should he come around now."
Asimov creates his hut kind of off the center of the island in a mostly clear area that can support the 20 foot radius hut. Sure enough the hut takes on a kind of camoflage for night coloration.
Traversing the Swamp - 8 Friday November 29th, 2024 10:46:56 PM Zeoll agrees seeing Femmu to Daniela is their top priority and offers to use spike stones to help protect the island
The Twins argue they should press on and try to get out of Swamp-Maw's territory
Mundhi agrees they should stop on the island for the night and with using the spiked stones but leaving a trail the party could traverse to leave. She asks if anyone else brought food
Cyrion agrees with the Twins
Asimov agrees with Zeoll and Mundhi about the island and even offers to provide shelter using his shelter capture which he does set up. He stipulates though that there isn't enough room for everyone and he has to be inside or else the effect ends, Femmu as the VIP and Xurgaf and Son as non-combatants should also be inside so that leaves 7 people to go in 6 spots so that will need some kind of nightly rotation.
Xurgaf explains to the Twins and Cyrion that one can't simply poll one's was out of Swamp-Maw's territory as Swamp-Maw sees the entire swamp as his territory so the best they can do is do everything in their power to see the trip takes the 3 days esitmated. The first day of travel has been completed and you reached the island which is the first waypoint the boat rentals typically recommend stopping at for the first day of travel. There is another island similar in nature to this one roughly a day's travel through the swamp and if they do it right the end of the 3rd day would see them reach the Xurgaf's boat rental shack on the other side of the swamp.
What do you do? Also I would appreciate information on watch swappage / order
As of now:
In Hut: Asimov, Xurgaf, Son, Femmu On Watch All Night: Irony Potentially in Hut or On Watch: Zeoll, Bill, The Twins, Mundhi, Cyrion (OOC to reiterate the hut only has room for 6 more people and all of you make 7)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Saturday November 30th, 2024 12:25:06 AM
"I can both sleep and watch outside," offers Mundhildur. "I am rather larger than all except Zeoll."
"And, no, I am not up for heading out to travel by night. I suggest we heed the recommendations of those who ply these waters."
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