Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 d20=17 ; Monday December 2nd, 2024 8:57:07 AM
The Twins could have sworn it was lunch time not the afternoon, but it's not like they could look at the sun or anything. It's a swamp, there are trees, and they aren't trained in survival :P
They'll take first watch. 17 perception
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) d20+23=27 ; Monday December 2nd, 2024 1:41:23 PM
As I recall, you can see and hear through the hut from the inside? So Zeoll and Bill will be on watch from inside on their watch. Call it first watch.
Also Zeoll will use Spike Stones to cover the area outside the hut except where Mundhi wants to be.
Perception: 27
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Monday December 2nd, 2024 10:26:11 PM
Cyrion pipes up, "I only need four hours of sleep to regain my strength, and as I'm meditating, I can still hear things coming, so I can step out with Irony if needed."
Irony stays on watch outside the hut and keeps an eye out: Irony - Perception: 11
Traversing the Swamp - 9 d20+13=21 ; Tuesday December 3rd, 2024 1:06:37 AM Mundhi offers to sleep and watch outside
The Twins volunteer for first watch
Zeoll and Bill also volunteer for first watch reasoning they can do so from within the comfort of the hut
Cyrion explains he only needs 4 hours so he can step out with Irony if needed
Asimov goes to sleep once everyone is settled in the hut
Irony is on watch outside
Things are quiet for the first hour of the night but on the second hour that is where things become interesting.
Anyone on 1st Watch (Zeoll, The Twins, Irony, anyone else?) Perception 21: Highlight to display spoiler: { You see a number of gators swimming towards the island }
What do you do?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Tuesday December 3rd, 2024 2:51:05 AM
Mind I figured there were enough people on first watch, so she offered to take second or third.
If someone wakes her up, she has a good supply of throwing stones next to her and more in her bag.
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 d20=13 ; Tuesday December 3rd, 2024 9:03:38 AM
The Twins spend their watch calmly waiting with their sword on one lap and the bow on the other. (hit the button then remembered I rolled 17 perception last post.)
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Tuesday December 3rd, 2024 10:09:47 PM
Seeing that his friends had 1st watch covered, Cyrion meditated so he would be fresh for his middle of the night shift
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) d20+13=21 ; d20+26=28 ; Tuesday December 3rd, 2024 10:11:19 PM
Zeoll uses his nature lore to make sure these are true gators, or if they are were-gators.
Know Nature: 21
Either way, he wakes his friends fast.
If he thinks these are true gators, or if he is not sure, he casts Speak with Animals and hails them, expressing friendship.
Diplomacy 28
If he is sure these are were-gators, then he casts Confusion. DC21 Will save.
Irony is Flying while looking around 14 Perception oblivious to the gators
Traversing the Swamp - 10 Wednesday December 4th, 2024 4:57:34 AM Mundhi had offered to take 2nd or 3rd watch so she's asleep with plenty of throwing stones The Twins keep watch with their weapons Cyrion meditates Zeoll uses his nature sense to determine that these are a pack of true gators once again and then uses speaks w/ animals and diplomacy to hail them Asimov sleeps while Irony Patrols
The Alligator Congregation Halts before setting foot on the island being hailed diplomatically by someone who speaks their language
They say, "We were told someone was in our territory unwelcome by one we trust. He suggested we go to where the trespassers were and force them from the island they were occupying yet here you are being polite? Were we mislead?"
Zeoll gets the sense that the gators are no longer on the warpath and are instead friendly towards him
Apparently Swamp-Maw is still keeping himself and his were-gators away from the party for now. Perhaps he's experimenting to see how the party reacts with more normal gators in a different scenario?
What do you do now?
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Wednesday December 4th, 2024 9:45:40 AM
The Twins relax and let the man work his magic. It worked out before and they trust it will again.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+13=21 ; Wednesday December 4th, 2024 3:42:51 PM
I figure that if she gets over 15 on Perception, Mundhildur awakens. She stands up the better to see and hear, but as Zeoll is talking, and a gator is talking back, she is taking no further action.
The older liontaur has an idea, and gets his friends on board ...
If no one objects, Zeoll offers goodberries all around, and then offers employment. More food for those gators who want to stay with us and protect us as we move through the swamp.
Diplomacy 30
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Wednesday December 4th, 2024 11:58:54 PM
Cyrion hears people talking, but not the sounds of combat, so he keeps his meditation going until his four hours have passed
Traversing the Swamp - 11 d20=1 ; d12=5 ; d10=2 ; d8=8 ; Thursday December 5th, 2024 5:22:06 AM The Twins relax and let Zeoll work his magic
Mundhi stands hearing Zeoll speak gator but takes no further action.
Zeoll offers goodberries all around and offers food for gator protection
Cyrion keeps meditating
Asimov keeps sleeping and Irony patrolling
Xurgaf, son and Femmu also rest
10 Gators express interest in Zeoll's offer
The rest of the night passes uneventfully
In the morning Xurgaf sees the gators and voices his concern, "Is Swamp-Maw sending more gators our way? I worry about the rest of the journey he confides"
What do you do?
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Thursday December 5th, 2024 8:30:47 AM "I think we're hiring some" "To guard us against the rest." " or at least, provide escort that might cause Swamp Maw or his animal minions to hesitate in attacking us." The Twins explain to their guides. They eat a fast breakfast so they can get moving quickly.
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Thursday December 5th, 2024 8:46:30 PM
Zeoll reassures the man. "Well, now we have ten gatorr guarrds."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Friday December 6th, 2024 11:48:33 AM
"Zeoll, I love you - you are so clever! Don't worry, this is not a proposal of marriage," the Jotunar tells the liontaur. In the morning, she prepares to head out. She asks Zeoll if he can teach her how to say something like, "Let's be friends," in the gator language. As well as "Don't bite me."
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Friday December 6th, 2024 11:35:08 PM
Zeoll confides that all he can do is use magic to speak with the gators. He does not actually know how to enunciate sounds they would comprehend.
"I suspect theirr actual communication with each otherr is as much thrrough sight, smell, and especially body language."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Tuesday December 10th, 2024 2:26:09 AM
"So, let us be off, with our local escorts!" encourages Mundhildur.
Traversing the Swamp - 12 Tuesday December 10th, 2024 4:08:06 AM The Twins explain they think they are hiring some gators themselves to guard against the rest or at least provide escort
Zeoll says they now have 10 gator guards
Mundhi praises Zeoll for being clever and asks him to teach her how to say things in gator
Zeoll confides he can only speak to them using magic and suggests they communicate with eachother more through sight smell and body language
Mundhi then says, "Let's Be Off"
Asimov agrees
And so the party sets out again. Same boating arrangement this time only with 2 or 3 gators keeping pace with each boat.
The weather is overcast and the insects are out in force. Once you get away from the island where you spent the night the water opens up a bit and obstacles become few and far between.
Xurgaf suggests you all poll again to speed things along.
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=22 ; Tuesday December 10th, 2024 4:42:52 AM
Mundhildur takes up a pole, and sets off at a good pace, presumably with Cyrion on her raft.
Survival for poling: 22
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 d20=20 ; Tuesday December 10th, 2024 8:18:15 AM
Apparently the Twins have been paying attention because they're much more helpful to their guides today, assisting in moving the boat along as fast as possible (28 survival, I forgot they actually had ranks in that skill)
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) d20+23=29 ; d20+12=29 ; d20+13=15 ; Tuesday December 10th, 2024 3:34:30 PM
Zeoll picks up the pole again! While also staying alert.
DM Hugh - Traversing the swamp 13 d20+11=24 ; d20+5=18 ; d20+13=20 ; Thursday December 12th, 2024 4:55:41 AM Mundhi takes her pole and strikes a decent pace for her and Cyrion
The Twins realize they hadn't been paying attention previously and actually are fairly proficient with the pole so they power their boat strongly
Zeoll is currently the strongest poler while staying alert
Xurgaf and son produce a 3rd foldable pole and between the two of them and the Twins their boat takes the lead (32)
Femmu grabs her pole and helps Zeoll putting the two of them on the heels of Xurgaf, Son and the twins (31)
Asimov's lighter boat with a single passenger (22) is slightly ahead of Mundhi and Cyrion (22) but both trail the two lead boats by a bit
You end up in a situation where 5 of the gators are with Zeoll, Femmu, Xurgaf, Son and The Twins and 5 gators are with Asimov, Mundhi and Cyrion. Irony is kind of flying ahead of Xurgaf, Son, Twins, Zeoll and Mundhi
The good news is the bugs have cleared up a bit. The bad news is it is starting to rain. What do you do now?
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Thursday December 12th, 2024 8:35:07 AM
Nothing to do but just keep rowing. At least they probably don't have to worry about waves or rapids in a swamp.
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Thursday December 12th, 2024 10:47:31 PM
Zeoll agrees with the Twins. "We need to advance as quickly as we can, I deem."
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Friday December 13th, 2024 12:06:50 AM
Cyrion begins to sing, "Row row row your boats..."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+10=29 ; Friday December 13th, 2024 7:46:29 AM
"Good song, Cyrion. Feel free to also pick up a pole and help us along. Two are better than one, right?" Mundhildur encourages the funny man.
Survival: 29 - pretty good poling at the moment. [Folks, it's NOT polling. It's poling. We're not asking people questions or voting - we are using poles to push against the bottom of the swamp. One 'L'.]
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Friday December 13th, 2024 8:01:59 AM
The Twins continue their in depth interview of the local fish on their voting habits.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Friday December 13th, 2024 6:36:58 PM
[Mitch - LOL! - Kim]
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Survival: d20+11=21 ; Friday December 13th, 2024 11:52:40 PM
Cyrion laughs with Mund and gives her a short bow, "Yes Madame, your wish is my command." Still singing he picks up a pole and tries to not topple the boat over into the water
Asimov continues to move the boat along (Survival:21 ) while Irony keeps a look out (perception: 20)
DM Hugh - Traversing the swamp 14 d20+11=27 ; d20+5=9 ; d20+13=32 ; d20=3 ; Sunday December 15th, 2024 9:31:18 AM The Twins figure there is nothing to do but keep rowing
Zeoll agrees with the need for haste
Cyrion starts singing
Mundhi compliments Cyrion on his song and invites him to help
Cyrion does as requested
Asimov continues his work as does Irony
Zeoll and Femmu maintain their lead (32) Mundi and Cyrion gain ground and end up close second (31) Xurgaf, Sons and Twins fall into third (27) Asimov alone is by himself in the rearguard (21)
The party hears a whisper quiet message carried by the wind, "This is Swamp Maw, Surrender your gators and magic items and you can leave, fail to comply and there will be consequences; you've been warned"
Shortly after you heard the message on the wind you start to enter a fog bank and find your progress is starting to slow as you move deeper into the fog...
What do you do?
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Sunday December 15th, 2024 12:04:43 PM
The Twins draw their weapons, then wait calmly. "We will stay between you and the enemy." "We will not let them harm you." they tell the civilians.
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Monday December 16th, 2024 9:37:50 PM
Zeoll sings a brave song to inspire courage in everybody (+2 on attacks and some saves).
"Be rready, frriends," he urges.
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Monday December 16th, 2024 10:04:22 PM
Seeing the fog, Cyrion touches the rough cut crystal he wears on a leather cord
[Gains Low-light vision, +2 to Perception checks, and notices secret doors - for an hour]
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+13=15 ; Tuesday December 17th, 2024 2:54:46 AM
"Swamp Maw, there will be consequences," Mundhildur answers. She shifts to near the center of the raft, and grows to large size, taking care to maintain balance. "You will suffer defeat, for we have fought and bested greater than you. Back off, let us pass through, and perhaps you may see another day, and those with you can also live."
She ties one end of a rope onto something solid on the raft, something safe, able to hold a good amount of weight. The other end she loops around her waist.
She pulls out of her bag two throwing rocks, and has one in each hand.
The Jotunar is ready to levitate, and gives Irony warning. "Before I levitate, I will give you a very short warning - a fast count of one-two-three. In that time, you should try to get near the center of the raft."
He calls out to the others, "I have the ability to give us all the ability to breathe water if we need it."
DM Hugh - Traversing the swamp 14 Tuesday December 17th, 2024 6:24:53 AM The Twins draw their weapons and tell Xurgaf and Son they'll be protected
Zeoll starts singing a song to inspire courage
Cyrion touches a crystal and empowers some abilities
Mudhi answers a challenge of her own to the message carried on the wind
She prepares to levitate, tying a rope to part of the gondola and warns Cyrion to get to the center of the raft
Asimov offers that he has the ability to give everyone water breathing if they need it and tries to get Irony to land on board
All the boats are obscured by the fog cloud and none of the occupants can see beyond 5 feet
Zeoll and Femmu's boat slowly bump up against something solid blocking the way and Xurgaf, Son and Twins bump up against Zeoll and Femmu's boat.
Though Mundi's and Asimov's boats are in the fog cloud they were behind the other 2 boats going into the fog and since the fog cloud slowed the boats down they aren't yet where Zeoll and Femmu's boats are
What do you do now?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Tuesday December 17th, 2024 7:36:35 AM
"Yes, Asimov, that ability would be most convenient under the circumstances!" says Mundhi.
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Tuesday December 17th, 2024 8:32:28 AM "Can someone blow away this fog?" the Twins request.
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Tuesday December 17th, 2024 10:33:22 PM
Cyrion remarks, "I don't breathe, so I'm ok." He does however concentrate for a moment, and run his sword through his hand, making the edge glitter in the darkness
[for 2 hours, his sword's crit range is now 17+ x2]
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) d20+26=44 ; d20+2=6 ; Wednesday December 18th, 2024 12:28:57 AM
Zeoll maintains his song and also casts Glibness on himself.
He shouts, "Swamp-Maw, do you rrememberr when that gatorr took a chunk out of yourr hide nearr yourr eye? And you beat that gatorr by impaling it on a trree brranch?"
"And do you rrememberr when you left the swamp and went to the city and learrned strrategy and magic and skills? You learrned that life could be much betterr if you and yourr frriends banded togetherr?"
"And do you rrememberr when yourr own son told you that banding togetherr was good, and even betterr would be to choose to be adventurrerrs, not bandits, helping people instead of hurrting them?"
The liontaur adds details based on his Legend Lore.
"Swamp-Maw, I spoke to the spirrit of Harrd-Scale. I learrned all these things and morre! I am herre to tell you that yourr son was rright! He forrgives you! He wants you to be trrue to his vision! He wants you to turrn away frrom rrobberry and killing innocent crreaturres!"
"I worrship and serrve Queen Maab, who loves all naturral creatures! She loves these gatorrs! She loves you and yourr people!"
"I am herre to tell you, Swamp-Maw, that it is not too late! You can talk with us! You can find a betterr way to prrosperr and live!"
Diplomacy 44 Bluff 56 (mod is +52, but the roller only goes to +50!)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+10=12 ; Wednesday December 18th, 2024 4:18:56 AM
Rather focusing now more on what might soon be happening - and positioning herself closer to the center of the raft, Mundhildur almost gives up on poling (survival: 12), making very slow progress indeed through the fog.
DM Hugh - Traversing the swamp 15 Wednesday December 18th, 2024 9:04:28 AM Mundhi agrees on the water breathing The Twins ask for someone to blow the fog away Cyrion makes his sword glow Zeoll makes an appeal to Swamp Maw using the information gleaned from the Legend Lore and combined with his glibness claims he spoke with Hardscale's spirit and that Swamp Maw is forgiven and it isn't too late to choose another way besides banditry Mundhi focuses on poling much admiring Zeoll's persuasiveness Asimov has irony assume an armor form around him
Sometimes miracles can happen and this time is one of them. The fog clears and you can see that the boats were up against an ice wall.
In the sky a giant gator says, "This is only an illusion. I Swamp Maw have been moved by your words and wish to parlay. I have removed the fog and have stopped what I was up to with the wall of ice and cloud kill. Where shall we meet to have this talk you suggested?"
Mitch - The Twins HP 125/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Wednesday December 18th, 2024 9:25:00 AM "The place Hard-Scale fell?" The twins suggest. It seems fitting for the conversation, and further bolsters their claim since they know the spot.
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Wednesday December 18th, 2024 11:35:41 AM
"Yes, that is perrfect, my identical frriends!"
Zeoll calls out his thanks and shouts the location, noting its significance.
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Survival: d20+11=14 ; Wednesday December 18th, 2024 10:11:17 PM
Cyrion again shakes his head at the oddness he keeps encountering ... he does try to keep their boat afloat, and has stopped singing
DM Hugh - Traversing the swamp 16 Thursday December 19th, 2024 10:04:18 AM The Twins suggest the place where Hardscale fell
Zeoll agrees with the Twins and shouts the location
Cyrion shakes his head at the oddness he keeps encountering while trying to keep the boat afloat and stops singing
Asimov says as long as the guides are okay backtracking
The giant floating Illusionary Gator says, "I will wait for you there." before disappearing
Xurgaf says, "Well it will probably make things take maybe an extra day to day and a half but one way or another you folks are good for our wages so let's go"
The party finds itself moving in the opposite direction charted on a course past the island you rested on towards the prophetic sandbar you dined on.
What do you do now?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+10=15 ; Thursday December 19th, 2024 12:07:56 PM
The tall woman shrinks back down to 7'4", and poles (15).
Oh, and he casts Speak to Animals to tell the friendly gators what to do -- follow and protect, as we go to the sandbar.
And since the Glibness is still going, he tells the Lady Femmu and the gators that they are the most beautiful and lovely examples of their kinds he has ever seen! As stunning as Queen Maab herself!
JonS Cyrion the Black HP 74/91 AC 19 or 23 CMD: 20 | DR: 4/ while has focus Thursday December 19th, 2024 11:01:21 PM
Cyrion is looking forward to seeing what comes from the talking alligator in the sky and the meeting on the sandbar
DM Hugh - Parlay at the sand bar Friday December 20th, 2024 6:32:22 PM Mundhi shrinks and poles
Zeoll grins and poles back to the sandbar. He instructs the gators what to do and shamelessly compliments Femmu and the gators
Cyrion is looking forward to the meeting
Asimov poles back with the others
When the party reaches the sandbar they find a secure shelter has been cast upon it. A tall man wearing a fine cloak and ivory half mask stands outside.
He says, "Welcome to the sandbar. I took the liberty of preparing a place for our parlay as well as refreshment. There is charcuterie and fresh water. Please help yourself and we can have our conversation after."
Diplomatic Zeoll (AC26, HP107) Tuesday December 24th, 2024 8:50:09 PM
Zeoll grounds the raft so it will not float away, and then offers a hand to the tall man. He enters the shelter and helps himself.
"Thank you forr yourr hospitality, so nicely prreparred on shorrt notice!"
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