DM Kathy Friday November 1st, 2019 1:39:39 PM
[Everybody take 4000 XP for the previous scene.]
Hobie is curious to find out what people in Amblebury know about Thaelhaven's predicament. They don't know very much. You are still several days' travel from Hendit's village. "I did ask on the way through, but nobody had heard about it," Hendit tells you.
Succotash plays for the folk at the inn, while Pressi gets to know them. Tali and Kezzem mainly keep to themselves.
Bliss does what he can to make the party go faster! You can make whatever adjustments you like; just keep in mind that your main speed limiter is the guy pulling the peddler's cart.
You spend another night in an inn, but then Hendit leads you through a stretch of wilderness where you'll need to camp. "Just no towns hereabouts," he says, "at least, none you'd want to visit."
Mid-afternoon on that day, you hear the rumble of distant thunder.
Survival or Knowledge: Nature DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: {The weather conditions are wrong for a thunderstorm.} Perception 25 Highlight to display spoiler: {The thunder didn't come from the sky; it's coming from ground level. }
Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 120/120 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 d20+10=27 ; d20+21=28 ; Friday November 1st, 2019 3:20:13 PM
When the thunder happens, Hobie is quite skeptical of it (Knowledge Nature 27, Perception 28) How far away does the thunder seem to be, and what direction is it in? Is it in the same direction the party is traveling, or from some other direction?
He speaks up to his friends "Uh, guys, I don't think that was thunder, it didn't seem to be coming from up, but rather from ground level. And I'm no druid, but it really doesn't seem like there should be any thunder at all in the current weather conditions. Let's be ready for anything, there could be danger ahead."
[OOC: I had suggested that he leave his wagon behind and ride on our of our ponies ... did that not happen? Oh well.]
Bliss hears that Hobie hears something ... so he changes into a cat, but this time, not the frisky young tom he usually is, but an old old cat ... using the aged mode of his Threefold Aspect spell.
Perception 30, Survival 35
"You are right Hobie," says Bliss, back in a flash to his usual halfling form. "Mooks, be a sport and fly up. See what you can see."
"MOOKS!" caws Mookie, but he does fly up for a look around.
"Should we go check it out? I say yes," declares Bliss.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32, touch AC 19, HP 163/163, CMD 31; Rumpus AC 29, touch AC 15, HP 70/70, CMD 27 d20+22=42 ; Saturday November 2nd, 2019 11:12:49 AM
Perception: 42 (natural 20). Kezzem is one with the universe.
"You're right, Hobbie! It is coming form the ground!"
"Uh, you guys think that might be Murphy?"
Succotash Slenderstick (Jeremy C) d20+11=15 ; d20+18=24 ; d20+11=24 ; Saturday November 2nd, 2019 1:31:09 PM
Survival 15, Perception 24
Succotash agrees with Hobie that the weather conditions aren't right for thunder, but doesn't notice anything else unusual. "I doubt it's Murph, Kezzem, unless he was in trouble, he would just come to us, without the theatrics. but things are indeed unusual, and we need to be on the alert. Mookie, be careful, as you scout ahead, and yes Bliss we should go investagate. Hendit please stay behind us for your own safety" Succotash than dismounts so that Valerie can move more quickly as needed, then uses his speak with animal ability to talk to Valerie and tell her to follow Mookie , keeping enough distance so as to not cause trouble, but close enough to come to his add if needed. (Valerie stealth 24)
DM Kathy Monday November 4th, 2019 1:04:54 PM Hobie can tell that the thundering sound is not in the direction you are traveling. You are heading roughly south; the sound is to your right, west of your location.
Bliss sends Mookie aloft; the raven doesn't immediately spot anything.
Kezzem wonders if it is perhaps Murphy attempting to signal the party, but Succotash points out that's unlikely.
Succotash is all in favor of investigating. He dismounts and asks Valerie to follow Mookie, which she promptly does.
Hendit is quite happy to stay and wait for you. Does the group follow Valerie?
Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 120/120 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Monday November 4th, 2019 1:55:55 PM
Hobie will gladly follow Valerie, staying mounted on his pony if the terrain seems to allow for it.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells Monday November 4th, 2019 5:25:25 PM
Succotash of course follows Valerie.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32, touch AC 19, HP 163/163, CMD 31; Rumpus AC 29, touch AC 15, HP 70/70, CMD 27 Monday November 4th, 2019 5:46:03 PM
"Following the dinosaur towards the ground lightning, what could possibly go wrong," says Kezzem as he urges Rumpus onwards!
Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 92/92 Monday November 4th, 2019 7:04:26 PM
Tali will stay with Mr. Hendit. "We can afford to loss our charge!" says Tali. Anyone else wish to stay with us?" asks Tali.
"Hey, no wait, you guys," says Bliss. "this sound isn't even in the right direction. Is it just a distraction? You know, there are people we are supposed to be saving!"
A Divination takes 10 minutes to cast, and Bliss worries that that would be too long. He asks Brother Succotash if he has an Augury spell to cast. If so, "ask whether investigating this sound will aid our rescue of the lost people of Thaelhaven."
If the Augury is not available, and if Bliss judges that there is time, he'll cast the Divination, with an 81% chance of success.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 118, CMD 24; Harper AC 27 (32 with rituals), HP 78, CMD 26 d20+21=26 ; Monday November 4th, 2019 8:33:53 PM
Before anyone does anything, while Bliss is arguing for options, Pressi shouts at them to remain calm and to wait just one moment.
First, Pressi fires off a round or two of remote viewing (clairvoyance) in the direction of the thunder noise as close as she can approximate (Perception 26). If that doesn't work, she casts arcane eye.
Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 120/120 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Tuesday November 5th, 2019 9:50:56 AM
“Guys, this thunder isn’t normal, it’s something magical. There’s a decent chance someone could be in danger RIGHT NOW, why should we ignore it in favor of investigating a town where they are quite possibly all dead already?”
Hobie’s face softens and he turns to Hendit “I’m sorry. That was insensitive. I hope your family can still be saved. But this lightning could also mean someone else’s family needs saving too.”
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells Tuesday November 5th, 2019 10:17:25 AM
Succotash shakes his head and says, I didn’t prepare that spell today sadly, but I agree with Hobie, if someone is in trouble, or there is a chance someone is in trouble, we need to see what we can do to lend aid”. He than yells out for Valerie to hold up, as Pressi casts her spell.
Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle d100=16 ; Tuesday November 5th, 2019 10:32:59 AM
Bliss gets red in the face. "They're NOT dead! They're NOT! My spell from yesterday said we could still save them!"
Bliss definitely takes the ten minutes to divine whether looking into this odd noise will help or hinder saving Hendit's friends and family.
Divination roll: 1d100, success on an 81 or less ... a 16!
DM Kathy d20=9 ; d20=11 ; Tuesday November 5th, 2019 1:09:09 PM Hobie, Succotash, and Kezzem immediately set out after Valerie.
But Tali decides to stay behind with Hendit, warning her friends that their primary job is to look out for him. Bliss also advocates caution, reminding everyone that the thundering sound is not in the direction you're heading.
That prompts some discussion. Hobie and Succotash argue that somebody could be in trouble. Bliss reminds them that somebody is in trouble--the residents of Thaelhaven!
Pressi asks everyone to hold up, and tries to use remote viewing to see what's going on. As you watch, you hear another burst of the thunder-like sound, and, just at the edge of your vision, you think you see something moving along the ground.
At the same time, Mookie alerts Bliss that there's something moving down there.
Bliss begins casting his spell, but it will be 10 minutes before he can get an answer.
Some clarifications: you have heard the thunder-like sound, but you haven't seen anything that looks like lightning. You know that this area of the Red Hills is sparsely populated; there are no towns nearby.
Bliss | CatBliss HP133/143 AC31 | Mookie HP59/59 AC37 | Cayzle Tuesday November 5th, 2019 1:19:32 PM
Bliss keeps on casting on.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 118, CMD 24; Harper AC 27 (32 with rituals), HP 78, CMD 26 Tuesday November 5th, 2019 2:41:05 PM
"Frankly, I'd rather not chase it. The question is, is it chasing us?"
Pressi considers casting arcane eye but it also has a 10 minute casting time - and even prying eyes takes a minute. She lets the group know that she spotted something moving along the ground.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells Tuesday November 5th, 2019 5:57:02 PM
Succotash now is at an impasse. Upon hearing that their are things moving, and not knowing what they are, or if they're a threat, Succotash calls to Valerie to "Come", and when she arrives, he pats her on the head, in an affectionate manner. (He has grown attached to her in a very short time) "What if I quickly "Pop" over there, than "Pop" right back?", Succotash offers, "I got just the right spells for the job!"
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32, touch AC 19, HP 163/163, CMD 31; Rumpus AC 29, touch AC 15, HP 70/70, CMD 27 Tuesday November 5th, 2019 7:29:25 PM
"Just be careful, Succotash," says Kezzem."And don't die again!"
Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 92/92 Wednesday November 6th, 2019 10:16:44 AM
Tali, to Bliss, "Do you think the noise is coming from an underground space?"
Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 120/120 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Wednesday November 6th, 2019 12:58:34 PM
Hobie will hold up and see what happens after Sucker pops and unpops
DM Kathy Wednesday November 6th, 2019 1:12:06 PM
As Bliss continues with his spell, Pressi worries that whatever is making the thunder might be after your group. Tali wonders whether the noise could be coming from underground.
Succotash proposes "popping" over to the site of the noise and back. Kezzem warns him to be careful, and Hobie decides to wait until Succotash returns.
Succotash, if you do have a means to "pop" over there and decided to do so, Highlight to display spoiler: {when you arrive, you don't immediately see anything. The area is kind of a scrubby forest--scattered trees and a lot of bushes. You spend a few minutes walking around, looking for whatever caused the disturbance. Then you hear the thunder again--and see something charging right at you! It looks a little like a boar, except it's Huge, and it has multiple horns and tusks. The thundering sound is its massive hooves churning up the ground! It's a Knowledge: Arcana DC 25 to know more about it, but for now, you should probably get out of its way! }
For the rest of the group, Succotash is gone for several minutes, and then you hear the thundering sound again.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells Wednesday November 6th, 2019 5:57:22 PM "Don't worry, I'll bring Valerie with me, she'll keep me safe, won't you girl?" Succotash says to Kezzem, as he pats Valerie on the head. He than asks Mookie and Pressi to describe the area as best as they can, then pulls out a coin from his pouch, and casts light on it, and hands it to his friends saying, "If this goes dark, it's either because Valerie and I are in trouble, or it's urgent, otherwise I'll be right back"
He than uses the description to cast Greater Teleport on himself and Valerie, doing his best to arrive a safe distance, but close enough to see what going on, from what ever it is there is to see. Upon seeing the huge boar, Succotash uses dimensional hop to get Valerie and himself out of the way, then casts either denominational door or teleport to get back to his friends (would prefer to use DD, but if the distance it to far than Teleport is fine) When he's back, he says to everyone, "A huge boar is rampaging over there!"
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32, touch AC 19, HP 163/163, CMD 31; Rumpus AC 29, touch AC 15, HP 70/70, CMD 27 Wednesday November 6th, 2019 11:17:36 PM
"A Huge Bore, you say Kezzem. "So...it is Murphey? I mean, nobody's a bigger bore than...you mean B-O-A-R boar, don't you?"
Kezzem pauses.
"Now when you say 'huge' do you mean like that's the biggest yet-still-relatively-normal-sized boar I ever scene huge or like that boar is the size of a house huge?"
Even redder n the face than before, he walks over to Kezzem and hits him with a wooden fist. He hits AC19, enough to touch, but not high enough for damage.
"YOU JERK!" Bliss yells, still laughing. "YOU MADE ME SPOIL MY SPELL! I'VE BEEN CASTING THAT FOR THREE DAYS!"
"Anyway, it is just a beast in the wild, far from people. Let's get going. We have to save whats-his-name's people."
Mookie caws with birdish laughter. "Niblet. His name is Niblet."
"Niblet's people," says Bliss.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells Thursday November 7th, 2019 6:17:15 AM "Let's just say that Valerie was in danger of being trampled by it, but even though I couldn't identify it (No ranks in knowledge arcana) I'm pretty sure it's no ordinary beast of the wild".
Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 92/92 Thursday November 7th, 2019 10:27:56 AM
Tali wants to know how far away the BOAR is so she can fly over to it and try to identify its classification, so as to know what we are dealing with. "Succotash, how far away did you actually "pop", so I can see for myself?"
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 118, CMD 24; Harper AC 27 (32 with rituals), HP 78, CMD 26 Thursday November 7th, 2019 10:53:17 AM
Before Succotash teleports, Pressi casts message on him just in case.
After Succotash's teleport and report, Kezzem's joke and Bliss' laughter goes rather unappreciated by Pressi but she allows it to slide.
She nods at Bliss' assessment, not wanting to kill an animal or destroy nature if she can help it. As they get on their way, she considers methods of leading it away from the group should it start getting closer.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32, touch AC 19, HP 163/163, CMD 31; Rumpus AC 29, touch AC 15, HP 70/70, CMD 27 Thursday November 7th, 2019 11:09:54 AM
"Bliss, it's only been like 15 seconds tops," says Kezzem.
DM Kathy Thursday November 7th, 2019 2:03:33 PM Succotash returns with news that there is a huge boar rampaging in the valley!
Kezzem takes the opportunity to rag on the absent Murphy before asking whether Succotash means huge colloquially or whether it is actually Huge in size.
Tali wants to fly over and see for herself, which is certainly possible.
Bliss loses his spell, which he has been casting for three days. Kezzem opines that it has been 15 seconds tops. (It has actually been seven minutes.)
Pressi, along with several others, is curious whether this is simply a natural creature in a natural habitat, in which case she votes to leave it alone.
The answer to that question is a little tricky. What constitutes "natural" in a world where there are unicorns and basilisks? You already know that this isn't an ordinary boar. A boar's charge is noisy when you're right there, but a normal boar's hooves don't create a "thunder" that can be heard in the next valley. Further questioning of Succotash reveals that the creature is indeed Huge in size, so it isn't a regular boar. Is it still "natural?" That depends on your definition.
It is true, however, that there aren't any towns nearby. The thing may be a menace to travelers, but there are many such menaces in the Red Hills.
Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 120/120 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Thursday November 7th, 2019 3:06:47 PM
In hearing of this boar, Hobie will ride Pippa towards it as fast as possible, and prepare to fire an arrow as soon as he can. (How far away is it?)
Bliss just gapes as Hobie runs away on his own to fight a monster boar for no reason. "Ugh, are we doomed to have a Murphy in the party even when we don't have a Murphy?" he asks. "Sure, rush off on your own to fight with no back up."
"Thanks for the scouting, Brother Succo, but what if it had been something that snapped at you and grabbed you, like a T-Rex? Also sounds like something Murphy would do."
Mookie shakes his head. "You wanna be in a Dragon Consortium group, Kid, maybe you better go find a new group."
"Ugh." says Bliss.
"Why are we fighting a boar? It's just a beast. Leave it alone."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32, touch AC 19, HP 163/163, CMD 31; Rumpus AC 29, touch AC 15, HP 70/70, CMD 27 Thursday November 7th, 2019 5:07:20 PM
"Maybe we could try to calm it down or find out why it's raging," suggests Kezzem. "It might hurt somebody if we just let it go. But we're without our druid, so is anybody good with animals that aren't their familiars, companions, or mounts?"
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells Thursday November 7th, 2019 5:38:41 PM "I didn't prepare them, of course, but I have some spells at my disposal that would help, if I had prepared them, which I didn't. This cleric thing sure has a learning curve, you think you'll need spell A, so you prepare it, and it turns out you need spell B. As a Paladin I used very few spells, so never really had this problem, but now I guess spells are kinda my thing, hopefully I can improve in the guessing game known as spell prep" Succotash responds to Kezzem's question.
Than turning to Bliss he says, "That's not completely fair, I brought Valerie with me for backup and would have gladly taken as many as I could, if any had asked to accompany me, unlike Murphy, who would just go off on his own, and not to brag, or belittle Murph's abilities, but the gods have given me abilities which allow me to make hasty escapes, and when I say hasty, I mean instantaneous".
Succotash mounts Valerie, and will follow Hobie, ready to back him up, if he continues towards the boar thing.
"Sorry. I'm a little cranky today. My elfish lunchbox only served up avocado and bean sprouts on whole wheat, and that's not my favorite."
"And no worms," adds Mookie.
"I did not mean to be mean," says Bliss. "I'm just frustrated." He kicks at the ground.
Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 92/92 d20+21=39 ; Friday November 8th, 2019 9:41:51 AM "Succotash, Where is the boar, how many miles and in what direction? I wanna fly over and try to identify it. If is it making this weather sounding ruckus, it probably doesn't belong in the valley and as thus it is best to know what we are dealing with, just in case we have to help it get back to where it belongs." states Tali.
As soon as Succotash explains the basic direction, Tali, using overland flight -- her go to everyday set of spells used -- will fly over to discover the beast. Once within sight of said boar, Tai does her best to recall if she has an inkling of what this creature is. Knowledge Arcana Skill check: 21+ = 39.
Once, Tali, knows about the animal, she will return to the group and share her discovery.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 118, CMD 24; Harper AC 27 (32 with rituals), HP 78, CMD 26 Friday November 8th, 2019 9:44:23 AM
"Ok, I think now would be a good time to calm down," Pressi replied. "Succotash, sometimes we do need to take risks, but you at least had the time to explain your plan to us and accept more spells than message. Bliss, you need to relax about people taking risks - and this Dragon Consortium stuff. If they can't accept us for who we are, then they aren't our real friends. Hobie, I know I've gone on all granola on the group, but I've never agreed "to just killing 'monsters' just for what they might do. And even if it turns to attack us, I'd like to try some non-lethal strategies first. We'll fight it if we have to, or if we need the meat, but not for fun."
Pressi does take some time to think about her definition of unnatural, which IS a tad strained (being a monk turned bloodwitch with a leopard thanks to the bloodgrass invasion). That something interceded and twisted the creature, she supposed, that knocked the environment itself out of balance. Undead, abberations, constructs, bloodgrass, herself. That iron giant she rather enjoyed destroying.
"Now, in answer to Kezzem, Bliss or I could probably hit the creature with a charm monster. We wouldn't be able to talk to it but it would probably at least slow down for a bit. Deep Slumber is also worth a shot, but I don't know how many [hit dice] the thing has. Aside from that... not much.
"Succotash, don't beat yourself up. Every full caster finds themselves with a gap, especially when it's a universal curve ball. If we can't calm it, we'll just do something else."
She turned to their guide, the one they are supposed to be helping. "What do you think of all of this? Are creatures like this common to the Red Hills?"
Bliss takes his scolding and doesn't say anything.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells Friday November 8th, 2019 1:08:16 PM ”It’s all good Bliss, I’ve ofttimes been frustrated with Murph going off by himself too, And I very much appreciate the concern”. Turning to Pressi, Succotash says, ”If you guys can calm it, assuming it uses animal speak, I should be able to communicate with it”.
DM Kathy Friday November 8th, 2019 1:31:30 PM
More harsh words are exchanged about rushing into danger, fighting monsters, and avocados for lunch. Pressi is able to interject some calm, and get everyone more or less on the same page.
Tali casts Overland Flight and heads out to see this creature for herself. She is able to find it after a few minutes' search, and readily identifies it as an ypotryll. It's hard to be sure, but it is probably a natural part of this ecosystem.
[OOC: Its creature type is Magical Beast rather than Animal, but it is in its natural terrain. These creatures can be harmful to settlements, but there aren't many settlements nearby.]
Pressi asks Hendit whether these creatures are common in the Red Hills. "I wouldn't say common, no," Hendit replies. "My routes don't normally take me this far north, but I've never seen anything like the creature you described. You do hear all manner of tales about these hills."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 32, touch AC 19, HP 163/163, CMD 31; Rumpus AC 29, touch AC 15, HP 70/70, CMD 27 Friday November 8th, 2019 2:41:24 PM
"Well if it's a wild creature, I doubt it would be evil," says Kezzem. "I could check to make sure, but I would need to get within say about 60 feet of it. I'm fairly stealthy already (+12), but I wouldn't say no if somebody could make me invisible or something."
Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 120/120 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 d20+22=33 ; Friday November 8th, 2019 5:28:17 PM
If Talia tells the group that they are Ypotryll's, Hobie will know them (Knowledge Arcana 33) and speak up to his group.
"These creatures are definitely dangerous, but they are most usually neutral, and not evil at all. They just want food. It doesn't seem that there are any villages or people around to be hurt by it, perhaps we should just leave it be?"
Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 120/120 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 Saturday November 9th, 2019 5:33:18 PM
When Succotash suggests calming the creature, Hobie remembers the staff they found a long time ago at Miss Marne's Menagerie (Sunday February 4th, 2018 3:59:21 PM) and offers it to him.
"This staff can cast Calm Animals and Reduce Animal, maybe you can get some use out of it"
"We picked it up but we've never used it, I think"
Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 92/92 Sunday November 10th, 2019 12:03:40 PM Ypotryll
"Kezzem, I doubt there will be any alignment on this creature as it is a magical beast! It appears to be in its natural environment, and their does not seem to be any seattlements nearby to be caused any grief. The one thing I can tell you, is that, Giants and powerful troll chiefs prize this creature, so it they are looking for one, that might be an issue here. Otherwise, lets move on. " says Tali.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells Sunday November 10th, 2019 12:57:23 PM
Succotash thanks Hobie’s for the staff, but says, “I agree with Tali, we should leave the beast alone, as long as it isn’t a threat to anyone, there is no reason to mess with it in it natural habitat”.
DM Kathy Monday November 11th, 2019 12:44:46 PM
You were ready to charge over and confront this beast--or at least, some of you were--but cooler heads are prevailing. The creature is formidable, but it does seem to belong here. It would be a threat to nearby settlements, but there aren't any.
So most of you are inclined, at the moment, to live and let live. If that is the case, you can soon be on your way. You camp that evening in a location that appears to have been used as a campsite before--several miles from where you saw the Ypotryll.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells d20+18=32 ; d20+9=11 ; Monday November 11th, 2019 5:42:44 PM
Succotash's Perception 32 Valerie's Perception 11
Succotash will take his watch with Valerie, if the evening is peaceful, he will spend an hour in prayer with his deities, and prepare his spells for the day. He will set out in the morning along with everyone else.
Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 92/92 Monday November 11th, 2019 8:26:56 PM
Tali will take the 2am watch. While, Succotash does his watch, Tali will meditate for two (2) hours to regain her slots. Upon finishing her meditation, Tali will cast her standard working spells {See below}.
When it is time for Tali to take her shift, she will hover 5 feet off the ground with her back to a tree in full view of the campfire in the center.
IN the morning, Tali wishes to discuss with the team some ideas before heading out.
Bliss sighs, and smiles. "Well, not every encounter is a fight. I'm glad we passed on that."
He favors pressing on, or if it is time to rest, he takes first watch.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 118, CMD 24; Harper AC 27 (32 with rituals), HP 78, CMD 26 Tuesday November 12th, 2019 10:14:33 AM
Before they move out, Pressi can't resist taking a quick peak at the creature herself. She polymorphs into a bird and keeps her distance in the air to do so.
Not much more needs to be done. At arrival in the camp, she takes some moments (perception, detect magic) to make sure the camp is safe and to scrounge for supplies (i.e. for tonight's dinner). She takes the last shift after resting but before her daily rituals.
She also is willing to listen to Tali's suggestions (remind me what they are).
DM Kathy Tuesday November 12th, 2019 12:45:54 PM
You camp, and set your watches. Pressi is able to find some wild mushrooms nearby, which add a nice, woody flavor to the meal you prepare.
The night is full of strange cries and rustlings, but nothing approaches the camp, and your rest is undisturbed. In the morning, Tali has some things to discuss over breakfast, which may possibly continue as you strike camp and begin the next day's journey.
You camp again that night, then are able to spend another night in an inn. Hendit tells you you can be in Thaelhaven by mid-afternoon tomorrow.
[Everyone take 16,000 XP for this scene. Unless somebody has something still to do in the Red Hills, we'll begin the next scene tomorrow.]
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 20 HP 97/97 Valerie AC 31/15/26 CMD 27 HP 93/93 Spells Tuesday November 12th, 2019 6:09:49 PM
Succotash wakes feeling refreshed, he thinks to himself, "So this is what it's like to sleep in armor and not wake up fatigued". He eagerly awaits Tali's suggestions, wondering what she has to say.
Bliss takes a chance at the inn to have a long sit-down with Hendit, after he asks Mookie to take a perch on the roof to keep watch. He asks about his family and his people. About his experiences on the road. It must be a super dangerous job to wander the Red Hills all alone with valuables. He wonders if there is more to Hendit than he seems -- maybe he is not just a merchant, but a warrior, or a magic user? He'd almost have to be, to survive out here.
Kezzem, sub by Cayzle Tuesday November 12th, 2019 7:43:08 PM
Sir Kezzem takes stock of the inn and sighs. "This place looks pretty hostel," he says. "Tavern? More like cavern, amirite?"
Highlight to display spoiler: {Sorry, Brian is more witty than I am! Clearly!}
Tali (Jon-Paul) - - AC 32 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 92/92 d20+29=36 ; Tuesday November 12th, 2019 10:33:34 PM Diplomatic Efforts
Skill Check: Diplomacy: 36
Tali suggests to the group, "Next time we get the chance, when we have some down time during the next camping, we should share some of the spells we would be using for communication to become familiar with each other tatics to avoid the communication issues with had in the Iron Giant battle. With so many different skill sets each one of us has, I think it would behoove us to get to be a more well oiled team especially when it come to battles or examples of conflict."
Tali continues, "I for one thought I was prepared and was using my"message spell" but for whatever reason, so few of us answered my questions and they were directed straight to you all! Tonight when we camp, before watches and perhaps during our meal, I will demonstrate my spell "Message" and this way I can share with you a a spell that You can whisper messages and receive whispered replies with a range of 240 ft."
Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 120/120 AC 31 Touch 17 Flat 27 CMD 32 Hero Points 9 d20=13 ; Wednesday November 13th, 2019 4:29:32 AM
ooc: Just to check with everyone else, with the new 16,000 xp, we should be at 508,500xp, is that correct? also, that d20 roll was an accident.
Hobie agrees with Tali about the importance of communication. He will also prepare Message in the morning when he prepares his spells. He reminds her though that it wouldn't have helped too much in the iron giant as Message spells can't go through metal.
Hobie takes his shift at night, and provided no new information is presented to him before his spell preparation the following morning, these are the spells he will prepare:
========================== Enhanced Arrow - 1d6 Electric
Boots of Speed--Rounds used 0/10 ========================== Arcane Bond free spell
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 25 (30 w/rituals), HP 118, CMD 24; Harper AC 27 (32 with rituals), HP 78, CMD 26 Wednesday November 13th, 2019 11:12:28 AM
Pressi listens to Talia. "I get what you are saying, but I think it's less the power of the message spell and more that we can get into our own heads. But more to the point, I don't want you to think that you are bound to seeking consensus or waiting for orders. What if they had cast silence or suffocate on me during negotiations? Would you have literally sat there just waiting? You are allowed to act unilaterally on occasion as long as you read the room correctly and can justify it or seek forgiveness later. It's a judgement call, but still..."
Pressi sighed, shaking her head. "I, of course, should have been better at responding. But I was in a bind myself. I needed to figure out the likelihood of a deal and what I could give up, while trying not to tip my own hand. I couldn't afford to tell THEM that the machine could be shut down or modified or used as a power source. And I couldn't risk that they'd yet again pick up on a coded message, decipher or no. I had to make some judgment calls myself, and I'm sorry if I wasn't fair to you.
"As for communication, it is always a tough thing, particularly in cases of distance or when in front of an enemy. Message is a good spell but it has some risks. My fan can allow for coded messages to a close ally, but there's a chance they can know I am sending a coded message, if not the content itself. I suppose I have a few other tricks - arcane mark, mind reading, nightmare, just talking about the plan ahead of time - but at the end of the day, there are going to be times when communication can't or doesn't happen, or when the plan requires some improvisation without discussing it."
Pressi smiles at the rest of the group. "And when that happens, remember that we are a family of halflings. We are going to scream at each other and dissect our choices until they are translucent. What makes us a family is that we can come together after that - move past the screaming - and that we can each learn to make better choices as time goes on."
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(OOC: One better way to plan is off the board, particularly via emails. This is also a good tool if you don't understand something or if the player isn't answering you in character or if you are considering a unilateral action. So if something like that happens again, just email the group (or myself or the DM) and something can be worked out. And again, I'm sorry that I didn't respond to you IC at the time, but I wasn't ignoring you. I think I was busy trying to pump out those big dialogue groups under a time crunch.)
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