"How can we celebrate when the killer still stalks the Lake?" (DM Wayne) Thursday June 8th, 2023 10:35:50 PM
Bartomus ensured the rest of the Shields were safely aboard the dragon ship first, and then he simply flowed out of the Lake and onto the deck, reverting to his natural minotaur form as he did so. He breathed air for the first time in a long time, savoring it while listening to Hasan and the others. Bartomus waited for an opportunity and then suggested to Hasan that the fisherfolk not fish near the ruins below for quite a while. Then he found his friends and whispered to them some of what he learned and deduced below, especially from speaking with the plants of the moundplex. He then wondered aloud whether cutting off the Float’s food supply was the actual goal, or not? More intelligence is needed, it seems.
Armalad accepts the offers of help from the fisherfolk, with specifics – convert a rowboat into a floating laboratory or repository or something to keep the samples alive for research. The fisherfolk don’t understand why Armalad wants this, but overjoyed with the return of the remains of their kin they quickly go about converting a rowboat into exactly what Armalad requested. She then turned to Bartmous, explaining why she wanted the samples – to gain the aid of researchers in the Star Mages Guild.
Stohp engages the Shields in discussions of how best to go about destroying the moundplex. She offers her plan to bring in the merfolk to deconstruct or demolish the whole thing with specialized equipment, presuming it exists. Stohp concludes with the point that if not destroyed, it might be used again to make more of the hulks.
Stock listens to Stohp’s plans intently. He suggests the merfolk should focus on pure destruction of the moundplex rather than pick it apart with equipment. Stock points out that the Shields need to know who was behind it, so they can be stopped from just building another moundplex somewhere else.
Zanderallen pauses his plans to get out of his armor just long enough to listen to the other Shields and nod in agreement. He suggests that finding the creator, or force, behind the moundplex is the most important thing the Shields can be doing, and whoever can help – star mages, druids, etc. – the Shields should go and get that help as soon as possible. Then he returns to getting help from a sailor to help take off his full plate so he can care for it… and maybe get into a dry tunic and leggings while he’s at it.
Delia thanks Bart for speeding the Shields’ return to the dragon ship. As she climbs aboard the dragon ship, Hawky expresses his gratitude at having his human again! Delia relaxes with Hawky, half-listening to “destroy the moundplex” discussions while she thinks about how to track down someone who can work underwater and probably didn’t leave tracks… would there be a spoor… a scent… still around the moundplex of this being? Sharks can smell blood underwater so… is there a way to ‘track’ this being?
Armalad helps the sailors with the final details and requirements for the rowboat and it is soon complete, not sunken, but the interior filled with enough water for the samples to stay fresh, and then lifted by ropes so it doesn’t slow down the sailors and Colossal James as the dragon ship speeds on towards the Float.
The Shields continue going about their business, using the private rooms to change into dry clothes, polishing armor, fanciful ideas about what kinds of underwater plant-cutting tools the merfolk have, and so on.
The sun is lower in the sky now, but some daylight remains even after the better part of two hours spent underwater.
Perhaps 15 minutes later, with Colossal James leading the way, Rick guiding him, and Belba occasionally healing a rope burn on James from the towing, the dragon boat sails/rows/is pulled into the Fence Level. As Colossal James arrives first, there is a flickering and he returns to being just Gigantic James, slipping out of the rope leads with Rick’s help, and then Rick takes James over to James’ usual spot in the docks while the sailors finish rowing the dragon ship into its mooring place.
As the sailors finish tying the dragon ship to the dock, the Shields, refreshed, come topdeck to see their home once more before them! Other ships are docked nearby, crews on those ships each standing at the edge of their craft closest to the dragon ship, looking, watching, perhaps waiting… then some watchers-by on shore call out, “It’s the Shields! They’re alive! They’re back!” the small crowd on shore erupts with cheers, and then likewise the crews of the other ships docked somewhat near the dragon ship! The sounds of musical instruments carry through the air, the sailors begin making up a sea shanty on the spot for the Shields!
(OOC – if anyone is good at writing sea shantys, this is your opportunity to write one for the Shields and get it on the wiki!)
The cheering pressing crowds of sailors on deck present a happy obstacle to the Shields returning home, and then as the Shields try to make their way ashore, the small crowd grows with the addition of the crews of the nearby docked ships, cheering the Shields, there are shouts of “they recovered Nuray and Edvards! Hip hip hooray for the Shields!”
SHIELDS – the crowds won’t keep you if you don’t want to be kept, but it seems they really, really want to cheer your success! How does each Shield react, even choose, if need be, between letting the crowds enjoy an earned “win” after the loss of their dearly departed friends Nuray and Edvards, and pressing on to home, or the star mages guild, or the druids, or whomever can help the Shields find out who’s behind the attacks?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday June 9th, 2023 7:14:16 AM
Stohp's mind is still back on the problem under the water when they arrive. It takes a moment for her to tear it away and focus on the excited crowd. "I know Gargul at times lets those who've passed on come back to finish unfinished business, especially adventurers. We should try for these folks." she mutters t o Zander, not wanting to speak the though aloud lest false hope spread through the crowd.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=44 ; Friday June 9th, 2023 11:48:00 AM
Delia, still mildly uncomfortable with her status as a Shield and what it means to people who were her peers or betters for so long, fades in the background. Whether they enjoy it anymore of not, the longstanding members of the Silver Shields are at least more practiced at holding the adoration of the crowds. She will linger as long as the rest of the Shields do.
Stealth 44 (+2 and hide in plain sight if we count as in Urban terrain again)
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Friday June 9th, 2023 2:50:15 PM
Stock leads the crowds through a stirring rendition of a sea shanty that seems to spontaneously coalesce.
The Peril Beneath Turtle Lake
(Verse 1) Come gather 'round, ye hearty souls, and heed this tale I tell, Of a gallant group of adventurers, the mighty Silver Shields excel, Upon the Turtle Lake they sailed, where danger lurked below, To save the floating city, The Float, from perils none could know.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Verse 2) On Turtle Lake, a city floats, its homes upon the waves, But a darkness stirred beneath, threatening to send it to its graves, With swords and spells, The Silver Shields embraced their noble quest, To face the hidden danger, and put their courage to the test.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Verse 3) Through tempests wild and roaring waves, their ship sailed true and fast, Guided by the light above, to where the danger cast, Into the depths they plunged, with hearts determined and brave, To battle the underwater threat and their city's fate to save.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Verse 4) With shields raised high and blades aflame, they faced the beast below, A creature fierce and mighty, with a malevolent glow, But The Silver Shields stood strong, united through and through, They battled with all their might, their purpose they'd pursue.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Verse 5) Through crashing waves and thunderous roars, they fought without retreat, The creature's strength no match for them, they would not know defeat, And when the battle ceased, triumphant they emerged, The Float was safe, their victory celebrated as they surged.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Outro) So raise a glass to these heroes bold, The Silver Shields renowned, For saving The Float, their floating city, where hopes and dreams abound, Their tale shall echo through the ages, a shanty sung with pride, Of adventurers who braved the depths and triumphed by Turtle Lake's side.
========= I can't take much credit for that. Chat GPT can be amazing
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday June 9th, 2023 11:56:47 PM
Bartomus blushed at the welcome they received and then laughed as Stock led them in a stirring song he made up on the spot. It was a good deal of fun and much needed as he headed back to their headquarters.
He waived off the request from the grateful fishing folk to stay yawning to emphasize his point. He was hungry, tired, and he needed to think about reaching out to the Druids. He would send a runner asking for an appointment the next morning with the druids.
"How can we celebrate when the killer still stalks the Lake?" (DM Wayne) Saturday June 10th, 2023 10:44:16 PM
Stohp’s mind won’t stop ruminating about the moundplex and the monstrous plants, even as the dragon ship docks in its berth. Eventually the cheers of the crowd draw her attention, and she comments only to Zanderallen, below the roar of the crowd.
Delia wallflowers. Though they cannot see her, she and all of the Shields are cheered as a group and individually, over and over, but there is no place further back to which Delia may shrink than she already has.
Stock joins and then leads the crowd in its new sea shanty!
Bartomus was bashful about the crowd’s cheers, but then laughed out loud as Stock led the crowds in a new sea shanty! When the shanty was done, Bartomus began making his way through the remaining crowds, heading for Shields HQ. He begged off the crowds’ continuous request for celebration, showing signs of tiredness after the long excursion beneath Turtle Lake. Bartomus just wanted a good meal, a good sleep, and then perhaps to reach out to the Druids. He retained a runner to pass along his meeting request to the Druids.
Zanderallen sighed and gave the crowds some of what they wanted, knowing it was more important for the Shields with deep research skills to escape the celebration than the champion of Domi…
Armalad looked for an opportunity…
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Sunday June 11th, 2023 6:56:01 PM
Bartomus paid the runner with a few silver and offered a few in the morning for the response and the time the Druids would like to meet. He watched as the youngster went off at the double quick. He smiled and then yawned.
He was beat and really needed some time to sleep. He made it into the HQ and then went up to his room. When he was stretched out on the bed, he yawned and stretched. Moments later he was snoring and dreaming of swimming.
He woke up with the start of the sun rising. He yawned again. He realized he hadn't even changed his clothes. He shrugged, rubbed his chin and headed off to do his morning meditations. He head off to the small balcony that he had paid to have added to this part of the Float and where a small tree was enjoying the view. As the sun began to rise over the Lake and cast its glow against the wall of the Float, Bartomus took it all in realizing again that there was a whole new world underneath the waves on the Lake.
Eventually, he pulled himself up from his seated position and made his way back to HQ and looked about the front door to see if his runner was back. He moved over to one of the vendors not too far away, purchased some caff to sip and a few pastries for himself with a couple of extras for the expected runner.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday June 11th, 2023 7:40:32 PM
Armalad tries to figure if it would be easier to bring the samples to the Star Mages or the Star Mages to the samples and then sets about accomplishing what she thinks is the better course of action.
If anyone cares to listen she echoes the sentiment of her compatriots, "There is still work to be done. We have to learn more about who was behind what happened and what they could be up to."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday June 12th, 2023 8:44:32 AM
Stohp puts in an appearance at the celebrations breifly before going to bed (unless it's not evening hard to tell)
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Monday June 12th, 2023 9:52:08 AM
Stock laughs and claps his hands one last time as the song is finished. He then helps the Shields to carry the artifacts back to Shield HQ. He plans to visit the WLA the next day to deliver a report on what the Shields found especially regarding underwater golem construction and see if anybody there has heard of something like this before.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday June 12th, 2023 11:36:15 AM
While Stock's shanty tugs a smile out of her, she still slips away as soon as the first Shield begins to leave. She meets the rest of them back at HQ and awaits the meeting with the Druids.
Though she is still not physically at 100%, she will carefully clean and dry her bow and string, as well as any arrows that got damp before beginning some much needed rest.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday June 12th, 2023 8:37:30 PM
Armalad prepares to give her colleagues in the Star Mages a rundown of what she knows regarding the samples. (OOC: checking in)
"How can we celebrate when the killer still stalks the Lake?" (DM Wayne) Monday June 12th, 2023 9:34:14 PM
Bartomus paid the runner not just to deliver the message, but also to wait for and then deliver to Bartomus the response from the Druids on scheduling a meeting. Soon Bartomus was at Shields HQ and asleep.
Armalad considers… and realizes that while smaller amounts of samples could be kept in pottery or other non-leaky vessels to transport to the Guild’s location, if the whole collection were needed for experiments (a likely situation) then scheduling a meeting with the Guild at the rowboat full of samples, with the Guild having time to prepare multiple Dimension Door or Greater Teleport spells, or perhaps simply to bring a Portable Hole to more easily transport the samples and water without going through the streets of the Float… yes, bring tiny samples to prove it’s not a wild goose chase, then negotiate a larger transportation of the collection to the Guild for full research. She then comments to the Shields as the crowds cheer that they should really get on with the mission, but only a few hear as Stock is still mid-sea shanty for a bit. Armalad patiently waits and then informs even Stock…
Stohp gladhands the crowds for a bit before, like Bartomus, begging off to rest at Shields HQ.
Stock gleefully finishes the sea shanty, and then finally asks Armalad what was so important that she thought interrupting a sea shanty was worth it… Looking at the pile of artifacts from the hulk battle, then at the rowboat full of hulk and plant specimens, then back at the artifacts, Stock smiles, gathers up the artifacts in several convenient canvas sacks, and begins heading back to Shields HQ. After securing the artifacts in Shields HQ, Stock gets some well-earned rest, falling asleep with plans to report to the WLA the next day.
Delia smiles briefly at Stock’s sea shanty, and then slips away as Bartomus makes his way through the crowds… with Stohp following soon after, Delia has an easy time using the two taurs to fade out of the crowd’s attention. She smiles as Bartomus arranges for the runner to set up a meeting with the Druids. Back at Shields HQ, reclining on a comfortable couch she begins reviewing her weapons and making necessary repairs after all that time underwater… once done she too heads for her own room and gets a hero’s rest.
Armalad, once the rowboat of samples is secured on the dragon ship, takes representative smaller samples, placing them in various containers of convenience, with lakewater as needed, and likewise uses the departure of the two taurs as cover for escaping the crowds. Once back at Shields HQ, she retires to her room, perhaps becomes less waterlogged, and begins planning how to articulate the discoveries and the requests for research necessary to find out who and/or what is behind the monstrous plant attacks… and the moundplex!
Zanderallen, after more time with the crowds, and perhaps some off-key (?) choruses of the sea shanty, notes the departure of all of his fellow Shields. Once they are all far enough away, Zanderallen bids the crowd farewell with a blessing from Domi and makes his way back to Shields HQ for a well-deserved rest…
…
6:30 a.m.
The sun has risen rising more than several smidges above the horizon and has changed the early morning sky to full blue.
The Shields are still asleep, even the early risers, who once more are trying to enjoy the rest of heroes…
The incessantly loud knocking and shouting has woken all of the Shields, still in their nightclothes, armor hung on its rack, weapons sheathed and on nightstands within reach.
The knocking continues, firm, steady, like someone determined to meet the Shields, no matter the cost…
What do you do?
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday June 13th, 2023 10:03:33 AM
There was a knocking coming from somewhere as he tried eating his pastry and drink his caff waiting for his runner to return. It got louder and louder coming from all about him. He shook his head and realized he had been dreaming. Dreaming about meditating and eating a pastry.
He sighed, loudly. He shook his head again and pulled himself up out of his bed. His dreaming had in fact been partially true as he was still wearing his clothes. He shrugged and stomped down the stairs to the door.
"Yea, yea, I'm coming, give it a bloody flipping rest, wontcha?" Bartomus bellowed at the door where the knocking continued. The knocking continued and then the person asked if the Shields were awake.
Bartomus unlocked the door and swung it wide open.
"Whole bloody damn neighborhood is awake with all of that noise you've been making. What's the matter?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Tuesday June 13th, 2023 4:51:57 PM
For once Stock is not up early. He is sleeping the sleep of somebody who swam a great race when the pounding wakes him up. He reacts immediately and makes it to the front door in his small clothes and brandishing his handaxe.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Tuesday June 13th, 2023 5:02:33 PM
Zanderallen is enjoying sleeping in, muscles sore from underwater use in whole new ways. Even freely moving you just used things differently than on land. The first couple bangs barely even register. But then he snaps to full awareness, grabbing his sword off the stand as he runs downstairs. He joins Bart at the front door, "Speak up."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Tuesday June 13th, 2023 5:02:37 PM
Zanderallen is enjoying sleeping in, muscles sore from underwater use in whole new ways. Even freely moving you just used things differently than on land. The first couple bangs barely even register. But then he snaps to full awareness, grabbing his sword off the stand as he runs downstairs. He joins Bart at the front door, "Speak up."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday June 13th, 2023 6:08:12 PM
Delia groans lightly at the knocking, legs sore in a capacity she's not experienced before. She takes a moment of grumpiness as she mutters, "Not again." But only a moment, as the last time they were woken by frantic knocking, people were dying. She pushes herself out of bed, stomping (compared to her normal silent steps) to the front door, snagging her bow and quiver on her way out of her room.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=44 ; Tuesday June 13th, 2023 9:18:55 PM
That evening Armalad puts pen to paper in an abstract she writes about what the shields experienced under the water with respect to the mound plexes and strange new type of golems. (Know[Arcana]: 44 = natural 20) (OOC figure she wrote some elegant treatise to share with the guild)
Later that night Armalad says, "Not again" as her meditation was interrupted by another knock at the door.
"Come Joker, It would seem that someone is seeking us again in the dead of night. I have a bad feeling this will be another water mission."
Armalad and Joker head to see the commotion.
"The Overlord wants... all of us?" (DM Wayne) Tuesday June 13th, 2023 11:39:07 PM [OOC – I’ve been a bad DM about awarding Hero Points, so looking back…
Zanderallen – 1 Hero Point for a key area healing during the first battle, saving fisherfolk and Lads alike!
Stock – 1 Hero Point for bravely stepping up to destroy the trough in the mounds, not knowing what would happen but acting to save everyone from a foe about to awaken.
Armalad – 1 Hero Point for pressing Princess Melanie, at great diplomatic risk (and role-playing!), to provide more and deeper information about the Blood Lilies.
Delia – 1 Hero Point for saving Zanderallen from Blood Lily poison before saving herself.
Stohp – 1 Hero Point for boldly and successfully hog-tying many Stranglereeds with her bare hands!
Bartomus – 1 Hero Point for thinking wisely about the then-upcoming underLake expedition and preparing various useful spells, especially Command Plants, and turning a tough battle with four Stranglereeds and four Blood Lilies into a near-cakewalk for the Shields through his wisdom!]
Bartomus is rudely awakened from his dream about peaceful meditation and pastry chomping by the incessant knocking… he makes his way down to the front door, moaning about noisy knockings and opens the door.
Stock is doing his best to enjoy the sleep of heroes… but some things are just not meant to be! Up at once, Stock’s handaxe almost teleports into one hand and he’s soon downstairs, striding up as Bartomus opens the door.
Zanderallen likewise was trying to enjoy the sleep of heroes, had been so worn out he hadn’t even tried to visit Pepper before Shields HQ! Oh, the costs of defending the Float… the incessant knocking eventually wakes even Zanderallen and, as with Stock, he is at once downstairs as Bartomus is opening the door, Zanderallen with his sword in his hand as if it had always been there!
Delia cannot believe that, tired as the Shields are, again with the incessant knocking! Zanderallen hasn’t even had a chance to prepare and cast more Lesser Restorations on her to fully cure the Blood Lily poison’s effects on her health! Still, the Shields are probably needed again, and she doesn’t want anyone to die because she slept in… so at once she springs out of bed, bow in hand and quiver on back as if they had always been there and loudly stomps downstairs, joining the crowd of Shields there.
Armalad was exhausted the night before, but writing always seemed to energize her, so she made sure to journal about the expedition, adding tactical notes, mysteries, and other curiosities in the margins as she wrote her elegant treatise. Once finished, she manages to grab some sleep of heroes when rudely awoken as the rest of the Shields, and patted her spell component pouch with one hand as her regular enchanted bow appeared in the other, a quiver hung on her elbow, soon righted as she and Joker joined the rest of the Shields downstairs as Bartomus opened the door.
Bartomus looks down to see two of the Overlord’s Royal Guard standing at attention, a human man and a half-elf woman. He doesn’t recognize them specifically, but there’s no mistaking the armor, insignia, epaulets, and so on.
Stock likewise doesn’t recognize these two.
Zanderallen Highlight to display spoiler: { takes a moment, but then recognizes Zejd (human man) and Abele (half-elf woman), whom the centaur sergeant had directed to take Zanderallen directly to the Overlord. A bit unusual for some of the Overlord’s personal guards to leave the Overlord’s level, but not unheard of. }
Neither Delia, nor Armalad, nor Stohp recognize these two either.
The woman, catching a glimpse of Zanderallen peeking around Bartomus, smiles and says, “Shields, we apologize for the unusually early call, but the Overlord has called for you, all of you, to come at once and report. I can only say that it is highly important that you come now, before the streets fill with more cheering crowds once the Float awakens. Yes, you should get your full gear and make yourselves presentable. Will five minutes be enough? The Overlord has a banquet table of food and drink waiting for you,” she finishes, not having introduced herself or her fellow guardsperson.
Shields - what do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday June 14th, 2023 8:44:08 AM
Stohp is normally a light sleeper and would be up by this time but she's not only still asleep but the knocking doesn't immediately wake her. So she's the last one to wander downstairs and look blearily at the group as she tries to figure out what's going on.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 9:38:51 AM
Delia glances at Stohp as she enters, quietly saying, [b]"Overlord wants us in 5 minutes. Full gear and "presentable" whatever that means to you."
Delia, remaining fully geared even in sleep, will splash some water on her face and decide that's as presentable as she's ever going to be. She will then assist Zanderallen and anyone else who needs to don armor.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Wednesday June 14th, 2023 9:48:09 AM
Stock barks at the woman, "Would it have been too much to ask his majesty to let us sleep in?" He turns on a heel and heads back to dress. He calls over his shoulder, "Five minutes will not be enough."
Still though, Stock does his best to don his armor and gather his gear relatively quickly.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 3:17:11 PM
Zanderallen immediately relaxes and then tenses again when he sees palace guard. He nods in response to the request, "We're all a little groggy from some unusual activity under the water. We'll be ready as soon as we can be."
He then turns back inside and roars in barracks fashion, "Shields to report for duty. The Overlord wishes to see us and has been kind enough to lay out a full spread for breakfast. Full kit, on the double." He then hustles back to his room requesting aid from somewhere with less metal to get on to help him with his full plate. ============ OOC: Zander has 1 point of CON damage, which should heal with a 8 hour rest. If anyone else has ability damage speak up, Zander has 2 castings now today.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 7:38:29 PM
Bartomus shuck his head and sighed.
"We gotta get a person to screen the door banging, He said with a sigh. He turned and stomped back up to his room grabbed his glave and changed his clothes. Then he followed the others along to the Underlord's chamber.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 7:38:30 PM
Bartomus shuck his head and sighed.
"We gotta get a person to screen the door banging, He said with a sigh. He turned and stomped back up to his room grabbed his glave and changed his clothes. Then he followed the others along to the Underlord's chamber.
"The Overlord wants... all of us?" (DM Wayne) Wednesday June 14th, 2023 10:53:23 PM
Stohp looks blearily at the group, puzzled by the ruination of her hero’s sleep.
Delia condenses the situation for Stohp – get dressed, get geared, be on the way to the Overlord’s level in 5 minutes. She is, of course, already ready to go herself, but splashes some water on her face to make sure. Delia looks around for anyone needing an aide to speed up their donning of armor, like, say, Zanderallen…
Stock doesn’t stand on ceremony here, he voice-stomps it! Then he heads back to get ready, commenting that 5 minutes won’t be enough. As he begins to don his armor, halfway through 5 minutes he finds Delia’s speedy hands tying leather straps and fastening buckles before he knows what’s going on. Stock doesn’t quite need 5 minutes for everything.
Zanderallen’s muscles don’t know whether to tense or relax at the sight of the palace guard. He still manages to make sense of the request, but informs them that top readying speed may not be only 5 minutes. Zanderallen is suddenly at attention and barking orders as though the Shields were going into battle. He then races to his room to begin putting on full kit. Delia is there as if she had teleported, and is already passing him armor pieces in the order he needs them. About halfway through the 5 minutes, Zanderallen is perhaps three-quarters done and Delia is gone. A shout of surprise from down the hall towards Stock’s room tells Zanderallen all he needs to know as he finishes up his armor and gathers his gear.
Bartomus shook his head and sighed, muttering about the Shields needing someone to stop just anyone from coming up and BAM!-ing on the door in the wee hours as he stomped back up the stairs and got his gear.
Armalad needs little further time to get ready, but checks everything in her room to make sure she hasn’t forgotten any key spell components… oh no… there’s been no time to prepare or change spells for today! She makes some quick and wise choices about alternatives, packs them, and heads back downstairs.
Once the Shields are gathered, in about 5 minutes, plus or minus, the female guard speaks again, “Excellent, let’s get going. We know a few routes to keep us mostly out of public view!” The two guards lead the way, still not having given their names, and the Shields make note of these alternative routes. Stohp seems unsurprised by the routes… she’s simply never had need to take the Shields the private routes before, only the public routes.
Many minutes later (not 30 minutes, but criss-crossing levels and going up ramps does take some time), the Shields are on the Overlord’s level, passing by the guards outside. An 8’-tall centaur in full plate armor and barding, with chevrons indicating the rank of sergeant-at-arms, salutes Zanderallen fully, and the Shields normally, as you pass from the outer guardhouse and into the inner courtyard, and into the Palace of the Overlord. The two guards/guides take you this way and that, as if they’ve done this for the Overlord’s guests many times, even recently.
Eventually all of you, guards and Shields, are in the dining chambers of Overlord Drezz. This is not the dining hall – there is only room here for two banquet tables, not several, but they are loaded with breakfast staples including sliced ham, sliced steak, fried eggs, bacon, fruits clearly imported from other towns, various sliced breads, cooked fish common to Turtle Lake, glass carafes of fruity beverages, and more! The female guard invites all of you to sit at a third oversized table with place settings, silverware, goblets, and so forth, including two chairs and place settings sized for taurs. There’s easily enough room at this third table for all of the Shields, the Overlord, and a few of his retainers. As she does so, she then says, “Please forgive my manners. I am Abele and my fellow guard is Zejd. The Overlord will be here momentarily. In the meantime, each of you please take a seat on this (gesturing) half of the table and the servants (gestures to wait staff nearby) will take your orders and serve you immediately. You should begin eating right away because the Overlord has already eaten and will want to discuss serious matters once your hunger is sated.” With that, she and Zejd head for the exit and close the doors behind them.
Once you are seated, you find each of you has a personal waiter or waitress assigned to just you, and they are very meticulous in taking your order and efficiently loading one or more plates, as needed, and bringing them to you within one minute from the food tables. Your choice of hot (and cold) food is before you, the hot food steaming, the fruit mouth-watering.
Shields – what meals and drinks did you each choose, and how do you enjoy them before the Overlord arrives?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 11:40:50 PM
Armalad orders hot cider with biscuits, jam, honey and butter and a rasher of bacon.
She sips deeply of the warm cider. She of course shares the bounty with her familiar. Making sure he has his own plate of each. She is careful in what she tops each biscuit with and pairs a bite of biscuit with that of bacon.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday June 15th, 2023 7:54:20 AM
Though Stohp has abandoned most trappings of her homeland food from the Taur islands remains her favorite, a fact that is probably well known enough that it could be anticipated should the overlord be catering to the shields specifically. Assuming so she digs in with gusto even as her mind is mulling over the possibilities with this meeting. If not she'll just grab something basic and have a light meal as she thinks.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Thursday June 15th, 2023 9:08:51 AM
Stock orders for himself a full plate of protein and is slightly annoyed to keep asking for more and more to be added to his plate (don't the waiters see that this dwarf is hungry?). He says to Abele, "Any idea what these serious matters entail?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday June 15th, 2023 10:33:23 AM
Bartomus asked for some of the sliced and cubed fruit, a few pastries, scrambled eggs and hot tea with sugar. He then nodded when Stock asked for some clue on what the reason was for the early morning meeting. When his plates arrived, he took a bit of the pastry and sighed with content. It was better than the one he thought he was eating in his dream.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday June 15th, 2023 2:34:03 PM
Delia barely notices that she startled both friends she squired for, wondering what the Overlord could need so incredibly urgently.
Once they arrive and are getting settled, there are a few awkward moments between Delia and her server as she keeps trying to get her food herself. Eventually she gives in and asks the server for ham & bacon, hashbrowns, eggs, and upon some consideration, she adds fruit to her order. She asks for plain black coffee as well (assuming that it is a thing and not a luxury item. If coffee is not commonplace, she will ask for black tea instead).
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Thursday June 15th, 2023 2:53:23 PM
Zanderallen mentally chides himself for not introducing the guards only he had met earlier. He returns the salutes of the various guards they pass as they enter the palace. He's happy to note the side entrances seem to be well used, hopefully that meant Drezz wasn't always holding everything in ceremony.
As he sees the spread in front of him he marvels at the decadence. But he adjusts his gear to take a comfortable seat and gets down the business of eating. He orders waffles with blueberry jam, sausage, bacon, mixed fruit and apple cider. He eats deliberately, enjoying the spread but not dallying over his food. "I wonder if the Overlord has word of more occurring underwater, or if something else has come up?"
"The Overlord wants... all of us?" (DM Wayne) Thursday June 15th, 2023 10:27:25 PM (OOC – Armalad and Stock – heal your hit points to full; Zanderallen took care of that the night before; remaining CON damage, if any, is still present as the Shields have not yet had the opportunity to regain spells used the day before in the moundplex.)
Armalad orders hot cider with biscuits, jam, honey and butter and a rasher of bacon. She enjoys precisely arranging and topping her food, and ordering for Joker as well, before digging in.
Stohp looks longingly over the food tables until she spots what she wants – several selections from the Taur Isles. She excitedly orders and soon is enjoying some of her favorite breakfast dishes of the Isles while she actively wonders about the purpose of this meeting.
Stock simply orders “All the meats!” As he works through his dishes, he looks up and calls out for Abele, half-getting out his question but then remembers she and Zejd had already left the dining hall just before the wait staff began serving the Shields.
Bartomus ordered a variety of fruits along with more common, though luxurious in quality, breakfast fare such as pastries and eggs, with tea as a chaser. He looks up when Stock tries to speak to Abele. As his food arrived and he began eating he found the Overlord’s pastries exceed those of his dreams in taste, texture, and richness.
Delia tries to serve herself but the wait staff are having none of that in the Overlord’s dining hall so Delia obliges and orders some hearty breakfast fare, with fruit after some thought. Of course the Overlord has coffee – what was she thinking? The wait staff offers a choice of three types of coffee, one from beans somewhat local to the area, two from areas much further away.
Zanderallen suddenly realizes that his friends didn’t know the guards by name as he did, now it was too late… He saluted the guards saluting him as the group made their way to and into the Overlord’s dining hall. Once inside and in his seat he marvels at the opulence of the spread on the food tables. His breakfast order comes easy to his tongue and likewise the wait staff quickly serves it before him. Zanderallen, somewhere halfway through his meal, finishes swallowing and muses aloud whether the Overlord knows more about the underwater threat, or if something new has arisen.
Eventually forks and knives and hands are moving more slowly than they were at the beginning, and the more perceptive of the Shields notice that some of the wait staff are no longer in the dining hall.
Then low sounds of stringed instruments enter the room first, followed by a few musicians playing a low, quiet fanfare, probably not audible outside the dining hall… with Overlord Drezz and his retainers entering last.
As the sounds at the Shields’ table come to a halt, the Overlord says, “Well Zanderallen, I hope that wasn’t too opulent and ostentatious for you,[b]” Drezz finishes with a half-grin. “[b]Enough levity for now, unfortunately,” he concludes as his retainers take seats to his left and right at the other end of the Shields’ table and Drezz sits down in the rather opulent end chair, with upholstery made of a dizzying array of dyed-in colors.
He dismisses the wait staff, leaving only the Shields, his two retainers (nondescript humanoid males in full plate with full helms) and himself in the dining hall.
The Overlord continues, “I apologize for not letting you get a full night’s rest, but I hope the food (gestures) more than made up for it.
I want to hear all that happened, but boil it down to its simplest elements, and then I want each of you in turn to emphasize what you think is the most important intelligence the Shields gained from the expedition.
Whoever’s ready first, start right in, I’m listening. Deeply listening,” the Overlord finishes.
Shields – if your Shield is one to give the full chronological rundown of the expedition to the minutest detail, that’s fine – say your Shield does that.
The Overlord asked for not just that, but each of you has been invited to tell the Overlord the most vital intelligence gained, and *why* your Shield thinks it was the most vital.
If your Shield goes silent, that’s fine, but I want to be clear that each Shield understands exactly what the Overlord is asking for, even if one or more Shields say little to nothing in response to the Overlord’s requests.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday June 15th, 2023 11:57:36 PM
Armalad gives a chronological breakdown of recent events down to the minutest detail as only Armalad can.
Just when she thinks the Overlord's eyes glaze over and he's going to fall asleep, Joker prompts, "Tell him about the new kind of construct boss!"
Armalad says, "yes, that is why I think the most important part of our expedition is finding these plant-golems which appear to be a new type of magic, that somehow appears to be fueled by death and magical treasure. She gives highlights from the treatise she prepared that she remembers and says, "I was planning to share the samples gathered with my fellow Star Mages in the hopes of learning more about this new type of magic and who could possibly be behind it. It would appear what happened that night on the lake with the fisherfolk and fledging adventurers was meant in part to spirit off remains to fuel mound construction."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday June 16th, 2023 7:13:50 AM "The structures we found seem most important." Stohp posits. "there's no way to know how old they are, so either someone made them to create these plant monsters recently or found them and figured out how to activate them. Either way until we destroy them this could happen again."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday June 16th, 2023 10:07:31 AM "Right, and I had plans to go visit with the Druids to talk about who might have the skills necessary to create the underground complex that housed a variety of extremely rare, if not outright mythic according to the merfolk, vile and nasty plants." Bartomus followed up after Armalad and then went into detail what he observed of the creatures and learned from the plants themselves. He then realized something Armalad said resonated, but also triggered a faint warning sound in his mind.
"Makes sense, needing additional food for the growth of those nasty things, but wasn't there something odd about the bones below the moving smashing mounds of green? Does that mean those were very old and gone dormant, or something else?"
Bartomus stabbed a piece of melon and chewed on it as well as the questions he had just asked aloud.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Friday June 16th, 2023 12:44:33 PM
Delia quietly offers in response to Bart's question about bones, tripping over her words a bit in the presence of all the pomp, despite their history with Drezz, "The bones we saw belong to a type of lizardfolk that should be extinct. But the bones weren't old enough to belong to something that's extinct. They looked like they were sacrificial - used for some kind of sacrifice for magic. Probably the... glowy... seaweed." She returns to silence. That and what the others had said the most concerning things to her.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Friday June 16th, 2023 4:43:21 PM
Zanderallen flashes Drezz a huge smile, "No sir. Next time might I recommend be carried in on a palanquin carried by some exotic race. Palm fronds held over your head by beautiful concubines." After having a good laugh his face sobers as the discussion turns to serious topics. He listens carefully to Armalad's account, ready to add details but finding no need to with Armalads sharp mind. He waits for his chance and expresses his concerns, "The Blood Lilies Armalad mentioned, they should not be here. There were part of the spilling over from the Sargrass that nearly destroyed the Wold years ago. They should have all been removed from the Wold. If some stayed here or got brought over later, They. Must. Be. Destroyed. They are a Wold ending threat."
"The Overlord wants... all of us?" (DM Wayne) Sunday June 18th, 2023 12:14:44 AM
Armalad gives a perfect and full chronological rundown to the minutest detail. At Joker’s memory tickler, she then focuses Drezz’s attention on the scarlet seaweed hulks/golems, and the use of sacrifices and magical treasure to create them. Armalad concludes that perhaps there was an actual goal to the fisherfolk attack, to get more sacrifices to create more golems.
Stohp skips the chronological breakdown and asks the Overlord to focus on the mounds and the moundplex as the key discovery, since they appear to be suitable workshops to create the golems and can still be used as such until a way is discovered to fully destroy them.
Bartomus piggybacks on Armalad’s mention of the Star Mages Guild and research to offer that he thinks the Druids may have useful analysis as well, especially regarding how the mounds/moundplex could have been created, not to mention the near-mythic Blood Lilys. He then mused aloud about the positioning of the bones beneath the golems.
Delia contributes her insights into the type of bones, the ancient lizardfolk long thought to be extinct. She finishes with a reference to the bones perhaps connected to the bioluminescent seaweed, also under the golems.
Zanderallen shows the Overlord a big smile first, ribbing Drezz about ostentatiousness. He then turns to business, Armalad having already given the blow-by-blow accounting. Zanderallen, like Bartomus, focuses on the Blood Lilys, who should not have survived the conclusion of the Sargrass spillover, and need to be eliminated.
Stock is characteristically silent, perhaps judging his fellow Shields have covered all the key topics. Should he have put some focus on the trough? No, it was adequately covered in Armalad’s lengthy blathering.
Drezz continues his silence a bit after the Shields have spoken their pieces and Stock simply shook his head and jerked a thumb at the rest of the Shields when asked for the “most important intelligence the Shields gathered.”
The Overlord then says, “…Grim news indeed, Sh – friends. Very good intelligence though. You continue with your research with your contacts, and I will put some of my own to work as well, with full discretion, of course.
I am glad you took on this mission, and saving the remaining fisherfolk, out of the goodness of your hearts, yet I feel you may need some material assistance in locating, even purchasing, stronger magical gear and tools to tackle the threats under Turtle Lake… and perhaps beyond!
I must put certain things in motion, and I will send a messenger with guards and carriers when this “material aid” is ready for you, but it will be much sooner than you think and that’s for the better, I say!
Guards!
(Abele and Zejd at once enter the dining hall from outside)
Guards, provide the Shields the heroes’ escort out of the palace, and send carriers with them with a week’s provision of royal foodstuffs – they have much research ahead of them and they should dine on the choicest foods while performing it!
Shields, I must go now and do all that I said I would do, and look for ways to do redouble the Float’s defenses, and more! May Domi bless you all!”
Drezz and his retainers get up from the table and make their way out of the dining hall. Abele and Zejd give orders to the wait staff regarding the Overlord’s edicts on quality foods for the Shields. Abele and Zejd then gesture for the Shields to follow them out of the dining hall and then the Overlord’s palace.
The trip back to Shields HQ is uneventful, Abele and Zejd again using their out-of-the-way shortcuts to minimize the amount of Floatizens who see the procession.
After the food is delivered and Abele and Zejd say their farewells, soon the Shields are left with fully-stocked pantry and larder, and some minor magic – a few stones that can keep cupboards cool so unsalted meats, fruits, and other perishables will last many days longer than normal. It must be good to be the Overlord!
Alone at last, the Shields once more set about progressing their research and reaching out to their contacts.
The Star Mages Guild raises several eyebrows at the learning of arcane/primal plant golems but immediately get to work studying the samples Armalad carefully preserved. The Star Mages tell Armalad that whatever clues they find, the Shields are likely going underwater again and should prepare themselves appropriately, perhaps over-prepare would be a better word, with magical aids for breathing and fighting underwater.
The Druids of the Grove provide a time the same day to meet with Bartomus, and he communicates to them what has happened, his concerns and speculations, and those of the rest of the Shields. He also lets them know that the Star Mages are working on Armalad’s samples, but Armalad held back some for Bartomus to show the Druids, and the Druids promise to fully investigate the samples. As to the mounds and the moundplex, they have concerned looks on their faces but also promise to fully investigate those as well amongst the extended network of Druids.* The Druids suggest Bartomus keep two, maybe three, Water Breathing spells ready every day for the Shields – the enemy has already proven they like to make surprise attacks from the water.
(OOC - *Druids tend to focus more on oral histories than written libraries, so the Druids of the Grove will need time to communicate with their peers in other regions.)
The Woldian League of Adventurers is lacking in knowledge of the golems, the Blood Lilys, the mounds and moundplexes, but as Pip the WLA librarian presses Stock for more details, Stock grunts once and pulls out one of the two pairs of magical bracers the Shields found, with an emblem of a single eye centered over an open, tooth-filled maw. Pip’s eyes go wide and he gulps three times in quick succession! Pip promises Stock that he’ll have a useful report for the Shields within a day, perhaps sooner if he finds the right books in the WLA library quicker than usual.
SHIELDS – you have set your contacts and research in motion, and it looks like you have time today for Zanderallen to prepare enough restorative magics to fully heal all the Blood Lily poison damage remaining in Delia and any others.
What do you do for the rest of the day until Pip contacts you with his report?
(OOC –
Shields, thank you for a most enjoyable first Woldian module for this DM! I had a lot of fun and I hope you did too!
Mike K begins the next exciting Shields adventure Monday, perhaps even with interesting news from Pip’s research!
The July 1 level-up is approaching and Mike K will handle the details on that.
Don’t worry, I might have more alien terrors in mind for the Shields to face… at the start of January or so…)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=32 ; d20+24=38 ; Sunday June 18th, 2023 11:16:07 PM
Armalad and Joker visit the labs in the star mages guild where the samples are being kept to see what kind of research is being done on the samples and if she can suggest anything useful.
Know(Arcana) : 32 Spellcraft: 38
After that she goes for some target practice with her bow
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday June 19th, 2023 7:20:13 AM
Suitable and seemingly automated - no one was seen working the place and for all they know it could spit out horrors endlessly should the right conditions be met.
While they are waiting for their contacts Stohp will approach Zander about possibly trying to raise the dead adventurers.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Monday June 19th, 2023 10:02:59 AM
Stock waits patiently for Pip to find out any details. In the meantime he spends his time carving a piece of drift wood he found at the bottom of the lake.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Monday June 19th, 2023 10:32:07 AM
Bartomus watched as the food, with the preservation stones, was brought in and put away. He was amazed at the gifts from Drezz and wondered what else the many may be considering to make available to the Shields.
He then went to his meeting with the Druids and nodded at their recommendation about ensuring the Shields could breathe underwater. With an understanding nod that more information was needed, but that it would take time, Bartomus thanked the Druidic council members for their time and their ears before returning to Shield HQ.
The rest of the day, Bartomus caught himself up on a few of the bone carving projects he had lying about his workstation.
OCC - Thanks Wayne for a great adventure! Welcome back Mike K
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 40 Monday June 19th, 2023 11:06:08 AM
Delia settles in to wait for the information to be researched and gathered. She keeps her underwater spells prepared as well, ready for another attack no warning attack.
In the morning, she wakes wildly early with a start, already flinging herself out of bed before realizing that this time, there is no frantic knocking on the door. She sighs, getting up the rest of the way and decides she might as well begin her day. She heads to the roof with Hawky and puts him through his paces before she begins her own archery practice.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Monday June 19th, 2023 6:17:11 PM
Zanderallen spends the day following up with some of the others, now that's he's thought more on the Blood Lilies he can't shake the memories of the first time they saw the effects of their bleeding poison. He finds opportunities to cure those hits by blood lily poison and throws in some extra Lay on Hands to Neutralize any poison that may be hiding in their system. He catches lunch with Pepper but with his mind on dangers he dare not share for publishing coupled with the stress of memories of the last underwater misadventure there is a rare rift between them.
After lunch he double checks his underwater gear and is satisfied with his preparations. He sits down with Stohp to discuss the fate of the Lakeview Lads. "It will be a challenging affair with their bodies be so devoured. But I see no reason for that to prevent us petitioning Gargul, they died in service to the Wold. Let us go to the temple." Once at the temple Zander will inquire after resurrection services for Triggan and Jerma.
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