The Trip Begins (DM Cayzle) Tuesday March 19th, 2024 9:06:49 AM
The party sets off to head for home, escorting the healer, Lady Femmu. She is willing to come and help treat the Marquis’ daughter, Danni. You are travelling from Lowestoft, a lawful evil kingdom west of Castle Surrender, to the home of Marquis de Lockridge, the party’s mentor and sponsor.
Travel is safe in Lowestoft itself, but once you enter the Contested Lands, the danger rises. What’s your marching order and watches? Please and list select spells, those who prepare them.
Zeoll d20+8=26 ; Tuesday March 19th, 2024 9:15:38 AM
Well, my frriends," says the elder taur with the middle-aged body, "from what I know of the Contested Lands ...
Knowledge Geography = 26 woot
... this is a rrealm of verry tiny holdings, forrts, and strrongholds, all at warr with each otherr, none everr dominating all, vanishing as fast as they rrise. We could encounterr a pack of orrcs rriding bearrs, or a dwarrf forrtress, or a simple farrmstead, albeit one with walls."
"Be rready forr anything!"
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Tuesday March 19th, 2024 8:38:12 PM
The Twins will take the rearguard, able to support the team no matter what direction an enemy comes from.
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Tuesday March 19th, 2024 10:05:51 PM
Elron is comfortable taking point. He can picture himself being warlord for a day in these lands. And who is to say, after all, that they aren't traveling through their own domain in any case?
Asimov remains in the middle of the group with Irony flying ahead.
Perception: 19 - Irony Perception: 23 - Asimov
Devices Prepared 0th: light projector, magic detector, poison detector, corrosive pistol, freeze ray 1st: wrist rockets, door detector, medihaler light x 2, parachute x2, grease ray 2nd: medihaler medium x2, flamethrower x 2, fire eater capsule, trap detector 3rd, jetpack, accelerator device, blastbomb, electomagetic charge emitter, medihaler serious x2 4th: greater cloaking device, medihaler critical, electromagnetic spheres. Ice wall capsule,
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 99/99 Thursday March 21st, 2024 1:20:32 AM
Before leaving, she sought new clothing, as she did not want anymore to wear what clad her when her body was stolen. New clothes, some new gear, and she is ready to go. As they set out on the road, Mundhildur begins feeling more like herself. She is fine being at or near the lead of the party with Elron, and takes time to experience her further growth as a giant, now standing sixteen feet six inches tall. She collects new rocks along the way, occasionally practicing throwing them against selected targets such as a fallen tree or a boulder. She hums tunes she knows, and composes some new ones as they move along.
An Attack in the Contested Lands (DM Cayzle) Thursday March 21st, 2024 11:14:49 AM
Setting off into the Contested Lands, you travel through most of the day without incident. The land is hilly and rugged in the Windbourne Hills, and though the distance is not great, the journey is not swift. There is a road, and sometimes you see small farmsteads, usually with stout walls and no windows. Some are so large that surely a big clan lives in them. Farmers tend to stare aggressively, or actively retreat into their homes when they see you.
In between these steadings, the road wanders through patches of wilderness. It is in one of these that you spot a large animal -- a tiger? Mauling a humanoid on the ground. The moment it sees you, it runs off. You are about 200 feet from the person lying on the ground. They may not be dead!
Lady Femmu gasps and calls for the party to help the fallen person. “Please, let’s see what we can do!”
Elron looks for signs of an ambush as he moves towards the injured person. It will take a couple of rounds.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Friday March 22nd, 2024 3:12:46 AM
Mundhi runs toward the fallen person. Her base speed is 40 ft., and she runs, covering 160' in a round, and slows down to reach the person at the end of the second round. She looks over the humanoid, and pulls out a goodberry given her earlier by Zeoll. "Medicine," she tells him or her, and pops it in the mouth - even if the tiger victim is unconscious. It will heal 1 hp damage. If at negative hit points, it will stabilize the individual.
Zeoll (AC26, 107hp) Friday March 22nd, 2024 5:56:44 AM
Zeoll casts longstrider and moves 50 ft closer.
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Friday March 22nd, 2024 6:40:41 AM
The Twins move up to stand over the injured person why the healers do their thing, weapons ready to defend against any further attack.
Surprise! (DM Cayzle) d20=3 ; Friday March 22nd, 2024 10:12:49 PM
Mundhi and Lady Femmu run -- the healer arrives just after the giant-kin. The other heroes follow.
You see clearly the signs of a battle: shrubs torn up, blood on the ground, and most of all, an unconscious dwarf. Or barely conscious; you hear faint moaning. He is dressed as a martial artist, in black, white, grey, and rose, and is very wounded.
Mundhi gives a goodberry. Femmu takes out a healer kit and starts to work on the dwarf. He says “thank you,” and holds out his hand. She takes his hand to comfort him.
The injured dwarf activates a special ability -- a spell-like ability that has no components: there is no way to detect it ahead of time.
Femmu rolls a raw three to resist. The dwarf and the healer teleport away!
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Saturday March 23rd, 2024 3:02:06 AM
Asimov attempts to determine what the spell-like ability was and most likely fails
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Sunday March 24th, 2024 8:32:58 PM
The Twins are scanning the area looking for danger and so don't even see the pair disappear into thin air.
Zeoll (AC26, 107hp) d20+8=21 ; Monday March 25th, 2024 5:40:31 AM
Spellcraft to assist Asimov ... 21
"Did you see that shimmerr?" Zeoll says. "maybe it means ..."
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished (DM Cayzle) Monday March 25th, 2024 5:45:47 AM
Indeed, the spell-like ability the dwarf used was Teleport.
You look around the field. The ground is torn up and bloody. You are alone. So! Will you give up and allow your healer to be taken? or will you DO something about it?
[OOC: Feel free to suggest ways for Zeoll to help. He is always willing to try anything.]
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Monday March 25th, 2024 6:47:58 AM
The Twins notice something wrong and turn around to find the pair gone. "Well." "Now what?" they ask, having no way to possibly track someone who's teleported.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+10=23 ; Monday March 25th, 2024 3:09:17 PM
"Shall we track where the dwarf came from, and where the tiger came from?" asks Yofiel. "The cat can't be too far off yet."
After asking, she herself examines the cat tracks, and begins to follow them, but not getting too far away from the party - no more than 40-50 yards.
Ironic Asimov - HP 96/96 AC 23/14/21 CMD 24 & Irony(worn) HP 53/53 Hardness 6 -- Hugh Monday March 25th, 2024 5:26:19 PM
Asimov asks, "Is there any way to track where a teleport spell went? I mean they could have gone almost literally anywhere. While Occam's razor would suggest the Dwarf would return from whence he came he might not be originally from here and could be hundreds of miles away from here if it was the normal version or anywhere in the Wold or Jericho space if it was the Greater version."
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' d20+10=14 ; Monday March 25th, 2024 7:38:54 PM
Elron helps with the tracking effort, although he's looking for where the dwarf went as well as where it came from. And to see if the cat left tracks, because he thinks the timing of this "attack" is mighty suspicious and could have been some sort of trick of the mind.
Zeoll puts his magical lore to work answering the question.
Spellcraft 9 Know Arcana 18.
"I can't think of how to trrack a teleporterr, but we can use scrrying and divination to get answerrs, maybe."
Zeoll also assists with tracking. Aid Another Survival plus scent ... 32.
Mysterious tracks (DM Cayzle) Tuesday March 26th, 2024 9:36:15 PM
It is easy to follow the dwarf back along where he came from. Tracking the dwarf shows, before the tracks peter out, that the dwarf came from the southeast, toward the Cinnamon Valley.
It is also possible to see the tracks of the beast that attacked him. The beast’s prints begin and end nearby, as if it appeared out of nowhere, attacked, and then disappeared.
Roll Know Nature DC20 to ID the tracks: Highlight to display spoiler: {The attacker was a tiger, odd in this terrain.}
He asks of the trackers, "So the animal just appeared randomly nearby and disappeared and the Dwarf just appeared on the trail from Cinnamon Valley? So what did they both teleport here, fight each other and then both teleport away with Dwarf absconding with our Healer?"
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Wednesday March 27th, 2024 7:01:24 AM
The Twins frown at the tracks. "Presumably ..." "it was some sort of set up?" "A summoned animal?" "and a fake attack?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+3=4 ; Wednesday March 27th, 2024 2:21:48 PM
Despite that the group saw a tiger attacking the dwarf, Mundhildur is not acquainted with tiger tracks... despite that they are clearly there, and she can follow them. "So, this big cat - right, Asimov, and twins - just showed up, and disappeared. Maybe it flew in, and can turn invisible. Or maybe it was summoned."
She listens to Zeoll, too. "So, you think you can scry Femmu? And ask divine questions?"
"Well, them's tiger tracks. And see here. . . It had a slight limp in it's right front paw. Tiger's ain't much found 'round these parts."
Elron wonders how someone would know to target Lady Femmu with them, and how many might be involved in the plot. He uses his ring of chameleon power to appear as much like Lady Femmu as he can. Admittedly, he can't appear to be her full stature, or fool someone familiar with her, or sound like her. But someone working from a quick description might be taken in until they're close enough to pounce on.
Zeoll (AC26, 107hp) Wednesday March 27th, 2024 9:17:08 PM
"I don't have any scrrying, but I can cast Legend Lorre," says Zeoll. "I would welcome ideas on how to use the spell."
Some sort of a set-up (DM Cayzle) Wednesday March 27th, 2024 9:20:25 PM
The Twins cleverly conclude that this was all just a set-up, and the tiger conjured for the purpose of realism in creating injuries.
Elron has a solid idea for a disguise ... though maybe it is a bit like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted!
The party has questions. Will Zeoll's spell offer answers?
Ironic Asimov - HP 96/96 AC 23/14/21 CMD 24 & Irony(worn) HP 53/53 Hardness 6 -- Hugh Wednesday March 27th, 2024 11:38:07 PM
Asimov says, "Welp I got nothing in my Design Folio that can help in this situation. However if we are going to be faced with an organization that can just teleport away if we find them I can prepare up to 4 dimensional anchor ray guns but if I prepare all 4I can't prepare anything else that is a more powerful gadget. The problem with Legend Lore is we don't have Lady Femmu at hand anymore so it will take between 1 and 10 days for you to cast it Zeoll and we have no clue as to who the Dwarf is so I guess it would take weeks to ask about him but what choice do we have. I guess it is a good sign they took her alive so that theoretically she would still be alive when we find her after the days it will take to cast Legend Lore because won't the spell provide us with enough information to supposedly track Lady Femmu down again?"
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Thursday March 28th, 2024 7:11:42 AM
The Twins consider, then just shrug. "Let's just find the nearest town." "Ask around." "We don't have any better leads." (OOC I think Legend Lore is useless as there are unlikely to be useful legends related to random kidnapping that just happened.)
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' d20-1=12 ; Thursday March 28th, 2024 9:49:48 PM
Elron tries to remember any details about the dwarf that might help Zeoll use his spell. (Guessing an Int check to remember, and Elron had rolled a 23 perception approaching the scene).
Zeoll says, "That's true, the spell takes a lot longer to cast if stuff is not at hand. Huh."
He helps Elron recall details. Int 13.
Details recalled (DM Cayzle) Friday March 29th, 2024 1:28:39 PM
The party seems at a loss and determines to head for a village or town.
Elron and Zeoll put heads together. They recall that dwarf was dressed as a martial artist, in black, white, grey, and rose. It kind of looked like a uniform. No weapons, but he had a pack. That's gone now too. Otherwise, a typical dwarf: dark complexion, brown hair and beard, brown eyes. You would know him if you saw him again.
You are on a road, and you understand that it will fork soon. One fork heads toward the coast and Effacia the other towards the Culverwood, Rowena, and Cinnamon Valley. You recall there was a small town at the fork, with a roadhouse.
Do you head that way?
Asimov - HP 96/96 AC 19/14/17 CMD 24 & Irony HP 53/53 AC 31/13/28 Hardness 6 CMD 23 -- Hugh Monday April 1st, 2024 2:02:32 AM
Asimov says, "Well if we head to the roadhouse we could ask after the Dwarf in the strange uniform. If he passed by that way surely some staff would have remembered him and if they don't then perhaps we went the wrong way and we try a different direction?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+13=28 ; Monday April 1st, 2024 2:25:12 AM
The Jotunnar maiden thinks over the dwarf. She describes his features, the shape of his face, how he moved his hands, the sound of his voice, the temperature of his lips, as well as any features of his clothing, as she was pretty much right on top of him as she fed him the goodberry and watched him take hold of Lady Femmu's hand. She relays all she can remember of the time she spent with him - maybe 12 seconds? - to Zeoll.
"I agree with Asimov. Let's go to the roadhouse, then decide from there."
Perception to recall what she could of the duplicitous dwarf: 28
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 d20=14 ; Monday April 1st, 2024 7:47:01 AM
The Twins take their position at the back of the group and try to be more alert as they head towards town (14 perception).
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Monday April 1st, 2024 8:42:28 PM
Elron is also ready to go to the roadhouse, although he wonders if he is still acting the part of warlord for a day. . . But no, he has taken on the guise of healer for a bit, and he can't recall any healers who were warlords.
More Details recalled (DM Cayzle) Monday April 1st, 2024 9:53:18 PM
Mundhi tries to recall more about the dwarf. He saw the dwarf's black, white, grey, and rose outfit was very bloody, not only by the teeth and claws of a beast, but with a blade too. But his backpack was clean and tied down tight.
You head to the roadhouse and spend the night. What do you do to find out more?
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 d20=6 ; Tuesday April 2nd, 2024 7:56:12 AM
The Twins aren't great at gathering information but they'll try to ask about local monasteries or religious orders. (diplomacy 7 if needed)
Asimov asks after a Dwarf wearing a black, white, grey, and rose outfit and if anyone at the roadhouse saw him coming and/or going.
At the Roadhouse (DM Cayzle) Tuesday April 2nd, 2024 11:43:32 PM
Yeah, one person recalls seeing the dwarf in the area, coming from the southeast.
"Looked to me like he was travelling out of Rowena or Cin Valley."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+5=18 ; Wednesday April 3rd, 2024 3:07:07 AM
Mundhildur gets some wood, and begins carving, trying to make a reasonable likeness of the dwarf's face.
Craft wood: 18
Then she gives it to Zeoll. "This is what he looked like, somewhat. The kidnapper."
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Wednesday April 3rd, 2024 8:18:01 AM
The Twins shrug. "Well that's our only lead." "The sooner we head that way" " the sooner we'll hopefully find something."
Zeoll (AC26, 107hp) Wednesday April 3rd, 2024 5:17:27 PM
Zeoll looks at the carving of the dwarf, consulting his own memories as well.
"And this is for ... ? Casting Legend Lore? Takes some time."
OOC: 1d10 days.
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Wednesday April 3rd, 2024 6:03:56 PM
Elron tells a a long and convoluted story at the roadhouse. . . "My cousin Rufus lived in a quaint little village nestled 'tween rolling hills and lush meadows. Now, Rufus warn't your ordinary rooster (as is any rooster is ordinary). No, he was a white an' gray rooster but mostly he was th' most punctual rooster in th' entire countryside. Every morning, without fail, Rufus would wake up with th' first light o' dawn and proudly announce the start of the day with his hearty cock-a-doodle-doo. . . Roosters is songbirds, you know.
"Rufus took great pride in his morning routine, and he was known far and wide for his impeccable timing. Th' villagers relied on Rufus to wake them up bright and early, ensuring they never missed th' start of their day's work.
"One day, a gnomish tinker came t' th' village an' heard 'bout Rufus. Intrigued, he decided t' put Rufus's reputation t' th' test. So for a week he stayed up t' greet th' dawn, watchin' Rufus an' tinkerin'. He had hisself a wagon full o' tools for making all manner o' things. An' he pondered and puzzled 'bout how Rufus could be so punctual.
"One morning, as th' first light o' dawn began t' peek over th' horizon, Rufus let out his customary cock-a-doodle-doo. But t' his surprise, he heard another sound echoing through the village—a loud ringing noise that seemed to mimic his own call.
"Confused, Rufus looked 'round and spotted the gnome's tent on th' outskirts of the village. There, to his amazement, he saw th' tinker's clock blaring away, perfectly imitating Rufus's crow. Realizing what had happened, Rufus couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed that even his impeccable timing couldn't outdo the cleverness of a skilled inventor.
"From that day on, Rufus and th' gnome became th' best o' friends. And while Rufus continued t' faithfully wake the villagers each morning, he couldn't help but wonder if there might be room for a little innovation in his routine. After all, a little competition never hurt no-one, 'specially when it came with a hearty dose o' laughter and friendship. And so, Rufus an' th' tinker continued t' regale th' villagers with their dueling wake-up calls, spreading joy and merriment for many years."
(OOC: Got interrupted yesterday before finishing this, but thought I'd sent it. . .}
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Thursday April 4th, 2024 5:36:16 AM
The Twins are uncertain if spending days casting a spell that may or may not help is the best use of the parties time but if the spellcasters think it will be useful they'll wait.
Zeoll (AC26, 107hp) Thursday April 4th, 2024 6:29:48 AM
"Tomayto, Tomahto," answers Zeoll. "Eitherr way, I'll be focusing on eitherr the dwarrf orr on Lady Femmu, whateverr you guys think."
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Thursday April 4th, 2024 7:52:05 PM
Elron thinks Zeoll should focus on the dwarf, but is unable to explain why. He's not a thinky person.
Asimov - HP 96/96 AC 19/14/17 CMD 24 & Irony HP 53/53 AC 31/13/28 Hardness 6 CMD 23 -- Hugh Thursday April 4th, 2024 9:10:01 PM
Asimov says, "Along the path to Cin Valley or Rowena which city do we hit first? Perhaps we see if we can find any signs of the Dwarf or Lady Femmu there and then decide whether or not we should use Legend Lore?"
Zeoll (AC26, 107hp) Thursday April 4th, 2024 9:51:33 PM
"So arre we headed out in the morrning, then?"
[OOC: Pick a course of action and the DM Post will respond.]
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Thursday April 4th, 2024 9:53:53 PM
The Twins are firmly in favor of following what little leads they have, namely heading southeast down whatever roads there are until they hit a town to try to dig up more information
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Friday April 5th, 2024 5:42:17 PM "Sure we can go. You can cast on the way, Zeoll." Besides which, Sin Valley sounds to Elron like an interesting place to visit.
Zeoll says, "Good idea, Elrron! I can cast forr eight hourrs a day, sleep forr eight hourrs a day, and trravel forr eight hourrs a day. So long as you guys don't mind me skipping my turrn on watches, we arre all set!"
The older liontaur starts on the day the group sets out.
Let's see how many days are required to cast the spell. 1d10 = 1! SO LUCKY!
Legend Lore (DM Cayzle) Friday April 5th, 2024 10:36:02 PM
The party sets out, and Zeoll casts his spell when the travellers are not travelling. The spell ends up giving results quickly ... and yields this bit of divinatory lore:
In his House in the Valley, the Godling lies Dreaming. While his Minions, the Mindoses, never stop Scheming. Caring not for Disruption or Madness or Breaking, And they stole Lady Femmu to help with the Waking.
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Saturday April 6th, 2024 10:09:44 PM
Elron begins singing as they continue on their way. . . (Elron, of course, throws in the occassional doo-dah). . .
In his House in the Valley, the Godling lies Dreaming, While his Minions, the Mindoses, never stop Scheming. Caring not for Disruption or Madness or Breaking, And they stole Lady Femmu to help with the Waking.
Mindoses, oh Mindoses, creatures of thought, In the depths of the mind, their power is wrought. With whispers and dreams, they weave their dark spell, In the realm of the Godling, where dreams and realities dwell.
Lady Femmu, fair and gentle, caught in their snare, Her mind they ensnared, her thoughts laid bare. She dances in shadows, lost in their sway, A captive of the Mindoses, night and day.
Mindoses, oh Mindoses, masters of the mind, In the realm of dreams, they're one of a kind. With cunning and guile, they manipulate fate, In the Godling's realm, where dreams create.
But beware, oh mortals, of the Mindoses' call, For once entangled, you may lose it all. They twist and they turn, with sinister glee, In the House of the Godling, where dreams are set free.
Yet hope still lingers, in the depths of the night, For heroes arise to join the fight. With courage and strength, they'll break the chains, And rescue Lady Femmu from the Mindoses' domain.
Mindoses, oh Mindoses, heed our plea, Release your hold and set her free. For in the House of the Godling, light will prevail, And banish the darkness, once and for all.
Zeoll (AC26, 107hp) Sunday April 7th, 2024 6:56:06 PM
Zeoll laughs, hums along, and dances a bit to Elron's tune.
"Well done, my frriend! I see you have hearrd this prrophesy beforre!"
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Sunday April 7th, 2024 11:13:20 PM "Ain't heard no prophecy. Just sayin' that if th' godlin's sleeping it's th' minions we should worry 'bout."
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Monday April 8th, 2024 9:28:21 AM
Well. At least they have a name to ask about. The Twins will plan on asking about this cult at the next town.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+8=11 ; d20+8=24 ; Tuesday April 9th, 2024 6:05:33 AM
Since her resurrection by the hand of Lady Femmu, Mundhildur has been grateful, yet sometimes has felt detached. But on hearing Elron put to song Zeoll's revelation, she learns the tune. She hums along (at first rather inexpertly - perform singing: 11)
But after the rooster bard sings it once, she asks him to sing it again, and joins in with him, sometimes singing in unison, sometimes providing harmonies. And her voice has finally caught the tune, quite well (perform singing: 24).
Messenger (DM Cayzle) Tuesday April 9th, 2024 9:11:37 PM
The next day dawns and finds you all on a path in the lightly wooded hills of the southeast Contested Lands. A small songbird flutters up to you, a message tied to its leg. The message says:
“Please come release me from my bondage! I am held captive in the largest oak in this part of the Wold. Follow my messenger to find me, please, I beg you, have mercy on an innocent captive.”
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Tuesday April 9th, 2024 10:44:34 PM "Is it signed?" Elron jokes. "I don't know if we should be rescuin' folks what we ain't been introduced t', even in writin'."
Elron kind of assumes they will see about rescuing this person. Hopefully it won't delay finding Lady Femmu.
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Wednesday April 10th, 2024 5:08:06 AM "Lady Femmu is a healer." "Maybe she has druidic powers and she sent this." the Twins point out.
Zeoll (AC26, 107hp) Wednesday April 10th, 2024 9:06:46 PM
Zeoll asks, "So, arre we following this birdie orr no?"
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Thursday April 11th, 2024 9:45:40 PM
Elron assumes the Twins are right and starts chasing after the bird.
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Friday April 12th, 2024 4:42:40 AM
The Twins take off after Elron.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Friday April 12th, 2024 2:25:18 PM
"We go together," insists Mundhildur. "The way things go, one thing leads to another. Let us find the one who sent the message."
Tree (DM Cayzle) Friday April 12th, 2024 7:23:30 PM
The bird leads you to a magnificent, ancient oak, its branches heavy with ripe acorns. The bird lands on a twig next to a very small whole, no more than an inch in diameter. It sings prettily.
From the hole you hear a young female voice calling. “My friend, you have returned. Did you bring help this time?”
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Saturday April 13th, 2024 3:08:11 AM
How high up is the tiny hole? If it is lower than 17 feet above the roots, Mundhildur will draw near in her huge size. If lower than 11 feet, in her large size. If lower than 8 feet, in her medium size. "Hello. Who is in the tree?"
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Sunday April 14th, 2024 9:48:59 AM
Elron sings along with the bird, still under the impression that this is Lady Femmu using her druidly powers to get their help.
In the forest deep, where shadows loom, A damsel fair is trapped in gloom. Lady Femmu, held by a spell, In the clutches of a twisted hell.
Adventurers, arise and ride, Through the woods, where fears reside. With courage bold, they'll set her free, This band of heroes, united we'll be.
The rooster crows with dawn's first light, His call a beacon, fierce and bright. The giantess strides with steps so strong, Her arms outstretched, righting the wrongs.
The liontaur, fierce and true, With mane ablaze, he'll see it through. The noble twins, two souls entwined, Their bond unbreakable, fate aligned.
The warforged android, steel and steel, With circuits humming, he'll break the seal. Together they march, with hearts aflame, To rescue Lady Femmu, and stake their claim.
Adventurers, follow the bird, Through the woods, where tears are heard. With courage bold, they'll set her free, This band of heroes, united we'll be.
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 d20=3 ; Monday April 15th, 2024 6:11:19 AM
It seems unlikely the dwarf is in the tree so the Twins become less interested in this turn of events. Given recent events they try to keep their eyes open for another trap (perception 3)
Tree (DM Cayzle) Monday April 15th, 2024 11:55:22 AM
The tree seems straightforward, and the hole is not high up.
Irony and Mundhi peer in. They see a young elf girl.
Elron sings, and the girl calls out, "Who is that? Who is singing so sweetly!? Please help me get out of here! I'm Sylvie! Please please, I beg your help!"
"All I ever eat and drink are goodberries and sap. I can't bear it any more. Please free me!"
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Monday April 15th, 2024 9:07:47 PM
Elron immediately like this girl, not being accustomed to hearing his songs called "sweet," even if he's aware that she's imprisoned and a sudden rush of hope probably has a lot to do with her attitude.
"We'll -- I say, we'll figure out how to save you, don't worry! Is Lady Femmu all right in there, too?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Tuesday April 16th, 2024 1:45:57 AM
"Now, how is it you got inside this tree, Sylvie? And how do you get goodberries? And my name is Mundhildur," says the giantess. "Also, this is a very, very large oak. Do you know its story?"
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Tuesday April 16th, 2024 5:17:42 AM
Hrm. This is very strange. "We should learn more." "before we act." "There are a lot of concerns here."
Tree (DM Cayzle) Tuesday April 16th, 2024 3:58:17 PM
Sylvie is alarmed at the idea of damaging the tree, but she wants to be free.
"Um, if you don't KILL the tree, I think that would be okay."
She calls out that it is she alone who is in the tree. Nobody else.
"I've been in here so long, and I'm so sad. Please help me. This tree is a holy tree, and my people bring me my goodberries every day. But they are not allowed to talk to me, and I'm lonely."
She begins weeping.
Asimov - HP 96/96 AC 19/14/17 CMD 24 & Irony HP 53/53 AC 31/13/28 Hardness 6 CMD 23 -- Hugh d20+19=31 ; d20+8=15 ; Tuesday April 16th, 2024 6:07:57 PM
Asimov tries to figure out from an engineering perspective how many slams of Irony's it would take to enlarge the hole large enough for the girl to exit from. He also tries to figure out if this amount of damage would kill the tree.
Know Engineering - 31 Know Nature - 15
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Tuesday April 16th, 2024 7:03:17 PM "Well, why -- I say, why are you in there?" Elron immediately dislikes these people who would keep someone inside a tree, but he senses a story here. He thinks they should understand more before breaking something to get her out. "For that matter, how did you get in there?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 Wednesday April 17th, 2024 4:18:08 AM
"Asimov, let's hold off on making the hold bigger for the moment," counsels Mundhildur. "I think Elron's questions are worth hearing the answers to."
"Sylvie, dearie, yes, please, help us understand better your circumstances. Who brings the berries?"
Tree (DM Cayzle) Wednesday April 17th, 2024 5:53:08 AM
Sylvie says, "Well, it is the tradition of my clan that a person live in the tree and commune with the Culverwood as their life's work. Like a hermit."
Know religion DC11: Highlight to display spoiler: {This kind of hermit, who stays fixed in one place, is called an anchorite.}
"But I'm tired of this life! Ten years is enough! I want to be free."
Perception DC 15: Highlight to display spoiler: {You see a group of people approaching fast. Elves?}
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 d6=5 ; d20=5 ; Wednesday April 17th, 2024 7:18:21 AM
A holy tree trapping someone and regular offerings? Maybe the Twins are just being paranoid after recent events but this is starting to sound like one of those classic "Trapped demon tricks passersby into freeing it" stories. They're incredibly skeptical, (perception 5)
Elron -- SteveM -- HP: 113/113 | AC: 26 | DR: 3/-- + 5/magic | SR: 17 | Move: 60' Wednesday April 17th, 2024 6:46:00 PM "Sylvie, some elves are coming. You say your people won't talk to you -- will they take it amiss if we talk to you?"
Asimov says, "I also see Elves coming. Are they possibly Sylvie's people?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant Lvl 11 (7'4"/16'6") (Kim) AC 22 Touch 16 FF20 HP 131/131 d20+3=9 ; d20+13=32 ; d20+8=26 ; Wednesday April 17th, 2024 7:47:50 PM
Mundhildur grows up to over 16' tall. She sings out, "Elves, if in peace you come, then peace be unto you." Meanwhile, she has a hand in her bag, wrapped around a rock or two - which she hopes she does not have to use against the elves.
========== Perform, singing: 26
Tree (DM Cayzle) Thursday April 18th, 2024 5:32:44 AM
A band of four elves do indeed arrive on the scene. Wood elves. Dressed in green, they call out as they approach, "Halt intruders! Stand back from the holy tree of the Culverwood."
Sense Motive D 20: Highlight to display spoiler: { They are both scared and angry to see people here.}
One, an older man with an eagle on his shoulder, says aggressively, "We will brook no harm to our sacred place! Who are you, and why are you here?"
Mitch - The Twins HP 141/141 AC 35/18/30 CMD 37 Thursday April 18th, 2024 7:09:04 AM "A talking bird" "asked us to come help."
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