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Deciphering the Map

Unicorn Map (DM SteveK)
Monday May 6th, 2019 8:23:46 AM
OOC: All heroes gain 5,000xp!

Wilford, Sarge, and Hmerrin enjoy the party, continue to hash out the implications of the one on one combats, and (in one case) proceed to drink himself under the table. Bozak is soon sitting with the young fighter, each blearily making banal comments, laughing, and occasionally singing (badly).

Toston tries to alleviate concerns, first to Durbin, and then to the Chief. Durbin shrugs: she is obviously not offended, and was only trying to provide additional information. The Chief also shrugs. ”You are Friends, we have called you Friends. What we both say will last a time, what we both do will last much longer.” And that seems to be the best Toston will get.

Toston also respectfully request the Chief’s aid in determining where to head next with respect to the map. Desdichado leans in, and Gaffer (as previously posted) obligingly lays out the map. Several druids produce Light Spells, and soon the map is well lit.

Chief Giddeeyon traces the green line and points to the Unicorn Symbol. “Yes, yes, clearly is Culverwood, and the Bight, and Unicorn which is us. Line looks like Noble Race Road in Izen to the South. But what does the Noble Race scratches say?” The Chief looks at the assembled Tide, looking for the answer. The Tide can quickly determine that no one in the Unicorn Tribe (Orc or Unicorn) can read.

…………………..

MAP. Unicorn Map

Wilford Grimly (HP:51/51; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 20)
Monday May 6th, 2019 12:27:27 PM
"Ok..ok.. you win. I concede." Wil says in a drunken stupor. "I've never been that good at tic tak toe and trying to play with voices in my head just isn't fair."
"I thinks we better get moving and I better gets sober. How's you Eesk?" He asks the orc.
Wil tumbles, curses, then giggles.. "I thinks I fell upon a unicorn rabbit because something may have just pierced my undercarriage."

Sarge (Kathy)
Monday May 6th, 2019 1:57:26 PM
"They don't say anything," Sarge replies. "You have to read them. Ha!" Apologetically, she adds, "That works better in Dwarvish. Anyway, here's what it says--"

And she reads off the text. Provided it's something she can read--it was translated into Common, yes?

Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 67/67; AC:33/22/29 - CMD 28
Monday May 6th, 2019 8:33:03 PM
Toston says the markings translate to, "viewed in generality a drop of blood freely given by the best orc chief will ink the riddle."

"Thalpus said that you might be able to help us decode the secret mission, so I have to wonder if Giddeeyon is the best orc chief mentioned."

Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 93/93; AC:20/10/20 - CMD 23]
Monday May 6th, 2019 8:47:06 PM
Dez listens along, nodding when Toston mentions that it might be a reference to Giddeeyon.

Hmerrin(HP 100/100 AC:27 T:16 FF:22 CMD:26)
Monday May 6th, 2019 9:05:56 PM
"Coursh it means you," Hmerrin slurs, as he uses his new best friend Bozak as a wall.

"Besht orc chief, like ever, obliviosly...obfiscatingly...ob...ob....ish gotta be you."

The lad waves a hand randomly about.

"Sho, we jush need one little drop of yer blood to get this map goin'."

Gaffer (Courtney HP: 61/78 AC:25(21)(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 1/3 LL 7/9)
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 4:48:34 AM
"We hope that isn't impolite to ask" Gaffer adds to the parties explanation.

He watches eagerly as they study the map, excited to find out what it will reveal, and also curious, "Do you know why another Orc tribe would have this map?"

Map Mystery (DM SteveK)
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 8:29:46 AM
Wilford and Hmerrin are happy and feeling no pain.

Sarge make a dwarf joke (ooc: DM laughed!), then she and Toston reads off the text.

"viewed in generality a drop of blood
freely given by the best orc chief
will ink the riddle."

Toston and Desdichado thinks ‘the best orc chief’ might be a reference to Giddeeyon. Hmerrin obfiscatingly agrees!

Gaffer eases the request, ensuring they are not meaning to be impolite. Then a thought strikes the druid: "Do you know why another Orc tribe would have this map?" Giddeeyon’s unicorn snorts at that. “Orc tribes regularly interact with one another; trading or raiding as it suits their feelings at the moment. It is likely this map has been making its way around Izen for generations of orcs before traded with you.”

Chief Giddeeyon puzzles for a moment. “It says ‘riddle’ but sounds like instructions. Unicorn on map shows it is Unicorn Tribe chief should be drop of blood”, he agrees with the Tide. He quickly pricks his thumb with a dagger tip and lets a drop of blood fall on the map.

For a moment, the drop just lays on the ancient parchment, then it moves to a blank space below the riddle and fades into the map! Some marks fuzzily appear, but they shift and blur and are not clear. The Tide has the freely given drop of blood by the best orc chief, so, what could be wrong?
……………

Perception DC15: Highlight to display spoiler: { the markings look distorted, similar to trying to read through very thick glass or choppy water}

Know Religion DC 15: Highlight to display spoiler: { Before the Cataclysm, the god of Generalities was Kerracles }

MAP. Unicorn Map

Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 93/93; AC:20/10/20 - CMD 23] d20+10=17 ; d20+10=16 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 11:54:07 AM
(Perception:17)
(Religion: 16)

Desdichado squints as he looks at the markings. "These are so strange -- they're very distorted, almost like looking at them through a cloudy glass."

He thinks for a moment. "Generalities...that seems familiar...wasn't Kerracles the God of Generalities before the Cataclysm? I think I recall my old tutor mentioning that a few times."

Sarge (Kathy) d20+6=10 ; d20+10=15 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 1:51:39 PM
Sarge rubs the back of her head. "Yeah. I was never what you'd call one of those scholarly clerics. But I think you're right about that. Kerracles was the God of Generalities." [Religion 15 on the nose!]

"So, 'viewed in generality' might mean 'viewed in the light of Kerracles.'" Sarge squints at the sky.

Wilford Grimly (HP:51/51; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 20) d20+11=22 ; d20+1=17 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 5:14:43 PM
Somehow Wil's perception seems to be fine outside of the intoxication.
"Cloudy glass.. I can related to that right now.." He laughs a bit louder than he should then sudden stops, straightens up and tries to stand. He manages to do this quite well and pull off.. what he thinks is a convincing stance. He clears his throat.
"Kerracles..hmmm"

Hmerrin(HP 100/100 AC:27 T:16 FF:22 CMD:26) d20+4=6 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 7:16:36 PM
[Perception 6]

Hmerrin squints at the markings.

"My head hurts," he announces.

The lad looks at the sky.
"So, we look at it through something cloudy?" he asks. "Like a glass of water or something?"

Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 67/67; AC:33/22/29 - CMD 28 d20+16=17 ; d20+5=8 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 9:12:00 PM
(Perception: 17)
(Know[Religion]: 8)

Toston says, "Well I don't really know much about Kerracles but I certainly can see the distortion. I don't suppose anyone knows of any ruins dedicated to Kerracles around here?"

Gaffer (Courtney HP: 61/78 AC:25(21)(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 1/3 LL 7/9) d20+16=18 ; d20=1 ;
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 5:11:00 AM
Perception: 18

Not knowing anything about the God the others are mentioning, and seeing only distortions on the map. Gaffer asks to Chief Giddeeyon,

"Is there a link between your tribe and this God?"

Kerracles Mystery (DM SteveK)
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 8:00:35 AM
Desdichado comments the markings look distorted, and recalls his old tutor mentioning Kerracles was the God of Generalities before the Cataclysm.

Sarge was never one of those scholarly clerics, but agrees with Dez: Kerracles was the God of Generalities. So 'viewed in generality' might mean 'viewed in the light of Kerracles? Sarge squints at the sky. She sees the dark orb of the moon, Kerracles, is ascendant, nearly at zenith, but it is hard to make out because of two other light sources. The first is the other Woldian moon, Wardd, is near the westering horizon, (Know Nature DC 5: Highlight to display spoiler: { Wardd will set in about 10 minutes}), but still bright. The second is the dozen Light spells that the orc clerics have cast. (Perception DC 10: Highlight to display spoiler: { A little experimenting proves the marking distortion waves and blurs as the Light spells are moved about!})

Wilford can relate to cloudy glass, and laughs, strikes a pose and thinks. "Kerracles..hmmm"

Hmerrin squints at the markings. "My head hurts," he announces.

Toston considers is there are any ruins dedicated to Kerracles around the Bight, but none of the orcs or unicorns seem to know of any Kerracles ruins.

Gaffer asks the Chief if there are any link between the Unicorn Tribe and Kerracles, but none of the orcs or unicorns seem to know any connection.

........

MAP. Unicorn Map

Gaffer (Courtney HP: 61/78 AC:25(21)(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 1/3 LL 7/9) d20+16=35 ; d20+13=24 ;
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 8:15:11 AM
Perception: 35
Knowledge Nature: 24

Following Sarge's gaze, Gaffer peers at the second moon far above them, his eyes glancing between it, Wardd and the lights around them, an excited glint in his eye. They are close.

"Wardd is nearly set tonight, if what you are saying about Kerracles is right, we can shut out the lights and give it another go in fifteen minutes. Look, you can see the lines distort from the light around us?" He explains, gesturing at the low moon and then to the map.

Wilford Grimly (HP:51/51; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 20)
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 4:14:55 PM
Wil is suddenly sick, not necessary because of the drinking but his silent partner is not feeling well.
He finds a quiet place to sit and hopes he can make it through the rest of the day.
(OOC: ie... I'm stupid sick :()

Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 93/93; AC:20/10/20 - CMD 23] d20+10=11 ;
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 5:00:45 PM
Desdichado barely sees that the lights have any impact, but he agrees with Gaffer that turning out the light spells might be helpful.

Dez reaches over and uses Lay on Hands on Wilford - since one of his mercies removes Disease, he hopes Wil will feel better soon. (OOC: Hope you feel better!)

Sarge (Kathy) d20+6=24 ;
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 7:20:36 PM
Now that Gaffer is pointing it out, Sarge can see the distortions, too. "Well, will you look at that," she says. "Yes, let's douse these lights and wait for Wardd to set. Then we'll see what's what."

Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 67/67; AC:33/22/29 - CMD 28 d20+16=18 ; d20+7=13 ;
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 11:52:45 PM
(perception: 18)
(Know[Nature]: 13)

Toston says to Sarge and Gaffer, "I concur with what you have figured out regarding Warrd's setting and turning off the light spells with respect to viewing the map."

Toston then says to the Orcs and Unicorns, "Is it okay with you, that once Warrd sets we turn off the light spells and see if we can see anything different with respect to the map riddle?"

A New Riddle! (DM SteveK)
Thursday May 9th, 2019 9:27:07 AM
Gaffer peers at the two moons and the lights around them, an excited glint in his eye. He proposes to douse all lights in fifteen minutes, pointing out the lights seem to be interfering with reading the map.

Wilford becomes sick, not for any drink but the silent voice always in his head is sick too.

Desdichado agrees with Gaffer that turning out the light spells might be helpful, and helps nurse poor Wil.

Now that Gaffer is pointing it out, Sarge can see the distortions, too, once Gaffer points them out. "Well, will you look at that," she says, and also agrees to wait for Wardd to set.

Toston concurs Sarge and Gaffer, and politely asks the Orcs and Unicorns if it is okay with them. The Unicorn Tribe is quite taken that these powerful adventurers are willing to ask and not demand, and Giddeeyon quickly agrees. (ooc: very saavy, Toston!)

Hmerrin can’t see the lines are particularly blurry. To the young fighter and to Bozak, everything is blurry!
………………

Fifteen minutes pass. The bright moon called Wardd is set and the dark moon of Kerracles is near zenith. At a signal from the Tide, the orcs eagerly, like children waiting for a secret, dismiss the Light spells and even pull apart and douse the bonfire nearby. Darkness is near total but for the brilliant stars and lights up in Jericho Space. Chief Giddeeyon once again pricks his thumb and allows a single drop to fall on the dark map…

… and script as if written in fire scrawls across the empty part of the page! Surprisingly enough, it is written in Dwarfish, but Sarge can easily translate for those who don’t know the tongue.

Kneel on one knee and lap with one hand from the Stream of the Bight
Watch as does Justice
Make the sound of one hand clapping
Walk a mile in another’s shoes
Whistle while you labor
No matter where you go, there you are

As Sarge reads the lines aloud, the Orcs cheer, variations of ‘Yay! We did it!’ and most immediately go back to celebrating, relighting the fire, passing around wine and fermented goat’s milk and food. Chief Giddeeyon stays with the Tide. (Bozak also stays, but that is because he is now asleep on the grass!) The Chief is quick to speak. ”Stream of the Bight. Yes, we know where that is, and can get you there in the morning. But the rest? Too complicated. Better for you thinkers to do your thinking.”

………..

MAP. Unicorn Map

Wilford Grimly (HP:51/51; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 20)
Thursday May 9th, 2019 12:55:41 PM
"Thank you so much," Will says to Desdichado. "I feel so much better. Don't know what happened there."
"Oh good we have something. Our adventure continues. so we are headed to a stream?"

Hmerrin(HP 100/100 AC:27 T:16 FF:22 CMD:26)
Thursday May 9th, 2019 7:22:56 PM
Hmerrin, who knows dwarfish, reads the runes over Sarge's shoulder.
He blinks a couple times.
"That can't be right," he murmurs.

Then Sarge reads aloud the same nonsense he thought he'd read.

The young lad rubs his head.
"That makes no sense at all," he grouses.

Chief Giddeeyon speaks of leaving in the morning.
Hmerrin points at him, and nods vigorously.
"That," he declares, "is one of the best ideas I've head all day....where's Bozak... that's a good idea too."

Hmerrin drifts off.

Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 93/93; AC:20/10/20 - CMD 23]
Thursday May 9th, 2019 10:59:47 PM
Dez thinks about the words for a bit. "I can't make heads or tails of this."

"I guess we're off to the river. How far is it? What can you tell us about it? Oh, and could you help us load up on supplies in the morning? We would remunerate you, of course. Er...that means pay"

Sarge (Kathy)
Thursday May 9th, 2019 11:34:22 PM
"Watch as does Justice," Sarge says. "Justice is sometimes shown as being blind. Or blindfolded. Watch with a blindfold on?" She sighs.

"You're right," she says. "Morning is a better time for this. Now is a time for rest." Nonetheless, Sarge volunteers to take first watch.

Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 67/67; AC:33/22/29 - CMD 28
Thursday May 9th, 2019 11:54:00 PM
Toston says, "Isn't the sound of 1 hand clapping silence? I mean the whole point of clapping is to put your hands together. As far as walking a mile in another's shoes does that mean at some point the party is supposed to swap boots? I don't think my feet are compatible with anyone else's. I'm smaller than even Sarge. No offense Sarge but our races aren't really known for their stature."

Gaffer (Courtney HP: 61/78 AC:25(21)(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 1/3 LL 7/9)
Friday May 10th, 2019 6:13:35 AM
"Being silent and keep our eyes closed sort of fit together?" Gaffer nods at Toston's thoughts. "Swapping shoes seems a less in tune, but maybe we'll find clues at the river."

Gaffer volunteers for second watch, though the occasional sip of drink shows he feels quite relaxed with both The Tide and the orc tribe side by side.

Stream of the Bight (DM SteveK)
Friday May 10th, 2019 7:41:47 AM
Wilford thanks Dez, realizes something happened, and speculates about how he may prepare if headed to a stream.

Hmerrin, who knows dwarfish, reads the runes over Sarge's shoulder and thinks it nonsense! The young man points at Giddeeyon. Leave in the morning? That is one of the best ideas he’s heard all day! Then finds his new orc-friend Bozak and drifts off to sleep.

Desdichado can't make heads or tails of the words. Then asks about the river, supplies, and payment. Giddeeyon nods, “We will do all for Friends and Friends don’t pay. Stream of Bight is only morning ride away.”

Sarge ponders the second line without the rest and notes that"Justice is sometimes shown as being blind. Or blindfolded.” She sighs, and agrees that morning is best, and volunteers for first watch.

Toston takes the third and fourth lines. "Isn't the sound of one hand clapping silence?” And for the third line: does that mean they are supposed to swap boots?

Gaffer thinks blind and silent fit together, but where do swapping shoes come in? Maybe they will find clues at the river, the druid concludes, and takes the second watch of the night.

………………

It has been a great party, with Ritual fighting for entertainment before that, and a long travel for both groups before that. Sleep comes easily, the orcs just laying wherever in the warmish Spring air. Maybe not so surprisingly, it is a couple Unicorn, not Orcs, who man the watches through the night, taking turns like the Tide.

The morning comes with many having ‘morning head’. Orcs laugh good-naturedly at Bozak and Hmerrin and others who’s head is pounding. So too, they laugh at Fister who slept with his helmet on and now his hair is in quite a spectacular jumble of tufts!

Breakfast, taking care of the horses, packing the wagon, and the Tide is off! The Unicorn Tribe drifts off to different areas of the Bight, the plaid sheep herd going one way, the fermented goat herd going another, and patrols in three more directions. This leaves Chief Giddeeyon and a small group of six other Orcs and Unicorn to accompany the Tide.

The wagon goes slower than a trotting unicorn, so it takes until nearly noon before the orcs stop. The group has come to the very eaves of Culverwood. Trees; tall, broad, and ancient; loom 40, 50, 60 feet over the heads of orc, unicorn, and Noble Race. A feeling of being watched, measured, comes from the trees, making the hair on the back of the neck stand up. The Stream of the Bight is only about 10 feet wide and looks easily fordable in this area, a sandy bank makes access easy.

(Percpeption DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { Searching the eaves of the forest, the stream, and the surrounding area for clues, the hero finds nothing except a single large, flat stone at the very eave of the Culverwood. It is moss covered and shaped like how a child would draw a house (ie a single, five-sided shape that could be created by drawing a square for the house with a triangle on top for the roof)}

(Know Nature DC 5 Highlight to display spoiler: { you can easily spot Oak, Rowan, Elm, and Sycamore. Closer to the stream is Willow, Beech, and Laurel.} )

(Know Geography DC 10 Highlight to display spoiler: {In the heart of the Elennian Peninsula is one of the seven magical forests of Yrth: Culverwood. Many say this area is the single most dangerous location on the peninsula. Besides isolationist Elves, Drow, and magical creatures; it is said the Woods tend to capture travelers by magically altering the landscape to appear that it goes on forever.})

(Know Religion DC 10 Highlight to display spoiler: { Culverwood is an Immortal Power, the entire forest an entity like Maab, Eberyon, or the Sarr, and as powerful as the deities when within its own georgraphical area.})

Giddeeyon grandly waves. [b]”Here is Stream of Bight, and here we leave you to follow your treasure instructions.” The orcs will politely wait to see if the heroes have anything to ask, but it is clear they know nothing about the map or instructions.

………………..
Written in Dwarfish…

Kneel on one knee and lap with one hand from the Stream of the Bight
Watch as does Justice
Make the sound of one hand clapping
Walk a mile in another’s shoes
Whistle while you labor
No matter where you go, there you are

MAP. Unicorn Map

Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 93/93; AC:20/10/20 - CMD 23] d20+10=19 ; d20+6=23 ; d20+10=20 ;
Friday May 10th, 2019 11:47:42 PM
(Perception: 19)
(Know. Geography: 23)
(Know. Religion: 20)

Dez thinks for a bit.

"I think you all are on to something. We bend down and take a drink from the Stream without making any noise. I'm not sure about the rest though."

He pauses and then says with a laugh "Although the next to last line gives me an idea - Sarge, do you have 6 more dwarven friends around here we could call on?"

He continues more seriously. "Anyway, we should be careful here no matter what. This is a dangerous area - maybe the most dangerous part of the peninsula. There are plenty who live around here who wouldn't care for us..."trespassing"...maybe even the Culverwood itself".

Sarge (Kathy) d20+6=13 ; d20+10=28 ;
Saturday May 11th, 2019 12:07:41 AM
"Not bend down," Sarge says. "Kneel down. On one knee. And 'lap' with one hand." Sarge frowns. "Does that mean 'drink'? Or does that mean splash around a bit? Quietly, I guess."

Sarge sighs. Riddles aren't her thing.

"I have more than six friends," she says. "But they're not anywhere near here. It does put me in mind of something Cousin Doc used to say. Crazy old coot."

"But Dez is right," she adds. "This forest is a god, for all intents and purposes. Mind your manners, everyone."

Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 67/67; AC:33/22/29 - CMD 28 d20+16=35 ; d20+7=9 ; d20=15 ; d20+5=9 ;
Saturday May 11th, 2019 1:16:26 AM
Perception: 35
Know[Nature]: 9
Know[Geo]: 15
Know[Religion]: 9

Toston points out the weird house-like stone. He also points out the Oak, Rowan, Elm and Sycamore as
well as the Willow, Beech and Laurel close to the stream.

Toston also says, "We are near the Culverwood and this is considered by some to be the single most dangerous location on the Elennian Peninsula. The woods can capture folks by altering the landscape so that it goes on forever and it is home to isolationist Elves, Drow and Magical creatures.

Toston says, "Don't we have to be blindfolded when we drink from the stream?" He searches his pack for something that will do as a blind fold. Carefully he kneels by the stream and secures his makeshift blind around his head. Before he goes silent he says to his friends, "Mayhap something happens when you drink that will allow you to do the second part."

He pauses for a moment to let things get good and quiet and then he silently drinks from the stream blindfolded while kneeling.

Hmerrin(HP 100/100 AC:27 T:16 FF:22 CMD:26) d20+4=12 ;
Saturday May 11th, 2019 11:24:47 AM
[Perception 12]

"Blindfold ourselves, kneel by the stream, drink with one hand, and be quiet," Hmerrin repeats. "And hope the Culverwood doesn't kill us. Not sure I like this plan."

Nevertheless, the young fighter follows Toston's lead, and does the same.

Gaffer (Courtney HP: 61/78 AC:25(21)(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 1/3 LL 7/9)
Monday May 13th, 2019 4:16:52 AM
Gaffer positions himself by the water side and makes sure to get his bearing before putting on his blindfold.

"Should we try and do this in time? Or agree how long to wait after drinking, maybe a minute?" He asks nervously.

Gaffer (Courtney HP: 61/78 AC:25(21)(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 1/3 LL 7/9)
Monday May 13th, 2019 4:17:49 AM
After asking, he also follows Toston's lead.

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