"I'm guessing the wardens have access to boats for the marshes?" Fianna suggests in the form of a question, turning to look at Lu and Sky.
The girl smiles at the appearance of the owl and the attention it gets. It's cute, for sure, but she restrains herself from reaching out to touch its feathers or otherwise prod. Best to learn ones personality over time and get to know them first... "Pretty bird," she notes but otherwise tries to stay focused on the question and answers.
"So everyone who has gone missing has gone from an area where fog is present, yes?" Fianna asks, mainly just to clarify the point in her own head. That would mean that her sister, if missing due to this, was in town. That realization caused Fianna to blink and reassess. She'd no idea Saoirse ever came to town or why she would... Though it wasn't as if she kept a close watch on her coming and going either. They were there for each other, but neither was in charge of the other. And both occasionally ran errands for the Green Man. She'd ask him but... It's generally best not to.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
Ben watches Chronos the 'Owl' and the attention he is getting, curious as to whether or not the familiar will actually eat the jerky.
"He is pretty in this form," Ben says. "I find it makes him, um, a little easier to interact with."
He tries to turn his head like the owl does, but fails.
"Perhaps he looks like an owl in his own realm too."
Ben then turns back to the others, nodding before turning to Bonivere.
"I don't think carrying me will be, er, ah, necessary." Ben says. "I can periodically connect and disconnect with Chronos. That will probably be more efficient if we are to use him as a guide. And nor do I want to end up on my back in the mud, which, um, I think is a distinct possibility if I ride on your shoulders."
"I attend to lead the party, yes," Sky nods. "The additional gear can be gained on our way out," he adds motioning for the party to follow. "Lu is the Dusk Warden to follow," he says smiling softly as Lu stands and nods.
"Boats to get across the lake but the marsh is beyond. We'll take a flatboat from there," Lu explains.
Leading the party out of the Warden's Hall, the party finds the extra gear they need and walks to the docks through the lower city. They get into a long boat with a ferryman the party then set off across Lake Mooren. The longboat is full of three other groups of vaguely familiar members of Sun Warden recruits. The mood is tense as the parties cross the Lake. The docks into the vast lake look small in comparison to the size of the water. The naked eye is unable to see the far shore, the party will be on a boat for some time before reaching the Rootgarden Marsh side of Lake Mooren.
"You lost someone yes," Sky asks Fianna with a blank expression.
The tabaxi cleric seems concerned with Fianna but not overtly so but not trying to crowd the warlock.
Lu seems to be chatting with Ben, Elthias, Krastus, and Bonivere about their suspicions with what creatures must be in the Lake as well as beyond in the marsh.
OOC: Each of you can say what you'd like to acquire, within reason, what you think your PC would need.
As they leave and gather some extra equipment, Ben does keep an eye out for a herbalism kit. They might find samples of the strange and unknown that might be causing these disappearances and being able to get a few samples may be useful.
On the journey across the lake, Ben joins the conversation but not actively. He does a couple of test runs with Chronos first, letting the owl fly out 90'-100' feet away then linking his consciousness with the fey spirit owl and getting a view of the lake and approaching marsh.
Between such links, he does pause and ask Lu a question.
"Have the Wardens been actively searching for signs of the arcane when the fog approaches?"
"You lost someone yes," Sky asks Fianna with a blank expression.
"Everyone loses people," Fianna says a bit defensively.
"But yeah," she follows up quickly, not wanting to be a jerk. "My sister. Maybe. To the fog or whatever. I wouldn't have expected her to come so close to Drynna from the farm... But she's gone and I can only guess it's from this..." She makes a sweeping gesture with her arm to indicate the lake, the fog, the everything. "I have no other leads, anyway..."
---
((Fianna wouldn't really be looking for anything in particular. If they went through an area with stuff she may grab up some extra spell components (costless stuff) and perhaps a few pouches and sacks to store stuff. If she sees one she would pick up a whip and consider it. Likely try it out a bit and realize she had no proficiency with it whatsoever... But if nobody objected she'd rig it to her belt anyway.))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
"The priests and paladins have sought out good and evil but found both in the areas they looked. The marsh is alive with various creatures too many to count and rumors of horrors too but as for the fog..." they pause for a second, "it has always been here, it's not new but...well it still seems altered. More....supernatural than natural, yes," " Lu replies. "But as for arcane fog like what? A spell," the Dusk Ranger asks with a curiously lifted eyebrow. "I don't think a spell could fool our number so completely," they add curtly.
"It was mentioned you lost your sister," Sky replies gesturing at the others. "Those who've disappeared from all over the city seem random but have one thing in common," he begins again, "they were alone," he says. "You say your sister had no call to come to the city. What do you think called her there then? Why would you think the fog took her," he asks.
As they leave Elthias will stop long enough to grab a few more bolts for his crossbow, making sure to stow the extra equipment carefully. "So while we are in the fog it would be very wise to stay together in at least pairs at all times. Should we set up partners to stay close to if we are separated from the group?" He asks, listening carefully to what Sky and Lu tell them.
As they reach the boat he pulls his crossbow from his back, pulling it back and putting a bolt into place. As he steps into the boat he finds a spot where he has As good of a vantage to shoot as possible.
Fianna looks at Sky for a few moments confused. "Are there other things causing people to go missing?" she finally asks. "A reason I wouldn't think it was the fog?"
"We're safe at home. Protected. So it only makes sense she disappeared elsewhere. I don't know why she would have gone to town but she's free to do as she pleases. As all people should be. And as she's disappeared does it not make sense to suspect she went where others have disappeared as well? Isn't that more likely than there being multiple mysterious people disappearing areas?" Fianna asks, explaining her logic.
"Saoirse wasn't snatched by a forest creature or a goblin or such. She could protect herself from such thing. If by some chance... well, there'd have been signs, we'd have heard... No. Whatever took Saoirse is something highly unusual..." Saying such, Fianna shivers a bit and seems to withdraw even further into herself.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
Bonivere needs nothing more and spends the little time writing in her adventurer's diary.
"Our stalwart band of misfits have endured the grueling trials and now stand victorious in the time-honored ranks of the Sun Wardens. Huzzah! I had my doubts about some of us (myself included), but we managed to come together." "QUEST TIME! We are taking our first steps into our grand adventure! Lu and Sky are joining us, so we are more than prepared for ANYTHING this marsh can throw at us. I hope."
Bonivere looks up from her writing to listen to Fianna's sad story. In the beginning of the trials, they had all talked a little bit about why they were joining the wardens, but Bonivere had almost forgotten how serious this was. She feels a little silly for being so excited. She looks up at Elthias when he talks about pairing up.
"There's seven of us, with Lu and Sky. How does this sound? 1) Lu and Elthias, 2) Sky and Fianna, 3) Krastus, Ben, and myself? Although... let's uh... let's stick together as best we can, yeah?"
As the marsh looms closer and closer, Ben opens his spellbook and flips through a few pages. He knows Bonivere's interest in books and will show her the page he finally settles on.
"It would take, um, a considerable degree of study," Ben says then pauses and looks at his pocket watch and then at the sun before continuing, "for you to learn to read what's here and, er, make sense of it, but thought you might be interested."
He looks again at the sky and then at Chronos flying nearby.
"Stay near and keep an eye out for danger," Ben thinks to the owl.
Ben then runs his finger along the page as he shows and reads to Bonivere.
"Once we get into the marsh on the flat boats, I could try casting this spell. It might help give us direction if nothing immediately leaps out as the right way to go. I can use it to get glimpses of the past and future to see where the arcane has affected the land around us."
(OOC Proposing casting Detect Magic once they're in the marsh)
"Should we split up?" Fianna asks Sky then turning to Lu to include her in the question as well. "We would surely cover more ground but isn't the point of these groups we are in to support one another and safety in numbers and such?" Fianna isn't scared so much as truly curious. She's not used to working with other people, besides her sister, and wouldn't have joined the Wardens if she had any other way to get the information and support that they had to offer.
When Ben opens his spell book and starts talking about it, Fianna cannot help but stare a bit. The practice of magic intrigues her. She has little interest in the studying and learning and the practice required but she'll admit, at least to herself, that she is a bit jealous of their versatility. "You can look at all of the marshes this way?" she asks, curious.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
"Plenty of reasons people leave Drynna. I ask because you say you lived far from the city and the fog," Sky replies musing for a minute his tail flicking this way and that as the tabaxi thinks. "I did not mean to cause distress," he adds.
Sky then moves from Fianna to speak to the ferryman.
Lu takes in the party's questions and replies in turn.
"We will clear out of the marsh before sunset," Lu begins their tone and expression resolute. "We will learn very little I think if we can't see our hands in front of our faces," they add for levity with a soft smile but quickly return to their resting stoic expression. "Sticking together in our group is best practice. I know the terrain we will be trekking through and we've got quite a large area to search," they explain. "Plenty of the marsh is impassible by the flatboats so we'll need to brave those areas on foot," they add with a sighing tone. "I hope you don't mind soggy boots," Lu says standing up from their seat and giving their lithe frame a good stretch.
It's been nearly an hour since the party disembarked the docks and has made it halfway. The other side of the lake barely visible to the naked eye just seems like shapes on the horizon.
Ben give me a perception check for Chronos.
Another hour passes as the party chats amongst themselves as well as the others aboard their longboat. It seems all were given quadrants of the marsh to investigate and with four longboats in total going out that morning it's thought they should at least discover something by nightfall. The leaders, Dusk Wardens and clergy of the Dawn Father alike, seem certain that the longboat should leave the marsh before the fog overtakes it! That point seems adamant as well as remaining together with the assigned groups formed earlier that morning in Warden Hall.
Nearing the marsh the party discovers a grouping of posts emerging from the murky waters with flatboats attached by lines. The ferrymen disembark tying the longboats to the posts and ushering the party from the longboats onto the flatboats. As the party disembarks one boat for the other they can see the marsh stretching out before them. Close and dark it seems alive with noise, smells, and movement! It is hard to focus on just one aspect as if the very plant life seems menacing!
Ben
Reaching out with his spell Ben discovers very little magic other than the objects some of his companions as well as the other groups carry. Sky's shield and sword glow with a radiant abjuration aura while Lu's bow gives off a distinctly necromantic thrum. The marsh itself, what little he can focus on however doesn't seem to be magical just nature's raw power not to be tamed.
"Shall we?" Lu says with a curiously raised eyebrow as they gesture for the party to exit the longboat to the flatboat.
Lu remains aboard the longboat as Sky steps over first monitoring the party's transition. Sky and Lu seem to look worried. Not overly so but anyone can tell the leaders are concerned with everyone's welfare.
"Let's make sure to remain together and not to wander," Sky reiterates as the last of the party boards the flatboat, and Lu follows.
"Eyes and ears peeled yes," Lu says motioning to the marsh as the ferryman begins to pole their way into the mangroves and boggy land that seems stable enough until the pole pushes through to reveal the natural deception of a watery doom!
The heavy scent of plants and decay hit the party as soon as they leave the lake proper. Moving into the marsh itself just on the cusp of where the lake water becomes stagnant it becomes obvious the flatboat will move much easier if someone else takes the secondary pole tied to the decking.
OOC: Skill challenge! Everyone needs to make a skill check. Each skill check needs to be unique and the reasoning for said check explained as to why it would help advance the party.
“If I’m distressed it’s not from your questions,” Fianna assures Sky. “But no, my sister may have gone into town without telling me, but not run off altogether. We are close… And if she’d of not told me surely she’d of told one of our friends from the woods but none have heard a thing. And it’s long since the time any would have held a secret and let this search for her go on…”
Upon reaching the marshes Fianna relies on her closeness to Nature to help her make it through safely and avoid pitfalls. She’s well accustomed to the tricky ways of nature and how it can seemingly intentionally deceive so as to twist an ankle or cause a fall… but Fianna has lived on the farm and near the woods her entire life, she figures this should be second nature to her.
((Sorry, easy one to explain but Fianna isn’t all that skilled and I didn’t think I could make a Deception check work…))
Nature: 16 …
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
Chronos dives low over the boats as they get to the marsh.
Chronos Perception: 19
Ben notices the second pole tied to the decking but leaves it for one of the stronger wardens.
Instead Ben focuses on the boggy looking land, trying to discern clues as to what is actual solid ground and what is merely scum covered water. If he can spot a consistent ‘tell’ he mentions it to anyone using the poles.
Elthias moves to take the pole in order to get the boat moving at a quicker pace. As he does so he hands his loaded crossbow over to one of the others. "Hold this and be careful not to fire it without purpose." He mutters before turning his attention to using the pole to direct the boat.
Elthias will use athletics in order to move the boat through the water and to get past any obstructions that might be in the water to impede their progress.
Athletics: 5
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Rekuberk Onc Level 8 | Half Orc | Barbarian (The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks)
Watching and listening to Fianna's story, Krastus is touched. Turning to her, he says, "Fianna, I know that there is nothing in life more important than family. When my father died...but that doesn't matter. I'm sure your sister is still alive and we just need to find her. I promise I will do everything in my power to help you find her. Although we are not bond by blood, we are a little family now and that means we share each other's burdens."
Krastus is obviously excited to be out in nature. Working in the city guard has meant he has had little time to explore the wilderness surrounding Drynna. He is looking everywhere, as if he is either trying to somehow take in everything (or maybe trying to impress Lu and Sky with his attention to detail). That said, whenever the boat runs aground or the reeds, branches, and roots slow their pace, Krastusis quick to leap from the boat and pull the guide rope to help get everyone through the obstacle. He is grateful to be able to help.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Bonivere admires the arcane calligraphy and symbols in Ben's spellbook. "I don't have a head for that sort of thing, but it's quite lovely. I like the idea that anyone with enough gumption can learn how to touch powers beyond. You've got a keen mind, Ben. Glad you're with us." Bonivere will take the crossbow from Elthias and will stand up in order to clear the heads of the others. She will be trying to keep her footing on the moving boat.
Acrobatics: 21 - to keep her footing on the moving boat Perception: 9 - to watch for any threats
Working together the party makes swath of progress entering the marsh but hit a few obstacles too.
Fianna's search through the marsh proves capable even if she's only vaguely familiar with the flora and fauna surrounding the party on all sides. She easily spots some of the more obvious dangers while also finding the subtle signs too with plant color and spider web design. About twenty minutes into the trek Fianna spots a lumbering mass she points out a curious looking tortle ahead moving easily through the marsh and directs the party to follow.
Ben (as communicated by Chronos)
Above in the party Chronos sees the marsh and can just make out the six flatboats that set out from the brakish water. About forty feet to the right and left of the party two other flatboat have hit dense reeds and struggle before freeing themselves while the other three seem to vanish under think canopy of mangroves where Chronos can't see them.
Ben stares at the marsh but can only spot a few areas he's slightly more sure than others are solid ground. He'll have to test them however he decides is best before putting anyone at risk! He may jot down a note or two about his opinions but knows it's better to ask an expert because making an assumption about his surroundings.
Elthias manages to pick but the hard wooden pole but without training poorly wields it giving it far too much force at first. Hus efforts sending the flatboat dangerously close to colliding into the labyrinth of roots on the mangrove but the ferryman uses his skill to correct the course. Sky seeing Elthias's efforts but lack of experience steps up to relieve his companion. Sky suggests other ways Elthias might aid the party.
OOC: Darth pick another skill if you'd like to try again.
Krastus moves through the reeds with some ease but with a couple close calls with invisible phantoms under the murky water returns to the flatboat without much difficulty. The hulking dragonborn seems oddly in his element with the task of strong arming his way through the bog with little to no problems.
Krastus give me a CON save with advantage.
Bonivere moves deftly on the flatboat keeping watch for threats but doesn't notice much in the muted and vast marsh. With Fianna's help does notice the tortle traveler! Bonivere watches the possible threats or ally as the party approaches. This is the first remotely humanoid creature the party has been since entering the marsh!
"Odd isn't it," Sky asks Lu who shrugs.
"I'm sure there's comfort to be had somewhere here..." they pause after slapping their hand to kill a biting insect before continuing, "but I have to admit I'm finding it hard to imagine, " they add with a smirk looking at the blood the insect collected smeared on their palm. "Sooner we find a lead however the sooner we can get out of here," they add in a serious tone. "Maybe we should talk to them, " Lu adds looking at the party.
"I'm guessing the wardens have access to boats for the marshes?" Fianna suggests in the form of a question, turning to look at Lu and Sky.
The girl smiles at the appearance of the owl and the attention it gets. It's cute, for sure, but she restrains herself from reaching out to touch its feathers or otherwise prod. Best to learn ones personality over time and get to know them first... "Pretty bird," she notes but otherwise tries to stay focused on the question and answers.
"So everyone who has gone missing has gone from an area where fog is present, yes?" Fianna asks, mainly just to clarify the point in her own head. That would mean that her sister, if missing due to this, was in town. That realization caused Fianna to blink and reassess. She'd no idea Saoirse ever came to town or why she would... Though it wasn't as if she kept a close watch on her coming and going either. They were there for each other, but neither was in charge of the other. And both occasionally ran errands for the Green Man. She'd ask him but... It's generally best not to.
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Ben watches Chronos the 'Owl' and the attention he is getting, curious as to whether or not the familiar will actually eat the jerky.
"He is pretty in this form," Ben says. "I find it makes him, um, a little easier to interact with."
He tries to turn his head like the owl does, but fails.
"Perhaps he looks like an owl in his own realm too."
Ben then turns back to the others, nodding before turning to Bonivere.
"I don't think carrying me will be, er, ah, necessary." Ben says. "I can periodically connect and disconnect with Chronos. That will probably be more efficient if we are to use him as a guide. And nor do I want to end up on my back in the mud, which, um, I think is a distinct possibility if I ride on your shoulders."
"I attend to lead the party, yes," Sky nods. "The additional gear can be gained on our way out," he adds motioning for the party to follow. "Lu is the Dusk Warden to follow," he says smiling softly as Lu stands and nods.
"Boats to get across the lake but the marsh is beyond. We'll take a flatboat from there," Lu explains.
Leading the party out of the Warden's Hall, the party finds the extra gear they need and walks to the docks through the lower city. They get into a long boat with a ferryman the party then set off across Lake Mooren. The longboat is full of three other groups of vaguely familiar members of Sun Warden recruits. The mood is tense as the parties cross the Lake. The docks into the vast lake look small in comparison to the size of the water. The naked eye is unable to see the far shore, the party will be on a boat for some time before reaching the Rootgarden Marsh side of Lake Mooren.
"You lost someone yes," Sky asks Fianna with a blank expression.
The tabaxi cleric seems concerned with Fianna but not overtly so but not trying to crowd the warlock.
Lu seems to be chatting with Ben, Elthias, Krastus, and Bonivere about their suspicions with what creatures must be in the Lake as well as beyond in the marsh.
OOC: Each of you can say what you'd like to acquire, within reason, what you think your PC would need.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
As they leave and gather some extra equipment, Ben does keep an eye out for a herbalism kit. They might find samples of the strange and unknown that might be causing these disappearances and being able to get a few samples may be useful.
On the journey across the lake, Ben joins the conversation but not actively. He does a couple of test runs with Chronos first, letting the owl fly out 90'-100' feet away then linking his consciousness with the fey spirit owl and getting a view of the lake and approaching marsh.
Between such links, he does pause and ask Lu a question.
"Have the Wardens been actively searching for signs of the arcane when the fog approaches?"
"You lost someone yes," Sky asks Fianna with a blank expression.
"Everyone loses people," Fianna says a bit defensively.
"But yeah," she follows up quickly, not wanting to be a jerk. "My sister. Maybe. To the fog or whatever. I wouldn't have expected her to come so close to Drynna from the farm... But she's gone and I can only guess it's from this..." She makes a sweeping gesture with her arm to indicate the lake, the fog, the everything. "I have no other leads, anyway..."
---
((Fianna wouldn't really be looking for anything in particular. If they went through an area with stuff she may grab up some extra spell components (costless stuff) and perhaps a few pouches and sacks to store stuff. If she sees one she would pick up a whip and consider it. Likely try it out a bit and realize she had no proficiency with it whatsoever... But if nobody objected she'd rig it to her belt anyway.))
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
"The priests and paladins have sought out good and evil but found both in the areas they looked. The marsh is alive with various creatures too many to count and rumors of horrors too but as for the fog..." they pause for a second, "it has always been here, it's not new but...well it still seems altered. More....supernatural than natural, yes," " Lu replies. "But as for arcane fog like what? A spell," the Dusk Ranger asks with a curiously lifted eyebrow. "I don't think a spell could fool our number so completely," they add curtly.
"It was mentioned you lost your sister," Sky replies gesturing at the others. "Those who've disappeared from all over the city seem random but have one thing in common," he begins again, "they were alone," he says. "You say your sister had no call to come to the city. What do you think called her there then? Why would you think the fog took her," he asks.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
As they leave Elthias will stop long enough to grab a few more bolts for his crossbow, making sure to stow the extra equipment carefully. "So while we are in the fog it would be very wise to stay together in at least pairs at all times. Should we set up partners to stay close to if we are separated from the group?" He asks, listening carefully to what Sky and Lu tell them.
As they reach the boat he pulls his crossbow from his back, pulling it back and putting a bolt into place. As he steps into the boat he finds a spot where he has As good of a vantage to shoot as possible.
Rekuberk Onc Level 8 | Half Orc | Barbarian (The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks)
Kayassa Level 3 | Satyr | Warlock (Cleath13's LMoP)
Bertolt Silentlash Level 3 | Variant Human | Bard (Our Little Lives Kept in Equipoise: Death House)
Daerthe Narcion Level 4 | Drow | Rogue (Karmoli's Great Upheaval)
Fianna looks at Sky for a few moments confused. "Are there other things causing people to go missing?" she finally asks. "A reason I wouldn't think it was the fog?"
"We're safe at home. Protected. So it only makes sense she disappeared elsewhere. I don't know why she would have gone to town but she's free to do as she pleases. As all people should be. And as she's disappeared does it not make sense to suspect she went where others have disappeared as well? Isn't that more likely than there being multiple mysterious people disappearing areas?" Fianna asks, explaining her logic.
"Saoirse wasn't snatched by a forest creature or a goblin or such. She could protect herself from such thing. If by some chance... well, there'd have been signs, we'd have heard... No. Whatever took Saoirse is something highly unusual..." Saying such, Fianna shivers a bit and seems to withdraw even further into herself.
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Bonivere needs nothing more and spends the little time writing in her adventurer's diary.
"Our stalwart band of misfits have endured the grueling trials and now stand victorious in the time-honored ranks of the Sun Wardens. Huzzah! I had my doubts about some of us (myself included), but we managed to come together."
"QUEST TIME! We are taking our first steps into our grand adventure! Lu and Sky are joining us, so we are more than prepared for ANYTHING this marsh can throw at us. I hope."
Bonivere looks up from her writing to listen to Fianna's sad story. In the beginning of the trials, they had all talked a little bit about why they were joining the wardens, but Bonivere had almost forgotten how serious this was. She feels a little silly for being so excited. She looks up at Elthias when he talks about pairing up.
"There's seven of us, with Lu and Sky. How does this sound? 1) Lu and Elthias, 2) Sky and Fianna, 3) Krastus, Ben, and myself? Although... let's uh... let's stick together as best we can, yeah?"
Ben continues to drift in and out of the conversation as he connects and disconnects with Chronos.
”Well, um, at least if we’re in pairs or, er, triples, if we get , snatched by fog, we won’t be alone.”
As the marsh looms closer and closer, Ben opens his spellbook and flips through a few pages. He knows Bonivere's interest in books and will show her the page he finally settles on.
"It would take, um, a considerable degree of study," Ben says then pauses and looks at his pocket watch and then at the sun before continuing, "for you to learn to read what's here and, er, make sense of it, but thought you might be interested."
He looks again at the sky and then at Chronos flying nearby.
"Stay near and keep an eye out for danger," Ben thinks to the owl.
Ben then runs his finger along the page as he shows and reads to Bonivere.
"Once we get into the marsh on the flat boats, I could try casting this spell. It might help give us direction if nothing immediately leaps out as the right way to go. I can use it to get glimpses of the past and future to see where the arcane has affected the land around us."
(OOC Proposing casting Detect Magic once they're in the marsh)
"Should we split up?" Fianna asks Sky then turning to Lu to include her in the question as well. "We would surely cover more ground but isn't the point of these groups we are in to support one another and safety in numbers and such?" Fianna isn't scared so much as truly curious. She's not used to working with other people, besides her sister, and wouldn't have joined the Wardens if she had any other way to get the information and support that they had to offer.
When Ben opens his spell book and starts talking about it, Fianna cannot help but stare a bit. The practice of magic intrigues her. She has little interest in the studying and learning and the practice required but she'll admit, at least to herself, that she is a bit jealous of their versatility. "You can look at all of the marshes this way?" she asks, curious.
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Ben smiles at Fianna’s question then shakes his head.
”Maybe some day. But I can’t see time as well as that yet. Um, my abilities are much more, er, basic.” Ben says.
He looks at the approaching marsh.
”I can get a sense of what has been or is nearby. Maybe, um, the distance to the other boat. About 30’.”
"Plenty of reasons people leave Drynna. I ask because you say you lived far from the city and the fog," Sky replies musing for a minute his tail flicking this way and that as the tabaxi thinks. "I did not mean to cause distress," he adds.
Sky then moves from Fianna to speak to the ferryman.
Lu takes in the party's questions and replies in turn.
"We will clear out of the marsh before sunset," Lu begins their tone and expression resolute. "We will learn very little I think if we can't see our hands in front of our faces," they add for levity with a soft smile but quickly return to their resting stoic expression. "Sticking together in our group is best practice. I know the terrain we will be trekking through and we've got quite a large area to search," they explain. "Plenty of the marsh is impassible by the flatboats so we'll need to brave those areas on foot," they add with a sighing tone. "I hope you don't mind soggy boots," Lu says standing up from their seat and giving their lithe frame a good stretch.
It's been nearly an hour since the party disembarked the docks and has made it halfway. The other side of the lake barely visible to the naked eye just seems like shapes on the horizon.
Ben give me a perception check for Chronos.
Another hour passes as the party chats amongst themselves as well as the others aboard their longboat. It seems all were given quadrants of the marsh to investigate and with four longboats in total going out that morning it's thought they should at least discover something by nightfall. The leaders, Dusk Wardens and clergy of the Dawn Father alike, seem certain that the longboat should leave the marsh before the fog overtakes it! That point seems adamant as well as remaining together with the assigned groups formed earlier that morning in Warden Hall.
Nearing the marsh the party discovers a grouping of posts emerging from the murky waters with flatboats attached by lines. The ferrymen disembark tying the longboats to the posts and ushering the party from the longboats onto the flatboats. As the party disembarks one boat for the other they can see the marsh stretching out before them. Close and dark it seems alive with noise, smells, and movement! It is hard to focus on just one aspect as if the very plant life seems menacing!
Ben
Reaching out with his spell Ben discovers very little magic other than the objects some of his companions as well as the other groups carry. Sky's shield and sword glow with a radiant abjuration aura while Lu's bow gives off a distinctly necromantic thrum. The marsh itself, what little he can focus on however doesn't seem to be magical just nature's raw power not to be tamed.
"Shall we?" Lu says with a curiously raised eyebrow as they gesture for the party to exit the longboat to the flatboat.
Lu remains aboard the longboat as Sky steps over first monitoring the party's transition. Sky and Lu seem to look worried. Not overly so but anyone can tell the leaders are concerned with everyone's welfare.
"Let's make sure to remain together and not to wander," Sky reiterates as the last of the party boards the flatboat, and Lu follows.
"Eyes and ears peeled yes," Lu says motioning to the marsh as the ferryman begins to pole their way into the mangroves and boggy land that seems stable enough until the pole pushes through to reveal the natural deception of a watery doom!
The heavy scent of plants and decay hit the party as soon as they leave the lake proper. Moving into the marsh itself just on the cusp of where the lake water becomes stagnant it becomes obvious the flatboat will move much easier if someone else takes the secondary pole tied to the decking.
OOC: Skill challenge! Everyone needs to make a skill check. Each skill check needs to be unique and the reasoning for said check explained as to why it would help advance the party.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
“If I’m distressed it’s not from your questions,” Fianna assures Sky. “But no, my sister may have gone into town without telling me, but not run off altogether. We are close… And if she’d of not told me surely she’d of told one of our friends from the woods but none have heard a thing. And it’s long since the time any would have held a secret and let this search for her go on…”
Upon reaching the marshes Fianna relies on her closeness to Nature to help her make it through safely and avoid pitfalls. She’s well accustomed to the tricky ways of nature and how it can seemingly intentionally deceive so as to twist an ankle or cause a fall… but Fianna has lived on the farm and near the woods her entire life, she figures this should be second nature to her.
((Sorry, easy one to explain but Fianna isn’t all that skilled and I didn’t think I could make a Deception check work…))
Nature: 16
…
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Chronos dives low over the boats as they get to the marsh.
Chronos Perception: 19
Ben notices the second pole tied to the decking but leaves it for one of the stronger wardens.
Instead Ben focuses on the boggy looking land, trying to discern clues as to what is actual solid ground and what is merely scum covered water. If he can spot a consistent ‘tell’ he mentions it to anyone using the poles.
Investigation: 13
Elthias moves to take the pole in order to get the boat moving at a quicker pace. As he does so he hands his loaded crossbow over to one of the others. "Hold this and be careful not to fire it without purpose." He mutters before turning his attention to using the pole to direct the boat.
Elthias will use athletics in order to move the boat through the water and to get past any obstructions that might be in the water to impede their progress.
Athletics: 5
Rekuberk Onc Level 8 | Half Orc | Barbarian (The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks)
Kayassa Level 3 | Satyr | Warlock (Cleath13's LMoP)
Bertolt Silentlash Level 3 | Variant Human | Bard (Our Little Lives Kept in Equipoise: Death House)
Daerthe Narcion Level 4 | Drow | Rogue (Karmoli's Great Upheaval)
Watching and listening to Fianna's story, Krastus is touched. Turning to her, he says, "Fianna, I know that there is nothing in life more important than family. When my father died...but that doesn't matter. I'm sure your sister is still alive and we just need to find her. I promise I will do everything in my power to help you find her. Although we are not bond by blood, we are a little family now and that means we share each other's burdens."
Krastus is obviously excited to be out in nature. Working in the city guard has meant he has had little time to explore the wilderness surrounding Drynna. He is looking everywhere, as if he is either trying to somehow take in everything (or maybe trying to impress Lu and Sky with his attention to detail). That said, whenever the boat runs aground or the reeds, branches, and roots slow their pace, Krastus is quick to leap from the boat and pull the guide rope to help get everyone through the obstacle. He is grateful to be able to help.
Athletics:19
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Bonivere admires the arcane calligraphy and symbols in Ben's spellbook. "I don't have a head for that sort of thing, but it's quite lovely. I like the idea that anyone with enough gumption can learn how to touch powers beyond. You've got a keen mind, Ben. Glad you're with us."
Bonivere will take the crossbow from Elthias and will stand up in order to clear the heads of the others. She will be trying to keep her footing on the moving boat.
Acrobatics: 21 - to keep her footing on the moving boat
Perception: 9 - to watch for any threats
Working together the party makes swath of progress entering the marsh but hit a few obstacles too.
Fianna's search through the marsh proves capable even if she's only vaguely familiar with the flora and fauna surrounding the party on all sides. She easily spots some of the more obvious dangers while also finding the subtle signs too with plant color and spider web design. About twenty minutes into the trek Fianna spots a lumbering mass she points out a curious looking tortle ahead moving easily through the marsh and directs the party to follow.
Ben (as communicated by Chronos)
Above in the party Chronos sees the marsh and can just make out the six flatboats that set out from the brakish water. About forty feet to the right and left of the party two other flatboat have hit dense reeds and struggle before freeing themselves while the other three seem to vanish under think canopy of mangroves where Chronos can't see them.
Ben stares at the marsh but can only spot a few areas he's slightly more sure than others are solid ground. He'll have to test them however he decides is best before putting anyone at risk! He may jot down a note or two about his opinions but knows it's better to ask an expert because making an assumption about his surroundings.
Elthias manages to pick but the hard wooden pole but without training poorly wields it giving it far too much force at first. Hus efforts sending the flatboat dangerously close to colliding into the labyrinth of roots on the mangrove but the ferryman uses his skill to correct the course. Sky seeing Elthias's efforts but lack of experience steps up to relieve his companion. Sky suggests other ways Elthias might aid the party.
OOC: Darth pick another skill if you'd like to try again.
Krastus moves through the reeds with some ease but with a couple close calls with invisible phantoms under the murky water returns to the flatboat without much difficulty. The hulking dragonborn seems oddly in his element with the task of strong arming his way through the bog with little to no problems.
Krastus give me a CON save with advantage.
Bonivere moves deftly on the flatboat keeping watch for threats but doesn't notice much in the muted and vast marsh. With Fianna's help does notice the tortle traveler! Bonivere watches the possible threats or ally as the party approaches. This is the first remotely humanoid creature the party has been since entering the marsh!
"Odd isn't it," Sky asks Lu who shrugs.
"I'm sure there's comfort to be had somewhere here..." they pause after slapping their hand to kill a biting insect before continuing, "but I have to admit I'm finding it hard to imagine, " they add with a smirk looking at the blood the insect collected smeared on their palm. "Sooner we find a lead however the sooner we can get out of here," they add in a serious tone. "Maybe we should talk to them, " Lu adds looking at the party.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.