"Well now, I think we may be ready to have a trip to the Onyx District. Get some rest, you may need it." He climbed back up the ladder, and then called out, "Strange, the storm is completely gone! Honestly, this weather is not natural!"
"Well now, I think we may be ready to have a trip to the Onyx District. Get some rest, you may need it." He climbed back up the ladder, and then called out, "Strange, the storm is completely gone! Honestly, this weather is not natural!"
(OOC: Rain taps microphone. "Is this thing on?" Not sure whether you saw the post about the potions. If so, could you at least confirm the current state / distribution of the magical items?)
Potions are good. Except since Ghurk has no Salmon Tounge Potion, which is quite useful, and there are two bottles, how about everyone gets 2/3 of a bottle?
Potions are good. Except since Ghurk has no Salmon Tounge Potion, which is quite useful, and there are two bottles, how about everyone gets 2/3 of a bottle?
👍
Rain helps to pour another 1/3 of the potion into his and Saralyn's vials. Then he gives the remaining 2/3 to Ghurk.
"Long-Limbed One, what is your proper name, hey? We share alike: here is your portion of the Salmon Tongue Potion. Hopefully, we can carry enough water on our travels that we will not need this potion, but it will be useful if we are ever low on water."
Rain puts the teal pearl and his potion in his pouch. (I added them to Rain's inventory as custom items since I didn't see them in Homebrew.)
"Well now, I think we may be ready to have a trip to the Onyx District. Get some rest, you may need it." He climbed back up the ladder, and then called out, "Strange, the storm is completely gone! Honestly, this weather is not natural!"
(OOC: Need a summary post. 🙂 Thorin left us in the room under the fountain? Did he lock away the other pearls? Potions? Or do we have the option to "borrow" another one once Thorin is gone? How is this room lit? Just by the light from the outside?
Or did you mean that the whole party climbed out of the room with Thorin?)
(New footsteps? Is the sound coming from the room under the fountain? Or outside in the garden? If we're still in the room under the fountain, how many hallways or doors are there? If it's dark, remember that the whole party -- I think -- has Dark vision.)
Where is the sound coming from? Can Rain tell whether it's one or many people? Anything about their size or how far away? Footsteps are walking or running? [skill]Perception[/skill] 24
Assuming that we're under the fountain still, since Rain left his staff and spear up in the garden, he will draw his scimitars if he has time and position himself in front of Saralyn with his back to the ladder. That way, he can defend a retreat, if needed.
(As I said before, "in world" the goblin attack was **very** recent. Rain is still treating the grounds in and around the castle like a hostile environment.)
Potions are good. Except since Ghurk has no Salmon Tounge Potion, which is quite useful, and there are two bottles, how about everyone gets 2/3 of a bottle?
👍
Rain helps to pour another 1/3 of the potion into his and Saralyn's vials. Then he gives the remaining 2/3 to Ghurk.
"Long-Limbed One, what is your proper name, hey? We share alike: here is your portion of the Salmon Tongue Potion. Hopefully, we can carry enough water on our travels that we will not need this potion, but it will be useful if we are ever low on water."
Rain puts the teal pearl and his potion in his pouch. (I added them to Rain's inventory as custom items since I didn't see them in Homebrew.)
Ghurk eyes the *insert species* cautiously. He didn't miss Rain's looks towards him, and his hatred for goblinoids. (assuming he rolls high enough on his insight 6) Ghurk shrugs and says "I'm Ghurk."
If he doesn't roll high enough, he'll just give him a simple "I'm Ghurk. Nice to meet you."
Potions are good. Except since Ghurk has no Salmon Tounge Potion, which is quite useful, and there are two bottles, how about everyone gets 2/3 of a bottle?
👍
Rain helps to pour another 1/3 of the potion into his and Saralyn's vials. Then he gives the remaining 2/3 to Ghurk.
"Long-Limbed One, what is your proper name, hey? We share alike: here is your portion of the Salmon Tongue Potion. Hopefully, we can carry enough water on our travels that we will not need this potion, but it will be useful if we are ever low on water."
Rain puts the teal pearl and his potion in his pouch. (I added them to Rain's inventory as custom items since I didn't see them in Homebrew.)
Ghurk eyes the *insert species* cautiously. He didn't miss Rain's looks towards him, and his hatred for goblinoids. (assuming he rolls high enough on his insight 6) Ghurk shrugs and says "I'm Ghurk."
If he doesn't roll high enough, he'll just give him a simple "I'm Ghurk. Nice to meet you."
(One time an ability check failure helps the party! 🎉)
As Ghurk takes the potion, it looks like Rain is about to respond when his ears suddenly twitch. He raises one hand as he swivels his head, trying to locate the direction of the footsteps. He glances at Ghurk and points in the direction of the approaching sound. Then he quietly (Stealth17) draws his scimitars and gets in position.
Then he quietly (Stealth7) draws his scimitars and gets in position.
(OOC: A natural 1. 🙄)
Then he quietly draws his scimitars but accidently catches the edge of a metal bowl or candelabra or something as he does so, knocking it to the floor where it clatters loudly.
Saralyn positions her spirits by the door and commands them to use the Ready action (trigger: if a hostile monster steps through the door -----> reaction: kill it)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Will everyone stop calling him "The Demogorgon"? It's his name, not a title!
"Come on, I'll take you back to the castle to get some sleep," Thorin calls out. "I have Rolan here with me in case we get attacked!
(Oh! The footsteps were from above, in the garden?)
Rain calls up the ladder, "Yes, thank you, Thorin! Just a moment. I knocked something over here." Rain sheathes his weapons, and says more quietly to the others, "Ghurk, you should maybe go up first just in case. I'll stay here until Saralyn makes it out." He picks up whatever he knocked over and sets it back up. Then checks the room one last time for anything out-of-place or anything that piques his feline curiosity. (perception12)
If he sees something, he might want to pocket it before he heads up the ladder. Otherwise, he zips up the ladder after Saralyn (climbing speed 30 ft!). He collects his quarterstaff and the goblin spear from the edge of the fountain where he left them earlier. Then he follows Thorin and Rolan into the castle.
(Note: Rain has a very good head for geography both as a ranger and as from his Outlander background:
Feature: Wanderer You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
I don't know whether he's been in this area before, but he's definitely already planning the party's trip to the desert in his head. How much food and water to take? Are there any wells or other sources of plentiful fresh water between the town and the temple? Therefore...)
While they walk back to the castle, Rain tries to ask Rolan and Thorin for more details. In conversation, things like this:
"I know that you said we should visit the Onyx District, but I'm also curious about the trail to this temple in the desert. How many days walking does the journey take from here to there?"
"Do you have a map?" (Rain loves maps!)
"Is the trail guarded by the kings men? How often is it used? Do the goblins watch the trail?"
Finally, if he can get Rolan chatting about the trail, he'll try to drop this comment into the conversation and watch Rolan's reaction (insight8): "Tell us. What happened to the first pearl defenders? The group who arrived before us? Are they all dead now?"
(Rain wonders whether the packs that they saw in the room next to the throne room and the feast that was already prepared were originally for another party who arrived before them but was ambushed and killed by the same goblins that attacked his party. That would also explain Saralyn's intuition that someone had died in the castle recently.)
Rolan looks expressionlessly toward the direction of the desert. "You are the first defenders. The first people to volunteer. If you are talking about that first group that was sent out, those were the king's men." He made the faint image of a soldier dressed for battle. "But when they entered the temple, assuming that they actually made it in, they never came back." Rolan waved his hand and the soldier collapsed and faded away. "So we are being more careful this time. We go to the Onyx District in the morning. You shouldn't have to fight there, we are just investigating some things, looking for clues." He looked at the castle, then back at the group. "Since you don't know your way around, we'll have some soldiers accompany you on the investigation. Afterward, you can go on the trail. Well, not too much of a trail, mainly trail markers now. The king's men are trying to defend them, but the trail is getting attacked, and for good reason. From the temple's point of view, it is easy to see the city in the distance with how large it is, but the temple is small enough that we can't see it until we are close. The trail benefits us and not them."
Rolan looks expressionlessly toward the direction of the desert. "You are the first defenders. The first people to volunteer. If you are talking about that first group that was sent out, those were the king's men." He made the faint image of a soldier dressed for battle. "But when they entered the temple, assuming that they actually made it in, they never came back." Rolan waved his hand and the soldier collapsed and faded away. "So we are being more careful this time. We go to the Onyx District in the morning. You shouldn't have to fight there, we are just investigating some things, looking for clues." He looked at the castle, then back at the group. "Since you don't know your way around, we'll have some soldiers accompany you on the investigation. Afterward, you can go on the trail. Well, not too much of a trail, mainly trail markers now. The king's men are trying to defend them, but the trail is getting attacked, and for good reason. From the temple's point of view, it is easy to see the city in the distance with how large it is, but the temple is small enough that we can't see it until we are close. The trail benefits us and not them."
Finally, if he can get Rolan chatting about the trail, he'll try to drop this comment into the conversation and watch Rolan's reaction (insight19): "Tell us. What happened to the first pearl defenders? The group who arrived before us? Are they all dead now?"
(Any hint of a lie or anything else concerning what Rolan is saying with that Insight check?)
> they never came back
"Yes...er...the soldiers. That's what I meant. Oh! That's terrible! Is it possible that they are still alive and being held captive?"
> investigating some things, looking for clues
"Good! In the desert, it is better to take time to prepare. The man who sets out on a journey with no preparation is a fool and, soon, just a body."
> soldiers accompany you on the investigation.
"Thank you! That would be helpful. This is my first time in this city."
> From the temple's point of view, it is easy to see the city in the distance
(How tall are the tallest buildings in the city? Assuming the planet is the same size and curvature as earth, an average-sized human standing on the ground in absolutely flat terrain can see about 3 miles in clear weather before the planet's curvature blocks your view. Of course, that distance is farther if you're looking out from a hilltop or looking at a skyscraper from a distance. Reference: https://science.howstuffworks.com/question198.htm.)
"Oh! That's quite close. How tall is the temple? I know that on the savanna of my homeland, I can reach any spot that I can see on the horizon in about one hour, walking at an easy pace. Of course, I can see farther when standing on a hill or when looking toward a building that reaches above the horizon. But even then, I wouldn't expect to see a city farther than about a two days' journey away, on a clear day, unless I'm looking down from a tall mountain."
(For reference, since desert is his preferred (Ranger) terrain type, Rain can cover about 24 miles per day when traveling in the desert and can move stealthily at that speed when scouting alone.)
Rain listens intently to Rolan. He seems satisfied with the answers he gets. He looks around at the gardens with interest and makes smalltalk with Thorin about the plants until they are back in their rooms at the castle.
(OOC: to 87305 and Dragonlouis. Sorry if I've monopolized the discussion lately. While I was traveling, I had plenty of downtime for posting and had a lot of details that I was trying to get through.
I know that Rain was being paranoid about being attacked on the castle grounds, but given the recent events, it felt "in character" and also like a low-stakes opportunity for the party to practice working together as a team.
Rain still wants to have some quiet time with Saralyn and Ghurk and no one else around. It seems like there's always someone! But I guess we'll see whether they can do that once they get back to their rooms in the castle.)
I'm in 6 campaigns right now, so my replies have either been short or... very short. I'll probably get back to regular length posts now.
(No problem. This is my first PbP campaign, and it's the first time I've played a RPG in many years. I'm sure that the enthusiasm will wear of eventually. 😜)
"Well now, I think we may be ready to have a trip to the Onyx District. Get some rest, you may need it." He climbed back up the ladder, and then called out, "Strange, the storm is completely gone! Honestly, this weather is not natural!"
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Footsteps start growing louder not to far away.
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
(OOC: Rain taps microphone. "Is this thing on?" Not sure whether you saw the post about the potions. If so, could you at least confirm the current state / distribution of the magical items?)
Potions are good. Except since Ghurk has no Salmon Tounge Potion, which is quite useful, and there are two bottles, how about everyone gets 2/3 of a bottle?
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
👍
Rain helps to pour another 1/3 of the potion into his and Saralyn's vials. Then he gives the remaining 2/3 to Ghurk.
"Long-Limbed One, what is your proper name, hey? We share alike: here is your portion of the Salmon Tongue Potion. Hopefully, we can carry enough water on our travels that we will not need this potion, but it will be useful if we are ever low on water."
Rain puts the teal pearl and his potion in his pouch. (I added them to Rain's inventory as custom items since I didn't see them in Homebrew.)
(OOC: Need a summary post. 🙂 Thorin left us in the room under the fountain? Did he lock away the other pearls? Potions? Or do we have the option to "borrow" another one once Thorin is gone? How is this room lit? Just by the light from the outside?
Or did you mean that the whole party climbed out of the room with Thorin?)
(New footsteps? Is the sound coming from the room under the fountain? Or outside in the garden? If we're still in the room under the fountain, how many hallways or doors are there? If it's dark, remember that the whole party -- I think -- has Dark vision.)
Where is the sound coming from? Can Rain tell whether it's one or many people? Anything about their size or how far away? Footsteps are walking or running? [skill]Perception[/skill] 24
Assuming that we're under the fountain still, since Rain left his staff and spear up in the garden, he will draw his scimitars if he has time and position himself in front of Saralyn with his back to the ladder. That way, he can defend a retreat, if needed.
(As I said before, "in world" the goblin attack was **very** recent. Rain is still treating the grounds in and around the castle like a hostile environment.)
Ghurk eyes the *insert species* cautiously. He didn't miss Rain's looks towards him, and his hatred for goblinoids. (assuming he rolls high enough on his insight 6) Ghurk shrugs and says "I'm Ghurk."
If he doesn't roll high enough, he'll just give him a simple "I'm Ghurk. Nice to meet you."
DMing:
Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Playing:
None sadly.
Optimization Guides:
Literally Too Angry to Die - A Guide to Optimizing a Barbarian
(One time an ability check failure helps the party! 🎉)
As Ghurk takes the potion, it looks like Rain is about to respond when his ears suddenly twitch. He raises one hand as he swivels his head, trying to locate the direction of the footsteps. He glances at Ghurk and points in the direction of the approaching sound. Then he quietly (Stealth 17) draws his scimitars and gets in position.
(OOC: A natural 1. 🙄)
Then he quietly draws his scimitars but accidently catches the edge of a metal bowl or candelabra or something as he does so, knocking it to the floor where it clatters loudly.
Saralyn positions her spirits by the door and commands them to use the Ready action (trigger: if a hostile monster steps through the door -----> reaction: kill it)
Will everyone stop calling him "The Demogorgon"? It's his name, not a title!
(Yes, you are still under the fountain)
"Come on, I'll take you back to the castle to get some sleep," Thorin calls out. "I have Rolan here with me in case we get attacked!"
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
"Hmm... very well." Saralyn relaxes and the spirits come back to hovering around her. She follows.
Will everyone stop calling him "The Demogorgon"? It's his name, not a title!
(Oh! The footsteps were from above, in the garden?)
Rain calls up the ladder, "Yes, thank you, Thorin! Just a moment. I knocked something over here." Rain sheathes his weapons, and says more quietly to the others, "Ghurk, you should maybe go up first just in case. I'll stay here until Saralyn makes it out." He picks up whatever he knocked over and sets it back up. Then checks the room one last time for anything out-of-place or anything that piques his feline curiosity. (perception 12)
If he sees something, he might want to pocket it before he heads up the ladder. Otherwise, he zips up the ladder after Saralyn (climbing speed 30 ft!). He collects his quarterstaff and the goblin spear from the edge of the fountain where he left them earlier. Then he follows Thorin and Rolan into the castle.
(Note: Rain has a very good head for geography both as a ranger and as from his Outlander background:
I don't know whether he's been in this area before, but he's definitely already planning the party's trip to the desert in his head. How much food and water to take? Are there any wells or other sources of plentiful fresh water between the town and the temple? Therefore...)
While they walk back to the castle, Rain tries to ask Rolan and Thorin for more details. In conversation, things like this:
"I know that you said we should visit the Onyx District, but I'm also curious about the trail to this temple in the desert. How many days walking does the journey take from here to there?"
"Do you have a map?" (Rain loves maps!)
"Is the trail guarded by the kings men? How often is it used? Do the goblins watch the trail?"
Finally, if he can get Rolan chatting about the trail, he'll try to drop this comment into the conversation and watch Rolan's reaction (insight 8): "Tell us. What happened to the first pearl defenders? The group who arrived before us? Are they all dead now?"
(Rain wonders whether the packs that they saw in the room next to the throne room and the feast that was already prepared were originally for another party who arrived before them but was ambushed and killed by the same goblins that attacked his party. That would also explain Saralyn's intuition that someone had died in the castle recently.)
Rolan looks expressionlessly toward the direction of the desert. "You are the first defenders. The first people to volunteer. If you are talking about that first group that was sent out, those were the king's men." He made the faint image of a soldier dressed for battle. "But when they entered the temple, assuming that they actually made it in, they never came back." Rolan waved his hand and the soldier collapsed and faded away. "So we are being more careful this time. We go to the Onyx District in the morning. You shouldn't have to fight there, we are just investigating some things, looking for clues." He looked at the castle, then back at the group. "Since you don't know your way around, we'll have some soldiers accompany you on the investigation. Afterward, you can go on the trail. Well, not too much of a trail, mainly trail markers now. The king's men are trying to defend them, but the trail is getting attacked, and for good reason. From the temple's point of view, it is easy to see the city in the distance with how large it is, but the temple is small enough that we can't see it until we are close. The trail benefits us and not them."
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
(Any hint of a lie or anything else concerning what Rolan is saying with that Insight check?)
> they never came back
"Yes...er...the soldiers. That's what I meant. Oh! That's terrible! Is it possible that they are still alive and being held captive?"
> investigating some things, looking for clues
"Good! In the desert, it is better to take time to prepare. The man who sets out on a journey with no preparation is a fool and, soon, just a body."
> soldiers accompany you on the investigation.
"Thank you! That would be helpful. This is my first time in this city."
> From the temple's point of view, it is easy to see the city in the distance
(How tall are the tallest buildings in the city? Assuming the planet is the same size and curvature as earth, an average-sized human standing on the ground in absolutely flat terrain can see about 3 miles in clear weather before the planet's curvature blocks your view. Of course, that distance is farther if you're looking out from a hilltop or looking at a skyscraper from a distance. Reference: https://science.howstuffworks.com/question198.htm.)
"Oh! That's quite close. How tall is the temple? I know that on the savanna of my homeland, I can reach any spot that I can see on the horizon in about one hour, walking at an easy pace. Of course, I can see farther when standing on a hill or when looking toward a building that reaches above the horizon. But even then, I wouldn't expect to see a city farther than about a two days' journey away, on a clear day, unless I'm looking down from a tall mountain."
(For reference, since desert is his preferred (Ranger) terrain type, Rain can cover about 24 miles per day when traveling in the desert and can move stealthily at that speed when scouting alone.)
Your insight, Rain;
He seems quite casual saying this, and it seems to be truthful. He is telling you what he knows without hesitation.
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Rain listens intently to Rolan. He seems satisfied with the answers he gets. He looks around at the gardens with interest and makes smalltalk with Thorin about the plants until they are back in their rooms at the castle.
(OOC: to 87305 and Dragonlouis. Sorry if I've monopolized the discussion lately. While I was traveling, I had plenty of downtime for posting and had a lot of details that I was trying to get through.
I know that Rain was being paranoid about being attacked on the castle grounds, but given the recent events, it felt "in character" and also like a low-stakes opportunity for the party to practice working together as a team.
Rain still wants to have some quiet time with Saralyn and Ghurk and no one else around. It seems like there's always someone! But I guess we'll see whether they can do that once they get back to their rooms in the castle.)
I'm in 6 campaigns right now, so my replies have either been short or... very short. I'll probably get back to regular length posts now.
DMing:
Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Playing:
None sadly.
Optimization Guides:
Literally Too Angry to Die - A Guide to Optimizing a Barbarian
(No problem. This is my first PbP campaign, and it's the first time I've played a RPG in many years. I'm sure that the enthusiasm will wear of eventually. 😜)