incidentally, are you sure we can trust this Mister Clapperclaws, no offense of course sir, only i am unfamiliar with the area."
Val says, "Yes. Yes, I believe we can." She explains, "He doesn't seem to be in league with the hags or the harengon bandits. Tsu Harabax -- she gave us food and a safe place to sleep a couple of nights ago in the swamp. She was a little eccentric, but she seemed to loathe the hags and wanted to see the return of lady you're here to fine. Anyway, Tsu Harabax recommended that we seek out Clapperclaw as a guide out of Hither. Besides, he told us earlier that he could lead us to Thither if we found his head. Maybe it wasn't a proper Fey Bargain, but I don't think that he would betray us."
Val seems optimistic (if a little naive) and smiles brightly. She tries to reassure Ilifir, "I believe that we're destined to complete this Quest. And ever since we took up the Path that the Fates have laid for us in Prismeer, we have found assistance whenever we've needed it."
Once everyone is ready he quickly leaves Downfall and heads towards the east. If asked he points to the far-off mountains that divide Hither from Thither. "In a few days we will have some serious climbing to do. I hope each of you are ready."
"A few days?!", Valrieth says in distress, worried about their deadline to return to Bavlorna. "Is there no faster way, Clapperclaw? What if we flew over the mountains?", she asks. She reminds Finley, "I think that Sir Talavar said that he fled Downfall in that balloon, didn't he? Maybe we could take a balloon? Of course, those big birds knocked his balloon down at the Leaning Tower, so he never made it to the mountains..."
Finley will follow Lerak and motion for Val to follow along behind him. "Aye, definitely buy somethin' if yer in need, but we dunnae 'ave much time indeed."
(Perception:22)
If there's no faster way than walking, Val falls in behind Finley and walks along in the middle of the group. For at least the first part of their journey, she's quiet and a little downcast, thinking about the days that it will take them to reach Thither.
Clapperclaw halts the party at the end of Downfall. "Last time I checked a bunch of goons were guarding the balloon. If you can take it then I can pilot it safely to Thither."
"It might be worth it. At least we can try either to ask for it or to borrow it..."A perilous treck in the mountains was not Lerak favorite path, a quick balloon trip was much better he thought.
Clapperclaw halts the party at the end of Downfall. "Last time I checked a bunch of goons were guarding the balloon. If you can take it then I can pilot it safely to Thither."
Valrieth is happy that Clapperclaw can guide them either way, but she hadn't really considered how they'd get the balloon. She was just thinking of the three days that she and Finley had already spent hiking (and rowing!) through the swamp and the way that the swamp unpredictably flooded. Even if Clapperclaw knew safe, dry paths through the swamp and could avoid running into more harengon bandits, it would take them a day just to reach the distant mountains. Then they still had to get up and over the mountains to get to Thither! If they could fly -- or float! -- over the mountains to Thither, they could probably save a day or two of travel time.
"It might be worth it. At least we can try either to ask for it or to borrow it..."A perilous treck in the mountains was not Lerak favorite path, a quick balloon trip was much better he thought.
Val touches the little fly-shaped badge on her tabard and says, "Yes, perhaps. We did return the book for King Gullop XIX, and he has not given us anything in return for running that perilous errand yet. We could go tell him that Bavlorna has her book back, but now we need to fetch something for Bavlorna. If he owns the balloon, maybe he would let us use it?"
Val looks to Finley. "What do you think? You should decide since it's your bargain. We could just walk to Thither, or we could try to go by balloon. And if we want to go by balloon, do we ask King Gullop XIX for permission? I guess there's some danger that he found out that we freed that bullywug, Margot, from jail. If so, we could be in some trouble there. We could go right to the balloon, but I don't think that the bullywugs will let us take it unless we could convince them that it's the king's orders.
"Either way, it might turn into a fight. The bullywug guards don't seem that capable, but I remember that even Gan-Re found the bullywug warriors to be a tough challenge."
Finley tugs at his beard as he thinks for a moment, then says, "Aye we needta get tha' balloon, it's better than walking, and ah really wannae show up th' 'ag fer another time by completing a bargain she clearly thinks we cannae do. Th' King could cause us a problem as well, but either way is dangerous and ah'd rather move forwards than backwards, we could possibly get by through words alone.. Although ah ain't gfood at convincin' folks."
ilifir frowns slightly "ive no love for the bullywugs, so while walking would work, i willingly, if woefully ,will wander wherefrom water flees, and semiterrestrially saddle to the sky if such sacrifice seems our solution to your sight"
after he speaks he rubs at the bell on his waist, and frowns again
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This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
Otto pauses for a moment, trying to unpack the words of the hobgoblin. "...rrriiiight, well. I'd definitely be in favor of whatever's quicker. Not sure if showing up with unfamiliar faces might ruffle some feathers or not, but either way, I don't always make the best first impression onfolks. And in a fight, I'm usually better off taking folks by surprise,"
He conjures a playing card made of shimmering pale blue light in between his right index and middle fingers,
"and keeping my distance,"
He launches the card with a quick flick of the wrist, sending it sailing in an arc through the air until it lodges itself two inches deep in a nearby tree. The card then disappears, leaving a sizable gash in the tree.
"So if we think a fight may break out, it may be best for me to break off and try and stay hidden until we can kinda see how it goes. Happy to make myself known once we know they are happy to know me, ya know?"
Otto thinks about it a bit more, tapping a muddy finger against his chin. "That said...if we are looking to just up and steal the balloon, well, that is I might be uniquely skilled at. Though I am not sure I can make all of us sneaky. But maybe I could try and sneak into the balloon while guards are distracted, do my best to ready it for a quick exit if things go south, and be prepared to attack if a fight breaks out."
"But if you all think it's best to ask the King for permission, well heck I wouldn't disagree. I just would probably not do much of the talking."
The party ponders for a second in silence and Otto pipes up again. "Oh--talking! Of course, that reminds me. I have another trick I can do to make sure we can talk with no one else hearing. I can kind of link myself to each of you, with my brain, and then for a little while, I can talk to you in your head and you can do the same back to me." Otto looks around at the group, his excitement at remembering this talent wavering a bit as he sees how many their party is. "Oh but yeah, you all wouldn't be able to talk to each other that way; just me. So I kinda have to always be the go between. Hmph...b-but pebbles to boulders its still a great way for us to talk without no one else hearing."
"Let us see what th' area looks like and how many o' them there are, aye? Ah 'ave eight days until me 'eart goes missin' as well, due ta ah deal tha' ah made today. Walking will be takin' too long so due to these circumstances ah'd like to steal or barter or even fight for th' balloon as we dunnae know how long it could be there and back again." Finley sighs, "ah know it's not all o' yer problem and all tha' but gettin' this done will get us closer to Zybilna or at least learning about what's going on in Thither." He looks around at everyone.
"you sold" he says darkly "your heart?" theres a pause "of all the reckless, idiotic, ridiculous things! i think i like you, whats the exact wording of that bargain?"
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This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
"Let us see what th' area looks like and how many o' them there are, aye? Ah 'ave eight days until me 'eart goes missin' as well, due ta ah deal tha' ah made today. Walking will be takin' too long so due to these circumstances ah'd like to steal or barter or even fight for th' balloon as we dunnae know how long it could be there and back again." Finley sighs, "ah know it's not all o' yer problem and all tha' but gettin' this done will get us closer to Zybilna or at least learning about what's going on in Thither." He looks around at everyone.
"OK," Valrieth says. "Let's go see how heavily the balloon is guarded first. When we saw it yesterday, I think that there were just two bullywugs and two giant frogs guarding it."
I think that the party was on the D6 side of the bridge (D5), and Clapperclaw was ready to start hiking east. Instead, we need to cross back across the bridge and walk around the burned-out building (D4). The party has a choice:
Option A: We can walk across the stones (D3), being careful not to provoke the rock/earth elemental creature there, and then along the boardwalk that leads to the area around the balloon (D2).
Option B: Or we can take the rowboat that Finley, Val, Octavian, and Vansel used to leave Bavlorna's house, which should still be docked on the south side of D4. Then we could get a look at the area around D2 while we row around that area. There's a pier just to the south of D2 where we can dock.
It looks like the boardwalk and the piers around (D2) are at ground level but that the balloon's basket is actually up off the ground a bit. On the map, there's a sort of stairway or ladder that leads "up" to a platform next to the piers.
Val votes for option B since they can pretend that they're just out on the lake for fun while they do their reconnaissance of the guards around D2.
"you sold" he says darkly "your heart?" theres a pause "of all the reckless, idiotic, ridiculous things! i think i like you, whats the exact wording of that bargain?"
"Well, I thought that it was very gallant and brave," Val says defensively. She explains, "Octavian, the elf, helped us find Clapperclaw's head, and we had agreed to help him get his heart back. We found his heart in a locked box, but we needed Bavlorna's help to put it back into his chest. The bargain is to steal a portrait of Bavlorna's sister, Skabatha, from her home in Thither and return it to Bavlorna within 8 days. If we succeed, then the hag will restore Octavian's heart to his chest just as it was before she took it. But if we fail to return to Bavlorna with the painting by then, Finley will also forfeit his heart to Bavlorna to use however she wants. It was the only bargain Bavlorna was willing to make. Actually, Bavolrna originally wanted both of our hearts, and Finley tricked her into agreeing to a bargain for just his heart."
"Alright, first things first," Otto says while the party is at a safe enough distance to not be spotted. Then he produces four ethereal playing cards in his hand, and hands one to each of Ilifnir, Val, Finley, and Lerak. As they each take a card from him, the cards begin to glow brighter, and a similar blue light can be seen shining within each of their eyes. The cards then disintegrate into twinkling lights the flutter into the air and disappear. Then, one by one, Otto looks at each of them, as they each hear him say "testing, one two three," "check, check," "is this thing on" into each of their brains.
Psionic Whispers x2 - Psi Energy Dice Rolls: 6, 4
He looks at Val and Finely and says, in their heads, "this link will last for 6 hours."
He then looks at Ilifnir and Lerak, "for us, we have 4 hours to use this."
And the again, to all four of them, "and don't forget; this is a two-way street between each of you and me, but not each other. But if you want me to pass along a message, just ask." He winks.
I assume the party takes the safer path and soon arrives at D2 where there is a patchwork balloon guarded by 2 bullywgs and 3 giant frogs.
(OOC: on the map, the balloon appears to be tied down but floating over the lake. Is that true or just the map's attempt at perspective? Is the balloon's basket on or near the ground? If not, does there appear to be a way to get to the basket from the walkway or piers nearby? That is, are the guards just making sure that no one messes with the balloon? Or are they guarding access to the basket or some means of reaching the basket?)
Val suggests that they may be able to bluff or bully their way past the bullywugs. She would prefer to try that rather than just attacking them, but while they're talking, maybe Otto can sneak past them. She says, "If the bullywugs are uncooperative, I can try to entangle them with vines to keep them out of our way. Or I could summon a spirit in the form of an animal to engage the guards while we take the balloon. Alternately, we could walk away, and then I could just transform into a crocodile and burst out of the water to try to scare them off."
Can the party tell how the balloon is held down? Is is 4 ropes like shown on the map? Or is there a bunch of ballast weighing it down? Some combination of things?
She says, "It looks like we'll need to cut the balloon loose, but I suppose we'd all need to be in the basket before it starts floating away. Hm....Finley, we may need to tie someone to the basket with your rope so that they can cut the lines that are holding the balloon down, and then we can reel that person into the basket once it starts to float away. I don't think that the bullywugs have a way to stop us once we take off, and we can worry about the large birds that we saw flying over the swamp once we're out of Downfall."
Then, one by one, Otto looks at each of them, as they each hear him say "testing, one two three," "check, check," "is this thing on" into each of their brains.
"Oh!", Valrieth says, clearly fascinated, "That's wonderful, Otto!" Then she squeezes her eyes close and scrunches up her face in furious concentration: "DOES THIS WORK? CAN YOU HEAR ME?"Once she realizes that that's not necessary, she tries again, sending a series of somewhat nonsense words to make sure that Otto can "hear" her,"Sorry. Can you hear me now? Candlefoot, Palasha, Burly."
Val suggests:
Val and Ilifir can try to make their case to the bullywugs. (Friends of the king, rendered him a valuable service, official business with Bavlorna, wouldn't want to anger the hag, etc.)
If that doesn't work, Val can start with entangle to restrain as many of them as she can. If it comes to that, then
Otto can be in charge of cutting the ropes (if that's what they need to do) while the others hold off the guards.
Finley needs to tie one end of his rope to Otto and then tie the other to the basket once they're ready to lift off.
Ilifir can be in charge with getting Clapperclaw into the balloon, and then he can cast spells from there.
Lerak could be responsible for holding back the guards (any who were not restrained) while the group gets into the basket, and he'll just need to hop in before they take off.
Before they approach the bullywugs, Val checks with Clapperclaw: "Clapperclaw, if we get you into the balloon, you're sure that you'll be able to fly it Thither, right?"
Looming above a ramshackle wooden pier is a balloon anchored by four thick ropes tied around wooden posts driven deep into the mire. Yes, it is floating above the water at a similar level as the pier. The guards are there to make sure no one messes with the balloon.
ilifir frowns slightly, takes a deep breath, and walks up to the guards, grinning merrily "how fare you fabulously fine froglike folks?! this fabled fabric fabrication is fair in fact and not just fable!"
mentally he adds "right i desperately need input here, what is our angle?"
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This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
Otto will telepathically relay the question to Val and Finley, and will relay any response they have back to Ilifnir, as he tries to sneak around the side and get to the balloon from behind the guards while they are distracted.
(OOC: assuming that the plan works for everyone...)
Valrieth first takes out a star chart and prays for a "good star" to guide Otto's task. (Cast guidance on Otto.)
Val says, "Otto, you can wait here until we're talking to the guards. Then, see whether you can sneak into position near one of those pegs holding the balloon down. We'll either convince the bullywugs to let us take the balloon, and you can just join us in the basket, or we'll eventually give up and pretend like we're walking away before we try to restrain the guards or drive them off. As soon as you see us do that or start heading for the basket, you can start cutting the ropes."
Once everyone else is ready, Finley and Val will go with Ilifir up to the bullywug guards, followed by Lerak and Clapperclaw. Val will try to help Ilifir persuade the bullywug guards to let them borrow the balloon.
(Oops! Cross-posted with @willow_ivyleaf and @GerStud101. Updated / edit to align better with those posts.)
ilifir frowns slightly, takes a deep breath, and walks up to the guards, grinning merrily "how fare you fabulously fine froglike folks?! this fabled fabric fabrication is fair in fact and not just fable!"
Remembering that the bullywugs they first met in Downfall addressed them in Syvlan, Valrieth tries to jump into the conversation to introduce Ilifir to the guards. She says in Sylvan, "Good morning. May I present my friends? Ilifir. And Finley. I'm afraid that Finley does not speak Sylvan. If you both speak Common, I hope that it's OK for us to continue our conversation in that language so that Finley understands what everyone is saying."
The bullywug guard gestures for those present to move along. His expression reads somewhere between boredom and indifference. In common he says, "Keep walking as there is nothing for you here."
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After a bit of a "no please, after you; no I insist, after you" dance with Ilifir, Otto will fall in between Val and the hobgoblin.
Perception: 14
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
Val says, "Yes. Yes, I believe we can." She explains, "He doesn't seem to be in league with the hags or the harengon bandits. Tsu Harabax -- she gave us food and a safe place to sleep a couple of nights ago in the swamp. She was a little eccentric, but she seemed to loathe the hags and wanted to see the return of lady you're here to fine. Anyway, Tsu Harabax recommended that we seek out Clapperclaw as a guide out of Hither. Besides, he told us earlier that he could lead us to Thither if we found his head. Maybe it wasn't a proper Fey Bargain, but I don't think that he would betray us."
Val seems optimistic (if a little naive) and smiles brightly. She tries to reassure Ilifir, "I believe that we're destined to complete this Quest. And ever since we took up the Path that the Fates have laid for us in Prismeer, we have found assistance whenever we've needed it."
"A few days?!", Valrieth says in distress, worried about their deadline to return to Bavlorna. "Is there no faster way, Clapperclaw? What if we flew over the mountains?", she asks. She reminds Finley, "I think that Sir Talavar said that he fled Downfall in that balloon, didn't he? Maybe we could take a balloon? Of course, those big birds knocked his balloon down at the Leaning Tower, so he never made it to the mountains..."
If there's no faster way than walking, Val falls in behind Finley and walks along in the middle of the group. For at least the first part of their journey, she's quiet and a little downcast, thinking about the days that it will take them to reach Thither.
Perception 18
Clapperclaw halts the party at the end of Downfall. "Last time I checked a bunch of goons were guarding the balloon. If you can take it then I can pilot it safely to Thither."
"It might be worth it. At least we can try either to ask for it or to borrow it..." A perilous treck in the mountains was not Lerak favorite path, a quick balloon trip was much better he thought.
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Valrieth is happy that Clapperclaw can guide them either way, but she hadn't really considered how they'd get the balloon. She was just thinking of the three days that she and Finley had already spent hiking (and rowing!) through the swamp and the way that the swamp unpredictably flooded. Even if Clapperclaw knew safe, dry paths through the swamp and could avoid running into more harengon bandits, it would take them a day just to reach the distant mountains. Then they still had to get up and over the mountains to get to Thither! If they could fly -- or float! -- over the mountains to Thither, they could probably save a day or two of travel time.
Val touches the little fly-shaped badge on her tabard and says, "Yes, perhaps. We did return the book for King Gullop XIX, and he has not given us anything in return for running that perilous errand yet. We could go tell him that Bavlorna has her book back, but now we need to fetch something for Bavlorna. If he owns the balloon, maybe he would let us use it?"
Val looks to Finley. "What do you think? You should decide since it's your bargain. We could just walk to Thither, or we could try to go by balloon. And if we want to go by balloon, do we ask King Gullop XIX for permission? I guess there's some danger that he found out that we freed that bullywug, Margot, from jail. If so, we could be in some trouble there. We could go right to the balloon, but I don't think that the bullywugs will let us take it unless we could convince them that it's the king's orders.
"Either way, it might turn into a fight. The bullywug guards don't seem that capable, but I remember that even Gan-Re found the bullywug warriors to be a tough challenge."
Finley tugs at his beard as he thinks for a moment, then says, "Aye we needta get tha' balloon, it's better than walking, and ah really wannae show up th' 'ag fer another time by completing a bargain she clearly thinks we cannae do. Th' King could cause us a problem as well, but either way is dangerous and ah'd rather move forwards than backwards, we could possibly get by through words alone.. Although ah ain't gfood at convincin' folks."
Zylo Esstyrlynn - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
ilifir frowns slightly "ive no love for the bullywugs, so while walking would work, i willingly, if woefully ,will wander wherefrom water flees, and semiterrestrially saddle to the sky if such sacrifice seems our solution to your sight"
after he speaks he rubs at the bell on his waist, and frowns again
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
Otto pauses for a moment, trying to unpack the words of the hobgoblin. "...rrriiiight, well. I'd definitely be in favor of whatever's quicker. Not sure if showing up with unfamiliar faces might ruffle some feathers or not, but either way, I don't always make the best first impression on folks. And in a fight, I'm usually better off taking folks by surprise,"
He conjures a playing card made of shimmering pale blue light in between his right index and middle fingers,
"and keeping my distance,"
He launches the card with a quick flick of the wrist, sending it sailing in an arc through the air until it lodges itself two inches deep in a nearby tree. The card then disappears, leaving a sizable gash in the tree.
"So if we think a fight may break out, it may be best for me to break off and try and stay hidden until we can kinda see how it goes. Happy to make myself known once we know they are happy to know me, ya know?"
Otto thinks about it a bit more, tapping a muddy finger against his chin. "That said...if we are looking to just up and steal the balloon, well, that is I might be uniquely skilled at. Though I am not sure I can make all of us sneaky. But maybe I could try and sneak into the balloon while guards are distracted, do my best to ready it for a quick exit if things go south, and be prepared to attack if a fight breaks out."
"But if you all think it's best to ask the King for permission, well heck I wouldn't disagree. I just would probably not do much of the talking."
The party ponders for a second in silence and Otto pipes up again. "Oh--talking! Of course, that reminds me. I have another trick I can do to make sure we can talk with no one else hearing. I can kind of link myself to each of you, with my brain, and then for a little while, I can talk to you in your head and you can do the same back to me." Otto looks around at the group, his excitement at remembering this talent wavering a bit as he sees how many their party is. "Oh but yeah, you all wouldn't be able to talk to each other that way; just me. So I kinda have to always be the go between. Hmph...b-but pebbles to boulders its still a great way for us to talk without no one else hearing."
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
"Let us see what th' area looks like and how many o' them there are, aye? Ah 'ave eight days until me 'eart goes missin' as well, due ta ah deal tha' ah made today. Walking will be takin' too long so due to these circumstances ah'd like to steal or barter or even fight for th' balloon as we dunnae know how long it could be there and back again." Finley sighs, "ah know it's not all o' yer problem and all tha' but gettin' this done will get us closer to Zybilna or at least learning about what's going on in Thither." He looks around at everyone.
Zylo Esstyrlynn - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
"you sold" he says darkly "your heart?" theres a pause "of all the reckless, idiotic, ridiculous things! i think i like you, whats the exact wording of that bargain?"
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
"OK," Valrieth says. "Let's go see how heavily the balloon is guarded first. When we saw it yesterday, I think that there were just two bullywugs and two giant frogs guarding it."
I think that the party was on the D6 side of the bridge (D5), and Clapperclaw was ready to start hiking east. Instead, we need to cross back across the bridge and walk around the burned-out building (D4). The party has a choice:
It looks like the boardwalk and the piers around (D2) are at ground level but that the balloon's basket is actually up off the ground a bit. On the map, there's a sort of stairway or ladder that leads "up" to a platform next to the piers.
Val votes for option B since they can pretend that they're just out on the lake for fun while they do their reconnaissance of the guards around D2.
"Well, I thought that it was very gallant and brave," Val says defensively. She explains, "Octavian, the elf, helped us find Clapperclaw's head, and we had agreed to help him get his heart back. We found his heart in a locked box, but we needed Bavlorna's help to put it back into his chest. The bargain is to steal a portrait of Bavlorna's sister, Skabatha, from her home in Thither and return it to Bavlorna within 8 days. If we succeed, then the hag will restore Octavian's heart to his chest just as it was before she took it. But if we fail to return to Bavlorna with the painting by then, Finley will also forfeit his heart to Bavlorna to use however she wants. It was the only bargain Bavlorna was willing to make. Actually, Bavolrna originally wanted both of our hearts, and Finley tricked her into agreeing to a bargain for just his heart."
I assume the party takes the safer path and soon arrives at D2 where there is a patchwork balloon guarded by 2 bullywgs and 3 giant frogs.
"Alright, first things first," Otto says while the party is at a safe enough distance to not be spotted. Then he produces four ethereal playing cards in his hand, and hands one to each of Ilifnir, Val, Finley, and Lerak. As they each take a card from him, the cards begin to glow brighter, and a similar blue light can be seen shining within each of their eyes. The cards then disintegrate into twinkling lights the flutter into the air and disappear. Then, one by one, Otto looks at each of them, as they each hear him say "testing, one two three," "check, check," "is this thing on" into each of their brains.
Psionic Whispers x2 - Psi Energy Dice Rolls: 6, 4
He looks at Val and Finely and says, in their heads, "this link will last for 6 hours."
He then looks at Ilifnir and Lerak, "for us, we have 4 hours to use this."
And the again, to all four of them, "and don't forget; this is a two-way street between each of you and me, but not each other. But if you want me to pass along a message, just ask." He winks.
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
(OOC: on the map, the balloon appears to be tied down but floating over the lake. Is that true or just the map's attempt at perspective? Is the balloon's basket on or near the ground? If not, does there appear to be a way to get to the basket from the walkway or piers nearby? That is, are the guards just making sure that no one messes with the balloon? Or are they guarding access to the basket or some means of reaching the basket?)
Val suggests that they may be able to bluff or bully their way past the bullywugs. She would prefer to try that rather than just attacking them, but while they're talking, maybe Otto can sneak past them. She says, "If the bullywugs are uncooperative, I can try to entangle them with vines to keep them out of our way. Or I could summon a spirit in the form of an animal to engage the guards while we take the balloon. Alternately, we could walk away, and then I could just transform into a crocodile and burst out of the water to try to scare them off."
Can the party tell how the balloon is held down? Is is 4 ropes like shown on the map? Or is there a bunch of ballast weighing it down? Some combination of things?
She says, "It looks like we'll need to cut the balloon loose, but I suppose we'd all need to be in the basket before it starts floating away. Hm....Finley, we may need to tie someone to the basket with your rope so that they can cut the lines that are holding the balloon down, and then we can reel that person into the basket once it starts to float away. I don't think that the bullywugs have a way to stop us once we take off, and we can worry about the large birds that we saw flying over the swamp once we're out of Downfall."
"Oh!", Valrieth says, clearly fascinated, "That's wonderful, Otto!" Then she squeezes her eyes close and scrunches up her face in furious concentration: "DOES THIS WORK? CAN YOU HEAR ME?" Once she realizes that that's not necessary, she tries again, sending a series of somewhat nonsense words to make sure that Otto can "hear" her,"Sorry. Can you hear me now? Candlefoot, Palasha, Burly."
Val suggests:
Before they approach the bullywugs, Val checks with Clapperclaw: "Clapperclaw, if we get you into the balloon, you're sure that you'll be able to fly it Thither, right?"
Looming above a ramshackle wooden pier is a balloon anchored by four thick ropes tied around wooden posts driven deep into the mire. Yes, it is floating above the water at a similar level as the pier. The guards are there to make sure no one messes with the balloon.
ilifir frowns slightly, takes a deep breath, and walks up to the guards, grinning merrily "how fare you fabulously fine froglike folks?! this fabled fabric fabrication is fair in fact and not just fable!"
mentally he adds "right i desperately need input here, what is our angle?"
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
Otto will telepathically relay the question to Val and Finley, and will relay any response they have back to Ilifnir, as he tries to sneak around the side and get to the balloon from behind the guards while they are distracted.
Stealth: 11
+1 from Val's guidance
+ 2 from Psi-Bolsteted Knack (if I fail)
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
(OOC: assuming that the plan works for everyone...)
Valrieth first takes out a star chart and prays for a "good star" to guide Otto's task. (Cast guidance on Otto.)
Val says, "Otto, you can wait here until we're talking to the guards. Then, see whether you can sneak into position near one of those pegs holding the balloon down. We'll either convince the bullywugs to let us take the balloon, and you can just join us in the basket, or we'll eventually give up and pretend like we're walking away before we try to restrain the guards or drive them off. As soon as you see us do that or start heading for the basket, you can start cutting the ropes."
Once everyone else is ready, Finley and Val will go with Ilifir up to the bullywug guards, followed by Lerak and Clapperclaw. Val will try to help Ilifir persuade the bullywug guards to let them borrow the balloon.
(Oops! Cross-posted with @willow_ivyleaf and @GerStud101. Updated / edit to align better with those posts.)
Remembering that the bullywugs they first met in Downfall addressed them in Syvlan, Valrieth tries to jump into the conversation to introduce Ilifir to the guards. She says in Sylvan, "Good morning. May I present my friends? Ilifir. And Finley. I'm afraid that Finley does not speak Sylvan. If you both speak Common, I hope that it's OK for us to continue our conversation in that language so that Finley understands what everyone is saying."
The bullywug guard gestures for those present to move along. His expression reads somewhere between boredom and indifference. In common he says, "Keep walking as there is nothing for you here."