When we continue, I suggest that both Tarton and Zladark stealth. Also, maybe Zladark can assist Tarton, giving him advantage on Investigation or Perception? We could also each do a check, or even do a different check each?
I have decided to join your group but I would like to request the link to join also should I start at any particular level or have any specific equipment?
"I don't know if I'd call myself an arcanist. I'm more just... So cosmicly clumsy, stuff just kinda... Happens? I never seem to stay in one place very long." Artifex says, half to themselves, already distracted by a passing insect.
When we continue, I suggest that both Tarton and Zladark stealth. Also, maybe Zladark can assist Tarton, giving him advantage on Investigation or Perception? We could also each do a check, or even do a different check each?
(Sounds good to me. You can certainly do any one of those three things (assist, both do the same check, or do one check each) each time you roll.
Have Tarton and Zladark do their first Stealth check, and their first Investigation and/or Perception in whichever way you think best. That will take them 30' ahead; then Gwrgi will set out on their heels with anyone else who's coming along, and after that I'll have everyone do Stealth checks unless you want the rear group to deliberately be noisy to draw attention away from the scouts.
As far as posting too often, I'm hardly one to criticize, being kind of a frequent poster in some of my own threads. You do seem to wait at least a day or two between to give others a chance to post, so I'd think you're OK. But if anyone feels shut out, please do tell me so I can work it out between everyone.)
All of a sudden, Tarton hears footsteps from the path. Then you all see a hill dwarf with long red hair and amber brown eyes in chain mail walking towards you. She hails you saying, “Oy! Yeh know how I can get to the haunted lands?” She sees Zladark and her eyes light up. She introduces herself as Arti Stonebeard, Servant to The Great Father, Moradin. “I have been in this area for three weeks now and have not seen anyone who can help. I would also suggest that I accompany you as there have been many undead sightings lately.”
Creeping stealthily forward, the scouts get about 20' before Arti makes her appearance. At this point, there is a side path among the reeds that the dwarf made her appearance from; this has no visible footprints on it but hers, and Zladark can hear nothing but the rustling of cattails from that direction. Heading north in the direction the croaking is coming from, the path curves forward about 9' more, and then is blocked by a fallen tree. There has been no change in the croaking or any other sign that you have been detected. Looking at the obstruction, Tarton spots a place where the trunk is broken and has dropped down low enough that it would be possible to climb over and continue. Inspecting it from a distance he thinks, but is not certain, that the bark is slightly m9re worn there than on the rest of the trunk. It also seems slightly wet in patches, though he can't tell from this distance whether that is from dew or from something else.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
(Investigation ... Insight is for figuring out the motivations of beings you're interacting with. Anyone who's there (currently Tarton, Arti and Zladark) can roll either Investigation or Nature, in fact, if they want to check out this tree. I will need to know how close you're getting and what you're doing if anything besides just looking at it. After that group is done, Gwrgi and Kalkass'ssa'th will follow with Artifex and/or Zenzor and all those will get a chance to do something; then we'll check in with Uz and see if anything's happened by the boats)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Zladark kept following Tarton stealthily, as they moved through the undergrowth. When Arti, made her appearance, Zladark smiled in her direction, nodding. Without needing his sight, he had sensed her presence and held a finger to his lips, signaling the need for silence. His heightened awareness allowed him to know exactly where she was when she was close by.
As they approached the broken part of the fallen tree, something unusual caught Zladark's attention. A strange dew-like substance stuck on his fingers after he had touch the broken tree trunk. Moving with careful precision, he lifted it slowly towards his head. Leaning in, he inhaled deeply, trying to discern its scent, hoping to understand more about this mysterious substance.
Taking the clue to be quiet given by The Black Rose, Tarton gives a friendly wave to Arti but doesn't introducing himself yet. As The Black Rose investigates the tree, Tarton keeps his eyes on their surroundings looking for any movement.
---------------------------------------------------- Let me know if you want a new Perception check for this.
While Arti does her best to find out more about the tree, the natural discomfort of fitting into a new group proves too distracting for her to pick up much beyond what she already observed. Zladark, on the other hand, notices two things immediately. The first is that the droplets on the fallen trunk do not feel like water. They are sticky and a little slimy, and when he raises them to his nose he detects a faint musty scent that he thinks he might be able to place with some reflection (e.g. a Nature roll). The second is that they follow a definite pattern. They begin to one side of the low place in the trunk where some branches are matted together, coming out from under these branches and then becoming thicker on the near side of the low place before abruptly stopping and trailing back into the line he has traced from the matted branches. There are none on the far side of the low place; that is completely dry.
Tarton, listening, hears nothing at first beyond the general swamp noises and distant croaking (which sounds like it is at least a mile off). But as he focuses more intently on the particular soundscape in the vicinity (Perception in log: 23), he realizes that he does hear something on the other side of the tree. It sounds like a much softer, almost whispered croaking; it is not regular, but modulated, and he would guess it to be coming from a spot on or beside the path anywhere from ten to a couple hundred yards away. Looking in that direction, he sees that the path is straighter for a while than it was getting to this point, but then bends inland after perhaps an eighth of a mile...maybe a little less.)
(Only if you want to ... the group has enough rations between them for several days yet, even sharing with Arti; and I'm usually fairly informal about such things anyway)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Tarton has no idea how to react to the wink from Arti so he pauses for a second totally disarmed, then he remembers how her face lit up at seeing The Black Rose. "So that's it," he says to himself. Turning to Arti and The Black Rose who are examining the fallen tree he softly whispers, "There seems to be at least one of these frog things croaking softly in an odd tone some ways down the path beyond this log. I can't tell how far though. It could be from ten to two hundred yards down the path. I think they're just off the path waiting to ambush anyone coming down the path. Have you figured out what that stuff is?"
He then turns to Arti and whispers, "I'm Tarton Fleetfoot. You must be quite talented to survive here for three weeks alone. I wouldn't want to try that. It's nice to meet you, Arti. These haunted lands you mentioned might be where we are headed ourselves, though at the moment we are trying to get rid of some humanoid frog people that have been killing the lizard folk." He feels it best to let The Black Rose introduce himself.
As he's whispering to Arti, he motions for the others to join them at the fallen tree.
------------------------------------------------ Forgot to give all the new party members a description of Tarton. You see a short lightfoot halfling male wearing leather armor and a dark brown, almost black, cloak. The hood is always up, shading his face and hiding as many of his features as he can, though you can see that his eyes are brown.
Zladark turned to Tarton and Arti, leaning in to whisper, “It’s not water. It’s sticky and a little slimy. It has a musty scent.” He sniffed at the substance again, concentrating, his brow furrowing as he tried to identify its origin.
“It also follow a pattern,” Zladark continued in a hushed voice, pointing out the trail of the substance.
Zladark then turned to Arti once more and bowed politely in front of her. “Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. You may call me The Black Rose,” he said, his tone soft yet deliberate. Rising from his bow, he gestured toward Tarton. “I was trying to assist my companion here in the art of scouting ahead. We are part of a larger expedition, you see.”
—————————
Zladark or The Black Rose is a human dressed in a yellow robe in the style of traditional monks in the area. He hold a quarterstaff covered in Gnomish runes. If you have not yet figured out his lack of sight, his milky white eyes would give it away. Both his beard and hair are clean-shaven, as it is a tradition for some monk clans. He have two small sacks placed on each side of his hip.
Arti replies, saying quietly, “Well met Black Rose. However I am not from this world, so I am curious as to which monk order you are from. However I suppose we should focus on the task at hand and introduce ourselves properly later.
Arti casts Detect Magic on the substance on the fallen tree.
-----------------------------------------------------
When we continue, I suggest that both Tarton and Zladark stealth. Also, maybe Zladark can assist Tarton, giving him advantage on Investigation or Perception? We could also each do a check, or even do a different check each?
I have decided to join your group but I would like to request the link to join also should I start at any particular level or have any specific equipment?
"I don't know if I'd call myself an arcanist. I'm more just... So cosmicly clumsy, stuff just kinda... Happens? I never seem to stay in one place very long." Artifex says, half to themselves, already distracted by a passing insect.
(Sounds good to me. You can certainly do any one of those three things (assist, both do the same check, or do one check each) each time you roll.
Have Tarton and Zladark do their first Stealth check, and their first Investigation and/or Perception in whichever way you think best. That will take them 30' ahead; then Gwrgi will set out on their heels with anyone else who's coming along, and after that I'll have everyone do Stealth checks unless you want the rear group to deliberately be noisy to draw attention away from the scouts.
As far as posting too often, I'm hardly one to criticize, being kind of a frequent poster in some of my own threads. You do seem to wait at least a day or two between to give others a chance to post, so I'd think you're OK. But if anyone feels shut out, please do tell me so I can work it out between everyone.)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
--------------------------------------------------------
Then I am up for letting Tarton choose how we should roll and what we should roll besides Stealth.
Stealth: 12 + 3 (Bless) = 15
"OK, if we're all ready, here I go." Tarton says quietly as he starts creeping forward trying to be as quiet as he can while looking for traps.
________________________________________________________________
Stealth: 15
Perception: 10
Just realized that Bless is for Attack and Saves only, so removed the 4 I rolled on the d4 from my stealth roll.
All of a sudden, Tarton hears footsteps from the path. Then you all see a hill dwarf with long red hair and amber brown eyes in chain mail walking towards you. She hails you saying, “Oy! Yeh know how I can get to the haunted lands?” She sees Zladark and her eyes light up. She introduces herself as Arti Stonebeard, Servant to The Great Father, Moradin. “I have been in this area for three weeks now and have not seen anyone who can help. I would also suggest that I accompany you as there have been many undead sightings lately.”
Creeping stealthily forward, the scouts get about 20' before Arti makes her appearance. At this point, there is a side path among the reeds that the dwarf made her appearance from; this has no visible footprints on it but hers, and Zladark can hear nothing but the rustling of cattails from that direction. Heading north in the direction the croaking is coming from, the path curves forward about 9' more, and then is blocked by a fallen tree. There has been no change in the croaking or any other sign that you have been detected. Looking at the obstruction, Tarton spots a place where the trunk is broken and has dropped down low enough that it would be possible to climb over and continue. Inspecting it from a distance he thinks, but is not certain, that the bark is slightly m9re worn there than on the rest of the trunk. It also seems slightly wet in patches, though he can't tell from this distance whether that is from dew or from something else.
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Should Arti roll investigation or insight?
(Investigation ... Insight is for figuring out the motivations of beings you're interacting with. Anyone who's there (currently Tarton, Arti and Zladark) can roll either Investigation or Nature, in fact, if they want to check out this tree. I will need to know how close you're getting and what you're doing if anything besides just looking at it. After that group is done, Gwrgi and Kalkass'ssa'th will follow with Artifex and/or Zenzor and all those will get a chance to do something; then we'll check in with Uz and see if anything's happened by the boats)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Zladark kept following Tarton stealthily, as they moved through the undergrowth. When Arti, made her appearance, Zladark smiled in her direction, nodding. Without needing his sight, he had sensed her presence and held a finger to his lips, signaling the need for silence. His heightened awareness allowed him to know exactly where she was when she was close by.
As they approached the broken part of the fallen tree, something unusual caught Zladark's attention. A strange dew-like substance stuck on his fingers after he had touch the broken tree trunk. Moving with careful precision, he lifted it slowly towards his head. Leaning in, he inhaled deeply, trying to discern its scent, hoping to understand more about this mysterious substance.
-----------------------------------------------------
Investigation: 19
Let me know if I need a perception check or nature check.
Taking the clue to be quiet given by The Black Rose, Tarton gives a friendly wave to Arti but doesn't introducing himself yet. As The Black Rose investigates the tree, Tarton keeps his eyes on their surroundings looking for any movement.
----------------------------------------------------
Let me know if you want a new Perception check for this.
Arti walks up to the fallen tree and investigates
Rolled a 7+1=8 gem not my best roll
Also, Arti smiles at The Black Rose and gives Tarton a little wink
Should one of us be trying to forage for food?
While Arti does her best to find out more about the tree, the natural discomfort of fitting into a new group proves too distracting for her to pick up much beyond what she already observed. Zladark, on the other hand, notices two things immediately. The first is that the droplets on the fallen trunk do not feel like water. They are sticky and a little slimy, and when he raises them to his nose he detects a faint musty scent that he thinks he might be able to place with some reflection (e.g. a Nature roll). The second is that they follow a definite pattern. They begin to one side of the low place in the trunk where some branches are matted together, coming out from under these branches and then becoming thicker on the near side of the low place before abruptly stopping and trailing back into the line he has traced from the matted branches. There are none on the far side of the low place; that is completely dry.
Tarton, listening, hears nothing at first beyond the general swamp noises and distant croaking (which sounds like it is at least a mile off). But as he focuses more intently on the particular soundscape in the vicinity (Perception in log: 23), he realizes that he does hear something on the other side of the tree. It sounds like a much softer, almost whispered croaking; it is not regular, but modulated, and he would guess it to be coming from a spot on or beside the path anywhere from ten to a couple hundred yards away. Looking in that direction, he sees that the path is straighter for a while than it was getting to this point, but then bends inland after perhaps an eighth of a mile...maybe a little less.)
(Only if you want to ... the group has enough rations between them for several days yet, even sharing with Arti; and I'm usually fairly informal about such things anyway)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Arti rolls perception and gets a 12 +3 for 15 total
Tarton has no idea how to react to the wink from Arti so he pauses for a second totally disarmed, then he remembers how her face lit up at seeing The Black Rose. "So that's it," he says to himself. Turning to Arti and The Black Rose who are examining the fallen tree he softly whispers, "There seems to be at least one of these frog things croaking softly in an odd tone some ways down the path beyond this log. I can't tell how far though. It could be from ten to two hundred yards down the path. I think they're just off the path waiting to ambush anyone coming down the path. Have you figured out what that stuff is?"
He then turns to Arti and whispers, "I'm Tarton Fleetfoot. You must be quite talented to survive here for three weeks alone. I wouldn't want to try that. It's nice to meet you, Arti. These haunted lands you mentioned might be where we are headed ourselves, though at the moment we are trying to get rid of some humanoid frog people that have been killing the lizard folk." He feels it best to let The Black Rose introduce himself.
As he's whispering to Arti, he motions for the others to join them at the fallen tree.
------------------------------------------------
Forgot to give all the new party members a description of Tarton. You see a short lightfoot halfling male wearing leather armor and a dark brown, almost black, cloak. The hood is always up, shading his face and hiding as many of his features as he can, though you can see that his eyes are brown.
Zladark turned to Tarton and Arti, leaning in to whisper, “It’s not water. It’s sticky and a little slimy. It has a musty scent.” He sniffed at the substance again, concentrating, his brow furrowing as he tried to identify its origin.
“It also follow a pattern,” Zladark continued in a hushed voice, pointing out the trail of the substance.
Zladark then turned to Arti once more and bowed politely in front of her. “Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. You may call me The Black Rose,” he said, his tone soft yet deliberate. Rising from his bow, he gestured toward Tarton. “I was trying to assist my companion here in the art of scouting ahead. We are part of a larger expedition, you see.”
—————————
Zladark or The Black Rose is a human dressed in a yellow robe in the style of traditional monks in the area. He hold a quarterstaff covered in Gnomish runes. If you have not yet figured out his lack of sight, his milky white eyes would give it away. Both his beard and hair are clean-shaven, as it is a tradition for some monk clans. He have two small sacks placed on each side of his hip.
Nature check: 11
Arti replies, saying quietly, “Well met Black Rose. However I am not from this world, so I am curious as to which monk order you are from. However I suppose we should focus on the task at hand and introduce ourselves properly later.
Arti casts Detect Magic on the substance on the fallen tree.
Arti also asks “How long have you been out here, Tarton? You and your team? Does anyone need healing?”