"Praise Kossuth?" Zeds replies skeptically. "Praise Serge and I! You say we didn't fend them off but I call BS on that. Those things have successfully been fended! Any fight you live though is a successful damn fight, ya ask me... It was good thinking of you to feed the damn things but then again you feed a stray kitten once and they will come back mewing for food time and time again. Let's hope all the pointy items have dissuaded them of that idea."
"And yes, by all means, let's keep Junior fed... I suspect we may need to pick up our hunting a bit before we are through this but we definitely want the big lizard well fed."
"He should have enough food to last a couple weeks as least. I had bought 400 pounds of food when. I bought my caravan in the hopes that it would last a while he says with a smile.
The party is healed and yes everyone still gets a long rest in. Faelsin confirms that 2 more days of travel. The next morning breakfast is a somber affair with Malfa just offering some water as those Wyvern variants also got hold of the prairie chickens killed by Krackle and Zeds. The caravan gets moving again at a quicker pace.
Faelsin once more ask that some of the party hunt while the others remain behind to guard the caravan.
Zeds suggests that they could take turns hunting while the others watch and stay with the caravan. And in fact, those with the caravan can keep their eyes peeled, it is not unknown for rabbit or deer or such to be close enough to the caravan to be taken down with a well placed arrow... (I assume? They run out in front of my car enough...)
"Praise Kossuth?" Zeds replies skeptically. "Praise Serge and I! You say we didn't fend them off but I call BS on that. Those things have successfully been fended! Any fight you live though is a successful damn fight, ya ask me... It was good thinking of you to feed the damn things but then again you feed a stray kitten once and they will come back mewing for food time and time again. Let's hope all the pointy items have dissuaded them of that idea."
Ixsas responds, getting more animated and louder as he goes, "Of course I will praise Kossuth, and not just for the inspiration to feed the creatures. They were not slain by blade and bow alone: they were burned by fire and the searing radiance of the dawn. The Lord of Flames has great command over Fire and Light, and he grants some measure of that power to his most faithful." It sounds like Ixsas was winding himself up to a full sermon on Kossuth's greatness, but he reigns in that impulse. While his tone isn't exactly contrite, he more calmly says, "But I did acknowledge your and Serge's kills. Maybe I do not know what is meant by this word 'fended off'. I merely meant to answer Serge's question about where the creatures had gone. We did not kill them all and hide them. Once they had easier prey, they took the food and let us be. For my part, I am thankful that we all survived the attack with little harm to the rest of the caravan other than the interruption to their sleep."
Once Ixsas finishes healing everyone, he goes back to bed and sleeps soundly until his watch. Maybe it's your imagination, but it seems like his morning prayers to Kossuth are louder and longer than usual.
The party is healed and yes everyone still gets a long rest in. Faelsin confirms that 2 more days of travel. The next morning breakfast is a somber affair with Malfa just offering some water as those Wyvern variants also got hold of the prairie chickens killed by Krackle and Zeds. The caravan gets moving again at a quicker pace.
Faelsin once more ask that some of the party hunt while the others remain behind to guard the caravan.
Anyone hunting please roll Survival Check.
Ixsas will take a turn again gathering food. Since the others seem to be better with bows, he'll again focus on gathering edible plants and mushrooms. Survival15
During the meager breakfast and their next day's march, Ixsas picks up Krackle's conversation from the previous night. Since they're only 2 days from the Carnath House, he wants to review anything they already know about the Dragon Cult.
Faelsin hired the party to protect the caravan all the way to Waterdeep, right? Since we just left the Trollclaws, it sounds like Carnath House is approximately half-way from Baldur's Gate to Waterdeep. Is the party pledged to continue north with the caravan to Waterdeep?
From what Ixsas has heard, the Dragon Cult is ahead of them on the road, traveling north. Thalren made it sound like the Dragon Cult didn't pass through the troll-plagued village before them. Ixsas prays that the Dragon Cult just used a different bridge or ford to cross the Winding Water and didn't turn aside to some other destination. Should we assume that the Dragon Cult is still north of us and will arrive at Carnath House first?
Are there specific cultists whom Zeds and Krackle are following? Or did Zeds and Krackle just learn that Dragon Cult members were moving north? In particular, when the party arrives at Carnath House, is it possible that Zeds and Krackle will recognize any cultists? Or are there any surviving cultists who might recognize them?
Do we know whether the cultists are traveling openly? Or are they disguised as a regular merchant caravan?
Should we consider scouting the road ahead to find the Dragon Cult's caravan before they reach the rest stop?
Ixsas is asking partly to figure out what to prepare for. Once we reach Carnath House, do we expect to find it under attack, like Greenest? Or will we need to uncover the cultists who are secretly moving among the regular merchants at the rest stop?
Despite the poison, Serge can't suppress a snort at Zeds' "Praise Kossuth? Praise Serge and I!" line.
"Easy now," he says with a grin. "I can't say I'm particularly familiar with Kossuth, but I have no interest in accidentally offending a god whose priests conjure fireballs."
To Ixsas, he adds, "My own prayers go to Helm, but please do pass along my heartfelt thanks to your Lord of Flames for sending you to us in these dark times, Ixsas."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zeds holds his hands up in a show of surrender and backs up a step or two when Ixsas has his fiery response to his own flippant remark. "Ok, ok... You got your religion and that's all cool and all. No worries..." Zeds then nods to Serge and concedes his point. "Can't say as I've ever felt much need to pray to any of them... But if they do exist I certainly don't want them mad at me."
In response to Ixsas' questions later... ((And Krackle or DM, please feel free to correct me if I am wrong or forgetting stuff. I really should take notes or play in less games.))
1. "The hiring was kind of a thing of convenience. Faelsin and all were heading the direction we wanted about the time we wanted. The guard gig was just convenient for both and I believe they were heading out without guards until we were there. As such... I mean I don't want to leave anyone to the wolves or anything so I guess the decision would be kind of dependent on the facts at the time?"
2. ((I believe we have reason to think the cult is going to Waterdeep? Moving goods to a cache there or something? I'm a bit shaky here maybe mixing up this campaign with another?))
3. "We've seen a few cultists who lived, sure," Zeds answers. "We're more after finding out more about the cult as a whole than we are about any kind of singular revenge against any one of them... And while I admit I am quite the specimen, I'm not sure I made enough of an impression on any of them for them to spot me in a crowd..." ((But a lot of this answer is also connected to #2))
4. "I do not think an evil dragon cult could travel openly in this part of the world, no..." Zeds offers. "Specially not transporting plundered goods. No, they will be posing as regular people or merchants and such, claiming their cargo is honest goods..."
5. "I am not sure we're prepared to scout ahead, nor what good it would do us. I do not suspect they will be lying in wait to ambush us. I doubt they have a clue our little band even exists and are after them. We should be on our guard at all times but I also do not think we will be attacking them immediately even if we do catch up to them. I believe we are in a more learn and assess mode rather than eliminate all remnants mode." Zeds says but looks to Krackle to see if he has comments to add.
6. ((I'm not sure I know exactly what Carnath House is besides a rest stop for caravans? Is it a whole town or village? But if I am not mixing up campaigns, cultists are moving goods and thus I'd expect them to be more in that mode than in attack mode. The smaller Carnath House is the less reason they have to attack and plunder, the bigger it is the more they would want troops and air support which I do not believe the batch we are following has...))
Serge tries his hand again at hunting game birds, walking slowly along likely looking timber and ready to fire a magic missile at any bird(s) he manages to flush to the skies.
Survival: 18
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zeds suggests that they could take turns hunting while the others watch and stay with the caravan.
Oh, and Ixsas definitely agrees with that, especially after all of the monsters they've encountered over the last few days. He keeps a careful watch for any sign of trouble ahead or behind.
((OOC: for now, Ixsas will continue to prepare Dispel Magic. "I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of that red-robed necromancer." But since the party hasn't seen the red-robed wizard since he left the caravan, Ixsas swapped out Silence in favor of Spiritual Weapon. For more social / problem-solving situations, he has also prepared Enhance Ability and Zone of Truth. He could shift his spell list more that direction, but until he's sure that the caravan has left the monsters behind, he is focused on being ready for combat and healing.)
Serge indeed finds a pair of grouses to among the grass. The grouse tries to fly to sky but it could not avoid the homing magic missiles killing both grouses.
Zed is able to dodge away from the quills and take no damage! Zeds responds with another arrow of his own! (Unsure if it rushed into melee range... If so, then Bonus Action disengage to get about 10' or so away so he can fire again without disadvantage.)
Shortbow Attack: 23to hit for 8damage and 5sneak attack damage...
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"Praise Kossuth?" Zeds replies skeptically. "Praise Serge and I! You say we didn't fend them off but I call BS on that. Those things have successfully been fended! Any fight you live though is a successful damn fight, ya ask me... It was good thinking of you to feed the damn things but then again you feed a stray kitten once and they will come back mewing for food time and time again. Let's hope all the pointy items have dissuaded them of that idea."
"And yes, by all means, let's keep Junior fed... I suspect we may need to pick up our hunting a bit before we are through this but we definitely want the big lizard well fed."
"He should have enough food to last a couple weeks as least. I had bought 400 pounds of food when. I bought my caravan in the hopes that it would last a while he says with a smile.
The party is healed and yes everyone still gets a long rest in. Faelsin confirms that 2 more days of travel. The next morning breakfast is a somber affair with Malfa just offering some water as those Wyvern variants also got hold of the prairie chickens killed by Krackle and Zeds. The caravan gets moving again at a quicker pace.
Faelsin once more ask that some of the party hunt while the others remain behind to guard the caravan.
Anyone hunting please roll Survival Check.
Zeds suggests that they could take turns hunting while the others watch and stay with the caravan. And in fact, those with the caravan can keep their eyes peeled, it is not unknown for rabbit or deer or such to be close enough to the caravan to be taken down with a well placed arrow... (I assume? They run out in front of my car enough...)
Survival Zeds: 18-1 for 17
Ixsas responds, getting more animated and louder as he goes, "Of course I will praise Kossuth, and not just for the inspiration to feed the creatures. They were not slain by blade and bow alone: they were burned by fire and the searing radiance of the dawn. The Lord of Flames has great command over Fire and Light, and he grants some measure of that power to his most faithful." It sounds like Ixsas was winding himself up to a full sermon on Kossuth's greatness, but he reigns in that impulse. While his tone isn't exactly contrite, he more calmly says, "But I did acknowledge your and Serge's kills. Maybe I do not know what is meant by this word 'fended off'. I merely meant to answer Serge's question about where the creatures had gone. We did not kill them all and hide them. Once they had easier prey, they took the food and let us be. For my part, I am thankful that we all survived the attack with little harm to the rest of the caravan other than the interruption to their sleep."
Once Ixsas finishes healing everyone, he goes back to bed and sleeps soundly until his watch. Maybe it's your imagination, but it seems like his morning prayers to Kossuth are louder and longer than usual.
Ixsas will take a turn again gathering food. Since the others seem to be better with bows, he'll again focus on gathering edible plants and mushrooms. Survival 15
During the meager breakfast and their next day's march, Ixsas picks up Krackle's conversation from the previous night. Since they're only 2 days from the Carnath House, he wants to review anything they already know about the Dragon Cult.
Despite the poison, Serge can't suppress a snort at Zeds' "Praise Kossuth? Praise Serge and I!" line.
"Easy now," he says with a grin. "I can't say I'm particularly familiar with Kossuth, but I have no interest in accidentally offending a god whose priests conjure fireballs."
To Ixsas, he adds, "My own prayers go to Helm, but please do pass along my heartfelt thanks to your Lord of Flames for sending you to us in these dark times, Ixsas."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zeds holds his hands up in a show of surrender and backs up a step or two when Ixsas has his fiery response to his own flippant remark. "Ok, ok... You got your religion and that's all cool and all. No worries..." Zeds then nods to Serge and concedes his point. "Can't say as I've ever felt much need to pray to any of them... But if they do exist I certainly don't want them mad at me."
In response to Ixsas' questions later... ((And Krackle or DM, please feel free to correct me if I am wrong or forgetting stuff. I really should take notes or play in less games.))
1. "The hiring was kind of a thing of convenience. Faelsin and all were heading the direction we wanted about the time we wanted. The guard gig was just convenient for both and I believe they were heading out without guards until we were there. As such... I mean I don't want to leave anyone to the wolves or anything so I guess the decision would be kind of dependent on the facts at the time?"
2. ((I believe we have reason to think the cult is going to Waterdeep? Moving goods to a cache there or something? I'm a bit shaky here maybe mixing up this campaign with another?))
3. "We've seen a few cultists who lived, sure," Zeds answers. "We're more after finding out more about the cult as a whole than we are about any kind of singular revenge against any one of them... And while I admit I am quite the specimen, I'm not sure I made enough of an impression on any of them for them to spot me in a crowd..." ((But a lot of this answer is also connected to #2))
4. "I do not think an evil dragon cult could travel openly in this part of the world, no..." Zeds offers. "Specially not transporting plundered goods. No, they will be posing as regular people or merchants and such, claiming their cargo is honest goods..."
5. "I am not sure we're prepared to scout ahead, nor what good it would do us. I do not suspect they will be lying in wait to ambush us. I doubt they have a clue our little band even exists and are after them. We should be on our guard at all times but I also do not think we will be attacking them immediately even if we do catch up to them. I believe we are in a more learn and assess mode rather than eliminate all remnants mode." Zeds says but looks to Krackle to see if he has comments to add.
6. ((I'm not sure I know exactly what Carnath House is besides a rest stop for caravans? Is it a whole town or village? But if I am not mixing up campaigns, cultists are moving goods and thus I'd expect them to be more in that mode than in attack mode. The smaller Carnath House is the less reason they have to attack and plunder, the bigger it is the more they would want troops and air support which I do not believe the batch we are following has...))
((OOC: Thanks. That's clear and probably gives me enough information to start planning the spells that Ixsas will prepare.))
Krackle just nods along as Zeds answers his companions questions.
when the group goes out to hunt, krackle tags along once more.
survival 18
Serge tries his hand again at hunting game birds, walking slowly along likely looking timber and ready to fire a magic missile at any bird(s) he manages to flush to the skies.
Survival: 18
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Oh, and Ixsas definitely agrees with that, especially after all of the monsters they've encountered over the last few days. He keeps a careful watch for any sign of trouble ahead or behind.
Perception 16
((OOC: for now, Ixsas will continue to prepare Dispel Magic. "I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of that red-robed necromancer." But since the party hasn't seen the red-robed wizard since he left the caravan, Ixsas swapped out Silence in favor of Spiritual Weapon. For more social / problem-solving situations, he has also prepared Enhance Ability and Zone of Truth. He could shift his spell list more that direction, but until he's sure that the caravan has left the monsters behind, he is focused on being ready for combat and healing.)
Serge indeed finds a pair of grouses to among the grass. The grouse tries to fly to sky but it could not avoid the homing magic missiles killing both grouses.
Krackle finds nothing during his hunt.
Zeds finds a medium sized porcupine during his hunt.
Ixsas once more finds plenty of berries, tubers, a mushroom.
Ixsas keeps a sharp eye out though no threats appear.
That is a big porcupine!
Zeds aims his Short Bow and tries to stick the thing before it can turn on him and try the same:
Shortbow vs Porcupine: 13 to hit for 9 damage plus 7 sneak attack damage
"Not sure what it tastes like but throw it in the stew pot long enough and everything loses it's flavor, eh?"
The arrow hits and grievously wounded the porcupine but it still lives. It rushes towards Zeds and reverses using a tail slap filled with quills.
Attack: 23 Damage: 6 piercing damage
on hit the quills are stuck inside Zeds and he takes 2 damage at the start each turn unless using an action to remove the quills.
Melee attacks against the porcupine needs a Dex Save DC 13 on fail take 6 piercing damage
Zed is able to dodge away from the quills and take no damage! Zeds responds with another arrow of his own! (Unsure if it rushed into melee range... If so, then Bonus Action disengage to get about 10' or so away so he can fire again without disadvantage.)
Shortbow Attack: 23 to hit for 8 damage and 5 sneak attack damage...