Pip falls into line right in front of Ordrin. He keeps a watch on the woods, but feels comfortable in the woods.
Occasionally he talks to Ordrin, trying to work out what the beasts of the forest tell him.
"A strange magical woods this place is. I imagine it would be elves in the heart of the forest. And those coming back in are likely goblins. We've seen our share of them already. The large owls are a strange puzzle. As are the wolves with rocks coming out of the backs. I think perhaps there are owlbears in the woods as well , but that is not surprising."
He tries to think of what he might know about the animals described.
"Ach, not the bloody death chickens again!" Ordrin curses in response to Pip. "We've already met one of those abominations. But aye, the old stories tell the elves ruled these woods once, and fey creatures abound. Have you heard of a group called the Ring of Swords, Pip? Old Master Three-Beard had a book of conflicts said something of these folk as protectors of these woods."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Well unless you really think it's a bad idea to head through the woods, I'm not inclined to spend two extra days traveling just to avoid it..." Anton says. "We can handle an owlbear if need be."
Survival (for when it's time to camp): 20 (I rolled w/ advantage assuming help... or did you just want two people to roll w/ their own modifiers?)
@Esker: Either or would've been fine. I'll try to flavor/post more later today. But if not able, it'll be the usual time waaay in the morning for me.
That said, if in the meantime folk want to flavor up the results of their rolls for themselves in the meantime through posts or chatter respectively, then here's a little something at least:
@Paladin54: You are on point about the Owlbears, but the rest escape you at the moment. If you could perhaps see the creatures for yourself, or see some type of remains of them, things might click.
Pip can also make a (DC 15)History Check at advantage given your people's history, and vague mentions by the small animals from before. If passed:
You have heard of 'a' Ring of Swords. They are a circle of druids, rangers, paladins, and other like forest guardians made largely of elves, forest gnomes, and the rare firbolgs and humans, to name a few races. Generally speaking, such rings focus more on the use of martial methods and alongside great beasts to drive out destructive humanoids(such as hobgoblin, gnolls, and bugbears) and protect ancient sites that lie within the forest from treasure seekers. You also known that such rings have not been heard of existing anywhere anymore for the past hundred years.
@Esker: By the time camping begins looming in mind, the group find themselves in a more hill ridden section of the grasslands with few trees dotting the landscape. A rare few are form small copses like the ones you camp by last time. Flowing between a few is a stream that stretches and winds as from Neverwinter woods into the hills. Feel free also with that roll to describe any natural traps or alarms you might wish to set. You do not need to roll for each, but I will keep them in mind "in case" there is more active encounter over night.
You and Pip find together find at least two locations with potential relatively nearby to each other. The first is a hill larger, and taller than the rest bearing a single tree. On one side, the hill top ends abruptly as an almost sheer decline of dirt and exposed roots about twenty-five to thirty feet in height. The incline leading up from the other side slops up just enough to make climbing the hill difficult terrain. The space at the top is wide enough for everyone to rest comfortably and have a clearer view of the general area than most other hills you've seen so far.
The second option is at the base of the cliff by the stream-side. The group would have a like protection in the wall, and would be less exposed visually to anything/one roaming the area. Though between the stream and hills across the ways, if something intelligent /does/ spot the party, they /may/ be able to use the terrain against you.
Once you all decided on a choice of campsite and any other tidbits, we can move on to the night activities.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Curerntly: Player In: Zalosultuvan: High-Elf "Park" Ranger - Road Trip(DM'd by leapingmountain)
Previously:
Player In: Xeno: Simic Hybrid Madman-Coliseum of Conquest: 6W-0L| Total Downs: 1 (Retired)
DM In: Lost Mines of Phandelver (Formerly run by Ceekay77)
Gonna go by majority here to keep things moving with people taking the hill.
It took more coaxing than usual, but eventually the horses are guided to the top of the hill to be tied by the tree. Lokk is wary about the decision, but hardly voices much in the way of complaints. As nice as things have been the Half-Orc was more than eager to rest closer to the cliff edge. After everyone eventually find their respective rests...
Half-way into Anton's watch, a voice on the wind shakes whatever sleep might've begun creeping into his eyes. Squinting and listening intently, the voice comes again, drifting up from back further down the slope side of the hill. A slightly deep, but husky and vaguely feminine voice. Without drawing too much sudden attention to yourself by stoking the flames further, you cannot make out much in the gloom even with the stars out. He can however tell that both were large even from his considerable distance.
"Heh.. heh.. heh.. Told you, Ruu-du. Stupid smallfolk right up there. And no elves this time. Gonna get us some good eats tonight. Mmhmm~"The voice goes on to say. Afterwards, Anton could swear he heard grunts reminiscent of warthog or boar, maybe, only way too deep.
What does Anton do? The two haven't seem to realize that any element of surprise has been lost in talking, and are continuing to chatter away about their plan. They haven't quite been loud enough to wake any friends.
While I continue in possible vain to wrestle with google maps, grids, and posting things to here in the background, things will be theater of the mind for most of this at the time being.
Below is a representation of the map. Though imagine instead of a path at the bottom its a river:
Everything below the small tree at the very top to is difficult terrain going up the hill, a dex save(DC 8) if one decides to dash or use the horses in this combat for going down the hill. Fail it, and you fall prone. Regular movement is otherwise not penalized this time around.
Anton gets the sense that at least the speaker is at the top of the offshot slope.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Curerntly: Player In: Zalosultuvan: High-Elf "Park" Ranger - Road Trip(DM'd by leapingmountain)
Previously:
Player In: Xeno: Simic Hybrid Madman-Coliseum of Conquest: 6W-0L| Total Downs: 1 (Retired)
DM In: Lost Mines of Phandelver (Formerly run by Ceekay77)
If he thinks he has time before they make it up the hill, Anton circulates to each sleeping party member and shakes them awake, so as not to shout and give away their awareness (if he judges the creatures to be too close to have time to do that one by one, he'll just yell to wake them). He then whispers, "I think there are giants or something... heading this way."
Ordrin rolls over and pushes himself up onto his knees. The word "giants" echoes in his ears and he see Anton waking the others. Ordrin pops up and, quickly donning his splint mail, shield and hammer, quietly prays to Moradin, granting himself Guidance if there is time.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Editing:
Anton is able to quietly at least shake people awake without a problem. The voice at least doesn't indicate any notice of it. Though as he thinks on it, and may indicate to others, whatever grace period there is will not be a large one. Once the news reaches Lokk's ears, the half-blind half-orc will nod slowly, takes up his shortbow, creep his way just far enough over the lip of the hill for a better look(12.)
In the meantime, Odrin, you know that donning the splint mail alone will take a great deal of time. Time you may not have fully at your disposal. But taking up the shield and hammer should be fine. And if you also know that casting a spell cannot usually be done "quietly".
Make a stealth check if you wish to commit to the casting, DC 9.
Eventually, a wide-eyed Lokk scuttles back to the others and says, "He ain't wrong. Just barely saw an... it looked almost like an Ogre woman, but...."He shakes his head. "And she ain't alone. Bloody pig that's with her is as big as a bear. What's the plan?"
Regardless of any stealth checks made as this is largely all happening at once after the wake up, does Mixum and Pip wish to try and prep/do anything?
OoC: Ok, thanks. Ordrin will not put on the armor but will grab the hammer and shield. No guidance spell. So the creatures have already crested the hill?
Ordrin quietly lifts his shield and hammer off the ground and slowly retreats away from the interlopers (though not down the hill), trying as he does to button up his skivvies.
Mixum will take a sling and a ball bearing and will use his tinkering to imbue the ball with a sound effect of dire wolves. He launches the ball bearing far down hill behind the attackers as he can so that they think they are being attacked.
To Mixum: Already throwing almost literal curve balls at me. I see how it is Waka. Lol. Go ahead and make an Intelligence(Deception) Check for Mixum to see how effective a distraction it is. And I'll have the creatures roll insight or perception to determine the truth.
To Odrin: They are on the hill, but around the base last Lokk and Anton(roughly) at least saw. You are all at the very top along with your horses. The slant of the hill and relatively 'flat' crest where you reside leaves them out of direct line of sight without moving closer to investigate. The crest is more wide than it is lengthy(roughly 40x20) before terminating abruptly into a cliff of exposed earth and roots.
To Pip: Archimedes relays much the same as Lokk. Really big big, and really big human? Looking through Archimedes eyes yourself however, the first thing that catches his eyes already at least a quarter of the way on the hill is an absolute unit of a boar. Easily three times as tall as either Lokk and Anton, and no doubt quadruple their weight, is a tan(maybe?)-furred beast with bristling line of darker fur running from head to haunch, a pair massive tusks that extend out and curl up from a mouth of razor sharp teeth, and beady red eyes that are -- were focused on the woman standing next to it.
Though not quite as tall, the woman would not still several heads over Pip's compatriots. If Pip has yet to see an Ogre before, he might believe her to be one judging by the tusk, size, and crude but overlarge weapons strapped to her form. But like Lokk, Pip gets the sense of something being not quite defined right. Her physical form was just a little too slight to be only just possible female of the species. Her face too... expressive and human as she looked to be finishing her pep talk. And then there was the clothing. Even using Archimedes keen eyes, some parts are too hard to tell in the dark. But they weren't so threadbare or slap together pieces of hide less seen on less civilized races. At least in places. Though she did wore some sort of hide armor made of an unknown creature.
As Pip might be relaying most or all this quietly to the party(blind and defeaned, but not mute due find familiar), the two jerk their head suddenly to the left and behind themselves from Mixum's plan...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Curerntly: Player In: Zalosultuvan: High-Elf "Park" Ranger - Road Trip(DM'd by leapingmountain)
Previously:
Player In: Xeno: Simic Hybrid Madman-Coliseum of Conquest: 6W-0L| Total Downs: 1 (Retired)
DM In: Lost Mines of Phandelver (Formerly run by Ceekay77)
Pip falls into line right in front of Ordrin. He keeps a watch on the woods, but feels comfortable in the woods.
Occasionally he talks to Ordrin, trying to work out what the beasts of the forest tell him.
"A strange magical woods this place is. I imagine it would be elves in the heart of the forest. And those coming back in are likely goblins. We've seen our share of them already. The large owls are a strange puzzle. As are the wolves with rocks coming out of the backs. I think perhaps there are owlbears in the woods as well , but that is not surprising."
He tries to think of what he might know about the animals described.
Nature 7
"Ach, not the bloody death chickens again!" Ordrin curses in response to Pip. "We've already met one of those abominations. But aye, the old stories tell the elves ruled these woods once, and fey creatures abound. Have you heard of a group called the Ring of Swords, Pip? Old Master Three-Beard had a book of conflicts said something of these folk as protectors of these woods."
"Well unless you really think it's a bad idea to head through the woods, I'm not inclined to spend two extra days traveling just to avoid it..." Anton says. "We can handle an owlbear if need be."
Survival (for when it's time to camp): 20 (I rolled w/ advantage assuming help... or did you just want two people to roll w/ their own modifiers?)
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Pip will help in finding a good camp.
Curerntly:
Player In:
Zalosultuvan: High-Elf "Park" Ranger - Road Trip(DM'd by leapingmountain)
Previously:
Player In:
Xeno: Simic Hybrid Madman-Coliseum of Conquest: 6W-0L| Total Downs: 1 (Retired)
DM In:
Lost Mines of Phandelver (Formerly run by Ceekay77)
Pip ponders what he knows...
History 13
Pip:
Info is in previous post under the spoiler.
Anton:
You and Pip find together find at least two locations with potential relatively nearby to each other. The first is a hill larger, and taller than the rest bearing a single tree. On one side, the hill top ends abruptly as an almost sheer decline of dirt and exposed roots about twenty-five to thirty feet in height. The incline leading up from the other side slops up just enough to make climbing the hill difficult terrain. The space at the top is wide enough for everyone to rest comfortably and have a clearer view of the general area than most other hills you've seen so far.
The second option is at the base of the cliff by the stream-side. The group would have a like protection in the wall, and would be less exposed visually to anything/one roaming the area. Though between the stream and hills across the ways, if something intelligent /does/ spot the party, they /may/ be able to use the terrain against you.
Once you all decided on a choice of campsite and any other tidbits, we can move on to the night activities.
Curerntly:
Player In:
Zalosultuvan: High-Elf "Park" Ranger - Road Trip(DM'd by leapingmountain)
Previously:
Player In:
Xeno: Simic Hybrid Madman-Coliseum of Conquest: 6W-0L| Total Downs: 1 (Retired)
DM In:
Lost Mines of Phandelver (Formerly run by Ceekay77)
OoC: Player votes for the hill. Player character would prefer protection of the wall.
Pip looks up at the hill.
"I like the looks of that. We'll see trouble coming and that trouble will have a hard time getting to us."
Anton nods. "I agree. Seeing what's coming is more important than not being seen ourselves."
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
It took more coaxing than usual, but eventually the horses are guided to the top of the hill to be tied by the tree. Lokk is wary about the decision, but hardly voices much in the way of complaints. As nice as things have been the Half-Orc was more than eager to rest closer to the cliff edge. After everyone eventually find their respective rests...
Half-way into Anton's watch, a voice on the wind shakes whatever sleep might've begun creeping into his eyes. Squinting and listening intently, the voice comes again, drifting up from back further down the slope side of the hill. A slightly deep, but husky and vaguely feminine voice. Without drawing too much sudden attention to yourself by stoking the flames further, you cannot make out much in the gloom even with the stars out. He can however tell that both were large even from his considerable distance.
"Heh.. heh.. heh.. Told you, Ruu-du. Stupid smallfolk right up there. And no elves this time. Gonna get us some good eats tonight. Mmhmm~" The voice goes on to say. Afterwards, Anton could swear he heard grunts reminiscent of warthog or boar, maybe, only way too deep.
What does Anton do? The two haven't seem to realize that any element of surprise has been lost in talking, and are continuing to chatter away about their plan. They haven't quite been loud enough to wake any friends.
Curerntly:
Player In:
Zalosultuvan: High-Elf "Park" Ranger - Road Trip(DM'd by leapingmountain)
Previously:
Player In:
Xeno: Simic Hybrid Madman-Coliseum of Conquest: 6W-0L| Total Downs: 1 (Retired)
DM In:
Lost Mines of Phandelver (Formerly run by Ceekay77)
If he thinks he has time before they make it up the hill, Anton circulates to each sleeping party member and shakes them awake, so as not to shout and give away their awareness (if he judges the creatures to be too close to have time to do that one by one, he'll just yell to wake them). He then whispers, "I think there are giants or something... heading this way."
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Ordrin rolls over and pushes himself up onto his knees. The word "giants" echoes in his ears and he see Anton waking the others. Ordrin pops up and, quickly donning his splint mail, shield and hammer, quietly prays to Moradin, granting himself Guidance if there is time.
Anton is able to quietly at least shake people awake without a problem. The voice at least doesn't indicate any notice of it. Though as he thinks on it, and may indicate to others, whatever grace period there is will not be a large one. Once the news reaches Lokk's ears, the half-blind half-orc will nod slowly, takes up his shortbow, creep his way just far enough over the lip of the hill for a better look(12.)
In the meantime, Odrin, you know that donning the splint mail alone will take a great deal of time. Time you may not have fully at your disposal. But taking up the shield and hammer should be fine. And if you also know that casting a spell cannot usually be done "quietly".
Eventually, a wide-eyed Lokk scuttles back to the others and says, "He ain't wrong. Just barely saw an... it looked almost like an Ogre woman, but...." He shakes his head. "And she ain't alone. Bloody pig that's with her is as big as a bear. What's the plan?"
Regardless of any stealth checks made as this is largely all happening at once after the wake up, does Mixum and Pip wish to try and prep/do anything?
Curerntly:
Player In:
Zalosultuvan: High-Elf "Park" Ranger - Road Trip(DM'd by leapingmountain)
Previously:
Player In:
Xeno: Simic Hybrid Madman-Coliseum of Conquest: 6W-0L| Total Downs: 1 (Retired)
DM In:
Lost Mines of Phandelver (Formerly run by Ceekay77)
OoC: Ok, thanks. Ordrin will not put on the armor but will grab the hammer and shield. No guidance spell. So the creatures have already crested the hill?
Ordrin quietly lifts his shield and hammer off the ground and slowly retreats away from the interlopers (though not down the hill), trying as he does to button up his skivvies.
Mixum will take a sling and a ball bearing and will use his tinkering to imbue the ball with a sound effect of dire wolves. He launches the ball bearing far down hill behind the attackers as he can so that they think they are being attacked.
Pip rubs his eyes as he is awakened. He quietly rolls out of bed when he is told what is happening.
He telepathically tells Archimedes to fly up and look around to see what is coming.
Pip then looks through the owls eyes to see what is happening around them.
Curerntly:
Player In:
Zalosultuvan: High-Elf "Park" Ranger - Road Trip(DM'd by leapingmountain)
Previously:
Player In:
Xeno: Simic Hybrid Madman-Coliseum of Conquest: 6W-0L| Total Downs: 1 (Retired)
DM In:
Lost Mines of Phandelver (Formerly run by Ceekay77)
Mixum deceptively tinkers: 22
Message pip, "what's a dire wolf sound like again?"
Initiative 15
Ordrin tries to hide off to the side of the 40' plateau behind a tree or some bushes and readies a spell.