(Well then... Even if she didn't have advantage or guidance, Quillary found a weak spot of Durquin.)
Durquin pauses, scratching his chin, lost in his thoughts with a shy smile on his face.
"Yes... well... the next time you see Mr. Volothamp, if he could mention the services of the Hired Horrors, or perhaps visit our training pens when he does research for his next monster book..."
(Looking up at Quillary.) "What were you asking? A dark elf, and perhaps a scuffle?... Yeah, I remember something early in the day. There was a female drow, with a suspiciously powerful magic aura, walking down the street. (I was getting prepared for my demonstration, and had magic detection active.) A group of adventurers, mercenaries often used by the Xanathar guild, surprised her and dragged her away. They were headed for the bridge toward Skull Island."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"The Murkspan bridge extends from Skullport to the fortress on Skull Island, but that heavy steel gate is only opened for members of the Xanathar Guild."
Durquin points at 5 distant armed fellows who just walked into eyesight. (They are carrying torches, otherwise it would be hard to see them in the dark.) "You see those ruffians, way over there? Continue on the street in that direction, and after a while you'll see the bridge, can't miss it... They might have even come from the Island. And the adventurers who dragged away that Drow woman looked a lot like those five."
Durquin does a double take, and starts squinting at those 5 figures, as if he tries to figure out why they look so familiar...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Is the group of thugs moving in the direction we also want to go, or are they coming towards us?
(They are coming back from the direction you will eventually want to go. They are headed in a straight line towards the only tavern in sight, but will have to walk somewhat close to your current position to get there.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Quillary, thinking fast (if not entirely clearly) thrusts her Xanathar necklace at Drusk (who I think is the person who did not get one?), and says, "I can be someone's animal companion." She then disappears behind the Hired Horrors cart.
Action: using her second Wild Shape (and last of this Short Rest period), Quillary turns into a Cave Badger, then trundles out and climbs up on Jorin's pack.
Edit: upon review, Cave Badgers are Medium sized creatures, so she's probably not climbing up on Jorin anytime soon. Mastiffs are Medium, too, so I'm gonna suggest the Cave Badger is large-dog-sized.
"What?" Durquin scratches his chin, then shrugs as he is no longer interested in where he saw them before. "Just people on the street, I guess. Anyways, back to work. And remember to mention the Hired Horrors to Mr. Volothamp." Durquin is tying off some ropes on the wagon, and will depart soon.
Hildi turns around, to find himself eyeball-to-eyeball with a Cave Badger. (Same head height, but the Badger is about 3x his weight.) He is momentarily alarmed, until he notices the cape on the badger's back (same as Quillary's cloak of protection), and the badger giving him a mischievous wink. The badger then puts the wagon between herself and the 5 mercenary adventurers.
Drusk puts on the Xanathar id necklace that Quillary handed him. "I think Quillary intended us to talk to those riffraff. Given Durquin's reaction, perhaps they are the same adventurers he saw during the abduction. And even if they aren't, if they just came from the direction of Skull Island, maybe they have knowledge of recent events."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
The badger winks and snuffles at Hildi, then sidles up to Jorin and puts its head under his hand for pets, looking for all the world like the barbarian’s fierce pet.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Jorin pats the badger on the head and beckons her up onto his shoulder (Jorin has a carrying capacity of 345lbs).
(Roll an Athletics check. He may be able to carry that much weight on his back, but it is another thing to have a third of that on his head. If a cave badger is the size of a St. Bernard, then it is the size of his chest and abdomen.
OOC: I was curious, and found a Slate article that talks about this. Click the "spoiler" if you want the highlights.
"Based on studies of women of the Luo and Kikuyu tribes of East Africa, researchers have found that people can carry loads of up to 20 percent of their own body weight without expending any extra energy beyond what they’d use by walking around unencumbered. Above that figure, however, metabolic costs seem to increase proportionally with load weight... For untrained controls who have not had years to strengthen the right muscles and build up spinal bone density, carrying things on your head actually requires more energy than using a backpack."
)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Hildigrim positions his two necklaces so the amulet he acquired from Yraxilinith is within his shirt while the Xanathar emblem can be seen outside of his shirt. Once they are where he intended, his head jerks to the left and then to the right once again. He reaches up and scratches Volo's chest as the owl has to stabilize itself after Hildi's sudden movements. "Do you see anybody watching us?" he asks quietly. "I just can't shake the feeling." He makes a frustrated grunt and then looks at the approaching group of thugs. "I suppose all that's left is for us to greet our fellow Xanathars," he says to the group. He looks around at his friends briefly and then sets off toward the other party, trying to look as if he is supposed to be there.
(Besides the Athletics roll for Jorin (for comedy purposes), I'd also like an Insight roll from Quillary.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The cave badger will gamely try to climb up on Jorin's back, to the top of his pack, then gingerly put its front paws on his head, as requested. While doing so, it takes the opportunity to peer about and at the oncoming group, sniffing the air.
Perception: 11
Second roll for Advantage on Percepton related to smell (as Cave Badger): 24
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Pascal will also put on his best face, as he steps in front of the... well, fountain of anti-deception that is Hildigrim Goodbody. He is fully ready for whatever deception is needed! HE’S BEEN FAKING MORALS FOR THIS LONG, HE CAN DO IT AGAIN! Deception! 18
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms- The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon- Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland -Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF!- Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Jorin will do his best to look tough and menacing, as a good Xanathar should, while having the badger on his head. I feel like it would add to the effect.
Quillary nods at Jorin’s assistance. “In fact, if you were to help us, he might look favorably on your business.”
Persuasion (+0) with Advantage and Guidance: 18
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
OOC > Booyah! Charisma 10 comes through (with all the help, of course)
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
(Well then... Even if she didn't have advantage or guidance, Quillary found a weak spot of Durquin.)
Durquin pauses, scratching his chin, lost in his thoughts with a shy smile on his face.
"Yes... well... the next time you see Mr. Volothamp, if he could mention the services of the Hired Horrors, or perhaps visit our training pens when he does research for his next monster book..."
(Looking up at Quillary.) "What were you asking? A dark elf, and perhaps a scuffle?... Yeah, I remember something early in the day. There was a female drow, with a suspiciously powerful magic aura, walking down the street. (I was getting prepared for my demonstration, and had magic detection active.) A group of adventurers, mercenaries often used by the Xanathar guild, surprised her and dragged her away. They were headed for the bridge toward Skull Island."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"We will certainly pass on your request," Hildigrim says with a smile. "Now, which way is that bridge?"
"The Murkspan bridge extends from Skullport to the fortress on Skull Island, but that heavy steel gate is only opened for members of the Xanathar Guild."
Durquin points at 5 distant armed fellows who just walked into eyesight. (They are carrying torches, otherwise it would be hard to see them in the dark.) "You see those ruffians, way over there? Continue on the street in that direction, and after a while you'll see the bridge, can't miss it... They might have even come from the Island. And the adventurers who dragged away that Drow woman looked a lot like those five."
Durquin does a double take, and starts squinting at those 5 figures, as if he tries to figure out why they look so familiar...
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Is the group of thugs moving in the direction we also want to go, or are they coming towards us?
(They are coming back from the direction you will eventually want to go. They are headed in a straight line towards the only tavern in sight, but will have to walk somewhat close to your current position to get there.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Quillary, thinking fast (if not entirely clearly) thrusts her Xanathar necklace at Drusk (who I think is the person who did not get one?), and says, "I can be someone's animal companion." She then disappears behind the Hired Horrors cart.
Action: using her second Wild Shape (and last of this Short Rest period), Quillary turns into a Cave Badger, then trundles out and climbs up on Jorin's pack.
Edit: upon review, Cave Badgers are Medium sized creatures, so she's probably not climbing up on Jorin anytime soon. Mastiffs are Medium, too, so I'm gonna suggest the Cave Badger is large-dog-sized.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Do you know them?" Hildi asks Durquin.
"What?" Durquin scratches his chin, then shrugs as he is no longer interested in where he saw them before. "Just people on the street, I guess. Anyways, back to work. And remember to mention the Hired Horrors to Mr. Volothamp." Durquin is tying off some ropes on the wagon, and will depart soon.
Hildi turns around, to find himself eyeball-to-eyeball with a Cave Badger. (Same head height, but the Badger is about 3x his weight.) He is momentarily alarmed, until he notices the cape on the badger's back (same as Quillary's cloak of protection), and the badger giving him a mischievous wink. The badger then puts the wagon between herself and the 5 mercenary adventurers.
Drusk puts on the Xanathar id necklace that Quillary handed him. "I think Quillary intended us to talk to those riffraff. Given Durquin's reaction, perhaps they are the same adventurers he saw during the abduction. And even if they aren't, if they just came from the direction of Skull Island, maybe they have knowledge of recent events."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
The badger winks and snuffles at Hildi, then sidles up to Jorin and puts its head under his hand for pets, looking for all the world like the barbarian’s fierce pet.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Jorin pats the badger on the head and beckons her up onto his shoulder (Jorin has a carrying capacity of 345lbs).
(Roll an Athletics check. He may be able to carry that much weight on his back, but it is another thing to have a third of that on his head. If a cave badger is the size of a St. Bernard, then it is the size of his chest and abdomen.
OOC: I was curious, and found a Slate article that talks about this. Click the "spoiler" if you want the highlights.
"Based on studies of women of the Luo and Kikuyu tribes of East Africa, researchers have found that people can carry loads of up to 20 percent of their own body weight without expending any extra energy beyond what they’d use by walking around unencumbered. Above that figure, however, metabolic costs seem to increase proportionally with load weight... For untrained controls who have not had years to strengthen the right muscles and build up spinal bone density, carrying things on your head actually requires more energy than using a backpack."
)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Hildigrim positions his two necklaces so the amulet he acquired from Yraxilinith is within his shirt while the Xanathar emblem can be seen outside of his shirt. Once they are where he intended, his head jerks to the left and then to the right once again. He reaches up and scratches Volo's chest as the owl has to stabilize itself after Hildi's sudden movements. "Do you see anybody watching us?" he asks quietly. "I just can't shake the feeling." He makes a frustrated grunt and then looks at the approaching group of thugs. "I suppose all that's left is for us to greet our fellow Xanathars," he says to the group. He looks around at his friends briefly and then sets off toward the other party, trying to look as if he is supposed to be there.
Deception: 3
Oh dear.
(Besides the Athletics roll for Jorin (for comedy purposes), I'd also like an Insight roll from Quillary.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
The cave badger will gamely try to climb up on Jorin's back, to the top of his pack, then gingerly put its front paws on his head, as requested. While doing so, it takes the opportunity to peer about and at the oncoming group, sniffing the air.
Perception: 11
Second roll for Advantage on Percepton related to smell (as Cave Badger): 24
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Pascal will also put on his best face, as he steps in front of the... well, fountain of anti-deception that is Hildigrim Goodbody. He is fully ready for whatever deception is needed! HE’S BEEN FAKING MORALS FOR THIS LONG, HE CAN DO IT AGAIN! Deception! 18
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
lol! Let's see...Athletics: 27
Yesssssss
The cave badger settles comfortably on Jorin's shoulders and pack, resting its head on top of his.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Jorin will do his best to look tough and menacing, as a good Xanathar should, while having the badger on his head. I feel like it would add to the effect.