Iz looks to Roxy who is asleep perched on her shoulder. "Well, since we're here to investigate we'll have to have a chat with them eventually. Have they been hostile toward you and yours? Anyone hurt or killed?" She has a big smile on her face as she pulls her shield onto her arm, and starts walking toward the Ice Basilisk, not really waiting for an answer.
"Hey Iz, hold on there hero." He winks. "Perhaps we could help each other out? If we would be allowed to stay the night, I would be glad to pray to Hnaska with you. Perhaps my friends would be as well. Maybe with our combined effort, we could learn a little more about the Basilisk. Gods to get their power from their followers. Maybe we could help boost the signal a little bit." He looks up into the sky, at the multiple moons. "Celestial bodies have a sort of power. And I can see that they are quite strong shining onto your village."
Harmony could see as these people were two human woman and two human men, one of them introducing herself and the others. Apparently they are pilgrims on a holy trek to the shrine of Hnaska and asking if they are passing through or are interested in the statue. "Yeah, we were told to check out the Ice Basilisk." she had said back along with Olive. She was surprised by how many questions Isabella was asking before talking about their situation and then rambling on about random stuff. Luckily Jove was simple as he asked if they have any information on it that they could give them. The pilgrims talk about how the shrine is in Lisanbre-Nehrad and how Hnaska is their deity of knowledge and magic, definitely not having heard those names before at all. They mention that Hnaska is calling them to seek the knowledge of the Ice Basilisk but can't approach due to camps of nomads and goblins preventing them. They are in a standoff, both camps having been corrupted by the statue and claiming it as theirs, likely watching them right now and asking if they can help. "Yeah, of course we will help. Maybe if we talk to them and can get them away from the statue, they will think more clearly." Harmony had said back to them with a nod, agreeing. She watched Isabella go toward the statue, glad that Jove said something to her before asking the pilgrims about staying the night and in turn they would pray to Hnaska with them. He talked about how they could learn more about the Basilisk with their combined effort since gods do get their power from their followers. "That sounds good. Getting a good night's rest also would help us all come up with a plan and be better prepared to face them in the morning when we're at our best." Harmony then said to the pilgrims as well, wondering what sort of magic the statue is giving off that can just change the landscape and corrupt people so easily.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Abraxas Insight: 7
For Abraxas:
You don't sense any blatant lies, but you get the sense that there's something these pilgrims are not telling you.
"Of course, you're welcome to stay with us, though the sun doesn't look to set for a while. There were a half dozen goblins or so, and only a couple of men at the mountain camp, but those nomads, there's something...off about them. They don't seem like the type to take lightly," Garland responds.
"No one has been hurt yet. They have made threats, but we returned here quickly enough that they've left us alone," Vivianne says softly, speaking up for the first time.
"I'm glad you haven't been mutated. How are you preventing that? Have you been able to?" Abraxas pauses. "We're all more likely to survive if we all share all the information we have," he says persuasively.
He looks towards his more charismatic colleagues, hoping for their help.
Iz keeps walking in place for a moment as Jove holds her shoulder. "We need a plan? We can't just stroll up and talk to these folk like civilized gentle...persons? ... goblins? Alllllriiiight..."
We are all a bit freaked out. We have been taken from our home world and spat out here. None of us know where we are. Goblins could be giant cotton candy people in this world for all we know. I think making allies is the first step. We may need an army to take down this basilisk.
You have Roxy, and I have Caiphon, but I don't know if the others will fare well without a buddy. I'm eager to start blasting fools, but we need to take it one step at a time.
OOC: I'm totally not bashing how you are playing Iz or anything btw. (Between you and me, I think Iz is my second favorite. Just after Roxy.) Jove is all about secret agendas. He is trying to create one right now. He doesn't trust Oli or anyone here really, so he is trying to get more information.
Harmony was glad to hear that they could stay with them, hearing that there were six goblins and a couple of the men but that something is off about them. It was good to hear that no one has been hurt yet, only threats made and having retreated so quickly that they were left alone. Then she heard Abraxas question how they are keeping from being mutated and knowing that they all are more likely to survive by sharing all the information that they have. "That's good that you aren't hurt or mutated. Yeah, how can we keep from being mutated besides not getting close to it? We just got here, so any and all important information would be great to know." Harmony now said back to the pilgrims, definitely not wanting to get mutated at all.
Iz looks at Jove, and then Roxy spins her head to look at him as well. Iz shrugs and peers over at the tents and the basilisk, squinting to see if she can get a better look from where she's standing. Roxy yawns and closes her eyes.
[ooc: Jove]
[ooc : no worries friend, I don't take things personally in dnd though maybe sometimes I should. Iz is just hapless and optimistic and lacks wisdom and experience so she'll often just be pressing on. She's also not planning to just walk in and kill people, she wants to talk to them to see if they can be reasoned with first.]
"Mutated?" Clarette asks. "I suppose that makes sense, considering what the area looks like, but no, we haven't had any mutations. Some of the goblins look a little twisted, but that's typical of their kind. Should we be worried?"
Garland shares what he knows of the nomads. "They are human, yes. They carried no weapons that I saw, but spoke with veiled threats behind every word. I'm telling you, there was something about them that was not right. It wouldn't surprise me if they were Nocnitsa or some other kind of shapeshifter."
"The Nocnitsa are a race of wasplike humanoids," Oli explains, "Known for their ability to shapeshift and then strike at their unknowing victims. Though, it should be noted many of the Nocnitsa are civil, and some live even within Ruskivek."
From this distance, Isabella can't see any movement from the tents of the other camps. The Ice Basilisk simply sits within the snowy region that has formed around it.
"We were told that there was a group before us that went to see the Ice Basilisk and came back with mutations. But the person who told us also said that the previous group also weren't the best people to start with, so maybe that might have had something to do with it."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Harmony heard as the pilgrims weren't mutated and goblins look a little twisted but thinking that it's typical, wondering if they should be worried. "Really? That's good that none of you have mutated at all." she said back before they continued on about the nomads. They don't carry weapons but spoke with threats behind every word, something not right about them and questioning Nocnitsa or a shapeshifter. What's a Nocnitsa? But luckily Oli explained that Nocnitsa are a race of wasplike humanoids known for shapeshifting and then striking at unknowing victims but many of them are civil and some live in Ruskivek too. "Interesting, definitely never heard of them before. But if they tend to be civil, maybe we can talk peacefully with them and the goblins. After all, we're all looking just to check the statue out and not do anything to it unless something happens that calls for it." Harmony had said back, thinking when she remembered something and thought of an idea. "Oh, I know! I have a spell that could help with keeping them calm and be willing to listen to us. Then we could convince them to let us just investigate the statue and learn more about it. Or I could perform for them and charm some of them for a good while so that those ones get the others to listen to us. But if anything bad happens, I could always use a spell to distract them all temporarily while we quickly investigate the statue." she replied back with her ideas with a big innocent smile on her face and believing that these would be ways to settle things with the goblins and nomads peacefully without fighting.
Iz fishes a sad looking, crumbling loaf of hard tack from her bag. She looks it over for a moment, sniffs it and makes a face, then thrusts it toward Jove.
"That's all that we know. I could tell you more if we'd been able to get closer. I'd love to learn more of what kind of magic could create such an interesting landscape, but we just can't press our luck against those people. A charm spell could certainly do the trick," Clarette answers.
"I'm afraid we don't have any food to share. Our own rations are dwindling. We didn't expect to be held up so long. But you're welcome to stay alongside our camp as long as you have a tent to sleep in or a bedroll to sleep on," Garland explains.
Jove similarly sniffs the food. Iz is more used to the scent of this ... "cuisine". He winces much more visibly than Iz.
"Oh... Thanks Iz. I'll save it for later though... I don't want to mess up my eating schedule of course."
He speaks telepathically to the rest of the group. (one by one though, as this ability is limited to one person at a time.)
"That was a test for them, and they failed. Here is what I asked for. If they have some meat, that means they would have to have either weapons or traps. I find it strange that they didn't have weapons on them, but this could be explained by them trying to be friendly first, but again would be very strange if there is such hostile civilizations around. I also see no fields for vegetables or trees for fruits. So where are they getting their food? The fact that they aren't willing to share is again strange. If they want our help so much, they should be happy to share food with is. What if they don't have any because we are the food for them. Those wasp people don't seem too nice. As long as we are on this world, we have to stay cautious. There are different rules here."
He looks at their new "friends". "That is no problem, friends. I will manage for the time being. If need be, I can return to the woods to catch some game. Do you have a convent where you worship? I would love to hear more about your god of knowledge. I am a knowledge seeker myself. Perhaps some statues or holy portraits?"
"First off, give me some warning before you go talking in my mind. Second off, you're being too paranoid. You've known these people for all of a few minutes and you're accusing them of being cannibals. Calm down."
OOC: Olive is responding via telepathy, just to be sure.
Iz looks to Roxy who is asleep perched on her shoulder. "Well, since we're here to investigate we'll have to have a chat with them eventually. Have they been hostile toward you and yours? Anyone hurt or killed?" She has a big smile on her face as she pulls her shield onto her arm, and starts walking toward the Ice Basilisk, not really waiting for an answer.
~♡~
"Hey Iz, hold on there hero." He winks. "Perhaps we could help each other out? If we would be allowed to stay the night, I would be glad to pray to Hnaska with you. Perhaps my friends would be as well. Maybe with our combined effort, we could learn a little more about the Basilisk. Gods to get their power from their followers. Maybe we could help boost the signal a little bit." He looks up into the sky, at the multiple moons. "Celestial bodies have a sort of power. And I can see that they are quite strong shining onto your village."
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
"Um, yes. A plan, perhaps," Abraxas says. "Also, how many goblins are there? And the other group you mentioned?"
Abraxas is relieved these people seem trustworthy, but he tries to gain insight into their honesty anyway.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Harmony could see as these people were two human woman and two human men, one of them introducing herself and the others. Apparently they are pilgrims on a holy trek to the shrine of Hnaska and asking if they are passing through or are interested in the statue. "Yeah, we were told to check out the Ice Basilisk." she had said back along with Olive. She was surprised by how many questions Isabella was asking before talking about their situation and then rambling on about random stuff. Luckily Jove was simple as he asked if they have any information on it that they could give them. The pilgrims talk about how the shrine is in Lisanbre-Nehrad and how Hnaska is their deity of knowledge and magic, definitely not having heard those names before at all. They mention that Hnaska is calling them to seek the knowledge of the Ice Basilisk but can't approach due to camps of nomads and goblins preventing them. They are in a standoff, both camps having been corrupted by the statue and claiming it as theirs, likely watching them right now and asking if they can help. "Yeah, of course we will help. Maybe if we talk to them and can get them away from the statue, they will think more clearly." Harmony had said back to them with a nod, agreeing. She watched Isabella go toward the statue, glad that Jove said something to her before asking the pilgrims about staying the night and in turn they would pray to Hnaska with them. He talked about how they could learn more about the Basilisk with their combined effort since gods do get their power from their followers. "That sounds good. Getting a good night's rest also would help us all come up with a plan and be better prepared to face them in the morning when we're at our best." Harmony then said to the pilgrims as well, wondering what sort of magic the statue is giving off that can just change the landscape and corrupt people so easily.
Abraxas Insight: 7
For Abraxas:
You don't sense any blatant lies, but you get the sense that there's something these pilgrims are not telling you.
"Of course, you're welcome to stay with us, though the sun doesn't look to set for a while. There were a half dozen goblins or so, and only a couple of men at the mountain camp, but those nomads, there's something...off about them. They don't seem like the type to take lightly," Garland responds.
"No one has been hurt yet. They have made threats, but we returned here quickly enough that they've left us alone," Vivianne says softly, speaking up for the first time.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"I'm glad you haven't been mutated. How are you preventing that? Have you been able to?" Abraxas pauses. "We're all more likely to survive if we all share all the information we have," he says persuasively.
He looks towards his more charismatic colleagues, hoping for their help.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Iz keeps walking in place for a moment as Jove holds her shoulder. "We need a plan? We can't just stroll up and talk to these folk like civilized gentle...persons? ... goblins? Alllllriiiight..."
~♡~
Jove speaks to Iz telepathically.
We are all a bit freaked out. We have been taken from our home world and spat out here. None of us know where we are. Goblins could be giant cotton candy people in this world for all we know. I think making allies is the first step. We may need an army to take down this basilisk.
You have Roxy, and I have Caiphon, but I don't know if the others will fare well without a buddy. I'm eager to start blasting fools, but we need to take it one step at a time.
OOC: I'm totally not bashing how you are playing Iz or anything btw. (Between you and me, I think Iz is my second favorite. Just after Roxy.) Jove is all about secret agendas. He is trying to create one right now. He doesn't trust Oli or anyone here really, so he is trying to get more information.
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
Harmony was glad to hear that they could stay with them, hearing that there were six goblins and a couple of the men but that something is off about them. It was good to hear that no one has been hurt yet, only threats made and having retreated so quickly that they were left alone. Then she heard Abraxas question how they are keeping from being mutated and knowing that they all are more likely to survive by sharing all the information that they have. "That's good that you aren't hurt or mutated. Yeah, how can we keep from being mutated besides not getting close to it? We just got here, so any and all important information would be great to know." Harmony now said back to the pilgrims, definitely not wanting to get mutated at all.
"What can you tell us about these nomads? Are they humans like you? Were they altered? Did they have any weapons?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Iz looks at Jove, and then Roxy spins her head to look at him as well. Iz shrugs and peers over at the tents and the basilisk, squinting to see if she can get a better look from where she's standing. Roxy yawns and closes her eyes.
[ooc: Jove]
[ooc : no worries friend, I don't take things personally in dnd though maybe sometimes I should. Iz is just hapless and optimistic and lacks wisdom and experience so she'll often just be pressing on. She's also not planning to just walk in and kill people, she wants to talk to them to see if they can be reasoned with first.]
~♡~
"Mutated?" Clarette asks. "I suppose that makes sense, considering what the area looks like, but no, we haven't had any mutations. Some of the goblins look a little twisted, but that's typical of their kind. Should we be worried?"
Garland shares what he knows of the nomads. "They are human, yes. They carried no weapons that I saw, but spoke with veiled threats behind every word. I'm telling you, there was something about them that was not right. It wouldn't surprise me if they were Nocnitsa or some other kind of shapeshifter."
"The Nocnitsa are a race of wasplike humanoids," Oli explains, "Known for their ability to shapeshift and then strike at their unknowing victims. Though, it should be noted many of the Nocnitsa are civil, and some live even within Ruskivek."
From this distance, Isabella can't see any movement from the tents of the other camps. The Ice Basilisk simply sits within the snowy region that has formed around it.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"We were told that there was a group before us that went to see the Ice Basilisk and came back with mutations. But the person who told us also said that the previous group also weren't the best people to start with, so maybe that might have had something to do with it."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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"You're sure there is nothing else we should know?" Abraxas asks persuasively: 15
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Harmony heard as the pilgrims weren't mutated and goblins look a little twisted but thinking that it's typical, wondering if they should be worried. "Really? That's good that none of you have mutated at all." she said back before they continued on about the nomads. They don't carry weapons but spoke with threats behind every word, something not right about them and questioning Nocnitsa or a shapeshifter. What's a Nocnitsa? But luckily Oli explained that Nocnitsa are a race of wasplike humanoids known for shapeshifting and then striking at unknowing victims but many of them are civil and some live in Ruskivek too. "Interesting, definitely never heard of them before. But if they tend to be civil, maybe we can talk peacefully with them and the goblins. After all, we're all looking just to check the statue out and not do anything to it unless something happens that calls for it." Harmony had said back, thinking when she remembered something and thought of an idea. "Oh, I know! I have a spell that could help with keeping them calm and be willing to listen to us. Then we could convince them to let us just investigate the statue and learn more about it. Or I could perform for them and charm some of them for a good while so that those ones get the others to listen to us. But if anything bad happens, I could always use a spell to distract them all temporarily while we quickly investigate the statue." she replied back with her ideas with a big innocent smile on her face and believing that these would be ways to settle things with the goblins and nomads peacefully without fighting.
"I agree. Peace would be the ideal option."
Jove pauses and thinks. "While we are at it, do you all have anything to eat? We are a bit parched from the traveling."
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
Iz fishes a sad looking, crumbling loaf of hard tack from her bag. She looks it over for a moment, sniffs it and makes a face, then thrusts it toward Jove.
"Here... you can have this."
~♡~
"That's all that we know. I could tell you more if we'd been able to get closer. I'd love to learn more of what kind of magic could create such an interesting landscape, but we just can't press our luck against those people. A charm spell could certainly do the trick," Clarette answers.
"I'm afraid we don't have any food to share. Our own rations are dwindling. We didn't expect to be held up so long. But you're welcome to stay alongside our camp as long as you have a tent to sleep in or a bedroll to sleep on," Garland explains.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Jove similarly sniffs the food. Iz is more used to the scent of this ... "cuisine". He winces much more visibly than Iz.
"Oh... Thanks Iz. I'll save it for later though... I don't want to mess up my eating schedule of course."
He speaks telepathically to the rest of the group. (one by one though, as this ability is limited to one person at a time.)
"That was a test for them, and they failed. Here is what I asked for. If they have some meat, that means they would have to have either weapons or traps. I find it strange that they didn't have weapons on them, but this could be explained by them trying to be friendly first, but again would be very strange if there is such hostile civilizations around. I also see no fields for vegetables or trees for fruits. So where are they getting their food? The fact that they aren't willing to share is again strange. If they want our help so much, they should be happy to share food with is. What if they don't have any because we are the food for them. Those wasp people don't seem too nice. As long as we are on this world, we have to stay cautious. There are different rules here."
He looks at their new "friends". "That is no problem, friends. I will manage for the time being. If need be, I can return to the woods to catch some game. Do you have a convent where you worship? I would love to hear more about your god of knowledge. I am a knowledge seeker myself. Perhaps some statues or holy portraits?"
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
Olive responds to Jove's telepathy.
"First off, give me some warning before you go talking in my mind. Second off, you're being too paranoid. You've known these people for all of a few minutes and you're accusing them of being cannibals. Calm down."
OOC: Olive is responding via telepathy, just to be sure.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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