This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Peshley follows along behind the others. As she does so she sends her familiar to circle above to look for signs of life. She hoped to know if either survivors or a threat lay in hiding.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cade - After having dispelled the spell that sprung forth the camp Cade mounted Baron and traveled with the group glad to have warmth from the fluffy mastiff as the weather was chilling. As the group approached the town they passed a sign that looked like it had seen better days and a town that no longer looked like a town. Following the others into town Cade stops and dismounts and takes the bit out of Barons mouth and tells him, "Stay close boy...there may be awful and dangerous things ahead." Walking forward he is looking at the buildings to see what he can see specifically if there are any buildings that appear to be undamaged.
Turniptown is a tiny little settlement, that includes five cottage houses, a tavern, a small Temple and some stables, clustered around a central plaza. It is devoid of any fortifications.
As our heroes investigate the town, they notice that one house, slightly isolated from the others, is the only structure still standing....
Laeivis goes full "C.S.I Talaveroth", inspecting every object, foot print and snowflake in the area, and deducts the following facts:
1) There was a celebration of some sort going on when the village got attacked. Many small paper decorations and confetti litter the ground in the central plaza. And 2 days ago was the beginning of the winter solstice, which many farmers celebrate by having banquets in the honor of Elohna, Goddess of Fertility and bountiful Farming. You also find a small wooden figurine of a Satyr laying on the ground, by an empty bottle of wine.
2) There were Five Gnolls. One of which seems a little bigger than the other ones. And they left the village with 10 Humanoids. 5 of those seem like children...
3) The tracks lead outside of the village, to a peculiar Forrest clearing, full of fireflies and dancing green reflections. At the center of the clearing lies a mighty Oak Tree, ancient and gnarled, with a gaping hole, naturally grown, at the base of it. It still has a bit of Folliage clinging to its twisted branches.
4) The foot tracks seem to pass through the Tree, but disappear before reaching the other side. As if they stopped in the Tree...
Cade, Saerrira and Uther inspect the only cottage left standing, while Peshley tries to scout the surrounding area with her familiar...unsuccessfully...but her poney's purple stripe starts glowing again, faintly...
The cottage house is completely ravaged from the inside, showing obvious signs of struggle and looting in every room.
Cade randomly picks up a painting from the floor, which seems to have been ripped from the Wall and stomped on. It is a portrait of a Dwarven family, dressed in humble peasant clothes, and smiling which is rather unusual for Dwarven farmer family portraits...There are 6 of them: Mother and Father, and 4 children. All males, except for a little girl, on the far right side, sitting on one of her brother's shoulder, holding a teddy bear...
The same teddy bear Saerrira found in the cave the previous night...
Saerirra would look at the painting with Cade, still fighting tears, after looking around the wrecked house.
(Does the dwarven girl in the painting also wear the stone hairpin?)
She clasps her hands together tightly and silently prays for the safety of any villagers, if there are any alive at this point.
Once the group gathers up again (Figuring Laeivis would have mentioned the tree entrance to the group), she says "It's clear we're going in after them, but I just wanted to say, if it turns out we can't beat them and need to run, let me know and I can give you all a head start. It's a backup plan in case the Gnolls prove too much for us."
Peshley looked around the town as she rode between the buildings. The stripe on the pony's back glowed again for some reason. This distrubed her a little as she had no idea what this represented. when hse had the opportunity she would need to have someone check out the pony; maybe a priest from one of the temples. High above, flashes of blue flickered in te sky. Her familiar circled, looking for signs of life, but none seemed present. She called the bird back and it swooped down to rest on the back of her pack. She watches as the others enter the cottage, but decides to stay outside, so that no one could approach without being seen.
"Meryn be praised!" (Oh, look, he finally picked up Father Tobiase's expression) Laievis was both a bit proud of his tracking abilities and terrified of the picture he saw. He reported all his findings to the group, concluding: "Most likely there is a tunnel under that tree. Not sure it will be wise to go now - we are tired and it's getting dark. However, some citizens of the town are still alive. And there are children among them. Even if Gnolls would not eat them, every second in captivity should feel like years to poor people."
He let the words sink into the mind of everyone while looking at the picture of the dwarf family. "We found those whose possession we took in the cave. They probably tried to run but Hyenas got them. I'll leave their remains here and make a proper burial myself when we come back".
After the group converged and exchanged their finding Uther swung his axe at a nearby broken burnt chunck of wood, again, again and again. He let out an angry roar. " We must follow them! Now! " he started walking towards the tree, axe still in hand.
Saerirra quickly shouted to Uther, seeing him march angrily towards the tree.
"Uther! Stop! Running in there with our angers boiling will only get us killed! We must devise a strategy! The enemies have the field advantage, as they know the area better than we do, as well as whatever is in that tree. Yes we are all quite upset at the state of the town, and it's citizens will be avenged, but rashly and blindly rushing to our deaths will do us nor them any good. We will gather ourselves here in this old house, then set out to rescue any who may still be alive. Whether we wait til tomorrow or merely an hour or so is up for discussion."
Saerirra then gathers what she can as seating for the group. Old chairs, stools, barrels, anything that can be sat upon as comfortably as possible given the state of things in Turniptown and the house.
Peshley sees the group gathering and Searirra starts arranging seating. Peshleygoes over to a low box and takes a seat. She listens to what the others have to say abou their findings. "That tree," she says, "I wonder if it is a cave, or if the tree acts as a portal of some kind. Eaither way I realyy think we need to go check it out. And I don't think we can wait. If we spend the night here it is just further away that these creatures are getting."
Although the toy had been found at the cave they just came from, it is the gnolls they were after, so they way to go seemed clear to Peshley. Forward meant going to, and probably through, that tree.
"We can go and investigate together before we make any decision," suggested a compromise Laievis. "Probably some of us can get magic readings there. Thiugh, there is one more question - if we are going in (if there is an "in") what would happen with the horses? It would be nice to leave someone with them, but can we afford incomplete team?"
"We can go and investigate together before we make any decision," suggested a compromise Laievis. "Probably some of us can get magic readings there. Thiugh, there is one more question - if we are going in (if there is an "in") what would happen with the horses? It would be nice to leave someone with them, but can we afford incomplete team?"
"Hmmm, that is also true. Certainly Taranonn would be far too big to fit in the tree I think. I wouldn't want to take the horses in with us anyway. Perhaps we leave the mounts here in this house, hopefully hidden? I don't think it is wise to leave one of us here alone."
Cade - Walking towards the house that seems to be the least damaged he tells Baron, "Stay boy. I'll be back.", he walks in to find that the inside looks torn apart and in disarray. He walks towards what appears to be a picture frame and picks it up and sees a happy dwarf family that normally would have made Cade smile except...in the little girls hand was something that looked very familiar: the teddy bear. Cade immediately became nauseous at the thought that the family whose house they were standing in may in fact have been the family that lost their lives in the very cave that they took up encampment. Saerirra walked up next to him and he doesn't want to look at her for fear that if he sees her cry that he won't be able to stop the flow of his own tears. He sets the painting down, but leaning against the wall facing outwards so that any of us could look at it and have a reminder of the type of people we are trying to save. After everyone other than Peshley who chose to stay outside just in case there was a danger still lurking when Uther came in he went into a rage and started to swing his axe Saerirra was able to calm his down enough to hear out Laeivis who told us what he was able to discern from his tracking skills and that it are travels would lead into the depths of the tree itself. Hearing what the others have to say about this Cade begins to have doubts, "What skills do I have that could possibly help in this situation? If indeed there are Gnolls and not just hyenas with these dwarves it may not be wise if I go and hinder those who can do something. Instead...", he looks at the group around him and says to them, "If we are intending to go into the tree, or possible cave, it may be wise to have one or more of us stay on this side to make sure that it stays secure and is ready for everyone to get out of here. After all it is possible that those who go in there may be coming back with a dozen or so in tow so whoever stays behind can find a cart or wagon and prepare it for travel out of this forsaken place...plus I doubt Taranonn will be of much use in a possibly cramped environment...what does everyone think?"
Cade - Walking towards the house that seems to be the least damaged he tells Baron, "Stay boy. I'll be back.", he walks in to find that the inside looks torn apart and in disarray. He walks towards what appears to be a picture frame and picks it up and sees a happy dwarf family that normally would have made Cade smile except...in the little girls hand was something that looked very familiar: the teddy bear. Cade immediately became nauseous at the thought that the family whose house they were standing in may in fact have been the family that lost their lives in the very cave that they took up encampment. Saerirra walked up next to him and he doesn't want to look at her for fear that if he sees her cry that he won't be able to stop the flow of his own tears. He sets the painting down, but leaning against the wall facing outwards so that any of us could look at it and have a reminder of the type of people we are trying to save. After everyone other than Peshley who chose to stay outside just in case there was a danger still lurking when Uther came in he went into a rage and started to swing his axe Saerirra was able to calm his down enough to hear out Laeivis who told us what he was able to discern from his tracking skills and that it are travels would lead into the depths of the tree itself. Hearing what the others have to say about this Cade begins to have doubts, "What skills do I have that could possibly help in this situation? If indeed there are Gnolls and not just hyenas with these dwarves it may not be wise if I go and hinder those who can do something. Instead...", he looks at the group around him and says to them, "If we are intending to go into the tree, or possible cave, it may be wise to have one or more of us stay on this side to make sure that it stays secure and is ready for everyone to get out of here. After all it is possible that those who go in there may be coming back with a dozen or so in tow so whoever stays behind can find a cart or wagon and prepare it for travel out of this forsaken place...plus I doubt Taranonn will be of much use in a possibly cramped environment...what does everyone think?"
"Hmmmm...yes, what if Cade and I stay out here, prepare a cart if we can, and before you three descend into wherever the tree leads, we inspire at least two of you. (Not sure if one of us could do two inspirations) That way you are as prepared as possible, and hopefully by the time you return you will have the remaining dwarven family with you, ready to return to Three Peaks. And Peshley, if your familiar is able to aid us in continued surveillance, that would also be helpful. I cannot think of anything more to prepare. If anyone has any better ideas, please speak up."
"I have to admit, I will feel better knowing someone is watching out our mounts and keeping an eye on the dangers outside." Laievis slightly bowed to Cade and Saerirra . "The last thing we want is someone dropping on our backs. Do not know what is more dangerous in our situation but thank you for volunteering, friends".
"I have to admit, I will feel better knowing someone is watching out our mounts and keeping an eye on the dangers outside." Laievis slightly bowed to Cade and Saerirra . "The last thing we want is someone dropping on our backs. Do not know what is more dangerous in our situation but thank you for volunteering, friends".
"We will do what we can up here. But let me know when you three are about to go through the tree. There's something I want to for everyone."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cade - Glad that the others agreed that it was a good idea to leave some of the party behind Cade not wanting feel useless decides to get a head start on things wanting to take the parties mounts to the stable hoping that there might be something inside worth noting, but he wanted to take a look at it first ensuring that Baron is by his side they head off in the direction of the stables. Walking through the area he remembered Laiveis saying that there was some sort of celebration that had taken place to which Cade could see the bits of confetti on the ground and oddly enough found what he thinks may be another toy as it is made of wood and in the shape of another creature.
“We have no idea how long we will be, or what state w will find these dwarves in. Your skills maybe invaluable. I would rather we hobble the horses and leave them with food and a prayer to the gods. There were at least 5 gnolls and who knows what is beyond that tree. My vote is we stick together.”
“We have no idea how long we will be, or what state w will find these dwarves in. Your skills maybe invaluable. I would rather we hobble the horses and leave them with food and a prayer to the gods. There were at least 5 gnolls and who knows what is beyond that tree. My vote is we stick together.”
"Hmmmmm.....there's just no perfect option. So here's how I see it as our choices: A) You four go in and I provide a buff for you before you do and I stay here with the horses and do what I can here. B) Same as A but Cade is here with me. C) Do as Peshley suggests and hope our mounts are here when we get back. But if they aren't, it's a long cold walk back to Three Peaks. D) We try to see if our mounts can all fit through the entrance in the tree and perhaps leave them just inside as we search through wherever it leads. For C and D, my special ability should be saved if it comes to where we just have to run away."
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Saerirra begins walking into town after taking a moment to gather her composure and just looks for survivors.
Perception roll: 13
Investigation roll: 9
(Again, wasn't sure which one was appropriate.)
Peshley follows along behind the others. As she does so she sends her familiar to circle above to look for signs of life. She hoped to know if either survivors or a threat lay in hiding.
Perception: 11
Cade - After having dispelled the spell that sprung forth the camp Cade mounted Baron and traveled with the group glad to have warmth from the fluffy mastiff as the weather was chilling. As the group approached the town they passed a sign that looked like it had seen better days and a town that no longer looked like a town. Following the others into town Cade stops and dismounts and takes the bit out of Barons mouth and tells him, "Stay close boy...there may be awful and dangerous things ahead." Walking forward he is looking at the buildings to see what he can see specifically if there are any buildings that appear to be undamaged.
Investigation: 2
Cade Overhill/ Level 3 / Halfling / Bard - Talaveroth (sub-campaign 1)
Manneo "Bear Killer" Thuliaga / Level 1 / Goliath / Monk - Curse of Strahd
Turniptown is a tiny little settlement, that includes five cottage houses, a tavern, a small Temple and some stables, clustered around a central plaza. It is devoid of any fortifications.
As our heroes investigate the town, they notice that one house, slightly isolated from the others, is the only structure still standing....
Laeivis goes full "C.S.I Talaveroth", inspecting every object, foot print and snowflake in the area, and deducts the following facts:
1) There was a celebration of some sort going on when the village got attacked. Many small paper decorations and confetti litter the ground in the central plaza. And 2 days ago was the beginning of the winter solstice, which many farmers celebrate by having banquets in the honor of Elohna, Goddess of Fertility and bountiful Farming. You also find a small wooden figurine of a Satyr laying on the ground, by an empty bottle of wine.
2) There were Five Gnolls. One of which seems a little bigger than the other ones. And they left the village with 10 Humanoids. 5 of those seem like children...
3) The tracks lead outside of the village, to a peculiar Forrest clearing, full of fireflies and dancing green reflections. At the center of the clearing lies a mighty Oak Tree, ancient and gnarled, with a gaping hole, naturally grown, at the base of it. It still has a bit of Folliage clinging to its twisted branches.
4) The foot tracks seem to pass through the Tree, but disappear before reaching the other side. As if they stopped in the Tree...
Cade, Saerrira and Uther inspect the only cottage left standing, while Peshley tries to scout the surrounding area with her familiar...unsuccessfully...but her poney's purple stripe starts glowing again, faintly...
The cottage house is completely ravaged from the inside, showing obvious signs of struggle and looting in every room.
Cade randomly picks up a painting from the floor, which seems to have been ripped from the Wall and stomped on. It is a portrait of a Dwarven family, dressed in humble peasant clothes, and smiling which is rather unusual for Dwarven farmer family portraits...There are 6 of them: Mother and Father, and 4 children. All males, except for a little girl, on the far right side, sitting on one of her brother's shoulder, holding a teddy bear...
The same teddy bear Saerrira found in the cave the previous night...
Saerirra would look at the painting with Cade, still fighting tears, after looking around the wrecked house.
(Does the dwarven girl in the painting also wear the stone hairpin?)
She clasps her hands together tightly and silently prays for the safety of any villagers, if there are any alive at this point.
Once the group gathers up again (Figuring Laeivis would have mentioned the tree entrance to the group), she says "It's clear we're going in after them, but I just wanted to say, if it turns out we can't beat them and need to run, let me know and I can give you all a head start. It's a backup plan in case the Gnolls prove too much for us."
Peshley looked around the town as she rode between the buildings. The stripe on the pony's back glowed again for some reason. This distrubed her a little as she had no idea what this represented. when hse had the opportunity she would need to have someone check out the pony; maybe a priest from one of the temples. High above, flashes of blue flickered in te sky. Her familiar circled, looking for signs of life, but none seemed present. She called the bird back and it swooped down to rest on the back of her pack. She watches as the others enter the cottage, but decides to stay outside, so that no one could approach without being seen.
(Assuming we all returned to the dwarves' house)
"Meryn be praised!" (Oh, look, he finally picked up Father Tobiase's expression) Laievis was both a bit proud of his tracking abilities and terrified of the picture he saw. He reported all his findings to the group, concluding: "Most likely there is a tunnel under that tree. Not sure it will be wise to go now - we are tired and it's getting dark. However, some citizens of the town are still alive. And there are children among them. Even if Gnolls would not eat them, every second in captivity should feel like years to poor people."
He let the words sink into the mind of everyone while looking at the picture of the dwarf family. "We found those whose possession we took in the cave. They probably tried to run but Hyenas got them. I'll leave their remains here and make a proper burial myself when we come back".
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
After the group converged and exchanged their finding Uther swung his axe at a nearby broken burnt chunck of wood, again, again and again. He let out an angry roar. " We must follow them! Now! " he started walking towards the tree, axe still in hand.
Saerirra quickly shouted to Uther, seeing him march angrily towards the tree.
"Uther! Stop! Running in there with our angers boiling will only get us killed! We must devise a strategy! The enemies have the field advantage, as they know the area better than we do, as well as whatever is in that tree. Yes we are all quite upset at the state of the town, and it's citizens will be avenged, but rashly and blindly rushing to our deaths will do us nor them any good. We will gather ourselves here in this old house, then set out to rescue any who may still be alive. Whether we wait til tomorrow or merely an hour or so is up for discussion."
Saerirra then gathers what she can as seating for the group. Old chairs, stools, barrels, anything that can be sat upon as comfortably as possible given the state of things in Turniptown and the house.
Peshley sees the group gathering and Searirra starts arranging seating. Peshleygoes over to a low box and takes a seat. She listens to what the others have to say abou their findings. "That tree," she says, "I wonder if it is a cave, or if the tree acts as a portal of some kind. Eaither way I realyy think we need to go check it out. And I don't think we can wait. If we spend the night here it is just further away that these creatures are getting."
Although the toy had been found at the cave they just came from, it is the gnolls they were after, so they way to go seemed clear to Peshley. Forward meant going to, and probably through, that tree.
"We can go and investigate together before we make any decision," suggested a compromise Laievis. "Probably some of us can get magic readings there. Thiugh, there is one more question - if we are going in (if there is an "in") what would happen with the horses? It would be nice to leave someone with them, but can we afford incomplete team?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Hmmm, that is also true. Certainly Taranonn would be far too big to fit in the tree I think. I wouldn't want to take the horses in with us anyway. Perhaps we leave the mounts here in this house, hopefully hidden? I don't think it is wise to leave one of us here alone."
Cade - Walking towards the house that seems to be the least damaged he tells Baron, "Stay boy. I'll be back.", he walks in to find that the inside looks torn apart and in disarray. He walks towards what appears to be a picture frame and picks it up and sees a happy dwarf family that normally would have made Cade smile except...in the little girls hand was something that looked very familiar: the teddy bear. Cade immediately became nauseous at the thought that the family whose house they were standing in may in fact have been the family that lost their lives in the very cave that they took up encampment. Saerirra walked up next to him and he doesn't want to look at her for fear that if he sees her cry that he won't be able to stop the flow of his own tears. He sets the painting down, but leaning against the wall facing outwards so that any of us could look at it and have a reminder of the type of people we are trying to save. After everyone other than Peshley who chose to stay outside just in case there was a danger still lurking when Uther came in he went into a rage and started to swing his axe Saerirra was able to calm his down enough to hear out Laeivis who told us what he was able to discern from his tracking skills and that it are travels would lead into the depths of the tree itself. Hearing what the others have to say about this Cade begins to have doubts, "What skills do I have that could possibly help in this situation? If indeed there are Gnolls and not just hyenas with these dwarves it may not be wise if I go and hinder those who can do something. Instead...", he looks at the group around him and says to them, "If we are intending to go into the tree, or possible cave, it may be wise to have one or more of us stay on this side to make sure that it stays secure and is ready for everyone to get out of here. After all it is possible that those who go in there may be coming back with a dozen or so in tow so whoever stays behind can find a cart or wagon and prepare it for travel out of this forsaken place...plus I doubt Taranonn will be of much use in a possibly cramped environment...what does everyone think?"
Cade Overhill/ Level 3 / Halfling / Bard - Talaveroth (sub-campaign 1)
Manneo "Bear Killer" Thuliaga / Level 1 / Goliath / Monk - Curse of Strahd
"Hmmmm...yes, what if Cade and I stay out here, prepare a cart if we can, and before you three descend into wherever the tree leads, we inspire at least two of you. (Not sure if one of us could do two inspirations) That way you are as prepared as possible, and hopefully by the time you return you will have the remaining dwarven family with you, ready to return to Three Peaks. And Peshley, if your familiar is able to aid us in continued surveillance, that would also be helpful. I cannot think of anything more to prepare. If anyone has any better ideas, please speak up."
"I have to admit, I will feel better knowing someone is watching out our mounts and keeping an eye on the dangers outside." Laievis slightly bowed to Cade and Saerirra . "The last thing we want is someone dropping on our backs. Do not know what is more dangerous in our situation but thank you for volunteering, friends".
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"We will do what we can up here. But let me know when you three are about to go through the tree. There's something I want to for everyone."
Cade - Glad that the others agreed that it was a good idea to leave some of the party behind Cade not wanting feel useless decides to get a head start on things wanting to take the parties mounts to the stable hoping that there might be something inside worth noting, but he wanted to take a look at it first ensuring that Baron is by his side they head off in the direction of the stables. Walking through the area he remembered Laiveis saying that there was some sort of celebration that had taken place to which Cade could see the bits of confetti on the ground and oddly enough found what he thinks may be another toy as it is made of wood and in the shape of another creature.
Perception Check (?): 13
Cade Overhill/ Level 3 / Halfling / Bard - Talaveroth (sub-campaign 1)
Manneo "Bear Killer" Thuliaga / Level 1 / Goliath / Monk - Curse of Strahd
Looks like Laievis, Peshley and Uthar went to the tree again and looked at the part of the giant tree trunk where Gnoll's footprints disappeared.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
“We have no idea how long we will be, or what state w will find these dwarves in. Your skills maybe invaluable. I would rather we hobble the horses and leave them with food and a prayer to the gods. There were at least 5 gnolls and who knows what is beyond that tree. My vote is we stick together.”
"Hmmmmm.....there's just no perfect option. So here's how I see it as our choices: A) You four go in and I provide a buff for you before you do and I stay here with the horses and do what I can here. B) Same as A but Cade is here with me. C) Do as Peshley suggests and hope our mounts are here when we get back. But if they aren't, it's a long cold walk back to Three Peaks. D) We try to see if our mounts can all fit through the entrance in the tree and perhaps leave them just inside as we search through wherever it leads. For C and D, my special ability should be saved if it comes to where we just have to run away."