Fjordix nodded to the travelers, but he didn't believe them in the least. It was an instinct, he knew how two faced mankind could be. He secured his things and made camp with the others, but he fully intended to sleep with one eye open, ready to fend off whatever devious plan the travelers had hatched for the Stag.
Having seemingly mollified the caravan, everyone goes back to slowly arranging for spending a night on the road. The wagons are all far enough apart that each can have their own camp, but close enough together that there's also a communal fire where most of the travelers gather each night.
Arliden, you take up your ritual of arguing with Evenmor about the topic of the day. Today's argument is on the appropriate usage of a rampant hippogriff vs a guardant hippogriff in heraldry.
Novot, you have to remind your wagon's master (again) that he can't just leave the horses hitched to the wagon all night long, eventually accepting that this is something you'll have to do yourself before you can join in the gathering around the communal fire.
Fjordix, Samardag greets you and the stag with a friendly smile. Addressing the stag directly, he says, "It is my most sincere pleasure to have the opportunity to travel with a being as magnificent as yourself. Don't know if you care for the fare of horses, but there's more'n enough to spare if you'd like it."
Arryn, you see to arranging watches with the other sergeants in the caravan. As usual, all three of the cultists' wagons insist on having their own guards as part of every shift.
Rex, you've been tasked with the third watch for your wagon. Unfortunately, this means you'll have to make it an early night if you want to be alert during your watch.
All things considered, it's just another day on the road. As sunset approaches, a larger than usual group gathers around the communal fire, waiting to see whether or not Fjordix is crazy. The sun begins to dip behind the horizon, and Fjordix, after getting a nod from the stag, proceeds to clear a large space for the stag to step into. As it does, the stag shimmers for a bit and then disappears. In it's place is a male elf with golden skin.
He is wearing what obviously was once a very fine tunic. Now, however, it is a dirty, flimsy piece of fabric, held together by a handful of fibers hanging from his shoulders like a discarded old towel. There are more holes than fabric at this point, leaving much of him exposed to the elements. His pants are nothing more than tattered shreds. The only things about him that don't seem ravaged by time are a very delicate antlered crown on his head and a beautiful looking longbow with accents made from antlers. He turns about so that all can see him before making his way back toward Samardag's wagon.
Everyone go ahead and make a Wisdom (Perception) check.
As the stag turned elf moves back toward the wagons, all three of you see the man who was whistling earlier slide a dagger back into it's sheath. He has a stunned expression on his face. As the gathered crowd starts making noise again, he starts whistling and moving away. By the time the sun has fully set, the elf has turned back into a stag.
[Is there anything you all would like to resolve before moving on with the journey?]
Rex raises his brow in surprise at the elf’s transformation, but seems smugly content with his performance. He’ll bid the group good night and then heads to sleep.
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
Fjordix watched the transformation of the stag with wonder and when he turned back into a stag he felt a pang of sadness. How long had he lived like this? Was there anyone left in the world he could relate to?
The next few days are relatively uneventful. There's the occasional encounter with small groups of bandits or wild animals attacking the caravan (as has happened throughout the journey), but all of you (along with the other guards on the trip) easily deal with them. In fact, the most severe injury that's happened on this trip was when one of the wagon driver's drank a bit too much of Beyd Sechepol's ale and sprained his ankle trying to impress one of the guards.
As you get closer and closer to Waterdeep, the merchants and travelers are remarking on how this has been the best journey they've had in recent memory, and many of them are attributing it to the adeptness of the group of guards they have with them. Most of them are saying that hiring a few more guards than usual was worth every gold piece. The only outliers are from three separate wagons that each prefer to keep to their own wagon group, rarely interacting, much less socializing, with the other travelers. What the five of you know that the rest of the caravan does not is that all three of those wagons belong to the Cult of the Dragon.
Rex, for the past few days, you've heard an odd bird song that you seem to only hear when the caravan is stopped and you're on your way to the "communal" areas of the makeshift camp. [Make a Wisdom (Perception) check]
About a tenday short of reaching Waterdeep, you stop in a small town called Daggerford. Like many of the other small towns you've gone through before, there's a dedicated part of the town for caravans to stay the night. This is the final stop for some of the travelers, and a few new travelers join in for the last leg of the journey to Waterdeep. All this to say that this stop has been perfectly ordinary in every way but one. One of the Cult's wagons (not Rex's) accepts a new traveler to ride with them. A human male whose only defining characteristic seems to be a wool cap with ear and neck flaps that he wears at all times despite the warmth of the current season. He also seems to fit right in with their reclusiveness, never socializing with anyone not a part of that wagon's team.
[Everyone make a Wisdom (Perception) check (this is a second one for Rex) and a Wisdom (Insight) check. In place of the Insight check, Arliden and Rex can make a Charisma (Deception) check).]
Rex, you realize that the "bird song" you've been hearing is actually the whistling man from a few days ago. He's part of one of the other wagons being used by the Cult of the Dragon and seems to have been keeping a close eye on you.
Arliden, you notice a few tattoos peeking out around the edges of the new traveler's hat. He appears to be attempting to hide the fact that he is a Thayan. Based on your earlier travels, you know that countless Thayans fled their country when the lich Szass Tam seized control, but most of them do not attempt to hide that fact from others.
Arliden and Rex, you both notice that a female gnome also joined the caravan back in Daggerford. This gnome has been showing an interest in the Thayan. They aren’t together, but during stops, the gnome often sidles up near enough to overhear anything the human might say, and she has also been spotted hovering near the cult wagons when the cultists are busy with tasks other than guarding the wagons closely. You also notice that the gnome shows an interest in your traveling party, despite your efforts to not be obviously seen as a distinct group. She leaves the impression of being someone who flawlessly takes in every detail about people and her surroundings, including the fact that she is aware of you taking notice of her.
When Rex has a moment when he is unseen, he is going to change his form to a human version of Rex (Tall, Dark, and Roguishly Handsome hehe) and try to get close to that whistling gentleman.
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
So, you're attempting to get close to him as in getting to know him as opposed to getting physically near him? In that case, I think it would be an Intelligence (Investigation) -or- a Wisdom (Insight) check.
[I don’t... I don’t even know...]
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
Rex likes the tune that man was whistling.
Fjordix
Fjordix nodded to the travelers, but he didn't believe them in the least. It was an instinct, he knew how two faced mankind could be. He secured his things and made camp with the others, but he fully intended to sleep with one eye open, ready to fend off whatever devious plan the travelers had hatched for the Stag.
Having seemingly mollified the caravan, everyone goes back to slowly arranging for spending a night on the road. The wagons are all far enough apart that each can have their own camp, but close enough together that there's also a communal fire where most of the travelers gather each night.
Arliden, you take up your ritual of arguing with Evenmor about the topic of the day. Today's argument is on the appropriate usage of a rampant hippogriff vs a guardant hippogriff in heraldry.
Novot, you have to remind your wagon's master (again) that he can't just leave the horses hitched to the wagon all night long, eventually accepting that this is something you'll have to do yourself before you can join in the gathering around the communal fire.
Fjordix, Samardag greets you and the stag with a friendly smile. Addressing the stag directly, he says, "It is my most sincere pleasure to have the opportunity to travel with a being as magnificent as yourself. Don't know if you care for the fare of horses, but there's more'n enough to spare if you'd like it."
Arryn, you see to arranging watches with the other sergeants in the caravan. As usual, all three of the cultists' wagons insist on having their own guards as part of every shift.
Rex, you've been tasked with the third watch for your wagon. Unfortunately, this means you'll have to make it an early night if you want to be alert during your watch.
All things considered, it's just another day on the road. As sunset approaches, a larger than usual group gathers around the communal fire, waiting to see whether or not Fjordix is crazy. The sun begins to dip behind the horizon, and Fjordix, after getting a nod from the stag, proceeds to clear a large space for the stag to step into. As it does, the stag shimmers for a bit and then disappears. In it's place is a male elf with golden skin.
He is wearing what obviously was once a very fine tunic. Now, however, it is a dirty, flimsy piece of fabric, held together by a handful of fibers hanging from his shoulders like a discarded old towel. There are more holes than fabric at this point, leaving much of him exposed to the elements. His pants are nothing more than tattered shreds. The only things about him that don't seem ravaged by time are a very delicate antlered crown on his head and a beautiful looking longbow with accents made from antlers. He turns about so that all can see him before making his way back toward Samardag's wagon.
Everyone go ahead and make a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Ten and lower, let’s go! 14
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
5
[I'm sorry I offended you mighty lord of evil luck Will Wheaton, please accept this offering as tribute]
Going to use luck: 20
[He has been appeased]
[I need luck! GIVE ME YOUR LUCK!]
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
Perception: 18
As the stag turned elf moves back toward the wagons, all three of you see the man who was whistling earlier slide a dagger back into it's sheath. He has a stunned expression on his face. As the gathered crowd starts making noise again, he starts whistling and moving away. By the time the sun has fully set, the elf has turned back into a stag.
[Is there anything you all would like to resolve before moving on with the journey?]
Rex raises his brow in surprise at the elf’s transformation, but seems smugly content with his performance. He’ll bid the group good night and then heads to sleep.
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
Nothing out of the ordinary. Drink a little (not to get drunk) talk with some people, update his map and sing a few songs.
Fjordix
Fjordix watched the transformation of the stag with wonder and when he turned back into a stag he felt a pang of sadness. How long had he lived like this? Was there anyone left in the world he could relate to?
The next few days are relatively uneventful. There's the occasional encounter with small groups of bandits or wild animals attacking the caravan (as has happened throughout the journey), but all of you (along with the other guards on the trip) easily deal with them. In fact, the most severe injury that's happened on this trip was when one of the wagon driver's drank a bit too much of Beyd Sechepol's ale and sprained his ankle trying to impress one of the guards.
As you get closer and closer to Waterdeep, the merchants and travelers are remarking on how this has been the best journey they've had in recent memory, and many of them are attributing it to the adeptness of the group of guards they have with them. Most of them are saying that hiring a few more guards than usual was worth every gold piece. The only outliers are from three separate wagons that each prefer to keep to their own wagon group, rarely interacting, much less socializing, with the other travelers. What the five of you know that the rest of the caravan does not is that all three of those wagons belong to the Cult of the Dragon.
Rex, for the past few days, you've heard an odd bird song that you seem to only hear when the caravan is stopped and you're on your way to the "communal" areas of the makeshift camp. [Make a Wisdom (Perception) check]
About a tenday short of reaching Waterdeep, you stop in a small town called Daggerford. Like many of the other small towns you've gone through before, there's a dedicated part of the town for caravans to stay the night. This is the final stop for some of the travelers, and a few new travelers join in for the last leg of the journey to Waterdeep. All this to say that this stop has been perfectly ordinary in every way but one. One of the Cult's wagons (not Rex's) accepts a new traveler to ride with them. A human male whose only defining characteristic seems to be a wool cap with ear and neck flaps that he wears at all times despite the warmth of the current season. He also seems to fit right in with their reclusiveness, never socializing with anyone not a part of that wagon's team.
[Everyone make a Wisdom (Perception) check (this is a second one for Rex) and a Wisdom (Insight) check. In place of the Insight check, Arliden and Rex can make a Charisma (Deception) check).]
Alright, let’s do this Rex. Try for four ones, really show me!
Perception: 7 and 3
Insight: 12
Deception: 12
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
[There we go Rex! Teach those dice who their master is!]
Perception: 15
Deception: 13
[This makes me very uncomfortable...like the dice are buttering us up to murder us all in our sleep later]
Rex, you realize that the "bird song" you've been hearing is actually the whistling man from a few days ago. He's part of one of the other wagons being used by the Cult of the Dragon and seems to have been keeping a close eye on you.
Arliden, you notice a few tattoos peeking out around the edges of the new traveler's hat. He appears to be attempting to hide the fact that he is a Thayan. Based on your earlier travels, you know that countless Thayans fled their country when the lich Szass Tam seized control, but most of them do not attempt to hide that fact from others.
Arliden and Rex, you both notice that a female gnome also joined the caravan back in Daggerford. This gnome has been showing an interest in the Thayan. They aren’t together, but during stops, the gnome often sidles up near enough to overhear anything the human might say, and she has also been spotted hovering near the cult wagons when the cultists are busy with tasks other than guarding the wagons closely. You also notice that the gnome shows an interest in your traveling party, despite your efforts to not be obviously seen as a distinct group. She leaves the impression of being someone who flawlessly takes in every detail about people and her surroundings, including the fact that she is aware of you taking notice of her.
When Rex has a moment when he is unseen, he is going to change his form to a human version of Rex (Tall, Dark, and Roguishly Handsome hehe) and try to get close to that whistling gentleman.
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
Are you trying to be stealthy about approaching him (if so, roll a Dexterity (Stealth) check), or are you just walking up to him?
Just casually trying to learn more about him. How his day is going. Favorite color. Why he has such an interest in that charming young Dragonborn!
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
So, you're attempting to get close to him as in getting to know him as opposed to getting physically near him? In that case, I think it would be an Intelligence (Investigation) -or- a Wisdom (Insight) check.