This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Perception: 9
As the foursome leaves town, Bart makes sure to introduce the two new females to Fode, his brown and white mustang, who Bart is leading on foot at the moment. The horse is broad with muscle — not at all a riding horse — though clearly not a warhorse, either. Fode does have a saddle, however, as well as saddlebags. The creature is loaded down with various things including its own feed bags, a heavy crossbow, a wooden shield, and a pike. Bart has the stranger's sword strapped to his back and a shortsword dangling from one hip. It's only after Alva and Cora have been introduced to Fode that Bart introduces himself. "I'm Barthen Lamplighter," he says, smiling a very warm smile. "But you can call me Bart. Everybody does." While he is speaking directly at Alva and Cora, his eyes often dart toward Ini. It's pretty clear that the two know each other, the way he keeps "checking in" with her. Bart fills the road silence by telling his own tale — how he is from Mut where his family has kept the lighthouse for generations, how he went to Oppara and joined the Phalanx, and how he learned to swing a sword and wield a pike. He tells them he found Fode tied up and left alone on his journey south to Heldren. Once someone points out the weather, and as they near the trees the locals call the Border Wood, Bart stops chattering and mounts Fode.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
During the first leg of their journey, Ini's eyes keep turned towards the floor, except in that one moment where Bart introduced himself. It's then, that, after waiting for him to finish, she adds her own introduction. "I'm Initish." She takes a small pause, as if trying to see if that was enough for an introduction or not, but then she adds. "Since I walked into Heldren, most have been calling me Ini..." Bart would've heard the story about how her parents used to only ever call her Initish, never shortening it.
After the topic of introductions is done, and after Bart starts telling stories, most of which she'd already heard, Ini goes quiet, looking down again. With Bart's sudden silence and someone calling up about the weather, Ini finally looks up, her eyes dart around, first at the surroundings, then at the snow, which seems to get her interest more than anything else. She's wide-eyed looking at it, trying to hide a little smile.
Alva's paranoia as the party enters the woods fades for a time while introductions are made. The northerner seems quite pleased to meet the horse, and making sure to rub down Fode's mane thoroughly as the group passes along. "A fine mount. Seems you two have a bond. He's lucky to have you, Bart." She makes a clicking sound with her teeth, as if speaking to the beast for a short period, to which the horse responds in kind. Whether the two were actually talking, or it was just chance, could be anyone's guess.
And then it would be her turn. "Alva Elkheart. Alva vill do, as vell." If the party lets her, Alva will make small-talk with Bart about Fode, regaling him with her own tales of the beasts of burden she raised further north: riding stags in her home village. She would explain how many of her kin gain their surnames from acts they've done in their life, and most bear their most recent: gained from rearing a particularly stubborn elk. What she decides not to mention, however, is that at any moment they could all decide on a new surname for her. The last thing she'd want is an embarrassing surname to come about due to this excursion.
When snow is sighted, any light-hearted conversation Alva has quickly comes to a close. Instantly, she becomes jumpy and ready for action, as she moves to draw her axe and shield.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Alva Elkheart- Human Ranger (1) Eira Fletcher- Human Barbarian (1)
With your collective eagle-like Perception rolls, you all notice a scene as you approach the Border Wood. On the road, right by the entrance to the wood, you see what appears to be two carriages--one standing upright, the other tipped over--as well as the scattered corpses of human and horse alike. It looks like one figure stands above the rest, however, its hand held out as if to ward something away.
After she's done looking at the snow, Ini comes to spot the individual among the carriages without much of a problem. Because of her distraction, she'd probably be the last one to start moving, which as far as she's concerned is better since being in the back seemed the optimal position for her.
Alva will move to the front of the pack, holding her shield up in a defensive posture as she approaches. Does the figure that's holding its hand up seem to be alive, or was it propped up that way when it was slain?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Alva Elkheart- Human Ranger (1) Eira Fletcher- Human Barbarian (1)
Bart attaches his shield to his arm and decides to draw his new sword in case this is one of the witches. He's pretty sure it isn't, since the stranger said they were small, but you can never be too careful. He encourages Fode to approach.
Ditto on Alva's question. Also, is the hand directed in our direction as if they are warding us away, or is it facing another direction?
On closer inspection, it appears as though the figure standing above the rest seems to be frozen in place, covered in frost and with icicles hanging from it, with its hand held out towards the forest. With your keen senses, you also hear faint sounds of movement coming from the upright carriage.
Here's a map. The frozen figure is A3, and the sounds are coming from A2.
Bart sheathes his blade, dismounts, and loops Fode's reigns around a tree branch to keep the horse from wandering off. Looking at the three females, he makes some deliberate, yet hard-to-decipher motions with his empty hand, clearly trying to silently communicate something about the wagon. Without waiting for them to respond or recognizing any looks of confusion, he begins to carefully move toward the left end of the wagon.
Bart, as you approach the wagon silently, you can hear the sound of scratching coming from the inside. Sounds like at least two separate creatures scratching lazily at the walls or door of the carriage.
Alva shivers as she spots the figure, frozen solid in place. "If ve vere unsure about 'de vinter vitches, 'dere's no doubt now." As Bart sneaks forward, she'll elect to hold back. Rather, she stands close to Fode, still having her axe and shield ready, preparing to charge in after Bart at a moment's notice if something does go wrong.
Getting close to the wagon, Bart pauses and looks quickly over his shoulder. He looks again. He then stops and turns to look directly at the three females. He makes some more silent and yet-still-unknown motions a little impatiently.
As Alva approaches the carriage, the scratching that Bart heard from the inside grows to a more rapid pace, and eventually becomes a loud, banging noise. Suddenly, part of the carriage door bursts open, revealing two zombies on the inside!
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Alva feels a chill run down her spine. She takes a gander about, eyes peeled as if paranoid about the 'witches' that might be present.
Perception: 22
Alva Elkheart - Human Ranger (1)
Eira Fletcher - Human Barbarian (1)
Perception: 9
As the foursome leaves town, Bart makes sure to introduce the two new females to Fode, his brown and white mustang, who Bart is leading on foot at the moment. The horse is broad with muscle — not at all a riding horse — though clearly not a warhorse, either. Fode does have a saddle, however, as well as saddlebags. The creature is loaded down with various things including its own feed bags, a heavy crossbow, a wooden shield, and a pike. Bart has the stranger's sword strapped to his back and a shortsword dangling from one hip. It's only after Alva and Cora have been introduced to Fode that Bart introduces himself. "I'm Barthen Lamplighter," he says, smiling a very warm smile. "But you can call me Bart. Everybody does." While he is speaking directly at Alva and Cora, his eyes often dart toward Ini. It's pretty clear that the two know each other, the way he keeps "checking in" with her. Bart fills the road silence by telling his own tale — how he is from Mut where his family has kept the lighthouse for generations, how he went to Oppara and joined the Phalanx, and how he learned to swing a sword and wield a pike. He tells them he found Fode tied up and left alone on his journey south to Heldren. Once someone points out the weather, and as they near the trees the locals call the Border Wood, Bart stops chattering and mounts Fode.
During the first leg of their journey, Ini's eyes keep turned towards the floor, except in that one moment where Bart introduced himself. It's then, that, after waiting for him to finish, she adds her own introduction. "I'm Initish." She takes a small pause, as if trying to see if that was enough for an introduction or not, but then she adds. "Since I walked into Heldren, most have been calling me Ini..." Bart would've heard the story about how her parents used to only ever call her Initish, never shortening it.
After the topic of introductions is done, and after Bart starts telling stories, most of which she'd already heard, Ini goes quiet, looking down again. With Bart's sudden silence and someone calling up about the weather, Ini finally looks up, her eyes dart around, first at the surroundings, then at the snow, which seems to get her interest more than anything else. She's wide-eyed looking at it, trying to hide a little smile.
Perception: 20
(She/Her)
Velmine - Tiefling, Rogue (9), Swashbuckler - Dead in Thay
Riris Swiftwhistle - Halfling, Bard (4), College of Swords - Lost Mines of Phandelver
Rellahne Vanderboren - Half-Elf, Wizard (4), School of Abjuration - The Shackled City
Ann Hidrizo - Human, Fighter (2) - Amphail Adventures
Sha - Firbolg, Cleric (3), Twilight Domain - Hunt for the Wish Dragon
Alva's paranoia as the party enters the woods fades for a time while introductions are made. The northerner seems quite pleased to meet the horse, and making sure to rub down Fode's mane thoroughly as the group passes along. "A fine mount. Seems you two have a bond. He's lucky to have you, Bart." She makes a clicking sound with her teeth, as if speaking to the beast for a short period, to which the horse responds in kind. Whether the two were actually talking, or it was just chance, could be anyone's guess.
And then it would be her turn. "Alva Elkheart. Alva vill do, as vell." If the party lets her, Alva will make small-talk with Bart about Fode, regaling him with her own tales of the beasts of burden she raised further north: riding stags in her home village. She would explain how many of her kin gain their surnames from acts they've done in their life, and most bear their most recent: gained from rearing a particularly stubborn elk. What she decides not to mention, however, is that at any moment they could all decide on a new surname for her. The last thing she'd want is an embarrassing surname to come about due to this excursion.
When snow is sighted, any light-hearted conversation Alva has quickly comes to a close. Instantly, she becomes jumpy and ready for action, as she moves to draw her axe and shield.
Alva Elkheart - Human Ranger (1)
Eira Fletcher - Human Barbarian (1)
With your collective eagle-like Perception rolls, you all notice a scene as you approach the Border Wood. On the road, right by the entrance to the wood, you see what appears to be two carriages--one standing upright, the other tipped over--as well as the scattered corpses of human and horse alike. It looks like one figure stands above the rest, however, its hand held out as if to ward something away.
DM:
Reign of Winter I Curse of the Crimson Throne
Hell's Vengeance | Giantslayer
Varisian Hexalogy: Rise of the Runelords
Player:
Lucille Underfoot, lv. 1 Halfling Storm Sorcerer | Janna Farooq, lv. 1 Human Celestial Warlock
I strive to post at least once per day on all my PbPs. I ask my players to do the same.
More active on weekdays than weekends.
Assume all of my characters are gay.
Cora looks to the others, and begins to move towards the carriages.
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
After she's done looking at the snow, Ini comes to spot the individual among the carriages without much of a problem. Because of her distraction, she'd probably be the last one to start moving, which as far as she's concerned is better since being in the back seemed the optimal position for her.
(She/Her)
Velmine - Tiefling, Rogue (9), Swashbuckler - Dead in Thay
Riris Swiftwhistle - Halfling, Bard (4), College of Swords - Lost Mines of Phandelver
Rellahne Vanderboren - Half-Elf, Wizard (4), School of Abjuration - The Shackled City
Ann Hidrizo - Human, Fighter (2) - Amphail Adventures
Sha - Firbolg, Cleric (3), Twilight Domain - Hunt for the Wish Dragon
Alva will move to the front of the pack, holding her shield up in a defensive posture as she approaches. Does the figure that's holding its hand up seem to be alive, or was it propped up that way when it was slain?
Alva Elkheart - Human Ranger (1)
Eira Fletcher - Human Barbarian (1)
Bart attaches his shield to his arm and decides to draw his new sword in case this is one of the witches. He's pretty sure it isn't, since the stranger said they were small, but you can never be too careful. He encourages Fode to approach.
Ditto on Alva's question. Also, is the hand directed in our direction as if they are warding us away, or is it facing another direction?
On closer inspection, it appears as though the figure standing above the rest seems to be frozen in place, covered in frost and with icicles hanging from it, with its hand held out towards the forest. With your keen senses, you also hear faint sounds of movement coming from the upright carriage.
Here's a map. The frozen figure is A3, and the sounds are coming from A2.
DM:
Reign of Winter I Curse of the Crimson Throne
Hell's Vengeance | Giantslayer
Varisian Hexalogy: Rise of the Runelords
Player:
Lucille Underfoot, lv. 1 Halfling Storm Sorcerer | Janna Farooq, lv. 1 Human Celestial Warlock
I strive to post at least once per day on all my PbPs. I ask my players to do the same.
More active on weekdays than weekends.
Assume all of my characters are gay.
Bart sheathes his blade, dismounts, and loops Fode's reigns around a tree branch to keep the horse from wandering off. Looking at the three females, he makes some deliberate, yet hard-to-decipher motions with his empty hand, clearly trying to silently communicate something about the wagon. Without waiting for them to respond or recognizing any looks of confusion, he begins to carefully move toward the left end of the wagon.
Stealth: 17
Bart, as you approach the wagon silently, you can hear the sound of scratching coming from the inside. Sounds like at least two separate creatures scratching lazily at the walls or door of the carriage.
DM:
Reign of Winter I Curse of the Crimson Throne
Hell's Vengeance | Giantslayer
Varisian Hexalogy: Rise of the Runelords
Player:
Lucille Underfoot, lv. 1 Halfling Storm Sorcerer | Janna Farooq, lv. 1 Human Celestial Warlock
I strive to post at least once per day on all my PbPs. I ask my players to do the same.
More active on weekdays than weekends.
Assume all of my characters are gay.
Alva shivers as she spots the figure, frozen solid in place. "If ve vere unsure about 'de vinter vitches, 'dere's no doubt now." As Bart sneaks forward, she'll elect to hold back. Rather, she stands close to Fode, still having her axe and shield ready, preparing to charge in after Bart at a moment's notice if something does go wrong.
Alva Elkheart - Human Ranger (1)
Eira Fletcher - Human Barbarian (1)
Getting close to the wagon, Bart pauses and looks quickly over his shoulder. He looks again. He then stops and turns to look directly at the three females. He makes some more silent and yet-still-unknown motions a little impatiently.
Alva isn't super bright, so she's going to take this as her cue to move up. She'll follow shortly behind Bart, attempting to be as quiet as she can.
At least, as quiet as her scale mail will allow her. Stealth: 5 (Rolling w/ disadvantage for armor.)
Alva Elkheart - Human Ranger (1)
Eira Fletcher - Human Barbarian (1)
As Alva approaches the carriage, the scratching that Bart heard from the inside grows to a more rapid pace, and eventually becomes a loud, banging noise. Suddenly, part of the carriage door bursts open, revealing two zombies on the inside!
Everybody roll initiative!
DM:
Reign of Winter I Curse of the Crimson Throne
Hell's Vengeance | Giantslayer
Varisian Hexalogy: Rise of the Runelords
Player:
Lucille Underfoot, lv. 1 Halfling Storm Sorcerer | Janna Farooq, lv. 1 Human Celestial Warlock
I strive to post at least once per day on all my PbPs. I ask my players to do the same.
More active on weekdays than weekends.
Assume all of my characters are gay.
Ini's still nowhere near the action, her situation of being in the back becoming her main plan just before Alva approached the carriage after Bart.
Initiative: 12
(She/Her)
Velmine - Tiefling, Rogue (9), Swashbuckler - Dead in Thay
Riris Swiftwhistle - Halfling, Bard (4), College of Swords - Lost Mines of Phandelver
Rellahne Vanderboren - Half-Elf, Wizard (4), School of Abjuration - The Shackled City
Ann Hidrizo - Human, Fighter (2) - Amphail Adventures
Sha - Firbolg, Cleric (3), Twilight Domain - Hunt for the Wish Dragon
Alva sees the zombies, and feels her heart sink.
Initiative: 9
Alva Elkheart - Human Ranger (1)
Eira Fletcher - Human Barbarian (1)
"Zombies!" Bart yells, drawing his new sword. "Gozreh protect us!"
Initiative: 19