There are six pumpkin patches. Nova found the one with the biggest pumpkin and has sprawled herself on top of it while a nearby boar grazes. She converses with it, even if it was pretty much one sided. Meandering off in his own direction, Hansel would come to notice he’s sharing his patch with a boar as well. There appeared to be plentiful of luscious, shapely pumpkins, however only one boar per patch and no orcs to be found.
KD and Hal watch over Onu as he delicately retraces his step like a practices dance and returns safely.
“Then, shall we explore together?” Fae goes to offer her elbow to Auric as she snaps closed her spellbook, only to look up and be reminded the Dragonborn had cloaked himself in invisibility. A soft hum of amusement to her mistake, she corrects. “I’ll lead.” The wizard pulls down her hood, eyes inked black in concentration of a spell.
Fae marches forward, up the stairs, to the front door of the manse and helps herself in. She walks through the hall, turns to the right and begins taking the stone steps which lead down to a flagstoned courtyard that has a pillared arcade to the east. Seven windows on the upper level overlook the courtyard, in the middle of which is a five-foot-wide stone well with thick vines erupting from it.
KD stays with the group, just behind Fae, and sends curious Hal up to run point. She's got a crossbow bolt loaded and ready to shoot at the first threat she sees.
Fae puts a hand up to signal the party to pause and listen then gestures to the southeast corner of the manse. Guttural snorts and yells erupt from that direction, signaling the presence of others nearby. “The orcs you seek are close.” She says quietly before adding with emphasis. “And we must burn it down.” The wizards blackened eyes are focused on the contents of the well. Her jaw clenches and unclenches.
...stone steps which lead down to a flagstoned courtyard that has a pillared arcade to the east. Seven windows on the upper level overlook the courtyard, in the middle of which is a five-foot-wide stone well with thick vines erupting from it.
Hansel looks at where Fae is looking, then whispers: You want us to burn down.. the well?
The cleric walks tentatively over to the stone well, and leans over carefully to peer inside.
Perception check to see or hear anything inside the well: 20
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Auric:
While Hansel looks in the well, Auric moves over to the southeast corner of the manse. He tries hard to be quiet, though the invisibility helps immensely with not being seen. He follows the sounds and looks for their source.
Stealth: 5
Perception: 18
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Map Update! (Yellow - Auric's Scout Path: Rooms W6 and W7 inspected. W5 peeped.) (Red - Onu's Path: Balcony W2 and W14 (Second Floor Not Shown)) (Purple - Fae's lead into the Courtyard W8) (Orange Section - Auric confirms the Orc sounds are coming from above W9 (in W18 Second Floor Not Shown))
"The tree." Fae responds to Hansel as he takes a closer look.
Hansel comes to realize that the well, which is 30 feet deep, indeed contains a tree, the roots of which extend deep underground. With little room to spread out, the tree has grown into a malformed column of twisted wood with narrow gaps between its curling branches. Hidden in the shaft are a number of masses of slithering creepers which form a descending column, with the closest one 5 feet below the well’s mouth
The noises which consist of guttural snorts and yells are not coming from the well. They are coming from the southeast corner of the manse, in which Fae had pointed out. This is the direction in which the invisible Auric heads. While no one would see his intentional approach towards the sounds, they'd hear him trip over the trees roots along the way.
While he couldn't make out the words, Auric could recognize orcs speaking their native tongue. He'd be able to confirm that they weren't located on the bottom floor of the manse. They were above the south east room, on the second floor. Considering this was on the complete other side of the manse from where he investigated earlier, it made sense he didn't hear anything until now.
Well, it is rather unsightly...muses Hansel quietly as he looks again at the twisted mass of vines and branches. And Fae seemed quite determined about the course of action...
Hansel looks around again for the only fire-breathing member of his crew, but then remembers that Auric is invisible. Doubting that Mr Dark or Xenophon or Stacey have any magic means of creating fire, he returns to the group and removes his pack and shield, then begins rummaging around for his tinderbox. Do you suppose we would need some kind of kindling? he asks no-one in particular...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Onu draws his blade, deftly swinging it through the air while lightly bouncing on his toes. He glances towards KD 'Hal and I can keep them busy, you keep us covered?'
KD nods. "If we can get them in a line, I've got a surprise I've been working on. Goal is to take them out, and the tree, right Fae? Anything we want to preserve?"KD says. She looks up at the room that's the source of the noise and tries to find the entries and exits from there. Windows, hallways, stairwells... are there open windows to the courtyard?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
This courtyard is, was, the centre piece of this mansion. It is, was, the heart and soul of this once beautiful manse. It is surrounded by the structure. On the bottom floor KD can count five patio entrances, including the one Fae lead the group through. She also counts seven windows scattered amongst the upper floors, with two balconies. One of those belonged to the room where the sound of the orcs were coming from. The artificer is met with a confirming nod from Fae. “I imagine there’s a research lab within the manse if you wish to preserve the data. And if you’re in the market for a ‘fixer upper’, maybe we can refrain from burning it all down.” She suggests. Targets are the orcs and the nefarious evil in the manse.
“Avert your eyes if unsightly offends you, Sir Hansel.” The wizard drops her robes from her shoulders, then slides her arms out and neatly folds it. Things were about to get hot in here. Underneath the robes she rarely ever sheds, Fae wears a simple black tank top and leggings, fully exposing her scarred flesh. The burns from her hands blanket the length of her forearms, all the way to her shoulders which then fade to flecked patches where the flames kissed her clavicles, chest and neck. ”Are you familiar with the Gulthias Tree?” She asks as she tucks her robes away into her bag of holding.
“If you wish to keep your eyebrows Sir Hansel, I encourage you to distance yourself from the well and prepare for the orcs which are about to swarm this space.” Fae steps forward towards the well. “Xenophon, Auric, if I may request the support of your unique talents.” She expects them to take up a safe position at her side where they could all focus flame into the well. If they timed it well, and concentrated their fire power into the core of the well, they will inflict an intensely efficient wave that should scorch the evil in it’s place.
“Together.” The wizard holds both hands out , straight ahead of her, touching her forefinger and thumb together in a diamond formation. She begins whispering a chanted incantation. Fire flickers to life between her flame scarred hands, reflecting on the mirrored surface of her black orbs for eyes. When she’d sense Xeno and Auric ready at her side, Fae closes her eyes, inhales a deep breath, then exhales, unleashing a flame thrower as if on full throttle, into the heart of the well.
Casting: Burning Hands lvl 2 (Dex ST DC16) Damage: 14
Initiative Time! (Roll initiative. Surprise/Preparation Round first. Then we launch into initiative. Please provide a surprise/preparation round action.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hansel declines the invitation to avert his eyes, saying as Fae removes her cloak: Oh, how bad could it possibly... Ugh! That's grotesque! Then with a grimace, he averts his eyes from further contamination.
Initiative: 4
Surprise round Action: Bless on Onu, Hamish, and Xenophon.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Onu returns back to the group, carefully retracing his steps and giving a quick report to the rest of the team of what he found - nothing.
'Not in there. But I've got a bad feeling about this....'
There are six pumpkin patches. Nova found the one with the biggest pumpkin and has sprawled herself on top of it while a nearby boar grazes. She converses with it, even if it was pretty much one sided. Meandering off in his own direction, Hansel would come to notice he’s sharing his patch with a boar as well. There appeared to be plentiful of luscious, shapely pumpkins, however only one boar per patch and no orcs to be found.
KD and Hal watch over Onu as he delicately retraces his step like a practices dance and returns safely.
“Then, shall we explore together?” Fae goes to offer her elbow to Auric as she snaps closed her spellbook, only to look up and be reminded the Dragonborn had cloaked himself in invisibility. A soft hum of amusement to her mistake, she corrects. “I’ll lead.” The wizard pulls down her hood, eyes inked black in concentration of a spell.
Fae marches forward, up the stairs, to the front door of the manse and helps herself in. She walks through the hall, turns to the right and begins taking the stone steps which lead down to a flagstoned courtyard that has a pillared arcade to the east. Seven windows on the upper level overlook the courtyard, in the middle of which is a five-foot-wide stone well with thick vines erupting from it.
just an unstable unicorn.
Auric:
"A most splendid suggestion," replies Auric, cautiously following his spellcasting companion.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Hansel too follows Fae's lead, trying not to accidently bump in to the invisible Auric.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
KD stays with the group, just behind Fae, and sends curious Hal up to run point. She's got a crossbow bolt loaded and ready to shoot at the first threat she sees.
Xenophon enters the room behind Fae and the others, but not too close behind to avoid bumping into anyone
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Onu has loosened his blade in his walking stick and is prowling with Hal, looking for traps, tracks or anything suspicious.
Hamish follows the group. He is not sneaky but tries his best not to make too much noise.
Fae puts a hand up to signal the party to pause and listen then gestures to the southeast corner of the manse. Guttural snorts and yells erupt from that direction, signaling the presence of others nearby. “The orcs you seek are close.” She says quietly before adding with emphasis. “And we must burn it down.” The wizards blackened eyes are focused on the contents of the well. Her jaw clenches and unclenches.
just an unstable unicorn.
The noises are coming from a well in the floor?
Hansel looks at where Fae is looking, then whispers: You want us to burn down.. the well?
The cleric walks tentatively over to the stone well, and leans over carefully to peer inside.
Perception check to see or hear anything inside the well: 20
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Auric:
While Hansel looks in the well, Auric moves over to the southeast corner of the manse. He tries hard to be quiet, though the invisibility helps immensely with not being seen. He follows the sounds and looks for their source.
Stealth: 5
Perception: 18
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Map Update!

(Yellow - Auric's Scout Path: Rooms W6 and W7 inspected. W5 peeped.)
(Red - Onu's Path: Balcony W2 and W14 (Second Floor Not Shown))
(Purple - Fae's lead into the Courtyard W8)
(Orange Section - Auric confirms the Orc sounds are coming from above W9 (in W18 Second Floor Not Shown))
"The tree." Fae responds to Hansel as he takes a closer look.
Hansel comes to realize that the well, which is 30 feet deep, indeed contains a tree, the roots of which extend deep underground. With little room to spread out, the tree has grown into a malformed column of twisted wood with narrow gaps between its curling branches. Hidden in the shaft are a number of masses of slithering creepers which form a descending column, with the closest one 5 feet below the well’s mouth
The noises which consist of guttural snorts and yells are not coming from the well. They are coming from the southeast corner of the manse, in which Fae had pointed out. This is the direction in which the invisible Auric heads. While no one would see his intentional approach towards the sounds, they'd hear him trip over the trees roots along the way.
While he couldn't make out the words, Auric could recognize orcs speaking their native tongue. He'd be able to confirm that they weren't located on the bottom floor of the manse. They were above the south east room, on the second floor. Considering this was on the complete other side of the manse from where he investigated earlier, it made sense he didn't hear anything until now.
Zoom Zoom

just an unstable unicorn.
Well, it is rather unsightly... muses Hansel quietly as he looks again at the twisted mass of vines and branches. And Fae seemed quite determined about the course of action...
Hansel looks around again for the only fire-breathing member of his crew, but then remembers that Auric is invisible. Doubting that Mr Dark or Xenophon or Stacey have any magic means of creating fire, he returns to the group and removes his pack and shield, then begins rummaging around for his tinderbox. Do you suppose we would need some kind of kindling? he asks no-one in particular...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Onu draws his blade, deftly swinging it through the air while lightly bouncing on his toes. He glances towards KD 'Hal and I can keep them busy, you keep us covered?'
KD nods. "If we can get them in a line, I've got a surprise I've been working on. Goal is to take them out, and the tree, right Fae? Anything we want to preserve?" KD says. She looks up at the room that's the source of the noise and tries to find the entries and exits from there. Windows, hallways, stairwells... are there open windows to the courtyard?
This courtyard is, was, the centre piece of this mansion. It is, was, the heart and soul of this once beautiful manse. It is surrounded by the structure. On the bottom floor KD can count five patio entrances, including the one Fae lead the group through. She also counts seven windows scattered amongst the upper floors, with two balconies. One of those belonged to the room where the sound of the orcs were coming from. The artificer is met with a confirming nod from Fae. “I imagine there’s a research lab within the manse if you wish to preserve the data. And if you’re in the market for a ‘fixer upper’, maybe we can refrain from burning it all down.” She suggests. Targets are the orcs and the nefarious evil in the manse.
“Avert your eyes if unsightly offends you, Sir Hansel.” The wizard drops her robes from her shoulders, then slides her arms out and neatly folds it. Things were about to get hot in here. Underneath the robes she rarely ever sheds, Fae wears a simple black tank top and leggings, fully exposing her scarred flesh. The burns from her hands blanket the length of her forearms, all the way to her shoulders which then fade to flecked patches where the flames kissed her clavicles, chest and neck. ”Are you familiar with the Gulthias Tree?” She asks as she tucks her robes away into her bag of holding.
“If you wish to keep your eyebrows Sir Hansel, I encourage you to distance yourself from the well and prepare for the orcs which are about to swarm this space.” Fae steps forward towards the well. “Xenophon, Auric, if I may request the support of your unique talents.” She expects them to take up a safe position at her side where they could all focus flame into the well. If they timed it well, and concentrated their fire power into the core of the well, they will inflict an intensely efficient wave that should scorch the evil in it’s place.
“Together.” The wizard holds both hands out , straight ahead of her, touching her forefinger and thumb together in a diamond formation. She begins whispering a chanted incantation. Fire flickers to life between her flame scarred hands, reflecting on the mirrored surface of her black orbs for eyes. When she’d sense Xeno and Auric ready at her side, Fae closes her eyes, inhales a deep breath, then exhales, unleashing a flame thrower as if on full throttle, into the heart of the well.
Casting: Burning Hands lvl 2 (Dex ST DC16) Damage: 14
Initiative Time!
(Roll initiative. Surprise/Preparation Round first. Then we launch into initiative. Please provide a surprise/preparation round action.)
Fae: 7
Roll Call: Everyone participating!
just an unstable unicorn.
(Correction: DC14)
just an unstable unicorn.
Hansel declines the invitation to avert his eyes, saying as Fae removes her cloak: Oh, how bad could it possibly... Ugh! That's grotesque! Then with a grimace, he averts his eyes from further contamination.
Initiative: 4
Surprise round Action: Bless on Onu, Hamish, and Xenophon.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Auric:
Joining Fae at the top of the well, Auric combines his magic with hers, pouring fire down the well.
Burning Hands DC 14 Dexterity Save: 7
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"