Orvo can’t help himself from taking a step back as Ressys assumes his hyena form. “My, that’s…incredible! To see the change with my own eyes, I…thank you”
Studying the images captured by Qidira, the young dwarf strokes his beard. “I’m impressed, this is quite a novel way to copy maps and notes. Hmmm, it seems Gulrim’s path would follow ours for the first part of our journey, but we will be turning west after our second day”
He thinks for a moment when Durnham asks about the animated armor suits: “They seemed alert to our presence and attacked soon after we entered the vault; we only made it into the second room, where we found the Frigid Woe vials”
Qidira, pleased to hear Brandon ask for explanation of Kotar's name, listens intently finding some amusement in how similar street children could be to the ways of a clan far away, but still different.
After he finishes, she reflects. "I like your name, it shows pride of your homeland and that your people were all connected in that they wore the name given them by a respected leader. It gives your clan reason to strive to make a good name for themselves as they will bear it forever. You seem proud of the name, as even far away you still carry it with you."
"I dwelled in a small pocket of Uthodurn, very different from those around me. At first I played at being an Elf which seemed safer as I'd never seen another gnome and the story held until I got a little older and lacked the Charismatic beauty of most elves." Reaching absently to her covered ears, "Then my ears tended more floppy and awkward so I feared they'd give me away. This initially earned me the name 'Elf-child' but later 'Rabbit' as I'd made myself more and more scarce. Finally an old Elf friend asked me for my name and not remembering a 'real' one I said I didn't know. He called me Qidira. So that's what I called myself. I'd asked him why one day before I'd finally left his acquaintance and he said you remind me of a Maiden I once knew who said the name meant strong, powerful and capable. I don't know if that's true, but I liked it and I've used it ever since. The kids on the streets all had names that were more reminiscent of their flaws or visible defects like half-ear, one-eye, scar-face. I suppose I was lucky to get Rabbit." She says quieting a little towards the end remembering those unlucky children.
"But enough of my story." Grinning a little at his compliment of her studies and notes. "Gulrim could yet be found along our path. We should keep watch out, at least while we are in the area." Then listening to Orvo's mention of the Armored suits. "How do you fight such a thing? Did you learn anything useful from the encounter? Did they seem animated by magic or some sort of gadgetry?" Having missed the discussion within the tent in the camp, she hopes not to re-ask questions already mentioned.
“I use it more by habit, to be honest, but I would be lying if I said that part of me don’t like it. It remembers the duels I won, the reward for my effort in training.”It remembers that there is a chance to make my wish come true, he said with the voice of his mind. Qidira’s words echoing in his thoughts. People all connected. He wished that was true. We are raised in too much pride and too little empathy, Kotar reflected casting his eyes upon the flames. “With all due respect, I found your history interesting, and Rabbit sounds like a code-name. The kind secret agents use to hide their identity.”
Then she mentioned the armors. The goliath was surprised by how much they had slipped his mind. I’m too lost in my thoughts, he admitted, blaming his unending meditation session in the Rhemorhaz for it. They had created a habit and one all too easy to follow there, so close to the place he once called home.
“Orvo, can you remember if the suits were particularly carefull to not damage the vault?”Kotar asked, a silly plan crossing his mind. “If they were then maybe we could use objects or pieces of the room like shields.”
Orvo seems unsure: "They just seemed intent on attacking us. I don't recall any reluctance on their part to damage the vault itself, they just advanced. Once we were outside though, they stopped and did not pursue us"
Qidira smiles at the reference to her former nickname. "It was fun, did sort of make me feel that way."
To Orvo, "It seems that they were charged only with keeping people out, but would have exceptions for those permitted to be there. Either with phrases, appearance or some other form of recognition for them. Stealth might work some, but with all of our gear, not likely long. How tall was the room compared to these Armor things? I could try to climb up to create a distraction? Did they have any range to their attacks?"
“Well… magic to dispel or stop these things from functioning is beyond me. You mentioned earlier that there might be a way to disable them in the vault… did you see anything that might control them or deactivate them somehow? We may just have to enter and be prepared to fight our way through them.”
Ressys leaned forward during the discussion of names. His ears perked up. "My people adopt elven names when they must deal with outsiders, although the concept of names strikes us as strange. That is where the name Ressys came from. We know the animals and plants of the forest without formal names, and instead identify the forest’s children by their deeds, habits, and other actions. By the same token, our clan names merely refer to our homes. When dealing with other races, we refer to our lands by whatever name the surrounding folk use, as a matter of tact and hospitality, but among our own kind we simply call it “home.” Sometimes firbolgs adopt the nicknames or titles outsiders give them under the assumption that those who need names can call them whatever they wish. Ressys is just a name used to identify me in the outside world. More often others have called me Winterwalker for my habits and actions. Other firbolgs use it, and many people in the Greying wildlands also use it."
Qidira ponders quietly what sort of disadvantages an animated suit of armor might have as she listens to the others. Then notes with some surprise that she'd never considered that animals don't address each other by name. It was so obvious, but the difference had never occurred to her.
Orvo considers the idea of crawling above the armour suits: “The ceilings are about ten feet high I’d say, the armour about six or seven. There’s a gap if you can stick to flat surfaces and be super sneaky I suppose. They didn’t throw or fire anything at us that I noticed”
To Durnham he says “Indeed, I would have a deactivation phrase or item if I built them, but did not see one in our brief venture. Fighting through them may well be our only choice if we want to explore the vault and find a cure”
He then listens, interested, to the discourse on names among different cultures. “Huh, I never thought of that. Where I’m from, a name is a name – your folks give it to you, and that’s you set for life”
He pokes the fire idly for a moment and then says “Well, unless we have any more planning to do, I suggest we get our heads down. Full day of fast-pacing across the cold tomorrow, get some miles eaten up. We’re still a few days from the vault”
Ressys’ history left Kotar questioning if all firbolgs had the same practice when it came to names and it didn’t come from them living is smaller communities, where indeed names where not much of a necessity. He also felt curious to know how the druid came about his first name. This leaded him to think all goliaths followed the three names practice. He doubted that, after all different places create different practices. But then, Exandria was a strange place.
Before he could voice any of his questions Orvo mentioned the hour and wisely reminded that their journey was but at the start. Winterwalker was fast to agree and both the men where right.
“I would say our best bet against the armors are blunt weapons and damaging spells.” The fighter said starting to prepare his bedroll. “Stealth may come in handy to finding them before they find us.”He mentioned to Qidira while putting his weapons to rest. “Call me if any of you need anything.”
And taking his splinter armor Kotar went to sleep. Part of him wanted to meditate a little before resting, but in the end, he decided it was best to ensure the repose. The next days would be long ones, of that he was quite sure.
Brandon stares in the fire, lost in his thoughts for most of the evening, but still very much aware of the conversation going on around him. “Names?”he looks over at Qidira and Kotar “It seems fitting that one can earn their name through their skill or actions. A badge of honor you can make your own. Like Orvo, where I come from it is given to you from your parents and not much is thought of the why. Then I joined the Righteous Brand, just one face among many. Then after, names mattered even less…”his voice fades away.
“No matter, it is time for rest. We should remain on the lookout tomorrow for any sign of the Professor’s travels. If his group passed this way they may have left some clues to their whereabouts. We may be able to help them yet. As for the animated armor, if we can’t turn the magic off we may just have to take them apart.” he grins at Kotar and Orvo “some problems just have to be solved with a hammer. I will take the first watch.”
He stands up and moves away from the fire, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness as he watches the perimeter of their small camp. Perception 16.
Durnham nods to the group. “I will take last watch. I usually get up early to prepare my spells each day anyway.” He looks at Brandon a moment and says “I’d like to hear more about this righteous brand… I’m not familiar with them.” But then shrugs and heads towards whichever tent is his and goes to sleep.
The night passes without incident, everyone taking their turn on watch. In the morning, Orvo is up early and starts to prepare breakfast while Durnham finishes his shift on watch.
As the rest of the party wake they find the increasingly relaxed dwarf handing them a mess tin of oatmeal: "I'd add something to flavour it but I forgot my spice rack" he says drily. Snow starts to fall in thick flakes, reducing visibility to about 60ft. The effect is eerie, like being in a photo negative of night time.
As you start to take down tents and roll up your kit there is a sudden chittering noise from somewhere beyond your visible limit. Orvo's face suddenly looks serious as he says "That's not good - sounds like mephits. Anyone fancy going out there to check? Or wait here to see if they attack?"
(Anyone trying to recall information about mephits can make a Nature check, which Kotar may make with advantage)
At the chittering sound and the warning from Orvo, Durnham stands with his spellbook in hand (which he was already studying in preparation for the day’s spells). When Orvo mentions Mephits, he tries to remember if he’s read anything about these creatures.
4 Nature
“Memphis? What are Memphis?” He looks at Orvo with concern.
The following morning, rested and ready to go Ressys helps pack the tents up. As he hear's the chattering noise his head snaps up and his ears lay back. He knew of mephits, especially ice mephits.
Qidira pops out of her bedroll having rolled up cat-like into her bedroll to make the most of any heat she could command from it and hearing 'Ice' quickly says, "We need fire, they probably hate it." Then wishing she still had the lit torch looks at the deepening snow around them. "I don't know the terrain, but I'm inclined to think it'd be better to fight here than out there?" She says drawing her regular daggers and taking cover by one of the tents preparing to throw at the first one to show itself. While waiting, she ponders any mention of Mephits from the journal. (Not using the advantage from them yet Nature12 )
Initiative when needed 6 (unless its too early of course and I should roll again :P - but I do like those other rolls...)
Daggerattacks to two different targets once within range
Durnham grins at Qidira. “Fire… that’s something I can do alll day long.” He lifts his staff and puts his spellbook away in his backpack and then twirls the staff. As he raises the staff parallel to the ground and points it at the dying campfire he says “Flambé!” A firebolt streaks towards the embers and the flames brighten again with renewed heat.
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Noob
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Orvo can’t help himself from taking a step back as Ressys assumes his hyena form. “My, that’s…incredible! To see the change with my own eyes, I…thank you”
Studying the images captured by Qidira, the young dwarf strokes his beard. “I’m impressed, this is quite a novel way to copy maps and notes. Hmmm, it seems Gulrim’s path would follow ours for the first part of our journey, but we will be turning west after our second day”
He thinks for a moment when Durnham asks about the animated armor suits: “They seemed alert to our presence and attacked soon after we entered the vault; we only made it into the second room, where we found the Frigid Woe vials”
Qidira, pleased to hear Brandon ask for explanation of Kotar's name, listens intently finding some amusement in how similar street children could be to the ways of a clan far away, but still different.
After he finishes, she reflects. "I like your name, it shows pride of your homeland and that your people were all connected in that they wore the name given them by a respected leader. It gives your clan reason to strive to make a good name for themselves as they will bear it forever. You seem proud of the name, as even far away you still carry it with you."
"I dwelled in a small pocket of Uthodurn, very different from those around me. At first I played at being an Elf which seemed safer as I'd never seen another gnome and the story held until I got a little older and lacked the Charismatic beauty of most elves." Reaching absently to her covered ears, "Then my ears tended more floppy and awkward so I feared they'd give me away. This initially earned me the name 'Elf-child' but later 'Rabbit' as I'd made myself more and more scarce. Finally an old Elf friend asked me for my name and not remembering a 'real' one I said I didn't know. He called me Qidira. So that's what I called myself. I'd asked him why one day before I'd finally left his acquaintance and he said you remind me of a Maiden I once knew who said the name meant strong, powerful and capable. I don't know if that's true, but I liked it and I've used it ever since. The kids on the streets all had names that were more reminiscent of their flaws or visible defects like half-ear, one-eye, scar-face. I suppose I was lucky to get Rabbit." She says quieting a little towards the end remembering those unlucky children.
"But enough of my story." Grinning a little at his compliment of her studies and notes. "Gulrim could yet be found along our path. We should keep watch out, at least while we are in the area." Then listening to Orvo's mention of the Armored suits. "How do you fight such a thing? Did you learn anything useful from the encounter? Did they seem animated by magic or some sort of gadgetry?" Having missed the discussion within the tent in the camp, she hopes not to re-ask questions already mentioned.
“I use it more by habit, to be honest, but I would be lying if I said that part of me don’t like it. It remembers the duels I won, the reward for my effort in training.” It remembers that there is a chance to make my wish come true, he said with the voice of his mind. Qidira’s words echoing in his thoughts. People all connected. He wished that was true. We are raised in too much pride and too little empathy, Kotar reflected casting his eyes upon the flames. “With all due respect, I found your history interesting, and Rabbit sounds like a code-name. The kind secret agents use to hide their identity.”
Then she mentioned the armors. The goliath was surprised by how much they had slipped his mind. I’m too lost in my thoughts, he admitted, blaming his unending meditation session in the Rhemorhaz for it. They had created a habit and one all too easy to follow there, so close to the place he once called home.
“Orvo, can you remember if the suits were particularly carefull to not damage the vault?” Kotar asked, a silly plan crossing his mind. “If they were then maybe we could use objects or pieces of the room like shields.”
Orvo seems unsure: "They just seemed intent on attacking us. I don't recall any reluctance on their part to damage the vault itself, they just advanced. Once we were outside though, they stopped and did not pursue us"
Qidira smiles at the reference to her former nickname. "It was fun, did sort of make me feel that way."
To Orvo, "It seems that they were charged only with keeping people out, but would have exceptions for those permitted to be there. Either with phrases, appearance or some other form of recognition for them. Stealth might work some, but with all of our gear, not likely long. How tall was the room compared to these Armor things? I could try to climb up to create a distraction? Did they have any range to their attacks?"
“Well… magic to dispel or stop these things from functioning is beyond me. You mentioned earlier that there might be a way to disable them in the vault… did you see anything that might control them or deactivate them somehow? We may just have to enter and be prepared to fight our way through them.”
Noob
Ressys leaned forward during the discussion of names. His ears perked up. "My people adopt elven names when they must deal with outsiders, although the concept of names strikes us as strange. That is where the name Ressys came from. We know the animals and plants of the forest without formal names, and instead identify the forest’s children by their deeds, habits, and other actions. By the same token, our clan names merely refer to our homes. When dealing with other races, we refer to our lands by whatever name the surrounding folk use, as a matter of tact and hospitality, but among our own kind we simply call it “home.” Sometimes firbolgs adopt the nicknames or titles outsiders give them under the assumption that those who need names can call them whatever they wish. Ressys is just a name used to identify me in the outside world. More often others have called me Winterwalker for my habits and actions. Other firbolgs use it, and many people in the Greying wildlands also use it."
Qidira ponders quietly what sort of disadvantages an animated suit of armor might have as she listens to the others. Then notes with some surprise that she'd never considered that animals don't address each other by name. It was so obvious, but the difference had never occurred to her.
Orvo considers the idea of crawling above the armour suits: “The ceilings are about ten feet high I’d say, the armour about six or seven. There’s a gap if you can stick to flat surfaces and be super sneaky I suppose. They didn’t throw or fire anything at us that I noticed”
To Durnham he says “Indeed, I would have a deactivation phrase or item if I built them, but did not see one in our brief venture. Fighting through them may well be our only choice if we want to explore the vault and find a cure”
He then listens, interested, to the discourse on names among different cultures. “Huh, I never thought of that. Where I’m from, a name is a name – your folks give it to you, and that’s you set for life”
He pokes the fire idly for a moment and then says “Well, unless we have any more planning to do, I suggest we get our heads down. Full day of fast-pacing across the cold tomorrow, get some miles eaten up. We’re still a few days from the vault”
Wrapping himself tightly in his cloak Ressys heads for one of the tents. "I agree, let us rest while we can. Wake me when it is my watch."
Ressys’ history left Kotar questioning if all firbolgs had the same practice when it came to names and it didn’t come from them living is smaller communities, where indeed names where not much of a necessity. He also felt curious to know how the druid came about his first name. This leaded him to think all goliaths followed the three names practice. He doubted that, after all different places create different practices. But then, Exandria was a strange place.
Before he could voice any of his questions Orvo mentioned the hour and wisely reminded that their journey was but at the start. Winterwalker was fast to agree and both the men where right.
“I would say our best bet against the armors are blunt weapons and damaging spells.” The fighter said starting to prepare his bedroll. “Stealth may come in handy to finding them before they find us.” He mentioned to Qidira while putting his weapons to rest. “Call me if any of you need anything.”
And taking his splinter armor Kotar went to sleep. Part of him wanted to meditate a little before resting, but in the end, he decided it was best to ensure the repose. The next days would be long ones, of that he was quite sure.
Brandon stares in the fire, lost in his thoughts for most of the evening, but still very much aware of the conversation going on around him. “Names?” he looks over at Qidira and Kotar “It seems fitting that one can earn their name through their skill or actions. A badge of honor you can make your own. Like Orvo, where I come from it is given to you from your parents and not much is thought of the why. Then I joined the Righteous Brand, just one face among many. Then after, names mattered even less…” his voice fades away.
“No matter, it is time for rest. We should remain on the lookout tomorrow for any sign of the Professor’s travels. If his group passed this way they may have left some clues to their whereabouts. We may be able to help them yet. As for the animated armor, if we can’t turn the magic off we may just have to take them apart.” he grins at Kotar and Orvo “some problems just have to be solved with a hammer. I will take the first watch.”
He stands up and moves away from the fire, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness as he watches the perimeter of their small camp. Perception 16.
Qidira nods to Brandon and tucks into her bedroll for a couple hours. "Wake me when your watch is up and then I will watch until Ressys."
Durnham nods to the group. “I will take last watch. I usually get up early to prepare my spells each day anyway.” He looks at Brandon a moment and says “I’d like to hear more about this righteous brand… I’m not familiar with them.” But then shrugs and heads towards whichever tent is his and goes to sleep.
Noob
The night passes without incident, everyone taking their turn on watch. In the morning, Orvo is up early and starts to prepare breakfast while Durnham finishes his shift on watch.
As the rest of the party wake they find the increasingly relaxed dwarf handing them a mess tin of oatmeal: "I'd add something to flavour it but I forgot my spice rack" he says drily. Snow starts to fall in thick flakes, reducing visibility to about 60ft. The effect is eerie, like being in a photo negative of night time.
As you start to take down tents and roll up your kit there is a sudden chittering noise from somewhere beyond your visible limit. Orvo's face suddenly looks serious as he says "That's not good - sounds like mephits. Anyone fancy going out there to check? Or wait here to see if they attack?"
(Anyone trying to recall information about mephits can make a Nature check, which Kotar may make with advantage)
At the chittering sound and the warning from Orvo, Durnham stands with his spellbook in hand (which he was already studying in preparation for the day’s spells). When Orvo mentions Mephits, he tries to remember if he’s read anything about these creatures.
4 Nature
“Memphis? What are Memphis?” He looks at Orvo with concern.
Noob
Nature 19
The following morning, rested and ready to go Ressys helps pack the tents up. As he hear's the chattering noise his head snaps up and his ears lay back. He knew of mephits, especially ice mephits.
Nature Check: 18
Qidira pops out of her bedroll having rolled up cat-like into her bedroll to make the most of any heat she could command from it and hearing 'Ice' quickly says, "We need fire, they probably hate it." Then wishing she still had the lit torch looks at the deepening snow around them. "I don't know the terrain, but I'm inclined to think it'd be better to fight here than out there?" She says drawing her regular daggers and taking cover by one of the tents preparing to throw at the first one to show itself. While waiting, she ponders any mention of Mephits from the journal. (Not using the advantage from them yet Nature 12 )
Initiative when needed 6 (unless its too early of course and I should roll again :P - but I do like those other rolls...)
Dagger attacks to two different targets once within range
Dagger one thrown Attack: 15 Damage: 5
Dagger two thrown Attack: 18 Damage: 1
Durnham grins at Qidira. “Fire… that’s something I can do alll day long.” He lifts his staff and puts his spellbook away in his backpack and then twirls the staff. As he raises the staff parallel to the ground and points it at the dying campfire he says “Flambé!” A firebolt streaks towards the embers and the flames brighten again with renewed heat.
Noob