CRAP+ is stumped for the moment. Utar is worried about how inaccessible the cave has become, while the lack of an immediate assault puts Graxx on edge. Neya tries to determine if the hanging figures and trinkets have any specific religious significance but guesses that, if any, perhaps the villagers may see them as a symbol of worship or respect toward the crones. Otherwise, they invoke witchcraft rather than devotion. There is no doubt the figures have been touched by magic.
Dornal speaks up: "What now? Back to the village?"
Thokk follows it up: "Perhaps we should bring the fight to them."
Looking bout, the group is reminded that Rag hasn't been with the group for a while. Not only that but, now, Bigar is also missing.
Having no doubt that Neya is correct and that the convenient cave in might just be another layer of protection for the coven, Utar comes round to Dornal and Thokk's way of thinking. The village might be a trap, but if it is, then at least it might give them the opportunity to feel like they're doing something productive.
"I guess its time to head into the village then, if that's where they want to fight us, let's give it to them."
Checking that the rest of CRAP+ share the same sentiment, Utar clocks that Bigar is no longer with the group. Rag being the sneaky thief he is didn't worry him too much, losing a big, green novice wizard... Cursing, he casts a wary eye about trying to spot Bigar.
Torn between a want to study the cave-in further and retreat, Boozey stood there silently frozen by indecision. But some words in the exchange between others, if not the noted disappearance of Bigar, eventually drew him from his thoughts with a guttural growl.
"I wouldn't call it them being patient. Nor am I surprised they haven't 'attacked' us. Not directly. That's not how their kind like to do things. The disappearance of our Green friend and our other... silent compatriot is proof enough." He states gruffly. And with that assertion made and the others in agreement, he made to move at a clipped pace back at the village. "We're past the point of being sneaky, assuming what we've done can be called that. Now we be straight forward. But mind yourselves."He adds on the way.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Coming to realize they are already "under attack," CRAP+ decides it is time for a more direct approach. Neya pauses for a moment, wondering if a planned approach is preferable, but the group seems intent on simply moving back toward the village. They begin to trek back, expecting to reach their destination within a short period of time.
As they walk, the strange carved figurines, twig fetishes, and rag dolls continue to adorn their surroundings. In one moment, a patch of trees in the distance appears to be clear of these fetishes. Then, in the next moment, these trinkets seem to magically appear in trees as the group approaches them. It doesn't matter which path they take, the hanging dolls continue to manifest themselves into existence on the trees just beyond the party's immediate reach. Again, CRAP+ notes that some of them are frozen, others are particularly disfigured representations of figurines they came across earlier, and yet others appear to produce shadows that twitch on their own, even if the doll itself isn't moving at all.
Leading the group, Graxx and Boozey soon realize that the group has already walked far enough such that they should be back at the edge of the village by now. Yet, they continue to be surrounded by endless, cold, creepy woodlands. Strange laughter, sounding like that of a child at play, occasionally pierces the silence.
It is not all bad news, however. While walking, CRAP+ stumbles upon a dazed and confused Rag. The halfling is not saying a word, though that is not necessarily out of the ordinary.
Utar fills the rest of CRAP+ in on Bigar's predicament.
"I'm not sure where he is. I'm not sure he knows either, maybe another part of the island, maybe somewhere else. I think there might be something unseen going on."
Utar starts scanning the area but the twitching shadows are likely hampering his ability to spot whoever is attempting to remain unseen.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Boozey clicks his tongue and shakes his head. "No. The trap had just been two fold. One we probably could've punched our way out of. This one tho'-..." He glanced around, teeth gritted tigther and tighter with Graxx' rising anger and recklessness. But he wouldn't -- couldn't spare the man more attention without losing precious time trying to study the strange fetishes -- those not being immediately attacked at least, and try to remember what counter magics or actions might disable the perceived trap.
"Berry. Do you sense anything." He asks as well as he took to drawing forth his crossbow and looked about ready to prick a finger to enchant it. "Hm. It is most strange, Master Doozey. I'm not sure off the top of my head. Though clearly those with the dancing shadows over yonder are the most suspicious. Perhaps in destroying those, whatever this is might come undone?"The mastiff suggest, still uncomfortably carrying a coiled about Peabody. Despite his own assertions as well, Berry would give the area a good look around and some sniffing for any signs of invisible things not quite right about the environment and inform the others.
@Neya: The laughter seems to be coming from just beyond your visual range. You turn to your left to face the source of the sound in one moment, just to hear it from the opposite side in the next.
@Graxx: You swing your weapon at the closest hanging trinket, which happens to be a monstrous copy of a much prettier doll hanging a few feet away. The object burst in a cloud of hundreds of tiny spiders. Most of them fall to the ground or are launched away from the party by your swing, but an uncomfortable amount of them cling to your weapon. They scurry in all directions, including towards the party. They look mostly harmless, but the occurrence is still unnerving.
@Boozey: After sniffing around for a bit, Berry communicates that he saw another black hound or mastiff pacing through the woods in the distance. "It reminded me of myself," he adds "but he seemed to be walking aimlessly." When you look, you see no other dogs around. Separately, your own arcane observations lead you to believe that some ability to undo magical effects or teleport away from the woodland might be the group's best option. Failing that, you reckon the disturbing effects might only last for a certain period of time. You can only hope that such a period is counted in minutes instead of hours, days, or years.
@Utar: After a careful look about, you are fairly confident no one is hiding behind a tree or bush in the conventional way. If you had to guess, the effects you have been feeling are exerting their influence on the area as a whole, as opposed to originating from a sneaky spellcaster hiding in the shadows. When checking on Rag, the halfling finally shares some words after coughing a bit: "I was whisked away to a painting-like section of forest. I saw dead people encased in ice and small cairns filed with bones which would pop out of the ground. And then, just as suddenly as it began, It ended."
Dornal pokes one of the frozen fetishes and watches in disgust as snow-white small snakes slither their way out of the cracks. Thokk catches everyone's attention when he points to a stone path behind the group, which was very clearly not there a moment ago: "Should we follow it?" Also, you all feel quite thirsty by now.
"A fey crossing perhaps? No... more likely a shadow one?"Boozy mumbled and grumble before snapping fingers. "Or it could be just that!" He exclaimed, before being sidetracked by Thokk's findings. He narrowed his eyes though at the path, feeling strangely reminded of a certain dream.
"... hn... Perhaps... Just one thing first. If it doesn't work though, well-.."He grimaces, then looks up to Utar. "Seeing as the very one I had join us for this just occasion has been spirited away by all accounts, might you have the means or miracle on hand to dispel magical effects? Such as illusions and such? 'cause the way I say, Mr. Utar, I think... I'm not sure, but I think that's what this forest is, or has been wrapped up within. One big illusory terrain as it were meant to confound the senses and trick us into walking in circles. If not, then we'll have to see that path to its end. Which I need not say is not bound to be pleasant."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Well, its good to have you back, Rag. Stay frosty."
Next objective: Get Bigar back.
Given the lack of other options, and being a bit out of his comfort zone despite a little bit of book learning earlier, Utar looks to follow Graxx's Dornal's lead and applies sacred flame to one of the fetishes casting odd shadows.
(OOC - Adding the below following Ori's post)
Nodding at Boozey's request, Utar kneels and focusses on the aspects of the groups surroundings that just seem...off. Part of the forest are familiar, common to any forest, parts are discordant, like a mis-hit note in a familiar tune. Concentrating on his own divine connection with Torm, Utar speaks a prayer in the hopes that while they might be starting to feel lost, he knows that he is not. Casting dispel magic at third level.
Once struck by Utar's sacred flame, the targeted fetish simply vanishes. More interestingly, the strange shadows it was casting burst into a murder of crows. The birds fly off in complete silence. Neither croak nor wing-flap makes a noise.
Relying on his observations, Boozey then asks Utar to try and dispel the magical effects saturating their surroundings. The tormite obliges, instantly lifting an until now unnoticed but heavy weight on the group's collective minds. Utar understands the clearing effect from his spell to be a temporary one. Whatever influence the hags are exerting on this island is bound to shroud the woodland again in the near future. For how, though, CRAP+ seems free of their effects and the path toward the village is less clouded.
(OOC: Someone may attempt a survival check to lead the group out of the woods now.)
You all notice a few additional things as Utar clears the party's mental fog:
Bigar is right there next to you all, as if he had never left. He has no recollection of ever being lost.
Rag seems fine.
No fetishes or dolls appear in the trees near you, and the sounds of laughter have paused.
The stone path Thokk had pointed to is nowhere to be seen.
Everyone is feeling thirsty, hungry, and tired. More time has passed than what you felt. In fact:
Thokk, Bigar, Rag, and Dornal all look about somewhat confused by all the sudden changes. Thokk excuses himself so he can relieve himself in the bushes nearby.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As soon as Doozey got back his bearings, the stoutling scowled and snatched up Berry's statue to stuff swiftly into his back. "Confounded hags. I should've seen this one coming. And if Berry's a statue again, it's been at least... six hours at minimum. A day or a half day at most."He determines upon taking a moment to examine the others in addition to his own state. "We need to get out of this forest. I'm not certain if they can pull this shit again, but best we not waste any further time in this further, least we get mired again. Once we're out, we can see about tending to what needs tending. Now come on. I'll take point."
With that, the clearly annoyed if not frustrated halfling started sniffing about and searching for a trail that would lead them back to the village. Though he'd keep from following through long enough for Thokk to relieve himself, any other concern for the well being of others isn't present. If anything, those wishing to lingering even more would receive a stern look until they capitulated or convinced the halfling to do otherwise. Once beyond the immediate boarder of the trees, only then would he take a moment to take hardy swigs of his waterskin and ravenously devouring some of his rations, nearly choking on it in the process.
"This place gives me the creeps..." says Graxx as he looks at a doll but does not touch it.
Graxx looks at the rocks then looks behind them.
"We could be ambushed at any moment." says Graxx.
Graxx looks back in the direction of the village.
"The face they haven't attacked us yet which is worrying me more than it should." says Graxx.
CRAP+ is stumped for the moment. Utar is worried about how inaccessible the cave has become, while the lack of an immediate assault puts Graxx on edge. Neya tries to determine if the hanging figures and trinkets have any specific religious significance but guesses that, if any, perhaps the villagers may see them as a symbol of worship or respect toward the crones. Otherwise, they invoke witchcraft rather than devotion. There is no doubt the figures have been touched by magic.
Dornal speaks up: "What now? Back to the village?"
Thokk follows it up: "Perhaps we should bring the fight to them."
Looking bout, the group is reminded that Rag hasn't been with the group for a while. Not only that but, now, Bigar is also missing.
Having no doubt that Neya is correct and that the convenient cave in might just be another layer of protection for the coven, Utar comes round to Dornal and Thokk's way of thinking. The village might be a trap, but if it is, then at least it might give them the opportunity to feel like they're doing something productive.
"I guess its time to head into the village then, if that's where they want to fight us, let's give it to them."
Checking that the rest of CRAP+ share the same sentiment, Utar clocks that Bigar is no longer with the group. Rag being the sneaky thief he is didn't worry him too much, losing a big, green novice wizard... Cursing, he casts a wary eye about trying to spot Bigar.
Perception - 16
Assuming the worst, Utar casts sending to Bigar.
Not the best time to wander off from the group! Are you alright?! Has something happened?! Do you know where you are?!
"Yes, the crones have been waiting for us quite patiently," Neya replies, "We not keep them waiting. How should we approach?"
Extended Signature
Torn between a want to study the cave-in further and retreat, Boozey stood there silently frozen by indecision. But some words in the exchange between others, if not the noted disappearance of Bigar, eventually drew him from his thoughts with a guttural growl.
"I wouldn't call it them being patient. Nor am I surprised they haven't 'attacked' us. Not directly. That's not how their kind like to do things. The disappearance of our Green friend and our other... silent compatriot is proof enough." He states gruffly. And with that assertion made and the others in agreement, he made to move at a clipped pace back at the village. "We're past the point of being sneaky, assuming what we've done can be called that. Now we be straight forward. But mind yourselves." He adds on the way.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx growls.
"Then let's be on with it! Let us take the fight to them before any more of us dissappear!" says Graxx.
Graxx will begin leading the group back to village.
DM's Screen:
88
@Utar: You do not see Bigar, but you do receive a response.
"I was magically separated from the group. I am in the woods and see shadowy forms, waxy corpses, and hear cackling. I am lost."
Coming to realize they are already "under attack," CRAP+ decides it is time for a more direct approach. Neya pauses for a moment, wondering if a planned approach is preferable, but the group seems intent on simply moving back toward the village. They begin to trek back, expecting to reach their destination within a short period of time.
As they walk, the strange carved figurines, twig fetishes, and rag dolls continue to adorn their surroundings. In one moment, a patch of trees in the distance appears to be clear of these fetishes. Then, in the next moment, these trinkets seem to magically appear in trees as the group approaches them. It doesn't matter which path they take, the hanging dolls continue to manifest themselves into existence on the trees just beyond the party's immediate reach. Again, CRAP+ notes that some of them are frozen, others are particularly disfigured representations of figurines they came across earlier, and yet others appear to produce shadows that twitch on their own, even if the doll itself isn't moving at all.
Leading the group, Graxx and Boozey soon realize that the group has already walked far enough such that they should be back at the edge of the village by now. Yet, they continue to be surrounded by endless, cold, creepy woodlands. Strange laughter, sounding like that of a child at play, occasionally pierces the silence.
It is not all bad news, however. While walking, CRAP+ stumbles upon a dazed and confused Rag. The halfling is not saying a word, though that is not necessarily out of the ordinary.
Utar fills the rest of CRAP+ in on Bigar's predicament.
"I'm not sure where he is. I'm not sure he knows either, maybe another part of the island, maybe somewhere else. I think there might be something unseen going on."
Utar starts scanning the area but the twitching shadows are likely hampering his ability to spot whoever is attempting to remain unseen.
Perception - 23
On finding Rag, Utar kneels and asks if the halfling is ok, then immediately asks if he can pinpoint whatever is hexing the group.
Graxx roars out with rage!
"YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" yells Graxx angrily.
Graxx looks around frantically like he is trying to find a foe to bring his axe down on.
He quickly turns to the others.
"Can someone tell me what is going on?! Does anyone have any idea?!", says Graxx.
Graxx looks down at Rag.
"If Rag was put here then maybe Bigar is out here as well. In this endless forest!"
Graxx sits his backpack down for a moment and searches through.
"Blast it! I have nothing to help us. I don't know what to do! Just get me something to swing my axe at!" says Graxx.
Graxx will swing his axe at the closest strange item!
Neya pinches the bridge of her nose, saying, "Of course, suspecting a trap in the village was a trap, in and of itself. "
She listens to try and figure out which way the laughter is coming from.
Perception: 11
Extended Signature
Boozey clicks his tongue and shakes his head. "No. The trap had just been two fold. One we probably could've punched our way out of. This one tho'-..." He glanced around, teeth gritted tigther and tighter with Graxx' rising anger and recklessness. But he wouldn't -- couldn't spare the man more attention without losing precious time trying to study the strange fetishes -- those not being immediately attacked at least, and try to remember what counter magics or actions might disable the perceived trap.
Arcana: 17(if at adv. from Hunter's Bane: 21.
"Berry. Do you sense anything." He asks as well as he took to drawing forth his crossbow and looked about ready to prick a finger to enchant it. "Hm. It is most strange, Master Doozey. I'm not sure off the top of my head. Though clearly those with the dancing shadows over yonder are the most suspicious. Perhaps in destroying those, whatever this is might come undone?" The mastiff suggest, still uncomfortably carrying a coiled about Peabody. Despite his own assertions as well, Berry would give the area a good look around and some sniffing for any signs of invisible things not quite right about the environment and inform the others.
Perception: 18.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
@Neya: The laughter seems to be coming from just beyond your visual range. You turn to your left to face the source of the sound in one moment, just to hear it from the opposite side in the next.
@Graxx: You swing your weapon at the closest hanging trinket, which happens to be a monstrous copy of a much prettier doll hanging a few feet away. The object burst in a cloud of hundreds of tiny spiders. Most of them fall to the ground or are launched away from the party by your swing, but an uncomfortable amount of them cling to your weapon. They scurry in all directions, including towards the party. They look mostly harmless, but the occurrence is still unnerving.
@Boozey: After sniffing around for a bit, Berry communicates that he saw another black hound or mastiff pacing through the woods in the distance. "It reminded me of myself," he adds "but he seemed to be walking aimlessly." When you look, you see no other dogs around. Separately, your own arcane observations lead you to believe that some ability to undo magical effects or teleport away from the woodland might be the group's best option. Failing that, you reckon the disturbing effects might only last for a certain period of time. You can only hope that such a period is counted in minutes instead of hours, days, or years.
@Utar: After a careful look about, you are fairly confident no one is hiding behind a tree or bush in the conventional way. If you had to guess, the effects you have been feeling are exerting their influence on the area as a whole, as opposed to originating from a sneaky spellcaster hiding in the shadows. When checking on Rag, the halfling finally shares some words after coughing a bit: "I was whisked away to a painting-like section of forest. I saw dead people encased in ice and small cairns filed with bones which would pop out of the ground. And then, just as suddenly as it began, It ended."
Dornal pokes one of the frozen fetishes and watches in disgust as snow-white small snakes slither their way out of the cracks. Thokk catches everyone's attention when he points to a stone path behind the group, which was very clearly not there a moment ago: "Should we follow it?" Also, you all feel quite thirsty by now.
"A fey crossing perhaps? No... more likely a shadow one?" Boozy mumbled and grumble before snapping fingers. "Or it could be just that!" He exclaimed, before being sidetracked by Thokk's findings. He narrowed his eyes though at the path, feeling strangely reminded of a certain dream.
"... hn... Perhaps... Just one thing first. If it doesn't work though, well-.." He grimaces, then looks up to Utar. "Seeing as the very one I had join us for this just occasion has been spirited away by all accounts, might you have the means or miracle on hand to dispel magical effects? Such as illusions and such? 'cause the way I say, Mr. Utar, I think... I'm not sure, but I think that's what this forest is, or has been wrapped up within. One big illusory terrain as it were meant to confound the senses and trick us into walking in circles. If not, then we'll have to see that path to its end. Which I need not say is not bound to be pleasant."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Well, its good to have you back, Rag. Stay frosty."
Next objective: Get Bigar back.
Given the lack of other options, and being a bit out of his comfort zone despite a little bit of book learning earlier, Utar looks to follow Graxx's Dornal's lead and applies sacred flame to one of the fetishes casting odd shadows.
(OOC - Adding the below following Ori's post)
Nodding at Boozey's request, Utar kneels and focusses on the aspects of the groups surroundings that just seem...off. Part of the forest are familiar, common to any forest, parts are discordant, like a mis-hit note in a familiar tune. Concentrating on his own divine connection with Torm, Utar speaks a prayer in the hopes that while they might be starting to feel lost, he knows that he is not. Casting dispel magic at third level.
(OOC- Here goes nothing...)
Once struck by Utar's sacred flame, the targeted fetish simply vanishes. More interestingly, the strange shadows it was casting burst into a murder of crows. The birds fly off in complete silence. Neither croak nor wing-flap makes a noise.
Relying on his observations, Boozey then asks Utar to try and dispel the magical effects saturating their surroundings. The tormite obliges, instantly lifting an until now unnoticed but heavy weight on the group's collective minds. Utar understands the clearing effect from his spell to be a temporary one. Whatever influence the hags are exerting on this island is bound to shroud the woodland again in the near future. For how, though, CRAP+ seems free of their effects and the path toward the village is less clouded.
(OOC: Someone may attempt a survival check to lead the group out of the woods now.)
You all notice a few additional things as Utar clears the party's mental fog:
Thokk, Bigar, Rag, and Dornal all look about somewhat confused by all the sudden changes. Thokk excuses himself so he can relieve himself in the bushes nearby.
Neya takes out her orb of time to try and figure out how long they've been wandering around.
Extended Signature
As soon as Doozey got back his bearings, the stoutling scowled and snatched up Berry's statue to stuff swiftly into his back. "Confounded hags. I should've seen this one coming. And if Berry's a statue again, it's been at least... six hours at minimum. A day or a half day at most." He determines upon taking a moment to examine the others in addition to his own state. "We need to get out of this forest. I'm not certain if they can pull this shit again, but best we not waste any further time in this further, least we get mired again. Once we're out, we can see about tending to what needs tending. Now come on. I'll take point."
With that, the clearly annoyed if not frustrated halfling started sniffing about and searching for a trail that would lead them back to the village. Though he'd keep from following through long enough for Thokk to relieve himself, any other concern for the well being of others isn't present. If anything, those wishing to lingering even more would receive a stern look until they capitulated or convinced the halfling to do otherwise. Once beyond the immediate boarder of the trees, only then would he take a moment to take hardy swigs of his waterskin and ravenously devouring some of his rations, nearly choking on it in the process.
Survival: 20. (if helped: 25)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Depending how long it actually has been, we may well have to walk back to Phlan, then..."
Extended Signature