Dues for the Dead (DM Lerus)

"I don't know... Would it be so simple to close a portal to where-ever just by destroying its cover?" Neya posits.

Arcana (if needed): 12

(@All: Dtbka-wha? lol... what a title!)

Doozey is -- had put on a brave face when Utar broke the news, and seemed determined all the same to continue the course. Yet when not otherwise actively distracted by more current events, he cannot help but become lost in thought, and absentmindedly chew on a thumbnail.

Back on the door situation, the stoutling clicked hsi tongue. "Ms. Neya has a point. Assuming we have the means, which... I'm not entirely convinced we do to be honest, we could inadvertently make it more unstable. Which could be worse news. I also could've sworn that... hmm.... or maybe I'm misremembering..." Doozey trailed off there, scratching his head while trying recall the details from all the reports during the joint operation to take out the green dragon's allies.

History: 20 (Not sure Hunter's Bane would apply, so no adv roll there)

Though failing that, out of consideration for Graxx' account, he tentatively approach within 15 to 10ft of the door, studying it again in hopes of some greater insight missed the first time around. Something that might even link the reports, if not expand upon them.

Arcana: 10. (adv. roll if Hunter's is applicable: 23)

(@MB: It is a small table. 😀)

(@Ori: I guess I could say I already responded to your history roll in my latest OOC Chat post. Was there anything else you were looking for? Also, I'll say that Hunter's Bane applies to the second check.)

The group shares the results of their individual inspections. Graxx suggests destroying the mysterious door. Neya tries to understand how exactly to go about it but has to concede that any magical tinkering would require someone with more arcane knowledge than her. Doozey comes to her rescue. After several minutes of analysis, the duo concludes that, if the portal was closed before but it is now open, and the main visible difference is the produce for sale, then the vegetable must have something to do with the functioning of the portal. Perhaps, disturbing the sale could also disrupt the portal?

Sagin looks at Utar once the report about a no-reply from the dragon is delivered. Doozey puts on a brave face but remains otherwise silent on the subject.

Utar tries to put Sagin's worries at ease.

"I wouldn't worry overly about the lack of a response.  He's a dragon and likely so far above us that he's actually a little annoyed that I dared to contact him in the first place."

Insight - 14

(OOC trying to determine if we should actually be worried or not.)

Pondering what is needed to close the portal Neya thinks out loud, "So, if the vegetables are magical, do we need to dispel them in order to close the portal?"

Graxx scratches his head.

”Hmm. What if I bought all the bunches for the correct amount?  Then there would be none left for those wandering by who may not be as honest and fall victim to this test.”

Graxx looks to Doozey specifically.

”What do you think we should do Doozey?”

Even with the conclusion made, Doozey at least seemed hesitant to re-affirm it out loud more than once. Yet with the others so caught with it....

"It... I don't believe it would matter much, Mr. Graxx. If honesty is a virtue, the act of purchasing all of it couldn't be less than greed, regardless of intent. And the fey -- which I am more than certain now that they are involved, now that I remember where those door connects, do enjoy punishing those who fail to read the subtext of a given situation." Doozey explains and Biscuit grumbles out a bark in agreement.

"And while we'd probably be able to deal with the consequences well enough, I-I.... This is gonna sound perhaps selfish, but I don't want to get mixed up with them right now. Derannos has already waited far too long for us. If messing with this-..." He gestures to the food. "-turns into a protracted thing, I-...." Doozey grimaces, and looks away shamefaced. "Dispel or purchase them if you will. Big Mama Yondalla willing, perhaps will get lucky. Perhaps whichever of the feyfolk is responsible for this will only make more later.... Perhaps this is even the Archfey we met way of reaching out to us, and providing an easier way to his side. For do not forget, he too very much wanted an audience with us.  And an attentive fey is only so patient." He reminds the group. After that, he would leave things to them, and would wait with baited breathe over the choices the others might make.

The group continues to ponder the choice put in front of them, slowly realizing that the decision may be much more complex than the simple setting would initially suggest. Neya argues for dispelling the magic put on the food, while Graxx wants to claim the entire supply and cause a shortage of magical vegetables. Doozey is not sure the choice matters much in the end, and offers a third option: ignore it.

Amid the decision-making process, Utar tries to calm Sagin down. The kobold does not have the full set of background information to clearly understand what is going on, so he reverts to his usual "safe" approach: silence.

@Utar/@MB:

Attempting to hide any concern from Sagin, Utar wades into the conversation regarding the magic turnips.

"I think it best we push on with the matter at hand. Whoever placed these vegetables could easily conjure more, and if Doozey is right, any interaction might be exactly what whoever is behind this wanted. That just serves to pull us further from our meeting with Derannos."

"True, we are pressed for time." Neya says as she turns around from the door and vegetables. "Perhaps we will be able to resolve this when we return?"

Graxx nods in agreement.

"Let us go then.  Your reasoning is sound and we can deal with this later."

The rest of CRAP agrees with Doozey's suggestion. Utar voices his agreement eloquently, which gets a nod from both Graxx and Neya. The group chooses to let the vegetable stall remain undisturbed for now, and continues on their trip.

The march advances well, that is, without additional disturbances for the rest of the afternoon. By the time dusk arrives, the group knows they have not yet reached the midpoint of their travel. They look at each other as they realize they will have to choose between setting camp or traveling at least partially through the night.

(OOC: I'm basing this on the OOC conversation.)

The group decides to make camp and rest instead of pushing forward into the evening. They reason that an early night will allow them to rise early and make up for the time they are giving up now.

CRAP finds a suitable camping spot a couple hundred yards off the road and each member begins performing their preferred camping task. Soon enough, it is time to enjoy a meal and call it a night.

(OOC: Since you had two meals in Phlan before leaving, I won't ask you to deduct a ration this time around. Separately, if you are taking watches, please roll perception checks.)

Once the group had agreed and were on the move again, Doozey pointedly avoids looking back at the door least his resolve be tested again. Biscuit started to glance back out of guilt, only to stop seeing the stoutling sternly side-eying him. So it was with a few defeated whimpering that the fey-touched mastiff pressed on along the path after the others. 

Even in the wilds, or perhaps especially because they were beyond the city border, the stoutling never failed to miss the opportunity to silent ward their campsite to the best of his ability. Yet even once satisfied with that, he asks Neya, "Mind Biscuit taking his watch with ya? He'll do you more help then I. Plus-..." He glances to Sagin. "I'll think I'll have Sagin work with me. Maybe even teach him a few things." He admits.

Doozey's Perception: 16(/if Heightened Senses adv. can apply: 16.

Biscuit's Perception(during Neya's Watch, if accepted): 21 (/if helped: 19.

(@Lerus: Not sure if we ever established a watch order, or if one matters. But, if none had before and it /would/ matter, then Doozey would like to take 3rd watch.)

Utar's perception - 23

Happy to take his watch alone, Utar scans the surroundings of the group and particularly pays attention to the location of the door.  Should he be satisfied that the party is not being watched or stalked from the shadows, he will take the opportunity to commune with Torm directly.  Setting out a small amount of incense to burn and a small vial of holy water, he sits himself on the ground, inhales the fumes and closes his eyes for a brief minute.

Graxx will stay up during the first persons watch to be with them but his attention will mostly be on attuning with the axe.

Graxx will practice swings and movement until he feels comfortable with the axe being ready for battle.

”Glory comes soon.  It is almost time…” Graxx says to himself at the end of his practice session.

"Yes, thank you. I would appreciate the help." Neya replies to Doozey's first question.

"Sagin is still intimidated by us at the moment, due largely to numbers and strength. It will take a while before he is fully receptive to anything we teach him. But, that not to say he won't retain anything." She adds, reminding him to ground his expectations to a degree.

Perception: 19

(OOC: It sounds like you folks are arranging for 3 watches, taken in pairs. This means the rest will run for at least 9 hours, so everyone gets to rest a minimum of 6 hours. This makes little difference mechanically, I think, but I wanted to point it out in case you wanted to account for the time for RPing or any other reason. I'll also say Doozey takes the middle watch, as I believe this is what @Ori was going for when he said "3rd watch" out of the usual four.)

Utar volunteers for the first watch, already planning to spend some time with Torm. Graxx notices that the others are making plans for taking their watches in pairs, and decides to stay up with Utar for the first round. Once all others as asleep, the half-orc and the human begin their duties.

Most of the watching ends up being done by Utar, as Graxx chooses to focus on his new weapon. Utar doesn't seem to mind it and is pretty confident on his ability to keep an eye on the camp with the help of his darkvision and sentinel shield. Doozey's alarm certainly helps too. In the end, the early night shift goes by quickly and quietly enough. That said, at some point, Utar also decides his attention should be diverted a bit. He sets up a prayer corner for himself and communes directly with Torm for the first time in his career as a cleric.

@Utar/@MB:

@Graxx/@Grx: The new axe fits your hands like a glove and soon enough you and the weapon are moving as one. At one point, you hit a tree and a dozen spectral replica blades swirl around you delivering additional damage to your surroundings. You feel like the weapon is just as excited about this partnership as you are. You feel like you will grow stronger and wiser with this axe in your hands, and the axe itself will grow and evolve with you. This is the most direct blessing you have received from Tempus since leaving your tribe. Perhaps he was waiting for you to abandon your grudge all along, afraid it would force you into dishonorable fighting. But now, you are clear of that clouding influence. Now, you are a true champion of Tempus.

(@Ori: Let me know if you want to spend time practicing some specific with Sagin.)

Doozey makes arrangements to take the middle watch alongside Sagin. The kobold accepts, although it is perceptible that Sagin probably didn't feel like he had a choice (passive insight).

Doozey has plenty of experience in keeping watch, and his sense have only become more honed since he allowed his transformation to "roam free." Along with his preventive spell, the stoutling is more than capable to cover watch responsibilities on his own. This frees up the kobold to train a bit. Noticing Sagin needs lesson on the most basic of skills, they end up spending a fair amount of time discussing the proper use of armor and how to become used to wearing it and moving in it. Sagin is clearly uncomfortable and feeling constrained but, by the end of the deep night watch shift, the kobold is complaining less about how itchy it all feels and is visibly moving a bit more freely. He even lets a chuckle of satisfaction at one point, although that feeling that he is doing what his captives are telling him to do never really goes away during the night.

The watch and training sessions go by undisturbed.

DM's Screen:

Neya partners up with Biscuit by the time the early morning watch shift comes up. The first half-hour goes by as expected.

Suddenly, a figure appears as if out of the shadows and sits calmly next to Neya, on a dead log. Not even Biscuit's enhanced senses picked up this person's approach, which goes to show they must be a master of their craft. Doozey's alarm delivers a ping to his mind.

A bearded female dwarf sits next to Neya with a sigh. She is clearly choosing to make herself seen. Neya does not recognize this woman but the simplicity of her attire out here in the wild looks purposeful to Neya's trained eye. It looks like a mix of what a peasant would wear and a more practical forest-ranger-like outfit. She carries a crossbow and bolts, as well as a war pick and several small blades. With a smile on her face, the newcomer greets the monk: "Greetings, sister. I hope you do not mind that I come to share your fire for a moment. You came from Phlan, I take it? Do you happen to be on a mission for the Red Plumes?" The dwarfs' mannerisms are non threatening.

(OOC: Neya and Doozey can roll a history check concerning the Red Plumes.)