As the party continues past the causeway above they float into the fog more and begin to hear that the area in front of them seems to be widening, the sound of echoes and splashing further seemingly quieter as the sounds have further to travel. Soon they also begin to hear the sounds of distant croaking, almost as if whatever is making the noises is having a lively discussion.
If the plan is to just continue on, then a short rest is fine. If not let me know. What would you like to do?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Realizing he was not alone in having strange vision, Karib describes his, then utters a brief prayer to Gond before settling back in the boat to rest, too confused to make any sense of it all. He continues to watch ahead, but looks weary and deflated.
Don't give up, Karib! He calls on Gond for insight and focuses his mind on the vision, trying to make sense of it.
Insight+Guidance (just in case): 19 + 3
Channel Divinity (recover level 1 spell slot) HP from rest: 13
(( Couldn't roll back the above; I made the mistake of adding new dice rolls before the spoiler. Original heal was 14; leaving the insight etc alone ))
Karib thinks deeply for a minute and realizes that what Speedwell saw, and shared, sounded similar to the guide they heard about before.
As the boat sails on a thick fog hangs heavy in the air, obscuring the area around you so that the world appears to have shrunk to only twenty feet in all directions. Before you, the waterway widens and the current slows, giving the impression that you have entered a lake. Croaking voices penetrate the fog, through which dark shapes appear, resolving into two rowboats. Manning the oars of each rowboat are two bullywugs.
All four of the bullywugs are dressed in soiled garb that otherwise would like like it belongs in royal court ((think nobles, not legal courtroom)). The croak out to you in a rough sylvan ((which Autumnleaf and Inif speak)), "Welcome to Downfall, travelers."
"We're always happy to see travelers. Please though, our king Gullop XIX would be the best person to speak with." one of them replies.
They then give you directions to head to the small dock nearby (next to area D2, as you are arriving through D1), then make their way across the stepping stones (D3), through the balloon factory (D4), and across the bridge of chattering heads (D5) to the gazebo where Gullop XIX holds court (D6).
Though you don't have a map exactly, you could look around and generally see what's around you. I left the D markings on there b/c it'll be easier for us to discuss locations with them. What would you like to do?
Karib looks up, his eyes wary. So far this place had tried to drown him, rob him, and capture him for some unknown purpose. There was little left that these people could do that had not already been done. He looks at his new companions, "At least they didn't attack us." He does his best to follow their directions, examining the docks, the buildings and the people as he gets out of the boat.
Autumnleafstretches, darting into the air and doing a couple circles of the boat to shake the stiffness out, then flutters down to hover just behind Speedwell as usual.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you think my puns are bad, I'll remind you, my profile pic says otherwise.
Speedwellcautiously thanks the frogfolk for their directions and follows Karib. His ears, like normal, are twitching back and forth every which way as Speedwell is always on guard, expecting to be attacked.
As the group follows the directions, Speedwell is particularly curious about what types of balloons they produce. Are these like...birthday balloons, or more like hot air balloon type of balloons? It strikes him somewhat odd that there would be any kind of factory out in the middle of a swamp-type place.
As you dock your small boat and debark, stretching your legs, you find that your rest has done you well, though the world around you all is still strange and surprising. Looming above a ramshackle wooden pier is a balloon anchored by four thick ropes tied around wooden posts driven deep into the mire. The balloon’s bladder expands and sags at irregular intervals as swamp gas fills it briefly before leaking out through various tears in its patchwork fabric. A bullywug stands near the top of a ladders and is using a long silver needle and a spool of catgut to sew up one of the openings. A second bullywug stands at the foot of the ladder to steady it. Huddled nearby are three giant frogs whose long tongues snap up passing insects. They seem busy in their work, and though they nod to you as you pass, otherwise pay you little mind. ((@speedwell - this is very much like the balloon that was crashed at the slanted tower that Sir Talavar was trapped in.))
As you pass it by a row of boulders spaced two feet apart breach the surface of the lake to form a walking path across a forty-foot-wide waterway. Inif looks at the stones, and sees little strange about them, before he starts to nimbly jump from one to the next, Speedwell, and then Karib following behind, with Autumnleaf off to the side flitting along with the group. As he lands on a stone on the middle though, it suddenly starts to rumble and then lifts up into the air as Inif just barely maintains his balance and jumps to the next stone. As the stone lifts up you see it is connected to a body, and then arms, as a golem like creature stands out of the water. Dripping as it stares at the monk, it says, in a deep voice, "Hey! It's rude to dance on someone's head! Damn outsiders! At least apologize!"
What would you like to do? Please add a persuasion roll for whatever you say.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Inif bows politely and tries to ameliorate his blunder. (19) "Apologies, it would seem our path has crossed over yours. We would have gone around, if so advised. I hope we haven't disturbed you."
Though clearly not quite satisfied after being trod upon, the golem-like creature gives a harumph and splashes back down into the water, clearly attempting to create as big a wave as possible. ((dex save 15 for Inif, 12 for the others walking or get drenched. on a save it's just your feet)) Autumnleaf is flying above and chuckling at the near offense her companions made, but not being distracted by the waves looks down and sees, to her surprise, what appears to be the same as her vision just an hour or so ago, though this time actually in the water, with the two creatures clearly moving towards the stone path. But as the group skips over the stones, the figures disappear back into the murky water below.
Heading onwards to D4: This wooden structure stands on stilts above the lake. It is topped by a steep, conical roof made of thatch. Smoke curls up from a hole at its apex. Its windows are blacked out, and the air carries the smell of burned wood. A clothesline attached to one corner of the building’s exterior is hung with a variety of frayed, patchwork garments.
What would you like to do? @Celtic - Did Speedwell want to check out the balloon factory? or @anyone really...
Though clearly not quite satisfied after being trod upon, the golem-like creature gives a harumph and splashes back down into the water, clearly attempting to create as big a wave as possible. ((dex save 15 for Inif, 12 for the others walking or get drenched. on a save it's just your feet)) Autumnleaf is flying above and chuckling at the near offense her companions made, but not being distracted by the waves looks down and sees, to her surprise, what appears to be the same as her vision just an hour or so ago, though this time actually in the water, with the two creatures clearly moving towards the stone path. But as the group skips over the stones, the figures disappear back into the murky water below.
Heading onwards to D4: This wooden structure stands on stilts above the lake. It is topped by a steep, conical roof made of thatch. Smoke curls up from a hole at its apex. Its windows are blacked out, and the air carries the smell of burned wood. A clothesline attached to one corner of the building’s exterior is hung with a variety of frayed, patchwork garments.
What would you like to do? @Celtic - Did Speedwell want to check out the balloon factory? or @anyone really...
I think that Speedwell would have noted the oddity of having a factory out in the middle of a swamp, but seeing the frogfolk work on them, he would have just nodded and continued walking. I think right now, he's more trying to take in the "big picture" of what's going on around him as opposed to the minute details.
DC 12 DEX save: 18
With blacked-out windows on this stilted building, does it have closed doors, or is it open to walk into?
With blacked-out windows on this stilted building, does it have closed doors, or is it open to walk into?
((The building is accessible by ramps from areas D3 and D5, as well as stairs that rise from the lake. A rickety wooden deck clings to the outside of the structure 6 feet above the water. But assuming he just looks and keeps walking...))
Passing around the balloon factory the party comes upon a bridge. This flat wood-plank bridge, which spans an arm of the lake, is lined on one side by rows of bullywug heads on wooden spikes.
At the center of the bridge, a small figure sits with its feet dangling over one side. The figure appears to be talking to itself in bemoaned tones. But then the severed bullywug heads nearby erupt in a cacophony of voices—some indignant, others sympathetic. A few in a more distant row yell, “What? I couldn’t hear what they said!”
As you begin to walk across the bridge the heads all turn to you and all start saying things like, "Ah Outsiders! You must hear how Augluth VIII was the greatest king!""Until he was usurped by Bloff III of course!""Neither of them hold a torch to Bultis XII though!" they are all clearly bickering back and forth, and it seems they all consider their own reign the best of the Soggy Court.
In the middle of the bridge you see a scarecrow with a yellow gourd for a head talking to the heads near it, complaining about its current head. Its body language indicates it's pretty sad, though it has no facial expressions to read of course.
Autumnleafflutters closer, head tilted as she considers the scarecrow."Good day to you and if I could say, you're seeming somewhat forlorn. Is there anything one might do to improve your day, if I might ask without inviting scorn?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you think my puns are bad, I'll remind you, my profile pic says otherwise.
As it turns it's gourd around and then upwards in the direction of Autumnleaf you hear some rattling around inside, and it replies, "ah... This head just isn't like my old one. Those darn rabbits took it from me." It then looks to Speedwell as it says this, but seeing that his clothes are different from the brigand simply continues, "I do wish I could get my old one back..."He then spends a good minute describing in minute detail a glorious stag's head that used to adorn his body before sagging his shoulders in defeat.
As the party continues past the causeway above they float into the fog more and begin to hear that the area in front of them seems to be widening, the sound of echoes and splashing further seemingly quieter as the sounds have further to travel. Soon they also begin to hear the sounds of distant croaking, almost as if whatever is making the noises is having a lively discussion.
If the plan is to just continue on, then a short rest is fine. If not let me know. What would you like to do?
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Short Rest hit die: 17
Autumnleaf's long ears twitch as she strains to hear, attempting to listen to the rhythm of the sounds, hoping to catch snippets of meaning.
Perception to see if she can hear anything in particular and if she can make out anything with meaning: 17
Realizing he was not alone in having strange vision, Karib describes his, then utters a brief prayer to Gond before settling back in the boat to rest, too confused to make any sense of it all. He continues to watch ahead, but looks weary and deflated.
Don't give up, Karib! He calls on Gond for insight and focuses his mind on the vision, trying to make sense of it.
Insight+Guidance (just in case): 19 + 3
Channel Divinity (recover level 1 spell slot)
HP from rest: 13
(( Couldn't roll back the above; I made the mistake of adding new dice rolls before the spoiler. Original heal was 14; leaving the insight etc alone ))
Karib thinks deeply for a minute and realizes that what Speedwell saw, and shared, sounded similar to the guide they heard about before.
As the boat sails on a thick fog hangs heavy in the air, obscuring the area around you so that the world appears to have shrunk to only twenty feet in all directions. Before you, the waterway widens and the current slows, giving the impression that you have entered a lake. Croaking voices penetrate the fog, through which dark shapes appear, resolving into two rowboats. Manning the oars of each rowboat are two bullywugs.
All four of the bullywugs are dressed in soiled garb that otherwise would like like it belongs in royal court ((think nobles, not legal courtroom)). The croak out to you in a rough sylvan ((which Autumnleaf and Inif speak)), "Welcome to Downfall, travelers."
What would you like to do?
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Before arriving through the fog, Inif mediates and finds peace among the sights and sounds of this strange place.
2 HD: 8
"Greetings, we are in search of things lost and the old ways. Tell us about your people here." Inif speaks politely in Sylvan.
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
"We're always happy to see travelers. Please though, our king Gullop XIX would be the best person to speak with." one of them replies.
They then give you directions to head to the small dock nearby (next to area D2, as you are arriving through D1), then make their way across the stepping stones (D3), through the balloon factory (D4), and across the bridge of chattering heads (D5) to the gazebo where Gullop XIX holds court (D6).
Though you don't have a map exactly, you could look around and generally see what's around you. I left the D markings on there b/c it'll be easier for us to discuss locations with them. What would you like to do?
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Karib looks up, his eyes wary. So far this place had tried to drown him, rob him, and capture him for some unknown purpose. There was little left that these people could do that had not already been done. He looks at his new companions, "At least they didn't attack us." He does his best to follow their directions, examining the docks, the buildings and the people as he gets out of the boat.
Autumnleaf stretches, darting into the air and doing a couple circles of the boat to shake the stiffness out, then flutters down to hover just behind Speedwell as usual.
Speedwell cautiously thanks the frogfolk for their directions and follows Karib. His ears, like normal, are twitching back and forth every which way as Speedwell is always on guard, expecting to be attacked.
As the group follows the directions, Speedwell is particularly curious about what types of balloons they produce. Are these like...birthday balloons, or more like hot air balloon type of balloons? It strikes him somewhat odd that there would be any kind of factory out in the middle of a swamp-type place.
Wiley Gambit Gaming
A Sometimes-DM
Speedwell | Harengone | Fey Wanderer Ranger | The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Inif listens closely to the directions given. He looks carefully (9) before crossing the stepping stones for danger in the water.
If the "bridge of chattering heads" name holds true, Inif stops to parley otherwise heads to king Gullop's court.
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
As you dock your small boat and debark, stretching your legs, you find that your rest has done you well, though the world around you all is still strange and surprising. Looming above a ramshackle wooden pier is a balloon anchored by four thick ropes tied around wooden posts driven deep into the mire. The balloon’s bladder expands and sags at irregular intervals as swamp gas fills it briefly before leaking out through various tears in its patchwork fabric. A bullywug stands near the top of a ladders and is using a long silver needle and a spool of catgut to sew up one of the openings. A second bullywug stands at the foot of the ladder to steady it. Huddled nearby are three giant frogs whose long tongues snap up passing insects. They seem busy in their work, and though they nod to you as you pass, otherwise pay you little mind. ((@speedwell - this is very much like the balloon that was crashed at the slanted tower that Sir Talavar was trapped in.))
As you pass it by a row of boulders spaced two feet apart breach the surface of the lake to form a walking path across a forty-foot-wide waterway. Inif looks at the stones, and sees little strange about them, before he starts to nimbly jump from one to the next, Speedwell, and then Karib following behind, with Autumnleaf off to the side flitting along with the group. As he lands on a stone on the middle though, it suddenly starts to rumble and then lifts up into the air as Inif just barely maintains his balance and jumps to the next stone. As the stone lifts up you see it is connected to a body, and then arms, as a golem like creature stands out of the water. Dripping as it stares at the monk, it says, in a deep voice, "Hey! It's rude to dance on someone's head! Damn outsiders! At least apologize!"
What would you like to do? Please add a persuasion roll for whatever you say.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Inif bows politely and tries to ameliorate his blunder. (19) "Apologies, it would seem our path has crossed over yours. We would have gone around, if so advised. I hope we haven't disturbed you."
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Though clearly not quite satisfied after being trod upon, the golem-like creature gives a harumph and splashes back down into the water, clearly attempting to create as big a wave as possible. ((dex save 15 for Inif, 12 for the others walking or get drenched. on a save it's just your feet)) Autumnleaf is flying above and chuckling at the near offense her companions made, but not being distracted by the waves looks down and sees, to her surprise, what appears to be the same as her vision just an hour or so ago, though this time actually in the water, with the two creatures clearly moving towards the stone path. But as the group skips over the stones, the figures disappear back into the murky water below.
Heading onwards to D4: This wooden structure stands on stilts above the lake. It is topped by a steep, conical roof made of thatch. Smoke curls up from a hole at its apex. Its windows are blacked out, and the air carries the smell of burned wood. A clothesline attached to one corner of the building’s exterior is hung with a variety of frayed, patchwork garments.
What would you like to do? @Celtic - Did Speedwell want to check out the balloon factory? or @anyone really...
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Karib Dex Save: 17
Inif Dex save: 24
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
I think that Speedwell would have noted the oddity of having a factory out in the middle of a swamp, but seeing the frogfolk work on them, he would have just nodded and continued walking. I think right now, he's more trying to take in the "big picture" of what's going on around him as opposed to the minute details.
DC 12 DEX save: 18
With blacked-out windows on this stilted building, does it have closed doors, or is it open to walk into?
Wiley Gambit Gaming
A Sometimes-DM
Speedwell | Harengone | Fey Wanderer Ranger | The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
((The building is accessible by ramps from areas D3 and D5, as well as stairs that rise from the lake. A rickety wooden deck clings to the outside of the structure 6 feet above the water. But assuming he just looks and keeps walking...))
Passing around the balloon factory the party comes upon a bridge. This flat wood-plank bridge, which spans an arm of the lake, is lined on one side by rows of bullywug heads on wooden spikes.
At the center of the bridge, a small figure sits with its feet dangling over one side. The figure appears to be talking to itself in bemoaned tones. But then the severed bullywug heads nearby erupt in a cacophony of voices—some indignant, others sympathetic. A few in a more distant row yell, “What? I couldn’t hear what they said!”
As you begin to walk across the bridge the heads all turn to you and all start saying things like, "Ah Outsiders! You must hear how Augluth VIII was the greatest king!" "Until he was usurped by Bloff III of course!" "Neither of them hold a torch to Bultis XII though!" they are all clearly bickering back and forth, and it seems they all consider their own reign the best of the Soggy Court.
In the middle of the bridge you see a scarecrow with a yellow gourd for a head talking to the heads near it, complaining about its current head. Its body language indicates it's pretty sad, though it has no facial expressions to read of course.
What would you like to do?
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Autumnleaf flutters closer, head tilted as she considers the scarecrow. "Good day to you and if I could say, you're seeming somewhat forlorn. Is there anything one might do to improve your day, if I might ask without inviting scorn?"
As it turns it's gourd around and then upwards in the direction of Autumnleaf you hear some rattling around inside, and it replies, "ah... This head just isn't like my old one. Those darn rabbits took it from me." It then looks to Speedwell as it says this, but seeing that his clothes are different from the brigand simply continues, "I do wish I could get my old one back..." He then spends a good minute describing in minute detail a glorious stag's head that used to adorn his body before sagging his shoulders in defeat.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM: