Boyd shuffles around in the back, not trusting this strange armored person. "What's she saying? Is she speaking magic at him?"
Eventually he steps all the way back and leaves this to the expert. He sets his sights on the strange mushroom in the hallway behind the group, wondering if they've just been trapped between a rock and a hard place. He motions Esther close to protect her. "It'll be alright, girl. We're just finding a better way out of here... Talked to your mum yesterday. She misses you." He tries to keep her attention on things other than what's going on.
At Boyd's musings, Meresaa looks up just long enough to laugh delightedly at the absurdity of it all.
"Oh, my dear man," she says as she smiles at him. "It might as well be magic. But no, she's speaking other languages in the hopes of establishing communication with our unseen observer. I recognize Dwarvish and... I could be wrong but I believe it's Elvish. The dialect is different from what I'm used to hearing in Ravnica and I can't quite make it out but I assume it's another repetition of what she's already said on Common."
Her gaze returns to the scrolls on the table for a moment before looking back up to the man. She closes her eyes, stifles a chuckle, and shakes her heard before focusing back on the documents before her.
Nikita - You hear the metallic scraping noise from before. Moments later, you see the creature making the noise, as a being made of vines and roots, wearing shabby, rusted, ancient armour shambles towards you.
It stands, illuminated by the magical dust, with its hands on its hips. Where there should be a face, there is only a trunk of wood. The armour looks quaint and foreign, you do not recognise it. You note that the other vegetation and growth appear to react to the tree-knight's presence; unwinding and contorting to make room for the knight's steps.
Meresaa - At a glance, you find all manner of charts and what look like militaristic orders. The scrolls on the desk seem to have been preserved, as they do not show much sign of degradation. Please can you make both an investigation check and also an insight check.
Boyd - The young girl, having been through a lot in a very short space of time, gladly draws close to you. "M-my mum?" Esther asks, nervously, "she always told me that something bad might happen when I snuck off. Looks like she was right." She sighs heavily. "It was exciting to meet with Billy, but I guess I really should have left a note or something," she says, wistfully.
"Say Boyd,"Esther says, looking up at you, "we're going to be alright, aren't we? I mean, I will see her again won't I? My mum."
Meresaa - Esther nods as you address Boyd. "That's right, Ms Meresaa," she says, agreeably, "if I'm not mistaken she says she wants to speak with whomever she saw, peacefully." She looks a little abashed. "My elvish isn't particularly good, I'm afraid, but I know a smattering."
Boyd - Inhaling sharply, Esther gasps as the knight reveals himself. "What's that thing, Mr Boyd?"she hisses at you, "reckon it's friend or... foe?"
Faila straightens in alarm when she notices the movement retreating down the hallway... but Nikita has seen as much as the urchin girl has, and seems far better equipped to handle it. Faila slinks close to Meresaa and helps her with investigating the charts.
But when the ancient armored tree man shambles into view, she stops cold, her eyes wide. Something about the tree man seems to gnaw at the back of her mind. She wants to be afraid of it---it looks very much like something she ought to be running from---but she isn't. Leaving the charts for a moment, Faila carefully approaches the tree knight, intrigued.
Nikita attempts a formal bow in the style of the elves of Celene, the surreality of the entire situation beginning to exceed her ability to process it. Thumbtack briefly takes flight during the bow, giving the knight a "hoo-ooo" in greeting. In Elvish, Nikita continues with a few more words:
"You understand Elvish... ancient knight of trees. Most of my companions do not, so I will translate. Are you able to speak to me?"
Turning to the others, Nikita explains: "Yes, I am speaking Elvish. My dialect is of Celene, my homeland, well north of here, in this world. Simply greeting the tree knight in peace. I hope they are friend, not foe, Esther. We have enough foes already. Perhaps it can provide us a clue to what... this... is."
She is not quite sure what she means by "this" any more. The room, the ancient treasure, the tree knight, the entirety of Prospect, the planar rift...
Nikita pays close attention to any interaction or dynamic between the tree knight and others, especially the approaching Faila and the Sagacitas.
Faila - You assist Meresaa with searching the desk; it is filled with what looks like militaristic orders and strategic notes. You approach the tree knight and its hand briefly moves to the weapon hanging by its hip, its gauntletted hand rises in a 'halt' gesture. Vines slowly begin to wrap and twist themselves around your boots - you get the sense that they may root you to the spot if you do not move back.
"Ms Faila!"Esther hisses, before hiding her face behind Boyd, not wanting to see what may transpire next.
Nikita - The tree knight turns, once more, to you as you address it in elvish. Its 'hand' moves up to its 'face' and then, holding the index finger of its non-sword hand up, waggles it; you would take this to be a clear 'no' when it comes to speaking. The knight proceeds to point its hand towards the south.
((Please make a further perception check, you may also want to make an insight check.))
Boyd stands stalwart... at the back of the group. He reassures the girl: "Oh, you'll see your mother again. I just talked to her the other day. I'm sure she's doing fine. And us... well we're going to get out of here in no time, you'll see."When she asks about the plant-man, the grizzled rogue responds truthfully: "I'm not sure, but don't worry, we've handled worse than him. Nikita looks like she's got it handled, and look - Faila's speaking with it now or something. See? Nothing to worry about."
((Ugh - what a mess. Sorry folks. The upper set of forum rolls were showing as dice not available even after I added spaces and updated. So I rolled in avrae after having to import my character and posted those rolls - remarkably similar actually - and then the original forum rolls showed up.))
Behind the Tree Knight you spot further movement. You are not sure whether your eyes are playing tricks on you, especially given the glare of the magical dust, but you think you can seen further shapes forming out of the vegetation.
Thumbtack confirms your suspicions but cannot quite make out what the additional shapes are.
Insight
For the time being at least, it does not look like the Tree Knight has violent intent. However, it seems to be adamant that Faila steps no further toward it and that the party proceed south.
You have a feeling that the mood could change quickly should any perceived aggression, or an aggressive act, be taken against the knight.
Nikita gestures for Faila and anyone else to make no further move towards the tree knight or the western corridor. In Common:
"They are not hostile but may become so if we move further towards them or the west passageway. There is movement back there but neither Thumbtack nor I can quite make out the cause of it. Either way, I suggest we respect their wishes! The plants here seem allied with them somehow."
She tries to mollify the tree knight, in Elvish, making placating gestures and taking a step back.
"I understand. We come no closer. If you cannot speak, can you respond by tapping your chest plate once for 'yes', twice for 'no', thrice for 'unsure'?There is treasure here, which may help fight the evil that we oppose. But it is not ours. Do you guard it as you guard the west passage?"
"And a second question. There is a planar rift nearby here which has caused extraplanar beings to come here." Nikita points to the Sagacitas, though in truth she could point to several of her companions as well. "And others from here to go across to the other side. Do you know of this planar portal?"
Back in Common she says to the group: "I am asking about the treasure and whether they guard it. And also about the planar rift."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Without looking up from the table, Meresaa's head turns ever-so-slightly toward Esther's voice and replies absently. "Hm? Oh yes. It's good to hear your mother has you studying such things. Best keep at it, dear."
Investigation: 14 (advantage from Faila) Insight: 15 (or 23 if advantage continues to this roll)
Together with Faila's assistance, you pour over the contents of the desk. The documents appear to be ancient though free from degradation or decomposition, perhaps a side effect of the localised magic. At a best guess, based on their contents and references, the documents would be hundreds of years old.
History
Most of the documents seem to detail troop movements, bearing the now familiar seal of the Kingdom of Aerdy. The documents seem to reference a large-scale war, an invasion that threatened the very existence of the Kingdom. The aggressors were reportedly able to appear, seemingly at random, throughout Saltmarsh. References to otherworldly creatures such as fomorians, drow, myconids (strange fungal creatures), chitines (humanoids resembling spiders), as well as hulking quaggoths, conniving duergar, and mischievous spriggans, are found throughout the reports.
The writings state that Saltmarsh is believed to have multiple crossings into the feyrealm; one such crossing was being guarded at this location. On a more positive note, there are a couple of references to new-found allies from the feyrealm itself; the Seelie Court with their forces of eladrin, satyrs, and centaurs, among others.
((Additional information due to the Critical roll))
Though you find no evidence or mention of how the invasion ended, it would be your best guess that it was long after this outpost was abandoned. However, you do come across a brief mention, more of a theory, that this was not the first time an invasion had been attempted from the feyrealm. One of the letters writes about a magical barrier being previously established to prevent fey aggression; this was achieved by collecting seven magical relics and positioning them in strategic locations in the region.
Among the diagrams and drawings, you find a map of the local area - Saltmarsh as it once stood. Many of the location references you do not recognise, save one; Sharkfin Bridge is clearly written next to the old bridge leading into the centre of the town, a thick black X has been scrawled beneath it. Additionally, between maps detailing troop movements across the continent of Oerik, you find a small piece of cloth which has been finely painted.
((One of the many maps of Oerik))
As you look down at the parchment you make out the word Cendrianesprawled just left of its centre.
((Map referencing 'Cendriane'... among other places!))
Insight
It is clear that the letters on the desk are from multiple writers. As you are able to piece them together and get a greater image of the sequence of events it appears as though the tone of the letters gets increasingly more urgent the later they get; they start by mentioning a few incursions but soon become little more than lists of causality/fatality figures. You are able to tell that this was a great drain on the Kingdom both financially and in terms of lives lost.
You get the gut feeling that many of the writers of the letters believed that the invasion would be the end of Aerdy. That the region around Saltmarsh would likely become occupied in the years to come. You, of course, know this not to be the case.
Nikita - The tree knight's right branch hand stays hovered over its wicked-looking sword. Its left-hand strikes on its chest once, confirming that it is unable to talk.
"Do you guard it as you guard the west passage?"
It strikes its chest twice - No, it does not guard the treasure.
"Do you know of this planar portal?"
The tree knight strikes at its chest once. Its hand then points southward then points upwards.
Several other 'figures' appear behind the knight at this point; more hedge and plant, vaguely resembling humanoid shapes, they inhabit ancient rusted armour. The armour looks Elvish in design but other, indistinguishable armour types are smattered in. The other forms appear to defer to the tree knight standing before you.
"The tree knight guards only the plant creatures behind them and not the treasure, though I still urge caution." Nikita speaks in Common to the party as she eyes the giant ballista, readying the dodge action. "Make no threatening moves whatsoever towards them. It also knows of the planar portal and just pointed upwards and to the south, presumably to the outbuilding that Toska described. Let me know if any of you have questions for them."
Back in Elvish to the tree knight, taking a step back as she speaks: "Thank you. Once again, we wish you no harm. More yes and no questions if you will:"
"First, may we be of assistance to you and your companions? (If so, I can ask further on this)."
"Second, forgive me, but you do not seem to be of this world. None of you do. Are you from beyond the portal yourselves?"
"Third, judging by the remnants of the armor your companions wear and the language we now speak, were you once elves, now transformed?"
"Finally, to be transparent and honest as you have been with us, we plan to gather what we need here and proceed to the portal. There is someone from this world, Asha Hawkes, who may be trapped beyond it. And the portal itself may eventually need to be contained or closed for the safety of multiple worlds. But we lack information on the situation we are getting into. And some of my own companions here were themselves transported to this world against their own volition. Tap twice if you object to our goals and plan of action. Tapping once if agreeable."
She translates all of the above to the party in Common so they know what she is asking of the tree knight. Somewhat breathless by the end.
Faila stands still, halted, as the tree knight gestures to her. Her mind is still swimming with Meresaa's maps. Was the Kingdom's war with the fey not lost? Saltmarsh is still here, though the king is far away.
After listening to Nikita's explanation, she squeaks out, "The portal is in the outbuilding? We don't have to go through it, do we?"
Nikita - Ever expressionless, you find it hard to get a read on the tree knight, yet you do sense an easing of the tension in its sword arm as you speak of not wishing it harm.
"First, may we be of assistance to you and your companions?"
There is a pause, almost as though the knight is deeply contemplating your words. After a while, the knight's sword arm relaxes and he strikes his chest once. The others behind him step forth now, there are five in total; all appear to be tree-like soldiers garbed in ancient elven armour. The knight that revealed himself first seems to be their leader/captain. Moving his wooden hands, he gestures to his group and then south and upwards. It leaves no doubt in your mind that he means to follow you to the surface, through a southern exit.
"Second, forgive me, but you do not seem to be of this world. None of you do. Are you from beyond the portal yourselves?"
Striking his chest hard, the others behind him follow suit, striking their own chests.
"Third, judging by the remnants of the armor your companions wear and the language we now speak, were you once elves, now transformed?"
The knight captain strikes his chest signalling 'yes' and then three times, signalling 'unsure'. ((Please make an Arcana check))
And the portal itself may eventually need to be contained or closed for the safety of multiple worlds... Tap twice if you object to our goals and plan of action. Tapping once if agreeable.
Drawing itself upright, you could swear that the knight captain almost swells with pride. It strikes its chest, affirming your words.
((Nikita - I am going to say that this interaction definitely warrants an inspiration point. The tree knights seem a lot more agreeable now that you have outlined the party's plans. Just checking, I see you already have an unspent point. Either way, the interaction would definitely have resulted in one!))
Faila - "Is it safe?" there is bewilderment in Esther's voice. "I mean, I've no idea what this portal is... but wherever it leads, is it safe?" She looks longingly between Boyd and Faila, "Besides, aren't we going back to town... to see my mother? Do you reckon we should let the town council know about," she beckons around her, "this place?"
Nikita Persuasion: 20
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
She tries to motion for the others to back up a bit, also conveniently out of the firing line of the ballista if needed.
Keeping her hands well away from her weapons.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Meresaa hasn't made it past the first table yet. While gold is alluring in its own right, she stopped to first pour over the scrolls.
(Anything of interest to be found in the 10+ minutes the ritual was being cast and the group was exploring the room before things kicked off?)
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Boyd shuffles around in the back, not trusting this strange armored person. "What's she saying? Is she speaking magic at him?"
Eventually he steps all the way back and leaves this to the expert. He sets his sights on the strange mushroom in the hallway behind the group, wondering if they've just been trapped between a rock and a hard place. He motions Esther close to protect her. "It'll be alright, girl. We're just finding a better way out of here... Talked to your mum yesterday. She misses you." He tries to keep her attention on things other than what's going on.
At Boyd's musings, Meresaa looks up just long enough to laugh delightedly at the absurdity of it all.
"Oh, my dear man," she says as she smiles at him. "It might as well be magic. But no, she's speaking other languages in the hopes of establishing communication with our unseen observer. I recognize Dwarvish and... I could be wrong but I believe it's Elvish. The dialect is different from what I'm used to hearing in Ravnica and I can't quite make it out but I assume it's another repetition of what she's already said on Common."
Her gaze returns to the scrolls on the table for a moment before looking back up to the man. She closes her eyes, stifles a chuckle, and shakes her heard before focusing back on the documents before her.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Nikita - You hear the metallic scraping noise from before. Moments later, you see the creature making the noise, as a being made of vines and roots, wearing shabby, rusted, ancient armour shambles towards you.
Meresaa - At a glance, you find all manner of charts and what look like militaristic orders. The scrolls on the desk seem to have been preserved, as they do not show much sign of degradation. Please can you make both an investigation check and also an insight check.
Boyd - The young girl, having been through a lot in a very short space of time, gladly draws close to you. "M-my mum?" Esther asks, nervously, "she always told me that something bad might happen when I snuck off. Looks like she was right." She sighs heavily. "It was exciting to meet with Billy, but I guess I really should have left a note or something," she says, wistfully.
"Say Boyd," Esther says, looking up at you, "we're going to be alright, aren't we? I mean, I will see her again won't I? My mum."
Meresaa - Esther nods as you address Boyd. "That's right, Ms Meresaa," she says, agreeably, "if I'm not mistaken she says she wants to speak with whomever she saw, peacefully." She looks a little abashed. "My elvish isn't particularly good, I'm afraid, but I know a smattering."
Boyd - Inhaling sharply, Esther gasps as the knight reveals himself. "What's that thing, Mr Boyd?" she hisses at you, "reckon it's friend or... foe?"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Faila straightens in alarm when she notices the movement retreating down the hallway... but Nikita has seen as much as the urchin girl has, and seems far better equipped to handle it. Faila slinks close to Meresaa and helps her with investigating the charts.
But when the ancient armored tree man shambles into view, she stops cold, her eyes wide. Something about the tree man seems to gnaw at the back of her mind. She wants to be afraid of it---it looks very much like something she ought to be running from---but she isn't. Leaving the charts for a moment, Faila carefully approaches the tree knight, intrigued.
Nikita attempts a formal bow in the style of the elves of Celene, the surreality of the entire situation beginning to exceed her ability to process it. Thumbtack briefly takes flight during the bow, giving the knight a "hoo-ooo" in greeting. In Elvish, Nikita continues with a few more words:
"You understand Elvish... ancient knight of trees. Most of my companions do not, so I will translate. Are you able to speak to me?"
Turning to the others, Nikita explains: "Yes, I am speaking Elvish. My dialect is of Celene, my homeland, well north of here, in this world. Simply greeting the tree knight in peace. I hope they are friend, not foe, Esther. We have enough foes already. Perhaps it can provide us a clue to what... this... is."
She is not quite sure what she means by "this" any more. The room, the ancient treasure, the tree knight, the entirety of Prospect, the planar rift...
Nikita pays close attention to any interaction or dynamic between the tree knight and others, especially the approaching Faila and the Sagacitas.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Faila - You assist Meresaa with searching the desk; it is filled with what looks like militaristic orders and strategic notes. You approach the tree knight and its hand briefly moves to the weapon hanging by its hip, its gauntletted hand rises in a 'halt' gesture. Vines slowly begin to wrap and twist themselves around your boots - you get the sense that they may root you to the spot if you do not move back.
"Ms Faila!" Esther hisses, before hiding her face behind Boyd, not wanting to see what may transpire next.
Nikita - The tree knight turns, once more, to you as you address it in elvish. Its 'hand' moves up to its 'face' and then, holding the index finger of its non-sword hand up, waggles it; you would take this to be a clear 'no' when it comes to speaking. The knight proceeds to point its hand towards the south.
((Please make a further perception check, you may also want to make an insight check.))
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Boyd stands stalwart... at the back of the group. He reassures the girl: "Oh, you'll see your mother again. I just talked to her the other day. I'm sure she's doing fine. And us... well we're going to get out of here in no time, you'll see." When she asks about the plant-man, the grizzled rogue responds truthfully: "I'm not sure, but don't worry, we've handled worse than him. Nikita looks like she's got it handled, and look - Faila's speaking with it now or something. See? Nothing to worry about."
Nikita looks on, trying to get a read on the strange situation:
Nikita Perception: 9
Thumbtack (if applicable) Perception: 23
Nikita Insight: 19
((Showing as dice rolls not available for this section so rolled in avrae.))
Nikita Perception: 14
Thumbtack (if applicable) Perception: 16
Nikita Insight: 10
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
((Ugh - what a mess. Sorry folks. The upper set of forum rolls were showing as dice not available even after I added spaces and updated. So I rolled in avrae after having to import my character and posted those rolls - remarkably similar actually - and then the original forum rolls showed up.))
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Nikita's Checks:
Perception
Behind the Tree Knight you spot further movement. You are not sure whether your eyes are playing tricks on you, especially given the glare of the magical dust, but you think you can seen further shapes forming out of the vegetation.
Thumbtack confirms your suspicions but cannot quite make out what the additional shapes are.
Insight
For the time being at least, it does not look like the Tree Knight has violent intent. However, it seems to be adamant that Faila steps no further toward it and that the party proceed south.
You have a feeling that the mood could change quickly should any perceived aggression, or an aggressive act, be taken against the knight.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Nikita gestures for Faila and anyone else to make no further move towards the tree knight or the western corridor. In Common:
"They are not hostile but may become so if we move further towards them or the west passageway. There is movement back there but neither Thumbtack nor I can quite make out the cause of it. Either way, I suggest we respect their wishes! The plants here seem allied with them somehow."
She tries to mollify the tree knight, in Elvish, making placating gestures and taking a step back.
"I understand. We come no closer. If you cannot speak, can you respond by tapping your chest plate once for 'yes', twice for 'no', thrice for 'unsure'? There is treasure here, which may help fight the evil that we oppose. But it is not ours. Do you guard it as you guard the west passage?"
"And a second question. There is a planar rift nearby here which has caused extraplanar beings to come here." Nikita points to the Sagacitas, though in truth she could point to several of her companions as well. "And others from here to go across to the other side. Do you know of this planar portal?"
Back in Common she says to the group: "I am asking about the treasure and whether they guard it. And also about the planar rift."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Without looking up from the table, Meresaa's head turns ever-so-slightly toward Esther's voice and replies absently. "Hm? Oh yes. It's good to hear your mother has you studying such things. Best keep at it, dear."
Investigation: 14 (advantage from Faila)
Insight: 15 (or 23 if advantage continues to this roll)
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Meresaa's Checks:
Together with Faila's assistance, you pour over the contents of the desk. The documents appear to be ancient though free from degradation or decomposition, perhaps a side effect of the localised magic. At a best guess, based on their contents and references, the documents would be hundreds of years old.
History
Most of the documents seem to detail troop movements, bearing the now familiar seal of the Kingdom of Aerdy. The documents seem to reference a large-scale war, an invasion that threatened the very existence of the Kingdom. The aggressors were reportedly able to appear, seemingly at random, throughout Saltmarsh. References to otherworldly creatures such as fomorians, drow, myconids (strange fungal creatures), chitines (humanoids resembling spiders), as well as hulking quaggoths, conniving duergar, and mischievous spriggans, are found throughout the reports.
The writings state that Saltmarsh is believed to have multiple crossings into the feyrealm; one such crossing was being guarded at this location. On a more positive note, there are a couple of references to new-found allies from the feyrealm itself; the Seelie Court with their forces of eladrin, satyrs, and centaurs, among others.
((Additional information due to the Critical roll))
Though you find no evidence or mention of how the invasion ended, it would be your best guess that it was long after this outpost was abandoned. However, you do come across a brief mention, more of a theory, that this was not the first time an invasion had been attempted from the feyrealm. One of the letters writes about a magical barrier being previously established to prevent fey aggression; this was achieved by collecting seven magical relics and positioning them in strategic locations in the region.
Among the diagrams and drawings, you find a map of the local area - Saltmarsh as it once stood. Many of the location references you do not recognise, save one; Sharkfin Bridge is clearly written next to the old bridge leading into the centre of the town, a thick black X has been scrawled beneath it. Additionally, between maps detailing troop movements across the continent of Oerik, you find a small piece of cloth which has been finely painted.
As you look down at the parchment you make out the word Cendriane sprawled just left of its centre.
Insight
It is clear that the letters on the desk are from multiple writers. As you are able to piece them together and get a greater image of the sequence of events it appears as though the tone of the letters gets increasingly more urgent the later they get; they start by mentioning a few incursions but soon become little more than lists of causality/fatality figures. You are able to tell that this was a great drain on the Kingdom both financially and in terms of lives lost.
You get the gut feeling that many of the writers of the letters believed that the invasion would be the end of Aerdy. That the region around Saltmarsh would likely become occupied in the years to come. You, of course, know this not to be the case.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Nikita - The tree knight's right branch hand stays hovered over its wicked-looking sword. Its left-hand strikes on its chest once, confirming that it is unable to talk.
It strikes its chest twice - No, it does not guard the treasure.
The tree knight strikes at its chest once. Its hand then points southward then points upwards.
Several other 'figures' appear behind the knight at this point; more hedge and plant, vaguely resembling humanoid shapes, they inhabit ancient rusted armour. The armour looks Elvish in design but other, indistinguishable armour types are smattered in. The other forms appear to defer to the tree knight standing before you.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"The tree knight guards only the plant creatures behind them and not the treasure, though I still urge caution." Nikita speaks in Common to the party as she eyes the giant ballista, readying the dodge action. "Make no threatening moves whatsoever towards them. It also knows of the planar portal and just pointed upwards and to the south, presumably to the outbuilding that Toska described. Let me know if any of you have questions for them."
Back in Elvish to the tree knight, taking a step back as she speaks: "Thank you. Once again, we wish you no harm. More yes and no questions if you will:"
"First, may we be of assistance to you and your companions? (If so, I can ask further on this)."
"Second, forgive me, but you do not seem to be of this world. None of you do. Are you from beyond the portal yourselves?"
"Third, judging by the remnants of the armor your companions wear and the language we now speak, were you once elves, now transformed?"
"Finally, to be transparent and honest as you have been with us, we plan to gather what we need here and proceed to the portal. There is someone from this world, Asha Hawkes, who may be trapped beyond it. And the portal itself may eventually need to be contained or closed for the safety of multiple worlds. But we lack information on the situation we are getting into. And some of my own companions here were themselves transported to this world against their own volition. Tap twice if you object to our goals and plan of action. Tapping once if agreeable."
She translates all of the above to the party in Common so they know what she is asking of the tree knight. Somewhat breathless by the end.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Faila stands still, halted, as the tree knight gestures to her. Her mind is still swimming with Meresaa's maps. Was the Kingdom's war with the fey not lost? Saltmarsh is still here, though the king is far away.
After listening to Nikita's explanation, she squeaks out, "The portal is in the outbuilding? We don't have to go through it, do we?"
Nikita - Ever expressionless, you find it hard to get a read on the tree knight, yet you do sense an easing of the tension in its sword arm as you speak of not wishing it harm.
There is a pause, almost as though the knight is deeply contemplating your words. After a while, the knight's sword arm relaxes and he strikes his chest once. The others behind him step forth now, there are five in total; all appear to be tree-like soldiers garbed in ancient elven armour. The knight that revealed himself first seems to be their leader/captain. Moving his wooden hands, he gestures to his group and then south and upwards. It leaves no doubt in your mind that he means to follow you to the surface, through a southern exit.
Striking his chest hard, the others behind him follow suit, striking their own chests.
The knight captain strikes his chest signalling 'yes' and then three times, signalling 'unsure'. ((Please make an Arcana check))
Drawing itself upright, you could swear that the knight captain almost swells with pride. It strikes its chest, affirming your words.
((Nikita - I am going to say that this interaction definitely warrants an inspiration point. The tree knights seem a lot more agreeable now that you have outlined the party's plans. Just checking, I see you already have an unspent point. Either way, the interaction would definitely have resulted in one!))
Faila - "Is it safe?" there is bewilderment in Esther's voice. "I mean, I've no idea what this portal is... but wherever it leads, is it safe?" She looks longingly between Boyd and Faila, "Besides, aren't we going back to town... to see my mother? Do you reckon we should let the town council know about," she beckons around her, "this place?"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)