Nick Nack sits on a big rock near the side of the road that leaves saltmarsh in the direction of prospect…. He thinks about what they might find there… more paperwork types or more violent types… he hopes everyone still in town is safe. He remembers that eventually he would like to get to check out the local wizard or sorcerer as well, just in case they are part of this whole conspiracy, but shrugs it off as def something to deal with after prospect and honestly probably after dealing with the council and the issues thebsmithys told him about.
((Again, once everyone is done with stuff in town and we're all ready... I don't want to rush everyone.))
Boyd nods in agreement with Faila. "Yeah. I was thinking of Prospect, too. I think we've learned a lot, though I don't understand half of what we've learned. Time's tickin' and the poor girl's still in trouble."
Once assembled, the party resolves to make their way towards Asha Hawkes' family home, Prospect. A nervous tension hangs in the cold, winter air. They travel westward through Saltmarsh, past the barracks, reaching the Town Gate. Two guards stand at attention on either side of the gate. They seem pretty disinterested as the party approaches, nodding in acknowledgement as everyone passes.
Outside of the town, they are met with fields of white bisected by a long, sweeping road. Looking at the scribbled map Reggie hastily drew, it would seem the property sits some 4 miles outside of Saltmarsh. The snow begins to pick up after a while of traversing the road. It winds downhill at first before following the coastline. To say that the route is scenic would be an understatement, it looks like a scene out of a beautiful landscape paint or Christmas card.
The journey starts relatively uneventfully at first and tensions begin to drop. The road passes by a farm, it is the only sign of life you have seen since leaving the town. Lights flicker from the inside of the farmhouse and, as you pass by a small grove, there appear to be children at play, wrestling each other in the snow.
You watch as the scene unfolds. It appears that the children have yet to see you. Though you cannot quite make out their faces, they seem to be having a whale of a time in the snow.
Your mind begins to wander; were you being followed? Can you trust these other people you are travelling with? Was this not all part of some greater plan? A shiver makes its way down your spine and you feel a sense of loneliness wash over you.
Nick & Boyd:
You watch as the scene unfolds. It appears the children have yet to see you... Only, those aren't children. They look like small, blue creatures fighting each other in the snow; their pointy teeth gnashing at one another.
The creatures look like they are alien to this world, at a guess you would assume them to be fey.
((CRIT!))
Feelings of loneliness and isolation wash over you. However, you are convinced that the feelings are not your own but are rather being manipulated by your proximity to the creatures.
You can make out 6 of the creatures, though have a feeling there may well be more.
Ermasnietsz halts abruptly and stands like an immovable rod... only the dark parts of her eyes are animated to hint at the presence of a soul inside the transfixed body. If the context of the situation has been different and less stoical, she could have enjoyed the scenic view of sub-urban area.
She doesn't let the feelings of disbelief and solitude overwhelm her senses or muddle her mind. She slowly moves her head backwards to meet the eyes of her imaginary followers and doesn't expect to see someone suspicious. We should have taken an alternative route as suggested by Nikita.
"What the...?" Boyd squints at the "children." "Now... those ain't kids. Those're something else. They got big pointy teeth and all. Steer clear of them. Don't like they way they're making me feel... not natural..."
Nikita had resigned herself to the fact that she was a dead woman the instant she saw the Faithful Quartermasters of Iuz upon arriving in Saltmarsh. During the previous day's investigation with the others at Lady Isolde's behest, she had started to think there might be some hope and that she was beneath Iuz' notice, only to surmise from their findings that she and the others are likely marked for death by the Scarlet Brotherhood/Sanguine Cabal. Going to Prospect, to her, is mostly a way to just face the problem head on, while allowing some chance of saving innocents (Esther/Asha) in the unlikely event of success. She gives in for a moment to her own paranoia...
Likely the group is already compromised. Faila seems a wild child who means well but may rip my throat out without thinking. I feel I can trust Boyd but he clearly does not trust anyone who uses magic (like me). Nick Nack appears to be a good soul but erratic... who knows where the next Eldritch Blast is going to go. Meresaa is clearly reasonable, but may just be concerned with her experiments over anything else. And Ermasnietsz - I have literally no idea what to expect from her. No doubt a Sagacitas to the face when I am not looking.
So yes. I am probably not going to survive this. What's new? If one of them is planning to kill me, is it that big a difference in the end?
Nikita smiles fatalistically and sets her shoulders. Then Boyd's words suddenly shake her out of her inner monologue. She stops and does not approach closer to the kids, backing away a bit if the rest of the party are. She tries to identify them (see Nature check in next post).
Edited to add: also put in an Investigation check to discern whether we can go around them.
Further edited to add: ((Ok, the rolls now say "Dice rolls not yet available for this section.", but what I saw before was 16 for Nature and 20 for Investigation... let me know if you want a re-roll)).
(The dice roller is having a day once again. If you edit and just put a space after the roll it should parse.)
Meresaa stops and looks around, all but ignoring Boyd's words for the moment. She wraps her cloak tighter around herself and tenses.
"Something's not right," she whispers seemingly to herself. Louder, "You'd like us to believe such an outlandish claim, wouldn't you, Mr. Nilsson? Is this a last-ditch effort to steer us off the path? Are we getting too close to the truth you've been working so hard to conceal since we got here?" She points a long, slender finger at the man. "You're a part of this, aren't you? The Sanguine Cabal. The plot against the Carnival. Tearing me away from my home. Having someone planted within the group investigating your organization was a great idea. But to gain people's confidence, they must first be willing to trust. I don't know any of you. For all I know, you could all be part of this conspiracy. Why should I continue on this fool's errand when it's obvious that none of you have any interest in my wellbeing? I have half a mind to leave and pursue a way home on my own."
A hairless eyebrow arches imperiously as the tall blue woman regards the group with arms crossed, gauging reactions.
“Someone ask for pow pow?” Nick mimics shooting, “or did one of you wanna try negotiations….” Nick didn’t believe that will work, but assume whoever moves forward first will draw their attention towards them…
Your mind races back through memories, attempting to recall any information on the creatures standing before you. You recall mention of mythical creatures known as Hobs, which are born from the powerful emotions of humanoids; in this case loneliness and isolation.
Looking around the desolate landscape you cannot help but sympathise with whoever was experiencing the emotion. However, you cannot help but reflect upon the fact that the manifestation of these hobs was likely as a result of recent planar disturbances.
As to the type of hob, these creatures closely resemble Boggles,Blue Boggles to be precise.
The creatures do not yet seem to have noticed you. They seem more content to play their mischievous games. You believe that, should you leave the road and give them a wide berth, you may be able to sneak past unnoticed.
You wonder whether those inside of the farmhouse are aware of the boggles' presence. These creatures were likely born of their emotions.
Ermasnietsz loads her Light Crossbow with a piece of ammunition and aims her weapon at the ground just beside the group of creatures of unknown characteristics. She shoots a bolt after fixing her target to see if they're hostile.
The crossbow bolt thunks into the frozen ground next to the boggles. Instantly they whirl around and focus upon the party their eyes narrowing, honing in. A deep, dark sinking feeling fills the party as the creatures stand on the spot and start snarling in their direction.
((Blue Boggle))
Once more paranoia fills the minds of each of the members of the party; what are these creatures? Who were they sent by? Will your fellow party members flee or stand and fight?
The boggles look curiously at the party, their heads cocking from side to side. A chittering sound emanates from one of the boggles; vocal clicks and guttural sounds follow from the others. Panning out, the creatures start to advance upon the party, slowly at first, then bounding on all fours. Six they total. Yet additional voices ring out from the grove to the east of the road.
Faila nods. "I think Prospect is best. We must not wait. The Temple might be interested to hear what we find."
Nick Nack sits on a big rock near the side of the road that leaves saltmarsh in the direction of prospect…. He thinks about what they might find there… more paperwork types or more violent types… he hopes everyone still in town is safe. He remembers that eventually he would like to get to check out the local wizard or sorcerer as well, just in case they are part of this whole conspiracy, but shrugs it off as def something to deal with after prospect and honestly probably after dealing with the council and the issues thebsmithys told him about.
((Again, once everyone is done with stuff in town and we're all ready... I don't want to rush everyone.))
Boyd nods in agreement with Faila. "Yeah. I was thinking of Prospect, too. I think we've learned a lot, though I don't understand half of what we've learned. Time's tickin' and the poor girl's still in trouble."
On the road to Prospect
Once assembled, the party resolves to make their way towards Asha Hawkes' family home, Prospect. A nervous tension hangs in the cold, winter air. They travel westward through Saltmarsh, past the barracks, reaching the Town Gate. Two guards stand at attention on either side of the gate. They seem pretty disinterested as the party approaches, nodding in acknowledgement as everyone passes.
Outside of the town, they are met with fields of white bisected by a long, sweeping road. Looking at the scribbled map Reggie hastily drew, it would seem the property sits some 4 miles outside of Saltmarsh. The snow begins to pick up after a while of traversing the road. It winds downhill at first before following the coastline. To say that the route is scenic would be an understatement, it looks like a scene out of a beautiful landscape paint or Christmas card.
The journey starts relatively uneventfully at first and tensions begin to drop. The road passes by a farm, it is the only sign of life you have seen since leaving the town. Lights flicker from the inside of the farmhouse and, as you pass by a small grove, there appear to be children at play, wrestling each other in the snow.
ALL - Perception checks.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Nikita Perception check: 12
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Ermasnietsz: Perception 9
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Faila: 12
Perception: 7
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
22
Boyd: 24
Perception Checks:
Nikita, Ermasnietsz, Faila & Meresaa:
You watch as the scene unfolds. It appears that the children have yet to see you. Though you cannot quite make out their faces, they seem to be having a whale of a time in the snow.
Your mind begins to wander; were you being followed? Can you trust these other people you are travelling with? Was this not all part of some greater plan? A shiver makes its way down your spine and you feel a sense of loneliness wash over you.
Nick & Boyd:
You watch as the scene unfolds. It appears the children have yet to see you... Only, those aren't children. They look like small, blue creatures fighting each other in the snow; their pointy teeth gnashing at one another.
The creatures look like they are alien to this world, at a guess you would assume them to be fey.
((CRIT!))
Feelings of loneliness and isolation wash over you. However, you are convinced that the feelings are not your own but are rather being manipulated by your proximity to the creatures.
You can make out 6 of the creatures, though have a feeling there may well be more.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ermasnietsz halts abruptly and stands like an immovable rod... only the dark parts of her eyes are animated to hint at the presence of a soul inside the transfixed body. If the context of the situation has been different and less stoical, she could have enjoyed the scenic view of sub-urban area.
She doesn't let the feelings of disbelief and solitude overwhelm her senses or muddle her mind. She slowly moves her head backwards to meet the eyes of her imaginary followers and doesn't expect to see someone suspicious. We should have taken an alternative route as suggested by Nikita.
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
"What the...?" Boyd squints at the "children." "Now... those ain't kids. Those're something else. They got big pointy teeth and all. Steer clear of them. Don't like they way they're making me feel... not natural..."
((Boyd reveals the crit spoiler in post 412))
Nikita had resigned herself to the fact that she was a dead woman the instant she saw the Faithful Quartermasters of Iuz upon arriving in Saltmarsh. During the previous day's investigation with the others at Lady Isolde's behest, she had started to think there might be some hope and that she was beneath Iuz' notice, only to surmise from their findings that she and the others are likely marked for death by the Scarlet Brotherhood/Sanguine Cabal. Going to Prospect, to her, is mostly a way to just face the problem head on, while allowing some chance of saving innocents (Esther/Asha) in the unlikely event of success. She gives in for a moment to her own paranoia...
Likely the group is already compromised. Faila seems a wild child who means well but may rip my throat out without thinking. I feel I can trust Boyd but he clearly does not trust anyone who uses magic (like me). Nick Nack appears to be a good soul but erratic... who knows where the next Eldritch Blast is going to go. Meresaa is clearly reasonable, but may just be concerned with her experiments over anything else. And Ermasnietsz - I have literally no idea what to expect from her. No doubt a Sagacitas to the face when I am not looking.
So yes. I am probably not going to survive this. What's new? If one of them is planning to kill me, is it that big a difference in the end?
Nikita smiles fatalistically and sets her shoulders. Then Boyd's words suddenly shake her out of her inner monologue. She stops and does not approach closer to the kids, backing away a bit if the rest of the party are. She tries to identify them (see Nature check in next post).
Edited to add: also put in an Investigation check to discern whether we can go around them.
Further edited to add: ((Ok, the rolls now say "Dice rolls not yet available for this section.", but what I saw before was 16 for Nature and 20 for Investigation... let me know if you want a re-roll)).
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Nature check on (non-)kids: 16
Investigation to see if we can go around them: 20
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
(The dice roller is having a day once again. If you edit and just put a space after the roll it should parse.)
Meresaa stops and looks around, all but ignoring Boyd's words for the moment. She wraps her cloak tighter around herself and tenses.
"Something's not right," she whispers seemingly to herself. Louder, "You'd like us to believe such an outlandish claim, wouldn't you, Mr. Nilsson? Is this a last-ditch effort to steer us off the path? Are we getting too close to the truth you've been working so hard to conceal since we got here?" She points a long, slender finger at the man. "You're a part of this, aren't you? The Sanguine Cabal. The plot against the Carnival. Tearing me away from my home. Having someone planted within the group investigating your organization was a great idea. But to gain people's confidence, they must first be willing to trust. I don't know any of you. For all I know, you could all be part of this conspiracy. Why should I continue on this fool's errand when it's obvious that none of you have any interest in my wellbeing? I have half a mind to leave and pursue a way home on my own."
A hairless eyebrow arches imperiously as the tall blue woman regards the group with arms crossed, gauging reactions.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
“Someone ask for pow pow?” Nick mimics shooting, “or did one of you wanna try negotiations….” Nick didn’t believe that will work, but assume whoever moves forward first will draw their attention towards them…
Nikita's Nature check:
Your mind races back through memories, attempting to recall any information on the creatures standing before you. You recall mention of mythical creatures known as Hobs, which are born from the powerful emotions of humanoids; in this case loneliness and isolation.
Looking around the desolate landscape you cannot help but sympathise with whoever was experiencing the emotion. However, you cannot help but reflect upon the fact that the manifestation of these hobs was likely as a result of recent planar disturbances.
As to the type of hob, these creatures closely resemble Boggles, Blue Boggles to be precise.
Nikita's Investigation check:
The creatures do not yet seem to have noticed you. They seem more content to play their mischievous games. You believe that, should you leave the road and give them a wide berth, you may be able to sneak past unnoticed.
You wonder whether those inside of the farmhouse are aware of the boggles' presence. These creatures were likely born of their emotions.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ermasnietsz loads her Light Crossbow with a piece of ammunition and aims her weapon at the ground just beside the group of creatures of unknown characteristics. She shoots a bolt after fixing her target to see if they're hostile.
Action: Attack [Light Crossbow]: Attack: 20 Damage: 8
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Farmstead
The crossbow bolt thunks into the frozen ground next to the boggles. Instantly they whirl around and focus upon the party their eyes narrowing, honing in. A deep, dark sinking feeling fills the party as the creatures stand on the spot and start snarling in their direction.
Once more paranoia fills the minds of each of the members of the party; what are these creatures? Who were they sent by? Will your fellow party members flee or stand and fight?
The boggles look curiously at the party, their heads cocking from side to side. A chittering sound emanates from one of the boggles; vocal clicks and guttural sounds follow from the others. Panning out, the creatures start to advance upon the party, slowly at first, then bounding on all fours. Six they total. Yet additional voices ring out from the grove to the east of the road.
ALL - Please roll initiative.
DM rolls:
20, 21, 8, 8, 8, 5
7, 4
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)