"Oh, well, I guess you know our horses then..." Khessa whispers to the cow, patting her reassuringly on the shoulders and using some more of her rope to wrangle and then lead her.
"This Mr BAK is probably in trouble..." comments the blonde arcane warrior with her friends, as she starts again riding toward the ranch.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jasper mentions the brand before to the others before heading forward. “We must be getting close to the ranch. We should be on guard for orcs in the area.” Jasper proceeds forward down the path. Looking for tracks out of the ordinary. Jasper holds his holy symbol and asks for guidance. Casts Guidance on himself.
Perception or Survival: 15 Guidance: 3
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP Dastion Salvi~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete
You make camp for one more night, staking the horses and the cow, although none of them seem inclined to wander away anyway. The night passes without incident (no more owlbears!), and mid-morning the next day you arrive at Butterskull Ranch.
Butterskull Ranch occupies a large plot of land on the north side of the Triboar Trail, nestled between two hills. Beyond a ramshackle wooden fence stand corn fields, an apple orchard, gardens, and pasture land. A path breaks off from the trail to lead to a two-story farmhouse next to a pond. West of the farmhouse are the charred remains of a barn and smithy that have been burned to the ground.
Jasper casts Twilight Sanctuary when everyone wakes up. Rests and prepares spells for the day. Also casts Aid giving Khessa, Aura and Echo +5 HP to their max HP. Reaching the outer area of the ranch, Jasper casts Vigilant Blessing on himself. “Well we’re here. Should we head straight in or sneak around the side of the farmhouse?” Jasper thinks on it for moment. “I think we should get a closer look but stay out of sight.”
"Wonderful Katarina, go for it" Khessa approves. "Just be careful. Orcs are brutal warriors".
The tall adventuress thinks in the meantime: 'Tookrashk, scouting from above, might also have noticed something of interest... I just hope he comes and warns us, instead of attacking blindly...'
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Katarina scouts ahead, she notices that pigs harmlessly wander the fields, gardens, and orchard. Between the farmhouse and the gutted barn lie the scattered corpses of two orcs and five humans swarming with flies. Everything is deathly quiet.
As if she has summoned him with her thoughts, Tookrashk lands quietly behind the group. He sneaks up on you from behind (stealth 4), wanting to scare you with his arrival. Jasper, with his high passive perception, is the only one to spot the manticore slinking up like a cat, with mischief in his eyes.
Unaware of the arrival of the 'frightful beast', Khessa takes the cow to her pasture, if she spots it - or at least to a pasture that is close to the ranch, awaiting the outcome of Katarina's reconnaissance.
She also tries to locate a stable where she can leave the horses.
In the meantime she thinks: 'Oh, what am I worried about... Tookrashk is strong and robust... There aren't many creatures that can put him in real trouble... And then he's no longer an instinctual wild beast... he learned to team up with us, his friends... he'll be back soon... I'm pretty sure! Right?'
Jasper hears Tookrashk land behind the group and it takes a moment but he sees him crawling through the tall grass. Jasper gives him a sly grin and quietly says, ”Tookrashk. Stay quiet. Stay down. We are here. Lady Katarina went ahead to scout the farmhouse. When she returns, we will decide what to do.” Jasper turns back towards the group with spear and shield in hand. Jasper whispers, ”We have to stay ready if something happens.“
Tookrashk is about to rear up and scare the others when he notices that Jasper has seen him. His ears droop, and he shoots Jasper a disappointed look. "Tookrashk already quiet!" the manticore protests in a stage whisper.
If Khessa has time to find a suitable place for the cow and the horses, she'll come back to Jasper and Echo immediately after... and she's happy to see that Tookrashk is back too! She is about to shout a greeting to him, but she remembers (also thanks to the silence that everyone is maintaining) that there could be enemies nearby, so she simply welcomes him with a smile and a wave, while she approaches and rejoins everyone.
Once Katarina hops off, Echo nods and whispers encouragingly, "thanks Katarina, be safe! It's so quiet. Run right back if you see the orcs!"
She also hops down from Sugar and loosely leads her by the reins, patting her softly on the neck and waiting a little to see if the horse recognises the place at all and could lead them anywhere.
Khessa finds a fenced pasture where she can lead the cow and horses if she chooses. The gate was hanging open, but she can close and lock it to keep the animals secure.
As Katarina approaches the farmhouse, she hears the sound of raucous laughter. Peeking inside one of the windows, she sees three orcs sitting at the dining room table, food strewn everywhere, with mugs full of foaming ale. They appear to be regaling each other with highlights of their attack on the ranch.
Katarina can also hear what sounds like orcs ransacking rooms on the upper floor of the house. There are quite a few orcs, it seems, but Katarina is unable to determine the exact number.
Khessa finds a fenced pasture where she can lead the cow and horses if she chooses. The gate was hanging open, but she can close and lock it to keep the animals secure.
...
Khessa definitely leads cow and horses to the fenced pasture and closes and locks the gate after, patting them all reassuringly: "Feed and rest, you'll be safe now".
She then comes back to the others as per previous posts, waiting for news from Katarina.
Katarina swallows nervously as she counts a minimum of three orcs and probably several more upstairs. She knows she's strong... but not 'fight an entire squad of orcs by herself' strong. Now that she knows what's up, Katarina returns to her companions with her findings.
"Katarina has some good news and some bad news,"the feline says to her companions. "Good is that found some orcs already slain she did... bad is that three not-dead orcs she saw inside the house, and she is sure that more there were who she could not see..."
"We outnumber them five to three..." Khessa reflects "Let's storm the three unaware orcs and try to overcome them quickly. Then I can send Anator to scout the other rooms (they should not suspect a bat, if they even notice it) and if we are lucky we can keep beating them a few at a times, before they group against us. If possible, we keep alive one of the lasts, to question him. OK? We go?"
”Maybe we can lure some out with the wand of pyrotechnics?” Jasper suggests. ”Khessa and Katarina, you can hide outside the door and flank them when they rush out. Echo and I can be out in the open about 40 feet away. And Tookrashk can fly above to ambush.” Jasper ponders a moment. “The orcs may not see the others and think me and Echo are easy pickings.” Jasper smiles hoping his idea is good. “What do you all think?”
"Oh, well, I guess you know our horses then..." Khessa whispers to the cow, patting her reassuringly on the shoulders and using some more of her rope to wrangle and then lead her.
"This Mr BAK is probably in trouble..." comments the blonde arcane warrior with her friends, as she starts again riding toward the ranch.
Jasper mentions the brand before to the others before heading forward. “We must be getting close to the ranch. We should be on guard for orcs in the area.” Jasper proceeds forward down the path. Looking for tracks out of the ordinary. Jasper holds his holy symbol and asks for guidance. Casts Guidance on himself.
Perception or Survival: 15
Guidance: 3
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP
Dastion Salvi ~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled
Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete
You make camp for one more night, staking the horses and the cow, although none of them seem inclined to wander away anyway. The night passes without incident (no more owlbears!), and mid-morning the next day you arrive at Butterskull Ranch.
Butterskull Ranch occupies a large plot of land on the north side of the Triboar Trail, nestled between two hills. Beyond a ramshackle wooden fence stand corn fields, an apple orchard, gardens, and pasture land. A path breaks off from the trail to lead to a two-story farmhouse next to a pond. West of the farmhouse are the charred remains of a barn and smithy that have been burned to the ground.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Jasper casts Twilight Sanctuary when everyone wakes up. Rests and prepares spells for the day. Also casts Aid giving Khessa, Aura and Echo +5 HP to their max HP. Reaching the outer area of the ranch, Jasper casts Vigilant Blessing on himself. “Well we’re here. Should we head straight in or sneak around the side of the farmhouse?” Jasper thinks on it for moment. “I think we should get a closer look but stay out of sight.”
(Echo 8 temp hp, everyone else 9 temp hp)
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP
Dastion Salvi ~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled
Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete
Jasper proceeds forward at half speed trying to keep quiet and low. He mutters words of prayer constantly casting Guidance.
Stealth: 4
Guidance: 1
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP
Dastion Salvi ~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled
Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete
Katarina, noticing Jasper's armor clanking and rattling, offers to try and scout ahead instead.
"Perhaps it would be better to let Katarina see what's going on in the city, yes?"
Stealth: 18
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"Wonderful Katarina, go for it" Khessa approves. "Just be careful. Orcs are brutal warriors".
The tall adventuress thinks in the meantime: 'Tookrashk, scouting from above, might also have noticed something of interest... I just hope he comes and warns us, instead of attacking blindly...'
Jasper casts Vigilant Blessing on Katarina. (Advantage on next initiative roll)
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP
Dastion Salvi ~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled
Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete
As Katarina scouts ahead, she notices that pigs harmlessly wander the fields, gardens, and orchard. Between the farmhouse and the gutted barn lie the scattered corpses of two orcs and five humans swarming with flies. Everything is deathly quiet.
As if she has summoned him with her thoughts, Tookrashk lands quietly behind the group. He sneaks up on you from behind (stealth 4), wanting to scare you with his arrival. Jasper, with his high passive perception, is the only one to spot the manticore slinking up like a cat, with mischief in his eyes.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Unaware of the arrival of the 'frightful beast', Khessa takes the cow to her pasture, if she spots it - or at least to a pasture that is close to the ranch, awaiting the outcome of Katarina's reconnaissance.
She also tries to locate a stable where she can leave the horses.
In the meantime she thinks: 'Oh, what am I worried about... Tookrashk is strong and robust... There aren't many creatures that can put him in real trouble... And then he's no longer an instinctual wild beast... he learned to team up with us, his friends... he'll be back soon... I'm pretty sure! Right?'
Jasper hears Tookrashk land behind the group and it takes a moment but he sees him crawling through the tall grass. Jasper gives him a sly grin and quietly says, ”Tookrashk. Stay quiet. Stay down. We are here. Lady Katarina went ahead to scout the farmhouse. When she returns, we will decide what to do.” Jasper turns back towards the group with spear and shield in hand. Jasper whispers, ”We have to stay ready if something happens.“
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP
Dastion Salvi ~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled
Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete
Tookrashk is about to rear up and scare the others when he notices that Jasper has seen him. His ears droop, and he shoots Jasper a disappointed look. "Tookrashk already quiet!" the manticore protests in a stage whisper.
Does Katarina go into the farmhouse?
Here is a link to the updated battlemap!
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Yes, Katarina will prowl around the farmhouse and, if all seems clear, peak inside before returning to the others with her findings.
Perception (searching for any potential ambushes/traps/etc.): 11
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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If Khessa has time to find a suitable place for the cow and the horses, she'll come back to Jasper and Echo immediately after... and she's happy to see that Tookrashk is back too! She is about to shout a greeting to him, but she remembers (also thanks to the silence that everyone is maintaining) that there could be enemies nearby, so she simply welcomes him with a smile and a wave, while she approaches and rejoins everyone.
Once Katarina hops off, Echo nods and whispers encouragingly, "thanks Katarina, be safe! It's so quiet. Run right back if you see the orcs!"
She also hops down from Sugar and loosely leads her by the reins, patting her softly on the neck and waiting a little to see if the horse recognises the place at all and could lead them anywhere.
(thanks for the hp!)
Khessa finds a fenced pasture where she can lead the cow and horses if she chooses. The gate was hanging open, but she can close and lock it to keep the animals secure.
As Katarina approaches the farmhouse, she hears the sound of raucous laughter. Peeking inside one of the windows, she sees three orcs sitting at the dining room table, food strewn everywhere, with mugs full of foaming ale. They appear to be regaling each other with highlights of their attack on the ranch.
Katarina can also hear what sounds like orcs ransacking rooms on the upper floor of the house. There are quite a few orcs, it seems, but Katarina is unable to determine the exact number.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Khessa definitely leads cow and horses to the fenced pasture and closes and locks the gate after, patting them all reassuringly: "Feed and rest, you'll be safe now".
She then comes back to the others as per previous posts, waiting for news from Katarina.
Katarina swallows nervously as she counts a minimum of three orcs and probably several more upstairs. She knows she's strong... but not 'fight an entire squad of orcs by herself' strong. Now that she knows what's up, Katarina returns to her companions with her findings.
"Katarina has some good news and some bad news," the feline says to her companions. "Good is that found some orcs already slain she did... bad is that three not-dead orcs she saw inside the house, and she is sure that more there were who she could not see..."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
"We outnumber them five to three..." Khessa reflects "Let's storm the three unaware orcs and try to overcome them quickly. Then I can send Anator to scout the other rooms (they should not suspect a bat, if they even notice it) and if we are lucky we can keep beating them a few at a times, before they group against us. If possible, we keep alive one of the lasts, to question him. OK? We go?"
”Maybe we can lure some out with the wand of pyrotechnics?” Jasper suggests. ”Khessa and Katarina, you can hide outside the door and flank them when they rush out. Echo and I can be out in the open about 40 feet away. And Tookrashk can fly above to ambush.” Jasper ponders a moment. “The orcs may not see the others and think me and Echo are easy pickings.” Jasper smiles hoping his idea is good. “What do you all think?”
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP
Dastion Salvi ~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled
Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete