The party head back to The Mosh Pit to collect any additional equipment they might need and a very disgruntled cat woken from its dreams of being much larger and chasing giant rats before heading back to the North Gate and the farmsteads beyond it.
"Shall we start our investigation by asking a few questions to the farmers or do we examine the farmsteads looking for tracks first?" asks the portly dwarf to the rest of the group "I would start with the farmers as we still have little information about what is happening."
Lasciel grabs his rapier and straps it to his waist once they’re back at The Mosh Pit. He usually just Carrie’s his whip day to day but he figures a more lethal option may be required if the find any real danger. As they are already back at the tavern, he also spends ten minutes “playing” with Patches, his cat. He’s actually ritually casting speak with animals so he can explain what they’re up to, why and to tell Patches they were in charge until the silly two-legs returned. “Guard the place from all intrusion, yes? And try not to knock over any of the expensive liquors… please?”
Lasciel of course introduces Patches to their new friend Lady Fyngold, friend of The Blackstaff and hater of places bigger inside than out. “Patches likes titles,” Lash explains as he holds the tabby up for Fyngold’s inspection.
“Well, the Mosh Pit should be safe while we’re gone, at least,” Lasciel says once the instructions and introductions are complete. He sets Patches atop the bar with a last stern look and “Behave!” and then heads out…
“I agree with you, Gael,” Lash says as they head to the North Gate. “Too much space to just randomly look for tracks. Let’s talk to some farmers first and see what is happening where… and if those reporting it are just nutters or tipplers or if there’s actually something about…”
The party make their way out of the North Gate to the farming area beyond. The area is dotted with small farm houses, several of which have snow drifts piled up against them and icicles dripping form their roof lines - it is after all the not far beyond the middle of winter. The fields are empty except for what looks like an old woman collecting firewood.
In her most hoity toity voice, Fygold calls out “Oy old woman have you seen a scarecrow, the figure turns and it is actually a young man and looks at Fyngold as if she has - what we say in Oz ‘a few roos lose in the top paddock’ as Fygold realises that standing in the fields are in fact several tatty looking scarecrows. She quickly corrects herself and continues “I mean walking scarecrows”. The young man now looks at her as if there now a whole mob of kangaroos lose in the top paddock before responding “first of all I ain’t an old woman, I’m a young man and my name is Denis. Second I’ve not seen any perambulating scarecrows!”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Chumba:
“Our apologies, Denis. We are here because we have heard reports of mysterious attackers masquerading as scarecrows. Who might be the best person for us to talk with?” asks Chumba, looking around suspiciously at the scarecrows nearby.
Perception: 21
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
((They did look like an old woman though. Is there still a similar look to them now that we know differently? Is it an easy mistake to make from the distance or is it more like an illusion or a disguise has been dropped?))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the party approaches the farmsteads, with his right hand, Klaes calmly retrieves a oversized deck of cards from the inside of his suit. It is a strange artifact that most likely no one has ever seen. It looks like playing cards, but they are larger, and highly decorated with strange suits and pictures. He does a light shuffle to the deck, and takes out one card 32, glance at it briefly (see below), then put the card back into the deck, and the deck back into the inside pocket of his suit. He checks how many gold pieces he has in his person, then he looks to his companions.
"Me friends. Do we happen to have some spare gold? We may need it..."
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Do not worry Lash, you will get paid, eventually." says Gael after taking a long thoughtful pause "We should focus on the task at hand now, we have a mistery to solve. Those poor farmers depend on us." The dwarf turns towards Kael "To answer your question, no, I do not have any spare gold. The Mosh Pit, figuratively speaking, ate it all."
Gael studying Denis's posture and body language for hidden hints (Insight, 8) says to the young man "I fear that my old eyes were deceiving me, you looked like an old woman from afar lad."
Fyngold sidles up to Klaes and whispers: "Does it seem strange to you that we're being asked to do this by the magicians and not by the Lords? I think there's more going on here than brigands in disguise."
Overhearing, Lash takes a moment to explain. "Just because the Blackstaff is the highest ranking wizard in Waterdeep doesn't mean they are seperate from the Lords Alliance. Despite what I hear is some tension between the Open Lord and the Blackstaff, it is the Open Lord who sets the parameters and it is the Blackstaff who picks who is best to carry out the mission. As Blackstaff, Vajra Safahr oversees Force Grey... For the Lords. So it's not one or the other. I suppose if one wanted to be ungenerous they could say the Blackstaff gets their hands dirty with such as us so that the Lords do not have to..."
"As for there being more going on," Lash ponders, "I wouldn't worry overly much. I'm guessing The Blackstaff didn't see this as a big enough problem to mobilize Force Grey over... But if we're lucky perhaps she chose us thinking perhaps we're potential recruits? It is quite an honor, or so they say... Best of the Best, skills only matched by their loyalty to the city and all that."
"I musta agreee with our friend Lash, for I personally do nut knoo the dealings of the powerful in this city." Klaes nods to Lash for his knowledge. "I say, if someone as powerful as the Blackstaff herself has requested our aid, she musta have her reasons. I just hope she is right." Klaes then asks Fyngold. "Say, what brings you to a life of adventure, if you do nut mind me asking."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The party pool their knowledge of ambulatory scarecrows and realise that: Chumba (DC20) - he’s really not been exposed to farms and their creatures that much - 4 Fyngold (DC15) 20 Gael (DC15) 10 Klaes (DC15) 17 Lash (DC15) 16
Post continued but don’t want to get a cheat banner that they actually know a surprising amount about these scarecrows as follows: 1. They’re a form of undead 2. They’re mostly active at night and a rumoured to hide in barns and the like during the day 3. They’re vulnerable to fire!
"Let's try not to burn down any farmer's barn, eh? Suddenly Klaes' reading is seeming more ominous..." Lash notes after they pool their knowledge.
We're still trying to get information from Denis about the creatures - If he has seen them or heard of any who have. Surely if the complaints reached the Blackstaff then it cannot be that secretive in the community it is happening in. "If we can find out a general area they have been seen then perhaps we could start our search there. Would be nice if we can take the things out before night even falls..."
"Let's focus on the task at hand before start thinking of why the Blackstaff choose us, wizards like the Blackstaff have plots within plots." replies Gael.
After the group shares their knowledge the dwarf says "If they are hiding in barns or other closed buildings, we should start our investigation from there. As Lash pointed out, the farmers should have more information. If we can pinpoint the first sighting, I'm sure that we will find an abandoned barn nearby."
As stated previously the party is on the High Road just outside the North gate. In an effort to get some more information from Denis they explain what they know about Scarecrows. He tells them they could try the village up where the Undercliffe Way joins the High Road which is about half a mile away or they could try Amendsfarm which is about a mile to the eastsoutheast.
(OOC I'm using the following map Waterdeep Interactive Map (aidedd.org) for directions. As Lash and Gael are both locals I'm more than happy for you to use it is a source as well)
Lash thanks Denis though he has been little help. Still, they started off by accidentally insulting the man so if an unearned 'thanks' helps soothe things over then it is well spent. Lash then looks around a bit and squints up into the skies. He is looking for a birds... Assuming their are some in the skies he suggests to the others they pause here for a bit.
"Give me ten minutes and perhaps one of these birds can save us a lot of walking," he explains. "I've a little ritual that'll let me Speak with Animals and perhaps the birds can tell us if they've seen any mutilated animals or walking scarecrows. If so they should at least be able to point us in the right direction..."
(Assuming the others agree to give him the time, Lash ritually casts the spell and then uses his ability to communicate with critters to see if he can get them pointed in the right direction. He's not expecting them to point him to specific barns or anything but mutilated cattle in fields or walking scarecrows seem to be things even animals would take not of...)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Klaes tries to help Lash look for birds that may of help. "Yeah maan. Take ur time."
Perception: Unable to parse dice roll.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
"The village by the Undercliff Way is the nearest, if your birds do not give us any further leads Lash." says Gael while resting his heavy frame on a nearby rock. "Take your time with your ritual, in the meanwhile let me see if I can help you." The dwarf takes out his pipe and blows throught it creating gentle chirping sounds. "This will hopefully going to attract some birds for you Lash."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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The party head back to The Mosh Pit to collect any additional equipment they might need and a very disgruntled cat woken from its dreams of being much larger and chasing giant rats before heading back to the North Gate and the farmsteads beyond it.
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
"Shall we start our investigation by asking a few questions to the farmers or do we examine the farmsteads looking for tracks first?" asks the portly dwarf to the rest of the group "I would start with the farmers as we still have little information about what is happening."
Lasciel grabs his rapier and straps it to his waist once they’re back at The Mosh Pit. He usually just Carrie’s his whip day to day but he figures a more lethal option may be required if the find any real danger. As they are already back at the tavern, he also spends ten minutes “playing” with Patches, his cat. He’s actually ritually casting speak with animals so he can explain what they’re up to, why and to tell Patches they were in charge until the silly two-legs returned. “Guard the place from all intrusion, yes? And try not to knock over any of the expensive liquors… please?”
Lasciel of course introduces Patches to their new friend Lady Fyngold, friend of The Blackstaff and hater of places bigger inside than out. “Patches likes titles,” Lash explains as he holds the tabby up for Fyngold’s inspection.
“Well, the Mosh Pit should be safe while we’re gone, at least,” Lasciel says once the instructions and introductions are complete. He sets Patches atop the bar with a last stern look and “Behave!” and then heads out…
“I agree with you, Gael,” Lash says as they head to the North Gate. “Too much space to just randomly look for tracks. Let’s talk to some farmers first and see what is happening where… and if those reporting it are just nutters or tipplers or if there’s actually something about…”
The party make their way out of the North Gate to the farming area beyond. The area is dotted with small farm houses, several of which have snow drifts piled up against them and icicles dripping form their roof lines - it is after all the not far beyond the middle of winter. The fields are empty except for what looks like an old woman collecting firewood.
In her most hoity toity voice, Fygold calls out “Oy old woman have you seen a scarecrow, the figure turns and it is actually a young man and looks at Fyngold as if she has - what we say in Oz ‘a few roos lose in the top paddock’ as Fygold realises that standing in the fields are in fact several tatty looking scarecrows. She quickly corrects herself and continues “I mean walking scarecrows”. The young man now looks at her as if there now a whole mob of kangaroos lose in the top paddock before responding “first of all I ain’t an old woman, I’m a young man and my name is Denis. Second I’ve not seen any perambulating scarecrows!”
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Chumba:
“Our apologies, Denis. We are here because we have heard reports of mysterious attackers masquerading as scarecrows. Who might be the best person for us to talk with?” asks Chumba, looking around suspiciously at the scarecrows nearby.
Perception: 21
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
((They did look like an old woman though. Is there still a similar look to them now that we know differently? Is it an easy mistake to make from the distance or is it more like an illusion or a disguise has been dropped?))
As the party approaches the farmsteads, with his right hand, Klaes calmly retrieves a oversized deck of cards from the inside of his suit. It is a strange artifact that most likely no one has ever seen. It looks like playing cards, but they are larger, and highly decorated with strange suits and pictures. He does a light shuffle to the deck, and takes out one card 32, glance at it briefly (see below), then put the card back into the deck, and the deck back into the inside pocket of his suit. He checks how many gold pieces he has in his person, then he looks to his companions.
"Me friends. Do we happen to have some spare gold? We may need it..."
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
"Spare gold?" Judal asks Kael incredulously, "On my wages?? You do know I haven't been paid since I started work at The Mosh Pit, right??"
"Besides, what's with the cards? You have gambling debts or something?"
"Do not worry Lash, you will get paid, eventually." says Gael after taking a long thoughtful pause "We should focus on the task at hand now, we have a mistery to solve. Those poor farmers depend on us."
The dwarf turns towards Kael "To answer your question, no, I do not have any spare gold. The Mosh Pit, figuratively speaking, ate it all."
Gael studying Denis's posture and body language for hidden hints (Insight, 8) says to the young man "I fear that my old eyes were deceiving me, you looked like an old woman from afar lad."
Fyngold sidles up to Klaes and whispers: "Does it seem strange to you that we're being asked to do this by the magicians and not by the Lords? I think there's more going on here than brigands in disguise."
Overhearing, Lash takes a moment to explain. "Just because the Blackstaff is the highest ranking wizard in Waterdeep doesn't mean they are seperate from the Lords Alliance. Despite what I hear is some tension between the Open Lord and the Blackstaff, it is the Open Lord who sets the parameters and it is the Blackstaff who picks who is best to carry out the mission. As Blackstaff, Vajra Safahr oversees Force Grey... For the Lords. So it's not one or the other. I suppose if one wanted to be ungenerous they could say the Blackstaff gets their hands dirty with such as us so that the Lords do not have to..."
"As for there being more going on," Lash ponders, "I wouldn't worry overly much. I'm guessing The Blackstaff didn't see this as a big enough problem to mobilize Force Grey over... But if we're lucky perhaps she chose us thinking perhaps we're potential recruits? It is quite an honor, or so they say... Best of the Best, skills only matched by their loyalty to the city and all that."
(@KateRoe. Sorry, I missed your post.)
"I musta agreee with our friend Lash, for I personally do nut knoo the dealings of the powerful in this city." Klaes nods to Lash for his knowledge. "I say, if someone as powerful as the Blackstaff herself has requested our aid, she musta have her reasons. I just hope she is right." Klaes then asks Fyngold. "Say, what brings you to a life of adventure, if you do nut mind me asking."
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
The party pool their knowledge of ambulatory scarecrows and realise that:
Chumba (DC20) - he’s really not been exposed to farms and their creatures that much - 4
Fyngold (DC15) 20
Gael (DC15) 10
Klaes (DC15) 17
Lash (DC15) 16
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Post continued but don’t want to get a cheat banner that they actually know a surprising amount about these scarecrows as follows:
1. They’re a form of undead
2. They’re mostly active at night and a rumoured to hide in barns and the like during the day
3. They’re vulnerable to fire!
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
"Let's try not to burn down any farmer's barn, eh? Suddenly Klaes' reading is seeming more ominous..." Lash notes after they pool their knowledge.
We're still trying to get information from Denis about the creatures - If he has seen them or heard of any who have. Surely if the complaints reached the Blackstaff then it cannot be that secretive in the community it is happening in. "If we can find out a general area they have been seen then perhaps we could start our search there. Would be nice if we can take the things out before night even falls..."
"Let's focus on the task at hand before start thinking of why the Blackstaff choose us, wizards like the Blackstaff have plots within plots." replies Gael.
After the group shares their knowledge the dwarf says "If they are hiding in barns or other closed buildings, we should start our investigation from there. As Lash pointed out, the farmers should have more information. If we can pinpoint the first sighting, I'm sure that we will find an abandoned barn nearby."
As stated previously the party is on the High Road just outside the North gate. In an effort to get some more information from Denis they explain what they know about Scarecrows. He tells them they could try the village up where the Undercliffe Way joins the High Road which is about half a mile away or they could try Amendsfarm which is about a mile to the eastsoutheast.
(OOC I'm using the following map Waterdeep Interactive Map (aidedd.org) for directions. As Lash and Gael are both locals I'm more than happy for you to use it is a source as well)
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Lash thanks Denis though he has been little help. Still, they started off by accidentally insulting the man so if an unearned 'thanks' helps soothe things over then it is well spent. Lash then looks around a bit and squints up into the skies. He is looking for a birds... Assuming their are some in the skies he suggests to the others they pause here for a bit.
"Give me ten minutes and perhaps one of these birds can save us a lot of walking," he explains. "I've a little ritual that'll let me Speak with Animals and perhaps the birds can tell us if they've seen any mutilated animals or walking scarecrows. If so they should at least be able to point us in the right direction..."
(Assuming the others agree to give him the time, Lash ritually casts the spell and then uses his ability to communicate with critters to see if he can get them pointed in the right direction. He's not expecting them to point him to specific barns or anything but mutilated cattle in fields or walking scarecrows seem to be things even animals would take not of...)
Klaes tries to help Lash look for birds that may of help. "Yeah maan. Take ur time."
Perception: Unable to parse dice roll.
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
"The village by the Undercliff Way is the nearest, if your birds do not give us any further leads Lash." says Gael while resting his heavy frame on a nearby rock. "Take your time with your ritual, in the meanwhile let me see if I can help you."
The dwarf takes out his pipe and blows throught it creating gentle chirping sounds. "This will hopefully going to attract some birds for you Lash."