Crimson Sands of Time

“Ahem… err .  I apologize for my verbosity.  We kill Black dragon first, help lizard folk.  Then, maybe work to overcome Szass Tam, if we live that long.  Happy we’re on same side. “.  Tetrevess explains.  

"Yes, well, if we're going after this black dragon I suggest trying to surprise it in it's lair. If we can take away the advantage of flight then we have a better chance."

"And when we go to slay the black dragon we should be spread out so he can't get us all with his acid breath."

"Anything else anyone can think of?"

"I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Oli. I was not trying to be rude. I was only surprised by the way you responded to Tetrevess' question when we are with a Red Wizard of Thay here," Oli points to Chadderlay then continues, "and you assumed we're opposed to Szass Tam rather than supporters. We could have been opposed to the dragon, yet looking for those who opposed Szass Tam. Or have you been following this group longer than I have been with them? If so, you know more about them than I do, I only met them today." 

Oli thinks for a minute then says to Chadderlay, "If he hasn't been following your group for a while to know where you stand, then we may need to find a new way to avoid suspicion. At least it looks that way from Alistar's reaction. If others first impression is we oppose Szass Tam even when we are accompanied by a red wizard, we are asking for trouble. I take my position in this party seriously, and if others can so easily see through our intentions, we must adapt to better blend in and keep our intentions hidden."

Bogclaw, the Liard King, chimes in: "Yes, the dragon has been uprooted from its den beyond the sea and of late decimated our tribes.  I lead all that remains of the once mighty number of lizardfolk on these islands.  The dragon has killed many of our tribe, but we wish those he has abducted returned.  He flew off with them headed east, toward the hollow.  Undead are hardly worth mentioning in Thay, but they are usually acting under the control of the Thayans.  I suspect that trinket you found was the work of the hags.  They have been living here for as long as I can remember.  They have not caused us harm in the past, but since Velvet* arrived, alliances have shifted and nothing can be taken for granted any longer.  I can think of nothing pleasant a hag might want with one of our kind, but if Velvet has made a bargain with them, they may yet live.  Please go to them while I guard what remains of my people and lead them in the face of the devestation that winged horror has wrought."

Scalesneer approaches "Samogri, may I see that amulet?"  the shaman examines it and closes his eyes, meditating on it.  "It is not cursed, but it bears the glow of necromancy.  The King has the right of it, I think.  Those hags are worth talking to should you happen upon them."

*

 <Bit of railroad here.  if you don't volunteer to find the hags, you get found.  They're quite literally on the way to the dragon's lair.  We also have two new players who should be joining about now.  So, you're going to bump into them right about.... NOW.>

You say your goodbyes and as you depart, you find the village sits upon a sandbar disconnected from any further lan, though you can see the grass and scraggly trees extend farther east.  You decide it would be best to press on aboard the pole boat you rented from the inn.  After less than an hour of travel, you hear a voice speaking softly, but cannot understand the words it says yet.  It's tone, perhaps unsurprisingly, given circumstances, sounds agitated.

<Hoping one or more of the new players joining the game post here.>

"You really sure this is the place where the hags stay? I swear those mounds of undead back there we had to fight... Not even my patron can identify where we are right now." On the other side of the makeshift island stands a tall, muscular humanoid covered in a fine, black cloak with a navy blue outline along the outer edges. On the back of his cloak there some visible spikes protruding along the vertebral section, which indicates that there is something he's hiding underneath (it's his carapace). Like his brother, he has a tall, imposing figure, standing at 190cm in height and his hair is silver in colour, complete with fine, navy blue eyes that match the outlines of his outfit. Right now, as he keeps his guard up, two gigantic appendages that seem to be used mainly for grappling as he pokes the ground with them. "Even so... I'm pretty sure we might not be the only ones looking for them. Maybe but... I have that funny feeling..." Either way, don't go firing at stuff for no reason ok? I swear I've already lost count of how many times I had to resolve the mess you held responsible back on the mainland..."

If Ethan and Randy get found by the group:

OOC: Looking forward to play with you all alongside my friend! 

(Tetrevess didn’t hide the group’s feelings on Szass tam,  when Alistair mentioned he was a protector of the natural world, the wizard assumed he was on their side, but he will agree that the group should be more careful about their intentions.) 

“Throstelgrael.  That’s the dragon’s name, I bet.  The one the lizard folk call velvet.  I did some reading on the active dragons in recent years, when I was in Mulmaster.  The brotherhood had a lot on dragons in their library.  Not really my favorite topic, but it was reading material.   “ he mutters, half to himself, as the group journeys. 

Quote from PyromaniIsDeadThankGod >>

"You really sure this is the place where the hags stay? I swear those mounds of undead back there we had to fight... Not even my patron can identify where we are right now."

"Oh spare me some slack, big brother. Of course we are in the right place! I can well and truly confirm just by my trusty instincts alone!" Another voice whispers with a haughty tone. Unlike his elder brother though, since Randy wasn't turned into a Simic like him, he currently dons a customized Orange and grey armour to fit his liking. He is also tall, but he's a lot shorter than his brother, standing at 174cm, but he also has a well built figure too. On his back is a giant mace plus his signature cannon that he tends to modify on the go. Wheras his brother has silverish hair, Randy's hair is blond and covered by a little beanie on his head. His eyes, which are also blue like his brother's is currently covered by a pair of orange shades that perfectly compliments his armour, let alone the dullish texture of his weapons. "Those undead freakazoids over there? They were a breeze I'm telling ya! No need to get so worked up over something minor like this! Not like this cult or the dragon will get us for sure!

Quote from PyromaniIsDeadThankGod >>

"Even so... I'm pretty sure we might not be the only ones looking for them. Maybe but... I have that funny feeling..." Either way, don't go firing at stuff for no reason ok? I swear I've already lost count of how many times I had to resolve the mess you held responsible back on the mainland..."

"Pfft. Your loss, big bro. Besides I had to do what I needed to do ok? I was fine on my own Well, almost. But even so don't just think that now that we've found each other in a different you can..." And all of a sudden. if the group is nearby, his sharp sense of hearing can pick up the faintest of footsteps centimetres away as she rapidly whips his head around in case. "Actually yeah, you're right about the not being alone bit... I take it back."

If Randy gets found:

Quote from PyromaniIsDeadThankGod >>

"Who's there? Show yourselves!" The simic hybrid firmly states as he tightly grips on his pact weapon, which appears to be in the shape of a blue Baseball Bat in case they have to fight them; His lobster-like appendages withdraw rapidly into his cloak in the process as well.

"What the... You... you're all not part of that bull cult or those hordes of undead, let alone on black dragon's side, are you? Are you?!" Randy exclaims as he readies his Eldritch cannon in case a fight breaks out.

  OOC: Hi guys. This is my first time doing a play by post. Looking forward to playing with you all as my friend said as well!

Having sorted out that the whole of the party is on the same general side of things, you proceed east toward Bloodroot Hollow.  Thew Hollow is dimly lit, the sky above suggesting the waning light of twilight, with a thick clammy fog covering the clearing.  Stars twinkle overhead and fireflies dance just at the edge of the light you've brought with you.  The hollow is dry land but here and there thick roots snake along the ground toward the trees the feed.  The heavy foliage mutes sounds in the marsh, yet unusual noises abound; sounds of laughing children, crying women, whispering and other unsettling sounds.  no matter how keen your senses or how stout your resolve, the source of the elusive sounds cannot be found.  The smell of natural decay is heavy in the air, but it is masked by the smells of delicious cooking, and the pungent sickly-sweet smell of spell and ritual components.

Stepping from your boat, you find yourself walking down a narrow path, only barely distinguishable from the surrounding flora.  Thorny briars grab at your clothing as if warning you against further trespass.  Rounding a corner, you happen across a curious figure--a goblin.  It carries a small basket half-full of berries, flowers, and an occasional dead lizard.  He is kneeling next to a body, rifling through its pockets with one hand while the other holds a tiny dagger--its blade still wet with blood.  He starts at the sound of your arrival and faces you.  "Go from this place.  You no belong here!"  You cannot help but notice his right eye is sewn shut with crude twine.  he wears filthy rags and no shoes.  A stylized eye-shaped pendant adorns his neck, though.

Having decided that he isn't communicating well today, Oli decides to leave the talking to others. Why did the Will o' Wisps get me so upset? He thinks to himself.

Oli looks to see if the goblin is really the only one alive on the path. Perception roll in log: 24

If the goblin is the only live creature on the path, he walks 25 feet (if it is that far away) towards the goblin and then uses Rabbit Hop as a bonus action to jump 10 to 15 feet beyond the goblin, to try to cut off its escape rout. He summons both his psychic blades as he lands facing the goblin's back.

If the goblin is not alone, Oli walks to the front of the group, turns his back on the goblin and whispers to the group telling them of who else he sees and where they are. Then turns back to face the goblin but glances at Sam as if waiting for instructions.

Sam sees the goblin and looks “well that’s interesting it appears has sown his own eye shut” 

"Yes, what an odd little creature."

Chadderlay will send Mister Fancy, his cat familiar with a black and white tuxedo pattern of fur to have a little look around. Mister Fancy will run and dart behind the goblin by some distance, cutting off the direction of his retreat.

Noticing some of the group, the goblin announces gleefully "I'm Rurry!" 

When Oli hops behind him, Rurry turns to greet him with a smile and a wave of his non-bloody dagger weilding hand. "Hello." As he senses the tension of the harengon looking and listening intently, he picks his basket back up and draws it close.  "This my food.  You no take it."

On hearing Sam mention his eye, the goblin corrects, "The ladies made my eye sick".  At the remembrance of them, Rurry us delighted and announces "the ladies' house very near. Very near!"

He reaches out a hand to guide Oli, who he apparently doesn't perceive as threatening, despite holding a pair of daggers.  "We're gonna be late for dinner. Come, come!"

<Public question for @Chadderlay.   Being a Red Wizard and all, are you looking the oart at the moment?  Like if youre wearing the robes and stuff, people will regard you differently than any regukar person. Anyones guess how a hag or a dragon would feel about it. >

<he appears to be alone except for the corpse.>

<bump>

(Anyone wondering about the dead guy? Rolling investigation implies youre checking the body. Or you csn always talk to goblin.)

(ooc: Chadderlay is wearing his Red Robes of a Wizard of Thay.)

"Who was that fellow and how did he end up dead?"

Chadderlay's Investigation: 18 

Chadderlay will move cautiously towards the body as Rurry moves a little away from the body, with his basket of food of course.

Oli replies to Rurry while maintaining a distance of 10 feet between them if possible, "I won't take your food." Oli takes the Dodge action to avoid possible attacks.

Gesturing at the body with this dagger, Rurry answers nonchalantly, "Nobody.  He didn't see me till stabby stabby.  But nothing good to eat.  Nothing ladies want."

Tetrevess notices a small book lying beside the dead man.

If you open it...

<are there any fey with the party? Includes familiars, etc.>

(sorry traveling and slow posting

.  Tetrevess has an owl familiar who is fey, but he has been mostly in his familiar pocket dimension in recent adventures, due to AOE damage.  but for the journey through the wilderness,  can say the owl will be out helping keep watch.) 

Tetrevess passive investigation is 21, but i rolled a 13 in the log.  he looks over the body, tells the others of the contract and the diary, and then says to the goblin “ Did you kill him? do you know who he was?  seems to be a member of the cult of the dragon, perhaps”