Mae stood quietly and waited to see if anyone answered about the name. She looked over casually at the man with the crossbow and noted his more relaxed state. "How far is the keep? Have you seen any other strangers here lately?" Her second question seemed less directed at the man and more at the pets before gazing back at the man. "Your assistance would indeed be most helpful."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kiersa heard the name in her head and thought about it for a moment. Looking over at Mae, she tried to catch her attention then shook her head 'no'. Staying back with her and Mae's horses, she doesn't want to say stays quiet, allowing Valeria to speak for the group. As this Jorr seems less and less a threat - at least right at this moment - she will continue to scan their surroundings and even back the way they came. (Perception: 28)
Jorr sucks his teeth for moment, as if thinking to himself.
"I'd wary there, Lady. Tis a place of passen beauty afouled by the same beasts what plague us today. Aye, I'll guide ye there. There's daylight to boot, but 'e must be hurry. Wait'ere, I'll gather me things."
With that he goes inside, returning a few minutes later with a pack slung over his back, his trusty crossbow stowed and a look of determination about him.
"Right!" he shouts, and the dogs sit up. "Watch the place, boys. I'll be back by supper!"
With that he stumps off into the woods, following a slightly worn but well-kept path leading from his clearing further into the Witchwood.
Valeria nods as Jorr goes inside to fetch his gear, gracefully hovering back to mount her chestnut steed again, following the old woodsman as he emerges again and leads them onto the path further into witchwood. "Would the name Guldo mean anything to you?" She calls out in a soft voice after their guide, then keeping a good look out for threats lurking in the woods.
Insight to determine truth in Jorr's answer: 20 Perception to spot threats in withwood: 9
(Does Iravon by any chance know what Guldo means? Not sure what I'd roll to check, if a roll is needed.)
So, the man was perceptive. The shadow cast by the helmet was no use against people such as him, who had intimate experience against hobgoblins. Well, if he knew then there was no point wearing it for now. He removes it, savouring the slight breeze on his face, and hooks it onto a pack loop. He follows closely behind Jorr, making sure he stands between the woodsman and the rest of the group.
Does he detect any hint that the man may be leading them into a trap?
He pauses midstride and affixes you with his eye. For all his rough edges, he seems honest and good in an earthy sort of way.
"One of me dogs, 'e was. Fine beast. Gone now." Unwilling to share further, he returns to the trail, his step a little firmer, his stride a little longer. The trail necessitates food travel, leading your animals by the reins for the foreseeable path ahead.
It isn't long before the four of you, seasoned travelers and adventurers all, are breathing heavily under your gear to keep up with his long steps. After an brisk hour's march, he leads you to the bank of a swift-flowing stream, too deep to cross comfortably with your horses where he shows you a neat trick. Releasing a rope tied with a hidden knot to a nearby stump, a pitch-smeared rope slithers into the river as a narrow wooden bridge rises near to the surface, passing about six inches below the foamy coursing. Firm enough for the horses to pass, he gives himself a low, self-satisfied whistle. "The gob's'd be green with envy if they knew how to do that. Learned if off an elf across the way some twenny year ago. Hope she's fine what withall goin on."
Pressing further ahead, and at a more manageably moderate pace, you come to a place where the Dawnway crosses your trail. A wide expanse of dark water has flooded the woodland in this low valley between foothills. Trees still protrude from the waters, here and there, their rotting branches still reaching like bony hands towards the sky. Large reaches seem to be little more than algae-choked waters, still as glass in the heat of the day. The trill of frogs and the whine of insects fills the air with a warbling, chirping cacophony. The forest path you are on joins with the causeway at the edge of the flooded area, leading onto a rickety-looking causeway cobbled together from thick planks of wood lashed one over the other with mossy rope. The wooden causeway runs for several hundred feet through the boggy waters, in most places scarcely a foot above the water level.
Up ahead of you and on the right, just across the halfway point of the causeway, you can make out the partially submerged wreckage of a large, finely made carriage, its side pointed to the sky. Jorr takes a few steps onto the Causeway, his keen eyes searching the far shores for ambush, satisfied that all remains well.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"That is a useful trick with the hidden bridge," Kiersa says briefly as they cross the river. She stays quiet for most of their travel, just keeping an eye out for signs of danger. Later as they get up on the causeway through marshy area, she notes the carriage. "Has the carriage been here a while?" she asks Jorr. "Seems like someone would be missing a carriage like that."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Valeria follows on foot, holding the reins of her steed, panting but trying her best to keep up with the woodsman. "So you and...your dogs...fought the...invading hobgoblins...then I presume? I would...like t...hear about...what you know...about their...activites in...the area...when you...have the time." She says as she follows him deeper into Witchwood. As they reach the swift-flowing stream she is a bit worried at first but then relieved as Jorr raises the narrow wooden bridge, cautiosly leading her steed across it. "The elf, I would appreciate hearing more about her as well. We will likely need every ally we can get to defeat the Red Hand."
She again looks a bit worried as they reach the flooded woodland. "Would this be the only way to reach the keep?"She asks the woodsman as she continues after him. She moves cautiously with her steed as they enter on the causeway, her eyes glancing over at the carriage as they near it, ready to use her winged boots to bring her aloft should any dangers emerge from the waters or the carriage, also loking at the carriage for any emblems displayed of any noble house she is familiar with.
Perception to notice threats: 5 History to to reacognize any emblem on the carriage: 17
(If it will be of importance Valeria will suggest that Iravon, Kiersa, Mae and Val will be following Jorr in that order. Also, can you explain where on the map we just crossed the Dawnway?)
Mae's face took a slight turn at the mention of the passed pooch, but she kept her tongue and mind still, choosing to focus on the task before them: finding the Keep. Perhaps if there was time later she might explore the reason for the off hand remark. She found it a trying pace, despite her being used to traveling regularly, and chose to keep herself wrapped up even though it got warmer and warmer the further they went into the wood. She felt her ears tingle slightly at the mention of the elf helping the man create the unusual bridge and thought about how such intriguing designs were beyond her ken but fascinating all the same. As they stopped in the marsh, she looked around with a bit of disgust. The stale, putrid air and whinging insects was not her idea of a good time. She eyed the rickety looking causeway and kept her things even closer, suddenly a little on edge as well.
So, this must be water could be hard to find in the Wyrmsmokes, Iravon muses. It all ends up down here. Hot, stinking place. Mind you, it made an excellent obstacle to any army wishing to make it's way from the mountains to the Vale proper.
Following Jorr, Iravon carefully chooses his steps on the creaking causeway. "Someone didn't make it," he says out loud to Jorr, nodding towards the fallen carriage. Whenever they reach the carriage at the halfway point, he will try to look inside.
As you all approach the Causeway, Jorr nods in response Valeria's question about the path ahead. "Straight ahead! Perhaps... another time, I'll tell you about her."
Kiersa, sharp eyes ever watchful, spots an unusual ripple in the direction of the carriage, one that quickly disappears in the algae-choked muck.
None of you recognize the insignia on the carriage, doubtless belonging to some merchant family or minor noble from somewhere to the north, perhaps even into the Shaar.
Valeria nods and continues to follow Jorr along the causeway, leading her chestnut steed by the reins, quiet now, still wary of any threats emerging from the water or the carraige.
Mae follows quietly as well, noting that the terrain did give a sort of natural defense to the area. She was partly grateful though that the keep did not belong to her in particular, as she wasn't convinced this would be a suitable living area yet.
Kiersa keeps an eye on the spot where the ripple, though she tells herself it could just be a frog or fish or something. But otherwise she too just keeps following the others.
As you all approach the middle of the Causeway, your new vantage point gives you a bit of an edge.
Kiersa, already scanning the area she saw a ripple, notices a large snakelike head sunning itself on the south facing side of the wagon, at an angle where before a wheel was blocking your view. Whatever it is, it appears to be asleep at the moment.
Kiersa quietly points out the snakelike head she sees to the others. She lightly nudges Iravon ahead of her to make sure he noticed. The turns back to Mae and Valeria beyond to make sure they saw. Then, as the group keeps moving, she tries to not make any noise to see if they can just get past this creature.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Valeria continues along the causeway, leading her steed by the reins, doing her best to move quietly, trying to spot what Kiersa is pointing to but she assumes it could be a threat and is very ready to ascend should there be any movements in the water.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Kiersa gestures to get Iravon's attention, he stops, holding up the procession over the causeway. Following her pointed finger he sees the snake, seemingly asleep in the water.
A problem that needs to be dealt with, he thought. They would be coming back this way eventually, maybe even crossing here regularly if this was indeed the only way to the keep. The snake would have to be killed, or it would be a constant threat.
(It looks from the map like the carriage and therefore the snake aren't within melee range of the causeway, so...)
Iravon gestures to Valeria and Mae, wriggling his arm through the air like a snake. He then points to them both, then gestures palm forward towards the snake, as if releasing some kind of magic, then chops his hand down like an axe, with a serious look on his face. (Performance: 7)
He then continues to creep along the causeway, until everyone has enough space to have a good view of the snake. (Stealth: 7)
Mae stood quietly and waited to see if anyone answered about the name. She looked over casually at the man with the crossbow and noted his more relaxed state. "How far is the keep? Have you seen any other strangers here lately?" Her second question seemed less directed at the man and more at the pets before gazing back at the man. "Your assistance would indeed be most helpful."
Kiersa heard the name in her head and thought about it for a moment. Looking over at Mae, she tried to catch her attention then shook her head 'no'. Staying back with her and Mae's horses, she doesn't want to say stays quiet, allowing Valeria to speak for the group. As this Jorr seems less and less a threat - at least right at this moment - she will continue to scan their surroundings and even back the way they came. (Perception: 28)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Jorr sucks his teeth for moment, as if thinking to himself.
"I'd wary there, Lady. Tis a place of passen beauty afouled by the same beasts what plague us today. Aye, I'll guide ye there. There's daylight to boot, but 'e must be hurry. Wait'ere, I'll gather me things."
With that he goes inside, returning a few minutes later with a pack slung over his back, his trusty crossbow stowed and a look of determination about him.
"Right!" he shouts, and the dogs sit up. "Watch the place, boys. I'll be back by supper!"
With that he stumps off into the woods, following a slightly worn but well-kept path leading from his clearing further into the Witchwood.
Kiersa detects no threats from the woods, at the moment, though there remain a number of excellent hiding places that even her eyes would not detect.
In response to Mae's cry, he grins. "'Bout day's walk, if'n you've a good pair o'boots and Jorr to lead the way!"
Valeria nods as Jorr goes inside to fetch his gear, gracefully hovering back to mount her chestnut steed again, following the old woodsman as he emerges again and leads them onto the path further into witchwood. "Would the name Guldo mean anything to you?" She calls out in a soft voice after their guide, then keeping a good look out for threats lurking in the woods.
Insight to determine truth in Jorr's answer: 20
Perception to spot threats in withwood: 9
(Does Iravon by any chance know what Guldo means? Not sure what I'd roll to check, if a roll is needed.)
So, the man was perceptive. The shadow cast by the helmet was no use against people such as him, who had intimate experience against hobgoblins. Well, if he knew then there was no point wearing it for now. He removes it, savouring the slight breeze on his face, and hooks it onto a pack loop. He follows closely behind Jorr, making sure he stands between the woodsman and the rest of the group.
Does he detect any hint that the man may be leading them into a trap?
Insight: 9
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
He pauses midstride and affixes you with his eye. For all his rough edges, he seems honest and good in an earthy sort of way.
"One of me dogs, 'e was. Fine beast. Gone now." Unwilling to share further, he returns to the trail, his step a little firmer, his stride a little longer. The trail necessitates food travel, leading your animals by the reins for the foreseeable path ahead.
It isn't long before the four of you, seasoned travelers and adventurers all, are breathing heavily under your gear to keep up with his long steps. After an brisk hour's march, he leads you to the bank of a swift-flowing stream, too deep to cross comfortably with your horses where he shows you a neat trick. Releasing a rope tied with a hidden knot to a nearby stump, a pitch-smeared rope slithers into the river as a narrow wooden bridge rises near to the surface, passing about six inches below the foamy coursing. Firm enough for the horses to pass, he gives himself a low, self-satisfied whistle. "The gob's'd be green with envy if they knew how to do that. Learned if off an elf across the way some twenny year ago. Hope she's fine what withall goin on."
Pressing further ahead, and at a more manageably moderate pace, you come to a place where the Dawnway crosses your trail. A wide expanse of dark water has flooded the woodland in this low valley between foothills. Trees still protrude from the waters, here and there, their rotting branches still reaching like bony hands towards the sky. Large reaches seem to be little more than algae-choked waters, still as glass in the heat of the day. The trill of frogs and the whine of insects fills the air with a warbling, chirping cacophony. The forest path you are on joins with the causeway at the edge of the flooded area, leading onto a rickety-looking causeway cobbled together from thick planks of wood lashed one over the other with mossy rope. The wooden causeway runs for several hundred feet through the boggy waters, in most places scarcely a foot above the water level.
Up ahead of you and on the right, just across the halfway point of the causeway, you can make out the partially submerged wreckage of a large, finely made carriage, its side pointed to the sky. Jorr takes a few steps onto the Causeway, his keen eyes searching the far shores for ambush, satisfied that all remains well.
"That is a useful trick with the hidden bridge," Kiersa says briefly as they cross the river. She stays quiet for most of their travel, just keeping an eye out for signs of danger. Later as they get up on the causeway through marshy area, she notes the carriage. "Has the carriage been here a while?" she asks Jorr. "Seems like someone would be missing a carriage like that."
(Perception: 24)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Valeria follows on foot, holding the reins of her steed, panting but trying her best to keep up with the woodsman. "So you and...your dogs...fought the...invading hobgoblins...then I presume? I would...like t...hear about...what you know...about their...activites in...the area...when you...have the time." She says as she follows him deeper into Witchwood. As they reach the swift-flowing stream she is a bit worried at first but then relieved as Jorr raises the narrow wooden bridge, cautiosly leading her steed across it. "The elf, I would appreciate hearing more about her as well. We will likely need every ally we can get to defeat the Red Hand."
She again looks a bit worried as they reach the flooded woodland. "Would this be the only way to reach the keep?" She asks the woodsman as she continues after him. She moves cautiously with her steed as they enter on the causeway, her eyes glancing over at the carriage as they near it, ready to use her winged boots to bring her aloft should any dangers emerge from the waters or the carriage, also loking at the carriage for any emblems displayed of any noble house she is familiar with.
Perception to notice threats: 5
History to to reacognize any emblem on the carriage: 17
(If it will be of importance Valeria will suggest that Iravon, Kiersa, Mae and Val will be following Jorr in that order. Also, can you explain where on the map we just crossed the Dawnway?)
Mae's face took a slight turn at the mention of the passed pooch, but she kept her tongue and mind still, choosing to focus on the task before them: finding the Keep. Perhaps if there was time later she might explore the reason for the off hand remark. She found it a trying pace, despite her being used to traveling regularly, and chose to keep herself wrapped up even though it got warmer and warmer the further they went into the wood. She felt her ears tingle slightly at the mention of the elf helping the man create the unusual bridge and thought about how such intriguing designs were beyond her ken but fascinating all the same. As they stopped in the marsh, she looked around with a bit of disgust. The stale, putrid air and whinging insects was not her idea of a good time. She eyed the rickety looking causeway and kept her things even closer, suddenly a little on edge as well.
Perception for danger or unusual features: 14
So, this must be water could be hard to find in the Wyrmsmokes, Iravon muses. It all ends up down here. Hot, stinking place. Mind you, it made an excellent obstacle to any army wishing to make it's way from the mountains to the Vale proper.
Following Jorr, Iravon carefully chooses his steps on the creaking causeway. "Someone didn't make it," he says out loud to Jorr, nodding towards the fallen carriage. Whenever they reach the carriage at the halfway point, he will try to look inside.
Perception: 7
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
10
As you all approach the Causeway, Jorr nods in response Valeria's question about the path ahead. "Straight ahead! Perhaps... another time, I'll tell you about her."
Kiersa, sharp eyes ever watchful, spots an unusual ripple in the direction of the carriage, one that quickly disappears in the algae-choked muck.
None of you recognize the insignia on the carriage, doubtless belonging to some merchant family or minor noble from somewhere to the north, perhaps even into the Shaar.
Valeria nods and continues to follow Jorr along the causeway, leading her chestnut steed by the reins, quiet now, still wary of any threats emerging from the water or the carraige.
Mae follows quietly as well, noting that the terrain did give a sort of natural defense to the area. She was partly grateful though that the keep did not belong to her in particular, as she wasn't convinced this would be a suitable living area yet.
Kiersa keeps an eye on the spot where the ripple, though she tells herself it could just be a frog or fish or something. But otherwise she too just keeps following the others.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
As you all approach the middle of the Causeway, your new vantage point gives you a bit of an edge.
Kiersa, already scanning the area she saw a ripple, notices a large snakelike head sunning itself on the south facing side of the wagon, at an angle where before a wheel was blocking your view. Whatever it is, it appears to be asleep at the moment.
Kiersa quietly points out the snakelike head she sees to the others. She lightly nudges Iravon ahead of her to make sure he noticed. The turns back to Mae and Valeria beyond to make sure they saw. Then, as the group keeps moving, she tries to not make any noise to see if they can just get past this creature.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Valeria continues along the causeway, leading her steed by the reins, doing her best to move quietly, trying to spot what Kiersa is pointing to but she assumes it could be a threat and is very ready to ascend should there be any movements in the water.
Stealth: 3 Perception: 13
As Kiersa gestures to get Iravon's attention, he stops, holding up the procession over the causeway. Following her pointed finger he sees the snake, seemingly asleep in the water.
A problem that needs to be dealt with, he thought. They would be coming back this way eventually, maybe even crossing here regularly if this was indeed the only way to the keep. The snake would have to be killed, or it would be a constant threat.
(It looks from the map like the carriage and therefore the snake aren't within melee range of the causeway, so...)
Iravon gestures to Valeria and Mae, wriggling his arm through the air like a snake. He then points to them both, then gestures palm forward towards the snake, as if releasing some kind of magic, then chops his hand down like an axe, with a serious look on his face. (Performance: 7)
He then continues to creep along the causeway, until everyone has enough space to have a good view of the snake. (Stealth: 7)
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos