The plants stir to life under Thelan's command and offer up only one piece of information that Thelan hadn't already deduced: the trolls were the aggressors; they attacked the orcs.
Elrik listens intently to Brast's offer, nodding his head periodically to indicate his understanding of what is being said. The beleaguered dwarf neither accepts nor rejects the opportunity presented to him, but he does--with no shortage of emotion--respond, "Tis kind, very kind to say such things. By Moradin's beard..."
"More than adequate, Master Battlehammer," states Pike regarding the ten gold pieces. "Should provide Elrik a safe haven for several days. Thank you."
- - - - - -
Brisk and clear, morning arrives, and Brast takes leave of Rivermoot in hopes of learning what's behind all the trouble. As he and Peawise travel eastward, keeping an eye open for a way that might lead to Elrik's mining camp, Brast comes to a bend in the road that allows him a clear view of the Rauvin River. Any inclination to pause and take in the beauty of the scene is immediately arrested by the sight of a bizarre creature splashing through the current in an attempt to ford the river. Brast has never seen such a monster, and he senses it has no good in mind.
The creature's destination and intent are impossible to discern, but within half a minute it will have made its way across the span of tall grass that separates the river from the road, where it will stand less than 100' away...
"A frog demon, indeed." Brast cannot help but grin as he feels a familiar warmth in his chest, and a tingling in his limbs. He observes the creature for a moment longer to get a sense of its speed, its bearing and pace across the river, before dismounting Peawise and hurriedly hitching him and his brother, Branston, to a nearby tree limb (apologies for not clarifying earlier - there are two ponies!). Stepping forward for a good vantage point, he carefully unslings his shield and mighty weapon, a battle-worthy hammer dully glowing with barely constrained power. Dropping quietly down to the riverbank, Brast attempts to get within striking distance to engage it in melee once it reaches the tall grasses, hoping to make use of their height, and his relative squatness, to get the drop on it.
As he has his breakfast on the tower roof Malachi ponders the previous nights dreadful nightmares, his body still in physical pain. He is not unused to them, quite the opposite, but this last one seemed to have a lingering effect on his well-being and could seriously affect his ability to carry out his mission should it continue the following nights. After finishing up his last sausage he consults his Encyclopedia on Necromancy to try to find the answers to what might have caused this nightmare. Arcana: 11 Another roll if the book gives advantage: 16
He then floats down to his grey steed Poe and exits the tower, making it disappear from the small hill it had stood on, then riding forth towards the Evermoors, being more watchful of threats now, also sending Edgar out to scout ahead. Perception: 23 Edgar perception: 20
The apothecary of Zymorven Hall, now in the form of a raptor of the sky, carves gentle arcs through the air over the moors. She is able to discern the tracks of the troll and its strange companion for another hundred yards or so (westward bound) before they disappear into a broad marsh.
Studying the ground below for rodents, Pigpen spies only songbirds and some faint movement in the marshy water, probably a turtle or a frog. As she nears the rocky, elevated areas, she sees the telltale signs of mining activity: dark, framed openings that have been cut into the earth.
From the marsh where the tracks disappeared to the mining area is a distance of roughly a mile.
The creature exits the river water and turns slight to its left as it strides through the tall grass. Nothing in its behavior suggests it is aware of Brast's presence, a mere 60' away. Peawise and Branston, however, are not quite so well-hidden. The red-skinned frog-like monster opens its mouth and emits a strange mix of guttural tones before gnashing its teeth and striding toward the two pack animals. Little does it know that a hammer-wielding barbarian lurks in the grass just a few feet away...
Initiative: Brast 10 / Monster 10
(We can assume that the monster will be surprised and, therefore, will be unable to move or take an action on its first turn. Brast may act for round 1)
In a span of fifteen minutes, Malachi solves the riddle. Xaramista!
Many years ago, Malachi tricked her out of her heartstone, and it seems she now has another one and is seeking retribution with her ability to haunt people's nightmares. How long has she waited to cross paths with the necromancer she so despises? And for how long will she play this game?
"So, Xaramista..."Malachi mutters to himself as he continues his ride towards the Everemoors, producing a small crystal ball from his backpack, trying to see if he can locate his old nemesis and figure out where she is at these days, maybe even in her old lair. "You shall regret daring to even dream about opposing me." He snarls as he looks into the grey swirls of the crystal ball.
Cast Scrying and target Xaramista. (Would Malachi still have the heartstone or anything else from her?)
A lark, singing into the desolate emptiness here. As I am. A songbird on her own. Yet not defenseless.
"Happily I think on thee, and then my state, Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate."
Lyra is not sure if the person she is thinking of is her mother, of the ranger she once knew, or someone who never was and never will be.
She descends back down to her customary hovering position a few feet above ground and absently ties the hair that isn't already braided back in a bob so it stays out of her face as she thinks. Troll attacks are not uncommon in the Evermoors. Were there no survivors? All captured, none returned?
She looks to see if the barefoot track of the troll or giant leads along the narrow path southward. Or perhaps the swath of something heavy being dragged that wiped away other tracks - does that look like it heads south along that narrow path? In either of those cases, Lyra proceeds southward, following the track, scanning around her for the troll or any other hazards. Attempting to keep a low profile. Deeper into the Evermoors.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
BRAST
Situating himself between the creature and his ponies, Brast leaps into the fray!
Going into a rage (BA) he proceeds to make a reckless attack(attacks against Brast get advantage next turn), sacrificing his footing for a brutal swing with the now hotly sparking hammer!
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
MALACHI
Xaramista WIS save: 17
(Ruling she has -5 on her save vs the scrying spell because Malachi is familiar with her)
Upon completion of the rather lengthy and complex incantation, Malachi beholds the night hag in her forest hovel. Several stirges flutter about her. It seems Xaramista lurks somewhere within Silverwood (as she has done for as long as Malachi can remember).
The absence of additional prints (large, barefooted ones, that is) suggests to Lyra that the creature in question has done one of two things: enter the mines or head southward with whatever is being dragged along the ground. Following that route is useful for thirty or minutes or so until she reaches one of those shallow, marshy expanses of water and grass. There's no clear indication now of which direction might be the proper one.
Twice Brast's hammer smashes violently into torso of the red monster, knocking the creature backward a full step or two. Its eyes fill with rage at the unexpected shocks of pain. Emitting another volley of disgusting noises from its throat, it stands ready to descend upon Brast with teeth and claws...
(Round 1, in which the surprised monster could neither move nor act, concludes. Brast, with the higher initiative bonus, acts first in round 2)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
BRAST
Screaming a dreadful curse in dwarvish, Brast again swings in with another reckless attack, battering the creature's vicious claws aside to knock it once more with dreadful strikes! (Enemy again gets advantage on all attacks back at Brast).
"The trail vanishes, round the vast decay Of pond and marsh, boundless and bare The lone and level moors stretch far away, A dusky ocean rolling to unseen shores.”
She takes a risk once more, rising forty feet into the sky for a quick survey to look for any signs of her quarry or anything else worthy of note. If she spots nothing there, she retraces her path back north to the outcropping. If the mine site is unchanged and she senses no other hazards or creatures nearby, she picks the mine entrance closest to the troll or giant footprint and enters. Shield at the ready with its ever-seeing eye to go with her own darkvision, she looks for survivors, or whatever accosted them.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
BRAST
Two more hammer swings, almost mirror images of those from a few seconds ago, crash into the monster's body. Despite the seriousness of its wounds, the creature seems to ignore the effect of the blows and descends upon its much smaller foe with wicked claws and terrifying teeth...
Right hand claw attack: 26 for 11 piercing damage, if successful
Left hand claw attack: 22 for 9 piercing damage, if successful
Bite attack: 20 for 8 piercing damage, if successful
A higher vantage point serves only to offer a greater view of the eerie beauty of the Evermoors. The creatures Lyra hopes to find are nowhere to be seen.
A quarter of an hour later, Lyra stands within a circular underground room with a domed ceiling. Along its walls are a few bunks for sleeping and racks for storing goods, tools, clothes, and other equipment. In the center is a large wooden table and eight chairs. Upon the table are plates of simple food (dried berries, nuts, and salted pork) and tin cups still filled with drink.
Midway between the table and the back wall (this is to say, the part of the circular wall directly opposite the opening Lyra used to enter this place) is the body of dead miner. He is human, along in years (Lyra estimates he was between 45 and 55), and shows clear signs of burn marks. So severe are they, that Lyra is certain that fire caused the man's death.
This small cavern was clearly created by the miners and served as their humble home. From here, a passage continues farther into the depths of the earth.
Pensively, Lyra closes the miner's eyes as she examines his burned corpse.
"All our yesterdays have lighted each of us the way to dusty death. I never knew you, but I'll warrant you deserved better."
What am I doing here? My mother is almost certainly not in this mine. And yet... perhaps what befell the miners is a clue to what befell her. And these miners too have mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters and children.
Unbidden, she remembers what another from her organization had said long ago. She whispers it like a mantra in this forsaken place.
"We are the song for those who have no voice."
Lyra plays a strange, quiet sequence of whistling and cracking sounds on her dark harmonica as her armor and body frost over with eldritch magic.
For good measure, she quaffs a vial of antitoxin. Relying on her senses and her eye-emblazoned shield to help her perceive enemies and hazards, Lyra continues carefully down the passageway, riding her broom a few feet above the floor level.
"I believe we might need to pay our friend Xaramista a little visit before we proceed with our mission." Malachi mutters to himself, turning his grey steed Poe to head for the black hags forest hovel in Silverwood.
So this is Malachi's plan in his head.
- Cast Mage Armor -Ride into Silverwood towards Xaramista's forest hovel. Edgar is scouting ahead with passive perception of 13 and Malachi has a passive perception of 23 and can't be surprised. -When about 500 yards from the hovel he will stop and set up his gothic tower. - He will then cast See Invisibility and use his winged boots to fly closer. -When just coming within sight of the hovel, hiding in a treetop he will cast Arcane eye to scout out the hovel, checking that the hag and her heartstone are still there. - If so he will then cast Greater Invisibility and then Dimension Door to get to the Heartstone, grab it and drop a message.
"Dear Xaramista I apologize for the actions you force me to take. You will have your Hearstone back in time. We might even come to some arrangement, but unfortunately I have other business to attend to at the moment. Be sure that if you ever interfere with me or my plans again I will not be nearly as forgiving. Malachi Greyblight"
- He will then immediately Teleport back to his gothic tower, pack it up and ride west to the Evermoors again.
He fully realizes unforseen things might happen but this is the plan as Malachi has more interest in a potential ally than petty revenge.
Pigpen circles the mines, seeing no signs of activity, flies back to the marsh. “Problem for another day,” she thinks. Flying back to where the troll’s trail lead into the marsh, she circles once, looking for signs of anything unusual, then, if she spots no his hostile, she lands at the spot where the troll went in, transforms back into a halfling, and attempts to see where they might have gone in the muck.
THELAN
The plants stir to life under Thelan's command and offer up only one piece of information that Thelan hadn't already deduced: the trolls were the aggressors; they attacked the orcs.
BRAST
Elrik listens intently to Brast's offer, nodding his head periodically to indicate his understanding of what is being said. The beleaguered dwarf neither accepts nor rejects the opportunity presented to him, but he does--with no shortage of emotion--respond, "Tis kind, very kind to say such things. By Moradin's beard..."
"More than adequate, Master Battlehammer," states Pike regarding the ten gold pieces. "Should provide Elrik a safe haven for several days. Thank you."
- - - - - -
Brisk and clear, morning arrives, and Brast takes leave of Rivermoot in hopes of learning what's behind all the trouble. As he and Peawise travel eastward, keeping an eye open for a way that might lead to Elrik's mining camp, Brast comes to a bend in the road that allows him a clear view of the Rauvin River. Any inclination to pause and take in the beauty of the scene is immediately arrested by the sight of a bizarre creature splashing through the current in an attempt to ford the river. Brast has never seen such a monster, and he senses it has no good in mind.
The creature's destination and intent are impossible to discern, but within half a minute it will have made its way across the span of tall grass that separates the river from the road, where it will stand less than 100' away...
BRAST
"A frog demon, indeed." Brast cannot help but grin as he feels a familiar warmth in his chest, and a tingling in his limbs. He observes the creature for a moment longer to get a sense of its speed, its bearing and pace across the river, before dismounting Peawise and hurriedly hitching him and his brother, Branston, to a nearby tree limb (apologies for not clarifying earlier - there are two ponies!). Stepping forward for a good vantage point, he carefully unslings his shield and mighty weapon, a battle-worthy hammer dully glowing with barely constrained power. Dropping quietly down to the riverbank, Brast attempts to get within striking distance to engage it in melee once it reaches the tall grasses, hoping to make use of their height, and his relative squatness, to get the drop on it.
(stealth roll if needed: 23)
MALACHI
As he has his breakfast on the tower roof Malachi ponders the previous nights dreadful nightmares, his body still in physical pain. He is not unused to them, quite the opposite, but this last one seemed to have a lingering effect on his well-being and could seriously affect his ability to carry out his mission should it continue the following nights. After finishing up his last sausage he consults his Encyclopedia on Necromancy to try to find the answers to what might have caused this nightmare.
Arcana: 11 Another roll if the book gives advantage: 16
He then floats down to his grey steed Poe and exits the tower, making it disappear from the small hill it had stood on, then riding forth towards the Evermoors, being more watchful of threats now, also sending Edgar out to scout ahead.
Perception: 23 Edgar perception: 20
PIGPEN
The apothecary of Zymorven Hall, now in the form of a raptor of the sky, carves gentle arcs through the air over the moors. She is able to discern the tracks of the troll and its strange companion for another hundred yards or so (westward bound) before they disappear into a broad marsh.
Studying the ground below for rodents, Pigpen spies only songbirds and some faint movement in the marshy water, probably a turtle or a frog. As she nears the rocky, elevated areas, she sees the telltale signs of mining activity: dark, framed openings that have been cut into the earth.
From the marsh where the tracks disappeared to the mining area is a distance of roughly a mile.
BRAST
The creature exits the river water and turns slight to its left as it strides through the tall grass. Nothing in its behavior suggests it is aware of Brast's presence, a mere 60' away. Peawise and Branston, however, are not quite so well-hidden. The red-skinned frog-like monster opens its mouth and emits a strange mix of guttural tones before gnashing its teeth and striding toward the two pack animals. Little does it know that a hammer-wielding barbarian lurks in the grass just a few feet away...
Initiative: Brast 10 / Monster 10
(We can assume that the monster will be surprised and, therefore, will be unable to move or take an action on its first turn. Brast may act for round 1)
MALACHI
In a span of fifteen minutes, Malachi solves the riddle. Xaramista!
Many years ago, Malachi tricked her out of her heartstone, and it seems she now has another one and is seeking retribution with her ability to haunt people's nightmares. How long has she waited to cross paths with the necromancer she so despises? And for how long will she play this game?
"So, Xaramista..." Malachi mutters to himself as he continues his ride towards the Everemoors, producing a small crystal ball from his backpack, trying to see if he can locate his old nemesis and figure out where she is at these days, maybe even in her old lair. "You shall regret daring to even dream about opposing me." He snarls as he looks into the grey swirls of the crystal ball.
Cast Scrying and target Xaramista. (Would Malachi still have the heartstone or anything else from her?)
A lark, singing into the desolate emptiness here. As I am. A songbird on her own. Yet not defenseless.
"Happily I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate."
Lyra is not sure if the person she is thinking of is her mother, of the ranger she once knew, or someone who never was and never will be.
She descends back down to her customary hovering position a few feet above ground and absently ties the hair that isn't already braided back in a bob so it stays out of her face as she thinks. Troll attacks are not uncommon in the Evermoors. Were there no survivors? All captured, none returned?
She looks to see if the barefoot track of the troll or giant leads along the narrow path southward. Or perhaps the swath of something heavy being dragged that wiped away other tracks - does that look like it heads south along that narrow path? In either of those cases, Lyra proceeds southward, following the track, scanning around her for the troll or any other hazards. Attempting to keep a low profile. Deeper into the Evermoors.
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
BRAST
Situating himself between the creature and his ponies, Brast leaps into the fray!
Going into a rage (BA) he proceeds to make a reckless attack(attacks against Brast get advantage next turn), sacrificing his footing for a brutal swing with the now hotly sparking hammer!
Attack: 27 Damage: 16
And the backhand!
Attack: 16 Damage: 13
MALACHI
Xaramista WIS save: 17
(Ruling she has -5 on her save vs the scrying spell because Malachi is familiar with her)
Upon completion of the rather lengthy and complex incantation, Malachi beholds the night hag in her forest hovel. Several stirges flutter about her. It seems Xaramista lurks somewhere within Silverwood (as she has done for as long as Malachi can remember).
LYRA
The absence of additional prints (large, barefooted ones, that is) suggests to Lyra that the creature in question has done one of two things: enter the mines or head southward with whatever is being dragged along the ground. Following that route is useful for thirty or minutes or so until she reaches one of those shallow, marshy expanses of water and grass. There's no clear indication now of which direction might be the proper one.
BRAST
Twice Brast's hammer smashes violently into torso of the red monster, knocking the creature backward a full step or two. Its eyes fill with rage at the unexpected shocks of pain. Emitting another volley of disgusting noises from its throat, it stands ready to descend upon Brast with teeth and claws...
(Round 1, in which the surprised monster could neither move nor act, concludes. Brast, with the higher initiative bonus, acts first in round 2)
BRAST
Screaming a dreadful curse in dwarvish, Brast again swings in with another reckless attack, battering the creature's vicious claws aside to knock it once more with dreadful strikes! (Enemy again gets advantage on all attacks back at Brast).
Attack: 30 Damage: 12
And the backhand!
Attack: 31 Damage: 12
Lyra murmurs to herself.
"The trail vanishes, round the vast decay
Of pond and marsh, boundless and bare
The lone and level moors stretch far away,
A dusky ocean rolling to unseen shores.”
She takes a risk once more, rising forty feet into the sky for a quick survey to look for any signs of her quarry or anything else worthy of note. If she spots nothing there, she retraces her path back north to the outcropping. If the mine site is unchanged and she senses no other hazards or creatures nearby, she picks the mine entrance closest to the troll or giant footprint and enters. Shield at the ready with its ever-seeing eye to go with her own darkvision, she looks for survivors, or whatever accosted them.
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
BRAST
Two more hammer swings, almost mirror images of those from a few seconds ago, crash into the monster's body. Despite the seriousness of its wounds, the creature seems to ignore the effect of the blows and descends upon its much smaller foe with wicked claws and terrifying teeth...
(Please roll a CON save for Brast)
LYRA
A higher vantage point serves only to offer a greater view of the eerie beauty of the Evermoors. The creatures Lyra hopes to find are nowhere to be seen.
A quarter of an hour later, Lyra stands within a circular underground room with a domed ceiling. Along its walls are a few bunks for sleeping and racks for storing goods, tools, clothes, and other equipment. In the center is a large wooden table and eight chairs. Upon the table are plates of simple food (dried berries, nuts, and salted pork) and tin cups still filled with drink.
Midway between the table and the back wall (this is to say, the part of the circular wall directly opposite the opening Lyra used to enter this place) is the body of dead miner. He is human, along in years (Lyra estimates he was between 45 and 55), and shows clear signs of burn marks. So severe are they, that Lyra is certain that fire caused the man's death.
This small cavern was clearly created by the miners and served as their humble home. From here, a passage continues farther into the depths of the earth.
Pensively, Lyra closes the miner's eyes as she examines his burned corpse.
"All our yesterdays have lighted each of us the way to dusty death. I never knew you, but I'll warrant you deserved better."
What am I doing here? My mother is almost certainly not in this mine. And yet... perhaps what befell the miners is a clue to what befell her. And these miners too have mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters and children.
Unbidden, she remembers what another from her organization had said long ago. She whispers it like a mantra in this forsaken place.
"We are the song for those who have no voice."
Lyra plays a strange, quiet sequence of whistling and cracking sounds on her dark harmonica as her armor and body frost over with eldritch magic.
Casting Armor of Agathys using a 4th level slot.
For good measure, she quaffs a vial of antitoxin. Relying on her senses and her eye-emblazoned shield to help her perceive enemies and hazards, Lyra continues carefully down the passageway, riding her broom a few feet above the floor level.
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
MALACHI
"I believe we might need to pay our friend Xaramista a little visit before we proceed with our mission." Malachi mutters to himself, turning his grey steed Poe to head for the black hags forest hovel in Silverwood.
So this is Malachi's plan in his head.
- Cast Mage Armor
-Ride into Silverwood towards Xaramista's forest hovel.
Edgar is scouting ahead with passive perception of 13 and Malachi has a passive perception of 23 and can't be surprised.
-When about 500 yards from the hovel he will stop and set up his gothic tower.
- He will then cast See Invisibility and use his winged boots to fly closer.
-When just coming within sight of the hovel, hiding in a treetop he will cast Arcane eye to scout out the hovel, checking that the hag and her heartstone are still there.
- If so he will then cast Greater Invisibility and then Dimension Door to get to the Heartstone, grab it and drop a message.
"Dear Xaramista
I apologize for the actions you force me to take. You will have your Hearstone back in time.
We might even come to some arrangement, but unfortunately I have other business to attend
to at the moment. Be sure that if you ever interfere with me or my plans again I will not be nearly
as forgiving.
Malachi Greyblight"
- He will then immediately Teleport back to his gothic tower, pack it up and ride west to the Evermoors again.
He fully realizes unforseen things might happen but this is the plan as Malachi has more interest in a potential ally than petty revenge.
PIGPEN
Pigpen circles the mines, seeing no signs of activity, flies back to the marsh. “Problem for another day,” she thinks. Flying back to where the troll’s trail lead into the marsh, she circles once, looking for signs of anything unusual, then, if she spots no his hostile, she lands at the spot where the troll went in, transforms back into a halfling, and attempts to see where they might have gone in the muck.
Perception: 8
Survival: 25
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd