It falls to Obsben to bring the creature down. Its horrible hiding job doesn't do it any favors as the halfling comes a few steps closer and turns the creature's mind off. (Grub#1 takes 10 psychic damage and is DEFEATED.)
The grub comes crashing down from its perched position, splatting on the ground loudly and moistly.
WE ARE NOW OUT OF INITIATIVE. YOU MAY DO AS YOU WILL.
Utar looks around at CRAP and a horrendous thought crosses his mind.
"Ok. We need to check that backpack and get on with following whatever is left of this thief's trail, but uh, do we reckon these worms might have made a meal out of whoever's backpack that was?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Mn~ A little, but I'm more tired than anything. So, I should be good for now, Graxx."Obsben assured first the barbarian before addressing Utar. "And unless our thief had a very unfortunate partner, I fear we've already found'em... or at least, what's left of them." She says, gesturing over to the remains near the body.
"But, wouldn't hurt to have a look around, I sup-... suppose..."She trailed off towards the end seeing Graxx at work. But then with a shrug, she'd join whoever else happened to beat her to the backpack and the scattered array of things for a closer inspection of things under the light of her dagger.
(@Lerus: Not sure if a check is really needed, but if so. Here be an investigation to investigate the backpack and scattered items for anything of note.)
(@Grx: Let's call that a medicine check for a total of 19.)
The CRAPers take a deep breath but Utar knows they need answers still. He starts by asking if their fugitive might have become a meal, and Graxx is happy to help figuring that out. Some of the grubs don't even need to be cut down further, as their innards are already spilled. It takes some time, and the barbarian gets covered in acidic filth, but he finds no indication that a fresh humanoid body has been consumed by any of the defeated crawlers. He finds a miscellaneous mixture of rotted meats, fur chunks, assorted small bones, and bits of charred grubs within other grubs' entrails.
Speaking of charred grubs, upon closer inspection,Obsben realizes that the two dead creatures the six grubs were feeding on when CRAP arrived were two other worms. There is no humanoid body in the spillway. Whoever dropped their backpack here put on a bit of a fight and then escaped with their lives. In fact, Obsben identifies a smattering of fresh blood near the backpack that leads away towards the steps.
And now the group moves on to the backpack. Besides the mangled pack itself, the group spots a still-stoppered bottle of ink, an ink pen, and several sheets of parchment. There is also a coin purse, some tattered clothes, and the partial remains of a destroyed scroll. These last two items, much like the backpack, are beyond use.
The coin purse contains 35gp.
The faulty scroll (since it did not completely self-destruct upon being used) can be examined with an arcana check {DC 15}.
One of the salvageable documents appears to be a list of book titles. Most of them have been stricken through, but three have check marks next to them: "Lords and Lineages", "The Weave: A Practical Observation of Impractical Occurrences", and "Ren o' the Blade Memoirs".
A second salvageable document is a rough map showing Phlan and its surroundings. The map details a location about half a day’s ride east of Phlan, along a marked path. A destination is labeled on the map: the Twilight Marsh. Utar and Graxx have visited the outskirts of this marsh in the past (Episode 2) and recognize the large swamp east of Phlan.
A third readable item is an unsigned note. It reads: "ill,nEsoneocoyuvaheruesdceatwhouyncaotdaisuniuorecha,srteem itwh Rahytxn ni teh samrhtasefoetht,yiconlgaehtnhlPaPat.halSy ynahttadrvcseio yruo .wkor oD ont ilfa su aagi.n"
"Nevermind, Utar. It seems you had the right to be worried about our thief flying the coop, if only barely. Though on the plus side, it seems he dropped us quite a few interesting notes here." Obsben mentions as she poured over the various bits of documents, and took care to keep them well away from the water's edge. The list and coin purse, unless someone interjected, find their way secured on her person. But the scroll, map, and unsigned note are held at hand at some length for further study.
Before fully delving into them further however, she gestures towards blood and says, "If you're about done, Graxx, I do believe I found the next trail marker over here. A map too, and some other things as well. But, I can't say I'm familiar with the area it's showing. But mayhaps the rest of you will have better luck there."She offers the map up for anyone to take off her hands, prior to then finally studying the cipher next.
"I'm having trouble with this first word, but... ill,nEso once you have rescued? No, secured. Once you've secured what you can to aid us in our search, meet with... Rahytxn? Hmm... That can't be right. But it looks... familiar...... Hn. Anywhosen~ In the marsh east of the city, along the Phlan path. Slay any that discover your work. Do not fail us again -- Wow, this person really ****ed up a lot, huh?" Obsben remarked before offering the parchment up next to finally focus most of her attention on studying the scroll next.
Graxx walks up and retrieves the parchment from Obsben.
"Ah yes... The swap to the east of the city..." says Graxx.
Graxx nods to Utar.
"We have been victorious in battle on the outskirts of the swamp. It makes sense that there would be evil further within the swamp as well." says Graxx.
Graxx observes the blood trail leading up the steps.
"Hopefully the wound that leaves this blood is in their legs and will slow them down. It would be nice to catch them before they make it to the marsh. Then we could take their place and give a big surprise visit." says Graxx.
Graxx thinks hard and says the name over and over.
"Rahytxn... Rahytxn... Could that be it? No.." says Graxx.
Graxx begins to pace.
"Dragons... Dragons... Ekmong told us about Dragons... Not the green... Not the red... The BLACK!" says Graxx.
Graxx looks excited.
"Rythnax! The young black dragon that Ekmong said had a lair in the Region!" says Graxx!
Paying little attention to the backpack and its non-parchment items, CRAP delves into the documents in search of valuable intel. The first one, the list of book titles, seems to give the group little new information, if any, and so they focus on the map and the enigmatic note.
The humans look at the map. Neya can read it pretty well given her navigation training, and Graxx recognizes the location marked as the destination. Meanwhile, Utar and Obsben focus on the cypher. Having broken it earlier, this second go at it proves to be fairly straightforward. The names are a bit harder to uncover, but Neya pinpoints the addressee of the note as being none other than Ellison, and Graxx soon remembers a draconic name that fits the spelling of the second name in the note.
With that info at hand, CRAP continues their investigation. Graxx takes note of the trail of blood leaving the spillway while Obsben studies the charred remains of a spell scroll. It doesn't take long for her to sniff out the sulfuric ink associated with writing down the instructions for casting the Fireball spell.
Thirty-five golden coins richer, Obsben makes a few more observations about Ellison's competence and looks at the other faces around her. The group looks ready to take their next step.
"We can certainly try. But if it becomes clear he's already reached the marsh itself on our way, then I'm sorry, but I do like living. And none of us will be living for long without more than an hour's rest." Obsben assured the group as she gingerly slipped the scroll away. "At worse we'll be a day behind. But if they have to go as deep into the swamps anyways to reach this dragon, then I think we can afford it to be in better straits to deal with all the nonsense bound to be in there... -if- it comes to it."
She then looked up to Graxx, and with hardly a word more, held out her hands to be picked up once more and set at rest on a shoulder. "And if it comes to us taking that breather in town, we'll need to make some reports first thing in the morning, or so I imagine."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
After weighing the pros and cons of giving immediate chase, CRAP agrees to at least start following Ellison's trail. Graxx leads them out of the spillway by following the blood track. The spillway emerges into the open air at the base of Phlan’s exterior wall on the banks of the Stojanow River. The blood trail leads east, as expected, although it is hard to follow it at this time of the night. It is completely dark outside, and the party comes to realize they have been adventuring into the deep night. A half-day travel east would mean traveling overnight.
Looking at their map, CRAP also realizes that "Phlan Path" is a named road leading east of the city. The note seems to indicate that traveling along this path was all that was needed. Nonetheless, walking on this road for a bit and looking into the distance, CRAP does not spot any travelers going east at this time of the night. Assuming Ellison went that way, it is clear he must have some lead on the party.
A decision needs to be made before they get too far from Phlan. Will CRAP venture east into the night or call it here for today?
"I stand pretty much by what I said earlier."Obsben replied as she leaned more against Graxx's head to keep herself propped up. "But seeing as my legs aren't my own at the moment, I suppose I'll go where you they take me." She adds, giving Graxx a side-eye and cheeky smile. "If nothing else, I'll be sure to try and reach out to Harper and let him know what's the situation with what little magic I have left this even, seeing as all this nonsense seems to be pointing towards more culty business."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Having nearly pinpointed the location of a dragon, the group decides it may be best to properly prepare for a tough fight. They agree to return to the Leadstopper Residence for now, from where they can send a message, grab a meal, plan ahead, and rest well for whatever portion of the night still remains.
(OOC: Leadstopper Residence is outside the walled portions of Phlan, so you should have no issue in returning to it at this time of the night --the city gates would be closed. You can assume you return to your HQ safely. Let me know exactly what you want to do before calling it a night.)
Just before completing the spell that would see to relaying Harper an update in shorthand, the realization that the more pressing concern no doubt eating away at the Head Scribe and their fellows gives Obsben pause. Then following a mildly annoyed sigh, she make a few adjustments and send her message out in the weave during the evening supper. That is, unless Utar makes it clear that he had yet the strength and miracle prepared to handle that much at least.
For Cassra Brandywine:
"Trail lead beyond Phlan. Faced great dangers. Recouperating Now. Be back in the morning at library. Hopefully. More to discuss. Relay message at discretion."
If time permitted afterwards, and following a request of Utar about some magical restoration from exhaustion, she'd set about the hour long ritual of re-summoning a familiar in whatever roomed seemed spacious enough for it without much concern for anything else. Only this time instead of Salty Bottom, what appeared flying from dimming flames was a blacked furred cat with slightly iridescent green wings and other feathers throughout their body. Obsben almost immediately snatched the familiar out of the air to hug to her chest, much to the celestial beast's chagrin, "C'mon Sourpuss. Time for bed." Obsben declared, eliciting an annoyed sounding yowl as she headed off for her usual corner.
"Last time we tangled with a dragon, we went in force. I doubt Aleyd or Moneus could bring out what we need. My vote is to contact Ekmong. See if we can't round up some house guard, somekind of other help?"
(OOC Utar can spend his last fourth level slot on a casting of sending and his fifth level slot is for a greater restoration. I think someone had two levels of exhaustion, assuming that's Obby, right?)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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It falls to Obsben to bring the creature down. Its horrible hiding job doesn't do it any favors as the halfling comes a few steps closer and turns the creature's mind off. (Grub#1 takes 10 psychic damage and is DEFEATED.)
The grub comes crashing down from its perched position, splatting on the ground loudly and moistly.
WE ARE NOW OUT OF INITIATIVE. YOU MAY DO AS YOU WILL.
Utar looks around at CRAP and a horrendous thought crosses his mind.
"Ok. We need to check that backpack and get on with following whatever is left of this thief's trail, but uh, do we reckon these worms might have made a meal out of whoever's backpack that was?"
Graxx looks around and picks up his axe once more now that the worms have been handled.
"Anyone still feeling woozy? I have healing." says Graxx.
Graxx looks at Utar and nods his head in agreement.
"Yes... The backpack should give us clues. As far as making a meal... Well... Let's have a look at their guts and see what's inside."
Graxx will make his way to each worm and take his axe to rip open their innards if they are not already exposed.
Graxx is specifically looking for any body parts that could be signs that a body was consumed.
Straight 20 Roll: 11
"Mn~ A little, but I'm more tired than anything. So, I should be good for now, Graxx." Obsben assured first the barbarian before addressing Utar. "And unless our thief had a very unfortunate partner, I fear we've already found'em... or at least, what's left of them." She says, gesturing over to the remains near the body.
"But, wouldn't hurt to have a look around, I sup-... suppose..." She trailed off towards the end seeing Graxx at work. But then with a shrug, she'd join whoever else happened to beat her to the backpack and the scattered array of things for a closer inspection of things under the light of her dagger.
(@Lerus: Not sure if a check is really needed, but if so. Here be an investigation to investigate the backpack and scattered items for anything of note.)
-Investigation: 28. (20)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"If I recall, there should be at least one more spell scroll unaccounted for," Neya says.
Extended Signature
(@Grx: Let's call that a medicine check for a total of 19.)
The CRAPers take a deep breath but Utar knows they need answers still. He starts by asking if their fugitive might have become a meal, and Graxx is happy to help figuring that out. Some of the grubs don't even need to be cut down further, as their innards are already spilled. It takes some time, and the barbarian gets covered in acidic filth, but he finds no indication that a fresh humanoid body has been consumed by any of the defeated crawlers. He finds a miscellaneous mixture of rotted meats, fur chunks, assorted small bones, and bits of charred grubs within other grubs' entrails.
Speaking of charred grubs, upon closer inspection, Obsben realizes that the two dead creatures the six grubs were feeding on when CRAP arrived were two other worms. There is no humanoid body in the spillway. Whoever dropped their backpack here put on a bit of a fight and then escaped with their lives. In fact, Obsben identifies a smattering of fresh blood near the backpack that leads away towards the steps.
And now the group moves on to the backpack. Besides the mangled pack itself, the group spots a still-stoppered bottle of ink, an ink pen, and several sheets of parchment. There is also a coin purse, some tattered clothes, and the partial remains of a destroyed scroll. These last two items, much like the backpack, are beyond use.
-Arcana: 27.(20)
"Nevermind, Utar. It seems you had the right to be worried about our thief flying the coop, if only barely. Though on the plus side, it seems he dropped us quite a few interesting notes here." Obsben mentions as she poured over the various bits of documents, and took care to keep them well away from the water's edge. The list and coin purse, unless someone interjected, find their way secured on her person. But the scroll, map, and unsigned note are held at hand at some length for further study.
Before fully delving into them further however, she gestures towards blood and says, "If you're about done, Graxx, I do believe I found the next trail marker over here. A map too, and some other things as well. But, I can't say I'm familiar with the area it's showing. But mayhaps the rest of you will have better luck there." She offers the map up for anyone to take off her hands, prior to then finally studying the cipher next.
"I'm having trouble with this first word, but... ill,nEso once you have rescued? No, secured. Once you've secured what you can to aid us in our search, meet with... Rahytxn? Hmm... That can't be right. But it looks... familiar...... Hn. Anywhosen~ In the marsh east of the city, along the Phlan path. Slay any that discover your work. Do not fail us again -- Wow, this person really ****ed up a lot, huh?" Obsben remarked before offering the parchment up next to finally focus most of her attention on studying the scroll next.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx walks up and retrieves the parchment from Obsben.
"Ah yes... The swap to the east of the city..." says Graxx.
Graxx nods to Utar.
"We have been victorious in battle on the outskirts of the swamp. It makes sense that there would be evil further within the swamp as well." says Graxx.
Graxx observes the blood trail leading up the steps.
"Hopefully the wound that leaves this blood is in their legs and will slow them down. It would be nice to catch them before they make it to the marsh. Then we could take their place and give a big surprise visit." says Graxx.
Graxx thinks hard and says the name over and over.
"Rahytxn... Rahytxn... Could that be it? No.." says Graxx.
Graxx begins to pace.
"Dragons... Dragons... Ekmong told us about Dragons... Not the green... Not the red... The BLACK!" says Graxx.
Graxx looks excited.
"Rythnax! The young black dragon that Ekmong said had a lair in the Region!" says Graxx!
Paying little attention to the backpack and its non-parchment items, CRAP delves into the documents in search of valuable intel. The first one, the list of book titles, seems to give the group little new information, if any, and so they focus on the map and the enigmatic note.
The humans look at the map. Neya can read it pretty well given her navigation training, and Graxx recognizes the location marked as the destination. Meanwhile, Utar and Obsben focus on the cypher. Having broken it earlier, this second go at it proves to be fairly straightforward. The names are a bit harder to uncover, but Neya pinpoints the addressee of the note as being none other than Ellison, and Graxx soon remembers a draconic name that fits the spelling of the second name in the note.
With that info at hand, CRAP continues their investigation. Graxx takes note of the trail of blood leaving the spillway while Obsben studies the charred remains of a spell scroll. It doesn't take long for her to sniff out the sulfuric ink associated with writing down the instructions for casting the Fireball spell.
Thirty-five golden coins richer, Obsben makes a few more observations about Ellison's competence and looks at the other faces around her. The group looks ready to take their next step.
Utar shakes their head, "So we're giving chase to Ellison, right? Hopefully catching them before they run into this Black Dragon? Torm watch over us."
Utar rubs a hand through his hair, sighing heavily.
"What do we need before we leave the city? We need to be quick if we're to stand any chance."
"We can certainly try. But if it becomes clear he's already reached the marsh itself on our way, then I'm sorry, but I do like living. And none of us will be living for long without more than an hour's rest." Obsben assured the group as she gingerly slipped the scroll away. "At worse we'll be a day behind. But if they have to go as deep into the swamps anyways to reach this dragon, then I think we can afford it to be in better straits to deal with all the nonsense bound to be in there... -if- it comes to it."
She then looked up to Graxx, and with hardly a word more, held out her hands to be picked up once more and set at rest on a shoulder. "And if it comes to us taking that breather in town, we'll need to make some reports first thing in the morning, or so I imagine."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx lifts Obsben and places her on his shoulder. He has grown to have a comforted feeling with Obsben being a second set of eyes and sense.
"Let us see what we can find. Hopefully, they are are hurt as we are!' says Graxx.
Graxx will begin to follow the blood trail and see where it takes the group.
"If they are mounted we will not stand a chance. I'll look for tracks whether they be on foot or on mounts." says Graxx.
Survival: 23
"If they encountered the same dangers we did, I'd wager they might be in just as rough shape as we are. If not, worse."
Extended Signature
After weighing the pros and cons of giving immediate chase, CRAP agrees to at least start following Ellison's trail. Graxx leads them out of the spillway by following the blood track. The spillway emerges into the open air at the base of Phlan’s exterior wall on the banks of the Stojanow River. The blood trail leads east, as expected, although it is hard to follow it at this time of the night. It is completely dark outside, and the party comes to realize they have been adventuring into the deep night. A half-day travel east would mean traveling overnight.
Looking at their map, CRAP also realizes that "Phlan Path" is a named road leading east of the city. The note seems to indicate that traveling along this path was all that was needed. Nonetheless, walking on this road for a bit and looking into the distance, CRAP does not spot any travelers going east at this time of the night. Assuming Ellison went that way, it is clear he must have some lead on the party.
A decision needs to be made before they get too far from Phlan. Will CRAP venture east into the night or call it here for today?
Graxx looks at the trail looks up on his shoulder then back to the rest of the group.
"They have a good lead on us.. It may be best to turn back to town." says Graxx.
Graxx looks the party over.
"I know we could use the rest and no telling what army awaits us where we are going." says Graxx.
"Maybe if we acquired some mounts we could make up the time we will lose by taking a day of rest.
"What do you all think? I vote we return to Phlan for now."
"I stand pretty much by what I said earlier." Obsben replied as she leaned more against Graxx's head to keep herself propped up. "But seeing as my legs aren't my own at the moment, I suppose I'll go where you they take me." She adds, giving Graxx a side-eye and cheeky smile. "If nothing else, I'll be sure to try and reach out to Harper and let him know what's the situation with what little magic I have left this even, seeing as all this nonsense seems to be pointing towards more culty business."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"If we are to encounter this dragon, we better be as ready as we can be, given the time we have," Neya agrees with Graxx.
Extended Signature
Having nearly pinpointed the location of a dragon, the group decides it may be best to properly prepare for a tough fight. They agree to return to the Leadstopper Residence for now, from where they can send a message, grab a meal, plan ahead, and rest well for whatever portion of the night still remains.
(OOC: Leadstopper Residence is outside the walled portions of Phlan, so you should have no issue in returning to it at this time of the night --the city gates would be closed. You can assume you return to your HQ safely. Let me know exactly what you want to do before calling it a night.)
Just before completing the spell that would see to relaying Harper an update in shorthand, the realization that the more pressing concern no doubt eating away at the Head Scribe and their fellows gives Obsben pause. Then following a mildly annoyed sigh, she make a few adjustments and send her message out in the weave during the evening supper. That is, unless Utar makes it clear that he had yet the strength and miracle prepared to handle that much at least.
For Cassra Brandywine:
"Trail lead beyond Phlan. Faced great dangers. Recouperating Now. Be back in the morning at library. Hopefully. More to discuss. Relay message at discretion."
If time permitted afterwards, and following a request of Utar about some magical restoration from exhaustion, she'd set about the hour long ritual of re-summoning a familiar in whatever roomed seemed spacious enough for it without much concern for anything else. Only this time instead of Salty Bottom, what appeared flying from dimming flames was a blacked furred cat with slightly iridescent green wings and other feathers throughout their body. Obsben almost immediately snatched the familiar out of the air to hug to her chest, much to the celestial beast's chagrin, "C'mon Sourpuss. Time for bed." Obsben declared, eliciting an annoyed sounding yowl as she headed off for her usual corner.
Sourpuss:
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Last time we tangled with a dragon, we went in force. I doubt Aleyd or Moneus could bring out what we need. My vote is to contact Ekmong. See if we can't round up some house guard, somekind of other help?"
(OOC Utar can spend his last fourth level slot on a casting of sending and his fifth level slot is for a greater restoration. I think someone had two levels of exhaustion, assuming that's Obby, right?)