Boyd can't help himself smiling at his new friend. "Boyd Golds-chucker" the large man chuckles, "I suppose I am."
When Nikita addresses the group. "Can't say I understand this whole time thing. We just saw Maud a couple days ago, after all..." He seems confused but ready to accept the fact that Maud has somehow been here for a few months because of magic. "But if she's going to be a problem, maybe we should just take a quick peek in that secret room in Green Prospect." He looks longingly at the mirror image of Asha's manor. "Got a feeling whatever she's looking for is in there. And we don't want that little red monster to have it, right?"
He turns to the jingling Goblin and throws another 10 gold his way. "Say, Aruum Golds-eater. Do you know what sort of old things Maud was really interested in. What she wanted the most?"
Nikita stifles a smile at Thumbtack's reaction. I apologize, old friend. I could not resist. I shall do better.
She has already stated her opinion on making for the river as soon as possible, but Boyd makes an interesting point that the relics Maud is searching for could be in the Feyrealm version of Prospect. She waits for others (including Thumbtack) to state their opinions on what to do next.
In this strange place, who knows what the right decision is. The most important thing is that we work together and move with unity of purpose.
Boyd - Aruum nearly falls over when you throw him 10 whole gold pieces. He mutters to himself, "Golden coins I savours. In delight, I feasts. Aruum's joy shines bright!"before adding, "Praises be to Boyd Golds-chucker!"
Shivering as his mind thinks of Maud, Aruum speaks up, quietly at first. "Maud the imp, she creepses. With evil plans, she seekses. Arte-facts to return her homeses... to the DARK placeses! Mentions a names, she did - Eye-ooze? or was it Eye-juice?"
"Bes' Golds-chucker steers well clear of Mauds, Aruum reckonses,"he says sternly.
Nikita - Thumbtack produces a quiet sound you are sure is a laugh. "Worry not, Nikita. Nothing more than I deserved," she whispers placatingly. "Maud worries me but..."she gives Nikita an apologetic look, "are we sure that we are fully equipped to go up against her? Though, perhaps trying to locate this artefact before she does would be best. That said, I'm not sure how one would go about finding such an item."
Regarding the ebullient Goblin, Boyd asks: "What do you do with that all that gold? Do you really eat it? Or is there a secret gold pouch in there?"
Boyd frowns at the mention of Maud's destination. "Nevermind. I don't know anything about that. I was thinking maybe it would be that statue of the elf queen or something that we already saw in there. Well, if Maud's just looking to go home to hell or wherever she's from, maybe we don't need no trouble with her."
Boyd considers the matter for a moment. "I reckon you all were right. Let's get out of here. No need to stay in a haunted ruin longer than necessary. South?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As he presses firmly into the crake's flesh, the Lord of Autumn exhales a breath and silences his heart for but a second. In a flash, the movement of the additional larvae beneath the flesh stand out like lone stalks amongst a reaped field. Focusing his gaze intently in the direction of the non-conformance, the firbolg's eyes dilate as he speaks aloud words energized with druidic charge, "Harvest comes for thee" (Hunter's Mark)
Reaching again for his glaive, he quickly positions himself back towards the open incision and tucks the pole underneath his arm whilst keeping his gaze firm on the larvae movement. Using his other hand, he carefully slides the blade back towards the belly of the beast and calls out in the creature's tongue for it to inhale deeply and hold its breath.
Watching the crake expend a labored breath, the firbolg waits for the cavity to expand fully. As it does, he focuses on each larva in turn, waiting to draw a bead on each before striking:
Boyd looks at Nikita with a bit of concern. "You feeling alright, Nikita?" He asks tentatively. "Don't think too hard about eating gold... I still have plenty."
Boyd looks at Nikita with a bit of concern. "You feeling alright, Nikita?" He asks tentatively. "Don't think too hard about eating gold... I still have plenty."
"No... no, not the gold, Boyd." Nikita takes a deep, shuddering breath.
"Aruum just told us, perhaps without realizing it, that Maud has spoken the name of a certain demonic cambion lord, perhaps working for him. The one whose lackeys hunted down and destroyed my entire coterie of spies, all of my dearest friends, after he discovered us, leaving only me to escape south to Saltmarsh. Aruum is mispronouncing the name, which is understandable and probably for the best not to say it properly aloud. Nicknamed His Most Profane Eminence, Fiend of the North and Child of the Evil One. Son of a demon lord of the Abyss and a powerful witch, he rules a kingdom named after himself far to the north in Oerth. Sedgewick served him, behind the back of the Sanguine Cabal." Nikita taps a finger on her lips, recovering herself.
"Maud is a devil and the Fiend of the North is demonspawn out of the Abyss, so it would be an unusual alliance. I do not know if Maud only seeks artifacts to help her return to the Nine Hells or to help him somehow as Sedgewick was doing. Part of my heart wishes nothing more than to go after Maud and thwart her, demanding answers, but my head says to leave it be and make for the river. We have been set a different task."
Meresaa chews her lip in pensive silence as the others discuss the imp and cambion.
"It occurs to me,"she finally says during a lull in the conversation, "that Maud could very well be simply trying to get home. Claud summoned her some time ago in that ill-fated ritual and it's entirely plausible that she's just trying to find a way back."
Glancing around the group, her gaze falls on Aruum and she can't help but grin at the silly-seeming creature.
"While it seems a bit odd that a devil would be working with or consorting with a demon lord, without evidence of immanent danger, I think it would be best for us to stay our course as stabilizing the portal should be our priority to stave off further planar incursion."
Nikita's explanation finally clicks with Boyd after she mentions Sedgewick. "Ohhh... That... thing. That does sound like no good. Hopefully the problem ain't aimed at us though." He makes a sailor's gesture for warding off evil.
Boyd nods at Meresaa, happy that someone smarter than him agrees with his assessment. "Right. I say south too then. No need to get mixed up in all this again if we don't have to." He looks to Faila and Aruum for their input.
Faila, still smiling happily as she watches Aruum nicknaming and endearing himself to her companions, frowns a little at the talk of Maud. "Let's leave her alone. We have a different quest. If she bothers us, we can punish her then. It was bad what she did to Claud and Toska, and she's very evil. I'm sorry we ever went anywhere with her. Let's go south and stay away from her."
Boyd - "Delicious foods," Aruum answers nonchalantly when responding to your question regarding what happens to the gold. The goblin grins cheekily, smacking his lips together as if imagining sampling an exquisite delicacy. "More tasty golds for Aruum! Yum-yum-yum!"
Nikita - Aruum eyes you curiously. "So, you're sayings this Eye-ooze is bad?"he says with almost childlike innocence.
Boyd - Aruum nods frantically, his head bobbing up and down in agreement. "Bes' not t' go anywheres near Maud or Eye-juice if at all possible. South, we goes!" He hums happily, reaching into the pouch by his side, he tosses a load of what appears to be salt in the direction he is about to walk. "Wards off evil ghostses,"he explains.
Lord of Autumn - With skilled efficiency, you manage to eliminate the remaining larvae with ease. The rejuvenating properties of the strange parasites' blood immediately bring the crake back to optimal health and it slowly rises to its feet. It nods its head and shrieks words of thanks in its shrill dialect.
"Thanks firbolg,"the crake says with a bow. "Many times firbolg hunt us. This time a firbolg helps. Why?" The creature's question almost comes across as accusatory, though you sense that is more the nature of the beast rather than rudeness.
With a graceful flourish of its magnificent feathers, the creature displays its awe-inspiring beauty before you. It's easy to understand why some would seek to claim its glory as their own through a trophy. The creature swells its chest, then nods its head to the east, the direction from which it had come. "Creature came from this direction,"it says simply.
Aruum strolls down the winding streets of Cendriane, whistling a happy tune while the rest of the party trudges along in the oppressive midday heat. A sense of unease hangs over the group, but Aruum seems unfazed by the eerie surroundings. "Follow me,"he happily chirps.
As the group passes through the ruins and flora, Thumbtack keeps watch from above, her sharp eyes scanning the buildings for any signs of danger. "Something's not right, Nikita," she whispers urgently. "I keep seeing movement, but it disappears as soon as I try to focus on it. And can we really trust Aruum after he switched sides so easily before?"
"Come along friends,"Aruum urges, oblivious to Thumbtack's warning. As you follow him through the winding streets of the city, you can't shake the feeling that something is off. Suddenly, the street opens up to an expansive plaza with a temple looming over it. Once a magnificent sight to behold, now it's a shadow of its former self. Vines and ivy coil around the crumbling walls, choking the life out of the once-proud structure. A chill runs down your spine as you see the entrance partially blocked by a mound of rubble including several skeletons. You can't help but notice the uneasy look that crosses Aruum's face.
As you stand in the deserted market, a distant, low rumbling sound drifts towards you on the wind. At first, it sounds like a stampede of massive beasts, the ground shaking under their heavy feet. But as the sound draws closer, you realise that it is more than just noise. The rhythm is brutal and aggressive, like the beating of war drums, rising and falling in intensity. You are unsure where the noise is coming from, yet it is clear that this is no natural phenomenon.
Dropping to his knees, Aruum covers his large, goblin ears. "F-F-F-Fomorians," he stammers, his voice barely above a whisper as if speaking too loudly might invite the danger closer. The weight of his fear is palpable, and you wonder what unspeakable horrors could be causing such a reaction in the goblin. "Hides! We mus' hides!"
Faila looks around as they follow Aruum, feeling a little sad at so many great structures crumbling, ruined, and abandoned. People were civilized here once. But I bet it wasn't that long ago. I bet it even wasn't a time ago. Something else changes here, something other than time, and what looks old to us is probably something else entirely.
The sight of all the skeletons makes her feel like her thoughts are confirmed. "Who are they, Aruum?" she asks, in wonder.
But when the drumbeats start and Aruum collapses in terror, she feels a sudden panic. Fomorians.Something about the name fills her with primal terror, though she's never heard it before. She runs to grab the goblin's hand. "Quick, let's hide in the temple!" If he's willing, she'll run with him to the pile of rubble, avoiding the skeletons as much as possible as her feet scramble up onto it, and she looks for a way to climb over or through it. The smaller and less disturbed our entrance, the better...
NikitaReligion: 20 (not natural) ThumbtackReligion: (instead of making a check, Thumbtack just looks at Nikita quizically.)
She also tries to recall the name Formorian. Does it match with the twisted giants in the Sagacitas' visions that had treated it and its young so cruelly?
She too wants to hide, but whether she thinks hiding in the temple is a good idea depends on Thumbtack'sPerception and her own Religion check. She wonders if the watchers and movement just out of the corner of their eyes had perhaps sent the Formorians this way.
Religion: 17 (rolled in game log) Stealth: 6 (rolled in game log) (sigh)
Boyd plods along with the group, being careful to stay on the path of salt thrown out by the goblin. "What've you got there?" he asks their guide "salt? Do you all know Procan in this Feywild?"
------
When the rumbling starts, Boyd visibly tenses up. He readily runs to hide with the others, taking the pouch of salt from the goblin and throwing it in heaps in front of them to protect their path from whatever this is! Unlike Faila, Boyd's lizard brain doesn't think of the repercussions of leaving a trail in the moment, and he sends some stones tumbling as he clambers up to the temple entrance.
As the farmer to his yield, the Lord of Autumn makes swift harvest of his quarry. Plunge, thriiip, plunge, thriip, plunge, thriip. As the weapon finds its mark and eliminates the under-presence from the creature, its grimace softens into that of relief. Following the last blow, the firbolg deftly removes the weapon from its incision with care so as to not cause any further damage. Once extracted, he wipes the blade upon a corner of his tunic, allowing the mottled blood mixed with the larva pus to stain it as some macabre badge of honor.
As the crake recovers, stands, and begins to speak back to the firbolg in, now healthier sounding, shrieks and whistles, the Lord of Autumn responds in kind in the same bestial tongue.
"Why this one helped you? This one is as much a firbolg as you would think of your shed skin, a shell to be cast aside when its purpose is met. Know that this one is not like the others, as this one upholds the law we both know is true: Might respects might. Be it tooth and claw,"
He gestures to the crake before sweeping his hand and placing it onto his chest,
"...or that which is inevitable."
He straightens his stance, allowing his tall and muscular frame to come into full view of the creature, before continuing,
"Know too that you owe this one nothing. Your fate was wrongfully cast. This one's help was only to right what was wrong."
The firbolg gestures back towards the decaying landscape, and lets out a sad whistle,
"There is more wrong here. This one will hunt it down. This one thanks you for the information. You may return to your life as it was in peace. This one urges caution until this one can uproot the foul bounty of this place. Know too that soon this one will not understand you, though you may understand this one." the firbolg lets forth a warm, yet sad smile,"Might respects might, it has been an honor to serve alongside you. May this one cross paths with you again."
The Lord of Autumn heaves his glaive back into its sling and pays a respectful nod to the crake. Focusing eastward, the firbolg listens for any response from the majestic creature before he begins his dutiful march deeper into Cendriane.
Faila - Aruum peeks through the hands now covering his face. "G-g-giantses. Big. Bad. Evils!" he explains, sweat beading on his forehead. "They also wants old stuffs from Cendriane!"
Faila's checks:
Religion
None of the symbols or imagery adorning the temple seem familiar or recognizable.
Investigation
As you scramble over the remnants of broken masonry, you attempt to avoid the skeletal remains, their bones serving as a macabre testament to the violence that once claimed this city. Despite the eerie presence of death, a strange air of majesty surrounds the temple as you approach it. Drawing near the entrance, you notice that the image of a diamond is crudely etched in what appears to be coal, a stark contrast to the once-beautiful carvings that decorated the walls. The symbol seems to shimmer with an otherworldly power, beckoning you forward toward the threshold of the temple.
Perception
You stand just outside the giant temple. Its interior is dimly lit with occasional glimmers of light shining through. Upon closer inspection, you notice that the light has been intentionally obstructed as if someone or something has gone to great lengths to obscure the entrance; you can tell that debris has been used to block gaps, shutting out the light. At a glance, you are unable to discern whether the temple has been visited by any others recently.
NikitaandThumbtack's checks:
Perception
As you strain your senses, the low guttural voices of the Fomorians become more distinct, their heavy footsteps pounding the earth. Amidst the cacophony, you detect a faint hint of higher-pitched voices, barely audible yet unmistakably present. A sense of unease grips you as you realise that something else, something beyond the brutish Fomorians, may be heading in your direction.
You feel the soft flutter of wings as Thumbtack returns to your shoulder. "The Fomorians are drawing closer, Nikita," she warns, her voice trembling with fear. "I caught a glimpse of their twisted and grotesque forms - monstrous giants, larger and more fearsome than even Aruum described." She hesitates as if struggling to find the words to convey the full horror of what she saw. "And there were others with them,"she continues, her voice lowering to a terrified whisper. "Gnomish creatures, chained and bound, their skin mottled and grey, resembling the colour of stone, and their bodies were covered in an array of purple bruises. They looked as though all hope had left them."
Psychically, you can tell that the sight of the gnomes' suffering and despair has deeply haunted the owl.
Religion
The temple, once a revered object of veneration, now instills a sense of foreboding. The intricately carved symbol of Titania above the entrance has been defaced, replaced with a crude image of a black diamond. You struggle to remember where you have encountered this symbol before until it suddenly dawns on you - the Night Diamond. It is the symbol of the Queen of Air and Darkness, in fact, some folk tales tell of the gem adorning her throne.
As you examine the crude drawing, a sense of unease settles over you. The rough strokes of the symbol appear fresh, and you can't help but wonder if the ones who desecrated the temple might still linger in its shadows, watching your every move.
History
Casting your eye over the debris surrounding the temple, it becomes apparent that this place served as the final battleground for many valiant eladrin warriors. Strangely, the bones of the fallen appear to be decomposing at a much slower pace than one would anticipate given the passage of time. This phenomenon once again underscores the notion that time functions differently within this realm.
It is evident that this temple held significant value to the defenders of Cendriane, likely fulfilling a pivotal role in the inhabitants' spiritual and cultural practices. Alternatively, it could have served as a formidable stronghold against potential invaders.
Boyd - "Whatsa Pro-cans?"Aruum exclaims, eyeing you quizzically. "Salts for evil ghostses, stops them from attacking." Reaching into his pouch he offers you a handful. "Trus' Aruum, just throws it at 'em an' they'll runs."
As you take the pouch and throw it at the pile of rubble, Aruum squeals angrily, "No-no, Boyds Golds-chucker. No salt-chucking! Only golds!"
Religion
As you approach the temple, a sense of unease creeps over you. Something feels off about this place. You recognize the intricately carved symbol above the door, representing the Summer Queen Titania, but it has been defaced with a large black diamond, scribbled in coal. The symbol suggests that this temple was recently visited by those with a deep dislike of the Queen. The more you ponder over it, the more certain you become that the black diamond is a nefarious symbol, likely associated with dark magic or evil intentions. It appears that this once-revered temple has been desecrated or used by those with ill intent.
Stealth
Staring back at the path you took to reach the temple, the scene is absolute bedlam. Displaced rocks and pieces of crumbled temple stones are strewn about the landscape, throw this way and that. It is clear that any further visitors to the temple will quickly perceive that the site has been disrupted and recently explored.
Aruum's face drops incredulously. "Fool of a Golds-chucker!"he chastises, moving to snatch up his pouch. "Chuck yourselfs next times and rid us of your stupidnesses!"
Clearly, in a bit of a huff, he storms off to join Faila at the temple's entrance.
Boyd can't help himself smiling at his new friend. "Boyd Golds-chucker" the large man chuckles, "I suppose I am."
When Nikita addresses the group. "Can't say I understand this whole time thing. We just saw Maud a couple days ago, after all..." He seems confused but ready to accept the fact that Maud has somehow been here for a few months because of magic. "But if she's going to be a problem, maybe we should just take a quick peek in that secret room in Green Prospect." He looks longingly at the mirror image of Asha's manor. "Got a feeling whatever she's looking for is in there. And we don't want that little red monster to have it, right?"
He turns to the jingling Goblin and throws another 10 gold his way. "Say, Aruum Golds-eater. Do you know what sort of old things Maud was really interested in. What she wanted the most?"
Nikita stifles a smile at Thumbtack's reaction. I apologize, old friend. I could not resist. I shall do better.
She has already stated her opinion on making for the river as soon as possible, but Boyd makes an interesting point that the relics Maud is searching for could be in the Feyrealm version of Prospect. She waits for others (including Thumbtack) to state their opinions on what to do next.
In this strange place, who knows what the right decision is. The most important thing is that we work together and move with unity of purpose.
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
Boyd - Aruum nearly falls over when you throw him 10 whole gold pieces. He mutters to himself, "Golden coins I savours. In delight, I feasts. Aruum's joy shines bright!" before adding, "Praises be to Boyd Golds-chucker!"
Shivering as his mind thinks of Maud, Aruum speaks up, quietly at first. "Maud the imp, she creepses. With evil plans, she seekses. Arte-facts to return her homeses... to the DARK placeses! Mentions a names, she did - Eye-ooze? or was it Eye-juice?"
"Bes' Golds-chucker steers well clear of Mauds, Aruum reckonses," he says sternly.
Nikita - Thumbtack produces a quiet sound you are sure is a laugh. "Worry not, Nikita. Nothing more than I deserved," she whispers placatingly. "Maud worries me but..." she gives Nikita an apologetic look, "are we sure that we are fully equipped to go up against her? Though, perhaps trying to locate this artefact before she does would be best. That said, I'm not sure how one would go about finding such an item."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Regarding the ebullient Goblin, Boyd asks: "What do you do with that all that gold? Do you really eat it? Or is there a secret gold pouch in there?"
Boyd frowns at the mention of Maud's destination. "Nevermind. I don't know anything about that. I was thinking maybe it would be that statue of the elf queen or something that we already saw in there. Well, if Maud's just looking to go home to hell or wherever she's from, maybe we don't need no trouble with her."
Boyd considers the matter for a moment. "I reckon you all were right. Let's get out of here. No need to stay in a haunted ruin longer than necessary. South?"
As he presses firmly into the crake's flesh, the Lord of Autumn exhales a breath and silences his heart for but a second. In a flash, the movement of the additional larvae beneath the flesh stand out like lone stalks amongst a reaped field. Focusing his gaze intently in the direction of the non-conformance, the firbolg's eyes dilate as he speaks aloud words energized with druidic charge, "Harvest comes for thee" (Hunter's Mark)
Reaching again for his glaive, he quickly positions himself back towards the open incision and tucks the pole underneath his arm whilst keeping his gaze firm on the larvae movement. Using his other hand, he carefully slides the blade back towards the belly of the beast and calls out in the creature's tongue for it to inhale deeply and hold its breath.
Watching the crake expend a labored breath, the firbolg waits for the cavity to expand fully. As it does, he focuses on each larva in turn, waiting to draw a bead on each before striking:
Perception Check - Larvae #1: 16
Perception Check - Larvae #2: 18
Perception Check - Larvae #3: 17
Nikita's face goes blank and her body completely still the instant she hears Aruum speak of Maud's reference to Iuz.
Why in the world would a devil be working with a demonic cambion lord? But then, why does anything happen in the Fey realm?
She suppresses the urge to immediately and vociferously advocate for finding and eliminating Maud or locating the artifact she is seeking.
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
Boyd looks at Nikita with a bit of concern. "You feeling alright, Nikita?" He asks tentatively. "Don't think too hard about eating gold... I still have plenty."
"No... no, not the gold, Boyd." Nikita takes a deep, shuddering breath.
"Aruum just told us, perhaps without realizing it, that Maud has spoken the name of a certain demonic cambion lord, perhaps working for him. The one whose lackeys hunted down and destroyed my entire coterie of spies, all of my dearest friends, after he discovered us, leaving only me to escape south to Saltmarsh. Aruum is mispronouncing the name, which is understandable and probably for the best not to say it properly aloud. Nicknamed His Most Profane Eminence, Fiend of the North and Child of the Evil One. Son of a demon lord of the Abyss and a powerful witch, he rules a kingdom named after himself far to the north in Oerth. Sedgewick served him, behind the back of the Sanguine Cabal." Nikita taps a finger on her lips, recovering herself.
"Maud is a devil and the Fiend of the North is demonspawn out of the Abyss, so it would be an unusual alliance. I do not know if Maud only seeks artifacts to help her return to the Nine Hells or to help him somehow as Sedgewick was doing. Part of my heart wishes nothing more than to go after Maud and thwart her, demanding answers, but my head says to leave it be and make for the river. We have been set a different task."
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
Meresaa chews her lip in pensive silence as the others discuss the imp and cambion.
"It occurs to me," she finally says during a lull in the conversation, "that Maud could very well be simply trying to get home. Claud summoned her some time ago in that ill-fated ritual and it's entirely plausible that she's just trying to find a way back."
Glancing around the group, her gaze falls on Aruum and she can't help but grin at the silly-seeming creature.
"While it seems a bit odd that a devil would be working with or consorting with a demon lord, without evidence of immanent danger, I think it would be best for us to stay our course as stabilizing the portal should be our priority to stave off further planar incursion."
She looks to Boyd. "I says South."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Nikita's explanation finally clicks with Boyd after she mentions Sedgewick. "Ohhh... That... thing. That does sound like no good. Hopefully the problem ain't aimed at us though." He makes a sailor's gesture for warding off evil.
Boyd nods at Meresaa, happy that someone smarter than him agrees with his assessment. "Right. I say south too then. No need to get mixed up in all this again if we don't have to." He looks to Faila and Aruum for their input.
Faila, still smiling happily as she watches Aruum nicknaming and endearing himself to her companions, frowns a little at the talk of Maud. "Let's leave her alone. We have a different quest. If she bothers us, we can punish her then. It was bad what she did to Claud and Toska, and she's very evil. I'm sorry we ever went anywhere with her. Let's go south and stay away from her."
Boyd - "Delicious foods," Aruum answers nonchalantly when responding to your question regarding what happens to the gold. The goblin grins cheekily, smacking his lips together as if imagining sampling an exquisite delicacy. "More tasty golds for Aruum! Yum-yum-yum!"
Nikita - Aruum eyes you curiously. "So, you're sayings this Eye-ooze is bad?" he says with almost childlike innocence.
Boyd - Aruum nods frantically, his head bobbing up and down in agreement. "Bes' not t' go anywheres near Maud or Eye-juice if at all possible. South, we goes!" He hums happily, reaching into the pouch by his side, he tosses a load of what appears to be salt in the direction he is about to walk. "Wards off evil ghostses," he explains.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Lord of Autumn - With skilled efficiency, you manage to eliminate the remaining larvae with ease. The rejuvenating properties of the strange parasites' blood immediately bring the crake back to optimal health and it slowly rises to its feet. It nods its head and shrieks words of thanks in its shrill dialect.
"Thanks firbolg," the crake says with a bow. "Many times firbolg hunt us. This time a firbolg helps. Why?" The creature's question almost comes across as accusatory, though you sense that is more the nature of the beast rather than rudeness.
With a graceful flourish of its magnificent feathers, the creature displays its awe-inspiring beauty before you. It's easy to understand why some would seek to claim its glory as their own through a trophy. The creature swells its chest, then nods its head to the east, the direction from which it had come. "Creature came from this direction," it says simply.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"South it is then. Lead the way, Aruum. And avoid Maud and her helpers if you can as we have agreed. More yummy gold if we arrive safely."
Nikita smiles. I'm a gold-trader after all, not a gold-giver or chucker...
But her look becomes more somber when Aruum speaks of 'Eye-ooze' and she adds tersely: "Yes, very bad. Best not speak his name."
She and Thumbtack help scout at the front of the party as needed ((will roll when required)).
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
Mid-Morning - Day 1 - Exploring Cendriane
Aruum strolls down the winding streets of Cendriane, whistling a happy tune while the rest of the party trudges along in the oppressive midday heat. A sense of unease hangs over the group, but Aruum seems unfazed by the eerie surroundings. "Follow me," he happily chirps.
As the group passes through the ruins and flora, Thumbtack keeps watch from above, her sharp eyes scanning the buildings for any signs of danger. "Something's not right, Nikita," she whispers urgently. "I keep seeing movement, but it disappears as soon as I try to focus on it. And can we really trust Aruum after he switched sides so easily before?"
"Come along friends," Aruum urges, oblivious to Thumbtack's warning. As you follow him through the winding streets of the city, you can't shake the feeling that something is off. Suddenly, the street opens up to an expansive plaza with a temple looming over it. Once a magnificent sight to behold, now it's a shadow of its former self. Vines and ivy coil around the crumbling walls, choking the life out of the once-proud structure. A chill runs down your spine as you see the entrance partially blocked by a mound of rubble including several skeletons. You can't help but notice the uneasy look that crosses Aruum's face.
Nikita/Thumbtack - Please can I get Perception and Religion checks?
All - Please feel free to make Religion checks.
As you stand in the deserted market, a distant, low rumbling sound drifts towards you on the wind. At first, it sounds like a stampede of massive beasts, the ground shaking under their heavy feet. But as the sound draws closer, you realise that it is more than just noise. The rhythm is brutal and aggressive, like the beating of war drums, rising and falling in intensity. You are unsure where the noise is coming from, yet it is clear that this is no natural phenomenon.
Dropping to his knees, Aruum covers his large, goblin ears. "F-F-F-Fomorians," he stammers, his voice barely above a whisper as if speaking too loudly might invite the danger closer. The weight of his fear is palpable, and you wonder what unspeakable horrors could be causing such a reaction in the goblin. "Hides! We mus' hides!"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Faila looks around as they follow Aruum, feeling a little sad at so many great structures crumbling, ruined, and abandoned. People were civilized here once. But I bet it wasn't that long ago. I bet it even wasn't a time ago. Something else changes here, something other than time, and what looks old to us is probably something else entirely.
The sight of all the skeletons makes her feel like her thoughts are confirmed. "Who are they, Aruum?" she asks, in wonder.
But when the drumbeats start and Aruum collapses in terror, she feels a sudden panic. Fomorians. Something about the name fills her with primal terror, though she's never heard it before. She runs to grab the goblin's hand. "Quick, let's hide in the temple!" If he's willing, she'll run with him to the pile of rubble, avoiding the skeletons as much as possible as her feet scramble up onto it, and she looks for a way to climb over or through it. The smaller and less disturbed our entrance, the better...
Religion: 6
Investigation: 14
Perception: 8
Nikita Perception: 9
Thumbtack Perception: 19
Nikita Religion: 20 (not natural)
Thumbtack Religion: (instead of making a check, Thumbtack just looks at Nikita quizically.)
She also tries to recall the name Formorian. Does it match with the twisted giants in the Sagacitas' visions that had treated it and its young so cruelly?
Nikita History or Nature: 14
She too wants to hide, but whether she thinks hiding in the temple is a good idea depends on Thumbtack's Perception and her own Religion check. She wonders if the watchers and movement just out of the corner of their eyes had perhaps sent the Formorians this way.
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
Religion: 17 (rolled in game log)
Stealth: 6 (rolled in game log) (sigh)
Boyd plods along with the group, being careful to stay on the path of salt thrown out by the goblin. "What've you got there?" he asks their guide "salt? Do you all know Procan in this Feywild?"
------
When the rumbling starts, Boyd visibly tenses up. He readily runs to hide with the others, taking the pouch of salt from the goblin and throwing it in heaps in front of them to protect their path from whatever this is! Unlike Faila, Boyd's lizard brain doesn't think of the repercussions of leaving a trail in the moment, and he sends some stones tumbling as he clambers up to the temple entrance.
As the farmer to his yield, the Lord of Autumn makes swift harvest of his quarry. Plunge, thriiip, plunge, thriip, plunge, thriip. As the weapon finds its mark and eliminates the under-presence from the creature, its grimace softens into that of relief. Following the last blow, the firbolg deftly removes the weapon from its incision with care so as to not cause any further damage. Once extracted, he wipes the blade upon a corner of his tunic, allowing the mottled blood mixed with the larva pus to stain it as some macabre badge of honor.
As the crake recovers, stands, and begins to speak back to the firbolg in, now healthier sounding, shrieks and whistles, the Lord of Autumn responds in kind in the same bestial tongue.
"Why this one helped you? This one is as much a firbolg as you would think of your shed skin, a shell to be cast aside when its purpose is met. Know that this one is not like the others, as this one upholds the law we both know is true: Might respects might. Be it tooth and claw,"
He gestures to the crake before sweeping his hand and placing it onto his chest,
"...or that which is inevitable."
He straightens his stance, allowing his tall and muscular frame to come into full view of the creature, before continuing,
"Know too that you owe this one nothing. Your fate was wrongfully cast. This one's help was only to right what was wrong."
The firbolg gestures back towards the decaying landscape, and lets out a sad whistle,
"There is more wrong here. This one will hunt it down. This one thanks you for the information. You may return to your life as it was in peace. This one urges caution until this one can uproot the foul bounty of this place. Know too that soon this one will not understand you, though you may understand this one." the firbolg lets forth a warm, yet sad smile, "Might respects might, it has been an honor to serve alongside you. May this one cross paths with you again."
The Lord of Autumn heaves his glaive back into its sling and pays a respectful nod to the crake. Focusing eastward, the firbolg listens for any response from the majestic creature before he begins his dutiful march deeper into Cendriane.
Faila - Aruum peeks through the hands now covering his face. "G-g-giantses. Big. Bad. Evils!" he explains, sweat beading on his forehead. "They also wants old stuffs from Cendriane!"
Faila's checks:
Religion
None of the symbols or imagery adorning the temple seem familiar or recognizable.
Investigation
As you scramble over the remnants of broken masonry, you attempt to avoid the skeletal remains, their bones serving as a macabre testament to the violence that once claimed this city. Despite the eerie presence of death, a strange air of majesty surrounds the temple as you approach it. Drawing near the entrance, you notice that the image of a diamond is crudely etched in what appears to be coal, a stark contrast to the once-beautiful carvings that decorated the walls. The symbol seems to shimmer with an otherworldly power, beckoning you forward toward the threshold of the temple.
Perception
You stand just outside the giant temple. Its interior is dimly lit with occasional glimmers of light shining through. Upon closer inspection, you notice that the light has been intentionally obstructed as if someone or something has gone to great lengths to obscure the entrance; you can tell that debris has been used to block gaps, shutting out the light. At a glance, you are unable to discern whether the temple has been visited by any others recently.
Nikita and Thumbtack's checks:
Perception
As you strain your senses, the low guttural voices of the Fomorians become more distinct, their heavy footsteps pounding the earth. Amidst the cacophony, you detect a faint hint of higher-pitched voices, barely audible yet unmistakably present. A sense of unease grips you as you realise that something else, something beyond the brutish Fomorians, may be heading in your direction.
You feel the soft flutter of wings as Thumbtack returns to your shoulder. "The Fomorians are drawing closer, Nikita," she warns, her voice trembling with fear. "I caught a glimpse of their twisted and grotesque forms - monstrous giants, larger and more fearsome than even Aruum described." She hesitates as if struggling to find the words to convey the full horror of what she saw. "And there were others with them," she continues, her voice lowering to a terrified whisper. "Gnomish creatures, chained and bound, their skin mottled and grey, resembling the colour of stone, and their bodies were covered in an array of purple bruises. They looked as though all hope had left them."
Psychically, you can tell that the sight of the gnomes' suffering and despair has deeply haunted the owl.
Religion
The temple, once a revered object of veneration, now instills a sense of foreboding. The intricately carved symbol of Titania above the entrance has been defaced, replaced with a crude image of a black diamond. You struggle to remember where you have encountered this symbol before until it suddenly dawns on you - the Night Diamond. It is the symbol of the Queen of Air and Darkness, in fact, some folk tales tell of the gem adorning her throne.
As you examine the crude drawing, a sense of unease settles over you. The rough strokes of the symbol appear fresh, and you can't help but wonder if the ones who desecrated the temple might still linger in its shadows, watching your every move.
History
Casting your eye over the debris surrounding the temple, it becomes apparent that this place served as the final battleground for many valiant eladrin warriors. Strangely, the bones of the fallen appear to be decomposing at a much slower pace than one would anticipate given the passage of time. This phenomenon once again underscores the notion that time functions differently within this realm.
It is evident that this temple held significant value to the defenders of Cendriane, likely fulfilling a pivotal role in the inhabitants' spiritual and cultural practices. Alternatively, it could have served as a formidable stronghold against potential invaders.
Boyd - "Whatsa Pro-cans?" Aruum exclaims, eyeing you quizzically. "Salts for evil ghostses, stops them from attacking." Reaching into his pouch he offers you a handful. "Trus' Aruum, just throws it at 'em an' they'll runs."
As you take the pouch and throw it at the pile of rubble, Aruum squeals angrily, "No-no, Boyds Golds-chucker. No salt-chucking! Only golds!"
Religion
As you approach the temple, a sense of unease creeps over you. Something feels off about this place. You recognize the intricately carved symbol above the door, representing the Summer Queen Titania, but it has been defaced with a large black diamond, scribbled in coal. The symbol suggests that this temple was recently visited by those with a deep dislike of the Queen. The more you ponder over it, the more certain you become that the black diamond is a nefarious symbol, likely associated with dark magic or evil intentions. It appears that this once-revered temple has been desecrated or used by those with ill intent.
Stealth
Staring back at the path you took to reach the temple, the scene is absolute bedlam. Displaced rocks and pieces of crumbled temple stones are strewn about the landscape, throw this way and that. It is clear that any further visitors to the temple will quickly perceive that the site has been disrupted and recently explored.
Aruum's face drops incredulously. "Fool of a Golds-chucker!" he chastises, moving to snatch up his pouch. "Chuck yourselfs next times and rid us of your stupidnesses!"
Clearly, in a bit of a huff, he storms off to join Faila at the temple's entrance.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)