Okay, when I wake up, I'm going to choose the proficiency from Ghostly Whispers. I'll pick Insight.
And I'm helping Rain get ready for the expedition, maybe doing some of those things so that he doesn't have to. I also encourage everyone to pack up and leave quickly.
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Will everyone stop calling him "The Demogorgon"? It's his name, not a title!
Okay, when I wake up, I'm going to choose the proficiency from Ghostly Whispers. I'll pick Insight.
And I'm helping Rain get ready for the expedition, maybe doing some of those things so that he doesn't have to. I also encourage everyone to pack up and leave quickly.
(OOC: Note that we're not heading to the temple today. At least I don't think so! Yesterday, Rolan said, "So we are being more careful this time. We go to the Onyx District in the morning. You shouldn't have to fight there, we are just investigating some things, looking for clues." See https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/163356-thunder-of-the-deepest-sands?comment=256. AFAICT, Rolan must have some info or a contact in town who may be able to tell us more about the temple before we go there. Rain was just thinking ahead and wondering whether the party could purchase supplies while we're out in the town.)
Rolan opens his door and then closes it. You hear his voice outside the hall saying "We have breakfast whenever you're ready. We'll discuss our plans for today there." Rolan then walks down the stairs.
Rolan opens his door and then closes it. You hear his voice outside the hall saying "We have breakfast whenever you're ready. We'll discuss our plans for today there." Rolan then walks down the stairs.
(OOC: KingOrc, I'm not sure whether you're waiting for Dragonlouis to post first. Maybe he's just waiting to post when Ghurk has something to eat or kill. 😜 When we're not in combat or a back-and-forth conversation that requires everyone to take a turn before the next turn can happen, I try to post enough info that you can move things along via narration whenever you're ready to do so. I already posted the following replies yesterday:)
If the rest of the party is still asleep, he'll quietly leave the room and check whether there's any activity downstairs. If not, he'll spend some time in the garden until others are awake.
If the other two are awake, he picks up his staff and proposes that they go down to the dining hall to see whether the kitchen has put out anything for breakfast.
Once he smells the food or the kitchen's fires, he looks off in the distance for a moment and says, "I had a dream last night. Something about...my home village, I think. I wasn't there, but I remember my parents and cousins were there. They were telling me to come home: it was like a warning. I was in danger, or...maybe someone was looking for me? Some among my people believe that the Cat Lord shares visions of the future through dreams."
(OOC: some things for when 87306 and Dragonlouis are ready to post.)
Rain is curious to see the town, but he's planning to leave his backpack at the castle. Or at least emptying most of the rations out of it before heading out into the town. It's no use carrying 60 pounds of gear to the Onyx District if they'll be coming back to the castle before leaving the town!
"Are there any other supplies that we need?" The king offered a barrel of gold yesterday. Rain doesn't really need a bunch of gold, but if they could have some of that gold up front, they could upgrade some of their gear before going to the temple. "We should ask Rolan or the King whether they have supplies for us or whether we can take some gold to busy supplies in town today."
Can anyone confirm the distance (normal 30 ft. walking speed) to the desert temple via the King's trail? Rain is trying to plan food and water for the trip. It sounds like the temple might be as much as a 2-day journey from the castle. If the trail has good wells or other water sources, they could refill their waterskins along the way. In that case, everyone should take 4 waterskins and at least 5-days of rations. If there are no water sources along the trail, each one of them will need to bring at least 2 waterskins of water for each day that they expect to travel, and that assumes that they're camping during the day and not traveling during the day when it's hot. Rain normally carries an extra day's worth of water, just in case. Therefore, a 2-day journey (there and back) would mean taking 10 waterskins of water. That wold be an extra 50 pounds to carry (each) at the start of the journey. "It's a question of distance and what we can carry. But it's no good to travel light only to die of thirst in the desert! I know ways to find water in the desert, if it's there, but foraging takes time and may slow the journey."
If they try to travel in the heat of the day, they'll go through water twice as fast. They can camp during the day and travel in the mornings and evenings. Or, since they all have darkvision, they could travel at night. If they don't want to get burned by the desert sun, they should also take a tent of some sort.
If Rolan or the King is around, Rain asks about getting a chance to use the white disc from last night.
Can someone explain the plan for the trip to the Onyx District?
What's the goal?
Is anyone going other than the party?
Is there a map of the town? Rain loves maps!
(OOC: so, when I post something like that, I expected KingOrc's post to incorporate all of that and move the action along to the next relevant scene where the party has new information, needs to make a decision, or has something else to react to. For example, something like this with additional details filled in:
Rolan opens his door and then closes it. You hear his voice outside the hall saying "We have breakfast whenever you're ready. We'll discuss our plans for today there." Rolan then walks down the stairs. The party heads down to breakfast together where you see...etc., etc.
Once everyone gets their food and starts eating, Rain shares his story about his dream. Rolan says, "blah blah blah."
When Rain starts talking about the trip to the temple, Rolan confirms that it takes about 2 days to journey from the town to the temple, but there is a well along the trail about half-way there. He agrees that traveling at night will make the best use of water, but be careful! As you've already heard, Rolan suspects that the goblins are attacking people along the trail, and they have darkvision, too. Rolan assumes that there is fresh water in or near the temple since no one builds a town or structure in the desert unless it is near an oasis of some sort. But you may not be able to count on using that water source.
(Or, alternatively, the DM really didn't plan to use the desert itself as a hazard and Rolan just says that he'll lend the party a partially-broken decanter of endless water that is missing the "geyser" feature. As long as the party doesn't lose that, they won't lack for water.)
Rolan lets the party discuss the other equipment that they need. He assures you that you do not need to spend any gold in the town. Before the king formed the Defenders, they already gathered supplies for the party. The king will provide food, water, and some additional supplies before you go the temple. (OOC: please discuss below and come up with a list of non-magical equipment other than food and water that the party requests. Keep the total under 200 gp total.)
Rolan shares his recommendation for your trip to the Onyx District today. He will not be going with the party, but they will send a couple of guards with you in case you run into trouble. The Onyx District is...etc., etc. Rolan recommends starting at the tavern called The Thirsty Desert and asking for...etc., etc. Learn anything you can about who or what may be the power behind the desert temple and what they want. Your life may depend on it!
He shares the following map of the town with the party. Rain bounces with excitement at seeing the map. Rain loves maps!
Finally, Rolan confirms that after breakfast, you can try using the white disc. He asks the party to follow him, and he leads you to the throne room, asks you to wait there, and then returns with cloth-covered disc. He explains...etc., etc. Then he looks at the party and says, "Knowing all that, who would like to try using the disc?"
If you're just waiting for Dragonlouis to catch up, that's fine. But I have nothing new to add until we get through breakfast and what I already posted above.
If you'd like this to work differently, let us know. For example, I could post shorter responses and just move Rain down to breakfast and ask each of his questions one at a time during breakfast. But if we're posting once per day, it's going take us another week just to get through the questions I wanted to ask at breakfast.)
You don't need much gear, just weapons (maybe) and an observing eye. The temple is probably a two day journey.
The trip to the Onyx District will be explained over breakfast, when the others are there.
Yes. Rain heads down to breakfast, probably with the others. It looked like Saralyn was awake. If Ghurk isn't awake, Rain nudges the big bugbear with the butt of his (goblin) spear and says, "Ghurk, breakfast!."
I assume that it's not normal to sit at a table fully armed, but after yesterday's attacks, I just wanted to specify which gear Rain has on his person in case there's yet another attack.
When Rain is in the castle and not in his room:
He's always wearing his armor, scimitars, dart quiver, and pouch.
He carries his staff in his hand.
His bow, quiver of arrows, spear, and backpack stay in the room.
Before they leave for the Onyx District, he'll go back to the room:
He'll take his regular gear (above) plus the bow, arrows, and one waterskin into town.
Sitting at the head of the table is the king, with Rolan, at his left and a Dwarf with a large black beard on his right. Next to the Black-Bearded Dwarf was another dwarf with a short red beard dressed in heavy armor (Yay, you're not the only one!). Two seats down from Rolan is a tough-looking Lizardfolk warrior holding a golden quarterstaff. There is a half-orc guard (the one from the goblin attack) sitting by the Red bearded dwarf. There is an older Tabaxi sitting at the end of the table on Rolans side.
[--king--]
Black beard dwarf |----------------------------------------|Rolan
|----------------------------------------|
Red beard dwarf|----------------------------------------|X
Flint is laughing jollily, but the Lizardfolk is eyeing Rain suspiciously. The black-bearded Dwarf is talking with the King, And the Half-Orc guard is grabbing some food. Rolan is not eating, but rather staring at the food. The Tabaxi looks at Rain briefly and smiles.
"Ah, and you must be Saralyn. Nice to meet you." The Tabaxi says as Saralyn sits down. The Tabaxi is a Jaguar Tabaxi, with large muscles and a glaive by his side. He is wearing leather hunting armor. "My name is Sands of the Summer, and you can call me Sand. I'm secretary of the King's hunting crew. I'm going to come with you to the Onyx District, along with a few others. That dwarf over there," he points to the red-bearded dwarf, "is coming with us, along with a couple of guards."
Don't worry, this will all be discussed over breakfast. We just want everyone ready, then we will go over what we will do today. Also, I may be getting a new player!
The red-bearded Dwarf stood up. "Ah, my name is Flint. You must be Rain?" Flint has a jolly smile as he grabs some cheese.
Oh, and I forgot to describe breakfast. There is an assortment of breads, cheeses, warm soup, peppers, and other vegetables.
To everyone at the table, "Yes, I am Rain Before Sun's Rising." He places his left hand on his right forearm and then turns his right hand supine for a moment. "But please call me 'Rain'. I am a ranger from a village away to the south," he gestures south. Rain sits next to Saralyn
[--king--] Black beard dwarf |------------------------------|Rolan |------------------------------| Red beard dwarf|------------------------------|X |------------------------------| Half-Orc Gaurd|------------------------------|Lizardfolk warrior |------------------------------| X|------------------------------|X |------------------------------| Rain|------------------------------|X |------------------------------| Saralyn|------------------------------|Tabaxi
"Ah, and you must be Saralyn. Nice to meet you." The Tabaxi says as Saralyn sits down. The Tabaxi is a Jaguar Tabaxi, with large muscles and a glaive by his side. He is wearing leather hunting armor. "My name is Sands of the Summer, and you can call me Sand. I'm secretary of the King's hunting crew. I'm going to come with you to the Onyx District, along with a few others. That dwarf over there," he points to the red-bearded dwarf, "is coming with us, along with a couple of guards."
"Oh? Well-met Sand! Long may you wander but never be lost!"
Flint is laughing jollily, but the Lizardfolk is eyeing Rain suspiciously. The black-bearded Dwarf is talking with the King, And the Half-Orc guard is grabbing some food. Rolan is not eating, but rather staring at the food. The Tabaxi looks at Rain briefly and smiles.
Rain looks around curiously. He stares at the Lizardfolk, unblinking while he chews.
After a moment, he looks off in the distance and then turns to Saralyn and says, "I had a dream last night. Something about...my home village, I think. I wasn't there, but I remember my parents and cousins were there. They were telling me to come home: it was like a warning. I was in danger, or...maybe someone was looking for me? Some among my people believe that the Cat Lord shares visions of the future through dreams."
Okay, when I wake up, I'm going to choose the proficiency from Ghostly Whispers. I'll pick Insight.
And I'm helping Rain get ready for the expedition, maybe doing some of those things so that he doesn't have to. I also encourage everyone to pack up and leave quickly.
Will everyone stop calling him "The Demogorgon"? It's his name, not a title!
(OOC: Note that we're not heading to the temple today. At least I don't think so! Yesterday, Rolan said, "So we are being more careful this time. We go to the Onyx District in the morning. You shouldn't have to fight there, we are just investigating some things, looking for clues." See https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/163356-thunder-of-the-deepest-sands?comment=256. AFAICT, Rolan must have some info or a contact in town who may be able to tell us more about the temple before we go there. Rain was just thinking ahead and wondering whether the party could purchase supplies while we're out in the town.)
Rolan opens his door and then closes it. You hear his voice outside the hall saying "We have breakfast whenever you're ready. We'll discuss our plans for today there." Rolan then walks down the stairs.
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"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
(OOC: KingOrc, I'm not sure whether you're waiting for Dragonlouis to post first. Maybe he's just waiting to post when Ghurk has something to eat or kill. 😜 When we're not in combat or a back-and-forth conversation that requires everyone to take a turn before the next turn can happen, I try to post enough info that you can move things along via narration whenever you're ready to do so. I already posted the following replies yesterday:)
(OOC: so, when I post something like that, I expected KingOrc's post to incorporate all of that and move the action along to the next relevant scene where the party has new information, needs to make a decision, or has something else to react to. For example, something like this with additional details filled in:
If you're just waiting for Dragonlouis to catch up, that's fine. But I have nothing new to add until we get through breakfast and what I already posted above.
If you'd like this to work differently, let us know. For example, I could post shorter responses and just move Rain down to breakfast and ask each of his questions one at a time during breakfast. But if we're posting once per day, it's going take us another week just to get through the questions I wanted to ask at breakfast.)
You don't need much gear, just weapons (maybe) and an observing eye. The temple is probably a two day journey.
The trip to the Onyx District will be explained over breakfast, when the others are there.
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Yes. Rain heads down to breakfast, probably with the others. It looked like Saralyn was awake. If Ghurk isn't awake, Rain nudges the big bugbear with the butt of his (goblin) spear and says, "Ghurk, breakfast!."
I assume that it's not normal to sit at a table fully armed, but after yesterday's attacks, I just wanted to specify which gear Rain has on his person in case there's yet another attack.
Sitting at the head of the table is the king, with Rolan, at his left and a Dwarf with a large black beard on his right. Next to the Black-Bearded Dwarf was another dwarf with a short red beard dressed in heavy armor (Yay, you're not the only one!). Two seats down from Rolan is a tough-looking Lizardfolk warrior holding a golden quarterstaff. There is a half-orc guard (the one from the goblin attack) sitting by the Red bearded dwarf. There is an older Tabaxi sitting at the end of the table on Rolans side.
I labeled the seat in case it's confusing so you know where everyone is at. X is a seat with nobody in it.
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"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
The red-bearded Dwarf stood up. "Ah, my name is Flint. You must be Rain?" Flint has a jolly smile as he grabs some cheese.
Oh, and I forgot to describe breakfast. There is an assortment of breads, cheeses, warm soup, peppers, and other vegetables.
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Flint is laughing jollily, but the Lizardfolk is eyeing Rain suspiciously. The black-bearded Dwarf is talking with the King, And the Half-Orc guard is grabbing some food. Rolan is not eating, but rather staring at the food. The Tabaxi looks at Rain briefly and smiles.
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
I come down and sit across from the tabaxi.
Will everyone stop calling him "The Demogorgon"? It's his name, not a title!
"Ah, and you must be Saralyn. Nice to meet you." The Tabaxi says as Saralyn sits down. The Tabaxi is a Jaguar Tabaxi, with large muscles and a glaive by his side. He is wearing leather hunting armor. "My name is Sands of the Summer, and you can call me Sand. I'm secretary of the King's hunting crew. I'm going to come with you to the Onyx District, along with a few others. That dwarf over there," he points to the red-bearded dwarf, "is coming with us, along with a couple of guards."
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
"I am honored to meet you, Sands of the Summer."
Will everyone stop calling him "The Demogorgon"? It's his name, not a title!
"Thank you, Saralyn. I'm honored to meet you too."
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Don't worry, this will all be discussed over breakfast. We just want everyone ready, then we will go over what we will do today. Also, I may be getting a new player!
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
To everyone at the table, "Yes, I am Rain Before Sun's Rising." He places his left hand on his right forearm and then turns his right hand supine for a moment. "But please call me 'Rain'. I am a ranger from a village away to the south," he gestures south. Rain sits next to Saralyn
[--king--]
Black beard dwarf |------------------------------|Rolan
|------------------------------|
Red beard dwarf|------------------------------|X
|------------------------------|
Half-Orc Gaurd|------------------------------|Lizardfolk warrior
|------------------------------|
X|------------------------------|X
|------------------------------|
Rain|------------------------------|X
|------------------------------|
Saralyn|------------------------------|Tabaxi
"Oh? Well-met Sand! Long may you wander but never be lost!"
Rain looks around curiously. He stares at the Lizardfolk, unblinking while he chews.
After a moment, he looks off in the distance and then turns to Saralyn and says, "I had a dream last night. Something about...my home village, I think. I wasn't there, but I remember my parents and cousins were there. They were telling me to come home: it was like a warning. I was in danger, or...maybe someone was looking for me? Some among my people believe that the Cat Lord shares visions of the future through dreams."
Sand smiles. "Ha, I don't get lost easy."
Rolan coughs when you say the words dream.
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"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
"Did you dream, too, Rolan? Oh! I meant to ask again about the white disc from last night. You said that we could 'try it' this morning?"
"Yes, I'm interested in that too."
Will everyone stop calling him "The Demogorgon"? It's his name, not a title!
"Very well, after we discuss today. Have you seen Ghurk?"
Upvote these 18 unique mythical weapon materials!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi