"The work was in exchange for resting in my home on the south side of Downfall. No one is staying in the balloon factory as I have just met you and I rather not have the factory burn again. It's safer to leave it empty and lock it up. Now are you coming?" says the older Bullywug
The 2 guards at the docks look more seasoned than the one at the guard tower.
"The work was in exchange for resting in my home on the south side of Downfall. No one is staying in the balloon factory as I have just met you and I rather not have the factory burn again.
Valrieth sounds a little offended as she blurts out, "But I was one of the ones who prevented it from burning down in the first place!" She immediately looks a little flustered or afraid, as though she just accidentally shared a secret. She glances nervously at Iali and Zylo, wondering how seasoned they are in case things go very badly here.
The 2 guards at the docks look more seasoned than the one at the guard tower.
(OOC: Are they just more experienced guards? Or do you mean that these bullywugs are like the tough ones in heavy armor with whom Gan-Re sparred the first time Val and the party were in the Downfall Proving Grounds (D9)?)
The older bullywug stops immediately with a serious look. "What do you mean you put out the fire? I was never told a person with a gourd head called Wisdom put out the fire"
The bullywugs look like seasoned guards not the warriors from the proving ground.
The older bullywug stops immediately with a serious look. "What do you mean you put out the fire? I was never told a person with a gourd head called Wisdom put out the fire"
Valrieth still sounds a bit nervous as she replies, "Well, no. That's right. I said that you could 'call me Wisdom', but that's not how I'm generally known. In the Feywild, you have to be careful about using your real name. Some of the fey in these swamps," waving her hand to gesture at the lands outside of Downfall, "are less civilized and proper in their etiquette than you are, sir. But see, I speak the truth." Val shows her little fly-shaped badge with the wings that flutter. "Duke Ickrind gave me this badge in thanks for saving the Balloon Factory. I didn't ask earlier: do you work for Duke Ickrind? Does he still own the Baloon Factory? I have not seen him since getting back to Downfall." As she wraps up, she glances again to Iali and Zylo to see whether they can help her navigate this conversation and figure out where this bullywug fits in Downfall's complex power dynamics.
(OOC: I didn't roll a skill check yet since Val isn't really trying to ask him to do anything. She's just trying to get a conversation started without revealing too much too fast.)
The older bullywug looks closer at the badge scrutinizing it. "Indeed, that is a real badge. I work for King Ickrind and yes, he still owns the balloon factory. What you say must be true." seemingly more relaxed. "Well, are you coming with me? I still won't leave anyone in the factory. Too many things can go wrong, and I don't want trouble falling on my head"
seemingly more relaxed. "Well, are you coming with me? I still won't leave anyone in the factory. Too many things can go wrong, and I don't want trouble falling on my head"
Valrieth wonders whether Duke Ickrind -- now King Ickrind -- would protect her or just turn her right over to Bavlorna. She shifts her feet a little, starting to feel bad about possibly putting this bullywug in danger without his knowledge, and she decides to try trusting him. They need help and protection, at least until morning. "I can come with you, but...", she says, looking past him to the bullywug guards at D2, "there may be trouble. You see, while I put out the fire at the Balloon Factory, and I am a friend of King Ickrind, my name is 'Val.' I need a safe place to sleep for the night, but I'm the one the hag is looking for. This disguise was good enough for your workers, but I'm not sure whether it will get me past those guards." She stands there, holding her breath, tense and ready for action in case the old bullywug calls for guards.
The older bullywug looks to Val and then to the guards with a grim expression "You're a wanted criminal and though you did help King Ickrind I cannot give you safe haven for the night." he pauses looking at the fog shrouded home of Bavlorna Blightstraw "Look just leave Downfall. I will give you an hour before reporting to the guards. I can't bring danger to my family"
Iali looks between the conversationalists. She sighs and shrugs. "We understand your dilemma, good sir. We will leave. Our thanks for delaying the report."
Iali beckons to Val. "Come, let us head out."
Once turned away from the bullywug, she sends a Message to Val. "Let us find somewhere to hide and you may rest a little."
Valrieth worries what they might face in the swamp. She has never had to camp outdoors in Prismeer. She spent her first couple of nights here with Finley and Gan-Re, first at Telemy Hill and then at Tsu Harabax's inn. Then again, the open swamp is probably better than the last night she spent in Hither, which she spent in the guest room in Barlorna's Hut with Finley and Octavian! (Of course, that was before Octavian was turned into some sort of awful doll.)
Val considers having Iali and Zyle take her straight to King Ickrind, pretending to be adventurers who "caught" the fugitive harengon. Now that she has killed Granny Nightshade in Thither, perhaps she could convince him to let her rest before taking on Bavlorna. Now that he's king of Downfall, he would probably appreciate not having a hag in the center of the town, but Val really doesn't know Ickrind that well. She figures that he's just as likely to curry favor with Bavlorna by sending her straight to the hut tonight! Tired from manual labor and grief at the loss of her friends, Val decides that she'd rather just take her chances in the swamp.
Val says, "No, of course. We wouldn't want to put your family in danger before the True Queen of Prismeer is restored." She figures that a 1-hour delay in reporting her escape is sufficient compensation for the work they did at the Balloon Factory today. Even if she's captured after that, she'll at least get a short rest.
Zylo snorts with derision at the cowardly bullywug and walks a little bit aways to wait on Val and Iali, "Ready when you are." He growls.
Valrieth nods to Zylo and turns west to head out of Downfall and into the awful swamps of Hither. Once they pass the borders of Downfall, out of sight of the bullywugs, Val turns right (north). If she remembers correctly, the Brigands Tollway is east of Downfall, but it's a long hike. Much farther east would take them to the mountains that separate Hither and Thither. Heading south would take them back toward the Slanting Tower eventually, but she doesn't want to go anywhere near the giant snakes they fought off in that direction. She remembers that Gan-Re released Margot, the bullywug prisoner, somewhere north of the town. She also thinks that the causeway that someone told them leads to Zybilna's palace was going toward the north. She hopes that the ground may be firmer under the causeway, and perhaps there will be fewer bandits as they get closer to the Palace of Heart's Desire.
Once turned away from the bullywug, she sends a Message to Val. "Let us find somewhere to hide and you may rest a little."
Val nods to Iali. Once they're out of earshot of the bullywugs, she says, "I don't want to go too far because we'll just have to walk back again tomorrow! I really just need a safe place to rest for a bit. Unless we find Tsu Harabax's inn or some place equally protected, I imagine that the bullywugs will track us down during the night anyway." She expects that it may be impossible to get a full night's sleep tonight.
"The work was in exchange for resting in my home on the south side of Downfall. No one is staying in the balloon factory as I have just met you and I rather not have the factory burn again. It's safer to leave it empty and lock it up. Now are you coming?" says the older Bullywug
The 2 guards at the docks look more seasoned than the one at the guard tower.
Valrieth sounds a little offended as she blurts out, "But I was one of the ones who prevented it from burning down in the first place!" She immediately looks a little flustered or afraid, as though she just accidentally shared a secret. She glances nervously at Iali and Zylo, wondering how seasoned they are in case things go very badly here.
(OOC: Are they just more experienced guards? Or do you mean that these bullywugs are like the tough ones in heavy armor with whom Gan-Re sparred the first time Val and the party were in the Downfall Proving Grounds (D9)?)
Zylo glances down at Val, noticing her fear, and then looks over at the guards. No words, only his hand near the mace on his belt.
Zylo Esstyrlynn - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
The older bullywug stops immediately with a serious look. "What do you mean you put out the fire? I was never told a person with a gourd head called Wisdom put out the fire"
The bullywugs look like seasoned guards not the warriors from the proving ground.
Valrieth still sounds a bit nervous as she replies, "Well, no. That's right. I said that you could 'call me Wisdom', but that's not how I'm generally known. In the Feywild, you have to be careful about using your real name. Some of the fey in these swamps," waving her hand to gesture at the lands outside of Downfall, "are less civilized and proper in their etiquette than you are, sir. But see, I speak the truth." Val shows her little fly-shaped badge with the wings that flutter. "Duke Ickrind gave me this badge in thanks for saving the Balloon Factory. I didn't ask earlier: do you work for Duke Ickrind? Does he still own the Baloon Factory? I have not seen him since getting back to Downfall." As she wraps up, she glances again to Iali and Zylo to see whether they can help her navigate this conversation and figure out where this bullywug fits in Downfall's complex power dynamics.
(OOC: I didn't roll a skill check yet since Val isn't really trying to ask him to do anything. She's just trying to get a conversation started without revealing too much too fast.)
The older bullywug looks closer at the badge scrutinizing it. "Indeed, that is a real badge. I work for King Ickrind and yes, he still owns the balloon factory. What you say must be true." seemingly more relaxed. "Well, are you coming with me? I still won't leave anyone in the factory. Too many things can go wrong, and I don't want trouble falling on my head"
Valrieth wonders whether Duke Ickrind -- now King Ickrind -- would protect her or just turn her right over to Bavlorna. She shifts her feet a little, starting to feel bad about possibly putting this bullywug in danger without his knowledge, and she decides to try trusting him. They need help and protection, at least until morning. "I can come with you, but...", she says, looking past him to the bullywug guards at D2, "there may be trouble. You see, while I put out the fire at the Balloon Factory, and I am a friend of King Ickrind, my name is 'Val.' I need a safe place to sleep for the night, but I'm the one the hag is looking for. This disguise was good enough for your workers, but I'm not sure whether it will get me past those guards." She stands there, holding her breath, tense and ready for action in case the old bullywug calls for guards.
The older bullywug looks to Val and then to the guards with a grim expression "You're a wanted criminal and though you did help King Ickrind I cannot give you safe haven for the night." he pauses looking at the fog shrouded home of Bavlorna Blightstraw "Look just leave Downfall. I will give you an hour before reporting to the guards. I can't bring danger to my family"
Iali looks between the conversationalists. She sighs and shrugs. "We understand your dilemma, good sir. We will leave. Our thanks for delaying the report."
Iali beckons to Val. "Come, let us head out."
Once turned away from the bullywug, she sends a Message to Val. "Let us find somewhere to hide and you may rest a little."
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Zylo snorts with derision at the cowardly bullywug and walks a little bit aways to wait on Val and Iali, "Ready when you are." He growls.
Zylo Esstyrlynn - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Valrieth worries what they might face in the swamp. She has never had to camp outdoors in Prismeer. She spent her first couple of nights here with Finley and Gan-Re, first at Telemy Hill and then at Tsu Harabax's inn. Then again, the open swamp is probably better than the last night she spent in Hither, which she spent in the guest room in Barlorna's Hut with Finley and Octavian! (Of course, that was before Octavian was turned into some sort of awful doll.)
Val considers having Iali and Zyle take her straight to King Ickrind, pretending to be adventurers who "caught" the fugitive harengon. Now that she has killed Granny Nightshade in Thither, perhaps she could convince him to let her rest before taking on Bavlorna. Now that he's king of Downfall, he would probably appreciate not having a hag in the center of the town, but Val really doesn't know Ickrind that well. She figures that he's just as likely to curry favor with Bavlorna by sending her straight to the hut tonight! Tired from manual labor and grief at the loss of her friends, Val decides that she'd rather just take her chances in the swamp.
Val says, "No, of course. We wouldn't want to put your family in danger before the True Queen of Prismeer is restored." She figures that a 1-hour delay in reporting her escape is sufficient compensation for the work they did at the Balloon Factory today. Even if she's captured after that, she'll at least get a short rest.
Valrieth nods to Zylo and turns west to head out of Downfall and into the awful swamps of Hither. Once they pass the borders of Downfall, out of sight of the bullywugs, Val turns right (north). If she remembers correctly, the Brigands Tollway is east of Downfall, but it's a long hike. Much farther east would take them to the mountains that separate Hither and Thither. Heading south would take them back toward the Slanting Tower eventually, but she doesn't want to go anywhere near the giant snakes they fought off in that direction. She remembers that Gan-Re released Margot, the bullywug prisoner, somewhere north of the town. She also thinks that the causeway that someone told them leads to Zybilna's palace was going toward the north. She hopes that the ground may be firmer under the causeway, and perhaps there will be fewer bandits as they get closer to the Palace of Heart's Desire.
Val nods to Iali. Once they're out of earshot of the bullywugs, she says, "I don't want to go too far because we'll just have to walk back again tomorrow! I really just need a safe place to rest for a bit. Unless we find Tsu Harabax's inn or some place equally protected, I imagine that the bullywugs will track us down during the night anyway." She expects that it may be impossible to get a full night's sleep tonight.
The party walks in the murky swamp sticking the patches of firm land. You do not see the moving Inn of Tsu Harabax.
Everyone please roll survival DC 15
on pass you find an area of relatively solid ground to rest.
Valrieth - Survival: 16
Val finds suitable ground for a rest with the foliage thick enough that it would not be easy to see her.
Please describe what you do for this rest or if you try to camouflage your resting spot in some way.
Your surroundings are similar to what is in the picture.
Iali's survival = 1
(uh oh!)
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Zylo's Survival: 23 nat 20!
Zylo Esstyrlynn - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
(Nice Zylo! It almost balances out Iali's nat 1!)
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine