The owl comes back reporting there is a building in the middle that is hard to see in the fog.
Valrieth relays the fact that the owl was able to find a building in the middle of the fog, presumably the hag's hut.
D13
Several holes dot the trunk of a gnarled old tree that grows on the shore of the lake. The tree has lost all its bark, and a few withered leaves cling to the ends of its twisted, knotted branches. One end of a clothesline is tied to a high branch on the northwest side of the tree. Several old garments hang from the clothesline, the other end of which disappears into the fog hovering over the lake.
4 sprites lives in the hollows in the tree and they spew jeers and insults towards the party.
Val ignores the sprites. As she said earlier, she's worried that going up on the hill (D13) would expose them to King Gullop XIX's guards, who may be looking for the Trio by now. Besides, stories that involve sprites often involve them playing tricks or stealing things, and the Trio doesn't have time for that now.
D14
Your heart suddenly feels cold, filling you with a sense of loneliness that borders on despair. A haunting, melancholy tune played on a flute reaches out to you from somewhere within a field of oversized toadstools.
(OOC: I'm not sure whether the 1 hour duration on the wild companion has expired, yet. If the owl is still available...)
Val signals for a halt and points into the toadstools. She closes her eyes and telepathically asks the owl to fly low over the toadstools and find the source of the sound. She uses an action to use the owl's senses, hoping that if there's a harmful effect to the music, it won't affect her through the owl.
Finley waves dismissively at the sprites and spits on the ground at his feet as they pass them by. He does slow down at Val's signal, "Hmm?"He narrows his eyes, looking in the direction of the tune.
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Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
Valrieth says, "Maybe we should investigate but not all grouped together. That way, if it's something that wants to catch or charm us, it won't get us all at once. Finley, could you walk toward whomever is playing that music? I'll follow a little behind, sneaking through the toadstools. Call for help if you need us: we'll be close. If the coast looks clear, just say loudly, 'Let me introduce my friends.' Gan-Re can either sneak along on the other side of you or fly there overhead."
Valrieth casts Guidance on herself (in case it has already expired from earlier). She'll try to move stealthily through the toadstools, about 30 ft. behind Finley.
The party investigates to source of the song from earlier and the music stops as someone heard Val misstep on a branch.
In a rather sad tone you here "I know someone is there. Come on out, I don't bite"
The party sees a slender elf with pale blue skin and black hair sitting curled in the shadow of a gray, six-foot-tall toadstool, holding onto a double flute.
The party investigates to source of the song from earlier and the music stops as someone heard Val misstep on a branch.
In a rather sad tone you here "I know someone is there. Come on out, I don't bite"
The party sees a slender elf with pale blue skin and black hair sitting curled in the shadow of a gray, six-foot-tall toadstool, holding onto a double flute.
Valrieth winces as a branch cracks underfoot. Why couldn't she be as sneaky as Gan-Re or even Hisa?
Val sighs and resigns herself to the Path the Fates have set for her. Holding her shield in front of her, she steps out into the open with Finley.
(OOC: how blue are we talking here? Like a moon elf? Or like a smurf?)
Gan-Re would remain in the shadows. Hopefully he hasn't been spotted, he would get his bow ready to attack if required. Val is normally better at speaking, Gan-Re knows that his job is to get involved when things go poorly.
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Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
"What do you want? I am just a sad elf who lost his heart" says the elf
Valrieth says, "Oh, we're so sorry to hear that. Maybe we can help? We recently helped Candlefoot, who was also heartbroken, and we were able to reunite him and his love, Palasha."
"I guess I should introduce myself. I am Octavian MeliamneI and I was so heart broken when my love passed away. It was unbearable and so I foolishly made a bargain with Bavlorna to make me forget my love. I did not know how twisted she could be and she demanded my still beating heart. Of course I refused, but she took it by force. Now I am a heartless fool of man sitting among a bunch of toadstools" says the elf.
"I guess I should introduce myself. I am Octavian MeliamneI and I was so heart broken when my love passed away. It was unbearable and so I foolishly made a bargain with Bavlorna to make me forget my love. I did not know how twisted she could be and she demanded my still beating heart. Of course I refused, but she took it by force. Now I am a heartless fool of man sitting among a bunch of toadstools" says the elf.
Valrieth, initially suspicious, lets her shield arm drop as she listens with growing horror. At the end, she says, "What!? That's horrible! So, you're...um...you have no heart in your chest? No life beat?"
Val calls out, "It's OK Gan-Re! You can come out!" And then, "Did you hear that? Bavlorna literally removed Octavian's still-beating heart."
Val looks a bit queasy but turns back to Octavian. She says, "We plan to go to Bavlorna's hut soon on an errand. Would you like to come with us to look for your heart?"
"I still live barely. Now I live with this constant hollow feeling. What is the point I can't fight Bavlorna to get my heart back. I would just be a burden, but if your can get back my heart I am willing to reward you with my flute. Its magical" says Octavian
"I still live barely. Now I live with this constant hollow feeling. What is the point I can't fight Bavlorna to get my heart back. I would just be a burden, but if your can get back my heart I am willing to reward you with my flute. Its magical" says Octavian
"We can try," says Valrieth uncertainly. "What do you know about Bavlorna or her lair? I doubt that the hag will return your heart willingly. We'd either need a way to get in and out unseen or something that she wants or needs that she would trade for your heart."
And Clapperclaw's head, thinks Val, but doesn't say it.
"And...I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but what will your heart...um...look...like? I mean...after Bavlorna stole it. When we find it, would it look like a heart-shaped locket, perhaps? Or does it look like a real, beating heart?"
"I am not sure what Bavlorna has done to my heart so grab what you can and hopefully you find the right one. The last time I saw it looked like a real flesh of blood heart. In regards to Bavlorn there is set of stairs that raises from the lake when Bavlorna feels like allowing visitors. There is a large pool on the first floor where Bavlorna likes to have her audience. Oh and these clothes lines around Downfall are attached to Bavlorna's hut so I suppose that is another way in. I don' know more than that as I was rendered heartless and thrown out." says Octavian
"I am not sure what Bavlorna has done to my heart so grab what you can and hopefully you find the right one. The last time I saw it looked like a real flesh of blood heart. In regards to Bavlorn there is set of stairs that raises from the lake when Bavlorna feels like allowing visitors. There is a large pool on the first floor where Bavlorna likes to have her audience. Oh and these clothes lines around Downfall are attached to Bavlorna's hut so I suppose that is another way in. I don' know more than that as I was rendered heartless and thrown out." says Octavian
Valrieth suppresses a shiver and tries to stop picturing a wicked old hag holding Octavian's still-beating heart in front of him.
Val says, "Thank you so much, Octavian. That's more than most people have been able to tell us about Bavlorna's hut. We'll do what we can."
Thinking about their plan, she asks, "We may have gotten in trouble with the king of the bullywugs, and we need a place to rest tonight before we head to Bavlorna's hut. Do you know whether there's a safe place to sleep in or around Downfall where we could stay hidden from the bullywug king's guards?"
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Do you keep on walking or investigate either D13 or D14?
Valrieth relays the fact that the owl was able to find a building in the middle of the fog, presumably the hag's hut.
Val ignores the sprites. As she said earlier, she's worried that going up on the hill (D13) would expose them to King Gullop XIX's guards, who may be looking for the Trio by now. Besides, stories that involve sprites often involve them playing tricks or stealing things, and the Trio doesn't have time for that now.
(OOC: I'm not sure whether the 1 hour duration on the wild companion has expired, yet. If the owl is still available...)
Val signals for a halt and points into the toadstools. She closes her eyes and telepathically asks the owl to fly low over the toadstools and find the source of the sound. She uses an action to use the owl's senses, hoping that if there's a harmful effect to the music, it won't affect her through the owl.
Does it find the source of the melancholy tune?
Finley waves dismissively at the sprites and spits on the ground at his feet as they pass them by. He does slow down at Val's signal, "Hmm?" He narrows his eyes, looking in the direction of the tune.
Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
The owl time has expired
Valrieth says, "Maybe we should investigate but not all grouped together. That way, if it's something that wants to catch or charm us, it won't get us all at once. Finley, could you walk toward whomever is playing that music? I'll follow a little behind, sneaking through the toadstools. Call for help if you need us: we'll be close. If the coast looks clear, just say loudly, 'Let me introduce my friends.' Gan-Re can either sneak along on the other side of you or fly there overhead."
Valrieth casts Guidance on herself (in case it has already expired from earlier). She'll try to move stealthily through the toadstools, about 30 ft. behind Finley.
Stealth withGuidance: 25
Gan-Re follows a bit behind Val. Also trying to move stealthy.
Stealth Check: 22
Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
The party investigates to source of the song from earlier and the music stops as someone heard Val misstep on a branch.
In a rather sad tone you here "I know someone is there. Come on out, I don't bite"
The party sees a slender elf with pale blue skin and black hair sitting curled in the shadow of a gray, six-foot-tall toadstool, holding onto a double flute.
(OOC: Nice! Barb-rogue continues to be very sneaky.)
Valrieth winces as a branch cracks underfoot. Why couldn't she be as sneaky as Gan-Re or even Hisa?
Val sighs and resigns herself to the Path the Fates have set for her. Holding her shield in front of her, she steps out into the open with Finley.
(OOC: how blue are we talking here? Like a moon elf? Or like a smurf?)
(moon elf)
"What do you want? I am just a sad elf who lost his heart" says the elf
Gan-Re would remain in the shadows. Hopefully he hasn't been spotted, he would get his bow ready to attack if required. Val is normally better at speaking, Gan-Re knows that his job is to get involved when things go poorly.
Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
"How'd ye do that?" Finley asks, folding his arms across his chest.
Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
Valrieth says, "Oh, we're so sorry to hear that. Maybe we can help? We recently helped Candlefoot, who was also heartbroken, and we were able to reunite him and his love, Palasha."
"I guess I should introduce myself. I am Octavian MeliamneI and I was so heart broken when my love passed away. It was unbearable and so I foolishly made a bargain with Bavlorna to make me forget my love. I did not know how twisted she could be and she demanded my still beating heart. Of course I refused, but she took it by force. Now I am a heartless fool of man sitting among a bunch of toadstools" says the elf.
Valrieth, initially suspicious, lets her shield arm drop as she listens with growing horror. At the end, she says, "What!? That's horrible! So, you're...um...you have no heart in your chest? No life beat?"
Val calls out, "It's OK Gan-Re! You can come out!" And then, "Did you hear that? Bavlorna literally removed Octavian's still-beating heart."
Val looks a bit queasy but turns back to Octavian. She says, "We plan to go to Bavlorna's hut soon on an errand. Would you like to come with us to look for your heart?"
Gan-Re feel sad but stays hidden. This could be a heartless monster looking for new hearts
Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
"I still live barely. Now I live with this constant hollow feeling. What is the point I can't fight Bavlorna to get my heart back. I would just be a burden, but if your can get back my heart I am willing to reward you with my flute. Its magical" says Octavian
"We can try," says Valrieth uncertainly. "What do you know about Bavlorna or her lair? I doubt that the hag will return your heart willingly. We'd either need a way to get in and out unseen or something that she wants or needs that she would trade for your heart."
And Clapperclaw's head, thinks Val, but doesn't say it.
"And...I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but what will your heart...um...look...like? I mean...after Bavlorna stole it. When we find it, would it look like a heart-shaped locket, perhaps? Or does it look like a real, beating heart?"
"I am not sure what Bavlorna has done to my heart so grab what you can and hopefully you find the right one. The last time I saw it looked like a real flesh of blood heart. In regards to Bavlorn there is set of stairs that raises from the lake when Bavlorna feels like allowing visitors. There is a large pool on the first floor where Bavlorna likes to have her audience. Oh and these clothes lines around Downfall are attached to Bavlorna's hut so I suppose that is another way in. I don' know more than that as I was rendered heartless and thrown out." says Octavian
What do you do?
Valrieth suppresses a shiver and tries to stop picturing a wicked old hag holding Octavian's still-beating heart in front of him.
Val says, "Thank you so much, Octavian. That's more than most people have been able to tell us about Bavlorna's hut. We'll do what we can."
Thinking about their plan, she asks, "We may have gotten in trouble with the king of the bullywugs, and we need a place to rest tonight before we head to Bavlorna's hut. Do you know whether there's a safe place to sleep in or around Downfall where we could stay hidden from the bullywug king's guards?"