"Take a deep breath, my friend," The Black Rose calmly said. "I believe you." He paused. "Now, tell me, why do I smell Mr. Leewamba's fine cologne on that scroll of yours?"
You watch Tser'ts'tchah with great interest. You've never seen a lizardfolk turn this pale a green this suddenly. Then he sighs, and seems to deflate suddenly to a rather humbled crest and mien. He shoots an apologetic glance at Uz before turning back to answer The Black Rose. "Leewamba ... old friend from river days, when went on walkabout. Told me you were coming, asked I give hospitality. And would have! Only wanted little joke, then would have made you guests of honor. Will now, even more. Apology. Hope have not ..." His face twists, and you see a strange mix of worry, shame, and desperate resolve. Then he goes on.
"Leewamba said could ask your help in return for hospitality. Will not, now. Owe you that at least. But ... if hearts can forgive enough to still offer in spite of joke, could ... " He swallows a lump in his throat, and the remainder of his pride with it. "Could use help. Strange things happen to north, I can feel on wind. See frog-things in mist near edge of territory. But no hunting party I send to learn more has come back."
As he waits for your answer, he glances back at the note from Mr. Leewamba briefly, and then casts his eyes over your group. His left eyeridge flicks up, and you hear him mutter, "One not come? Or held back. But rest strong ... still could ... "
The Black Rose paused for a moment. He raised a hand to his smooth, bald head, scratching it thoughtfully. "I see no harm in helping you out." His fingers then moved to the edge of his vibrant yellow monk robe, now slightly covered in dirt and mud, adjusting it. Leaning on his quarterstaff, he added, "We are heading north or at least northeast anyway, if I'm remembering correctly. So perhaps we could help you out." He then turned to the others. "That depends if the rest of the group agrees with me, of course."
"Id be a poor sport indeed to hold your well crafted performance against you. Even if we did have to ad-lib a little." Artifex grins once more. "We are headed that general direction so I don't see why we can't keep an eye open. Although... Frog things? Care to be more specific?"
Tarton has been listening to the conversation with his eyes closed as he remains laying on the ground. After the request by Tser'ts'tchah and the group's response, Tarton raises his arm and points to the sky and says, "And you have by bow...." and after a long pause he says, "... and my arrows. And my sword and daggers." He starts laughing as he can't keep a straight face. "Can I have them back now?" he chokes out while trying to get serious and not laugh. "Sorry, just a bit of halfling humor. I needed a bit of a laugh after all the magical fear that has affected me tonight. But I do agree with the others and am also willing to help."
Tser'ts'chach bows his head, clearly both moved and relieved. "Am grateful from heart. And of course you will have weapons back; and will add two potions to aid you. One will let you breathe under the river like frog-things do; other will heal." He beckons to the formerly charmed lizardfolk (who, truth to tell, is still casting sidelong glances at Uz out of the corner of his eye), and sends him to fetch your gear. Then he leads you out of the pit to a circle of packed earth before his own hut. Carved wooden totems surround it; there is a firepit in the middle and surprisingly comfortable stools of woven reeds on a bone frame. There, after a hot meal of roast fish and giant boar, Tser'ts'chach goes on.
"Frog-things have always been foes of lizardfolk. Like giant frogs, size of man, but walk on two feet and have crude speech of own. Bullys, call themself; and bullys are. But nothing lizardfolk warriors should have trouble defeat. Two moon ago, patrol of warriors see frog-thing footprints in mud around the totem that mark our northern bounds. But footprints only lead to small clearing just north of totem and then vanish, so they come back to me for counsel. I go with stronger patrol,. and find nothing then. But since, Semuanya has sent vision three times of frog-things wrapped in dark mist on border, creeping closer. When I go, find nothing; but two patrols go without me, and do not return. I know Leewamba have strong seers in his service, and wizard magic our shamans not understand. Send word to him for help week ago, get this answer, that you might be able learn truth. Do not ask you risk lives to battle frog things, only learn what happens to north and what hides them from us. If can do this and return, will gift you each one item that bears Semuanya's blessing."
=========
(e.g. one magic item, TBD at the time Also, everyone is now level 2; go ahead and adjust your character sheets accordingly. Also also, as foreshadowed by Tser'ts'chach muttering, you may well have a new companion joining you soon ... just msged to see if they're still interested and ready ... )
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
"Semuanya... One of your deity's I presume? Not one I've heard of but always a pleasure to encounter new Names. If I may be so bold, do you perhaps have a symbol or token of Semuanya? Something small. I do enjoy collecting those sorts of things. I find even the simplest of symbols have some measure of power."
I think I forgot to mention before, Artifex has a bunch of trinkets braided into their hair. Raven feathers, small bones arranged in various patterns, a variety of charms, that sort of thing. Based on what they just asked, you get her that they're all various religious symbols. Some you may recognize, most you do not
The Black Rose joined in, "Speaking of potions, could I still get the recipe for that tea you served us? As I understand it, it had nothing to do with our weird experience, so I'm still very interested in it. Maybe I could also get a bag of it if you have any to spare."
---------------------------------------------
By the way, is the tea still in effect? How long does it last?
Tarton adds, "The potion I would want to know the recipe for is the water breathing potion. But I'm no shaman so I wouldn't be able to make it even if I had the recipe."
"Indeed. If you've brewed those potions yourself, I would also very much like to learn the recipe." The Black Rose then turned to Tarton, adding, "I'm quite skilled when it comes to alchemy, so brewing potions wouldn’t be too difficult for me."
Tser'ts'tchah nods to both requests. "Aassak'ess'thaur make most potions these days, part of apprenticeship. But I know recipes better, and only I have skin-book where they written. Will copy for you while you gone. And suppose we can say you all went through passage of rebirth putting up with my joke, so all are accepted into favor Semuanya." He gives Artifex, and anyone else who wants one, a small bronze egg suspended from a leather thong. By this time your equipment has been brought back; and the shaman rises and indicates the lizardfolk who brought it. "Your boats are still at landing where we arrived. This is Kalkass'ssa'th; he was leader of first patrol to find frog-thing prints. He can guide you to where they vanish."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Arti is a dwarf from Uthodurn on Exandria who somehow wound up here. She is brash and brave, but has a lot of compassion for the poor and sickly. She has been told that in the Haunted Lands, there is an ancient evil that is her destiny to destroy.
Arti is a dwarf from Uthodurn on Exandria who somehow wound up here. She is brash and brave, but has a lot of compassion for the poor and sickly. She has been told that in the Haunted Lands, there is an ancient evil that is her destiny to destroy.
(Sure, we got room for a cleric! :) I'll send you a link and basic intro, and bring you in along with the other character who's just about to show up ... I'll write a basic intro scene, probably tonight or tomorrow, and then let you two get acquainted before moving things on)
(sorry, keep forgetting about that. You felt lingering effects through the meal, but its pretty much gone now except a few lingering twitches, not enough for any practical effect; and those will disappear completely in the next couple minutes while ...
Kalkass'ssa'th leads you back to the small natural cove where you disembarked from the raft. Your boats have been brought to the northern edge of this and tied to an alder stump with one living branch whose roots still extend a little ways out into the river. All goods that were not on your person at the time you were "captured" have been carefully replaced in the stowing pattern they had been in before; Gwrgi glances over them to be sure and then nods approvingly.
Just as you are about to begin discussion of where your lizardfolk guide will sit, you hear the splash of paddles, somewhat unevenly wielded, floating upriver on the breeze. Kalkass'ssa'th stiffens and drops into a crouch, reaching back for a javelin from the bundle he has strapped across his shoulders. "How they get behind us ...?," he mutters apprehensively. Then, as the boat comes into sight through the haze of afternoon, he lowers the javelin with a hiss of relief. The passengers of the new boat are not frog-things.
A human and a dwarf are approaching. The sun is behind them, so you won't be able to make out many details about the newcomers until they approach closer; but you can tell that the human, in the stern, seems to be unarmored; and there is a staff fixed upright next to him with some sort of cloth stretched across it for an awning. The dwarf is in the stern, guiding the boat with sure strokes of her paddle. But she needs to take two strokes for each one the longer-armed human propels the craft with, resulting in the syncopated rhythm that momentarily startled your ears.
The syncopated rhythm of the pair paddling closer startled The Black Rose's ears. He held up his hands to his ears, a slight grimace crossing his face. "Who’s making that irritating noise? Has no one taught them how to paddle properly?" He chuckled softly but then quickly assumed the defensive stance of his monk order, his expression turning serious. "But seriously, who is approaching us? Should I be alarmed?"
Uz will snarl kick the dirt and return to his corner.
You watch Tser'ts'tchah with great interest. You've never seen a lizardfolk turn this pale a green this suddenly. Then he sighs, and seems to deflate suddenly to a rather humbled crest and mien. He shoots an apologetic glance at Uz before turning back to answer The Black Rose. "Leewamba ... old friend from river days, when went on walkabout. Told me you were coming, asked I give hospitality. And would have! Only wanted little joke, then would have made you guests of honor. Will now, even more. Apology. Hope have not ..." His face twists, and you see a strange mix of worry, shame, and desperate resolve. Then he goes on.
"Leewamba said could ask your help in return for hospitality. Will not, now. Owe you that at least. But ... if hearts can forgive enough to still offer in spite of joke, could ... " He swallows a lump in his throat, and the remainder of his pride with it. "Could use help. Strange things happen to north, I can feel on wind. See frog-things in mist near edge of territory. But no hunting party I send to learn more has come back."
As he waits for your answer, he glances back at the note from Mr. Leewamba briefly, and then casts his eyes over your group. His left eyeridge flicks up, and you hear him mutter, "One not come? Or held back. But rest strong ... still could ... "
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
The Black Rose paused for a moment. He raised a hand to his smooth, bald head, scratching it thoughtfully. "I see no harm in helping you out." His fingers then moved to the edge of his vibrant yellow monk robe, now slightly covered in dirt and mud, adjusting it. Leaning on his quarterstaff, he added, "We are heading north or at least northeast anyway, if I'm remembering correctly. So perhaps we could help you out." He then turned to the others. "That depends if the rest of the group agrees with me, of course."
"Id be a poor sport indeed to hold your well crafted performance against you. Even if we did have to ad-lib a little." Artifex grins once more. "We are headed that general direction so I don't see why we can't keep an eye open. Although... Frog things? Care to be more specific?"
Uz still angry takes a swig from his flask and takes a deep breath, "You have my blade and my wit for as far is that goes."
Tarton has been listening to the conversation with his eyes closed as he remains laying on the ground. After the request by Tser'ts'tchah and the group's response, Tarton raises his arm and points to the sky and says, "And you have by bow...." and after a long pause he says, "... and my arrows. And my sword and daggers." He starts laughing as he can't keep a straight face. "Can I have them back now?" he chokes out while trying to get serious and not laugh. "Sorry, just a bit of halfling humor. I needed a bit of a laugh after all the magical fear that has affected me tonight. But I do agree with the others and am also willing to help."
Tser'ts'chach bows his head, clearly both moved and relieved. "Am grateful from heart. And of course you will have weapons back; and will add two potions to aid you. One will let you breathe under the river like frog-things do; other will heal." He beckons to the formerly charmed lizardfolk (who, truth to tell, is still casting sidelong glances at Uz out of the corner of his eye), and sends him to fetch your gear. Then he leads you out of the pit to a circle of packed earth before his own hut. Carved wooden totems surround it; there is a firepit in the middle and surprisingly comfortable stools of woven reeds on a bone frame. There, after a hot meal of roast fish and giant boar, Tser'ts'chach goes on.
"Frog-things have always been foes of lizardfolk. Like giant frogs, size of man, but walk on two feet and have crude speech of own. Bullys, call themself; and bullys are. But nothing lizardfolk warriors should have trouble defeat. Two moon ago, patrol of warriors see frog-thing footprints in mud around the totem that mark our northern bounds. But footprints only lead to small clearing just north of totem and then vanish, so they come back to me for counsel. I go with stronger patrol,. and find nothing then. But since, Semuanya has sent vision three times of frog-things wrapped in dark mist on border, creeping closer. When I go, find nothing; but two patrols go without me, and do not return. I know Leewamba have strong seers in his service, and wizard magic our shamans not understand. Send word to him for help week ago, get this answer, that you might be able learn truth. Do not ask you risk lives to battle frog things, only learn what happens to north and what hides them from us. If can do this and return, will gift you each one item that bears Semuanya's blessing."
=========
(e.g. one magic item, TBD at the time Also, everyone is now level 2; go ahead and adjust your character sheets accordingly. Also also, as foreshadowed by Tser'ts'chach muttering, you may well have a new companion joining you soon ... just msged to see if they're still interested and ready ... )
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
"Semuanya... One of your deity's I presume? Not one I've heard of but always a pleasure to encounter new Names. If I may be so bold, do you perhaps have a symbol or token of Semuanya? Something small. I do enjoy collecting those sorts of things. I find even the simplest of symbols have some measure of power."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think I forgot to mention before, Artifex has a bunch of trinkets braided into their hair. Raven feathers, small bones arranged in various patterns, a variety of charms, that sort of thing. Based on what they just asked, you get her that they're all various religious symbols. Some you may recognize, most you do not
Tarton adds, "The potion I would want to know the recipe for is the water breathing potion. But I'm no shaman so I wouldn't be able to make it even if I had the recipe."
Tser'ts'tchah nods to both requests. "Aassak'ess'thaur make most potions these days, part of apprenticeship. But I know recipes better, and only I have skin-book where they written. Will copy for you while you gone. And suppose we can say you all went through passage of rebirth putting up with my joke, so all are accepted into favor Semuanya." He gives Artifex, and anyone else who wants one, a small bronze egg suspended from a leather thong. By this time your equipment has been brought back; and the shaman rises and indicates the lizardfolk who brought it. "Your boats are still at landing where we arrived. This is Kalkass'ssa'th; he was leader of first patrol to find frog-thing prints. He can guide you to where they vanish."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Lvl 1 Hill Dwarf Cleric
STR 13 DEX 14 CON 14 INT 15 WIS 17 CHA 16
Arti is a dwarf from Uthodurn on Exandria who somehow wound up here. She is brash and brave, but has a lot of compassion for the poor and sickly. She has been told that in the Haunted Lands, there is an ancient evil that is her destiny to destroy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick ooc, should we consider the meal we had to be a short rest, and what level of healing potion did we get?
(Sure, we got room for a cleric! :) I'll send you a link and basic intro, and bring you in along with the other character who's just about to show up ... I'll write a basic intro scene, probably tonight or tomorrow, and then let you two get acquainted before moving things on)
(I don't see why not. Potion is the basic one, 2d4+2)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
---------------------------------------
Btw should I remove the effect of the tea, or how long does it last?
It was +2 Perception and -2 Investigation.
(sorry, keep forgetting about that. You felt lingering effects through the meal, but its pretty much gone now except a few lingering twitches, not enough for any practical effect; and those will disappear completely in the next couple minutes while ...
Kalkass'ssa'th leads you back to the small natural cove where you disembarked from the raft. Your boats have been brought to the northern edge of this and tied to an alder stump with one living branch whose roots still extend a little ways out into the river. All goods that were not on your person at the time you were "captured" have been carefully replaced in the stowing pattern they had been in before; Gwrgi glances over them to be sure and then nods approvingly.
Just as you are about to begin discussion of where your lizardfolk guide will sit, you hear the splash of paddles, somewhat unevenly wielded, floating upriver on the breeze. Kalkass'ssa'th stiffens and drops into a crouch, reaching back for a javelin from the bundle he has strapped across his shoulders. "How they get behind us ...?," he mutters apprehensively. Then, as the boat comes into sight through the haze of afternoon, he lowers the javelin with a hiss of relief. The passengers of the new boat are not frog-things.
A human and a dwarf are approaching. The sun is behind them, so you won't be able to make out many details about the newcomers until they approach closer; but you can tell that the human, in the stern, seems to be unarmored; and there is a staff fixed upright next to him with some sort of cloth stretched across it for an awning. The dwarf is in the stern, guiding the boat with sure strokes of her paddle. But she needs to take two strokes for each one the longer-armed human propels the craft with, resulting in the syncopated rhythm that momentarily startled your ears.
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
The syncopated rhythm of the pair paddling closer startled The Black Rose's ears. He held up his hands to his ears, a slight grimace crossing his face. "Who’s making that irritating noise? Has no one taught them how to paddle properly?" He chuckled softly but then quickly assumed the defensive stance of his monk order, his expression turning serious. "But seriously, who is approaching us? Should I be alarmed?"
Ur will also slowly move into a better position to attack.