”If there are no objections I propose we ask Bjorn’s questions of the dead Giant and then repair to the keep to tend wounded and rest. In that time we can learn what information the keep contains, in the conversation of the locals or their books. In the morning Bjorn may pray for support from Oghma, perhaps to remove a curse or cheat death. Then I can seek to remove any temporary spells on the stone.”
Essendrum places a hand on Flint’s shoulder between the spikes.
”Then we might have use of a brave dwarf in our magical preparations…one, say, willing to pick up a stone first. If we all survive that, then Bjorn can identify the stone.”
Essendrum turns to the Lady.
”That is assuming you do not prefer to simply lock it away. It is dangerous. But marauding giants are dangerous as well and your town may stand longer if we learn more.”
Essendrum’s Mage Hand holds the stone before the lady.
“This stone they sought does indeed have dark magic about it. I cannot say whether the pall of death that hangs over it is but a momentary spell cast by the giant, or a deeper evil.”
Essendrum turns to Enoch.
”Perhaps Sir Enoch may sense something.”
The old wizard makes a few notes in his grimoire..
“Barring that, I suggest we lock it away without touching it. Tomorrow I can attempt to purify any temporary spell and we can see what effect that may have. I am afraid I am exhausted from the morning’s heroics and can do little more today. If you have any records in your keep I would be glad to examine them for a hint of who might have buried this stone here. Perhaps you had a passing caravan of giants in the last week who wielded shovels?”
The stone weight exceeds the strength of a Mage Hand Spell however, roll an Int roll vs. DC 14 to be able to focus the magic and lift the stone.
Enoch blinked, somewhat taken aback at being asked to assist, but then quickly nodded stoically and stepped forward. He'd been acting as a paladin for a while, but it still caught him off guard when others treated him as he would have thought befitting a cleric. True, he had the power to sense evil now, but it sometimes still surprised (and humbled) him that others would actually rely on him to make use of it.
The young man extended a hand towards the stone without touching it, and closed his eyes. Tapping into his own inner conviction, powered by the binding of his oath, he turned his mind toward the spiritual realm, and sought out the evils nearby.
Enoch will spend an action to activate his Divine Sense. Until the end of his next turn, he can sense anything affected by the Hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend or undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover. (Full description in spoiler below.)
The presence of strong evil registers on your senses like a noxious odor, and powerful good rings like heavenly music in your ears. As an action, you can open your awareness to detect such forces. Until the end of your next turn, you know the location of any celestial, fiend, or undead within 60 feet of you that is not behind total cover. You know the type (celestial, fiend, or undead) of any being whose presence you sense, but not its identity (the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich, for instance). Within the same radius, you also detect the presence of any place or object that has been consecrated or desecrated, as with the hallow spell.
Indeed Enoch does sense an evil emanating from the stone itself. The intensity of it starts to give him a headache.
Essendrum writes down what questions Bjorn proposes in Giant so that he can read them to Bjorn when the spell is cast.
Bjorn will need to make an Intelligence for all 5 questions, DC 15 for him to be able to speak each question properly. I will allow an assist (help) from Essendrum for the rolls. I will also need a list of those 5 questions.
The paladin's closed eyes squeezed hard, and his burrow furrowed, when suddenly:
"Guh!"
His grunt had conveyed the message just as clearly as his hand simultaneously flying to his head did--the sudden beginnings of an unexpected pain.
"There's... great evil coming from that stone," he said breathlessly as he slowly opened his eyes. "Stronger than I've ever felt, in fact."
Turning to Essendrum, Enoch squared his shoulders and continued, "I recommend that if we're going to do something with this, we do it fast, and then move the stone away from here straight away." His eyes glanced toward Spike momentarily. "Without touching it, preferably. I have no idea what sort of curse or other defilement is tied to this thing, but abstaining from contact can only add to our protection--and we should probably take every safety precaution we can."
Dara listens to the exchanges and nods. She pauses a moment then says: "We have to get all these fires out before we take on any other tasks. Each of you has come to the call of this community, and for that I Thank You but, as Lord of Triboar, I am using my authority to conscript every soul I can to help with this task and future endeavors. This means you as well." She pauses for a moment to gauge reactions and take responses.
”Heh, I’m not much for being ordered around or conscripted or such like that. But I’ll help the people as needs helping and fairly consider what ye ask of me,” responds Spike.
Seeing as he is not currently needed to lift the stone, he says, “Let me know what yer questions reveal…I’ve got fires to fight,” and he lopes off to help put out the nearest flames threatening people or property.
”As you wish. I suggest you be careful not to touch this while one of the land’s preeminent scholars on interplanar lore puts out fires. Do let me know if you have any other orders.”
He drops the stone at her feet and begins using prestidigitation to put out fires.
”Indeed, sir, in light of your findings I suspect it is beyond our power to mar or exploit. Keeping it from the giants is the best we can hope for. Once we are released from housekeeping chores we should certainly get on with averting a great cataclysm.”
Bjorn eyes the fires and tries to determine which of the fires are the needs the most attention. He tries to get the attention of whoever is in charge of putting out the fires.
Using Thaumaturgy cantrip to amplify his voice he shouts out, "I can cause a downfall of rain on a 30' area to put out fire. Where do you need it the most?" He looks about for a response.
In a normal tone of voice he says to Essendrum, "We can get to speaking with the Giant after the we handle the fire."
"We have to get all these fires out before we take on any other tasks. Each of you has come to the call of this community, and for that I Thank You but, as Lord of Triboar, I am using my authority to conscript every soul I can to help with this task and future endeavors. This means you as well."
Enoch raised an eyebrow toward the woman. "That's... quite an odd way of going about asking for help, particularly from people outside your community." Then with a slight smirk and a wagging of his finger, he continued, "Fortunately, you're in luck. My duties cover helping those in need, so really, I'm bound to help even without your admonition."
His peace spoken, the paladin turned to walk toward the nearest fire, then stopped and turned back to Dara. Taking on a more serious tone, he added, "As I suggested, this stone is likely very dangerous. If you find anyone drawn to touch it, or trying to flee with it, please let us know." He paused as he rubbed his chin while examining the stone again, then shrugged. "I'd feel much better just getting it out of this town immediately, but we can't exactly setup some means of conveying it while everyone's running about dousing their homes, can we?" Then with a final grin at his own joke, Enoch headed towards the nearest flaming structure.
Dara just nods as you respond. She doesn't seem put off by some of the responses but says. "We will sort it all out once we get these fires under control and people settled."
The party, directed by Dara and a couple of others, starts putting out fires and other tasks as needed. The townsfolk, though concentrating on the work at hand at first, get to know each of you and have become comfortable with the party, many calling on you by name. The work is hard and the 1st night ends with everyone going to bed with soot in places where it doesn't seem reasonable to be.
The dawn, or a bit after, brings food and drink, some conversation, and even jokes but, each of you can tell the locals are unnerved. Giant's raiding towns were stories, told over fires and a few pints. Now it's not a myth, it's fact.
With Essendrum's help, the stone had been moved to the "Tower", a tall building in the middle of town where the Watch works out of and Dara spends most of her time. You are told it is safe enough if any place is safe from Giants.
By the middle of the second day, all fires have been extinguished and people are settling in, moving debris, and tearing down any damaged buildings that might be a hazard. The bodies of the Orcs have been moved to a mass grave outside of town. The bodies of those townfolk that died have been moved by friends and family members to a local graveyard about 3/4 a mile out of Triboar. Priests accompany the families, one in particular that the party spied too drunk to function, Silvarren Loomshanks, priest of Helm, has sobered up and leads a funeral precession out of town. 20 of the townsfolk had been killed in the raid and another 14 injured in total. People are on edge.
It's midmorning on the 3rd day. The party walks their way to the tower to find a gathering of townspeople. You see Dara and a couple of watchmen on the porch of the tower and she is speaking to the people. "Why did ya send half tha watch off this morning?" yells out one man in the back. "We need 'em here incase tha Giant's come back ta get the body of their kin." yells another. Dara clears her throat and holds up her hand. All goes quiet as she speaks. "Men were sent to scout out the Giants and others were sent on other errands." She tells them. "In particular, to get help. I told them not to go further than a 1/2 day's ride and return by nightfall." She pauses for a moment and looks in the direction of the party, then says: "We will need as much help as we can muster from the countryside and local towns and villages." A few in the crowd raise a voice to protest but, after a short conversation, the crowd disperses. After the group leaves Dara turns to you. "I have a mission if you'll take it," she tells the party. "And some pay for the work you have done for the town these past couple of days." With that, she beacons you to follow and goes inside the tower.
Resolutions: -All offers to help are greatly appreciated by Dara, though Bjorn'samplified voice does make many jump. Everyone is set to work as they see fit and where they can best serve. -Bjorn and Essendrum need to submit the questions they are going to ask the spirit of the giant if that is their course of action. -Anyone wanting to do something prior to the scene above, let me know so we can work out the details. Essendrum's raven does not see any giants or other raiders in the area though there is smoke miles away to the east.
(OOC: Bjorn can pick the questions since it was his idea and is his spell. Essendrum will pepper him with many suggestions having to do with the stone as well as the giant’s mastery of sorcerery. But he’ll happily translate giantish into phonetics using his linguistic talents for more practical questions such as who sent you and from where.
Maybe: What will happen to a human that touches the stone? Why were you sent for the stone? Who sent you? Where are others who may come for the stone?)
Getting to know the people of the town and especially the more capable fellows who aided him in the direct fighting, Spike is happy to go to the tower and see what Lady Dara has to offer.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
"I have a mission if you'll take it,and some pay for the work you have done for the town these past couple of days." With that, she beacons you to follow and goes inside the tower.
While he wasn't really concerned about pay, the paladin did wonder what mission Dara had for the group. Curious, he shrugged and followed the others into the tower.
Kiza surveys the destruction and feels a modicum of loss of a place she has grown use to seeing. Though she is glad that Triboar continues to survive. Not well versed in funerary rights. she offers condolences of those who has lost someone in the the attack by the giants.
Kiza then considers Dora's offer and agrees to hear more about it. Though she wonders what answers can be gleamed from the corpse of the giant.
When the time comes, Essendrum will follow the rest into the tower, pleased that at long last the local nobility has come to its senses and will allow him to continue researching the stone. If permitted, Essendrum will have cast an Alarm spell on the stone every 8 hours to ensure he knows if someone touches it (mental trigger, no restrictions on who triggers it). He explains we don’t need a guardsman being possessed by its evil and whisking it off to the giants.
((Moving the thread along)) Note: Essendrumis allowed to cast his spell over the stone.
The party gathers inside the tower. Inside is a small chamber, 15 ft. x 15 ft. with a door along the west wall and one along the north wall. In the middle of the room is a small desk with a chair behind it and one in front of it. The chair in front is made of wood and seems to be low to the ground. The chair behind appears to be cushioned and sits higher than the desk. Dara takes a seat in the cushioned chair as the party gathers in the room. A guard stands to the right of Dara, a middle-aged man with brown and white hair and beard. Dara reaches into a box and counts out 10 gold into 5 stacks. 'For your service to Triboar." Dara says as she counts out the gold. Dara pauses. "You've seen the responses from the townsfolk on the commands I gave the guards?" she asks, rhetorically. "Well it was needed but, I need more answers about this attack. More than a day's travel can give me." Dara reaches into her vest and pulls out a pendant. It is silver and depicts a crescent moon with a harp in the middle of it. Each of you have heard rumors. A group of people working behind the scenes for what they claim as an agenda for doing good, use this symbol. The Harpers. "I have a mission for your group if you would be inclined to take it." Dara says this as she leans forward, her elbows on the desk and her hands clasped together before her face.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Essendrum eyes the Dwarf.
”If there are no objections I propose we ask Bjorn’s questions of the dead Giant and then repair to the keep to tend wounded and rest. In that time we can learn what information the keep contains, in the conversation of the locals or their books. In the morning Bjorn may pray for support from Oghma, perhaps to remove a curse or cheat death. Then I can seek to remove any temporary spells on the stone.”
Essendrum places a hand on Flint’s shoulder between the spikes.
”Then we might have use of a brave dwarf in our magical preparations…one, say, willing to pick up a stone first. If we all survive that, then Bjorn can identify the stone.”
Essendrum turns to the Lady.
”That is assuming you do not prefer to simply lock it away. It is dangerous. But marauding giants are dangerous as well and your town may stand longer if we learn more.”
Spike:
Beaming at the praise, Spike says, “Of course, if I can be of service. I am currently…ah…between jobs, so having something to do would be rewarding.”
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
The stone weight exceeds the strength of a Mage Hand Spell however, roll an Int roll vs. DC 14 to be able to focus the magic and lift the stone.
Indeed Enoch does sense an evil emanating from the stone itself. The intensity of it starts to give him a headache.
Bjorn will need to make an Intelligence for all 5 questions, DC 15 for him to be able to speak each question properly. I will allow an assist (help) from Essendrum for the rolls.
I will also need a list of those 5 questions.
The paladin's closed eyes squeezed hard, and his burrow furrowed, when suddenly:
"Guh!"
His grunt had conveyed the message just as clearly as his hand simultaneously flying to his head did--the sudden beginnings of an unexpected pain.
"There's... great evil coming from that stone," he said breathlessly as he slowly opened his eyes. "Stronger than I've ever felt, in fact."
Turning to Essendrum, Enoch squared his shoulders and continued, "I recommend that if we're going to do something with this, we do it fast, and then move the stone away from here straight away." His eyes glanced toward Spike momentarily. "Without touching it, preferably. I have no idea what sort of curse or other defilement is tied to this thing, but abstaining from contact can only add to our protection--and we should probably take every safety precaution we can."
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Dara listens to the exchanges and nods.
She pauses a moment then says:
"We have to get all these fires out before we take on any other tasks. Each of you has come to the call of this community, and for that I Thank You but, as Lord of Triboar, I am using my authority to conscript every soul I can to help with this task and future endeavors. This means you as well."
She pauses for a moment to gauge reactions and take responses.
Spike:
”Heh, I’m not much for being ordered around or conscripted or such like that. But I’ll help the people as needs helping and fairly consider what ye ask of me,” responds Spike.
Seeing as he is not currently needed to lift the stone, he says, “Let me know what yer questions reveal…I’ve got fires to fight,” and he lopes off to help put out the nearest flames threatening people or property.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Essendrum bows to Dara.
”As you wish. I suggest you be careful not to touch this while one of the land’s preeminent scholars on interplanar lore puts out fires. Do let me know if you have any other orders.”
He drops the stone at her feet and begins using prestidigitation to put out fires.
Essendrum nods to Enoch.
”Indeed, sir, in light of your findings I suspect it is beyond our power to mar or exploit. Keeping it from the giants is the best we can hope for. Once we are released from housekeeping chores we should certainly get on with averting a great cataclysm.”
Bjorn eyes the fires and tries to determine which of the fires are the needs the most attention. He tries to get the attention of whoever is in charge of putting out the fires.
Using Thaumaturgy cantrip to amplify his voice he shouts out, "I can cause a downfall of rain on a 30' area to put out fire. Where do you need it the most?" He looks about for a response.
In a normal tone of voice he says to Essendrum, "We can get to speaking with the Giant after the we handle the fire."
Cats go Moo!
Enoch raised an eyebrow toward the woman. "That's... quite an odd way of going about asking for help, particularly from people outside your community." Then with a slight smirk and a wagging of his finger, he continued, "Fortunately, you're in luck. My duties cover helping those in need, so really, I'm bound to help even without your admonition."
His peace spoken, the paladin turned to walk toward the nearest fire, then stopped and turned back to Dara. Taking on a more serious tone, he added, "As I suggested, this stone is likely very dangerous. If you find anyone drawn to touch it, or trying to flee with it, please let us know." He paused as he rubbed his chin while examining the stone again, then shrugged. "I'd feel much better just getting it out of this town immediately, but we can't exactly setup some means of conveying it while everyone's running about dousing their homes, can we?" Then with a final grin at his own joke, Enoch headed towards the nearest flaming structure.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
OCC: Sorry gang, didn't realize it had been 2 days. I'm on it now!
Dara just nods as you respond. She doesn't seem put off by some of the responses but says.
"We will sort it all out once we get these fires under control and people settled."
The party, directed by Dara and a couple of others, starts putting out fires and other tasks as needed. The townsfolk, though concentrating on the work at hand at first, get to know each of you and have become comfortable with the party, many calling on you by name.
The work is hard and the 1st night ends with everyone going to bed with soot in places where it doesn't seem reasonable to be.
The dawn, or a bit after, brings food and drink, some conversation, and even jokes but, each of you can tell the locals are unnerved. Giant's raiding towns were stories, told over fires and a few pints. Now it's not a myth, it's fact.
With Essendrum's help, the stone had been moved to the "Tower", a tall building in the middle of town where the Watch works out of and Dara spends most of her time. You are told it is safe enough if any place is safe from Giants.
By the middle of the second day, all fires have been extinguished and people are settling in, moving debris, and tearing down any damaged buildings that might be a hazard. The bodies of the Orcs have been moved to a mass grave outside of town. The bodies of those townfolk that died have been moved by friends and family members to a local graveyard about 3/4 a mile out of Triboar. Priests accompany the families, one in particular that the party spied too drunk to function, Silvarren Loomshanks, priest of Helm, has sobered up and leads a funeral precession out of town.
20 of the townsfolk had been killed in the raid and another 14 injured in total. People are on edge.
It's midmorning on the 3rd day. The party walks their way to the tower to find a gathering of townspeople. You see Dara and a couple of watchmen on the porch of the tower and she is speaking to the people.
"Why did ya send half tha watch off this morning?" yells out one man in the back.
"We need 'em here incase tha Giant's come back ta get the body of their kin." yells another.
Dara clears her throat and holds up her hand. All goes quiet as she speaks.
"Men were sent to scout out the Giants and others were sent on other errands." She tells them. "In particular, to get help. I told them not to go further than a 1/2 day's ride and return by nightfall."
She pauses for a moment and looks in the direction of the party, then says:
"We will need as much help as we can muster from the countryside and local towns and villages."
A few in the crowd raise a voice to protest but, after a short conversation, the crowd disperses. After the group leaves Dara turns to you.
"I have a mission if you'll take it," she tells the party. "And some pay for the work you have done for the town these past couple of days."
With that, she beacons you to follow and goes inside the tower.
Resolutions:
-All offers to help are greatly appreciated by Dara, though Bjorn's amplified voice does make many jump. Everyone is set to work as they see fit and where they can best serve.
-Bjorn and Essendrum need to submit the questions they are going to ask the spirit of the giant if that is their course of action.
-Anyone wanting to do something prior to the scene above, let me know so we can work out the details.
Essendrum's raven does not see any giants or other raiders in the area though there is smoke miles away to the east.
(OOC: Bjorn can pick the questions since it was his idea and is his spell. Essendrum will pepper him with many suggestions having to do with the stone as well as the giant’s mastery of sorcerery. But he’ll happily translate giantish into phonetics using his linguistic talents for more practical questions such as who sent you and from where.
Maybe: What will happen to a human that touches the stone? Why were you sent for the stone? Who sent you? Where are others who may come for the stone?)
Spike:
Getting to know the people of the town and especially the more capable fellows who aided him in the direct fighting, Spike is happy to go to the tower and see what Lady Dara has to offer.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
It had been a rough few days, but Enoch was glad the town was finally safe--for the time being, at least.
While he wasn't really concerned about pay, the paladin did wonder what mission Dara had for the group. Curious, he shrugged and followed the others into the tower.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Kiza surveys the destruction and feels a modicum of loss of a place she has grown use to seeing. Though she is glad that Triboar continues to survive. Not well versed in funerary rights. she offers condolences of those who has lost someone in the the attack by the giants.
Kiza then considers Dora's offer and agrees to hear more about it. Though she wonders what answers can be gleamed from the corpse of the giant.
When the time comes, Essendrum will follow the rest into the tower, pleased that at long last the local nobility has come to its senses and will allow him to continue researching the stone. If permitted, Essendrum will have cast an Alarm spell on the stone every 8 hours to ensure he knows if someone touches it (mental trigger, no restrictions on who triggers it). He explains we don’t need a guardsman being possessed by its evil and whisking it off to the giants.
((Moving the thread along))
Note:
Essendrum is allowed to cast his spell over the stone.
The party gathers inside the tower. Inside is a small chamber, 15 ft. x 15 ft. with a door along the west wall and one along the north wall.
In the middle of the room is a small desk with a chair behind it and one in front of it. The chair in front is made of wood and seems to be low to the ground. The chair behind appears to be cushioned and sits higher than the desk.
Dara takes a seat in the cushioned chair as the party gathers in the room. A guard stands to the right of Dara, a middle-aged man with brown and white hair and beard.
Dara reaches into a box and counts out 10 gold into 5 stacks.
'For your service to Triboar." Dara says as she counts out the gold.
Dara pauses.
"You've seen the responses from the townsfolk on the commands I gave the guards?" she asks, rhetorically. "Well it was needed but, I need more answers about this attack. More than a day's travel can give me."
Dara reaches into her vest and pulls out a pendant. It is silver and depicts a crescent moon with a harp in the middle of it.
Each of you have heard rumors. A group of people working behind the scenes for what they claim as an agenda for doing good, use this symbol. The Harpers.
"I have a mission for your group if you would be inclined to take it."
Dara says this as she leans forward, her elbows on the desk and her hands clasped together before her face.