Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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With Werhann and Normont having made it above, Lokilia heads up as well. She notes the badger and the many prints of hooves and paws. "Is this from those black-eyed creatures we saw before?"
Does the badger seem normal or acting or looking odd in any way? (Perception: 23)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Well," Progo says as he observes the corpse after climbing out, "either whoever he told was really upset but had no intentions to find us, or that fella has the worst luck." He cocks his head considering, "Probably both Progo thinks."
He eyes the badger and nudges Lokilia, "freind of yours?"
Assuming the badger runs off with a little shooing. "You can have the fleshy bits, Progo just needs to check the other stuff. Don't be greedy now." Progo will inspect (loot) the remains.
Perception:9
The badger watched the construct approach and retreated towards the treeline......on investigation- the corpse has been crushed, mangled, slashed, eaten and shredded by many different natural appendages.....
Lokilias watches the badger retreat towards the treeline away from Maggie......Lokilia notes the animal is behaving extremely typically for a badger.....almost too perfectly.....as if it is operating exactly how a badger should based on the circumstances....
But animals don't work like that.....they have personalities, annoyances, moods, curiosity......this thing wearing a badger has none of those.......
The mans weapon is broken and bent, his armour torn and shredded and his pouch torn and its contents scattered.......Progo eventually finds 3 copper pieces and a tin badge with ' Worlds Best Brother' etched on it.
"We should go. That badger is... too prefect. Like a copy of only the basics of a badger. But it's not like a real creature." Lokilia says as she watches the animal. she isn't about to go anywhere on her own, but starts to move slowly in the direction of Whitestone.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Progo happily takes the coins and tin badge. Here picks up the ripped pouch, "Nothing a little Progo embroidery can't fix, perhaps a little dye to hide innard blemishes." The rest is too far gone, cost more to repair the able to sell for.
Still crouching by the mangled figure as Lokilia remarks concerns about the badger, Progo nods towards Werhann, "your friend perhaps?" Progo ponders what Lokilia said about the badger, how can an animal act too much like an animal? Wouldn't observations of the type of animal dictate the expected behaviors of the animal? So then a animal exhibiting those exact behaviors should be expected, and yet can seem too much like acting. Perhaps Lokilia is close to seeing the same of Werhann as Progo!
Progo moves to start walking back to Whitestone. He pulls the bow out and looks questionably at the others if they wish him to remove the badger before moving on as the bow makes much less noise that that thing of Normont uses. Badgers weren't that great for eating but will do in a pinch, Progo questioned if the others had been in such a pinch before.
Normont considers the conundrum of the badger for a moment, and whilst he does he looks around for the bodies of the brain dogs they fought earlier, just to make sure they are still there.
"Whatever is happening here is not over. I think we should be quick in getting reinforcements here", he finally says.
If the corpses of the brain dogs are still here, he will once again wrap one up, like he did with the head of Phindis. He will then tuck it in the [Tooltip Not Found], and then head back to Whitestone as well.
If Werhann recognises the guard, he'll confirm to Progo that this is the guard he scared away before. Either way, he'll follow the others away from this place and back to Whitestone. He had done all he could down there, given the circumstances.
While they walk, Werhann decides to ask a question that has been bothering him for a while. He speaks loudly, so that all can hear, though he doesn't address anyone in particular. Wondering, among other things, who'll choose to answer, if any. "You said you came to rescue me. That is, you knew you should be looking for me. But the only ones who'd know I was missing were the Grey Hunt, and only one of you all is a Hunter. While I'm grateful for your assistance, why risk your lives if you do not serve to protect the city? You told me your names before - and pardon me if it comes out rude, but I must ask - who are you all, exactly?" Werhann will need to return to that place. As a Hunter, he cannot leave what's there alone. But he had to first determine whether he should ask these people for their assistance again, since they already know as much as he does, or ask them to keep their distance until the Hunt takes care of it.
Varielky | Werhann
( The bodies of the Intellect Devourers are missing.......and though its hard to be certain with the scant remains Werhann is fairly sure this is the same guard.)
Curious as to the removal of the brain dog corpses, before they leave the scene Normont looks to see if any tracks are left behind by whatever it was that did took them. Was it the assemblage of animals that did it, or something more humanoid, or perhaps something worse.
"The brain dog corpses are gone. Something is covering its tracks", he pronounces to the others.
As they walk, and Werhann asks his questions, Normont takes the lead in answering.
"I am very recently initiated into the Hunt, having returned to Whitestone recently with my companions here, Lokilia, Dev and Quinn", he starts, motioning to Lokilia , Dev and Quinn. "Prior to travelling, I was a member of the Pale Guard, a position I only relinquished temporarily. My friends and I performed some deeds which caught the attention of the Chamber, hence my elevation to the Hunt on my return".
"Whilst back in the city, we came across some suspicious activity, and were warned off by a group that called themselves the Nameless Ones. They tried to blackmail us into standing down with the threat of killing a member of the Hunt. You, to be precise. That was the first time we knew somebody had been kidnapped. It is ironic, we weren't that interested in investigating until they threatened us. Anyway, investigate we did, and took our findings to Lady Cassandra de Rolo, for whom we are acting right now. I am afraid the Hunt itself is a little behind this crew in this regard, proving the worth of my companions here".
He looks to Progo, "Progo here stumbled into this earlier today, and has proven to be useful so far, but I don't believe has any real idea of what is going on. No offence meant by that Progo, just stating a fact".
He turns and looks across to Werhann with things obviously on his mind as well. "Now it is your turn to answer a question of mine. What has been done to you whilst you were captured? You brushed it off before, but you were able to insert your thoughts into my mind more than once. We saw the result of what the Squid did to Phindis, is that happening to you as well? Should we be treating you as just as dangerous as Phindis?", he asks matter-of-factly, but his rifle is in his hand and Maggie stands at the ready as always.
"I don't understand why anything needs to cover its tracks," Dev says, more a question than a statement of fact. "We already know what happened and Lady de Rollo already puts her faith in us." He looks to Normont. "Well, the Lady puts her faith in you anyhow... so it's not like we need to produce dead bodies," his face screws up in distaste, "for her to believe you."
He thinks about the older kids in Drynna. One time, knowing that Dev was filching thrown-away food from a local tavern after hours, they had lain in wait, and with a fish hook tied to a long string, had hooked a half-eaten apple and left it atop a barrel. Dev found it there and jumped, letting out a shout of dismay when they had pulled the string, making the apple, seemingly on its own, jump away from the hungry boy. A game. At least they hadn't beaten him, having been satisfied laughing in his face and shoving him down.
"It's almost like... like its toying with us...," he says to Lokilia.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
"Certainly feels the need to stay hidden, surprisingly willing to trample its own member but not willing to flush us out or trap us in there. Honestly wouldn't have taken much to seal that entrance. So either we are lucky, they are scared, or some of both. Progo not sure which but Progo is happy how it resolved."
Progo listens to Normont give a brief run down of the groups path to be looking for Werhann. "Progo no takes offense, perhaps would have worded Progos involvement a bit more heroicly but what said is said. And you might have left our Progo's cart and it's caretaking..." Progo really did like that cart, nothing worth dieing over but if it was still on the table to recover it... Progo waits to hear Werhann's answers, now more so knowing the connection of those thugs and the squiggly face creatures more.
"It does feel like something is toying with us," Lokilia agrees with Dev. "Best to get reinforcements quickly."
She had kind of ignored Werhann's question before. But listens a bit as Normont makes a reply. She adds in a comment. "We are friends of Normont. And I'd like to think we're kind of these Grey Hunters. Those Nameless ones, I think the same folk that took you, made threats that led us to believe that perhaps they had spies within the city. Maybe within the Hunters. So, we were acting to help our friends, and worried about tipping off anyone."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Unless it still wanted to return down there," Werhann remarks when Progo suggests that whatever they didn't find could have trapped them in that cave. "As for the missing bodies, there's no telling without knowing what we're dealing with exactly. Some creatures act in a... peculiar manner." Werhann tries to offer what little he knows from his experiences as a Hunter. "They could have eaten them, not to cover tracks but to gain something back. Or... if we assume the squid created those - how did you call them, brain dogs? If the squid created them, it might be able to recreate them from the bodies again. I wouldn't say raise them from the dead exactly... though perhaps that is not out of the question either." Realising that he's just pondering aloud, Werhann goes silent. He's not yet sure how the others will handle such thoughts.
If all the Gnome said was true, then these folk pack more than they show. Well, they haven't shown themselves to be incompetent yet. Quite the opposite. Werhann listens to Normont as he talks, his gaze hopping between each of the others occasionally. 'Perhaps I'll stick with them for a while,' he thinks, unknowingly transmitting the thought to Progo's mind. 'They can be valuable comrades, at least for exterminating whatever's done there.' Especially if there are spies among the Hunt.
"I don't really know what was done to me. I was blindfolded the entire time. But I'm not growing tentacles, not that I know of," Werhann answers Normont's question, "and I am still in control of myself, I think." Werhann hesitates for a bit, still uncertain about whether he should tell anyone or not. But given the circumstances, he decides it's best to trust these people, as they may be his best hope, at the moment, to discover what was done to him and, hopefully, how to undo it. "The problem is," he resumes after a short pause, "I feel too much in control."
Werhann stops where he stands and allows the glaive he was still holding to dissipate into nothing. "Certain things are happening the way I want them to, but not because I made them happen. No, I'm not talking about luck, but... well, maybe I am causing these things to happen, but it's not exactly because I envisioned them happening in this way." Werhann runs a hand over his unkempt beard, wondering how he could explain what he experienced. Immediately, and as usual, not intentionally, he cleans his beard. The change might not be too clear to the others, as it's still messy, but Werhann can certainly feel it smoother now.
Lacking any better example, Werhann summons a new weapon into his hand. It is a rifle - a musket - almost identical to his old one. "This isn't my rifle. Or, rather, my old rifle should still be out there. This is a... copy, I guess." Werhann holds the weapon down but briefly eyes the chamber. Unloaded. It seems he can create a rifle, but ammo will need to come separately. To dispel any tension caused by this action, Werhann wills the weapon away. "I couldn't do this before. Summoning weapons. The glaive you saw before was likewise summoned. It first happened when I wished I had a blade in my hand with which I could cut the ropes that bound me in my cell. Other things happened when I wished. It didn't always occur in the manner I wished for or expected, but... one way or another, something happened." Lacking any better ideas again, Werhann summons an image of a chair next to him, then passes his hand through it to prove it is an illusion. "That's... about all I know I can do. I think. I couldn't do these things before, and I don't know why I can do them now. Am I dangerous? Perhaps. I'd like to think I can control myself, and these abilities with some practise. But if it ever turns out I am wrong... you're more than welcome to stop me from hurting others."
Varielky | Werhann
Great Progo thought, even Progo's own thoughts sound like the pretend dwarves'. Wait, Progo never uses proper pronouns in Progo's own thoughts. What is this? Valuable comrades? So he wants a discount on wares. Progo tries to send back 'Especially that Progo, Progo seems very trustworthy and we should tell Progo all our plans!' That ought to do the trick.
Listening to Werhann confess about his unknown source of abilities makes Progo consider, how would they be able to see the change starting on the dwarf? The beard could hide so much, perhaps the squiggles can grow hair and it won't just fall out? Progo will have to find ways to inspect under the beard to be sure...
Normont watches the glaive disappear, only for a rifle appear out off thin air and dissipate just as quickly. As Werhann continues his demonstration, Normont's eyes follow each object and track the illusory nature of some of them.
He doesn't lower his own weapon. Not out of malice, but out of an ingrained habit of readiness instilled in him over these last few months.
"A copy of your old rifle, nuts and bolts", he repeats quietly, his voice neutral. "Thought made manifest. It’s a far cry from growing tentacles, Werhann, but it’s no less strange. And no less concerning".
He glances at Maggie, then back to the dwarf.
"You say you’re in control because things happen when you wish them. But wishes are dangerous things when your mind has been tampered with. Phindis 'wished' to protect his daughters. Well, one of them at least".
He pauses, his expression softening just a fraction. He had witnessed a lot of strange of things in the last few months, things that could quite possibly have driven him mad. And he knows that not everything happens by choice.
"I’m not going to shoot you for having a talent you didn't ask for. Not yet. But we’re going to keep a close eye on those 'wishes' of yours. If you feel that control slipping—if the things that happen stop being what you envisioned and start being what it wants—you tell us. Immediately", he says in tone that brooks no dissent.
He nods toward the path ahead, motioning for Maggie to walk closely alongside the Werhann.
"For now, I guess we use your abilities. If you can manifest something to help us against the big squid or the Nameless Ones, all the better. We’ll worry about the 'why' once we’re back within the sun-tree's shadow and we can get you in front of someone who knows more about this than we do. Of course, that is not easily done either. There is no way we can have you walking into Whitestone Castle to talk to Lady de Rolo. Not without warning her about what is going on, at least", he says with a frown.
"Perhaps we are best to stick to things you already know, so we don't reveal anything new. Just in case. Do you have a contact in the Hunt that we can call upon to help you out, without walking you anywhere sensitive? Perhaps you can do that whilst I report back at the castle".
As they move slowly through the woods the two Ashari, Lokalia and Quinn, occasionally sight a single deer, hare or wolf some way off through the trees shadowing them but the animals move off as soon as they are spotted.......after some time the companions arrive back in sight of Whitestones Western walls....
As Whitestone's walls come into view, Lokilia asks Normont. "I assume you two," she inclines her head towards Werhann to include him, "will check in with the Hunt? Should we all go? Or just let you go? Or is there like a secret signal then we wait?" She really doesn't understand how it all works. "Dev and I never did make it to Glinnick's before either. Should we still try to talk to him? Would it even be safe?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Unfortunately, Werhann's telepathy, unlike Dev's, does not allow the recipients to reply, and therefore, Werhann does not receive Progo's reply.
(OOC: @DM? Does Werhann have such a contact?)
If Werhann knows of any such contact, he will tell Normont what he'll need to find them.
Either way, Werhann doesn't object to Normont's terms. He wouldn't have it any other way, in fact. He was wondering whether it was safe for him to even enter the city, but for the moment, he decides that he feels enough like himself to risk it. "As Normont said, perhaps it's better that I keep my distance from the Hunt for a while," Werhann answers Lokilia. "Although I have nothing to give you to prove my identity, so they'll have to take his word for it. I could stay with the rest of you for a while, if you prefer, or decide on a time and a place to meet again later?"
Varielky | Werhann
( Werhann normally reported to Klarron, a heavily tanned dwarven man with a shaved head and face. Occasionally to Ascera Numa, who was currently serving as Number 2 under The Lady.)
Dev follows the others, lost in his thoughts. The spiked oblong thing in the spherical cavern, like a huge strange head with dead bodies adorning it as gems on a demon’s crown, was beyond belief, and the awesome terribleness of it lingers. That and the two child-gnomes wiped out in an instant by their father, or what was left of their father.
As they pass through the woods, he perhaps notices Lokilia or Quinn in turn noticing the strange animals that are more – and less – than ordinary, and the teenaged tiefling shudders. To the pair he says, his normally eerie voice even more intense and quiet than usual, “The woods were not like this when we first arrived in Whitestone." A few moments of silence pass before he continues.
"It’s almost like… almost like we brought this evil to the city with us. I wish I’d never seen it. I’ve known the selfish, cruel-hearted things people can do, out of spite, or anger, or just plain meanness. But this… like the other Grey Hunter we saw and what happened to him… it’s different. It’s worse. A lot worse. Like beyond the dispiriting things people can do, there’s a whole world of darkness and despair that most people don’t even know is there. But… we do. Now, we do.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure