Starker thanks Rabbit for the wine, saying “I am not currently thirsty but I will drink it when the time is propitious and I will toast to your and the lapin fruit of your fecundity.” (Pours liquid into water skin.)
Rabbit reaches out to Starker as he moves to pour the wine. “You are among allies. The wine will not be the same if not consumed now.” He seems to be trying to assure Starker, “It will revitalize you.” He points to Crow, Trolkarl and Chadwick who start to feel refreshed after downing their drinks.
All of you down the Moon Wine. A immediate feeling of refreshment comes over you. The day's travails seem to wash away and any fatigue you have has gone. Each of you benefits from a Long Rest.
Ajax is ready to lead you on towards the Dismal Swamp when you are ready. Unfortunately, that is all anyone can tell you about the lair of the dragon. Rabbit wishes you well, "Best of luck to you. Bring me back a lucky dragon fang!"
Ajax leads you on, down the road you Yon. You leave the lake and town of There behind you and enter farm fields of grains and vegetables. All tended by fey of different kinds. Most of the farms are 1/2 acre or less with cute little houses and 1' tall fences. A forest borders this. On the edge of the forest you see a badger busily munching vegetables from a well tended garden until an old crone comes out of the shack house by the garden. She shoos off the badger threatening to curse him with terrible flatulence if he returns.
The forest is beautiful and filled with flowering vines and sun-dappled glades. A group of pixies spot you and follow you for a while. They seem to lose interest after an hour or so. Ajax points out to you fruit trees that bear wonderfully juicy red plum like fruits for you to eat. You notice the forest begins to change to be less idyllic. The trees start to be come twisted and large mossy curtains hang from the branches rather than the flowering vines. The ground becomes a bit more spongy and dank pools of water can be seen amongst the trees. The path continues to lead on into this ever-more-dismal swamp. Ajax stops and tells you that you are in the Dismal Swamp. He is unclear about where exactly the dragon's lair is located..
Crow offers to scout from above and takes wing up through the canopy of trees. He rises to a great altitude and then comes down quickly. He lands near you and walks over to join you again. "There is a circular hedge off in that direction," he says pointing off of the path. "In the center is a tall mound of vines and plants. I am unsure, but I believe that I saw a large, green, scaly tail disappear into the thicket surrounding this."
Starker: “For me to use Cyrus’ senses I need to be within 100’ of him. If we approach from downwind I think I can avoid detection at that distance. I am certainly willing to try.”
if noone object or has a better idea Starker heads out to implement. He cajoles CM into doffing his red vest and fez so that he will blend better into the natural scenery.
the plan is to get to 100’ of the edge of the hedge quietly and send in CM to see what’s what looking through the monkey’s eyes. Then report back.
You arrive to the area you believe you are seeking. There is a tall, circular hedge of brambles and thorns that appears to encircle a tall, vine covered hill. Just as was described to you. You can see what look like narrow game trails opening into the brambles. Looking more closely you can see a multitude of large thorns up to 4” long covering the vines and plants of the hedge. Passing through them would certainly be a painful event.
Send CM through the game trail that is most ‘downwind’ of yhe center of the grove, with me following at max-share-senses distance.
The air is still. Nothing seems to be moving here in the swamp. Cyrus approaches the game trail cautiously. Peering into the gap in the thorns he see that the trail continues into the hedge and makes a turn and branches into right and left paths. The gaps looks large enough for any of you to walk through.
"A rousing speech indeed Trolkarl, you may have missed your calling as a Bard!"
Chadwick lifts the goblet.
"To new friends and allies, may we persevere in our adventures and trials."
And if Trolkarl doesn't seem to be having any negative reaction to the wine he'll down it in one glub as well.
Starker thanks Rabbit for the wine, saying “I am not currently thirsty but I will drink it when the time is propitious and I will toast to your and the lapin fruit of your fecundity.” (Pours liquid into water skin.)
Rabbit reaches out to Starker as he moves to pour the wine. “You are among allies. The wine will not be the same if not consumed now.” He seems to be trying to assure Starker, “It will revitalize you.” He points to Crow, Trolkarl and Chadwick who start to feel refreshed after downing their drinks.
“Far be it from my to offend a friend. Here’s to your lucky feet.”
[drinks]
(( Dwarves and gnome? ))
Hoid will drink
“To There and back again.” Kragen lifts the go let and inhales the drink in one gulp! Fondly belches, s******s shyly.
Sure, why not?
All of you down the Moon Wine. A immediate feeling of refreshment comes over you. The day's travails seem to wash away and any fatigue you have has gone. Each of you benefits from a Long Rest.
Ajax is ready to lead you on towards the Dismal Swamp when you are ready. Unfortunately, that is all anyone can tell you about the lair of the dragon. Rabbit wishes you well, "Best of luck to you. Bring me back a lucky dragon fang!"
Dismal Swamp
12
Ajax leads you on, down the road you Yon. You leave the lake and town of There behind you and enter farm fields of grains and vegetables. All tended by fey of different kinds. Most of the farms are 1/2 acre or less with cute little houses and 1' tall fences. A forest borders this. On the edge of the forest you see a badger busily munching vegetables from a well tended garden until an old crone comes out of the shack house by the garden. She shoos off the badger threatening to curse him with terrible flatulence if he returns.
The forest is beautiful and filled with flowering vines and sun-dappled glades. A group of pixies spot you and follow you for a while. They seem to lose interest after an hour or so. Ajax points out to you fruit trees that bear wonderfully juicy red plum like fruits for you to eat. You notice the forest begins to change to be less idyllic. The trees start to be come twisted and large mossy curtains hang from the branches rather than the flowering vines. The ground becomes a bit more spongy and dank pools of water can be seen amongst the trees. The path continues to lead on into this ever-more-dismal swamp. Ajax stops and tells you that you are in the Dismal Swamp. He is unclear about where exactly the dragon's lair is located..
Crow offers to scout from above and takes wing up through the canopy of trees. He rises to a great altitude and then comes down quickly. He lands near you and walks over to join you again. "There is a circular hedge off in that direction," he says pointing off of the path. "In the center is a tall mound of vines and plants. I am unsure, but I believe that I saw a large, green, scaly tail disappear into the thicket surrounding this."
Do we want to send Gneuman or Cyrus ahead to scout, or continue as a party?
Starker: “For me to use Cyrus’ senses I need to be within 100’ of him. If we approach from downwind I think I can avoid detection at that distance. I am certainly willing to try.”
if noone object or has a better idea Starker heads out to implement. He cajoles CM into doffing his red vest and fez so that he will blend better into the natural scenery.
the plan is to get to 100’ of the edge of the hedge quietly and send in CM to see what’s what looking through the monkey’s eyes. Then report back.
You arrive to the area you believe you are seeking. There is a tall, circular hedge of brambles and thorns that appears to encircle a tall, vine covered hill. Just as was described to you. You can see what look like narrow game trails opening into the brambles. Looking more closely you can see a multitude of large thorns up to 4” long covering the vines and plants of the hedge. Passing through them would certainly be a painful event.
Can CM wriggle through without injuring himself? If so, have him fo so. If not, return to party.
Cyrus can enter one of the game trails. Travelling through the hedge will certainly involve dagger-like thorns.
(( Map updated with arrows for game trails you can see. ))
Does heavy armor master provide benefit against the thorns?
Send CM through the game trail that is most ‘downwind’ of yhe center of the grove, with me following at max-share-senses distance.
The air is still. Nothing seems to be moving here in the swamp. Cyrus approaches the game trail cautiously. Peering into the gap in the thorns he see that the trail continues into the hedge and makes a turn and branches into right and left paths. The gaps looks large enough for any of you to walk through.
Seems like it would.