"I've never had the personal displeasure of facing a troll," says Serge. "My old fencing instructor, however, would often tell a story about an encounter he had in the Serpent Hills, many years ago."
Serge closes his eyes. "I can remember the story... he told it so many times... we would joke that we could finish it for him if he ever grew weary of the telling."
"He had been setting up camp near a stream, when it came upon him with a deep, guttural growl that sent shivers down his spine. The creature was enormous. He always hammered that point home. Trolls are giant-kin, and he said it is hard to be prepared for their size until you're actually staring up at one."
"It first fell upon his horse, killing the poor beast and preventing my swordmaster from fleeing on horseback. Then it turned its hungry gaze upon him. He knew he was outmatched in size and strength, but he also learned quickly that the troll could nearly match his speed as well. Ever calm in a fight, he told us about how he relied on footwork and swordplay to evade the troll, but it was a losing battle. For each cut he managed to deal the monster healed over almost as quickly as he made it, so powerful is the regenerative powers of a troll."
"For what felt to him like hours, but was likely a minute or less, they circled each other, the troll’s growls growing more frustrated with each missed blow, but his own limbs growing weary from the desperate fight. He knew he couldn’t keep that up forever; his own strength would wane, and the troll’s seemingly endless stamina would win the day."
"His horse had been carrying his packs, still, and he remembered a flask of oil buried deep with the rest of his gear. He would tell us in painstaking detail how he used the environment to his advantage... getting a tree between himself and the troll to give him the spare second he needed to free his pack from the horse's body... using the pack as a makeshift shield against the trolls claws as he dug inside for what he needed... timing his throw and using positioning perfectly to both douse the troll and spray enough oil onto his meager campfire so that the flames licked up the trail of oil and engulfed the troll. With the monster panicked and aflame, he turned the tide and cut it down with relative ease."
Serge smiles. "He intended the story as a lesson that we should always keep a clear head in a fight. Be clever, be observant, and never underestimate the value of your surroundings. For us, though, I think our main takeaway was to stay the hell away from trolls." He laughs wistfully, thinking of past days.
He isn't laughing when he sees that camp setup.
"This may be the worst possible defensive position in this terrain. We have no perimeter, just a long line, exposed against all directions and with uneven high ground all around us. If we're unlucky enough to get attacked tonight, we will have our work cut out for us."
He looks toward a nearby rock outcropping. "Krackle, how do you feel about climbing? Do you suppose you could get up there and keep an eye on our surroundings, at least for a little while? It would help to have a little advance warning if danger approaches."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
When the caravan stops to camp, Ixsas rests a little from the weary climb. But then he turns his mind to Toren's condition. Once Toren settles down for a nap, Ixsas performs a ritual casting of Detect Magic and then examines the man. Since Toren was not suffering from any disease or poison, Ixsas reasons that the red-robed man may have put some enchantment or curse on Toren.
While Ixsas is still concentrating on this spell, he checks the other caravan members. It's possible that the red-robed man has a hidden ally - someone who is charmed or disguised by illusion -- still in the caravan.
Once he's done with that, Ixsas thinks that Serge's suggestion is excellent. He would like to climb higher up, especially if there's a peak nearby where they might be able to get a better look at the road ahead and the surrounding terrain.
Zeds is calmer and more relaxed with the Red One and their undead minion out of the caravan. He does his best to stay alert and keep an eye out in case they try to follow or otherwise come back but he cannot help but be more at ease. He listens closely to Serge's story of trolls and derring-do. He usually enjoys such tales more than he does this time but he usually hears them in the comfort of a bar or tavern, with a couple drinks inside him and more to come. This time it is less a distraction and more of a warning... It takes a bit of the fun from it.
"Fire, huh?" Zeds says, trying to sink the concept into his sometimes thick head. "Well if fire is key to defeating trolls, and gods forbid we get attacked, a stretched out setup may not be the worst thing. There'll likely be several fires overnight instead of the one central one, may make putting it out harder, and using it easier, eh?" It is a stretch of a silver lining but for the time being he is willing to take it.
Serge collects a bit of kindling and firewood from the surrounding terrain and shares it with wagons up and down the line. He encourages the travelers to set more, smaller fires rather than just one or two larger, communal fires tonight. He gives them a vague explanation of 'helping the guards see up and down this longer encampment'... he does not mention anything about trolls. There's no reason to get people excited, considering they may still get lucky and pass through these hills without attracting such unwanted attention.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Ixsas sees the hills of the Trollclaws revealed before him and you glimpse off in the distance the reflective waters of the Winding water river. Along the riverbank there you see some the ruined rooftops of a village. Ixsas knows that attempts to settle here has ended in disaster.
The trail the caravan is on will pass by the ruined village.
Tomorrow the caravan will need to cross the river as there is no bridge.
Krackle exits his carriage and gives Jr. a snack. After listening to the story told by serge, The kobold looks a bit nervous. "Yeah, i can keep lookout for a bit" He replies to serge with a small smile. He tightens the strap on his bag that contains his dragon egg and whispers a few reassuring words to the dragon within before climbing on top of his carriage. Once on top of his carriage and out of sight from the rest of the carrivan, He opens his bag and removes the egg for a bit, thoroughly inspecting it and washing it down before placing it back into his bag with wet amd warm pieces of cloth so that it says warm and damp. After the egg is hidden. once more he continues to keep an eye out until some of the others return. then he heads out to look for firewood to bring back to the group if any is still needed...
Krackle does indeed find more decent firewood. The unhatched dragon surely appreciated Krackle's care if it were aware of Krackle.
The afternoon is rather peaceful, and after a couple of hours it is nightfall.
Several small fires are made, and everyone settles down for the night. Toren tosses and turn on his bedroll as he is still sleeping. Bay hitches all the oxen and horses to a nearby tree.
Zeds smiles and shrugs a bit at Yara. "The night is dark and too full of the unknown," he says softly. "We're not expecting trouble but after recent events it is best we not NOT prepare for it, right? We could set up lanterns around to provide better visibility but firewood was available and free, unlike oil for the lamps..."
Ixsas is in a better mood today, perhaps because of the story that Serge told. Or maybe just because the undead thrall and its red-robed master have left the caravan. (Ixsas would have preferred destroyed the thing with fire, but at least he no longer has to tolerate its presence.) Or perhaps it's just the nice, clear whether after the dreary days crossing the Fields of the Dead.
he continues to keep an eye out until some of the others return. then he heads out to look for firewood to bring back to the group if any is still needed...
Ixsas helps to gather firewood. Survival17 (in game log) Then he goes up the craggy hilltop and relieves Krackle and keep lookout for a while. He jokes, "Didn't see any trolls did you?" But then says encouragingly, "If there are still trolls in these hills, at least it sounds like they are susceptible to fire! Not like those unquiet spirits of flame we fought two nights ago. Between the two of us, I think that we bring a lot of fire power to a fight."
you glimpse off in the distance the reflective waters of the Winding water river. Along the riverbank there you see some the ruined rooftops of a village. Ixsas knows that attempts to settle here has ended in disaster. The trail the caravan is on will pass by the ruined village.
Tomorrow the caravan will need to cross the river as there is no bridge.
When he comes down from the lookout at dusk, Ixsas shares this information with his companions. He takes Serge, who seems the most "responsible" of the group, with him to confirm that this is the path that Faelsin plans to take and to ask whether Faelsin has taken this particular road before?
Did Faelsin know that they would pass the abandoned village? Did he expect there to be a bridge over the river? Or does he know of a ford where the wagons can cross the Winding Water?
Zeds smiles and shrugs a bit at Yara. "The night is dark and too full of the unknown," he says softly. "We're not expecting trouble but after recent events it is best we not NOT prepare for it, right? We could set up lanterns around to provide better visibility but firewood was available and free, unlike oil for the lamps..."
Ixsas also points out to Yara what Serge said before: "The caravan cannot circle up here. One big fire cannot light up the whole line, so we tend multiple fires tonight and pray that the Lord of Flames wards away anything that would trouble the caravan in the dark."
Several small fires are made, and everyone settles down for the night. Toren tosses and turn on his bedroll as he is still sleeping. Bay hitches all the oxen and horses to a nearby tree.
Ixsas shares with the others that he saw some magic at work on Toren's mind. He's curious whether Serge and Krackle think that he should attempt to break the spell. He says, "For all I know, the magic offers some sort of protection against whatever troubles him, but I fear that the red-robed man, or maybe even this dragon cult we follow, may have put some sort of enchantment on Toren. But even then, I don't know whether my faith is strong enough to break this kind of enchantment."
If they think that Ixsas should try to break the spell that Toren is under, he would like to talk to Bay and try that now, before they set a watch and everyone else goes to sleep.
"Have you approached Toren about what is affecting his mind?" Zeds asks, cutting to what he thinks the most obvious approach. "Perhaps they themselves, or those close to them if they seem not of their own mind, should be the ones to decide if you try to break the effect or not?"
Serge goes along with Ixsas, though he suspects he already knows the answer. This path, and the previous settlement attempts here, likely point to this being the last only fordable spot along the river in this area. Still, it would be good to confirm that is the plan for the morrow. Serge can then take some time during his watch tonight to strategize on how to get the caravan across while putting themselves and their charges at minimal risk.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
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"I've never had the personal displeasure of facing a troll," says Serge. "My old fencing instructor, however, would often tell a story about an encounter he had in the Serpent Hills, many years ago."
Serge closes his eyes. "I can remember the story... he told it so many times... we would joke that we could finish it for him if he ever grew weary of the telling."
"He had been setting up camp near a stream, when it came upon him with a deep, guttural growl that sent shivers down his spine. The creature was enormous. He always hammered that point home. Trolls are giant-kin, and he said it is hard to be prepared for their size until you're actually staring up at one."
"It first fell upon his horse, killing the poor beast and preventing my swordmaster from fleeing on horseback. Then it turned its hungry gaze upon him. He knew he was outmatched in size and strength, but he also learned quickly that the troll could nearly match his speed as well. Ever calm in a fight, he told us about how he relied on footwork and swordplay to evade the troll, but it was a losing battle. For each cut he managed to deal the monster healed over almost as quickly as he made it, so powerful is the regenerative powers of a troll."
"For what felt to him like hours, but was likely a minute or less, they circled each other, the troll’s growls growing more frustrated with each missed blow, but his own limbs growing weary from the desperate fight. He knew he couldn’t keep that up forever; his own strength would wane, and the troll’s seemingly endless stamina would win the day."
"His horse had been carrying his packs, still, and he remembered a flask of oil buried deep with the rest of his gear. He would tell us in painstaking detail how he used the environment to his advantage... getting a tree between himself and the troll to give him the spare second he needed to free his pack from the horse's body... using the pack as a makeshift shield against the trolls claws as he dug inside for what he needed... timing his throw and using positioning perfectly to both douse the troll and spray enough oil onto his meager campfire so that the flames licked up the trail of oil and engulfed the troll. With the monster panicked and aflame, he turned the tide and cut it down with relative ease."
Serge smiles. "He intended the story as a lesson that we should always keep a clear head in a fight. Be clever, be observant, and never underestimate the value of your surroundings. For us, though, I think our main takeaway was to stay the hell away from trolls." He laughs wistfully, thinking of past days.
He isn't laughing when he sees that camp setup.
"This may be the worst possible defensive position in this terrain. We have no perimeter, just a long line, exposed against all directions and with uneven high ground all around us. If we're unlucky enough to get attacked tonight, we will have our work cut out for us."
He looks toward a nearby rock outcropping. "Krackle, how do you feel about climbing? Do you suppose you could get up there and keep an eye on our surroundings, at least for a little while? It would help to have a little advance warning if danger approaches."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
When the caravan stops to camp, Ixsas rests a little from the weary climb. But then he turns his mind to Toren's condition. Once Toren settles down for a nap, Ixsas performs a ritual casting of Detect Magic and then examines the man. Since Toren was not suffering from any disease or poison, Ixsas reasons that the red-robed man may have put some enchantment or curse on Toren.
While Ixsas is still concentrating on this spell, he checks the other caravan members. It's possible that the red-robed man has a hidden ally - someone who is charmed or disguised by illusion -- still in the caravan.
Once he's done with that, Ixsas thinks that Serge's suggestion is excellent. He would like to climb higher up, especially if there's a peak nearby where they might be able to get a better look at the road ahead and the surrounding terrain.
Zeds is calmer and more relaxed with the Red One and their undead minion out of the caravan. He does his best to stay alert and keep an eye out in case they try to follow or otherwise come back but he cannot help but be more at ease. He listens closely to Serge's story of trolls and derring-do. He usually enjoys such tales more than he does this time but he usually hears them in the comfort of a bar or tavern, with a couple drinks inside him and more to come. This time it is less a distraction and more of a warning... It takes a bit of the fun from it.
"Fire, huh?" Zeds says, trying to sink the concept into his sometimes thick head. "Well if fire is key to defeating trolls, and gods forbid we get attacked, a stretched out setup may not be the worst thing. There'll likely be several fires overnight instead of the one central one, may make putting it out harder, and using it easier, eh?" It is a stretch of a silver lining but for the time being he is willing to take it.
The current time is 3:00 PM and the weather is quite clear with a few clouds in the sky.
Anyone can search for kindling and firewood if the plan is to make several fires.
Roll Survival DC 10 to find suitable firewood.
Ixsas discovers an Enchantment on Toren centered on his mind. There is a hill nearby that Ixsas can hike up to for a better view
Ixsas Please roll Perception.
Zeds will happily stroll through the nearby foliage to gather some kindling and firewood...
Survival: 2
Alas, he likely gets distracted by squirrels.
Survival: 10
Serge collects a bit of kindling and firewood from the surrounding terrain and shares it with wagons up and down the line. He encourages the travelers to set more, smaller fires rather than just one or two larger, communal fires tonight. He gives them a vague explanation of 'helping the guards see up and down this longer encampment'... he does not mention anything about trolls. There's no reason to get people excited, considering they may still get lucky and pass through these hills without attracting such unwanted attention.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Perception 25 (in game log)
Ixsas sees the hills of the Trollclaws revealed before him and you glimpse off in the distance the reflective waters of the Winding water river. Along the riverbank there you see some the ruined rooftops of a village. Ixsas knows that attempts to settle here has ended in disaster.
The trail the caravan is on will pass by the ruined village.
Tomorrow the caravan will need to cross the river as there is no bridge.
survival18
Krackle exits his carriage and gives Jr. a snack. After listening to the story told by serge, The kobold looks a bit nervous. "Yeah, i can keep lookout for a bit" He replies to serge with a small smile. He tightens the strap on his bag that contains his dragon egg and whispers a few reassuring words to the dragon within before climbing on top of his carriage. Once on top of his carriage and out of sight from the rest of the carrivan, He opens his bag and removes the egg for a bit, thoroughly inspecting it and washing it down before placing it back into his bag with wet amd warm pieces of cloth so that it says warm and damp. After the egg is hidden. once more he continues to keep an eye out until some of the others return. then he heads out to look for firewood to bring back to the group if any is still needed...
Krackle does indeed find more decent firewood. The unhatched dragon surely appreciated Krackle's care if it were aware of Krackle.
The afternoon is rather peaceful, and after a couple of hours it is nightfall.
Several small fires are made, and everyone settles down for the night. Toren tosses and turn on his bedroll as he is still sleeping. Bay hitches all the oxen and horses to a nearby tree.
Malfa cooks up some baked beans and steak.
Yara Ironforge the dwarf approaches the party "Why are there several fires? It may be autumn, but it is not so cold yet that we need so many fires"
Zeds smiles and shrugs a bit at Yara. "The night is dark and too full of the unknown," he says softly. "We're not expecting trouble but after recent events it is best we not NOT prepare for it, right? We could set up lanterns around to provide better visibility but firewood was available and free, unlike oil for the lamps..."
(OOC: Catching up...)
Ixsas is in a better mood today, perhaps because of the story that Serge told. Or maybe just because the undead thrall and its red-robed master have left the caravan. (Ixsas would have preferred destroyed the thing with fire, but at least he no longer has to tolerate its presence.) Or perhaps it's just the nice, clear whether after the dreary days crossing the Fields of the Dead.
Ixsas helps to gather firewood. Survival 17 (in game log) Then he goes up the craggy hilltop and relieves Krackle and keep lookout for a while. He jokes, "Didn't see any trolls did you?" But then says encouragingly, "If there are still trolls in these hills, at least it sounds like they are susceptible to fire! Not like those unquiet spirits of flame we fought two nights ago. Between the two of us, I think that we bring a lot of fire power to a fight."
When he comes down from the lookout at dusk, Ixsas shares this information with his companions. He takes Serge, who seems the most "responsible" of the group, with him to confirm that this is the path that Faelsin plans to take and to ask whether Faelsin has taken this particular road before?
Did Faelsin know that they would pass the abandoned village? Did he expect there to be a bridge over the river? Or does he know of a ford where the wagons can cross the Winding Water?
Ixsas also points out to Yara what Serge said before: "The caravan cannot circle up here. One big fire cannot light up the whole line, so we tend multiple fires tonight and pray that the Lord of Flames wards away anything that would trouble the caravan in the dark."
Ixsas shares with the others that he saw some magic at work on Toren's mind. He's curious whether Serge and Krackle think that he should attempt to break the spell. He says, "For all I know, the magic offers some sort of protection against whatever troubles him, but I fear that the red-robed man, or maybe even this dragon cult we follow, may have put some sort of enchantment on Toren. But even then, I don't know whether my faith is strong enough to break this kind of enchantment."
If they think that Ixsas should try to break the spell that Toren is under, he would like to talk to Bay and try that now, before they set a watch and everyone else goes to sleep.
Yara has a worried expression "Well all of you have done right by us so I will trust your judgement." He heads back to his wife.
Let me know if anyone wants to do something before watch shifts start. I will assume the same watch order as last time.
Once done with any preparations or breaking of any enchantments, please roll Perception.
"Have you approached Toren about what is affecting his mind?" Zeds asks, cutting to what he thinks the most obvious approach. "Perhaps they themselves, or those close to them if they seem not of their own mind, should be the ones to decide if you try to break the effect or not?"
(No special prep needed for Zeds.)
Serge goes along with Ixsas, though he suspects he already knows the answer. This path, and the previous settlement attempts here, likely point to this being the last only fordable spot along the river in this area. Still, it would be good to confirm that is the plan for the morrow. Serge can then take some time during his watch tonight to strategize on how to get the caravan across while putting themselves and their charges at minimal risk.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War