"I- I- I" A wave of fear crashed on him when Ichep leaned forward as his gaze went all across the room. Balen was caught off guard with that. He felt like he was one foot in his persona and one foot in his own body. 'Did he know me? From somewhere else?' He knew it wasn't that Ichep figured him out. No, it felt too sincere. 'Did I ever use this elf-boy before?' His mind spiraled as he tried to grasp at memories that weren't really there. He'd been around too much and too long and had a whole notebook filled activities he barely had any recollection of. Was it in another time and another place where he met this very same tiefling? The very same that he was adventuring with now? He hadn't had time to read the whole journal this morning- could it be...? His fears diminished when Ichep quelled the situation himself. Crisis over.
But once the initial surprise subsided, what replaced it was anger and disdain. "No, no. Of c-course n-not." He turned away from the tiefling's gaze as he felt himself gritting his teeth and his hand shook and yearned for his dagger. Instead, he pushed his fingernails down across his skin to divert his mind elsewhere. He didn't like surprises. Whenever it happened instinct was always 'fight.' He didn't like it, but that's what always surfaced. He didn't know why he was like this and struggled to regain control of his own darn emotions, a feat much harder when you're trying to be someone else. He wondered if they noticed.
"Sorry I, uh, forgot to introduce myself. My name's Archie." He took a deep breathe to regain composure. He didn't know how long he was going with this character and felt like it was too played out, like he dug himself into a hole and couldn't get out. 'I WOULD actually like to dig myself a hole and jump in it.' He quipped back at his own thoughts. 'Like to hide away forever.' Ughhh he hated this and didn't know what to do. How many times in your life do you get caught up into something so washed up that you don't know how to get out of it? 'A lot actually.'
He followed along with the offer of the money and forked over his money. He didn't care if he was broke. Better than being all cozy-wozy in some stupid manor with some stupid baron that he could care less about. At the lion's share comment, he gave a Ichep a genuine thank you, thinking back and feeling bad about the money he lost them earlier. "Yes, yes. I suppose. I'll come with. That would be very helpful. Thanks." Balen felt his own voice feel deflated. He didn't want to give up this disguise just yet, no, not until he go out of this town. From the speed of rumors, there was eyes all over. Too many for his liking. He did not want to change back until he got out of town into the wilderness. He felt bad for deceiving his own friends, but he didn't know how to handle it now. Notoriety was fun, but only for a little while. Especially, not in your true form...
((OOC: sorry I had no idea how to end this post but uh yeah he followed them wherever they went along but will change out of this disguise later?))
"Thank you, Archie," says Rinn, though still suspicious, "Though...one has to wonder...who exactly are you?" He is looking at this disguised Balen, curious, wondering who he is, why he's offering to chip in for the map, and why he's coming with them. It's...odd, to say the least. While he's usually more than happy to accept help, this all smells more fishy than the dead kuo-toa. Rachael sniffs at the changeling, suspicious herself, wondering why he smells so familiar. Rinn is going to have to interrogate this "Archie" a bit after they're out of here.
The elf thinks that all of this is probably confusing (or even suspicious) to Archibald, and Rinn looks to the librarian, trying to keep everything cordial with him. "Apologies. My companion has quite the social web. He seems to be able to find acquaintances everywhere," Rinn says, "To go back to the point of the map, I think we shall all chip in for the map and continue our discussion elsewhere. After all, silence is golden, especially in a library. Your tomes and scrolls deserve quiet reverence and study, not our loud speculations from where faces are known."
He starts to pay his share of the gold to the shopkeep, hoping that Archibald forgives the small scene as he looks towards the others. Rachael continues to eye Balen from behind her master's leg, not exactly trusting him, though supposing that they need the money for the map. Even she knows that a map would be most beneficial if they're going to venture out into the wilderness.
"Just... a traveler..." He eyed the professor while answering. He didn't feel comfortable revealing himself here. Not just yet. He just nodded along to everything Rinn had said as they exited the library.
But the tressym... 'It's looking at me...' was all he kept thinking. He knew that she knew and somehow the fact that it was the animal and not the other two people was the thing that made him the most uncomfortable. "Hey little fella~" He tried to coo at it. He actually didn't know the gender and just assumed.
He took a deep inhale as they went walking back to the inn. Why would they even let a stranger into their room with them? That would just be plain weird. He did pay for the room. So technically he did have the right to just barge on in there. But not this form. 'Archie' hadn't paid. He wanted to just keep the disguise for the town, but what good with that do right now. The heat of the tension from that morning still weighed on his back, but it was time now to come clean. To face the music. To let the cat of out of the bag, so to speak. Whatever is the thing that people say. Idioms were so silly.
"Hey... guys..." He let his voice slip. He looked around from side to side just to make sure no townspeople were nearby. Geez, he was really hating this town. Too many people. "It's Balen. Yeah, uh, Archie's not a real guy..." That sounded weird. Very third-person. He rustled for something in his bag and then took out his journal, literally the only thing that he felt held him all together. It's significance weighed heavy on him for a second before he continued. "I don't trust this town. 'specially not that baron." He grumbled, looking away. "That's why I'm like this."
"You heard about the goblins and the spirit, right?" Balen motioned with his head towards 'back there' in the library. He dreaded thinking about what they might be thinking about him so he hurried quick to make the conservation about what they might be up against next. "'Wanna show him what's what." He envisioned his dagger and laughed (a bit awkwardly. His mind kept wondering about what they were thinking), "Looks like without us he's about to have a goblin problem. I wanna just let him handle it."
He looked over at them, before changing his mind quickly, "Yeah, no, we'll handle it. Better than him. We'll see next time who's going to be looking down whose noses soon..." He felt like he ended that sentence too menacingly, but didn't care. His mind was set. He hated that baron.
OOC - Took a bit to parse that last statement from Balen as meaning to be meant to be referring to the Baron and not Archibald, the librarian...and I was insanely confused.
Rachael gives Balen an haughty look, she rather not fond of his games, but knows better than to hiss, and instead just ignoring him as she follows the elf mage. Rinn says, "You're rather good with your powers...I'm impressed in that regard. Though, personally, Balen, it would be best to use your abilities in a manner that is befitting of said abilities. Not everyone is needing to be deceived...and if you think that, one must wonder if you're actually just deceiving yourself?" He meant it to be a means to settle that matter, though also to be a metaphorical knock to Balen's head.
Changing the subject, he says, "I had not heard of these matters until you just mentioned them." He nods a bit in approval towards the rogue and says, "And this is an example of a good use of your skills, Balen. I think everyone would like to hear what you've learned, and figure out our next steps. I'm personally running low on coin, so staying in town is not an option. If what you seem to be suggesting is true about goblins, I think we should try to figure out what they are up to. I would rather not have Havenford under a goblin's boot, even if its Baron is rather contemptible."
"Also," finishes Rinn, "best not try to pet Rachael without permission. She's very particular about who she lets pet her, and she's not exactly in the best mood about your games. However, given time and patience, you can regain her trust."
Balen felt a bit stopped in his tracks when Rinn said this. That honestly caught him off guard. He expected something worse to come out of the wizard's mouth. A reprimand. A warning. A beating. Something- something- He saw his captain's old grizzled face blaring in his mind like an five-alarm fire and felt his body begin to tense up before he tried to shake it out of his thoughts. 'You're not there anymore' He tried to remind himself.
"Good with my powers?" He repeated. He didn't think of it much like powers, just part of himself. Just something he did. Something that others liked out of him. At least while on the ship. It was complicated. Sometimes. No, but he liked it. Having the face of anyone and everything was no small feat and it brought up a lit bit pride when Rinn said that. It was the 'not everyone needs to be deceived part' that weighed heavy on him the most. He didn't like that one bit. Not the 'insult,' but the deception. It felt against his nature. Against him. But... he supposed it was true. The changeling's hands felt clammy and he didn't know what to make of the elf's offer. Everything felt blurry. "Thanks... I'll- I'll think about it." He squinted, yeah he might actually have to think about it.
"That's mostly what I know about the goblins. Heard 'bout them from rumors around town. They do that here A LOT. The people... man. They talk." He nodded at the fact that Rinn was on his side and then furrowed his eyebrows at the mention of the baron.
At the mention of Rachael he actually was about to reach down to pet her before reeling his hand back in, "Oh... Okay." He hoped he could gain back her trust some day.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
<---- me irl slow reader, even slower writer easily jumpy thanks for being patient
DM: Drakkenheim Mind and Matter + Blood Secrets + What's in the Here and Now;
"Such is the nature of small towns," says the elf wizard, "everyone knows everyone, and thus word spreads fast. Plus, with the location of Havenford, I expect there to be many rumors about ghosts, goblins, and other monsters lurking out in the wilderness. The fact that you picked up such rumors is fortunate; they're the lifeblood of adventurers like ourselves. Let's meet back up with the others and discuss all this."
Rinn leads the group of Ichep, Balen, and himself back to the tavern to meeting with Toadstool and Yaudara. Hopefully over some drinks and warm food, they can agree on what their next moves are.
On that last point, Rinn is very much hoping that the party agrees to continue their little partnership. While it is a bit dysfunctional, he thinks that it's best for them to stay in a group for a while.
Ichep had not understood why Rinn had apologised on his behalf. If the man had wished for silence in his library, he would have demanded it. The tiefling did not care for the unspoken wishes of people. He was no mind reader. This town was so remote, its travellers hailed from so many different places and cultures, not to mention different races, that it was absurd to assume everyone knew the societal code of how to behave where. He remembered fondly back to the Great Library of Fallen Sand. A place just as filled with discussion and debates as it was with books and scrolls. Knowledge after all resided in people too. In these colder climates he had found scholars of all kinds to be reclusive and very silence loving while they build tombs of books around themselves.
Ichep had been uncharacteristically silent during their walk back to the inn for he did not want to draw the ire of Rachael towards himself. There were things he did not agree with and he was bad at keeping his opinions to himself so he quite literally bit his tongue.
When they entered the inn, Toadstool greeted them with presents. „Oh thank you. What exactly are the contents-“ He rephrased: „What danger? What dangers do they help against?“ „One time you talked about your home. Is your home near? Do you know these lands? We bought a map and heard some tales - or rather Balen did.“ Ichep shares with the group what little he knows about the goblins and the Abbey. „I would love to check out the Abbey, honestly, but Goblins are propably more fit to our strength. The sheer number they appear in worries me though.“
"Corruption is the danger. Don't want any of you, any of you to die. This potion heals your wounds, your, your injuries. One of us died, need to be sure"
OOC: I have 3 healing potions and 1 antitoxin. Everyone who wants any of that can take something.
EDIT: Now I have 2 healing potions. @Kisarali you can add 1 to your inventory!
"My home is near, yes, very near. Near to Goblins also. Goblins are good for trade, but not very scary, they are very very small, tiny even. I know the lands"
"I'm interested in the plight of the Abbey, also," Yaudara adds, "but I agree that the goblins may be the wiser first move. Let's head that way tomorrow."
He'll hold up a hand at the offer of a potion, producing his own from his pack. "Thank you, good Toadstool, but I have one of my own. I'll let you distribute those among the rest of the party."
„Oh, me dying would be quite alright. It could come in handy when one of you is hurt though. I am... reluctant to use my own magic for healing.“ Ichep takes one of the healing potions.
„To the hordes of goblin then and away from my warm and comfortable bed. Oh well. World isn't gonna safe itself I suppose.“
OOC: Added 1 healing potion to my inventory at Migs' request.
„Oh, me dying would be quite alright. It could come in handy when one of you is hurt though. I am... reluctant to use my own magic for healing.“ Ichep takes one of the healing potions.
„To the hordes of goblin then and away from my warm and comfortable bed. Oh well. World isn't gonna safe itself I suppose.“
OOC: I subtracted 1 potion from my inventory. You can add 1.
As dawn broke over Havenford, the heroes departed southward, leaving behind the comforts of civilization. The grasslands south of the town gave way to wetlands dotted with trees. By midday, dark clouds had gathered and a light rain had begun to fall. Undeterred, they pressed on, the rain intensifying as they journeyed deeper into the wetlands. The ground beneath their feet was sodden and slick with mud.
As the heroes ventured deeper into the dense, murky wetlands, the air thickened with humidity and the cacophony of chirping insects. Tall cypress trees with gnarled roots rose from the murky waters. Large pools of water could be seen, and finding a dry path through the area became a nearly impossible task.
The faint croaking of frogs could be heard, accompanied by occasional splashes as unseen creatures darted among and between the roots of the cypress trees. A quick glance revealed nothing save for ripples on the murky surface of nearby pools. The heroes pressed on, their boots sank with a squelching sound into the soggy ground with each step.
Suddenly, a chorus of guttural croaks broke through the ambient noise, signaling the presence of something nearby! Emerging from the undergrowth, a group of four hunched frog-men came into view. They stood, spears in hand, bulbous eyes fixated on the heroes. Their skin was a mottled green that blended seamlessly with the surrounding foliage. Their bodies were covered in slimy, warty bumps, and they had long limbs ending in webbed hands and feet, perfect for navigating the watery terrain. Bulbous yellow eyes, set atop a wide, frog-like faces, surveyed the adventurers with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Among them, a massive toad, saddled and laden with crates, sacks, and hundreds of other personal items was being ridden by a fifth frogman. The toad was easily the size of a small cottage. Its warty skin glistened with moisture, and its eyes gleamed with a primal hunger as it surveyed the adventurers.
OOC — The group traveled just about thirty miles and it is almost time to set camp for the evening. Toadstool successfully navigated, and RInn successfully foraged for food and water. The two groups are about 80' distant from one another. There is a lot of vegetation in the area that provides cover as well as pools of hip-deep water that will count as difficult terrain.
Yaudara will ready his yklwa, but look to Toadstool for a signal. If he's not in the same group, he'll cautiously head toward them. "We must be wary, but do not provoke them needlessly."
Before leaving on the trek, Rinn happily accepts the offer of a health potion from the friendly Toadstool. He's well aware that, his ability to withstand damage is largely nonexistent. However, despite the fragility, he is looking forward to their adventures in the wilderness.
OOC - I'll add a potion, if that's fine with Toads.
Rinn is ready to react if necessary, though he whispers, "Perhaps it would be best for us to leave them be. If they don't bother us, we don't bother them...the wilderness is big enough for both groups, no?"
Toadstool as a man (orc) of nature, knows how to approach and not look aggressive (even knowing his massive form).
He makes small steps forward with outstretched hand. When he gets a bit closer he summons 10 Goodberry in his hand. After that he just stands with an outstretched hand about half way between the groups. He also crouches to one knee to look a little bit smaller.
"I- I- I" A wave of fear crashed on him when Ichep leaned forward as his gaze went all across the room. Balen was caught off guard with that. He felt like he was one foot in his persona and one foot in his own body. 'Did he know me? From somewhere else?' He knew it wasn't that Ichep figured him out. No, it felt too sincere. 'Did I ever use this elf-boy before?' His mind spiraled as he tried to grasp at memories that weren't really there. He'd been around too much and too long and had a whole notebook filled activities he barely had any recollection of. Was it in another time and another place where he met this very same tiefling? The very same that he was adventuring with now? He hadn't had time to read the whole journal this morning- could it be...? His fears diminished when Ichep quelled the situation himself. Crisis over.
But once the initial surprise subsided, what replaced it was anger and disdain. "No, no. Of c-course n-not." He turned away from the tiefling's gaze as he felt himself gritting his teeth and his hand shook and yearned for his dagger. Instead, he pushed his fingernails down across his skin to divert his mind elsewhere. He didn't like surprises. Whenever it happened instinct was always 'fight.' He didn't like it, but that's what always surfaced. He didn't know why he was like this and struggled to regain control of his own darn emotions, a feat much harder when you're trying to be someone else. He wondered if they noticed.
"Sorry I, uh, forgot to introduce myself. My name's Archie." He took a deep breathe to regain composure. He didn't know how long he was going with this character and felt like it was too played out, like he dug himself into a hole and couldn't get out. 'I WOULD actually like to dig myself a hole and jump in it.' He quipped back at his own thoughts. 'Like to hide away forever.' Ughhh he hated this and didn't know what to do. How many times in your life do you get caught up into something so washed up that you don't know how to get out of it? 'A lot actually.'
He followed along with the offer of the money and forked over his money. He didn't care if he was broke. Better than being all cozy-wozy in some stupid manor with some stupid baron that he could care less about. At the lion's share comment, he gave a Ichep a genuine thank you, thinking back and feeling bad about the money he lost them earlier. "Yes, yes. I suppose. I'll come with. That would be very helpful. Thanks." Balen felt his own voice feel deflated. He didn't want to give up this disguise just yet, no, not until he go out of this town. From the speed of rumors, there was eyes all over. Too many for his liking. He did not want to change back until he got out of town into the wilderness. He felt bad for deceiving his own friends, but he didn't know how to handle it now. Notoriety was fun, but only for a little while. Especially, not in your true form...
((OOC: sorry I had no idea how to end this post but uh yeah he followed them wherever they went along but will change out of this disguise later?))
<---- me irl slow reader, even slower writer easily jumpy thanks for being patient
DM: Drakkenheim Mind and Matter + Blood Secrets + What's in the Here and Now;
Player: Dragonlance
"Thank you, Archie," says Rinn, though still suspicious, "Though...one has to wonder...who exactly are you?" He is looking at this disguised Balen, curious, wondering who he is, why he's offering to chip in for the map, and why he's coming with them. It's...odd, to say the least. While he's usually more than happy to accept help, this all smells more fishy than the dead kuo-toa. Rachael sniffs at the changeling, suspicious herself, wondering why he smells so familiar. Rinn is going to have to interrogate this "Archie" a bit after they're out of here.
The elf thinks that all of this is probably confusing (or even suspicious) to Archibald, and Rinn looks to the librarian, trying to keep everything cordial with him. "Apologies. My companion has quite the social web. He seems to be able to find acquaintances everywhere," Rinn says, "To go back to the point of the map, I think we shall all chip in for the map and continue our discussion elsewhere. After all, silence is golden, especially in a library. Your tomes and scrolls deserve quiet reverence and study, not our loud speculations from where faces are known."
He starts to pay his share of the gold to the shopkeep, hoping that Archibald forgives the small scene as he looks towards the others. Rachael continues to eye Balen from behind her master's leg, not exactly trusting him, though supposing that they need the money for the map. Even she knows that a map would be most beneficial if they're going to venture out into the wilderness.
"Just... a traveler..." He eyed the professor while answering. He didn't feel comfortable revealing himself here. Not just yet. He just nodded along to everything Rinn had said as they exited the library.
But the tressym... 'It's looking at me...' was all he kept thinking. He knew that she knew and somehow the fact that it was the animal and not the other two people was the thing that made him the most uncomfortable. "Hey little fella~" He tried to coo at it. He actually didn't know the gender and just assumed.
He took a deep inhale as they went walking back to the inn. Why would they even let a stranger into their room with them? That would just be plain weird. He did pay for the room. So technically he did have the right to just barge on in there. But not this form. 'Archie' hadn't paid. He wanted to just keep the disguise for the town, but what good with that do right now. The heat of the tension from that morning still weighed on his back, but it was time now to come clean. To face the music. To let the cat of out of the bag, so to speak. Whatever is the thing that people say. Idioms were so silly.
"Hey... guys..." He let his voice slip. He looked around from side to side just to make sure no townspeople were nearby. Geez, he was really hating this town. Too many people. "It's Balen. Yeah, uh, Archie's not a real guy..." That sounded weird. Very third-person. He rustled for something in his bag and then took out his journal, literally the only thing that he felt held him all together. It's significance weighed heavy on him for a second before he continued. "I don't trust this town. 'specially not that baron." He grumbled, looking away. "That's why I'm like this."
"You heard about the goblins and the spirit, right?" Balen motioned with his head towards 'back there' in the library. He dreaded thinking about what they might be thinking about him so he hurried quick to make the conservation about what they might be up against next. "'Wanna show him what's what." He envisioned his dagger and laughed (a bit awkwardly. His mind kept wondering about what they were thinking), "Looks like without us he's about to have a goblin problem. I wanna just let him handle it."
He looked over at them, before changing his mind quickly, "Yeah, no, we'll handle it. Better than him. We'll see next time who's going to be looking down whose noses soon..." He felt like he ended that sentence too menacingly, but didn't care. His mind was set. He hated that baron.
<---- me irl slow reader, even slower writer easily jumpy thanks for being patient
DM: Drakkenheim Mind and Matter + Blood Secrets + What's in the Here and Now;
Player: Dragonlance
OOC - Took a bit to parse that last statement from Balen as meaning to be meant to be referring to the Baron and not Archibald, the librarian...and I was insanely confused.
Rachael gives Balen an haughty look, she rather not fond of his games, but knows better than to hiss, and instead just ignoring him as she follows the elf mage. Rinn says, "You're rather good with your powers...I'm impressed in that regard. Though, personally, Balen, it would be best to use your abilities in a manner that is befitting of said abilities. Not everyone is needing to be deceived...and if you think that, one must wonder if you're actually just deceiving yourself?" He meant it to be a means to settle that matter, though also to be a metaphorical knock to Balen's head.
Changing the subject, he says, "I had not heard of these matters until you just mentioned them." He nods a bit in approval towards the rogue and says, "And this is an example of a good use of your skills, Balen. I think everyone would like to hear what you've learned, and figure out our next steps. I'm personally running low on coin, so staying in town is not an option. If what you seem to be suggesting is true about goblins, I think we should try to figure out what they are up to. I would rather not have Havenford under a goblin's boot, even if its Baron is rather contemptible."
"Also," finishes Rinn, "best not try to pet Rachael without permission. She's very particular about who she lets pet her, and she's not exactly in the best mood about your games. However, given time and patience, you can regain her trust."
Balen felt a bit stopped in his tracks when Rinn said this. That honestly caught him off guard. He expected something worse to come out of the wizard's mouth. A reprimand. A warning. A beating. Something- something- He saw his captain's old grizzled face blaring in his mind like an five-alarm fire and felt his body begin to tense up before he tried to shake it out of his thoughts. 'You're not there anymore' He tried to remind himself.
"Good with my powers?" He repeated. He didn't think of it much like powers, just part of himself. Just something he did. Something that others liked out of him. At least while on the ship. It was complicated. Sometimes. No, but he liked it. Having the face of anyone and everything was no small feat and it brought up a lit bit pride when Rinn said that. It was the 'not everyone needs to be deceived part' that weighed heavy on him the most. He didn't like that one bit. Not the 'insult,' but the deception. It felt against his nature. Against him. But... he supposed it was true. The changeling's hands felt clammy and he didn't know what to make of the elf's offer. Everything felt blurry. "Thanks... I'll- I'll think about it." He squinted, yeah he might actually have to think about it.
"That's mostly what I know about the goblins. Heard 'bout them from rumors around town. They do that here A LOT. The people... man. They talk." He nodded at the fact that Rinn was on his side and then furrowed his eyebrows at the mention of the baron.
At the mention of Rachael he actually was about to reach down to pet her before reeling his hand back in, "Oh... Okay." He hoped he could gain back her trust some day.
<---- me irl slow reader, even slower writer easily jumpy thanks for being patient
DM: Drakkenheim Mind and Matter + Blood Secrets + What's in the Here and Now;
Player: Dragonlance
"Such is the nature of small towns," says the elf wizard, "everyone knows everyone, and thus word spreads fast. Plus, with the location of Havenford, I expect there to be many rumors about ghosts, goblins, and other monsters lurking out in the wilderness. The fact that you picked up such rumors is fortunate; they're the lifeblood of adventurers like ourselves. Let's meet back up with the others and discuss all this."
Rinn leads the group of Ichep, Balen, and himself back to the tavern to meeting with Toadstool and Yaudara. Hopefully over some drinks and warm food, they can agree on what their next moves are.
On that last point, Rinn is very much hoping that the party agrees to continue their little partnership. While it is a bit dysfunctional, he thinks that it's best for them to stay in a group for a while.
When you reach the tavern, you see Toads sitting on the ground by the table.
He is fidgeting potion bottles anxiously. When he sees you all, ha almost drops them, catches them and then lines them up on the table.
"Friends, uuuuh, friends, I, I have gifts, gifts of nature for you all." Points at the bottles. "They are free to take, to take in case of danger"
After that he puts out bag of berries: "Sand buckthorn and cranberries, tart, very tart"
Ichep had not understood why Rinn had apologised on his behalf. If the man had wished for silence in his library, he would have demanded it. The tiefling did not care for the unspoken wishes of people. He was no mind reader. This town was so remote, its travellers hailed from so many different places and cultures, not to mention different races, that it was absurd to assume everyone knew the societal code of how to behave where. He remembered fondly back to the Great Library of Fallen Sand. A place just as filled with discussion and debates as it was with books and scrolls. Knowledge after all resided in people too. In these colder climates he had found scholars of all kinds to be reclusive and very silence loving while they build tombs of books around themselves.
Ichep had been uncharacteristically silent during their walk back to the inn for he did not want to draw the ire of Rachael towards himself. There were things he did not agree with and he was bad at keeping his opinions to himself so he quite literally bit his tongue.
When they entered the inn, Toadstool greeted them with presents. „Oh thank you. What exactly are the contents-“ He rephrased: „What danger? What dangers do they help against?“
„One time you talked about your home. Is your home near? Do you know these lands? We bought a map and heard some tales - or rather Balen did.“ Ichep shares with the group what little he knows about the goblins and the Abbey. „I would love to check out the Abbey, honestly, but Goblins are propably more fit to our strength. The sheer number they appear in worries me though.“
"Corruption is the danger. Don't want any of you, any of you to die. This potion heals your wounds, your, your injuries. One of us died, need to be sure"
OOC: I have 3 healing potions and 1 antitoxin. Everyone who wants any of that can take something.
EDIT: Now I have 2 healing potions. @Kisarali you can add 1 to your inventory!
"My home is near, yes, very near. Near to Goblins also. Goblins are good for trade, but not very scary, they are very very small, tiny even. I know the lands"
"I'm interested in the plight of the Abbey, also," Yaudara adds, "but I agree that the goblins may be the wiser first move. Let's head that way tomorrow."
He'll hold up a hand at the offer of a potion, producing his own from his pack. "Thank you, good Toadstool, but I have one of my own. I'll let you distribute those among the rest of the party."
„Oh, me dying would be quite alright. It could come in handy when one of you is hurt though. I am... reluctant to use my own magic for healing.“ Ichep takes one of the healing potions.
„To the hordes of goblin then and away from my warm and comfortable bed. Oh well. World isn't gonna safe itself I suppose.“
OOC: Added 1 healing potion to my inventory at Migs' request.
OOC: I subtracted 1 potion from my inventory. You can add 1.
The Shadowfang Caverns Expedition, Day 1
As dawn broke over Havenford, the heroes departed southward, leaving behind the comforts of civilization. The grasslands south of the town gave way to wetlands dotted with trees. By midday, dark clouds had gathered and a light rain had begun to fall. Undeterred, they pressed on, the rain intensifying as they journeyed deeper into the wetlands. The ground beneath their feet was sodden and slick with mud.
As the heroes ventured deeper into the dense, murky wetlands, the air thickened with humidity and the cacophony of chirping insects. Tall cypress trees with gnarled roots rose from the murky waters. Large pools of water could be seen, and finding a dry path through the area became a nearly impossible task.
The faint croaking of frogs could be heard, accompanied by occasional splashes as unseen creatures darted among and between the roots of the cypress trees. A quick glance revealed nothing save for ripples on the murky surface of nearby pools. The heroes pressed on, their boots sank with a squelching sound into the soggy ground with each step.
Suddenly, a chorus of guttural croaks broke through the ambient noise, signaling the presence of something nearby! Emerging from the undergrowth, a group of four hunched frog-men came into view. They stood, spears in hand, bulbous eyes fixated on the heroes. Their skin was a mottled green that blended seamlessly with the surrounding foliage. Their bodies were covered in slimy, warty bumps, and they had long limbs ending in webbed hands and feet, perfect for navigating the watery terrain. Bulbous yellow eyes, set atop a wide, frog-like faces, surveyed the adventurers with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Among them, a massive toad, saddled and laden with crates, sacks, and hundreds of other personal items was being ridden by a fifth frogman. The toad was easily the size of a small cottage. Its warty skin glistened with moisture, and its eyes gleamed with a primal hunger as it surveyed the adventurers.
OOC — The group traveled just about thirty miles and it is almost time to set camp for the evening. Toadstool successfully navigated, and RInn successfully foraged for food and water. The two groups are about 80' distant from one another. There is a lot of vegetation in the area that provides cover as well as pools of hip-deep water that will count as difficult terrain.
Toadstool looks at them carefuly to see any movement that could indicate their intentions
OOC: Rolled 8+3 for insight to try to determine their intention.
These frog-men seem just as wary of the group of adventurers as the heroes are of them.
"In the wilderness, living things rarely attack each other, rarely. Balen, they look like traders, yes traders, go say hello"
Yaudara will ready his yklwa, but look to Toadstool for a signal. If he's not in the same group, he'll cautiously head toward them. "We must be wary, but do not provoke them needlessly."
Before leaving on the trek, Rinn happily accepts the offer of a health potion from the friendly Toadstool. He's well aware that, his ability to withstand damage is largely nonexistent. However, despite the fragility, he is looking forward to their adventures in the wilderness.
OOC - I'll add a potion, if that's fine with Toads.
Rinn is ready to react if necessary, though he whispers, "Perhaps it would be best for us to leave them be. If they don't bother us, we don't bother them...the wilderness is big enough for both groups, no?"
The elf wonders who and what these creatures are.
OOC - Nature 8+3= 11
Toadstool as a man (orc) of nature, knows how to approach and not look aggressive (even knowing his massive form).
He makes small steps forward with outstretched hand. When he gets a bit closer he summons 10 Goodberry in his hand. After that he just stands with an outstretched hand about half way between the groups. He also crouches to one knee to look a little bit smaller.
OOC: Persuation 18-1=17