Dahren recognizing the place of recent fire, kneels in front one of the trees and offer some prayer to the nature, hoping new life rises from the ashes.
He gets up towards Dugal and whispers the information about the fire and the likelihood of elven ambush to him.
“Sooner or later my people would come to ambush us, they are insular lot, they don’t like city people and would put blame easy on any of you. I say be wary, I’ll help choosing the place to sleep tomorrow.” He said to Dugal
He then goes to eat with the others guards,
“Name’s Dahren”, he says to anyone still sitting around the campfire. He then sits beside Zzyzyn and takes a ration from his rucksack, which consist of smoked wild boar jerky, and some dried fruit. He takes a bite and offers some dried fruit to the others. ”Want some?”
"I can take the third watch, if you need me to," Riyphou offers when guard duty came up. "How many do you think we should do?" he asks bluntly.
The burly yet youthful man shrugs. "The other caravans I've been in had three or four shifts, but they also had more guards."
He scowls as one of the guards sidesteps the question and instead whips out an instrument. He had a sinking suspicion that the man would only submit to keeping watch if he was coerced into doing it, but Zyzzyn decided not to push the matter any further. No point in trying to force others to do what you want.
With the matter of keeping watch (somewhat) resolved, Zyzzyn finally allowed himself to relax a bit as he took a bowl of food from the cook before plopping down with the other guards and caravanners. He takes a bite of the steaming food, and he lets out a deep breath as its warmth radiated throughout his exhausted body. Nothing quite like a nice, warm meal after a day's work.
Even though he was in the midst of his fellow travelers, he was still apart from them. While they all joked and conversed freely, Zzyzyn just stared at the cheery campfire as he slowly ate his food, his solemn gaze reflecting the dancing firelight in their somber depths. He smiled weakly a few times during a few bouts of laughter from the others, but his mind was too preoccupied with other matters to fully partake in the revelry.
As Dahren moves to sit by him, Zyzzyn scoots over a bit to put some space between him and the elf. While not far enough to be rude, there was just enough distance to convey a sense of wariness on Zyzzyn's part. When Dahren offers the group some dried fruit, Zyzzyn declines with a slight shake of his head. While he appreciated the gesture, Zyzzyn still barely knew the man. Better to stay cautious until he knew that Dahren could fully be trusted.
Realizing that he hadn't really introduced himself to anyone besides the elven man sitting next to him, Zyzzyn speaks up and says, "I'm Zyzzyn." To anyone round the campfire that unfortunately knew Abyssal, they would recognize Zzyzyn's name as an archaic demonic phrase that roughly translated to something like darkness overcoming light. Definitely an odd name to say the least.
Hearing Tyrgram talk about the intricacies of clothes making was enough to get Ovrola to relax throughout the days ride, enough to settle and be seemingly less nervous. She didn't participate much in the conversation, aside from a hesitant interjection here and there, but she did seem less uncomfortable. She startled, at the offer of riding again the next day, but she did not dispute Tyrgram's offer, instead merely smiled hesitantly at the dwarf with a nod.
Dugal, meanwhile, listened to Dah'ren's concerns with a narrowed, gruff gaze. He stroked his beard as he gazed about the camp and said a short, "There are a few good ambush spots along the road if we follow the path. I've had little run in with the elves. How likely are they to attack as we're traveling?" Whatever the answer, Dugal reasserted that it is the job of the guards to protect the caravan from any and all threats as best they are able.
Eventually the evening meals wind down and each member of the caravan settles into their wagons for the night, leaving those guards to keep watch or settle among themselves their own camping situations. Each shift throughout the night is calm and peaceful, not even the sound of distant wolves to disturb the group's overall rest. Morning light dawns in the sky, and with it the caravan as a whole awakens. Dugal is quick to direct about a hot meal for breakfast, before urging the caravan to continue onward.
The path for the day is muddy although the sky is thankfully clear. The caravan passes for a long while up and down small rolling hills without trouble, but eventually the train of wagons comes to a steeper incline, down into a small gully where the remains of an overflowed river pass right across the road. The mud here is thick, and large, mosquito like insects flutter about in the somewhat humid air. Thankfully the mud isn't too hard to get through, although it does slow the caravan down some. The mosquito's are the largest annoyance by far, each member having to smack away the bugs as they seek a nice, warm meal. As annoying as they are, they are not seemingly a threat.
Everyone please roll a Constitution Saving Throw against the lovely bug bites! Also, for those keeping an eye on things, Perception Checks please! Finally, for Dah'ren in regards to Dugal's question, please give me a History Check to determine how likely it is for the Tanglebrier Elves to attack while the caravan is moving. You may have advantage on this roll.
After learning her lesson yesterday that staying hypervigilant all the time is not sustainable, Maxie tones it down a bit today. She's still searching for trouble, but a bit more casually, just scanning occasionally instead of continuously. She's paying attention to the other guards to see what they're doing in regards to keeping alert so that she can try to do the same.
Con save: 20
Perception checK: 18
Maxie does pay attention to those big blood sucking bugs! With her small size, she doesn't have much blood to start with! She use her cantrips to try to keep them away from her, and try to shield the driver of the wagon she's riding on as well. She's either shooting the bugs with a Fire Bolt or sending them away with Mage Hand, depending on what's behind the bug (does not want to start the cart on fire!)
During his shift in the night Riyphou alternates between sitting still and making rounds around the camp site (Perception: 12, if keen smell is triggered: 20). He is prepared to trumpet an alarm in case he sees anything of concern.
Riyphou is used to rely on his thick and hardened skin against little bugs but these ones seem to pierce through it (Constitution save: 10). Batting them with his trunk relentlessly appears to discourage some but not all of the little buggers. All he can do is to help push Sen's wagon through the mud a little faster (can push up to 780lbs), so that they spent the least possible time exposed to the insects.
When the everyone seems ready to call it a night, Zzyzyn assumes his task of keeping watch while the others meet the sweet embrace of sleep. As they night carries on, he feeds the fire occasionally to keep it at a low burn. For most of his watch, he finds himself pacing around the perimeter of the camp at the edge of the firelight, the padded shaft of his maul clutched uneasily in his tight grip. While he did like the outdoors, there was something unsettling about the wilderness at night. The wilds were just... vast. It was hard to explain. Back in Slew, he grew up accustomed always having buildings and other structures always crowding around him, so being out here under the open sky with nothing but trees and shrubs was a bit unnerving.
When his shift comes to an end, he gently wakes up the next person to take watch. Once they're up and about, Zzyzyn finally makes his way over to his sleeping bag, ready to call it a night and get some rest. As he lays upon his back within the warm confines of his well-used sleeping bag, one arm under his head as a makeshift pillow, he watches the stars overhead twinkle and glimmer as he searches for the handful of constellations he knew. Before he could find all of them, sleep overtook him, and he eagerly welcomed its comfortable embrace.
The next day, Zzyzyn finds himself feeling irritable as mosquitos and other bloodthirsty insects plagued the caravan in their slow journey through the muck of a small gulley. These bugs were tenacious little devils! That didn't stop him from swatting away and crushing any bugs that thought they could get a free meal from him. Like Riyphou, Zzyzyn also helps push any cart that needs a little extra help, and he's grateful at least one person amongst the guards had the decency to help out when the others needed it. The whole while, he keeps a wary eye around their surroundings. Now would be the perfect time for an ambush.
Tyrgram laid himself down on the ground. He was wrapped in his blanket and used the softer side of his backpack as a pillow. He had agreed to take the second watch and hoped to get a quick snooze in before his turn came up. After twisting and turning a couple of times to get his sleeping spot just right, he quickly dozed off with a light snore. When he was woken up some time later, he got up a bit grumpy but took up position near the fire. With little else to do Tyrgram pulled out his tinker tools and began the neverending task of mending the little holes in his clothes. They were a handy bunch, the tools, but not as good as the actual weaver tools he was accustomed to. Still, in a pinch they did fine. From his pocket he retrieved a very fine and delicate looking pair of glasses that he pinched on his nose. He did not like wearing them, they made him look old, but they were necessary for some of the finer work.
When his shift ended Tygram stowed away the tools and glasses, stretched his limbs and rose to wake the next person for watch duty. After this he rolled himself back up in his blanket and promptly fell asleep. He dreamed of fireflies that night.
He woke up again for the second time at the break of dawn. He joined the others for whatever passed for breakfast before climbing back onto his self-designated wagon. 'Good morning, miss O-Ovrola.'Tyrgram said as cheerfully he could muster. 'I trust you slept well?'
Much of the following day was filled in much the same manner as the previous day, only Tyrgram switched from talking about clothes to talking about shoes: his other field of expertise.
Constitution Saving Throw: 5
Perception Check: 13
During the night:
While the Feylost (mechanical) background feature is Feywild Connection: Your mannerisms and knowledge of fey customs are recognized by natives of the Feywild, who see you as one of their own. Because of this, friendly Fey creatures are inclined to come to your aid if you are lost or need help in the Feywild. It also has a flavourful ribbon named Feywild Visitor (italics = personal touch): Whenever you’re sound asleep or in a deep trance during a long rest, a spirit of the Feywild might pay you a visit, if the DM wishes it. Determine the spirit’s form by rolling on the Feywild Visitor table. No harm ever comes to you as a result of such visits, which can last for minutes or hours, and you remember each visit when you wake up. Conversations that occur with a visitor can contain any number of things, from messages and insights to nonsense and red herrings, at the DM’s discretion. Such conversations are always conducted in a language you can understand, even if the Feywild visitor can’t speak that language normally. - Awakened creature (a Beast that spins silk that has had the awaken spell cast on it): insects such as moth, butterfly, beetle or arachnid
This could potentially replace or add to the mechanical feature if that one would not come up that much. Of course this is subject to DM approval/usage and I defer to their judgment.
Unused to life in the wilds Zeren had trouble getting to sleep. For all the city of his birth was a miserable place at least the noise there was of civilization as opposed to possibly being creatures that might want to eat you. On the other hand the city had people who'd kill you so maybe it was an even tradeoff. Zeren eventually falls asleep, snoring loudly.
Helping himself to breakfast the next day wonders what else there will be on this trip. He hopes for a peaceful journey, even if he's bored.
When the mosquitoes descend upon the caravan Zeren desperately tries to swat the insects swarming him, even drawing his sword in a futile attempt to ward off the bloodsuckers. In a darker moment he considers covering himself in his traveling companions in the hope they'll act as living shields against the onslaught of bugbites.
"ARGH! I'd rather face a vampire than this swarm!"
“I don’t know about the other clan, but mine prefer to ambush from the trees at night.” He says to Dugal.
In the morning Dah’ren wakes up early and packs his bedroll and backpack before anyone else and started a perimeter run to make sure they aren’t being tailed.
When the caravan goes through the muddy road, Dah’ren helps Raf by pushing the cart when it got stucked in the mud a couple of time, making sure they are not slowing down because of the terrain.
The mosquitos is just second nature for Dah’ren, living in the woods exposed him to bug bites all the time, he practically didn’t notice them. He instead focusing on the surrounding, to the tree-line especially,making sure he’ll move first if he spot any hiding elf. He didn’t want to hurt his people but he had to guard the caravan. In case the worst scenario happened, he needs to jump in front and talk to them before everyone starts shooting.
Tyrgram is visited in his dreams by a not-so-familiar friend. They have a most nonsensical conversation about a story of a shapeshifting goblins sitting upon a pile of gold with a tiny, pearlescent dragon statue. The dragon statue appeared to have a storm brewing inside, and the goblin, who speaks in riddles for some reason, is lamenting the state of gnome-kind in the big cities. They hope, Tyrgram's friend says, that the mother-of-pearl necklace will be in good hands. They don't elaborate further.
Ovrola is welcoming of Tyrgram on her wagon again, although still fairly anxious throughout the trip thus far. She listens, fascinated, as Tyrgram tells her about shoes. Raf is quite happy to have Zeren's help, especially in preventing the wagon from getting stuck in the mud. As is Sen with Riyphou's care to ensuring the wagon moves unhindered.
Zeren, Zzyzzn, Maxie, and Dah'ren see the threat in the trees as the party begins to pull out of the gully. There is movement in the trees, and momentarily a glint of metal. They have a second to warn the caravan of an imminent threat--given the position in the trees and the glint of metal Zeren and Zzyzzn reasonable conclude the threat to be armed with bows and arrows, taking aim upon those at the reigns of the wagons. Tanglebrier Elves.
Please roll your initiative. I will start an encounter in Avrae for those to join if they wish to and posting will go in order of initiative. The wagons in the caravan will move on Initiative 0. Thanks to the perception checks, the party is able to notice the elves before they attack. This spoiler will be edited with turn order once I see all rolls in the discord channel.
ALSO Zeren and Tyrgram are currently beginning to get sick. You will suffer a point of exhaustion after your next long rest, your symptoms -- fever and aches -- will start in 2 days. You can repeat the save after a long rest. You will find you do not recover as well after a long rest.
Maxie calls out a warning, "Archers in the woods!" The warning might be more effective if it wasn't her high squeaky voice calling it out.
Worried about an attack, she casts her one spell for the day at the hidden archers, a sleep spell. She's not quite up for killing people yet...
She puts 26 HP of creatures to sleep within 20 feet of the center of the archers she can see.
OOC: And if they were just watching to make sure we didn't hurt the forest, she might have just provoked an attack... Which isn't as bad as if she had used a damaging spell. And I just realized that if those are elves, the spell will do nothing! Well, Maxie doesn't know that...
The glint of an arrow was seen as soon as Maxie's spell was cast, hurtling true towards Kin with the cart filled with random magical supplies, papers, spell components in preservation jars. She let out a cry of surprise, nearly letting go of the reigns of her own wagon as she reached a hand shakily toward her side where an arrow pierced her. Zzyzzn had stored his pack with her the day before. She seems unwell, skin going pale from the shot. There is some shuffling in the trees as the elf moves.
A second arrow pierces through Sen's face, the wagon Riyphou had primarily stayed closest to. The horses are very visibly startled as their reigns go slack, and Sen's body slips to the side, nearly tumbling off of the seat of the wagon itself. Panic quickly sets in, and if not calmed or controlled, the caravan will quickly end up with a runaway wagon.
“Stop! Brothers! These are not the ones who burn your forest!” Dah’ren screams on top of his lung towards the elves.
“Put down your bow and we’ll leave you in peace!” He continues after climbing up Raf’s wagon to be clearly seen by them then draws his own bow and arrow, readying to strike at his kin if they don’t stop the assault.
Riyphou's heart pounded as he saw Sen's body slump, the one wagon rider that he chose to guard already dead on the first day after they left. What a thorough disappointment. The draft horses, sensing the chaos, began to rear and whinny, their reins going slack. Riyphou's mind raced, his initial concern for Sen's life mingling with the urgent need to control the panicked horses. He rushed forward, his massive form moving with surprising speed. Reaching out, he quickly grabbed the Healer's Kit that he had been carrying on him, removing the protruding arrow and fixing a field bandage to stop the bleeding and to stabilize Sen's dying form.
With Sen's breathing steadying, Riyphou turned his attention to the horses. He grabbed the slackened reins with his trunk (Free object interaction, Animal Handling: 22), his voice a deep, calming rumble. "Easy, there," he soothed, his tone resonating with the innate connection he felt to all living things. Do the horses respond to his calm authority and is their panic slowly subsiding? He can only hope.
Riyphou's eyes dart around, assessing the situation. His first charge in guard duty had nearly ended in disaster, but with Sen stabilized and Dah’ren tries to pacify his siblings, he felt a surge of determination. This journey was proving to be as perilous as it was enlightening, and he was resolved to see it through, come what may.
Zzyzyn notices the movement amongst he boughs of the tree a moment too late, and he’s about to raise a shout of alarm when an arrow suddenly zips through the air and slams into Kin with a dull thud. Alarmed, he pulls out his shield and mace and moves to stand protectively in front of the injured woman, ready to block the next arrow with either his shield or body if needs be. He was not going to let someone die on his watch.
Muscles tensed and ready to spring into action, Zzyzyn calls over his shoulder, “Are you ok?” His eyes don’t leave the trees as he asks the question, remaining steadfast in his tense vigilance.
After being stung by mosquitoes the entire trip, or perhaps one very persistent mosquito, Tyrgram welcomed the change to perchance be stung by arrows. It was a pity that he could not properly see or get to the enemies, else he would be out there giving them a piece of his mind.
'Stay low, miss O-Ovrola!'He told his driving companion. Tyrgram took his battleaxe and angled it so he could still look around while the head covered his face. He braced himself for any incoming attack.
"I-I'm fine!" Kin said back to Zzyzzn as she firmed her grip on the reigns. She kept herself low, and Zzyzzn between her and the arrows coming from the trees with a grimace. Meanwhile Riyphou is able to stabilize Sen enough to provide some form of treatment once they are out of danger, and then calms the started horses enough to prevent a runaway wagon from the caravan. They still aren't out of danger, as the glint of an arrow is easily seen from the trees.
The arrow looses and flies from the treas, toward Tyrgram and Ovrola, but with Tyrgram's quick thinking Ovrola ducked low in time to miss the shot of the arrow. She is clearly terrified as she huddles down low. There is a quick set of flurry throughout the whole caravan as Dugal yells for everyone to pick up the pace and move, quickly. Findal himself suddenly spawns into threes on his wagon with a quick, arcane enchant followed by a sharp gesture before he, too, grips his reigns and tries to move, fast.
The caravan as a whole begins to move forward, getting as quickly away from the danger as they can. In the trees the party can see glimpses of the elves in the trees preparing to move from branch to branch to follow the caravan, bows at the ready.
The caravan moves 40 feet away, putting the elves about 70 feet away from the party, currently.
“You give me no choice brothers!” Dah’ren shouts at the elves.
He releases his arrow aimed at the latest one targeting Ovrola. The shot is true, hitting the elf right in the shoulder. He didn’t want to hurt his kin, but he is honor-bound to protect the caravan. He won’t let their misplaced anger lands on an innocent victim.
Longbow: Attack 24, Damage 7
“Stop this pursuit, brothers, these people are not your enemy!” He shout once more, hoping the elves did not give chase.
Seeing the driver of the wagon she was riding on shot and almost killed, Maxie hardens her resolve and launches a Fire Bolt in response at one of the archers.
Two more arrows fly from the trees, even as there is a distant yell of frustration as fire vanishes into the canopy, hitting one elf. The arrow loosed by Dah'ren hits another. The two arrows in retaliation thud harmlessly into the wood of the wagons. Between the movement and the injuries the aim from the elves in the branches has, momentarily, gone off.
Dahren recognizing the place of recent fire, kneels in front one of the trees and offer some prayer to the nature, hoping new life rises from the ashes.
He gets up towards Dugal and whispers the information about the fire and the likelihood of elven ambush to him.
“Sooner or later my people would come to ambush us, they are insular lot, they don’t like city people and would put blame easy on any of you. I say be wary, I’ll help choosing the place to sleep tomorrow.” He said to Dugal
He then goes to eat with the others guards,
“Name’s Dahren”, he says to anyone still sitting around the campfire. He then sits beside Zzyzyn and takes a ration from his rucksack, which consist of smoked wild boar jerky, and some dried fruit. He takes a bite and offers some dried fruit to the others. ”Want some?”
The burly yet youthful man shrugs. "The other caravans I've been in had three or four shifts, but they also had more guards."
He scowls as one of the guards sidesteps the question and instead whips out an instrument. He had a sinking suspicion that the man would only submit to keeping watch if he was coerced into doing it, but Zyzzyn decided not to push the matter any further. No point in trying to force others to do what you want.
With the matter of keeping watch (somewhat) resolved, Zyzzyn finally allowed himself to relax a bit as he took a bowl of food from the cook before plopping down with the other guards and caravanners. He takes a bite of the steaming food, and he lets out a deep breath as its warmth radiated throughout his exhausted body. Nothing quite like a nice, warm meal after a day's work.
Even though he was in the midst of his fellow travelers, he was still apart from them. While they all joked and conversed freely, Zzyzyn just stared at the cheery campfire as he slowly ate his food, his solemn gaze reflecting the dancing firelight in their somber depths. He smiled weakly a few times during a few bouts of laughter from the others, but his mind was too preoccupied with other matters to fully partake in the revelry.
As Dahren moves to sit by him, Zyzzyn scoots over a bit to put some space between him and the elf. While not far enough to be rude, there was just enough distance to convey a sense of wariness on Zyzzyn's part. When Dahren offers the group some dried fruit, Zyzzyn declines with a slight shake of his head. While he appreciated the gesture, Zyzzyn still barely knew the man. Better to stay cautious until he knew that Dahren could fully be trusted.
Realizing that he hadn't really introduced himself to anyone besides the elven man sitting next to him, Zyzzyn speaks up and says, "I'm Zyzzyn." To anyone round the campfire that unfortunately knew Abyssal, they would recognize Zzyzyn's name as an archaic demonic phrase that roughly translated to something like darkness overcoming light. Definitely an odd name to say the least.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Hearing Tyrgram talk about the intricacies of clothes making was enough to get Ovrola to relax throughout the days ride, enough to settle and be seemingly less nervous. She didn't participate much in the conversation, aside from a hesitant interjection here and there, but she did seem less uncomfortable. She startled, at the offer of riding again the next day, but she did not dispute Tyrgram's offer, instead merely smiled hesitantly at the dwarf with a nod.
Dugal, meanwhile, listened to Dah'ren's concerns with a narrowed, gruff gaze. He stroked his beard as he gazed about the camp and said a short, "There are a few good ambush spots along the road if we follow the path. I've had little run in with the elves. How likely are they to attack as we're traveling?" Whatever the answer, Dugal reasserted that it is the job of the guards to protect the caravan from any and all threats as best they are able.
Eventually the evening meals wind down and each member of the caravan settles into their wagons for the night, leaving those guards to keep watch or settle among themselves their own camping situations. Each shift throughout the night is calm and peaceful, not even the sound of distant wolves to disturb the group's overall rest. Morning light dawns in the sky, and with it the caravan as a whole awakens. Dugal is quick to direct about a hot meal for breakfast, before urging the caravan to continue onward.
The path for the day is muddy although the sky is thankfully clear. The caravan passes for a long while up and down small rolling hills without trouble, but eventually the train of wagons comes to a steeper incline, down into a small gully where the remains of an overflowed river pass right across the road. The mud here is thick, and large, mosquito like insects flutter about in the somewhat humid air. Thankfully the mud isn't too hard to get through, although it does slow the caravan down some. The mosquito's are the largest annoyance by far, each member having to smack away the bugs as they seek a nice, warm meal. As annoying as they are, they are not seemingly a threat.
Current:
Secrets of the Greenwold - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread
Historic:
Dawning - A Homebrew Campaign - DMTomb of Annihilation - DM
Dragon Heist of Waterdeep - DM
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread
After learning her lesson yesterday that staying hypervigilant all the time is not sustainable, Maxie tones it down a bit today. She's still searching for trouble, but a bit more casually, just scanning occasionally instead of continuously. She's paying attention to the other guards to see what they're doing in regards to keeping alert so that she can try to do the same.
Con save: 20
Perception checK: 18
Maxie does pay attention to those big blood sucking bugs! With her small size, she doesn't have much blood to start with! She use her cantrips to try to keep them away from her, and try to shield the driver of the wagon she's riding on as well. She's either shooting the bugs with a Fire Bolt or sending them away with Mage Hand, depending on what's behind the bug (does not want to start the cart on fire!)
During his shift in the night Riyphou alternates between sitting still and making rounds around the camp site (Perception: 12, if keen smell is triggered: 20). He is prepared to trumpet an alarm in case he sees anything of concern.
Riyphou is used to rely on his thick and hardened skin against little bugs but these ones seem to pierce through it (Constitution save: 10). Batting them with his trunk relentlessly appears to discourage some but not all of the little buggers. All he can do is to help push Sen's wagon through the mud a little faster (can push up to 780lbs), so that they spent the least possible time exposed to the insects.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
When the everyone seems ready to call it a night, Zzyzyn assumes his task of keeping watch while the others meet the sweet embrace of sleep. As they night carries on, he feeds the fire occasionally to keep it at a low burn. For most of his watch, he finds himself pacing around the perimeter of the camp at the edge of the firelight, the padded shaft of his maul clutched uneasily in his tight grip. While he did like the outdoors, there was something unsettling about the wilderness at night. The wilds were just... vast. It was hard to explain. Back in Slew, he grew up accustomed always having buildings and other structures always crowding around him, so being out here under the open sky with nothing but trees and shrubs was a bit unnerving.
When his shift comes to an end, he gently wakes up the next person to take watch. Once they're up and about, Zzyzyn finally makes his way over to his sleeping bag, ready to call it a night and get some rest. As he lays upon his back within the warm confines of his well-used sleeping bag, one arm under his head as a makeshift pillow, he watches the stars overhead twinkle and glimmer as he searches for the handful of constellations he knew. Before he could find all of them, sleep overtook him, and he eagerly welcomed its comfortable embrace.
The next day, Zzyzyn finds himself feeling irritable as mosquitos and other bloodthirsty insects plagued the caravan in their slow journey through the muck of a small gulley. These bugs were tenacious little devils! That didn't stop him from swatting away and crushing any bugs that thought they could get a free meal from him. Like Riyphou, Zzyzyn also helps push any cart that needs a little extra help, and he's grateful at least one person amongst the guards had the decency to help out when the others needed it. The whole while, he keeps a wary eye around their surroundings. Now would be the perfect time for an ambush.
Constitution Saving Throw: 19
Perception Check: 21
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Tyrgram laid himself down on the ground. He was wrapped in his blanket and used the softer side of his backpack as a pillow. He had agreed to take the second watch and hoped to get a quick snooze in before his turn came up. After twisting and turning a couple of times to get his sleeping spot just right, he quickly dozed off with a light snore. When he was woken up some time later, he got up a bit grumpy but took up position near the fire. With little else to do Tyrgram pulled out his tinker tools and began the neverending task of mending the little holes in his clothes. They were a handy bunch, the tools, but not as good as the actual weaver tools he was accustomed to. Still, in a pinch they did fine. From his pocket he retrieved a very fine and delicate looking pair of glasses that he pinched on his nose. He did not like wearing them, they made him look old, but they were necessary for some of the finer work.
When his shift ended Tygram stowed away the tools and glasses, stretched his limbs and rose to wake the next person for watch duty. After this he rolled himself back up in his blanket and promptly fell asleep. He dreamed of fireflies that night.
He woke up again for the second time at the break of dawn. He joined the others for whatever passed for breakfast before climbing back onto his self-designated wagon. 'Good morning, miss O-Ovrola.' Tyrgram said as cheerfully he could muster. 'I trust you slept well?'
Much of the following day was filled in much the same manner as the previous day, only Tyrgram switched from talking about clothes to talking about shoes: his other field of expertise.
Constitution Saving Throw: 5
Perception Check: 13
During the night:
While the Feylost (mechanical) background feature is Feywild Connection:
Your mannerisms and knowledge of fey customs are recognized by natives of the Feywild, who see you as one of their own. Because of this, friendly Fey creatures are inclined to come to your aid if you are lost or need help in the Feywild.
It also has a flavourful ribbon named Feywild Visitor (italics = personal touch):
Whenever you’re sound asleep or in a deep trance during a long rest, a spirit of the Feywild might pay you a visit, if the DM wishes it. Determine the spirit’s form by rolling on the Feywild Visitor table. No harm ever comes to you as a result of such visits, which can last for minutes or hours, and you remember each visit when you wake up. Conversations that occur with a visitor can contain any number of things, from messages and insights to nonsense and red herrings, at the DM’s discretion. Such conversations are always conducted in a language you can understand, even if the Feywild visitor can’t speak that language normally.
- Awakened creature (a Beast that spins silk that has had the awaken spell cast on it): insects such as moth, butterfly, beetle or arachnid
This could potentially replace or add to the mechanical feature if that one would not come up that much. Of course this is subject to DM approval/usage and I defer to their judgment.
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Unused to life in the wilds Zeren had trouble getting to sleep. For all the city of his birth was a miserable place at least the noise there was of civilization as opposed to possibly being creatures that might want to eat you. On the other hand the city had people who'd kill you so maybe it was an even tradeoff. Zeren eventually falls asleep, snoring loudly.
Helping himself to breakfast the next day wonders what else there will be on this trip. He hopes for a peaceful journey, even if he's bored.
When the mosquitoes descend upon the caravan Zeren desperately tries to swat the insects swarming him, even drawing his sword in a futile attempt to ward off the bloodsuckers. In a darker moment he considers covering himself in his traveling companions in the hope they'll act as living shields against the onslaught of bugbites.
"ARGH! I'd rather face a vampire than this swarm!"
Constitution Save = 8
Perception check = 22
History 9
“I don’t know about the other clan, but mine prefer to ambush from the trees at night.” He says to Dugal.
In the morning Dah’ren wakes up early and packs his bedroll and backpack before anyone else and started a perimeter run to make sure they aren’t being tailed.
When the caravan goes through the muddy road, Dah’ren helps Raf by pushing the cart when it got stucked in the mud a couple of time, making sure they are not slowing down because of the terrain.
The mosquitos is just second nature for Dah’ren, living in the woods exposed him to bug bites all the time, he practically didn’t notice them. He instead focusing on the surrounding, to the tree-line especially, making sure he’ll move first if he spot any hiding elf. He didn’t want to hurt his people but he had to guard the caravan. In case the worst scenario happened, he needs to jump in front and talk to them before everyone starts shooting.
Constitution Save: 22
Perception: 16
Tyrgram is visited in his dreams by a not-so-familiar friend. They have a most nonsensical conversation about a story of a shapeshifting goblins sitting upon a pile of gold with a tiny, pearlescent dragon statue. The dragon statue appeared to have a storm brewing inside, and the goblin, who speaks in riddles for some reason, is lamenting the state of gnome-kind in the big cities. They hope, Tyrgram's friend says, that the mother-of-pearl necklace will be in good hands. They don't elaborate further.
Ovrola is welcoming of Tyrgram on her wagon again, although still fairly anxious throughout the trip thus far. She listens, fascinated, as Tyrgram tells her about shoes. Raf is quite happy to have Zeren's help, especially in preventing the wagon from getting stuck in the mud. As is Sen with Riyphou's care to ensuring the wagon moves unhindered.
Zeren, Zzyzzn, Maxie, and Dah'ren see the threat in the trees as the party begins to pull out of the gully. There is movement in the trees, and momentarily a glint of metal. They have a second to warn the caravan of an imminent threat--given the position in the trees and the glint of metal Zeren and Zzyzzn reasonable conclude the threat to be armed with bows and arrows, taking aim upon those at the reigns of the wagons. Tanglebrier Elves.
Please roll your initiative. I will start an encounter in Avrae for those to join if they wish to and posting will go in order of initiative. The wagons in the caravan will move on Initiative 0. Thanks to the perception checks, the party is able to notice the elves before they attack. This spoiler will be edited with turn order once I see all rolls in the discord channel.
ALSO Zeren and Tyrgram are currently beginning to get sick. You will suffer a point of exhaustion after your next long rest, your symptoms -- fever and aches -- will start in 2 days. You can repeat the save after a long rest. You will find you do not recover as well after a long rest.
Current Initiative:
Maxie - 18
Elf 3 - 18
Zeren - 16
Elf 1 - 12
Dah'ren - 11
Riyphou - 11
Zzyzzn - 10
Tyrgram - 9
Elf 2 - 5
Caravan - 0
Current:
Secrets of the Greenwold - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread
Historic:
Dawning - A Homebrew Campaign - DMTomb of Annihilation - DM
Dragon Heist of Waterdeep - DM
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread
Maxie calls out a warning, "Archers in the woods!" The warning might be more effective if it wasn't her high squeaky voice calling it out.
Worried about an attack, she casts her one spell for the day at the hidden archers, a sleep spell. She's not quite up for killing people yet...
She puts 26 HP of creatures to sleep within 20 feet of the center of the archers she can see.
OOC: And if they were just watching to make sure we didn't hurt the forest, she might have just provoked an attack... Which isn't as bad as if she had used a damaging spell. And I just realized that if those are elves, the spell will do nothing! Well, Maxie doesn't know that...
The glint of an arrow was seen as soon as Maxie's spell was cast, hurtling true towards Kin with the cart filled with random magical supplies, papers, spell components in preservation jars. She let out a cry of surprise, nearly letting go of the reigns of her own wagon as she reached a hand shakily toward her side where an arrow pierced her. Zzyzzn had stored his pack with her the day before. She seems unwell, skin going pale from the shot. There is some shuffling in the trees as the elf moves.
A second arrow pierces through Sen's face, the wagon Riyphou had primarily stayed closest to. The horses are very visibly startled as their reigns go slack, and Sen's body slips to the side, nearly tumbling off of the seat of the wagon itself. Panic quickly sets in, and if not calmed or controlled, the caravan will quickly end up with a runaway wagon.
Current:
Secrets of the Greenwold - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread
Historic:
Dawning - A Homebrew Campaign - DMTomb of Annihilation - DM
Dragon Heist of Waterdeep - DM
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread
“Stop! Brothers! These are not the ones who burn your forest!” Dah’ren screams on top of his lung towards the elves.
“Put down your bow and we’ll leave you in peace!” He continues after climbing up Raf’s wagon to be clearly seen by them then draws his own bow and arrow, readying to strike at his kin if they don’t stop the assault.
Ready Action: Shoot them if they attack us.
Riyphou's heart pounded as he saw Sen's body slump, the one wagon rider that he chose to guard already dead on the first day after they left. What a thorough disappointment. The draft horses, sensing the chaos, began to rear and whinny, their reins going slack. Riyphou's mind raced, his initial concern for Sen's life mingling with the urgent need to control the panicked horses. He rushed forward, his massive form moving with surprising speed. Reaching out, he quickly grabbed the Healer's Kit that he had been carrying on him, removing the protruding arrow and fixing a field bandage to stop the bleeding and to stabilize Sen's dying form.
With Sen's breathing steadying, Riyphou turned his attention to the horses. He grabbed the slackened reins with his trunk (Free object interaction, Animal Handling: 22), his voice a deep, calming rumble. "Easy, there," he soothed, his tone resonating with the innate connection he felt to all living things. Do the horses respond to his calm authority and is their panic slowly subsiding? He can only hope.
Riyphou's eyes dart around, assessing the situation. His first charge in guard duty had nearly ended in disaster, but with Sen stabilized and Dah’ren tries to pacify his siblings, he felt a surge of determination. This journey was proving to be as perilous as it was enlightening, and he was resolved to see it through, come what may.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Zzyzyn notices the movement amongst he boughs of the tree a moment too late, and he’s about to raise a shout of alarm when an arrow suddenly zips through the air and slams into Kin with a dull thud. Alarmed, he pulls out his shield and mace and moves to stand protectively in front of the injured woman, ready to block the next arrow with either his shield or body if needs be. He was not going to let someone die on his watch.
Muscles tensed and ready to spring into action, Zzyzyn calls over his shoulder, “Are you ok?” His eyes don’t leave the trees as he asks the question, remaining steadfast in his tense vigilance.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
After being stung by mosquitoes the entire trip, or perhaps one very persistent mosquito, Tyrgram welcomed the change to perchance be stung by arrows. It was a pity that he could not properly see or get to the enemies, else he would be out there giving them a piece of his mind.
'Stay low, miss O-Ovrola!' He told his driving companion. Tyrgram took his battleaxe and angled it so he could still look around while the head covered his face. He braced himself for any incoming attack.
Taking the Dodge until further development.
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
"I-I'm fine!" Kin said back to Zzyzzn as she firmed her grip on the reigns. She kept herself low, and Zzyzzn between her and the arrows coming from the trees with a grimace. Meanwhile Riyphou is able to stabilize Sen enough to provide some form of treatment once they are out of danger, and then calms the started horses enough to prevent a runaway wagon from the caravan. They still aren't out of danger, as the glint of an arrow is easily seen from the trees.
The arrow looses and flies from the treas, toward Tyrgram and Ovrola, but with Tyrgram's quick thinking Ovrola ducked low in time to miss the shot of the arrow. She is clearly terrified as she huddles down low. There is a quick set of flurry throughout the whole caravan as Dugal yells for everyone to pick up the pace and move, quickly. Findal himself suddenly spawns into threes on his wagon with a quick, arcane enchant followed by a sharp gesture before he, too, grips his reigns and tries to move, fast.
The caravan as a whole begins to move forward, getting as quickly away from the danger as they can. In the trees the party can see glimpses of the elves in the trees preparing to move from branch to branch to follow the caravan, bows at the ready.
The caravan moves 40 feet away, putting the elves about 70 feet away from the party, currently.
Current:
Secrets of the Greenwold - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread
Historic:
Dawning - A Homebrew Campaign - DMTomb of Annihilation - DM
Dragon Heist of Waterdeep - DM
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread
“You give me no choice brothers!” Dah’ren shouts at the elves.
He releases his arrow aimed at the latest one targeting Ovrola. The shot is true, hitting the elf right in the shoulder. He didn’t want to hurt his kin, but he is honor-bound to protect the caravan. He won’t let their misplaced anger lands on an innocent victim.
Longbow: Attack 24, Damage 7
“Stop this pursuit, brothers, these people are not your enemy!” He shout once more, hoping the elves did not give chase.
Seeing the driver of the wagon she was riding on shot and almost killed, Maxie hardens her resolve and launches a Fire Bolt in response at one of the archers.
18 to hit, 4 damgage
Two more arrows fly from the trees, even as there is a distant yell of frustration as fire vanishes into the canopy, hitting one elf. The arrow loosed by Dah'ren hits another. The two arrows in retaliation thud harmlessly into the wood of the wagons. Between the movement and the injuries the aim from the elves in the branches has, momentarily, gone off.
Current:
Secrets of the Greenwold - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread
Historic:
Dawning - A Homebrew Campaign - DMTomb of Annihilation - DM
Dragon Heist of Waterdeep - DM
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - DM | Recruiting Thread | Campaign Thread