"I suppose your tortle friend would not be of much aid in this wood. It will be quite different than you would have experienced." Mattias said with a shrug.
(For those of which went through the book)
As you come out of a large boulder covered in runes it ripples like water. Wind blows on the large stone, and this rippling effect happens again. Any testing the boulder reveals that it is the portal back home. You are standing in a glade of a very, VERY dense forest. The trees are so tall that their leafy boughs are about a hundred feet from you. They bare so many leaves that the sun is blocked. The forest is lit by several glowing mushrooms growing on the trees. Ahead is a long trail ending in a gate. Two shadowy figures guard it. A perception check reveals their features.
Deksi identifies the shapes as Hobgoblins. Maelyn identifies the shapes as humanoid, but the trees, rather than the dark, make them very difficult to see. Darkvision is not of much use. The figures do seem to be clad in armor. Anyone can tell that they are soldiers guarding the gate.
Deksi stops, and whispers to Misery and Az: "Hobgoblin soldiers. We should stay hidden until our final companion passes through the portal." With that said, she attempts to slink off into the shadows...
The hobgoblin soldiers didn't notice any of the party, they stood watch with faces like stone. One guard turned to the other and started to speak.
"Blurg has not really devised this plan himself, has he not?" The first hobgoblin grunted. "It seems a bit, above a bugbear."
"I agree." The second hobgoblin gurgled. He was older and his voice was lower and had a gravely tone to it. Still, he seemed just as battle-hardy as his younger counterpart. "I do believe he has been whispering to that Imp much lately. I never would trust a devil, but Blurg would trust anyone promising him power."
"Speaking of which, where is Quintus that little fool?"
"I heard he went off to the mushroom town. Who knows what Blurg is setting us up for?"
Deksi stares back at the portal-boulder. Where is the Tortle? If conflict is to arise she would prefer to outnumber the hobgoblins two to one, at the least, though a peaceful resolution would be preferable -- less risk of casualties.
So it begins. Deksi prays to the spirits for guidance, and steps out of the shadows to join Yuwure. "Spirits' blessing and Your God's favor upon you, noble warriors. We seek passage to aid the injured with our medicine and the healing word. If you would point us in the direction of the nearest settlement, we will be on our way." She bows slightly.
The hobgoblins looked very confused when Deksi spoke. They exchanged confused looks and then returned their gaze to her. One hobgoblin stepped forward and gestured to the land behind the gate.
"I suppose Blurg may ask for a healer, but we aren't the obstacle here. It's the mushroom folk. They won't allow any aid to come to Blurg's army while we are still in conflict." The guards stepped aside and opened the gate. "Watch out for an imp, Quintus, he whispers things into Blurg's ear. Since they Blurg has become more...erratic. He has made significant progress toward the mushroom-folk, so I believe I should speak no ill."
"Thank you for the warnings. I suppose we will be evading a mushroom blockade; I pray that we can slip past." Deksi sighs. "Unless someone has further questions, I believe we will take our leave."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
With the rest of the group occupying the lion's share of the hobgoblins' attention, a thought crosses Maelyn's mind: What if - just what if - one of these fellows is carrying one of the keys or gems we're looking for? It's probably too unlikely, but...
Unlikelihood ignored, she wove together a Minor Illusion facsimile of a particularly thick bramble right behind one of the hobgoblins, quietly stole over into it, and searched up the guard's belt and pack.
Investigation/Perception (Maelyn's bonus is the same for these): 11
Even if she doesn't find precisely what she's looking for, she'd be happily recompensed by lifting anything else of any apparent value (preferably shiny).
"Very well, let us be off."
Deksi pauses.
"Could I get a lift to the podium?"
Misery stows her copy of Enchantments and Enhancements in her bag without apology, and offers her hands as a step for Keksi.
"Allez-oup!"
Then, to Yuwure, "After you? Vast forest plane sounds like it's up your alley."
Az will move forward and touch the book.
"Onward, to adventure!"
"Yes. Onward."
Deksi enters the demiplane.
"I suppose your tortle friend would not be of much aid in this wood. It will be quite different than you would have experienced." Mattias said with a shrug.
(For those of which went through the book)
As you come out of a large boulder covered in runes it ripples like water. Wind blows on the large stone, and this rippling effect happens again. Any testing the boulder reveals that it is the portal back home. You are standing in a glade of a very, VERY dense forest. The trees are so tall that their leafy boughs are about a hundred feet from you. They bare so many leaves that the sun is blocked. The forest is lit by several glowing mushrooms growing on the trees. Ahead is a long trail ending in a gate. Two shadowy figures guard it. A perception check reveals their features.
Eyes familiar with the light of glowing fungus, Deksi takes in the situation.
Perception: 13
"I'll see if I can help - I'm rather fond of shadowy figures as it is."
Perception: 7
Deksi identifies the shapes as Hobgoblins. Maelyn identifies the shapes as humanoid, but the trees, rather than the dark, make them very difficult to see. Darkvision is not of much use. The figures do seem to be clad in armor. Anyone can tell that they are soldiers guarding the gate.
Deksi stops, and whispers to Misery and Az: "Hobgoblin soldiers. We should stay hidden until our final companion passes through the portal." With that said, she attempts to slink off into the shadows...
Stealth : 20
Az stands perfectly still. He looks down to his bright, shinny, chain mail. Then he looks forlornly at his warhammer. He sighs.
"Well, I may as well try to hide."
With that, he gives a quick prayer to Gond, cast's guidance on himself, and attempts to hide.
Stealth : 12
"Are we quite sure those are hobgoblins?" Misery whispers. "They look a lot like shadowy humanoid blobs to me. Regardless, I like the idea of hiding!"
She also steals to the side, ducking for cover underneath the thick foliage.
Stealth : 20
The hobgoblin soldiers didn't notice any of the party, they stood watch with faces like stone. One guard turned to the other and started to speak.
"Blurg has not really devised this plan himself, has he not?" The first hobgoblin grunted. "It seems a bit, above a bugbear."
"I agree." The second hobgoblin gurgled. He was older and his voice was lower and had a gravely tone to it. Still, he seemed just as battle-hardy as his younger counterpart. "I do believe he has been whispering to that Imp much lately. I never would trust a devil, but Blurg would trust anyone promising him power."
"Speaking of which, where is Quintus that little fool?"
"I heard he went off to the mushroom town. Who knows what Blurg is setting us up for?"
Deksi stares back at the portal-boulder. Where is the Tortle? If conflict is to arise she would prefer to outnumber the hobgoblins two to one, at the least, though a peaceful resolution would be preferable -- less risk of casualties.
seeing the guards, Yuwure moves forward
"May you let us pass, fine gentleman?"
Even tho as he is saying this, his quarterstaff is at hand, he seems like using it to walk
So it begins. Deksi prays to the spirits for guidance, and steps out of the shadows to join Yuwure. "Spirits' blessing and Your God's favor upon you, noble warriors. We seek passage to aid the injured with our medicine and the healing word. If you would point us in the direction of the nearest settlement, we will be on our way." She bows slightly.
Persuasion 16
Az will watch Yuwure step forward. To himself, "Ah, the direct approach, I like it"
He will step out beside Deksi and Yuwure, and will cast guidance on Yuwure with a pat on the back.
The hobgoblins looked very confused when Deksi spoke. They exchanged confused looks and then returned their gaze to her. One hobgoblin stepped forward and gestured to the land behind the gate.
"I suppose Blurg may ask for a healer, but we aren't the obstacle here. It's the mushroom folk. They won't allow any aid to come to Blurg's army while we are still in conflict." The guards stepped aside and opened the gate. "Watch out for an imp, Quintus, he whispers things into Blurg's ear. Since they Blurg has become more...erratic. He has made significant progress toward the mushroom-folk, so I believe I should speak no ill."
"Thank you for the warnings. I suppose we will be evading a mushroom blockade; I pray that we can slip past." Deksi sighs. "Unless someone has further questions, I believe we will take our leave."
With the rest of the group occupying the lion's share of the hobgoblins' attention, a thought crosses Maelyn's mind: What if - just what if - one of these fellows is carrying one of the keys or gems we're looking for? It's probably too unlikely, but...
Unlikelihood ignored, she wove together a Minor Illusion facsimile of a particularly thick bramble right behind one of the hobgoblins, quietly stole over into it, and searched up the guard's belt and pack.
Investigation/Perception (Maelyn's bonus is the same for these): 11
Even if she doesn't find precisely what she's looking for, she'd be happily recompensed by lifting anything else of any apparent value (preferably shiny).
Sleight of Hand: 13
Maelyn looked into the Hobgoblin's belt and pack seeing:
A shortbow with 20 arrows, 4 javelins, a pouch containing 10 gold, and a note.