While you had to walk through the sparse, arid desert to arrive here, now you are surrounded by all manner of greenery. There is a plethora of hardy shrubs, flowering cacti and other plants that you don’t recognize, but all seem magical in nature. The scents of the different plants mingle together, creating a unique fragrance. Every inhale reveals a new note you didn’t notice before. This must be the home of the Druid that recruited you.
Indeed, she soon shows herself. She is an old halfling, but walks with steady vigor towards you. Her greying hair is pushed off her face by a bandana, revealing brilliant green eyes.
"Hello, far-travelers. I'm Maisy Dustfellow, the custodian of this place. Thank you for coming, I do so much appreciate the effort! So. What has the guild scribe told you about this task I need help with? Might as well not repeat what you already know, you know." She smiles.
Erdrin sits upon his Mastiff he affectionately calls Hound. Erdrin is probably on the smaller side for a Gnome but atop Hound he seems about 5 feet tall. Messy brown hair hid his hazel eyes. The others would have noticed that during the first lag of their journey Erdrin was speaking to Hound in a magical tongue. At his side is a sword and shield that seemed ever ready to engage in a fight. Behind Erdrin is a crossbow. Erdrin stays at the front of the group even though he keeps talking about how he dislikes being in melee. As they meet with the druid, Erdrin sits up as straight as possible as he talks.
“Good day Maisy, I am Erdrin. It is a pleasure to meet you. We were told that there is a plant that we need to find and pluck a single petal from.”
"Then you've been told all I told the guild, I suppose. Let me fill you in further: tonight, on a special Full Moon, will bloom a single flower from a single cactus. That cactus, the Blue Moon Bloom, is special: the petal of its flower is sufficient to make many potent healing potions, when properly extracted." She pauses for effect. "It's important that you take only one petal! Should more than one petal be taken, the entire plant will wither, and not regrow for fifty years! We can't have that! As guardian of this desert, I can't have that!" After calming down, she continues: "I have a mule named Janice, who has been to the secret oasis countless times. You will follow her there, and return with the petal. I can offer your party a single potion of healing up-front; should you return with the petal... AND ONLY ONE PETAL!..., I can promise you each 30 gold pieces, and some magic dust you might find useful on future quests."
Ruvien Nightshade, more commonly known as Rook, is a high elf dressed in dark leather armor and armed with the standard shortbow, shortsword, and dagger of many elves. On the trip to the druid's grove, he would engage the other party members in small talk, learning about them and their history. Although not even in his middle years yet, as an elf he had lived longer than most of the other members of the guild! Rook had a checkered past - one that included several poor choices by himself or others that led him to a life in the shadows and caused him to have trust issues. He was also keenly interested in the various plants and animals encountered along the way - not for their species or genome but for potential venoms and poisons they might excrete or be used to produce.
Once the druid explains the seemingly simple task, he says, "There must be some difficulty in procuring a single petal from this unique flower, else you would just go yourself to pluck it. What dangers are we likely to encounter?"
The halfling druid nods at this. "Hopefully, none, but the desert does have wild beasts and biting insects, so be on guard..." She considers not going on further, but she feels she needs to bring up an additional possible concern. "It is also possible that you will not be the only ones looking for the Blue Moon Bloom, on this rare night where it blossoms." She lets the unstated implication that there may be conflict, should you encounter another party, set in for a moment. "Do you have any other questions?"
Nyx: “Thanks for the heads-up, Maisy. Wild beasts and rival seekers mean this won’t be a stroll in the garden. But that’s the kind of shadow I’m happy to chase away—especially if there’s magic dust and gold waiting at the end. Lead on Donkey, and we’ll make sure we take only what’s needed... no more, no less.”
Nyx: (looking up with a small grin as a shadow briefly passes over the group) “See that? That’s Corvus, my vulture familiar. One of the safer shadows you’ll meet out here. He's always watching, always waiting to warn us before trouble arrives.”
Through the wavering heat refraction, a diminutive figure emerges adorned in white silk and rhinestones, a lute holding down his short cape from flapping in the hot desert breeze. He sports thick sideburns and a messy pompador atop his goblin head. The top few buttons of his wide-collared tunic are pulled wide open to expose his green chest.
His nose muscles seem to twitch into something like a benign sneer on one side as he dapples his brow with a silk cloth, tosses it to the druid and replies as if he's been here listening the whole time. "Understood. Blue Boon Bloom. One lonesome petal. Rivals ahead."He tilts his head to regard the others and continues. "Don't know 'bout the rest of you, but I'm ready to..."
With that he uses Prestidigitation to Karate Chop the air and summon a minor harmless illusionary lighting bolt surrounded by the letters TCB.
He then turns back to the druid. "Just point us in the right direction, Druid Mama. We'll do the rest."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
"Alright then." Maisy gathers you all to the edge of her green abode, and whispers something to Janice the mule in a language none of you understand. Janice takes a look at the four of you, blows air out her nose and pulls back her lips, and turns toward the desert, walking at a steady pace.
Following, you quickly find yourselves traveling through a featureless expanse of sand, alike in every direction. Janice continues to trudge along, for one hour, for two... She moves at her same steady pace, until the third hour, when the sun is setting beneath the horizon and the full moon is rising, she comes to a stop. As far as you can tell, this is no oasis; you are surrounded by the same featureless sands you've been walking across.
Janice haws, her ears twitching.
(Checks might be a good thing to make at this point: Animal Handling, or Perception.)
After just a few minutes of travel Lucky passes the time by watching the dusty horizon and singing softly....
"…I'll keep rolling along... Deep in my heart is a song... Here on the range I belong... Drifting along with the tumblin' tumbleweeds..."
However, the moment he sees Janice's ears start twitching, he instinctively goes on alert... Seeming, suddenly, much less like an anachronistic oddity and more like a classic D&D goblin. He crouches low, sniffing the air, eyes darting this way and that as he surveys his surroundings.
During the three-hour tour of the surrounding desert, Rook walks carefully. He purposefully lifts his feet rather than drag them along, trying to keep his steps light but sure in the sand and occasional packed stone. "I am far from my birth-forest, and even my latest home in the towns of men. But this expanse has its own beauty and rhythm of life. Hard to hide, though!"
When Janice stops and brays, the rogue studies her to see if the animal is warning them of danger or just announcing that they had arrived. Looking around, he couldn't really see much different, but he trusted the druid and thus the donkey!
Rook, you get the sense that Janice is standing stone-still to warn you of danger! Lucky Jackson and Erdrin notice the cause of the mule's concern: a pack of jackals are following the party. They look pretty hungry and desperate... Do you have conflict on your hands?
(If you'd like to fight it out, roll Initiative; other approaches are welcome, of course!)
Lucky's happy to allow others to make an attempt at a peaceful resolution, but if it seems like a fight is inevitable, he'll back as far away as he can and attempt a sweet lovin' lullaby....
Noticing that jackals are moving towards them, Erdrin points at the jackals.
“It seems like we have company. Be prepared for a fight.”
Initiative: 5
(OOC: If possible Erdrin will attempt to scare the jackals before combat starts using minor illusion. If he does not have a chance to do that you can ignore the rest of the post.)
Erdrin has been a hunter for over 60 years. If there is one thing he knows it is that a creature will not start a fight they know they cannot win. Acting quickly, Erdrin dismounts Hound moving towards the jackals so that he is in the front of the group, gives Hound the order to guard Janice, and casts minor illusion creating the sound of an aggressive pride of lions 30 feet away from the group. The sound of lions roaring and growling fill the air. DC 13 investigation Check to know it is an illusion. As he does this he looks to the group.
“Let's see if we can terrify them and end this fight before it starts.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The jackals stop a moment at the sound of the lions; they look around a bit, trying to figure out where the new threat is... (Investigation: 15)
Perhaps their keen hearing and sense of smell has given them a sense that these 'lions' are just an act of trickery, as they soon continue their pacing towards the group...
Nyx perched atop Corvus, his sharp eyes scanning the desert expanse, catching every shift in the sand and shadow. It wasn’t until the others halted that he noticed the pack of jackals creeping behind them—clever little shadows stalking their path.
“Time to shake the dust,” he muttered, fingers weaving the arcane as the earth near the lead jackal rippled and heaved. (Casting Mold Earth to grab the first jackal.)
With a subtle flick, he sent a small heap of sand tumbling down onto the second, hoping to slow their pace. Two shadows hindered, let’s see how they like the desert games.”
He called down with a sly grin, “Are you sure you’re all dogs and not cats, playing in the sand like that?”
------------
Init 16 (is it ok if Nyx and Corvus (familiar) share the same init? It'll be easier to figure out what to do instead of me having to do two different posts per turn.)
Cast Mold Earth, pulling 5ft of sand out from under the first Jackal closest to the group And then moving it ontop of the next closest jackal.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The jackals probably consider that act of sand-witchery something like an attack, so I think we're in initiative proper. Can I get an Init check from Rook? (It's fine for Nyx and Corvus to be on the same init.)
While you had to walk through the sparse, arid desert to arrive here, now you are surrounded by all manner of greenery. There is a plethora of hardy shrubs, flowering cacti and other plants that you don’t recognize, but all seem magical in nature. The scents of the different plants mingle together, creating a unique fragrance. Every inhale reveals a new note you didn’t notice before. This must be the home of the Druid that recruited you.
Indeed, she soon shows herself. She is an old halfling, but walks with steady vigor towards you. Her greying hair is pushed off her face by a bandana, revealing brilliant green eyes.
"Hello, far-travelers. I'm Maisy Dustfellow, the custodian of this place. Thank you for coming, I do so much appreciate the effort! So. What has the guild scribe told you about this task I need help with? Might as well not repeat what you already know, you know." She smiles.
(OOC: Changing my character’s name to Erdrin)
Erdrin sits upon his Mastiff he affectionately calls Hound. Erdrin is probably on the smaller side for a Gnome but atop Hound he seems about 5 feet tall. Messy brown hair hid his hazel eyes. The others would have noticed that during the first lag of their journey Erdrin was speaking to Hound in a magical tongue. At his side is a sword and shield that seemed ever ready to engage in a fight. Behind Erdrin is a crossbow. Erdrin stays at the front of the group even though he keeps talking about how he dislikes being in melee. As they meet with the druid, Erdrin sits up as straight as possible as he talks.
“Good day Maisy, I am Erdrin. It is a pleasure to meet you. We were told that there is a plant that we need to find and pluck a single petal from.”
"Then you've been told all I told the guild, I suppose. Let me fill you in further: tonight, on a special Full Moon, will bloom a single flower from a single cactus. That cactus, the Blue Moon Bloom, is special: the petal of its flower is sufficient to make many potent healing potions, when properly extracted." She pauses for effect. "It's important that you take only one petal! Should more than one petal be taken, the entire plant will wither, and not regrow for fifty years! We can't have that! As guardian of this desert, I can't have that!" After calming down, she continues: "I have a mule named Janice, who has been to the secret oasis countless times. You will follow her there, and return with the petal. I can offer your party a single potion of healing up-front; should you return with the petal... AND ONLY ONE PETAL!..., I can promise you each 30 gold pieces, and some magic dust you might find useful on future quests."
Ruvien Nightshade, more commonly known as Rook, is a high elf dressed in dark leather armor and armed with the standard shortbow, shortsword, and dagger of many elves. On the trip to the druid's grove, he would engage the other party members in small talk, learning about them and their history. Although not even in his middle years yet, as an elf he had lived longer than most of the other members of the guild! Rook had a checkered past - one that included several poor choices by himself or others that led him to a life in the shadows and caused him to have trust issues. He was also keenly interested in the various plants and animals encountered along the way - not for their species or genome but for potential venoms and poisons they might excrete or be used to produce.
Once the druid explains the seemingly simple task, he says, "There must be some difficulty in procuring a single petal from this unique flower, else you would just go yourself to pluck it. What dangers are we likely to encounter?"
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
The halfling druid nods at this. "Hopefully, none, but the desert does have wild beasts and biting insects, so be on guard..." She considers not going on further, but she feels she needs to bring up an additional possible concern. "It is also possible that you will not be the only ones looking for the Blue Moon Bloom, on this rare night where it blossoms." She lets the unstated implication that there may be conflict, should you encounter another party, set in for a moment. "Do you have any other questions?"
"No - I understand and am ready to follow your...donkey."
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Nyx: “Thanks for the heads-up, Maisy. Wild beasts and rival seekers mean this won’t be a stroll in the garden. But that’s the kind of shadow I’m happy to chase away—especially if there’s magic dust and gold waiting at the end. Lead on Donkey, and we’ll make sure we take only what’s needed... no more, no less.”
Nyx: (looking up with a small grin as a shadow briefly passes over the group) “See that? That’s Corvus, my vulture familiar. One of the safer shadows you’ll meet out here. He's always watching, always waiting to warn us before trouble arrives.”
Through the wavering heat refraction, a diminutive figure emerges adorned in white silk and rhinestones, a lute holding down his short cape from flapping in the hot desert breeze. He sports thick sideburns and a messy pompador atop his goblin head. The top few buttons of his wide-collared tunic are pulled wide open to expose his green chest.
His nose muscles seem to twitch into something like a benign sneer on one side as he dapples his brow with a silk cloth, tosses it to the druid and replies as if he's been here listening the whole time. "Understood. Blue Boon Bloom. One lonesome petal. Rivals ahead." He tilts his head to regard the others and continues. "Don't know 'bout the rest of you, but I'm ready to..."
With that he uses Prestidigitation to Karate Chop the air and summon a minor harmless illusionary lighting bolt surrounded by the letters TCB.
He then turns back to the druid. "Just point us in the right direction, Druid Mama. We'll do the rest."
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
"Alright then." Maisy gathers you all to the edge of her green abode, and whispers something to Janice the mule in a language none of you understand. Janice takes a look at the four of you, blows air out her nose and pulls back her lips, and turns toward the desert, walking at a steady pace.
Following, you quickly find yourselves traveling through a featureless expanse of sand, alike in every direction. Janice continues to trudge along, for one hour, for two... She moves at her same steady pace, until the third hour, when the sun is setting beneath the horizon and the full moon is rising, she comes to a stop. As far as you can tell, this is no oasis; you are surrounded by the same featureless sands you've been walking across.
Janice haws, her ears twitching.
(Checks might be a good thing to make at this point: Animal Handling, or Perception.)
After just a few minutes of travel Lucky passes the time by watching the dusty horizon and singing softly....
"…I'll keep rolling along...
Deep in my heart is a song...
Here on the range I belong...
Drifting along with the tumblin' tumbleweeds..."
However, the moment he sees Janice's ears start twitching, he instinctively goes on alert... Seeming, suddenly, much less like an anachronistic oddity and more like a classic D&D goblin. He crouches low, sniffing the air, eyes darting this way and that as he surveys his surroundings.
Perception: 18
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Erdrin gets off Hound and gives him the sign to stay on guard.
"Well it looks like this is as far as Janice goes. Now it is up to us."
Erdrin Perception: 19
Hound Perception: 8 (On guard)
Animal handling: 14
Perception: 11
During the three-hour tour of the surrounding desert, Rook walks carefully. He purposefully lifts his feet rather than drag them along, trying to keep his steps light but sure in the sand and occasional packed stone. "I am far from my birth-forest, and even my latest home in the towns of men. But this expanse has its own beauty and rhythm of life. Hard to hide, though!"
When Janice stops and brays, the rogue studies her to see if the animal is warning them of danger or just announcing that they had arrived. Looking around, he couldn't really see much different, but he trusted the druid and thus the donkey!
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Rook, you get the sense that Janice is standing stone-still to warn you of danger! Lucky Jackson and Erdrin notice the cause of the mule's concern: a pack of jackals are following the party. They look pretty hungry and desperate... Do you have conflict on your hands?
(If you'd like to fight it out, roll Initiative; other approaches are welcome, of course!)
Lucky's happy to allow others to make an attempt at a peaceful resolution, but if it seems like a fight is inevitable, he'll back as far away as he can and attempt a sweet lovin' lullaby....
Initiative: 3
Action: Cast Sleep
"Love me tender, love me sweet,
Never let me go,
You have made my life complete,
And I love you so..."
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Noticing that jackals are moving towards them, Erdrin points at the jackals.
“It seems like we have company. Be prepared for a fight.”
Initiative: 5
(OOC: If possible Erdrin will attempt to scare the jackals before combat starts using minor illusion. If he does not have a chance to do that you can ignore the rest of the post.)
Erdrin has been a hunter for over 60 years. If there is one thing he knows it is that a creature will not start a fight they know they cannot win. Acting quickly, Erdrin dismounts Hound moving towards the jackals so that he is in the front of the group, gives Hound the order to guard Janice, and casts minor illusion creating the sound of an aggressive pride of lions 30 feet away from the group. The sound of lions roaring and growling fill the air. DC 13 investigation Check to know it is an illusion. As he does this he looks to the group.
“Let's see if we can terrify them and end this fight before it starts.”
The jackals stop a moment at the sound of the lions; they look around a bit, trying to figure out where the new threat is... (Investigation: 15)
Perhaps their keen hearing and sense of smell has given them a sense that these 'lions' are just an act of trickery, as they soon continue their pacing towards the group...
Nyx perched atop Corvus, his sharp eyes scanning the desert expanse, catching every shift in the sand and shadow. It wasn’t until the others halted that he noticed the pack of jackals creeping behind them—clever little shadows stalking their path.
“Time to shake the dust,” he muttered, fingers weaving the arcane as the earth near the lead jackal rippled and heaved. (Casting Mold Earth to grab the first jackal.)
With a subtle flick, he sent a small heap of sand tumbling down onto the second, hoping to slow their pace. Two shadows hindered, let’s see how they like the desert games.”
He called down with a sly grin, “Are you sure you’re all dogs and not cats, playing in the sand like that?”
------------
Init 16 (is it ok if Nyx and Corvus (familiar) share the same init? It'll be easier to figure out what to do instead of me having to do two different posts per turn.)
Cast Mold Earth, pulling 5ft of sand out from under the first Jackal closest to the group And then moving it ontop of the next closest jackal.
The jackals probably consider that act of sand-witchery something like an attack, so I think we're in initiative proper. Can I get an Init check from Rook? (It's fine for Nyx and Corvus to be on the same init.)
Monster Initiative Rolls:
(Forgot to include the hound and familiar in the last post.)
INITIATIVE:
Jackal Beta: 19
Nyx and Corvus: 16
Jackal Epsilon: 12
Jackal Alpha: 10
Jackal Delta: 8
Erdrin and Hound: 5
Jackal Gamma: 5
Lucky Jackson: 3
Rook: ?