Ying thinks to herself. Maybe if we aid the people here, we can learn more about our quarry. "The notice board had some interesting requests. Julio Greenscale of the Woodcutter guild is offering a lot and even a home if whoever or whatever is Shermanleaf is. Perhaps we should inquire there unless there is a different notice you want to look into"
Guidori makes note of Fizzt and Gattara's thoughts on gricks. "If you wish." he says with indifference. As the various party members begin mentioning a possibility of assistance he seems to perk up, sitting straight. "Well if you're interested in assisting I'm certain we can come to a deal." With a toothy smile he adds, "And I'm fine if you're not saints, dwarf. For pricing, I suppose it depends on how you want to help. Make an offer and we'll go from there." He raps fingers on the desk, perhaps unconsciously imitating Donyl's rubbing hands.
To Ying he says, "Ah, yes, Shermanleaf. Not sure what got into the ol' treant." there's a tone of sadness in his voice as he speaks, "Fixture of the woods for years. Not much interested in our affairs but he'd work with the woodcutters to keep the forest healthy. Then one day I hear a commotion outside and they're carrying in five men on stretchers with their arms and legs going every which way telling me Shermanleaf was screaming bloody murder. Even those Razuulites took a break from their incessant preaching to help Shaman Krayzvik patch them up as best he could." He looks Ying in the face. "Now the rest of them are too scared to go back into the woods until Julio has dealt with the matter. So if you think that's where you want to start then by all means."
yes, there is a lot on the plate, I bet we can help. But, even if I feel very comfortable on the wilderness, my verrucas are killing me: I admit we would need a place to stay for the following weeks. Mayor, can you provide it as a starting point to be included in a deal?
ooc: imho, in terms of role playing we must find a place to rest, then decide a starting quest, then decide some downtime if any.
about the starting quest, I would start with the gricks but I don't mind.
otherwise if there is too much to be done/decide, we might spend days of IRL to discuss any point, we would neve move (I have seen many play by post dying just because of this, among other things): this is just my opinion
Ooc: I agree, we could spend a week picking a quest. I say we try to get the mayor to throw in some accommodation for whatever quest he thinks is most pressing. Then try for the Treant quest so that we have a base of operations in the area.
Guidori has a sympathetic look as Gattara mentions her verrucas. "Ah, yes, my own grandmother had them too. Quite painful. Madame Lestri had a salve that seemed to help sometimes. As for lodging, if you're able to help this town out I'm sure I could talk with Rusty down at the Scaly Saloon to see about getting a room for you. Seems more than reasonable to me."
"Me personally? I don't know much more information. But I'm sure Julio would be more than willing to assist. He and his woodcutters know the lay of the land better than I do. As for rewards, I helped him out with offering some of my goats to the pot. Already quite a substantial reward all told." replies Guidori. "While you're off to see him I'll start making arrangements with Rusty. Any preferences on higher or lower floors? Possible meal desires?"
[[ If you're looking for more, perhaps a persuasion roll. DC 10 for another 5 gold or goats. Then +1 per number above 10? Sound fair? ]]
You find Julio Greenscale at the Woodcutter's Guild office. He's a lizardfolk in animal hide clothing a sturdy axe at his side. "You're here from Guidori and willing to help out with Shermanleaf?" he says, surprised but also it seems relieved. He waves you along and you start heading through the woods.
Along the way he tells you, "Shermanleaf has been a longtime resident in these woods out here. Even before my own grandfather and we woodcutters have never had any problems with him. He'd tell us good places to cut and others he wanted us to leave alone. And that was all fine by me and my boys. Frankly his guidance has helped us to be the most profitable loggers around here. Not to mention all the times he's helped with lost kids or missing livestock."
He then gets into recent events, "It was just a normal day as far as we knew. My boys were cutting over in this direction I'm taking you. Now there's a tree Shermanleaf told us a few years ago has the potential for awakening and obviously that we shouldn't cut it down. I've taken that very seriously. All my men know that if they were to do so that they don't need to even worry about him because the wrath I'd bring down would be far worse. Anyways after some storms there were some prime targets for high quality wood there and we've taken trees from nearby without issue before. After cutting for a few hours Shermanleaf showed up and instead of being cordial started yelling at them to not cut down the tree and hurling rocks at my men. I didn't get out there until after they carrying in the wounded on stretchers but from what I saw it had to have been divine intervention from Semuanya that none of them were killed."
"Since then he's been watching the woods like a hawk, mostly by the to-be awakened tree, and menacing anyone that looks like they might have an axe. Not only is that a threat to my men's safety but it's also put a major stop on our logging which is hurting our livelihoods. But we're not exactly a match for a treant ourselves so I'm definitely glad to be getting some help on this."
As you start approaching he calls for you all to slow down, points to a spot in the woods, and says, "I can see the outline of him over that way. The big tree with there." he points to a particularly large one.
Can roll stealth if desired. (I'll say there's enough variance in the terrain between underbrush, small hills/ditches, and the various tree to get ~45ft from Shermanleaf before it starts counting as only lightly obscured. But even then the trees themselves are still valid things to hide behind there.)
Wanted to give you time to think on what kind of approach you want to take. But if the plan is combat, feel free to roll initiative. (Though typically I'll roll it for everyone in cases where it's clear that combat is going to happen immediately.)
"Has Shermanleaf been attacking other creatures other than men?" asks the Tabaxi. "Have the townsfolk ever been out cutting trees when trees have awaken before?"
As the group discusses with Julio and begins planning their course of action Shermanleaf begins to move about. He seems to be just checking things out or taking a stroll, but happens to head closer to the party. After a bit of walking he then pauses, as if he's begun to notice your presence.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
[[ Gonna roll a quick persuasion for Gattara. Will assume guidance and since she's leaning into the Druid aspect of her nature in a context that makes sense for that, will key off of WIS instead of CHA ]]
[[ Gonna roll a quick persuasion for Gattara. Will assume guidance and since she's leaning into the Druid aspect of her nature in a context that makes sense for that, will key off of WIS instead of CHA ]]
13
As Gattara approaches Shermanleaf roots around the earth with his branches to pull up a rock from the ground. He seems ready to throw it when the druid starts to speak in Sylvan. Though you can tell there's a lot of aggression ready to be loosed, he seems to stay his violence for now. The treant replies in Sylvan. "We may speak, Gattara, shepherd of cats." he says in a low gruff voice that rumbles through you. As he looks over he notices the others and Julio, "Has he sent you to chop me down?"
[[ Planning to go with a 3 success / 3 failure here in trying to reason with Shermanleaf. DC 15 for a success. DC 10 for status quo. (Will count 3 together as 1 failure. {Might adjust to 2, after seeing how the rolls go with 4 people, but that would be a noted change and not retroactive.}) 9-5 is a failure, below 5 brings to outright aggression and rolling initiative. (DC 15 at disadvantage to get back to talking.) ]]
Ying takes a prepared stance as her hand lies near her weapons should Shermanleaf turn violent. She nods to Gattara to see if diplomacy is enough to end this situation.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gattara is content she did not anger the treant. She bows a little and keeps talking
Chopping?! quite the contrary! maybe folks in general do not understand troubles of the wilderness but, believe me, sheperd, I do.
As a token of trust...
Gattara touches the grass at her feet gently and a spirit of an unicorn appears nearby. Unicorns are usually considered magic creatures of the woods, so she hopes the treant consider it likewise.
This will protect me and those who are friendly with me, you included, sheperd
persuasion + guidance 25
if advantage may be granted because of the unicorn, then I roll another D20 2
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Fizztwill crouch down and actively check out the canopies of the trees in the area. (Passive Perception: 23, Perception check (+8)(Rolling for the possible 16-20): 26
[[ As a small request in general, if you're using a feature/spell/etc. to create an effect please note it somewhere. Took me a while for me to figure out it was the Spirit Totem feature the unicorn came from. (Not an expert on all of you guys' features.)
I'll give advantage on the one check there. Not sure what the guidance roll was (DDB seems to think you rolled 4d8 that totaled to 18...; classic forum roller) but the +4 from WIS and the base 13 on the advantage is a 17 already so guidance won't have an effect in this case. ]]
With Ying and Fizzt taking a readied stance Fizzt is able to easily observe the surrounding area. As far as he can tell there are squirrels and birds in the tree as well as other woodland fauna, but nothing of note that would be a threat to the party. He's also able to observe that the canopy extends above Shermanleaf's height. While Shermanleaf is ~30ft tall the 5ft radius trees are 40-50ft tall. (10ft radius: 50-65. 15ft radius: 65-85)
Shermanleaf takes comfort in Gattara's words. His barky face seems to relax at the sight of the unicorn. He looks over at Fizzt and switches to Common, "You, cat, are you one of this shepherd's flock?" A a look of sadness then comes over his visage. "Alas, shepherd, I fear your protection is not enough these days. I have found the stumps of my kin." He looks over the party, surveying the weaponry of Ying, Fizzt, and Donyl. "So I must be wary."
[[ 1 success; 0 failures also if you guys have other ideas coming to mind beyond persuasion please do let me know; I'm open to however you may be inclined to approach this please let me know if there's any positioning adjustments you'd like to make or if you're good ]]
Ying thinks to herself. Maybe if we aid the people here, we can learn more about our quarry. "The notice board had some interesting requests. Julio Greenscale of the Woodcutter guild is offering a lot and even a home if whoever or whatever is Shermanleaf is. Perhaps we should inquire there unless there is a different notice you want to look into"
Guidori makes note of Fizzt and Gattara's thoughts on gricks. "If you wish." he says with indifference. As the various party members begin mentioning a possibility of assistance he seems to perk up, sitting straight. "Well if you're interested in assisting I'm certain we can come to a deal." With a toothy smile he adds, "And I'm fine if you're not saints, dwarf. For pricing, I suppose it depends on how you want to help. Make an offer and we'll go from there." He raps fingers on the desk, perhaps unconsciously imitating Donyl's rubbing hands.
To Ying he says, "Ah, yes, Shermanleaf. Not sure what got into the ol' treant." there's a tone of sadness in his voice as he speaks, "Fixture of the woods for years. Not much interested in our affairs but he'd work with the woodcutters to keep the forest healthy. Then one day I hear a commotion outside and they're carrying in five men on stretchers with their arms and legs going every which way telling me Shermanleaf was screaming bloody murder. Even those Razuulites took a break from their incessant preaching to help Shaman Krayzvik patch them up as best he could." He looks Ying in the face. "Now the rest of them are too scared to go back into the woods until Julio has dealt with the matter. So if you think that's where you want to start then by all means."
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
Gattara ponders a little
yes, there is a lot on the plate, I bet we can help. But, even if I feel very comfortable on the wilderness, my verrucas are killing me: I admit we would need a place to stay for the following weeks. Mayor, can you provide it as a starting point to be included in a deal?
ooc: imho, in terms of role playing we must find a place to rest, then decide a starting quest, then decide some downtime if any.
about the starting quest, I would start with the gricks but I don't mind.
otherwise if there is too much to be done/decide, we might spend days of IRL to discuss any point, we would neve move (I have seen many play by post dying just because of this, among other things): this is just my opinion
Ooc: I agree, we could spend a week picking a quest. I say we try to get the mayor to throw in some accommodation for whatever quest he thinks is most pressing. Then try for the Treant quest so that we have a base of operations in the area.
OOC: Agreed.
Cats go Moo!
Guidori has a sympathetic look as Gattara mentions her verrucas. "Ah, yes, my own grandmother had them too. Quite painful. Madame Lestri had a salve that seemed to help sometimes. As for lodging, if you're able to help this town out I'm sure I could talk with Rusty down at the Scaly Saloon to see about getting a room for you. Seems more than reasonable to me."
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
Very reasonable, indeed, mayor. and about this Shermanleaf, can you tell us more and name a reward for our help?
"Me personally? I don't know much more information. But I'm sure Julio would be more than willing to assist. He and his woodcutters know the lay of the land better than I do. As for rewards, I helped him out with offering some of my goats to the pot. Already quite a substantial reward all told." replies Guidori. "While you're off to see him I'll start making arrangements with Rusty. Any preferences on higher or lower floors? Possible meal desires?"
[[ If you're looking for more, perhaps a persuasion roll. DC 10 for another 5 gold or goats. Then +1 per number above 10? Sound fair? ]]
You find Julio Greenscale at the Woodcutter's Guild office. He's a lizardfolk in animal hide clothing a sturdy axe at his side. "You're here from Guidori and willing to help out with Shermanleaf?" he says, surprised but also it seems relieved. He waves you along and you start heading through the woods.
Along the way he tells you, "Shermanleaf has been a longtime resident in these woods out here. Even before my own grandfather and we woodcutters have never had any problems with him. He'd tell us good places to cut and others he wanted us to leave alone. And that was all fine by me and my boys. Frankly his guidance has helped us to be the most profitable loggers around here. Not to mention all the times he's helped with lost kids or missing livestock."
He then gets into recent events, "It was just a normal day as far as we knew. My boys were cutting over in this direction I'm taking you. Now there's a tree Shermanleaf told us a few years ago has the potential for awakening and obviously that we shouldn't cut it down. I've taken that very seriously. All my men know that if they were to do so that they don't need to even worry about him because the wrath I'd bring down would be far worse. Anyways after some storms there were some prime targets for high quality wood there and we've taken trees from nearby without issue before. After cutting for a few hours Shermanleaf showed up and instead of being cordial started yelling at them to not cut down the tree and hurling rocks at my men. I didn't get out there until after they carrying in the wounded on stretchers but from what I saw it had to have been divine intervention from Semuanya that none of them were killed."
"Since then he's been watching the woods like a hawk, mostly by the to-be awakened tree, and menacing anyone that looks like they might have an axe. Not only is that a threat to my men's safety but it's also put a major stop on our logging which is hurting our livelihoods. But we're not exactly a match for a treant ourselves so I'm definitely glad to be getting some help on this."
As you start approaching he calls for you all to slow down, points to a spot in the woods, and says, "I can see the outline of him over that way. The big tree with there." he points to a particularly large one.
Can roll stealth if desired. (I'll say there's enough variance in the terrain between underbrush, small hills/ditches, and the various tree to get ~45ft from Shermanleaf before it starts counting as only lightly obscured. But even then the trees themselves are still valid things to hide behind there.)
Wanted to give you time to think on what kind of approach you want to take. But if the plan is combat, feel free to roll initiative. (Though typically I'll roll it for everyone in cases where it's clear that combat is going to happen immediately.)
Green Circles are Trees
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
"Has Shermanleaf been attacking other creatures other than men?" asks the Tabaxi. "Have the townsfolk ever been out cutting trees when trees have awaken before?"
Cats go Moo!
"Seems only sentient life has his ire." says Julio. "And our folk know better than to go chopping down awakening trees."
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
As the group discusses with Julio and begins planning their course of action Shermanleaf begins to move about. He seems to be just checking things out or taking a stroll, but happens to head closer to the party. After a bit of walking he then pauses, as if he's begun to notice your presence.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
Gattara looks really interested
It is not the first treant I talk with...let me try to speak with him...but just look over my shoulders, right?!
The druid hides any weapon and calmly walks towards the treant with raised hands, saying in Sylvan:
Nice to meet you, sheperd of trees, I am Gattara, sheperd of cats, may I talk with you?
[[ Gonna roll a quick persuasion for Gattara. Will assume guidance and since she's leaning into the Druid aspect of her nature in a context that makes sense for that, will key off of WIS instead of CHA ]]
15
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
As Gattara approaches Shermanleaf roots around the earth with his branches to pull up a rock from the ground. He seems ready to throw it when the druid starts to speak in Sylvan. Though you can tell there's a lot of aggression ready to be loosed, he seems to stay his violence for now. The treant replies in Sylvan. "We may speak, Gattara, shepherd of cats." he says in a low gruff voice that rumbles through you. As he looks over he notices the others and Julio, "Has he sent you to chop me down?"
[[ Planning to go with a 3 success / 3 failure here in trying to reason with Shermanleaf. DC 15 for a success. DC 10 for status quo. (Will count 3 together as 1 failure. {Might adjust to 2, after seeing how the rolls go with 4 people, but that would be a noted change and not retroactive.}) 9-5 is a failure, below 5 brings to outright aggression and rolling initiative. (DC 15 at disadvantage to get back to talking.) ]]
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
Ying takes a prepared stance as her hand lies near her weapons should Shermanleaf turn violent. She nods to Gattara to see if diplomacy is enough to end this situation.
Gattara is content she did not anger the treant. She bows a little and keeps talking
Chopping?! quite the contrary! maybe folks in general do not understand troubles of the wilderness but, believe me, sheperd, I do.
As a token of trust...
Gattara touches the grass at her feet gently and a spirit of an unicorn appears nearby. Unicorns are usually considered magic creatures of the woods, so she hopes the treant consider it likewise.
This will protect me and those who are friendly with me, you included, sheperd
persuasion + guidance 25
if advantage may be granted because of the unicorn, then I roll another D20 2
Fizzt will crouch down and actively check out the canopies of the trees in the area. (Passive Perception: 23, Perception check (+8)(Rolling for the possible 16-20): 26
Cats go Moo!
(OOC: was looking for other creatures and possible places to climb up for advantage near the Treant, this al goes to hell.)
Cats go Moo!
[[
As a small request in general, if you're using a feature/spell/etc. to create an effect please note it somewhere. Took me a while for me to figure out it was the Spirit Totem feature the unicorn came from. (Not an expert on all of you guys' features.)
I'll give advantage on the one check there. Not sure what the guidance roll was (DDB seems to think you rolled 4d8 that totaled to 18...; classic forum roller) but the +4 from WIS and the base 13 on the advantage is a 17 already so guidance won't have an effect in this case.
]]
With Ying and Fizzt taking a readied stance Fizzt is able to easily observe the surrounding area. As far as he can tell there are squirrels and birds in the tree as well as other woodland fauna, but nothing of note that would be a threat to the party. He's also able to observe that the canopy extends above Shermanleaf's height. While Shermanleaf is ~30ft tall the 5ft radius trees are 40-50ft tall. (10ft radius: 50-65. 15ft radius: 65-85)
Shermanleaf takes comfort in Gattara's words. His barky face seems to relax at the sight of the unicorn. He looks over at Fizzt and switches to Common, "You, cat, are you one of this shepherd's flock?" A a look of sadness then comes over his visage. "Alas, shepherd, I fear your protection is not enough these days. I have found the stumps of my kin." He looks over the party, surveying the weaponry of Ying, Fizzt, and Donyl. "So I must be wary."
[[
1 success; 0 failures
also if you guys have other ideas coming to mind beyond persuasion please do let me know; I'm open to however you may be inclined to approach this
please let me know if there's any positioning adjustments you'd like to make or if you're good
]]
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
"Stumps you say?! Problematic indeed. In the days ahead I can heal the wounds of the wood, are you willing to receive help from us?"
Persuasion wis 15 + guidance 3