"Big knife-stick man - pursuit rash. All ambushers dead? Unknown. Know we coming? Unknown. Coming where? Don't know! Know how many wait? Nope. But prolly more - 6 gobbles gave lots trouble. How much trouble y'want?"
He lets another berry explode in his mouth. Not bad. Sharp. Can't see them growing on any bushes round here though... he considers asking where they came from but feels he might be better off not knowing.
"Strix prefer talk, but some..."he gestures at the nearest goblin corpse, "Some not talk. Not fraid 'trouble. Just... have... sponsibillies. Cart. How far town? Maybe you deliver cart, we track gobbles, we meet later to plan?"
"I think it would be unwise to continue with a looming threat of goblins attacking us on the road. I know 6 of these vile creatures gave some headache, however, if we tred carefully, we should be able to eliminate the threat of the goblins. Even if the archer's count of twelve is accurate."
"Strix prefer talk, but some..." Strix gestures at the nearest goblin corpse, "Some not talk. Not fraid 'trouble. Just... have... sponsibillies. Cart. How far town? Maybe you deliver cart, we track gobbles, we meet later to plan?"
Asher turns to Strix. "If these goblins attack us again, there may not be any of us left to take the cart to our destination. Scupper brushed near death in a fight where they got the jump on us. We can't risk it happening again."
Asher's mind begins to wander. We have to follow these goblins. It's the only way I can gain the respect I need to get back to my former life. I need to defeat more creatures. I have to.
Well I suppose if they'll heal me, I may have me a berry or two. As to the greenskins, I say we follow in the interest of saving lives. Lives saved is money made. Strix's new quiver tells me they may have something nice to offer as that reward. By the by birdie...I believe you got a little bit of something on your chin.
Scupper examines the trail...can the cart make it down this path? I can't in good monetary conscience suggest we leave the cart to investigate but if we take it with us than it's jest a detour aye? And ifn' we do get us a live gobo, well then I'd love the honor of askin it a few questions. A devious sneer blossoms on Scuppers face. I believe we'll get answers before it runs out of fingers and toes.
I'll be honest I'm a bit confused as to where my HP stands. I received the healing word but I think there was a correction to the amount? And are we noticing that Strix is eating goblin or going through physical changes? Do we know he's a shifter? Not that I mind but I'm not exactly the moral center here.
He did "shift" in the battle, becoming more owl like. So we may not know he's a "shifter" per se, but we know he has some shape shifting ability.
Also, we could have Mistweaver stay behind with the card? I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, but I think the last time they posted was on the 14th or 15th. I know there were no exact rules of how frequent we must post, but if Mistweaver stayed behind with the cart, and if they do post, then we can "story-wise" say she caught up with us? Idk, what do you guys think?
"Scupper is right," Asher agrees. "We have to save lives if we are able to!"
Surely they would agree to go after the goblins now. I can probably cut off each of the goblins ears and show them to him, and then maybe he would let me come back."
"If we don't go after the goblins, then they will come after us. It's eat or be eaten, and I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't think Strix wants to end up on a rotisserie."
Asher begins walking toward the direction of the tracks, but he doesn't move more than a few steps before looking behind him for the rest of the group. "We can take a small rest here if need be, but we should be on the move within the next hour or so before they get too far."
Strix winces at the mention of his chin and hurriedly scours at it with a shirt sleeve. Realising he's likely outvoted, he shrugs and falls in behind Dario, preparing to assist with any scouting.
The trail is too narrow for the wagon to follow, but with time and care you would be able to bring it some way off the road and tie the horses to a tree. It wouldn't be perfect, but it's unlikely it would be seen from the road unless someone were actively searching for it.
Strix isn't particularly hiding his nature and you all either saw him eating or can see the obvious leftovers on his face. It's fairly common knowledge that shifters exist, though many have never seen one. People generally know that they have part animal characteristics, and that they are considered undesirables in most 'civilised' places, especially large cities like Neverwinter. If you want to try to recollect any more about them that your character might know from the past, make a Nature check.
Scupper started the battle with full health, 8/8 HP. He was struck by a goblin with a scimitar for 7 damage, and then by an arrow, which knocked him unconscious at 0 HP. Mistweaver cast Healing Word on him, bringing him back to consciousness and 5 HP, which is where he is now.
If you want Mistweaver to stay with the wagon, you'll have to ask her. :) (SquigsTheTruth is right, and I haven't received any communication from Trolldemort, so I'm looking into getting a new player or two...)
You would probably be able to reach Phandalin around sunset. On the map, you're still on the Triboar Trail, but close to where the path to Phandalin splits off to the south.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Does anyone have nuttin' to say about this other lot what's been taken? How long have them horses been corpses, lads? If we can, i could use me a short rest to get my wits back about me and make sure I'm not still bleeding somewheres...Mistweaver? Lass, you willing to guard the cart?
So it would seem we can take a short rest to regroup, push the cart in the trees and make for the gobo hideout. Do we know how long ago the other ambush happened? How long the captives have been held would make a difference as to whether we should move immediately or if an hour doesn't make much difference...
And do I understand that Mistweaver is now an NPC? Who else have we lost, playerwise)
"Does anyone have nuttin' to say about this other lot what's been taken? How long have them horses been corpses, lads? If we can, i could use me a short rest to get my wits back about me and make sure I'm not still bleeding somewheres...Mistweaver? Lass, you willing to guard the cart?
So it would seem we can take a short rest to regroup, push the cart in the trees and make for the gobo hideout. Do we know how long ago the other ambush happened? How long the captives have been held would make a difference as to whether we should move immediately or if an hour doesn't make much difference...
And do I understand that Mistweaver is now an NPC? Who else have we lost, playerwise)
Nature roll on Shifter knowledge 1
And I thought Asher knew nothing about shifters lol
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Aside from Mistweaver, Vaz is on auto pilot for another 4 days or so with notice given, I think but everyone else is present and correct. Not sure what the skill is to check the horse corpses. Chance my arm with Insight - 18 but if it's investigation take 6 off that.
Scupper, now that you think about it, you've met a shifter before. When you first joined your ship, one of the crew, name of Baxim, seemed to have slightly bear-like features. It wasn't as obvious as with Strix, and Baxim behaved much more like an average human, just unusually hairy and with large canine teeth; you're not quite sure why this should be different in Strix's case. Baxim would occasionally shift into his more bear-like form when the crew was drinking and gaming - sort of as a party trick to entertain the others. He didn't actually look like a real bear in his shifted form, but it was pretty monstrous-looking and intimidating the first time you saw it. You remember that Baxim never shifted during battle; it seemed to be an important point with him. Despite that, he was vicious with his axe and had no qualms about cleaving an enemy in two. Baxim died about two months after you joined the crew; an unlucky arrow to the eye. He was buried at sea, like anyone else. Besides this, you know that shifters are rare, that they mostly live in forests in small family groups, that they are not inherently evil but some common folk think they are, so they're often not welcome in towns or cities.
Strix, you can tell that the horses were killed yesterday afternoon; that would probably be a Medicine check, but with a natural 20 you can be pretty sure.
I'll play Mistweaver for a little time and then take her out of the story when it makes sense. I'll also play Vaz until Tobbence is back in a few days.
Strix prods at the flanks of the horses, poking at the wounds, fiddling with their mouths, then sits down to meditate.
"no rush. Horses dead a day. Captives dead now, or alive later. Rest, then hunt?"
Clearly Scupper knows more about shifters than I do :)
Ok, we short rest, then head on? Or is the rest necessary? It's sort of handy for me (shift rechsrges, but it's only 3 hp) but does anyone else need it?
Well alright then. As I see it, we get things settled a bit here and then let's be off on the hunt like Strix says. Get us another beak full of green, eh lad? Now that I think about it...Mistweaver here saved me life. Are you the only one that can work healing magic? Maybe you should come along after all.
I guess Scupper knows a thing or two about shifters but he's never had a problem with diversity. He'd work with a goblin if he came across one that didn't just giggle insanely and try to burn everything. It would appear to him that shifters make rules for themselves...possibly struggle with the actual beast inside but not with being beastly per-say. Maybe they shift too long and can't come back from it. Either way he's happy for Strix's company and skill along with everyone else. Considering how fast Scupper went down this last battle, he's never been more sure of that. It's difficult being on the other side of the ambush...
Scupper will either have a few of them berries or take a hit die on the short rest. I don't know how many of the 10 berries are left but 3 would bring him back up full to 8.
I have not seen the others use magic to heal, says Mistweaver hesitantly, looking around the others for confirmation. So I will come with you... for now. But I sense... something. I'm not sure now which way my path lies. However, I have accepted this job, and I will do my best to aid you all. We are headed north, is that right, along this trail that Dario has found?
The atmosphere is now calm after the burst of activity in the battle, and you can hear the rustling of small animals through the undergrowth as everything returns to normal. It's early afternoon, and just over half the day has gone. You look overhead, and two birds are circling, waiting; it appears they can see - or smell - the goblin corpses, and are planning a meal.
If you take a short rest, then please roll hit dice if you need it, and let me know who will be keeping watch - it only needs one person.
If you decide to attempt to follow the goblin trail, let me know exactly what you do with the cart, and also please give me a marching order - single file, as the trail gets narrow in places. If you continue to Phandalin, then give me a driver and Animal Handling check as usual.
OK, I'm suggesting Dario leads as the best tracker, Ash behind him as backup since trouble is more likely at the front than back. Vaz in the middle (I'm assuming he's squishiest?) with Mistweaver and Scupper in front and behind him for ranged support and Strix takes the rear guard? That should give us the high perception value front, back and middle with decent combat options to respond where necessary whatever side we're hit from. Would that work?
In terms of the cart, is the trail too narrow for Soodi as well? If so We'd have to tie them up separately as far off the road as possible. We could disguise them with brush (Strix has a hatchet for gathering branches to create a makeshift hide), feed them and just hope nothing takes an interest? Does anyone have the means to make markings - paint, chalk, woad etc - on the cart or horses, either to make them look like a medical hazard that you wouldn't want to go near or property of a feared group that are unlikely to come by themselves but no one on the Sword Coast would willingly mess with? Might keep travelers and casual bandits away. The goblin- and other horse- corpses will hopefully dull the hungers of any local predators after an easy meal. If we can spare the time we could strip the flesh from the goblin bones, make up some threatening fetishes to dangle around but that's probably overkill. We could also take the wheels off the cart and hide them so looting it is a more difficult prospect but at that point we've wasted a lot of time and potentially killed our chances of getting there and back before nightfall. A lot depends on how far we have to go, of course, but we won't know that till we get there.
The trail looks wide enough for Soodi to travel, at least the parts you've seen, though Vaz would probably not be able to ride her, as the trail is rather overgrown and obviously not much used by non-small creatures. Vaz would tell you that Soodi is unlikely to consent to being tied up, but can take care of herself if you need to leave her behind for a while.
Addressing Asher, Strix replies
"Big knife-stick man - pursuit rash. All ambushers dead? Unknown. Know we coming? Unknown. Coming where? Don't know! Know how many wait? Nope. But prolly more - 6 gobbles gave lots trouble. How much trouble y'want?"
He lets another berry explode in his mouth. Not bad. Sharp. Can't see them growing on any bushes round here though... he considers asking where they came from but feels he might be better off not knowing.
"Strix prefer talk, but some..." he gestures at the nearest goblin corpse, "Some not talk. Not fraid 'trouble. Just... have... sponsibillies. Cart. How far town? Maybe you deliver cart, we track gobbles, we meet later to plan?"
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
"I think it would be unwise to continue with a looming threat of goblins attacking us on the road. I know 6 of these vile creatures gave some headache, however, if we tred carefully, we should be able to eliminate the threat of the goblins. Even if the archer's count of twelve is accurate."
"Strix prefer talk, but some..." Strix gestures at the nearest goblin corpse, "Some not talk. Not fraid 'trouble. Just... have... sponsibillies. Cart. How far town? Maybe you deliver cart, we track gobbles, we meet later to plan?"
Asher turns to Strix. "If these goblins attack us again, there may not be any of us left to take the cart to our destination. Scupper brushed near death in a fight where they got the jump on us. We can't risk it happening again."
Asher's mind begins to wander. We have to follow these goblins. It's the only way I can gain the respect I need to get back to my former life. I need to defeat more creatures. I have to.
Published Subclasses
Well I suppose if they'll heal me, I may have me a berry or two. As to the greenskins, I say we follow in the interest of saving lives. Lives saved is money made. Strix's new quiver tells me they may have something nice to offer as that reward. By the by birdie...I believe you got a little bit of something on your chin.
Scupper examines the trail...can the cart make it down this path? I can't in good monetary conscience suggest we leave the cart to investigate but if we take it with us than it's jest a detour aye? And ifn' we do get us a live gobo, well then I'd love the honor of askin it a few questions. A devious sneer blossoms on Scuppers face. I believe we'll get answers before it runs out of fingers and toes.
I'll be honest I'm a bit confused as to where my HP stands. I received the healing word but I think there was a correction to the amount? And are we noticing that Strix is eating goblin or going through physical changes? Do we know he's a shifter? Not that I mind but I'm not exactly the moral center here.
He did "shift" in the battle, becoming more owl like. So we may not know he's a "shifter" per se, but we know he has some shape shifting ability.
Also, we could have Mistweaver stay behind with the card? I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, but I think the last time they posted was on the 14th or 15th. I know there were no exact rules of how frequent we must post, but if Mistweaver stayed behind with the cart, and if they do post, then we can "story-wise" say she caught up with us? Idk, what do you guys think?
"Scupper is right," Asher agrees. "We have to save lives if we are able to!"
Surely they would agree to go after the goblins now. I can probably cut off each of the goblins ears and show them to him, and then maybe he would let me come back."
"If we don't go after the goblins, then they will come after us. It's eat or be eaten, and I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't think Strix wants to end up on a rotisserie."
Asher begins walking toward the direction of the tracks, but he doesn't move more than a few steps before looking behind him for the rest of the group. "We can take a small rest here if need be, but we should be on the move within the next hour or so before they get too far."
Published Subclasses
Strix winces at the mention of his chin and hurriedly scours at it with a shirt sleeve. Realising he's likely outvoted, he shrugs and falls in behind Dario, preparing to assist with any scouting.
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
The trail is too narrow for the wagon to follow, but with time and care you would be able to bring it some way off the road and tie the horses to a tree. It wouldn't be perfect, but it's unlikely it would be seen from the road unless someone were actively searching for it.
Strix isn't particularly hiding his nature and you all either saw him eating or can see the obvious leftovers on his face. It's fairly common knowledge that shifters exist, though many have never seen one. People generally know that they have part animal characteristics, and that they are considered undesirables in most 'civilised' places, especially large cities like Neverwinter. If you want to try to recollect any more about them that your character might know from the past, make a Nature check.
Scupper started the battle with full health, 8/8 HP. He was struck by a goblin with a scimitar for 7 damage, and then by an arrow, which knocked him unconscious at 0 HP. Mistweaver cast Healing Word on him, bringing him back to consciousness and 5 HP, which is where he is now.
If you want Mistweaver to stay with the wagon, you'll have to ask her. :) (SquigsTheTruth is right, and I haven't received any communication from Trolldemort, so I'm looking into getting a new player or two...)
You would probably be able to reach Phandalin around sunset. On the map, you're still on the Triboar Trail, but close to where the path to Phandalin splits off to the south.
I'll roll to see what Asher knows about shifters, just for the heck of it.
Nature: 2
Published Subclasses
Asher doesn’t know anything about shifters beyond what is common knowledge.
I figured lol
Published Subclasses
"Does anyone have nuttin' to say about this other lot what's been taken? How long have them horses been corpses, lads? If we can, i could use me a short rest to get my wits back about me and make sure I'm not still bleeding somewheres...Mistweaver? Lass, you willing to guard the cart?
So it would seem we can take a short rest to regroup, push the cart in the trees and make for the gobo hideout. Do we know how long ago the other ambush happened? How long the captives have been held would make a difference as to whether we should move immediately or if an hour doesn't make much difference...
And do I understand that Mistweaver is now an NPC? Who else have we lost, playerwise)
Nature roll on Shifter knowledge 1
Lucky me rerolls shifter knowledge 19
And I thought Asher knew nothing about shifters lol
Published Subclasses
Aside from Mistweaver, Vaz is on auto pilot for another 4 days or so with notice given, I think but everyone else is present and correct. Not sure what the skill is to check the horse corpses. Chance my arm with Insight - 18 but if it's investigation take 6 off that.
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
Scupper, now that you think about it, you've met a shifter before. When you first joined your ship, one of the crew, name of Baxim, seemed to have slightly bear-like features. It wasn't as obvious as with Strix, and Baxim behaved much more like an average human, just unusually hairy and with large canine teeth; you're not quite sure why this should be different in Strix's case. Baxim would occasionally shift into his more bear-like form when the crew was drinking and gaming - sort of as a party trick to entertain the others. He didn't actually look like a real bear in his shifted form, but it was pretty monstrous-looking and intimidating the first time you saw it. You remember that Baxim never shifted during battle; it seemed to be an important point with him. Despite that, he was vicious with his axe and had no qualms about cleaving an enemy in two. Baxim died about two months after you joined the crew; an unlucky arrow to the eye. He was buried at sea, like anyone else. Besides this, you know that shifters are rare, that they mostly live in forests in small family groups, that they are not inherently evil but some common folk think they are, so they're often not welcome in towns or cities.
Strix, you can tell that the horses were killed yesterday afternoon; that would probably be a Medicine check, but with a natural 20 you can be pretty sure.
I'll play Mistweaver for a little time and then take her out of the story when it makes sense. I'll also play Vaz until Tobbence is back in a few days.
Strix prods at the flanks of the horses, poking at the wounds, fiddling with their mouths, then sits down to meditate.
"no rush. Horses dead a day. Captives dead now, or alive later. Rest, then hunt?"
Clearly Scupper knows more about shifters than I do :)
Ok, we short rest, then head on? Or is the rest necessary? It's sort of handy for me (shift rechsrges, but it's only 3 hp) but does anyone else need it?
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
Well alright then. As I see it, we get things settled a bit here and then let's be off on the hunt like Strix says. Get us another beak full of green, eh lad? Now that I think about it...Mistweaver here saved me life. Are you the only one that can work healing magic? Maybe you should come along after all.
I guess Scupper knows a thing or two about shifters but he's never had a problem with diversity. He'd work with a goblin if he came across one that didn't just giggle insanely and try to burn everything. It would appear to him that shifters make rules for themselves...possibly struggle with the actual beast inside but not with being beastly per-say. Maybe they shift too long and can't come back from it. Either way he's happy for Strix's company and skill along with everyone else. Considering how fast Scupper went down this last battle, he's never been more sure of that. It's difficult being on the other side of the ambush...
Scupper will either have a few of them berries or take a hit die on the short rest. I don't know how many of the 10 berries are left but 3 would bring him back up full to 8.
Do we have any other healers beyond Mistweaver?
I have not seen the others use magic to heal, says Mistweaver hesitantly, looking around the others for confirmation. So I will come with you... for now. But I sense... something. I'm not sure now which way my path lies. However, I have accepted this job, and I will do my best to aid you all. We are headed north, is that right, along this trail that Dario has found?
The atmosphere is now calm after the burst of activity in the battle, and you can hear the rustling of small animals through the undergrowth as everything returns to normal. It's early afternoon, and just over half the day has gone. You look overhead, and two birds are circling, waiting; it appears they can see - or smell - the goblin corpses, and are planning a meal.
If you take a short rest, then please roll hit dice if you need it, and let me know who will be keeping watch - it only needs one person.
If you decide to attempt to follow the goblin trail, let me know exactly what you do with the cart, and also please give me a marching order - single file, as the trail gets narrow in places. If you continue to Phandalin, then give me a driver and Animal Handling check as usual.
OK, I'm suggesting Dario leads as the best tracker, Ash behind him as backup since trouble is more likely at the front than back. Vaz in the middle (I'm assuming he's squishiest?) with Mistweaver and Scupper in front and behind him for ranged support and Strix takes the rear guard? That should give us the high perception value front, back and middle with decent combat options to respond where necessary whatever side we're hit from. Would that work?
In terms of the cart, is the trail too narrow for Soodi as well? If so We'd have to tie them up separately as far off the road as possible. We could disguise them with brush (Strix has a hatchet for gathering branches to create a makeshift hide), feed them and just hope nothing takes an interest? Does anyone have the means to make markings - paint, chalk, woad etc - on the cart or horses, either to make them look like a medical hazard that you wouldn't want to go near or property of a feared group that are unlikely to come by themselves but no one on the Sword Coast would willingly mess with? Might keep travelers and casual bandits away. The goblin- and other horse- corpses will hopefully dull the hungers of any local predators after an easy meal. If we can spare the time we could strip the flesh from the goblin bones, make up some threatening fetishes to dangle around but that's probably overkill. We could also take the wheels off the cart and hide them so looting it is a more difficult prospect but at that point we've wasted a lot of time and potentially killed our chances of getting there and back before nightfall. A lot depends on how far we have to go, of course, but we won't know that till we get there.
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
The trail looks wide enough for Soodi to travel, at least the parts you've seen, though Vaz would probably not be able to ride her, as the trail is rather overgrown and obviously not much used by non-small creatures. Vaz would tell you that Soodi is unlikely to consent to being tied up, but can take care of herself if you need to leave her behind for a while.