The older man, apparently the leader of the group, thanks you for the warning. Spiders, eh? Thank you for clearing them out. We'll be careful. We didn't see anything special, I don't think. The trees are so close, though. It's clear one minute, monsters everywhere the next. Dangerous place, the Svalich Wood. You're almost clear of the wood, though, aren't ye?
Puddin, with that Perception check, you get a good look at what else is going on. While the older man is speaking with Barnaby, the other two are looking all around. They look at you and Kif, of course, but they're also peering into the woods, to see if there are more of you. Did they see anything? It's hard to say, but if they *did* see Fope and/or Ireena, they didn't show it on their faces. You also note that they appear to be transporting goods for trade. You would guess that there is wine, or maybe ale, in the barrels, along with other trade goods in the wagon.
The wagon slows a bit for this short exchange, and then travels on.
The party gathers and continues on. You soon see a break in the trees ahead and, sure enough, the path makes a sharp right as it emerges from the forest. If you look on your map you will see where I mean.
The forest remains on your right hand side. On your left, the trees are not as thick, and you can see in the distance a slope gradually rising to a mountain, far to the southwest. You follow the path to Vallaki, which has bent due north. The Svalich Wood is to your right, dark and mysterious. At about 4:00 pm, you see a light ahead, hanging at the right hand (eastern) edge of the road about 100' ahead. The thick forest trees prevent you from seeing what the lantern (presumably) is hanging from. It is not dark, nor is it even dusk. But at about 4:00 pm in this long valley, the lantern is noticeable at this distance.
You all approach cautiously. Fope, probably the best at scouting, stays well behind Kif.
The lantern is hanging over a small free-standing archway on the east side of the road. As you approach you see a large house, set back about 20 feet in the woods, and a small path leads from the road, through the archway, to a portico on the front of the house. Two children, a young boy and a slightly older girl, are nervously peering out at the road, from behind the porch railing.
SO can you describe the kids, are they just standing there looking at us or engaged in an activity? Anything unusual about their appearance? Is it obvious they see us, or some of us, do they have a lemonade stand...road marches are thirsty work. Is Barnaby and Ireena 30 feet behind Fope, or is Fope hanging with them? If Fope is with them is he hiding behind Ireena or Barnaby?
Kif is going to look behind him at his party and continue moving forward at no great speed
As soon as the children see Kif peering at them from the road, they come rushing out off of the porch. The older one, the girl, looks to be about 10 years old. The younger one, apparently her brother, appears to be about 7. They look back and forth from you to their house as they come rushing. The boy is gasping, half-panicked. The girl shushes him, as they meet you at the arch. There's a monster in our house! She points back at the house, though it's the only structure you've seen since the crossroads, several hours ago.
The house itself is narrow and tall. It is similar in construction the houses you saw in the village of Barovia, and the children look like the children you saw there. Narrow frames, simple clothing, humans. You estimate there are three floors inside, and possibly an attic atop. The children look at you, as you look at the house. I'm Rose, says the girl, and this is my brother, Thorn. Please help us! Our parents have trapped it in the basement, but I do not think they can keep it there!
Roll a Perception check (this goes for all of you, as you catch up).
Puddin reaches Kif and stops to get a view of the children and the house.
Perception: 21
Kif, as much as I love children, let's make sure that we keep our guard up. Everything is so strange in this land that this too may be a deception that will lead us -- or our cargo -- to grave harm. Besides....a parent named one child Rose and the latter Thorn? What were they thinking?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Well this is peculiar. That is an acute observation Pud. Parents are messed up when it comes to naming their spawn. We should take every precaution. Before we go in I will cast a spell of monster protection so that we might help these parents with poor decision making skills. It will take a few minutes, so please wait patiently children.
Once we are all ready to go in, Barnaby will take 10 minutes to cast detect magic as a ritual looking immediately at the creepy kids to see if anything is up with them. He will then look at the house and grounds, or at least what is within 30'. Again, the plan is to do it at the last possible moment so that the spell is active for the first ten minutes as we go in.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Meanwhile, Tulip will perform a stealth reconnaissance of the house and it's surroundings, flying low to the adjacent trees for cover.
Stealth: 4
Perception (advantage on sight and hearing): 20
Upon completion and reporting back to Barnaby, she will be encouraged by Barnaby to go gently up to the children to distract and amuse them while he casts his spell.
So Tulip is (1) doing a quick reconnaissance, and then (2) going up to the children while you (3) cast Detect Magic as a ritual? Do I understand that correctly?
Also, what are you doing with Portent there? And doesn't Portent only trigger on long rests?
1. Through telepathic communication with Tulip, she tells you that the bottom two levels of the house look like an ordinary dwelling. Furniture, rooms, nothing obviously (to an owl familiar) bad or weird. She does not get a good look through the windows of the third floor, unless you want her to go up there, because it would put her above the trees.
2. The children are placated by your explanation of a "protection from monsters" spell. Tulip nevertheless appears to make them nervous, and they spend the time up on the porch, anxiously looking in the windows.
3. When you finish the ritual, you discover that the children and the house give off magical auras. You cannot discern any one school of magic at work in this place. It is not that simple.
The children seem to be quite sincere in their fear for their parents, and their terror of the monster in the basement. If you roll an insight check and get a 25 or higher, the children still seem to be quite sincere. ;)
This whole place, including the children, is lit up with magical energy. We must be on guard. Does anyone have a ranged weapon for Ireena? Then she can aid us with her fine fighting prowess while being in the back where she can defend me if needed.
When we are ready to go, Barnaby will stay back 30’ from the door as it is opened.
This whole place, including the children, is lit up with magical energy. We must be on guard. Does anyone have a ranged weapon for Ireena? Then she can aid us with her fine fighting prowess while being in the back where she can defend me if needed.
When we are ready to go, Barnaby will stay back 30’ from the door as it is opened.
Bold: ok so if Barnaby is going to stay back, what's everyone else doing? Who plans to head in first?
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Føpé is wondering about spiders and wolves, trying to stay alert to the dangers of the forest
It's funny, how sometimes, hiding in the woods, a moment can seem like it lasts forever. Time just stretches out.
The older man, apparently the leader of the group, thanks you for the warning. Spiders, eh? Thank you for clearing them out. We'll be careful. We didn't see anything special, I don't think. The trees are so close, though. It's clear one minute, monsters everywhere the next. Dangerous place, the Svalich Wood. You're almost clear of the wood, though, aren't ye?
Puddin, with that Perception check, you get a good look at what else is going on. While the older man is speaking with Barnaby, the other two are looking all around. They look at you and Kif, of course, but they're also peering into the woods, to see if there are more of you. Did they see anything? It's hard to say, but if they *did* see Fope and/or Ireena, they didn't show it on their faces. You also note that they appear to be transporting goods for trade. You would guess that there is wine, or maybe ale, in the barrels, along with other trade goods in the wagon.
The wagon slows a bit for this short exchange, and then travels on.
OK, after the wagon disappears from view I'll signal the others to come out of the woods.
Let's keep moving, folks. Sounds like were almost out of the woods, which might be nice but I suspect we will face other challenges
What time of day is it?
Mid-afternoon. About 3:00.
The party gathers and continues on. You soon see a break in the trees ahead and, sure enough, the path makes a sharp right as it emerges from the forest. If you look on your map you will see where I mean.
The forest remains on your right hand side. On your left, the trees are not as thick, and you can see in the distance a slope gradually rising to a mountain, far to the southwest. You follow the path to Vallaki, which has bent due north. The Svalich Wood is to your right, dark and mysterious. At about 4:00 pm, you see a light ahead, hanging at the right hand (eastern) edge of the road about 100' ahead. The thick forest trees prevent you from seeing what the lantern (presumably) is hanging from. It is not dark, nor is it even dusk. But at about 4:00 pm in this long valley, the lantern is noticeable at this distance.
Let’s approach with care. Standing lamps don’t belong in the woods. There is clearly some sort of malfeasance afoot.
Barnaby will hang back about 30’ from whoever is up front, encouraging Ireena to stay with him.
Kif will take lead, attempting to be quiet and head on a swivel
Stealth 14
Perception 22
Føpé will accompany. But from some 30 ft away so that if Kif is made, Føpé may still remain hidden.
Stealth: 26
Perception: 5
You all approach cautiously. Fope, probably the best at scouting, stays well behind Kif.
The lantern is hanging over a small free-standing archway on the east side of the road. As you approach you see a large house, set back about 20 feet in the woods, and a small path leads from the road, through the archway, to a portico on the front of the house. Two children, a young boy and a slightly older girl, are nervously peering out at the road, from behind the porch railing.
SO can you describe the kids, are they just standing there looking at us or engaged in an activity? Anything unusual about their appearance? Is it obvious they see us, or some of us, do they have a lemonade stand...road marches are thirsty work. Is Barnaby and Ireena 30 feet behind Fope, or is Fope hanging with them? If Fope is with them is he hiding behind Ireena or Barnaby?
Kif is going to look behind him at his party and continue moving forward at no great speed
As soon as the children see Kif peering at them from the road, they come rushing out off of the porch. The older one, the girl, looks to be about 10 years old. The younger one, apparently her brother, appears to be about 7. They look back and forth from you to their house as they come rushing. The boy is gasping, half-panicked. The girl shushes him, as they meet you at the arch. There's a monster in our house! She points back at the house, though it's the only structure you've seen since the crossroads, several hours ago.
The house itself is narrow and tall. It is similar in construction the houses you saw in the village of Barovia, and the children look like the children you saw there. Narrow frames, simple clothing, humans. You estimate there are three floors inside, and possibly an attic atop. The children look at you, as you look at the house. I'm Rose, says the girl, and this is my brother, Thorn. Please help us! Our parents have trapped it in the basement, but I do not think they can keep it there!
Roll a Perception check (this goes for all of you, as you catch up).
If you roll a 10 or greater, read this:
They look like normal children.
If you roll a 15 or greater, read this:
They look like normal children.
perception 14
OK, ok children, we mean you no harm, If my mates agree we can check it out
And it might be a good place to do the overnight once we check it out
Puddin reaches Kif and stops to get a view of the children and the house.
Perception: 21
Kif, as much as I love children, let's make sure that we keep our guard up. Everything is so strange in this land that this too may be a deception that will lead us -- or our cargo -- to grave harm. Besides....a parent named one child Rose and the latter Thorn? What were they thinking?
Well this is peculiar. That is an acute observation Pud. Parents are messed up when it comes to naming their spawn. We should take every precaution. Before we go in I will cast a spell of monster protection so that we might help these parents with poor decision making skills. It will take a few minutes, so please wait patiently children.
Once we are all ready to go in, Barnaby will take 10 minutes to cast detect magic as a ritual looking immediately at the creepy kids to see if anything is up with them. He will then look at the house and grounds, or at least what is within 30'. Again, the plan is to do it at the last possible moment so that the spell is active for the first ten minutes as we go in.
Portent from short rest: 1512
Perception: 4
Meanwhile, Tulip will perform a stealth reconnaissance of the house and it's surroundings, flying low to the adjacent trees for cover.
Stealth: 4
Perception (advantage on sight and hearing): 20
Upon completion and reporting back to Barnaby, she will be encouraged by Barnaby to go gently up to the children to distract and amuse them while he casts his spell.
So Tulip is (1) doing a quick reconnaissance, and then (2) going up to the children while you (3) cast Detect Magic as a ritual? Do I understand that correctly?
Also, what are you doing with Portent there? And doesn't Portent only trigger on long rests?
Ok. Here we go:
1. Through telepathic communication with Tulip, she tells you that the bottom two levels of the house look like an ordinary dwelling. Furniture, rooms, nothing obviously (to an owl familiar) bad or weird. She does not get a good look through the windows of the third floor, unless you want her to go up there, because it would put her above the trees.
2. The children are placated by your explanation of a "protection from monsters" spell. Tulip nevertheless appears to make them nervous, and they spend the time up on the porch, anxiously looking in the windows.
3. When you finish the ritual, you discover that the children and the house give off magical auras. You cannot discern any one school of magic at work in this place. It is not that simple.
The children seem to be quite sincere in their fear for their parents, and their terror of the monster in the basement. If you roll an insight check and get a 25 or higher, the children still seem to be quite sincere. ;)
As we head toward the porch...
This whole place, including the children, is lit up with magical energy. We must be on guard. Does anyone have a ranged weapon for Ireena? Then she can aid us with her fine fighting prowess while being in the back where she can defend me if needed.
When we are ready to go, Barnaby will stay back 30’ from the door as it is opened.
Bold: I have a light crossbow that she can use. I haven't used the darn thing in a while though.
Bold: ok so if Barnaby is going to stay back, what's everyone else doing? Who plans to head in first?