Jalt, you don't see or hear anything for the moment, as a cloud passes across the moon. You feel strange, knowing danger is so close and yet there is no sound or sight of movement around you.
Jalt places his hand over his holy symbol on his scapular and closes his eyes briefly and a small moment of prayer.. Sia ith Bahamut, soves sia cha'sid nomeno tangisir. Troth sia thurirli vur nakta udoka tokeq.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Elspeth frowns, and nods at Soar's suggestion. "A spider wouldn't be easily detected in this light. Being small would present its own difficulties, but being able to climb walls is worth it. As for signals... I'll stick close, and if there's anything you want to investigate just point, or nod. It might be risky trying to pass information on in the camp itself, but perhaps if you could find somewhere secluded. You won't mind if I hitch a ride on your shoulder, right?"
Elspeth is going to wildshape into a spider and crawl up Soar, settling on her shoulder if she gives permission.
Breena frowns, replying softly. "I don't mind following and keeping as inconspicuous as I can and looking around, but I don't necessarily think trying to be a kobold is a good idea? I don't speak the language and I don't have anything other than my hood to disguise myself with... if someone starts speaking to me in Draconic, I won't be able to reply. They don't like gnomes but the humans don't really seem to like kobolds any better. I'm not sure that helps us. I'm afraid I might end up drawing more attention. Besides, if I have to keep my head down and make weird noises, I'm more likely to miss something that's being said or not see something going on, ya know? I'm just not sure I can pull it off, but if you really want me to try I can."
Using a small scrap of paper, she'll write a quick note to Jalt to, hopefully, pass off to a creature they might find. The note says, "Hey big guy! We're okay. Camp is boring and all the "kids" are bigger than me, but what else is new? Looking forward to seeing you soon. Maybe we can meet for lunch? Miss you! -Badger"
"How's that? I was trying to keep it vague in case someone finds it..."
(Oh, I thought we were writing the note to the monk guy to see if we could let him know allies were there and could get him out, unless he had more pressing business to attend to...)
Soar, please make a Perception check to assess the strength of the enemy forces in this area. That's without advantage as the others in the party are busy with their own plans. You can point and send SpiderElspeth in as well, if you like, in which case the spider will make its own Perception check.
Breena, please make a Perception check to spot any helpful animals nearby that might be willing to act as mail carriers. :)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Soar, it looks like there are twenty of these tattered tents in use by the kobolds. Each one might sleep three or four kobolds, five at a pinch. You would estimate there are around eighty kobolds in total; you of course don't see that many at any one time, but the number feels about right to you.
8
Now that you've been in the camp for a while, you notice that there's something of a main road that winds through between the different encampments, taking the middle route and avoiding the sides where the caves are. You could choose to walk it, to walk through the tents, or to skirt the outside where the rocky sides of the hollow curve up and the caves are found.
Ahead of you, perhaps a hundred feet separating it from the kobold camp, is another, somewhat larger cluster of tents; you would need to get closer to know more.
You still have the option to talk to the lone kobold, or the group of four, or to enter the kobold camp further, or to... do anything else.
As it stands, unless you want to change plan, I will move you slowly through the camp, one area at a time, presenting options for people to talk to and things to investigate, some possible encounters, some choices on how to proceed to the next location and some opportunities to split off and do your own thing if you don't want to stay together the whole way. I will do my best to describe in sufficient detail that you can pick up any thread and run with it, if you wish.
Soar, from where you are, you do hear occasional snatches of conversation from the kobolds who pass by, though little detail. They are mostly boasting about how well they did on the raid, with some making outlandish claims for how many enemies they killed. One recurring theme is that the kobolds have mixed feelings about what happened to their spoils - they are glad it was taken in tribute for 'Her', but sad that they didn't get to keep the wealth they found.
You have a decision now as to whether you move through the kobold encampment on the way to the next cluster of tents, or decide to skirt round the side of it either by following the main road or going round the sides near the steep rocky embankments that surround the camp as a whole. The main road is better lit, with more people going back and forth; the sides are darker and less used, which might attract or avoid attention, you can't say.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Perception: 15
(It's very possible I misunderstood the plan, but I was always intending to get word to Jalt? If there's an abundance of animals Breena can always write a second note to the monk?)
With that roll, Breena sees a very friendly pair of voles who are peeking out from a hole in the ground. They glance warily about from time to time, looking at the other inhabitants of the camp with anxiety, but seem aware that Breena means them no harm.
Crouching down and hoping no one notices her, she folds the first note up to a very small size and puts it in front of one of the voles, explaining where to find Jalt. "You don't have to stay, he doesn't even have to see you if you don't want just put it where he's sure to find it. In his shoe or something maybe? And you, little buddy... if you can wait for just a second I'll have another important job just like this one." Glancing up, she asks, "Soar? What did you want to say to the monk?"
Breena, the male vole rises up on his haunches, puffs up his chest, and takes the letter from your hand. The female chitters at him and he nods, then scampers off towards the main gate and the path down from the plateau.
During the note-writing, Soar would suggest, as before, "I think the note could just say, 'want out? or need help inside?'"
Soar, once the group was underway, would stop before the kobold eating on the barrel, and greet it in draconic in a manner she's heard the kobolds speak to one another. "Evening. Glad you at least got something to eat. We straggled in with some others,"and she'd point to where the kobolds they arrived with seemed to head. "The humans kept all the best food, even though they aren't dragonkin and can only speak common. Dragonkin, such as yourselves and those of us smart enough to understand, should be calling the shots. I'm glad the queen will get the loot, but it all could be fairer when it comes to the things she doesn't need. You know what they're planning next? Think it'll get better? Who could we talk to over there if we wanted to try to make things a bit... fairer?"
The last questions are meant to be asked in the course of a back-and forth conversation, if the kobold's receptive at all. If he's not friendly, Soar will nod respectfully and walk along. The intention is to get a sense of things from the kobolds and not seem suspicious wandering through their camp, and then walk to the rest of the camp with a plausible reason and not stick out. You said people are moving back and forth between the camps... what are they doing? Are other people moving around the camp or is it weird for someone to go down the main road from the kobolds to the rest of the tents?
Breena will write the note as Soar suggests and give it to the female vole along with the description they were given of the monk. "Try to be subtle. I don't want anyone to see you, but if you can find a way to slip this to him please do. Maybe while everyone's sleeping? Thank you, friend."
Again, sorry for the confusion in the notes. When you said in this post that you were worried about our friend, my/Badger's mind went to Jalt not the monk
Perception: 15
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Jalt, you don't see or hear anything for the moment, as a cloud passes across the moon. You feel strange, knowing danger is so close and yet there is no sound or sight of movement around you.
Jalt places his hand over his holy symbol on his scapular and closes his eyes briefly and a small moment of prayer.. Sia ith Bahamut, soves sia cha'sid nomeno tangisir. Troth sia thurirli vur nakta udoka tokeq.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Elspeth frowns, and nods at Soar's suggestion. "A spider wouldn't be easily detected in this light. Being small would present its own difficulties, but being able to climb walls is worth it. As for signals... I'll stick close, and if there's anything you want to investigate just point, or nod. It might be risky trying to pass information on in the camp itself, but perhaps if you could find somewhere secluded. You won't mind if I hitch a ride on your shoulder, right?"
Elspeth is going to wildshape into a spider and crawl up Soar, settling on her shoulder if she gives permission.
Okay, I would say that the spider is not really helping in term of Perception, at least not in this context.
What's Badger doing?
(Soar was hoping Badger might help by watching Soar's back after writing her note, and doing her best might-be-a-kobold impression.)
Breena frowns, replying softly. "I don't mind following and keeping as inconspicuous as I can and looking around, but I don't necessarily think trying to be a kobold is a good idea? I don't speak the language and I don't have anything other than my hood to disguise myself with... if someone starts speaking to me in Draconic, I won't be able to reply. They don't like gnomes but the humans don't really seem to like kobolds any better. I'm not sure that helps us. I'm afraid I might end up drawing more attention. Besides, if I have to keep my head down and make weird noises, I'm more likely to miss something that's being said or not see something going on, ya know? I'm just not sure I can pull it off, but if you really want me to try I can."
Using a small scrap of paper, she'll write a quick note to Jalt to, hopefully, pass off to a creature they might find. The note says, "Hey big guy! We're okay. Camp is boring and all the "kids" are bigger than me, but what else is new? Looking forward to seeing you soon. Maybe we can meet for lunch? Miss you! -Badger"
"How's that? I was trying to keep it vague in case someone finds it..."
Rees Changeling Rogue in Tales From the Yawning Portal: Sunless Citadel
Nikya Centaur Blood Hunter in Death House Halloween Oneshot
(Oh, I thought we were writing the note to the monk guy to see if we could let him know allies were there and could get him out, unless he had more pressing business to attend to...)
Soar, please make a Perception check to assess the strength of the enemy forces in this area. That's without advantage as the others in the party are busy with their own plans. You can point and send SpiderElspeth in as well, if you like, in which case the spider will make its own Perception check.
Breena, please make a Perception check to spot any helpful animals nearby that might be willing to act as mail carriers. :)
Perception: 12
Soar, it looks like there are twenty of these tattered tents in use by the kobolds. Each one might sleep three or four kobolds, five at a pinch. You would estimate there are around eighty kobolds in total; you of course don't see that many at any one time, but the number feels about right to you.
8
Now that you've been in the camp for a while, you notice that there's something of a main road that winds through between the different encampments, taking the middle route and avoiding the sides where the caves are. You could choose to walk it, to walk through the tents, or to skirt the outside where the rocky sides of the hollow curve up and the caves are found.
Ahead of you, perhaps a hundred feet separating it from the kobold camp, is another, somewhat larger cluster of tents; you would need to get closer to know more.
As we move through the kobold encampment do we hear snatches of conversation and do they notice us at all beyond basic looks?
You still have the option to talk to the lone kobold, or the group of four, or to enter the kobold camp further, or to... do anything else.
As it stands, unless you want to change plan, I will move you slowly through the camp, one area at a time, presenting options for people to talk to and things to investigate, some possible encounters, some choices on how to proceed to the next location and some opportunities to split off and do your own thing if you don't want to stay together the whole way. I will do my best to describe in sufficient detail that you can pick up any thread and run with it, if you wish.
Soar, from where you are, you do hear occasional snatches of conversation from the kobolds who pass by, though little detail. They are mostly boasting about how well they did on the raid, with some making outlandish claims for how many enemies they killed. One recurring theme is that the kobolds have mixed feelings about what happened to their spoils - they are glad it was taken in tribute for 'Her', but sad that they didn't get to keep the wealth they found.
You have a decision now as to whether you move through the kobold encampment on the way to the next cluster of tents, or decide to skirt round the side of it either by following the main road or going round the sides near the steep rocky embankments that surround the camp as a whole. The main road is better lit, with more people going back and forth; the sides are darker and less used, which might attract or avoid attention, you can't say.
Perception: 15
(It's very possible I misunderstood the plan, but I was always intending to get word to Jalt? If there's an abundance of animals Breena can always write a second note to the monk?)
Rees Changeling Rogue in Tales From the Yawning Portal: Sunless Citadel
Nikya Centaur Blood Hunter in Death House Halloween Oneshot
With that roll, Breena sees a very friendly pair of voles who are peeking out from a hole in the ground. They glance warily about from time to time, looking at the other inhabitants of the camp with anxiety, but seem aware that Breena means them no harm.
Crouching down and hoping no one notices her, she folds the first note up to a very small size and puts it in front of one of the voles, explaining where to find Jalt. "You don't have to stay, he doesn't even have to see you if you don't want just put it where he's sure to find it. In his shoe or something maybe? And you, little buddy... if you can wait for just a second I'll have another important job just like this one." Glancing up, she asks, "Soar? What did you want to say to the monk?"
Rees Changeling Rogue in Tales From the Yawning Portal: Sunless Citadel
Nikya Centaur Blood Hunter in Death House Halloween Oneshot
Breena, the male vole rises up on his haunches, puffs up his chest, and takes the letter from your hand. The female chitters at him and he nods, then scampers off towards the main gate and the path down from the plateau.
The female remains, waiting.
During the note-writing, Soar would suggest, as before, "I think the note could just say, 'want out? or need help inside?'"
Soar, once the group was underway, would stop before the kobold eating on the barrel, and greet it in draconic in a manner she's heard the kobolds speak to one another. "Evening. Glad you at least got something to eat. We straggled in with some others," and she'd point to where the kobolds they arrived with seemed to head. "The humans kept all the best food, even though they aren't dragonkin and can only speak common. Dragonkin, such as yourselves and those of us smart enough to understand, should be calling the shots. I'm glad the queen will get the loot, but it all could be fairer when it comes to the things she doesn't need. You know what they're planning next? Think it'll get better? Who could we talk to over there if we wanted to try to make things a bit... fairer?"
The last questions are meant to be asked in the course of a back-and forth conversation, if the kobold's receptive at all. If he's not friendly, Soar will nod respectfully and walk along. The intention is to get a sense of things from the kobolds and not seem suspicious wandering through their camp, and then walk to the rest of the camp with a plausible reason and not stick out. You said people are moving back and forth between the camps... what are they doing? Are other people moving around the camp or is it weird for someone to go down the main road from the kobolds to the rest of the tents?
Breena will write the note as Soar suggests and give it to the female vole along with the description they were given of the monk. "Try to be subtle. I don't want anyone to see you, but if you can find a way to slip this to him please do. Maybe while everyone's sleeping? Thank you, friend."
Again, sorry for the confusion in the notes. When you said in this post that you were worried about our friend, my/Badger's mind went to Jalt not the monk
Rees Changeling Rogue in Tales From the Yawning Portal: Sunless Citadel
Nikya Centaur Blood Hunter in Death House Halloween Oneshot