8 x Dagger: 1 collected by Fae; 7 collected by Ethan
24gp: Thats 4gp each, remember to add it to your characters everyone
Also, if Ethancollects anything, and you later decided your character could use something, let me know. Ethandoesn't see everything as his, he just doesn't want to waste anything he may be able to use or sell. Also when it comes to selling excess equipment, the intent is for the money to be split evenly with everyone.
I will wait for ixi to decide if Faewants to hold onto the Jewellery we find.
Fae would stare down at the gem before closing her fist around it. "You're right, it is Gundren's." She'd reach out to hand Ethan the amethyst. "I trust you to keep it all together and safe Ethan. Thank you." She'd nod. "In good conscience I can't bring myself to leave this area without at least trying to look for them..." Fae would look back to the wagons, unsure of what to suggest.
Ethanopens his gauntlet, and extracts the envelope with the ruby Gundren gifted him, and puts the other jewellery inside with it, and returns it to his compressed space storage.
"Right, what have we got then? Any clues to where they have been taken?"
Seeing Zeke visibly upset, Fae would approach slowly and gently place a hand on the back of his shoulder. "I know you want to find them Zeke." She really didn't have a plan of what to say. Telling someone to calm down when they're upset doesn't always turn out the best. "I can't let you go rushing in blind." Fae would be taking calm breaths in hopes that it might subconsciously catch on to Zeke for him to take a moment of clarity from his agitation.
What do you think, lads? How far is it from here to Phandalin - can we leave you to finish that journey on your own while we try to find Gundren and Sildar? Or should we hide the wagons off the road in the trees, and try to get back in a few hours? It isn't safe out here if we have to spend an extra night.
She calls out to Zeke -
Wait up! Let's make sure we don't leave Vincent behind! He was the one who spotted this ambush, and perhaps he can help watch out with us too.
(What does Tarja know about the area around here? Is it going to be forested, or more open once we get away from the road? If relevant, Nature 7. Trying to decide whether I should go to a more interesting animal form than Wolf for this :) )
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Fae would grip Zeke’s shoulder, “Ethan and Tarja are right. We need to stick together. As a team. We’ve got this far because we worked together.” She knows she can’t physically direct Zeke, but maybe her words may be able to break through.
Gunna throw some rolls in case they’re desired.
Persuasion (If you wanted Zeke, I wouldn’t want to force you or your char, but if you wanted a random roll of the die to decide if Fae succeeds at getting to you. Fae wants to try to keep everyone together): 12
Nature (What does Fae know/remember of the area): 15
Perception (anything or anyone watching us or close by?): 21
Survival (For If Zeke ignores her and continues down the path, Fae will not allow someone to walk off alone and she’d try to navigate him safely): 13
Finnan replies "you're leaving us?" "So our options are to carry on down the goblin road into the dragon's belly alone, run off with you into the woods after some dwarf we've never met, or hide our huge wagons and oxen here on this narrow, rocky road? We choose option four, absolutely anything else."
Farnin chimes in "ah, what my extremely sympathetic brother is tryin' to say is that we shouldn't leave the girls here to a similar fate as yer friends, so we'll choose to hide as best we can." "If we can get the wagons in under those trees down in that small hollow south of the road over there next to that thicket, we could cut some of the brambles and cover the front of the wagon. There's not a lot of space so we'll remove the hitch and the oxen and bring them into the wood. If that works we might have a bit of trouble getting 'em back out again and up to the road, and it will take more time, but better 'n bein' dead." He adds "if you take too long we'll either be sleepin' out here again or driving at night. We were already pushin' to make it by dark."
Fae knows generally from study of maps of the region and Tarja knows more from first hand knowledge that this region is very hilly and is known for the vast and dense Neverwinter Wood. It is sparse but Fey also does find trace evidence of blood here and there between the horses and the trail, and a few drops up the trail even beyond the dead golbins.
It's still early afternoon. Nice crit. Beyond small amounts of blood, there's not a whole lot for me to reveal at this point. In case I wasn't clear there was a large amount of blood beneath the horses but only tiny amounts elsewhere.
Also, I believe someone mentioned that Sildar may have put up a fight, and you noticed that the dead goblin pile was felled by slashing woulds. Sildar carried a longsword when you met him in the tavern at Neverwinter, so it's a solid theory.
Zeke remains agitated, eager to get moving and clearly frustrated at the delay. Standing 20 feet down the trail, he sweeps his gaze back and forth from the party to the trail ahead.
'We need to move. We can leave some behind to protect the wagons, but some of us need to move now while there is still time.'
OOC: I hadn't planned on Zeke losing his cool like this - but between my dice rolls and Fae's low persuasion I'm thinking he's about to bound off down the trail on his own. The only thing holding him back is his need to protect the rest of the party.
"We'll manage it, boss. Might need yer help pullin' these loads back up the hill when you all get back, though."
"I've never been so glad to just be haulin' this junk rather than a wagon full-a gold. Maybe the dragon isn't so hungry for oil and pickaxes. Have fun stormin' goblin town!"
"Good luck. Be careful. If ya don't come back by sun up come mornin' we best be off to Phandalin on our own."
if you can handle the wagons for now, we’ll leave them in your care. Head to Phandalin if we’re gone too long, and let Nundro and Tharden know what happened.
She heads over to the trail by Zeke.
These woods are deep and can get dense, best not rush in hot-headed. That’s how you end up straight in a giant spiders web. If we all take it slowly we won’t lose the trail, though hopefully the goblins weren’t trying to cover it very thoroughly.
Finally, she addresses Vincent.
Can you keep an eye out for us? You may see things above the trees that we miss down here.
With that, Tarja takes the form of a giant wolf spider and sets out beside the trail they found. Where the trees are dense enough, she would climb up and travel above and near the trail through the branches.
Potentially relevant checks:
Perception 13 (in this form, no advantage to it, she’s trusting more in Vincent since he spotted the last ambush)
Stealth: 8 to hopefully not be noticed by any goblins she runs in to while ahead of the group
Survival: 12 in case the trail is tough to follow and we need to make checks to follow it (though hopefully here too the party can help)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zeke nods his head, takes a deep breath and falls in step alongside Tarja's spider form, keeping to the shadows and looking for any signs of trouble or their friends.
The trail is a narrow footpath not too much bigger than any game trail as it winds its way into the wood, up and down small hills but gaining elevation on the whole. It is notably darker and quieter in the thick wood. About ten minutes down the path Zeke is the first to spot an unusual cluster of leaves on the trail, leaves that don't match the evergreens overhead. He quickly notices a rope amongst the leaves to his right. At the same time, as she climbs through the tree canopy Tarja notices a branch bent down a great deal with a rope attached to it. The rope seems to descend down and behind the tree trunk. Zeke stands near the same tree below.
(Zeke's perception roll and Tarja's passive perception both succeed here. I assume they are in the lead based on the RP thus far.)
Ethan is pleasantly distracted by Tarja transforming into a giant spider, and falls inline with the others, letting Tarja and Zeke get ahead as they travel.
As Zeke and Tarja stop ahead, Ethan moves up with Elra, echoing her question.
Tarja thinks it might be a rope trap, maybe, so if someone stepped in that pile of leaves they would end up hoisted up? She examines the rope setup, being careful not to touch any rope, trying to determine whether that hunch is correct or whether the rope has some other function. Investigation: 1.
"No! This is Gundren's jewellery!"
Ethan looks around calling out to the others, before finding out that they have found a piece of Sildar's cloak.
"We have to go after them!"
Ethan rushes to grab the equipment he has been collecting, deciding there is no time to clean it first.
Then runs over to join his friends at the trail they have found.
"Is this the way they were taken? Is there signs of...of blood?"
Seeing Fae, holding another of the jewels, Ethan asks,
"Do you want to hold onto these or should I? We can return them to Gundren when we rescue him."
Ethan indicated the two jewels he has, pointing to the one Fae is holding.
Unless anyone wants anything, Ethan will take all of the items, for later resale, and/or materials for crafting.
Also, if Ethan collects anything, and you later decided your character could use something, let me know. Ethan doesn't see everything as his, he just doesn't want to waste anything he may be able to use or sell. Also when it comes to selling excess equipment, the intent is for the money to be split evenly with everyone.
I will wait for ixi to decide if Fae wants to hold onto the Jewellery we find.
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Fae would stare down at the gem before closing her fist around it. "You're right, it is Gundren's." She'd reach out to hand Ethan the amethyst. "I trust you to keep it all together and safe Ethan. Thank you." She'd nod. "In good conscience I can't bring myself to leave this area without at least trying to look for them..." Fae would look back to the wagons, unsure of what to suggest.
just an unstable unicorn.
"Ok, thank you Fae."
Ethan opens his gauntlet, and extracts the envelope with the ruby Gundren gifted him, and puts the other jewellery inside with it, and returns it to his compressed space storage.
"Right, what have we got then? Any clues to where they have been taken?"
Ethan see others considering the 2 wagons,
"Oh right, what do we do with the wagons..."
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Zeke is visibly agitated, ready to begin moving down the path to track the Goblins back to their lair.
'Tarja, perhaps you and I should range ahead to see what we can find while the others figure out how to secure the wagons?'
Stealth 6
Survival 1
Laser-focused on his objective, Zeke plows ahead down the trail oblivious to any noise he's making.
Seeing Zeke visibly upset, Fae would approach
slowlyand gently place a hand on the back of his shoulder. "I know you want to find them Zeke." She really didn't have a plan of what to say. Telling someone to calm down when they're upset doesn't always turn out the best. "I can't let you go rushing in blind." Fae would be taking calm breaths in hopes that it might subconsciously catch on to Zeke for him to take a moment of clarity from his agitation.just an unstable unicorn.
"Uh, um, shouldn't we try to stay together, at least somewhat?"
Ethan looks confused by Zeke's emotional fury, starting to feel his own emotions fraying, but isn't sure what to do about it.
Ethan strides over to the wagons,
"Finnan, Farnin do you want to stay with the wagons, or come with us to try and find Gundren and Sildar?"
"If you aren't coming, will you wait for us to return? Ah..."
Ethan looks around,
"We could find somewhere to hide the wagons from view, there is lots of cover around. That should keep you more safe then being out in the open."
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Tarja heads over first to Finnan and Farnan.
What do you think, lads? How far is it from here to Phandalin - can we leave you to finish that journey on your own while we try to find Gundren and Sildar? Or should we hide the wagons off the road in the trees, and try to get back in a few hours? It isn't safe out here if we have to spend an extra night.
She calls out to Zeke -
Wait up! Let's make sure we don't leave Vincent behind! He was the one who spotted this ambush, and perhaps he can help watch out with us too.
(What does Tarja know about the area around here? Is it going to be forested, or more open once we get away from the road? If relevant, Nature 7. Trying to decide whether I should go to a more interesting animal form than Wolf for this :) )
Fae would grip Zeke’s shoulder, “Ethan and Tarja are right. We need to stick together. As a team. We’ve got this far because we worked together.” She knows she can’t physically direct Zeke, but maybe her words may be able to break through.
Gunna throw some rolls in case they’re desired.
Persuasion (If you wanted Zeke, I wouldn’t want to force you or your char, but if you wanted a random roll of the die to decide if Fae succeeds at getting to you. Fae wants to try to keep everyone together): 12
Nature (What does Fae know/remember of the area): 15
Perception (anything or anyone watching us or close by?): 21
Survival (For If Zeke ignores her and continues down the path, Fae will not allow someone to walk off alone and she’d try to navigate him safely): 13
just an unstable unicorn.
Finnan replies "you're leaving us?" "So our options are to carry on down the goblin road into the dragon's belly alone, run off with you into the woods after some dwarf we've never met, or hide our huge wagons and oxen here on this narrow, rocky road? We choose option four, absolutely anything else."
Farnin chimes in "ah, what my extremely sympathetic brother is tryin' to say is that we shouldn't leave the girls here to a similar fate as yer friends, so we'll choose to hide as best we can." "If we can get the wagons in under those trees down in that small hollow south of the road over there next to that thicket, we could cut some of the brambles and cover the front of the wagon. There's not a lot of space so we'll remove the hitch and the oxen and bring them into the wood. If that works we might have a bit of trouble getting 'em back out again and up to the road, and it will take more time, but better 'n bein' dead." He adds "if you take too long we'll either be sleepin' out here again or driving at night. We were already pushin' to make it by dark."
Fae knows generally from study of maps of the region and Tarja knows more from first hand knowledge that this region is very hilly and is known for the vast and dense Neverwinter Wood. It is sparse but Fey also does find trace evidence of blood here and there between the horses and the trail, and a few drops up the trail even beyond the dead golbins.
It's still early afternoon. Nice crit. Beyond small amounts of blood, there's not a whole lot for me to reveal at this point. In case I wasn't clear there was a large amount of blood beneath the horses but only tiny amounts elsewhere.
Also, I believe someone mentioned that Sildar may have put up a fight, and you noticed that the dead goblin pile was felled by slashing woulds. Sildar carried a longsword when you met him in the tavern at Neverwinter, so it's a solid theory.
Zeke remains agitated, eager to get moving and clearly frustrated at the delay. Standing 20 feet down the trail, he sweeps his gaze back and forth from the party to the trail ahead.
'We need to move. We can leave some behind to protect the wagons, but some of us need to move now while there is still time.'
OOC: I hadn't planned on Zeke losing his cool like this - but between my dice rolls and Fae's low persuasion I'm thinking he's about to bound off down the trail on his own. The only thing holding him back is his need to protect the rest of the party.
"We'll manage it, boss. Might need yer help pullin' these loads back up the hill when you all get back, though."
"I've never been so glad to just be haulin' this junk rather than a wagon full-a gold. Maybe the dragon isn't so hungry for oil and pickaxes. Have fun stormin' goblin town!"
"Good luck. Be careful. If ya don't come back by sun up come mornin' we best be off to Phandalin on our own."
Elra nods, "It seems for the best. Stay safe."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Tarja agrees with the halflings plans.
if you can handle the wagons for now, we’ll leave them in your care. Head to Phandalin if we’re gone too long, and let Nundro and Tharden know what happened.
She heads over to the trail by Zeke.
These woods are deep and can get dense, best not rush in hot-headed. That’s how you end up straight in a giant spiders web. If we all take it slowly we won’t lose the trail, though hopefully the goblins weren’t trying to cover it very thoroughly.
Finally, she addresses Vincent.
Can you keep an eye out for us? You may see things above the trees that we miss down here.
With that, Tarja takes the form of a giant wolf spider and sets out beside the trail they found. Where the trees are dense enough, she would climb up and travel above and near the trail through the branches.
Potentially relevant checks:
Perception 13 (in this form, no advantage to it, she’s trusting more in Vincent since he spotted the last ambush)
Stealth: 8 to hopefully not be noticed by any goblins she runs in to while ahead of the group
Survival: 12 in case the trail is tough to follow and we need to make checks to follow it (though hopefully here too the party can help)
Zeke nods his head, takes a deep breath and falls in step alongside Tarja's spider form, keeping to the shadows and looking for any signs of trouble or their friends.
Stealth: 16
Perception 17
Investigation: 5
The trail is a narrow footpath not too much bigger than any game trail as it winds its way into the wood, up and down small hills but gaining elevation on the whole. It is notably darker and quieter in the thick wood. About ten minutes down the path Zeke is the first to spot an unusual cluster of leaves on the trail, leaves that don't match the evergreens overhead. He quickly notices a rope amongst the leaves to his right. At the same time, as she climbs through the tree canopy Tarja notices a branch bent down a great deal with a rope attached to it. The rope seems to descend down and behind the tree trunk. Zeke stands near the same tree below.
(Zeke's perception roll and Tarja's passive perception both succeed here. I assume they are in the lead based on the RP thus far.)
Elra looks over Zeke's shoulder, "What's up?"
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Fae would just sigh and fall behind, hiding in the shadows of her cloak while they walk along the trail. She'd watch the party's tail in silence.
just an unstable unicorn.
Ethan is pleasantly distracted by Tarja transforming into a giant spider, and falls inline with the others, letting Tarja and Zeke get ahead as they travel.
As Zeke and Tarja stop ahead, Ethan moves up with Elra, echoing her question.
"What is it?"
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Tarja thinks it might be a rope trap, maybe, so if someone stepped in that pile of leaves they would end up hoisted up? She examines the rope setup, being careful not to touch any rope, trying to determine whether that hunch is correct or whether the rope has some other function. Investigation: 1.
"A trap found is a trap avoided. Let's not waste too much time examining it and get to our employers."
DCI: 3319125026