In answer to Derannos, Doozey looks to Graxx with a grimace. "Perhaps... when in better spirits." He said only just barely loud enough to overheard. "And you won't die from losing the sword, you Drama Queen. Oh vey... And here I thought me Great Aunt Pilsbahrri took cake!" Doozey said, then shook his head and crosses his arms. For all of his apparent disapproval, there was some sympathy there. "Another question as well. You don't mind us staying the area at least for one more day. Not here, uh, atop. At least until we've recovered enough for the long haul back to town."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Derannos looks at Utar and Graxx before clarifying: "I only meant that perhaps Graxx of the Sky Pony Tribe should refocus his efforts in finding a more worthy weapon. I do not possess such a relic in my horde."
The dragon observes with amusement as the group finds a chance to jest a bit. Then, it adds: "Outside my lair, you are welcome to set camp anywhere. Our relationship may have started with a couple of fruitful trades, present and future, but do not make the mistake of considering me your friend just yet." It stands back on its hind legs: "Now, please leave. We all have duties to return to, I'm sure."
It nods reassuringly: "Until we meet next." With that, the Dragon glides into the water and disappears.
Doozey sizes Graxx up a moment. "He's got some good legs on him. And if he wants to be led to the sword, he's gonna put them to work.... now aren't ya, Mr. Graxx? Or has Tempus bade ya stay laying down there like a wee babe, and not seek its retrieval now that the moment presents itself?" He asked of Graxx. "Of course, you'll need to stay manacled for now. But... take it as another of Tempus tests. Just as being away from the blade has been, if'n it makes you feel better."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Hm, let me think about--no." Doozey deadpans. "Consider'n ya felt compelled to go dragon hunting before, it's best we head outside first. Prove you can hold off 'till then, and then we may start trusting each other again. Agreed?" He asked, only to briskly state in a tone that brokered little argument. "Agreed. Now hope to it. Miss Neya, if'n you wouldn't be opposed to leading the way out." He requested, having already committed in mind to taking up a flanking position behind Graxx.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Not at all. I highly doubt that the sword that tasted my blood more times than I'd like would want anything to do with me for too long, regardless." Neya says, then she turns to it. "The feeling is mutual."
"Let's go, we've trespassed enough," she starts moving back to the entrance they came from with sword in tow.
The group agrees on a strategy to exit Derannos' lair while maintaining Graxx manacled. Neya leads the way dragging the roped cursed sword on the ground behind her. The sight bothers the barbarian a bit. Nonetheless, he follows the plan, and Doozey and Utar follow him out. The underwater part of the short trip is a bit complicated for an exhausted and functionally armless Graxx:
-> Graxx's CON saving throw {DC 12}: 9
At the end of it all, the process proves to be a bit too much for Graxx. Now outside again, his leg muscles ache, and to make things worst, they were not properly oxygenated during the swim (Graxx did a poor job of conserving his breath). An already weakened barbarian feels even more tired than he did before.
-> Graxx gains another level of exhaustion, for a total of 3 now.
The group returns to camp and finds it undisturbed. The enchanted body of Biscuit is still protected by Neya's tent. the makeshift bag of treasure is still tucked away at the abandoned wildlife burrow.
Doozey both appeared both jittery and even more exhausted by the time the group finally reach the camp. But as much as he looked on the verge of collapsing for so much needed shut-eye, the Hunter kept to his feet, and took a moment to size up the others. "Two days." He stated, and then at the odd looks he adds, "We stay in the area for two days. We're exhausted. And without mounts, we're not making it back to town any time soon. So, I propose two days of rest. So long as we don't get too greedy with the game, I'm sure our Dragon not friend won't mind a bit of game hunting in the area."
Doozey smirked at that last statement, then shook his head and frowned. "Or only the one. But, we aren't going anywhere without that much. I just... I just wish there was a way to get back word at least. Let folk know part of what's gone down, ya know. That devil woman is still out there, after all. And at most, we may have only delayed them."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Then, for those reasons, wouldn't our time also be well-served making our way back toward Phlan as long as there's sunlight?" Neya says, "I think Captain Burral would like to know what has happened this past night and that the next coastal attack is not happening as soon as possible, yes?"
Staggering from the lake, Utar collapses on all fours, breathing hard. Flopping onto the ground, he rolls to look at the sky.
"Resting sounds good... I vote rest... If we're voting..."
Rubbing a hand over his stomach, his breathing slows and returns to normal. Leaning on an elbow, he continues,
"Probably not two days. Neya's right, we do need to get back to Phlan. We've all got business to attend to and progress is going to be slower without mounts. Besides, we might want to put more distance between us and those crones.
Sitting up, Utar rests his hands on his knees and looks out over the water of the lake.
Doozey sighed in response to Neya's assertions. On the other hand, Utar at least earned a look of gratefulness... for a moment. With brows furrowed, he opened his mouth as if to say something, hesitated, then seeming to think better of it turned to Neya and said, "Again, we cannot Lady Neya. Exhausted as we are, we wouldn't even be making progress; especially laden as we other burdens." He looks in the rough direction of the treasure and... Biscuit, then shook his head.
"We just can't do it. Not to mention we're rather low on supplies. And I'll need at least the day of proper hunting and foraging to try and remedy this. And I haven't spoken on the heavy risks on trying to press further in our condition." He states as he crossed his arms at this point. "That's not even accounting for any dangers met along the way. This area should be safe enough from most things, what with a dragon -- water lover though he may be -- lair nearby. But if we go galavanting off, who knows if another of those hounds or a Dire Wolf shows up again. So patience... Please."
With that, Doozey tiredly looks back to Utar and says, "My pack. There's some scrolls in there. Take a look, won't you, while I'm away." He suggested. Whether its heeded or not, the stoutling's focus finally falls on Graxx. For the first few moments, he says nothing, and simply gave the man a hard look prior to finally sighing and rubbing his head. "... I haven't forgotten, you know. It... the sword stays in sight of you. But no touching. Not yet. Your no condition to be wielding a weapon, let alone holding one. Give it a day, ask your Uncle Tempest -without- in hand, what is his will. And if after a day the answer unchanged, then... we'll cut you some slack."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx breathes heavy and looks down at his wrists.
”I am in no shape to argue.” says Graxx.
Graxx looks at the sword.
”You brought it with us and did not give it over to that Dragon so I am thankful.”
Graxx’s eyelids droop and he opens them wide trying to stay awake.
”I don’t have much left in me. I will talk to Tempus tomorrow when I am full strength and determine his will. If he truly wants me to have the sword as I believe he does then I hope you will let me have it. If not... Well there is no reason to even consider that.”
Graxx lays over on his side.
”I don’t believe I’ll be much good on a watch.”says Graxx as he holds his manacled hands in the air.
”With that being said Tempus would not have made my mind go blank and make me attack Neya like her wounds showed. Something is wrong with me... It may be the foul demon potion those Crones made me drink.
Graxx looks to the others.
”Would someone care to bind my legs? I’m scared at what I might do if I give up my mind to sleep.” says Graxx genuinely.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
A surprised Doozey just stared for the first few moments, but eventually complies with Graxx' wish if someone else does not or offer words of wisdom. "Glad to see at least some of your senses have returned. Here's hoping a night's rest, uncomfortable though it may be, is enough to mend the mind, and see us all in better spirits." Once Graxx is seen to, Doozey departs to begin his hunt.
(@Lerus: Don't know if you need a roll for hunting/gathering a specific amount of food to last more than just a day or two. But just in case: 12, if helped, take the 1st roll. Forgot Natural explorer bonus, which adds another +3 to the results. Also, the natural explorer bonus)
You have a favored terrain type. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for proficient skills when you make an INT or WIS check related to it. While traveling for an hour or more in your chosen terrain, difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel, your group can’t become lost except by magical means, you remain alert to danger even when you are engaged in another activity, you can move stealthily at a normal pace (while alone), you find twice as much food while foraging, and while tracking creatures, you learn the exact number, sizes, and how long ago they passed through the area.
(OOC: Thanks for all the discussion in-game and in our OOC chat regarding the day's plan. Based on all of it, I'll take some liberties here regarding your characters' actions during this prolonged rest. I am doing this in part because I am afraid we are running the risk of letting somethings slip through the cracks, and I hate for that to happen simply because the slower nature of PbP lends itself to it. If you disagree with anything in this post, and potentially the next few, let me know and we can reconsider together.)
Back at camp, the group discusses whether to rest or to use the remaining daylight to initiate their travel back to Phlan. Exhaustion and lack of resources win the group vote and CRAP decides the make this camp near the glade their home for another day and night.
Graxx decides that peace and quiet is what he needs most at this point. The man asks Doozey for help tying his legs after finding a tree to sit down against. Without the use of his hands to fiddle with some pastime or his legs to pace around camp, it takes only minutes for Graxx's tiredness to catch up with him. The man falls asleep thinking of the developments of the past few hours: doubting what was until recently a certainty about the will of Tempus being communicated to him through the barbarian's newest favorite blade.
(@Grx: Please roll a religion check with advantage, which only negates the disadvantage from exhaustion).
After tying Graxx as requested, Doozey sets off to gather food. This type of simple hunt would have been easier with his trusty mastiff by his side, but the halfling knows what he is doing regardless. His suspicious about a relative calm in the lands immediately surrounding the the dragon's lake comes to fruition. The ranger can only find small game in the area, and some edible fungi and plant-life. There is enough of it all to feed twice the amount of adventures waiting for him back at camp, but no one piece of gathered food would feed a person. It takes Doozey hours to collect it all, field dress it properly, and clean the foodstuffs. He eventually arrives back at camp with ready-for-cooking savage rabbits, feral squirrels, native berries, harmless mushrooms, purple potatoes, and wild parsnips. At their own time, the group eats well both for lunch and dinner. Doozey is even able to salvage enough food to make up road meals (rations x3), though these probably need to be eaten first when the next day's trip begins.
(@Ori: Thanks for rolling the survival check. I was going to ask for it had you not rolled.)
Utar rests for a bit before taking up Doozey's recommendation. The half orc pulls up two spell scrolls from the halfling's pack and begins to study them into the mid-afternoon. Though he almost falls asleep due to exhaustion, the cleric eventually unveils a scroll of Purify Food and Drink (usable only by Utar), and another one for the spell Detect Poison and Disease (usable by Utar, Doozey, or Neya). The cleric then decides to postpone the discussion on who should keep the scroll at least until Doozey is back from his hunt. In returning the pair to the halfling's pack, Utar brushes against an item that catches his attention: a small silver statuette shaped like a raven. For the next hour or so, if not more, Utar's curiosity is piqued and entertained by studying the interesting artifact that the halfling had found along with the scrolls. Doozey has been back for some time by the time Utar concludes that what he holds is a Figurine of Wondrous Power, Silver Raven and realizes how opportune of a time it is for this discovery.
Neya reestablishes camp first and then settles on her chosen spot to begin splitting the treasure. It takes a considerable amount of time for the mentally tedious task to be completed, but eventually she emerges with four different piles of coins to be equally divided by the CRAPers. To each member of the party, she then distributes 175 copper pieces, 1250 silver pieces, 550 electrum pieces, and 35 gold pieces. She also reckons that there are enough gemstones in the hoard to add another 75 gold pieces to each of the four piles once the group eventually gets the chance to sell them.
(OOC: If anyone wants to keep any of the gems, please be clear about it. Otherwise, I am more than happy to just assume they are sold as soon as you guys return to Phlan and find an opportune time to do it. If you all agree to the latter, you can then add the extra gold to your inventories and delete the gems now. Otherwise, keep them in your inventory).
After licking their wounds and spending a mostly relaxing afternoon at the glade which included two well-served meals, the party settles in for the night (no need to spend rations this time).
(OOC: We are skipping ahead to supper time. If there is anything else you'd like to do before taking a long rest for the night, now is the time. Also, please select watch order if your characters are setting that up. Separately, I still need that roll for Graxx).
As the party sit around the cracking fire, Utar shares his learning about the scrolls and statue, leaving them to be divided between the party as they see fit.
"...This statue though. I think it might be used to provide a message to Captain Burral, or Yovir, or even that dwarf from the festhall. Any one of them might be keen to know about a different aspect of what we've learnt, they might even be kind enough to send horses or a cart?"
Utar sits alternately chewing his rations and checking Graxx is getting on ok.
"Only question is who to contact, who do we trust enough to send this message to? Burral... I don't know, she's changed from when I knew her, grown colder. Harder? Maybe that was always there and I never saw it... Yovir, is...an odd duck certainly, but I trust that old priest as much as anyone in my own order. That festhall dwarf... I can't remember his name, owes us a favour at least for that thing with the merchant."
Doozey had gratefully accepted what's given, asking for not except the statue; a token forgotten up to then after everything else. If asked a reason, he merely looked over to Biscuit in answer, directing the questioner to his fallen brother, and hoped it was answer enough. As either compensation or as a request, he asked in turn that Utar kept hold of a few items for the journey back to town.
As he sat there watching some of the hunt cook with one eye open -- the over having been kept closed to preserve his night eye -- he perked up as soon as Utar spoke, and listened attentively. "If one is to have the means, it would be the 'good' captain." He replied, sounding sarcastic towards the end. Then seeming to remember Utar and the woman's relation, the stoutling at least averted his gaze in some semblance of shame.
"... Yovir. Can kill two birds with one stone if you mention the favor to the dwarf. Least that way if he cannot, he can still ask our dwarf friend about paying back the favor. But twenty five words... we will need to work together on the wording, but it should be doable. And then he can hold on to our silvery friend, assuming the good captain or some hunter sees not a reason to shoot it down." Doozey rubbed at his temple. "We should be prepared for the worse.... Are you sure there's no method safer we can use? Can neither of you two ask your Uncle -- your god about simply sending the message for you?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(OOC#1: Some of this post is based on our OOC chat. Again, feel free to flag things you may disagree with).
Before calling it a night, the group parcels out the treasure and the items they found. Utar keeps the spell scroll of Purify Food and Drink, Neya keeps the spell scroll of Detect Poison and Disease, and Doozey keeps the Figurine of Wondrous Power, Silver Raven. In passing these items around, some of the CRAPers begin to realize they are running out of backpack and pocket space to store their belongings as most of it seems to be taken by coins. Doozey kindly asks Utar to carry his flask of holy water and his length of rope. Neya asks a similar favor, also handing over her length of rope and reminding Utar to please take her tent in the morning once the group figures out what to do with Biscuit's body.
(OOC#2: Please go ahead and add/delete these items to/from your respective inventories. @Grx: Please don't forget to adjust your coinage. You had added all the treasure to your wallet in order to keep track of it, but it has now been divided up.)
The mention of Biscuit's name reminds Doozey of an idea he had earlier. The halfling gathers some materials and tries to fashion a makeshift sled to carry Biscuit around once they leave camp in the next morning (as agreed upon, right?). Afterwards, the topic of a potential message being sent into Phlan is also discussed. The group seems to agree to assign such a task to their newly acquired magical raven, though the final decision is postponed until morning, when they plan to actually send the message out.
(@Ori: Please give me another survival roll to account for materials and quality of this sled).
Throughout all of this, Graxx has been getting some shuteye. Every now and then he shifts a bit, undoubtly betraying the fact that he is having some sort of dream, or perhaps a nightmare.
@Graxx:
You dream of many battles in which you have not taken part. Some are duels, other skirmishes, and others still, full-blown wars. They happen in familiar and distant lands, warm and cold climates, recent and far pasts. In each dreamt-up scene, you initially observe the fighting from above, but eventually narrow your perspective onto a single combatant. In each scene, this combatant is different. The first is an old half-orc male, then a brutish human female, then a muscular half-elven warrior, and so on. You lose count of how many of these warriors you see in your dream. They all have a fervor in their way of fighting, enjoy their victories, and see glory in their deaths.
There is one more thing that they have in common. They fight with splendid weapons in their hands, each marked with an emblem of Tempus. The weapon is different each time. You see a maul that looks too heavy for all but a giant to carry, a metallic greatclub that was clearly forged with engineered intent, a greataxe with three blades coming out at gravity-defying angles, a serrated greatsword bathed in blood, and many, many more. These are weapons worthy of Tempus' champions.
Derannos voice resonates in your head as you eventually fly into the clouds and away from these many battles: "... a true relic of Tempus."
With a plan made for the morning and only small details to decide on come sunlight, each party members finds a piece of ground around the campfire to call their own. Fighting their exhaustion and full bellies is too hard a task at this point, and they all fall asleep without much difficulty. Even taking watches becomes a low priority in their tired states.
The group wakes up a couple of hours after the sun has already showed its face. The campfire is dead, but all around them looks as peaceful as they had left it. Each adventurer feels their body recuperating well, though it seems not yet fully. Utar, in particular, still feels his stomach complain a bit. Time to begin your day.
(@MB: I am waiting to resolve your OOC mention of studying the dracolich statuette until I have a better sense of how you want to go about it. You already tried to analyse it once, so I am curious to see what you come up with this time. We can postpone this until the next long rest, as it seems you all will have plenty of them as you travel back into Phlan).
(OOC#3: You may each remove a single level of exhaustion from your character's sheet. Graxx can remove two levels as he has slept much longer than the others. This puts everyone at one level of exhaustion except for Utar, who now has two).
(OOC#4: I decided to postpone the level up until the next long rest as this and last posts have been quite massive already. As mentioned above, the next rest will likely come soon anyway as you all have a multi-day trip ahead of you).
In answer to Derannos, Doozey looks to Graxx with a grimace. "Perhaps... when in better spirits." He said only just barely loud enough to overheard. "And you won't die from losing the sword, you Drama Queen. Oh vey... And here I thought me Great Aunt Pilsbahrri took cake!" Doozey said, then shook his head and crosses his arms. For all of his apparent disapproval, there was some sympathy there. "Another question as well. You don't mind us staying the area at least for one more day. Not here, uh, atop. At least until we've recovered enough for the long haul back to town."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Derannos looks at Utar and Graxx before clarifying: "I only meant that perhaps Graxx of the Sky Pony Tribe should refocus his efforts in finding a more worthy weapon. I do not possess such a relic in my horde."
The dragon observes with amusement as the group finds a chance to jest a bit. Then, it adds: "Outside my lair, you are welcome to set camp anywhere. Our relationship may have started with a couple of fruitful trades, present and future, but do not make the mistake of considering me your friend just yet." It stands back on its hind legs: "Now, please leave. We all have duties to return to, I'm sure."
It nods reassuringly: "Until we meet next." With that, the Dragon glides into the water and disappears.
Utar looks to both Doozey and Neya,
"Nevermind our new non-friend, does anyone have any bright ideas about how we take a manacled man for a swim?"
Doozey sizes Graxx up a moment. "He's got some good legs on him. And if he wants to be led to the sword, he's gonna put them to work.... now aren't ya, Mr. Graxx? Or has Tempus bade ya stay laying down there like a wee babe, and not seek its retrieval now that the moment presents itself?" He asked of Graxx. "Of course, you'll need to stay manacled for now. But... take it as another of Tempus tests. Just as being away from the blade has been, if'n it makes you feel better."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx nods at Doozey.
"These legs can take me wherever the sword goes. Will you just let me carry it on my back? I will stay manacled." says Graxx.
Graxx brings his legs under him and stands up.
"Hm, let me think about--no." Doozey deadpans. "Consider'n ya felt compelled to go dragon hunting before, it's best we head outside first. Prove you can hold off 'till then, and then we may start trusting each other again. Agreed?" He asked, only to briskly state in a tone that brokered little argument. "Agreed. Now hope to it. Miss Neya, if'n you wouldn't be opposed to leading the way out." He requested, having already committed in mind to taking up a flanking position behind Graxx.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Not at all. I highly doubt that the sword that tasted my blood more times than I'd like would want anything to do with me for too long, regardless." Neya says, then she turns to it. "The feeling is mutual."
"Let's go, we've trespassed enough," she starts moving back to the entrance they came from with sword in tow.
Extended Signature
The group agrees on a strategy to exit Derannos' lair while maintaining Graxx manacled. Neya leads the way dragging the roped cursed sword on the ground behind her. The sight bothers the barbarian a bit. Nonetheless, he follows the plan, and Doozey and Utar follow him out. The underwater part of the short trip is a bit complicated for an exhausted and functionally armless Graxx:
-> Graxx's CON saving throw {DC 12}: 9
At the end of it all, the process proves to be a bit too much for Graxx. Now outside again, his leg muscles ache, and to make things worst, they were not properly oxygenated during the swim (Graxx did a poor job of conserving his breath). An already weakened barbarian feels even more tired than he did before.
-> Graxx gains another level of exhaustion, for a total of 3 now.
The group returns to camp and finds it undisturbed. The enchanted body of Biscuit is still protected by Neya's tent. the makeshift bag of treasure is still tucked away at the abandoned wildlife burrow.
(OOC: What now?)
Doozey both appeared both jittery and even more exhausted by the time the group finally reach the camp. But as much as he looked on the verge of collapsing for so much needed shut-eye, the Hunter kept to his feet, and took a moment to size up the others. "Two days." He stated, and then at the odd looks he adds, "We stay in the area for two days. We're exhausted. And without mounts, we're not making it back to town any time soon. So, I propose two days of rest. So long as we don't get too greedy with the game, I'm sure our Dragon not friend won't mind a bit of game hunting in the area."
Doozey smirked at that last statement, then shook his head and frowned. "Or only the one. But, we aren't going anywhere without that much. I just... I just wish there was a way to get back word at least. Let folk know part of what's gone down, ya know. That devil woman is still out there, after all. And at most, we may have only delayed them."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Then, for those reasons, wouldn't our time also be well-served making our way back toward Phlan as long as there's sunlight?" Neya says, "I think Captain Burral would like to know what has happened this past night and that the next coastal attack is not happening as soon as possible, yes?"
Extended Signature
Staggering from the lake, Utar collapses on all fours, breathing hard. Flopping onto the ground, he rolls to look at the sky.
"Resting sounds good... I vote rest... If we're voting..."
Rubbing a hand over his stomach, his breathing slows and returns to normal. Leaning on an elbow, he continues,
"Probably not two days. Neya's right, we do need to get back to Phlan. We've all got business to attend to and progress is going to be slower without mounts. Besides, we might want to put more distance between us and those crones.
Sitting up, Utar rests his hands on his knees and looks out over the water of the lake.
Doozey sighed in response to Neya's assertions. On the other hand, Utar at least earned a look of gratefulness... for a moment. With brows furrowed, he opened his mouth as if to say something, hesitated, then seeming to think better of it turned to Neya and said, "Again, we cannot Lady Neya. Exhausted as we are, we wouldn't even be making progress; especially laden as we other burdens." He looks in the rough direction of the treasure and... Biscuit, then shook his head.
"We just can't do it. Not to mention we're rather low on supplies. And I'll need at least the day of proper hunting and foraging to try and remedy this. And I haven't spoken on the heavy risks on trying to press further in our condition." He states as he crossed his arms at this point. "That's not even accounting for any dangers met along the way. This area should be safe enough from most things, what with a dragon -- water lover though he may be -- lair nearby. But if we go galavanting off, who knows if another of those hounds or a Dire Wolf shows up again. So patience... Please."
With that, Doozey tiredly looks back to Utar and says, "My pack. There's some scrolls in there. Take a look, won't you, while I'm away." He suggested. Whether its heeded or not, the stoutling's focus finally falls on Graxx. For the first few moments, he says nothing, and simply gave the man a hard look prior to finally sighing and rubbing his head. "... I haven't forgotten, you know. It... the sword stays in sight of you. But no touching. Not yet. Your no condition to be wielding a weapon, let alone holding one. Give it a day, ask your Uncle Tempest -without- in hand, what is his will. And if after a day the answer unchanged, then... we'll cut you some slack."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx breathes heavy and looks down at his wrists.
”I am in no shape to argue.” says Graxx.
Graxx looks at the sword.
”You brought it with us and did not give it over to that Dragon so I am thankful.”
Graxx’s eyelids droop and he opens them wide trying to stay awake.
”I don’t have much left in me. I will talk to Tempus tomorrow when I am full strength and determine his will. If he truly wants me to have the sword as I believe he does then I hope you will let me have it. If not... Well there is no reason to even consider that.”
Graxx lays over on his side.
”I don’t believe I’ll be much good on a watch.”says Graxx as he holds his manacled hands in the air.
”With that being said Tempus would not have made my mind go blank and make me attack Neya like her wounds showed. Something is wrong with me... It may be the foul demon potion those Crones made me drink.
Graxx looks to the others.
”Would someone care to bind my legs? I’m scared at what I might do if I give up my mind to sleep.” says Graxx genuinely.
A surprised Doozey just stared for the first few moments, but eventually complies with Graxx' wish if someone else does not or offer words of wisdom. "Glad to see at least some of your senses have returned. Here's hoping a night's rest, uncomfortable though it may be, is enough to mend the mind, and see us all in better spirits." Once Graxx is seen to, Doozey departs to begin his hunt.
(@Lerus: Don't know if you need a roll for hunting/gathering a specific amount of food to last more than just a day or two. But just in case: 12, if helped, take the 1st roll. Forgot Natural explorer bonus, which adds another +3 to the results. Also, the natural explorer bonus)
You have a favored terrain type. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for proficient skills when you make an INT or WIS check related to it. While traveling for an hour or more in your chosen terrain, difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel, your group can’t become lost except by magical means, you remain alert to danger even when you are engaged in another activity,
you can move stealthily at a normal pace (while alone),you find twice as much food while foraging, and while tracking creatures, you learn the exact number, sizes, and how long ago they passed through the area.When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Very well..." Neya says, seeing as she's outvoted.
Neya will take the chest out to divide the loot as evenly as she can.
"Could someone help keep me honest, here? I'm finding it somewhat hard to concentrate." She says as she rubs her forehead.
Extended Signature
(OOC: Thanks for all the discussion in-game and in our OOC chat regarding the day's plan. Based on all of it, I'll take some liberties here regarding your characters' actions during this prolonged rest. I am doing this in part because I am afraid we are running the risk of letting somethings slip through the cracks, and I hate for that to happen simply because the slower nature of PbP lends itself to it. If you disagree with anything in this post, and potentially the next few, let me know and we can reconsider together.)
Back at camp, the group discusses whether to rest or to use the remaining daylight to initiate their travel back to Phlan. Exhaustion and lack of resources win the group vote and CRAP decides the make this camp near the glade their home for another day and night.
Graxx decides that peace and quiet is what he needs most at this point. The man asks Doozey for help tying his legs after finding a tree to sit down against. Without the use of his hands to fiddle with some pastime or his legs to pace around camp, it takes only minutes for Graxx's tiredness to catch up with him. The man falls asleep thinking of the developments of the past few hours: doubting what was until recently a certainty about the will of Tempus being communicated to him through the barbarian's newest favorite blade.
(@Grx: Please roll a religion check with advantage, which only negates the disadvantage from exhaustion).
After tying Graxx as requested, Doozey sets off to gather food. This type of simple hunt would have been easier with his trusty mastiff by his side, but the halfling knows what he is doing regardless. His suspicious about a relative calm in the lands immediately surrounding the the dragon's lake comes to fruition. The ranger can only find small game in the area, and some edible fungi and plant-life. There is enough of it all to feed twice the amount of adventures waiting for him back at camp, but no one piece of gathered food would feed a person. It takes Doozey hours to collect it all, field dress it properly, and clean the foodstuffs. He eventually arrives back at camp with ready-for-cooking savage rabbits, feral squirrels, native berries, harmless mushrooms, purple potatoes, and wild parsnips. At their own time, the group eats well both for lunch and dinner. Doozey is even able to salvage enough food to make up road meals (rations x3), though these probably need to be eaten first when the next day's trip begins.
(@Ori: Thanks for rolling the survival check. I was going to ask for it had you not rolled.)
Utar rests for a bit before taking up Doozey's recommendation. The half orc pulls up two spell scrolls from the halfling's pack and begins to study them into the mid-afternoon. Though he almost falls asleep due to exhaustion, the cleric eventually unveils a scroll of Purify Food and Drink (usable only by Utar), and another one for the spell Detect Poison and Disease (usable by Utar, Doozey, or Neya). The cleric then decides to postpone the discussion on who should keep the scroll at least until Doozey is back from his hunt. In returning the pair to the halfling's pack, Utar brushes against an item that catches his attention: a small silver statuette shaped like a raven. For the next hour or so, if not more, Utar's curiosity is piqued and entertained by studying the interesting artifact that the halfling had found along with the scrolls. Doozey has been back for some time by the time Utar concludes that what he holds is a Figurine of Wondrous Power, Silver Raven and realizes how opportune of a time it is for this discovery.
Neya reestablishes camp first and then settles on her chosen spot to begin splitting the treasure. It takes a considerable amount of time for the mentally tedious task to be completed, but eventually she emerges with four different piles of coins to be equally divided by the CRAPers. To each member of the party, she then distributes 175 copper pieces, 1250 silver pieces, 550 electrum pieces, and 35 gold pieces. She also reckons that there are enough gemstones in the hoard to add another 75 gold pieces to each of the four piles once the group eventually gets the chance to sell them.
(OOC: If anyone wants to keep any of the gems, please be clear about it. Otherwise, I am more than happy to just assume they are sold as soon as you guys return to Phlan and find an opportune time to do it. If you all agree to the latter, you can then add the extra gold to your inventories and delete the gems now. Otherwise, keep them in your inventory).
After licking their wounds and spending a mostly relaxing afternoon at the glade which included two well-served meals, the party settles in for the night (no need to spend rations this time).
(OOC: We are skipping ahead to supper time. If there is anything else you'd like to do before taking a long rest for the night, now is the time. Also, please select watch order if your characters are setting that up. Separately, I still need that roll for Graxx).
As the party sit around the cracking fire, Utar shares his learning about the scrolls and statue, leaving them to be divided between the party as they see fit.
"...This statue though. I think it might be used to provide a message to Captain Burral, or Yovir, or even that dwarf from the festhall. Any one of them might be keen to know about a different aspect of what we've learnt, they might even be kind enough to send horses or a cart?"
Utar sits alternately chewing his rations and checking Graxx is getting on ok.
"Only question is who to contact, who do we trust enough to send this message to? Burral... I don't know, she's changed from when I knew her, grown colder. Harder? Maybe that was always there and I never saw it... Yovir, is...an odd duck certainly, but I trust that old priest as much as anyone in my own order. That festhall dwarf... I can't remember his name, owes us a favour at least for that thing with the merchant."
Religion: 10
Doozey had gratefully accepted what's given, asking for not except the statue; a token forgotten up to then after everything else. If asked a reason, he merely looked over to Biscuit in answer, directing the questioner to his fallen brother, and hoped it was answer enough. As either compensation or as a request, he asked in turn that Utar kept hold of a few items for the journey back to town.
As he sat there watching some of the hunt cook with one eye open -- the over having been kept closed to preserve his night eye -- he perked up as soon as Utar spoke, and listened attentively. "If one is to have the means, it would be the 'good' captain." He replied, sounding sarcastic towards the end. Then seeming to remember Utar and the woman's relation, the stoutling at least averted his gaze in some semblance of shame.
"... Yovir. Can kill two birds with one stone if you mention the favor to the dwarf. Least that way if he cannot, he can still ask our dwarf friend about paying back the favor. But twenty five words... we will need to work together on the wording, but it should be doable. And then he can hold on to our silvery friend, assuming the good captain or some hunter sees not a reason to shoot it down." Doozey rubbed at his temple. "We should be prepared for the worse.... Are you sure there's no method safer we can use? Can neither of you two ask your Uncle -- your god about simply sending the message for you?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(OOC#1: Some of this post is based on our OOC chat. Again, feel free to flag things you may disagree with).
Before calling it a night, the group parcels out the treasure and the items they found. Utar keeps the spell scroll of Purify Food and Drink, Neya keeps the spell scroll of Detect Poison and Disease, and Doozey keeps the Figurine of Wondrous Power, Silver Raven. In passing these items around, some of the CRAPers begin to realize they are running out of backpack and pocket space to store their belongings as most of it seems to be taken by coins. Doozey kindly asks Utar to carry his flask of holy water and his length of rope. Neya asks a similar favor, also handing over her length of rope and reminding Utar to please take her tent in the morning once the group figures out what to do with Biscuit's body.
(OOC#2: Please go ahead and add/delete these items to/from your respective inventories. @Grx: Please don't forget to adjust your coinage. You had added all the treasure to your wallet in order to keep track of it, but it has now been divided up.)
The mention of Biscuit's name reminds Doozey of an idea he had earlier. The halfling gathers some materials and tries to fashion a makeshift sled to carry Biscuit around once they leave camp in the next morning (as agreed upon, right?). Afterwards, the topic of a potential message being sent into Phlan is also discussed. The group seems to agree to assign such a task to their newly acquired magical raven, though the final decision is postponed until morning, when they plan to actually send the message out.
(@Ori: Please give me another survival roll to account for materials and quality of this sled).
Throughout all of this, Graxx has been getting some shuteye. Every now and then he shifts a bit, undoubtly betraying the fact that he is having some sort of dream, or perhaps a nightmare.
@Graxx:
You dream of many battles in which you have not taken part. Some are duels, other skirmishes, and others still, full-blown wars. They happen in familiar and distant lands, warm and cold climates, recent and far pasts. In each dreamt-up scene, you initially observe the fighting from above, but eventually narrow your perspective onto a single combatant. In each scene, this combatant is different. The first is an old half-orc male, then a brutish human female, then a muscular half-elven warrior, and so on. You lose count of how many of these warriors you see in your dream. They all have a fervor in their way of fighting, enjoy their victories, and see glory in their deaths.
There is one more thing that they have in common. They fight with splendid weapons in their hands, each marked with an emblem of Tempus. The weapon is different each time. You see a maul that looks too heavy for all but a giant to carry, a metallic greatclub that was clearly forged with engineered intent, a greataxe with three blades coming out at gravity-defying angles, a serrated greatsword bathed in blood, and many, many more. These are weapons worthy of Tempus' champions.
Derannos voice resonates in your head as you eventually fly into the clouds and away from these many battles: "... a true relic of Tempus."
With a plan made for the morning and only small details to decide on come sunlight, each party members finds a piece of ground around the campfire to call their own. Fighting their exhaustion and full bellies is too hard a task at this point, and they all fall asleep without much difficulty. Even taking watches becomes a low priority in their tired states.
The group wakes up a couple of hours after the sun has already showed its face. The campfire is dead, but all around them looks as peaceful as they had left it. Each adventurer feels their body recuperating well, though it seems not yet fully. Utar, in particular, still feels his stomach complain a bit. Time to begin your day.
(@MB: I am waiting to resolve your OOC mention of studying the dracolich statuette until I have a better sense of how you want to go about it. You already tried to analyse it once, so I am curious to see what you come up with this time. We can postpone this until the next long rest, as it seems you all will have plenty of them as you travel back into Phlan).
(OOC#3: You may each remove a single level of exhaustion from your character's sheet. Graxx can remove two levels as he has slept much longer than the others. This puts everyone at one level of exhaustion except for Utar, who now has two).
(OOC#4: I decided to postpone the level up until the next long rest as this and last posts have been quite massive already. As mentioned above, the next rest will likely come soon anyway as you all have a multi-day trip ahead of you).