The children ooh and aah at the performance, and some of the rope-jumpers and others come running to watch.
The older boy says, "Only ever seen one tabaxi, we called her Kitcat. Some scummers from the city messed her up bad, and then ogre chased 'em and carried her off. That was a time ago. You mean he didn't eat her?"
"Ogre's here," he adds. "Yeah, he come around shouting if we seen his half a broken cup, but we didn't want to get ate, so we ran away. Last I saw, he went inside the tree. Nobody goes INSIDE the Pitchpine. Ain't seen Kitcat at all. If she's missing, probably Candyman got her."
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Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
More sparks flew, in brighter colors, as the boy spoke. Elwin looked wide-eyed and thrilled at the information.
"That's great, you spotted the ogre! But..." A flurry of faint notes, rising, then dropping in a humorous "oh-uh" accompanied his next face, one of intense curiosity. "Who is the Candyman?"
With her own failure at talking to the kids, Raven stays back, letting the others handle that. Instead she moves to the tree itself, looking around for some entrance big enough for an ogre to have used.
The boy grins at a chance to perform himself, and starts reciting. After the first few words, the other kids join in.
"Tall and skinny and dressed in black.
If you go with him, you never come back.
When you eat the Candyman's treats, you
Taste more deliciouser when he EATS you!"
The words are spoken with a sort of ghoulish glee. In the following silence, you realize that the rope-jumpers on the other side of the square are singing the same words...
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Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Raven looks through the alley on the other end of the square toward the giant tree. There is a large, arched entrance. Lying on the ground before it are the remains of a wooden door which once sealed this entry. It looks like it's been lying there on the dirt for at least a few decades.
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Elwin smiled as the kids sang their song. Inside, he wasn't exactly horrified--the children he grew up with had similar songs warning them of danger, as best they could--but he was at least more concerned about their quarry.
"Excellent!" the warlock clapped. His show done, he turned to the other adventurers, and only then let his worry show on his face. He would have loved to know more about the Candyman, but he realized the song was probably the most he would get.
At least they had a lead for Huark. Elwin looked over at Raven, who was already examining the Pitchpine trunk itself, to see if she'd discovered anything yet before heading inside the ominous tree.
Kitcat's got another name - "Half a Broken Cup" - they gets named after stuff they finds I think - and that ogre was lookin' after her. I think he ain't a bad guy overall, jus' big an' gruff
Candyman get people much?
Del will go back to singing requested songs while Raven and others look around, and follow when they are ready to move on
Quentin keeps his distance and sighs, already seeing getting dirty in his future he thinks to himself, I really need to invest in some clothes that'll always stay clean.
The kid answers Del with a shrug. "Maybe he's okay, and maybe he was just saving the kitten for later. I know ogres eat kids."
"Why does everything have to eat kids?" a gnome girl grumbles. "Wolves, bears, ogres, hags, Candyman..."
"We must taste DELICIOUS," says another. A little half-elf girl licks the back of her own hand, and looks unimpressed by the experiment.
"Anyway, Candyman only grabs people who are alone," says the kid. "And mostly littles, but not always. Stinky Groff the half-orc used to sleep over on that corner, but he's gone now, and he was way big. Candyman got him. He gives you candy and takes you away. The pixies seen him. They don't come down from the tree-tippy-tops any more because they're scared. The only way to get 'em down is to give 'em sweets, and nobody has sweets anymore. 'Cept for the Candyman."
---
Raven slips silently into the maw of Pitchpine. It shows traces of long-ago habitation...the wood was once shaped, and the floors must have been reinforced, because they still feel reasonably smooth and strong under your feet, if a bit sticky with pitch. A passage spirals up through the trunk. The walls are riddled with dark holes, though. Some were once doors and windows, others seem to have been chewed into the wood. The ceilings have rotted and deteriorated...it feels almost as if you are in a cave, huge stalactites hanging down everywhere, but instead of stone, they are dry, splintery, punky spikes of wormeaten wood. It smells of pine resin and wood rot. Far in the distance overhead, you hear a deep voice calling..."Cup!.....Cuuuuup!"
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Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
"Well its obvious that if the children aren't with him we need to either A) get the pixies some sugar so they'll tell us what they know. Or B) use the hat of disguise to make a fake child, stake out, and follow the Candyman to where the children are."Quentin responds like it was obvious.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I don't know how safe this is going to be, so keep your eyes open." Raven tells the others as she leads the way back inside. she starts leading the way upward once inside, trying to get a bit out in front and going into stealth mode.
((Everyone should probably roll a stealth roll, if you are trying to be quiet. And maybe a perception roll or two, just for when necessary. ;) Also, how are you proceeding? As I said, there is a spiral path upward with a hard floor. Are you going to stick on the path, or investigate some or all of the doors/window/burrows you pass?))
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(( I figure we'd know if Huark's cries were coming from any of the doors/windows? So for now, Elwin is just following Raven up, being stealthy as can be.
The children ooh and aah at the performance, and some of the rope-jumpers and others come running to watch.
The older boy says, "Only ever seen one tabaxi, we called her Kitcat. Some scummers from the city messed her up bad, and then ogre chased 'em and carried her off. That was a time ago. You mean he didn't eat her?"
"Ogre's here," he adds. "Yeah, he come around shouting if we seen his half a broken cup, but we didn't want to get ate, so we ran away. Last I saw, he went inside the tree. Nobody goes INSIDE the Pitchpine. Ain't seen Kitcat at all. If she's missing, probably Candyman got her."
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
More sparks flew, in brighter colors, as the boy spoke. Elwin looked wide-eyed and thrilled at the information.
"That's great, you spotted the ogre! But..." A flurry of faint notes, rising, then dropping in a humorous "oh-uh" accompanied his next face, one of intense curiosity. "Who is the Candyman?"
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
With her own failure at talking to the kids, Raven stays back, letting the others handle that. Instead she moves to the tree itself, looking around for some entrance big enough for an ogre to have used.
The boy grins at a chance to perform himself, and starts reciting. After the first few words, the other kids join in.
"Tall and skinny and dressed in black.
If you go with him, you never come back.
When you eat the Candyman's treats, you
Taste more deliciouser when he EATS you!"
The words are spoken with a sort of ghoulish glee. In the following silence, you realize that the rope-jumpers on the other side of the square are singing the same words...
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Raven looks through the alley on the other end of the square toward the giant tree. There is a large, arched entrance. Lying on the ground before it are the remains of a wooden door which once sealed this entry. It looks like it's been lying there on the dirt for at least a few decades.
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Elwin smiled as the kids sang their song. Inside, he wasn't exactly horrified--the children he grew up with had similar songs warning them of danger, as best they could--but he was at least more concerned about their quarry.
"Excellent!" the warlock clapped. His show done, he turned to the other adventurers, and only then let his worry show on his face. He would have loved to know more about the Candyman, but he realized the song was probably the most he would get.
At least they had a lead for Huark. Elwin looked over at Raven, who was already examining the Pitchpine trunk itself, to see if she'd discovered anything yet before heading inside the ominous tree.
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Kitcat's got another name - "Half a Broken Cup" - they gets named after stuff they finds I think - and that ogre was lookin' after her. I think he ain't a bad guy overall, jus' big an' gruff
Candyman get people much?
Del will go back to singing requested songs while Raven and others look around, and follow when they are ready to move on
Galanodel Deacon Tosh - Less-than-Half-Elf Bard - & - Flitterbug - Pixie Sorceress : Meanwhile in the Westwoods
Amadow 'Tug' Rioux - Human Psionic Palooka : Revenge Heist - - - Gofer Bayut - Bugbear Paladin Messenger : Shrouded Sky
Raven moves up to the opening, looking around for anything of note, and moving as quietly as she can.
Perception: 15
Stealth: 27
Quentin keeps his distance and sighs, already seeing getting dirty in his future he thinks to himself, I really need to invest in some clothes that'll always stay clean.
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Raven steps back out again. "I hear Huark, he is up there." She calls to her companions.
Ok fam, gotta go. Don't let'em get ya down. These are to share even Del hands 10 silver to the performing kid See y'all later
Fiddle slung, shawm in one hand and a dagger easy to reach, Del follows Raven Let's all hang together, I imagine it's a maze in there
Galanodel Deacon Tosh - Less-than-Half-Elf Bard - & - Flitterbug - Pixie Sorceress : Meanwhile in the Westwoods
Amadow 'Tug' Rioux - Human Psionic Palooka : Revenge Heist - - - Gofer Bayut - Bugbear Paladin Messenger : Shrouded Sky
"If we don't find the other kids I have an idea of how to find them now." Quentin says as he joins them at the base of the tree ready to go in.
"I have an idea too," Mindartis cracks his knuckles.
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
Del looks at M & Q with a palms up 'so dish already' look
Galanodel Deacon Tosh - Less-than-Half-Elf Bard - & - Flitterbug - Pixie Sorceress : Meanwhile in the Westwoods
Amadow 'Tug' Rioux - Human Psionic Palooka : Revenge Heist - - - Gofer Bayut - Bugbear Paladin Messenger : Shrouded Sky
At hearing that Raven had located Huark, Elwin again summoned his pact spear and rushed toward the entrance to the Pitchpine trunk.
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
"Well its obvious that if the children aren't with him we need to either A) get the pixies some sugar so they'll tell us what they know. Or B) use the hat of disguise to make a fake child, stake out, and follow the Candyman to where the children are." Quentin responds like it was obvious.
"I don't know how safe this is going to be, so keep your eyes open." Raven tells the others as she leads the way back inside. she starts leading the way upward once inside, trying to get a bit out in front and going into stealth mode.
Stealth: 19
Perception: 23
((Everyone should probably roll a stealth roll, if you are trying to be quiet. And maybe a perception roll or two, just for when necessary. ;) Also, how are you proceeding? As I said, there is a spiral path upward with a hard floor. Are you going to stick on the path, or investigate some or all of the doors/window/burrows you pass?))
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
(( I figure we'd know if Huark's cries were coming from any of the doors/windows? So for now, Elwin is just following Raven up, being stealthy as can be.
Stealth Check: 24
Perception Check: 8 ))
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf