This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Another small sapling emerges from hiding and you all spot it. It seems encouraged by its compatriot’s brash actions and it rushes up to join it. They aren’t going to follow if you leave. But the horse will then have to wait.
10
* the horse seems reinvigorated for the time being, it’s adrenaline is up. So it avoids exhaustion for the time being.
Correct. Where you went in, there was a stream with some trees around it. You can follow to the stream the way you are headed and it shouldn’t be too hard, especially with your navigation and knowledge about landforms Ithelion, to deduce where it leads (approximately).
Garnet frowned slumping her shoulders in defeat. As much as she wanted to see the little tree creature as threatening she just couldn't. Apparently dispite the two foot height difference, the tree thing didn't find Garnet threatening ethier. With the emergence of a second tree thing Garnet was done with this nonsense. She throws her hands in the air scolding the trees in primordial Terran for being so rude, mumbling about the lack of common courtesy, as she moves to assist with rehitching the horse so they can move on.
When the horse is all set Garnet stands back taking note that it will need a break soon even with it renewed energy. Rather then add to the carts weight she will opt to take the horse's reins to lead it along the way untill they are out of the tree things territory.
Ithelion smiles at Garnet's outburst, "I don't know what you said, but if tone is anything to go by, I agree!"
She glances around cautiously, asking Elosa to keep circling above her as they move the wagon off. "I think there may be easier access to water a little further on."
(( Garnet: post seemed fine to me! Longer is almost always better in my book ))
You all regroup and begin to carry on north on the road. After a while you stop when it seems the horse has tired again. Access to water here is much easier and no walking trees are about. The horse drinks deeply and you fill your water skins.
while you are here, you hear the sounds of galloping horses, which come into view a minute later. Three riders, all wearing familiar insignia come upon you. The insignia is the same as you saw on the cart and on some of the goods, including the letter, at the mongrel camp. Two of the guards are male and they train their crossbows on you while the third, a female, draws her sword. It is clear she is the leader of this small group. “Hold!” she calls out. Looking around at the cart and horse, she scowls and continues, “Who are you and where are the drivers and guards of this wagon? Answer me now or Chauntea help me, you’ll be food for the worms soon enough!”
Ithelion raises her hands slowly in appeasement -- a pen in one and her notes in another -- then glances around to make sure no-one is acting aggressively ... and if they are, she says "Wait!", as firmly as she can manage, clearly directed at whoever it is. (( She specifically checks Daemyar...))
She turns to Garnet, hoping she will respond diplomatically, but quickly turns back to the newcomers to forestall any violence if possible and to give Garnet a chance to collect her thoughts.
"I am Ithelion of Candlekeep(?). We are travelers on our way to Oakhurst...we found this wagon on the road -- it had been attacked -- one horse dead, and no bodies. We investigated, hoping to help whomever the victims might have been. Blood and tracks led into the forest, where we found..." she grimaces, "...where we found...gruesome things. Deformed creatures. And many dead bodies. And...a cooking pot. All had been tortured."
"With some difficulty we avenged the dead, then Krom..." she nods in his direction, "...Krom did his best to let their spirits rest. We...we had no tools to bury them, nor ability to make a large enough fire. So their bodies remain there."
She closes her eyes and shakes her head as if to dislodge the memory, "Then we resumed out journey, intending to bring the news, this wagon...and a letter we found to Oakhurst."
She glances around the newcomers quickly, "And who...who might you be?" she looks at each of them trying to discern what she can about them, hoping fervently that she has bought them enough time, and that someone else a little more persuasive will take the lead.
Garnet mirrors the elf with her hands up. As Ithelion speaks she uses one hand to fish a note from her pocket she has it wrestled free by the time Ithelion has finished speaking. Keeping her hands held out she slowly steps steps forward holding the note out to the leader woman. Keeping stren expression she indicates the crossbow men with her head " There is no need for that. As mentioned we came up on your wagon on the road ."she paused a moment thinking "Although I assume ya'll are most concerned about your antitoxin." Garnet motions back to the cart. "There are six vials that were recovered. Though according to that letter it's dated three months back."
(Assuming the lady takes the note)
Garnet cross her arms of her chest and continues addressing the leader lady, but moves to position herself a little more defensively. Stand just a step or so closer to the nervous Ithelion.
"Our mage has been keeping track of our path. We can mark on the map were you can find your missing gaurd's remains." She paused thinking of the state of the bodies and quickly added" They may be hard to identify and I suggest a strong stomach."
Garnet will wait for the leader lady's response before offer any additional information.
Ithelion - you take in the guards and the woman. It is difficult to gauge how tall they are but you'd guess the woman is about 6 feet tall and the others perhaps shorter - though older and wider. Herka has an air about her that only youth can enjoy: brash and arrogant, you'd guess her to be early 20s. The others are at least 10 years older than that. In addition to her longsword and shield, Herka has a shortbow strapped to her horse. The others have short swords. All three wear the same cloaks that you found in the carnage earlier. They all have familiar insignia as well - blue flower on a white background.
Garnet - your words and the timbre of your voice calm all three guards long enough for you to explain concisely and clearly the situation. They bristle when you presume to tell them what there is a need for and what there isn't - but a sharp glance from Herka quiets any protestations. They hitch their crossbows each time any of you moves your hands (especially Ithelion, since he looks like he might know some magic).
The crossbowmen twitch slightly at the raised hands and the sight of a wizard doing stuff with them but they hold off on shooting you. “I am Herka, head of security for House Hucrele, the merchant house from Oakhurst. And they,” she nods back at the guards behind her, “are none of your concern...yet.” She takes the letter and looks it over. She raises an eyebrow at mention of anti-toxin and snorts to her compatriots. “Well, guess we know what happened. Kerowyn will need to hear this.”
While you all are conversing, one of the guards seems extra jumpy and anxious. He seems like he wants to say something. Finally he blurts out, “Was there a woman!? Did you find Exandra!?” He stops immediately when Herka shoots him a death glare, turning around in her saddle. “Enough!”she hisses at him.
Looking past you at your companions, her eyes settle on Daemyar and the wolf. The wolf has been lurking near Lorell and bares its teeth at the guards, but also at everyone other than Lorell. You're not sure what it will do. "What's your story, then? What about the rest of you? Why do creatures like this travel with you?"
Turning to you she says, “Oakhurst is a few hours ride from here. My instincts tell me to chain you up and march you there, but I’m also a practical woman. We might need your help on the way. Twig Blights have been seen this far south with increasing frequency. Are you able to continue?”
[this is kind of a forced march so to speak but you're all able to do as you please on the journey. Conversing with each other or with the guards, looking out for enemies, mapping, etc... Just write what you want to do with the associated roll].
Ithelion nods and smiles, "I am sure that following your instincts would be the wisest course in many ways. We were just finishing a short rest, I think, and had planned to reach Oakhurst today, so the company would be welcome, but did you not want to send someone investigate the bodies? I would hate for you to have any lingering doubts as to our trustworthyness."
(( Did they see any of this distinctive livery at the site, and was there a recently dead female body? ))
(( Ithelion will try to continue mapping -- assuming we completed a short rest -- otherwise, she will try to complete the short rest on the cart, then continue mapping. Elosa to stay out of sight of the new companions and to keep scouting as normal. ))
Herka looks at you like you just vomited up your breakfast. “I think you misunderstand me, mage. We are not your ‘company’ and we are not in a position to ‘trust’ you. What you say might be true - that’s not for me to judge. We are taking you to the town to answer for what you have said. Consider our position - we found you with our property and goods. Our comrades, if you are to be believed, are dead.” She nods over at the guard who spoke up - who is incidentally looking southwards down the road. “Exandra is his daughter. So forgive us if we are not prone at your feet.” She snorts at you and rides off a little ways to the other guards.
Ithelion shakes her head, and looks at Garnet, speaking softly. "So...they're going to retrieve their dead after they are half eaten by wolves? Humans are hard to understand."
Then she packs her things, and remains studiously quiet, focusing on her notes and mapping.
Lorell looks towards Herka "Has the forest always been this hostile and rough?"
Herka's face goes dark before she answers you. "The short answer is no, not like this." She stares into the distance, panning the trees and heavy forest that surround you as you travel. "I was only still a kid when it began - though relative to some, I guess I am still a child," she looks at the elves and Krom in particular. "Many years ago, a man - a self-proclaimed druid - came to our town asking about a sunken castle or some such thing. Many in the town laughed at him and drove him into the forest and we never saw him again. But after that, the forest seemed to get sick. A year after he left, goblins - goblins! - came to our town to sell us a piece of enchanted fruit that would cure any ailment. Of course we bought it and used it. My grandmother is still alive because of it. In the winter, they also come to sell a fruit but it's very different. It's deadly."
She bites her lip a little bit, seeming to contemplate how much to say. She decides to continue. "Yes, it worked and we obviously tried to plant the seeds. The possibiities were endless. However, after the seedlings grew to a couple of feet high, they disappeared! We think the goblins have been coming back to steal them but we haven't caught them in the act. We tried to follow them one time but they were ready and ambushed us on the Old Road west of town." Her eyes begin to smolder. "My father was one of the victims. That's when I took his place." She looks away from you...
Garnet really feels the need to roll her eyes, Herka as she called herself looks ..young full of anger and mistrust. Garnet shrugged at Ithelion's comment taking the horse's reins to continue leading him before replying. "I'm not sure, my people believe once the spirit is gone you return to the Terran plane. The body is just a shell that turns into earth in the end." She lapsed in to silence trying to consider her actions in the inevitable confrontation with the town. Humans could be dangerous when frightened and being led into Oakhurst by gaurds with looted goods did not bode well. She looked back at Daeymar he was doing good keeping his head down, a show of force now would only compromise their journey ahead. Garnet had no intention of prostrating herself or her companions to please them. Adathar mentioned this land was being corrupted,it could mean more then just the wildlife and if the humans of Oakhurst could not see some sense. Garnet would consider the corruption of the mind.
Krom silently follows behind the cart. He wasn't use to being in custody but knew enough from watching the Dwarven guards back home that anything less than cooperation could, and often would, get you a good few wallops.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Ithelion frowns at Garnet's words, and speaks softly. "Where I come from life is precious and not so easily given up."
She looks around at her companions -- and at the guards -- then considers last two days events. Travelling with non-elves just got eve more unsettling.
"You are right about one thing: A dead body is but an empty shell -- but it can be refilled. Should I die, send me back to Candlekeep -- if nothing else can be done, and you are able."
She gathers her things and sits in the cart, drawing her maps and writing notes.
Another small sapling emerges from hiding and you all spot it. It seems encouraged by its compatriot’s brash actions and it rushes up to join it. They aren’t going to follow if you leave. But the horse will then have to wait.
10
* the horse seems reinvigorated for the time being, it’s adrenaline is up. So it avoids exhaustion for the time being.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
(( Did you say that there was water a little further on, away from the trees? ))
Correct. Where you went in, there was a stream with some trees around it. You can follow to the stream the way you are headed and it shouldn’t be too hard, especially with your navigation and knowledge about landforms Ithelion, to deduce where it leads (approximately).
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Garnet frowned slumping her shoulders in defeat. As much as she wanted to see the little tree creature as threatening she just couldn't. Apparently dispite the two foot height difference, the tree thing didn't find Garnet threatening ethier. With the emergence of a second tree thing Garnet was done with this nonsense. She throws her hands in the air scolding the trees in primordial Terran for being so rude, mumbling about the lack of common courtesy, as she moves to assist with rehitching the horse so they can move on.
When the horse is all set Garnet stands back taking note that it will need a break soon even with it renewed energy. Rather then add to the carts weight she will opt to take the horse's reins to lead it along the way untill they are out of the tree things territory.
( Let me know if I added to much to this post)
Ithelion smiles at Garnet's outburst, "I don't know what you said, but if tone is anything to go by, I agree!"
She glances around cautiously, asking Elosa to keep circling above her as they move the wagon off. "I think there may be easier access to water a little further on."
(( Garnet: post seemed fine to me! Longer is almost always better in my book ))
You all regroup and begin to carry on north on the road. After a while you stop when it seems the horse has tired again. Access to water here is much easier and no walking trees are about. The horse drinks deeply and you fill your water skins.
while you are here, you hear the sounds of galloping horses, which come into view a minute later. Three riders, all wearing familiar insignia come upon you. The insignia is the same as you saw on the cart and on some of the goods, including the letter, at the mongrel camp. Two of the guards are male and they train their crossbows on you while the third, a female, draws her sword. It is clear she is the leader of this small group.
“Hold!” she calls out. Looking around at the cart and horse, she scowls and continues, “Who are you and where are the drivers and guards of this wagon? Answer me now or Chauntea help me, you’ll be food for the worms soon enough!”
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Ithelion raises her hands slowly in appeasement -- a pen in one and her notes in another -- then glances around to make sure no-one is acting aggressively ... and if they are, she says "Wait!", as firmly as she can manage, clearly directed at whoever it is. (( She specifically checks Daemyar...))
She turns to Garnet, hoping she will respond diplomatically, but quickly turns back to the newcomers to forestall any violence if possible and to give Garnet a chance to collect her thoughts.
"I am Ithelion of Candlekeep(?). We are travelers on our way to Oakhurst...we found this wagon on the road -- it had been attacked -- one horse dead, and no bodies. We investigated, hoping to help whomever the victims might have been. Blood and tracks led into the forest, where we found..." she grimaces, "...where we found...gruesome things. Deformed creatures. And many dead bodies. And...a cooking pot. All had been tortured."
"With some difficulty we avenged the dead, then Krom..." she nods in his direction, "...Krom did his best to let their spirits rest. We...we had no tools to bury them, nor ability to make a large enough fire. So their bodies remain there."
She closes her eyes and shakes her head as if to dislodge the memory, "Then we resumed out journey, intending to bring the news, this wagon...and a letter we found to Oakhurst."
She glances around the newcomers quickly, "And who...who might you be?" she looks at each of them trying to discern what she can about them, hoping fervently that she has bought them enough time, and that someone else a little more persuasive will take the lead.
Perception: 23 (Passive 14)
Garnet mirrors the elf with her hands up. As Ithelion speaks she uses one hand to fish a note from her pocket she has it wrestled free by the time Ithelion has finished speaking. Keeping her hands held out she slowly steps steps forward holding the note out to the leader woman. Keeping stren expression she indicates the crossbow men with her head " There is no need for that. As mentioned we came up on your wagon on the road ."she paused a moment thinking "Although I assume ya'll are most concerned about your antitoxin." Garnet motions back to the cart. "There are six vials that were recovered. Though according to that letter it's dated three months back."
(Assuming the lady takes the note)
Garnet cross her arms of her chest and continues addressing the leader lady, but moves to position herself a little more defensively. Stand just a step or so closer to the nervous Ithelion.
"Our mage has been keeping track of our path. We can mark on the map were you can find your missing gaurd's remains." She paused thinking of the state of the bodies and quickly added" They may be hard to identify and I suggest a strong stomach."
Garnet will wait for the leader lady's response before offer any additional information.
( Edited some funny worded sentences)
Persuasion: 25
Ithelion - you take in the guards and the woman. It is difficult to gauge how tall they are but you'd guess the woman is about 6 feet tall and the others perhaps shorter - though older and wider. Herka has an air about her that only youth can enjoy: brash and arrogant, you'd guess her to be early 20s. The others are at least 10 years older than that. In addition to her longsword and shield, Herka has a shortbow strapped to her horse. The others have short swords. All three wear the same cloaks that you found in the carnage earlier. They all have familiar insignia as well - blue flower on a white background.
Garnet - your words and the timbre of your voice calm all three guards long enough for you to explain concisely and clearly the situation. They bristle when you presume to tell them what there is a need for and what there isn't - but a sharp glance from Herka quiets any protestations. They hitch their crossbows each time any of you moves your hands (especially Ithelion, since he looks like he might know some magic).
The crossbowmen twitch slightly at the raised hands and the sight of a wizard doing stuff with them but they hold off on shooting you. “I am Herka, head of security for House Hucrele, the merchant house from Oakhurst. And they,” she nods back at the guards behind her, “are none of your concern...yet.” She takes the letter and looks it over. She raises an eyebrow at mention of anti-toxin and snorts to her compatriots. “Well, guess we know what happened. Kerowyn will need to hear this.”
While you all are conversing, one of the guards seems extra jumpy and anxious. He seems like he wants to say something. Finally he blurts out, “Was there a woman!? Did you find Exandra!?” He stops immediately when Herka shoots him a death glare, turning around in her saddle. “Enough!” she hisses at him.
Looking past you at your companions, her eyes settle on Daemyar and the wolf. The wolf has been lurking near Lorell and bares its teeth at the guards, but also at everyone other than Lorell. You're not sure what it will do. "What's your story, then? What about the rest of you? Why do creatures like this travel with you?"
Turning to you she says, “Oakhurst is a few hours ride from here. My instincts tell me to chain you up and march you there, but I’m also a practical woman. We might need your help on the way. Twig Blights have been seen this far south with increasing frequency. Are you able to continue?”
[this is kind of a forced march so to speak but you're all able to do as you please on the journey. Conversing with each other or with the guards, looking out for enemies, mapping, etc... Just write what you want to do with the associated roll].
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Ithelion nods and smiles, "I am sure that following your instincts would be the wisest course in many ways. We were just finishing a short rest, I think, and had planned to reach Oakhurst today, so the company would be welcome, but did you not want to send someone investigate the bodies? I would hate for you to have any lingering doubts as to our trustworthyness."
(( Did they see any of this distinctive livery at the site, and was there a recently dead female body? ))
(( Ithelion will try to continue mapping -- assuming we completed a short rest -- otherwise, she will try to complete the short rest on the cart, then continue mapping. Elosa to stay out of sight of the new companions and to keep scouting as normal. ))
Herka looks at you like you just vomited up your breakfast. “I think you misunderstand me, mage. We are not your ‘company’ and we are not in a position to ‘trust’ you. What you say might be true - that’s not for me to judge. We are taking you to the town to answer for what you have said. Consider our position - we found you with our property and goods. Our comrades, if you are to be believed, are dead.” She nods over at the guard who spoke up - who is incidentally looking southwards down the road. “Exandra is his daughter. So forgive us if we are not prone at your feet.” She snorts at you and rides off a little ways to the other guards.
[yes to both questions]
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Daemyar pulls his hat down tight and keeping his cloak wrapped around him.
He coughs and mumbles “I don’t know what you mean... I’m just traveling.”
Deception 24
(I’m just a human enjoying human things with my human companions. Herr de herr, look how weak I am)
Paladin - warforged - orange
(( ooc: lol, @daemyar ))
Ithelion shakes her head, and looks at Garnet, speaking softly. "So...they're going to retrieve their dead after they are half eaten by wolves? Humans are hard to understand."
Then she packs her things, and remains studiously quiet, focusing on her notes and mapping.
Lorell looks towards Herka "Has the forest always been this hostile and rough?"
Herka looks at you with a half-smile and nods. "Fair enough, traveler. It's Lady Kerowyn you need to convince, not I."
Herka's face goes dark before she answers you. "The short answer is no, not like this." She stares into the distance, panning the trees and heavy forest that surround you as you travel. "I was only still a kid when it began - though relative to some, I guess I am still a child," she looks at the elves and Krom in particular. "Many years ago, a man - a self-proclaimed druid - came to our town asking about a sunken castle or some such thing. Many in the town laughed at him and drove him into the forest and we never saw him again. But after that, the forest seemed to get sick. A year after he left, goblins - goblins! - came to our town to sell us a piece of enchanted fruit that would cure any ailment. Of course we bought it and used it. My grandmother is still alive because of it. In the winter, they also come to sell a fruit but it's very different. It's deadly."
She bites her lip a little bit, seeming to contemplate how much to say. She decides to continue. "Yes, it worked and we obviously tried to plant the seeds. The possibiities were endless. However, after the seedlings grew to a couple of feet high, they disappeared! We think the goblins have been coming back to steal them but we haven't caught them in the act. We tried to follow them one time but they were ready and ambushed us on the Old Road west of town." Her eyes begin to smolder. "My father was one of the victims. That's when I took his place." She looks away from you...
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Garnet really feels the need to roll her eyes, Herka as she called herself looks ..young full of anger and mistrust. Garnet shrugged at Ithelion's comment taking the horse's reins to continue leading him before replying. "I'm not sure, my people believe once the spirit is gone you return to the Terran plane. The body is just a shell that turns into earth in the end." She lapsed in to silence trying to consider her actions in the inevitable confrontation with the town. Humans could be dangerous when frightened and being led into Oakhurst by gaurds with looted goods did not bode well. She looked back at Daeymar he was doing good keeping his head down, a show of force now would only compromise their journey ahead. Garnet had no intention of prostrating herself or her companions to please them. Adathar mentioned this land was being corrupted,it could mean more then just the wildlife and if the humans of Oakhurst could not see some sense. Garnet would consider the corruption of the mind.
( @ Daeymar seriously that was good lol.)
Krom silently follows behind the cart. He wasn't use to being in custody but knew enough from watching the Dwarven guards back home that anything less than cooperation could, and often would, get you a good few wallops.
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Ithelion frowns at Garnet's words, and speaks softly. "Where I come from life is precious and not so easily given up."
She looks around at her companions -- and at the guards -- then considers last two days events. Travelling with non-elves just got eve more unsettling.
"You are right about one thing: A dead body is but an empty shell -- but it can be refilled. Should I die, send me back to Candlekeep -- if nothing else can be done, and you are able."
She gathers her things and sits in the cart, drawing her maps and writing notes.
All make a perception check please. Include your passive perception in brackets.
Herka - 14
crossbowmen - 6
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Daemyar (pp 13) 14
Paladin - warforged - orange