Serwa, in a rapid monotone, rattles off the rules to the typical card game played by soldiers. Aster might recall that she is specifically quoting the words of the soldier who taught her to play cards, a soldier who was an avid gamer during off duty hours, who fell in combat at a later time. “...and a pair of the lowest number is worth the least, but still worth more than a hand that doesn’t contain any of the previously noted combinations. Got all that?”
As she examines her own hand, Serwa adds, “Aster, do you remember the guy who taught everyone this game? The guy who always insisted that whoever was off duty rotation at the same time as him had to join him? He was just a recently enlisted grunt like me, but everyone seemed to like him.”
OOC: Apologies, I hadn’t read over everyone’s character sheets properly! Right, Divine Soul, where you get cleric spells? Serwa may not discern the difference, in character, as she’s trained in Religion and not Arcana. I went back to edit the previous comment, however, as it wasn't Serwa speaking IC that referred to the character as Cleric.
(OOC: If you’d like, I could come up with some basic rules for a simple card game, or you guys could just rp and decide for yourself how your character is doing. If you want a short way: put in a spoiler tag just a flat d20 roll, add proficiency if you’re proficient in cards. You could then make a perception/insight check to try to determine whether somebody has a good hand or not, contested by their deception/performance check. A more complete way, but longer: Roll 4d12 in a spoiler tag to create your hand. If you’re proficient in card games, you can reroll one of these d12 to simulate the advantage you’d have for being experienced. You could go for ~3 rounds, or just until somebody called, that’d be up to you guys to decide how long a game is. From best to worst, you’d want a run of 4, 4 of the same, run of 3, 3 of the same, run of 2, 2 of the same. If there is a tie because two people met the same condition, whoever’s winning set has the highest value (adding the numbers together) wins. If nobody has a set, then whoever’s hand has the highest sum wins.
Of course, these are just ideas, if there’s any other ideas you’d have or you’d rather just rp your hands then go for it. If you’re just rping, tho, I’d appreciate if you don’t make your character the luckiest person alive with a winning hand every round. )
(I for one am not all that interested in delving into role-playing an actual card game - I would say just for fun roll some d20's + whatever bonus you think apply and call it good. Just waiting for Zarquon to have time to reply, at this point.)
OOC: We are playing for sticks and rocks, it's flavor, meant to pass the time and allow for character interactions, so I'm not overly concerned with the outcome.
(Sounds good 👍 definitely takes less time that way. Just throwing out ideas just in case, with comments wondering how it could roll. I pmed Zarquon a few hours ago, still haven’t gotten a response back. I’ll wait until tomorrow morning(est) for him to respond just in case he’s busy or something, but by then I’ll probably be moving on with the campaign.)
(OOC: I am terribly sorry for the delay. It's been a week from...well, a week from Serwa's life.)
Xianon Lathalas
The monk has been staring into the fire, lost in his own thoughts. The firelight flickers oddly on his bluish skin, making the winestain birthmark on his face blend in. If he sees anything in the flames, he doesn't say. Finally he stirs from his reverie. "You are quite correct, Serwa," he says at long last. "It is quite possible that those whom we seek are dead. And yet until we find them, then to the people of Phandalin, at least, they are neither alive nor dead." He finally looks up and, with a slight smile, says, "I wonder, then, if we will be bringing life to them, or death." He shrugs. "Philosophical musings aside, I certainly hope we will be in time to save him. I'd much rather rescue him than avenge him. But I owe him at least the one." He sighs. "In any case, your song was lovely - the more so for its melancholy." He shifts his seat closer to the game. "I would rather not partake in the games, however. I'd hate to show my tell before the real money's on the table." He gives a grin and a wink to the players and settles in to watch.
Serwa clears off a spot nearby where Xianon can observe, a welcoming gesture, but responds sardonically as ever with her words. "Just you wait until I have the sticks and rocks market cornered, here. Next time you want to start a fire and I have a monopoly on all the kindling, you'll be paying up."
She puts her cards face down on the ground before looking at the hand, and places a hand on her chin, looking contemplative. She seems to be trying to grasp Xianon's philisophical point, and presents her own metaphor for what she believes it to be. "Before I turn over my cards I don't know my hand. It could be good, or it could be bad. So until we go to confirm what the goblins did to them, our colleagues are both alive, and dead, to our perspective. Interesting. To the dead, they've gone on to Kelemvor's realm and what lies beyond for their souls. For the living, the uncertainty remains. Are they dead? Alive? When we observe them, are we in effect, killing them, making their deaths real?"
She pauses a beat, and then flips over hard cards to examine them, careful to conceal them from Aster and Tomora, who are playing, but not from Xianon. "I mean, I think they're dead. Obviously we're going to try to save them. But as a Paladin of Kelemvor, avenging the dead is kind of my thing. Answer unjust death with just slayings. If I manage to save someone incidentally, I won't complain. Giving the last rites gets tiresome. People around me tend to die. Don't let that worry all of you, of course. Worrying just makes the time you have left less pleasant."
OOC: If it was that bad of a week, I am genuinely very sorry! Welcome back.
The wood elf's expression changes slightly as the cards are dealt. He still has a slight smile, but now it could mean anything. "Worry is worth even less than sticks and stones," he agrees. "And cannot add an inch to my stature. Alas!" While no halfling, Xianon is short for an elf - though clearly comfortable enough with his stature to dish out some self-depricating humor. "But please remember, friend paladin, that we will be well compensated for finding Gundren. I mean that. I wouldn't want for their to be any accidents." He smiles wryly at Serwa, and at the faces around the card game, and then finally rises. "While I'd love to observe, I think my attention shall be elsewhere for now. We are expecting guests, after all, and I'd hate for them not to receive some welcome." With that he walks a few paces away, keeping the fire to his back as he watches the night.
When Serwa mentions dependency on her to make fires, Aster giggles for a bit and says: "We wont be needing you for that, im afraid" and casts create bonfire and sets a bush about 15ft away from the camp ablaze. He lets it burn for a few seconds but then breaks the spell, leaving back the glowing embers. "I got that very well covered" He says and winks at her.
"Well, seein' as neither cards nor philosophical questions are my forte, I figure I should get some shut-eye while I can" Tomora says with a yawn "Wake me for the second watch please, Xianon."
“Careful Aster,” Serwa says. “After I win all the sticks and rocks we might play for shrubbery. Nice fire, though.”
She watches Xianon walk off, and speaks towards his back without looking away from her cards. “I didn’t know we were expecting guests. I must be a terrible host. I assume you mean you’re going to keep watch for the goblins, Xianon. I’ve heard mages make goggles that can let a human like me see in the dark. I cant find a dragon chess set, much less magic goggles, so you’re on your own I guess. Scream if you need help. I’m sure Aster would be happy to start a fire to light the way.”
„May i be your light in every darknes, my lady“ says Aster with an exagerated, dramatic noble voice, while making the motions of a bow, as good as its possible while sitting. „even in those barren and shrubles“ While he bows down, he picks up a rock from the ground and casts light on it. „but seriously, i dont think you will keep me from making light. Excuse me but just two playing cards isnt all that great. I will try to get some sleep as well.“
Aster will go to bed and recast mage armor on himself, just to be sure.
Serwa mutely packs up the cards, adds, "Good night. Don't let us get killed in our sleep, Xianon, and whoever's on watch next. No pressure. Let me know when it's my turn. You know I always wake up like an angel." Serwa is actually a fairly sound sleeper and has never failed to wake up with a bleary eyed stare and some mumbled curse about "I have to kill you, now," or something to that effect, no matter how much sleep she gets. She usually is back to herself after a moment or so to collect herself, but she is poking fun at her own poor awakening patterns. She collects her cards and lays down to sleep as well.
As you all settle to sleep, taking watch whenever it comes around to your shift, not much happens during the night. You hear the usual chirping of bugs, and the rustling of some smaller wildlife, but no signs of any creatures that would be of danger to you. Eventually, the sun begins to rise, leaving you rested and awake, prepared for the dangers that likely lie ahead.
Despite a good night's sleep, Serwa shuffles through the first hour of every morning with signs of having been animated by necromancy, shuffling about listlessly, eyes half open, and groaning an unearthly groan, as she uses soap and splashes some water on her face to at least wash her face and wake up a bit, dons her chain mail armor, and readies her travel supplies and gear.
"Ready to go kill some goblins and identify some bodies?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Aster, woken up by Serwa's groan, darts up, his spear in a thight grip. "You wont get me, filthy cratures, not..." He stops as he realizes that the sound was caused by Serwa and not a goblin. "I think there are two candidats that want to murder me in my sleep."
Aster will cast guidance on whoever takes the lead on the goblin path. he will take second place in marching order and from time to time recast it, sometimes on himself as he has a lookout for a patch of clay or similar close to the path. If he would find a spot, he grabs a handfull, wraps it into a rag and puts it into his pocket.
On the way Aster repeats the melody of serwa's song by humming it silently to himself.
OOC: I am fine with a time skip, by the way, if the DM prefer it.
"I'm not a goblin, or undead. Kelemvor keeps what it His, we're not a fan of the undead broadly speaking, and based on recent history, I'm not a fan of goblins either," Serwa answers Aster. "I'm also not a fan of mornings, or waking up in general. I always feel like a zombie, or maybe a ghoul, for an hour or so. A brand new day is a brand new chance for bad news. Anyway, I'm ready now. Lead on, I'll follow." Serwa offers to either take up position behind the front two scouting characters, or to take up the rear in case of ambush.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tomora has been poking around in the woods near camp since awaking in the early dawn, when first hint of light appears on the horizon and a the few early birds begin to chirp. Hearing her companions voices she slips back into camp "Oh don't worry now...I'll gitcha tomorrow night!" she says to Aster with a wink and wicked grin. "I'm ready to get on with it, when you'll are."
Tomora takes the lead tracking the goblin's trail through the woods. Survival(plus guildance): 20
Aster would answer serwa: “there is no need to feel undead, when you yourself just said that kelemvor keeps what is his. But i am thankful that you are not undead. That would not be a thing id want to deal with, while still half asleep.“ Aster walks over to Xianons bedroll. „Hey sir elf, its time to wake up. We have a dwarf to rescue.“
Serwa, in a rapid monotone, rattles off the rules to the typical card game played by soldiers. Aster might recall that she is specifically quoting the words of the soldier who taught her to play cards, a soldier who was an avid gamer during off duty hours, who fell in combat at a later time. “...and a pair of the lowest number is worth the least, but still worth more than a hand that doesn’t contain any of the previously noted combinations. Got all that?”
As she examines her own hand, Serwa adds, “Aster, do you remember the guy who taught everyone this game? The guy who always insisted that whoever was off duty rotation at the same time as him had to join him? He was just a recently enlisted grunt like me, but everyone seemed to like him.”
OOC: Apologies, I hadn’t read over everyone’s character sheets properly! Right, Divine Soul, where you get cleric spells? Serwa may not discern the difference, in character, as she’s trained in Religion and not Arcana. I went back to edit the previous comment, however, as it wasn't Serwa speaking IC that referred to the character as Cleric.
(OOC: If you’d like, I could come up with some basic rules for a simple card game, or you guys could just rp and decide for yourself how your character is doing.
If you want a short way: put in a spoiler tag just a flat d20 roll, add proficiency if you’re proficient in cards. You could then make a perception/insight check to try to determine whether somebody has a good hand or not, contested by their deception/performance check.
A more complete way, but longer: Roll 4d12 in a spoiler tag to create your hand. If you’re proficient in card games, you can reroll one of these d12 to simulate the advantage you’d have for being experienced. You could go for ~3 rounds, or just until somebody called, that’d be up to you guys to decide how long a game is. From best to worst, you’d want a run of 4, 4 of the same, run of 3, 3 of the same, run of 2, 2 of the same. If there is a tie because two people met the same condition, whoever’s winning set has the highest value (adding the numbers together) wins. If nobody has a set, then whoever’s hand has the highest sum wins.
Of course, these are just ideas, if there’s any other ideas you’d have or you’d rather just rp your hands then go for it. If you’re just rping, tho, I’d appreciate if you don’t make your character the luckiest person alive with a winning hand every round. )
(I for one am not all that interested in delving into role-playing an actual card game - I would say just for fun roll some d20's + whatever bonus you think apply and call it good. Just waiting for Zarquon to have time to reply, at this point.)
OOC: We are playing for sticks and rocks, it's flavor, meant to pass the time and allow for character interactions, so I'm not overly concerned with the outcome.
(Sounds good 👍 definitely takes less time that way. Just throwing out ideas just in case, with comments wondering how it could roll. I pmed Zarquon a few hours ago, still haven’t gotten a response back. I’ll wait until tomorrow morning(est) for him to respond just in case he’s busy or something, but by then I’ll probably be moving on with the campaign.)
OOC: OK, we will wait and see if he joins, and then proceed accordingly.
(OOC: I am terribly sorry for the delay. It's been a week from...well, a week from Serwa's life.)
Xianon Lathalas
The monk has been staring into the fire, lost in his own thoughts. The firelight flickers oddly on his bluish skin, making the winestain birthmark on his face blend in. If he sees anything in the flames, he doesn't say. Finally he stirs from his reverie. "You are quite correct, Serwa," he says at long last. "It is quite possible that those whom we seek are dead. And yet until we find them, then to the people of Phandalin, at least, they are neither alive nor dead." He finally looks up and, with a slight smile, says, "I wonder, then, if we will be bringing life to them, or death." He shrugs. "Philosophical musings aside, I certainly hope we will be in time to save him. I'd much rather rescue him than avenge him. But I owe him at least the one." He sighs. "In any case, your song was lovely - the more so for its melancholy." He shifts his seat closer to the game. "I would rather not partake in the games, however. I'd hate to show my tell before the real money's on the table." He gives a grin and a wink to the players and settles in to watch.
Serwa clears off a spot nearby where Xianon can observe, a welcoming gesture, but responds sardonically as ever with her words. "Just you wait until I have the sticks and rocks market cornered, here. Next time you want to start a fire and I have a monopoly on all the kindling, you'll be paying up."
She puts her cards face down on the ground before looking at the hand, and places a hand on her chin, looking contemplative. She seems to be trying to grasp Xianon's philisophical point, and presents her own metaphor for what she believes it to be. "Before I turn over my cards I don't know my hand. It could be good, or it could be bad. So until we go to confirm what the goblins did to them, our colleagues are both alive, and dead, to our perspective. Interesting. To the dead, they've gone on to Kelemvor's realm and what lies beyond for their souls. For the living, the uncertainty remains. Are they dead? Alive? When we observe them, are we in effect, killing them, making their deaths real?"
She pauses a beat, and then flips over hard cards to examine them, careful to conceal them from Aster and Tomora, who are playing, but not from Xianon. "I mean, I think they're dead. Obviously we're going to try to save them. But as a Paladin of Kelemvor, avenging the dead is kind of my thing. Answer unjust death with just slayings. If I manage to save someone incidentally, I won't complain. Giving the last rites gets tiresome. People around me tend to die. Don't let that worry all of you, of course. Worrying just makes the time you have left less pleasant."
OOC: If it was that bad of a week, I am genuinely very sorry! Welcome back.
Xianon Lathalas
The wood elf's expression changes slightly as the cards are dealt. He still has a slight smile, but now it could mean anything. "Worry is worth even less than sticks and stones," he agrees. "And cannot add an inch to my stature. Alas!" While no halfling, Xianon is short for an elf - though clearly comfortable enough with his stature to dish out some self-depricating humor. "But please remember, friend paladin, that we will be well compensated for finding Gundren. I mean that. I wouldn't want for their to be any accidents." He smiles wryly at Serwa, and at the faces around the card game, and then finally rises. "While I'd love to observe, I think my attention shall be elsewhere for now. We are expecting guests, after all, and I'd hate for them not to receive some welcome." With that he walks a few paces away, keeping the fire to his back as he watches the night.
When Serwa mentions dependency on her to make fires, Aster giggles for a bit and says: "We wont be needing you for that, im afraid" and casts create bonfire and sets a bush about 15ft away from the camp ablaze. He lets it burn for a few seconds but then breaks the spell, leaving back the glowing embers. "I got that very well covered" He says and winks at her.
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
"Well, seein' as neither cards nor philosophical questions are my forte, I figure I should get some shut-eye while I can" Tomora says with a yawn "Wake me for the second watch please, Xianon."
“Careful Aster,” Serwa says. “After I win all the sticks and rocks we might play for shrubbery. Nice fire, though.”
She watches Xianon walk off, and speaks towards his back without looking away from her cards. “I didn’t know we were expecting guests. I must be a terrible host. I assume you mean you’re going to keep watch for the goblins, Xianon. I’ve heard mages make goggles that can let a human like me see in the dark. I cant find a dragon chess set, much less magic goggles, so you’re on your own I guess. Scream if you need help. I’m sure Aster would be happy to start a fire to light the way.”
„May i be your light in every darknes, my lady“ says Aster with an exagerated, dramatic noble voice, while making the motions of a bow, as good as its possible while sitting. „even in those barren and shrubles“ While he bows down, he picks up a rock from the ground and casts light on it. „but seriously, i dont think you will keep me from making light. Excuse me but just two playing cards isnt all that great. I will try to get some sleep as well.“
Aster will go to bed and recast mage armor on himself, just to be sure.
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
Serwa mutely packs up the cards, adds, "Good night. Don't let us get killed in our sleep, Xianon, and whoever's on watch next. No pressure. Let me know when it's my turn. You know I always wake up like an angel." Serwa is actually a fairly sound sleeper and has never failed to wake up with a bleary eyed stare and some mumbled curse about "I have to kill you, now," or something to that effect, no matter how much sleep she gets. She usually is back to herself after a moment or so to collect herself, but she is poking fun at her own poor awakening patterns. She collects her cards and lays down to sleep as well.
As you all settle to sleep, taking watch whenever it comes around to your shift, not much happens during the night. You hear the usual chirping of bugs, and the rustling of some smaller wildlife, but no signs of any creatures that would be of danger to you. Eventually, the sun begins to rise, leaving you rested and awake, prepared for the dangers that likely lie ahead.
Despite a good night's sleep, Serwa shuffles through the first hour of every morning with signs of having been animated by necromancy, shuffling about listlessly, eyes half open, and groaning an unearthly groan, as she uses soap and splashes some water on her face to at least wash her face and wake up a bit, dons her chain mail armor, and readies her travel supplies and gear.
"Ready to go kill some goblins and identify some bodies?"
Aster, woken up by Serwa's groan, darts up, his spear in a thight grip. "You wont get me, filthy cratures, not..." He stops as he realizes that the sound was caused by Serwa and not a goblin. "I think there are two candidats that want to murder me in my sleep."
Aster will cast guidance on whoever takes the lead on the goblin path. he will take second place in marching order and from time to time recast it, sometimes on himself as he has a lookout for a patch of clay or similar close to the path. If he would find a spot, he grabs a handfull, wraps it into a rag and puts it into his pocket.
On the way Aster repeats the melody of serwa's song by humming it silently to himself.
Perception: 10 Guidance: 4
ooc: i dont want to timeskip here, i just want to get asters actions for the travel in to maybe prevent a retcon.
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
OOC: I am fine with a time skip, by the way, if the DM prefer it.
"I'm not a goblin, or undead. Kelemvor keeps what it His, we're not a fan of the undead broadly speaking, and based on recent history, I'm not a fan of goblins either," Serwa answers Aster. "I'm also not a fan of mornings, or waking up in general. I always feel like a zombie, or maybe a ghoul, for an hour or so. A brand new day is a brand new chance for bad news. Anyway, I'm ready now. Lead on, I'll follow." Serwa offers to either take up position behind the front two scouting characters, or to take up the rear in case of ambush.
Tomora has been poking around in the woods near camp since awaking in the early dawn, when first hint of light appears on the horizon and a the few early birds begin to chirp. Hearing her companions voices she slips back into camp "Oh don't worry now...I'll gitcha tomorrow night!" she says to Aster with a wink and wicked grin. "I'm ready to get on with it, when you'll are."
Tomora takes the lead tracking the goblin's trail through the woods. Survival(plus guildance): 20
Aster would answer serwa: “there is no need to feel undead, when you yourself just said that kelemvor keeps what is his. But i am thankful that you are not undead. That would not be a thing id want to deal with, while still half asleep.“ Aster walks over to Xianons bedroll. „Hey sir elf, its time to wake up. We have a dwarf to rescue.“
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist