Completely unphased, the cow stands there with a simple blank stare, chewing. After a few moments, it blinks. Then as nonchalant as can be, the cow walks over to stand with Mr. Dark. Should there be no grass nearby, it’d pause for a while before leaning in to try nibbling on his coat.
Auric and Kaemgen would notice the cow is also branded with BAK.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mr.Dark seems to regain control of himself and stands tall, brushing himself off. Though what he's brushing off of himself is anyone's guess. Shame perhaps? As the cow approaches he makes a point of not retreating. "Yeah, yeah, right. I know that," he replies to Xeno. He seems to grimace slightly as the cow gets up to him and begins picking at his jacket. "Get off daisy, off!" he pushes the cows face away from his chest so it stops nibbling on him, accidentally getting a good amount of nose in his shove. Then he wipes the cow snot off of his hand onto his pants with a "Uhhhhgg".
He begins shoving at the cow, trying to prompt it to head towards the road. "Come on cow, you're coming with us." Animal Handling: 11
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Try as he might, the cow did not budge. Mr. Dark’s attempt at pushing her along was met with a blank glance over her shoulder to him at her rear. When he’d give another good push, she’d side step out of the way. Then, staring at? through? Mr Dark, the cow takes its time to circle around behind him. She’d lean in to try to nibble on his coat tail.
“Surprising they’re roaming free and unscathed with the dragon flying overhead,” Kaemgen points out. “Don’t suppose there’s many herbivore dragons…”
Looking from the horses to the cow and then to the other party members, Kaemgen shrugs. “We’re obviously not horse herders OR cattle wranglers. Then again, that’s not the job anybother. I say we continue about our business and let the beasts be…”
Mr.Dark nods, "The cow was inside an old house. Maybe it's smart enough to.....cancel that....maybe it's lucky enough to have evaded the dragon by staying inside."
Suspecting he may not be rid of the cow at all, he walks away from it. "Agree, let's get to the ranch."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
And with that, the group continues on their journey down the triboar trail towards Butterskull Ranch.Even though they were close, the fog could still be disorienting, so Auric was sure to take the lead and they marched on ahead.
Butterskull Ranch occupies a large plot of land on the north side of the Triboar Trail, nestled between two hills. Beyond a ramshackle wooden fence stand corn fields, an apple orchard, gardens, and pasture land. A path breaks off from the trail to lead to a two-story farmhouse next to a pond. West of the farmhouse are the charred remains of a barn and smithy that have been burned to the ground.
Xenophon advances towards the farmhouse. Does it look to be destroyed like the barn or smithy or is it still standing? And if it's still standing, does it look like anyone is in there?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Mr.Dark ducks into a crouch, absently pushing the snout of the cow away. He then begins creeping across the field, to get an angle on the main farm house. "I'll go check it out..."
Stealth : 14 if disadvantage from cow : 24
Perception : 8
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
”Take wing and fly high, good Fuego. Investigate the path ahead as thou seeist fit,” communicates Auric to his pseudodragon. Otherwise Auric remains at the back of the party, following along but letting the scouts take the lead.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
After Nova was done play pouting that she'd be held up having to help longer, she quickly got distracted with the twins while Adabra stares at some paper. "Castor, Pollux, you piglets were chowing down like you haven't ate in days." She'd poke at the latter wolfs belly. He'd groan at her and push her hand away. Castor would huff over his shoulder at them to hush. Nova and Pollux would return his look by both sticking their tongues out at him. Castor would then pad over to start chastising them.
Expression hard to read at first, brown eyes read line by line at least once before features began to change. Adabra took her time. She recognized the handwriting, mannerisms and repeat of phrase. There was no doubt to her that it was from Kaemgen.
"What? Barrels came to life!?" Nova sits with her legs crossed, listening intently to Castor and Pollux. "They had bigger teeth than you guys!?" She leans forward, listening intently.
Adabra exhales a breath. It wasn't like she didn't already have a lot of added work to her plate... It was good convenience for the nobleman to gain his favours though the healer. With a life on the line, what choice did she really have?
"You guys blew the cave up!" Nova exclaims clapping her hands over her mouth. Both pups grumble on and the druids eyes go from wide to thoughtful as she'd nod along to them. "Aha! So you were fed!" She'd chime before adding louder. "THEY WERE FED ADA!"
There was no surprise that Adabra's free hand would find her hip, then eventually transition to rubbing the bridge of her nose as she'd process her situation. Boys. The responsibility was now given to her.
"Then what happened?" Nova would encourage them to keep going. "Another cave? With rat people!?"
Yes. Wererats. There was that too... Eventually, Adabra would bring her hand away from her face. There was no time to waste with this much work to be done. She'd tear up the note into a few strips.
The brunette would then walk up to the trio. At this point Pollux was baring his teeth, jaws open wide with Nova's face halfway in his mouth. "Your breath reaks" The young woman continued to chatter away as she went. "These chompers wouldn't tear them to bits?" Castor observing, confirms for Pollux. "They said that?" Practically using his tongue as a pillow, the druid pokes at Pollux's top fangs. "Did any one try?"
Adabra had paused to watch them, taking even breaths to clear her mind for the tasks at hand. She couldn't help but tilt her head and pop her brow in curiosity as she watched the three of them literally put their heads together.
Nova would eventually tilt her head up to make eye contact with Adabra. Her mismatched eyes would light up like a lantern just lit. "You should try your thingy thing!" Castor tilts his head and looks to Adabra for help. "You know!" The druid would make gestures and sounds. "Okay so maybe it's stuff... try that stuff!"
It couldn't be helped, Adabra's mood lightened and she'd actually crack a smile. She'd kneel down with the trio as she'd unlatch a pouch from her person. "Safety first." The brunette would gently take hold of Nova's face and guide her out of Pollux's mouth.
"Oh ho ho! Imagine!" The druid would chuckle as she'd go to where she was lead.
A small sound of amusement would leave Adabra as she'd look thoughtfully at the face she held in her hands. "Nova. I have a task for you. So please focus for me."
"Okay!" She'd chime. "But don't forget the thingy stuff!"
"Nova."
"Yes!"
Adabra pins one of the torn pieces of Kaemgen's note to Nova's gear. "Go to Phandalin and take this to who you trust most to help you."
"Ou! Ou! I know!"
"Nova."
"Okay!"
"Be quick, and be safe."
"Mhmm!" Nova pops up with enthusiasm. "I won't forget if you won't forget!" She'd boop Adabra's nose and skip off before she could do anything.
Adabra's would exhale as she watched the druid slip out of sight. She'd turn her attention back to the pair who were snarling at each other, comparing teeth. "As for you two." They'd stop abruptly before turning to face her. "It's time to hunt down a replacement." Innocent eyes were paired with attempts at smiling. "And we'll try Nova's theory."
Butterskull Ranch
As you walk through the valley there's a shadow of death, you fear no evil cause you have light for it all. And with your hands on your weapons to comfort you, you know you can kill your enemies when they come...
Even with a curious cow on his heels, Mr Dark moves about inconspicuously enough.
Pigs harmlessly wander the fields, gardens, and orchard. The walk through the ranch would confirm that about a tenday ago, the rumoured band of orcs definitely attacked it. It appeared they freed the pigs before setting fire to the barn and the smithy. The buildings were completely burned to ash outside of some metal components that remained in the smithy. Most noteably though, between the farmhouse and the gutted barn lie scattered corpses. Closer inspection of this would of net five remains: two orc fighters and five human ranch hands swarming with flies. The wounds and body placements would reveal both parties fight to the death.
Kaemgen pulls a handkerchief out and ties it over the lower half of his face - the stench of burnt wood and decaying corpses is not the loveliest scent he has encountered in his lifetime. He would move around the ranch slowly, carefully and hopefully noiselessly while Mr.Dark and Auric's little one scouted the area. He idly drifts over towards the farmhouse with Xenophon thinking if bipedal life remains around here that it would likely congregate in that area. As for the pigs, Kaemgen tries not to engage but not to shoo them off either. "If nobody is left to own the beasties maybe we can round them up, perhaps they could help with the manticore situation," Kaemgen says to himself under his breath.
"She would call out?" Kaemgen asks drawing his weapons, just in case. "Though I'd think if anything civilized survived they'd have... Organized the corpses or something..."
"If there be aught who survived, hidden they most assuredly are. Let us ensure no evidence of live orcish foes in the vicinity, then entreat those that might hide in the farmhouse to come parlay with us," agrees Auric with Kaemgen. If Fuego detects no enemies from above, Auric moves with Kaemgen to inspect the corpses. Once that is done, he volunteers to hail the farmhouse if the others agree.
Auric's Perception as they approach the bodies: 9
Fuego's Perception from on high: 7
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
A few pigs look up and snort, but otherwise return to their puttering.
Getting a closer look at the farmhouse, it is a two-story log building with a pitched, shingled roof and a stone chimney. Its wooden doors are set with iron handles and hinges. Its windows are fitted with wooden shutters that can be bolted shut from inside, which are all open at this time. There's a pair of cellar doors and a well near the front entrance.
Between the fog and the stench, Auric and Fuego don't have much to report besides that there's movement and some ruckus inside the building. Fuego was able to confirm there was a back entrance as well.
If/when made aware of the ruckus inside, Kaemgen does not hesitate. With a quick "Could be someone fighting for their life!" Kaemgen heads inside the farmhouse. He doesn't kick down the door but rather tries to open it. Resorting to violence if needed though. He had intended on calling out but if lives are in danger, surprise may be the best tactic here...
Sharing what he has learned and following Kaemgen in, Auric requests that Fuego maintain his high watch, staying alert for any movement external to the farmhouse.
Mr.Dark, seeing Auric and Kaemgen moving with purpose to the house, does so as well. If those two go in through the front, he'll go in through the back door, or vice versa. He does so quietly as possible, hoping to surprise anything that Kaemgan and Auric might encounter.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
With Auric behind him, Kaemgen helps themselves to the front door and enter the room with purpose. They find themselves inside a disgusting kitchen occupied by four orc's laughing full belly laughs while another snorts out some words in orcish that only made the others guffaw more. He stood by a butter churner with a skull shaped butter mold in his hand with the others surrounding him. Workstations had various mugs of ale strewn about with food stuffs and dirty pots and pans. Flies buzzed about the area.
They'd all turn to look at the pair expectantly.
Meanwhile Mr. Dark slips in through the back door under 'Daisy''s watchful eyes. It's an empty- He trips. Fumbling over a bunch of shoes in the foyer. He finds himself in front of another door and a few feet away from some stairs, and another door.
Completely unphased, the cow stands there with a simple blank stare, chewing. After a few moments, it blinks. Then as nonchalant as can be, the cow walks over to stand with Mr. Dark. Should there be no grass nearby, it’d pause for a while before leaning in to try nibbling on his coat.
Auric and Kaemgen would notice the cow is also branded with BAK.
just an unstable unicorn.
"What's the matter Dark? That ain't a killer, it's a steak-in-waiting."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Mr.Dark seems to regain control of himself and stands tall, brushing himself off. Though what he's brushing off of himself is anyone's guess. Shame perhaps? As the cow approaches he makes a point of not retreating. "Yeah, yeah, right. I know that," he replies to Xeno. He seems to grimace slightly as the cow gets up to him and begins picking at his jacket. "Get off daisy, off!" he pushes the cows face away from his chest so it stops nibbling on him, accidentally getting a good amount of nose in his shove. Then he wipes the cow snot off of his hand onto his pants with a "Uhhhhgg".
He begins shoving at the cow, trying to prompt it to head towards the road. "Come on cow, you're coming with us." Animal Handling: 11
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Try as he might, the cow did not budge. Mr. Dark’s attempt at pushing her along was met with a blank glance over her shoulder to him at her rear. When he’d give another good push, she’d side step out of the way. Then, staring at? through? Mr Dark, the cow takes its time to circle around behind him. She’d lean in to try to nibble on his coat tail.
just an unstable unicorn.
“Surprising they’re roaming free and unscathed with the dragon flying overhead,” Kaemgen points out. “Don’t suppose there’s many herbivore dragons…”
Looking from the horses to the cow and then to the other party members, Kaemgen shrugs. “We’re obviously not horse herders OR cattle wranglers. Then again, that’s not the job anybother. I say we continue about our business and let the beasts be…”
Mr.Dark nods, "The cow was inside an old house. Maybe it's smart enough to.....cancel that....maybe it's lucky enough to have evaded the dragon by staying inside."
Suspecting he may not be rid of the cow at all, he walks away from it. "Agree, let's get to the ranch."
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Auric:
Nodding in agreement with Mr. Dark, Auric simply says, “So be it,” and prepares to continue walking towards the farm.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
And with that, the group continues on their journey down the triboar trail towards Butterskull Ranch.Even though they were close, the fog could still be disorienting, so Auric was sure to take the lead and they marched on ahead.
Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop.
Silence.
Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop.
Wind.
Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop.
More silence.
Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop.
More wind.
Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop.
It's the cow.
Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop.
She'd catch up, stop, stare, eat, and get going again, falling in and out of view in random intervals behind Mr. Dark.
Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop.
Then finally, something came into view.
Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop.
Butterskull Ranch occupies a large plot of land on the north side of the Triboar Trail, nestled between two hills. Beyond a ramshackle wooden fence stand corn fields, an apple orchard, gardens, and pasture land. A path breaks off from the trail to lead to a two-story farmhouse next to a pond. West of the farmhouse are the charred remains of a barn and smithy that have been burned to the ground.
just an unstable unicorn.
Xenophon advances towards the farmhouse. Does it look to be destroyed like the barn or smithy or is it still standing? And if it's still standing, does it look like anyone is in there?
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Mr.Dark ducks into a crouch, absently pushing the snout of the cow away. He then begins creeping across the field, to get an angle on the main farm house. "I'll go check it out..."
Stealth : 14 if disadvantage from cow : 24
Perception : 8
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Auric:
”Take wing and fly high, good Fuego. Investigate the path ahead as thou seeist fit,” communicates Auric to his pseudodragon. Otherwise Auric remains at the back of the party, following along but letting the scouts take the lead.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Castor & Pollux
After Nova was done play pouting that she'd be held up having to help longer, she quickly got distracted with the twins while Adabra stares at some paper. "Castor, Pollux, you piglets were chowing down like you haven't ate in days." She'd poke at the latter wolfs belly. He'd groan at her and push her hand away. Castor would huff over his shoulder at them to hush. Nova and Pollux would return his look by both sticking their tongues out at him. Castor would then pad over to start chastising them.
Expression hard to read at first, brown eyes read line by line at least once before features began to change. Adabra took her time. She recognized the handwriting, mannerisms and repeat of phrase. There was no doubt to her that it was from Kaemgen.
"What? Barrels came to life!?" Nova sits with her legs crossed, listening intently to Castor and Pollux. "They had bigger teeth than you guys!?" She leans forward, listening intently.
Adabra exhales a breath. It wasn't like she didn't already have a lot of added work to her plate... It was good convenience for the nobleman to gain his favours though the healer. With a life on the line, what choice did she really have?
"You guys blew the cave up!" Nova exclaims clapping her hands over her mouth. Both pups grumble on and the druids eyes go from wide to thoughtful as she'd nod along to them. "Aha! So you were fed!" She'd chime before adding louder. "THEY WERE FED ADA!"
There was no surprise that Adabra's free hand would find her hip, then eventually transition to rubbing the bridge of her nose as she'd process her situation. Boys. The responsibility was now given to her.
"Then what happened?" Nova would encourage them to keep going. "Another cave? With rat people!?"
Yes. Wererats. There was that too... Eventually, Adabra would bring her hand away from her face. There was no time to waste with this much work to be done. She'd tear up the note into a few strips.
The brunette would then walk up to the trio. At this point Pollux was baring his teeth, jaws open wide with Nova's face halfway in his mouth. "Your breath reaks" The young woman continued to chatter away as she went. "These chompers wouldn't tear them to bits?" Castor observing, confirms for Pollux. "They said that?" Practically using his tongue as a pillow, the druid pokes at Pollux's top fangs. "Did any one try?"
Adabra had paused to watch them, taking even breaths to clear her mind for the tasks at hand. She couldn't help but tilt her head and pop her brow in curiosity as she watched the three of them literally put their heads together.
Nova would eventually tilt her head up to make eye contact with Adabra. Her mismatched eyes would light up like a lantern just lit. "You should try your thingy thing!" Castor tilts his head and looks to Adabra for help. "You know!" The druid would make gestures and sounds. "Okay so maybe it's stuff... try that stuff!"
It couldn't be helped, Adabra's mood lightened and she'd actually crack a smile. She'd kneel down with the trio as she'd unlatch a pouch from her person. "Safety first." The brunette would gently take hold of Nova's face and guide her out of Pollux's mouth.
"Oh ho ho! Imagine!" The druid would chuckle as she'd go to where she was lead.
A small sound of amusement would leave Adabra as she'd look thoughtfully at the face she held in her hands. "Nova. I have a task for you. So please focus for me."
"Okay!" She'd chime. "But don't forget the thingy stuff!"
"Nova."
"Yes!"
Adabra pins one of the torn pieces of Kaemgen's note to Nova's gear. "Go to Phandalin and take this to who you trust most to help you."
"Ou! Ou! I know!"
"Nova."
"Okay!"
"Be quick, and be safe."
"Mhmm!" Nova pops up with enthusiasm. "I won't forget if you won't forget!" She'd boop Adabra's nose and skip off before she could do anything.
Adabra's would exhale as she watched the druid slip out of sight. She'd turn her attention back to the pair who were snarling at each other, comparing teeth. "As for you two." They'd stop abruptly before turning to face her. "It's time to hunt down a replacement." Innocent eyes were paired with attempts at smiling. "And we'll try Nova's theory."
Butterskull Ranch
As you walk through the valley there's a shadow of death, you fear no evil cause you have light for it all. And with your hands on your weapons to comfort you, you know you can kill your enemies when they come...
Even with a curious cow on his heels, Mr Dark moves about inconspicuously enough.
Pigs harmlessly wander the fields, gardens, and orchard. The walk through the ranch would confirm that about a tenday ago, the rumoured band of orcs definitely attacked it. It appeared they freed the pigs before setting fire to the barn and the smithy. The buildings were completely burned to ash outside of some metal components that remained in the smithy. Most noteably though, between the farmhouse and the gutted barn lie scattered corpses. Closer inspection of this would of net five remains: two orc fighters and five human ranch hands swarming with flies. The wounds and body placements would reveal both parties fight to the death.
Map
just an unstable unicorn.
Kaemgen pulls a handkerchief out and ties it over the lower half of his face - the stench of burnt wood and decaying corpses is not the loveliest scent he has encountered in his lifetime. He would move around the ranch slowly, carefully and hopefully noiselessly while Mr.Dark and Auric's little one scouted the area. He idly drifts over towards the farmhouse with Xenophon thinking if bipedal life remains around here that it would likely congregate in that area. As for the pigs, Kaemgen tries not to engage but not to shoo them off either. "If nobody is left to own the beasties maybe we can round them up, perhaps they could help with the manticore situation," Kaemgen says to himself under his breath.
"She would call out?" Kaemgen asks drawing his weapons, just in case. "Though I'd think if anything civilized survived they'd have... Organized the corpses or something..."
Auric:
"If there be aught who survived, hidden they most assuredly are. Let us ensure no evidence of live orcish foes in the vicinity, then entreat those that might hide in the farmhouse to come parlay with us," agrees Auric with Kaemgen. If Fuego detects no enemies from above, Auric moves with Kaemgen to inspect the corpses. Once that is done, he volunteers to hail the farmhouse if the others agree.
Auric's Perception as they approach the bodies: 9
Fuego's Perception from on high: 7
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
A few pigs look up and snort, but otherwise return to their puttering.
Getting a closer look at the farmhouse, it is a two-story log building with a pitched, shingled roof and a stone chimney. Its wooden doors are set with iron handles and hinges. Its windows are fitted with wooden shutters that can be bolted shut from inside, which are all open at this time. There's a pair of cellar doors and a well near the front entrance.
Between the fog and the stench, Auric and Fuego don't have much to report besides that there's movement and some ruckus inside the building. Fuego was able to confirm there was a back entrance as well.
just an unstable unicorn.
If/when made aware of the ruckus inside, Kaemgen does not hesitate. With a quick "Could be someone fighting for their life!" Kaemgen heads inside the farmhouse. He doesn't kick down the door but rather tries to open it. Resorting to violence if needed though. He had intended on calling out but if lives are in danger, surprise may be the best tactic here...
Auric:
Sharing what he has learned and following Kaemgen in, Auric requests that Fuego maintain his high watch, staying alert for any movement external to the farmhouse.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Mr.Dark, seeing Auric and Kaemgen moving with purpose to the house, does so as well. If those two go in through the front, he'll go in through the back door, or vice versa. He does so quietly as possible, hoping to surprise anything that Kaemgan and Auric might encounter.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
With Auric behind him, Kaemgen helps themselves to the front door and enter the room with purpose. They find themselves inside a disgusting kitchen occupied by four orc's laughing full belly laughs while another snorts out some words in orcish that only made the others guffaw more. He stood by a butter churner with a skull shaped butter mold in his hand with the others surrounding him. Workstations had various mugs of ale strewn about with food stuffs and dirty pots and pans. Flies buzzed about the area.
They'd all turn to look at the pair expectantly.
Meanwhile Mr. Dark slips in through the back door under 'Daisy''s watchful eyes. It's an empty- He trips. Fumbling over a bunch of shoes in the foyer. He finds himself in front of another door and a few feet away from some stairs, and another door.
Map Update
just an unstable unicorn.
Drawing his Battleaxe and Warhammer, Kaemgen would like to rage... But I'm assuming we're going to need some initiative?
Initiative: 17
...
But... meanwhile... he'll just collect his thoughts and wonder what the twins are up to now, and if they found Adabra or not, etc...