And that's that. The bolt goes through the scarecrows head, and it falls dead.
Combat is over. Pieces of the 3 scarecrows litter the ground. The pile of bodies without brains still lay by the river, now really starting to collect flies and other insects.
As a recap - bodies have been disappearing from the Neverdeath Graveyard. You got a lead from a worker who followed some figures to this location one night who were in the graveyard with some bodies. You followed the lead, came here the next day, found the pile of bodies, realized they are brainless, got semi-ambushed by scarecrows.
Possible checks here: perception, survival, scarecrows, or something else?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ralf would like to look around to see if there is anybody else watching the group. After that, he would like to inspect these scarecrows to try to find out as much as possible about them and also try to find any tracks of some sort. Before that, Ralf will of course let Mori get more ear-scritches from Gotur for a couple more minutes before directing her to sit on his shoulder. Mori will be giving him the Help, whispering the prayers of the Raven Queen that he recited for her to say to him when he needs to focus.
(Sorry everyone I’m still getting together how I’m going to integrate Tomb in to our current situation without it seem forced. Those rolls are going to give some big clues though so I should have the next post up by tomorrow at some point!)
((ok... changed my mind again. I really don't want to force Tomb, because it is a super cool adventure and I want to make sure I introduce it in the best possible way into our current world so it makes sense and would be reasonable for the party to enter into. This particular moment isn't quite the right time. It will feel rushed and forced. It will be much better once we return to the graveyard, and complete this current adventure first. I jumped the gun a bit because Tomb looks VERY cool and I am really excited to start it. Anyhow, let's play out what I had originally planned, and then I will properly introduce Tomb once we return to the graveyard.))
That being said:
Ralf, you get a good sense that no one else is watching you, other than the eyes from the bodies with glazed looks and nothingness behind them in their empty skulls.
Ralf, it is clear that these scarecrows are minions of some sort. Minions sent to do someone's dirty work. Or something. You see skull and brain matter lodged in their claws, and there are a few brains actually tucked away in each of their bodies. You find dirt on them as well, likely from the graveyard. You also find a piece of paper which looks like it could be a map. It just has a line which is pretty much shaped like the Neverwinter river, and then an X and the end of the line, and then a picture of a tree. The more you look at it, the more you can see that it is clearly in fact a map of the Neverwinter river, with an X at the site of the Thundertree Ruins, a place which you would be familiar with.
Spoiler for everyone, specifically Ralf since he would know about this place given his background working at the graveyeard hearing about it. Alton likely knows about this place too being from Neverwinter. Gotur I'm not so sure... actually, for simplicity's sake, let's say you have also heard of it.
Near the place where the Neverwinter River emerges from Neverwinter Wood stands the abandoned village of Thundertree. Once, this was a prosperous community on the outskirts of the forest, wealthy from the work of its woodcutters and trappers. Then thirty years ago, the eruption of Mount Hotenow to the north devastated Thundertree. In the wake of the natural disaster, a plague of strange creatures swept over the area, killing or driving off those who survived the eruption.
Could someone, or something, be using Thundertree as a base of operations for a sick ruthless horror show?? And using the bodies from the Neverdeath Graveyard to do so??
((NAT 20 for investigation, what can I say))
Lastly, you can see trail along the water, kind of like footprints but not quite, leading towards where the scarecrows were. These tracks continue east along the river, following the exact path of the map.
Alton will walk around the now empty battlefield, attempting to retrieve all of his gear/weapons. He would retrieve both his daggers and half of the bolts he used (took a total of 6 shots, so by the rules in the phb, would be able to recover 3 (half) of those)
He would also offer help to anyone who may need it.
“Those things were surprisingly hardy!” Alton would exclaim. “Almost like regular weapons weren’t as effective. Would either of you... magic folk know why?” He asks.
((Haven't been able to sleep atm, so posting in case I forget tomorrow. I also did not expect familiars to be so powerful lol!)) "Powered by necromantic magic, these scarecrows were. Minions, or lackeys, they are. Defensive magical enchantments, they might have been given, and a map, I have found, that leads to the Thundertree Ruins. An army of undead from the people at Neverdeath, something could be gathering there. Corresponding tracks, I also have uncovered."He then shows the party what he has found with his Investigation check. "A rest, do any of us need? Take an hour, I could, and magical energy, I can regain."
Ralf will take a short rest to regain some of his magic with his Arcane Recovery feature, unless anybody has any objections. Before that, Ralf would like to try to identify the "footprints" and also try to remember what types of monsters are in the Thundertree Ruins, as well as specific monsters. He will be using both Alton's assistance and The Raven Queen's divine guidance (the cantrip and Mori) when making these checks (adv and 1d4).
An hour's rest is fine. It is going to take some travel time as well to get to the Thundertree ruins. If you look at the 'Overview' map, you are currently at the red star, and you can see that the ruins are about 15 miles away as the crow flies. Or, as Mori flies. haha!
You can take the hour rest here at the waterside and then continue east towards Thundertree. Given the distance, it would likely take 6 hours or so.
Ralf, given your previous high nature roll awhile back regarding the neverwinter wood, as well as Alton's - that roll would also determine your knowledge about the creatures and monsters that might be in and around Thundertree as creatures from the forest frequently try and make their homes in these deserted ruins. You would know about and be ready for all types of blight monsters, wolves, giant insects of all sorts, bears and other wild beasts. You would have all background info on these types of monsters and would know about them if the party does encounter them.
As for the footprints, with Alton's help you would determine that they are indeed from the scarecrow. However, you also see that there are some type of humanoid footprints, and they look like they have long nails or claws.
The weird thing is, the scarecrows don't really match a typical 'forest dweller', per say.
Who knows what might await the party at the Thundertree ruins?!
So, if there isn't anything else, you all take an hour's rest and then set out east towards the Thundertree ruins. Will you be leaving the pile of brainless bodies the way they are before you head out?
Encounter check for the 15 mile travel: 11 and there will be no encounters. It is a beautiful, albeit long walk to the ruins. It does not take 8 hours, so none of you are exhausted.
Let me know if there is anything else and then I will get the map for Thundertree setup.
((yup, I was thinking now that Gotur would definitely know about Mt. Hotenow and the eruption, and that it destroyed Thundertree. Maybe he doesn't have specific knowledge of the ruins and how they exist now, but he knows about them and the volcano which destroyed the village.))
The scarecrows light up very easily and burn before your eyes.
If you guys both dig, it will take maybe an hour I think as there are a lot of bodies so the hole has to be pretty big. This currently won't affect the travel to Thundertree, although you will both have to dig so you don't wear yourselves out and risk exhaustion after the digging and the subsequent 15 mile walk.
Yeah, Ralfaen would use Mold Earth and Mage Hand to bury the bodies (using Mage Hand to dig with his shovel) to bury the bodies, as he can't stand them being left in this state. He will also give a quick prayer over the bodies before setting off.
With Ralfaen's magic and Gotur's muscle, the hole is dug and bodies buried.
After the prayers, you all head east towards the ruins. it is a beautiful walk along the water, with no hostile encounters. You see a lot of wildlife the closer you get to the Neverwinter wood. The hike takes 5-6 hours since you all were travelling quite fast, anxious to see what might await upon your arrival to the ruins...
((Question for all characters who have knowledge about the ruins: have you actually ever been to the ruins, either before their destruction (30 years ago), or afterwards? And how recently have you been there? I want to get an idea of how much of the land and general setup and locations of the buildings at the ruins that you know about. This will determine how much of the map is hidden upon arrival. It is kind of like a mini village. All of the insides of all buildings will be blacked out regardless, I just was wondering about the general landscape knowledge.))
((I think he'd made one earlier, but if you'd allow, Gotur'd be on the lookout for herbs he can use. He'd not have been to the ruins, only recalls something about the town being hit by the 'splosion.))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Gotur, please roll a fresh survival check to see if you find any usable herbs along the way.
Ok perfect then, I will make the Thundertree map completely covered. Even if Ralf has been there, he likely doesn't remember the entire layout. Snake let me know if this would be completely incorrect and I will be happy to uncover the map.
Busy day today but trying to post the map this aft.
((I'll leave whether Ralf has been there up to you. He might have been there after the volcano erupted to look at the scene and maybe provide some funerals there, but I'm not sure.))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The three teachings of Tyre:
Nothing is forbidden.
Nothing is sacred.
Nothing is impossible.
Also I stan Tomoe for life
s
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*scritch scritch*
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Lol
One more crossbow shot!
Attack: 25 Damage: 13
Alton Thorngage- (Klein’s One Shot String Adventure)
Holden Stonefist-(A Tale of Mercenaries)
Fenrick Wolfsbane- (Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden)
DMing-Ctleath13’s Lost Mines of Phandelver and Ctleath13’s Out of the Abyss
And that's that. The bolt goes through the scarecrows head, and it falls dead.
Combat is over. Pieces of the 3 scarecrows litter the ground. The pile of bodies without brains still lay by the river, now really starting to collect flies and other insects.
As a recap - bodies have been disappearing from the Neverdeath Graveyard. You got a lead from a worker who followed some figures to this location one night who were in the graveyard with some bodies. You followed the lead, came here the next day, found the pile of bodies, realized they are brainless, got semi-ambushed by scarecrows.
Possible checks here: perception, survival, scarecrows, or something else?
Ralf would like to look around to see if there is anybody else watching the group. After that, he would like to inspect these scarecrows to try to find out as much as possible about them and also try to find any tracks of some sort. Before that, Ralf will of course let Mori get more ear-scritches from Gotur for a couple more minutes before directing her to sit on his shoulder. Mori will be giving him the Help, whispering the prayers of the Raven Queen that he recited for her to say to him when he needs to focus.
Perception: 18 + 4
Investigation: 12 + 1
Survival: 11 + 1
The three teachings of Tyre:
Nothing is forbidden.
Nothing is sacred.
Nothing is impossible.
Also I stan Tomoe for life
(Sorry everyone I’m still getting together how I’m going to integrate Tomb in to our current situation without it seem forced. Those rolls are going to give some big clues though so I should have the next post up by tomorrow at some point!)
((ok... changed my mind again. I really don't want to force Tomb, because it is a super cool adventure and I want to make sure I introduce it in the best possible way into our current world so it makes sense and would be reasonable for the party to enter into. This particular moment isn't quite the right time. It will feel rushed and forced. It will be much better once we return to the graveyard, and complete this current adventure first. I jumped the gun a bit because Tomb looks VERY cool and I am really excited to start it. Anyhow, let's play out what I had originally planned, and then I will properly introduce Tomb once we return to the graveyard.))
That being said:
Ralf, you get a good sense that no one else is watching you, other than the eyes from the bodies with glazed looks and nothingness behind them in their empty skulls.
Ralf, it is clear that these scarecrows are minions of some sort. Minions sent to do someone's dirty work. Or something. You see skull and brain matter lodged in their claws, and there are a few brains actually tucked away in each of their bodies. You find dirt on them as well, likely from the graveyard. You also find a piece of paper which looks like it could be a map. It just has a line which is pretty much shaped like the Neverwinter river, and then an X and the end of the line, and then a picture of a tree. The more you look at it, the more you can see that it is clearly in fact a map of the Neverwinter river, with an X at the site of the Thundertree Ruins, a place which you would be familiar with.
Spoiler for everyone, specifically Ralf since he would know about this place given his background working at the graveyeard hearing about it. Alton likely knows about this place too being from Neverwinter. Gotur I'm not so sure... actually, for simplicity's sake, let's say you have also heard of it.
Near the place where the Neverwinter River emerges from Neverwinter Wood stands the abandoned village of Thundertree. Once, this was a prosperous community on the outskirts of the forest, wealthy from the work of its woodcutters and trappers. Then thirty years ago, the eruption of Mount Hotenow to the north devastated Thundertree. In the wake of the natural disaster, a plague of strange creatures swept over the area, killing or driving off those who survived the eruption.
Could someone, or something, be using Thundertree as a base of operations for a sick ruthless horror show?? And using the bodies from the Neverdeath Graveyard to do so??
((NAT 20 for investigation, what can I say))
Lastly, you can see trail along the water, kind of like footprints but not quite, leading towards where the scarecrows were. These tracks continue east along the river, following the exact path of the map.
What would you like to do?
Alton will walk around the now empty battlefield, attempting to retrieve all of his gear/weapons. He would retrieve both his daggers and half of the bolts he used (took a total of 6 shots, so by the rules in the phb, would be able to recover 3 (half) of those)
He would also offer help to anyone who may need it.
“Those things were surprisingly hardy!” Alton would exclaim. “Almost like regular weapons weren’t as effective. Would either of you... magic folk know why?” He asks.
Alton Thorngage- (Klein’s One Shot String Adventure)
Holden Stonefist-(A Tale of Mercenaries)
Fenrick Wolfsbane- (Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden)
DMing-Ctleath13’s Lost Mines of Phandelver and Ctleath13’s Out of the Abyss
((Haven't been able to sleep atm, so posting in case I forget tomorrow. I also did not expect familiars to be so powerful lol!)) "Powered by necromantic magic, these scarecrows were. Minions, or lackeys, they are. Defensive magical enchantments, they might have been given, and a map, I have found, that leads to the Thundertree Ruins. An army of undead from the people at Neverdeath, something could be gathering there. Corresponding tracks, I also have uncovered." He then shows the party what he has found with his Investigation check. "A rest, do any of us need? Take an hour, I could, and magical energy, I can regain."
Ralf will take a short rest to regain some of his magic with his Arcane Recovery feature, unless anybody has any objections. Before that, Ralf would like to try to identify the "footprints" and also try to remember what types of monsters are in the Thundertree Ruins, as well as specific monsters. He will be using both Alton's assistance and The Raven Queen's divine guidance (the cantrip and Mori) when making these checks (adv and 1d4).
The three teachings of Tyre:
Nothing is forbidden.
Nothing is sacred.
Nothing is impossible.
Also I stan Tomoe for life
((yep roger that about the bolts!))
An hour's rest is fine. It is going to take some travel time as well to get to the Thundertree ruins. If you look at the 'Overview' map, you are currently at the red star, and you can see that the ruins are about 15 miles away as the crow flies. Or, as Mori flies. haha!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mf0QwlWSUWpTK4ofagdKSUaUOVG7iT_JHYVYot3nkyA/edit#gid=404487610
You can take the hour rest here at the waterside and then continue east towards Thundertree. Given the distance, it would likely take 6 hours or so.
Ralf, given your previous high nature roll awhile back regarding the neverwinter wood, as well as Alton's - that roll would also determine your knowledge about the creatures and monsters that might be in and around Thundertree as creatures from the forest frequently try and make their homes in these deserted ruins. You would know about and be ready for all types of blight monsters, wolves, giant insects of all sorts, bears and other wild beasts. You would have all background info on these types of monsters and would know about them if the party does encounter them.
As for the footprints, with Alton's help you would determine that they are indeed from the scarecrow. However, you also see that there are some type of humanoid footprints, and they look like they have long nails or claws.
The weird thing is, the scarecrows don't really match a typical 'forest dweller', per say.
Who knows what might await the party at the Thundertree ruins?!
So, if there isn't anything else, you all take an hour's rest and then set out east towards the Thundertree ruins. Will you be leaving the pile of brainless bodies the way they are before you head out?
Encounter check for the 15 mile travel: 11 and there will be no encounters. It is a beautiful, albeit long walk to the ruins. It does not take 8 hours, so none of you are exhausted.
Let me know if there is anything else and then I will get the map for Thundertree setup.
After the scarecrows are searched, Gotur will pile them up with the rest of the webbing, and click them alight with druidcraft.
"Best I could tell, they weather hits from non-magic sources just fine, so if there's more, putting the magic to 'em will work best."
((He'd help dig, if Ralf wants the bodies in the ground.))
((A natural disaster like that would be known in the druid community.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
((yup, I was thinking now that Gotur would definitely know about Mt. Hotenow and the eruption, and that it destroyed Thundertree. Maybe he doesn't have specific knowledge of the ruins and how they exist now, but he knows about them and the volcano which destroyed the village.))
The scarecrows light up very easily and burn before your eyes.
If you guys both dig, it will take maybe an hour I think as there are a lot of bodies so the hole has to be pretty big. This currently won't affect the travel to Thundertree, although you will both have to dig so you don't wear yourselves out and risk exhaustion after the digging and the subsequent 15 mile walk.
((I leave it to the grave digging expert, but assist if needed.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Yeah, Ralfaen would use Mold Earth and Mage Hand to bury the bodies (using Mage Hand to dig with his shovel) to bury the bodies, as he can't stand them being left in this state. He will also give a quick prayer over the bodies before setting off.
The three teachings of Tyre:
Nothing is forbidden.
Nothing is sacred.
Nothing is impossible.
Also I stan Tomoe for life
Gotur'd pitch in after seeing Ralf struggling with mage hand to dig.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
With Ralfaen's magic and Gotur's muscle, the hole is dug and bodies buried.
After the prayers, you all head east towards the ruins. it is a beautiful walk along the water, with no hostile encounters. You see a lot of wildlife the closer you get to the Neverwinter wood. The hike takes 5-6 hours since you all were travelling quite fast, anxious to see what might await upon your arrival to the ruins...
((Question for all characters who have knowledge about the ruins: have you actually ever been to the ruins, either before their destruction (30 years ago), or afterwards? And how recently have you been there? I want to get an idea of how much of the land and general setup and locations of the buildings at the ruins that you know about. This will determine how much of the map is hidden upon arrival. It is kind of like a mini village. All of the insides of all buildings will be blacked out regardless, I just was wondering about the general landscape knowledge.))
Next post out hopefully later on this morning!
((I think he'd made one earlier, but if you'd allow, Gotur'd be on the lookout for herbs he can use. He'd not have been to the ruins, only recalls something about the town being hit by the 'splosion.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
(I doubt Alton would have ever been there. He most likely has spent most of his life in Neverwinter)
Alton Thorngage- (Klein’s One Shot String Adventure)
Holden Stonefist-(A Tale of Mercenaries)
Fenrick Wolfsbane- (Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden)
DMing-Ctleath13’s Lost Mines of Phandelver and Ctleath13’s Out of the Abyss
Gotur, please roll a fresh survival check to see if you find any usable herbs along the way.
Ok perfect then, I will make the Thundertree map completely covered. Even if Ralf has been there, he likely doesn't remember the entire layout. Snake let me know if this would be completely incorrect and I will be happy to uncover the map.
Busy day today but trying to post the map this aft.
((I'll leave whether Ralf has been there up to you. He might have been there after the volcano erupted to look at the scene and maybe provide some funerals there, but I'm not sure.))
The three teachings of Tyre:
Nothing is forbidden.
Nothing is sacred.
Nothing is impossible.
Also I stan Tomoe for life