This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sensing the determination of the band of Orcs, Auger continues attacking. The events of the day having left him exhausted and still bleeding, he moves slightly away from the carriage and then kneels. His head still spinning he knows he cannot cast bigger spells, but he thinks he can push orcs off the bridge.
Releasing his twisting energies into the first Orc on the bridge, Auger calls out "Your cause is folly! You have your tribute! Now a smart leader cuts his losses and lives to fight another day!" Py? Just hurt them.
Py
Move: Flies 30' up to P11
Action: Ranged spell attack on Orc R. Attack: 24 Damage: 1
On a hit: 1 piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. If its saving throw result is 5 or lower, the poisoned target falls unconscious for the same duration, or until it takes damage or another creature takes an action to shake it awake.
Auger
Move: To R7 (If that tree at Q7 provides any cover Auger will try to use it). Auger drops to prone, giving disadvantage to ranged attacks against him.
Action: Casts Eldritch Blast, targeting Orc O and hopefully pushing him 10' into Orc N on a hit. Attack: 22 Damage: 4
Persuasion attempt: 23 (If you judge it to be an Intimidation attempt then we can subtract 2 from the result instead)
Py’s spore hits Orc r for 1Hp damage. The orc whips his head around and slaps his thigh, thinking he’s been stung, but he remains conscious. Auger’s attack misses, his aim thrown off by the smoke.
Varielky steps forward, and (rolling for Ednyss’ help: 22) sees her words are deeply understood by the Orcs, and their resolve wavers.
Edynss heals one of the horses, then adds his statement to Varielky’s.
Benita grits her teeth and glowers at the Orcs, and adds a shout of her own, “That’s right you pigs!! The days of conquest are GONE FOR YOU. Sniveling cowards, following the orders of Jen Ghessa!!!!”
Flint & Wad slam their axes to their shields, giving punctuation to the statements by the others, as Tuff stands tall and proud, his glowing short sword pointing high behind him.
Granophyre heals the other horse for 8HP, and both horses rise to their feet again.
The Orcs, intimidated by Varielky, halt their advance for a moment, unable to bring themselves to move closer to the giant. Pungent smoke billows from the bridge, and as the acid drips down the supports on either side, small fragments begin to drop off from the structure.
The Orc Chief glares at Varielky, and the two Hands also stand silently near him. Seconds tick by. Ednyss’ radiant shield floats silently above Varielky, while the swirling blue blades of Ellosh spin quietly above the leading hyena riders.
Amistan stands, moves to the edge of the precipice, and in answer to his Ranger’s incantation, a strong vine extends from his arm to the bridge support, winding around it. The Orc riders back away. The ranger sets his feet and pulls on the vine, and it rips the support away from the structure, which shudders, and smoking, falls away into the gorge with a groaning, splintering crash.
Suddenly, the Orc Chief yells commands, and the spinning blue blades whip forward and strike Benita forcefully, impaling her through the heart then pulling up again and away as the Orcs retreat 20’ from the gorge, notching arrows to their bows. Benita falls to her knees, locking eyes with Varielky, then falls flat on the ground, unconscious, her life on the precipice.
Orc arrows all fly at Varielky and 3 hit, one critting, for 13HP total. At 1HP, she drops to her knees, pincushioned and gasping for breath.
“Let us make haste!” shouts Granophyre, beginning to release concentration on his enlarge spell. Amistan makes for the driver’s bucket, and will start up the carriage again.
Knowing what a full volley of arrows did to him before, Auger stands and runs back to the carriage, diving in through the open door. Py becomes invisible and flying away from the bridge looks ahead to the nearby settlement.
What will they think of their bridge being destroyed I wonder?
Hopefully they have had their own run-ins with the Orcs and they will understand.
Py
Move: Flies up to 50' at U10. Will keep pace with the carriage when it starts moving.
Auger
Move: Standing using half his regular movement, he must dash to get into the carriage at U11.
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"Benita!" Varielky calls as her friend falls. She turns to the Orcs with fury, starting: "You cowardly ra-" but is met with multiple arrows, which surprises her considering they tried only not to hit her earlier. With her armour - already larger than it should be when normally sized - now enlarged, creating larger gaps, a few of the arrows manage to pierce through, and Varielky falls down as well, though still conscious. She begins for Benita, but screams in pain as she feels her body shrinking down, the arrows' heads cutting more of her flesh from inside. "Somebody help her!" She then calls, afraid to move the woman away for both of them might be hurt from the attempt. Instead, she keeps holding her shield towards the Orcs, hopefully blocking further attacks.
Move: Closer to Benita? Or just in place, considering there's no closer to be. Action: Dodging (flavoured as blocking).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ednyss looks stunned as the spinning blue blades slash into Benita instead of him. He shouts out, "No!" Touching his shield, he expends the last of its stored energy and sends a mote of healing towards the downed warrior. He then places his War Pick in a loop on his belt and uses his free hand to grab Varielky by the arm and pull her into the carriage with him. "We must go! The longer we wait the more arrows they shoot at us."
Free Action: Talking
Bonus Action: Cast Healing Word on Benita (From the Shield - Level 1) Benita heals for 6 HP
Object Interaction: Sheathe War Pick
Action: Grapple (Varielky - In order to move her if she allows it)
Move: Get on top of the carriage with Varielky
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“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Ednyss heals Benita and pulls Varielky onto the Carriage, while Auger, Tuff, and Granophyre climb inside, followed by Benita as soon as her strength returns. Flint and Wad jump into the rear bucket, and Amistan snaps the reins and the horses accelerate into a canter. The orcs fire one last round of arrows and the swirling swords of Ellosh menace the carriage as it pulls away, but nothing hits its mark. You leave the company of orcs looking grim on the far side of the gorge. The chief’s eyes do not drop from Varielky until the merchant’s path takes the carriage out of view, finally, of its Imperial assailants. A mile or so later, when he’s convinced the orcs have not somehow managed to follow you, Amistan slows the horses from a canter to a leisurely 4-beat walk.
In the carriage, Tuff says, “If it is true that Jen Ghessa has offered a reward for half-orc young, the Empire is truly lapsing in its pretense of civility. The most barbaric thing I have heard in a very, very long time.” Granophyre shakes his head ruefully, clicking his tongue reproachfully in answer to Tuff’s statement, although absorbed in proofreading a manuscript.
Py messages to Auger, It’s a chimp town, but I can’t see it from here because it gets hilly again. The path goes through a tree tunnel. It’s another two miles, perhaps.
Auger speaks to Granophyre and Tuff in the carriage. "So much has happened in the chase I had forgotten the Orcs even spoke of that. The Empire's presence back home was more... orderly... than that rabble." Sighing and letting his exhaustion take him for a moment Auger continues, "Py tells me we are approaching a chimp town settlement, after a tree tunnel ahead. Do we know anything of this place? I could surely use some rest and refreshment as I suspect most of us would. If this settlement has any surprises for us then we are not going to be ready for it. Will we be staying there?"
Py, can you fly ahead into the tree tunnel and see if it has anything we should be concerned about? Invisibly, Py speeds ahead and out of range and sight.
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Auger speaks to Granophyre and Tuff in the carriage. "So much has happened in the chase I had forgotten the Orcs even spoke of that. The Empire's presence back home was more... orderly... than that rabble." Sighing and letting his exhaustion take him for a moment Auger continues, "Py tells me we are approaching a chimp town settlement, after a tree tunnel ahead. Do we know anything of this place? I could surely use some rest and refreshment as I suspect most of us would. If this settlement has any surprises for us then we are not going to be ready for it. Will we be staying there?"
Py, can you fly ahead into the tree tunnel and see if it has anything we should be concerned about? Invisibly, Py speeds ahead and out of range and sight.
Granophyre looks at Auger for a moment over his glasses, then to Tuff, who nods quietly, then back to his reading. Tuff answer, "We trust Amistan knows where he is taking us." He slides upon the panel in the wall dividing the passenger compartment from the driver's bucket. "Amistan!," he asks, "do you know this chimp town we are approaching?"
Amistan turns back, peeks through the panel curiously at Tuff, sees Auger's inquisitive look, then his eyes shift back to Tuff, then back to Auger again. "Nice town," he answers. "They know how to eat!" He laughs, one short blast, then turns and falls silent again. Noticing the panel hasn't slid closed again, he turns back a moment later and finds Tuff and Auger still waiting for more. "It is a free town but with an Imperial charter. The chimps are good folk. We can rest comfortably there."
After a moment, Tuff thanks Amistan and closes the panel once again. As the carriage lurches over a pothole and its springs complain noisily, the old valet concludes, "I for one shall be glad for a bath and a reprieve from this carriage."
Some time later, Py returns. The town, Hyewush, looks safe and quiet, it messages to Auger.
Hearing the positive news Auger relaxes and even begins to doze before remembering something important. He is in the carriage, which is not his place with this band. Suddenly sitting up straight, he makes his excuses about wanting to see this tunnel forest and the settlement and then he exits the carriage and makes his way up to the bucket seat on top. Once up there he looks around to see if the wood he had been carving is still there. Py lands on his shoulder and, his energy waning Auger begins to nod off.
(OOC: Short rest time?)
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sitting on top of the carriage with Benita and Varielky, Ednyss stays silent and gives the two women some space. He offers a silent prayer to Takal Demesh as they ride and lets some of his divine energy transmute forms and then replenish itself. Eventually, Ednyss dozes off on top of the carriage, trusting the others to wake him if something happens.
Bonus Action: Harness Divine Power (Expend Channel Divinity to regain a single Level 1 Spellslot)
Short Rest Effects: Regain Channel Divinity Hit Dice 1: 4 Hit Dice 2: 4
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“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Varielky resists at first, but once she sees Benita rising, she allows Ednyss to pull her back. Once she's on the carriage, she reaches and tries to help Benita up, twisting her face in pain for a moment as she does.
Once the Orcs are out of reach, Varielky carefully doffs her armour and begins to tend to her wounds. "I've seen men fight for the hearts of women, but for the child they can bare is a new cause for me."
Once she's done, Varielky dons her armour back on, feeling better and rested. "I just hope no Chimps followed us from Ishi Ammah. It'll be impossible to distinguish them in a Chimp town."
POST #3: The Journey to Kalahata, Day 11 (13th of Beauty) (continued).
It is early afternoon when, an hour after you leave the bridge behind, the road branches, one fork following the edge of the creek overlook, and the other taking you into low hills through a juniper wood, where the branches interlock above, the just-budding trees creating a long tunnel through the narrow vale which the carriage just fits through, in some places brushing against thin branches above. “This way,” says Amistan.
You have traversed this tunnel for a quarter of a mile or so when you arrive at a sturdy post deeply fixed beside the road. A painted sign is nailed to the post, which proclaims, in beautiful Jenghen script, “Welcome to Hyewush, a Chimp Dwelling, by Imperial Designation.” And, in smaller script below, “(We are working to make this area safer for orcs, however, at present we cannot guarantee their continued health.)”
Perhaps one hundred yards further down the road, you pass another post fixed in the earth to your right, bearing this sign: “Did you know, Hyewush is the only chimp dwelling in the Orracan Steppes? (Orcs really must proceed with caution, and we suggest they take another route.)”
And a ways farther along, this sign: “Welcome to Hyewush, a Chimp Dwelling. Be well and be kind. (Regrettably, orcs are urged to turn around promptly.)”
Feeling better, though still aching from one arrow wound that only partially closed from his healing, Auger smiles wryly at the progression of signs. A safe harbor away from Orcs for a time seems like just the thing. As the branches brush closer to the top of the carriage, where he is sitting, Auger ducks down, enjoying the tree tunnel and watching the light filter through the branches close above for a time.
Coming back to the moment, Auger remembers the Chimp community near his home, a few miles from Belliu and away from the Shining Lake. Worshippers of Arapabiya and Namawa in equal measure, who keep to their own community but friendly enough and careful negotiators in trade. He and his father once built a nicely carved wagon for a farming family from there. If Hyewush is an equivalent place then this stay should be quite pleasant.
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Twenty feet beyond the third and final painted sign is a heavy stone obelisk, almost a full twelve inches in width, and 8 feet tall. Near it, the road seems to be sprinkled with white quartz. As you approach, you see brightly painted glyphs inscribed up and down the obelisk. As each of you passes, you see an ideogram in the shape of a horse, human, or dwarf -- or several of them at once -- briefly light up, expand, then de-animate. That is, until Py passes, which causes the various glyphs to all momentarily light and dim in sequence. The post seems unable to decide how to categorize the tiny magical creature. The glyph which seems to illustrate an orc briefly glows red, accompanied by a dim throbbing sound which crescendoes for a few moments, but, then the glyph diminishes and the sound fades away. Finally a hieroglyph indicating a bird brightens and dims, and the magical obelisk reverts to being nothing more than an old stone marker. You continue past, and as you do, you discover that what you thought was white quartz in the road is actually a dusting of bone fragments.
The tunnel soon ends, opening up with a smell of fresh earth and moisture on the breeze, and the road continues along between open farm fields on hillsides, most of them laying fallow and untended in this part of the township, separated by sturdy wooden fences. Another quarter mile along, and the road turns past a small lake, and you smell the musky odor of very large animals. You pass by more farm fields, these in the process of being plowed by chimps on the backs of small elephants pulling hoes and breaking up the packed earth for the first planting of the season. Onwards, and the road goes over a rise where you see that you are traversing a depression perhaps a mile in circumference, surrounded on all sides by low, softly rolling hills covered by more agricultural fields. Silos and windmills dot the landscape, small brooks trickle past quietly, and domesticated cats and rabbits follow their masters in their daily life or lie on the short grass in the sun -- all of said masters being chimps, dressed in sensibly warm clothing.
The town proper is at the middle of the depression, where a central hill is penetrated by several dozen rounded doorways and windows, and a pennant flies at its top over the rise. The road circles round to a main entryway, which leads to a long, warm corridor through the earth, busily traversed by farmers and other townsfolk, beasts, and pets, which scurry down its length. At its end is an open plaza, perhaps 80 yards across, with a central fountain and covered outdoor bazaar, and whose walls are filled with brightly decorated doorways to underground dwellings, and a tavern with an adjoining stable and inn. Everything seems to be in miniature compared to the humans and even the dwarves. The overall smell is of food being prepared -- winter roots roasting, herb-seasoned goat meat on skewers, whole small fowl on spits, and mead. A musky odor permeates everything, but the air is also graced with earthy fragrances of sage and eucalyptus. In the face of the interior walls rising over the plaza, opposite the entry arch, is a tower or keep, whose stones are brightly painted and which is decorated from bottom to top with cheerful and colorful banners. At its apex is a water tower under a windmill, with a pennant crowning the whole affair, the one which was barely visible from outside the complex. The tower has a terrace, and standing there you see a chimp woman wearing finery from The Kingdoms, ruffled lace collar and puffy velure sleeves attached to a delicately embroidered coat, engaged in conversation with two other chimps. Here is an exterior view of Hyewush. The pictured dwellings look out upon farm fields, which would be behind the viewer. Here is a sketched map of the plaza.
An venerable old chimp wearing spectacles who was sitting in a wooden chair in front of the fountain sees you come through the archway, and watches quietly, then stands, stretches creakily, takes up his cane and a ledger, and walks forward, crossing paths with a few intervening townsfolk on various errands, but stops at the carriage, locking eyes with Amistan and smiling curtly.
Amistan pulls back on the reins, utters a few words to the horses, then gives his attention to the old chimp, who has opened the ledger, which, you now notice, bears the seal of the Jenghen Empire. He addresses everyone on the carriage in a grainy croak.
“Kindly state your names, and where you’re coming from. And where headed. And your purpose. Hmmmm. Yammm? Core of...ermmm??,” he trails off, not quite able to place the heraldry on your livery.
The townspeople seem unperturbed by your appearance and go about their business, other than a few small children who stand no more than 20” tall, fingers in their lips, big upturned eyes blinking and curious.
Seeing how the sign responded poorly to Py, almost raising an alarm, Auger wonders if Hyewush will be quite so welcoming of the Dragonfly. After some consultation Py agrees to stay out of sight, making himself invisible as he flies above entering the town.
When the old chimp calls out Auger holds back on responding, preferring to let the one of the others describe their heading and purpose. From his perch atop the carriage he examines the plaza, enjoying the bustle of a small town. Idly he looks to the bazaar, wondering what sorts of craftworks are available there. When his turn comes he just states his name, "Dannel Fetherlac," and indicates he is a part of this group, repeating heading and purpose in line with the others.
(OOC: Are we being paid daily? Auger has limited funds for any trips to the bazaar is all.)
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Vareilky steps down from the carriage with a small twist of pain. She feels better, but her injuries aren't healed. Nevertheless, she approaches the Chimp. The Dwarves weren't that shorter than her, but the Chimps were. It made her feel really strange, having to look down to speak with someone. "My name is Varielky. As our livery suggests," though she realises hers is no longer in a fine condition after all they've been through, "we come from the Core of Onyx. Or, at least, the ones I serve at the moment do. We have fought Orcs on our way and came here looking to spend a night in safety." She didn't exactly lie, but it wasn't exactly the truth either. Her oath of confidentiality was more important though, as she couldn't share more than that. She looks back at those sitting outside the carriage itself for support. On second thought, she wasn't exactly sure why they're here, but it didn't matter much to her either. She trusted those in charge to know what they're doing, she's only here to provide protection for them. "Is it a thing we can find here? Some of us are wounded, we seek no trouble." Fighting shorter people was awkward for her anyway. Used to being the short one, it required a change in the way she fights. It also reminded her of the poisoning at the arena, which was not a pleasant memory at all. Abadolla, that two-faced backstabber, if she ever sees him again... Varielky stops thinking about it abruptly, before signs of her feelings show on her face. Anger doesn't look like one who would be looking for shelter, which was what she told the Chimp they are.
The old Chimp says, moodily, “Speak up, will you! Why must everyone mumble,” at which the children nearby titter, which he notices and pretends to chase them away with shouts of “Hye hye, hye! You little buggers! Get away and let an old man do his business!,” and he catches one of them and tickles her round tummy. She squeals and laughs, then with a serious expression says, “Down, ganpuh,” and smiling, he placed her on the ground and she joins the others again.
He seems to reluctantly remember you then, scribbles in his ledger — which you notice he does magically, words seeming to flow directly out from his fingertip and landing in the ledger as ornate script. He asks you to spell your names in Jenghen, which you oblige.
“And,” he continues, “whom do you serve?,” as his head bobs toward the passenger compartment.
At this, Ednyss hears in his mind, then, Varielky in hers, Tuff Blueschist’s voice — it could be no other — saying, “Ednyss, Varielky, give a false name. If that galls you, then tell him that you serve clan Greybeard, Core of Onyx, which will be true at least to a degree. That should be enough. I shall be Tuff Greybeard, and the Master, Grendl Greybeard, while we are here.”
Upon hearing Tuff’s voice, Varielky looks back at the carriage and sees the sliding panel behind the driver’s bucket is open and Tuff’s face is there in shadow. He nods slightly. ‘Yes, it is my voice,’ the shield maiden hears in her head again
When Varielky turns her attention back to the old Chimp he is standing before her with arms crossed, tapping his toe. “Are you listening?,” he says, instantly peeved, which causes the children to titles ter again. Lowering his voice, and taking a breath, he continues, “I said, you’ll find Hyewush a safe haven from highway robbers and it’s been some time since we’ve seen Orcs here so you needn’t worry about them. There are rooms at the Inn — human sized ones, Yow. Mmmhhhhmmmm. And look to the guild hall for healing and such if you need it, mmmmhhhmmm.”
"Forgive me and thank you, that is good to hear. We serve the Greybeard clan." She doesn't like that either, but if that's what she must say - so be it. "Is that all?"
Sensing the determination of the band of Orcs, Auger continues attacking. The events of the day having left him exhausted and still bleeding, he moves slightly away from the carriage and then kneels. His head still spinning he knows he cannot cast bigger spells, but he thinks he can push orcs off the bridge.
Releasing his twisting energies into the first Orc on the bridge, Auger calls out "Your cause is folly! You have your tribute! Now a smart leader cuts his losses and lives to fight another day!" Py? Just hurt them.
Py
Move: Flies 30' up to P11
Action: Ranged spell attack on Orc R. Attack: 24 Damage: 1
On a hit: 1 piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. If its saving throw result is 5 or lower, the poisoned target falls unconscious for the same duration, or until it takes damage or another creature takes an action to shake it awake.
Auger
Move: To R7 (If that tree at Q7 provides any cover Auger will try to use it). Auger drops to prone, giving disadvantage to ranged attacks against him.
Action: Casts Eldritch Blast, targeting Orc O and hopefully pushing him 10' into Orc N on a hit. Attack: 22 Damage: 4
Persuasion attempt: 23 (If you judge it to be an Intimidation attempt then we can subtract 2 from the result instead)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Round 15 Results
Py’s spore hits Orc r for 1Hp damage. The orc whips his head around and slaps his thigh, thinking he’s been stung, but he remains conscious. Auger’s attack misses, his aim thrown off by the smoke.
Varielky steps forward, and (rolling for Ednyss’ help: 22) sees her words are deeply understood by the Orcs, and their resolve wavers.
Edynss heals one of the horses, then adds his statement to Varielky’s.
Benita grits her teeth and glowers at the Orcs, and adds a shout of her own, “That’s right you pigs!! The days of conquest are GONE FOR YOU. Sniveling cowards, following the orders of Jen Ghessa!!!!”
Flint & Wad slam their axes to their shields, giving punctuation to the statements by the others, as Tuff stands tall and proud, his glowing short sword pointing high behind him.
Granophyre heals the other horse for 8HP, and both horses rise to their feet again.
The Orcs, intimidated by Varielky, halt their advance for a moment, unable to bring themselves to move closer to the giant. Pungent smoke billows from the bridge, and as the acid drips down the supports on either side, small fragments begin to drop off from the structure.
The Orc Chief glares at Varielky, and the two Hands also stand silently near him. Seconds tick by. Ednyss’ radiant shield floats silently above Varielky, while the swirling blue blades of Ellosh spin quietly above the leading hyena riders.
Amistan stands, moves to the edge of the precipice, and in answer to his Ranger’s incantation, a strong vine extends from his arm to the bridge support, winding around it. The Orc riders back away. The ranger sets his feet and pulls on the vine, and it rips the support away from the structure, which shudders, and smoking, falls away into the gorge with a groaning, splintering crash.
Suddenly, the Orc Chief yells commands, and the spinning blue blades whip forward and strike Benita forcefully, impaling her through the heart then pulling up again and away as the Orcs retreat 20’ from the gorge, notching arrows to their bows. Benita falls to her knees, locking eyes with Varielky, then falls flat on the ground, unconscious, her life on the precipice.
Orc arrows all fly at Varielky and 3 hit, one critting, for 13HP total. At 1HP, she drops to her knees, pincushioned and gasping for breath.
“Let us make haste!” shouts Granophyre, beginning to release concentration on his enlarge spell. Amistan makes for the driver’s bucket, and will start up the carriage again.
You’re now situated like so.
Please post actions for Round 16.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Knowing what a full volley of arrows did to him before, Auger stands and runs back to the carriage, diving in through the open door. Py becomes invisible and flying away from the bridge looks ahead to the nearby settlement.
What will they think of their bridge being destroyed I wonder?
Hopefully they have had their own run-ins with the Orcs and they will understand.
Py
Move: Flies up to 50' at U10. Will keep pace with the carriage when it starts moving.
Auger
Move: Standing using half his regular movement, he must dash to get into the carriage at U11.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(OOC: A crit on a dogging creature? Ouch.)
"Benita!" Varielky calls as her friend falls. She turns to the Orcs with fury, starting: "You cowardly ra-" but is met with multiple arrows, which surprises her considering they tried only not to hit her earlier. With her armour - already larger than it should be when normally sized - now enlarged, creating larger gaps, a few of the arrows manage to pierce through, and Varielky falls down as well, though still conscious. She begins for Benita, but screams in pain as she feels her body shrinking down, the arrows' heads cutting more of her flesh from inside.
"Somebody help her!" She then calls, afraid to move the woman away for both of them might be hurt from the attempt. Instead, she keeps holding her shield towards the Orcs, hopefully blocking further attacks.
Varielky
Ednyss looks stunned as the spinning blue blades slash into Benita instead of him. He shouts out, "No!" Touching his shield, he expends the last of its stored energy and sends a mote of healing towards the downed warrior. He then places his War Pick in a loop on his belt and uses his free hand to grab Varielky by the arm and pull her into the carriage with him. "We must go! The longer we wait the more arrows they shoot at us."
Free Action: Talking
Bonus Action: Cast Healing Word on Benita (From the Shield - Level 1)
Benita heals for 6 HP
Object Interaction: Sheathe War Pick
Action: Grapple (Varielky - In order to move her if she allows it)
Move: Get on top of the carriage with Varielky
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Imperial Orcs: Denouement
Ednyss heals Benita and pulls Varielky onto the Carriage, while Auger, Tuff, and Granophyre climb inside, followed by Benita as soon as her strength returns. Flint and Wad jump into the rear bucket, and Amistan snaps the reins and the horses accelerate into a canter. The orcs fire one last round of arrows and the swirling swords of Ellosh menace the carriage as it pulls away, but nothing hits its mark. You leave the company of orcs looking grim on the far side of the gorge. The chief’s eyes do not drop from Varielky until the merchant’s path takes the carriage out of view, finally, of its Imperial assailants. A mile or so later, when he’s convinced the orcs have not somehow managed to follow you, Amistan slows the horses from a canter to a leisurely 4-beat walk.
In the carriage, Tuff says, “If it is true that Jen Ghessa has offered a reward for half-orc young, the Empire is truly lapsing in its pretense of civility. The most barbaric thing I have heard in a very, very long time.” Granophyre shakes his head ruefully, clicking his tongue reproachfully in answer to Tuff’s statement, although absorbed in proofreading a manuscript.
Py messages to Auger, It’s a chimp town, but I can’t see it from here because it gets hilly again. The path goes through a tree tunnel. It’s another two miles, perhaps.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Auger speaks to Granophyre and Tuff in the carriage. "So much has happened in the chase I had forgotten the Orcs even spoke of that. The Empire's presence back home was more... orderly... than that rabble." Sighing and letting his exhaustion take him for a moment Auger continues, "Py tells me we are approaching a chimp town settlement, after a tree tunnel ahead. Do we know anything of this place? I could surely use some rest and refreshment as I suspect most of us would. If this settlement has any surprises for us then we are not going to be ready for it. Will we be staying there?"
Py, can you fly ahead into the tree tunnel and see if it has anything we should be concerned about? Invisibly, Py speeds ahead and out of range and sight.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Granophyre looks at Auger for a moment over his glasses, then to Tuff, who nods quietly, then back to his reading. Tuff answer, "We trust Amistan knows where he is taking us." He slides upon the panel in the wall dividing the passenger compartment from the driver's bucket. "Amistan!," he asks, "do you know this chimp town we are approaching?"
Amistan turns back, peeks through the panel curiously at Tuff, sees Auger's inquisitive look, then his eyes shift back to Tuff, then back to Auger again. "Nice town," he answers. "They know how to eat!" He laughs, one short blast, then turns and falls silent again. Noticing the panel hasn't slid closed again, he turns back a moment later and finds Tuff and Auger still waiting for more. "It is a free town but with an Imperial charter. The chimps are good folk. We can rest comfortably there."
After a moment, Tuff thanks Amistan and closes the panel once again. As the carriage lurches over a pothole and its springs complain noisily, the old valet concludes, "I for one shall be glad for a bath and a reprieve from this carriage."
Some time later, Py returns. The town, Hyewush, looks safe and quiet, it messages to Auger.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Hearing the positive news Auger relaxes and even begins to doze before remembering something important. He is in the carriage, which is not his place with this band. Suddenly sitting up straight, he makes his excuses about wanting to see this tunnel forest and the settlement and then he exits the carriage and makes his way up to the bucket seat on top. Once up there he looks around to see if the wood he had been carving is still there. Py lands on his shoulder and, his energy waning Auger begins to nod off.
(OOC: Short rest time?)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Sitting on top of the carriage with Benita and Varielky, Ednyss stays silent and gives the two women some space. He offers a silent prayer to Takal Demesh as they ride and lets some of his divine energy transmute forms and then replenish itself. Eventually, Ednyss dozes off on top of the carriage, trusting the others to wake him if something happens.
Bonus Action: Harness Divine Power (Expend Channel Divinity to regain a single Level 1 Spellslot)
Short Rest Effects:
Regain Channel Divinity
Hit Dice 1: 4
Hit Dice 2: 4
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Varielky resists at first, but once she sees Benita rising, she allows Ednyss to pull her back. Once she's on the carriage, she reaches and tries to help Benita up, twisting her face in pain for a moment as she does.
Once the Orcs are out of reach, Varielky carefully doffs her armour and begins to tend to her wounds. "I've seen men fight for the hearts of women, but for the child they can bare is a new cause for me."
Once she's done, Varielky dons her armour back on, feeling better and rested. "I just hope no Chimps followed us from Ishi Ammah. It'll be impossible to distinguish them in a Chimp town."
Hit Dice heals (2 used): 14.
Varielky
Auger rests. Hit die 1: 8. Hit die 2: 6.
Eventually coming back to himself, he realizes his headache is gone.
Meanwhile Py finds a droplet of water and cleans himself like this.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
POST #3: The Journey to Kalahata, Day 11 (13th of Beauty) (continued).
It is early afternoon when, an hour after you leave the bridge behind, the road branches, one fork following the edge of the creek overlook, and the other taking you into low hills through a juniper wood, where the branches interlock above, the just-budding trees creating a long tunnel through the narrow vale which the carriage just fits through, in some places brushing against thin branches above. “This way,” says Amistan.
You have traversed this tunnel for a quarter of a mile or so when you arrive at a sturdy post deeply fixed beside the road. A painted sign is nailed to the post, which proclaims, in beautiful Jenghen script, “Welcome to Hyewush, a Chimp Dwelling, by Imperial Designation.” And, in smaller script below, “(We are working to make this area safer for orcs, however, at present we cannot guarantee their continued health.)”
Perhaps one hundred yards further down the road, you pass another post fixed in the earth to your right, bearing this sign: “Did you know, Hyewush is the only chimp dwelling in the Orracan Steppes? (Orcs really must proceed with caution, and we suggest they take another route.)”
And a ways farther along, this sign: “Welcome to Hyewush, a Chimp Dwelling. Be well and be kind. (Regrettably, orcs are urged to turn around promptly.)”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Feeling better, though still aching from one arrow wound that only partially closed from his healing, Auger smiles wryly at the progression of signs. A safe harbor away from Orcs for a time seems like just the thing. As the branches brush closer to the top of the carriage, where he is sitting, Auger ducks down, enjoying the tree tunnel and watching the light filter through the branches close above for a time.
Coming back to the moment, Auger remembers the Chimp community near his home, a few miles from Belliu and away from the Shining Lake. Worshippers of Arapabiya and Namawa in equal measure, who keep to their own community but friendly enough and careful negotiators in trade. He and his father once built a nicely carved wagon for a farming family from there. If Hyewush is an equivalent place then this stay should be quite pleasant.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Twenty feet beyond the third and final painted sign is a heavy stone obelisk, almost a full twelve inches in width, and 8 feet tall. Near it, the road seems to be sprinkled with white quartz. As you approach, you see brightly painted glyphs inscribed up and down the obelisk. As each of you passes, you see an ideogram in the shape of a horse, human, or dwarf -- or several of them at once -- briefly light up, expand, then de-animate. That is, until Py passes, which causes the various glyphs to all momentarily light and dim in sequence. The post seems unable to decide how to categorize the tiny magical creature. The glyph which seems to illustrate an orc briefly glows red, accompanied by a dim throbbing sound which crescendoes for a few moments, but, then the glyph diminishes and the sound fades away. Finally a hieroglyph indicating a bird brightens and dims, and the magical obelisk reverts to being nothing more than an old stone marker. You continue past, and as you do, you discover that what you thought was white quartz in the road is actually a dusting of bone fragments.
The tunnel soon ends, opening up with a smell of fresh earth and moisture on the breeze, and the road continues along between open farm fields on hillsides, most of them laying fallow and untended in this part of the township, separated by sturdy wooden fences. Another quarter mile along, and the road turns past a small lake, and you smell the musky odor of very large animals. You pass by more farm fields, these in the process of being plowed by chimps on the backs of small elephants pulling hoes and breaking up the packed earth for the first planting of the season. Onwards, and the road goes over a rise where you see that you are traversing a depression perhaps a mile in circumference, surrounded on all sides by low, softly rolling hills covered by more agricultural fields. Silos and windmills dot the landscape, small brooks trickle past quietly, and domesticated cats and rabbits follow their masters in their daily life or lie on the short grass in the sun -- all of said masters being chimps, dressed in sensibly warm clothing.
The town proper is at the middle of the depression, where a central hill is penetrated by several dozen rounded doorways and windows, and a pennant flies at its top over the rise. The road circles round to a main entryway, which leads to a long, warm corridor through the earth, busily traversed by farmers and other townsfolk, beasts, and pets, which scurry down its length. At its end is an open plaza, perhaps 80 yards across, with a central fountain and covered outdoor bazaar, and whose walls are filled with brightly decorated doorways to underground dwellings, and a tavern with an adjoining stable and inn. Everything seems to be in miniature compared to the humans and even the dwarves.
The overall smell is of food being prepared -- winter roots roasting, herb-seasoned goat meat on skewers, whole small fowl on spits, and mead. A musky odor permeates everything, but the air is also graced with earthy fragrances of sage and eucalyptus. In the face of the interior walls rising over the plaza, opposite the entry arch, is a tower or keep, whose stones are brightly painted and which is decorated from bottom to top with cheerful and colorful banners. At its apex is a water tower under a windmill, with a pennant crowning the whole affair, the one which was barely visible from outside the complex. The tower has a terrace, and standing there you see a chimp woman wearing finery from The Kingdoms, ruffled lace collar and puffy velure sleeves attached to a delicately embroidered coat, engaged in conversation with two other chimps.
Here is an exterior view of Hyewush. The pictured dwellings look out upon farm fields, which would be behind the viewer. Here is a sketched map of the plaza.
An venerable old chimp wearing spectacles who was sitting in a wooden chair in front of the fountain sees you come through the archway, and watches quietly, then stands, stretches creakily, takes up his cane and a ledger, and walks forward, crossing paths with a few intervening townsfolk on various errands, but stops at the carriage, locking eyes with Amistan and smiling curtly.
Amistan pulls back on the reins, utters a few words to the horses, then gives his attention to the old chimp, who has opened the ledger, which, you now notice, bears the seal of the Jenghen Empire. He addresses everyone on the carriage in a grainy croak.
“Kindly state your names, and where you’re coming from. And where headed. And your purpose. Hmmmm. Yammm? Core of...ermmm??,” he trails off, not quite able to place the heraldry on your livery.
The townspeople seem unperturbed by your appearance and go about their business, other than a few small children who stand no more than 20” tall, fingers in their lips, big upturned eyes blinking and curious.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Seeing how the sign responded poorly to Py, almost raising an alarm, Auger wonders if Hyewush will be quite so welcoming of the Dragonfly. After some consultation Py agrees to stay out of sight, making himself invisible as he flies above entering the town.
When the old chimp calls out Auger holds back on responding, preferring to let the one of the others describe their heading and purpose. From his perch atop the carriage he examines the plaza, enjoying the bustle of a small town. Idly he looks to the bazaar, wondering what sorts of craftworks are available there. When his turn comes he just states his name, "Dannel Fetherlac," and indicates he is a part of this group, repeating heading and purpose in line with the others.
(OOC: Are we being paid daily? Auger has limited funds for any trips to the bazaar is all.)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Vareilky steps down from the carriage with a small twist of pain. She feels better, but her injuries aren't healed. Nevertheless, she approaches the Chimp. The Dwarves weren't that shorter than her, but the Chimps were. It made her feel really strange, having to look down to speak with someone. "My name is Varielky. As our livery suggests," though she realises hers is no longer in a fine condition after all they've been through, "we come from the Core of Onyx. Or, at least, the ones I serve at the moment do. We have fought Orcs on our way and came here looking to spend a night in safety." She didn't exactly lie, but it wasn't exactly the truth either. Her oath of confidentiality was more important though, as she couldn't share more than that. She looks back at those sitting outside the carriage itself for support. On second thought, she wasn't exactly sure why they're here, but it didn't matter much to her either. She trusted those in charge to know what they're doing, she's only here to provide protection for them. "Is it a thing we can find here? Some of us are wounded, we seek no trouble." Fighting shorter people was awkward for her anyway. Used to being the short one, it required a change in the way she fights. It also reminded her of the poisoning at the arena, which was not a pleasant memory at all. Abadolla, that two-faced backstabber, if she ever sees him again...
Varielky stops thinking about it abruptly, before signs of her feelings show on her face. Anger doesn't look like one who would be looking for shelter, which was what she told the Chimp they are.
Varielky
The old Chimp says, moodily, “Speak up, will you! Why must everyone mumble,” at which the children nearby titter, which he notices and pretends to chase them away with shouts of “Hye hye, hye! You little buggers! Get away and let an old man do his business!,” and he catches one of them and tickles her round tummy. She squeals and laughs, then with a serious expression says, “Down, ganpuh,” and smiling, he placed her on the ground and she joins the others again.
He seems to reluctantly remember you then, scribbles in his ledger — which you notice he does magically, words seeming to flow directly out from his fingertip and landing in the ledger as ornate script. He asks you to spell your names in Jenghen, which you oblige.
“And,” he continues, “whom do you serve?,” as his head bobs toward the passenger compartment.
At this, Ednyss hears in his mind, then, Varielky in hers, Tuff Blueschist’s voice — it could be no other — saying, “Ednyss, Varielky, give a false name. If that galls you, then tell him that you serve clan Greybeard, Core of Onyx, which will be true at least to a degree. That should be enough. I shall be Tuff Greybeard, and the Master, Grendl Greybeard, while we are here.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Upon hearing Tuff’s voice, Varielky looks back at the carriage and sees the sliding panel behind the driver’s bucket is open and Tuff’s face is there in shadow. He nods slightly. ‘Yes, it is my voice,’ the shield maiden hears in her head again
When Varielky turns her attention back to the old Chimp he is standing before her with arms crossed, tapping his toe. “Are you listening?,” he says, instantly peeved, which causes the children to titles ter again. Lowering his voice, and taking a breath, he continues, “I said, you’ll find Hyewush a safe haven from highway robbers and it’s been some time since we’ve seen Orcs here so you needn’t worry about them. There are rooms at the Inn — human sized ones, Yow. Mmmhhhhmmmm. And look to the guild hall for healing and such if you need it, mmmmhhhmmm.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"Forgive me and thank you, that is good to hear. We serve the Greybeard clan." She doesn't like that either, but if that's what she must say - so be it. "Is that all?"
Varielky