Kingdom Building for Beginners (Inactive)

Game Master robertness

"Yeah, well. I did have to use the sleep song to make sure no one interrupted us while we the switched the handcuffs," Tyg says. "It isn't a proper prank if you get caught. Guess these guys were more tired than the rest of you."

"Yeah, getting beat up by bandit hunters is tiring," Perlynash adds. "We'll take you to the Sycamore in the morning. Even if you all are ready to go, some of us still need our sleep."

Juwwem's grin grows with every word Tyg-Titter-Tut and Perlynash say. Before meeting them Juwwem was starting to doubt his decision coming here. There had been too much killing but the pranking pair switched the scales.

"Yes sleep! But before I doze off again, tell me more about this Sycamore if you would."

Tyg-Titter-Tut thinks for a moment before she says, "You really aren't from around here, are you? Everyone knows about the Sycamore. It's real tall, like taller than thirty of you gnomes standing on each other's shoulders. And it's way old too."

Perlynash stifles a yawn before saying, "Nobody knows when the mites moved into it. I suppose they like it because it sits alone on top of its hill so the little creeps can see for miles around."

"It's a pretty tree," Tyg interrupts looking very serious. "There would be more reasons to like it than the view. Doubt the mites know that."

There ought to be a song about the stars shining above us, the night breeze whispering,a sycomore tree, and dreaming... And I guess Tyg Titter Tut's lovely voice would be perfect to sing it.
Maybe you'll dream a little dream of me, Gordom....

Humming for herself a little tune, Vivian smiles to the ranger.

Juwwem's imagination ran wild for a short wild on the Sycamore.

"Oh and what would those reasons be? Is it a magical tree? Does it have special mushrooms growing at its base? Do its roots sprout from the ground and when the wind blows their hollow tips act like flutes?"

The notion of sleeping was gone from Juwwem's mind. Something about this wilderness had his brain working like a true gnome.

"I'd say, you, little biggin" Tyg-Titter-Tut responds to Juwwem's rush of questions. "Will just have to get to the Sycamore to find out what's special about it."

Perlynash starts snoring on top of Gordom's head.

Let me know if you'd like to do anything before we pass to a "the next morning" post.

Slightly disappointed with no more stories coming from the wonderful pair, Juwwem sits back and starts imagining what tomorrow will bring.

"I bet it will be amazing" he says softly to himself.

Perlynash' snoring snaps Juwwem out of his daydreaming. With a shrug he lies down and dozes off after a few minutes.

The next morning, Tyg-Titter-Tut and Perlynash flit about impatiently while the adventurers prepare to resume their trek. The captured bandits, especially Jesse, are wary of the energetic fey. Perlynash delights in sneaking up on Jesse when he's not looking and startling the manacled desperado. However, the little dragon is careful not to get close enough that the bandit could harm him.

The pair of fey lead the companions through the hillsides to the Sycamore. The ancient tree is an awesome site as it sits alone on its hilltop. The tree climbs one hundred feet above the hill's crest.

"Here we are!" Tyg-Titter-Tut joyously announces.

its..magnificent. Really. Look at the size of that tree!I've never seen anything like that in my town, I understand why you do prefer the wilderness Gordom!

Vivian seems genuinely amazed

Standing next to Vivian, Juwwem shares her amazement. Contrary to the woman of the city, Juwwem considers himself an outdoor person yet the sight of the sycamore is impressive.

"Imagine where those roots go! The hill and tree stand united in the land..."

Juwwem's voice trails of as he's lost in thoughts for a moment. Then he snaps out of it.

"So, where are those mites?"

"They live under the Sycamore," Tyg-Titter-Tut replies.

"They've got a cave hidden in its roots," Perlynash adds.

"Want us to show you the way in?"

Not looking forward to ending up in another fight, Juwwem hesitates.

"Uh... well I guess. We've come this far, might as well see our plan through. Go ahead Perlynash, show us where to go."

Juwwem checks out their surroundings and loads his crossbow before they move out.

"Probably best if I show them," Tyg-Titter-Tut says pointedly. "You always fly too high and fast for a biggin to follow. Then you'd start doing loop-de-loops till they caught up. The mites will notice you for sure."

The fairy dragon looks crestfallen and says, "OK, Tyg. I'll stay and keep an eye on their luggage." He's staring directly at Jesse when he says the last. "Hurry back, Tyg. Guard duty will be awful boring without you."

Tyg-Titter-Tut starts leading the adventurers to the Sycamore's base via a meandering path.

Stealth rolls from all, please.

Doing his best to both be silent and follow the little winged woman, Juwwem takes his recently acquired shortbow and nocks an arrow.

Najara had second thoughts about leaving their "luggage" in the hands of a bored prankster, but feeling powerless to object, she bit her tongue. Human laws don't necessarily apply to fey after all. Eager to end this business with the mites and score diplomatic points, she follows Tyg to to best of her abilities.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Stealth Check.

Stealth Check1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

If your memory serves well, Vivian was there with you... but now? Where is she?

A shadow whispers to Najara's ear

To Najara

No butt spanking, no kiss on a cheek, no joke or prank.. was it REALLY the redhead? it must be...

the shadow gets near Tyg Titter Tut, slowly asking

Does mites have special weakness or strenghts?

Stealth Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Gordom attempts to silently climb the hill, and as he crouches it appears that his experience in the woods is serving him well. That is until his foot finds a dry twig...

Tyg-Titter-Tut leads her large friends to a narrow cave entrance hidden among the Sycamore's roots. Despite her grimaces at the party's relatively loud approach, there doesn't seem to be any response from the tree's denizens. The hidden entrance consists of a root-lined shaft that drops 10 feet down to the middle of a 40-foot tunnel that runs east-west. The mites are small creatures, and their lair is sized for such. Ceiling height is rarely over 5 feet high, with much of the upper foot a tangle of roots and thin stalactites.

The sound of high pitched giggling comes from the passage to the west.

When arriving at the sycamore Juwwem whispers to Tyg-Titter-Tut:

Thank you Tyg-Titter-Tut. You're help is very welcome, feel free to head back and see what Perlinash is up to but if you want to stay that's fine too.

Then he starts to peer inside, trying to see if the mites have prepared anything against intruders.

I guess we can help ourselves with the roots to climb down the entrance... But I suppose that while the roots can support the weight of a mite, a full grown human in armor may be in trouble.

Gordom, maybe you should...
Vivian bits her lower lip
Nevermind.

Her eyes sparkle, and she's smiling...
You'd better never know what she was about to say.

The gnomes should get in first, then watch both sides of the tunnel.
I will follow down, then Najara, and Gordom last, so we can catch him if ever he trips down.

Shrugging Juwwem whispers:

"Fine with me, I would like to see what's down there. We better prepare for a fight and nasty tricks. I don't trust these mites one bit. Oh look at that root! It looks like a sugar-coated dondil! I love those!"

Juwwem puts away his crossbow and makes sure he can grab it if needed.

"I wish I had a smaller weapon, to clench between my teeth! Like one of those pirates I heard about. Arrr"

With both his hands free he'll start to descend once the others are ready too.