Rue and Ruin: A Simple Job (Inactive)

Game Master Aebliss

A simple escort job; bring a merchant from point A to point B with his person and cargo intact.... in spite of having to travel through the badlands of the ancient, moonless and dying world of Rue, which revolves around its red and flickering sun.


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Male half-Umbral Dragon Human Wizard(Exploiter/Pact)/Alchemist(Mindchemist/Internal) 4 HP: 59[+12 temp]/59 Saves: 12/10/8 AC: 24/16/20 CMD: 24 Initiative: +10 Perception: +9 AR: 5/7

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Serill reloads and takes aim at the entangled creatures but they are squirming too much and it's hard to get a good shot.


Male Griffon Skald 1 | HP 6/9 | AC: 14 T: 11 Fl: 14 | CMB: +3 CMD: 14 | F +3 R +1 W +2 | Init +1 | Perc: +4
Daily Abilities:
1st-level spells 2/2 | Raging Song 6/6

Grimdell snaps one more time at his chosen target before swooping back up into the air.

Bite: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"With talons keen we kill the prey!
Ka-ra! Ka-ra!"


Female Fetchling Medium/1

Thankful for the druid's spell keeping them all from rushing at once, Keska slashes at the nearest beast with her sickle before retreating back with the rest of the party.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 3 + 1 = 6


N Male Elf Druid 1 | HP 4/9 | AC 15 (12 Touch, 13 Flat-footed) | CMB +1, CMD 13 | Fort. +4, Ref. +2, Will +4 | Init. +2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 2+1/2+1, | Active conditions: +2 Atk/Dmg

Virro grimaces at the filthy things, raising his shield in preparation.

Ready an action to attack one of the giant rats once it approaches.


Male DM DM 10

DM Zone:
1d4 ⇒ 1 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Brycen and Virro stand side by side, ready to meet the charge -- a charge that does not come. Or at least, not a charge at the cart!
Hissing and growling, the three Falanx not currently entangled break into a trot that is aimed directly -- at Keska.

Knowledge (nature) DC 10:
They're pack predators, and they see you as prey animals. They're trying to single out the target that looks the easiest. Like the sick, the old and the young; they've apparently mistaken Keska, the smallest team member, for a juvenile of whatever you are!

The Falanx continue to trot forward, smoothly dodging around Menra's panicked spell and Serill's crossbow bolt. Drool dripping from their jaws, their beady eyes are fixed on Keska and their naked tails lash with anticipation.

Grimdell and Menra's eagle have more luck in attempting to injure the entangled Falanx. The Griffon rakes one of the Falanx' throat before rising into the air; the rat-beast coughs up blood and falls limp. The eagle's claws rake the back of the last entangled Falanx, which wails, screeches -- and manages to pull free of the weeds! Growling and hissing, the rat-beast runs to catch up to its pack-mates....

Begin round three!

The three nearest Falanx are currently ten feet away. The fourth is running to catch up and forty feet away.

Falanx 1: #DEAD#
Falanx 2:
Falanx 3:
Falanx 4:
Falanx 5: #ENTANGLED#; #DEAD#
Falanx 6: #ENTANGLED# -7


Male Old Tiefling Wizard 1

AOO claw: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The eagle screeches as the Falanx moves away, attempting to swipe at it with one of it's talons. It then soars higher into the sky before diving down, hoping to charge it and cut it off with a strike of it's beak!

Beak, charge: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 11
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Menra tries to gather power and strike out at one of the creatures once again. Yet to no effect...

Acid Splash: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2


Male Griffon Skald 1 | HP 6/9 | AC: 14 T: 11 Fl: 14 | CMB: +3 CMD: 14 | F +3 R +1 W +2 | Init +1 | Perc: +4
Daily Abilities:
1st-level spells 2/2 | Raging Song 6/6

"And carry then the meat away!
Ka-ra! Ka-ra!"

Grimdell chases after the nearest Falanx, diving to bite at it.

Bite: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

How do the Falanx taste to a griffon? :D


Male Old Tiefling Wizard 1

Very suspiciously like dirt I imagine, with a one. ;P


AC: 17/12/15; CMD: 16; Init: +4; F/R/W: +3/+2/+0 (+2 vs enchantments); Perc: +2, SM +0; low-light vision; Max HP: 13, Current HP: 13

Brycen moves towards the creatures, aiming to get a flanking position if possible.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

His forms fail him this time however, and his swipe comes up way too short.


Male half-Umbral Dragon Human Wizard(Exploiter/Pact)/Alchemist(Mindchemist/Internal) 4 HP: 59[+12 temp]/59 Saves: 12/10/8 AC: 24/16/20 CMD: 24 Initiative: +10 Perception: +9 AR: 5/7

Serill looks at the 3 approaching Keska and reloads. He mumbles a quick enchantment as he aims this time and fires, dead on.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 191d8 ⇒ 4


N Male Elf Druid 1 | HP 4/9 | AC 15 (12 Touch, 13 Flat-footed) | CMB +1, CMD 13 | Fort. +4, Ref. +2, Will +4 | Init. +2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 2+1/2+1, | Active conditions: +2 Atk/Dmg

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Even knowing why they keep maneuvering around to Keska, Virro can't resist getting a jab in.

"Dang, did you kill their mother or something?"

Virro manuvers around again close to Keska. Though as he does so, he moves his sword to be held clumsily in his shield arm, freeing up his hand. He's sick of playing games with some ugly rats.

Instead, he mumbles a quiet prayer to a dying earth, calling fourth to manifest the decay in the form of a caustic liquid.

Move action to get close to Keska, Standard to use the Earth Domain Acid Bolt ability.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

A poorly timed belch spoils his aim, and the acidic bolt goes wide, sizzinling against one of the caonpy trees.

Bolts left: 4/5


Female Fetchling Medium/1

Perhaps on the shadow plane, but... Keska briefly shouts back, moving back and at an angle slightly, hoping to catch on of the rats in a flank when they charge at her, but ready to reap the first one that gets close enough.

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 3 + 1 = 8


Male Griffon Skald 1 | HP 6/9 | AC: 14 T: 11 Fl: 14 | CMB: +3 CMD: 14 | F +3 R +1 W +2 | Init +1 | Perc: +4
Daily Abilities:
1st-level spells 2/2 | Raging Song 6/6
Menra Nabra wrote:
Very suspiciously like dirt I imagine, with a one. ;P

Hey, he hit last round! :D


Male DM DM 10

DM Zone:
f31d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 191d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 f41d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 101d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8k1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

@ Grimdell: if you've ever eaten rat, you'd say they taste familiar. If not, then not.

Spells fly and blades flash, the eagle dives for another pass, but the only ones to tag the foremost Falanx are Keska and Serill. The rat-beast goes down in blood, coughing out its life around a crossbow bolt stuck into its chest, more blood pouring out through a vicious cut to its throat.

You get an inkling of just how hungry these creatures must be when the death of their apparent leader does not stop the remaining Falanx from attacking Keska anyway. Squealing and hissing, the two rat-beasts leap upon the Fetchling! One of the Falanx' teeth catch in her armour and it worries at her, snarling and growling -- but the other's teeth find purchase in flesh.
Fetchling blood splashes upon the earth and Keska cries out as the rat-beast shakes at her, trying to rip free a chunk of flesh.....!

Keska ONLY:
Keska, I'm afraid you've just contracted filth fever. In 1d3 ⇒ 2 days, you will suffer 1d3 ⇒ 3 Dex. damage and 1d3 ⇒ 3 Con. damage.

The last of the Falanx is running up, squealing hungrily, and you should act!

Begin round four!
The last Falanx to break free is currently ten feet away, the previous two are right in the middle of you. Feel free to set up flanks as you will!

Falanx 1: #DEAD#
Falanx 2: #DEAD#
Falanx 3:
Falanx 4:
Falanx 5: #ENTANGLED#; #DEAD#
Falanx 6: #ENTANGLED# -7


Male Griffon Skald 1 | HP 6/9 | AC: 14 T: 11 Fl: 14 | CMB: +3 CMD: 14 | F +3 R +1 W +2 | Init +1 | Perc: +4
Daily Abilities:
1st-level spells 2/2 | Raging Song 6/6

Grimdell stops singing as he flies after the Falanx. He aims for the already injured one, hoping to finish it off.

Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8


Male Old Tiefling Wizard 1

Seeing it's failure, the winged being screaches in anger before unleashing it's full furry against the despicable beast!

Eagle:
attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Menra, seeing Keska's distress, tries once again to bend the some of the acidic air to his will.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
1d3 ⇒ 1

Eagle is finally doing well, and look, I might actually hit the falnx! For a one whole point of damage! :D


AC: 17/12/15; CMD: 16; Init: +4; F/R/W: +3/+2/+0 (+2 vs enchantments); Perc: +2, SM +0; low-light vision; Max HP: 13, Current HP: 13

Brycen flanks one of the two rats on Keska. He feels the inspiration from the gryphon song fade as he swipes.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 25
Attack confirm: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Extra Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15


Male half-Umbral Dragon Human Wizard(Exploiter/Pact)/Alchemist(Mindchemist/Internal) 4 HP: 59[+12 temp]/59 Saves: 12/10/8 AC: 24/16/20 CMD: 24 Initiative: +10 Perception: +9 AR: 5/7

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

With his last shot finding its mark, Serill pulls out the next bolt and reloads. Unfortunately now they were on the shadow girl. This made aiming difficult.


N Male Elf Druid 1 | HP 4/9 | AC 15 (12 Touch, 13 Flat-footed) | CMB +1, CMD 13 | Fort. +4, Ref. +2, Will +4 | Init. +2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 2+1/2+1, | Active conditions: +2 Atk/Dmg

"About time these fleabags got here!"

Virro gets his sword ready, maneuvers into a flanking position, and starts hacking away.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 = 11
Dice: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5


Female Fetchling Medium/1

Keska, grateful for the flank provided by her traveling companion, takes a slash at the furry beast between them, having no time to even consider her wound yet.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 3 = 8


Male DM DM 10

DM Zone:
f61d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 121d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5f41d2 ⇒ 11d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

And we're back! My apologies for the delay. Yesterday's lesson: one intake can torpedo your whole day and leave you full of fun self-doubt. :D

Grimdell swoops at the limping Falanx that is trying to get back to the others, but the beast twists aside just barely in time to avoid the attack!
Frothing at the mouth, the frenzied Falanx leaps at the Griffon; it seems the beast did not enjoy being targeted while it was tangled up in errant plantlife. Fortunately, its injuries throw its attack off enough that its teeth miss Grimdell's flesh.
The next moment, Menra's eagle descends on the rat-beast, beak and claws scoring hit after hit ... and the Falanx falls for the last time, its blood nurturing the soil of the parasol forest.

Menra:
How many rounds is this beautiful bird meant to be with us, by the way? ;)

Menra's own magic sends a blast of acid into the hide of the Falanx ripping at Keska's flesh. The rat-beast utters a low noise of agony -- but hangs on to its prey!
The next moment, however, Brycen's blade comes sweeping in like a guilloutine, and although the Falanx' jaws lock and its head hangs onto Keska like a grisly trophy, its body drops to the earth, lifeless.

Serill, Virro and Keska all shoot and chop and slash at the very last of the Falanx, but miss. The last member of the pack notices that it is, indeed, the very last one. For a moment, hunger and the need for self-preservation war in its eyes ... and hunger wins out!
Squealing madly, the Falanx hurls itself at Keska, teeth snapping, claws scrabbling in an effort to bring her down!
Fortunately, the Fetchling Medium manages to stand her ground against the rat-beast's onslaught.

The Falanx tried to trip Keska, but failed.
Begin round five! We are very close to the finish.

Keska: -8 hp.

Falanx 1: #DEAD#
Falanx 2: #DEAD#
Falanx 3: #DEAD#
Falanx 4:
Falanx 5: #DEAD#
Falanx 6: #DEAD#


Male Griffon Skald 1 | HP 6/9 | AC: 14 T: 11 Fl: 14 | CMB: +3 CMD: 14 | F +3 R +1 W +2 | Init +1 | Perc: +4
Daily Abilities:
1st-level spells 2/2 | Raging Song 6/6

Shrieking in annoyance at his poor battle performance, Grimdell flies up behind the last Falanx and snaps at it.

Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4


Male Old Tiefling Wizard 1

*Slaps forehead* That was my mistake,
sorry! It definitely should not be among us by this point in time.

By some measure of tenacity, the other worldly eagle previously dug it's claws into the material plain instead of being pulled back to it's realm. With the satisfaction of killing another of these horrible beasts against nature however, it's arcane matrix finally vegiba to rapidly collapse. It let's out one final cry, before imploding into sparkling dust.

The tiefling wizard briefly looks at the occurrence, before refoccusibg back onto the twisted rat.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
1d3 ⇒ 1


Male DM DM 10

The arcane matrix 'vegiba'? ó_o


Male Old Tiefling Wizard 1

That was meant to say "begins"... I completely missed the keys entirely. I tried to fix it, but the site is glitching me out.


AC: 17/12/15; CMD: 16; Init: +4; F/R/W: +3/+2/+0 (+2 vs enchantments); Perc: +2, SM +0; low-light vision; Max HP: 13, Current HP: 13

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Brycen’s sword flashes in the red light and once more strikes rat flesh.


Male half-Umbral Dragon Human Wizard(Exploiter/Pact)/Alchemist(Mindchemist/Internal) 4 HP: 59[+12 temp]/59 Saves: 12/10/8 AC: 24/16/20 CMD: 24 Initiative: +10 Perception: +9 AR: 5/7

assuming it is killed from those rolls

The crossbow is lowered to point at the ground. "Your precious cargo is safe." Serill says to the merchant. He puts the crossbow back in the strap on his back and picks up his staff from the spot on the cart he had left it, ready to continue walking.


N Male Elf Druid 1 | HP 4/9 | AC 15 (12 Touch, 13 Flat-footed) | CMB +1, CMD 13 | Fort. +4, Ref. +2, Will +4 | Init. +2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 2+1/2+1, | Active conditions: +2 Atk/Dmg

One last swing, just to be safe.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2


Male DM DM 10

The last Falanx falls, coughing up blood, and lies still.
You stand, breathing heavily and sweating a bit - those of you who can - as you regard the field of battle.

Miraculously, the only one among you who is wounded at all is Keska. In fact, the head of the Falanx that bit her is still hanging off of her, its teeth fixed into the junction of neck and shoulder.
Because of this, you spot a little something of interest; the Falanx are wearing collars! They look to be of decent quality leather, tied off with simple knots. Small ceramic plaques bearing a stylized letter 'V' are attached to each collar.

loot:

Six collars. Retail worth roughly 5 sp.
Six dead Falanx, malnourished. If you want to chop them up for dinner, feel free.

"Well," Dageau says as soon as the excitemens has started to ebb and your hearts no longer thunder in your ears quite so loudly, "that was that. Let's be off."

The Tengu clicks his tongue and the camels clop forward, obliging you to either keep up or get left behind....

Perception DC 15:

Even now, the parasol trees are starting to peek back up out of the earth. The green canopy and the trunks sink back down in response to the vibrations released by your own feet and the cart, but other parts - thick, wriggling, white roots - are not quite so timid. Even while you pass, the roots are burrowing into the dead Falanx with evident gusto, slowly growing red and pulsing as they suck out all of the dead rodents' goodness.


Male Griffon Skald 1 | HP 6/9 | AC: 14 T: 11 Fl: 14 | CMB: +3 CMD: 14 | F +3 R +1 W +2 | Init +1 | Perc: +4
Daily Abilities:
1st-level spells 2/2 | Raging Song 6/6

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Grimdell notes the collars with disdain. "Pets..." he squawks, almost spitting the word.

He considers eating the Falanx, but isn't really hungry enough to get left behind just for a few bites of rat meat. Instead he trots over to Keska.

"Hold still," he commands, then pries the Falanx head off of her with his talons. He then croons a soft, low song, and touches a talon to her wound.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"Now we go," he screeches. He picks up the Falanx head, pops it in his beak, and gulps it down, then takes off to resume his watch above the wagon.


N Male Elf Druid 1 | HP 4/9 | AC 15 (12 Touch, 13 Flat-footed) | CMB +1, CMD 13 | Fort. +4, Ref. +2, Will +4 | Init. +2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 2+1/2+1, | Active conditions: +2 Atk/Dmg

"What the hell? Somebody trained these fleabags? And sent them after us? Well, that's not comforting news. Either we got some prepared bandits, or we're intruding on somebody's land. Either way, keep your eyes open, people."

Virro starts carving up one of the slightly less malnourished rats, getting at what meat he can.
"Food is food, especially in this world."
He doesn't spend long doing it, seeing that Dageau is already heading out. He carves up a sizeable chunk of whatever he can, and quickly hustles to catch up with the group.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Virro shudders in disgust as the roots begin to dig into the rodents.

"Just not right... "


Male half-Umbral Dragon Human Wizard(Exploiter/Pact)/Alchemist(Mindchemist/Internal) 4 HP: 59[+12 temp]/59 Saves: 12/10/8 AC: 24/16/20 CMD: 24 Initiative: +10 Perception: +9 AR: 5/7

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Fascinating... Serill hits one of the roots with his quarterstaff, wondering if it will let go of the rodent or hold on stubbornly.

"To my eyes at least, you have proved deserving of that blade," he says to lord Brycen.


AC: 17/12/15; CMD: 16; Init: +4; F/R/W: +3/+2/+0 (+2 vs enchantments); Perc: +2, SM +0; low-light vision; Max HP: 13, Current HP: 13

”We didn’t realize we needed to prove deserving of anything of ours, but we suppose the compliment is appreciated.” He wipes the blade clean on an unblocked portion of rat flank.

”This was a ceremonial blade, a toy, a decoration, but it amused us to learn its traditional use, never realizing we would need it to survive one day. This world has changed so much since we went to sleep.”


Female Fetchling Medium/1

Kesksa nods appreciatively as Grimdell uses their healing magic on her, rolling her neck and feeling the new flesh with her fingers, thanks for that. I wonder who could have trained these things... and what the V stands for... she muses a bit to herself as the caravan moves through the "forest," ignorant to the nature acting as it does while she considers what this chance encounter may mean.


AC: 17/12/15; CMD: 16; Init: +4; F/R/W: +3/+2/+0 (+2 vs enchantments); Perc: +2, SM +0; low-light vision; Max HP: 13, Current HP: 13

”Just because they were pets at one point does not mean they still are. They could just as easily have been abandoned long ago. However, if someone did want to murder us and make it look like wild beasts tore us apart, trained animals would be a good way to do it.”


Male DM DM 10

DM Zone:
f1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11. 1d3 ⇒ 21d3 ⇒ 31d3 ⇒ 2

Grimdell:
Oooh.... The head - including the teeth - was not the best piece of the rat to eat. You've just contracted a case of filth fever. Onset in three days, for two Dex. damage and 2 Con. damage.

T-3

"Make sure to boil that stuff good before eating it," Dageau says to Virro in an offhanded way. "These may be bigger than the squeakers you get in sewers and trash yards, but they're still rodents. They thrive on filth, and they carry disease more often than not."

The root Serill hit with his quarterstaff recoils -- then feints at him, as if to drive him away from the fresh meat before it burrows in again with vigour.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

You move on. For a time, the green canopy of the parasol trees retreated into the earth ahead and around you. You found yourselves worrying that the giant organism was now very aware of your presence, given that you did not have to smack a single bole nor bruise a single leaf to get it to move out of your way. You felt even more concerned with the fact that the parasol trees rose right back up from earth you had just cleared.

You might have wished for greater speed, except you did need to navigate the holes that the 'trees' sunk into and back out of, and more than once you had to push the cart free when its wheels got stuck in one of the holes. By the time you reached the Old Road, you felt considerable hatred for that cart and its one squeaking wheel.
You also felt great relief when your feet - and the wheels - were upon the road. More ancient than Theviss by far, the Old Road had been here as long as anyone could remember, its impossibly smooth, pale stones fit seamlessly together. More important than the road's progeny, however, is the fact that Dageau says the Old Road is a fast way to get beyond the canopy forest. And even more importantly, the canopy forest has not overgrown the thing.

"We should be able to get beyond the edge before sundown," Dageau says from his perch, as he calmly brushes down the feathers on his neck. "Keep alert, though! These badlands are full of nasty surprises."

And so they are. Moving further along the road, you do enjoy being able to just move, without having to quarrel with the forest. What you do not enjoy, is the way the forest has grown right up to the edge of the road. From time to time, a tremor of motion passes through the whole forest, starting on one side of the Old Road and continuing on the other. It vividly reminds you of the fact that these are all just parts of one giant organism located underground .... under the road .... underfoot.

When you finally see the forest starts to peter out around you, you feel a profound relief. Here, the land is covered in red grass and the occasional shrub. A dark line on the far horizon might be another forest, or maybe a hill ridge. You'll find out when you get there.
But you have spent a long time marching, and the sun is edging towards night, its surface flickering and writhing as it quivers. Darkness is creeping in from the east, and you need to start looking for a place to rest.

Looking ahead, you can still see the Old Road's pale stones in the gathering gloom.
To its right, an old house stands in the middle distance, incongruous in these badlands, but looking to be in decent repair. You could probably reach it in an hour of easy marching and see if anyone inside wants to offer you hospitality.
To the Old Road's left, in the far distance, you see a circle of grim monoliths. It's a stone circle, old as cities, older than the mountains that were. You could probably reach it in two hours of hard marching, and it is quite defensible.

Knowledge (religion) DC10:
Such stone circles are almost always holy or unholy ground, dedicated to Vexat, goddess of magic.
Knowledge (arcana) DC 10:
Such stone circles are almost always wrapped in some arcane phnenomenon, like localized spellblights or areas of wild magic.

Or you could decide to just camp by the road, if you dare. You never know, you might survive.


Male Griffon Skald 1 | HP 6/9 | AC: 14 T: 11 Fl: 14 | CMB: +3 CMD: 14 | F +3 R +1 W +2 | Init +1 | Perc: +4
Daily Abilities:
1st-level spells 2/2 | Raging Song 6/6

Yeah, I figured that was ill-considered, but it seems likely that Grimdell is used to rather dubious food given the state of the world and the land his pride hunts. And the fact that griffons probably don't cook food. :D


Male Old Tiefling Wizard 1

Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

The old tiefling patted down his beard while making aounds of contemplation. "Hmm... An arcane circle of stone. I've read about those in the past. Dedicated to Vexat our goddess of magic, either in the good in her name or the bad. I would love a chance to study it if I could, but the local phenomena could prove deadly. Spell blights, wild magic, or perhaps something else. We should probably avoid it for now."


Male DM DM 10
Menra Nabra wrote:
Dedicated to Vexat our goddess of magic, either in the good in her name or the bad.

That's a delightfully poetic way to put it! ^_^


Male Griffon Skald 1 | HP 6/9 | AC: 14 T: 11 Fl: 14 | CMB: +3 CMD: 14 | F +3 R +1 W +2 | Init +1 | Perc: +4
Daily Abilities:
1st-level spells 2/2 | Raging Song 6/6

"I hate your human nests, with their small doors and walls on every side," Grimdell calls down from above, "But they are better than no nest at all. But who would lair alone in a place like this? They must be mighty warriors!"


Male Old Tiefling Wizard 1

Menra smiles at the Griffin. "Believe me, I'm well acquainted with their 'small doors'"


Male half-Umbral Dragon Human Wizard(Exploiter/Pact)/Alchemist(Mindchemist/Internal) 4 HP: 59[+12 temp]/59 Saves: 12/10/8 AC: 24/16/20 CMD: 24 Initiative: +10 Perception: +9 AR: 5/7

He flinches as the root comes at him. "It's a good thing this plant organism isn't aggressive. We might have a much tougher time getting through."

Knowledge(nature) to know about filth fever: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Griffon's must have tough stomachs... He thinks to himself.

Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"I agree with the Tiefling. The circle could be dangerous and if we get close enough to investigate we might be in the dark if we decide not to stay." He looks at the merchant. "Perhaps the occupants of the house could be convinced to allow us to stay. Call it a... travel expense."


N Male Elf Druid 1 | HP 4/9 | AC 15 (12 Touch, 13 Flat-footed) | CMB +1, CMD 13 | Fort. +4, Ref. +2, Will +4 | Init. +2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 2+1/2+1, | Active conditions: +2 Atk/Dmg

"Yeah. Building sounds much nicer than random magical death. I mean, if something really large wants to eat us, at the very least it'll have to spend some time tearing through the walls."


Female Fetchling Medium/1

Could be interesting for me too... Keska mumbles, wondering what sort of stories could be told by those old walls... I vote we stay in there for the night, if this is a democracy and not an autocracy.


AC: 17/12/15; CMD: 16; Init: +4; F/R/W: +3/+2/+0 (+2 vs enchantments); Perc: +2, SM +0; low-light vision; Max HP: 13, Current HP: 13

”The building it is, then.”


Male DM DM 10

Dageau makes no objection to trying to find a place to stay at the house, and so you move out.

Sunset is upon the land by the time you reach the house.
Up close, you can see the building is in a state of some disrepair. Had it not been built to last, it would probably be a ruin. As matters stand, the place is standing, but whatever beauty it once possessed is gone.

"Well?" Dageau caws. "Hurry up and knock!"

Regardless whoever is first to knock, the result is the same; no one opens the door and no one calls out from inside. When tried, the door proves to be open. As you cautiously venture inside, you find the house to have lasting traces of grandeur on the inside, but it is grandeur that is covered by layers of dust and cobwebs. The house is cold, and could do with a fire or three to warm up.

You find all the means to build a fire in the main parlour, there are four bedrooms and a bathroom with a porcelain tub on the first floor, and there is a kitchen on the ground floor. A quick check of the pantry brings to light the nigh-fossilized remains of uneaten food and a mouse so long dead that it is practically mummified.

"If we're staying," Dageau says as he marches into the parlour, hauling his precious box of merchandise, and parks himself in a grandfather chair right in front of the hearth, "then someone go put my camels in the stable and get a fire going, then get started on dinner. Spit-spot!"

It is obvious the Tengu is not going to help you with any of these chores.


Male Griffon Skald 1 | HP 6/9 | AC: 14 T: 11 Fl: 14 | CMB: +3 CMD: 14 | F +3 R +1 W +2 | Init +1 | Perc: +4
Daily Abilities:
1st-level spells 2/2 | Raging Song 6/6

Grimdell, not wanting to be inside walls until he has to, flies up onto the roof and finds a good place to perch until dark.


Male half-Umbral Dragon Human Wizard(Exploiter/Pact)/Alchemist(Mindchemist/Internal) 4 HP: 59[+12 temp]/59 Saves: 12/10/8 AC: 24/16/20 CMD: 24 Initiative: +10 Perception: +9 AR: 5/7

The great wizard of Elamaer is now bodyguard to a self important merchant... Who does he think he is? Memories of times he used to order around the servants of his tower as if they were nothing came back to him. Maybe this was his place now as punishment for his mistakes.

"Right away," he says and goes to lead the camels to the stable. He had no idea how to make animals comfortable but he hoped they were used to a harder life.


Male DM DM 10

Serill:
As you walk out of the house and toward the stables, you see the circle of stones, sharply outlined against the last glowing line on the horizon. It is quite the arresting sight - and you feel a subtle vibration coming from your pack.


Male half-Umbral Dragon Human Wizard(Exploiter/Pact)/Alchemist(Mindchemist/Internal) 4 HP: 59[+12 temp]/59 Saves: 12/10/8 AC: 24/16/20 CMD: 24 Initiative: +10 Perception: +9 AR: 5/7

DM:

Serill stands there for a minute taking in the stones. "Who built you and why... perhaps we may be able to investigate tomorrow. Doubtless your true purpose is lost to history though." As he feels a vibration coming from his back he frowns. That shouldn't be happening. He takes his pack off his back and opens it up to find the source of the vibration...

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