At about the 1-hour mark:
Allriden, how boud a liddel bid o drinkin do pass de dime? Ye sharin' Pade? I hab a flask, 'ere.
Hal and the Sexy Spies:
"Excellent idea Jason! Who wants to volunteer for this invisible fly over? I know I asked Thalia but I certainly don't want anyone doing something so potentially dangerous unless they wish to". ** spoiler omitted **
Moonpate and the Killer Kampers:
OOC:
An hour does indeed pass.
A beetle passes by and takes a swig from Moonpate's bottle, mutters something about splitting up the party, and wanders off.
** spoiler omitted **
Hal and the Sexy Spies:
** spoiler omitted **
"One moment Gandel. I want to be able to see you before I cast this spell." He says with a grin.
"No altus.", Jason touches Gandel as he finishes his incantation.
"Don't take too long...we'll be waiting..."
At about the 1-hour mark:
Allriden, how boud a liddel bid o drinkin do pass de dime? Ye sharin' Pade? I hab a flask, 'ere.
"I, of course, always have several bottles of various spirits for sharing amongst comrades. They will certainly help pass the time."
"Excellent idea Jason! Who wants to volunteer for this invisible fly over? I know I asked Thalia but I certainly don't want anyone doing something so potentially dangerous unless they wish to".
"I'll do it," Gandel volunteers.
"One moment Gandel. I want to be able to see you before I cast this spell." He says with a grin.
"No altus.", Jason touches Gandel as he finishes his incantation.
"Don't take too long...we'll be waiting..."
"Alright. Back in a flash!" Gandel whispers as he casts a spell to render himself invisible before beginning his aerial reconnaissance mission.
"Alright. Back in a flash!" Gandel whispers as he casts a spell to render himself invisible before beginning his aerial reconnaissance mission.
The halfling's transparent form launches from the dune and a moment later even his outline is impossible to detect as it meets the starry night sky. Gandel then flies in an arc, executing a quick loop around the area where the sentry was last spotted.
Below him, he sees low lying valley nestled between a ring of higher dunes. In the center is an extinguished camp fire, composed of just a few smallish pieces of sun-bleached wood.
There are many camels here – possibly as many as 20. There are only half as many men.
The men are human, (Garundi or Keleshite – typical Osirians) most curled under their blankets, fast asleep under the moonlight. They don’t appear to be assassins or even adventurers – more like unassuming desert travelers.
The sentry looks a bit more like a wizened veteran, however. He has a shortsword. It’s in a sheathe but his hand never strays too far from it. He does not though, appear to react to Gandel's flyover in any way.
Forming a ring around the camp is a circle of bundled supplies – mostly huge balls covered in canvass, fastened with rope or twine. There are a great deal many such packages. When this group travels, their camels must be loaded to the gills.
If Gandel had to guess, he thinks he might be looking at night-stop of a transport/delivery caravan.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch:
As Moonpate, Donkor and Karek "sample" Moonpate's fast dwindling supply of alcohol, Moonpate suddenly receives another surprise visitation.
Once again it is a diminutive genie-kin, only this time the creature is a Fruhgen (Froo-jen), a forthy composite of both air and water. The effervescent creature bubbles up right out of the mouth of Moonpate's liquor bottle. The Fruhgen is little more than a foot or two in height and seems quite comfortable balancing on the lip of the Potentate's most expensive liquor, once the wizard politely sets it down in the sand between the three of you.
The creature begins chattering away as though he and Moonpate have known each other for a long time. Moonpate, however, is struggling to remember if he has ever actually met this particular genie-kin before, certainly he can't recall its name.
At first the creature is speaking in a mishmash of Auran and Auquan, but once it realizes Moonpate has guests it gradually lapses into Taldan (common).
At the start of its diatribe it appears to be relaying idle gossip from some far-flung aquatic city located in another plane of existence, but it eventually settles down.
Before Moonpate can coral the creature into discussing anything useful, the creature suddenly excitedly challenges the three of you to answer its favorite "human" riddle:
The Fruhgen looks to each of you with the anticipation of a small child. . .
"They may be a supply caravan for Khymrasa," he theorizes. "Might be a good idea to follow them tomorrow if they seem to be headed in the same direction as us."
"Well done Gandel," admits Thalia.
"Might be a good idea to follow them tomorrow if they seem to be headed in the same direction as us."
"That many camels should be easy to track."
The old dwarf appears to ease up quite a bit at Gandel's news, but he still doesn't take his bead off of the sentry.
"So how d'ya want to play this then? We all head back and track em in the morn?" he asks, "Or d'ya want to leave some of us here to eyeball em and follow them as they head out?"
He then settle back to enjoy more of these antics.
I have an idea but I am not sure that Hals alignment will allow him to suggest it. What if we summon a creature to attack the supply caravan and then "rescue" the caravan and offer to escort them to their final destination? It may not necessarily be going to the dig but it seems likely that they are. Let me know if Hal can suggest it without alignment issues. Thanks Beetle!
First: cool idea.
Second: kudos for considering there's an alignment issue. I see what you are saying. A deception is a little more 'neutral' or perhaps chaotic than lawful good and Angradd certainly teaches the straightforward approach to things.
Still, I would allow Halstadt to suggest it and, if the party goes with it, to participate in it. He wouldn't want persons who have never bothered him to get hurt, but if it favors his end goal, there's some leeway there. He's not paladin and he should have some flexibility. And I believe the higher-ups at this temple have stressed the importance of Hal successfully completing this particular quest.
The devils might prove to be in the details, but so far so good.
P.S. And here I was going to say I've never before seen a mission to reconnoiter ever actually stay just a mission to reconnoiter. . .
Donkor lets out a happy little laugh. "Oh, what a wonderful little simple riddle, my friend. You are wind!"
The Fruhgen sprays itself upward as though it were a fountain and then slowly floats back down towards the bottle top as though it were a feather drifting on air. It claps excitedly when it sees that the skinny human is much more clever than his slow-witted appearance would suggest.
"Ah! but my name has changed again!" it burbles. "Your primitive language gives rise to all sorts of fun."
I'll let somebody else have a chance to answer this one. No point monopolizing the riddle game just because I've got an hour to kill on a Sunday morning. :) However I hate to give up another potential xp bonus, mad power-hungry munchkin gamer that I am. Ah well, I'll sacrifice this time. :)
I see - so what you're saying is you couldn't get this one, eh? (Shoot me an email with the answer show-off!)
Besides, how do you know Moonpate didn't give the inexperienced Donkor some bad booze and he's now hallucinating this whole thing. He might be the only one able to answer the riddles, cause he's the only one hearing them.
While the three others have been drinking, Hurgah has been keeping watch, sitting silently outside the light of the fire, his orc-eyes scanning the dunes. As such, everyone are taken somewhat by surprise when his rumbling voice is suddenly heard from the darkness.
"Tiny bubble-spirit must have been soaking too long in Moonpate's bottle. Answer is "Bow". Even camels would guess that one. But of course, perhaps bubble-spirit makes riddle even dwarf has chance to answer. " You detect something odd in Hurgah's voice. Could it be...humor?
"Tiny bubble-spirit must have been soaking too long in Moonpate's bottle. Answer is "Bow". Even camels would guess that one. But of course, perhaps bubble-spirit makes riddle even dwarf has chance to answer. "
At Hurgah's rumble, the frugen shrieks and disappears down the neck of the Potentate's bottle.
Sometime passes and then the top part of the creature's frothing head emerges. In a timid whisper it offers yet another variation on the now familiar refrain:
Karek, whose manner doesn't seem to have changed over the numerous drinks, save that he has become somewhat less reserved with the cleric and the wizard, watches with fascination as the creature poses his riddles.
Then Hurgah puts him on the spot. Karek grins in good humor, finding it odd that his lot is to watch the spellcasters.
Keeb yer close on, Hurgah, and hab a swig. Ei'll dake disun. My grasb of dis language is nod sdrong, bud I noe a veasd when I habem. Yer a buvvay.
"I have an idea. What if we summon a creature to attack the supply caravan and then "rescue" the caravan and offer to escort them to their final destination? It would be a reasonable way into the dig site. They may not necessarily be going to the dig but it seems likely that they are. It may be better to do so in the morning when we have the full use of our allies and their abilities. I am thinking large desert scorpions would be believable. Thoughts?"
Thalia smiles, "A ruse then - I didn't know you had it in you dwarf."
Then the half-elf glances at the moon's position in the sky. "If we're to make our two hour deadline, we need to be away from here soon - or at least send someone back to update the others."
"Keeb yer close on, Hurgah, and hab a swig. Ei'll dake disun. My grasb of dis language is nod sdrong, bud I noe a veasd when I habem. Yer a buvvay."
With Karek's answer, the Frugen pops itself back out of Moonpate's bottle, dripping valuable booze on to the sand (assuming anyone was willing to drink from it anyways, after that).
"Moonpate! Your unarcaned friends are much smarter than they appear. Is it true that the camels can answer riddles too?"
Suddenly the Frugen becomes distracted when it spots Donkor's canteen hanging from his hip.
"There it is!" it exclaims. "That's the Gateway of Cascades from the High Quarters in A'Viss. I always wanted to see what it looked like from the all-parts side."
The creature floats over to Donkor's canteen and leans in to look at it. But it does not touch it, as though it were a delicate artifact in a museum or an item of religious worship. The canteen, however, looks rather unremarkable, save for scratches and dents.
"Although we'd have to come up with a reason to explain why a group our size happens to be out here in the desert. Hmm... I suppose it wouldn't be too implausible to say that we're heading towards the ruins of Tumen - that would even fit with Master Moonpate's story about researching gen and elemental activity. Contemporary Osirionologists speculate that the city relied upon pure water drawn via portals from the elemental planes, since it was located so far from the River Sphinx or any other sources of fresh water."
"Let's get back to Moonpate and the others. I'm sure we can come up with something good before morning."
Knowledge:Planes
Donkor continues watching the little being, amused, then looks up into the sky expecting a large steel bird for some reason.
Donkor doesn't actually carry a canteen, deeming it a bit senseless with his decanter of endless water...is that what the thing is ogling?
Ha! Yes it is.
You are quite right. It's decanter of endless water not canteen of endless water. That changes a couple minor details in my prior post:
- the decanter is not scratched or dented, it is likely a fine crystal or at least glassware. As long as that blasted thing has a lid or a stopper, I'm happy.
- Where would Donkor keep it? It doesn't sound like an item he would have on his hip then. Though perhaps he might - even though it looks fragile, it's not necessarily - it's magic. If it was in his pack, it appears the frugen just started digging through his haversack - I guess it's handy for him too.
Yup, the thing would be in his handy haversack most of the time. Although he has let the party see it, he doesn't generally want people knowing about it. In the desert, I suspect the value of this already awesome item increases exponentially. But maybe not in a world where clerics get a create water orison as many times as they want in a day. :)
The Frugen gingerly places the decanter back into Soroon’s pack. It then lapses back into its native speech. It has a few more excited words for Moonpate after which it vanishes back into the wine bottle one last time - a strange gurgling noise echoes from the bottle's mouth and then all is quiet. Karek, Donkor and Moonpate are left staring at the half-empty wine bottle, sitting in the sand.
It has been an unusual evening so far.
"Let's get back to Moonpate and the others. I'm sure we can come up with something good before morning."
After a final survey through his squinting eyes, Breach slides back down from the dune he was lying upon. He quietly re-packs his crossbow and then picks up his axe and shield.
“Good then. Lead away, Thalia.”
The scouting party quickly winds its way back through the moonlight, headed for their camp. Once they put a quarter-mile behind them, Thalia increases the pace, periodically breaking out into a light jog. Occasionally she surfaces atop a larger dune to check to see if there are any signs that they are being followed. Satisfied, she heads back to low ground, relying more on her ears than her eyes.
Approximately an hour later the scouts return to camp. There is a brief exchange of greetings and smiles.
- For those who succeed on a DC 8 Sense Motive – automatic for the Killer Kampers:Karek, Donkor and Moonpate all seem happier than normal, the source of which could be related to the wine bottles in the sand.
- Hal, Jason, Gandel, Thalia and Breach relate the findings of their successful reconnoitre – I can usually count on Gandel and Hal for that. Killer Kampers may now read the Sexy Scout spoiler tags. Feel free though to relate it “IC” if anyone's PC is inclined as well as to discuss any ramifications. If anyone has any further business this evening, you’ll need to sneak it in now.
- We’re halfway through the first watch.
- Anyone looking to re-jig their spells can do so now – I understand there may be some summoning tomorrow. Dennis, I’ve got Hal spellcasting divination in the morning so please reserve a slot for that.
"It appears that the camp belongs to a caravan bringing goods to the dig site. I had an idea I think will work and the others agreed so we came back to discuss with the rest of you. What if we summon a creature to attack the supply caravan and then "rescue" the caravan and offer to escort them to their final destination? They would of course then welcome our help for saving them from dangers in the desert. Not sure why we would be out here. Gandel had an idea but I truthfully don;t remember what it was, too many factions and what not involved for me to pick it up. I am thinking large desert scorpions would be a believable threat. Anyone disagree with this idea?"
Sense Motive
With Karek's answer, the Frugen pops itself back out of Moonpate's bottle, dripping valuable booze on to the sand (assuming anyone was willing to drink from it anyways, after that).
"Moonpate! Your unarcaned friends are much smarter than they appear. Is it true that the camels can answer riddles too?"
"Ahh, little friend of the noble elements. You have been most kind to grace us with your wit and presence on this lonely night. Your friendship this evening is most appreciated and we hope to see you again and hear more tales and riddles ."
Diplomacy Roll:
Knowledge (Planes):
It actually was just for fun - and my usual effort to mess with the players. As our lone sentry, I thought I would see if Hurgah would be alert enough to detect the scouts coming back into the camp - assuming they returned with stealth. I have further assumed they were moving at full speed, taking a -5 penalty. I have not given them a bonus for the darkness or the dune cover as eventually they will fall right into his darkvision, but if Hurgah beasts their Stealth score by more than 6, we can further assume the half-orc hears or sees them even before they actually fall within his darkvision.
Here we go:
Hurgah vs Everyone (or at least our scouts)
It looks like he hears Jason and Thalia talking softly to one another when they are well over 100 feet out. This puts him in position so that he then detects the dwarves as soon as they fall within the range of his sharper eyesight. Gandel, however, is so small, Hurgah overlooks the little guy until he's already inside Moonplot kitchen slurping up the last of the leftover gruel.
Conclusion: Hurgah's a pretty solid sentry for a guy who has yet to invest a skill point.
Cool!
I am thinking large desert scorpions would be a believable threat. . ."
OOC: Just a comment from the peanut gallery in case it assists. It takes a summon monster IV to get a large scorpion these days (summoning inflation). It's within your skill level, but you are probably looking at multiple castings or multiple casters.
Also, a minor detail for the clerics and arcane casters, the damned thing always comes up celestial. Probably not something your average camel Sherpa would notice, but a detail nonetheless.
"Ahh, little friend of the noble elements. You have been most kind to grace us with your wit and presence on this lonely night. Your friendship this evening is most appreciated and we hope to see you again and hear more tales and riddles ."Diplomacy Roll: 1d20+8 = 16
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20+14 = 25
The Frugen left pretty happy - so no worries there. Your brilliant colleagues were pretty helpful with that. Though unfortunately, nobody caught the creature's name.
Nice Knowledge roll. That result is more than enough to access the spoiler and then some - this stuff is right up the Potentate's lane.
Moving forward:
All of which to say is that it's a rather typical evening.
Karek delights in making sure the camp, or "kamp", once again passes Breach's muster. After their earlier diversion, he seems to better appreciate the company of the three kampers. He settles into whichever watch he is needed, occasionally shaking his head and muttering, reliving the visit from the bizarre creature.
As Karek settles in to go to sleep in the darker part of the camp, a small creature peeks out of his backpack. Karek feeds a portion of trail rations to the weasel, and speaks to it soothingly in a low, rumbling voice filled with the heart of the earth. If you don't recognize it as Terran, you might very well mistake it for Karek snoring himself, though he is evidently still awake.
Karek reclines back, wistfully staring in a northerly direction before fading off into a light sleep.
A sighting of Bunky!!
As the party awakens and muddles through the gradually establishing routine of breaking camp, there is a heightened sense of tension. If all goes well, last night will have been the last encampment - today you should reach the dig site.
I have to say, normally when Hal casts divination spells he simply finds Angradd just encourages him to kill the nearest force of evil with all due haste - he's not big on preparation - though he certainly does try to guide his followers on the right path.
Though perhaps now that morning has arrived, Hal discovers that on this day Angradd's manifestation is more inclined to speak in pictures.
I've left the above link open to all on account of Denis' prior indication that Hal will share his revelations with the group, but Morgrym is the only one who actually sees the vision - the rest of you just have the dwarven priest's description of it.
(The pictures work better if you hit slide show button in the left-hand corner to get a better size with the black background.)
Also, Dennis, when you get a chance, Hal has the option of attempting a DC 20 Spellcraft check.
Halstadt wakes and prays then casts his Divination.
He sits back and reflects on what he has seen.
Spellcraft
Knowledge History
Knowledge Religion
OOC: Feel free to go ahead and have Hal interpret away - the above checks do not yield anything for him, at least at this point.
Sorry for the delay. A couple points made by Donkor:
"Although I think that the idea of the mock attack might have merit, it almost seems more complex than it needs to be. Since we have to think up a good reason for being here anyway, could we not simply meet with them and offer to travel with them?"
"And possibly the best route; what if we were to," he hesitate, sizing up the group with him... "incapacitate these people, and just take their goods and continue onward. We will then have everything that we need to make a very convincing show of it at the dig site."
I won't comment on Hal's visions until he's officially discussed them with us.
Sorry for the delay. A couple points made by Donkor:
"Although I think that the idea of the mock attack might have merit, it almost seems more complex than it needs to be. Since we have to think up a good reason for being here anyway, could we not simply meet with them and offer to travel with them?"
"And possibly the best route; what if we were to," he hesitate, sizing up the group with him... "incapacitate these people, and just take their goods and continue onward. We will then have everything that we need to make a very convincing show of it at the dig site."
I won't comment on Hal's visions until he's officially discussed them with us.
"Agreed Donkor. There is always the chance that someone in that caravan could get hurt too. I know you big fellas could smash those things with ease, but the caravan people might do something unexpected."