GM Sethran- Gameday V Silverhex Chronicles (Inactive)

Game Master Sethran

Lice and other pests are not unknown in inns and such...most come from travelers' horses...some come from the travelers themselves. Nasty stuff... Patros says as he fishes out a few coppers for his night's lodging.

We should be off first thing in the morning. But sleep light...I don't like this area...gives me the creeps.

Taking your coin, the Inkeeper busies herself fetching drinks and stew for a moment before serving you all at one of the sturdy oak tables in the common room, though shabby the fire is warm and inviting and the food is decent. She thinks over Haska's question for a moment.

"Oh them, no just a collection by the Inn's House Spirit, they are friendly enough but likes to keep a collection." she speaks with an almost cheery air, clearly unbothered by it. "You know, I can't remember the names origin any longer, twas my Husband's Grandad's place you see, passed down. So what brings you out to the Veil?"

Just to be clear- you know Cannibal's Grove is in the forest somewhere, but you have no idea where it is. The restless bear is on the outskirts..

"This is a quality establishment you have here, miss." Aleric shmoozes, being as much of a charmer as he can. "And run so efficiently too! I'd bet you hear all kinds of things from people passing through the area. Would you have heard of some of the places in the nearby forest? We're in search of a particular landmark, but haven't the foggiest where it actually is."

He gestures to his comrades with a sigh. "We might be lost without some help. Could you tell us where this 'Cannibals Grove' place is? Sounds ominous. Is there any history behind it?"

"Aleric, she may be reluctant to talk about unpleasant topics. You may need to sneak up on the subject so to speak...or provide incentive." "But this is not my specialty." "Prehaps our religious brethren could offer a prayer or we could do some other favor for her?"

Busy tucking into the stew inkeep, This is ... Fantastic ... Ah yes, as my young friend suggests we have reached the limit, or at least I have ... Brains not what it used to be, is there cumin in this stew? What was I saying? Oh yes, I have reached the limit of my knowledge of the area. A good lady such as yourself wouldn't happen to know where we can find Cannibal Grove by any chance? Need to see a man about a dragon.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Oh yeah! I'll buy the inn while I'm at it

Oh and two final questions Speaking of cannibals What meat is this in the stew? And did you say the inn has a house spirit?

The woman looks at the charming Varisian, she makes a sign of warding when Aleric mentions the grove and there is a look of genuine fright in her eyes.

“I’m not keen ta put my own soul in peril, steerin’ yas to such unhallowed spots." The old woman says eventually, her eyes alight at Haska's mention of 'incentives' greed momentarily overtaking her fear.

You will need a Diplomacy or Intimidate check to persuade her to reveal

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"Look. Do we look like we really care about your local superstitions? We can handle ourselves. Worst case scenario, you don't see us again. Best case, we cleanse an 'unhallowed' spot."

Sven tries to channel the berserker fury of his ancestors, but he's tired. It's been a long day.

Khismia sighs at Sven's outburst, then returns to eating her stew by the fire. Ugh, don't upset the innkeeper, please. I will not sleep outside in this miserable weather.

"Ma'am, I am sorry that our destination is not the most inviting of places. But we do need to get there. It is very important." "Simple directions or the name of someone who can give them would be great."

Diplomacy for information: 1d20 ⇒ 19

I missed that Marius already made a diplomacy roll. Can Haska's diplomacy check just aid his instead?

diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 7

I dont succeed at aiding the check either. Sorry guys.

-Posted with Wayfinder

It would appear Marius and I posted at the same time so i had missed it, aiding is fine ^^

The old Innkeep smiles slightly at Marius' paid compliments and seems to visibly calm down, sitting down on an empty chair, she sighs deeply before answering your queries.

"Ain't no Dragons round 'ere sir, Cannibal's Grove 'Twas where the old Famished Shaman worked his blasphemies. A dangerous and rightly feared place, I’ll not speak his true name; the dead rest ill. Famished Shaman was a druid, Spent so much time as a beast, he lost his soul to hungerin’ for flesh.”

She then looks at Matius puzzled, as if realising he had asked her mundane questions along with the unnatural.

"The meat today is Venison, local hunter brings his wares over once in a while. Yeah, many Ustalav places have house spirits, this one is thankfully harmless, just a collector."

I would love a nice chunk of venison...or a stew...either works for me..I'm not picky. And a mug of ale, please. Patros says as he fishes out a few coins for his meal.

And you said the spirit is a collector? I offer a silver coin fro Taldan, my homeland. The spirit isn't likely to have any of those...

"And how can we find this grove? Is there a path or such?" Haska pulls out a silver coin. "This coin might be forgotten here if I could busy my mind planning a trip to Cannibal's grove, but if not I might remember to pick it up.

Khismia raises an eyebrow at the idea of a cannibal druid. "Hmm, a mad druid would be quite dangerous, we will be certain to take care in such a forest."

The old woman waves her hands, not wishing to take your money, though if you wish to leave it for the House Spirit she will not stop you. With a acare the landlady stands up and busies herself behind the bar for a moment before bringing out a battered scroll case. Inside is a map of the forest, with a clear mark to Cannibal's Grove.

"They say Erastil made the Famished Shaman a bear— prey for hunters. My husband usta tell folks that head on the pole outside was the selfsame bear, but it were bad for business.”

The Innkeep informs you as she shows you to your rooms, which are, as promised, clean and lice free. After a good nights rest and a hearty breakfast of leftover stew, you gather your gear and head out. You silver pieces, of left, are still there in the morning.

Stepping out into the brisk and misty morning you consult the map before setting off towards Cannibal's Grove.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
"Well, that was actually a nice bed" Aleric comments on the inn, scratching at his stubbly chin. "Ah, well best be on our way then."

perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Khismia spends a few hours in the morning reading her spellbook and practicing a few forms with her estoc.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
I'll keep daze, flare, and blade lash prepped.
Estoc Practice, DC 15: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12, of course the day I roll high on that we don't get into a fight. Oh well, the goal is to keep my weapon intact and in hand, and if we don't fight anything obviously I succeeded in that.

Patros points out the missing bear head.

What do you guys make of that?

"Mischievous children? Or perhaps this house spirit?" Khismia shrugs, some mangy stuffed head is hardly something to worry over.

"Very odd." Haska has extracts of shield and CLW prepared and a dex mutagen. Very odd indeed."

You travel deeper into the forest for around a mile, the map indicatea you are close to your destination and you look up to see a clearig ahead. A pervading mist swirls around the place here and the forest around it, severely reducing visibility and unsettling noises echo throughout Cannibal's grove.

Crimson thistles have overtaken this clearing, punctuated by a ring of mossy standing stones. In the center, a neglected stone slab bears ancient stains and gouges.

Unlike most Spoilers, you can only react to the information if you pass the check, otherwise you notice nothing out of the ordinary ^^

The mist is thick here, any creature more than 5 feet away have concealment

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Hold....I smell fresh meat....something was just killed....

"Hmm, what are you talking about? I can't smell anything with all this mist around." Khismia shivers, "I hope the next item is in Qadira, or Rahadoum, or Osirion, any where warmer than this would do."

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"I don't smelling anything either.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"Hold on, I smell it too." Aleric replies, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. "I've got a bad feeling about this... Keep your eyes peeled, I think we're not alone."

Really sorry I haven't posted in a few days, life's been a bit hectic on my end. I'm here now though!

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Hmm. I wonder if it's just the venison from last night? I don't smell anything."

Noo worries, life in all it's forms, good and bad come first!

Whether you can smell the aroma of raw meat on the air or not, from standing outside the Stones of Cannibal's grove you can see nothing of interest. The treasure you seek is buried somewhere in the grove, but you have no clues as to where to start your digging.

"Did anyone even bring a shovel?" Khismia asks.

Do we have the exact wording of the journal? Maybe it has a pun or somwhthing to help us find the location to dig.

"Perhaps if we look over the grove perimeter for likely landmarks or good hiding spots maybe its location will be more apparent. Visibility being limited and all..." "Wait, who has Ulisha's journal perhaps the location is encoded in the wording."

From the introductory post journal entry "The journal says Ulisha hide the item in a stream bed under some rocks near Cannible's groove." " Does anyone hear running water?"

Aleric will walk the perimeter of the grove, his ears and eyes straining to spot clues.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

-Posted with Wayfinder

If we don't hear water, look for animal tracks....they will always lead to water... perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

The place echoes strangely and and mist around does not help but Patros believes he can hear running water to the east, though he cannot see such a thing. Aleric patrols the standing stones, unable to see a great deal ahead he can smell the atench of raw meat ever stronger now, coming from the centre of the grove.

We now have a second slide on the map above, which is for this quest. As you can see on the map there is a stream to the right and the grove to your left.

Let's go to the stream, then come back to deal with whatever this is...

Patros heads off to the east where he hears the water, blade out and at the ready.

"Excellent plan, lead on!" Weapons drawn, Sabretache follows Patros.

Stalking slowly through the thick mist, Patros leads to the sound of rushing water. You spy a stream ahead, which at one point flows around a rocky islet, which seems to be formed out of piled rocks and slate. The islet is not overly large but you do not know where to begi and will need to haul stone out of the way to find your treasure.

You need 3 DC 10 Strength Checks over the course of ten minutes

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

"Well, lets get to work then" he says, sheathing his blades.

strength: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Wow, I'm the best rogue ever! So helpful... ;)

-Posted with Wayfinder

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

I'll get the rocks moved....just watch my back.... Patros says as he rolls his sleeves up and starts to work on the rocks.

str: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Khismia follows along and keeps an eye out for anything approaching.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Oof, these things are heavy...just let me uhh...let me stretch a bit here, warm up a bit."

Haska takes a look around. Then gets to work though not his forte.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
lifting rocks: 1d20 ⇒ 18

"A little leverage can go a long way."

three successful from each or just from the group?

From the group is fine

Patros, Sven, Aleric and Haska all get started with the pile of rocks whilst Khismia and Marius stand guard. Aleric is unable to move any rocks of purpose, but manages to move smaller chunks to avoid it collapsing, though Sven's arms are tired and he almost hinders more than he helps.

Between Patros and Haska they have cleared a good amount of rubble and slate from the Islet but have yet to find anything remotely like the prize they seek.

Patros keeps working on the rocks.

strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

"Well, I am beginning to think this is a wild goose chase. I feel like a slave in a Chelaxian salt mine." Calling over Marius, "Take a look now that we have cleared it away some. If you were to hide something, where would you have put it. Let me know and I will work that area."

rock moving: 1d20 ⇒ 10
perception rocks: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

i don't know if conditions have changed enough to allow Haska a second perception. If so i will look in the spoiler above. Let me know.

Patros and Haska dig deep and removed the rest of the rocks on the Islet, there as promised is a small humanoid skull with a dangling iron chain. From the eyes comes a soft orange glow flickering like a candle and provided light. The lantern is obviously magical, though the flames seem weaker.

"Is that it?" Aleric asks. "Looks kind of... shoddy."

Maybe it's broken?