GM WhtKnt's Saltmarsh and Beyond (Inactive)

Game Master WhtKnt

Friar O'Grady seeks out a nearby clearing to set up his tent for early morning church services on the morrow. He asks some stout lads in town for assistance in the setup and to help post flyers around town summoning the faithful of Desna.

The service will be short, and afterwards a blessing will be placed upon the brave adventuring company setting forth into the unknown.

Once his tasks are complete, O'Grady heads to Brightsmile's Boarding House to retire for the evening.

Tasius was relieved they weren't going hiking in this weather, besides it occurred to him that they hadn't brought any trail rations. He could get those in the morning, for now somewhere dry to sleep was needed. He followed Galfron into the Brightsmile's Boarding House.

Of course he immediately had a dilemma, by inclination he'd have preferred a private room and a bath but that was an indulgence he could ill afford. Besides he had to duck and he wondered how big the rooms would be. A quiet but possibly cramped night or a room full of snores and a bath?

In the end cleanliness won out and he asked Miranda, "I'd like to stay in the common room, and have a hot bath if possible." He hands her three silver coins and asks, "We are thinking of going hiking for a few days and need to buy some trail rations, can you recommend anywhere to get them?"

"Looking about at the moment," Eristinian said to the shopkeep, a small smile coming to his face as the familiar scent of alchemical reagents strike him. "I may need to purchase some compounds for my creations, and wanted to see how stocked you keep your shelves. Also, a few of my friends and I are going to be doing some investigations around the area, so if there were items you needed, I might be able to keep my eyes peeled." He extends a hand to the shopkeep. "My name is Eristinian, sir. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Tasius: Miranda smiles back at Tasius, sensing his apprehension. "Don't you worry, good master. Our rooms are normal sized, though we keep a few reserved for the small folk. And your bath will be in a private chamber. As for your trail rations, Maribeth has all the dried goods you could possibly need. Her shop is just across the street."

O'Grady: The local youths are more than happy to assist you in setting up for the morning service. You may read the spoiler for Galfon, above, for info on the boarding house.

Eristinian: "Good afternoon to you, Eristinian. My name is Brandon Hopewell. Pleased to meet you. I carry a broad selection of the finest reagents available, as well as a small array of alchemical devices that people such as you and your friends may find useful. I can usually make anything you need within a day's time."

Tasius replies to Miranda with a smile, "Thank you ma'am, I shall call in there tomorrow." He then heads off to retire for the evening.

Galfon is stricken by the older halfling's beauty, but quickly reins in any funny ideas. At her age, she was almost certainly spoken for. Still, he is quite comfortable with the atmosphere in the inn - it almost reminded him of home. After giving Tasius a sidelong glance, Galfon slides five silver pieces toward Miranda.

"A private room, please," he says with a smile.

Miranda takes your coin without comment, merely a smile. She shows each of you to your rooms; Galfon's is perfectly sized for a halfling, while the common room is as large as would be expected. It appears that Tasius will have few companions tonight. Miranda then shows you each to a private chamber with a large tub, scented soap, and fluffy blanket. Each room has a small hearth for warmth and Miranda tells each of you that hot water will be brought up momentarily.

As she promised, a delivery of hot water is soon made, brought by a strapping young halfling lad. He is tall for his race and must be quite strong to lug two full buckets of hot water for each of you (not all four at once, mind you). And yet he does so without complaint or a single sound of discomfort.

Tasius dips a foot experimentally in the bath. Scalding hot, just the way he liked it! He steps in and luxuriates in the scalding water and attacks the grime of the road with soap and a stiff brush, it was just like being at home. Only then did he realize with a start that he'd taken the laboring of the halfling lad forgathered. "That was the kind of thing Father does..." muttered Tasius, cross with himself.

"Splendid," Eristinian says with a hint of a smile on his lips. "People in my line of work can always use an alchemical trick or two when strength or spell falter. As it happens, I will be heading out tomorrow into the Dim Forest, and I seem to be out of alchemist's fire. Might I commission you into brewing a batch?"

Good arms on that one. Tall, too. I wonder if he's ever used a bow... Galfon thinks as he gives a nod of thanks to the young halfling. He waits for him to leave before stripping down and submerging himself in the water, while reminiscing on the last time he had taken such a bath. So far, it seemed that the tavernkeeper's recommendation had been spot on.

Eristinian: "Very well, I will prepare two batches and have them ready for you in the morning."

Unless someone has more business to conduct tonight, we can pick up the next morning, with Friar O'Grady having given his sermon and blessing and Erisitinian having picked up his alchemist's fire? But if you have things to take care of, please don't let me rush you.

"Just the one for me," Eristinian replies, retrieving coins from his purse. "Though I'll talk with my friends - undoubtedly, we'll need more."

I'm good with moving on.

Pink as a lobster and cleaner than he'd been in weeks, Tasius rolled himself dry. The common room was mostly empty, perhaps he would get a good night's sleep as well... Feeling happier now his creature comforts had been attended to, he turned in for the night and drifted off to sleep.

I'm good to move on too.

After a soothing hot bath, the friar says his nightly prayers and then settles down in his private room for an evening's nap.

Ready for adventure!

After his bath, Galfon throws on his underclothes and hits the hay, falling asleep in fairly short order.

Ready to move on whenever you're ready.

The next morn brings a thick fog over the town, with a low cloud cover. The good friar's sermon sees a few townsfolk stopping by out of curiosity more than anything else. As you are preparing to leave, an odd fellow smelling strongly of body odor and decaying food approaches the group.

"What? Who?" He pauses to listen, as if he can hear some voice that you can't. "Sunshine, tasty sunshine. The bees are in the onion fields, father."

Eristinian raises an eyebrow at the madman's ramblings, and gives a listen, mostly to determine whether his ravings are genuine, or a cover for some ulterior motive, quickly discounting him as the genuine article.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Tasius had attended the Friar's service mostly out of curiosity, he had no qualms sending a prayer or two to Densa on the start of a journey or venture (this moment certainly qualified), although Saranrae would forever rule his heart.

Wrinkling his nose, he smelt something funny, something unwashed... 'Still mustn't prejudge Tasius, mustn't prejudge. He's probably harmless.' Keeping a certain distance, Tasius called out cheerily enough, "Hello and how are you this fine morning?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

The man stops, as if noticing for the first time that someone else is present. "Do you see the unicorns in the meadow, mother?" He looks Tasius in the eyes, grabbing him suddenly by the shoulders and says, "The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out! Quasqueton! On the shoulder of giants, stand we."

Tasius looks askance for a moment before replying smoothly, "I'm sure we do. Giants such as Rogahn the fearless and Zelligar no doubt?" 'That fellow seems to be a few pennies short of a pound... Still it costs nothing to be polite, as mother would say. Strange how politeness never seemed to stretch to the servants however.'

"'Neath the tower, under the hill!" he shouts. Then more quietly, he says, "With strange aeons, even death may die."

O.O

Eristinian shakes his head. "You're wasting your time, Tasius. The man's wits are addled. Leave him be, we have things to attend to."

"Quasqueton," Galfon mutters with a frown, clearly troubled by the man's ravings. Indeed, his mention of the elusive fortress was most peculiar. Still, he nods in response to Eristinian.

"Yes, let's be off. We should leave this poor man in peace."

The walk to the Dim Forest is largely uneventful, save for the occasional traveler on the road. You reach the edge of the forest in mid-morning and here, a well-used game trail leads into the wood. The Dim Forest certainly lives up to its name. The canopy overhead is thick and unrelenting, only dim sunlight filtering through to the forest floor. Fortunately, the fog has burned away and the day is bright and cheery, so what there is is fairly plentiful and even the humans (and halfling) can see easily.

Following the trail is simple enough and you encounter nothing out of the ordinary (small animals, etc.) for quite some time (roughly three hours). After a welcome break for rest and a meal, you are back on the trail. Clouds have moved in once again to obscure the sunlight, and the forest grows dimmer, making it difficult for those without low-light vision to see. Your continue on for another hour.

The hike to the forest had been relaxing, working several kinks out that Tasius didn't realize he had. Inside the forest was rather less relaxing, the canopy was thick and every so often he'd stumble over capricious roots.

Still it had been a mostly uneventful day, although the weather looked like it was closing in and it was getting hard to see. Tasius was already thinking about summoning a light when he heard a twig snap. Hand slipping to his weapon he whipped around and whispered a spidery phrase. A soft radiance started glowing from his sword... Cast light on his saber.

"Whose there?!" he called out in challenge.

So far as tracking rations, I usually say it's enough to say that you have them. I'll assume that you resupply whenever the opportunity presents itself. It will only become an issue if you are away from a resupply point for an extensive period.

I'll wait for Caelryl to post before continuing. If he doesn't post by tomorrow, I'll bot him.

Caelryl continued to scan the forest as they moved, trying to identify what was following them. He also tried to determine if he was the only one in the party to notice. "I don't think we are alone. Stay alert," he says quietly to the group while they ate. As they continued their travel, he kept his bow at hand.

Hearing the twig, and Tasius' response, he nocked an arrow, preparing to fire if anything attacked them. He stays as quiet as possible, trying to locate what made the sound.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Ranged attack(readied): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

There comes no response to Tasius' call. In fact, it is as though the entire wood has suddenly silenced.

Alerted by Tasius and Caelryl's warnings, Galfon quickly unslings his bow and nocks an arrow of his own. The yew longbow - nearly as tall as the halfling himself - creaks as he pulls back the drawstring. He scans the area warily, looking for any signs of movement.

"Goblins?" he asks no one in particular, uncertain of what else to expect.

Only silence and the sound of your breathing can be heard. Nothing moves in the gathering gloom.

Now on the alert for danger, Friar O'Grady will cast BLESS upon the party.

The friar whispers, "May the blessings of the Almighty Goddess strengthen and empower you all."

Like Caelryl, Eristinian unshoulders his bow and strings it, reaching for an arrow as it becomes apparent that something watches their movements. He casts his gaze around the area, trying to spot what might be stalking them in the woods.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

In answer to Galfon's question Tasius shrugs, it was entirely possible.

He scanned the tree line, looking for any movement but his eldritch light sent crazy dancing shadows which was most distracting...
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

A little uncertain, Tasius ventures, "Maybe we should push on, and find us a clearing to camp in? Whoever's out there doesn't want to talk, so I see no reason to hang around."

Eristinian and Tasius, you see nothing either.

For long moments, there is only silence from the darkness. Then, suddenly, six small forms with wide, ungainly heads burst from the underbrush surrounding you. As they break cover, they sing in hideous shrieking voices.

Goblins sneaky, goblins sly.
Goblins come, and now you die!

Those of you who had readied ranged weapons may take your shots first, then we go to initiative.

The map can be viewed at https://app.roll20.net/join/1822560/Q5J_og and is in my status line. Those of you who have not stated your Roll20 identities, I need them.

INITATIVE
Galfon
Friar O'Grady
Tasius
Goblins
Eristinian
Caelryl

I'm just seeing blackness, bossman. Did my character forget to open his eyes? :P

Should be working now. I think that I had to set the permissions for you to be able to see.

I can't see anything I'm afraid, it's just black.

It's still as black as can be for me. How much blacker could it get? None. None more black.

Fixed. It helps to move the Players ribbon over to the correct map. ::sigh::

The only light source is Tasius' saber, so unless you have darkvision or low-light vision, you are going to be limited in scope.

I still don't see anything. :(

When the goblins jump out of the bushes, Caelryl lets his arrow fly at the nearest one.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Should be fixed, Caelryl. Had to have you log in before I could assign your name to your character.

As the goblins break cover, Caelryl lets fly an arrow that sinks to the fletching in a goblin's gut, but still the little creature keeps coming. Caelryl shot number 6, for reference.

I am also seeing a black map.

Also, remember that the BLESS spell gives you all a +1 to attack.

Good news, I can see the map now! GM how do you want combats to work? Do you prefer if we post in initiative order, or do you try to resolve actions if people post as and when? (basically trading speed for occasional retcons - e.g when a target dies before somebody's action) Should we move the characters on the rol20 map or describe the movement here? I gather based on your other games people roll attacks here.

Had to wait for you to log into the game, before I could connect your character, Friar. Should work for you now.

You can post as you wish, I'll sort it into initiative order when I summarize the posts, If we need to retcon, it's easy enough to do. Feel free to move your character, but tell me here what you are doing, please. Rolls are to be made here.Easier to track things that way.

Looking down and to the left of O'Grady about 15 ft. on the Roll20 map, I believe I see a nasty little goblin. On his turn, the friar will step 5 ft. to the left and cast LIGHT on the tree next to him.

Spotting a goblin Tasius thinks, 'Ah Ha! Lets take you prisoner! Maybe you'll talk?'

He sends a portion of his will into his already glowing blade, causing the hue to shift towards an icy blue. He sprints forward, saber leaving a slight trail as he flicks it out, aiming to clot the goblin on the side of its head with the flat of his blade! A tricky maneuver but one he had trained hard to do.

Swift action: Use 1 arcane pool to enhance his blade for 1 minute. 1/4 arcane pool used.
Charge SW goblin (3 squares SW). Using merciful scimitar trait to deal non lethal damage with no penalty. AC = 13 this round.
Charge, bless, +1 from arcane pool: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 17Damage (non-lethal): 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 6

Only after did he realize he'd taken the main source of light with him...

Correction Tasius does 1d6 + 3 (strength) + 1 (enhancement) damage, so he did 5 non-lethal damage. Bless only adds to hit.

I had the source of the light at the wrong level. That has been corrected. If you wish to alter your action, Friar, you may do so.