Yeah, we might as well put in a decent showing. Lets head back to town and get out of this miserable rain.
Teriwyth pulls his coat in close around him, angling down his head to stave off the rain and accompanies Alric and Edelle back to town in silence.
You reunite with Casvian, who tells you of the visit from Kronos. Apparently there are objects that can help your team to defeat the Son, and that some of them are located nearby. They are most likely to be ancient relics, but they could be anything. Kronos had suggested asking the locals if they know any of the old secrets of the area. You all rest the night and awaken to a moist morning, but at least the sun is shining.
Before we set out, should we set up those sanctuary rocks here, or hold out for another location?
"The What?"
"Since the work ahead of you will be extensive and difficult, I thought you would like a place to return to for rest in between combat. Lay these objects in a circle as I will show you, then choose your word of power. Speak your word of power at any time and you will be brought back to the circle. You may return as many times as you like, but you may only lay the circle once, so choose your safe haven wisely. The magic will work return you from most places, but I cannot assure you that it will always work where you are. "
I think Alric had fluffed the "magic components in jars and bottles" to be rocks in his mind. I assume he is referring to the same thing.
I think Alric had fluffed the "magic components in jars and bottles" to be rocks in his mind. I assume he is referring to the same thing.
this is the case.
Before we set out, should we set up those sanctuary rocks here, or hold out for another location?
"This seems like a good a place as any, though I'd imagine the circle needs to be in a safe place. Where would we place it?"
Casvian speaks up, trying to be helpful in any way he can "Well there's the monastery, but it would be well known. There's the tavern, but for all we know, the construction would cover up the circle. And then there's the caves in the hills. It's close by and private, but also somewhere that Kronos knows about. Hard to say whether that's safer, or more dangerous. "
I'd rather look for a secluded place very close to the town but likely to be empty whenever we use them
"Perhaps a field or a barnhouse? "
.
PS:I missed the post on Sanctuary Rocks. I will have to go back and see what they are.
We might also be able to carve or melt out a new cave with magic. There would be no chance that anyone would know the place
We might also be able to carve or melt out a new cave with magic. There would be no chance that anyone would know the place
"I don't happen to have that kind of magic at my disposal, and from what I've come to learn they have no scrolls here to learn the type of magic you're looking for" Teriwyth chuckles "That us unless you'd like me to just throw evocation magic at a cliff face until I carve out a suitable cave."
Your group makes their way to the cove where your last battle took place. It is a much more peaceful and pleasant walk this time around. With the sunlight overhead, and the smell of a fresh rain, it's downright pleasant. As you come into the grotto, you are greeted by the same horses as before, but this time around, they come up to you and are aggressively sniffing at your bags, looking for food. Casvian puts his hand on one horses flank so that he can tell where it is, and he notes that the skin is tight and the ribs are very clearly defined. "They haven't eaten in at least two days. " He says. While he is concerned with that, the rest of your group notes the pulsing mass that silently protrudes from the cave mouth like a huge forking tongue: it is a massive plant that twists and pulls toward the sun. the pulsing of the plant tells you instantly that there is a magic at work here. There is a small space that allows someone to crawl further into the cave, but it would be slow going.
knowledge nature for the plant:
"I don't happen to have that kind of magic at my disposal, and from what I've come to learn they have no scrolls here to learn the type of magic you're looking for" Teriwyth chuckles "That us unless you'd like me to just throw evocation magic at a cliff face until I carve out a suitable cave."
Well, my acid spells melted rock before.
This plant is quite unusual. It's scent, taste, and texture all suggest different plants. It does not seem to be inherently dangerous or poisonous, but just growing incredibly quickly and heartily. You can almost feel it's swelling as you touch it. The sap is liquid such that it moves as quickly as water.
"I don't sense anything that would indicate that the plant is dangerous."
Casvian chews on the herbs that he was given to chew his condition while making this assessment. He was almost becoming use to his condition.
Do a quick once over of the area, are there any other caves within view?
Scrambling up some rocks, you find a small series of caves not too far away. You are able to find one that reasonably well suits your needs and Alric smooths the edges of the rocks with some cantrips. Finally, you cast your spell and the teleportation circle is established. " Now, " he says "Shall we investigate that plant, or shall we get to this wyvern rodeo we've been hearing so much about? "
"Well, lets see if we can't learn enough to know that it wont attack the town in our absence and then we can make our way to the Rodeo."
Your group descends back into town and gathers supplies. From what the locals tell you, it is about three days ride to the location across the plains. They provide you with rough directions, but assure you that it will be hard to miss with the number of people in attendance. Your group has develped quite to following since arriving. Alric and Teriwynth are followed by a pack of fans pretty much anywhere, and the spunky young boy runs circles around Edelle all day. Casvian is generally not in the mood to see anyone, but there are still some women who have taken it on themselves to care for him. He does not know their faces, but their gentle hands and soft voices will not be forgotten.
To get some horses to travel to the rodeo with we wander over to a stable.
While hiring some horses we let them know about the horses in the valley and their general condition (and that we didn't bring them back with us because we didn't know if they were well enough to travel)
Yea, just mount up and go I guess.
"Alright, I'll give you four of my best stock. Trained 'em myself and I can tell you they're not gonna spook no matter what you do to 'em. Now I'd love to give you a discount, but I've fallen on hard times in the last little while, so I'm afraid it'll have to be 820GP for the lot. "
The man gives a nod to you as you depart, before sending his own possee in the direction of the caves to retrieve the lost horses. Though he didn't give you a discount on the horses, he did throw in free feed for them to get you well on your way.
There is a small gathering of people on the edge of town as you depart. They bid you a fond farewell. There is a tugging at Edelle's ankles from atop the horse. She looks down to see the young boy there with a tattered dirty cloth full of what seems to be everything he owns. It dawns on her that he is a child without a home. He is asking for her hand to get up onto the horse and join them.
I'm sure we can sort something out, but what are your plans boy?
Oh and I'm getting tired of calling you 'boy', what's your name?
" Troy" says the child with a toothy grin as he is helped up onto the horse. He tells you " I don't really make plans. Just kinda want to see what's going to happen. "
You start off along the trail to the east, with the sun overhead and a slight breeze keeping you cool, you make good progress and have a relatively uneventful afternoon. Troy is exstatic to be travelling with your group and he spends much time talking about what to expect at the Wyvern Rodeo.
"It's so cool! There's 3 rounds. The first one is easy, bareback. You just need to stay on a horse that's bucking for eight seconds. It's funny when they fall in the dirt.
Then the people who win that move on to the next one where you have to rope a calf with a lasso. So you throw a rope in a ring at the calf, and then you jump off and have to pin it down in the quickest time. I like that one too...
But the best one is the last round: If you win the first two rounds, they magic-up the arena and then they bring in the wyvern with a saddle on. You get points for staying up longer, points for jumping on and riding, and points for knocking it out. But the real thing is to get the wyvern to fly you off. Roughrider, he's the best! He's done that the last two years in a row. He's a cool dwarf man. They say he uses part of his beard hair for his lasso Isn't that weird? "
As you set up camp for the night in a small valley, The moonlight is pleasant and the night is not so cool as to be harsh once you are out of the wind. The rolling hills here are cut through by a series of small streams that occasionally collect in pools and small micro-lakes. Troy gets up from around the fire to refill the water buckets. He is eager to help. He says that he saw a nice clear pool standing alone on top of the next hill.
Survival:
Knowledge Nature
Edelle and Teriwynth look at each other with confusion as Troy scurries off. They know that something is amiss here. This smells like a trap.
Teriwyth quickly draws his rapier, raising his hand in front of him ready to draw on his magic. He calls out to Troy "Wait Boy, go no further."
Diplomacy
The boy slows his pace and turns to face the group. " Why? What's the matter? " He says confused before stopping entirely.
Teriwyth motions for the boy to come towards him with his free hand "Explanations later, now come over here before you're eaten by monsters"
After I inform my other pbp groups of the internet issue. I will get caught and made an actual post if I have something relevant to say.
Casvian listens to the others talk and plan what is going to happen. He never knew until now how much he missed the excitement of being in the middle of things. He then begins to wonder if he will ever be able to have a normal life, and be happy with it.
Hmm.. Wha?.... Monsters? Where?!
Teri clambers up to the crest of the hill and peers over. He can see a pool of water with the moonlight reflecting off of it. As he peers closer, he sees that there is a dark mass in the centre of the pool. It looks vaguely humanoid, but it is hard to tell between the water, darkness, and reflections of the moon.
Teriwyth points out the figure, "That monster"
Creeping up to the top of the hill to look as well.
Perception:
Knowledge local (100% guaranteed to not determine anything useful):
Anyone got any idea what that is?
Maybe we can ambush it, or should we just avoid it?
A cloaked man, only wearing common clothes appears. The group sees the remnants of lightning bolts flying from his hands, melting the creature that was in the small lake. He notices the group and turns towards them.
I don't know what that creature was, but it won't be disturbing anyone anymore. The name is Thervold. And you are?