Okay, I'll bend to the will of the group. I assumed Min and Oz would be able to take care of it this round. Can I wrestle her out of the grapple? What roll do I need to make to free her? Or is it better if I just whack it again?
Would someone like to volunteer to write up a brief summary of the story so far?Min's report to the Count covers the first part of it....
Or, the TL;DR version:
Would someone like to volunteer to write up a brief summary of the story so far?Min's report to the Count covers the first part of it....Or, the TL;DR version:
Found a bunch of people killed real good at an outpost. Whoever did it went out of their way to try to make it look like the local halflings, the Song'o, were responsible, but we don't believe it. Found a trapped Song'o in the fort who said the lizardfolk did it. Big storm brewing off-shore. A lizardfolk shaman was found calling down lightning trying to destroy the barricades and swamp the colony. The party was tasked with investigating the Song'o and the lizardfolk by exploring the wilderness around the colony. Our first stop was the sheriff's cousin's farm, where we're fighting an ochre jelly.
Thank you for that. Additional details in the turn recaps or ask for anything in particular.
Game on!
Okay, I'll bend to the will of the group. I assumed Min and Oz would be able to take care of it this round. Can I wrestle her out of the grapple? What roll do I need to make to free her? Or is it better if I just whack it again?
I will assume that you delay the action, let Min and Oz kill the ooze, and then you can heal Zelkja back to consciousness.
Let me know otherwise.
Recapping now...
"Where did this thing come from?" Min asked the farmer of the ooze. "Surely it's not a common native hazard?"
Action 1:
Zeljka groaned and opened her eyes as Nsizi brought her back to consciousness. She spit the awful ooze out of her mouth. "This is getting to be routine isn't it, my friend. Thank you again for keeping me in the realm of the living, even though it would have been nice to see my family again."
Before getting to her feet, the half-orc drank one of the healing potions that she carried. "Oozes and bugs," she said disgustedly. "Give me an ogre any day." She was in the process of heaving herself to her feet when the closet door started to slowly open.
Action 2:
Flicking more slime off of herself, Zeljka said, "Your farm hands are dead. That's why we're here. Your cousin asked us to check on you when we learned of their fate."
“Are you traveling to the colony by chance?”
"Eventually but not right away. Why?"
tag Gheri
"Where did this thing come from?" Min asked the farmer of the ooze. "Surely it's not a common native hazard?"
Gheri stumbled, "It was blown in with the storm. Right through the roof. I locked myself up hoping it would go away but it sort of... waited for me. Like it knew I was there."
Action 2:
Flicking more slime off of herself, Zeljka said, "Your farm hands are dead. That's why we're here. Your cousin asked us to check on you when we learned of their fate."
Gheri was dismayed, "Dead? Did they get caught by the storm?"
tag?
“Are you traveling to the colony by chance?”"Eventually but not right away. Why?"
tag Gheri
He looked at his place, "I need to get some help to fix up the place. And I don't feel so good. I can pay you to take me back to the colony."
tag?
Not yet, I suspect they will arrive at the colony in this next turn coming out later tonight and you can join them.
Once he saw that Zeljka would be okay, Nsizi moved on to the sheriff's cousin. Offering him water, he then felt the man's forehead. "I think you are dehydrated and exhausted. You must drink lots of water, and sleep."
Gheri was dismayed, "Dead? Did they get caught by the storm?"
Nsizi shook his head. "No. I am sorry, but they were killed by lizardfolk. When did you see them last? Have you had trouble with lizardfolk before? That is why we are here - to find out why they have become so aggressive."
He looked at his place, "I need to get some help to fix up the place. And I don't feel so good. I can pay you to take me back to the colony."
Glancing around at the others, Nsizi said, "I think we can do that. Your cousin will want to see you safe. It will not take so much time out of our exploration."
Once he saw that Zeljka would be okay, Nsizi moved on to the sheriff's cousin. Offering him water, he then felt the man's forehead. "I think you are dehydrated and exhausted. You must drink lots of water, and sleep."Gheri was dismayed, "Dead? Did they get caught by the storm?"Nsizi shook his head. "No. I am sorry, but they were killed by lizardfolk. When did you see them last? Have you had trouble with lizardfolk before? That is why we are here - to find out why they have become so aggressive."
Gheri was dismayed, "Everyone? Their children too?"
He thought for moment then coughed then stated, "No trouble with the lizardfolk. We have seen the little folk around our farm every once in a while but they are peaceful as well. They even take some dika back with them."
Not sure how to help the wounded and with the enemy taken care of Osbun went about cleaning up the small cabin as the other talked. He was good at moving water about and drying anything wet. These things almost happen without conscious thought when he desires it. There was still damage to the hut but dried out the job of fixing it up seemed more manageable. Guys, I think we will need to either take Mr. Gheri back to the colony or stay with him here until he is stronger. Might as well see him back safe.
Min's eyes lit up when she saw the book. "Oh! Your father was a wizard? Where did he study? At the Magaambya? Or was he privately tutored?" She flipped throught the pages with avid interest a moment before remembering her manners. "Of course we'd see you safely to the colony without any payment. But it would be a shame for such an important part of your family's heritage to go unused. Like letting good farmland lie fallow!"
Action 2:
The half-orc nodded at the new woman as she sat down. "I'm Zeljka. I hope you're prepared for weirdness because that is what seems to be happening around here lately."
tag Evalina?
You'll recover enough overnight to start out at full health tomorrow morning.
Their children too?
Nsizi's gut tightened at the mention of children. He remembered the unknown boy's head on the mjusi shaman's belt. "We do not know for certain. Bibi Adaela recognized a few of your farmhands among the...dead. How many worked here? Where were the families? The dead we encountered were killed before the storm."
tag Jheri/Gheri
Action 1
"Of course, you can ride. We will take turns riding double." Feeling his forehead again, Nsizi said worriedly, "I think there may be more here than dehydration. When we return to the colony, you should see a healer."
Action 2
"Bibi Adaela, if Bibi Heri can be found, I think she should come. I think he is ill, beyond my ability to diagnose."
Tag Adaela
Nsizi stood up and offered his hand to the new woman. "Greetings, Bibi Evalina. I am Nsizi, of the Bas'o. Have you lived long in this place?"
tag Evalina
Their children too?Nsizi's gut tightened at the mention of children. He remembered the unknown boy's head on the mjusi shaman's belt. "We do not know for certain. Bibi Adaela recognized a few of your farmhands among the...dead. How many worked here? Where were the families? The dead we encountered were killed before the storm."
tag Jheri/Gheri
Zeljka was relieved that Nsizi omitted the fact that there had been a younger boy among the dead. Her anger against the lizardfolk grew as she was once again confronted with the fact that they had no problems murdering children.
Evalina removed her longbow and her quivers, resting them by the wall before sitting at the table, nodding first to the sheriff and then to the others. "Thank you for the compliment, sheriff... I'm not sure if I'm one of the best just yet." she smiles, pleased to be recognized as a good hunter, bringing memories from her distant home, "The animals from this part of Golarion are pretty different from those of Varisia... I'm still getting used to them."
To the others, Evalina offered her hand. "As the good sheriff said, I'm Evalina Braeton, a ranger and hunter from Ilsurian." by the way she talked, it was pretty clear for everyone watching that the girl was really proud of her origins, a truly patriotic person who talked as if her city was as big and famous as Absalon... in her mind, it was even more notorious.
He accepted Nsizi's hand before answering her (him?). "No, I haven't. I'm from Varisia, on the north..." she thinks for a couple seconds before continuing, "...three weeks tops I think. I came first to Eleder but didn't really liked the place... too crowded I guess." She looks around for a Halfling to get her order before continuing, "So... the sheriff mentioned you are hunting some lizards..."
________________________________
I always look at movies and usually see archers with no more than 10 arrows.
However, in this case one quiver (20 arrows) on her at all times sounds about right. She can have more in her place or along on her horse though.
Oh, I can't wait until she meets Minercuria. :)
The half-orc took note that Evalina was also from Varisia as well as Erastil's holy symbol that hung from her neck. "It's not just the animals that are different down here. The plants and trees are as well."
"So... the sheriff mentioned you are hunting some lizards..."
Zeljka growled, "Hunting is too polite a term after the damage they've caused."
Min's eyes lit up when she saw the book. "Oh! Your father was a wizard? Where did he study? At the Magaambya? Or was he privately tutored?" She flipped throught the pages with avid interest a moment before remembering her manners. "Of course we'd see you safely to the colony without any payment. But it would be a shame for such an important part of your family's heritage to go unused. Like letting good farmland lie fallow!"
Gheri/Jheri tried to chuckle but just coughed. "Well, ma'am, if you can make good use of it then I consider myself a lucky man. You did save my life and truth be told, it was just gathering dust there."
He asked, "Are you a wizard ma'am? Like those fireball-flinging wizards I heard about?"
tag?
Their children too?Nsizi's gut tightened at the mention of children. He remembered the unknown boy's head on the mjusi shaman's belt. "We do not know for certain. Bibi Adaela recognized a few of your farmhands among the...dead. How many worked here? Where were the families? The dead we encountered were killed before the storm."
tag Jheri/Gheri
A sad man answered, "It's a small farm and I do... did much of the work. There were only two families living on the land with me but their homes are not sa sturdy as mine."
He looked at the hole in the ceiling, "Yeah, real sturdy. Anyway, I sent them all to the colony for protection."
tag?
"How long before the storm did you send them back to Pridon's Hearth and how many went?"
To the others, Evalina offered her hand. "As the good sheriff said, I'm Evalina Braeton, a ranger and hunter from Ilsurian." by the way she talked, it was pretty clear for everyone watching that the girl was really proud of her origins, a truly patriotic person who talked as if her city was as big and famous as Absalon... in her mind, it was even more notorious.
He accepted Nsizi's hand before answering her (him?). "No, I haven't. I'm from Varisia, on the north..." she thinks for a couple seconds before continuing, "...three weeks tops I think. I came first to Eleder but didn't really liked the place... too crowded I guess." She looks around for a Halfling to get her order before continuing, "So... the sheriff mentioned you are hunting some lizards..."
________________________________...
Oz seems to be somewhat taken with Evalina and has a hard time hiding it. Offering her his hand he introduces himself.I am Oabun Icehouse, but it would please me if you would call me Oz. All my friends do. I have never traveled to Ilsurian but would love to do so one day. he halfling is quite graceful in his movements somewhat matching Evalina.
He asked, "Are you a wizard ma'am? Like those fireball-flinging wizards I heard about?"
"Oh, well," she blushed, "I can't claim to have mastered the fireball yet. But, yes, I have had arcane training. In Korvosa. That's in Varisia. In Avistan. You know," she waved her hand vaguely northward, "the continent up there. I think this is the flashiest spell I can demonstrate." If the storm was good for nothing else, the cloud cover at least allowed arcane light to be visible. She waved her hand and spoke the syllables to summon four spheres of light and set them dancing among the raindrops as if in the hands of an invisible juggler.
To the others, Evalina offered her hand. "As the good sheriff said, I'm Evalina Braeton, a ranger and hunter from Ilsurian." by the way she talked, it was pretty clear for everyone watching that the girl was really proud of her origins, a truly patriotic person who talked as if her city was as big and famous as Absalon... in her mind, it was even more notorious.
He accepted Nsizi's hand before answering her (him?). "No, I haven't. I'm from Varisia, on the north..." she thinks for a couple seconds before continuing, "...three weeks tops I think. I came first to Eleder but didn't really liked the place... too crowded I guess."
Min's face lit up at the mention of Varisia. "I studied in Korvosa! I'm afraid I've never heard of Ilsurian, though. Varisia's so big, and there are so many little towns scattered around it, aren't there? I can't remember the names of any of them except Turtleback Ferry. Can you imagine? I wanted to go see it before leaving Avistan, but I really didn't have time while I was at the Academae. I always pictured people riding back and forth across a lake on the back of a dragon turtle, but I'm sure it couldn't possibly have been that interesting. Have you ever been to Turtleback Ferry?"
She waved her hand and spoke the syllables to summon four spheres of light and set them dancing among the raindrops as if in the hands of an invisible juggler.
Smiling, Nsizi whispered, "Spirits, sing for us." A gentle sound of bells and chimes seemed to come from the glowing spheres, tinkling as Min "juggled" them.
He looked at the hole in the ceiling, "Yeah, real sturdy. Anyway, I sent them all to the colony for protection."
Nsizi began to understand. It was likely the group had been ambushed and killed on their way back. "I think you should speak with Bibi Adaela when we return. She can confirm numbers of the dead."
He accepted Nsizi's hand before answering her (him?). "No, I haven't. I'm from Varisia, on the north..." she thinks for a couple seconds before continuing, "...three weeks tops I think. I came first to Eleder but didn't really liked the place... too crowded I guess." She looks around for a Halfling to get her order before continuing, "So... the sheriff mentioned you are hunting some lizards..."
Disappointed, Nsizi had hoped that the beautiful woman would have more information about the surrounding area. Still, it would be good to have another pair of capable hands along.
"We are searching for answers, yes," Nsizi said. "We must speak to the Song'o also. Muhdzuzi - shall we go next to your people? I think it would be good to speak with them, before we search further for the mjusi."
tag Muhdzuzi
She waved her hand and spoke the syllables to summon four spheres of light and set them dancing among the raindrops as if in the hands of an invisible juggler.
So, we're going to search for the Song'o instead of the Tar Pits.
I'm, of course, fine with either course of action but I need to know...
+1 composite longbow [+2 Str] and just regular arrows.
Oz seems to be somewhat taken with Evalina and has a hard time hiding it. Offering her his hand he introduces himself.I am Oabun Icehouse, but it would please me if you would call me Oz. All my friends do. I have never traveled to Ilsurian but would love to do so one day. he halfling is quite graceful in his movements somewhat matching Evalina.
After shaking his hand, Evalina smiled, "Nice to meet you, Oz. I think this makes us friends then. Ilsurian is a wonderful town to live and I really hope to go back there someday..." she then took advantage of the other woman's question to avoid raising the question about why she left her home in the first place.
Min's face lit up at the mention of Varisia. "I studied in Korvosa! I'm afraid I've never heard of Ilsurian, though. Varisia's so big, and there are so many little towns scattered around it, aren't there? I can't remember the names of any of them except Turtleback Ferry. Can you imagine? I wanted to go see it before leaving Avistan, but I really didn't have time while I was at the Academae. I always pictured people riding back and forth across a lake on the back of a dragon turtle, but I'm sure it couldn't possibly have been that interesting. Have you ever been to Turtleback Ferry?"
Evalina inhaled slowly while counting in her head, calming herself before answering, "Korvosa, hum? That huge city to the south, filled with that decadent aristocracy and weak royalty? Never been there actually. Ilsurian is a bit north, founded by Ilsur, a First Sword of the Knights of Aroden, after he felt Korsova's aristocracy was too corrupt and rotten..." she exhaled, clearly relieved, "... but you are correct, Turtleback Ferry is really a joyful place to visit, just a couple hours upriver from Ilsurian, which is also a wonderful place, not sure if I've already mentioned." she then smiled, hoping to don't cause any trouble with her sudden, but contained, outburst about Korsova.
Whenever Evalina had the opportunity she would dismount. She never felt too comfortable too far away from the ground and the animals were too noisy for her taste. During the trip between the abandoned camps, Evalina took her compass, checking it constantly so she could link a couple landmarks to cardinal positions, making it easier for her to localize herself in the future.
Arriving at the second camp, Evalina dismounted once more after looking around for any trouble, and then addressed the others, since she hadn't learnt the regional language just yet, "Hum... the fact that we haven't found a single soul isn't good news, right? Do you think it should be this hard to find his tribe?"
Arriving at the second camp, Evalina dismounted once more after looking around for any trouble, and then addressed the others, since she hadn't learnt the regional language just yet, "Hum... the fact that we haven't found a single soul isn't good news, right? Do you think it should be this hard to find his tribe?"
Nsizi was also concerned. Translating Evalina's words for Muhdzuzi, he then added, "Is this usual? Should we have found some sign by now? Or are there other places to look?" On the Bas'o savannah, the tribe could pick up and move at a moment's notice, but the movements of the antelope they followed were somewhat predictable, and a member of the tribe could usually figure out where to look. He didn't know if it was the same with the Song'o, however.
tag Muhdzuzi
OOC: Just to clarify.
Mudhzuzi guided you to the first spot of where he thought his tribe would be and found it abandoned.
On your way to his second spot, you all stumbled into this abandoned place but it is NOT where Mudhzuzi wanted to take (you haven't gotten there yet).
Oz offered to let Muhdzuzi ride with him for a while on the pony. he attempted to trade pleasantries for a while, just getting to know the other halfling and finally aske "I would not mind learning this poly something language that is spoken here. You think you could teach me some words? And do you know the Halfing tongue?"
Oz asked Muhdzuzi "Well isn't that interesting. Why would a human statue be in a halfling village. or was this a halfing place at all?"
Nsizi asked Muhdzuzi, "Is this where you were guiding us? It looks very very old." A strange wind whistled through the vines and grasses, whipping Nsizi's neswambi around his legs. Strangely, it didn't seem to affect anybody else.
tag Muhdzuzi
That night, Nsizi collapsed into the borrowed bed with gratitude. The last week had been a difficult one, and he was happy to be spending another night in a bed, rather than in the rain. A month away from the Bas'o, and I'm already changing. Still, the muggy jungle rain was different from the fresh savannah downpour.
In the morning, Nsizi took his time re-wrapping and arranging his neswambi. Somehow, over the course of the last few days, several of his possessions seemed to have gone missing. He emptied pouches and hidden pockets, and re-attached straps and fetishes. Ah, that's where that went. Why is this pouch in that pocket? Hmm...very strange.
Eventually he got himself sorted out, and made a mental note to keep better track of where he stored things. It would not be good to need something in a hurry and not know where he'd put it. Must be all the excitement of being able to walk easily again.
Running a hand over his head, he noticed that his hair was starting to get a bit long and curl up again. Digging around in his pack for his razor where is it? I just had it a moment ago. Ah, there it is , he wet his hair and shaved it off. It would be much cooler and more comfortable in the jungle now.
Finally ready, he rejoined the others for breakfast and an early departure.
Oz offered to let Muhdzuzi ride with him for a while on the pony. he attempted to trade pleasantries for a while, just getting to know the other halfling and finally aske "I would not mind learning this poly something language that is spoken here. You think you could teach me some words? And do you know the Halfing tongue?"
The halfling answered in halfling, "It's polyglot. The native tongue is called polyglot. The Bas'o man or woman speak it. Yes, I can teach it to you."
He then added, "All our children speak both languages and some even the tall flk tongue. I never learned that one too well"
Oz asked Muhdzuzi "Well isn't that interesting. Why would a human statue be in a halfling village. or was this a halfing place at all?"
Mudhzuzi shook his head and spoke to all in common "Not halfling village. This village been... abandoned old time. This not halfling camp."
Nsizi asked Muhdzuzi, "Is this where you were guiding us? It looks very very old." A strange wind whistled through the vines and grasses, whipping Nsizi's neswambi around his legs. Strangely, it didn't seem to affect anybody else.
He spoke to the Baso'o in polyglot, "No, this isn't a halfling village. Look, it's been abandoned for a very long time. I have heard of this old village and it was inhabited by tall folk a long time ago."
Action 1:
All the talk about Varisia and the northern continent caused a cloud of sadness to descend on Zeljka. Memories of a happier time in her life always made the present seem gloomier.
As the conversation began winding down, the half-orc excused herself to get some rest. She was still feeling less than healthy and she hoped a good night rest would help.
Action 2:
Zeljka dismounted as well and made sure the horse was secured before taking a look around. "Why have a statue in the middle of nowhere? And what would cause a village to be abandoned? I wonder if anyone in Pridon's Hearth knows it's here?"
tag ?
The half-orc cautiously approached the statue to get a closer look.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
We missed Min but I think that Friday afternoons/evenings are kind of busy for her.
Yeah, sorry, it's usually pretty late when I get a chance to check in on Fridays. I don't have anything really to add to what everyone else has already posted, other than some reaction to the spells in the spellbook. (She's going to have to switch out a cantrip for read magic for the day.) I'll roll that into a catching-up post in the morning.
Evalina showed no recognition about the holy symbol and also no interest in the curved dagger, "It is really beautiful, but I prefer to stay back, firing from my bow... perhaps you should have it Zeljka. I see you prefer bigger weapons but even so this one could be handy." turning to Nsizi, Oz, and Minercuria, she asked, "Is it magical?"
Evalina was far more intrigued about the statue and its inscription, "This is a depiction of Gozreh, right? The God of Weather and Sea?" thinking for a couple seconds she continued, "I believe that when they say 'The Wind and the Wave', they are referring to Him, but what about this 'Eye'? Could it be the Eye of Abendego?" she looked to the others for confirmation, "The foundation date makes sense, since they'd have founded this village a couple years after the fall of Aroden, but what about this mention of 'two Eyes'? Do you think that those who lived here were interested in creating a second Eye of Abendego? Is it even possible?" she looked to the others, puzzled.
When the others discovered the old journal, she simply questioned them, "Does any of this make sense to you?"
"It is really beautiful, but I prefer to stay back, firing from my bow... perhaps you should have it Zeljka. I see you prefer bigger weapons but even so this one could be handy."
"Daggers have their uses and this one is very well made." With mention of Evalina's preference for using a bow, Zeljka pulled out the hunting bow they had found. "Maybe you can make better use of this than me. If you can, do."
"Does any of this make sense to you?"
Zeljka shook her head. "I don't know why some need to write so many words and still not say anything directly. Seems like this place was called Lirgen. Maybe someone whose family has been in the area longest knows something more about it back at the colony."
It was getting darker and the half-orc thought it may get too dangerous for the horses in the jungle overgrowth if they were to continue. "I know we want to find the Song'O but it may be best to make camp here for the night. At least we have partial shelter."
tag everyone