"Now, when you say 'watch,'" she asks, "you mean one person staying awake in the dark all by themselves, just waiting for something to pounce?"
Tevyn looks momentarily startled and turns to mark each of the others. "I'm so accustomed to traveling on my own that I hadn't thought of that. Technically we could have three shifts and as there are six of us, pair up."
Corinna quickly looks around and takes stock of the group. "I believe there are three of us that can see well if there's a bit of starlight. Mr. Fezziwig and Mr., er, Malan," (people without surnames seem never to cease to puzzle her), "and, well, er...." She blushes without looking back at Tevyn. "Perhaps we should have someone who can see in the dark on each watch? And one person whose job it is to keep the useful one awake?"
"I'll take first watch." Malan finds a comfortable place to sit.
"I'm not sleepy, I'll join Malan!" Melon grins, "What are the bigger things to worry about here in the swamp Tevyn? ...I don't mean metaphysically bigger like 'disease' or 'drowning'. Cause we've been here a while, and there've not been many things of maybe yay-size." She gestures. "Basically just the gobos."
"Then either Gilfroy or I should take second or third watch as I have quite keen vision in the dark." Tevyn says as Malan chooses to take first watch.
Turning his attention to Melon's question, he begins to answer but his eyes flicker over to Corinna and he pauses.
Almost reluctantly, he says, "The goblins have done a good job of keeping down some of the larger types of beasts in the swamp, unless they're too big for even the goblins to deal with. Now that one of their villages is gone, it's likely that there'll be a change in that but it'll likely take a while."
Incidentally, Tevyn is purposely neglecting to mention the Sandpoint Devil so as not to frighten Corinna. I was just going to say things about crocodiles or alligators but I don't actually know ooc what might actually be in the swamp, hence the Knowledge Nature check.
For the past 3 years, fishermen and farmers have told stories of a pale monster with legs that bend like a dog’s, that dresses in rags, and that hunts along the shores of the Soggy River. Sightings of the so-called “Soggy River Monster” are most common near Brinestump Marsh, causing most to believe the creature dwells somewhere in the swamp. The creature has been blamed for at least five disappearances over the past year, although Sandpoint’s militia suspects these disappearances are, in fact, simply bored sons and daughters running away from home to seek an exciting life in Magnimar.
Clouds roll in as night falls, making the already oppressive swamp seem even more so in the near pitch blackness that results.
Sure. That way we can be a beacon to all things that go bump in the night.
Corinna looks a little crestfallen when Melon claims Malan as a watch partner. He still seems the most competent of the group in such circumstances, although the newly-acquired ranger is rapidly rising in her estimation.
"While each of you are on watch," Tevyn continues, "Keep an eye out for snakes and spiders. Spiders can get surprisingly large in the right environment and snakes are always a concern in the swamp. Insects can also get bigger than you might expect. Just remember to keep watch above as well as below and we should be fine."
Melon practically pounces on Corinna, her face filled with concern, "I'm sorry! I'll do watch with you next time, okay?"
Corinna backs away from Melon nervously. "I do hope there won't be a next time. Surely if we walk much farther, we'll be out of the swamp! If we find the end of this trail, we ought to be able to get back to town by the road and travel much more quickly."
While camp is set up, Gilfroy spends some time sketching on a piece of parchment. Nobody is allowed close enough to see the contents, and he gets very snippy if people are too persistent in their attempts to peek.
As for value and crafting time, etc., hmmmm.... The problems with the crafting rules rear their ugly heads again. The value of artwork varies with age and fame, so really shouldn't affect the length of time it takes to paint or the cost of the materials. I'm inclined to assign a generic painting value based on size of the painting--let's say ranging from a few silver pieces for a small painting to 4 or 5 gold for a larger one. Pick something in that range as your target and then proceed from there.
Rajah attempts a peek at Gilfroy's drawing, knowing such an endeavor will probably irritate him. "What is it you are doing there, Gilfroy my good gnome?"
"Nothing, and never you mind!" Gilfroy snaps, quickly covering the drawing. "You know what they say about fools and unfinished work? Well, this is unfinished..." he lets his thought trail off to its obvious conclusion.
Corinna's disgust for the swamp and its unhygienic inconveniences gains a momentary respite when, despite herself, she notices Melon stand near the water's edge, a wistful forlorn look as she gazes into some distant unknown - invisible to Corinna. ...despite herself, curiosity gets the better of her and she approaches - ever so cautiously. "uhm... am I interrupting? Are you missing someone? You seem, un...natural...?"
Melon nods, almost imperceptibly, a faint whisper carrying back to Corinna: "Don't worry, I'm a muse-ing. Fezzi said so."
Rajah looks a bit confused, truly not knowing what "they" say. Hazarding a guess, "And you're a fool for leaving it as such?"
Tevyn lifts an eyebrow at the argument between the gnome and the man with the unusual name, shrugs and returns to tying up hammocks between the trees.
Corinna, wondering why on earth she just approached and spoke to the strange young woman she usually avoids like the plague, quickly returns to the safety of the group.
Gilfroy rolls his eyes comically. "Yeah, something like that," he says.
Once Rajah has moved on, he continues his discrete sketching.
As the sun finally sets, he puts his sketch pad away and begins setting up seven candles in an arc, lighting them. Positioning himself between them and his pony, Gilfroy begins a series of simple chants and movements, using the sash normally fastened around his waist. Now that he's removed the sash, it is obviously comprised of several scarves tied together. Gilfroy holds each in turn over his face as he moves in the candlelight, facing the shadows he casts on Umbral's flank. To the careful eye, it seems that perhaps the shadows on the pony don't always coincide perfectly with the gnome's movements.
His little ritual takes however long it normally takes to pray for spells, then he snuffs out his candles and puts them away.
Yes, Malan lights a fire if no one else does or if no one tells him not to.
Tevyn helps with building the fire, trying his best to shield as much of the light and smoke as possible without making it to dim for himself and his companions to see.
Later, after eating some rations, he stands.
"Well then, I suppose it's time to get some sleep. Good luck on the first watch. Let me know if you need something."
He goes to his hammock, climbs in and is rapidly asleep.
Melon enjoys the night; spending her time at watch half-way between active guard, and exercise. The day doesn't offer that many chances to train - so when things quiet down, she hunkers down herself in a deep squat that she holds almost impossibly long, before snaking along - still in low squat - one slow step at a time.
Malan watches her exercise. He alternates between appreciating her form and appreciating her form.
Despite the oppressive feeling about the swamp, it proves quite easy to fall asleep. Travelling all day has tired you out and so there's no holding off the sleep.
Melon and Malan's watch goes by quietly and they pass duties over to Tevyn and Gilfroy. Their watch starts out well enough, but the calmness is suddenly interrupted when a beast comes lunging out of the darkness. Somehow it has managed to sneak up right beside Tevyn! The beast is somewhat humanoid, but with legs that bend back like a dog's. Its hideous mouth is flanked by tiny arms with three-fingered hands.
Order: Monster, Tevyn, Corinna, Melon, Malan, Gilfroy, Blue Rajah.
There is a surprise round during which only the monster may act. Only Tevyn and Gilfroy are awake in the surprise round, but the rest of you will awaken during the surprise round, so you may act in round 1 (of course, you will start prone).
The monster reaches forward with its horrid mouth, biting into Tevyn's shoulder. As it pulls back, blood dripping from its split fangs and strange tiny mouth claws, Tevyn finds his thoughts consumed with wrath and a desire for revenge against this creature that has dared to bite him. The thoughts distract him, making his actions less precise .
The beast acts immediately again, biting Tevyn in the opposite shoulder and then slashing him with the razor sharp claws at the end of its long arms. The ranger falls over.
Next Up: Melon, Malan, Gilfroy, Blue Rajah, Monster, Tevyn (unconscious)
"To your feet! We're under att-Aaaagh!" Tevyn drops to the ground.
"Wake up! Wake up! Somebody draw that thing away from Tevyn and I'll tend to him!"
Gilfroy will cast bless on his turn, granting everybody +1 bonuses to attack and saves versus fear.
Melon - in deepest slumber - murmurs, "...no Kandi... I'm, oh... yeees... I'll stay a little longer..."
Waking up in terror, Corinna gives a little shriek and scrambles out of her bedroll on the opposite side of the hammock from the monster, hoping the wisp of woven material will serve as some kind of barrier.
Corinna's magical dart shoots through the air just over the creature's head.
Next Up: Malan, Gilfroy, Blue Rajah, Monster, Tevyn (unconscious), Corinna.
When Kandi's dreamed embrace breaks and is replaced by the shrill screams of Corinna, Melon is up in a matter of mere moments - arms splayed wide, hand strangely orthogonal. Her eyes are still half-asleep and her footsteps a tad unsteady, but she takes stock of the situation enough to move to before the scared wizard, muttering, "Ish okay, ish okay, I'll schase it away, go back to bed, ish fine, sleep tight..."
Malan tries to roll away from the monster, tossing off his covers in the process, and stand up.
Acrobatics
Rajah immediately awakes with a start and takes in the scene. "Oh dear," he frets as he notices that Tevyn is bleeding terribly. Just before he steps near him, he notices Malan crawling directly in his path. "Oh dear." Realizing he can't reach him at this point, Rajah smiles as he suddenly remembers he doesn't have to be next to him to help him. "Ah yes, silly me. No worries!" Rajah calls forth the healing power of the Dawnflower.
Melon pulls herself sleepily to her feet, while Malan manages to roll away from the monster without attracting its ire. Rajah stands up and calls out to the Dawnflower. Radiant beams spread out from him, for the briefest moment brightening the surroundings. Healing energies pour into everyone present, even the monster, but their effect is only noticeable on Tevyn, whose wounds begin to close over.
The beast sees Malan rise nearby and moves up to him .
The beast leans forward and sinks its teeth into Malan's shoulder, tearing away a hunk of flesh. The elf briefly feels wrath building up in him, but the beast's sharp claws tear across his face sending him reeling back onto the muddy ground.
Next Up: Corinna, Melon, Malan (unconscious), Gilfroy, Blue Rajah, Monster.
Seeing Tevyn now conscious, Gilfroy calls out, "Tevyn, hang on. I'm com--" he trails off as he sees Malan go down as well.
"I'm not trained in combat tactics and strategy, folks, but would now be a good time to cover us with mist so we can regroup?"
Tevyn weakly opens his eyes, unsure of where he is or what's going on. The sound of the creature's attack on Malan brings it all back to him.
"Don't...let it bite...you." He reaches for his sword.
Seeing the two party members she views as most able rendered prone and bleeding without even a scratch on the monster, Corinna starts to panic. "We have to get out of here! It will kill us all!" She conjures another globule of acid out of the air to fling at it, and then backs away, although afraid to get too close to the edge of the circle of firelight.
As Tevyn carefully draws his sword, Corinna flings another glob of acid at the creature. This time, the acid hits the beast square in the face. It screams from the pain as its flesh burns. Corinna backs away.
Next Up: Malan (unconscious), Gilfroy, Blue Rajah, Monster, Tevyn, Corinna.
Melon is rapidly regaining full consciousness, "Don't tear up your skirt just yet, sweet cheeks, we're not leaving anybody to die." She tries to get into a flanking position with Tevyn - though not quite managing yet. Her crouch is low low low, thrusting an open palm into the lower back of the creature. Perhaps, just maybe, enough to stun it in place for a few seconds.
HP 10/10: AC 11
Gilfroy takes a five-foot step to E92, reaches down, and touches Tevyn, giving him back: hit points.
As Malan falls, Rajah is a bit surprised at how easily the beast seems to be dispatching them. "Oh dear. You are quite the nasty beast. Can't have you killing my friends, now can I?" Rajah states as a matter of fact and with a smile, as he bends at the knees and lays a hand upon Malan.
Melon moves around the fire and comes up on the beast from the south side. Her palm slams into its back, knocking it forward a bit, but not stunning it.
Gilfroy moves forward and touches Tevyn, sending healing energy through the ranger's body. As he does that, Rajah does similarly with Malan, although the effect is not as noticeable.
The monster roars with rage from Melon's hit and turns on her. However, she ducks beneath its teeth and then moves aside from its claw. One claw comes ever so close to shredding her arm, but not quite close enough.
Next Up: Corinna, Melon, Malan (unconscious), Gilfroy, Blue Rajah, Monster.
Drawing in a deep breath as the healing energies from Gilfroy's magic ripples through him, Tevyn raises his blade and carefully gets to his feet, doing his best to avoid the creature's attacks.
As Tevyn pulls himself carefully to his feet, the creature bends forward and tries to bite. However, it's still off-balance a bit from Melon's attack and its teeth fall some distance short of Tevyn's face. It does come close enough, however, for Tevyn to smell its foul breath.
Next Up: Melon, Malan, Gilfroy, Blue Rajah, Monster, Tevyn.
Melon's canines glisten as she's all smiles at the creature missing her and Tevyn; seeing it is still somewhat unsteady on its feat, she tries to sweep out its legs from under it. "Get ready to feel the BOOM BABY!"