Harad excuses himself, but instead of going to the room he shares with Alk, he heads out the door and down the street to the Golden Key (Temple of Abadar). There he inquires about a lessor restoration to recover his strength. He finds Ananias Taavi, the head cleric for the temple who has that spell memorized and casts it for 120 gp. The spell restores 1d4 points to Harad's strength, restoring him completely. Thanking the cleric he returns to the Inn, but noticing Alk studying he retreats downstairs and once again goes outside.
[EDIT] Harad leaves with Weston, Numbor, and Dezi. He stops at the Golden Key while Weaston escorts Dezi to the Dragon Wind Winery. Westol and Numbor are gone when Dezi comes out to return to the Iron Keel Inn to meet Foxglove. Dezi does not encounter Harad on the way.[/EDIT]
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Dezi keeps an eye on the wanderers looking for clues of strange behavior that would not be in keeping with guards.
Once she returns to the Dragon Wind Winery she checks to see if Lihan Ta is still awake, with the intent of asking about the wanderers, though she is quiet only in the way that a drunken whisper is quiet.
Dezi keeps an eye on the wanderers looking for clues of strange behavior that would not be in keeping with guards.
Foxglove is about to start whispering, then writes instead:
posh wedding - merc leaders - secret meetings? patrol for spies & assassins -> i look dangerous?Satisfied she solved that mystery, she blows a kiss to the next patrol they meet and moves on, ignoring the guards from then on.
--
Next morning, Foxglove is only a little late for breakfast and in a good mood despite her hangover. She greets the party:
"Morning boys. You missed a great party!"
Nothing disturbs the Part's rest this night. As the dawn waxes to full light, Harad wakes Alk and says "It loooks like we have nothing else to acomplish here in Darkmantle. I suggest we gather our belongings a prepare to depart. Unless, of course you or Foxglove need to do some more shopping. I'll knock on her door before I go down for a breakfast. I am all packed if everyone else is ready. I'll send a message to Dezi to meet us downstairs."
I suggest we gather our belongings a prepare to depart. Unless, of course you or Foxglove need to do some more shopping.
Foxglove seems to have packed and prepared most of her stuff the evening before, as she likes to be ready to escape leave at short notice.
Alk wakes easily, well rested from a full night's sleep. After freshening up he prepares his spells for the day, choosing to bring his newly learned color spray spell.
He goes down for breakfast himself as well, bringing all of his gear with him. As he sits down for his meal Alk swings his backpack easily to the floor, giving a "good morning" to anyone who arrived before him.
As the party gathers for breakfast Harad shows them a map sketch. "Here is a rough sketch of the next leg of our journey. The road at the upper right starts just outside of Darkmantle. It travels southwest past a few forests and some swamp. At the fork we take the south branch. North leads to Mosswater and I have not been there. As you can see we get into swampland very soon after we turn south. We will be very close to the ruins where this all started when we pass the junction with the cross-road that goes east to Sezgin Road. I would say that when we get to the southern turn we'll be about half way there. I know you wanted to get a wand of cure light wounds and that will cost 750 gp. I talked rto the priest at the Goklden Key last night and there is no fully charged wand in their inventory. They do have one with 20 charges for 300 gp. We have not sold the broach as yet, and I don't think we should. But we can exchange some of the potions we kept as party treasure for it instead. We have 2 each of reduce person, enlarge person, hide from undead, and hide from animals. That would give us 250 gp. We could split the rest to make up the difference. What do you think?"
Alk, remembering how ineffective his potions proved before, comments, "Som'more reliable healin' than these darned drinks'd be nice, so I'm all fer gettin' the new lass a shiny healin' stick."
"That's settled then!"
counting out coins to pay for her share of the healing wand:
"It's a good thing you got the cheaper one. Actually it's a good thing we'll be back on the road again. I seem to have spent a lot more money than I thought. Let's just hope there are no nice shops along the road ahead."
--
"Dezi, do you have a... little pony or something? You are welcome to hitch a ride on Carrot, but I'm not sure how comfortable saddlebags would be."
Drawing of Dezi on a tiny horse, Dezi in saddlebag, and a question mark. Waiting for Dezi to indicate if she needs a ride.
--
She hopes to find Cat in the saddlebags or around the stables. If not, she coos and calls and really takes her time moving out of the village, hoping that it'll catch up.
Ready to head out. Foxglove is wearing her "standard adventuring outfit", now also including the new bow and 12 arrows. While getting ready, she seems to be rehearsing movements for drawing the bow (and an arrow) quickly. Saddlebags and sacks are restocked with rations and feed, and waterskins are refilled. In short, she is ready and impatient to be on the road again.
If the rest of the party want a slower pace, Harad and Foxglove (and Cat?) can take turns scouting a short way ahead while Alk and Dezi lead the horse and Carrot.
Harad collects the and the potions and goes to the Golden Key. He returns in only a few minutes with the wand, which he offers to Dezi with the following on the slate, "I think that you will be the best one to use this for the party."
If the party agrees they go to the Bridled Oar to retrieve their animals.
Æwine and Carrot seem to have been well cared for and look happy to see the party. Cat is sleeping in the rafters above Carrot. The party saddles up and heads southwest down the road from Darkmantle.
Foxglove walks beside Dezi, trying to write on the slate while walking, or stopping to write and hurrying to catch up.
Can you teach me some basic signs for scouting?
Gah, writing is so.. annoying. Exactly why we must learn her signs!
Foxglove asks to learn the signs for:
-danger! monster, ambush, trap,
-hide!
-wait!
-follow me quietly
-flanking
-idiot
Except for the last one (saved for internal use), she insists everyone in the party learns these basic signs.
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When offered the wand of cure light wounds, Dezi writes back, "Energy enough for five without rest and more in our downtime."
She glances over at Alk and then Foxglove and notes, "Backup or double-up when we need?"
When Foxglove broaches the teaching of drow sign language, Dezi jumps on the idea. She wastes no time in beginning lessons, adding signs for 'cure', 'wounds', 'poison', 'attack', 'now' and basic numbering.
Foxglove hesitates... "Umm.. if you go down, I'll grab your wand and use it on you. I'm pretty sure I can get it to work - just not on the first try. So better not bleed out too fast."Ouch.. such a tiny body, every second is going to count then."On second thought, we'll probably stuff a healing potion down your throat if that happens. The wand is for... well.. if we are wounded and chased and find a place to hide for a few minutes. And you are exhausted. That kind of thing."
She wastes no time in beginning lessons, adding signs for 'cure', 'wounds', 'poison', 'attack', 'now' and basic numbering.
'Cure'? But why would I worry about breaking stealth to ask for a cure... ohyeahright she still can't hear...
She is curious and a quick learner. Nevertheless, when Dezi tries to teach signs for numbers, she counters by showing Dezi that humans already know how to count on their fingers. And if there are more than 5 opponents, the sign you want is probably 'hide!' or 'flee!' anyway. She would like to know the sign for 'I heard something' or 'dangerous sound' though, since Dezi otherwise might be oblivious.
When we return to a city, I'll have her teach me signs for cheating at card games and such.
Foxglove also tries to teach Dezi every rude gesture she knows.
((Sorry...been busy and forgot to check in. Back before the party left...))
Cat lazily jumps onto Carrot, pats down a nice spot, and snuggles into more sleep.
What it looks like on the road
How are you configured while on the road? Do you have a fixed marching order? What are you doing besides learning Drow sign-language?
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Dezi spends some of her time on foot, some on Carrot (particularly while doing any teaching of signs). She is fine with marching in whatever order.
While on Carrot she makes an effort at befriending Cat.
When not otherwise occupied, she spends her time humming various tunes to herself, so as not to bother the others.
((Cat's my actual character...not an NPC/mob. I don't think your dice rolls are going to have much effect on me. :) ))
While not paying attention to the lessons in sign language, Alk keeps a keen eye on the environment during the group's travels. He has spent enough time on the roads of the River Kingdoms to know that letting your guard down can be a deadly mistake.
You have been traveling about 2 hours and find yourselves in Hex -23.13.
Perception Check
Alk Perception 19
The party hears a series of "Thunks". To the northwest they see at the bottom of a large Ash tree two male sheep bashing their heads together with a small herd of female sheep a short distance to the east of the display.
Alk can see that there is a lion stalking the small heard of female sheep from the east.
Cat can see another lion to the west of the males.
Harad and Dezi can see two lions creeping toward the male sheep from the west.
Foxglove is fixing her hair.
Foxglove is fixing her hair.
Ooooh..sheep. Kinda romantic, dueling for the lady favors like that. Wouldn't that be something, having two knights fight over me... though I'd of course have to stab the ugly one so I could run off with the cute one.
Oh, Dezi is making the sign for... monster? or was it ambush or danger? Gah, her tests are hard! But wouldn't it be funny if that was for real and she was afraid of sheep! I suppose those rams could look scary if I were 3' tall...
Cat keeps an eye on the scene, but isn't all that concerned about the fate of a few sheep. Circle of life and all that.
Alk watches the big cats very carefully, but feels no need to defend the sheep. He says in a low voice to the group, "Looks like we've got some company. Hope they're more in the mood fer sheep than horse." He points to the lions as he speaks.
"What? Oh!"
Foxglove sees the (one) lion.
"Stealth, speed and sharp claws versus head-butting and posturing. Too easy, but a good demonstration."
Suddenly she tenses and says to Alk and Harad with urgency:
"What if there's a shepherd there? And he's stupid enough to try to interfere?"
Foxglove stands on tip-toe to look for any sign of a nearby shepherd (or any sign the sheep are domestic and not wild). If she cannot see anything, she is content to watch the show.
She readies her bow and arrow, though. Just in case.
The lions are downwind from the sheep. The party is downwind from the lions.
Ælfwine is nervous but quite. The party continues down the road.
Harad and Dezi notice that one of the lions west of the sheep watches the party as it passes.
After another 500' the party sees a stone and wood bridge crossing a ravine with a good sized stream.
The party (except fort Alk) sees a manticore in the tree northwest of the bridge.
Begin Round 1
Please post your actions:
1) Dezi Actions
2) Foxglove Actions
3) Manticore Actions
4) Harad Actions
5) Alk Actions
6) Cat Actions
The lion to the east charges the sheep. They flee west as the two males stop fighting and follow the herd. The two other lions spring from cover and attack the sheep, one bringing down the larger male, the second bringing down a female sheep. The charging lion gets another sheep. The three retreat to the tree to begin eating. No shepherd has been seen. The party continues down the road.
Play continues as above.
Round 1
2) Foxglove Actions
3) Manticore Actions
4) Harad Actions
5) Alk Actions
6) Cat Actions
Wings, spiky tail and ugly mug. He's going to fly by and pepper us the moment we get out on the brid... whoaa, Dezi's starting something - probably a fight.
Foxglove dashes to nearby cover (big tree or rock), preferably 20-30' from Dezi, and draws her bow. She doesn't care to be silent - drawing the fire away from mounts and Dezi wouldn't be so bad.
"Spread out!"
Round 1
2) Foxglove calls out then moves to the closest cover, the low parapet of the bridge, as she draws her bow (Foxglove in CK37); Foxclove sees a blue glow around the manticore.
3) Manticore fires 4 spikes in the direction of the party (1=Foxglove; 2=Harad; 3=Dezi; 4=Carrot; 5=Cat; 6=Alk; 7=Ælfwine; 8=miss)
, and misses everyone
, targets Foxglove; ; and it misses
, targets Ælfwine; , ; Ælfwine takes hp and falls to the ground bleeding (Ælfwine now at -1 hp); ( ; ); Alk falls off Ælfwine but avoids taking damage from the fall and is able to remain on his feet (Alk in CS35).
, targets Dezi; , and hits for hp of damage (Dezi now at 14 hp).
The manticore leaves the tree and flies to BU27, it is 15' off the ground.
4) Harad draws out a potion and drinks it; a faint shimmer briefly flows over his body and is gone (AC now 23).
Mid Round 1
5) Alk Actions
6) Cat Actions
Alk, now very aware of the manticore, moves 20' closer , drawing his wand of magic missile from his side as he goes. With a command word he shoots off a missile from the tip of the wand.
unless Cat or Dezi does something completely unexpected, Foxglove will draw an arrow and yell at the Manticore (but keep her cover)
"Over here ya' ugly mutt. I got a spike for you too"
Round 1
5) Alk's fall from Ælfwine does not count against his initiative actions. Since he lands standing he can draw his wand of magic missle as a standard action, and move to CO34, but then he is done this round.
6) Cat Actions
Cat slides off Carrot from the protected side of the horse, and slinks into the (hopefully tall) grass using Carrot's body as a shield against incoming missiles to get at least 30 feet away from where all the tail spikes are being aimed.
Cat at CU39; Dezi at CO35; Alk at CO34; Harad at CN37; Ælfwine dying at -1 hp; manticore 15-ft off ground at BU27 and flying toward party
Beginning of Round 2
2) Foxglove Actions
3) Manticore Actions
4) Harad Actions
5) Alk Actions
6) Cat Actions
Round 2
2) Foxglove readies an action to shoot her bow at the manticore when it is within short range (+8/1d6) [plus is only on attack, not damage]
3) Manticore flies toward party; when it gets to BX30, it is within 70' and Foxglove's readied action goes off; , she misses; manticore continues flying to CF34 and is now 10-ft off ground, where it slings 4 more spikes; (1=Foxglove; 2=Dezi; 3=Carrot; 4=Harad; 5=Alk; 6=miss)
; attacks Harad, ; hits Harad for hp (now at 27 hp)
; attacks Harad, ; hits Harad for hp (now at 20 hp)
; misses everyone
; attacks Carrot, ; hits Carrot for hp (now at 7 hp)
4) Harad charges the manticor and tries to high jump to hit it with stunning fist; ; he jumps high enough to be able to attack; ; ; hp; , manticore is not stunned, Harad lands in CE32 on his feet
Mid Round 2
5) Alk Actions
6) Cat Actions
[plus is only on attack, not damage]
Foxglove's jaw drops a little as she sees Harad jump up and punch the monster. I wonder if I could do that too? But he's still going to die if he keeps getting spiked like that! Unless Dezi can save him.
Then she notices:
"NOOO! Save Carrot!"
The reference is somewhat misleading. The default composit shortbow has a +0 strength requirement. This means that to use the bow effectivly (without minus) you have to have a strength of 10 (+0).
I went back and looked at your posts and do not see the one to which you refereed. The bow would have cost 75 gp more if it had a +1 STR rating. I am happy to make that correction if you wish to pay the extra. Im not sure that you hav enough cash unless you borrow from someone.
Treasure List Leaving Darkmantle (look at the second sheet, Leaving Darkmantle)
Alk shoots off a magic missile from his wand at the manticore.
((How tall is the grass?))