The Hollow Man (Inactive)

Game Master trux

Misread the previous post trux. I didn't think we could keep up the chase. Doing a little retcon if that is ok.

Dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Okrin tries, but fails to keep up.

"Oh, fer the love--" Morti grunts before pulling himself together enough to chase after Caramir. "You'll get yerself killed!"
dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Karl, overcome by tiredness, watches Caramir run into the woods. Shaking his head he returns to the barn, and finds the note.Oh. Fair travels, my friend He sits, trying to collect his thoughts.

we are not beating this thing with combat, not easily. Let me think about this. He casts a light spell, and pulls out his journal and starts writing.

Point: the hollow man is a wood golem. He also seems to be the local boogyman.

things to do. Back track golem to starting point. I'm betting it is a sort of shrine. We cannot trail it when it left, but we can back track the approach. But first, seek out clues.

After writing this Karl closes the journal, and settles down to sleep. The day would bring fresh perspective.

whew

Point: Montepierre stated that heads are a source of power, dark power.

Caramir chases after the golem with Morti in tow!
What do they do?

"What's! Your! Plan! Elf!" Morti barks as he runs, trying to keep Caramir and the Hollow Man in sight. "It's! Done! 'e's! Got! 'is! Head!"

Point: Montepierre stated that heads are a source of power, dark power.

Morti nearly face-plants in the underbrush as the memory of Montepierre's musings strike him, distracting from his focus on the chase. Catching himself, he calls, "--Can ya grab the head?!"

"I have no plan Morti!!" - the elf shouts, still on the run - "Our plans don't work! We are puppets, and I am too old to serve the whims of whatever unseen master wishes us to play the part of the fools!" - he adds, anger in his words.

"I will chase him until I find his lair, or until I fall down exhausted! No more games! People are dying!" - he presses on.

Morti, I think if I get too close, he'll just rip me to pieces. But I will try ;)

Caramir wakes up. Bye Cyanne.

Caramir & Morti both make their way deep into the dark, lonely, remote forest.

The others survive until morning, safe in their beds.
Kakao, Karl, Okrin, and Mikka each wake up within the barn. Yellow morning light streams in and bounces off the hay.
There is the smell of some kind of vegetable being cooked coming in from Anna's house.
Let's call it 1000h in the morning.

When she hears you stirring, Anna informs you that there is to be a meeting of all the villagers at the chapel at noon. She seems shaken. "Something must be done."

Should those of us who stayed safely in the barn wait until the other two return before doing anything in the morning? I'm not sure what proper PbP etiquette is here.

Should those of us who stayed safely in the barn wait until the other two return before doing anything in the morning? I'm not sure what proper PbP etiquette is here.

No need to wait Kakao. These guys have expressed intent to chase Hollow regardless of your positioning.

Morti is a little turned around, but you find the trail of dead animals after looking around for a bit. Then you are able to make your way back to sleep outside the barn in a cart.

I keep thinking morti should yell something like, "I can't run all the way to Isengard". :)

There is the smell of some kind of vegetable being cooked coming in from Anna's house.

Let's call it 1000h in the morning.

When she hears you stirring, Anna informs you that there is to be a meeting of all the villagers at the chapel at noon. She seems shaken. "Something must be done."

Kakao rises from the hay and says "Thank you, m'lady."

I assume this barn is where my mule was sheltered.

After she leaves, he goes over to where a mule is and looks it over, checking that it has fresh water and some feed. Scratching it's neck, he says "Good morning, Plyto!" He rummages through a pack saddle near the mule. After making himself a bit more presentable, he settles down for morning prayers.

After his morning prayers, Kakao pours out the remaining water from his waterskin and refills it from a nearby keg. He then grabs a flagon from the pack.

Walking back over to the group, Kakao tells those who are awake "I am going over to the chapel now, see the priest there. Hopefully he will allow me a small space to set up this morning. It doesn't appear we will have much if any time to discuss what happened last night before the village meeting."

Smiling, he adds "Please do come by if any of you are willing to accept a sip from my god's cup."

Leaving the barn, Kakao pauses a moment to orient himself before walking over to the chapel.

Trux, two things.
First, I don't know if I have the option of One with Trombel Woods spell. It isn't clear to me if this is druid only. Kakao is a cleric with Plant domain, but I'm doing morning prayers in the village rather than under the boughs of the trees so it . I've left a couple of spell slots open in any case.
Second, I'll leave it to you how much you want to role-play out my requesting permission from the crazy old priest to set up the flagon and give out booze in the name of Bacchus. Diplomacy roll is for that request.

Diplo with crazy priest: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Looking about.

"So. Should we try and find them?

Karl looked around from his spell book. Isn't morti in that cart over there? I thought Caramir was back also

Morti is awakened by the sounds of human children giggling. Seems to be coming from the hay piled into this busted-up old cart.

"I'm NOT GOING TO DIE TOMORROW IF THAT's what YOU'RE SO WORRIED ABOUT!" Kakao hears the scratchy old voice yelling inside the chapel. Clearly, this must be the voice of the priest.

As you approach closer, peeking inside, you see a stout and hale man speaking with the old priest. (the others would know this man as Kaerl if they joined you.)

Party: You have time to debrief from the night before, especially considering Caramir's uncertain state (due to the nature of flux modulated aetherplot manipulation common in some lesser quasar polyplot multidestinies.

Kakao: One with the Tombell is a druid-only spell unique to the setting we picked up on this dark little adventure. Bacchus/Dionysis might not approve of you using it, if you catch my drift. I don't know how else to say this, but "This forest predates his worship."

Morti sits up groggily, rubbing sleep from his eyes and looking around. "still 'ere. 'parently dreams don't come true." he grumbles to himself.

Looking around at the hay, he attempts cheer, badly. "you're lucky, you little scamps. Had ye waked a wizard so suddenly, you mighta been turned into troglodytes."

absent anything else interesting happening in the vicinity of the cart, morti will follow kakao to the temple.

"I'm NOT GOING TO DIE TOMORROW IF THAT's what YOU'RE SO WORRIED ABOUT!" Kakao hears the scratchy old voice yelling inside the chapel. Clearly, this must be the voice of the priest.

As you approach closer, peeking inside, you see a stout and hale man speaking with the old priest. (the others would know this man as Kaerl if they joined you.)

Kakao looks towards Morti for moment, clearly uncomfortable with the intrusion, then shrugs.

Best to give warning of my approach, so that both sides can pretend nothing was heard. Stomping his feet a bit to make some noise, Kakao then grasps the handle of the door and opens it.

Smiling broadly as he raises the flagon he carries so it is clearly visible, Kakao proclaims "Pardon me, gentlemen! I am Kakao, and as a priest of Bacchus I was wondering if I might be allowed to set up a cup as offering to any who might accept it."

Already rolled the Diplo above, 9 + 7 = 16.
Bluff to hide that he overheard anything: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Karl finishes studying his spell book, and his breakfast and gets up. He looks around a sees that the others were wandering around, doing things, so he moves to gather them up, for a private chat.

When he does so, he says
I have been thinking about our situation
He then details his thoughts on the Hollowman, as recorded in his journal

I think that someone is deliberately sending the hollowman to attack the village. Someone planted the trail of dead animals for it. We need to find out why Bacca was back, in case he was involved, we need to check that villager, he may know something, and we need to back track the hollowman's path. And I think we need to do this before night fall.

He looks around.
Morti, where is Caramir?

A curly-haired girl with hay in her brown hair giggles at Morti, saying "I'm going to win hide-from-hollowman, tehehe!" Then you leave her to head to the small kirk.

Kaerl the villager considers you for a moment, Kakao, and then "Certainly, little one, whatever you like. You and the others are most welcome to join us in our meeting. We hope your search of the forest yesterday brought you to good news. Our fortunes are not well, and our fears, they may yet outstrip some of us."

Then the priest chimes in unhelpfully, "Wait, that's your son? He's not looking so good. I don't think I can do anything about that!"

Karl, I take it you don't say any of that in front of the NPCs. Let's say you gather everyone outside the little church with thirty minutes to go before the town meeting.

yes, a quiet talk before the town meeting.

Nodding toward Kakao.

"I appreciate you're offer."

Pausing to consider how to respond. Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Kaerl the villager considers you for a moment, Kakao, and then "Certainly, little one, whatever you like. You and the others are most welcome to join us in our meeting. We hope your search of the forest yesterday brought you to good news. Our fortunes are not well, and our fears, they may yet outstrip some of us."

Then the priest chimes in unhelpfully, "Wait, that's your son? He's not looking so good. I don't think I can do anything about that!"

Smiling at the priest, Kakao explains "I am a gnome, good sir, not a child."

Looking towards Kaerl, he says "Thank you. Do not lose hope. We will do my best to give the village a reason to celebrate." Party once the monster is gone!

Kakao then goes over to a table and sets the flagon on top of it. He then fills the flagon from his wineskin and says a short prayer to Bacchus over it.

Getting on top of the table, he then shouts "Let all who would partake of Bacchus's gift approach!" looking towards Morti and Orkin hopefully.

"I will join in your blessing," nods Morti somewhat wearily, stepping to the table. in hopes that we may soon be blessed wi' something worthy o' joy."

On rejoining the others for the pre-meeting, he hangs his head a little at Karl's question. "I...couldn't keep up. Lost 'em in the woods, and figured there was no use in me stumbling about alone. I was 'oping caramir would 'ave returned by now--but th' elf is persistent."

"I appreciate your clear 'ead, Karl-- since caramir is still out there, I think we must get to backtracking as quick as we can."

That is important, Morti, but it may have to wait. We should attend this town meeting first. Caramir chose his path. We will help him, I hope, but finding the instigator is more important. And we need to decide, as a group, how to determine that.

Kakao smiles broadly and offers the cup to Morti. "Drink freely of Bacchus's blessing."

After that, he calls out to attract more people to the offering. He continues to do this for about fifteen or twenty minutes, offering the cup to any who come. At that point he tries to clear any people still in line.

Once the line is empty, Kakao will drink the remainder down himself and hurry to meet with the group. If the cup is empty first, he will go to meet with Karl and the others then.

Trux, I figure the above is an allowed way to end the offering. Not the recommended way, more like a shortcut to be used judiciously. Let me know if you disagree.

---

Kakao arrives just as Karl starts his briefing. He reads through the notes that Karl passes around while listening to others. He frowns at one point. Never trust a priest? Well, at least now I know where I currently stand with him. Guess I'll have to talk to him about this later.

...

That is important, Morti, but it may have to wait. We should attend this town meeting first. Caramir chose his path. We will help him, I hope, but finding the instigator is more important. And we need to decide, as a group, how to determine that.

Scratching his head a moment, Kakao says "Karl, it seems to me that there are other ways to interpret what happened.

You suggested that the monster is mindless, following a set of orders without question. From what I understand, part of the trail of animal bodies was removed yet it was still able to find the town. Furthermore, it seems to me that it hesitated before having one of the summoned stick people scout Bacca's house.

That doesn't seem like the actions of a mindless automaton to me."

Kakao pauses, waiting for anyone to respond.

...

Waiting for another gap in the conversation, Kakao says "Another thing, I don't think Bacca returned. Really seems that the monster disappeared into the woods to search him out. After he found and killed Bacca, the creature brought the head back to show it off. Once again, doesn't seem like a mindless creature."

The priest still seems befuddled, but Kaerl tries to keep him calm, and at the very least, Kaerl keeps the old man away from the wine. Beside you, most of the adult villagers begin filing inside the nature chapel. You see many familiar faces. None seem absent except the most young of the men of the hamlet.

Awakening as the sun’s rays stream into the barn, Mikka quietly begins her meditation, communing with Freya and reaching her senses out to the primeval wood itself, calling upon the natural powers of the world around her. Preparing One with Tombell.

After a while she arises, walking out of the barn to greet the day.

"Th' thing did show it could hunt down Baca wherever he may be, not just stop at th' end of th' trail-- we wronged the man for marking 'im so. Whether that's thinkin' for 'imself or some instinct, it still seems he relies on some other to mark the target?"

"Th' thing did show it could hunt down Baca wherever he may be, not just stop at th' end of th' trail-- we wronged the man for marking 'im so. Whether that's thinkin' for 'imself or some instinct, it still seems he relies on some other to mark the target?"

"The monster went after the male head of the house we threw the corpse in. Were all the victims male? Be interesting to check if any other houses were marked with animal corpses -- perhaps buried or otherwise hidden?"

The villagers continue to file into the kirk.

The villagers continue to file into the kirk.

It is at about this point that Kakao ends his offering in order to join Karl and the others.

i think you are seeing too much in its actions, kakao. All its actions can be explained as a construct following direction. There is a mind behind this, but it's not the golem. Karl looks over and sees the townsfolk gather.
still, this may not be the time for a protracted discussion. Everyone, take note of everything said in this meeting. Our perpetrator may skip up. But let us not accuse anyone as yet.

"The monster went after the male head of the house we threw the corpse in. Were all the victims male? Be interesting to check if any other houses were marked with animal corpses -- perhaps buried or otherwise hidden?"

Morti frowns, "So far I think it's been Baca last night and Kostya the night before -- but yes, Kostya was cut down while 'is wife looked on an' she not elsewise harmed. Okrin, you said two men were mendin' the door yesterday morning when you an' Caramir went by; maybe they noticed a dead thing nailed up?"

Everyone, take note of everything said in this meeting. Our perpetrator may skip up. But let us not accuse anyone as yet.

"Lots of people are nervous and starting to lose hope. Tempers are likely to flare. Be diplomatic when we are asked questions.

As an example, instead of saying that we don't know where Caramir is, it might be better to say he is leaving a trail for us to follow through the woods." Gesturing to himself, Kakao adds "Some of us move much slower than he does."

i think we are ready to attend the meeting.

yup, yup

Agreed. Though some info. on the religion roll would be appreciated, but clearly not vital at this point.

Okrin, I don't know how it would be inappropriate to refuse or accept Kakao's offer. You never stated you follow a particular god, did you? So feel free to take part, a sip of wine or so.

Okrin, if you want more information on Bacchus, I used the wiki entry as a starting point. I figure it would be appropriate for Kakao to pour a cup since he was in town. No game mechanics that I'm aware of, just doing it for roleplaying flavor.

It doesn't matter to me (the player) if you partake or not. It could even be appropriate for you to be distrustful of those crazy enough to follow Bacchus if that is how you feel.

Was more thinking about the reaction of the villagers. After offending at least one villager, Okrin is wary of doing something that might be taken the wrong way by the villagers. In different circumstances he'd partake without hesitation.

If that is the case, probably best you not partake. They aren't in a partying mood right now, for some strange reason.

Go figure