The Hollow Man (Inactive)

Game Master trux

Looking toward the young girl after she finishes talking toward Yemi.

Kneeling, "Hello child. I am Okrin. Me and my friends here need to help Yemi with his injury, but if you can point us in the direction that Karda went and perhaps show us where you were picking truffles after we help Yemi we may be able to help Karda also."

Standing, quietly speaking to the others. "How much can we do here? How much are all of you willing to help with?"

The houses are wattle and daub with thatched roofs built around central stone chimneys. Smoke can be seen rising from several chimneys.

There are probably about 25 cottages in the clearing, plus several crofts and farmsteads and one chapel. One farmstead has a large attached barn with an iron weathervane. Another smaller farmstead has a huge amount of timber drying in an open outhouse, next to which is a large sturdy storage shed.

After the first impression made by the children playing with animals on the periphery of the clearing by the wood wards, movement in the interior village can be made out to be adults working in yards and tilling fields.

Across the village, you can make out a circular pond occupied by mangy ducks. A curious timber stake rises from its center, and a trio of rusted manacles dangle from its top. A hundred feet further still beyond the pond and stake, lies what appears to be the remains of an old collapsed lime kiln.

A hand goes up as Mak waves the nearest adult over worriedly. After Okrin finishes, he speaks up.

"You may not like it Goodspeed, but these articles probably know the trails here better than you. It's probably nothing. Besides, we should be moving on once we can explain Yemi's case here."

No use poking around where we're not wanted. It's probably just another dog gone off. Then, turning to the children,
"Little ones, What or who is Karda? Is there someone here who can get Karda back?"

-Removing two days rations from my inventory

A farmer approaches Mak when signaled.

"Karda is my little girl. My wife has gone to fetch her. I'm sure she's fine. She went to gather truffles with her pig. Welcome to Levoca. Your the first visitors we've had in years. How did you come upon our home?"

As he waits for a reply he glances down at Yemi.

"What happened to your knee, boy? Get you to the chapel to have that mended, I'll let your father know you're back, if his wits are about him."

At the sound of the man's description of Yemi's father, Okrin gives Makirut a concerned look.

"I'm sure you're right about the trails, but things still seem off to me. Looking at the man, I'm Okrin Goodspeed, we encountered Yemi here on the road trying to fight off his dog. Wanted to make sure he made it home safely." He looks to Makirut before saying anything more.

Karl looks at the stake with the manacles. I wonder what those are for. Punishment? Looks unpleasant

"Thank you for returning the boy. It's too late now for you to reach the highway before dark. If you want to spend the night, you should go talk to Anna. She's making soup for several of the children tonight, and she has room in her barn if you don't mind sleeping on bails of hay."

"That's kind of you sir. I didn't catch your name, I'm afraid." Mak extends a hand.
diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 "I'm called Makirut, and I'm afraid we should be leaving all the same. We are busy travelers, and while your village is idyllic, our brewmaster Montpierre is eager to return to Endhome." Mak indicates Larrieux as he makes a small flourish of respect.

While social conventions says we should meet the father and offer our condolences, I'd rather not sleep in another hay loft. Perhaps there is room for us in this Chapel, however... the main road. We should really get back.

The man raises an eyebrow.

"You will travel in the wood after nightfall? As you wish. Be careful friends. I am Aldan."

Inclining his head toward Aldan, "Well met Aldan. You seem surprised. Is there trouble in the wood at night?"

"It is not wise to travel in these woods alone at night unless you know them well," Aldan says simply. "The woods rearrange themselves to bewilder travellers, and you may meet a redcap or some other evil halfling."

Karl looks puzzled. redcap. What's a redcap?
no knowledge nature, lol

"Best you don't find out friend. A wicked little halfling if ever there was one. I'll give Anna a hamhock to stretch the soup. I hope to see you by the barn when the pot is boiling."

Mak tries to think real hard about redcaps

knowledge(history)(untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
knowledge(nature)(untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
knowledge(local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"Aldan, friend, Is there any chance we can might stay in the church instead?" There are some of us who might wish to spend this time away from our loved ones in prayer."

Makirut has heard tales of the Redcap, a malevolent fey related to Brownies. They are said to wear blood-soaked hats, and employ poison. They prefer to ambush or take advantage of helpless victims.

Aldan scratches his head.

"You might go pay your respects to the Green Man, Brother Arkadius would appreciate the visit. I don't know of any one having slept in the chapel before, it has but a few wooden pews. If it is for the sake of prayer as you say though, he may not object..."

Aldan points to the small chapel with it's dilapidated roof, where Yemi has made his way. A fresh grave has been dug outside, presumably for Yemi's grandfather.

"I must go and tell Yurt that his son has returned."

Aldan walks off purposefully towards Olav's farm. As he does, the bull bellows. It has not been slaughtered yet after all.

"Karl I'll go with Aldan to meet this Olav fellow, rally at the chapel afterwards, aye?"

to Aldan,

"I've dressed the Little Hobb's wounds myself. I'd like to pay my respects if you should think Yurt won't mind."

How many hours until sunset and how far is the walk to the main highway Grimmy?

Olav is the dead grandfather, Yurt is Yemi's grieving da'.

The highway is three and a half hours back the way you came. Sunset is now.

Aldan nods.

"Come along then. But if Yurt is in his bottles we'll let him be."

As the evening wears on, call and response howls are heard from the woods at the outskirts of the tiny thorp. The villagers seem alarmed but the howls are a ways off, and stop soon after they've begun.

Yurt proves to be too beside himself with grief and reeks of alcohol. He has not even noticed his son was missing and takes no interest in the noews that he was injured by his dog.

Brother Arkadius at the chapel is a feeble minded man. Nearly blind and unquestionably senile. He grins from cheek to cheek at the prospect of you spending the night in the chapel, and disrobes completely. It is not clear what he expects to happen next, but he smells of mildew.

Edit: Fixed the Olav blooper lol

Guys, I honestly apologize for the sparse posting - been hammered with a lot of stuff in RL. Fortunately nothing bad, just time consuming ;)

Caramir had been mostly silent, observing the village and its inhabitants, and listening to the conversation.

Knowledge (Redcap): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"I would like to tag along also Mak - I want to hear more about what happened, and how exactly the bull attack took place, if it is ok" - the elf pipes in.

------

Got ninjaed :D

Grimmy, before nightfall, maybe Caramir would have a chance to take a look at the bull before it is slaughtered? Trying to look for signs of disease, wounds, or something else that would explain its aggressive behaviour.

Knowledge (Nature?): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Olav proves to be too beside himself with grief...

I thought Olav was the dead grandfather..? ;)

Well wouldn't you be sad if you were a dead grandfather?

Caramir notices that the bull periodically stops pacing and bellows towards the woods. He knows that it is normal for bulls to become aggressive in the spring, but this behavior is unusual for the time of year.

Caramir, do you enter the field?

Karl heads over to the chapel. On seeing the priest disrobe his eyes pop. That's not what i expected. What religion does he follow? Karl shakes his head. Where was the priest's apprentice.

starting to feel like I have entered the movie deliverence. Please no banjo's, lol

Let's just say I carefully approach the field :D

As soon as Caramir starts to cross the fence, the bull puts it's head down and is obviously about to charge.

If you want to get closer to this bull you have to use handle animal. Or fight it!

Interested in seeing more of the chapel, Okrin heads in that direction with others.
Looking toward Karl, "Well, I can't say it's what I expected either. My guess is that he may not know what religion he follows. Perhaps we'd be better of among the hay bails."

Why are the animals so aggressive around here..? - the elf ponders, backing off from the fence, instead heading towards the edge of the woods.

Standing directly between the woods and the field, he takes another look at the fence to look for some damage - Maybe there is some predator around here, making them uneasy?

The fence is intact.

"Well Arlen, it seems his woes are unsurmountable" Mak says, "Would you care to introduce me to Brother Arkadius?

Hopefully Arlen can introduce us with a good word to the priest.

Then when they walk in to find the priest naked before the others, he gives Arlen a look of surprise.

Mak turns to the priest and asks him about why he is naked. Before Arlen leaves, he asks to be informed of the wife & child's safe return to town - when they get back of course.

Once that is out of the way, he takes a patrol through and around the village - using his darkvision to estimate the layout of buildings, scarecrows, and the treeline. perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9. However, he gets kind of creeped out by the looming forest and cuts his survey short.

Before rejoining the others he casts Detect Magic on the bull by force of habit.

Before everyone beds down, he will suggest they keep watches for the night outside whichever building they decide to quarter in.

When asked why he is naked the priest replies incomprehensibly.

"Yes, yes.. Eventually!"

Aldan averts his eyes and hurries away acting like he has seen nothing.

Makiruts magical sight reveals no enchantment upon the restless bull.

As dusk falls, Aldan looks for Makirut by the barn where the village children are eating Anna's soup. With him is a frightened and distraught looking woman with a plain face.

"My wife. She has returned from the wood. Karda has not been found. Friends, is there a tracker among you?"

Caramir spent some more time around the bull's enclosure - he tracked the area around it, and leading up to the woods.

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

After gathering all the information he could, the elf decided to return to where he knew the meal would be served, also to get a feel for the general ambiance of the population.

He met up with the others, and gladly accepted a taste from Anna's soup - "Thank you for your hospitality" - he offered with a smile - "I am Caramir - well met. I was wondering, do you usually..."

As dusk falls, Aldan looks for Makirut by the barn where the village children are eating Anna's soup. With him is a frightened and distraught looking woman with a plain face.

"My wife. She has returned from the wood. Karda has not been found. Friends, is there a tracker among you?"

He was interrupted by the distraught account from Aldan, moving closer and answering the man - "I have some skills in the wild - where was he last seen?"

Caramir's inspection revealed no sign of anything out of the ordinary entering or leaving the bull-pen.

Back at Anna's barn Aldan recounts to him the tale of his daughter Karda who had gone out to fetch truffles with her pig and not returned. His lackadaisical attitude about the situation is gone now that night is falling and her mother has not retrieved her.

"My wife can lead you to the usual trail she follows, but if the pig ran off and Karda followed into the gnarl wood, none of us has the skill to pick up her tracks in this light."

Larrieux follows Karl to the chapel As the man disrobes, Larrieux shields his eyes. Good Lord man! No one wants to see your old, shriveled tallywacker! Put some britches on before I lose my lunch!

He slaps Karl on the back. I told you there was a bunch of freaks in this place.

He points his spear at the man's privates. I ain't kidding. I'll skewer that little thing if you don't cover it!

the things that happen in the sticks!

"My wife can lead you to the usual trail she follows, but if the pig ran off and Karda followed into the gnarl wood, none of us has the skill to pick up her tracks in this light."

"I think that is best" - Caramir retorts, turning to the others - "These good folk seem to need our assistance friends - I will try to track the girl down. Will you accompany me?"

If all agree, once they are guided to the site by Aldan's wife, Caramir will check the area for tracks.

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Mak nods, but leaves his backpack and camp gear behind. Combat Load Equipment only.

"You-"He points to one of the youngest children. "Keep an eye on this for me, will ya?" Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 He points at the backpack, then stands by the door mentally considering his available spells. I'm a little worried about all this.

The four year old nods proudly.

"Uh huh!"

He sits on the pack and tries to buckle it around his waist.

Aldans tearful wife Jarka leads the party to the truffle trail and Caromir easily picks up the tracks of Karda and the pig leading off into the gnarley wood.

The moon is up by the time Caromir follows the tracks to a large beach tree. Approaching from 30' he makes out a form at it's feet in the trunks.

is it night yet, and what is the weather like?

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
would the use of my darkvision change anything?
Mak can't see anything clear about the figure, so he faces back the way they came, listening for pursuit or ambush - but hearing none.
He casts Message on each of the party members. Saying in a low voice "What do you see?"

Yup it's night, crisp autumn, big harvest moon.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
:/

Looking toward Makirut before they depart to track the lost child.
"How could I best be of assistance? Should I accompany you or stay here in the village?"

Earlier at the village...
After a kind of comic take where he looks to each of the other party members in turn, Makirut turns back to Okrin.
"You probably best decide for yourself. Personally, I think I'm too young to die, but if Larrieux and Cian stay here - then they are both too pretty to die. Guard them."

I have no idea what is going on. Naked clerics and now this.
if we put the nineteen year old in charge, I am absolutely going to milk it for the lulz.

I'm confused. Is the encounter with the naked Priest over? Karl posted as if he is with Makirut now. Are we there or at the temple?

I think Larrieux gets to be there until you want to move him to another scene. For now there are four available I can think of.
1:when we met the boy yemi at the road (b/c cian is kind of in limbo there)
2:the temple of the shrivelled dong (village priest)
3:the barn of deciding (oh no the girl is missing)
4:the creepy clearing of impending doom (creepy tree at dusk)

Larrieux may not be better off in the clearing, but it is simpler here.

2:the temple of the shrivelled dong (village priest)

Haha!!! I'm having a little trouble following along.

tis only a little village. An apologies for the confusion. As we were asked to help at night, I thought we had reunited, as that was a few hours later.

Karl, during the trip through the forest, casts light upon his quarterstaff, renewing as needed.

Makirut wrote:

2:the temple of the shrivelled dong (village priest)

Haha!!! I'm having a little trouble following along.

Cutscenes are taking some GettingUsedTo(tm) but it has sped things up. Otherwise I'm pretty sure we could have spent two weeks tackling a priest in a small Thorpe, binding him, and feeding him to the murderous bull-daemon. ->Only joking of course<-

Here's what you do. If the game has moved on but you really want to describe what you were doing earlier, you just say:

Previously: Bob filled out a crosswords puzzle while the party was breaking camp.

Since you are using past tense no one will get confused and think that gameplay has jumped back in time.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 11

"Damn..." - the elf whispers.

If Aldan or Jarka are with us, Caramir will ask them to wait there, while he motions his companions to move closer. If not, he simply speaks to the others:

"There is the girl - she is covered in bee stings" - he points upwards to the beehive - "And worse than that... She is dead" - Caramir shakes his head.

Knowledge (Nature) about that particular beehive and bees - maybe they are particularly aggressive?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

I keep throwing 20's around... I am SURE I am going to miss them later on...

The four year old nods proudly.

"Uh huh!"

He sits on the pack and tries to buckle it around his waist.

Aldans tearful wife Jarka leads the party to the truffle trail and Caromir easily picks up the tracks of Karda and the pig leading off into the gnarley wood.

The moon is up by the time Caromir follows the tracks to a large beach tree. Approaching from 30' he makes out a form at it's feet in the trunks.

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Previously:

Currently:
Larrieux casts light on the shaft of his spear. He cautiously follows the elf.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

After lighting his spear, he catches his reflection in the flattened point of the spearhead. He takes a quick look at his hair in the reflection and is oblivious to his surroundings.

His thoughts about his appearance are interrupted by Caramir's words. He whispers, "Bees?" He looks up at the hive then back towards the girl. "Ah man. Poor little thing." He has honest compassion in his tone.

Previously before members of the group depart to look for the girl.
Nodding at Makirut, "If its all the same to you I'd like to see if there are any religious writings in the temple. That and I don't think this priest is safe to be left alone."

Currently.
Okrin takes a look around the temple to see if there are any writings of interest. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24