Cleo looks at Kemras in interest "A creature? That is a good idea. I think I could as well, if we needed two."
I could try swimming. But i'll have to shed my armor at the very least and my arse will be all alone if something nasty attacks.
a big turtle could work as long as it's friendly he says vividly remembering his last turtle encounter
"I think I could manage something big enough for one of you three smaller folk to ride it." Kemras says, considering the little trinket he's collected. "But not large enough for myself or Furnok to ride."
Storm hag, huh... that could be troubling...
"Then it looks like we have to make camp and hope the water doesn't rise too much overnight." Cleo says with her now constant worry. "Furnok, can you find us a safe place to camp?"
I'll take a stab at it.
Furnok finds a place a little ways back in Kreegwood before creating a shelter. With a combination of tents, branches, rope, pinewood, and more, Furnok manages to create an excellent shelter with a little fire. He even makes little chairs for people to sit on. Cleo gets to cooking while the sun sets. As they eat, they have an opportunity to talk with each other. They can ask questions about each other, go over the last few days, make plans for the immediate future.
I'll take a stab at it.
[dice=Survival, make safe camp]1d20+15
Cleo spots some Porcini mushrooms while she is helping to hunt for firewood. In her cooking pot she simmers the dried jerky she purchased in the water with onion and the nutty-flavored mushrooms, adding the right amount of flour to thicken the broth up a bit. After mild toasting, she hollows out the bread she bought in town (and kept dry with her waterproof spell) and spoon a heaping helping of the stew into the hollow. Then hands them out.
Aggah gulps down the stew as fast as she can, starting with the jerky. After belching she says "Nom nom nom. Cleo makes good stuff."
Kemras inclines his head in gratitude to Cleo. "Thanks for the food." After a moment, he looks to the others. "I have a... theory, if you will. I may be seeing conspiracies where there are none, but my instinct tells me that Lucrecia is somehow involved in this storm, as well as in the problems up at the dam. The wording of the letter you showed me suggests a level of... appreciation for linguistic 'humor'. Or, to put it plainly, puns. The term 'flood' was mentioned there - of greedy souls, I think. But perhaps she meant it more literally? In any case, a storm hag working with a coven could do something like, well, this." He gestures at the weather around them.
Wabbit almost drops his spoon when he hears this...almost Huh..that makes sense kinda. I mean there's no way this storm could be natural. It's been going on waayyyy too long. Do you know anything about Storm Hags? What they're like any? What we should prepare for? If she's Xanesha's older more powerful sister her being a Hag makes perfect sense.
Wabbit buries his head back into his bread bowl Great as always Cleo He says with his mouth full of yummy food
Furnok eats his stew while trying to avoid Bacon's accusing glare. Hmm..Knowing if we need anything like enchanted weapons to harm them will be helpful.
Storm Hags originate from Hags harnessing their power from natural disasters. They are known to chase hurricanes, hold up metal rods in thunderstorms, and throw themselves into tornados. When a Storm Hag feels slighted by encroaching civilization, she may join or form a coven to unleash untapped chaotic magic to create a storm. A Storm Hag is more than happy to witness the damage inflicted on the settlements.
Storm Hags are short and emaciated old women, who's hair stands on end when they're angry or excited. Their eyes are pure white, and they move quickly and sporadically.
Cleo guesses that Storm Hags are immune to lightning, and probably have some lightning or wind focused spells. At this point it's pretty much conjecture.
Kemras considers the nature of storm hags for a moment.
Classification: CE Medium Monstrous Humanoid
1. Resistances and Immunities: Storm Hags are immune to electricity, and if they become the target of an electricity spell (not originating from themselves), then they gain haste. They do not have any DR or any other resistances, but they do ignore wind effects. They have moderate spell resistance.
2. Ability Scores, Movement, General Fighting Style: Storm Hags are fast, nimble, evasive, strong, but frail. They are very difficult to pin down due to their flight and movement-based abilities. Compared to other hags, Storm Hags aren't the brightest or wisest of the bunch. They are blind, but can sense electrical currents and creatures around them.
3. Common Attacks: The most important ability that a Storm Hag has is her ability to turn into a sizzling lightning bolt when she moves. This deals electricity damage to anyone she passes through. She also uses the wind in aerial attacks, knocking people over or pushing them back.
"From what I know of storm hags, they're immune to electricity, and get a boost in power if they're struck by it. You don't need any special weapons to hurt them, either..." The half-elf scholar muses. "They're somewhat resistant to spells, of course, so there's that issue, and they tend towards being rather fast and strong. They can fly and tend to be very mobile. Most notable, though, is their ability to transform into a burst of lightning to move through enemies."
He sucks his teeth. "Good news is that they're pretty fragile, and aren't the smartest hags - furthermore, they're totally blind. This isn't as great as it seems, though - they can sense electricity in others, somehow." He pulls out the eye. "I think this was probably once owned by a hag coven. It seems like the sort of thing they'd have, and its inability to summon creatures of the celestial planes or of Axis is the sort of thing that would appeal to them."
"You have an eye?" Cleo says with a bit of worried wonder, and then a big loud yawn, which she seems embarresed about "Oh... sorry. I think I should turn in. Wake me for my watch." she crawls into her tent and is soon sound asleep.
"Yes, I took it from that man the good father chastised me for stabbing, despite the fact that he may well have summoned something monstrous."
"Sometimes... people need... to get... stabbed" Cleo yawns out. She would express that Erastil understands having to fight evil, even if it means killing someone, but that is so so so many words.
"Indeed." Kemras sighs. "Go to sleep Cleo. It's important to get your rest."
Fortunately, after a day of walking, and listening to the rain hit their oiled tents, the group sleeps soundly.
The rain doesn't let up
Oathday, the 2nd of Kuthona, 4711AR
Rain continues to fall on the Kreegwood forest as the sun rises. Low clouds line the skies, and a light fog hides the underbrush. The wind is negligible, and thankfully it's warmed up slightly.
The river has increased in size yet again. The bell is nowhere in sight, and the hut is probably flooded. Thankfully, the boat still remains anchored to the island.
Due to the fog, it's impossible to see the other side of the river, but the hut is still in sight.
Ok, I'll go swim for the boat. Furnok takes off his armor and has just his short blades.
"Are you sure, Furnok? I can summon a squid that may be able to move it." Kemras offers, pursing his lips thoughtfully.
"Erastil blessed me with a water walking today, so you don't need to swim today, Furnok." Cleo prays A Lot.
Kemras abruptly chuckles. "Apparently, we should talk to one another more about what spells we plan to use, Miss Gingerberry." He shakes his head. "Honestly, I would rather not take on the spell held in a hag-tainted tool... but, well, our communication needs some work, it seems."
"You could summon your creature in case there is something under those waters that will come for us." the cleric suggests, after a nod of agreeing to communicate between the two of them better.
Cleo casts all the spells, making sure that everyone can walk on water, feel comfortable in the elements, and breathe underwater just in case. The group start traversing the river, so far with no issues.
"The spell only last a little over ten minutes. If we explore the hut, we should do it quickly." Cleo suggests, hinting to maybe a quick peek to make sure a strom hag isn't in it or a child isn't about to drown.
The group hustles over the river to the hut. They notice a winch holding the large rope attached to the boat. The hut itself is a fairly simple wooden lodge, with thatched roofing. There are no windows or chimney, and no smoke from the roof. The door is quite simple, but up close it looks like it sits crooked on its frame. After pulling hard on the handle, the door lurches open to reveal a dark and grisly sight.
The inside of this hut is all one room, which stretches no more than 20x20 feet. A terrible stench blows past as the door is opened, the stench of death and decay. On the far side of the room is a bed holding the body of a full-grown Ogre. Next to him is the naked body of a human man, which has been partially skinned. In the corner is the body of a woman, wearing torn clothes and slumped back against the wall. A large shirt made of hide is next to the bed, along with a greatclub, and a spear with a rope tied to the end of it. The hearth is not burning, but a pot of soup rests on it. Finally there's a simple wooden chest at the foot of the bed. The floor is wet as water leaks from the thatched ceiling.
"sometimes people need to be stabbed" Cleo says really softly to the others.
One stabbing coming up. Furnok draw shis blades
It certainly seems a forgone conclusion in this circumstance, but as Wabbit draws his blade his eyes take on a golden glow as he inspects the ogres aura, expecting a heavy taint of evil given the scene before him.
Wabbit detects a faint aura of evil around the Ogre, it must still be alive
Kemras bites back a curse as he sees the grotesque scene. Even as his mind pulls away from the horror reflexively, he draws his blade as quietly as he can. An ogre, here. Fort Rannick has almost certainly fallen. Kaven, I will say my goodbyes later.
Kemras takes a moment to study the ogre, before moving as quietly as he can, the half-elf scholar approaches the sleeping ogre. With a direct downward thrust, Kemras impales the giant in its heart.
Kemras stealthily approaches the Ogre, who doesn't notice his arrival. A sickly smell becomes stronger and stronger as Kemras approaches. When he gets to the bed, he sees the Ogre chest, which has a huge mound of pus and rupture around it. The smell is nauseating. An improvised bandage is still resting ontop of a small portion of the wound. The Ogre's breathing is very faint, and it's lost a lot of bodyweight.
Kemras is pretty sure he approaches stealthily, but by dumb luck the Ogre takes a drop of water to the eyes and wakes up. Groggy and barely coherent, he mutters something in the giant tongue.
"Boys I ain't feel so good."
Kemras takes the opportunity to stab the Ogre in the heart. It slumps over dead without a fight, laying on the bed like it were sleeping. The rapier wound reveals a stream of pus and blood.
Kemras scrambles away. "He was diseased or poisoned. Until we determine which, we shouldn't approach him."
Kemras can easily tell that the Ogre was suffering from a disease. It must have gotten an infection somehow, and despite the natural fortitude of such a creature, succumbed to it. The infection has been developing for several days, leading to being bedridden. The infection is not contagious, as long as others are not touching the infected areas, including blood. Things like these tend to happen to villagers who get hurt, but cannot find a magical healer. Perhaps due to availability, or to cost.
Hmm..Wasn't there something nasty at Ameiko's ruined manor? Might this be related?
"The puss in the walls. Mold, some kind of disease... maybe." she sighs. "We should burn the place down, but I don't think we should take the time. The storm could take a turn, trapping us on this island with..." she looks at the bodies.
"Are we ready to leave?"
"A simple infection, unless I'm mistaken." Kemras says thoughtfully. "We shouldn't be in danger unless we touch the pus or blood. That said, I agree. Let us leave this place... and possibly return to burn it down."
I guess that the ogre attacked this place, and got wounded... or was already wounded, and took the hut over from its unfortunate former denizens in an attempt to heal... Either way, this is a sign that bodes ill for the Black Arrows.