"They spoiled the food, they didn't take it... what's the point of hunting them down? I think we would be better off to keep on track and not be distracted by snipe hunts."
"is there some magic to UNspoil the food?" The gnome inquires
"They spoiled the food, they didn't take it... what's the point of hunting them down? I think we would be better off to keep on track and not be distracted by snipe hunts."
"I believe friend Venja is correct" - Helgash nods - "We could give chase to these dastardly creatures, and put an end to whatever devious game they think they can play with us, making sure no more food will be spoiled" - he looks into the distance, then back at his companions - "Or we can simply proceed towards our greater goal, and make sure we double our vigilance during the night" - he adds.
"I am not an expert tracker or trapper, but I will offer my assistance if we find ourselves in need of hunting to survive"
You got a good point there, I can hunt to help with keeping our bellies full.
wait so we're not going after them?
Can I just use the last check?
Beck is able to bring down a large stag providing enough food for 9 people keeping Xanxan save from the ravenous bellies for now. As Xanxan eats only 1/2 of what a normal person requires your supplies increase by 2 1/2 bringing you up to 4 1/2 rations. The second day Beck is able to catch some winter hares that Snow looks disapprovingly at but knows that Venja has to eat as well. He is 8 rations bringing the total up to 6 rations total. At this rate you can make steady progress but it is definitely slowing you down.
Jetro helps Beck out
Xanxan eats lean, in both senses of the word, and while he doesn't speak of how others need him to eat light, he certainly seems to fulfill that requirement.
"Thank you, Beck."
Beck hunts each day in order to conserve rations for the group.
The days pass and with Beck hunting with the aid of Jetro and Helgash the group manages to find enough food to keep them going. There was a rough spot for a couple of days but the prior bounty of the days before kept well enough to get them through.
On the 5th day as the group is travelling through a small copse of trees they see a small wooden cabin sheltered within. There is no sign of activity around the cabin but smoke rises from the chimney.
As you get closer you can see a strikingly beautiful redhaired woman through the window. She looks up and sees your approach. Hurrying outside she calls out to you for help. Please kind travelers, lend me your aid. My husband has been kidnapped by a moss troll this morning and I fear so for his life. If you could spare him I will give you shelter tonight and provide you with a hot meal. Please, please help me!!
Venja watches and listens to the woman cautiously, wondering if she speaks truly. The timing of the whole thing seems too coincidental for her senses.
Venja her eyes a red and there are streaks where tears ran on her cheeks. Her hair is disheveled leading you to believe that she is completely honest with what has happened and the timing of it.
Huh..I dunno. I'm mighty suspicous of just running into people right now considering whatw e stirred up.
"She seems honest to me. Poor woman... we simply must help her." Venja goes to the woman and puts an arm around her, trying to comfort her an reassure her. "My companions and I can surely help."
She turns to all, but especially to Beck, "You can track this beastly troll, yes?" Then, in preparation, she gets an alchemist's fire from the party stores. "I am ready to go."
Not the most trusting fellow, Beck scrutinizes the woman.
If she's on the level, Beck says "Aye, I can certainly track a troll, an' a hot meal an a warm bed'd be wonderful, tho not necessary. Sheelah, let's sniff it out eh? "
+2 for anyone's aid.
Jetro rolls his eyes, Very well.
Having been nearly tricked more than once, Xanxan makes his own judgment on the woman's sincerity.
Venja as you move closer to her to put your arm around her she shies away from you. Being isolated out here may have caused her to have a large personal space and even now doesn't want that invaded.
What she said and how she is acting is completely legitimate. However there is more to the story about her you feel but don't know if it is really pertinent to finding her husband or if it relates to something completely else. You definitely know that she is a guarded individual and has learned to say only what she needs to and nothing else.
The rest of you are swayed by Venja's reaction and are able to help Beck find the trail leading towards a hill that you can see in the distance. You judge that it is going to take you the rest of the day to get there.
Duardlara is quiet as the group travels, trying to figure out where she fits in and lending a hand wherever possible. This might be an opportunity for her to contribute!
As the group approaches the hill, the elf is looking for a means to sneak up on their destination to scout ahead.
The days pass and with Beck hunting with the aid of Jetro and Helgash the group manages to find enough food to keep them going. There was a rough spot for a couple of days but the prior bounty of the days before kept well enough to get them through.
On the 5th day as the group is travelling through a small copse of trees they see a small wooden cabin sheltered within. There is no sign of activity around the cabin but smoke rises from the chimney.
As you get closer you can see a strikingly beautiful redhaired woman through the window. She looks up and sees your approach. Hurrying outside she calls out to you for help. Please kind travelers, lend me your aid. My husband has been kidnapped by a moss troll this morning and I fear so for his life. If you could spare him I will give you shelter tonight and provide you with a hot meal. Please, please help me!!
Helgash is on guard, and his fierce stare is unmistakable to his companions, as they know the Paladin is scrutinizing the woman for intentions of Evil.
Helgash you detect no trace of evil within her as you give her your patented stare.
Moving along the trail you get within 100 ft of the hill and you notice a cave in the side that you would suspect is the lair of the moss troll. Duardlara moves forward to investigate trying to be as stealthy as she can. The rest will have 2 rounds as she moves up to do what you want. Any spellcasting though will be loud enough to alert the moss troll in the cave.
Venja casts Mage Armor before leaving the wife behind at her house, since it lasts several hours.
As the party approaches the hill, she waits for 'Lara to finish her scouting before taking any other action.
Jetro has an arrow ready to fire.
Duardlara has her bow in hand.
Xanxan sneaks closer to back up their newest member if need be, a crossbow ready.
Moss troll lair, huts are actually more trees.
As Xanxan and Lara move up to the cave entrance the crackling frosted snow gives them away alerting the moss troll to their presence. With a burst of speed the moss troll rushes out from the cave entrance to threaten both of them with a battleaxe.
You notice that the troll has a longbow strapped to its back.
Moss trolls are usually large creatures. This creature is only medium size. In addition it may look like a moss troll but it does not act like the one you encountered in the past.
"Sommat ain't right! Yea ain't like no big troll what I never seen before being normal size an wit that bow o' yers! What'r yea do in wit tha putty lady' husbin'? Stan down! he shouts, even as he moves to L:21 and readies to hurl his club if the troll tries to attack.
For
Venja nods as she listens to Beck's wisdom, even though she hadn't noticed the anomalies herself. She prepares to cast a spell (delay, not ready) and waits for the the creature to react to Beck's words, or for the others to act, before she begins her casting.
"A longbow?"He whispers in confusion following the elf's lead. Maybe she knows more about this.
Jetro sights down an arrow and will fire on Becks order.
The 'troll' does not seem to pay attention to you at all Beck as he hefts the battle axe ready to bring it down on the neck of Lara and Xanxan.
Assume that Beck gives the order so you guys can go. Once actions are done then troll will go.
"Stand back creature!" - Helgash roars, as he wades in defense of his friends.
H,23 is the troll's location Lara.
Venja moves up (to M23) and casts web bolt at the 'troll' or whatever it is.
With a less-than-ladylike utterance only audible to the gnome, Duardlara realizes that she is out of her element and retreats from the threat.
Xanxan isn't sure what to make of this, and moves both to make room for Duardlara and get a bit of distance even as he fires.
Reflex save
AOO for
Beck moves up with Sheelah matching his pace. Once in position Beck hurls the club at the 'troll but it misses completely and sails into the cave. Jetro takes aim at the creature as well friing before others can get into his way. (take your shot when you post your second round actions Jetro) Helgash runs up to the 'troll' to threaten it for next time while Xanxan and Lara hightail it out of the vicinity of a troll with a battleaxe. Venja targets the troll with a web bolt securing it to the ground for the time being.
The troll struggles mightily to wrench itself free from the web.
CMB
If remains well and fast stuck into place.
The moss on its hair shifts and a glob of something comes flying out and heads towards Xanxan.
ranged touch . The globule hits Xanxan on the face as it tries to burrow into his skin requiring a DC 15 fort save or take wisdom damage.
You now know after seeing the globule released that the moss troll is actually 2 creatures. The humanoid shape is probably the husband while the moss is a vicious predatory parasite called a Mindslaver Mold. A type of plant that can dominate a person and attach itself to the body to feed on the host. You can ask 1 question about it and 1 for every 5 points you beat the DC.
Jetro shoots an arrow
Venja can't seem to focus her thoughts well enough to know anything about the strange plant creature. She moves (to M22) and fires a frost ray at the plant creature.
"Mates, tha' must be 'er husband, but the Mindmeald-Moss needs a be taken off 'im!. BEck says,
How does theif she can't attack, last round Sheelahmoves in and claws at the mss on the poor man.
for
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