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John surveys the entrances and options and thinks for a moment. "I'm not particularly skilled in stealth," he confesses. "Perhaps we should assault the entrance to the right as aggressively as possible and try to eliminate the guards before they have time signal anyone inside to lock the door?" "If we fail in that we might still be able to make it through the other entrance..."
I'm here. I somehow missed your last post while I was on vacation but I'll post now.
I'm getting ready to leave for my week of camping- like I said before, I'll try to post from my phone when electricity and cell signal allow but please feel free to bot me if needed.
“Like something of a guard animal, yes,” John answers at nearly the same time as the dwarf speaks. He follows it a split second later with, “wait, what?!? Why kill a creature that could be useful to us? And why on the way back, shouldn’t we at least check with our employers to see what their preference would be?”
“I disagree,” John retorts. “For the relatively small price of some gnoll flesh the creature will guard the path up to the mine. Our employers won’t need to worry about keeping this trail free of would-be interlopers as long as they provide employees with the necessary tribute.”
Hey everyone, just a quick heads up- I'll be camping Aug 6th through 12th. I'll be in a cabin with a bed, but no electricity. I'll do my best to make short posts whenever I go in to town for supplies, but I won't have any reliable means of charging my phone so it may be kind of hit or miss. Feel free to bot me if necessary (assuming we're up and running again after our GM's surgery).
”That went well,” John remarks while waiting for the front of the group to start moving again. “When we come back we should bring twice as much gnoll flesh as we think we’ll need, so that we have enough to get back up again too.”
John nods. "Well, obviously, we'd have to be allowed to pass safely in order to reach the gnolls, but we're already planning to kill them so it shouldn't be too difficult to bring one, or part of one, back down here."
"Oh," John remarks with interest, "Is that to whom this temple is dedicated? I assume you're some sort of priest, if we're to render the sacrifice to you- do you have a name, perhaps some sort of title we may have heard of you by? Also, when you say 'fresh flesh' do you mean still living or simply still not yet decaying?"
When the time comes, John takes up the third of their four positions and follows Emercy out into the night on their way towards the mine's entrance.
"Making some presumptions, based on typical racial characteristics, I suspect we might be better off attempting our entrance at night," John offers. "Of the four of us, it's likely that Yasmin is the only one who can't see in the dark? During the day the gnolls will see us coming from a significant distance, but at night they won't see us until we're within sixty feet- a distance we could easily cover before reinforcements arrived." "I don't normally prepare a light spell, but I am familiar with it and, if that's the only thing preventing us from covering significant extra distance before being spotted, I could have it ready for a night time incursion."
hmm... perhaps I should check... a compendium of gnollish anatomy could be a worthwhile text, particularly in this part of the world... John has no opportunity to answer the oread before their employer begins reviewing the map. He listens attentively to the dwarf and then offers. "I don't see a legend for this map. I assume these triangular shapes represent staircases, and the boxes interrupting hallways or sectioning off rooms must be doors--as apart from opening archways--but I don't recognize any symbol for the entrances to the complex. Are those just the places where it looks like stairs lead upward to nothing, like this one in the northeast, and these two to the south? If so, do we have any idea whether or not the entry to the southwest is passable or if the rubble has overtaken it?"
"Many people know," John comments while looking over the map, "that hyenas, like many gnoll tribes, organize themselves matriarchally, but far fewer know that female hyenas actually possess an appendage that simulates the male reproductive organ, except that its typically larger than the authentic feature." He moves to the other side of the table to review the map further from a different perspective and casually adds, "the little bit of scholarly work I've read on gnolls failed to establish conclusively if such anomalies were found amongst them as well."
John cocks an eyebrow at Emercy's outburst and looks at the dwarf with some concern. His confidence seems restored, to some degree, by the halfling's response and he turns his attention back to their employers. "Yes," he says seriously, "as I've stated in the past, any information that you can share with us will be helpful in planning and executing this operation. Now, what do you have?"
In the morning, John carefully studies the ridge-line of the mountains and notes where the base camp is in relation to its peaks. based on what I've seen from my co-workers thus far, our odds of success seem reasonable, but it's always prudent to know exactly where to retreat to should the need arise... When Alidelia arrives, he acknowledges her words with a silent nod, picks up his already loaded pack, and heads to the command tent.
"Yes, onward," John concurs loudly enough that those at the front of the line can hear.
"Gnolls aren't particularly clever, generally speaking," John offers in response to Yasmin's question, "if--or perhaps since--there is an ongoing clash between them and our employers, their leaders, who are presumably less dull than the others, may have passed out the images so that illiterate and forgetful foot-soldiers would be able to recognize the company." "Misters Truther and Travis, you may want to consider striking the company name from future shipments until our victory is complete," he advises as he falls back into formation to continue the journey.
Hey everyone, I’m really sorry for falling silent without any notice! Last week I returned to normal/full-time work and it’s proved a bit more challenging than expected. I continue to recover well, but after being on the computer a lot at work (and all the little ways you use your shoulder throughout the day without really even thinking about it when you're not laid up at home recovering), I haven't been up to getting back on it afterwards to post. I’m getting to the point where I should be able to post during breaks and after work with some regularity again soon. And, I’m actually off tomorrow, so I’ll catch up on reading posts and get a post up in gameplay then. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
John moves in between Emercy and Anovat and draws a small glass vial. As the gnolls draw near, he throws it at the nearest one where it bursts into a ball of flame.
Sorry that took so long! I'm mostly off the drugs now and easing back into the daily grind by working mostly remotely. I'm about to read through the posts I missed and make a post myself (unless someone did bot me already, which would be totally understandable). It might take a day or two to catch up on all my games but I should be back to regular posting by the end of the week.
sorry its taking so long to get a post up- between being in a haze from the drugs and just being out of it from the wildly erratic sleep schedule that the swings between pain and highness cause I haven't really been able to write coherent posts. i'm done with one the meds now, and my brain seems a bit clearer, so I'm hoping i might be able to post tomorrow or Sunday (but, like i said before, please feel free to bot me if you need to). Thanks for your patience and understanding.
I’m cool moving on too, as long as I can buy some scrolls off camera? When I’m not all drugged up.
Sorry, I was hoping to get one more gameplay post up but I’m in the hospital now getting all my pre-op shots and whatnot. I’ll try to post something on Monday.
"Good," John answers. "It doesn't sound like there are any glaring deficiencies in our abilities... still, I brought coin to invest in magical sundries, so I shall go and investigate their availability. Would anyone care to join me?"
"Excellent," John replies. "And, have you arranged accommodations for us for the night or will that be our responsibilities?"
When the others have said whatever farewells wish to give, he leads the way out into the street and offers, "I've brought some liquid assets so that I could tailor my preparations to your capabilities. I plan to purchase some scrolls--and possibly a potion or two--to attempt to strengthen areas that might otherwise be weaknesses for us. Could you each please tell me what spells and supernatural abilities you have? I assume you have all already deduced that I am a sage and a summoner--trained in the arcane arts, after the manner commonly referred to as wizards--but I'm also a skilled alchemist, capable of crafting simple explosives and potions--called infusions--which can provide some healing or increase our abilities to find secret doors or climb things."
Sorry for falling silent for a few days there- work this week was insane trying to get everything set up for the couple weeks I'll be out after my surgery. It's all done now and I should have a ton of time for posting next week, until the surgery on Friday. I probably won't post at all next weekend but I'm hoping that by Monday I'll be able to post one-handed, lol. I will be high (on the prescribed pain medication) but hopefully you won't be able to tell (or if you can hopefully it'll be funny and not disruptive). I'll have a game play post up tomorrow.
"Those terms sound agreeable to me" John replies with a nod. "Assuming the rest of the team is in agreement, we can discuss our timeline. Do you have the equipment and provisions necessary for the journey to the mine and the establishment of a base camp prepared already? If not, how long will those preparations require?"
"And what of the dwarven treasures?" John takes another sip of brandy then elaborates, "Four-thousand gold, each, for the return of Mister Tibbler's belongings and remains, but what about whatever treasures, or resources, we recover along the way: are they ours to keep, will you pay us fair market value for them, or do you plan to lay claim to them as all belonging to Tibbler--or you--by merit of being in the mine?"
Glad you’re alright! We’ll be here once your power/internet are back and you’re ready to go (or, I will be, at least).
John ponders the dwarf's answer for a moment and then follows up by asking, "Are there any former employees still alive and in the area? If we could construct a rough estimation of even part of the upper floor's layout that would be a useful tool in planning an assault. Also, will it just be the four of us making the attempt or do you have other forces or agents that could be employed as reinforcements, or distractions?"
”So, do you have plans for retaking the fort, or will our first task be devising one,” John asks, hoping to get down to actionable objectives.
John accepts the brandy with an acknowledging nod. He gives the glass a quick swirl while Yasmin speaks and then lifts it to his nose and takes a deep whiff. Turning his attention back to the dwarves, he sips the brandy while waiting for their response.
three dwarves and an oread for below the earth, and a halfling riding a baby roc through the clouds... I suppose that makes me the sole member of this expedition with my feet planted firmly on the ground... well, the surface of it at any rate... "Thuvian brandy, if you have it," John answers helping himself to one of the seats. "If not, any kind of port would be fine."
John puts his book away and follows Alidelia and Yasmin into the city proper. As they walk he looks around inquisitively, constructing a mental map of their route through the streets and noting any businesses or public services they pass that might be useful in the future.
John nods at Alidelia's comment about the city's level of zealotry. Then he places a hand on his amulet and it changes to appear as the angelic ankh symbol worn by Sarenrae's followers. When they reach the back of the line, he removes a book from his bag and begins reading.
"I'm certain it will suffice," John answers their employer as they walk towards the line. "I wonder, does it have any manner of arcane, or alchemical, academy where a donation might secure one access to a library, if I were to find myself with adequate time for such endeavors?"
John mentally adds speaking with stones and flying on the immature roc to his list of his companions’ capabilities. Then he quietly follows along with them towards the city.
When John learns that the elves were using poison, he walks over to the elf that was killed by his summoned elemental and retrieves their weapon from the deck. Being very careful not to cut himself, he gingerly examines the weapon to see if it too is poisoned (and, if possible, determine how long the poison with remain potent).
Sorry for falling silent- dealing with some IRL junk. Should be back now.
John turns on his heels and hurries toward the upper deck to investigate the source of the heated voices. The small mud creature he summoned trots sloppily after him.
While the creature does its work, the wizard waggles his fingers and hurls a glob of acid at the other elf.
Trusting that the others have the situation with the crocodile under control, John begins the process of summoning a mud elemental to aid in their fight against whatever’s swimming along next to the ship.
So, I peeked at the initiative spoiler and it looks like we're up, but there was no invitation to post at all... should we all be posting first round actions now or are we waiting on something still?
John closes his eyes for a moment as people clamor about the deck around him. When he opens them again his irises and pupils are gone, replaced with solid orbs of pearlescent white.
I've joined the roll20 campaign now too, as "Lief S." (the name of another PC I joined for). I do most of my posting from my phone (often at work) and I have always had trouble getting roll20 to work right for me. I'll do my best to use it but it would be helpful for me if combat is described enough to use theater of the mind when I can't get in (and I know I'll need help with moving my token sometimes because I've consistently had problems with that).
John nods to Alidelia again and then follows some of the others up onto the ship's deck. Once there, he finds a place to sit and quietly stares up at the stars. While he does, he listens to Anovat and Yasmine's conversation, taking note of details that potentially could be useful in the future, such their abilities to swim and climb.
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