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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 21, 2017 4:41:22 GMT -5
Fillin nods and dives off into some nearby bushes, all but disappearing from sight. You bellow off into the distance fives times and five times you get no response save, for a little swamp rat that shoots you a look before skittering on his way. So, having done that you head back to camp. The way is free of trouble which is nice but it isn't free of muck. And Fillin gets stuck a few times, needing you to pull him out. The boy is down a boot but he'll live. You arrive back at camp, seeing there are now 2 Willows on one each side of the place you guys set up. Thats not disconcerting at all. Back at camp, what now?
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 21, 2017 5:03:38 GMT -5
Xanadu bows to both willows in turn, knowing that Fillin will follow his lead. "Greetings Mistress Dryad, greetings Sir." Hopefully Xanadu managed to bow to the correct tree with each greeting. This time around Xanadu keeps his hands well clear of his weapon. In fact, if they don't step out of the trees immediately he will move into camp and lay out his belongings.
Rolls: Nature/survival: 11+2=13 or perception 11 (Tree identification, rolled an 11)
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 21, 2017 5:32:15 GMT -5
The trees wave at you but don't do much else. You see a strong lack of the Dryad when you call out to her, though the tree she disappeared into is still in the same spot it was before. Its honestly impossible to tell males form females with trees, probably better not to try and guess, least you offend. Fillin seems a little unnerved when the trees wave but he waves back as well as he sets up his place in camp. "So, do we call it a night and pick things back up tomorrow?" Fillin asks nervously.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 21, 2017 17:14:08 GMT -5
Xanadu nods, "Aye Lad, it has been a long day. It will be good to take it easy, we can start searching in this area tomorrow." He finishes pulling out the map and pointing to another unexplored area. "Since the other two major tribes do not always attack one sight, I'm hoping I can just talk to them instead of fighting them." He rolls up the map and stows it away safely, "Besides, if we're moving out here they will be our neighbors." Trusting the Dryad's magic to defend him, Xanadu sleeps without setting a watch.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 21, 2017 18:24:05 GMT -5
You sleep almost without incident. You wake in the middle of the night to find one of the Willows hovering over Fillin's tent, the entrance is open and the willow seems to be reaching into the tent, you go to pull your weapon when you hear Fillin sneeze and the Willow, quickly pulls away and move out of sight. The boy looks up from his sleeping bag, turning back and forth before laying back down. After a few moments the tree reaches into the tent again, causing Fillin to sneeze and look up again. Once, again the tree is off to the side out of his sight and when he lays down again the tree rustles. Almost like its laughing. The tree messes with the boy once more before it gets caught and Fillin scolds the tree. It's pretty silly to see a big tree like that getting told off by a halfling but you leave it be and get a good nights rest. When day breaks you go about your respective routines before you and Fillin head back into the swamp.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 21, 2017 20:31:36 GMT -5
Xanadu pretends to lean on the tree that bothered Fillin the night prior, standing close, but being careful not to actually touch the thing, "That was a good bit of fun last night, but do try to let the boy get his sleep. It is I that will have to listen to him complain ifin he doesn't get his beauty rest." Xanadu chuckles to himself before continuing on his way. "I have a feeling in my gut that we're going to find something today me boy." Xanadu touts as they walk out of the camp.
Survival 19+2=21
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 22, 2017 5:21:42 GMT -5
Fillin yawns and pumps a fist up into the air as he trudges with you through the swamp. Its not even an hour of searching when you find a lone green Lem, about 60 feet out looking into one of the pools of marshy water. It brushes its clawed hand into the water. It seems to be deep in concentration.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 22, 2017 6:56:57 GMT -5
Xanadu smiles, "See my boy, I told you we would find something today." Xanadu draws his weapon, but holds it blade downward, clearly not hostile in any way. He approaches without trying to hide his presence, with both hands held up in front of himself. His empty hand kept open with palm forward. When the Scaled One notices him, he will greet the creature in Draconic, "I mean you no harm, I only wish to talk."
Rolls: Persuasion: 5+0=5
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 22, 2017 16:38:46 GMT -5
The lem looks at you as you approach and then turns back to the pool. You see now that the pool contains a variety of edible plant life. The Lem appears to be tending this underwater garden. You nearly stumble over your words in Draconic which in this language can be dangerous, but you quickly correct it and the lem responds "What do you want to talk about?" he asks
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 22, 2017 19:05:22 GMT -5
Xanadu sits about ten feet apart, and on the opposite side of the water, to show his continued lack of hostility, "I've recently run afoul of your kind, though I suspect a different tribe, and have seen that the swamps themselves are a harsh teacher. Hostile plants, and swarms of rats." Xanadu seems to relax, not to drop his guard, but the simple act of talking is calming to one used to battle, "You seem lost in thought, perhaps conversation would do you well also? Besides, who would I tell that you might know? I may even be able to offer another perspective."
Persuasion: 16+0=16
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 23, 2017 18:58:12 GMT -5
The lem looks up at you. No change in expression. Actually lems never change their expressions, they might not be unable to... Mmm... Anyway, this one speaks up. "There was a shortage of food not too long ago and the tribes went to war" He continues tending his garden as he talks. "Many lives were lost, many more suffered. At the end of it. My tribe; the Green Claw, absorbed two other tribes to amass a greater power and come out on top. But, it was a bitter victory." You can't really tell from his expression or words, but he seems sad. He goes on about how the victory was bittersweet and the resulting war led him to go on a journey to the forests on the far side of the swamp. There, he discovered these plants and hopes they will ensure that future food shortages won't happen. He doesn't want to fight other lems anymore, he hopes to unite the tribes with these plants.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 23, 2017 19:19:55 GMT -5
Xanadu looks truly sad, "I'm so sorry to hear about your civil war, and the senseless death that came from it. I fear those that live within the walls of Clifton will be facing something similar soon enough." He shakes his head, "but not for something as necessary as food." Xanadu brightens, "If ever food is an issue for your people, I can help there. Clifton has access to vast tracts of farmland, and ports on the ocean that constantly bring goods in and out. That is of course, if these plants are not enough." Not really knowing much about the plants in the pool, or how to start a trade negotiation with a foreign power, Xanadu gets back to the mission at hand. Something he knows a little more about, "I've been tasked to figure out where your people's territories begin and end. So far I have mapped out the Black Fang... maybe Scale tribe's territory. They were not that talkative. Would you be willing to show me your lands?"
Rolls: Knowledge Nature: 8+0=8 (learn about plants in pool) Persuasion: 7+0=7 (Brief trade talk) Persuasion: 14+0=14 (Ask for territory)
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 23, 2017 19:30:59 GMT -5
"What use have you to know our borders?" He asks, stopping his work and staring at you. its the first time since you started talking that he's ceased his work. Your made aware that Fillin is shuffling his feet nervously.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 23, 2017 19:47:16 GMT -5
Xanadu holds up his hands, leaving his pick where it is, "Knowing where your people are will make it easier for my order to avoid encroaching on your lands. I don't speak for all the people from the city by any means. I suspect that many within do not care where your people make their homes." Touching his chest, he finishes, "But we do."
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 24, 2017 5:02:41 GMT -5
The lem hums for a moment and returns to his garden. He says he might be willing to part with the information you seek to a creature that spoke of itself and its tribe. Seems he's making jabs at you for not giving a proper introduction or explaining anything about your order. Which makes sense, if someone walked up to you and said; "I'm a nice guy who works for nice people, would you tell me all about the border of your Dwarven home?" You'd be chasing him off with your pick.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 24, 2017 11:30:26 GMT -5
Xanadu laughs, "I'm not usually the one to do the talking most times. More of a loner really." Glancing to Fillin, "Sometimes I show one of the lads about." He smiles at Fillin briefly, "That there is Fillin." He hooks a thumb over his shoulder, "and I'm called Xanadu." He adds placing his hand to his chest. "My order worship a Dragon God." He lets his hand fall, unconsciously coming to rest on his Holy Emblem to Bahamut. "I've heard that some of your people also worship a Dragon God, is this true?"
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 24, 2017 14:45:38 GMT -5
"Can't expect to get the information about the tribes if you don't talk" He retorts. "We do" He responds. "But, why would one without scales worship a dragon? How do you expect to incur the favor of a being so unlike yourself?" He asks. Fillin smiles at you when you look at him and waves at the Lem when you introduce him. "I worship a halfling goddess. Thats my race" he offers. "She's the one who created us and is herself one of our kind" The lem nods. "That makes sense" he says and looks at you. "What about you?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 24, 2017 16:43:35 GMT -5
Xanadu's voice fills with pride as he speaks about Bahamut, even if he is intentionally not naming his deity. If the Lizard Folk worships a black dragon, chances are that the name Bahamut might be a trigger for it toward violence. "He is referred to by some as the God of Dragons or the Lord of the North Wind. More important than a name, I follow because of the tenants of the faith. To root out evil, and accept no excuses for foul deeds. To be compassionate, and show boundless empathy for the weak and downtrodden. To promote good, but to let people fight their own battles when they can. To heal the injured or sick, provide information, or temporary safe refuge to those in need." Xanadu almost seems embarrassed to have spoken so much at once, and he falls quiet.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 24, 2017 18:43:13 GMT -5
"To each their own" The lem says. He explains his gods teachings. Basically a flowery version of survival of the fittest and the needs of the many out weighs the needs of the few. From the black they came and to it they will return. Trust in the elders and the teachings of their God. No god before me. Etc, etc, etc. Fillin seems to sit and stew on this, you, honestly don't have much ear for philosophies.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 24, 2017 21:00:08 GMT -5
Xanadu nods along, paying attention and remembering all he can. This information might mean more to the Wyrmspeaker after all. "Now that we've talked about our respective orders, and ourselves. Would you be willing to share your territorial boundaries with us?" He taps his scroll case, where he keeps his map. "Please." He adds as an after thought.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Nov 16, 2017 8:48:39 GMT -5
The lem reaches into the water and pulls out a leafy plant, roots and all. He points to the triangular leaves and motions to the other pools. He says if you help him pull the plants like these from the other pools he'll draw the border on your map.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 18, 2017 12:31:52 GMT -5
Xanadu looks to Fillin, and shrugs, "I've never been afraid of a little manual labour." He takes the example plant, and studies it so he can tell it from the others before returning it to the Lizard Folk. Removing his gauntlets and vambraces, he sets them aside and rolls up his sleeves. After watching the Lizard folk work for a few minutes to make sure he's doing it correctly, he sets to work. The Dwarf collects everything he can reach from the side of the bank, while letting the much less armoured Fillin go into the water to collect the out of reach ones. He looses himself in the work, only watching the surrounding area for threats between plants. It's nice to have a job to do that doesn't involve killing something from time to time.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Nov 21, 2017 17:23:29 GMT -5
Fillin is a little slower on the uptake then you but follows suit and sets to work. The boy seems at home doing tasks like these, you attest it to his halfling heritage. Time goes by quickly. Learning a new task and then the repetitive motions make time seem to make the minutes melt away and by the time you finish you look to the sky and see a few hours have passed. The lem, as agreed marks a territory at least 3 times the size of the Black Fang's on your map. After offering you some cooked swamp rat in return for your help and patients he sees you off and wishes you well.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 3, 2017 11:17:21 GMT -5
I accept the swamp rat, unconsciously touching my wounds from the rat swarm. "It was nice to find someone that is will to speak in these swamps, thank-you my friend." With that done we head back to our campsite. Once there I study the map, trying to figure out where the most likely place for the third territory to be. "Tomorrow we head here." I say to Fillin, while pointing at the map.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Dec 4, 2017 6:23:26 GMT -5
The Lem bows his head to you as you leave and you might swear he was smiling, if a lem could smile. A second look tells you you might've imagined it. But, you feel accomplished. You arrive back to camp finding a few blood splatters among the bushes and trees, as well as scratches in the dirt and other signs of battle. Fillin seems outwardly disturbed by the scene, slowly shrinking behind you as he mutters to himself about how there is too much blood for there not to be a body or three. He shudders. After Fillin has sometime to settle himself you take out your map he looks at the territory in question and asks you how your going to find the third tribe. "No one has even seen them" He says. "Merely signs that they exist, like their symbol scrawled onto bodies. The lack of other tribes in those areas as well as a strong magical presence" He looks questioningly at you. "I mean not to doubt you, Sir, but..." He frowns.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 6, 2017 7:53:02 GMT -5
Xanadu bows to both trees, "I see we had some company while we were out. Worry not Fillin, our friends here took care of our unwanted guests." He then settles down to his regular camping routine, careful not to get blood on anything important.
Xanadu laughs at Fillin's doubt, taping his belt buckle, "We have been guided to what we needed each time we've gone out." Rolling up the map, and carefully stowing it away in his scroll case. "We increase our chances of finding what we seek every time we learn something new. Now we seek to learn about the next tribe." Xanadu stands up, stretching long and slow, "We should get ready for tomorrow, it should be an interesting day." Xanadu then prepares for the evening, resting and tending to his gear until he is tired enough for sleep.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Dec 7, 2017 5:11:07 GMT -5
A yawn begins to take you whilst your cleaning your armor and you figure its about time to sleep and you settle yourself in for the night, dozing to the sound of the tree once again messing with Fillin. You awaken at first light seeming to have blinked away sleep entirely, you don't feel the usual grogginess that accompanies sleep you feel refreshed and as you stretch yourself you see the index finger of your right hand has dirt on it, you look beside you and see that you must've scrawled something in your sleep. A sign from your god? You see a single line straight as can be with another line about 3/4ths the way up the first one cutting through it with a third line connecting the top of the first to the side of the second, curious. It could be a 4 with a long leg or an axe. Such a simple shape could be anything. For now you put it aside and ready breakfast, you go with something simple but once Fillin drags himself from bed he sets the meat with some herbs and spices and your tongue is taking to a flavorful heaven. Even a full hour after you've packed and left camp you still have that wondrous after-taste. Perhaps you should get the boy to cook more often. You arrive to the estimated territory without issue, now how to find them... Mmm
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 7, 2017 7:22:22 GMT -5
Xanadu looks around for territory markers, or signs of passage. Check the terrain for hunting routes, or watering holes anything that will give a hint as to where the people that live here might come and go. Unusual animal behavior is often a sign of menfolk passing, a flight of birds or a noisy area that goes silent. Basically look for the signs that announce our presence wherever we go.
Survival: 14+2=16
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Dec 7, 2017 20:01:25 GMT -5
Within the hour you find a fresh set of Lem tracks that lead you through some bog-like area until you recognize the stench of death and soon you find its source. The tracks take you to a human corpse. A man long since dead, his skin mostly rotted away and his rusted armor falling off his body, maggots infested his various orifices. The body is lopsided as if it was thrown there, you look for signs of other tracks and come up empty. You get the feeling this was left for you as a warning.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 8, 2017 11:39:43 GMT -5
"See Fillin, we've already made contact." Xanadu smiles, tapping his belt buckle again before addressing the area, "We come in peace, and do not mean to intrude on your territory. The problem is, that the people of the walled community do not know where one territory ends and another begins. Please, send someone to speak with me. I only wish to talk." With that said, Xanadu sets to work digging a grave for the poor soul that was left as a warning. Saying a few words over the body, Xanadu carefully tips the body into the freshly dug grave and covers it up. "From the Earth you came, and to the Earth you have returned." Assuming that entire process took about an hour, if nothing has come to speak with me I will lead us along the border. I keep within where I think the third territory is, but try not to venture too far from the border.
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