|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Sept 10, 2018 16:08:28 GMT -5
Orellow calmly and methodically take out his magic ointment and applies some to his wounds, letting the bleeding wound finally close shut and various other scratches and scraps disappear as well. There is no need to engage further. Remain calm. Those goads are simply the dying wails of a beast. Deep breaths, nice and calm.
The jagged blade pierces the ape and it falls.
Orellow: Action: Apply Keoghtom’s ointment. 3+7=2=12. Bleed stopped.
Ronok: Death Save: Fail. Fail.
Hyena: Attack: 5+5=10. Miss.
Ape: Death Save: Fail
Tiger: Attack: 20+5=25. Crit! 10+1=3=14
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 11, 2018 6:09:39 GMT -5
(Summoned creatures return to their home plane upon reaching 0hp. Ronok is special, as he is an extension of you.)
Your wounds knit themselves shut, the magic soothing the pain of your injuries. You smile as the blood stops flowing steadily out of your body. Glancing to Ronok, you can see his life blood pooling around his seemingly lifeless body. He is not doing well. You ape disappears in a cloud of green and white glowing motes of light. At first the motes are shaped like the ape itself, but quickly it turns shapeless and fades away. Your Hyena snaps it's teeth onto the edge of Ironskin's shield with a yelp. (3 damage) Your Tiger leaps onto the man's back, wrapping his forelegs around the man's head and repeatedly raking his hind legs down his back. You're not sure if those claws are reaching flesh, but Sapper growls in pain from the vicious onslaught. Sapper shakes off the Tiger, turning his full attention to that poor beast. He bashes it with his shield to stun it for a moment, then hacks across it's side. He flips his blade, and hacks the beast in the head, loping off it's ear.
Mechanics: He didn't strike three times, and the Tiger is not stunned. It was all just flavour.) Enemy Attack 1: 6+7=13 Enemy Damage 1: 2 + 4 = 6 + 1 bleed Enemy Attack 2: 7+7=14 Enemy Damage 2: 1 + 4 = 5 + 1 bleed
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Sept 11, 2018 16:30:37 GMT -5
Orellow slowly approaches the battle and then walks over to Ronok. Placing his hand on the fallen Axe beak a bit of green-white energy flashes out and instantly closes the wounds. In a ruffle of a feathers Ronok gets up and shakes itself off before bounding away before Sapper can swing his blade in Ronok's direction. Orellow then stands and rolls his shoulders, producing several pops and cracks.
Orellow: Action: Cure Wounds: 6+4=10. Bonus Action: Command Ronok; Disengage
Ronok: Action: Disenage Move: 30 feet
Hyena 8/45: Attack: 19+5=24. Hit! Damage: 2+5+3=10
Tiger 23/37 +3 bleed: 12+5=17. Miss.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 11, 2018 19:48:40 GMT -5
With Sapper paying more attention to your Tiger after it's last assault, he easily manages to bat aside the creatures claws. (3 damage) In focusing so heavily on the Tiger however, your Hyena manages to sneak in low and bite the man behind the knee. Ronok's wounds stitch themselves shut with the help of your magical energy. With the worst of his wounds closed, blood no longer pours out of his body staining his feathers. He squawks at you in thanks, and turns to dart away as Sapper's blade hacks across his flesh once again. Without looking, Sapper lashes out with his blade stabbing the Hyena in the face while it gnaws on his leg. As the Hyena fades away in his own cloud of green and white glowing motes, Sapper steps to the side and whirls his blade in front of himself as the Tiger pounces. His blade sinks deep, but the Tiger leaps back before he impales himself completely.
Mechanics: Enemy AOO (Sentinel Feat) Attack 1: 18+7=13 Enemy AOO (Sentinel Feat) Damage 1: 5 + 4 = 9 + 1 bleed (Ronok) Enemy Attack 1: 6+7=13 Enemy Damage 1: 4 + 4 = 8 + 1 bleed (Hyena) Enemy Attack 2: 10+7=17 Enemy Damage 2: 3 + 4 = 7 + 1 bleed (Tiger)
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Sept 12, 2018 20:28:32 GMT -5
Snap! Something inside Orellow breaks when he watches his beast companion go down and he himself jumps into the fray, A flurry of blades almost in perfect sync with the claws and teeth that surround Sapper.
Orellow 26/40. Pissed: Action: Attack! 19+7=26. Hit! Damage: 2+7+2=9 Bonus Action: Attack! 20+7=27. Crit!! Damage: 2+8+5+2=17
Ronok: Death Save: Fail.
Hyena 17/45 +1Bleed: Attack: 16+5=21. Hit! Damage: 3+1+3=7
Tiger 35/37 +4Bleed: Attack: 16+5=21. Hit! Damage: 4+3=7
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 13, 2018 5:35:57 GMT -5
Ronok collapsing is like a signal flare to you and your companions. The world slows down for you, just like when Avarice shows up from time to time. You see exactly where your Tiger is going to be, and how Sapper is going to defend against the Hyena just so. See isn't the right word, you know. You also know exactly where you can strike to end this. You leap into action and the world clicks, instead of slow motion everything flies past in a blur of motion. Pulling your blades out of Sapper, you flick your wrists to clear your blades. Before his body even hits the ground, you've turned away to tend to Ronok once again. As you apply pressure to his wounds you hear the clatter of metal that was Sapper collapsing into a bloody heap. If you don't call them off your summoned creatures will continue to attack him while he is down.
(Use a magical cure or Roll Medicine / Death saves as needed until Ronok is out of danger. +1800xp He has generic adventuring gear, take what you think he might have (within reason) Saw-Toothed Long Sword, 1d8+Bleed. This weapon isn't magical, the bleed comes from it's construction. If you ever roll a Nat 1 with this weapon the teeth break off and it becomes a normal long sword. Plate Mail Bounty: 200gp for the body of Orellow Avnec, or 300gp if he is brought in alive.)
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 13, 2018 6:23:38 GMT -5
Xanadu lets out a breath he hadn't realized that he was holding, and approaches Orellow, "Did you want me to tend to him?" He gestures to his Healing Belt, "I can have him back on his feet in a moment." Once Ronok is sorted, Xanadu continues, "Remind me not to be on the wrong side of those rapiers me boy. That fight was well fought, and intense." Xanadu falls silent then, waiting to follow Orellow's lead in this situation. Does he want Sapper to live, maybe to answer a question or two?
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Sept 13, 2018 12:41:07 GMT -5
Orellow nods in acceptance at Xanadu's request to aid Ronok. "That'd... It would help greatly" He says with a smile and then relents his beast's care to the dwarf as he turns and calls off the Hyena. The Tiger disperses into spirits. Bled out, huh? You fought well. Rest... He then sends the remaining beast to lick its wounds as he approaches them man. "Very well done, Champion. Ironhide. Sapper. which ever you like. I offer you this as a warrior to another. A swift painless death so your soul may find peace" To Xanadu this speech's odd pronouncements may sounds like pained groans or fighting back tears, but Orellow's odd speech has a double meaning between him and another who listens. With that said he pierces both Sapper's heart and head at once. Finishing the assassin. Save for any loose coins or jewels the man might have and that bounty paper, Orellow leaves his gear intact. Maybe offering the sword to Xanadu, as its bleeding qualities could help with Wyvern hunting. He then has his Giant Hyena dig a grave for the man into the swamp and puts him in it. The Pelorian's in town have a tendency to burn their dead and Orellow's god would rather that this man's body remain as intact as possible. So, with all that done Orellow heads back down the path to Clifton.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 13, 2018 17:42:32 GMT -5
Xanadu takes a knee, reaching out to touch Ronok with one hand while reaching down to his belt with the other. With a brief prayer to Bahamut, Xanadu's hands begin to glow with a platinum haze of healing energy. As that energy flows into Ronok, the bleeding stops again, and the worst of his wounds close. "Good boy, you fought well today." Xanadu says to the Axe Beak, "Now take it easy for the rest of today, you've done enough." Xanadu follows Ronok over to Orellow as he pulls out the bounty, "That's not a bad likeness of you lad." Xanadu whistles, "Two hundred gold dead, and three hundred alive? Who did you piss off to be willing to put out that much Nix?" Xanadu accepts the blade, "I'm sure I can put that to use, thank you Orellow." While the grave is being dug, Xanadu asks, "Do you know someone who wears her hair long, in a cascade of tight ringlets. A slip of a girl I'd say, with red hair?" He points up at Clifton's wall, but when you look up all you see is Xanadu pointing while looking down at you, "Sorry lad, she was there but a second ago." Xanadu shrugs. When you go to toss the body into the grave, Xanadu pipes up again, "Seems a shame to waste perfectly serviceable plate armour. I have no need of it, but it will fetch a good price in town." He jerks his head to the side to indicate Clifton, as if there were more than one to choose from out here.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Sept 14, 2018 5:04:47 GMT -5
Orellow looks over the poster. "Quite the likeness I agree" Orellow says with a laugh. In answer to who he pissed off Orellow says. "Who knows? Many angry would-be Bandit Kings tried to make the Floral Forest their home, many otherwise competent assassins can lay their failures at my feet" He shrugs at that. "Too many I think would rather a world without Orellow Avnec". Orellow hums in thought when the girl is mentioned. "I've known a few fiery haired slips in my youth" He says and then booms a laugh. "But for ringlets" He says getting a far off look at the walls of Clifton. "I know of only one and she fell at the hands of some goblins who goaded her" He shakes his head sadly. "I cannot think a vengeful spirit would pay gold either, so perhaps it is a shy admirer of your great beard, sir" He laughs and slaps the Dwarfs back.
"Come back with your shield or upon it" Orellow quotes to the Dwarf as the man is being buried. "Since ancient times it'd been seen as customary to bury a fine warrior with his armor and a weapon so he can fight in the next life" Orellow says as if teaching a class. "A dwarvish tradition if I recall" he says offering the smaller man a grin and then a laugh. "Besides that, Vecna will want his warriors ready for battle when they arrive. The Raven Queen is a tough foe after all" Comes a little girl's laughing voice at the edge of Orellow's vision. When he turns to see the girl she's no where to be seen. Nothing for it, time to head home. Assuming nothing else ominous or otherwise dubious occurs Orellow heads back the Wayfarer's Rest. Seeing that his animals are headed out into the wilderness before he reaches the town (There is nothing to say that the Hyena would disappear, so now there is a random Giant Hyena in the Swamp who is friendly to Orellow, Ronok and Xanadu. Cause why not.) He will also bid a fond farewell to Xanadu as they part ways. So Xanadu can head for his Temple and Orellow the Inn. Once there Orellow offers his hellos, has a nice hot meal and then heads for bed to rest his aching and scar-ridden body.
After arriving at the walls the stranger bird offers Xanadu a deep and respectful bow before dashing off into the Swamps with the Hyena, the two parting ways to hunt and find places to rest. Orellow does the same after being inside the walls, he offers thanks for helping retrieve his Javelin and then heads off, finally letting himself limp after acting tough the whole time. Seems even he gets tired. For your part you head to the Temple and report your progress. The Wyvern successfully slain and you being one step closer to your goal. The High Priest offers you much praise but you take it in stride. Such thanks are not your reason for doing what you do. With all said and done you head to rest yourself. Running in the swamp all day is difficult, man. You move mechanically, taking off your boots and emptying them of the pungent bog water and then cleaning off the mud. You then set your weapons aside for maintenance and cleaning, normally the Temple acolytes took care of that stuff but there is something almost therapeutic about doing it yourself. With your gear straightened away and ready for the next day you lay to rest and awaken the next day with one thought in mind; What now?
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 14, 2018 8:41:33 GMT -5
(DMG Errata: Bag of Tricks (p. 154). The second paragraph ends with a new sentence: “The creature vanishes at the next dawn or when it is reduced to 0 hit points.”)
Xanadu scoffs, "A girl like that could not handle this beard." Xanadu runs his hand down his beard a few times, and smiles to himself. It is a good beard, and he's clearly proud of it. "I've not heard that Dwarven tradition. My clan always tries to salvage any equipment, and pass along any useful equipment to the next of kin. If there is no kin to be found, than the equipment goes to the Clan itself." He shrugs, not really caring one way or the other. Outside the gate Xanadu waves awkwardly at the retreating Axe Beak, unsure of how one is suppose to interact with a giant axe faced bird.
Passing through the gate they left through, "It really was my pleasure. In case you didn't notice, I have a score to settle with those winged bastards." The two men part ways just inside the gates. "I'm off to report to my Temple." Xanadu says, gesturing up the hill toward the high district. "Be safe Orellow, and watch your back. If there is one assassin after you. Then there are many."
Once at the Temple once again, Xanadu makes his report to the High Priest. Once that is done Xanadu adds, "Do you know anything about a bear with scales?" He goes on to explain the attack on his campsite. "Just curious." After reporting to my High Priest, Xanadu tends to his belongings. Including the newly acquired magic items from the Wyvern's nest. That all settled, I sleep like the dead, but with more snoring. A short squat stature is great for moving through cave, but not so good for stalking through a swamp.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Sept 18, 2018 12:32:05 GMT -5
"Yes..." The Priest's voice carries a pang of concern when you mention the scaled bear. His draconic face is its usual self. Difficult to tell emotions with those scaled features... But, before you can question it, his voice is back to its usual resplendence and he sends you on your way. A problem for tomorrow then.
A problem it was. After going about your routine your called by the High Priest and are soon on your way out into the swamp. It seems your Farmer Lizardfolk friend from the Green Claws has somehow put in a request for your aid and wants you to meet him at the farming spot. The details are sketchy at best. So, your on way through the swamp and headed there unless there's something you want in Town.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 19, 2018 9:43:35 GMT -5
Before setting out on his journey to the swamps, Xanadu first takes care of a few tasks in town. First he donates his old shield to the church. Next, he checks with the Wyrmspeaker about the supplies for the new Temple in the swamps. If they have been gathered, he can arrange an escort to the site so that work can begin. Lastly, as he heads out of town, he spends an hour to shop around for the best price on the Wyvern hides. With all that done, Xanadu heads off to the swamps. It's not every day that you get a personal request from the Lizard Folk, and he wasn't about to waste this opportunity to build a relationship with the Green Claws.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Sept 27, 2018 13:48:26 GMT -5
For your town tasks, your thanked very much for the shield. The Wyrmspeaker himself saying he will keep it as a memento of the soon-to-be famed dwarf who ridded the straight of Wyverns. He says so with a laugh, not mocking but fatherly as if he truly believes it to be so. For the supplies your informed it will take an extra amount of time as the supplies needed are from the Feywilds and the Wyrmspeaker needs to garner deals from Somerset Isles For your Wyvern Pack you have a few options as a mage associated with your church offered to tailor the some special armor for you for the low low price of 2500gp he offers scale armor that will make it harder for a wyvern to hurt you and make you immune to their poison. He will also buy the wyvern hide for 400gp flat and thats hands down the best offer you've gotten. He also offers that if neither of those seem interesting he can fashion you a magic rope that tracks wyverns for letting him have hides. He claims that the rope will be useless for binding them but will help you stay attached them and keep them from getting away from you.
One trudging later
You return to the "Farm" of the Green Claw you'd met and he's there, picking through the grasses as always. He notices your approach and brushes himself off, approaching you and offering your greetings in Draconic. "It brings me joy to see you, Bearded one" He says, his voice having no indication of that joy. "I have something you must see" He says and walks off without so much of an indication to follow. Assuming you follow he takes you to the other side of the farm to a humanoid skeleton in rusted armor. "My companion Ororo brought this to me from the border" He explains and thats all you really get out of him Upon investigation you figure the skeleton is probably human or was, save for an odd distortion in the skull toward the back where its more cone-like. The armor was once probably a guards uniform but it seems years of wear and tear has made it a rusted holey mess. The most discerning thing you find are teeth marks littered all across the skeleton. The markings being roughly the size of your arm. You assume this person died from a monster that sucked off its bones. The armor is unrecognizable to you probably from an old Human kingdom. The teeth marks came from a Hydra.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Sept 30, 2018 18:53:52 GMT -5
Xanadu shrugs, shaking his head in the negative when the scale is offered. He then pulls out his own set of scale mail, holding it out between himself and the mage, "I recently had to defend my campsite without having time to put this on first. I find fighting without it liberating." While putting the armour away, Xanadu continues, "If you have a way to make me immune to the poison without the armour, than I would be interested in that in the future. Since I don't have the coin for the immunity to poison, I will take you up on the rope for now." He makes the exchange, and thanks the mage. On his way out he donates his old pick and the armour he just showed the mage too. "Add these to your mementos Wyrmspeaker. If I ever get overconfident, point me to these to remind me where I came from."
Xanadu no longer avoids going through the water while in the swamps and bogs. With his new magical equipment he actually finds it faster to swim than to walk. Now he simply takes the most direct route there, the wetter the better. Upon his arrival at the farm, he offers his own Draconic greeting, "Good day to you my scaled friend, I was not expecting to hear from you so soon." When the Lizard Folk explains that he has something for Xanadu to see, Xanadu exclaims, "Oh? Lead on then." and follows him to the corpse.
"I don't recognize the armour, but these bite marks are unmistakable. They look like the bite of a Hydra." He stands, dusting off his hands, "I had a chance to study them while I was learning about Dragons. Turns out that Hydra are not Dragons at all, but monstrosities of nature." Looking up to the Lizard Folk, with a serious tone Xanadu asks, "Is there a Hydra lurking in these parts?"
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 1, 2018 6:23:23 GMT -5
The lizardman cocks his head to the side and you feel like you asked something that should've been obvious. "Of course" He says simply and as if on cue you see a serpent head rise up from one of the pools in front of you and then another and then another. 5 heads rise up from the swamp, dripping water as their body follows up and climbs itself up to the marshland a mere 10 feet in front of you. The creature stands as tall as a giant, a single neck and head easily the length of a wyvern. The 5 heads loom over you. Four lean in close, to smell you, one snapping at the third who gets too close and the second, hissing at the two who begin to fight, the 4th seems entranced on you, ignoring the other heads. The 5th head is... Asleep? Its eyes are closed and it appears to be just... there, off to the side. A high pitched screech catches your attention and you turn to your companion who stares down the beast and seems to be pointing at the ground. You turn back to the beast to see it... Sit. It sat down and its tail is wagging and the four conscious heads seem to have forgotten you exist and are staring at the Lizardman. "This is Hydra, she is my companion" The Lizardman says simply and raises his hand, all four of the heads lean down and try to nuzzle against it, but they bump into each other and then start a fight. A quick clearing of the throat stops them all dead and they lower themselves one at a time to receive their pets.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 2, 2018 4:55:02 GMT -5
Xanadu lets out a long stuttered breath, but manages to square himself up to speak in Draconic to Hydra, "I'm pleased to meet you Hydra. Startled by your sudden appearance, but pleased." He gives a little half bow out of respect before turning back to Hydra's master. "How ever did you manage to hide your companion the last time I was here?" Regardless of how the Green Scale responds, Xanadu asks, "I can offer this man some overdue last rights, is that why you have summoned me to this corpse? Or is there another reason?" Xanadu crouches back down beside the corpse again.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 13, 2018 7:31:08 GMT -5
"Hide? No hiding, hunting, when they came back with bone man was when wind brought cold" He explains and shakes his head. Wind brought cold? Oh! He must mean that it gave him chills. Why would a skeleton give him chills? "We bring dead to Great Hole, ours and others, it is our duty to do so. No dead around anywhere, but Hydra bring dead, old dead, not fresh, should not be, but" He motions to the skeleton again. If it wasn't for the fact that his face hadn't changed a single hair since you got here you would swear he was frowning. "Bad omen, maybe God angry, must see where dead came from, can't alone though" He turns to you. "I ask Bearded one for help" He asks? Given that his voice never shifts, its hard to tell but your pretty sure he just asked you to help him investigate that skeleton. How do you respond?
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 13, 2018 17:30:08 GMT -5
'Wind brought cold? Nervousness? Winter, maybe?' Xanadu shakes his head slightly, 'doesn't really matter I suppose.' He thinks to himself. "All the tribes bring their dead to that big sink hole?" Xanadu asks, gesturing in the general direction of the sinkhole. "That must be more difficult with the mining operation that Clifton has started at the Sinkhole. I can't imagine that the guards just let you stroll up for funeral rites." Once Xanadu realizes that that was actually a question, he responds, "Of course I will help you, friend."
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 19, 2018 13:38:21 GMT -5
He nods as you mention the Sinkhole. "Yes. I fear if this is not corrected soon a second Melting may occur" He says solemnly. A single nod is all the acceptance you receive before the Lizardman is walking off into the swamp proper, Hydra leading the way. It takes a good long while and you have time to observe things around you, particularly the Lizardman's movements. He's very much practiced in this terrain and seems to naturally move about in a stealthy manner. He isn't like Orellow, who's grace through the bogs was almost magical. This is practiced ease, like a Miner swinging a heavy pick at a precise place or a blacksmith at the forge. It is the result of hundreds of hours doing the same thing over and over. By following his lead you find it easier to move through the bog, though you doubt you could do so without his guidance, terrain seems to fly by as you cross the swamp. "You move well for Clawless" He says to you suddenly at one point. You go to answer and he stops and ducks behind a bush, you take the hint and follow suit. Strangely so does the Hydra, hiding its heads below a shrub. All but the sleeping one. You see what they stopped for; A group of muscled green armored men with tusks. Orcs.
You can feel your ancestral blood boil. The scouting party spots you through the bushes and make a move toward you, however they seem to think better of themselves when they see a Hyrda only a few feet away and decide they're better off hunting elsewhere. When they depart you hear a low hissing sound from your Lizardman companion. "Tusked ones" He says flatly a touch of venom in his tone. "Been here more and more, clan thinks they have camp" He seems to think for a time. Looking toward the party dispersing into the green and also toward where you were originally headed. After a time, He shakes his head and continues onward. After another few hours of walking he suddenly stops in a clearing and sits down. "Lay here" He says simply. "Dark brings cold, cold brings slow, slow brings death in battle. Travel this far always brings battle to scaled" He says by way of explanation when you ask why stop considering sunset a few hours off still.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 23, 2018 7:03:33 GMT -5
Xanadu, being more used to the Lizard Folk at this point, begins walking almost as soon as he does. The man has an efficiency about him, no wasted time or energy in moving through the bogs or in pointless pleasantries like 'Shall we go then?' Xanadu quite liked the fellow. "You mentioned a melting. I've only just arrived in the city" Xanadu gestures vaguely toward Clifton, as if he could mean anywhere else, "Could you tell me a little about the history of this place? The melting specifically." Xanadu is surprised by the sudden compliment, though Xanadu doesn't get a chance to respond before hiding from the Orc patrol. "Filthy Orcs, er Tusked Ones. They do be no friend of the Dwarves." He touches fist to chest as he says Dwarves, just to make sure that the Lizard Folk knew he meant his own kind. 'I bet he calls Dwarves Bearded Ones' Xanadu thinks to himself, stifling a small chuckle.
Xanadu doesn't object when the Lizard Folk stops, assuming that he knows what he's doing. Perhaps tomorrow will be more arduous, or perhaps he had simply been awake longer than him today. Either way, he is glad for the break. 'Maybe it will give me a chance to get to know... Wait, I don't think he has ever given his name.' Xanadu sets to work setting up a camp of sorts, mostly following his companion's lead. While he does so, he once again strikes up conversation, "You know, you once spoke of trading information to a creature that spoke of itself and it's tribe. Since then you've spoken about your tribe, but I don't think you've even told me your name. I wouldn't mind calling you something a bit more personal than friend."
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 23, 2018 12:52:04 GMT -5
The lizardman hums a moment, seeming to think on it and then he speaks. "Before Clawless huts appear on coast, before smooth stone is raised to protect Clawless huts, before strange wood even bring Clawless to Great Marsh there was story passed from time before Three Tribes, when all tribes were one, called the Great Black. God had slept much through time and great chief say God doesn't exist. He stopped bringing the dead and treasure to Abyss. Many years pass and tribe prosper, have many riches and all have full belly, was called Great Time. Then Melting happen. God was real. God made angry" He lowers his head and shakes it sadly. "Green rain come and melt food, many die, some of empty belly, others turn to puddles, those who live run deeper into Marsh, make up tribes today. No Chief say God not real. No smart chief... No living chief..." He stops talking after that point, seeming to finish.
"What could be more personal than friend?" The Lizardman asks, tilting his head. He then shakes his head, seeming to find an answer for himself. "Call me Planter Noclan" he says and pauses a moment before he awkwardly shoves his hand toward you"
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 25, 2018 6:22:05 GMT -5
Xanadu listens intently, having his fears about a Black Dragon in the swamps confirmed as the story continues. Taking a shaky breath, Xanadu speaks up once Planter Noclan is finished, "I for one would like to keep your God sleeping as long as we can. A second Melting sounds terrible, both for the three tribes and for the people of Clifton." Xanadu circles around one of Hydra's extended heads, ducks under another and steps over a third. Xanadu is amazed at how readily he has become adjusted to the presence of such a powerful creature. Once he gets back into a better position for conversation, he continues, "So when we're all finished with what you summoned me for, I'd like to go to the sink -er- Abyss. I would like to try and find a way for your people to continue to give tributes to your god without coming into conflict with the people of Clifton. Do you know when your tribe will make their next tribute?"
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Oct 29, 2018 15:52:00 GMT -5
He explains that tributes happen daily as they not only bring their old, dead and sick but also whatever is left over from their kill that morning, all the tribes do, it has been a long standing tradition, they often do it before sunset. He looks off into the distance and you realize, its sunset soon, which means the tribute was happening now or had happened. "Rest, bearded one. Strength will be needed" He says and then turns in for the night. Hydra coiling around your camp protectively as the other heads lay down. The one that'd been asleep all day raises and to watch vigilantly.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 29, 2018 22:25:25 GMT -5
“I will heed your warning and rest, Friend Planter. I must be off to the Abyss without delay once we’re done with whatever you have in mind. Your God has been without Tribute for a long while by my estimation.” Nodding to his friend, Xanadu turns over to make ready for sleep’s embrace. ’He is my friend.’ Xanadu’s stray thought surprises him, he is normally slower to trust than that. Is it all the distrust steeped into the walls of Clifton that has made him more willing to trust? Perhaps all the time he has spent in the swamps? Out here it’s kill or be killed, and anyone that doesn’t must be trustworthy. Maybe it was his time with Fillin, that Halfling seemed to trust everyone. Without finishing sorting out his thoughts, Xanadu drifts into a dream filled sleep.
(Have fun with those dreams)
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Nov 14, 2018 10:31:47 GMT -5
You hear screams, feel blood and roars tear through you, a sense of crippling dread fills you as you suddenly become aware of a sharp pain on your cheek. You spring from your bedroll, weapon in hand and ready to attack before you realize there's just Planter, who's nodding at you, seemingly satisfied. "Good" he says. "The Night Lady has not taken you" He says and crawls to his own sleeping place. When you ask; first; WHAT!? and second; THE F***!? He explains to you that Lizardfolk, don't dream and when they do its because of an invasion of the Night Lady. A woman surrounded by many black birds who takes your mind and enslaves you to her will. The only cure for those who she's taken is death. You ask how to tell if someone is taken and Planter says that if they do not get up to fight after being struck they are gone. He then shows his teeth to you and says he's glad you got up as he settles in. Your night is spent that way, feeling the oncoming of a dream before being struck and springing up. When dawn approaches your still tired so Planter offers for you to nap as he goes out to hunt for your breakfast. You gratefully accept and get yourself a good rest before your awakened to the smell of cooking meat. Swamp rat is your break fast for today and its not as good ad Fillin's cooking but meat is always nice. With camp seen to and everyone fed your strange party is once again off through the swamps.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 15, 2018 21:08:30 GMT -5
Xanadu has enough nightmares of his own that he relives each night, he doesn't need some night lady adding to them. He grumbles to himself as he sets back to sleep after his turn at watch, the grumbles are all of his grievances with the night lady. Never in all his years would Xanadu be hopeful to dream of leathery wings, the creak of sail ropes, blood and death. At least those dreams were familiar. During his watch, Xanadu paces as quietly as he can around the camp. Always close enough to keep an eye on his companions, (within darkvision) but far enough away that his less than stealthy nature would not disturb them. Upon waking up again, this time to the smell of swamp rat, Xanadu nods to Planter, "Thanks for that Friend, I needed that bit of extra shuteye." Xanadu takes a minute to look around the camp before he continues, "Does this night lady only assail your dreams out here? She has never tried to bother me the other times I've slept out in the swamps."
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Nov 27, 2018 15:02:38 GMT -5
The watch goes quietly. The next morning. Planter nods at your thanks and shrugs at your question. "I know not for sure if the Lady was taking you, I did not want to chance if she was" He answers simply.
Your travel for the day is quiet and uneventful in terms of combat, you spend it however you like, but I assume its chatting with Planter whilst on guard. As dusk settles on the horizon you see a mass of trees off in the distance. Planter sets up camp as before and informs you that tomorrow you'll arrive at those tress tomorrow and that is what he wants to check out.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 27, 2018 19:05:31 GMT -5
Xanadu does in fact spend the day chatting with Planter, all the while keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings. He will see about befriending the Hydra himself too, perhaps with Planters advice or direct assistance. At some point or another he will ask Planter, "What is it that you think you will find where we're headed?" Camping has become a routine at this point, simply going through the motions. Xanadu actually finds the monotony of travel on his own stout legs cathartic, the lure of ships on the sea has long since lost it's appeal. He doesn't even really like wagons or carriages anymore. Xanadu takes his watch at the appointed time and falls into contented sleep quickly.
|
|
|
Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Dec 17, 2018 7:41:05 GMT -5
You find that making friends with a Hydra is difficult, it seems to have animal-like intelligence so you figure feeding it would be good, but Planter advises against that as Hydra likes to snatch. He waves a hand at you a you notice its missing some fingers. You also don't have food that would satisfy such a big beast and your quite attached to your hands. You try talking but your not much of a conversationalist and the Hydra doesn't respond. You get yourself into an in depth conversation after a time, pouring your heart out to the beast but a curious look from Planter cuts you short. When you ask what Planter thinks he will find he simply answers that he hopes it to be nothing.
The night is quiet and thankfully dreamless, you awaken the next day and prep your gear to move. For breakfast Planter has a large flat rock full of grubs and other creepy crawlies. Yum!
By noon, as Planter said you arrive at the place where the forest and the swamp meet. The forest have tress that are easily 100 feet tall however the unnatural way that the two regions divide is an issue. It seems as they someone took a mountain sized knife and perfectly cut the swamp and forest. None of the plants from the biomes are tangled or even touching, water pools in the swamp just end and turn to healthy forest grass at the invisible line where the forest begins. Tree roots don't even touch into swamp territory. It seems... Unnatural. Planter doesn't seemed bother, in fact he walks along the border, inspecting the ground.
|
|