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Full Version: Chapter 2-4: You Hear Them Whispering in the Crowns of the Trees
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Time: twilight
Location: Rock plateau north of Crystal Grove, probably in the Realm of Faerie.
Present: All PCs, no NPCs.


As Cranberry steps back and disappears the company of our favourite adventurers is apparently left alone. Those turning around to take in the view can see a steep rocky path winding its way up to a plateau, maybe a hundred feet above the level of the grove. There are sparse trees amidst the bushes and medium undergrowth but the path is obvious for everyone.

OOC - the terrain is difficult rocky terrain (double movement cost) and is not considered a forest for purposes of passing without trace, etc.

Those walking along the path can feel that the tension is almost tangible. Birds singing and crickets chirping stops as soon as a footstep kicks up some pebbles or breaks a twig but somehow the whole atmosphere seems to be sad, if not unsettling. Proceeding further the light breeze brings a piercing stench, sweet and sour at the same time. Just before reaching the top there is a carcass partially devoured with nothing but white bones remaining, but the other part is intact. The first to spot the plateau can see game animals, grazing or drinking. In an instant, they jerk their heads from the ground, looking at the generic direction of the path, then jump and rush towards the relative safety of a small copse further to the northwest. They seem to be nervous, looking up, smelling the air ever so often. However, the party is silent as shadows and the wind blowing from south doesn't sell them for the animals that are packed together to the northeast. There is a small copse further to the northwest from the small herd.

Finally, there the party stands, on the edge of the plateau, and looking around can see a mostly peaceful picture of a meadow covered with emerald grass (except some black spots about five to ten feet across) and a trickling river that falls to the depths of the lake some hundred yards from where everyone is standing, surprisingly unnoticed by the herd.
No chance for us to defeat him in a fight. - he repeats - Great! I said it is a demon, a devil, a dargon or a very-very hungry dragon.
So we have to defeat him in drinking or without fight. The second one is not my specialty, it's yours, Toot. You defeated the iron statue without fight. This time you have to dig a bigger pit, he-he.

Is he a huge animal? Has he claws, wings or more heads? - he asks Cranberry before he leaves.
The parting words of the female fey ring in Giant's ears,
"If I gave you such details you'd think you could defend yourself in a battle."
(04-20-2017, 08:33 AM)DM Surranó Wrote: [ -> ]The parting words of the female fey ring in Giant's ears,
"If I gave you such details you'd think you could defend yourself in a battle."

ooc - She doesn't have to give details, she only have to answer 'yes' or 'no' Smile
[OoC remember we are absolutely silent unless we talk. Sculpt sound is awesome for that.]

Portho looks around the clearing, trying to see what the dark spots in the grass are before approaching closer.

"Toot, are those burns?"
OOC - Sculpt sound, that's correct but see also OOC thread. Correcting text above.

Portho whispers his question to Toot. In an instant, one of the animals jerks it head from the ground, looking the party in the eye. The others follow his move, then the whole pack jumps and rushes towards the relative safety of a small copse further to the northwest.
(04-20-2017, 12:59 PM)Portho Nihilbuck Wrote: [ -> ][OoC remember we are absolutely silent unless we talk. Sculpt sound is awesome for that.]

Portho looks around the clearing, trying to see what the dark spots in the grass are before approaching closer.

"Toot, are those burns?"

Toot shrugs then says, "Let Toot see..."

The tiny gnome climbs up onto Boo's back and sits in his saddle.  With the higher vantage point Toot looks at the brown spots to see if he can recognize whether they are burn marks or something else entirely.

[Knowledge Nature: +13 = 33 (ROLLED A 20!) ]

While assessing the situation Toot says to Portho, "You know, if Gnome stopped flapping gums so loud maybe Gnome could talk to woodland creatures.  Or me could befriend them so we could speak with animals.  Or me could even turn into one of them so me could have a nice long chat."
(04-20-2017, 08:33 AM)DM Surranó Wrote: [ -> ]The parting words of the female fey ring in Giant's ears,
"If I gave you such details you'd think you could defend yourself in a battle."

So he has wings, claws, a big mouth and more heads too. - he thinks and readies his bow. He is watching. He is trying to prepare for the worst, a huge monster with wings, claws, more heads who can burn things and dig holes....


"There is a small copse further to the northwest from the small herd." -Copse? How small? Is it moving? Smile

EDIT
"Just before reaching the top there is a carcass partially devoured with nothing but white bones remaining, but the other part is intact." - Giant examines the remaining and looks for tracks.
(04-20-2017, 12:59 PM)Portho Nihilbuck Wrote: [ -> ][OoC remember we are absolutely silent unless we talk. Sculpt sound is awesome for that.]

Portho looks around the clearing, trying to see what the dark spots in the grass are before approaching closer.

"Toot, are those burns?"

Or holes?
The nature lore (OOC - more like Survival) instilled in druid and ranger alike, point out that the partially devoured corpse looks as if half of the corpse would've been eaten by insects, probably ants, well known to clean up bones completely with the acids they secrete, but then why would they leave the other half intact? Another possibility is that some other source of acid caused the trouble.

The black patches, roughly round or oval in shape, look like burns, indeed, but it's hard to tell whether it's done by fire or some chemicals.

Throwing the lingering sour smell into the pot of imagination, they are both convinced that the source of destruction is some source of acid.

Toot also discovers some tracks (Giant barely missed) around the carcass and one of the blackened patches. They look like enormous footprints but given the rocky terrain it's hard to tell what kind of creature left them. Based on the sheer size, however, it can range from a rhino to a giant croc, but the weight must be over a couple tons.
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