Portal to D&D IC - Silence of the Bold

[Lentrax]

Shanna follows, looking to see if she find the source of the voice.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spot check: (1d20)[15]

[Thokk_Smash]

Iriander's head seems to twitch, before he replies in the same lyrical tongue. He puts a hand out for Shanna to not go further than he has.

"As I was saying, we are travelers lost, seeking a town or other source of refuge. We have precious little in the way of trade, but we humbly beg for your assistance in finding our way out of the forest.

"And if I may say, honored one, your garden seems to be truly a work of art." The title Iriander uses is in that other language, and the way he says it seems to convey a sense of respect. Iriander works to keep his tone respectful and polite, and ends his words on a small bow.

Spoiler: Diplomacy/Charisma check

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(1d20+3)[6]

[Rizban]

The ground shakes as the voice responds to Iriander. What you thought was mere reverberation is revealed to be a massive root from the oak tree bursting forth from the ground to wrap around him.

As the voice continues to speak, the root lifts him into the air and draws him towards the trunk. In its wake, the ground is left undisturbed and unbroken, as if the root had never passed through.

[Rizban]

Iriander responds to the tree, a bit more than a hint of panic in his voice.

The root rapidly sinks into the ground and vanishes, leaving a stunned Iriander standing on the forest floor. Unharmed.


A woman suddenly begins to speak. Where she came from, you didn't see. She's just suddenly standing nearby in the clearing.

"Your companions may depart. They are not wanted here."

Spoiler: The woman speaking

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[Thokk_Smash]

Iriander breathes a huge sigh of relief, yet one that is tinged with trepidation as well. Mentally, he calls Berserker over to him, and the giant lumbers over. "This one is my eidolon, my summoned partner," he explains, seemingly to the clearing at large. "My use is much diminished without him."

To Lilac and Shanna, he says with a heavy voice, "So I kinda accidentally pissed off the tree, which happens to be a very powerful being, and it was either it kills me or I become its servant. I'm sorry, but I think this is where our paths diverge."

Turning to the mystery woman, he says (with clasped hands and all), "I beg you, please at least give them a direction towards the closest way out of the forest. They're blameless in this. Plus, heck, without direction they may even stumble upon this clearing again, and none of us wants that."

[Rizban]

She pauses for a moment as if listening for something in the distance.

"They may each take one fruit of their choice from the garden and drink their fill of water before leaving."

She points to the end of a path on the far side of the clearing.

"If they remain on the path, they will be safe. A human village can be found where it ends, two days travel from here."

[Thokk_Smash]

Iriander bows his head in gratitude. "Thank you," he says, to the clearing itself rather than the woman in front of them.

Turning to Lilac and Shanna, he says, "Sorry I can't go further with you. Stay on the path, stay safe, and good luck." He offers a hand for them to shake, if they feel so inclined, but doesn't seem offended if they don't take him up on it.

[JNAProductions]

I'm sorry. Thank you for helping us-we might've died already if it weren't for you, Lilac says to Iriander, shaking his hand warmly. You too Berserker-your help is appreciated, and I hope we meet again.

She turns to the woman, and asks, as politely as she can, Thank you, both of you, for being gracious. May I ask if the fruit and water have any special properties, or are they merely ordinary sustenance? Regardless, I am still very grateful for the benevolence offered here. Please treat Iriander and Berserker well-they may not be the most eloquent, but they're good people.

Spoiler: OOC

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Diplomacy Check, only if needed: (1d20+5)[6]

If the woman either declines to answer or tells her that the fruit and water are ordinary, Lilac will drink her fill and select a fruit that's decently-sized and appears either ripe, or about to be ripe.

[Rizban]

Party Notice
Iriander has left the party.

The woman is speaking to Iriander in the lyrical language. His eyes close briefly, and she turns to you as you ask your questions.

"They are provided by The Mother. Please, make your selection with haste. You would do well not to linger on sacred ground."

You are drawn to a blue and purple fruit that looks something like an onion growing from the end of vine which droops from a natural trellis. It's the size of both your fists held together and has an astringent odor reminiscent of a pungent cheese.

Spoiler: The Fruit

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While the water does look tempting, you worry that drinking it will damage your internal mechanisms. Your mechanical form doesn't require food and water as the mortal races do.

[JNAProductions]

Spoiler: OOC

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Didn't I drink earlier? Regardless, I'll drink as appropriate (that can just be added in) and we'll keep it going.

Lilac takes the fruit, offering one more Thank you, before heading to the start of the path to wait for Shanna.

[Lentrax]

Shanna takes the offered fruit and the water.

Thank you, she says as she takes these gifts.

And I apologize if I have offended the Mother in any way. Please know it was not my intention.

She then turns to leave.

[Rizban]

Shanna takes what looks like a large banana, except that its skin is bright orange, then drinks her fill of water.

You set out on a very well maintained stone and gravel path that winds through the forest, following the natural contours of the land and vegetation.



True to the woman's word, so long as you remain on the path, you are unharried by man or beast.

How do you proceed?

[JNAProductions]

Lilac looks to Shanna. Shall we follow the path? A village sounds nice.

If she doesn't object, Lilac begins the (hopefully not too long) trek to the village.

[Lentrax]

Yes. Let's keep going. I don't know how much longer we can survive out here without proper equipment.

With one last look back toward where they left their fellow adventurer behind, Shanna starts heading down the path.

[Rizban]

As promised, the path is clear of any threats or impediments as it winds its way through the forest.

You see rabbits, squirrels, song birds, and other such small animals not far off the sides of the path, but they don't seem troubled by your presence.

Shanna, having not eaten in quite a while, finds that her hunger continues to grow; however, thirst doesn't bother her.

As night begins to fall, you see no signs of the village. She did say it was a two day trip...

[JNAProductions]

Lilac asks Shanna Do you think we need to make watch? Or do you think we'd be safe to just rest?

[Lentrax]

We should probably find somewhere we can watch easily. The path seems safe enough, but that could change any moment it seems.

Shanna, starting to feel hungry, starts to eat the fruit she got from the clearing.

[Rizban]

We should probably find somewhere we can watch easily. The path seems safe enough, but that could change any moment it seems.

Shanna, starting to feel hungry, starts to eat the fruit she got from the clearing.

She manages to eat half of it before she feels too full to eat any more.

[JNAProductions]

Spoiler: Skill Check

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(1d20)[1] Survival

Lilac looks about for a good spot, but feels somewhat safe trusting the strange woman.

[Rizban]

Lilac is completely confident that the middle of the path is the safest place to camp.

[JNAProductions]

I think the middle is perfectly safe, Lilac tells Shanna. Besides, the woman said we'd be safe along it.

Spoiler: OOC

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Imma regret this... :P

[Lentrax]

Yes, but we should still minimize the risk, right?

[JNAProductions]

Right-which is why the middle, Lilac says.

[Lentrax]

And rest in shifts.

[JNAProductions]

Good idea-I'll take the first one. You should rest-after all, you've got a full stomach.

Spoiler: OOC

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Any checks needed for a watch shift?

[Rizban]

The two of you make it through the night undisturbed. Other than the number of rabbits wandering about increasing after sunset, the only other movement you see is when a large owl swooped down to snag one of the rabbits.

It seems that the path truly is safe.

[Lentrax]

Well. This is odd. By all rights, something should have happened. Should we get going before that changes?

[JNAProductions]

Come morning, Lilac yawns, and in response to Shanna's question, nods. I'd imagine the woman and the tree have a hand in keeping this safe-let's not abuse their generosity.

Onwards! she says as she starts walking towards the village.

[Rizban]

Shanna find herself growing hungry again as the morning begins. The half fruit remaining from the day before has begun to turn brown and go mushy and will likely not last beyond today before it becomes inedible. She, however, doesn't feel thirsty at all.

Other than the occasional group of rabbits, which you can engage if you choose, you encounter nothing hostile along the path.

Ahead, the undergrowth grows heavier, but the trail widens before ending completely just as it exits the forest.

[Lentrax]

Shanna eats the fruit as they go along, deciding it is best to eat it rather than let it go to waste.

When the trail ends just outside the forest, Shanna looks around, hoping to spot a sign of the promised villiage.