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  1. - Top - End - #31
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Mar 2016
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    "Raeh, we're not getting anywhere in town. If these folks could have solved the mystery among themselves, I think they would have done so.
    How about heading up to the lumber camp? The loggers figure to spend more time in the woods than anyone. If there's a large bird or hippogriff involved, maybe they have an idea where the nest might be."


    Targan leads the way.

  2. - Top - End - #32
    Ettin in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jan 2008

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Varia continued onwards. It felt like there was no time to lose. Regrouping with the others would take too long. In her opinion, each party should follow their own leads. Lilya could be retrieved by whoever found her first.

  3. - Top - End - #33
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
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    UK
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Leaving Town

    You head down the road to the point where it meets the wood. There you cross the river, using a small boat-and-pulley arrangement kept there for the purpose. A wide trail leads north; it's easy to see that many logs have been dragged along it. After only a very short distance, you come to a clearing, with many tree stumps. Workers are busily felling trees around the edges of the clearing, and an angry man is shouting orders at them. This is the start of the logging camp. The man - Kurt - turns towards you as you enter, looking annoyed. "What are you doing here? This is a worksite! Get out!"

    You explain who you are and what you're doing. Kurt grumbles a lot, but agrees to answer your questions. His answers are terse, and to the point. No, they haven't seen any sign of Lilya, or any bandits. Try the grave. Nor have they seen any giant birds (Kurt explodes a bit at this question, clearly suspecting you're just wasting his time.) But they have had a few odds and ends disappear over the last couple of weeks. A few tools, some food, and (Kurt snorts derisively) a book someone was writing. Maybe you should make yourselves useful figuring that out who's taking those rather than going on a wild goose chase. Oh, sorry, a wild giant bird chase.

    You take advantage of Kurt's challenge as an excuse to investigate the camp a little more thoroughly and talk to the workers. You don't manage to find much out. The items seem to have vanished overnight, on two different occasions. Any tracks have been thoroughly obscured by drag marks of logs and a rainstorm a few days ago. But you do discover one interesting fact. The "book someone was writing" was a diary, recording the stories the author heard in the local tavern. He hopes to become a travelling bard some day. He hasn't got very far, though - he'd only recorded one story before it was stolen. On a hunch, you ask him what the story was. It was Haldenfrond's story about the Black Hunters.

  4. - Top - End - #34
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    ElfMonkGuy

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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    As Varia continues onward, Lorhanna catches her attention with a dinnerbell-like series of high notes.

    She plays a series of three-note strings in an ominous pitch, followed by a menacing cascade of many fast and small string plucks. Her concerned frown implies much.

    Then she holds up a finger, as if having an idea, and points back towards town.

    She plays a series of five-note strings in much the same fashion as before, but now with a triumphant tone to them. She then refrains the army of many small notes, yet they seem scattered and disorderly. Broken and defeated.

    She smiles expectantly, hoping that Varia understands.

  5. - Top - End - #35
    Ettin in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jan 2008

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Varia tried to interpret the strange sounds.

    "You...want to fetch reinforcements? I really don't think that we have time for that. It took us over an hour to get here. A return round trip would take twice that. Every second we waste risks Lilya's life!"

    She resumed walking. Unless someone else objected, she'd continue onwards.

  6. - Top - End - #36
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Mar 2016
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    Maryland
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    After checking out the camp, Targan makes a few notes on the camp. He turns to Raeh, "Let's go find the others."

  7. - Top - End - #37
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Sep 2013
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    UK
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Varia, Heraeus, Lorhanna

    The trail follows a winding course, deeper and deeper into the Feywood. On several occasions, you have to stop and hunt around for the tracks, but Heraeus is a skilled tracker and never leads you astray. (OOC: natural 20 on the survival check!)

    Although there was a pleasant breeze for your walk along the road, the air gets very still as you travel in the Feywood. As you go further north, the tree canopy grows thicker and the shade gets deeper. You get the uneasy feeling you're being watched, though you never see anything but the odd squirrel when you turn and look. After a while, you begin to feel hungry. You have no idea what time it is, but decide to stop for "lunch", supplementing your rations with some blackberries that Heraeus finds. Then you carry on.

    Eventually, you begin climb a small hill, and the trees begin to get thinner. You finally get a glimpse of the sky, and are shocked to find that the sun is almost set. You must have spent the whole day walking, though it didn't feel like it at all. Ahead,, at the top of the hill, the trees end entirely in a clearing. It's a bit hard to see with the fading light, but you can vaguely make out the shapes of stone statues and old stone walls. Perhaps more interestingly, you can also see the flicker of shadows dancing in some unseen firelight. The trail leads through the remaining trees and straight to these ruins, and in places you can see cobbles on the path, poking through the general leaf debris.

    As you're contemplating this, you suddenly hear the sound of someone coming through the undergrowth behind you, along the same trail you've been following. You turn around, finding hiding places and preparing for battle against whoever, or whatever, might be using this trail...

    But what actually emerges is Targan and Raeh.

    Targan, Raeh

    You come to the grave in the same way as the other group before you, only to find the area deserted. But looking around, it's clear that the party has set off into the woods. After some discussion, you decide to follow them. You find the route easier to follow than your companions did (because you're following a fresher trail) but it's still evening before you reach a place where the trees get thinner.

    At the top of a small hill, the trees end entirely in a clearing. It's a bit hard to see with the fading light, but you can vaguely make out the shapes of stone statues and old stone walls. Perhaps more interestingly, you can also see the flicker of shadows dancing in some unseen firelight. The trail leads through the remaining trees and straight to these ruins, and in places you can see cobbles on the path, poking through the general leaf debris.

    Before you can investigate this further, however, the trail turns a corner and you suddenly find yourselves face to face with Varia, Heraeus and Lorhanna, ready for a fight.

  8. - Top - End - #38
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2014

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Raeh let’s out a deep sigh followed by a small laugh as she lowers her crossbow and tries to relax her beating heart.
    UnHoly mo..” was all anyone heard of her long curse before it faded out to a near silent mumble.

    It had been some time and we have learnt all that we can, how goes your part? Has there been trouble? We decided to come find you when you had not yet returned. I half expected to meet you making your way back.

    Raeh looks over everyone assessing their condition.
    Last edited by Holy-hunter; 2021-04-07 at 10:38 PM.

  9. - Top - End - #39
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Targan gives everyone a jaunty smile. "Well, it is good to see everyone! I take it you've found a lead worth following?"

  10. - Top - End - #40
    Ettin in the Playground
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    Jan 2008

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Time became strangely distorted. Varia lost track of how long she'd been walking. Only when she neared her destination, did she realise the journey's length. Was this some kind of fae magic? Or maybe it was just her anxious mind playing tricks. Said anxiety went into overdrive, when Varia heard footsteps behind her. Twin daggers appeared in her hands. She readied blade and spell for whatever approached...

    ...Then let out a big sigh of relief. She warmly greeted her teammates.

    "Now there's a sight for sore eyes! Welcome. Yes, we do indeed have a lead. It looks like Lilya was abducted by taloned creatures. We've been following their trail."

  11. - Top - End - #41
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    BlackDragon

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    Aug 2008

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    "Could be harder to follow this trail on the rocks," Heraeus says, lowering his bow as he sees who emerges from the brush. "But they could also still be here somewhere. We should move carefully"
    Frog in the playground.

    My homebrewer's extended signature.

    I have Str 5!

    Quote Originally Posted by BobVosh View Post
    Wall of text attacks! CRITS!

  12. - Top - End - #42
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    ElfMonkGuy

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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    After the initial tension Lorhanna strums a soft, breezy greeting no louder than a hushed voice. After all, there seemed to be some sort of firelight in the deepening dusk ahead. She points it out to the others but aside from that simply seems intent on moving ahead.

  13. - Top - End - #43
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Targan takes a few steps in the direction Lorhanna indicates, looking more closely at the flickering light, the statues, and the surroundings.

    Spoiler: ooc
    Show
    (1d20+5)[17] Investigate if you want it.
    What are the statues? Are the flickering shadows caused by natural light or by some kind of magic?

  14. - Top - End - #44
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Sep 2013
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    UK
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Targan steps forward, investigating. The flickering light clearly looks like a fire - you can even see a small plume of smoke. The statues are hard to make out from this distance (they seem to be some kind of warriors?). There are some stone buildings near the statues, in various stages of decay.

    You proceed along the path, but when you come to a narrow point you suddenly notice the ground is sagging slightly in front of you. Stopping and looking closer, you can see that the ground drops away here and the leaf-matter covering it is supported only by a lattice of sticks. There's some sort of pit here.

    Fortunately, now you've found it, you should be able to walk round it pretty easily and continue on towards the statues. You're just about to do so, when you all hear a noise off to the West, away from the path. It sounds like children playing. You glance over in that direction, and Targan just catches a glimpse of the sillhouette of some moving figure.

  15. - Top - End - #45
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2014

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Torn between directions Raeh moves forward and finds a small space of her own.
    We need more eyes.” she says cryptically as she looks at the land around her. She silently decided to herself there was no rush nor reason to disturb it.

    Spoiler: detailed casting
    Show

    Taking hold of the solid chain around her neck, she shuffled her robes to draw out the bulky pendant that had been sitting concealed beneath. It was a hand.
    Not jewellery or crafted, nor merely of shape and design, but an actual severed human hand with signs of discolouration and decay. It clung to the chain, each finger wrapped around tightly.
    Just beyond the wrist it was attached to something man made. It looked to be a thick metal bracelet about two inches thick, only it was solid and filled where the dismembering wound should be. Despite its simple materials and design it held a unique pattern to it with many tiny slits indented along its sides, making it appear like a small tightly bound cage.

    Raeh turned her back to her comrades, instinctually more than fear for there was no hiding what would come next.

    With the severed hand and strange phylactery hanging before her face, she speaks to it in soft whispers. You cannot make out the words but there’s no mistaking that they are filled with emotion and affection. Soon the wind begins to whip up around her and shadows begin to flutter like they were made from dancing fire light, only there was none. A soft haunting moan escapes from nature itself as it tries to deny her wishes. Raeh’s voice grows louder and you can see the strain in her tense body. The shadows respond accordingly, growing darker and running across the floor towards her where the growing darkness slowly finds form beneath her outstretched arm. The wind follows no pattern or path, instead spasming back and forth, sifting through the dirt digging up loose rocks, decaying wood and old forgotten bones.

    The darkness and debris continues to coalesce before Raeh. The wind that violent buffers her continues to cry out with an eerily haunting howl, always competing with and trying to drown our Raeh’s own words which are now a firm commanding demand instead of the gentle plea of earlier.

    Still holding the chain around her neck with one hand, she places the other into unnatural, and likely to be unholy, dark physical concoction floating in front of her. Her arm disappearing seamlessly into the small orb of black inky abyss.
    Whether with will or her hand, the debris-filled darkness begins to take form. Raeh voice suddenly ceases as her lips press against the back of the severed hand. After a soft kiss, a flicker of red light appears in the phylactery. With a deep breath she takes it into herself then breathes it into the form she had created.
    Having lost the fight, nature gives in. The wind settles, the shadows still and the howling cries fade to nothing.

    All that remains of the incident was the now formed infused debris and negative energy.
    It was a dragon, but a very small one. It had the spark of life in its eyes otherwise it appeared very dead. Ghoulish even. It stretched its small neck to a chorus of cracking and popping as it reached out to nuzzle it’s rotten face against the severed hand Raeh still held. Recognition for its old owners limb existing in the creature beyond the boundaries of life and death.

    Water danced across Raeh’s eyes but no tears fell. With unspoken commands the dead pseudo dragon she had summoned, opened its wings and jumped into the air. It’s flight began clumsy as it adjusted to its condition and headed out to scout off the path towards the mysterious sound of children.

  16. - Top - End - #46
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Targan signals to the group behind him, indicating the pit trap. He drags his heel across the dirt, leaving a clear line in the foliage marking the width of the pit.

    He tests the balance of his crossbow before proceeding (activate enhance equipment- 0sp, concentration).

    He proceeds cautiously towards the figure, alert for other traps and dangers.
    Last edited by jscape2000; 2021-04-17 at 06:22 AM.

  17. - Top - End - #47
    Ettin in the Playground
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    Jan 2008

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Varia marvelled at Raeh's complex spell. The ritual was so intricate! It carried real emotional weight. Varia's own magic was much simpler. She called upon her power without word, gesture, or even understanding. Watching a different tradition at work was fascinating.

    The newly conjured dragon flew off, to scout ahead. Varia would wait for her comrades' signal before she too advanced. Her sneaking skills were mediocre. She didn't want to spoil anyone's attempt at stealth.

  18. - Top - End - #48
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Sep 2013
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Spoiler: Those following into the forest
    Show
    You follow the sounds of the children playing, and the occasional glimpses of the figure. After about three minutes of pursuit, you're started by a loud roar up ahead. A moment later, you hear the sound of children screaming followed by a sudden silence. The sounds both came from up ahead.

    OOC: Three ability checks

    Spoiler: Nature, DC5
    Show
    The roar sounds like it came from a bear.


    Spoiler: Perception, DC10
    Show
    As the childrens' scream ends and you begin to wonder how to help them, you notice the figure slipping away to the right, in the direction of the ruins. It looks like you'll have to choose whether to pursue or find the children. As the figure turns, you catch a glimpse of a large, curved nose or beak, like the mask of a plague doctor.


    Spoiler: Perception, DC15
    Show
    The children you heard playing before were both boys' voices. Which is strange, because those were definitely the screams of young girls.


    Note that these are two different perception checks; roll it twice!


    Spoiler: Those not following into the forest
    Show


    You wait around anxiously as the others vanish into the forest. The sound of the children playing gradually grows fainter. After about three minutes, you hear a roar in the distance, followed by screams which suddenly stop.
    Last edited by pi4t; 2021-04-18 at 02:01 PM.

  19. - Top - End - #49
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Targan continues to follow the hooded figure. “Hey there! I’ve got questions for you!”
    Last edited by jscape2000; 2021-04-18 at 09:59 PM.

  20. - Top - End - #50
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    BlackDragon

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    Aug 2008

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    "Should be no children here," Heraeus says.

    Keeping his bow at hand but lowered, he follows the sound. As he sees the beaked figure, he follows on Targan's heels after him.
    Last edited by Frog Dragon; 2021-04-18 at 02:00 PM.
    Frog in the playground.

    My homebrewer's extended signature.

    I have Str 5!

    Quote Originally Posted by BobVosh View Post
    Wall of text attacks! CRITS!

  21. - Top - End - #51
    Ettin in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jan 2008

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Varia couldn't ignore children in need. She rushed towards the sound of screaming. Her comrades could handle the fleeing figure.

  22. - Top - End - #52
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    ElfMonkGuy

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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Lorhanna frowns. Though normally one to trust, she misliked the situation entirely. She was familiar with illusion, and the children sounded too young to possibly be the goal of their mission.

    She moves to follow Targan instead, who'd seemed to have noticed something.
    Last edited by Anachronity; 2021-04-20 at 08:16 AM.

  23. - Top - End - #53
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    Varia rushes in the direction she heard the screams. But there's no sign of any children. Despite a thorough search of the area, she finds nothing but a rather startled squirrel, woken by the commotion.

    Everybody else runs after the figure, who is now heading straight towards the ruins. Before it gets far, however, it trips over a tree root and sprawls on the ground as you rush up and surround it. It raises its hands above its head in surrender.

    The creature stands about five feet tall, or would if it wasn't lying on the ground. Its shape is roughly humanlike, but its head is covered with feathers and dominated by a large beak. Its legs are large, scaly talons, and it has clawed hands, one of which was holding a small sword until a minute ago. It does not seem to have any wings.

    Spoiler: Nature or History DC10
    Show

    This is a Kenku. Kenku are a birdlike race which are incapable of creating anything of their own, but are excellent at imitating what they see and hear.

  24. - Top - End - #54
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    “Hello there friend.” Targan kneels beside the kenku, making a point to aim his crossbow away, but not releasing his concentration on the enhancement spell.
    “Let’s start with introductions. I’m Targan. Who are you? And do you know anything about a girl who went missing from the local village?”

  25. - Top - End - #55
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    The creature stares at you for the moment. It seems to be thinking. Then it makes a sound like an owl's hoot. It pauses, and then repeats back Targan's own words: "a girl who went missing". The voice is Targan's, and the inflections are exactly the same as Targan's were. The effect is quite unnerving.
    Last edited by pi4t; 2021-04-20 at 07:24 PM.

  26. - Top - End - #56
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    “Oh? You’re a mockingbird aren’t you? No words of your own.

    Ok. Did you take the girl, or do you know who did?

    He gestures with his free hand, palm to the left and right, when he emphasizes the words he hopes the kenku will repeat back.

  27. - Top - End - #57
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    UK
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    "Know who did? take the girl," replies the kenku, rather unhelpfully.

  28. - Top - End - #58
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2014

    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    “We need to give it more words and a reason to talk.” Raeh sighs as she steps forward. She sends a mental command for her summon to return to her.
    With it sitting on her shoulder snapping hungrily at the bird-like creature, Raeh loaded her crossbow and aims it at the Kenku’s head.

    ”Listen carefully, I will kill you and feed you to my monster if you don’t help us. We are looking for a human girl. Your footprints were found where she went missing. If we don’t get her back soon everyone in that town will be hunting your kind and calling you baby snatchers. The news will pass from one town to another. Maybe the mob won’t get you, maybe it will be your brother or sister, mother or daughter. If we don’t get her back there will be bird blood to pay.

    Now! do you understand?
    Yes I do. No I don’t.”

  29. - Top - End - #59
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Sep 2013
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    UK
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    "reason to talk" - Raeh's voice. "Maybe...maybe it will let us go-" A woman's voice, not one you recognise. Sobbing.

  30. - Top - End - #60
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Maryland
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    Default Re: Champions of the Spheres - IC

    “Take it easy Raeh.”

    To the kenku Targan says “will you lead us to the girl? Can you mimic any sounds the creature made?”

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