A Monstrous Night Below IC

[JNAProductions]

Celia waves to the archers as they depart. When they're out of earshot, she scooches over and gives Xorgid a hug. "You're getting better at being nice. Proud of you, big buddy!"

[Xihirli]

"Good-bye!" The friendly one says.
"They're still gonna eat us. Aaaaany second now."
"Um."
"Maybe now? No.... NOW. Okay, in THREE..."
"It's alright man, I don't want them to."

After a short breather

Spoiler: Rest

Show

Go ahead and roll hit dice

the sunlight is fading fast. You've lost quite a bit of time on the road, and as the sun is vanishing beyond the horizon you come across a brook to refill your water. It's as good a place to camp as any, and better than most.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

Sundew nods and smiles in concurrence with Celia's praise of Xorgid.

"Don't worry about us," she says to the archers as they take their leaves. "Just, careful of that Carl guy, alright? He already tricked you once." She sighs and returns her attention to her own party. "Makes me so mad. Wish I could hunt him down myself, but it's not really on the way where we're going, right?"

It takes a few seconds for Sundew to realize that that isn't a real question. "Oh! Right, navigation's supposed to be my thing, isn't it?"

Spoiler

Show

Hit Dice: (2d10)[12]

Idle survival to track Carl's trail: (1d20+4)[20], with advantage if he's human: (1d20+4)[10]. This is not to actually follow him, just looking for a general idea of which way he was going.

When the group arrives at the brookside, Sundew eagerly sits down next to a nearby tree and looks around, both to appreciate the nice environment and to assess its safety as a camp site. "Seems like a good stopping point, I think." He transforms into a javelin to slough the armor and pack and slithers up closer to the water. "Anyone up for some fishing?"

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid stiffens straight as Celia gives him a hug. It's not the first time, but he still hasn't figured out what he's supposed to do, so he just stands still until the torture is over, grimacing in emotional pain. After what seems like an eternity, but was likely just a second since Celia never stays still for very long, he is released. He looks to Sundew and indulges his request, throwing the javelin into the water a couple of times before suggesting that we move on.

"We shouldn't remain here indefinitely. We should either find Carlanis and deal with him, or continue on the exploration expeditiously. The archers may return once they have retrieved their weapons."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Used Arcane Recovery during he rest
Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[JNAProductions]

Celia grabs a rock, and with a flourish of her tools, makes it blink and glow. She tosses it in the water, then waits a bit for the fish to come investigate. Once there's a big enough fish to at least supplement their rations, she takes a moment to magicall empower herself, and darts into the water and stabs at the fish, hoping to add some meat to the fire tonight.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

(1d20)[14] Some kind of check-Wisdom (Survival) +0, Dexterity +3, or whatever makes sense, DM.
(1d20)[1] Advantage, from my Magical Tinkering rock?
(1d4)[2] from Guidance

Edit: I'll assume a 14 (16) nets a fish. If that's wrong, I can edit this post!

With some kind of aquatic creature in her grasp, Celia gets out of the water. "It's slippery," she comments to no one in particular. "Hopefully it'll taste good!"

She settles down to start a small cooking fire, and once it's lit, skewers the fish to roast over it.

[Xihirli]

After a delicious fire roasted fish... well, a serviceable one anyway, you bed down for the night.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

You catch enough fish to not need rations today.

I'll just randomly assign a watch order for expediency eenie meenie miney... you.

While Sundew is watching the night near sunrise, a spider skitters up to the camp and crawls around everything, not threateningly, but not in any way natural for a spider, either.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

Having dug a safe fire pit to cook the fish and taken the form of a small tent for their watch, Sundew does what they do best and tries to snatch the strange bug when it gets too close.

Spoiler

Show

Roll all the things!

Insight (If it's not acting like a normal spider, what IS it doing?): (1d20+4)[20]

Stealth: (1d20+4)[16]

Initiative, if stealth fails and the spider wants to run away: (1d20+4)[7]

Grab: (1d20+8)[23] vs. the spider's Athletics or Acrobatics

[Xihirli]

The tent snatches up the spider in its pseudopod, and the spider wriggles around in its grasp.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

You have the spider. What is step 2?

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

With the spider secured in their rope, Sundew holds it up to their eyes for a closer look. They didn't really think this through. Is this kind of spider even good to eat?

If it is, it goes in Sundew's mouth. Otherwise...

They reach into their bag and grab their coin purse. It's mostly empty. They stash the spider inside and tie it off tight.

[Xihirli]

The spider looks pretty tasty, but once Sundew bites down it starts growing in their mouth, and theyebd up having to dislodge the green, three-foot-tall goblin.
It lets loose a chorus of swear words… probably. In Goblin.

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Not knowing anything about the spider, Xorgid sits up with a start when he hears someone speaking goblin. He knows the language but didn't think Sundew or Celia did, so he is surprised to hear it. When he sees the 3' tall goblin, he makes sure not to threaten the creature, and so responds in their native tongue.

"Hello. Who are you?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

The goblin, with a tooth mark still on her head, swears again.
"Uhhh I’m… guh this recon mission is falling apart. Would you believe that I’m not really here?"

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

While the tooth mark suggests the goblin is not just an illusion, Xorgid pokes him in the chest with his finger just to make sure, looking down on the goblin as he does. The goblin doesn't look much different than Xorgid. It's shorter, has green skin, a rounder head, and doesn't have wings, but otherwise they look fairly similar. This time, Xorgid speaks in common, speaking loudly enough to make sure he wakes up Celia.

"Again. Who are you? And if you aren't here, where are you?"

Given his own spectral duplicate, Xorgid isn't terribly shocked by the goblin being right in front of him and still claiming to not even be here.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

It shrinks away but doesn't seem to understand the language. With some repetition, and after it's poked, it huffs out (still in Goblin):
"Okay, so I am here! I'm Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood! I'm just here to make sure you're not gonna **** up my nature! Are you here to **** up my nature?"

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid continues to talk to the goblin in goblin, but translates what both of them are saying so that Celia and Sundew can participate. If they talk, he will translate what they say too so the goblin can understand.

"Hello Oleanne. I am Xorgid, and these are my friends Celia and Sundew. We are not here to...mess...up your nature. In fact, it sounds fascinating. What is the Lyrchwood? What is it that makes the Lyrchwood special?"

He points to Celia when he says her name and waves at the tent when he says Sundew's name.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

"We've got trees!" Oreanne says proudly.
"Trees! Best trees! People come for them, cut them down and take them! Best trees, or people wouldn't take them! Will you help me kill the tree murderers?"

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

Sundew spends the first moment smacking their lips and picking their teeth with their tongue, trying to get rid of the weird goblin taste while Xorgid starts the conversation.

<<'Tree murderers?' They just mean loggers?>> Sundew says to Xorgid and Celia telepathically. It feels like the natural way to go about it. <<Pretty rude to cut in your territory, but not unnatural, really. 'd you get mad if a beaver came and did the same thing?>>

[JNAProductions]

Celia awakens, letting out a "Huh-wha-wazzat?" as her hands reflexively draw daggers. When she sees the goblin, she rubs her eyes, and upon seeing the goblin stay there, decides it's not a dream. "Hi," she says. "Er, these tree-killers... Have you tried talking to them? I'm assuming they're humanoid, and not some kind of infestation of extraplanar mites or something."

[Xihirli]

"Beavers," the goblin spits. "Don't get me started on beavers. My oldest and most cunning foe."
"No, they're humans. Humans can't speak, they only destroy. With axes! They come and they murder trees, then leave! And come back! So what do you say? Will you join me in driving away this menace!?"

[JNAProductions]

"Pretty sure humans can speak..." Celia says. "Do they not speak your language? Xorgid can help translate, though he might not be the best diplomatic choice."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid does his best to translate without inflating the size of the words. He runs by Celia what he wants to say to Oleanne. If she approves, he tells the goblin what we are willing to do to help.

"Oleanne. We will not kill the humans, but I can help you talk to them. They need trees to make their homes. But perhaps you can reach an agreement for how many they can take and from where. Lead us to the these people and we will see what we can do."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[JNAProductions]

Celia nods her approval at Xorgid's translation.

[Xihirli]

"Bah!" The goblin waves a hand and walks away.
"I’ll find someone else."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid looks disappointed in the goblin's response. Not because he wanted to help, but he thinks he may have caused the creature to get angry. He lets the goblin leave and then turns to his friends.

"I'm sure I correctly translated our offer of assistance, but they still refused. I'm not going to chase after them to offer again. I say we let them go and finish our rest."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

"You sure?" asks Sundew, still watching on in tent mode. "'s going to go kill some people, isn't she? Or're we thinking she won't go through with it without us?"

[JNAProductions]

Celia nods in agreement with Sundew. "If we can't talk to the goblin, we'll follow and talk to the others."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid lets out a deep sigh. Trying to be good is so much work sometimes.

"But aren't you exhausted? We could finish this enticing sleep and depart in the morning. This seems like it's just going to be trouble."

When the other two are resolute, Xorgid gives in. "Fine. Let's follow the goblin."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

[Xihirli]

Following the goblin, she rouses a sleeping wolf and rides it toward the forest. Peering into the early morning, the group is able to ascertain that she is at least not CURRENTLY going toward the loggers that are just arriving and gathering at the eastern section of the forest.

[JNAProductions]

Celia debates about keeping pace with the wolf-mounted goblin, but decides against it. She wouldn't be able to talk to her, after all, not without Xorgid there.

With the loggers in sight, she pauses. "We should have a plan before we approach them. Don't want a repeat of us getting attacked."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

When Celia asks for a plan, Xorgid starts to draw a quick map in the dirt using his bone wand as a pen. He draws out a simple battle plan as he talks.

"Celia, if you circumnavigate the left flank, here, I can maneuver around to the right and attempt to precipitate several of them falling unconscious. Then Sundew can charge towards the centermost position."

He pauses, looks up, and sees the other two frowning. "Oh. You mean a plan to negotiate. I suspect they will see us as adversaries and besiege us, so I recommend we abscond immediately. But if you want to mediate with them, you have my full confidence. I will stay proximate, but clandestine."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show