7. A Warm Hearth
Oct 13, 2015 0:07:23 GMT
Post by joo on Oct 13, 2015 0:07:23 GMT
Session 7
A Warm Hearth
13 September 2015
00:10 <joo> Waldemar, Sparrow and Hawthorn are standing on a bare, rocky hill that protrudes from the Haismire, near the mouth of a cave. The bird-people who were pursuing you seem to have lost you, and the sun is setting.
00:10 <joo> What do you do?
00:11 <Vaylon> How many rations do we have?
00:11 <joo> You have 2, 2 and 1 rations each, with Hawthorn having 1, by my records.
00:12 <Bruce> but which 2 is mine?? i dont get it
00:13 <joo> Waldemar has the two meatiest rations.
00:13 <Vaylon> Hmm. I have myself as not having any rations.
00:13 <joo> Perhaps some sausage from his homeland.
00:14 <joo> Hmm.
00:14 <Bruce> Hell yes.
00:14 <Bruce> We know the way to the Tomb, right? I suppose we must decide whether to Sleep or Go.
00:15 <joo> Oh, right... I must have forgotten to mark off the last set of rations.
00:15 <joo> Everyone has 1 fewer than I said.
00:15 <Bruce> Oh my.
00:16 <Bruce> I suppose we must go Onward, then, or Waldemar can ask the Spirit of the Forest where he can get a bite to eat on the go.
00:18 <joo> Yes, you know the general direction of the tomb.
00:18 <Theo> I'm good for onward
00:19 <Vaylon> Can Waldemar do that?
00:19 <Vaylon> Hawthorn has no magic!
00:19 <Vaylon> Or, well, very little magic.
00:19 <Bruce> Hmm...
00:20 <Bruce> I suppose he could ask if she knows if there is a Safe Place where we can feast upon the Fruits of the forest.
00:21 <Vaylon> Is this a move or something?
00:21 <Bruce> No, I have a telepathic connection with her from that lock of hair.
00:21 <Bruce> I think.
00:21 <Vaylon> I didn't know that.
00:21 <Bruce> Well, you were there when it happened.
00:21 <Vaylon> As if that means anything.
00:22 <Bruce> Heh.
00:22 <joo> Yes: 02:38 <joo> "Keep this token on your person, and I will be able to communicate with you even when you are outside the forest."
00:22 <Vaylon> Ahhh.
00:22 <Bruce> Waldemar will very eloquently ask where he can find a clearing with some berries and a place to Piss.
00:23 <joo> It doesn't mean you can send her telepathic messages, but if Pray Hardly, she might listen.
00:23 <Vaylon> We hardly have a prayer.
00:23 <joo> A clearing?!
00:24 <Bruce> I mean, anywhere we can feed ourselves Safely. As long as it's not giant bird eggs.
00:24 <joo> Yes, Hawthorn already has the ability to pray to his Fire god. The Firebringer's domain is somewhat more extensive than Dysus's, which is just the forest she lives in.
00:26 <joo> Hawthorn, you hear the faint, remote voice of Dysus, which seems like it is sometimes cut off by wind. She says, "I can sense that your journey has not gone exactly as planned."
00:26 <joo> Fuck.
00:26 <joo> Waldemar hears that!
00:26 <Theo> Understatement of the century.
00:26 <Vaylon> Hawthorn hefts his longsword awkwardly, looking from Waldemar to Sparrow, uncertainty on his face, but he nods at Waldemar's words. "I have little in the way of magics. I do not know how much longer I will last if we press on, but I will do my best."
00:27 <Bruce> Waldemar scrunches up his face and thinks hella hardly in an attempt to communicate back: "Yes."
00:29 <joo> Hahahah. She replies, "I cannot tell you how to find food in the swamp, but there is part of my forest to the West of where you are, half a day's journey, where life still grows. Bolster yourselves there, but do not dally overlong, and remember your oath."
00:30 <Bruce> Waldemar takes "Bolster" too literally, and spends a month there.
00:30 <joo> Hahaha.
00:31 <Bruce> Waldemar repeats Dysus' words to his companions. "Though it is in my nature to take the direct path to victory whenever possible... it seems we might be better served by resting there, first."
00:32 <joo> Honestly, Dysus was just testing you. She thinks you're pathetic now.
00:33 <Bruce>
00:34 <Theo> Sparrow nods at Waldemar, stretching his arms above his head and arching his back until it cracks, "Let's get moving then. The sooner we get this done with, the sooner I can seek my own bed."
00:34 <joo> If you look the west, you can see that the land rises and becomes more rocky, and increasingly dotted with bare trees.
00:35 <Bruce> Well, that doesn't sound like what she described, but let's trust in the power of Faith.
00:35 <Vaylon> Hawthorn gives a brief, weary nod. "Let us go there and recover our strength."
00:36 <joo> Beyond that, it's obscured by mist!
00:36 <Bruce> We go to the west, then.
00:38 <joo> You all trek west with the sun sinking into the sea of mist in front of you, and eventually disappears.
00:38 <joo> Er... while the sun does that, I mean.
00:39 <joo> A three-quarter moon lights up your path now, and you see that the trees are indeed thickening, until they close around you all of a sudden, blocking out the moonlight.
00:41 <joo> This part of the forest does not seem to be as corrupted by the swamp as the low-lying area you were in before. It exudes a healthy, verdant smell, and the sounds of night animals can be heard all around.
00:41 <joo> You can see many owls perched on branches above you, their eyes occasionally catching a glint of moonlight falling between branches. They seem to be watching you, perhaps even following you.
00:42 <Bruce> Ah, we're probably meant to eat the owls.
00:42 <joo> Hahaah.
00:42 <Vaylon> Hah!
00:43 <Bruce> Let us make camp and rest for the night here.
00:45 <joo> You certainly can do that. If you do, Waldemar can level up, and you can choose whether to set a watch.
00:46 <Vaylon> As weary as he is, Hawthorn will volunteer to take the first watch.
00:47 <Bruce> Waldemar will take a watch if necessary as well, even though he'd rather be Bulking.
00:52 <Bruce> Can Waldemar take Quest without having a specific Deity?
00:52 <joo> Very well. Hawthorn's watch is uneventful. Waldemar, make your level up choices, and roll Take Watch.
00:54 <joo> Considering the bonuses you can gain from Quest, I don't think you could do that unless you had the support of a powerful God.
00:54 <Bruce> Hmm... understandable.
00:59 <Bruce> In that case, I will take... +1 CHA, and Eldritch Tones.
00:59 <Vaylon> Since by the fact that you're having him roll Take Watch we know something dangerous is approaching the camp, does Hawthorn get the opportunity to rest and select his spells?
01:01 <joo> Hmm... yes, Hawthorn can prepare his spells before he goes to bed, or perhaps he was doing it during his watch; and he rests enough to restore 1/2 HP before what happens next.
01:01 <joo> Very well, Waldemar is now level 3.
01:02 <Vaylon> Okay.
01:03 <Vaylon> In addition to his rotes, Hawthorn prepares Bless, Detect Alignment, Magic Weapon, and Sanctuary.
01:04 <Bruce> !r 2d6 Take Watch
01:04 <PageBot> Bruce: 8=3+5 Take Watch
01:09 <joo> Waldemar, you spot two shadows creeping towards the camp, one tall and billowing, one small and hunched over, following the taller shadow.
01:09 <joo> You manage to wake everybody just in time, and the taller shadow draws back a bit.
01:10 <joo> What do you all do?
01:11 <Bruce> I think I know who it is: www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Ornstein-and-Smough.jpg
01:12 <Bruce> Waldemar will... light a torch, and try to see what the hell they are.
01:13 <Vaylon> Seeing the shadows, Hawthorn begins to mutter a prayer.
01:13 <Vaylon> !r 2d6+2 Cast a Spell: Detect Alignment
01:13 <PageBot> Vaylon: 13=5+6(+2) Cast a Spell: Detect Alignment
01:14 <Vaylon> Hawthorn will detect Evil!
01:14 <joo> There is no Evil here.
01:16 <joo> Waldemar, you can light a torch (using the campfire, presumably, so it doesn't cost adventuring gear), but it cannot pentrate the shadow surrounding these forms, somehow. It seems not be a natural shadow.
01:16 <Vaylon> Quietly, Hawthorn says to Waldemar and Sparrow, "I sense no evil present."
01:16 <Bruce> Waldemar frowns. "Who goes there?"
01:19 <joo> The tall figure billows and straightens itself up. A human female voice calls out, "I would sooner ask the same of you. Who brings the stench of the swamp into my forest and sleeps here uninvited?"
01:20 <Bruce> its a wiiiitch
01:22 <Bruce> Waldemar clears his throat. "I am Waldemar von Formbach, and I and my companions travel here with the favor of Dysus herself."
01:24 <Theo> Sparrow arches a brow at the female voice, sleeping only light anyway.
01:24 <Vaylon> Hawthorn nods. "If you are a friend of the forest, then we are allies. I am Hawthorn, Servant of the Secret Fire. We have leave from Dysus to rest here; she has aided our investigation of the source of evil overcoming the forest. Pray sit, and we may discuss the matter."
01:25 <Bruce> Secret fires are not often friends of the forest.
01:25 <Vaylon> Which makes it all the more miraculous.
01:25 <joo> The figure pauses for a while. "Dysus? Dysus is lost to the Swamp. You have been tricked by a demon. Begone from my forest!" She walks forward out of the shadow brandishing a gnarled staff. You can see she is wearing a massive hooded cloak that hides her face in shadow, but she has a mass of straw-like hair that protrudes from it.
01:27 <Bruce> This lady is probably right, but I'm in too deep now.
01:28 <Bruce> Are we all rested up?
01:28 <joo> Oh, yes. You are all at max HP.
01:28 <joo> And you all mark off 1 ration.
01:29 <Vaylon> Did we get rations from somewhere?
01:29 <joo> Ah, wait... Waldemar is at 22/23 HP.
01:29 <joo> Hmm... you were able to forage berries and roots enough to have enough food for three.
01:30 <Vaylon> Okay.
01:30 <joo> You may be able to forage more, later, if you remain here.
01:32 <joo> Will you say anything to her demand? A cobweb-like emanation starts to swirl from the tip of her staff, and the air grows colder around you.
01:32 <Vaylon> Hawthorn says to the straw-haired woman, "We have been tricked by no demon. The Firebringer has purified Dysus of her blight. He looks favorably upon our quest and will aid me in uncovering the reason the swamp has encroached on the forest." He turns to Waldemar. "Show her the lock."
01:33 <Bruce> Waldemar looks over the strange forest woman. "We have saved Dysus from her corruption, and now we fight as her champions." He takes the lock of hair from his belt and presents it proudly. "And we shall do the same for this land."
01:33 <Bruce> Damn, now it looks like Waldemar is a baby back bitch just following Hawthorn's orders.
01:33 <joo> Hahaha.
01:34 <joo> The woman pauses, and her spell dissipates. She peers forward at the locks, and gasps.
01:35 <Bruce> It sounds like the lock was the key to this conversation.
01:35 <joo> Hahaha.
01:36 <joo> She nods to herself. "You speak the truth after all. A rare thing, these days. Come, follow me; I will take you to my home, and we can discuss this further."
01:37 <joo> She walks to the west, and gestures for you to follow. To the smaller figure, she says, "come, Acacia."
01:37 <joo> The small figure appears to be a child carrying a large net on her back, which is half full of herbs and berries.
01:37 <Bruce> Finally someone civilized out here.
01:37 <joo> A large basket, I mean.
01:38 <Vaylon> Hawthorn begins to break camp, seemingly relieved at meeting some civilized people.
01:38 <Bruce> Waldemar shrugs, and follows.
01:41 <joo> She walks a convoluted path through the forest that you would have to have an excellent memory to retrace later. As she walks, she says: "I am Ira. I used to be a friend of Dysus, until many years ago she let the evil from the swamp infect her mind. I considered myself the sole protector of this part of the forest. I'm relieved beyond words to hear that she has been healed." She turns on her toes to look
01:41 <joo> at you all. "If it truly was you who saved her, you have my thanks. What are your names?"
01:43 <Bruce> Waldemar already said his name, and is offended.
01:44 <joo> She forgot already.
01:45 <Vaylon> Hawthorn says, "I am Hawthorn. I am a servant of the Firebringer." He strokes his beard at the mention of years having gone by.
01:48 <Bruce> Waldemar begrudgingly repeats his introduction.
01:50 <joo> "The Firebringer?" She says. "You said that before. Now I think I know what you mean." She nods. "Interesting." To Waldemar, she says, "You sound like you come from the West. What brought you down here?"
01:50 <Bruce> Racist!
01:56 <Bruce> Waldemar nods. "I hail from Blackstone. I have come here following the fire priest, in search of glory and inspiration to ignite my artistic spirit!"
01:59 <joo> She huffs. "So we have a priest, an artist, and... what are you, quiet one?" She says to Sparrow, if he indeed followed.
02:02 <Theo> Sparrow chuckles, "I'm good at what I do. That's what." he says calmly, relaxing against a tree, "You may refer to me as a guide if you need a profession though."
02:03 <Bruce> I do a little bit of this, a little bit of that.
02:03 <Vaylon> Mostly stabbing.
02:04 <joo> "A guide? I guess that would explain how you all ended up here, then." She turns around and continues onward.
02:04 <Vaylon> I suppose the stabbing part would be true even if he really were a Ranger.
02:05 <joo> Eventually she leads you to a large, squat cottage with a canopy of twigs and dead leaves covering its roof, which you might not even have noticed among the trees if not for the light flickering from its slightly-ajar shutters.
02:05 <joo> She walks in and takes off her hood, announcing, "We have company tonight! Put on some extra stew."
02:06 <Vaylon> Hooray!
02:06 <joo> A bald, dark-skinned man looks from from a table where he appears to be mending furniture.
02:07 <joo> In another room, the smell of cooking meat and vegetables wafts.
02:08 <joo> From the roof of the cottage hang all manner of dried herbs and vegetables, and their pungent odour can be smelt also as an undertone.
02:10 <joo> The girl from earlier comes in behind you and closes the door, and goes off into what is apparently the kitchen, without a word. Ira hangs up her cloak, and brings some large cushioned wicker chairs into the middle of the room for you all to sit on. Under her cloak, she's wearing a faded purple robe.
02:11 <Bruce> What's under the robe?
02:11 <joo> "Make yourselves comfortable," she says. "How about a brew?" She asks, and without waiting for an answer, fills up a black kettle hanging by the fireplace with water from a pitcher, and put it on to boil.
02:12 <Bruce> This is just like Piss World. joo is making his tea fetish the focus of the campaign.
02:12 <joo> Hahaha.
02:12 <joo> If you want to find out what's under Ira's robe, you'll have to get an Achievement.
02:13 <Vaylon> At least tea is something that actually does grow on trees, unlike the Piss Forests.
02:13 <Vaylon> Hawthorn half-bows, half-nods to the man at the table and to Ira. "Something hot to drink would be excellent."
02:14 <Bruce> Waldemar sits down, and agrees to have a cup of this hot, stagnant forest water.
02:15 <joo> She sits and turns to you. "So, Dysus sent you to take care of the evil in the swamp, did she? It must be getting desperate up there. To be perfectly honest, I don't fancy your chances at all. I've made an attempt myself, but the tomb is... well guarded by its... inhabitants."
02:16 <joo> And older girl brings in a tray of mugs and sets it down on a table between you all. She whispers something in Ira's ear, and Ira nods to her; then she disappears again into the kitchen.
02:16 <joo> *An
02:17 <joo> Ira takes a leather pouch from the mantle and pours some blackened leaves into a fat teapot, which she fills with water.
02:18 <Bruce> Waldemar strokes his moustache gently. "What can you tell us of the tomb?"
02:19 <Vaylon> Hawthorn absently strokes his beard in thought, frowning.
02:20 <Bruce> Sparrow is forced to complete the trilogy by stroking his scrotal beard.
02:20 <joo> Hahaha.
02:21 <joo> "The tomb of the warlord Azetodeth, it is called", she says. "It is a relic of ancient times, preserved now only by the powerful spells intended to preserve its contents - but until now, they also served the purpose of keeping the evil spirits within."
02:22 <joo> "I haven't met anyone who knows exactly who Azetodeth was, but it is written on the tomb itself. Some say he was a giant among men. Others, that he was part of a race of giant men."
02:22 <Theo> Sparrow sits quietly, drinking whilst listening closely.
02:24 <Vaylon> What does Hawthorn know about the race of giants, if there are any?
02:24 <Bruce> Damn shitty translators.
02:25 <joo> She shakes her head, "But those are all wild tales. I have looked within the tomb, and inside are your regular skeletons - but dozens of them, and they are well armed. Probably the personal guard of Azetodeth, or what have you."
02:26 <joo> "More troublingly, there is a powerful magic within the tomb that is not of the tomb itself, nor of the skeletons I saw. I didn't have a chance to investigate further, as I was forced to retrate."
02:26 <joo> *retreat
02:26 <Bruce> Regular skeletons? I'm not scared of that.
02:27 <joo> www.youtube.com/watch?v=olTi-d7Fo0Q
02:29 <joo> You are all served a cup of Thick tea, which has a rich, peppery smell.
02:30 <Vaylon> Can I roll Spout Lore?
02:30 <joo> If you drink it, it leaves you with a tingling sensation in your mouth and throat, and makes you feel more awake, yet more at east.
02:30 <joo> *ease
02:30 <joo> What are you going to Spout Lore about?
02:31 <Vaylon> The race of giants. I asked earlier.
02:31 <Vaylon> It seems like the type of thing Hawthorn might know legends about.
02:31 <joo> Oh, yes.
02:31 <joo> Roll away.
02:31 <Vaylon> !r 2d6+2 Spout Lore
02:31 <PageBot> Vaylon: 4=1+1(+2) Spout Lore
02:31 <Bruce> Waldemar is pretty beastly, and he never knew his father, so his dad was probably a giant. (rumor)
02:35 <joo> Hawthorn, you heard a fairy tale once about a friendly giant who saved a town from ravenous wolves.
02:35 <joo> But that is the extent of your Lore.
02:35 <Vaylon> Hawthorn sips the tea gratefully while listening to Ira's story, occasionally muttering, "Interesting."
02:37 <joo> Ira continues, "If you're going to go down there and get yourselves killed, I may as well go with you in case you give me an opening to reseal the tomb. I need to get inside to place where the spell was originally cast."
02:37 <joo> *to the place
02:37 <joo> "Then we'll have to get out quickly before we join its inhabitants. She grins."
02:37 <Bruce> Damn, Ira, you cold blooded.
02:38 <Bruce> "Let us hope we can do more than seal it again. I intend to end this for good and all!"
02:39 <Vaylon> At those words, Hawthorn looks Ira over thoughtfully. "You are skilled in magical arts, then, I take it?"
02:40 <joo> Ira nods slowly. "I know a thing or two, yes. Ah, here's the stew!"
02:41 <joo> You're all served a bowl of steaming stew. It is cooked with game meat, pungent herbs, and green forest roots and vegetables. It has a sharp taste, but it is filling.
02:41 <joo> Er, the roots aren't green.
02:43 <Vaylon> Anything is better than the swamp.
02:44 <Bruce> Yes, forest roots taste much better than swamp roots.
02:45 <joo> "I'm sure you're all hungry after your journey, so dig in." She starts eating her own stew, and the two girls and the man join you. The man introduces himself as Mohar, and Ira's husband.
02:45 <joo> He wishes you luck in your attempt on the tomb, but says he is no warrior himself, so he won't join you.
02:46 <Vaylon> That's fine; neither are we.
02:46 <Bruce> Speak for urself.
02:49 <joo> Ira says to you after you've eaten that if you mean to head to the tomb in the morning, it will take you until dark again to get there. "I don't travel by day, and you'd only slow me down, anyway, so I'll meet you there tonight. I hope it's not a waste of time."
02:50 <joo> She offers you all bedding for the remainder of the night, and gives you cured meats and dried fruit and nuts, and lets you refill your skins with spring water.
02:50 <Bruce> Don't worry, that's probably time we would have spent fighting giant turtles anyways.
02:50 <Theo> "A woman after my own heart. I, too, prefer an evening stroll rather than by day." Sparrow chips in, taking small bites of the stew.
02:51 <Vaylon> Wrong campaign, but -- the Morninglord disapproves!
02:51 <joo> You can all take 10 rations (2 weight) or 5 rations (1 weight) of this fare.
02:52 <Bruce> Waldemar takes 10, because he's a Big Dude.
02:52 <Vaylon> Hawthorn will take 5 rations with his humble thanks, and he will offer his clerical services to the family.
02:53 <joo> Yes, we actually have a third daughter who's possessed by a demon.
02:53 <joo> She's upstairs.
02:53 <joo> (joke)
02:53 <Theo> Sparrow takes 10 rations without a second thought.
02:54 <joo> Ira and Mohar thank you for your offer, but tell you that the only power they revere are they powers of nature and that which comes from oneself.
02:54 <joo> *the
02:55 <Bruce> Fucking hippies.
02:55 <joo> If you have nothing more to say to these people, you can sleep and begin your journey to the tomb.
02:56 <Vaylon> Let us continue our quest.
02:57 <Vaylon> In the morning, Hawthorn will ask for the following spells in addition to his rotes: Bless, Burning Hands, Detect Magic, and Speak With Dead.
02:57 <joo> Very well.
02:58 <joo> I see your plan is to parley with the skeletons.
02:58 <Vaylon> We may learn something useful.
02:58 <Bruce> Yes, let's Just Do It.
02:59 <joo> The older daughter, Peony, shows you to the edge of the forest in the early morning. The birdsong is just coming into full volume by the time you see the swamp stretching out before you again in the cold morning light. Peony shudders at its sight, and bids you good luck.
03:01 <Vaylon> Hawthorn bids Peony farewell with his blessings, and he frowns at the foreboding swamp, saying a prayer under his breath for their hopeful way.
03:01 <Vaylon> !r 2d6+2 Guidance
03:01 <PageBot> Vaylon: 11=5+4(+2) Guidance
03:03 <joo> What is the symbol of the Firebringer, again? Just a miniature sun?
03:09 <joo> A flame appears to you, Waldemar, pointing to the east and south.
03:09 <joo> Fuck.
03:09 <joo> A flame appears to you, Hawthorn, pointing to the east and south.
03:10 <joo> It looks like going in this direction will take you south of the tomb itself, but it's not often that the direct route is the best in these treacherous swamps.
03:12 <joo> This is what it looks like: thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/cartoon-flaming-pointing-finger-symbol-hand-drawn-illustration-retro-style-vector-available-37016027.jpg
03:16 <Bruce> Guide us to the Light, Hawthorn.
03:29 <Bruce> It seems Vaylon has fallen asleep.
03:30 <joo> Hmmh.
03:39 <joo> Well, what's going to happen will most likely be an extensive Hoedown, so perhaps it's best to end it here.
03:39 <joo> !missed-rolls
03:39 <PageBot> Missed rolls (estimated): Bruce: 0 of 1, Vaylon: 1 of 3. Full list: <http://pastebin.com/2TeGeC2X>.
03:41 <joo> Did you learn anything new and important about the world?
03:42 <Bruce> We learned a little about the warlord entombed here, particularly that he is a Big Beast.
03:43 <Bruce> And we learned that the tomb was once sealed, but now its Evil has been Released.
03:43 <joo> You knew the second part already, but the first is indeed new and probably important.
03:44 <joo> I don't think you looted any memorable treasure or defeated any notable enemy.
03:44 <joo> However, did anyone perform their alignment move?
03:45 <Bruce> I don't think so.
03:46 <joo> Hmm... perhaps not quite.
03:46 <joo> Are there any bonds to adjust?
03:47 <Bruce> I think Not.
03:50 <joo> I see. If anyone who currently happens to be sleeping has anything to add to the end of session, see me in my office later. Otherwise, Session Adjourned.
03:50 <Bruce> Vaylon's sleeping schedule is starting to hurt everyone around him.
03:50 <Bruce> I think we need to do an Intervention.
03:51 <joo> The final XP is tentatively: Waldemar at 1/10, Sparrow at 9/10, and Hawthorn at 3/10.
A Warm Hearth
13 September 2015
00:10 <joo> Waldemar, Sparrow and Hawthorn are standing on a bare, rocky hill that protrudes from the Haismire, near the mouth of a cave. The bird-people who were pursuing you seem to have lost you, and the sun is setting.
00:10 <joo> What do you do?
00:11 <Vaylon> How many rations do we have?
00:11 <joo> You have 2, 2 and 1 rations each, with Hawthorn having 1, by my records.
00:12 <Bruce> but which 2 is mine?? i dont get it
00:13 <joo> Waldemar has the two meatiest rations.
00:13 <Vaylon> Hmm. I have myself as not having any rations.
00:13 <joo> Perhaps some sausage from his homeland.
00:14 <joo> Hmm.
00:14 <Bruce> Hell yes.
00:14 <Bruce> We know the way to the Tomb, right? I suppose we must decide whether to Sleep or Go.
00:15 <joo> Oh, right... I must have forgotten to mark off the last set of rations.
00:15 <joo> Everyone has 1 fewer than I said.
00:15 <Bruce> Oh my.
00:16 <Bruce> I suppose we must go Onward, then, or Waldemar can ask the Spirit of the Forest where he can get a bite to eat on the go.
00:18 <joo> Yes, you know the general direction of the tomb.
00:18 <Theo> I'm good for onward
00:19 <Vaylon> Can Waldemar do that?
00:19 <Vaylon> Hawthorn has no magic!
00:19 <Vaylon> Or, well, very little magic.
00:19 <Bruce> Hmm...
00:20 <Bruce> I suppose he could ask if she knows if there is a Safe Place where we can feast upon the Fruits of the forest.
00:21 <Vaylon> Is this a move or something?
00:21 <Bruce> No, I have a telepathic connection with her from that lock of hair.
00:21 <Bruce> I think.
00:21 <Vaylon> I didn't know that.
00:21 <Bruce> Well, you were there when it happened.
00:21 <Vaylon> As if that means anything.
00:22 <Bruce> Heh.
00:22 <joo> Yes: 02:38 <joo> "Keep this token on your person, and I will be able to communicate with you even when you are outside the forest."
00:22 <Vaylon> Ahhh.
00:22 <Bruce> Waldemar will very eloquently ask where he can find a clearing with some berries and a place to Piss.
00:23 <joo> It doesn't mean you can send her telepathic messages, but if Pray Hardly, she might listen.
00:23 <Vaylon> We hardly have a prayer.
00:23 <joo> A clearing?!
00:24 <Bruce> I mean, anywhere we can feed ourselves Safely. As long as it's not giant bird eggs.
00:24 <joo> Yes, Hawthorn already has the ability to pray to his Fire god. The Firebringer's domain is somewhat more extensive than Dysus's, which is just the forest she lives in.
00:26 <joo> Hawthorn, you hear the faint, remote voice of Dysus, which seems like it is sometimes cut off by wind. She says, "I can sense that your journey has not gone exactly as planned."
00:26 <joo> Fuck.
00:26 <joo> Waldemar hears that!
00:26 <Theo> Understatement of the century.
00:26 <Vaylon> Hawthorn hefts his longsword awkwardly, looking from Waldemar to Sparrow, uncertainty on his face, but he nods at Waldemar's words. "I have little in the way of magics. I do not know how much longer I will last if we press on, but I will do my best."
00:27 <Bruce> Waldemar scrunches up his face and thinks hella hardly in an attempt to communicate back: "Yes."
00:29 <joo> Hahahah. She replies, "I cannot tell you how to find food in the swamp, but there is part of my forest to the West of where you are, half a day's journey, where life still grows. Bolster yourselves there, but do not dally overlong, and remember your oath."
00:30 <Bruce> Waldemar takes "Bolster" too literally, and spends a month there.
00:30 <joo> Hahaha.
00:31 <Bruce> Waldemar repeats Dysus' words to his companions. "Though it is in my nature to take the direct path to victory whenever possible... it seems we might be better served by resting there, first."
00:32 <joo> Honestly, Dysus was just testing you. She thinks you're pathetic now.
00:33 <Bruce>
00:34 <Theo> Sparrow nods at Waldemar, stretching his arms above his head and arching his back until it cracks, "Let's get moving then. The sooner we get this done with, the sooner I can seek my own bed."
00:34 <joo> If you look the west, you can see that the land rises and becomes more rocky, and increasingly dotted with bare trees.
00:35 <Bruce> Well, that doesn't sound like what she described, but let's trust in the power of Faith.
00:35 <Vaylon> Hawthorn gives a brief, weary nod. "Let us go there and recover our strength."
00:36 <joo> Beyond that, it's obscured by mist!
00:36 <Bruce> We go to the west, then.
00:38 <joo> You all trek west with the sun sinking into the sea of mist in front of you, and eventually disappears.
00:38 <joo> Er... while the sun does that, I mean.
00:39 <joo> A three-quarter moon lights up your path now, and you see that the trees are indeed thickening, until they close around you all of a sudden, blocking out the moonlight.
00:41 <joo> This part of the forest does not seem to be as corrupted by the swamp as the low-lying area you were in before. It exudes a healthy, verdant smell, and the sounds of night animals can be heard all around.
00:41 <joo> You can see many owls perched on branches above you, their eyes occasionally catching a glint of moonlight falling between branches. They seem to be watching you, perhaps even following you.
00:42 <Bruce> Ah, we're probably meant to eat the owls.
00:42 <joo> Hahaah.
00:42 <Vaylon> Hah!
00:43 <Bruce> Let us make camp and rest for the night here.
00:45 <joo> You certainly can do that. If you do, Waldemar can level up, and you can choose whether to set a watch.
00:46 <Vaylon> As weary as he is, Hawthorn will volunteer to take the first watch.
00:47 <Bruce> Waldemar will take a watch if necessary as well, even though he'd rather be Bulking.
00:52 <Bruce> Can Waldemar take Quest without having a specific Deity?
00:52 <joo> Very well. Hawthorn's watch is uneventful. Waldemar, make your level up choices, and roll Take Watch.
00:54 <joo> Considering the bonuses you can gain from Quest, I don't think you could do that unless you had the support of a powerful God.
00:54 <Bruce> Hmm... understandable.
00:59 <Bruce> In that case, I will take... +1 CHA, and Eldritch Tones.
00:59 <Vaylon> Since by the fact that you're having him roll Take Watch we know something dangerous is approaching the camp, does Hawthorn get the opportunity to rest and select his spells?
01:01 <joo> Hmm... yes, Hawthorn can prepare his spells before he goes to bed, or perhaps he was doing it during his watch; and he rests enough to restore 1/2 HP before what happens next.
01:01 <joo> Very well, Waldemar is now level 3.
01:02 <Vaylon> Okay.
01:03 <Vaylon> In addition to his rotes, Hawthorn prepares Bless, Detect Alignment, Magic Weapon, and Sanctuary.
01:04 <Bruce> !r 2d6 Take Watch
01:04 <PageBot> Bruce: 8=3+5 Take Watch
01:09 <joo> Waldemar, you spot two shadows creeping towards the camp, one tall and billowing, one small and hunched over, following the taller shadow.
01:09 <joo> You manage to wake everybody just in time, and the taller shadow draws back a bit.
01:10 <joo> What do you all do?
01:11 <Bruce> I think I know who it is: www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Ornstein-and-Smough.jpg
01:12 <Bruce> Waldemar will... light a torch, and try to see what the hell they are.
01:13 <Vaylon> Seeing the shadows, Hawthorn begins to mutter a prayer.
01:13 <Vaylon> !r 2d6+2 Cast a Spell: Detect Alignment
01:13 <PageBot> Vaylon: 13=5+6(+2) Cast a Spell: Detect Alignment
01:14 <Vaylon> Hawthorn will detect Evil!
01:14 <joo> There is no Evil here.
01:16 <joo> Waldemar, you can light a torch (using the campfire, presumably, so it doesn't cost adventuring gear), but it cannot pentrate the shadow surrounding these forms, somehow. It seems not be a natural shadow.
01:16 <Vaylon> Quietly, Hawthorn says to Waldemar and Sparrow, "I sense no evil present."
01:16 <Bruce> Waldemar frowns. "Who goes there?"
01:19 <joo> The tall figure billows and straightens itself up. A human female voice calls out, "I would sooner ask the same of you. Who brings the stench of the swamp into my forest and sleeps here uninvited?"
01:20 <Bruce> its a wiiiitch
01:22 <Bruce> Waldemar clears his throat. "I am Waldemar von Formbach, and I and my companions travel here with the favor of Dysus herself."
01:24 <Theo> Sparrow arches a brow at the female voice, sleeping only light anyway.
01:24 <Vaylon> Hawthorn nods. "If you are a friend of the forest, then we are allies. I am Hawthorn, Servant of the Secret Fire. We have leave from Dysus to rest here; she has aided our investigation of the source of evil overcoming the forest. Pray sit, and we may discuss the matter."
01:25 <Bruce> Secret fires are not often friends of the forest.
01:25 <Vaylon> Which makes it all the more miraculous.
01:25 <joo> The figure pauses for a while. "Dysus? Dysus is lost to the Swamp. You have been tricked by a demon. Begone from my forest!" She walks forward out of the shadow brandishing a gnarled staff. You can see she is wearing a massive hooded cloak that hides her face in shadow, but she has a mass of straw-like hair that protrudes from it.
01:27 <Bruce> This lady is probably right, but I'm in too deep now.
01:28 <Bruce> Are we all rested up?
01:28 <joo> Oh, yes. You are all at max HP.
01:28 <joo> And you all mark off 1 ration.
01:29 <Vaylon> Did we get rations from somewhere?
01:29 <joo> Ah, wait... Waldemar is at 22/23 HP.
01:29 <joo> Hmm... you were able to forage berries and roots enough to have enough food for three.
01:30 <Vaylon> Okay.
01:30 <joo> You may be able to forage more, later, if you remain here.
01:32 <joo> Will you say anything to her demand? A cobweb-like emanation starts to swirl from the tip of her staff, and the air grows colder around you.
01:32 <Vaylon> Hawthorn says to the straw-haired woman, "We have been tricked by no demon. The Firebringer has purified Dysus of her blight. He looks favorably upon our quest and will aid me in uncovering the reason the swamp has encroached on the forest." He turns to Waldemar. "Show her the lock."
01:33 <Bruce> Waldemar looks over the strange forest woman. "We have saved Dysus from her corruption, and now we fight as her champions." He takes the lock of hair from his belt and presents it proudly. "And we shall do the same for this land."
01:33 <Bruce> Damn, now it looks like Waldemar is a baby back bitch just following Hawthorn's orders.
01:33 <joo> Hahaha.
01:34 <joo> The woman pauses, and her spell dissipates. She peers forward at the locks, and gasps.
01:35 <Bruce> It sounds like the lock was the key to this conversation.
01:35 <joo> Hahaha.
01:36 <joo> She nods to herself. "You speak the truth after all. A rare thing, these days. Come, follow me; I will take you to my home, and we can discuss this further."
01:37 <joo> She walks to the west, and gestures for you to follow. To the smaller figure, she says, "come, Acacia."
01:37 <joo> The small figure appears to be a child carrying a large net on her back, which is half full of herbs and berries.
01:37 <Bruce> Finally someone civilized out here.
01:37 <joo> A large basket, I mean.
01:38 <Vaylon> Hawthorn begins to break camp, seemingly relieved at meeting some civilized people.
01:38 <Bruce> Waldemar shrugs, and follows.
01:41 <joo> She walks a convoluted path through the forest that you would have to have an excellent memory to retrace later. As she walks, she says: "I am Ira. I used to be a friend of Dysus, until many years ago she let the evil from the swamp infect her mind. I considered myself the sole protector of this part of the forest. I'm relieved beyond words to hear that she has been healed." She turns on her toes to look
01:41 <joo> at you all. "If it truly was you who saved her, you have my thanks. What are your names?"
01:43 <Bruce> Waldemar already said his name, and is offended.
01:44 <joo> She forgot already.
01:45 <Vaylon> Hawthorn says, "I am Hawthorn. I am a servant of the Firebringer." He strokes his beard at the mention of years having gone by.
01:48 <Bruce> Waldemar begrudgingly repeats his introduction.
01:50 <joo> "The Firebringer?" She says. "You said that before. Now I think I know what you mean." She nods. "Interesting." To Waldemar, she says, "You sound like you come from the West. What brought you down here?"
01:50 <Bruce> Racist!
01:56 <Bruce> Waldemar nods. "I hail from Blackstone. I have come here following the fire priest, in search of glory and inspiration to ignite my artistic spirit!"
01:59 <joo> She huffs. "So we have a priest, an artist, and... what are you, quiet one?" She says to Sparrow, if he indeed followed.
02:02 <Theo> Sparrow chuckles, "I'm good at what I do. That's what." he says calmly, relaxing against a tree, "You may refer to me as a guide if you need a profession though."
02:03 <Bruce> I do a little bit of this, a little bit of that.
02:03 <Vaylon> Mostly stabbing.
02:04 <joo> "A guide? I guess that would explain how you all ended up here, then." She turns around and continues onward.
02:04 <Vaylon> I suppose the stabbing part would be true even if he really were a Ranger.
02:05 <joo> Eventually she leads you to a large, squat cottage with a canopy of twigs and dead leaves covering its roof, which you might not even have noticed among the trees if not for the light flickering from its slightly-ajar shutters.
02:05 <joo> She walks in and takes off her hood, announcing, "We have company tonight! Put on some extra stew."
02:06 <Vaylon> Hooray!
02:06 <joo> A bald, dark-skinned man looks from from a table where he appears to be mending furniture.
02:07 <joo> In another room, the smell of cooking meat and vegetables wafts.
02:08 <joo> From the roof of the cottage hang all manner of dried herbs and vegetables, and their pungent odour can be smelt also as an undertone.
02:10 <joo> The girl from earlier comes in behind you and closes the door, and goes off into what is apparently the kitchen, without a word. Ira hangs up her cloak, and brings some large cushioned wicker chairs into the middle of the room for you all to sit on. Under her cloak, she's wearing a faded purple robe.
02:11 <Bruce> What's under the robe?
02:11 <joo> "Make yourselves comfortable," she says. "How about a brew?" She asks, and without waiting for an answer, fills up a black kettle hanging by the fireplace with water from a pitcher, and put it on to boil.
02:12 <Bruce> This is just like Piss World. joo is making his tea fetish the focus of the campaign.
02:12 <joo> Hahaha.
02:12 <joo> If you want to find out what's under Ira's robe, you'll have to get an Achievement.
02:13 <Vaylon> At least tea is something that actually does grow on trees, unlike the Piss Forests.
02:13 <Vaylon> Hawthorn half-bows, half-nods to the man at the table and to Ira. "Something hot to drink would be excellent."
02:14 <Bruce> Waldemar sits down, and agrees to have a cup of this hot, stagnant forest water.
02:15 <joo> She sits and turns to you. "So, Dysus sent you to take care of the evil in the swamp, did she? It must be getting desperate up there. To be perfectly honest, I don't fancy your chances at all. I've made an attempt myself, but the tomb is... well guarded by its... inhabitants."
02:16 <joo> And older girl brings in a tray of mugs and sets it down on a table between you all. She whispers something in Ira's ear, and Ira nods to her; then she disappears again into the kitchen.
02:16 <joo> *An
02:17 <joo> Ira takes a leather pouch from the mantle and pours some blackened leaves into a fat teapot, which she fills with water.
02:18 <Bruce> Waldemar strokes his moustache gently. "What can you tell us of the tomb?"
02:19 <Vaylon> Hawthorn absently strokes his beard in thought, frowning.
02:20 <Bruce> Sparrow is forced to complete the trilogy by stroking his scrotal beard.
02:20 <joo> Hahaha.
02:21 <joo> "The tomb of the warlord Azetodeth, it is called", she says. "It is a relic of ancient times, preserved now only by the powerful spells intended to preserve its contents - but until now, they also served the purpose of keeping the evil spirits within."
02:22 <joo> "I haven't met anyone who knows exactly who Azetodeth was, but it is written on the tomb itself. Some say he was a giant among men. Others, that he was part of a race of giant men."
02:22 <Theo> Sparrow sits quietly, drinking whilst listening closely.
02:24 <Vaylon> What does Hawthorn know about the race of giants, if there are any?
02:24 <Bruce> Damn shitty translators.
02:25 <joo> She shakes her head, "But those are all wild tales. I have looked within the tomb, and inside are your regular skeletons - but dozens of them, and they are well armed. Probably the personal guard of Azetodeth, or what have you."
02:26 <joo> "More troublingly, there is a powerful magic within the tomb that is not of the tomb itself, nor of the skeletons I saw. I didn't have a chance to investigate further, as I was forced to retrate."
02:26 <joo> *retreat
02:26 <Bruce> Regular skeletons? I'm not scared of that.
02:27 <joo> www.youtube.com/watch?v=olTi-d7Fo0Q
02:29 <joo> You are all served a cup of Thick tea, which has a rich, peppery smell.
02:30 <Vaylon> Can I roll Spout Lore?
02:30 <joo> If you drink it, it leaves you with a tingling sensation in your mouth and throat, and makes you feel more awake, yet more at east.
02:30 <joo> *ease
02:30 <joo> What are you going to Spout Lore about?
02:31 <Vaylon> The race of giants. I asked earlier.
02:31 <Vaylon> It seems like the type of thing Hawthorn might know legends about.
02:31 <joo> Oh, yes.
02:31 <joo> Roll away.
02:31 <Vaylon> !r 2d6+2 Spout Lore
02:31 <PageBot> Vaylon: 4=1+1(+2) Spout Lore
02:31 <Bruce> Waldemar is pretty beastly, and he never knew his father, so his dad was probably a giant. (rumor)
02:35 <joo> Hawthorn, you heard a fairy tale once about a friendly giant who saved a town from ravenous wolves.
02:35 <joo> But that is the extent of your Lore.
02:35 <Vaylon> Hawthorn sips the tea gratefully while listening to Ira's story, occasionally muttering, "Interesting."
02:37 <joo> Ira continues, "If you're going to go down there and get yourselves killed, I may as well go with you in case you give me an opening to reseal the tomb. I need to get inside to place where the spell was originally cast."
02:37 <joo> *to the place
02:37 <joo> "Then we'll have to get out quickly before we join its inhabitants. She grins."
02:37 <Bruce> Damn, Ira, you cold blooded.
02:38 <Bruce> "Let us hope we can do more than seal it again. I intend to end this for good and all!"
02:39 <Vaylon> At those words, Hawthorn looks Ira over thoughtfully. "You are skilled in magical arts, then, I take it?"
02:40 <joo> Ira nods slowly. "I know a thing or two, yes. Ah, here's the stew!"
02:41 <joo> You're all served a bowl of steaming stew. It is cooked with game meat, pungent herbs, and green forest roots and vegetables. It has a sharp taste, but it is filling.
02:41 <joo> Er, the roots aren't green.
02:43 <Vaylon> Anything is better than the swamp.
02:44 <Bruce> Yes, forest roots taste much better than swamp roots.
02:45 <joo> "I'm sure you're all hungry after your journey, so dig in." She starts eating her own stew, and the two girls and the man join you. The man introduces himself as Mohar, and Ira's husband.
02:45 <joo> He wishes you luck in your attempt on the tomb, but says he is no warrior himself, so he won't join you.
02:46 <Vaylon> That's fine; neither are we.
02:46 <Bruce> Speak for urself.
02:49 <joo> Ira says to you after you've eaten that if you mean to head to the tomb in the morning, it will take you until dark again to get there. "I don't travel by day, and you'd only slow me down, anyway, so I'll meet you there tonight. I hope it's not a waste of time."
02:50 <joo> She offers you all bedding for the remainder of the night, and gives you cured meats and dried fruit and nuts, and lets you refill your skins with spring water.
02:50 <Bruce> Don't worry, that's probably time we would have spent fighting giant turtles anyways.
02:50 <Theo> "A woman after my own heart. I, too, prefer an evening stroll rather than by day." Sparrow chips in, taking small bites of the stew.
02:51 <Vaylon> Wrong campaign, but -- the Morninglord disapproves!
02:51 <joo> You can all take 10 rations (2 weight) or 5 rations (1 weight) of this fare.
02:52 <Bruce> Waldemar takes 10, because he's a Big Dude.
02:52 <Vaylon> Hawthorn will take 5 rations with his humble thanks, and he will offer his clerical services to the family.
02:53 <joo> Yes, we actually have a third daughter who's possessed by a demon.
02:53 <joo> She's upstairs.
02:53 <joo> (joke)
02:53 <Theo> Sparrow takes 10 rations without a second thought.
02:54 <joo> Ira and Mohar thank you for your offer, but tell you that the only power they revere are they powers of nature and that which comes from oneself.
02:54 <joo> *the
02:55 <Bruce> Fucking hippies.
02:55 <joo> If you have nothing more to say to these people, you can sleep and begin your journey to the tomb.
02:56 <Vaylon> Let us continue our quest.
02:57 <Vaylon> In the morning, Hawthorn will ask for the following spells in addition to his rotes: Bless, Burning Hands, Detect Magic, and Speak With Dead.
02:57 <joo> Very well.
02:58 <joo> I see your plan is to parley with the skeletons.
02:58 <Vaylon> We may learn something useful.
02:58 <Bruce> Yes, let's Just Do It.
02:59 <joo> The older daughter, Peony, shows you to the edge of the forest in the early morning. The birdsong is just coming into full volume by the time you see the swamp stretching out before you again in the cold morning light. Peony shudders at its sight, and bids you good luck.
03:01 <Vaylon> Hawthorn bids Peony farewell with his blessings, and he frowns at the foreboding swamp, saying a prayer under his breath for their hopeful way.
03:01 <Vaylon> !r 2d6+2 Guidance
03:01 <PageBot> Vaylon: 11=5+4(+2) Guidance
03:03 <joo> What is the symbol of the Firebringer, again? Just a miniature sun?
03:09 <joo> A flame appears to you, Waldemar, pointing to the east and south.
03:09 <joo> Fuck.
03:09 <joo> A flame appears to you, Hawthorn, pointing to the east and south.
03:10 <joo> It looks like going in this direction will take you south of the tomb itself, but it's not often that the direct route is the best in these treacherous swamps.
03:12 <joo> This is what it looks like: thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/cartoon-flaming-pointing-finger-symbol-hand-drawn-illustration-retro-style-vector-available-37016027.jpg
03:16 <Bruce> Guide us to the Light, Hawthorn.
03:29 <Bruce> It seems Vaylon has fallen asleep.
03:30 <joo> Hmmh.
03:39 <joo> Well, what's going to happen will most likely be an extensive Hoedown, so perhaps it's best to end it here.
03:39 <joo> !missed-rolls
03:39 <PageBot> Missed rolls (estimated): Bruce: 0 of 1, Vaylon: 1 of 3. Full list: <http://pastebin.com/2TeGeC2X>.
03:41 <joo> Did you learn anything new and important about the world?
03:42 <Bruce> We learned a little about the warlord entombed here, particularly that he is a Big Beast.
03:43 <Bruce> And we learned that the tomb was once sealed, but now its Evil has been Released.
03:43 <joo> You knew the second part already, but the first is indeed new and probably important.
03:44 <joo> I don't think you looted any memorable treasure or defeated any notable enemy.
03:44 <joo> However, did anyone perform their alignment move?
03:45 <Bruce> I don't think so.
03:46 <joo> Hmm... perhaps not quite.
03:46 <joo> Are there any bonds to adjust?
03:47 <Bruce> I think Not.
03:50 <joo> I see. If anyone who currently happens to be sleeping has anything to add to the end of session, see me in my office later. Otherwise, Session Adjourned.
03:50 <Bruce> Vaylon's sleeping schedule is starting to hurt everyone around him.
03:50 <Bruce> I think we need to do an Intervention.
03:51 <joo> The final XP is tentatively: Waldemar at 1/10, Sparrow at 9/10, and Hawthorn at 3/10.