RoR - IC thread

[Farmerbink]

Lucas continues to climb, noting nothing but branches on the way up. A few minutes later, he reaches a point where he can see out from the branches. At this point, he realizes just how far he has climbed- easily 250 feet or more! The view is breathtaking, encompassing the rolling mountains in the distance northward and an enormous gap in the trees to the south that can only be the lake. He is so overcome by the splendor of the world from a few hundred feet above its surface that he doesn't even notice the three hanging bodies, now beneath him until he starts heading back down with a sigh. After brief inspection, it is clear that these three were once hunters on patrol from the lumber consortium. Not much is left of the bodies, but much of their equipment still hangs at their sides or over a now-mostly-skeletal shoulder.

[MuffinMan]

"Ahh!" Lucas starts as the three bodies suddenly come into view. "Hey, there are dead bodies up here!" he calls down. "Old ones! Looks like they used to be from the lumber company!" After inspecting their equipment for anything noteworthy or valuable, Lucas begins his descent back to the ground.

Spoiler: Skill checks

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Climb (1d20+7)[25] (still take 10 if that's sufficient!)
Perception (1d20+3)[20] (take 20 on perception to examine the bodies more closely, if that's an option.
Heal (1d20-1)[16] (untrained) to notice anything subtle about the bodies or cause/time of death

[Farmerbink]

Spoiler: Ian

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the bodies show signs of bite and claw makes all over. A cursory inspections reveals quite a bit of usable equipment, including 2 crossbows, a masterwork short bow, two short swords, and a set of hide armor. Getting the bodies down would be as easy as cutting the ropes tying them in place. You are about 65' northeast of the center of the tree.

[MuffinMan]

Lucas does his best to transfer as much of the equipment from the bodies to himself as possible, prioritizing the masterwork shortbow. "Wait, there are ropes on these guys!" he calls down. "Since when do lizards tie knots?? Clear away from the trunk, I'm cutting them down!"
After sufficient time has passed or hearing an all-clear from below, Lucas draws his dagger and carefully slices the bonds holding the bodies in place, and then makes his own way down to the ground.

Spoiler: Climb

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(1d20+7)[27] or take 10 or use previous roll, w/e

[Farmerbink]

Three bodies, only barely identifiable, fall to the friend some 60 feet from the trunk of the tree, where everyone but Lucas was waiting. Upon close inspection, in addition what what Lucas found, a signet ring with the image of a flaming hawk is found on one of the bodies, 9gp, 12 sp, and 8 days of rations is found on the bodies.

[DarkOne-Rob]

...a signet ring with the image of a flaming hawk...

Spoiler: (Bardic?) Knowledge Check to ID the ring

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(1d20+6)[21] Knowledge (Local) to identify the signet on the ring, the ring's owner, etc... (-4 if this is the wrong Knowledge skill.)

[Farmerbink]

Spoiler: (Bardic?) Knowledge Check to ID the ring

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(1d20)[5] Knowledge (Local) to identify the signet on the ring, the ring's owner, etc... (-4 if this is the wrong Knowledge skill.)

You seem to recall it being the family crest of a lesser noble, but can't place where it would be from. It is definitely an heirloom from this particular hunter's family.

Spoiler: Dm screen

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(1d20)[5]

[MuffinMan]

Lucas comes scrambling down in a hurry, breathing quickly by the time he reaches the ground. "Whoah, that was intense! I've never been so high - it was amazing! All those trees waving in the breeze, and the hills, and- oh yeah, check this out, Flynn!" Lucas presents the shortbow and turns it about admiringly. "Doesn't look much the worse for being stuck up there for so long... and what were ropes doing up there, anyway? Hey, what's that?" Lucas pauses his rapid stream of words as he notices the signet ring Flynn is examining.

[DarkOne-Rob]

"...and- oh yeah, check this out, Flynn!" Lucas presents the shortbow and turns it about admiringly. "...Hey, what's that?" Lucas pauses his rapid stream of words as he notices the signet ring Flynn is examining.

"I'll trade you this for that," Flynn says, taking the ring and holding it behind his back as he plays with his friend the way they have countless times before. "Then you can see what it is for yourself!"

[MuffinMan]

"Done! This is probably old and stupid anyways!" Lucas snatches the signet ring out of Flynn's hand, replacing it with the shortbow from the tree, before he can hear any argument.

Spoiler: Appraise

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(untrained)(1d20+1)[8]

"No fair, you cheated!" Lucas protests as he finds nothing unusual about the ring. "You're such a jerk! What do you think about those bodies anyways?!" Lucas crosses his arms and turns away to pout while belaboring his unfortunate trade.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Flynn stares at his friend. "It's a signet ring. One of these guys was important, I just don't recognize the seal. There is probably a reward of some kind out for news on what happened to him, and now you have the ring. Think a little bit, Lucas!" he says while testing the draw on the shortbow. "Besides, you don't use shortbows..."

[JWallyR]

Lorelei rolls her eyes at the banter between Flynn and Lucas. If you two are quite finished divvying up the spoils, perhaps we can move on with the mission? We've half a day remaining, and we won't get any closer to being home by lounging around this monstrosity of a tree.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Lorelei rolls her eyes at the banter between Flynn and Lucas. If you two are quite finished divvying up the spoils, perhaps we can move on with the mission? We've half a day remaining, and we won't get any closer to being home by lounging around this monstrosity of a tree.

Serious now, Flynn replies, "Unless you can patch up the wounded, I think we need to stop and rest. Running into anything else dangerous out here could spell the end of Merek here, for example."

[JWallyR]

Serious now, Flynn replies, "Unless you can patch up the wounded, I think we need to stop and rest. Running into anything else dangerous out here could spell the end of Merek here, for example."

Ugh. She shakes her head in annoyance. This is rapidly becoming less entertaining. Turning to face Flynn, she continues: I suppose you have a point. Resting her head against the knotted roots at the base of the tree, Lorelei closes her eyes and tries to rest.

[DarkOne-Rob]

This is rapidly becoming less entertaining.

Flynn raises an eyebrow. "We clearly have different views on what is considered 'entertaining' and what is considered deadly business with peoples' lives on the line," he says, turning back to continue inspecting the bodies and their new equipment.

[JWallyR]

Flynn raises an eyebrow. "We clearly have different views on what is considered 'entertaining' and what is considered deadly business with peoples' lives on the line," he says, turning back to continue inspecting the bodies and their new equipment.

Lorelei studiously ignores him.

[Untarr]

Flynn raises an eyebrow. "We clearly have different views on what is considered 'entertaining' and what is considered deadly business with peoples' lives on the line," he says, turning back to continue inspecting the bodies and their new equipment.

I'd never had thought that we would agree on something... Lee says, shooting an irritated look at Lorelei.

If you wanted entertainment, perhaps your father should have hired a jester. This is serious, and this is real. We could have just as easily joined those bodies in the trees.

Walking around a bit, Lee takes out his bow again before taking off.

I'm going to go see if I can't catch us some dinner. We should rest and get goin' on the 'morrow. he says before taking off into the woods...

Spoiler: Surival

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(1d20+6)[21] survival

[Farmerbink]

Spoiler: DM Screen

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(1d20)[3]

Lee has no trouble trapping a couple of hares and roasting them over a small fire. He notices several signs of the Tatzlwyrm's tracks, but does not encounter the beast again. The afternoon and evening pass without an serious incident.

The following morning dawns, crisp and cool. Leftovers from last night, dry bread, and a few of the rations recovered from the dead hunters serves the group's needs.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Flynn wakes up unusually early and watches the sun rise above the forest. When Merek, Lorelei, and Lee wake he checks their wounds as politely as he can and offers them healing if needed.

[JWallyR]

As Lorelei's eyes ease open, she looks around as if trying to get her bearings. Finding her scimitar close by in its scabbard, she twists her torso to reach for it, and suddenly starts with a sharp yelp of pain. Reaching instead with her other hand to clasp the belted scabbard around her waist, she eases herself up out of the cradle of roots and begins stretching gingerly. She then walks around to the other side of the tree (at least far enough to be out of view of the party), returning after several seconds with a combination of frustrated embarrassment and humility.

I fear that in my anger yesterday, I may have underestimated the extent of my injuries. Looking toward Flynn (but avoiding his eyes), she says to nobody in particular, I would be grateful for some assistance in this matter; it seems that a healing touch is not among my many skills.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Flynn silently moves over and mumbles some elven, casting a spell to try and heal his companion's wounds.

Spoiler: Cure Light Wounds

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(1d8+1)[2] HPs healed

[Kyrindalame]

Kith wakes up with the first rays of sunlight streaming through the leaves, neatly gets her pack ready for travel, nibbles on some leftovers for breakfast, and finally joins Flynn to see if she needs to help with patching anyone up before they move on in their journey.

Merek, how do you feel this morning?

[MuffinMan]

Lucas yawns and stretches as he gets out of bed about an hour after the others. He considers the signet ring they found yesterday for a moment before shoving it into a pocket. Having slept in his armor, he has little to do except shoulder his pack and pick up his spear before being ready to travel.

"So, we found the moss - and more the we bargained for, too! What next? Head for the mountains, and try to find those mushrooms, or do we go chasing after a- a witch, and ask her if we can please borrow some rat-tail root?" Lucas' shiver at the latter suggestion makes it clear which course he favors.

[JWallyR]

Flynn silently moves over and mumbles some elven, casting a spell to try and heal his companion's wounds.

Lorelei mumbles out a Thanks. before turning to address Lucas.

"What next? Head for the mountains, and try to find those muchrooms, or do we go chasing after a- a witch, and ask her if we can please borrow some rat-tail root?"

Why don't we head to the mountains? I'm sure the witch's hut will be easy enough to locate afterward.

[Subucula]

Kith wakes up with the first rays of sunlight streaming through the leaves, neatly gets her pack ready for travel, nibbles on some leftovers for breakfast, and finally joins Flynn to see if she needs to help with patching anyone up before they move on in their journey.

Merek, how do you feel this morning?

"I've been..." Merek stops to spit out some blood "...better. It seems my wounds are a bit more severe than I had hoped."

[Farmerbink]

Spoiler: DM Screen

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(1d20)[20]
(6d4)[15]

Spoiler: OOC

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the witch's hut on your map is nearly directly between you and the marking for the dwarven monastery. The three markings made a pretty direct line across the northern end of the map.

I need survival and perception checks once the group starts traveling, please.

[Untarr]

Standing off to the edge of the clearing, Lee folds up the map and places it in his belt pouch while proclaiming.

Aye, the witches hut is between here and the mountain. Our time would be best served heading there first.

Lee meets everyone's gaze before turning back into the forest. Holding up a bit for Lucas to join him at the front, Lee leans over to him and whispers

Between you and me, if there is a witch, I do not think we are going to do much talking with her.

Spoiler: Actions and Rolls

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(1d20+6)[8] Survival
(1d20+5)[13] Perception

[MuffinMan]

Spoiler: Overnight Heal check

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(1d20-1)[7]

Lucas sighs at learning they have to cross the witch's hut first. At Lee's admission he nods and tightens his grip on his spear, helping the other man navigate and follow the directions on the map.

Spoiler: Travel checks

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Perception (1d20+3)[20]
Survival (1d20+4)[11]

[JWallyR]

Spoiler: Skill Checks

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Perception: (1d20-1)[19]
Survival: (1d20-1)[8]

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Shouldn't we bury the remains of these two men before we set out?" Flynn asks, directing his gaze to the remains left out overnight. "And what should we do about their possessions? I would like to use the shortbow, since it is better than mine, but I doubt that is entirely legal..." he says, looking at Lee out of the corner of his eye.
----------------------------

Flynn gathers his stuff together and does his best to help the injured get their packs settled comfortably. "If we had more time I would encourage us to rest more before setting out again, but I doubt the plague will wait for us," he says apologetically to no one in particular. "I am not so intimidated by this witch, so I can plan to do the talking, along with Kith since she knows the root we need."

He then takes up his new masterwork shortbow and follows behind Lee and Lucas as they travel.

Spoiler: Skill Checks

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Perception (1d20+7)[27], Survival (untrained) (1d20)[11]