Quest #11 "Raythan Wants To Make Amends"

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

To the voice:Pardon, but who or what is the "he" that will come back? I will try to help the villagers.

To the others:I think we should be going.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Search For Stuff
Godsday, 2nd of Goodmonth
Mid Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Buggy

The priest of Pelor asks for confirmation as to the "he" the invisible woman spoke of. All he hears in response is a muted "Gaaaaww" of frustration as the voice trails off and doesn't speak again.

Actions?

Storm Briarfoot 7/8 4/4 first
Jaxsen Reiter 8/10
Brother Gilbert 8/8 3/3 first
Raythan Crechan 6/6 1/1 first MU 2/3 first CL

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

I'm sorry. He calls after the voice.

Goodness, I'm only trying to understand. We had best get going before I upset any more forrest dwellers, he thinks to himself.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen carefully says nothing more. He takes up his halberd, nods to Raythan, Storm and Brother Gilbert and nods in the direction back to town. If anyone starts to speak, Jax will cross his lips with a finger, politely suggesting they do not speak just yet.

The monk wants to get at least a hundred yards away from their encounter with the woman. Once they are, Jax shakes his head, angry with himself. He listens carefully for any sound of her following. Once he believes them to be alone once more, he speaks. "I'm afraid I said too much," he says finally. "I was hoping to win her over to our hive. But instead I merely impressed her with the other group's skills. Whoever her master is, it will be harder to prepare a surprise against him, now."

He continues walking and talking. "But there is plenty of hope, yet. Even his devoted servant doesn't hold him to be invincible or unstoppable. Did you hear? She suspects the town could survive his best onslaught just by moving out of his way." He stops for a moment, and lets the droning of the bugs whisper to him. "I think that if we can make him think we have run away, we might bait him in, and swarm him like angry ants, no matter how powerful he is."

[Storm11]

Storm nods and listens carefully, caressing his pack and his scimitar lovingly.

We should maybe try to encourage Beachtown to set up some snares or traps, and make some defenses, and a plan of evacuation to a place of safety, just in case this mysterious master brings down an army upon them. We could use some early warning spies as well, I may be able to work on that myself. For now, let me see if I can find out what’s happening with these bugs!”

With that the Druid looks at all the swarming insects and opens his little body up to the flow of nature’s power. Eyes arcing with little sparks of lightning he calls out to the insects as he casts his spell.

Nature, hear my call, bring forth your link that connects every spirit under your protection, strengthen and deepen that bind that we may more easily communicate! As I have spoken, so mote it be!

Once the spell is done he will call out to the insects around him. Ho little fiends, what troubles you so, why do you swarm the two legs and the hive town? What has you all stirred up? Can I help you in any way?

[OGRE MAGE]

The Search For Stuff
Godsday, 2nd of Goodmonth
Mid Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Buggy

The foursome leave the area where they encountered the strange disappearing woman and start heading back to town. They keep a sharp eye out for a while to make sure that they are not followed. Once it appears safe, Jaxsen stops the group to give them his thoughts. He seems hopeful that there is a solution to the woman's grim words.

Storm shares the humans enthusiasm, certain that more defenses and plans can be prepared to help the town. He wants to try communicating with the insects of this place, but isn't sure that his limited magical power would allow such a thing. He communes with the nature of this place, but doesn't hear anything back from the insects. He does manage to get himself a few more bites for his trouble, though.

Raythan and Brother Gilbert continue swatting and shooing away the insects, wishing they were out of this nasty place for good.

Actions?

Does anyone know for certain if insects are to be considered animals as relating to spell casting? I ruled against it, but I am wrong a lot.

Storm Briarfoot 7/8 4/4 first
Jaxsen Reiter 8/10
Brother Gilbert 8/8 3/3 first
Raythan Crechan 6/6 1/1 first MU 2/3 first CL

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Watching Storm try to communicate with the insects, Jaxsen has an idea. He hunkers down and watches their behavior carefully.

Are the insects of different species acting in concerted effort? Small biting flies, mosquitos, horseflies, midges moving and attacking together?

On the ground, ants of different species, fleas, ticks, biting beetles moving together in formations?

Jaxsen knows enough about swarm behavior to know that different swarms do not work in concert naturally.

[OGRE MAGE]

Taking a moment to actually study the insects for the first time, the bug loving monk learns that the insects are acting quite normal. There is no coordinated effort between the many differing species of insects, there are just so many of them around that it seems so to the untrained eye.

Jaxsen doesn't notice any odd behavior from the insects either, he just notices that there is a lot of them around. He has never experienced such a phenomenon before, and he knows a lot about bugs.

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

So many insects, but they seem normal. I wonder if there is nothing that eats them.

Well, they seem to act like normal bugs. But let us get back to the beach. I am not familiar with the plants here, but are there any fragrant herbs that discourage them?

He imagines walking about, swinging a censer and bugs leaving him alone. Oh, well. Sigh.

[Storm11]

Storms spell doesn’t seem to establish a connection to the insects. ”Well there’s nothing left to do here I think. Shall we get going? Shouldering his back and weapon happily the little Druid heads back along the trail.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

"To tell the truth," says Jaxsen. "I am glad the insects are behaving normally. An enemy able to subvert all the masses of The Children on this island would make a terrible enemy."

He falls into line with the others heading back to town.

"You know," he adds after a few moments. "Since our entire plan was to come out here, regain our possessions and return home, this was an unqualified success!" There is nothing false about the actual happiness in his voice.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen speaks to Storm as they walk back to town. "Storm, I have heard that there are a lot of Druid enchantments that enlist the aid of The Children." He pauses for a moment and then adds, "It seems to me that if you have any of those, they would be particularly effective here."

[Storm11]

”Don’t speak too soon and Jinx us now, we haven’t made it back yet,” the halfling jests with a wink

There are indeed a few that can summon insects, and others to ward against them. My teacher mastered many of them. I am but a humble aspirant at the moment, and such magics are far beyond my understanding sadly. Something to think on though. Are there any other Druid folk in town do you know?

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

"I'm afraid I have only been on the island a few days myself. If there are other druids, I have not met them yet."

[OGRE MAGE]

The Search For Stuff
Godsday, 2nd of Goodmonth
Late Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Jaxsen keeps a positive attitude as the group continues on their way, happy that they haven't run into any trouble to speak of yet.

With about an hour's walk left to go before they get back to town, the party is stopped in their tracks when the suddenly hear a very loud growling noise coming from deep inside the jungle on the east side of the trail.

The growling does NOT sound familiar.

Actions?

Storm Briarfoot 7/8 4/4 first
Jaxsen Reiter 8/10
Brother Gilbert 8/8 3/3 first
Raythan Crechan 6/6 1/1 first MU 2/3 first CL

[Storm11]

Well THATS new,” whispers Storm to the others. He backs up to put his own rear against a solid trunk, looking around for snakes as he does so. Scimitar ready the Druid takes a deep breath and listens intently.

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

BG turns his head about to discern the direction and distance of the growl.

Whispering:It somewhat distant, so if we keep moving quietly, we may get away without a fight.

Uh oh. We are not exactly a fighting group. Pelor, please bless us with your goodness.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

"I think you're right," says Jax. "Let's keep moving. I'll take the rear and keep watch in case it decides to give chase." He brandishes his halberd. "And let's pick up the pace just a bit."

The monk doesn't turn fully to the rear, but keeps his head looking back over his shoulder, alert for any other sounds or movements out of the ordinary.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Search For Stuff
Godsday, 2nd of Goodmonth
Late Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Storm draws his blade out and looks around for snakes. He doesn't find any, but he listens intently to the growling for another moment. Raythan looks at him strangely before agreeing wholeheartedly with Brother Gilbert and Jaxsen that they should just get the heck out of this area.

The growling continues as you depart. It grows less loud as you move away, obviously. Then the growling turns into more of a ripping and chewing sound as it fades.

The rest of the trip back to Beachtown goes by uneventfully and you return safely just before sunset.

Raythan bids you farewell and heads off in the direction of his home. "That woman back there sounded serious with her threats. I think it would be a wise idea to heed her cryptic words. Better to be safe than sorry! If only we knew of a place nearby that the people could go to in times of trouble...... If any of you have ideas, I would be happy to discuss them with you over some breakfast tomorrow. Good evening to you then, friends."

Actions?

Storm Briarfoot 7/8 4/4 first
Jaxsen Reiter 8/10
Brother Gilbert 8/8 3/3 first
Raythan Crechan 6/6 1/1 first MU 2/3 first CL

I have finally tallied up some XP for these 2 missions. Don't forget to log it on your sheet!
viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6230&p=354228#p354228

[SirOwen]

Points Logged!

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen makes his way to the common house where he has been staying. He looks for any of the regular members of Marge's water crew. "I'm sorry I missed the trip to the river today. I'll try not to make a habit of it. I did find these, though." Jax pulls out whatever is left of the nuts and fruits he managed to shake out of the trees earlier and shares them around the room.

I never did get an actual inventory of what he got from the trees, so if it's more of a treat than a meal,
that won't be a big surprise.