Quest #37 "Black Metal Examination"

[Jernau35]

If not, I assume Wes would be translating. These short bursts of conversation take 1 minute
each.

[Jernau35]

Wes

"I think you are right Chwee. It is a key to something. One of many such keys. My friend Chauncey, the wisest mage on the island, is right here. I'm sure he could explain how it works, couldn't you Chauncey?... Chauncey?"

"Well, I'm sure he's here somewhere..."

"There is one question I'd like to ask your advice on Chwee. And I think everyone will have an opinion about it. What's the best way to get to the Stoneguts mine?"

"I think we have two options: either try to cut across from the Logger's Trail to the dwarves trail, which will be easier, but we might run into some dwarves"

"Or head west from here through the jungle. It would be slower and we might get lost. If we do that, can you guide us?"

[Karaunios]

Grimm

Grimm looks at the stone and opens his mouth, but prefers to keep what he wants to say for later, also assuming that the others have thought the same thing.

[OGRE MAGE]

Do we all understand what Chwee says thanks to the stone?

Yes!

I neglected to mention that in my update, but everyone can suddenly understand what Chwee is saying once he pulls the stone back out.

[ChubbyPixie]

The party hears the sounds of shuffling and sees a bit of dust kick up as Chauncey invisibly scampers up.

"Ahem! Pardon me. I was just er... taking care of an urgent matter. I'd steer clear of those bushes to the southeast if I were you," he says before getting down to business. "What Wesley says is true, I am indeed The Most Powerful Magic User On the Island. But I think you'll find me down to earth and relatable; I'm a people person by nature. Also Phanatons."

"Yes, honorable Chwee, the stone you hold is certainly a key, one of several. I am in the process of uncovering their full purpose. But I assure you, the one you hold is a thing of great power. With it we, the good inhabitants of this island, might ultimately gain access to... Great Secrets. Ones thought lost to time! I'm standing proudly and smiling now," he says, realizing he cannot be observed.

[OGRE MAGE]

At The Shack
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Overcast, Hot, Buggy

As the afternoon rolls on, the conversation in the jungle clearing continues. With they grey sphere held out in Chwee’s hand, everyone seems to understand the squeaks, clicks, and chirps of the tree dwellers.

“Our people have observed the fat ones, but the gorge is not our territory. We don’t live there or go there. That area belongs to the earth. If we were to go there, we would take the trees. And we never get lost, anywhere in the jungle.”

When Chauncey is done with his business in the bushes, and finally decides to make his presence known, all of the phanaton react to his wordy introduction. Startled initially, the others stop sniffing around for Grimm and Darklin, instead approaching the wizard to feel around in the air for him. They stroke his robe sleeves as they all mumble to each other, clearly holding some understanding of what a magic user can do. “Magic?” “Did you hear what it said?” “If it can do magic…..” “Do you think?”

Then in unison, all but Chwee ask the same question towards the invisible mage. “Can you make us BIG. And fast?”

Actions?

Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 43/43 1st:5/6 2nd:5/5 3rd:3/3 SWA:10
Chauncey (MU4) AC:8 26/26 CL, RM, DM 1st:3/3 2nd:0/2 (Invisible)
Darklin Sylvanas (F2/MU2) AC:4 15/15 CL, RM, DM 1st:2/2 (Invisible)

[Karaunios]

Grimm

The dwarf would be relieved seeing the phanaton leave his side but he's thinking now of more important matters. "Hmm... Chauncey... What you did back there... Was it also... Hm... Invisible?"

[Jernau35]

Wes

While the phanaton are busy mage-pestering, Wes draws a simple map into the dirt for Grimm and Darklin.

viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

"With Chwee to guide us, straight west from here would lead us almost directly to the gorge. We'd avoid almost all the risk of encountering dwarves along the trail."

"But it would be thick jungle. Who knows what's living in there? What do you think would be our better option?"

"Chwee? Can you tell us of any beasts that live in that area?"

[Darklin2]

Darklin

What other creatures live in this area? I have scene Baboon type creatures, Black Panthers, and Squid as big as a ship. What else is out there?

[OGRE MAGE]

At The Shack
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Overcast, Hot, Buggy

The invisible mage seems confused by the dwarfs question, as if the answer has somehow escaped him. The phanaton continue to await an answer as well, snapping their furry fingers in the air where the mage was just talking. He also ignores Darklin's questions, though he wasn't sure who the elf was actually asking, since he cant tell where he is looking at the moment.

Unsure himself, whom is speaking to who, Wes asks a few questions about their proposed route, getting no answers from the pair he was asking in the invisible confusion. Chwee eventually turns to Wes and speaks. "I just told you.......we dont go there."

Actions?

Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 43/43 1st:5/6 2nd:5/5 3rd:3/3 SWA:10
Chauncey (MU4) AC:8 26/26 CL, RM, DM 1st:3/3 2nd:0/2 (Invisible)
Darklin Sylvanas (F2/MU2) AC:4 15/15 CL, RM, DM 1st:2/2 (Invisible)

[Karaunios]

Grimm

The dwarf scratches his head.

[Jernau35]

Wes

"At first I would've chosen the route straight through the jungle. I was thinking the Stoneguts would be more alert after Mayor Daisy's expedition. But then I recalled that giant scorpion that attacked us on the trail last time we came this way. Would we want to be attacked by something like that amongst the trees, with no warning? Especially with just the four of us."

"Now that Chwee has told us about his direction sense, I reckon we should travel alongside the trail. Maybe fifty yards in from it. Enough distance for the jungle to mask any noise we make. But close enough to use it if we need to."

"I also reckon we should be moving along soon. Get some miles beneath our boots before it gets dark."

Wes hoists up his pack. "Ready to go fellas?"

[Karaunios]

Grimm

Grimm just answers with a loud: "Aye!"

[ChubbyPixie]

Chauncey is surprised by the sudden attention and confused by the question, thinking that perhaps the translation magic 'got it wrong?' Unseen, he taps on the side of his head to clear it, then stammers, "Er... bigger? Yes, of course... with magic! Anything for our friends. I can do three of you. Nearly double your size. Which will make you roughly.... so big," he says, indicating their potential new height with his hand. No one can see this.

[OGRE MAGE]

At The Dwarven Path
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Mid Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Wes again suggests the route they should take, off the trail through the untamed jungle, which will be an arduous and grueling journey for anyone but he and Chwee. But once Grimm agrees, at least one of his friends actually acknowledged the question this time.

Chauncey is both confused and confusing at the same time, miming with his hands and explaining his powers to the rest of those gathered, even though none of them can currently see the mage. The phanaton seem pleased with his response all the same, turning to say their goodbyes to Chwee before the group departs.

Wes rustles the group back out of the shack clearing and down the trail once again. Before they reach the path that leads west towards the dwarven mine, the druid cuts into the jungle with ease, none of this tight foliage hampering his druidical movements through nature. Chwee takes to the trees, moving at least as easily through the jungle as the half-elf. However, Darklin, Chauncey, and especially the stout dwarf Grimm have a great deal of difficulty moving through the tight vegetation that grows wild throughout the jungle. Their movements are stifled to a crawl as they need to chop a path as they navigate the tropical forest, slowing them to about a quarter of their normal speed. The insects in this mass of greenery are even thicker, as movement through the trees invites harassment from the crawling pests as well as the flying ones you are more used to. The approximate 5 miles you need to traverse before you reach the mine will not make for pleasant travel. (you are facing around a 20 hour trip at this speed, approximately)

Chwee points to the tree tops and speaks, but none of you understand his strange squeaks and clicks anymore.

Actions?

Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 43/43 1st:5/6 2nd:5/5 3rd:3/3
Chwee?
Chauncey (MU4) AC:8 26/26 CL, RM, DM 1st:3/3 2nd:0/2 (Invisible)
Darklin Sylvanas (F2/MU2) AC:4 15/15 CL, RM, DM 1st:2/2 (Invisible)

[Karaunios]

Grimm

"Arg! Are we really going to walk through the jungle like this?! It's unbearable. When we get to their camp we're just gonna be slave material!"

[Jernau35]

Wes

After the fourth or fifth time of standing and waiting for the rest of the group to catch up, Wes proffers an apology. "Gentlemen, I'm sorry. This is a lot harder for you all than I thought it'd be. I forgot that none of you have been blessed by The Shalm. This place isn't your friend, the greatest gift you've ever been given".

"Let's take a break here. Drop your packs. Drink some water. After this we'll head for the Stonegut's trail."

"Perhaps while you're resting you'd like to hear the Word of Obad Hai? His One Hundred Chastisements of The Hunter's Folly are particularly apt for a moment like this..."

Wes turns around as Chwee chatters. He peers up see what the phanaton is pointing at, then, if nothing is visible, looks at Chwee to see if he looks panicked.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Well, yes, if... if Grimm and Darklin can't keep up, then... yes I suppose we should make for the trail," says Chauncey, audibly huffing and puffing.

[OGRE MAGE]

On The Dwarven Path
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Mid Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Chwee appears to be trying to tell you that his people have a much easier time swinging through the tree tops than trying to cut through all the thick underbrush along the jungle floor. He bounds up into a nearby tree and brings back a couple of nice ripe mangoes, offering them up for a break snack to his new friends.

After a short breather, the party cuts back towards the trail to the south and are soon upon it, making travel through this jungle far easier and much faster. Grimm notices right away that this trail has seen a lot more use than he remembers. It seems much wider and flatter as well. After hiking to the west another mile or so, the group starts to hear chopping and pounding coming from up ahead on the trail. Grimm remembers a small wayside area along the trail. Perhaps the Stoneguts are attempting renovations? The flying bugs continue to accost the group, invisible or otherwise, but at least the crawlers have stopped dropping on them from the trees so much.

Actions?

Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 43/43 1st:5/6 2nd:5/5 3rd:3/3
Chwee?
Chauncey (MU4) AC:8 26/26 CL, RM, DM 1st:3/3 2nd:0/2 (Invisible)
Darklin Sylvanas (F2/MU2) AC:4 15/15 CL, RM, DM 1st:2/2 (Invisible)

[Karaunios]

Grimm

The dwarf thanks Chwee for the mangos and the group in general for changing their route. He does so while taking twigs and leaves out of his beard.

He then shares his conjectures with his friends. "I think we should start treading more cautiously now. We're approaching Stonegut territory..."