Quest #37 "Black Metal Examination"

[OGRE MAGE]

Wes

"Chwee twice today it looked like you had something to tell me, especially when you saw the Stonegut dwarves and their lizards. And now you seem confused as to why we are making camp out here, away from the dwarves. What were you trying to tell us?"

"We're camping here because we want to remain undiscovered by the dwarves as long as possible. We're not trying to kill them, just discover a secret that they have."

I will answer these while we wait for CP.

Chwee looks up at Wes with concern once they can understand each other again.

“Why would anyone cut down so many trees? What purpose could it possibly serve for them to do so much damage to the forest?”

“I was thinking that you could use your power to eliminate all of the fat ones chopping down our trees. I can’t believe how you, claiming you are one with nature, would allow such a travesty to occur without pause.”

[Jernau35]

Wes

"Well, Chwee, you're right. Seeing what the Stoneguts are doing feels like a panther biting out my heart. If I could, I'd stop them right now. And if that means killing a few of them, I'd do it before I could even blink. If they want to destroy Obad Hai's domain in front of a servant of Obad Hai, then they deserve a reckoning."

"But you can see with your own eyes, how many of them there are. Right now there is only one small group of us. To fight them now would hurt them, but it wouldn't stop them. And they are vengeful creatures: they'd do more damage out of spite."

"The Stoneguts have some kind of magic that makes them strong. We're here to find out what that is and take it from them. If we do that, they will be weak and then we'll pounce on them like a puma!"

[ChubbyPixie]

Darklin

Can anyone cast a Wall of Fog spell? Maybe that will help with the bugs. Maybe that is something I need to research a wall of smoke instead of fog. Would be a cool spell out here. Keep the bugs away and not give away our position. Wall of Smoke. Sounds like a cool spell to work on. Chauncey, Being the most powerful wizard on the Island, do you have anything like that?

"I do not possess a Wall of Smoke spell, no. Though, much like a Wall of Fog, er, which I also do not possess, it would be but temporary in duration. Lighting a smoky fire would achieve the purpose much better, yet would, I fear, betray our position," says Chauncey. "Better would be a softly glowing, yet magically electrified lantern - a low charge, mind you - to attract the bugs, then zap them. A Lamp of Bug Annihilation, if you will. I am still working on the magical formula," he adds, tapping the side of his head.

[OGRE MAGE]

Off The Dwarven Path
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Evening, Warm, Humid, Very Buggy

Chwee doesn’t seem convinced.

“When we are threatened we attack in small groups so we can retreat easily and use the trees to our advantage. Could we not try something like that with the fat ones? They seem even less adept at climbing than you oomans.”

“What is this magic they posses that entitles them to destroy our habitat?”

As the arcane casters discuss their craft, or lack there of, Wes uses his natural magic to great effect. His plant and mud hut will obviously not be bug proof, but it sure will be better than sleeping under the stars. Chwee is astonished when he sees the magical alterations to the surrounding jungle, lending his expertise where he can.

Once darkness has set in, and the insects multiply 5 fold, the four and a half man hut is complete.

Actions?

Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 43/43 1st:4/6 2nd:5/5 3rd:3/3 SWA:10
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)

Chwee seems much more fluent in the common tongue all the sudden. It must be the sphere he is carrying. (couldn’t possibly be the brain numbed DM)

[Jernau35]

Wes

"Against a powerful, ruthless enemy though, an attack in small groups doesn't always work. Think of Gorman: how many phanaton did he kill? And without climbing a tree. The Stoneguts would just cut down down more trees as a punishment. Or perhaps even try to burn them down."

"Obad Hai teaches us that hunters should always bide their time and strike at the perfect moment. In that way we can bring down the biggest prey. A hasty hunter dishonors The Shalm."

"The reason that most of us are invisible is so that we can sneak in unseen and discover what this magic that they possess is. Right now, we don't know what it is. If we can take it from them, they'll be much easier to stop when the time comes".

[Karaunios]

Grimm

Grimm starts laughing. "Hahaha! Hahaha! The fat ones! Haha-" And then comes the sudden realization. "Oh.

Well, you can be sure I can climb better than the Stoneguts.

And, Chwee, my friend, it's like Wes says. We're not here to attack them, yet. We're here to know WHERE'S best to attack them, and maybe even when. That way we can kill more of them and lose fewer of ours.
Wouldn't you like that?" He winks at the furry creature. "But the most important part is that we steal this magical object they have, that will make a huge difference."

[Darklin2]

Darklin

We need to be quiet and stay inside if we are going to make it through the night. We are close to where a couple of my companions and I saw a Black Great Cat stalking along the trail. Let's all get in and settle down for the night. I have rations if anyone needs some. One of those Wild Pig we had on my last outing here would be great bonus meal, but rations will have to do.

[OGRE MAGE]

Off The Dwarven Path
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Evening, Warm, Humid, Very Buggy

Chwee continues speaking with Wes via his magical connection, looking strangely at Grimm when he mumbles something incoherent to the treeling.

“I think I understand now. We did loose a lot of my brothers when we tried to stop the evil one at the temple. That guy sucked!”

“You keep talking about being unseen. Are the fat ones as bad at sensing and smelling as you are? Because Chancey is right there, Grimm, Darkone.” He points his furry finger at each invisible party member and Wes is amazed at the accuracy, realizing that invisibility might not be as powerful in the wild as he hopes.

“So at daylight we will sneak up and take the item that is keeping them alive here? What is this item? It must be very powerful. Will it be hard to carry?”

Darklin warns of predators but wishes they had some meat to cook, urging everyone inside for the night.

Actions?

Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 43/43 1st:4/6 2nd:5/5 3rd:3/3 SWA:9
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)

[Darklin2]

Darklin

To bad Max is not here. He knew a lot about magic both divine and arcane. He might have been able to add some insight into the powers the Dwarves may have. But the Spirit of the Tower got him. Gone forever.

We should set a guard shift. As close to the dwarves as we are they might have scouts or guard patrols. Just to be safe.

[Karaunios]

Grimm

"That object belongs to my people. It's been what has allowed to survive in a really hostile environment and it was lost. I'm the one charged with recovering it, so I will carry it. I'm not heartless, so I'll put it to good use for the good of the people on this island, before I leave in order to take it back to my clan."
Some annoyance can be heard in his voice. After that, the dwarf falls silent and makes himself as comfortable as he can in order to sleep. "Wake me up when it's my watch."

[Jernau35]

Wes

"The dwarves rely on eyesight, just like we do, so yes, Chwee, the invisibility should work well enough."

"The first thing we have to do is scout the Stonegut's positions. Once we've done that, we'll come up with a plan to find the magic item and how to get away with it".

"Did you say your people don't often come this far? So if a dwarf saw you watching from a tree, they might find that suspicious?"

Once it's time to settle down and arrange watches, Wes volunteers for one of the later ones. "Chauncey, you should go first. You can't see in the dark anyway. Might as well get it over with." Wes smiles. "If the Stoneguts do show up, I'll try an cast an Entangle spell on them to slow them down."

Wes might not be that surprised by Chwee's sense of smell. Druids have Invisibility to Animals, which makes them totally undetectable. Them druids be smart

[OGRE MAGE]

Wes might not be that surprised by Chwee's sense of smell. Druids have Invisibility to Animals, which makes them totally undetectable. Them druids be smart

I don’t want anyone to ever feel obligated to heed my warnings.

[ChubbyPixie]

Chauncey waves off the dig from Wesley about his disadvantage in the dark. "Psssh. My hearing is unparalleled, sir. Fear not. No one will breach our camp without me knowing it," he says with complete apparent confidence. "I could discern a mouse breaking wind at forty paces in the dark." You're starting to think he really believes this stuff...

"Chwee, sir," he says, turning to their Phanaton companion, "On the subject of our shared, late adversary, the reprehensible Gorman – do you know what he feared most of all? He feared the Phanaton. Yes, that's right, he feared all of you uniting in coordinated purpose. For he knew that given your numbers, should you make a concerted effort to displace or kill him, he could not resist. It's right here in his notes," he says, pointing to an unseen tome in his hands.

"Even should we succeed in locating the source of power and wresting it from the Stoneguts, which I have every confidence we shall, I fear displacing them from their entrenchment here on the island will be a hard slog, if not outright impossible," he says "That is unless you and all your brethren should choose to band together in common purpose with us, attacking from the shadows, guerrilla-style, picking them off one-by-one. Imagine! They would have no chance of resisting."

"Please consider my proposal, sir," he concludes. "We might, together, make an unstoppable team. But first, of course, we must cut them off from the source of their power, this artifact or what-have-you."

[OGRE MAGE]

Off The Dwarven Path
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Evening, Warm, Humid, Very Buggy

Once tucked away in their cozy mud and stick hut, the conversation about how to handle the dwarves in the morning continues. Grimm seems upset when speaking of the item in question that the Stoneguts now possess, but somehow once belonged to his own people. He decides not to elaborate further.

Darklin sets up watch orders while Wes relays ideas back and forth to Chwee, trying hard to get the wizards rumination precise but, well, you know. The tree dweller nods in understanding before responding.

“It is true that we don’t come here, so I agree that it might seem strange to the fat ones if they saw one of us watching them.” He looks up to Chauncey. “Likely even more so if there were several of us watching them. But their tiny javelin shooting machines are powerful and can prick us from great distances. I just don’t know if our elders will agree to get involved, but once they see the destruction, and that you have done what you can from your perspective by stealing their power, it might help with their decision.”

Actions?

Please go ahead with any other dialogue for Chwee before the spell duration ends and I will advance the action to morning. (?)

Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 43/43 1st:4/6 2nd:5/5 3rd:3/3 SWA:7
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)

[Jernau35]

I can't really think of anything else to ask Chwee right now. Anybody else got anything?

Wes

Once the everyone is done chatting with Chwee, Wes uses the remainder of the spell's duration to work out a few simple hand signals with the phanaton: Stop!, This way, Dangerous Animal!, Watch Out - Stoneguts!

Any other suggestions?

[Karaunios]

Grimm

Grimm lies down but ruminates for a while on the situation before falling asleep.

Maybe help could be a good idea?

[ChubbyPixie]

Chauncey issues a reminder as he settles in for the night:

"Remember, for those already rendered invisible and those soon to be, offensive action will cancel the effects, thereby revealing you. Chwee, whilst we can conmmunicate freely, do you wish to be invisible? It's pretty weird. I think you'll like it," he says.

Will Mr. Wrenly be invisible, too, if he crawls into Chauncey's pack? Or will we have to leave him outside? Come to think of it, we may want to do that anyway, to keep an eye on things...

[Jernau35]

Wed

Once he's done with Chwee, Wes also spends a couple of his Speak with Animals spells to teach a similar array of phrases and numbers to Regan the parrot.

[OGRE MAGE]

Off The Dwarven Path
Sunday, 28th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Warm, Humid, So Very Buggy

Chwee declines any magic being cast upon him, but he takes to learning any new words or hand signals he is taught fairly well. Wes uses the rest of his minor animal speaking magic to teach his parrot some very unspecific things while he watches.

The good thing about sleeping so close to the enemy is that they have already likely chased off all the other nearby enemies. This becomes evident when the group isnt harassed by anything worse than the plentiful bugs during the night. Once morning comes around again, the group gets started with their morning rituals, ready to start out a new day of making discoveries.

Actions?

Mr. Wrenly would obviously be invisible if he were on Chauncey's person, but if you wanted him to be unseen while wandering, he would need the spell cast upon him as well.

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

[Karaunios]

Grimm

"Brrr! I wonder if some day our skins will get so thick it won't be affected by these damned bugs, just buy being constantly stung and bitten by them!" The dwarf stands up. "So. Let's continue our exploration. Make the monkey invisible and let's see what's behind that watchtower. We need to know what's on the road from here to their camp. It won't be a bad idea to study how their patrols work. How many, which routes, how often, etc.

I say we go on and once we get to the camp we start to weigh how we're gonna get that... object. On our way back, maybe on a later mission, we can do study their patrols."