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The bloody Merisc

The Harpy crone, a messenger from a vengeful Hag is slain and left bound, snared by the grasping branches and hung upside down as a strung game-bird. The many piercing arrows sending a clear message back to the Hag should she venture to discover her angel's fate. Raust is not for turning.

The Bullywug Ruin is just a few miles away. Your home cavern closer. Delaying a day in order to plaster Hurtloam over the injured might be prudent if you anticipate future fights and health being at a premium. Otherwise you can administer 1st Aid and spells and carry straight on.

Actions Raust, the Orphidians are unharmed apart from Kai and all are eager to press on, the concern then for your closer aides, Venwynn and animal companions.

What would you like to do?

Immediate:
Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=6
Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=2

First aid on arrival:
WIS Check (17) [4d6]=14
WIS Check (17) [4d6]=14
WIS Check (17) [4d6]=13

Day of rest healing:
Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=5
Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=3
Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=1
Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=1

Raust stands and reflects on the dangling birdwoman's corpse for a long moment. Warnings and omens both...

Assessing her entourage, Raust is pleased they weathered the confusion of the charms so well. She feared the worst. In actuality, she was barely injured, none slain, and it was only her closest companions who took the brunt of it.

Planning to arrive among the 'Wugs, she must balance the expression of need with the projection of power.

She herself is barely wounded - a day of rest with her vassals will suffice for her and for Kai as well. She prays to Herne for his blessing on Venwyn the huntress. (+8, back to full) Beaky, Carca, and Namma, her fearless beastly brothers and sisters, need the most care. With herself and the other humanoids all in strong condition at their arrival, expresses expectation that her host be welcomed and rested, telling them of their triumph over the Harpy, Hag, and moths. Imposing on them for first aid kit supplies sufficient to treat her beasts, she heals them with her expert knowledge of herbs and treatments, hoping it is enough. They will spend one day being welcomed (and do a second set of magical healing where needed), then set off on the Froghemoth hunt fresh the second morning.

With herself and the other humanoids all in strong condition at their arrival, expresses expectation that her host be welcomed and rested, telling them of their triumph over the Harpy, Hag, and moths. Imposing on them for first aid kit supplies sufficient to treat her beasts, she heals them with her expert knowledge of herbs and treatments, hoping it is enough. They will spend one day being welcomed (and do a second set of magical healing where needed), then set off on the Froghemoth hunt fresh the second morning.

Raust: AC4/3 (shield in melee) 17/18hp

Venwynn: ranger L1: AC8/7(shield melee) 12/12hp

Beaky: HD3, AC6 10/14hp
Carca: HD 2+2, AC7 11/12hp
Namma: HD2+2, AC6 (leather collar+1) 12/12hp

Kai: (HD4) AC5/4 (shield in melee) hp 16/18

Raust arrives again at the Bullywug ruins:

Here is some points from before:
viewtopic.php?p=649789#p649789

Ananxyrus Greenback, Baron of the Barrowmoor and Chief of the Bullywugs is enthusiastic to receive Raust, he sees it as an opportunity to impress the druid but also to exalt his own rule over his tribe. There is a visible difference between his welcome and that from the common tribe-spawn though Blill & Blenn are keen to renew their attendance and these two take to the administration of 1st Aid. They don't have much in terms of addressing wounds but can fix up 'swamp poultices' binding supple lily leaves around loams made of mud and maggots around the animal wounds. "They will nibble any rotting flesh and infected skin and we can remove the bindings later before the maggots burrow too deep and chrysalise." they croak, using the Wisdom rolls to add +1hp to Beaky, Namma and Carca.

Ananxyrus Greenback: reactions [1d100]=92 Bullywug reactions [1d100]=52

You get to this main building and the Chief's quarters. It is a partially sunken ruin, tilted slightly as it over time slides deeper into the mud. The upper portion was once a temple, the interior pillars sculptured into fashion as slim, armoured women holding up the ceiling though that has since largely collapsed. The caryatids have been much vandalised, so many of the pillars are missing fingers or noses, something which the Bullywug Chief blushes about since he gives deference to a similarity armoured female

The columns are 'dressed', decorated in cloaks of verdant leaves and sprigs of berries, around each a crown of mistletoe.

To one side are several stone benches, once pews that now double as mess hall facilities and spread out upon them are numerous gatherings from the surrounding Moor. (Plucked game birds, bunches of ripe berries, tangles of vine being reworked into hemp ropes).

Long mud eels, skinned, roasted and stuffed with herbs, insects and edible seeds are set upon the table as a welcome meal with biscuits of honeycomb and fresh water. Not quite a banquet but certainly above the standard gourmet the Wugs usually share.

And share you do, perhaps sensing that you and the Orphidians tucking in means others go hungry. Portions are divided therefore and sent to each ruin (with an Orphidian as 'guest') to help maintain the fragile treaty between the groups.

Conversations held in croaked or hissed fashions, stories shared. By evening as the Sun sets and the Barrow Mist closes in, the Orphidians gather back together with you, reporting any concerns or observations. Nothing to worry about has come to the surface and the Bullywugs seem excited to have a joint Tadhemoth hunt.

The night passes without intrusion, you can rise early to complete your devotions and minister again the Cure spells to the injured. I will action three of the CLW's, can you adjust your sheet with chosen spells for the day.

Actions Raust, give a morning brief, speech, ritual, action; whatever you feel is needed to instill courage, morale and loyalty among the Wugs and then I will action the first phase of the hunt.

Spearmint wrote: ↑Mon Jan 01, 2024 3:35 pm The night passes without intrusion, you can rise early to complete your devotions and minister again the Cure spells to the injured. I will action three of the CLW's, can you adjust your sheet with chosen spells for the day.

Those three CLWs were last night, or that I already expended this morning?

Spearmint wrote: ↑Mon Jan 01, 2024 3:35 pmActions Raust, give a morning brief, speech, ritual, action; whatever you feel is needed to instill courage, morale and loyalty among the Wugs and then I will action the first phase of the hunt.

Raust leads them all devotions to Herne at sunrise - given their intention to engage in a Great Hunt, the invocation of diety is hopefully poignant to his faithful serpents and impactful upon the frogmen. She lights a bonfire to greet the morning, also chasing away the dew and chill. With her antlers polished, she gives a speech on the nature of Herne, imploring his blessing, and sanctioning them as a great and Wild Hunt in pursuit of the Froghemoth spawn. She fires her followers with her oration, anointing them with woad, then sets out when they're at their peak.

Cha [4d6]=15 [2d6]=6 [1d20]=13

Those three CLWs were last night, or that I already expended this morning?

They were expended this morning, so you have used your allocation of Cure Light Wound spells for this day.

But you can switch around other spells on your druid list and memorize any mage based ones.

She lights a bonfire to greet the morning, also chasing away the dew and chill.

You can use the 'Fire-walk' ritual here to add some panache, barefoot in the embers and chalking the soot as warpaint slashes upon Beaky and yourself for extra effect.

The combined group set off, Raust mounted upon Beaky, Ananxyrus Greenback hopping and leaping beside you. He has a number of Wugs with him, pretty much Wug for Orphidian equivalent with lesser Froglings and larger spawn matching the archer and javelin cohort of Snakemen.

The Hunt Begins:

July 8th 1066.

Mid-morning:

And so the Bullywug Ruins are left behind and tramping or slithering over the thick, boggy terrain, the hunters head towards certain deep pools of murky waters in search of Tadhemoth tadpoles and hatched offspring.

Actions: mine, I will edit a narrative here of the first searches in the river sources, the hunt will cover the 'fingers' of tributary streams that combine to form the upper Merisc, starting at the nearest ones to the ruin and progressing upwards, which leaves the most southerly one until last.

Tadhemoth Hunt.

The group set out in all confidence, summoning courage and divine aid to help them hunt the fledgling tadpoles of the abominable Froghemoth that seasonally lays her eggs in the upper source waters of the Merisc. For now the mystery of the mother's whereabouts are as imperceptible and shrouded as the permanent Barrow Mist that hangs as a thick veil, even along the slow flowing streams that form into the tributary waters. Despite the day being at the height of summer, the Moor is chill and damp, no problem for the bog dwelling Bullywugs and scale-skinned Orphidians, but Raust and Venwynn are soon drenched in water from the long grasses and mud from the bogs.

Progress is slow. The Tadhemoth eggs are well hidden and spread widely to give each Froghemoth tadpole a chance to hatch and seek cover, submerged in the shallow pools. Layed as the waters spring thawed, any surviving hatchlings that haven't been predated upon may well have attained two or three feet of growth, perhaps more for the more voracious hunters. Dwarfed in comparison to adult sized, they still present a fearsome opponent to any surprised prey. You hope to turn the tables and snare them before they grow much bigger.
The Hunt has a poor start. Combing the riverbanks and pools fails to uncover or drive out any Tadhemoth spawn. It is discouraging and prompts much animosity and blame, the Bullywugs contesting the hunting methods of the Orphidians, the Snakemen in return suggesting the frantic Bullywug nature forewarns the Tadhemoths of the Hunt's approach. Well blows are not exchanged, verbal abuses and covert sabotage of one group over another does happen.

Bullywug reactions: Tadhemoth hunt: Ananxyrus [1d100+25]=33+25=58 tribe-spawn [1d100]=43

The Bullywug Chief reins in his tribe and suggests the team split into smaller teams. "Send the ranger woman and the wolves downstream to scour the banks with the younglings. We can go upstream with the others."

The Chief offers a solution.

Actions: Raust decide on any action or discourse. The morning macros above generated no successes, so interpret that as a cue to address any Hunt strategy and keeping group cohesion.

Raust takes a moment to compose herself... there are so many people here, so much bickering. After so long with just her wolf-siblings, she is overwhelmed by the large group dynamics.

She calls them together, reminding them that the full-grown creatures are out here, too, and it is strength we find together. We hunt as a pack, she teaches, and in the pack we are more than individuals. She relates it to her teachings of Herne, as they face the challenge before them...
Charisma (16) [4d6]=22 or [1d100]=6
Don't know if that helped or hurt...

She focuses the Divine, Herne's will difficult to teach in caverns and groups sometimes, but here... there is nothing more pure than Herne's will when leading a hunt. She inhales deeply, smelling it on the wind.
Duh. I'm dumb. Cast Locate Animals.

A hunt is not a thing of words.

Apologies for slow posting. I will get to this update next.

The Tadhemoth Hunt.

Okay, so the druid spell has certain dynamics, 'the sought after animal can be of any sort' and I think that while adult Froghemoths might be viewed as 'beasts or monstrosities' and not 'animals' per se, I can adjudicate that while in juvenile hatchling form, the Tadhemoths could be exposed.

The spell is cast once you come to a section of deep murky pools that drain slowly into the river source waters. Deep enough and full of algae covered roots, lilies, brackens; ideal territory to shelter away and ambush unwary prey such as wading birds.

Bullywug reactions: Tadhemoth hunt: Ananxyrus [1d100]=58 tribe-spawn [1d100]=82

Ananxyrus Greenback is less pleased to have his suggestion contradicted but the tribe croak delight when you signal Herne's quarry, marking the pools that you have confidence Tadhemoths dwell.

Tadhemoth Hunt: tiddlers vs 1 [1d6]=1 [1d6]=1 [1d6]=3

A double blessing or double trouble? The team gear up to lure the hatchling beasts from beneath their watery lairs. As the spell duration fades, you can tell that each Tadhemoth lurks about 15'ft, submerged in the tangles of roots and reeds that bed the boggy pool, secluded a short distance apart. The Bullywugs have no problem diving under the water and take a straightforward plan to just try and drive the first of the Tadhemoths to the surface where those with bows can concentrate volleys of arrows.

Armed with just prodding javelins, the Bullywugs go on the offensive, encouraged by loud croaks and ribbeting from Ananxyrus.


Wugs Blill & Blenn: javelins vs Tadhemoth A: [1d20]=16[1d6]=5 [1d20]=5[1d6]=4Wugs C & D: javelins vs Tadhemoth A: [1d20]=8[1d6]=3 [1d20]=9[1d6]=4Wugs E & F: javelins vs Tadhemoth A: [1d20]=16[1d6]=1 [1d20]=5[1d6]=1

(melee weapon damage halved underwater)

The Wugs poke their short spears at the brute, trying to provoke it to flee but it instead launches itself to grab at a careless Wug, grabbing him in its wide mouth and shaking the unfortunate like a ragdoll in the mouth of a terrier, turns the boggy pool bloody with its blood and torn apart innards.

Tadhemoth: Wug target [1d6]=4 attack [1d20]=13 bite [2d4]=6

The Wugs press a second attack but are unable to drive it out and it wriggles back under the roots to feast upon its prey.

actions Raust please.

The Tadhemoth probably doesn't understand Bullywug as well.

Arrows might not penetrate too deeply, a harpoon or heavy crossbow would have a greater depth.

I will roll a few randoms and see how you can lure it out or the Wugs and Orphidians just overwhelm it in close combat.

The Tadhemoth Hunt

The first of the two Tadhemoths retreats back into the roots and shallows of the murky pool.

Otherwise, she directs the spear-wielding Orphidians to aid the 'wugs. I'm assuming we can't assault from the surface and that arrows are useless until it emerges.

The strategy seems to be attack it with spears, thrusting tridents and nets, hoping to drive from from cover and once on the surface or land, surround it with the archers.

Wugs Blill & Blenn: javelins vs Tadhemoth A: [1d20]=4[1d6]=4 [1d20]=17[1d6]=1Wugs C, E, F : javelins vs Tadhemoth A: [1d20]=20[1d6]=2 [1d20]=20[1d6]=2 [1d20]=6 [1d6]=1

In the next phase of attack, a rescue mission as much as a hunt, the Tadhemoth tiddler gets poked and impaled several times. In turn it savages a second Wug before the intervention of several Orphidians and it suddenly darts away in an explosive burst, churning up the sediment to cloud further any limited visibility underwater.

The Snakemen though are adept hunters in their own right and swishing tails, can glide after their quarry. The Tadhemoth is forced to breach the surface and with several 'whoops' and cheers, it is set upon by the combined hunters.

Tadhemoth: Wug target [1d5]=3 attack [1d20]=11 bite [2d4]=5Orphidians : javelins: [1d20]=17 [1d6]=4 [1d20]=14 [1d6]=3 [1d20]=10 [1d6]=3

But dangers persist for a one Tadhemoth is set upon in the shallows, the second lunges from its own ambush site.

Tadhemoth: Wug target [1d5]=3 attack [1d20]=20 bite [2d4]=6

It grabs one of the Orphidians in its huge maw, savagely tearing it tail from torso and leaving a bloody trail of blood and entrails in his wake.

With the two Tadhemoths momentarily in the shallows, there is no time to waste. Ananxyrus leaps into the fray to display his own bravery and prowess, urging Raust to commit to the other.

The druid jerks Beaky, the lanky Axe-Beak taking a few strides into the pool to bring her within slashing reach. Raust's scimitar blazes flame along its length, more for dramatic effect than extra wounding to the submerging hatchling.

actions, give me a Raust melee attack and one for Beaky (just a beak strike) and any other action or spells.

Ivory Scimitar [1d20+1]=19+1=20 Damage [1d8+1]=2+1=3 (if fire) [1d4]=3

Beaky [1d20+3]=13+3=16[1d20+3]=2+3=5[1d20+3]=13+3=16[1d3]=3[1d3]=3[2d4]=4

Namma (Thac0 16) [1d20]=12[1d4+1]=2+1=3

As the second Tadheamoth breaches the surface, Raust launches herself without reservation at it as her prey. She moves as one with Beaky and Namma, coordinating through their shared empathic bond. Her sword bites deep, the flames searing the inside with a scent not dissimilar to fried chicken.

Tadhemoth Hunt
Attacks find a mark, cumulatively injuring the juvenile Froghemoth, -13hp.

A flurry of arrows splash around the frantic melee, the creature turning and flailing

Orphidian archers: [1d20]=1 [1d6]=2 [1d20]=7 [1d6]=5 [1d20]=7 [1d6]=5 Tadhemoth: attack [1d20]=3 bite [2d4]=7

Weak from wounds, the Tadhemoth goes belly up, unable to rend or maw the druid. She can claim the kill with the next strike just as Ananxyrus raised his own trident to strike the other.

Actions script any post hunt tribute or dedication of the creature to Herne.

This will bring the first part of the Hunt to an end as the tracking and searching to this point took the majority of the day. With these two killed, the group will carry the carcasses as trophies back to the ruins before, presumably doubling down on another hunt the next day.

actions to conclude this encounter and intentions for the evening soirée in the ruins, hosted by the Wugs.

The tadhemoth rolls, going belly-up as Raust does swift footwork to remain atop it. She plunges her flaming blade again into its underside, spilling viscera into the water. She stands erect in her sleek beetle-carapace armor - the victor, with Ananxyrus, atop their quarry.

"Huntress! Huntress! Huntress!" the Orphidians chant, picked up by the 'Wugs. It feels good, natural, to simply hunt as Herne intended after the past weeks of governing and teaching among so many. The wolf-raised girl is satisified here in a way that the Serpent Priestess was not. She lets the celebration continue, swelling morale and loyalty, strengthening the bonds between Vassal and Protector. A leader worthy of tribute shows their merit.

With much slithering and hopping, the tadhemoths are trussed to poles and carried back to the sinking ruins. She directs Kai and Venwynn separately, giving them the honor of wrapping and arranging transport at the rear for the fallen Wugs and Orphidians. Even if the Caverns are closer, they return to the 'Wugs - this display is for them, that they are protected, that they have benefit from their tribute.

The bodies are honored and wrapped in appropriate custom before they are slipped into the swamp. To die in a Hunt is the greatest honor, earning a place with Herne in the Undying Lands for the faithful.

The Tadhemoths are then the focus of celebration. They are harvested for use, as Herne intends for all hunted kills. Their thick hides are skinned and taken by the Wugs for tanning, to result in sleek waterproof cloaks for leaders in battle. The edible portions are roasted for the feast, as meat that is hunted is sacred to Herne. A portion is burned in the fire in sacrifice, as are the remaining unuseable portions. While it burns, Raust completes her role as Mistress, preaching and praying on the glory of Herne and honoring him for this victory as she once again dances among the flames. Both the display and the oration are fiery, Raust growing in comfort in the social obligations of her Mistress role. She honors Kai, Venwynn, and Ananxyrus as leaders among them, letting these victories build enduring bonds between the groups (You know, beyond being Charmed and stuff).

Rising in the morning, Raust again prays for Herne's blessing, refreshes spells, and learns from yesterday's mistakes by leading first with Herne's guidance to find the new tadhemoths.

The overriding purpose here was improving/creating real loyalty in the vassal relationship and ties through conversion to Herne. Perhaps manifest in a larger host, or more Wug communities. Before she opens Relations with Elves or Helix, shoring up things at home.

Is there an Heirloom Items process for imbuing in play? How are magic items arrived at> If possible, I'd like the tadhemoth-leather cloak to become imbued with some enchantment by Herne.

The Bullywug Ruins soirée:

Ananxyrus Greenback: reactions [1d100]=83 Bullywug reactions [1d100]=48

While Ananxyrus Greenback seems more than favourable to the increased exaltations, not all the Bullywugs are happy. They maintain a tolerance towards the druid and her host of Orphidian snake-men, animal companions and ranger aide. For eons perhaps they have stuck to animalistic worship, the Great Moha or some mythical Slaadish aspect of amphibian godhead. Yet the silent protest to whole heartedly embrace Herne the Hunter is offset by the success of the hunt, the plentiful provisions and the displays of ritual theatre.

The Bullywug ruins are close the the river sources and you camp overnight, holding the requiem for the deceased.

Plotting and poison: vs 25% [1d100]=28

The only incident in the night soiree is 'an accidental' spillage of a keg of 'Wug hooch' which may have been served in the feast but the brew is drained in a pool as the barrel is dropped and broken open. No matter, other drinks and foods available.

As far as crafting and imbuing items, the Tadhemoths can be skinned but these portions are gathered as thin strips rather than a full pelt. Still they could be sewn into some suitable garb with the right tanning and farrier skills. What is taken is stretched upon drying frames and salted or seasoned with suitable preserves to stave off rot and make them into usable fabrics.

Before she opens Relations with Elves or Helix, shoring up things at home.

Ananxyrus is all for trade and expansion of the area of influence held by the two communities of snake and frog-men. He comments in regard to 'those Pointed Ears', reiterating a statement made by Kang the Ape, that the elves take creatures from the Barrow Moor in seasonal hunts too.

The next day is going to be a repeat of the first. Trawling the network of drainage streams and tributaries that join up to form the source waters to the Merisc River.

Actions, I will randomise the next Tadhemoth Hunt and script any encounter resolutions.

She invokes Herne again for their hunt and then sets out with Kai and Venwynn leading their groups, as before.

I will memorize "Locate Animals" twice and use them in the hunt to again find the Tadhemoths after her natural hunting/Tracking checks.
Tracking (40%) [1d100]=17[1d100]=97

I also am keeping an eye out for exotic fauna worthy of another "Animal Companions" binding (see private forum notes).

She does have one "Entangle" memorized - if it seems feasible to capture a surfaced Tadheamoth and prevent it diving again. Otherwise same catfish noodling techniques.

Tadhemoth Hunting continues:

There is no telling of course just how many tadpole eggs birthed and hidden away by the absent maternal Froghemoth have survived from hatching to grow into juveniles. Heaven forbid adults to wreak havoc across the boggy delta of the Merisc River.

Barrow Moor random vs 1: [1d6]=6[1d6]=4[1d6]=1[1d6]=1Tadhemoth Hunt: tiddlers vs 1 [1d6]=5 [1d6]=4 [1d6]=2 [1d6]=4

The Hunt concentrates the morning into.combing the riverbanks of the two tributary streams that border the Bullywug Ruins, searching for 'Tadhemoth tiddlers' (though grown over the spring months any tiddler is as large as a man). Each side of the bank trawled, lures set, reed beds investigated. Nothing stirs from the shallow pools, nothing provoked beyond long, wriggling lampreys that add to the combined harvest. Wolves and Axe-Beak can feast in them raw, others are gutted and filleted for cooking later.

Venwynn : vs 50% [1d100]=38

Shortly after trawling the southern branch, your ranger Venwynn alerts the group to a sound like high pitched yapping, coming from all sides of a swath of long grasses. The tall thickets hide whatever is approaching but you can see rivulets of trampled stalks bowing in quick flow motion as several creatures merge upon your location.

Forewarned is forearmed and archers can nock arrows to loose once targets become visible. A Bullywug at the extremity of your extended line leaps high into the air to escape some snapping jaws but only bounds away from one creature to be overwhelmed by others that swarm over him.



Actions for Raust and her crew please.