Barrow Moor, South-west of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.
May 29th 1066.
Riverbank scouting:
Gerdal translates the group's questions into hissing forked tongue, speaking with the giant serpent.
Q1
"Are all snake men out at night to hunt or is someone left in the cave?"
"They hunt in small groups unless they paint themselves and gather as a war party. Some go, some stay, I cannot tell how many. A group stalks each tributary of the great river beyond the falls.
The half-breeds gather in strength each new moon, new skins from the forest or the homesteads. These are discipled in the Mistress's ways.
Q2
"What can you tell us of this Mistress?"
"She bows before Khalli, are you not a sister priest? You have the Mark of one and have stood to call upon her Name before.
Mistress weaves her spells, swaying in trances upon the honoured ledges, surrounded by her host. Gaze not upon her visage and receive not her kiss."
Q3
"Is there a way into the lair, big enough for me and my friends, that the snake men do not know of? And if so, how can it be found?"
"Behind the falling waters they come and go. But there is another way into the caverns, wet and muddy. The peat there is cool to touch but soft on the skin, I lay my eggs within and cocoon each with a layer of mud to incubate. Perchance in the crevice depths you can follow as the waters, spelunking to the Mistress's sanctuary. Check by the joining of the rivers for the sunken caves. Maybe in summer, after the thaw it is not flooded and you may pass."
The constrictor answers according to her knowledge and as the spell ends, slinks off on a hunt of her own.
You discuss the information and practical options before you. You can trek onwards as a group or split the party with one resting with Marcel or decide to all camp together.
actions please
Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Gerdal bids the snake farewell and then turns to discuss with the others.
"Seems we are badly outnumbered, she talks of several groups, with newcomers every now and then. A small army. I think we should limit our trek to locating the lair of their mistress and maybe, if we're able, try to see what they are up to. Then we should return with the news to Lord Krothos or the Shrine of Herne. Possibly both? What do you say? Or does anyone have another view of this mission?" I really tried to backtrack and find the mission "objective" but the only thing I found is rumors of the attacks, the ones treated in the hospice and the sacked shrine...
So in essence, Gerdal's suggestion is what she suggested in recent post:
"Seems we are badly outnumbered, she talks of several groups, with newcomers every now and then. A small army. I think we should limit our trek to locating the lair of their mistress and maybe, if we're able, try to see what they are up to. Then we should return with the news to Lord Krothos or the Shrine of Herne. Possibly both? What do you say? Or does anyone have another view of this mission?" I really tried to backtrack and find the mission "objective" but the only thing I found is rumors of the attacks, the ones treated in the hospice and the sacked shrine...
So in essence, Gerdal's suggestion is what she suggested in recent post:
Gerdal also suggests the group stick together. (Not in the sticky man way though.)sastaz wrote: ↑Fri Aug 19, 2022 10:31 pm
Using her common knowledge of The Duchy, she thinks we should start our search where the rivers meet and then walk with it downstream. So that looks like we should start at the southern part of hex 0406.
"Let's rest and then set off for the point where the river delta meets. I really need to prepare my herbs if I am to help the priest in the morning."
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
I really tried to backtrack and find the mission "objective" but the only thing I found is rumors of the attacks, the ones treated in the hospice and the sacked shrine...
Certainly the attack upon the logging camp and Herne Shrine were conducted by a large group, perhaps a War Party as the snake suggests.
There is an old adage that one can 'kill the head of a snake' to solve the problem. So slaying this Mistress might resolve some leadership or impetus the group have. On the other hand, the Snake-men add to their numbers via diseased bite and victim transformation. So even if fractured into smaller groups, may still pose a threat to humanity (human, demi-human & humanoid races).
Factual information, a scouting report on the location, profile of The Mistress, cult evidence, a captive? All these may help LK to support a greater task force to raid the place if you think a direct assault not possible.
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Ok, thanks for the clarification. But the reason we ventured out was that we heard that LK did need help? Or was there a set reward and/or objective?
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
The snake people either killed or infected the entire Herne enclave and then all the (potentially infected) survivors were burned alive at the hospital. So there is no Herne enclave to return to. Raust petitioned for troops to go hunt the snake people for vengeance and only got Marcel. So, we can solve what we can solve or we can reconoiter and hope he then sends troops. Raust didn't know to negotiate for a reward... 
Raust glowers darkly at the campfire embers as they sit and talk. Carca chews a bone noisily on their left while Namma sits upright and listens on their right. Finally, the druid looks up at Gerdal and speaks. "You must aid the book-priest. See he gets home, carries his words. I must slide down the mud-hole and hunt this Mistress, this false servant, this slaughterer of villages, this viper in her nest. All others choose their path."
Raust glowers darkly at the campfire embers as they sit and talk. Carca chews a bone noisily on their left while Namma sits upright and listens on their right. Finally, the druid looks up at Gerdal and speaks. "You must aid the book-priest. See he gets home, carries his words. I must slide down the mud-hole and hunt this Mistress, this false servant, this slaughterer of villages, this viper in her nest. All others choose their path."
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Gerdal looks a bit surprised.
"No, I think we should stick together. Let's rest, heal, and then try to finish this. You will be an easy target on your own Raust. We need all the bows, and healing chants, we can get."
She looks back at the wolves.
"And tracking."
"I am sure Lord Krothos will be grateful. After all, we're doing a service to his community."
"No, I think we should stick together. Let's rest, heal, and then try to finish this. You will be an easy target on your own Raust. We need all the bows, and healing chants, we can get."
She looks back at the wolves.
"And tracking."
"I am sure Lord Krothos will be grateful. After all, we're doing a service to his community."
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Raust looks uncertain, the angry resolve now on the fence. The druid waits for the others to speak.
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redwarrior
- Ranger Lord
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Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Isvand speaks out I think Gerdal is right. We are stronger as a team. Let's get the priest a good night's sleep and some healing and then try that back door.
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Raust brightens. "So we all go down the mud-hole to kill the Mistress? The... back door?"
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Gerdal
"We should try at least. If we don't succeed, at least we have some information for Lord Krothos, right?"
"We should try at least. If we don't succeed, at least we have some information for Lord Krothos, right?"
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Raust nods, all are in agreement. "Does the book-priest slide down the hole? Let us hope your herbs are good."
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Barrow Moor, South-west of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.
May 29th 1066.
Riverbank scouting:
Deciding to press on, the priest stretchered. The group hope to locate the caves used by the giant serpent to lay her eggs securely. It might be snug and secure for snakes but for you, only Ygg or Herne knows.
You also have been informed that the riverbank is used by small groups of Snake-men to forage and hunt. So heading further downstream goes into that territory and thus it becomes a race as such against the dwindling dusk that you find a more suitable hidden subterranean camp than one more in the open once the dark descends and the creatures emerge. Though it is only mid-afternoon, you don't want to be exposed so close to a main lair.
The muddy ground show no signs of recent passage. The wolves sniff about but give no sign of picking up predators scent. Believing this to be the cave, the group light lanterns and step inside to explore ahead. After going some way the tunnel broadens in width and height, allowing easier progression, eventually opening into a wider cavern.
A trickling stream flows off into the dark. A few salamanders scurry into niches at your approach. Blindfish and tadpoles flit in the inches deep water. To the opposite side of the cavern is a large boggy pool, fed from drips of sticky clay-like mud that oozes in slow motion over some rocky ledges.
For those with culinary skills, picture smothering a cake in sticky chocolate cream.
actions please inside the mud pool cave.
imagine this as slow dripping mud and a large deep muddy pool
May 29th 1066.
Riverbank scouting:
Deciding to press on, the priest stretchered. The group hope to locate the caves used by the giant serpent to lay her eggs securely. It might be snug and secure for snakes but for you, only Ygg or Herne knows.
You also have been informed that the riverbank is used by small groups of Snake-men to forage and hunt. So heading further downstream goes into that territory and thus it becomes a race as such against the dwindling dusk that you find a more suitable hidden subterranean camp than one more in the open once the dark descends and the creatures emerge. Though it is only mid-afternoon, you don't want to be exposed so close to a main lair.
It appears the snake did not speak with 'forked tongue' as the searching rangers and scouts of the group locate a narrow crevice cut into the riverbank, overgrown with roots and hidden from casual view. The defile extends a hundred yards or more and it is clear in that come the autumnal rains, the rising river level would flood the passage. At the end there is an entrance to a small, dark cave, no trouble to dwarven sized folk but others must bend double."Check by the joining of the rivers for the sunken caves. Maybe in summer, after the thaw it is not flooded and you may pass."
The muddy ground show no signs of recent passage. The wolves sniff about but give no sign of picking up predators scent. Believing this to be the cave, the group light lanterns and step inside to explore ahead. After going some way the tunnel broadens in width and height, allowing easier progression, eventually opening into a wider cavern.
A trickling stream flows off into the dark. A few salamanders scurry into niches at your approach. Blindfish and tadpoles flit in the inches deep water. To the opposite side of the cavern is a large boggy pool, fed from drips of sticky clay-like mud that oozes in slow motion over some rocky ledges.
For those with culinary skills, picture smothering a cake in sticky chocolate cream.
imagine this as slow dripping mud and a large deep muddy pool
- Attachments
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- Mud Pool cave
- 5785301890_acfc8376fd_b.jpg (303.65 KiB) Viewed 277 times
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Gerdal
"We should settle here for a while, rest up, and maybe I can get the priest on his feet by tomorrow when my energies have returned."
She looks up and down while rotating slowly.
"This place is really big. Maybe we should check the cave corridors closest to us? Raust, or Pasquel? Just so that there's nothing lying in wait for us to fall asleep. By the way, you all did good up there. We made it out alive. Barely, but still." She smiles.
"We should settle here for a while, rest up, and maybe I can get the priest on his feet by tomorrow when my energies have returned."
She looks up and down while rotating slowly.
"This place is really big. Maybe we should check the cave corridors closest to us? Raust, or Pasquel? Just so that there's nothing lying in wait for us to fall asleep. By the way, you all did good up there. We made it out alive. Barely, but still." She smiles.
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Suddenly, Gerdal seems to have spotted something.
"Aqtually, Pasquel, could you put the priest down for just a while and come hold a torch for me over here? There's something with the mud..."
She walks with Pasquel across the cavern and starts examining the walls.
"There, hold the torch a little higher."
"Aqtually, Pasquel, could you put the priest down for just a while and come hold a torch for me over here? There's something with the mud..."
She walks with Pasquel across the cavern and starts examining the walls.
"There, hold the torch a little higher."
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Gerdal
"Wait, did the mud just move?"
"Wait, did the mud just move?"
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Raust looks suspiciously at the cave of cascading mud. "It all is moving..." The druid sneezes once for emphasis, the sneeze the repeated by both Namma and Carca. "but is it dangerous?" They move gingerly to poke into the mud with the druid's long spear.
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Barrow Moor, South-west of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.
May 29th 1066.
Hurtloam Cave.
Gerdal gets closer to the dripping mud and recollection comes to her. A blessing, for the thick creamy clay looks the same as the healing loam with which she had been plastered into a cast to heal. She tests her inspection, sharing testimony with Raust who may have heard of but never discovered for herself, this bountieous blessing of nature.
While they inspect, the wolves sniff, a fragile sense of danger lurking in the cave.
Isvand is quiet. He guards the rear, checking no hunting Snake-men are on your trail. Venwynn & Ricardo move to check out the continuing passage, Pasquel, injured herself by the Adherers and burned rolls up her sleeves so her wounds may be addressed by the soothing minerals in the mud. Traeliorn & Dale hold the stretcher bearing the comatose Marcel. They look about for a safe ledge to lay their burden.
Fearing that enchanted mud may be guarded by enchanted creatures, 'nothing in this world is free' being a proverb of the pessimist, the searches are done at spear tipped length in case something nasty springs from the muddy pool at the base of the wall of loam.
Despite your fears, nothing comes from the mud and as a test application, you can apply some of the mud to put a cast upon the claw and burn wounds suffered by Pasquel.
actions please . Isvand, roll a d20 random with your post please.
Raust & Gerdal, add a Wisdom check with your posts please as you inspect the mud and apply it.
Any other actions, investigations, precautions or directions you may want to give current NPC's.
May 29th 1066.
Hurtloam Cave.
Gerdal gets closer to the dripping mud and recollection comes to her. A blessing, for the thick creamy clay looks the same as the healing loam with which she had been plastered into a cast to heal. She tests her inspection, sharing testimony with Raust who may have heard of but never discovered for herself, this bountieous blessing of nature.
While they inspect, the wolves sniff, a fragile sense of danger lurking in the cave.
Isvand is quiet. He guards the rear, checking no hunting Snake-men are on your trail. Venwynn & Ricardo move to check out the continuing passage, Pasquel, injured herself by the Adherers and burned rolls up her sleeves so her wounds may be addressed by the soothing minerals in the mud. Traeliorn & Dale hold the stretcher bearing the comatose Marcel. They look about for a safe ledge to lay their burden.
Fearing that enchanted mud may be guarded by enchanted creatures, 'nothing in this world is free' being a proverb of the pessimist, the searches are done at spear tipped length in case something nasty springs from the muddy pool at the base of the wall of loam.
Despite your fears, nothing comes from the mud and as a test application, you can apply some of the mud to put a cast upon the claw and burn wounds suffered by Pasquel.
actions please . Isvand, roll a d20 random with your post please.
Raust & Gerdal, add a Wisdom check with your posts please as you inspect the mud and apply it.
Any other actions, investigations, precautions or directions you may want to give current NPC's.
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Wisdom (17) check [1d20]=16
Raust sniffs as well, examining the mud, letting it drip from their fingers and considering if it can be stored and transported by any means they have available. They only coming to a sense of calm as the wolves also begin to settle.
Less comfortable with the healing arts (being part of, well, interacting with other people), the druid watches tentatively as Gerdal treats Pascal and the book-priest.
Raust sniffs as well, examining the mud, letting it drip from their fingers and considering if it can be stored and transported by any means they have available. They only coming to a sense of calm as the wolves also begin to settle.
Less comfortable with the healing arts (being part of, well, interacting with other people), the druid watches tentatively as Gerdal treats Pascal and the book-priest.
Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
If nothing seems out of order with the loam, Gerdal will start applying it to Marcel.
Wisdom check vs 11: [3d6]=9
"You did not use this special kind of mud before?" She looks at the others. "Very potent. Although I must confess I do not know exactly how, but it is certainly effective. Luckily for all of us I possess a certain amouns of vials and flasks. Nothing big, unfortunately, but I should be able to gather at least one more dose. Maybe we should empty some of our oil- or waterflasks? This is a small treasure right here."
After a while looking around.
"Well, we should rest anyway, I believe. Maybe some of you can start looking for other ways out while we gather the loam? There was supposed to be another way into the snake queen's domain from here?"
Wisdom check vs 11: [3d6]=9
"You did not use this special kind of mud before?" She looks at the others. "Very potent. Although I must confess I do not know exactly how, but it is certainly effective. Luckily for all of us I possess a certain amouns of vials and flasks. Nothing big, unfortunately, but I should be able to gather at least one more dose. Maybe we should empty some of our oil- or waterflasks? This is a small treasure right here."
After a while looking around.
"Well, we should rest anyway, I believe. Maybe some of you can start looking for other ways out while we gather the loam? There was supposed to be another way into the snake queen's domain from here?"
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redwarrior
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 2654
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:07 am
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Re: Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.
Isvand Arms himself with his bow, as he cautiously looks around for any lizard-creatures. This doesn't look like a ripe spot for his new acquisitions skills, so he will stay on guard will the others experiment with the mud. If we can find the right nook, I can go exploring for us. I'm the smallest, and probably will have the easiest time looking at the slippery mud but maybe with a rope tied to me...
totally random [1d20]=9
totally random [1d20]=9