The Game Thread 2

[tibbius]

There is a slight problem that ANIMATE (like other spells not imbued into an object by artifice) lasts only as long as you concentrate. So Bishop still would have to watch all night to keep the timber guardian effective.

You hear a distant bestial grunting. The sound of a hunting troll.

The high cold plains are otherwise silent. High above, diamond stars decorate the deep purple of the sky. There is no moon.

[Juramenta]

That's completely fair.
Bishop can take the first shift, that way he can stay active the entire evening and the first part of the night until he goes to sleep.
I'll also assume he goes dormant when I do another spell like a divination and just re-active him afterward. ''Dormant'' rp wise I mean, mechanical wise the spell just ends and I cast it again later.

[Grognardsw]

Sorry I meant my comment about Bishop talking to the dead to be in OOC red, not dialog blue. Elcroon was too drunk to consider such a thing, if he understood what was going on to begin with.

There is a lot of snow on ghostal mountain and its very cold inside, maybe you could animate a snowman!

[Juramenta]

It worked out rp wise, so its fine . I just hope we didn't ruin a story angle for the dm not acting on it though.

There is a lot of snow on ghostal mountain and its very cold inside, maybe you could animate a snowman!

I imagine a horrible death for my character from the gm if I try to do this:

[jemmus]

Delx watches with rapt interest. Well, that's an impressive piece of work there, I'd say. A stick man moving around as well as you or I. Can it run? Is it very strong?

So now we've got two guards, the... I don't know what you call it. And Black Dog.

He accepts a piece of Bishop's bread and offers cheese and dried meat to him and Elcroon. And tosses Black Dog her share.

[Juramenta]

Strong? It's not particularly strong or fast, but it holds its own in a fight. Especially if I request another spirit to assist it during combat. That said, the vessel itself plays a major role. The better its construction, the better the spirit can manifest its potential. Unfortunately, I should mention that it requires my attention. When I fall asleep, it will go dormant.

He glances at 'Scarecrow' patrolling the camp, then back at Delx.
Shall I take the first watch during each of our moments of rest? That way, we can make the most of its vigilance while I’m awake he suggests before looking up when he hears the bestail grunting in the distance.
If we are even safe here to rest. Should we set up camp further away? I do not know who or what is capable of such infernal sounds, but it doesn't sound particularly friendly

[tibbius]

Bishop at least would have heard of troll-call, the hideous grunts that the six-limbed, nine-foot-high frog bears of the mountains make as they hunt. But he might never have heard the calls himself. A more worldly person (Delx) would be able to inform him that trolls have a nocturnal range of up to fifty miles, run fast as horses, and it's best to avoid their attention by holding still rather than making noise moving about.

[Juramenta]

Bishop suddenly turns silent, once he realizes what they are dealing with.
Scarecrow, remain still he quickly orders before turning his attention to Delx.
In how much danger are we now, Delx? he asks in a lowered tone.

[Grognardsw]

Elcroon, sober and satiated after days spent carousing, lighter of wallet, and again versifying, had taken up to adventuring to replenish coin and soul. Ghostal loomed north.

The musicmancer examined Bishop’s animated wooden creature, impressed with the magic. To create life carried metaphysical weight.

“Can you hex a tweak to make it speak?
Does it have a soul to seek life’s peak?

At the distant noise, Elcroon paused and looked about.

[jemmus]

That was a troll-call, if I'm not wrong, Delx said. The range around at night for miles and miles, looking for chances to do the horrible things trolls do. They're terrible fast, too-- as fast as a horse. They if one spots you, you shouldn't even think about running. The brute would have great fun easily running you down. Best to stay stock still, they say. You hear that, Black Dog? And no running at it barking and circling around it either. He worries that that's exactly would their canine friend would do, if the situation came up.

[tibbius]

Delx has heard that trolls fear fire. But maybe it attracts them. He's never met a troll in person. What do you do in the starlight?

[Juramenta]

Elcroon, sober and satiated after days spent carousing, lighter of wallet, and again versifying, had taken up to adventuring to replenish coin and soul. Ghostal loomed north.

The musicmancer examined Bishop’s animated wooden creature, impressed with the magic. To create life carried metaphysical weight.

“Can you hex a tweak to make it speak?
Does it have a soul to seek life’s peak?

At the distant noise, Elcroon paused and looked about.

Concerning sound, well, movement is all that can be influenced. If it had lungs and other tissue required to create sound, he should be able to do it. A corpse is superior in every way when it comes to capabilities once a spirit nests itself inside the vessel. Concerning a soul, it all depends on if you view spirits as entities with a soul. If I allowed a ghost to inhabit a vessel, I would answer yes to your question. When it comes to spirits, I am not certain I am able to provide you with an answer I have sufficiently researched he replies to Elcroon.

That was a troll-call, if I'm not wrong, Delx said. The range around at night for miles and miles, looking for chances to do the horrible things trolls do. They're terrible fast, too-- as fast as a horse. They if one spots you, you shouldn't even think about running. The brute would have great fun easily running you down. Best to stay stock still, they say. You hear that, Black Dog? And no running at it barking and circling around it either. He worries that that's exactly would their canine friend would do, if the situation came up.

He nods to Delx and remains silent. Waiting for his call on what to do next, as he is most knowledgeable on this subject.

[jemmus]

Delx remains silent as well, hoping the troll will find a deer or bear or old carcass to eat.

[tibbius]

[1d6]=4 luck

The wandering troll stays within earshot til dawn, which makes the night restless. Perhaps it is praying for a mate instead of prey.

Dawn is cool and slightly damp, the sun glowing rosily through thin clouds and mist.

The troll has gone silent so you feel free to continue westward. Although they stand several days onward, you already can see the Silver Peaks looming against the sky where dawn has not quite reached them.

Around late morning you are quite tired due to your fitful sleep. You see a group of bull-headed people approaching from the west: minotaurs. They're generally friendly but a bit territorial. These ones are carrying big two-handed clubs and spears as they typically do.

What do you do?

[jemmus]

Delx feels a bit haggard today, having stood his watch listening to the troll's intermittent calls-- and his sleep time doing about the same. Minotaurs, he said. We just smile and wave and let them know we're just passing through, maybe? If they're in bad mood, maybe play a tune for them. Nothing too bawdy or provocative. "My maiden of someplace or other with blossoms in her hair and a chain of flowers 'round her neck." Something sentimental and sappy like that maybe.

[tibbius]

The minotaurs slow their swaggering pace as you get nearer. Though it's quite hard to read their bison-like faces, their eyes suggest friendly more than frightened or fierce. One of them raises a thick-fingered hand and bellows "Good morning! What of the east?"

[Grognardsw]

Elcroon nodded at Delx and remained silent, thinking his sing-songy verses may be misconstrued by the minotaurs.

[jemmus]

Delx replies, Good morning to you too, friends! It's peaceful to the east, but there was a troll-call throughout the night last night. Bless the stars we never caught sight of the thing-- or it of us. He hopes the big fellows aren't bothered by the sight of Bishop's walking scarecrow.

[tibbius]

As you get closer to the bison folk they look with curiosity at the walking stick man. " What is that?" asks the leader.

[Juramenta]

Bishop slowly looks up to the intimidating minotaur.
A mere magical parley trick to scare of the local crows. While they may be harmless creatures, we would not want them to attract the troll roaming nearby. he answers downplaying the importance of the animated effigy standing next to him.
If I may ask, what brings you gentlemen to these parts? Or do you call this place your home? he asks trying to change the subject.