Chapter 1: Journey through the Jotens

[Rex]

Qleceec

"Probably best to hold on to the healing for now."

[Storm11]

Hex yawns, then refreshes himself and cracks open his book of spells to renew his mirror image and phantom armour and Paralyzation magics (I can’t recall which he retained)

Once ready he packs his stuff, nibbles some rations with Raffi and they move out with the others.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos "Thanks for the healing. I am surprised at the dragon's tactics - why not press us? They must not have as much power as they boast. If we could get close enough for a few attacks we'd probably have no more problem."

He falls in line in the morning as the group heads out.

[shaidar]

Garrant

"That is my thought. Either they do not have the resources, or the resources are busy doing something else, something that the dragon has to keep an eye on and cannot leave for too long."

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos "You think that might be the source of the earthquakes?"

[shaidar]

Garrant

"I think so, either for itself or it works on behalf of another, although there has been no hint of that."

[Rex]

Qleceec

"It seems to much coincidence to imagine they are not involved somehow in the earthquakes and he claimed to be involved as well."

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Morning
Godsday, 11th day of Planting, 597
6th day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 46/63)
Androgost (AC 5, HP 23/65, Armor 24/26)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 19/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 43/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 41/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 17/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8)
Boff (AC 7, HP 17/61)
Frannie (AC 9, HP 15/26)

Garrant gives healing to Boff before restoring spells, Siouxsie declares that she will be getting a slightly different mix of spells today and all the spell caster have full spells.

As the group is leaving there is a discussion on the Dragon's tactics. There is a suggestion that the dragon my not have as much power as it boasts and that a few rounds in HTH could lead to its death. There is some discussion again that this is the source of the earthquakes, but the group decides to stay on mission a find out what the dwarfs know about the earthquakes.

The group stays with the single file line (for now), but the trail is wide enough for a wagon so the group could walk double file if that was desired.

The group travels down the east branch, of what is about a 65 mile journey, travelling about 16 miles further from the dragon's territory. The day was mild, with a high of 68 degrees as you land returns to the dryer hills (less moisture) that you had see before. As the afternoon is getting later Qleceec points out a small grove of trees that could provide some protection for the night if that is the wish of the group.

[Rex]

Qleceec

"Looks like a good spot."

[redwarrior]

Boff agrees quickly, muttering something about not being as young as he once was.

Frannie asks If we are going to set up camp for the night, would this be a good time to dispense my healing? she has 3 CLWs

[Storm11]

Hex nods his agreement for to the dwarf priestess. That would be GREAT! Perhaps that illusionary tree spell might help keep us safer tonight as well? he says to the Druidess.

Raffi sets about finding a good place to settle.

You were very brave I hear, attacking the dragon like that Hex whispers to his henchman.

The halfling blushes. We need to try and get to the dwarf town as soon as possible the aspiring acrobat says changing the subject.

[Rex]

Qleceec

"An excellent time for some healing."

[redwarrior]

Frannie will take a few minutes as camp is being set and dispense her healing magic


CLW [1d8]=4Hex
CLW [1d8]=4Nah
CLW [1d8]=2Boff

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Hex nods his agreement for to the dwarf priestess. That would be GREAT! Perhaps that illusionary tree spell might help keep us safer tonight as well? he says to the Druidess.

Smiles. "Yes make camp, prepare some healing."

She picks a rose blossom or something similar from one of the undergrowth bushes and gives it to Hex, "What beautiful colours don't you think? Can you smell this? How fresh? ... How real? ... " she says the last part with that bit of, not quite sure how to phrase, teaching some realisation, you know, that point when you realise you are being duped.

Because, the forest is not real, there are no flowers of colour, the fragrance is just a mental fabrication in your own mind, reacting to the illusion of a forest that it believes it sees.

So then, as a druid recognising this is similar handiwork to what she can craft herself and that veil of illusion lifted, Siouxsie will tell others to wait here and she will walk into the Hallucinatory Forest to meet with whoever may have invoked such magics.

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Late Afternoon / Early Evening
Godsday, 11th day of Planting, 597
6th day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 46/63)
Androgost (AC 5, HP 23/65, Armor 24/26)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 23/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 43/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 41/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 21/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8)
Boff (AC 7, HP 19/61)
Frannie (AC 9, HP 15/26)

Frannie gives some light healing to Nah Olos, Hex and Boff.

Hex suggests that Siouxsie create some "illusionary trees" and Siouxsie notes that someone beat her to it. She wanders alone into the Hallucinatory Forest hoping to meet whomever created it.

Androgost says "Not sure that is such a great idea." That was obviously said much to late to be any value.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Reappears a few minutes later.

"The forest here, this illusion, is not widespread but it is expertly crafted. To such an extent many critters have wandered in, hoping to feast on the fungi growing on faux trunks or lay larvae in grubby nests but have instead become famished for lack of food."

Not meeting anyone of significance, she will scatter breadcrumbs and leftovers into the illusion in order that creepy crawlies and birds enticed inside might at least smell some real food to nibble. The Halluncinatory Forest has stood a test of time and will provide a modicum of cover from normal creatures. The dragon will not be fooled but I doubt it will come back to hunt us again today.

[Rex]

Qleceec

"Interesting, were you able to tell what it is hiding?"

[Spearmint]

"probably people camping?"

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos holds a finger to his lips, then slips away from the group to bent an ear

hear noise 25

He waits about a minute and listens again


and returns to the group shaking his head. "I heard nothing."

[Storm11]

Hex will draw up his sleeves and cast detect illusion dramatically. once Nah Olos has returned.
He will walk to the forest and pass within, checking out what’s left of what’s really there, for signs of who camped there last and how the company could use it to their advantage.

Raffi will watch the half-orc avidly and then once Hex is back, he will listen as well, and then scout the perimeter and check for traps as he goes, taking it slow.

Once the pair have settled to whatever camp is prepared Hex will show the others the pendant he lifted from the hill giant. And then he will show the group the two sealed dented vials he lifted of the other.