As the sun climbs higher in the sky, the party heads out the eastern gate, hoping the several hours since last night's events hasn't made it much more difficult to track the source of the attack. As the group heads northward into the Evermoors, following obvious clues of the passage of these four giant creatures, the surroundings transform from the familiar comforts of a village devoted to commerce, to the wild and untamed wilderness of the marshlands. The air is heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation, and the sounds of unseen creatures echo through the mist-shrouded landscape.
It takes a bit over an hour, but the attackers appeared to have made no effort to hide their tracks, and while occasionally the trail wasn't obvious at first, it took very little searching to find its continuation.
Eventually, the adventurers come upon a troll encampment. Well, a former one. Crude huts made of sticks and mud dot the clearing, surrounded by piles of bones and discarded refuse. The ground is churned and torn, as if a great struggle had taken place here not long ago.
She looks around, a little surprised by what they had found. However she is observant and can often piece things together so she looks around and tries to use her investigate skill to good effect.
(OOC - Place this, timewise, prior to arriving at the Troll campsite.)
Zhu
Once they are away from prying ears and on the road she relates what Rory told her. "Seemingly there is a secret exit from the inn that goes under the walls and into the woods. Our Dwarf and Doppelganger friends used it, with the innkeepers full knowledge I might add. Rory will show it to me when we return."
"The question is, when? Clearly a struggle. Did it drive those four to our door, or take advantage of their absence, or something else? See whose tracks are on top."
The Dragonborn lent his observational talents to the search.
The scout first pays particular attention to the tracks. She tries to identify them and is concerned that aside from the trolls, maybe there were other dangerous combatants here. Were there any giant prints? Talons? Claws? Hooves? As she scouts she tries to find the ones leading away, the fresher ones. Were there any bodies around? Blood on the ground?
The bard stays out of the way, allowing those with woodland skills to do their work. Instead at the edge of the group he keeps his senses aware and just looks around. He would prefer they aren't surprised. Though he doesn't expect Trolls during the day, there are plenty of things in the Evermoors that can be dangerous.
"Secret Passage? So that old woman really is a mercenary." Pavel says taking the news in stride. "Has your little friend been down there?"
As they get to the camp, Pavel also keeps away from the areas with tracks. This is not his element. He'll let the experts do their work. Instead he scans the perimeter of the camp looking for any threats.
He will help and start searching the perimeter of the troll camp first and then carefully and quietly moving forward, staying away from the huts to avoid being surprised. He will be looking for clues to what attacked the trolls.
Davroar Search troll area (Perception) Dugan rolled 1d20+4 and got 15
She continues to guard and keep watch against surprise while the others search. Answering Pavel she replies, "Not certain. He only said he could show it to me. But he knows where it's other end is, so I assumed he had been. As for the innkeeper", she shrugs, "mercenary is possible. Likely a way to import/export goods as well as people without notice of the authorities." She pauses. "I suppose we will have to assume she may have passed on our inquiries to those we track too."
Searching the perimeter, Davroar is the first to find something. The obvious sign of something being dragged away to the northwest in a giant sack.
Or a Giant Sack, as Zindra is quick to identify that there are also Giant footprints next to the trail. The drag marks are not smooth, indicating whatever was in the sack was alive and kicking as it was dragged away. There is evidence of dark green blood splatter near where the drag marks start, indicating the likely victim in the sack was a troll.
Jaliera is able to piece together approximate numbers, suggesting nine trolls were at the camp. While scavengers have fetched most remaining food bits, there are enough clues to indicate whatever happened was likely within the last day. Four troll tracks lead southerly, the way the party arrived. Three more tracks lead off in an easterly direction. And one pair of troll footprints appears to try to follow the sack drag marks to the northwest.
Pavel sees the trees, the clearing, and the obvious signs but nothing really else. Zhu and Aubric also see nothing that anyone else hasn't noted.
"So we know where one group ended up. Two other trails to follow, one to the east, or the sack plus follower to the north west. I can send Whisper to scout in one or both locations. Do we yet have enough to satisfy our patron?"
Listening to Jaliera she offers, "I suggest sending Whisper to track the three trolls to the East and we follow the one in the sack. That seems more intriguing."
Zindra "I really don't think we've learned much of anything. There were giants here. Trolls are one thing but giants? Giants in Triboar. Giants on the way to Yartar. Giants on the way to Everlund. Something's going on and forgetting about what our patron asked us to do, giants can destroy cities. Triboar was almost leveled and those fire giants left when they dug up that piece of metal. We need to track the giants." OOC: Which way did the giant tracks lead? And Zeim, remember this:[quote]While your familiar is within 100 feet of you, you can communicate with it telepathically. Additionally, as an action, you can see through your familiar’s eyes and hear what it hears until the start of your next turn, gaining the benefits of any special senses that the familiar has. During this time, you are deaf and blind with regard to your own senses.
Searching the perimeter, Davroar is the first to find something. The obvious sign of something being dragged away to the northwest in a giant sack.... And one pair of troll footprints appears to try to follow the sack drag marks to the northwest.
He agree's with Zindra as he looks to the north west and gestures in the same direction. "Yes. We should follow the giant. It dragged troll away for some reason. Perhaps the troll leader?"
He looks back at the troll huts and asks, "Should we search the huts first and then burn them down?"
Leaving the huts as is might attract more trolls or other creatures deciding to take residence here once they leave.
(OOC - Nep - Yes, but that doesn't mean that you can't tell a familiar "Head that way (east) and look for trolls. If you find any, come back and tell me what you've seen." Sure, while Whisper is off Jaliera will be out of touch with her, but it doesn't mean she can't go and scout and return.)
The interior of the huts are disorganized, with a plethora of small tracks indicating that local scavenging creatures have already laid first claim to any food that may have been left.
What remains and is recognizable is primarily makeshift tools or weapons. One stone fragment appears to have been useful as a knife; there are some wood and metal fragments from apparently humanoid origin such as wagon wheel spokes or barrel straps that look useful as weapons, as well as some scavenged fabric that looks like it may have been human clothing, making part of a bed along with some straw and feathers.
One hut contains what appears to be some sort of jewelry, perhaps a bracelet made from interwoven strands of thick vine and sinew, bound together with crude knots and fastened with a jagged shard of bone. Hanging from the bracelet are several mismatched charms—a gnarled tooth, a polished stone with rough edges, and a small vial containing a murky liquid.
While trying to glean information from the turned up dirt , rocks and leafs were not something he could do, searching the huts were more within his skill set. He joins Zindra in searching the huts. He wasn't shocked to find that most of the huts were of the primitive nature. The broken items were to be expected . However when they uncovered the charms he put a hand on Zindra's shoulder in warning.
"Let me check these out before we touch them. Who knows what they are or if they are cursed." he said as he cast Detect Magic on himself.
Quote
Casting Time: 1 action Range/Area: Self/30ft. Components: V, S Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes Source: PHB, pg. 231
For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any.
The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.
Once the spell is cast he looks closely at the objects that they had uncovered.
Pavel's spell detects that the bracelet (large enough for a troll's wrist, suitable as a necklace for a smaller humanoid) found in one of the huts does give off a faint aura, and he detects that it is abjuration magic. Separately from the necklace, the vial itself seems to have its own brighter magical aura, also indicating it is likely a potion of some abjuration magic.
Nothing else in the encampment appears to have any magical properties, although there are plenty of animal bones, skulls, and a few sharp teeth that can serve as souvenir trinkets. None of them appear to be from a troll, however.
Using the tip of his dagger he pokes the piece of metal formed into a large bracelet.
"This is a magical object. It'd take more study to find out just what it is for but it is of the abjuration school. Weak but it is magical. Likewise that potion is also magical same school but stronger than the bracelet. I could identify them if we want but I'd suggest doing it at a more secure location." He said as he stood back up. " I also wouldn't touch them until we know what they do. "
Looking around he finds something to put the items on so they can be wrapped. Finding something he places the items on it and wraps them up. Only touching the wrapping with gloved hands.
"Abjuration?" the elf remarks. "So probably a protective ward of some sort. Good if it's general, bad if we're the one being protected against. It would be rather inconvenient to be banished to another plane of existence at the moment."
"Let's have a look." The noble scholar headed over to examine the amulet personally, to see if the style of creation matched any he knew as a means to deduce its likely function, as that usually dictated form.
Kriv may notice that the construction of the circle that wraps around the wrist is rather commonly seen in crafting just about everywhere, although of a more crude fashion that one would normally find in a reputable market, suggesting it was either made by a non-craftsman or repaired from a pre-existing one that had seen better days.
As for the magical nature of it, there's nothing unique about the tooth or the stone. They seem to be everyday objects one might find anywhere in the wild.
In sum, an entirely common item with an apparently uncommon enchantment.
Meanwhile, Whisper flies down for a quick check-in with Gypsy, having seen a lot of... the Evermoors.
Whisper conveys images of a vast marshland, stretching out in all directions Wisps of fog curl and twist across the landscape, obscuring the ground below in a hazy veil. The mist hangs heavy in the air.
Despite the desolate and inhospitable nature of the Evermoors, life thrives in unexpected places. Whisper catches glimpses of frogs leaping from lily pad to lily pad, herons stalking through the shallows, and the occasional splash as a fish breaks the surface of the water.
Likely little of this has relevance to the task at hand, but Whisper prepares to return to scouting again, unless given more specific direction.
Pavel unwrapped the bracelet so that Kriv could take a closer look.
"Abjuration is a double edged sword. For some it protects for others it negates. This thing is either blessed or cursed depending on the user or the object. Curious to enchant such an ordinary object. It makes me lean toward it creates a protection of something or another. A subtle protection that if the wearer were robbed the object would most likely be overlooked and thought of as a piece of junk."
He starts to rewrap it but stops. "Are we agreed to wrap it and get it identified later? It might be of some use or it might be something that we want to destroy. The only issue is that it will take time for for me to cast Identify and I seriously doubt we want to sit around here for the time it takes to cast." Pavel stated looking at each of the rest of the group.
While it seems that the only thing of value is the charm found by Pavel, Davroar will gather as much combustible debris within each hut. When it seems everyone is ready to leave he will go around and ignite it with his Druidcraft cantrip to raze each hut.
Aubric watches Davroar gathering combustibles. "We probably have time for you to identify that item," he tells Pavel. "Tasting the potion shouldn't take long at all, once you determine if it's safe to touch the vial."
" I guess we do have time while they set the huts to blaze."
He picks up the bracelet and holds it while completing the ritual to Identify The magical properties of the item. Once he compketes the ritual he tries a small taste of the potion to attempt to identify that as well.
Pavel Arcana check (potion) Miales rolled 1d20+1 and got 11
For the next hour after consumption, if the imbiber is reduced to 0 hit points by an attack, spell, or other effect, they can make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 10. On a success, the imbiber drops to 1 hit point instead.
When he completes the ritual and tastes the potion he explains what each item does to the party.
He concludes by saying, "while the potion is of much stronger magic it serves little purpose unless you are about to get into a fight you most likely will not win. The bracelet seems to have more immediate uses." His opinion stated he looks to the rest of the group for their opinions on the matter as he wraps up the bracelet to hand both items back to Zindra.
"Thanks, but aside from my slightly pointed ears, my mother's blood that runs through me makes it difficult for me to be charmed. I think it bests serves another. As for the potion, I could hold it but during a fight, I'm going to be fighting. It's best in the hands of someone whose role it is to keep us alive."
ooc: Zindra is a half-elf, and already has advantage on saves vs charm. The potion is really a party item and at this level is trivial.
"I share the ancestral trait that would make that bracelet less useful," the other elf nods toward Zindra. "I believe that potion would potentially be useful if I were also using a Warding Bond with the primary fighter," he suggests. "Improving their armor and sharing their damage, it would extend the usefulness of that spell. Of course, I'd want another healer around to back me up. But really, it's probably best given to someone who's generally defenseless and potentially alone."
She nods to the comments made already, not feeling the need to point out her obviously Elven blood. As for the potion, "Well, it could go to anyone, but those who take the most damage the most often or one of the healers is probably best."
(OOC - Note from the wording of the Potion you don't need to drink it in advance, before a combat. You could get into a fight and wait until you are down to single digit HPs where the enemies are still a large threat, and then drink it. That would protect you from the next big damage blow.)
(OOC - Note from the wording of the Potion you don't need to drink it in advance, before a combat. You could get into a fight and wait until you are down to single digit HPs where the enemies are still a large threat, and then drink it. That would protect you from the next big damage blow.)
OOC: This is the way.
Note that it's not just the next blow, it's all the next blow(s) (or at least as long as you keep making your constitution saves).
Aubric's IC suggestion was for him to take it in conjunction with buffing the tank using warding bond.
ooc: Huh? No. Where are you getting your information from? The potion has the same effect as the cantrip...
Quote
Spare The Dying cantrip necromancy Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Target: A living creature that has 0 hit points Components: V S Duration: Instantaneous Classes: Cleric You touch a living creature that has 0 hit points. The creature becomes stable. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.
A not unconscious PC needs to administer the potion to a PC that has dropped to zero. It then stops the need for death saves but the PC does not get healed.
ooc: Huh? No. Where are you getting your information from? The potion has the same effect as the cantrip...
OOC: But it’s not that potion. I quoted its effects.
The mention of Spare the Dying was DM flavor, and not exact: “akin to”. There is a touch of Troll regeneration flavor to it as well. And in fact a stabilized creature could regain 1 hp without further healing by waiting 1d4 hours. A troll could regain 10hp without further healing in less than 6 seconds.
The potion does what it says.
But yes, if you wait until you are at 0 it’s not going to help. You need to use an action to quaff it before you hit 0, but not necessarily before combat starts.
Or if you're a child trapped in the stables when trolls attack, the potion could save your life.
As the party identifies the magical items and burns the remainder of the encampment, Whisper completes her attempt to trace the travel of the three trolls who went eastbound. Jaliera receives the following visuals from her familiar upon the owl's return:
Whisper tracks the trolls through the tangled wilderness, her sharp eyes scanning the ground below for signs of their passing. The trail twists and turns, heading generally eastward until encountering a large burned circle of former trees. There's no evidence of current smoke, indicating the event was not recent, but the circular shape of the burn is unnatural. And in the center of that burn mark, there's a deep hole dug in the terrain. The party has seen these dig sites before, and the circular burning of trees is reminiscent of the story Glork told.
The troll trail veers southeasterly from this point. Along the trail, Whisper catches glimpses of a broken branch here, a trampled patch of underbrush there. It's clear that the trolls were fleeing in haste, driven by fear or desperation.
The trail leads to Evermoor Way, suggesting the trolls may have either crossed it, or travelled east or west along the roadway, but Whisper is unable to track them any further.
The only remaining lead for the party is the sack-drag trail and accompanying troll footprints headed in a northwesterly direction.
"Whisper has followed the trail left by the trolls. They seem to be fleeing at speed for she didn't catch them up. They passed through a burned area with a large hole. Reminded me of the story that Glork told us."
She thanks her familiar. Looks like they will follow the sack.
"Zindra I gave the items back to you because you were the one who found them. How you guys distribute them is up to you." Pavel states as they wait for Jaliera to communicate with her familiar.
But when she does there seems to be no further answers but possibly more questions for him anyway,
"Glork?" He whispers under his breath. Must be something of their earlier travels. Then he remembers the tales told by Sindar the night before and puts two and two together to realize Jaliera must be referring to the ogre the party met.
"So our best bet is to trail the sack that was dragged?" he asks. "But do we want to look at that large burnt out area?"
"Our primary mission is information gathering about the attacks, and I'm not sure that will help," Aubric offers. "I'd suggest following the sack or troll trail for now. Once we have enough information for the letter, and if we're all still alive, we can possibly split up and have some of us investigate that... or if it's not too far out of the way, just visit on our way back."
"This relates to prior outstanding missions before this latest assignment. We are beholden to investigate, those who are only here to deal with the trolls have no such obligation. However, I concur that focusing on the trolls is the current immediate priority." Kriv interjected.
Nobody seemed to oppose following the sack trail so she called upon Bern to help her and began to track. She suggested that they move ahead of the party stealthily.
Zindra Track (Survival Skill) - if Bern assists, with advantage Neptune rolled 1d20+5 and got 24
Note: I don't think the assist was needed based on the roll, but Aqua's running this scene so he adjudicates. We really never discussed how tracking works and about assists. In order to track, one needs the Survival skill and it's a roll based on difficulty class: 5 - Very easy 10 - Easy 15 - Medium 20 - Hard 25 - Very hard 30 - Nearly impossible It's the DM decision about what DC to use. Aqua, let me know if you need that second die. As for why Bern can assist, both he and Zindra are proficient in survival. Two trackers are better than one so we get to roll 2 dice. Note that both are +5 to their roll.
BTW, they're also both quite perceptive and stealthy.
As the party follows the trail northwest from the troll encampment, they continue to navigate a patchwork of marshland, tangled undergrowth, and rocky terrain.
The sack drag marks, and the foliage they disturb, are so obvious, that even a child could probably follow that main part of the trail. It takes very little more effort to spot the giant footprints sometimes a bit to the side of the sack, but often wiped out by it. Bern's expert tracking does help her identify that the other set of footprints, apparently belonging to a troll, depart from the main path and then meet up with it on a few occasions, accompanied by random frootprints indicative of a fight, as if that troll was trying some sort of rescue of whatever, or whoever, is in the sack.
But it's Zindra who notices something unusual not far away from the third such intersection. A crevice in a nearby rock shows evidence of dried green blood below it, and closer inspection reveals a troll's arm wedged tightly into it. The remainder of the troll is nowhere to be seen, and it's not too difficult for Zindra to pick out that troll's tracks amidst some blood spatter continuing along a parallel path to the giant's sack.
Linking her arm through Davroar because it feels good and because she can then see through Whisper's eyes, she sends her scouting ahead so the group get an early warning of anything they are likely to encounter.
{OOC: Yes Aqua I see it... but Pavel is not making sense of the tracks at all since he has almost no skills in tracking}
"Bear with me for a second because I am utterly clueless when it comes to tracking," Pavel said as the group came to the curious area and the tracks that Zindra was pointing out. "Are we following a troll? Or do we think a giant is dragging a troll in a sack? Or is it a combination of both? As I am not understanding any of this."
He had a theory, since he understood how humanoids interacted. But he kept his mouth shut and let the more experienced trackers make their comments. If anyone wanted his opinion, he would offer it, but he mostly kept his eyes open, watching around them.
"I'm not familiar with troll familial units," the elf replies, "but if I were to guess.... and it's just that, a guess, I suspect it was a troll in the sack and a family member trying to rescue it." He shrugs. "Alternately, it may have been last night's dinner and a hungry troll trying to get it back."
Zindra She came back with Bern to the group and relayed what they saw.
"There's an arm and green blood and some of the tracks were those of trolls. But the tracks we followed were made by a giant's feet and the sack that they were dragging around."
After Pavel asks his question, Zindra replies to him first, "I see a troll arm. There's no body. I'll guess there's a chance the troll is alive. And those giant tracks are hard to miss, even for you Pavel."
Then, answering Aubric, "I think it's safe to assume there are trolls and giants in our near future. How many of each is still unknown."
She concludes by saying, "I think we should sneak up on them and definitely use Whisper's eyes to scout first."
He moves closer to the severed arm, bending down to take a closer look at it and the surrounding ground. He tries to determine how long ago this fight happened by feeling the arm and blood for any warmth, or how much the blood has congealed. After a minute or so, it seems he does not have much of answer.
Standing back up he asks Bern and Zindra, "Do you think we should follow the attacking trolls path to see if its still alive too?"
Davroar Examine arm and blood (Survival) Dugan rolled 1d20+4 and got 10
The severed arm appears dead, completely inanimate, bereft of life. It rests in peace. It is an ex-troll-appendage.
It's not recent, nor can it have been overly long either... it seems entirely consistent with a timing of just prior to last night's attack on the stables.
Zindra "I think our mission obligates us to follow, but I think we need to do so carefully, using stealth. Bern, we should sneak up separately but stay close enough to see and defend each other as we do so. Jaliera should probably follow close behind with Whisper flying above and ahead. We can go slowly, Jaliera needs to stop to see with Whisper's eyes, but we're in no rush. Everyone else should stay close enough to come to our side if we encounter something hostile but back far enough to not give us away. What do you think, Bern?"
Whisper flies ahead of the party, scouting ahead on the sack-drag path. Even from the air, the path is easy to follow.
A bit over a mile ahead, still in a northwesterly direction, Whisper can see something unusual, a vision she reports to Jaliera on her return:
The familiar sight of mist and fog shrouding the marshes below changes ahead, shimmering with heat somewhere near a large rocky outcropping. Flying closer, the owl sees a large dig site near the outcropping, marked by scattered piles of earth and rocks. The ground appears disturbed, with signs of recent excavation evident in the churned-up soil. Nearby, the bog emits wisps of steam, rising lazily into the air.
Circling the rocks, Whisper can see the mouth of a cave, partially concealed by overhanging rocks and tangled vines, marking the end of the sack trail. The air around the cave entrance shimmers with heat waves, distorting the owl's vision slightly.
"It sounds like they were excavating for something. Everything I've ever heard of trolls is they are primitive so not prone to be organized like that. It sounds more like something more intelligent was directing the digging. What are the chances that the giants took some trolls as slaves to do the digging?" Pavel said after hearing Jaliera's description.
"So do we have a plan for the cave? I can't imagine they would be sitting in the entrance waiting, so we need to infiltrate. Considering one is a giant, there should be no tight squeezes but that might offer us an escape or approach opportunity."
Zindra "FAm forbaus ildjotun com treke zo nar levendehule" she whispered to Zhu in Giant (rough translation: I will sneak up to giants and you will follow to their cave).
"I think Bern and I should approach quietly from two flanks giving each other support. Jaliera should hide nearby. Let's see what we're dealing with before attacking directly.
She pauses, offering, "We could also try to lure it outside where we might have more of an advantage? But if you do want to go in, can anyone offer Fire Protection beforehand?"
"You keep saying it and I don't know that the correct term isn't they. We don't know what is there. We definitely need a plan so I've got the start of one that we can work with."
She kneels on the ground and clears an area to draw on. "Bern and I are both good at stealthy hunting. If we stay about 15 feet apart, we can cover each other. But whisper offers us an excellent advantage. Jaliera can send her forward and we both know the hand signals Jaliera gives us to halt, proceed and what direction, count and strength of any opponents. But she has to stand still and is otherwise blinded while looking through Whisper's eyes so Davroar will likely need to stand side by side with her. And as for Davroar, if it seems too dangerous for one of us to approach as humanoids, perhaps a field mouse can infiltrate easier. If a battle should break out, I know that I don't want to be in hand-to-hand combat. My roll is artillery in battle and so is Bern's. We'll want to fall back and take cover so those who are adept at melee need to not be so far back as to not enter any fray. Those who can support from a distance, should not be so far back that they cannot support at a distance and they should protect themselves by taking cover. And while Bern and I scout further, before blood is spilled, we would be grateful for any good fortune that others could provide us to keep us safe and hidden."
She draws a map as she talks that provides a visual representation of what she said.
She listens to Zindra and looks at the diagram and nods agreement.
(OOC - It is reasonably easy for any good tracker to be able to tell the number of beings they are tracking so Bern and Zindra should know roughly how many Giants there are. Definitely if more than one.)
He looks over the plan and sees the group will be relying on his magic more. He nods and replaces one of his prepared spells with something a little more useful against possible fire giants.
[OOC: 2nd level spell takes two minutes to learn and replace another spell.[/b]
The party heads toward the cave, with Whisper helping them judge the distance. As they get close enough for tactics to matter, they enact Zindra's plan, continuing a more cautious approach. There are no threats outside the cave, and they arrive close enough that they need to decide what to do next.
The trackers have clearly identified two creatures walking -- a giant and a troll -- plus a third creature in a sack being dragged, all tracks leading to the cave entrance. The land around the entrance has sufficient vegetation to provide ample hiding opportunity for those who want it, other than the area used as a dig site, which is wide open for a few hundred square feet, should that space be desired tactically.
There are two openings going into the cave, one the path on land just wide enough to accommodate the huge girth of a giant. Rocky steps lead up slightly into a dimly lit area that looks like it may branch off in multiple directions.
To the left, a small stream comes out of another opening, whisps of steam emanating from the water as it slowly flows outward toward one of the bogs. Whatever is heating the water seems to be inside the cave. It also implies that water is coming in from somewhere, although that source is not obvious on this side of the rocky outcropping.
Heat can be felt emanating from the cave entrances.
Zindra Stealth Neptune rolled 1d20+6 and got 12 Zindra perception looking for any lookouts Neptune rolled 1d20+5 and got 16 Zindra Tracking Neptune rolled 1d20+5 and got 7 Zindra She studies the water flowing out of the cave and reaches down to place her palm over it to see if it is boiling hot or just right for a nice bath. Then, while still trying to stay out of sight, she checks for tracks to see how big they were and looked around for any lookouts that may be guarding the cave entrance. Then she looks over to Bern who is closer the the right hand entrance to see what he sees.
There's no visual evidence of any creature guarding the entrance to the cave. No movement can be seen, even with the keen perception of everyone in the party and Jaliera's familiar. If anyone is in the cave, they're well past the entrance.
The water in the stream is not hot enough to boil, but nearing the high end of what would be tolerable for bathing. It may be swimmable, but would likely cause the swimmer to become exhausted much faster than they would in colder water. Of course, that's the water at the exit. Clearly the water is being heated by something, so it could become warmer if one swam closer to that heat source.
OOC1: Imagine doing laps in an olympic sized pool the temperature of a hot tub. I'd have a swimmer roll constitution checks each turn to determine exhaustion levels. For the results of a nat 20 roll, see here.
OOC2: The map is copied from Roll20 where we can start placing tokens if/when anyone decides to go in.
He will dip his finger in the water to taste it. Usually with natural hot springs the water can have a heavier mineral taste to it.
Regardless of the heat source for the water, he says, "Don't think a troll or giant would see me if I scout ahead as a rat as Jaliera suggested. Want me lead the way then?"
"A bit ago, there was a discussion about providing resistance to fire," the elf notes. "I can provide such, but only once in several hours. And I'll just be honest here that I'm not exactly excited about giving such protection to a rodent on an experiment."
He looks at the entrance.
"We should assume we only get one chance at this. This heat does not seem natural... and the lack of guards seems intentional, perhaps as a lure? What are we really here for and what is our best chance to get it? If it means protecting a rat I'll do so... but I think between us we might have better options."
The water Davroar tastes gives no evidence of natural hot springs. Given the heat generally emanating in the air from the cave, it seems a more reasonable assumption that there's a heat source impacting both air and water somewhere within the cave.
She nods. "As long as it's available, we can wait to use it when we better know the specific need." Glancing around she adds, "Also, if this heat is not natural, perhaps it is a forge? In any case, we should try to figure out what the giant needs with a Troll? What can Troll blood be used for that would be of interest to a Giant?"
"Maybe the giants just like the color green?" he jokes.
"More seriously, I just remembered... I think I could actually offer that resistance to up to three... but only one at a time. I should also mention that I have the ability to bestow the same protection that potion offered on anyone.... else. Not myself, sadly. For about eight hours. And that, is only one."
"Heat poses less of an issue to me owing to my heritage, though my mastery of the Art in an offensive capacity tends that way also. I can certainly burn out the troll, but I suspect this will mainly be maul work," mused the Dragonborn.
Nearby, a frog's eyes lock onto a shimmering dragonfly hovering nearby. It launches itself from its lily pad perch, its sticky tongue unfurling like a coiled spring. With unerring precision, the frog's tongue whips through the air, extending to an astonishing length of three feet, as it ensnares the unsuspecting dragonfly in mid-flight, then hops back toward another spot in the bog.
"I prefer to not go first and to hang out behind our front lines along with Bern. We'll provide cover for those who prefer to swing those great big mauls, swords and battle axes."
"If we assume that this river to the left rejoins the main passage beyond the split then anyone who can travel in water, like Davroar, could go that way while the rest go to the right?" She offers a suggestion.
While he did stay as a fish for quite a while after getting the disease from the big fight in the sewers of Yartar, he is not very keen on becoming a boiled fish if the water gets very hot the deeper he goes.
"I could do that", he replies to Zhu with not a very enthusiastic tone, "but without light I would be swimming blind. I have better sight as a rat."
Davroar tries to think of any amphibian with decent vision in the darkness, but ends up scratching his head with nothing coming to mind.
He looked up from his spell book having finished preparing a new spell. Closing it and putting it back in his bag, he stands.
"I am ready whenever you are. I don't think either approach is the best option. Each with risks. The water route being the risk itself. Too bad we don't have time for me to find a familiar. But, wait. There might be another way." Pavel says looking at Davroar.
"I can cast Invisibility on you. As long as you don't attack anything you should be fine."
Quote
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: Touch
Components: V, S, M(an eyelash encased in gum arabic)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
Source: PHB, pg. 254
A creature you touch becomes invisible until the spell ends. Anything the target is wearing or carrying is invisible as long as it is on the target's person. The spell ends for a target that attacks or casts a spell. .
[ooc: So have we seen any frogs around in this swamp, or can I assume Davraor has seen one somewhere along the way travelling from his home in Narfell ?]
He considers Pavel's offer, but then thinks if there is any sort of encounter that would reveal him being an invisible frog, it would raise more suspicion than just a normal curious frog looking for its next meal.
"Ok, I'll go ahead as a large frog. No need for invisibility, as I'll stay underwater and just poke my head up occasionally. I won't go too far and will come back soon as I can."
Knowing he only can do two wild-shapes without resting he adds, "If I feel I can continue to explore further as a frog, I won't revert back to my human form. Just ask questions and I'll blink my eyes twice for yes, once for no."
Davroar figures if anyone wants a more complete description of what he finds when he gets back, then he will have to return to his human form.
Without wasting any more time, he will shift into a giant frog, and leap into the water and starts swimming against the current heading into the cave.
As he swims, he will stick to the lower cooler depths of the water at times if he finds the water temperature is affecting him. So far it seems he is fine as he reaches what seems to be the main central chamber of the cave where he finds the fire giant and a single troll.
Not wanting to go any further than necessary, he will swim back, making better speed with the current with him. Surfacing at the waters edge, he leaps out and lots out a croak to his friends.
The stream did extend beyond the main chamber so he will remain in his frog form just in case they want him to go further.
She is often in the role of scout and understands the risks it carries. However it is one thing doing it yourself and another when someone you love is taking the risk. She is so relieved to hear that croak.
She kneels down before him whilst Whisper is on overwatch.
"You are a very handsome frog you know?"
And watches for the blink, not sure if she'll get a 'yes' or a 'no'.
He knows he is fairly good looking guy, but as a frog Davroar feels a lot less handsome. Giving Jaliera a single blink, he would if he could roll his eyes at the embarrassing question in front of everyone.
Once Jaliera starts asking her questions he will blink:
The cleric ponders whether Davroarfrog will blink or hop to answer the counting questions, since it wasn't discussed. He does wait until those questions are answered before posing one of his own. "Did any of the creatures notice you were there?"
He listened on as the frog that is Davroar is interrogated watching the bulging eyes blink repeatedly. His companions had asked the most important questions so far and he had nothing to offer so let it play out. he Possibly the most important question is the one from Zindra. He stares at the eyes ready to count blinks. The more eyes counting the better he believes.
He is going to need some eyedrops after all of these questions.
Blinks once for "How many giants were there?"
Blinks once for "How many trolls were there?"
One blink (No) to answer Aubric's question "Did any of the creatures notice you were there?" Davroar feels he was not seen at all, but he can't be one hundred percent certain of that.
Zhu's first question on spotting the hear source is a bit of a guess by Davroar, but he blinks twice (Yes) going by past experience with the runes that have found so far. He blinks twice (Yes) for Zhu's second question.
He is not sure how to answer Jaliera's questions with just a yes or no answer, as he would be making some rather big assumptions he would rather not do. If a frog can shrug his shoulders he would to show his indecisiveness.
"I think we have to assume so", he says to Jaliera. "I would suggest we protect at least one of us, who doesn't already have any protection, from Fire, and then we might as well proceed." Looking at frog/Davror he says, "It might be good if you came into the cavern thru the river, on the Giant's flank. If this is magical fire that can be used against us then spreading out to limit how many can be harmed at once seems prudent."
"A natural source might heat the water," the wood elf notes. "But the heat in the air? I doubt that's naturally occurring. I suspect either a really hot fire or some magical fire, to either keep a fire giant comfortable or keep a troll contained, or both..."
He is not completely sure that the firepit he saw could generate the heat they can feel in the air nor heat the water flowing past it. Listening to Zhu suggestion to flank the giant, he will blink twice to agree with her plan. To Zindra's question about extinguishing the fire, he will blink twice. He is not sure if the fire is magical or natural, but he has two ideas of how to do put it out in either case. To Zindra's second question about it being lava, he did not see any so he will blink once for his answer.
He kind of wishes Zindra did the spell right from the start, but as a frog his attempt to roll his eyes is probably lost. Nevertheless, he answers Zindra in a matter of fact tone, "There was a fire giant talking with a troll in the large cavern a bit of swim in. The fire giant was angry with the troll. Yelled something like Grodak! Rogada skogur!. Then hand slapped the troll to the ground."
Davroar goes over what he saw in his mind and adds, "There was a large fire pit in the center. I imagine it is giving off a lot of the heat, but the fire giant also held a large rod with runes on it. I suspect the staff could be giving off heat too. I could not really tell which one."
She translated the meaning of what the giant words said for everyone, "The troll was being yelled at for being a poor worker and failing at some sort of task."
She then follows up with another question for Davroar. "Is it just one room with one giant and one troll or were there other exits? Side rooms? Crevices where there might be other dangers?"
"Saw three exits. Where I stopped in the water there was a left passage. I think that loops back to a land bridge I swam under, and probably where we would enter from. On my right the stream went under another land bridge. Don't know where that goes. Third exit was at the back of the cavern. I think it meets up with the stream heading deeper in."
"Well, you can," the cleric notes, a hand waving toward the rest of the group in general. "I think I can serve best by trying to keep you alive and not attacking personally."
Bern's question gets a wry smile from the elf cleric. "Well, I'll just sit out here and listen to the frogs and cicadas, and be prepared to inform your loved ones of your demise," he replies with a chuckle.
"Or, more seriously, I'll put everything I have into helping your attacks or helping keep you alive, and putting my own life at risk in ways that don't involve using a weapon, because this mace is just for show," he continues, his demeanor growing more serious.
"I've mentioned it before, but I'll summarize again while you come up with our plan. I can choose one of you to keep from being killed... once, at least. The same effect as that potion you collected at the troll encampment. Tell me who to protect," he begins. [OOC: Death Ward]
"I can give one of you resistance to fire," he begins. [OOC: Protect from Energy, 3rd level, requires concentration] "But concentrating on that spell would prevent me from possibly doing more useful things like improving the attacks of several of you, which may be more useful." [OOC: Bless, 8 people at 3rd level, requires concentration]
"Most useful, if one of you thinks you'll lead and take the brunt of the attacks, I can share a bond with you which will give you resistance to all damage, not just fire... plus a bit more shielding, but I'd share your damage. Quite effective, but I'd need to remain somewhat close to you and I'd obviously need one of the other healers among us to keep me alive," he concludes. [OOC: Warding bond]. "A risk I'm willing to take, but it would imply one of you is going to be taking the brunt of the impact."
He shrugs. "Plus a smattering of other less useful healing skills. But all these choices depend on your plan."
[OOC: As I'm DM'ing this and know what's ahead, I am leaving the choice of what you do with Aubric's spells to the rest of the party.]
She asked Davroar, "Did you scout out a spot or two from where we could find cover and target the giant? Describe the chamber for me and I'll draw it from your description. Correct me when I get something wrong."
She began drawing the cave from Davroar's description.
"Didn't we track both a live troll and what may have been another troll in a sack? There may be two trolls in there," he observes. "One of which wants to rescue the other. There's a chance we could get them to ally with us if we can communicate a rescue..."
Zindra She turns to Bern. "You, me, Jaliera and any of the spellcasters should definitely sneak up and find cover and then fire arrows and spells before the giant has a chance to do anything, then duck away out of range. Then, if we're fast enough, we can fire again before it can act."
ooc: I'm waiting for a better description (maybe graphical) of the cave which the fire giant and the troll are in, but the idea might be for Zindra, Bern and Jaliera (all of whom have excellent stealth bonuses can get a suprise round attack with sneak bonuses and hunter's mark. (Any guidance, blessings and inspirations hurled our way would be nice). I think Sindar could join the
If we are within 60' of the giant, many range spells come into play too. But we shouldn't waste a potential suprise round attack. Then, hopefully a few of us can roll good initiatives and add other range attacks. With luck, we'll fell the giant before he acts.
She nods, then says to Aubric, "Perhaps place the Fire Protection on yourself or another until the first time it is needed, and then if you have another concentration spell to cast drop it. The odds the foe will use the same effect multiple times is probably low."
"Do I dare do a song or two out here before we get set up?" He didn't want to draw too much attention but was happy to offer inspiration for their endeavors.
With his middle finger from his three fingered frog hands he struggles and slowly draws in the mud a crude map for Zindra. Explaining as he goes, "I started swimming here at the bottom, passed under this first bridge and stopped just before going under the second bridge. The large cavern opened up on my left as I swam. Last I saw them, the large X is the giant, smaller x is the troll. The circle is the fire pit. I can go back to swim further if you want me to?"
She's happy that Davroar asked and she croaks back "Yes, see as much as you can see and try to remember - especially counts of foes. If my spell wears off before you return, I'll cast it again."
The water temperature was not completely unbearable for him and the current was not overly strong so he replies to Jaliera's question through Zindra, "Yes, you could. Might need to duck your head under for the bridge part."
Feeling a bit more confident that he was not spotted he tells Zindra, "I'll swim past the second bridge to check out if there is a way to approach from the top passage."
Davroar figures if anyone does approach from deeper in the cave that would probably be more surprising than from the other directions.
"Then on my way back I'll see if I can get up onto the second bridge and check out where that passage leads and see if I can make my way back on the ground."
If that leads to a dead end, Davroar will have to retreat back to the stream. His second foray away from the water will be to check out the side passage from the first bridge if he can make the jump up to it.
"Give me more time though, but start in if I'm gone too long."
She replies to Davroar, "That's good. And if you dare delve deeper, that's fine too. Just get back here. We'll wait for you. One last question before you go, how deep is the water?"
Swimming back inside he sticks to his plan swimming past the second bridge to find that he can access the northern passage which links back to the central cavern where the giant and troll have remained. Neither of them seemed to have moved so perhaps they will remain in the central cavern for the time being. Exploring the nearest passage to the troll and giant was more intense for him, but it seems he managed to scout the area without being spotted as he left the cave for a second time using the stream.
Hopping out of the water again he plops himself beside his crude mud drawing and starts adding in more detail. Hopefully he is back soon enough in that Zindra still has her spell still active so that he can explain as he draws.
"So the passage just south of the troll offers the closest attack, probably just five or six large paces away. Another best place to attack from would be just south of the second bridge. There's rocks and bushes to hide behind. Swimming past the second bridge and a few of us could also get out and approach north of the giant, but there is no cover there."
Finding a brighter shade of mud he marks five small points on his map.
"These look like torches, but are not real flames. Magic of some sort and give off a good bit of heat too."
His last mark is a crude question mark to an unexplored western most passage.
"Over here I saw some runes carved on the wall. I heard something moaning in the darkness. Friend or foe, I'm not sure. I didn't want to press my luck going in there. Everywhere else I didn't not see any other beasts or monsters."
He thinks for a brief moment to make sure he is not forgetting anything and quickly adds, "Oh, I got a better look at the fire giants staff. It definitely looks ancient powerful magic within it." A visible shudder goes through his frog body as he remembers the uneasy feeling he got seeing it for a second time.
Obviously everyones probably going to have questions so he will politely wait.
Davroar CON save for swimming in the hot water Dugan rolled 1d20+3 and got 11
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