Some Stories Are True

Tellerian Hawke · Mar 26, 2021

Oorvid said:
Oorvid offers a suggestion to his friends: "If I am correct, we cannot be more than a day or so from the Spiofthest village. We could arrange to establish trade between the two, like there is between the Spiofthests and the Centrins. Once we check out this "haunted" structure to the south, we could also see about trade with the village of Askari and our own."

Wrenn nods, saying: "Yes, let's explore the haunted structure, and then make our way to the Spiofthest village afterwards."

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MacConnell · Mar 26, 2021

Thaco Deathsave said:
Askari nods... asks... if they’re familiar...

Wrenn shakes his head, having little knowledge of plants and none of mushrooms. The Rheini also shake their heads at the particularly bright yellow mushroom, indicating that none of them has come across such before. The Storyteller begins in Ansylin then switches to Rheini once he turns his head away from Askari and back to the villagers, as he spins his tale. "Those remind me of faerie lanterns. I used to find them when I was a child, but faerie lanterns are white and glow in the dark. I used to find them...

Having heard many of his stories in the past, if not this one in particular, the party has more interest in investigation than sitting idly. As the group is walking away and is about to re-enter the forest proper, the Storyteller turns and says in Shimadow, using a much different tone of voice. "Do not eat those. Do not even let them rest on your bare skin for long."

He then turns back to his story as if never having interrupted himself. One of the small children waves as the party moves away.

Gigeaux said:
Volki... restock... exploring...

Tellerian Hawke said:
Wrenn nods...

Volki: 23(prospecting) + 23(analysis) + 81(d100) = 127

While wandering the woods around the village and along the chosen path back south, Volki is drawn to some haphazardly strewn rocks where she finds a white stone that feels wet to the touch. Later she comes across an understory tree, a measure of whose leaves she feels compelled to pick.

OOC:

slickstone: 1, ??. leaves: 1 measure, ??

There is no Shimadow or Spiofthest word for "haunted" as these peoples have no natural superstition. The wording used by the Storyteller literally translates to an area possessed by an unknown malevolence. Astrid, Hiroshi, and Askari all come from cultures with a concept of religion and therefore have a better understanding of the superstitions of the Rheini. The differences in core beliefs among the party allows for some discussion during travel to better pique the interest of Oorvid, Volki, and Wrenn sans sarcassm.

Askari: 22(perception) + 22(analysis) + 68(d100) = 112
Astrid: 31 + 23 + 50 = 104
Hiroshi: 22 + 30 + 75 = 127
Oorvid: 21 + 26 + 70 = 117
Volki: 23 + 23 + 81 = 127
Wrenn: 23 + 24 + 75 = 113

During the three hours it takes to reach the desired destination, Askari and Astrid are each able to capture a groundhog, Wrenn and Oorvid are each able to take a forest hare, and Hiroshi and Volki, together, bring down a forest peccary. This can provide enough meat for 12 meals, if well handled.

After about two hours, Hiroshi first then Volki both find a lashed together stick figure hanging from the trees. As the party nears where the keep should be, many more of the figures are noticed and pointed out for all to see. These figures are likely the heart of the particular phobia of the Rheini, but Volki and Wrenn both assure everyone that these things were not constructed by any Shimadows. The keep has not yet been seen, which is not surprising as the trees are smaller here and there is more undergrowth.

Askari: full wellness
Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Javelins: 3, stone: 3, ularin
Oorvid: full wellness
Tunic: 70 - 1 - 1 = 68%
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 50 - 2 = 48%
Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 1 = 59%
Arrows: 14

41 marks: currency
Aluminum: 1 brick, ??

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, ??
Bat Guano: 4 measures, {heat x2}
Jay Skull Talisman: 1, ??
Rodent Tooth Necklace: 3, (Health +1)
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 3 sets, ??
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, ??

Coal: 5 bricks, ??
Bloodstone: 1, (Health +1)
Dark Green Stone: 9, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??
Emberstone: 1, ??
Slickstone: 1, ??
White stone: 3, ??

Dried Leaves: 1 measure, ??
Flowers: 2 measures, ??

OOC:

Everyone receives 5 DP and improves in Rheini by 2%. Askari and Hiroshi improve by an additional 2% due to the closeness of their native languages. Everyone improves in Ansylin and Spiofthest by 2%. State idle actions and intentions and provide a random roll for each.

GM:

As an oversight on my part for not including it in intra-party dialogue, Askari and Volki should each take a rodent tooth necklace from party inventory, until something better can be found.

Gigeaux · Mar 27, 2021

Being unsure of what these stick dolls are or why they are here makes Volki very uncomfortable and wary. “We should do our best to be quiet and unseen. We do not know what awaits us here.” Volki will stay alert to her surroundings to try to see any enemies before they can get the drop on us. She will also try to blend into the surroundings.

96+[luck48]=144, 63 [\spoiler]

Astrid · Mar 31, 2021

Astrid starts to ready her sling, before realizing that it is no longer needed. She gets low to the ground and follows behind the others. She attempts to keep an eye out for danger. But remains silent the whole trip, letting the various thoughts flow through her mind.

78,85 idk if a second roll is needed, but it is here.

Thaco Deathsave · Apr 1, 2021

Askari will remain silent and continue to scan the area for potential danger. He will position himself to Oorvid’s left, in their forward position, in order to maximize the benefit of his buckler. Knowing it’s futility, he will not attempt to sneak.

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Tellerian Hawke · Apr 2, 2021

Wrenn's eyes narrow with discernment: "This is a warning. It's a marker, probably a territorial claim of some sort. If we proceed further, there's likely to be a fight. We should keep our wits about us."
Wrenn proceeds cautiously, bow drawn, arrow nocked, but no tension on the string.

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MacConnell · Apr 2, 2021

Posting for @Osthelerin Hawke
Hiroshi shifts back and forth on his feet, scanning the area. He comments quietly, "If the Shimadow we have twice encountered did not make these, I wonder who did, and I wonder if there is any connection to clans of Shimadow being at two of the other sites."

OOC:

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Tellerian Hawke · Apr 2, 2021

Wrenn offers, "Perhaps the Shimadow are at odds with a different tribe, for control of this region? But I wonder which tribe? My tribe was at odds with a tribe of Deviard, but I believe it was merely a circumstantial occurrence; they happened to be our nearest neighbors, and they wanted the same resources that we did. It's as simple as that. But there's no telling who made this thing."

MacConnell · Apr 2, 2021

Gigeaux said:
... Volki... will stay alert... try to blend...

Astrid said:
Astrid... keep an eye out for danger...

Thaco Deathsave said:
Askari... scan the area... position himself...

Tellerian Hawke said:
... Wrenn proceeds cautiously...

Osthelerin said:
Hiroshi... comments...

Volki: 19(hide) + 25(camouflage) + 63 = 107
Time: 12 minutes

Askari: 22(observation) + 22(clarity) + 88(d100) = 132
Astrid: 32 + 24 + 78 = 134
Hiroshi: 21 + 28 + 40 = 89
Oorvid: 21 + 23 + 80 = 124
Volki: 24 + 25 + 144 = 193
Wrenn: 24 + 34 + 71 = 129

Volki's skin darkens to some degree and the color shifts noticeably, with some semblance of mimicking the surrounding. It comes as a bit of a surprise for even she did not realize she had such talent. Wrenn realizes that he can cause the same effect.

Standing still for about as long as everyone can stand to do so only results in the natural sounds of the forest. Whatever the purpose of the people sized twana, they have no effect on animals. Slowly moving forward with Askari and Oorvid taking the lead and Astrid and Wrenn taking opposite flanks, the party soon discovers the second Keep. This one is in a much more dilapidated stage than the previous one, as communicated for the benefit of Askari and Volki.

With the trees being significantly smaller, more have invaded the standing structures. Coming in from the north, all of the main building seems to have collapsed except for the northwest corner and part of the back wall, which proves the back entrance to the structure is still intact. The walls and watch towers have all collapsed, except for the one on the northwest corner. The small quarry which was cut to provide the stones for the building has two fallen trees in it, which have been there for quite some time. The water is very dark, smells of soil, and lotus has grown around the fallen trees. A myriad of dragonflies, about the size of a person's arm, (yes this is a normal size in the game) hover over the surface, and never before seen creatures, later learned as frogs, jump from various perches to dive beneath the surface. Two colorful ducks take to flight.

During the cursory examination, no other people are seen or heard but Volki notices a footprint leading into the, still standing, back opening. The print is indicative of a male Faethrin but nothing more can be determined. As it is getting late, the party makes camp in order to have a fresh start in the morning.

Askari: full wellness
Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Javelins: 3, stone: 3, ularin
Oorvid: full wellness
Tunic: 68
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 50 - 2 = 48%
Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 59
Arrows: 14

41 marks: currency
Aluminum: 1 brick, ??

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, ??
Bat Guano: 4 measures, {heat x2}
Jay Skull Talisman: 1, ??
Rodent Tooth Necklace: 3, (Health +1)
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 3 sets, ??
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, ??

Coal: 5 bricks, ??
Bloodstone: 1, (Health +1)
Dark Green Stone: 9, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??
Emberstone: 1, ??
Slickstone: 1, ??
White stone: 3, ??

Dried Leaves: 1 measure, ??
Flowers: 2 measures, ??

OOC:

Everyone receives 5 DP. State idle actions and intentions and provide a random roll for each.

Thaco Deathsave · Apr 2, 2021

After making camp Askari will examine a couple of the trinkets that seem the most alluring.

Who ever lives here is using superstition to avoid a fight before it happens. They may be too small of a force to face the locals, they’re a peaceful people, or both. Or they’re neither, and just want to be left alone. However, small and peaceful doesn’t not mean they’re without teeth. The lack of tracks and abundance of wildlife indicates a large group doesn’t travel here often. We should contemplate our approach carefully. Also we’re likely being watched from that guard tower, at least that’s what I would do.

While relaxing and studying the trinkets, Askari will forgo his customary weapon check. He doesn’t want to broadcast that he’s here for a fight, but he stays alert for anything from the keep or the feeling of being watched.

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