D&D 5E (IC) Fitz's Folly

[Kobold Stew]

Miss Imogen volunteers to ride with Cimber and Dragonbait. It's not just that they are already holding paddles, and so it won't be her in the stern. She wants to show a sign of trust, and believes this is one way to do so.

"I'll come with you," she says. As the boat is lowered in the water, the lizard-folk steadies it as she lifts her skirts and crawls aboard, settling herself just in front of a thwart. She places her bow horizontally along the gunwales, and positions her quiver for access should it be needed.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Artus nodded and began to paddle upriver while Dragonbait shoved off and hopped aboard. As the canoe passed into a patch of sunlight, Miss Imogen could clearly see what was subtle, but suspect before. Everything about Artus Cimber was a slight shade of blue - coldly lit - even when it was obviously a different colour. Even the light-coloured wood of his paddle held a slight blue tinge when he handled it. As he paddled, she saw what must be the source - a ring - a golden band on his finger that had a beautiful lace of frost across its surface. The frost constantly melted in the Chultan heat, but instantly regrew in a pattern distinct from the one before it. A very slight haze of steam constantly floated, almost invisibly in the air above. It was nice to be sitting behind him, as the air was cooler than anywhere else.

 

[EarlyBird]

"Hmrph!" Dellrak snorts from the other canoe as he watches the newcomers. "I do nay like the way Miss Emma do be smiling at that man." he jealously grumbles under his breath.

[sblock=Combat]
AC: 15 (scale, dex)
HP: 28/28 HD: 3/3 (1d10+2)
Speed: 25'
Saves: STR +5, DEX +3, CON +2, INT +0, WIS +2, CHA -1
Features: spellcasting
Special Defenses: advantage save vs poison, resistance to poison damage

Combat:
battleaxe +5, 1d8+3, versitle (1d10)
(2)handaxe(melee) +5, 1d6+3, light
(2)handaxe(thrown) +5, 1d6+3, light, thrown, (range 20/60)
longbow +5, 1d8+1, ammunition (range 150/600), heavy, two-handed
Spell Slots: 1st: 3/3
Spells known: jump, goodberry, protection from evil and good, longstrider

Consumables:
goodberry 10/10
---arrows 16/20
---pitons 08/10
--torches 10/10
--rations 08/10[/sblock]

 

[Kobold Stew]

It has a hypnotizing effect, watching the frost form and steam away, and Miss Imogen's observations of the man paddling in front of her turn into a reverie that is reinforced by the steady paddling sounds in front and behind her. She is still alert, but she is almost comfortable sitting here, the water gliding by with the steady rhythm of the draw of her companions.

She makes light conversation, occasional observations as she notices a crocodile in the water or something shambling along the shore. Even the rain has let up, for the first time in days.

 

[Ancalagon]

Rodrigo smiled at Dellrack, and commented in a low tone with a wide smile

"Have no fear Master Dellrack, I suspect he is of a chilly disposition"

As he looked away, Rodrigo's smile faded fast. He was worried about some of what had been said last nigh. The sticks indeed - was their purpose truly united? If they didn't work together, they would fail. Battle could bind them together - his father had spoken about the effect of battle on a unit - but greed could divide them. He saw Miss Imogen eyeing the ring, and his worries grew.

And it wasn't just Miss Imogen. How would they be received at the camp? If anyone survived that was...

He shook his head. Less ruminations, more watching. That crocodile... was it staying put or thinking about trailing the canoes?

 

[gargoyleking]

Harb had many questions left ocer from the night before. Artus had let nothing slip during watch the night before and indeed Harb had been hard pressed to keep his own secrets in turn. He decided to simply observe from that point forward. Such was his speciality in any case.

For now, he focussed on the task at hand. With 2 canoes and more people he gave up all pretense of stealth and instead focussed on efficiency. Steering their craft to make the most headway with the least effort.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The crocodile followed the canoes for most of the morning, but by midday it had moved off into a thick patch of reeds. Aside from a brief shower, the rain held off as the group paddled on hour after hour. Then, after navigating a bend in the river, they came to a ridge upon which sat an eighty-foot tall stone statue carved to look like a man with a crocodile on his back. Between the statue’s feet was a stone archway leading to a dark tunnel. Between the statue and the bank of the river was their destination - Camp Righteous.

Unfortunately, the camp appeared to be abandoned. Two intact rowboats were tied off to a short dock on the bank of the river, but the tents were moldy and tattered. The only permanent structure, what had been a shrine, appeared to have burned to the ground. By the enormous statue's right foot was a crude animal pen with a small, panicked bird running around inside it. There were no other signs of life.

 

[Ancalagon]

Rodrigo had been tempted more than once to shoot the crocodile, but held his fire. Waste of ammo... but when he saw the enormous statue, he couldn't help but think perhaps it had been a wiser decision than he had realized... Once he stopped being distracted, he looked at the camp and sighed .

"Well this doesn't look promising... I suppose we will have to investigate. There might be clues, even survivors if we are lucky. I have a gut feeling that some of the members may have risen again as zombies..."

He turned to their guide

"Do you know anything about this giant statue... or for that matter, why would the camp be built here of all places?"

 

[EarlyBird]

OOC: Aww no, more zombies. Sigh.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Quawasha replied, "The statue represents a figure of Chultan folklore. The story, as I know it, goes:

In the early days of the world, Man stood by the banks of a river, frightened. Crocodile raised his head from the water and asked, “What troubles you, cousin Man?”

Man said, “I must cross this river, but I fear to enter the water alone, because it teems with your brethren.”

Crocodile replied, “It’s true, you would not be safe. But I will carry you across the river safely on my back, if you promise to return the favor.” Man agreed, and Crocodile bore him safely across the water

When they reached the far bank, Man asked, “How can I repay you?” Crocodile replied, “I wish to see the realm of Humans, but I fear to go there alone, because it teems with your brethren. You must carry me on your back across your realm.” Man had been tricked, but a promise is a promise, so he carried Crocodile safely on his back across the entire realm of humans, a journey that lasted many years. He also swore, in his anger, that never again would Men and Crocodiles be friends, and so it has remained to this day.

Just who built this statue, or why the Order of the Gauntlet would choose its site for their camp, is a mystery, however."