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09:33, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge.

Posted by Castle KeeperFor group 0
Cole Hiller
player, 55 posts
Tue 3 Jan 2017
at 03:39
  • msg #242

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Cole walks up to Elwood and surveys the scene before him. “Burning this lodge seems a rash action to me; especially without much knowledge to go on. We should consider the consequences. We could invoke the wrath of that forest Queen, this is part of her territory, or so I gathered. Now, whether she would prove a formidable foe; that remains to be seen. Her and her minions could be no more troublesome then a band of nubile adventures or they could prove even more bloody then what we nearly just escaped. Are we willing to take that risk without knowing what we are walking into? Also, we do not have much knowledge of this lodge or the tunnels underneath. Just because this is the entrance we know of, does not mean that there are not others with which escape could be had. If that is the case then we might incite wrath upon us with the added insult of not even garnering the reward of smiting all that evil below.  I caution hesitation and seeking out more knowledge but will stand with whatever is the group collective.” 
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Tue 03 Jan 2017.
Castle Keeper
GM, 151 posts
Tue 3 Jan 2017
at 18:11
  • msg #243

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Anthony pokes around in the stuffed head's nose and the fireplace closes.  Discussion continues...
Anthony
player, 18 posts
Tue 3 Jan 2017
at 19:45
  • msg #244

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Once satisfied that nobody will rashly jump into the space, Anthony takes another moment to examine the stuffed head a bit more, remembering its open/close trigger, and then joins the others.

"Let's think about this again. What do we have to gain by going back to the other side? We have alienated the orcs and their zombies. Do we wish to head back and take what they had by force? Is there any reason to even go back there?" He crosses his hands thoughtfully.
Seline
player, 13 posts
Tue 3 Jan 2017
at 22:48
  • msg #245

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

“I have do a few thoughts, not necessarily my own, but I’m more than happy to share them. As for supporting the decision to go back in there is always the allure of the glittering gold, or the fact that we just handed over what seems to be some creepy ass monsters to what I can only imagine are more deplorable monsters, the orcs and zombies, and need to right that wrong. Oh yes and just to add a bit more in the support of going back in there is always the adage of never leave an enemy behind you.”

Sitting down with her back to a wall Seline yawns and continues with her thoughts
“However we weren’t in there for a very long time and with the calamity and ruckus we caused when we left our faces may not be recognizable so they may not view us as an enemy, or maybe they won’t see us as an enemy and we wouldn’t be leaving an enemy behind us. There is also the matter of the damned false queen, we haven’t enough information to accurately judge how she will react nor how much of a threat she will be if we cross her. I do find it interesting that for being a queen that is collecting tolls to be delivering the product in person begs me to think that she doesn’t have much power especially since she passed the job off to us to so readily. We also know not what is down there, no idea other than orcs, zombies and whatever were in those sacks. They may not have treasure to even make it worth it. Oh and to finish on another old adage it is better to run away and live to fight another day.”

Standing up, Seline begins to pace around a bit, aimlessly like it once she starts thinking she loses some of her awareness to the rest of the world. Distracted Seline continues “So it comes down to whether or not we are feeling collectively as a group righteous to the point where it is a sin to leave that evil down there, or the gamble of the prize from whatever we may find down there is worth the risk of dying.”

Finishing her sentence Seline continues to pace, her hands going through the muscle memory of spell incantations, pupils dilated and a glazed over expression on her face.
Castle Keeper
GM, 152 posts
Tue 3 Jan 2017
at 23:45
  • msg #246

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

The stuffed head seems to be an ordinary stuffed animal head mounted on a wall, other than the obvious difference that it has a secret door trigger embedded in its nose.  The other nostril in uninteresting.  The head seems to be mounted on the wall quite firmly.  You can't get it to budge at all.  It is a good example of quality taxidermy.
Elwood
player, 75 posts
Human Cleric, 2nd Level
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 00:41
  • msg #247

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Elwood takes a few feeble swings with his hatchet on some of the crates and winces in pain, realizing that he is lucky to be alive, let alone walking around.  He walks outside the lodge to listen to his colleagues' discussion.

"Cole and Seline are right, burning down the lodge right now is a rash decision, and there will probably be consequences for that decision. As for walking away, well, that just doesn't sit right with me. Besides, this is what we do, whether it's rid evil from our little corner of the world, right wrongs, or just fill our coffers with gold.  I feel that we will need to return through that portal again soon.  However, our front line fighters are wounded and our spell casters have little or no spells to cast.  We should head back into Rotter to heal and try to get information about what's below this lodge and who is this 'Queen of the Woods'."

Elwood stares at the dug up graves, deep in thought.  "Those things in the sacks we delivered were probably made up from those bodies that were dug up, and the 'Queen' was responsible for transforming them.  Are they some type of zombie eggs, animated by some dark power emanating from the tunnels below?  Maybe the corpses were used to make some type of cocoons for carrion crawlers cadaver caterpillar larvae? Aye, I'm just babbling."  Elwood gathers the items he took out of his backpack and repacks.  "We need to go back into Rotter to rest, heal, and gather information.  We know what to expect when we decide to go through that portal, and we can develop a plan of attack.  Besides, we still have some items from those orcs we killed earlier today that we can sell."

[OOC - Any objections?  Honestly, I'm down to 1 hp and a few orisons, but I do want to eventually return]
Dreya
player, 105 posts
Level 2 Druid
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 01:25
  • msg #248

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Dreya freezes in mid fire piling construction when the cleric begins to speak.  Then, her shoulders sag a bit.  "This place, I do not like."  Stuffing the flask of oil back into her backpack, she gets to her feet, dusting off her hands.  Returning her backpack to her shoulders and grasping her dagger again, she moves away from the cabin, back toward the town.  She still hated towns, hated the crowds of so many gathered people.  Far too many eyes...But, to Rotter it was.  Tugging the hood of her cloak around her face a bit more, she gazes off in the direction of town with a bracing sigh.  "To town it is, Simply Elwood.  Rest and healing."

With that, she readies herself to head to town with the rest of her traveling companions, looking for berries along the way to replenish her supply.
Elwood
player, 76 posts
Human Cleric, 2nd Level
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 03:47
  • msg #249

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

By the way, I can't remember if we've done this or not, but if this hasn't already happened, Elwood will go over to the dead orcs and try to recover anything of value.  Unless Khaaven ran off with everything.
Hugh
player, 62 posts
Human Monk
AC: 14 | HP: 18/18
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 04:10
  • msg #250

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Hugh nods in agreement of the others' concerns with burning the lodge down and states, "Well said, all. Perhaps a return to Rotter is in order."

He looks off in the direction of the city and says, "Yes. Probably for the best, given our current condition."
Dreya
player, 106 posts
Level 2 Druid
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 06:41
  • msg #251

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

In reply to Elwood (msg # 249):

I believe we sold most of it with the first trip back to Rotter...the CK gave a rundown if what the split in gold was in a different discussion thread. Though Dreya did pocket one of the gaudy lockets, the one she originally removed from Snarg when she first healed him for information, because it seemed too odd that ALL orcs wore them yet they supposedly had no purpose but to be impressive to humans...? So she had pocketed that one, but not for personal gain...it was just in case the party would need it down in the tunnels beneath the cabin. But, we didn't make it very far to discover if it was needed. Otherwise everything else should have already been sold.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:42, Wed 04 Jan 2017.
Elwood
player, 77 posts
Human Cleric, 2nd Level
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 15:11
  • msg #252

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

In reply to Dreya (msg # 251):

[OOC: I'm talking about the orcs we killed after we returned from Rotter, the ones who had recaptured Snarg and were dragging him back to the lodge,  and then we freed him, and then Cole knocked him unconscious,  and then the spider dragged him off and ate him.  But anyway, those are the orcs Elwood is referring to.]
Dreya
player, 107 posts
Level 2 Druid
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 16:40
  • msg #253

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

In reply to Elwood (msg # 252):

Oh. Then no, I don't believe any looting had been done yet. Or at least I don't recall.
Anthony
player, 19 posts
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 17:49
  • msg #254

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Anthony shrugs. "I would welcome a bit of rest, yes. But I do think it is valuable for us to return.

"The interesting question: could we hire some individuals to come with us? I think we may need reinforcements if we head back in."

Castle Keeper
GM, 153 posts
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 18:15
  • msg #255

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Khaaven looted the orc bodies already.  Each orc had medallions like the one you found on your first foray to the hunting lodge.  Khaaven kept the medallions.  They are presumably with his body if you want to try to track the spider.  All that's left on the bodies is some pitiful accumulations of copper pieces.
Anthony
player, 20 posts
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 18:16
  • msg #256

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Anthony is supportive of tracking the spider before returning to town.
Seline
player, 14 posts
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 18:28
  • msg #257

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

With a great exclamation Seline excitedly says "That's it."
Looking around Seline realized that she had missed everything that was said after she finished her piece. Calming down Seline stops pacing and placing her behind her back a bit nervously "sorry I missed what was decided on, have we come to a consensus yet?"
Elwood
player, 78 posts
Human Cleric, 2nd Level
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 21:42
  • msg #258

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

"I believe we're heading back to Rotter. That spider already killed one of us*, and unless those of you with ranged weapons get very lucky, at least one more of us will end up dead too.  We need healing, information, and reinforcements."

*[OOC: I assume that's the official cover story for Khaaven?]
Castle Keeper
GM, 154 posts
Wed 4 Jan 2017
at 23:24
  • msg #259

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Oh, yeah.  Khaaven was very much eaten.
Dreya
player, 108 posts
Level 2 Druid
Thu 5 Jan 2017
at 03:22
  • msg #260

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Dreya continues to gather her nerve to return to town.  Again.
Castle Keeper
GM, 155 posts
Thu 5 Jan 2017
at 22:17
  • msg #261

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Assuming no one vehemently objects to returning to Rotter, that will be what happens.  Please register any objections by tomorrow morning.

What do people want to do in town?
Dreya
player, 109 posts
Level 2 Druid
Thu 5 Jan 2017
at 22:50
  • msg #262

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

In reply to Castle Keeper (msg # 261):

Dreya has 256 gold.  She will attempt to purchase a healing potion.  Other than that, a room and rest for the others of the party sounds like the order of the day.
Seline
player, 15 posts
Thu 5 Jan 2017
at 23:06
  • msg #263

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

In reply to Castle Keeper (msg # 261):

Seline would like to purchase a dagger to replace the one that was left on the floor of the dungeon following the orc encounter. Other than rest Seline would like to go to the tavern and attempt to gather gossip in regards to the forest queen
Cole Hiller
player, 56 posts
Fri 6 Jan 2017
at 00:08
  • msg #264

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Cole will rest to regain his strength as well as do some investigating about this new "Queen of the Wood".
Anthony
player, 21 posts
Fri 6 Jan 2017
at 02:38
  • msg #265

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Anthony rests with the others, studying his spellbook and engaging the others in conversation over a drink and a bit of bread and vegetables.
Elwood
player, 79 posts
Human Cleric, 2nd Level
Fri 6 Jan 2017
at 03:27
  • msg #266

Re: Chapter 2: Back to the Hunting Lodge

Elwood has the following To-do list:
  • See what healing he can get at his temple (Elwood has 177 gp to spend.)
  • Talk to his friend, Knuckles the temple guard, to see if he's interested to serve as a man-at-arms.  [OOC - I don't know the CK's disposition towards hirelings, but if allowed, Knuckles would be a hireling, not a henchman].  See above for Elwood's total for outfitting Knuckles.
  • Rest and Heal.  He'll likely need to spend at least 1 Cure Light Wounds spell the next morning.
  • Make inquiries about the Queen of the Woods
  • If he has any money left, he'll buy another light hammer, so he'll have 2 to throw if needed.

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