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14:46, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

TotOM: Hollow.

Posted by Margreve NarratorFor group 0
Joe Darkthorne
GM, 458 posts
Everyone suspects a Rogue
Few suspect the Ranger
Sun 3 May 2020
at 05:00
  • msg #150

TotOM: Hollow

  Even though he isn't surprised nothing came of it, Joe can hardly blame Barbara for hoping to salvage at least one not horrible example of airquotes """nature""" in this forest.

  "That's a good point Amalar, though even if crazed wildlife remains an issue at least there is one less headhunter adding to the local problems."
Barbara Naur
Player, 47 posts
Sun 3 May 2020
at 05:06
  • msg #151

TotOM: Hollow

Barbara's hand stops burning.  She takes a quick glance around, and reminds herself that the group succeeded in destroying the threat without casualties.

"Well done once again, everyone."

Pyrus was plenty creeped out too, but once the fireworks started he was all too eager to see the enemy burn.

"I dunno.  Here's hoping that if there's more enemies like this, that they're just as flammable."
Margreve Narrator
Narrator, 42 posts
Sun 3 May 2020
at 05:22
  • msg #152

TotOM: Hollow

Rocky notices what is likely the buried possessions of the former victim of the singing tree buried near where the tree's corpse still stands. "It seems our foe buried its treasures among its roots." and begins to carefully dig the items up.

Around this time Caeldrim finishes the Identify ritual on the apple and says, “I can determine that the apple is magical and has a strong aura of enchantment magic tied to whatever permanent effect it bestows. I am sure that the apple will lose potency and turn into ash after one person takes a bite out of it and it no one does after picking the apple off the tree's corpse twill wither shortly after being removed..”

OOC: So what is learned so far, the apple has a permanent effect but not sure what it is. and only 1 person can benefit from it.

Several items are found from the digging, these items seem fragile and show strange filigree, almost disturbing fey imagery. As these items are discovered, Caeldrim performs the identify ritual on each of them. These items are a silver mirror with an ebony handle (worth 75gp), a potion of poison resistance in a green glass jar with a silver stopper (the jar is worth 10gp), a Scrimshaw Comb with dire boar bristles (with an apparent value 30gp but worth more due to being enchanted), a frayed but intact pouch that contains 34 platinum pieces, 20 gold pieces, a diamond (worth 50gp), and a vial containing Ruby dust (total value 100gp) (360gp in coins, 510gp including gem and dust), an elaborate ring fashioned of walnut depicting dancing fey (Ring of Spell Storing with no spells currently stored within it), a chain shirt (sell value of 25gp), a bleached white wooden quarterstaff with four spiraling inlays which run the length of the staff. This staff is identified to be a Staff of the Four Elements, a shard identified as a Crystalized Derende Shard which is small enough to fit in a hand yet stores information similar to a book, and a tattered journal.

The journal is written in Elven by an unidentified elven wizard and the contents which can still be read reveal that he had noticed strange things were going Margreve woods and was investigating a possible source of information, a rumored sentient ancient tree that once was known throughout the Margreve before falling asleep for some reason unknown to the wizard. The last entry is that he believes he has found the tree but he couldn't figure out how to wake it up to learn its secrets. Apparently someone else knew what to do and chose the elf for the first victim. It's clear he's been dead for at least a month and that someone strung his severed head upon the Singing Tree to wake it up... the question now is who did it and why?

OOC: So what is learned so far, the apple has a permanent effect but not sure what it is. and only 1 person can benefit from it. The magical items found have their descriptions listed at the bottom of the Margreve Narrator's description.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:22, Sun 03 May 2020.
Hunter
Player, 44 posts
Rugged Woodsman
Adorable Goblin
Sun 3 May 2020
at 21:47
  • msg #153

TotOM: Hollow

After confirming the apple is, in fact, not cursed or harmful, Hunter offers, "Well since it isn't harmful, any of us could eat it and gain its mysterious benefit. But since we don't know what that is, there is no way know who should eat it to best maximize the benefit. I'd be curious enough to eat it. Although..."

He looks at Mix, Pyrus and Wildfire. "If there is a benefit to be had, why not give it to our young, inexperienced friends?"

Amalar looks skeptical at the idea, but since it isn't harmful...

Mix says, "I'm all for becoming more useful to the team."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Sun 03 May 2020.
Joe Margreve
player, 34 posts
I'm not a Ranger
I just dress like one
Sun 3 May 2020
at 22:28
  • msg #154

TotOM: Hollow

  Testing unknown magical effects on NPCs is often the 'practical' thing given how unreliable the Identify spell is.  Essentially every cursed or worse item around tells the identify spell it's a perfectly normal bag of holding until it eats you or whatever.

  But in this case, one and done results make that a bit more iffy on actual benefits should it not be a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

  "Mix, I get the feeling anything this does won't be a big enough difference to make you safer in a fight all by itself anyways."
Barbara Naur
Player, 48 posts
Sun 3 May 2020
at 23:16
  • msg #155

TotOM: Hollow

Barbara sighs.  "I heard Caeldrim say, 'permanent effect,' and 'enchantment.'  What I did not hear was 'benefit.'  And even if I had, what qualifies as 'benefit' from a magic item could be very broadly debated.  'Benefit: This apple, when eaten, permanently improves the person's ability to tell the truth.  Henceforth, they will forever be compelled to answer truthfully when asked a question, even if doing so divulges a sensitive secret.'  Or perhaps, 'Benefit: This apple grants the eater a fantastic sense of humor.  Until he dies, he shall laugh uncontrollably even at a funeral.'  And so on.  I must insist that none touch this likely accursed apple until such time as the gods verify it is not harmful."

She says a quick prayer over the apple, expecting to be immediately told by the gods, "Destroy it!  NOW!"

(( Kinda figured the whole point of identify was to prevent equipping cursed items.  If 5e identify is really that useless, can we say that at least augury can warn PCs off cursed items?  Surely the gods would know well enough to tell their servants, 'But of the tree of the severed head, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.' ))
Margreve Narrator
Narrator, 43 posts
Mon 4 May 2020
at 19:06
  • msg #156

TotOM: Hollow

Something decides to answer Barbara's prayer, but whether it is divine or something else remains unknown. What is known is that one of the larger insects that were roaming around suddenly stops and then shakes its head as if it had just been awakened from a long sleep and was now remembering something it didn't even know it had forgotten.

The insect suddenly speaks as if in a trance, "This part of the forest is now calm... the twisted tree no longer sings a song of madness and discord. Its torment has ended. And without the loss of the villagers. It will take time before this area is restored to how it should be." The insect then turns its head towards the dead tree holding the apple as it continues, "That apple is all that remains of the boon granted to the awaked tree so long ago for its original purpose to calm the lands with its singing and call forth a bestial ally. Even the twisting taint of madness could not corrupt the forest's boon. One of you should take it as a reward for protecting the villagers and ending the slaughter of life in the area."

As the insect heads off not bothering to wait or listen to how the group responds to its final words before it can no longer be heard, "Winds are changing... things are stirring... the forest will be watching. Much to do before the next Fang's Challenge..."

Rocky looks at the insect as it heads off and says, "I have heard that the Margreve has the power to do many things, among them the ability to awaken the life native to it whether flora or fauna and charm it to carry out its will. There must be far more going on here for it to use such power here as it has since it largely ignores what individuals do unless they draw its ire.. apparently, the Singing Tree had done just that with the slaughter of so much wildlife in the area. But at least it explained what the apple does before the insect left... The ability to call forth a bestial ally similar to how the Singing Tree called those Giant Centipedes. Sounds like it grants a spell, one that only Hunter or myself would normally be able to use..thus it would probably be best if either he or I took the boon, but since I can already summon my Wildfire Spirit, Hunter would probably benefit from it far more than I."
Hunter
Player, 45 posts
Rugged Woodsman
Adorable Goblin
Mon 4 May 2020
at 23:35
  • msg #157

TotOM: Hollow

Hunter's eyes are wide as he watches the briefly awakened insect speak.

Amalar ohs with her hand up to her mouth before smiling. It is a wonderful, beautiful thing.

Hunter watches the insect leave and then looks at Barbara. "Well. There is always the direct approach. OK, Barbara. Way to get answers."

He then nods to Rocky. "Makes sense. Thanks, Rocky." and goes to get the apple unless stopped.
Joe Margreve
player, 35 posts
I'm not a Ranger
I just dress like one
Tue 5 May 2020
at 01:12
  • msg #158

TotOM: Hollow

  ...Well, if you can't get an exposition fairy, then an exposition bug will have to do.

  "Okay. So. That's encouraging?  I'm honestly not used to getting answers that straightforward and lacking pretentiousness except from you guys... Well okay, that last bit seemed contractually vauge."  Not even patting themselves on the back by claiming how blessed the party should feel for such a boon, just a bug going 'hey this that thing was a real asshole, have a cool apple'.

  Joe isn't going to stop Hunter from getting his apple snack time.  It has nothing to do with the fact Hunter killed way more centipedes than he did, that's an entirely unrelated factor.
Barbara Naur
Player, 49 posts
Tue 5 May 2020
at 04:03
  • msg #159

TotOM: Hollow

Barbara is unsurprised at getting an immediate answer.  This happens to her with surprising frequency, hence her being named high priestess of Agni on top of being his chosen Champion.  How the answer came, and the content, however, are quite surprising.  A spirit of fire arising and consuming the tree speaking cryptic message of impending doom is what she was expecting.  It's the kind of answer she usually gets.  Gee thanks, Agni, for the oh so helpful reminder that the world will end if I take a vacation.  But at least your ignoring my question about the apple tells me that it's not harmful to me if I eat it.  Joe's right that this was refreshingly straightforward.

The paladin listens to Rocky and nods.  She turns to Hunter and nods to him as well.  "Rocky's right.  You are the best choice to receive this boon.  I trust you to be responsible with this new power.

"Don't suppose anyone here knows what the 'Fang's Challenge' is?"


'Lacking in pretentiousness?'  This princess will count that as a win if a jaded commoner says that of her in spite of her royal and holy tendencies.  Especially when she plans on being pretentious with the forest...

Barbara turns her head up to the canopy and answers, "We are honored to hear your words and happy to have lent you our aid.  And you are honored to have the chosen Champion of Agni, god of the fires of creation, destruction, and wisdom, watching over you.  We invite your watchfulness as you invite ours.  You granted our friend a boon for his valor.  We shall grant you another on top of the healing already granted: A blessed song of calming in place of the song of madness that is no more."

She lifts her voice, singing a soothing hymn.  (( https://youtu.be/oNHoqLKGAuI?t=143 ))
This message was last edited by the player at 07:01, Tue 05 May 2020.
Caeldrim Sylvaranth
Player, 33 posts
River (High) Elf, Level 3
Herbwarden Alchemist
Tue 5 May 2020
at 16:05
  • msg #160

TotOM: Hollow

Caeldrim arches an eyebrow at Barbara's question regarding the Fang's Challenge and considers things for a moment before he answers, “An ancient story that is halfway between a rumor and a legend... it is a battle of sorts between wolves representing the tooth and claw of nature and humanoids who represent the fire and steel of civilization. However, I do not know the prize for winning or the penalty for losing that challenge. It may occur in our lifetimes or it may not as it is said to only occur once every three generations. Although a generation for a human is far shorter than for an elf so I do not know what time scale is involved. What little I do know is that an innocent is sent out, one side, the wolves, tries to devour her, the other side, humanoids, tries to save her... whichever side succeeds gains something...but I am not sure what. The most common version of this story has been called Little Red Riding Hood.”

Rocky looks to Caeldrim and says, "I am not familiar with that story, but if preparations are being made now, then odds are it is going to occur at some point within our lifetimes. I can see why the corrupted tree had to be eliminated one way or another... Its song of madness would have prevented the wolves from participating in the challenge without outside interference.. and that outside interference, namely that tree's singing, might have given the wolves an unfair advantage as you saw how the tree managed to get a handful of wolves to attack the village in a manner wolves don't normally use when on their own."

Caeldrim nods and sighs “In any case, there is little we can do about that challenge now since we have no clue when it would occur or who the innocent would be, but the fact we were warned...I suspect the woods may be considering us to participate if we are still around when the challenge takes place.”
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:05, Tue 05 May 2020.
Hunter
Player, 46 posts
Rugged Woodsman
Adorable Goblin
Thu 7 May 2020
at 00:37
  • msg #161

TotOM: Hollow

When Hunter takes a bite of the apple, the rest of the apple withers and turns into dust.

"Well... nice! I can call a bestial spirit!"

Concerning what Cael says, Hunter says, "Huh. Hadn't heard of that. Wonder why they involve an innocent instead of just having a straight-up fight. Sounds like the kind of contest run by an evil, bored rich guy or something."

OOC from GM: Hunter gains the boon Bestial Calling (Learns the Conjure Bestial Spirit spell and can cast it once a day without a spell slot and not needing concentration at a level equal to your proficiency bonus) This means that it won't count against the known ranger spells for Hunter and he could use normal slots for it.
Amalar Sylvaranth
Player, 40 posts
Elemental Dancer
Amiable Drow
Thu 7 May 2020
at 00:53
  • msg #162

TotOM: Hollow

"Congratulations, Hunter!" Amalar says cheerfully.

Mix fist-bumps Hunter with a smile, also happy for him.

Mix then meeps at the description of the Fang's Challenge. But then frowns. "What kind of sick, twisted individual came up with that? Everyone knows that honorable combatants don't involve the innocent. A contest should be between contestants. A combat should be between combatants. Involving the innocent in a fight is what distinguishes one as evil in that fight."

Amalar says, "The origin is unknown, Mix. And wolves will always hunt to get food, not because they are evil, but because they need to survive and don't understand morals the way that you and I do. Presumably, the contest is a case of the wolves already hunting someone, but people like us are told and given an opportunity to rescue them. But that is just my own assumption."

Nobody has had satisfactory answers to Amalar's questions about it growing up anyway. "What counts as innocent?" "Why offer up such a person instead of, say, a criminal?" "What was the origin of this contest?" "Who gets chosen and why?" and so on.

While the concept of it bothers her, Amalar is happy the Margreve gave a heads-up of its coming. "Whatever the case, we should get back to the boar we left behind and then head back to town."
Joe Darkthorne
GM, 459 posts
Everyone suspects a Rogue
Few suspect the Ranger
Sat 9 May 2020
at 04:17
  • msg #163

TotOM: Hollow

  "I know magic powers and all, but you'd think they'd let you eat the whole apple."  RPG food. Either you can eat an entire roast turkey you found by breaking open a stone wall, or you get one bite and it's gone.

  Joe gets the feeling the wolves vs people with supposed 'prizes' at the end is one of those 'Teehee, I'm still neutral! Can't get mad, lore says I'm neutral!' situations.

  "Why can't these things ever cultivate extra delicious herbivores and faster growing crops, instead of pretending blood sport has anything to do with the circle of life?"
Barbara Naur
Player, 49 posts
Sat 9 May 2020
at 05:07
  • msg #164

TotOM: Hollow

So... Clearly grandma was the innocent, and Little Red was the Fire and Steel of Civilization.  Yes.  https://youtu.be/hE0JkatzplA?t=134

Pyrus grins challengingly.  "We've got plenty of fire and steel.  Bring 'em on!"

Barbara listens to everyone and nods.  "Quite."

Though she agrees with the points made, she doesn't feel the need to elaborate any more on the topic.

Barbara puts a hand on Mix's shoulder to calm the squire.  "We can talk more about comparing chivalry vs. how life really goes at another time.  Getting back to town soon and determining if the madness has truly been lifted take priority."

As usual, she leads the way.  Pyrus leans over and whispers to Mix, "Dirty tricks prove that the villain is afraid of you."
This message was last updated by the player at 05:07, Sat 09 May 2020.
Rocky
Player, 29 posts
Envoy Warforged
Level 2 Druid
Mon 23 Nov 2020
at 01:40
  • msg #165

TotOM: Hollow

Rocky ponders the wolf vs civilization issue and says, "I suspect the rules for the challenge were either set up by a Fey or some primordial spirit, possible the Margreve itself, in some fashion and its views on innocents and morality don't align with our own. Whoever it is may have been inspired by some event and chose to have the challenge be a reenactment of that event, not realizing how many people would frown on an innocent child having to take part in each reenactment."

Caeldrim nods and says, “In any case, we have time before the challenge occurs possibly years. Let us collect what we can and return to the village to let them know the source of the madness has been eliminated. Plus we need to collect that giant boar carcass on our way back... could use it for a celebratory feast back in the village.”

With the remaining treasures collected up and no further reason to remain near the now dead singing tree, the party has an easy time retracing its steps to reclaim the Giant Boar corpse and return to the village.

Upon reaching the village and informing them of the death of the Singing Tree and the end to the animal madness, the villagers rejoice and award each of the party with a Charm of Restoration as a reward for saving the village.

The party also learns that shortly before they returned to the village a Piney merchant named Whihop Aidren had arrived and is willing to buy, sell, and trade items.

OOC: While carrying a Charm of Restoration, whenever a person is healed by a spell or magical effect which restores hit points, you gain an extra hit point. This effect does not stack with itself.
Items Whihop Aidren has, most standard adventuring gear (inquire if interested in any specific item), plus a few magical items:
Smolder, a +1 Maca that deals 1d8 Slashing or Bludgeoning damage, 5lb weight. [Alternative [B], Deadlier, High-Critical (from being masterwork), Heavy, Wounding] has both the Mending Quirk and an enhanced Ember Quirk, where the bonus action adds 1d4 fire damage to the next hit plus 1 point of fire damage if the wounding damage is inflicted at the end of the creature’s next turn, but the fire damage is not magnified on a critical hit. Due to the Deadlier property, this weapon rerolls all 1s from the base weapon damage and not damage from other sources, including the fire damage this blade can produce.  The High Critical property means that on a critical hit, any die result that is a 1 is instead treated as if it was a 2. With the Wounding property, a creature hit by this weapon will take 1 point of slashing/bludgeoning damage at the end of its next turn unless it or another creature uses an action to use a healer kit or to make a Medicine DC 11 check to bind the wound. (Instead of animal teeth or obsidian blades normally used in a maca, the slashing surface is made from a series of razor-sharp thorns that regrow if broken off the blade. The bonus action makes a tendril of flame erupt along the striking surface among the thorns on Smolder with an ember of the flame remaining in the inflicted wound.  Otherwise, with the Ember quick, Smolder can start fires by touching an object as if it was a lit match or used as a tinderbox.) (Worth 400gp)
A +1 Longbow creates its own ammunition. This magically created ammo vanishes the instant after it hits or misses a target. It has the Etching quirk and sweats acid onto any ammunition it fires which inflicts 1 point of acid damage to any target the ammunition hits. (Worth 400gp)
A +1 Repeating Shot Light Crossbow. This masterwork crossbow has a 100/400 range due to the aerodynamic property and due to magic ignores the loading property and if you don’t load ammunition into the weapon it produces its own aerodynamic bolts automatically when you make a ranged attack with it. This magically created ammo vanishes the instant after it hits or misses a target. It has the Marking and Mechanaut quirks. (Worth 400gp)
A Lightweight Tower Shield with Shield Sconce has a minor magical property and is worth 145gp (Can carry a light source and as a reaction in response to an attack or when subjected to a dexterity save to gain half-cover until the start of your next turn. Also when you take a Dodge action, the benefit is not lost if you gain the stunned condition or if your speed is reduced to 0. +2 AC, This shield weighs 15 pounds and has no strength requirement. [Normal is 30lbs and STR 15 plus disadvantage on stealth checks]) This is created out of the scales from a Giant Alligator and has the Lightweight (95gp version) quirk.
Everbright Lantern (Common wonderous item, 50gp) This bullseye lantern sheds light in a
120-foot cone; the closest 60 feet is bright light, and the farthest 60 feet is dim light as if the light was produced by a continual flame spell.
Heward’s Handy Spice Pouch (Common wonderous item, 50gp)

This message was last edited by the player at 19:24, Mon 23 Nov 2020.
Amalar Sylvaranth
Player, 41 posts
Elemental Dancer
Amiable Drow
Mon 23 Nov 2020
at 06:56
  • msg #166

TotOM: Hollow

Amalar, Hunter and Mix all enjoy the party. Amalar provides dancing for entertainment and Mix strums a lute for her. Amalar will also provide magic effects, both getting used to her new staff and enjoying spreading beauty with her magic.

Between noms, Hunter is sure to offer some food to Donny to keep the donkey happy. But he is also checking now and then that the town doesn't get snuck up on while distracted with a party. This doesn't keep him from partying, but he is ever vigilant in keeping an eye out now and again, just to be sure.

Mix is also sure to take Pyrus and go play with the children of the village during the celebration.

To the merchant, Hunter eyes the crossbow with admiration. Mix oogles over the lantern, but also shows Smolder and the Lightweight Towershield to Barbie. "I'll bet these would be handy for you, Barbara..."

OOC: Unsure we can afford any of the magic items the merchant is selling.
Joe Margreve
player, 36 posts
I'm not a Ranger
I just dress like one
Mon 23 Nov 2020
at 16:20
  • msg #167

TotOM: Hollow

  "The amount of terrible things people try to play off as 'can't blame me! I just don't understand your stupid mortal ways!' is staggering.  And yet they always suddenly understand perfectly enough to complain with the verbose nature of a mortal law scholar if the day ever comes they suffer consequences for their actions."

  Rocky probably gets a lot of sass for being 'unnatural', and yet Rocky is still a valid consideration for knowledge and spells that effect natural beings. Which one can hardly say for things like Dryads.

  Now that Piney merchant? Totally natural (Unless they have 'PC versions get different keywords than NPCs' reality bending going).   It isn't meta logic when it is in character reality the party has to deal with.

  During the much deserved respite from 24/7 terrible no good very bad days the villagers have, Joe takes some time to sketch out some maps from his BS map memory to give the locals.  Not exactly the most exciting way to party, but still something that makes it easy to watch his friends enjoy themselves and entertain others through the night.


OOC: Armchair Intern Analysis: According to the kind loot tracking by Seth, we got 34 platinum (=340 gold) in the community pile. All the gems etc are spoken for as spell components.

The misc combat gear pile (Minus a shield I'm hindsight nabbing for joe just in case, even though shields ruin his playstyle) of Scimitars, leather armor, shields, shortbows, and single chain shirt add up to: 340 gold full value. 170 by "half resale" logic.  For 510 total community coin pile value. (340+340 = 680 if we were allowed full resale value, but that hardly ever happens).

The comb is uncommon tier, so worth more than the common price scale weapons on sale.  So at worst case scenario resale we could trade it in for One of the magic weapons, or all three of the Not Weapons.

The Villain Sickle is a Very Good STR Weapon without for something without attune. Tark still gets constant flashbacks to 'reach enemies on the ceiling' so Barby probably wants to keep this just in case rather than sell it.

Either way as tempting as "Shoot more good for the shooty boys" is, Smolder and/or the big shield for Barbara seems the most sensible thing to prioritize. Even if we end up putting off buying magic items till later.

Margreve Narrator
Narrator, 44 posts
Mon 23 Nov 2020
at 18:56
  • msg #168

TotOM: Hollow

OOC: For what the party can afford, with current assets the party has
Personal Funds
Amalar 48.2gp, Barbara 41.89gp, Caeldrim 15.1gp, Hunter 45.59gp, Joe 40.71gp, Rocky 15.21gp
Shared/party acquired funds: 381gp (587.7gp including all personal funds)

Tradeable magical items:
Harvester Sickle (Will trade for 400gp), Scrimshaw Comb (Will trade for 400gp), and
Potion of Poison Resistance (valued at 50gp plus 10gp for the container)

Tradeable nonmagical gear: 201gp
4 Scimitars (50gp), 4 Leather armors (25gp), 5 shields (25gp), 5 short bows (62.5gp), 100 arrows (2.5gp), 1 chain shirt (25gp), A box with 20 pounds of salt (11gp)

Can pick up 2 uncommon magical items (400gp each) via trade plus has 788.7gp worth of funds and tradable goods not counting the potion of poison resistance (worth 60gp with container) or any of the other items the party has on the cart which Donny the Donkey pulls (those items are mostly types of torches and other alchemical/herbal items and survival gear/food the party can look through... if the party wants to sell any of them then that is possible.

Also, the party has acquired another 50gp diamond which is a material component for Chromatic Orb, and enough ruby dust for 2 castings of Continual Flame (100gp total) - both of those spells are in the crystalized derende shard so Caeldrim could learn them and use them.

Since it has been asked I'm using the base price for magical items from Xanathar's guide to everything...
Common 50-100gp, uncommon 400gp, rare 4000gp, very rare 40,000gp, legendary 200,000gp with consumable items at half that price.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Tue 24 Nov 2020.
Barbara Naur
Player, 51 posts
Tue 24 Nov 2020
at 00:26
  • msg #169

TotOM: Hollow

Barbara nodded to Rocky, Caeldrim, and Joe.  "I am thankful that my allies' views on innocents are in harmony, that they have the integrity to keep to them even if inconvenient, and that they have sense enough to remember the practical matters at hand."

During the celebration, Barbara sings along with Mix's lute and Amalar's dancing.  Pyrus is plenty happy to recount the epic combats the heroes had in their quest for kids and adults alike, exaggerating only by implication lest Barbara correct him.

"That colossal boar hit Barbara so hard, I could literally feel the ground shake under my feet!" for example, "So gigantic I can't even... well you can see for yourself just how enormous it is!  We're feeding an entire village on just one leg!"

When shopping time comes, Barbara considers in her mind if the bigger shield would have made much of a difference at all compared to the other magic items.

"I doubt that the sentient forest would approve very much of a magic weapon that lights fires.  No complaints about our torches and fire spells so far, though.

"I'm used to being taught how to budget a kingdom's finances, so I'm rather out of my depth when it comes to spending this much on magic items.  All I can think about is how many soldiers I could equip for the same price as just one of these things."


(( OOC: Couple things.  First: I don't recall feeling quite so badass of a tank in a PnP game as in this game.  And for that I blame you all.  Built a tough-as-nails tank in another game and in the very first fight the entire team splinters to engage separate enemies, making it impossible for me to hold a front line.  So thank you all for cooperating in a way that enables Barby to do her job.
  Second, I'm getting a very distinct hint-wink-nudge from the module that you reeeeally want all PCs to have some sort of effective fire weapon or fire attack for this entire story.  Might want to keep that in mind for choosing magic item priorities.
  Third, did the module come up with those prices?  Has 5e finally settled on a less wishy-washy "whatever the DM feels like between 5,000 and infinity gold," magic item pricing convention?  If so, I'd love to know.
  Fourth, outside point 2, I don't have much in the way of input for what to spend gold on.  ))

This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Tue 24 Nov 2020.
Margreve Narrator
Narrator, 44 posts
Sun 6 Dec 2020
at 23:10
  • msg #170

TotOM: Hollow

OOC shopping results:
The party trades both Harvester Sickle (Will trade for 400gp), Scrimshaw Comb (Will trade for 400gp) and the previously the listed nonmagical goods (201gp), along with 394gp (the 381gp of party funds along with 13gp from the party member's individual funds leaving everyone with  the following:
Amalar 46.2gp, Barbara 38.89gp, Caeldrim 13.1gp, Hunter 43.59gp, Joe 38.71gp, Rocky 13.21gp
 in exchange the party has picked up Smolder, the +1 Longbow , the +1 Repeating Shot Light Crossbow, the Lightweight Tower Shield with Shield Sconce, and the Everbright Lantern.

Barbara takes Smolder and the Lightweight Tower Shield with Shield Sconce, Hunter takes the +1 Repeating Shot Light Crossbow, and Joe takes the +1 Longbow. The Everbright Lantern is used by the party and carried on the wagon when no one is specifically holding it.

Summary of Roll20 session.
The party has learned that the Challenge of the Fang encompasses the entire Margreve and has the Would-Be-King of Wolves try to devour and innocent that a Hunter tries to protect by killing the wolf before it can eat the innocent. The winning side gains the Margreve's favor for three generations.

Also, the party has learned that to replenish the supply stocks for the village of Levoca, a rare herb found around Cambervale is needed and the party has headed there via the norther footpath from Levoca.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Sun 06 Dec 2020.
Hunter
Player, 47 posts
Rugged Woodsman
Adorable Goblin
Thu 10 Dec 2020
at 05:58
  • msg #171

TotOM: Hollow

Hunter scouts ahead of the group just to make sure they won't get any surprises on the way. Though he does trade shifts with Joe every half hour or so, both so he can report what he found by scouting and so he can socialize with the group for a bit.

Mix, of course, stays with Barbara. She practices various voices, saying things like "Hello... pleased t'meetchya..." or "Wow... you really are impressive." ...Mix is practicing not just voices, but also acting/deception. Also, seems to be shapeshifting into the various kids from Levoca and trying her hand at pretending to be them, and then playing with their looks while looking in a mirror to come up with personas...
Amalar Sylvaranth
Player, 42 posts
Elemental Dancer
Amiable Drow
Thu 10 Dec 2020
at 06:04
  • msg #172

TotOM: Hollow

Amalar is in a singing/dancing mood and a somewhat talkative mood. So she fills the travel time with stories in song, walks in a dancing manner, and flits about happily. The girl also summons a water elemental with her staff and shows it off to her allies. "Isn't it beautiful?"

Amalar encourages Barbara to sing as well, but figures that won't take much. Much as Mix enjoys the music, she looks in directions Barbara doesn't to make sure her extra set of eyes are being helpful.

Despite how whimsical Amalar is acting, she is still keeping her eyes and ears open. You never know what might try to sneak up on the group.
Joe Margreve
player, 37 posts
I'm not a Ranger
I just dress like one
Thu 10 Dec 2020
at 06:12
  • msg #173

TotOM: Hollow

  Joe makes a note to keep an eye out in case 'We are desperately out of this thing!' is one of those cases where it is practically right outside.  Though to be fair the town they just left was a bit too busy to notice even if such an outlandish yet surprisingly common thing happened.

  "Nature does tend to look much nicer when you guys are involved, yeah." Though for some reason he'd expect a water elementals to be involved with a stab wizard more than a sorcerer.  Must be his player making in jokes again.
Barbara Naur
Player, 52 posts
Fri 11 Dec 2020
at 04:41
  • msg #174

TotOM: Hollow

"You're beautiful," Pyrus counters.

Barbara takes a moment away from thinking on the logistics of burning the forest down without killing the people in it to consider Amalar's question and Pyrus' retort.  "Indeed."

She then speaks to the forest.  "HEAR ME, MARGREVE!  YOUR CHALLENGE IS FLAWED!  PUTTING AN INNOCENT PERSON IN DANGER NOT ONLY LEAVES THE WOLVES WITHOUT A THREAT TO THEIR PACK THAT THE CIVILIZED PEOPLE WOULD HAVE, BUT YOU YOURSELF RISK THE FIRE AND STEEL OF CIVILIZATION BEING BROUGHT TO BEAR AGAINST YOUR TREES SHOULD THAT INNOCENT PERSON BE SLAIN!  MARK INSTEAD A WHITE STAG AS THE TARGET AND THE CHALLENGE WILL BE EQUITABLE FOR BOTH SIDES!  AND YOU RISK NOT THE RETRIBUTION OF CIVILIZATION!"

Hypothetical:
"What has become of my son?" the distraught king asks.

"I regret to say, eaten by wolves in the Old Margreve, sire.  Bad timing.  It was running that fabled contest, and with all the guards, the boy was mistaken as the one chosen to represent civilization.  The wolves waited for him step away from them to relieve himself and ambushed him."

"Stop all sustainable logging operations throughout the land and send all lumberjacks to cut that infernal forest down!  Send word to the neighboring kingdoms!  Free wood for the taking!"

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