OOC:  Pretty sure Urrun was scouting alone.

Hograth, Melchizadek, and Stenet hadn't spoken up, and Gorran initially stated he was staying with the rest of the group.

I know Gorran then said "Goran proceeds along with the rest of the group" but the rest weren't proceeding anywhere.  My guess is Goran jumped the gun and thought everyone went along for some reason?

OOC  I don't think it was explicitly explained so much.  Or I missed the subtlety.  He wanted to get close enough to scout the cottage a bit, but would be with the group.  So maybe sticking his head out of the trees, but not approaching like Urrun.

NBD ... Just sounded like Goran was close behind me .... but Urrun will slip back and tell the party what he thinks he sees.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Thu 23 Apr 2020.

When Urrun returns, "Witches?  Hmmph.  Wonder if they're the good kind of witches or the bad kind?"

Stenet checks over his kit, hatchets in place, shield strapped tightly, then he shoulders his pack and hefts his axe.

"Hograth?  We approach in force, or you want to feel it out in a smaller number?"

In reply to Urrun (msg # 453):

"I think we should be defensive until we can ascertain their threat level, including demeanor. Lets go knock..."

He will head to the door...

Goran is somewhat troubled by what he sees.  While the iconography in front of him isn't bad, necessarily, it doesn't match well with Hors and what he stood for.  It was possible that the occupants of the cottage were good, and he was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.  However, if they really were witches, he would consider that to be a problem.

In reply to Goran the Marked (msg # 456):

It would depend on how Gorran defined witches; women devoted to Mokkosh the fertility Goddess are priestesses, but different from Chernabog the black slayer.

An evil witch would be a demon worshipper.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 457):

Signs of anything demonic would get Hograths hackles up, otherwise he can handle other beliefs as long as the follow the law. He calls out to see if anyone is home.

In reply to Hograth Podkarmen (msg # 458):

A small window in the door opens, and you can hear a voice from within asking someone to see who is there.
A younger voice replies
"Four men and a Bouda. Shall I invite them in?"

In reply to Younger witch (msg # 459):

Seeing they are polite, Hograth will wait for the conversation to finish.

In reply to Hograth Podkarmen (msg # 460):

"Who comes knocking at our door in our house in the deep woods?"

In reply to Mature witch (msg # 461):

"Hograth, servant of Hades and hunter of Demons. My friends are here tracking a demonic infestation."

Goran is very careful to watch how the women react when Hograth announced he is of Hades, and hunting demons.  He wants to know their disposition, so he can react accordingly.

[Private to GM: If and when they come up, I rolled Observation so he can watch them very closely.  Sooner or later their religious stance will come yup, so he also rolled all of his religious and occult skills.  You choose what is appropriate.
16:55, Today: Secret Roll: Goran the Marked rolled 9 using 1d6+5.  Theology - Shevnian 12.
16:54, Today: Secret Roll: Goran the Marked rolled 9 using 1d6+5.  Observation 13.
16:54, Today: Secret Roll: Goran the Marked rolled 6 using 1d6+5.  Occultism 13.
16:54, Today: Secret Roll: Goran the Marked rolled 7 using 1d6+5.  Hidden Lore (Spirit Lore) 13.]

Stenet pays attention to literally everything but the witches and their house, making sure nothing sneaks up on them from behind.

Urrun is drooling at the smell of the pie.

In reply to Goran the Marked (msg # 463):

[Private to Goran the Marked: reroll those with 3d6, someone left the dice roller set to 1d+5. Observation is for watching patterns of behavior over an extended period of time]
The door opens, revealing three women, a younger one with light hair, a matronly one with short dark hair, and a woman of a certain age,  who has embraced the graying of her hair.
"Pardon us for not being overly welcome, master Hograth, as we recognize your Lugubrious Lord as not being the hero of Persephone's tale. I see a lovely ray of sunshine made flesh, and the very embodiment of a Summer's day,  and Midwinter pays a vist as well.. I must say you two are far from home, as this land only cycles through the weeks before Mabon and after Samhain, leaving out both Midwinter and Midsommer completely.  I am not sure of the other dwarf Paladin's affiliations, but as to ours, we serve the Goddess in all of her manifestations.  Won't you come in for a cup of cider and some fresh baked pie? Your bouda friend looks famished. Come in to Granny's house, Mister Big Bad."

In reply to Older witch (msg # 466):

"Thank you for your generous invitation. My friends and I were here to ensure that this place had not been corrupted, so I guess we can come in briefly to discuss how things are going around here..."

I not Big bad ... and Pie smell really good. Can me repay kindness?

"Nothing for me ma'am, but thank you kindly all the same."

Stenet keeps his eye out for anything that would signify these are the evil sort of magic-users (babies in stew pots, demonic familiars, excessive cackling, etc).

Goran follows the group but also takes a more cautious approach.  "Thank you for the invitation, my ladies.  May I ask how the pie was made?  You see, I am a vegetarian, and so I must be careful what I eat."

[Private to GM: I did mess up those rolls.  Did not notice.  Here you go.  Somehow seems wrong that he made everything except for the theology roll...

10:28, Today: Secret Roll: Goran the Marked rolled 16 using 3d6.  Theology - Shevnian 12.
10:27, Today: Secret Roll: Goran the Marked rolled 12 using 3d6.  Observation 13.
10:27, Today: Secret Roll: Goran the Marked rolled 12 using 3d6.  Occultism 13.
10:27, Today: Secret Roll: Goran the Marked rolled 7 using 3d6.  Hidden Lore (Spirit Lore) 13.]

In reply to Urrun (msg # 468):

Urrun can smell the presence of a vouple of cats.
Goran notes that in addition to moon carvings, there are pentagrams, which are commonly used to ward against evil, and a handful of familiar runes that slso seem to be wards.

"There may well be a way that you can do that. Come in, and the pie does have  a butter crust rather than a suet one, are you averse to dairy?"

<seagreen>

Goran considers her answer for a moment, in an attempt to be careful.  These ladies could be friendly, based on his preliminary sense of things.  However, the evil cults never openly displayed their opinions openly.  They were always hidden under the surface.  It was best to be conservative with his questions and behavior until he was sure of things.

"The pie smells delightful, but I will pass.  Thank you for the offer, it is appreciated.  I unfortunately took quite a tumble not long ago, and my stomach still isn't quite right after that hill.  Perhaps a bit later, after I feel more settled."

After a brief pause, to be polite and not seem too forward, Goran looks for another opening so he can continue.

"If I may beg your indulgence, I have a question, in the interest of respect and understanding.  This land seems enchanted in some way, although I do not understand it's nature.  We do not know if it is magical, or spiritual.  We just came here to explore.  You mentioned that you not see some of the seasons.  I do not know how that might work, or how you might survive under these conditions.

Also, you mentioned the Goddess as if we should immediately share that context with you.  Please forgive me.  I am but a simple priest of Hors, and come from the country.  Life seemed much simpler there, and I was never exposed to such things.  I would appreciate a moment of patience, if you are willing to explain to an old man?"


OOC  Goran is 48, which is really quite old for most settings of this nature and time period.  He's going to play up the old man bit a little, with a helping of country bumpkin and some simpleton on the side.  All of this happens to be true, although he's plenty smart.  Just not as educated.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Mon 04 May 2020.

In reply to Goran the Marked (msg # 472):

Hograth accepts the invitation but does not want to disrupt Goran.

In reply to Hograth Podkarmen (msg # 473):

"To answer the questionabout our seasonal issue, I need to ask you a question regarding how you came to be here; the nature of your entryway affects your appreciation  of the setting.  Also, are you familiar with Plato's concept of ideals?"

Philosophy anyone? It defaults to IQ-6

In reply to Mature witch (msg # 474):

The pie is quite excellent. as is the mildly hard cider, which is mulled and spicy.

"Have you ever experienced a perfect moment,  and thought to yourself, 'imagine if this could go on forever?' Think of a time when you performed an act of devotion, and it seemed like time stood still as you communed with the divine."