"The Frog God doesn't provide us with food.  I'm sure, if we asked for it, he'd let us make food the way Emma and Christine do, changing twigs and leaves into something just about edible -- but instead, he's taught us to live in the swamps or along the shore of a lake or pond.  I'd rather eat bulrush roots and sheep dock and whatever berries we can find, and catch the occasional fish or rabbit.

"He does grant us healing power, but we've used it mainly for others, because they needed it when we didn't.  Truth be told, the greatest blessing we've gained from the Frog God is the ability to be together.  We were both miserable, that year I was on the road alone.  Now we're happy, even if we're being run out of another village.

"I don't see what difference it makes that you're tiny.  Your potions are just as good, aren't they?"

McNealy takes a deep breath, letting out some of the emotion he had been holding in all day.  "You won't find a better quality potion anywhere.  But then again, people care more about the money unless they're desperate.  Even then, they try to take advantage of others if they can."

After a second, his face relaxes a little bit, with almost the hint of a smirk around the edges.  "You ladies have been nice enough, for sure.  I haven't had the best of luck with people, and this is a pretty hard life, although i enjoy the traveling and the adventure of it."

After a pause, McNealy finally adds "And if you do decide to dance around naked in the swamp one of these days, I will volunteer to make sure you're safe."

In reply to McNealy (msg # 557):

The tents set up, the food created and water provided, Christine settles down to a small campfire, inviting the others to join her as Chris silently stands watch on the outskirts of camp. She starts to rest, to recover her strength from making the food.

The sisters follow the routine they've established, laying out their bedrolls side by side, Elaina casting Watchdog immediately before retiring, and settling in to sleep.

[Private to GM: 05:04, Today: Elaina Grattan rolled 14 using 3d6.  Watchdog, roll to cast (13 +1 for extra time/full ritual) radius 10, leaves 2 FP.]

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 559):

So watches...

1st: Christine & Chris
2nd: Emma & Chris
3rd: Masugatan and friend & Chris
4th: Jednessa and McNealy & Chris
5th: Evelina and Elaina & Chris

Each watch of 2 hours. Anyone have any objections to this schedule being a standing procedure every night?

OOC:  I'm fine with it.

OOC McNealy can live with it.  A good time to refresh snares before the morning animals come out.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:02, Wed 26 Aug 2020.

OOC: seems very acceptable.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 563):

Valerie shrugs "If you don't mind having a late breakfast, I am game "

In reply to Valerie (msg # 564):

Cool, then we can run with that every night. Christine settles down for the night.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 565):


As the 3rd and fourth shifts change, the defensive spells go off. Something has approached the camp. Per rolls at -5 all.

[Private to Narrator:invisible Triger. Nearby is a ruined tower with a partial alchemical lab to loot, same set up as btft only with a rift in the hillside open to the bottom left of map. Gobbos cleared out, about a dozen bugbears tho]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:50, Fri 28 Aug 2020.

McNealy jumps up, wild eyed, and stares out into the darkness.

[Private to GM: I believe this is a critical fail.  Considered making up something wild, but decided to let you guide me because that would be creating your story.  What manner of craziness should I be RPing?
12:38, Today: Secret Roll: McNealy rolled 17 using 3d6.  McNealy PER 13-5=8.]

OOC:  Is that -5 due to darkness?  If so, Jednesa was allowed to roll, otherwise her Per roll is at a 2...

14:56, Today: Jednesa rolled 9 using 3d6.  Per 7.  MoF: -2

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 568):

Jednesa can faintly hear something in the darkness.

McNealy was staring into the fire, and has gone nightblind for a wee bit while his eyes adjust to the darkness.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 569):

Christine awakes, but only gets to her feet, staying still otherwise. Emma does likewise.

"Crispin...please come and light our evening..." she calls, quietly.

[Private to GM: Rolled 2 under Per, so 3 over Per-5. Has acute vision 2 and night vision 1. Emma failed by the same amount, but does not have those advantages.

Roll to summon Crispin, 12 or less, rolled 10...]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:06, Sat 29 Aug 2020.

Elaina, awakened by the spell, shakes her sister as she sits up and looks into the night.  Evelina comes awake and alert, but doesn't see what the younger sister has spotted.

[Private to GM: 20:02, Today: Elaina Grattan rolled 8 using 3d6.  Per (13 - 5) to spot intrusion.
20:08, Today: Evelina Grattan rolled 8 using 3d6.  IQ (14) to avoid Mental Stunning from sudden awakening.
20:09, Today: Evelina Grattan rolled 10 using 3d6.  Per (14-5) to spot intrusion.]

Realizing the noise she heard might actually ahve been important, Jednesa stands up and looks over in that direction.

Alchemist McNealy is dazed, but can tell from reaction that something is amiss.  As he blinks repeatedly behind his glasses, he fumbles around for just the right vial on his bandoleer.

[Private to GM: Ready staff sling.  Not sure of the foliage so maybe this isn't wise, but as a pyromaniac he's going for the alchemist's fire.  Load it in the sling and start aiming at the noise...whenever he can see.

He has the shaded alchemist's glasses so I'm not sure the fire would have blinded him.  But yes, that is what he would have been doing.]

13:46, Today: Masugatan rolled 6 using 3d6.  Per roll (unadjusted).

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 574):

Masugatan the sharp eyed spots more of the strange footprints,  and more of them as he watches- but nothing is making them!

In reply to something in the darkness (msg # 575):

Does Crispin come? Does a little light help anyone else notice after (I assume) he points that out?

Elaina follows along Masugatan's gaze.  "You too?"

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 577):

Crispin materializes out of the campfire and rises above it, casting a bit more light.

In reply to Fire elemental (msg # 578):

"Crispin, my friend, can you have a close look at these footprints Masugatan seems to have found?"

Elaina picks up her whip and takes a guard position while her sister slips on her body armor and sleeves and jams her leather cap onto her head.