Disengaging his senses from Whisper, opening his eyes, and regaining the faculties of his body Rolen centers himself on the ship and looks around the beach for anything out of the ordinary. "Whisper wasn't able to determine if they were goblins or not; only that they were small green humanoid creates who liked to argue.  There seems to be several small groups of them about a mile away from here, up the mountain."

Pulling the straps of his backpack tighter Rolen follows Earamin onto the beach; moving quickly towards one of the buildings. "I suppose we should begin by searching these buildings first for any threats." Glancing towards Earamin Rolen readies his longbow in his left hand and scans the immediate area for threats.

Whisper continues to fly lazy circular patrols around the harbor; scouting out the terrain and any nearby threats.

Rolen will move to X20 on the map, near Earamin.

Taking a deep breath, and letting it out slowly, Lipika prepared herself for the conflict to come.  She knew it was bound to happen eventually, but she didn't realize it would be as soon as they landed.  She got off the boat, and joined the others, keeping her left hand on the Chrystal that hung about her neck.

Move: to 21w

Nesterin shrugged and made his way off the ship to join the others as they headed toward the buildings. He eye the structure and the surroundings warily, looking for any signs of a possible trap or other danger. Traps were unlikely but if the creatures Rolen's owl had spotted were goblins it was a possibility. The little buggers were notorious for building traps, at least in his homeland.

"Best keep our eyes open. never know what an old building may be hiding."

OOC:
10:28, Today: Nesterin Brightmoon rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Perception.

Oda keeps her senses about her as she leaves the board.


Moving to U22

Checking into the warehouses along the wharf...

Only one has anything of interest.  The others are empty except for old trash.  Lots of pottery, most of it broken, most of it Elven.  Pottery is heavy, of course, and when it was time to evacuate, most of it wasn't important enough.

But the left most warehouse has a boat.  Not a ship, and not a little two person rowboat either.  In the middle.  It's big enough to be seaworthy, and it might be able to accommodate up to 8 people, and a little bit of cargo, though it has no "below decks" except for small storage places.  It has a mast, and a rolled up sail, and outriggers, similar to how the Honoans make their seagoing canoes.  It's hard to connect it to the Mountain Elves by style, because the Mountain Elves had so few ocean craft that they never developed a style.  They just acquired them from others.  But there do seem to be Elven design elements here, in the artwork painted on the boat's side.

It is disassembled.  It's the only way it could fit in here.  The mast and outrigger have been removed, along with the sail, and stored alongside.

Jiri is puzzled.  "They would have taken all the boats, everyone was trying to leave.  And those that couldn't... they wouldn't have time to do this, they were trying to protect the others, right up to the very end.  It would have been a wreck in the water, like the other pieces we found."

The exploration is interrupted by the screeching of monkeys.  This isn't the sound they made at the sight of the owl.  This sounds much more frantic.  A lot of rustling of leaves, to the point of making some of the taller plants shake.  Whatever is going on, they seem very excited.  But none headed towards you.  They seem to have suddenly vanished.



From his location, Nesterin can just manage glimpses of it.  Kinda sorta like the monkeys, but much larger, with a much fiercer look.  Big teeth, angry expression.  It's moving quickly down the stairs, and the regular monkeys are getting out of the way.  Shorter than a human, but with a strong build like a Dwarf.

 

Looking up and around as the monkees start screeching an alarm trying to determine the cause of the alarm. "Can anyone see want is causing the alarm? The monkees seem to be agitated again! "

Lipika noticed the monkeys running to the right, so what ever spooked them was probably coming from the left.  She didn't want to speak up for fear of alerting what ever was scaring the monkeys.  Instead she vaguely pointed in an arc from the left warehouse further to the left.

Nestrin kept his eyes on the critter as it approached. "Guys, looks like we have a larger cousin to the monkeys headed this way. Really angry looking critter close to the size of a dwarf."

Oda's eyes widened as Nesterin detailed what the commotion might me. She readied her shield and drew her mace holding it high and at the ready position.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:52, Fri 29 Jan 2021.

Varis readies his crossbow and makes his way over near Nestrin to he can look and see what the creature looks like and what it is doing. "A larger one you say, interesting. Does it look actively angry or does it just have and angry face like that fellow we got rations from?"

 The monkeys continue to flee.  Forest Elves learn a thing or two about wildlife.  Forest Elves teach the youngsters, if you see the animals fleeing, beware of whatever panicked them.  But the party is mostly Mountain Elf.  Things like that didn't get pounded into them.

Oda, Varis and Nesterin are the first to get a good look at it.  It's like the monkeys- same basic shape, covered in fur, longer, stronger forearms and shorter back legs.  But it is larger and much heavier, and looks much more fierce.  It is displaying its fangs and hooting loudly as it bounds down the stairs.  It moves with the same speed and agility as the monkeys.  In a few more moments it will be here.

The "normal" monkeys have all taken cover.  Some have scurried up palm trees.  The cleverer monkeys climb out onto fronds and branches just strong enough to support them, which means, they obviously won't support this creature, should it try to follow.  They all look frightened.  Even the characters who haven't been around monkeys would recognize it.

The creature does not look frightened.  Enraged might be the word.

One other odd thing... it's wearing a crude necklace.  You can't get a good look at it, since its bouncing on the creature's neck and the creature is bouncing down the stairs.  But it's... little things on a cord dangling from the neck.

"That's not a regular monkey," Jiri says, feeling it her duty to point out the obvious.

Seeing the reactions of the smaller monkeys to their newest visitor and noting the larger monkey's progress through his familiar's eyes Rolen considers its behavior curiously.  Moving closer to Jiro up the beach Rolen replies to her statement, "I suppose it could be a druid or a shapeshifter.  It would explain the necklace on its neck and they may be the owner of the outrigger ship in the warehouse we found. They very well could be defending their property from us stealing it." Rolen puts his longbow away on his backpack to look less threating and gathers his wits and magical energy around himself.

Glancing around at the rest of party and how nervous and fearful at the large monkey's presence Rolen assesses the situation and shapes the energy around him with his will to create a disembodied voice near the large monkey, "We mean you no harm and do not wish to attack you.  Please calm down, so that we may talk."


Rolen moves to U21 near Jiro; regarding the large monkey thoughtfully and readies his magic for an attack if one comes. Using a minor illusion spell Rolen creates a sound illusion as close to the large monkey as possible...

Oda moves to Q22 she uses Thaumaturgy to cause a small harmless tremor.


OOC: Use Thamaturgy cantrip to cause the tremor in conjunction with Rolen's announcement
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Sun 31 Jan 2021.

"Whatever it is, it looks very angry, aggressive. If it keeps coming closer and doesn't talk I am going to put a bolt in it. Hopefully it talks."

Varis steadies himself and takes a bead on the large monkee thing aiming for it's midsection. With a mutter under his breath he hums a few arcane words as well.

OOC:
Bonus action place Hexblades Curse on creature giving disadvantage for DEX saves.
Action hold attack with light crossbow, firing when creature closes half the distance to us if it does not respond to Rolen.


10:29, Today: Varis Nailo rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  attack with light crossbow.

Nesterin looks about quickly, "Think I might see about a higher vantage point." as he begins trying to climb to the roof of the warehouse.

OOC:
If needed.
19:27, Today: Nesterin Brightmoon rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.
19:26, Today: Nesterin Brightmoon rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  Perception. Should have been +6, so 15.
19:25, Today: Nesterin Brightmoon rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Athletics.

Nesterin gets to the hip of the warehouse roof.  From here he has a clear view of everything- the party, the creature, the frightened monkeys vanishing into trees.  (And a couple that have scrambled up trees are are now at eye level)

Looking at the rapidly approaching "super monkey" as it takes the steps in leaps and bounds, it occurs to him that it looks at least as agile as the normal monkeys, and a lot stronger, so it could easily get up here on the roof with him if it wanted.

The creature's demeanor seems to be one of pure rage, and as it heads towards the party with no sign of slowing

Jiri hides behind the warehouse.   Earamin uses the corner of the warehouse for cover as he tries to hit it with an arrow.  He misses, as does Varis.

Rolen's sound does have an effect- the creature actually pauses, but clearly not moved by any peaceful words.  Rather, the creature takes several swiped in the air at the sound illusion, possibly thinking there might be something invisible there.

Now that the creature is closer, Oda, Nesterin, and Varis can see the necklace, which looks like teeth and bones strung on a simple knotted cord.  Not the sort of thing Elves are known to make.  On the other hand, monkeys don't make them either.

"Hmm, agile, fast, obviously strong....either smart enough t make that necklace or belongs to someone that put the necklace on it. Interesting."
While he is observing and cataloging the creature, Varis quickly loads and fires again hoping to bamage the creature before it gets into melee range. "I don't recommend wrestling with it."


OOC: action-shoot the monkey

07:11, Today: Varis Nailo rolled 8 using 1d8+2.  crossbow damage.

07:10, Today: Varis Nailo rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  crossbow attack on SuperMonkey.

Lipika felt exposed as the monkey creature approached, and she was a bit frustrated that Jiri took the spot she was going to hide in.  She moved closer to Earamin, and Rolen for protection.  She concentrated on her crystal ready to use her magic for defense if the creature attacked the party, but she wasn't ready to strike first.

OOC note: She activated mage armor back on post 16 so her AC is 16

Move: to w20

Action: held: cast chill touch on the monkey creature if it attacks a party member

11:31, Today: Lipika rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  initiative.

Chill touch 11:31, Today: Lipika rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  attack.

Chill touch damage 11:31, Today: Lipika rolled 3 using 1d8.  damage.

Watching from the rooftop as the monkey rapidly approached Nesterin quickly readied his bow and took aim. It was a pity to have to kill such an animal but it clearly had the intention of doing the same to the party. As it closed he fired hoping to end things quickly.

OOC:
12:23, Today: Nesterin Brightmoon rolled 15 using 2d6+3.  Damage (Critical).

12:20, Today: Nesterin Brightmoon rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Shortbow Att.

Seeing the actions of the others and how the monkey reacted to his illusion Rolen shakes his head in frustration.  "So, much for talking our way out of this." Gathering his magic to him Rolen forms a large rock out of the ground in front of him; providing cover for everyone hiding between the buildings.  He keeps a wary eye on the enraged monkey as it approaches; still not wanting to harm it...


Rolen casts a minor illusion spell in front of him to provide cover against attack.

Oda puts her holy symbol forth and casts the Bless spell empowering herself, Varis and Nesterin with the blessings of her divine patron.


OOC: Cast Spell: Bless +1d4 Whenever they make an attack roll or
saving throw before the spell ends in 1 minute or when Oda losses
concentration on the spell


This message was last edited by the player at 20:05, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

The monkey creature fixes on Oda, and rushes straight towards her. For a few moments it claws at her and lunges at her ferociously.  Then, it is hit by several attacks almost simultaneously, including a couple of arrows, and Lipika's Chill touch is a coup de grace.


A mass of muscle and fur collapses on the wharf.

For a few moments, there is silence again.  Then, one by one, the monkeys begin to reappear.  They have been scattered, and now they begin to regroup.  They seem more relaxed now.  The sounds are different and sound more relaxed as well.

Oda sighs and steps back from the creature he lays dead at her feet. "By the gods. That creature targeted me, perhaps..." the half-orc took another step back and turned to examined her companions and attempted to collect herself and note the differences.

She was half-orc, yes but what else was there...?

Looking down at the creature, Varis nods at Oda's words. "You were casting, perhaps it was intelligent enough to know you as a threat?"

Pulling out a notebook and quill, Varris makes a sketch of the creature with particulate attention to it's necklace.

"I don't think I have seen anything written or heard anything about such a creature. The necklace worries me, made by the creature to put on it by another? We best stay on our guard."

Lipika was surprised when her spell dropped the creature.  She was trained in combat spells but never used them in actual combat.  She looked at the hand that had cast the spell, but quickly shook herself from her reverie, and focused in the present situation. She cautiously approached the scene of the combat. Looking to Oda she asked, "it didn't hurt you, did it?"

In response to Varis she said, "goblins use magic to bind beasts and monsters to their will.  This may mean the goblins have spell casters among them."

She looked at the necklace to see if it was a spell component, or a control item.

20:30, Today: Lipika rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  arcana.