As everyone wakes on the morning after the necromancer's death, and the end of the Thayan fear and control in Phandalin has come to pass, the village breathes a collective sigh of relief. Today, these heroes know that they have a long journey ahead of them, and a dangerous ritual to stop at the end of it.  Warning had come in the form of dreams for some of these heroes, while Brillik had seen evidence of the ritual with his own eyes and knew without such a warning that a powerful evil was the goal.

Breakfast is served, and Gundren is already awake and overseeing the bundling of foodstuffs for you to have on your journey to and from the ruins of Thundertree. Also present is the one recently nicknamed Tiny Dancer, Sakamoto.

With their belongings, and their friends, gathered together, the heroes set off to the east, for the Ruins of Thundertree.

Any preparations you need to make, note them now. We don't need to RP little bookkeeping stuff, but if you need to buy equipment, list it here and mark off your gold.

I need a d20 roll from the first 4 people to reply here.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:32, Tue 22 Mar 2022.

Ariadne was in good spirits as they headed out into the wild again.  Despite her affinity for the Natural Order, the druid would have actually preferred a few days in town to luxuriate in the decadent trappings of civilization.  Many in her Order considered this a flaw in the half elf's character, but she didn't care.  She would never become an actual city dweller, so what was the harm in the occasional feather bed and an evening by a stone fireplace listening to bardic songs or the chatter of her Traveling Companions?  Not to mention the medicinal benefits of a good ale, or three?

She'd spent a fair amount of time getting accustomed to her new magic possessions.  The bow was a marvel, producing arrows as if by magic. Well...she corrected herself, actually it was Exactly like magic, come to think of it.

Regardless, it was a trmendous weapon, and she now saw what all the elves in her family felt when they had droned on about them the last time she was home.  In fact, she was thinking of speaking on the subject the next time she was in contact with the head of her Order.  Slings and spears had a certain compact beauty, but a bow, even a non enchanted one, was its own kind of magic. And, of course, her new magic bracers helped a bit.

Her shopping excursion that morning had been brief, only replacing any rations, and getting some water. She replaced her ropes with something studier and lighter, but they'd used very little as they overran the Thayans.  Ari had to admit that she had been wrong about that situation.  It was obvious that the red cloaks were trouble, but in her experience it could be trouble if outsiders interfered in local matters.  She remembered, early in her career, when they'd arrived in a small village for a rest after rescuing a lost boy in the mountains. They soon discovered that there was a thief in town, robbing everyone in the night.  Everyone complained about 'the bandit', but no one seemed to have any ideas about what to do.

That night, her Traveling Companions, consisting of a halfling bard, a gnomish locksmith, and a elven sorceress, stayed up and ambushed the thief, who turned out to be the town drunk, and son of the town priest.

Expecting a reward, or at least a thank you, Ariadne and her crew were dismayed when the town angrily condemned their "brutal treatment of a poor, confused boy, who just needed patience and love".  After an hour of enduring the glare of annoyance from literally everyone in town, the group cut their relaxation time short, and headed into the dangerous woods, where things made sense.  Luckily, however, the people of this town were more forward thinking, and treated them like heroes. Honestly, it was difficult to leave that kind of atmosphere.   It seemed to happen so rarely.

But that was the job, Ariadne thought to herself, as she walked, leading the way (though she'd share it with others, if they insisted).  She had her new Ioun stone in a pouch, ready to use if she needed it. She'd spent time playing with it already, and enjoyed it immensely.  But for now, however, she was in her traditional element, keeping an eye on tracks and an ear out for trouble.


OOC:  00:44, Today: Ariadne Greenthorn rolled 17 using 1d20

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:46, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

Akyra had come to bed after speaking to Sakamoto for a time. She had taken the magical gloves to him, and asked him a favor in return, an idea coming to her before rest. Now that she woke, even though she was sore, she had felt worse, and even her magical energies had replenished.

When she came down, there seemed something different about her - her more military like outlook seemed less stringent almost as if the battle and the near loss of sakamoto (and the loss of others) had forced her to realize that physical strength  was not always the answer.

She came down, pack on her back, with the shield strapped to her pack, her axe at her hip, and the healing staff in her hand. The unclaimed items that held magic were in the pouch the man gave her in the keep - the magical pouch.

She stood there ready for the others to arrive.

---

<OOC: Akyra Clethtinthiallor rolled 19 using 1d20.>

A loud deep groan could be heard emanating from one of the corner tables in the Inn and tavern where a pile of dwarven flesh lay stirring, cuddled around the main support of the table.  He slowly rolled over and half crawled until he got to his feet making for the front entrance to the door.  The sun had not yet peeked it's head over the horizon but the sky was already alight with the morning's rays.  Brillik squinted and covered his eyes as he made his way around the side of the building where after a moment of silence a loud exasperated sign followed by the sound of splashing water creeped through the half open windows of the nearby buildings.  After what seemed like an eternity the splashing stopped, and was almost immediately followed by the sound of coughing, and soon retching as the contents of the previous nights drink and dinner were spilled into the nearby foliage.  If the nearby patrons weren't already grossed out then the sound of spitting, and Brillik holding one nostril shut and clearing his nasal passages of the remaining bits of vomit would surely turn most stomachs.

Brillik then re-entered the establishment, pulled up a stool and waited grogily for the breakfast of oats covered with hard boiled eggs and thick cut dried bacon, and more ale.  Brillik wolfed the food down wordlessly and ravenously without leaving a bit of food left.  When he was finished, he eyed his early travel companions and realized that it was finally time to get underway.  Slowly he gathered his pack of belongings which included a single arm slung pack that he slung over his shoulder and let rest across his chest.  Two straight metal poles extended out of the pack diagonally and nearly scraped the floor when he got the pack on.  He hefted his great axe, testing it's weight, and grip making sure that no one touched it while he was unconscious before putting it down and grabbing his armor pads.  This was the most peculiar part of his equipment as they looked like hand sized slabs of metal, some straight, some curved as to contour the body, but each one of them had a trio of 3-4" metal spikes protruding from the outside.  He quickly and methodically, almost without thinking slid them into place in the odd spots in his armor.

When all was said and done, he picked up his Great axe, walked over to the odd-couple pair waiting near the entrance, and grumbled something barely recognizable as a greeting.

08:20, Today: Brillik rolled 18 using 1d20.  Brillik per GM request.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:21, Tue 22 Mar 2022.

Khorth woke up in his usual fetal position when he was sleeping, instinctively reproducing the position he had in his egg shell. Still groggy, he stretched and had a more detailed look at his room, approaching the bed. Putting a clawed hand on it, he recoiled in surprise when the thin mattress gave to his pressure. Shaking his head in incomprehension, he spotted the wash bassin and drank all the water in the cracked pitcher.

Finally he went down with his new helmet on his head, his old one strapped to his bag and ordered raw meat for his breakfast. When the innkeeper frowned at the demand, saying he didn't have any available, the paladin asked for a dozen raw eggs, that he gulped like candies, shell included. Turning to the dragonborn after looking at the dwarf, he nooded.

Let's goooo hunt, Darkscale


Today: Khorth rolled 16 using 1d20.  gm request.

As the other's began to arrive downstairs, they were greeted by the sight of their diminutive companion, Sakamoto. A large - especially so, given his size and previous eating habits - meal spread out before him occupying most of the table space between himself and Gundrun the Dwarf. Most of the plates were empty, and still Sakamoto was quite preoccupied with devouring the remains. Death, it seemed, left one quite famished.

He offered grateful smiles and bows of his head for his companions as each arrived one by one.

Eventually, the time for eating passed and the time for gathering and departing arrived. Sakamoto found he was excited to get back on the road. "A new lease on life." was a phrase he'd heard, but never quite understood as his monastic upbringing had taught him to live his life as if each day was a special blessing. With that kind of outlook, how could one see things any differently?

He knew, now, of course, what the phrase meant. Colors seemed brighter, tastes bolder. The grass was greener and the smells around him were stronger and more pleasing. Even his companions looked better in his new eyes.

Eyes that came once more to rest upon Ariadne's form. She led from the front, as was to be expected until Sakamoto's time to scout arrived, and he felt his face flush as he watched her. Quickly, he averted his eyes, heart racing. Family. he remembered her saying, and he frowned.

He turned his attention to the massive dwarf that walked beside him at the rear of the group. He'd only just caught his name - Brillik - but knew nothing else of the man. "Forgive my ignorance, but I was not present to meet you last night." he began softly. "I am called Sakamoto. It is a pleasure to meet you. What brings you to our party, besides Gudrun, I assume."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

Though she was distracted by their new journey,  Ariadne smiled when Sakamoto appeared.  She went to the halfling and knelt down,  giving him a warm hug.
"It's wonderful to have you back with us,  my friend.  We weren't the same without you."
She would then leave the little man to defy Nature and eat twice his volume in food.  When the halfling broke his fast, he REALLY broke his fast.

Discussions happened as the troupe made their way east. The storm that had blown through the day before left everything muddy, but at least there had been some time for it to dry off a bit, and the general dryness of the area at this time of year meant that plants and earth alike were happy to drink their fill of what felt. Shadier parts were worse, naturally, but overall travel was not terrible. You see the storm clouds gathered to the east, and seeming to gather from all directions at once. Much of the skill is filled with dark clouds, and you can smell the moisture in the air ready to fall again at any moment.

Though the threat of rain is there, no more falls in your area. Grey markings in the sky show distinct rainfall in the east, and some both north and south of your location as well, but today you've managed to stay dry. Roll 1: Good weather

Far to the east, movement was seen in the air, but below the clouds. It was to far off, and too small from this distance to tell what it was, yet large enough for you to still see it, which meant the thing was definitely big, whatever it was. Roll 2: Dragon location is east

Rolls 3 & 4 will come into play after others have had a chance to chime in, or respond.

Ariadne did what she could to guide her Traveling Companions through the drier parts of the trail, if she could.
The second day was looking like another calm day, but then sharp eyes saw movement in the skies.
"I think something is coming.  We might want to take cover.."

She looked around for good cover
OOC:  00:13, Today: Ariadne Greenthorn rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Survival

Akyra, walking with the staff in hand, sniffed the fresh air, occasionally looking at each person.  Her gaze went to Ariande, leading them on the right pather with her nature skills. Next Was Khorth, ever the protector. Behind her, the two new sisters, Chlora and Zhalis.

Akyra had gathered Chlora was a spellcaster, but whether a learned arcanist like a wizard, or instinctual loke a sorcorer, she did not know. As for Zharis, she was a lot harder. She used magic, but also was a capable fighter.

Behind them was Sakamoto, his light step not showing his previous death experience. Then teh dwarf, with the odd accent.

this was the new team, destined to discover what was to come.

She looked forward....Whatever it is.

Brillik travelled mostly in silence, half asleep, and the other half of his consciousness was trying to pay attention to the road so he doesn't fall into the mud.  When the sound of someone's voice reached his ear.   Groggily he inclined his head toward the halfling, "Huh?  Are you talkink to me?"  His brain was extremely sluggish to respond as the words rattled around and finally put themselves into their proper place.

"I'm sorry, I am Brillik from the Rimkrosh Mountains.  Slayer of undead, Ork-kin and rabid Owlbears.  As you guessed I accepted the job from Gundren like you all, but it's the adversity that I look forward to.  I've yet to meet my match in battle, and with Torm's blessing, I shouldn't have to wait long to find it... tagging along with you folk that is."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Thu 24 Mar 2022.

When Firehair told the party that she saw something in the marsh, the paladin got the stone spinning around his head, amazed at the increase of his senses. The new helmet had magically molded itself to his unusual  head, making it much more comfortable than the skull, that was rubbing on his scales. He needed to think on what to do with the oddly shaped ex-helmet, but now was the time to hunt. Gripping his sword-tooth, he looked around for what had disturbed his companion.


 Today: Khorth rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  perception
This message was last edited by the player at 13:28, Thu 24 Mar 2022.

Lady Chlora walked along enjoying the company of others. A feeling of more security, more eyes and strength of arms. She occasionally glanced to her sister to see how she was doing or reacting as they made their way. Her eyes moved to the many other scaled ones in their company. So interesting she thought.


07:36, Today: Lady Chlora rolled 4 using 1d20.  Perception.

Those who search are able to see, and those who search but fail are directed by the others until they see it too. Far to the east is a creature of some kind moving about in the sky. The distance is too great to make out details, but a focused watch for several seconds reveals that the thing does move about by the use of great wings. Those who have been in the area for the last few days are quick to assume that it is the same white dragon they had seen before.

After some observation, however, you can tell that the dragon is not coming toward you. Instead, it is heading north toward the center of the storm.  The dragon seems to move quite slowly, but you know from this distance that it is a deception of the distance. Nearly two hours pass with the dragon making slow progress, before it finally draws near to the central storm. As he does so, the storm erupts in a fury and lightning arcs across the sky all across darkened sky. Near the center, you see lightning striking the ground, three bolts at almost the exact same time, and all striking near one another. Three more strikes together, and three more again.

The storm's center is far enough away that you do not hear its thunder, but you can imagine it is quite terrible nearby. Your view of the area itself becomes clouded as rainfall becomes so heavy that it nearly darkens the whole of the sky in that area, but the lightning does not stop for for several more minutes. Roll 3: No random encounter

Several minutes after that, Ariadne once again spots the dragon, this time headed back toward the southern mountain range.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:51, Fri 25 Mar 2022.

Ariadne signaled when it was safe to emerge from cover.
"I wonder if we'll have to deal with that beast someday "
She muttered to herself

OOC:  is the unusual weather meaning anything to her?

Zhalis walked next to Chlora during the group's travels. She did not speak much, which Clora felt was odd for Zhalis. There were so many new people that had time to bond and connect, she felt a little out of place still. The look of the sky worried her, but not for fear of the rain. The lightning the night before hurt, even though she wasn't directly struck. The others mentioned something about a dragon, which peaked Zhalis' attention, but once she realized the dragon wasn't flying near them, she quickly lost interest again.

"How much farther until we reach this, Thundertree?"

Looking to her sisters silence she asked if she was ok.

Then her attention from the others was pulled to the sky. She starred in awe for the length of time it was visible but did join the others when they hid. Finally when it flew into the storm she came back to her senses and rejoined them when they began walking again.

"Well, that was amazing. Certainly something you don't see often."

Ariadne nodded to the Yuan-Ti
"Only a couple of days, hopefully.  I'm an expert hunter and guide, so we should reach it without a problem. "
She looked at the other woman with smile
"In the meantime,  perhaps you can tell us more about yourself and your..sister, was it?  I don't mean to pry, but I'm definitely unfamiliar with your people,  and would love to learn more"

The druid chuckled wryly at Lady Chlora.
"Yes and that's definitely a good thing "

Lady Chlora looks to Ariadne, "We are an ancient people, In form we are not much different from yourselves, though certainly we have more in common perhaps with Khorth, I suppose in that we are pragmatic. My sister and I are slightly different from the norm for our kind. I have a bit of the blood of creatures like the one we just saw in the sky in me. My sister whom I am very thankful for has protected me with her strength of arms."

I don't want to kill an RP moment, but I also don't want things to stall when we're kind of in a filler scene, so I'm going to move us on.

Conversations continued on as the group proceeded further eastward, toward Thundertree. It was a long trip, taking multiple days. Sight of the dragon had some concerned or curious, some bored, and for one dwarf in particularly, perhaps a bit disappointed. But the storm itself was an ominous sign of what was to come. The storm's power had been felt by some already, and that was only from far on the outskirts. How much worse would it be at the eye of that storm?

As night fell, and feet ached, the party set up camp for the night. A watch rotation was established, a meal was shared, and everyone went through their rituals and such for life on the open road. Roll 4: No night encounters

Throughout the night, the storm raged on in the east. Sleeping was comfortable thanks to the softened ground, but also cold for all the recent moisture. The watch passed from one person to the next without issue, however, and the heroes woke to greet the new day, preparing for another day entirely filled with walking.

For the second day, everyone give me a skill check of your choice that is info-related rather than action-related. Religion, Nature, Perception, Survival, something along those lines. Your choice.

Ariadne had acted mostly as a guide and expert in outdoor survival for them, as was her previous profession, and the druid led them through what she hoped was the drier parts of the forest, with slightly easier walking with more cover and protection.   Camp was set up with her input, to both keep a safe watch and to allow for a campfire without alerting half the forest of their presence.
The experienced hunter/gatherer had tried to supplement the rations and water for the party, though with limited success.  She'd found a few streams and pools that were safe to refill water skins, as well as finding a few mushrooms and several wild onions to add to their meal, but for the meat eaters among them she'd had less luck.  The marching of the (relatively) loud and clumsy group had scared off most of the game in the area, though the experienced hunter had managed, with her new bow, to snag a few wild birds, and even a couple of squirrels.
Because the bow was so linked to nature, she was very careful to not waste any of the animals she shot, using them for sustenance as completely as possible (which, ironically, wasn't a big a problem as she'd feared with the lizard folk).
She had been fairly satisfied by the time they camped for the night.

Ariadne, possibly to the irritation of the rest of the party, was enjoying her new Ioun stone, that imbued her with knowledge of history.  Not a profound knowledge, of course, but just enough to make her feel like she was very knowledgeable.
Over the campfire meal, she spoke of how, back 500 years ago, the down of Phlandelver was a thriving farming community, that lived and worked hand in hand with the dwarven mines said to be nearby.  They even had trading, in limited amounts, with a large orc tribe nearby.   But the orcs, as they grew more numerous, wiped out all edible animals and plants in the area, like the locusts that they were, and soon started raiding the human town.  Phlandelver fought back, but the orcs were too many, and too mighty, and the town was abandoned, and left to obscurity for centuries.
OOC:  21:06, Today: Ariadne Greenthorn rolled 18 using 1d20+2.  history.

Brillik was anxious as the group walked, especially when the storm raged.  Every time the lightning struck his knuckles got whiter as he gripped the haft of his great Axe.  Then the rain, and the darkness, and he relaxed as he was comfortable in these surroundings.  The rain was cool, and sweet and a relief to his sweat covered skin.

Though he did his best to walk in the shade and avoid the suns' rays, the first night his skin was a slighter shade of red than it had been previously though he show no sign of discomfort.  He spoke little as they ate dinner and rested.  The following day he paid more attention to the surroundings.  He had walked this path before, he knew where they were heading, though he never mentioned it, he was testing their guide.  Seeing if there was any trickery in her leadership.  So far there was none.

As they walked he tried to recall what he could remember of his first trip avoiding migration lanes of the local fauna, and even helping Ariadne catch their dinner, a fat pig who moved too slow.  During the pursuit it tried to gore Brillik but he knew their attacks and avoided the fate that took one of his cousins "Robert Fatstag".

His watch was quiet, yet not wasteful.  He used the time to watch the night creatures, the birds, and the paths of the moons.  Though he missed his home dearly, he quite enjoyed the adventuring life... what little he had left of it.

23:03, Today: Brillik rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Survival (Wis-prof) +2.

Sakamoto walked with the group, disappearing now and again when shadows lingered overlong, or bends in the paths might lead to ambushes. In the times that he was present, he engaged in jovial conversations with the party, but seemed overall distracted somewhat more than usual. The hug from Ariadne weighed on his mind, her words and her actions tugging his heart and his mind in different directions.

He'd been tempted to speak with her overnight, but ultimately decided against it. Now was not the time to be speaking of such ... emotional matters.

Still, try as he might to be alert for threats, his eyes still kept finding their way to her.

Sakamoto rolled 9 using 1d20+7 ((Perception)).
<sigh>

Akyra walked along, her eye as much on the storm as anything else. As a child, she had a fascination with storms and weather, and while her mind also tended towards battle, the storm's of old calmed her mind. This one, however, did not.

Her gaze also fell to Sakamoto.

The halfling seemed his old self in skill, but something weighed on him - with no doubt his death and resurrection. She had heard of people who could not cope with what had happened, and they changed much. Elves were even said to prefer not to bring back their dead unless truly necessary to let their souls rest. Had Sakamoto been at rest and the group, in their selfishness, brought him back from a paradise?

Only time would tell.

But her gaze went to the storm, and also to Bahamut, and what he had told her...what was to come.

---

<OOC: Akyra Clethtinthiallor rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  religion check.>

Walked along observing the others and their interactions with each other trying to learn a bit about her new companions as she did so. Remaining relatively silent as she observed.



07:40, Today: Lady Chlora rolled 14 using 1d20.  Insight.