"Mmm, then perhaps your studies are more like mine after all. In order to understand something, I first have to find the things that I did not know to look for. In my case, I am looking for the unfound, where you are looking for the forgotten. We take different angles, perhaps, but ultimately we are doing the same thing."

"When you say that you look for this knowledge, but not of a particular field; what do you mean, exactly? I assume you have to know something of the topic you'll be researching, or else how would you know the knowledge was missing in the first place?" It was an interesting topic, and one Kursak was happy to discuss further.

"The study with the trees is to find new information that we do not already have. We don't know what we're searching for, only that there may be things to learn from doing the research, and so we will try. We would like to know why such a tree would thrive in a place such as this. We would like an answer to the questions of how and why those trees thrive the way that they do. For ages, people have known that compost, made of dead plants or waste, will help to encourage new plant growth, but it does so by taking nutrients from those things that used to be alive and returning it to the soil to be consumed by the new growth."

"In this case, there is nothing physical there to nourish the soil, so how then do the trees thrive rather than being killed by that death magic? Do they feed on death itself? Do they, perhaps, have some means of drawing other life near to their roots where the magic will then kill them and allow the trees to absorb it through the same means, only done through the use of a lure? Or are all of the different guesses incorrect all together? There are many questions we might answer, but we will not know what other questions to ask until we have begun to search."

It looked like he might have been about to continue on and say more, when their host returned with warm food. "Study of the Vermaloc trees, on behalf of Cairn's Cradle in Rotthold, for my part, Foreman Khaturr."

Rain was so focused on the non-humans in the camp, she almost didn't hear shera speak, but snapped out of it. "Sorry - a lots happened since i've seen you last." She leaned in and winked at the woman. "We will talk later, but i will tell no one." She then sat down and looked at her. "As to my story, when we are more private as well, though not for the same reasons."

When she heard Frilla offering cleaning up, she smiled at her. She liked the gnome - the humans were quiet and....well, odd. But the gnome was a warrior and aproachable. "Frilla - if you could, the blood on my fur is starting to make me itch."

When frilla cast the spell, the blood turned to powder and blew away as if dust, and she smiled. "I said it before, and i'll say it again, your one handy gnome!"

When the foreman and the others came, Rain visually tensed up, losing her smile and a look of suspicion. She took the bowl and drink and sat it in front of her. As he asked, she spoke, serious with a cold look. Myself and my friend were part of a convoy of merchants when we were ambushed. A force greater than i've seen - outnumbered us 4 to 1. We four were the only survivors, and that was only just. We made our way here and chance was we found a path....leading here."

Does this happen beford, durung, orafter performance.

Thank you for your concern Hannah, I'll survive the scratches I received. I may be small but I trained with two great swordsmen, one that tried to get me to express more of my magical potential.

She pointed to the winged cat over their head, smiling at it fondly.

Yukiko was the best I could achieve under the tutelage an archmage gave me, so I do have a spark of magic. I just wasn't able to fully develop it... yet. I work on it every day.

Her gaze was drawn to the dragon symbol on Hannah's chest, reflecting the meager torch light.

To show a god's symbol so prominently, you must be very close to your religion, are you a fighting priestess of Bahamuth? Is this friend of yours also with Bahamuth? [Private to Hannah Demsersk: OOC she's asking if you are a cleric. Chad told me you are new to dnd and rpol, please don't feel intimidated, I'm willing to help you grow your skill, if you'll accept my help ;-). If I may, detailing some of your char thinking in the descriptions helps establish in your mind how the char will act, and explain away why the char acts this way. A great example is Rain's reluctance with the bugbear, as it reminds her of her past, the PCs (player characters) don't know it, but the players now know ]

In the other end of the table, she could hear the rumbling stone crashing voice of Kursak, and smiled. How she had missed those long nightly discussions with him, something she didn't realize before just now. Now that they were reunited, she certainly wouldn't miss the opportunity to talk with him again. But she was not jealous of the half-goliath attentions and was glad to see Felix find an interest in her friend.

It hit her that despite the few years hiatus, Kursak was still more a brother to her than her flesh and blood one.

Just then, the food arrived, and the gnome knelled on the rough wood bench to be able to reach the steaming bowl of stew. Gods, she was hungry! She had started the day fighting and hadn't had a bite to eat since! Rain explained their circumstances so she didn't need to repeat it, as Yukiko flew down to the table, sniffing at the food, before folding her wings and lying down on the table. [Private to Dungeon Master: Yukiko used her detect poison ability, if there is something wrong, please let me know... don't expect it, but she's been sniffing at everything Frilia eats or drinks for 11 years ;-)]. Petting the tressym,  Frilia dug into her food with appetite.

Hannah nods as the gnome explains her fighting prowess, then looks upward towards the strange winged cat. It was one of the weirder creatures she had seen in her time travelling.

Yukkio is it? What bright colours!

As the gnome inquires about her pendant, her hand instinctively falls to rest around the cool steel chain supporting it.

A fighting priestess? No she says with amusement in her voice. I am a paladin. Although I guess the two are very similar she says with a wink.

[Private to Frilia Silverstring: Cheers, hopefully I'll get the hang of this soon, but I'm having fun so far :)]

After the various goblinoids brought the bowls of hot goulash, the bugbear, Khaturr, began conversing with the others around the table. She listened intently as the tabaxi explained how she and her friends were attacked.

Shera nodded to Rain in understanding, then followed the group the rest of the way inside. When they made it in Shera sat down at the table next to Rain. When Frilia offered her magic to help dry off the group Shera waited until some of the others accepted before accepting as well. Shera thanked her then as the others spoke Shera stayed quiet listening to each of them speak.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:09, Sat 26 Mar 2022.

The bugbear led the group inside, Minho found a place to tie the horse. It wouldn't do to have it run off. After he made it inside, Frilia offered to dry everyone with her spell and Minho obliged her. He hadn't had much time to grab extra clothes before fleeing Rexxentrum, sadly. His most comfortable clothes were still hanging in the wardrobe in his room at his family's manor house.

It seemed that Frilia and Rain knew several members of the other group from dealings in their past. As they began to reminisce, Minho was content to sit and watch Felix discuss research with Kursak. Even after the incident, Felix was still far more outgoing than Minho, but his time in the Mudtrop Brownfeet had been slowly changing that.

Minho ran his hands through his hair, trying his best to fix the style the rain had ruined. Minho muttered to himself, "I wish Chan had come with us."

Minho didn't have a chance to completely fall into a funk as Klaven and the kenku set themselves up to play a few songs. While Klaven himself didn't look familiar to Minho, he had heard one of the songs he played plenty of times by a traveling bard at the Grim Shelf, who must have heard him play it. While the song was not one of Minho's favorites, he found himself humming along under his breath while he waited for the food to be brought in.

Not knowing how long they would be here or how long until they next would have a proper meal, Minho ate until he was a bit overfull, cleaning his entire bowl. He waited until Felix was done before he cleared the bowls from the table.

Minho turned to Klaven, "Did you write those songs yourself or did you learn them from someone?"

Klaven went to the table whem the food arrived. He had to swallow before answering the bugbear. "I'm just here looking for stories."

Then to Minho, "I learned them in Tal'Dorea."

The food was delicious.  Fatty in just the right ways, spicy, and more importantly, hot.  OOC: You all gain 6 temporary hit points from the meal.
12:27, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d10, rerolling all ones ((6)).


"Study?!" Khaturr said.  "There's much more coin to be had in cutting and hauling!  I supposed, as long as you're not here to cut into mah business, it ain't more'n water on my back."

No sooner has he finished the last word than the bell began ringing throughout the camp once more.  "[Language unknown: As intstafor etnd Adrime]," Khaturr snarled.  "[Language unknown:  Set esslarter een dayse n ne m icmo notewhss ilanno an pe whlotr setearvor e ereerarea]!"

The warning bell was joined by another, and then another, and another.  "Blast!" Khaturr said, getting to his feet and running to the tentflap to grab his greataxe.  "This one's real!"  He glanced back at the table.  "If you've a blade or bow, grab it and get ready to defend!"  Then he ducked out tent flap into the rain, alarm bells clanging in his wake.

When the alarms sounded, Kursak looked around at the "locals" for indications of how to respond. Khaturr wasn't happy about it, apparently, but no one seemed terribly concerned. Then the second one sounded, and the atmosphere shifted and the call to arms was sounded.

Kursak wasted no time in standing and removing his robe, "Fri, are any of your wounds more than superficial?" As the robe came free, dropping to the ground, his armor was revealed in full. It had been styled after that same suit of armor his father had arranged to have crafted for him when he was first came to Blightshore, the armor that was dumped carelessly into the sea. This suit did not fit him some perfectly as the old one had, but it still protected him well enough.

As he waited for Frilia to respond, he went to his pack and retrieved his shield, a large emblem of a raven mid-flight painted on its surface. He waited for her answer before strapping it on, needing the hand free if she did have wounds that needed tending, and then made made his way out of the tent to establish a defense.

---

Action: don Shield
This message was last edited by the player at 03:12, Sun 27 Mar 2022.

When the alarms started to sound, Frilia rose on the bench, Yukiko perking an ear. The reaction of the bugbear was genuine and she asked him.

What are they saying? Who is attacking?

She looked wistfully to her mug of wine then shook her head, jumping to her pack and grabbing her shield, decorated with a large warhammer.

I'll drink that later. Hannah, lets us see how well you wield that blade!

She grinned when she saw her friend in his armor, then frowned, her practiced eye seeing it was not the masterworked affair she had last seen him in.

What happened to your dad's armor, Big 'sak? That one has holes in it! I don't need healing, keep your powers for later!

Drawing her rapier, she ran outside in the rain, Yukiko perched on her shoulder.

---

Action : don shield

Today: Frilia Silverstring rolled 21 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 17.  init.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Sun 27 Mar 2022.

Rain reluctantly sniffed the stew, but her hunger overcame her suspicion, and she tasted. it.  The meal was think and hearty, and before she knew it, she had finished the bowl. Just as she was about to speak, the alarm went off again as the bugbear cursed.

Rain had her bow in hand and was standing as the others went off. "They followed us." She muttered and looked at Frilla, Minko and Felix. She nodded, and with her bow in hand and quiver over her shoulder, started out, looking at Shera. "Come join the fun - i'll show you what i've learnt in six years."

She looked at Kursak, the towering man and friend of Frilla and smiled. "Hope your god is feeling good to us big man..."

---

<OOC: Rain rolled 20 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 16.  iniative.>

Kursak inclined his head in reply to Rain's comment, "My Queen's hand guides us all toward fate. I will see you well, see you rested, or see nothing ever again, as it shall be."

---

Action: Vigilant Blessing (Kursak)
Initiative: 12
[roll=1648348022.48253.365861]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Sun 27 Mar 2022.

By the time the alarm sounded Shera had finished her stew. Hearing the alarms wasn't what got the Shera moving, it was hearing the bugbear's words. A fight was coming, or something else that had him worried. She could feel the fear swell at the back of her mind, but this would not be enough to keep her from fighting for the survival of her and the others. Hearing how eager Rain was Shera remembered how reckless she could be, but Shera was interested to see how well Rain could back up that eagerness. Shera readied her sword and shield and ran out into the rain after the others ready for whatever may come.

---

19:39, Today: Shera Draxalia rolled 4 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 2.  Initiative.

HuMu was about to show his notes on the bark he needed when the call came out. So he folded his book and stowed it. The first order of business was to get some lights, visibility was important. So he planned to set out some dancing lights, the sound of a rather sassy pixi issuing from HuMu as a means of his vocal requirement.

He would have to keep the orbs on any enemies, but once he secured visibility he could then start doing his Storm Crow thing.

---

21:46, Today: HuMu Ninn rolled 18 using 1d20+3 ((15)).
This message was last edited by the player at 02:55, Sun 27 Mar 2022.

Hannah gritted her teeth as the alarm went off and the bugbear stood, frustration on his face. She rose from her seat, nodding at Frillia, and then drawing the greatsword to bare it in front of her.

---

15:29, Today: Hannah Demsersk rolled 10 using 1d20-1 ((11)).

Klaven gobbled the meal so quickly he barely tasted it. There were alarms and such, but he had a full mug in front of him that he wasn't going to waist. He held up a finger in a "wait one moment" way. When it was gone he beltched, asked pardon, and then cast Bless on Humu, Hannah, and Shera since he knew them best.

"If everyone can stay within sixty feet of me, I will keep you much safer, with the sound of my voice." He took out a rapier and flute and motioned for them to head put.

00:50, Today: Secret Roll: Sir Klaven Bobcat Ellis rolled 15 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 13.  Initiative

[Private to Hannah Demsersk; HuMu Ninn; Shera Draxalia: You each get a d4 added to attack and saving throws for a minute.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:52, Sun 27 Mar 2022.

Shera halted for a moment when she noticed Sir Klaven's gesture. Once he had spoke she nodded her understanding and answered with a simple, "Thanks." Then once she saw that he was ready to proceed she led the way out of the tent and toward the threat whatever it may be.

[Private to Sir Klaven Bobcat Ellis: Thanks. Appreciate it. ^_^]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:12, Sun 27 Mar 2022.

Rain heard the man, wondering at his power that he could protect all within the small radius, but nodded. "Stick by me human and i'll protect you." She had her bow out with an arrow in her paw, ready

Minho had already been standing when the alarm rang out. He quickly grabbed his weapons from where he set them by his pack and moved to the tent flap and nodded to Rain. Before he ran out into the night, Minho turned to Felix, "Be smart, little brother, fight from range as long as you can and try to stay in cover."

While he didn't know the exact direction the attack was coming from, he looked to see if there was any movement he could notice and what sort of cover was available.

---

09:50, Today: Lee Minho rolled 19 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 16.  Initiative.
Passive Perception: 13
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Sun 27 Mar 2022.

As Frilia asked about his armor and rushed out of the tent, Kursak look down at his armor with a sigh, "Presumably housing sea creatures somewhere in the Misakth Strand, thanks to a band of pirates. A tale for another time."

After the warmth and the lighting of the mess tent, plunging back out into the rain and dark was almost a literal shock to the system, but the worst of the effects were blocked by the rush of adrenalin that always accompanied the first stages of battle.  The body knew that it was in danger, and responded accordingly, shutting down all non-essential systems.

Torchlight dotted the camp, tiny spotlights to ward back the darkness.  Towards the back of the camp, a wide gate stood open towards the forest, its trees shrouded in darkness.  Two watchtowers sat on either side of the gate with a torch below, lighting hard-parked earth and covered in small stones to ease the wagons' passage.  In each of the watch towers, a dark elf armed with a longbow peered over the edge bow raised and aimed.

Khaturr and several of his hobgoblins could just be seen in the torchlight from a building to the west.  From the looks of it, this building was a stable of some kind.  The doors were shut and barred from the outside.  [Secret to Kursak:  Atop the stable, a giant spider scuttled across the roof.]

OOC: Battle map here:
[Secret to group NormalVision: https://i.ibb.co/L9029tq/Logging-Camp-r1sv.png]
[Secret to group Dark60: https://i.ibb.co/FzZSkQq/Logging-Camp-r1dv.png]
[Secret to group Dark300: https://i.ibb.co/yy75z35/Logging-Camp-r1d300.png]

A large crash could be heard from one of the watchtowers near the gate.  The elf at the top fell back behind the railing, and something crawled in after him.

The twang of a bowstring could be heard nearby, to the right of the mess tent.

At the top of the left watchtower, the elf took aim and loosed an arrow, which glittered as it streaked to the ground, burying itself to the fletching inside the body of a hairy spider as large as a person.  [Secret to Kursak; Rain: Kursak, who had seen one before on the Blightshore, and Rain with her training under Raieylan, could identify this as a Giant Wolf Spider.

09:40, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Rain, rolled 17 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 15.  Nature check.
09:38, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Kursak, rolled 22 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 20.  Nature check.]

---

Combat Round 1

Init HP Conditions ??? 22 ??/??   ??? 22 ??/??   Drow #3 22 ??/??   Drow #1 21 ??/??   Frilia 21 18/12   Rain 20 18/12   Minho 19 16/10   Drow #2 19 -4/??   Hobgoblin #2 19 ??/??   Humu 18 12/6 Bless (1/10) ??? 17 ??/??   ??? 16 -5/??   Khaturr 16 ??/??   [Secret to group Dark300: Giant Spider]??? 15 ??/??

Init HP Conditions Klaven 15 17/11   ??? 15 ??/??   Drow #4 14 ??/??   Hobgoblin #4 13 ??/??   ??? 12 ??/??   Kursak 12 15/9   Hobgoblin #1 12 ??/??   Hannah 10 18/12 Bless (1/10) Giant Wolf Spider #1 8 ??/??   Giant Wolf Spider #2 7 -4/??   Hobgoblin #3 7 ??/??   Shera 4 16/10 Bless (1/10) Felix 3 15/9

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:25, Tue 29 Mar 2022.

Minho, upon a brief inspection of the battlefield, quickly moved spurred to action. He pulled out his short bow and notched an arrow as he moved into position. The smaller tent slightly to the northwest would give him a good vantage point of the gate while also providing a fair bit of cover from any long-ranged attacks.

He kneeled down on one knee in the rain-soaked grass to help steady his aim and let his arrow fly, aiming for the spider closest to the gate.

---

18:24, Today: Lee Minho rolled 14 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 9.  Shortbow attack.
18:26, Today: Lee Minho rolled 8,3 using d6+3,d6 with rolls of 5,3.  shortbow damage/sneak attack if applicable. (If an ally moves up to spider I'm attacking)

Move: 25 ft NW to corner of smaller tent I20
Action: Attack w/ short bow B9
BA: none
Reaction: none unless you want me to roll OAs that might happen in advance, then I will
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Sun 27 Mar 2022.

Shera scans the battlefield searching for enemies in her sights. As she finds them she hesitates for only a moment before deciding what to do and rushing into action.

---

If no enemy comes within movement speed and range to Shera:
Move: Wherever is necessary to get the shot on an enemy (If she is within range for her attack she will stay where she is at).
Action: Cast Eldritch Blast at the nearest living enemy that she can see.
17:39, Today: Shera Draxalia rolled 11 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 6.  Eldritch Blast Attack Roll.
17:40, Today: Shera Draxalia rolled 5 using 1d10 with rolls of 5.  Eldritch Blast Damage Roll.
Bonus Action: None.
Reaction: possibly Shield if the roll to hit is between an 18 and a 22 if it is not and the attack hits anyways then never mind the shield spell please.

If an enemy does come within movement speed and range to Shera:
Move: Wherever is necessary to get into melee with the closest enemy.
Action: Cast Booming Blade and attacks closest enemy.
17:50, Today: Shera Draxalia rolled 6 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 1.  Booming Blade Attack.
Bonus Action: None.
Reaction: Attack of Opportunity if there is one. Just let me know if I need to roll in advance.

Recognizing the spiders, Kursak called out to inform the others, "Those spiders have a paralytic poison; be wary!"

He then turned and stepped nearer to the humans in the group. He knew little of kenku and tabaxi, but he was well familiar with the human's lack of good vision. There were more here than he could possibly help, but he did the best he could, "I ask that you lift the gloom from their eyes, my Queen, that their fate play out on equal terms."

With everyone springing to action, Kursak repositioned himself to have a view out through the gates. As he did, more movement caught his eye and he called it out, "Khaturr! Another spider atop the stables!"

---

Move: 5 ft to K23
Action: Eyes of Night on Klaven, Hannah, Minho, Shera - granting 300 ft darkvision for 1 hour
Move: 25 ft to O19
Bonus: none
Reaction: none

[Private to Hannah Demsersk; Lee Minho; Shera Draxalia; Sir Klaven Bobcat Ellis: Here is a link to the map you can see with your new 300 ft darkvision: https://i.ibb.co/yy75z35/Logging-Camp-r1d300.png

GM's Edit.  You can now all see a Giant Spider sitting on the stable roof (N5 on the map).]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:19, Mon 28 Mar 2022.