Impromptu supplies are gathered and a hasty camp is setup. A low fire smolders around sodden wood, reinforcing the chill creeping into the adventurers bones. The clinging fog and constant drizzle insures that even the bedrolls are dampened in short order. Ustalav is not a forgiving land and the marshes of the Shudderwood exemplify this.

Saidou and Samara are unable to find purchase among the slick mossy vines and thin branches. When they do find some that may support their weight, their vision is obscured to the point of being useless, or the contortions they must hold to stay on the branches will drain what little energy is left in their sore limbs.

Though the senses of each guard are tested with every creak and scratch, the night goes by without incident. By morning, the party is slightly more rested than when they went to sleep, but their nerves are raw, their clothes and equipment are soaked through and a a cold wind has begun to pickup at the head of the oncoming storms. Despite the gusting breezes, the fog clings to the forest floor, refusing to give up its apparent need to sap every ounce of warmth from anything alive within the marsh.

The sun is not visible above the canopy and likely will not be making an appearance this day. For now, they are alive, and that seems like a surprising thing on this morning.

Haznut packs up, choosing to eat his rations while sitting on his chest. Giving a small shudder with the cold sinking into his bones, he groans and stretches.

"Morning everyone, I'm glad all of our watches went over without a hitch. Saidou, remind me to go shopping with you next time we're in a town with camping supplies, there's a few basics I forgot."

Vostiun wakes and stretches. His body creaks like a much older man's. Wordlessly he sits and eats his rations while Sargon bathes nearby.

Kon wrings the dampness from his bedding before tying it off to his pack again, "Unpleasant evening.  I've camped with my family in dryer forests.  During a summer rain even."  He downs the last of his morning water, tea too weak to even be called tea, wrestles back a gag, and stows his cup.

Standing and readied, Kon looks about at the clearing, "Let's make sure we don't leave anything here.  Toss the burnt wood under the brush or deeper into the wood.  The kami don't often like people making their homes worse.  If there even are kami dwelling nearby."  Grumbling he mutters half heard complaints about the past, "And let's hope we can find where we're going before the rain begins.  If we can find anything helpful along the way, long branches by the trail for example, we should consider bringing some along."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Wed 11 Oct 2023.

Haznut sets about digging a hole big enough to bury the torches under the mud, making sure to cover it back up. “Good idea Kon. I’ll take care of the leftovers from the torches for the little bit of fire we were able to make due with.”

For those of you that this pertains to, what are you doing for your Rest and Daily Preparations (Core Rulebook p.480)

[Kon would have donned his studded leather again for the last watch, since the party would be moving out after waking.  Main gauche will be wielded when setting out]

Haznut Ingut rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Survival, Cover Tracks of the camp. Once finished with covering up the camp, Haznut is re equipped with his armor, his shield on one arm, and his chest over his free arm’s shoulder. Sword still sheathed, not peace knotted, and his flail holstered on his other side.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Sat 14 Jan 2023.

Samara stops carving her name and a message in one of the trees and pretends she wasn't just doing that.
'Samara was here 4722'

Samara hums a tune as she gets her pack together, but is quick about it, ready to go when the others are.

Saidou's morning routine would be carried out within sight of the others, though not within the boundary of the camp itself. Stretches and a kind of "Hide and Seek" exercise with his companion familiar, as the two play; a colorful purple sock tied into a flag ribbon around a twig, to be hidden in "Plain Sight" by Spirit, and that Saidou was calling back to his feet after locating it.

After his morning ritual of play, Saidou returns to his traveling mates for a short breakfast of rations, adjusting the straps of his leathers and seeming a bit fresher and less cross than the day before.

"Signs of rain aside, dampness and shadow muck, at least this place felt less openly hostile than sleeping at the orchard inn. I wonder why that's the case?

"I think the mutilated dog was actually a pretty open declaration of hostility."

[Vostiun keeps his familiar abilities set to Speech and Cantrip Connection: Guidance.]

Saidou side-eyes Vostiun, stretching one arm up into the air as Spirit tugs a back-strap tight. "I don't know if you had trouble, but back in town I couldn't sleep well. There was quite a hidden ominous feeling about the place. Here, even with the threat of goblins and boggy death, I found my post-watch rest to be exactly that... rest."

"No, it seemed pretty normal to me," Vostiun says with a shrug.

"Those of us who can hide in plain sight have it easy," reminds Kon, "I can pose as human, and you are a human.  Saidou can't turn off the shadow thing, or the grey skin thing, or" he rambles on, listing a few other quirks which call a surprising amount of attention in comparison to the usual races.

"No, Sadie definitely has the right of it! That place had an aura of evil about it. It was hidden, lurking under the surface. Sure, Goblins or someone else may have put something up to warn away trespassers, but at least they were up front and honest about it."

"I imagine at least a small part of the lingering hostility you felt was the result of the acrobatics around the farmers."  Kon shrugs, "Couple that with everyone here being a human and, well, you kind of stand out yourself.  Back home oddities like you or me are accepted," he mumbles out an aside (for the most part), "but even there, a lot of folks prefer their own kind unless you prove your worth.  And while I don't treasure the work, my family's role is the important task of smoothing over the relations between the spirits of the land and the people trying to live there.  It's boring, but it usually came down to this same sort of isolated solidarity of a village not trusting something that wasn't their own."

Hefting his pack again, ensuring everything is in place for the journey, Kon turns back, "I'm not saying people don't appreciate your efforts.  I'm just saying that sometimes you need to show them that despite the fur," he glances to Saidou, "or shadows, you're still just a person.  Deeds, not words is the point.  Lots to be said, little to be trusted.  Especially on our first few hours through an out of the way village."  With a shrug he turns back toward the path, "Perhaps we can tell the people about something interesting on the way back through, or show them something helpful, to garner trust.  We may not be heroes to them, but if we do something that favours them at least you two shouldn't feel like outsiders anymore."

"My acrobatics? Really? I think you give them far too much credit for innocence and not enough criticism for their actions." Samara stomps her foot in frustration, splashing both her and Vos. Scowling, she growls, "I'll wager we get a more honest response from the Goblins, if not friendlier."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:02, Mon 16 Jan 2023.

Kon smirks, "If we find any, you're welcome to try.  I can't recommend it though."

Vostiun frowns at the water splashed on him.

"Well no time like the present to make an introduction," he says as he stands and shoulders his pack.

"Sorry, Vos." Samara mutters, then, "What, do you see something?" Samara scans around for evidence of a 'welcoming party', ears twitching.

At Vostiun's words, Saidou would be reaching an arm out to the branch Spirit was lounged in the crook of, allowing his companion to mount up for travel. "I think he means for us to go on the road and introduce ourselves if necessary. Daylight today will be less than before, and something tells me the goblins will be more active during storm and muck, rather than less. If he meant something hostile was here, he wouldn't have shouldered his pack."

"When the going gets bad, be prepared to run a loose rope between us that we can drop. Some of us can see a little better in the gloom than others, and we don't want anyone getting lost when conditions fade."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Tue 17 Jan 2023.

Kon nods and reaches back for his rope, "Good point.  We should start moving now to cover as much ground as we can before the rain starts and we actually need this."  He wraps his rope around his waist with a slip knot tosses the load end off to Saidou.

"It would surprise you so very much if he hit someone with that thing?" Samara gestures to the chest.

Travel continues to be a miserable slog, the mist does not dissipate as it would normally, the temperatures continue to drop as the sound of distant thunder draws nearer as the day grows longer. Crude carvings of a what looks like the face of a frog with the oversized toothy grin of a goblin appear on the trunks of trees or stained onto rocks in a blue pigment. More symbols of the Water Head tribe, Vostiun explains.

As the gray day becomes darker and the storm is all but upon you, a small path is found that leads off the main trail, such as it is. From where you stand, what looks like a tent at the end of this side trail, is barely visible through the fog and claustrophobic brush.

If you wish to make perception rolls, let me know and I will make them for you since there isn't any functionality for secret rolls in rpol.

Kon cautiously eyes the tent from down the bypath and frowns.  He turns and points it out to the others who might not have seen it.

[Kon would like to make a Perception check]

Vostiun gestures and mutters something.

[Vostiun casts Detect Magic. He and Sargon want to make a Perception check.]

"Hehehe... What do you think?  A merchant, selling supplies for excursions into GoblinLand? A Witch, ostracized by the tribe? A Trap, set here to lure in the unwary?"
Samara's ears cock back and forth as she sniffs the air.
"Should I go have a look?"

Samara would like to make a Perception check, looking and smelling for signs od fire or smoke, anything strung across the trail, etc.

Haznut sets down his chest, drawing his flail. “Whatever it is, out here, it can’t be but so friendly.” He whispers to his companions.

EDIT: Ignore this post


Saidou will probably be using a bit of stealth here, and would want to get closer before doing any perception. The intent would be to get within 'bout 30 feet of the tent or clearing, and to the side of it to see into any tent opening. you want me to make the roll?

In a hushed voice, "Are you quiet enough to keep up with me? I'm going around the side, to see what there is to see." Saidou would wait a few moments to give Samara time to respond or for anyone to halt him, before trying to pick himself a concealed route parallel to the bypath.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Fri 20 Jan 2023.

Before I make any perception rolls, let me clarify some things:

Moving through the undergrowth rather than following the side trail will be exceptionally difficult and slow going. There isn't anyway to do it without cutting your way through.

The tent, is barely visible from where you are at, not because it is far away, it is possibly 20-25' away, but because the side trail is barely wide enough for a medium sized creature to walk through without getting continuously hung up on branches and vines.

I’d like to instead just be ready to set down the chest when we get within 15 feet of the tent. Going to use my sword instead as well in these cramped conditions.

I'll be changing up. Invalidate my last.

In a hushed voice, "I don't see a way to see who it is without using the front door they made. Be careful if you want to go see more, but I don't think we can spare much time beyond basic greetings if we're going to make it anywhere before the rain. You're probably better announcing yourself, rather than getting bogged down in the brush."

Saidou would wait a few moments to give others time to decide what they'd like to do. He'll keep an eye out up and down the main trail, leaning against a tree.

"I think two things:  First, goblins who smear paint on rocks and nail dogs to trees don't use tents.  Second, they're probably in an out of the way alcove like this because they want to be left alone.  I'm not going to be of any use sneaking in there myself."  Kon looks up the main trail, and back at the storm coming, "I don't much like the idea of stopping to investigate someone's camp when we know there's a storm on our heels.  If we're going to ingratiate ourselves of their hospitality to find a well tucked away spot to ride out the weather, fine, let's just march in and say hello."

Samara nods at Kon's words, "I'll go say 'Hi,' and see what's up. Maybe they need help, maybe they tell me to get lost. I'm probably fastest running away back down this path if it comes to that.  I'll just see who's there, and if they're friendly or not, then we can go find some nasty Goblins or whatever.  I don't think there's room for all - or maybe any - of us in there, so I'll make it quick."
Samara will wait a moment to see if someone is against the plan, then (pending actions of other characters) will proceed quietly a few paces toward the tent and then call out in a tone pitched to reach no further than the tent, "Hello, in the tent, anyone home?"

Saidou, responding to Samara's intent to 'to go say Hi and see what's up,' would quietly note out from his place at the trail keeping watch. "Careful Samara, don't go down the hewn trail. If you're going to bother them, do so from the main path."

Haznut places his hand on Samara’s shoulder before they head down the path. “Just one moment, let me stand in front of you. Just in case.” He sets his chest down and keeps his hand on the pommel of his sword, taking just a couple steps ahead of Samara.“I know you’re quick, but I’m not.” He chuckles under his breath.

"Aw, Haz, you DO care!" Samara teases, then, once the positions are set, proceeds to call out as described before, in a tone pitched to reach no further than the tent, "Hello, in the tent, anyone home?"

Haznut and Samara make their way a few steps up the side trail, picking their way cautiously before Samara calls out to the small camp. Heartbeats pass, but no response comes from the camp.


Spirit speaks for the first time in a soft voice that sounds odd for the language it uses, [Language unknown: "Ticut m ion sisefo, reaeauome. Stiareion ishis."]

Haznut mutters to himself before taking a knee, looking at the path and feeling around a little. 14:56, Today: Haznut Ingut rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Searching the tracks on the ground to identify them.

Looking at the tracks.

Haznut stands up, drawing his sword and turning his head back to Samara. “Goblins. Whoever setup that camp met a grizzly end would be my guess. Be on guard.” Haznut speaks loudly and clearly, making sure the others can hear him over the wind.

Kon grumbles about savages and looks up and down the trail for figures peeking out of the brush, drawing his main gauche.  Taking a couple steps forward, Kon calls back, "Any indication of age?  Are the tracks fresh or old?"

Saidou's finger traces a circle around the rim of the tankard hanging from his hip, a grim expression drawn across his face.


"Let's not tarry too long here. Haz, can you check quickly for remains?

Too soon?

In reply to Saidou (msg # 44):

Saidou makes a one handed gesture in Haznut's direction, touching his finger to his own eye, then temple, and finally as if plucking an imaginary book from a shelf and opening it before himself.

Cast a Spell, targeting Haznut Ingut, with one Somatic action. Discern Secrets.

'Why would you think that? Do you see or smell any indication of violence? Samara cranes her head trying to look past Haznut.

Haznut points to the trail, showing Samara. "Here, you can see their little tracks. No more than a week old, 'fresh' in hunting terms. We know we're on their turf, and unfortunately for whoever setup that tent, they seem to have not been privy to that." He then stands with his longsword and shield, slowly making his way towards the tent. "Let's check for any remains then, stay wary." Haznut uses the aid of his companion to Seek out any signs of goblin near the tent.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:47, Sun 22 Jan 2023.

Vostiun nervously stands on the trail we started on and looks around as the rest poke around the campsite.

Haznut and Samara move closer to the tent, though it takes only a few more steps, it seems an eternity.

Haznut pauses, glancing around.

Samara lets out a squeak before clapping her hands to her mouth, says something to Haznut before starting to poke around in the unseen camp.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:19, Mon 23 Jan 2023.

Haznut and Samara make their way back to the main trail.

Saidou, who had been looking up and down the trail to keep an eye and ear out, takes a moment to instead try to read Haznut's face. Quietly, he calls out to the two returning- "Did the bog-lovers leave anything behind, or was the camp and remains stripped?"

"It would take me a minute to check. Quick glance says maybe, if we want to carry the extra weight"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:02, Mon 23 Jan 2023.

"We don't have a lot of time." Kon remarks, "If there's anything we can grab quickly that might be useful, go ahead, but we don't have time right now to pack up a tent, for example.  We shouldn't stick around.  For multiple reasons."

"Like Kon said, I believe the same. Spending time here is a bad idea, unless there are remains we should pay respects to. Just as we would hope a passer-by would treat our remains with respect if we were found fallen."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:20, Mon 23 Jan 2023.

"Well, there's a head... disfigured a bit, no body around that I could see.  I guess if you want to bury it and say a few words, I could see if there's any decent salvage while you do that."

Saidou visibly grimaces at Samara's statement, looking to Haznut for confirmation. He rolls his shoulders to draw Spirit's attention in his hood, and in an awkwardly accented Dwarven, [Language unknown: "Beaier, I lahino omenoture wehout ure we acnde hi ieloil. Ous ti eentr o llma tethi...] He swallows deeply, as if trying to bury a thought. [Language unknown: ... leullo onat la olllos oftra ast. Ng ameit ardsomvir, a ilhoti as k omto taee esssticonthu. Ardnd eauereain, tra wa peseng p ourhoured k nepe ecevri outon seck. N trasle ressei ere po en e ev naivom, ad hokor reec ess te herwasnti. Iveti P esthut iteiiv ev no pras-maul, ecicur."] His words lack the proper depth and baritone for Dwarven, and come across more akin to a gnome's.

Looking to Elde and Vostiun, Saidou would quietly add in common tongue- "It's the right thing to do. I hopefully won't take long."

Haznut clears his throat a little and address the party. "I didn't get to take the best look at the equipment that traveler brought, it was thrown about everywhere and... Well his head was a little distracting... I vote we push on, and fast." Haznut is eying the brush and vines all around, not staring at any one spot for too long.

Saidou's response to Haznut comes first with wide eyes in surprise, and then a voice tinged with anger. [Language unknown: "Ur? Ha tamero, k our, ek hoisth ee m pahas uralri. Ant eewhi ho... ] Saidou's tongue stumbles for a moment, gesturing in front of him as he tries to find a word, uttering 'Reprobate' and continuing in the accented, gravely tongue he and his familiar were using before. [Language unknown: ... oultiough wer romtiohis st a nc he pa stchev weess ul evprut andoutout prolatbut ek maha? Ven re lat sahiek theac cklar lo erwa. Evemaners, nilaee, terenckortha.] He holds his hand out expectantly, a stern anger on his face.

As Haznut cleared his throat to address the others, Saidou quietly listens to his appeal for prompt return to the trail. He still seems frustrated, his voice shifting from heat to bargaining. "I'm not saying we should stay here the night and drink to the poor fellow's memory. Give me maybe 10 minutes to dig a semblance of a hole, for Spirit to check for other bits to inter, and for someone to collect a few stones to place atop. I would expect the same from any decent being if I was a disfigured head in a tent."

Kon pats Saidou on the shoulder, "Look, we all know what's proper.  But...  Well, look, we've got the dregs of the day above us, a storm hot on our heels, our destination is still a little ways off but we can make it before they both close in on us, if we keep going, and we're in the territory of goblins who have no problems dismembering us.  Now is not the right time."  He looks toward the approaching storm, "Besides, storms don't last forever and if we're close enough, we can always come back tomorrow when there's light.  The last thing we want to do is finish our journey in the dark, tired, when the goblins are most active."  He gestures toward the secluded camp, "They died in their camp, meaning they were ambushed when they let their guard down while sleeping.  Don't make the same mistake."

As Elde Kon finishes talking a small blur of fur darts past him and crawls up Saidou. In Spirits mouth are some sheets of parchment and they are quite excited by them.

Saidou twists around in a circle as he is used as a tree, and he offers a hand to a low hanging branch for Spirit to perch on. He looks to the rest of his traveling companions with a mild narrowing of his eyes, and comments before offering a piece of rabbit jerky to the one who comes bearing gifts. "This conversation isn't over, Kon. [Language unknown: Oerresith, der U moing pl alure inen ilnest?]"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:10, Wed 25 Jan 2023.

"Whose got a shovel? I'll dig a hole for the head. We dont leave the dead naked here. There are enough undead as it is."

Spirit releases the papers for Saidou to look over, [Language unknown: "Ngurwa bleha weti. Ere een."] The ferret seems very eager to go back to the camp, but waits for Saidou to look over the found documents.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:32, Wed 25 Jan 2023.

Samara goes to dig her camp shovel out of her Adventurer's Kit while talking to Vos, "Not that I don't think we couldn't outrun an undead head, but it's the right thing to do"
Looking into the pack incredulously, "Poopin' heck - There's no shovel?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:00, Wed 25 Jan 2023.

[Language unknown: "Ec tedonsnte, thole hori een toielo n heringtha u icck'ceho hauril traeenous. Ieati toneno."] saidou would utter with eyes wide, trying to take in as much as he can from the documents. "Spirit has found quite a few pieces of papers. The weather has damaged them, but it is clear that some of them are occult in nature, possibly ritual formula. Others are structured like a journal... These are only a small portion of what he found, there are more in the area around that camp." Saidou gestures with his free hand to the tent site, and takes a deep breath before letting it out slowly.

"This is important. Not just for curiosity's sake, but ... we are already close to where we mean to be. The documents here should be collected, to be analyzed in the field and reconstructed properly back in Lepistadt. And the head will need to be buried.

You have two choices. Leave me behind with no one to watch my back against goblins, or give half an hour with us all making best effort to be thorough and I will not fight us leaving after that, if the decision to move on is made."

Saidou doesn't wait for a response, and instead moves to the small camp to follow Spirit. [Language unknown: "Hastinout, unich ie asfo wimen ti thadericantiart?"]

I believe the archaeology kit has a shovel or digging implement. If anyone is Occult trained, I would like for them to help me analyze the documents. if you're going to ping off of my comment about the documents being occult, please make me aware In Character that you want to see them, otherwise Saidou will keep them safe and away from possible further harm.

Kon lets out an exasperated sigh, "Fine.  Let's go look for more notes and lay the remains to rest.  If someone's not able to help out, maybe we can start disassembling the camp to make use of what bits we can.  I can help look the documents over as we find them."  With another look of concern toward the approaching storm, he ducks and pushes into the trail alongside the others toward the secluded camp.

"Maybe the shovel is in the Archaeology Kit - I'm sure I saw one," Samara says, still digging through the pack, then snaps her gaze over to Saidou, "What sort of 'Occult stuff'?  Mind if I have a look?"

Saidou, picking his way along collecting the pieces and scraps that Spirit passes to him, is stacking them with care to attempt to not tear or rip them further.

To Samara, he calls out quietly- "As you wish. When we settle in later, you can help me sort them into some semblance of reason."

You make your way along the trail, devoid of any papers, and into the small clearing, no more than a dozen feet in diameter. The small one-man tent takes up fully half of this space though it is badly damaged and beyond repair, it still stands. Camping gear is scattered about and the surrounding brush is decorated by parchment and paper that has been left to wind and rain.

At the center of it all is a human mans head resting in the center of the cold firepit. The corners of his mouth have been sliced to widen into a grotesque mockery of a grin. Sharpened stones have replaced his teeth and his eyelids have been removed causing what remains of his eyes to bulge unnaturally.

Vostiun touches his forehead and pulls his hand downward as if he were smearing something along the bridge of his nose.

"May you rest in Pharasma's grace, stranger."

Vostiun takes the shovel and starts to dig a hole large enough for the head.

While the head is being given it's last rights, Haznut bows his head respectfully, before going back to keeping an eye on their surroundings. Chest by his feet, sword and shield in hands, he mutters something under his breath, something about "damned wretched creatures."

To Vostiun, Saidou would shake his head and quietly correct him. "Not a stranger. Professor. I believe to be exact, the remains of Professor Endro Zemecan. His field of research was into the occult traditions of those considered in academia to be "Primitive peoples", and it may have been his traveling companions that drew the wrath of the Water Head. Endro travels with two wolfhounds, you see..." Saidou draws a deep breath to calm himself, shaking his head in frustration. "A troubling find."

He sets his attention to collecting the documents. "Haznut, I'd like to drop off the papers in your chest, for the time being. That way they'll have some place to start drying, and not deteriorate further."

The remains of Endro Zemecan are buried with as much ceremony as could be expected given the circumstances and oncoming weather. What little remained of his camp and his gear that even appears to be usable is gathered up quickly with little ceremony and deposited into Haznut's chest, along with dozens of documents that have seen better days. What any of these items are or wisdom they may contain will have to be discerned at a later time.

The storm announces its arrival with a flash and the following crack of thunder shakes the very hearts of the adventurers. Haste is made to continue on, but the clouds open up before they get much further, finishing off any dry spots the clinging mists may have left undiscovered. The last hour or so of the journey proves to be the most miserable and if not for a fortuitous flash of lightning, they may have missed the ruins they might have been seeking.

As unimpressive as the collection of rubble was, there was a ramshackle shelter of a sort that looked like it hadn't been used since the Worldwound was still open. Branches laid across walls that were no more than stacked rubble would keep most of the rain off of the party, though a stay of any length would need to include some home repair to make the roof more serviceable. The rubble walls stood on three sides, none straight or even of equal height, but it looks to have built solely to keep the wind off of weary travelers and that job is still being performed well.

If you are Trained in Society, please make a Sciety skill check. If there are any skill checks you wish to make in regards to the ruins, please include those rolls in your post and include why you're making them.

Taking shelter at last under the ramshackle ruined structure, Saidou calls out with a cheerful tone; "Ah yes, delightful. Plenty of openings for natural light when available. Open floor plan, quite desirable. I think this still rates higher on the hospitality chart than the Inn back in town." With snark deployed, Saidou would remove his cloak, shake it hard to shed excess water, and put it back on to start examining their new surroundings.

08:56, Today: Saidou rolled 26 using 1d20+7 ((19)) for Society
This message was last edited by the player at 18:36, Mon 30 Jan 2023.

Elde Kon rolled 26 using 1d20+7 ((19)) for Society.

Kon, long since transformed back to human to avoid a clinging soaking deep in his fur, wipes the rain from his eyes and shields his face, "I think we should try to set up some cover from the rain.  While it needs patching to be serviceable, the remains of that tent could help cover more of this space."

Elde Kon rolled 13 using 1d20+7 ((6)) for Crafting to try weaving the tent between the branched roofing to help reduce the rain further.

"I'm up for any other ideas to make this place marginally less damp and to dry us off.  Anyone have the means to start a fire?"

Samara finds a place to put down her pack, finds a spot in the rain but out of the mud, and washes her feet and footgear in the rain, then comes 'inside', asking Kon, "How can I help?", and follows his instructions to improve the shelter.
"I've got nothing but my tinderbox, that won't help much."
She holds her socks 'outside' to wring them out, "Be nice to be able to summon a salamander or fire spirit or something"
"Of course," she says, moving back to her corner, "If we put together all our tinder, we might be able to make a flame big enough to make a fire out of some of this wet wood"

Kon ponders, "I think we could get away with making a small pile of thinner logs and branches, kind of like a tent with the branches on the inside, and then using a torch to get it going from in the middle.  The torch will burn at least, and that fire should eventually light the branches and then the logs.  It'll make a lot of smoke though.  Great for dispersing bees or choking out angry peasants and making them withdraw, not so much for camping.  But, sitting in the cold dressed in wet clothing is even less good.  I may not know a lot about camping out, but 'wet clothes bad' is something my parents made sure we knew."  He continues to fumble with the "roof" to try to expand the "not wet" part of the ramshackle shelter.

Vostiun shivers as he stands in the ruins. He puts down his backpack and Sargon darts out to find a dry place to bathe himself.

After wiping the water out of his eyes Vostiun mutters and gestures with his hands. Sharp crimson runes appear as Vostiun looks around the new campsite.

Vostiun casts detect magic.

Crafting roll to help patch the roof in Foundry : 13+5=18

Saidou, seeing the others busy in making the camp more livable for the storm, decides to stay out of their way and starts to claim an area near the chest. Parts of his mess kit that hold water- a collapsible cup, his pot- he would endeavor to get set on top of some of the stone wall remnants to reserve a bit of rainwater to drink or cook.

[Language unknown: "Naen mitosa k ica, Entainica! P linourich ck deriv ourreaati un artre we unio at iviore aiictondss. Ecoun u mall ieceet t tedilllat i t tha tatin olnt reand olplheou thi man is, elni ek he ck wackac antearwhe iosswi, i diseng Nd ouniv ai sta a la el utroof?"] Saidou's voice as he would address the companion riding his shoulder, with a cheerful rolling tone trying to play the gravelly Dwarven tongue, continues to just sound wrong.

Haznut sets about trying to help turn the rubble ramshackle of a shelter into something more livable. Rolled Survival in Foundry.

The party sets in straight away to the tasks of getting a better camp in place. Samara and Kon work together stringing the remains of the former professors tent through the ancient branches, greatly improving the protection the ramshackle roof provides. Haznut moves from wall to wall, scratching his beard and mumbling to himself for a bit before he settles down, realizing there really isn't much else that can be done to improve their new "home".

Flipping his travel cloak off and out toward the storm, Kon deigns to relax, body visibly slumping in time with the cloak flopping lifelessly down again.  "I hate being soaked.  Anyone tried that fire idea yet?"  He rests against the inside wall out of the rain and slumps down to the ground with his cloak beneath him.  Mumbling to himself, "I wonder if shifting back and forth will make me dryer..."

Vostiun pauses for a moment and tilts his head. "One of the things we took from the campsite is magic, Haznut. May I open your chest?"

Vostiun waits for permission before rifling through Haznut's belongings.

"Aye, by all means. Mostly stores party goods anyways." Haznut brings the chest over too Vostiun.

Vostiun opens the chest and repeats his cantrip while looking over the contents.

Vostiun starts pulling out the items collected from the professors camp; a halter for a pony or donkey, a well worn, though serviceable, satchel , a torch that has been carefully wrapped , a roll of rope, and a pile of papers and parchments that have been thoroughly soaked and many have been torn .

Vostiun puts the torch and satchel to one side. "Both of those are magic," he says as he starts to carefully sort through the papers.

"Saidou, you said one of these might be a ritual?"

Vostiun tries to spread the pages out enough that he can get a better view before checking for a magical aura again.

Playing solitaire.

"The whole thing then," Vostiun mutters to himself as he recollects the pages and places them back in the chest for safekeeping.

"Does anyone want to try and figure out what the torch and satchel do?"

Kon looks over the satchel and prods experimentally at it for any indication of what the contents might be inside before lifting it and giving it a more thorough look over.

Elde Kon rolled 20 using 1d20+7 for Arcana/Occult/Crafting (most relevant)

Saidou would glance over at Elde, calling out quietly to him- "If you need more help with determining the purpose of those, let me know. Otherwise, I think it best for me to try and put the professor's paperwork back into some semblance of order."

Saidou would start to try and reconstruct the documents found, first sorting through partial pages to try and make more complete pairs out of any torn pieces. "Vos, the first two pages I saw lead me to think that the professor's occult study had him seeking the same ruin that we are. After all, the place we mean to find, Vorun's tower, was he not an elementalist? The pages that Spirit first brought to me, one of them looked like a circle. Possibly for casting, as I saw noted at the top of one of the pages, but possibly as a focus or spell preparation. It held a diagram that was built of at least four rings, with a box within, two triangles, and four sub-circles drawn at the 12, 2, 6, and 10 positions on a clock face. Another page had a text-filled circle, with words written in declining script from 4 written elements marked as Earth, Air, Water, and ... I think Dust? It's not easy to read... Here, what do you make of these, can you help me find order to this chaos?  Saidou presents the two pages to Vostiun for his appraisal. After that, he would start to try and examine the document pieces both drawn and written to build a logical progression from 'start' to 'end'.

"Uh, okay. Let me take a look." Vostiun looks at the pages handed to him.

"I'm not sure this is my brand of magic."

In reply to Vostiun Hephaurio (msg # 98):

Saidou would nod in response to Vostiun's comment. "Professor Endro was a specialist in Occult Studies of Primative Cultures. I more favor tomes, books, and rune, my spells come from academia arcane. Occultism isn't directly either of our flavor of favor, but I have studied enough of religion, nature, and occult practice to be generally useful." With a bit of a shrug, glancing around their ruin shelter, the shadow would let out a long exhalation.
 "I don't think any of us have an edge over another when it comes to the practice of the occult. It's none of our forte, as it were. But ritual aren't the same as conventional spells, I think they're more about knowledge, repetition, and rote... Not about a distinct flavor or magical spark from ones-self. So while this may not be your brand of magic... If complete, it's still a brand you can work."

"That wasn't quite what I meant. I've only studied religious minutae as it pertains to me." Vostiun says as he studies the papers.

In reply to Vostiun Hephaurio (msg # 100):

Saidou would nod, though with a bit of a frown. "I don't believe faith has much to do with Endro's work. Unfortunate." He continues to try and sort through the documents, to bring them into some semblance of pattern and order.

As the storm continues to rage around them, the intrepid adventurers take a moment to collect their thoughts, start a fire, and take stock of their gear. Elde Kon gives the satchel a thorough going over before opening it up and rummaging around inside.


Meanwhile, Vostiun, Samara, and Saidou pour over the dozens of pages that were scrounged up at the campsite. The pages are soaked from weeks of rain and mist, blown about into the tangled underbrush and torn apart by winds, some even show signs of purposeful damage.


Suddenly, Vostiun's eyes widen in fear and he snatches the papers, ripping them from the hands of a wincing Saidou, and stuffing them back into the chest before slamming the lid shut. Samara's fur stands on edge as she recoils from the documents almost immediately after Vostiun grabs them. Saidou and Spirit both cry out in pain as they grab their heads, a trickle of blood drips from Saidou's nose.

One hand to her chest, Samara reels back, then, "Saidie! Are you ok Sadie?" she helps support him as she dabs at the blood with her sleeve.

Saidou seems agitated as he staggers, hand flailing as to try and support his limp companion from it's perch on his shoulder. He goes reeling back from Samara's grasp one moment, only to clutch up at her shoulders the next. [Language unknown: "Reait ngntad t whe ore Anonhe, was ncesanave onsnt, not ithiouardtho. Pro?"] the shadowfolk would mutter before a bloody snuffle-gag. Head twisting from disorientation, Samara would be left to support his lightweight form as his feet collapse from under him.

Spirit, tangled and hanging halfway out of his hood, seems to be shivering.

Vostiun closes his eyes and breathes deeply. "Let’s leave that alone for now."

He glances at Saidou and Spirit, "How bad is it?"

Saidou's response is to continue breathing heavily and snorting blood from his nose. He does not appear to want to speak, but instead wants to sit, still suspended by Samaras grasp.

Samara helps lower Saidou to a more comfortable position.
"Well. I suppose this should wait until we can make better preparations."
Having wiped the blood away, Samara will check Saidou's responsiveness, "Sadie, can you hear me? Do you know where you are?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:03, Sat 04 Feb 2023.

In reply to Samara al-Khafif (msg # 107):

With an awkwardly clipped tonality through bloody nose, "I can hear you, but I can no longer hear the secrets. I am in ruins." The shadowfolk would close his eyes, still obviously breathing but not making any effort to move from the position he was settled into.

Thoughts and prayers.

Haznut looks over at Saidou, concerned for her, but gathers that Samara is able to support her weight and he won't be dropped. "Saidou, Spirit, why don't you two lay down for a little. Relax, we're not going anywhere, those papers can wait." He clears a section to try to make it as comfortable as possible, rolling up his common clothing to make some sort of extra cushion for them.

After clearing the area, Haznut picks up the carefully wrapped torch, sniffing it a bit, trying to figure out of there's any scent from any special herbs having been used on it.

12:05, Today: Haznut Ingut rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Nature/Survival, whichever is relevant.

After taking close to thirty seconds to try and center himself, Saidou's eyes open again. His expression is one full of hurt, more than physical lingering pain. "These documents, while they may be valuable, will have no use to us on this expedition. That which is written is too damaged and indiscernible ... And I somehow think the anger and rage, the betrayal and tearing to be drawn into them was part of the ruin left by the rage of the Water Head tribe. A trap by the goblins, maybe by their patron, or perhaps a secondhand and unintentional effect of the damage on what occult patrons Endro studied...

The restoration of the knowledge that the Professor held will have to be left to the librarians and document restorationists at Lepistadt... And I hope I can learn much from them on that topic by watching them do so. I don't want any of us bothering the pages more until then, without very... very good reason. Broken knowledge, rendered less than whole, is rendered less true than its intent. There is little this can teach us, for now." Saidou's voice had started weak, but he found a rhythm. The mental exhaustion and emotions have left an edge to his voice, one that only softened when he started speaking of the librarians with an almost reverent tone.

Saidou would nod an agreement with Haznut. "Yea... I think I need to rest. I am sorry that I won't be of much more use to you all... Let me at least clean these up, to keep them someplace safe." Saidou would carefully store the fragments of document and occult study, keeping sure to not try and examine them or read them closely again in the process.

As Haznut unwraps the torch it immediately flares up, the flames licking his hands and the wrap, but nothing is burned, in fact the flames exude no heat and do not combust the rags that were wrapped around it.

"Oh, well isn't that nifty. Lads and lasses, someone who doesn't see too good in the dark, hold onto that." He wraps the torch back up and sets it aside.

Kon offers up the contents of the bag, "Well, it's clear the goblins are either dolts or not motivated by greed.  10 gold and a vial containing-", he sniffs at the opened top briefly and then dips a finger in to taste test a drop, "-some oil, weapon I believe; oil of potency?"  He sets them aside and looks over the satchel again, "Nothing else appears to be special about this and the professor's inks and pens inside were destroyed."

Hoisting himself up off the ground and shifting once again, Kon starts to head out of the ruins, "I'll see if I can gather some wood for a fire.  Smokey is better than freezing.  Looks like Saidou could use less of that."  Slipping the satchel over his shoulder he proceeds outside to begin looking for kindling and small branches nearby for a fire.

"Aye, I'll help look for firewood. If we can find any mushrooms, the edible ones, maybe we can get together some kind of stew to raise spirits? Warm food always does best!"

"I have an idea about those notes... but, well, I suppose it can wait." Samara helps put the pages away.
Sighing, she says, "I do know a few recipes I could try."

In reply to Samara al-Khafif (msg # 116):

Saidou would give Samara a grateful smile. "Regardless of what is written in the notes, I was able to understand enough to say with much confidence that they are too badly damaged to be acted upon. Document reconstruction at the University can let us fill in the missing gaps with other research, as well as some of Professor Endro's other notes from his office to fill in the blanks. Unless we wish to risk the same kind of malicious mental attack again, all we could really hope for is additional risk without much chance of reward. But when we get back, you have as much right as I do, to watch the librarians rebuild this knowledge to be restored and taught as the professor's legacy. So don't worry about it too much. If we find something we need to dig the notes back out for, we will know to be cautious."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:43, Sun 05 Feb 2023.

"I never knew being a librarian could be so dangerous. I hope these ruins are more welcoming than the notes."

Samara gives Saidou a comforting pat on the arm, then responds to Vostiun, "Oh, of course it is, Vos! 'Knowledge itself is Power,' after all. Many fear Knowledge, and some fear its power. Although, I will say, nothing has been anything close to welcoming on this trip."

"Ah, but you see Vos, I'm not a librarian. I've not handled damaged documents to try to seek their truths. Nor have I had much experience with handling occult documents, or documents so thoroughly and intentionally sabotaged. It is ignorance that was dangerous, and I am soaked-thru with inexperience and naivete." Saidou sure does sound mildly self deprecating there. With a motion of pulling at the air, the cup he had set to collect fresh water drifts down from its perch to take a sip.

Casually using Mage Hand to get his cup. Only muggles do things the hard way.