Legends of Avantris - Shadow Over Gauntsmouth | New Player D&D 5e One-Shot: Part 1

Episode Date: January 21, 2025

Three new players take on monsters, mayhem, and mystery in Part 1 of this DnD One-Shot!   Gain access to an exclusive campaign, Shroud Over Saltmarsh, over on Patreon: https://legendsofavantris.com/p...atreon The Crooked Moon, a folk horror supplement for 5e, is available for preorder! Get the Crooked Moon at: https://thecrookedmoon.com/ Watch more D&D adventures in the world of Avantris live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/legendsofavantris Check out our merch store: https://shop.legendsofavantris.com  Join our community on Discord: https://legendsofavantris.com/discord Watch our many campaigns on YouTube: https://legendsofavantris.com/youtube  All other links: https://linktr.ee/legendsofavantris   Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/OBuorBGSGe0?si=NwR8BB5QLfqNczWt

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Welcome to Legends of Aventress. All six of you are wading through the muck and the mire of the salty marshes, not too far from the town of Gonsmith. The six of you are the hired protection of the archaeology professor Triton Azran from the city of Aungzu. a renowned professor of archaeology, an expert in magical items, and lost history. You've all encountered this group, protecting this dig, various points on the journey from the city, the great Megocracy, at the center of the continent of Carquinos. But you've been traveling it for weeks, the six of you, and it seems like this is your party. You've gotten to know each other, we're skipping over all the awkwardness of getting to know each other.
Starting point is 00:01:07 And... We did that last night. Yeah, we did the other last night. And you know that the professor is a kind man, but a man that definitely needs protection. He... He... He sleeps easily. He sleeps well. He sleeps very well.
Starting point is 00:01:23 Very solid. And we don't. And you don't. And it's not quite great at combat. As you've been traveling through these marshes, you're not very far from the town of Gonsmith, where you've been headed. He has, Professor Azaran has told you that the, where the destination is, is not necessarily this fishing town, but rumored ruins of a bronze dragon-borden city, lost for potentially thousands of years. that no one has ever really even spent any time exploring.
Starting point is 00:02:12 The city of Nozari, he tells you. He believes that the reason why no one's found this town is that the marshes are so incredibly treacherous that it is almost a death wish to venture forth without a guide and without very heavily armed protection. He's also mentioned the fact that he's very confident in his assumption of this great city existing there as the good
Starting point is 00:02:49 dragon Casagos, a bronze dragon that has been seen by sailors sailing by this region that is good nature seems to make its way and make its home in these swamp marshes that seems to draw this connection. However, your first stop is the port town, not quite this coastal town, I would say, of Gonsmith, a fishing village primarily. With a populace that
Starting point is 00:03:19 is very distrustful of outsiders, it's very difficult to get there. From the land, the marshes are incredibly treacherous, and from sea, the reefs even more so. Only really those that come from this town
Starting point is 00:03:37 are able to navigate the waters to get there. But those that do live there experience an incredible plethora of fish and the copious bounty of the sea has made the town survive and prosper despite being so
Starting point is 00:03:52 insulated. As you made your way through the salt marshes, however, you now find yourself with a cart pulled by two mules. Marmalade. I love marmalade. And
Starting point is 00:04:08 Joseph. Oh. Great name. Steve, the meal. Joseph and Marmalade the mules. However, the path has gotten less and less well-traveled, sometimes totally disappearing beneath the murky water of the marsh. And you now all have experienced the cart that these mules have pulled full of all of Professor Azaran's effects for this.
Starting point is 00:04:39 journey and research notes and tools stuck in the muck and the mire as the mules are winning nervously and you are all as he looks at all of you and he says well i i i hope someone has something that can help us out in this predicament i uh we've made it this far and i don't want to be stopped by mud and muck okay we're in the marsh yes sorry you're in the marsh It's dank. You are all stuck. The cart is stuck. The mules look around nervously. As Professor Azran is frustrated, he looks tired and exhausted. It's close to sunset.
Starting point is 00:05:24 You believe you should have been at Gonsmith by now, but this march has slowed you down so tremendously. And the stinging flies and incense are painful and obnoxious. and so you all are standing around a cart completely sunk several feet into the mud several feet as the as the mules look around
Starting point is 00:05:51 nervously Professor Azarin gets out of the cart and he says well you all know I am not the handiest of individuals I hope that you can sort this out what are you guys doing well somebody give me a hand here
Starting point is 00:06:10 I'm gonna jump off the are we walking alongside of it you had been okay but the cart now is completely stopped you're all surrounding it taking a look at it this wagon looks loud enough I'm just gonna lift it right out of the marquee
Starting point is 00:06:23 I'm going to attempt to lift it made an athletics check please there's no way uh oh there's a way with that uh like 26 27 Dang.
Starting point is 00:06:36 26. Good roll. And you see Bargram, this dwarf, just grab each of the spokes of this cart, and just he, and who actually start, you don't believe that he's going to be able to pull anything off at all. However, you see it rise about six inches from his sheer strength alone and then stop in the muck. He made some progress, but... I told you it was lying. Honestly, I think there's something I can do to help you. And I reach over and I cast enhanceability bowl strength,
Starting point is 00:07:13 so his carrying capacity is now doubled. Ooh. I'm going to mean everyone's passive perception. A 20. No, 18. 20 for him. Nine. 14.
Starting point is 00:07:26 19. Is that just the... It's down here. 16 for... 16 for Vaz. 16, 16. Okay. 14. So you do this.
Starting point is 00:07:39 And Professor Azran, as Willow uses the power of Shantia, the half-ling goddess of the harvest and other good things, she'll tell you more about it. Thanks, why. And powers Bargrain when you see his muscles grow even more. And Professor Azran steps over. You see a human man about middle-aged, short brown hair, in a long black coat, slacks, previously nicely polished shoes, but ever since entering this marsh, they have been completely caked in mud and muck. And on his hat, a large top hat with a bright red ribbon wrapped around it, a man who takes
Starting point is 00:08:34 pains to dress nicely from his noble upbringing in the city of Anso. And he turns all these, he said, well, we've made it this far. Are you all prepared to deal with the
Starting point is 00:08:51 natives of the town of Gonsmith? I have prepped you a little bit. They do not care much for outsiders, and we are not the most inconspicuous group. It's not really a problem for me. What is true? Well, if Master Vint thinks it's okay. I'm okay with it too.
Starting point is 00:09:06 Gee, are you prepared? I've yet to encounter a group I couldn't win over with tea in song. That's right, that's how he won me over when we first met up weeks ago. Isn't that right? That is correct. I was traveling down the road and I heard this beautiful sound I'd never heard before. And I walked up and this guy was sticking leaves in boiling water and I'm like, what madness is this? I've heard of grains and...
Starting point is 00:09:36 boiling water, but then you let that ferment, but it was delicious. He's very good, his very good. Cros never had tea before, but G's tea is great. Oh, thank you. Yes, I believe I... Could someone help me with this, by the way? Vos, are you prepared? I mean, I can give him a hand if I need to.
Starting point is 00:10:02 Give him a hand after you steal yourself, you do not talk much, and they may even be more distrusting. like Dragonborn that does not speak. I can sleep outside if I need to. Hey, Drachy Azzle! Which I've been calling you for probably a few weeks. Dracke Yassel, can you help me out here? That's who.
Starting point is 00:10:27 So you see Voss leaning forward and stick his hands on the other side of the cart and heave. Please make a check and advantage. I also get advantage, right? Yes. Yes. You do. Okay.
Starting point is 00:10:42 And your strength is doubled. Yeah, your capacity is. Your hearing capacity is doubled. 11 with... Cluster strength modifier. 5. So, 16. Yep.
Starting point is 00:10:55 What's your athletics? Oh, I'm sorry. 19. I got a 26 as well. Okay, I got a 26 again. 26. You do not. Okay.
Starting point is 00:11:06 So, you start to see the cart finally. heave out of the muck as they're the original they both this dragonborn and the dwarf heave the cart out of the muck
Starting point is 00:11:22 and place it on whatever fur and ground they can possibly find however as soon as they do that you won't notice too late as some rustling from the tall grass and reeds around you happens
Starting point is 00:11:37 and a massive figure erupts out of the grass. You see horrible putrid green yellow skin, massive limbs, boils and postules, just shaking and rippling ready to pop. As two futrid heads emerge from this creature, long noses, long, thick,
Starting point is 00:12:09 claws, sharp teeth, as clearly a troll with two heads, erupts from the marsh outside of you, and I gave a roll for initiative. And where are we at? Do we need to play... Place your mini's where you're here. We got the camera. 15. It's better than last night. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:12:29 Oh, baby. Oh, baby. Oh, baby boy. Are we over here, Mike? Yeah, so this is the path. We'll just say the cart is right with that little water-y depth. penis and the... Between both the penis is where their tip,
Starting point is 00:12:41 they're... The two penis touching tips are touching? Yeah. Nine. The tips are the peanut. Awesome. So we're a... Peanut!
Starting point is 00:12:49 So you choose who wants to go first if you tie. Oh, okay. So you place us around the cart. Can you guys? Yeah, where's the cart? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I got you. The cart is right in that little watering dip right there.
Starting point is 00:13:00 So place us around the cart. Like, so... So you guys, Vaz, what is it? And Barber would have been on the cart. I would be right behind you because my spell. I would have... my spell was touch. Yeah, you guys would have been lifting.
Starting point is 00:13:12 I would be near Vint, wherever Vint is going to be. Professor, what do you want? Professor just put him right next to U. Bargram. Like here? Yeah. Willa. I would be next to the Bargram because I did touch him to cast my spell.
Starting point is 00:13:23 So over there. Not, I would be on the other side. Like there? Oh, yeah. And then wherever Vint is, I'll be next to Vint. Where's your? It's on the other side of your hand. Oh, huh?
Starting point is 00:13:35 Gotcha. So wherever you want to be, Vint, Vint. Let's be over here. And then I'll just be behind Voss and Vint. Yep, perfect. Okay. Cool. So as this massive troll erupts out of the marsh beside you,
Starting point is 00:13:50 your passive perception, not just barely missing this lurking beast, you then see that there's a number of strange creatures clinging to the flesh of this monster. They seem to be these fleshy, pinkish, reddish creatures, a combination of a bat and a mosquito. as they then begin to take off and looking at all of you hungrily as the troll attacks and is going to be a surprising surprise round and with that it is going to uh uh... anybody 20 to 25
Starting point is 00:14:27 anybody 20 25? Okay. And with that a 15 to 20 17. 15. Oh yes! 19. No! Parkrim, Kra,
Starting point is 00:14:38 Craw, who's 17? Yeah. You decide he goes first. Okay, I'll go first. Vintes goes first, and then it is Willow. G and Vaz, what did you get? Nine. Who wants to go first, but what can you guys?
Starting point is 00:14:48 I'll go first. Okay, and then we need the troll. How badly did Craw roll for its stats? Bad. Is this? I kept my bad stats as homage to the Colboldt The first reception was like, so if you're making, if you're looking, the troll leaps out of the marsh.
Starting point is 00:15:15 Only need cramming right here. Of course he wouldn't. As you see that there's a wild hunger in his eyes and Marmalade and Joseph unfortunately are unable to react. As the troll uses his action to bring both hands down and both heads down, tearing into each of the mules and let out a pain. as they're both horribly brutalized and slain by this creature that seems to just be eating. No, not marmaline. Joseph! As both of the mules are just completely devoured.
Starting point is 00:15:55 And with that, that's going to be how it's going to be using its surprise round. And with that is Bargram. You're up. Bargram. You foul troll. There are so many grudges. in my damaskron, I could cross out at least three or four slaying you. I turn around, I'll just drop the card. I'll pick up my shield and my battle axe, and I'll say, uh, Kazukkhan, Kazukit ha! And I want to attack twice.
Starting point is 00:16:25 Hamehamehah! Rich is just full of surprises. I wasn't expecting that one. I knew he was saying like gibberish last night when we fell asleep. You had a thrones and dwarfish. Perfect. You know, mix it up. So the first... The first attack is 23.
Starting point is 00:16:47 22. Second attack is a 22. 22 both heads. So 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 50, 40, 15, 15 damage. 17 damage. You cleave your axe into this troll, and it slices, and it seems to take this full damage
Starting point is 00:17:08 with 17 points of slashing damage. However, as you're swinging your axe, you're tearing open these postules and splash, it would splash his acid across, across you. And it is, so that's two attacks. And that will be. I'm done. And then bonus action, I'm going to Cavaliers. He's doing damage to you right now. Oh, yes?
Starting point is 00:17:36 Okay, gosh. 14 points of acid damage. And it splashes all over you. And I will cast shield. Actually, no, I won't. Okay. With that, it's cross-range. Seeing this happen, I immediately turned to Vint and I say,
Starting point is 00:17:58 Ha! Master Vint! I will make sure you're safe, but I... Crom must check on Miss Willow! And I'll move up and cast Chaos Bolt on number two. Okay. At a second level. Got. So I am going to roll a D20 for
Starting point is 00:18:16 for to see if it hits. Yeah. 15 plus 7. It's 22. So then I'll roll 2D8s, I believe. Right? Yes, 2D8s. 5 and 5.
Starting point is 00:18:30 So the first thing that's going to happen is it's lightning damage. And then I roll on a hit, it takes 2D8, which is going to be 5 and 5 and 10 plus 2D6. So that's going to be 17 points of damage to number 2. And lightning. Lightning. Lightning damage. And then, because I rolled two of the same, the cast bolt will jump to another target within five feet.
Starting point is 00:18:55 Yep. And the same damage? No, I roll again. Okay. Roll again? To see if it keeps jumping. Yep. Eight and six, which is I choose one of them,
Starting point is 00:19:06 so I'm going to choose Thunder, and I roll two more D-6s, which is going to be eight and six is 14 plus two is 16. Okay, so 17 to two, 17 to 2, and 16 to 1. So you see Crawl run out and checks on. on Willow and she's gonna be fine for now. And he curls this swirling, undulating mass of elements
Starting point is 00:19:28 that flies towards the first of these strange mosquito bats and you hear loud as a moth to a mosquito to a bug zapper and then falls to the ground. And then you hear a kush as it bounces and the sheer thunderous force smashes it down to the swamp killing it as well. Cry is coming, Miss Willow! Oh, Vince is your own.
Starting point is 00:19:54 I just have to say, there's nothing I haven't seen in the underbelly of Anzu. Ew. Why gross trolls. Just another day in Hunzu. They do a lot of experiments there. It's dancing. So I will move up... One, two, three, and then do a green flame blade strike on the bat.
Starting point is 00:20:14 Okay, you do that. Backroll. 16 plus seven. So 16 plus 7. Uh yeah, that's... That's 5. 3218,000, that's 10000, you can tell me there, how much damage it is.
Starting point is 00:20:32 And you have a short sort, correct? Yes. 28 plus 5, 26, plus 4. 7 plus 4 and 11. 11, okay. 11 points of damage. Your sort sword, you hold it out, you channel your arcane magic that you're learning underbelly of Aungu, Aungu and it erupts in this bright green flame.
Starting point is 00:21:03 You slice into this creature and it immediately incinerates as you slash it in half, fall into the ground. The blight the flame jumps to the next one, I believe, right? It's, um, Mizu Kyi's saying that Kross still is twice. You might have to turn off and then reload it after removing him. Yeah, uh, okay, cool. I will... Leaps from the target to a different creature of your choice.
Starting point is 00:21:26 Within five feet. Equal to your skull casting ability modifier. Got it. Yes. How much is that? I would like to do it. Which is a plus end. Two.
Starting point is 00:21:39 Two points of damage. So this guy's dead, right? He's dead. And as... Four points? No, this will be two points of damage. Two points of damage. The flame jumps and just barely, it seems like it's going to dodge it.
Starting point is 00:21:53 However, the flame catches it, and it sinew erupts and it crumbles and dies. It's horrible. Nice job. So... Two damage. And... And as that happened, the troll is now going to go and enjoy an attack round. As, let me just see what the range is.
Starting point is 00:22:15 It's fixed. Good job, Rich. It's actually 1d8 plus 2. Whatever. I killed it anyways. It's actually 5D8 plus 2. You see the troll. It's super dead.
Starting point is 00:22:29 You see the troll heav up and it's a congolet expansion. grossly it's a pile it spills this horrible acidic bile in the cone hitting willow Barber you have to see my eyes G and Barber it's going to vomit is that my line that's one of the things he says he's going to vomit everyone's gonna make a saving throw some variety everyone what I know except yeah or five stigma I'd like to do reaction I'm a god. I didn't like a reaction?
Starting point is 00:23:06 Yeah, sure. It's got some range to write folks on. It's a little much more. Oh, wait. I have to take, okay. Rolls D20 for a deck center. And then you add your saving throw for decks. Everyone that is within 10 feet of me gets plus three to their saving throw.
Starting point is 00:23:24 I'm not in line though, right? No. It's just, it's just decks. 14. 14. 24 passes. 24 passes. 18 plus.
Starting point is 00:23:32 plus... Fas is. Bargram. 13. 13 fails. So both of you two take a full 14 points of acid damage.
Starting point is 00:23:40 As his breath sprays out, both of you take seven points of acid damage. G and Voss. Seven points? Seven points? Voss to take seven points of acid damage. As it hits your flesh
Starting point is 00:23:51 in armor and singes you. And I think that's its turn. Did you add three? No. What? Did you add three? I completely dodged it just on my own. Oh, good.
Starting point is 00:24:00 Well, but I still took it. But I want to do reaction absorb elements. Okay. I'd like to absorb the acid attack. Storing it for my next melee attack. Oh shit. You have resistance to triggering damage type until the start of your next turn. Dude, that's tight.
Starting point is 00:24:18 Is that absorbed for everybody? I'm not sure if it... No, just for him. I don't... But it doesn't say, like, what I reduce it by. Half. So seven, when you take seven of damage. Okay.
Starting point is 00:24:30 So you take seven points of that damage. damage loss. Okay, cool. Now with that, G, you're up. Go to your help and then it's probably you're okay. Okay. Oh, my turn. Fly up here. Oh, did I not get to go? You skipped, yeah, I think you skipped. Oh, yeah. So just let Willow go after the monster. Oh, not my turn. I am going to, I should have been ready since I said that. I am going to cast Bain. on the three things that are there currently. You, you, you.
Starting point is 00:25:05 Charismus saving throws from all three. Okay. Trolls are very charismatic. Thanks, Becca. Minus two, so there'll be a 13 for the marshal. And then natural one for the sturge, which, how many, all of them? So number three veils and 13.
Starting point is 00:25:22 So what's the disease? 16. So they all fail. Perfect. So they're all bays. Okay, what does that look like? What are you? Oh, they look like they have a, like, a harvest blight.
Starting point is 00:25:33 Oh, okay, yeah, they have this horrible, this blade. It's a bit of affecting, weevils are kind of growing out of them. Yeah, weevils. It's really gross. Weevils are just crawling all over. Yes, lots of weevils and maggots. And that would not have affected the acid spray, though. No.
Starting point is 00:25:48 Okay, cool. So we still have that, Willow, that's your turn, G, now you are off. The RAC is reduced or no? They just lose a cup. They, uh, for saving throws and attack rolls, it's minus a D4. Cut. You should know how Bain works by now. I should. There's so many veins.
Starting point is 00:26:06 Okay. Is... Sorry, God. I'm going to hit the... I'll hit the Bile Troll with attack, melee attack. Giving him a little bit of his own medicine back. Oh, baby.
Starting point is 00:26:21 A whole acid punch. Of course, Saff attack. That's got to be good. 21. Now what? Hell yeah. guy. One D8. Nice. Max damage. Max damage was 513 damage for the quarter sack.
Starting point is 00:26:44 13, okay. Yeah. Am I allowed to know how he's looking right now or is that like a guy? No, he's taking two hits, but he's still looking rough and angry and very hungry as he's like he's has a mouthful of mule flesh in each head as his two heads are all looking at you. And yeah, yeah. Okay. Then I'd like to, I'd like to attempt to stun him on my father. follow-up a quarter attack. Okay.
Starting point is 00:27:07 They got a quarter-sap attack. Got it? I think that's a... You need a hit first though, right? He just hit it. Oh, I did it. So I make a con-saving throw, I believe, it's a con-saving throw, I believe. It's a con-saving throw, I believe.
Starting point is 00:27:19 15. Okay. So, uh, you smack your quarterstaff down and trying this done it, and you were unable to, the troll shrugs it off. Okay. Bonus action. unarmed strike. Okay. 23.
Starting point is 00:27:42 23. Oh, no. You don't know the damage. You don't roll the damage in the quarter. Oh, yeah. Oh, no, it's got to be a, I think it's got to be an unarmed strike. No, you can send a strike without an unarmarm.
Starting point is 00:27:54 Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Cool. Nice. Six. Yeah. Plus five is 11.
Starting point is 00:28:02 Okay. And I'll spend another key point to do a double attack on bonus. For both of those. You are bashing into it, and you're rupturing these acid. That's why. I have a reduction to it from my turn. Until the start of your next turn. You absorbed it, and then it was your turn, and you lost that.
Starting point is 00:28:22 If you're talking about the absorb element thing, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's till the beginning of your next turn, I believe is what you had said. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. All right. If it's till the end of your next turn, then you're good. No, it's just starting your next turn. Yeah, okay.
Starting point is 00:28:36 So, I picture it like the round. You blast it and you smack into it and however acid spilling out of it, you take 16 points of acid. Oh. Yikes. Oof. Let's see you on. Okay. Oh, it didn't.
Starting point is 00:28:53 And we have an arm strike if you care to use it. Oh, uh, yes. Uh. Jesus, Mason, how many time you're attacking? Hashtag monks ladies, me. I don't even think Lifty does this many attacks unless she's just so fast, I don't even recognize it. She just doesn't recognize it. I think she's reminding her.
Starting point is 00:29:10 D8 is the arm? Oh, no, no, no, no, no. It might be more damage, though. Same damage. Same damage. So, 10. Oh, the one before, what did you do the one before that? Yeah, yeah, 10.
Starting point is 00:29:25 So you bring your talent, your clenched talent, you punch in a cuff of face, or rupturing some acid pockets, and you take five points of acid damage. Oh, easy. And it splashes onto. Is that it? That's it? Vaz, you up. Alright, I'm gonna move up to right behind Bargram here.
Starting point is 00:29:46 Okay. Okay. Can you attack through teammates? Yes. I didn't know that. I would say with height and then, with a height difference. Okay. All right.
Starting point is 00:29:56 Good play then. I never thought about it before, honestly. I'm gonna cast level two and snaring strike. Okay. And then target the troll with the first attack. Okay. So I roll for hit. First, yeah, you roll for hit, correct?
Starting point is 00:30:17 Okay, I got five on hit, but I get a plus nine, so 14? 14 barely misses. Okay. As you channel, you grip your blade and these vines go all the way up to the blade, and you unfortunately miss the first one, but then you have a second attack. So I'm going to attack a second time. You do that. Six.
Starting point is 00:30:38 So that goes to 15. 15, barely hits, yep. And so I roll four damage here. Let's see. That's a D20. 10. D20. Very happy.
Starting point is 00:30:54 Very cool. So I got three plus six. Nine damage. Nine points of damage that you slash in slicing into this troll. However, as you rupture, you're standing above bargram. Your glave slices over. The acid spills out on the bargroom. Dealing 10 points of acid damage.
Starting point is 00:31:17 I don't appreciate that. And then we gotta do the ensnaring strike. Oh, and how does that work? I mean, do you roll in Dex's eight. I fail, I'm not, I think it's straight. People are ready to set, you're not playing bird. Oh, I'm not bad. Seven.
Starting point is 00:31:34 I fail. It's bird, brim. So you failed? Yep. Yeah, it's, uh. Burk Grimm. Strength saving for a... Larger, larger creature has an advantage.
Starting point is 00:31:48 Oh, it's an advantage. It's a 3.82, so he failed no matter what. Nice. I'm using my good die too for this, by the way. Yeah. I think I forgot when I hate that guy with the punch, by the one, the acid is another D6 of damage. Just the first time.
Starting point is 00:32:05 Oh, I don't know. Oh, right, but I never rolled it. Oh, you got it. Just roll D6. Boom. Max damage as your acid discharges into it. Yeah, I bet it does. It seems to do a bit of damage, but not as much as you were hoping as it is probably resistant to acid as it is an acid troll.
Starting point is 00:32:27 And with that, so the ensnaring strike, how does that work? Just first of all I know. 2D6. Oh, we start his turn at the start at the... Okay, cool. So Vines emerged from the wound as... as Bargling been sprayed by acid as Vine's wrap
Starting point is 00:32:44 all the way around this troll and clench it in tight. With that? He's very clenched. He's clenched. The creatures fly up. As Professor Azran at this point has been completely shocked
Starting point is 00:32:58 by this and he says, Oh, please protect me. I don't want to die. I don't want to dive. I'm all the man, Joseph, no! And he dives into, just dive down. And then, because we're doing the same initiative
Starting point is 00:33:09 for him and the both of those folks. Number three is going to fly over to you, Ventus, and it is going to try to use its blood drain on you with its horribly long No! So did we do... Minus a D4? Did we do the damage to the troll yet? Or no. What do you mean? From the Vine.
Starting point is 00:33:28 It's not just turn yet. Okay. Would be my guess. It is going to... What did you see? Okay. And it is going to... What did you see? 16. 16. It's going to miss horribly, and it's going to miss its bludering. The other one is going to miss its bludering. The other one is going to to fly over to you, G, because you're the closest target, and it's looking hungry.
Starting point is 00:33:46 Also minus me before. Sorry. Yeah, no, nothing, nothing happens. So I put Bain on them, which means the target. Horrible blight seems to be affecting both of them and the troll. Bain. And with that, it's Bargham's turn. Pathetic attempt.
Starting point is 00:34:01 Can you move Azran back? He's going to disengage and just walk behind. Which one is in? He's the green. He's green. Like, right there. Unpainted Jones. I wish that we had our sorcerer, sea spray.
Starting point is 00:34:14 Sallis our sea spray. I wonder where he went. He's got to be around somewhere. He's downstairs, I think. Watch where you swing in that thing, Rocky. And I'm going to attack twice. I'm advantaged. Yep.
Starting point is 00:34:28 So the lower one is nine. 16. 16. You'll hit, yeah. You're both hit. You aren't. I mean, wait, or by the way, right? 8, 9, 17 damage.
Starting point is 00:34:46 17 damage. 17 damage, on both hits? For both hits, yep. As your axe cleaves into it, and you do remember, because I forgot, that is in the case, that at the start of this turn, it's starting, you see its wounds closing up. And so, as you're cleaving into it,
Starting point is 00:35:07 you're reopening wounds, however, and so I can remember I heal, I heal because it's a troll and that's how things work. It's still looking rough however, but Bargram, you're going to take a bit of acid damage. A bit, eh? A little bit more than this. One bet. 22 points of acid damage.
Starting point is 00:35:25 I'm down. As it sprains onto you as you cleave into it as acid sprees. Oh wait. I took the full 14 damage but I passed. I should have been seven, right? What was that? Whatever. If you pass something, it would be half.
Starting point is 00:35:40 I passed the breath, but I gave up to 47. Okay, so you're in, if... So what's 22 minus seven? 15. 15. So I'm barely alive. Barely alive. Okay. Craw, you're up.
Starting point is 00:35:51 You're the meme. Oh, sorry. Ah! Master Vint! No! I'll move up and I will acid splash the mosquito bat. Okay. So it's a Dex saving throw for you.
Starting point is 00:36:07 Okay. Fourteen. It's a 15. Okay. So it failed. So you'll take 2D6, and it's acid damage plus 4, so that's going to be 8 plus 4 is 12. 12 points of damage. You aggrit this strange wooden figure in your hand, and it glows with this eerie light,
Starting point is 00:36:30 and a blast of acid splashes at this bat, and it singes its wings and collapses in the ground, and you see this strange bone and flesh exposed as it dies. Master Vint, are you okay? Yeah, you got me there. You saved me. Craw. And with that, it is Vintus' turn. I would like to do
Starting point is 00:36:55 press to digitation and throw mud into the troll's eyes. Oh, okay. And just shout, pocket mud. Pocket mud. I'm going to make a deck saving throw to see if that works. And I will say, you know what,
Starting point is 00:37:11 There's so much mud around. You channel in and you heave up some mud with magic and you fling it into the eyes of this troll and unable to dodge as it hits its eyeballs and it's looking rough and it is blinded for a turn, we'll say. Anything else for your bonus action or anything else? As a rogue, I think you do many things, but maybe not.
Starting point is 00:37:35 I don't know how it works. I'll disengage. Okay. What further than move for disengage? Actually, you don't have to get to disengage. there's nobody next to you so you can just move. I would say you would have had to move up to cast the to throw the pocket mud so now you can disengage
Starting point is 00:37:49 back on. Yeah. Just move out. Yeah. So you then back up, it looks like it's trying to follow up with the glitz claws and it's two different heads and it is unable to. Willow, you're up.
Starting point is 00:38:02 I am going to cast mass healing word on everybody. Woo! Okay. So. How about shit? Wow. Well, let's see, hold on. So, six.
Starting point is 00:38:21 11 points of healing for everybody. Okay. You say a prayer to Shantia, and are you all kind of feel the warmth and the pleasantness of the hardest time? Ah. Uh, wash over you. I'm all the feeling.
Starting point is 00:38:32 Cries great from this window. The timers are so. And then I also get... Oh, the range is 10 feet. Okay. Yep, I'm in the house. Okay. So is a five.
Starting point is 00:38:45 Um, and then. Then that's my entire turn, because that's what I confused. You do that. And you see the wounds on the troll continue to close up even more. It's regenerating as it is a troll. And both of its heads lunge down at Willow and at Bargramman. So we're going to attack on Willow first. That is going to be a hot...
Starting point is 00:39:10 The 16. Misses. Misses. What does Blaine do? Oh, disadvantage. So yeah, no, Missed Warblane. He's still restrained, right? He's restrained.
Starting point is 00:39:18 So he's disadvantaged. He's like quadruple disadvantage. And all attacks against him are at advantage. Wow, great. So he's blinded, he's restrained. You roll the damage for your vines. The vines constricts him in strength. Oh, 3.
Starting point is 00:39:31 Fuck yeah. One. That's like one. That's like one. Three damage. Three damage. Three damage. Better than no.
Starting point is 00:39:39 Better than no damage. The vines are restrict. And you see allowed, if you're allowed, pop as one of the acid postules leaps out and I'm going to randomly assign who this heads. That's going to be on G as you're going to take the eight points of acid damage. This is a new round? Yes. Okay. Compared to when? Bargroom was the top of the round. Yeah. He hasn't done... Have I absorbed elements this turn? No you can. No. So you may do it.
Starting point is 00:40:13 get this damage. Okay, I'd like to react in absorb elements. Okay? You absorb it, you cut the damage in half and then your quarter-sad glows with this yellow acidic-looking color. Bargram, you are going to get bitten into with, maybe not, with a 19. Nope. Great.
Starting point is 00:40:32 Whoa! Oh! Why not? Let's see a C. A 16. A 16. Why not? And then a claw is going to slam toward, is going to slam toward.
Starting point is 00:40:42 is going to slam towards G. It's disadvantaged. And that's going to be a, wait, seven plus seven. There's a 14 minus four, so 10 that's gonna miss. And then I hate my life. And then with that the other claw is going to slam towards you willow. Plus seven, is a 15 minus two, is a 13.
Starting point is 00:41:09 So it is restrained by, it's blinded, it's restrained by these vines, it's looking very rough. That treat be told is looking I'm off. Cheedy, you're up. Okay. I'd like to cast Agonazard's scorcher. Okay.
Starting point is 00:41:27 I don't know what that does. It is a line of roaring flame 30 feet long in front of me. So like, just have to troll. Yeah. Yeah. Each creature in the line must make a dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3D8 fire damage on a failed saver. It happens much on a successful one.
Starting point is 00:41:46 How long is the line? How long is the line? 30 feet. So if you wanted to, you could then shimmy around your friend while flying and point the other direction. Well, that's what I was thinking, but don't I take two opportunities? No, just one. Just one.
Starting point is 00:42:00 So just to show you, not to say you, you go this way, as long as you maintain adjacentness to this guy, you never take an attack from this guy. You would only take one from this guy. You see what I'm saying? But he's like hella disadvantage, right? Yes. Am I taking a thing from him? No.
Starting point is 00:42:14 So if you stay in within melee arrangements, all you need to do is pivot. You're shitting around. You're dancing around him. Boy, can I, can I dance to this guy? Yeah. You could. So I don't take opportunity damage from him and then shoot straight up. He's hell of disadvantage, so we're gonna, that's gonna horribly miss.
Starting point is 00:42:31 Now you're thinking with . The two heads are like, I'm trying to get you. And they're bane, they're blinded and everything else. All righty, here we go. Three, eight, three, three, three. Really? Six. So 12 damage and you have to make deck saving throw this for both you guys.
Starting point is 00:42:55 Is that bained? Yes. Great. It's a four on the bain. Yeah, no, it's a horrible failure unless it's like a 10. It was a 10 passes. Uh... No.
Starting point is 00:43:11 Uh, no. I think it's clear. 14. So literally if you hadn't rolled a four, you would have, you would have made it. Yeah? Yeah. So 14. And Bain. So what is Agonazet?
Starting point is 00:43:21 So as you see, it's like a, well, it's a, I imagine. It's like a big shot bar. Dance around and his talons glow with flame, and he fell out of the ponds! And he was like, whee! And a wing was shaped out and fire forward, as a flame bird erupts forward, incinerating the sturge, which we're called sturds.
Starting point is 00:43:43 And first guy, like, oh, those are sturges, don't get your blood drained. And then, and the, uh, damage, was that 13? 12. 12. Thanks for giving him and giving yourself honest. 12. As he is looking rough, as the flame hits it,
Starting point is 00:44:01 it singes, and as it takes the damage, it bursts one of the pustral, and we're going to see which... Is six dead? He's dead, 100% dead. Okay. And so I'm going to roll at random which one that's going to hit and that's going to hit Willow. As it pops, and it's going to do eight points of acid damage.
Starting point is 00:44:17 And it splashes onto you, and as you see see, you remember seeing this regenerating troll flesh. This flamed falcon that has erupted out of you has seemed to have singed its flesh so horribly, it has stopped the healing factor of this troll, at least not rare. And just one say, for anyone who might be watching us from quests in chaos, we are teaching three new players
Starting point is 00:44:40 how to play V&D. So if you want to hang out with three newbies and the rest of us schmucks, yeah, we appreciate it. Thank you. Yeah, and go check them out and really good stuff. It's a very like a cool studio setup. It's really awesome. Great stuff.
Starting point is 00:44:52 Yeah, give them a follow. They're awesome. And it does that day. So it's just the troll. However, it still is staying to fight. And Bob, you're up. All right. I'm going to go bonus action.
Starting point is 00:45:12 What's it called? Slayer Sense? Slayers. Yeah. Slay's cry. On the troll. And I'm going to actually move over here, just so our good friend
Starting point is 00:45:29 Bargroom doesn't... Doesn't mean to die? Doesn't die, on account of me. That'd be as collateral? It's not my fault anymore, Bargaret. And I'm gonna go straight up attacking. Got it. So you channel the experience that you've had slaying beasts and monsters,
Starting point is 00:45:49 not unlike this troll. And as you channel your hunter's fury, you slice with your and you're advantage because these are strange. Okay, so you roll another D20 and take the highest. Oh, okay, so that would
Starting point is 00:46:05 be the first one is higher. Welcome, Dyerblade by the way. Welcome Dyerblade. We got 16. Killing a troll. You know what? 16. Okay, and so I rolled the... 10 feet 10 and D6.
Starting point is 00:46:23 Oh, yeah. D6. So, looks like 15 on the first hit. 15, God. Oh, yeah, 20. 20 first hit. As it slices in and it cuts a deep swath along the whole torso, it is looking very rough, barely hanging out of life. As however, you rupture some of these pustules and you take 9 points of acid damage and it splashes on you. It splashed 10 feet then.
Starting point is 00:46:51 It does. And now I'm not going to attack it again? Is that? Roll again for it. Correct. And damage. Natural one, so that would not hit, but you're Natural Twine.
Starting point is 00:47:01 Oh, wow. You gotta get off the natural 20. Don't forget to take your damage to. Yeah. You said seven? Yeah. Nine point. Natural 20.
Starting point is 00:47:10 Would you say you? Nine points it has a damage. Yeah, thank you. Thank you. And yeah, I mean, we're going to play at Lucy Goosey. Kind of chill, real D&D folks. We're going on 1D10 for this. So it's 2D10.
Starting point is 00:47:21 Two D10. Because a crit. That's a with the hoot. The hootsie! The hootie! Flash your hooters have he got them. 16 more damage? Nice.
Starting point is 00:47:30 16 more damage. How do you want to do this? Hey! Hey! That means that you usually kill the primary threat or the monster and then you'll tell me how you want to finish off and how you'd like to do it and then I will narrate it, probably butchering it or maybe making it cool. I don't know. It's kind of a crabt. I want to keep his head.
Starting point is 00:47:49 Okay? Yeah. You take three points of ads and down. So you want to cut off his head? Yeah, I want to cut off. I want to keep it. There are two heads. Would you like to click you all both at the same time?
Starting point is 00:48:02 Ooh. Okay. Two for one. That's spicy. That's spicy. That's spicy. So you slash across its chest as it lets out as it sloughs forward. Both of its heads are perfectly in line as you swing your glade around and around.
Starting point is 00:48:20 And then with one fell swoop, you do have a fucking golf swing. Cleave. You cleave both of the heads, thunk, thunk, and they fly off and land at your feet. A little bit of acid splashes onto you, but quiet returns to the marsh. Ah, master Vint, are you all right? Yes, they didn't touch me at all. May I check on Miss Willow? Of course. Oh, Miss Willow, are you all right?
Starting point is 00:48:44 I'll kick the troll corbs. Yeah, you filthy was it, you can't kill a dolly that easily. You take five friends of acid damage. As you rupture one. He's talking about it. Oh no, you cast heels, didn't you? Yeah. I hope it was enough to knock them out.
Starting point is 00:49:00 Yes, you, that is a rupture all. And you see the cowering form of Professor Azran, just his hat, and he picks himself off the ground. His hands and a lot of his coat are covered in mud. And he's, is everything dead? Yes. And I snapped my fingers and I cleaned him up. Oh, you do that. as you pressed his tithetion suddenly he said, oh, thank you, I'm eternally appreciate it.
Starting point is 00:49:28 This journey would have been far more intolerable if it wasn't for the ability for us to all say nice and tighting. So what's, Professor, what's our plan we've been traveling all day? I'm, I'm sure that Gonsmith can't be that much further, and it's very, it is very, very, very late in the evening. I thought we would have been there hours ago, but I feel like, well, that will all that, Mommelade and Joseph. I loved you, Mommelade, most of all. It'll have to figure out what to do with this card. I guess we can take turns pulling it.
Starting point is 00:50:10 Is there enough left at them for some dinner? You need a troll? Are you crazy, Drackey? I'm pretty sure he was talking about the donkey. I think he's talking about Mommelade and Joseph. You would eat a mule? I would. I've eaten more.
Starting point is 00:50:27 standards, fruit. Well, Gee was gonna eat a horse. Well, I've seen Gee eat a lot of things, and I just let him, he's a bird type, you know? Have you ever seen a bird stray away from eating anything? I've eaten a great many things. He just like to eat a great many things. I can vouch for that. But, I mean, do we have, we probably have rations.
Starting point is 00:50:55 How long have we been on the road? We have plenty of rations, because you would like, 400 adventure of such as things. adventure such as this. Look, if you were to use a little firebreadth to cook up some donkey types, go for it. Mule types, then go for it. Seems like a waste. They're horribly mangled and covered in ass up. Well, it seems like a waste.
Starting point is 00:51:17 I really don't think we should eat those. Seems like deadly poison. Well, I'm resistant to poison, so maybe I will eat it. Anyway, are we gonna get there tonight? We have any chance of getting a gunsmith tonight? I think if we hurry, I'll have to see what I can take. We won't be able to bring the cart. I really think that if we strap the cart to Bargram, he can put it.
Starting point is 00:51:46 I am the strongest of all of us. Speak for yourself. Well, I wouldn't be opposed. I thought I was about to lose everything. So why don't you make him an athletics, shop? I'll see how we do. I will. Jesus volunteered to do it.
Starting point is 00:52:01 Is it strength because you still have? Is it still? It's for an hour. Oh, fuck yeah. It's better? Better? Um, 201.
Starting point is 00:52:11 And you see Bargram, powered by a furor, anger and hatred alone, generates the mule power of at least two mules. Maybe a mule and a half. At least two mules, as he grabs both of the spokes of his car, He just pulls that and he's laughing.
Starting point is 00:52:33 When it starts to move, seeing it start to move, Craw is just going to very quickly and very silently like jump up in the back. Yeah, I would also like to board the cart. Okay, so... No, Drucky, not you.
Starting point is 00:52:46 Cros, you managed to find some space. However, Vaz, you know that this cart is piled high with books and barrels of things and a lot of the possessions of the the professor is in this cart for this day particularly and there's really only enough room for
Starting point is 00:53:05 for craw to scamper on crawl looks at vowing and goes for uh willow as well crawl looks at vows and goes can i uh walk away and heal my own wounds you may do that yeah all right um i'd like to cast i guess level one cure wounds okay all myself yeah just makes you check the spell you channel the power of of your of nature and your experience in the wilds and you uh place a hand over your chat over your chest and the energy courses through you and your wounds close up the bed. And as the cart starts to go,
Starting point is 00:53:37 Professor Azraan starts to get a little bit of his courage back now that you're leaving the bodies of your attackers and your ambushers behind. And you continue to walk forward. And he dust himself off a little bit
Starting point is 00:53:53 wherever predestation may have missed. And he's, well, I knew that I was paying good coin for good company and I appreciate you making sure that although Joseph and Marmalade didn't make it I did and that's what matters. Craw peaks up over the back of the car and says, wait, you're getting paid? We'll work out in an arrangement, CRO. An I-O-U was more because I wasn't sure if I could trust you.
Starting point is 00:54:21 Let's... Services delivered, we'll work out something, CROF. Services rendered. Services rendered. I wouldn't trust that. I'd like to fly above the cart and kind of glide and meditate. That's so badass. Okay.
Starting point is 00:54:34 So you see this. Actually, we did not take time to describe what all of our characters look like. So we're going to take the opportunity now that we've had some combat to go around and describe what all our characters. As you take off into the sky, we'll start with you. What do you look like? Yeah. So I kind of like my body, like tall, kind of like musky. frame but light
Starting point is 00:54:59 white feathers on my chest and body with flex of like jade and then this great like plume detail of like pure fire red and orange nice yeah
Starting point is 00:55:14 who's up next Fahrebeard so Vaz is he's about 6.5 about 270 pounds he's a he's a big guy.
Starting point is 00:55:29 For you? The fire that only happens The fire rises. The fire rises. He's brass colored, so kind of like a muddy brown
Starting point is 00:55:45 metallic shade to him. And he's got a giant scar across his chest, but you can't see it when he's got his arm around. But you all would have seen him in various States and undress. Oh.
Starting point is 00:55:59 Oh. Stay away from me, Birdie. Wrig. Ray. Ferry as well. Fan fiction writing, get on that. Okay. Cry.
Starting point is 00:56:09 I heard your first book. A mountain dwarf, of course, around five feet tall. I've got very heavy plate armor on and with the helmet. I've got my, uh, my Az-Kazak, my battle axe and my throng, my huge round shields. And I have a great big, bushy red beard. Burns when I sent a grogny nearby. We'll go around the Hornier-Willow. I am playing a halfling.
Starting point is 00:56:40 She is a halfling of the harvest. She comes from a small town near a Faye crossing that happens to kind of border the autumn court. So she lives in a little halfling village that is eternally autumnal. She has red hair and freckles and is just cute as a button. I am, I currently look like a human, just 5'10, you know, nondescript brown hair, your standard Joe Schmo. He called her pumpkin.
Starting point is 00:57:12 Indiscriminate. Yeah. You're the, you're the, you're the default scam. Yeah, essentially. I'm just trying to blend in. Jeff from McKenna. I don't want anybody to notice me. You, whenever you, whenever you, every time you've dealt with Vintus, you're just, you're, get the sense of, wow, this is the most average looking human I've ever.
Starting point is 00:57:33 And we've only never known him as a human, right? Correct. Right? It's up to you guys. He is, he's, no, I believe we had talked about that. And I've known him longer than Ryan. You only ever seen him as a human. Okay.
Starting point is 00:57:43 Yeah. Okay. He's remarkably average. Like, human number three. Nice one, Becca. And you're a rogue? Yes. An arcade trickster.
Starting point is 00:57:54 Arcane trickster. Yeah. We're just going about... I'm a Colboldt sorcerer who is a descendant from black dragons. And Craw's whole goal is to find a particular ancient black dragon and show them that Craw is worthy. What do I look like? Yeah. Coble.
Starting point is 00:58:17 He's from the swamps, so, you know, he's very, like, ratty, kind of like, gross. and just kind of like making his way through the world, right? He doesn't really care about appearances. He wants to prove his strength. He carries around a wooden, like, doll or figure that's almost like vood-like, you know, kind of like, you know, just like a fetish doll sort of a thing. And always has a black dragon scale that he is occasionally admiring, you know, and holding onto and watching it while people are around.
Starting point is 00:58:52 The only other important thing is that Vint saved Kraw's life, which is why he is so eternally grateful in a first him as Master Vint. He saved Kroes life. Yeah. There was a terrible herpy accident. There's a harpy incident. There's a harpy, yeah. Harpy accident. A herpy accident.
Starting point is 00:59:08 Oh, Telbot asked a very pertinent question. What is Twist of Fate? Producer Rick? What is... Preacher, Prisster Rick? Tell them what it is. Tell him what it is. Tell him what it was. Oh, that sweet beef footage.
Starting point is 00:59:21 Begillus makes a good point. Let's hear it for producer. Give it a... Everybody give it them every... Give them all happy, ladies gentlemen. This is a chat, Twist of Fate for every 500 bits donated. We get a free re-roll.
Starting point is 00:59:34 So imagine it like a Lucky Die where we roll a D20. We're like, ooh, that sucks. Let's use an extra D20, which is a twist of fate. So we get one of those for every 500 bits that you guys donate. So we're 200 away from our first twist of fate. Of this campaign. And it's campaign specific. So everything that will be used to do you guys.
Starting point is 00:59:52 today and so it's not like we can pool them for certain campaigns and the like. If we have leftovers tonight, we'll figure out where to put them, maybe our next one shop, something like that. Maybe it'll be a channel specific. Basically it's an extra one. Any, yeah, any campaign. It's a wild card. Yeah.
Starting point is 01:00:07 Wild card. Okay. So, Professor Azran is walking along and says, well, with Boggroom's impressive strength, he's looking like, he's looking very shocked. He's been traveling and he knows how all of you are and he still finds ways to be surprised and impressed. And he's, well, with this pace, we may be able to make it by sundown. And hopefully they haven't even in.
Starting point is 01:00:33 So we're more than an hour away. I would say probably. His strength is probably going to wear off. The second the spell drops, like, crushed. And I like drop it. Okay, so you continue to walk for an hour as you make your way through. and eventually the smell of this salt marsh hits your nostrils as the sun disappears behind clouds as the sinks towards the horizon. Very faint glints of oranges and purples and yellows of the sunset managed to make their way through.
Starting point is 01:01:15 As your boots are all incredibly wet and caked in. wet and caked in mud, occasionally sinking down, maybe even knee deep into this marsh. And you have to pull yourself out and it is a miserable walk. You occasionally have to smack yourself as these horrible stinging insects hit you. And you now understand why Gonsmith is so rarely traveled by those that aren't from there. Not a single traveler that you passed for over a day as you may. as you make your way closer and closer, and as it gets darker and darker,
Starting point is 01:01:55 and the light from the... Over the past 10 minutes, can I have been focusing on a spell, I want to cast... At second level, I want to cast per healing. You do that. And heal people. You do that?
Starting point is 01:02:11 So as you're walking, you see Willow saying this small prayer, maybe in Halfling, maybe in common, whatever it would be. 19 points of healing for everybody. The glow of harvest time washes over you and you feel like full after a feast on holiday, maybe. And you feel just warm and fuzzy
Starting point is 01:02:35 as your wounds all close up and you feel a little bit stronger as Bargram after an hour you lose your strength from Willow, but I would say the rest of the group is able to pitch it however they like and you Oh, Dracky, can you get one of these folks here
Starting point is 01:02:52 of all of a sudden that would be winded. I don't know why I must have had a big lunch today. Can you just help with the other end? The dwarf must be weak. Oh, look, I know you're not quite as strong as me. You're probably knowing for well
Starting point is 01:03:11 that he has 20 strength and I have 18. I know you're not as strong as me but if you could just give me a hand. All right. So both the Dragon Runny, both you make that leather checks at advantage just to see how well you make it. I had to plan on the cart making it to golf tonight. No way. 18? 18? No, no, I got that 20.
Starting point is 01:03:34 20, okay, yeah. Bull strength, everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, give them the hand. Give it up. Give it up for bowl strength. I totally forgot that was the thing. As you see Faws considerably taller than Bargrim and considerably stronger than everyone else in the group, heaves the other side of this cart, and both of them pull. And as the sun sinks behind the horizon,
Starting point is 01:04:00 just the very last glimmers of daylight, merging through the clouds, you start to see lights glimmering, and then ahead of you as you make your way over a very small hill, you see down to the... shore, the coast, a massive expanse of sea stretches out ahead of you. And at the very edge, you see the glinting, flickering lights of a town, quaint, but
Starting point is 01:04:35 not too small, as a number of lights punctuate the surface of the ocean. imagine that they're fishing ships making the way in and out for fishing for some sort of fish that it's better to do at night and you continue to make your way nightfish nightfish they call them usually it's the dredger they might be dredging for a shellfish or just nightfish or nightfish I do love a tasty nightfish maybe they're dredging for oysters ooh or night fish um hold on I'm writing that down Nightfish. Good thing.
Starting point is 01:05:17 You don't want to forget the nightfish. The nightfish. There we go. The elusive night. Do you have the scientific name of the nightfish? The nocturnous. It is nox. Knox.
Starting point is 01:05:29 I like noxed. What are they migrating and breeding habits? Yeah. What season is it? So are the eight season? Here's from rumbling. All you hear it is from all around you, despite there being no geological outcroppings of like rock.
Starting point is 01:05:45 at all suddenly an avalanche hit and everyone dies, including Professor Azran, the continuity is broken. Good night, everyone. Good night. All the ventures is obliterated and the channel's over. Oh, so a meteorite hits. A meteorite hits. Star extinction.
Starting point is 01:06:04 More of a comet. So you all continue in. Yeah. No, Anzareth had a great question. How did nightfish affect the local economy? You'll find out. They have answers and chill Are they edible? Questions are no.
Starting point is 01:06:19 You'll find out as you make your way And Professor Azran looks at his Ah, we finally made it. I am internally grateful to all of you. Well, be sure, please remind me to add an extra 10 gold pieces to each of your payments at the end of this voyage.
Starting point is 01:06:36 Even Cros? We'll talk about it, Cros. Oh, okay. Are we going to be staying in the town tonight are we going to be setting up camp outside? Well, why would we camp outside when there's a town waiting for it? I'm sure there's an inn
Starting point is 01:06:48 that would be far more comfortable. I don't trust these people. Um, uh, some people don't necessarily like Krah at first sight. Well, Kra, why don't you stay outside? Gee, you want to go get a... That quite literally was my point. We've got, we've got a bird,
Starting point is 01:07:03 and we've got two dragonkin and this dwarf, I don't mean to say it, but he's very, very oftentimes, he tends to be a little recuse. You can say exactly. I wasn't going to comment on his facial future. Thank you for thinking of Krah, Miss Willow. I always do.
Starting point is 01:07:20 Why don't you guys just let me do the talking when we get to the gate? Claw's prepared for death. That's not necessary. I'm not sure that's on the table yet, Krah. I will not let you perish. With Shung Tia to my side, I will do my diligence to make sure you survive this trip. Thank you, Ms. Will. I love you.
Starting point is 01:07:42 I'm surprised for a beard foot you'd think you'd want to be comfortable to man. Oh, gosh. You know, we've had this conversation quite often. I'd really prefer if you don't call me a beard foot. Well, I mean no offense, of course. It's what the dowry call that. You do seem to have beards on your feet. Barber's going for a fight, man.
Starting point is 01:08:00 Holy shit. It's one of those situations where just because you say you mean no offense, doesn't mean that none is provided in your comment. No, ma'am, I won't say it's more fuzz than beard. But, uh, a true gentleman. Gentlemen never insinuates beaels or mustaches or any facial hair to a lady, even if she has them. Well, like I said, I mean no offense. This is what they say back in my fortress.
Starting point is 01:08:24 Ha, ha, you, you must... Bargram is no gentleman. Perhaps, once this is all over, I will bring you to Agway and you'll attend some courses and pitilions to learn how to be a proper gentleman. Well, perhaps when this is all done, I'll bring you back to the Greek. calls of Kazak-Kazard, and I'll lead you through the greatest minds, the greatest foundries you've ever seen, and you'll realize that maybe Catillion isn't worth all that much when you've seen such great power. Bargram at a Catillion is something I would very much like to see.
Starting point is 01:09:01 Well, I may take you up on that. As chance would have it, a great ancestor of mine, Clayton Azram, is from Bargast himself. And so I... It's a great land filled with many horrible grubby and irks and all of the worst
Starting point is 01:09:19 types of monsters but my people is they've devoted an oath to wiping them out. You have told me once or twice how you feel about oxing goblin kind. Once or twice.
Starting point is 01:09:33 Anyway, gee, would you like to view the two of me? Chat is literally destroyed. Yes, I think based on the conversation, I would, would be best suited to talk at the door. Crah, I don't usually prefer deception.
Starting point is 01:09:50 But if you would like to hide under the top of the cart, I'm sure you could fit. Ah, are you asking or telling Cra? If you prefer to... I personally believe that these are good, hearty folk that are fishermen and... Why would they... Cra can take a hint!
Starting point is 01:10:08 And he begins to very down into the case. And then his berries down and disappears from a moment, then his head pops back in and says, Master Vince, call if you need me. How many berries back in? That's probably for the best, Krah. Well, now, hold up. This is a human town, is it not?
Starting point is 01:10:23 Of course it is. Why don't you two plain-looking humans, along with our bird friend here? What you can all do to talking and we'll just stand in the back and we'll hold the car? For the record, I just want to put on the line that I'm willing to bet that Kara has the highest
Starting point is 01:10:36 charisma has the highest charisma of all of you. So if anyone should be doing the couple, talking it might need to be cropped but we'll leave that on the back burner that's not the case so anything else before you guys had in the town no am i going into town as well we all are do you want to that's it's up to you buddy that's the name of the game you do what you want like soon comment right no track more of her comment especially in this area all right i'll come into town but i'll wait outside the building if there is a building there are many buildings the town
Starting point is 01:11:08 I don't want to go inside I don't trust buildings until everything's a building killed my parents unless they need some unless they need some strength inside the building
Starting point is 01:11:23 I'm just going to wait at the door my favorite enemy is building I've got a grudge against buildings my skills it makes sense though because the grudge
Starting point is 01:11:38 stems from the lack of stonemanship. That's right. You're literally grudges against mountains for landsla. This building is sub-power. I also rolled a seven in charisma. Oh, wow. Okay. So I should probably just wait outside. So, you make your way through the salt marshes.
Starting point is 01:11:57 As the land gets more and more and more passable, as the treacherousness seems to fade, behind you. You unite now fully setting in. You make your way to the outskirts of Gonsmith. Some town that you've all heard of but never visited, as far as you're all aware, many folk don't visit. You look around the architecture and these buildings seem to be a bit worn down. You see paint flickering in the lantern light
Starting point is 01:12:41 that may have used to have been a little bright white but has long since chipped and faded wooden structures all around several, no buildings more than three stories as it seems eerily quiet
Starting point is 01:12:57 on this evening and as you're all walking around you see the occasional shadow move you hear footsteps along the solid ground on the coast, but you try to look and you see maybe a shape pass by an alley as you make your way through what seems to be mostly residential buildings and you hear the shuffling of movement and loud footsteps as three shadows are projected along a building they seem to be headed towards
Starting point is 01:13:33 you. guys gonna do anything. I'm still in the car. I'm just gonna look around and I'm not gonna lie to you. I think this place could use with the little sprucing up, maybe a nice fire and a hearth and a warm rabbit stew. Oh that sounds lovely to me. I mean can you you good at making rabbit stew? I've loved it every time. But are we, are we people coming? I think we just wait and we say hello to them when they arrive. We should be polite. I would like to to hide. My man.
Starting point is 01:14:11 So how are you going to hide? How are you going to do that? I'd like to just be under the cart. Okay. Make a self-check. And so as the shadows approach, Presser Azarin looks like, what? I got an 18.
Starting point is 01:14:24 Would I have been with him long enough to know that he gets skittish around people? I would say if that is something, is that as a trait, I would say you get that. I touch him the moment I see them in cascadies. Okay. Are there any buildings like nearby? You get an additional deported rolls?
Starting point is 01:14:39 So real close, no. So the street is probably about 15 feet across. And all of the buildings have just these dilapidated fences around them. And some are missing shutters. They're broken. And there's not any buildings immediately. You see that there's a number of roads kind of passing off. Trees or bushes or town.
Starting point is 01:15:01 What is that? Trees or bushes or anything. Yeah, there's bushes and some foliage. The occasional tree kind of standing up. As you've gotten closer and closer to Galtzmouth, the pure flatness of the swamp, the weeds and the tall grasses, has made way to more some actual trees, maybe some small orchards and the like. I'd like the high as well.
Starting point is 01:15:21 Okay, so you can get into a bush. And I'll make a safe. I found a big bush, yeah. It's a very large bush. Not too far from this. Who's not? What? What are all in the other three?
Starting point is 01:15:35 I got Bargroom and Willer. Yes. What is it? Plus stealth. And the professor. And as the Dax Plus, if you're professor, if you're professor, you'll be Dax Plus efficiency. Stel, that would be 18 total.
Starting point is 01:15:47 Oh, so plus four for stealth? I don't know. I'm sorry? What did you say? Never mind. You should. I got 21. Okay, so you all and Professor Azran looks at view.
Starting point is 01:15:57 What? What was everyone? I thought we were going to. Oh, never mind. As three figures, turn around a bend did we successfully hide or no? Oh, okay. Yeah, you won't, yeah, you won't unless you get that. My head sticking out of them.
Starting point is 01:16:12 You might, your glave is like poking out of your back. Tail sticking out from another. I mean, I'm not aware of what's happening, right? I don't, I know, I don't have heard anything or seen anything. I'm just chilling in the back of the car, right? You're chilling the back of the car. All right. So, you see three figures approach you. All of them holding
Starting point is 01:16:30 hooded lanterns that cast this glow that looks strangely ominous might just be your nerve from being attacked the previous day. The person at the head is a large man. Probably about the size of us and the cell. Settle down, lofty.
Starting point is 01:16:50 That seems to have a large sideburner that go into a thick mustache and a bowler cap on his head. As he approaches a large, heavy coat, seems to be worn, there is a spear on his back and a sword
Starting point is 01:17:13 at his hip. Two figures are behind him. They're both men that are considerably younger. Maybe in their mid-20s, hard to tell. They all have a strange look to them. They're all dressed similarly, heavy coats. And as they approach you, you all see that there's kind of a strange lilt to their head. What is that? Like it? As they... Shut the fuck up. Approach. No meta knowledge. No metta knowledge. As they approach you. And
Starting point is 01:17:41 you see the man, step forward, the older man, state your purpose, strangers. Can you see them pretty easily? They're not like hooded. You all stop. No, they all have, they have thick, heavy coats. They look like, um, basically
Starting point is 01:17:59 fishermen in a militia. Okay. that they all have this leather armor that does not seem to be very well kept and they all look rough with a strange lilt to their head and there's a very strange look and you know this uncanny valley look that you have that is immediately
Starting point is 01:18:16 anyone who looks at them that they just seem to be a little off I'm gonna step forward it's nice to see you this evening we're just passing through we've got some business out in the marsh and we were hoping that you had an inn a place that maybe has a nice hearth
Starting point is 01:18:31 through we could have a spot to dinner. My girl. Make him set persuasion check. Ah, step forward. Five. Uh, he narrows his eyes as he raises the lantern closer to you, and he adjusts it to cast a cone of light out. It glints across the cart and all of you. Don't get many visitors around here.
Starting point is 01:19:04 Business in Gonsmith is usually funny. Usually funny business for outsiders. I mean, luckily, our business isn't here in Gonsmith. It's out in the marsh surrounding it. This just looked like a comfortable town. I'm a little shadowy for my, for my lichen, but I appreciate the lantern you're holding up, giving us some more, cleanse and glow.
Starting point is 01:19:31 Ours and in. Well, I'm hoping that they'd be... But I don't know if they'll serve outsiders, especially with his bird folk. What are you doing? here. Look like you not from around these parts, not even this continent. He's looking at you. The only bird person made. He's just a secret bird person.
Starting point is 01:19:55 He looks over both of his shoulders. Yeah. Does he need me of that? Me? Um, I'm not from around here, no. But we mean no trouble. Like, uh, like the young lady said, we just have been. in the marsh and we were hoping such a handsome gentleman as yourself would be
Starting point is 01:20:22 able to point us in the direction of that inn you mentioned and we could find a brief respite for the evening whichever one of you would like to make a persuasion check at advantage you may do that please yes some yeah roll two D-22 two to advantage ooh the nanny 20 baby got to give it up two of our three new players that rolled 90-20s tonight. We just turn them around, turn them around. Read's due. Read his dude.
Starting point is 01:20:56 Handsome, you said. He must not. He just do. Okay. What is it? Yes. So it's 20 plus your fire. Right, right, right.
Starting point is 01:21:08 Plus five, 25. Nice. 25. Okay. So you see that there is still some hesitation as he looks and he kind of drop, he adjusts the lantern back to just go around him and he says there is an inn announce yourself I'll have to be knowing what you'll be doing out in the marshes usually doom comes to those that
Starting point is 01:21:42 think they can survive out those ways well and and you see that he had had a hand by a sword and he seems to raise it up from your discussions. The sword? The sword by his side, he raises it up and moves it, because if he was ready to draw it. I'd like to come out from hiding
Starting point is 01:22:04 and, like, come up behind it. Oh, God. Oh, he'd be able to. You do that? Yeah, but not say anything up. Okay? Yeah. So, as that happens,
Starting point is 01:22:16 Professor Azran steps forward. Professor Azran steps forward, and he sees you, and he's like, oh, I am, Professor Azran, he makes eye contact with you and does this to you. I go back to the bush. Make a cell check, please.
Starting point is 01:22:32 What did you see? New stealth check. New self check. New self check. Oh, 13 plus, uh, plus, uh, so 18? Nice. 18, okay. They don't seem to notice you at all as you see this brash dragon board stand and then
Starting point is 01:22:46 Professor Az, uh, uh, I, pardon me, thank you so much for your hospitality. They don't call them the ghost for nothing. My name is Professor Triton Azran of Anzhu. I am from the School of Archaeology. I'm a professor there, and we are seeking the lost city of where the fuck did I write it down? I'm sorry. You said Nozari. The lost city of Nozori.
Starting point is 01:23:13 I'm sure you heard of it living here. That they're, they're, I intend to find it and uncover all of its secrets. If there's anything that you could do to help. This podcast is brought to you by our Patreon. Become a patron today at patreon.com slash legends of Aventris and gain access to tons of exclusive perks, including a monthly movie night and a weekly Patreon exclusive campaign set on the high seas,
Starting point is 01:23:43 shroud over salt marsh. You can also go to The Crookedmoon.com to pick up your own copy of our first published supplement. The Crooked Moon, a folk horror tone for Dungeons and Dragons fifth edition. And don't forget to snag all the extra goodies like dice, miniatures, plushies, a tarot deck, and more. Thank you. You see a sense of relief come over him as he sees Voss slink back into the bush.
Starting point is 01:24:11 Um, and the... He also gets a natural 20 on his persuasion. Wow! Let's give it up! As, uh, I gotta give it up for even the NPCs. As, uh, the gentleman, uh, the gentleman, uh, the gentleman, uh, the gentleman, uh, the gentleman, gentleman with the intense facial hair and the lilted head looks and then he says, well, you're looking for the lost city of the dragon folk. You're more doomed than I thought.
Starting point is 01:24:43 One night in an inn won't do my charm. Don't wear out your welcome outsiders. The inn is called the nightfish. Thanks to himself. That's convenient. This is called the nightfish. She'd be able to get a room for the night. Fish. I suggest you head off in the morning. Don't stay too long.
Starting point is 01:25:20 Not much good here in Gonsmith for those that are not from here. We greatly appreciate your hospitality, and we would make sure that we'll make sure that we don't over stare welcome. I appreciate that. And do you know about the good word of Fultus and the one true way? I've never heard of it myself.
Starting point is 01:25:45 I'm a follower of Shuntia. His eyes narrow. You are non-godly folk, all of you. Perhaps you should pay a visit to the church while you're here to learn about the one true way and stay away from wickedness. I'm a very godly person.
Starting point is 01:26:08 I just don't worship one of those ungey religions. I worship Clangin' and Silverbeer, the great god of war. There are many gods. None know the one true way beyond Fultus. None shall keep you off the path of righteousness and wickedness like Fultus. Well, I would never want to, to disreuthers. respect your religion, so I may make a trip to your temple just to pay my respects to your God. Church is at the center of town. I suggest you pay a visit. We all do.
Starting point is 01:26:47 We'll definitely do my best to find the time to do that. But outside of that, would you mind pointing us in the direction of the nightfish? Down towards the, down about three blocks that way, make a left. Keep walking until you see the sign with the black fish. That's the nightfish. That is convenient. It is. His head tilts and he says,
Starting point is 01:27:13 Gold. My name is Obadiah Placidus. Tell him he's already talks to me so they don't come bother me while I'm on me watch. What's his last name? Placidus.
Starting point is 01:27:27 Placid. And it's pronounced Flaxid. P-L-A-C-D-U-S. Obadiah-L-D-U-S. Placidus. as his head tilts. Not flaxidus. Sorry.
Starting point is 01:27:43 Or flaccidus. Maybe you'll enjoy our town so much. You won't be outsiders no longer and you'll stay a while. Oh boy. And he says like, hurry up to the inn. And he turns around without another word. And the three of them wave. Can I detect magic on him flying as he walks away?
Starting point is 01:28:09 Make a slab of hand check. And do what you do. You would also have the D4 for guidance. Yeah, that's for the sleight of hand. Well, that's for the sleight of hand. Are you cast, you're casting it as a spell? Yeah. Okay.
Starting point is 01:28:24 Well, because you could ritual it, right? Or is that not a thing that this time? Right, so you want it, you want to cast it as well. So you cast a text magic from underneath a card. As he's leaving you, raise out your hand very subtly. And it's very faint, greenish glow, murders around his hand. And as you feel, you feel. you feel, you wave it over these three figures.
Starting point is 01:28:45 You sense no magic. These seem to be common folk. Oh, yeah. They all shuffle off with this strange gait to them as they all... Someone may describe it as a lollipop gate. Perhaps a lollipop gate as they wilt their heads to the side. Vandras sweats. Somewhere in a vandras, Sylvie wakes up from a nightmare.
Starting point is 01:29:09 Lollipops everywhere. Vangest his ears are burning. Cultists? Culpus! As you are all left alone, as you make your way and Professor Azran adjusts his coat and he
Starting point is 01:29:23 pulled out his briefcase and he opens it, he ruffles through. I should have enough coin for all of us. I know this is not the most welcoming place, but well, well done, well done, companions. I don't think that we should overstay our welcome here in the town areas.
Starting point is 01:29:45 It's head straight to the inn and get a roof over our heads, allow the rest of us to be able to get out of their hiding. Well, I will say that it was encouraging to hear that maybe they are more welcoming than I thought. If they do indeed welcome those to join them, I think that that might be, they might be far more welcoming than I thought. Wheat Summer Child. I think it was very kind, yes. I'm getting an eerie feeling from this place.
Starting point is 01:30:14 Can I fly up and survey the town? Yeah, you have wings, so you can do that for sure. You fly up, make a reception check. I'm shocked you didn't give your famous line. You may try. You can try. You may see your advantage. Oh.
Starting point is 01:30:28 Because you're a bird. Whenever someone says can do something, you can try it. Well, that's just an obvious. You can fly and you can look around if you want to. 17 17 what is it perception 23 23 you see G fly up and with a single thrust of his wings he shoots into the air and G fly and you get a bird's eye view literally a bird's eye view anything you view is technically a bird's eye view oh my perception with my eyes is like double it's just advantage
Starting point is 01:30:59 oh okay okay so as you're looking around with your air cochlear eyes you uh you see the full layout of the city. That it isn't particularly large. You see the large church at the very center of this town square, and the city seems to be built around it. And you see very faintly worn symbol at the head of this, at the front of this church above the door of a silver sun. And you see a variety of different areas,
Starting point is 01:31:35 mostly residential buildings, but a small drag, small drag of shops, it seems, and just rows and rows and rows and rows of docks and fishery houses and processing areas and shipping houses all towards the coast that seem to make up a majority of the town. And that's what you see. And you see basically toward the little area, the building, what you assumed, is probably in the end. Do I see any people walking around? You see a number of people walking around. As you see the individuals, they're walking around,
Starting point is 01:32:13 you see Obadiah and his two guards walking around with that gate. And as you see every single person, there's a number of people walking around the church, one or two people down the alley with the shops. But most of the activity seems to be
Starting point is 01:32:29 out by the docks. There's a ship coming in, and there's a huge, just a a bulging net of fish, as they seem to be, the bell kind of tolls as you hear and you see that it's docking, and there's a number of people. Everyone seems to be walking with their head kind of tilted slightly in that same game. And that's what you see. Professor, may I come out of the bush? Yes, please.
Starting point is 01:33:00 There's no reason to sneak up on these people who already do not necessarily care for me. for outsiders, but I appreciate you desiring to not startle them. I would also like to come out and just say, sorry, guys, I'm just not a fan of the police. Oh, we so rock, Scarsie. I mean, I figured you would hide anyway, so shall we, uh, shall we make our way? I think we shall. Authority. That's right. And you make your way down through the streets.
Starting point is 01:33:38 You hear the occasional footsteps. People start to pass you. As you make your way through, as the quiet town starts to see, that there's actually a fairly populated town. More and more people are coming out of the buildings and walking by you, men, women, are making their way. You see one child, about eight years old, holding the hand of a mother wearing a high bonnet.
Starting point is 01:34:08 And the child is looking at you with wide eyes, surprise. And you see as the child is walking, head seems to be fully straight, not walking with any kind of strange game. And you eventually see the large sign of the black, with the black fish says the night fish. And you, you,
Starting point is 01:34:30 Eventually, you see that there is a spot to hitch up your cart, a place where there might be a spot to have some horses hitched, completely empty. Pressor Azran looks at all of you and says, well, I suppose, I don't know how many rooms could accommodate us, but I'm happy to pay for the full price, just for saving my life and making sure I didn't get eaten by a mastrichton. Oh, Rod, I mean, I've been greatly appreciated, I think, do we all get our own rooms?
Starting point is 01:35:05 So are we sharing rooms? We shall see what the accommodations are, I suppose. All right. I'll walk inside. You look around and this building has the same weathered white-chipped paint as all of the others. As your footsteps
Starting point is 01:35:20 creak as you step up onto the wooden platform of this building and you make your way and the door opens with it as if it hasn't been oiled in a very long time. and you see an empty room small desk with a woman in a long black dress she seems to be pat little past middle age as she looks at you with suspicious eyes the number of chairs and tables completely empty you listen and it's eerily quiet as you all make your way
Starting point is 01:36:03 and she hesitates and says, Y'all looking for... Yes, we are, we're looking for a room in this place. We were told by, I believe his name was Obadiah, that you might have a room here for us, or maybe two or three, whatever you've got. We're not staying long, so I believe we're only going to need the night,
Starting point is 01:36:30 but with the possibility of an extension should we need it. But it looks right cozy in here. Cozy or not we have vacancies? Well, I would agree it does look quite cozy. The half is roaring, is it? I don't even know. There's a small, sad fire. Go, it's the half is roaring.
Starting point is 01:36:51 I can't do. Manipule flame and grow it. Would I assume? Now roaring, yeah. You cast control flame, and it roars up, and she looks at you suspiciously, and the rest of you, and especially, where are you, by the way?
Starting point is 01:37:12 I'm in the cart. Okay. And you are in the cart. And she's eyes both of you. I'm outside the door. Oh, so she eyes you. Oh, wow. Okay.
Starting point is 01:37:23 I don't like people. And she, and President Aspen's door. I am Professor Azran. We've already talked to Mr. Placidus. I know you're outsiders. I hope that you have vacancy. And she says, we have vacancy for a while, yes.
Starting point is 01:37:41 Not many people come visit Gonsman. Nice to have customers. You'll each be needing a room, yes? If you have the vacancy, that would be lovely. How much a room? Five silver pieces. I'll pay the whole thing. And he opens it up, so five rooms.
Starting point is 01:38:07 Six. Six rooms. Six rooms. Correct. closes briefcase and places it and she goes back she grabs six keys hands it to him and she just Linenc ain't been used may not be fresh let me know if you need something I'll be here all night and her head is kind of tilting as well as she eyes you and Professor oh well thank you so much ah
Starting point is 01:38:41 and his Liza Gilman Lovely, lovely name, lovely name, Charming in you have here, the Nightfish. We will go enjoy our rooms now, and he steps back awkwardly, and he looks at all of you, his eyes
Starting point is 01:39:01 wide in, he just passes. And you eventually all make your way up, you find, unless anyone wants to go back out to your two companions. Yeah, I'll go back out and tell Krah to meet me in the room. Oh, I'm in the back of the cart, and I'm just humming to myself. Cross sees fish in the pool. The pool is cool.
Starting point is 01:39:20 Master Vint is strong. He can do no wrong. Miss Willow is fun. She's Kra's favorite one. I wonder what Master Vint is up to. I come on and say, Kra, we got rooms. You can just meet us up there. Master Vint? What?
Starting point is 01:39:35 You can just meet us up there. Meet us up there. I wouldn't go in the front. What? Huh. Oh, give Master Kraw. Vint says so, Kro. I'll wait. I'll wait for signal.
Starting point is 01:39:46 Okay. Okay. Is he going to get the Drachies are? I don't have any idea what you're talking about. The Drachy Dras. I'm not sure what a Drachy dry is. He's the little Black dragon guy. A Drachy Drass.
Starting point is 01:40:02 I believe you walked out to get our more scaly friends. You keep making up these words that I'm not quite sure. I'm not making up any words. I'm not making up any words. I'm not sure you're making up these words. right words out of it. No, me dear. Just the greatest words. I try to maintain my connection to
Starting point is 01:40:19 my great homeland. I use dwarven words all the time. I've been traveling even for weeks. This shouldn't surprise you. It doesn't surprise me at all. I just don't know what you're saying every time you used to. All right, grumboggy. Please don't ever call me a gramboggy. This is at least the 15th time I'm asking.
Starting point is 01:40:35 You said Beinfoot wasn't good for you, so I'm just using the word for a half of them. Okay, okay. All right. Does Rooney work? That's priest. I would just appreciate it if you'd just call me by my name. All right, Rooney.
Starting point is 01:40:50 I mean, that is not my name. How about we retire for the evening to the upstairs? The Crozeri makes a good point. The Crozari makes a good point. The Crozari, oh my. Are you making this shit up? I have to ask out a character. So how much studies you put in for this shit?
Starting point is 01:41:07 I didn't, I just, I wrote some words down. But it never ceases to amaze my mind. my friends. It's all legit causalhood. So what I'm going to do is I'm going to wait and try to see if I can see Master Vint in
Starting point is 01:41:24 any of the windows. Like I'm going to wait. I'm waiting. And I'm going to wait until I can see a sign of Master Vint in one of the windows. So I would say that most of the windows are dark and as everyone shuffles off into their specific room, each of you finds a very, very
Starting point is 01:41:40 narrow room, not much more space for a bed and a small end table with a very worn lantern on each of these. Eventually you see one light turn on, another light turn on in these windows
Starting point is 01:41:55 until all of them. You see the occasional shadow pass and then you actually see on the left side of the building the shape of what you recognize to be Ventus. Second story. Second story. Yeah. Okay, so then seeing that, I'm going to
Starting point is 01:42:12 creep up in the shadows and as close to the buildings I can and craw will hold out one hand and say crawls never very good at math and cast misty step into the window you make a self-type for me gladly I'd like to say that I opened to the window no need to okay it is a 19 so as you're going to open the window you hear a and Craw appears right at the ceiling and falls to the ground. Oh! Cora is here, Master Vint. I'm sorry.
Starting point is 01:42:51 It's all right, Craw. We're in the room. We're safe now. Let me just clean up the bed and we'll get... If we have to meet up together with everybody else... Wait, wait, wait, wait. Have you spoken to the professor? I have not.
Starting point is 01:43:04 The book. The book. Did you mention the book? I would have mentioned the book to the professor. We haven't talked about it since we reached the city. Oh, I have... I mean, Kraz not particularly interested in the book. He just wanted to know if Master Vint had said anything to the professor about for the book.
Starting point is 01:43:25 No, not really. I told him I was looking for a book. I haven't told him anything about the book. Oh, okay. He may know some more, so we may ask him some questions. Good night, Master Vintas. Is there anything else you all want to do? Before this all happened, Professor Ashran is unlucky.
Starting point is 01:43:43 Well, hopefully everyone enjoys a nice, peaceful rest, and we'll have a... The rest of our journey will be... There'll be no more troubles. I'm going to, around my room, once I'm in there, I'm going to pull out of my packs like sprigs of wheat and some autumnal flowers and just kind of put them around, put them in like little potted areas, and then pray to Shantia and then go to sleep. Okay? What time of day are we talking about right here?
Starting point is 01:44:10 Late. It's late. I would say that it's probably 10 o'clock. All right. I was going to go see if I could sell the troll heads. You can certainly try, but I think it'd be too late for the shops. Mottom D&D, you may try. You can try. I would like to, is there, uh...
Starting point is 01:44:30 I'll go to the lady at the front. Mrs. Gilman, was it? Yeah, it's Gilman. Um, do you serve food here or ale perchance? We got fish? I'm gonna say. Gee, Willow. I'm not with you, I'm in my room.
Starting point is 01:44:50 Oh, you're into your room. Gee, are you still downstairs? Yes. Would you like to join me for a drink in a bit of fish? I think I would, Bargroom. I think I would. It's been quite a while since we've been in an inn, eh? It sure has.
Starting point is 01:45:05 All right, lad, let's get a drink. We would, maybe. And as she brings out these mugs of She places it down. You know, the drink leads to Wiccans. Oh, does it? It does. Well, maybe for your Ungi, but for the Dwarven type, we're stout folk.
Starting point is 01:45:29 As you can see, I can drink. I can drink at least two of your kegs and be fine. Give me a couple pints of Bougmans. That's the good stuff. That'll lay me out flat. But there's umgy stuff. It's good. Don't get me wrong.
Starting point is 01:45:42 It does the trick after three of us. six or eight parts, but I'm just saying there's no wickedness involved. In fact, my God encourages the drink. I'm going to walk downstairs at this point, hearing him and just walk up to
Starting point is 01:45:57 what's her name? I don't care. Lars of Gilman, but would you know that? I wouldn't. No, I wouldn't. I wouldn't. I'd walk up to her and just just she looked at me and I
Starting point is 01:46:13 I say uh... Food. Oh, he's our rock. He's our Karaki friend. She eyes you and says, You? You hear also for drink. Mostly food.
Starting point is 01:46:33 But yes. Oh, join us, will you? Ragged born and brass types don't come here. I'll bring me some fish. That's what we have. Broasted. Brow.
Starting point is 01:46:49 Bring you some. Considered visiting the church of Fultus. You may learn that your ways are more wicked than you realize. Oh shit. The one true path, the one true way, leads to goodness, to life well lived. That don't include drink, but you're paying me, so I'll provide it. And she leaves and brings back all the fish and ale you could enjoy. Just while we're eating, I have a book around my belt and I'll slap it down and I'll flip to the section of trolls. And there are tons and tons and tons. But this was a marsh troll.
Starting point is 01:47:40 I'm going to pull out the two heads of the troll and settle on the table just so we can compare. He says, there was a marsh troll once that killed a dwarven family's beloved blackhound. so I think I've settled that bridge for now. I'll cross it off. You strike it from your mother grudges. Craw remembers Borgram sang at least three grudges. Just kidding. Just kidding. Bargram, you're a godly man.
Starting point is 01:48:14 Oh, I am. Do you know anything about this falsestess they talk about? They seem to worship here? You know, that's a good question. Let me consult my memory. the mic that I... Oh dear. Oh dear. That's pretty good.
Starting point is 01:48:33 It's pretty good. You've heard of a lot of gods. You don't really care much about... A dude. About the non-dorban pantheon. But as far as the gods worshipped in Adventress, Fultus does not really ring a bell. You know that, however, there's a lot of minor gods all over the planet that many people, you know, maybe even local gods.
Starting point is 01:48:57 But if there, you know most of the major gods and you know this would definitely be a very minor moment. Oh, G, Fred. How do you spell Fultus? P-H-O-L-T-U-S. Wow, I was even close. Oh, yeah. P-H-L-T-U-S.
Starting point is 01:49:15 I didn't use any of those letters. Wait, P-H-O-L-T-U-S. I spelled it every. F-A-U-S, Fultus. I use the L. Whatever you want to me. Spel. And the S on the end.
Starting point is 01:49:30 Cobol's not very good at the phonetic language. That's true. Crozari, I don't think I've heard of any kind of faultus or faultus. But the Ungie worship all sorts of random gods. They're very fickle and they don't really pick and choose a single god to worship. So there are thousands.
Starting point is 01:49:54 This is probably just a single guard invented by this little town. I've heard a lot of different things coming through my tea shop back at home, and this one doesn't sound familiar. And it just seems like an odd place. I'm getting a strange feeling. I, me as well, me as well. But hopefully we're just here for the night, and we'll continue our journey to Nozari in the morning.
Starting point is 01:50:26 At least they make good fish. Is it good? I'd like to... It's passable. It's the most bland, it's bland, but it's not awful. At least they make bland fish. Before I actually eat the fish, I want to see if I remember anything about nightfish
Starting point is 01:50:41 possibly causing the head tilt thing. Make a nature check. And I should have advantage, because that's... Is that a fish of beast? Yeah? Yeah? Yeah? It does, yeah.
Starting point is 01:50:54 Or are mine not favorite against those? The beasts? No, do you. Let's say you are. We'll say you are. I mean, you can get into D beyond. I got an 18 on the first one. D.D.D. Beyond.
Starting point is 01:51:03 18, 16. Plus, what's your nature? Nature is plus, so I have a 20. 20. You've heard of the nightfish. And we'll just say that that's actually a thing now that served at the nightfish. And you don't recall. anything in nature that causes the head to the end.
Starting point is 01:51:23 And it's very, it's very, uh, what do you recall anything like negative about the night fish? I would say that just a type of fish that only comes out at night. Sorry, buddy. I gotta keep my legs out or otherwise I'm not going to cameras. It's native to the Baywild. It's a popular fish that's along the southern coast of Cuckino's and it probably is the chief export of Gaunt Smith.
Starting point is 01:51:46 This guy's canon now. It was introduced to the oceans from the, uh, court of Twilight. Mikey's like, that's fucking cat and shit. And so as you're all
Starting point is 01:51:57 drone your fish with these two large rotting troll heads on the table. Acid burning straight. The acid seems
Starting point is 01:52:06 to have been neutralized and not have fallen off otherwise it would have destroyed his back. Are you still in the room? Yeah. A crawvels over and says, Ah,
Starting point is 01:52:15 Master Vinta. I would, Crow was only pretending to sleep. getting hungry. Can you get Krah some food? I don't eat much. I will go downstairs and get some food for Kro. Oh, thank you, Master.
Starting point is 01:52:28 You all, you get a plate of fish, and each of you gets these very bland potatoes to go with it, along with the fish as well. And you get a plate for yourself if you so choose, and it's not very expensive. And you all
Starting point is 01:52:43 enjoy the rest of your evening. As you all settle in, is there anything else you want to do before you guys go to bed? Okay, so you all eventually settle in and you you get a knock at each of your doors that You get it no one of one of the many animalistic mascots She's gonna wipe the boogers off oh poor she's got a fawny Dagney she's got it We got a pot-baby no sorry oh galley how did you get up here? Sorry, sorry. Sorry golly How'd you get up here? Sorry about that.
Starting point is 01:53:20 One of the many animalistic mascots of Legends of a Ventress. We have many of Vantris poaches. Come in here. I want to pick you up. There's a lot of poppers. Anyway, we have a dog here. So, as you all settle in, you hear a knock
Starting point is 01:53:36 on the door. And Professor Azaran opens and says, don't forget to... On each of our doors? Each of your doors. Don't forget to lock your doors. It should go on Give me some time stripper. Did you say you did mention the book to the professor? Yes.
Starting point is 01:53:52 I mentioned we were looking for a book. Okay. She's gonna get love from everyone on the side of the table before she can go. That's fine. This is- She requires it. Nice. She's so sweet.
Starting point is 01:54:01 I know. Look at that tail. Look at that tail. Look at the tail. Oh. Professor! He stopped at your room as he says this and he says, Oh, let me.
Starting point is 01:54:10 Yes, crot. I poke my head out from underneath the bed. Um, where, where are we going tomorrow? Well, I hope that we'll be able to question, spend the morning questioning the natives of the locals to see if there's any secret passages to Nazare. And if we've, whether we find them or not, we'll venture out into the marsh. Do, do you think that there are still dragons alive there? Well, I've heard of the good dragon, Casa Ghosts, makes his home somewhere in the marshes. I wouldn't be surprised if where he has his layer would be where we're headed.
Starting point is 01:54:49 Would the professor have told us what type of dragon that is? I would say yes, he's a bronze dragon. Casagos is the good bronze dragon that is a good omen of fishermen and never land. Well, I, well, I, I not cry to think necessarily like Casagos' Croix will be grateful regardless. Well, I imagine that it could be, but I wouldn't get your hopes up, Crod, and hopefully we'll enjoy the journey regardless and we'll discover incredible new things. Ah, good night, Professor! Good night, good night, good night, good night, good night, Winter's. Good night, Professor.
Starting point is 01:55:29 Closes the door, and as he makes his way back in his room, you hear the door locks. And who are you staying with? we all have rooms. Yeah, we got six rooms. No, I'm staying with... Master Ventus, of course! We have six rooms, so... So we got six rooms, which would be one for Azaran and five
Starting point is 01:55:51 for the others, and then Krasa's going to stay with. Got it, got it, you have six rooms. Okay? Master Vintis. And so, you all settle in. I need everyone to make a perception checklist. That is arguably one of Krah's worst stats.
Starting point is 01:56:10 Natural 20. Pickle. Oh, shit. I actually rolled one. Well, perception. With my minus one, I got a 17. 25. 25?
Starting point is 01:56:22 19. What was yours? 12. Oh, that's not good. Massifentes! But my passive is 19. It's just plus this, right? Did you say passive or roll?
Starting point is 01:56:30 I'm just saying if you can get higher than your passive. Oh, then you're 19. Yeah, 19. Wait, what's passive? Passive is that one. So if you did you roll higher? I rolled a 2. So it's 16.
Starting point is 01:56:43 So you can refer to the passive. if you roll under it. Only if the DM tells you to do so. In this case, yes. Yeah, okay. Okay. So what you got a... 19.
Starting point is 01:56:56 Twenty-five. I'm going to roll for Bargram. He does not notice. Yes. So the four of you, everyone but Ventis and Bargram, notice as you settle in... No, no, he got a 19.
Starting point is 01:57:10 Oh, you did it? Okay. I had a 17. 17. Okay, so I hope you rolled low. I apologize. He rolled low but his passive is 16. So take the 16.
Starting point is 01:57:18 Got it. So you all, except for a bar room, notice, as you're all settling in for the night, you're passing in and out of sleep. You have restless dreams. None that you remember. In the middle of the night, however, are woken slowly by the... sound of footsteps in the hallway outside of your rooms. Slow.
Starting point is 01:57:56 And then it reaches the first room. That's your two. You wait as the footsteps stop outside of your room, and you hear very faintly, as the doorknob jostles very faintly. Are we both awake? I would say you're very well awake, and then as you hear that, the footsteps pass.
Starting point is 01:58:21 I would say that Kraw would say that Craw would not be able to contain his fear. Yeah. And Craw would whimper. Outlawed. Okay. I'd like to open the door and go outside. Okay.
Starting point is 01:58:34 So as you open... With my weapon, preferably. So as you do that, you open the door, and I need to make a dexterity check for me. Dexterity? Yep. 14 and... That should be pretty good.
Starting point is 01:58:51 Sixty. Is it a saving throw or a check? So a check just uses your decks modifier. So plus whatever your decks is. That's those lines on the side. So 16. This one. Yep, correct.
Starting point is 01:59:02 So 16, yeah. 16. So as you open the door, you fling the door open. You're holding your, you're holding your glave. And the, you look outside. You don't see anybody there. Ghosts As you
Starting point is 01:59:26 It's got to be ghosts Put your head back in You close the door And actually make a perception A lot of this one Another perception show Yeah Uh 5
Starting point is 01:59:40 Do I Plus perception Which is your So I'd be 11 Passive is 16 Okay 16 You hear the faint sound
Starting point is 01:59:54 of footsteps from down the stairwell downstairs making its way back down towards the main room and you all enjoy long rest.
Starting point is 02:00:10 Did he come to anyone else? It didn't go to anyone else's door? It doesn't seem to be the case. You hear the footsteps stop it. So whose door was rattled? Ours. Just theirs. Which was apparently the first. It was the first one by the stairwell.
Starting point is 02:00:24 Oh, okay. And so, as you got up to go and look as quickly as you could, you saw nothing, but you heard the footsteps walking back down the stairs. Okay. So, you all enjoy long rest. You're all communing in the... ...for the sake of it, enjoying a breakfast of bland porridge. Fish... ...mast of vint.
Starting point is 02:00:49 Ah, Krav would like, if it's acceptable, some eggs. Of course, Krah. Just see if you can find. We're eating breakfast. No, no, Krah stays in the room. Okay, gotcha. Krah hopes Master Vince will think of Kro. Of course I will.
Starting point is 02:01:05 I'll go downstairs, give us some breakfast, and come back up. Eggs! Crah, Krah would like eggs. I will see if they have eggs. They may not. They may only sell nightfisher. You are able to get some blandly prepared eggs. Yes! I thought I was gonna get a no on that one.
Starting point is 02:01:23 There's just like some. They're like these brown speckled eggs that they're a lot smaller than the eggs that you're used to. It must be day-burned eggs. And that you get some chunky porridge and just some rough salted fish for breakfast. Craw would eat, are they hard-boiled or how would they be prepared? Because Craw is fully prepared to eat the shells with the eggs. They are hard-boiled, sure, why not? Croy just eats the whole thing.
Starting point is 02:01:54 Okay. You just... Crenches up the shells and everything. And we're all together and... Craw, that's disgusting. My master vent is high. Never mind. Never mind.
Starting point is 02:02:05 Just have your eggs and be happy. Thank you, master. So, uh, the, you're all, uh, except for Vint and Craw are all at the table discussing. Professor Azran is poking around at his food. And, uh, he says, well, it's not... Not like the food from Anzu, not like I was expecting it, but I guess we need to be strong. He, for our journey ahead and he begins to eat his food. Well, Ivan?
Starting point is 02:02:34 This is certainly a bland meal, but I have yet to meet one that a delicious cup of tea couldn't make better. Start brewing tea by the hearth. Okay, you do that. So, friends and companions, I value your judgment here. Where do you think we should go through her story? As far as investigating the town? Well, do we think we should investigate the town or should we get out immediately?
Starting point is 02:03:02 Should we stop by the church? Shall we head by the docks? I'm a bit interested in the church, I am. I keep mentioning it. Have you heard of a phultus at all? I have indeed heard of fultus, but the god that is not very widely worshipped. I know that there are some small pockets of his followers here and there, They are a very rigid folk, very stringent in their beliefs.
Starting point is 02:03:33 They do not care for wickedness and they do not care for rigidity, anything that is not... He's a good god from my summation, but the focuses on law and order more so than anything else. I'm going to grab the two trollhead and just walk outside. You do that? And try and find a shop. Okay. You do find, you go and when you walk around the town. Are you, do you guys doing anything else? Are you finishing your breakfast and getting ready to go? I would probably go look for a library. Okay. Or somewhere that sells books. Okay. I'd say. Comfortably be enjoying my too. Okay. You do that? Willow? Anything?
Starting point is 02:04:18 No, I'm just going to hang out with whoever's staying back. I'll stay as well. Or I'll hang out and get ready to sort of head to the church. Okay. So you do manage to find. a shop and it's just called a gonsmith general. Okay. And you see a younger woman, probably not much older than 20, at the desk. She has a strange head tilt as well, this longer blonde hair with freckles, and she looks at you with those same eyes that everyone else has looked at you with, and she says,
Starting point is 02:04:55 We've come for where's we've got where's. I'm gonna put the two trollheads on the counter and say how much for these? Are you trying to sell me trollheads? Aye. What can I do with these? Whatever you like. We're a general goods store. We have lamp oil.
Starting point is 02:05:28 They're fresh. Perfectly fresh. I know you dragon folk might have some use of this. I don't want to see no... No trolls in my shopper. Otherwise. How about a deal? What do you have to offer me?
Starting point is 02:05:51 Two trollheads. Make it persuade and take a disadvantage. How do I do that? Roll two. Do you guys? And you take the lower number two. 19. Oh boy.
Starting point is 02:06:04 And a two. So two plus persuasion. Punished. Persuasion would be negative one. So I get a one to persuasion. She says, well, we have general goods here. No use for a trollhead.
Starting point is 02:06:25 I recommend you either make your purchase or move along, sir. Outsiders usually. I'm going to just grumble. and leave. Okay, you grumble and you leave with your full heads, eventually make your way back. Who else was going somewhere? Make an investigation check for me. 10 plus 5, 15. 15.
Starting point is 02:06:46 You make your way around the town, just kind of keeping an eye out for things. You don't seem to find any kind of library. This is not seen to be the kind of population that cares very much about books beyond from the church. And the Holy Word of Fultus. And as you're looking around, you see that there is a number of books kind of stacked in the windows of the antechamber of the church. But that's really the only place that seems to have any kind of strong number of books.
Starting point is 02:07:18 Okay, then I will try and meet up with barn room at the church. Okay. So I'll say, is everyone else probably going to go join them, or what are you guys doing? So, Professor... I'm sitting in the room. I don't know where Master Vintas went. I would have told you that I was going to see the library, or a bookselling to look for the book.
Starting point is 02:07:36 Well, he's, Cros going to sit in the, in the room with his very short-term memory and be sad and sing to himself. Okay, you do that. I'm just down in the thing with the bird. Okay. Professor Azran is sitting there enjoying as well, and he says, well, I suppose, Bob, if you're heading to the church, I might be able to get some information there and see any best paths to tread in the
Starting point is 02:08:01 I think that's right, especially now without, you poor muse. I'm gonna make my way to the church as well, but not get too close. I'm just gonna kind of like observe the people that are going in and out. You do that? Wait for everybody else. You're in the middle of saying something? Oh, just, oh, yeah. So anyway, I'll just, I agree with the professor and then you'd go.
Starting point is 02:08:27 To church. Okay. Wow. So, uh, uh, Professor Azaran stands up to just, um, uh, Vintas, would you please fetch Krah? We're all going to the church. Of course, yeah. And what are you saying?
Starting point is 02:08:39 Uh, Krah. You go ahead. I was like, Krah, we're going to the church. Do you want to come? Ah, Bertman name, Ghee, makes really great tea. Big dragon man is brass. Big pain in Krah's ass. Smelly dwarf is terrible, Krah.
Starting point is 02:08:57 Krah doesn't like him. I wonder what Master Vint. Oh, Master Vintas? I cry. We're going to the church with everybody. I believe. The church is crawl loud in the church. I don't see why not. I will leave.
Starting point is 02:09:11 If Master Vinter says so, cry will follow. I gotta say, I gotta say the Drachydras isn't a Greek singer, but I do love a good folk song. They'll have to teach me that one. I'd be happy to. I'm a smelly, I mean, bargram. All right, let's work on it as we continue our journey. You make your way through the town.
Starting point is 02:09:31 It seems to be bustling as you hear the sound of bells and church bells as you make your way through and now as you're walking through the town number of people are all walking through with that strange gate however you notice that people younger than their late teens seem to all have their heads just completely straight as they all look at you strange late and their eyes are glued to you They don't stop you, however. Every single person you see has that same narrow stare with eyes that are just uncanny and unfortunate. Master Vint! Last event! Cray doesn't like this.
Starting point is 02:10:19 Why not? What's... These seem like normal people to me. Cora's getting looks. More unusual than Cra normally gets. Gonna be okay. I'm right here with you. I'll make sure that you're fine.
Starting point is 02:10:30 Don't... Don't you worry one bit, Craw. Okay, Miss, Miss Willow, I trust you. If you get nervous at all, you just grab my hand, and I'll make sure it's all right, too. Okay, okay. And Cra actually will leave inside and get closer to Willow and, like, tug on her dress.
Starting point is 02:10:44 Okay, so you tug on a dress, and the two small folk are... I'm shorter than he is. Yeah. Are you really? I'm like three foot. Yeah, me too. So we're probably exactly... Oh, just kidding.
Starting point is 02:10:55 Then I would, I would just kind of get close to you and huddle up. I'm sorry, I thought you were told. or the United I volunteer. All right. So yeah. One of the tiniest races. So yeah, both of the small folk kind of huddled together, Willow holding a brave face while Carl's looking around nervously.
Starting point is 02:11:11 As you all make your way, Professor Azran leading the way, he's trying to puff himself up and he says, oh, good day, a beautiful morning, isn't it? It's a wonderful day. He looks around, it's a little bit gloomy, but a beautiful morning. We've been blessed by great weather, and everyone is just silent as they pass about their business. You're absolutely right, Professor. The thing is, a lot of people don't like when it's overcast. But if it weren't for the rain, the crops wouldn't grow.
Starting point is 02:11:37 It's a blessed day when it's raining. It is a blessed day. I believe that any day we wake up with, there's knowledge to be gained and puzzles to solve. It's a good day. My man. Oh, Professor! And he leads you. You hear you to be tolling with a bell as you see a large crowd gathered outside of the church that seems to be funneling in.
Starting point is 02:11:58 as service seems to be starting and you hear a loud voice emanating from the church and you make your way up the stairs for you know why don't you guys check out the church something doesn't add up about this place
Starting point is 02:12:25 I'm going to head to the docks okay I want to just head to the docks. So you make your way to the docks. And both... Then I go with them. Okay.
Starting point is 02:12:36 Both of you go to the docks. And both all of you meet up at the, or the four of you, five of you meet up at the church. And you make your way inside and you are in this antechamber with these two large, heavy doors leading in. All of the pews are filled with worshippers. And they all seem to be singing out in prayer. a song about the one true way and the glory of Fultus and absolving
Starting point is 02:13:06 anyone, no matter where they're coming from, of wickedness, through the guiding light, the blinding light of Fultus. How does this make Krah feel? How do you feel about people singing in prayer? Right. You don't feel great about it.
Starting point is 02:13:27 As you are in the antechamber, you see, an older man sitting in this chair by the door, and he says, Oh, you're just in time for service? Are you here to praise the good, the good God fault us in the blinding light? Without being able to help himself cry, just like, ah.
Starting point is 02:13:52 Yeah. Oh, I mean, do you mind if we just sit in the back here? Go ahead, all are absolved, even this one, by the blinding lights of Fortas. Ah, you hear that, drucky draws? There's hope for you yet? Mug. And... I just like file in silently in the pew.
Starting point is 02:14:16 You're all file in. And you see a man at the head. Wearing long white roads. a patchy a patchy near beard and very short hair as he raises his hands up and says welcome
Starting point is 02:14:43 to all of our new friends and followers of photis in the blinding light his eyes meet all of yours we do not get many visitors but all are absolved from the one true way those that walk his path will be guided from wickedness
Starting point is 02:15:13 and brought to the path of righteousness and may even be able to join us in his holy blinding light let us stand and pray and go out how many people are in the church there you see that that it's packed there's only basically the enough room for all of you and Azran's looking around
Starting point is 02:15:36 and everyone is standing people of all ages you see that this person has his head tilted slightly as well. And he gives a brief sermon last probably about 20 minutes. And he discusses the tenets of the one true way about how there is goodness in order. There's goodness in law. And those that follow a very strict and hard and harsh path that do not give in to the weaknesses of flesh,
Starting point is 02:16:11 the weaknesses of mortal men and women. Is the congregation reacting in an overly zealous way, or are they relatively calm during the sermon? They're calm, they're all following out, they're droning out whenever the priest leads in prayer. Is there an energy, though, like among, or is it? It seems to be a very measured, strict energy. It's not like a
Starting point is 02:16:39 crazy Baptist worship kind of thing. But everyone is very rigid in how they respond. But there's a lot of, it's a cauconous sound of prayer. I lean in towards Vintus and I say very quietly, just to Vindus. Yeah. Master Vintas, do you think these people would be sad if that man wanted to die?
Starting point is 02:17:00 Yes, probably. Oh. If they notice at all, it's very creepy, but everybody is doing the same thing. I see. Thank you, Master Vintis. And the service concludes. And people shuffle out. And you see the man who is standing at the head. And Professor Azaran says, I think this is it.
Starting point is 02:17:24 I think this is our opportunity. And the man at the head, the priest, walks up to you. He follows the rest of the congregation as quietness returns. as he turns to you and he looks to you with the lilt in his head. Welcome, outsiders. You come to join our flock? Did he say his name?
Starting point is 02:17:47 No, might yet. Okay. Oh, I already worship a god myself, but I'm always open being a holy dwarf of my own. I'm open to learning about the other religions of the world. I sense of godliness among me. two of you? I am a worshipper of Shantia. I simply wanted to come and show some respect to your
Starting point is 02:18:13 native religion. We appreciate the respect of those that know the power of the gods, but I believe that you would both be surprised at the power of Fultus himself. Oh, I have no doubt. Not to suggest you sigh away from your God, but those that doubt him
Starting point is 02:18:34 are usually pleasantly surprised at how willing they are to give themselves to the blinding light. Well, I did have a question, actually. The whole head thing you all got going on, is that related to the religion in some kind of way? His eyes narrow, he, he's, I do not know what you're talking about. Oh, never mind, it must be some kind of local unbi thing. Um, uh, uh, anyway, we're just passing through and everybody in his... This village seems to be quite devout. Does anyone outside this village worship Fultus?
Starting point is 02:19:12 We have pockets of followers around the world, but we care not for who worships outside of this community. My responsibility is to make sure that my people, my flock, follows the one true way, and is bathed in the blinding light of Fultus. Is the neck thing something we all notice and are, it's like, it's weird. It's very, it's very obvious. Was he reading from a book? Yes. Yes. Do I recognize this book?
Starting point is 02:19:50 I would say, make an intelligence check. Oh, damn. Nice roll. 19 plus. Int. To toilet. I would say that you're very certain it's not the book that you're looking for. You do not recognize it.
Starting point is 02:20:06 It seems to be a holy book of prayers and sermons and homoamination. these and stories about Fultus. And it is my name is Father Wilbur Randolph. I'm the leader of the Church of the Blind and Light and the head of this modest town. We do not get many visitors.
Starting point is 02:20:29 You must be coming here for a reason. Perhaps I can either help you and encourage you to stay or perhaps, if not, encourage you to leave as soon as possible. Gras, you need a lozenge or something? You get something wrong with your throat? What, Master Vinsis?
Starting point is 02:20:51 You keep making this noise with your throat. Oh, no. Cross fine, thank you. Okay, just checking. He can cure wounds. Do you happen to know where the ruins of the Nazar? Oh, yeah. We would be happy to get out of your hair,
Starting point is 02:21:07 but that's what we're looking for, and we're not quite sure the direction to go in to get there. He turns you and says, You come for Nozari? We do. Aye. Accompanying Professor Triton Nazran? Yes, Professor Tritonazran.
Starting point is 02:21:27 I am from Avanu. I am an archaeology professor. I please any help that you keep his eyes focused on you. Willa. Well, I could guide you, point you in the right direction. But I would be certain. that even with Fultus as blinding light upon you, you would not survive the trip.
Starting point is 02:21:56 Well, I guess that's a testament, then. Should we survive it, then? Maybe that means we do have the favor of your god. The strength of your god is exactly what she says it. You say it is. If he is the one true god, then he would be the only one
Starting point is 02:22:13 who would be able to keep us safe with your guidance. Nah. Make your persuasion check advantage. Um, 11. He nods at you slowly with his tilted head and says, If you do journey there and make it back, you will have proven that you have cast aside all wickedness and are worthy of the blinding light.
Starting point is 02:22:55 And perhaps what you find there may illuminate you to the nature of our glorious God. Nah. Well, I think you clearly underestimating me. Power of Klangadin Silverbeet. Have I mentioned Klangadin Silverbead yet? The greatest of all the ancestor guards are the dwarves. We have plenty of strength to make it to this vast Drachy ruin.
Starting point is 02:23:24 And there are sure to be troves of treasure and vile Drachydras to slay. Don't doubt us. I don't often like to be cruel, but we do only bring him along for strength. It's not his charm or his personality that we like. He needs to say, we'll leak. So please, don't take what he says personally. He's not the smartest of the lot. Make a perturatorage at the vantage again.
Starting point is 02:23:56 Uh, 21. 21. Nice, good wrong. Okay, so he begins to step forward and towards the door. He says, I believe you. You are a woman of the gods. And I'm sure that if you survived this with my blessing, and you make it bad, you may enjoy the blessing of Fultus and may join our Church of the Blinding Light.
Starting point is 02:24:29 I will take you. You lead us all the way there? I will take you to where a path begins in the marsh that will give you the best chance to get there. I think that's quite kind of you, and we greatly appreciate it. We're going to need a little bit of time, though. A couple of our companions have headed down to the dock, We've got to wait for them to reconvene back with us, so if you don't mind giving us a little bit of time,
Starting point is 02:24:58 we don't want to put you out too much, but we would great, we appreciate it. We'd rather not go with our numbers cold, even by a little. I will meet you by the northwestern exit of the town, by the docks. Meet me there in one hour. We will do so, we'll make sure to get the information to him.
Starting point is 02:25:19 Very well, may the blinding light shine upon you, and he walks and leaves. And he shuffled on the cart. he shuffles out he shuffles out what did you ship with the car? It's parked outside the end. Yeah but there's no mules.
Starting point is 02:25:33 Does he have to pull it the rest of the way? No, it's just parked outside of the end we're not moving it. Unless we don't Well, we will deal with that when it comes to it. But no, I mean, we don't necessarily need to. Especially if it's, we know it's going to be a swamp. Professor Azaran would not lead a cart into an
Starting point is 02:25:49 unpassable area. Yeah. So, both of you you make your way down to the dock, you hear the occasional digging of the ball as ships are leaving and coming in. You see rough-looking fishermen. All-man, just patchy,
Starting point is 02:26:04 long-fait, or some have patchy beard, some have long facial hair. They all have the strange gait as their rough hands are pulling ropes, heating these huge holes of fish. What do you guys doing? Uh, I turned to bars. This was the only place last night
Starting point is 02:26:26 upon surveying that I saw a sizable activity. I think we should check out and see what's going on here. If we can understand this town a bit better. Agreed. Let's talk to one of these ugly men. You... Go ahead.
Starting point is 02:26:48 I go up to... Go up to one of the fishermen and I say, Pardon me, extremely handsome fishermen. What can you tell us about this town and what you guys do around here? So as you're making your way through, you see a lot of these fishermen are not very interested in you at all. However, you see a man that looks identical, that you seem to be the man that had seen you. This seems to be Obadiah. Standing there, but he is wearing a totally different outfit.
Starting point is 02:27:26 He's wearing these thick fishermen's gloves and a heavy fisherman's coat and a large brimped hat as he looks at you and he listens to you as you say this. It seems to be totally unfazed by your compliment. And he narrow his eyes and says, what are you looking about for fisher? You're looking for fish. That's what we got here. You're looking to be a fisherman. You've got to join the fisherman's guild. We'd like to know about the church.
Starting point is 02:27:56 The church, the blinding light, falters, the one true way. In the distance. Is there anything odd about what you've seen? What is odd about the religion that allows us to live our way of life? Feels our nets full of fish. Allows us to stray from weakness and live pious lives. I feel like there's something you're not telling us. What is there not to tell?
Starting point is 02:28:27 What is there to hide from you? Birdman and dragon man. Everyone's head in this town is strangely tilted. I don't know what you're talking about. I'd like to cast a zone of truth. Go ahead. Oh, fuck us sideways. What the heck?
Starting point is 02:28:49 Somewhere in the distance, Crawthurst has the bargain and says, I think it's bad, please just kill Croft. You don't have to ask me twice. Snap Crosnick. Okay, so... Mr. Vintes, don't into Cede! It creates a 15-foot radius sphere centered on the guy we think is Obadiah?
Starting point is 02:29:08 Do we not know that he's Obadi? Or is he the same guy? He seems to be very similar, but he's not acting as if he knows you. Okay, so that guy. But he looks the same. He looks the same. Okay. As far as you can tell.
Starting point is 02:29:19 I'm going to cast... The Zone of Truth centered on him. He gets a 17. He gets a 17. What's the DC? It's a charisma 14. Oh boy. So he can tell lies.
Starting point is 02:29:35 So he can tell lies. But you know that. You know that he can lie. You just don't know if what he's saying is a lie or not. He, as you cast it, there's a zone that appears. He hasn't seen the fun. Is that visible? Yeah, he would also know that the box cast.
Starting point is 02:29:50 As this, he doesn't punch at all. Does he know that he can tell lies though? Yes. Okay. Whoa. He looks at you. And what a spell. You may tap into the power of the wilds, boy.
Starting point is 02:30:07 But my faith in my God are stronger than your magics. And you best not be... You best not... Be pushing your luck much more around here. My twin brother is the captain of the watch. Oh. And I tell him, people are... Casting magic willy-nilly, he won't take too kindly to that.
Starting point is 02:30:32 I bet you'd be moving on from these ducks. And your name? Smallbadaya. Remember the name Barnaby Placidus. Oh shit. Good old Barnaby. Well, it was very nice talking with you. We will be on our way.
Starting point is 02:30:51 His eyes follow you. He stands in the zone of truth. With rigidity as he watches you with his tilted head. And eventually you all meet up in the center of the square. And Professor Azores, well, I believe that we should meet with the priest. With Father Randolph. I think that we should not dally here any longer. I feel like the longer that we wait, the more we risk overstaying are welcome.
Starting point is 02:31:27 Asrand, did you guys learn anything at the church? We did not have much success at the docks. I've learned that they are very welcoming of all peoples and although they do not trust outsiders, it seems that they are quite willing to bring anyone, even a Cobald, or an Ericocro or a dragon born into their flock, as long as you follow the one true way. Ah, Bertie, if you were looking for a new religion, they welcome you with open arms despite all your feathers. Ah, the elements take care of me just fine. Well, that's what I assume.
Starting point is 02:32:03 That's why I haven't pushed Clangenden Silverby the greatest ancestor god of the dwarves on you too hard. Clangenden sounds like a very fine god, but the elements are the core of all existence. I have to say I quite agree with G here. Though I do worship a goddess. She is a goddess that is all about the earth. And what the earth may provide,
Starting point is 02:32:26 and that includes all of the elements. They wouldn't exist without Shantia. What are you looking at? What are you looking at? Cry looks where he pleases. You all put too much faith in these guards. I will immediately stand between them. We don't need to fight amongst us.
Starting point is 02:32:47 We've got a lot on our hands. He was looking at me first. I will protect him. The Drackey draws he's up to no good. No, no, no. Crar just likes to look. Thank you, Miss Willer. And...
Starting point is 02:33:01 I'm not at you. And Karaki. I turned the vows. My faith in my God, it lets me do what I can do. My faith is well placed. And it grants me great power. I can leap through the air. I can smut foes.
Starting point is 02:33:23 I can heal myself. It's true. I've seen him jump clean onto the back of a green track. Literally, I'm going to bed. 30 feet in the air. Maybe if he puts it quite a seat. It was awesome. It was.
Starting point is 02:33:37 Quite a thing to see. He began to bag his shield, empowered by his beard, I thought. And he leapt straight into the air. It's like six times you're here. Maybe if he put more faith in his own strength and lessen his God, he would have been able to pull the cart all the way to town.
Starting point is 02:33:56 I'm going to see you dropped clear from the ground, 30 feet into the air, with the power of clanging sewer, be it land on its back, Cleavish spawning twain, settling three of the greatest grudges the dwarves have ever seen. I, of course, just had to fly up there.
Starting point is 02:34:14 I'd like to attempt to jump 30 feet in the air. You can certainly try. Make an athletics try. That would be a 7 plus 8 to 15. You do an impressive jump. It's not 30 feet in the air. Ah, barbacrim, does that mean you slayed a green dragon?
Starting point is 02:34:35 Oh, I haven't told you at least 10 Tom's already. A green dragon, a great green dragon. It was probably ancient. It was probably ancient. It was probably sick. Crom must. Fell to my,
Starting point is 02:34:49 what is it? Come here. Filled to my great battle at it. Crom must have selective hearing. Well, believe me, it was, it was glorious. And I couldn't have done it without me faith. I understand that most of you are quite a rude lot and you don't think about other people and their time
Starting point is 02:35:12 their business but we do have someone waiting for us to lead us out into the muck and the mire Oh, who's waiting on us? Miss Willa Cross, sorry. The priest of the church who's going to lead us to the path he's not going to accompany us to the ruins but he's going to lead us out of town
Starting point is 02:35:32 at the very least and once we've made our way out of town I think at that point we're free to discuss the way we want to discuss is I believe there's a lot to be said Miss Miss Willow Kra does not mean to interrupt but cry does not lie
Starting point is 02:35:46 I concur We'll be free to discuss it Once we leave the confines of the town I'm not quite sure that's the type of thing We want to be saying in their streets Oh okay cross sorry So let's be kind Let's be nice
Starting point is 02:36:00 My question is can we trust where he takes us I don't think we can trust anything But let's not talk about it until we leave out into the mire Castor zone again. And Professor Azran stepped forward. We know that it's exactly right. I think we should get out of here.
Starting point is 02:36:16 100%. 100%. We should get out of this town as soon as possible. Exactly right. 100%. Exactly. Krah's looking forward to the vistas.
Starting point is 02:36:28 I bet to the vistas in the muck in the mire to be quite glorious. Krah personally likes the vistas. We've got to give it up for the vistas. Let's make our way to the edge of town. We may see some wonderful vistas on the sea cliffs. On the coast for sure. Is there cliffs there?
Starting point is 02:36:48 We need a Vista's emote. We're... It's a coastal town, right? Yeah. They're on the docks. Have you never seen like Maine where they're like little? Oh, God. Have you like never seen Maine?
Starting point is 02:37:01 Yeah. Are you not a world like... You've not experienced Maine? I never experienced Are you following East Coast? Are you even from here? Sir, sir. He was saying there's no Rocky Elkrieve.
Starting point is 02:37:12 Do you have eyes, sir? Can I roll for investigation? Is this an illusion? I just don't know. What the fuck if you don't read? James Ling! I'm shaggy the whole time. Let's make post haste to the ducks.
Starting point is 02:37:28 And so, I miss Mace's laugh. Professor Azran leads you. and leads you to the exit of town, a small path along the docks that leads out towards the very flat harbor where Gaunt Smith is on. And the small path at the east of northwest out of the town. And you all leave, and you find, you see the man in white robes watching you as you approach. as you all are convenient and make your way up, he looks at you and says, well, you've decided
Starting point is 02:38:15 to come and make the trip. I cannot be confident you will survive, but I can point you on the right path, and his arm stretches over, and you see a massive swath of marsh as far as you can see. The line of the cliff, basically separating rough sea. and this grim grayish yellow marsh. And he points out there, and you can see this strange row of patches of these bright blue flowers punctuated the foliage. This out there, those flowers,
Starting point is 02:38:58 they can only grow on solid ground. If you stick to those, you may, survive and eventually find your way northwest I've seen the path of the dragon fly stay towards the cliffs with Cros negative 400 intelligence is there any chance that he would recognize these flowers uh yeah why don't you make a nature check I was going to say the same thing being from this area ish oh boy nature's not good uh seven with my minus two 13. Oh, those flowers are beautiful. 13. You know that those are the storms bloom. That they only grow in stormy areas and where on and you had not known that they only grew on relatively solid town, but generally wherever there's a ton of rain generally by coastal areas is where they grow and it seems to be
Starting point is 02:40:07 That's what you know. Okay. Okay, so you, as you all make your way, and he, he, he, he, as he stretches out his hand, and he says, keep your, keep your path towards the cliffs, the closer you are to the sea, the closer you are to the ruins. I've seen the dragon fly, I've seen the dragon fly, I've seen the dragon roost.
Starting point is 02:40:39 I believe that it's where the ruins you seek lie. But that may also be where your doom lies. Sir, I don't, cry does not mean to interrupt. You mentioned dragons layer. Yes. Have you seen the dragon yourself? I have not. Didn't you just say you did?
Starting point is 02:41:01 Oh, well, I'm... I thought you meant up close and personal. know. I've seen... I assumed you meant just the lair. Are you saying that there is an actual dragon that lives in these ruins? Bronze dragon, Casinos. Are there any black dragons, mares? Yes, yes, please.
Starting point is 02:41:20 Black dragons, no. Of course not. But, Craw, if there is a dragon there, you may know where black dragon lies. It may still work out in your favor to... How tough is this dragon? Where is the smartest of all of us? It will help you, Craw. We'll figure it out.
Starting point is 02:41:38 Thank you. Does anybody here speak Dragon besides me and I assume Andy? Then both Rocky can speak Draconic? I can cast a spell that allows me to understand every language. But you may not know that and maybe met a knowledge. So you had to ask Willow personally in order to know that in game. I've not seen this dragon up close and personal. I've seen it flying along the coast out in the distance.
Starting point is 02:42:04 I know that fishermen speak about. It coming and making conversation. They treat as a good omen. I know that it makes its layer out there in the marshes out towards the coast. You're going to find these ruins that may be where it is. And you ask question.
Starting point is 02:42:23 Uh, um... How tough is this dragon in battle? I hope that... Crawl laughs. Crawl literally laughs. I hope that I do find out. A bronze dragon is a good nature of one. Gee, we've killed a dragon before.
Starting point is 02:42:43 I think our odds are pretty good. What did you say about odds back then, back then, on that day? Oh, glorious day. Ah, yes, when we were surrounded on all sides by demons and yeath hounds, a dragon in front of us. I said, I don't like these odds for them. Oh, that's right. I knew that game.
Starting point is 02:43:06 I had a great chuckle that day. By the, be it burned with anger at all those foul demons and we slayed them all. Oh, and my fists burned with a fire that was literal. They did they find no demons here? As I punched them.
Starting point is 02:43:24 The fire that was literal. There are no demons here as he raises his voice. This is a holy land, protected by the blinding light. No demon. can tread anywhere near here. Oh, that's good to know.
Starting point is 02:43:37 They can be rough customers, for sure, but we're expecting the fine drachy. Did not do well with the demons the first time, it's true. I wish you well. I hope that Volta's will show you that the one true way, just like the flowers, the storms bloom, is the one true way through this marsh. Blah!
Starting point is 02:44:00 To accept and join us one day. and he turns and he starts to make his way down, back towards the town. I just kind of watch until I know he's out of earshot. Little does he know that it's not the one true way that made this path of flowers. That is definitely Shantia at her greatest. She made a direct path for us. I do, I knew Miss Willow was smartest. Now, I don't know what's going on in that strange town, but I don't think they're up to
Starting point is 02:44:34 any good. I think the best that we can do is continue on our mission, protect Professor Asran, and none of us send up with one of those lopsided heads. Ah, Miss Willow, I promise, I promise. When the ancient one rises, he will spare you, I promise. I sure hope you're right in that. I've never encountered a dragon, and everything I hear about them, they sound terrifying. I'm only three feet tall. Oh, no, no, no. I can't imagine trying to jump on one's back. And if I did, I don't know what I'd do up there. Oh, they know as scary. they look. They fall to a swift
Starting point is 02:45:08 strike from my eyes correct, so I'm sure any of you giving three or ten times longer, with a bit more strength you can handle it just fine. It's not the fear I'm worried about. Halflings were hardy folk. Fear, it's not something we're familiar with. The smelly dwarfs a liar. I'm just going to visibly scoff
Starting point is 02:45:25 at both of them. Is there a reason you're scoffing at me? I've protected you day in and day out through this thing. I get that you're little dark and dreary, but I've done nothing to provoke your ire. You seem to be stuck in a fantasy world. Flowers coming from gods.
Starting point is 02:45:43 Flowers come from dirt. The maiden of the earth, you're right. Maiden of the land. Shantia, the goddess. I'm glad that we agree. So perhaps flowers come from both dirt and gods. It sounds entirely plausible. I've seen strangers there.
Starting point is 02:46:01 Are we near these flowers soon? Yeah, so Professor Azran Well, let us make hot training. And you guys are walking. Okay, so if we're amongst the flowers while they're having this conversation, Krah is going to walk over to one of the flowers, scoop one up, pluck one from the ground, walk over to Voss and say, uh, regardless here, enjoy. I'd like to make a check and see if it's edible.
Starting point is 02:46:25 If I remember anything about it being edible, make a nature track. I think I have a proficient in nature, yeah. So I got two. Do I roll twice or is this... No. We're in the coast, right? This is not your favorite terrain. So if it was your favorite terrain, it was.
Starting point is 02:46:43 So I got a two. So I know nothing. So, I mean, you know that flowers generally... All I'm doing is holding up the flower to you. Four. Four. There aren't many poisonous flowers, but you're not sure, at least that you're aware of, so it'd be... Like Miss Willow says, don't be so gloomy.
Starting point is 02:46:58 Unless it's for the ancient one. What do you want me to do with that, little lizard? And then I just again say, enjoy it. I'm gonna pull out one of the troll heads handed to Krah
Starting point is 02:47:13 and say fair trade. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. And before you can like drop it, crawl, will skitter back behind Vint. Are we walking through the marshes? You're walking to the marshes. So Professor Azray is leaving the way and he's spotting
Starting point is 02:47:27 unless there's anything else you guys want to do to kind of aid the journey? I'll say is there like This is like open path or is it So you see that there's not much flowers, right? You're walking through the marchion as you're trudging through your feet
Starting point is 02:47:42 occasionally slip into them. Go ahead. I'd like as we're as we're trudging. We don't have the card or anything. I was walking. So you remember I have a special bag here that holds many things and so I took everything that I needed
Starting point is 02:47:57 from the cart in my special magic briefcase. I'd like to control. I'd like to control water and earth as we move to harden the ground so we can walk on top of the marshland. Okay. Oh, shit. And I am going to cast aid on three of the party members. I'm going to cast it on Vint, Craw, and because the two of them are assholes, I'm going to cast it on G.
Starting point is 02:48:26 Yes. So what did aid do? Yes. Oh, they're assholes. They're assholes. They're assholes. Sorry, yeah, it's tough for me to squeeze in and out. How would you like me to move it?
Starting point is 02:48:38 Just sports me a handicap. Here, I got it. And then, so you guys, your hit point maximum is raised to five, and you also heal that much. So whatever your hit point maximum was, it is now five more than that. I didn't reset it before. So it's a lot of, that's a lot of. Yeah, okay. Are there any?
Starting point is 02:48:57 But it just means that you now have five more additional. So 44 to 40. This is a temporary max. H.P. 44 to 49. This is for max HP modifier. Max HP. So here, I'll show you real quick what I did.
Starting point is 02:49:09 I clicked on my max HP. I got this wheel stuff. So go to max HP modifier and just put five in there. And it should automatically bump. Yep, perfect. Okay, perfect. And so you'll have that for eight hours. All right, so besides the professor telling us that he saw the dragon, like, from afar,
Starting point is 02:49:24 are there any, like, visible signs that I could look for? You can certainly try. Why do you make a survival check? Because I am... You have advantage on that. I have advantage against dragons. Yeah. Okay.
Starting point is 02:49:35 Make us a rival check. Five. And six. So... What's my survival? Plus, so 12. 12. Wow.
Starting point is 02:49:46 So you know, as you make your way through, you keep an eye out for the signs of the Brahms dragon. You know that the... bronze dragons are dragons of storms, of lightning and thunder. And so as you make your way through, you actually probably would guess that maybe these flowers are a sign of a bronze dragon. Okay. What are I called it a storm bloom?
Starting point is 02:50:21 Storm's bloom. Yeah, the storms bloom. And you see the occasional patches of areas of the marsh. that may have been struck by lightning, and you get the sense that you may be heading in the right direction. So you say that you may be able to see that there are signs of a bronze dragon. Sure. And so Professor Azran guides you through with the guidance of Shantia from Willow.
Starting point is 02:50:48 Do we see any signs of the ruin, or are we just walking through them worship? Not yet. Not yet. Okay, so... Oh, sorry. What is the weather like? Good call. Good call. So as you are all making your way, you start to see that the clouds are rolling in.
Starting point is 02:51:05 It was a relatively clear morning, a little hazy. The clouds are rolling in. There are these large billowing clouds that may even look like storm clouds. You describe it as an overcast? Yes. That's not sunny. Not particularly safe. Thank you.
Starting point is 02:51:20 I like that. So. So, real quick, so while we're walking, I will say, Drus Rocky, we're on the march. It's the perfect time for a folk song. Are you talking to Krah? I am, that's what I said. I said Draki Dras.
Starting point is 02:51:39 Are you talking to Krah? Let me show you for everybody. Sing along with me. I'm going to show you how a true dwarven folk song goes. I do. Join with me if you know the words. I do love a song. Oh, we're stomping through the marshes to cemented
Starting point is 02:51:55 drakey ruins and we're bound to find some treasuredry some photos to Slay! I don't know where it is, how it is a wild and why. I'm going to get a little. Cracky. To settler grudge. To nose are right. To nose are re.
Starting point is 02:52:08 To nose are re. We're going to slay a vile brassetripea. Wait, what? No. To nosary. To nosary. To nosary. We're going to settle a grudge.
Starting point is 02:52:21 I got to work on that last part. Oh, what? I actually quite like how it ended. Was that good? We're good. No, no! I've heard a lot of songs in my day. I've played quite a few myself.
Starting point is 02:52:35 Not in you literally, but I'm hoping to find an ancient black dragon to slay. I'm sorry, my dwarf, dragon, arts, and before, for fun, number. I haven't heard that one before. I'll learn it for next time. Professor Azaran pipes up with this. Well, I'll remind you that that bronze dragons are good. I don't know why I wouldn't want to slay one. He keeps talking that there'll be a black dragon there, is that right?
Starting point is 02:53:03 No, no, no, no, no, you misunderstand. Crah, Krah is just looking for the ancient one and any clues that may lead him to the ancient one. I don't want to slay one. I just want to meet one. You couldn't slay one. Well, first of all, we've beaten a green dragon. I don't know if you've heard, but...
Starting point is 02:53:22 Miss Ghee, no chance green is... Green is not the ancient black dragon. No, no, no. All the same. I don't want to slay a dragon. I want to meet one in friendly combat to see how tough it is compared to myself I've yet to lose in a fight.
Starting point is 02:53:43 It would eat you. Well, it would try. Instantly. Well, maybe. We and I, we've been through a lot. We could kill any dragon. Double snack, you would succeed. Double snack. It would instantly do it.
Starting point is 02:53:56 What is double snack? What's a double snack? One snack, two snack. Oh, I'd like to see it try. It would try and succeed. The odds don't look good for the dragon. Not for a dragon. I don't like its odds.
Starting point is 02:54:13 For it. Guy, you make very good tea. I suggest you stick to the tea and do not face the ancient black dragon. I will always stick to the tea. I have a shop. You should come sometime. You won't like it. The second part.
Starting point is 02:54:31 Stay away. I like you. I do not. Cod does not want to see you eaten. I would not be eaten. You would. I would explain to the dragon that I would love to meet it in combat.
Starting point is 02:54:44 In that time you'd be eaten. What? Oh, we're stamping through the masses to the cement of track and ruins them. Whoa. And so, my teacher, my Vesser Azrae joins his. Oh, I think I think I see. some old this Tnosery
Starting point is 02:55:01 Tenozory And so professor he's His spirits are And we have to settle grudges As Oh, she would have you know that All I think is a fine ending As you make your way through
Starting point is 02:55:17 Following the pathway Of the storms bloom And I didn't ever want to make a reception check As you're all searching for no Oh no! Oh 920 baby That's good. Minus one.
Starting point is 02:55:30 Minus what? For perception? Actually, my perception is a minus one, so 19. Fuck. 21. 21? 21.
Starting point is 02:55:40 11. What's your bonus? I can roll for you? Will. Oh. Balba. Oh, no. Lucky.
Starting point is 02:55:50 I'm, well, two natural ones. It doesn't really matter. One of two chance, ladies in a gentleman. One and 400. One and 400. A hundred chance. For two natural ones. on that roll?
Starting point is 02:55:58 Wow. I got one as one ago. So that's one in four thousand. In a row would be one in four over four thousand. One-one-one.
Starting point is 02:56:05 You said it was perception? Yeah. So that would be seven for what I rolled and my pass is 15. 15. Okay.
Starting point is 02:56:13 So as you're making your way around, three of the same number row is one in four thousand. But I'm not sure. Did anyone we hire that 19? 21. $1,000.
Starting point is 02:56:21 Eight thousand, yeah. So. Derek would know. 20 times 400. 120, one in 400, you. Yeah,
Starting point is 02:56:26 8,000. Wait, is it based on, did you roll with advantage or now? No. Is it with sight? Yes. Okay, so add three more to that. 24, thank you very much. So it's not advantage, you double your proficiency.
Starting point is 02:56:38 Oh, wow. Wait, is that this? With Skywarden. Perception check with sight. What's my proficiency? Is that this number? Plus three. I don't know where it is.
Starting point is 02:56:46 I think it's maybe there or? Oh, yeah. Yeah. So I double this? So, well, so 21 was based on my role plus perception. Right, so perception is up three more to that. Perficient perception. So that means my purpose.
Starting point is 02:57:00 So basically you're, so when you're skilled, right, so you're producing a skill, right? So what you're doing is you're adding wisdom and proficiency together. That's why it's plus six. So it's actually plus nine for you because you don't. Okay, okay, I got you. So with
Starting point is 02:57:15 24, I would say, gee, I'm Jack Bauer. Because you're proficient. Let's wait for proficiency conversation stuff. Okay, we're good. Okay, cool, yeah. Take your time. Take your time. This is a learning session, so I don't feel... Real D&D.
Starting point is 02:57:33 Anyway, this is real D&D, folks. So, as you make your way, G, you start to spot the... You've been walking for about four hours now, guided by the Storm's Bloom, and aided by Willow's
Starting point is 02:57:49 blessings to keep yourself on the path. You're occasionally sliding into the muck and occasionally, it becomes so narrow that you do a single file on the solid ground as you make your way, Northward. G, you eventually start to see this massive, and it's amongst the massive sea of tall grass and reeds, cat tails.
Starting point is 02:58:14 Reads are very tall. Oh, and reeds. And you start to see bits of stone sticking out from the marsh. Structures. ruin just popping out far off into the distance. You get closer and you start to see that these are far off into the marsh and where it looks incredibly treacherous
Starting point is 02:58:38 covered in mopping water through, but however you do see very faintly popping up these brick structures. I'm the only one you can see. At least initially, yeah. With your crazy bird eyes, I guess. What do you see? with your bird eyes. Oh, with my bird eyes.
Starting point is 02:58:58 Thank you for asking. I see off in the distance. Uh, I think I see what we're searching for, the ruins. It seems like, like stone cropping up through a tall, uh, cat tails, like, uh, reeds. Like, reeds, right? Like, reads or cat anon tails? Like we've been one-knit-tales, a whipping device. That's right.
Starting point is 02:59:24 It's also a type of read. I don't know if you, it's those things with the little like brown things on the end. Yes, it's those. Correct. That's right. That's right. Off in the distance. I won't kink shame you.
Starting point is 02:59:38 It's in this. Fischer's sick. You're like, Fischer's some riders get on it, baby. It's Bargram. Let's let it ride, baby. Gene Bargram traveled for a long time. My dungeon profile. My only fetish is for clanging in silver
Starting point is 03:00:02 The greatest vent is the god of all Just know what you told me last night G and Barkham traveled for a long long time You guys and gentlemen Almost as long as Craw and Vince Oh, cry it's vintage It gets lonely in the wild And if you're looking for a little dragon on dragon
Starting point is 03:00:27 and you go Vin X Voss. Oh, my God. Lots of X's. Professor Azray. Steps in and tells you all, shut the fuck, I said. Thank you so much for listening to the Legends of Aventras podcast. We hope you enjoyed the session. If you want even more campaigns to listen to,
Starting point is 03:00:42 become a member of our Patreon at the Pearl Dolphin Tier or higher to unlock Shroud of Her Salt Marsh, a patron exclusive campaign set on the high seas. You can find that at patreon.com forward slash Legends of Aventris. If you want to chat about the episode with the Aventriss community, join us on Discord at Legends ofavantris.com forward slash discord. We also post content nearly every day on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram,
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