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2018-12-13

Grand Duchy 118

Grand Duchy of Adventure

Session 118
March 22-April 5, 2017


The Western Wood

Moldain 14 Klarmont

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Waking in the Woods

The members of the Grey Company slowly awake to the sound of birds and small animals chirping in the surrounding trees. The morning sun streams in between branches and leaves. The air is warm and fragrant. Griffin already has a small pot of water warming over a pile of hot rocks. The smell of coffee begins to rouse even the sleepiest of travelers. “Gonna be a hot one today, I think,” Griffin comments as everyone gathers around the coffee pot.

Remar grabs a tin cup and some coffee to go in it.  The cups are way too clean for his tastes.

Takes away from da flava, dinnat?

“On rare occasion, we do seem to concur, don’t we?”  Seeing Griffin grinning at him, he goes to explain, but then stops, shuts his mouth, and just shrugs.  Well, I guess if this is just all the “me” I can be… “Thank you, Griffin,” he adds smiling back.

Remar takes a sip from his cup and immediately recoils.  “Oooowww.”  Damn!  Maybe I’m getting too used to having that up...naaaa.  Muttering some quick words of power, he wards himself further against the heat of the day, and the heat of Griffin’s scalding coffee!  “Hot in more ways than one, it seems.”  The wizard reflects on that with his tongue pressed into his lower lip for a moment before meeting everyone’s eyes and continuing.  “To that end, I advise allowing me to place protections against heat and fire on you all so that we can stay fresh for our inevitable encounter.  I can maintain them without additional energy expenditure, though doing so does slightly impede further spells while they are ‘up’.  Should we have a warning of impending danger, I can always allow them to expire without undue cost.  Or, “he adds with a smile,” I can simply be more free with dropping fireballs like their hot and such and not worry about scorching you all.

“Between Gothar and the other things in that temple, we are sure to encounter magic and spells.  But, I too have spells that should aid us in that; I want you to be aware of them.  The first allows me to temporarily ward you all in a brief instant against spells I know, should any be sent upon you.  The second allows me to reflect magic back to the initiating spell caster.  Similar to the second, the third allows me to reflect effects channeled through one’s gaze away with a chance to send it back to the originator.  Finally, I’m also wrapping up the ability to magically sense when we are being observed.  I plan to let that one off here shortly and check that there’s no one spying on us.”

Iris wanders over to the early risers and pours herself a cup of coffee. She takes a sip, closing her eyes and murmuring gratefully, "Mmm, Griffin; you're a saint." She opens her eyes and smiles at the handsome leader of their merry band. She can't help but feel more than a twinge of guilt as she makes eye contact, though she shoves the feeling aside and concentrates on simply enjoying her coffee. No time for self indulgence right now, she thinks to herself. 

Yawning sleepily, Iris watches Remar while he's explaining the (even more) new spells he's learned.  He seems more collected this morning as compared to the evening prior; a night of rest must have been good for him. Iris resolves to watch the mage to see if his erratic behavior corresponds with his level of fatigue in the future.

"If your protections can truly nullify magical fire---that sounds like an amazing tactic," Iris pauses for a moment, thinking. "Speaking of magical preparations, I can begin placing the Hutaakan spell on us again while we have breakfast. That should give me enough time to rest in between castings, unless we are heading out right now." 

Remar expounds, “For right now, the same magical fire protections will guard you all against the heat of the day that is increasing as we speak.  I’ll set the spell on you all, now.”  He moves around camp muttering words of power and protection.

Remar spends a few moments moving around the group, casting the spells of resistance on his companions. 

Aint ye such a nice fella? Bet non ah tem be tanking ya for da favor, doh.

Kasiex, having spent the morning uncharacteristically pensive, looks up and awkwardly mimes the human nod of thanks he has seen the others use as Remar finishes the spellcasting.  “These creatures from the temple - is there anything we can do to allow my arrows to harm them? I must confess I’m a little cautious of the idea of going blade to….bone...with the filthy things.” He rubs a hand over the side of his face where the healing has restored his fur. 

“Thank you, Remar,” says Draven. “No need to worry about a flaming weapon for me, my gods provide in that department. I fear I have no such gift with arrows, Kasiex but if you are forced to go toe to toe with them, I will do my best to protect you before you wade into battle.”

“My thanks, Draven.” answers Kasiex.  He gives himself a shake from nose to tail-tip, secures his gear, and stands.  “Well then. Are you all ready to travel? We’ve much ground to cover, if we’re to head off your foe and reach the temple safely.” 

Iris stands and dusts her pants off, glancing at both the Wildsteward and the mage.  Pleased that Remar and Kasiex’s spat from the evening before hasn’t resumed, but anxious at the silence between them, Iris chews on the inside of her mouth as she gathers her belongings.  “I’m for moving now, Kasiex.  Let’s break camp and get on it.”

The group breaks camp and moves out, heading east along the edge of the woods very near to where the mountain comes down to meet the valley. Just before reaching the edge of the woods, everyone begins to notice that their footsteps are not as quiet as they intended. The forest floor itself seems to be crunching and crackling with every step. Finally, when the Grey Company stops to investigate, it appears that the forest floor is covered with the moulted shells of thousands or even millions of strange little bugs. The lizard pack animals seem quite happy to stop and they begin devouring the crunchy little former insect bodies. 

Kas frowns, kneeling and examining the piled shells, sifting through them to see if these are native. 

The rest of the Grey Company watches as the lean Hutaakan kneels and examines the strange accumulation of bug shells. He pokes around in the undergrowth for a moment then picks one of the shells up. He slowly turns it over on his fingers, looking at it then sniffing it. Finally the Wildsteward pops the dried bug skin into his mouth and chews it loudly before shrugging and looking back at his companions.

Remar watches Kasiex pop the bug into his mouth and produce a satisfying crunch. “You know, Kasiex, the Traldar also enjoy these bugs when they're out and about.”  Remar carefully looks about and examines the area for other bugs he’s noticed in the valley, including the scarabs the mummy Lord invoked that he kindly returned.  He also maps out if it appears to take up a particular area of effect, if there is something to be gleaned at the edges, or if something more arcane may be involved.

An’ da Traldaran.  Dat addled spear-chef o’yers seems to enjoy the buchay and aroma bugs like dis add to 'is dishes.

“I find it hard to argue with you this morning,” Remar adds, appearing to potentially still be addressing Kasiex.


Cast of Characters: 

Garrett "Griffin" Constantine, a Thyatian rogue of a gambler from Penhaligon rolled by +Arne Jamtgaard 

Draven Rickart, a Thyatian Acolyte of the Church of Karameikos ministered by +Jason Packer

Remar Umerusan Alphatian battle mage that escaped forced service in the Thyatian army currently marshalled by +Patrick Kelly 

Iris Vardaa Thyatian explorer and historian searching for answers and adventure, now guided by +Stephanie Kelly 

Kasiex, a Hutaakan Wildsteward used to ranging the mountains and valleys now led down a new path by +Patrick Burke 

and +Jason Woollard as The DM











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