Quote from: Opaopajr;824241Yes, it is challenging when people are allowed to split up. Quick summary:

Alric is inside the rough brush boundary surrounding the Old Graveyard. You know this because he said he went looking for Caden to see how he's doing. Caden informed that he was investigating some sounds in this rough vegetation beforehand.

Currently Mal and acolyte & weaver are waiting at the edge of the Old Graveyard, outside of the rough vegetation. They are roughly a good distance away from Bright Feather & Livonia's Monument, several hundred feet, but easily traversed in about 4 rounds of moving and Dashing.

The logical assumption is Mal, acolyte, & weaver are waiting for Alric & Caden somewhere in that border vegetation.

Hanalee went to investigate a potential connection between Blushing Flox home and the weird experience in the New Graveyard near Downtown. It's been an hour. You expect her, but also know she's a local and can likely take care of herself.

Karnath is, understandably, not stepping foot inside this Old Graveyard and has remained just outside it on the Main Trail. She is also about 4-to-6 rounds away by Dashing. She currently has her shield and mace raised, menacing passersby. She seems to have reached her breaking point with her patience with the people of this region. So far the few others who passed by on this trail of late have given her a wide berth.

Any other questions?



To what are you applying this roll check?

Trying to Deceive flower-ear of your ignorance shouldn't be too hard, you'd imagine. Are you looking for something in particular through conversation, or perhaps change their mood? Are you physically observing something? I'll give you a moment to clarify.

I'm looking for greater detail on these "spirits" and what in general is going on with the graveyard. Anything that would elaborate the condition of the place. I rolled in general in case I needed it, but being specific I think maybe it would make sense as a persuasion roll?

Round 4

Alric

Alric is still next to these 3 creatures, obviously so well hidden because they do not respond to his nearness. He notices one the smallest kneeling one looking about sniffing, but it's been mostly in the opposite direction of Alric. Likely harmless.

They look like children! Skinny, halfling-sized children... But their silhouette is off by strange tufts of hair and odd patches of reflective scales.

The nearest one is the largest one holding a pointy thing, likely a knife. Its arm is down as it listens to the other talk.

Alric continues to listen...
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Caden

Caden smiles as if what was just related to him was something he'd always known "Of course, I just get a bit forgetful" He smiles and taps his head "been knocked about a few too many times".

He tries again "Say would mind reminding me why the spirits are fighting? I forget".

[Attempting to Persuade (CHA) more explanation out from flower-ear.]
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Encounter, 3x

"They fight because it is what they are. The mean ones trick you then eat you, for your screams are delicious to them. Even dead they can make you scream, to eat your fear."

Flower-ear visibly shudders at that, visible even through this gloom.

"She is not like them. She keeps things at rest."
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Almost Everyone Else

Hanalee

Talking to two Shoshone youth who were fleeing, just a ways back on the Main Trail. Currently at 2:33 PM.
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Bright Feather

Still musing by Livonia's Monument. Currently stumped, looking about as though not really sure where is everyone else.
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Karnath

Still threatening passersby for smite-worthy misbehavior. Soon, the blesséd sun shall bake away their defilements! Soon!

Assuming Alric can hear Caden he is remaining still and unnoticed backing Caden's play. He will not interfere or startle the "Children" by coming out. He will try to see which he could grab if he needed to if they should run off. Otherwise he just listens.

Round 5

Alric

Listening to Caden, and staying close to these creatures, Alric maintains his secret position. The hunter scout waits...

[Alric, you hear them want to leave. All three are moving away from Caden and passed you. You have a Surprise Opportunity Attack! Do you take it?]
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Caden

Caden nods solemnly at what they have told him "How does she keep them at rest? Is there some way I can help?"

He is trying learn as much as he can while dragging this out, hoping that one of the others reach him soon.

[Passively, you don't sense anyone you know has reached you yet -- if they are even looking for you.]
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Encounter, 3x

"She stop the dark ones from spirit-eaten them! When mangy tall ones dig everywhere, takes more energy to keep away both."

"Grrr, bark-hiss, (tongue flick) hiss, bark!" The bigger of the three, tooth-necklace, makes noise at flower-ear. There is nodding and a general fidgety energy among them.

"We go now, Caden. Can't play long in the 'danger light'. But Grackto will remember..."

[All 3 will move away from Caden, deeper into the rough hedge. Alric has a Surprise Opportunity Attack right now! Do you take it?]
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Almost Everyone Else

Hanalee

Talking to two Shoshone youth who were fleeing, just a ways back on the Main Trail. Currently at 2:33 PM.

Anything else?
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Bright Feather

Still musing by Livonia's Monument. Currently stumped, looking about as though not really sure where is everyone else.

Anything else?
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Karnath

Still threatening passersby for smite-worthy misbehavior. Soon, the blesséd sun shall bake away their defilements! Soon!

Anything else?

Assuming Alric can hear Caden he is remaining still and unnoticed backing Caden's play. He will not interfere or startle the "Children" by coming out. He will try to see which he could grab if he needed to if they should run off. Otherwise he just listens.

[Updated Alric's Round 5]

[Others?]

Caden nods solemnly at what they have told him "How does she keep them at rest? Is there some way I can help?"

He is trying learn as much as he can while dragging this out, hoping that one of the others reach him soon.

Updated. Does Alric do anything with Opportunity Attack? O_o

Nope. Unless Caden yells for them to stop or indicates one needs to be captured I let them go by. If I need to capture one I will strike to subdue one with a dagger pommel.

Then they move away and are out of OA range.

Next Round: Do either of you persist in staying by them as they attempt to move away?

Otherwise "combat" will end and we'll switch out from Rounds back into more fluid time.

Alric remains still and ready. He is backing Caden's play and doesn't know him well enough to anticipate what he is doing.

After the little ones leave he will step out and address Caden  "So what was that?"

Caden makes no attempt to stop them from leaving.

He turns to Alric and shrugs "Honestly I'm not quite sure what to make of it, but there is more going on here than it would seem from first impression."

He glances about quickly as if worried that the place itself might be listening "We should watch ourselves here, Let's get back to the others and I can relate what I've learned precious little though it is".

"Being confused is becoming a normal state of mind around here. Sounds like spirits are much more powerful than we thought, or coulda guessed" Alric nods and follows Caden back to the others, still looking around slightly spooked.

"Find anything interesting?"

Acolyte and weaver were both outside the hedge waiting for you. They are both wearing broad grins, very proud of themselves. Mal sits beside them, eye squinting and tongue happily lolling out from panting. (Alric, you recognize that self-satisfied look from Mal anywhere.)

You exited an area just off from where Alric entered, and caught them a bit surprised as Alric exited first, still under stealth.

"Maybe they found nothing, and are playing the Raven on us." says the weaver to the acolyte.

"Eh na (maybe so), guess they are not so curious," looks at Alric and draws a wry half smile. "But I believe they are working on the quest to understand this place as best they can.

"I know a spirit not so filled with mischief when I see one." The acolyte smiles fully to you both and walks back towards Bright Feather & Livonia's Monument, a gesture assuming you will all regroup together.