Mattiverse Next - Session 33

Beth's Idea Is Great Honestly

• So it's mildly ironic that, having acknowledged that, they now have to leave.

Beth: Well, I appreciate you boys thinking about what I said. You'll have the halflings of Wydmoor behind you when and if the time comes you need us. Four: Think so? They barely like us right now Beth: And I *really* apprecaite you checking in on Tripp. He's a good friend, we go way back. Beth: Family and community is messy, Four. You guys argue all the time, but when you roll init you all roll init. Beth: The halfling way. Beldon: we're totally likeable I dont know what youre on about Beth: I know you're probably headed out today, so before you do, I wanted to give you something. Beth pulls out from her Haversack four packages. (Each as large as the sack itself) Beldon: I'm still not sold on the wisdom of sitting here on our asses so I'm game to find your boy, I hope he's somewhere horrible Four: Ohhh, you shouldn't have! Four pulls one of the packages towards himself. Beth laughs. Beth: I'm not going anywhere, and it's not a gift -- it's a LOAN. I need these back, or I will get into trouble. Beldon: we'll take great care of em Four: Oh, okay Beth slides one of the packages over to Bobwhite. Bobwhite digs in with only slight trepidation Bobwhite takes a gander at it closely, then nods like "yeah, cool" Beldon: you ever heard him play an instrument? we're all going to regret this gift Beth smiles. [PARTY] -> [Bobwhite] : Horn of Silent Alarm [Edrell's Mark] Beth: Then I think you'll like it more than anyone, Beldon. Bobwhite: This will be useful, thanks Beldon: silent horn?!? ugh, stonehousers Beth: Banner... I'm not even sure HOW we got a hold of this one, but frankly I don't think you'll find much like it in human lands. Beth slides a backage to Banner. https://dnd5e.wikidot.com/wondrous-items:dragonhide-belt [PARTY] -> [Banner] : [+1] Hydra-Hide Belt w/Strange Inscription Beth: This one is for you Beldon. Beth unwraps the present herself. Beldon: happy birthday to me! Beth pulls out of it a small, uke-sized lute of exceptional craftsmanship. Beldon: hot damn! Beldon: you're a good egg, I dont care what everyone says about you! Four: Oh, he already has an instrument Beth smiles. Not like this one, very few do. Listen! Beth plays a small tune. Beth looks at Four, sweetly but intently, as she plays the song. Four barely hears the words as he stares at her, just in awe she can play so well. He even stops eating his breakfast! Beth: It's a simple enough tune, you think you've learned it. It's a simple enough tune, you think you've learned it. Beth slides you the lute. The lute is of exceptional quality. Like, masterwork. You notice an artisan's mark on the back of the neck. Beth head drops and she lets out a sigh. Beth: Please don't break that. It's a Winzin Doss. (Who TF is WInzin Doss?) Beldon: this thing is sweet, I'll actually take care of it! Four: Oh, a when zen daws! Beth: Why don't you try to play me that song, Beldon? See if you're the hot shit you think you are. Beldon: shit! Beth: Hey! I told you to be careful with that! Beth: I guess maybe you need some practice. ;) Four: He's really not all that great without some ale in him Beth gives you a friendly, mischeivious, wink. Beldon: we can fix that. Bartencder! [PARTY] -> [Beldon] : A Maestro Winzin Doss Lute Four: Maybe he should take my package since his didn't work so well for him Beth: Four... i'm giving you this because it means if you guys die or something. Because if this doesn't come back -- I could get into REAL trouble. Beldon: you can play the instrument by casting a spell that causes any of its targets to be charmed on a failed saving throw, thereby imposing disadvantage on the save Four: Real trouble? I dunno if I want to risk that Four: We've imposed too much already Beth smiles. Beth: I think I'm the only one with any real sense of risk assessment at the table. Beth kisses Four on the cheek. Beth: I insist. Beth slides you a package. Four: Fair enough, alright! Four opens the package. Beth: Inside is a small, bound booklet. Obviously very old but well maintained. Inside is a small, bound booklet. Obviously very old but well maintained. Four: Ohh... ummm... that's so sweet! Beldon: you got him a book! HA! Beth: The title is GOKAR'S BODILY HEALTH REGIMEN. Four: I will definitely read this Beth: I think you'll like it. Until a month ago, the pages were all blank. Four: Oh? Did you write it? Beldon: I dont know what you mean by that we have an excellent grasp on risk Beth: No, it was written over a hundred years ago by a town founder. Beldon: everything we do would be super risky if we weren't so fucking lucky, right boys? [PARTY] -> [Four] : Gokar's Bodily Health Regimen Four: Oh, if I read this will it still be useful? Four: Don't wanna get you in trouble when I return it Beth: Just make sure you return it. The late loss fee would be hell. Four: They put books like this in the library?! Four: Wow! I never thought libraries had any value Beth: Oakhurst is a sleepy little place, I don't imagine too much trouble. So, when you get back we can put them back safe as houses. Just a little extra help since you're doing me a favor. Beldon: Shatter - Beth: Any intel you could get about the condition of the swamp would be of use to the Southies, as well. Beth: It's a long way, I know. If you wanted me to hold on to one of your fragments to track your incoming, I can do that for you, but I understand if you don't want to risk losing it. As long as it's not in the church inventory, the Hadriarch won't stumble onto it. Four: See? She's really the best ever

• They have precious few loose ends to tidy up, but they go say hi to Redhand on the way out

GM: Ah, if it's not my favorite swamp mongrels. Bringing back all the choicest bits from the swamp. Beldon: like bugs and frogs and shit? GM: I hear you want some palaver before ye head out. I'm open. you bois seem like true breed. GM: More like heads and sweetbreads. Beldon: palave? GM: smiles creepily GM: That second head is in a way more interesting. It has been resistant, but not totally obfuscatory. GM: But, our friend Russ has told us something of that new Lizardfolk creature you found. It is NOT a lizardfolk, whatever it is it's something new. GM: Never before seen, even by Russ -- who has seen some CRAZY stuff, if his head is to be believed. Beldon: yeah I mean we're splitting hairs here on lizards heads but that was definitely the weirdest lizard head we brought back GM: We're splitting heads, more like. GM: chuckles. Four: Lizard heads have hairs? So confused right now GM: No, I mean something -- DIFFERENT. If you could bring me back a body, that would be great. If I could get a questionable head, even better. Don't risk the biscuit on it. GM: But... Whatever that thing was, it moved into the swamp and *immediately* set to unifying the orcs. A notoriously difficult group to unify, but he did not struggle. GM: To get them to turn on the hydra, and swiftly at that. I am growing to think its appearance was more ill omen than happenstance. Four: Un-orclike Beldon: well we didn't have a ton of reason to kill the fucker but glad we did Bobwhite: He tried to kill us that's enough Bobwhite: You have to demonstrate escalation dominance for it to have any strategic benefit GM: The world is better for the decision, don't lose sleep over it. Anyway, boys, I know it's not much -- but that's what I can tell you now. Hopefully with that information you might be able to find us more or better leads. I am concerned for more than our economy, at this point. Four: We definitely want to learn more to help protect the halflings of the area GM: You're good puppers, always were. Beldon: I dont know about those boys but I'm a delight GM: Redhand, give them a little help for the road. These look like th types of dogs to get into trouble if you let them off leash. [PARTY] -> [Banner] : Potion of Greater Healing GM: Stay safe out there, boys. [PARTY] -> [Four] : Potion of Greater Healing [PARTY] -> [Beldon] : Potion of Greater Healing [PARTY] -> [Bobwhite] : Potion of Greater Healing Four: Will do!

Back Into the Swamp

• They must choose: FAST or SLOW?
  • Just kidding, there was only one option: FAST
• The first day is without incident, but not without observation:

You have spent a decent amount of time in this swamp by now. It is summer, this place should be teeming with life and the vibrant noises of life. That is not the case. Over the course of the day, you see no large animals of any sort, nor even many smaller rodents you would expect to be commonplace.

• They rest uneasily.
• The second day finds them ambushed by Orcs! There is a river between the two parties, but they engage quickly nonetheless. The session ends mid-combat.