CH. 04 - Written in Blood

[sarcastiksh0rtee37]

At Chispa's comment Vulpi tumbles over laughing.

Continuing to get the wagon out, after making a long dirt ramp, Vulpi will use rope and a nearby tree to make a pulley and start dragging the wagon out.

[Daos]

After digging out the wagon, Lady Dre inspects the damage.  "Well, this won't be going anywhere for awhile.  I'll need to make some temporary repairs and hopefully take it back to Promise for the rest.  The rest of you should go on, this could take awhile."

"I'll remain here with you then, to watch your back in case of more attacks," Proclaimer Ward offers.

[sarcastiksh0rtee37]

"I know a thing or two about construction. Let me see if I can make things go a bit faster"

Not sure if or what check you want, but I'm just going to imagine dex(carpentry tools), if that's not right feel free to switch it to whatever you think is appropriate.
ct7hncTy1d20+5
And IDK if Lady Dre working on the wagon counts as "help action" to grant advantage, but in case you consider it so

1d20+51d20+5·1d20+5

[Daos]

Vulpi spends the next hour working on the wagon, but not only fails to repair it properly, but accidentally makes it worse.  As it turns out, there was a hairline crack in the rear axle, and their attempts to repair it inadvertently widened the crack.

"We'll be at this all day at this rate," Lady Dre says.  "Weren't you all in a hurry to find your girl?  Leave this to me.  Night will fall soon, and you'll all want to get a move on."

[sarcastiksh0rtee37]

Giving up on the wagon, Vulpi will take a minute to fill back in the hole with mold earth so that the road is as functional as can be done quickly

alsp pick up backpack

[Igordragonian]

Zencho sigh.
"I guess, this is the will of the universe. Do you need help, Vulpi?"

[Bishgada]

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(OOC: Can channel divinity work to fix the wagon quickly? Doesn't forge cleric use some tinkering skills?)

[Daos]

Jun 3, 2024 21:58:45 GMT -8 Bishgada said:

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(OOC: Can channel divinity work to fix the wagon quickly? Doesn't forge cleric use some tinkering skills?)

(OOC:  Artisan's Blessing is used to create simple items, not repair complex ones.  As for skills, Chispa does have proficiency with smithing tools, but not carpentry ones.)

[Bishgada]

Chispa inspects the wagon and Vulpi work. *tsk tsk*. "I wish I could help, but I'm afraid this is not my strong suite. Let's continue by foot and if later you wish to rejoin us, Lady Dre, we will be more than happy about it."

[Daos]

Saying their goodbyes, the party continues forward on foot.  After awhile, they come across the location Polder directed them to, where seven farmhouses stand each about 1/8th of a mile from each other.  As they approach the nearest of the farms, they find the surrounding fields overgrown and the plants rotting.  Crows flit between perches on the fences, but there are no signs of people.

Nearly all of the houses have been sloppily painted with a large and muddy red X.

[HorizonsDream]

"What does the 'X' mean?" Ha Yun asks. "And which house do we go to?" She asks.

[sarcastiksh0rtee37]

"I have a few theories: 1) places marked for deconstruction for reasons such as the dwellers died 2) the people here noticed something was contagiously dangerous and used 'x' 's to mark where the contagion had been observed thus allowing people to ostracize those affected for their own safety 3) it's a local fashion trend. Let's hope for 3, but I fear it may be the second one. I suggest remaining at least 10 feet from the marked houses until we can learn more such as by seeing in windows or finding someone who can explain what is going on. What do you think Chispa: what if after the mission I made a bird house with a red 'X' on it to commemorate this mission and the people here? Think it could catch on? Maybe we don't get that one enchanted for fears that this gaudy fashion trend might catch on if we did."

Vulpi will glance around to see if how common destroyed houses or clearly empty lots are.

If there are a bunch of destroyed buildings or lots that clearly have a building missing, then Vulpi will comment "ahh these destroyed buildings support hypothesis 1 that the 'X' marks for deconstruction.

Else there aren't a bunch of destroyed buildings etc. Vulpi will say "Well, I bet we can mark hypothesis 1 off the list, if these were all for deconstruction I'd expect more destroyed buildings that until recently had an 'X' "

[Bishgada]

"I fear it is the second theory and it's the possession we saw back in the market square." Chispa answers. "I don't find the idea of marking birdhouses with ominous 'X' very appealing, but we can make happy birdhouses. Just after we take care of the problem at hand".


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(OOC: I don't have protection from evil or disease, which might have helped.)

[Daos]

The party moves closer to the nearest house.  They find that the windows are shattered, and the shards of glass are splattered with dried blood.  Looking inside, they find the interior is largely utilitarian, featuring only a few rooms for sleeping and a small kitchen.  No creatures are within, and the accumulation of dust makes it clear no one's disturbed the rooms for some time.

[Bishgada]

"Let's look for tracks outside and move on to the next houses." Chispa suggests.

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(OOC: Are there any other marks on the houses beside the red Xs and broken glasses? Scratches or dead hands? or other limbs?)