Listen, we don't need this much of you! That's just the facts of things! You can either decide amongst yourself which part of this garden bed you're going to cede to other plants, or you're just going to have to deal with me ripping you up and throwing you into the sea!
Autumn realizes she hears a bit of a commotion coming from the tree line, and realizing this must be the rescue party, hikes up her skirt and starts sprinting towards the noise.
((@grandmotherofchaos))
Mmmm, yeah I did not properly prepare myself for how weird this was going to look.
Autumn watches her younger self sprint up to their group, shouting something behind her as she ran, probably trying to get Sofanda's attention.
((@dood-the-doodler))
Autumn?
(Dood is communicating only to autumn)
He tugs her sleeve
who’s that?
((@too-cool-4-meth-bay I’m so sorry I keep forgetting to tag you!)
Well, he sure remembered this place. Where he made an ass out of himself and still somehow made it out with a...Henry. (There were probably better words to use for him, but Glenn hadn't thought up of them yet. He's too busy "managing" the small pit in his stomach--if "managing" meant "shoving and punching and stomping down into a fine ash".) Despite his horrible nature, things were looking up and that's all he had to focus on.
And that's definitely an Autumn, alright; even he could see the similarities clear as the blue sky they stood under. He holds a hand up in the laziest wave he could (not) muster.
(( @methbay-best-fighter ))
Glenn stares at the younger Autumn, not knowing who this is.
Who is this?
It asks via the telepathy link, not wanting to piss the new person off. That'd be a bad idea. If they're stronger than him, it'd be dead if he angers them.
(( @princehen , i am so sorry, i forgot youre in the turn order now))
Hen has been pacing around the room, now finding it more cramped than before. He was nervous, but at least there wasn't anyone around to see how nervous. The prince felt terrible about what happened--he had gone and gotten himself killed, and now these very kind people had to rescue him!
What? Are you all in Faerun now? Sofanda and my mother should be near Oakvale.
He mentally responds to the group. Oh, Sylvanus, he felt useless, asking only questions.
@blog-of-a-time-witch
Yes, dummy, we're in Faerun.
Junior huffs in annoyance. Despite coming through the portal first, they have the least idea of where they actually are right now. The woman in the near distance starts approaching, and Junior starts walking toward her in response.
"HEY!" they shout across the distance. "Which way to Oakvale!?" As Autumn reaches the group, Junior vaguely recognizes the same features present in the older woman, but still frowns at her until she answers their question.
@sofanda-bhuts
Shortly after Autumn runs up to the group Sofanda is heading up after her with a very large travel bag on their back. When she reaches the group she gives the Glenn she’d seen before a quick wave before she notices the older Autumn.
Oh wow Autumn, look at you! Like a fine wine!
They lightly nudge younger Autumn’s arm without breaking the staring they are doing at older Autumn.
(( @grandmotherofchaos ))
Autumn gives Sofanda a small nudge in return. She glances over the party.
Okay, we've got me, a couple of Glenns, and some children... why... why are we involving children?
((@grandmotherofchaos))
Autumn responds telepathically to Dood and Glenn.
Well, that's me when I was younger.
She tries to suppress the slight blush she can feel at Sofanda's comment.
Has she already done the "you were right and I was wrong" routine, or do you need to hear it from me?
((@dood-the-doodler))
//oooook let’s try this again
Oh! Autumn! Hi!
dood waves at the new autumn.
also I’m not a kid. I can do magic!
See?
((The new characters are now included in the telepathic bond))
((@too-cool-4-meth-bay))
Yeah, yeah, we're all capable of carrying out a mission; let's not hurt each other's feelings.
He says, almost breathlessly. As much as he thought he wouldn't have time for a smoke break in the whole nature cult thing, he was already debating lighting one up right here and now. Wow, Glenn, what an tough fucking iron will you got there. Did 'ya get it from Toys 'R Us?
Can we all at least pretend to know each other--or, for some of us, pretend we don't--so we can get this done as quickly and/or smoothly as possible?
He chuckles, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his signature leather jacket.
(( @methbay-best-fighter ))
That works for me. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get everybody back home, or at least to Henry's place.
Glenn sighs. It fidgeting with his jacket, staring at the patches on it.
How far is Oakvale from here? Do we have an easy way to get there? Are we sneaking in or going to a full-out attack to get Hen back?
I didn't exactly hear any of the planning stuff as I just impulsively decided to join, but Sen got me here. So that's nice
It doesn't speak, not looking up either. Just asking through the telepathic bond they all have right now.
(( @princehen , the correct one the first time, this time ))
Wait, wait! Attack? Nobody in Oakvale is armed. None of our spells do real damage--the only person you have to worry about is Father.
Even when hearing his thoughts, Hen 'speaks' very quickly; like a panicking trained strategist.
Sen? Who's that? ...maybe that doesn't matter. I can direct you when you're inside, but I don't know where in Oakvale I am...exactly.
@blog-of-a-time-witch
It doesn't matter who Sen is. He's a dick and he's not here so just ignore the fucking Glenns.
Junior huffs and balls up their fists.
"You're all taking forever-" they storm over to the Autumns and Sofanda. "Which way is Oakvale?" the witch asks with the bare minimum of a polite demeanor.
@sofanda-bhuts
Sofanda makes a slight face, not really convinced this rescue team was a team at all before sighing.
It’s going to take a while… we have a horse but that’s two passengers at most? You guys are going to be able to get along long enough to save the little prince right? Unless, Autumn, you’re a Druid right? You’ve probably just gotten stronger with age!
She looks to older Autumn, stepping up to her and putting a hand on her shoulder
Do you have any teleportation spells? I have one to get us back but not one to get us to there.
(( @autumnwithnooaks ))
Autumn looks at her older self.
I mean, I assume you have Transport via Plants if I do. The main drawback would be that it's my highest spell slot and we'd all have to make sure to be quick. The window to use it is only around 6 seconds ((1 round))
She pauses to think.
I have a pretty good idea where Bear is keeping him ((History check: 17)), so we could try to get as close as possible, or we could stay further out and sneak in. The problem with teleporting is that you don't really know what's waiting for you at the other end until you get there.
(( @grandmotherofchaos ))
Autumn nods.
I can cast that, I've got higher spell slots if we need them later.
She glances around at the rest of the ragtag crew they've assembled.
I personally would opt for further out, because, like you said, we don't know if there's going to be any guards or whatever once we get there, not like they'd be able to directly harm us, but it's best if we can stay undetected as long as we possibly can. Of course, that might be easier if we don't have to sneak through the whole commune though.
Autumn's glad her younger self seems to have such a grip on where Hen might be, she's been out of Oakvale long enough that her memory of it's layout is a bit shaky. ((History check: 10))
She glances over at the two Glenns, she's not sure she'd call them particularly adept strategists, but they at least had an eye for tactics that she felt could be useful.
((@dood-the-doodler))
Yeah!! We’ll sneak up on him and then we’ll pounce!
Dood makes his hands into claws ((not literally) and pretends to swipe at the air.
we’re coming hen!!!!
((@too-cool-4-meth-bay))
Glenn rolls his eyes at Junior. Come on--comparing him to the guy wearing an ugly-ass robe? Where'd he even get something like that, some...dead Faerunian grandma's estate sale? It's not even an option--she's just so much cooler and much more representative of the Glenn name!
At the time that he was in Oakvale, he reasoned that Bear was an asshole with a shitty interior design sense. But thinking back...wasn't there something he missed?
Okay, got it--once we get there, we can figure it out.
Come on, Glenn knew what a trapdoor looked like, especially under the poshest rug he had seen in his life. (Perception check: 20 + 3) But was he going to mention that? Not really--everyone else could just follow his lead.
His grin reaches his eyes in a way that is purposeful.
(( @methbay-best-fighter ))
Great. We can figure this out when we get there.
Do better under pressure anyway.
Glenn sighs, stretching his arms.
(( @princehen ))
Hen laughs out loud.
Yeah, ignore the Glenn's. Just come find me before you cause too much damage?
He startles at a noise from outside the room he's in and backs as far away from the door as he can as it's opened.
There's someone outside--I think someone's-
He begins to telepathically communicate to the group frantically, but is cut off by @mother-of-oakvale (unbeknownst to the rest of the group) severing the magical connection.
// @mother-of-oakvale if you want, you can start a new post actually for this lmao
Yeah, we will. We'll find you, I promise.
Junior's tone is mollified, almost gentle, for a moment, as they respond to Hen. That goes away when Hen's voice comes through in alarm.
Hen? Hen!? Hen, come back! Fuck!
Their pupils dilate, and a faint heat radiates off of them. "Shit, we need to go. What if they're hurting him?" They look at the younger Autumn pleadingly. "Do your plant thing! We don't have time to waste."
@sofanda-bhuts
Sofanda reaches out and puts a hand on Juniors shoulder.
Hey, I get you’re worried but freaking out and rushing just leads to sloppy plans, you have to try and calm down just a bit okay?
They cast calm emotions on Junior (cha save 17)
Autumn you okay? Do you both have this?
She looks to her Autumn specifically.
Are you ready?
(( @autumnwithnooaks ))
Autumn doesn't answer Sofanda. She's doing her best to mask her panic at the severing of the mental connection they'd had with Hen, no matter how brief she'd been a part of it.
This only lasts for six seconds, so once it's cast, we all need to get through right away.
She'd been planning on having the older version of herself cast this, but she feels horrible about having waiting as long as they did, she's cursing herself for not running back to Oakvale as soon as she heard that Hen was back there. She...she's stayed somewhere when she shouldn't have again.
She casts Teleport via Plants
This spell creates a magical link between a Large or larger inanimate plant within range and another plant, at any distance, on the same plane of existence. You must have seen or touched the destination plant at least once before. For the duration, any creature can step into the target plant and exit from the destination plant by using 5 feet of movement.
and without any further discussion she touches the tree and vanishes from sight.
((@grandmotherofchaos))
Autumn recognizes the expression on her younger self right before she disappears. Of course they're both panicked.
Well, you heard me.
Autumn reaches out to touch the tree and just hopes younger her didn't pick a stupid connection point.
((@dood-the-doodler))
Oh no! Hen! Where did you go?!?
Dood is frantically trying to reconnect the telepathic connection, but nothing seems to be working and he’s getting very frustrated.
we need to go! We have to help him!
and with that, Dood lays on hand on the tree and disappears
((@too-cool-4-meth-bay))
His heart sinks as Hen pleads. Shit. There's no use trying to communicate at this point--he knows what beating a dead horse looks like. He does what he finds least exciting: following the lead. He touches the tree and dissapears.
(( @methbay-best-fighter ))
Glenn doesn't really care too much, he's worried yes, but it doesn't know Hen like everybody else.
He touches the tree, following everybody else, and hoping they won't betray him.
// @princehen
The group appears just outside of Oakvale, and they can see into the peaceful village from where they stand. Everything looks normal and just how the Autumns left it. Oakvalians move about, chattering peacefully among themselves and all is well.
(It's at this point where the younger Autumn & Jailbreak!Glenn can remember the trapdoor entrance to the basement under Bear's house.)
@blog-of-a-time-witch
Failing the save to resist the Calm Emotions spell, Junior's shoulders relax slightly, though their scowl remains intact. It works to stop them from shouting any more or running off on their own. When the Teleport Via Plants spell is cast, they follow immediately after the younger Autumn. Without their usual loud bluster, what remains is a quiet determination.
They step out into the clearing, sticking out like a sore thumb with their bright red hair, though not nearly as much as Dood, Glenn, and Glenn do when coming in behind. Junior looks toward the Older Autumn, regarding her as the expert on this occasion. "He said he was in a basement. Do all the houses have basements? Will we have to look through all the buildings?"
@sofanda-bhuts
Sofanda follows everyone else through, grimacing the second her eyes fall on Oakvale. She moves to stand at her Autumn’s side, hand reaching for hers. She keeps her mouth shut for now… she doubted Autumn was in any shape to actually answer any questions right now anyway.
(( @autumnwithnooaks ))
Autumn has to stop herself from simply walking straight into Oakvale, it was so familiar, being back she can't help but still feel like it's her home. She looks around to double check that everyone has made it through.
Okay, so I'm pretty sure I know where Bear would keep Hen. Not alot of buildings here have basements, and I don't think he'd trust having him particularly far away, so the basement in our - I mean, his house is probably our best bet.
She glances around trying to discern if Oakvale is actually secretly on high alert and just hiding it really well, or if they really don't feel like changing anything after Hen and her disappearance. (Perception: 6)
With her free hand she rummages in her pack and pulls out a tiara and tucks it into her sleeve, somehow managing this without letting go of Sofanda's hand, though she doesn't seem to actively notice she's holding it.
((@grandmotherofchaos))
Being back in Oakvale was making her feel twitchy, at least this was before Bear went on his homunculous kick so the Oakvalians were legitimately people and not just weird psuedo-versions of her son. She can tell the younger version of herself is starting to slip into her old demeanor, something about her posture, a little too perfect to be actually comfortable, and her gaze somewhat softer than it had been previously.
So she can't trust her judgement on the situation, fortunately this Autumn has a bit more distance from Oakvale and can be slightly more objective. She takes in the environment, trying to gauge what kind of threat level they were working with. (Perception: 16)
There was a benefit the younger version of her did have and that was remembering the secret basement. She'd completely forgotten about that until she'd mentioned it, but it seemed as solid a bet as any.
Autumn casts Pass Without Trace on the party.
A veil of shadows and silence radiates from you, masking you and your companions from detection. For the duration, each creature you choose within 30 feet of you (including you) has a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and can’t be tracked except by magical means. A creature that receives this bonus leaves behind no tracks or other traces of its passage. (Duration: 1 hour)
Let's be as careful as we can, we can't be un-noticed after Bear realizes we're here, so I'm all for putting that off as long as possible.
((@dood-the-doodler))
Although dood’a never been to oak vale, he immediately recognizes it. Slowly, though, the recognition is tainted by a sense of fear and he grips autumns hand.
he looks cautiously at the people around him and curls his body towards autumn slightly. (Insight on the oakvaliens: NAT 20 BABY HELL YEAH)
//AH FUCK! @too-cool-4-meth-bay
Glenn didn't nessessarily like Oakvale, but had to admit it was...pretty, now that he actually looked around. (Perception = 7)
He didn't have much time to sightsee, though, so he directs his attention to the creepy basement. He doesn't say anything but a quiet thanks to Autumn before running in the direction of Bear's house.
(( @methbay-best-fighter ))
Glenn looks around really quickly before following everybody else. It didn't notice much as he was mostly just getting a quick glance at Oakvale.
He follows the group in the direction of Bear's house. Quickly telepathically thanking Autumn.
// @princehen
@autumnwithnooaks, with a roll of 6 (perception)--nothing seems amiss in the little village of Oakvale. Just like Autumn remembered it! Everybody is normal, and Autumn believe that Bear has probably done a good job at managing the disappearance of yourself and Hen.
@dood-the-doodler, with a roll of 20 (insight)--something seems amiss in this little village that Dood has never been inside before. Although the party goes unnoticed, the people still seem like they're hoping that someone will return. Maybe multiple someones, from the way people keep checking the village's entrance.
@too-cool-4-meth-bay, with a roll of 7 (perception)--yeah, this village seems peaceful! Pretty identical trees, people happily going about their days...nothing isn't perfect in the village of Oakvale.
The inside of Bear's house was somewhere that the Autumns would be very familiar with--magical artifacts on nearly every shelf, the belongings of the entire family....this place was much less humble than Bear needed people to believe he was. There is one very nice rug in the corner of the living room--the one that @too-cool-4-meth-bay would remember as 'way too nice to just be shoved in the corner.'
// Also! Everyone should roll stealth to enter Bear's house undetected (it'll just be 1 roll to navigate the town + get inside bc y'all have both Autumns there lmao).
// @blog-of-a-time-witch - your turn!
Junior gets a 16 for perception and a 3 (+10 for Pass Without Trace) for Stealth
The red-haired witch follows Autumn toward Bear's house, still calm but alert as they walk. Their hand goes to their jacket, from where they pull a set of nunchucks. Just in case.
(18 stealth +10 for pass)
Sofanda stays as close as they can to Autumn, staying quiet and walking with purpose. She hated this place. So so much. As much as she was not focused on the people and almost entirely locked onto Autumn and whether or not she was okay, they couldn’t stop the fantasy of burning-down-the-copied-trees-to-enrich-the-soil-for-new-real-ones-to-grow from popping into her head every time she caught a glimpse of those carbon-copy lies in her peripherals.
(( @autumnwithnooaks ))
(17 Stealth +10 for pass)
Autumn, as much as she's convinced that the residents of Oakvale appear to not be paying attention for anyone who is missing, recognizes her older self as having a point in regards to the idea that once they're noticed, they can't go back to being unnoticed. She keeps a hold on Sofanda's hand as follows after the Glenns who already were heading towards her - no, Bear's house.
((@grandmotherofchaos))
(19 Stealth +10 for pass)
The vibes are off, but not dangerously so. Autumn gives Dood's hand a small squeeze. She was still concerned how they would respond it the group ran into Bear, not to mention being concerned how Bear might react if he figured out who Dood is. She holds a finger to her lip to encourage him to stay quiet as they make their way across the compound.
((@dood-the-doodler))
(17 for stealth, +10 PWT)
Dood looks around nervously but follows after autumn, a bit behind her.
who do you think they’re looking for?
Dood asks through the physic connection.
((@too-cool-4-meth-bay))
(12 + 8 = 20 stealth + 10 pwt)
Glenn continues his charge until they reach the inside of Bear's house. Yep, just as humble and homely as he remembered. He glances around to see if there are any shiny objects he could steal, but stops himself before he could go down that train of thought any longer. Glenn, that would be fucking weird--what would Henry say? In fact, he should have brought that spider robe you stole earlier to return...but he left it at Henry's house. Ah, shit.
He cringes a little, remembering what his kids might do with a robe that gives you spider abilities, but ultimately brushes it off as no big deal and goes to pull out the fancy rug.
(( @methbay-best-fighter ))
(19 + 5 = 24, +10 from PWT = 34) (7 + 3 = 10 to perception)
Glenn follows the rest of them, looking around and trying to notice anything he can see. It just let's everybody else do what they have to.
He hadn't been here the first time that small group had come to Oakvale, so it doesn't know how he can help. He really just joined to see if he'd be helpful and to get into combat if it came down to it.
( @princehen )
The entire party manages to enter Bear’s house unnoticed! What the party sees as Jailbreak Glenn pulls up the rug is a trapdoor. It looks ordinary, with no locks or magical symbols. As if Bear never expected anyone to ever trespass in his home nor search through it.
The trapdoor leads to a basement that specifically Autumn had never been allowed inside—when Jailbreak (or anyone else) opens the door, they would be greeted with the sight of a spiraling staircase that leads to a small basement that is currently out of sight.
To Dood's mental question, Junior does briefly try for an answer. But with what they know about this Oakvale, it could be anyone or anything.
I don't know, and I don't care. It won't matter because once we get Hen, we're leaving.
Junior's confidence carries through the mental tone of their voice, and it's reflected on their features. When their eyes land on the trapdoor, their expression gains a flicker of hope. "The basement," they mutter, and if no one beats them to it they're lifting the door just enough to slip inside, seemingly undaunted by the darkness below.
@sofanda-bhuts
Sofanda doesn’t wait or hesitate, once she’s sure there’s no security alarm or trap the door could trigger and Junior has slipped through she grabs the edge of the door with her free hand and hefts it up all the way.
Should a lookout remain or- it’s probably fine right?
They whisper before following after Junior down the steps, moving slowly incase Autumn stops their forward momentum.
@autumnwithnooaks
I don't think so -
She frowns, she'd known about this basement, but she'd never seen it or appreciated how mildly foreboding it seems.
It feels like we're less likely to be noticed if there isn't someone standing outside the trap door. Also I'm really not sure which of us would even be a good candidate to stay behind.
She gives Sofanda's hand a squeeze, trying to remind them that not everyone in this rescue party has darkvision.
((@grandmotherofchaos))
She can almost admire her younger self. There was still a small voice of Bear in her mind insisting that this was a place she was not allowed to be. She wonders if, when the anti-violence field had gone up if it had taken some of her spark with it. After all, she had attempted to defy Bear and yet nothing came of it, or more accurately, it made things worse.
To distract herself from that line of thinking, she gives Dood a small nudge, before heading for the steps.
Are you doing okay?
If she's busy making sure those around her are still alright, maybe she can avoid having to answer that herself.
((@dood-the-doodler))
Dood hugs Autumn’s arm a little tighter as he follows her to the steps.
I- I think so. I can do this!
then he repeats it again, almost to himself.
I can do this.
((@too-cool-4-meth-bay))
Glenn hops down and descends the spiraling staircase behind the younger Autumn. As the minority in the party without darkvision, he figures it’d probably be safer that way--though it would be fucking funny if he fell down these stairs. Which reminds him:
Hey guys, what do you call a snobbish criminal going down the stairs? A condescending con descending!
He mentally exclaims to the group, attempting to bring some light to the situation. After all, this has been so incredibly easy so far; they just walked in and, by the looks of things, they were going to just walk out. And more than that, the group could kick anyone’s ass! Nothing could possibly go wrong, so they should stop acting like they’re going to a funereal.
(( @methbay-best-fighter ))
Glenn follows after the group down the stairs, stopping for a second at Glenn's joke.
Why is that funny? I hate that I find that funny. It's a good joke.
He just follows behind the group. Also being one without darkvision, it has to be careful to not fall down these stairs.
I hope we reach the bottom soon. Stairs are not fun in the dark.
// @princehen
After the group rounds the corner and enters the first room of the basement, the area becomes more illuminated by candles placed around the room. This first room is a library, with shelves upon shelves of tomes, journals, and books of all kinds. There are a few desks with their own notes and books scattered across them--as if more than one person had been making use of this room.
There are various things that the characters can explore, but I will DM you when you do decide to check something out (noting so in my response). This means that the party can split up!
1. The bookshelves--roll either History, Arcana or Perception (each will allow you to see different things--and you may roll multiple). 2. The desks--roll Perception. 3. The door--there is a door that is closed, leading further into the basement.
@blog-of-a-time-witch
For a moment, it's as if a game menu appears over Junior's vision while they look into the room. Perhaps if they weren't under Sofanda's Calm Emotions spell, they would be running directly for Option 3: The Door. At the moment, however, they're able to think for a moment and examine the bookshelves. Any information about their enemy can be useful information.
Arcana Check: 13
Perception Check: 12
Sofanda takes in their surroundings for a moment but completely unwilling to let go of Autumn’s hand until Autumn no longer wants to hold theirs, she stalls waiting for Autumn to take the lead on what they’d look at together. She narrows her eyes at the desks. There was potentially so much in those notes… She really wanted to snatch them up to read later but- she remains focused on what Autumn needs in the moment instead. She leans in and whispers.
Hey what do you want to do?
@autumnwithnooaks