I am planning to allow the party a month in town to take care of any outstanding tasks such as: research/identification of magical items, scribing of scrolls, crafting, pursuing professions, looking for hirelings, looking for rumors, carousing.
Everyone please tell me what you wish to do and ask any relevant questions in the comments. If you don't post in a couple of days, I'll assume you don't have any urgent plans and will go with the group.
Recall my rules for carousing/research:
You can carouse for xp. Roll a d6 and pay the result times 100 gp for ale, food and pleasant company. Gain that as experience points and then make a Fort save to see if you made any enemies or got anyone pregnant in your inebriated state.
You can do magical research for xp. Roll a d6 and pay the result times 100 gp for supplies, books and lab rentals. Gain that amount as experience points and make a Will save to see if you accidentally summoned a demon or burnt yourself with acid.
Specifically, I'm looking for decisions on:
What to do with the gold; do you smelt it or do you retain it in it's stamped state? Do you keep it and how much, if any, do you return to the Rawley Estate?
What do you do with the "unholy" symbol of the Dark One.
What do you do with Minx's head? On this point, Alis urges Thorvald to at least put the head in a sack as it is greatly unsettling to him.
Minx' head should be taken to the authorities, there's a bounty on her head. IIRC it's 1k gold.
ReplyDeletethere is just a little bit of gold left in the stamped state? I am not sure we finished discussing that gold, but I am pretty sure the group decided to keep the gold, since she never said anything about it. if we keep, we need to smelt so the stamps don't rat us out.
Perhaps we can get the cleric to take the symbol to the temple, as Dolgi owes the cleric a favor.
Dolgi will work on his profession as he just wants to get some gold.
The bounty is 1000 gold, yes. The bounty can be claimed at the Bremel constabulary but there are papers to sign and testimonies to give.
DeleteThere are 300 gold pieces stamped with the signet of the Rawley Estate.
For every week you work on your profession full time, roll a d20 and add your Intellect or Charisma (whichever's higher) and that's how many gold pieces you make.
The decision of the group was to keep the gold, I think. Smelt the gold.
ReplyDeleteCarrying Minx's head in on a spike would possibly increase our reputation in the community. Free advertising, I would think. Grisly but effective. Sorry, Alis. Maybe we can put it in a sack until we reach the outskirts of town.
The gold coins are melted down and you can get another 3 10 oz ingots of gold once you've refined out the impurities. This will work as "trade gold" or chop gold worth 200 gold pieces.
DeleteAmong the humans in town, your reputation would undoubtedly increase. Humans as a whole are a semi-barbaric lot and prone to spectacle.
Among the dwarves in town, your reputation would suffer slightly. Mercenaries aren't viewed very highly and bold displays are best reserved for tribal ceremonies and the like.
Among the bandits and thieves you would be viewed as enemies of course.
I agree with Pie. We should turn-in the head and smelt/keep the gold. I am ok with taking the 'unholy symbol' to the temple.
ReplyDeleteJul will spend his time this month making Acid (flasks). He was able to produce 10 of them at a cost of 33 gp 34 sp. Before starting his production he buys a set of masterworked artisan's tools for 55 gp.
Does Jul gain any exp during the month?
No exp gained during the month unless you want to try the carousing/research table.
DeleteThorvald acquiesces to Alis' request for the return trip to Bremel, but insists that the first thing everyone does is claim the bounty upon Minx's head.
ReplyDeleteThor then wants to know what the officials plan to do with it. If they don't want it / don't have a plan for it, Thor brazenly asks for the honor of mounting it upon the battlements/walls/a pike in Bremel as a warning to others.
Lastly, Thor asks the officials if they are willing to declare an annual holiday feast in honor of the occasion, and if so, he's willing to donate his share of the Minx bounty to pay for the festivities. ((Not sure exactly how many shares we have to split it into right now, or even what the take was from the Minx hoard)).
Regardless of whether or not a holiday feast is declared, Thor will buy a round of ale for every man, woman, dwarf or otherwise in the local tavern ((carousing - 1d6 = 3 // 300 gp. Fort save: 1d20 + 7 = 7+7 = 14))
After he sobers up, Thor will ask Alis if he wishes to continue training, and will spend the rest of the month training him. ((I can't remember all of the rules we agreed upon for the training and can't check my email here, however, I do believe we had completed two ekes of training, to roll two of his primary stats. This would complete the other four stats and would allow you to roll the rest. After that, up to you if he still needs more training or if he levels to 1 as a Barbarian)).
My only other question is how much xp did we get for the last battles with Minx & her crew. I have the first skirmish we did before we retreated back to Bremel, but didn't log any xp after that.
Throughout the month, Thor will also grow melancholic about the loss of so many of their companions. It will be over a dinner one night that he will broach the idea of using the time device to save Kheldru, Tom & Rayna with Shade, hoping that his old friend will have some ideas up his sleeve on how the device may be used.
There is no trouble obtaining the bounty, assuming you're willing to give an account of the assault. The constable is particularly interested in the location of Minx's camp. (Let me know if you tell them where it's at or make up a spot.)
DeleteThey didn't have any plan for the head and in fact only wanted proof of her capture or death. The constable seems happy to be rid of it. As to mounting it on the walls he clucks his tongue and shakes his head. "Perhaps on a pike in the town square, so the people know that their leaders are looking out for them."
The mayor is willing to declare a feast day and news travels fast: a party breaks out in the square and everyone is shouting the names of the party by sundown.
(You make your save on carousing.)
Alis does wish to continue training and consents to spend the month working with you. (I'll get him stated up asap.)
The party got 2800 xp total.
Through the weeks that you work with him you see Alis grow stronger and more confident. He's still very green but he works hard and learns fast. He takes quickly to the strength and conditioning aspects of his training. Teaching him to focus and enter a battle rage takes more time. He's such an eager and easygoing young man that you have to be harsh with him to bring out his fiercer, animalistic side.
DeleteHe wields Thunor's Vengeance well and he asks often when he'll get his own greatsword.
The girls in town take notice of him and you have to remind him often of the farmer's daughter that he loves back at the Rawley Estate.
(Strength 15, Dexterity 14, Constitution 10, Intellect 11, Wisdom 10, Charisma 13. Feats: Power Attack, Weapon Focus: Greatsword. You don't need to keep track of this, but I wanted to give a little flavor.)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDraymun smiles as Bremel appears on the horizon. He strokes Kumo's head and lets out a hearty sigh. "It is good to see home so often, my friend. I fear this may be the last for some time..."
ReplyDeleteAs the company nears the settlement, Draymun dismounts his bear and sends him off into the woods to hunt before hopping on Arktas for the remainder of the short journey. Upon entering the city proper, he turns his steed and rides straight to the Stonestout Inn to tell the tale of the Beheaded Banshee to Ghalen and his patrons.
---
Throughout the time the guild remains in Bremel, Draymun will spend his time wandering the woods with Kumo as a warden, communing with nature and bonding ever-more with his friend. He will occasionally return to town to visit with Ghalen and to pay respects to Euri, leaving a small wooden token with a silent prayer. Once or twice he returns to the site of the Ancient Kingdom ((first dungeon)) to see if it has appeared once more.
(( Nothing for XP. He's simply going to do these things in RP-terms, because I think it makes the most sense for his character. If the ruins reappear for some reason, or something else happens outside the city, I'll build on that in another post. ))
Ghalen is happy to see you and gives you round after round of experimental brews. His mushroom stout is especially delicious to your dwarven palate.
DeleteKumo grows stronger by the day and the language of signals and gestures you develop will most definitely help you in combat. The dungeon never appears.
It's safe to assume you can hunt and preserve some meat beyond what you eat during the month. Perhaps 10 days worth of trail rations?
(( Awesome, noted. ))
DeleteAt the end of the month Jul gets up about 1:00 AM loads all of his gear onto his horse and leaves town.
ReplyDelete(Pleasure to have you Jul, hope I get the chance to play with you again some day.)
DeleteRayla enters town full of plans for the upcoming weeks in town. Her first task is to seek out a job cooking and serving in one of the local pubs. Delivering her delicious breads and stews to the hungry diners she is invisible to them. She listens as they boast and brag and gossip. (She’s just keeping her ear to the ground, so to speak and hoping to hear something that will be useful to the party in the future.)
DeleteOn her first day off from work she enters the temple to give thanks to her gods. She takes the holy symbol from the dark one along and shows it to one of the priests. (Are there specific questions that we want answered?) Rayla is torn between the desire to help save her sister from a horrible death and a fear of angering her departed ancestors and the gods she worships. She spends the rest of the day praying for wisdom and guidance in this matter.
On following days off she shops and replenishes her gear. She’s able to meet up with her friends from Vengeance Falls on several occasions and even manages get away to enjoy the celebrations in the party’s honor. When Jul stops by to tell her of his travel plans she pleads with him not to go. Secretly she hopes that his horse loses a shoe just outside of town so that he’s forced to turn back. She prays to her gods accordingly.
((1d20= 11,4,7,9) +( Int or Ch =1)=12+5+8+10= 35g earned for the month))
DeleteIf there aren't any specific questions about the unholy symbol, the priest will merely comment with surprise that he hasn't heard of any clerics of the elder gods for many years, ever since they were cast out in a holy purge. He seems worried and asks if he can keep the symbol and also who you found it on.
DeleteHe also mentions that he has gotten word from the church leaders in Ashmont that a paladin of the order has disappeared. (This is your rumor, in case I didn't make it clear. The party can feel free to follow up on either lead as you wish.)
Rayla will tell him that the symbol came from a companion of the Minx and relate the tale of her death and her own part in it. She'll ask if he knows which elder god the symbol represents and for help identifying other symbols of that type should she encounter another one in her travels. She'll ask about the purge he mentioned and question his concern.
DeleteShade rides into Bremel and pays for stabling and room and board at the inn. After so long on the road he spends the first few days just enjoying resting and testing out his newfound strength. He pays for a message to be sent to the guild scribe to check in with whatever new developments that may have crept up and he leaves instructions on how to reach the mine in case any of the lost members of the guild decide to meet back up with them down the road. Two special letters for Jul and Rethas are to be set aside. Within each is a promissory note and a handwritten script which denotes their importance and Shade's sincere hope for their return.
ReplyDeleteWhen the celebration is declared, he puts together a disguise and performs acts of frivolous fun for crowds. Although his parlor tricks earn him little attention he soon adds in some magic to cause minor sparks and flares, and his act is always accompanied by a raven who seems able to be drawn forth from hats and some even claimed they heard him speak, but others decried that. All the while Shade keeps an open ear and tries to catch whatever gossip and rumors he may. He often spies Alis among the women of the town and he notes how the youth captures their attention... After this Shade begins to do push-ups.
On the final day of celebrations Shade disguised as a peddler of a shell game and has to make a speedy getaway before his sleight of hand and tricks of magic are uncovered. Shade hopes that no harm will come of this, as their money's were left in his haste to depart.
The remainder of the month sees him searching shops for rare tomes of history, geography, lore and magic, hoping always to glean new knowledge.
Gathering with his friends at the inn he listens for tales of their deeds and their hopes for the future, and he shares his fine tobacco and rum with any who can stomach the stuff.
Bringing forth the time dilation device on one such late evening he recounts all he knows of its function, the possibly deadly ramifications of its use and he asks what others might think?
"There can only be one purpose for the compass," Thorvald said as Shade finished re-explaining the device for the third time, "We must save the fallen." Thor looked around at the expressions of his companions, and when no one spoke, he went on. "We can all sit here until Thunor's Reckoning listening to Shade explain its function and gravity to me again and again. I shall never understand how it functions, only that it does."
Delete"I joined this company in the spirit of vengeance. Minx made me the fool and ransomed me to my employer. After that, the only work I could find in this Kingdom was that of a pot scrubber. That is, until I joined you. Now you have helped me seek my Vengeance, proven by the head on the spike in the centre of town and the Bansheefeast celebrations. Who knows what unfinished business our comrades left."
"So let us reminisce upon the memories of the fallen. The first was before I joined, but many a night have I heard mighty Draymun tell the epic tale of Kheldru Spiderbane, slayer of the Queen of Spiders. I did not know this dwarf, but he was bold enough to fight beside Draymun, brave enough to stand against a spider-queen and stout enough to fell her single handedly. Any friend like that is a friend worth keeping."
"And then there was the intrepid Tom. Tom welcomed me to this party, smart enough to quiet my rage when we first met, skilled enough to scout ahead of us in the woods. Tom was the one who alerted us to the dangers skulking in the night at Thunor's Fist and then again at the Battle of the Blaze. Tom stood valiantly beside all of us when we rescued Hamish from certain doom. Tom also told me..." Thorvald faltered as he spoke, the regret choking his words, "he told me where he was headed, the night he disappeared. I... I should have dissuaded him." Thor sat a moment in silence, reflecting, but when no one else spoke, he continued on.
"And let us not forget the valiant Rayna," Thor continued, "who stood beside us against the vicious worg on the road from Ashmont and who dedicated all of her efforts to helping the people of the Rawley Estate, including your betrothed," Thor says looking to Alis. "Rayna was fearless in her devotion and selfless in her ministering. When she fell..." Thor paused again, haunted by memories. "Her own sister is with us now, and with her blessing, I'd gladly save Rayna from a fate she did not deserve."
"Many of these thoughts weigh heavy upon my mind, and if we have the power to right these wrongs, then by Thunor we should save our friends. And if there is time, perhaps we could even make our way back to the road north of the Rawley Estate and catch up with Rethas before his desertion truly takes hold in his heart."
"What say you," Thor finally asked his friends. "Shall we let this mighty compass guide our path?"
Rayla listens to Thorvalds reminisces and when he finishes realizes that she finally has peace about their plans to go back for her sister. “You have been faithful and true friends to me and to my sister before me. I would help you save my sister from an end that came too soon. I would see her alive again. I will go with you.”
DeleteShade, while you are in costume and doing your routine, you notice you are being watched by a man with one leg with whom you are unacquainted. He watches you for a while with an eyebrow cocked. He eventually gets up, using crutches, and walks by, dropping a coin and a piece of paper into your hat.
DeleteThe paper says:
"If you want to stop playing games and truly test yourself in the White Fortress, seek out Bene the Mute in Gayama, far to the south."
(Rumor roll, the table worked out this way even though you stated you were keeping your ears open. Hope this hook works ok for you.)
Dolgi spends the evenings in the tavern with Ghalen and his other friends. The second week in town, he spends more time haggling with the merchants to sell the loot the group had gathered(IC reason for a low roll). After the gold is collected, he deposits it all with the guild clerk, making sure the others know where they might find the gold when they need it. "No need leaving it lay around in the wagon and our rooms, beggin' to be stolen."
DeleteThe night of Thor's big speech starts Dolgi thinking. Late in the month at the table, he clears his throat and says.
"Lads and lass, it seems to me that this Tom will do well to guide my companions around. I suspect you'll have saved his life with that note you will write, I can't imagine a man who's brought out the kinda friendship and love I've heard in Thor's voice, would not have returned if he could. I've always been of two hearts. One part of me loves the wild, the other, the tunnels. While I have loved this adventure with you folks, once Tom returns, I beg the guild's permission to head to the mine and perhaps wait for the dwarven cleric. That way I can examine the surroundings and mark out the placement of this village we've spoken of. What say you, good companions? I'd only take a few supplies and leave the rest to the guide Tom for use in guiding my friends to new adventures."
This comment has been removed by the author.
Delete"If you believe that you and the brave alchemist can journey through the wilds together than I wish you all the luck that fate can have, I would only ask that you consider taking the wagon and our companions, Alis and Hamish along with you on this journey, that you may all be the safer together."
Delete"I myself have a task before me that may take me far to the south, to the lands of Gayama, and the White Fortress. I will walk the roads with you my companions until we have saved our comrades and returned to reunite with the entire guild at the mines. If any would have it, at that point I would set out with whomever may accompany me for lands that I have never before seen, and dangers unknown. Think on my words through these adventures, I would hate to part with friends such as these and I may be persuaded to stay on if adventure should arise, but I tell you now my intentions true." With those words Shade strikes up a flame in his pipe and returns to watching the flames dance in the fireplace, shadows playing around the room behind him seemingly playing scenes of devils and dangers in the flickering light.
Delete25 gp
ReplyDeletePotion of Purify Food and Drink
25 gp
Arcane Scroll of Unseen Servant
50 gp
Potion of Remove Fear
50 gp
Potion of Protection from Evil
300 gp
Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds
1165 gp
+1 Buckler
2000 gp
Wand of Curse Water (50 charges)
3000 gp
Rope of Climbing
4500 gp
Wand of Death Knell (50 charges)
18302 gp
+3 Spear
Shade buys the potion of cure moderate wounds.
DeleteThor pays Hamish 15 gp for the month's wages in Bremel & Thor pays Alis 15 gp for the month's wages in Bremel.
DeleteNoted. Alis puts his away and says he's saving up to marry the girl back at the Rawley Estate.
DeleteThor purchased 30 days of trail rations for 15 gold pieces, 30 days of feed for his horse for 1 gp & 5 sp and 30 days of food for his leopard cub, which he has named Pumpkin, for 1 gp & 5 sp.
DeleteDolgi spends the month working his traps.
ReplyDeleteWeek 1: 15
Week 2: 8
Week 3: 17
Week 4: 14
(Noted, it's late enough in the year the furs are of very good quality.)
DeleteThorvald, during your revelry you see a vision that you at first assume can only be brought on by the vast amounts of ale you've consumed: a tall strawberry haired elf wearing feathered shoulder pads dancing and singing on a table. It's not until you see him finish his song and jump off the table amid a shower of coins that it's not a vision, it's your old friend Twiggy the bard!
ReplyDelete"By Thunor's Axe, it can't be..." Thorvald said, spitting out his ale and wiping his beer-soaked beard on his sleeve. I haven't seen an elf sing and dance like that since the Blue Cockatrice!" Pausing to rub his eyes, Thor rose slowly to his feet and steadied himself against the table, unsure of his footing.
Delete"Twiggy, is that you? You bedazzled blessing, how've you been?" Thor exclaimed, holding his arms out to embrace his long-lost friend."
"Well just look at what the gnoll dragged in!" Twiggy said. He scooped up a handful of coins (well, let's face it, several handfuls) and skipped delightedly towards his long-lost pal Thorvald.
DeleteThorvald had moved to hug Twiggy but wobbled and missed. Twiggy grabbed his harm to steady him.
"What's the haps, Thorvald?" Twiggy said. Then he put two fingers over his lips and nodded a coy smile. He giggled. "See how I've picked up the adventuring lingo?? I'm so excited to see you! Oh my. Just don't vomit on my feathers. They tip poorly enough in this place as it is."
Twiggy sat at Thorvald's table and presumed to take a sip of his beer. "Now I know you didn't just come here to drink and watch the show. Okay, well, maybe you DID came to drink. But I know you. I know you're up to something fantastic! A new adventure?"
"It is a mighty adventure, indeed," Thor exclaimed, and then lowered his voice to a whisper. "We're going to save our friends," he said as quietly as possible.
Delete"But first, I owe you an apology. I have already told Shade as much, have I mentioned that Shade has found me too? In any case, I must tell you as well. After our fight with the goblins, back near the Blue Cockatrice, I received a vision from Thunor. He told me to leave, that night, without goodbyes. He showed me a harbor, and I travelled there and purchased passage on that boat. I had no destination in mind, since Thunor was not that specific, only that I had to leave."
"Then Thunor sent a mighty storm, crashing upon down upon us like nothing I have seen before or since. The ship cracked and split, sinking quickly. It wasn't until two days later when I washed up on a shore. Without any guidance from the Thunderlord, I looked for work. After a run-in with a red-headed demon woman, whose head may be seen impaled in the middle of town, I found myself here."
"Here I met a group of stalwart heroes," he paused allowing the somber memory of his friends to sober him up, "they quite reminded me of all of you, for point of fact. They pledged themselves to aid me seek my vengeance, and so I pledged myself to aid them in their cause. But," he went on, choking on the words, "we've... We've lost some true friends along the way."
"Now," he went on, lowering his voice again to a whisper, "we have found something -- Shade calls it a compass -- something that will let us save them. We're leaving soon, and I can't imagine better company to have along the way. Would you join us?"
"You can't imagine how glad I am that you asked, Thor," echoing Thorvald's style of whispering. "I've really had it in this town. They love a good show but they don't seem to want to pay for it. I was even thinking of returning to the Loft, not having any idea what to do next. If your friends will have me, I'd love to come along."
Delete"I know Shade will be thrilled to see you again," Thor smiled and his mood improved as he thought of the joyous reunion soon to come. "Shade is no longer the cantankerous menace he once was. I mean, in our first meeting, I nearly got into a bar fight with him and his solution to the problem was to start an entirely different bar fight. Luckily for all of us it worked, and that you were quick enough to cause a distraction." Thor smiled again, allowing the nostalgia to wash over him like a warm summer's breeze.
Delete"But truthfully, Shade has grown. Our charge has given him purpose and meaning, and he's grown not only trustful, but quite fond of us I think." Counting out some coins, and the double and triple counting to make sure he'd left enough, Thor attempted to rise to his feet.
"The others will be glad to meet you," he said as he leaned on Twiggy for help walking straight. "They are a fine bunch, and we will all be better for your joining us." Thor looked up to the stars as they stepped outside. "We should get some sleep," he finally said, growing drowsy. Tomorrow will be a busy day and Dawn fast approaches."
Towards the end of the month, as Draymun returns to the site of the first dungeon, he hears a familar voice say.
ReplyDelete"I am waiting for you, Draymun! You told me to go back to the beginning... so I have." And out of the forest steps Tom.