DM Harpwizard’s Heroes of Elsir Vale (Inactive)

Game Master GM Harpwizard

I get back from my expedition to Iormel's camp. Meh, nothing worth looking at. He had some stashed coin, but I left it--taking it would ony cause havoc that we don't need. But I didn't find anything "dirty."

After a moment, I give a small smile. But I think I know why he's such a jerk. He and his wife definitely seem to deserve each other! She's an absolute shrew.

"Good for you for not taking what is not your's to take,Bofus. I know that can be hard for someone of your skills, haha. You are a better man for it. So there seemsto be no love lost being between the two, eh? May be I should preach near where they are staying...In times like these, people are searching for help. Could be that she will come to us if we supply her needs. Tirion could you also accompany us? It seems that the smaller folk are well received here and you are also well known."

With that the priest moves out toward the area near Iromel's coach to set up his area.

• Toilday, Lamashan 2, 4710; 8 hours after midnight •

Dark clouds have gathered in the night and the rain begins to pour. By morning, the entire camp seems drenched.

I am going to kindly move this right along. Where do you go today?

Mutamba, my new friend . .. while I applaud your optomism, I think it will take far, far more than one evening of preaching to crack THAT facade. If we had a few weeks of influence, then perhaps I'd be all for "let's save thier marriage!!" But old habbits die hard, and they both would be tough nuts to crack.
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*sigh* yes, grabbing that sack of gold would have been easy. But I try to only steal from folks who deserve it. And if I decide that someone deserves it simply because I don't like 'em, well I'm no less an arrogant fop than Iormel!

--in the morning--

Aaahh, what an absolutley CRAPTASTIC day!! A glorious day to trudge through the wilderness, dodging ogres and wargs, hunting down undead dragon lords!! All we need now is some lighning, maybe some hail, and it'd be perfect!!

I try to get my things together, keeping whatever is still dry, dry.

So, are we going to be anywhere near civilization before we head to hunt bad guys? I'd love to unload some of the treasures we've got, and stock up on the little surprises that only a prepared guy can pull off.

Tirion gets up and smiles. As bad as this weather is for us, it is worse for the horde. They will have a flooded river and an extremely muddy road to deal with. In fact, I hope this rain keeps up all week.

As far as the plan for the day, I think we have accompanied these good folk far enough. I say we ride faster today and make Talar before the shops close. Hopefully we will be able to do some shopping there. Then we head north. I suppose Thordak could speed up Bofus' trip if it appears that we will not make the town by sundown. But after today we will once again be in hostile territory and will need to ride carefully together.

Thordak spends his day in the tavern, drinking ale by the fire and waiting until the last moment before he has to go outside in the wet.

Tirion, that's an excellent point on the weather. I'll keep that in mind on my rounds before we leave!

I'll spend as much time as we have until we decide to leave going through the camp, trying to raise spirits. Things like "Boy, this is awful weather for an invading army, innit?!?!" "Hey--chin up! Get behind Brindol's walls, and give those beasties what for!!" "Don't be sad, friends! You'll go back to Drellin's Ferry and make it better than ever before you know it!!" stuff like that. Try to keep everyone upbeat and ready to fight.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

I'll also keep an eye on the rest of the group; as soon as my friends are obviously getting ready to leave, I'll join 'em.

OK then, let's get to Talar before nightfall! We've got treasure aplenty that's simply *burning* a hole in my pocket!!

please see the OOC thread too, gents.

Mutmaba smiles at the dialog between his friends and attends to his prayers and gathering his few belongings.

Too bad we could not have the forest giants build a large dam upstream from Drellin's Ferry and then wait for the horde to gather on the other side for the main village. Then break the dam and watch the whole army go floating away.

• Toilday, Lamashan 2, 4710; 6 hours after noon •

After a long, wet, ride along the Dawn Way, you reach an intersection later that evening. A sign indicates that Dauth and the Hammerfist Holds are to the south and Brindol is to the east. However, as you may proceed north along a cobblestone road into Talar, you are greeted by a guard at the gatehouse who personally welcomes you.

"Well met, Travelers! On behalf of the Lady Celiira Nesten, I welcome you to Talar. You sure look like you've had a long day! I am sure that you will be able to find room at one of our lovely inns to dry off and warm up. You may consider the Dancing Bear, or even the Anchor Inn."

I bow low on my pony to the guard.

Thank you good guard. And if I may inquire, could you perchance tell us where the town elder or the mayor might have his home. While it is late and wet, we have important news from the Dawn Way which we must speak with him of.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

I would have used the real name of the leader, but I don't think I have been told it. I assume that we would have gotten this from the Sergeant before leaving.

Ah, thanks sir!! and I'll walk in like I own the place.

DMHW, in my travels toting beer, have I ever been here? If I know anything about the place, I'll head straight away to sell our loot!!

Oh, and everyone double-check what we've got to sell, so you can grab something before it's gone!!

Any healing items will be appreciated.

Mutamba let's his frieds do the talking as he feels he is as strange a site in this country as any fey creature.

Bofus, relatively familiar with Talar, leads the rest of you across town to a shop on the north, not far from the Elsir River, called the The Mystic Aura. A bell rings as you open the door. The shop is run by a balding man with a short goatee who eyes you suspiciously as you enter his store. "What can I get for you?" He asks sharply.

You may purchase potions, rings, wands, rods, staves, and wondrous items of what you will up to a 1001 g.p. limit per item. Anything more expensive will need to be purchased in Brindol.

Thordak might want to consider a Wand of Lead Blades and a Wand of Gravity Bow. The lead blades would make his axe do 3d6 and the gravity bow would make his crossbow do 2d8. Both would last 1 minute as level 1 spells and the wands should cost 750gp each if fully charged.

I think a cloak of resistance +1 is about all I really need in the under 1k category.

That seems too much bother for Thordak. If I could get that enchantment on my crossbow or my axe though...

You can use the wands, the spells are on your spell list. And since you can now reload your crossbow as a free action and since you get 2 attacks per round with both the axe and the crossbow, it would be a nice jump up in damage. Increasing your weapons damage permanently, if it could be done, would probably be a +1 or a +2 to the weapon cost, which would be 8000 for the axe at this point.

I agree with Tirion. Wands are a great bang for your buck, particularly for 1st level spells that can be cast at caster level 1.
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Now, any wands or other magic devices we want ot use that are useful but no one else wants, *I* can take, as I'm getting UMD up there.

I head over to the counter and pull out the bag of holding, and start emptying out the plethora of good we've accumulated. How much of this are you willing to take off our hands? We'll be stocking up on some other items, don't you worry . . .

DMHW--see my "Group pot" section for what we've got available to sell. It's almost 10,000 gp worth of stuff all told, so I'm really not sure this place will be able to buy it . . . let me know how you'd like to handle it. Maybe we could sell as much as he'll buy, then trade for goods? let us know. . .

"How much of this are you willing to take off our hands? We'll be stocking up on some other items, don't you worry . . ."

"Well, let me see what you've got here."

I will permit you to sell 10,000 gold worth of stuff. Mind you, he will only give you half of what the purchase price is. He will also need to arrange payment. He doesn't exactly keep 10,000 gold on hand.

I will take a cloak of protection +1. And I think that we should have Thordak get those two wands. He might lose a round of attacks, but it adds a lot of bang to his hits - and both spells last for 1 minute, so it is good to use before he starts sniping.

Thordak buys the two wands. -1500gp. How many charges do they each have?

50 charges each - should last you a few battles.

@DMHW - does he have a Cloak +!?

"I do not have a cloak of protection, but I've got a pair of Bracers of Armor (+1) I could offer you for 1000 gold pieces, or a cloak of resistance (+1) for the same price. Would either of those work for you?"

Thordak, what specific wands are you interested in?

I'm willing to bet Tirion meant "resistance" when he wrote "protection," yes?

Sir--do you have a vest or shirt of resistance (+1)??

A bell on the door rings again as an elderly man slowly enters. He appears hunched over and with a big white bushy beard. He appears to be looking around while you browse yourselves.

"Sir--do you have a vest or shirt of resistance (+1)??

"I can offer you a cloak of resistance, but I have not seen the vest version of the same."

A wand of lead blades and a wand of gravity bow please.

Yeh, Cloak of Resistance, they changed the name on me.

Seeing the elderly gentleman walk in. Good evening sir, pretty nasty weather we have been having.

"A wand of lead blades and a wand of gravity bow please."

The merchant smiles as you ask to purchase some wands. "That will be one thousand five hundred gold pieces, please!"

"Good evening sir, pretty nasty weather we have been having."

"Aye, it is mighty nasty out there, but I suppose that it helps clean up the place. Well, if you want to stay dry, I recommend you stay out of the rain. I always find being under a roof always helps really nicely."

Bruuaagh, thousand five hundred! Oh alright, Oi s'pose... Thordak grumbles, counting out the gold piece by piece.

I turn to Thordak - I've read about those ranger spells, nasty stuff. Yer crossbow and axe will feel like normal to you, but it will feel like being hit with lead for whoever is on the other end of your attack. I would consider it gold well spent.

I'm thinking of some wands as well, just not sure yet what.

I am thinking of 2 scrolls of Knock, 1 scroll of Glitterdust, and a wand of Unseen Servant (with less than 50 charges if available.)
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Let me know if there are any other spells you think I should get scrolls of, within reason.

"I'm thinking of some wands as well, just not sure yet what."

The elderly man looks to Bofus and responds to his statement. "You don't look like much of a wizard to me, Sonny! What do you plan on doing with a few wands? Would you even know which end is up? They're aren't toys you know! I hope you don't take offense when I say this, but to me you look more like a thief! You know, a clever little rogue sort with the fingers that like to dance!"

Oh, you'd better believe it, sir!! But what thief worth his title wouldn't have a few trix up his sleeve?? What theif worthy of the name would rely only on his skills and fingers--formidable and nimble though they be?? I find that having a bit 'o magic hidden away can be the difference between life and death!

I think I"ll have time tomorrow to give a real "I'll buy this" post. :-)

I look over at the old man. Who cares if he can use a wand. As long as he can pay for it and does not hurt anyone in town, who cares.

Mutamba rest in the sunshine just outside the shop speaking with those curious enough to stop and talk. You can hear his powerful voice professing the glories of self-sacrafice and inner peace.

@Everyone inside the Mystic Aura

"Who cares if he can use a wand. As long as he can pay for it and does not hurt anyone in town, who cares."

"You don't need to barge in and start ranting. Obviously, the halfling could buy anything he wanted. This old fella was just making a point that he doesn't look the part of a wizard, just as you don't look the part of a knight. So can I expect you to be purchasing a battle axe? If you did, it simply wouldn't reflect your attire."

The shopkeeper, who is listening to this conversation as he watches Thordak count out his gold, chimes in, "Leave these fine folks alone, old timer. They are most welcome to buy anything they like around my shop." Turning to Tirion he remarks, "Please don't take offense to the old fella! I'm not sure that he is all there anyway."

"I heard that, Gelrad. You shouldn't know that I am entirely here and then some!"

@Mutamba

Meanwhile, outside, a small crowd of people gather to listen to Mutamba preach. During a pause in your sermon, one lady speaks out and asks, "Will Irori save us when the end of the world comes? I heard that a horde is coming to take our homes! What can we do to be saved?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Depends what I wanted to do with the battle axe. For instance what if I needed something that would double for chopping wood and as a boat anchor. In that case the battle axe would be quite useful. Personally, rather than fighting with something as base as physical weapons, I prefer just making stuff explode. But, each to their own.

Well all, is there anything else we need? Or shall we get some shut eye, I think we have another long day tomorrow, and not just to escape from the sarcasm of an old man.

Slight retcon/request: IN order to keep things simple, can we assume that between trades and selling (for example, Thordak is dropping 1.5K on wands, and I was thinking of at least 1 wand too) we can get our treasure sold and split? If so, listen up:
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The way I figured it, the share Mutamba earned since joniing us was 280 gp. The rest of us get 3519 each. 1596 goes into the group pot. There's a small amount of as-yet undivided treasure because I don't know the value.
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Check my "group pot" notes in my char sheet. If you disagree with any of this (either the amounts, or with "selling and splitting it now," please say so!)

@Old man: OK, gramps, I catch yer drift(wood), maybe I'll see you later so you don't ware out your welcome here, savvy?

Bluff for hidden message: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 <---aaaaaand that's a fail

@shop proprieter: Sir, do you happen to have a Wand of Lesser Restoration among your wares? an aside to the others with me That's coming out of the group pot, gents. Back to shopkeeper: And maybe a couple potions of Expeditious Retreat?

@DMHW: finally, I need to get a value on the 5 pearls we found, as well as the red longswords. I believe the pearls came from the keep we liberated a while back. Longswords were from the recent battle w/Durgin and Company.

If the longswords are the same as the ones on the wagon, we should have left them with the wagon. If they are not evil, then I have no problem selling them.

Sense Motive:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Thordak listens as he counts his coins...but keeps quiet until they have left the shop.

I could not find any pearls in the keep, but the pearls you found imbedded in Ozzyrandion's front scales are worth about 100 gold pieces each. In regards to the longswords of red steel that is an interesting question. All of the blades made of red steel seem to radiate a faint magical aura that you believe to be related to the dragonspawn. It is not evil per se, but certainly cursed. Somebody may be willing to buy them off of you, but you will have to see who is interested in becoming a dragonspawn.

" OK, gramps, I catch yer drift(wood), maybe I'll see you later so you don't ware out your welcome here, savvy?"

"I know when a young whippersnapper doesn't want one of his elders hanging around criticizing his attire. I will be going then. Good day to all of you."

The elderly man leaves the Mystical Aura and closes the door behind him.

then we'll make sure the swords find their way to the wagon with the rest, to be properly disposed of.
and the pearls add +100 gp to all of the non-Mutamba players: sorry man, we got htem before you . . .

I'll buy the wand of lesser Restoration, and the 2 potiosn of Exp. Retreat. once our loot is properly distributed, I'll take a leisurely stroll to the river.

When they are outside... Bofus, Oi think that fella wanted te sell ye somethin'. Sounded te me like he was sayin' he's got a better shop by tha river... but not te bring Tirion...

"You are responsible for freeing yourself. Irori has provided each of us with the ability to throw off the shackles and bonds of this world. It is up to the individual to find himself. One may be given all the gifts of heaven and easily squander them in the ignorance of self-serving selfishess. Look inside yourself and you find that these gifts rest in each an' everyone of you. True freedom is self-knowledge. What are you capable of? I am sure it is far more than you might imagine. What does it matter if a horde were on its way for if you know who you are?

Cast off all desire. Cast of the bonds of the material world. Even as you cling to what you believe is most important it slips from your grasp. The harder you fight to hold on to money, land or even your life the quicker you are ushered toward there loss. Now then, who among you truly understands? Who among you thinks that these are not merely the ramblings of a foreign fool? The answer matters not, as I am on the path and it is up to you to strike out upon your own. Irori is not a genie who grants wishes, but a guide who opens the world and what lies beyond. Cast off this life and take up your new, more aware one."

@Mutamba, and any others who stand outside the Mystic Aura to listen to him.

"What does it matter if a horde were on its way for if you know who you are?"

"What are you, Daft? With an evil horde on its way to destroy us, are you sure that we should just sit back and look within? I think we would be dead pretty soon. I'm not sure who this Irori is, but if knowledge is so important, can you give us some knowledge on how to save our lives?"

"Now then, who among you truly understands? Who among you thinks that these are not merely the ramblings of a foreign fool? The answer matters not, as I am on the path and it is up to you to strike out upon your own."

The crowd murmurs and looks toward each other as he asks his questions. One utters to the others, "Maybe we should pray for a genie!"

@Bofus

I am not clear who else accompanies Bofus, but if you do, please feel free to ready the following spoiler.

As usual I cast Message on everyone, including Bofus.

Let me know if there is anything interesting in there. I will join you if there is. I am running a little short on cash, but if it is something we can use, I will find a way to afford it.

I then follow him and wait a way from the houseboat, but within Message range.

@Tirion: Check. I'll keep a sharp eye out!

@Thordak: Yeah, I picked that up. I tried to tell him I was interested, but I think I bungled it. Oh well, let's go see what he has to offer, shall we??

[spoiler=River Walkers]I'll start crossing the plank toward the barge, calling out to announce our presence. Hell-oooooooo! Sir? You there? It's the folks you met at the Mystic Aura, come to pay a visit!

Pray for a genie, lmao, sadly that is what many people want their divine beings to be.

"To search within is not to simply let the world trample upon you. There are many times that one must take up many different toolsin order to discover who they are. Some men find this in battle others in the library. Look in your soul right now. Is there being capable of standing before band of savages with determination and resolute acceptance of what is to come? If not, then run. Run from yourself, but you will run your whole life. From the time you lay your head down at night to the time that you rise with the rooster you will be running, always afraid and never at ease with the world or yourself."

"You must stand before those who would waylay you from your path! You are not a road to be trampled upon! NO! You are a piece of Irori himself. Take that with you as you depart this placeand know that if yo are to meet with an adversary, be it many or few, that you will prevail if you give up your grasp on the desire to only win."

@Bofus and Thordak

"Just a minute, Sonny! I'm coming. Hold your horses, (if that's what you use)." he mumbles to himself. A few minutes later, the cabin door to his boat opens up and the old man greets you with a big smile. "Oh, so I see you decided to take me up on my offer. Please come in, come in."

The man leads you directly into a small room in his barge that is packed with all sorts of items including belts, headbands, rings, potions, and more.

"I don't have the best space for displaying items, but tell me what you are interested in, and I may be able to find it here in this mess."

@Mutamba

"To search within is not to simply let the world trample upon you. There are many times that one must take up many different toolsin order to discover who they are. Some men find this in battle others in the library. Look in your soul right now. Is there being capable of standing before band of savages with determination and resolute acceptance of what is to come?"

"You certainly don't sound like any other preacher I've heard before. Are you trying to tell us that if you look within you can actually find something useful to deal with the evil that will soon follow?"

""You must stand before those who would waylay you from your path! You are not a road to be trampled upon! NO! You are a piece of Irori himself. Take that with you as you depart this placeand know that if yo are to meet with an adversary, be it many or few, that you will prevail if you give up your grasp on the desire to only win."

"Hey Preacher, your faith sounds very risky. What do mean by the fact that we are a piece of Irori himself? Won't this Irori come and protect his followers? And what do you mean give up on the desire only to win. Isn't winning what we really want here?"