DM Panic's Silverhex Chronicles Classic Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master wakedown

Lady Rhiannon's disposition softens as Adowyn engages her further.

"A platinum chalice that Lord Tullivor stole from us! A sentimental item passed down through generations of Sarvios. You will know it by sight as our family name and motto are emblazoned upon it in a dozen places."

She nods to the Tullivor mausoleum.

"Lord Laban Tullivor was a cruel creature and it would be just like him to take the chalice to his grave to forever torment my family."

She holds out her hand.

"Now, what say we form a partnership. I don't say a word to the guards about anything else that may go missing or whatever I may have heard or seen regarding poor Northis's final moments... and my family's chalice is returned to whom it properly belongs to?"

Crowe thinks back, and remembers that Ulisha mentioned in her note that SHE stole the chalice and ran off with it.

He smiles broadly and takes the woman's hand, pumping it up and down vigorously.

"You've got a deal. In exchange for your help, we'll give up any claim to your family's chalice."

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"Hrm..I wonder if we can trust this woman...but better go along with this..for now.."

Oloch nods at Crowe's words

"I don't care about any old cup," laughs Jirelle, "Especially one that someone's gone and written on, for pity's sake. But if we're going to cooperate, you ought to be offering us something. After all, we're going to get you your cup."

Lady Rhiannon gives Crowe a nod and accepts his hand with her own gloved hand before shaking.

She then replies to Jirelle.

"Oh, you'll have the debt of the Sarvios. I'm sure you'll find some way to call that in sooner rather than later."

Leaping from her horse, she grabs a crossbow from one of her saddlebags and secures it to her shoulder.

"So, shall we proceed?"

As with any good adventure, it's up to the actual adventurers to puzzle out how to enter the mausoleum.

"I suppose it's too much to hope that you have a key? "

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Lady Rhiannon shakes her head.

"No, it's well known in Gralton among the aristocracy that Lord Laban sealed his tomb with a riddle spoken aloud by his bust, here..."

She frowns at the body on the ground.

"Whoever seeks to open it must either solve the riddle, be exceptionally strong to break those heavy doors down, or be clever enough to know how to pick a lock..."

She looks to the doors then back to the group as the sun begins the last leg of its descent towards the horizon.

It would be sunny here if it were not for the spire atop Lord Sarvio's towering mausoleum that keeps Lord Laban's ever in shadow.

"What was the riddle?" asked Jirelle.

"The riddle was 'When the last son falls on this place, you will have my thanks'. Or it could be 'Sun'.. what do you think?" Adowyn looks around, and notes the position of the sun. "Any chance we can knock over the top of that spire to make the sun actually shine here?"

Crowe grins some more and continues spinning his earthbreaker.

"Hmm... knock over a spire, or bash in a door. I gotta say, I rather like these options."

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Oloch joins Crowe in case we decide to start knocking things over a grin on his face.

Lady Rhiannon ponders Adowyn's words.

"Sun... "

She then gazes at the spire atop her ancestor's mausoleum.

"... but, absolutely not! I mean, it might be the answer we're searching for, but... we cannot do that to my family... can we?"

If you want to talk her into it, it's Bluff or Diplomacy depending on your angle.

Shardra looks up to the spire. "Aye, tis a lovely piece of work, but what's more important to ya? Lettin' that structure stand tall, o' retrievin' the relic cherished by yer family? Not ta' mention gettin' the last laugh over Tullivor. If ya don't finish what you started..." She turns her face briefly to the corpse before making eye contact with Rhiannon. "-Everythin' you've done up to this point will have been in vain."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Boo

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"But what was meant by 'last' sun?" asked Jirelle. "If we knock over that spire, it won't be the last."

"I'd wager it means sunset, meself."

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Crowe begins looking for a way to climb to the top of the neighboring tomb so he can reach the offending spire.

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"You said you wanted to cooperate with us and join forces..I think you should let us do what we do best...we are trained for this after all"

Says Oloch to Lady Rhiannon Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

Lady Rhiannon nods at Olach's wise words, seemingly to pay little heed to Shardra's innuendos.

She takes a few steps back and shields her eyes as Crowe begins his ascent to the spire's top.

DC15 Climb check to scale the dome. And a DC24 Strength check to topple the spire or significant damage with blunt/slashing weapons. Presumably Crowe could "Take 20".

Crowe takes a moment to remove his armor, then straps his earthbreaker across his back and scales the Sarvio family tomb.

Climb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Once there, he ties a rope around an ornate bit of decorative stonework, and tosses it down to Preg, helping the half-orc make the ascent as well.

They each draw their massive weapons, and take turns raining heavy blows down on the spire.

Some appropriate # of rolls later:

Crowe roars in triumph as cracks spread through the base of the spire, and a final blow from the two brutes sends it toppling to the ground, where it smashes into countless fragments and pebbles.

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I couldn't have described it better myself!

Crowe topples the spire just in the nick of time as the very last of the sun's rays bathe the mausoleum and bust with their light.

Sure enough, the bust animates one more, speaking just a few short words in the same voice it used earlier.

"You have my thaaannnnks..."

With a pop, the lock on the heavy stone doors of the mausoleum opens itself by some sort of magic and falls to the ground as the doors swing open.

Lady Rhiannon's mouth hangs ajar as she observes all the events unfold.

"You did it! We're in!"

She gives you all a nod and begins to take steps towards the mausoleum, however she seems willing to allow you to enter before her or after her.

Crowe climbs back down from the dome of the Sarvio tomb, and redons his armor, before gesturing the woman inside.

"After you, Lady Sarvio"

Damned if I'm going to turn my back on this one He thinks to himself.

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Lady Rhiannon smiles crookedly, hesitates and heads into the now open mausoleum.

"Now let's see where the old bastard hid that chalice..."

As you pass below the looming sculped badger perched above the stone doors like a gargoyle, you recognize the interior is quite confined, measuring a mere 10x15 feet.

The mausoleum contains five sarcophagi bearing the names of the Tullivors interred within. Above Laban's casket, a gleaming tapestry depicts a resplendent badger - the Tullivor crest and the family motto: “Never in Shadow.”

Lady Rhiannon squints her eyes, rolling them as she spots the tapestry.

"Oh, what vile art... we'll deal with that in a moment, now where is the damned chalice?"

She moves up to Lord Laban's and tips the lid aside, scanning the interior.

"Ugh, it's NOT HERE! You bastard, I'll teach you to mock me!!"

In disgust, she draws her sword and appears to have intentions to slash at the tapestry...

Appraise: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Crowe recognizes the value of the tapestry, and quickly reaches out a hand to grab the woman's wrist, restraining her from swinging.

"Temper your wrath woman. You've killed the man's son and desecrated his tomb. I'd say that more than an ample amount of revenge to balance the scales for a lost family heirloom.

We'll not have you destroying our half of the spoils too simply to indulge your grudge against a dead man."

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Sorry guys was out running around all damn day!
Adowyn watches in satisfaction as her theory is tested true and the bust speaks. Entering the Mausoleum behind the others, she is in place to quickly step between the Lady and Crowe. Not having any skill at haggling or placing value on items, she will trust his word over the strangers.
Intimidation: 1d20 ⇒ 15
"We have acted as your helpers, now leave us our spoils.. and we will leave you with your limbs."
As the situation escalates and the tensionn mounts, Leryn (Adowyns Wolf companion) joins the party with his hackles raised and his growl barely audible.

Lady Rhiannon is pretty peeved at the moment. If the party wants to take to Intimidate to cowl her, I'll take the highest check and up to two assists to see if that modifies her outlook on things.

Oloch growls at Lady Rhiannon drawing her sword

"You might not be wanting to be drawing a sword around us in anger and intend to use it"

Intimidate: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"Oye! We had an agreement. If ya intend to damage our property ya had betta' think again else meet the pointy end of our sticks."

Kolo jumps to cling on the tapestry and hisses.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

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Alright, that's sufficient to shift her to friendly for a short while.

Lady Rhiannon clenches her fist on the hilt of her sword a few times before relaxing. She gestures at the tapestry with the end haphazardly before sheathing it.

"Oh I see, you found what you wanted. Gold! And my family continues to be without their heirloom!"

She pivots on her heel and makes for outside, swiftly mounting her horse.

"Everything I said about the debt of the Sarvios! That was IF we found the chalice! Not IF you looted the Tullivor's!"

Kicking her horse into action, she gallops ahead, her face flush with a mix of emotions.

"Well she seemed nice," said Jirelle, watching the noblewoman go. "Did you see the color her face turned?"

"Are we sure there -isn't- a chalice here? I mean, wouldn't they have put it in the actual tomb, grave, whatever you call it?"

Oloch watches the woman storm off and then takes a look around searching for a chalice just to make sure it isn't hidden inside the tomb like Jirelle suggests.

(take 20 on perception for a 20+4=24)

After casting detect magic to scan the area.

Ah, you'll recall in Ulisha's note, she copped to being the one to have made off with the chalice in question.

Ah..I'm just going to claim that Oloch isn't known far and wide for his excellent memory on that one ;)

Based on this note in Ulisha's journal, you believe your second destination to be within Ustalav as you search for a magical lantern.

Ulisha's note does suggest obtaining the aid of the locals to hunt down its hiding spot, somewhere known as Cannibal's Grove.

After about a week traveling, you clear the forest and come upon an old, weathered building.

This crumbling, moss-choked inn stands alone at the road’s end. Looming over its squat frame, a dense curtain of foliage marks the border of the Forest of Veils. The sign above the door reads “The Restless Bear,” and it seems to refer to a stuffed bear’s head that lolls upon a flagpole near the eaves.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

" ..hrm..seems rather mangy..even for a stuffed bear's head"

" hrm..Guess we better go in an try to get one of the locals to guide us.."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Gather Knowledge: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Adowyn walks into the inn, completely disregarding the.. thing.. hanging from the eaves. Seeing everyones eyes turning towards the strangers, she strikes a pose and asks "We are travelers, and have been sent on a quest. Would any of you fine people be able to help us to find a place called Cannibals Cove? Any information that you know about this place would be most helpful!"

The inn's common room feels like a cave, its sagging rafters clogged with yarn, shabby ribbons, and odd miniature knick-knacks that reinforce its claustrophobic atmosphere.

The inn's only visible occupant is its hostess, a spindly widowng who seems to be just barely avoiding death's door. She seems to have sat there with a smile of crooked and missing teeth and completely missed Adowyn's beseeching of aid.

She then brushes back the handful of wisps of hair that remain on her head and she flexes her long bony fingers.

"Oh dear me! Visitors! How I just love visitors!"

With each word, she whistles slightly.

"Oh dear me, my manners. I'm Birdy! And this is the Restless Bear!"

She gestures to all the shelves, so full of knick-knacks they sag with the weight.

"Lodgin' for the night will cost ya five coppers each! That includes a home-cooked supper."

She gives a nod at this last statement.

"And don't be tryin' to swindle ol' Birdy! I know a real copper when I sees it!"

"Hrm..it seems we came to the right place."

Oloch pays 5 copper pieces for lodgin and a home-cooked supper as well as some information

"Could you answer my friends question about a place called Cannibals Cove?"

Crowe follows his companions in, lays down his copper for lodgings and dinner, and takes a seat, putting his feet up to rest after a long day's travel.

He watches the woman with interest to see if she'll reply to the question this time or continue to pointedly ignore it.

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Adowyn pays her five coppers and repeats her question, face to face and clearly enunciating, as well as speaking a bit louder in case the woman is hard of hearing.

First up. Do any of the pregens actually have copper pieces? Birdy doesn't exactly have change, so I'll let you guys retcon if you perhaps overlooked your PCs not carrying small denominations.

Good point..I totally overlooked that part - OLoch has 6gp and 9sp ..I knew he had some spending money, just no clue on what type

"Hrm..I don't mind paying a bit extra for the information"

Oloch says as he puts a silver piece on the bar

Oh hell. good catch. Of course, if we have been traveling, it would be safe to assume that we would have purchased food or at least had a GP broken down for just this instance.. But at the current ruling, all I have are gold pieces.

This would be the first place you've been at since you left Absalom where the lodging went down sub-silver in cost. Yes, Birdy is *that poor*.

Birdy accepts Oloch's silver coin, gives it a bite with her teeth, and begins to distractedly search the premises for five coppers to dispense as change.

She seems to find one in a pocket of her apron, one on a shelf behind the counter... and is contining to look when Oloch mentions he'd pay extra for information.

"Oh?"

Birdy looks down at the lone silver piece and smacks her lips.

"Do you still need some change then? Only four coppers instead of five? What can ol' Birdy tell you?"

As Oloch repeats his interest in Cannibal's Grove, she bats a hand at the air.

"Ohhhhh! Not that place! I’m not keen ta put my own soul in peril, steerin’ yas to such unhallowed spots!"

She continues to search for three additional coppers to dispense as change.

If you wish to press the matter on Cannibal's Grove, let me know how much as a party you're spending for lodging tonight and how much is Birdy's tip and make Diplomacy check(s).

"It's alright, Birdie," says Jirelle as she plunks down 2 silver pieces. "We're what you call adventurers. We live for those sorts of perils. Why not keep the change and tell us the tale?"

I'll stick with the 1 silverpiece

"Come on Birdy, you can tell us..and you can even keep the change. Easy money, straight into your pocket..for just answering our questions."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

Birdy swoons a bit at Olach's honeyed tongue.

3 silver pieces total gives you a +3 circumstance bonus on the Diplomacy. You can see how 10 gold pieces could quickly be a +100 bonus. :)

"Ohhh, you big sweetie!"

Birdy grabs the silvers, chews on them a little and begins to muse at what she'd do with her newfound fortune.

"Perhaps a new pair of shoes or stockin's. Oh what will we buy when we visit the big city? Perhaps a new pair of teeth!"

As she comes to her senses and her talk of buying more knick knacks subsides, she speaks further about the grove, indicating its location on the party's map.

"Oh, Birdy knows that place is cursed! Twas where the Famished Shaman worked his dark magicks!"

She shakes her head.

"I'll not speak his true name; the dead rest ill. He was a druid. Spent so much time as a beast, he lost his soul to hungerin’ for flesh!"

You can talk to her further if desired, but you now know where to go to reach the grove.

"What do you say guys...do we head to the grove straight away..or do we stay for the lodging and supper we just bought?"

"I for one intend to enjoy my dinner. Not in the habit of paying for meals I don't eat."

Crowe turns to Birdie.

"You needn't speak the fellow's name if that'll put you at your ease, but anything else you could tell us about the place or its inhabitants would be a great help."

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Birdy continues to prattle on, her tongue now loosened by the flow of coins and the promise of more knick knacks for her "inn".

"They say Erastil made the shaman into a bear — prey for hunters. My husband usta tell folks that head on the pole outside was the selfsame bear, but it were bad for business!"

Birdy checks a large pot of stew she began boiling upon your arrival and begins to ladle out generous portions as you relax in the stuffed interior.

As Cannibal's Grove is just a ten minute hike from the inn, you have plenty of time to check it out in the afternoon and still take advantage of the lodging and food Birdy is providing.

Oloch enjoys his meal and then prepares to head out toward the Grove (as soon as the others are ready to join as well)