Palace of the Vampire Queen (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

"Dang nab-it Rownig hold your end high'r. Hal, Mae, and I are doing all the work." As the dwarves and Mae struggle with the chest. "And Princess can ya git Hooty off the chest...aint no perch for ridin'"

Hal just sighed and wished he had a free hand to light his pipe with.

As the rest of the group carried the treasure and the former captive, Miagnik threw his arms behind his head and took a deep breath of fresh air. He then turned around to look back at the trio carrying Dwarbon.

"So earlier, you were mentioning that you had decided to hire some mercenaries and come here in order to stop the source of the Undead attacking your home in Threewillows. What sort of Undead was it?"

Day 8, 9:30 pm (turn 131)The Dungeon is in Darkness, there is no light source

As the group makes their way through the passageways that will lead them out of the palace, Maelodakh has a sudden thought about the troll and his command of the skeletons

Melodakh asks - "Speaking of gold, coins and magic - did the troll by any chance wave a magic coin in his hand to make the skeletons obey him? We found a magic coin in his nest..."

Dwarbon turns his head to the side, looking for the source of the question, and then answers

He may have held a coin in his hand. Do you still have it? I can check it for magic auras, if you haven’t already identified it.

Stephanie examined the coin for magic auras, but perhaps she didn’t share her findings with her sister…

As the group moves down the wide central passageway a tense moment presents itself.

The group comes upon a squad of goblins, some twenty strong, now wearing leather armor, decorated in spider motifs instead of the half chain you saw their kind wearing earlier. The Goblins do not act hostile, but a quiet moment passes while they look you over, and then they part down the middle and let you pass. As you pass you notice that one of them carries a tall banner pole, from it is hung a leather shield that has been painted with the outline of a large black spider.

Day 8, 10:00 pm (turn 134)It is night. The quarter moon (a waxing crescent) and cloudless sky filled with stars shed Dim Light all across the small plateau outside of the palace entrance

Once you are outside you are surprised that even though it is night, it is warmer out in the fresh night air, than in the cold dark dungeon.
Miagnik asks Dwarbon about the undead plaguing the village of Threewillows

Most nights The dwarf says softly, We were attacked by a horde of some thirty walking dead, zombies of one kind or another I suppose. They seemed to focus on a different building each time they attacked as if they were looking for something. Then, just a few weeks ago this group of mindless dead were joined by a strange woman all dressed in a drenched formal gown. She emanated an aura of intense cold and commanded the other undead through some language we did not recognize. She also brought with her a small army of skeletons, made up of all types of creatures, dwarves, some that looked like humans, and others that were too small to be dwarves or too frail to be humans or dwarves.

"Yeah, I got the coin I'll show it to you when we are clear." Rownig would have shown the coin to the dwarf. "Ev'r seen one like this before?"

"That was weird." After Windel walks through. He is super suspicious with the spider banner.

"Cold? Yeah, we ran into her. Or, something a lot like her."

Lets roll with Stephanie scanning the coin, seeing nothing and thinking nothing of saying so to the rest of you. Also, appologies as I seem to have made this game my one last thing on the forum. I will do my best to ensure it doesn't happen again

Stephanie had been in thought as the others discussed, mind revolving over a few key points. How many of her family's retinue remained if that horrible creature had been feeding them to demons this whole time. The second question in her mind being where precisely all of the gold her companions were lugging could have come from. And lastly being what on earth she could do to defend against terrors like demons.
"Never mind the nature of the gold and its dubious history, the gold fragments on those gems are still itching at the back of my mind. What on earth could a dwarf have to do with demons in the first place, she ought to know they are only sources of corruption and chaos. Augh.. it feels like I am missing something obvious.
Stephaine breaks from her thought as a question is directed at her specifically. Whiskey barrel on the other hand stands on the treasure chest they had found giving off an aura of smug. "Yes two legged peanuts, walk faster your glorious lord demands it. Also I require mice right now!"
Stephanie sighs and mutters a dwarven curse under her nreath as she looks at her familiar. "Whiskey first of all the Word is peasant. Also don't refer to allies like that. Oh and please listen Windel, otherwise he might turn you into bird custard."
The bird in question turns to the dwarf in question hoots once and flies off. Stephaine does her best to not look insulted and gives another exasperated stare to her bird the blush on her face making it easy to detect the nature of Whiskey's response.
"You don't refer to allies as that either whiskey... Why did my familiar have to become so odd once it started talking?" the gnome half asks and half complains.

"I apologize, I was thinking on the events in the past few days and thought he might behave himself." Stephanie says as she focuses more on the outside world again. "Not that I could think of much more."

"Talking... right..." Hal nodded slowly.

Windel speaks softly - at least for a dwarf - to the Princess, his calm voice tries to ease the girl. "So, you've been under a lot of stress lately, sometimes it does things to people's minds. Imagining your bird talks...well, you may just need a rest. I've a Priest friend back in the city that may be able to help with the voices. You said Whiskey just started talking recently ...huh?"

We just hear hoots correct or can we actually make out what Whiskey is saying?

Day 8, 10:00 pm (turn 134)It is night. The quarter moon (a waxing crescent) and cloudless sky filled with stars shed Dim Light all across the small plateau outside of the palace entrance

While Windel comforts Stephanie, Rownig shows the coin to Dwarbon.
He takes the coin in his hand and then Moralane says

We should really get to that cave we found to the west. We might want to spend the night there, and set out for, well, I suppose Threewillows, in the morning

While she talks she pushes Atherassa to start moving in that direction, while Dwarbon examines the coin

There’s no magic in it, Dwarbon says as he hands the coin back to Rownig before the rogue can lift the chest with Hall, Maelodakh and Windel once more. And then he adds, I’ve never seen a coin like it. It’s not one of ours. Maybe it’s from across the sea, what do they call that human empire again, oh I remember, Wathronne.

Atharessa says, No, Wathronne is a nation of halflings, small folk, I think you mean Burova

Yes, Dwarbon says, Yes, Burova is what it is called

yes, Windel, I am pretty sure that only Stephanie can hear her familiar in a language she understands. I am reading up on it now

Miagnik had been listening to the group talk for a bit. He glanced at the Owl remembering how vastly different that particular bird had behaved during all of their recent encounters.
"I don't know that Stephanie is imagining that Whiskey Barrel is talking to her at all. How is that crazier than anything else we've seen so far?"

He turned to address Atharessa and Dwarbon.
"Wow, you two sure know a lot about far off lands. I don't think I even know all of the different kingdom islands in the archipelago."

Oh, well there's Atharosse, Anchorosse, Dergonnan, Moritosse, and then Isla Creosse, Isla Lunthosse, and Isla Hasdran, um, what? Nobody ever asks me anything

Rownig just stops. "Well feel free t'volunteer information if you think it'll be helpful." since he stopped he takes the time to pull out another cigar, he chews the end off, then lights it. "Anyone care fer a cigar?"

Miagnik blinked at Athareesa's apparent knowledge of the Kingdom's, then nodded with Rownig's statement. "To be fair, this is one of the few times we've had time to really just talk. But like he said, if you think of something don't be afraid to say it."

He eyed the cigar and shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, why not?"

Now I can't stop imagining Rownig with a fedora and Miagnik wearing a bowler hat in a black and white background.

A sense of relief washes over the dwarf. It's been a stressful few days in the dungeon. He witnessed creatures that were previously just stories told by minstrel fireside. He looks over at Hal, and understands his trepidation. He pulls out a cigar for Miagnik and lights it with his burning cigar coal. "Enjoy...we earned 'em."

"F'rgot about that cave. Good thought." Hal nods, sitting down on the chest while they took a break.

Stephanie frowns, doing her best to keep upwind of the cigar smoke Why must everything we do either be noxious or disgusting? horrible spiders, frozen skeletons, horrible skeletons and spider goblins. A Troll! of course they choose the most repulsive celebratory consumable.
" I for one will be very glad just find a place to sleep more comfortable than Chief Heelgodd's tomb. The spirits company was very welcome but I believe I'm still pulling rocks out of my backside. When we return hopefully I will manage to obtain a bushel of anti-toxin for the trip having bouts of spontaneous paralysis at inopportune moments is something I never want to repeat."

Miagnik inhaled a little too deeply and began to cough from too much smoke.

Hmm, even though the flames don't hurt me so easily anymore, smoke is still as much a problem as ever.

"If you're couwa... if you're worried about that Stephanie, then why not have Windel help you get rid of it? You can do that right, Windel?"

Remember your dagger can cast Neutralize poison once/day.

Windel shrugs, "Yeah I can minimize the effect of poison, but we really do need to stockpile some items. I like to cast battle type divine spells and thing to hurt undead are really effective, things that heal and cure are secondary to me nature. That kinda spell, or aid, I like to keep in reserve on a scroll."

Windel will create a scroll in his down town.

In his downtime he would have put another cure spell in Miagnik's ring. CMW 2d8+5

Day 8, 10:00 pm (turn 134)It is night. The quarter moon (a waxing crescent) and cloudless sky filled with stars shed Dim Light all across the small plateau outside of the palace entrance

The mountain is still. The air is quiet. The only sounds to be heard are the quiet and stilled voices of the dwarves and their companions. The glow from the cigars offered by Rownig illuminate their faces as they sit, or lean on the heavy chest and talk about what comes next.
Eventually the conversation dies and the silent bearers hoist up the chest, Atharessa and Moralane lift the stretcher bearing the injured Dwarbon and the group trudges slowly to the west, toward the hidden cave.

Upon reaching the cave, the group is pleased to discover the place in much the same condition as it was left. Near the entrance to the cave is the remains of the fire pit, a few trails trough the charred remains indicate a small rodent has been by, and perhaps had friends.

Whiskey Barrel is quick to notice the trails, and he opens his wings to glide silently into the cave searching for a quick meal.

Placing the chest as far back into the cave as it will fit, the group settles down to a well deserved night of rest. Taking turns, in pairs the group keeps a watch through the night, and when morning comes, it arrives without any clouds, nor wind, and the promise of a warm day.

Day 9, 5:40 am (turn 35)It is morning. The sun is warm and bright.

Dwarbon tells the group that the village of Threewillows is southeast of the mountain. It isn’t far, but the way is along a narrow trail that follows a creek that carves a winding path down the mountain, through a shadowy canyon. Carrying the chest, Dwarbon believes that it might take a few hours to reach the village, but that there are no dangers along the way.

You can regain all your spells, and make ready to set out for Threewillows, or if there is another place you would like to reach, lets talk about it.

windel will craft a scroll.

scribe scroll, spell check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
*Stone Shape.

His quill is possessed by divine magic this evening.

It's funny, I just happened to be going back over some of the posts from when I first joined this game and saw just how much Miagnik's way of talking has changed itself in 4 days of in-game play. Of course the moment we rescued Stephanie, it became mostly suave or at least clearly defined articulation. I have decided that he was actively less than forthcoming with his elocution and word choice around the Dwarves, given his deceitful nature.

Miagnik sat up stretching out his muscles. He was feeling a little tired of just eating cold things from his backpack so he pulled his bag around and emptied about half of its contents on the ground before reorganizing them.

He brought the first two dishes out to the group for them to share. "Here's something good to start the day off right."

He then bustled his way back out to the stove and picked up his waterskin to start the stew.

Profession Cook: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Well... 2 out of 3 is still okay.

"Meats on." Miagnik calls out a little bit later.

Hal enjoyed the sweet breakfasts, but surreptitiously tried to feed his share of meat to the owl after one bite.

He sat with Moralane and Atharessa, taking a good look at both of them and asking "How you two holding up?"

I'm ready to move on and head to town for the resupply.

Rownig pokes at the baked apples and then sniffs the bread while giving the other time to actually taste it. He makes sure ther others are still conscious...in other-words, not poisoned...then eats it himself. enjoying the food's flavor, he scapes a few crumbs off his beard and eats those too. "Purdy darn good Miagnik, where'd ya learn to cook?"

Windel was busy praying in the morning so he missed the first part of the breakfst...well, all but the heal of the cinnamon toast and a sliver of baked apple. He frowns and eyes Rownig, who shoves most of the second serving (Windel's portion) in his mouth looking innocent. Eager not to miss the third course of the meal he elbows Rownig away form the stew pot and dishes himself out a helping portion which he promptly shovels down his throat. Wide eyed he begins to choke and gag. "Err...well, it's fuud."

Ready when you are Gm

At Rownigs praise, Miagnik brightened considerably. "Oh well I never actually learned to cook I just watched others occasionally and figured, how hard could it be?"

At Windel's reaction he frowned and went over to the pot where he stabbed one of the sausages and took a bite. He grimaced at the taste slightly but ate it anyway before turning to the rest of the group.

"So, on to Threewillows right?" he asked, obviously trying to move past his botched cooking attempt.

Mae's eyes grow wide in horror as she wathes Miagnik's expert ministrations over the perfectly fine food.

"You...cook...it?" Mae manages before looking away in disgust.

Savages! I hope Stephanie hasn't been dabbling with such abominatory practices! And to think I was warming to the little sorceror!!!

Hal chuckled. "The only thing goblins like more than eating is lighting things on fire, but mixing them? Sheer depravity."

"Good to know they draw the line somewhere."

"Hmmmmph!" is all Mae can manage as she stomps along.

Stephaine, having lived around dwarves in her life paused in her study of her spellbook to grab a few of the apples and toast as it came by. "Thank you Miagnik, this was very nice of you. Perhaps I'll reciprocate once we can get into town."
Whiskey barrel or the other hand took one look at the Goblins meal turned back to the steady work of digesting the overabundant cave mice. Roots, mashed grass and fruit. Why eat these dumb things where there are juicy mice to eat everywhere? Just more proof that grounders are dumb.
Stepahine frowns at her owl as he struts around the camp and does her best to get back to writing in her books. She tries a piece of the sausage before giving it a blast of magic and trying again, frowning at the minimal improvement. She keeps quiet on the topic of its flavor though.
Whiskey hops over to Hallister's side and butts into dwarf as he twists slightly to get a better angle on the warm sausage. Which he nibbles and then looks away from.
" This tastes entirely un-mouse like. Your other two leg friends seem to agree as well, next time he should add more mice and juicy bugs to flavor it right.
Stephaine looks at the bird from across her book.
"Whiskey if its so bad why are you still eating it?" She asks as she looks in the direction of the sausage shaped absence next to Whiskey barrel
"It must have flown off when I wasn't looking, the green gounder bewitched the meat!" The owl hoots in his defense
"So you are saying Miagnik made haunted sausages? Ok whiskey. The gnome asks with an edge of amusement to her tone. Whiskey on the other hand draws on his own heritage to look impressively offended.

---------

Mae's eyes grow wide in horror as she wathes Miagnik's expert ministrations over the perfectly fine food.

"You...cook...it?" Mae manages before looking away in disgust.

Savages! I hope Stephanie hasn't been dabbling with such abominatory practices! And to think I was warming to the little sorceror!!!

Didn't notice you there.

----
Stephaine grimaces at Mae's complaint a memory obviously playing in the gnomes head.
"Mae I still remember that 'Delicacy' that I got cajoled into eating. Burying a carnivorous fish in sand for a month makes it fertilizer, not food."

"So you are saying Miagnik made haunted sausages? Ok whiskey.

"Sound's like the bird's onto ya, Chef."

He smiled at the praise, but the thought of being called chef more often suddenly didn't sit right with him. I'm going to be called King some day, I can't have people start thinking I'm a... chef... chief maybe but not chef. Besides, king's don't cook, they have cooks for that.

He was quiet for a while, after giving it some thought he looked up. "Thank you, those of you who enjoyed it. And yes, Stephanie, I would enjoy trying some of your cooking some time... But I won't be doing that again anytime soon, so none of you have to mention this little event."

Hal nodded. "Whatever you say. Lets get moving."

Rownig pops a fresh cigar in his mouth and lights it, then he and Windel each pick up a part of the chest.

Looking at my notes, I have been spelling Three Willows as one word, while it is spelled as two in my earlier notes, I am going to shift back to the two word rendering

Day 9, 10:00 am (turn 61)It is morning. The sun is warm and bright.

When Hallister asks Moralane and Atharessa how they are “holding up,” Moralane is first to answer

Better than I had hoped, she says. Though, that brief moment of blindness was unsettling. I never realized how much I depend on sight. I was out of my mind for a moment, but thankfully you and Rownig were there to take care of the situation.

And Atharessa looks sheepishly at the large chest and says, I’m alright. You know, I’ve never seen that much money in my life, never even imagined that that much money even existed in one place. But, okay maybe this is a bad time to mention it, but we never really talked about what we are going to do with that money, who it might belong to, and you know, if we are deserving of a share of it, you know, for finding it, assuming it was taken from someone 3else and hidden here. But, um, if there is a share, I mean, if I get a share, then I need to pay it to Moralane, for everything she did to free my sister. I owe you for that Moralane, I owe you a lot.

After a calm morning spent recuperating, checking gear, and having the first hot meal in a few days, the party

Hallister
Rownig
Windel
Miagnik
Maelodakh
Stephanie

with
Moralane and Atharessa, carrying Dwarbon

Set out for the village of Three Willows. It is a slow march, the trail is at times steep, but it is solid and safe. The group wind their way down the mountain through a canyon with high walls following a small river that is fed by even smaller creeks flowing from even narrower canyons that branch off the main one. This would be the River Alugorane, which forms the eastern most border of the county of Inarossa.

The River Alugorane makes a wide curving oxbow pattern where it finally flows out of the canyon and winds across a high plain, between the Veridau Mountains on the north side of the plain, and the Karthanasse Mountains on the south side of the plains, which also form the southern boundary between Inarossa County and Vesoccho County.

The trail and finally the road from the mountain to Three Willows is over six miles in length. What would be a walk of only a few hours at best is made longer by the incline, the terrain, and the load you are bearing, and after you finally leave camp, in the mid morning, you find you must stop twice along the way, to rest, and tend to Dwarbon, who is a bit shaken up by the ordeal, you eventually arrive in the Village of Three Willows in the early evening.

Day 9, 5:20 pm (turn 105)It is morning. The sun is low in the western sky.

The village of Three Willows rest on a high flat parcel of land in the crook of the oxbow made by the river. It covers an area of about one hundred twenty five acres. Near the apex of the oxbow, at the northeast corner of the village is a glade, dominated by three large willow trees. To the southwest of the village are farms and fields.
Three Willows has a population of about four hundred, mostly dwarves, but there are a few goblins as well. There are two main streets that intersect (one is the road you have been following, which is crossed by a second road that goes toward the glade of Willows, and in the opposite direction out to the farms and fields). There is a single tavern, adjacent to a small inn, and a few small shops selling common goods, of leather and wood mostly. The village has no regular Blacksmith, and when metal tools need repair, a person from Three Willows will travel south, following the River Alungorane, to the larger village of West Fork, in the south (which is on the northern border of Vesoccho County, between Vesoccho and Inarossa County).
Dwarbon will tell you that it will be wise to not go all the way into the town by the main road, as the chest you are carrying may attract unwanted attention, but that you should skirt the town, to the west, and he will give you directions to his home which lies on the southeast end of the village.

You can take his advice, or march straight through the village. What would you like to do?

"Well I guess it's time to address some unwanted thoughts again. I say we should listen to Dwarbon. This much treasure is bound to attract attention not just from those desperate or foolish enough to think they could steal it or kill us but also it will definitely mark us a lot easier if anyone we don't want to know us has spies on the lookout. We should probably formulate a plan to spend our wealth as discretely as possible, after we get Dwarbon home."

Well when the issue is brought up Windel and Rownig would have been happy to discuss it while in camp or as we travel.

"We all took part and did what was needed doing, so we share evenly." Windel's says matter of factly as if this was a nonissue.

Rownig nods with every word Miagnik states. "We've on lord who is corrupt, this kind of wealth will only empow'r 'im. We need to be discrete. I would put it past folks to try to snare it and trump up charges against us."

Mae listens with half an ear, but disdains such common and vulgar trivialities as actually taking part in discussing "money" and "spending". As a royal scion, wealth is her basic right, and need not be aired in conversation...

"Yes, Dwarbon, let use return you to your…humble…abode?!?!?"

Except Mae will notice if her share is not apportioned to her. She just won't deign to tell anybody except Stephanie.

K.Local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 As the group skirted around the town to Dwarbon's home a thought occurred to Miagnik

"Dwarbon, if Three Willows is being attacked by Undead frequently have you considered hiring some of those mercenary Wizards to fight against them?"

Miagnik spares an eye toward the center of the village.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Also Terquem, I know we're avoiding the village proper but what is the general vibe the people in town are giving off? Do they seem wary and guarded now that night is coming on? Is there large groups of people armed people on the edges of town or do things seem to be more normal?

Day 9, 5:20 pm (turn 105)It is evening. The sun is low in the western sky.

Mercenary Wizard? What? Oh, you must mean the guilds, no, they would do the job yes, but they do not work for pennies and pennies are all we can spare. The unemployed soldiers that roam the country looking for work are another matter, often they are honest, and noble, but just as often they are not, as I have learned to my misfortune. The wizards demand more than just money as well, and often their demands are as foul as the place I've come to, no the idea of hiring a guild was never considered. Dwarbon says

As the group gets close enough to see the windows of the homes and other buildings of the village, they notice that even though the sun has not completely set in the west, that the village is shut down for the night. No one walks the streets, no one is in the fields, and yellow light from candles and lamps all across the village spill out of the cracks of the shuttered windows.

it is an eerie sort of quiet and calm.

"Do you think they'll come tonight, Dwarbon?

Mae is as usual as perceptive as a pikestaff, and ignorant and arrogant to boot.

"Seems a respectable sort of place. At least the good folk know to keep demure when royalty appear. Good stuff" she nods appreciatively.

Day 9, 5:20 pm (turn 105)It is evening. The sun is setting in the western sky.

It’s hard to know Dwarbon answers Miagnik. Most nights there is an attack from random undead. At first, we thought that the ones we destroyed, during the night, we could bury, or burn during the day, but they always returned the next night. Recently, we’ve tried throwinf the bodies into the river. At least this way they take longer to come back. Sometimes I wonder if there is something here, something about Three Willows that is drawing them to us, but I don’t know what it could be.

Royalty? Dwarbon says with a smile. Yes, I suppose that could be another reason for the people in this town to stay out of sight. The last time a Royal passed through here, we heard she was attacked on the road west of here, buy the same undead who had been raiding our town. no one knows what became of her and her travelling companions.

"Who was that royalty that was attacked?" Rownig sits up straight. It couldn't be Lady Renarie Inarossa...please no.

It was the daughter of our King, and she was travelling with a small group of friendly Goblins. She intended to take these emissaries to the capitol to express to her father her desire to recognize the Goblins in the plight for sovereignty. Some of the people in our village took the attack on her as a sign from the gods that what she was doing was not in the best interest of her people.

Dwarbon explains as you approach his small dwelling, a humble thatched cottage with whitewashed walls that are partially made from wattle and daub and partially made from small flat stones mortised together to a height of about four feet. The whole cottage is barely twenty feet wide, and not even that deep, but there is a small barn behind it, and a wooden fence that joins the two together and you can see a few small cows between the buildings.