The People's Campaign - Team A (Inactive)

Game Master Jacob DeCourcey

Nods to Arwen. As you wish. Hob and I will do some study while you talk to the clerics and make your arrangements, and perhaps we will study more during the travel to Alvis. Masao finds a quiet place to begin copying spells from the book, looking at one page, while Hob looks at another, the book half open to each while the two busily copy spells from it.

Masao the letter is not as damning as you may think... reread it. That could easily apply to any caravan, our evidence is circumstantial at best.

We have the word of a slaver, the word of a guard, the body of nobility, and several dozens of witnesses that saw us obstruct the baron's justice.

Samant then goes to stand by the door looking nervously down the stairway.

Whatever your choices are I plan on leaving here within a moment. If you choose to delay I will meet you in Alvis, if you make it out of town non-incarcerated.

Are you with me?

Masao considers Samant's words and nods after he goes over all the facts and re-reads the baron's letter.

"You'd best talk to Arwen, he wants to stay to bury the baron. I can be ready to leave any time, but we should all stay together. Also, I'd like to be sure of Shiff's story before we leave."

Well, since baron is not directly connected with any religion I will give my fast prayers here to him and can be off. I will just give a word in temple then and be off with Samanth. We could meet outside the town nearby the road? Arwen suggest and then turns to baron beginning to chant proper prayers for the dead and blessing his body.

For a moment a cold breeze goes through the room and a frost covers his face.

"Alright.. Hob and I can study this book on the road... it's secrets will keep til we have time." He hefts the book into his pack and nods to Samant. "It seems we are indeed with you, and Arwen will join us on the road outside of town."

scratch the earlier post about studying the book now

See you there my friends Samant heads out, realizing that we're all a little short on funds looks for anything of worth to take that won't draw notice if it's missing.

Look for whatever valuables we may be able to procure to help us fund our excursion. I have no moral qualms with taking from the corrupt.

Appraise check1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Masao picks up the ink vial and pen from the window, the brass ring, the ornamental dagger and the 25gp from the baron with the intention of splitting things up on the road. He stuffs them all in his pack for now, and heads out with Samant, hoping Hob stays with them. He watches Samant silently while the fighter does a cursory check for valuables, and moves toward the exit of the keep in pace with Samant.

"Can we hide the body for a few hours?" asks Hob "There is a spell in the book to change appearance."

"If we can't, Then we need to move. Now." he agrees

"But that letter said Cedric's son is ali... around. He has to die first." Hob states, changing his mind halfway through a word.

Samant is able to scrounge up enough various trade goods to amount to 20gp. None of the items are worth anything on their own, but there is enough that you will be able to sell it for 20gp at any reasonable store, so we will just say that you now have 20gp and skip the hassle of inventorying it.

Once the collection of goods and the trading is accomplished, Masao accompanies Samant and Hob (?) outside of town to wait for Arwen on the road. He is watchful for eyes and ears on and near the road... the slavers or their minions could be anywhere.

perception 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

He does his best being wary, but is not very perceptive despite trying. He is distracted, itching to move on and make camp later so he and Hob can begin transcribing spells.

Works for me

Waiting for Arwen outside of town after selling the small things and gathering the last of his items.

while others are leaving from the room, Arwen finishes with the praying to the baron and exits to the town. Walking to temple of Shelyn and finding the high priest/ess and explain them the situation fast of ongoing events and wishing for their church to take care of baron body.

Finishing his stuff (and hoping that the other priests wont stop him Arwen hurries and gets his backpack and other small mundane items) and leaves. Coming to the city gate and stepping out Arwen sees other party members already waiting for him. Waving hand and smiling at them Well my lads, I guess its time again to hit road at least for this old man. Time to do what we can best... stop the inhumanity here

Masao waves as Arwen joins them on the road. "It's good to see you again, Arwen-sama. I was worried that you might be detained. As you say, we have an important task to do now. I only hope the corruption ends with the Baron of Alvis." He pauses a moment as he realizes even as he speaks that they have no idea how far and how high this corruption has spread. He shakes his head slightly, shrugs and hefts his pack, ready to move on.

I have assumed Kin caught up

Hob gestures "We need to stop Cedric. Need to kill his son too."

"Might be good to head to a town near here and resupply - we'll need ink and provisions."

"Kin didn't catch the pigeon."

Hm... now it gets tricky. Although there was no mention at all about us coming in the letter I would still assume that we will make haste. We will buy any necessary items we have to and keep going. I do feel a bit comfortable when I know that they will have less time to prepare against anything... just to be sure as Arwen shrugs

"Yes, well I spent all night following Kern around, and the pigeon spent the night sleeping! I chased him for about a mile, but in the end he got away."

"The pigeon, I mean, not Kern."

"Anyway... sorry" the bird finishes sheepishly

"Since the pigeon was headed south, I'm sure by the time we arrive, they will have had plenty of time to prepare. Maybe we should keep off the roads in case of patrols from Alvis." Masao looks concerned, but not worried enough to deter him from going.

To a dejected-looking Kin, he turns and says, "Don't worry about it, you did your best, I'm sure."

The next step is to manage to get concrete evidence of the corruption, this flying off the handle will get us all strung up eventually.

We need to stay cool in this. I think we should find where the slaves were being taken and bring that down, find the evidence we need to expose the leader of Alvis, and move from there. Hard evidence not circumstantial.

Masao lofts a brow at Samant's statement. "So you think we should go east to these 'tunnels' first? Deal with the rest of the slavers and free the slaves before confronting this other baron?"

No let's establish a stable base of operations in Alvis first, and then we can begin to rout out the corruption. This way we have a fall back point, a rendevous point, and a place to lay our heads.

"Alright then... let's be off."

Hob sighs
"Cedric already wants me dead."

Masao looks at Hob with a puzzled expression. "Huh? What's that about then? The baron of Alvis know you? If we make a base of operations in Alvis then, you will perhaps have to lie low while we are there. Or perhaps a disguise?"

"He thinks I killed his son."

"I know you enough to doubt that it's true. What happened?... please tell us along the way.

Just before you leave town, Kern stops by to say Thanks for your help. I'm glad that the baron was dealt with harshly. The traitorous guards have been detained, as well. I have spoken with captain Shiff, and we will work together to maintain this town until a suitable leader arises. I'll make sure that the former slaves are treated well and helped along as best I can. I hope to see you again.

I'll assume that as soon as you say goodbye to Kern, you begin your journey. Since you are skirting the edge of the road, it will take 5 days to arrive at Alvis. You may stop at any number of small villages to pick up supplies or sleep at your leisure. When you are done conversing and ready to arrive in Alvis, make yourself known. Take your time, though. I don't want to interrupt good conversation.

"I haven't admitted it before, but I did. I killed William. I'd do it again, too."

Hob spits on the road.

"Looks like I'm gunna have to."

"Hob" says kin warningly

"Nah. I trust them." Hob answers the bird

"William. He... did things to a friend of mine. Then he killed her. I reckon there've been others before - and after too I guess, now. Baron did say he was 'too easily distracted' by women lately."

"oh." Masao seems stunned into almost-silence as he absorbs what Hob has said while they walk along.

Finally he speaks again when Hob is done. "So this William was a murderer, and his father a corrupt lord, who never would have allowed justice to be done?" While it might be just, was it right? Who am I to judge. I just killed a lord with probably less proof of his crimes than Hob had. He puts a hand on Hob's shoulder for a moment and nods to him slowly. I understand, is all he can say.

This might make things a little dicey in Alvis, but we'll get through it. If it's necessary, do you think you can disguise yourself while we are in town? Perhaps a spell?

Listening to Hob solemnly

Well... who I am to judge or to say but I have seen my part. Killing is always wrong and even what we did to Baron was... well not right although we can argue about that Arwen speaks to Hob and everyone else while continuing walking.

Life is like one big thread. We keep following where ever it might lead. Everyone has his own way and is allowed to keep going on it. However sometimes the thread is cut... just like we did now to Baron. We are not certainly judges or have ... authority to do it but heroes are born only by actions. Actions are justified by how? Because the person was evil? It was not right what would have followed in long run? Killing... might be, note the MIGHT be, justified if the good or evil, is good or lesser depending compared to what will be if not done anything.

Looking at Hob I am sure that what you did was right at that moment and even if it was not right... it was accepted in your way of thinking but more importantly, by the greater good it will cause after that and in long run rather than was it bad or good. Only our humanity and acts defines what we truly are.

Masao looks at Arwen, tilting his head to one side... "Huh?" is all he seems able to say. I'm not sure I understood a word of that in common... but i think he said he wasn't going to judge Hob's actions, as they might have been justified? Ah well. I know I trust Hob's judgement, so all is well. We'll just have to deal with protecting Hob in Alvis until we root out the corruption and end the slave trading. He walks on still puzzling on Arwen's words, his thoughts in a jumble of languages as he tries over and over to re-translate Arwen's statement.

Ready to move on, catching up on his notes

Yeah, pretty much ready to fast forward here too

figured out that little bit rumbling and confusing speak from Arwen considering also his age would be a... interesting :D Honestly, did someone understand something from that wall of text? Was just writing and adding some stuff from my memory what I had long time ago in philosophy lessons

hehe... yeah, it was confusing and all, but kinda got the gist of it. I figure it was even more confusing for Masao since common isn't his native language.

I thought it was very well said

"The Baron does have a disguise spell. Won't last long. What are we doing in Alvis? Killing Cedric?"

He looks at Arwen
"Reap what you sow."

Happy to discuss plans in the discussion area if people want to fast forward

"Not exactly sure what the plan is, except we are going to Alvis. As Samant says we are going to establish ourselves in Alvis, investigate the source of the corruption, and try to put a stop to it. How we intend to do this I have no idea as yet." Masao continues walking as he chats with the others discussing their plans. "I'm sure we'll figure something out once we're more clear on what we're dealing with."

Assuming we are talking as we travel, stopping to rest in the evening/at night. In the evening hours, Masao and Hob can share the book, copying and studying spells from the baron's spellbook. I'm assuming we are setting and keeping watches as well.

So, you're avoiding villages?

"The source of the corruption will be Cedric. We stop it by stopping him."

"That might be a bit simplistic, Hob" warbles Kin
"Masao has a point - this could be coming from even higher than the Baron. Still, no point in running into a trap. I suggest we camp outside, and I'll fly around and scout things out."

* Happy to avoid villages if you want, but we'll need to use survival and it will slow us down a bit.
* Strongly suggest Kin scout out the town first.
* Hob will want to gather enough supplies to *coughprestidigitatecough* create an alchemical potion to dye his hair.
* If he does go in, well he was last here as a beardless 16 year old IIRC. That was seven years ago. Still, he did grow up here.
* Kin will not be accompanying Hob as there are very few men who have a talking bird so it is a bit of a giveaway.
* I think we definitely have to post watches, and be careful about our fire etc.
* Hob is going to carve himself a cudgel (club) one night.
* Hob's tools will have to be carried by someone else or stashed outside town.
* do we want to track our group treasure somewhere?
* Need spellcraft rolls to learn the Baron's first level spells?
* Let's assume that for the moment Hob is going with Disguise Self, True Strike and Magic Weapon

No need for spellcraft rolls. You have days to work on it, so just assume success.
Towns will have basic equipment and gear (everything less than 20gp on the adventuring gear list, plus any odds and ends you may need).

sounds like we will be hitting some if not all of the villages along the way - not sure we need to hit them all though.

We don't have a lot of treasure but we did get 25 gp off the baron, plus a brass ring and a couple of other things. I'm sure we can pick up a few needed items.

I don't know about the others - but Masao has no survival skills, so we'd have to at least hit villages for food along the way.

We might be able to stay at inns/waystations if they aren't too expensive. Depends on what the others want to do - obviously staying in the villages would be safer in terms of wandering monsters and such.

I think we don't have anything to fear from Perin's Bluff, but we don't know what or how much the baron sent in info to Alvis. There could be patrols from Alvis to worry about if Cedric knows who we are and what we've done.

obviously this is something we need to decide as we travel.

Stopping in the first one to gather some food to travel with.

Hob has a surival of +2, as does Kin, but as Kin taught Hob unless you want to eat insects and frogs, buying food is good. There's a chance that Hob could trade tinkering (Craft & mending) for food and board.

well, between what we got for selling stuff from the baron's place and the 25 gp we got off the baron himself, we've got enough for food and probably lodgings as well

Well, a stay in a nice inn is the last of my short term goals...