The Stolen Empire

Game Master Vethcyr


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Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

"Hey everybody, I've finally figured out what this dust from the mites does. It will cover our tracks in a 100ft square. There is about 3 uses of it left."

As the group is winding down for the night, Klinn sets up the Sharasik tent around P24 (next to tower K2). He tuns to Karina and says "Sis, I think we should keep watch on opposite towers with a rifle each. Nysro can wander around down below and keep an eye out on things on the ground and we will have a better view from up there anyway. Plus, they are close enough we will still be able to chat without waking anyone. You still look like you are in a bad way from that bear trap, so how about you stay on the tower by the tent and I'll be on the more exposed tower to the west. Could everybody lone a couple of bullets to Karina? She might need them tonight."

"Who is taken' the next shift after us? Vlad, you wanna partner with Nitina and Arastine, you can be with the old grumpy one?" Klinn shoots a grin at Pete. "Just teasin', you coot."

Karina During the K&K Watch:
All roleplay here, I'm ready to move on to the next morning when everyone else is, DM.

As K&K settle on top of their respective towers, Klinn casts message and wispers to his sister "I'm SO F***ING MAD that we didn't just charge in. These bandits were a joke! We could have easily taken if I wasn't caught in that damn bear trap. We come in at either end of the hunting trail and BAM! they are down. As is, two of us got hit by bear traps and were pretty useless during the whole fight. I KNEW we should have done a full frontal attack!


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

"That all sounds good to me. With some luck, we won't run into any more trouble tonight."

Klinn During the K/K Watch:
Throwing a bunch out here since I've been in a bit of a roleplaying mood lately. Klinn, we can retcon/finish the conversation later if you wanna move things along DM. But I feel like Karina has a fair amount on her mind right now.

Karina restlessly scans the horizon. Everything just seems too quiet. She half expects to hear a gunshot at any moment as the harbinger of another combat. When she hears Klinn's voice through whisper, she is momentarily startled.

"I know... we were all split up and weren't even supposed to fight them tonight. But we sent in too many scouts from different areas. Of course someone's gonna be seen. Ya know, these bandits really aren't all that organized. But, then again, I guess we aren't either."

She pauses. "We coulda died today. The both of us. Shot, caught in traps. I was so careless. I mean, the payoff was pretty good. Way better than it was in our jobs back home at least. But that was really dangerous, and, well, we've gotta be a lot smarter if we're gonna survive."

"Hey, I've been thinking lately. We sorta got thrown into this situation and I haven't talked to you about something that's been on my mind. What happens if we really do take out all these bandits? Ain't no way I'm just gonna do the dirty work of that conniving swordlord b#%$+ for a couple of coins and a pardon. This could be the start of something big. What if we took over this area for ourselves, called it home? Took control of the region, established some real order instead of this bandit chain of command. And once everything's all set up, we find a way to get our revenge on Jamandi. It would be such a beautiful ending. She still thinks that she's played us, but we'll play her in the end. What do you think, Klinny?"


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

Will post more later, but Pete, no one is claiming you last heal, so just give it to somebody. Nitina doesn't pipe up, Klinn insists that Karina takes it.


"All right. Pete and I can stand, well, sit in his case, third watch," Arastine says.

Vlad:
karina is in the east tower, by the camp. Klinn is in the west tower, with Nysro patrolling around the area. I need bluff, perception (DC 16), and appraise checks for your (new) plan to work.

Vlad Appraise DC 12:
The exact nature of the liquor varies by bottle. There are two bottles of champagne, three ales, one foul-smalling rotgut, and two bottles of potent herbal booze.

Secret:
1d100 ⇒ 15
1d100 ⇒ 24
1d6 ⇒ 3
1d3 ⇒ 2


Male Human Paladin 2 // Bard 2

"Alright, let's head to bed."

DM:

Vlad lays awake under the Tower that Karina is under. Certain that Karina will want to kill him for catching her and that she is planning his demise.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Vlad finds quickly that while he can fake sleep convincingly he cannot hear a word that Karina is saying. The only option left to him is to keep Klnn and Karina from planning to kill him by interrupting the conversation. Besides that he would very much like to talk more with Karina anyway.

With this in mind Vlad appraises the liquor

Appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

And discovers two bottles of champagne. With this he snatches them (as no one else has showed any interest), opens them up, and begins climbing Karina's tower. Tempted the whole time to say "Repunzel! Repunzel! Let down your hair!" as he climbs the tower.

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Vlad attempts to climb the tower. Fails and then stops trying.

Karina During the K/K Watch:

You hear someone climbing the tower, the next moment Vlad pops his head over the top and steps into the tower. Vlad holds two open bottles of champagne. "I found that I couldn't sleep. Keep thinking about what you said." Vlad says by way of an explanation. "And I have to say something. I am sorry that I ever threatened you. You're right. I don't trust people anymore. Haven't for some time now." With that Vlad laughs. But not the one that the party has heard him utter before, but a real one. One that makes it sounds as though he used to laugh and smile a like that before.

"But enough about me. How about you? I have been wondering since I joined this group what makes a young woman with her life ahead of her choose a career that can severely shorten that life by taking out bandits. And in the service of great houses? What could possibly have brought you here?" With this Vlad, who has by now come to lean against the side of the tower opposite to Karina and is looking out at the forest beneath, uses his foot to slide the other opened bottle of champagne over to Karina. "To celebrate our first great step in this journey. May we have many more like it or better. With all of us surviving and our goals fulfilled." With this Vlad takes a sip out of his opened bottle of champagne. And continues to look out at the forest.


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Vlad During the K/K Watch:
When Vlad climbs the tower, Karina appears to be deep in thought, and it looks like she's muttering something to herself, but you can't make out the words.

She suddenly turns around, startled. "Vlad? You're still up?" However, as Vlad offers her the champagne, she manages to collect herself and ease up. "Oh, you brought me a present? How thoughtful. I could use a drink right about now." As she listens to Vlad, she fiddles with her hair. "Well, our lives haven't been shortened just yet." She clinks bottles with Vlad, then takes a sip. "Cheers."

Karina lies back at the top of the tower, gazing towards the stars. "So you wanna know more about me, don't ya?" She chuckles. "Well, which version do you wanna hear? I mean, everyone's tells me I'm a good storyteller... so if you'd like, I'll make up the most outrageous story for ya and you wouldn't know the difference. No, really, you'd probably enjoy it more that way."

Klinn During the K/K Watch:
Karina suddenly cuts off and says in a louder tone, "Vlad? You're still up?" Over time, you hear various parts of what likely is a conversation. "Oh, you brought me a present? How thoughtful. I could use a drink right about now."
"Well, our lives haven't been shortened just yet. Cheers."
"So you wanna know more about me, don't ya? Well, which version do you wanna hear? I mean, everyone's tells me I'm a good storyteller... so if you'd like, I'll make up the most outrageous story for ya and you wouldn't know the difference. No, really, you'd probably enjoy it more that way."


Male Human Paladin 2 // Bard 2

Karina During K/K Watch:

Vlad turns to face Karina and takes a sip from his champagne, "You know you are right." Vlad says with that genuine smile on his face again, "You could lie to me and I would never know. You could spin me any story you like and I would have to accept what you gave me." Vlad's face breaks into a look of smiling concern. "But you would know. And I think beneath that exterior of utterly fierce independence is a person who wishes they could tell someone about who they really are."

Vlad looks distant for a second, "The only thing that I can think is that the reason you don't trust people is because you were hurt by someone they were supposed to be able to trust. Only thing that makes sense to me." Vlad lays down next to Karina and stares up at the stars as well."I think on some level you would like to share who you really are." Vlad looks over at Karina "And for what it is worth I would like to hear it, even if you aren't ready to say it yet." Vlad takes another drink from his bottle and looks up at the stars again.

"If you don't want to talk about the past then let's not. But I would much rather just have the truth between us than some fairy tales. That's what I would prefer. The truth, the rarest of all things in this world." Vlad smiles up at the stars. "And hey, if you don't want to talk about the past what would you like to talk about? The future? What we might be able to accomplish as a group? The airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? What would it be?" Vlad smiles up at the stars as he says this and takes another sip of his champagne before he simply stares up at the stars smiling.


Y'know, I'm surprised it took you guys this long...

Vlad and Karina, please continue your roleplaying. I'm just scooting things along with your next random encounter (yes, another one), so that the other folks have things to do while this is going on.

Vlad and Nitina (second watch):
During your watch, you hear hooves from the north. You can't see anything from the camp due to the thick foliage, but something is definitely moving around in that direction.

Also, Vlad, you're probably drunk by this point (call it the sickened condition). If you want to contest this, roll a fort save (DC 11 + 2(number of drinks)). This is a poison effect, if it matters.


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Since Pete didn't respond, and we have another random encounter coming up, can I dibsies the last heal of the night? If so:
Heal:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

If anyone speaks up before the next encounter against this, then I will go back to 1 hp. (But with my baller roll, maybe not :P)

Vlad:
Hey, good work with the roleplaying. I'm definitely digging it.

Karina takes a long swig of champagne then sighs. She carefully searches for the right words to express herself, "No, it's alright. I can tell you the real version." She sits up more tensely and continues, somewhat defensively, "And, for the record, it's not... It's not that I'm afraid to open up to people or anything. Nor am I ashamed or regretful of my past at all. It's just... easier for me to look forward than it is for me to look backward. As they say, no point in crying over a bad harvest, right?"

With that, Karina settles more into a rhythm, and looks more at ease. She gets up and starts to pace around the tower as she tells her story. "And the funny thing is, that's what my dad did. Cried over a bad harvest. We grew up on a farm, Klinn and I, and long story short, we were short a few bucks for winter, harvest came in way too late. So dad figures the best solution would be to sell his daughter into an acting troupe so he can get his booze on. One of the last things he told me was that I wasn't fit to work the field 'cause I was a girl, so he had no use for me." Karina spits on the ground in disgust.

"I had to make do with of things, of course. And, really, in some ways it was the best thing that had ever happened to me. In some ways, the stage was my little window of freedom. And I was a natural on it. I could be anyone I wanted to. But, see, the problem was, life goes on beyond the theater. Things weren't quite right 'round there. So I started looking for a way out of the troupe, learned bits of magic here and there, and when the chance came, I ran off. And from there, I dunno, the story kind of writes itself. First thing I did was go home and grab Klinn and told him that he had to come with me. Which he did."

Karina pauses and takes a sip. "It wasn't always easy, making ends meet, but, ya know, we're still here today." She stops and her tone changes. She almost seems a bit embarrassed. "That was... probably way more than you wanted to hear, wasn't it? I have this habit of rambling. Anyways, that's sort of the gist of me. The boring version of me."

She lies back down and asks, "So, uh, your turn I guess. What's your story, Vlad? And I wanna hear the boring version. Only fair since I told you mine." She lets out a genuine laugh.

Vlad, Sense Motive DC 15:

Bluff:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

You think Karina is being truthful about her story, but you get the sense she left out some important details about her life that she is hiding.

Klinn:
Lulz. Have fun with the inadvertent message eavesdropping.

Karina continues:"No, it's alright. I can tell you the real version. And, for the record, it's not... It's not that I'm afraid to open up to people or anything. Nor am I ashamed or regretful of my past at all. It's just... easier for me to look forward than it is for me to look backward. As they say, no point in crying over a bad harvest, right?"

"And the funny thing is, that's what my dad did. Cried over a bad harvest. We grew up on a farm, Klinn and I, and long story short, we were short a few bucks for winter, harvest came in way too late. So dad figures the best solution would be to sell his daughter into an acting troupe so he can get his booze on. One of the last things he told me was that I wasn't fit to work the field 'cause I was a girl, so he had no use for me."

"I had to make do with of things, of course. And, really, in some ways it was the best thing that had ever happened to me. In some ways, the stage was my little window of freedom. And I was a natural on it. I could be anyone I wanted to. But, see, the problem was, life goes on beyond the theater. Things weren't quite right 'round there. So I started looking for a way out of the troupe, learned bits of magic here and there, and when the chance came, I ran off. And from there, I dunno, the story kind of writes itself. First thing I did was go home and grab Klinn and told him that he had to come with me. Which he did."

"It wasn't always easy, making ends meet, but, ya know, we're still here today. That was... probably way more than you wanted to hear, wasn't it? I have this habit of rambling. Anyways, that's sort of the gist of me. The boring version of me. So, uh, your turn I guess. What's your story, Vlad? And I wanna hear the boring version. Only fair since I told you mine." With that she laughs.


Male Human Paladin 2 // Bard 2

Karina During K/K Watch:

Thanks. And great job roleplaying as well. I don't usually get to dig into characters both my own and others like this.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Vlad smiles. "Now that." Vlad says turning to face Karina, "Was far better and more interesting than any fairy tale you could have spun me. Vlad says this with a smile. "I get the feeling there is more to that story, but I assume you have your reasons not to tell it all and I look forward to the day when you will." He pauses takes a sip from his bottle. "Thank you for sharing what you felt you could. It means a lot that you would be willing to tell me this...Now about myself..." Vlad pauses and thinks for a minute, staring out into the darkness of the forest.

"You may or may not know this. But I am a paladin, and I have been for a long time. But I haven't always been the kind of paladin you see now. I used to be a paladin of Desna, god of justice, a god that espoused truth and all those goddamn good things in the world. I lived in a truly tiny village, had since I was a child. I left the village to learn to be a paladin, so that I could protect them, protect everyone valuable to me. After I finished my training I returned to the village and was put in charge of its defenses. I had a happy life. I trained the villagers in how to protect themselves and their crops from bandits and how to organize defenses. Those goddamn defenses." Vlad pauses, sits up, and begins drinking from his bottle heavily before resuming his story.

"How much time did I put into those things and how little I got out." Vlad shakes his head, "When it came right down to it, they didn't work. The villagers were caught unawares and surprised and all of that training I gave them gave them just enough boldness to fight, but not enough skills to live." Vlad stares off into space "Let's simply say that it did not end well." Vlad lays down again as he says this. "Everything I have done since then has been in an attempt to make sure nothing like that ever happens again." Vlad stares at the stars for a minute. Then looks over at Karina with a wry smile on his face "How about it? Boring enough for you?" Vlad says with a little laugh and a drink of his champagne.

Karina Sense Motive DC 20:

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
You think that Vlad is telling the truth, but may have left out some of the most important parts of this story.

Vlad and Nitina's Watch:

Vlad draws his bow if he hasn't already and readies an arrow.
Fort Save: 1d20 ⇒ 16 Woot! I love my rolls this turn!
Vlad doesn't want to bring the attention of the rider, thinking that it might be a messenger for the camp. Vlad readies himself to fire two arrows if he can see the man and the man appears to be a bandit.

Vlad is in the tower previously held by Karina.


DC 17 for Vlad's spoiler, Karina.

Does Nitina do anything?


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Vlad:
Sense Motive:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Haha, glad to see we're on the same page here, hiding stuff from each other.

Karina giggles. "Not bad. Certainly not boring. So... a paladin, huh? I'm not gonna lie, I didn't see that coming. Most paladins I've met are way more... snobby and self-righteous than you are. I feel like that's a natural way people react to living to codes of "justice" and "honor" and the sort. Me, I've always avoided trying to answer to a certain deity. Life's too short to serve a voice in the sky."

She frowns. "I, too, get the sense you're not telling the whole story. I'm sure we both have our reasons. And I'm sure we'll get around to it some day. Though, I am sorry for your loss. But you can't fault yourself. You had good intentions for what you did. After all, you didn't kill the villagers, it was the bandits who did." She pauses and takes a sip, then continues, "So, here we are now, off killing bandits. You know, the sad thing is, if you wanted to kill all of the bandits, you'd have to kill the human race. It's just, we're all driven by greed and power, mankind. Sometimes I feel like fighting against bandits is the same thing as being a bandit itself."

She takes another sip and stares off into the distance. "Who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we'll fix up these lands, whatever that means."

She suddenly snaps out of her funk and back to her more characteristic bubbly personality, "Eesh, listen to me. This champagne is getting me all emotional. Let's toast! To... moving on from the past and killing us some bandits!" She raises her bottle and laughs nervously.

Klinn:
So, I'm thinking that the conversation's going to reach the 10 minute mark pretty soon. Meaning the message spell is going to end after this next exchange. Up to Klinn whether you want to cast it again.

Karina continues:"Not bad. Certainly not boring. So... a paladin, huh? I'm not gonna lie, I didn't see that coming. Most paladins I've met are way more... snobby and self-righteous than you are. I feel like that's a natural way people react to living to codes of "justice" and "honor" and the sort. Me, I've always avoided trying to answer to a certain deity. Life's too short to serve a voice in the sky."

"I, too, get the sense you're not telling the whole story. I'm sure we both have our reasons. And I'm sure we'll get around to it some day. Though, I am sorry for your loss. But you can't fault yourself. You had good intentions for what you did. After all, you didn't kill the villagers, it was the bandits who did."

"So, here we are now, off killing bandits. You know, the sad thing is, if you wanted to kill all of the bandits, you'd have to kill the human race. It's just, we're all driven by greed and power, mankind. Sometimes I feel like fighting against bandits is the same thing as being a bandit itself."

"Who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we'll fix up these lands, whatever that means."

"Eesh, listen to me. This champagne is getting me all emotional. Let's toast! To... moving on from the past and killing us some bandits!"


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

whew. Ok everyone, I'm back. Looks like lots of fun things are happening here!!

Karina:
Ok, so Klinn is absolutely going to keep on casting message. However, we need to figure out when Vlad interrupts the conversation that Klinn and Karina were having. Unless he climbed up the tower 2 min into the watch, Klinn still has stuff to say before he climbs up. Also, even if Vlad doesn't leave for the whole shift, Klinn is going to want to chat with Karina about it when they get into their tent.

[occ]Before Vlad Joins Karina[/ooc]
"ANYTHING would'a been smarter than what we did. We even knew there were traps in there. We wanted to feel it out, to just make sure when we needed to just commit to an action and follow through. Sis, I think as long as we commit to what we are going to do and not creep around LIKE COWARDS, we'll be fine."

"Take over this land?! What are you talking about? No one lives out here! I'm surprised that the bandits in this camp could possibly get this much gold in the whole of the untamed lands! This bandits are crazy. Before you can have a group of bandits living off other people, you have to have enough other people around to make a living. Sure, having a chunk of land to call home would be nice, but there is nobody here to make order out of. I'd be shocked it there is a kindom here in a hundred years. Not even a city springs up out of the wilderness overnight."

[occ]While Vlad Joins Karina[/ooc]
"... What's going on over there, sis?"

Also, I was just thinking, there is NO WAY that the amount of treasure we got could hide a bear trap. Just saying. :P


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Klinn:
I am totally fine with fitting in our conversation before Vlad enters, just to make life easier on ourselves.

Before Vlad:
Karina responds, "Yeah, yeah, I get what you're saying. It's a crazy idea, but we've barely explored the area yet. I think there should be plenty of people around here somewhere. Else those bandits wouldn't be in business in the first place. And I think that people don't live here because of the bandits. We clear them out, people move in, hoping to start over or whatever. Especially from Restov. Everything's going to shit over there. Whatever the case, if things calm down here a bit, we should take this area over for ourselves. We'll find a way to make it work."

"And sheesh, Klinn. Get a hold of yourself, all this talk about cowards and the sort, it makes you sound like an a!+*%@!. There's plenty of people in this party that we can get to step into a fight before us. Why get ourselves killed for no reason when we have some others in the party that can do that themselves? Now, about committing to plans, I agree with you. What we did today was simply foolish and we're not likely to get away with it in the future. I'll be more vocal about keeping all of us together in future fights. These bandits aren't very strong."

After Vlad:
You don't get a direct response from Karina from your initial query. You are able to hear her half of the conversation, however.


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

DM:
How far into the second watch? If it is less than about 30 min, Klinn will still be up chatting with Karina.

Karina:
Before Vlad:
Yeah, maybe. That's a good point: there has to be some kind of civilization out here. If not, what, we could set up some sort of racket I guess. Selling mite skin jackets. Or what about those lizard things? Their skin is probably tough enough to make good boots. Dragonskin boots we could call them. But really, we would need to sell some sort of get rich quick scheme to draw people out here. Or here is an idea sis! When we set ourselves up, we could do it in some "for the people" way, really make 'em think we are lookin' out for them. Makes it way easier to do what you want.


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

Hey, Karina, did you ever use those potions of CLW we got from Oleg? I noticed you didn't have them on your inventory, but I'm rereading the entire story to write a summery and I haven't spotted you using them yet.


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Oh shit! I totally forgot about them! I will add them to my inventory right now! Also, since Pete didn't speak up, I'll assume he kept his last heal of the night and I used a potion instead of asking for one. This way, he can hold onto a spell that he never explicitly agreed to casting in the first place.


Vlad and Nitina:
As Nitina hasn't posted...

A trio of elk lope across the trail to the north. They seem unhurried, and are merely traveling through the area.


As the lovebirds' conversation seems to have petered out...


Female Human Gunslinger 2 // Inquisitor 2

DM:
Unless they act suspicious, Nitina will be taking it easy on watch, allowing her wounds to heal.


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Klinn:
Karina laughs. "Selling some Sharasik Miteskinned jackets. That would make for an interesting life. No, but really. I agree with you, drawing people out here with promises of free farmland or something, as long as they agreed to some terms. Of course, it wouldn't be free. Like, maybe they'd send us some of their profits for protection, and they'd have to participate in a militia when necessary. There'd be more too. We'd figure it out, of course."


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

Karina:
"Yes, I suppose we should figure it out when we have the opportunity to do something about it. As for now, I think we need to get our goods to Oleg's and check him out. It has been more than a week since we left. We'll be lucky if everything we left there isn't gone. I'd wouldn't be surprised if Oleg and his wife are dead. And I certainly don't want to be stuck running a trading post travelling to Restov and back selling goods. We realy need to get a group of guards there to help him out."


Male Human Paladin 2 // Bard 2

Sorry about the long pause in posts, I have been busy doing holiday cooking and cleaning. I hope that you all had great holidays and that we are beginning an incredible new year for everyone in a few days.

Karina:
"Sounds good to me" says Vlad raising his own bottle, "To moving on from the past and killing some bandits." Vlad smiles, klinks his bottle with Karina's and takes a long drink.

Vlad sits up then "So far as my deity is concerned, thankfully my current one doesn't get to riled up about living according to codes of justice or honor." Vlad looks over while taking another drink. [b]"Let's just say I have a lot more free reign with this one."

Vlad looks up at the stars again "So far as the other things you said." Vlad pauses again before putting down his bottle, taking out a cigarette, lighting it with a match, and taking a long pull from it. "You are definitely right. We live in a world in which there are no honest men. Where everyone is a bandit or a thief. It's only the scale that makes a difference. The Lords of the other lands hate the fact that they cannot control this region. But they have no more a right to it than anyone else. Is that what this land deserves? To be tossed from one greedy hand to another?" Vlad lays back wryly smiling.

"It seems my champagne is making me emotional as well. Vlad looks over at Karina, "And hey, who knows? Maybe we will somehow manage to fix everything. Vlad looks up at that stars for a minute 'Thanks for the lovely talk. It's been a long time since I have had a good talk." Vlad looks reflective for a minute.

Then Vlad brightens up again sitting up, "But let us be happy. After all the whole reason for the champagne is to celebrate our first win! For that reason."[b] Vlad seems to say something under his breath and casts summon instrument. [b]"Let us have some music! In his hands a harp appears. It is obvious that he doesn't know how to play it. But he strums along with a tune as he plucks at the harp smiling and sipping at his champagne.

DM:

Vlad doesn't do anything to the deer if they do nothing suspcious, but at the first sign of trouble he intends to kill them.


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Vlad:
Karina smiles and seems happy to change the subject. She laughs and thinks to herself, "Right, what did he call himself, a champion of chaos? People these days..."

She nods in agreement when Vlad thanks her for the talk. "Not a problem, Vlad. It's always nice to... know where other people are coming from. Usually explains a lot about them. Aaand..." She leans in and says softly with a smile, "It looks like we're not too different, you and I. We've had our share of losses. I get the sense that we'll have each others' backs down the road. Even if it gets real rough. Pinky swear? From one "bandit or thief" to another? Since of course, that's what everyone is these days." At that she giggles and takes a long sip. Karina, who has had a fair amount to drink at this point, starts to hiccup shortly afterwards, which she clearly feels embarrassed about. "Hic... Sorry about that... Hic" She holds her breath and her hiccups clear relatively quickly.

When Vlad summons the instrument, Karina says excitedly, "Yes! We won! Play a victory song!" She quickly catches herself though, and raises her eyebrow, "Wait... you play?" she asks, clearly a bit shocked and excited. However, as Vlad starts to play, she looks a little disappointed and laughs. "Too much champagne tonight to carry a good tune?" She pokes at him playfully then quickly slurs, "Oh... you proooobably shouldn't play right now, you'll wake the others! You know they neeeeeed their precious, precious sleep!" With that she laughs uncontrollably, clearly under the impression that what she said was the funniest thing said all night.

Klinn:
You know the drill! More speech!

"Not a problem, Vlad. It's always nice to... know where other people are coming from. Usually explains a lot about them. Aaand... It looks like we're not too different, you and I. We've had our share of losses. I get the sense that we'll have each others' backs down the road. Even if it gets real rough. Pinky swear? From one "bandit or thief" to another? Since of course, that's what everyone is these days."

You can hear Karina start to hiccup at this point. You know that she often gets the hiccups when she has drank a fair amount. "Hic... Sorry about that... Hic"

Eventually the hiccups subside. "Yes! We won! Play a victory song! Wait... you play?"

At this point, you can hear the sound of a harp being played poorly from your respective watch tower. "Too much champagne tonight to carry a good tune? Oh... you proooobably shouldn't play right now, you'll wake the others! You know they neeeeeed their precious, precious sleep!" With that Karina laughs uncontrollably, clearly under the impression that what she said was the funniest thing said all night.

Everyone Sleeping During the 1st Watch, Perception 15:

DC determined by: 0 (base) + 10 (you are asleep) + 5 (I don't know the exact distances, but you are about 50 feet or so away from the tower)

Chris, feel free to fix the DC as you see fit.

You awake from the middle of your sleep, hearing the sound of a harp being played poorly, followed by loud laughter by Karina.


Karina, that DC is fine.

2nd Watch:
The elk move on and graze for a short while to the north of your camp (not all random encounters are violent, you know). Nothing suspicious.

Morning dawns. Karina seems no worse the wear after drinking last night. Vlad is hungover, however (sickened for 5 hours).

You all awake to discover that you feel more capable than ever (you gain your gestalt level).

Karina fort save (DC 15): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Success
Vlad fort save (DC 15): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Failure
Hangover duration: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5


Female Human Gunslinger 1/Rogue (Poisoner) 1//Sorcerer (Sage spellslinger) 2

Arastine begins experimenting with her newfound magical ability. Several tree trunks take on a distinctly pinkish hue, and some light branches fly around when she points at them. She also puts away her leather cuirass and wanders into the woods to the north for a few minutes. When she returns, she is wearing the blue dress from before.


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

I'm assuming we get the HP we gained from our extra class for free?
HP: 5/11 ---> 7/13 + 1 lvl + 2 con = 10/13

In the morning, you see Klinn doing his familiar morning summoning ritual. Nysro appears and begins to pace about, clearly restless. Klinn goes to the wagon and hitches his horse up to it ([ooc]We can do that, right?). "Might as well take this wagon back to Oleg's. We are headed back to Oleg's, aren't we? I, for one could use some rest and it doesn't look like everyone else is in great shape either." Klinn grabs one of the longswords from the back of the wagon. "These don't seem like they would be too hard to use, now do they?" He takes a couple of swings with one, puts it back and picks up another. Satisfied with his choice, he re-sheathes it and buckles it around his waist. He then places his shortspear in the back of the wagon, along with the saddle bags from his horse.

Klinn notices that Vlad is hung over and says "Have a fun night, chump?" and hits him on the shoulder, slightly harder than typically socially acceptable. "Ah, only kidding buddy." It is clear that Klinn is enjoying Vlad's hangover.

"How you feeling sis? How'd you sleep?"


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Karina looks fairly chipper in the morning as she emerges from her tent. She stretches and yawns, then gives a "Morning everybody!" to everyone sitting around the campsite. "Slept like a rock last night, thanks for asking, Klinny."

Karina glances at Vlad, who seems to be rather sluggish this morning, then chuckles to herself. Quite the opposite from Vlad, she feels surprisingly awake, and eager to get some exercise in. She decides to go for a quick run around the camp area, brandishing her whip against nearby objects as she runs past them, but feels more agile than normal. After working in various other exercises to what seems like a fairly spontaneous routine, she returns.

"Nice day out today, huh? Well, I'm all ready to scoot when y'all are." At some point, she approaches the wagon, and trades her shortbow for a longbow.


Male Human Oracle 2//Antipaladin 2

Peter's relatively peaceful sleep is invaded by strange dreams involving shadowy powers from... the Heavens, right? Peter, apparently, doesn't quite appreciate the long view in the way his divine inspiration would like him to. Yesterday's calamity was a sign of things to come if he doesn't shape up, but lo, perhaps it was also a sign that Peter's patron needed to give him more guidance.

So while Peter awakens to more back pain and a sore lack of certain fingers, he feels more competent than ever. Pete can't quite understand what happened; it is as though his patron had instilled in him the experience of war training... without the memories. He was not just a meager fleshy conduit now - he was a holy knight in service of the Heavens.

The old man wakes up, meditates on his new station, and joins the rest of the group. "Yeah, what a great day to march back to Oleg's. Someone prop me on a horse. I hope he has something for my back, and some good ale."

Any heavy armor lying around?


Just leather armor, Pete. Also, I believe you meant "holey knight."

Klinn, that's exactly how it works.

Shortly after you all wake up, it starts to rain, heavily.


Female Human Gunslinger 2 // Inquisitor 2

Nitina sleeps soundly through the risings of the rest of the party, her dreams holding tight to her as you rise, stretch, and break your fast.

Nitina awakens from intense dreams with a renewed intensity in her eyes. Ignoring her wounds (HP 5/12, -3 Dex) as well as the purple trees and frolicking Karina, she rises and takes the five-pointed star from around her neck.

She walks a bit of a way from camp and places it on the ground in a pile of leaves. She takes the horn of powder from her waist and draws a circle of powder around the symbol. She prostrates herself before it and prays with an intensity you've not seen from her before.

Temný Pán, ktorý vládne nad pekiel a bude jedného dňa vládnuť nad celou krajinou, zaväzujem sa k vám znovu. Požičaj mi svoju silu, a ja budem používať to, aby to vaše vôle. Možno už slúžiť objednávky, ale v týchto krajinách chaotické budem, ak by to slúžiť na nejaký vyšší cieľ. Uvediem tieto krajiny pod železnou päsťou, brúsi svoje slobody pod pätu a vytvorenie ríše, ktorá poteší vaše fire zrak. Môžete mi ukázal, v mojich snoch, ako sa to najviac nedisciplinovaní krajina je zrelá na najsilnejšie vlády, teraz s podporou urobím to tak.

Infernal:
Dark Lord, who rules over the hells and will someday rule over all the earth, I pledge myself to you anew. Lend me your strength, and I will use it to do your will. I may no longer serve your order, but in these chaotic lands I will, if you would have it, serve you in a greater purpose. I will bring these lands under an iron fist, grind their freedom under my heel and create an empire that will please your firey sight. You have shown me, in my dreams, how this most unruly land is ripe for the strongest of rule, now with your aid I will make it so.

DM:
I'm taking a bit of literary licence with the next bit. Most of it is within my ability except for the fire starting, which would be possible if you allow me to add Spark to my 0-level spell list (I'd then take it as a known spell instead of Sift). Also, I'm using my Judgement for the day (in the Resistance form) not tot take damage, though technically it can't be used outside of combat. But I thought of this and just had to do it.

The symbol glows with a dull red light, which grows in strength for a few seconds after her prayer. Suddenly, the circle of powder fares into fire. Without hesitating, Nitina reaches through the fire, though it does not burn her, and reclaims her holy symbol. She stands and turns to face all of you as the flames begin to spread through the ground cover. This will purge the traces of these freebooters, and send a message that we will not tolerate lawbreakers. The flames roar behind her as she walks towards the horses. We should get going.

EDIT: Just noticed that it was raining heavily. Any chance you want to retcon to allow for my awesomeness? If not, I guess the gunpowder just kind of sputters out and she doesn't deliver her speech.


Spark seems fitting for Nitina, so go for it. Also, the speech (and fire) works anyway. It does fizzle out before any forest fire starts, however.


Female Human Gunslinger 2 // Inquisitor 2

Fair enough. Also, on second thought, I replaced Daze, rather than Sift.


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

Nitina, you took 7 dex damage the bug encounter Wealday night. It is now Toilsday morning, meaning you have had 6 nights of rest, 5 if you don't get healing from the night you got injured (I believe you do?) So unless you have taken lots of dex damage since then, you should be much better off than -5 dex.

EDIT:
I couldn't find any explicit penalties for traveling in rain in the pathfinder SRD. What sorts of penalties are we looking at for traveling today? Klinn has a traveling cloak. Is that going to help him out?

Klinn raises an eyebrow. "I don't know about 'purgin' all trace,' Miss Nitina. I think the rain will put a little damper on things, don't you think?" Klinn chuckles at his pun. "Seriously though, I'd like to get going, but maybe we should wait until this rain moves on."


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Karina groans. "Aww, the weather changed so fast... I reckon we shouldn't travel through the rain. We'll get soaked."


Female Human Gunslinger 1/Rogue (Poisoner) 1//Sorcerer (Sage spellslinger) 2

"I don't know about you lot, but I'm not going anywhere until this clears up," Arastine declares, taking cover beneath the eastern watch tower after telling Midnight to stay beneath a nearby tree.

I'll call for fort saves vs fatigue and eventually exhaustion (much as in the Atlus game). Klinn, the traveling cloak gives you a +4 on such saving throws. Muddy areas slow movement.

Survival DC 15:
You think the rain will keep up for the next 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 hours.

Anyone can attempt the above survival check.

Arastine Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

"Sometime tonight, if I had to guess."


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

I mean, the traveling cloak is a part of the standard adventurer's outfit. Does anybody have any other outfit?

"RAAAAAAAAGH!" Klinn yells, frustrated with the weather. He first goes to his horse and gets it to pull the wagon off the road and into the clearing by the now soaked campfire. He then ties his horse to a tree that looks like it has good grass under it and will protect her from the rain. He goes with Nysro under the eastern tower (they'll occupy the same square, as grappling. "Well, we had better rest now so we can get moving as soon as this clear up. I'm real nervous about Oleg. If his trading post goes out of business, we're going to have trouble keeping ourselves fed."


Male Human Paladin 2 // Bard 2

Ow! Ow! Ow! F--- my head hurts" Vlad says as he wakes up. He is not a happy camper with his hangover. Vlad then realizes that he feels more... Like singing, as though there is a song and abilities within him that just want to get out and be used. Vlad puts a cigarette to his lips puts his finger to the tip of it and says an incantation. Flames burst from the end of the cigarette before settling into smoking. Vlad takes a heavy pull and look as though he is feeling a little bit better. But still miserable. To anyone who speaks too loudly Vlad grips his ears and goes "oh god! Shhh! Shhh! Pleasr try to keep it down....owwww."


Male Human Oracle 2//Antipaladin 2

"Humph. 'Tappears the heavens have brought me another gift. Or a sign, anyway. At least our ambushers will be nice and soggy." Peter very gingerly tries to move around, and to his surprise he is able to do so. Perhaps only his aversion to pain had kept him from moving around before; where that went, only his patron can say.

"Oh, I don't think I'll be needin' -- and Vlad, I wouldn't laugh lest I yell at you and shine bright light in your eyes -- I don't think I'll be needin' this shotgun for a while on account of lacking some fingers. If anyone wants to swap the shotgun for a spare revolver for a little bit I'd appreciate it."

Do we take those fort saves even if we take cover from the rain?


Only if you travel in it. Klinn, Karina and Pete have cloaks from either explorer's or traveler's outfits. Vlad, I'm not sure about. Arastine and Nitina definitely don't.


Female Human Gunslinger 2 // Inquisitor 2

Klinn, I think you're right, and that I missed a night. I'm going to change that to -2 dex. Also, I specifically paid for a nun's habit instead of adventuring garb, so that wasn't so bright, I guess.


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

If you had, we might have just left Arastine behind. :P jk, this is rain of plot if I've ever seen any. I think we've decided to stay put until it stops raining? Klinn moved the wagon away from the stream so we wouldn't see any flash flooding take away our loot (I hope). I think we're ready CD! See you next year!!


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

Yep, let's stay put until the rain stops. And, happy new year, all you crazy people! Stay out of trouble tonight (I know I won't)


You camp out until late afternoon. Nothing much happens, and the rain lets up to a light drizzle.

Now what? If you do travel, by which route?


Male Human Oracle 2//Antipaladin 2

While camping out, Peter hobbles over to Nitina.

Nitina or Perception DC... oh just eavesdrop:
"So, uh, what got you into all that Asmodeus stuff? I mean, I don't think about the afterlife much, but servin' in the lower planes doesn't seem all that fun. You gonna be a leader down there?" Before all of this craziness, Peter's thoughts about the afterlife mostly involved avoiding it. Now he contemplates what his heavenly patron has in store for him when the time comes...

I'm assuming that conversation isn't going to have any bearing on our current predicament/decisions.

Once the rain lets up, Peter lets out a groan of relief. "I bet the heavens spared us from coming across somethin' nasty, like an assassin, or a stone troll. Now the path is safe, as long as you all make sure not to walk into more bear traps. I suggest we take a direct route back to Oleg's. The less time we're out in the field, the less we're rained on and the less time we have to attract the sort of craziness that we've been dealing with out here."


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

"I agree Pete, we should get to Oleg's as quickly as possible. However, I'm concerned about this wagon. If we can get out of this forest, travel is going to be much easier for us. According to the map Jamandi gave us, it should be less forested and much easier travelling to the east, especially with the wagon. My vote is to first go east to get out of this forest and then north to Oleg's"

Travel time between hexes is here.


Male Human Oracle 2//Antipaladin 2

At first Pete wants to stick to his guns, but the sound of easy traveling and lying down in a wagon instead of riding a stupid, uncomfortable horse entices him. "All right, but let's try to avoid getting eaten to death in the forest leg."


Statistically, that's a cart, and it won't slow you down. The muddy conditions will add an hour to all your travel times, however.

Also, the random encounter tables now incorporate stuff from the third bestiary.

You travel east, exiting the forest after about an hour and a half. Night falls shortly thereafter. The terrain now consists of rolling, rocky hills. Do you continue to travel after dark?

Secret:
1d100 ⇒ 35


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

Wow! I finally did it! I single-handedly took over the course of the party!! Let's see if I can do it again! (You might need to roll a deplomacy check to pacify some players. :P)

"I say we keep going."


HP: 11/19, Spells: Level 1: (1/3)

*Applause for Klinn*

"I'm wide awake and good to keep on traveling."


Human Summoner 2 // Ranger 2

*bows* Thank you, Thank you. POST 850 NEW PAGE COMING UP!

DM:
Can I retcon starting to combat train my horse under the tree for three horse while we were stuck in the rain at the bandit camp?

Some quick questions (I think I was a little more hasty than Klinn for once.) What is the weather like (still overcast?)? Are there stars we can see by? How full was the moon last night? (do I need an int check to remember last night?) Basically, will the night be completely black or moderately bright or somewhere in between? Klinn will still be for moving forward, but we should be careful not to fall off a cliff.

"I've got a couple of Bull's eye lanterns. Each of them should last several hours on a pint of oil and we've got about 10 pints of the stuff with us. We probably won't be able to get all the way back to Oleg's but if we don't make good progress tonight, we won't get there tomorrow either. We'll be a day better off if we keep moving, at least until we start getting tired."

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