Tower of the Heavens
Game Master bbangerter

The maze comment was in reference to Malaswyn asking if Coran was a big place.

Yeah, I know, I was just playing off my characters high Int attribute.

Thinking too himself, "Well I do like mazes". Leaning back in his chair observing his companions interest. "I think we should help our friend out here. And I would recommend that we not take his 100 gold, as he clearly needs it for clothing and food. Especially considering that there is bound to be vast amounts of riches if we are able to open the door that has prevent Derig from going further. Are we agreed?"

Heligar hastily interjects..

Heligar gives the gnome a warm smile as she gives Alma a kick in the shins beneath the table.

In case a Diplomacy check is needed during the haggling process...Diplomacy with charm 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Deciding he's not going to remember much more for the time being, Cedric leaves the bar and looks around, realizing he hasn't spoken to any of his companions since they ended up here. He walks over to the dice game.

"Markov, Gentlemen, mind if I join you?"

He smiles at them, and, without waiting for a response, takes a seat.

"I agree with Heligar--We don't know how much treasure, or lack thereof, we might find. We need at least some cash for it to be worth our time; perhaps if there is gold to be found then we can return the down payment.
At the very least it will give us something to do until Bendon gets back...
So how about it Derig? How do we get to this little fortress in the middle of the marsh?"

At the promise of help Derig seems to relax considerably. His nervousness is replaced by a look of exhaustion and his eyes seem to droop with weariness.

Yawning and only partially coherent, "Yes of course, you will need some supplies. It will take us two or three days to reach the fort." He fumbles with a pouch tied about his waist. He finally gets it loose and hands it to Heligar, it feels heavy with coins. He pauses for a moment, seemingly having lost his train of thought. "I can show you the way in the morning."

His bag contains various coins totaling 112gp, 3 sp, and 4cp.
If anyone wishes to query Derig further you may do so. If not he promptly falls asleep at the table, his stew only half eaten.
Feel free to divvy up the cash however you see fit and acquire whatever supplies you think you might need.
I'm assuming Hotshot is still out of town given the initial planned start date of May 7th (sorry Hotshot if you get back and are feeling a bit behind). I'd like to move the story forward though if no one else has anything else they want to do in town.

Stan and Bill welcome Cedric to take to a seat to join them in the next round.

The dice game can continue on the side for several more rounds regardless.

Irina comes to sit next to the gnome once he is asleep. "Poor fellow," she comments. She checks his colour, temperature, and other things, passing several of her fetishes over him, checking him all out.

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 to determine if he has any other health concerns besides exhaustion and stress. She will provide him a healing hex, which will at least hopefully feel refreshing to him, though if has obvious open wounds, she refrains until she can bandage him properly.

"Three days in; three days out; add in two more for unexpected delays... I suggest we spend thirty of this gold on rations. That will keep the eight of us going for just over a week. Heligar, if you give me that pouch I can run and get the foo--Along with any other supplies you all think we might need, tonight and we can be ready to start tomorrow morning."

Assuming the ranger gives him the money, Warren quickly exits the room to find the needed equipment.

How much is staying at the tavern going to cost per person?

How much is staying at the tavern going to cost per person?

1 sp per person to stay the at the tavern in the common room. There are no individual rooms in the tavern. Looking around town you can find a inn with better accomodations/separate (though small) rooms for 5sp per person.

"That seems like a good plan Warren. I will be looking for a bit finer accommodations that fit my taste. I meet back up with you all in the mornin'."

Alma heads out of the tavern to find a nicer room for 5sp.

subtracted 8 silver. 3 for the soup and 5 for the nicer room.

Seeing Cedric join them Markov gives him a friendly smile. "So you decided to test your luck in this "devils game." Upon saying "devils game" Markov looks at Alma as he leaves.

Markov checks and rolls two
3,3,3
1d6 ⇒ 3
1d6 ⇒ 1

With his only hope of winning the hand being four of kind Stan re-rolls all but his six.

6
1d6 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 5
1d6 ⇒ 6
1d6 ⇒ 6

Markov pulls in the 3gp for a net gain of 2gp

"Devils game indeed. You seem to have the devils own luck."

Next hand starts with Markov, then Cedric, then Stan and Bill.

Markov tosses 2 silver in and rolls.
1d6 ⇒ 4
1d6 ⇒ 3
1d6 ⇒ 6
1d6 ⇒ 4
1d6 ⇒ 4

I arrange a place for Derrig in the common room and check to see if he has any injuries which need healing.
heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Then I hook an arm under his shoulder and adress the gang: Anyone want to give me a hand getting this guy to his bunk?

Unsure of exactly how the betting works, Cedric tosses in a gold piece and rolls his dice.

1d6 ⇒ 4
1d6 ⇒ 4
1d6 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 1
1d6 ⇒ 4

Stan and Bill look at Cedric a moment, seeming confused. "Uh, just two silver to start."

Assuming Cedric then corrects his amount. They both roll.

Stan

1d6 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 3
1d6 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 3

Bill

1d6 ⇒ 3
1d6 ⇒ 3
1d6 ⇒ 1
1d6 ⇒ 5
1d6 ⇒ 3

Markov then Cedrics turn to bid and roll.

"Three days in; three days out; add in two more for unexpected delays... I suggest we spend thirty of this gold on rations. That will keep the eight of us going for just over a week. Heligar, if you give me that pouch I can run and get the foo--Along with any other supplies you all think we might need, tonight and we can be ready to start tomorrow morning."

Assuming the ranger gives him the money, Warren quickly exits the room to find the needed equipment.

How much is staying at the tavern going to cost per person?

I believe 2 members of the party also have horses, Irina and Alma, 5cp a day for feed.

Smiling at Cedric mistake, Markov adds a gold and rolls 2
4,4,4
1d6 ⇒ 5
1d6 ⇒ 4
Turning to Cedric. "Now you can add your gold or more if you wish."

Cedric apologizes and replaces his gold with silver. He does decide to add on a piece of gold for his next roll anyways, keeping his 4s.

1d6 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 5

To Markov: "Ahh... I probably should have dropped out there..."

Stan and Bill both drop for the rest of this round.

Pot is 2gp 8sp

One more set of rolls for Markov and Cedric

Cedric will start the rolls on the next round.

Not having any more silver pieces, Cedric sighs and tosses in one of his few remaining gold pieces.

"As long as it's going to a good cause, eh Markov?"

He blows on his dice for luck, and tosses his last two once more.

1d6 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 2

Both of Cedrics dice come up fours, giving him five of a kind.

Cedric make a bluff check.
Markov make a perception roll against Cedrics bluff check.
If you make the perception roll you know something is fishy, make a spellcraft check to figure out what exactly is fishy.

Looking at where "Hotshot" is sitting. Hey "Hotshot", why don't you join us in this "devil's game" and let the others crowd the gnome. Who knows maybe this'll solve you light pouch problem."

Markov turns back towards the dice players.

Hotshot lets out a chuckle, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve.

"I prefer to make my money through my own means. Luck is so... difficult, if you understand. And I think my pouch will be considerably heavier after we help this poor gnomish fellow."

He drains the last of his ale, walking over to Derig and giving him a light pat on his back, being careful to not wake him up. "Poor soul. I'm ready to travel when we gather our supplies."

Cedric grins at his "good fortune".

Bluff to fix the dice: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Hang on a there Warren. We can't go spending our money on just anything. We gotta know where we're goin' first. Little friend, you say this place is in a marsh....is it -like - under water a bit? Is it surrounded in muck? Or is it like a moat? Can we get there with horses - foot? Why can't you get in? Isn't there another door? Is it a stone fort?

Hang on a there Warren. We can't go spending our money on just anything. We gotta know where we're goin' first. Little friend, you say this place is in a marsh....is it -like - under water a bit? Is it surrounded in muck? Or is it like a moat? Can we get there with horses - foot? Why can't you get in? Isn't there another door? Is it a stone fort?

Prior to Derig falling asleep

"It's an old stone fort. Most of it... I think most of it has fallen away and sunk into the marsh. There are a couple of pools I had to wade into up to my waist, you bigger folk shouldn't have any problems. The heat... the drought has dried up a lot of it."

My roll
4,4,4,4
1d6 ⇒ 1
Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Spellcraft:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Looks like Cedric pulls off that bluff and takes the pot. 3gp and 8sp, of which 2gp and 2sp was your own.
Not sure if you would have waned to do that last roll Markov, you would have needed to add another gold to match Cedrics. If Markov does toss in another gold for the roll the extra 1gp goes to Cedric.

Also realized there was another comment I'd meant for Derig to make regarding the fort in my last post.

"If there is another entryway, it must have been covered in rubble."

So his roll was before mine? I thought it was me Cedric Stan Bill and next round it would be Cedric Stan Bill me. If his is I would fold seeing a five of a kind.

So his roll was before mine? I thought it was me Cedric Stan Bill and next round it would be Cedric Stan Bill me. If his is I would fold seeing a five of a kind.

Good catch, I didn't realize he'd done two rolls in a row. So that would have been your third roll before he fudged his dice roll, so that game is over without any more contribution needed from you.

Next game Cedric starts the rolls, followed by Stan and Bill, then Markov.

Each player earns 200xp for the time spent in town, learning a little about Bendon, and meeting and talking with Derig.

In the morning Derig leads the way north of Gumlat deep into the forest, following an old game trail. He talks little, usually mumbling with eyes downcast when he does. The nights rest appears to have done him much good though as he is far more energetic. The forest is a place of serene quiet and beauty, the shade of the trees keeping the heat of the day off the party.

You camp that evening and continue the following day. The forest grows thicker and darker forcing you to sometimes push your way through the overgrowth and watch for hanging branches that occasionally scratch at the face and snag in your hair. Late in the afternoon the smell of the marsh reaches your senses and Derig's mood becomes gloomy. Within an hour you reach the edge of the forest and look out over the marsh. Bright sunlight and hot humid air surround you. Insects buzz around you, mosquitoes looking for a place to bite. Derig indicates it is another few hours travel into the muddy waters and suggests camping a little ways back into the forest for the night.

The third morning you find yourself trudging through the marsh, the ground is hard packed earth for much of the way. Much of the plant life lays scorched in the sun, withered reeds and dried out moss. Occasionally you cross over a muddy patch or shallow areas of standing water. You grow accustomed to the constant drone of buzzing insects around you. As time passes the gnome takes on the nervousness you witnessed the day you met him, jumping at every sound that indicates there is still some life left in the marsh. Finally you spot the ruined fort ahead. Crumbled walls surround a large flat area sitting several feet above the shallow pools that surround much of the old fort. The entire structure sits at a slightly odd angle as though the place has been slowly sinking into the swamp over the years. Large broken fragments of walls stick up out of the ground along the still intact portion of the fort. Portion of walls remain what must have once been an upper level.

Taking a few more steps Derig staggers and begins trembling violently. placing his hands to his head he lets out a loud moan of either pain or anguish. He collapses on top of a small mound of earth some forty feet from the ruins.

Map of the Old Fort in the Marsh

I've also placed a link to the old fort map in the campaign tab so you don't have to keep finding it in the game play thread.

As before, feel free to enter your name in on the map for where you currently are, or are moving to.

"Derig!!" Irina exclaims, rushing to his side. She holds one of his wrists, listens to his heart, checks his eyes, and other things to see what has befallen him.

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Seeing the gnome fall in front of him. Markov looks around to try to see if anything is off.
Perception;1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Addressing Irina. "How is he? Any clue what happened to him?"

To clarify on that last dice roll, you said that Cedric will start the rolls the next round. I thought you meant the next round of betting, but looking back you probably meant full round of dice. Likely doesn't matter, as it would appear that all dice games are over, but sorry for any mistake, only my character was trying to cheat :D

I think we can continue the game as it seems it is more for fun and doesn't really change what we do in the marsh

Seeing that the gnome is well taken care of, Cedric draws his shortbow and knocks an arrow. He steps in front of Irina, Markov, and Gerig, looking around for any danger. He doesn't like the look of this place, nor the obvious dread the gnome had been experiencing because of it.

Perception to look around for danger: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Depositing her haversack and staff on the ground, Heligar draws out her longbow and arms it. She approaches the fort, looking for any signs of activity, or traces of any person or creature that may have been here recently.

Move towards the fort to around M13. Survival (track) to look for signs 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

I nock an arrow to my bow and move next to Derig, ready to defend or heal.

Immediately drawing his pistol and loading a cartridge, Hotshot moves to the left flank, taking stock of the surroundings and anything out of the ordinary around him.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Moving slightly away from the group to protect the flank, Warren draws his blade and shrugs his shield onto his other arm. I really hope we can get that gnome back on his feet soon. We're in no position to defend an extra body if something decides to attack us.

You can hear the continual sounds of life in the surrounding marsh, the endless drone of insects, but otherwise nothing stirs.

"Alma, come pick him up. He has a terrible fever, let's try to find him at least a bit of shade."

Someone's been here recently....or is here occupying the fort. See those prints here in the muddy ground? Someone needs to keep watch over Derig as Irina or Malaswyn tend to him. There's a small shelter in my haversack. You can rig it up if you need to and can't find no shade. I want take a gander around the building to get a good look at the place and understand the tracks before we decide what to do next. Who's with me?

Circle the perimeter along solid ground. Look for more clues and signs. Where do the tracks lead? May I suggest that Malaswyn, Alma and Irina stay with the gnome for the moment and look for shade. The rest would join Heligar and move counterclockwise toward the west side to inspect the entrance using Perception checks as needed.

"I'll come with you, Heli, let me do one thing first..."

Cedric moves forward towards the fort, and casts Detect Magic in the direction of the stone structure, attempting to get as much of it as possible in the 60' cone range.

I'll go with you too. i want to get a better look at this building.
Markov moves up with Heligar and Cedric.

The tracks lead to the south west side of the structure. You can see dried mud stuck to the edge of one section of it (U11, V11) where someone has scraped the mud off of their boots.

The only 'natural' shade in the area would be atop the structure next to one of the partially remaining walls.

Alma moves over to put the gnome over his right shoulder, while continuing his best to have his shield held in his left hand.

It appears my work blocks googledocs. So I can't see the layout of the land just yet, as a result, I will follow Irina to find a suitable place to put the gnome down. If a suitable place is found, and it appears that he is out of danger, I will catch up to Heliger with sword and shield drawn.

Markov approaches the stairs and looks for any traps or anything that stands out.
Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
"So who wants to go down first."