That sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

That sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

Yep. It would mean Siarani was "Recalled" from Absalom and required to make a long, dangerous winter trek around the River Kingdoms, but hey, what's one more unreasonable demand on top of sending your daughter to pay off your gambling debts by killing dangerous criminals and taking their stuff?

Also, if anyone needs any OOC clarification, the charter does give you rule of law in the region indicated. When it says "The carrier of
this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful
behavior to be encountered. The punishment for unrepentant banditry
remains, as always, execution by sword or rope." The implication is definitely that you have been given authority of judge jury and executioner as it were. As for loot you find, you would have been told before leaving that anything you find is yours to use to further the work of your charter.

Just to clear up any moral confusions. :)

Also, if anyone needs any OOC clarification, the charter does give you rule of law in the region indicated. When it says "The carrier of

this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful
behavior to be encountered. The punishment for unrepentant banditry
remains, as always, execution by sword or rope." The implication is definitely that you have been given authority of judge jury and executioner as it were. As for loot you find, you would have been told before leaving that anything you find is yours to use to further the work of your charter.

Just to clear up any moral confusions. :)

...yeah, that's what I figured. Sia's just trying to figure out a balance between doing the right thing and being able to get the job done. She may try to insist that anything excessive should be sent to the crown for "Safekeeping" but there's many definitions of 'excessive.'

Siarani Lodovoka wrote:

...I've been meaning to ask, but what time of year is it when we're starting out?

Well it actually doesn't say. But I would think that you'd be setting out in mid Spring. That gives you plenty of time before Winter, but also means you'll probably have to contend with some rain.

I'd say, the equivalent of beginning to mid April. Unless someone else has a better idea...

I actually just checked the Campaign Guide. The month of Calistril is the equivalent of February. Now, if we followed the logic they're using in the adventure, this means that we're getting there in mid Pharisma, or March. So yeah, guess was right. We'll call it Moonday for the sake of argument.

Edit: Fixed the timing, I mis-read the chart.

Just updated my profile, by the way. I forgot the "extra spell" from the bonded item is actually spontaneous, so I had one more spell prepared than I can cast.

Just updated my profile, by the way. I forgot the "extra spell" from the bonded item is actually spontaneous, so I had one more spell prepared than I can cast.

Good catch.

I had mentioned before that there were three structures inside the fort and that their were two towers one on either side of the entrance. Please note that there are actually four structures and a tower at each corner of the fort. I was opperating off of memory at the time but this time had the pdf and was able to check.

I can post a map of the trading post if you like when I get home. Does posting to google docs work for everyone?

I had mentioned before that there were three structures inside the fort and that their were two towers one on either side of the entrance. Please note that there are actually four structures and a tower at each corner of the fort. I was opperating off of memory at the time but this time had the pdf and was able to check.

I can post a map of the trading post if you like when I get home. Does posting to google docs work for everyone?

That's fine.

The map is loaded up. You should all be getting an email.

It looks like our IC thread lost a post somewhere. The second page says 51-52 but only has one post.

Btw, if I move too fast, please just shout and I'll slow down. I'm just trying to keep the conversation moving.

Got the Google Docs map, thanks.

The pace of the game is fine for me, so far, but I know I have a lot more time to spend on this type of thing than others, so I'm probably not a good judge.

I'm fine with the pace, but I'm a loony so you might not want to put too much stock in my opinion.

Pace is fine for me.

Good to hear. And I'm loving the discussion guys. I know because I'm having a hard time not putting my own two cents in. :)

I didn't get the map, so you could try again or send to deevor, that's my main name at livedotcom. The pace is great, moving on nicely.

Oh yeah, it was one of my posts which failed to make it, but fortunately I was able to copy and paste it into the next one, so nothing lost. :)

For someone who doesn't want to end up as the ruler, Sia's sure taking charge! :p

Smiles at Calath....Well she's got the Int and Wis scores to do that.

I didn't get the map, so you could try again or send to deevor, that's my main name at livedotcom. The pace is great, moving on nicely.

Oh yeah, it was one of my posts which failed to make it, but fortunately I was able to copy and paste it into the next one, so nothing lost. :)

I'll resend it when I get home, don't have tha tability at work.

Hehe. Never said she wouldn't make a GOOD ruler. Just that she really wouldn't want it, to be responsible for that many people's lives. Note how her plan involves placing herself at the most risk. Wizard is brave or foolhardy.

Wizard had better hope she gets a surprise round and can sleep all the bandits!

... At least Cal's a spontaneous caster, so he doesn't have to worry about how many cures to memorize :p

I played a Cleric in CotCT that was much the same, Sia.

I played a Cleric in CotCT that was much the same, Sia.

** spoiler omitted **

Ohhh, this is gonna be interesting.

Atapax wrote:

I played a Cleric in CotCT that was much the same, Sia.

** spoiler omitted **

Ohhh, this is gonna be interesting.

Heh. Well there's plenty of time before anything like that needs to be decided. But sometimes it's the reluctant ruler that makes the best one.

Btw, Sia, regarding that map you had made. Is there any way I can get you to move the trading post 1 hex to the left? I know that's not where it is on the map, but it makes more sense there when you read the charter. I'll then declare the top of the map to be north rather than the top-left. I think that makes your directions easier (regarding just what area you're supposed to explore).

Also, it was pointed out in another thread that the charter says it is the month Calistril. So IC it is the evening of the last day of that month.

Also, James stated that Oleg's is 100 miles from Restov. That may be useful info at some point. At the least it gives us a reference, but I'm sure it'll come up when we look at the feasability of returning thee for supplies or whatnot.

Btw, Sia, regarding that map you had made. Is there any way I can get you to move the trading post 1 hex to the left? I know that's not where it is on the map, but it makes more sense there when you read the charter. I'll then declare the top of the map to be north rather than the top-left. I think that makes your directions easier (regarding just what area you're supposed to explore).

Also, it was pointed out in another thread that the charter says it is the month Calistril. So IC it is the evening of the last day of that month.

Also, James stated that Oleg's is 100 miles from Restov. That may be useful info at some point. At the least it gives us a reference, but I'm sure it'll come up when we look at the feasability of returning thee for supplies or whatnot.

Adjusting the map isn't a huge deal. Give me a few hours, because I'm in the middle of something else, but I'll get to it before I go to bed.

As for the time, Calistril is when the charter was issued, but we would have been in Restov when that happened. I used the fuzzy figure of "a few weeks" to travel from Restov to Oleg's to arrive at the "late 'March'" figure.

By the way, would you consider allowing Sia to take the Secret Signs feat from Guide to Absalom? I'll reprint here since it's OGC:

Secret Signs

You can communicate with your allies using a secret set of hand signs forged in the fierce political battles of Absalom.

Prerequisites: Intelligence 13, Absalom affinity.

Benefit: You teach your allies your own set of secret signs, allowing you to communicate concepts to them quickly, quietly, and at range. You gain a +5 bonus on Bluff checks made to pass secret messages as long as your allies can see you. In addition, you can use the signs to give advice and warnings, allowing you to use the aid another combat option even if you are not in a position to attack the opponent attacking your ally. Also, if you choose to aid another with a skill check, you grant a +4 bonus with a successful check, rather than the normal +2.

EDIT: I would be willing to drop that bit about giving a bigger 'Aid Another' bonus, seems a bit over the top and doesn't make much sense for what the feat is, which is essentially a private sign language.

By the way, would you consider allowing Sia to take the Secret Signs feat from Guide to Absalom? I'll reprint here since it's OGC:

I would be willing to let you take that as long as there was some RP to accompany you teaching everyone over the course of a level.

Can you tell me what A5 and A4 are on the map? Also which tower would have the greatest arc of fire into area A1 and the table area? I assume we would have known that as we made preparations for the battle. In the battle how do we refer to a specific square, as I've not done this by PBP type battle before.

Can you tell me what A5 and A4 are on the map? Also which tower would have the greatest arc of fire into area A1 and the table area? I assume we would have known that as we made preparations for the battle. In the battle how do we refer to a specific square, as I've not done this by PBP type battle before.

A4 is the storage shed where Oleg keeps his trade goods.

A5 3 3-foot deep composting pits and middens.

As for how to declare movement. In a bit (hopefully today if I can get a chance) I'll make a map with all of you on it. I'll place you how I feel you were wanting and you can correct me if you want. Then you can use whatever way is easiest to you to declare movement. Alpha-numeric grid referencing is the most exact. Or I'm fine with '2 down and five left.'

Oh, and for the tower, I would guess the lower left, though none would be perfect. One of the lower ones also gives you an arc out the gate in case one of them gets out.

I got the map made. Posting it now. If anyone saw themselves as being elsewhere just let me know. I'll put Oleg on as soon as I have a thumbs up from everyone.

Hmm...I can't actually check the map at work, so I'm almost definitely confused. I'll let you know for sure I'm okay in a couple of hours, but in the meantime unless I'm way off the A1 mark it's probably fine.

I think that we're all set. I'm gonna continue up to where the first round starts, but I can't modify the map right now. I'll do so when the round starts, or before then if needed.

By the way, do you want me to sum up the "Exploration and conquering" rules for everybody, since I've got the book too? At least, since I'm already in charge of map maintenance.

With Easter here later this week, just wanted to let you all know I won't be able to post from Saturday, returning Tuesday (maybe earlier, but that's the worse case scenerio).

Sia - That would be awesome of you.

Gorax - Thanks for the heads-up. I'm figuring the Easter weekend to be slow. I myslef am a bit slower with my current work schedule. But I should be able to keep to a post a day.

Okay, let's see if I can do this after a 12 hour shift.

Overland Movement

The regular overland movement rules have been replaced and expanded upon to represent the task before PCs in trying to take over a stretch of isolated wilderness. Since I don't believe they're OGL, I won't reprint the exact tables here, but overland movement is represented in Hexes, rather than miles or kilometers.

In addition, there is a new movement rate that has been introduced called "Exploring." In this mode, speed is greatly reduced, however, while exploring there is a chance to notice things in a given hex that you wouldn't normally. On top of that, before a hex can be settled and used productively it must be explored. Specific mechanics are, again, not OGL and are probably a part of the adventure anyway.

There are encounters in many, but not all, hexes, and not all encounters need to be completed to finish "The Stolen Land."

I'll point out that the charter instructs you to 'explore' the land around Oleg's. So this will inevitably be a slow process. However, it'll be much faster with horses. Luckily, you just came upon six in need of new masters. :)

The speed of exploration with horses is 1 day per hex. I do remember that without looking. So it wont be as slow as it might seem at first.

I'll also post up some info on buying and selling at Oleg's. The object being to try to keep you from having to go all the way back to Restov every time you need something.

Ah, right. For buying and selling at Oleg's, I was going to have Sia propose that, rather than dealing directly in coin and goods they simply open a ledger to track credit. Since they'll be in and out every week or two (rather than months, as with traveling merchants and furriers) and will probably frequently need goods from Restov, it will be easier on both sides to simply track the relative values on paper and only cash out when the charter is completed. This runs a small risk that Oleg won't have everything needed on hand when the charter is done, but no doubt by then the party will be willing to cool their heels for a few weeks before they're ready to move on.

....yeah, the second charter is going to come as a nasty shock for Siarani (ICly, that is.)

Ok... for buying and selling.

I'll put forward what the book suggests, and let y'all decide which would be easier.

Selling
Oleg initially has about 200gp on hand to buy. Fortunately, as the adventure progresses, Oleg is able to sell his own stock and even receives a loan from agents in Restov to increase his holdings. After you return the first time he'll be able to buy 500 gp worth of goods per week. If the you exceed this number, Oleg can arrange to have additional funds delivered from Restov in a week. (This could act as store credit until he receives the funds.)

Buying
It’s easiest to simply assume that the trading post has 500 gp worth of stock every week starting when you return the first time, comprising all manner of weapons, armor, and gear. This amount replenishes every week, increasing by 100 gp each time it replenishes to a maximum of 1,000 gp after 5 weeks. If you wish to purchase something more expensive than the trading post’s current capacity, Oleg can place a special order for the item and it will be available for purchase in a week.

I realize that this delves a little into the future, but I think it's best to have an idea early how this kind of thing is going to work. The buying solution covers the fact that even if you're using credit, he's only going to have so much in stock to sell.

My thought here is that the credit ledger would rather supplement the mechanics rather than outright replace them. We can claim credit for gear right away, we're just not required to wait for it or store stuff or whatever. Amount available for purchase stays the same, although we can buy it out of the outpost credit rather than needing to spend cash even for special orders, but it still takes a week to get them in. It eliminates some of the hassle. The only thing is that it does require everyone to trust one another.

Which is perfectly reasonable. I even included that idea in the buying paragraph. So if everyone is ok with that, then we'll work it that way.

And then a stair.... and then... A tunnel. :)

And then a stair.... and then... A tunnel. :)

Gosh this is getting exciting, tho methinks you put it in the wrong place.

...was gonna say. If the tunnel's full of stars, I'm outta here!

Just a quick question, just wanted to make sure that I can take a 10 of intimidate in the right circumstances?

Oh no... that was a purely OOC reference. :)

And yes, you can take 10 on Intimidate as long as you aren't doing it under stress. So probably most times not in combat.

By the way guys, check out Sia's profile for links to a couple of useful tools. You should get links to edit when Ata gets up, but for the time being you can look them over. Links also put in this post for immediate reference:

Oleg's Ledger - Track purchases here by week.

Party Inventory Sheet - Make sure that treasure isn't getting ya down!

Speaking of party inventory:

Yay for free horses delivered to our front door!

:p

I thought that a good game design decision. They even bring extras just in case. :)