If I'm not mistaken, roster assignments can be updated every twenty-four hours. Thus, we can hold off on designating traders until we get to a trade post.
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Since the caravan has a travel rate of 32 miles per day, we can cover 416 miles before we run out of food if we travel straight and level with no delays. We've been told the Brinewall is 500 miles away, so we wind up three days short of our goal if there isn't a settlement on the way. Of course I don't know much about Brinewall at this time, so who knows what we'll find there. We have room for two more travelers, which we may want to use for hiring two cooks. That would reduce our consumption by two units per day to 19 (13 if all scouts are hunting.) That increases the caravan's range by two days at the cost of 20 gp per month. That calculation assumes that the cooks consume a unit each per day. They aren't called out as not using caravan stores like the scouts. If the intention is that the cooks reduce consumption by 2 units each without consuming a unit themselves, our consumption would fall by 4 per day to 15 (11) and the caravan's range would be 18 days.
I'm back from my journey. I'll look over the relationship and caravan rules in the players' guide.
Gratz, ML. And a Joyous New Year to all. Regarding the loot split: If I'm not off on my calculations Kelistra taking the shortsword reduces the pot by 1155 gold or 128 gold each. Also Kelistra owes the party 846 from future loot. Looks like Keli didn't get much from that performance. I may have mentioned this in passing, but I'm leaving for Disney World tomorrow and won't be home until January 12. I should have net access, but don't know how much time I'll have for posting. Will, feel free to NPC Kelistra if I don't respond quickly enough.
"The spiders and other creatures really shouldn't be a hindrance," Kelistra adds as she plays a soothing tune. "Just the sort of thing to keep apprentices on their toes."
Later, Kelistra performs the Ballad of Malcolm's Duel in the Dark for the ballad's hero and Ameiko.
A couple points for the OOC thread: Kelistra will claim the magic short sword since nobody else is using it. I think it's better to keep a magic weapon in the party than sell it off. No telling if we'll find magic loot again. I needed to verify that Keli's Weapons Finesse would apply to a short sword before speaking up (it does.) I'm an accountant, not a poet. Thus, I won't actually be writing the Ballad of Malcolm's Duel. Will, how do you want to handle this? Perhaps a Perform roll or two?
"I'll have something ready by the time your sword's fixed," Kelistra says. "I just hope Ameiko appreciates something she didn't write. In the meantime, I'll be glad to help get a decent price from the glass blowers. We should also think about getting some trade goods before we set out. As Sandru says, you'll always find new markets on the trail. Hmmm... For a shop in a small town on the edge of nowhere, they make some good stuff at the glass works. Perhaps we could trade the map for glass."
Shaking her head slowly, Kelistra lets Malcolm's words sink in. The young bard takes her mandolin and starts picking out a tune. The melody is similar to the one she played during Malcolm and Tsutami's duel, but the rhythm is slower. "I can sing of the duel," Kelistra says quietly. "And how you risked your life for honor, valor, and your love for a beautiful maiden. Recovering the Kaijitsu treasures was a happy consequence of your victory, not your motive, so I'll sing it as such." Setting aside her mandolin, Kelistra leans close to Malcolm and looks him in the eye. "That much I can sing about. Saying that Ameiko is the maiden you fought for is your challenge."
Kelistra regards Malcolm's request and his expression. When he'd approached Kelistra as the crew walked into Sandpoint, it was easy to regard the request for a song as a bit of a joke. But this was different. Malcolm was serious about getting a song written. Kelistra leads Malcolm to one of the Rusty Dragon's quieter corners before she speaks. "I'm glad we've got a chance to talk about this, Mal. I need to ask you something before I get started. What do you want to say with this song? You heard the song Ameiko was singing when we came to tell her about her family, so you know that she's a great composer. If you want to impress Ameiko, you'll have to do better than hiring a bard to write a song for her. I need to give your words, your thoughts, some polish and set them to music. I'll sing for Ameiko, but I have to sing as you. So, I'll ask it again, what do you want to tell her?"
I hadn't given loot splitting any thought. It's been ages since I played in a game with strangers long enough to get to a loot distribution phase. I'm OK with adding the fan to the general loot. It could be an easy way to sell a map to the glass works people.
"Big Bro' will come with us? Yeah, that's a very good idea." Kelistra leans against the tavern wall with a goofy yet happy look on her face.
"If you're looking for help finding the warding box, Miss Ame, count me in," Kelistra says shortly after hearing Ameiko's translation. She blushes slightly as she realizes what she's said. Haven't called her 'Miss Ame' since the first time I played a solo in the Dragon.
Kelistra stayed in the Rusty Dragon after Ameiko left and performed until the wee hours of the morning. Between doling out the occasional tidbit of her recent adventure and Ameiko's sudden departure, Kelistra has an easy time keeping the Dragon's audience entertained. She does not even regret failing to take the time to wash away the dirt and grime of her travels before taking the stage. At least she doesn't until the sounds and smell of Marduzi's breakfast awaken her from where she fell asleep on a tavern bench. "Gah, I totally should have gone home last night," she says. "I think this outfit's rank enough to take on a goblin tribe on its own."
Congratulations, Will. Hopefully strong sales and prestigious awards will follow.
I have Keli leveled up and updated in the profile.
Looks like I'm going 1/2 a hit die this time. Will we have time or resources to recover from injuries before the next chapter? I'm thinking specifically of our Strength drained mage.
Kelistra quietly practices the tune of Ameiko's song on her mandolin. She plays softly so as not to interfere with Ruhk's story telling. Not interfering with Ruhk's story telling is the reason Kelistra is playing in the first place. If Kelistra didn't have a distraction, she'd have to put a stop to his embellishments. "So, uh, Ameiko," Kelistra asks after Malcolm hoists the chest on the table. "Is the Tsutami name one of the flowers in your family's memory garden? He's the one who told us this belongs to the Kaijitsu heir."
Kelistra rolls her eyes when Malcolm addresses Ameiko. "So much for the plan," she mutters before smiling. "Typical for this crew actually. When I compose our little saga into a proper balad, I'll have to work our habit of deviating from plans into it. Speaking of songs, I like the new one, Ameiko."
"I'll see what I can do about telling our tale up until we've dispatched Chief Gutwad," Kelistra says. "Once Ameiko's done singing. It won't be a proper song like hers, those take time. This new one of hers is pretty good. Nothing's ever lost forever. Interesting lyric for tonight's news."
Kelistra laughs in response to whatever Malcolm whispered to her, but regains enough composure to whisper back to him. Malcolm:
I'll see what I can do. How much emphasis do you want me to put on the "For the perfection that is Ameiko" bit? Kelistra then orders an ale from the barman and addresses the group. "We may not want to tell our tale publicly. At least we should tell Ameiko privately first."
"Yeah, let's get to the Dragon," Kelistra says half-heartedly. "Sorry I was so, bratty earlier. It's just... My first real adventure and the big surprise is all about Ameiko... And Sandru's probably still off with his caravan. The one guy I'd really want to tell this story to... I suppose it really isn't much of a story, yet." "Uh, thanks, guys," Kelistra says with a smile. "Let's see what Ameiko makes of this trunk and the skeleton's challenge."
"Yeah, really. We know the skeleton was guarding this for the Kaijitsu heir. We still don't know he was talking about Ameiko. That's just the conclusion you all leaped to. For all we know, we'll wind up with Ruhk carrying Jordan carrying the potion all the way to wherever the heck her family's from to deliver it to the true heir." Kelistra takes a deep breath and smiles before continuing, "You gotta admit, that would be one hell of a story. If Jordan's alright with waiting, I guess I really shouldn't be complaining."
"Ameiko may actually deserve the attention from all the guys that fawn over her. She may be the greatest bard that Sandpoint's ever seen," Kelistra says soberly. "She might actually be some missing princess and this may be some long lost family heirloom and we need to let her decide what happens with it. But if she were here, I'm sure she'd offer Jordan a potion or two to heal up after being hurt getting her stuff back." Kelistra starts walking the trail back to Sandpoint.
"I think you should use the potion that will restore your strength, Jordan. Just in case we run into something nasty on the way home."
"Well, of course we'll give this to Ameiko. Now that we know it's safe," Kelistra says sheepishly.
"Maybe we can find an answer in the chest Tsutami was sitting on." Kelistra steps forward to examine the chest.
Not noticing anything unusual about the chest, she opens it.
Kelistra's playing slows down. It just wouldn't be right to play Tsutami out triumphantly. As the last notes of her melody echo through the cave, Kelistra turns to Malcolm, "This is so awesome. Lord Tsutami who protected the Kaijitsu heir long after taking his last breath finally defeated by his successor. Man, Malcolm, you'll feel so burned when you finally realize there's no way Ameiko's a long-lost princess and you wind up having to guard her homely cousin."
Kelistra plays quickly, weaving the melody she's plucking out on her mandolin over and around the skeletons' basic foot stamping like a child playing among puddles on a rainy day.
"Come on, Malcolm. There's no way I'm telling Ameiko about you dying after you called her perfect." Kelistra keeps playing.
Kelistra concentrates on her music, but quietly says, "You can do it Mal."
Kelistra is awed by what the speaking corpse has said. There is no way he can be talking about Ameiko, no way at all. And to top it off, Malcolm has accepted Tsutami's challenge of single combat. Kelistra is tempted to intervene with one of her special performances, but refrains herself - not because of Tsutami's honor or the threat of his minions interfering. Kelistra does not intervene because Malcolm would be pissed. Kelistra draws forth her mandolin and starts playing a quiet tune, a strange alien tune that Ameiko taught her that's better suited for Ameiko's samisen than Kelistra's mandolin.
"So, ummm... Whom do you serve good sir?"
"This day keeps getting better," Kelistra mutters. "Now we've got dead guys from out of town. At least we know where the aura came from."
"Let's see what's hiding in the gloom."
Kelistra shakes her head. "It's all around us, even in the air. Very faint so far. Maybe when we move in I'll get a stronger impression."
"Desna guide us," Kelistra says softly. "There's death magic at work here, Azmythe. I'm too young for the grave, so I wouldn't trust that voice for guidance. Well, it's not getting any warmer in here and Desna shows no path for those who stay home. Let's move on." Kelistra walks deeper into the cave.
Kelistra concentrates on trying to find magical emanations from among the gloom.
"Brrr... I hate cold," Kelistra mutters as she keeps walking into the darkening cavern.
"Or maybe the dead things that attacked the goblins," Kelistra says quietly as she searches for signs of the predator's presence.
"Oh, don't worry on that score. You haven't seen me when I'm angry." Kelistra takes a moment to renew the light spell on her rapier then follows the others down the tunnel.
"Now I get it! I was wondering why the ogress was enthralled with you. You gotta be careful, ogresses are into that kind of sappy hyperbole."
"Or you could use the crystal for a pinky ring, or an ear ring, or a necklace," Kelistra says quickly. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not quite ready to take you seriously, Ruhk. And I'm not marrying a guy just so he can make amends."
"These crystals aren't very rare or fancy," Kelistra says as she starts gathering stones. "But the guys at the glassworks might be interested in them. They look pretty when they're worked into goblets and stuff. But this one..." Kelistra carefully examines the way the light plays in a sky blue crystal which she then hands to Ruhk. "This one would look good in an engagement ring."
"Again with implying I'm old," Kelistra laughs. You gotta watch it, Ruhk. One of these days I might take you seriously. Let's see what's on the island."
"Maybe it's the giant amoebas," Kelistra says with a quick laugh. "Goopy Critters of Eternal Youth."
Kelistra goes to Marduzi's side to give him a hand up. "Let's get you out of there. I don't think we want to touch their guts, goo, whatever they're made of."
Kelistra steps through the oozy remnants of the amoeba Marduzi mangled so one of the organisms is flanked between her and Malcolm. As soon as Kelistra is in position, she stabs the thing.
"Hey! I hit something!"
"Eew! Watch out! These blobby things are huge amoebas and they eat people and stuff," Kelistra says and ineffectually pokes the blobby thing in front of her with her rapier.
"Huh? Magic? Oh, yeah. No, no magic out here. Guess I just needed to cool off some. Man this water's cold."
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