Aubrey's Rise of the Runelords campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

Alwyn:

He surreptitiously palms the somewhat embarassing sketchbook.

"these are just crap. Why bother? Bad art is a sin against creation; never mind the bizarre nature of the subject! I'll burn this at my convenience."

"I don't know. I thought the one where he was in the sun hat having a picnic was pretty nice. Or what about the assless chaps tightrope outfit? Niiicceee, right?" Illes snickers. "Sorry kid."

Larken sneers, "You simply confirm everthing I despise about all of you. In the midst of murder and horror, you simply want to make jokes. And anyway, what's wrong with a man wearing assless chaps if he wants to, and his friends don't mind?"

“I cannot see the purpose; surely it would make riding needlessly uncomfortable?”
…
…
“They could perhaps provide convenient access for sexual gratification though, now I think on it.”

"The evil taint here is too strong for me to overcome, and burning the house down would not purge the residue. We need to talk to Father Xanthus; he'll know what to do." Alwyn grabs Foxglove's torso. "Let's dump the body out in the sunlight; somehow, I feel uncomfortable leaving it here with the fungus-thing."

Let's take the same route out of the house and return to Sandpoint. We can escort a competent cleric back, purge the haunting, and then explore the rest of the house after that.

The party head back through the house, which creaks malevolently but offers no more vicious hauntings. At last, outside again, they breathe fresh air once more, free of fungal taint. Lo’j (remember him?) waits outside with the horses, eyeing the legion of black crows which seems to have formed on the eaves of the building. As the group emerge the crows, as one, burst into flight, wheeling in eerie silence about the house before dispersing across the blighted field filled with rotting corn. The towering waves savage the coastline and the iron-grey sky roils fearsomely, but nevertheless the oppression is lifted as Alwyn and Hudak hurl Foxglove’s corpse over the cliff to its destruction on the rocks below. They keep the head as proof the party’s deed and as evidence of his horrible transformation.

The group saddles up and heads back to Sandpoint and they arrive back without incident. Heading straight for the temple and High Priest Xanthus, Alwyn explains to the cleric about the horrid evil of the Misgivings and how to exorcise it, displaying the grisly trophy of Foxglove’s head. Xanthus nods gravely.

“The Misgivings have always had a fell reputation, but I never guessed it could harbour such horror and evil. It is a mighty deed you have performed, once again, in the service of Sandpoint. I believe we will be able to banish the evil forever with the rituals you suggest - I will see to the preparations.

"I also understand that you must follow the vileness to its source, but there are likely still ghouls infected by Foxglove still at large in the area. We will need experienced fighters to help us hunt them down and destroy them.”

Lo’j steps forward. “I will assist in this. With members of my family here, I cannot ride away with these undead horrors still lurking. I will assist the Watch in this task.”

“Me too,” says Larken. “I want to help this community, not simply aggrandise myself through adventuring. It’s the people that count!”

“Very well,” replies Xanthus, “I am grateful. But the rest of you should head to Magnimar and deal with the threat there. You should tread carefully, because Ironbriar holds great sway – you cannot simply walk in and kill him, you must be able to prove his ill deeds before you confront him. Perhaps you should follow up the clues in the letter, and the things that Foxglove said before he died. Best wishes and good luck.” Man, I’m such a subtle DM!

Oh, and 3,000xp each.

Does someone have a good tally of where we are with XP? I have 10110 but I feel like I may have missed something. Also did we loot the house pretty well? Is there any areas you guys feel like going through more thoroughly?

Does someone have a good tally of where we are with XP? I have 10110 but I feel like I may have missed something. Also did we loot the house pretty well? Is there any areas you guys feel like going through more thoroughly?

I’m at about 10200. Is that enough to level? Don’t have my books at work (and no xp tables in the srd…)

I'm at about 10,060. I copy/pasted the loot from freakboy in my avatar's profile. 10,000 is a level up, byoches.

Hey, is Larken hanging with us?

"I don't know if I should stay, but you guys are so f*+&ed up, you need me around, so..."
That's what he says.

I think Larken is staying to protect the town, with Loj.

I'm at 10210 xp. Hello, level 5! I took a level in the Ordained Champion PrC, which makes Alwyn even more of a sword-wielding hardass. Sadly, his spellcasting suffers a bit, so no 3rd level spells yet. I rolled a 6 for hit points.

I'm at 10210 xp. Hello, level 5! I took a level in the Ordained Champion PrC, which makes Alwyn even more of a sword-wielding hardass. Sadly, his spellcasting suffers a bit, so no 3rd level spells yet. I rolled a 6 for hit points.

Yep, that’s the correct xp count (Elisile is at 10201 as she previously spent 9xp making scrolls).

She’ll take her next level in wizard, giving her a couple extra spells per day, +1 to BAB and Will saves, and an additional 4 hit points (including Con bonus). Not quite sure yet where she’ll be spending her skill points or what her new spells known will be.

Before we head out to Magnimar, we should probably see about IDing some of the gear we got from Foxglove.
From a metagame point of view, I’m sure there’s more loot to be had in the Manor, but from an in-game perspective, heading to Magnimar seems more urgent than going back and looting the place – what do you all think.

I'll try to level up tonight; I took a nap last night, and ended up sleeping all damn night....what a waste. Horrible, horrible waste.

Leveled. Master Specialist level 2. Rolled crap for HP. :(

Leveled. Master Specialist level 2. Rolled crap for HP. :(

At least you'll get 2 hp. I see you didn't really opt for the, um... subtle spells?

So, what's the decision?

I see you didn't really opt for the, um... subtle spells?

What are those?

Foxglove has a nice war razor, a couple of rings, and a strange sort of mask that looks like it was made from the flayed skin of several different people's faces. These all detect as magical, the mask giving an aura of illusion, the two rings transmutation and abjuration respectively, and the razor universal.

You also find on the table a set of keys - a large iron key and a smaller golden key with the head resembling a roaring lion. In addition, you find a letter, as follows:
"blablabla....I'm a psycho b@+!#....blabla..."

anybody want any of the loot, or to identify it? I guess we'll give the psycho mask to the cleric to destroy it as a manifestation of the forces of the f@!!ed up.

Add in to the loot:
500 gp bounty for Mr leather codpiece
300 gp for a pearl ring (I don't remember where this came from, but I have it on my sheet

Level: +6 hp, +5 Diplomacy, +1 Arcana, Listen, Perform, +Hideous Laughter, +Silence

I'll have to go back and read up on the clues and stuff tomorrow. Today I took the nap that stretched into most of my evening :)

I'd suggest destroying the mask and IDing the rings and razor - we'll then sell what we don't want.

“Let us not be too hasty in destroying that mask … although it is hideous and an evil was obviously done in its creation, it may yet be useful.”

I’m going to guess its something along the lines of a psycho’s version of a hat of disguise. It may be useful if we follow the note and head to Foxglove’s townhouse, pretending to be him turning up for further instructions or whatever the note said.
Basically, similar argument from Elisile as in regards to the Sihedron rune; sure it may be evil, but if we can use it to fight evil, yay us.
I say we ID it first at the very least. Unfortunately I don’t think either Veth or I can cast Identify. And holy crap, Vethran now has fireball and lightning bolt!!

Vethran:

And holy crap, Vethran now has fireball and lightning bolt!!

And his CL with fire spells is 8! 8!!!

"Your argument is a reasonable one. As distasteful as the stitched skins are, they may be of use to us later. Our enemies in Magnimar are underhanded sorts, so it would do us well to have some tricks up our sleeve."

Identify the 'razor, two rings, and scary mask out of the money from the codpiece bounty; the cockcap is worth 100 g.p. now; once we get our cash, let's jam for Magnimar.

Vethran: ** spoiler omitted **

Elisile:

And his CL with fire spells is 8! 8!!!

I’m glad he’s on our side.

Veth:

So, like I say - what's the decision?

What time of day is it? Unless its first thing in the morning, let’s spend the rest of the day in Sandpoint (we’ll get the magic gear ID’d at the magic shop if possible, buy any equipment, maybe learn spells or scribe scrolls or what-have-you) then head out for Magnimar just before dawn the following day. Once there I say we try to find Foxglove’s townhouse.

Getting the loot Identified:
- war razor +1
- Ring of Protection +1
- Ring of Jumping
- Stalker's Mask (Price 3,500gp. Gives the wearer +5 to Hide as he goes shadowy and insubstantial. Once per day, the wearer can take on the appearance of any humanoid within 60' that he observes like a Disguise Self spell. The wearer gain a +2 bonus (untyped) to attacks against the person he is disguised as, as the mask builds up the wearer's rage and jealousy against that person.)

Right, are we still dividing loot evenly, or doing it on a needs basis? Either way is cool, and we don’t need to work it out now, but I say that we keep the Ring of Protection and Ring of Jumping, probably sell the war razor in Magnimar, unless someone wants it (I’m not sure how good they are, or if they’re an exotic weapon?)
The Mask … I’m beginning to agree with Alwyn about getting rid of it, its quite creepy. Still, might come in useful and/or we can sell it in Magnimar for reasonable cash.
If no one objects, we pay for the Identify spells from the bounty money for codpiece man. How much does it cost us Aubrey?
If no one else wants the Ring of Protection, Elisile will take it, but someone else is welcome to take first dibs on it, seeing Elisile already has more than her fair share (apparently) of magical gear.

Standard PHB cost for spells plus components.

Getting the loot Identified:

- war razor +1--worth 2,300+cost of a war razor(?)
- Ring of Protection +1--keeping Elisile
- Ring of Jumping--worth 2,500
- Stalker's Mask (Price 3,500gp. Gives the wearer +5 to Hide as he goes shadowy and insubstantial. Once per day, the wearer can take on the appearance of any humanoid within 60' that he observes like a Disguise Self spell. The wearer gain a +2 bonus (untyped) to attacks against the person he is disguised as, as the mask builds up the wearer's rage and jealousy against that person.)

so....ar we keeping the freak mask? Let's sell it.

Sell that bastard. Running around with a serial killer mask that encourages you to kill and assume a persons identity is going to end poorly. If nothing else it gives a corrupt official (like Ironbriar) "evidence" to accuse us of being the serial killer all along. What about the Sihedron rune necklace though? Should we buy that back from Larken? Are we going to need that?

I agree. Let's sell the blade and the mask, keep the rings and set off for Magnimar early the next morning. Hw's Dravite's AC? If he's only using studded leather with his two-handed weapon, he might need the ring of protection more than anyone. Alwyn at least gets to wear heavy armour.

4 identifies=400 g.p. + 4 times(10 times caster level).
What's caster level, o mighty dungeonmaster?

casts metagaming augury

Assume CL 1 - it doesn't need to be higher.

OK, decide what you keep and sell. You probably can't flog it in Sandpoint since they don't really have the wherewithall - hiring some bunch of adventurers have cleaned them out. Assume you sell them in Magnimar at some point, have the cash and can buy some new stuff there with the proceeds.

Another sunrise in Sandpoint - wan light trickles reluctantly through lowering clouds. The party spent a restless night, oppressed by fragmentary dreams of dark rooms filled with ominous, unseen presences. When they finally drag their tired bodies from their rumpled beds in the Rusty Dragon and go downstairs, they find Ameiko. She holds the Sihedron medallion in her hand.

"Larken has already gone. He told me to give you this as you might need it."

They gather their horses at the stables, saddle up and ride out down the road to Magnimar. The weather is chill, but at least the driving wind and rain from yesterday is gone, replaced by a sullen mist, and light drizzle spots armour and clothes. It is not a season for chatter - the party ride mostly in silence, lost in their own thoughts of their battles to date and those to come, huddling under winter cloaks and oilskins. Without the wagons from when they last made this trip, they make good progress, and after a long ride they are within striking distance of Magnimar by the time the short winter day turns into a long dark night. The group are unmolested at their roadside campsite.

The next morning dawns brighter. The cloud is more broken, scudding quickly across the sky as the wind picks up again, and it has stopped raining. Shafts of sunlight spring to earth through the gaps between the grey-white cumulus, granting a little fleeting warmth when these pass overhead before the clouds move on. They remount, and after a few hour ride the walls of Magnimar appear in the distance.

I don't know why I bang on about the weather so much - must be because I'm British.

OK - over to you.

"Wanna ride on in? I guess we'll find out if Ironbriar has a warrant out for us that way..."

I'm for riding in and seeing if the guards harass us.

If there's no objections, Vethran will take the Sihedron Medallion. +1 to all saves would definitely come in handy for one as death-prone as I, and the false life 1/day saves me a spell slot. Also, will I be able to find 24 hours to scribble my researched scroll of protection from energy into my book? I also need 300gp to do it. Speaking of money, Aubrey, while we're selling stuff... how much can I get for the wand of shocking grasp with 27 charges left in it? It's CL 1, so at this point it's basically not worth getting into melee for.

750 x 27/50 x 1/2 = proceeds from Wand of Shocking Grasp. I guess you found time somewhere along the way to scribe your spell in your spellbook.

Sold the wand and used the proceeds (plus some of my own cash) for the scribing. Protection from energy has now been added to my spellbook and the scroll removed from inventory.

Aubrey the Demented/Malformed wrote:

Getting the loot Identified:

- war razor +1--worth 2,300+cost of a war razor(?)
- Ring of Protection +1--keeping Elisile
- Ring of Jumping--worth 2,500
- Stalker's Mask (Price 3,500gp. Gives the wearer +5 to Hide as he goes shadowy and insubstantial. Once per day, the wearer can take on the appearance of any humanoid within 60' that he observes like a Disguise Self spell. The wearer gain a +2 bonus (untyped) to attacks against the person he is disguised as, as the mask builds up the wearer's rage and jealousy against that person.)

so....ar we keeping the freak mask? Let's sell it.

I need to price 4 identify spells+400 g.p.; d20SRD here I come.
Then there's the 800 for the codbounty and the pearl ring.

so...

I'll buy myself a wand of CLW when we get to town, as I can't spontaneously cast healing spells anymore. I'll take the Spontaneous Healing fat on our next level, so it's just an inconvenience, but still...

The group rides straight into Magnimar, the guards showing no special interest in them.

OK, you buy and sell your gear off-camera. Now what?

We'll ask around about the location of this townhouse of Foxglove's...
(bard?)

Knowledge (Local) should suffice. Assuming that anyone has any, of course.

r5 untrained...doubtful.
"all these square huts look the same to me."

I think Larken was the local knowledge guy.
"Ack! I guess we be needin' ta joost track doon a local who can be given us directions.
Hey! Yup, you wit' de pock-marked nose and vacant eyes! Do ye be knowin'.....hey! Where be ye goin'? I wuz just arskin' fer some directions!
Damnable peasants...."
A 6 charisma is probably not useful in this endeavor. Leveled up! Ranger 5. Favoreds- humans+2, Giants +4. Heh!

"Hey now! Settle down Captain Business. Can't a man get a drink and rest his feet for a minute? Besides you'd be surprised how much you can find out over a couple of drinks."

Gather Info: 19+10 = 29

leveled; 7+3=10 more h.p.; 3 ranks spent on ride....woooot!

Spent most of my share of the cash on a few more scrolls. They're all SRD spells, so I doubt I'll have much trouble finding them in Magnimar. Aubrey is welcome to veto any of my purchases, though. I picked up vampiric touch and identify. Our days of paying out the ass for identifying items will come to an end as soon as I drop that in the ol' spellbook (whenever we get more downtime).

It still has a 100 gp material component for each casting :(

"Should we find a tavern; ask around?"