Grateful that Belric is close by with his axe, Thaddeus will guide the flaming sphere at toad #3 again. The toad senses the danger and hops aside, escaping with minor singing.
With any remaining action Thaddeus will reload his crossbow.
Seeing that he has driven off one toad, he turns his attacks on the next closest.
“Ach ye slimy bugger, ye need tae feel me ax! “ Belric making sure he is fully in the path of his opponent and Master Thaddeus Belric will attack bellowing his God’s warsong at the top of his lungs!
1d20+7=12, 1d10+4=14
Missing again, Belric bellows out “ Ach ma axe cannae kill toads!, Ma Lord mae help mae endeavor!”
Jaques steps up and whacks toad #3 for 10 points of damage. Thaddeus' spell misses. Agathon splatters and kills
toad #2.
The remaining toads flee the area as Belric swings his axe at one of them passing, angrily shouting at them.
Sounds of combat come from the camps to your south and northwest. In the shadowy light you see several lizard men
engaged in melee with company troopers. Some toads also hop among the figures outlined in camp fire light and
hastily lit torches and lanterns.
Seeing the Lizard men fighting the troopers and judging them to be a greater threat than the Giant Toads (and seeing that his friends are in no immediate threat), Agathon will shout to his friends...
"Our comrades are hard pressed by those... those... whatever they are! We must aid them!"
And with no further word (thinking the threat in their own small camp extinguished), Agathon will grip his sword tightly and run flat out to the nearest set of troopers...
A potential swing on a Lizard Man (if he can get there this round...): (1d20+9=16, 2d6+4=7)
AC 19 42/42
Belric will stay with Thaddeus and be his guardian of all things amphibian.
" Ach Agathon, ye cannae joost run off like that!" Belric tries to reign in the over enthusiastic warrior, blowing out his mustachios, he looks at Thaddeus and shrugs, "Dinnae worry Master Thaddeus, ma ax an shield shall stave off any foes so ye can blast em with your magic"
Belric will keep a wary out for any sneaking and skulking enemies, as he moves where Thaddeus figures to do the most good.
Jaques watches in dismay as Agathon takes off. He's abandoning what we've learned of concentrating our force! Grimacing, Jaques tries to finish off his amphibious adversary.
Thaddeus exchanges a look with Belric and sighs heavily as Agathon charges into the darkness. "I suppose we'll have to go after him then. Come on Jacques!"
If the toad that Jacques is fighting is still alive, Thaddeus will direct the flaming sphere to burn the toad: flaming sphere, 3rd round (2d6=3) ...and will dismiss the spell in disgust at its ineffectiveness. It's a stupid spell and I didn't like it anyway!
If Jacques kills his toad, and the combat that Agathon is heading for is farther than approximately 40 yards away, Thaddeus will dismiss the spell in disgust at its ineffectiveness. It's a stupid spell and I didn't like it anyway!
If Jacques kills his toad but the combat that Agathon is heading for is within 40 yards or so, Thaddeus will guide the flaming sphere towards it. Let's see if I can do better!
In all cases, Thaddeus will make his best speed to pursue Agathon.
Jaques kills his toad. Thaddeus guides his flaming sphere towards the closest lizard man (see map in email). It will be th ere next round. Agathon charges towards a lizard m an but can't attack. Belric sticks with Thaddeus. See map
As he approaches his target, Agathon will see the glisten of water falling off the scaled body of the lizard like man before him. The creature turns to meet Agathon.
”Pelor! Its eyes! They are dark pits of death!!! Agathon’s mental scream will ricochet throughout his skull even as he attempts to use his momentum to drive his weapon into the fearsome creature’s chest. The sight of the black soulless eyes of this upright lizard causes Agathon to lose focus for just a second.
And a second is all the fates need:
A strike upon the Lizard Man: (1d20+9=10, 2d6+4=11)
Slipping horribly in the mud just as his opponent turns sideways with an ‘impossibly’ quick snapping motion, Agathon nearly flies past and beyond as his great blade slices through naught but air. “Ooop!” He winces inwardly at the ridiculous sound even as it leaps from his lips.
Trying desperately just to remain upright, waving his arms and his right foot leaving the ground, Agathon’s jaw drops open as he cannot help but leave his entire left side open for an easy attack…
Thaddeus will push his flaming sphere towards the lizardman that Agathon is fighting. Flaming sphere, 4th round (2d6=6)
With any remaining movement, he will close the range towards Agathon. Seeing the toads and lizardmen advancing on Agathon's right side, Thaddeus will also shout, 'Jacques! Get on Agathon's right!'.
Jaques hears Thaddeus's call,"exactly what I was thinking"and moves up to Agathons right, to intercept any incoming attack. Agathon will regain his stance and can handle that one opponent, but I don't want them coming at him from two sides. Jaques will attack any foe that comes within his reach.
Belric AC 18, HP 42
Belric keeping a sharp eye out for anyone attempting attack Thaddeus, will keep his axe circling in slow motion to keep his wrist limber.
[ooc] read to attack if anything gets near...
(1d20+7=26, 1d10+4=6)
Wealsun 4 CY 577
Battle Lizardmen, toads and a young black dragon 20 miles west of Fort Arazarm
Wealsun 5 CY 577
Fight through goblin worg riders, hobgoblins and other forces to break through to Fort Arazarm, now mostly destroyed. Many casualties.
Enter Underdark to move north to help find the missing spy from Spinecastle. Ambushed by Manticores and fight spiders. Rescue Adrin, young ranger of the village of Dramsburg, who leads the party to his village to rescue it from an extraplanar stalker killing people at night.
Wealsun 5-8 CY 577
Solve the mystery of the Standing Stones and the stalking extraplanar hound threatening the village of Dramsburg.
Wealsun 9-14 CY 577
Travel overland through Bone March, looking for another Underdark entrance to finalize their journey in concealment. Track down a major troll tribe and loot their tunnels. Run into the gnome guarded illusionary hill home of Irina, famous ancient wizard, who reveals mysteries of some of Greyhawks' most ancient secrets, but then wipes the party's memories of the event. Trade for some better magic items.
Wealsun 15-19 CY 577
Enter Spinecastle. Brawl with bugbears and make contact with the orc tavern keeper who knows the spy master's home. Ambushed by a drow sorceress and her minions, who give the party a great deal of trouble. Rest in the Silent Sparrow Inn, spending a lot of funds. Assault Hobar's home, but don't do well in the battle.
however, the battle gets the attention of Merogak, the Bloody Eye orc chieftain. He approaches the party and parlays with them. It turns out that Wynan Korch, the High Councilor, exerted influence over the Church of Gruumsh to force the orcs into the new, organized war with Knurl. Merogak doesn't want the war, but had to go along with it. He knows that the war might gain the tribe some initial spoils, but would weaken it and make it vulnerable to the competing tribes in the Bone March. Thus, he was in the unusual position of having to try to make peace in order to preserve the power of his tribe. He cannot move against the Councilor directly, but the party's fortuitious arrival gives him a chance. He advises them that if they remove the councilor from power, he will be able to pull his troops back and end the offensive against Knurl. This is not a permanent peace offer, but an end to the current threat to Knurl.
The party agrees and assaults the Councilor's home, defeating his minions, capturing Szarthelion, the drow sorceress and killing the Councilor. The party also frees Hobar the spy and Belric's sister, who was captured a few months before while leading resistance fighters in Spinecastle.
True to his word, Merogak allows the party safe passage out of the City the following day. They take Hobar, Belric's sister and the drow prisoner with them.
By Richfest, the summer festival, the party arrives back in Knurl to a heroes' reception. Count Dunstan personally opens the gates for them. In the past week, the last attacking warbands moved North. The party sent messages up ahead and also briefed some of Ebbers scouts they encountered and thus the Count learned of the arrangement that saved his City, at least until the next major war.
4th day of Reaping, CY 577
Back at their mansion in Knurl, the party enjoyed another great feast and party last night. Their drow prisoner, thoroughly interrogated (results posted later), has been turned over to the Count for internment and trial. A messenger from Count Dunstan arrives, inviting the party to his castle tonight for their land grants and titles.
Morning of the 4th Day of Reaping…
The dawn has come and gone. The others will find Agathon upon the roof of their manor sitting facing east with a sword upon his lap.
Just a few hours before, there was a great feast in the hall. Elsinore and Margarette out did themselves and presented a rack of lamb that fell off the bone to the complete delight of all the travelers… Margarette never looked so wonderful as last night…
It was a night he would most certainly always remember as his heart has found a new stirring. In his travels of late, he has seen great beauty in women… all of it covering a black heart and soul. Upon his return to Knurl, he found the kindest and most profound greeting was not that of the Lords of the City… Not the smiles, song, and slaps on the back from the soldiers… Not even the relief and joy of his comrades in arms… No. The deepest greeting was from Margarette, the maid. She is a rather plain simple woman of no means save her heart and hands. Hers was the most genuine the most deeply honest greeting… and the simplest.
“Welcome home”.
Those two simple words and the look behind the eyes presenting them were the most important things Agathon has experienced since he left the clamor of Greyhawk. He has never truly understood what that word ‘home’ meant until he crossed the threshold of the front door to find Margarette greeting him after his long time away. This is indeed home. And, he truly understands its meaning now.
Thinking back further, his mind races through their adventures. Traveling with the armed company to Fort Arazam through the under-ground passages, through the Bone March, and ending in the great fortress of Spine Castle. It is all a blur, as if someone had told him the tale too quickly causing him to not catch all of the details of the story… Yet, some imagery comes back all too clearly. That never dying beast spewing his foul reek on us and the metal beast of blood we fought. Brother Belric, Thaddeus, and Jaques each in their turn brushing elbows with the spirits of the dead and the evil they have seen… The eyes of the King of the Orcs… Those yellowed eyes! We made a deal with him… Yes, it ended the war. Knurl is safe. Yet, no bath (no matter how many flower petals Margarette throws into it) can ever was off the stink of that encounter… And, the horrors within the tyrannical walls of Spine Castle remain.
And Thaddeus! Poor Thaddeus! Courted by the very same evil… And did I not feel it? I know that I wanted to visit the most horrible treatment upon the Drow wizard... Did I not wish to hurt her and add to her suffering? Did I not want to visit some of her own horror onto her mind and body? Pelor, please forgive my adventure into this darkness! I nearly joined my friend and catapulted us both into the abyss! I wanted to hurt her so badly, and I know he did as well… Despite Brother Belric’s complaint, the slow ride back from that terrible place gave us the time to try to save the soul of our good friend. I know that there is work yet to be done on this score… Oh Great Shining One! Give me the strength to persist and defeat this most insidious and greatest of foes! Call upon your ally and great friend, Moradin to give Belric what strength he needs to work with me in this regards. Help us to save our friend!!
And now, I am presented with a new quandary… Where to go from here? I have no doubt that Jaques, Thaddeus, and Belric have already reached their own decisions… But then, they have all a vastly greater store of wisdom than I. My desires are to work to rid Belric’s homeland, Spine Castle, of this great body of evil and occupation… once and for all freeing the Bone March of this doom. Yet, this has been the dream of the nobility and the captains of this region for a span greater than my life. This dream has come to naught but a temporary truce… the truce that we brokered! Thus, we have solved nothing but a small gain of personal honor and fame. Perhaps Count Dunstan will honor us with a bit of land somewhere about the region at the meeting he has called for tonight…
Meaningless it is in the great accounting of it all…
Agathon will rub the bridge of his nose, seated on his perch on the roof of the manor waiting the dawn… Upon his lap rests the sword made by the hands of Thaddeus’ father… a great weapon that has served him well. He will silently pray for forgiveness for his trespasses during the last month and will smile peacefully as the first rays of sunlight chase the tendrils of cold away from his closed eyes…
Upon the rising of the Sun, Agathon will pray aloud, “Pelor! I seek your blessing and great knowledge! It is my intention to remain with my companions and to serve Knurl and your church within it. For the latter, I ask humbly for your blessing. For the former, I seek strength and advice… I humbly ask you to send to me one that can aid me on our future quests… I ask not for a foot man… I do not require any man’s service! I beg thee for a companion that can keep my focus on your teachings and whom I can serve in the delivery of your light upon the World!
With that, he will allow the great Sun to warm his body and wait for his companions to eventually find him so that he may discuss with them the future of their company…
Thaddeus became aware of the room around him as he flickered back to full consciousness. The dead fire, the untouched brandy from the night before, the morning rays of the sun from the window - all reminded him that he had been floating in thought for several hours now. The in-between place. Cephali called it free association - a place between dreams and wakefulness, where you can leave your mind free to go in any direction. Much like daydreaming, but on a higher plane.
He had spent the last several nights like this, rehashing and re-examining the events of the last month from every angle. Being able to indulge in thought like this was truly a luxury - how much so he had not appreciated until he had been on campaign. In the field there was always something to do - eat, clean, pack and re-pack, keep watch, and when he crawled into his bedroll at night, the bone weariness would take him. So much had happened in such a short time.
Losing control in the depths of the earth; biting his fist until he drew blood in an effort to not sob in terror. The dark had been all permeating and impenatrable. Sounds had been magnified and his skin crawled - the start of his mind getting away from him. The villagers and the standing stones. The trolls lair and the awful stench. The day they woke up in a farmhouse outside Spinecastle. Something was wrong in between the trolls and the farmhouse, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. It was as if the memories were incomplete or inconsistent in some subtle way. The others dismissed his concerns as further evidence the drow woman had gotten to him. And, really, could he argue?
For Szarthelion had surely been spawned by devils and placed in Thaddeus' life-path with the sole aim of driving him mad. He could not explain it. In their first encounter, it was the first time he had really dueled with another spellcaster and very nearly perished. The second time at Hobar's house had not gone much better. She had actually suppressed his life force temporarily, and Thaddeus flew into a rage. He dimly remembered beating a dead goblin to a pulp with his quarterstaff. He quite clearly remembered the mixed look of horror and fear on Agathon's face.
Thaddeus also remembered the iron grip and sad look of Jacques as he moved to claim Szarthelion in the manner that men have claimed prizes of war for time immemorial. For all his naivete concerning the outside world, Jacques seemed to know quite clearly what the wizard had planned, and would not permit it.
Most of all he remembered the heated argument with Belric of what to do with the drow woman. Thaddeus had wanted to sell her to the orcish brothel owner, thinking they could net ten or fifteen thousand pieces of gold. Belric insisted they bring her back to Knurl for interrogation, believing the knowledge in her head was worth well more than any sum of gold they could get for her. The worst part was that the dwarf was right, and Thaddeus knew he was right, but the rage and injured pride in him kept arguing anyway. That was perhaps the worst, to know his reason had left him - and Belric understood it too, more so than the others.
The journey home had been a fresh hell for the wizard. By the hard glint in her eyes, Szarthelion had clearly known the effect she was having on the men - her hips would sometimes undulate appealingly or she would turn and bend so as to show the right amount of cleavage. Looking back on it, it was clear to Thaddeus that she had been doing her best to sow discontent and conflict in the party. She had affected all the human men in this way, but none so profoundly as Thaddeus. Fortunately he had gathered the remaining shreds of his self control and had not made a scene on the way home. He was almost as grateful to turn her over to Cephali and Gendar as he was to return to Knurl itself, just to be rid of her.
Coming home as a victorious hero had been fantastic. The songs and cheering had buoyed his spirit. Only his longstanding friends had dared to come forward and clap the wizard on the back in the manner that the crowds of soldiers had thronged the other three men. There was respect and gratitude in their eyes, but tinged with fear, for he was now the master of forces they could not comprehend.
All of which came back to Thaddeus as he tossed a few logs in the fireplace and lit them with a word. What now? We have saved Knurl, at least this time. Will we disband, or continue to seek fortune and adventure together?
Belric has spoken much of wanting to liberate Spinecastle. That is truly a monumental task and will require years of planning, a great army, and vast resources. It is still not out of the question.
Or shall I stay here and settle in to being a landowner? I know nothing of being a landowner and little of farming, mining, and logging. Becoming a prosperous landowner will require peasants to work the land and build structures. Almost everyone has fled the Bone March so I would have to go find some peasants and persuade them to return with me. They would need to be provided with food until their crops come in and shelter until they can build their homes. This task, also, will require years in planning and execution, and a good amount of gold.
I would also like to take some time off the campaign trail and fabricate some magick items. It might also be wise to take on a henchman or two - we are sorely lacking in the ability to locate traps by any other means than blundering into them. Any of these tasks will require gold in quantity. We have a number of minor magick items in party inventory that we should sell, but I doubt the Count has the treasury remaining to purchase them from us. Therefore it seems our first task should be to go somewhere with a good economy so we can sell our magick items. Perhaps I can visit a priest of Rao while I am there.
Rumor has it that some of the merchants who remained in Knurl will want to introduce their daughters to us soon. They are probably waiting to see what titles and lands we are awarded. While I would enjoy some female company, I am not ready to settle down quite yet. I wonder if I have any chance at all with Shirana...?
His head clear for the first time in a few weeks (but seeming much longer), Thaddeus will ring Elsinore to bring a tray of hot tea and meet him on the roof. Perhaps I can get Agathon to smile today! I just thought of some jokes about the strictness of living as Shirana's husband...
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ninety-eight...ninety-nine... Hundred. Jaques drops to his his elbows from the finger-tip pushups, and rolls over onto his back. His hour of exercise complete, he stares at the ceiling of his room. listening to his own labored breathing and feeling the sweat roll off his body. He listens to the muffled voices and sounds of motion of the other household members on the floor below him. He really never believed he would see this house or room again. The odds of survival of that last mission were not good, and even should he have survived, surely Knurl would have been overrun, and the house burned with the rest of the city. To be back in his room was a pleasant surprise.
He's puzzled by the exercise routine he just completed again. Somewhere along the trail, after the expedition to the trolls lair, he awoke one morning with the idea that exercise would help build the strength he needed for combat. Not just any exercise, rather this particular exercise regime. He didn't recall planning it, creating it, or even being taught it during his monastary training. Suddenly, it just seemed a good idea, but following it regularly had indeed greatly increased his strength. It was a puzzle. On the trail he had wondered if the gnomes they encountered had somehow inspired him.
There was a good deal to be thankful for, and some real comparison to wretchedness he had seen. There is more to the world than I had imagined, it's not so clear anymore. Jaques remains disturbed by the events of the last month, on many levels. Evil, good, and pragmatism have become stirred together in ways he does not find comfortable. In the city of Spinecastle, so many things had changed. He had seen a fully functioning city, with no "good" in it. No gratitude, no generosity, no concern for others, not even love. Yet still it functioned. There was commerce, there was order (of a sort), there was the usual division of the wealth of the prosperous and the sorry state of the poor, nearly indistinguishable from any city he had known...only with no actual "goodness". Could it be that "goodness" was not what sustained civilization as he had previously believed? The Red Cloak Orcs, surely as evil and pernicious a bunch as ever walked Oerth, were running Spinecastle as a functioning city. There were even "city gaurds" patrolling the streets. That he and his companions had made a "pragmatic deal" with the head orcs of the city would have seemed like an ironic fairy tail, had he not lived it.
Then there were the disturbing feelings in his own heart. I could have let him do it. I could have done it myself; I wanted to. The Drow sorceress. He catches his labored breathing for an instant, before putting it back into rythm. He remembered how her hair smelled. Hate and desire, blended together in a way he couldn't explain. With Shiranna it had always been so different, just awe, kindness, concern for her, wanting her respect, admiration as a basis for attraction. With the dark elf woman, in a moment during their second battle, he had been face to face with her. Inches away from him, she had smirked in his face, and cast her lightining bolt 90 degrees away from him, to blast Agathon down the street. The smug contempt in her eyes, unafraid of him even though his hands were inches from her. He'd never forget that look, and it had made him want to do ...unspeakable...things...to her. That's how he knew what was in Thaddeus's eyes, when they captured her. It was half in his own mind when he'd been shouting at Agathon to "take her alive", at war with the rationalizing half that suggested they could take her for the information she had. The discipline won out, and he guided Thaddeus into following the course of events that needed to happen. They had dragged the prisoner back to Knurl unmolested but for some rough handling. Discipline. That was the only thing that had made the difference though he knew both himself and Thaddeus to have always been "good" men. It was discipline that made Spinecastle work, though they were all "evil". Is the line so blurry? Is it really just "discipline" that makes it all function?
He had heard that some orders believed only in the discipline, that good and evil were irrelevent and to be used equally in furtherance of order. Considering the deals they had made, and what he had felt in himself, were they wrong? He would admit only to himself that it was only the discipline that had gotten him through that trip back to Knurl with his soul barely intact. Szarthelion the drowess, had continued to provoke them, flirting, sneering, teasing. The rough handling they gave her only seemed to egg her on. Agathon seemed immune, as had Belric (perhaps aided by his dwarvish aversion to elves), but he and Thaddeus had been nearly beside themselves. Was Agathon just a "better man"? He had exercised himself into physical exhaustion every night, to keep himself honest. Thaddeus had started having debates with himself near the end, in some language Jaques couldn't follow. I don't know how much longer we could have lasted, good riddance. He remembered the smell of her hair...
Information gathered from Szarthelion, veracity unverified:
*Part of the power of the amulet and key of Spinecastle is the power to raise an army of the dead
*The masked councilor was an agent of a religious cult that was actually a front for the demon that used to control the Overking
*The drow are infiltrating the bandits to the south to increase their power in the region
*The amulet of Spinecastle is held by the elves on the Spindrift Isles far to the south
Count Dunstan's city watch captain, Stivol Lancing, takes custody of Szarthelion. "We have a cell for spellcasters."
4th Day of Reaping
Belric sits in prayer at his personal altar in his room silently communing with his deity. As his consciousness descends from the higher planes, he slowly opens his eyes. Snuffing out his expensive incense, noting to himself that he would need to purchase some more.
He looks about his tidy and earthy room. To his right, his wall of victory proudly displays his prized possessions. His enchanted full plate. The soft candlelight bringing a slight gleam as it hangs in its stand. Next to it his large shield looks so mundane, with its rents and gashes in it wooden surface. ach, it surely hae save ma life and kept ma enemy’s blades from my hide. A new mithril shield would be better though! His family axe in its stand almost seems to speak to Belric, “never use the crossbow, it is not a weapon for you” causing Belric to look at the offensive item sticking out of his travel chest. His gaze returns to his armor bringing a puzzled frown to he face.
Just what happened with them gnomes? I remember a gigantic spider and webs. I went in with one set of armor and a fuzzy deal of buying this set and everyone getting something, but it still makes ma brain sweat.
Standing and straightening his tunic, Belric scans the rest of his 25 by 25 cellar room, making sure that his hidden cache stays undisturbed. His low hard bed sits opposite of his altar, calling him to sleep after the feast he really needs it. The feast surely was a fine thing, the girls really outdid themselves! Ma sister surely did me proud! She out ate Agathon and kept up with me mug fer mug! Hope she is comfortable up there in those airy rooms, but dinnae hae time tae make room for her down where dwarves belong. It was really good tae see her, but her constant “advice” reminds me why I went intae the priesthood! Although the look on her face was priceless when we entered the city. I dinnae like all that yelling and such when we arrived in Knurl. Too much of a fuss for what anyone would hae done in our place, but it put a lock and key on her yapper!
Belric’s attention is diverted when his gaze falls to his desk where he left the neverending mug of ale. Ach that sure be a fine thing, never need tae get the eye o a serving wench ever again!! Now mind ye being in a true dwarvish tavern be no problem, but being among all the taller folk makes one hard to be seen. I wonder how hard it will be tae talk the others out of this item, or how much it will cost ma purse.
The thought of treasure picks and his fellow adventurers, brings smile to Belric’s face making his fiery whiskers to stand out. What a great bunch o lads tae be slaughtering gobbers with. Agathon’s sword, Magic of Master Thaddeus, and oooh how much quiet Jacques set aboot slapping the s@$$e out o them gobbers.
With that thought, Belric recalls the fight in the pit at the Black Gauntlet where Jaques dropped that oversmug Hobgobber in just a few bone cracking punches. That thought leads to being forced by circumstances into making deals with orcs and gobbers causes an acid reflux of pain in Belric’s gut.
That thought leads to the she-devil, A drow, she looks like any other stinking elf, just darker, what was her name….. Zardeloon, yes that was it. She really was a hard one tae being down, but through the Power of Moradin an the Lads we did it! Although I was too worried aboot that golem o blood, by Moradin's forge those flails were large enough tae bring down a Mountain Giant! Belric shudders at the memory of that foul creature. He then switches gears again Ach, Agathon ye surely seem tae be upset aboot Master Thaddeus’s thirst for vengeance against that black skinned she devil! She surely deserved it being a sneaky ambushing elf! Zardeloon should hae had her head taken when she went down, as for all the bother she created on our way home! Sure her information mae hae given the Count something useful, but ye cannae trust an elf. She probably just batted her eyes at him and smiled all pretty like and schwing he nae be thinking straight and believing all sorts of nonsense!
Bringing up a memory Belric quietly asks “How can ye tell when an elf be lying?” chuckling before he even answers “its lips be moving!”
Thinking about the long travel back to Knurl, That she-devil really was causing the lads lots o discomfort…..ughhh thae surely hae poor taste in females. An Master Thaddeus, he really wished tae do some hurt tae her, and some more. I could see the relief in the others’ eyes that he contained himself. Would hae been better thought tae hae slain her in the heat o combat. She surely will be back tae bother us, or I am a bearded Halfling!
Belric undresses and gets into bed and remembers how they made a deal with a devil himself, the orc leader of the tribe that slaughtered his clan. “if innocent lives hadn’t been at stake. Ma axe would hae tasted his foul blood. Ugh may ma ancestors forgive ma decision!!! “ Belric takes a last swig from the neverending mug “ I should give ye a name, if ye become mine I could name ye Belric’s Belcher! Nah, something better but what?” Setting the beautiful item down, Belric stretches When we meet with the Count tomorrow an if he grants us land, ma clan will hae a place tae call their own! With that last pleasant thought, Belric drifts into the realm of dwarvish dreams.
Reaping 4, CY 577
The ceremony at the Count's castle is warm, friendly but not over the top. Everyone knows he still lacks funds. In his great hall, he knights all four party members.
"You have proven yourself heroes to all the people of Knurl, to all the displaced generation of Bone March citizens still yearning to return home."
Each party member now gets to call himself "Sir" and may submit a crest to the herald at Knurl for inclusion in the official registry of Knurl. One of the advantages of knighthood is that most allied or even neutral nations will allow knights of a recognized realm to carry arms and have some diplomatic protection.
"Many noble lines of the Bone March have been lost forever. Today, four new lines start to help recover, just as you have helped stave off the final devastation that may have come had the enemy not withdrawn. I grant each of you a steading of former nobles of the Bone March, roughly equal in size.
To Sir Belric, I grant the steading of Darzog.
To Sir Jaques, I grant the steading of Ferin
To Sir Thaddeus, I grant the steading of Dramsburg...I believe you've met some of the residents
To Sir Agathon, I grant the steading of Arazarm."
There is great appreciative applause and then dinner and a reception afterwards. You are all congratulated again and treated with much respect and admiration. The only other noble of the Bone March who is present is Sir Gendar. The other 'nobles' fled when the City looked it would be overrun, but they are the minor descendants of their respective houses anyway and the Count's power is the only power that really held things together. Now that the City has held, they are sure to be crawling back.
Sir Gendar says "Well, you have your work cut out for you still. Darzog is an area of old mines that are still productive if they can be reactivated. Ferin is a mostly abandoned fishing village, but if you can bring it back to life, it would help the Count reassert his power up the Harp River. Arazarm...well, you know about the Fort, but the steading has old vineyards and plum orchards that could make a come back. Dramsburg is agricultural, but has the most people still living there. Not sure how they'll feel about their new lord, but I'm sure you will settle things well enough."
Cephali pulls Thaddeus aside and says "Edgar can come study with you and help you with your endeavours. He needs to get out from behind the walls anyway."
Shirana tells Jacques "I admire the discipline and steadfastness you displayed in the last few weeks. You should make time to come down to my people's settlement and speak to them about overcoming great odds. We have taken in many refugees fleeing the chaos of the city of Beetu and they could use encouragement."
A man who played the flute very well introduces himself as Darios Nessar, emissary of Ratik. He is an elderly man who still appears fit and wears fine clothing and a very well made broadsword at his hip.
"I am the emissary of Ratik. I would like to speak with you all about your time in Spinecastle, when convenient."
Ebbers is there and shakes your hand vigorously. He tells Jacques "your steading is close to the area my people control. We will be good allies, I hope."
Dria, Belric's sister, tells Belric that "your new place should make a good refuge for resistance fighters."
Verlik, Sgt of the guard, tells Agathon that he would like to hire on with him as a man at arms. He would like to get out of the City and make a difference. Stivol Lancing says he has no problem, although he would hate to lose Verlik.
See updated map Updated Blemu hills map
Jaques seeks out Thaddeus, telling him, "I'd like to go to my village for a brief introduction, and to get some idea of the task ahead. Also Shirana has asked me to visit her village, I would value everyone accompanying me on that visit, or at least accompaning me for the journey".
After spending most of a day going back and forth on the division of magick items, the party arrives at the following:
Agathon: +1 giant composite longbow w/24 arrows, +1 keen short sword
Thaddeus: +2 cloak of charisma, +2 gloves of dexterity, mask of deception
Belric: +1 ring of protection, +1 mithral shirt, everfull mug of ale
Jacques: +1 staff, +4 bracers of defense
Jacques and Agathon will have first choice of any new magick items, since they each only received 2 picks, while Belric and Thaddeus received 3. The remaining magick items in party treasure are to be sold in Greyhawk.
The party resolves to remain in Knurl until Reaping 12 to give Belric and Thaddeus time to write scrolls. The party will fund all of Belric's efforts and some of Thaddeus'; the wizard will also be writing scrolls to sell in Greyhawk. Division of funds will happen in another post.
On Reaping 12, the party will make ready to depart, and Belric will cast wind walk to greatly speed our journey.
Wind walk is a 6th level cleric spell. Reconsider your actions and repost.
Wanting to meet his own people and those of his friends, Agathon will press to take our tours of the steadings before moving on to sell or barter our combined treasure.
Leaving Belric and Thaddeus alone for the week as they were careful to warn Agathon to not interrupt their scroll work, Agathon will approach Jaques and ask if he wishes to tour Knurl so that they can assess the damage to the city and learn in what ways their own lands will be called upon to aid the city in the near future.
To the monk, he will say, "I imagine that we will be expected to produce crops and materials from our lands for sale here in town... Besides, you and I have had spare opportunity to talk and learn of each other. Tell me of your childhood in these parts, and I will share with you my own few stories, though they will no doubt pale before your own!"
If Jaques agrees, Agathon and he will spend the week meeting as many people of the local nobility and merchant classes as possible, learning what they can about the people here and the troubles that people here are having right now...
IF Jaques has his own things to accomplish, Agathon will do his "walk about" in knurl on his own. He will do this armed and armored in case there are still spies and foes hidden in the city from the assault...
Magic item distribution as above.
Belric will take the week to write the following scrolls for party benefit: CLW Mass, Stone Shape Greater, Protection from Negative Energy, Create Food and Water, Remove Blindness/Deafness, Remove Curse, Remove Disease, Skull Watch, CCW, Restoration, CLW Mass.
Thaddeus will take a few days to write the following scrolls for party benefit: minor globe of invulnerability x2, secure shelter x2, dispel magic x2, mage armor greater x2. This will take Thaddeus a little over 3 days.
Thaddeus will spend his remaining time in town renewing old friendships. He will also ask around to see if anyone knows where some of the skilled tradesmen from our new holdings might have fled to - boatbuilders, fishermen, blacksmiths, carpenters, mining engineers, construction engineers, and expert farmers. Thaddeus will also try to find out if there are any druids in the local area.
The party action is to wait for Belric to finish writing his scrolls and then set out for Ferin (Jacques' holding). If possible we would like to use the warhorses and pack animals we were issued earlier.
There are few local craftsmen willing to move to the frontier at this time. The hills are still alive with humanoids. Count Dunstan and the other locals admit it will be years before the refugees that fled the city and area return. Until then, obtaining craftsmen and other help to work your land is going to be virtually impossible. The area would really have to stabilize for that to happen. The amount of money and protection to do that would be astronomical, most locals you speak with agree.
The only local nobles who stuck around to face the siege of the City were Count Dunstan, Sir Gendar and Lady Yariana, an older woman who owns estates in the Blemu Hills as well, but has lived in the City since the humaonids invaded.
The focus of most locals is helping ensure the City survives economically and wondering how the turmoil to the South will affect their trade.
Reaping 4 - 12, CY 577
As his companions are working to create magical scrolls, Agathon will enjoy his time touring Knurl. He will ask Verlik to sup with him and will discuss with him his need to have a good man that can pull his own weight in clearing out the countryside and ridding the steadings and the hills of the humanoids that lurk there still…
“I wish you to accompany me and my companions as we tour our lands. We will be gone from the city for perhaps two weeks. It is hard to tell what might set itself upon us along the way. Are you provisioned for such a trek? If not, bring what you have and give a list of your needs to me. Tomorrow, I will be touring the damage here in Knurl and together we can purchase what you will need. In addition, I propose to you a wage, for now, of 32 Pieces of Gold each month.”
I will provide your martial and most personal expenses. I will see you fed well and I shall never think you a mere servant. For, you are a man of some renown within these walls. And, a man who would give of himself and put at risk the measure of his life in the defense of others as you have, deserves the respect of all he defends and from me as well.”
With Verlik’s agreement, Agathon will slap him on the back and fill his cup with wine… “Well then, we will drink to many adventures together!”
During the rest of this week, Agathon will purchase what goods and items Verlik may need, he will begin Verlik’s employment with a payment of 100 Gold Pieces… “This payment is for your first two months and what personal expenses you may have in that time…”
At some point during Agathon’s walk about Knurl, he will go to the shrine of Pelor and look in on Darby the Priest and any of the Adepts of the Order that might still be about. If Darby (or another priest of the Church) is there, he will donate 100 Gold Pieces to help with repairs and aid to the displaced of the City…
Once this is accomplished, Agathon will go to the stables and reacquire the horses and pack animals that we used for our earlier journeys. Agathon will purchase the animals from the stable master (relying on his current hero status a bit to garner a good price for them…). His intention is to present them to the others in the party as a present that evening. In addition, he will purchase a light warhorse for Verlik (should he not have one). He will also arrange for a week of feed for the animals so that they can be housed at the stables at the manor house…
On the day of Reaping 12 the party (and Verlik) prepare to leave Knurl to travel north to the fishing village and Jacques’ people. Agathon will find it difficult to wipe the lopsided grin from his face as he asks Verlik to take the rearguard position. He finds himself excited to be on horseback again preparing for another sojourn into the wilderness. Handing Margarette a flower he plucked from the verge of the pretty house down the way from the manor, he will say to her, “Keep yourself well. We will return soon.” And holding her gaze long, he will drop his eyes and turn Triple Sox toward the north gate of the city, taking his place in the van as the entire group leaves the city behind…
Thaddeus stands up from the desk, stretching in an effort to unkink his back, then moves to the basin to wash the ink from his fingers. Finished! It is only by the grace of Rao that I did not become a scribe! I would have died a slow, agonizing, boring death, hunched over a desk and going blind. Better to be run through by an orc and be done with it!
He takes his mid-day meal on the roof, enjoying the noontime sun and listening to the sounds of life and commerce on the streets below. Pity it will take so long for the population to return to the Bone March. I wonder that the true economic impact has not yet been felt. Clearing our lands of the humanoid infestation is required - not just to grow our holdings, but for the very survival of the people we are responsible for. I wonder how much longer the humanoid organization will last? Perhaps it has already begun to break down? We will learn more as we clear our lands.
What to do about Edgar? He's been a gofer for Cephali since this all started. I'd hate for anything to happen to him - I don't want to be responsible for him too. I have enough trouble keeping myself alive! I'd prefer a henchman with more rogueish skills - preferably female, attractive, and with an irresistable attraction to me - but I guess we can't have everything.
Later, he will have dinner and drinks with Edgar at the Gnoll's Head. "Listen, hiring you on is weird for me, you know? We've been friends for a year and I don't want anything to happen to you. It's still very dangerous out there - while it's true that facing danger is the fastest way to learn, it's also risky. Tell you what - we're going to be inspecting the new holdings we were awarded, and doing what we can to clear the surrounding area of humanoids. That will make it safer for people to live here and hopefully some of them will move back. Tell you what - let's try it for three months and see how it works, okay? I'll pay you 32 gold crowns a month, plus lodging, food and healing should you need it. I'll also teach you what I can. Deal?"
Thaddeus and Edgar will clank mugs and drain them. Like Agathon, Thaddeus will also pay Edgar 100gp - two months in advance plus some for outfitting. He will also get a light warhorse for Edgar (if none are available, he will get a riding horse).
The next few days he will catch up with his family (father, 2 brothers, 1 sister), Cephali and her husband, and Hendrik (who knows pretty much everything going on in town). If Shirana or Ebbers is at the Gnoll's Head he will buy drinks and conversate.
Thaddeus will also do what he can to get whatever maps of our holdings are available, and the lands between them and Knurl, in as high a detail as possible.
The morning of the 12th will find Thaddeus in high spirits, as much so as Agathon. He will see Agathon's interaction with Margarette and share a knowing glance with Jacques. The big guy has it bad!
Jaques massages his wrists under the bracers they had taken in treasure, the familiar old ones now protecting Thaddeus. Jaques has much to think about. He now finds himself responsible for people in a township, the last thing he ever would have imagined. He is a little resentful that this resposibility has been thrust upon him, since he has never sought the trappings of wealth or authority. I will find myself like my father, consumed with the problems of everyone elses lives, and unable to find time to refine my own skills. Better to quietly smite the minions of evil, than settle disputes between bickering neighbors. Still, one does not choose ones burden, you just "shoulder it with grace and dignity." He comes up with a plan to establish a monastary and martial arts school within the fishing village someday. As head master, he and his students could provide assistance to the village, and be the central authority, without having to actually personally "rule". When he and his friends went there soon, he would tell any remaining inhabitants to carry on as they have been, and that he would return as soon as he could. Actually, perhaps he would ask Thaddeus to say that on his behalf, while he stood by.
Remembering his close work earlier with the stealthy gnomes, he seeks out Ebbers and asks the gnome if one of his scouts with rogueish skills would be willing to hire on with the party, as both a local guide to the village, and to help clear t he area of hidden dangers. He assures Ebbers the pay will be fair, and that he would value another trustworthy companion at arms.
When checking in on Thaddeus during the laborious scribining of the scrolls, he asks him about the difficulty in manufacturing some darkvision goggles, and if Thaddeus would be willing to join him on a side venture to Shiranna's village. Thaddeus notices that Jaques request for accompaniment to her village is hesitant, Jaques is flushed redand stammers quickly about how he would understand if they did not have time to go, and then strings oug several more reasons why it would be reasonable for them to avoid the trip. He runs out of words, stares at Thaddeus with a pleading look in his eyes, and then apologizes, excusing himself to his room. What is it about women that robs me of my reason, my already meager speech, and my dignity? Jaquds fumes in his room.
Ma respect tae the scribes, this surely be a pain in the arse, hand an eyes! Belric thinks as he finishes his last scroll. Rising from his desk, he wanders up to the kitchen to see if there is any food available. Luckily his timing is perfect as the help has just finished making dinner.
“Good evening to ye ladies,” Belric greets them warmly, “Surely Moradin blessed ye with divine cooking skills, that smells great” Moving about the kitchen he will try to snatch a bite, only to receive a spoon whack and a frown, “Alright I will go an wash up and sit down at the table, but has any dwarves answered ma employment notice?”
After dining with the others, Belric will explain his scroll list to the others, listen to their ideas as to what to be done next and add his opinion. Taking a sip from his everfull mug he will agree with the group’s collective decision.
“So in the morning we leave, fine will be good tae be on the road looking tae smite evil”.
Thaddeus will make discreet inquiries around town about Darios Nessar to get an idea of his general character and what he might want with us.
We will invite Darios Nessar to dinner with us at our house. There we can give him some details of our experiences in Spinecastle, and give him the opportunity state his business in private - whether a simple bard looking for a story or an ambassador of a small beleaguered nation that needs help.
Agathon makes his donations and hires Verlik as a henchman. Verlik is a 3rd level fighter.
The only local noble left other than Count Dunstan and Sir Gendar is Lady Yariana, whom you met at your honor ceremony. She's an older lady who owns an estate in the Blemu Hills. Speaking with her, she's a bit daft and keeps talking about the wonderful vineyards and loyal retainers on her lands, when in reality her estate is largely defunct and she's been living off her family's savings. The rest of the nobles are still out of town, having gone to check on their foreign investments during the crisis.
Ebbers arranges for Jaques to meet up Idnae, Ebbers' cousin, a female gnome 2nd level thief/2nd level illusionist (her base pay would be 130 gp per month, as she's effectively 4th level and can cast 3 1st level spells)
Idnae comes fully equipped already.
Belric was able to find a dwarven fighter. Garsh Hardstone is a mercenary from the Rakers. He speaks very little, but Sir Gendar knows him and says that he has a reputation for loyalty to his employers. Garsh is a 3rd level fighter and is currently not well equipped. He is specialized with a battleaxe and he does have one.
Edgar is a 3rd level wizard. Thaddeus has known him for years, as they were both apprentices under Cephali. His base pay would be 80 gp per month. Edgar is also not well equipped at this time.
The dinner with the Ratik emissary is brief, but friendly. He says Ratik is still independent and struggling against the Bone March and incursions from the barbarians in the North. He says that the party would be welcome in Ratik and could use the realm as a base of operations against the Bone March, but he warns the pass between Spinecastle and Ratikhill is very dangerous and heavily guarded by the Red Cloak orcs.
On Reaping 12 the party leaves for their holdings. Henchmen include Edgar, 3rd level wizard. Garsh, 3rd level fighter. Verlik, 3rd level fighter and Idnae 2nd level thief/2nd level illusionist.
Please post regarding your pay arrangements, equipment purchases, camp and guard procedures and any special things you wish to accomplish along the way.
Before setting out, Jaques asks Thaddeus if it would be appropriate to speak to Ct.Dunstan about purchasing some resupply. He'd like to purchase 6 +1 sling bullets to replace usage from his supply, and he'd like to get an additional 25 normal sling bullets, and he pays what is necessary to acquire these things from the armory. He'd also like to inquire about getting 3 more curing potions, to carry in case of emergencies. He thinks about prodding Thaddeus again about the feasibility of manufacturing or aquiring some sort of darkvision goggles, and the feasibility or cost associated with the different types of night vision spells, that work in twilight, versus absolute black conditions, and the different distances they assist with. He's he couldn't quite follow Thaddeus's magical shorthand jargon, when he had been describing the spell types as "...generation one, versus generation three..." and "...effectively flir...", but he's glad that Thaddeus seemed to have an idea what he was looking for.
The adamantine dagger had proven to be a very useful tool. He eyes it closely and decides to wear it inside a pocket of his smock at waist level, concealed from casual view. A special place for a special tool.
He squirrels away his remaining treasure with the assitance of Thaddeus's magical containers, after he pays Idnae a month in advance for her assistance. As he waits on horseback at the arranged departure point by the gate, he wonders if Thaddeus has spoken to the others about stopping by Shiranna's village. He shifts uncomfortably in his saddle and quickly shakes his head to drive out the image of the drow sorceress that had intruded upon his attempts to plan a conversation with Shiranna. He wonders where, and how, Dunstans people decided to hold her prisoner, picturing a suitable level of discomfort for the witch. Squinting his eyes, shakes his head a second time. Who cares? Irrelevant! No longer my concern.
Agathon took it upon himself to purchase all of the horses and mules that the party has been using all this time. As posted before, he then presented them to the party as a present and token of continued friendship as lords of their own lands. Adding to this, he will state that their people and their families will always have safe haven at Fort Arazarm as long as he is lord of it!
You all set out for your holdings. Beyond the walls of Knurl, you find signs of refugees who were slaughtered before making it to the walls. You find obvious signs of butchering of humans and the incredibly slothful remnants of humanoid camps. Knurl soldiers are setting fire to the camps and burying what they can find of the bodies.
Idnae is a gnome woman with obvious experience in the wilds. She rides a wild looking pony bareback, with sacks slung over its neck to carry cargo. "You're pretty quiet for a hero, she tells Jacques. Glad to be on board. I'm tired of slitting orc throats on the west side of the river. I hear you guys are pretty good at doing it on the east side. I can cast some illusionary spells to create havoc, but I'm not gonna get involved in any front line fighting. My cousin would have to do that, ha!"
Edgar is trying hard to not seem afraid. Thaddeus knows he rarely left the study and probably never left the City. He does know how to ride, having learned it as a youth, but he has a death grip on his quarterstaff. Thaddeus knows he enjoys bird watching and Edgar told him quietly than he hopes to get some bird watching in when not needed to "smite evil" as he put it.
Verlik is a middle aged man. He leaves behind family and his teenage children, hoping to make enough money as a henchman to buy them a better future. Agathon knows he left behind virtually all of his money with his wife, in case he died on this trip. Verlik is experienced, streetwise and a bit fatalistic in his outlook. He appreciates that Agathon bought all of his old equipment, although he wonders about the shield, which he can't use with his heavy mace, a two handed weapon. "Never know, I guess." He sticks close to Agathon, eyeing any potential ambush site with professional gaze.
Garsh Hardstone the dwarven mercenary says nothing. He waved at Idnae and mentioned to Belric that he knows her and that she's 'alright.' He gives Edgar a dubious glance.
The first night, Reaping 13 CY 577, brings a heavy thunderstorm. It is that season. You found an old campsite you used before, where rocky overhangs offer some shelter from the downpour. Please set your watch list and make arrangements.
As ever Jaques stays near enough to Thaddeus to prevent anything being able to engage him in melee. In doing so he notices Edgar's shaking, darting glances and wide eyes. My god, he's so nervous he's subconsciously trying to sniff the air for the scent of danger. I can see his nostrils flaring. He's going to pee on himself the first time we are in combat. I've seen these guys before, sometimes it helps to give them something to have confidence in besides themselves. A "totem". Could backfire if they lose it, but if he survives a few times in combat with it, he may get some confidence to build on without it. He seems to use a quarterstaff to some extent, and I rarely do. I'll give him my magic one and maybe buck him up a little, with some talk about how it's a superior tool, and will see him through battle. With our reputation, my vouching for it as a trustworthy companion in battle may help him out. I've see my masters words help those who lacked confidence. Jaques approaches Edgar before they bed down for the evening and abruptly thrusts the +1 quarterstaff out at him, saying, "Here, it's better", and then just as abruptly turns to walk off and take his watch post.
After a long days ride to the campsite, Agathon is very pleased with himself for finding it again.
"Hmmm. It has been but a few weeks though it seems like years since we huddled beneath this rock on the way to the mine where we fought the hobgoblins..." Agathon will think to himself just as he notices that he left the bugle he took in prize back at the manor...
In the rain, Agathon will set himself (with Verlik's assistance) to the task of setting up the camp and cover its location and our occupation of it as best he can.
He will also set several noise traps on the easy approaches to the camp for early warning should someone creep toward them intending mischief...
"There!" He will declare as he sets the last one. "Hopefully, this will provide us with a bit of warning should we gain any visitors in the storm..."
As the evening meal is eaten in the darkness, Agathon will smile to the new members of our party and invite each of them in turn to tell what they will of themselves and assure them that they are among friends. Between each tale, he will extoll the group with the exploits of each of their new employers (possibly with a tiny bit of positive embellishment) and tell them all how he is honored to just "be along for the ride" in such grand company.
Begging the groups indulgence, he will offer the evening prayer of his faith so safeguard the group through the dark night and will put forth the following watch duties to the group:
"For the first watch, Sir Thaddeus, his esquire, Edgar, and Sir Jacques will guard us in our sleep. In a fourth of hours, they will awaken Garsh and myself to take the middle watch, and a fourth of hours later, I will awaken Brother Sir Belric, Inae, and Verlik to take us onto the dawn... Please be certain to awaken me upon the dawn so that I might commit my morning devotional. I will start the morning meal so that we may face our second day as a company! And, now, good night to you all!"
To Edgar, he will will whisper as he is getting his bedroll flattened, "Fear not, my new friend. With Master Thaddeus you have thrown in with a powerful wizard. And despair not Sir Jacques lack of iron weaponry! He is the greatest warrior I know... Besides me, of course..." He will offer the lad his best lopsided grin in an attempt to way lay what fears he may have and will pass out of wakefulness glad to once again be in the wilderness he has grown to call home...
The wizard produces a scroll with an elaborate seal. "I am here to take custody of the prisoner, Szarthelion. This scroll is signed and sealed by Count Dunstan himself."
The watch sergeant examines the document closely. He considers calling his lieutenant for the transfer of such an important prisoner, but truth be told he is glad to be rid of the drow sorceress. And who better than a wizard to keep another wizard in line? The sergeant takes a ring of keys and gestures to Thaddeus. "This way, please." He leads the wizard down a hall to the specially prepared cell. "We set it up the way you instructed, sir. The cell gets full sun during the day and we move her every few hours to keep her in the sun. We didn't let her sleep - or meditate - or whatever it is that drow do. Just bread and water, the rest of the time she is kept tightly gagged. We adjusted the manacles every few hours."
Thaddeus nods, hoping the preparations had the desired effect. He studies Szarthelion's bent and bedraggled form, her eyes slowly focusing on him. "Thank you, sergeant, you have done well. I have to cast a spell before you can release her, however." With that, he will perform the correct series of hand gestures and recite the arcane words. The drow's eyes widen with realization of what is happening, her lithe body stiffening and then slackening again in the chains. Thaddeus nods again. "You can safely release her now, sergeant."
The sergeant unlocks the cell, enters, and unlocks the arm and leg irons. He casts a hesitant look at Thaddeus, draws his dagger and holds it to Szarthelion's throat. "One word that sounds remotely like a spell and you'll be in hell before you know it!". He then removes the crude gag.
"It's all right, sergeant. She will make no further trouble.", says Thaddeus. "Isn't that right, Szarthelion?"
Her words are hesitant. "Yes...sir...I will...make no trouble.", yet her malevolent glare at Thaddeus hints otherwise. She walks stiffly out of the cell and down the hall.
Thaddeus signs the appropriate entry in the custody book. "Thank you and good day, sergeant! Come, Szarthelion!"
Once outside the keep, he extends his arm to her. A moment later her cool hand closes on his forearm. Confident that the dominate person spell has taken hold Thaddeus leads her towards the manor house.
"You'll never get away with this!", she hisses, almost a whisper.
He turns and beams at her. "My dear, I already have! And soon you will appreciate all that I have to offer.", continuing on to the manor house....
...and was awakened by a sharp rapping on his chamber door. "Master Thaddeus!", exclaims Elsinore's voice. "Masters Agathon and Belric are stuffing corn cakes down their gullets! I bid you make haste if you want any!"
Damn that woman! I drive her from my conscious mind and she invades my dreams!
"Oh, absolutely it would be appropriate to talk about resupply! However, I would speak with Sir Gendar or the Count's quartermaster instead - I should not trouble the Count with such mundane matters."
"Now, about this magick item to allow one to see in the dark. Come upstairs and we'll talk about it.", Thaddeus asks Elsinore to bring up some tea and leads the monk up to his chambers.
He stands before a large piece of slate mounted on the wall and twiddles with a piece of chalk in his hands. "The laws of magick have changed in the last few weeks - on the surface the changes are minor, but it seems that the time and materials required to craft magick items has changed drastically. It will take some time to tell you exactly what is required."
Thaddeus begins sketching on the slate. "Now, darkvision is a spell of the second circle. So we will need a third order catalyst - ruby or emerald should work. I'd also need a first order substrate, some kind of wood, I think. Ebony would be best since we're talking about darkvision, but ivory could work too. Now if we go with ivory, which might actually be easier to obtain, the binding agent would have to be some sort of finely tanned leather..."
Sensing that he has lost his audience the wizard sets the chalk down. "I'm sorry! I sometimes lose myself. Bottom line is that you're looking at a set of masterwork goggles worth a minimum of a thousand gold pieces. The lenses would have to be precisely ground gemstones, the frame to hold them in place would be some sort of rare wood, and the strap to hold them on your head would have to be a fine leather. Then I would need roughly another two thousand gold pieces worth of inks, ichors, powdered gems, and other materials, and four or five days to actually perform the enchantment. I'll have to think about it to give you a more precise estimate. Unfortunately I do not think there are any in Knurl with the skill to properly grind the gemstones for the lenses, so we may have to wait until we go to a larger city."
"In the meantime, as a low cost alternative, I can scribe a couple of scrolls with darkvision on them. That way I can cast it on you even if I didn't memorize the spell that day. I could also brew up a potion, which you could take when I wasn't around to cast the spell, but that would be more expensive."
"Now: as to your holding. I would be honored to act as your mouthpiece at first. During our travels I will do what I can to teach you the basics of public speaking. It's not hard, really - the biggest thing I try to do is to make eye contact with everyone in the audience. That way everyone feels like you're talking to them personally. I know you dread it, but consider: you have fought giants, dragons, trolls, and evil clerics - surely speaking to a few hundred peasants can't be so bad?"
"Finally, about going to Shirana's settlement. I agree that the refugees there are in need of inspiration. And I have been curious for some time to see Shirana's village. However, as landowners we now have a responsibility to the people who reside in our holdings. I really think that first we should go to visit our respective holdings, and then visit Shirana's settlement. Unless it's easily on the way to one of our holdings...? Either way, of course I'll go with you!"
"Okay, first field lesson. Don't blow all your spells in one engagement - unless your life depends on it! Be judicious - there will be a temptation to put down as many opponents as the warriors to show your worth. Trust me, I know that temptation well, but do not give in to it! Our worth is in having the correct spell at the right time. Belric and Agathon can swing their weapons all day, but you and I can only channel so much magick. Even if you are not casting a spell, there is always something you can do to help the group. If someone goes down you can run forward and give them a healing potion. You can shoot a crossbow at an enemy. If nothing else, you can look around - the others are engaged in blade-to-blade combat and will likely not be thinking about the larger picture!"
"As a general rule, your first target should always be an enemy spellcaster - be they arcane or divine in nature. Like us, they have the ability to neutralize or even kill the entire party in one go. It is up to us to keep that from happening, or at least tie them up long enough for Jacques to run in and paste them! If no spellcasters are immediately evident, then target any obvious leader types. When you're fighting humanoids, generally if you kill the leader, the rank and file will lose heart and may run away."
"When you are on watch: pay attention and for Rao's sake, don't go to sleep! Be alert but not frightened. Use your judgement about when to wake the party - you can't wake them for everything that goes 'bump' in the night, but on the other hand that 'bump' may be a hobgoblin. You never know."
"Lastly - be at ease! Our companions are stout and Belric is strong in the Forger of Souls. Keep your head and let reason prevail."
At the cliffside campsite
Fortuituous that we should camp here again! What new adventures await us...blast this rain! I'll be hanged if I set up camp in this slop!
"Stay from setting up the tents, my friends. I would have us in the dry in moments!", Thaddeus will say cryptically. He will drop a chip of stone, some crushed lime and sand, and several splinters of wood at a likely spot. He will then cast secure shelter with the unseen servant and alarm options.
"Agathon, your watch schedule sounds fine to me. I do think the watchers should be outside the shelter."
Thaddeus will participate in the get-to-know-you session, especially playing up Belric and Agathon, but relating stories of Jacques' speed and agility as well. I must cement their stature with the henchmen early on.
Reaping 15 CY 577
You traveled two days with few events. You exchanged arrow fire with some distant humanoids who fled into the hills. Your first destination are the Darzog Mines, holding of Belric. The road to the mines is overgrown and has seen little use by wagon traffic over the last decade. Going is tough and by late afternoon you find yourself in an abandoned mining camp, thick with weeds and thickets. The hills are all around you and the signs of old paths to the mines are still easy to see and follow, although the fern and underbrush would need to be cut away.
Do you try to make camp in the abandoned mining camp or somewhere else? There are mine shafts within a few minutes of the camp and also natural sites for camps. Your tracking checks find that there has been foot traffic here in the last few weeks, but not large numbers and you spot no obvious signs of recent activity (no smoke plumes, no warm camp fire spots, etc).
Basically the area within 3-4 miles of this camp is the steading of Darzog. There is this abandoned mining camp, about a half dozen mines which might still have some silver, coal and gemstones in them. The terrain is low to medium hills, overgrown with trees, boulder fields, fern, grasses and thick underbrush.
The party will create a 'decoy' camp in a location that is a good camp site, but not obviously a decoy. We will be as realistic as possible with the decoy site, including a secure shelter, a fire in the fireplace but deliberately poor light discipline, and the horses/mules. We will go so far as to do any cooking and eat our meals there.
The 'real' camp site will be about 100 yards away in a hidden location. Extra time will be spent on camoflauge and removing noise hazards in the camp site (twigs, etc). Watches will be split between the real and decoy sites: Thaddeus and Edgar will pull watch at the decoy site while Jacques is at the real site (so Jacques can maximize his stealth), Agathon will watch at the decoy site while Garsh is on watch at the real site (Garsh will have infravision and not require a light source), Belric and Verlik will watch at the decoy site and Idnae will watch at the real site (she is somewhat stealthy and has infravision). In this way the decoy site looks inhabited but we still have someone on watch at the real site.
Those with woodcraft skills will examine the surrounding area in an attempt to determine type of traffic in the last few weeks. . We will also identify good locations for observation posts and keep them manned as much as possible - both for current situational awareness and the future use of Belric's followers.
The party will also investigate the mine entrances and within to 10 or 20 yards. The objective is to determine if the mine is serviceable or not (ie full or partial cave-in). We will also look for abandoned equipment, attempt to determine what the mine produced, what type of humanoids may have inhabited them, how long it as been since the mines were inhabited, and so on. Essentially a surface layer examination.
The party will stay in the area long enough to both perform these tasks and to satisfy ourselves that there are no humanoid patrols in the immediate vicinity - two or three days should do it. After that we will resume course for Ferin.
The first night, while Verlik and Belric are watching over the fake campsite, they hear a growling yip from the fake campsite and see a huge wolf enter their vision, its teeth having just torn up one of the fake sleeping mounds.
See map in email
Belric AC 25, HP 59/59
Belric will stay very still and have a prayer on his lips ready to be released if the wolf heads towards the real campsite. Also scanning the area for any other creatures four and two legged types
If the wolf detects either himself or any other party member Belric will blast it with sound lance (190’ range) for SOUND LANCE!!!! (9d8=42)
The wolf thoroughly sniffs out the campsite and then trots off towards the real camp site, its nose to the ground.
Belric loses sight of the wolf among the trees, but thought he saw one of the blankets in the fake campsite lift up briefly, but when he looks closer, there is nothing there.
Belric AC 25, HP 59/59
Belric will blast the wolf with sound lance (190’ range) for SOUND LANCE!!!! (9d8=42)
"ALARM, ENEMIES WARE INVISIBLE CREATURES", Belric will yell out, and move his position to interpose himself between the enemy and the real camp. "Verlik stick with me"
With Belric’s shout of alarm, Agathon will start awake and buckle his weapons belt to his waist even before raising. “Idnae!” He will get her attention with a harsh whisper, “What did Belric just say?”
Not waiting for her to answer, Agathon will shake his head to awaken more fully as he rises grabbing the great sword as he stands in one fluid motion.
If nothing immediately attacks him, he will then take a few steps to interpose himself between the rest of the camp and the direction of the fake camp.
Breathing in the damp chill predawn air, Agathon will go silently still and listen for the telltale sounds of either an enemy approaching or Belric’s axe being thunked into flesh…
A Move Silently Roll: (Ranger ability, Prime Stat [dex], +1+lvl=+10: (1d20 +10=17)
I Spot Roll (+2 from Character development), Prime Stat [Wis]: (1d20+2=6)
Jaques lies half sleeping, on his mat, his legs crossed at the ankles, his fingers laced across his chest at the base of his rythmically expanding rib cage. The breath flows slowly in, and and then out, though he looks like a corpse posed for burial. At Belric's shout, his back arches sharpley, and with a single motion he pops to his feet, landing in a relaxed horse stance, his feet a little more than a shoulder width apart. He doesnt rely on his eyes, and reaches out with his other senses, as he draws his gloves from inside his tunic, and slips them back on. I do not need to see, to feel my opponent. Where is Thaddeus? Is he awake? He looks over to Thaddeus, checking to see if he heard the alarm. After seeing Thaddeus was awake, Jaques stands ready, wary, and waiting for more information to make a tactical decision. How is it that some do not sleep fully clothed?