DM Alexander Kilcoyne's Kingmaker PBP- Interlude (Between 2 & 3) (Inactive)

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Post 14th, my deadlines for this semester are done. Next two days are pretty much fully devoted to the last one.

poke....poke...is this thing working???? Ricter...Cas...you out there? Been very quiet.

I'm here - blame RPG Superstar.

Kip threatens to bring out an even bigger poking stick! :)

Is that an euphemism?

Isn't that larger stick still size "small" in order for him to be able to wield it? :]

Not so... Kip is actually considering taking the 'monkey grip' feat to better handle his.... stick. :D

And bump! ;)

And suddenly, it all makes sense, when people talk about spanking the monkey...

poke....poke...is this thing working???? Ricter...Cas...you out there? Been very quiet.

Never fear, I'm still here and ready to go.

Looks like everyone are set for a quick trip to Tatzelford.

Hello? *bump*

Alina's family have been here for a week and only left this evening. Updating as soon as I can, but its the Christmas period anyway so I didn't mind the slowdown and figured people had other priorities :).

No worries. Just checking. ;)

If you need something to pass the time, I can recommend voting for RPG Superstar items. Just click the logo on the top left of the page.

I have been doing just that for a while now... :)

Vierkirche's city map has been updated to reflect buildings up to and including Turn 37. Thanks for waiting all, lets start to grind the gears on this game again now we're into the New Year.

During the month, the Guardians check in on the progress of Tatzlford HEX A37!. While they had initially been providing half-yearly reports on their progress to Kardas, these reports have slowly dwindled away. The bustling town frequently trades with the three major settlements of Kardas and its various villages though, so you were not expecting anything to be particularly out of place.

Tatzlford is a bustling town built in a large clearing deep in the Narlmarch woods; the majority of the town residing on the east side of the Skunk River Bridge; a bridge built over and dedicated to the Guardian's victory over the two Tatzlwyrms that dwelt here some years ago. A relatively new cobblestone road leads through the town in an orderly fashion, circling the small fort at the centre of the infrastructure, that you find also acts as town hall for Mayor Loy Rezbin. The town's population numbers around 2,000 people, having attracted settlers from Pitax, Mivon and Rostland.

Introductions are made and the mayor himself and his wife Latricia, are delighted to tour you around their town. By any standards their progress is impressive and the Mayor and Priestess of Erastil are quick to remind Malthir earnestly of their promise to join with Kardas once he saw fit to expend its borders to encompass them. The town is mostly made up of Humans, but you note a significant minority of Half-Orc's and Half-Elves, apparently well integrated.

Tatzlford includes a dense residential area within the town centre, an inn, library, smithy, tavern, town hall and various tradesmen. As far as the Guardians could tell upon their inspection of the settlement, it showed great promise as a potential city, although the Mayor and his wife were quick to show their disdain for the town's newest business establishment- a place known as "Thrillseekers" advertising games of chance and fun; but also rumoured to be a brothel. Latricia seems particularly outspoken and goes as far as to ask the Guardians to lend their authority by publicly decrying such a place as unfit for the Greenbelt.

You also notice that Corax's logging guild has a presence in the town- one of the larger wooden buildings that apparently acts as a headquarters for the loggers.

The full list mechanically is as follows- 4 houses, a brewery, a brothel, an inn, a library, a shop, a smith, a tavern, a temple (to Erastil), a town hall and a tradesmen.

Loy himself appears a little stressed by his retirement. He has put on weight and has lost some hair since you last saw him. Never-the-less, he comes across as down-to-earth, likeable and loyal. Having heard rumours of marriage for two of his old acquaintances, he makes a point of boasting that the Gnome-run business "Gnorri's Gemworks" make the finest jewellery in the Greenbelt. He also thanks the Guardians for the protection of the friendly wolves within the forest.

Malthir pats the man on the back, You have made quite impressive progress Loy! You should be proud of what all of you have built.
We would like to spend the night here at your Inn if you don't mind and get to know some of you people?

Malthir wants to guage the people in the town. Do they seem the type to resist inclusion into the kingdom? Is it welll known that the town plans to join Kardas as soon as the kingdom expands this far out? Last he wants to leave a positive experience with the Guardians in the town with Fenna, himself, and Cas working the crowd.

diplomacy 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Sounds like other than some discussion I can post turn 38 and we can start the rolling just to keep things moving...the turn is ready.

Fenna, just need the checks, we can probably work Tatzlford and the city stuff simultaneously.
Stability +48 vs. DC 50
then the 5 Economy rolls for items and one last for BP generation at +71.

...Last he wants to leave a positive experience with the Guardians in the town with Fenna, himself, and Cas working the crowd.

Kip feels quite slighted by this... :P

Kip had been headed in the direction of Thrill Seekers when he heard Latricia's comments and request. Kip quickly changed directions and instead headed to check out the library. Perhaps they have something to help in my investigations...

You are the stealthy, smart one...I don't feel slighted when you know not to jump into the large black sphere floating in the air :)

You are just embarrassed by Kip's wild, charismatic, fun loving and wise cracking ways? Is that it? :) Kip is going to start feeling like that one 'uncle' everyone seems to have. :D

Stability: 1d20 + 48 ⇒ (13) + 48 = 61

Swordhaven Medium: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (19) + 71 = 90
Swordhaven Medium: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (13) + 71 = 84
Northgreen Minor: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (19) + 71 = 90
Vierkirche Medium: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (1) + 71 = 72
Vierkirche Medium: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (6) + 71 = 77

Income: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (14) + 71 = 85

While Malthir and Loy converse, leading the way towards the inn after the tour of the town is complete, Fenna steps alongside Latricia to address her concerns.

"It is an unavoidable truth that many hold appetites for the entertainments offered at this Thrillseekers," she confides quietly, "entertainments which are perhaps distasteful, particularly to one whose faith is so closely entwined with a sense of strong family life; I do understand your concern. I fear though, that any official condemnation of such activities would merely serve to drive them into the shadows... out of sight of polite society, where they would not so openly offend our sensibilities, certainly, but also out of sight of the law."

"We can certainly discuss the matter in more depth with the other Statkari here, Mrs. Rezbin, but I feel that we could only make matters worse by attempting to dissuade such establishments."

You are just embarrassed by Kip's wild, charismatic, fun loving and wise cracking ways? Is that it? :) Kip is going to start feeling like that one 'uncle' everyone seems to have. :D

Later that evening...he whispers to Kip, Perhaps you should check out this Thrillseekers, just to make sure that it won't cause any real trouble in the town. Since we are not rulers of this town we have little say into what goes on here yet...

Malthir pats the man on the back, You have made quite impressive progress Loy! You should be proud of what all of you have built.

We would like to spend the night here at your Inn if you don't mind and get to know some of you people?

Malthir wants to guage the people in the town. Do they seem the type to resist inclusion into the kingdom? Is it welll known that the town plans to join Kardas as soon as the kingdom expands this far out? Last he wants to leave a positive experience with the Guardians in the town with Fenna, himself, and Cas working the crowd.

diplomacy 1d20+13

To his satisfaction, Malthir and his companions found after spending some time with the common people, that the town has been founded upon the premise of eventually becoming part of Kardas and it is common knowledge that investment from the barony had helped the town to thrive; as well as Latricia and Loy's initial investment. The inn was known as Able's Inn after its sturdy owner and is clean, cosy and comfortable. Rooms have been made available for your visit at no charge.

People seemed appreciative of the Guardian's tour and they took the time to mingle, many seeking news of the civil war in Brevoy and trading local rumours. Loy had wisely begun to make plans for a stone wall around the town, in case the fighting should reach them.

Latricia listened to Fenna's words and weighed them with affirmative nods of reluctant agreement. She offered another suggestion.

Perhaps rather than attacking the establishment directly in a speech, Malthir or one of the others could talk of Kardas' religious and moral values? The importance of family, community, loyalty? Its a little more subtle but might have the desired effect?

With a fresh set of resources at his disposal, Kip began to bury himself in books. The librarian was a forlorn Elven woman of middling years named Emraeli Emfaun, who apparently doubled as a tutor for the town's children. Her absent-minded use of cantrips to clean dust off of some of the tomes she handed to Kip made it obvious that she at least dabbled in magical arts. She seemed surprisingly unorganised for a woman of her profession but was always able to find what Kip needed.

Which research exactly are you doing?

Malthir can you update the kingdom map for me. Also, is Swordhaven's second district included in the kingdom's size? Finally, remember a natural 1 fails on any kingdom rolls, so that Vierkirche medium doesn't sell this month.

Item Rolls-

Swordhaven (Mediums)-

Item 1: potion of magic fang - 50 gp
Item 2: arcane scroll of lesser geas - 700 gp

Northgreen (Minor)-

Item 1: +1 crossbow bolts (10) - 461 gp

Vierkirche (Minor)-

Item 1: potion of purify food and drink - 25 gp
Item 2: arcane scroll of disguise self - 25 gp
Item 3: potion of fox's cunning - 300 gp

Vierkirche (Medium)-

Item 1: wand of eagle's splendor (50 charges) - 4500 gp
Item 2: divine scroll of fog cloud - 150 gp
Item 3: immovable rod - 5000 gp
Item 4: potion of fox's cunning - 300 gp

Sorry, apparently the magic item market of Kardas is in a recession too.

No Event: 1d100 ⇒ 98

wow, I think the magic item creator is broken...not a real medium item in there...lol. I guess I will have to scale back on next month quite a bit, barely enough to buy a single building and we have to claim and some other things.
I will be posting a new Kingdom map sometime today as well as another turn. Started working on it yesterday, just didn't finish.
Hopefully the major item next month won't be a scroll of cure light wounds!!!

Malthir nods at Latricia's comments. Deep down he knows the place is a moral cesspit and can lead to corruption. But he also grew up in a large city and knew of the dualists, nobles, and common men that frequented these types of establishments. Many of them were good people at heart and needed an avenue to vent...

Faith and virtue are strong ideals Latricia. Oft they are hard to live up to, although most of us try. I will speak but the question is will they listen?!?!

Later that night as the festivities are going well, Malthir sipped on his watered down ale, his mood more serious. He sweeps the crowd for evil before moving to the center of the room and getting their attention, BANG BANG BANG!!!!, Good people of Tatzlford! Good people of Tatzlford! Please here me for a moment.
Once the room gets quiet...

Thank you for your hospitality and allowing me to speak…
You have welcomed us into your town warmly! This a place forged from bravery and hard work at the sight of one our own struggles, the battle with the Tatzlworms near this very sight. I salute each of you for building such a place in the heart of a wood that not many have ever claimed home. That in itself earns you a place within the kingdom of Kardas.
Some of you may ask yourself why do need to become part of Kardas? That is ever a fair question.
With your sweat, bravery, and minds you have built this town from nothing.
We are brothers in that we have both built something from nothing. When we came to the Greenmarch we found a land overrun by bandits and monsters, such as the Tatzlworms. We fought for several years to make this land safe enough for hard working, honest folk such as yourselves to have the chance for a new and better life.
Now we offer you the chance to join us in something larger than yourselves. Kardas is not just a name...or a kingdom. It is what is right with this land. It is the culmination of your hard work…and your hard work…and your hard work. he points to several commoners in the room and pauses for a second...
Kardas is a community, based upon the ideals of Iomedae, Erastil, and many other gods that goodly people turn to in hard times. We watch out for each other, help each other and we are proud that we belong to each other.
Not far from here we are building a great center of learning and faith, Vierkirche, that I would like all of you to see. There you will experience the faith and community of Kardas.
Iomedae teaches us "Justice and honor are a heavy burden for the righteous. We carry this weight so that the weak may grow strong and the meek grow brave."
Erastil teaches us that that it is man’s duty to help others, that cooperation leads to friendship and safety, and that if man respects the gifts of nature, she will sustain him.
Kardas is community and one that I commit to each of you today, a community you will be proud to join.
So I raise my glass to you, the good people of Tatzlford that you will soon join with us, your brothers in Kardas!

This will be a quiet month since we didn't generate much BP and need more cash to save up for a couple of larger building over the next few months.
Fenna if you are good with this month go ahead and make the stability and 6 Econ rolls and we can hold off to finish an discussion on the next month until we finish our trip to Tatzlford.

Kip is very pleased to have the help and company of Emraeli. He chats amiably with her as he peruses the offered tomes. He tries to learn as much about her as she is comfortable sharing. He does not press. He does however try to ascertain her abilities and willingness as to the possibility of becoming an apprentice, or if her skills seems more advanced, a professor of magic should Kip get his academy started.

Kip is primarily trying to determine if this library contains anything new and relevant to his researches into the Blodeuwedd, and to a lessor degree, the Owlbear conundrum.

During the tour of the town, Casimir dwells a bit by the bridge over the river, remembering the grievous injuries he suffered at the claws of the wyrms the Guardians encountered there.

I must admit, I much prefer the current residents of this place. Let's hope none of them have hidden claws. he mused to himself before moving on.

Later, as he sipped a cold glass of the local ale and listened to Malthir, he could not help but admire the conviction and wisdom of the man who had started out as a companion but was now his liege.

I sure hope that faith of yours can steer you straight in the coming months, Malthir. We are headed for rough waters, and we may need to pass through shadow before we can forge a realm of fairness and light. I doubt you will like all of the choices we will have to make. But then again, that is why you keep people like me around.

At that thought, he discretely established a magical connection with Kip and whispered to the halfling. "You are headed to Thrillseekers later, I presume. Don't you think of slipping off with out me."

Kip smiles at Malthir when he mentions having Kip check out Thrillseekers. Putting on his best mock serious voice he says, I shall do my best to not overly enjoy myself! Keep a low profile and all that...

Kip can't help but laugh at the thought.

When messaged by Cas, Kip replies, I wouldn't think of it my friend! Adding a grin and a wink.

During the tour of the town, Kalev admires the rural community that has sprung up in the middle of the forest, seemingly a much quieter place than Swordhaven. He also noticed the large presense of half-orcs and felt a strange longing in his chest. Whether it was the place or because he desired for a like-minded soul, he wasn't sure.

Later, at the inn, Kalev had excused himself and joined the largest group of his kin present, speaking openly, if not in great volume, with all those at the table.

At the completion of Malthir's speech, Kalev is one of the first to stand with his mug of ale raised. Hear, hear, brother! his booming voice calls out.

Updated Kingdom map and spreadsheet loaded.

During the course of the day's tours Ricter remains impassive, observing the town from behind his helmet's visor as Malthir, Fenna and Casimir work to sell the idea of Kardas to the folks on the street. He is aware that his intimidating presence may undermine the efforts to mingle, but it was better for the poeple of Tatzlford to see up front that Kardas counted the Order of the Chain amongst it's allies.

He occasionally uses his abilities to check for strong signs of chaos, but only on those who appear influential in the community.

The Hellknight pays attention to Fenna's discussion with Latricia about the practicalities of outlawing brothols in the town:

"When enforcing a ban on prostitution, birth certificates can be a useful tool. Requiring citizens to register all newborns will quickly reveal attempts by illegal brothals to pass off unwanted newborns to adoptive families or charitable institutions. I have seen this approach work perhaps three times in four when enforcing such laws. On time in four, though, lawbreakers resort to more drastic measures to cover their operations."

"My point is that Fenna is right. A ban on Thrillseekers and places like it is a difficult type of law to enforce - you must be sure you are willing to go to the lengths required. It will eventually be a choice of that or allow them free reign, of course. Appealing to community spirit will become less and less effective as this settlement grows"

Later in the day, when Malthir gives his speech, Ricter nods approvingly. Strip away the talk of friendship and community and the message was simple (at least in Ricter's eyes): Join Kardas and obey it's rulers or be devoured by the wilderness.

The Hellknight is still in armour, and as such not feasting or drinking. He has taken care not to show his face during the high-profile tours of the day. He makes further scans for chaos amongst those gathered - a task made more difficult by Kip's aura.

When Casimir and Kip leave for their recon of Thrillseekers, Ricter intercepts them and speaks quietly:

"I will join you in you scouting for this 'Thrillseekers' establishment. My abilities will aid the detection of threats there"

After a presumably akward moment Ricter adds

"I will of course wear plain clothes"

lol, this would be an interesting "adventure"...sorry Kip looks like no fun for you and Cas...

Kip is stopped in his tracks, and indeed stares blankly for a moment when Ricter makes his intentions known. Regaining his composure, he gives his own arm a hard pinch, and satisfied he is not dreaming, looks up at the Hellknight while smiling mischievously. Glancing at Cas, Kip's smile grows even larger before replying to Ricter. By all means, you are welcome to join us! We are free men and can come and go as we please! Tapping his chin, and looking Ricter up and down with a critical eye, Kip continues, I am not sure that "plain" clothes are the right choice. You will stick out all the same, I am afraid... Kip removes his magical hat from atop his head and offers it to Ricter. Perhaps you can use this to... fit in better. Holding the offered magical chapeau out before him he asks one last question, And what type of... "threats"... do you expect to encounter in an alleged house of ill repute?

Just for the record, I'm in favor of keeping this a very brief excursion - just a few posts of brief RP and Alex narrating what happens. We don't want another 3-4 week split-party situation.

"Places like thrillseekers are where those who allow their animal lusts and urges to guide them congregate. If there are powerful agents of chaos hidden in this town, that is where they will be. There are many in this part of the world who would spread anarchy and call it freedom. We need to at least be aware of such individuals. I have the ability to pick out those powerful enough to actually hinder our plans"

Ricter takes the hat and looks at it suspiciously

"Er...thank-you. This should prove useful."

The Hellknight studies the hat for a moment longer

"How exactly does it work?"

Just for the record, I'm in favor of keeping this a very brief excursion - just a few posts of brief RP and Alex narrating what happens. We don't want another 3-4 week split-party situation.

I was thinking the same thing...plus it shouldn't take you long to get thrown out with Ricter in tow...lol

I am also fine with keeping this side trek brief... and judging by posts Alex has made in other games, he will be busy with exams for the next few weeks anyhow.

As Kip listens to Ricter describe the types of individuals he expects to find at Thrillseekers, Kip continues to smile while chipping in with his own comments.

Well, now that you say it like that why are we still standing around here?!

How does one become an "agent" of "chaos" exactly? What if one only dabbles in personal freedom without an agenda?

What if someone is merely trying to spread freedom without the anarchy bit?

As for the hat... it is quite simple. Place it upon your head and think of how you wish to appear. Presto-chango, you are good to go! Alter as often as you desire, to whatever you desire! As long as you remain humanoid and roughly the same size, the rest is up to you! Equipment, clothes and all are alterable.

Leaning in conspiratorially, Kip adds, I would suggest leaving most of your equipment as close to reality as possible. Too drastic a change is easy to spot in my experience. Probably best to just alter you facial features this time...

Animal lusts? Kalev says, raising his head from his mug of ale. Sounds like my kind of party...

With that, he drains the mug and gets up, remarkable sober considering the empty mugs standing in front of him.

Malthir smiles as he sees the less "orderly" of his troup make their way out of the tavern. A slight hint of jealousy creeps into him for a moment reminding him of the days he spent in his youth running around with his brother before he removes it with thoughts of his wife, soon to be child, and the kingdom he so cherishes.

He excuses himself from the two mechants that had been trying to gain his favor for the last 30 minutes before he looks for the poorest looking farmer in the tavern.
He then sits down with the man, buys him a drink and asks him to share his story.
He invites several others over and stays up late into the night getting many of them drunk and getting to know a few simple folk who will someday be part of Kardas...

Fenna, did you want to go ahead and make the kingdom rolls? It may be a little while before we get another update from Alex, I think he is pretty tied up with exams.

As Kalev rises to join the group heading to Thrillseekers, Kip guffaws and exclaims, Now see what you did Ricter? I think this may count as biting off more than you can chew! Kip winks at Ricter.

Caught up in the idea of Ricter visiting Thrillseekers, Kip has a moment of clarity. In a more serious tone he adds, I believe the original plan was a discrete visit... but with three obvious members present this threatens to become either a raid or an endorsement by the Guardians or Kardas. We should tread carefully... lest we undermine Malthir's efforts.

Of course, then again, this is the Stolen Lands... lawlessness and freedom are expected, not the exception here. One should not be surprised that such a place would draw interest from many...

If no objections are raised, Kip wraps his cloak tightly and makes ready to head over to Thrillseekers...

As the night draws on, Fenna continues her conversation with Latricia, gently guiding the subject matter to more positive issues about Tatzleford's development, and enquiring about any further plans... particularly around the potential opportunity for trade provided by the river.

When the gnome notices the group preparing to leave, she watches the with a tilted head until seeing Kip offer his hat to the much larger Ricter. Satisfied that the trio are intent on a discreet exploration of the town, she turns back to her conversation without comment.

Fenna, did you want to go ahead and make the kingdom rolls? It may be a little while before we get another update from Alex, I think he is pretty tied up with exams.

Oops, completely forgot about those.

Stability: 1d20 + 50 ⇒ (12) + 50 = 62

Swordhaven Medium: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (9) + 71 = 80
Swordhaven Medium: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (3) + 71 = 74
Northgreen Minor: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (14) + 71 = 85
Vierkirche Major: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (2) + 71 = 73
Vierkirche Medium: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (20) + 71 = 91

Income: 1d20 + 71 ⇒ (16) + 71 = 87

"I doubt the baron has ever battled an evildoer who saw themselves as such. That didn't stop them from being agents of evil. The same goes for chaos - the other route to misery."

On the way to Thrillseekers, Ricter dons the hat (somewhat cautiously). As the disguise spell takes effect his dark full plate shifts to become a breastplate and heavy coat. His hairline recedes, his belly swells into a beer gut and his face fattens and reddens. He looks like a party-loving adventurer, as imagined by someone with a deep loathing for party loving adventurers.

"Let's go and drink 'til we vomit!"

Malthir sensed no powerful evil force among the townspeople that evening, but the intense concentration on his face appeared to unsettle many of the townspeople before he made his speech. Perhaps it this that makes the skilled orator's speech a little less well received than he might have hoped. Glasses are raised followed by a round of applause, led fervently by Loy and Latricia. Generally though, the atmosphere is quite warm and welcoming, with people happy to mix and mingle. Ricter's own relentless scans for chaos among the community proved fruitless among the festivities. Kalev was well welcomed among his new half-orc friends, many of whom were warriors or hunters themselves. They seemed quite protective of "their" Marshall, their rowdy behaviour occasionally flirting with threatening when someone demanded too much of his attention.

Earlier on in the day, Kip eventually realised that the library was simply a little too new; and small, to provide any real benefit over the research he had already undertaken. Emraeli had heard of Kip's reputation as the Magister of Kardas and she herself brought up the discussion of magic first, trading stories of spells and a few battles she had participated in many long years ago in the defence of the first human town she had lived in. Kip eventually deduced that she was a Conjurer of no small skill- although it was never polite to ask such things directly the conversations he had with her led him to believe she was a mage "of the 3rd Order"*. Kip was surprised that she would specialise in such a profoundly dangerous and ritualised school of magic while being quite so haphazard and disorganised.

He got the impression Emraeli was very attached to her library, but he could not help but be impressed by the depth of her magical theory- she appeared to have theoretical knowledge well beyond her actual skill. He felt he would likely need to make a compelling persuasion to convince the strong-willed Forlorn Elf to join his efforts, if that was his wish.

*- Each spell level a magic-user can obtain is referred to as a new "Order", at least in arcane magic circles (this is something of a house-rule for my sanity). A wizard with a reputation of being of the "3rd Order" would therefore, in game-terms, be somebody who could cast Fireball and other 3rd level spells. Wizards in particular are notoriously secretive across Golarion about which Order they belong to, preferring to keep potential enemies and rivals guessing.

The disguised Hellknight and the three Guardians made their scheduled trip to Thrillseekers. The establishment was a large wooden building and as they prepared to step through the doors, the wooden door handle suddenly shifted and morphed as they approached, to encompass an almost comical looking wooden mouth- which immediately began to speak in a quiet, welcoming manner before seeming to fade back into the handle.

Welcome to Thrillseekers, good patron! The establishment would like to remind you that it does not give credit and that weapons are strictly forbidden inside...

A sign posted on the door itself explains the houses policy on weapons and armour in greater detail, reminding patrons that the building is a place of pleasure and relaxation, where safety is guaranteed by the building's security personnel. It also reassures those who have forgotten to remove their weapons and valuables that the entrance chamber includes fixed strongboxes and that the security team can provide unique keys for patrons, to ensure no one has access to them except the good patron himself; for a small fee. Finally, the sign reminds patrons that everybody has the right to enjoy themselves in peace and privacy; magic is strictly prohibited in Thrillseekers, especially the use of Divination to deduce identity.

Meanwhile at the festivities, the absence of several of the male Guardians did not go unnoticed. Latricia raised an eyebrow at Malthir and Malthir and gently inquired as to where they had gone to, at the height of celebrations?

He whispers to the both of them, They went on my orders to check out your house of ill repute and make sure it doesn't pose a real threat to the your town or Kardas.
He continues smiling the entire time but he definitely conveys his intent with body language and his eyes that if he feels it could be a threat he will act in some manner...

Happenings/Minion Updates (Month 38)-

General-

Red Eyes is by this point somewhat disgruntled that his requests to make two more of his pack sentient and give him capable lieutenants have been ignored several more times. The wolf-like creature nevertheless reports that his now extremely large pack have been keeping opportunistic bandits out of the Narlmarches along Kardas' western borders. However, the proud creature currently feels under-appreciated and there are tensions with wolves in Kardas' villages- tensions he insists are due to not having an effective enough leadership structure with just him and Fang keeping the pack and sub-packs in line. Having Kalev and his lieutenants patrolling the western border has no doubt helped with both the threat of bandit attacks as well as reassuring citizens that some humanoid patrols are taking place as well as just relying on animals.

Gain one point of Unrest, and an additional point of unrest every turn until the situation with Red Eyes either becomes better or worse.

The war in Brevoy continues to develop- the Lodovkan forces pushed hard into the Orlovsky heartlands over the past three months and emboldened by their success- launched an assault on the main Orlovsky stronghold itself. This proved to be a cunning ruse by the Orlovsky forces, who had held back many of their men from the fighting in the heartlands. The Lodovkan forces were crushed between the mighty castle's garrison and an ambush force that flanked them- there are rumours that Lord Kozek Lodovka was captured in the retreat back to their ships.

Regardless of the truth of these rumours, the Lodovkan invasion of Orlovsky lands has been costly for both sides and the former have been repelled, giving the rebels a hard-won victory. The battles to the north did, however, buy some time for New Stetven to be reinforced and fortified against an assault by the Swordlords and their allies.

Rumours are also circulating that House Garess has been clandestinely paid a huge sum from Brevoy's treasury in order to pledge themselves fully to the conflict. This means the land is now truly divided west to east with the Surtovan alliance consisting of-

Items Created-

Swordhaven (Medium)- Ioun stone (dark blue rhomboid) - 10000 gp

Swordhaven (Medium)- Wand of detect thoughts - 4500 gp

Northgreen (Minor)- Dust of dryness - 850 gp

Vierkirche (Minor)- Oil of grease - 50 gp

Vierkirche (Minor)- Arcane scroll of whispering wind - 150 gp

Vierkirche (Minor)- Arcane scroll of blur, glitterdust, and glitterdust - 450 gp

Vierkirche (Minor)- Potion of cat's grace - 300 gp

Vierkirche (Medium)- Divine scroll of dominate animals - 375 gp

Vierkirche (Medium)- Lesser metamagic (extend) rod - 3000 gp

Vierkirche (Medium)- +3 Repeating Heavy Crossbow - 18700 gp

Vierkirche (Major)- Amulet of Natural Armor +5 - 50000 gp

What is the awaken cost again? I couldn't find it on the campaign tab. Thanks.

At the library...

Kip thanked Emraeli profusely for all her help. He asked two small favours of her before he left. The first was to ask if he could correspond with her in the future regarding matters arcane and such. The second was to ask if he could help to grow her library in any matter she needed. Whether it be through donation of funds directly from himself, or possibly a close collaboration with the library in Kardas if he could arrange it. He then said his goodbyes and promised to stop in the next time he was in town, while inviting her to pay him a visit should she visit Swordhaven.

At Thrillseekers...

(I had assumed our excursion came later, after the official festivities had ended.)

Kip looks at the "rules" list and wrinkles up his brow. Would have been nice to know this before we all trekked over here... fully loaded so to speak! he added with a laugh.

At the open display of magic, Kip stares blankly. Apparently the "service" industry in these parts does a smashing business!

Well gentlemen, what do you suppose we do?

The Minions...

Kip congratulates Lord Sirian and Doritian on their success. He then tasks them with trying to track down additional pages of the book, if they can, as well as investigating the reason for the Fey leaving Kardas.

Kip assigns Zordion to research the "green-skinned Goddess". Specifically whether this is a reference to the Blodeuwedd Queen, or a previously unknown creature of interest. Is the term "Goddess" being used literally or as a matter of speech?