For Queen And Country - Heroes of Cheliax

Game Master Tourach

I don't mind changing a racial trait. As for bedrolls, they will keep you from the mud and the worst of it, but you'll still want a blanket or a fire, or something else to keep you warm if you plan to sleep outside.

You are all able to find a clear and dry area that looks like it would work for setting up a camp.

Rona (and anyone else out scouting) please give me a Perception check. And once you have finalized the watch schedule (or if you want to make it the "standard" watch schedule) please let me know.

Perception : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Sigh ... in both of my PbP's at the moment, my rolls are being hideously bad!

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

I'm hoping that my plan to spot them give us a huge circumstantial bonus because our rolls are just crap...

Perception (Ihon): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Perception (familiar): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Not scouting, but just in case the checks are necessary anyway.

Ihon goes about finding a comfortable spot and settles in.

Andre makes a pad for himself on a sturdy stump, fallen log, or flat-ish rock, and leans his staff against its side. Unscrewing something at the base of his holy symbol, he tips it back to his lips and takes a swig.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Sazu finishes his playing feeling the vibrations of the strings slowly dissipate. A quick from word from Ihon leaves him nodding at the man's wisdom, and so he relinquishes the first watch to Andre.

"If you'd like to do some reading to stay awake..." He says as he slides a book into Andre's hands. In it are tales of mythos of the current Gods. Usually meant for children, but the stories within are entertaining nonetheless.

And with that, Sazu lies down and waits for sleep to take him.

Yep, Sazu doesn't even remember that they're in possibly dangerous territory and forgets to make a perception check.

I have looked through the other Alternate Racial Traits and haven't found anything that works well enough, so I will keep what I have, just for flavour.

I head back to the camp with enough wood for maybe an hour or two, but definitely not enough for the whole night, "May have been looking in the wrong area, but most of it was still alive." I then take a seat and place my shorter blade by my side, while I put the longer one across my lap. I start sharpening the blade until I am satisfied, then get to work on the other one.

Once they are both how I like, I lay down and look to the person on watch, "Wake me ten minutes before my shift please, I will see about grabbing more wood. Plus I want to be awake for the shift." With that I bring both blades to either side of me and slowly fall into a light sleep.

For experience I'm going to go with the watch order Ihon has posited since that seems to have gotten majority support. Let me know if you want to change watches in the future, otherwise I'll just default to that.

You all are able to set up a "false" camp and camp out nearby. There isn't much in the way of cover outside of the forest and, while the night is cold for those without blankets, none of the watches seem to notice anything unusual. With the morning comes the beginning of the light rain and the fire fizzles a bit before going out on its own. As far as you can tell the area is clear and quiet and in your brief scouting of the forest there were no obvious paths or man-made structures (though you haven't gone into the forest yet, simply scouted the edges).

Andre pulls his hood up as the rain starts to pour down on them. "Lovely. I'd suggest we get under the cover of the trees...and that we move quickly, before this rain does any serious damage to the trail we need to follow!" As soon as the camp is packed up, he heads toward the forest, staff in hand, and begins searching the nearest edge for any evidence he can find of a trail...

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

I wake and stretch the aches and stiffness out of my bones and muscles, before getting an hour of sword practice in, a little way away from the the group. Once I have finished and everyone else is awake, I assist with packing the camps away and shoulder my bag. I nod at Andre and begin to move towards the forest as well.

Perception checks for those just looking for things. A trained Survival check will be necessary to find and follow any tracks nearby. The ground is soft but the track-ees have been hiding their tracks.

I keep my eyes and ears ready to pick up any movement and sounds whilst walking with everyone.

Perception : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Ihon wakes for his watch and quietly reads his book. He eats early, packs his things, and waits patiently for the others to finish their rest so that they may move on. When the rain begins he pulls up his hood and the small creature disappears under his cloak.

Phaedra keeps her eyes open, looking out for anyone that plans to waylay them and signs of trails through the forest.

perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Baolus wakes up a bit cold but he seems to be satisfied that they were not ambushed in the night. As the others, Baolus covers his bald head with his cloak and moves towards the forest to look for the tracks.

Perception, favored enemy: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20
Survival, favored enemy, track: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 28

Since at least some of our targets is human, I added my favored enemy to the rolls already... I imagine I made it.

Rona and Baolus both find footprints of what appear to be humanoids in the area. It looks like they aren't following a specific path, but are walking together. Baolus, you are able to follow the tracks and they begin to move inward deeper into the forest. You figure that the group you are tracking has five medium sized humanoids, but only two of them are humans.

It looks like the tracks are about two days old, but you can still follow them with ease. After about a half hour of traveling, it looks like there is a clearing of some sort about 50 ft in front of you. The tracks seem to continue into the clearing, though you cannot yet see anything beyond the trees.

Sazu is awake by now, and busy preparing his magics and such. Satisfied, he makes sure all his books and papers weren't soaked in the shower last night and joins the others.

Once the footprints were found, Baolus began to track. "We are tracking five creatures... two of them are humans. Unfortunately I thing these tracks are not from the men we were looking for, or they were able to hide their tracks, because these are about two days old... nevertheless, any information they provide could be useful..."

When they found the clearing, Baolus gestured them to stop and remain silent. He drew his bow and whispered. "There is a clearing ahead but I can't see being them... wait her and wait for my signal. I'll go ahead and take a look."

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 5 = 21
Perception: 10 + 6 = 16 +2 against humans

If Baolus successfully sneaks and is undetected, he will remain hidden and take 10 on his Perception check. If he is spotted (and can't take 10), here is an alternative check:

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 +2 against humans

Andre nods, and touches Baolus on the shoulder. "Deadeye walk with you as you stalk our quarry," he murmurs.

I'll cast guidance on Baolus before he heads off; gives him a +1 bonus to one of those rolls (his choice).

Before I provide any further information from Baolus's looking, just making sure I have an idea of what everyone else is doing/where they are standing.

Ihon stays in the area where Baolus leaves them, stepping nearer a tree and leaning while he waits.

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

I assume our traveling order is similar to the one we used before? Baolus and Phaedra in front, Rona behind, with the other three in the middle?

Sazu, now finished preparing, is sticking close to the bulk of the group. He isn't sure of the best course of action so has his fiddle out and ready to move.

Baolus, when you go to scout the clearing, it seems that those you tracked are long gone. What you find is quite significant however and there are remains of both animals and humanoids strewn about the clearing. At the center is a hastily assembled altar of some kind and more carcasses are tossed upon it along with some broken weapons.

Knowledge (Religion) is appropriate to identify the altar.

Assuming Baolus calls us forward...

Andre stares at the altar, disgusted and (it's clear) enraged. "This is despicable! We need to bury or burn these remains immediately..."

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Balous discreetly whistles, signaling them to come. "Looks like we have some grisly work ahead of us..." At Andre's words, he nodded. "Burn will be quicker but will also make a beacon to everyone around..."

Sazu follows the group as Baolus calls them forward. He takes instant notice of the alter.

"Remarkable..."

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Sass starts rooting through his pockets, confident he has a note on this somewhere. Or was it his other trouser? He cold never remember.

"We are not burning anything. The size of the fire needed to cremate these remains will surely cause a risk of a forest fire. Not to mention that, as Baolus has said, it will signal everything in the area to come and attack us."

"As for burying, does anyone even have a shovel? We may just have to settle for dismantling the altar and then heading on our way."

Phaedra is unmoved by the sight.

Sazu and Andre, you both recognize this as an altar of Rovagug.

Heal checks will tell you about age of bodies and things such as that. As for burning, do keep in mind that it is raining (albeit not heavily) so the underbrush (and the bodies) are a bit wet.

Whoops, forgot about the rain...

Andre glares at Phaedra. "This is an altar of that Rough Beast whose cultists we seek, so you're sodding right that we're going to dismantle it." Turning his gaze back to the altar, he sighs. "...But you're both probably right about the burning. It's too wet for a fire anyway, and I have no shovel. It just seems infuriatingly crude to leave these corpses strewn about the wood."

Putting his bow away, he jerks a dagger out of his belt. "You lot take the thing apart--I'll go gather and cut some branches to at least cover them over." He pushes into the undergrowth just outside the clearing, not straying far.

Untrained Heal for info on the bodies, if possible: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Not with that roll. :P

Hearing the gentle whistle of Baolus I follow everyone as quietly as I can. As I see the bodies and carcasses piled upon the alter I try to make sure that no one can see my face. Trying to keep my dinner from the night before down is quite difficult in this situation, but I manage it by occupying myself by keeping an eye on the forest. Once I have settled my stomach a little bit I add my own opinion to the group, "I think we should leave them for now, but remember where they are so that we can burn them once our mission is done."

I turn around to see the bodies again to see how long they have been here and how they were killed, before turning back again quickly to look for any living threats.

Stealth : 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 2 = 20
Perception : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Heal : 1d20 ⇒ 11
Fortitude Save : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Perception to see if there is anyone trying to watch us.
Fortitude to try and not throw up (Just a bit of flavour).

Rona, your best guess is that some of these corpses have been here at least a month, but you are aware that it would take someone more skilled to determine more information.

You also do not currently notice anyone or anything watching you.

Phaedra shrugs. "It is crude, but as you agree, there isn't much else we can do for now."

Phaedra will look over one of the human looking corpses, trying to see if there is any manor of identification on it.

"I wonder if any of these bodies are people missing from that village we were just in? We should be sure to mention this place to them if we pass through there again later."

Baolus notices the elf's discomfort but decides not to mention it. "Rona is probably right... even if it is unsettling, perhaps we should leave it as it is and then return to dismantle it in the future... if we can learn something about our encounter with the two stubborn townies is that the villagers are quite afraid of this fellows and if we destroy this altar, they will definitely know about our presence and intentions..." While he said this, he approached the altar to properly examine the bodies.

Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Baolus, the bodies range from within the last few days all the way back for over a year at least. Almost everything has died a violent death and they seem to have been moved over various distances and dumped rather unceremoniously in their current positions.

Ihon frowns as he enters the clearing and crinkles his nose.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

As expected, he says, as he looks around. Still, best not to make assumptions. What do we know of what happened here?

"At the very least, I'm covering them," Andre growls. "And if those mewling whelp a worshiping the abomination know we are here, so much the better! Then they can fear us." He emerges from the trees with an armful of branches, both deadwood and fresh-cut. He glares around the clearing, challenging anyone to contradict him.

OOC, if people think we DEFINITELY shouldn't touch it, I'll abide by that. Andre just doesn't want to let the Rovagugites (Rovagugians?) win. :P

If the plan is to leave it alone, we should. If we wish to destroy it, we should do that. Covering the bodies accomplishes none of our goals. He says as he walks around the altar, taking a closer look.

"The dead will remain as such until someone deals with it. I'm sure they're patient enough for us to finish the task at hand."

Sazu's words are professional, but the way he stares at the altar is intense. As if he is trying to mental carve this image into his head.

These are the reasons why are travels must be recorded. To not let these poor souls drift away, forgotten.

Andre tosses his branches down in disgust. "Very well. I see I am out-voted." His lip curls slightly. "And that this is apparently a democracy...where do we go from here, then? Baolus, have you found any other tracks?"

Baolus points to Ihon. "There! I knew, eventually, something that made sense would come out of that hazy head of yours! Good, I think we are finally understanding each other..." At Andre's question about more tracks, Baolus starts to look around the clearing, searching for more footprints to follow from there.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Baolus, when you search around, you find dozens of sets of tracks going off in just about every direction. They criss-cross and range in age from within the last day to probably a year or more ago.

A democracy? He shakes his head slightly, No. It seems as if he's about to continue speaking, but whatever is in his head doesn't come out.

DM, this means that Baolus can't follow any tracks because of the confusion or he can follow the most recent ones, even if it is more difficult?

I don't participate in much of the conversation at the moment and continue to keep an eye out. Once things have quietened down a bit I speak to the others without looking at the bodies, "We are alone at the moment, there doesn't appear to be anyone watching us. But we should head out shortly, so that they have less chance to prepare for our arrival."

I untie my hair and ring it out, creating a small puddle. Once I have most of the rain water out I retie it, then make sure that both of my blades are able to be slid in and out of their sheaths perfectly. Once everyone is ready to head out, I take up my position again.

Baolus, you can attempt to follow (with a Survival check) any of the sets of tracks. They are just extremely numerous and not heading in a single direction. So if you want to attempt to follow the most recent, that's definitely possible.

Andre tosses his branches down in disgust. "Very well. I see I am out-voted." His lip curls slightly. "And that this is apparently a democracy...where do we go from here, then? Baolus, have you found any other tracks?"

Another narrow minded individual? I hope not...

Sazu exhales softly, even for a gnome's size.

"To do as you'd recommend would set us back in time when we have already lost our quarry. Not to mention, them returning to the site would immediately alert them of our presence, or better yet teach them that more altars such as these are the perfect method of bogging us down as we stop to put them to rest."

He does feel a bit of sympathy for what Andre must be feeling.

"I promise you, the moment we finish the neccesary business, I'll be right there beside you helping you fix all this. But for now, I suggest we try and figure out which direction to head."

Sazu will ponder what he knows about the area, and see if there are any recollections of prominent landmarks that might help.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Andre sighs. "I understand, Sazu, don't worry. It's not that your points aren't true. It just gets my goat to leave...this...unanswered." He grips his staff tightly. "Which is why I suggest we follow the freshest tracks we can find and answer it in another way!"

Pre-emptive Aid Another Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Unless someone points me to something else, it has always been my understanding that landmarks were Knowledge (Geography) not Knowledge (Nature). Still, 24 beats the DC 20.

Sazu, there is known to be a druidic circle within the forest about three miles from your current position. It is about half that distance deeper into the forest and somewhat north.

Ihon wanders around until the others decide on a way, then follows quietly.

"Hmm...I seem to recall there's a druidic circle about three miles that way."

Sazu points northward, and slightly deeper into the forest.

"Perhaps they have seen our quarry."

Sorry DM, I'll keep that in mind for later.

I am more than happy with taking a double shift. It would mean that I can be keep alive during the day when there are spells flying all around me.

Huh, I always thought it was only 6 hours. How did that happen? Must've been a house rule I was under or something.

I think a lot of people just miss that note. If not for being a caster, you wouldn't need the 8 hours, so I imagine it gets passed over more than expected.

While I'm fine with that plan, I'll have to think about whether Ihon would be. My first thought was that he'd prefer to pull his weight.

But some things to note. We can only sustainably walk 8 hours a day. Pathfinder essentially posits a 12 hour work day. With 8 hours of travel and 4 hours of "break" time during that travel. Which leaves 12 hours of camping time. With six characters we can easily split that in four hour watches and all the casters will have plenty of sleep/rest.

I suggest the following watches in that case:

Andre and Sazu on first watch.
Baolus and Rona on second watch.
Ihon (and familiar) and Phaedra on the last watch.

This gives us Darkvision in the early evening and in the middle of the night. The familiar gives us low-light vision in the early morning. Ihon can start his spell memorization on his watch. It also pairs the best perception with the worst. Everyone else is pretty comparable.

Personally I'd go for Ihon's plan, since I don't think we need to worry too much (or would, in the situation we're in) about making relentless, implacable time.

I'm fine with Ihon's watch suggestion.

Ihon, I am happy with that watch order. Hopefully there will be no encounters during the night though ... although that would make the whole watch thing a big confusion for nothing.

Just to reassure people, but I am still here. Just not sure how I can contribute to the current conversation.

Feel free to do what you will now. Just in case it was unclear, you guys have a breather and an unconscious guy to question.

Also, to equalize XP with our newcomers and give a bit of a jump, I'm going to say you all can just move on up to lvl 2 right now. So feel free to level up!

Finally, I'll be on vacation from Thursday, May 12 - Sunday, May 14. I expect I'll likely be able to post, but just in case I miss a day, don't think I've vanished.

DM, just to make sure we are on the same page before I post my action and level up...

When someone takes nonlethal damage equal to his maximum hp, any further damage is treated as lethal damage. Baolus managed to deal 51 nonlethal hp so, for an example of a creature with 10hp and con 12, it would have dealt 10 nonlethal damage (equal to his maximum hp), then another 41 lethal damage, meaning the creature is dead (10hp + 12 negative).

So, is the dude Baolus has hit truly unconscious or is he dead?

As we discussed via PM, Baolus will drop the Urban Ranger archetype.

Here are the changes for his 2nd level:

+10 hp (+6 class, +2 Con, +1 FCB)
+1 BAB, +1 CMB, +1 CMD
+1 For
+1 Ref
+7 skill points (6 class, +1 Int)
-3 Disable Device (no longer a class skill)
+1 Climb
+1 Knowledge (nature)
+2 Knowledge (religion)
+1 Perception
+1 Stealth
+1 Survival
Combat Style - Archery (rapid shot)

I shall put a post in shortly, but first my level up.

+7 hp (+6 class, +1 Con)
+1 BAB, +1 CMB, +1 CMD
+1 Fort
+8 skill points (4 class, +3 Int, +1 FCB)
+1 Acrobatics
+1 Climb
+1 Knowledge (Local)
+1 Knowledge (Nobility)
+1 Linguistics
+1 Perception
+1 Sense Motive
+1 Swim

Bonus Feat : ?
Tactical Awareness : +1 Init

I am stuck on which Bonus feat to go with, I was wondering what everyone's opinion would be. I am stuck between Improved Trip, a Teamwork Feat and Weapon Focus. I think Improved Trip would be most like him, especially with combat Expertise, but open to all suggestions.

+6 hp (+4 class, +2 Con)
+1 BAB
+1 Will
+1 Concentration
+8 skill points (2 class +4 Int +1 skilled +1 FCB)
Knowledge (arcana)
Knowledge (engineering)
Knowledge (planes)
Knowledge (geography)
Linguistics - Language: Abyssal
Perception
Spellcraft
Stealth
+1 0-th level spell per day
+1 1-st level spell per day
Spellbook: Silent Image, Obscuring Mist

While normally you'd kill an NPC with loads of non-lethal damage, in this particular case it seems more useful for fun and story if the NPC is left alive and unconscious, so that's what he is.

Leveling!

+6 hp (+5 class, +1 CON)
+1 BAB
+1 Fort, +1 Will
+3 skill ranks (2 class, 0 Int, 1 FCB)
+1 to Intimidate, +1 to Survival, +1 to Sense Motive

...and one more cantrip and 1st-level spell per day!

What are we doing for hp when leveling up?

Sazu, I believe we have all done half plus 1.

No feedback on my feat selection?

Improved Trip can't hurt, but I think is most useful if you have a trip weapon...I guess it depends on how you're planning to build! Teamwork feats will go well nicely with your tactician ability when it kicks in.

I think trip is a very powerful maneuver but IMO you need a completely focused build to make it work as levels goes up or it becomes useless... I second Andre's opinion about the Teamwork feats since many of them are quite powerful.

Depending on which you take, it could even be interesting for Baolus to take a few also.

Focused build on trip how? I was planning on Improved and Greater, there is also a Teamwork Feat that improves it a bit more.

Which Teamwork Feats would be best for this party? I usually end up looking at Outflank (level 4), Precise Strike and Pack Attack. Any of those sound good for our group?

Lookout has interesting synergy with my particular character.

What I mean about a focused build is taking levels in Brawler or Monk, or taking the Lore Warden fighter archetype that gives a big bonus to combat maneuvers... take a look at the high level critters... those that are not completely immune to trip attempts have 40+ CMD and even additional bonus against trip attempts. Just the Improved and Greater Trip feats will not be nearly enough.

Level Up ==> Lvl 2 Sazu

+6 hp (+4 class, +2 Con)
+1 BAB
+1 Will
+1 Reflex
+9 skill points (6 class +3 Int)
Knowledge (history)
Knowledge (engineering)
Knowledge (nobility)
Knowledge (geography)
Perception
Perform
Acrobatics
Appraise
Stealth
+1 0-th level spell per day
+1 1-st level spell per day
Spellbook: Message, Charm Person

Well-Versed bard ability
====================

So as I look over Sazu, I realize that even with the Archivist abilities he has quite a brain on him already. Since you guys seem to miss inspire courage, should I switch back to regular bard (if I'm allowed to?)

I say build as you will. :) Inspire courage never hurts, but if you prefer the archetype I for one feel we're doing ok.

Ihon, I will agree that could be very useful. However that would also mean that you need to take the feat and we would have to remain next to each other pretty much the whole time outside of combat, in case we are attacked.

Baolus, thank you for the clarification on the Trip maneuvers. While I think it would be a really good line to go down, I do agree that later on it would be useless.

So for now I am thinking I will just go with a Weapon Focus, then at level 3 if people are still wanting to go with a Teamwork Feat, we can try to see what would work for the group then. Is that okay with everyone?

As for the Inspire Courage, having that bonus would be nice. But I agree with Andre, after seeing Baolus' attack just then I am not sure if we really need it. But it all depends on whether you think it would work for your character, would your knowledge skills be largely affected if you were to revert to Inspire Courage?

This group isn't hurting on knowledge skills. A bard (either plain or archivist), a skald, and a wizard makes for quite a bit of overkill in that regard.

Also Rona has both Knowledge Local and Nobility, so another Knowledge character there (albeit nowhere near as good as others).

In that case, would the DM mind if I went back to regular bard, or changed archetypes?

Sorry, I had really unstable internet access while away it turns out. But I'm back now!

I don't mind the change in archetypes.

Feel free to take all of the time you guys need to plan and plot. Let me know when you are ready to move on, but as long as the conversation keeps going, I'm in no rush from the DM side.

We've run into two religious groups so far. Both or either of them could be the source of the problem. I understand that most of the party would in-character dismiss the idea that followers of Erastil could be the source of the issue, but it is highly likely, given their stance on the government, that they are at least part of the problem. Given that no one in town is complaining about the Rovagug followers, while they follow an evil and chaotic god, so far, they seem to be following the local laws. At least when out in the open.

Also, keep in mind that we don't have any real authority here. While Ihon has no issue if we want to go kill an evil cult, we will have to be able to explain our actions to what passes as a local authority. If the plan is to arrogantly claim that we do have authority when we don't, or that what we're doing is righteous, and that gives us the right, then that's fine. We just need to be clear that we're not *actually* doing justice, we're just deciding that our might makes what we do right. (Again, that's fine, just that we should understand what we're doing.)

I'm actually pretty sure that worship of Rovagug is illegal in Cheliax, full stop. I thought most of the chaotic gods were.

Regardless, do we actually know what's WRONG? Beyond the cultists, I mean? Maybe I missed something in the briefing...

Sure. All chaotic gods as well as worshiping any devil beside Asmodeus. And Erastil is technically fine. So long as they follow the law. But we aren't police. And we don't have authority here. And besides having tattoos of an outlawed god, they haven't actually done anything wrong as far as we know. So it could easily be either cult that's causing problems with the locals. Or both.

We don't know what the problem is, who learned about it, or why the government is concerned at all. Our instructions are to investigate the "situation" and report back. And that the followers of Erastil are not our friends. We have since learned that there's fighting going on in the forest between two groups. (Presumably the Rovagugees and Erastilites, so far as we can tell.) But notably, none of the places we've been to have been concerned about it at all.

So, we can go into the forest and slaughter a bunch of followers of Rovagug. And probably claim the moral high ground there. No one, as far as we can tell, will object. But we'll still be no closer to knowing what the problem is. We'll just have smashed a thing that we dislike because it was in front of us. Again, not a problem. Just not exactly what anyone could call "justice". And certainly not what we were asked to do.

But, it might be in character for quite a few members of the party. And Ihon isn't about to object.

It would totally be in-character for Phaedra to squash any followers of Rovagug. :)

As with Andre, the situation is also getting a little confusing for me. Anyone got the cliff notes version?

I want to leave most of it up to PC interpretation, but I will confirm that, so far, you guys haven't figured out the definitive "wrong" thing. Worship of Rovagug is definitely illegal, but it is reasonable to think that if it was just a few random human cultists, the Queen probably wouldn't have sent you guys here.

For the new people, you might have missed it, but Nicolas Gantry, the guy that assembled the original group, did also tell the PCs not to trust the priests of Erastil in the forest. He may well have had personal reasons, but it was a warning that he gave before the group left Kintargo.

Yeah, I remember that. Just wanted to make sure that I hadn't missed some face-to-face run-in with the Erastilian crowd.

Sounds like we have more work to do. :)

Rona would be against anything that is illegal due to him being an actual Police officer.

Ihon, I don't mean to step on any ideas/objections you may have, but without more to go on I really don't know what else to do.

I think he may have been answering the question I asked him. Or at least that is how I read it.

Ahhhh. Gotcha.

Ihon is going to be vague whenever he speaks. It's deliberate on my part, though not necessarily his. He's not going to object to pretty much any lawful actions the party makes.

Just wanted to let you all know that I'll be traveling between now and this coming Wednesday, and Internet may be spotty to nonexistent. Please not me as necessary to keep things moving!

Baolus has, unfortunately, had to bow out of the game. Let me know if you guys want me to hunt for a replacement and re-open recruitment or if you'd rather trudge on with 5. I can easily scale encounters either way, so it's really up to the group.

Hey guys!

I'm sorry to say but I'll have to leave you... my workload has dramatically changed and in result I'm not being able to properly play this game as I whished so I'll have to bow out.

I've already talked to the DM so this message is just to let you know. It was a pleasure to play with all of you and I hope we'll be able to play again in the future.

DM, could you remove me from the current players?

Baolus, I hope your workload manages to get back to normal soon. It was fun playing with you and I look forward to gaming together at some point in the future.

Sorry to hear that. Hope work isn't too rough!

I'm fine with either picking up another player or moving on without.

Sorry for the delay. Went camping this week a few days longer than expected. I'll be home tomorrow and post right away.

Remember to add in Sazu's Inspire Courage. From experience it's a bit disheartening to watch the entire party blow off a buff. And it's a huge pain for the GM to track whether people are adding it or not.

(This is true of Phaedra's rage as well, but she didn't activate it this fight.)

I'm going to try to post today or tomorrow and get us a replacement player if I can (for Baolus). I think it would help us to have someone that is both evil and is willing to push an agenda. We have very interesting PCs of varied personalities, but someone willing to be the default "go-er" seems like it would be helpful in keeping things moving.

Agreed.