Zunberg:
Morganheim:
A book written by a Dwarf in Dwarvish about Rocks, I'll be in muh room readin.
You know that Zunberg is a big enough city to house one form or another of organized crime, such as a thieves' or assassins' guild, large-scale political corruption, and so forth. After talking to people for hours, you've learned nothing more than that.
You also know that Morganheim is certainly large enough to house similar nefarious infrastructures—up to and including trafficking in stolen goods—yet to your knowledge does not have an actual thieves' guild; its black market and related illicit activity is a bit more "freelance" and unstructured.
You finish the afternoon/evening of Day 1 spending hours canvassing the populace, but it's of little help as this oddity of Morganheim criminal activity is apparently not well-known.
And that wraps up Day 1 for Tolbert.
Just need ~1 more activity from Warren and then you guys can meet up and compare notes for the evening before starting Day 2.
Being completely confused by all the maps at the city hall Warren wanders the town trying to clear his head. He asks any visitors to the city if they know the geography of the area to the south, especially about any rivers flowing into the earth.
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, taking hours...
Maybe it's because you're visibly frustrated from your research, or maybe you just happened to try to ask all the really busy people in town, but for one reason or another nobody seems to want to give you the time of day.
It's the Tollun River the whole way. Basically, a single river splits into both an above-ground and an underground river, then re-connects later on, but it's still the Tollun River.
And as Day 1 draws to a close, you all meet for dinner, where you can compare notes and make plans for Day 2.
Tolbert orders a fine steak for dinner, and an even finer wine to wash it down.
"I think we could find markets in either Zunberg or Morganheim that might have buyers for the stone. I recommend checking out Morganheim first, because Zunberg has more structure to its black market; the trail will not grow cold as quickly there, so we can afford to visit it last."
"Where is Morganhelm relative to Woodhaven and Zunberg? The road north out of Woodhaven towards Zunberg has the most known bandit activity, and is in the same direction of the Tullon River, which is the river we saw underground."
"Garnult and I meet a most helpful Dwarf, who informed us that the underground river, were we meet the bandits, is the same river as the Tullon River, which flows north in the direction of Zunberg."
"Perhaps Zunberg should be our first visit, then."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"We should visit whichever is next up the river as I doubt a barrel would make it through one town to the next. We should probably follow the river to see if we run into an encampment outside the town. I still have one more day before my weapon is ready. Anyone need to do anything else in town?"
"I would like to see if there are any experts, or library information, on necromancy artifacts in Woodhaven."
"That's a good idea. I don't think I'll be much help there though. I think I'll check to see if anyone has sent any pigeon messages to the now defunct thieves guild, not knowing they are gone."
I'll go with ye Cassidy, necromancers are sneaky gits....
Tolbert spends the day searching for names and details about the black market in Zunberg, and otherwise rests up for the journey.
You spot a few pigeons over the course of the day, but mostly they just poop on public works rather than deliver messages. You eventually begin to suspect that maybe the pigeons were only used for outgoing messages, so as to give fewer chances for someone to notice the point of origin.
After spending so long researching that you feel like your brains are ready to melt, you've learned more than you ever wanted to know about necromantic magic items. The vast majority are the sorts that any accomplished mage or dark cleric could produce with some work, and therefore should have been identifiable if they were what you had found. You don't even find any records of ancient necromantic artifacts, though you do find something (dated almost a year ago) speaking of the beginnings of an archaeological dig on the other side of the country that looked like it was beginning to turn up the buried ruins of an unknown necromancer's lair. If you could find a library with more recent records of the expedition, maybe they will have turned up something?
You accumulate enough tips and rumors that you think you'll have an edge in trying to navigate the criminal underworld once you're in/near Zunberg.
Cassidy to Garnult: "Thanks for all your help. One can always count on a dwarf. I think we put in a good day's work. Perhaps a library in a bigger city will have more about that archaeological dig, and we can continue our research then. Shall we head back to the tavern to rest up and clear our brains with a pint?"
Garnult nods in satisfaction at Cassidy's appreciation for Dwarven knowledge and even greater appreciation of a pint or four at the end of the day.
After a final night of rest, you venture northward in the direction of Zunberg, armed with both information and shiny new gear. The road meanders a bit among some low hills, eventually leading though a smallish ravine. As the party rounds a bend, you see a lone figure, a human man, standing in the center of the road about twenty feet ahead. He holds a long polearm upright next to him, but upon seeing you, he levels it at the party, clearly looking to fight.
Initiative:
Cassidy, Tolbert and Garnult can act first!
Garnult advances while holding his shield up and drawing his Warhammer.
We ain't got no quarrel with ya, best to move outta the way.
"I say, good man, you appear on edge, but we mean no harm. Are you expecting trouble, perhaps from bandits?"
Raising her arms peacefully, Cassidy adds"Yes, we mean you no harm, and will only attack in self-defense. Surely, there must be a reason you are brandishing your weapon at us."
The party pleas for peace, but the man's only reply is to interrupt Garnult's advance with surprising speed!
Garnult finds himself flat on his back, and the man takes another swing!
,
The blade of the polearm hits the dirt an inch from the prone dwarf's face!
Suddenly, a second figure appears from thin air behind the first. This one is holding a bow, and fires off two quick shots at Cassidy!
,
,
Both arrows slam into Cassidy, wounding her badly!
Current initiative order:
Garnult
--Cassidy/Tolbert (delayed)
Polearm Guy
Archer
Warren
??????
Sneaky son of a... Garnult grumbles and he gets up and moves away from the melee and towards Cassidy.
"That wasn't called for!"
Warren advances at the polearm wielder and stops 10' from him so he doesn't provoke an attack.
One of these days that dwarf is going to learn.
Doing her best to ignore the arrows sticking out of her body, Cassidy will approach the archer (whose 25ft away?) while pulling out her katana, and will attack!
To Confirm:
As Cassidy tries to reach the archer, the polearm-wielder lashes out!
Cassidy hits the ground, on the other side of Garnult from Warren.
Tolbert steps forward and begins lecturing the archer on the criminal penalties for highway banditry, and the issues regarding appropriate use of force.
[
Tolbert steps forward and begins lecturing the archer on the criminal penalties for highway banditry, and the issues regarding appropriate use of force.
Suddenly, another man appears behind Mr. Polearm, this one dressed lightly and wielding a ten-inch stick, which he points at the far-too-close-and-able Warren:
A reddish beam streaks forward from the wand and strikes Warren in a flash of fiery light!
Current order:
Garnult
Polearm/Archer
Cassidy/Tolbert/Warren
Caster
Sneaky son of a... Garnult grumbles and he gets up. He moves away from the polearm wielder and behind Warren, stowing his warhammer.
Even as he stands, Garnult's warhammer is knocked from his hands!
Garnult will 5' step behind Warren and cast a spell of healing on Warren.
The polearm-wielder attempts to put Warren on the ground:
Warren's feet fly out from under him and he's on his back!
The archer nocks an arrow and raises his bow!
But then he lets out a bored sigh and starts scratching idly at the dirt with his boot.
Cassidy, Tolbert and Warren, you guys are up!
Current order:
Garnult
Polearm/Archer
Cassidy/Tolbert/Warren
Caster
Warren crawls 5 feet toward the polearm wielder and stands up.
The enemy takes a swing at Warren as he crawls!
,
The blade hits hard, nearly incapacitating him!
.
.
.
.
.
.
XXXXX
XAXCX
XXPXX
XXXWX
XCXXX
XXXGX
XXXXX
XXTXX
(The top "C" is the caster enemy, while the "C" closer to the middle is Cassidy.)
Remember that "P" has 10ft reach.
And as a tactical reminder, remember that a creature can't take AoOs against a target with cover.
Cassidy going to acrobatically roll sideways (the archer's side), so she's out of the polearm guy's reach. Depending on how many actions she has left, she'll stand up, sheath her katana, and grab her bow.
Tolbert fixes his glare on the foe with the wand. "A wizard fight, eh?"
Cassidy going to acrobatically roll sideways (the archer's side), so she's out of the polearm guy's reach. Depending on how many actions she has left, she'll stand up, sheath her katana, and grab her bow.
Cassidy attempts to roll to the side, and the polearm-user takes a swing!
,
The blade slams into her, and Cassidy's body goes limp!
Tolbert casts a spell at the enemy caster!
The man shrieks, waving his hands in front of his face in dismay! He tries to point a gout of flame in the general direction of his enemies, without catching his allies in the blast!
He's too cautious, blasting a cone of flame away from the battle and along the ravine wall!
XXXXX
XAXCX
XXPXX
XXXWX
XCXXX
XXXGX
XXXXX
XXTXX
(The top "C" is the caster enemy, while the "C" closer to the middle is Cassidy.)
The caster is blind, the archer is currently affected by Tolbert's spell but could break free at any moment, Cassidy is at death's door, and Warren is barely still fighting.
Current order:
Garnult
Polearm/Archer
Cassidy/Tolbert/Warren
Caster
Garnult, you're up!
EDIT: Just heard from Cassidy that she wanted to try Acrobatics:
Unfortunately, no change in the events. :(
Garnult is going to channel and heal his allies!
And then Garnult will pick up his warhammer.
Garnult heals the group, stabilizing Cassidy and giving Warren a boost, and then re-arms himself!
The archer...
...continues to stand around bored!
The polearm-user steps back from Warren and tries to buy time!
The enemy swears loudly as Warren locks his legs and resists the maneuver!
XXXXX
XAPCX
XXXXX
XXXWX
XCXXX
XXXGX
XXXXX
XXTXX
Tolbert and Warren, you're up! (Technically Cassidy too, but she's unconscious.)
Tolbert draws his wand and fires a missile at the polearm guy.
Warren smiles at the polearm man and steps up an attacks.
Thank you Garnult! Great job Tolbert! Let's finish them off now!
Tolbert launches a bolt of force, inflicting the first injury against the assailants!
Warren flourishes his blades, but his form is sloppy and he can't connect!
Unsure what to do about his eyes, the caster tries to withdraw from combat, but can't pinpoint the threats from which he's trying to escape.
,
The caster cries out in pain as Warren punishes his clumsy movement!
Garnult, you're up! (And armed and standing and everything!)
Positions:
XXXCX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XAPXX
XXWXX
XXXXX
XCXXX
XXXGX
XXXXX
XXTXX
Order:
Garnult
Polearm/Archer
Cassidy/Tolbert/Warren
Caster
Enemy Damage:
Polearm: 4
Caster: 8
Garnult moves up behind Warren and then reaches out and touches Warren with his Touch of Law ability.