GM Lysander's "The Price of Immortality"

Game Master Rivien

As Caundur exits the southern gate, he steps off the path and sets down the bag Mayor Uptal gave him, as well as the bag he brought with him. He begins to transfer the town-given items into his own backpack.

"I agree with Joeepi."

Caundur eyes the tent he just pulled out of his bag, looks over at his own backpack, then tosses the tent into the brush off the road.

"After all, I can't say that I'm too familiar with the location of the Crypt"

"And I agree with Caundur. Let's gather around for a second and figure this map out. Here is my fragment:"

map fragment

Kion holds the fragment between his fingers, "It has obvious signs of fraying on the right side, but not on the top or bottom, and the few letters on it are upright, meaning this peice probably goes in the middle right section of the map. That's my best guess anyway."

"You might not be as dense as I first thought Joeepi. Once we collect all these fragments, I suggest we take some time to come up with a well thought-out plan of action."

I've posted my map fragment to the FB thread in case you haven't been there yet. I also suggest that once we have all the pieces collected we have one PC carry the map. Possibly the character with the highest knowledge(geography/nature/local) score, or something of the like.

Niamh removed the map fragment from the pack she had been given and examined it cursorily before adding it to the pile.

"Won't be of any use chopped up and scattered like this."

Rearranging her pack, she stowed the supplies and strapped everything into place before discarding the now empty bag. Perching on a large boulder off the side of the trail, she shook out her now dry hair and bound it in a high ponytail as the remainder of the group gathered around the steadily growing pile of map sections.

Kylar tosses his map piece in the pile. "My piece appears to belong on the bottom right of the map"

Too general to be of interest for me. No nooks or crannies or treasure on it. Kind of disappointing really...

"Well, now that we are getting all the pieces together, I volunteer myself to hold onto the map. I'd love to get a chance to study it closer."

"What's your name Elf? Caundur? I think it best that someone of your kind not be trusted quite this early in our quest."

Bloody Elf.

"If anyone should be carrying this here map, it should be either myself or our friend from the city guard, Niamh."

"And just what do you mean by that? None of us has done a single thing, and yet it is already known who is to be trusted and who is not? Why would I even be selected to go on the pilgrimage if I could not be trusted to carry a scrap of paper?"

Jeez, this stuff weighs a ton!

Kylar mimics Caundur's actions, tossing his tent off the side of the path, and also losing his leather armor as well.

Not really planning on getting hit so I won't be needing that.

"Don't act dumb. Every man in town knows you're one to hang around with that crook "Short Change" at the Seven Silvers. I think that's proof enough to determine what kind of Elf you are."

Yay for Dwarf/Elf relations!

"Woah, Woah. Calm Kurgryn. I think everyone could do with some good old fashioned lute strumming. That should cool you guys down. I'll even try to add in some flairs for dramatic effect!"

Kion begins tuning his lute and working with his new string, "Besides, if we are having this much trouble with the map, alone, think about how difficult everything will be in the Crypt. Jocyn used to always say, 'A cacophonous choir is no choir at all.' I believe it applies."

"You make a strong case Bard. But know that I've got an eye on you Elf!"

"Enough!"

She glared at the sniping, squabbling men in front of her.

"If there are no objections, I will carry the map and you two will find a way to tolerate one another until we set foot back in Kassan. Agreed?"

"Stand aside, Kion. This is not a matter to be set aside to resurface in the heat of battle!
Every man in town with working eyes knows that I don't 'hang around' the Seven Silvers, I work there. So, you're right, that's proof enough to determine that I am a hard-working Elf. Since this is clearly about me being an elf above anything else, please inform me as to why you left your hole in the ground to live in the middle of a forest. Did it never occur to you that you might run into an Elf or two?"

What did I ever do to him!? Some 'man of god' he is, insulting a fellow pilgrim right outside the town gates.

"Maybe the map should be given to Ilamin? I'm pretty sure he is fairly knowledgeable about the area. Perhaps he knows a thing or two about the areas we are traversing, some safe havens to seek?"

"Fine, Niamh will carry the map. And I left my 'hole in the ground' for the greatest cause, the service of Father Torag!"

Tony, I think I'm going to have a lot of fun hating your character for the start of this campaign.

"Well, pray to your Torag that your life never depends on my dagger, for it will stay well by my side. But not because you are a Dwarf, but because you've been glaring at me since the moment I stepped foot in the square, though we had never once shared words with each other."

I think that we're already starting to see that we can run into some issues in which posts are ordered, like with Niamh's response to Kurgryn and Caundur. What do you think is the best way to deal with a couple posts that might be just a little out of order in continuity?

"Then my hammer shall be the same for you."

One messy solution is to post "posting" into the FB group so we know another person is talking... or whoever gets to the post first and has something to say can post "Typing..." into the forums, and then edit their post to be what they were trying to say

I think the "Typing..." option would be better, since not everyone checks the FB group while posting in the thread

Phil, if you're going to lose the leather armor, don't forget to change your AC due to the loss of the armor bonus.

What an idiotic feline for tossing his only form of armor.

Dude, taken care of. I know what I'm doing. Sometimes...

Kion strums louder, playing off the heat of the moment and smiling to himself over the events.

"Niamh still scary, but at least her head's in the right place."

Kion then begins to sing along to the tune (albeit somewhat poorly) to himself:

Once his song is done, he sighs and looks up. "Niamh. Are you keeping the map?"

"Yes, the changeling will carry the map. It most certainly is not conducive to begin squabbling so early over such silly matters... "

"In truth the bickering was the most enjoyable portion of the day thus far. It's clear their arguments lack much of the depth a truly entertaining conflict would possess, but perhaps, in time, their mutual dislike for each other will develop into something much better."

"It is not my place to judge your preconceptions and notions of each other, but you must remember that the integrity of the group will most likely lead to a successful mission. That is not to say you must reconcile your issues but merely quell them for the time being."

Kion, whenever you sing (or do other bard-y performances) it's good to get in the habit of doing a Perform(sing) or Perform(bard-y) when you sing, since it may or may not matter.

Ilamin takes a long pull of the brandy he found in his backpack.

"That was much needed. Now, about this map. Niamh I think would be an adept navigator, though Kylar you are correct that I am experienced with the area. However, we are travelling as a group, and must work together as a group. Though one may carry the map, all of us must contribute our skills if we are to make this journey a success. So, Niamh, you will carry the map, but we must all be receptive to input from others in the group. Now, let's get this quest underway."

Niamh nodded her acknolegement to Ilamin. Resettling herself atop her improvised seat, she adressed the group at large. "Now that that's settled, how will we be proceeding from here?"

Also, for the sake of Kion's rhyming abilities, "Niamh" is pronounced "Nee-iv"

pronunciation audio

"Let us proceed south and discover what horrors necessitate such a somber event."

And so, the quest begins.

As you start down the trail, signs of civilization start to disappear. Kassen begins to fade into the distance, and soon you can no longer see its protective walls. Within an hour, you have passed the last farm along the southern trail of out Kassen. The scenery becomes engulfed by Fangwood, and soon your only guides are the semi-beaten path in front of you and the map in Niamh’s hands. The day, however, seems much brighter than it did in Kassen, and your spirits are lifted by the lighthearted banter amongst your party. Kion strums on his lute, keeping time with the relaxed cadence of your footsteps; Kylar and Caundur warm up to each other by attempting to see who can lift a marked copper piece off the other (neither successfully tricks the other, though). Ilamin and Joeepi are deep in thought, while Kurgryn marches on with the lantern secured on his belt. Niamh keeps the party moving, and before you know it, you’re well into the rhythm of the journey.

Feel free to insert banter here (as in between my posts) in the Discussion thread (just preface your post with "IC Travel Banter" or something.

As you journey further on, the trail becomes less and less tame. Browing grasses and weeds creep further into the path, until eventually you are simply walking on top of the shortest plants rather than on a trail proper. Your footsteps have turned from the soft, padded steps of a dirt path to the crunchy steps of an autumn forest. The trees cover more and more of the path with shade, until eventually you are totally under their now-barren branches. You have truly entered Fangwood Forest.

The path begins to start winding through the forest. The turns are still gentle, for the most part, and keep the path mostly level. After rounding a particularly sharp turn, the path opens into a small clearing. Up ahead, a massive fallen tree trunk has crashed into the clearing. Suddenly, six snarling humanoids leap up from behind the log, all greenish skin and fearsome tusks, bellowing vulgar challenges.

Roll for initiative!

Map:
██░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█
█░░░░░░==========█
█░░░░O░░░░O░O░░░░██
██░░░░░░░O░░O░░░░░█
█░░░░░░░░░░░O░░░░██
█░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█
█░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█
██░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█
█░░░░░░░N░░U░░░░░░█
█░░░░░░K░░C░Y░░░░░█
█░░░░░ I ░░░░J░░░░░██

░ = grass/weeds/leaves
█ = Trees with especially thick underbrush (obstacle)
=== = fallen log

O = Orc ====> will change to 1,2,3,4,5,6 once Initiative has been established

These map designations will never change (remember yours!):
{ C = Caundur ; I = Ilamin ; J = Joeepi ; K = Kion ; N = Niamh ; U = Kurgyrn ; Y = Kylar }

[/spoiler]

And yes, I know how much you dig the ASCII map. :P

Orcs! Luckily I picked up the language from an old text I found in the attic of the Seven Silvers; I should be able to understand any communication amongst themselves.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

"Ah. Perfect timing, right at the end of a verse!"

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

I know we were supposed to also put down an action, but as this is our first fight, I would like to wait and see what combat is like first. I hope that's not too much of a bother!

Oh man, totally didn't realize I needed an action there. Here's Caundur's actions:

Caundur immediately drops his backpack and draws his dagger and gets into a defensive posture.

Naturally.

Niamh slings her pack off to the side of the trail to keep it out from underfoot and draws her longsword.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

What kind of ugly creatures are these?!

1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

Kurgryn drops his pack and reaches to equip his shield and draw his warhammer.

Sliding his backpack off, Kylar draws his Wakizashi.

I hope I did enough training.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Oh yeah, look at that natural 20! Shame I couldn't have had that on my attack roll, but whatever.

Joeepi withdraws his dagger from his bag and places the rest of his equipment to the ground.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Finally decided on my action

Kion readies his shortbow for battle.

Orcs! Vile creatures..!

"Ancestors guide me!"

1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

The spirits of his ancestors swirl around Ilamin as he conjures his ancestral weapon - a ghostly greatsword that glistens gold as the light shining through the forest trees reflects off of it. He readies himself for battle, grasping his sword firmly in both hands and entering a defensive position.

As the party began to ready themselves, the orcs made their approach with weapons drawn. Seeing that the adventurers had no desire to charge, they approached cautiously. The orc at the front of the pack (6 on the map), however, wasn't leading the attack because he was known for his patience. He eyed Kurgryn before coming at the dwarf with his greataxe. Kurgryn was not about to be caught unawares by a greenskin's attack, and he shrugged the attack off with a block from his shield. Another orc (1 on the map) thought a ranged attack might unnerve the travelers, but unfortunately for him he picked Niamh as his target. His javelin never stood a chance of touching the battle-ready fighter.

Caundur swiftly takes a 5 ft. step forward and to the left, and...

Damn these Orcs. I musn't let my rage get the best of me, especially after that spout with the Elf earlier.

Kurgryn readies his shield for another blow from the Orc that had just charged him and casts Lead Blades on his warhammer.

Kylar sprints over behind the tree to the left and slightly infront of Niamh to take cover.

I should try and keep this ranged beast off balance since I'm not much use at the front lines.

Would it be possible for me to climb up the trees on the side and use them for cover since I am quite the accomplished climber?

Potential attacks of opportunity for round 1

Patrick, is this acceptable for future use?

Joeepi attempts to stay out of sight as he moves directly behind Kurgryn and casts mage armor on him.

"This may assist you some, Dwarf. You're welcome."