Greyhawk 5E: Shadows of the Sheldomar (Inactive)

Game Master tribeof1

any stuff we can swipe off the downed folks quickly? I wouldn't be trying to peel their armor off to sell it but a handful of daggers or coins maybe.

Striding over Korlayn states Before you have Red Tom and these men hauled off we claim their weapons and the wealth they carry as spoils. And a share shall be yours as well Ohshae, You fought well. But next time if I come to your aid, consider staying and fighting with me. Turning to the healer she exposes her wound and asks Kierdan, that one there stuck me good. Can you spare any healing to close this wound?

Of course, Koralyn, of course. Kierdan says.

He lays his hand close to the wound and says Radiance of Pelor shine upon you.

Cure Wounds: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 3 = 8

"Right. I'd have just slipped out the door otherwise."[b] he points out with a winning smile. He shrugs as she asks about finishing Tom off, and nods to her suggestion to head elsewhere. [b]"As long as you're paying."

"Ahh an excellent idea." he adds as Koralyn suggests relieving them of their valuables, it wasn't his normal method of doing so, but he wouldn't object to some extra coins in his pocket, and so sets about patting the bleeding and unconscious men down.

Right you are Milady, Dragomir says, raising a knuckle to his forehead. He stows his great sword after wiping it clean on the clothes of one of the fallen.

Just say where.

Alistair seems torn whether to go with the crime lord and the others, or simply slink back to his rooms. Curiosity wins out over his suspicion, and he gathers his things and follows the others out of the bloody saloon.

Of course, Koralyn, of course. Kierdan says.

He lays his hand close to the wound and says Radiance of Pelor shine upon you.

[dice=Cure Wounds]1d8+4+3

The ghastly wound closes slightly more than half way from the attention of the cleric and Koralyn tight grimace eases. My thanks Kierdan to both you and Pelor. Koralyn sheaths her weapon, and after helping with the search of the thugs indicates she too is ready to depart.

A quick search of Red Tom and his men turns up several dozen coins, mostly copper and silver along with a handful of electrum eagles and gold lions stamped with the sigils of the various cantrevi (counties) of Geoff. A quick tally puts the count at 30 gp or so. One of the men had a good steel dirk with a silver hilt and a chunk of turquoise in the pommel (20 gp). The pewter anvil medallion hanging from Red Tom's neck is intricately carved and might fetch 10 gp at the market. His hammer, inset with red bronze and obsidian, might bring about 30 gp.

So about 90 gp total, or 15 gp each.

Divide it among yourselves - I'll get more than my share with this one swings," Onshae says, kicking the unconscious Tom in the ribs, although not hard enough to wake him from his magical slumber.

She leads the way from the tavern, ducking swiftly into the maze of narrow streets and alleys leading from the docks into the Shingles, the densely-packed residential district where the majority of Hochoch's common class lives. Seeming to take turns at random, she takes you into what appears to be a blind alley, then pulls a curtain of hanging ivy to reveal a short stairway down to a basement-level door. After three short knocks, she loudly clears her throat, then knocks a fourth time. You hear a bar being lifted and the door swings wide, although you see no one within.

"Come inside, sit," Onshae says, gesturing to a round table in the low room, which smells of pipe smoke and sweat. "I'll get the wine."

She returns in a fresh tunic, balancing a glass decanter and a fistful of glasses. A latched box of dark ash wood is tucked under one arm.

Onshae pours the wine and passes it out, raising her own glass in a toast.

"To wise choices and hard-won victories," she says, before draining her glass and setting it down. Taking a chair at one end of the table, she sets down the box and opens it. Inside is a roll of thin hide, torn and stained. If you had to guess, you'd say it looks like the leather used for the face of a knight's shield.

"I had planned to hire you, for a share of the profits of a mutually-agreeable venture. But I find myself in your debt after our recent dealings at the Doxie, and so have decided to make a gift of this instead."

As she unrolls the battered parchment, you see it is indeed the hide from a shield, although it has been used more recently as a canvas - or rather a map. Crudely-drawn cartographers' symbols sketch out a map of the northwest Rushmoors. The town of Orlane is labeled, not far from a small river. On the far side of the waterway, east of the town, a grove of trees has been drawn rising from the swamp. Northeast of that, perhaps half a day's walk judging from the scale, is a tall stone pillar. Next to it is written:

"Pointed tower. Keyhole to tomb of Dalvan Meir."

"Dalvan Meir. If the name is unfamiliar, suffice to say he was a mage of no small power who was active in the Sheldomar around the time of the wars between Keoland and Furyondy. Legend places his tomb in the Rushmoors, but no one's ever found it ... until recently."

Onshae passes the map around so each of you can inspect it in turn.

"The map came into my possession last week. One of my men in Orlane got it from a pair of adventurers who came limping into the village, their companions eaten by lizardmen or drowned in the swamp. They sent the map with my man, seeking aid in exchange for a share of the treasure, then headed back to the tomb."

"I had planned to hire the lot of you for a percentage, but the map's yours in return for your help with Red Tom. Just come see me when you return and I'll help fence anything the Watchers might try to seize as war spoils."

She refills her glass with more wine, then uses the stopped to point to the black dot of Orlane.

"Word of advice, though. Be careful in Orlane. My man said the place has gone a bit queer since the last time he was there. And the Watchers have been complaining that the yield of the farms and vineyards, which always was uncommonly generous, has fallen to almost nothing. Could cause trouble for any campaigns in the spring, if they can't stockpile enough fodder for the cavalry and grain to keep the footmen in gruel."

Alistair memorizes the route to this basement hideout...one never knew when one would need a bolt hole!

At the mention of Dalvan Meir, the wizard perks up. Here he was expecting some crass monetary reward...but this was so much more! If any of the wizard's spell books survive...
When the map come to him, Alistair examines every detail of it, making sure he has the locations set well in his mind.

Perhaps a weapon to fight...THEM might be found in the tomb, he thinks to himself as the woman prattles on about the Watchers and farming...

Morten pockets the dirk, and after a moment's reflection adds a few coins to the tally; it didn't do to steal from people you worked with, that was a good way to get yourself shanked. He follows Onshae to her hideout and takes a seat, but simply nurses his wine for a while, starting to sip after she's downed her own glass.

"Did these adventurers say where they got it from? I take it you trust them, but I'd rather not trudge around the swamps on a wild goose chase."

"I don't trust anyone, least of all adventurers, "Onshae says. "But their story checks out, as much as I've been able to determine. They said they drew the map while hiding on the top of this spire, surrounded by lizardmen. A sage I hired found some old references to a similar structure in a bard's account of an expedition to the Rushmoors a few decades ago, so it seems worth checking out, unless you've got something more pressing. I hear there are women in Orlane, maybe even a few you haven't yet bedded. "

Koralyn listens without comment, her wine untouched. She gently and absentmindedly probes her recent wound with her left hand as Onshae talks. She too considers the information provided and tries to recall details that might be useful about Dalvan Meir, the Rushmoors, and Orlane.

When she has her chance to speak she says Even if this map is genuine I have to admit some disappointment Onshae. I had hopes that the mission provided by the mysterious green sash wearer would somehow involve an aspect of the massacre at Pregmere four days ago. And I would still hear from you your thoughts on that subject before we depart. And while I would bring the fight to the giants and orcs that defile this land if I could, I do not know yet how I might aid that noble cause. And what you offer could strengthen us and provide valuable tools for future tasks. So I for one would go on this quest you offer.

Eldramin and Koralyn recall similar information about Meir: A Suloise mage of some experience who sought to recover the knowledge of the old Mages of Power. He lived an unusually long life, close to 200 years, due to either some elven blood or life-extending magics. He was a hermit in his later years, and was said to be constructing a tomb for himself filled with elaborate traps and treasure. He wasn't known for any particular specialization, as you recall. As far as the histories are concerned, he kept his nose clean, although there are hints that his research delved into some dark corners.

Eldramin, you seem to remember some mention of Dalvan Meir in one of the codices owned by your friend Cephas Vol. You could check later, if you like.

Koralyn and Eldramin also would know the general information about the Rushmoors found here on Greywiki. Orlane is a village on the northwest edge of the Rushmoors, renowned for the output of its fields and the quality of its wine and beer. Koralyn recalls reading about a temple there to Merikka, an obscure Oeridian harvest goddess obsessed with dates and cycles.

Onshae snorts when Koralyn mentions Pregmere.

"Fools, all of them, intent on throwing their lives away," she says. "I've no great love for the Watchers - my grandmother was Baklunish - but at least they understand the importance of planning. Idiots riding out on armored ponies on a lark aren't going to take back the country, anymore than a bunch of drunken bravos could sneak into Duke Owen's chambers and burgle the crown. We have to prepare, plan ... gather provisions, so those who survive the glorious charge can eat before the next battle.

"If you want to help with that, bring back a wagonload of grain from Orlane, or sort out whatever trouble is preventing them from getting here on their own. It's no business of mine."

At Ohshae's rendered opinion on the subject of Pregmere the bladesinger gives a curt nod that might mean agreement or might simply mean "understood". Wisdom. I think we should indeed look into grain issue. she concludes on the subject.

With Red Tom out of the way I trust that your position is secure? I thank you for this map and look forward to a long and mutual beneficial relationship. Should you require my help an any matter you have only to ask.

"I've a scholar I'd like to check with before we depart, he may have information for me. But yes, my interest is piqued. I will go."

Kierdan listens to the conversation, nodding at certain comments.

Onshae, you are correct, liberating Geoff will take preparations and provisions. In short, it will take treasure and with our lands stolen, that treasure has to come from elsewhere. This tomb is as good a place as any.

Kierdan adds, But, I will add that I am troubled by the news from Orlane. It is not just the armies of the next campaign that will suffer, though. The common man stands to suffer much worse. Hochoch is overflowing with refuges that we can barely feed as it is. I, too, propose we see for ourselves what is affecting the crop yields, since Orlane is on the way.

In any case, count me in.

"There are many women who have not yet enjoyed the pleasure of my company, in Orlane as well as here" his says, wiggling his eyebrows at Onshae herself, "But very well... as to the food... I'm not one for charity work, we head for the tower first, the crops are secondary, yes?"

I'm for at least checking on Orlane first. You'll change your mind Morten if suddenly you have to eat yet can find no food and we'll need to by rations for our trip on the way past Orlane if we don't go and by a lot of rations here... rations that would be very heavy and troublesome to carry if we try to tote the lot all they way past Orlane, says Dragomir pragmatically.

"yet probably more expensive in Orlane."

I agree with you Dragomir. It would be unconscionable to travel to Orlane and not even check into this serious problem.

Maybe we need to take a mule for extra rations or supplies?

Well, it is unlikely we will be able to travel anywhere near Orlane and not be confronted with this problem, whether we like it or not. Dragomir, getting extra supplies here may not be a bad idea, if we are expecting shortages in Orlane.

Everyone throw in 3 coins for a good pony and a pack saddle and we should be fine. We can do that 15 gold in total.

Then everyone throw in another 7 gold coins each for 14 days of food for everyone. We will have food to spare in case we run into problems. Ten gold pieces.

A good idea Dragomir. Count me in. In fact here is 15 gold coins. Let us bring extra food in case we find people that are hungry along the way.

Slowly coming out of his own thoughts, Alistair absently take the 15gp from his pouch and lays it on the table.

"Yes...a good idea that...

"Sure. Check it out by all means, but I don't work for free." he observes, adding his 10 gold to the mutual fund.

You can't lay out the full 15 coins Morten? Need me to stake for you? We won't be working for free - one way or the other we'll be hitting that treasure map. Consider this to be a necessary expense for travel. I'll cover you the additional 5 for now, I've some savings.

Kierdan is momentarily confused by Dragomir's math. He is about to remark on the sum, then thinks the better if it and simply says:

Here you go, my 15 gold.

Eldramin lays out three stacks of five gold coins each on the table, then drinks deeply of his cup.

To make it easy, the loot you took off Red Tom and his men comes to 15 gp each, so you only need to mark coins off your own sheets if you wanted to take something from the spoils, like Morten did with the fancy dagger.

With the money for supplies sorted out, you make a plan to spend the next day provisioning and otherwise preparing for an extended absence from Hochoch. You agree to meet at the Realstream Ferry the following morning to begin your journey.

[ooc]Let me know if you have any special preparations you'd like to make, or anyone you want to check in with before leaving.

~~~~~0~~~0~~~~~
Eldramin rises early the next day, picking up a fresh loaf and some imported tea to take to his friend Cephas Vol. A pair of aged ladies are already at Vol's when he arrives, complaining of various aches and ailments, and Eldramin is forced to wait as Cephas mixes up several packets of powder meant to grant some relief.

"You're up early - gout keep you awake all night?" he says, smiling as Eldramin tenders his offering. He can tall that the warlock is intent on research, however, and leaves him alone after he makes his request.

It takes only a few minutes to locate the correct volume in Vol's meticulously organized library. The journal of one of Hochoch's more accomplished former mages, it contains considerable correspondence with other practitioners of the art, including several letters between the writer and Dalvan Meir.

In the letters, Meir poses a number of questions related to the transfer of souls, willing and unwilling, as well as mechanisms for anchoring them in place in a way that avoids the inevitable rot that accompanies some of the more common necromantic methods. Based on the context, it is clear that Meir was very familiar with spells for raising and binding the dead, possibly as the result of frequent use, or at least deep study.

"Gout? Hah! I don't earn enough coin to be blessed with the rich man's disease. Nay, just headed on the trail of a juicy rumor. If anything particularly interesting comes of it, I'll let you take a peek."

Setting down the journal, Eldramin says, "Ah, fashioned himself some form of neo-necromancer, eh? That sounds like it'll be a pain."

"The amount discussed was 10 gold. From Koralyn's statement the extra is for charity, which I already have spoken on." Morten fails to keep the condescending tone from his voice, or perhaps he doesn't bother to try.

"In case you haven't figured it out yet, I used to be a member of the Talons. I didn't like the direction Onshae was taking them, so I left. I work for myself now, or anyone who has the funds to hire my skills. In this case I'm willing to come along against future spoils--not my preferred method of fortune finding, but it's not the first time I've done so either."

"While we travel together I will lend the group my blades, my skills, and a measure of trust and professional courtesy; but let me be clear. I don't know any of you: I'm out for myself first of all and care not a whit for politics, the greater good, or vanquishing evils. To put it simply, show me the loot and I'm on board. If that's a problem, then I'm sure Onshae can recommend you another thief, one with less qualms about helping the needy... or at least will pretend he does while he empties your pockets." he finishes his little speech with a thoroughly disingenuous smile to the guild leader.

I hope this won't be an issue :p I could probably tweak his attitude a little if needs be, but he is the CN thief. He'll probably warm up to you guys along the way, but at this point, all hanging out with you guys has got him is 1 HP away from unconsciousness and 15 gold :p

As to anything to do before leaving, the major part of the background tying him to the city (still need to write that up, sorry :s) is that his twin sister is a er... knight or something... someone far more respectible than him anyway. He'd probably want to drop a note to her before he suddenly disappeared, let her know he had some 'business' to deal with outside the city. The sister is probably his 'one person' who would do him a favour too. I'm sure she's helped him out of trouble before, and he's returned the favor with some inside information on the underworld :)

After the supplies are sorted out and plans made for the morning, Kierdan returns to the Grove to rest and gather his belongings. While there, he ensures that any of his duties for the next couple if weeks or so are covered. He informs the other priests that he is going to Orlane to investigate rumors of a looming food shortage for himself. He also asks his colleagues if they have any messages or small items that they would like delivered to the Orlane area.

Kierdan wanted to explain his absence to his peers, but he does not mention the map of the tomb to anyone.

I made no mention of charity- we need 2 weeks of food each. The five is your share of a good pony - happy to take your share.

Dragomir pays Mortens share of the pony and pack costs, 5 gold, out of his own gold.

Pony may sell for good money or make for good eating in extremes

We understand Morten. You are an employee and not one of the group. Got it. I think I prefer it that way too. Koralyn manages without a hint of contempt.

Alistair looks up at the young thief and nods approvingly.
"Well said lad, well said! I also do not know any of you, and do not trust easily, but I believe that there is value in assisting the people of this nation anyway we can, but I completely understand Kierdan's attitude and applaud him for standing up for his principals."
He looks around the group before adding,
"Anyone else wishing to make a declaration? Perhaps get something off their chest? Hmmm...no?"

"i am here because it pays the bills, as well, but I am not averse to side activities. Deeds, good or otherwise, can pay dividends in ways other than coin."

Exactly, and well said Eldramin. It is never a bad thing to do favors for those who hold power.

"If that's how you want to think of it..." Morten replies to Koralyn, rolling his eyes. It seems perhaps they would have preferred a less honest thief. "I'll see you at the ferry in the morning." he mutters, heading to the door and his lodgings to write a note to his sister.

i actually like the honest thief. i think sometimes it stretches veracity too thin when the uber-assassin with a heart of ice is in the group with the disney-princess-druid

Heh, well his feeling are definitely in character only :p he's just annoyed at having to repeat himself, and that he's the odd voice out. He'd probably prefer to stay at home and hustle the locals and try to sleep around, but ya know, it's hard to pass up a big score

Yes. I do not want to go overboard on Koralyn's reaction to Morten either. She was initially triggered by what looked like him forcing himself on a woman. Since she is both a woman and a knight she was not too pleased with the young lad. Had she not been under cover she might have demanded satisfaction right then and there (or even had Morten arrested. Not sure in this setting how much authority a night really has but in medieval Europe a knight could have had someone arrested for so little.) And now he seems to be way to "honest" about not caring about other people which is also an in-her-face kind of thing, especially when its related to the security of the city. Imagine someone trying to profit from the crowd after the Boston Marathon Bombing. The crowd would not be happy with that person. So she sees him as enjoying the safety of the city and the sacrifices of the military without being willing to contribute in any way and only trying to profit. I really to not plan to bring such things up but will react when they are brought up by Morten.

Well the stuff with the women wasn't the case and I think comparing it to a terrorist attack is a little strong, but the last two lines are accurate :p He's a CN Thief, he's meant to be kind of a bastard.

I actually think comparing it to a terrorist attack is a little weak. That might be our disconnect. Hopefully we will get to see what is causing the problem in Orlane but I suspect its a direct enemy threat and a further act of war. Geoff is at war and some force is trying to limit supplies to a front line city. Hundreds of people, in not thousands could starve to death. That is a big step over a small terrorist attack. As far as what happened in the Inn in you intro all Korlayn saw was you getting slapped and laughing about it. You know her reaction to that event. If you want her to believe it was more innocent than it seemed you will have to explain that to her. I hope that makes sense.

Lets move this over to the discussion thread. For the record Dragomir is a merc, he's just not as hardcore as Morten but Dragomir can definitely feel his PoV

Yeah it's cool, I'm sure things will settle down a bit once they've had a chance to get to know each other :)

"...so, let's be on our way then. Any other supplies we will be needing? I am anticipating some undead enemies based on my research."

Then perhaps we should procure some holy water?

Before Kierdan leaves for the Grove, he tells Koralyn that he has two vils of holy water in his pack.

I'll bring them with me when we meet up at the ferry in the morning.

Earlier I posted I was leaving for the Grove "after the supplies are sorted out and plans made for the morning." Since we are still talking about supplies and plans, I figure I haven't left yet.