Gryphon Gold's Rise of the Runelords Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Guy Player Man

A penitent Markum (and Vuvo) are over in a corner watching Ameiko be healed.
"Um, now that she's better, there's still a few rooms that need to be looked at to make sure there really are no more goblins. We can do it. And we'll be very careful too."

"Uh, wait a minute everyone. We should talk to Ameiko and see if she's all right.. and maybe she can tell us what's going on here. She might be able to prepare us for whatever else is in here."

He then repeats: "Ameiko, are you all right?"

"Oh, Lym, don't fret about it overly much. That Markum and Vuvo are way too eager to get into the thick of it, if you ask me. I'm just mad this half-elf didn't do anything to put us mixed races in better light. We have a hard enough time fitting in as it is. I really don't need him lousing up a reputation I may have to live up to."

Waving her hand, as if to wave the problem away, she continues. "Let's hide this one somewhere where casual folks won't come across him and rejoin the group. Who knows what rash actions they'll take next without us there to keep them in check. Here, let's drag this body down by where the half-elf was. That may be far enough in to keep the nosy folks from finding him."

With Lym's help (hopefully), they drag the live goblin down to by the half-elf, before rejoining the rest of the group by Ameiko.

Despite wanting nothing more than to escape the scene of his nearly tragic error, Markum does as Varg says and remains there. He stays in the background as much as he is able.

Unfortunately, Markum's attempt is rather spoiled by Lym walking right up to him and giving him a piercing look through her veil. "You forgave me my own mistake," she says in a calm tone of voice, "so I will not give you a sermon. I will ask you, however, to look before you leap. Now. We need to get our prisoner out of here without the townspeople tearing him or her apart like dogs before we can ask some questions. Any ideas?"

Forgetting his error for a moment for his hatred of goblins. "I didn't want it as a prisoner anyway. Let them have it."

"Please don't be childish," Lym says in a matter-of-fact tone of voice. "We are not going to be able to find out the reason for this invasion and the unusual actions of the Goblin tribes from anyone else now, are we?"

"Then we ask it here, now, before killing it."

"A proper interrogation takes time, Markum," Lym explains in a patient tone of voice. "Moreover, if we just kill a creature that we have captured and tied up as soon as it is no longer useful, how are we any better than the Goblins that attacked? No, we should interrogate it and then hand it over to the legal authorities. I do not object to killing when it is a matter of life and death, of survival, but I am not and will not become a cold-blooded murderer."

Ameiko speaks, weary and distraught. "Where is Tsuto?"

Lym's admonitions only seem to raise Markum's ire.
"Your prisoner, your trouble."
Ameiko's words bring him up short, Markum takes a short breath and stops speaking.

Lym's admonitions only seem to raise Markum's ire.

"Your prisoner, your trouble."

"As you wish," Lym says. She sighs, then gingerly enters the cell, stepping around the Elf to kneel by Ameiko's side. "Who is Tsuto?" she asks.

"My brother," Ameiko says.

"My brother," Ameiko says.

"What does he look like?" Lym asks.

"He's a tall half-elf. I heard you fighting with him out in the hall, his and your voices. You had to see him."

Feeling a bit awkward, Lona looks to Lym to see if she'll respond, or if Lona will have to step forth and break the bad news to her.

"He... is dead," Lym replies when no one else says anything. "We tried to capture him, but he... he stabbed himself in the throat with an arrow." She pauses to bite her lower lip. "I am so sorry. We honestly tried to... He said that someone named 'Nualia' would bring him back. ... Ameiko... what happened here?"

"Were you aware that your brother was working with the goblins? That he kidnapped you?"

"Please let her tell it in her own way and her own time," Lym says without looking back at the Elf she has not been formally introduced to.

The shiny elf looks up at Varg and Markum in what looks like surprise, before shaking his head and returning his attentions to what Ameiko is saying.

"I see." Ameiko seems expectant of the news, but not crippingly distraught. "I wasn't kidnapped, I came here last night at my brother's request. He sent me a note and asked me to meet him here."

Ameiko begins recounting her experience over last several hours. "When I got here, Tsuto told me of his involvement in the raid...how he and a band of others are being led by Nualia; and how he blackmailed our father - with threats of revealing ties to a group of regional criminals known as the Sczarni - into making sure the northern gate open for the goblin raid, and that there was a ladder left against the wall in the cemetary, and that no one would be at the Glassworks the night before it all happened."

She continues to relate her story, tears streaming down her face. "...and then the next, he sent me the note. I came here to meet him and told me what he had done, and what he was going to do. He tried to get me to join him. When I refused, he sicced his goblins on me and had me thrown in this room." Ameiko wipes her face. "How did you all of you know I was here?"

"Bethana noticed you were missing and found the note," Lym explains to Ameiko. "We followed its directions and here we are." She offers the girl a handkerchief to wipe her face with.

After the journal has been read:
Lym's face turns grave. "So," she says. "The attack was a distraction. It looks as if we have a few names to investigate: Tobyn and Malfeshnekor. And perhaps we should find out whose remains were burned at the Thisletop shrine, so as to find out more about this Nualia. ... And to top it all off, we now need to start worrying about a quasit flitting about."

Lona's face goes through an exercise of contortions as countless different expressions make their appearance and fade while she reads the journal. On finishing, she looks up and exclaims, "What madness is this!"

Bryson braves a few words despite his contrite disposition.
"Where are these tunnels he mentions? We should secure them before taking this information back to the Elders."

Praxim steps out of Ameiko's cell and begins checking any remaining doors to see if they lead into tunnels. If not, he begins searching for false walls. Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Lona nods and gives Praxim a silent and reluctant approval at his move. There is a need to find the tunnels, or at the least secure this building and free it of any other hostile residents. She motions to Lym to try to send the girl to safety so that they can finish scouring the building as a group.

Of the other rooms in the basement: one of them holds glassware, windows, and other finished goods; another contains a bed and a desk; and the last has a tunnel in the opposite corner of the room.

Map

"We will need you to go over all of this with us again," Lym tells Ameiko as she tries to help her to her feet. "Later. For now, it would be best if you went outside and home. Lock yourself in a safe room once you are there, and let no one in other than us. Will you do that, please?"

"She should not go out without an escort. I'll stay and watch the tunnel while you take her home. The Elders should be told as well."

"Lock myself in a room? No, I won't do that! I need to find my father and let him know what's happening!" Ameiko stands and leaves the room, heading for the stairs.

"If you are sure you can do without me here, I'll go with her," Lym offers. She casts a glance at the Goblin, sighs, and picks it up, wraps it in her own cloak until it resembles a bolt of cloth and throws it over her shoulder. "I'll see this one is locked up tight, while I'm at it," she offers as she sets off. "Ameiko, wait for me, please!"

The goblins in the basement are dead.

"If that crowd upstairs causes any trouble, I don't know if Lym and Ameiko could handle it themselves. Especially with Lym's hands full like that, and while Ameiko is wounded. I'd better accompany them." He runs after Lym and Ameiko.

Lona takes one quick look at the room with the tunnel. "Surely that tunnel can wait a bit longer."

Lona races after the group heading upstairs as she tries to tuck the journal into her backpack. "Varg, Lym, wait for me!"

Are there any unexplored rooms left on the first floor? And, is there a second floor?

"If we're going to be leaving this tunnel for tomorrow, which might be a good idea if some of you need to rest and regain strength and magic, perhaps we could rig some sort of warning system around this tunnel, or at least some way for us to determine if somebody has come through here while we're away."

"I said that I will stay and guard the tunnel." Markum says through gritted teeth.

"Ah yes, that will work fine if they are not to be gone long and we are continuing. With your permission, I shall stand guard with you. My name is Praxim, servant of Erastil. Don't believe I caught your name, or that of your wolf."

There's a lot of unexplored area on the first floor. You haven't found a second floor.

How long will Markum and Praxim guard the tunnel?

"Markum and this is Vuvo."

I don't expect anything to come from the tunnel anytime soon. The guy was trying to escape. And he didn't kill himself because his allies were close. I'll explore the rest of the facility before settling in to watch the tunnel. I'll leave Vuvo here to guard while I search. He has orders (such as it is) to come find me if anything comes from the tunnel.
I expect to be here overnight and that we'll venture into the tunnel in the morning once we are refreshed and equipped.

Lona anticipates they - Varg, Lym and Lona - will see Ameiko to relative safety and head back to join the others.

Lona will suggest they finish scouting out the place, and rest there for the night (makes guarding the tunnel easier) before heading in to explore. Assuming they have time, it shouldn't be too difficult for everyone to have turns restocking equipment in waves (say, always two on guard - doesn't really have to be played out since we're just grabbing gear and returning) after the scouting is done.

Just let us know where you want the story to pick back up - I would suggest Ameika safe and near home and the party back together in the basement. From here, we can continue scouting the place.

Ameiko dismisses your attempts to guide her and begins searching the first floor for her father.

"Ameiko, calm down. We're here, and we can help you find your father. There's no need to rush ahead like that, when we don't know what else may be here in this building." Lona tries to stall her for a moment.

Passing her over to Lym and Varg (figuratively speaking, of course), she races back to the stairs leading down to the basement. "Markum, elf-guy! We need you up here. We're going to try to finish scouting the place NOW before Ameiko goes mad!" She races back to Ameiko and the group and pauses to catch her breath.

Praxim looks down the tunnel and around for a moment, before reaching into his pouch and fishing out a pair of shiny gold coins, which he tosses on the floor just inside the tunnel. "Gobbers love shiny things. If goblins come up this way, they won't be able to resist them, and then we'll at least know that there are more goblins about town." He then moves to answer Lona's summons. "She's very strong-willed, isn't she?"

Ameiko continues, heading into the furnace room. She stops just inside, looking at the gory display of slaughtered goblins and humanoids. Scanning the room, she stops at one body, in particular, sitting in a chair and completely covered in glass. "No...DADDY!" she screams, dropping on her knees. She begins to sob uncontrollably.

"Oh, blast," Lym mutters. She shifts the Goblin's weight on her shoulder and briefly presses a hand to her face. "That's it," she says after the moment has passed. "Lona, I suggest we get her out of here and bring in the priests, have them carry out the dead in the proper fashion."

"Bloody rivers! That woman shouldn't see this." Markum goes to her and puts a hand on her shoulder. With an uncharacteristic gentleness, he says, "In time we all must come to the end of the cycle of life. Remember him for the good times you had and the love you shared." Then he picks her up over his shoulder and carries her outside.

One way or another, Ameiko eventually goes to her father's home, the Lonjiku mansion. Bethana runs the Rusty Dragon the rest of the day, and into the next morning.

The tunnels at the Glassworks reamins quiet throughout the night, as does the rest of the building.

Everyone is level 2 now.

Next morning, everyone meets in basement of the Glassworks, at the entrance of the tunnel.

Praxim will have used that evening to better acquaint and introduce himself to the rest of the group, trying to smooth over the ruffled feathers he made with his initial entrance.

Varg follows Markum to the Lonjiku mansion. After Markum drops off Ameiko, Varg takes him aside and says "Listen, don't feel bad about your accident with Ameiko. These things happen, when you're fighting enemies who might gut you during your split-second of hesitation. Believe me, I understand. I've hurt a few friends myself in learning to fight. I hope I didn't... snap at you, or anything... in that moment of weakness."

"Thank you for your words." Markum does not seem totally convinced, but continues on as if nothing happened. "I must return to the building and look through the rest of it before going to guard the tunnel."

Discussion for Rise of the Runelords here.

Character creation: 20-point buy, max hit points and gold pieces for your class, 1 bonus feat from the player's guide, and 1 trait from the standard list.

Free player's guide: Rise of the Runelords Player's Guide

Make sure you reade the guide when coming up with your character's background.

Can I get a reserve spot? I would like to play RotLR. Let me know. Thanks.

I would be interested in playing as well since I cannot seem to find a game in my area. I just wanted to confirm that the trait is from the list in the RotRL Players Guide. Let me know what you will need from me next if I can play.

When you say the "standard list" of traits, do you mean this? Or do you mean the "regional feats" listed in the Rise of the Runelords Player's Guide? (I suspect you don't mean either of those...)

Anyway, I'm inclined to play a human Fighter (although if there are too many fighter types, I wouldn't mind playing a cleric or paladin.)

As to background, here's an idea. And if this idea is too off-the-wall, then veto it and I'll scrap it. Maybe my character, during his childhood, came from another world, and suddenly found himself in Irrisen, and grew up there. Hearing rumors that the White Witch took an interest in his otherworldly origin, my character ran to Varisia. Not knowing the explanation for his interdimensional trip, my character came to believe that he was brought to Golarion for a reason - that he had some destiny to fulfill. In fact, this "destiny" is a delusion, but his story of coming from another world - which others disbelieve - is perfectly true. My character continues to carry the few possessions he happened to have with him when he crossed over, including a cell phone (which long since lost its charge,) a ballpoint pen (long since dried up,) a small flashlight (whose batteries have long since died,) etc. Of course, none of these relics convince anyone else of otherworldly origin.

If you don't like that idea, I'll just play a Chelaxian. I feel compelled to give my character some sort of delusion, though. Maybe I could believe that I'm a cleric of Aroden. "He's not dead! He's testing our faith!" I pray to him daily, and fully expect to get clerical powers any day now. Of course, I get angry at any implication that Aroden is gone for good.

The standard traits are here: paizo.com/traits. It's made up of the traits in that link you gave, minus the regional traits.

The regional feats from the player's guide is the list you choose your bonus feat from.

Celestial Half-Porc and Zaskar24, you're the first two on my reserve list.

Do you have any spots left? I would be interested in playing and have been thinking about playtesting a witch or an oracle.

Thanks!

The standard traits are here: paizo.com/traits. It's made up of the traits in that link you gave, minus the regional traits.

The regional feats from the player's guide is the list you choose your bonus feat from.

Celestial Half-Porc and Zaskar24, you're the first two on my reserve list.

Sounds good to me. I have downloaded both of these already and also have a working concept for a character.

hey gryphon... just saw the link here and wanted to check in...will need a few days to hash out a character... but leaning towards a sneak type... tho that may change to a fighter ( still remains one of my fav classes =P )

Varisian Chronicler: I'll have my character stats and concept hopefully ready later on today. Am thinking young half-elf girl, varisian ethnicity, grew up on the streets of sandpoint, she has power but doesnt know how to use it (sorceror) ya dee ya dee ya da. I'll have it all detailed soon.

Since everyone else is posting what they are thinking of playing I am leaning towards a human Barbarian of Linnorm descent mixed with a quarter elven for a little flavor. Though he will not stay a Barbarian for the whole time.

seeing as we have a possible fighter and barbarian think im gonna go with a rogue... not sure bout race yet

...1 bonus feat from the player's guide...

That "Lone Wolf" feat in the Player's Guide would look really great... except that the "10% to stabilize" rule has been replaced with a DC 10 Con check (with a penalty equal to the negative hit point total.)

Since increasing the chance from 10% to 50% is (depending upon how you slice it) an increase in 40%, maybe this could translate to lowering the Con check DC from 10 to 2? (Obviously, the negative hit point penalty will still apply.)

What are your thoughts, Varisian Chronicler? (Or can I call you Joshua? Josh?)

Okay, Varisian Chronicler / Josh, you've said nothing about my unconventional character idea, so I assume (or rather, I HOPE) that you're OK with it. So here is my first draft of my PC. What do you think?

I am definitely still interested!

My character concept: female Half-Orc Wizard. She's a historian by trade, and wandered into the area in hopes of studying the local artifacts.

If that's alright, I'll get started on character creation.

I think I have my concept fleshed out and I am starting to creat the character.

Aaron, I am fairly new to the boards and was wondering if you could point to where I can creat a character sheet like you did. I cannot seem to find it yet.

I was also wondering how you wanted us to post our characters for you to see Varisian Chronicler? The way Aaron did or another way?

Itsgottabeodin: There are no spots left. You would be 3rd on the reserve list.

Aaron: I'm going to deny that first character concept. I'll get back to you about the Lone Wolf feat.

Everyone else: All other character concepts are fine.

Aaron: I'm going to deny that first character concept.

Ah well. Rather than have me throw out the whole thing, how about if I could say my character started out in Irrisen? And how about if I give him the whole "delusion he's a cleric of Aroden" thing, like I described earlier? Then I can keep the same trait and feats.

Hey guys i've sorted my character but how do i get it onto a character sheet like Aaron Bitman had?

Hey guys i've sorted my character but how do i get it onto a character sheet like Aaron Bitman had?

I am wondering the same thing myself. I have looked around but have not found it yet. THough I did figure out how to create a new log in, I have just not tried it yet. I still don't have a name for my character.

There's more than one way to do it, but my way was to use an alias. Hit "My Account" on the upper-right part of the page, enter your password, and on the left, you'll see a box labeled "Messageboard Aliases." The bottom link in that box says "Create a new messageboard alias." Hit that, and you can enter the name, time zone, and avatar. Once you enter that info, you should see your new alias listed in the aforementioned "Messageboard Aliases" box. You can then hit the "Edit" link next to that alias to enter your stats and fluff.

And by the way, Josh, if you OK my idea about my character being from Irrisen, then I guess he should be Ulfen. (He'd get Skald as a bonus language...)

There's more than one way to do it, but my way was to use an alias. Hit "My Account" on the upper-right part of the page, enter your password, and on the left, you'll see a box labeled "Messageboard Aliases." The bottom link in that box says "Create a new messageboard alias." Hit that, and you can enter the name, time zone, and avatar. Once you enter that info, you should see your new alias listed in the aforementioned "Messageboard Aliases" box. You can then hit the "Edit" link next to that alias to enter your stats and fluff.

Thank you Aaron. Is there a template that you used for your character or is just something that you created yourself? Can it be copied and pasted onto your profile out of a word doc?

Scott

If there is some standard form that we should all use, the GM should dictate what that is. I just looked at a standard Pathfinder character sheet, and used that as a guideline for the order to put my info in.

ok, got the basics of the rogue written down just gotta type it up and should be good to go... should be ready by this eve or tomorrow

If there is some standard form that we should all use, the GM should dictate what that is. I just looked at a standard Pathfinder character sheet, and used that as a guideline for the order to put my info in.

Ok, and that sounds about right to me. I was looking yours over but do not want to do anything with a sheet until DM gives a definitive answer on a specific layout. Though I do like yours.

Let's see if this works. My first draft, and hopefully only draft, for my character

https://secure.paizo.com/people/NialMacOengus

Go to paizo.com/people/NialMacOengus.

Aargh, what am I doing wrong. Someone? Help please?

I guess this is one way to do it.

The format used for Aaron's character, 'Hasim', as well as Zaskar's character, 'Nial', are both fine.

Zaskar, if you click on your name, it'll take you to your list of aliases, and you can click on that character's name to go to Nial's profile. More easily, though, if you post under the 'Nial' alias, you can click on that name and go to that profile.

For example, posting under this alias, anyone can click on my name at the top of this post and be directed to Lecian's profile page.

Yes, I made a mistake in my earlier instructions. To edit your info, you should not hit "Edit," but the name of the alias, as Josh just said. Sorry about that.

Okay, once again, I'm assuming that the GM would approve of my character idea. (I was wrong the last time I assumed that, but that was with a weird character. This time my character is more conventional.)

So here's my revised character. What do you think?

Hi guys. Marilis Vahn is ready to roll. Let me know if anythings wrong chronicler.

I'm back after two days (busy, busy, busy) and I've finished Lym Blackhand. I've bent the rules a little, filling her bonus language slots with local languages instead of the traditional Half-Orc bonus languages, to reflect her background as a scholar. If that's a problem, I can change it and shift some other things around.

So I think I have it figured out. Maybe. Is there private message capability on the forum? I have kicked around some and have not found anything.

hehe, well unless im missing someone... we are without a healer...taking a group pole...what would we need more? a rogue or cleric...i have the rog finished save for the typing it up at the same time i have a clear idea for a healer just would need to know who to finalize

Personally my vote is for both. Unless Aaron decides his fighter is going to multi into either or one of our numerous spell-casters. A Conan clone is not what I am aiming for with this character.

i think im gonna go with rogue but for my trait was going to take rich parents bringing my starting gold to 900... then gonna buy a cure light wounds wand for 750 giving me 150 to buy the rest of my gear

That is one way to deal with the situation. Now as long as we do not run into any undead we should be fine. Though it is going to kind of stink to have you have to worry about healing and fighting instead of straight fighting. Though you could "loan" it to one of our spell-casters to solve that problem.

the other thing i was thinking was i could be a ranged rogue and provide cover fire while i rush to whoever would need healing but like you said we would still have to worry about undead

Nasserath: Just be whatever you prefer to play we'll work out group balance along the way. One of the casters can just use a wand of CLW, or if you want to be a cleric I was thinking about multi classing into rogue. so eithers good.

What the heck, it wouldn't be the first time I played in a group that lacked a cleric or other healer of some type. I'm also sure that it will not be the last.

I do have to say that this is shaping up to be a fairly rough and ready looking group. I'm looking forwards to getting started.

Oh and I might be wrong but zaskar dont you need exotic weapon proficiency to use a bastard sword??

Oh and I might be wrong but zaskar dont you need exotic weapon proficiency to use a bastard sword??

i think you can use as a 2hand as a martial weapon but to use in 1 hand would need the feat... could be wrong though

Nasserath: Just be whatever you prefer to play we'll work out group balance along the way. One of the casters can just use a wand of CLW, or if you want to be a cleric I was thinking about multi classing into rogue. so eithers good.

that works... will roll up a cleric then...just finished working around the house (wife is 9 months pregnant and is doing her nesting thing... means lots of work for me heh lol) but will try to have finish by the end of the evening...

Oh and I might be wrong but zaskar dont you need exotic weapon proficiency to use a bastard sword??

You are correct, I do. To use it one handed. Two handed it is considered a martial weapon which is how I am using it thus the higher damage bonus.

ah ha! makes sense. so were almost sorted then, im tingling with anticipation :)

The character sheets looks good so far.

Here's how I'm modifying the Lone Wolf feat: Once a day, the first time your condition is 'dying', you automatically stabilize. After this on the same day, if your condition is 'dying', you must make a DC 6 check to stabilize. You also get a +1 bonus on Fortitude saves.

The character sheets looks good so far.

Here's how I'm modifying the Lone Wolf feat: Once a day, the first time your condition is 'dying', you automatically stabilize. After this on the same day, if your condition is 'dying', you must make a DC 6 check to stabilize. You also get a +1 bonus on Fortitude saves.

Thank you! I've modified my character sheet accordingly.

(When you say "Make a DC 6 check, I assume you mean a Con check with a penalty equal to my negative hit point total.)