Jade Regent, presented by DM Hamied - Campaign Thread

Game Master Hamied

Yes, you've been repeating yourself many times now Almar, surprisingly enough the message was heard the first time... Your opinion is nice and clear. Alazandaru says softly, before he stalks off ahead to scout.

For all I know, the female was just defending her home against unknown attackers... Maybe the Goblin's don't even bring girls on raids? Don't worry about it so much Al, let the officials in Sandpoint sort them out... Or your companions...

Sorin watches the proceedings silently. As the group gets ready to depart he worries that the marker for the grave will be recognized as such by whatever other evils may still lurk in the swamp and the body suffer even further desecration. However, the words will simply not come out. He remains silent as the group moves out.

The burial complete, the group makes its way back to Sandpoint.

It is not long before the path takes you to the base of the bluff overlooking Brinestump Marsh. The trail turns to switchbacks up the cliff.

The trek back to Sandpoint takes several hours. Chief Gutwad moves slowly and his wheezing worsens as you walk, but to the creature's credit, he makes no other sound; he never even requests a respite from marching. The female is more of a burden, and needs to be carried for most of the trip. Even so, neither of them attempts escape.

The journey down was much faster. By the time you reach Sandpoint, the sun has begun to dip behind the clouds, framing your view of the bay with pink and orange. As you approach, you notice a lone figure at the southern end of town. It is a woman. Ameiko.

She clearly sees you as well, for she breaks in to a run towards the group. When she reaches you, she it out of breath.

"They aren't with you? Did you see them?" she implores.

Almar looks worriedly at Ameiko. Whatever else the girl was she didn't seem someone who would worry without motive.

"Who are these people you are talking about miss? We believe we solved the "goblin threat" once and for all, but aside from the goblins themselves, Mr Proudstump and some unholy beasts we met no one else... alive that is"

"Koya, and Sandru." Ameiko composes herself a little. "As far as we can guess, she went looking for you, Almar, but nobody saw her go. Sandru went to the swamp after her. Alone. The idiot."

Show us where, we should follow them as quickly as possible... Afterwards, can you take these Goblings off our hands to the Sheriff Ameiko- he might just have them killed on the spot but they could have valuable information.

Lisabett has remained silent for the duration of the walk, save for a deal of struggling herself on the climb. The claw wounds tentatively closed by Brother Holheim's warm light open and bleed again, but gradually slow. A new set of scars, she recognizes, and Minherzi? How might she react?

Lisabett's somber mood is lifted by the display of color sunset makes over the bay. Once, hers had been a coastal people, and bays were preferable because the still of the waters between would shelter the community within from the harshest of winter weather, though the moist winds were chill enough to cut to the very bone. Lisabett's fingers curl in reflex, and she takes a moment to consciously spread and relax her hands. Memories of winter abound, reaction to it coded in Lisabett's very flesh.

Upon seeing Ameiko, Lisabett frowns.This is not the way a peacekeeper is meant to greet warriors returning from battle, she seethes. Is it not clear enough that we've concerns of our own?

Lisabett narrows her eyes when the lady speaks of returning to the swamp. Is that not what the creature earlier wished of us? she muses. To be lost there, perhaps to die? Lisabett casts Detect Magic while the others speak.

Sorry this is late, chaos at home has got my brain working a bit slower.

Almar falls silent for a long moment. No! Not again! I won't be guilty of other good people's deaths!"
"Then I need to get back and find them, they need to know I'm safe. Please, see to these goblins: the fat one was the chief of the offending tribe, the other is just a stray we brought back on Alazandru's express request. Farewell, for now, if anyone else wishes to come with me he'll be welcome, but, again, we must hurry. What was their direction, miss?"

Alazandaru gives Almar a dirty look.

Did the Rogue ninja you? :).

Ameiko looks at Lisabett strangely as she casts her spell.

Lisabett ceases concentrating on her spell, but she does not release her hold on her magics. Her body is cold, and her breath colder. Eyes filmed with frost, she turns her attention to the road. She says he rode to find Koya. There should be some manner of track. Damp as the earth is...

Lisabett Survival 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Lisabett Will Throw to Maintain Composure 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"No," Lisabett says, breaking her silence finally. "When we left this morning, Sandru mentioned that it was Ameiko who was missing, not Koya. I do not see how an elderly woman in possession of no small amount of sense would simply wander out into these swamps alone, for any vision," she continues, gritting her teeth in pain.

"If these track are indeed from a horse that Sandru rode it is easy enough for me to follow now, without light..." Lisabett shakes her head and begins casting the cantrip Light and slings her quiver under her arm to imbue it with the magic. "If you are resigned to returning, do so, but I will not allow any to wander in this place alone," she informs the group, turns and begins following the track south.

Should we be using second level values before we've rested?

Yes. I consider you to be 2nd level now.

Some desperation comes into Ameiko's voice. "I do not trust myself to escort the goblins without help, and I would not be responsible for their escape. I offer horses only to speed your travel. If you would begin your search immediately, I am grateful, but do not do so on foot."

"And this morning...I was...I needed to be alone."

"Allow Sorin to aide you," Lisabett replies coldly, frost in her voice now as well as in her eyes. "His worry for your sake was evident, as was Sandru's when you chose to be alone.

"As for speed, the longer we wait here for your horses the darker it will get, and there are creatures in this swamp that have no need of light to see."

The blood drains from Almar's face hearing Ameiko's words:"She MET him in dream!?!? Then I very much fear for lady Koya's life. To cross that man unprepared means death, or something even worse... We need to run! Ameiko, please get the horses, me and Sorin will bring the goblins to the sheriff".

The gunslinger draws his rapier and gestures for the goblins to move along:"Move! Or you pay for your crimes here and now and I spare Sandpoint from wasting some good rope on you!"

Sorin looks around in unconcealed surprise. It isn't like Ameiko to act so panicky, and she "doesn't trust herself"? Absurd. And how did she know we would be returning right at this moment instead of waiting at the tavern? Something is very wrong here.

Sorin feels strangely hesitant to follow anyone's advice at the moment. Feeling slightly ashamed at his distrust, Sorin Detects Evil.

Without another word, Ameiko turns and walks briskly back towards Sandpoint.

Oh noes, Lisabett will not be on the right side of every NPC in the caravan! *cries*

Lisabett growls in frustration, slings her quiver back under her arm to position the light source behind her eyes in the budding darkness, and keeps them on the track.

That lady is not a peacekeeper, she is absurd, Lisabett fumes. What compels a woman in such a position of power to be so selfish? Is she ignorant that there are persons who care for her? Would that one as cursed as me had such luxury!

Lisabett exhales sharply, frost evaporating to moisten her lips and face. Her power cools her blood, causing her fingers to curl and jerk as though suffering from exposure.

Sorin winces at Ameiko's tone.

It still makes no sense. Why would Koya wander into the swamp? Why would Ameiko not pursue Sandru?

"Ameiko, wait." Sorin says somewhat hesitantly. "We found some things in the swamp that may mean more to you than us." He points to the chest we've been carrying.

"Also," he says to no one in particular, "the sun is almost set. I'm worried about Koya and Sandru but will we even be able to track them at night? Can we find our way to this cave in the dark?"

There are rules for romances with the major NPCs, but there are also rules for rivalries. Almar was heading there early with Ameiko, but Lisabett might be pulling ahead.

Ameiko pauses, glancing back at the chest. She looks away just as quickly, and continues towards town.

Who is going with Lisabett, and who is going to the Sheriff's office? Is anybody going anywhere else?

Sorin was still trying to get his thoughts together when Ameiko, Lisabett and Almar all started going in different directions. He didn't even hear Almar's words to him as he glanced at the three moving away with his face frozen in indecision. He frantically looked back and forth between the three as if looking for an answer. Finally, a single thought strayed through his head: Last night...

His indecision snapped immediately and he took off at a dead run after Ameiko. "Ameiko! Wait, please..." he calls as he runs after her.

'Koya has gone into the swamps?' Raziel thinks, pondering the information in his head. 'But why? Is this some sort of wish that she wants to have adventures? Can she not at least wait for me, or even come with me?'
'And now, with this load and prisoners, we have to chase back into the swamp? I am tired, and have little of Sarenrae's blessings to offer, yet I must find Koya...'
'And yet to split up, when so close to the town...'

"We should all take the prisoners to the Sherrif, and not split up," Raziel says suddenly. "We can spend that much time at least, since Koya and Sandru have such a lead upon us. And mayhap some healing from Father Zantus. Perhaps Koya spoke to Father Zantus before she left, and he might have additional information."

Oh no you don't, Sorin... Alazandaru thought darkly, assuming Sorin wanted to catch her at a vulnerable moment and use it to his advantage. He raced after Sorin and Ameiko.

"What's everybody doing?!?!? What kind of madness is this???" thinks Almar as he sees Sorin and Alazandru follow Ameiko seemingly forgetful about everything else.

Then with a shrug he resumes force marching the goblins towards the Sheriff's and hoping Raziel, at least keeps his priorities straight.

"No matter, I'm honor bound to save Koya and Sandru... and besides... if there's a chance of finding that black bastard I cannot lose it, no matter what!

In other words Almar is directed towards the sheriff, hoping to get the horses asap and then back into the swamp, alone if necessary

Raziel falls in with Almar, herding the goblins.

"Come with us Liasbett," he says, "There is not much you can do with that broken spear. At least get a replacement, before we return to that swamp."

"Track not from horse in night," Lisabett snarls in broken Taldane. "Follow you where she lead. No I."

Lisabett will follow the tracks south while there is still light.

Lisabett will not be returning to Sandpoint.

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **

I don't think its worth hiding my response, so here it is.

"Aye Sheriff, that we did," Raziel responds. "Nasty little brutes, but there's something else going on down there too, and we brought these two back for a bit of interrogation. The big male surrendered to Sorin, and Alazandaru didn't want to kill the helpless female."

"It seems like some undead attacked them before we did. Undead that wanted something.

"And now Ameiko says that Koya and Sandru have taken off to the swamp too, so if you could take charge of these until we get back, I would be most apperceative of it.

"And after we discover what is going on in the swamp, well, justice will be done by the law."

There isn't a real reason to hide them, but I figured it would split up the action a little bit.

"Yes, Sheriff, undead. Probably the goblins did something that disturbed their rest... or even darker forces than we first surmised are afoot in that swamp. Whatever it is I'll be heading back there shortly, and I hope to find out more about what's happening. Anyway the fat goblin was the chief of his tribe, we think they'll trouble Sandpoint no more as he and the runt are the only survivors. That problem has been solved, at least. I hope we meet again, untill then, goodbye"

So saying Almar touches the brim of is hat in salute and moves out of the sheriff's office, waiting for Ameiko and the horses to show up.

I've lost track of who actually has the chest. If we can't give it to Ameiko now the I assume it'll be left with the Sheriff.

Turning to Alazandaru, "We'd best make haste. This has been an ill day and we've had no time for rest. We need to get the others and catch up with Lisabett; it was foolish of her to venture away on her own like that but I didn't think..." Sorin sighs wearily, "I have failed it many ways it seems. Let us hurry."

I noted that back in the goblin village, Raziel offered to carry the chest. I have been assuming (perhaps falsely) that he has it.

The horse-tender emerges from the stable with five horses, saddled and ready to ride. "Best I got, my lady. A fine gift."

"But not enough of one." Ameiko puts one hand on Sorin's shoulder, and another on Alazandaru's. "Return safely." She turns from you and walks away, not awaiting a response.

The Sheriff's office is not far, and you need only ride for two minutes before you reach Almar and Raziel.

You now each have your own horse, complete with two saddlebags. Lisabett's will follow along as you travel, even with no rider.

Sorin will head for the sheriff's office as quickly as possible.

"Almar, could you keep watch for the others?" Raziel politely asks. "I'm going to visit Father Zantus, and see if he has any potions or scrolls I can use, as I am almost unable to heal anyone should the need arise."

Raziel rushes off to the cathedral (it not being far from the Sheriff's office), and seeks out Father Zantus.

"Brother Holhiem." Father Zantus sits on the steps of the Sandpoint Cathedral. "I was hoping to see you. Though I am distressed by Koya's departure, I have respected her privacy."

Right, lets go rescue them from whatever trouble they've got themselves into then, shall we?

"Father Zantus, I would ask two favors from you," Raziel says after reading the note. "First, could you watch over these objects? He indicates the red chest and the rest of the loot he was carrying (only taking the fan with the crude map on it).

"Second, I have exaused most of my healings. Do you have potions or scrolls that I could aquire? We are still a bit wounded, and may be going into yet another battle."

"Let's move, we don't have much time till nightfall. Raziel should be with us shortly"

As he says that, Almar hops into the saddle and waves towards Raziel urging him to move.

Raziel waves back at Almar, urging the group to head to the cathedral.

"At least, if you could heal us a bit before we go, Father Zantus," he says, a note of urgency entering his voice.

Father Zantus nods and stands, taking the red chest from Raziel. "One moment." He turns and walks through the heavy doors, returning a minute later with a smaller, brown chest. He opens the lid to display five potions set in wooden indentations. "For you who seek justice against those who have harmed the mother and child, this is my show of thanks." He hands you the chest:

You now have five potions of cure light wounds.

The priest walks with Raziel to meet Alazandaru, Almar and Sorin, speaking a soft prayer as he does so. A wave of energy washes over you.

Father Zantus: Channel Energy - You are all healed for 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8 points of damage.

"May Desna guide your steps, Brother Holhiem."

Any other business in Sandpoint before you ride south?

I'm good to go now.

Lisabett will keep on rollin'

Let's go! :D