"Kirthfinder" Aviona PBP

Game Master Kirth Gersen

"Any chance I might find a crafted squeezebox here?"

I'm guessing that Gleed is dead, in which case Cricket says some prayers to Old Mother Tree. If he isn't, Cricket uses some of his cure light wounds spells.

Gleed stabilize:

Gleed is right at the gates of death's door (-12 hp) when you stabilize him. It will take a number of CLW spells to get him to the point where he can walk.

One of Fenrift's soldiers hands Caspian an instrument, saying, "You kin keep this'n I just made. I still got my Uncle Cletus' box, so no worries on my account, li'l feller."

"I wouldn't dare of making you wait unnecessarily, Count. I have worthwhile news, and more."

Kelgan draws out the egg and sets it on the table, where it glitters ominously.

"We recovered this, and kept it from the thugs Anasovin sent to retrieve it. The magicians, your cousin included, tell me it is an artifact of great and potent evil. Though corroboration will be difficult to obtain, I am quite certain that that madman has undergone the ritual of lichdom, and this ornate egg is his phylactery."

Kelgan will debrief as requested, giving a detailed account of their trip to the moors, the brief visit to Skarn Keep, and the encounters with the Boar, all the vampires, and the bandits.

Fenrift nods slowly. Examining the egg himself, he is temporarily stunned, as Cricket had been, but pulls himself together.

DC 29: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

"If not a lich in fact, then I'd say at the least, he's hidden his soul in the egg. Therefore, when we defeat him, we must destroy the egg as well, or all our efforts will have been for naught. I cannot carry the thing and do that task and still fight him myself at the same time; nor can I trust any others here to do so -- although they are doughty warriors as far as that goes, and loyal, it would be too easy for the enemy to steal their minds or, more simply, steal the egg. Your group recovered the thing and brought it here -- through some amount of inconvenience, it seems -- implying a level of cunning and dedication above the ordinary. I'd have you do the same at Skarn Keep, if you're willing."

Although he speaks with his usual deadpan assurance, you notice that he has pointedly not mentioned his daughter, either by name or by circumstance. You take that as a mark of how affected by her loss he is.

Cricket the Sexy Goblin Druid wrote:

I'm guessing that Gleed is dead, in which case Cricket says some prayers to Old Mother Tree. If he isn't, Cricket uses some of his cure light wounds spells.

Gleed stabilize:

DC 23: 1d20+2
DC 24: 1d20+2
DC 25: 1d20+2
DC 26: 1d20+2
DC 27: 1d20+2

Gleed is right at the gates of death's door (-12 hp) when you stabilize him. It will take a number of CLW spells to get him to the point where he can walk.

Huzzah! Well, I've got four prepared.

Oh, Gleed, you poor thing! Did the nasty vampire shoot you full of arrows? Don't worry, I know how to make the pain go away...

Sploooortch!

Cricket finishes applying healing salves.

You have a dirty mind, Kirth.

So, let's shoot for leveling complete by Monday, November 3 -- unless you guys need more time than that. I'm available to assist, make recommendations, etc. -- no question is too basic! No request is too outlandish!

Since we have until November 3rd...

After putting poor Gleed to bed, Cricket turns to the party in general, and Kelgan in particular, and says,

Who are you? What is going on? I don't understand, maybe there were spoilers that I didn't read way back when, but dwarven bandits? necromantic castles? vampires? liches? ghost girls with stunning phylacteries who are somehow related to Miralda? And who is she again? I remember agreeing to come out here and help a nice lizardman fellow kill bullywugs, but I don't ever remember agreeing to any of this. Not that I mind, mind you, I dance like a leaf of Old Mother Tree on the wind, you know, here and there and shiznit, doing good with the boon companions of my dear departed kinsman (whatwashisname?)(although, actually, Kelgan wasn't even one of them, but, no matter). But I would like to know what's going on.

Wolvie whines sympathetically.

Cricket turns to every one except Kelgan.

Do you all know what's going on?

Miralda is off with her scraggly boy friend, so don't look to her for an answer. The two of them seem to be tight with a seedy hill dwarf and stuck-up looking elf girl -- almost as if they were an adventuring party or something.

Fenrift turns to the party. "You've done a major service to me, and watever else can be said of me, I always pay my debts. I'd like to speak with each of you in private, if I may."

Kelgan:

Caspian:

Wyvurn:

Jaegr:

"Cricket, we did indeed go to the moors with the intentions of driving away some marauding bullywugs. We were too late, however, and our further presence there would have achieved nothing. Returning to the highlands, we began to search for Lord Fenrift's daughter, who was missing. We searched several areas, including scouting Skarn Keep - a place rumored to house the vilest sort of black magic - and a landwyrm's lair. We happened upon and killed some ogres that were threatening Miralda - who is Lord Fenrift's cousin - and discovered she was also looking for the girl."

"Now that we have delivered the girl's body to her father, it is time to turn our attention to Skarn Keep. We will stop back in Wolvishton along the way, but ultimately we will destroy the necromancer Anasovin, and all who ally themselves with him."

Fenrift to Cricket:

Private conversation.....

Lord Fenerit

Caspian

** spoiler omitted **

He returns a half-smile.

After your meetings, Lady Fenrift conducts a small, touching funeral ceremony for little Lissa. The body is burned and spells cast to lay her spirit to rest, and there is nary a dry eye in the place when it finishes. Count Fenrift looks on, standing at attention, with his face like stone -- there's no telling what his thoughts are.

To Fenrit:

To Fenrift

"Cricket, we did indeed go to the moors with the intentions of driving away some marauding bullywugs. We were too late, however, and our further presence there would have achieved nothing. Returning to the highlands, we began to search for Lord Fenrift's daughter, who was missing. We searched several areas, including scouting Skarn Keep - a place rumored to house the vilest sort of black magic - and a landwyrm's lair. We happened upon and killed some ogres that were threatening Miralda - who is Lord Fenrift's cousin - and discovered she was also looking for the girl."

"Following her lead to Wolvishton, we learned of the three curses the village was under. In the course of helping the villagers, we fought and slew the devil-boar, destroyed several vampires, and routed an army of hill dwarf bandits. In the sewers beneath Wolvishton, we discovered Lord Fenrift's daughter had been kidnapped by a dark priest, and she had stolen a powerful magical egg from him. Hiding the egg by swallowing it, she was slain by its potent evil. The dark priest, who also had a hand in the creation of the vampires, is still at large. He works for Anasovin, a man known for his necromantic depravities. The necromancer had been searching for the egg, and sent the bandits to retrieve it."

"Now that we have delivered the girl's body to her father, it is time to turn our attention to Skarn Keep. We will stop back in Wolvishton along the way, but ultimately we will destroy the necromancer Anasovin, and all who ally themselves with him."

Thank you, Kelgan.

Turns to rest of the party.

Did you know about this Lord Fenrift guy? Or that Miralda was his cousin? Or that we were searching for Fenrift's daughter? I thought we were just walking around. I'll tell you what, though. From now on, I'm reading all the spoiler tags.

** spoiler omitted **

"Sir Kelgan, as I may now call you, if the timetable you outlined is at all accurate, the time for scouting is past. The garrison here is ready to march, and those men in the eastern courtyard are the retinue of Sir Allen of the Iron Keep.

I have no idea what that dog Anasovin found in the marshes that he slew a whole village for, but it can't be good for us. Conversely, he must know by now that his soul is in our hands. Based on the information you and Miralda have already provided, what I propose is this:

I will lead my forces and Allen's against the keep, in a straightforward manner. We'll storm the wall of bones, destroy the skeletons and whatever other manner of fell troops he's raised, and attempt to lure him into the open. While we do so, you and your companions try and sneak into the keep -- we've turned up an old plan, which indicates a hidden tunnel at the base of the hill leading up into the place. At the same time you penetrate that tunnel, Miralda and her companions will stage an attack on the postern gate of the keep itself. Bear in mind that if her attack is successful, your mission will be for naught. However, I do not believe this will be the case. As it is she has no idea that her mission is a mere feint, and I would not like that information to get out.

If you find Anasovin inside the keep, avoid combat with him until you can let us in to take the keep -- but as I said, I hope to draw him outside, to repel us. In any event, once he is dead, crush the egg with a rock or something and we'll have done with him.

Beware this man Donaldson -- I believe he has an unholy relic or two, and is to the vicar in Wolvishton as Dispar Anasovin is to him."

** spoiler omitted **

"We shall make our way into the castle with all possible stealth. Should we find the means to open the way for your army, we'll take it. Avoiding direct confrontation with the necromancer is sound, though should I catch him sleeping, it won't go well for him."

"Miralda did well for herself at Wolvishton. She knows what sort of monster we're up against, and I'm sure she'll do her best to breach the gate. An adequate effort should give us more cover, and I hope she's smart enough to keep her assault from being a martyr's charge."

"I've shared with you what we learned of Friar Donaldson from the vicar's journal. I do not take that man lightly. I believe Anasovin entrusted the egg to his lieutenant, that it would be elsewhere from his body as insurance. We'll see to it that Donaldson meets justice and that Anasovin's life ends when you kill him."

@Lord Fenerit
"Aye Citizen Caspian! I like the sound of that!"

During the funeral...
Caspian sees the ghost most clearly as he is finely tuned to the vibrations of the other side....

As the spells are being cast to lay the spirit to rest, and the girl's ghost begins to fade, she calls out to and hugs Caspian..
"I'm scared!"
Caspian plays her a song to give her courage....

The Doors break on through (with slight modifications)...

Later in the evening

Caspian's notes and observations on Jaegr, Wyvern, Kelgan and his countless questions finally paid off he can now see the subtle shifts in hip placement and weight distribution that lead to devistating attacks....

Tries to explain it to Miralda....

"Watch Jaegr, he takes up his stance of stone, and then attacks with his avalanche blow. But you can see him take on the stance, and can see the avalanche coming....like the low rumble ahead of a real avalanche."

This is in game explanation of the new feat, re-tooled beginers luck...

Back out in the courtyard, Miralda calls you over and introduces you to her friends:

(Indicating the mixed elf guy, who looks like he hasn't bathed in a fortnight, or had a haircut in three score. He appears to be carrying a stringless longbow, and has a dog with him -- maybe a yellow lab or something -- that keeps randomly "popping" in and out of existence)

"This is Bryan Arnathson, called 'the Ghost Wolf.' He's the greatest sniper archer who ever lived, and I think he's psychic, too!" It's disgustingly obvious that she dotes on this guy.

(Indicating a brooding, black-bearded hill dwarf in light armor, who is busily drinking an ale; he carries a warhammer at his belt)

"This is Vortigern, our friend."

The dwarf nods and says,

"Friends of friends
Are like silvers in the dragon's hoard
Though not gold themselves
They gleam brighter than copper."

(Anyone who speaks Dwarven realizes that the lines, in that language, would rhyme).

(Indicating a blonde elven woman, who wears plate armor and a white tabard. She has a snooty expression and frowns at you with what appears to be a mixture of puzzlement and disapproval.)

"This is Valisandra, who comes from the same village as Bryan. She just got back from Northwind, and now she's a real paladin! Isn't that exciting?"

"Bryan, Vorty, Vali, these are the people I was telling you about.

Kelgan appreciates the limerick and slaps Vortigern on the back. He replies with one of his own:

"There is no better way
to honor those absent friends
and those who are here
than with spirits and song!"

Digging into his pack, he retrieves the bottle of whiskey he'd distilled at Burl's, back before the Forge exploded. It is nearly empty, but enough remains for a swig apiece.

"I'm not one for fancy toasts, but I would like to say something."

He takes a swig and passes the bottle, inhaling as the liquor burns - the bite of the fire that brewed it.

"When I met you in Kaiserburg, you were convenient allies. You helped me foil the assassination attempt on Duke Kolvin; you were competent and didn't ask too many questions. When the lizardman brought his plight, you were eager to help, and though the journey was perilous, and ultimately futile, you kept your complaints quiet. You followed me to Wolvishton without inquiry or hesitation, and fought beside me against hellbeasts, undead horrors, and bloodthirsty bandits."

"In my time in the Regiment, I have led men, and received their compliance, if not their loyalty or respect. And, to be honest, the feeling was mutual; I preferred to work alone. In the face of the foe we now go to fight, that is not - cannot - be enough. You are fearless and valiant, and you deserve better. Our destination is Skarn Keep. What fresh horrors await us there, I do not know, but I promise you this:"

"Follow me into the bowels of the Keep and I will keep you safe. Fight beside me and I shall see that you do not fall. Ask of me, and I will answer as fully as I can, holding nothing back. Trust in me, and I will see us all out alive."

Wyvurn will take the bottle on is turn and try not to take more than his share.

"I will stand by you all fight like a rabid worg because you in turn have stood by me. And because what lies at Sharn Keep must be destroyed."

Miralda, you are very kind and I am pleased to meet your friends. Whatever lies in Sharn Keep does not stand a chance."

Caspian looks over the proclaimed paladin, indeed he had been previously familiar with the sort of knights that roamed the country he had escaped from.....the Kingdom of Aramni, a nation of strict laws and secret police.

Involuntarily Caspian shudders a reminder of what kind of justice comes from such strict law....

Very Reservedly Caspian offers a small greeting...
"A pleasure."

He then focuses on the new squeevebox he had gotten at the gates.
making an effort to become faniliar with the instrument and finding it very similar to his beloved bag-pipes....
His concern and memories of far away, fade and he smiles a little.....

lowly....
"Cuz Cappy's got a squeezwbox and nobody sleeps at night....it goes in and out and in and out."

Jaegr greets the newcomers as they are introduced. Tries to pet the dog, if it will let him. Asks Bryan if he know how a man Aka Otis Could shoot a bow so well he could pierce his armor like it wasn't there, and what he could do to defend against it, drinks with the hill dwarf, and congratulates the new paladin.

Jaegr nods at Kelgan's speech and replies, "I am with you Kelgan. I know you have your secrets, and I would gladly know of all the things you are involving us in as I hate not knowing. However I sense that your are not leading us down the wrong path and I see your noble side, despite your origins."

"So I go with you all. You are my friends, and I never thought I would say that about anyone except a fellow dverge.

Jaegr greets the newcomers as they are introduced. Tries to pet the dog, if it will let him. Asks Bryan if he know how a man Aka Otis Could shoot a bow so well he could pierce his armor like it wasn't there, and what he could do to defend against it, drinks with the hill dwarf, and congratulates the new paladin.

The dog growls and dimension doors away just before you can touch it.

Bryan scans the horizon as he talks. This seems to be one of his quirks; he never looks directly at anyone unless he's aiming an arrow at them.

"Yeller's a working dog, not a pet," he explains. "Anyway, with the arrows, that's no great trick. I can do it myself. With enough training and practice, you can aim to hit the gaps -- the disadvantage is that you can't shoot as fast that way." He pantomimes patiently aiming an arrow. "There are magic arrows that can do it, too, and still keep up your rate of fire."

Fell Shot feat, or brilliant energy or similar weapon property. Almost certainly the former in Otis' case. To defeat these, there's a feat that lets you add your shield bonus to touch AC; we could potentially adapt that to armor instead.

Hearing your compliment, Valisandra nods millimetrically, barely perceptible unless you're looking for it. DC 20 Diplomacy:

Kelgan, having given his speech, notices that the others seem to look to Caspian first, before answering him directly. You're uncertain how the small hobbit, a former slave, can instinctlively command more respect than you, a freebooter and now knighted. Granted, this tendency to fade into the background was a great asset for a bandit -- but as a tactical leader it could potentially become a burden!

Caspian's 17 Cha dwarfs the others' (pun intended). The halfling's presence somehow far outlooms his height. Kelgan, with a 9 Cha and no Diplomacy skill or Leadership, finds that, although he's often suggesting a course of action, he needs to repeat it a few times to get the others to give it consideration.

Heh, I did say I preferred to work alone. I'm no leader of men, not out of choice, anyway.

As everyone is speaking in turn most politely a large man approaches Caspian....

It is Jed the bartender/bouncer from the town of Wolvishton. It seems he must have been following the group maybe he had left the following morning, but regardless he was here now!
He takes a knee in front of Caspian and looks him eye to eye.

Jed @ Caspian
”I will serve you if you will guide me, help to destroy that which troubles the spirits into restlessness, and free Otis from his curse.”

Caspian @ Jed
"I will."

"Good. Now, I suggest you all prepare to depart at the Count's word. I know Miralda's group has a part to play in the coming assault, and so do we. I know little about her - their - part, and I plan to brief our group in private. When facing a magician who may be able pry secrets unbidden from our minds, it is best to keep information split. We can't give up what we don't know."

"Meet me in the map room after lunch and I'll go over what the Count wants us to do."

Kelgan is happy to see that Jed has followed him to Fenrift Keep. His enthusiasm is diminished slightly when he sees the burly barkeep is here for Caspian, instead, but he takes it well.

"Ah Jed, good to see you again. Seems you had your heart set on swinging that axe, instead of retiring in Wolvishton. Can't say I blame you there. Caspian's a fine fellow, of irascible charm."

"I'd be glad to share what I know of such shots, Jaegr. It's all about the aim. My technique works with crossbows, though it could be adapted for bows easily enough, if you had the expertise. Bryan or Miralda could provide such, no doubt. I've adapted her ranged precision as well, making it less likely that I'll shoot one of you in melee. Neat trick, that."

While training in the yard, Kelgan receives an unexpected delivery. A parcel from Malivor's Armaments arrives, and to his surprise and delight, inside is a lithe and lethal crossbow. Carved of dark cherry and strung with troll tendons, it hums with destructive promise. He sets and sights the bow, and is soon chuckling in satisfaction as the bolts split and splinter the practice manikins.

He takes his shield down to the Keep's armorer, along with a spare bolt case, and explains his intentions to him. He leaves both with the smith, letting him figure out exactly how to attach a harness and the bolt case to the inside of the shield without compromising its defensive capabilities. He also warns the man to avoid striking the front of the shield near the embedded embers.

Equipping montage for the win!

With barely enough time for Kelgan to get his voluminous gear all set, and Caspian to accept the service of his new follower, and Wyvurn to -- well, get even scarier than he already was -- the march to Skarn Keep is underway. Jaegr, having been saved by his armor too many times to count, is growing even more accustomed to it, but his meditations on it seem to be interfering with his training -- hopefully he'll catch up before the army reaches the keep. Also, the inscrutible goblin gods have been debating something called "cat-calling" (a way for goblins to attract food?) on the Polititroll boards and have not yet granted Cricket the powers due to him as an Initiate of the Second Circle. Hopefully they, too, will catch up soon.

Caspian feels the comfort of his runes and the silver thread that allowed him to craft each of them into his gear.

He looks to Jed the barbarian and appreciates how the Man has a similar take on avoiding blows, though his mighty swings are something Caspain hopes to see in action soon.

Jaegr spent his time at Fenrift's keep training after getting his armor adjusted by their armorer. Jaegr could instantly tell the improved maneuverability will be exactly what he needs against their upcoming foes. The weak link to the elemental plane of fire that remained on the ceramic plates seemed to have grown a bit stronger as well.

Jaegr was ready to head on the road after receiving an amulet to ward off evil. While Jaegr liked to put his faith in steel rather than faith, he was confident the priest knew what he was talking about when dealing with powerful undead such as vampires, or worse.

@Jaegr: Ah! I see. You're 5th level, it's just your tag line that says you're still 4th.

So many things to update I missed the easiest one!

So... Cricket?

Reporting for duty, sir.

At lunch, in the map room.

Kelgan, having thanked Wyvern for his excellent reflexes in the sewers, tries out his newly carved and cured dentures. Crafted from wyrmbone and catalyzed in a tincture of vampire ash, they are an exceptional fit, and he enjoys rare steak for the first time since the landslide took most of his natural teeth.

Turning to business he adresses the assembled cadre.

"While the Count and his army siege the Keep, and try to draw forth the necromancer, we are to sneak in from below. There is a small tunnel at the base of the hill. We will infiltrate the Keep and do our utmost to avoid a direct confrontation with Anasovin. We will harry the enemy's forces from inside the Keep if possible, and take the gatehouse from within, to let the armies inside. We should be alert for the friar Donaldson, whom, as you may recall, was responsible for Otis's - and his late brother's - current cursed condition."

"Killing this man is our secondary objective, and letting in the legions is tertiary. Our main objective is to ensure that when the necromancer dies, he dies for good."

Kelgan sets the egg on the table and motions to it.

"When Anasovin dies, this must also be destroyed. I will carry it for now, but should I fall, you must ensure its destruction. It would be useful if we could magically hide it as well, in case Anasovin is sensitive to its proximity."

"I would hear all of your thoughts on the matter, and on our mission in general."

With that being said, he sits back down and returns to his steak, keeping a keen eye on the discussion that follows.

Cricket, Wolvie and Gleed are very, very clean.

Knowledge (lore) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

"I am not even sure how such a thing might be destroyed!"

"Any reason not to destroy it first?"