Once Upon a Time in Golarion (Inactive)

Game Master vayelan

Since we've found an intersection of plot lines, I thought I'd make this post outside of a spoiler for everyone's benefit.

"Uringen?" Melianse parrots quizzically. However, a look of epiphany soon crosses her face. "Oh! I know the place you speak of!

"I actually visited the town once with some of the selfsame acquaintances I was going to consult. We were intrigued by the possibility that mortals had opened some manner of semi-stable rift with the First World. We didn't get too far. The locals proved...very unfamiliar with the word hospitality," she muses, a sour look crossing the nixie's face.

"Again, I make no promises, but that does sound like a promising place to start."

The Vixen is intrigued. “A semi-stable rift! That sounds like a place worth checking out. Were the inhospitable ones human or fey? Not that it matters to me—a person’s a person… but I suspect the lack o’ hospitality might be on account o’ those not seeing things that way.

“Even yesterday’s even was just a baby-step forward.”

She doesn’t think she needs to repeat her point about Tyg and others acknowledging their part in the rescue, and how lying would do more harm than the good of the deed itself. VV also thinks that she made a big gain with Melianse just now, this she makes it a point not to repeat this for fear pushing the nixie will more than undo the good that came of today.

Wonky cocks her head at the Vixen's words.

"What was that you said about a baby-step?" Wonky looks intrigued.

The Vixen sits up on her side to face Wonky, resisting the urge to dip her toes in the water, as the whole point of emerging is so her boots won’t be wet and gross. (Being a sorceress, Melianse probably could cast Prestidigitation. But whatever gains she made from skinny-dipping, she would risk losing by asking a nixie to remove water from her body.)

The Vixen’s unspoken thoughts are strikingly similar to her ‘baby step’ thought.

“Honestly, me job’s to beat the hell outta dangerous law-breakers. But delicacy has its place.

“The lovely performance was a step forward—getting humanoids and fey to accept each other, equally as people. Different in ways, too… but there’s beauty in the differences.”

Getting to the baby-step part…

“I mean it’s a baby-step in the sense like reputations take years to build, seconds to destroy.”

If ANYBODY’d seen me bawling in me mother’s arms…!

“Melianse, this is why I said before, Tyg can’t deny her part in saving the boy. That did wonders for all fey, and as an added bonus, ye don’t need to mention yer part. I certainly won’t.

“Seeing how Wonky’s already sketching up the mill, I think the markets ye proposed’re fine. So if those ye consult agree to it, I believe that’ll spare us a lengthy negotiation.”

The unrest in Tamlyn continues to subside as the human settlers grow accustomed to their First Citizen neighbors - especially as tales spread about the fey of Crystalhue who helped rescue the Cooperson boy.

The newly constructed granary inspires confidence in the populace, but the markets of Horace prove to be rather bearish. Although the Sootscale kobolds deliver their small tithe of silver and precious stones, the rest of the barony's revenue for the month is light as the citizens brace themselves for the looming winter.

However, the blessings of Crystalhue soon show themselves in your barony's blossoming prosperity. Not only was the festival a boon day for local artisans and laborers, but it also drew far more traveling merchants than the town usually attracts. Furthermore, the success of the Crystalhue celebration has effectively put Tamlyn on the map, ensuring that many of those merchants will add your land to their regular trade circuit.

We've rolled the Economic Boom kingdom event, adding a windfall of 11 BP to your treasury.

Ahto is pleased by the absence of unrest and by the increase of interest in Tamlyn by the regional merchant class.

"These reports a good news," he says to his fellow Councilors, once Asham has concluded reading the report. "What shall be our next project, then? Are we settled on the lumber mill, or should we consider expanding our trading facilities to accommodate the influx of trade goods?"

The Vixen is pleased to see the payoff from keeping the fey honest. She says to Eunomia, “Ye told me so—I really did win Melianse o’er! Heh… it wasn’t yer typical diplomatic meeting, and maybe that’s what did the trick.

“Anyway, thanks for the vote o’ confidence.”

She isn’t sure what the next project should be. She hangs back to see if Wonky or Eunomia has an idea for a project.

Eunomia smiles at the Vixen. "I'm glad it went well. I'm particularly relieved that the story spread widely enough to make people feel better about their fey neighbors. If I had to listen to one more complaint about how some farmer's cow wasn't producing as much milk as usual and it was obviously the result of a fey curse...well I'd have investigated it of course just in case, but it was getting rather tiring."

As the conversation turns to business, her shoulders straighten. "I don't see why we couldn't do both. We can leave the construction of the sawmill largely in the hands of the lumberjacks; they know better than we what they would need out there. In the meantime we can focus our attention on another project in the capital."

"A general store could be constructed; that would help trade prosper." She pauses, considering their options. With a very faint blush, she adds, "However I also think we should consider opening a dance hall for Ms. Tremaine and her coworkers. Their Crystalhue performances were quite well-received, and having an official stage would no doubt bring in more clientele."

A Sawmill is a terrain improvement, so we can construct that and a building in Horace as well. Claiming the Hex is 1 BP and the Sawmill is 3BP, leaving us with 17.

A Shop costs 8BP and provides +1 Economy. A Dance Hall costs 4BP and provides Economy +1/Loyalty +2 at the cost of Unrest +1. Either way we'll probably also want to build a House for another 3BP.

Ahto nods. ”All excellent ideas. The store goes without additional necessary comment. An entertainment venue would be an excellent source of revenue, in and of itself. It would encourage visitors to come, and spend coin while they are here. Are there any objections or additional suggestions?” he asks his fellow Council Members.

Noting how Eunomia’s blushing, the Vixen offers, “Ye want me to handle the Miss Tremaine meeting as well, or join ye if ye prefer to suggest the dance hall personally? I mean… it is yer idea. In part, I’m offering since I mean to see Miss Tremaine anyway. The poor woman was more nervous about hosting me wedding night than performing onstage.”

"Hmmm..." Wonky offers in response to the suggestions. "Where both suggestions have their merit, I would suggest a touch of caution in constructing a general store that could be direct competition to our beloved Oleg and Svetlana, regardless of location. Perhaps we could speak to them directly about how they think we should proceed?"

"We could offer them the opportunity to staff the store here in town with their own people," Ahto suggests. "They would be able to shift goods back and forth between the two locations, depending on needs."

"Giving control of the shop to Mister Leveton is a fine idea. As our treasurer, he is perhaps the most business minded among us.

"Lord Ahto is also correct that it would extend the reach of our supply lines: people wouldn't need to send messages to the trading post or make the trip themselves. Common or much sought goods could be shifted from the post to the store, being ready at hand and easing the process for our citizens."

"In that same vein," Ahto adds, "we may want to consider clearing and establishing a proper road between the Post and Horace at some point in the near future. Of course, our current plans do not require we do so in the immediate."

In the next Kingdom Turn, claiming the hex for logging (1 BP), building the sawmill there (3 BP), building a road in Horace's hex (3 BP), and building a Shop (8 BP) and House (3 BP) would produce a total cost of 18 BP. However, after paying the kingdom's consumption at the start of the turn, we would only have 17 BP in the treasury. We could put off the road for now, build the Dance Hall instead of the Shop, or build a Tenement instead of a House (for 1 BP instead of 3 BP).

"I think that a tenement would be a fine compromise in order to allow our town to continue grow financially."

Wonky seems intrigued by the prospect of the dance hall, but firmly in favour of having a shop in town run by the Levetons.

The first month of the new year proves to be quite peaceful. However, that should not be mistaken for unproductive. With the completion of the sawmill and the opening of Oleg's General Store, business continues to boom in Tamlyn. More merchants visit Horace, and more laborers and homesteaders also flock to the frontier settlement.

"Paval and Hexa have provided updates regarding rumors going around Horace. Considering how many new residents have been arriving each day, and how large our town has grown, it's not surprising that rumors spread so easily."

Loggers, hunters, and even fey continue to report sightings of a "dragon" in the Narlmarches. Witnesses claim it has been gobbling up people, although no one can actually name any potential victims.

In addition to the "Swamp Witch" who dwells somewhere along the swampy shores of the lake, there are also stories about a mad hermit to the south. They say he speaks to beasts, sleeps in a tree, and eats people he catches.

"Perhaps the most worrying account, however, concerns the would-be bandit king, the late Stag Lord," Asham states. "Wagging tongues claim that he's risen from the dead and is plotting some manner of revenge. I suspect these stories might be coming from the reformed bandits who number among our citizens. It is not hard to imagine that these superstitious fellows fear their pasts catching up to them."

Ahto pinches his nose and shakes his head, giving a frustrated sigh.

"So, we have rumors of these things with no confirmation. We could find ourselves chasing all over the country trying to put these whisperings to rest, and find all of them are campfire tales, or matters that have long been resolved. However, the matter of the risen Stag Lord is one that I would like to address with our former Indentures as soon as possible. We still have his mask in our treasury, do we not?"

"I'm a little concerned about this dragon, despite the lack of any identifiable victims. There are simply too many different groups all claiming they've seen it." Eunomia joins Ahto in a frustrated sigh. "However without more information, there's little we can do about it. We don't have the time to wander about aimlessly."

"As for the Stag Lord, I was not here for his defeat. From what little I know it seems unlikely, although not impossible, he rose as a revenant. Making this yet another unsubstantiated rumor. How many reformed bandits do we have in the city?" She grimaces. "And how reformed do we think they are, if they're still spreading rumors about their former master's return?"

"There are roughly a dozen," Ahto replies. "Most of them served him out of a combination of desperation and fear. I would be surprised if the rumor is a rallying cry to resume their lives of lawlessness. I think they might fear that the he is one of those who was so foul in life that eternal rest was denied him. I think the worst case is one of them misses his old existence and has named himself the risen Stag Lord, and seeks to intimidate his fellows into returning to their old ways."

The Vixen’s replies, “Besting the cowardly Stag Lord’s army’s where me career started here, and that fateful bout with the wyvern.”

The Vixen glances at her wife through masked eyes. Her lips curl in a hint of a smile.

“It’s only a matter o’ time we move from a wyvern to a proper dragon. How about I consult our fey friends.” She pauses for a moment, then adds, “Hopefully they don’t expect me to skinny-dip in the rapids. I did not take precedent into consideration when I won o’er our nixie friend.

“Just in case, Wonky, do ye happen to know a formula that does the same as Mom’s spell?”

"That sounds like a plan." Eunomia nods in the Vixen's direction. "While you and Wonky consult with the fey about the supposed dragon, Ahto and I can ask the reformed bandits about the rumors of the Stag Lord's return. Oh, and if it's the cold you're concerned about, I have a wand that can help with that."

Once the meeting has adjourned, Ahto goes to the treasury room to retrieve the Stag Lord's helm. He places it in a small bag and signs its possession out to himself in the ledger.

He offers the bag to Eunomia for her to examine, if she wishes. "This was the helm the Stag Lord wore while he and his bandits controlled this lands. There were actually two men who wore the helm, the second deposing the first, but the name followed, as if it were a title of nobility."

The Vixen smiles at Wonky. “Looks like it’s the two of us again, and Sprocket o’ course… and Dawn, depending where we’re headed.”

VV is not a particularly talented rider. She’ll go on horseback if the trip is far and on the beaten path. Wonky is welcome to ride with her (or even take the reins, if she prefers). But the Vixen believes Sprocket is a worthy steed for a gnome.

Ahto walks to his office and opens his journal where he indicated the names of all of the Indentures and their now commuted sentences. He looks for his notations on who survived the battle, and of those, who still live in the area.

He jots the names down on a piece of parchment and takes the list to Asham.

"Could you send runners to summon these men to the Council Chamber?" he asks.

He gives Asham the opportunity to ask any clarifying questions, then when she is satisfied, he returns to the Council Chamber. He takes his seat and places the Stag Lord's helm on the table in front of him. He then waits patiently for the men to arrive.

The Stag Helm is a rather grim relic. Although made of bone and antlers, it remains as strong as steel.

Five former bandits, having earned their freedom from indenturing thanks to their service during the defense of the trading post, yet live in Horace. Their names are Kimber, Jerrick, Wilton, Quince, and Bron. Within two hours they have been located, summoned, and assembled to the council chamber.

"Thank you for coming to this meeting on such short notice, gentlemen," Ahto says, with a nod of greeting. "There is a persistent rumor circulating about the Stag Lord, risen from the dead and prowling the streets and countryside. Would any of you happen to know the source of these rumors?"

He looks at each of the men intently, looking for some sign that one might know more than they would readily care to admit. He also calls quietly on Abadar's strength to note if anyone who speaks up is lying.

Detect Lies class ability active.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

"Oh ye gods, please say it's not true," Bron whispers, shaking his head in fearful disbelief.

The former bandits swap nervous looks before anyone else speaks up again.

"We've heard the rumors, sure," Quince confirms. "We don't know where it started. I just know we've spent at least one night at Madame Vika's place trying to convince ourselves with drink that it weren't true."

Jerrick of Pitax speaks up next.

"I don't believe it! Not one whit! Hells, we were the ones who dug the bastard's grave after you put him down, sir," he tells Ahto. "If his rotting bones aren't still in the ground next to Oleg's place up north, I'll eat my hat."

”Can each of you recall who you heard speak this rumor? A name or description would suffice. We have no reason to believe the bandit known as the Stag Lord has returned from the grave, but we have reason to believe foreign agents are attempting to disrupt and demoralize our citizens’ lives.”

He looks each of them in the eye, awaiting their answers.

Wonky nods at Melianse's words, tracing the nixie's etchings absently with her finger as Vixen speaks, but when the topic of a silver dragon is approached, her mood turns frenetic.

"Oh, this is fortuitous! Silver dragons are benevolent and the embodiment of all things academic - the true scholars of the wyrmkind! If anyone in this realm would have a clue as to my quest for my father's cure, then surely this dragon of Lake Silverstep would be the right being to beseech for an audience!"

"Would you be able to direct us towards Lake Silverstep, Lady Melianse? If for no other reason than to make acquaintance of such an awesome force, then I would travel there post-haste!"

Wonky turns towards Vixen. "You, of course, have heard of the mighty dragon Terendelev who gave her life during the Siege of Kenabres, thereby triggering the Fifth Crusade into the Worldwound, turning back the armies of Khorromzadeh and closing that accursed portal into the damned lands? She was a silver dragon!"

Wonky ends her eruption with a short nod, as if her difficult-to-follow narrative was proof itself of her cause.

At the council chambers, the reformed bandits debate among themselves regarding where they heard the rumor for themselves. Quince says he heard it from Jocelyn the tanner. Wilton says he heard it from Tanith the baker. Jerrick says he heard it from Abbs the courtesan, and Kimber and Bron heard it from Jerrick.

"Thank you for your time, friends," Ahto replies. "Please go back about your lives and duties. If anyone mentions or asks about the Stag Lord, admit with pride that you were one of those who buried him, and challenge the person spreading the rumor to provide proof of his return. As I have said, we suspect this to be an attempt to frighten and demoralize the populace. Please do not contribute to this sabotage."

Once they have left, he turns to Asham again. "Could you have Jocelyn, Tanith, and Abbs summoned to the Council Chamber?"

Asham swallows a grimace as she is again sent out to fetch citizens, inwardly reminding herself that this is part of her job.

"Dang it, Addy, can you just come home already," she grumbles to herself on the way out of the council chambers.

The trio of women prove easier to locate, owing to their dedicated workplaces.

"Of course, I had to wait for Abbs to...'finish' her shift before she could grace us with her presence."

Thus, the tanner, baker, and courtesan are brought before Ahto and Eunomia.

Ahto rises from his seat in greeting, gesturing for each of the ladies to take a seat before he returns to his own.

"Thank you for your kind attention to our summons, ladies. Please make yourselves comfortable," Ahto says politely. He looks to each of them and rests a hand on the helm.

"Do any of you know what this is?"

(Detect Lies active.)

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

The three women look at the Stag Helm quizzically, clearly perplexed by the item. Tanith and Jocelyn each shake their heads, "no."

"Never seen a grim trinket like that before," Abbs laughs.

While the other women still wear their work aprons, the courtesan is dressed in an approximation of Chelish nobility, accented by costume jewelry.

None of the women claim to have seen the helmet before, and between both his instincts and divinely guided senses, Ahto confirms that they are being truthful.

"Wait. Is this about that bandit king's return? The Stag Lord, right?" Jocelyn speaks up. "I guess it was true after all. Little wonder, then, that your lordship put an end to him again right quick."

"May I ask each of you who told you that the Stag Lord had returned?" Ahto asks, again keeping his voice polite.

Eunomia doesn't have all that much to do, with Ahto having the situation well at hand. (Not to mention being far more familiar with both the Stag Lord and the reformed bandits.)

In the interest of being clear, she does add, "We have no reason to believe the Stag Lord has actually returned. We're simply trying to get to the root of the rumor."

"I don't know about these two," Abbs replies, "but I heard it from this odd duck that passed through a few days ago.

"Sounds like a lot of nonsense to me," she adds, briefly sticking out her tongue to emphasize her skepticism.

Meanwhile, Jocelyn and Tanith confirm that a man of similar description was also where they heard this rumor.

"Could any of you, if provided paper, be able to sketch a likeness of the man?" Ahto asks the ladies.

Provided with a sheet of parchment and a charcoal pencil, Jocelyn the tanner is able to produce a sketch approximating this man.

Ahto looks at the sketch approvingly. ”To your knowledge, isn’t he still in town? If not, did he happen to mention where he was heading?”

None of the women have seen the man since he passed through Horace a few days ago. Abbs can confirm that he is not presently staying at the Brandy Cup, but Tanith adds that it seemed like the man intended to return to town before long.

"Thank you, ladies, for you assistance in this matter," Ahto says to them. "Please know that there is no verifiable truth to this rumor. As it stands, it appears to be intended to sow fear and apprehension amongst the populace. If you hear anyone else spreading this tale, correct them immediately. Use my name if you feel it would help in convincing them. I ask that each of you keep an eye out for this fellow. If you see him in town, notify the first Councilor you can find. You may return to your responsibilities."

He turns to Ash. "Make sure each available Councilor has seen this sketch, as well as any available militia members, but do not post it publicly. If he is coming back to town, we want to be able to catch him unawares."

"We will need to let the others know of this, of course," Wonky says with a nod to Vixen, "I do not think that many of them would wish to pass up an opportunity to make such an important ally! It would be grand to have you accompany us, Melianse." The gnome trails off for a long moment, lost in thought.

"So now it seems the sole decision is whether we visit this silver dragon before or after we visit Uringen...I will need some time to come to that conclusion. I guess we could use that time travelling back to Horace."

Wonky is ready to return.