Revival of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Cellion

"Father Tobyn did have a daughter... not of his body. She was adopted. An orphan."

"Nualia was her name, though he often called her his 'little angel.'
She was heaven-touched, you see... a child of Desna. She had silver hair, that used to glow in the starlight. Everyone thought she was good luck, and wanted to be around her."

"She wasn't buried with Father Tobyn though. In the fire the Desnan dormitory collapsed, and several people were crushed. They never were able to sort out whose remains were whose. So they buried them together with a monument that bears all their names. It's just north of Father Tobyn's crypt."

"No other graves were disturbed, were they?"

You didn't see any other evidence of graverobbing.

"Call up the militia?" Lord Kaijitsu cries out.

"The militia is only to be used when an attack is imminent. I see no reason to cause a panic with so little to go on."

"As you say, there is not likely to be another raid, since this first raid would set us on our guard. This 'human' leader you speak of would no doubt know this. So it is safe to assume that there won't be another attack. Obviously 'they' have some other plan."

"The militia will serve in times of an attack, but if they are going to be standing guard or patrolling streets they must be paid. There is no point throwing money away like that when it is not needed."

"I don't care how I get them, but I do need more men. We took losses in the attack and I barely have enough guardsmen to do a regular rotation."

"Call up the militia, hire new guards, or call for reinforcements from Magnimar. I don't care which but we must do something."

"I have often said that we need more troops anyway. Having only enough men to defend the town is short-sighted. We may need to respond to this raid, and how can we do that when we don't have even enough men to guard the town?"

"I expect mercenaries may be the answer. The militia are not real troops anyway; if you hand a carpenter a spear that does not make him a soldier. Better to have professionals do this sort of work."

"In fact, I would be willing to finance such a force from my own reserves if the town's funds are not up to the task. This would spare the city coffers any needless expense."

Lord Scarnetti looks at the group.

"You lot have the look of mercenaries. Or at least, you are certainly competent. If that's the sort of work you'd like, I'd be happy to hire you right now. Or perhaps put you on some sort of retainer."

Mayor Deverin smiles.

"We note your willingness to help, Lord Scarnetti. But any plan should be supported by the town as a whole; no one of us should carry the whole burden. That is unfair."

"My instinct is to send for help from Magnimar. As our liege they are required to render assistance in times of trouble. And in the meantime, we can call for... volunteers... from the militia to expand the ranks of the guardsmen until we are back to full strength."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Kargas grins at Lord Scarnetti's fairly obvious ploy, but he's already offered his services--no need to belabor the point. He snorts somewhat derisively at the Mayor's equally obvious effort to check him.

He does look curiously at Rig and Flor, but especially Laurana. She couldn't stop talking about Brambletop or whatever it was in the inn last night, why doesn't she say something now? Townie politics makes no damn sense.

Sense Motive, DC 16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 Does this mean Flo is temporarily omniscient? ;)

I wouldn't mind a little coin for our work, but I can't say that I'd want to start setting the bar at basic mercenary... Or that I would necessarily want to have Lord Scarnetti as my retainer.

and there it is...the age old question, how much is a person's life worth. Do we spend the coin to protect our families from a goblin army that may or may not attack...or...do we not spend the coin and pray that they do not attack. no matter how deep the town's coffers may be....you can not take the coin with you to the other side. Look we can debate here all day long, the bottom line is what you want to do...it is your town and the populace will be watching you very, very closely during this time of turmoil.

As Lord Scarnetti speaks of hiring them.
My Lord, I am sure that between all the council members here, that you can find the coin to bolster your defenses in one way or another.
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
Glancing at Rig
Yes that is true we ARE here...the Sand point six or Vaga.....Either way we were here in the right place at the right time to aid those that needed it.
Cade turns to look at Lord Kaijitsu who seems to have been quiet as of late. His face is one of neutrality. His gaze roams over all the seated nobles.
Lord Scarnetti, I have to agree with the Lady Mayor. Being at the disposal of one individual would be counter productive to the defense of this town. Mercenaries we are not. We wish to be rewarded for our efforts not paid...at least that is how I feel about it. We still have not been asked in any official capacity to aid this town. Granted we ARE willing and able to lend aid.

No, IIRC nothing specifically was discussed about Thistletop so far.

"Thisteltop?" Shalelu asks quizzically.

"Thistletop is the name of the main lair of the Thistletop tribe. It is a big rock just off the coast of the Nettlewood. It is connected to the mainland by a narrow rope bridge, and is surrounded by high cliffs. There's no easy approach. Getting in there would be rather tricky."

"How is Thistletop important?"

...you can not take the coin with you to the other side.

Unless you are a cleric of Abadar! :)

"Bah! We do not need to do everything for the citizens! They are welcome to travel armed if they wish, and make whatever precautions they think necessary. If the people would carry at least a dagger then they would have some means of fighting. Besides... when the bell sounds the militia is required to report anyway! No need in paying them to loiter around uselessly when they could be at their jobs doing productive work. If the goblins attack, sound the alarm, and have the militia assemble."

"If Magnimar will send reinforcements, then by all means ask for them. Of course, they will want favors in return later on."

"But the problem, Lord Kaijitsu, is that the alarm was not raised. The goblins were already in the town before the militia could be raised!"

"How did this happen? How were the goblins able to penetrate the town defenses so easily?"

"For the record, I approve of Mister Goodbarrel's idea of searching the town for goblins that could be hiding here."

"And while I respect the council's wish to keep everything under the control of the council as a whole, I certainly intend to expand my own household guard. As is my right."

"We were on a reduced roster for the Swallowtail Festival. Many of the guard have families and wished to attend the festival themselves. We still had enough men on the walls for normal purposes."

"How is Thistletop important?"

"A goblin we interrogated, actually, Rig interrogated it, I mostly just watched, told us that Thistetop was significant in their attack planning. I think. It is all kind of a blur right now and I wasnt really paying attention." She added helpfully.

"We were only able to learn that their non-goblin leader came from there. Seeing as how the goblins were a self-defeating mess prior to this, stopping the leader seems prudent." A bridge sounds like our only option. Never been much for climbing, but it would make for quite the approach.

"How did this happen? How were the goblins able to penetrate the town defenses so easily?"

Following the conversation, Colvyn can't help but feel angry. Angry for the people that died, angry at most of the nobles in council caring more about gold than the people they are supposed to protect, and also angry at the fact that in one day, the group as found out more about the attacker than all of them combine. They do not deserve to be lords. They have no understanding how a community work. When the one name Scarnetti asked about how the goblins were able to get in so easily, Colvyn knew that he had to say something.

Standing up, he breaks eye contact with the old fool. "How did this happen, you ask? The answer to that question is rather simple. The defense of this village is rather poor, if not existent. You squabble more about gold than taking care to protect those under you. Also, you have a traitor that lives in the village, someone angry enough, and strong enough, to be willing to lead the goblins in a combine attack. Even now, with the knowledge that someone unified the goblin tribes into a single working unit of possibly four hundred spears, you still argue about whether you should spend the gold or not."

Taking a pause, he lets his words sink in for a moment, but continues before anyone can interrupt. "In our one day of investigation, we found out a lot of information. We found out where the leader of the goblins is. We saw where they came into the town, climbing trees that are right next to the cemetery wall. We also found out about the theft of the body of the previous priest, and that they left undead horrors in the crypt. Now, the next step forward is to secure the town, increase the defense and then we will move against the leader." He finishes talking, his hands still shaking in anger, holding his holy symbol tightly.

Unsure if that's an intimidation check or a diplomacy one, but both have the same bonus, so here goes nothing!
Diplomacy/Intimidate: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (8) - 3 = 5
Nothing it is! :(

Kargas grunts in agreement with Colvyn's outburst, but he steps forward before any of the nobles can make outraged speeches. "We can argue about this all day, but Hemlock says your guards are understaffed and a couple hundred goblins can cause a lot of destruction if they're not dealt with aggressively. Now I can't speak for the rest of them," the half-orc gestures to indicate the party, "but I'm interested in a good scrap and it sure seems like this Thistletop place bears looking into. So how about this: you hire a small group..." he smirks, making it clear who he's referring to, ...to go to Thistletop and investigate. We'll clear out any goblins, search for any information on this mysterious leader, and then we'll report back to you. In the meantime, this council can make its own decisions about what to do about that militia, without our interruptions. How's that sound?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

The mayor looks aghast.

"A traitor? One living here, who would betray Sandpoint to the goblins?"

"But who?"

For the record, you actually have no idea where the human who was with the goblins came from. The notion that the human was from Sandpoint was just a guess. You know that according to the goblin captives, the human arrived with the Thistletop goblins when the raiding party grouped together.

"They came through the wood?" Lord Scarnetti harrumphs.

"I have often said that the trees close to the wall should be cut down. To provide an enemy with cover so close to the wall basically makes the wall nearly worthless. We should begin cutting down those trees at once."

Father Zantus jumps to his feet.

"You cannot cut down the Swallowtail Wood! Those trees are sacred!"

"If Desna isn't going to keep goblins from walking through her forest, then we need to consider the safety of the town first!"

Lord Scarnetti pounds the table.

"Desna can hardly expect us to bare our throats to the goblins for the sake of her trees!"

"And I'm sure those trees would make a find addition to your sawmill's output, wouldn't they, young lord?" Madame Mvashti says with a giggle.

"If we want to keep goblins out of the wood, there are ways that don't harm the forest at all. Magical ways," nods the elderly lady. "Goblins don't have many wizards."

Ilosari nods, thinking.

"Yes... it could be done. There are ways."

"Enough!" the mayor stands, commanding silence.

"It is time to formulate a plan, and here is what we will do."

"Firstly, we will send to Magnimar for reinforcements. Professional soldiers. Constable, you will need to go and convince them of the urgency of our need. But you need to be back within two days."

"Secondly, Professor Gandethus, you need to provide us with a proposal for your magical security for the forest, and possibly other vulnerable areas. Bring me a plan by tomorrow."

"Thirdly, we need to know what the goblins are up to. Shalelu, I'll have to send you out again. See what you can find out, and where the biggest threat is coming from. Look into this Thistletop angle."

"Fourthly, we need to conduct searches of the town, starting immediately. Constable, have Sergeant Bartle call up some militia to augment his forces so that we can make such a search. We'll have to send word around the town to expect us and to require cooperation." The mayor turns to the group.

"You offered to help, so here's your chance. We need lots of able bodies to conduct this search and you will be most useful here."

"I know you want to go straight to Thisteltop, but I'm not sure you have enough experience to do something like that yet. Let's wait until we are sure before we send you into the lion's den."

You're actually not meant to go running off to Thistletop just yet, so bear with me. It would be a bit of a meat grinder at first level, and there's a few things that are meant to happen in Sandpoint first.

The mayor turns back to the table.

"So, any objections? No? Then let's put my plan to a vote, shall we? All in favor?"

The Mayor raises a hand, as does Lord Valdemar. Lord Scarnetti also does shortly afterwards. Lord Kaijitsu looks around the table, and then reluctantly raises his hand.

"Excellent. So it's unanimous. Let's get to work then, shall we? This meeting is adjourned."

Lord Valdemar rises creakily from his seat.

"Constable, for your trip to Magnimar, you can take Feathermoth. She should be ready to sail on the tide. Tell er captain I sent you."

The meeting begins to disperse, and everyone gets ready to leave.

If anyone has any questions they want to ask of any of the NPCs, now is the time.

Sense Motive, DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 How the mighty have fallen!

Some reconnaissance would be fantastic, I hope nothing happens to Shalelu though. Searching houses though? I can't say I'd know where to begin with that... "Lord Mayor, we shall do as you wish. We will be working with this Sergeant Bartle then?" she asks, glad to be through with their meeting.

Our commitments are starting to get really cumbersome, we should be careful not to overbook ourselves anymore. We barely got sleep last night, and now we have a meeting with Lord Foxglove AND a town to search...

Flo seeks out Constable Hemlock and then Shalelu. "Constable, may Densa bless your travels and your mission. May your words spur Magnimar's reinforcements into action and your passage to and from be safe," she prays, holding her holy symbol. "Shalelu, thank you for the risk you take upon yourself by venturing out alone. Your work is a boon to Sandpoint and hopefully to our expedition as well. May Desna's favor guide you."

Once she is with her friends again, she presses her fingers against her eyes, trying to rub the weariness from them. "By the Resplendent Goddess of Fortune, has anyone ever taught you how to speak to people? Half the lords in there were ready to explode! You may not like them, but they can't hate us if we are going to help protect Sandpoint! It wasn't right for them to be so brazen about the safety of their people or to question our honor, morales, or anything else, but their authority grants them power we need to get things done. Please, can we try to be more reserved during the next meeting we have with high society?" Done with her brief rant, she sighs and continues. "Nap time before our meeting with Lord Aldern Foxglove?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Good roll, just don't have the skills for it!

Kargas carefully picks his way through towards Shalelu, being careful not to offend any of the assembled nobles by getting to close. This was their territory after all, and while they might be soft their guards weren't.

"It was Shalelu, right? I'm Kargas," the half-orc rumbles, sticking his hand out in the human style of greeting. "I understand if you've got preparations to get to for the scouting and such, but when you've got the time I'd like to ask you some questions about the surrounding territory and some of the bigger, nastier monsters that live in the region."

When they get out of the meeting, Kargas grins through Flor's scolding, utterly unabashed. "It was funny..." is all he offers by way of defense. "Yeah, a nap sounds pretty good though."

As Flor goes over to bid Shalelu farewell, Rig also walks over and wishes her good luck and good hunting. He catches the mayor's eye and thanks her for her indulgence.

"That went well," Rig says conspiratorially as the group turns back towards each other.

Rig chuckles following Flor's rant. "Well, if I didn't need a nap before, I certainly need one now."

Once they're out of earshot, Rig grins at the group around him. "Thank the heavens I didn't wind up with a group of snobs. Though we might fit in a bit better, eh?" He laughs heartily. "Speaking of which, I almost forgot about Foxglove's invitation. I suppose we should try to be presentable. Maybe we can keep from burning any more bridges this afternoon."

"I love naps! They are one of my favorite things! But, I need to study my spell book. I still want to figure out what those stones do." She added as an afterthought, "The town really does need to figure out what to do about the trees and the wall."

"I love naps! They are one of my favorite things!"

LOL. :)

I'm a bit busy now so I'll update when I get home in a few hours.

Flo seeks out Constable Hemlock and then Shalelu. "Constable, may Densa bless your travels and your mission. ..."

"Thank you, sister. Normally I would think it's the Mayor's job to go off like this, but if she leaves now Lord Scarnetti might appoint himself the Earl of Sandpoint while she's gone."

"Sergeant Bartle will start organizing the search. I know you folks were watching the walls at night, so I'll have him call upon you at, say, sundown?"

"If the goblins turn up while I'm gone, try to hold them until I get back." He winks, and makes to leave.

Shalelu is already preparing to go when the party approaches her.

"Shalelu, ... May Desna's favor guide you."

"Yes, thanks. I may need it."

"It was Shalelu, right? I'm Kargas," the half-orc rumbles, sticking his hand out in the human style of greeting. "I understand if you've got preparations to get to for the scouting and such, but when you've got the time I'd like to ask you some questions about the surrounding territory and some of the bigger, nastier monsters that live in the region."

"Honored. Yeah, I guess I'd be the one to talk to about that. There aren't too many big critters around here worth getting too worked up over. There are a few Thawns on the moors but they are pretty cowardly. Maybe a few big things in the marsh. I suppose there's also Charlie. He knows well enough not to make too much trouble though."

"I really should get going. I've got a lot to do."

The group returns to the Rusty Dragon inn, and those of you who worked the night watch try to get some rest.

Guys, can you remind me, who was it who volunteered for the night watch?

Sir Foxglove turns up at about 2 PM to call on the adventurers.

For the record, it is Sir Foxglove, not Lord Foxglove. Aldern Foxglove is not of the same rank as the lords running the town, though he is a noble.

"Good afternoon all! Good to see my brave rescuers once again!"

"We'll need to ride out to the Tickwood. Well, I suppose you could walk... but what sort of fun would that be? No, not, that wouldn't do at all."

"So I spoke to Master Hosk next door, and I took the liberty of acquiring mounts for you all."

He turns to Cade and Colvyn.

"Master Hosk said that the two of you already had mounts. I didn't want you to feel left out. Master Hosk allowed me to have measurements taken of your animals, and Master Rovanky has tailored some small suits of barding to fit them."

"There are also boar spears for all of you. I don't know if it's necessary for everyone to carry one, but they may come in handy. Boars like to attack by charging. Which is what makes them good sport for a hunt! A deer is all fine and good, but they don't fight back, now, do they?"

"After everything you've done, it is my honor to give you these gifts."

"We can be off as soon as you are ready."

Kargas did night watch.

Kargas accepts the boar spear, hefting it in his hands to test the weight and balance, then grunts in acknowledgement. "Boars are tough and smart, good hunting, and not so dangerous that you lose warriors to them," he agrees, thinking about the campfire stories from the scarred old Stormscar hunters about the beasts that claimed their eyes, limbs, or companions.

Awkwardly mounting one of the larger horses, he sits somewhat uncomfortably in the saddle, awaiting the others.

"Sir Foxglove, how wonderful it is to see you again!"

Flo's eyes widen in slight disbelief and a little shock at his words. "Mounts? Like horses? Sir, you are too kind!" Despite her words, she is clearly trying to keep her hopes in check. A horse? I've never had someone get me such an expensive gift before. Is it true? Sense Motive Check

When she sees the horse, Flo is completely taken aback. Unable to contain her excitement, she runs up to the poor thing and provides it a very animated inspection. "What's his name? Is it a boy horse or a girl horse? Look at it's maaane! Can I feed it?!"

________

Ha! Flo's like my daughter with a horse

Rig bows to Foxglove for providing the horses and spear.

"Wow, you're too kind, Sir Foxglove. I am honored by your gifts." All sincerity. After his nap, he's a bit less grumpy than this morning.

I believe it was everyone but Laurana.

While the others were napping, Laurana studied her spell book and identified another two of the stones. Swap out magic missile for identify, use them both

When they are given horses, Laurana rushes over to a chestnut mare and slowly runs her hand over its snout,"Hello there friend, I am Laurana, it is nice to meet you. You do your best, and I will do my best not to fall off."

Cade did not do the Guard Duty
As the other sit down and Flo starts to go off on the group yet again, Cade in obvious not happy and it shows on his face.
He puts on a smile and tries to talk to flo in a calm tone.
Lady Flo, I understand the stress that you are under and that you are very tired...we all ar...ok well, you all are tired. I will in the future try to be more diplomatic towards pompous asses like Lord Kaijitsu. I will not promise it but I will at least try.
He seems to want to say more but he decides that it is best not being said.

When they meet up with Foxglove...
Sir Foxglove, I thank you kindly for your generosity. I know that it will be put to good use.

Everyone who was up all night yesterday has tried to get some sleep and rest, but the short nap hasn't helped much. Kargas feels refreshed but the rest of you still feel the worse for wear.

FYI: Colvyn, Floredana, and Rig are still fatigued.

Laurana spends more time trying to identify the ioun stones.

1d4 ⇒ 41d3 ⇒ 1
identify: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28
identify: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25

She identifies a third stone as a cracked incandescent blue sphere (which grants +1 to sense motive checks).

The other ones you have identified are:
A cracked amethyst pyramid (which grants +2 to knowledge (religion) checks to identify undead creatures), and
A cracked tangerine pentacle (which functions as a wand of magic missile with 7 charges).

"Boars are tough and smart, good hunting, and not so dangerous that you lose warriors to them,"

"It is rare that a boar kills a man during a hunt, that is true. But I'm told it does happen once in a while. And the Tickwood Boars are said to be quite fierce! It should be good sport."

...

"Sir Foxglove, how wonderful it is to see you again!"

Sir Aldern bows deeply to Floredana. "The pleasure is all mine, Your Most Aquamarine Majesty."

Flo's eyes widen in slight disbelief and a little shock at his words. "Mounts? Like horses? Sir, you are too kind!" ... "What's his name? Is it a boy horse or a girl horse? Look at it's maaane! Can I feed it?!"

Aldern smiles. "Yes, very much like horses. A fine lady like yourself should not be without a horse! I picked this one out for you myself. It is very fine."

Aldern leads Floredana to a brilliant white horse.

Re Names & Genders: (everyone) You can select the name and gender of your horse if you like.

...

"Wow, you're too kind, Sir Foxglove. I am honored by your gifts."

"Please, not at all. How else should I treat those who rescued me from a certain 'goblining,' eh? It's my pleasure."

...

"Hello there friend, I am Laurana, it is nice to meet you. You do your best, and I will do my best not to fall off."

Aldern chuckles as Laurana talks to the horse. The horse snorts.

...

Sir Foxglove, I thank you kindly for your generosity. I know that it will be put to good use.

"No, no. It's the least I could do, really. A dog can be a most loyal and true friend! Be good to your lad here, and I hope this helps keep him well."

"Now, if you have no other business to attend to, let us be off! To the Tickwood!"

We'll move along to the actual hunt shortly unless anyone has any questions they want to ask or an business to attend to before leaving.

After the gear is arranged the group rides out and heads east along the Lost Coast Road.

Along the way Sir Foxglove makes small talk, inquiring in more detail about the various companions' histories. The more well-traveled, the more interested he is. He seems particularly interested in Floredana's travels on the Yondabakari river.

At the same time, he regales the party with stories of the high life in Magnimar. From the sound of it, it would seem that life in Magnimar is full of madcap hijinks and drunken misadventure. It also sounds like Sir Foxglove is quite the gambler.

After the party passes the hills of the Ravenroost, the land flattens out and the trees become more dense.

"Ah! Here we are." Aldern indicates a game trail that breaks through the woods. "Apparently the boars and other denizens of the Tickwood use these trails. We'll have to walk our horses from here."

Aldern dismounts and pulls his boar spear from his pack, and he begins leading his horse into the trail.

Guys: Can I get a marching order? Aldern will stand wherever you want, as long as it is not in the rear (he probably shouldn't be in the lead, though he will be happy to do so).

Also FYI: A boar spear is like a regular spear and can be braced against a charge attack. The special thing about a boar spear is that if you hit when using it this way, you get an extra +2 to your AC against that charge attack.

I suggest, Kargas, Foxglove, Flo, Laurana, Colvyn, Cade, Rig.

Flo enjoys talking about her adventures floating the river and is eager to hear about her companions stories.

At the game trail, she dismounts and takes her mare, Cassiopeia, by the reins. This is it, how exciting! After those goblins, I'm sure a boar will be cake!

She walks on with a smile, keeping an eye out for obvious signs of their mark. "Umm... should we keep talking to a quiet minimum now?" she asks, unsure how these things typically go.

________
Marching order looks good to me. She holds the boar spear in one hand,
with the other on her horse's reins.

I'm okay with that order

Though perhaps not as his best, Rig feels pretty good overall about the trip so far. The spear in his hand has a good weight. He lashes his pack to the saddle of his horse so he's free to move about and takes the reins over his shoulder. "Come on, buddy," he says rubbing the horse's muzzle.

"Shouldn't we leave the horses hobbled somewhere?" the half-orc asks, wincing as he dismounts. He's no equestrian and the saddle-soreness is already setting in. "If they spook along the trail they'll an unwelcome extra problem."

Kargas is fine with that order, though he is on the lookout for a chance to talk to Rig or Cade.