Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Kevin O'Rourke 440

Anneka runs forward, still clutching her crossbow, to stay near Azalia and Drazh. double move

Miron moves forward, reloading his crossbow.

20ft forward, reload

Miron moves forward, reloading his crossbow.

Ferocia hurries forward to the battle, barely managing to reach the next goblin.

Milgen looks disappointed. "Ah, a true coward then. How disappointing." He points a finger at Tsuto. "Then die a coward's death." Milgen then moves to the end of the table and hops down.

Anneka runs forward, still clutching her crossbow, to stay near Azalia and Drazh.

Azalia moves and shoots at Tsuto but the half elf is too nimble.

Drazh ran forward. He wasn’t going to catch the man. With one hand holding his hammer, he pulled out a chakram and threw it at the retreating human. It was clear that he was more dangerous with his hammer.

Tsuto fires an arrow at Milgen but this time does not reload keeping his offhand free as he backs away, the arrow goes wide.
Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Miron
Ferocia
Milgen
Anneka
Azalia
Drazh
Tsuto HP-8

Can I Charge the goblin?

Miron continues to move forward, and fires a bolt at Tsuto.

20ft forward, shoot

Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 13

Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

@Drazh just about.

With a burst of speed, Drazh charged the last goblin. Throwing caution to the wind, he put everything into the attack.

Charge: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 6 = 13

Milgen waits for everyone else, and after they've all gone, he puts on a burst of speed and vaults over the now dead goblin! He races up to the door that Tsuto is running for, blocking his escape. "I told you, live a cowardly life, die a cowardly death." He tells Tsuto, grinning. Double move, 60 ft

If the goblin didn't go down, then Milgen will do the same thing, but have to run past the goblin, and run over the table, requiring two acrobatics checks.

Azalia moves and shoots at Tsuto.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Ferocia rushes forward after that ****, Tsuto, hurrying past the goblin to get right up in the half-elf's face.

Double move up to Tsuto. Passing right by a goblin. She'll attempt an acrobatics check to avoid the AoO

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14

Miron continues to move forward, and fires a bolt at Tsuto.

Ferocia rushes forward after that ****, Tsuto, hurrying past the goblin to get right up in the half-elf's face.

Milgen waits for everyone else, and after they've all gone, he puts on a burst of speed and vaults over the now dead goblin! He races up to the door that Tsuto is running for, blocking his escape. "I told you, live a cowardly life, die a cowardly death." He tells Tsuto, grinning.

Azalia moves and shoots at Tsuto but Tsuto deflects the arrow with the back of his free hand. I'm so sorry, when you finally get a good roll, deflect arrows.

With a burst of speed, Drazh charged the last goblin. Throwing caution to the wind, he put everything into the attack.

First Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Second Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Tsuto moves toward Milgen standing by the doorway and begins to throw a rapid series of punches at Milgen but his spells protect him from the damage.

Miron
Ferocia
Milgen
Anneka
Azalia
Drazh
Tsuto HP-8

Miron sees Tsuto deflecting an arrow and realises that shooting would be nigh pointless. He advances forward towards Tsuto, crunching broken glass under his boots.

Move 40ft forward to Tsuto

Hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 = 10

Drazh stepped up and swung his bloody hammer at the man. He had no stomach for taunting the man, and while part of him wanted to take the man alive...his party had already filled him with arrows and spells. At this point, their safety was what was most important. Plus, he’d surrender if he had any sense in him.

Ferocia follows Tsuto forward a few paces Ferocia growls. "Where's Ameiko?"

She swings her claws at him, careful not to strike at vital points.

Nonlethal Attack 1: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 12
Nonlethal Damage 1: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Nonlethal Attack 2: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 16
Nonlethal Damage 2: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Milgen wants this **** alive if possible, I'd like to hold my action and use it to try to stop any additional hits after he goes down. But, if Drazh and Ferocia don't take him down, then Milgen will do something.

Azalia double moves past Tsuto and halfway down the staircase, putting away her bow and drawing her new dagger. She blends in with the shadows and plans to murderize him on his way past if he doesn't surrender.

Acrobatics to avoid AOO while moving past: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Anneka runs with the others, fearful of more goblins that might enter the room behind her. double move

Miron sees Tsuto deflecting an arrow and realises that shooting would be nigh pointless. He advances forward towards Tsuto, crunching broken glass under his boots.

Ferocia follows Tsuto forward a few paces Ferocia growls. "Where's Ameiko?" She swings her claws at him, careful not to strike at vital points but finds the nimble half elf's hide is untouched even if she's left a gash across his shirt.

Anneka runs with the others, fearful of more goblins that might enter the room behind her.

Azalia double moves past Tsuto and halfway down the staircase, putting away her bow and drawing her new dagger. She blends in with the shadows and plans to murderize him on his way past if he doesn't surrender.
AOO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Drazh stepped up and swung his bloody hammer at the man. He had no stomach for taunting the man, and while part of him wanted to take the man alive...his party had already filled him with arrows and spells. At this point, their safety was what was most important. Plus, he’d surrender if he had any sense in him.

Milgen delayed his action so we need to let him do that then I'll do Tsuto's turn.. the half elf still stands!

Miron
Ferocia
Milgen
Anneka
Azalia
Drazh
Tsuto HP-18

Milgen brings his new morningstar down on Tsuto!

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

DC 16 Reflex Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Milgen's attack with the morningstar injures but does not put down Tsuto. Milgen, seeing that didn't take Tsuto down, smiles, adjusts his position to the right, and snaps his fingers in his off hand. The shield that had been floating next to him explodes, sending electricity down over both himself and Tsuto! Tsuto looks as if he was about to do some daring acrobatics to avoid it but catches his foot before falling to the ground unconscious in very bad shape.

Miron pulls out a length of rope.

I am not as swift as some of the others. They are best off moving first, for Ameiko's sake..

"I will secure him! Search for Ameiko!"

Tsuto Rolling to Stabilise DC 16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Miron gets no resistance from Tsuto as the rest of the group moves forward.

Where would you like to continue your search for Ameiko?

Miron attempts to stem any bleeding.

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Milgen wipes his brow. "Should it come up in future, that shield can be turned into a weapon, you might want to remember that, as I cannot prevent it from hurting those around me when I discharge it." Milgen then nods at Miron as he ties up Tsuto and begins to stabilize the man.

Opening the door he had kept Tsuto from running out of, Milgen carefully moves out, looking for Goblins.

The area you enter is a loading room. A wheelbarrow sits against a wall here, and shelves on the walls contain additional reagents to create different colors of glass. Through a doorway, stairs lead downwards. Another doorway which leads outside is still firmly shut and locked.

Perception take 20: 20 + 6 = 26

Drazh quietly and efficiently searched the rooms. He was in no rush, and wanted to find any signs of the missing person or evidence further tying this man to the goblin invasion.

"Goblins are still in the building, everyone watch your backs. We might need to leave someone to guard Tsuto. Or we lock the other door so they don't circle around behind us."

Anneka tries to avoid the grizzly view of Lonjiku's death, inspecting the furnace with some worry for signs of Ameiko's fate. Seeing nothing, she sighs in relief.

"Can we carry him?" Anneka offers, though her slight frame makes it obvious she's not the best choice for that task. "I think we should stay together. And we need to look downstairs."

Signing and speaking to Anneka, Miron replies:

"That is a good idea. If you grab one arm, I'll grab the other. I would investigate the glassworks offices more thoroughly."

Miron pulls out a sickle for his free hand.

"Let her grab the legs, and you the shoulders. Keep his hands tied behind his back. He's entirely too slippery to carry around, you don't want him choking you or pulling a throwing star across your throats if he wakes up." Milgren belatedly remembers to sign for Anneka as well.

Before the others haul Tsuto around like a sack of potatoes, Ferocia removes his weapons, and checks his pockets and backpack.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

What's he got?

Drazh moves forward to find a below ground level room that seems to be used to store sand and other raw materials. Two wheelbarrows sit
against the wall. Just east of the stairs up to area through which ye come down, a brick wall has been dismantled to reveal an older
passageway leading south.

Once you have Tsuto looted and secure exploring the rooms at this level are fairly straight forward. The first sideroom seems to be some kind of storage filled with glassware, windows, and other finished goods.

The door to the next room however is locked.

"Tsuto's key is worth trying on that lock."

If the key doesn't work, Azalia tries to pick the lock.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Does anyone want to use any of that gear?

Ferocia shoves most of the gear into her backpack. She passes the key to Azalia, slips the ring onto her finger so it doesn't get lost, and quickly flips through the journal to the back page. If its in common she reads the back page.

Then she shoves the journal into her backpack and moves to follow the others.

Seeing Anneka and Milgen trying to carry Tsuto awkwardly, she raises an eyebrow. "I'll see if the guards are here yet." Then she hurries back outside and looks around while the others explore the main floor.

Is there a crowd or anything out here? Or a guard? If she sees someone she calls out to them.

"Hey! Fetch the deputy! Tell him Tsuto Kaijitsu needs to be arrested at the Glassworks. NOW."

Milgen could use the ring, given his lack of armor from being arcane, but he wouldn't claim it if someone else wants it. Although he'd probably suggest selling it and giving the proceeds to the survivors of those killed in the glassworks by Tsuto and his goblins.

Azalia wants the earrings, and the thieves' tools if no one else wants them.

Azalia watches Ferocia as she reads the journal, and asks her what it says. Then she tries the key that Ferocia passes her on the door to see if it opens it. If not, she attempts to pick the lock (as above).

The key does unlock the door, it appears to be another storage room... however Ameiko lies on her side on the floor in here, bound at the wrists and ankles with rope and blindfolded and gagged with strips of leather.

"I can make use of that shortbow. And I suggest either Anneka or Milgen use that ring, it could make the difference between suffering a glancing blow or a deadly one."

*****

Miron moves to free Ameiko and while checking her for injuries asks:

"Ameiko, are you injured?"

I'm inclined to wait until Ferocia reacts before saying anything about the contents of the journal.

Ameiko is very badly injured but is conscious, she's clearly in no state to do much of anything right now. "I'll live. Tsuto is he...?"

"Alive and captured. One moment."

Miron places a hand on Ameiko's shoulder and intones a prayer to Abadar.

Cast CLW

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Though less injured physically it seems this traumatic event has taken it's toll on her and she is distraught. "Tsuto revealed to me that he and several other mercenaries were led by Nualia and he was hinting to me that she’s got big plans for Sandpoint’s future. Tsuto warned me that I wouldn’t want to be in town when those plans came through, and offered me a chance to join his group at Thistletop." She looks pauses for a moment a steal resolve in her eyes. "I slapped him, I’d never think he'd sink to such a low. He responded by unleashing
his goblins on me. They overwhelmed me and left me here."

If the below is incorrect, please correct it GM, I believe what I'm posting is correct.

Milgen rubs his chin, and then sighs. "I am sorry Lady Ameiko, I do not mean to add to your troubles, but you will find out soon, and best to get it out now. I'm afraid Tsuto and his goblins have killed your father as well. It was... not a pretty death. Several of the glassworks employees are also dead. There are likely more goblins in the building as well. I believe we should make haste to clear it out. We can deal with Nualia and Thistletop after ensuring there are no other survivors or enemies."

Azalia puts the key on a string around her head, wearing it like a necklace.

After seeing that Ameiko is okay and thoroughly rescued, she follows Ferocia out to make sure she doesn't get ambushed alone, in case any more nasty creatures were about.

As Ferocia looks at the last few pages of the journal, she cusses. Loud.

"****! ****! *** ******!" She holds up a picture from the journal at the others. "Plans for over two hundred goblins to assault the town."

"The council needs to know. Now."

THEN Ferocia hurries outside to yell at someone to fetch the guards and the Mayor.

Depending how long it takes her to get some people to send the guards, Ferocia probably won't be back yet when Ameiko's discovered. I'll assume Azalia tells her.

---

That tunnel that Drazh discovered. Once Ameiko's taken care of, the guards arrive to take over the Glassworks and Tsuto, and the Mayor hears about these plans in Tsuto's journal and what Ameiko has to say, I think we should head down there next. It could be a passage or something that the goblins used to get into town.

Ameiko becomes a lot more distant hearing about her father.

Checking through the ground level during which you are joined by deputy Dewey who seeing the horror show of the glassworks voices no doubt about what happened here. He's a little pale seeing the grizzly sights. He escorts her back to the Rusty Dragon and requests you stay at the scene and puts Tsuto into a cell far more used to holding drunks.

Returning Deputy Dewey as swiftly as he can Dewey helps ye continue searching the glassworks and is very thankful to find no more grizzly suprises in the glassworks. As you finish your search his eyes move to the one last unexplored area down the old previously bricked off tunnel in the basement. "Right, so they must have gone that way. This is a bit beyond what I think any of us are used to. We can go down there and investigate or maybe it's a better idea to wall it up again and wait for Sheriff Hemlock to come back with those soldiers... I don't like the idea of going down there but I don't like the idea of leaving the area unchecked. Lets wait for the Mayor before making a decision."

"You stay here, Dewey. Make sure the Mayor knows what's going on. Show her this."

Ferocia hands the journal over to the Deputy.

"We'll go into the tunnels."

Does anyone want to speak to the Mayor personally before we head into the tunnels? Ferocia'd rather go into the tunnels right now, but she can wait if you guys want.

Yup, that's all really important stuff. Is it written in common? Someone more bookish and patient that Ferocia should really take this journal and read from it for us. *hint hint* Obviously, I won't hand the book over to the Deputy until one of us reads this info. It's just unlikely to be Ferocia. Leaving that in someone else's court!

While waiting for the Deputy, Milgen asks politely for the journal and reads through it. When the deputy arrives, Milgren explains about the attack plans, the 200 goblins, and the burning of the priest's corpse, mistaking 'father' for 'father of the church' not realizing it meant literal father. "We should wait for the Mayor, before we go." He looks hard at Azalia and the Drazh. "As I said before, we need to get started immediately on the militia, unless either of you think we can hold off 200 goblins by ourselves." He bites out each word, obviously furious the two had not listened to him days ago about the militia. "We've already lost two days through foolishness. We cannot afford to wait even an hour longer. Hopefully the Mayor will see reason this time."

His attack was to call Ferocia a "dullard."

I stand corrected. :)

Just a note. My rate of posting has gotten more erratic lately. It may remain that way for some weeks yet.

Hope everything is okay.

Ah, cheers. A temporary state of affairs. But it's tiring and annoying.

Ah, cheers. A temporary state of affairs. But it's tiring and annoying.

Oh, you mean life?!

Creydon Clay wrote:

Ah, cheers. A temporary state of affairs. But it's tiring and annoying.

Oh, you mean life?!

Ah, life. Something worth trying once, but wouldn't recommend repeating it. Most of the time tiring and annoying. 2/10 rating.

Needs more donuts...

Anyone heard anything from Anneka?

Anyone heard anything from Anneka?

Not since early July.

Hi all!

So first, I’m really, really, really sorry for disappearing. Despite all the things going on, I should have reached out and communicated with you all. I know I probably led some to worry about what had become of me. That was selfish. I didn't reach out to you, and I'm sorry.

Every time I’ve sat down to write and explain where I've been, I just haven’t known what to say...

I'm doing fine. During quarantine, despite having more time at home, I became ill at ease and just couldn't find the fun in many things that I had before. Other things took their place and absorbed my time. As far as play-by-post, I had worked it into being part of my weekly schedule in such a way that the disruption in working from home just completely threw me for a loop. My interest waned. Any effort to return felt forced, and so I’ve stayed away. And the longer I waited, the more permanent my decision seemed. I wasn't ready to step away from my games. Now, I can recognize that my decision is made.

I want to thank you for having me with you on your adventures. It’s really meant so much. Play-by-post has been such a large part of my life, and I’ve had the chance to interact with such phenomenal people that I never would have connected with otherwise. To step away has felt like leaving home.

But I am still not ready to return. I might be ready again, maybe one day soon. If so, I look forward to seeing what you’re all up to. I really do wish you all the very best.

-Wicked

Mental health always comes first. I truly wish you the best.

No worries Anneka. This whole quarantine thing has thrown a lot of us for a loop. Do what you need to do. We'll still be here if you want to stop by in the future.

It really has thrown me off and affected my own posting rate. Take care and do check in with us when/if you return.

Glad to hear from, Anneka! Sorry for the troubles you're having, but I think most would understand. It's been a big adjustment for me and my family, also. I'm happy you're doing what you need to do to manage.

I got contacted out of the blue by a player who has gotten to book five previously with a ranger and was asking about reworking the character into a cleric of Erastil to join you guys? I'm thinking if we did include them they'd be in with a bunch of prisoners that have been captured and hauled back here. Anneka could stick around to keep them safe while he move on with you guys?

Cool with me.

I'm for it.

Fine with me.

Yup, sounds good.

FYI, I'm working on a few tight deadlines right now and might not be able to post as often as usual. If you have to bot me for something, you're welcome to. Thanks in advance.

No problem Ferocia, I can't point fingers these days on that front.

@Wicked: Sorry to see you depart. Take care!

@All: Apologies for my own absence. That life thing again.

On a cheerier note, I'm all for a new player!

Just putting it out there, I'm running a Ruins of Azlant game Anneka was in. We're in book two and depending how things go might wrap things up at the end of book three for full disclosure there but if things get a bit more steady then we might go the whole way. The group is level five. I'd highlight Locathah are now very much a viable option as the party have made friendly contact with a group of them!

A real life friend of mine gave PBP a try but it just didn't pan out longterm so there's actually two slots.

What does the current Ruins of Azlant party look like? Looking for a certain class?

I started in a game of that, but the DM bailed, so never got far. Would be fun to do more of it... and Locathah sounds fun to try if you want one of them to come along. :)

I'm a half-elf cartographer-archetype investigator. Skills guy.
Drazh is a (hilarious) undine kineticist. Blaster, but also pulls double-duty as our healer.
Creydon is a gillman beastrider cavalier with Schrödinger's camel. Our front-liner.

Anneka was a druid, and we also recently lost a mage.

We're still in the exploration phase of the AP. We still don't know what's happened to the first colony, although we've found two of those colonists who can't tell us what's happened to the others.

So... cleric, sorcerer, ranger, bard? Do you guys want a full healer or half healer to help out the kineticist, or would you rather have some some extra damage or magic?

Can you link me to the campaign so I can see the build rules?

I'd just like to have you join. Whatever you make will be a net gain. My healing is limited only by how much nonlethal damage a player can take. Which means that it is limited, but it's there. We wouldn't say no to healing, but it isn't something that you should feel like you have to do.

here is the campaign.

Yeah, what Drazh said. I'm usually not of the mind that we need any particular role filled. Sometimes it's more fun to find creative solutions to problems. And sometimes those creative solutions involve more firepower.

I think anything that's a 9 level or 6 level caster would be worthwhile, but anything at all that you bring to the table would be great.

Okay... might not be able to have a full character done till the weekend, just because of work, but will make something.

Sounds good Azalia. While the party would benefit from a bit more healing its not a necessary and even then wouldn't need to be as focused as a cleric, even just a ranger or a celestial sorcerer's healing ability would be great. But the party has all the basics covered at least to some degree.

Sorry for the delay. I'll be another day.

Side note: Marten, you crack me up.

Side note: Marten, you crack me up.

RPGs are just a way for me to be a smartass with impunity.

Hey folks. I've been wiped with a cold... then felt rough today. Now I'm awaiting a covid-19 test. I hope to catch up again soon.

Hang in there, Creydon. Hope you feel better soon.

I was chatting to him on discord last night and he seems to be doing a bit better.

I'm running Extinction Curse and the group are really enjoying it. We just hit part three of the first book. The players are really enjoying the system and the adventure.

Drazh has the heartseeker enchantment.

"A heartseeker weapon is drawn unerringly toward beating hearts. A heartseeker weapon ignores the miss chance for concealment against most living targets, though the attack must still target the proper square. This special ability does not apply against aberrations, oozes, plants, outsiders with the elemental subtype, or any creature specifically noted to lack a heart."

So I'm guessing that this must be an aberration. <sad noises>

Yes it is. I completely failed to register you have heartseeker. I should remember it more in future now.

Heya folks. No covid but a rough sinus infection. That's mostly gone now. Catching up is the phrase of the day. :)

Glad to hear it!

Azalia: "I swear, dicebot is trying to sabotage me. Also, I have a way better stealth score than Drazh, but I wouldn't mind having the ring so I could be invisible almost all the time. Totally willing to let it go if someone else wants it for defensive purposes though."

If Drazh had the ring, all he'd probably do with it is pretend to be a wizard.

"Oi, Marten! Look, I'm a wizard! Now ye see me...now ye don't! Haha! A'int magic grand? This ring is the best, 'cause now we're one and the same. Maybe I'll teach at yer wee little school too, eh? We can eat lunch together in the teacher's lounge while shaping the youth into proper dress-wearing finger-wagglers."

And while that would be fun, I think that you would make better use of it than that.

"Oi, Marten! Look, I'm a wizard! Now ye see me...now ye don't! Haha! A'int magic grand? This ring is the best, 'cause now we're one and the same. Maybe I'll teach at yer wee little school too, eh? We can eat lunch together in the teacher's lounge while shaping the youth into proper dress-wearing finger-wagglers."

"Actually, Drazh, I can see you. This is because I have used my arcane talents to have a permanent effect on me that allows me to see invisible objects and creatures. It's a very difficult procedure, but I managed it, of course. I'd be more than happy to go over the basics with you before you begin any lectures on the magic of lifting heavy objects or the defensive capabilities of willful ignorance."

I agree that Azalia should take the ring.

Hey, so Anneka is gone now, right? Can we have any of the cure wands that were in her inventory?

wand of cure light wounds x2
wand of cure moderate wounds
Wand of cure light wounds (46 charges)

We also need an IC reason for her disappearance. Any ideas?

Her parents found out what she's been up to and grounded her.

Is Anneka the only one gone?

Creydon was sick for a bit, and has said he was trying to catch up. That was over two weeks ago, though.

Heads Up -- I will be traveling/visiting with family starting November 18th through December 2.

Traveling days I won't be able to post (driving cross-country), and I am not sure whether I will have time while visiting with family, so please feel free to either bot my character or put her on ice in the meantime.

Apologies for the extended absence. I'll be on mostly normally till Wednesday, so if you have questions/requests before I go, let me know.

Have fun!

The holiday season usually slows down PbPs on this board.

Indeed! Have fun, and let this be a message on all of our shared games. :)

Firstly ye have all of the wands... I have no great idea of how to write her out where you were. The replacement PC bowed out.

On Creydon I suspect we've all been there trying to get back on top of a load of PBP games after a build up. He's had another reason to delay but that seems to be getting sorted now.

For writing them out, one idea is the two of them researching tomes/evidence while the rest of us explore further. It would let Creydon catch up with us when he gets back, and we can always say that Anneka did heroic stuff off screen. I mean...if we go to finish off the BBEG, it makes sense for his reinforcements to be held back.