Saga of the Taighean Dubha - a Reign of Winter PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

"Tea is for the auld women... guðsifjar (gossiping) by the hearth..."

Kló shakes his head, giving his small half-grin. ”I’ve been called worse.” He looks over at the warrior. ”And by nicer people. You’re slipping.”

He nods to Rikka’s response and begins stowing the gear in a corner… his own and whatever else looks like it could be cargo, including the bags they’re carrying their loot in.

And just so it’s not lost, VoV, Kló is still waiting on an answer to this post from above. (I know yu’re unavailable, but I just don’t want it to get overlooked.)

Also, in case it's not obvious, here's what Kló is trying to do. I don't know how much time we'll end up spending in town, but—given his complete lack of social skills—he'd like to set someone up as being seen as the leader. And he'd like to do it in subtle ways (again, to avoid having to actually try to come up with a convincing lie himself).
.
So if the inn-keeper and tea-drinking locals here make the assumption that Rikka (our best liar and visually least threatening) is a traveling merchant of some sort... it gives her freedom to come up with whatever cover we end up needing.
.
I figure a traveling merchant has reason enough to be in town, get caught by that storm, need to resupply, and be interested in what's going on locally.

The barmaid does not release the earthen jug of wine to Skane until her eyes are crossed with coin, though does so with a grunt when recompensed. She also lays out smaller ceramic cups that seem to serve double purpose as either receptacles for the thin but potent moonshine, or a more palatable hot herbal tea.

To Klo she answers "If you want for supplies... Verana’s Sundries is the only store in Waldsby. Across the square."

At the implicit acceptance of sleeping in the common room the lady waits for further coin to be provided before replying "I am Katrina, you keep your gear in pile until darkness, then can lay out for sleeping."

Skane's keen sense of people skills don't pick up much of interest about the other patrons - likely farmers or workers just as apt to keep to themselves unless pressed. The proprietor's though are off-putting to his sensibilities... not that they pose a physical threat - more that Katrina's gaze is o'er narrow and too piercing for his liking. The mirror that hangs behind the bar also makes him uneasy.

With a nod and a smile Skäne places 8 gold into the innswoman's hand waiting hand;

"Fimm gull penningr (Five gold coins) for our keep woman..."

The vikingr keeps his heavy hand pressed around hers as his tone takes on a harder edge;

"... the other þrír (three) are to keep tunga (tongues) from wagging and our gear from light fingr (fingers)..."

I know it'll only cost us a silver (each) to kip on the common room floor, but Skäne isn't convinced by Katrina... the coin may buy us some leeway if she's the greedy type

Kló sets the gear in an easily-watched corner, nodding to the bystanding farmers as he passes. When he comes back to the bar, he looks around, a gesture that seems to include the entire village outside the walls of the tavern before he settles his dark eyes on Katrina.

"Folks seem real guarded around here. There something going on that we should know about? Hate to step into the middle of anything if we can avoid it."

"If it's not too late."

Katherson begins looking over their lodgings, keen to ensure no strange bugs share the floor.

Annalisa takes a seat, her back to a wall, where she can observe the room and exit(s).

Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

And a Sense Motive for her answer (if necessary)
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

For the moment, Rikka keeps her eyes and ears open.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Sense Motive 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

The gold is made to vanish swiftly, though she does not seem over thankful for it. To Klo's words she offers just a shrug of her shoulders and a statement "It is Irrisen." and with that leaves you to your drinks.

Neither Rikka nor Annalisa can see any nascent danger ready to strike, and there is no inner thought or motive that you can ken from the words of the barmaid.

Plans before resting the night?

Might as well check out the local store? Although we should expect a welcome such as THIS! in Irrisen ;)

Skäne gestures to the door;

"We should visit this kaupmaðr (trader) nei? Perhaps unburden some of our auðr (treasure/riches) for some of theirs?"

Kló nods, doing his best to finish up his drink before picking up the packs that contain their tradeable goods (aka our FAT LOOTZ).

But before they leave, he gets up and follows Katrina. "I'm supposed to keep these people safe so they can do their job, and I'm fairly certain it's obvious we're not from Irrisen. Maybe you could elaborate? I'm sure we could find a way to make it worth your while."

If she's unwilling, Kló's ready to head out. I just hate to miss an opportunity to get some information from one of the people in town who's likely to have some extra information and a willingness/experience with dealing with outsiders.

willingness/experience with dealing with outsiders... that was Nadya...

Katrina offers scant detail for Klo, adding only "The jadwiga have long arms, sharp ears and farseeing eyes." before muttering that she has work to do.

Unless you guys want to narrate through shopkeepery - here's the details:

Looking back at the description of the Spear here, do we need an Appraise check? I guess we could just sell it as a +1 boar spear.
Appraise: 1d20 ⇒ 2; fairly confident that won't cut it.

Will people take a quick look at the loot page and point out if there’s anything you want to keep? I figure we liquidate everything we can. I don’t see that any of our items are over the purchase limit, so we should be able to sell everything (unless I misunderstand the system).

If we sell everything, we’ll each get 1216.28 gold. (Though there’s an un-appraised painting of Whitethrone on the list). Let me know.

As the group heads over to the trader—Kló carrying much of the gear—he speaks up, his deep voice pitched low so as not to carry beyond the group. ”So what’s our move? We need information about the Tower… it’s defenses. And if there’s one thing that business with Nadya showed me,” his face darkens at the memory, ”It’s that not everyone here in Irrisen is necessarily our enemy. But how to tell the difference? People were never a strength of mine.”

Couple of wee things... the Potions of Featherstep - thought we'd distributed them amongst us previously? Skäne used his chasing down the forlorran in the snow...

Also my vikingr did mighty well out of the last cut - I've gained MW Chainmail; MW Longsword and Cloak of the Yeti... but since he's a total merc basterd Skäne will happily accept a equal cut lol... Just throwing my thoughts out there...

(for the record my lad will happily snag a sapphire ring - all about the bling in Taldor lol)

Skäne trudges alongside his chief flashing a wolvish grin at Kló's last words;

"That's why you got me chief... þjóð (people) are minn specialty. Ask me we treat them all as foes..."

The vikingr hacks a glob of phlegm into the snow mind-stride.

"Mind the vorðr (guard) did hyggja (see) our arrival... I reckon the Fǫlr-Gnæfa (Pale-Tower) will come knocking for us soon enough... Heh. When they do we drepa (kill) all but one. Beygja (Bend) his ribs until he sings all he knows..."

Good catch on the Featherstep potions; I’ve removed them from the list.
.
And for simplicity, I’d prefer to keep stuff like the chainmail, longsword, and cloak as “group assets” that are simply being used by Skäne for the time being. Anything you want to buy for your character proper (including any of those items), I’d suggest you buy-out at the value we’d get for selling it. So, for the jewelry, remove 75g from your cut, and we’ll redistribute that to everyone else. You okay with that?

Kló shakes his head, a touch of humor in his tone, ”Can always count on you, Skäne.” His usual serious reserve returns, ”Though we’ll go down that road if it becomes necessary. We might be able to keep our heads low and out of jadwigas' claws if we can come up with the right plan.”

He looks to the others, seeing if they have any other thoughts on the issue.

I'm good with selling off most of this stuff and I have no problem with party loot that doesn't count as someone's cut unless they choose to buy it. I'm not really a worrier about monetary equity so long as items go to the people who can put them to best use.
If I could figure a way to use that magic Boar-Spear to power up Riimukirjain (my boar-spear), I'd do it. But I think that's impossible so I'm good with selling it.

Nae worries regards the trade of 75gp slice o' the action for the sapphire ring

On a separate note Rikka raises an interesting point... several of us have "signature" weapons or armour; Skäne = Hvítr-Ljón (Taldan shield); Kló = Blóð'steinn (jotunn shortsword); Rikka = Riimukirjain (boarspear); Annalisa = Finnr's Sword (family longword). Casting my mind back there was an intimation that such items might advance with their owners? Is this something that will occur at each juncture of the AP DmVoV or is this something we'd have to have forged/enchanted etc?? Personally I like the idea of items, trusted and named travelling the course with us...

"So, we wait until we're attacked? We'll need to put a watch up then, no sense making it easy for them."

Nae worries regards the trade of 75gp slice o' the action for the sapphire ring

On a separate note Rikka raises an interesting point... several of us have "signature" weapons or armour; Skäne = Hvítr-Ljón (Taldan shield); Kló = Blóð'steinn (jotunn shortsword); Rikka = Riimukirjain (boarspear); Annalisa = Finnr's Sword (family longword). Casting my mind back there was an intimation that such items might advance with their owners? Is this something that will occur at each juncture of the AP DmVoV or is this something we'd have to have forged/enchanted etc?? Personally I like the idea of items, trusted and named travelling the course with us...

** spoiler omitted **

I'm going through some life crap atm and am a bit distracted from everything. Skane's suggestions for Annalisa's loot/purchase sound fine to me, if someone would take the time to figure out the money part for me I would be greatly appreciative. Also, as a note, as Skane mentioned many of us have named/important weapons. Annalisa will most definitely not be trading up her father's sword, she will always use it, modifications are acceptable but it's her weapon of choice always.

Spear of manhunting - 3,925gp value
Unless you want to take the Fafhrd and Mouser approach - I'd be happy for you to in essence geld the spear's particulars onto Riimukirjain. Probably best for when there's a wee bit o' downtime though.
I did indeed intend for objects to advance with owners, just haven't had the time to actually do aught about the organisation of same :P

Oh... and when you sleep - goto Level 3

Sorry for the absence. Wierd Monday. Be back on in the morning.

Kló scowls at Katherson’s mention of waiting to be attacked. ”Sounds like a good way to get in a bad way.” He hikes the packs up onto his shoulders as he walks and thinks. From the look on his face, the thinking is a painful process. ”We stopped in town to get information, and I’d rather not put my paw in every trap the jadwiga lay for us.”

He looks at Annalísa, Rikka, and Katherson, ”Skäne looks like a thug, and I’ve always made people uncomfortable even when I’m trying to be nice.” He shakes his head, clearly not understanding why that is. ”Can you three see if the town’s trader has any information?” He shrugs, ”Play the part of the traveling merchant. Maybe there’s people in town more likely to help outsiders. Maybe they know someone who will have some information about who and what is in that tower. I don’t know, there’s gotta be something. And if they don’t like your merchant story, use the truth for a lie… you were hired to do a job finding a woman, it went sideways, and now we’re trying to make the best of the situation with the gear and supplies we found along the way.” He looks around uncomfortably, ”I don’t know… something like that. Make something up. But I don’t like just sitting around waiting for the trap to shut on us.”

Maybe the ship has sailed on getting useful information from the locals when we bungled the Nadya situation. But now that we’re here (and likely noticed by at least someone), I think we should try to make the best of it. Short of someone being able to come up with something, I’m actually pretty likely to follow Skäne’s suggestion to et some information about what we’re likely to encounter in the tower. Nab a guard, make him talk. But we could at least ask a few questions before then, if we can do so in a way that we have a plausible reason why we would be (without drawing too much suspicion).
.
And about the spear, Rikka, it’s totally your call. If you want to hold onto it until we see what our DM has in store for our signature items, I’m fine with that. Just let us know. If you decide you do want to use the spear’s essence for Riimukirjain, you can “buy” it at sell-value (1962.5g?) and we’ll all distribute it between the rest of us. But like i said, I’m happy to wait to see what DM VoV has in store if you’d like to.

If there are items other folks want to buy in town, then it would be better for me to 'buy' the spear so you guys have more cash on hand to spend now. I also have about 300 GP I've squirreled away which I could throw into the kitty on top of what my cut would be.

Figure I'll bust a move here. Rikka heads over to the traders to sell their wares and try to get a better feel for the situation. She approaches the trader, trying to play to whatever assets she has. "Good day, sir. We're looking to sell, buy, or perhaps trade for goods. We have a selection of items that will hopefully catch your interest." She shrugs helplessly admitting, "But we're newcomers here and we don't know your market. Any advice you could give a fellow merchant and traveler would not go amiss, sir. We don't want to offend any of the locals by selling something sacred... and we've drawn some strange looks in town. It makes me think, we've done something wrong already..." Rikka does her best doe-eyed, imploring look.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Boom. He got diplo'd.

Kló follows Rikka to the trader, unshouldering the packs and getting the sellable items ready to show the man as he mentally shakes his head at the small magic-user. He watches the man's reactions and responses, as well as casting an eye over the man's store for useful items to buy.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Would other magical stuff like wands, potions, or scrolls of Endure Elements be available here?

Annalisa follows Rikka, her cleavage showing as much as she dare let it in the freezing weather but remains silent. She knows that she's much better at scaring people than winning them over to her side. So, she stands, chest out and smiles, hoping only that it makes her look more attractive and not like a threatening sneer.

Katherson also moves forward to assist Rikka in his limited way.

"And if we were to establish a regular route, could you tell us what the people here most crave, and if there any good routes to and from town? I'm afraid we got terribly lost in the recent blizzard and I wouldn't want to take that path regularly if there's a faster way."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Will level up tonight once the squid is in bed.

Skäne shakes his head quietly at Annalisa's display.

However for the main part he lurks at the back, one eye on the town outside as the other conduct their negotiations.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Will likewise level up when I get the opporchancity

Would be nice to get all the levelling in before we go too much further... for no reason at all *unconvincing nonchalant whistling*
Some limited magical items are available, state explicitly what you're looking for and I'll respond.

The trader is far more interested in the bite of the coin offered than the nameless pleasures offered by the chasm between Annalisa's breasts. He scoffs at the eyes of doe "Cannot fool me, you would be dead before you got to Waldsby if you were as innocent as you say. Best routes into town and out are clear enough if eyes are open. You want to know best, go to the Pale Tower... they look over and stand above us."

More directly "Buy what you will, I will give coin for what has value... but naught else"

So you don't want us to wait until after they've slept?

I went ahead and updated Kló to 3rd. I've included the 2 new 2nd level spells; let me know if those are available now or if Kló needs to sleep first for those.

Kló scowls at the man’s response as he lays out the gear they’re looking to off-load. ”We will, then. Who should we talk to at the Tower? To get information?” He looks around at the trader’s wares as he continues, ”And you’re right, we’re no fools… happy to trade coin for information. There’s always value in information, from any credible source.”

Looking for 5 scrolls of Endure Elements (or as many as there are) as well as a few Lesser Restorations or Delay Poisons.

EDIT: added 1 more scroll to the list.

Skäne barks his 2 silfr's worth in from the front of the shop;

"Trade for hervápn (weapons) too auld man. I need an øx (ax) or two balanced for kasta (throwing)... You have any?"

Will level up tonight... still undecided on my feat

Standard (read - not cold iron) weapons are available.
Assumption that I am making is that you deal with some minor shopping and then go straight to sleep.

The trader looks at Klo as though his words were unintelligible "The Tower can speak for itself if you care to go there."

Klo cannot find any restoratives or poison banes, but manages to find but one scroll to ward against the cold.

I’m moving us into the new/simpler loot distribution method. So if you have a problem with that, please speak up now.

Also, DMVoV, can you verify that all in that spoiler is kosher? Also, does the shop have any Alchemist’s fires or Acid flasks? And how about some masterwork Healer’s tools?

Kló’s scowl at the man deepens, then he begins the (painful) process of haggling, asking about a few additional items that might help the team.

Skäne checks the weight of each axe with a nod, then smiles grimly at his comrades;

"Have a notion to test them out... rest, breakfast then we raid the Pale Tower nei?"

New loot method works for me.

I'm thinking you don't want to talk about raiding the tower in front of the surly merchant. :)

Planned to test them out on him T800 style lol

I’m moving us into the new/simpler loot distribution method. So if you have a problem with that, please speak up now.

** spoiler omitted **

Also, DMVoV, can you verify that all in that spoiler is kosher? Also, does the shop have any Alchemist’s fires or Acid flasks? And how about some masterwork Healer’s tools?

Shouldn't Annalisa's "share" of the money and whatever money she already has go towards the +2 Studded Leather?

Skäne motions the trader over;

"You sell any liquor here auld man? The road can be thirsty..."

No to the alchemical items, but yes to masterwork healer's tools.

The trader shakes his head "Only liquor is at Weasel."

Your business with the trader is concluded, and despite the looks askance and suspicion - no harm befalls you that night.

Morning comes and you are rested... and ready to face the day, and whatever it might bring. The barmaid has not yet risen as you awake.

Plans for today?

Kill stuff.

Lots o' stuff.

Anything more directed than wandering outside and wholesale slaughtering the first thing to look your way?

"What is our plan? Now that we have the lay of the town, perhaps a better idea has come to us?"

At this point (and unless I hear otherwise), I think Skäne’s idea of nabbing a Tower guard and extracting information is the only way we’re going to get it… at least that I can think of.

Kló shakes his head, ”These townsfolk are useless.” He looks around to make sure they’re not overheard before continuing, his voice a low growl, ”I say we rest up and either grab a Tower guard or just go hit the tower. Be easy enough to pack up and leave town, then simply circle back around to the Tower and look for entrances.”

No objection here.

The group seemingly in agreement (unless you have a better idea, Kath), Kló nods and begins gathering his gear along with any extra bags they still have from their loots (which, at this point, is next to nothing except the added boar spear and maybe a few nik-naks.)

Pack settled on his thick, sloping shoulders, Kló gives the Weasel a dark look, "Let's get on the road."

Survival (to predict weather for next 24 hours.
Survival DC15: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Dang, that's 1 short of getting an additional day of weather-sense.

"Aye." Annalisa looks up at the White Tower and slowly grins. "This ought to be fun. It's a shame we lost Elghund. He would have enjoyed this."

Packing up your gear, you make it out of the White Weasel before your hostess awakens to usher you out and move into the post-dawn. The air is crisp and clear, though clouds still cover much of the sky. Klo wagers that the blizzard took most of the snow out of the clouds for at least a day, but it's likely to get back to snowing late in the day. Outside of that... it's cold... cold as an ice witch's heart.

The village is still in the nascent throes of awakening, and for at least a span of minutes you are essentially alone upon the cobbled street.

[oPerception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Skäne trudges along grumbling, yet completely oblivious to anything outside putting one foot in front of the other on the icy cobbles.