Strike the Earth: Histories of Greed and Determination (Inactive)

Game Master djdust

Gore! On Red: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 3) + 12 = 17

Toulbe spins to face away from Bistro so that he can direct better. "Attack the one on your right!" he says before spinning back to face him again.

He begins tapping his foot on the stone ground and clapping his hands to a drum beat only he can hear.

Hezekh hustles forward, trying to draw a bead on one of the remaining skeletons.

Double move

For the sake of simplicity pet's assume Helga didn't move during her last turn.

The commander stomps on the skeletona as she marches forward, bringing her axe down on the next animated corpse.

Smal, power attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 26
damage, bashing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Phone posting so I can't move her. She should be able to get into melee with a NE, NE, E,E route.

Urist will cover the buffing and cast Guidance on Boomer.

Goggeck stampedes ahead and utterly annihilates a skeleton. Boomer’s secret recipe blasts the last one to smithereens.

Combat Over!

The two remaining guards try to catch their breath. They exchange glances and wipe the sweat from their brow. “Aye, ye saved our asses,” one says to Goggeck, extending a hand over the pile of bone dust between them.

“Aye, poor Gerlach,” says the other as a weeping dwarf comes running through the gathered crowd of migrants tow the fallen guardsdwarf.

Girtul isn’t too far behind her. He addresses Goggeck while trying to console the poor woman, “The undead came from that direction,” he indicates the northern set of stairs, “maybe go check it out, make sure it’s clear before calling it a day.”

Although low on resources, it is decided to act on Girtul’s wisdom. Down the stairs, the expedition finds a dark and gloomy catacombs. Many a stone sarcophagi have been desecrated and disturbed, with the lids opened and contents emptied. It seems these unconsecrated tombs have been the source of many of the skeletal undead faced by our heroes.

The empty tombs turn out to be not so empty after all. You are able to find:
2 platinum pieces, 47 gold pieces, assorted jewelry, 1x Silken Ceremonial Armor, 2x Light Maces, 1x Cold Iron Heavy Mace, 1x Oil of Magic Weapon, 1x Scroll of Protection from Energy.

Do you take from the disturbed graves of undead Dwarven ancestors? Even Droskarites?

Once this moral quandary is settled, you are free to return to camp for rest and recuperation.

...And a Level Up!

Adu catalogs the newfound treasure numbly. Whether they take it with them or leave it in the graves doesn't matter to her. She's too exhausted, both physically and emotionally, to care.

Back at the campsite she looks for Girtul, talking to him whenever he seems to have a spare moment. "Girtul? I just wanted to let you know, when the advance group moves forward, I'm going with them. If today is any indication, they're going to need all the help they can get." Under her breath, she adds, "Though I'm not sure how much help I'll be."

She perks up a bit as Toulbe creates a veritable feast and happily chows down, although she's still unusually quiet. After eating she withdraws to a quiet corner and spends time writing in her obsession log.

Goggeck stares at the grave goods. And ponders whether the group could seize the lucre in good conscience, or at least put it towards a dwarven cause.

Knowledge Religion on what Trudd and the dwarven pantheon have to say on the matter: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14

Knowledge History on how dwarven heroes of days past handled such matters: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 24

Our need be great. And these graves have been defined already. I say we take what be useful and set the graves ta right in recompense.

Goggeck spends a moment in prayer with his favored god, and knows that Trudd favors the brave and the mighty. Service to Trudd means service in defense, defending the honor of all Dwarven kind. Droskar is the least honorable and most despised of the pantheon, but evidence in this place hints at the enslavement of these people in this place, in life and in death. Although most dwarves would abhor the thought of desecrating a grave, you’ve done the honor of putting the dead to rest, and hey, Glor has a point.

Boomer took off his hat and paid his respects to the fallen guard.

"We should re-bury them all," he said, looking concerned at the remains of the undead. "What they became wasn't their fault."

"Maybe we c'n re-consecrate the cairn to Trudd instead o' Droskar?"

Goggeck nods, and speaks.

"Trudd favours bravery and strength in the defense of Dwarven kind. We have put these dead to rest, and we can indeed put this wealth to proper use. We should take it, and also make a more wholesome fate for these desecrated dead."

Toulbe doesn't worry so much on the things that don't concern him. There is simply too much to do to get down at this moment. He starts work of making a mushroom and cured meat stew using some of the ale the dwarves have brought. He hums softly so as not to bother the others as they go about their work and/or grieving. After all, he didn't want to be rude. But he did his best to offer a meal hearty enough to eat through the despair.

Profession Cook: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

So its agreed we are. Glor notes. Then addressing the dead he says Ancestors, we beseech ye ta understand tha our need be great and tha what we take here we no not do so outa greed. Each item we borrow will belong to the clan and be put ta use as is proper for a dwarf. We promise ta do ya proud! With that he begins to gather the valuables. We should be making a proper armory and assign these itmes where they will do the most good.

Chapter 3: Into the Great Wide Open

Clang! Clang! Clang! the sound of Gunnar’s lonely hammering away at the forge continues to ring throughout the halls of the Theocrat’s Vault like an appropriate Dwarven funeral dirge. Aval, Gerlach’s now widow, gathers her husband’s fallen body. She spends the night tenderly washing and anointing him while close friends stand by in quiet contemplation. She ends her vigil by wrapping his body in clean linens.

Aval asks Goggeck to pray over her husband’s body and grasps him by the arm, “Rid dis vile place o’ evil so me ‘usband c’n drink in de ‘alls o’ Torag an’ not rise again as de murd’rous bones what killed ‘im.”

The Image of Droskar is happy and proud to clean the halls of destroyed undead. He shows Urist and the Commander how he’s been sweeping everything into the one room with all the bones, the one the grey ooze emerged from. Seeing the state of the sacrificial altar room, he shouts “Oh no! This will not stand!” and begins repairing the cracked wall.

Toulbe leads a small kitchen staff in the preparation of a hearty meal, renewing the souls of the mourning migrants and the brave expedition, now skilled and experienced, no longer the green warriors they set out as. Four green crystals have been recovered, two remain to be set in their corresponding statuary in order to dig deeper into the mystery of the Theocrats’ Vault.

While Adu is busy sorting through and inventorying all the items recovered from the dungeon, she is approached by the ostentatiously decorated dwarf. “Th’ name’s Sankest Barrelbottom, ma’am. I see yer th’ one ta talk ta if’n I may declare interest in procurrin’ from yer loot. I got some o’ th’ finest goods from Taggoret meself, if’n yer interested in makin’ a trade.”

The Loot Sheet is updated. Here’s what I’ve got down as unclaimed loot. Please look through this and claim what you want. Then Sankest will make an offer on what you’ve got leftover.

Hezekh spends the next few days working on his technique, practicing striking the same spot repeatedly, doing some light reading, and smithing the odd piece of gear that someone needs.

Goggeck readily accedes to Aval's request to perform a service over Gerlach's body. And nods when she addresses him.

"By the strong arm of Trudd, I shall do my part to secure these halls for dwarf-kind. Gerlach will have an honorable resting place."

I'll properly read over the loot list this evening.

"Greetings Sankest." Adu looks over her inventory with a critical eye. "Let me double-check with my companions to see which items they want to keep, but I'm sure I'll have plenty of loot to trade. What do you have in stock?"

Glor considers the loot for a moment before commenting I'll not be needing a weapon ta weigh me down. Earth provides. And he conjures a crystalline energy blade from the essence of earth and stone around him with a smile. Its better armor I could put to good use and that's for sure. Me armor is dwarven made and that means well made it is, but its still simple hide. And if Sankest Barrelbottom has a shirt of chain links that is as well made or even, dare I say it, one of mithral, then I'd give me hide armor and all me share o loot, and even some of my future share for such a thing.

Glor has a MW hide shirt. Would love to upgrade to a MW chain shirt or ideally a mithril chain shirt.

Hezekh lingers toward the back, waiting his turn, but his ears perk up at the mention of mithral. That would indeed be fine armor.

"I would also be keen to acquire superior armour. That said, we do have two breastplates. I could take one to save on resources. Either way, my old chainmail can be used by another or sold on."

Inquisitor trained in medium armour

"And do any wish to wield the adamantine warhammer? If not, we should keep it for the good of the group, as it can bypass protections otherwise unassailable."

Might be useful for mining later as well. Glor muses over the hammer. I could see a mining bonus because we have it once we start mining. :)

I added a bit about chainmail. :)

Urist considers the inventory of trade items. "Well, nothin' tha' can't be solved with a bit o' glue. Tha' and ah think we can use as many 'ealin' potions as we can carry! Hmm... these souped-up acid mixtures could melt a bothersome ooze in a fight. Bound ta fight more o' those, right? And tha' portable lab's a real useful thing, let's grab tha' while we're at it!"

After that, he sets aside a small pile consisting of the embalming fluid, a scroll of gentle repose, and the onyx. "And as grim as it may be, we may need ta prepare for tha worst. Think we should claim these?"

The commander nudges Urist and glances towards the group. "And while you're trading, don't forget raw materials. They're cheaper, and we can always use them to craft the things we need. Assuming we can coordinate our talents."

"I'm a practiced stonemason, and Urist is..." she glances at the smiling, absent-minded dwarf as he examines the onyx. "...prone to fey moods. When you catch him at a good time and you've got the right materials, he can imbue a small trinket with a some magic."

“Greetings from the mountainhome! Your efforts are legend there. Let us trade!”

Sesnack looks over the recovered goods with an inspectful eye. As he does, Adu reports that the group has 141 gold and 2 silver to share. Sesnack finishes his appraisal, and tells Adu he’ll offer 4,200 gold for the recovered goods.

Or, Sesnack tells you, he’ll happily exchange an equal value of goods. He uncovers his wagon and shows off his wares.

Glor looks over the offered trade goods before responding No armor? We are trading in some good breastplates. I had hoped you’d have some good light armor for trade.

Nothing here for Glor.

look again :)

Did I miss that or did you add it. :) On my phone so anything is possible.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Adu's eyebrows raise as she consults her sheet. Hmmm. 4,200? Sounds fair to me.

"I do believe we have a deal, Mr. Barrelbottom. We'll be looking over your supply and seeing what we can use, then take gold for the remainder. Assuming that works for you, of course."

Finally home. Mondays and Wednesdays are long days.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 Aye. Your offer is more than fair Mr. Barrelbottom. I'm thinkin you'll be welcome here as often as ya want ta com and you'll get favorable terms from me for as long as ya do come. Glor smiles and offers his had to seal the deal. Just as he shakes he spots something.

Ah, here's the armor, under all these boxes of alchemical. I shoulda known a fine dwarf such as yourself woulda brought good armor and I'm right glad thatcha did. Glor holds up a mithril chain shirt and comments Now that's fine work it is.

Appraise: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Goggeck nods.

"That is a fine offer, Mister Barrelbottom. I too would accept it."

Speaking to the others, Hezekh says "That vermin repellent looks mighty handy. We've dealt a lot with rats and spiders. Of course, the acid, alchemist's fire, and the like will do the trick as well. Personally, I might pick up some different ammo for me crossbow."

4200 total is 600 GP each, right?

That seems right if we are splitting evenly. I am torn on the mithril armor. Its not an AC boost for me. But its a reduction in armor check penalty and allows for more dex down the line - I am maxed out dex wise with the current armor. I can trade in my masterwork hide shirt, or make it available to the party, but I would still be 400 short of getting the armor upgrade. So I can pass for now and lend my gold to someone else if they are short.

Adu doesn't really need to buy anything, so I'm fine with Glor spending 'her' share on the armor.

Same. Goggeck would gladly help Glor get superior armour.

Urist is more than happy to chip in to help a party member get an armored advantage. Most of what he needs to fight is built into Helga, after all. Besides, "having a different party member alive and healthy to eat knuckle sandwiches on your behalf" is the best form of AC there is!

Very well. :)

Mr. Barrelbottom, it seems that with the help o' my fine and generous friends I'll be buying ya fine mithril chain shirt. I'll be tradin in this also quite fine hide shirt and expect top trade I do. Its in good shape and should bring ya top price to that right buyer.

OK. Borrowing 200 gp from Adu, Goggeck and Urist to pay 1100.00 for the armor. Thanks all!

Adu spends some time poring over Sesnack's wares. "Hmmm. I'll take all of your crossbow bolts, never know when different ones will come in handy. I'll also take the scrolls of comprehend languages, identify, and remove sickness. 2 flasks each of acid, alkali, and vermin repellent, and 1 each of antiplague and antitoxin. I think that will do for now."

Total cost: 251gp. Adu is done shopping.

Toulbe goes about inventorying his cart to see how things are before finally deciding that there is in fact room for some more provisions and such.

He makes his way over to the traveling merchant with his sack of money and starts proceeding to haggle.

Spending 38.2 gold to get all the man's food and beer related stuff. Gonna spend 75 gold as well to buy the Alarm, Animate Rope, and remove Sickness scrolls. Never know when any of those come in super handy.

"We've encountered a fair few oozes and the like. I could use some fire and acid." Hezekh says.

2 each Acid, Alkali, and Alchemist's Fire, please (90 GP). I'd have picked up some alternate crossbow ammo if Adu hadn't beaten me to the punch. lol

Adu will happily share. She just wanted to make sure they weren't left behind.

Goggeck is likelier to be in melee combat so he won't volunteer to take vials. If asked to carry any, he certainly would.

Sesnack begins running calculations on his diamond abacus. “Lessee... Pi divided by 2... carry the one...approachin’ zero... add the square root... cosine... n minus one... find the derivative... aha! Tha’s 2645.8 worth o’ gold remainin’. Ye sure you don’ wan’ more? Didja see this fine array o’ crossbows an’ battle picks? Surely those will come useful.”

Boomer smiles are the scrolls and alchemical supplies.

"Adu, lemme hang ontae those scrolls. I'll work 'em out and make potions from 'em," he said, adding his own list of scrolls to the purchase.

I can add those to my formulae book and make potions for the party on the cheap, Much better than only getting one use out of them.

Adding-
1x Scroll Alarm @ 25gp
1x Scroll Summon Instrument @ 12.5gp
1x Scroll Animate Rope @ 25gp
1x Scroll Detect Metal @ 25gp
1x Scroll Grease @ 25gp

Hezekh hesitates. It is a fine crossbow. "Alrigh' ye talked me into it. I'll be tradin' in me regular crossbow for that fine bit of work ye got there." Hezekh says, pointing to the Masterwork Light Crossbow.

335-17.5 oughta be 317.5, I think.

Goggeck finishes examining a fine heavy crossbow. Finer than his own.

"I will purchase this masterful work. I will give my standard heavy crossbow to a companion or sell it."

"Certainly Boomer, a regular supply of potions will be more useful than a single scroll. I didn't know that was how you learned new formulas. How does it work?"

Having never worked directly with an alchemist before, Adu is genuinely curious about how Boomer's abilities work.

"Eh, I just reverse engineer the wizardy stuff. There's a lot of arcane nonsense that ain't useful tae me. Alchemy is physical. So when a scroll says tae "evoke the aether at point nine of Avedaro's Constant" or some such garbage, I gotta figure out what that means in terms of ingredients. It's an awful lot like makin' a recipe out of someone else's book when they use different measurements and different words for ingredients. It's a giant pain in the arse, but once I figure it out I can do it by the numbers an crank 'em out quick."

"An' don't even get me started on Sorcerer scrolls. They don't ever know what the eff they're talkin' 'bout."

Sesnack adds the scrolls and crossbows to the total, and gladly accepts the inferior crossbows in trade. He counts out a bunch of platinum pieces and puts them in a pouch for Adu. 194pp, 8sp to be exact.

“It be a fair trade. Our fortunes rise and fall together.”

“Be lettin’ me know what sorts’a goods you be needin’ in the future. I’ll be settin’ up another caravan from Taggoret soon.”

Ok, shopping spree complete. A week of downtime was requested? What sorts of activities are you up to before we return to the dungeon?

Glor reads his book!