The Devil's Gorge (and Beyond)!

Game Master Rynjin

It so happens that I just really dislike and distrust a NPC who happens to be a very influential man in the local government (and criminal underworld). I also have literally no other reason to stay... So, yeah... My distaste for the city is real, but not irrational.

Additionally, there is not much adventuring we can do while our gear is being upgraded/fixed/whatever, so why wait?

Last but not least, isn't the whole point of the campaign to travel around looking for ancient ruins and artifacts? I don't think staying around and becoming friends with the local government and underworld fits the theme. We had Myrial for that (and I say this without any intention to offend), but you said it yourself: you don't know where to take that campaign. Why would it be different here?

Nitpick: The whole point of this campaign was basically "do whatever", not any specific theme.

Well... We started the campaign looking for ancient ruins and artifacts. Dorla's backstory says that's she set to do. Thetsu's backstory says he wants to help her... Donovan's backstory doesn't have a clear objective, but the closest thing to it is "learn about his origins", which probably include magic of some sort, considering he was transported to a place he had never seen.

So even if the campaign's point wasn't "learning more about ancient magic", that's basically what the characters' background turned it into (admittedly, I have no idea what's the background of Nicos' character, but it no longer matters, anyway).

Is that what you guys want to do? It wasn't mentioned last time. I can arrange that.

I don't mind if we change the "main goal" of the campaign... Or even if we don't have any main goal at all.

I just don't like the idea of turning this campaign into a poor man's Myrial. In that game we had the whole setup for an game of crime and intrigue in a corrupt city. If you don't think you could make it work there, I just don't see why it'd be any better here, where there is no such setup and our characters aren't built or flavored with that in mind.

The plan wasn't "crime and intrigue" going froward...this is just a city. There were other plot hooks you could have followed without ever encountering the baron again. It's just that when your stated goal was "Find a dangerous thief (turned assassin)", dealing with the criminal element is kind of expected...

The reason Myrial didn't work was because I had no idea how to satisfactorily execute your plan to take over the city.

All that said, I won't claim my opinion and ideas about the campaign are any more important than Redelia's or Scavion's, they may very well completely disagree with me. I also acknowledge the fact that sometimes I can be a pain in the ass...

Still, I don't think I'm wrong this time. It's not just that I don't like the city... I honestly see no reason to stay and I think there are better adventures to be had and stories to be told elsewhere, where we can have a truly new campaign instead of retreading old ground.

Thetsu says his good byes to "Whiskers" and prepares the Mechano-spider for departure.

"So whats the plan? Head back to the Ironpointe, get some leads and whisk off to adventure? Crypts, ruins, ancient towers, ruined keeps...oooh! I know! Maybe there are folks who abuse ancient relics for their own gain. We could look for those and put the hurt on em."

Dorla reclaims her armor and also the new key to Chirrup, which Chirrup presents to Thetsu with a great deal of ceremony. Dorla carefully installs the upgrades to Chirrup while he is in his dream state. He wakes up a little disoriented, but happy. He has played several silly games with Thetsu while they waited for the upgrades.

"We did request several leads on magical stuff when we got the Spider. Let's go back and see what they have for us. Does that sound good to you, Donovan and Chirrup?"

Chirrup happily agrees to the plan.

Uh... Where were we going before we stopped in this city?

Uh... Where were we going before we stopped in this city?

Nowhere. We were in Ironpointe looking for leads to the next cool magical ruin place before we got caught up in a vengeance mission.

Yep. I asked "what do you want to do?" Dorla supplied "HUNT THE F$%$ER DOWN AND STRING HIM UP" and so you did.

So... We go there, I suppose.

It would be nice if at least occasionally you guys would respond to proposals made in character by speaking in character. =/

You journey back to Ironpointe. Your trip is disturbingly uneventful this time.

Thetsu plays with his new clockwork key, rolling it between his fingers, during the rest stops and spending time with Chirrup.

"Feeling better now little guy? All your bits in the right places?"

Donovan hangs a hammock on two walls of the crippled spider and lies on it, lightly swinging from side to side 'til he sleeps.

"Wake me up if you need me..." he says before covering his face with an open book about psionics.

My bad! I thought we had only skipped the days necessary to upgrade our gear and were still travelling. Didn't realize the time skip also included travel time.

"Well... The ISPMF is the obvious way to go, so you guys go talk to them and see what you can learn." says Donovan, "I'll try to contact that Steelbones guy." says Donovan.

Diplomacy/Gather Information: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

To learn more about Steelbones and where/when to find him.

That should take 1d4 ⇒ 2 hours, IIRC.

Oh yeah... Add "finding out about any particularly noteworthy law/rule/custom of the city" to that check.

I need to go to work so I'll check my Ironpointe notes when I get home for more detailed Steelbones info. An interesting custom is that Ironpointers LOVE to haggle. They jack up the prices on their wares with the expectation that you will argue the price, and actually get insulted should you try to pay "market value" for the item (to the point that they may refuse to do business with you).

Also, most Ironpointe clothing comes with a facemask attached, for particularly smoggy days.

"Sounds like a plan. Let's meet up later for brunch."

"I think I may go by The Psionic and Alchemical Reasearch Lab and see if they're looking for anything in particular while Dorla sees the ISPMF. More leads the better!"

Dorla and Chirrup go to the ASPMF to ask for leads. Now that the danger of being compelled to fly away is done, Chirrup rides on Dorla's shoulder unless he wants to take a nap.

Steelbones: Tungdir Steelbones is a Dwarven iron baron, having made his fortune when the city was just starting out. He now owns almost all of the iron mines and most of the steel production in the city, and funnels most of his excess wealth into growing his collection of magical items. He could make you rich men indeed, and is a good man to know if you plan to spend a lot of time in or around Ironpointe.

Plus further info: Rumors go that something is wrong with one of the bigger Steelbones mines, as their production has slowed down this week (and Steelbones is infamous for never slowing or shutting down production without an emergency. Unsafe working conditions are not necessarily an emergency). He's been putting out feelers to "specialists" in the city.

At ISPMF: "What kind of leads are you looking for?"

"We're looking for dangerous places to explore where magical items may be hidden. As we agreed earlier, if we choose not to keep whatever we find based on your leads, you get right of first refusal."

"Y'know where one might find some ancient relics of a bygone era? Preferably somewhere dangerous and life threatening."

"Oh! Or I could help with "reclaiming " a relic that ended up in the wrong hands if you catch my drift." The monk says with a wink.

"We've heard a few rumors, yeah. The biggest is that there's reports of a massive flare of energy coming from a ziggurat in the middle of the wastes. One that they say wasn't there before."

Steelbones: Tungdir Steelbones is a Dwarven iron baron, having made his fortune when the city was just starting out. He now owns almost all of the iron mines and most of the steel production in the city, and funnels most of his excess wealth into growing his collection of magical items. He could make you rich men indeed, and is a good man to know if you plan to spend a lot of time in or around Ironpointe.

Plus further info: Rumors go that something is wrong with one of the bigger Steelbones mines, as their production has slowed down this week (and Steelbones is infamous for never slowing or shutting down production without an emergency. Unsafe working conditions are not necessarily an emergency). He's been putting out feelers to "specialists" in the city.

That's all nice and dandy, but I was hoping for a way to find and/or contact him. Although... It's probably not worth pursuing a third plot hook.

Go to his house. He's famous, and rich. Easy to find. =)

What, do super-rich men simply allow any outsider to enter their houses and demand a conversation?

Doesn't matter, anyway... We already have enough plot hooks. I don't think we need to go after 3 of them at the same time.

Well, you haven't picked one yet, so...

Also remember that he's looking for people to work for him. So you'd go to his house and say "I'm here about the job".

"We've heard a few rumors, yeah. The biggest is that there's reports of a massive flare of energy coming from a ziggurat in the middle of the wastes. One that they say wasn't there before."

"Got any more details? What are the wastes like?"

"That sounds promising. Is there anything else we should know?"

"They're like...wastes? Didn't you bring that robe from Devil's Gorge? Kinda like that. Probably not as bad though, unless the ziggurat changed things."

Dorla politely thanks the person at the ISPMF and then leaves to go meet up with her friends.

From some distance away, Thetsu hears a developing commotion.

"No, lass, Im nah implyin you was cheatin meh! But ya canna expect meh ta pay en full far...such...limited quolotee 'a stones! 'At's robbery et is!"

A rich, booming voice seems to be chastising a merchant or similar, in heavily accented though clearly fluent speech.

Woops, thought you were talking to me Sundakam

Thetsu, while waiting to speak to someone at The Psionic and Alchemical Research Lab, finds the argument of interest and edges closer to see what the fuss is.

I thought you went with Dorla? Why are you at PARL by the way?

No... We split the party in three.

I see that now. Well, we'll pick up at PARL in a bit.

"Robbery!?! These are only the finest stones! They are more than worth the price. More, even! This is a bargain!"

Olsson winces, feeling once again his total ineptitude in social battlefields.

"I-...oh fine, fine; I'll not argyuu eneh longer. I'll take it."

So the duergar picks up a medium power stone, with ONE power, 4th lvl; I choose correspond, because telepathy is cool.

Olsson hands over the gold pieces and sighs before glancing to see the onlooker that has been slowly drawing closer.

The shopkeeper looks disappointed, but begrudgingly hands over the item.

Oh! Just read that shopkeepers in the area are insulted if you dont attempt to bargain with them. Silly me.

Olsson, not wanting to cause any insult, endures another bout of haggling before moving on.

"I'll not be leaving just yet, I'm sure theres gaht to be some way I could get yew tah be a bit more reasonable, is there not?

Olsson then tries to point out a few small imperfections in the dimly glowing stone's form; a tiny chip here, a small line of a crack in one facet. He speaks a bit softer, apparently with some difficulty.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 12

The shopkeeper nods his head sagely.

"But, you see, those imperfections are what make it unique! You'll never find a stone with the same ones in all the world!"

Olsson seems somewhat mollified, and thinks on what the merchant has said.

"Well, I dun' suppose there ARE any crystals wif quoite the same look about 'em, aye. And I have need of the gem, so Oi'll take it. My thanks, sirrah. I imagine I'll be doin mar business at some point."

Olsson finishes up with the vendor, his thick accent coming and going, seemingly at random.

This thread got really confusing...

It did? Anyway, how does Thetsu enter this picture?

Thetsu claps wryly for the stranger's incredible haggling skills.

"That merchant sure got you. I take it you're newer to Ironpointe? What brings ya here?"

Olsson looks to the Vanara, and smiles wryly.

"Aye, that he did. And aye, you're right about that. Oi come in sarch o' a great adventure, stalwart an' true folk ta' form meaningful an' lahstin' bonds wif, and...a parpose. I am Olsson."

The last part he says without any trace of the hearty accent.

Thetsu thinks long and hard for a moment.

"PURPOSE! That's what you meant. Okay then. Maybe I can help you with that or Dorla can. She gave me a purpose too. We're true enough folks I guess? Shoot I have a hard time keeping up with all the things I gotta do day to day to have time for deception. Fighting, Meditating, Eating, playing, and keeping an eye on Dorla."

"Plus I think we forgot one of our old friends back at an elf city soooo I think we have a vacancy. I'll introduce you to my friends. I'm Thetsu!" The Vanara extends a hand wrapped in bandages to shake.

"So are ya handy with that crossbow? Our last guy had a really big hammer and a shotgun!"

Olsson shakes Thetsu's hand firmly and nods.

"Well met, Thetsu. Aye, that I am. But it's really only for tight spots, that. Mah true strength lies in powers of the mind. And I am most grateful for your offer. I thank ye. Tell meh; dya' know of a place ta get a good drink? Perhaps we can go thar after we find yer friends."

"Mah true strength lies in powers of the mind."

"Oh cool! Don has a couple tricks like that too! A drink huh? Well I know a place that has great chai, but maybe Don knows a good tavern. Come to think of it I don't remember Dorla ever drinking. I wonder if shes not into it. Ah well we're figure it out as we go, come on!" Thetsu begins pulling Olsson along to go meet his friends whilst completely forgetting about why he came to the Research Lab to begin with.

Olsson may get the feeling that Thetsu is pretty air headed about how he goes about life.