The Dragon's Demand PbP

Game Master dickie

"Secret Cave? Hidden? Treasure!"

Spitter is suddenly rubbing his scaled hands together excitedly.

Since I kind of screwed up this scene and have been dealing with life taking me for a rollercoaster ride (wish it was "The Great Space Coaster") I'm going to do some quick gloss over work to try and realign everything. I'm going to fiddle with the map tomorrow and check other maps to make sure I didn't screw them up as bad, lol.

Pavo and Leng descend the stairs to help guide the man out, showing him it is safe to cross to the front door. He gives a hurried description of how to find the path Hunclay took to his secret lab in the caves up north. "Watch out for wolves, and the dwarf...he may not be dead, but the door is trapped. I think. I saw Hunclay cast a spell on it." Once out the door the servant runs to town without a second glance back.

Suddenly disappointed, Spitter curses.

"Alive? Damn pink-skin's mind is meal-mush..."

Oh yeah, well you try working for an ultra-paranoid NE wizard whose house has more traps than a theives' guild and see how sane you would be :P Oh, and go without contact, food, or water for three days straight in that house...speaking of which, I will post some basic information about the cellar ASAP.

Descending the spiral staircase after the crazed servant has fled reveals a messy storeroom loaded with various basic household supplies and food stuffs. A single door leads to a long hallway with passages to the north ending in a door and to the south, where three doors stand along one walls and another door leading west. One of the storage doors has a lock resembling the type from upstairs on the bedroom and chest.

Good news is new map, hopefully way easier to read and use! Let me know if you're having trouble seeing the door markers, but the three storage closet doors are directly above the C13 on the map.

Spitter moves ahead to look at the storage room doors.

"Storage? Yes. Traps! Traps! Traps?"

Perception (Traps?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Spitter sees no sign of traps on any of the three doors, and no signs of locks except the more obvious one to the left.

Spread out and look around. I'm going to try the locked one."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Pavo sets to the locked door. He is confused because he is sure this lock looks like the sort seen upstairs, but does not appear to have the same trap. Nevertheless, he works as if it did have a trap. The lock opens and fades into mystical sparkles.

Within are shelves loaded with magical spell components. Mounds of guano, spools of copper wire, tiny bones, and more are organized thoroughly. An open crate lies on the ground with a wand on top. Just beneath that is a fierce looking helmet and the components for a suit of custom and master-crafted plate mail and an assortment of mundane gear. A perfectly balanced, gleaming giant-sticker is leaning against one corner.

Moving to examine the spell components, Spitter looks at them carefully.

"Wizard stuff. Not too bad organization."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Anything valuable?

The stuff in the crate and the weapon are worth a fair amount. Otherwise it is basically 100 x spell component pouches, lol.

"These belong to the pink-skin wizard? Armor? An obviously well-designed weapon? Bah! Are these the dirt-man's...dwarf's...things?"

"Oh yeah, the dwarf. They didn't say we couldn't steal his stuff" Pavo said, with a gleam in his eye.

"Heh, just kidding. Let's go find this dwarf."

Okay, let's see if we can get moving again now that most of the holidays are about to be behind us. I'm just going to give a little push here...apologies for stealing a bit of agency.

Pavo and Spitter find no trace of a trap on the other two doors, nor do they see the now-telltale magical locks. Within the middle door are cleaning supplies. Simple and boring. The third door resists attempts to open it initially, feeling quite like it is stuck. Pavo and Leng exert full strength to pry it open.

There is a loud crashing sound as several thick and empty whine bottles spills out onto the floor. A dwarf clutching one of the bottles sits unmoving on the floor amidst the detritus.

"Awww...purple-scaled luck! He's alive."

Disappointed, Spitter wanders a bit in a bad humor.

Leng leans down to shake the dwarf. "Hello? You alive?"

Snorting and coughing the Dwarf springs to his feet Further scattering the empty bottles.

"WIZARD! YOU BETTER BE DEAD."

He stands just over 4' and appears to be very solidly built. His dark beard and hair are shorter than a typical Dwarf but the beard has numerous intricate braids. Still clutching an empty bottle like a club in his raised hand. Then squinting and leaning forward a bit as he studies Leng and Pavo in turn, he lowers the bottle.

"Humans, but not Humclay." He says the name with both relish and detest. "Where is the conniving, lying, crappy wine drinking,.."His voice trails off when he sees Spitter.

"LOOKOUT A KOBOLD!" He shouts and readies the bottle. "Don't worry I'll get it."

Spitter hisses, then steps behind Pavo speaking clearly in common while pointing his small staff at the ridiculous scene.

"He's alive and STUPID. Typical rock-eater."

"Oh!, you're with them...Well okay. I've seen stranger companions." Then looking about he leans closer. "At least you're not a Gnome. Am I right? Now I have two very important questions. First where is Hunclay? I need to make him scream and die. And second, do you have anything to eat? I've been in here for days. With only a wee drink or two or so for sustenance."

"Aye. He's with us and us with him. So kindly put the bottle down master dwarf. I am Pavo, and this is Spitter, Leng, and Maellyra. Hunclay is gone, likely dead, although you can never be sure with wizards" Pavo said as he spit on the floor. He slipped his pack off and began hunting around inside for a ration. He continued to speak as he shifted the pack contents aside.

"We've been tasked with neutralizing this tower and turning over all property to the town leadership. Now, what are you doing locked in this room?" he asked as he tossed the dwarf a ration.

Tossing the bottle over his shoulder with one hand while catching the ration with the other. The bottle shatters on the floor as the Dwarf quickly wolfs down the meal.

"Mmm, that hits the spot." He looks a little disappointed when he finishes it so quickly.

"Now I must find my armor and weapons. A battle Priest of the Lord of Iron should never be without them for so long. Aye there'll be penance to be paid. Oh, where are me manners I am Wilfried Tugvod War Priest of Gorum. And as to how I came to be here, well it's like this. I was on me way to the Gault border region, several battles there about. Anyway I was going to meet up with an Inquisitor and we were going to hunt deserters. Ah, good times... He smiles and looks as if recalling fond memories.
"Oh, right I was telling a tale. Well I run bookish little fellow being accosted by several brigand types. Poor weapons and ill-kept armor. Shameful I tell you. Well I was about to admonish them when they became rude. So after dispatching the lot of them, no discipline whatsoever. The accosted fellow asks be to accompany him here. It seems he was a merchant book seller or some such. On his way to Belhaim to make a deal with Humclay for what else but a book. Not much for reading meself mind you. Well since his hired help had run off when the brigands showed, and I mean to track those cowards in time...Oh yeah, he offered a fair bit of coin to be his escort. Well a little extra coin is good for many things, am I right? And seeing that I was heading in this direction anyway I accepted the job; So to make a long story longer. We arrived here and him and the Wizard started haggling and speaking about this and that book. I must have irritated old Hunclay buy asking a few questions. So he tells me that there is food and drink down here in the cellar. Well that's when the lure of spirits got the best of me. He suggested I get comfortable and remove me armor and weapons. Now a proper servant of Gorum would never do such things. So I'm sure that milk drinking wizard magicked me. Oh Lord of Iron forgive me. Well then he leads me in here and wizards the door closed. Well I shouted and pounded for a good wile. Then I set about drinking all his stock. And that's when you lot showed up. Oh and thank you for getting me out. Once I get me gear I'll reward ya."

Spitter stares at the dwarf with his mouth open.

"Did he take a breath at all during any of that? Gozreh strike me red-scaled, I'm pretty sure he didn't."

"I don't know. I was rather hypnotized."

Moving past the group and into the hall the Dwarf looks about then heads into the storeroom. Kneeling before the chest containing his armor and gear.

"Lord of Iron I will fight."

He then sets about donning his armor. Five very loud minutes later he stands before you encased head to toe in steel. Your first thought is a moving lump of iron. Looking over the others and shaking his head.

"So you say the wizard is gone. That does mean he's dead right? Your clearing his house sounds like a dangerous task. I owe you a great debt. So I'll help ya. Now as to that reward. A few of you look the worse for wear. Allow me to heal ya."

Fervor on Pavo: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6
Fervor on Leng: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

"You do seem to bleed quite a bit. Have you lot ever thought about another vocation?"

Spitter looks miffed, as much as a scaly dog-faced humanoid can.

"I'm here by divine guidance dirt-eater. The journey is my reward. Gozreh has led me here to...improve my kind's lot in this world."

Strangely enough, Spitter actually looks like he believes that statement.

"Good! You are firm in your belief. It shows you have a fighting spirit. And while your Divine does not like the Lord Iron, I see no reason for us not to get along. Now come I'm sure we can find something around here that didn't belong to the Wizard. A little treasure is always welcome. Am I right? Oh, and maybe some more food."

Spitter nods.

"Yes, well...we were instructed to take note of HIS valuables only. However, if we find something that is not HIS then it would be fair game then..."

"Talk as we walk...quietly. There may be more threats yet to be encountered."

Pavo nodded and turned to continue down the hallway moving past Spitter and stopping to check the three doors next to each other (C13).

"Aye, that's for sure." Wilfried follows the Human with his heavy bladed spear at the ready. Although his voice is low a suit of full plate is hardly stealthy or silent.

"So Mister Pavo is it? You have quite the unusual assortment of weapons there...it looks like you want 'em alive more often than not."

Those were the three storage closets, there is a fourth door at the end of the hall, and the hall wraps around the north side as well where it ends at a door. The fourth door has no visible lock or traps.

Eyeing the door"Likes to trap things with magic you say."The Dwarf adjusts his boulder helm and rubs his gauntlets together.

"Oh Lord in Iron reveal to your servant any arcane auras."

Cast detect magic

Spitter frowns and whispers to Leng.

"When did we put him in charge?"

There are no active auras near or around the door, only vestiges of the previously discharged trap.

Glancing around the dwarf shakes his head.

"Nope, no wizard tricks about."

He kneels an begins digging into his backpack, eventually pulling out several strips of salted meat. Which he begins to consume rapidly.

"So are you lot of the sneaking about sort or BURST in and SMASH em types?"

The inflection in his voice clearly indicates his preference

Nudging Leng with his little elbow, Spitter whispers again to him.

"You know...he COULD be REALLY useful if we have to fight again. That infernal bear was almost too much for us. Besides...if he dies for real...then we can take his stuff. Right?"

"Excellent points Spitter. Right on both accounts."

"To answer your question Wilfried, we use whatever skills we can, whenever we need them. The best tool for the job, so to speak. And I guess that explains my assortment of weaponry as well. And yes, in my previous work, I brought people in alive...mostly."

As he spoke, Pavo continued down the hallway to the last door and prepares to open it.

"I am adopting a firm wait-and-see attitude," replies Leng to Spitter.

Back to Wilfried, the monk says, "I am not an expert in subtlety."

This ten-foot-square antechamber’s north wall is an artfully wrought locked gate of bright metal that opens onto the larger chamber beyond. The walls of this chamber are covered with strange glyphs and runes, including one enormous word scrawled in one-foot-high letters across the north wall.

Hissing, Spitter looks closely at the runes and words without touching them...not understanding any of it.

"You may want to use that spell of magic discovery again my new stone-eating friend. This looks wizardly-dangerous. Pavo? Could this be a trap of some sort?"

The Steel-clad Dwarf moves forward and peers through gate and studies the writing for a moment.

"Well it ain't Dwarven."

He claps his gauntlets and holds his hands up.

"Oh Lord in Iron reveal to your servant any arcane auras."

Cast Detect magic

No active magical auras can be detected in the room.

A linguistics check might also help, however, I don't think this is the most scholarly group, so...

Yeah....Maellyra was our real scholar.

"Can't neutralize the place from out here, guess we best go in. I mean the worse that can happen is there's nothing to fight. Am I right?"

He says readying the heavy spear for action.

"I suppose one of you is good with locks? I can only hit em."

Wilfried says hopefully.

"Oh, before we, Lord in Iron willing, get into a scrap. Do any of you need more healing?"

"Pavo? Lock?"

"I'm okay with locks, but I'm better with traps" Pavo said with a grin as he started to take a closer look at the locked gate.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Satisfied with his examination, he pulled out his picks and started going to work. Assuming no traps.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

The lock clicks and the gate gently swings open. After a few moments a voice calls out. "Back to gloat more, Hunclay? And without your usual greeting?" The male voice asks wearily. "You're going to play that game one time too many one of these days. I can't wait. I will slurp your guts like Nidalese noodles on that day."

"Hey, that sounds like a demon captive in a circle," opines Leng. "Boy he's gonna be mad that Hunclay's already dead, at least before he tries to get us to let him out."

"Then the two of us have something in common."

He says as he steps into the room ready for glorious battle

Spitter looks up suddenly, grasping his staff tightly.

"Demon? What demon? Speak up pink-skin! Clarify what you say!"

Around the corner is the edge of a pit. "You're not the wizard. That old fool trusts no one, he would never be accompanied by others." There is a scraping sound. A goat-hoof clops onto the floor, as the pit's occupant struggles to get out. "Uh...a little help?"

I wanted to see how good or bad the response rate was as well as get an idea of what everyone is going to be up to for the next two or three in-game-days before figuring out the cut-off date. I will figure that out tomorrow.

I'm enjoying the banter, not sure how long I should let it go on before you hit Bassy's or head back to the bank, lol.

Wow...only one serious taker so far.

Joriannika looks good to me!

Unless something jumps out here later, I say we vote her in.

(Is the Masterless Familiar really a viable character offer?...Of course I'm playing a Kobold druid, so what do I know? =/)

It is an interesting concept, but I think it is ultimately a massive liability at low levels and would be a huge target for smart villains.

However, I'm going to leave it up to you guys and just hold myself as a tie-breaker vote.

Well, we got a new entry up there, but for the moment I'm going to toss some pros/cons about the two other serious entries.

Kitty
Pros - Player is clearly excited about the concept, providing a good chance for excellent RP. Major stealth potential. Unique concept.
Cons - MAJOR combat liability at lower levels. The group already has two characters that raise eyebrows.

Free-chemist
Pros - Provides a new moral center for the group to replace the paladin. Ranged support. It is 4th of July, so Andorans kind of feel patriotic...(would also apply to Bastille Day, since I sort of view them as a combination of the USA and France :P)
Cons - Does not replace the front-line tank/damage role.

Will put in my $.02 on the newest submission and any others after the submission deadline passes.

Well, I think the Alchemist Joriannika is still our best potential recruit. We may not have a replacement damage shield now, but the alchemist 'almost' makes up for not having a combat arcanist or a rogue (No offense Maellyra - I don't have any problems with witches. But witches don't have a lot of fireball/area effect damage potential spells is all I'm saying).

With his ability to deal with traps and make things go BOOM, I'm in.

Not to mention, later on I WILL get the ability to change into large animals and elementals later.

And my thoughts on the last submission...

Pros - High melee damage potential, trap setting as well as finding.
Cons - Not much characterization/background provided.

My personal vote is Jori, but I'd like to hear if anyone has any particular opinions or observations.

I'm leaning toward the last one! I also run a PbP game that Rungok plays in and he's been a good RPer.

Ah, good to know! That's exactly why I wanted input, word of mouth carries a lot of weight with me.

No offense taken, Spitter. I know where the witches' strengths lie and it isn't in big, flashy, useful spells. They're much too subtle for that.

I'm not familiar with any of the players, unfortunately, so no input for me to give there. They all seem capable of dealing with traps which was my only concern, so whichever character the group feels would make the better contribution to our party has my vote.

The character doesn't really matter to me as much as the player. The cat is an interesting concept but hard to pull off when everyone else is pretty normal. The ranger is fine and so is the alchemist.

I'm hoping for someone that can merge with the group and not try to take it over or become the center of attention. Party dynamics is the biggest draw and the hardest to work with, especially coming in to an establish group.

I'm open to whoever but anyone can find and disarm traps, you don't necessarily need Trapfinding to do it anymore unless we're talking about magic traps in which case low level characters have very little chance of disarming them anyway. As a Slayer, I'll get Trapfinding around 4th level I think.

Well, at this point I could flip a coin...and may just decide it is the only way forward. I will try and make a final call later on today or early tomorrow.

Every time I thought I knew who to select, I changed my mind. I finally decided to go with the trapper ranger wolfwere rougarou.

I had actually decided Bassy would reveal that little side-quest/rumor to Pavo in case I selected Ro'gram, so I would like to humbly request that you follow those railroad tracks a little (in whatever manner you choose) just to bring the new guy in...we'll put you all back in charge just as soon as possible. And feel free to stop back by the bank or split up and shop, or whatnot. I'm going to end up posting some stuff just for the new ranger to align things short term after he checks in.

Roger that, boss! *salute*

Understood.

Dotting in!

Also I will do more to flesh out his background and personality tonight. I know he was a bit bare-bones but I was tossing my character in at what I felt was the last second. I'll work harder on that.

Cool, go ahead and get yourself to second level as soon as you get a chance. To get you involved with the current characters, we're going to make the assumption that the first humans from Belhaim you have met are the Kells. I'll have some stuff for you in the gameplay thread about the Kells under a spoiler post shortly.

Welcome to the game!

You don't have to wait for me, lol. You all are still driving, I'm just telling you what road you have to take next (missing druids):P How exactly you want to follow that lead is up to you guys.

Is everyone waiting for me? Im kinda in need of player interaction here.

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Welcome aboard, Ro'gram! No, I think we were waiting for our Pavo to share his secret conversation with us. But, if no one objects, I'll post as if he did mention it.

Looking forward to having you officially join our group.

Ah, hazed by Harzogopas, now Ro'gram is part of the group, lol.

Hahaha!

Rogram will probably be reasonably offended but things should work out!

Okay, what's a wolfen creature look like? Is he closer to a talking wolf or more like a stereotypical werewolf? I mean either way Pavo's gonna be freaked out, but still.

An image of a female Rougarou. I'm male and brown-colored, but similar in body style.

I think my overall plan is to hand-wave the body retrieval as a quick paragraph and call it basically a half-day's work, then put everyone back into action the following day. I'm just putting that out there in case anyone has any specific things they want to accomplish before moving forward. It isn't a problem to take more or less time in town, but you guys need more money...the module sort of low-balls early rewards because there is a potential to gain items that are more powerful than typical for the level they're acquired.

I'm good to move forward. NEED Money!

Alright, I'm running late for work, but the next major post coming from me will be the setup for the next big scene. I know there hasn't been a ton of bonding yet with the new guy, but you know you're going to be checking on the kobolds, kobolds are trap-lovers, and the new ranger is a trap expert, so...yeah. :D

And I really need to watch "How High" again, because I keep thinking about the guy crashing on the couch with "INEED$" on his grille...

Lol, non-human rivalry brewing?

Spitter is just being realistic! Kobolds are dangerous, but with any perceived bigger threat, kobolds tend to get relegated to the 'worry about them later' mindset. Right? Spitter's just ridding that pony for all he's worth.

=>

I would love to skip ahead a bit, but I don't want to snipe anyone...You all pretty much already know what the Baroness is going to ask of you, just not the details. I can say this much before we get to that scene, she would be expecting that you would take time to properly prepare and plan for the expedition, so don't worry about triggering a dungeon scene too soon.

I'm ready

Ready any time!

Always ready, but just so I understand you, are we handwaving the stop at the Church and any shopping we'd need to do?

You can choose to do off-screen buying/shopping, however most shops are going to be indifferent to everyone and charge higher prices...So it is really in your best interest to talk to the townsfolk.

I think I was just taking the temperature of the pace more than anything else...want to make sure I'm not dragging along or pushing too fast.

I'm ready to move on.
=)

Just wanted to say I am enjoying the banter with Pavo. :)

You two are hilarious. Should get your own buddy-cop spin-off, lol.

I need to update a bunch of things on the Roll20 page, including figuring out a way to signify the attitude level various shops in town have toward everyone. Most businesses treat customers with a friendly attitude, but not all.

In general:

Helpful - 10% discount.
Friendly - Standard price.
Indifferent - 10% markup.
Unfriendly - 50% markup.
Hostile - "Get out of my shop!"

When selling, assuming 50% of the base cost, modified by attitude. Selling something to an unfriendly store results in only 25% of the base cost, while selling something to a helpful business results in a 60% return.

All the houses and businesses in town have a character image over them. Let me know if the names are not visible, otherwise most of them should be self-explanatory from the names, but ask if you need to locate something in particular. There are a few locations that have specific magic items for sale, though you likely don't have enough cash yet for any of the items in town (it is possible to ask around about magic items if you don't shop around).

So congrats Pavo, you have completed one of the side-quests...Making Friends or Enemies! Woohoo!

Everyone can add 100 exp to your characters, lol! I think that makes you at 2240 total?

Ro'gram, I prefer characters synced up, so you make sure you update your total.

Okay will do

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Everyone can add 100 exp to your characters, lol! I think that makes you at 2240 total? Ro'gram, I prefer characters synced up, so you make sure you update your total.

Ah! I didn't know we were keeping track of our XP! Good to know where we are.

Don't forget that when you are the co trolling character in a grapple, you receive a +5 bonus to maintain the grapple. The 8 would have failed without it, lol, and that would have been a shame because that looked badass in my mind :P

Y'all got me thinking it is the weekend, since that's when this game is traditionally slow...lol. No one wants to make a decision about chasing the last guy down or letting him go?

I think no decision is a decision in itself. Let him go.

He's got a lead and I couldn't even reach him by charging right now (I can only cover 60' on a charge).

I'll give it a little time in case Maellyra has a spell/trick to pull out or Ro'gram gives chase. The staggered one is still slowly walking home, lol, it wouldn't be hard to drag him back if you wanted to try and interrogate or detain him somehow. Two are unconscious. One will wake up in two hours, the other something closer to a day thanks to Spitter.

I was thinking letting him go

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I got nothing. Witches are pretty short range, I'm seeing. Two kobold prisoners(?) should be enough, though; three if someone wants to wrangle the staggered one.

Oh, probably not really worth bothering with, but there were five slings, 44 bullets, four spears, and four sets of leather armor. Small sized.

Sorry I've been absent. I just got out of the hospital. I nearly dehydrated myself into some serious trouble. I will try to catch up.

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