The Horn of Aroden PbP (Inactive)

Game Master James Martin

Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

"Is there something that has the birds' hackles up," he asks as he looks around, seeing what else might be present behind the scenes.

Knowledge: Nature 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Wild Empathy 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Gaius holds his hands out as non-menacingly as he can. "It's okay, it's okay. We're not here to hurt you." He wonders what exactly they are.

Beyond the two birds you can see a large nest hidden on the slight rise. Three eggs poke out. The birds are clearly a mated pair and seem to be defending their nest!

The birds seem to be standing their ground, the lead bird puffing its feathers and stamping and clawing at the ground with its wicked talons.

Lander reaches for his sword, before looking around at the rest of you. "Aren't we going to slay them? They're clearly dangerous creatures!"

"If there's a way around, perhaps we could avoid the fight. I love a fight more than most, but slaughtering animals isn't something I have signed up for." Hagrym starts backing up from the beasts slowly.

Any special defenses? special attacks?

"They simply are defending their nests, as your mother wished you defended, Good Lander. I agree with Hagrym that hopefully we can find a way around them. If not, we should strike not to kill, but merely render them helpless. Then we can move birds and nest away from the road."

Any other way around?

"Sometimes, battles can be won simply by understanding what the other party wants. Needless violence proves nothing and it is sometimes the hero who spares his foe than one who wantonly slaughters. My lord." Rekgar points out.

Diplomacy attempt. 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

Nasty bites and kicks, and the ability to trip you with their bite if they charge you.

Lander looks for a moment like he's going to protest, but then he stops and looks thoughtful. He nods, then slides his sword back into its scabbard and stares off at the birds.

The stream is only five feet deep, but flowing swiftly. You could swim across it.

Hagrym starts peeling off his armor, trying to string it all together so it might either be thrown or towed across the stream by a strong swimmer.

Swim 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Hagrym, looking dapper in his regulation Dwarven skivvies, swims ably across the water. The birds watch him closely, the lead bird still making low noises and clawing the ground.

Swim 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Gaius follows Hagrym across the river, holding his pack, armor, and weapons above his head. He is not the strongest of swimmers, but he does the best that he can while keeping his equipment as dry as possible.

While Gaius doesn't have the same strong skivvie-treading ability as Hagrym, he too makes it across.

Lander looks at the water, strips his armor and weapons and wades in as well. Swim: 1d20 ⇒ 5, but he suddenly gets caught in the current, goes underwater and begins being swept downstream!

"Yeah... I'm not getting my powder wet," says Karos.

Does he know of a ford or other bridge nearby?

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"Blast it! Someone get that boy! And then let's get a rope set up to get us across!"

Sir Quinton begins pulling his own rope from his pack, hoping he'll still have time to throw one end to the young noble.

The half naked dwarf goes bounding after the kid. "Grab a branch to slow down! We are coming for you, young fella!"

Karos, the nearest bridge or fordable area is about three hour's walk away.

Lander comes up, but loses his sword and armor in the wash. Swim: 1d20 ⇒ 18 He manages to grab a low branch with one hand, which halts his progress, but leaves him dangling in the middle of the rushing water!

If Hagrym can catch up to him, he dives in, trying to find someway to help the young'un!

Swim 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Hagrym manages to dive in and swim to Lander, propelled in no small part by the current. I'll need another swim check to get him out!

Lander Aid Another Swim: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Lander's not much help...

Swim check 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Hagrym manages to stay in one place and not be swept any further downstream, but he's not making any progress.

Did my rope get to them? Can I assist?

Make a ranged touch attack to land the rope in the right place. If it hits, make Strength check to aid!

ranged touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"Grab the rope! I'll haul you in!"

Can't do much better than that

Indeed!

Quinton's ropesmanship is on display as he throws the rope directly to Hagrym's outstretched hand and hauls them in hand over hand! With a wet coughing, Lander crawls onto shore and vomits up a mouthful of river water.

He coughs as he sits up and looks toward the lot of you. "I think I'm ready to go home now." He says in small voice.

"Young man, I think all of us are ready to head home for a little while. Sleeping in a comfy bed is a lot better than sleeping on the cold hard ground. And we'll both get a cold if we don't get somewhere we can dry out from our unfortunate swim."

"Anyone know of a way to keep my powder dry or dry it when I get across?" asks Karos. "Otherwise it's going to be a long walk."

Prestidigitation ought to do it.

Rekgar dives into the water and sees if he can finds Lander's Equipment.
I'm abit late....
Swim, for swimming across 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Swim, for helping Lander 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Swim, for picking up equipment 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Hold on. I learnt a bit of water skills in my training in the lands I travelled across. Let me see if I can retrieve your items."

Rekgar dives in and discovers Lander's armor and sword on the bottom of the river not far from where the boy lost them. He swims back to the shore with them and Lander takes them with a muffled "Thanks." He looks as if he has a lot on his mind.

What is your intention with the terror birds? Avoid them? Relocate the nest?

id like to find a way to relocate the nest, but how can we get close enough to do so? Any thoughts? I'm stuck.

"Now, take the rope across and it'll be an easy trip for the rest of us. Surely we can bundle your gear and pull it across, Karos. That should keep it dry. I saw a man do that once, sort of. Walked right across the rope. Of course, he was above a high cliff and that was much more dangerous than this stream.

Sir Quinton is not a good swimmer. I'd like to minimize his risks here.

"I think the only way to take care of the birds, though, is to pummel them into unconsciousness and then move them all. It could be dangerous."

Given that Quinton is correct, and the bridge is over a river mostly used as a game trail by hunters and trappers, I'm going to assume you just avoid them and move onward.

Two more hours of walking bring you back to the town, with a tired (and still slightly damp) Lander in tow. You head directly to the manor, where the servants see you coming and fetch Dame Sarrona. She nearly tackles Lander, chiding him in between embraces and kisses about being a fool and running off on fool errands. Lander accepts it all stoically, even going so far as to admit that maybe it was a bad idea to go off on his own.

Now, what do you wish to do about Marek? Do you want to take justice into your own hands? Inform Dame Sarrona?

"I fear there may have been some greater perfidy at work, m'lady," Sir Quinton says. "The bandits who had your son also all had weapons with the mark of Marek. We were not able to discover their relationship, but I fear there was one. And one clue we found made it sound as if it were not merely as merchant and client."

I'm all up for whatever, though I fear he might be beyond us.

Hagrym listens as Sir Quinton updates momma Lander about Marek. Lets hear what she has to say before deciding. I'm a little gushy of this scenario after that last battle, lol.

The Dame listens to your words, then Lander speaks in a low voice. "It's true, mother. The bandits spoke of Marek as if he were their leader. And we have a letter from the werewolf to a "M" that is undeniably Marek. I... I can testify." This admission seems to be very hard for Lander and he sighs while drawing himself up. Dame Saronna ponders this, then sends a servant to her rooms. The servant returns with a package containing the Horn of Aroden. Saronna hands this to you. "I thank you for returning my son to me. He means more to me than life itself. Please, take this Horn and know that I will personally see to it that Marek is arrested on charges of banditry. Thank you, Pathfinders. Thank you." She smiles at her son, who smiles tentatively as well.

Thus concludes the Horn of Aroden. I will get the chronicles out in a couple hours. In the meantime, roll dayjobs and a random D20, please!

Hagrym walks up to the boy., and speaks in a low voice. Keep practicing your swordskills, boy. Gorum can always use a new soldier someday. After you get much older, that is," the dwarf smiles and pats the kid on his shoulder.

No day job.

Random 1d20 ⇒ 11

Hagrym: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Karos: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Quinton: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Rekgar: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Gaius: 1d20 ⇒ 13
GM: 1d20 ⇒ 16

You know, it's easier for me to do it...

Dayjob for Gaiu: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

No day job. Shopping!!!!!!!!!

No day job. Thanks for not killing us, GM!

Being a simple man following a simple god, Karos walks into town, trades in his musket and buys the biggest, shiniest, most magical musket he can afford, nearly beggaring himself in the process.

Okay, once you've levelled and purchased shiny new stuff, the next and final part of our 4 part Trilogy is here!

Guys could someone price either +1 chain mail or a +1 breastplate? I'm away from my books, and my Society Guide right now. I have to do something about Hagrym's AC!

Chain mail is 1,450 while a breastplate is 1,500 gp.

Thanks, man!