The Past Returns (Inactive)

Game Master sunshadow21

"Thanks! I hope it looks good, being tall has it's drawbacks."

Especially when all of the other women around here are a head shorter and two-thirds as broad.

Magnhildr looks for some nice traveling clothes for Rohan. Nice meaning what a viking would consider nice, tough, simple, but very well made clothing.

"What about this?"

She holds up a gaudy horned helm with a mischievous grin.

"Uh, it looks okay.." "It looks terrible." Rohan smiles weakly and tries his best to hide his true feelings on the helmet in order to spare Magnhlidr. He even tries it on for her sake. It turns out to be a tad too small for him.

Copper stifles a snort as he watches Rohan try to fit the helmet on his head.

"I didn't expect you try it on! I was joking!"

Mags laughs as she takes the helmet back and puts it up where she found it.

"Thank you for indulging my sense of humor, though. I hope I didn't wound your pride too much."

"I knew that. Just playing along..." Rohan says as he gives the helmet back.

"That's a relief."

"Anytime. I'm alright."

Krojun
You report back to the Kitten after supper, and have an uneventful night, aside from a number of ladies disappointed that you are a bouncer and not part of the entertainment.

Next morning rolls around, and you all get an invitation to stop by the theater as it's owner would love to hear your story of the events and record it for posterity.

Will get something more complete up tomorrow, but what I originally posted got eaten by the forum, and I don't really feel like retyping it just now.

The forums ate it but it wasn't lost. It can be seen in your post history.

The day passes by uneventfully; as each of the party members goes about their business, they occasionally have someone come up and hand them a trinket, coin, or some other object of worth. They are each in turn approached by Cyrdak Drokkus, the owner of the local theater, who invites them to dinner at the Cracktooth's Tavern to share their story with him so that he could properly record the events of the evening prior for all of posterity. If anyone tries to say no, he bugs them until they change their mind. The dinner is pleasant, and the party is about to break up for the evening when a commotion breaks out in the common room. Upon investigation, you find Lonjiku Kaijitsu demanding more drink for the waitress and the barkeep, a rough looking man with the name of Lesk Berinni is moving to intervene with the stubborn, and clearly extremely drunk, patriarch.

What, if anything, do any of you do regarding the scene in front of you?

Krojun laughs at the advances of the aggressive and needy women but realizes he needs to maintain a certain level of separation in order to perform his job well. He suggests that any ladies that want some time with him should visit him at the Rusty Dragon but that his time at the Kitten was all business.

While friendly and jovial at heart, the aggression in Krojun's blood was never far from the surface and he knew well how to put his imposing size to good use.

***

Later that Night

When it looks like a fight is about to start, Krojun observes at first and then stands from his seat. Perhaps his shift earlier that night at the Kitten had put him on edge but he couldn't enjoy his meal while this drunk was harassing the kind service at the Dragon.

The big Shoanti makes his way to the altercation and speaks up in a booming voice.

"You've had enough. Pack up your things and call it a night."

He punctuates his point by cracking his knuckles and flexing his bull-neck.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

After the grueling day of the arduous task known as shopping concludes, Rohan was glad to sit down for a nice meal. And of course, things are never that easy. But before he can stand to intervene, Krojun beats him to the punch and walks over to talk sense into the drunk patriarch. However, he gets up anyway and makes his way over to the scene.

"Maybe he needs some help making his way home." Rohan suggests genuinely.

Talon attempts a complimentary approach. He quickly stands and appeals to the dinner guests as he opens his arms wide and raises his glass.

"All, this has been a grand night, a joyous contrast to the events of the night before. Let us all thank our gracious host Cyrdak Drokkus ..." and he bows ceremoniously, "and bid our companions farewell, the hour is late, let us be off and allow our host to retire." as he addresses his final words to Lonjiku with a kind smile.

Diplomacy (untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 10

Thank you for finding that. It's weird it showed up in one place, but not the other, but at least I have proof I wasn't crazy thinking I had posted it.

After failing to find anything for Rohan, Magnhildr buys the two outfits she found and heads back to the Dragon for a bath and to change. Feeling much better she decides to explore the town just wandering around until she meets Cyrdak and is invited to supper, she accepts thinking it rude to refuse. She wears the dress that she just bought to supper.

---At Cracktooth's Tavern---

Perform(Oratory): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Magnhildr recounts the battle in the finest tradition of Ulfen bards, though she takes little credit for herself. She laughs and enjoys herself and the company of her new-found companions. When Lonjiku Kaijitsu starts making a scene, however...

"I think Krojun's about to help him through the door. Mind helping me make sure things don't get worse, Rohan?"

She makes her way over to where Krojun and Lonjiku stand, hoping to smooth any ruffled feathers.

Way ahead of you. See my above post.

While Krojun does get the patriarch to stop messing with the wait staff, the results are far from pleasant, as the old man turns on the party, and sneers, "So these are the so called heroes? Fools, more like it. From what I heard, the guard could have handled the fracas just fine without your interference. All letting a bunch of nonofficial thugs walk around with weapons does is invite trouble."

The big Shoanti only growls in response.

He looks to the proprietor with an expression that says, Can I get rid of this fool?

Magnhildr stops trying to think of a diplomatic way to resolve this and does a splendid imitation of Krojun's glare.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"Then you heard wrong. The guard would have crushed the goblins, yes, but how many of your fellow townsfolk would be dead or dying if we hadn't intervened? Tread carefully, sør-lander. My patience is not endless."

"I think its time for you to go. I've been around enough sailors to know you've had enough to drink. You should quit before you say something you regret." Rohan tries a nicer approach.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

If 27 intimidate isn't enough to move this guy, I don't think he's going to budge. I'm just waiting for the queue to toss him out on the street.

What about a 29? :D

Can Mags get a 29?

Can Mags get a 29?

Nope but Krojun can with an Aid another, which Mags made the DC for. of course there's the sticky situation of me not announcing it as such.

Oh, derp. That works.

A 29 will get a reaction, that is for certain. What that reaction will be from a drunk nobleman known for having a proud streak being intimidated by a bunch of strangers in his own town might get interesting.

The patriarch snarls a bit, "Bah, if this establishment is willing to serve such rabble as yourself than I don't want to be here anyway. Guess I'll just have to drink at home with no decent places to drink left in town. I don't understand why you adventuring (that last word spoken with great contempt and vile) troublemakers can't stick to that place ran by my worthless so-called daughter and leave the rest of us in peace." With that, he stomps off and back to his home.

Hey, I've tried to be nice this entire time.

I'm sure when he sobers up this will all blow over...

Krojun doesn't break his glare until the man is out of sight. Once he's gone, the big Shoanti nods to the previously harassed serving girl and then returns to his table.

"One has to wonder if there are others in Sandpoint that share his resentment", he ponders aloud as he takes a draw from his drink.

Wyran continues to eat his dinner quietly, watching the rest of the crew gang up on Lonjiku. As he leaves, Wyran calls his friends back to sit down. "Let an old man have his pride. Thank Irori I've had the wisdom to avoid such a sin in my long life. It's clear there is a rift in their family that causes him much pain, and deep enough to force him to drink as much as he has tonight."

Knowledge: nobility 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
How much do I know about the Kaijitsu family?

The others haven't; you're a bit outnumbered in that regard.

Krojun shrugs his broad shoulders, "He should be proud of his accomplishments not bitter about others'. A man that lets himself be haunted by failings of the past is twice the fool."

Afterward, Krojun tries to forget the nastiness with Lonjiku and enjoy the rest of the evening.

"Well its not easy to forget failure. If it was, people wouldn't learn to be better."

"One shouldn't forget the past - but dwelling in it is just as bad."

Did we have our talk with Cyrdak already?

"Fair enough, but some of us find it difficult to move on without something else in our thoughts."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

"Bitterness often rots a heart from the inside. We should go make sure Ameiko is okay, anger and drink rarely lead to good outcomes."

Sorry about the delay; I just had a very rough week that threatened to push my sanity over the edge. Fortunately, I've been able to get enough straightened out that I should be able to step back from the ledge at least for a while.

When you return to the Dragon and tell Ameiko what happened, she just sighs, "Bitter, foolish old man can't let go of his pride and a past that has run it's course. I'm willing to bet he wasn't really sick during the festival, but rather that he just didn't want to deal with that much optimism for the future. He'd be dead by now if he wasn't so stubborn that he is unwilling to yield even to time; at this point, he has no other reason to still be living." She clearly is not quite sure how to handle the family situation. Next morning comes without any more interruptions and you all find yourselves once more gathered in the common room when a frantic woman comes barging in asking someone, anyone for help.

You had a chance to talk with Crydak the night before, but between all the interruptions of well wishers, gawkers, and general story telling, it is quite probable that all of you still have stories he would love to hear, not just of the festival, but of all your adventures and travels; whether or not you want to tell them is entirely up to you.

I do, but tests and stuff coming up have crimped my free time.

"What is it?"

Magnhildr is up and walking towards the woman trying to calm her down.

Krojun is happy to tell a portion of the story from the night the festival was attacked.

When asked for stories about himself and his people, Krojun ponders. He knew many tales passed down across the generations. There were sagas about blood and battle or heroes and monsters, but what story would contain a lesson these southerners could appreciate.

After a moment, he settles on one.

It is about a great Shoanti chieftain wise, powerful, and loved by his people. While he ruled, his Quah lived in peace and prosperity. He would be succeeded by his son, who he knew would be every bit the great leader he was.

One day, the mighty chieftain was slain, betrayed by his jealous brother. The brother, ever the clever trickster, convinced his nephew that his father's death was his responsibility. Shamed by the thought, the son fled.

The son wandered in shame for years. Under the brother's rule the Quah's lands fell into despair and ruin and the Shoanti starved and turned on one another. The brother cared little about any of the suffering he had caused as long as rule was his.

By chance, the Quah's shaman encountered the lost Chieftain's son and, even though the son had grown in a mighty warrior himself, recognized him on sight. He begged the young warrior to return home, usurp his uncle, and make things right. Hearing the tales of what had happened to his people, the son wanted to return home but he could not bear the shame and felt that he could never be the great man his father had been.

The shaman saw the great chieftain's nobility and honor in every word his son spoke and comforted him. He explained that even though the chieftain was gone, he lived on within his son and within anyone that would live as he had lived.

With renewed resolve, the son returned home. After a fierce battle, he defeated his treacherous uncle and scattered those loyal to him. The Shoanti recognized the wayward son and welcomed him home as their new chieftain.

Krojun finishes the story with a song, emphasizing the morale of the story.

***

When the panicked woman enters, Krojun wraps one massive brawny arm around her in comfort.

"Calm yourself. What is the trouble?"

Rohan listens intently to Krojun's story. He silently wishes he had any great stories like the Shoanti seems to. A society like his doesn't spawn such things.

"Is there something wrong? Is someone hurt?" Rohan asks the hysterical woman as she walks in.

Copper sings along, wide-eyed like a child as Krojun sings.

Will add some charachterization/backstory to the Ameiko and her dad drama when back from out of town

"Calm yourself, dear. What's troubling you, now?"

Morstralla recognizes the woman as Amele Barett; she and her husband how a farm just outside town. You also notice a small lad trailing behind her a bit. The woman looks at you as you approach, and it takes a minute to calm her down, but you are able to get her story fairly quickly. "There's a goblin holed up under our house. I don't know how it got there, but they've been there ever since the festival. At first, we didn't believe our son when he said they were in his closet. This morning though, as my husband was about to take him out back and give him a good thrashing for continuing to make up stories, one popped it's head out of a hole in the lad's closet. I told my husband not to do anything rash before I could get help, but I don't know how long he'll be able to restrain himself and our dog, Petal. If you could help, please hurry; I love my husband, but he's not the type to be a successful adventurer, even if his heart is in the right place when he tries to defend the farm on his own." With that, the tearful woman collapses as Ameiko and one of the serving girls brings her and the lad something to eat, pushing you out the door to go deal with the problem.

Does she react or say anything to the rest of us?

***

Krojun nods, "Certainly. We will deal with these vermin for you."

The big Shoanti bellows for Ameiko to send message for the watch, they'll be needed for cleanup when the task was done.

The lady's reaction was to the group as a whole, with a little more focus on the local party members. The lad was just watching all of you with awe and wonder.

Magnhildr rushes back to her room and returns a few moments later with her chain shirt over one shoulder and her sword belt in her other hand.

"We'll get those goblins."

Her eyes glow faintly with light that is as cold as her northern home.

I'm assuming that Mags will have enough time to get her armor on and checked before the group gets to the woman's house.

Gotcha

Krojun glances at the others and then departs for the Amele farm.

Survivors from the night of the festival?

All of you are able to grab your gear. These people aren't stupid; the route to the farm is conducive for that, and no one expects you to fight these things unarmed and unarmored.

Rohan nods in agreement to Magnhlidr's statement before quickly running to gather up his gear as well. He and Copper follow Krojun to the farm.

You reach the farmhouse, and it's a pretty nice place. Part of it is even a full two stories tall, and there is a farmhand outside who is very relieved to see you, and tells you that it's not just a single goblin, but a small group of them, and they are hungry, desperate, and over the course of the last day, have decided they were going to establish a new tribe with this house as their base. The master of the house, along with his brave dog, were somewhere inside, contesting that last point. You enter the front door, and see your typical common room space where most of the day to day activities were done. On the far wall is a large fireplace and several doors. In one of the doors, a man is holding a spear and trying to keep the goblins in the room beyond bottled up. In front of him is a rather large looking wardog that the goblins seem to be trying to take down, but without much success.

No map again. The common room is about 30 feet long, 20 feet wide; there is furniture around, but nothing I'm going to be overly worried about. You are right by the front door on one end; the farmer is in a doorway on the other end tucked between the fireplace and one of the walls.

The party is up. For initiative, I will go PCs in posting order, than friendly npcs, than enemy npcs. It's how I will probably end up running the minor battles just to keep things moving. As much as I would love to devote to each battle the full treatment, it's just not worth it for a lot of these side kind of battles that only last one or two rounds.

Krojun unfurls his weathered bullwhip as he comes onto the scene.

The big Shoanti cracks it once in the air for effect and then looses a thunderous bellowing challenge.

"Come vermin! Come meet your ends!"

To further get the attention of the little fiends, Krojun lashes out with his weapon and, with a flex of the slab-like muscles in his broad back, tries to pull one of the goblin's feet out from underneath him.

Trip w/ Whip: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Rohan will also attempt to divert their attention. He rushes forward and thrusts his weapon at one of the standing goblins

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9