Thron's Rise of the Runelords Campaign

Game Master Thron

That wasn't the plan, but it sure would be funny! Expensive, but funny!

Zoli breathes a relieved sigh as the final Gardener falls, and then an appreciative one as Setsuna returns her to full health.

"Those Gardeners were tough. Morythine, I had no idea you were a wanted man. And...there's more I don't know about you yet, it seems.

"We're your friends now, Mory."

"You-- you cast a spell back there. I've never seen you do that before either. Why? I'm...I would fight to save your life again without hesitation...but what else are you keeping from us?"

Morythine's uneasiness at his friends' line of questioning remains plain. But Zoli's words are impossible to deny.

"I'm not sure to be honest. I've worked out a few simple spells since we began our adventures together. I don't really know how. Perhaps some sorcery runs in my blood. My blood's pretty strange after all."

Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Morythine knows there's more to it than that, but senses the Umbral Leaves are not something his companions would want to hear about.

I know we are at a semi-big RP juncture here, and realize the holidays are slowing post rates down, but I don't want to let the game stagnate. I will give y'all a little more time to RP this out before moving on, at which point, any RP will need to be in spoilers.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Riley rubs his chin, looking dubiously at Mory.

He shrugs, then moves to work on identifying the magic items of the attackers.

Casting detect magic. Take 10 on Spellcraft gets me 18

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 I do believe Zoli has believed everything Morythine has said, ever.

"OK, that makes sense I guess...but jeez Mory, who do you open up to? I mean, I totally know I pry sometimes--halfling curiosity and all--but everybody needs someone to open up to, right?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Setsuna call tell that Morythine is lying through his pointy teeth but keeps quiet.

"Can we talk about this later? This conversation seems a bit delicate for the open air."

A few minutes after the ambush had been thwarted, the plant life in the area returns to its normal, passive state, much to the relief of the horses and the messenger, who had found himself quite thoroughly ensnared amidst the brambles of a bush near the side of the path. He busies himself with dusting off the debris of vegetation while the group collects itself.

As Riley scans the bodies for things of note and value, he comes across a worn, folded paper on the body of the bowman.

The next day, you arrive at the city walls of Magnimar once again. The people seem as cold as the weather now, with people bustling through the streets quietly, bundled up in furs as they make their way to their destinations. Some recognize you as you pass, though, and offer moments of excited waves at the heroes who put an end to the killing spree several months prior.

However, as you travel through the Alabaster District, a harsh voice calls out, "Oh praise the gods! Our heroes have returned to finish the job, have they?" A haggard looking woman dressed in an assortment of tattered garments steps from the shadows of the alleyway nearby. "Come back to take more of our precious coin, have you? We all know where your blood money of a 'reward' came from! That coin was promised to build a shelter for us poor folk of Underbridge, so we might survive this damnable winter! But woe, a few of the greedy bastards of Alabaster die, you swoop in and stop it, and we all are supposed to kiss your asses and give you a fortune!"

A small crowd forms around the sight, and the messenger who had fetched says quietly, "Ignore this peasant. She is likely touched in the head," as he spurs on his horse towards the Capital District.

Two guards step in and take the woman by the arms and begin dragging her away. "Come along, you wench. Back to the Shadows with you."

Before she is moved too far, she sends a mouthful of spit flying towards the group, striking Setsuna square on the cheek! "How many lives did you save, Heroes!?" she screams as she is drug off. "How many lives have you taken!? HOW MANY DID YOU KILL WITH YOUR BLOOD MONEY!?"
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You arrive at the Pediment Building ten minutes later, and an attendant sees to your horses. You enter, and the messenger steps up to the adjutant's podium and announces your arrival. You are led through the huge building back to the floor with the mayor's office, but instead are led into the smaller office opposite. Standing at a window therein is a man with short blonde hair, a fair complexion, and wearing the livery of the city. He turns to face you as you enter, smiling and saying, "Ah, welcome back to the City of Monuments! I trust you had a pleasant trip back?"

On the road
After consigning the Galtans to the soil, Riley pulls out the enchanted hide armor that the enemy druid had wore. "I believe this would be quite the improvement to my present armor! After it's cleaned, of course. And some resizing may be in order. And the repair of these arrow holes."

He looks at the letter, but cannot decipher its language, so he points it out and passes it around for someone to translate.

In Magnimar

Riley raises an eyebrow at the woman's epithets, but remains silent. He watches closely to observe how the others respond.

At the Pediment Building, he also hangs in the back, crosses his arms, and lets the others speak.

In Magnimar, as the woman speaks...

Eugeni looks concerned as the spittle hits Setsuna. I hope that's not true. That would really suck.

"Is that true?" Eugeni asks the others. "Did we really receive our reward from money intended to aid the poor? If so, we should help them instead. If I were sleeping rough I would want to be helped. Golden rule and all you know..."

On the ride through Magnimar, after the heckler is drug away...

"A gossip monger and a dissident, nothing more," says the messenger. "Those who have fallen on hard times around here seem to spend more time developing fantasies to justify their hardships than seek to remove themselves from such conditions."

After battling the Grey Gardeners

Morythine is grateful when his companions finally drop their questions, and thankful of Zoli’s trust in him.

"OK, that makes sense I guess...but jeez Mory, who do you open up to? I mean, I totally know I pry sometimes--halfling curiosity and all--but everybody needs someone to open up to, right?"

“I guess I’ll try where I can. History has taught me that creatures of my kind are wiser to keep their stories secret and hidden. Few in this world understand us. Those who trust too easily don’t survive long.” His dark eyes flicker to Riley and Setsuna, sensing his new companions are less willing to put their trust in him than Zoli and Eugeni.

The druid passes him the letter, he glances at it once then casts it aside. “A letter from his mother . . . he notes, giving the relevant corpse a nudge with his boot, then kneeling down to pry a finely made blowgun from the dead man’s belt.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in Magnimar

Ignoring the ravings of the mad woman in the street, Morythine follows his friends and the messenger to the Pediment Building. He waits patiently for the blonde man to introduce himself and explain what Magnimar now wants from them.

Upon arrival, Setsuna quickly excuses herself to the nearest place where she can wash her face.

"For the most part," Setsuna says after returning to the group. "Rather rude of the woman to take her frustrations out on me, though. Anyway, what seems to be the situation?"

You arrive at the Pediment Building ten minutes later, and an attendant sees to your horses. You enter, and the messenger steps up to the adjutant's podium and announces your arrival. You are led through the huge building back to the floor with the mayor's office, but instead are led into the smaller office opposite. Standing at a window therein is a man with short blonde hair, a fair complexion, and wearing the livery of the city. He turns to face you as you enter, smiling and saying, "Ah, welcome back to the City of Monuments! I trust you had a pleasant trip back?"

"Pleasant enough. Some people weren't too happy to see us return. With whom do we have the pleasure? Sir...?"

Office

The man looks at Eugeni, a confused look on his face, before realization sets in and he adds, "Ah, yes, my apologies, I am used to everyone around here knowing me in advance."

He bows and adds, "Valanni Krinst, Personal Assistant to Mayor Grobaras. I generally tend to, well, frankly almost all of his affairs. A pleasure to meet you all. Mayor Grobaras would like to extend his apologies for being unable to meet with you in person, but he is otherwise detained for the moment."

He gestures to the seats in the room, before continuing, "About a week ago, we received a message from Turtleback Ferry that they have had no contact from Fort Rannick in quite some time. It is our most distant holding, and it would be unfortunate to see them turn to Korvosa or Kaer Maga for aid should their actually be a problem. After reading the news, the Council of Ushers have been pushing for the city to send a patrol to Hook Mountain to check on the Black Arrows, our force stationed there, but the Lord-Mayor felt we had nobody to send on such an endeavor at the moment. It was then that I reminded him of your groups previous heroics, and that you had even expressed interest once before about investigating the region. He has offered each of you a stipend to cover your traveling expenses and pay you for your services, 75 platinum crowns each."

"How far is 'our most distant', Mr. Krinst?"

"Nearly 400 miles. About a week's journey on horseback or by barge."

"Or a few days' by roc," Riley mentions. Then he looks around, and colors slightly. "But I suppose you lot'll need your own. And they're scarce. Well, friendly ones. And in this region. So, barge, then?"

As they walk through the streets with the messenger

Zoli finds herself stunned into silence at the accusations from the woman in rags. She pauses for a moment to try to formulate a response...and the moment is past and they’ve been shepherded away from her.

She reaches up and grabs Eugeni’s hand as they walk along. ”That’s...a really disturbing idea.” She glances down at the belt and boots she’d had Xamarath enchant for her with all of that loot, chewing a bit on her lower lip.

. . .

When Krinst offers them the job, the little swashbuckaeologist scrunches up her nose. ”Aha! We knew there was something going on there--Xanesha’s big sister--we tried to tell the Lord-Mayor but he was so sure.

“I’m glad the Lord-Mayor is interested in the welfare of Fort Rannick but first I’m curious to hear what he’s doing for the welfare of his citizens who dwell in Underbridge. We heard claims coming into town that the reward we got for stopping the skinsaw cultists and saving the Lord-Mayor’s life was taken from funds meant for the Underbridge. Is that true?”

"The less fortunate souls of Underbridge always make such claims when coin is made known to go anywhere but to them. It is an unfortunate fact of life, those with less blame those with more. Efforts have been made to lend them aid, but they should also strive to make some changes themselves," he replies to Zoli's question.

"Hmmmm, even so, there looks like there's real need there. We're going to risk our lives to protect Magnimar again. If we do it, that's for all of Magnimar. Surely this great City can find in it's coffers the means to increase aid to the poor, just as they're hiring us to look out for the Fort."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

"What she said, Sir. We cannot in good conscious go gallavanting off while the poor starve so we get paid. Helping them would undoubtedly be good PR for the mayor's office as well."

Diplo aid another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Valaani nods to the group, "You are truly a noble sort, that much is certain, and your reputation precedes you. If you would like, I can arrange it so that, instead, your reward is donated to the citizens of Underbridge, on your behalf. Payment would still be arranged for your traveling expenses, however, I assure you."

"Sure, why not? That should go some way to easing their suffering."

Riley scratches his chin. "As long as the reward is used entirely for the betterment of Underbridge, I see no problem with that." He looks at the man dubiously.

He looks at Riley, a sincere look on his face, "I can make sure that happens. Do you have any further concerns or questions? If not, I have a guide who has volunteered to travel with you to make sure you reach your destination safely."

Morythine can't help but heave a hearty sigh as Eugeni donates his potential reward to a bunch of starving peasants who mean nothing to him, but with the words said, he has little interest in uttering a contradiction.

Hopefully on Sunday I'll get wifi in my flat, and be back to more regular posting.

Riley takes a sidelong look at Mory, but says nothing. Then he straightens with interest at the mention of a guide. "I have nothing further. Except, who is our guide?"

"Strangely enough, someone from Sandpoint as well. What was the name...let me see here..." he says as he moves to his desk and begins sifting through papers.

"Ah, yes, here it is. A miss Andosana. Shalelu Andosana."

Riley reacts with surprise. "Shalelu? Is she going to take some time from hunting goblins for us? How nice!"

Sure. Your pick. It may have even been a previous you. Lol

That depends on how old Shalelu is. Even though Riley's been reincarnated before, he grew up as Riley Tobias, so he's been this same incarnation for 34 years. He doesn't have much memory of his early life (maybe died twice in a week, which "reset" everything and had to be born the hard way). So it's more likely that he knew her when he was in his teens or twenties unless she's really old. If so, I'll need to roll to see what Riley was before this incarnation.

She is a 126 year old elf.

Oooh, oooh, Riley was previously a...: 1d100 ⇒ 11 Dwarf!
And before that he was a...: 1d100 ⇒ 33 Gnome!

That is unless you want to roll (or decide) for yourself...

1d100 ⇒ 66 halfling!
Actually, there's a table floating around these boards that have an expanded list of the available races, and includes all the different human ethnicities. It'd be pretty cool to use that!

Maybe you were Zoli's mother!

Or father....dun dun DUNNNNNN

Uh oh, Eugani's old crush. Is Zoli gonna get jealous?

??? I'm really confused at that. And maybe a little bit worried???

Eugeni had a crush on Shalelu.

"Before you go...what do you call yourselves? As a group, so that I might know who to give credit to your donation," he asks, taking a quill and dipping it into the ink well, ready to write your answer.

Riley shrugs and looks in the direction of Zoli, Eugeni and Mory. "These souls have been called the Heroes of Sandpoint, but I've just visited it recently. Though I did live there once before, long ago. But never earned the title hero. So that would seem disingenuous, at least for me."

"Varisian Rangers?" Eugeni offers. "We seem to be becoming some kind of regional defense force."

Valaani writes the name down and says, "Very well, and good luck on your journey."
__________

The next day, you are greeted at the docks near the mouth of the Yondabakari river by the familiar sight of Shalelu Andosana. She smiles and says "Well well, if it isn't the famed Heroes of Sandpoint! Can I have your autographs?"

She looks at Eugeni, and circles him as she continues, running a finger casually across the side and back of his shoulders, "My my, have you changed. I had heard...but couldn't believe it. Too bad you traded your angel blood for Orc...but still...not bad. Nice bow, by the way."

At the sight of Shalelu, Riley breaks into a broad grin. "Auntie 'Lu! So good to see you again!"

Her head snaps around at Riley at the greeting, and her smile grows, "Well if it isn't Little Riley. How did you get caught up with this ragtag bunch of 'heroes?' And where did you get the Roc?"

Riley pulls her into a familial embrace, then walks her over to introduce Shalelu to his animal companion. He clucks a couple times with his tongue and the great bird nuzzles the elf's hand. "This is Olympus. The Windsong Abbey had his egg. They gave it to me to hatch, which it did, though I didn't really have much to with that part. I've been raising him for the past five years now, and he's still growing!"

Turning back to look at the Heroes, he tilts his head and his joy fades a bit. "I'm trying to puzzle out the mystery behind Eugeni's reincarnation. I've a nose for these things, but his was not my doing."

Gonna go ahead and move things along. If anyone wants to post RP for either previous scene, feel free to do so in spoilers.
__________

It is a week long journey by barge up the Yondabakari river, a cold, damp trip that does nothing for brightening anyone's spirits. Fortunately, the trip is uneventful for the "Rangers."

Turtleback Ferry is a small township perched on the rain-drenched north shore of Claybottom Lake. You find the locals friendly enough, although many of them seem nervous and skittish, often overreacting to the sound of dogs barking or other unexpected noises.

Shalelu makes an exaggerated, grand, sweeping gesture, saying "Welcome to Turtleback Ferry. That there (1) is the Turtle Parlor, the local inn. Next to it is Bottom's Up, the town watering hole (2). Across the way there is the Turtleback General Store (5) and Irontooth's Metal Goods (4). Over to our left is the Town Hall, also serving as the Church of Erastil (6). The priest is a good man, named Maelin Shreed, and he also acts as the towns leader."

You guys are currently at 3 on the map. Theodric, send me a PM with where exactly in town you are.

Sent you a PM Thron. Let me know when I can post :D ...also can you set me back to active? I can't see the campaign on my list of active campaigns.

Riley spent the long journey along the river rarely on the barge itself. From soaring high above the boat on Olympus or in eagle form, to loping along the shoreline in the shape of a stag, or paddling alongside as a snapping turtle, he displayed a oneness with the wilderness that's to be envied. He also helped the boat remained provisioned, showing up frequently after a brief foray into the woods with wild game to share. He caught up with Shalelu, and spent a fair bit of time with her as they both patrolled the riverbanks.

Alias Name: Marcellano Kain

Theodric arrives in the little backwater town aboard a small, rickety barge sized for halflings; having departed recently from the little village of Harse on his way from Korvosa, it was all he could do to find a barge on such short notice. As a result, Theodric is sore from the cramped quarters, itchy and sticky due to the rampant humidity, and tired from having to listen to the three obnoxious children of the owner of the barge talk to him the entire trip here. As a result, Theodric is in a sour mood. Thankfully the cold isn’t bothering him.

After speaking to a few of the backwards-looking locals, his metallic-sounding voice causing them to shy away from him and some outright refusing to talk to him, Theodric gets a general idea of the shit-hole he’s in. His well-armored figure, dressed in full plate as he is with a bright-red cloak and similarly colored plume atop his helmet, stands out too much in what is considered the town square, so Theodric decides to head to the Bottom’s Up for information.

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Buffs: Endure Elements