Thron's Rise of the Runelords Campaign

Game Master Thron

Krinst furrows his brow at Eugeni's stern tone, "There was no guarantee you succeeded in your venture, in which case, this promised coin would have had to go towards hiring someone else to look into the Rannick situation. And they may not have been so generous with the reward. Despite the size and influence of this city, we do not have unlimited funds available to us, especially at a moments notice. I personally made sure this coinage has been set aside expressly for this venture."

Eugeni nods, tight lipped. His distrust for authority remains evident on his face, but he says no more, knowing he'll only make things worse. He looks at the others, trying to gauge their opinions on the matter.

At the Pediment Building
Rilee folds her arms and scowls. "We're back, so the coin should go to Underbridge as promised. Then you should prioritize rebuilding Fort Rannick -- since it's no good in its current state."

Setsuna nods at what seems to be the majority decision. "I agree that funding the shelter in Underbridge is most important right now. The Kreegs are essentially a non-factor right now, and Black Magga aside, they seemed to be the biggest threat in the area. You probably have some time to gather the funds for a new legion of Black Arrows."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

Three votes carry the majority. To the shelter it is.

"Very well. I hope this attack on Sandpoint is a farse or canceled, at any rate. And perhaps with the incoming winter, things will remain quiet over on the Hook. At any rate, the site had already been prepared, as well as blueprints drawn up. It should take just over three weeks to complete with the manpower I have arranged. I have a few labor unions that owe me favors..." Krinst says with a smile as he hands the writ over to an aid for delivery.

"At any rate...I can tell you all are anxious to see to Sandpoint, and I wish you the best. I'll say a prayer to Abadar to keep the town protected, at any rate. May the gods watch over you and the town."
__________

After two days of travel, due to the weather...

The trip back to Sandpoint was slowed due to heavy snows that were quick to accumulate on the ground to a depth of about seven inches over the course of several hours. The usual welcome site of the town from a distance was denied thanks to the blankets of the stuff falling from the heavens. However, the ever present welcoming sign and mirror at the south entrance greet you all the same.

The town seems fine, though it is easy to notice that the militia has been called up. Several townsfolk can be seen guarding the entrances to town and the major intersections, chaffing under the uncomfortable chain shirts they are unaccustomed to wearing. Their grumblings and complaints, while quiet, are hard not to notice.

Aside from the militia, the streets are mostly empty, most citizens remaining indoors to avoid the snow and cold. A few paths have been made here and there, namely from taverns and the general store, as well as the routes taken by patrols.

"Wow...feels like a lifetime since we've been back. I guess we should head to the Rusty Dragon and see who's around?"

"It has been -- for me at least," Rilee quips. She marvels at the stirrings of memory at the strange homecoming. She had only visited Sandpoint briefly as Riley, but lived a life in the coastal town prior to that. When he was last there, his memories hadn't been stirred up like they were now. The town had grown so much, but familiar features remain. She nods to Eugeni and follows him to the inn.

Unless I say otherwise, Setsuna will be casting Endure Elements on herself everyday during the winter. Also, grabbing Greater Invisibility and Haste from Dreamed Secrets.

"Looks like they got my Sending," observes Setsuna, who is obviously very pleased that the memo was not too late. "I'm going to go report to whoever runs the show around here."

When Setsuna finds someone to speak with, she asks, "I know that our report of an impending giant and draconic invasion sounds... absolutely far out, but given what happened in Sandpoint last fall (?) and what we witnessed in Magnimar and Hook Mountain, I didn't want to take any chances. I'm not familiar with the area, so do you have any idea which direction the giants might come from? If we get any sort of early warning, then Rilee can lay a very nasty trap for them. Also, do you have any place to evacuate the civilians?"

When it appears that Sandpoint is still intact and whatever impending invasion has not yet occurred, Rilee thinks on the other clue in the giant's missive. "We should, as time allows, consider discovering whatever it is that may be located within Sandpoint that the giants seek. If we find it, whatever it is, we may be able to lure them away from the town entirely."

She smiles, then throws up her hands. "Any ideas? I've been away for a long time, so I don't know if anything hidden here."

Those of you heading into the Rusty Dragon:

The Rusty Dragon is busy as ever inside, despite the weather. In fact, the storm seems to be keeping most of the occupants from leaving, preferring to face the later wrath of their wives or mothers than face the immediate cold.

As the heroes enter, the tenants inside first turn grudging faces to see who dared open the doors and let a blast of cold air surge inside, but once they recognize the heroes, a chorus of cheers goes up, welcoming the returning heroes back home. Of note, the jeweler Maver Kesk sits at a table with a couple of his personal hired guards, the playwright Cyrdak Drokkus, and Jasper Korvaski.

At another table, Daviren Hosk enjoys a meal of braised boar and potatoes with Gaven Deverin, cousin to the mayor, as well as Belven Valdemar, overseer of the Sandpoint Shipyard and eldest son of old man Ethram Valdemar.

Finally, Ameiko sits with Xamarath at a table near the bar with Brodert Quint. Once she spies the group, she jumps to her feet and seemingly glides over, giving everyone a hug as she speaks, "Hey guys! Your back! Tell us all about it! Did you happen to see Skull's Crossing while you were out there? I've heard about it but never seen it, it sounds amazing...creepy...but amazing!"
__________
Those of you heading on to the Garrisons:

Sheriff Hemlock, more stern and stoic than usual, replies "The west is clearly out, given the sea. They will have to come from the east," pointing to the map and the bridges on the town's eastern border. "But that's even if there is an attack. It's been 5 days since I got that magic message, without so much as a hint of any giant presence. So I have to ask, do you have any proof to this attack? What would giants want with Sandpoint? I am going to need something a bit more concrete to keep the militia called up. They are not happy to do drills, let alone be actively called up for days with little explanation. And I'm not gonna scare the town with naught but rumors."

He sighs before adding, "As to an evacuation, I managed to convince the captain of the Wistful Widow to keep her anchored at the dock, just in case we need to get people out to sea. With the heavy snows, though...an evacuation is very unlikely."

Setsuna unrolls the memo the group found in Barl's person and presents it to Sheriff Hemlock.

"A local clan of Hook Mountain ogres was taken over by a couple of Stony Giants and a Lamia Matriarch, who was the sister of the mastermind behind the Magnimar and Sandpoint Skinsaw murders. They planned a similar stunt by breaking Skull's Crossing," Setsuna begins. "After dealing with them, we found this memo. I know Giant, so here is what is says..."

Setsuna recites the message and also points out to the Sisters' written translation.

"It was translated by someone who had no idea who we are or where Zoli, Eugeni, and Mory lived. We never said anything to them about such tipics. She is so disconnected from Sandpoint that it would be odd for her to write down this particular sequence of words and for it not to be true. Again, I also verified that the original Giant text says the same thing. If you don't believe me, then go get someone who can read Giant, and I bet you a platinum piece that they'll agree with me."

Setsuna looks at Sheriff Hemlock and says squarely, "Even it is not much, I would rather not ignore any evidence. The notes we found in Magnimar about Hook Mountain turned out to be completely true. And stranger things have happened. I mean, I don't anyone was expecting Nualia and her army of goblins or Justice Ironbriar to be a mass murderer."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

With Sheriff Hemlock.

"The west is clearly out, given the sea. They will have to come from the east,"

"If they do come with a dragon, the sea's as much a danger as anywhere. I've never seen a dragon, but the popular opinion seems to be that they can fly, and fly well."

"If we save the evacuation boat for when the strike force gets here, then it might do little more than gather all the townsfolk in one spot for the dragon to cook them."

"...Weren't there some catacombs in town?" Setsuna inquires. "I remember Zoli telling me something about them. That might be a better place to put the townsfolk. I doubt a bunch of big giants would operate well down there. Heck, they logically shouldn't even know they exist."

At the Rusty Dragon Inn
Rilee stands back and watches the reunion and lets the others tell the tales. At first it was a happy event, but she realized quickly that the topic of Shalelu's fate would come up. Pangs of regret gnaw in her belly, and she quietly slips back outside before they reach that topic.

The wind is icy and works it's way past her cloak, but her new form doesn't notice it. She only dressed in weather-appropriate clothing because it looks strange to prance about in a sun dress in two feet of snow. She trudges through the banks and whistles for Olympus. The great bird is warded from the chill as well.

Rilee gives her companion a big hug as she looks back at the Inn, huddled against the winter with its patrons enjoying the warmth inside. Then she wonders where 'Lu is right now, her huge reptilian body sluggish and slowed because of the cold. Alone.

She collapses in a snow bank and lets her tears fall.

Sheriff Hemlock nods at Morythine's assessment and the evidence presented him by Setsuna. "Very well, I will keep the militia up for another couple days to be safe. And you may be right about the ship, I will let the captain know his service is no longer required, and speak with Xamarath and Ameiko about using those catacombs you all found as a temporary shelter should the need present itself."

Unless I've overlooked anything, I think I've addressed everyone's current NPC interactions. Anyone got anything else they wanna do or anyone they wanna talk to before we get this show on the road?

Unlike the more happy reunions the others enjoyed upon their return to Sandpoint, Rilee lapses into melancholy. Her recovered memories give her occasional fits of remorse and loss, while her regret over Shalelu's reincarnation also feels more pronounced while in town.

Instead, Rilee takes on the task of patroling the region, either on the back of Olympus or Wild Shaped into various winter birds. She and her roc would soar high over the town and the hinterlands, searching for signs of giants coming down from the hills and scanning the horizon for the black silhouette of a dragon.

She dozes during the brightest time of the day and shapes into a snowy owl for nighttime patrols. Then she again sleeps during the darkest hours and is up at first light, praying and again back into the air to patrol.

At the Rusty Dragon, Zoli hugs Xamarath and Ameiko and then shows them the note, and then plops down some books she's checked out of the library. "What do you know about this Teraktinus? Or the Jorgenfist? Any ideas? I was going to comb through Horad Steelnose's Giant Almanac of Giants for clues. I brought volumes one through three."

K.Arcana+luck+aid from Xam and Ameiko 10+10+2+2+2=26
K.Local+luck+aid from Xam and Ameiko 10+8+2+2+2=24
K.Geo+luck+aid from Xam and Ameiko 10+7+2+2+2=23

Assuming the Arcana roll is for the dragon...

Xamarath runs his fingers through his hair at the mention of a dragon. "From my understanding, dragons here are similar to those of my world. Smart, powerful, prideful beings capable of wielding magic as well. Depending on the type and its age, it could prove far more powerful than anything we could pit against it. However, if it is in service to giants, it couldn't be too powerful, lest their prideful nature would win out and it would prefer to kill them than serve."

Ameiko chimes in, "In all of my own adventures, and the stories I've heard, I've never heard of this 'Jorgenfist.' It must be a new giant settlement."

As Xamarath flips through the tome, he taps one page in particular, "Here is a listing mentioning a Teraktinus, but only in passing. 'Teraktinus, son of Oriandian. A member of the Crannoch clan of giants. According to this Horad Steelnose, that clan is one of the best tribes of hunters among stone giants."

Rilee:

You are circling high above Sandpoint, doing your best to keep an eye out for the approach of giants or a dragon. However, your melancholy seems to keep your senses dulled, and your focus is snapped back to the fore like a whip at the sound of a thunderous crack of stone-on-stone. Your eyes reflexively turn towards the sound: the north gate. There, you see three stone giants dressed in thick pelts hurling huge rocks pulled from the ground at the small wall the town has built there.

Another stone collides with the wall, sending debris, as well as a pair of unfortunate Sandpoint guards, flying back into the town behind the wall!

Zoli's House:

Setsuna and Zoli are slowly awakening after a restful night within Zoli's humble home on the corner of Bishop Street and River Street. The Sandpoint Lumbermill is just beginning to get to work, its saws gritting their teeth into the first tree of the day.

Suddenly, their slow awakening is disturbed by the sound of a thunderous crack of stone-on-stone! The pair rush out, wrapping themselves in blankets against the cold, to see what the commotion is about. Unfortunately, the sound came from the north and the view is obstructed by the Sandpoint Cathedral and the small hill it sits upon. However, you ARE able to see Rilee riding upon Olympus high in the sky, her attention clearly drawn towards the north gate...

Rusty Dragon:

The smell of an early breakfast in celebration of the returned heroes is enough to wake even the deepest of sleepers currently residing at the Rusty Dragon. Soon enough, most of the guests have made their way to the common room, politely greeting each other, as well as fawning over Eugeni and Morythine in hopes of another tale of their heroics to the east.

Ameiko sleepily makes her way down from her own room, still in her own clingy nightgarb, and smiles and waves politely to her patrons as she makes her way to check on Bethana in the kitchen.

However, the early morning greetings are soon disturbed by the thunderous crack of stone-on-stone to the north! Everyone looks about confused at first, until a second crash draws everyone rushing into the street and snow to see what is going on. The view that direction is blocked by buildings, until the small mob makes its way to the Sandpoint Market. While there is still no sign of what is causing the disturbance, you can clearly see Rilee sitting atop Olympus in the sky above, their bodies turned toward the northgate...
__________
Rilee Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

As this happens just as dawn arrives, and Rilee was the only one to state they were spending their time being up and at it at that early hour, the rest of you are just waking up, and she was the only one allowed a Perception check. Also, this battle map would be too big to really effectively scale and maintain resolution, so instead of using your tokens, I have created three markers of different colors to represent the groups of PC's. At the bottom right corner of the map, you will see your tokens beside which marker you are currently represented with.

Also of note: rather than going through the headache of having to deal with Difficult Terrain due to the snow and the crowds of people that are about to be flooding the streets running in terror, and other bits and pieces of chaos thrown in, I am going to simplify movement and say that, while traversing the map, each group is limited to a double-movement worth of moving. This will represent you guys moving as quickly as you can, all the while avoiding hazards and dealing with the troublesome terrain. When actual combat begins, however, you guys WILL possibly be dealing with Difficult Terrain penalties, depending on the situation.

Edit: And finally, as usual, feel free to continue/conclude any prior RP via spoilers.

As the first crash shudders through Sandpoint, Morythine gulps down the last of his cranberry juice and plants his tricorn firmly on his head.

At the second crash he turns to Eugeni and remarks “Well, they’re here. Best go to work.” Grabbing his staff he follows the other patrons of the Rusty Dragon out into the street.

“I imagine that’s the sound of a giant knocking on Northgate,” he reassures the townsfolk “Best hurry along to the catacombs as Sheriff Hemlock advised” Morythine looks to Xamaroth and Ameiko to see if they’re ready to guide everyone to safety.

“We’re both swift on our feet. Fancy jogging down to Northgate to get a look at the visitors?”

Assuming Eugeni agrees, Morythine will do just that

Setsuna's Cloak of Shadows and Stars begins to materialize around her pretty form, and her inky wings spawn from her back.

"Rilee is looking to the north..." the Oracle notes in Thassilonian as she scoops up Zoli. "They must be coming down Lost Coast Road. Come on; I'll fly us there."

Setsuna's form buffs up to muscular Elven version of herself. As they travel, once fairly close to the northern wall, she casts Ironskin on herself and Zoli. Additionally, the Half-Elf vanishes from sight via her Ring, giving the impression that the resident Swashbuckler is flying like some sort of Superhalfling.

Greater Invisibility and Slow from Dreamed Secrets. I have Blessing of Fervor, so Haste is probably a bit redundant.

After conjuring my cloak and wings, I'll fly Zoli and me there. I'll use Many Forms to turn into an Elf, which boosts my light load carry capacity to 88 lbs. Since I'm only carrying 23 pounds (according to Hero Lab) and Zoli and her gear is probably 45-50 at most, that should be enough to fly 60 feet per move action or 120 feet for a double move.

Also, I'll cast Ironskin and myself and Zoli when we're almost there. That might slow us down, but we're also flying straight above any obstacles.

I need actions posted in a round by round basis.

Round 1:

Armor as Standard, Wings as Swift, Scoop up Zoli as Move.

Round 2:

Multiform as Standard, Start Flying as Move.

Round 3:

Ring as Standard, Flying as Move.

Round 4:

Ironskin on Zoli as Standard, Flying as Move.

Round 5 (In hindsight, not really necessary; if we get there first, then don't worry about it!):

Ironskin on Me as Standard, Flying as Move.

Round 6+:

Fly as Double Move.

Zoli gives a sharp "Yipe!" when she hears the crack of stone smashing stone.

She nods at Setsuna's suggestion and jumps into the oracle's arms. "Chaldira and Desna, watch over us! Whoever's throwing those stones sounds pretty damn big...but we know how to bring'm down to size, don't we, Setsu?"

As they fly over Sandpoint, Zoli cranes her neck for a sign of giants...or a dragon.

Round 1, draw sling, draw stone. Round 2, load sling, ready action to fire at a giant. Maintain that action until I see one.

Morythine would pause to cast Bull's Strength as soon as it appears he'll imminently be in combat with the giants.

ROUNDS 1-3:

Morythine/Eugeni:

Eugeni nods and readies his bow as the pair begin to run through the streets towards the northgate up Festival Street. They can see townsfolk panicking and fleeing towards the Glassworks, or as Xamarath insists on calling it now, the Enclave. The spy Zoli soaring into the sky above, much as she had done at the Kreeg Clanhold at Hook Mountain, as the sound of breaking wood momentarily drowns out the screaming. Whatever was the source of the new sound, it appeared to have Zoli's attention...

Setsuna/Zoli

The pair of heroines take flight, lifting off up above the small houses and beginning to head towards the continued sound of battle to the north. However, just as they start to pick up speed, another boulder crashes much closer to home: right into the east wall of Rovanky's Tannery! The crash is immediately followed by a cacophony of screams. As townsfolk begin to run through the snow-packed streets towards the west, the militia men stationed at Tanner's Bridge cry out in pain and terror as three dire bears tear through their ranks as if they were butter. Driving the bears both across the bridge and through the river are a pair of stone giants behind them, both hefting huge boulders to continue to barrage the town!

Rilee:

Rilee works some of her magic and bolsters Olympus' talons and beak as the bird begins to fly towards the fight, followed by some more magics to ward off attacks against the avian. The giants here continue to hurl stones and batter the wall as guards cower behind the wall trying to avoid the boulders, while others rush to reinforce the gate with wagons and anything else they can find nearby. "Don't hide, puny humans! It will do you no good! We have come to crush your little town!" one of the giants taunts just before heaving another boulder at the wall.

Another of the giants slaps the shoulder of the one beside him and points to the sky at Olympus' approaching form. As Rilee begins to focus on the giants, her mind now on the battle at hand, her keen eyes spots something approaching. A winged form approaches: it is large, and it is moving fast, its scales gleaming crimson as it flies by over the water towards the town proper!

Rilee: Casts the following spells as Olympus double moves towards the giants at the north gate: Greater Magic Fang, Barkskin, Stoneskin.

Setsuna/Zoli: Gets through their Round 3 of actions before spotting the chaos to the east at Tanner Bridge.

Eugeni/Morythine: Double moves for 3 rounds up Festival Street.

BEGIN ROUND 4
__________

As the first crash shudders through Sandpoint, Morythine gulps down the last of his cranberry juice and plants his tricorn firmly on his head.

At the second crash he turns to Eugeni and remarks “Well, they’re here. Best go to work.” Grabbing his staff he follows the other patrons of the Rusty Dragon out into the street.

“I imagine that’s the sound of a giant knocking on Northgate,” he reassures the townsfolk “Best hurry along to the catacombs as Sheriff Hemlock advised” Morythine looks to Xamaroth and Ameiko to see if they’re ready to guide everyone to safety.

“We’re both swift on our feet. Fancy jogging down to Northgate to get a look at the visitors?”

Assuming Eugeni agrees, Morythine will do just that

"Not really, but I guess we'd better."

Eugeni grabs his bow and begins jogging. Once he nears the north side of town he takes a running superhuman leap onto the top of a nearby building, getting ready to shoot any enemy targets that get in range.

I count 750 feet from red dot to building 3, which is where I'm going to go. I can move 120 with a double move, so that's 6.5 rounds. The other half of round 6 will be jumping onto the roof.

Running jump Acrobatics: 1d20 + 43 ⇒ (6) + 43 = 49

Further crashes and a rising chorus of screams, shout and cries give wind to Morythine and Eugeni’s run as they sprint across Sandpoint. Hearing closer commotion coming from Tanner’s Bridge, the dhampir keeps charging down Festival Street.

“I fear they’re starting the party without us!”

Seeing Eugeni veer off and move up the High Street, Morythine flourishes his tricorn in farewell. "Well, now I'm a party of one. One and some giants at least."

Round 4

Rilee kept one eye scanning the horizon as she cast her preparatory spells. When she sees the dragon coming in over the water, she has Olympus bank toward it. Crimson scales. Red means fire, she muses. "Ready to take on a dragon?" she whispers as she leans in and kisses his neck.

As she and Olympus fly on an intercept course to meet the dragon, the great bird issues a challenging cry.

If there's time before we reach the dragon, I will cast resist energy (fire) on myself then recall it with my pearl and cast it on Olympus. Finally, right before we reach the dragon, animal growth.

DS Will - DC 20: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

"We need to help here; at least they have a wall up north," grumbles Setsuna as she channels her divine power into Zoli, who quickly vanishes from sight as well.

As she lands them on the ground, the Oracle explains how the Greater Invisibility spell works.

"I'd focus on the giants," adds the Oracle. "Many of my animal summons have good noses, so the bears may be able to smell you."

Casting Greater Invisibility on Zoli and landing as a move action.

Round 4

Zoli nods. Then she realizes that Setsuna can't see the gesture, and says "Понял, я пойду удивить гигантов и стараться не подходить слишком близко к медведям!"

She then toward the nearest giant, intent on felling her or him.

-If a giant is within 40' of our landing spot, I'll hustle up to 40' and then take a standard attack.
- If they're within 80' and there's a clear route to charge, I'll do that.
- If they're within 80' but there's no clear charge line, I'll hustle at full speed.
- If they're out of range, I'll run up to 160' to toward them (trying to stand to the side).

Stealth+invis-full speed (if they're > 40' away and < 80' away): 1d20 + 21 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 21 + 20 - 5 = 55

Just as a reminder regarding movement: in the overall picture of things, I realize you guys are going to be running when not fighting. However, to simulate having to deal with panicking people flooding the streets, snow accumulation on the ground, and other debris, I am limiting movement on the big map to the equivalents of double moves. I am putting this same stipulation on the bad guys, so in the end, everything balances out. When it comes to actual combat scenes, I will let you know whether or not you have to deal with Difficult Terrain due to the snow accumulation or not.

Setsuna flaps her invisible inky wings and flies forward as quickly as she can. At the same time, she begins to conjure something big, new, and strong. Hopefully, it can distract and perhaps kill the bears while Zoli handles the giants.

Casting Summon Monster V to summon a Celestial Ankylosaurus. However, as allowed by the rules, I will break it up into two standard actions (one this round and one next round) instead of a full-round action. I will use my move action to fly 60 feet forward. Better to summon the guy close rather than wasting a couple of rounds of him running toward the fray. Since I am flying, I would probably avoid the difficult terrain.

Morythine’s sprint is momentarily interrupted when an enormous boulder crushes a nearby building. Stumbling through the raining shingles and timbers, he keeps charging onwards. Ahead he can see Setsuna aloft above the bridge, and hear an awful lot of roaring.

Morythine will continue double moving up the street. By my estimate, that won’t bring him quite into the fray, although if it does he will pause just out of sight so that he can cast Bull’s Strength upon himself before joining the battle.

Now (round 4)

As Zoli runs toward the giants, she does her best to steer clear of the massive bears.

Gonna try an update from iPad. Sorry for any errors in advance.

ROUND 6: