Darnail you spot what looks to be a loose floorboard.
"Careful in there... could be dangerous..."I call out as they advance into the room together, while I keep my eyes on the surrounding terrain, making sure none come up behind us.
Odd bunch o' lads, them... They get angered fer me to go "charging in", say be stealthy else it be dangerous... So this time I listen and I be stealthy and what happens? Why, they decide to go charging in... can't make up their mind, that lot... Oh well.
Darnail you spot what looks to be a loose floorboard.
"What have we here? Hold up, everyone."
Darnail will kneel next to the floorboard heedless of the trash and see about working it loose.
"Lance is keeping an eye open, outside. He'll most likely let us know if they come back before we are done."
Germon will move in to help. "Here let me help you move those"
As you pry the floorboard up you hear a click and 4 nails smeared with a blue substance come flying out.
Darnail gets hit for Damage and now has a smear of blue dye on his forearm where the nail hit.
Inside the hole you find:
A chest with the symbol of saragost on the lid, the lock appears to have been smashed off. Inside is 840 pieces of gold.
"Now that gives a whole new meaning to blue in the face." Logarth says with a chuckle.
"Say any o you recognize that seal?"
Knowledge History:
History
"Saragost, that's who the collector worked for and who's lands we are in. A dead tax collector, and a money chest that's smashed and hidden. I think we have the evidence we needed now. Germon, give me a hand with this please, let's get back to the Chapel. Blue dye would make it easy for those fellows to find a townsfolk who fiddled with their stuff. "
Darnail will pause to wrap a cloth around his arm to cover the blue for now, more for asthetics since he didn't plan on hiding the fact he was involved anyways.
"Did you find anything in the next room?" Darnail will call to Cael and Logarth.
You didn't see anything through the keyhole Logarth. It doesn't look like the kind you can look through. If you want to see what's in there you will have to go in.
"So he be the one that belongs to the medallion I got from the mines? I say that we should take all this back to that priest of yours, perhaps then we can motivate this town to rid itself of some scum."
"So he be the one that belongs to the medallion I got from the mines? I say that we should take all this back to that priest of yours, perhaps then we can motivate this town to rid itself of some scum."
Darnail will nod in confirmation, looking determined on this.
"Precisely my intention. Do we wish to see what is beyond yonder door before going, or leave with what we have?"
"It all be the same to me...but I be bettin that door is trapped too. Seems to me this whole place be one big trap, but perhaps it be better for us to set it off then say the Mayor."
"It all be the same to me...but I be bettin that door is trapped too. Seems to me this whole place be one big trap, but perhaps it be better for us to set it off then say the Mayor."
"That is indeed a good point. I would not risk further injury to any more this day. Let us take our leave, if there are no objections? We should bring this chest to the Chapel."
Darnail is willing to drag the chest, or take an end, or otherwise do whatever is needed.
"Well? You find anything interesting... Other then explosions and traps?"I call out liesurely from the hill.
It's not that heavy, one person could carry it pretty easily with both hands.
Let me know what you guys are doing. This has taken a bit too long and I am going to move ahead a bit to help speed things up a bit.
A couple of things I will need to know from you guys:
1. What are you doing with the money? Church? Mayor? Sheriff?
2. What are you doing about the duergar army that is coming up in approximately 10 days as you read in the letter? Are you telling anyone?
3. Is anyone going to search anymore for the Sword of Starkweather John? Where are you searching? Who are you asking?
These are things you guys need to answer in order for the game to progress. Let me know if you have any questions.
"We found a Chest with the symbol of Saragost that had been broken open and hidden. Let's get back to the Chapel and take our next step before things get worse. We'll speak with the caretaker, and see about the mayor from there. I'd like to know if the good Father suspects the Mayor being in on this before we go running to him."
That being said, unless there is any objections, Darnail will lead the group away from the Windmill and back to the Chapel.
1. I think the mayor should get it first; but before I volunteer to give it to him, I'd rather talk to the priest to get the tip. After meeting the mayor's "wife" he seems like a waste of time. In either case, if it goes to the mayor, I want a general announcement made to the town. Let everyone know their money is comming back. I want the townpeople to know what's up, so we don't hand it over to the wrong person by accident.
2. These rubes aren't going to stop anyone, any time. We need to move the data on an Underdark invasion to someone who can do something useful. I say we get directions to the capital of this nation, and invite everyone in this town to follow us to a defensible position, cause that town won't do anything to stop anyone and will be sacked and burned in days.
3. I will take the sword after Starkweather John, after I found it; which I will. The only person in the town that seems to have any brains in this outfit is the priest. He may have a clue to where we find this weapon. If my guesses are correct and we this party is bound together by prophecy, we are most likely linked by that weapon, and we will probably need it. The priest will have the tip...
So, go to the priest, ask if the mayor is trusty and where we can find rumor of the sword (reference inscription on tomb we discovered), then move to the town; let them know (with diplomatic means) that their town is going to be destroyed; here's a bunch of free gold, let's grab your crap and head to the capital as fast as can be. We'll take fast point and let the capital know what to expect.
1. Germon will allow the others to take the money and do with it as they please, the only way Germon will take money, gear, or anything useful is if it is either handed to him or it lay abandoned. He isn't fond of the idea to take the chest from the windmill but he'll keep that to himself since he is the only one of that opinion it seems. He will want to talk to the sheriff first about the evidence they found.
2. Germon will also talk to the sheriff about the threat that exists in the mines. If the others are not opposed, Germon would like to act as an ambassador to these deepdwellers. More than anything, Germon simply wants to return underground and look around some more and hopefully encounter some of these strange people.
3. Germon has pretty much forgotten about the sword and will let Lance go after it. Germon's family sword is all he needs and he is more preoccupied with the people of the underdark.
Germon will ask the sheriff and anyone around town, mayor, or the priest if they know anything of the people underground. If the others allow and the GM agrees, Germon will make his way back to the mines to seek out this "threat." Hopefully some, if not all, of the others will go with him. He will wait until they have finished everything they need to.
1. Germon will allow the others to take the money and do with it as they please, the only way Germon will take money, gear, or anything useful is if it is either handed to him or it lay abandoned. He isn't fond of the idea to take the chest from the windmill but he'll keep that to himself since he is the only one of that opinion it seems. He will want to talk to the sheriff first about the evidence they found.
2. Germon will also talk to the sheriff about the threat that exists in the mines. If the others are not opposed, Germon would like to act as an ambassador to these deepdwellers. More than anything, Germon simply wants to return underground and look around some more and hopefully encounter some of these strange people.
3. Germon has pretty much forgotten about the sword and will let Lance go after it. Germon's family sword is all he needs and he is more preoccupied with the people of the underdark.
Germon will ask the sheriff and anyone around town, mayor, or the priest if they know anything of the people underground. If the others allow and the GM agrees, Germon will make his way back to the mines to seek out this "threat." Hopefully some, if not all, of the others will go with him. He will wait until they have finished everything they need to.
"Well, lad... ye be partial to yer family sword, eh? I knew a Gaelic Highlander once... wouldn't part with his clan sword to fight a bloody dragon. Meantime, ye don't be wanting the sword, that be yer choice and a fine one... I done sold enough bloody weapons o'er the years I be partial to one weapon; the one that saves me life."
I add the last as we haul the treaure out and hustle back to town, hearing his desire to go back under the ground and wait until people who are plotting a potential invasion to show up, and possibly convince them that a massive army should turn their invasion back on his say so... I don't think it is a good idea, but I don't want to tell him what to do.
"Well, ye want to go down to the poxin' Drow folk and make speeches, well, we ain't mates, but I warn ye that be a bad plan, sure as sunrise. Anyhow... I be seeing the priest and trying to get this bloody town out of here, as best as can be... no matter what crawlin' nasties be siddling up from the Deep... this place ain't the place to defend itself... I fer evacuating it from threat, but ye do as ye like... Catch up when ye can, no doubt the Undercrawler's be decent enough to ye... but I be doubting much that we got's any such fair truck with 'em, as I doubt they like our kind at all,"I add the last with a shake of my head.
1. Don't care about the money
2. Let them Come!
3. I'll ask the boy ghost and also proceed with the line of questioning at the bar for the sword of Starkweather John.
1. Logarth wants to see the money returned to be sure. My vote is to take it first to the priest and see if he has any insights into who we can trust with this information and then go from there.
2. As for the Army I think once again the priest is the most logical person to start with, but Logarth will relish in the chance to test himself against an entire army.
3. I would think that either the priest or the mayor would know about the sword, and I think we should find it before this invasion.
1. Logarth wants to see the money returned to be sure. My vote is to take it first to the priest and see if he has any insights into who we can trust with this information and then go from there.
2. As for the Army I think once again the priest is the most logical person to start with, but Logarth will relish in the chance to test himself against an entire army.
3. I would think that either the priest or the mayor would know about the sword, and I think we should find it before this invasion.
I am pleased to see that Darnail and Logarth are on board with giving the money back to the people, but will suggest to them that it has been stolen, and that criminal elements are most likely attached to it, and could have even been hiding in the windmill, since half of it was not even explored, and may try to take the money back somehow. We need the cash dispersed publically, not privately, because if it is given to a privater person, like the mayor or whoever... then we don't know the town will get the cash...
Fighting an army is nuts... besides, even if we fight them and win, there are a lot of innocent people I'd just assume move out of here. Once we locate the sword of Starkweather John, I'd just assume move on from this berg, and evacuate the people. I will press Darnail via the priest (as he seems to be the most level-headed and logical of the group) to urge the town to get the heck out of dodge.
As for the sword itself? I am guessing the most educated person in town will know about the sword... the mayor's got connections, but I doubt he is educated, based on the way his wife acted... personally I think the mayor is on the take with the bandits. So I will go with Darnail and Logarth to the priest, ask the priest about the gold, and then hopefully try to disperse it through Darnail's Diplomacy, hopefully encourage the town to get out of here.
Personally, I feel it my "civic duty" to warn the captical of this nation that a Underdark Invasion (be it Drow OR Deugar) is comming... so they can do what they can. If we are in the nation of Chillhame, then we ought to move to its capital quickly and let their prince or duke or whoever do what needs getting done to protect against an army. I'll look for the weapon for a while, but not forever... The people in the capital really need to know and prepare themselves for a possible national invasion. At least, that is my opinion. I will ride on if no one else cares to warn them.
"I say we should be going to visit that priest get things going on..."
"Let's be off then."
Darnail will start making his way back to the Chapel, waving Lance back to the group as he does so.
"Let's be off then."
Darnail will start making his way back to the Chapel, waving Lance back to the group as he does so.
"Good job, lads. That sounds like a fine plan,"I say, and offer Logarth and Darnail a sip from my hip flask as I stub out my cigarette.
I don't know if Cael, Germon, or "The Slice" are comming with us, continue to explore the windmill, or go somewhere else... but that is my plan; to go with them, find the sword, and warn the people of an invasion.
Germon will go and tell the sheriff about what they found at the windmill and then ask about the underdwellers.
Before leaving the windmill, The Slice will walk over to the unopened door. "I don't like leaving things behind me that might come back to bite me". "Let's see what's in here".
The Slice takes 20 on his perception check to look for traps for a total of 25.
Taking Lance up on his offer."A little drink would do well."
Then thinking for a moment Logarth says to Lance, "Seems I be owin you a drink as well." He pauses for a moment then in a chuckle says to everyone, "Tell ya what when we get done the first two rounds for everyone is on me."
He pauses for a moment the yells at everyone,"Seems like we left Master Slice behind. I shall return to see what he is up to."
Then when he hears Slice's plan to open the last door,
"Aye, it is better to get punched in the eye then stabbed in the back. Besides should that door be trapped as well better for you and I to find it then the mayor if you catch my drift."
As Logarth has decided to go back to Slice, I will accompany Darnail to the priest on my own. Logarth knows my plans... in either case, once we distribute the recently claimed loot to the town, I have a hunch HE'LL be able to find US.
Before leaving the windmill, The Slice will walk over to the unopened door. "I don't like leaving things behind me that might come back to bite me". "Let's see what's in here".
The Slice takes 20 on his perception check to look for traps for a total of 25.
There don't seem to be any traps on this door.
Once you get to the chapel, the good father opens the door and hustles you in. So me boys? How'd it go?
Perception
If the door is not locked then,
The Slice listens at the door, and if he hears nothing throws it open jumping to the side as he does so.
If he hears something he will tell anyone who stayed...
As you open the door and jump out of the way, four arrows come whipping through the opening.
Reflex Save
DM
I believe our timing as a group is off again. The Slice wouldn't have waited around for long before opening the door, so everyone should be just outside the door. I know it's hard to run with this group, but The Slice would have had to wait at the door for several minutes at least before opening. We should really wait till everyone has a chance to act before moving forward
So to summarize:
The Slice and Logarth are at the door.
Lance and Darnail are going to the Priest
Germon is going to the Sheriff
and we don't know about Cael yet.
Does that about sum it up.
So to summarize:
The Slice and Logarth are at the door.
Lance and Darnail are going to the Priest
Germon is going to the Sheriff
and we don't know about Cael yet.
Does that about sum it up.
Beer, Beer, Beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer,
beer, beer,
BEER!
Once you get to the chapel, the good father opens the door and hustles you in. So me boys? How'd it go?
"Good as can be, padre..."I say stepping up to shake the priest's hand.
"We reckon we got a line on some tax money fer this berg. Near as I see it, tax collecter was murdered and dumped in the caves. The lads around the caves and pointing that way were the same scum that I figure did the knife work. I'm thinking that there's a gang of Highway men out in the hills that do ambushes and such, and may be running some sort of racket with some of the townsfolk here; using some folk as cover and such. I don't know the town well, but ye seem like an alright lad, as may be... Either case; I trust yer word on who around here be worth talking to, and avoiding, if you catch my drift?"
I pause to roll and light up another cigarette.
"Problem with the coin is... Who get's it? Do we send it back to the bossman in these parts, or disperse it to the folk here? If it be me, I say give it to the folk and never mind the bossman... As for why? Well, we got reason to believe that in half a fortnight this place'll be sacked and wiped out by Underdark folk... we figure that an army be comming up fast from the deepness below us, and have notes to prove it, if ye want more evidence. If it were me running the show, I'd get these folk out of here and send them to somewhere strong that they can hold up... maybe the captial of this country, or something... but in either case, if we send them... well, the folk in the captial won't mind their missing taxes, and the people in this town will need every brass opal they can get to cover their losses if they pack it up and flee to the capital; I saw we give them the gold, if ye take my meaning,"I say exhaling swiftly.
"But before we go rushing out o' here (being yer good chapel AND yer good presence)... and either to the capital or just handing out coin... me mates and I aye want more info on the fellow burried up in the hills; this "Starkweather" John lad... we got's reason to think he's got goods and gear that may be connected to our'n folk, and we want to find it, and put it to good use... 'specially if that means stoppiing an army of bastards from taking o'er the world. Ye got any words on that Starkweather fellow, we'd be much obliged to ye..."
I glance at the priest. It's a pile of information I dropped in his lap, and no mistake. But I want answers, and we have little time. The sooner he gives us the news; the sooner we can act on it.
1d20+6 Reflex Save
DM
** spoiler omitted **
Once you get to the chapel, the good father opens the door and hustles you in. So me boys? How'd it go?"Good as can be, padre..."I say stepping up to shake the priest's hand.
"We reckon we got a line on some tax money fer this berg. Near as I see it, tax collecter was murdered and dumped in the caves. The lads around the caves and pointing that way were the same scum that I figure did the knife work. I'm thinking that there's a gang of Highway men out in the hills that do ambushes and such, and may be running some sort of racket with some of the townsfolk here; using some folk as cover and such. I don't know the town well, but ye seem like an alright lad, as may be... Either case; I trust yer word on who around here be worth talking to, and avoiding, if you catch my drift?"
I pause to roll and light up another cigarette.
"Problem with the coin is... Who get's it? Do we send it back to the bossman in these parts, or disperse it to the folk here? If it be me, I say give it to the folk and never mind the bossman... As for why? Well, we got reason to believe that in half a fortnight this place'll be sacked and wiped out by Underdark folk... we figure that an army be comming up fast from the deepness below us, and have notes to prove it, if ye want more evidence. If it were me running the show, I'd get these folk out of here and send them to somewhere strong that they can hold up... maybe the captial of this country, or something... but in either case, if we send them... well, the folk in the captial won't mind their missing taxes, and the people in this town will need every brass opal they can get to cover their losses if they pack it up and flee to the capital; I saw we give them the gold, if ye take my meaning,"I say exhaling swiftly.
"But before we go rushing out o' here (being yer good chapel AND yer good presence)... and either to the capital or just handing out coin... me mates and I aye want more info on the fellow burried up in the...
The priest doesn't interrupt at all while you tell your tale though he gets an angry look on his face when you tell him about the money. When you get to the part about the underdark army he goes almost white. When you finish he looks at you both for a moment as if he is thinking of how to respond. When he does respond it is with the authority of someone who has seen his fair share of action. You get the impression that this is no ordinary priest.
Well...first things first. We need to get Jim Oakenbough and his boys under arrest. Second, this town needs to get hell and gone from here before this army comes through. We need to head to Saragost and warn them to call up the army. I am going to be needed to get the people down there but we are going to need someone to head down the way warning the villages and towns to head to Saragost. As fer the sword o'starkweather john...why do ye think it is meant fer you fellas? He looks at you hard, as if to tell you not to lie to him and speak plain.
"That's the only clue we have as to what brought us all here, Father. We all woke up at the standing stones out in the bay this morning, and the voice that spoke to us said we need to find it to start getting answers. Mayhap we were also meant to help in the ways we have, and deal with what we come across, or not. Regardless we Have to find it. What can you tell us about it?"
A voice? What voice did you hear? He looks at the both of you and says, You know that sounds crazy right boys?
"Maybe, padre... but no more crazy then this,"I say, rolling up my sleeve and showing him my "birthmark", the one that corosponds with the star-like sign on the rocks.
"Them other lads got the same types of birthmarks, or birthsigns, ye can check 'em each if they lest ye see their signs... if signs be the right word fer it... as may be; we were all about our business and got magicked up on this island by those rocks. Even as we shook it off us we get jumped by some sort of creatures that looked like shadows or being's of darkness... We put 'em down; but good. Then we walked about a bit, searched the lay o' the land, find some old text on a tomb that belong'd to him that be a'fore mentioned (that is to say, this Starkweather fellow...) and here we are. If that ain't enough fer ye, do some magic on me and test the truthfulness on me. Ye'll see the way of it then."
"I got nothing about getting this bastard Jim Oakenshield dancing Danny Deever, as may be... but I be more worried that he be conspiring in this town with some... That if we talk to the wrong person, they be giving him the tip to flee or what have you. I don't know who to trust on the matter, or not. You got any notion on that bit? Beg pardon, but if there's lad on the take, I'd not enjoy going to him fer help on the matter and getting a knife in the belly fer my trouble,"I add, exhaling.
"Finally, I be all fer heading to this Saragost place... if it be the capital of an island; chances are they'll have ships, and a good berth to them that knows something on sailing, which I do. You think ye can lead this town to the capital and get them moving right and true? If so, we'll leave you to it and ride fast for the capital and raise hell on the way; get a bunch of the lads awake to the fact that they need to be helping more then not, if ye take my meaning. We need action, and soon. Meantime, any chance between then and now on finding out what drew us here be a good thing to pursue. I want to know what brought us out to them stones, because if we run for it... and an army comes after us... and takes this bit o' land... and we get magicked back to the very place we already got brought to... well; let's just say that being brought back again and again to that place seems less then savory to me, and I'd prefer to avoid it, if ye take my meaning?"
I say the last as I lower my sleeve from the birthmark. I look the priest in his eye. He's smart enough, I would think, to tell I am speaking the truth on all counts, or at least, what I believe to be the truth.
1d20+6 Reflex Save
DM
** spoiler omitted **
The Slice picks out a dangerous looking target and charges with a rebel yell.
Charging Kukri - Arcane Pool
Damage
Logarth dodges in and attacks the closest baddie with a left hook and right uppercut.
Acrobatics:
Flurry of Blows:
If hit:
A voice? What voice did you hear? He looks at the both of you and says, You know that sounds crazy right boys?
"I would hope that someone who deals in faith on a regular basis would be able to admit that there are many things in the world that we are not privy to until we discover the truth of things for ourselves.
'The equinox has come', and 'the stones sacred to the stars that we are' seem to have the most importance as clues, as well as 'Seek the sword of Starkweather John… it lies near, waiting to be claimed… when that is found, you may begin to understand, to remember.'Beyond that, we are here. We have seen things that needed to be seen, and done so where those here could or would not. That does not sound crazy to me, it simply feels like the wheels of fate turning.
Will you tell what you know of the Sword now, good Priest? We have been forthright with you on everything you have asked, and dealt with you fairly."
** spoiler omitted **
Slice and Logarth:
When you guys move through the doorway you are in a large circular room about 40' in diameter at the base. There are four people in the room. They are definitely the group that you came across on the way to the mines. Jim Oakenbough is the one you go for Slice as soon as you come in. There is a large stone wheel in the center of the room that is rotating slowly. It is about 4' high. There is 10' of room around the outside of the circumference of the room. Jim is 15' to the right with a bow in hand. The others are ranged around the room along the walls evenly spaced out. They all have bows in their hands. Logarth I am assuming you are attacking Jim as well with Slice. You cannot move and make a full attack so only your first attack will count.
Slice darts in and slashes across Jim's belly with his kukri, it is mostly turned by the armor he is wearing but manages to score a line of blood.
Logarth follows through behind you, pushing forward and throwing a vicious left hook to Jim's head, rocking him a bit before he shakes it off. He looks to be fairly wounded.
With a cry of rage Jim drops his bow and pulls a very nice longsword from its sheath at his hip. Holding it in both hands he whips it over his head and brings it in a wicked slash across the both of you. Slice he is attacking you first as you were the first in.
Slice is hit with the slash but is able to turn the follow through enough that it misses Logarth. The other members of Jim's posse look to try and shoot but hesitate, not wanting to hit Jim.
Logarth moves himself as to provide flanking for Slice.
Acrobatics
Stunning Fist:
If hit: