Ærde: Lost and Found in the City of Wonders

Game Master Jibril Johan Sameh

Right, could you put up a party pool file for us, please? I'll be sure to forget where these numbers were the next time we go shopping ;^) Unless we divvy everything up.

This was the point of asking for a treasurer.

Let's reopen this discussion.

Everyone, do we want to have a party pool or do you each want to track your treasure individually?

If we do a party pool do you want me to track your loot and add it to the character status sheet or will one of you track it?

I have one vote from Tymythy that I track loot in a party pool.

Well, I had voted for Tymythy to be our treasurer, but if that's not a welcome task then I'm okay with Corey doing it if no one else wants to. I'll cry 'not it' as I do that in my other game.

I'm also fine with divvying things up if ya'll would prefer that.

I can keep track of the party treasure if Corey would prefer not to but Zahra should not be in charge of the money. You may get a pile of ‘magic’ beans if she does :)

I vote for Shari being treasurer and Tymythy being banker. :)

Thank you all. Shari will be the accountant and Tymythy will be the in-game bank.

Shari - I will give you an up-to-date inventory soon.

Just one round of running for Dounia. If she had made the realization of what the pit was while she was in it ... so what now? I think you all made a good plan of having Dounia do a quick scout and then everyone go in to try a diplomancy resolution.

Also, the nugget, we're gonna make that worth 10sp so Dounia is 1/10th done for today.

Just one round of running for Dounia. If she had made the realization of what the pit was while she was in it ... so what now? I think you all made a good plan of having Dounia do a quick scout and then everyone go in to try a diplomancy resolution.

Dang, I was hoping they were going to have to chase her!

Cairee and Tymythy - I've PM'd you both

This vista of all the obliettes is very haunting.

I said it was OK for Tymythy to keep the purse, I don't recall volunteering myself as a player to keep track of the money ;^)

So, three choices are presented so far: 1) Try to deal with the Sikiritir at the main complex; 2) Use the secret passage of the Family and sneak into the prison from the upper mines; or, 3) Try to deal with Yad alSahra and get a way into the prison. Or look for another way ... fight your way in?

Cairee will want to talk to Sikiritir and offers to try Fairness on them.

But she's not a strategist and will go along with whatever the rest think best if they're confident it will work :)

I've been away for a three day workshop/academy, which is taking way more brain space than I thought it would. Monday I start a new job, so it may be a few days before I'm able to catch up on the game. Please move forward and I'll backpost as necessary. Tx!

And I'm going into my perhaps-least-favorite-medical-examination-of-all-times tomorrow, so will be dreading it 24/7 until it is done... 10 minutes of misery incoming. I'll try to get to a better posting mood after I survive it.

And I'm going into my perhaps-least-favorite-medical-examination-of-all-times tomorrow, so will be dreading it 24/7 until it is done... 10 minutes of misery incoming. I'll try to get to a better posting mood after I survive it.

Wish you a good result and some more peaceful times ahead

I have survived the ordeal. And news were positive across the board, with only one minor oddity or a finding that doesn't require any further medical attention.

Very glad to hear it!

Me too!

And I'm going into my perhaps-least-favorite-medical-examination-of-all-times tomorrow, so will be dreading it 24/7 until it is done... 10 minutes of misery incoming. I'll try to get to a better posting mood after I survive it.

Head canon: Experimental use of spiders in detecting physical abnormalities. Patient must stay perfectly still as well-trained spiders walk around, performing a full external examination. Movement can startle spiders and result in false-positive results, and also spider bites.

I have survived the ordeal. And news were positive across the board, with only one minor oddity or a finding that doesn't require any further medical attention.

Head canon: Managed to hold still and not get bitten. Spiders discovered two small, boney lumps between the shoulder blades. They are not painful and appear to be benign; they require no further medical attention. Annual monitoring recommended in case they become wings.

I have survived the ordeal. And news were positive across the board, with only one minor oddity or a finding that doesn't require any further medical attention.

Huzzah! Best news I read today.

Quote:

And I'm going into my perhaps-least-favorite-medical-examination-of-all-times tomorrow, so will be dreading it 24/7 until it is done... 10 minutes of misery incoming. I'll try to get to a better posting mood after I survive it.

Head canon: Experimental use of spiders in detecting physical abnormalities. Patient must stay perfectly still as well-trained spiders walk around, performing a full external examination. Movement can startle spiders and result in false-positive results, and also spider bites.

Tymythy-son-of-Stywyrt wrote:

I have survived the ordeal. And news were positive across the board, with only one minor oddity or a finding that doesn't require any further medical attention.

Head canon: Managed to hold still and not get bitten. Spiders discovered two small, boney lumps between the shoulder blades. They are not painful and appear to be benign; they require no further medical attention. Annual monitoring recommended in case they become wings.

Ick... I'm so happy Finland doesn't have spiders larger than half a cm across the body. Hate those little creepers with a burning passion. Anyway, thank you for that pleasant mental image ;^)

You'd think the wings would be a pleasant side effect but people can mostly only glide with them and only in good conditions ... and it makes high-backed chairs and winter coats a pain.

The bridge is actually more like a diving board? Attached at one end, and dangling a basket on the other? That's my worst nightmare. Well, if I was in the basket and it had a spider in it, that's the actual worst. But this is 9.5, even without a spider.

Yes, more like a diving board with a hoist that raises the cage to board level - I promise there isn't a spider in sight!

From what you can see in the township and what Condos has told you this is what you can puzzle out as the basic layout of alHufra in cross section.

OMG, that cross section is a nightmare. I hate it here already. Amazing.

I agree. We're screwed. But the details are absolutely mind-blowing.

We'll be fine. Aim for the bushes!

(edited) If you succeed in the Religion roll please feel free to go to the 'Game Info' page, click on the 'Faith' link and read the story of The Douser of Zhayalahmar in the section on the saints. Also, Wawanefrew is often called 'Tawaret'.

She could be The Prophet that Condos spoke of.

Zahra - here is a list of everything you currently have in the party pool. Please keep track of coin spending. I am also adding something called Boons or favours for good deeds done/lives saved:

warm cloak - sold at market
thurible - sold at market
2 sets of thieves tools - sold at market
sling bullets - sold at market
short bow - sold at market
spell component pouch - sold at market

Copper Torc (magical) w/three words: the name Ludter, the tribal name Varyag, and a runic protection ward (+1 on survival rolls to avoid hazards as described in the skill) - given to Limaninite tribe

current party coin:
pp -

gp 83

sp 76

cp 5

Cairee has:
healer's kit (8uses - before healing Condos)
Bandages of Rapid Healing - waxed paper bundle with paste soaked bandages
1 boon from Craedeamh
1 boon from secret source (GMs note: 2.1)

Dounia has:
platinum monocle - value: 12gp 5sp
long reed blowpipe
10 blow darts
vial for anointing darts (magical, 3 doses)
shortbow arrows (6)
two pouches (40gp ea.)
2 boons from Craedeamh

Zahra has:
minor pouch of holding
slip of paper (directions to the Asmar house from the grand bazar)

Tymythy has:
punching dagger with red stained blade

small scimitar (stats as short sword) with a red stained blade

shortbow arrows (6)
Owl/Serpent medallion (magical) - any one re-roll

ooh, boons sound exciting! Do we know what the one is from Craedeamh?

I think I see things like this – and be free to comment if this goes against what you were thinking about the Hlewmylani.

Stealing is right, even honorable, as long as the victim is a known enemy, someone (an individual or a group of people like a rival clan) you have made it plain you have a grievance against. In that case, the riskier the theft, the more fame and honor it grants you – spiking someone’s drink and then going though his pockets would be easy, low-risk, and thus frowned upon, but sneaking alone into an enemy camp, stealing the belt knives from while they were worn by sleeping rival clansmen without waking them? Even the victims would grudgingly admit that was a deed well done.

Also, taking stuff from someone who made themselves your enemies by, for example, attacking you is quite all right – that would fall into the spoils of war category and anything in the enemy’s pockets is just your due reward for defeating them in combat.

Stealing from random strangers just because you can, however, would be dishonorable, whether you were mugging them or picking their pockets. I can’t recall is Dounia has been overt with details about her pervious procurement of finances before, but Tymythy would have an issue with her thieving. If her actions kept helping their mission along (like here, getting the coin to save sister) he might be able to go along with it, or if she was stealing just to allow them to survive in a hostile land he could ignore his discomfort as Dounia was doing something distasteful but necessary. But thrill-stealing or just picking pockets to make herself rich? That would be dishonorable, and while Dounia is her own woman, of course, it would be a stain on Tymythy’s own honor by association.

I agree with this. It would be much like the practice of 'Counting Coup'. Warriors show their bravery in stages:
1) coming close and yelling at a foe (or monster) and then backing off - perhaps starting a duel of insults.
2) coming in close enough to touch a foe (or monster) with a spear - a short spear if they were really good.
3) taking something of the enemy's - a trinket. This would challenge the enemy to do the same allowing foes to test each other without starting a war. This might escalate to the stealing of very valuable items until a parley was necessary to barter the items back - the beginning of respectful relations - or - if things went badly, if someone got out of line, a war.

Not all tribes are the same but these things above most tribes would follow.

As for inter-party dynamics, please go to the difficult places and stay true to your character ideas - but try to walk the line where it all stays fun for everyone. Both Dounia and Tymythy are strong minded characters and their arguing sounds exciting to me. I see Cairee and Zahra gettin stuck in the middle.

Delicious!

ooh, boons sound exciting! Do we know what the one is from Craedeamh?

It is flexible. Craedeamh has several things she might be able to offer, if you ever see her again.

Please add to the list: 1 party boon from Condos J'hon

As for inter-party dynamics, please go to the difficult places and stay true to your character ideas - but try to walk the line where it all stays fun for everyone. Both Dounia and Tymythy are strong minded characters and their arguing sounds exciting to me. I see Cairee and Zahra gettin stuck in the middle.

Righto. A bit of tension and differences in opinion can make for good RP, but serious infighting, even (or particularly) when reasoned by "that's whats my character would have done in the situation" is poison.

Several years ago, Shari and I were in a short lived Strange Aeons game with Fabian, and several new-to-us players. The game started with us all in prison, having amnesia. Shari broke us out, and we started releasing the other prisoners. One of the other players had the ghost of his dead brother as part of his character class (I'm foggy on the details), and the first time my character saw it, she got scared and attacked. I meant it to be just for flavour, nothing else.

It spawned a massive problem in the discussion thread, as my attack "roll" was good enough to kill the ghost. The player was ranting about trust and PvP (which I had to look up), having to create a new character, etc etc. Fabian jumped to my defense, assuring the others it was likely a benign misunderstanding. When I woke up and read the thread (problem with being the only westcoaster in a game), I was mortified. Last thing I wanted to do was actually attack another character, even though that's what my character would have done (in error).

It all turned out okay, but it was a big lesson for me, especially about taking liberties with other PCs (especially especially if the players are new to you and you don't have that built in level of trust).

Looking forward to having some discussions on morality with Tymythy!

And then there was a game I played that Angie GM'd and she had to use an NPC to keep the group together because one of the characters couldn't get along with my character. It made for good role-playing but I think it was taxing on our GM.

My cornea transplant surgery is confirmed a go for Monday so I will be on hiatus for a bit while I heal. Please bot Zahra as needed.

Cornea transplant? Yikes! Good luck!!

My cornea transplant surgery is confirmed a go for Monday so I will be on hiatus for a bit while I heal. Please bot Zahra as needed.

Thank you Shari! I will and good health and hopes for a low impact surgery!

I have tried to compare prices of fantasy items to modern items and the ratios vary widely, making a gold piece worth between 13 to 100 dollars. I like to think of a gold piece as being worth about $50 in modern money (making a platinum worth 500, silver worth 5, and copper worth $0.50). Your strong coffee for example, cost $1.

Thinking this way, Dounia lifted $4,000 from a group of loaded travellers.

Oh, that's a rocky road if you start wondering how much stuff costs in real money... I did that at one point about World of Warcraft's economy... when you might spend a couple hundred gold coins to buy clothes from a NPC vendor, one had to wonder how many planets with cores of solid gold the people there had to mine all the stuff from ;^)

Oh, that's a rocky road if you start wondering how much stuff costs in real money... I did that at one point about World of Warcraft's economy... when you might spend a couple hundred gold coins to buy clothes from a NPC vendor, one had to wonder how many planets with cores of solid gold the people there had to mine all the stuff from ;^)

Agreed on all accounts.

Even in the real world, the value of things is so ephemeral. I find the price of things sort of truncated in-game. Items of low cost in the fantasy word are expensive and items of great value cost less. Most people in the real world pay below $10K for a riding horse. In Pathfinder, they would work out to half that by my rule. While Fish hooks cost $5ea when we can buy them $0.08.

Wine is dead on. Going from common wine for $10, good wine for $50, to the most expensive for $10,000+

Flashback Sequence
OK.

I had a new idea for a game within the game.

Essentially, what you are doing is a con or heist. You aren't full-on breaking in and stealing 'Cyra' but you aren't playing all of your cards on the table. So, when we get to Buying Her Way Out Of The Pit you may be allowed to back-post or even retcon something from A Shrewd Itinerary which, chronologically, happened earlier.

Think of a heist movie. The part when they are showing scenes from the middle of the heist but have narration over top from the planning stage. This is that sequence.

I want everyone to make one kind of roll when they post under the heading A Shrewd Itinerary. It can be a social skill roll 'like' diplomacy, intimidate, or bluff. It can be a knowledge roll 'like' kn local, kn geography, kn nobility. If you have an interesting profession you may roll that. Disable Device (and its' compliment 'rig device') could be useful here. The DC is 15. If you succeed you may perform one flashback post to A Shrewd Itinerary when you planned out something to bring or a preparation to make, in effect having something materialize in the later posting to benefit you or an understanding between players that you wont need to communicate. If you nat20 you get two. If you Nat1 then I get to choose one thing that you forgot to do.

If you have a back-post it should be in the spirit of the roll you made earlier. For example: step one - (in the past) you roll kn nobility; step 2 - (in the future) you find yourself being watched too closely by some guard; step 3 - (in the future you backpost to the past), "When we arrive make sure you put on these yellow sashes that signify our clout; step 4 - (in the future) I give you a bonus on a roll to pass without being interrogated.

Questions?

Ooh, heisting. Sounds fun!

I'm hoping this will be a good test for a more elaborate 'true' heist - amulet of non-detection anyone???

Also, works as an effective spoiler that we are not going to be able to just go there, do the trade and get back out according to plan ;^)

I think Shari will be allowed screen time on Monday.

Great to hear her recovery is proceeding ahead of schedule!

Please tell Shari not to rush her recovery for our little game - and I second Tymythy. Very glad to here she's healing well!