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Vinny will help Khaul with the furniture building as well. She can take over from the dwarf while he finishes the watchtower. "We can take care of some of these furniture pieces ourselves Bastian! I'm not super experienced with this kind of crafting, but I'm sure we can make some progress while we leave the more skilled tasks to Khaul."
No need for any rolls since you are not hiring anyone.
Khaul and Bastian finish up the wooden watchtower while Vinny and Tess work on building some furniture for the new lodge.
Faerinaa spends her time talking with Mikkel, Lotte and Plisken.
Already completed tasks:
* Clean the Fort (Approach Road)
* Patch the Hole in the Outer Wall
* Rebuild Scaffolding for Battlements
* Replace the Main Gate
* Clean the Fort (Courtyard)
* Collapse the Watchtower
* Repair the Well
* Clean the Fort (Great Hall)
* Rebuild Collapsed Stairs
* Clean the Fort (Roof)
* Construct Cover for the Roof
* Excavate Stairs Below Great Hall
* Clean the Fort (Dungeon)
* Decipher Ancient Writings
* Cleanse Urgathoan Shrine
* Clean the Fort (Barracks)
* Repair the Barracks
Task: Build Wooden Watchtower
Khaul: Bastian
Today’s Progress: 2 person days
Completed: 12/12 days
Task: Build basic furniture for lodge
Vinny: Tess
Today’s Progress: 2 person days
Completed: 2/6 days
Task: Talk to Locals
Tokens accepted by Bessama, Matthild, Plisken, Rakka
Faerinaa speaks with Lotte, Mikkel, and Plisken.
Money 20 gp - 0 gp spent today = 20 gp remaining
Today Faerinaa starts her day trying to talk to Lotte. The innkeeper is as hardworking as ever and expresses her surprise that Faerinaa has so much time to spend chatting. “The rest of your group is working, why aren’t you?”
Lotte is still indifferent to the group.
Mikkel seems willing to listen to Faerinaa’s stories, but it is difficult to get him talking. The boy is still very shy.
Faerinaa can’t tell if the talk was useful or not.
At least the ponds are relaxing. Plisken shows Faerinaa the way to one that has a small stream running through it. It is really nice to relax in the pond and listen to the stream flow through the area.
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Tess talks to the two smiths, Edgar and Martin. and tries to feel them out, considering how often they worked with Khaul. She talks about their craftsmanship and talent, and compliments them on being a cute couple. She also asks them about how they met, and what made them think they were right for each other.
She also makes one last go at Sylvina to see if Sylvina will take up the coin. "We could use your wisdom in the Society, if you have changed your mind."
Tess attempts at the smiths again, unless she knows they are helpful already. If helpful, she offers a coin.
For Vinny's sake, she makes an effort to befriend Junissa. It may not be a bad idea to have a friend in Xer.
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Day 15 - Assist with furniture-making.
"I'll be moving in tomorrow, I think. I'll start gathering my things and some supplies."
Bastian looks forward to not being watched by Lumley, but is also concerned for the villagers.
Day 16 - Talk to locals and move into THE LODGE.
Focus on Braderock, Lotte and Matthild.
Braderock - Bastian tries to come alongside him around the theme of loss and trying to work in a tyrant-run state with Razmir/Runelord parallels.
Lotte - Bastian is just generally going to try and get her to lighten up a little, be cheerful around her and hope it rubs off!
Matthild - He will chat with her as she works - as long as she is not with her slave masters. He'd like to get to know her a little better as a person.
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"Well, we've finished the main projects. All that's left is to move in and get a few of the finishing touches squared away. I know a lot of them have specific things in mind, and I'll be starting on something of my own tomorrow."
On day 15, Faerinaa will assist with the furniture assembly. On day 16, she'll excitedly begin laying some of the foundations for wall cover. "You know, having things to hide behind in a fight makes a huge difference. People that don't know you're there can't dodge or shoot back. This is going to make a great archery spot."
She'll move into the Lodge with everyone else on day 16.
No need for any rolls since you are not hiring anyone.
Khaul and Bastian work together to assemble furniture. They are able to make reasonable progress.
Vinny allows Faerinna to lead in creating furniture. They are not able to make as much progress as Khaul and Bastian did.
Tess spends her time talking with Edgar, Martin, and Sylvina.
Already completed tasks:
* Clean the Fort (Approach Road)
* Patch the Hole in the Outer Wall
* Rebuild Scaffolding for Battlements
* Replace the Main Gate
* Clean the Fort (Courtyard)
* Collapse the Watchtower
* Repair the Well
* Build Wooden Watchtower
* Clean the Fort (Great Hall)
* Rebuild Collapsed Stairs
* Clean the Fort (Roof)
* Construct Cover for the Roof
* Excavate Stairs Below Great Hall
* Clean the Fort (Dungeon)
* Decipher Ancient Writings
* Cleanse Urgathoan Shrine
* Clean the Fort (Barracks)
* Repair the Barracks
Task: Build basic furniture for lodge
Khaul: Bastian
Faerinaa: Vinny
Today’s Progress: 3 person days
Completed: 5/6 days
Task: Talk to Locals
Tokens accepted by Bessama, Matthild, Plisken, Rakka.
Tess will talk to Edgar, Martin, and Sylvina.
Money 20 gp - 0 gp spent today = 20 gp remaining
Tess has a very nice conversation with the two smiths. She actually gets Edgar to slip and indicate they only go to the church because it is required of all citizens. The two of them don’t seem interested in travel, they have made their home here.
She thinks that Edgar is helpful and Martin is friendly. She is sure that Martin is not the type that would report the coins.
When she visits Sylvina, it is another very indirect conversation. It takes a while, but Tess believes that the woman is helpful. This time Tess convinces her to take the token.
When offered the tokens, the blacksmiths accept them.
No need for any rolls since you are not hiring anyone.
You have your normal breakfast at the Inn and finish packing while the service is going on. Mask Lumley does not seem surprised that you are moving into the lodge. “I believe my town has fulfilled our part of the agreement. Do contact me if you have any complaints or praise to share.”
Strangely enough, today he does not make any of the power plays or subtle digs you’ve come to know him for.
Tess and Bastian tell the rest of you that they will join you at the lodge before nightfall.
At the lodge, Khaul finishes the furniture that they had planned.
Faerinaa and Vinny start work constructing some cover that people could hide behind while firing down on enemies. They discuss it and decide to make the gaps large enough that a slinger could still use the cover.
Tess spends her time in town talking with Junissa.
Bastian spends his time talking with Braderock, Lotte and Matthild.
Already completed tasks:
* Clean the Fort (Approach Road)
* Patch the Hole in the Outer Wall
* Rebuild Scaffolding for Battlements
* Replace the Main Gate
* Clean the Fort (Courtyard)
* Collapse the Watchtower
* Repair the Well
* Build Wooden Watchtower
* Clean the Fort (Great Hall)
* Rebuild Collapsed Stairs
* Clean the Fort (Roof)
* Construct Cover for the Roof
* Excavate Stairs Below Great Hall
* Clean the Fort (Dungeon)
* Decipher Ancient Writings
* Cleanse Urgathoan Shrine
* Clean the Fort (Barracks)
* Repair the Barracks
Task: Build basic furniture for lodge
Khaul
Today’s Progress: 1 person days
Completed: 6/6 days
Construct Cover for the Wall
Faerinaa: Vinny Critical Success
Today’s Progress:
Completed: 3/12 days
Task: Talk to Locals
Tokens accepted by Bessama, Edgar, Matthild, Martin, Plisken, Rakka, Sylvina
Tess will talk to Junissa.
Bastian will talk to Braderock, Lotte and Matthild.
Money 20 gp - 0 gp spent today = 20 gp remaining
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Before relocating his possessions to the lodge, Khaul is sure to mention all the help that the various teams have provided to the construction.
"Yes, they were paid, but virtually everyone has helped with a willingness that does credit to them, and to your leadership. From my point of view, I think that Martin and Edgar have been invaluable, along with the other specialists. "
He offers his doughty hand to the priest. "You've certainly kept up your end of the agreement. When we next see mask Narsen of the Twelfth step, I'll be sure to mention how hard all your village worked for his projects success."
Khaul is more than happy to spend the rest of his time working on minor improvements, either the defences that the Faerinaa has already started, or some more comfortable furniture once the defences are all in place.
Every day or two he is happy to go into town and spend an hour in the inn talking in a friendly fashion with whoever is there. If the smiths never attend, he'll go and visit with them for just friendly chats.
Tess decides to talk to the stonemason, Junissa Yovitch, first. She asks the stonemason if she has another project and Junissa admits she doesn’t. The two of them talk about the lodge and the work done there. Junissa suggests a few places where the Society might be able to get enough stone to rebuild the watchtower properly rather than the temporary wooden tower there now.
By the end of the talk Junissa seems friendly.
Then Tess goes over and sees Braderock. It seems that word has passed through the town that the group is pleased with the work done on the lodge. Tess is able to get past his nervousness and then just listen as he talks about the fear of getting sent to a work camp. Seems he was the one who trained Wlfred in carpentry but got blamed when Wilfred didn’t take to the work. The man is skilled enough, but lacks any work ethic.
By the time Tess is done talking with him, he is offering to help in any way he can.
Finally Tess talks to Lotte, thanking the innkeeper for allowing them to stay. She complements her on the inn and the food provided.
Lotte warms up to her and by the end is friendly towards the group.
Bastian decided to talk to Lotte early in the morning. Evidently that was the wrong time, although she was polite he felt he never really connected with her.
Bastian had started with Lotte and just wasn’t able to connect.
Braderock is a different matter however. He is able to connect with the carpenter and by the time he is done their attitude towards the whole society is much improved.
Braderock’s attitude shifts to helpful.
Matthild is busy most of the time and Bastian doesn’t find a good time to talk at any length with Matthild. Seems that Gerlind is making more demands on the halfing now that she isn’t’forced to work for those Pathfinders’!
No need for any rolls since you are not hiring anyone.
You settle into the lodge and establish a routine.
Bastian takes care of the various chores, makes sure everyone gets some battle practice in, and checks the security of the area. When he is not busy with that he spends a little time in town counseling Braderock. It is his hope that someday the man can find enough strength within him to stand up to tyrany, but that day is still likely to be years in the future.
Khaul leads Faerinaa while Vinny leads Tess through the crafting projects. The first priority becomes finishing the protective cover for the top of the walls. After that, there are the various carpentry projects to make the lodge a more comfortable place to stay.
Already completed tasks:
* Clean the Fort (Approach Road)
* Patch the Hole in the Outer Wall
* Rebuild Scaffolding for Battlements
* Replace the Main Gate
* Clean the Fort (Courtyard)
* Collapse the Watchtower
* Repair the Well
* Build Wooden Watchtower
* Clean the Fort (Great Hall)
* Rebuild Collapsed Stairs
* Clean the Fort (Roof)
* Construct Cover for the Roof
* Excavate Stairs Below Great Hall
* Clean the Fort (Dungeon)
* Decipher Ancient Writings
* Cleanse Urgathoan Shrine
* Clean the Fort (Barracks)
* Repair the Barracks
* Build basic furniture for the lodge
Construct Cover for the Wall
Vinny: Faerinaa: Vinny
Khaul: Tess
Today’s Progress: 4 days
Completed: 10/12 days
Task: Talk to Locals
Tokens accepted by Bessama, Edgar, Matthild, Martin, Plisken, Rakka, Sylvina
Money 20 gp - 0 gp spent today = 20 gp remaining
Already completed tasks:
* Clean the Fort (Approach Road)
* Patch the Hole in the Outer Wall
* Rebuild Scaffolding for Battlements
* Replace the Main Gate
* Clean the Fort (Courtyard)
* Collapse the Watchtower
* Repair the Well
* Build Wooden Watchtower
* Clean the Fort (Great Hall)
* Rebuild Collapsed Stairs
* Clean the Fort (Roof)
* Construct Cover for the Roof
* Excavate Stairs Below Great Hall
* Clean the Fort (Dungeon)
* Decipher Ancient Writings
* Cleanse Urgathoan Shrine
* Clean the Fort (Barracks)
* Repair the Barracks
* Build basic furniture for the lodge
Construct Cover for the Wall
Vinny: Faerinaa Failure
Khaul: Tess
Today’s Progress: 3 days
Completed: 6/12 days
Task: Talk to Locals
Tokens accepted by Bessama, Edgar, Matthild, Martin, Plisken, Rakka, Sylvina
Money 20 gp - 0 gp spent today = 20 gp remaining
Faerinaa has found the wooden tower is an excellent place to witness the sunrise each day.
Today when she climbs up there to view it, she notices a lot of torchlight and activity at the docks in Xer. It is too far to make out details, but usually there isn’t any activity until after dawn. It looks like a ship is preparing to leave. In the early predawn light a single small ship leaves the docks, moving down river. This is strange because most captains would not be willing to set sail before they have better lighting.
Faerinaa does her normal religious observances at dawn, and looks once more down at the ship on the Glass River before going to tell the rest of you.
It is about a half hour after dawn when the ship pulls into the dock at Prophet’s Rest. Someone is already jumped off the ship before the last of the ropes are tied off and the gang plank put into place. They rush into the town and go directly to the temple.
Within fifteen minutes of that, two people come out and start their way towards the lodge.
Everyone has time to get themselves ready in the hour it takes them to reach the lodge.
It is Mask Narsen and Mask Lumley at the gate, requesting that they be let in.
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Tess is grateful that both Junissa and Lotte are friendlier, but does not offer a coin to either. She does offer a coin to Braderock. "You have been through so very much. I hope that everything becomes easier for you now that you have us as friends."
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
As Day 19 dawns, Tess is in the courtyard, doing her observances to the Mistress of Souls when she hears Faerinaa's call about the ship. "So, Mask Narsen returns to inspect the place. Very well!" Tess does up her long red hair, and gets ready for company. "Mask Narsen, Mask Lumley, what a pleasant surprise." Tess opens up the gate. "Can we offer you breakfast? It's not as high quality as what you might find at the Inn, but I have tea brewing, and there's some fresh eggs."
Braderock is surprised and a little worried, but takes the token and promises not to talk about it. Tess believes he will not talk.
Mask Narsen seems a little winded. Mask Lumley stays silent but seems nervous.
Mask Narsen says “Pathfinders! I am so glad to have found you! Hope you are doing well. A spot of breakfast does sound nice. What am I saying, I have no time for this!”
The priest lets out a small shriek of nervousness and pulls back the hood of his robe to scratch at his unkempt greying brown hair. He then smooths his hair before taking a deep breath.
“I'm sorry for my outburst, but I have bad news.”
“You see, our scouts along the Glass River caught sight of a small company of skeletons and zombies who seem to be marching toward Fort Agate, slaughtering everything in their path! They are no more than a day away!”
“I know you don't owe me anything, but our armed forces are deployed far to the East and won't be able to reposition in time. Fort Agate is the most defensible position in the area. I don't think you would stand much of a chance against so many undead on your own, even behind the walls of Fort Agate, but I also don't think the villagers would survive if they fought them in the village.”
“Can you take us in, so that we can make a stand together? If you do this, I promise you, Razmiran will be in the Society's debt.”
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Faerinaa' face clouds over as Mask Narsen lays out the incoming threat, then glances sideways at Tess. "The Undead chose a poor target this time. I have crossed swords with the minions of the Whispering Tyrant before, and Tess is uniquely suited to their destruction. We have repaired the defenses, are almost done adding some extra touches of our own, and will be ready for them."
"Bring the townsfolk, we will stand together. Have them bring any arms, armor or food supplies they can carry. Khaul, Vinny, Bastian, let's get to the walls! We need to finish the fortifications before the undead arrive!"
Mask Narsen is relieved to hear Faerinaa’s reply. He says “Thank you, the villagers will be here soon!”
He then hands something to Mask Lumley to takes it to the top of the wall. He lights it and a green plume of smoke starts coming out of it.
Meanwhile Mask Narsen says “I’m not sure you have time for any more construction projects, with only a day until they arrive. I would suggest concentrating on simpler projects.”
He suggests you might be able to train some of the villagers in slings, crossbows, spears and other simple weapons. Deadfalls and pit traps along the approach road would help. You tell him of the construction done and he suggests someone in the watchtower could give a warning of the approach.
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Khaul almost smiles when he hears of the approaching undead hoard.
"Who is manning Fort Agate? Will they also be joining us?" he asks. Even as he speaks, he eyes up his large warhammer.
"I've been swinging a little one so long.. lets hope I remember how to use the big one."
He climbs the walls to eye up the path leading to the Lodge. "Look there... that cliff is unstable. With a little work I think that could crush some bones... and make the access to the lodge safer come winter."
Unfortunately the cliff is a little more stable than the dwarf assumed.
Mask Narsen says “Fort Agate is the original name of this fort. Have you already renamed it?”
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Khaul picks a location and tries to create a deadfall, but only manages the fall part of it.
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Vinny takes mental stock of her alchemical stores when she hears about the approaching undead. "Well, I'll have to wait till they are closer to get a good look at them, most undead are pretty susceptible to being lit on fire. I can plan on raining down some unpleasantness from atop our walls! In the meantime, I can work on some pit traps to slow them down. Junissa, will you help me? I know it's not your usual sort of project, but needs must!"
While the first pit trap didn't come out so well, the second looks good. Frustrated, Vinny will get some sleep, hoping the defenses will be up to dealing with what's coming.
Vinny has some problems with the cover for her pit trap, but then figures it out.
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"Ok, Rakka, Aasif, Petrus, help me get the cover finished up on the wall. We have it almost complete, just a few pieces need mounting."
Faerinaa gets to work finishing up the cover. 8 hours later, it stands complete.
"Nice work everyone, this should help provide cover if there's any ranged attackers. Good for hiding behind and making it harder to dodge shots too."
After the cover is complete, Faerinaa goes to find Plisken.
"Plisken, I have some ideas for how to set up some nasty snares to block any that try to come up off the road. Can you help me with the execution?"
"Whew! Alright, I'm going to take a quick nap before the undead get here. Fighting well rested and well fed keeps the reflexes sharp."
Before she turns in, Faerinaa will ponder what she knows about skeletons and zombies in general, to share with her companions for planning the upcoming battle.
As Khaul is working in the deadfall, Matthild comes up and helps Klaus with it. This allows him to work out the problem he had with the trigger mechanism.
With the help of the guards, Faerinaa is able to hastily finish off the cover on the top of the wall.
She then gets Plisken’s help to set some snares to slow the undead at a point that the defenders can attack them.
Before getting some rest, she reviews what she knows of skeletons and zombies.
Bludgeoning weapons tend to work best against skeletons. The most common types of skeletons are unintelligent and only capable of following orders. Most skeletons are resistant to cold, electricity, fire, piercing, and slashing damage. They heal from harm spells and are immune to death effects, disease, mental effects, paralyzation, poison, and unconscious.
Slashing weapons tend to work best against zombies. Once again, the most common type are mindless and more than just humanoids can be made into zombies. It only requires that the creature once had flesh. They also heal from harm spells but take extra damage from slashing attacks and positive energy such as heal spells.
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Tess trains Lotte, Mikkel, Sylvina, Bessama, Edgar, Martin, Braderock
In this round she trains Petrus, Aasif, Rakka, Junissa, Mask Lumley, Gerlind, Benyan, Wilfred.
"Alright troops," Tess says, with a gleam in her eye, "it's time for us to learn to fight undead!" She pulls out an array of killing implements and starts to work.
♫ Let's get down to business
Defeat the Tyrant's host
We'll smash skelllies
And we'll scare off ghosts!
They're the baddest foes you ever met
But you can bet before we're through
Friends, you'll be warrriors true!
Fierce within our fortress
Finding strength within
Once you find your center
You are sure to win
They're a mindless pale and ruthless lot
But they haven't got a clue
Prophet's Rest has protectors like you! ♫
Meanwhile Benyan, Gerlind and Wilfred sing;
♫ I'm never gonna catch undeath
Say goodbye to those who knew me
Why was I a fool in school for cutting gym?
This gal's got them scared to death!
Hope she doesn't see right through me
Is she harrassing us on a whim? ♫
Tess sings again, showing the villagers how to use their improvised weapons.
♫ Time is racing toward us
'Til the host arrives
Heed my every order
And you might survive!
Time to bash those walking bones
(Fighting true)
Then slash some zombies too
(Fighting true)
Then set some mummies on fire
Staking vampires by light of the moon! ♫
Tess gives a musical training montage to the villagers, sneaking in some hints of which weapons to use on what sort of foe as she does so.
With the deadfall completed, Khaul offers thanks to Matthild. "Think we can make some snares?" he asks.
Bastian with the help of Plisken successfully creates a pit trap.
When he tries it with Matthild’s aid, they can’t quite manage to get the cover right.