Rusty Iron Henges

Game Master Dennis Muldoon

Gameplay!

As you walk along the path toward Iron Harbor, you can't help but think back to yesterday, before all this began. Just another day in a small town. A storm had rolled in--a bad one--chasing everyone indoors, but then that's nothing new here in the Ironbound Archipelago. Just a normal day....

We'll have some more informative introductory text when we get closer to start time. In the meantime, feel free to introduce your character and tell us what they were doing yesterday and/or last night during the storm.

Henry, lost in his own thoughts and seemingly carefree, continues to stroll down the road, exchanging smiles with the people he passes by. His nonchalant attitude stands in stark contrast to the villagers who are busy repairing the damage from the storm that had swept through the area the previous night.

As he approaches a couple struggling to put their door back on its hinges, Henry casually remarks, "Good day, isn't it!? Some storm must've rolled in last night." His tone is light and cheerful, but he doesn't offer to lend a hand or provide any assistance. The mention of his status as the son of Elder Ordwi, one of the youngest Elders in the village, hints at an air of entitlement and privilege.

The villagers might find his behavior perplexing, as it seems he enjoys the benefits of his lineage without being too concerned about the hardships others are facing. Henry's character raises questions about his place within the community and how he might reconcile his carefree demeanor with the responsibilities that come with his family's standing.

Bireli hastily shut the door to keep more of the rain from getting inside that made it through when he entered and was currently dripping off of him onto the floor. He wiped his boots on the reed mat--for all the good it did--before setting down his satchel and walking stick-turned-practice sword. "Sorry, mom!" he said in reference to growing puddle under his feet. "I'll clean it up."

He thought about the effect this squall would have on Turio's roof, which he had just patched this morning. It had been a productive day. He woke up early to check the nets and patched the few breaks he had missed the night before or that rats had chewed through while he was sleeping. He went out with the morning tide and then rowed back with his haul. Before heading home for lunch, he had patched the old fisherman's roof like he promised. He had been momentarily distracted on his way by Cassandra's call for help catching a dog that had grabbed her scarf and thought keep-away was a fantastic game.

After lunch, he assembled his leather armor and went to the small copses to the east of town where he practice his sword forms. He would be a knight, and it was important to keep your body fit and your skills sharp. Once he was good and sweat covered--we had best not talk about the state of the wicked bushes that served as combat dummies for the horror would haunt you for nights--he returned home, took off armor, oiled the pieces and stowed them.

He next set forth to keep his next promise: help Iosu repair his fences before heading out for the evening catch. Iosu's fences would probably be undone if this storm gets any rougher. It was a good day's work, and the aftermath of the storm would leave a good many. He figured he had best wake up early tomorrow.

When Demonica hears Bireli call out, she rolls her eyes. Of course he's not in trouble for making a mess. I would be in trouble. But not Bireli, the golden child.

Once she hears her brother leave, she puts on her own cloak. "Mom, I'm going to make sure that all the sheep are in the barn before the storm comes." That wasn't a lie; she would make sure all the sheep were safe. But it certainly wasn't her only reason for going to the barn.

She calls to the dog, Dandelion, to help her get all the sheep in the barn, then rewards her with a treat. She then goes to check on her special project. She's had to be very discreet after the last time, when her parents caught her trying to summon a demon and took away all of her books.

Well. All of her books but one.

She checks on the book first. It is the most important thing. She had painted runes on the front cover carefully copied from one of the Thassilonian books her parents took away. Her name was on the first page, and you could barely still see "Angelica" written under where she corrected it to "Demonica." Each page after had spells written in her neat cursive. The book was still safe.

She then checks on her other projects, carefully hidden under a pile of woolen blankets: a set of chain mail and a greatsword she got from a trader visiting from Iron Harbor. They weren't high quality to begin with and were in terrible condition when she bought them for cheap, but she had worked on restoring them every chance she could steal away to the barn. After all the repairs, they were in decent shape.

I can't leave these here. Mom and Dad will find them. I've got to bring them on the trip with me. Ugh, I hate working for Elder Vandous. Wasn't taking away all my books enough punishment? I have to work as a scribe for the town historian too?

Otoro pouts, and skulks a bit. He knew he shouldn't have taken the job to rob Elder Ordwi. At least he should have known it was a bad idea.

Otoro was always getting into that sort of trouble though.

For some reason Elder Ordwi took pity on Otoro. Was it pity, or something else. Either way Otoro begged forgiveness and promised to work off the damage he had caused trying to break in. Sometimes that sort of thing got Otoro into less trouble. A shorter sentence, a smaller fine. Show remorse they said.

Otoro never had anybody actually take the offer up like Elder Ordwi did.

Otoro had never before scoured so many barnacles off of ships. Even thought Otoro had seen worse storms Elder Ordwi held him in last night, doing some easier dishes and tidying around the house instead of his normal chores.

Even Otoro could tell something of note was happening. What it was, he didn't know.

Puddins seems uncomfortable to be away from the farm, but a bit of adventure isn't going to hurt anyone, as her pa always said.

She has been in enough fights with other young folk to know that she can handle herself in a fight, and with her grandfather's greatsword and chainmail, she looks the part.

The armour fits her quite well, which isn't surprisingly since she stands a full head taller than most of the young men in town, and she has practiced enough with the sword during her prayers to Gorum to know she can use it if needed.

Her giant mop of red hair made the helmet a bit too fussy to bother with for this trip. Shouldn't be much danger anyway.

An unusual surprise came to Osprey Cove the morning after the storm. On an early dawn walk to appraise the storm damage, Elder Johedia found a dying man sprawled at the edge of town. Suffering from exposure, two infected crossbow bolt wounds, and a strange sickness that left rust-red splotches all over his body, the man gasped out an unsettling warning before he died: “Iron Harbor... rust...ship... all dead... before... too late... ”

The man was dressed in rusted armor and clutched an equally rusted religious symbol of Gorum in one hand. This, and his final words, suggested something dreadful had happened in the nearby village of Iron Harbor. Osprey Cove’s youngest leader, Elder Ordwi, quickly organized an expedition (consisting mainly of teenagers she could leverage into accompanying her) to travel the daylong trip east to Iron Harbor. Her goal is both to offer help as needed, but also to extend overtures of peace, to bring an end to the yearslong feud that has kept the only two villages of the Kindred Coast at odds. Whether you volunteered or were recruited, your group is now well on their way along the Old Coast Road as Elder Ordwi’s escorts. What might await your arrival at Iron Harbor this evening?

We're off! Feel free to react in character to the above, etc. Please take a few minutes to fill out the slides, including your preferred place in the marching order, and the macros. I'll likely move us along tomorrow (Monday) evening.

Demonica was fascinated by the stories of the dying man and immediately ran to Puddins's farm to discuss it after she heard the news.

"Did you hear? About the man who died in the village? What do you think was up with the rusty splotches? I wish we could have seen the body. Oh! Did you hear he had a symbol of Gorum?"

Otoro, still getting used to getting up on Elder Ordwi's schedule instead of staying up late and sleeping away the morning.

I'm sure Elder Ordwi is brining me because she doesn't trust me alone in her house. I'm also sure the other kids have seen me working for Ordwi, I wonder how much she's told them about me or what the plan is. thinks Otoro to themselves.

Returning home Henry finds his house full of people as his Mother informs him of joining some of the other teenagers. His mouth drops open in surprise. "What!? I don't want to go Mother." His laziness takes over as he spends the next several hours screaming and arguing, mainly one sided.

It all ends when he gets a very stern look from her. Stomping upstairs he packs a small bag, though he had nothing to defend himself at all. Opening Kitchen drawers he finds a spatula, a slotted spoon before looking over and finds a small kitchen knife before sliding it into his belt.

Heading outside and slumping onto a stump, Henry continues to grumble to himself, emphasizing his belief that the situation is unfair. It's clear that he's not enthusiastic about this unexpected turn of events and would rather be doing something else.

Stuffing his pack with expected essentials, Bireli hurriedly prepares for the trip to Iron Harbor. "I love you, too, mom," he says to his mother, "but a knight must always respond to a request for aid."

The lean youth stands and shoulders the pack with a bounce. He picks up his wooden shield and wooden practice sword. The fact that the tools stowed on his belt--a hatchet and a hammer--might be more functional weapons that his walking stick-turned-sword does not seem to matter to him. If it has occurred to him. "I already gave dad my love when he left to mend the nets. I'll be back in a couple of days! Bye!"

Practically skipping down the path to Elder Ordwi's house, he slows and waves to Henry. "Good morning, Henry!" he calls over with an infectious grin. "Ready for excitement and adventure?"

Henry reluctantly waves his hand. "Hey Bireli." He rolls his eyes as he hears of excitement and adventure. "This is some bull*#@! isn't it?" He grabs his much smaller pack and heaves it over his shoulder. "Are they trying to get us killed. What do we know about adventuring?"

Elder Ordwi rolls her eyes at Henry's recalcitrance. "That's enough out of you, young man! It's about time you learned that doing the right thing for your community is more important than always doing what you want to do. You're going, and that is that!"

That, it turned out, was not that, and Elder Ordwi's patience was sorely tested by her son by the time he stomped upstairs to pack a bag.

After sufficiently gossiping with Puddins, Demonica goes home and packs up her own things. She waits until Bireli has left and then gives their parents her own goodbyes. The tears were maybe overdoing it a little.

She starts walking down the road, but doubles back to the barn where she picks up her chain mail, her greatsword, and her spellbook. She shows up at the meeting place with her chin held high.

"I'm ready for whatever terrible thing awaits us!"

Bireli smiles and turns toward the sound of his sister's voice. "Nica! Going on the grand adventure with us? That's the spirit!" He frowns a frown of puzzlement and asks with a twinge of envy. "Where'd you find that sword?"

"Its my sword that I bought with my own money."

She pauses.

"But you better not tell Mom and Dad!"

"Pa always said to me: "Puddins", he said. "you got to help people in need when they need it, not when you need it." We go where we are needed. It's the simple decent thing to do."

"Plus if we get a chance to bust some heads of the degenerates who live out yonder, that will be fun as well, praise Gorum."

Henry is in a funk as more and more of the group get together. "But it just sounds like so much...work." It may take him some time to get out of this slump.

Bireli reaches over and pats the top of his sister's head in what he intends to be an affectionate gesture. "I didn't tell them about the book you still have."

He grins at Puddins. "That's the spiri--! Um. Bust the ones who deserve it!"

Demonica starts to sputter with rage on learning that Bireli knows about the spellbook.

After following only faint traces of the Old Coast Road, the approach to Kindred’s Crossing becomes apparent. Here, the road grows more obvious, with portions even retaining old paving stones as it turns south toward a short, rocky peninsula. To the north, a steep, weather-worn ridge of stone rises thirty feet high into the air, featuring an occasional ledge that appears to provide nesting spots for ospreys. To the east, the road rises up from the shoreline to follow a wide ledge that winds around the peninsula. Ahead, near the peninsula’s tip, the road reaches a cleft in the steep shoreline, over which the remains of an old and incomplete wooden bridge stand.

”Now Henry,” Elder Ordwi continues a lecture that has been going on and off since leaving Osprey Cove. ”Stop sulking. It will do you good to do good for someone else. It builds character, and believe me young man, you could use some cha–”

Perhaps to Henry’s relief, his mother’s treatise on character-building is interrupted by a high-pitched cry from what looks to be a freshly-wrecked rowboat (perhaps washed up by the storm last night) sitting upside-down among the tide pools. ”Help!” the voice squeaks. ”Help!”

I’ve added a map, feel free to react how you’d like to this scene.

Otoro continues to skulk, glad to have the attention on others. Not quite sure how to respond Otoro looks nervously at the others to see how they respond, how they expect him to respond.

"Someone in need! Let's go!" Bireli shouts a tad too cheerfully and sets off down the most obvious path to the beached rowboat.

Demonica, not to be outdone, follows behind Bireli.

Henry groans as someone's cries for aid are making them go off course and do something. "Can't we just hurry there?" he begrudgingly follows the group towards the cries of pain. "I am sure someone else will be along shortly."

"Let's go! We might get a BOAT as a reward if we help these people."

Puddins charges toward the people calling for help.

Otoro looks to Elder Ordwi "Should... should I help them too?"

"Yes, Otoro," Ordwi says, ignoring Henry's complaining, "please do."

As Puddins and the siblings lead the approach to the overturned boat, a loud hiss is accompanied by a clacking sound, as a ornery-looking reefclaw slithers out from under the boat, angry at the intrusion! I think these things are probably a common enough threat along the coast for you to recognize what it is. Let me know if you’d like me to roll a secret Occultism to Recall Knowledge to know more about them.

Over in a nearby tide pool, a tiny figure begins to cackle with glee as the reefclaw moves to attack. Henry, though, perhaps because he was so reluctant to approach the calls for help, is quickest to react.

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Initiative!

Henri cringes at the reefclaw. "ugh, the only good reefclaw is a dead one, steamed and dripping in butter." He upturns his nose at the massive crustacean. Though as he does so a small innate part of his mind seems to connect with the Reefclaw.

DC 17 Will vs Jealous Hex. (-1 on a failure and -2 on crit fail) The target is cursed with an adverse condition depending on its highest ability modifier: Strength (enfeebled); Dexterity (clumsy); Constitution (drained); or Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (stupefied). At the start of each of your turns, the target can attempt another Will save, ending the effect on a success.

Blood Magic: First creature to damage Henry this turn takes 2 Mental Damage (Basic DC 17 Will save)

DC 17 Basic Will vs Daze (5 Damage; Dangerous Sorcery). Crit fail is also stunned 1.

Will vs. Jealous Hex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Fail = Clumsy 1
Will vs. Daze: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

The reefclaw writhes in pain as Henry assaults its mind, its muscles spasming in response and robbing it of some of it's aquatic grace. Lashing out, it tries to grab ahold of the nearest intruder, in this case Birelli.

Claw vs. Birelli, clumsy 1: 1d20 + 9 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 1 = 18
Slashing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The reefclaw's claw clangs off Birelli's shield (you listed Defend as exploration tactic, so I'm assuming your shield was in place). It hisses, and tries again.

Claw, clumsy 1, 2nd attack: 1d20 + 9 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 1 - 5 = 17
Slashing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Claw, clumsy 1, 3rd attack: 1d20 + 9 - 1 - 10 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 1 - 10 = 9
Slashing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

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"Ahahaha! Stupid lobster! Bwahahaha!" The creature in the tidepool continues laughing, the reefclaw's failure adding extra amusement as it splashes around.

---------

"Bireli, be careful!" Elder Ordwi shouts in alarm as the reefclaw attacks Birelli. She rushes closer, casting a spell that interposes a large spectral tankard between Birelli and the reefclaw.

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Initiative!

Demonica steps in, shoving her brother with her shoulder.

Okay, remember what the book says.

She swings her sword while shouting an incantation.

spellstrike!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

sword!: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
telekinetic projectile: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Yes! Yes! ..I mean, that's cool, I guess."

Otoro nods and splashes into the water, where he's more comfortable than ground to get a clear shot on the creature.

Water begins to pool around Otoro as he fires a blast at the reefclaw.

water blast: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
bludgeoning damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Embarassed and frusturated Otoro mumbles "sorry" as he tries again.

more blast: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 5 = 9
b damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

I'm going to assume that overkills the reefclaw.

"Careful, Sissa! These are nast--," Bireli begins to say as he stumbles for his footing between the marine predator's assault and his sister shouldering him out of the way. However, his little sister proves she knows how to use her sword. "Watch out! They spasm!" he warns and moves his shield to protect his legs.

He darts away from the overturned rowboat and toward the giggling imp. "Here is our true villain! Let's see how he laughs in the face of, er, justice!" he challenges the sprite. He glances over his shoulder and encourages their outsider companion. "Focus, Otoro. Your magic is amazing!"

◆ Stride
◆ Bon Mot (Diplomacy) (linguistic) vs. Will DC (gain Panache): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
◆ One for All (Diplomacy): Aid @ Otoro's Next Turn Impulse Strike

Puddins steps in and swings her great sword at the vile reef claw, inspired by her sword sister's incredible strike.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Slashing: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Otoro's blasts go wide, but it makes no difference as Demonica and Puddins combine shatter the reefclaw's carapace, killing it quickly. The laughing figure cackles with glee as the reefclaw falls. They just stick their tongue out at Bireli's taunt (regular fail on Bon Mot, so no penalties either way).

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Initiative!

"Hey, that's not called for. Stop that at once!" Henry chastises the strange creature taunting them. "And a waste of good Reefclaw meat." His complaining and sour mood are contagious as the mental connection begins to affect the stranger.

Bon Mot vs Will DC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

DC 17 Basic Will vs Daze (5 Damage; Dangerous Sorcery). Crit fail is also stunned 1.

Will vs. daze, Bon Mot success: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 2 = 9

"Eek!" the tiny creature shouts in pain as Henry invades its mind. "Fine, you keep the stupid boat!" With a rude gesture, it dives beneath the waves and vanishes from view.

Out of combat!

"That was very well done, dear!" Elder Ordwi calls to Henry. "A well-placed word is often the best solution."

"Good job, Nica! Henry!" Bireli cheers.

Demonica preens a little at Bireli's praise and gives Puddins a high five.

"Sword girls!"

Otoro bends over and splashes his head in the water before returning back to shore.

"I... I missed." Otoro seems torn between trying to pretend like he missed on purpose and the worry of people not counting on him.

"Are you sure you want me here, Elder Ordwi?" asks Otoro.

Henry flushes a bit due to being called out, though it does feel good being recognized even if he didn't do anything. "Of course Mother." Henry beams with his look of superiority. "Can we get back on the road now. The sooner we are done with this the better."

"Yes I'm sure I want you here, Otoro. Don't worry, there are far more important things than whether you hit a reefclaw. I'm sure your time to shine is still ahead." Ordwi frowns a little at Henry's carping. "I've never known a reefclaw to call for help. We should at least look inside the boat before we move on." She wades into the water enough to heave the boat over, revealing no further inhabitants. "Hm. No one here. Must have been a trick of that nasty little creature." She bends down to retrieve a small oiled-leather pouch from under one seat, tossing it to Bireli. "You five should enjoy the spoils of your encounter. Bireli, I trust you to share this among your compatriots, whatever it is."

Inside the pouch are 20sp, 1gp, and a labeled potion of water breathing in an airtight bottle.

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Getting back on the road, you quickly come upon your next challenge. Two weatherworn stone statues stand on either side of a fifteen-foot-wide rift in the shore, extending their arms toward one another. A partially completed, partially eroded old stone bridge doesn’t quite cross the gulf. In the water fifteen feet below, the surf crashes on a worn wedge of stone that might have at one time been part of the bridge.

You can see this on the map. How you get across is up to you; I'm happy to give you more details on anything you need as you make your decision.

"Of course, ma'am," Bireli says and does exactly that. When he reads the labeled potion vial, he looks at his traveling companions and then ultimately offers it to Henry.

When they reach the collapsed bridge, he reaches for a coil of rope on his pack but then pauses. He considers what was left of the overturned boat.

"Together we might be able to get that boat seaworthy and sail around to the other side," he suggests to the others. "Or I can jump over there with a rope."

Otoro notes "I know I'm a good swimmer, but looks to rough down there. I like the take the boat around plan."

"You can jump a 15' gap Bireli?" Henry seems impressed. "Let's either do that or take the boat cause I am not getting wet."

Bireli looks at the gap, squints, then turns back to Henry. "Sure! Easy as tickling a catfish!" he says confidently. "But then you'd all need to monkey crawl across the rope over the surf below. We'd better fix the boat!"

He backtracks down the trail to the boat where he helps his sister with the repairs. "Dad would be furious if I ever brought our boat back like this, but I've patched more than a few unlucky fishers' boats under Elder Anlorgog instructions."

Demonica gets out her repair kit and gets to work, sliding into a comfortable rhythm working next to Bireli in contrast to her usual harsh words for him.

Crafting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12