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The old lady mutters a bit.

Don't go flattering on me boy. Prices are fixed, competition is hard here in the bazaar lately! But it's still your lucky day I think, got all the things you need. Lilly! Open the case above the Mistleberry extracts and give these gentlemen the scrolls they need!

Help me a bit... What are you using perception on? The shop or the surroundings? Or both? If you use it actively, do specify on what. When I need one I ask or I make one for you. Thanks!

Looks good to me! I think everyone agreed: you're both welcome. Braxton, you can make a lvl up before you enter. Tera looks good. Depending on the background story I might give another boon as well. If you need aid with that, feel free to ask me the other players.

The players are in a huge underground market right now, which is ideal for introducing new characters. I highly recommend providing a reason for your character to be there. Put it in the discussion thread, from there we'll find a way to have them blend in with the party.

Hi Braxton and OberonViking, thanks for submitting! I'm discussing with the party, final reply will follow in two days.

Happy new year everyone!

We got two candidates to step in. If you're allright with it, I would have both enter. Makes a larger group, but combat speed was allright earlier.

One is OberonViking. In the campaign I played with him I enjoyed his character, I'd like to see what he comes up with. Plus, we could use some melee help.

The other is Braxton, who applied initially as well. I really like players who stick around even if they didn't make it at first, even if he is another alchemist. I would suggest him comparing his spells with Euchrid so he can go in a completely different direction and allow him afterwards.

The lady grabs Varro's arm.

"Stay close, handsome. I'll lead you to the best shop around here: my mother's collection!"

She pulls Varro to a shop at the side of the bazaar. At a first glance, it doesn't seem like much. On a second look tough, it seems to hold a large collection of tomes, wands and scrolls. An old haglike lady stands up.

"Ah Lilly, what have you brought with you this time? What can it be for you, sir?"

Opened recruitment again. Please do keep an eye on the recruitment thread, that way we are sure our next member will fit in nicely.

We lost our paladin and have one open spot again. Those who were interested earlier can submit their characters again. At the 1st of January, submissions go to the players and we'll make a decision together. If no submissions of previous interested players come before the 1st of January, I'll open this recruitment for all.

I noticed my reply to Hissarion went stealthy.

@Hissarion: Thanks for letting us know, I greatly appreciate this. When you got more time again, do let us know anyway, I put my email at the top of this discussion.

The more you approach the end of the stairs, which is indeed very long, the more you hear the trusted buzz-like noise of a market. The place is a large hall, a bazaar with the size of a district. You see merchants and visitors haggling about prices, there must be at least a hundred in this great hall. You also notice several stairs and exits, clearly the entrance in Leviat's house is not the only one.

Feel free to make skill checks to know more about the area. You have to come up with what looks logic to you tough.

Work work work! It's killing me! And it's Christmas! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

I'm very sorry about the delay. Personally, I shouldn't complain at all, work had been easy for months so this busy period is doing good. But it pains me to keep you guys on your hunger. Don't worry too much, we'll get trough this and I will keep you informed.

The man nods at Erriks answer and opens the left door.

Go down the stairs. It's a long way down, but when you come at the end you'll find yourself at the market.

You hear no reply, but the door opens. When you enter, you see a dark small room without furniture. It has two doors right in front of you, and before you stands a man, dressed in ancient Valesmen fashion. So old it's quite funny to wear these clothes nowadays, really. He is observing you when you come in and urges you to close the door quickly. When you all come in, he asks you another question.

Du sagde ordene. Men hvem gav dig dem?

While you prepare to make way to Leviat's House, you notice Hissarion is not keeping up. Meranna investigates him, and informs you he is sick and should rest.

When you arrive at the Red Door, an old man opens up.

"Many guests these days indeed... What can I do for you, strangers?"

At this point, I'm going to take control of Hissarion and put him out of action. I think that's more than fair, given the 48h-warning I issued at the start. We'll go on with 5 briefly, while Hissarion gets a last chance to tell if it would improve in the near future or not.

If we don't hear him, I'll open another recruiting spot at the 26th.

On a sidenote: Don't feel obliged to post at 24 and 25 december. If you do, great, but no worries if you don't.

So selling all our loot from the previous night and the reward gives us each 275gp, 2sp, 5cp.

Can't wait to see Stoogies wares!

I don't have a list or something. Basic stuff = simple and martial weapons, normal armors, minor potions etc. If you're looking for something in particular, ask Stoogie. If he doesn't have it he'll give a clue where you may find it.

Should be improving. Maybe I won't have time tomorrow, but starting from sunday I'm fairly sure posting daily won't be an issue anymore.

Managed another update.

Just keep in mind they'll be a bit more rare as usual, so try to move on your own for this part. No money to Meranna, 250 each. You get a 10% discount on Stoogie's wares. With an Appraise check DC 15 you get another 10% discount.

I'm having some difficulties RL. I hope to fix them soon.

Reward from the guards is 1500 gold. Feel free to divide it and to go downstairs to buy some equipment from Stoogie, he has basic stuff and a few low-lvl magic items. He will buy your wares at half standard price.

I hope to be back with full DM attention in a few days, will keep you informed here.

Please roll here for hit points. If you roll 1 or 2 you're allowed a reroll.

Don't forget your favoured class bonus. If you forgot it at first level you can take that now. Can you give me a summary on what you gained as well?

When she understands that the innkeeper is a friend of our heroes, Meranna hires the room next to them for her own. "Nothing against you all" she said "but if I'm safe here I do prefer some privacy instead of sharing a room with six men".

At last you can embrace your pillow and fall asleep, knowing you moved small stones in the river of reality tonight. Tough you have been out for a few hours, you learned enough to know that the Black Sun is quite a large and influential organisation. A religious sect with thieves and bandits in her ranks proves to be a dangerous enemy. Then there is the matter of Elvire, who may not be who she claims to be. A mere refugee, or a Tintalian thieves guild in the city? Last but not least, there is Meranna, leader of a small group of Tintalian clerics trying to help refugees in the capital of the Olan Vales. You have either heroic dreams or nightmares, but the events of today did not leave you untouched.

You gain a level.

When you wake up, it's because of someone knocking quite hard on the door of your room. Meranna's voice shouts:

If you don't open the door fast I'll keep the reward from that guard captain!

Ok, I understand where we went wrong in that case. I'm sorry about the confusion.

Updated.

Euchrid, did I get your post right? Were you indeed looking at Hissarion for a reaction or did I misunderstood something?

I hope you all realised by now I'm making your choices hard on purpose. There won't be a clear distinction between a "good" and "evil" path and I won't show them to you beforehand, only your deliberate choices (interrogation for example) make a difference for me regarding your alignment.

We're nearing the end of the first chapter. It has served it's purpose: introducing you to my style of play and providing some hints at the problems in the Olan Vales. For the next chapter, I'll give a clear goal of how you reach the end of it, but the game will become sandbox after that, as it was in the first chapter. You can do pretty much everything, but to move on a chapter you'll have to make one specific goal.

I'd like to know your opinion on me including the NPC's you provided in the storyline. Am I completely free in using them or do you have anything to say for them?

No worries, have a good weekend!

Haven't used any of both, since looks like truth to me. Soldier wasn't hostile to start with either.

The soldier gives you a strange look. "Fighting at the docks? That's exactly the tip we got... Fine, fetch her, I appreciate anything that gets me home faster."

This is possible, should it come to fighting I'll provide a (basic) map of the inn.

@Hissarion & Senthiri: You heard the second knock and "In name of the Doge, open up!", you didn't hear or see Stoogie's reaction.

Gonna update Gameplay soon ;-)

Just remind me to add English grammar books to the list of books Wazoo hates ^^

We're ok, I tought I'd mention it in a discussion about grammar and spelling before my mistakes would annoy someone.

A shame for you guys that the priestess isn't very comfortable with it either ^^

An Imperial Paladin does not agree with torture or harsh interrogation. The Clergy of Ishtar does not either, apart from Lawful Evil clerics of her. But I do count interrogation, as the inquisitor spell, as an evil action from the moment it inflicts pain.

For your information, I took your rolls in account, they will have effect after your next action.

No worries there, she will wake up. Will play it when I've had my lunch ;-)

I got the impression we're on different time zones, but we made it so far with everyone posting every day, so I don't think it will be a problem.

My day went a bit awkward, so no update. Will do in +-12 hours ;-)

Have a good trip Hissarion!

I don't have good experiences with pauses so we'll move on, but I'll make sure not to go too fast. Have some campfire talk, deepen the story a bit, but let's keep everything interesting to come back to. Besides, Meranna can explain a few things and help you ;-)

While Hissarion moves to protect Meranna, Liam flies after the fleeing bandits and kicks the female unconscious. The only one left is the archer, who is cursing and screaming as he flees, after the bomb exploded in his face.

Not gonna start another battle round, you all have one more possible attack at him, either ranged or a charge before he's out of your reach. Liam gets two attacks (1 regular + 1 AoO). After that you'll have to decide either to chase him or to let him go.

I'd love to provide RP description but I had a long day. If any of you has inspiration to describe what happened, feel free ;-)

Should work now ;-)

Oh I've also forgot about the favoured class extra skill point or Hp...

Then take one extra at your next level. Same goes for others, should they have forgotten as well.

Yes, apparently you do. I took the female bandit's withdraw as a move action, but apparently withdraw is a full-round action (or standard action if you're restricted). So I'll take this as a normal move, but with AoO of everyone threatening her. Euchrid got one since she passed a square he is threatening. This means you, Liam and Senthiri get an AoO as well. I'd give Euchrid two, but you can make only one per round. I'll calculate next of the battle when Liam makes his move and at least 1 AoO is done.

While Varro takes his sling, he yet again succeeds in frightening one of their enemies, this time the male bandit who was attacking Euchrid. The archer curses, this is not what they signed up for. He shouts at Esker: "Will you hurry already!" and then aims at Senthiri. This is a target I shouldn't miss.... Indeed, the arrow flies right at Senthiri's breast and is stuck in his flesh. A serious wound, yet not a deadly one. The female bandit tries and stumble out of the battlefield, looking for help. Errik steps aside and shoots another arrow at Esker, but misses. Senthiri doesn't seem to feel much of the arrow that hit him and again swings mightily with his blade. Yet the bandit noticed and dodged the attack. Esker was less lucky, the frost ray hit him mercilessly and froze his off-hand. His friend noticed, and tried hitting Senthiri on his turn, but got distracted by Euchrid's latest bomb and missed his attack. He too took some shrapnels in his legs. Esker himself tried once again to do as what he was told, but missed another time because of the pain.

Euchrid: You get an attack of opportunity vs. the Female bandit, make an attack roll with your current equiped weapons if you take it.

Thanks for pointing that out, I was absolutely convinced he failed that save.

No worries. Rolls succeed if they are equal or higher as DC, AC, CMD, ...

Hissarion, I can't allow you that move, since Eskel moved backwards after Euchrids bomb, going out of your reach. Plus, the female bandit is right in front of you and threatens nearby squares. So I overruled and had you attack her instead.

Hissarion steps forward and strikes at the female leader. As he pierces her shoulder, she screams out in pain. To Meranna, to whom it became clear there were people stepping up for her, this was a sign to take action herself. She tried to ignore the arrow in her back and stood up, determined to defend her life. Now it became clear to the party that she was armed as well, wearing a shield and a shortspear. Eskel struck at her tough, and succeeded going under her shield, slicing at her upper leg. She furiously counterattacked, but the bandit smiled as he dodged the attack easily. Meranna shouted.

"By the Light of Ishtar, you won't have me today!"

Now Liam stepped forward. He jumped and kicked the female bandit right in her face. While she lowered her weapons, she remained on her feet. Even to herself, it was unclear what she was about to do now.

In that case you're lucky I didn't notice, but if you try it at a next encounter you'll find yourself mumbling words and standing around instead of casting ^^

Done, I figured that ;-)

The female bandit didn't focus on him earlier, but she is just in time to escape the tremendous blow of Senthiri by making a step sidewards. She cries out loud, not because he hit her, but because she didn't expect this at all. Meanwhile Euchrid profits from the distraction and throws a small bottle to Meranna's attacker. Eskel screams when the bottle explodes at his feet and only barely manages to jump away. Feeling various splinters enter his skin, Esker wants to charge, but he remembers what the woman told him to do, and strikes at Meranna. However, he's not focused at all and misses.

Damn, I really need to switch to 5ft squares to make this all work... Ah well. I'm sorry for all the trouble with me experimenting with the battle maps, I hope the story and events are making up for it.

Euchrid, you can take the rules literally. I will switch to 5ft. maps in our next fight.
For this fight: "splash damage to all creatures within 5 feet of the target" -> splash damage to all creatures on a square horizontally or vertically adjacent to target's square.

Sure, it's by no means an obligation to post before your turn. But in some situations it might speed up affairs. I registered the movements and attacks made so far, it's your turn now.

When Eskel sees Varro's Evil Eye, he turns pale. He tries to focus on the matter at hand, but has serious difficulties. The archer, when he sees the majority of the party, quickly jumps over the wall next to him and shoots an arrow towards what he perceives as the leader of the group. The arrow hits but his armor did well preventing the arrow from penetrating his body, he has a light flesh wound at his breast. Quickly after, the female bandit attacks Varro. She screams: "Look at this you magic freak!" but Varro quickly steps aside. He feels the rapier touching his clothes, but she missed him. Errik shoots an arrow at Eskel and hits him in his off-hand. Eskel screams but has regained his senses, and turns towards Meranna again.

Good thing you saw that. Positions at initiative were of a previous map version, I edited my post now.

You're at H3, since you said Senthiri stepped forward next to Hissarion.

The Bard takes up his weapons and leaves, as do you.

When you arrive at the docks tough, you stumble across another group of people. Three men and a woman chase another woman, when one of the pursuitors shoots the fleeing woman in the back. She falls on the ground, the other three draw their weapons.