Search Posts
With the departure of a most consistent player, the temporary leave of absence of another and the general slowing down in player posting, I will unfortunately/regrettably have to close the game. Thank you for your efforts and patience with me as a new GM. I hope you enjoyed the game to this point. Perhaps, I can try this again some day. Best of luck to all. I'll wait until all players have seen this post and then I will inactivate the players. Thanks, guys.
Thanks, Braylee. That's everyone levelled now. :)
As soon as the missive had been opened and read aloud to the group did the most recent patron descend the staircase to the dining hall. The tall, robust female had long blonde, braided hair, pale blue eyes and a fair face touched by two prominent pink scars - through her right eyebrow and through the right corner of her mouth, and, a tattoo of a bird under and to the side of each eye. She was dressed clean and well - her cloak was trimmed with ermine. On her hip was a finely crafted greatsword. On her forearm, on the falconry gauntlet, sat a very small raptor - an osprey - speckled white, black and brown and it watched you with keen, golden eyes. The woman's pale eyes - the colour of a winter's morning - flit from one person to another, noting every aspect of the room before moving to the front door of the inn, opening it and giving some foreign command to the osprey, "Go, fæða, Lifu, og aftur þegar þú ert búinn." The raptor took the air and flew out the door toward the river. Common Translation from Skald:
"Go, feed, Lifa, and return once you are done."
The woman left the door partially open, so the osprey could come in once she was done, and then took a seat at an empty table nearest the door. Jorje moved dutifully to her table and enquired respectfully, "I hope you slept well, Mistress Sigrún." "Well enough,", came the plain response in a rich, accented voice, and remembering her manners before the gathered company, added "I thank you. I would break my fast." Talia gazed at the woman - only hearing of her arrival from Jorje in the morning when they had began preparations for the day ahead. "Welcome to The Wise Piper. I am Talia Orem, proprietress of the inn. I will bring you some food and drink." Talia ladled some of the honey and cinnamon porridge from the pot into a bowl and added a spoon. On another wooden plate, she placed a sample of the other fare and brought it over to the table. The woman's blue eyes bore into Talia, and, as soon as the food was set before the fair woman, her new patron asked, "Have you mead or buttermilk?" "Aye, we have both." Looking to Jax she motioned to him to bring the woman's desired drinks. The blonde woman gave an approving nod and spooned the porridge into her mouth.
I am sorry that you and your family are going through this. Hope everything will be alright with your loved one, Janusz. Thanks for the update.
Thanks for the levelling info, Riley. :) Tomorrow I'll be busy with baking/creating my goddaughter's cake for her 1st birthday party. In the afternoon, it'll be more baking - desserts for the dessert table. So, unfortunately, I won't be able to post until my evening time. If you'd like, please continue rping amongst yourselves in the inn and I will move the game forward to the meeting with Lady Origena tomorrow night my time. This will give people the chance to finalise their levelling and have some fun, downtime rp. Thanks, guys! :)
Glad to see you back and among us on the board! And good news re the functioning phone.
Braylee, are you still with us? Not sure if your internet is still playing up.
Janusz - the night before: When the evening is done and you return to your bedchamber, you will see that the tub and buckets have been taken away and on the chair by the door is a neat stack of clothes: a soft shirt, breeches and a jacket. The clothes are used, but they are in good condition and are clean and for your use until you can purchase some new clothing. The clothes you wore during your time in the kobokd lair are too far gone in terms of filth and wear/tear and have been discarded.
If any of you would like to finalise rp from the night before, you may do so via spoiler. Thanks. It's now the morning, in game.
A messenger arrives at the door with a note for Rhialtyra. She accepts it and hands the boy a silver coin for his troubles and begins reading the missive. Looking up at her companions, she amiably informs them, "Carlo and Sela Bellathi will be leaving Belhaim this morning. One of Emarthine's farmhands will be taking them via wagon to Cassomir. I have decided to go with them as it is safer and more pleasant to travel with company. I know this sounds rather sudden, but after the encounter with the kobolds yesterday, I find I cannot undertake such work for it goes against all that I am as a healer and I must follow the path best suited for me. I am content that you have a fine healer in Janusz now to help you here in Belhaim. I am most grateful for your companionship and wish you only the best. I do not seek a portion of the reward for the kobolds - my share can go to Janusz for all his misfortune at their hands. May the gods protect us all." Rhia folds the note, and, moving to the kitchen, has a word with Talia, handing her a few gold coins for her troubles, and gathers up her clean, dry dress. She returns upstairs, finishes packing her bags and then returns below to break her fast before the wagon would come to fetch her. Xemne and Braylee enter The Wise Piper as Rhialtyra sets her bags by the door. Rhialtyra tiredly smiles at them and explains she will be departing for Cassomir shortly. She bids them thanks and farewell. You all hear a wagon pull up outside the inn. Rhialtyra turns, a shimmer of tears over her pretty eyes, and Jax helps her with her bags and getting up onto the wagon. The petite oracle and the man and wife you rescued wave and the wagon sets off. You watch as the wagon crosses the bridge and sets course east along the Verduran Highway. Then you turn and move back inside the inn.
You all wake to the happy bustle of the people downstairs preparing food for their lodgers and getting ready for the day ahead. Fragrant, welcoming smells find their way to the top floor bedchambers and greet you as you descend to the dining hall. On the table, you can see laid out: pumpkin scones with a homemade berry compote, a pot of warm porridge with a hint of cinnamon and honey, a selection of smoked meat and mild cheese, and two loaves of freshly baked, crusty bread (with a dish of soft butter on the side of the bread). Wooden bowls and spoons are set neatly for your use. Riley:
Delfi greets you in the hall with a warm smile, "Good morning! It looks like it's going to be lovely day." Jax is at the bar and Jorje is tending to the fire in the hearth; adding another log. Talia is not in the main hall, however you can hear her soft singing coming from somewhere behind the door of the kitchen.
The evening passed in good company. With supper finished, Xemne and Braylee took their leave and returned to their home. After Talia and Riley concluded their own discussion in the kitchen, baths were readied for Riley and Felix as Delfi cleared the table and washed up. Talia finished washing Rhialtyra's dress and hung it up by the stove to dry. She then joined Riley for some private conversation as he bathed, and, around 9 o'clock the bell at the front door rang and Jorje, in his sleeping robe and cap, answered the inquiry. A single female was thereupon given lodging and she climbed the stairs and took to her room without much small talk. She told Jorje she would be sleeping in and not to be disturbed in the morning. The night passed uneventfully at The Wise Piper.
Riley and Braylee, I need your level 3 sheets, please. It's very late here so I will forward the game in my morning. If you want to finalise any rp in the meanwhile, please go right ahead. Thanks and good night.
Idea for DMNPC: Level 3, Female, Human (Ulfen) Shaman (with Battle Spirit) with an Osprey Spirit Animal. Hexes: Battle Master & Eyes of Battle. Spirit Ability: Battle Spirit (Su): A shaman surrounds herself with the spirit of battle. Allies within 30 feet of the shaman (including the shaman) receive a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. She uses a masterwork greatsword (predominantly) and morningstar (secondary weapon). Has 4 orisons, 3 1st level spells and 2 2nd level spells. Gives Braylee a female teammate where/when necessary. ;)
Thanks, Felix and Janusz. I'm hoping Riley and Braylee will be levelled up soon as well. Riley, is Braylee still having internet troubles? You're going to be a team of 4. My question to you all is, would you like a 5th member in terms of a DMNPC (who'll also be your level) who you can call upon for aid in the harder quests? If you don't, that's completely fine, I just thought I'd ask. Let me know when you get the chance, please. (Note: Emarthine is a local and can't always help as she has an orchard to run. She was around for the lair quest as it wasn't a busy time for her on her farm. So, it would probably be better to have a character (DMNPC) who can drop everything and help whenever you need them - if you decide you would like one in the game.)
Alright, Janusz. I'll put you third in the order.
Alright, just a heads-up: I will be posting over the course of the weekend in order to finalise the RP and give you time to finish your levelling. By Sunday night, my time, I'll move the game forward to the next morning - before your party has to meet with the baroness. I hope to see your levelling info by then. Thanks, everyone. :)
I will put marching order as Riley, Janusz, Felix and Braylee, until I hear otherwise. Thanks, Riley.
Braylee is having internet problems. She will post ASAP. Thank you for letting me know, Riley.
Delfi cocked her head as she listened to Riley. Then she responded with her usual open sincerity, "I don't begrudge my circumstance, Riley. Truly. I've all I need, here." ------------------------------------
Talia has been a little caught off guard with the recent overtures, first from Janusz and then Riley. In a voice as discreet as his own, she responded, "Your rewards for your endeavours are yours and I make no claim on them; none of my people do. If you would pay for room and board, then I accept, as it will help with supplies and the wages of my people, and would mean I would not have to take on more paying lodgers. We are fortunate for we have a garden and we have the skill to make most things we need. But we must make an income to afford the taxes and other expenses to keep the inn afloat." Talia's cheeks had turned pink for seldom did she speak of business with other people except those of her House. "As to cleaning, Delfi will wash up the tableware and I will wash Rhia's dress and put it in the kitchen to dry. We have water on the stove for your bath and the other two. I'm afraid there isn't much time for putting my feet up tonight - Are you seeking a bath after the others have bathed and gone to bed?" Talia wasn't entirely sure of his meaning because on one hand he asked if she had time to relax once supper had ended but spoke of bathing after the others were settled for the night, but she couldn't manage the tub and water on her own. Mayhap she was missing something in his question ... Did he want some alone time with her once the others had retired? She was not readily versed in the art of words and subtle meaning or she was simply out of practice these past years and suddenly felt like an unsophisticated miss.
Janusz, FYI, any relevant info about the town or NPCs can be found on the campaign tab. General Housekeeping: There will be a change in the formal marching order with Janusz's introduction. Can you let me know what you want it to be now between the four of you? Thanks. :) I'll let you guys wrap up any final rp for the night and I may move the game forward tomorrow morning.
She felt his reticence and did not push for more. "You may call me Delfi. And it must have been exciting travelling far and wide. I have only ever known Belhaim." The girl gave a soft sigh as if she thought she would never travel or know of faraway places. But she could not be parted from Talia, Jax or Jorje and the girl's large, expressive eyes moved to Riley and she wondered if he would go away soon. Riley had shown some interest in Talia, but would he enjoy a small town like Belhaim? She didn't want to see her sister's heart hurt or broken. Delfi realised she had been staring at Riley a little too long and she returned her gaze and smile on Janusz. "You may stay here, for a while, like the others." Delfi looked across to Talia to see if she would be agreeable to having another lodger as it would mean more work for her and the others. Talia quickly added, "You are welcome to a room and meals until you get back on your feet, Janusz." There was a hint of worry in Talia's dark eyes over the cost of having lodgers who were not paying for room and board, but it was not her way to turn people away after misfortune had befallen them. She and her people would make do - they always did. Talia gave the man a soft, encouraging smile. Jorje, having finished his meal, moved toward his playing chair by the fire. He opened the case and picked up his violin and began to play a quiet, haunting melody while the others ate their supper and talked.
Okay. Thanks for letting me know, Riley. :)
Would you guys just like me to fast forward to the morning? Or do you want a little more time for rp over the course of the evening? I'd also like to see your levelling info here on discussion. Thanks. :)
"Eat in the manner you're compelled to, Janusz. The supper is just for your party as I have turned away other patrons this night," Talia smiled reassuringly before taking the seat across from Riley and Delfi and serving herself some food. Talia called Jax and Jorje to join them and eat. As Janusz addressed her sister, Talia nodded that it was alright to return conversation, and the girl (who appeared to be around 14 or 15 summers old), smiled her pretty dimpled smile and responded, "I am Delfi Orem. It's good to meet you, Janusz. I've not seen you in town before. Where have you come from?"
As soon as Rhialtyra was done with her bath, she sent word down that she had a nasty headache and could some food and tea be brought up to her room for she would be retiring early this night to recover. Talia organised a tray and brought it up to her room as Jax was taking out the bath and buckets. Jax had a quiet word with his mistress in the hallway, "The newcomer's clothes are filthy and torn. Not sure they'd survive a laundering. He and Jorje are of the same build and I'll ask if he can lend the man some clothes until Mister Janusz can visit the General Store or Soorey's. I'll take Mistress Rhilatyra's clothes and put them in a bucket to soak. You will find them there when the washing is to be done." Talia thanked Jax and after bidding Rhilatyra a good night, rejoined the others at the table, below.
As she returned to the dining hall, Talia watched as Riley drew closer, looked deeply at her and then embraced her. She gave into the long embrace and returned it with equal measure - glad to feel his arms about her and knowing he was safe and sound. His whisper made her heart skip and she watched as his smile spread across his face and she felt revived by it. She whispered, with earnest conviction, "I missed you, too." As Riley sat down on the chair closest her at the end of the oaken table, Talia ladled some of the stew into a bowl and added a chunk of bread and cheese and set it before him, and did the same for Felix and Braylee. Jorje brought over a jug of mead and a jug of ale and set it down with the mugs. Delfi took the place on the other side of Riley and poured her own bowl of stew. She took some of the pumpkin bread and began to eat. Between mouthful she asked Riley and the others, "Did you kill all the kobolds? Was it terrible?" Talia tried to hush her sister for such talk was not pleasant especially over a meal, yet the younger girl smiled innocently and waited to see if anyone would answer.
GM: Thank you on the arrows. After we purchase, I'll start keeping a running count! You're welcome. And, that would be good - thanks!
"I will not be offended. Thank you for working beside me," Rhialtyra said to the man. The stranger called upon the divine forces at his disposal and a wave of positive energy washed over the company of allies, healing their wounds.
---------------------- The group collect the loot and bid Nighttail farewell and move back through the Blood Vows lair methodically, through the passages they had come through. Their steps were not impeded by any kobold or trap and they found their way to the entrance of the lair. Emarthine called to the three hiding in the bushes a little up the ledge and together they moved up the ledge to the entrance of the tunnel into the Witch Tower. Again, they moved through the Old Witch Tower with the ease of experience and found themselves back on the outskirts of Belhaim proper in the late afternoon. Emarthine turned to the group, "You return Bophre to her parents' dairy farm and the Bellathis may come with me and stay the night at my farm. Talia has her hands full and I have space and will provide them with a meal and a bed and they can set out in the morning. You are an interesting lot and it was a pleasure fighting by your side. Until we meet, again." Emarthine gave a wave. Carlo and Sela looked at the party, "All our belongings were taken by the kobolds. We have nothing to give you as reward for saving us, but you have our deep gratitude and friendship. Good bye and may the gods keep you safe." With that, all three moved down the hill toward the orchard. Bophre smiled wearily and addressed them, "My parents' farm is not far from Talia's inn - across the bridge and down the Verduran Highway." The remaining party moved back down the now familiar roads and looked relieved when they saw the lit sconces and pretty gardens of The Wise Piper. Regrettably the party could not enter just yet and continued along the bridge and down the highway toward Malak Farm. At the door, you are greeted by Bophre's surprised, jubilant and grateful mother and as you turn to leave for the inn she happily rewards you with 200 gold pieces. The embraced Malaks wave the party goodbye and you start back toward Belhaim proper and The Wise Piper as the sun drops lower in the sky.
Thank you for letting us know, Felix. Hope things turn around for your family.
Rhialytra has remained quiet as the talk had started. She was desperate to leave the cave with the previous, dead kobold leader left on display on the floor. She stepped forward, mindful of the bloodied straw in places and made a quick introduction, "I am Rhialtyra Sunaki. You have my gratitude for healing my companion, there. Now, the oracle moved to Felix and Riley, not looking at the dead Roaghaz, "You two are the most injured from what I can see. I shall use the last of my magic to heal some of your injury, then we should really head out of this lair and get back to town before dark." Rhialtyra carefully lay her hand on Felix.
And then making a fist with her right hand, fingers facing herself, and making a circle in front of her chest before touching it to the spot over her heart, she recited the words, "May light touch and bless you," before touching Riley's shoulder.
"Let us collect our things and leave." Looking to Nighttail she quietly added, "We expect much from you, Chief Nighttail. Be a better leader than your predecessor. I wish you luck. Farewell."
Felix's updated hp after Janusz's healing: 9/16
Feel free to finalise any talks with the "Mysterious Stranger", healing etc and then you will head back to town. Remember, you have three released prisoners (Bophre Malak, Carlo and Sela Bellathi) waiting for you outside the lair to take back with you to safety - one local that needs to be returned to her home - Malak Dairy. There will be time for rp over the next few days. Once you return to Belhaim and get your 8 hours rest/sleep, you guys can level up! Yay! When you have levelled to 3 - please post your levelling info on the discussion board for me to see. HP are calculated as average rounded up (d6 = 4HP, d8 = 5HP, d10 = 6HP, and d12 = 7HP) plus CON modifier. Janusz will be levelling up as well to keep him in step with the rest of the group. I will be writing Rhia out of the game once you have returned to Talia's inn. You can see the Lady Origena in the morning (you'll return to Belhaim by dusk) to make your report to her on how you fared with the Blood Vows and get your reward. Remember, you changed the rules of her arrangement a little by allowing Nighttail to rule and remain outside of Belhaim as an ally. Diplomacy is your friend. ;) I'll end this post with: Well done! I thought you might all go down at one stage, there -- So it's good that GOOD prevailed! Current HP/ Status: Riley: 7/19 and 1 STR damage
------------------ GM's rolls:
Braylee, out of the arrows you've used today - that have gone askew/awry/didn't hit, with a little searching as you move back through the lair, you are able to recover 5 of them intact and you add them back to your quiver. (Looking back through your posts - you used 9 arrows in total during the combat - and you just recovered 5, so you're only down 4 arrows.)
Riley discovered no traps and easily opened the two chests with the keys.
Rhia could not readily identify the creature to which the scales belonged to. She put it down to the stress of the day and the killings inside the lair. It had been all too much for her to witness. All too much.
Emarthine stepped forward to take a closer look at the scales; her eyes widened and then she looked to Riley, "These are dragon scales, from a green and black dragon. A rare prize, indeed. No wonder the Chieftain kept them locked away. I wonder how he came to possess them."
Your current loot from inside the Blood Vows lair: From Churgri, cleric of Vapula: * 3 Potions of CLW plus 1 CLW found at shrine. All 4 potions allocated and imbibed.
From Chief Roaghaz: * Cloak of Fangs
From the Alchemical Inferno Trap (which you disabled): * 12 vials of Alchemist's Fire.
Rhia moves forward, tentatively around the dying kobold bodies and mindful of the one guard who recently surrendered. She casts Detect Magic and looks over the body of the Kobold leader and then makes her various spellcraft rolls where necessary. On Roaghaz's body, the following items are discovered: * Cloak of Fangs
Searching the western section of the cave, you discover Roaghaz's sleeping quarters and two locked chests. Using the keys you found on the chieftain's body, you open the chests. One of the chests holds 1,895 gold pieces and the other holds six large green scales and an even larger black scale. Know. Nature (DC 14) re scales: All seven scales are dragon scales!
Round 5: Botting Felix Taking advantage of the prone kobold leader, the very injured Felix strikes down at him with his rapier, calling upon fortune's favour one last time this day to aid his hand.
and cuts a deep gash in the Chieftain's side. Roaghaz looks shocked for a moment and then closes his eyes, falling into unconsciousness, bleeding out/dying on the straw floor of the Grand Hall. "That's for almost killing me," said the bard/swashbuckler in a tight voice to the motionless Roaghaz. The last kobold guard watches his chieftain close his eyes and not stir/move again, and, believing him dead, drops his spear to the ground, raising his hands and calling out in Draconic, "I surrender! Don't kill me."
Round 5: Botting Rhia Rhia takes a 5ft step away from the remaining, threatening kobold guard to stand between Braylee and Hak. She reaches out and lays her hand on the alchemist and casts Guidance on her.
Round 5: Nighttail and Hak Nighttail once again strikes at Roaghaz with her spear, even though the light plays havoc with her vision.
The strike is true and the Kobold Chieftain takes 3 pts of damage. Hak, with tooth and nail, attacks the injured Kobold Guard (#1) in front of him.
and manages to wound the kobold for 8 pts of damage and it drops, bleeding out on the cave floor.
Round 5: Emarthine Seeing the very injured Kobold leader, Emarthine attempts to trip him with her scythe. vs Roaghaz's CMD and knocks Roaghaz off his feet. "Finish him off," the druidess instructs Riley and Felix.
Round 5: Roaghaz The Chieftain changes tactics and instead of casting again, he (as a swift action) forces his teeth to grow rapidly and then attempts to bite the traitor, Nighttail, even as the bright light plagues his vision. But right before, Braylee tries to shoot at the Kobold Chief to distract him, but alas the shot goes askew.
Much to the Chief's annoyance, he bites Nighttail's armour without much success and she remains unscathed.
Janusz:
Janusz, you can act now, too. And I placed your token on the map (where the cage token was). :)
Janusz:
Janusz: You try each of the three keys in the lock outside the cage, and, as you push the third key into the lock, you hear a discernible *click* in the chamber and are relieved. Your cage is unlocked!
Janusz: About a few feet from your cage, to the right of you, you see something metallic in the dirt/straw on the cave floor. You reach out with your arm/hand and grasp the object with your fingertips and drag it toward the bars of your cage. You manage to pull the object through the space in the bars and look down to see a set of old looking keys.
Janusz: As the people come into the cave and start fighting the kobolds in the room, Janusz begins immediately working on the loosened rope bindings around his wrists, trying to loosen them further still and slip his hands free. After a few tries, Janusz manages to slip free of the bindings around his wrists. As he attempts to pick the old, primitive lock on his cage, the task proves difficult under such duress.
Round 5: Enemy! The kobold guard (#1) attacks Hak with its spear, even though it is having a hard time with the bright light.
And misses the allosaurus. ----------------------------- The kobold guard (#2) takes a 5ft step toward Braylee and attacks her with its spear as it tries to shield its eyes with its other hand,
but with the alchemist's fortified defenses cannot find quarry. ------------------------------
Round 4: Botting Felix
And Felix, too, manages to score a hit on the Kobold Chief for 3 pts of damage. Roaghaz is seriously injured at the moment.
------------------------
Braylee's readied attack with the bow does hit Roaghaz for 6 pts damage. He, however, still makes the concentration check (even including the damage in the DC for the check). My apologies for that mistake on the hit. Riley fails his fort save and takes the 1 pt of STR damage. Riley's strike is true and he deals another 9 pts of damage to the Chieftain.
Okay. Braylee, I went back through the posts and on Sept 9th, you had used 5/6 bombs, and today you threw another bomb at the kobold guards, so you have no more bombs remaining this day. Felix, you have one use of Archaeologist's Luck remaining with two rounds of Lingering Performance there upon. Rhia has 2 first level spells remaining and 1 use of Lay on Hands this day. Your current HP: Riley: 12/19
Round 4: Botting Rhia Wishing she could reach the injured Felix but unable to at present and also lacking in spells, the petite oracle called out, "I'm sorry, Nightail," took hold of her shortspear and cast Daylight on the metal tip, lifting the spear high into the air, filling the entire cave and part of the tunnel with bright light (60ft radius from Rhia). All the kobolds within the bright light cry out in surprise/over-stimulation and shield their eyes, even poor Nighttail, and are dazzled for 20 mins.
Don't give up, adventurers! You're doing well - just keeping working together to defeat the Chief! If Felix's player is unable to post tomorrow, Riley did you want to bot him (I know you said you'd rather not because you don't want to get him killed) or would you like me to bot him?
|
