The Standing Stone is a large, imposing stone obelisk that was erected on 0 DR to serve as a symbol of unity between the elves of Cormanthyr and the humans of the Dalelands in celebration of their alliance that grew out of the agreement known as the Dales Compact. It also marked the beginning of the use of Dale reckoning calendar. It is located within the forest of Cormanthor, at the junction between Rauthauvyr's Road and the Moonsea Ride, and sits at roughly the center of the Dalelands.
The councilor listens as the newly formed party begins to discuss details. As Lilianne lays out the pattern, he snaps his lips and moves quickly back to his desk where he searches through the papers. After brief moment, he returns to the center of the group and lays down a small map on the table in front of Rissa. "My apologies, I almost forgot - we have notated on this map the whereabouts of the two attacks, and the three locations the missing caravans were last seen. In my explanation before, I grouped them by situation - attacked or missing. I have also numbered them here in the order of occurance. I hope this is helpful."
The map can be viewed on Page 2 of the "Campaign Resources - Maps & Such" google document linked at the top of the page
Turning to Aelanurel, he shakes his head. "No, I am afraid not. A rider was sent north to the Ironspoke Coster in Hillsfar when their caravan was found attacked to inform them of the situation. Similarly, when the first caravan of the Graymantle Consortium failed to arrive 'on time' - they run a very consistent schedule - I sent word via the River Ashaba to a representative in Highmoon. Both groups seek the return of their personnel and goods, and have offered to help fund your endeavor should it prove successful."
Pausing for a moment he chuckles slightly, "as for who would know about such things - well, Ashabenford sits on a major trade route, so anyone might know something. As for detailed knowledge, I suppose that would be me. I am the owner of Haresk's Hardware and Trade Emporium here in town. I leave the daily running of it to my cousin Egar, but still help with more broad details. Beyond myself or my kin, there are a few other good sources to consider: Jarwain Larksong, an importer of rare and exotic goods; the Black Eagle Coster which does business up and down the Moonsea Ride; and lastly, the Ashabenford Arms and the White Hart Inn, where caravans could stay for a night."
Looking down at Rissa, "The only place a detailed manifest of a caravan's cargo would exist is on the caravan itself. True, most caravans focus on a selection of goods, but as they travel, they buy and sell to keep their offerings up and profit strong from one locale to the next. The Graymantle caravans, coming out of Cormyr, would have carried a wide array of products from Cormyr, Sembia, and the other lands they trade with across the Sea of Fallen Stars. The Ironspoke caravan if I recall was heavy with iron goods, as well as Hillsfar's well known velvet. Beyond that, I am sure they both bore assorted trade goods and food."
Haresk leans against the high back of a chair as he considers your questions. Taking each in turn, he begins to nod. "Good, this is good. Already you seek out the unknown puzzle pieces. Now, let me see..." as his words drift off, he moves back behind the desk and begins thumbing through a stack of papers. From it he produces two pages, which he lays before himself. Taking a sip of his beverage, he begins:
"As I mentioned, there were two caravans that were attacked, with all the crew either murdered or missing, and the wagons raided, but left where they fell. The first was found on the Moonsea Ride, just north of Peldan's Helm, as it was heading to Ashabenford. The owner, a private merchant named Olaf Vertran, was at the head of his caravan, but his body was not found among the dead. The second was found on Rauthauvyr's Road, between the Standing Stone and Essembra. It was coming south from Hillsfar and made it to Ashabenford before turning back toward Blackfeather Bridge and the settlements south. Strangely Rendo Ulslev, a merchant of the Ironspoke Coster in Hillsfar, and his staff were all accounted for, but there was not a single sign of their guards."
Haresk pauses for a moment as he takes a drink before lifting up the second page. He grimaces then scrunches his nose into a perplexed look.
"In addition to the two that were attacked, Three other caravans went missing, leaving not a trace. Two went missing between Tilver's Gap and here. Both of them run loops, so to speak, between the Dalelands, Sembia, and Cormyr. They were both financed by the Graymantle Trade Consortium, based out of Ordulin. Both caravans would've run down to their base, before heading out - one further down through Sembia and into Cormyr, the other across the southern Dales. The last one was heading north to Hillsfar and the Moonsea beyond. It was last seen taking a lunch at the Standing Stone, but never spotted after. I have little information about that group, as they'd never come this way before, and made only the briefest stop here in Ashabenford."
His drink and the papers still in his hands, Haresk walks back around his desk and moves towards you, but pauses to lean against the hearth. " It is possible these are unrelated. In the last couple months there have been other attacks, but they have been of a more normal variety. Bandits, goblins, a horse was even snatched by a griffin. But these all are different. Four of the five had occurred by the time we put out the notice. The last was 4 days ago."
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and Happy Romance Day. I hope you all rolled a nat 20 on your diplomacy check this evening. My tech journey across the last week has been ridiculous to say the least. Suffice to say the people who were supposed to solve my problems made things far worse. I am operational now on an alternate device, and my laptop is out for repairs. We will see when that gets back. My apologies for the drawn out delay, hopefully we see no more further issues.
Let's do this!
My work didn't have anything I can borrow, but I remembered I had an old laptop buried in the closet. Dug it out and it still works. Need to run some updates and clean up some junk files, but should be operational by the end of the night.
My two and a half year old son grabbed my laptop on Saturday morning and decided it would function best as a trampoline. Suffice to say, despite my best efforts over the last 2 days, it is inoperable.
Luckily my notes for the game are all saved in google docs. This post is coming from my phone, working on getting a temporary unit from work. While I hopefully can get my main laptop fixed.
Game post coming shortly, thank you for your patience.
Corwynt's comment breaks the tension just enough to relax the group of you that have assembled. You are left with several minutes to exchanges words before the dwarf reopens the door and nods to you. "He'll see ye now." Turning back, he gestures inward while holding the door open for each of you. As you enter the house, you're met by a building that suits a humble ruler of the Dales well. It is both sturdily built and welcoming, with neither a utilitarian nor ostentatious feel. The furnishings and decorations are both well kept and well worn. To the left side of the foyer there are more than a dozen pegs at various heights, no doubt for travelers to leave any weather worn gear. Coming off the foyer there is a staircase going up, a long hallway heading back on the ground floor, and a small receiving room off to the right.
Once you have all moved within, the dwarf steps past toward the hallway, then turns back expectantly, seemingly waiting for you to discard any wet cloaks or other personal effects. After such has been done, he leads you out of the foyer then briefly down the hallway before turning left. He opens a door which reveals a comfortably appointed sitting room with a large hearth and several couches and chairs set before it. At the far side of the chamber, leaning over an open desk is a man in his late 40s whose brown hair has got mostly to gray, and his belt line has softened with age. He wears a well-crafted green and gold leather jerkin with the heraldry of Mistledale, complimented by an tan shirt and black pants beneath. A dagger rests in a sheath on his hip, with a long, black rod slipped through his belt beside it. The man sips from a ceramic mug briefly before looking up to your entering party.
Stepping around the desk, a smile crosses the lips of the man. "Well, it would seem you have each answered the summons we sent forth. For that, I thank you. I am Haresk Malorn, purveyor of fine goods, voice of the Council of Six, and a simple Mistran at heart. Now, to the trouble that besets us - the open stretches of Mistledale have often had their trouble, which is why we have maintained the Riders as a standing force. Bandits, raiders, even goblins and orcs, these troubles they are skilled to attend to. But in the past two months, we have had two caravans that have been attacked in a strange manner, and three more that have gone missing, with nary a trace to be followed. These anomalies have left our most skilled eyes unable to trace the source of this danger. We are in need of individuals of a peculiar nature, willing to hunt the unknown, with the skill to see that which cannot be seen. Are you up for the challenge?"
Lord Malorn; Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy (gather info) DC 15:
* Haresk Malorn has served as the High Councilor on the Council of Six since 1358 (14 years ago).
* He is a successful merchant, the owner of Haresk's Hardware Emporium, a sizeable general store that has been in the Malorn family for generations.
* Haresk is well liked by the people of Mistledale, and his position on the Council is an elected seat.
Lord Malorn; Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy (gather info) DC 20:
* As High Councilor, Malorn serves as the head of the Riders of Mistledale, though he himself is not a warrior, and is loathe to take up arms himself.
* Malorn's merchant work includes not only his business in Mistledale; he has grown to sponsor caravans that traverse the Moonsea Ride.
Yes, I am perfectly okay with you arriving early and following up on your letter. Given that you would've been traveling between sending it and your arrival, you had received no response. When you arrive in town, you are welcomed at the House of the High Councilor and invited in for a welcome.
Lilianne (diplomacy):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Pleasantries are exchanged, and he seems mildly impressed by your gracious offer of assistance, as well as your noble heritage. He has made arrangements for you at the Ashabenford Arms, and looks forward to a more formal discussion once a company of "heroes" can be assembled.
I have only limited experience with Discord as a voice service companion for VTT games, not so much as a messaging app, and plan to use the Discussion forum here for all OOG communication. I will also be setting up a Google Doc to manage battle maps, and will share that shortly (my email address is corbectheghost@gmail.com)
The heavy spring rains across the past tenday made your journey to Ashabenford difficult, to say the least. Though the morning's dawn saw sun peaking through the clouds for the first time in ages, it did little to ease the waterlogged chill that has plagued your body these last few days. Still, you have arrived at your destination and find yourself in Ashabenford, standing before the House of the High Councilor of Mistledale.
Ashabenford is both the largest settlement and capital of Mistledale. Yet those titles perhaps overstate it, for Ashabenford is no sprawling metropolis like Silverymoon, nor a mighty walled city like Suzail. Composed of rustic homes and collections of cottages, Ashabenford sits on the eastern side of the River Ashaba, though some of its notable buildings are found also on the west bank. The busy trade route of the Moonsea Ride passes through the center of Ashabenford, and indeed, it serves as a major stop between Cormyr to the south and the Moonsea to the north.
The House of the High Councilor itself is an impressive structure, at least in comparison to the town. It's sits on a hill atop the town, with a strong view down toward the River Ashaba. The house itself is a sturdy two-story home built of stone and timber, set amidst several clusters of trees. A pond sits off to it's right, with a stable to its left and several secondary structures behind. A stablehand has taken the reins of your mounts (those who brought them), and a stocky dwarf in a chain shirt and leather jack stands at the front door of the residence. A metal studded cudgel leans against the building beside him, yet he makes no move for it as you gather. At present he steps forward, looks across the collected lot of you, "Well, I guess you are it. I'll let the lord know ye've arrived." And turns to enter the house.
Happy to give everyone the chance! A significant factor about the six characters that were chosen is none of them felt "min/maxed" to me. There were several builds that were clearly people trying to squeeze the most juice out of my character creation rules, something I asked people to explicitly not to. The group we have assembled seems like a potentially strong crowd of role players, and that's the goal.
Working for my mobile device right now, one of a few minutes later I will get the armor notes, as well as a few other things added to the campaign tab. Get rolling!
Learning Extra Spells
The spell learning dynamic has for multiple editions been a bane on prepared arcane casters. Pathfinder 1e did a solid job of reducing the cost, but even still, it is a constant penalty. To keep it simple, for before the start of game, we will use the "Spell Level and Writing Costs" as the cost to get another caster to share the spell with you (0th - 5gp, 1st - 10 gp, 2nd - 40 gp). There will be no cost to scribe it into a spellbook. Once we get into gameplay, learning spells will be handled in game, so price may vary based on availability and relationship with who you are learning it from.
Crazy Elven Armor Idea
After talking with Liliane about her goal to eventually gain a set of mithral elven plate, I started to theorize on how an elf might craft heavy armor different from a human or dwarf. Given an elf's natural agility, even their heavy armor might depend more on flexibility. As such, I would theorize that elven full plate would almost be more "plate-and-chain" in a sense, with plates to cover vital areas, and chain to allow for enhanced flexibility. This spiraled into a "beskar-esque" (star wars reference) component armor. Some elven warriors persue having a custom set made for them, but others start with a mithral shirt, and slowly, over time, add components to it. Each component is unique and likely has its own story. So I pitched her the idea. Given the elven-dominance of our party and the game taking place around the great forest of Cormanthor (ancient realm of the elves), I can include this as a bit more of a component to the game (and will add the notes to the campaign tab).
Aelanurel
I costed out to the Travel Cloak from 3.5 (using the "multiple similar benefits" taking some liberties based on existing theory), and its honestly not far off. I am cool with it being available for 1500 gp. To add resistance, it would be another +1500 gp. Alternatively, I have always been a fan of "body slot" items of resistance (tabard, vest, robe), so if you wanted a robe of resistance +1, it would be the standard 1000 gp.
It seems like the party is concerned about having limited martial ability. If that is the case, I can certainly bring on one more player. The party was based around characters that I found interesting proposed by players with some solid standing and experience, with build awareness included. I am happy to add in a bit more 'muscle' to beef up the group, just please confirm if that is how people are feeling.
Rissa you can spend up to 3000 gp on items you have created yourself.
Mia My apologies, I had worked this mostly out last week and never got back to you.
Mia (archetype notes):
I did a little build out comparison (u-rogue w/ eldr scdrl vs u-rogue ++ eldr scdrl vs magus), and honestly the eldritch scoundrel added on top of unchained rogue and honestly its not that far off (guess it shows the strength of the magus class).
So, here is my proposal:
Unchained Rogue at full + Eldritch Scoundrel's added benefits, with the following adjustments:
- Sneak attack progresses every 3 levels, instead of 2.
- you will not gain debilitating injury.
- similar to my ruling on classes that add on monk abilities, you will retain light armor proficiency, and be able to cast in light armor with no penalty. If you want to be able to cast in medium armor without penalty, you will need to spend a rogue talent to gain that ability.
Liliane
I did not know there was a specific peacemeal armor system, but I had some ideas I had put together based on my message to you. Take a look below at how I built it out based on milestone armors (chain shirt, breastplate, full plate). There would not be specific location benefits, more thematic as you collect more components, increasing along the chart below.
In addition, it can be enchanted as per normal (+1 is 1000 gp, +2 is 4000 gp, etc.)
Liliane (archetype notes):
Warden definitely adds to your character and strengthens your skills, but at a substantially higher cost. As such, we can definitely work in a few arcane abilities as discussed in the PM. To start, you can use detect magic 3+Wis Mod times per day. I will spitball a few more over the levels.
Good morning all, everyone has checked in at this point. I am excited to be on this journey with all of you. I am on the east coast of the United States (EST, +5 hrs), but between having both a toddler and infant at home, and working in the hospitality industry, I keep very strange hours. We will spend the next few days tidying up characters and locking up gear.
To make sure I have everything clear in my notes, could each of you create a post with the following:
- your free archetype
- your race build
- your feat progression
Smooshie/Lilianne I just sent you a follow up email. Lots to think about.
Slowdrifter/Aelanurel nice synopsis of the party's capabilities overall. And indeed, while perhaps a little "less melee" driven, I feel a party of 6 helps overcome that.
Linnea/Rissa You can purchase scrolls and add them to your spellbook as per normal costs, but with no need to roll a check to learn them.
As to equipment, you each have all had bountiful adventures and start with 7500 gp worth of equipment. You do not need to account for anything valued at under 10 gp.
This post exists for players to be able to dot in and then delete their first post. I will announce in the discussion board once we are ready to get under way.
