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Ok, fair enough. Leaving the campaign is probably a good idea based on what you just said, as we don't want to spoil anything to the remaining players. Thanks for picking up the game though: not a lot of GMs like doing that. It was greatly appreciated. Happy gaming! PS: please edit the campaign and remove me from it to stop notifications. Thanks!
@GM Fuzzfoot: To be honest, I am wondering why you didn't skip us directly to Part 3 instead of picking up the campaign right in the middle of this weird sandboxy Part 2? When I saw your first post, I thought it was a little strange, but then I thought you had your reasons or really wanted to play with those subsystems you are now saying you don't like. Mind explaining your reasoning a little there? Part 3 is pretty much a standard dungeon crawl, which would have gelled this group together nicely...
I will have to apologize as well, as I have also decided to leave this campaign. I am already GMing this campaign with a local group of friends where I live, and we are nearing the end of Book 3 (live VTT and F2F gaming is much faster than PbP, so my own campaign has overtaken this one at some point in mid 2020 and left this one in the dust so to speak...) It is increasingly hard to keep my mouth shut in certain encounters in this campaign, knowing full well which buttons to push to 'win' the encounter or knowing where to go to or what to do to gather town improvement funds, for example. It would be a disservice to the group if I somehow end up spoiling such knowledge for those of you who are having their first go at it. Good luck finding replacements guys. It shouldn't be too hard: a simple post in the Flaxseed recruitment thread should garner at least a dozen interested players. Happy gaming!
"Whoever is taking point on this search, allow me to place heroism magic upon yourselves," offers Valeria.
"We were on our way to Jambis after a planned stop at the Voinum estate and Sotto, but we could certainly re-organize this trip to head down there faster, just in case your acolytes have got into some kind of trouble. Consider it done. We'll depart at dawn, Archbanker."
Valeria suggests the group secures lodgings at a fine inn and rest with a good meal to discuss what to do in Lotheedar. When her turn in the conversation comes up, she suggests that one of the thing they should do here is to meet with with Archbanker Paril.
After a day's rest at Betony Estate/Stachys, here is my suggestion for our next trip: Lotheedar (unexplored), Voinum Estate (discuss wine deal with baroness there), Sotto (unexplored), Ruins of Jambis (unexplored), Gold Canyon (unexplored) (See map for counterclockwise trip itinerary) This should give our GM a nice order in which to prep/read the stuff! :)
Valeria nods at both Sara and Eregos. "Before any confrontation with the Count or his sheriff, we need to put the population squarely on our side and finish our barony's repairs. But yes. A day will come where the Count and his cronies will need to step down, either by force or willingly, in order to enact the Princess' plans. In terms of the Beggarwoods, I wholeheartedly agree with Sara in that we should treat their people like it's business as usual." The rest of the trip to the Betony Estate, Valeria enquires what the team will be doing during the upcoming weekend, and where they wished to head out come Moonday.
Valeria knew he was right, again. She had made a mistake. But this time she cared not. The man could have had the chance to alter the course of events back at the Beggarwoods, but he let it all played out in contemptuous silence. She hated him at times. Especially when his words made her hate herself. But as always she swallowed all the hate, and smiled, years of silence at being a 'good girl' in Cheliax kicking in, and she instead said "Of course Sveng, you are right. My thoughts exactly. Let them eat cake."
Val turns to Capricia, nodding, "I was careful with my words, sister-in-arms. I care not what they say to whoever they say it at this point. The Tricorneholes' potential besmirching will be met by utter denial from the Betony Estate, and if they push for slandering, they will surely bring our wrath upon them should the Count or his dog insist to have us do something about it..." Valeria would not look forward to such a forced confrontation, but if it would come to pass, she believed she would find herself ready to knock these Four Idiots down a peg or two... the people there would do better without these fools.
Valeria sings a brief refrain, and the nettles all pull out of Sara's skirts, spiraling slowly to the ground into a neat pile, along with any bur, soil, or grass stain. She opens the coach's door and sweep the pile outside with her right boot. "Hmm... go on then. What do you propose? my gut reaction after seeing these... ahem... yes... 'Giant Asshats' is to walk away and let the entire forest stew in its own juices... but sure, I'll listen if you guys have a good plan. So far, these so called beggars appear immune to my begging..."
On the ride back home, in the coach, she says to her fellow adventurers, "It would be so easy now to have these woods purged, if we were the nasty or vengeful types... one letter to the Count or Gul and the lot of them would probably get slaughtered due to them answering to these Four Morons. One can see how easily some folks' lot can change for following the wrong leaders. My vote is to forget about the Beggarwoods: they won't help us, but I'm not going to go out of my way to make their lives more difficult. I'll send two or three agents every week to buy stuff from them so as to keep them fed and supplied though, with express instruction not to deal with the Hoods or trade with them. The normal folk don't need to starve, but I'm not sending a single bite to eat to these Morons..."
I think we learned, with the previous GM, that he was a hard nosed annoying enforcer for the Count. I don't think we've met him yet outside of the initial jubilee.
"The people you keep hiding behind may not appreciate your intransigent type of leadership, fools! I've had it with you stubborn-headed lot. The machine? I was born in Cheliax you idiot, and I was exiled because I spat on a General during a regimental dinner! I left a cozy life in a rich noble family by sticking my neck out trying to make a change! you know nothing of the machine, here, hiding in the bushes behind innocent women and children. Hard pass? F$## you!" replies Valeria, angered like no one has ever seen before. She turns around and storms out of the encampment.
"I don't know where you got the impression that we could have any type of sway over the Princess, dear gentlemen, but I assure you that this request would be well above our station to make. We may have more success covering up for you in regards to the Count, however, if you consider working with us to rebuild Stachys and perhaps sending some men and woman to our village to help? if Gul Gusairne then decide to keep harassing you, I can appeal to the Count to pull the man away from our rebuilding operations... what say you? I need some kind of commitment from your folks here so as to make any appeal to the Count defensible from an outsider's perspective, should it... let's say... come to some kind of leadership change at the County level..."
"We're new in town, and I'm afraid 'rich' is not part of the perks that came with this Betony Estate title. I'm the new Baroness to the north of you, and the town is in sad disrepair. Based on what we heard it's due to Count Lotheed not funding the town proper along the years. I'm afraid we haven't had the 'pleasure' to meet the Count's sheriff yet, but apparently his reputation precedes him. No. We are here because we need folks to help us rebuild, and we have quite a few empty homes in the village which some of you could use. We also need lumber and building material... and we were wondering if you had by any chance had any... luck... in finding such supplies along the road perhaps?"
Valeria agrees and follows with Sveng.
"Oh brother... never mind Capricia... I'll ride the thing in circles while I talk... like some kind of military commander inspiring the troops... I hope they don't call me 'The New General' after this! ...but this means I need to memorize the speech! quick, finish it Sara! and keep it family friendly please!!"
"Drats... I might break a heel on this thing... hmmm... how about you just hold the reins of a horse and I'll sit on the saddle to do the speech? can you keep the beast still so I can use both my hands to hold papers up there?"
"Psssssst! Sara! don't go girl! you seem good at this! here: put it on paper, in whole or in parts... I'll read it several times before the start so I don't sound like some emotionless clockwork golem!"
"Gusairne? The Count's sheriff? now, do we look like starved nobles to you? anyone willing to help do this dog's duty is not only desperate but probably also not the sharpest tool in the shed, if you know what I mean. But have it your way. If those leaders of yours don't want to see us, it's fine by me, I can do my own announcements for the people..." Lady Valeria then 'commands' her 'men' and 'ladies in waiting' to erect a small stage for her so that she can make an announcement to the folks of Beggarwood. When the heroes arrive closer she whispers to them, "Pssst! I intend to do a speech for them, to give them hope or something, and invite them to relocate to Stachys. We need hands to rebuild.. suggestions? what should I say? Bimble! you look like you've had a turn or two as a speechwriter in the past? can you get quill and paper out and start writing something? Eregos, Capricia: can you build me a stage? not higher than a soapbox but just something to help me see everyone... Sara, Sveng: can you both move through the camp and 'announce' a 'formal announcement by Lady Valeria Tanessen of Stachys' in say, half an hour? oh my... I hope I didn't put my foot in my mouth on this one..."
Upon overhearing the woman, Valeria inquires, "I beg your pardon Madame. We seek no trouble at all and we are looking for trade goods that could help us with our town improvements. We would very much like to speak to those Four Hoods if a meeting could be arranged. Where can we find them?"
I'm back! @GM: are you waiting for something else from us? we're trying to meet with those in charge, see if we can help the Beggarwood folks, or trade with them if they have building material for the upcoming Canyon Bridge Repairs. Thanks!
I won't be able to post until mid-day tomorrow, i.e. June 16th. Please bot me as needed in the meantime!
Valeria will go around the stalls or areas where people are gathered, and make small talk, inquiring about what they have for sale and letting people know that Stachys village is rebuilding and that they need both labor and building material.
"Hello my good little boy! would you mind taking us to whoever's in charge?" she asks to the nearest youth, offering a gold coin for incentive.
Agreed. Let's go there.
No need to panic (yet); today's the big day according to GM Fuzzfoot's post! Awesome! thanks Capricia!
More than 2 weeks since the GM's last post. Have we lost our GM? I hope not. If we have, I am not of the mind of seeking a 3rd GM for this and I may have a chat with the Tyranius (PbP VC) in order to resolve the chronicle sheet at least... :(
@GM: I think Dame Voinum told us to go see her once we have the farms up and running. Or was this only after the advanced farms are running? please confirm. @The Party: In any event, since we don't have the bridge done yet and since we've already visited Dame Crabbe, I think we should check out the folks in either Lotheedar or the Beggarwood at this time.
Has everyone been hit with the PaizoCon Hammer of Exhaustion +5? :P Should I take your collective silence as agreement for the choices above?
Civic basic and Market advanced please!
Take care Bimble and GM Fuzzfoot! Let us know if there are decisions we should be discussing now in order to speed things up and hit the ground running when you return. Regards,
To Eregos' question, Valeria posits that a minor disguise, be it mundane or magical, would probably conceal these subtle facial markings.
Valeria shares all her knowledge of the new Subtle Mask with the group and assists Sveng with learning the proper command words. To her amazement the mask does merge with Sveng's face seamlessly, leaving golden patterns on his face and turning his eyes in two different colors. "Impressive item, dear Sveng... I am curious to see what other wondrous powers will be unlocked by our collective heroics!"
Valeria emerges from the coach minutes later, and shares her initial thoughts to the group in regards to the Subtle Mask.
======================================== Later when they arrive in Stachys, Valeria informs Onara that one of her maids has decided to help out here at the pub, free of charge. "She will remain on my payroll, dearest Onara, but for the next few months she will serve you in any capacity you see fit love. Please try to teach her a thing or two about mixing drinks properly yes?" Valeria then debriefs one of her 'maids' and instruct her agent to run up to the Betony Estate if a lady dressed in swan feathers, breastplate, chainmail and bow ever shows up. "She will go by the name of 'Atratus' but she may be reluctant to share her name with you. You shall organize a meeting between herself and The Nightingale in the gardens behind the Betony Estate if this person ever shows up to Onara's pub. Make sure I am notified as soon as possible so that I can... summon The Nightingale forthwith and not make this swan lady wait too long. Understood?"
We're here now: we know it's slow and has a low AC. Why not just throw rocks at it? throw rock, back up, throw rock, back up, etc. Meanwhile, Sveng is offering himself as bait, spamming negative channels when the monster comes within 30 ft. What could go wrong? :P (and if the GM is fine with us handling it without a map due to our mega knowledge, I'm fine with that too!)
Is there a map? I have one that would kinda work if you need one...
"We'd be happy to help, Swan. Anything we can do to wash away the stain left by Bartleby Lotheed would be an honor and privilege. Forgive us the trespasses of our misled ancestors: I take it you are not the troubled spirit of a young wife who was drowned by her long-dead duke husband? if so we shall respect your wishes and not renew the tradition of pouring holy water in Lauchlein Lake, as per your command." Valeria pauses, bows and just as she was about to turn and return to the coach, she adds, "Now, Mysterious Swan, we have been operating in secret to undermine the actions of Count Bartleby. We cannot be seen trying to undo whatever evils he has done to the County of Meratt. If you'll excuse me, I will need to change before we attempt to battle this monster." Valeria returns to the coach, casts a spell or two inside, and after 10 minutes...
Valeria comes closer, and continues to speak, "Our own wise Master Bimble Fickleblooper here has told us the legend: a duke of old once paid his respects to you by pouring 6 vials of holy water into the lake on the anniversary of your death each summer—a tradition that continued until Bartelby Lotheed took control of the county. His lack of respect and abandonment of this tradition has angered you, we have heard, which has caused you to seek vengeance as the fearsome Night Swan. We have brought holy water, and we are here to restore this tradition. We do not agree with Bartleby Lotheed's practices. We come in peace." As she advances Valeria begs the heroes, "Friends, stay your blades and spells, and let us talk to the spirit of the Night Swan..."
"We come in peace! we are new to this land, and we understand that the one who lords over this place has broken a sacred tradition! we are here to tell you that not all who live here agree with this lord! we wish to restore this tradition and preserve the wild beauty of this lake!" says Valeria, pulling the vials of holy water out and showing them up high openly towards the voice in the trees.
Valeria manages to sidestep the hazard, following Capricia's lead, and mutters a few quick arcane syllables under her breath.
"Seeing the size of the General we just caught, I wouldn't go skinny dipping in any lake around here, priest or not!" answers Valeria, smiling.
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