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Gamelog: Rise of the Runelords
GM: Stratton aka DMReckless
Player One: Jen Character: Zakok, Male Human (Shaonti of the Wind Clan) Barbarian
“I came for the fish; I stayed for the killing.”
Player Two: Tona Character: Chi Chi Maru, Female Half-Elf Rogue
“I hope to no god. I trust to my skills alone.”
Player Three: Corey Character: Kiel S. Elrick, Male Gnome Bard
“I may be a Jester, but that doesn’t make me a fool.”
NPC/”GMPC” One Character: Salawick “Sally” Boommostle, Female Gnome Druid (Animal Companion: Riding Dog “Morganstern”)
“Finish all your Goblin, now Morganstern, that’s a good doggie.”
go to tight group minis photo
Zakok, proud warrior of the Wind Clan, has begun his Shintogon, or walk of manhood. Having proved himself on the battlefield and in the hunts, he has been instructed by his father to travel the lands of Varisia to find his destined path. He has arrived at the small town of Sandpoint in time for the Swallowtail Festival, having been lured by tales of the wonders of Ameiko Kaijitsu’s famous curry-spiced salmon.
Chi Chi Maru, forsaken child orphaned to the brutal streets and canals of Riddleport, has come to Sandpoint seeking clues to the riddle that is her family, trying to establish a new identity and new life for herself. Somewhat wary of strangers and tired of dealing with prejudice, she arrives cloaked and hooded, seeing the town in the middle of preparations for a festival, she decides to use the event as a means of milling about the town looking for others who share her mixed heritage.
Kiel S. Elrick, servant and entertainer of Lord Aldern Foxglove, has seen better days. While Master Foxglove is still wealthy by a commoner’s standards, his estate has suffered since his parent’s demise years ago. Kiel, as a Gnome has seen Aldern grow into the man he is today, and has kept him entertained since he was a lad. Recently, however, the Foxglove estate has been dwindling, and Kiel has had to take on additional responsibilities as other servants have been let go. Thus, he is heartened by his Master’s decision to vacation in the Hinterlands north of Magnimar, and the cultural diversity of Sandpoint is the ideal backdrop for some time off. And, while Master Foxglove intends to bring Kiel along during his hunting expeditions, he has given him leave to spend the rest of the vacation as he sees fit.
Salawick “Sally” Boommostle, Druid of the Brandywine Burrow Clan of Gnomes, has traveled to Sandpoint to partake in the dedication of the Temple seeing it as an opportunity to further serve Desna. She rides in on Morganstern, a fierce and loyal companion and mount. Morganstern is immediately impressed with the fine choice of b*@%#es around town, and decides there might be something worthwhile to this town thing after all.
After enjoying many of the festivities, the soon-to-be-foursome is as surprised as the rest of the town when the goblins attack. Zakok is the first to react, charging towards the goblin who has so viciously killed a nearby dog. Next, Sally rides Morganstern towards another nearby goblin and Chi Chi follows her. Kiel, seeing these brave souls come to the rescue of the townsfolk, starts to chant encouraging words in their direction.
The goblins, seeing the menacing “longshanks” and their hated Dog and Gnome companions, decide to show their superiority by striking. And their goblinity by missing on all counts. Sure, Gutbog would have gutted that stupid dog if the Gnome hadn’t deflected the blow, but that didn’t help Hudlod when the big, dark-skinned longshank split him in half with that huge axe. Gutbog could tell he struck a nerve with the disgusting Gnome lady and her pitiful excuse for a mutt, and he danced a jig around their snarling jaws and poking spear. Unfortunately for him, the other longshank cut him wide open with her blade. This left Gasblote next to the big, ugly, muscled, axe-wielding maniac.
Still, there were tons of goblins, all five clans even, and these longshanks would cower like the rest once they felt the sting of Gasblote’s dogslicer. Oops. The last thing Gasblote saw was his blade missing the big thug. Then, the thirsty axe drank once more on Goblin blood.
Looking at one another, and seeing the carnage and chaos around them as goblins took lives, ate fish, got stuck in a barrel, jumped in and out of every hidey hole and alley around them, and the relative ineffectuality of the town guard, they moved as a team towards a group of goblins who were having far too much fun with fire and a flammable wagon. In truth, they made just as short work of these goblins as the last, although one did manage to get a hit on Zakok. Kiel continued to lend support to the group, changing his tune to both match and mock the goblins’ war songs.
Then they noticed Lord Aldern Foxglove’s predicament. His loyal dog was being torn apart by a nasty looking goblin on a goblin dog, and it looked for all the world like he might be next, especially with the other goblins in the area finding their spines when the dog died. As was the trend, the swift Zakok was the fleetest of foot, arriving in time to put an the goblin ranger’s threat, with Sally and Chi Chi close behind engaging the other goblins. Unfortunately for Zakok, the goblin dog was eager to avenge his master and got a solid bite on him. Zakok returned the favor, but had to fall back and allow the others to finish off the goblins.
Lord Foxglove was extremely grateful, and immediately took a shining to the lovely, talented, and mysterious Chi Chi. He offered to give the group a proper reward and requested that Kiel show them to the room he was staying in at the Rusty Dragon in a couple of days, hoping to get them involved in the hunt he had planned.
Father Zantus, the local priest in charge of the new temple, offered to do what he could with the group’s wounds, healing Chi Chi completely and sealing most of Zakok’s wounds. He then continued doing what he could for the other survivors.
Over the next few days, the group, kept together by Kiel’s charming personality and a newfound celebrity status, found themselves to be the darlings of the town. Exploring the town’s streets and shops, the group was greeted by friendly faces and smiles. It seemed as if every young and available lass in town had an eye for Zakok, staring, blushing, whispering, and giggling following the group around town. Letters of adoration greeted the illiterate Shaonti, smelling pleasantly of perfumes, some bearing tokens (flowers, hair clippings), when he returned to the Inn for the evening. Flattered, he hired Kiel to read the letters to him, and eventually, teach him to read them for himself.
The group met with Aldern Foxglove as arranged, and Zakok, Chi Chi, and Sally were rewarded with 50 pieces of gold each for their efforts in saving his life. Kiel was rewarded with words of thanks for encouraging the group. This dismissal of his efforts began an internal struggle in the young Gnome… could he continue to serve a Master who had no respect for his abilities? Perhaps he could impress his master with what he had learned about the adventurers.
Lord Foxglove invited the adventurers to hunt the wild boar with him, and they accepted. He quickly arranged to buy mounts for those who had none. On the trip out to the Tickwood, Aldern plied the adventurers for stories of where they came from, taking the time to heap praise on Chi Chi for her bravery and skill, and growing annoyed at Kiel when the young Gnome tried to explain that he could inform him of these details after spending the last few days with these new friends. It seemed His Lordship wanted to personally get to know the half-elf.
Once they spotted the boar, Lord Aldern Foxglove proved himself very capable with a bow and crippled the boar with a well-placed arrow. Zakok, in typical fashion, ran the boar down and finished it with his axe. Lord Foxglove was well pleased with the hunt, and heaped praise upon Chi Chi for inspiring his aim to be as true as her beauty, despite her not having a blessed thing to do with the boar’s demise. Kiel began to get even more annoyed with his master’s antics.
Once they returned to the Rusty Dragon, Ameiko created a fabulous feast centered around the boar meat. Everyone at the Inn enjoyed the fine repast. As the feast was wrapping up, Aldern instructed Kiel to regale the Innfolk with the tale of the hunt, telling him to play up the inspiration provided by Chi Chi and the perfect aim of his arrow that followed, and downplay the barbarian’s chase as merely finishing off a wounded and practically helpless beast. It seemed vacation was over for Kiel after all.
But, just as he was to start, Amele, Aeren, and baby Verah Barett burst into the Rusty Dragon with dire news… One of the goblins from the raid days before had hidden in young Aeren’s bedchamber closet and had finally attacked and killed the family dog Petal out of desperation. Aeren himself had been attacked as well, the fresh bite marks on his arm showed as proof. Alergast Barett had stayed behind as his wife and children fled, keeping the goblin from chasing them.
The party rushed to the Barett house, finding carnage in the little boy’s room. Seeing the father laying face down half in, half out of the closet, they entered the small room. Zakok quickly spotted Gresgurt hiding under the body, mouth bloody, chewing noisily, and enraged, charged up.
Gresgurt slashed at the rage-filled longshank, cutting his arm gleefully. Zakok responded with a quick and final blow of the axe. As the party searched the goblin and examined the chewed face of poor mister Barett, Amele saw her husband, screamed, and fainted. Chi Chi offered her what comfort she could until Sheriff Hemlock arrived.
The Sheriff arranged for the surviving Baretts to be taken care of at the temple, while requesting that the new town heroes come and visit him in two days, as he received a message saying that a local goblin expert named Shalelu Andosana would be returning to town, which was quite unusual, and he wanted them there so they would all be able to decide where to go from there. The party agreed.
About this time was when Kiel decided for certain to leave his Master’s employ. Among these folk, he was a hero equal to them, not a mere servant to be used or ignored. After the people at the Rusty Dragon were told the unfortunate tale of the Baretts, several of the local girls surrounded Zakok to “tend to his wounds” while Ameiko diverted the patrons with more lighthearted tales from the raid a few days passed, attempting to lighten the mood, and Kiel asked his Master for a private word.
Lord Foxglove did not take the news well. At first insulted, then aggressively posturing and warning the young Gnome that he had laid soul claim to Chi Chi’s affections, and that his former servant had better not interfere, told Kiel that his services were no longer desired in any case. Kiel, who had known this man from his early days, sensed his master’s jealousy and attributed it to the fact that while his master also longed for adventure, he hadn’t the heart for it. The hunt, where the animals had little chance against the bow was more his forte. When faced with a foe with armor and weapons, like the goblins a few days earlier, his master was unable to summon the courage. Perhaps he could convince the others to allow Aldern to join the group.
Meanwhile, one of the girls tending to Zakok,
To be completed when I’m less tired :)
