DM Cayzle -- Back to Bryn Baraz Thursday November 5th, 2009 7:50:38 AM
So on the second morning after the feast, Istaqa awakens Bantom for Jet, gives Keela her magic oil (that he made yesterday), and smiles at Ender. "All warriors want to be stronger, faster, tougher. I have something on hand for you." He gives Ender two potions of Bull's Strength and three potions of Cure Light Wounds.
[DM OOC: We can either do Alexi retroactively or he can save his favor for later. As you can see, the boons are really not very massive gold-wise. Nothing worth more than about 750-1,000 gp.]
[DM OOC to Buzz: "They will stop where they left the man that had successfully passed his trial of the circle" Sorry, I'm not getting the reference. Could you fill me in about this fellow, or let me know the date to read the archives? Thanks!]
The trip back to Bryn Baraz is uneventful, and the former prisoner is subdued and quiet. He listens to Jet's homilies with only a small sign of annoyance. [OOC: Jet, if you really want to be convincing, please roll me some Diplomacy checks.]
At last, home.
[DM OOC: Here at last we "drop off" any mystery characters of departed players that we assume have been hanging around in the background. It is down to you four. And now, at the end of this module, let me give out a base xp award of 1,000 xp each. I also like to award RP and hero points after getting feedback from the players. The first requirement for xp/hero points beyond the base 1,000 is that you write to me and suggest awards for other people! cayzle@cayzle.com.]
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Thursday November 5th, 2009 4:35:09 PM
Jet isn't going to waste his breath on this scum bag, at least not with a Diplomacy check. After all, it was Jet and the others that brought down his little job, one for which, if he was paid for, the group now owns his kidnapping money, as well as his equipment. In fact, Jet thinks he is lucky to not have just been killed in the caves.
No, Jet will let the priests back at Bryn Baraz do the conversion process of this guy. he is likely going to be more receptive to someone that didn't stick steel in his body.
It is preaty neat being able to talk to Bantom though. Hopefully, his horse is not as talkative as Jet or half the trip, he will just get answers such as "uh, huh" and "Yep", unless of course it is about battle, then Jet can have a long talk with his mount or friend. "I loved the way you cracked the skull of that gnoll. That was beautiful work. After we get we get back home, I think you and I should have a wrestling match, but no biting!"
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Thursday November 5th, 2009 10:25:15 PM
OOC: ok, i've got an idea. Alexi has a claw from the Ambush Drake. Can the claw be enchanted so that who wears it around his neck (on a special engraved leather necklace) can cast the spell 'Calm Animals' 1/day? The Ambush Drake is a magical creature, so the claw may be able to hold an enchantment, like a master work item? maybe?
Don't know what xp point this would be but 'Calm Animals' is a 1st level Druid spell and it's a spell that shouldn't be unballancing to the game.
IC: Having seen to the prisoner, along with Jet, and conforming to the Ahote Code, Alexi does not press the issue of the prisoner returning to Bryn Baraz. Justice has been served, having nearly died. However, if the prisoner does wish to join them rather than return to whince he came and face the rath of his employer, Alexi does not object. But does not drop his vigilance either, making sure that Garth has him watched for quite a while.
The idea of the priest of Bryn talking to him sounds good to Alexi and he makes sure Mikal is one of the primary priests to talk to him.
Alexi thorougly enjoys himself with the festivities, trying to learn the Ahote dances, and just having a good time with the warriors. He does seek to meet Tocho's sister, and offers to be Tocho's Blood Brother (if that's something they do).
Alexi reluctungly returns to Bryn Baraz, but knows that that is where his job is.
OOC: we need to go back some posts and see what we collected and have the stuff identified and divied up.
Keela Friday November 6th, 2009 12:34:51 AM
Keela is glad the prisoner wasn't killed for his crimes, but she avoids him on the journey back. The first night they make camp, she shows her friends how her new Rope Trick spell works.
"We can hide up here," she demonstrates, "and sleep safely, and still keep a lookout. Unfortunately, though, it won't do for the horses. Still, it might be useful to have on hand."
She is eager to get back to Bryn Braz and her family. When they arrive, she rides straight on to the Plainfield farmstead, anxious to see Senna again, and Daben, and their brood.
DM Cayzle -- Garth brooks no delay Friday November 6th, 2009 6:42:09 AM
[OOC: Thanks, Buzz, for the clarification.]
First day after the Justice: The now-free prisoner chooses to make a small camp outside the Ahote land near a tiny pond on the way to Bryn Baraz. He waits for you there. You request your boons. Ender receives his potions.
Second day after the Justice: Keela receives her fertility oil. Bantom is awakened.
Third day after the Justice: Alexi receives his Tooth of Calm Animals (use once per day on up to 2d4+1 hit dice of creatures, Will save DC11 for animals trained to guard).
Also during this time: You have the chance to relax and socialize with the Ahote. You get to know friends better, and your alliance is stronger.
Jet also has the chance to get to know the new and improved Bantom. Jet, Please Highlight to display spoiler: {Do you want to play Bantom, for example, as I play Mookie, or would you like the DM or another player to make occasional posts in Bantom's voice?}
Fourth and fifth days after the Justice: travel back to Bryn Baraz, with the prisoner, who has had an unremarkable few days of fishing.
Now, at last, you are back home! Time to count up the loot!
Treasure from the two bad guys:
2 bucklers (magic) 2 studded leather armors (magic) 2 rapiers - masterwork 2 potions (magic) 2 short bows (with +2 pull to them) - masterwork 1 magic belt 1 magic gloves 2 masterwork thieves tools 22 arrows, 2 quivers about 100 gp in coin for both together
Individual Boons (detailed above)
And each PC receives a masterwork obsidian dagger, slightly magicked so that it is as tough as iron.
Jet and Keela get a one-shot +5 on your next healing skill checks.
[DM OOC: The DM would appreciate a player compiling a list of other loot you have found prior to his tenure. ALSO: Please mark off your PC sheets stuff that is used up, like that thunderstone and potions.]
=========
The settlement is looking more developed all the time. More buildings are whitewashed, all the tents are gone. Even Wagonmaster Garth has a new small office in a building all his own. You get to see that right away, in fact. You hardly get back into Bryn Baraz when Garth hauls you into his new office and asks you for a report.
"Tell me everything you have done since we last met, friends. And then I'll tell you our news."
[DM OOC: Here is a great chance to bring your DM up to date on any recent doings of which he should be aware. Please use this chance to not only brief Garth, but me too! :-) ]
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Friday November 6th, 2009 3:09:57 PM
ooc: Sorry all, I have to leave for the weekend. I will write out as much as I can when I get home Sunday night or Monday morning.
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Saturday November 7th, 2009 6:34:18 AM
"Looks like people kept busy" Ender says to no one in particular... "Whats the plan now?" he asks the the others
DM Cayzle -- OOC Monday November 9th, 2009 7:03:27 AM
Keela? Alexi? No Posts? Ender, Garth asked for a report on your doings -- are you blowing him off? I'll delay the DM Post for Jet, per his post (Thanks!), but seeing as I am way busy today, that may mean no DM post until tonite.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Monday November 9th, 2009 9:53:20 AM
Garth is a mean tempered and surly old man. After Jet told him to shut his pie hole, while attempting to get Bantom on board the ferry, the old codger put Jet in charge of the patrol he now leads to this day Jet will admit, he would have preferred a good fist fight and the loss of a few teeth over his punishment, but in stride, he has done as he was told and continues to keep those that ride together alive.
Jet has a feeling, he will be similar in nature when he reaches this mans own age, so he doesn't mess around with him when he asks for a report.
"Sir, we approached the Ahote as friends and in the interests of maintaining peace between our two communities, I decided to take those you put under my charge to go on a rescue mission on their behalf.
The Ahote children, from infants to young adults were kidnaped by some supernatural creature. This was fore told to those that took their dream vision concoction, in our previous visit with their shaman Istaqua and it was seen to be a creature of fire. So, we all went after their children, to discover they had been taken to a place which was taboo to their tribe and can only be cleansed by time.
We entered a place of valleys amongst barren rock carved many thousands of years ago. There we fought gnolls and after dispatching them, we traveled forward to a pond of extreme cold. After skirting the dark waters, we came to a small trail up the side of a cliff and we entered a cave where we were attacked by large, bat like creatures which I really didn't get a good look at." At this time, he points to Keela, "I believe it was her that identified them as Darkmantles, or something like that."
He takes a long drink from his wine skin before he continues.
"We descended deep into this cave and crossed a large natural bridge that spanned an enormous chasm. We fought some type of ice demon that sent cold through our bodies and exploded upon it's death, nearly taking us with it. We then went through a small maze of tunnels where we found the children, in a well prepared area set up in advance for their lodging. After finding some treasure and securing the children, when we attempted to leave, we were blocked by two aggressors, one of which we have brought back with us. After defeating them, we returned back to the Ahote with the children to a mostly very happy tribe. Upon our return, there was a new shaman put in a place of authority and he seemed resentful to our success and I believe that he may be a part in this entire plot.
We were given gifts of friendship and boons of power, one of which for me, is to have my mount become a more intelligent creature.
There are a few things I have left out as well, that I do not think seems that important to our over all quest. We had a guide to this area I spoke of and he watched our mounts while we entered.
This surviving prisoner that we captured was tried by the Ahote in a violent manner, by their customs and in their own type of court survived, which means he could leave them. He decided to return here with us, to become a part of this society. I think he should be handed over to the priests for them to work with him and determine his nature and perhaps how he can best work in this community."
Jet takes another very long drink and looks at the others to see if there was anything he may have missed.
DM Highlight to display spoiler: {I wouldn't mind role playing Bantom for the most part, but feel free to throw in an occasional useful bit of information you may feel Bantom would be aware of, that Jet wouldn't. Thanks for allowing me the choice. :)}
Keela Monday November 9th, 2009 4:41:54 PM
"We were sent out, if you recall, to investigate the caves south of town. We killed a creature there, and tracked its mate northward. [OOC: not sure on directions]. While tracking, we met a party of Ahote, who brought us along with them. Then all the things Jet talked about happened.
"When we left, we intended to be gone for a few hours. We have been gone for weeks. Please, sir, I want to see my family and let them know I'm all right." And take a bath, she thinks, but does not say so aloud.
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Monday November 9th, 2009 9:41:54 PM
OOC: Sorry guys. been busy. I was going to put together the loot list in that famous excell sheet. I'll do it tomorrow so we can go to the catacombs
IC: Alexi pulls out his map and shows Garth where they'd been. "See the Three Sisters? We went over towards here. The canyon entrance is here. We wound our way around in this area a while. Sorry, I didn't get a chance to map the path we took to the lake. We were a bit in a hurry and harried by gnolls. Anyway, somewhere in here is a lake. Next tot he lake is a cave and in the cave is all the bad stuff Jet told you about."
Later he adds to Jet's comments about the Ahote. "They are our friends. The people here need to be made clear about that. Patrols will come across them out on the grasses and they need to be cautious, but not hostile. It is about time you meet with their Chief. Formal peace negotiations need to be made before something regretable happens."
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Tuesday November 10th, 2009 8:43:59 AM
"So to sum it all up," Ender says "we finished our assignment and made friends with the Ahote to boot, you can never have too many friends in an area like this"
DM Cayzle -- A Bad Dream and its Ramifications Tuesday November 10th, 2009 4:02:14 PM
[OOC: The DM assumes that you all have made no effort to communicate with Garth or anyone in Bryn Baraz while you were away. If that's not true, please let me know.]
Garth asks for a full report, and he gets one from the party leader, Jet.
Garth's eyes get wider when Jet mentions the oracular dreams.
Keela adds a few details, and Alexi displays his mapping.
It takes no sense motive check to see that Garth is getting angrier at Keela's mention that the party was not supposed to be gone for so long.
Finally, Ender wraps it up in a one-sentence summary.
Gunther stews for a moment. "I'd tie you to stakes and flog the lot of you if I could afford it. I send you on a simple job that should take a few hours, or a couple days, tops, and you are gone three weeks!"
"Jet, you are the leader. Why didn't you send any word back? And Keela, your poor family thought you were dead. I'll let you go see them in a second."
"I sent you out to find sources of wood and water. Did you find any that are close by? And did you see Clemso? He never came back, and that's a loss. Did your new friends have any news about him and his group?"
"On the other hand, this is good news about the natives. That was well done. As for this criminal, it sounds like his punishment was harsh enough. If he will vow to be a good citizen, he will be welcome."
"Now," Garth continues, "Let me tell you something." He pauses, as if a little reluctant to speak.
"Maybe there's something to these dream things. I woulda laughed at the idea, myself, not long ago. But dreams made those natives trust you. Maybe I should trust dreams too."
He's quiet for a moment, for a long moment.
"I had a dream too," he says, dropping the volume of his voice. "In my dream, there was a battle going on, right here, right at Bryn. We were not ready, and it was a massacre. Our blood ran like water, and it flooded the whole place."
He shudders. "I don't know if it means anything, but I will not let us be unready for anything."
"Look, you haven't been around for a little while. Maybe that's good. Look the place over, with fresh eyes. Look for weaknesses. Think about threats. I want each one of you to come back here in two days with a job to do. A thing to fix. A threat to pre-empt. Look at what needs to be done to get us ready for a storm. I want to batten down the hatches, by Lem's Lugnuts! I will not let my dream come true."
"Go, see your people, have a good sleep. And think about what needs doing. Day after tomorrow, we'll compare notes and I'll divvy up some jobs."
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) d20+5=13 ; Tuesday November 10th, 2009 6:09:37 PM
Jet bristles as Garth chews him out, but doesn't say a word, because he deserves it. Thinking that Garth's questions are rather strange, he answers them as he can.
"Yes, I could have sent word back, but then I would have been down one less member of a squad and that person could have been easily killed if more ambush drakes existed and caught one alone, so no, I decided to take it upon myself to order those with me to help those that could have easily became our enemies. I take sole responsibility for their actions!"
He continues on to explain, " Sir, we told you of the first time we took the dream vision concoction and you were aware then that we (gesturing to the group) were destined to assist these people. Would you really have me abandon the only friends we have? It very well could be, your dream was them destroying us if we didn't help them or failed, because I think that new shaman I told you about in my report will likely have something to do with whatever attack may have come to pass or still will."
As to resources, "We have told you of the place where the lake is cold in a bed of heat but there is not much in the way of wood available. I suppose we will need to use dry dung during the winter until Tarketh is able to get the seeds he has sown to fruition."
When Garth mentions Clemso Jet reminds him of the first encounter with the ambush drakes and it was then that they found remains of the people. "This second trip we intended to take that blasted puma back to their cave and it is then, the three Ahote, Muata among them, asked for our help. Is there another person named Clemso missing?"
On to the new mission at hand. "I would like to suggest, we use the natives of this land to help us discover what weaknesses there may be. They are sneakier by far then myself and although I trust Ender with his skills, there may be some that are more experienced amongst them then he is. Not only that, but I would like to keep my eye on that new shaman. I believe as long as some of us are amongst them, he can not poison his people against us."
Diplomacy: 13
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Tuesday November 10th, 2009 6:30:47 PM
OOC: DM, you weren't aware of this, but pertaining to the location of food and stuff:
Alexi, Jan 22: Food Afterwards he meets with Garth. He lets Jet do the talking but hands over the map and explains his markings: where they came across the broken spear and blood; the rock outcropping where the Ambush Drakes laired; and where the Ahote hunting group said there was plenty of game.
Alexi, Jan 23: Alexi excitedly points out all the important markings on his map (OOC: see prev post). "What about Clemso's group? Any word from them? We brought back some body remains that were found in the Ambush Drakes' den. The Ahote we met already took any remains that belonged to their people. Who would be able, or better said, willing, to look through the remains and try to identify them?"
DM Bob & Carla Jan 25: Garth answers Alexi's question about Clemso with a frown. "They lost a man during the night. Dragged from his bedroll and into the grasses. All they found was blood. Never had time to put on armor or even grab his sword."
just an FYI. :)
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Tuesday November 10th, 2009 6:40:04 PM
Alexi takes Garths words to heart, knowing that the man has a lot of pressure on him and a missing patrol, expecially his favorite patrol, would have been extra nerve wracking.
"In that light, Captain, I must resume my millitia trainng starting tomorrow. Jet and Ender can search out chinks in our defenses and alert me. We need to build several archer tawers all around the camp as extra defenses. We also need to make a deal with the dwarves to allow us to retreat to their caves if the defenses are overun. AND, we need to start stock pilling food and weapons in the caves.
"Keela will be good at seeing to the collection of extra foods for the cave supplies. Her charm is extraordinary and I'd rather the extra supply be gotten by good will than by menacing sword," he smiles.
DM Cayzle -- OOC Tuesday November 10th, 2009 9:38:13 PM
By the way, do you all have access to the Catacombs?
Keela Tuesday November 10th, 2009 9:49:15 PM
Released from the meeting, Keela all but flies to the Plainfield homestead.
Senna will scold like anything, she thinks. But I'll be so happy to see them again, I won't care.
Truly, Senna will have much to scold about. Aside from Keela's long absence, there is the state of her blouse, which was never designed to be worn for weeks at a stretch. Not to mention her stockings.
[OOC: I don't believe there's a Catacombs entrance at Bryn Braz, but I could be mistaken. Perhaps the Catacombs staff will build one, now that there's a settlement here. :) ]
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Tuesday November 10th, 2009 11:49:13 PM
OOC: A portal was opened at the General Store. We used it once, right after the Ambush Drakes, but we don't know how long it was to stay open.
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Wednesday November 11th, 2009 11:00:35 AM
""We could barter with the Dwarves for help building a moat with spikes in for a start" Ender suggests "towers for Archers is also a good idea" he continues nodding to Alexi
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Wednesday November 11th, 2009 5:16:18 PM
ooc: did everyone get my e-mail with the loot spreadsheet? Rsvp here Yes/No
Keela Wednesday November 11th, 2009 11:00:51 PM
[OOC: got the email, thanks]
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Thursday November 12th, 2009 2:05:28 AM
ooc: mail recieved
DM Cayzle -- R&R Thursday November 12th, 2009 7:09:18 AM
After garth gives his update and asks a few questions, the party gently reminds him that he already knows most of the answers. He looks confused for a moment, and then rubs his face. "Yes, yes of course," he says. "This nightmare has me going and coming. So what if I lose track of this or that."
"You did okay," he says to Jet, regarding sending word back. "You might have brought your team back here to report at some point or another, but all's well that ends well."
Then, in response to the wagonmaster's request for ideas on future problems and ways to fix then, right off the top, Jet suggests getting Ahote help, and Alexi suggests several concrete defensive ideas, echoed by Ender.
"Hold your horses, whippersnappers," says Garth. "The day after tomorrow, I said. Relax and come back to me then." He seems pleased with your enthusiasm.
Then you are free. Keela rushes over to meet with her kin. Keela, Please Highlight to display spoiler: {Let me know how you prefer me to handle your folks ... do you roleplay them, or the DM? If the latter, could you send me a recap of names, relationships, and personalities, etc?}
At the trading post, you discover that the Catacombs management has gifted the establishment with a copper bell. It can be rung once per month to open a gate to the magic shop. You may ring it and visit the catacombs now. [DM OOC: Here's a chance to shop, rest a couple days, etc.]
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Thursday November 12th, 2009 12:36:08 PM
Jet doesn't want to rest now! The Shadow Realms will take him before he lets something come to pass he can avoid. When everyone leaves, Jet wants to talk to Garth in private.
"There is one other thing that I may have neglected to notice Garth. Perhaps, this new shaman with the tribe thinks we are going to dig up out of the mine, that which destroys the community? They did mention they were worried about us finding this creature, some time ago. If that is the case, then I could understand why they would want to be at odds with us, to stop us from unleashing something on this land. All I am suggesting is, let's not necessarily look at what will attack us from the outside, but what might come at us from below."
Jet then goes to find Alexi, "Do me a favor please. Go take care of the Catacombs ticket for us and get things identified. I need to do a bit more research.
After that, Jet goes to visit the miners and wants to speak with the head foreman, to attempt to speak with him on his off time, maybe buy him a drink or two and discover if things are normal where they are or if they may be discovering things that would be considered unusual.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Thursday November 12th, 2009 3:48:56 PM
ooc: I suppose I should have asked, how long does the gate stay open? I kind of assumed it stayed opne a month, but after rereading it, I'm not so sure what it means.
Cayzle Comments: Let's say it stays open for a day.
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Thursday November 12th, 2009 11:43:35 PM
Alexi takes his maps and stores them in his office along with the loot. He takes the extra armor and weapons taken from the gnolls and places them in the militia armory.
He then goes to the amorer and checks on his oder for a new set of armor he had put on order before their hasty adventure to the Ambush Drake den, then to the rescue mission.
To his pleasure, his new set of Masterwork Full Plate armor is ready. He is reluctant to give up his breastplate from the Fist, but he will keep it for memory sake. He still consoles himself with his Wolf Regiment signet ring and his Wolf Regiment shield.
Returning to his bunk, he finds to his greater delight a new haversak he had placed on order at the Catacombs last time. The markings are clearly from the model designed by a certain Heward.
With a wide grin at the turn of events, Alexi prepares himself for a good night by hitting the showers. A good place to think of ways to defend the town. Ender's idea of a moat and spikes was good. The archer towers would take longer to build and require more wood, but stone would be handy and they wouldn't have to be tall.
Later, a visit to Ma Belle's for a sip of something does him good too. However, his thoughts go to Keela. Would she want to visit the Catacombs with him again like last time? It'd be worth to ask, and takes a long swig. Courage my friend. Why is it so hard to build up the courage to talk to women?
Keela Friday November 13th, 2009 12:59:55 AM
When she arrives home, Keela hugs everybody, twice, then takes the time to unsaddle Daisy and brush her down, as Alexi has taught her. She longs to tell of her adventures, but even more, she longs to hear what has happened with her family in her absence.
DM Cayzle -- Checking in and checking things out Friday November 13th, 2009 8:40:20 AM
Jet has a private word with Garth. He explains his fears about the Ahote shaman, and the possibility that there is an enemy under, rather than outside. Garth nods, and says that this is a topic for Jet to look into and raise again the day after tomorrow.
Jet talks with the dwarvish miners, and is reassured that all is well. If you want to get more, consider making a Gather Info roll or similar check. If there is anything more to learn, which there may or may not be!
Alexi attends to some mundane tasks that need tending. He finds that his armor is ready. He puts some thought into the town's defense and enjoys a little downtime at Ma Belle's place.
Keela's nephews and niece pile on as soon as she shows up. They are joined by Keela's sister, who Keela sees has tears in her eyes. For once there is no gentle scolding over clothes. Keela's family is just so happy to see her. A little later, when her sister's husband comes in from the workshop, there is news to catch up on. Who is courting who, what new jobs have come up, all the homely gossip of a small community. The biggest news is that Tarketh is talking about trying to mine a well.
OOC: In preparation for your meeting in two days with Garth, you might want to take a closer look around the place. Make some rolls, do some investigating.
DM Cayzle -- OOC Friday November 13th, 2009 8:41:38 AM
I have one e-mail in suggesting hero point and role-play award ideas. Remember, you have to e-mail me about other PCs to be eligible yourself.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) d20+1=4 ; Friday November 13th, 2009 10:29:27 AM
Jet gets frustrated with the lack of information he obtains from the dwarves and decides to go get a bath and some luvin at Ma Belle's house. If he sees Alexi there he will ask him to hold off going to the catacombs until they can all go. "Keela needs a day to visit her family and I need to get a good drunk on to think straight."
Gather Information: 4
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) d20+2=12 ; Saturday November 14th, 2009 11:04:17 PM
Alexi, having considering the thought of going with Keela, takes Jet's suggestion with gusto.
"Yes, we should all go together, including Ender. Keep him out of trouble, or out of underfoot from the hustle and bustle."
Next day, Alexi consults his militia training schedule. It's been a while since they've done any training and he fears they will loose their touch.
DM: Alexi had set up with Garth a rotating schedule for the men and women to train with spear/shield once a week and basic wooden sword training. Beren and Caelnin took those interested in archery to train them. Keela took many of the children and taught them some schooling.
Alexi contacts his corporals and tells them to be ready to restart their training. Then he goes to the head dwarven miner.
"The defenses look great, but I see that we have a lot of extra rubble from your diggings. Can you spare an engineer or two to help us build several stone archer towers in the complex? If the walls are breached, we'll need towers inside the complex to help slow any advance."
Diplomacy d20+2 = 12. eh, so so.
Keela Monday November 16th, 2009 1:30:22 AM
"Mine a well?" Keela says. "Do you mean dig one? Cole, dear, don't hang on my dress like that. Oh! What a big boy you're getting to be!"
Unable to lift her nephews and niece all at once, Keela plops down on the floor to hug all three at once. "How are the other children in town getting along? I missed them. And you, too!"
Once the first round of greetings and news are over, Keela changes out of her travel clothes and thankfully puts on a different dress for the first time in weeks. "Master Garth wants us to look around the settlement," she tells Senna. "Children, would you like to go for a walk?"
Keela then walks around the town, trying very hard to find something to improve. She is no strategist, however, and it is difficult for her to think in terms of defenses.
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] d20=7 ; d20+5=17 ; Monday November 16th, 2009 8:12:01 PM
After stowing his adventuring gear, enjoying a hot shower and a needed shave, Ender decides to check if there are any good places to place moats (Dm help?: since Ender doesnt have a "real" engeniering skill can he use "knowledge nature" to look for places to put moats or other defensible positions blending in with nature?if that is the case: Know. Nat.:17)
ooc: disregard first roll, forgot my +5
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Tuesday November 17th, 2009 9:48:25 AM
OOC: there is a map of Bryn Baraz, if you could post that link again for easy reference it may help some. :)
DM Cayzle -- Byrn Tuesday November 17th, 2009 3:39:44 PM
DM OOC: Here is a map I inherited of the village. I do not know if you all have seen it. One confusing thing to me is that although, in the archives, a water source is seen as something to be sought out, there is one on this map. My conclusion might be that the stream and spring on the map is seasonal or intermittent. Unless someone can shed some other light?
==========
Jet's conversations with the dwarves lead to an invitation. With a bit of a smirk, several dwarves offer to escort Jet around the mines. The trick, as Jet soon learns, is that the mines are not lit. The dwarves are happy to let Jet stumble around, as a kind of dwarfish practical joke. Jet senses no malice in it, but he does get a feeling that the dwarves see the mines as their own area. Maybe that's why they were not very forthcoming when first approached. Can Jet break through their xenophobic shell and gain their confidence, or at least, respect?
Keela learns that one of Garth's projects is to see if a well can be dug to supplement the spring, especially in the dry season. Then she finds herself led around the entire encampment, as her sister's kids and their friends enjoy showing her around. They show her the secret way under the wall by way of the arroyo and then out, as well as the hidden path down the wall of the canyon from up above. The kids ask Keela not to tell their folks they've been clambering. Keela also gets to see the "camp" the kids have made up beyond the wall, hidden in some scrub and furnished with a few big old skulls of horned things the kids found -- they are good for sitting on.
Ender sees that the outwash of the spring -- the arroyo that runs under the wall -- could be easily diverted to make a moat. But of course, in the dry season, it would be just a ditch. Not that a ditch is a bad defense, either, of course.
Alexi notes that the arrow towers are founded -- the bases are laid -- but not yet built (see map). The dwarves are reluctant to stop mining to work on construction (see Jet's notes on dealing with them). Alexi's work with the militia is well started ... they need some catch up, but with training, will be competent. Mostly. Alexi notes a couple archers with real talent.
DM Cayzle -- Byrn Extra Tuesday November 17th, 2009 8:19:01 PM
Jet, sorry, I missed your visit to the local tavern.
Jet has an excellent time at the inn, especially as everyone is glad to see him and eager for news. It occurs to Jet that this is an excellent chance to suss out the mood of the settlement and maybe even glean a few bits of news ... or he could drown his frustrations in the just-brewed-this-week local hooch.
Keela Wednesday November 18th, 2009 12:44:06 AM
Keela allows the children to show her all their secret shortcuts and hideaway. When they reach the "camp," though, Keela has them all sit down for a moment so she can talk to them.
"I just came back from a trip with the camp defenders," she tells them. "One of the things we saw was a drake--an animal like a big lizard. It had taken some of Clemso's men. The men were very brave, but the big lizard killed them. We killed one of the drakes, but one got away." She pauses for a moment to let this sink in.
"Then we went to help some people who live nearby. They were sad because all their children had been taken away. Some bad men came in the night and just took them. The men kept the children in cages in the dark. We found the children, and they're all right now, but they were very scared and unhappy when we found them.
"The wall is being built to protect us and our families from animals like those drakes, and from bad men who might want to hurt us. I know it's fun to sneak out of the walls, but do you think it's a good idea?"
She lets the kids answer that, trying to lead them to make the right decisions for themselves rather than dictating to them. If the conversation is going in the right direction, she says,
"Would you like to come with me and tell Master Garth about the secret ways around the wall? I know he wold like to hear about them, because it will help us keep bad men and dangerous animals from getting through."
She also says, "I think you should have a place to go, like this camp, but inside the walls. If I get some of the men to build you a play-fort, will you promise me never to come outside the walls without a grownup?"
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) d20+1=20 ; d20+4=10 ; d20+2=4 ; Wednesday November 18th, 2009 5:06:36 PM
Jet takes the dwarven practical joke in jest in strude and good humor and decides to return in to the mine in the morning.
Jet is always the sociable type, when his life and others are not resting in his hands. At Ma Belles he tells tales of intrigue and adventure, but does not mention to the crowd his beliefs on what may be lurking in the mines, for fear he would turn the populace off from his warnings. He will still endeavor to get new information, of the mines if he can.
In the morning, he will bring torches, taking a few more with him, in case he does get lost. He will do his own explorations of the mine, to see what area might be different then others and he would like to see the deepest shaft they have found so far.
Gather Information: 20 Spot: 10 Search: 4
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Thursday November 19th, 2009 4:54:36 PM
Ender suggests getting a drink at Ma Belles to Alexi, so they can flesh out any plans for possibly expanding the towns defenses, especially diverting the stream to make a moat
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Thursday November 19th, 2009 10:20:38 PM
Alexi notes the progress on the archer towers but wishes they were complete. Surely the dwarves could spare one of their number to supervise the work?
Pondering how to approach the dwarves, he is approached himself by Ender.
"Sure, let's have a drink. I need to think," he smiles.
Making sure he stays apace with the hafling, they enter Ma Belles.
"Two large flagons of your stoutest ale," he kindly asks the serving lady.
"Ender, so what've you seen? I see potential week points from above and from ground level."
OOC: it was my impression that the spring was seasonal too, althought not entirely dry unless in a drought. I don't know if the artifact has changed the water flow any, but the artifact certainly has made a difference in the vegetation.
DM Cayzle -- Tears for fears, and other explorations Friday November 20th, 2009 7:51:04 AM
Keela is very convincing, and several of the younger kids start to cry. But the older ones look suitably abashed, mostly. A couple wiseacres can't help but smirk at the "danger." Keela's own kin are genuinely alarmed and willing to talk about stuff with the grown-ups.
Jet spends the night carousing -- with his ears open -- and he hears a rumor of strange mushrooms a dwarf found growing in the mines. His investigations the next day reveal that the dwarves have driven three main shafts. One is abandoned, one is productive (the deepest and oldest), and one hasn't yielded anything yet, but the dwarves are optimistic. Several dwarves kid with Jet about using up all the air with his torches, and how kids shouldn't play with fire, but it is in rough good fun, mostly. Jet is told that the abandoned shaft was unstable, and that the end of it collapsed, without anyone getting hurt, but it is not safe to reopen. It was an exploratory shaft, and not productive anyway.
By the way, Jet sees that the dwarves have added a reinforced door to the entrance to the mines. It is armored with solid iron bands on both sides.
Ender and Alexi meet at the tavern to go over the idea of a moat. It seems feasible, for sure, if you can get it dug. But the farmers seem intent on farming, and the dwarves, on mining. Who would do the heavy lifting? Maybe if you abandoned the militia training, those volunteers could do labor. But the archer towers are not even done yet. Sure, the dwarves could spare a supervisor, but they do not seem inclined to.
OOC: Tomorrow is your meeting with Garth. If I get four posts from you all, I'll do a Saturday post, to make up for my lame DM posting. If not, then I'll post Monday morning, come hell or high water!
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Friday November 20th, 2009 11:28:34 AM
"What? You mean dwarves need air to dig into the earth? Wow, and here I thought your race was more durable then other mining races!"
Jet is only willing to go so far when it comes to a jest. If they want him to earn their respect, he will gladly go through some fist a cuffs. He preaches the ways of Domi as well as everyone else. Let them taste some spiritual might!
If he receves anything but cooperation for the rest of his investigations, he will personally grapple the supervisor and drag him to see Garth to garner his full support! Time is short in Jet's opinion.
He is glad to see the large door at the entry way, but does it lock from the inside or the out? He will suggest it can be barred from both directions.
"Alright Bantom, let's go visit Tarketh and take him some of these mushroom samples we found. I doubt the dwarves had the smarts to do such a thing but squash them underfoot while they mine."
Bantom replies, "Dwarves smell good, like rolling in the dirt to keep fly's off of you. Know what I mean?"
Jet replies, "Uh no. At least not yet."
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Friday November 20th, 2009 10:23:44 PM
Pondering over an imaginary sketch of the settlement on the table, where a few tankards represent the unfinished archer towers, Alexi sighs.
"Yep, I'll have to curtail the militia training to get the man-power to finish these. The archer towers are a priority though. I'm thinking, Tarketh being a druid, that Tarketh may be able to conjure up some creatures to do much of the ditch digging. But nothing but man muscle will get these archer towers up."
So Alexi's mind is set on his recomendations to Garth the next day.
Now, to think about the goodies they need to have identified in the Catacombs... gulp, gulp, gulp...
Keela Friday November 20th, 2009 10:31:42 PM
Keela comforts the kids who cry with hugs and reassurance. "There's no need to be frightened," she tells them. "But there is need to be careful, and I want you all to remember."
As she leads them back inside the wall, she tells all of the kids, "Now you have a very important job to do. You must explore around inside the walls, and decide where you want your play-fort. Keep in mind that it can't go on anybody's cropland."
She then selects three of the older kids, including her own nephew Tiegan, to come with her to speak with Garth.
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Saturday November 21st, 2009 1:54:34 PM
"with regards to the digging of a moat, we can take one person from each farm, and make work groups with a dwarven foreman in each, that would make a nice compromise for both sides" Ender suggests "And interracial workgroups might make for a better climate in town further down the road as people might make friends with other races than their own"
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Monday November 23rd, 2009 12:45:32 PM
Jet reports back to Garth after he shows the Mushrooms to Tarketh. If there is anything special about them, inregard to where they are found and so forth, he returns with word of that as well.
Of course, he spends some of the visit giving Fatine a hard enough time to leave her flustered, before he leaves.
DM Cayzle -- Doors and mushrooms and work crews, oh my! Monday November 23rd, 2009 8:25:01 PM Jet gets some rough kidding, but the dwarves do not fight him. He sees that the new door can in fact be locked from both sides already. The druid says that the mushroom is one that grows commonly in caves with ecosystems, such as along underground riverbanks or on the sides of dark bottomless chasms.
Alexi is ready to report to Garth. So is Keela, three kids in tow.
Ender thinks about how to suggest an interracial work crew. He too is ready to make a proposal.
So it comes to pass that the next morning you all report to the defacto camp leader. He looks you up and down. "So tell me your conclusions and suggestions. Then I'll tell you mine and we'll set up some tasks." He looks at each of you expectantly.
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Monday November 23rd, 2009 10:26:53 PM
"heres my idea Garth" Ender says, "we can take 1 person from each farm, and a rotating group from the garrison with a dwarven foreman, and then dig a moat, by expanding the stream outside the main gate, this will also promote cooperation between the farmers, the miners and the garrison"
Keela Monday November 23rd, 2009 11:02:27 PM
"My suggestion is, if we're going to dig wells, they need to have secure covers so that the little ones don't tumble into them. But my young friends here have an even more important situation to report." She nods encouragingly to the kids.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) d20+5=9 ; Tuesday November 24th, 2009 9:57:31 AM
Jet waits for the others to finish before he begins his own report. "Going back in time, I remember the Ahote mention that they were worried we would dig out a monster that will destroy the land as well as the children of their people would come up missing. One part of that vision has already come to pass and I believe now we are in the second stages of that dream vision."
Jet gently lies upon Garth's table the mushrooms Tarketh identified. "The druid said, thuis fungus grows only along bottomless chasms and along underground river beds. The dwarves are close to something and I believe it is they that will unleash the beast in the prophesy upon this land."
Jet takes a few breaths to calm down, before he goes on. I suggest, in the shafts where these mushrooms are found all digging is stopped immediately and new sources of minerals explored. If that is not done, I highly recommend we install a system of gong alarms in the passageways as well as collapsing corridors that can seal in anything that is dug up and allowed to get loose."
Jet very nervous seems to care very much about these findings and wants to emphasize his point. "You saw the same dream as the Ahote, without the dream elixir. Which of the gods we preach do you pray to Garth and do you trust them?"
Diplomacy: 9 (I have no idea why I even try.)
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Tuesday November 24th, 2009 9:04:47 PM
While Jet is concerned about what may come from below and Ender from what may come along the ground, Alexi is concerned with what may come from the air.
"A ditch is important, but since we already have a wall I think it ought to wait until we finish the archer towers. We need them here... here... here... and some here," he points to positions on the map. They are in the center of the town, along the edges, and several along the walls.
"I know it's a great undertaking, but it can be done with the militia groups' helping hands and a dwarf or two as supervisors."
When Jet voices the creature from the dream they had, Alexi chimes in. "This creature that the Ahote fear that will be uncovered, will be one of fire and will ravage the grasslands, burning everything for hundreds of miles around. Since the first part of the dream, the vanishing of the children, occured exactly as the dream had portrayed, I have no doubt that this other part of the dream will as well."
DM Cayzle -- A plan is required Wednesday November 25th, 2009 6:32:40 AM Keela offers her concern about well safety, and then urges her young friends forward. They are reluctant to speak, but after a nod from his aunt, Tiegan speaks up. "Um, uh, Aunt Keela says we gotta watch out for monsters outside, so we gotta tell yas about our secret ways in and out. We got two secret ways out. Under the wall and up the canyon." He looks abashed.
Ender offers his plan to build a ditch or moat. He describes how to get the whole community involved in that.
Alexi emphasizes the arrow towers, and thinks the militia should be used to get the work done.
Jet talks about the danger from below, and offers concrete ideas on how to make the delvings safer. Garth ignores Jet's somewhat impolitic question about whether he trusts his own gods.
Garth pins down the boy as to where the holes are in the settlement's defenses, and then sends him away.
Finally, Garth looks around at you. "Any new settlement has basic needs. Food, water, shelter. Those we have solved, especially since we reached the aquifer from which the spring emerges."
"The danger now is one of attack, and I think you are right that we need to shore up our defenses. Here, the problem is complacency. I "rule" here, if you can call it that, through a certain level of consensus. I cannot just order people around. They have to see a need to do a job, and then they have to be motivated to take it on. I agree with all that you have said. Ideally, we should put aside all our mundane tasks, like farming and mining, and turn to our security."
"But how can I get the community on board? I welcome your advice -- we need a plan to make it clear to the whole community that we have an urgent need. Ideas?"
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Wednesday November 25th, 2009 10:12:24 AM
"We need to get the other priests on board." Jet simply says. "Once we notify the clergy, we can let them spread the word about what may come to pass. Then, it will seem as if it's another persons idea and they may be more inclined to listen. I'm sure the dwarves have their favorite priests. We need to inform them first of the dangers from below and we need to get the main dwarven foreman on board to quit mining in the areas where the mushrooms are found. Then the others will follow in stride, when they see the dwarves concerned about more then digging."
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Wednesday November 25th, 2009 11:25:22 AM
"I agree with Jet, the priests are the key to the community" Ender says, "We just need someone who they can respect, a fellow man of the cloth if you will, Jet i'm looking your way here! to go and have a chat with them"
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Wednesday November 25th, 2009 9:15:28 PM
Alexi cannot stifle a laugh as a loud, 'HA! Jet?' burst out.
"Er, sorry Jet. No offense meant towards you or you dedication to The Cause. But Ender here just doesn't understand where we stand in respects to the others here. Granted, all those tha we protected on our way here have a high esteem of us, but the dwarves?" He turns to Ender and smiles. "It was thoughtfull of you to volunteer Jet, but those dwarves don't see us, any of us, Eye-to-Eye, literally and up here," and he taps his head.
"You see, the famers are here to serve THEM. If they didn't need to eat, they'd not have us here at all. Ya see what ya miss when you don't sign up for Security like the rest of us?" Alexi emphasizes his point by poking his finger in Ender's chest.
"Ender, now see here," and Alexi sits on the floor and crosses his legs, "the dwarves are not going to listen to us. I'm not even likely to get one dwarf help supervise the archer towers. If we had a company of expert stonemasons, well maybe, but we aren't. We are just unskilled peasants to them and not worth the time away from digging for real treasure. So you see, the idea of convicing the priests here of the danger is the key, but not Jet. He's too, let's say, involved."
"The difficult part is that only seven of us saw the dream. And only the few of us standing here have actually met the Ahote. So our stories, even to our loyal farmers, are a bit on the Far Side. If only we could have our priests here, including the dwarven priests, meet with Istaqa and let him lead them in a Dream Dance, then perhaps they would be able to influence the famers and the dwarves to the level of motivation we really need."
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Wednesday November 25th, 2009 10:34:31 PM
Jet pokes Aleki in the chest when Alexi pokes Ender in the chest, "Hey! He's pulled his own weight these past weeks. If poking needs to be done, it's by me or Garth." Jet scowls a little bit but any good Sense Motive roll would give away his amusement.
"Alexi is right though, thank you for recommendation. No, the other priests are the key and I suppose I might carry some weight in their ranks, convincing them is where we need to start. Even then, it might be to late before the digging turns up what is to come."
Jet looks to Garth, I suggest we get some of the armed militia armed and ready near the mine entrance at all times. I will take that watch when I'm not dealing with my fellow clergy."
Keela Thursday November 26th, 2009 12:29:03 AM
Keela frowns a little. She doesn't know much about priests, or dwarves, but...."In the town where we lived before, we often had work-parties. Building a new home for newlyweds, or building a barn, or even threshing an especially large crop. We'd set a day aside, and everybody would gather, and work together on the project, whatever it was. The women would make a special feast, and cakes, and pies, and everything, and afterward we'd have a dance. I don't see why we couldn't do something like that with the new security things. We could set aside a day to close up the arroyo, and build the archery towers, and whatever else we need. And I don't think you'd need to get the priests involved at all. People just do things like this."
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Thursday November 26th, 2009 2:57:25 AM
"What I meant was that Jet should talk with the priests, not the dwarves" Ender clarifies while brushing the poked spot
DM Cayzle -- OOC Thursday November 26th, 2009 10:36:14 AM
Hi all! Happy Thanksgiving. I'll try to post today, but if real life stops me, I'll get a post up tomorrow AM for sure.
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Friday November 27th, 2009 12:29:51 AM
OOC:I have 8 invites for google wave if anyone is interested....
LOG ON