DM Cayzle -- Bringing the settlement together; A plan is made Friday November 27th, 2009 8:07:45 AM
Jet figures that if they can get the clergy on board, the community will follow.
Ender agrees.
Alexi, on the other hand, suspects that the clergy will be a hard sell, especially those who are dwarves. He suggests a meet with the Ahote shaman, and the experience of the induced dreaming, to really convince them.
Keela says that the settlement is enough of a community that they can rally the inhabitants to do what needs doing without extreme measures.
Garth listens and then agrees. "Let's try all of these ideas."
"Keela, you organize work parties to see if we can get those towers done. We can look into a ditch or moat after that, maybe, but the towers are already half-done, so we might as well get those finished."
"Jet, you see if you can get the clergy on board, like Ender suggests. If they are not willing to go along on your say-so, we'll take the next step and try the shaman, like Alexi suggested. Though why he would help us, I don't know."
OOC: Have you met the clerics of the community? How many are there, and what levels, races, names and stuff? Buzz, could you send me an e-mail with that, since talking with them is your idea? :-)
"Alexi and Ender, check out the vulnerabilities that Keela's kids found out about. Let me know what I have to do to fix them, or if they are useful for anything."
"I'll talk with the dwarves again, myself."
He pauses to see if you have any comments or questions, then bustles off.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Friday November 27th, 2009 12:41:14 PM
OOC: No email is needed Cayzle. Jet hasn't met any of the clergy, except the one that signed him up at the start of the board. I don't emember getting a name either, so levels and names are all yours, unless they are listed in the module Bob and carla left you. :(
Cayzle comments: Thanks!
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Friday November 27th, 2009 9:27:47 PM
OOC: DM, pull up Vol 1, Chpt 6, first entry. This is about as much as we know about the clerics. There is definitely a dwarven cleric of medium level and I'll find a name for him, ah, yes, Durak. Vol 1 Chpt 2 where Mikal and he meet and talk.
We have no idea of how many clerics were already in Bryn Baraz but a small Temple was already built.
Cayzle comments: Thanks!
This would be a good time to NPC Mikal back into the scene for a little while, since Mikal 'left' the group to be with the temple clerics.
Keela Monday November 30th, 2009 12:02:22 AM
Keela knows that this kind of thing needs to happen organically, so she concentrates on small pushes rather than a big giant shove.
She begins at home. She knows Daben is a skilled carpenter, and enjoys chances to demonstrate his skill. "It's a shame those archery towers haven't been finished," she says to him. "I'll bet you could wrap them up easily, if you had some of the other men to help you."
She also visits other families. She has been away, which gives her a perfect reason to go visiting. In the midst of chat about the crops, the weather, and the new town, she says things like, "I remember when we used to have barn-raisings. They were so much fun! Everybody working together and the delicious dinner...I'll bet if we did something like that with those archery towers, we could get them finished in no time!"
She does not propose a day, or try to organize anything. She just talks about it, and hopes the talk will spread and take over.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) d20+5=16 ; Monday November 30th, 2009 10:13:39 AM
Jet goes right away to the clergy and relates to them a tale of woe and superstition based around the dream vision he had. He imparts to them the dangers of digging to deep and what mighty and evil creatures could be dwelling beneath the earth. He goes into detail on Taketh findings of the mushrooms and explains that they are not meant to be a common fungi in mine shafts and this is surely a sign of dangers of the deep, explaining that a great amount of water might be used in the earth to contain an ancient, evil fire elemental, or worse as well as what ever would dwell in "bottomless chasms".
He will calmly answer any questions he has the answers to and will take as much time as necessary, before he starts having to use his chaotic side to beat the sense into someone. (This last part depends on my next Diplomacy roll I suppose).
Diplomacy: 16
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Monday November 30th, 2009 12:11:23 PM
"So Alexi, wich area do you want to check out first??" Ender asks
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Monday November 30th, 2009 10:22:27 PM
Alexi suggests, "Let's go take another look at where the stream goes under the walls. Never did have a chance to make an inspection of the walls themselves, but that spot would be the weakest."
He tells Ender how he remembers how the Mailed Fist took a city by entering the sewers. "Nasty business there. We had to fight critters the city folk never would have guessed lived under their streets. Seems like the fight under the city was worse than the one above."
After inspecting where the stream goes under the walls (OOC: DM, give your best description of how they worked the wall to cross the stream, etc.) he suggests they go take a look at those paths that lead up the canyon walls. "Orcs and gnolls may not be able to travers those paths, but other, more dangerous monsters may be able to."
DM Cayzle -- Around town d20+2=3 ; Tuesday December 1st, 2009 8:02:19 AM
Keela tries a low-key approach to getting the towers raised. She wanders around visiting different families she knows. She mentions how the foundations look unfinished. She talks up the community aspects.
She finds her most receptive audience to be the kids who already know her. Some kids love the idea of shooting arrows from a high place. Others want to have tower-raising parties. Their parents are generally more interested in news of where Keela has gone and what she and her friends did. The parents and other community members who do not know her ask if she isn't a wizard. How come she isn't in a tower, and could she do some real magic? What magic did she do while away? Does she have a familiar?
How does Keela respond to the kids' enthusiasm? To the adults' curiosity?
Jet finds that the chief cleric is still the dwarf who honors both Alemi and Domi, named Durak. He has three other clerics here, all lower level, including your old comrade Mikal. Durak asks about your recent adventures, especially about the Ahote, and their leaders, spiritual and otherwise.
As for the possible threat, especially from underground, Durak brusquely turns the conversation, and is not much interested. You get the feeling that he is hiding something. He rolled a natural 1 on his own Bluff check, so if you can make a Sense Motive check vs DC3, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You sense that he is hiding something and feels guilty about it.}
He is open to the idea of a meeting with the Ahote, especially a spiritual meeting. Can Jet set that up? Can he vouch for the safety of visitors who might attend this meeting?
Ender and Alexi go check out the stream and the place it dips under the wall. A simple inspection shows that no human, and no barrel-chested dwarf, could slip through the narrow, wide space between the bottom of the wall and the cobblestone streambed the dwarves made. But a small child -- or maybe halflings or goblins -- COULD squeeze through. But what to do about that? The wall is five feet thick. The steambed is ten feet wide. The gap varies from half a foot to three times that from top to bottom. Any narrower, and the water might dam, if it were running fast.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) d20+5=20 ; d20+7=14 ; Tuesday December 1st, 2009 10:06:58 AM
Jet is fully aware of the deceit Durak is putting on, so he pulls Durak aside out of view or hearing range of others and tells him, so. "Look, you are the one everyone here ultimately looks up to and you are not telling us something. I call upon the honor of your spirit and in the name of Alemi, share with me what it is you know. If you don't want others to know about something that is fine, I will take the heat for you, but you need to tell me what you know before this entire encampment becomes a graveyard for the innocent and something terrible is unleashed upon the land!"
If Jet did not persuade the dwarf to tell him what he knows, Jet doesn't care how powerful Durak is, he will pull out his authority as a militia leader, "Look, you are obviously hindering an investigation and as far as I'm concerned, your company in in breech of our contract. Tell me what in Hades is going on or I will uproot everyone here with a family and take them back to The Float with me!"
Sense Motive: 20
Only if Needed, Intimidate: 14
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) d20+5=8 ; Tuesday December 1st, 2009 1:19:50 PM
If another Diplomacy roll is needed.
Alexi (AC: 20, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Tuesday December 1st, 2009 7:34:09 PM
"Hmm...," Alexi utters as he looks at the wall where the stream goes under it.
"Did a good job here did they, Ender?" he asks the hafling.
"Good enough for most things, but think you can squeeze through there? Bet you can if you have a mind to. Other smaller creatures too. Don't know if they have goblinkind out here or not, but I think we can improve it a bit. I'll have a talk with the smith and see if he can make some thick iron bars we can imbed into the bottom of this wall and deep into the stream bed. Space a foot appart or so, that should keep all but the snakes out. What do you think?"
They then go on to the secret pathways up the cliffs that the kids had found and inspecs them.
Keela Wednesday December 2nd, 2009 12:07:40 AM
Keela tells the adults something of the group's adventures, stressing that they were trying to protect the camp from danger, and enlisting valuable allies in the Ahote.
About magic, she says, "Well, I can cast some spells. Enough to help out the camp defenders, which is why they let me tag along. But I'm not all that powerful. I don't have a familiar, unless you count Daisy, our horse." (with a smile) "I don't think I'd like to live in a tower. Can you imagine carrying wash-water up all those stairs?" And then she tries to steer the conversation back to the idea of a work-party for the town's defenses.
She reminds the children that it is up to the adults, not them, to decide if and when there will be a work-party. She makes a note of which children seem enthused about firing arrows. Perhaps some of the older ones can be trained in archery. And she asks about their new play-fort. "Have you picked out a spot for it yet?"
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Wednesday December 2nd, 2009 3:03:47 PM
"Sounds like a plan Alexi.... make make the bars spiked so no one can grab them..." Ender replies
DM Cayzle -- By whose authority? Wednesday December 2nd, 2009 4:49:38 PM Alexi and Ender decide that some stout spiked bars are what's needed. They go talk to the human blacksmith, who goggles at them. "And by whose say-so am I to just go about making some bars, then?" he demands.
Keela gets the clear idea that although gentle suasion may eventually lead to getting the job done, these good folk feel no urgency about the task. Maybe because Keela presents herself not as a powerful wizard, but as a washer-of-clothes? Maybe the job will get done, but not soon -- not without some push with authority.
Jet, on the other hand, speaks with the authority of conviction to the cleric, reminding him of his duty. The dwarf draws himself up, and says, plainly enough, "You are right, and I am shamed to be reminded of my own responsibilities. But I have sworn not to betray a confidence. Suffice it then to say that you are on the right track, young Jet, and perhaps steps have already been taken in the dark that should have gone unpaced. I will back you in this, although I remain eager to see this shaman and speak with him and his people. Maybe once I can vouch for these visions, my own words will carry more weight." [OOC: no Intimidate was needed.]
Alexi (AC: 20, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) d20+2=10 ; Wednesday December 2nd, 2009 9:39:08 PM
"Garth's," Alexi says plainly. He knows he does not need to buly the blacksmith into making the bars. "And your's, of course, since it will be for your own security as well," he adds smiling. "The bars are to close in a gap in the wall defenses. Now," he sighs, " if the other townsfolk were to realise the security risk the gap poses, they may come to you themselves. I'm just bypassing the mob and asking you to make the bars before hand."
Alexi looks at his finger nails pensively, ""Course, could be the others think it was your genious idea to plug the hole they left in the wall in the first place. They'd be very thankful to you, naturally."
He pauses a moment. "It's up to you." * due to the diffusion of the Ma Belle incident, and other heroic acts, our original party members get a permament +2 bonus on all CHA checks applied to people in the settlement. Per previous DMs.
Diplomacy d20+2*=10 ( ick!)
OOC: Ender, feel free to add your 2cents worth and try your Diplomacy check. Then you can use my Diplomacy check as an 'Aid Another' roll as a bonus of +2 to yours. It's worth a try.
Keela Wednesday December 2nd, 2009 10:22:30 PM
Keela is not in the least discouraged. She has laid the groundwork; all she needs to do now is get Garth, or even one of her companions, to set and annoucne a date for the work-party. She would rather be seen as one of the settlers than a person of authority.
She takes the first opportunity she can to speak with Jet or Alexi or Garth. She considers Ender, but regretfully decides that the halfling probably won't be able to command much more authority than she could.
"The farm-folk are amenable to the idea of a work-party," she says. "We just need to pick a date, and then somebody other than me needs to tell them that's when it will happen."
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Thursday December 3rd, 2009 5:28:35 PM Great! Now I have to solve some freaking riddle! Jet thinks to himself as he listens to the high priest he was supposed to serve under, confess to hiding information that could save the lives of this community.
"I don't think so Durak, unless they are willing to come here to see you. If this place is going to be destroyed because you don't want to share some knowledge, then you are staying here with me to protect this place while another envoy goes to retrieve them. If the shaman does not want to come here, which is their right, then you must trust your envoy to take the dream walk in your stead and come back with information, which will be the same as I told you, because I took the walk myself."
Jet let's Durak choose whatever Envoy is to go and will allow him friends of the Ahote, that might not be as necessary to the defense, like Fatine and Caelnin, Anrete and Beren, which wear the neck totem of friendship.
Then, Jet calls the group together by running messengers, to meet him at Garth's, immediately. If he needs to pay out a few silver in tips, let me know.
DM Cayzle -- Orders and Gatherings Thursday December 3rd, 2009 6:07:07 PM Keela is satisfied at laying the groundwork for some community tower-raising. She rightly discerns that with a nudge from a person in authority, the work parties will get under way. Her job is to make sure that Jet or Garth gives the order.
Alexi seems to convince the blacksmith, who grumbles that he has too much work to do, but fine. He wants to know whose going to pay for it. But aside from that, he seems willing enough.
Jet wonders why everything has to be so hard, and he sends word for everyone to gather at Garth's. It is done soon enough for an evening meal, sent over from Ma Belle's, to be enjoyed with the conversation.
At dinner, Garth looks grim. "Those darn dwarves are hiding something, I know it. I couldn't get it out of them, though. Darned dwarfish pride! As soon as you say anything, they get all 'Are you questioning my loyalty?' and 'I was mining the earth before your grandfather was born!' and 'Trust dwarves to know dwarf business, and we'll leave the surface world to you grubbers up there.' "
"What do you all have to report? Jet, you said there was something to discuss?"
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Friday December 4th, 2009 10:51:17 AM
"Yes sir. High Priest Durak is fully aware of the situation below ground and is also hiding something. He all but told me I was right on with my finding, but he swore some damnable oath to someone about it and short of a fight, he wouldn't tell me what it was." Jet is red with the frustration of the situation.
"I would like to send the four Ahote friends that are least needed back to the natives, with a small clerical envoy to either bring back Istaqua so he can give Durak the dream walk, or the other priests can take the dream walk there, if Istaqua does not want to return with them. I demanded Durak stay here to protect the compound, in case they release whatever it is they are hiding."
Jet isn't hungry right now as he looks over the plate of food, but he picks up the carafe of wine brought with it and ignoring the small glasses next to the vessel, he drinks right out of the tall, slender object, spilling little down his shaggy black beard. "Ahhh, I want to set up some alarms. Keela, do you have a spell that would work? Anyone here know how to make or find some of those large dishes that musicians play? Gongs I think they are called?"
I also want us all to pay a visit to the dwarf mining supervisor and let him know, we are aware of their deceit. What they do is everyone's business, just like the farmers that are keeping them alive through the winter by growing crops in the spring, or we threaten to leave Bryn Baraz to just the dwarfs. I told Durak they are in breech of contract and I really don't have a problem getting all the innocent farmers out of here, if they do not want to cooperate."
Jet sits down, feeling like his investigation is all but complete now, except for the hidden information the dwarves are keeping from everyone else. He is half tempted to just go down into the mine and cause a major collapse, which could well stall or prevent them continuing, in the shaft with the mushrooms growing. The fact Jet likely wouldn't make it back out doesn't bother him. Everyone needs to meet Gargul sometime.
He passes the carafe to Keela, "Sorry, ladies first."
Alexi (AC: 20, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Friday December 4th, 2009 9:38:25 PM
[He wants to know whose going to pay for it. But aside from that, he seems willing enough.]
"Payment? Ah yes. Payment. I'll make sure you get paid. State your fee and I'll bring it up to Garth. If it's too high, Garth will pay you a visit to renegotiate. But you seem to grasp the idea of safety for Bryn Baraz pretty good so I'm sure you will be fair with your fee."
Alexi then goes on to describe what he wants to be made and where they will go. He asks the blacksmith to pay a personal visit to the wall section where the stream goes under it so he can better assess how many bars to make and how long to make them so they will be firmly fixed in the stream bed and in the wall itself.
He then shakes the man's hand and adds, "After you've looked at the wall section, come by my office at the barracks and give me your price. I'll pass it on to Garth. We can make half payment up front, then the rest when the job is done. Deal?"
Alexi has no problem enjoying the meal, and the ladies serving them, but he tries not to make the latter noticable. After hearing Keela's report, Alexi asks Keela, "Did you talk to Pliny? What did he say? I'm quite sure Pliny would be the perfect foreman for the job. He's a carpenter, y'know, so he could suprevise woodwork portion of the towers. But most importantly, he's one them. They won't feel like they are being pushed around if Pliny takes the lead."
OOC: DM, if you need info on Pliny, Vol1 chpt 2 and Vol1 Chpt 3. He's Lollena's fiance', and Jet was suppose to marry them when we got to Bryn Baraz. Don't think that has happened yet. :)
After Jet's report, Alexi is glad he had only to deal with a grumpy blacksmith. He tells Garth of his plans to put iron bars to block the gap in the wall between the wall and the streambed. "And he'll want to get paid, so I told him to stop by with his estimate and I'll run it by you."
Alexi watches Keela's expression as Jet hands her the carafe. "Er, M' Lady, perhaps I should get another one," Alexi offers and quickly goes to the bar and retunrs with a fresh carafe. "Here ya go. Fresh and unslobbered," he smiles.
Then Alexi begins to ponder who'd be going to the Ahote...
Keela Monday December 7th, 2009 1:25:46 AM
Keela brings Garth up to date on the situation with the farmers. "I'm sure they can get those towers finished. Just pick a day and let them know."
She also describes how excited some of the children were about firing arrows. "Perhaps some of the older ones are big enough to start training with bows."
"Oh," she says as she is handed the carafe. "Oh. Er, no thank you Jet. I'm not thirsty."
Finally, she mentions the play-fort. "The children had made a little place for themselves outside the walls. I told them how dangerous that was, but really, they should have a place to play. I told them that if they promised to stay inside the walls, we would build them a play-fort. Do you think some of the men could be spared for half a day to get it built?"
When Alexi mentions Pliny, she says. "No, I didn't speak with him. How clever you are to think of it! And my brother-in-law Daben, you know, is also a good carpenter. Perhaps they could collaborate. I'm sure they would build a magnificant fort. The children wouldn't want to go beyond the walls!"
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Monday December 7th, 2009 10:02:41 AM
Jet looks incredulous at Alexi when he mentions slobber. He looks down at the carafe, shrugs his shoulders and continues to drink.
DM Cayzle -- An Invitation to Prepare Monday December 7th, 2009 8:55:28 PM
Garth nods at Jet's idea. "Yes, send four who have already been there to see the Ahote, and maybe get one of them to come back and talk to our clerics."
Jet also thinks that they have to lay down the law with the dwarves. Even if it comes to threats. Garth is not quite so sure. "Shouldn't we give your Ahote friends a chance first?"
Alexi gets everything arranged with the smith and then brings Garth up to date. "Good work," says Garth, who agrees to handle the payment.
Garth is also pleased with Keela's report. "I'll set a day or two next week. We'll get those towers up all right."
He seems less interested in the new kids' fort. So long as it is safe and is built with volunteer labor. He does not want it taking away from the other projects.
So the next project is sending the former PCs out to visit the Ahote. What message will you send to them? To the shaman or the chief or both? Are you asking the shaman to come to the settlement? Are you offering any special inducement or reason for him to do so?
Alexi (AC: 20, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Monday December 7th, 2009 9:09:55 PM
"Well, bringing Istaqa, the shaman, here with several of their leaders, would be the ideal. That way the people here would get a good chance to know them better. However, I don't think the trust level between the settlement and the Ahote is quite at that point yet. So I'd suggest a halfway meeting point. Either the Three Sisters or the Ambush Drake cave," Alexi chimes in.
Keela Tuesday December 8th, 2009 12:05:35 AM
Keela frowns a little. "I suppose you're right," she says to Alexi.
"Still," she adds, "the Ahote offered us the hospitality of their village, and we had a lovely feast their. It's too bad we can't reciprocate somehow."
She hesitates a moment before asking: "Would--would anyone mind if I spoke with the dwarves?"
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Tuesday December 8th, 2009 1:29:10 AM
"All they understand is brute and honest truth Garth. Who said I was making threats? The people that signed on to this expedition had a right to reasonable extremes. It will take at least two weeks for the envoys to travel there and return, what if the dwarves dig out whatever we are soon dealing with, before the guests arrive? The fact we know that their demise is near and not warning them or trying to move them, could well anger the gods and I would rather face down a dwarf then an immortal!" There it is, that frustration that first got Jet into trouble with the wagon master and here it is again. Jet wonders what will happen now, will he be given the title of mayor or something? That would really be a punishment, being inside and sober half the day. He shivers at the thought.
After whatever rebuke he receives is over, Jet explains, Beren, Caelnin, Fatine and Mikal are all bearers of the totem, so they should go. "Opening an invitation to visit is the key, but if they believe this place is taboo, due to the dream, I would understand their reasoning. Do not limit who is important, but we should check with whoever is in charge of rations, to make sure others don't go short with the visit. I guess if I thought of it, I should go talk with them also.
Keela, if you think you can talk to the dwarves and do some good, be my guest. By the way, are there any long duration spells that could be an alarm for an area and do you have one?"
DM Cayzle -- Dwarfish Background Tuesday December 8th, 2009 8:59:49 AM OOC: Guys, I've been playing the dwarves with some anonymity because I did not want to go digging where prior DMs have already delved. But let me stop doing that and just lay some info out. Please let me know if any of this differs from what you already know. Some is canon, and some is made up by me for this post. Those of you playing along at home can have fun figuring out which is which.
Garth says that anyone can try to talk to the dwarves -- Keela included. They seldom socialize, but take a crack at it.
Some background dwarf info:
Dwain Stonehelm is the head of the dwarfs. He is a former adventurer and principal owner of Stonehelm Mining and Exploration. Dwain is in all ways a typical dwarf in appearance. Slightly shy of 4 feet in height he is well muscled, with bulging forearms and a barrel chest. He has a ruddy complexion and a slightly bulbous nose that pokes out above his sandy-red beard. Despite his small stature, his booming voice carries well. He is the one who found the mithril vein the dwarves are currently excavating.
Dwain and six others founded the mine. Add in the dwarf cleric, Durak, who honors both Domi and Alemi, and the total dwarf population is only 8. But those 8 mine like 80 humans would.
==========
Alexi begins the conversation about an expedition to the Ahote. But some questions from last time still remain unanswered: What message will you send to them? To the shaman or the chief or both? Are you asking the shaman to come to the settlement? Are you offering any special inducement or reason for him to do so?
==========
Jet notes that Garth completely ignores his outburst.
Keela Tuesday December 8th, 2009 10:32:41 PM
Regarding the Ahote, Keela suggests sending an invitation to Istaqua, but indicating that he could bring up to five other Ahote as escort. "We shouldn't expect him to come here all by himself."
Alexi (AC: 20, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Tuesday December 8th, 2009 10:37:29 PM
OOC: ony 8 dwarfs? shish, somehow I thought there was a whole clan, 30 or 50 or so. But, nowhere was there given any numbers. :)
IC: "It is true that they welcomed us into their tents, but only because of Istaqa's dream. And not all of them accepted us at first. Only after bringing back their children safe and sound did the others fully accept us," Alexi explains.
"I do believe that the majority of the Ahote people, whom we've only met one clan, still view us suspiciously. That's why I'd be reluctant to invite their leader into Bryn Baraz. However, I'm sure Istaqa, Honaw, and the others that know us well, would not hesitate to visit and share the Dream Smoke with the dwarves."
"Sending Mikal, Anrete, Beren, Caelnin, and Fatine, is an excelent idea. Col can quickly search out the Ahote. The five of them, and include Fatine's panther, should be safe enough."
Alexi then asks, "I still need to visit the Catacombs, will I have time today?"
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Wednesday December 9th, 2009 10:05:06 AM
"When we all have time to visit the Catacombs, we will go." Jet says plainly. He looks at Keela a bit peeved that she hasn't answered a question he has asked twice already, so he takes her lack of a response as a no, she does not have magic in the regard he has asked.
Perhaps Jet's coarse nature isn't as bad as it used to be. Either that or Garth can appreciate what was said. Maybe, Garth just sees a bit of Jet in himself when he was younger. Regardless, Jet tones his demeanor down a bit.
"Alright then, it is settled. Keela is going to go talk with the dwarves. I am going to go talk to whoever is in charge of the food storage and Alexi with Ender will deal with Pliney and some others to get the towers built.
With that, Jet asks to be excused for now and goes off to do his job.
Jet spends a little time with Bantom traveling from one place to another, but he feels sad that he hasn't been able to spend quality time with his old friend, who is now almost as smart as Jet is.
"Don't worry boy. When all this is over, we are going to get you a heard of mares and I will get me a lady for each arm and we will drink beer all night! How does that sound?"
Bantom replies, "Sounds like fun, but don't forget the apples. The ladies like the apples."
Jet laughs out loud.
DM Cayzle - Jobs are assigned Wednesday December 9th, 2009 6:16:44 PM
Keela expresses interest in composing the message, so Garth asks her to compose it and to ask the five Ahote friends to go.
Alexi offers some guidance on what to say to the Ahote. He volunteers to go to the Catacombs.
OOC: Do please go. But try to do all the party's business in one transaction, to represent the short window available to you. And please, no red ticket items -- not enough time to commission them. I actually suggest that if Keela and Jet have business there too, that the three go together to the Catacombs Board. If service is slow, let me know.
Jet suggests that Keela talk to the dwarves, and Alexi coordinate the tower construction. Garth confirms that, and suggests that the dwarves be handled delicately until the Ahote come to visit, if they will.
Jet heads off to see the Master of Stores. Or Mistress of Stores, as it turns out. The woman is named Hmargret, and she asks what she can do for Jet.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Wednesday December 9th, 2009 7:59:16 PM
OOC; If you are saying we can go to the catacombs as well as take care of everything around the base, I'm cool with that. No post from Ender in a while (Wednesday Dec 2nd), so let us go sell first. Maybe he will start posting again soon.
Alexi (AC: 20, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Wednesday December 9th, 2009 9:49:32 PM
"We'll, we have time now. All I need to do is take the stuff from the cave to be identified. It usually takes a day. So I'll just drop the stuff off and come back out. Pay a visit to Pliny and the Plainfields. Get the ball rolling, so to speak. Tomorrow, we can all head back to the Catacombs and pick up our stuff and sell what we don't want. We'll need the coins to replentish our healing potions and perhaps purchase some other goodies."
Alexi looks at Keela and Jet. "Sound like a plan?"
If the others nodd their agreement he goes straight to his office to pick up the stuff and heads to the general store where the portal to the Catacombs is and pops on into the Catacombs.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Wednesday December 9th, 2009 10:24:19 PM
"It's only open for a day, from what I was to understand, so we all need to go in the same day." Jet adds thinking back to those that created the bell to the magical shop.
Keela Thursday December 10th, 2009 12:56:34 AM
"Sorry, Jet," Keela says. "There is a spell called Alarm, but it doesn't last as long as you are talking about. I don't know of any others."
Keela goes with the others to the Catacombs, composing a message to the Ahote in her head as she goes.
[Cayzle, do you want the text of the message, or can we consider it written and sent?]
Once the trip to the Catacombs is done, she begins preparing for her meeting with the dwarves: she bakes.
She begins early, so the oven will have time to heat. She starts with a double batch of Great-Aunt Marlys's savory buns. She makes a blackberry pie and an apple-rhubarb pie. A layer cake will not travel well, so she makes a poundcake drizzled with sweet glaze. She finishes the day with a quick batch of baking-powder biscuits.
When everything has cooled, she packs it into a hamper. "Good neighbors," she says to herself with a little smile. "If we're good neighbors, perhaps they will be too. Anyway, it's worth a try."
DM Cayzle - Extra Thursday December 10th, 2009 1:56:40 AM
A fuller post in the morning, but let me note that
(a) Yes, you can use the Catacombs freely so long as all transactions are made in the same ticket. You can even go there, get fast identifies, and then decide what to do in the CC. I urge you Keela and Jet to either give Alexi detailed instructions, or go to the CC with him.
(b) You don't have to write the text of the message to the Ahote, but if you detail what you ask, and if you spell out how the message is to be communicated, and if you put some effort into it, even at second-hand, then you are much more likely to get a positive response in-game from the Ahote.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Thursday December 10th, 2009 11:27:12 AM
"Greetings M'lady Hmargret. My name is Jet and I need to discuss with you how the stores look for guests. We will be asking some of the native Ahote to come and join us for around a weeks visit. How many Ahote can we invite for that length of time, without causeing problems with the rations for others, please?"
DM Cayzle - Cookery, Shopery, and Foodery Thursday December 10th, 2009 6:16:43 PM
Keela prepares for her visit with some baking. Please make some skill checks -- Profession (Cook) untrained is one option, with a +2 synergy bonus from your Craft (Alchemy) ranks, if you want to be experimental. Your sister will give a +2 Aid Another bonus on your cookery checks. OR just use your Craft Alchemy -- DC20 -- to make especially unusual pies and cakes and biscuits ... but if you fail your check by five or more, you might make something just horrible.
Alexi heads over to the Catacombs, with the door open for just a day. [OOC: Did not see a post on the CC Board. Feel free to head over there and post.]
Jet gets some good news for a change. The farmers are doing really well, and food is no problem. The harvest has been rich, and there is plenty of food for visitors.
Alexi (AC: 20, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) d20+2=14 ; d20+2=12 ; d20+2=6 ; Thursday December 10th, 2009 10:45:15 PM
OOC: heading over to the CC. There's not a lot of magical items so I could go the next morning to drop of the stuff then head back over after lunch with the rest of the crew to pick what we want and sell the rest. From the cash, we could then shop, then return by supper time.
IC: With everyone currently busy, Alexi suggests that he take the stuff early the next morning. Then Jet and Keela can keep their afternoon clear of engagements to go back and pick out what they want and do some shopping.
At that, they all split up. Jet to the stores, Keela to get ready to visit the dwarves, and Alexi goes to pay a visit with Pliny and Ned.
OOC: to see who Ned is, Vol 1, Chpt 1. Alexi had arranged with a farmer, named Ned, to carry Alexi's 'investment', that is, a load of farming equipment to sell to the farmers, with Ned getting a small percentage for keeping the stuff for Alexi.
IC: Alexi stops by Ned's place first. It had been quite a while since he had talked to his friend. As a matter of fact, he hadn't talked to him since they arrived at Bryn Baraz. Alexi quickly asked how the family was doing, the crops, and so forth. He then moved into the main reason for being there.
"We've got some unfinshed archer towers that need completing. It shouldn't take long if all the farmers could lend a hand. The stone bases are mostly complete, so it's mainly the wood platforms that need finished. I'm thinking that if I could get the farmers to come together one day this week, say two days from now, we could have this done in no time. Can I have your support in this? Can I get you to urge those who may be slow to volunteer to see the need for better security measures?"
Diplomacy d20+2 (+ any bonuses for being 'partners' in business) = 14
Alexi next visits Pliny and Lollena. He is naturally curious on how the two are doing and how the wedding plans were coming. He fills the two in on their adventures since arriving in Bryn Baraz and then explains the need to finish the archer towers. "If I can count on your support to help gather the farmers in two days, I think we can finish them in a day or two," Alexi says rather hopefully.
OOC: diplomacy roll needed here? if so, d20+2 (+ any bonuses for saving his fiance) = 12
He then stops by the Plainfields. Many arromas assault his senses as he enters the place. "Man, what smells sooooo gooood!" he exclaims.
Greeting Mr. Plainfield he explains the reason for his visit. "As I'm sure Keela has told you, there are some security issues that still need to be finished," and explains about the archer towers. "If you could work with Pliny and Ned to gather the farmers in two days, we can have them fininshed in no time. Then the archer millitia can take up watch posts and make use of all that learning we've been teaching them."
diplomacy roll here? if needed, d20+2 (+ any bonuses for being a friend of Keela's) = 6 , ooops. bonus for being Keela's friend had better be pretty high! :(
Next day Alexi takes the stuff to the Catacombs, getting up and going before breakfast so the items will be ready by noon or soon after.
Alexi (AC: 20, HP:34/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Thursday December 10th, 2009 11:08:15 PM
OOC: Catacombs ticket #1075 waiting to be served. :)
Keela Friday December 11th, 2009 12:54:04 AM
The message to Istaqua:
Dear Istaqua,
I hope this message finds you well. We would like to invite you to come spend some time at Bryn Braz. In particular, we were wondering if you could assist our Dwarf neighbors by showing them a similar vision to the one you showed us. They are disinclined to believe anything they do not see with their own eyes.
Please feel free to select a small escort to accompany you here. To avoid making the settlers nervous, we ask that you bring no more than five additional Ahote with you. Our friends, who are delivering this message, will assist in seeing you safely though your journey.
We look forward to seeing you again.
Yours Respectfully,
Keela Larch
On the baking project, Keela gladly accepts Senna's assistance, and uses her knowledge of Alchemy to assist her. She takes 10 and gets a 16, which should be perfectly respectable.
She packs her hamper, and goes to see the dwarves on the following day.
DM Cayzle - Extra Friday December 11th, 2009 9:37:48 AM
CC Post made.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Friday December 11th, 2009 12:32:49 PM
Jet is happy to hear the good news indeed and prepares the lady for the arrivals in a week or so when they return.
With that bit of business done, he joins Alexi at the catacombs.
Jet Stormway (AC:22 HP:36/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Friday December 11th, 2009 7:01:56 PM
OOC: Jet wants to find out, how many divisions we will have with the loot? Fatine was with us during the cave battles or at least the Ice Demon and maybe one other, but I would have to go check. If we are dividing it only by four though, I won't have to go look.
DM Cayzle Friday December 11th, 2009 8:16:13 PM
It is up to you, but I urge you to divide the loot four ways, since four PCs did the fighting. That's my two cents. But you are free to do as you prefer.
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