DM Ken Thursday September 5th, 2013 10:57:25 AM
Having been released from Fifur Ironbane's service with honors and a magical token, the Grim Guard find themselves the masters of their own destiny once again. The Festival is set to continue on for a little while longer, but rumors have begun to circulate that Ironbane will be leaving early to mourn for his daughter properly. The world is open to the Grim Guard to dance upon until the devil comes home, but The Wold is a big place. A few tidbits still remain for them to settle up if they so choose.
First, there is Tahni. Still missing, the Grim Guard would likely need some sort of guidance to get started in the right direction. Of course, there is a source of information nearby, and one of the wise dwarves points out that they could always try asking Ashtrious. They do have a second meeting with him, after all.
At the mention of Ashtirous, something begins to bother Braugh. It's a fleeting memory, an earnest question and a fleeting whisper from the demon only a short time before they descended into the nightmare of Runus and Tali.
Braugh Only: Highlight to display spoiler: {
Braugh:"I would ask for information on Tali Ironbane on behalf of Clanlord Ironbane, and I would ask for information on Tahni Wyrmrider on my own. I would have your terms for information on both before I hear your answers."
Ashtrious"You. The halfling showed great courtesy, but you.. You showed deference. Abandonment of the pride that fills the Dwarves and all mortals to the sole intention of seeking aid to aid another. This I will honor. You will very soon be forced to make a decision. You may be forced to stand with me over your own blood-kin. Do not disappoint, and you will be rewarded with knowledge of the one you seek..."}"
Then there is the issue of loot. They have gathered a number of magical items in their last few battles. There is a portal to the catacombs here at the festival. Sometimes cracking heads needs to take a backseat to coin counting, but the payoffs are usually worth it.
Finally, relaxation and self reflection. There are a number of new additions to the festival.
A wrestling tournament is scheduled for tomorrow and there is a shirtless pretty-boy Elf bragging that that he is going to take home the prize.
A strange half-orc has entered the camp. Dressed in a black and orange jesters outfit, he stands picking his nose in a booth with a number of cards in front of him. There's a sign in front of him that reads. "Win Stuff: 10 to 50g per try."
An old halfling wizard has set up shop as well. He sits in a rocking chair, smoking a pipe and twirling his grey beard with his toes. He has a number of scrolls and books for sale on various subjects. It's likely he might also be able to help with scribing the odd scroll.
Two dwarfs have set up a Rock Toss booth, with a 5 gp entry. Mostly dwarves have gathered to this attraction. The point seems to be seeing how far you can toss a sizable stone cut into something resembling a cube. Prizes seemed to be determined by painting on each face of the rock.
This of course is in addition to food, music, and other creature comforts.
Bruagh Stormbringer (Zach R.) AC 28/12/22 -- CMD 23/27 -- HP 74/101 Thursday September 5th, 2013 5:27:20 PM
Bruagh is not much up for celebration. He wonders at the words of Ashtirous and just what he meant before.
Terser, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Warren G): HP 82/82 - AC 21/13/21 - CMD 24 (raging HP 100/100, AC 19/11/19 - CMD 26) Thursday September 5th, 2013 6:03:28 PM
Terser looks at the elf, thinking he could stand to be taken down a peg, but he never did like fighting with his hands near as much as with a stave or glaive.
He contemplates the treasure gained from their trials, looking at the headband with curiosity, and trying it on to see how it looks. It could be improved with some decoration, and maybe it may prove useful some day. If he is wrong, he can always sell it later as well as now.
Flint Ironclad, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Mark) -- AC 23/14t/19ff -- Hp 28/61 Thursday September 5th, 2013 9:55:20 PM
Flint wanders the Festival looking from Stall to Stall. He will head to the catacombs soon enough but does not want to miss a thing.
"Wrestling tomorrow? Sounds like fun, eh lads. But for now ill try my luck with the jester."
He walks to the strangly dressed half orc. "Win stuff. Ok, how?"
Karnas (L1-2 L2-1 L3- 2): AC12/12/10 - CMD13 - HP20/40 , Cark AC: 19/16/17 - CMD 14 - HP 20/20, Blindsense 20' Thursday September 5th, 2013 11:42:27 PM
Karnas didn't much care for the festival, finding a quite area to step into his crafting portal and work on a couple items, Cark staying outside to awaken him if something of interest popped up.
OOC: Since the removal of the APG, how much gold have we gotten so far?
DM Ken Friday September 6th, 2013 2:03:32 AM
DM OOC: That's a good question. I can only track the loot you gained since I showed up, though you really should be tracking that as a party. You actually have a lot of money tied up in magic items right now, and I imagine you'll be wanting to sell some of those pieces.
Oathbreaker (Ian) 13/11/15 - 36/49 - CMD 21 Friday September 6th, 2013 2:41:37 PM
The Oathbreaker, if anyone looks for him, is nowhere to be found.
DM Ken d6=5 ; Friday September 6th, 2013 2:58:29 PM
While Braugh ponders Ashtrious and the creatures last message to him, Karnas decides to catch up on some magic crafting. Oathbreaker is silent, and Terser starts rummaging through some of their captured goods.
Flint approaches the bored-looking bard, who answers his question by point to parchment nailed to his booth. It reads:
Broggo's Stuff: 10g Good Stuff: 20g Great Stuff: 50g.
When Flint looks back, Broggo is shuffling a deck of cards. He lays them out on a table and spreads them face up. There are 6 cards. 5 of them have a picture of an elf with a black eye and bloody lip. One of them has a picture of Broggo shirtless with rippling muscles, flexing and looking incredibly smug.
"Only the Broggo card wins, furry chin. You get two tries."
He deals out the cards then holds out his hand, obviously waiting for your money.
[ooc: Simple game. Roll a d6 twice and re roll any duplicate results. Matach Broggo's result of 5 and you win a prize based on the amount you entered for. ]
[DM OOC: Has anyone in the party traditionally been the loot-meister? Is this your first sell-off in a long while or just since you left the festival? ]
Terser, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Warren G): HP 82/82 - AC 21/13/21 - CMD 24 (raging HP 100/100, AC 19/11/19 - CMD 26) Friday September 6th, 2013 5:46:12 PM
Terser prepares himself for the meeting with Ashtrious, and ponders a question or two of his own that he would like to ask.
Bruagh Stormbringer (Zach R.) AC 28/12/22 -- CMD 23/27 -- HP 74/101 Sunday September 8th, 2013 5:28:57 PM
Bruagh ponders what he will say to Ashtrious. Anything for Tahni.
"I feel lucky today" he says picking a card at random
Oathbreaker (Ian) 13/11/15 - 36/49 - CMD 21 Monday September 9th, 2013 8:38:11 AM
The Oathbreaker is still absent from the festivities.
DM Ken Monday September 9th, 2013 10:23:00 AM
Flint flops over a couple of beaten elves, and Broggo scoops his bet.
"Haw haw. You was close though. Try again?"
The rest of the Grim Guard engage in various levels of either mental or fairground activities. Terser and Braugh both realize that though they have permission to see Ashtrious again, it is not a scheduled affair. When the Grim Guard are ready to see him again, they must go together and seek him out.
DM Ken Monday September 9th, 2013 10:24:25 AM DM OOC: Downtime Management post here. Are you guys planning catacombs? If so you should probably look through the loot you've earned since your last sell-off and figure out what you are keeping and what is getting sold.
Terser, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Warren G): HP 82/82 - AC 21/13/21 - CMD 24 (raging HP 100/100, AC 19/11/19 - CMD 26) Monday September 9th, 2013 11:53:40 AM Terser is ready to seek council again, but knows that a night's rest will refresh them so they are better able to face it. The channelers probably need a night to recover as well.
He approaches the catacombs portal with a bit of trepidation, prepared to do a different sort of combat that involves numbers and counting and haggling. It's a bit intimidating, never having done it before. He's glad that his parents at least made sure that he had decent schooling in his childhood, though he has not made much use of it in the intervening years...
OOC: Looks like we're selling off Bracers of Armor +3, Rope of Climbing, Wand of Darkvision (23/50), Wand of Water Breathing (13/50), Boots of the Winterlands, Runus' Spellbook, Large Greataxe +2, Large Ruby Ring, 2400gp of art objects, plus then 4682+1200+8000gp to split. If some of this has been sold already, let me know.
Probably keeping Potion of Greater Magic Fang, Potion of Magic Vestment +4, Amulet of Nat Armor +2 Bruagh claimed boots of S&S, I claimed Headband of CHA+2
Anything I missed?
DM Ken Monday September 9th, 2013 2:45:50 PM
OOC: Looks legit except for Runus spellbook. From his journal entries, you recall Runus is a sorcerer and wouldn't even need a regular spellbook. Further, the journal hinted it had some use in locating the necromancers. Consider it a de facto fate item that you cannot sell for now.
Bruagh Stormbringer (Zach R.) AC 28/12/22 -- CMD 23/27 -- HP 74/101 Monday September 9th, 2013 10:40:55 PM
Check
Oathbreaker (Ian) 13/11/15 - 36/49 - CMD 21 Monday September 9th, 2013 10:57:47 PM
OOC :: The Oathbreaker will claim the +3 Bracers of Armor if no one minds.
DM Ken Tuesday September 10th, 2013 5:52:26 PM
Night falls as the Grim Guard poke their way through various activities. Only a meeting with the Channelers seems to hold any real importance.
Other than a few rowdy partiers, there is nothing much happening.
The next morning the Grim Guard recover some more from their ordeals, and can meet with Ashtrious as they desire.
Oathbreaker (Ian) 13/11/15 - 36/49 - CMD 21 Tuesday September 10th, 2013 6:12:02 PM
When the group wakes up the next day, a young dwarf finds Braugh near his tent with a crumpled bit of parchment in his hand. "Excuse me? Are you... Braugh Stormbringer?" Assuming the Stone Warden responds in the positive, the dwarf hands him the parchment in his hand. "The weird one in the mask gave me this. Said I should give it to you."
Looking at the parchment, Braugh reads the following message in dwarven.
Braugh,
Hope this finds you. Gone off for a bit. Need some time to myself. Reevaluate. You know how it is. Keepy my share aside. Be back soon.
-Oathbreaker
Terser, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Warren G): HP 82/82 - AC 21/13/21 - CMD 24 (raging HP 100/100, AC 19/11/19 - CMD 26) Tuesday September 10th, 2013 6:58:44 PM
Terser seeks out the others in the morning, refreshed from his sleep and sighing in satisfaction at the jingle of gold in his pockets.
I'm ready with my questions, if everyone else is prepared.
Bruagh Stormbringer (Zach R.) AC 28/12/22 -- CMD 23/27 -- HP 74/101 Tuesday September 10th, 2013 10:43:11 PM
Bruagh shakes his head at the note. What was happening to the grim guard?
Flint Ironclad, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Mark) -- AC 23/14t/19ff -- Hp 28/61 Tuesday September 10th, 2013 11:18:08 PM
Flint Pops into the catacombs tent looking to update his inventory. If he intends to travel with the GG he needs to be prepared.
Afterwards he seeks out his friends and finds Oathbreaker has left on his own. "He will be back lads. So who is this Ashtrious fellow anyway."
Karnas (L1-2 L2-1 L3- 2): AC12/12/10 - CMD13 - HP20/40 , Cark AC: 19/16/17 - CMD 14 - HP 20/20, Blindsense 20' Wednesday September 11th, 2013 12:44:52 AM
Karnas finishes up his crafting and rest and joins the group as they prepare to leave
DM Ken Wednesday September 11th, 2013 3:50:57 PM
Flint asks about Ashtrious. Hopefully one of the Grim Guard are kind enough to fill him in!
As the Dwarves are led to Fifur Ironbanes tent, they notice he is not currently present. The atmosphere is relaxed, and The Channelers meet the Grim Guard in the main section of the tent.
"We are pleased to see you Grim Guard. Ashtrious has been expecting you."
They are led again into the side tent and as before, it seems that all the extra sounds and liveries of the fair are unable to pierce this chamber. It looms, certainly larger in area than should be possible. It seems that this space could fit the main section of the tent three or four times over.
The Dwarves begin their chant - droning on in an ancient dialect until the three shout out in sudden surprise! The Avatar of Ashtrious, the burning column of flame, bursts into view, raging with a vigor that could be taken as either excitement or anger.
"GRIM GUARD. YOU COME AGAIN. WHAT DO YOU WANT OF ME?"
Terser, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Warren G): HP 82/82 - AC 21/13/21 - CMD 24 (raging HP 100/100, AC 19/11/19 - CMD 26) Wednesday September 11th, 2013 6:47:54 PM We have further questions for you today. Mainly concerning the locations of several dwarves that have great meaning.
Oathbreaker (Ian) 13/11/15 - 36/49 - CMD 21 Wednesday September 11th, 2013 11:05:12 PM
The Oathbreaker... no, wait, nevermind.
Bruagh Stormbringer (Zach R.) AC 28/12/22 -- CMD 23/27 -- HP 74/101 Wednesday September 11th, 2013 11:18:05 PM "My question remains the same. Where is Tahni Wyrmrider and what must I do to be reunited with her "
Terser, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Warren G): HP 82/82 - AC 21/13/21 - CMD 24 (raging HP 100/100, AC 19/11/19 - CMD 26) Thursday September 12th, 2013 11:01:32 AM We also seek Tali, though she may no longer be a dwarf, and need to know how to restore her. I would also like to find a spirit guide, but that is ancillary, and can wait until we find the others that we seek.
DM Ken Thursday September 12th, 2013 12:45:04 PM
The pillar of flames flashes brightly, then dims before speaking.
"Your request is simple, though it seems Dwarves have short memories. Respect is such a simple request!"
The column of flame begins to swirl, moving about the Grim Guard, circling over and around each. The heat is tolerable, but uncomfortable. It lingers the longest on Flint.
"This one is new, yes? Interesting. The Grim Guard gains a dwarf and loses a friend..."
Ashtrious settles himself again in the middle of the room.
"Tali Ironbane is beyond me now. She is an undead creature known as a Revenant. She seethes with hatred for those she holds responsible for her murder. Finding them is the same as finding her. His death ends in her release. Then perhaps, she could be raised as normal. I hear you lot are in good with Gargul. Maybe he could help?
The flames flicker and a deep echo of laughter fills the chamber.
"Tawni Wyrmrider is a different matter. I made a pact with you Braugh. Help my channelers and me when it would be needed.. stand against your kin for our benefit.. and I would reward you with her whereabouts. Instead.. you sat and watched as that fool Ironbane pummeled my channeler!"
The fire grows brightly, emitting a blinding light before vanishing in a flash.
Silence.
Then a faint whisper tickles your ears.
"Still, they live because of your company. I tell you Grim Guard.. I grow bored here sometimes, serving the lord of this festival. I do so love a good read, don't you heroes? It's been so long since I've found a book worth my time. Didn't you find a couple of books in Runus's Lair? I bet Tawni would like it very much if you read them both. To read one very carefully and to very carefully read the other would be my advice.."
With that, Ashtrious leaves you and releases control of his channelers.
Terser, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Warren G): HP 82/82 - AC 21/13/21 - CMD 24 (raging HP 100/100, AC 19/11/19 - CMD 26) Thursday September 12th, 2013 6:56:29 PM OOC: Loot breakdown
Bruagh - Boots of Striding and Springing + 3408.25 gp Terser - Headband of CHA +2 + 4158.25 gp Oathbreaker - Bracers of Armor +3 + 1658.25 gp
Karnas, Devlin, Flint - 6158.25gp
Hanging onto Amulet of Nat Armor +2 for now - figure someone will want that.
Bruagh Stormbringer (Zach R.) AC 28/12/22 -- CMD 23/27 -- HP 74/101 Thursday September 12th, 2013 7:21:51 PM "My apologies for my lack of Respect. I... I am at my wits end. You are the first being I have spoken to since Gargul. In my own way, that was meant as respect. I took a vow of silence... but the one I took it for... is gone... just like nearly every other important person in my life. I thank you for what you have given me."
Flint Ironclad, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Mark) -- AC 23/14t/19ff -- Hp 28/61 Thursday September 12th, 2013 8:29:11 PM Woah.... ye have some serious friends! exclaims Flint when Ashtrious vanishes.
He wants us to read the books we recovered from Runus? What harm can come of that?
Oathbreaker (Ian) 13/11/15 - 36/49 - CMD 21 Friday September 13th, 2013 12:50:40 AM OOC :: Check.
Karnas (L1-2 L2-1 L3- 2): AC12/12/10 - CMD13 - HP20/40 , Cark AC: 19/16/17 - CMD 14 - HP 20/20, Blindsense 20' Friday September 13th, 2013 1:19:33 AM
Karnas just watched the encounter
DM Ken Friday September 13th, 2013 2:04:45 PM
With Ashtrious gone, the Channelers mill about their business until the Grim Guard leave. They do indeed possess two books from Runus. The first is his journal, which Sam skimmed earlier after he found it in the caves Runus used as a hideout. The other was a spellbook of some sort, which Runus mentioned in his journal.
(Hey all. Monday marks the start of the first scene in our new module! Also, Donna will be joining us, as I think Devlin has left. I havent seen a post from him in 10 days and he isn't answering email. I've also started recruiting for us on the Paizo forums.)
Terser, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Warren G): HP 82/82 - AC 21/13/21 - CMD 24 (raging HP 100/100, AC 19/11/19 - CMD 26) Saturday September 14th, 2013 2:25:23 AM
OOC: If Devlin has disappeared, then an additional 1231.65gp for all.
Terser sits down and starts reading. His education will be worth something, even if it takes all night to get through these books. He just hopes he can understand something worthwhile.
Flint Ironclad, Honored of Clan Ironbane (Mark) -- AC 23/14t/19ff -- Hp 28/61 Saturday September 14th, 2013 3:14:10 AM
ooc: Can we confirm that devlin's share will be divided? may change my catacombs order.
Bruagh Stormbringer (Zach R.) AC 28/12/22 -- CMD 23/27 -- HP 74/101 Sunday September 15th, 2013 1:35:01 PM
Tried to call Matt k to no avail.
DM Ken Sunday September 15th, 2013 9:19:06 PM
(Consider Devlin vanished.)
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