Reaching the Surface
Continued from Escape from Mimmarudla
The DM: Steadily, loaded down, the party wends its way to the surface again. You stagger up the back-and-forth stairwell and you stumble along the ledge that follows the underground river. You finally reach the narrow crevice that you bridge yourselves, uneasily carrying your loads across it. You make your way along the passageway until you come to the stone pits where you fought the ticks; and then upwards through the main lair of the froglings, where everything of value has been stripped away. There are no workmen left and it is quiet. Finally, after a long, steady day of work, you see daylight ahead; you climb out into the sun, half-blinded from it; it has been a week since you've felt its rays upon your flesh.
Fjall is there, watching the things you left on the surface and your donkey (or was it a mule). And there is a party of soldiers there as well, lounging about until you emerge. They rise at once, ordering themselves, while a leader takes a step towards the puffing, weary party; the leader is tall, emotionless and clearly a veteran of some war, as he stands as if his hip is troubling him. He says in a gruff, orderly manner, "You are Pandred, Embla and Engelhart, with associates. Is that correct?"
- Marcule: (i look to the party waiting for someone to respond)
- Engelhart: "It is so. And glad we are to see you too, by God's grace. Who might you be, o captain, that you'd expect or know of our return here?"
- The DM: He appears to be concerned with his officialdom. "I am Fenrik Sven Jorgensen." Fenrik is his rank, the lowest rank there is above a man-at-arms. He holds out a small board, the sort used for scratching contracts into the soft-stone surface. "Will you sign this?" Engelhart can read and it says, "Provides One 23rd Share to [your names] in compensation as finder's fee" or words to that intent.
- Engelhart: "Well now," I say as I gently motion for the board "I'd need to mull it over with my confederates if you will", I stare into the contract quizzically "just how much are we talking about here, and who mandated it?"
- The DM: "I'm not in the way of knowing," Jorgensen says. "Whatever one 23rd part of whatever was stripped of the underground area here. The actual value is waiting for you in Stavanger."
- Engelhart: "I'm sorry, Fenrik;" I motion apologetically "This takes us quite by surprise. Might be you're to head back to Stavanger, much like us? We'd like to meet up with someone who can elucidate us as to the provenance of this figure and what value it would entail."
- Engelhart: [I'm done probing, I can't properly proceed with a decision unless someone else weighs in]
- Engelhart: "I'm sorry, Fenrik;" I motion apologetically "This takes us quite by surprise. Might be you're to head back to Stavanger, much like us? We'd like to meet up with someone who can elucidate us as to the provenance of this figure and what value it would entail."
- The DM: "I'm not in the way of knowing," Jorgensen says. "Whatever one 23rd part of whatever was stripped of the underground area here. The actual value is waiting for you in Stavanger."
- Engelhart: "Well now," I say as I gently motion for the board "I'd need to mull it over with my confederates if you will", I stare into the contract quizzically "just how much are we talking about here, and who mandated it?"
- The DM: He appears to be concerned with his officialdom. "I am Fenrik Sven Jorgensen." Fenrik is his rank, the lowest rank there is above a man-at-arms. He holds out a small board, the sort used for scratching contracts into the soft-stone surface. "Will you sign this?" Engelhart can read and it says, "Provides One 23rd Share to [your names] in compensation as finder's fee" or words to that intent.
- Engelhart: "It is so. And glad we are to see you too, by God's grace. Who might you be, o captain, that you'd expect or know of our return here?"
- Marcule: (I step forward reading the paperwork) "I imagine this is a matter of splitting your wealth, do you have any reason to distrust this? As a matter of deliberation would they have reason to combat you on your share?"
- The DM: There seems nothing out of the ordinary. Before anyone can transfer money even in the 17th century, someone has to sign for it.
- Pandred: I'll give a grumble. "Sign it and let's get our due. They've stripped the very bricks from the place."
- Vafrandir: Just checking in -- I have no input on this because the Fenrick is not addressing me.
- Pandred: I can't read. I assume that means I can't write, including my name. Should I just put a big X? I'd have been happy to handle it if I believed it was in my power to do so. So, I slap my big X on the clip and we move on.
- The DM: Surely you've seen enough examples of a time when people could not read or write, where they were told, "Make your mark." In any case, you were entitled to ask before I had to scold. Moreover, your father was a thief, I believe, so you would have encountered situations where responsibility was assumed for something illegally. Please do not assume that because your character is a fighter, it only knows how to fight. I give you all this background for a reason.
- Pandred: I can't read. I assume that means I can't write, including my name. Should I just put a big X? I'd have been happy to handle it if I believed it was in my power to do so. So, I slap my big X on the clip and we move on.
- Vafrandir: Just checking in -- I have no input on this because the Fenrick is not addressing me.
- Pandred: I'll give a grumble. "Sign it and let's get our due. They've stripped the very bricks from the place."
- The DM: There seems nothing out of the ordinary. Before anyone can transfer money even in the 17th century, someone has to sign for it.
The DM: Does anyone want to physically stop Pandred from signing? No? Good. Jorgensen bows to Pandred, produces a heavy folded paper enclosed with a wax seal and informs you this is your writ; if you'll present it to a lender in Stavanger, you'll be sure to receive your funds.
Stavanger
Pandred: "Great. Odds, let's move." My squire and I make for Stavanger, with all my best pals in tow.
- The DM: Oddsdrakken falls in line. Willa and Fjall look at the remainder of the party, and follow along after Pandred.
- Embla: I follow. (Sorry for being away, today. Migraine).
- The DM: As long as you convey a clear action, Embla, I'm happy.
- Embla: I follow. (Sorry for being away, today. Migraine).
Vafrandir: I fall in line. I'll be happy to put these loads down when I can.
Marcule: (struggling with a stumble Ap3)Following the group to stavanger
The DM: The party will need to take some time to move their goods onto the donkey, though I don't feel we need to figure out what and how much. You've accomplished the trek back and forth from Stavanger several times, so you know your way; and much of the undergrowth is broken down from wagons carrying out materials, with workers making way. So by nightfall, you reach the town. It is too late to visit the lender, until the next morning. You need to find a place to rest for the night and decide what you wish to do next with your lives.
- The DM: Sorry. The Innkeeper does not have the prices. Fixing now.
Marcule: Happy to unload, I check myself into the inn for a hot bath and a room; Making sure to stable my donkey for the night) “I’m interested to hear what sort of adventure you guys would like to get up to next, im anxious to fill my pockets. Did we have anything in mind?”
The DM: All right, a new version of the Stavanger Market has been sent out to you, which now has innkeeper room prices on it.
- The DM: And look at that: a "hot" bath is cheaper than a "tepid" bath. Could you please note that the 15 c.p. price is over and above the tepid cost. I'll have that fixed for the next market version I create.
- The DM: The problem is a year's worth of small changes being made without having run the game face to face.
Vafrandir: Alexis, what level of inn are we using? I'd like a room but not sure how much to pay. Once that is sorted I'll also spring for a hot bath (55 cp total?): I've had my fill of cold for the moment. Tomorrow we'll handle our remaining business, and I suggest stocking up on supplies. I'd very much like to explore the backcountry. Marcule, if it's coin you want (and I share your impulse), there's plenty of opportunity to be had there if you're paying attention.
- The DM: The level of inn is up to the party. How much would you like to pay? You're all from around here, so it isn't like you wouldn't feel safe staying in different places.
Marcule: "The back country sounds promising, I also need to address my credit in the morning so i am happy to settle supplies and then make our way"
- Embla: Marcule and Vafrandir, I'm happy to cover for you. Let's stay at a proper inn. We've had a long, hard trip, so let's get a private room for each of us. That'd be Pandred, Marcule, myself, Willa, and Odds, correct? And two stalls for our donkeys. Let's get some baths and launder our clothes. Might we hire a musician?
- The DM: There's Fjall as well.
- Vafrandir: That would be much appreciated, Embla! Some music would go a long way to soothe Hellish memories
- Embla: The room, laundry, hot bath, beef roast dinner, and a pint of mead runs us about 23g and 3s, which I'm happy to pay (corrected for Fjall). How much for a musician, Alexis?
Embla: With regards for what next, I need to rest up for a while. After I've recovered, I'm amenable to exploring the back-country.
- The DM: Which back country, precisely?
- Embla: I've been trying to find the map of Stavanger's environs to better answer that question, but I can't seem to locate it. Would you know where it is, Alexis?
- The DM: I've added it to the page.
- Embla: Thank you, Alexis. I think heading east of Mimmarudla, towards the lakes and where the sea meets the mountains seems like an interesting place to explore. That said, without a ranger, overland travel is a great deal more difficult. We might want to see if we can hire one, or look to find work within Stavanger proper. I get a hireling at 5th level that could be a ranger, and that's only like 6k away...
- Vafrandir: Thanks for that map -- I had very nearly found one when you posted it! I am thinking east of either Hole or Verdalen. I suggest we go through Hole, along the fjord. That gives us a bit of time before we get into the harsher mountains proper. Embla makes a good point though, a ranger will make things easier.
- Pandred: Sorry for the late input! Alexis, one hex east of Jorpeland is a mountainous area that is otherwise un-numbered. Am I right to call that a "wilderness" hex? I'd like to propose we think about exploring that mountain range near the fjord. We can use Jorpeland or Hole as a basecamp/careenage for a boat to strike out.
- The DM: You'd be correct in that assumption, Pandred. I'm going to be redesigning the map over the next few hours, to make that clearer. I've been thinking of this redesign for a month now; seems a good time to try it.
- Pandred: Sorry for the late input! Alexis, one hex east of Jorpeland is a mountainous area that is otherwise un-numbered. Am I right to call that a "wilderness" hex? I'd like to propose we think about exploring that mountain range near the fjord. We can use Jorpeland or Hole as a basecamp/careenage for a boat to strike out.
- The DM: I've added it to the page.
- Embla: I've been trying to find the map of Stavanger's environs to better answer that question, but I can't seem to locate it. Would you know where it is, Alexis?
Marcule: “I think we should be fine without a guide, I appreciate the need for a ranger but I think with your strength we as a party should be fine. I would suggest a map or a compass for wandering” (if we don’t already have them) “should we decided to truly venture I’m sure we could hire someone elsewhere. As for Mimmarudla I like the sounds of that”
- The DM: Mimmarudla is the dungeon the party just cleaned out. I should have said.
- Pandred: I'm going to pay for a hot bath, but I think I can speak for all of us when I say that planning over the weekend would be a lot easier if we could jump to tomorrow and find out what the ledger holds.
- The DM: That's fair. Upon appearing at the ledger tomorrow, you find that collectively that 1,347 g.p. have been paid out.
- Pandred: Do I understand that correctly as 1,347gp in total, to be split among us as treasure/xp? Or is that 1,347gp each?
- The DM: I tried. "Collectively" means, "in total." You have 1,347 g.p. to split among yourselves in whatever way seems best. Please let me know how it is shared out exactly. It technically counts as "treasure," so it will give experience.
- Pandred: Do I understand that correctly as 1,347gp in total, to be split among us as treasure/xp? Or is that 1,347gp each?
- The DM: That's fair. Upon appearing at the ledger tomorrow, you find that collectively that 1,347 g.p. have been paid out.
Treasure Distribution
Pandred: My suggestion is to distribute as follows - Engelhart 480gp, everyone else 214 gp, the remaining 1gp to go to Embla. This puts Engelhart at 5 with his 10% xp boost from wisdom, giving us our first henchman. While it is ultimately up to Engelhart and the dice what that Henchman is, it gives us an opportunity for a Ranger to guide us or what-have-you.
- Vafrandir: That sounds good to me. I'm willing to forego a bit more xp in exchange for a better chance at survival
- Engelhart: I oppose uneven splits of Xp by principle but here it doesn't even come to that, as I've made level just from the latest fight. Feel free to recalculate amicably toward the newcomers, we can spend the money itself collectively after awarding it.
- Pandred: What does that mean? I used the totals on your sheet here to calculate, are you saying you hadn't added in your XP from the fight? More to the point, I don't care about distributing treasure evenly. We don't earn XP in combat evenly either. If I can get someone a level from more treasure, I will. So please clue me in on where you sit now XP-wise and I'll redistribute with that in mind.
- Engelhart: Exactly; as it was likely we'd be getting additional rewards I didn't run the numbers right that instant, it was only during the lull at the end of the week that I realized I had finally reached the threshold.
- Pandred: What does that mean? I used the totals on your sheet here to calculate, are you saying you hadn't added in your XP from the fight? More to the point, I don't care about distributing treasure evenly. We don't earn XP in combat evenly either. If I can get someone a level from more treasure, I will. So please clue me in on where you sit now XP-wise and I'll redistribute with that in mind.
- Engelhart: I oppose uneven splits of Xp by principle but here it doesn't even come to that, as I've made level just from the latest fight. Feel free to recalculate amicably toward the newcomers, we can spend the money itself collectively after awarding it.
Pandred: Note, I include Marcule in the above "everyone" for ease of maths. Can we sound off our ok's on this?
The DM: Marcule, you may draw upon your credit if you wish; interest equals 1% per month, with a minimum return payment of +3% (so you might as well not return it for three months, when the cost will be the same; the interest compounds after the third month).
Vafrandir: Rather than endless waffling over distributions, let's just split it evenly with the remainder to Embla.
- Vafrandir: That's fine. If we have the opportunity in the future to give a level, I just want it on record that I personally don't intend to pass that up. Keep your books up to date friends. For those of you without a calculator, final total is 269gp for everyone including Marcule, with the extra 2 for Embla on the grounds that she almost died and needs more to level than Vafrandir.
Pandred: Reiterating here so that it's 100% clear. I dole out 269gp to Engelhart, Vafrandir, Marcule and myself, giving 271gp to Embla. That is distribution done.
Engelhart
Engelhart: Also, Marcule, not that I'm holding breath but it is conceivable that we might already be rich beyond our wildest dreams, seeing as we apparently received a writ for an undisclosed amount.
- Engelhart: I'll pay a visit to the ole'family. Get a nice family meal, hear their take on the recent troubles and spin a yarn or three about my recent meanderings, while holding back the gruesome details.
The DM: Sorry, Engelhart. You're still standing out in the woods near Mimmarudla. For some reason, you felt there was no need to say what your character was doing yesterday, so you've been minding your own business. You want to set up camp for the night or would you like to walk back to Stavanger in the dark?--The DM (talk) 11:11, 18 September 2020 (MDT)
- Engelhart: Very well, let's say I'd been having an epiphany like the olde desert fathers. The batch of experience from the last fight put me over the top by the smallest of margins (6 points over the threshold!).
- Engelhart: [OOC: I ran into a small emergency but it is fair to say I went AWOL, I'll cope as best I can]
- Engelhart: I absolutely camp for the night. I've got a tinderbox and rations on me so it's not a directly life threatening situation.
- The DM: It's morning for the others; can we say you've reached Stavanger middle of next day?
- Engelhart: Absolutely. I will have cast my healing the night before (and prayed for it back today) in the meantime, meaning I'm at full Hp (Aid for an overkill'y 19 point recovery).
- The DM: It's morning for the others; can we say you've reached Stavanger middle of next day?
- Engelhart: I absolutely camp for the night. I've got a tinderbox and rations on me so it's not a directly life threatening situation.
- Engelhart: [OOC: I ran into a small emergency but it is fair to say I went AWOL, I'll cope as best I can]
Planning for the Journey Ahead
Pandred: I'd like a status update on Engelhart's sloop and it's ability to carry us/cargo. I don't think we've used it since Store Stokka.
- Pandred: Preliminary dig says it's 25ft, carries 6000lbs, and has a cabin for 1, 2 at a stretch. It may or may not need repairs, will have to dig further. The post indicated 1000gp or more in repairs, but the current market has a new boat of the same type at less than half the cost. Alexis can weigh in here, or Engelhart if he remembers the boat's status. Engelhart has some sailing ability. There's a lot of us. I count eight people, so we're easily down 2k-ish lbs of cargo capacity.
- Engelhart: 1143 gp in repairs pending, to be precise (it stands at a 42% state of repair). This is a curious number, now that I think about it.
- Engelhart: I am, of course, not with the party at the moment, but would appreciate an update on the boat's value vs. a new one in the market listing all the same. Also it seems like, with loans on hand, we might be able to fund an expedition relying on the boat.
- Engelhart: I've been slowly overhauling my character page while parsing the old blog. It would seem I did break ground on repairing the boat, a paltry 20 gp, paid a week or so ago, before we made our return to Mimmarudla, at least enough that the ship might be dry-docked and ready to continue to receive repairwork.
- Also, there's the ongoing matter of the town apothecary having the original "book of troubles" that triggered off the whole dungeon complex still in his possession, already a week past, just as per the deadline we gave him.-
- Engelhart: I've been slowly overhauling my character page while parsing the old blog. It would seem I did break ground on repairing the boat, a paltry 20 gp, paid a week or so ago, before we made our return to Mimmarudla, at least enough that the ship might be dry-docked and ready to continue to receive repairwork.
- Engelhart: I am, of course, not with the party at the moment, but would appreciate an update on the boat's value vs. a new one in the market listing all the same. Also it seems like, with loans on hand, we might be able to fund an expedition relying on the boat.
- Engelhart: 1143 gp in repairs pending, to be precise (it stands at a 42% state of repair). This is a curious number, now that I think about it.
Vafrandir: Rule clarification: Does the 10% experience bonus apply to combat xp only or also to treasure xp?
- Engelhart: Any and all of it.
Engelhart: Alexis: Once I arrive and am done with paying a visit to the family I go and ask the local church authority (bishopry?) about any outstanding need for an exploration party, and if none presents itself, I'll head to the burgher to much the same effect.
- Engelhart: (I'm not expecting much of anything really, but it can't hurt to shake the fruit tree a little bit)
Continued on Stavanger, May 21, 1650
