Difference between pages "The Deep Dark" and "Retire to Above"

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Continued from '''[[The Deep Dark]]'''
Continued from '''[[The Mine]]'''
 
  
'''The DM:''' As before, the temperature of the air drops and the stairs are steep going down.  They come to a landing about 25 feet down, revealing another flight of stairs below that, descending on the left.  The air is thicker, somehow; your torches seem to have trouble permeating it.  Detectably, there is the slight odour of raspberries mixed with the smell of rotting meat.  Do you wish to continue descending?
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'''The DM:''' Climbing up to the Great Hall, you're free to talk to one another.
[[File:Door at the Bottom.jpg|right|420px|thumb]]
 
  
'''The DM:''' It occurs that I should ask for your marching order.
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: At a game table, I'd certainly be asking at this time how the overall was; and how the party feels about the last encounter.  It always helps to get some feedback.
  
'''Pandred''': Me, Vaf, Lex, Arduin? Is that acceptable guys?
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I make sure to retrieve my godentag on the way.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Let's do it.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' Suprising. I'm glad I tried talking. If Mok-Losh is being honest with us, then he is certainly more than we would have been able to handle.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Fine by me. We continue down in that order.
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Agreed. I always leave these encounters feeling there's more I should be asking but I guess real life is like that sometimes too.
  
'''Pandred''': Onwards then. ''"Hroagh!"''
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' Yes, but it felt like the lines of questioning were starting to hit dead ends.
  
'''Marcule:''' I will take the back.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' "So what do we think? Shall we just rely on Mok-Losh to hold Grond in check for the year?"
  
'''The DM:''' 50 feet down now, you find yourself addressing a heavy reinforced door, like you’ve seen before.  There are two dead flies carcasses on floor in front of the door, like those you saw above.  The light from the torches seems strangely orange in colour, rather than yellow.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Also, If we'd like, I could commune with the gods to try to ascertain if Mok-Losh is being truthful and accurate."
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I set my godentag down to the side of the door.
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'''The DM:''' One thing you can usually count on; creatures with tons of power and without reason to con you have no reason to lie.  If it was on Grond’s side, don’t you think it and Grond would have just gone hogwild on your selves?  Consider.  Why did Grond not attack you on the surface.  Why was the dungeon so passive?  It never came to you, though you made your presence very well known.  The last overt thing it did was to use a dead goblin as a puppet to tell you to go away; and nothing whatsoever when you came back again.
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:'''[[Lexent]]:''' My larger concern is with the accuracy of his claims that he can hold Grond in check.
 +
:: '''The DM:''' Ah.
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' Another possibility is that he is not as powerful as he claims/seems and that he is lying to us to protect Grond who now fears us. I don't think this is likely, but it is possible.
 +
::: '''The DM:''' Go fight him.  Find out.
  
'''Pandred''': I'll test to see if it's unlocked. If it is, I'll check that everyone gets ready, that Marcule and Lex have a chance to call for a spell before I open it.
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'''Pandred''': That's fair enough. We should have asked about that one skeleton. I forgot entirely in the moment. Either way we'd do well I think to make a quick check of the remaining area available to us. Mok-Losh says it's nothing but flies, so as far as I can tell that means nothing but easy access to what few "valuables" remain here.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I cast ''Protection from Malevolence'' and discharge it on myself.
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'''The DM:''' In any case, for cleaning the dungeon out to the extent you did, and more or less in a forced retreat, please give yourself a 10% bonus to your present experience.  For example, if you had 3,000, you’d now have 3,300.
  
'''The DM:''' It's stuck.
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'''The DM:''' You can search for the next six hours but you don’t find anything alive.  And there’s nothing at the bottom of the pool, either.  You can’t get through the magician’s door, at least by any means you possess.  If you have unknowns left about the dungeon you’ve seen, you could always return and ask Mok-Losh another question.  It’s not going anywhere.
  
'''Pandred''': Stuck ain't locked. I'll HROAGH it open.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' Mok-Losh did mention the skeleton, calling it a crypt thing and saying he had it trapped.
  
'''The DM:''' You're not as strong as you used to be.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' That is amazing. I am now 4 XP away from 4th level.
  
'''Pandred''': But stronger in spirit! HROAGH! Vaf, you'd probably have better odds.
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::: '''The DM:''' Oh, that’s cruel.  I should throw in a fight with a fly.
 +
::::'''[[Lexent]]:'''Nah, It'll happen soon enough, and I've done the same to players, so karma I guess.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll try it!
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' So shall we call this concluded for now and head back to camp?
  
'''The DM:''' Roll a d100.  Corrected.
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'''Pandred''': Suppose we should. Too bad, I was ready to crack this thing like an egg, but it looks like the wights have already been separated and the yolk is being guarded.
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' Well played.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' 96.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' OK, We head back to camp. Let's not forget the lamp oil and vinegar from the wet storage (not sure if we moved it out yet or not.)
  
'''The DM:''' No, that door is stuck.
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'''The DM:''' Feel a little coitus interruptus?  That’s fair.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' A question of DM mechanics, if you'll allow: I know you normally don't "roll for success"; either we're strong enough or not. Why the d100 here? Just curious.
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== Evening, July 19th ==
 +
'''The DM:''' The weather is cool, dry, with a few clouds and barely any wind at all.  I presume you'll camp here for the night.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' The sappers can handle this, no doubt. So it'll have to wait.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' Yes. We camp here tonight. How are the sappers feeling about this outing?
  
'''The DM:''' Been thinking about this.  It’s a game, right?  So the strongest person should be able to attempt the game.  So while yes, you’re either strong enough or you’re not, from a metagame point of view, you don’t know that you are or are not strong enough, yes?  And so there’s a “chance” you are ... and a chance is calculated by dice.
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'''The DM:''' Well, they want to know if you still want them to finish clearing out a pathway from the second entrance they’ve widened.
: Is the die a bafflegab?  Perhaps.  I’d like to invent a structured determination for stuck doors that supersedes my decision, but I’m still working on it in my mind.
 
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Makes sense. Thanks!
 
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Shall we investigate the small tunnels? I think only the gnomes can do that.
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'''Pandred''': No, I suppose not.
  
'''The DM:''' Can you think of another way to get through this door?  Or the other stuck door on the first level (d.)?
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'''Pandred''': Out for a bit.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Would Pandred and Vafrandir be able to employ a crowbar and attempt it together?
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Some internet trouble here and there, sorry. I believe Mok-Losh, so let's stop back in a few months from now and see if things have changed.
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' Scratch that. I don't see a crowbar anywhere in our supplies.
 
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Also, where are the hinges?
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'''The DM:''' I apologize.  I wound up being pulled away and I failed to say "out."  I'm moving this Monday and things are piling up.  Incidentally, I won't have the internet between Sunday and the following Saturday, so running the game will be hard.  I could stand on my deck and shout, but I think if I could do it loud enough for you to hear me, the neighbours would complain.
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:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I will also be moving during that time and therefore in a similar situation. I will stand outside and listen very hard.
  
'''Pandred''': I mean, we can hack the door down. That is an option. It just seems like a waste since "stuck" implies to me at least that the door just swelled up with the humidity or something. But hell, we don't plan to live here. Are we against hacking the door open now that we've already alerted what's on the other side?
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'''The DM:''' In all honesty I was writing a post on the side of playing here and forgot entirely that I was playing here. So, not actually related to "moving," except that I'm obviously seeking any sort of escapism I can find. Again, my apologies.  I should have been here.
  
'''Marcule:''' Can i cast chill on the door to see if i can shrink it?
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' No worries.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Ice expands.
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' As I see it we have two major decisions to make. First, what to do about the Swedish gold. We could take it for ourselves and no one would be none the wiser. We could try to return it and gain favor (or be hanged as thieves). Second, if we should seek these goblins and return the shield as a token for their suffering under Grond. I was looking back through posts to see where exactly Arduin said he had heard of goblins - we have no idea where Roxot Horn might be, but perhaps the Father will know.
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' But chilling an object (Metal specifically) causes it to contract.
 
  
'''Pandred''': Sure, but enough to make a difference? We're not even 100% sure I'm right about what "stuck" means. There could be something like a bar on the other side of the door, or more furniture.
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'''The DM:''' There’s always a risk, either way.
  
'''Pandred''': Alexis hasn't said what side the hinges are on, and I presume he's had time to see the question, so I'll take that to mean either there aren't any for whatever reason or that we can't see them. With that said, I'm hacking. Battleaxe. Hroagh. Etc. This door is coming down.
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'''The DM:''' ''Heading'' [[Morning_of_July_18th,_in_Camp#Dilhak|Dilhak]], quote “Arduin knows of a large goblin tribe east of Bronnoysund. It dwells in the wilderness between Norway and the gnome kingdom of Vastenjaur. Both Lexent and Marcule would know that Vastenjaur covers much of northern real world Sweden.
  
'''The DM:''' Page 66 of the DMG suggests: ''"Evil Areas: You may wish to establish areas where evil has made speciol power bases, i.e., an evil shrine, temple, or whatever. Such areas must be limited, of course - the shrine to perhaps a 10" by 10" area, the temple to twice that area. Such areas will automatically reduce the chonce of any cleric affecting undead or other creotures within their precincts by a previously stipulated factor - perhaps 1 or 2 in the shrine area, 3 or 4 in the temple area."''  I've long considered this to mean that the "rules" change when encountering certain kinds of creatures in the setting.
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Everything is a risk. That's the fun.
  
'''The DM:''' As it happens, Pandred, the door was designed by the goblins, so the hinges are on this side.
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Thank you! I had it more or less right in my mind. Quite a ways off given that we are in southern-ish Norway.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I attempt to remove the hinges.
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'''The DM:''' Arduin can attest that it isn’t that far by boat.  But this being the height of summer, in a few months it gets very cold and dark.
  
'''The DM:''' Using what?
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I think that both of those goals are admirable, though the goblins and the shield interest me more. Are there any (yes/no) questions that the party would like me to ask my gods to give us more information on which to base our decision?
 +
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'm interested in that too. But "do nothing" is an option there, and its not really for the gold. So I guess questions related to that. Is anyone actively looking for it, are there location spell on it, etc.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' An Iron spike and a hammer.
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'''Pandred''': Don't forget all that to-do with Hamish.
  
'''The DM:''' An iron spike isn’t thin enough or hard enough to work out the hinge.
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'''Pandred''': It sounds like we should take a look at our current assets, and figure out what to do from there.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Dang. Any other thoughts, guys?
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I cast ''augury'' and ask the following questions:
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' Is Mok-Losh correct about his ability to contain Grond?
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' Is Hamish Ross still alive?
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' Is the goblin tribe that dwells east of Bronnoysund the same as those referred to at Roxot Horn?
  
'''Pandred''': Take my handaxe. Dig it into the hinge plate somewhere and hammer it in. Or just hack to bits. Should be single-headed so that leaves a flat-ish (or at least unbladed) metal bit opposite the head to hammer on.
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'''The DM:''' Answers in Order:
 +
: Yes
 +
: Yes
 +
: Yes
  
'''The DM:''' if you use the hand-axe, you could fracture the blade and I’d increase the chance of it breaking if you dropped it.  Your axeblade isn’t made of carbide steel.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' Thank you.
  
'''Pandred''': I get that. A question for the future: would a woodsman's axe avoid such a danger? Is there such a tool for these situations? Either way, I'm willing to risk it. I want in this door, and at this point the axe is just a potential gp cost to do so.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I think the best accounting of our assets is in Vafrandir's [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KK9o9c-HPQjTqafZt7mZAUOjY9aqmg63ryWaBjI2V8U/edit?usp=sharing Cargo] Document
  
'''The DM:''' the proper tool would be a chisel.  If you used a wood axe, you’d be free from the break problem because of its not used as a weapon, but if you notched the blade, it would take longer to cut wood and would be an unpleasant experience.  As a cook, I can tell you that working with a dull knife, even one that is very slightly dull, is annoying as all hell.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' We also have the Hamish Ross gold and a number of gems detailed [[The Search Continues | here]], less the shares promised to the hirelings.
  
== The Sigh ==
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' On the other hand, we also have the loan against Marcule's credit.
'''The DM:''' make a d20 roll for saving the axe against a “[https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Saving_Throws_for_Items normal blow]”.  The hinge comes out.
 
: you hear a deep, resonant sigh echo through the door from the other side, like a great beast suddenly taking notice of something.
 
  
'''The DM:''' A good cliffhanger for Tuesday.  Out.
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'''The DM:''' Things to think about.  Out.
 
 
'''Pandred''': '''5'''.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' It fails Pandred.  The axe breaks on a 1 or 2 when a roll is required.
 
 
 
'''The DM:''' In.
 
  
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
 
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
  
'''The DM:''' Push on through the door?
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'''The DM:''' Thursday.  But thank you for your support Vafrandir.  While I'm here a moment, I need to say that Pandred's strength begins to return the moment she steps into the sun.  It takes about one hour of direct sunlight per point of strength to be restored.  Out.
  
'''Marcule:''' In.
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Being, as I said, between jobs and in the midst of preparing for a move, I have no sense whatsoever of what day it is. See you all tomorrow!
  
'''Pandred:''' In but on phone.
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'''The DM:''' OOC: Sigh.  I'm moving out on Monday, I'm behind on packing and cleaning; and I've got roofers over my head stomping around, dropping bales and heating up a blower for tar.  Apparently, the landlord felt that since we were leaving anyway, he'd have our section of the roof redone.  So I'm simply not in a state of mind to concentrate fruitfully on a game just now.  This started at 7 a.m., without notice ... and there's absolutely no reason to complain, since we'll be gone in about 77 hours.  As a reminder, I lose my internet on Monday also; and I'm not scheduled to be hooked up again until Friday, June 4th.  However, I will be in a much nicer place, with much more room, an in-suite washer/dryer, a separate kitchen, etcetera.  So, hopefully, I'll be happier.  I need to write some kind of post today for the blog because this is my 13th anniversary since starting that venture; it deserves tagging.  I suggest the players continue to discuss what they intend to do next and come to a conclusion; manage your food, calculate the encumbrance on your cart so you can give me an AP number when we start again ... and be well until we meet again a week from Tuesday.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We push on.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' In.
  
[[File:Mok-Losh.jpg|right|700px|]]
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' If you get a chance amidst the chaos today, it would help us to know what gems were NOT claimed as shares by hirelings, since we don't know the individual values, but know that they were allocated for experience purposes.
  
'''The DM:''' Pandred works out the other hinge and the door falls forward with a bang into a large room.
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'''The DM:''' Sorry, I haven't been keeping track of any such. As far as I know, I've already assigned all experience gained from gems.  Which gems are being referred to?
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Well, dang. Looks to be a pretty big jelly?
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' Yes, the XP was assigned, but we didn't get the details of what we therefore can't count as our wealth. It was the gems from the tunnels below the jelly and stair detailed near the top of the page I linked.
  
'''The DM:''' The room seems to be some sort of temple, with a line of large 16 in. wide columns running through it.  The green blob you view through the pillars is in motion, with three large eyes, each the size of a human head, floating in a miasma of goo and jellyIt roils gently and the pupils of its eyes fix upon you.
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'''The DM:''' Well ... you have an almond-sized cairngorm stone in your hand. You have no sage knowledge about gems, so from your perspective, it's a rockIt has some value, but without expertise, you don't know WHAT value.  To learn the value, you need someone with expertiseI can't give you the g.p. value because your character doesn't know what that is.\
  
'''The DM:''' The stairs beyond the jelly can’t be easily seen, but they lead down.
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'''Marcule:''' in
  
'''The DM:''' you don’t see a mouth of any kind, but a disembodied voice reverberates through the room, making your teeth ache in their sockets.
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'''Pandred''': Blegh. So we won't know the gems for sure until we get to Stavanger to offload them.
  
<big><big>'''''“The Interlopers”'''''</big></big>
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'''Pandred''': We breaking camp then? I can't think of a reason to maintain it in our absence.
  
'''Marcule:''' "After this I am building the biggest jelly arsenal kit you have ever seen."
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'''Marcule:''' I vote for camp
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Another of Grond's minions"
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I suspect we will break camp in the morning.
  
<big><big>'''''“I am not a minion”'''''</big></big>
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I find it most likely we will head back to Treborg, and assuming nothing else noteworthy occurs head to Stavanger to sell the gems etc. From there what we do will probably depend on what we decide to do about the gold.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "What, then? Do you oppose Grond?"
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' Of course we won't know how much the gems are worth until we sell them, I'm just not sure which gems are 'ours' and which were claimed by hirelings.
  
<big><big>'''''“I am Grond’s gaoler”'''''</big></big>
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'''Pandred''': If anyone knows for sure it's Vafrandir. Either way if we plan on even getting started today we should say so. So, returning to camp, we'll break for Treborg in the morning.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Then perhaps we have similar goals."
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' A very '''very''' rough estimate (based on our how things sold last time) is that each member of the party could net around 150 GP from selling the gems and adamantium. I could easily have messed up this calculation, though.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "If you are Grond's jailer, what has happened that allows his influence on the world?"
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' We should still figure out what we want to do next. Do we want to attempt to contact Hamish Ross? Or at least learn a little bit more about him?
  
<big><big>'''''“I know not.  He has brought about the death of my children.  I sense the last of them have perished now. In part by your hand.”'''''</big></big>
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'''Pandred''': I don't think we got a reply from the one fellow who knew about him. We could go see ourselves, there's a boat once a week, but at some point a guy has to decide if he wants his own money or not.
  
'''The DM:''' when it speaks as long as this, it begins to hurt your head, so much you have to press a hand against your temple.
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I have a meeting from 10 to 11, but I should be back after that if anyone in the party wants to discuss our plans.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Our apologies. We were under the impression that all here had been corrupted by Grond. What can you tell us of him? And are you able to communicate in a manner that is not so loud?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' In. To the best of my knowledge the undead hunter Fraser (Also a scotsman) didn't have any knowledge of Hamish Ross, but seeing as they are countryman in a foreign land they may have had contact with one another.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "We regret your loss; Grond's power precluded peace."
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' Fraser is a master of a small settlement south of Bergen: Glesvaer, but is 'drawn north' for 'at least a month' as of 16 July.
  
<big><big>'''''“I am what I am.  All here was corrupted by Grond.  The goblins are my children.”'''''</big></big>
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I think that we should try to learn more about this Hamish Ross, perhaps even travelling to where we think he might be.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "We intend to deal with Grond. Perhaps that will be some solace. What is he?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Hamish Ross received the land grant on Askøy Island, West of Bergen (which would technically be north of Glesvaer).
  
<big><big>'''''“You are not strong enough to defeat Grond.  He has gorged himself on rothe to double his power.”'''''</big></big>
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' We could travel to Bergen (Instead of Stavanger) and try to do some research there unless we can determine via divination that Hamish Ross is elsewhere.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "How may we weaken him?"
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' In any case, we need to be cautious as we travel with this ammount of coin and recommend we take care not to advertise what it is.
  
<big><big>'''''“You cannot.  He must  starve.”'''''</big></big>
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' Out.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Is he contained enough that he will do so?"
+
== Computer Problems ==
 +
'''Alexis:''' Alas, I have a very slow, very limited internet.  Half the time the page times out before it loads; I can't load any images.  I have trouble loading more than one internet page at a time, so it would be difficult for me to open the five to ten windows I usually open for counselling when running the game.  This has much to do with the wifi signal the company has installed.  I have people on it, to figure out how to fix it, but until it is fixed, I'm limited in what internet things I can do.  I can post on the blog easily enough, though I have to wait up to a minute for the page to load or to publish a post.  It's aggravating; I am reminded of dial-up.  We're just going to have to figure this out before the game can move forward.
  
<big><big>'''''“He cannot get past me.”'''''</big></big>
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' There are very few things more frustrating than slow internet.
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' How long will it take?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I'm here if we want to discuss our plans. How are we doing on weight on the cart?
  
<big><big>'''''“A year.'''''</big></big>
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' The cart is pretty full, mostly with food. I am not sure the weights of everything we've collected so far, except for the shield. We could either store some food here or make another trip (several days). I have not yet accounted for food for the 19th; can I assume everyone used a full 6 lb?
  
'''The DM:''' there are numerous obvious questions the party seems not to be asking.  Relax, take your time.  If it was going to kill you, it would have started by now.
+
'''Pandred''': Seems reasonable.
  
'''Pandred''': The goblins were dropping Rothe down here. Why would they want to feed Grond? And for that matter, how is it you can stop him?
+
'''[[Pandred]]''': So I guess what we're looking for as a group is consensus on whether we're chasing the Bronnoysund goblins, seeking out Hamish/Fraser in some combination, or doing something else. What are folks' thoughts?
  
<big><big>'''''“The goblins were in thrall. They wore submission chains.”'''''</big></big>
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'''[[Lexent]]:''' I'm mostly ambivalent towards Hamish, but feel that if we are going to pursue it, it needs to come first. I think pursuing the goblin line sounds fascinating. By the way, in case it matters, it seems as though the king of Denmark is most likely also the king of Norway at this time, so these chests with the images of the crown of Denmark would be from the current ruler of the land (Which explains why he was able to grant lands in Norway to someone.)
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Who is Grond?"
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">I thought it was the Swedish coat of arms on the chests.</span> [I was wrong, Lexent is right] In any case, Bronnoysund is more time-sensitive. I say we pursue that.
  
'''Marcule:''' Now I am worried, What is Grond
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'm tempted to say finders-keepers on the gold. But I also don't want to make enemies of any kings...at this time.
  
<big><big>'''''“Grond is an enormously powerful wight dwelling beneath the stairs behind me.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''[[Pandred]]''': I'm amenable to goblin-chasing. Do we need to resupply in Stavanger at all? Is there any treasure we should be turning into money before we start?
  
<big><big>'''''“Your people would say ‘cavewight’.”'''''</big></big>
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'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We probably will have to go to Stavanger to get a boat up to Bronnoysund anyway. We have about 465 lb of food on us now (and more in Treborg) so that will be good for a while. So we might as well flip some treasure while there.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Who are you?"
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Lexent, what's your thought on Hamish as a priority?
  
=== Who is Grond ===
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Mostly that we either need to decide to spend the gold and take efforts to ensure it won't be traced back to us, or to return it since hauling around that much gold would attract even more attention.
<big><big>'''''“I am Mok-Losh of the Silver Gates. I was summoned here by the magician.”'''''</big></big>
 
  
'''Arduin''': "Who? To guard against Grond, or for some other purpose?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Also, since it sounds like the goblins are North (and east) of the island of Askøy, it could be on our way.
  
<big><big>'''''“To guard against Grond.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Do we not think Nadia could make it up to where we would head inland to find the goblins?
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "The Magician? Is this his staff?" I display the staff.
+
'''Pandred''': I think we'd need a bigger boat. We've got the wagon of supplies to bring along. Unless I'm completely failing to grasp how big our current vessel is.
  
<big><big>'''''“That is the cleric’s staff.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' It's a 3-ton longboat.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "How does he get the food if you are blocking him?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' And I can't imagine the 1-ton cart being much bulkier than the 4 bunk beds we brought back from Stavanger.
  
'''The DM:''' Lexent, remember how there was evidence of dead ghouls all over the surface, the missing rothe and that the remaining herd of rothe were all thrown down the hole?
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'm not concerned about capacity, more about seaworthiness. Nadia will know.
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' I do, I'm concerned that if Rothe can get in, through that hole, that seems like an avenue around Mok-Losh.
 
  
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Who is the magician?"
+
'''[[Pandred]]''': That is indeed a failure to grasp. Alright. So we load up the boat, head north -maybe stopping in Askoy- toward Bergen, then head east to Bronnoysund and the goblins?
  
<big><big>'''''“The magician of the goblins, Xsant. The wizard locked himself against the undead.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Assuming Nadia feels the vessel is seaworthy for that distance, that could work. She's familiar with the coast up until Bergen, but Brønnøysund is a bit further up the coast than that. Pandred, what are your overall feelings about what we should do with the gold?
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "How long ago was this?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Vafrandir, did you include the lamp oil and vinegar from the wet storage off the main hall in your weight calculations?
  
'''Marcule:''' sorry guys out for the day. see you tomorrow
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I did not. I haven't weighed that stuff yet. But I'll add that to the list of things to line out.
  
<big><big>'''''“Ten Days Ago.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''[[Pandred]]''': No strong thoughts on gold at the moment. I have 3k gp burning a hole in my pocket, but my own thoughts on how to invest it ate their own tail, so to speak. Willing to see how our situation develops and go from there.
  
'''Arduin''': "Where is he now?"
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' This amount of gold is pretty high stakes either way we swing so I am fine with mulling over solutions for a while longer. Out.
  
<big><big>'''''“Summoning me killed himHe is in his room.”'''''</big></big>
+
== Sorting Things Out ==
 +
'''The DM:''' Very well.  My wifi access has been altered to a hard-wire access, so I have excellent internet now (though I have a very long cord that runs through the house)I've proved I can load files again on the authentic wiki, which means I can do it here.  We can settle in and play seriously again.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "And how long has Grond been corrupting your children?"
+
: Vafrandir, studying the coins, notices something odd.  A gold coin is about the size of a thumb pad; and coins of every type are generally minted with the figure of the most recent king or queen of the land.  Norway is indeed a part of Denmark, so it is nothing special that the coins have the head of Frederick III, the present monarch of the Kingdom.  Most coins of the realm have the head of Christian IV, who ruled from 1588 to 1648.  It is extremely rare to find coins of an earlier reign than Christian's.  ALL of these coins were minted by Frederick III ... and as Vafrandir draws a Frederick coin not found in the dungeon out of his pouch, he sees that the minting matches the coins found in the chests, with one difference.  Each of the coins from the chests has a tiny crown, as big as an apple seed, stamped into the familiar face.  None of your own coins does.  You are not certain what this means, as none of you have the necessary knowledge to be sure of that.
  
<big><big>'''''“I cannot answer. I have been here for ten days. I know what is happening now.”'''''</big></big>
+
: See you in the morning. Out.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "What if we were to work with you? Do you think our combined power would be able to overcome Grond?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' In.
  
<big><big>'''''“I cannot wage war on this plane of existence; I can defend.  That is all.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I think this means our ability to use this gold for ourselves is even more in question.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "We are concerned that Grond will find a way around his imprisonment or send his servants to cause harm. What do you think we might do to prevent this?"
+
'''The DM:''' In.
 
 
<big><big>'''''“I have closed every exit.  He cannot escape but to fight me.  He knows he cannot win.”'''''</big></big>
 
 
 
'''Pandred''': "What else remains here? Is there anything that could harm you? What can we do to aid your mission?"
 
 
 
<big><big>'''''“I have trapped the crypt thing.  There is Grond.  There are my flies.  All else has been freed from this existence, small human.”'''''</big></big>
 
  
'''Pandred''': "And when Grond is gone, what happens to you?"
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' My thoughts too. It's a good question for divination. In the meantime, we need to pack up what we have. I'll go back and look at what people took for themselves and remove that from the Cargo list. DM, what are the weights of the lamp oil (4 gal) and vinegar (1.5 gal) kegs, and the chests of gold?
  
<big><big>'''''“I will return home.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''The DM:''' The keg with oil weighs 51.9 lbs.; the vinegar, 19.125 lbs.  Each chest weighs 10.5 lbs. and the total gold weighs 150 lbs.
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "What of the living shadows?"
+
'''Marcule:''' ooc: trapped in meetings today, I will be off Friday, see you then.
  
<big><big>'''''“None remain.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''The DM:''' The chest’s are “mate’s chests,” a new designation I’ve created.  Description: flat-lidded box of hornbeam slats & iron pieces; 18 in. long by 12 high & deep; 54 lb. cap.
  
'''Pandred''': "That's a relief." I'll address my fellows here. "What then lads? Tell the Father, come root it out? Finish our work above? What else is there to know here?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' So, are we ready to sleep for the night and then set off for the cairn in the morning?
  
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Do you know of any who should be informed of what has happened here? Another tribe of goblins perhaps to properly mourn their lost kindred?"
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' What is the weight of the decorative shield? I am ready to sleep and leave in the morning, yes, just want to make sure we don't have to leave anything behind.

Revision as of 10:41, 9 June 2021

Continued from The Deep Dark

The DM: Climbing up to the Great Hall, you're free to talk to one another.

At a game table, I'd certainly be asking at this time how the overall was; and how the party feels about the last encounter. It always helps to get some feedback.

Lexent: I make sure to retrieve my godentag on the way.

Lexent: Suprising. I'm glad I tried talking. If Mok-Losh is being honest with us, then he is certainly more than we would have been able to handle.

Vafrandir: Agreed. I always leave these encounters feeling there's more I should be asking but I guess real life is like that sometimes too.

Lexent: Yes, but it felt like the lines of questioning were starting to hit dead ends.

Lexent: "So what do we think? Shall we just rely on Mok-Losh to hold Grond in check for the year?"

Lexent: "Also, If we'd like, I could commune with the gods to try to ascertain if Mok-Losh is being truthful and accurate."

The DM: One thing you can usually count on; creatures with tons of power and without reason to con you have no reason to lie. If it was on Grond’s side, don’t you think it and Grond would have just gone hogwild on your selves? Consider. Why did Grond not attack you on the surface. Why was the dungeon so passive? It never came to you, though you made your presence very well known. The last overt thing it did was to use a dead goblin as a puppet to tell you to go away; and nothing whatsoever when you came back again.

Lexent: My larger concern is with the accuracy of his claims that he can hold Grond in check.
The DM: Ah.
Lexent: Another possibility is that he is not as powerful as he claims/seems and that he is lying to us to protect Grond who now fears us. I don't think this is likely, but it is possible.
The DM: Go fight him. Find out.

Pandred: That's fair enough. We should have asked about that one skeleton. I forgot entirely in the moment. Either way we'd do well I think to make a quick check of the remaining area available to us. Mok-Losh says it's nothing but flies, so as far as I can tell that means nothing but easy access to what few "valuables" remain here.

The DM: In any case, for cleaning the dungeon out to the extent you did, and more or less in a forced retreat, please give yourself a 10% bonus to your present experience. For example, if you had 3,000, you’d now have 3,300.

The DM: You can search for the next six hours but you don’t find anything alive. And there’s nothing at the bottom of the pool, either. You can’t get through the magician’s door, at least by any means you possess. If you have unknowns left about the dungeon you’ve seen, you could always return and ask Mok-Losh another question. It’s not going anywhere.

Lexent: Mok-Losh did mention the skeleton, calling it a crypt thing and saying he had it trapped.

Lexent: That is amazing. I am now 4 XP away from 4th level.

The DM: Oh, that’s cruel. I should throw in a fight with a fly.
Lexent:Nah, It'll happen soon enough, and I've done the same to players, so karma I guess.

Lexent: So shall we call this concluded for now and head back to camp?

Pandred: Suppose we should. Too bad, I was ready to crack this thing like an egg, but it looks like the wights have already been separated and the yolk is being guarded.

Lexent: Well played.

Lexent: OK, We head back to camp. Let's not forget the lamp oil and vinegar from the wet storage (not sure if we moved it out yet or not.)

The DM: Feel a little coitus interruptus? That’s fair.

Evening, July 19th

The DM: The weather is cool, dry, with a few clouds and barely any wind at all. I presume you'll camp here for the night.

Lexent: Yes. We camp here tonight. How are the sappers feeling about this outing?

The DM: Well, they want to know if you still want them to finish clearing out a pathway from the second entrance they’ve widened.

Pandred: No, I suppose not.

Pandred: Out for a bit.

Vafrandir: Some internet trouble here and there, sorry. I believe Mok-Losh, so let's stop back in a few months from now and see if things have changed.

The DM: I apologize. I wound up being pulled away and I failed to say "out." I'm moving this Monday and things are piling up. Incidentally, I won't have the internet between Sunday and the following Saturday, so running the game will be hard. I could stand on my deck and shout, but I think if I could do it loud enough for you to hear me, the neighbours would complain.

Vafrandir: I will also be moving during that time and therefore in a similar situation. I will stand outside and listen very hard.

The DM: In all honesty I was writing a post on the side of playing here and forgot entirely that I was playing here. So, not actually related to "moving," except that I'm obviously seeking any sort of escapism I can find. Again, my apologies. I should have been here.

Vafrandir: No worries.

Vafrandir: As I see it we have two major decisions to make. First, what to do about the Swedish gold. We could take it for ourselves and no one would be none the wiser. We could try to return it and gain favor (or be hanged as thieves). Second, if we should seek these goblins and return the shield as a token for their suffering under Grond. I was looking back through posts to see where exactly Arduin said he had heard of goblins - we have no idea where Roxot Horn might be, but perhaps the Father will know.

The DM: There’s always a risk, either way.

The DM: Heading Dilhak, quote “Arduin knows of a large goblin tribe east of Bronnoysund. It dwells in the wilderness between Norway and the gnome kingdom of Vastenjaur. Both Lexent and Marcule would know that Vastenjaur covers much of northern real world Sweden.”

Vafrandir: Everything is a risk. That's the fun.

Vafrandir: Thank you! I had it more or less right in my mind. Quite a ways off given that we are in southern-ish Norway.

The DM: Arduin can attest that it isn’t that far by boat. But this being the height of summer, in a few months it gets very cold and dark.

Lexent: I think that both of those goals are admirable, though the goblins and the shield interest me more. Are there any (yes/no) questions that the party would like me to ask my gods to give us more information on which to base our decision?

Vafrandir: I'm interested in that too. But "do nothing" is an option there, and its not really for the gold. So I guess questions related to that. Is anyone actively looking for it, are there location spell on it, etc.

Pandred: Don't forget all that to-do with Hamish.

Pandred: It sounds like we should take a look at our current assets, and figure out what to do from there.

Lexent: I cast augury and ask the following questions:

Lexent: Is Mok-Losh correct about his ability to contain Grond?
Lexent: Is Hamish Ross still alive?
Lexent: Is the goblin tribe that dwells east of Bronnoysund the same as those referred to at Roxot Horn?

The DM: Answers in Order:

Yes
Yes
Yes

Lexent: Thank you.

Lexent: I think the best accounting of our assets is in Vafrandir's Cargo Document

Lexent: We also have the Hamish Ross gold and a number of gems detailed here, less the shares promised to the hirelings.

Lexent: On the other hand, we also have the loan against Marcule's credit.

The DM: Things to think about. Out.

Vafrandir: In.

The DM: Thursday. But thank you for your support Vafrandir. While I'm here a moment, I need to say that Pandred's strength begins to return the moment she steps into the sun. It takes about one hour of direct sunlight per point of strength to be restored. Out.

Vafrandir: Being, as I said, between jobs and in the midst of preparing for a move, I have no sense whatsoever of what day it is. See you all tomorrow!

The DM: OOC: Sigh. I'm moving out on Monday, I'm behind on packing and cleaning; and I've got roofers over my head stomping around, dropping bales and heating up a blower for tar. Apparently, the landlord felt that since we were leaving anyway, he'd have our section of the roof redone. So I'm simply not in a state of mind to concentrate fruitfully on a game just now. This started at 7 a.m., without notice ... and there's absolutely no reason to complain, since we'll be gone in about 77 hours. As a reminder, I lose my internet on Monday also; and I'm not scheduled to be hooked up again until Friday, June 4th. However, I will be in a much nicer place, with much more room, an in-suite washer/dryer, a separate kitchen, etcetera. So, hopefully, I'll be happier. I need to write some kind of post today for the blog because this is my 13th anniversary since starting that venture; it deserves tagging. I suggest the players continue to discuss what they intend to do next and come to a conclusion; manage your food, calculate the encumbrance on your cart so you can give me an AP number when we start again ... and be well until we meet again a week from Tuesday.

Lexent: In.

Lexent: If you get a chance amidst the chaos today, it would help us to know what gems were NOT claimed as shares by hirelings, since we don't know the individual values, but know that they were allocated for experience purposes.

The DM: Sorry, I haven't been keeping track of any such. As far as I know, I've already assigned all experience gained from gems. Which gems are being referred to?

Lexent: Yes, the XP was assigned, but we didn't get the details of what we therefore can't count as our wealth. It was the gems from the tunnels below the jelly and stair detailed near the top of the page I linked.

The DM: Well ... you have an almond-sized cairngorm stone in your hand. You have no sage knowledge about gems, so from your perspective, it's a rock. It has some value, but without expertise, you don't know WHAT value. To learn the value, you need someone with expertise. I can't give you the g.p. value because your character doesn't know what that is.\

Marcule: in

Pandred: Blegh. So we won't know the gems for sure until we get to Stavanger to offload them.

Pandred: We breaking camp then? I can't think of a reason to maintain it in our absence.

Marcule: I vote for camp

Lexent: I suspect we will break camp in the morning.

Lexent: I find it most likely we will head back to Treborg, and assuming nothing else noteworthy occurs head to Stavanger to sell the gems etc. From there what we do will probably depend on what we decide to do about the gold.

Lexent: Of course we won't know how much the gems are worth until we sell them, I'm just not sure which gems are 'ours' and which were claimed by hirelings.

Pandred: If anyone knows for sure it's Vafrandir. Either way if we plan on even getting started today we should say so. So, returning to camp, we'll break for Treborg in the morning.

Lexent: A very very rough estimate (based on our how things sold last time) is that each member of the party could net around 150 GP from selling the gems and adamantium. I could easily have messed up this calculation, though.

Lexent: We should still figure out what we want to do next. Do we want to attempt to contact Hamish Ross? Or at least learn a little bit more about him?

Pandred: I don't think we got a reply from the one fellow who knew about him. We could go see ourselves, there's a boat once a week, but at some point a guy has to decide if he wants his own money or not.

Lexent: I have a meeting from 10 to 11, but I should be back after that if anyone in the party wants to discuss our plans.

Lexent: In. To the best of my knowledge the undead hunter Fraser (Also a scotsman) didn't have any knowledge of Hamish Ross, but seeing as they are countryman in a foreign land they may have had contact with one another.

Lexent: Fraser is a master of a small settlement south of Bergen: Glesvaer, but is 'drawn north' for 'at least a month' as of 16 July.

Lexent: I think that we should try to learn more about this Hamish Ross, perhaps even travelling to where we think he might be.

Lexent: Hamish Ross received the land grant on Askøy Island, West of Bergen (which would technically be north of Glesvaer).

Lexent: We could travel to Bergen (Instead of Stavanger) and try to do some research there unless we can determine via divination that Hamish Ross is elsewhere.

Lexent: In any case, we need to be cautious as we travel with this ammount of coin and recommend we take care not to advertise what it is.

Lexent: Out.

Computer Problems

Alexis: Alas, I have a very slow, very limited internet. Half the time the page times out before it loads; I can't load any images. I have trouble loading more than one internet page at a time, so it would be difficult for me to open the five to ten windows I usually open for counselling when running the game. This has much to do with the wifi signal the company has installed. I have people on it, to figure out how to fix it, but until it is fixed, I'm limited in what internet things I can do. I can post on the blog easily enough, though I have to wait up to a minute for the page to load or to publish a post. It's aggravating; I am reminded of dial-up. We're just going to have to figure this out before the game can move forward.

Vafrandir: There are very few things more frustrating than slow internet.

Lexent: I'm here if we want to discuss our plans. How are we doing on weight on the cart?

Vafrandir: The cart is pretty full, mostly with food. I am not sure the weights of everything we've collected so far, except for the shield. We could either store some food here or make another trip (several days). I have not yet accounted for food for the 19th; can I assume everyone used a full 6 lb?

Pandred: Seems reasonable.

Pandred: So I guess what we're looking for as a group is consensus on whether we're chasing the Bronnoysund goblins, seeking out Hamish/Fraser in some combination, or doing something else. What are folks' thoughts?

Lexent: I'm mostly ambivalent towards Hamish, but feel that if we are going to pursue it, it needs to come first. I think pursuing the goblin line sounds fascinating. By the way, in case it matters, it seems as though the king of Denmark is most likely also the king of Norway at this time, so these chests with the images of the crown of Denmark would be from the current ruler of the land (Which explains why he was able to grant lands in Norway to someone.)

Vafrandir: I thought it was the Swedish coat of arms on the chests. [I was wrong, Lexent is right] In any case, Bronnoysund is more time-sensitive. I say we pursue that.

Vafrandir: I'm tempted to say finders-keepers on the gold. But I also don't want to make enemies of any kings...at this time.

Pandred: I'm amenable to goblin-chasing. Do we need to resupply in Stavanger at all? Is there any treasure we should be turning into money before we start?

Vafrandir: We probably will have to go to Stavanger to get a boat up to Bronnoysund anyway. We have about 465 lb of food on us now (and more in Treborg) so that will be good for a while. So we might as well flip some treasure while there.

Vafrandir: Lexent, what's your thought on Hamish as a priority?

Lexent: Mostly that we either need to decide to spend the gold and take efforts to ensure it won't be traced back to us, or to return it since hauling around that much gold would attract even more attention.

Lexent: Also, since it sounds like the goblins are North (and east) of the island of Askøy, it could be on our way.

Lexent: Do we not think Nadia could make it up to where we would head inland to find the goblins?

Pandred: I think we'd need a bigger boat. We've got the wagon of supplies to bring along. Unless I'm completely failing to grasp how big our current vessel is.

Vafrandir: It's a 3-ton longboat.

Lexent: And I can't imagine the 1-ton cart being much bulkier than the 4 bunk beds we brought back from Stavanger.

Vafrandir: I'm not concerned about capacity, more about seaworthiness. Nadia will know.

Pandred: That is indeed a failure to grasp. Alright. So we load up the boat, head north -maybe stopping in Askoy- toward Bergen, then head east to Bronnoysund and the goblins?

Lexent: Assuming Nadia feels the vessel is seaworthy for that distance, that could work. She's familiar with the coast up until Bergen, but Brønnøysund is a bit further up the coast than that. Pandred, what are your overall feelings about what we should do with the gold?

Lexent: Vafrandir, did you include the lamp oil and vinegar from the wet storage off the main hall in your weight calculations?

Vafrandir: I did not. I haven't weighed that stuff yet. But I'll add that to the list of things to line out.

Pandred: No strong thoughts on gold at the moment. I have 3k gp burning a hole in my pocket, but my own thoughts on how to invest it ate their own tail, so to speak. Willing to see how our situation develops and go from there.

Vafrandir: This amount of gold is pretty high stakes either way we swing so I am fine with mulling over solutions for a while longer. Out.

Sorting Things Out

The DM: Very well. My wifi access has been altered to a hard-wire access, so I have excellent internet now (though I have a very long cord that runs through the house). I've proved I can load files again on the authentic wiki, which means I can do it here. We can settle in and play seriously again.

Vafrandir, studying the coins, notices something odd. A gold coin is about the size of a thumb pad; and coins of every type are generally minted with the figure of the most recent king or queen of the land. Norway is indeed a part of Denmark, so it is nothing special that the coins have the head of Frederick III, the present monarch of the Kingdom. Most coins of the realm have the head of Christian IV, who ruled from 1588 to 1648. It is extremely rare to find coins of an earlier reign than Christian's. ALL of these coins were minted by Frederick III ... and as Vafrandir draws a Frederick coin not found in the dungeon out of his pouch, he sees that the minting matches the coins found in the chests, with one difference. Each of the coins from the chests has a tiny crown, as big as an apple seed, stamped into the familiar face. None of your own coins does. You are not certain what this means, as none of you have the necessary knowledge to be sure of that.
See you in the morning. Out.

Lexent: In.

Lexent: I think this means our ability to use this gold for ourselves is even more in question.

The DM: In.

Vafrandir: My thoughts too. It's a good question for divination. In the meantime, we need to pack up what we have. I'll go back and look at what people took for themselves and remove that from the Cargo list. DM, what are the weights of the lamp oil (4 gal) and vinegar (1.5 gal) kegs, and the chests of gold?

The DM: The keg with oil weighs 51.9 lbs.; the vinegar, 19.125 lbs. Each chest weighs 10.5 lbs. and the total gold weighs 150 lbs.

Marcule: ooc: trapped in meetings today, I will be off Friday, see you then.

The DM: The chest’s are “mate’s chests,” a new designation I’ve created. Description: flat-lidded box of hornbeam slats & iron pieces; 18 in. long by 12 high & deep; 54 lb. cap.

Lexent: So, are we ready to sleep for the night and then set off for the cairn in the morning?

Vafrandir: What is the weight of the decorative shield? I am ready to sleep and leave in the morning, yes, just want to make sure we don't have to leave anything behind.