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| − | Continued from '''[[Arriving in Stavanger]]''' | + | Continued from '''[[Morning of July 18th, in Camp]]''' |
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| − | '''The DM:''' You wake. The rain was heavy all day yesterday and it continues this morning when you wake up. The main storm has passed over, with black clouds and lightning in the afternoon on the 10th. This morning, it is just grey and steady rain. Despite the rain, the temperature is in fact pleasant, so that standing out in the rain is strangely comfortable (for natives) rather than chilling. It is 9 a.m. in the morning. There is a gentle breeze blowing from the southwest. | + | == July 19 of 1650, morning == |
| | + | '''The DM:''' Not long after Dilhak leaves, it begins to rain. Laying in the tent, listening to it fall, you can’t help think about how Dilhak is walking in it. The rain is light, becoming a drizzle by daylight and still going by 9 am. The temperature is cool and there’s just the lightest air movement. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' You mentioned the fighters should add Military Engineering to our sage studies. Should we assign points or wait until you've addressed it? | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' When I awaken I spend the hour and 15 minutes to prepare my spells. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' Assign points. I have only the one ability thus far; I don't have time to work on it at present. There's always something else. Let me know when you have amateur knowledge and you want to build a fort. | + | : '''The DM:''' Accepted. But I did assume that; I won't police your spell memorizing nor claim you couldn't have done it. It's the sort of thing I'd rather retcon if there's an issue with it. After all, you wouldn't forget; you were trained at a seminary for years to get up every morning and pray. You'd have to will yourself not to do it. |
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| − | '''Marcule:'''in | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Do we want to head back down today? There are probably a handful more ghouls and ghasts about, as well as that tomb - which we're not sure how to enter yet. |
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| − | '''Pandred''': Out. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' How are the sappers faring? |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' How long will it take us to procure 5 sappers and 1 cook? | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Everyone is fully healed. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' A roll says 3 days. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Nadia's wages accounted for. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Very good. That's acceptable to me to stay here for a few days. I've marked off food for the 2 hires back in Treborg. I'll put Nadia up in the public house as well if she'd like for the time we're here. | + | '''The DM:''' If the sappers have the hit points, they’d rather come along than stay behind. It occurs to me, I need 2d6 rolled for Helga. Can someone roll it please? |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Fine by me as well. If my skills aren't of particular use in the search, I can go assist the gnomes in the hospital here. | + | '''Pandred''': '''9'''. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' We can cut to the chase. Four men, two women, and the cook is a man. Looking for names. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I would like someone to stay behind with Ole again. Arvid did last time. Let's see what this roll for Helge yields. |
| − | : '''The DM:''' Randomly rolled from Norwegian names: Norwegian sappers named '''Arvid''' (male) & '''Helga''' (female). A Norwegian female sapper named '''Marit'''. A Norwegian cook named '''Ole'''. A Dane male sapper named '''Asger'''. And an Icelandic male sapper named '''Bjarni'''.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' I assume we deduct that first month cost now and keep track that it will be due again on the 11th of each month? | + | '''The DM:''' Helga was stunned in the fight with the ghasts, and also in the earlier fight with the ghouls; I never had her roll a morale check, though she never did rejoin the fight after the ghasts. But, I should have checked her morale anyway. I’ll lump them together and since her original morale was 9, and Pandred cleared, that, please lower her base morale to 8. This is her morale when Pandred isn’t around to influence it further. |
| − | : '''The DM:''' Yes that's right.
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| − | ::'''[[Lexent]]:''' Deducted.
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| − | '''Marcule:''' Sorry guys out for the rest see you tuesday | + | '''Pandred''': I'm not against Helga staying behind, her hit was substantial. I'm sure she's champing at the bit to get down again though. |
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| − | [[File:New July 13th Hirelings.jpg|center|630px|thumb|]] | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' It might be better to have her with us and thus around you. Would Marit be willing to stay? |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Anything keeping us from accounting for these three days and moving to the morning of the 14th? | + | '''Marit''': "If it pleases you sir – might we draw lots?" |
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| − | '''The DM:''' Regarding Arvid’s charisma: he proves impossible not to hire; it takes Vafrandir less than two minutes before he feels compelled to put out his hand. Arvid is fair, in that he would be recognized as attractive in a room full of people; he is a pleasure to be around, warm, receptive, interesting to listen to and says the sort of things that an employer wants to hear about a willingness to work and get things done. Adding his weight, you'll see that Arvid is irrepressibly jolly as well. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "I think that's a good and fair idea. I know you all wish to go." |
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| − | '''The DM:''' We can skip ahead; Pandred and Marcule are out, so if Lexent wishes to do nothing else, count your food and your room cost, then figure out if your boat will take your weight, your new purchases, your equipment and the six new people. I’ll add weight to the table. | + | '''The DM:''' Leaving Arvid out, the other four agree to draw lots with stones, holding none or one in their hands, then guessing if the sum is odd or even. There are two, and everyone guesses even except Asger. He agrees to stay behind. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll figure the boat's load once we have the weights. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' That settled, assuming the weather is still fit (enough) for travel, we head up to the dungeon. |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' How is the weather on the morning of the 14th, and how does Nadia feel about making the crossing? | + | '''Pandred''': Passing Arduin the +1 Spear, readying myself with Battleaxe. "Let's crack this tomb lads." |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We should be at no more than 40-45% of the boat's capacity regardless of individual weights. | + | '''The DM:''' If you’ll permit, you re-enter the main hall together, without any trouble. Marit will beg your pardon again and ask if anyone’s wondered yet where all the furniture came from, between the hall and the chieftain’s room. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' The morning of the '''14th''', the weather is clear, cool and with a fresh breeze blowing straight from the direction of Treborg. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' "I had assumed from other parts of the complex, but the way it was stacked toward the door seems odd for that. Maybe some means of magical conveyance? We should take a look at the markings on the floor of that room again." |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' We set out for Treborg. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' We should endeavor to keep better track of the time this go around. What time is it when we enter the dungeon? |
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| − | '''Nadia''': "Are you sure, sir? It'll take us 24 hours to get there with this wind in our faces; you don't want to wait for a more prepitious day? Or hour? Might be longer, 36 or 48; I've not much sail to head directly into the wind." | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Yes, I need to reread the previous pages to remind myself what we examined. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Is there any particular equipment our sappers think may be useful given what we've conveyed about the layout of the dungeon? I'll try to be as specific as possible. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' I strap on my shield and head for the chieftan's room. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'm fine with waiting today, or until the weather is better. May we retcon purchases from Lexent and Pandred? | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I do the same. |
| − | : '''The DM:''' Shovels, picks, wood if you've got it, hooks to drag the wood, as much chain as you'll buy with a breakweight of a thousand or more, axes, as many spikes as you will, a hundred or more, wood axes ... those for sure. I'm good with a retcon if something else is wanted for those three days.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Things for underground, lanterns, torches, pottle jugs for water, a barrel of small beer if you’re willing
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Sorry, read that direction backwards. I am fine with waiting, although, if the winds change early enough today, we might still head out. | + | '''The DM:''' About 10:30. You started last time after having travelled there that same day. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' That's a good list. I believe I'll take the days off to put it all together. I'm glad I asked. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I do not believe we examined the circle on the floor. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Out. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Is the room as we left it? |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Out. | + | '''The DM:''' No one’s been here. Vafrandir, Lexent checked it for magical emanation, but no one has actually looked over it. You see a notch in the wall above it out of the corner of your eye. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' By nine o’clock in the evening, the wind hasn’t changed an iota, though it has lessened to a moderate breeze. Simply isn’t working out for you. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' One of the other may be better suited to examine the symbols. I'll look it over in case I recognize anything. What shape is the notch? |
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| − | == July 15th ==
| + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' I start inspecting the circle on the floor. "Marcule, take a look at this with me, would you?" |
| − | '''The DM:''' Out. | |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'm not sure which hooks they're referring to, I can't place them on the market sheet. A block and tackle? | + | '''The DM:''' the notch seems designed for some kind of hook |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Marcule, I believe we'd best dip into your credit. How much do you have left? | + | '''Pandred''': A large hook, or a small one? I try to give the notch a little tug with a finger or two. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' I thought it was there. It is a [https://i.pinimg.com/originals/21/dc/2f/21dc2f07f8789a0cd742214deeaa8bd8.jpg log hook] and in terms of metal used, is essentially the same price as a "boat hook" but with a shorter handle. Out. | + | '''The DM:''' Something gives, but your finger isn’t strong enough to put enough pressure on it. |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' In. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We've got hooks. I'll ask the sappers for one and hand it to Pandred. |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' One of the items I purchased was 100 ft. of twine, which has a listed weight of 12 lbs., the same weight as 50 ft. of rope. Do you have an updated weight for twine? | + | '''The DM:''' As Pandred pulls, a seam forms in the middle of the wall and a secret door opens that’s 5 feet wide and ceiling high. The doors, now revealed to be made of wood and not stone, slide to the left and right and disappear into the walls. |
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| − | '''Marcule:''' In. I have the full amount for us to use.
| + | == Behind the Secret Door == |
| | + | [[File:Behind the Secret Door.jpg|center|770px]] |
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| − | '''The DM:''' In. | + | '''The DM:''' Looking through the rooms, with all due care, it’s about 10:50 by the time you’ve finished a good search. The furniture seems to have mostly come from the upper room shown, where there is additional debris over the floor. The bed hasn’t been touched in months and is covered in dust. The doors leading out are heavy, reinforced doors, about 2¾ ft. wide and 5½ ft. high. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' 0.68 lb. for twine. Like I said, found lots of errors. Your rope is 7.5 lbs.
| + | There are six fly carcasses as big as watermelons scattered about, one in the hall and five in the “bedroom.” They’re dead and desiccated, looking like flies that have died near a window, except that they’re enormous for flies. They have a distinct dark green colour, large glass-like wings and large black orbs for eyes. Anduin hasn’t the experience with bugs and spiders he needs to identify what they are, beyond them being a kind of fly. |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Thank you. How is the weather on the morning of the 15th? | + | '''The DM:''' With this, I’m going to bow out for the day. I need to make a character shape for Anduin before Friday and pick something for Arvid as well. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' you’ll be happy to know the direction of the wind has changed. It is now WNW, so that you can tack effectively against it to get out of Stavanger; it is a good moderate breeze of 12 knots, so you can make 1.5 knots an hour against it; the distance to Treborg is 24 knots, so it will take 16 hours. The sky is crystal clear and the temperature is cool. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' "What do you think? Shall we try the door at the end of the hall?" (1519/1520) |
| − | : Though Nadia your pilot will comment on there being a red sky this morning.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' And thus we should take warning. I worry that starting out now will only put us in a storm partway across, but we can't stay here forever just for the weather. What does everyone else think? | + | '''Arduin''': "That leads toward the unusual skeleton, I think. Just a little north and east of the blinding fellow." |
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| − | '''The DM:''' Nadia guesses it won't hit for at least 12 hours; by then you'll be most of the way across the bay and on the coasts of islands where you can shelter and wait it out, if need be. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Fascinating. I'm game for a little blinding today. [Sorry for being in and out - this is proving to be an odd month so far] |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' That's good information, but I would still like to let more of the party weigh in before committing to a course of action. We all know how much Pandred enjoys swimming, and if it comes to malady checks that's about a 20% chance that someone in the group will have a problem. | + | '''The DM:''' Damn it. I'm going to have to cancel today, Friday May 14th; we have to go look at a property to rent and this morning is our only opportunity; then I've got to arrange for some boxes and pick up medicine; it just isn't going to work out. My apologies. Out. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' Maybe you should all learn how to swim. | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' No problem. I'll face the same thing in a week or two. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' If Nadia thinks we can do it, we can't fear the sea forever. | + | == New Thread == |
| | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' In. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I do have an equipment list: I'll post it here soon. Marcule, what is the full amount?
| + | '''The DM:''' In. |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Well, I suppose we shall brave the sea once more. We board the ship and embark. Is Nadia able to impart sailing knowledge to any/all of us as we make these crossings, or is she to busy as the master of the ship to do so?
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| − | '''Marcule:''' 1500gp
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| − | '''The DM:''' Nadia has no instruction skill, so she doesn’t know how to teach you to sail. Someone else would also have to teach you how to swim. But many people in Norway know how to do these two things.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Marcule, you can take out any part of your total credit; it does not have to be the full amount. The lender, Raphael Goletti, can offer you 0.08% interest per week for 32 weeks, which you can pay back in full at any time; however, you cannot pay it “partially” back, so it isn’t a question of weekly payments. You must pay it back in a bulk sum, just as he lends it to you in a bulk sum. Goletti has “branches” in Stavanger, Aalborg, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Groningen, Brugge, Trondheim and Bergen, so you may make your return payment in any of those market towns.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I have 7 points of sailing - enough to understand what she's doing but probably not enough to help.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Actually, that enables you to put up the sail and move it under orders; as long as she has the tiller it helps; the rules state that you add your sailing skill to hers in a bad storm.
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| − | '''The DM:''' I can’t move ahead unless I hear from someone on the willingness to take the loan. It doesn’t have to be Marcule, because he has given his permission. I need to know how much is taken so we can establish it being done on the 14th (the day before leaving Stavanger). I also need a defacto yes to the loan.
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| − | '''Marcule:''' How much would we like to take?
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Let's take 700 gp. That will cover supplies that we need + extra food.
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| − | '''The DM:''' 700 compounded over 32 weeks would be 903 g.p., 4 s.p. and 11 c.p. due in 32 weeks from today, February 23rd, 1651.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I expect probing the dungeon should yield the repayable amount. We'll see if that's justified
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| − | '''The DM:''' I’ll take that as a confirmation.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Yes. Let's take it. We'll load the boat and head out; I'll assist Nadia.
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| − | == The Journey from Stavanger to Treborg ==
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| − | '''The DM:''' Setting off at 9 am on the 15th, light, small clouds drift in from the west, as the wind slackens a little. However, it also spins more towards due west, and Nadia is able to maintain your speed. After noon, the wind swings entirely around to the southwest and a wall of clouds fill the sky. Nadia brings your speed up to 2½ knots an hour, so that you’re halfway to Treborg by three in the afternoon. The wind is a light breeze, and the rain that begins to fall is light. Nadia holds to the east side of Bokn island, that big blob of land southeast of Treborg, skipping your speed up to 3 knots an hour.
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| − | : At 6 pm, just 3 knots out of Treborg, the wind picks up to a moderate breeze and swings perfectly around to the southeast, driving you just where you want to go. It takes Nadia just 45 minutes to finish bringing the boat across those last three knots, though by then a moderate rain requires vigorous bailing of the boat. Drawing into Treborg, you’re wet but you’re there. It is just seven o’clock when you start to unload the boat on the shore.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Is there anyone at the dock to enquire as to whether the ship from Glesvaer arrived yesterday?
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Our supplies: 3 spades, 3 lanterns, 100 spikes, 6 logger hooks, 80 feet of chain with appropriate breakweight, 3 wood axes, 20 torches, 3 pottle jugs, a keg of small beer, and 2 chests with 150 lbs of jerky and cheese just to round out our supplies. With the addition of our 129 existing gp, that leaves us with '''3 gp, 1 sp, 12 cp''' change for Marcule to pocket for now.
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| − | :'''[[Lexent]]:''' So how much should I deduct from our current totals?
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| − | ::'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' 129 gp
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| − | :::'''[[Lexent]]:''' That leaves us at 26 gold, 8 silver, and 8 copper.
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| − | '''The DM:''' The 700 gold was added?
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' My understanding is that the 700 was spent on supplies, along with 129 gp of what we had.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' That is correct, Lexent.
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| − | == July 16th ==
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| − | '''The DM:''' It rains all night, though it is a light rain by 6 am before a moderate breeze that has swung back to the west; steadily you rise, get yourselves together and decide what to do for the day.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' "I would be interested to know if there is any word from Fraser. The ship from Glesvaer was due in the day before yesterday. Should we go ask if he sent any word?"
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| − | '''The DM:''' (literally managing this when you asked). A letter is delivered to you by a young boy who has brought it over from Father Arvid. The letter is from Fraser. It arrived just now by boat.
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| − | : “Father Arvid, my old friend. I regret that I am unable to place myself in your service, or the service of your friends, for at least a month; I am taken with matters that draw me north before the summer ends. I will recommend myself to you when I have returned to Bergen again. Yours, Giles.”
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| − | '''The DM:''' It is marked as arrived from Bergen.
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| − | '''Marcule:''' I have noted the 700gp.
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| − | '''The DM:''' no withdrawing 800 g.p. to pay the 700!
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| − | :'''[[Lexent]]:''' Kiting wasn't a thing back then? ;)
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| − | :: '''The DM:''' I can go for that Lexent, but additional loans would be over shorter times with higher interest rates – like, say, 9 months at 1.8% per week.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Well, that being settled for the time being, I propose we load up the cart and set off with our hirelings for the cairn.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Ha! Rob Peter to pay Paul.
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| − | :'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Or Grond to pay Raphael, I suppose.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' So we crack Grond the old fashioned way. We have enough tents for all members of the party, including the pavilion tent. I'll get the cart loaded. May need to carry some by hand.
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| − | '''The DM:''' It stands to reason that Marcule should have to leave a personal token, something that has been on your person long enough to be considered “yours.” In a world of divination, augury, crystal balls, clairaudience and such, having such an item and your name would make finding you pretty much a guaranteed thing. Any ideas, Marcule? | |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' I assist Vafrandir in loading up the cart and we set out for the cairn.
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| − | '''The DM:''' The rain continues to slack; the temperature remains cool and the sky overcast. The moderate breeze is steady from the west as you begin to travel from 9 am forward.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' The cart is large enough - we have food and supplies aplenty.
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| − | '''[[Pandred]]''': I'll bring Odds this time, and will be swapping my Chain for Plate. Is there anyone among us who can take advantage of Chain or Studded Leather? I have a spare set of both.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Damn it, trying to follow my own directions and I can't. Hm.
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| − | '''The DM:''' I’ll have to retcon the details; sorry about my error. I was keeping it in my noggin, which admittedly doesn’t run as well today as it once did. There’s an error of omission before the ‘fork’ where you built the cairn. It should take 8 hours to get to the fork; that’s agreed. And five hours from there to get to the camp.
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| − | It rains all day; you get to the cairn at 5 in the evening; you could continue for two hours if you wish; or perhaps spend that time with your labour increasing the size of the cairn.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I could certainly use the chain but I have no hauberk.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We'll expand the cairn again. How many hands to set up the camp?
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Agreed. Set up camp, build the cairn up, and head off to bed.
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| − | '''The DM:''' The cook and Oddsdrakken set up the camp; this leaves 9 of you to expand the cairn by 18 cubic feet.
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| − | == July 17th ==
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| − | '''The DM:''' Oddsdrakken and Ole wake up at 6 am, getting the camp ready, so that the party wakes up to the smell of food and drizzling rain. This waking up and not having to struggle with getting a fire built or cooking on it is a new experience for the party members.
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| − | : The sappers say that if a load of rock can be brought, along with a little mortar, they can manage a much more impressive cairn.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' That's a good idea. We'll table it for the time being and prepare for the trek to the dungeon.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Yes, we pack up and head to the dungeon.
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| − | '''The DM:''' The rain falls off more and more, until it is the thinnest drizzle when you reach the base camp below the dungeon. From here it is a climb to the dungeon, as you leave Ole behind to make camp, starting about 2 pm. Do you wish to leave Oddsdrakken or some of the sappers here?
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll ask Arvid to stay behind with Ole today. Everyone should grab a torch along with their other equipment. Then we'll make our way up.
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| − | '''The DM:''' The first thing you notice about making your way up the now-familiar climb is the flies. There have always been a few, since this is high country in the summer time, but there seem an unusual number ... and by the time you’re nearly to the top, there are flies landing on you every minute or so, driving you to distraction as you swat them away.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Does this Beelzebub think he can drive us away with a few pests?" | + | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll be In in about an hour. |
| | + | : '''The DM:''' I can only be here until noon my time anyway. We found our property, put money on it and hired the movers. Today I get to see a dentist again. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' At the top, looking over the plateau, you see there are flies in unbelievable numbers. There are literally pillars of flies scattered all around the tarn, reaching up a hundred feet or so. You’re grateful they’re not horseflies or deerflies, but merely flies that do not bite. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' It looks like there should be at least some space between this hallway and the blinding skeleton, and I figured that taking it on when we're fresh gives us the best chance for success. I'm ammenable for trying the door in the bedroom if we'd prefer, though. |
| − | : The rothe are gone. And as you move nearer, the buzzing drone surrounding you, you realize it is not mating season for the flies. They have gathered to eat the scores of dead things that are scattered everywhere. No, not rothe.
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| − | : Ghoul carcasses.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' A disgusting sight - but also one problem dealt with. We need to take a closer look. | + | '''Pandred''': It'd be reasonable to assume such a door was a closet. It would be weird to have a bedroom doorway be a main thoroughfare. So we should give it a look before heading down the hall. In fact I'll just open it: the bedroom door. |
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| − | '''[[Pandred]]''': I'll start down for the nearest ghoul carcass. I don't want to get surrounded by bugs, but I do want a closer look at their condition. | + | '''The DM:''' There are two bedroom doors. One at the top and one on the right. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll follow.
| + | [[File:Bedroom Doors.jpg|right|420px|thumb]] |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' [OOC] there are several flies buzzing around my head at the moment that I cannot catch - so I really have to applaud your commitment to creating the gaming environment. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Sorry, I didn't even see the one on the right. |
| − | :'''The DM:''' {OOC} I do what I can.
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| − | '''The DM:''' there are NO rothe carcasses. There isn’t a single rothe. But Pandred has seen gore wounds before, which is clearly what killed a large number of the ghouls; those not killed by hoofs. However, further investigation will show that the rothe did not simply run away. There are places where bloody rothe carcasses were clearly dragged away, towards the goblin encampment and dungeon entrance. | + | '''Pandred''' And I missed the one on top! Ha, I'll take the right handed one. |
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Interesting. Let's approach the dungeon. | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Sounds good to me. I move to 2318. |
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| − | '''[[Pandred]]''': Okay. I'll call for the men to come forward, and press on for the entrance. We'll move at a good clip, but I remind everyone to watch the ghouls, they might not all be dead. Re-dead. Un-undead.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Out. | + | '''The DM:''' I can put up a map if you like, but it is a stairwell down, like '''c.''' |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' In. About how many dead ghouls do we see? | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' "Hmm. Deeper in. Shall we close this door and try the other?" |
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| − | '''The DM:''' In. About 20. And they smell AWFUL.
| + | Pandred: Yes. I do so. North door it is! |
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| | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In. | | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' approaching the encampment, the odour gets worse. The tents are partly bashed down and the tent that protected the top of the shaft is completely collapsed over the hole. It will have to be dragged off in order to enter there.
| + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Sounds good to me. I move to 2215. |
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Once we all get down into the gulley I'll ask Helga and Marit to move the collapsed tent from the opening. | |
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| − | '''The DM:''' As ever, the path down is treacherous, as Lexent well remembers. The cleric feels especially anxious as he makes his way down, conscious of an ache that still remains in his hip. Something occurs to me, before you remove the tent. By my count, apart from Oddsdrakken, there are four sappers with you. Could you each assign one sapper to yourself, who you will specifically “run” and roll checks and other dice for.
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| − | '''Marcule:''' In. (ooc: sorry a fire alarm decided I was out yesterday) I am low on personal items I have a pair of dice I have had since the beginning.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' I will take responsibility for Marit.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Oddsdrakken, unlike the sappers, is not “battle hardened”. The sight of the twisted and smashed up ghouls, and the smells, and the prospect of going to the source of this horror, will require a morale check from him. That’s 2d6 rolled by Pandred, equal to or above in order to succeed. If we don’t have a morale for Oddsdrakken listed, treat him as a morale of 9 as well.
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| − | : Unless someone has a morale adjustment in their character backgrounds, the sappers all have a 9 morale.
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| − | ::'''[[Lexent]]:''' His character sheet shows a 9. If only Embla was still with us.
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| − | '''The DM:''' I don’t know what you’re saying about “a pair of dice,” Marcule.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Morale is brought down one point every time an NPC is placed into a state of jeopardy and succeeds at a morale check; usually, during battle. A morale check is made whenever an NPC is stunned (success +1 morale); non-battle hardened NPCs must make a morale check before entering battle (success no adj.)
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| − | '''Marcule:''' As a scrying item (sorry this was a much earlier comment to me)
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| − | == The Hole ==
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| − | '''The DM:''' Lexent, as you and Marit begin to pull away the tent, Helga will keep watch. Both you and Marit will need to make constitution checks.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' I roll a '''5''' for me and a '''8''' for her.
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| − | '''The DM:''' You both pull back, vomit from the smell, and get yourselves under control after a few rounds. It is the same smell that Lexent remembers from before, but ten times worse. You’ll need help pulling the tarp off from another player character – who will have to make a constitution check.
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| − | '''Pandred''' Odds gets an 8 on his morale check.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Okey-doke.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll handle Bjarni.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' "Can you give us a hand with this tent, Vafrandir?"
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Absolutely. '''4''' on my constitution check.
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| − | '''Marcule:''' Back at 11:30.
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| − | '''The DM:''' And on Bjarni’s? He’ll join in with Vafrandir.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Bjarni gets a '''5'''.
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| − | '''The DM:''' You get the tent pulled off. There’s a feeling that the tent was intentionally laid on top, because it “fights you” before it comes free. Ultimately, it appears from the scattering of hair, the short wall being broken in places (it was in good condition formerly), that all the rothe went down the hole.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Can we ascertain whether it was laid on top from the outside or pulled into place by whatever last went down the hole?
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| − | '''The DM:''' Seems it must have been placed there on the outside, but you have no certain idea.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Looking into the hole, are there any other obvious changes? Is the ladder still in place and undamaged by the herd of rothe plummeting past it to their doom?
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| − | '''The DM:''' From this vantage point, the ladder seems the same.
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| − | '''[[Pandred]]''': We should take the time to burn the carcasses. I really don't want them becoming un-un-undead behind us with some fly-elemental voodoo. We have torches, right? I'll start dragging the nearest corpse for piling purposes.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' I assist Pandred in doing so, as does Marit.
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I and Bjarni also. How well do ghouls burn?
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| − | '''The DM:''' With your bare hands?
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' I am wearing studded leather gauntlets.
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| − | '''[[Pandred]]''': Well, they don't burn with my bare hands at all. I do move the bodies that way though. Gross.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Depending on the state of decay, we could possibly use the log hooks as well.
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| − | '''The DM:''' After twenty minutes of pulling and dragging bodies from around the field, Pandred will notice that her palms are itching. The bodies won’t burn on their own. They’ll need some fuel; all there is on the ground is green lichen. There’s no wood about, except underground in the dungeon.
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| − | '''Pandred''': With a callousness that I may come to regret I'll wipe my hands "clean" with the lichen, and then use it as firelighter.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' "Are your hands OK there, Pandred? let me take a look."
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| − | '''The DM:''' The lichen is too damp to burn. It rains here all the time. In fact, it’s drizzling right now.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Lexent doesn’t see anything like a rash; but it could emerge after a time, or the itching could go away. Lexent will recall a lecture about how ghouls paralyze victims that they touch; Pandred might be feeling the low-level effects of her surface-skin being paralyzed.
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| − | '''[[Pandred]]''': Yeah, that tracks. I really do want to make this happen, but I can't think of a combustible. Could we flip the tent we removed over to a dry side and light that? Would that even work if it -wasn't- damp?
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| − | '''[[Vafrandir]]:''' If it's drizzling we'd need more than that to keep a fire going. We may just have to cut our losses here.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' "We'd best keep an eye on that. Let me know if the itching gets worse. I seem to recall a store of furniture down the hole that we could use as fuel." I head to the hole and start making my way carefully down the ladder.
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| − | '''The DM:''' There was a ton of furniture stuffed into a hall underground, as well as a room full of desiccated dry stores.
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| − | '''The DM:''' I had mentioned that it was drizzling all day in yesterday’s running.
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| − | '''[[Pandred]]''': "Hmph." Alright. We'll cut our losses for now. I'll take Helga for my sapper if she hasn't been assigned already. We only have the one entrance to go by, so let's go by. I'll take the lead, with battleaxe. Vaf, you next. Then our two sappers, then Lex, Marcule, and the rest. Odds will bring up the rear. Good?
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| − | :'''[[Lexent]]:''' Leaving Asger for Marcule to handle.
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| − | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Works for me.
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| − | == Climbing Down ==
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| − | '''The DM:''' Pandred, the time waiting helps reduce the smell of the hole so that a constitution check isn’t needed. However, you find that Lexent’s concern was prescient, for the metal rungs ARE loose as you begin to climb down. You automatically check each one before putting your full weight on it.
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| − | '''The DM:''' Asger is the heaviest among you, though he isn’t nearly as heavy as Arvid. It’s probable the rungs are safe for him. | + | '''The DM:''' The upper door leads to a natural tunnel that turns to the left. |
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| − | '''[[Pandred]]''': Ah, hell. Okay. We'll take this thing one at a time then. With the goggles borrowed from Marcule/any sunlight from above, what can I see in the passage? | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' I head into the tunnel. |
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| − | '''The DM:''' Sorry, what weapons are the sappers carrying? | + | '''The DM:''' At the corner, the tunnel continues, wavering between five and ten feet wide. Seeing nothing of danger, no footprints or signs of life, you safely wander up it for about forty yards, with corner after corner appearing every six or seven yards. |
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| − | '''Marcule:'''in. Taking Asger | + | '''[[Lexent]]:''' Generally heading toward the top left of the map? |
Continued from Morning of July 18th, in Camp
July 19 of 1650, morning
The DM: Not long after Dilhak leaves, it begins to rain. Laying in the tent, listening to it fall, you can’t help think about how Dilhak is walking in it. The rain is light, becoming a drizzle by daylight and still going by 9 am. The temperature is cool and there’s just the lightest air movement.
Lexent: When I awaken I spend the hour and 15 minutes to prepare my spells.
- The DM: Accepted. But I did assume that; I won't police your spell memorizing nor claim you couldn't have done it. It's the sort of thing I'd rather retcon if there's an issue with it. After all, you wouldn't forget; you were trained at a seminary for years to get up every morning and pray. You'd have to will yourself not to do it.
Vafrandir: Do we want to head back down today? There are probably a handful more ghouls and ghasts about, as well as that tomb - which we're not sure how to enter yet.
Vafrandir: How are the sappers faring?
Lexent: Everyone is fully healed.
Lexent: Nadia's wages accounted for.
The DM: If the sappers have the hit points, they’d rather come along than stay behind. It occurs to me, I need 2d6 rolled for Helga. Can someone roll it please?
Pandred: 9.
Vafrandir: I would like someone to stay behind with Ole again. Arvid did last time. Let's see what this roll for Helge yields.
The DM: Helga was stunned in the fight with the ghasts, and also in the earlier fight with the ghouls; I never had her roll a morale check, though she never did rejoin the fight after the ghasts. But, I should have checked her morale anyway. I’ll lump them together and since her original morale was 9, and Pandred cleared, that, please lower her base morale to 8. This is her morale when Pandred isn’t around to influence it further.
Pandred: I'm not against Helga staying behind, her hit was substantial. I'm sure she's champing at the bit to get down again though.
Vafrandir: It might be better to have her with us and thus around you. Would Marit be willing to stay?
Marit: "If it pleases you sir – might we draw lots?"
Vafrandir: "I think that's a good and fair idea. I know you all wish to go."
The DM: Leaving Arvid out, the other four agree to draw lots with stones, holding none or one in their hands, then guessing if the sum is odd or even. There are two, and everyone guesses even except Asger. He agrees to stay behind.
Lexent: That settled, assuming the weather is still fit (enough) for travel, we head up to the dungeon.
Pandred: Passing Arduin the +1 Spear, readying myself with Battleaxe. "Let's crack this tomb lads."
The DM: If you’ll permit, you re-enter the main hall together, without any trouble. Marit will beg your pardon again and ask if anyone’s wondered yet where all the furniture came from, between the hall and the chieftain’s room.
Lexent: "I had assumed from other parts of the complex, but the way it was stacked toward the door seems odd for that. Maybe some means of magical conveyance? We should take a look at the markings on the floor of that room again."
Lexent: We should endeavor to keep better track of the time this go around. What time is it when we enter the dungeon?
Vafrandir: Yes, I need to reread the previous pages to remind myself what we examined.
Lexent: I strap on my shield and head for the chieftan's room.
Vafrandir: I do the same.
The DM: About 10:30. You started last time after having travelled there that same day.
Vafrandir: I do not believe we examined the circle on the floor.
Lexent: Is the room as we left it?
The DM: No one’s been here. Vafrandir, Lexent checked it for magical emanation, but no one has actually looked over it. You see a notch in the wall above it out of the corner of your eye.
Vafrandir: One of the other may be better suited to examine the symbols. I'll look it over in case I recognize anything. What shape is the notch?
Lexent: I start inspecting the circle on the floor. "Marcule, take a look at this with me, would you?"
The DM: the notch seems designed for some kind of hook
Pandred: A large hook, or a small one? I try to give the notch a little tug with a finger or two.
The DM: Something gives, but your finger isn’t strong enough to put enough pressure on it.
Vafrandir: We've got hooks. I'll ask the sappers for one and hand it to Pandred.
The DM: As Pandred pulls, a seam forms in the middle of the wall and a secret door opens that’s 5 feet wide and ceiling high. The doors, now revealed to be made of wood and not stone, slide to the left and right and disappear into the walls.
Behind the Secret Door
The DM: Looking through the rooms, with all due care, it’s about 10:50 by the time you’ve finished a good search. The furniture seems to have mostly come from the upper room shown, where there is additional debris over the floor. The bed hasn’t been touched in months and is covered in dust. The doors leading out are heavy, reinforced doors, about 2¾ ft. wide and 5½ ft. high.
There are six fly carcasses as big as watermelons scattered about, one in the hall and five in the “bedroom.” They’re dead and desiccated, looking like flies that have died near a window, except that they’re enormous for flies. They have a distinct dark green colour, large glass-like wings and large black orbs for eyes. Anduin hasn’t the experience with bugs and spiders he needs to identify what they are, beyond them being a kind of fly.
The DM: With this, I’m going to bow out for the day. I need to make a character shape for Anduin before Friday and pick something for Arvid as well.
Lexent: "What do you think? Shall we try the door at the end of the hall?" (1519/1520)
Arduin: "That leads toward the unusual skeleton, I think. Just a little north and east of the blinding fellow."
Vafrandir: Fascinating. I'm game for a little blinding today. [Sorry for being in and out - this is proving to be an odd month so far]
The DM: Damn it. I'm going to have to cancel today, Friday May 14th; we have to go look at a property to rent and this morning is our only opportunity; then I've got to arrange for some boxes and pick up medicine; it just isn't going to work out. My apologies. Out.
Vafrandir: No problem. I'll face the same thing in a week or two.
New Thread
Lexent: In.
The DM: In.
Vafrandir: I'll be In in about an hour.
- The DM: I can only be here until noon my time anyway. We found our property, put money on it and hired the movers. Today I get to see a dentist again.
Lexent: It looks like there should be at least some space between this hallway and the blinding skeleton, and I figured that taking it on when we're fresh gives us the best chance for success. I'm ammenable for trying the door in the bedroom if we'd prefer, though.
Pandred: It'd be reasonable to assume such a door was a closet. It would be weird to have a bedroom doorway be a main thoroughfare. So we should give it a look before heading down the hall. In fact I'll just open it: the bedroom door.
The DM: There are two bedroom doors. One at the top and one on the right.
Lexent: Sorry, I didn't even see the one on the right.
Pandred And I missed the one on top! Ha, I'll take the right handed one.
Lexent: Sounds good to me. I move to 2318.
The DM: I can put up a map if you like, but it is a stairwell down, like c.
Lexent: "Hmm. Deeper in. Shall we close this door and try the other?"
Pandred: Yes. I do so. North door it is!
Vafrandir: In.
Lexent: Sounds good to me. I move to 2215.
The DM: The upper door leads to a natural tunnel that turns to the left.
Lexent: I head into the tunnel.
The DM: At the corner, the tunnel continues, wavering between five and ten feet wide. Seeing nothing of danger, no footprints or signs of life, you safely wander up it for about forty yards, with corner after corner appearing every six or seven yards.
Lexent: Generally heading toward the top left of the map?
