Difference between pages "The Deep Dark" and "Loaded Down, Wealthy, July 20-21st"

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Continued from '''[[The Mine]]'''
+
Continued from '''[[Retire to Above]]'''
  
−
'''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?
+
'''The DM:''' I will need to know what your action points are on the cart.  I've created a chart for calculating cart encumbrance, if you haven't already seen it.  The weather on the morning of the 20th is beautiful: clear skies, no clouds at all, pleasant weather, a gentle breeze blowing.  Feels like the first day of Summer.
−
[[File:Door at the Bottom.jpg|right|420px|thumb]]
 
  
−
'''The DM:''' It occurs that I should ask for your marching order.
+
: What's more, seems very quiet this morning as you head out on your journey.
  
−
'''Pandred''': Me, Vaf, Lex, Arduin? Is that acceptable guys?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Quite.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Let's do it.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Looking for my Stavanger sheet - AP shortly.
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Fine by me. We continue down in that order.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We need to drop about 300 lbs. Max with the mule is 1 AP at 1350 lb, we have about 1635 lb.
  
−
'''Pandred''': Onwards then. ''"Hroagh!"''
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Wow. I don't suppose that's an amount we can spread out amongst ourselves and our hirelings.
  
−
'''Marcule:''' I will take the back.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I can only take about another 20 lbs. before I reach my max. 9 more will drop me from 3AP to 2.
  
−
'''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.
+
'''The DM:''' You have the strengths of each hireling; presume they're already carrying 40 lbs. of personal gear, and that they'd be ready to push themselves to 2 AP ... 1 AP if you'll provide them a 2 s.p./day bonus.
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I set my godentag down to the side of the door.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We can give them 282 lb all told and stay at 3 AP. That leaves a little over 3 lbs which any one of us can make up the difference in.
  
−
'''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.
+
'''The DM:''' You can eat that for breakfast on the 20th.
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I cast ''Protection from Malevolence'' and discharge it on myself.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Then I believe we are off.
  
−
'''The DM:''' It's stuck.
+
'''The DM:''' Figure 4 lbs. a day for travelling, eat 1½ lb. each for breakfast, then at the end of the first day you finish off with 48 total lbs. gone from eaten food.  The journey is, I remember, 14 total hours at 3 AP.  So it would be 21 at 2 AP ... so you’ve made a little less than half your distance the first day.  That leaves 11 hours at 2 AP.  Unless you want to cache some of your food at the cairn.
  
−
'''Pandred''': Stuck ain't locked. I'll HROAGH it open.
+
'''The DM:''' You have no encounters on the 20th.
  
−
'''The DM:''' You're not as strong as you used to be.
+
'''Pandred''': That's almost too bad. We'd have eaten more of our encumbrance. Hmm, but then we'd have loaded down the cart with trophies. Tricky business.
  
−
'''Pandred''': But stronger in spirit! HROAGH! Vaf, you'd probably have better odds.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' As we set up camp for the night, I cast ''Augury'' and ask the following:
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Is Hamish Ross in Norway"
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Is Hamish Ross in Denmark"
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Is Hamish Ross in Scotland"
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I'll try it!
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I thought about caching but we'd have to leave too much to gain any AP. We'll be fine with the longer travel.
  
−
'''The DM:''' Roll a d100.  Corrected.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Tomorrow, can you ask if the gold can be recognized or tracked?
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' 96.
+
'''The DM:''' The answers are Yes, null, null.  You don't get answers for the last two questions.
  
−
'''The DM:''' No, that door is stuck.
+
'''The DM:''' From the document: “the scroll delivers a land grant to whom is apparently a Scotsman, Hamish Ross, of 8,000 acres upon the island of Askøy west of Bergen, for services rendered to Christian IV, the King of Denmark, against the Swedes in the Battle of Femern in 1644. The document was to be delivered to Ross so that he could take possession of his lands; the document is dated May the 10th, 1647.”  Which is odd, since all the coins clearly post-date 1648.
  
−
'''[[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.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I can certainly ask that tomorrow. I assume the most likely place for him to be is on the island of Askøy, but I figured I'd start narrowing it down.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' The sappers can handle this, no doubt. So it'll have to wait.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Thank you for the reminder. That's intriguing.
  
−
'''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.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' And, if I recall, the airship showed signs of being exposed to Norwegian rains and winters for three years.
−
: 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.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' That implies that the gold is not from the airship. Which I didn't think we believed as a theory but can possibly rule it out anyway.
  
−
'''The DM:''' Can you think of another way to get through this door?  Or the other stuck door on the first level (d.)?
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Interesting. The pack in which the circlet and land grant were found was described as "bearing the emblem of the King of Denmark & Norway, Christian the 5th. Your king." Is this merely a typo?
 +
: '''The DM:''' Hm.  That shouldn't have been published; it was an error I thought I'd fixed before publishing. I'll clear it up.  Christian the 5th doesn't become king for a while. Your present king is Frederick III. 
 +
::'''[[Lexent]]:''' Meaning that the emblem on that pack was of Frederick III, meaning that the land grant could date to the same time as the gold, just not the airship.
 +
::: '''The DM:''' That's correct.
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Would Pandred and Vafrandir be able to employ a crowbar and attempt it together?
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Also, cultic goblins may not have had much use for gold. Perhaps Ross may have a deeper connection to the Grond lair than we previously thought.
−
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' Scratch that. I don't see a crowbar anywhere in our supplies.
 
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Also, where are the hinges?
+
'''Pandred''': Here I thought we were about to uncover a cool conspiracy with the wrong king. Denmark-Norway got soundly beaten in the wars preceding us. Sweden pretty much runs the Baltic from what I understand.
  
−
'''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?
+
'''The DM:''' Odd.  My first draft made that Christian V error last night; and now I find I made the same mistake months ago. I draw your attention to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_III_of_Denmark#:~:text=Frederick%20III%20(Danish%3A%20Frederik%3B,until%20his%20death%20in%201670.&text=He%20instituted%20absolute%20monarchy%20in,the%20Throne%20Chair%20of%20Denmark this page on wikipedia]:
  
−
'''Marcule:''' Can i cast chill on the door to see if i can shrink it?
+
'''The DM:''' Don’t be too sure about that 3 year weathering; you’re not experts, it’s just a guess.
 +
: Pandred, since the death of Gustavus, Sweden has been on a very slight decline; and with the end of the 30 years war, it is getting embroiled in disputes over the territory it holds on mainland Europe.  It is distracted from menacing Denmark & Norway at present.  This would be common knowledge.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Ice expands.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I assume the king who granted the land was Christian IV. The airship bearing the grant crashes shortly after (and no apparently attempt is made to recover it). Frederick III became king in 1648, mints special coins, and Hamish Ross takes possession of them. Then they find their way to Grond. The timing of the airship crash would help determine whether or not the coins were on the ship, which would be the most convenient explanation for their presence in the lair.
−
:'''[[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.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Except that the bag at the airship also bore the emblem of Frederick III.
 +
: '''The DM:''' Yes, I want to make sure its understood that's the case, my error nonwithstanding.
  
−
'''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.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Ah, ok. So then the working theory is that the gold was on the airship and was recovered/taken to the lair.
  
−
'''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.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' So, a couple of possibilities:
 +
* Our estimates on the length of time the ship was there were wrong.
 +
* The gold and bag were not on the airship when it crashed, but instead were brought there later.
 +
* They started making Frederick III coins and bags before he was king.
 +
* Time travel.
  
−
'''The DM:''' As it happens, Pandred, the door was designed by the goblins, so the hinges are on this side.
+
'''The DM:''' bursts out laughing.
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I attempt to remove the hinges.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Can't rule it out though ;)
  
−
'''The DM:''' Using what?
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Out. We'll get to the bottom of this!
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' An Iron spike and a hammer.
+
'''The DM:''' Out.
−
 
 
−
'''The DM:''' An iron spike isn’t thin enough or hard enough to work out the hinge.
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Dang. Any other thoughts, guys?
 
−
 
 
−
'''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.
 
−
 
 
−
'''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.
 
−
 
 
−
'''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.
 
−
 
 
−
'''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.
 
−
 
 
−
== The Sigh ==
 
−
'''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.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Pandred''': '''5'''.
 
−
 
 
−
'''The DM:''' It fails Pandred.  The axe breaks on a 1 or 2 when a roll is required.
 
  
 +
== What to Do After Treborg? ==
 
'''The DM:''' In.
 
'''The DM:''' In.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In. 4 lb per person for traveling for the 20th, correct?
−
 
+
: '''The DM:''' Yes.
−
'''The DM:''' Push on through the door?
 
−
 
 
−
'''Marcule:''' In.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Pandred:''' In but on phone.
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We push on.
 
−
 
 
−
[[File:Mok-Losh.jpg|right|700px|]]
 
−
 
 
−
'''The DM:''' Pandred works out the other hinge and the door falls forward with a bang into a large room.
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Well, dang. Looks to be a pretty big jelly?
 
−
 
 
−
'''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 jelly.  It roils gently and the pupils of its eyes fix upon you.
 
−
 
 
−
'''The DM:''' The stairs beyond the jelly can’t be easily seen, but they lead down.
 
−
 
 
−
'''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.
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“The Interlopers”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''Marcule:''' "After this I am building the biggest jelly arsenal kit you have ever seen."
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Another of Grond's minions"
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“I am not a minion”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "What, then? Do you oppose Grond?"
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“I am Grond’s gaoler”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Then perhaps we have similar goals."
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "If you are Grond's jailer, what has happened that allows his influence on the world?"
 
−
 
 
−
<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>
 
−
 
 
−
'''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.
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[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?"
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "We regret your loss; Grond's power precluded peace."
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“I am what I am.  All here was corrupted by Grond.  The goblins are my children.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "We intend to deal with Grond. Perhaps that will be some solace. What is he?"
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“You are not strong enough to defeat Grond.  He has gorged himself on rothe to double his power.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "How may we weaken him?"
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“You cannot.  He must  starve.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Is he contained enough that he will do so?"
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“He cannot get past me.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' How long will it take?
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“A year.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''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''': 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?
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“The goblins were in thrall. They wore submission chains.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Who is Grond?"
 
−
 
 
−
'''Marcule:''' Now I am worried, What is Grond
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“Grond is an enormously powerful wight dwelling beneath the stairs behind me.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“Your people would say ‘cavewight’.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Who are you?"
 
−
 
 
−
=== Who is Grond ===
 
−
<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?"
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“To guard against Grond.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "The Magician? Is this his staff?" I display the staff.
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“That is the cleric’s staff.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "How does he get the food if you are blocking him?"
 
−
 
 
−
'''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?
 
−
:'''[[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?"
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“The magician of the goblins, Xsant.  The wizard locked himself against the undead.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "How long ago was this?"
 
−
 
 
−
'''Marcule:''' sorry guys out for the day. see you tomorrow
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“Ten Days Ago.”'''''</big></big>
 
−
 
 
−
'''Arduin''': "Where is he now?"
 
−
 
 
−
<big><big>'''''“Summoning me killed him.  He is in his room.”'''''</big></big>
 
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "And how long has Grond been corrupting your children?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' In.
  
−
<big><big>'''''“I cannot answer.  I have been here for ten days. I know what is happening now.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''Marcule:''' in
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "What if we were to work with you? Do you think our combined power would be able to overcome Grond?"
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' About what time do we arrive in Treborg?
  
−
<big><big>'''''“I cannot wage war on this plane of existence; I can defend. That is all.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I believe we are still at the cairn on the evening of the 20th.
  
−
'''[[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?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Unless we can figure out a way to pick up the pace, I believe we are slated to have to risk malady checks to even make it by the end of tomorrow.
  
−
<big><big>'''''“I have closed every exit.  He cannot escape but to fight me. He knows he cannot win.”'''''</big></big>
+
'''The DM:''' You're probably past the cairn.  You'll have 11 hours travel tomorrow.  Let's decide first if you want to push that travel and risk accidents.
  
−
'''Pandred''': "What else remains here? Is there anything that could harm you? What can we do to aid your mission?"
+
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I have no objection to another day of travel. We are pretty loaded down. "Shortcuts make long delays."
  
−
<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>
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Fine by me. We split up the remaining travel into two days.
  
−
'''Pandred''': "And when Grond is gone, what happens to you?"
+
'''Marcule:''' I agree, if we rush that might leave us in real trouble.
  
−
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "What of the living shadows?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Is everyone else ready to sleep for the evening of the 20th?

Revision as of 10:49, 11 June 2021

Continued from Retire to Above

The DM: I will need to know what your action points are on the cart. I've created a chart for calculating cart encumbrance, if you haven't already seen it. The weather on the morning of the 20th is beautiful: clear skies, no clouds at all, pleasant weather, a gentle breeze blowing. Feels like the first day of Summer.

What's more, seems very quiet this morning as you head out on your journey.

Lexent: Quite.

Vafrandir: Looking for my Stavanger sheet - AP shortly.

Vafrandir: We need to drop about 300 lbs. Max with the mule is 1 AP at 1350 lb, we have about 1635 lb.

Lexent: Wow. I don't suppose that's an amount we can spread out amongst ourselves and our hirelings.

Lexent: I can only take about another 20 lbs. before I reach my max. 9 more will drop me from 3AP to 2.

The DM: You have the strengths of each hireling; presume they're already carrying 40 lbs. of personal gear, and that they'd be ready to push themselves to 2 AP ... 1 AP if you'll provide them a 2 s.p./day bonus.

Vafrandir: We can give them 282 lb all told and stay at 3 AP. That leaves a little over 3 lbs which any one of us can make up the difference in.

The DM: You can eat that for breakfast on the 20th.

Lexent: Then I believe we are off.

The DM: Figure 4 lbs. a day for travelling, eat 1½ lb. each for breakfast, then at the end of the first day you finish off with 48 total lbs. gone from eaten food. The journey is, I remember, 14 total hours at 3 AP. So it would be 21 at 2 AP ... so you’ve made a little less than half your distance the first day. That leaves 11 hours at 2 AP. Unless you want to cache some of your food at the cairn.

The DM: You have no encounters on the 20th.

Pandred: That's almost too bad. We'd have eaten more of our encumbrance. Hmm, but then we'd have loaded down the cart with trophies. Tricky business.

Lexent: As we set up camp for the night, I cast Augury and ask the following:

Lexent: "Is Hamish Ross in Norway"
Lexent: "Is Hamish Ross in Denmark"
Lexent: "Is Hamish Ross in Scotland"

Vafrandir: I thought about caching but we'd have to leave too much to gain any AP. We'll be fine with the longer travel.

Vafrandir: Tomorrow, can you ask if the gold can be recognized or tracked?

The DM: The answers are Yes, null, null. You don't get answers for the last two questions.

The DM: From the document: “the scroll delivers a land grant to whom is apparently a Scotsman, Hamish Ross, of 8,000 acres upon the island of Askøy west of Bergen, for services rendered to Christian IV, the King of Denmark, against the Swedes in the Battle of Femern in 1644. The document was to be delivered to Ross so that he could take possession of his lands; the document is dated May the 10th, 1647.” Which is odd, since all the coins clearly post-date 1648.

Lexent: I can certainly ask that tomorrow. I assume the most likely place for him to be is on the island of Askøy, but I figured I'd start narrowing it down.

Vafrandir: Thank you for the reminder. That's intriguing.

Lexent: And, if I recall, the airship showed signs of being exposed to Norwegian rains and winters for three years.

Vafrandir: That implies that the gold is not from the airship. Which I didn't think we believed as a theory but can possibly rule it out anyway.

Lexent: Interesting. The pack in which the circlet and land grant were found was described as "bearing the emblem of the King of Denmark & Norway, Christian the 5th. Your king." Is this merely a typo?

The DM: Hm. That shouldn't have been published; it was an error I thought I'd fixed before publishing. I'll clear it up. Christian the 5th doesn't become king for a while. Your present king is Frederick III.
Lexent: Meaning that the emblem on that pack was of Frederick III, meaning that the land grant could date to the same time as the gold, just not the airship.
The DM: That's correct.

Vafrandir: Also, cultic goblins may not have had much use for gold. Perhaps Ross may have a deeper connection to the Grond lair than we previously thought.

Pandred: Here I thought we were about to uncover a cool conspiracy with the wrong king. Denmark-Norway got soundly beaten in the wars preceding us. Sweden pretty much runs the Baltic from what I understand.

The DM: Odd. My first draft made that Christian V error last night; and now I find I made the same mistake months ago. I draw your attention to this page on wikipedia:

The DM: Don’t be too sure about that 3 year weathering; you’re not experts, it’s just a guess.

Pandred, since the death of Gustavus, Sweden has been on a very slight decline; and with the end of the 30 years war, it is getting embroiled in disputes over the territory it holds on mainland Europe. It is distracted from menacing Denmark & Norway at present. This would be common knowledge.

Vafrandir: I assume the king who granted the land was Christian IV. The airship bearing the grant crashes shortly after (and no apparently attempt is made to recover it). Frederick III became king in 1648, mints special coins, and Hamish Ross takes possession of them. Then they find their way to Grond. The timing of the airship crash would help determine whether or not the coins were on the ship, which would be the most convenient explanation for their presence in the lair.

Lexent: Except that the bag at the airship also bore the emblem of Frederick III.

The DM: Yes, I want to make sure its understood that's the case, my error nonwithstanding.

Vafrandir: Ah, ok. So then the working theory is that the gold was on the airship and was recovered/taken to the lair.

Lexent: So, a couple of possibilities:

  • Our estimates on the length of time the ship was there were wrong.
  • The gold and bag were not on the airship when it crashed, but instead were brought there later.
  • They started making Frederick III coins and bags before he was king.
  • Time travel.

The DM: bursts out laughing.

Vafrandir: Can't rule it out though ;)

Vafrandir: Out. We'll get to the bottom of this!

The DM: Out.

What to Do After Treborg?

The DM: In.

Vafrandir: In. 4 lb per person for traveling for the 20th, correct?

The DM: Yes.

Lexent: In.

Marcule: in

Vafrandir: About what time do we arrive in Treborg?

Lexent: I believe we are still at the cairn on the evening of the 20th.

Lexent: Unless we can figure out a way to pick up the pace, I believe we are slated to have to risk malady checks to even make it by the end of tomorrow.

The DM: You're probably past the cairn. You'll have 11 hours travel tomorrow. Let's decide first if you want to push that travel and risk accidents.

Vafrandir: I have no objection to another day of travel. We are pretty loaded down. "Shortcuts make long delays."

Lexent: Fine by me. We split up the remaining travel into two days.

Marcule: I agree, if we rush that might leave us in real trouble.

Lexent: Is everyone else ready to sleep for the evening of the 20th?

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