Difference between pages "Vafrandir’s Journey" and "The Baron"

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Continued from '''[[The Lodge]]'''
+
Continued from '''[[Visitor]]'''
  
−
Vafrandir, during your journey to Bergen, this being the 6th of August, you face a drizzling rain.  The weeather is cool and there is a stiff, moderate wind in your face.  As you and Arvid descend towards the fjord (about noon), you pass through a narrow defile; and it is here that you're ambushed by four unarmed assailants — three men and a woman.  They are using short clubs for weapons, suggesting they want to take you alive rather than kill you.  I'll set up the map.  For the moment, please roll a d6 for surprise.
+
'''The DM:''' on the 19th, a party appears from the east consisting of Alvin, Caleb (who apparently found his way there), the Thane of Odda and half a dozen attendents.  Sven calls out their appearance and everyone goes to see them on their way.  Hamish, who is cleaned up now and sober, shakes your hands as they approach and tells you each that he is greatly indebted to the service you’ve provided for him.  That he won’t forget it, when his title is finally given.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' '''4'''.
+
: It's a beautiful day, with a bare breeze blowing from the west, pleasant weather and a clear blue sky.
  
−
[[File:Round 1.jpg|right|420px|]]
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "I am glad to have had the opportunity to assist in your recovery, and in getting to know you as person."
−
'''The DM:''' Sorry about the delay and that the enemy all look alike.  Please roll a d6 for initiative.
 
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' '''2'''.
+
'''Pandred''': I'll smile and nod.
  
−
'''The DM:''' I roll a 1.  You have initiative.
+
'''The DM:''' The Thane comes forward to meet the party.  He and Hamish grip arms, a certain amount of ceremony is expressed ... but since the patents have been viewed, the meeting is merely to convince the Thane that Hamish is a serious, able person.  Lexent has made that possible, though of course Hamish has only 9 of his 14 charisma.  He is a bit halting in his speech, but he is sound enough to convince the Thane that they should speak alone for a time.  Caleb falls into a private conversation with Bergthora, Alvin recounts his experiences with Sven and the party find themselves ignored.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I draw my sword (2 AP), only 1 left.
+
'''Pandred''': I'll settle in, wait to hear from the Baron what this means for him in the immediate future.
  
−
'''The DM:''' Please run Arvid as well; you're in charge of his actions.  He has 4 AP and is carrying a short sword on his belt.
+
'''The DM:''' The word will make itself slowly understood, that the ‘Baron’ in the title describes Baron Hamish Ross.  The Thane suggests that he, Ross and his entourage make their way immediately to Voss, to confront the Count face-to-face at his summer residence there.  Caleb speaks up to say that the way has been made safe and that no one need worry about bandits along the way.
 +
:'''[[Lexent]]:''' Ah. Misunderstood 'his entourage'.
  
−
'''Arvid:''' I draw my sword and move to '''1810'''.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I begin collecting my things in order to set out with them.</span>
  
−
'''The DM:''' Additionally, I thought we'd agreed that the "draw speed" sage ability also included decreasing the time needed to draw a weapon from your belt by 1 AP. I see I hadn't written that on the wiki, [https://wiki.alexissmolensk.com/index.php/Puissance_(sage_study)#Authority so I've added it].
+
'''Sven:''' (speaking to Lexent) “Thank you for all you have done, and for ensuring that we’ve been safe these past three weeks.   I think its probably best if we part ways from here.”
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Thanks for the reminder. I'll move to 1508. Arvid will remain where he is.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "You're welcome. Thank you for the protection and anonymity you provided. Give our regards to Espen Rosted as well."
  
−
'''The DM:''' None of the ambushers make a move.
+
'''The DM:''' the Thane will acknowledge you as well, though with hardly more than a nod and a bow.  Hamish will embrace Lexent and shake the hands of the rest of the party.  Caleb gives Vafrandir a rueful glance.  Bergthora says goodbye to Pandred, saying that “I’m sure we’ll meet again.”  Without waiting, they all head off, leaving the party behind.
  
−
'''Ambusher A:''' “Surrender.  You’re outnumbered.  We don’t wish to bring you harm.”
+
== What Now? ==
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Well, shall we return to Bergen and try to find passage to Trondheim?"
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Who sent you? Why should we believe you?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Arduin, do you think we still have time in the season to make such a journey before the winter turns deadly?"
  
−
'''Ambusher A:''' “If we’d wanted to harm or kill you, we wouldn’t have shown ourselves first.  You walked right past Caleb and Denar, didn’t you?”
+
'''The DM:''' Arduin can say that it is never truly cold, as in Arctic, but it is miserably damp and sloppy, with enough snow to make tramping through the wilderness impractical.
−
:'''The DM:''' he gestures to C & D, standing before Arvid.
 
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "Harm now, or harm later, its much the same to the body. What do you want with us?"
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' That is what I fear. At what point in the year does that occur?
  
−
'''Ambusher A:'''  “I follow the orders of another.  He doesn’t trust you and has told us not to trust you either.  You’re to come with us.”
+
'''Arvid:'''  “Perhaps we should winter south, masters?”
−
: He draws out two sets of manacles and hurls them towards Vafrandir.
 
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' "No, I don't think we will. I'm not well accustomed to shackles and I've no plans to become so."
+
'''The DM:''' the days have already begun to rapidly shorten; by late September, the nights are longer than the days and by late October the days in Bronnoykoy are very short indeed.
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' [Just so you know, I'm pretty high on adrenaline right now]
+
'''Pandred''': I will growl in frustration. "There's no ''goblins'' south!" "Where was Dilhak going, maybe we can still chase the giant bear!"
  
−
'''Ambusher A:''' “We can do this the hard way.”
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Let us head back to Bergen we can decide our course from there."
−
: '''The DM:''' He moves to 1510.  Re-roll initiative.
 
  
−
== The Battle for True Now ==
+
'''Arvid:''' "Is that safe?"
  
−
[[File:The Ambushers Round 1a.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Prior to the Ambusher's Attack]]
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "What precisely is your concern?"
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' 2.
 
  
−
'''The DM:''' I have it this time with a 3.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' (To Pandred) "Dilhak was planning to return south before winter set in."
  
−
'''The DM:''' “A” moves to 1509 and attacks, missing with a 4.
+
'''Arvid:''' “Well ... if Tacitus knew about us helping Hamish ... isn’t there a possibility the Genoans will also know about us?  And might have a description?  And might recognize us if we returned to Bergen?”
−
: “B” moves to 1409 and rolls a natural 20, followed with a 16. Damage, 2 doubled, <big>takes 4 DAMAGE</big>.
 
−
: Denar (“D”) goes to 1909, hitting with a 15. Arvid <big>takes 2 DAMAGE</big>.   I’ve provided Arvid’s hit points; tell me if he’s stunned.
 
−
: Caleb moves to 1808, watching the battles between Vafrandir and Arvid, seeing where he needs to engage.
 
  
−
'''The DM:''' It’s Vafrandir’s attack. Readying another map if you want to wait for it.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Hmm. I hadn't considered that. I suppose they might be ... displeased and seek to take out their frustrations on us."
  
−
[[File:The Ambushers Round 1b.jpg|right|490px|thumb|After the Ambusher's Attack]]
+
'''Pandred''': "You'd rather chase after the Baron? We're not wanted there either."
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' That puts Arvid at 10-4=6, and then 6-2=4. I believe that's a stun.
+
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "These Genoans seem to cause a great deal of trouble. Might there be something we could accomplish to lessen their influence? Perhaps Bergotha and her friends would be able to provide us with some ideas to counter them."
  
−
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I attack A, rolling '''18 raw, 21 to hit; 7 raw, 9 to hit'''.
+
'''The DM:''' They have already gone off on their way ... though I suppose they’re still in sight.
 +
 
 +
'''Pandred''': "Our contacts just left up the road. Must we suffer the indignity of scurrying after them only to be told to deal with it on our own?"
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' "Well, what do you wish to do then? The paths with which we are familiar, both north and south, pass through Bergen. I doubt our supplies will last us for a journey anywhere else without resupplying in Bergen."
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' The distances are not so great as you might think.
 +
 
 +
'''Pandred''': I mean that's a lot of trekking around the Fjords. Maybe I'm not seeing something, but it seems like without returning to hire a boat in Bergen we're basically spending the rest of autumn walking home.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Also, the shield, I believe, is still in Bergen.
 +
 
 +
'''Pandred''': I'm Out for at least an hour here, but I do want to tease this out. It's a damn shame Vaf couldn't make it today, he knows our supplies better than anyone. I am fully okay with burning Bergen to the ground in a fight to the death with the Genoese though, just putting it out there.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' You’re about 8 miles east of Bergen; but like with Rogaland, there are little Hamlets on the water all about.  Any of those will get you across the right fjord to get back home, if that’s the goal.  I don’t know what I can say about the shield.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' I believe it was stashed wherever we took Hamish's gold.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' I don't believe any measures were taken to store things in Bergen.  You got the gold off the ship to give to Hamish; you didn't give him the shield; that means you must still have it with you.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Looking at Vafrandir's Cargo document, I see the shield being listed as on the cart. Did we bring the cart and animals with us to Bergen and on to the lodge since then?
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' If it is on the cart, it is in Treborg.  You did not bring the cart on the ship.  For example, the cart would not have gone on the longboat to get to Stavanger to take the ship to Bergen.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Hmm. Well, I know we have the shield, its half the reason we made this trip and has been mentioned several times. Vafrandir just must not have updated it on the document.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' I know you '''wanted''' to have the shield ... but there's always that pesky detail of remembering to bring it along, isn't there?  Something about Des Moines seems to prey on my memory.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Well, not being the company quartermaster, I cannot say for sure. It would actually be a lot easier to deal with at this point not to have brought it, but that feels kind of ... convenient at this point.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' It is something Vafrandir can settle.  I'm not worried about the convenience of it; all in all, kind of funny.  Either way, I haven't been keeping track of it so I know no more than you.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' Out.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' In.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' In.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' Still in the same place we were.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Yeah. I'm having difficulty figuring out a plan of action that doesn't include returning to Bergen, especially since I'm not really sure what supplies we have on hand.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' I'd like to provide a map, but I haven't got a pretext for your having that information at this time.  In Bergen, I could justify this by supposing that you asked numerous people to explain the countryside; but as you're not from around here, and there are no people, my hands are tied.  Just heading out and exploring is an option, of course.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' True, but without knowing we have sufficient supplies, that seems like asking for trouble. I'd like to wait for Pandred/Arduin and Marcule to weigh in.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' Looks like we have a long wait today.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' Indeed. Just a part of playing this format.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' Out.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' In.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' In.  Here we are again, apparently.  Heh.
 +
 
 +
'''Pandred''': Ok. In. Let's rumble. By which I mean, let's consider whether or not we're going to meander back home or do something else.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' Vafrandir is here, but he hasn't logged in on this page.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' In.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Let me go back through the pages. I believe we stated we took the shield several times (and not the cart), but in the back-and-forth it's easy to lose track of details, or forget to transfer that to the sheet. Or perhaps we simply left it and must deal with it.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' My biggest concern is food supplies. I think looking into working against the Genoese might be enjoyable, but am happy to head for home as well.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' We never specifically stated we brought the shield. Therefore, it must be in Treborg.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' You sure you didn't account for its weight in shipping tonnage?
 +
:'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' Looks like I accounted for all the cart equipment (which would include the shield) but not the cart itself. That's significantly lessened now without the gold. Give me a minute and I'll go back over my notes and provide a full accounting of what we have now (and resolve any mistakes).
 +
 
 +
'''Pandred''': Silly, but ok. So. Are we staying here and causing trouble for Genoans, or are we Wintering back in Treborg and hoping we get a nice letter from the Baron? Something like "I'm definitely not beholden to one or more criminal interests, please don't come rescue me."
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' So?
 +
 
 +
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I say we help with the Genoan Problem.
 +
 
 +
'''[[Vafrandir]]:''' I did account for the shield in the original tonnage, along with several chests of food. Speaking of which, let me account for food for the last several days. How long have we been at the lodge?
 +
 
 +
'''[[Lexent]]:''' 23 Days, I believe.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' Then you have the shield with you.  Unless you'd prefer to assume its with Embla's parents in Stavanger at this time.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' It is the 19th of August just now, about 7pm.
 +
 
 +
'''The DM:''' I would like to know what you might think you could do against the Genoans.

Revision as of 11:17, 30 July 2021

Continued from Visitor

The DM: on the 19th, a party appears from the east consisting of Alvin, Caleb (who apparently found his way there), the Thane of Odda and half a dozen attendents. Sven calls out their appearance and everyone goes to see them on their way. Hamish, who is cleaned up now and sober, shakes your hands as they approach and tells you each that he is greatly indebted to the service you’ve provided for him. That he won’t forget it, when his title is finally given.

It's a beautiful day, with a bare breeze blowing from the west, pleasant weather and a clear blue sky.

Lexent: "I am glad to have had the opportunity to assist in your recovery, and in getting to know you as person."

Pandred: I'll smile and nod.

The DM: The Thane comes forward to meet the party. He and Hamish grip arms, a certain amount of ceremony is expressed ... but since the patents have been viewed, the meeting is merely to convince the Thane that Hamish is a serious, able person. Lexent has made that possible, though of course Hamish has only 9 of his 14 charisma. He is a bit halting in his speech, but he is sound enough to convince the Thane that they should speak alone for a time. Caleb falls into a private conversation with Bergthora, Alvin recounts his experiences with Sven and the party find themselves ignored.

Pandred: I'll settle in, wait to hear from the Baron what this means for him in the immediate future.

The DM: The word will make itself slowly understood, that the ‘Baron’ in the title describes Baron Hamish Ross. The Thane suggests that he, Ross and his entourage make their way immediately to Voss, to confront the Count face-to-face at his summer residence there. Caleb speaks up to say that the way has been made safe and that no one need worry about bandits along the way.

Lexent: Ah. Misunderstood 'his entourage'.

Lexent: I begin collecting my things in order to set out with them.

Sven: (speaking to Lexent) “Thank you for all you have done, and for ensuring that we’ve been safe these past three weeks. I think its probably best if we part ways from here.”

Lexent: "You're welcome. Thank you for the protection and anonymity you provided. Give our regards to Espen Rosted as well."

The DM: the Thane will acknowledge you as well, though with hardly more than a nod and a bow. Hamish will embrace Lexent and shake the hands of the rest of the party. Caleb gives Vafrandir a rueful glance. Bergthora says goodbye to Pandred, saying that “I’m sure we’ll meet again.” Without waiting, they all head off, leaving the party behind.

What Now?

Lexent: "Well, shall we return to Bergen and try to find passage to Trondheim?"

Lexent: "Arduin, do you think we still have time in the season to make such a journey before the winter turns deadly?"

The DM: Arduin can say that it is never truly cold, as in Arctic, but it is miserably damp and sloppy, with enough snow to make tramping through the wilderness impractical.

Lexent: That is what I fear. At what point in the year does that occur?

Arvid: “Perhaps we should winter south, masters?”

The DM: the days have already begun to rapidly shorten; by late September, the nights are longer than the days and by late October the days in Bronnoykoy are very short indeed.

Pandred: I will growl in frustration. "There's no goblins south!" "Where was Dilhak going, maybe we can still chase the giant bear!"

Lexent: "Let us head back to Bergen we can decide our course from there."

Arvid: "Is that safe?"

Lexent: "What precisely is your concern?"

Lexent: (To Pandred) "Dilhak was planning to return south before winter set in."

Arvid: “Well ... if Tacitus knew about us helping Hamish ... isn’t there a possibility the Genoans will also know about us? And might have a description? And might recognize us if we returned to Bergen?”

Lexent: "Hmm. I hadn't considered that. I suppose they might be ... displeased and seek to take out their frustrations on us."

Pandred: "You'd rather chase after the Baron? We're not wanted there either."

Lexent: "These Genoans seem to cause a great deal of trouble. Might there be something we could accomplish to lessen their influence? Perhaps Bergotha and her friends would be able to provide us with some ideas to counter them."

The DM: They have already gone off on their way ... though I suppose they’re still in sight.

Pandred: "Our contacts just left up the road. Must we suffer the indignity of scurrying after them only to be told to deal with it on our own?"

Lexent: "Well, what do you wish to do then? The paths with which we are familiar, both north and south, pass through Bergen. I doubt our supplies will last us for a journey anywhere else without resupplying in Bergen."

The DM: The distances are not so great as you might think.

Pandred: I mean that's a lot of trekking around the Fjords. Maybe I'm not seeing something, but it seems like without returning to hire a boat in Bergen we're basically spending the rest of autumn walking home.

Lexent: Also, the shield, I believe, is still in Bergen.

Pandred: I'm Out for at least an hour here, but I do want to tease this out. It's a damn shame Vaf couldn't make it today, he knows our supplies better than anyone. I am fully okay with burning Bergen to the ground in a fight to the death with the Genoese though, just putting it out there.

The DM: You’re about 8 miles east of Bergen; but like with Rogaland, there are little Hamlets on the water all about. Any of those will get you across the right fjord to get back home, if that’s the goal. I don’t know what I can say about the shield.

Lexent: I believe it was stashed wherever we took Hamish's gold.

The DM: I don't believe any measures were taken to store things in Bergen. You got the gold off the ship to give to Hamish; you didn't give him the shield; that means you must still have it with you.

Lexent: Looking at Vafrandir's Cargo document, I see the shield being listed as on the cart. Did we bring the cart and animals with us to Bergen and on to the lodge since then?

The DM: If it is on the cart, it is in Treborg. You did not bring the cart on the ship. For example, the cart would not have gone on the longboat to get to Stavanger to take the ship to Bergen.

Lexent: Hmm. Well, I know we have the shield, its half the reason we made this trip and has been mentioned several times. Vafrandir just must not have updated it on the document.

The DM: I know you wanted to have the shield ... but there's always that pesky detail of remembering to bring it along, isn't there? Something about Des Moines seems to prey on my memory.

Lexent: Well, not being the company quartermaster, I cannot say for sure. It would actually be a lot easier to deal with at this point not to have brought it, but that feels kind of ... convenient at this point.

The DM: It is something Vafrandir can settle. I'm not worried about the convenience of it; all in all, kind of funny. Either way, I haven't been keeping track of it so I know no more than you.

The DM: Out.

The DM: In.

Lexent: In.

The DM: Still in the same place we were.

Lexent: Yeah. I'm having difficulty figuring out a plan of action that doesn't include returning to Bergen, especially since I'm not really sure what supplies we have on hand.

The DM: I'd like to provide a map, but I haven't got a pretext for your having that information at this time. In Bergen, I could justify this by supposing that you asked numerous people to explain the countryside; but as you're not from around here, and there are no people, my hands are tied. Just heading out and exploring is an option, of course.

Lexent: True, but without knowing we have sufficient supplies, that seems like asking for trouble. I'd like to wait for Pandred/Arduin and Marcule to weigh in.

The DM: Looks like we have a long wait today.

Lexent: Indeed. Just a part of playing this format.

The DM: Out.

Lexent: In.

The DM: In. Here we are again, apparently. Heh.

Pandred: Ok. In. Let's rumble. By which I mean, let's consider whether or not we're going to meander back home or do something else.

The DM: Vafrandir is here, but he hasn't logged in on this page.

Vafrandir: In.

Vafrandir: Let me go back through the pages. I believe we stated we took the shield several times (and not the cart), but in the back-and-forth it's easy to lose track of details, or forget to transfer that to the sheet. Or perhaps we simply left it and must deal with it.

Lexent: My biggest concern is food supplies. I think looking into working against the Genoese might be enjoyable, but am happy to head for home as well.

Vafrandir: We never specifically stated we brought the shield. Therefore, it must be in Treborg.

The DM: You sure you didn't account for its weight in shipping tonnage?

Vafrandir: Looks like I accounted for all the cart equipment (which would include the shield) but not the cart itself. That's significantly lessened now without the gold. Give me a minute and I'll go back over my notes and provide a full accounting of what we have now (and resolve any mistakes).

Pandred: Silly, but ok. So. Are we staying here and causing trouble for Genoans, or are we Wintering back in Treborg and hoping we get a nice letter from the Baron? Something like "I'm definitely not beholden to one or more criminal interests, please don't come rescue me."

The DM: So?

Vafrandir: I say we help with the Genoan Problem.

Vafrandir: I did account for the shield in the original tonnage, along with several chests of food. Speaking of which, let me account for food for the last several days. How long have we been at the lodge?

Lexent: 23 Days, I believe.

The DM: Then you have the shield with you. Unless you'd prefer to assume its with Embla's parents in Stavanger at this time.

The DM: It is the 19th of August just now, about 7pm.

The DM: I would like to know what you might think you could do against the Genoans.

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