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Post by venger on Jan 2, 2011 22:42:25 GMT -5
Paavo: 11159
Friedrich: 12393 (dead)
Trommer: 10100 (level gain)
Colby: -466 | (10861)
Ingrid: 280/280
Finnious: 5477/10477
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Post by Friedrich on Jan 3, 2011 0:12:29 GMT -5
Well, that sucks for me but I still enjoyed the game. So does this mean that I am dead, like I should be thinking about my next character or dead like the rest of the party needs to figure out how to get me out of the gem? Just asking. Scott and Dana, FYI: Friedrich picked up a gem to assess the value, failed a save at -3(rolled a natural 4) and he is now trapped in inside of it. But I did manage to appraise the value at 1000gp. HA! And the whole "no shadow" problem seems to be getting worse as I now have no night vision amongst other things, although it may not matter anymore. A little recap: We left the orc caves after asking the mask how to open the magic chest. I believe we got a one word answer: faith. Next we headed to Willoughsby where, as always, we are not very popular. Randall, in case you are reading this; you are now a slug who does not know that he was once human due to a subsequent failed save. The druid won’t help because we owe him a favor, which we never did. Friedrich asked the druid for help and rolled a 15% for reaction. The druid began casting call lightning. We left without any bloodshed. We met up with a new PC dwarf fighter-cleric, Ingrid, who has been sent to save the “dwarf with no shadow” and the rest of the world too. She joined the party, so now we have a cleric. Next we went to Miss Greenleaf’s(Randall’s lover) abode and she agreed to take the slug(Randall) to the druid and try to persuade him to help. Apparently the druid tried(unsuccessfully) to dispel the magic. Randall is still a slug but she promised to take care of him and let him live in her garden. Find Finnious: Finnious, in spite of our excellent planning and foresight regarding paying off Stringer Bell, seems to be lost. Several days after the expected meet-up date and still no sign of him. The guards at the gates of Devonshire have no records of him entering which is not a surprise. He probably just sneaked in at night to avoid detection and the entry fee. He has not run afoul of the law or gotten drunk in a brothel as far as we know so we are wondering if things went bad with Stringer or maybe he just decided he would take the money and run. As it turns out Finnious had paid Stringer and everything was fine there although we did leave Stringer’s den with 8 or 10 crossbows pointed at us, but no bloodshed. We figured that maybe the assassins got him. So we decided to head back to orc caves as Trommer was growing ever anxious from not killing anything and being inside a town all those nights and maybe finnius would be there too. Instead the party was ambushed by the remnants of the Warlock’s Stone crew. Friedrich charged across the bridge and almost got killed. Finnious showed up out of nowhere(he had been on the run for days because his invisibility could not shake the shadow mastiffs for some reason) but we killed all of them except the evil boss wizard as he seems to have gotten away after casting some spell that turned him incorporeal, like a wraith, and he vanished into a tree or something. The ambush consisted of 1 troll, 2 shadow mastiffs, 4 or 5 huntsmen, about 10 orcs and the boss wizard(I forget his name). After the battle, during the subsequent pursuit of the wizard, Paavo’s detect evil found nothing at the base of the tree( where the wizard seemingly vanished into) and Trommer’s ranger abilities were unable to track him. We took a surviving orc hostage and got him to lead us to an abandoned camp where we found a treasure chest with a couple scrolls and a gem (that Friedrich retardedly picked up). I say retarded because Venger specifically asked me, “Do you TOUCH it”? I said yes. |
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Jan 3, 2011 6:01:26 GMT -5
Definitely time for that Halfling shortbow specialist.
Poor Randall.
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Post by venger on Jan 3, 2011 10:18:33 GMT -5
So does this mean that I am dead, like I should be thinking about my next character or dead like the rest of the party needs to figure out how to get me out of the gem? Just asking. Unfortunately the fate of Friedrich ultimately rests in the hands of his fellow party members. As long as he is incapacitated, you'll have to play an alternate. Whether that's a new character or a NPC is up to you. Muktar the orc is available. Paavo promised to free him after all. Randall is in good hands. Assuming he doesn't fail his system shock roll, he's expected to make a full recovery. |
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Post by Ginger on Jan 3, 2011 11:20:55 GMT -5
Muktar the orc is available. Paavo promised to free him after all. I smell a half-orc cleric/assassin! If you're only with us a few weeks, Paavo may be able to put up with him. |
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Post by venger on Jan 3, 2011 12:06:14 GMT -5
Muktar the orc is available. Paavo promised to free him after all. I smell a half-orc cleric/assassin! If you're only with us a few weeks, Paavo may be able to put up with him. Exactly who are you proposing Muktar mates with to produce this half-orc? |
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Post by Ginger on Jan 3, 2011 14:12:08 GMT -5
I smell a half-orc cleric/assassin! If you're only with us a few weeks, Paavo may be able to put up with him. Exactly who are you proposing Muktar mates with to produce this half-orc? I'm sure he is secretly a half-orc disguised as a full orc. |
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Post by venger on Jan 3, 2011 20:01:12 GMT -5
Next we headed to Willoughsby where, as always, we are not very popular. Oh, I missed this. Every time you enter Willowsby you are greeted as heroes by the peasantry. You stay at the Hungry Halfling, for as long as you like, without spending a dime or even so much as a thank you. Father Thomas heals your injuries and patiently answers your questions. |
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Post by Friedrich on Jan 3, 2011 22:26:01 GMT -5
Can't figure out how to quote this one part here:
Unfortunately the fate of Friedrich ultimately rests in the hands of his fellow party members. As long as he is incapacitated, you'll have to play an alternate. Whether that's a new character or a NPC is up to you.
Muktar the orc is available. Paavo promised to free him after all.
Well what are the rules regarding orcs in your game?
does Muktar have stats or would I roll those next session?
Are character creation guidelines still as they have always been?
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Post by venger on Jan 3, 2011 23:44:02 GMT -5
Well what are the rules regarding orcs in your game? Orcs are monsters as per the Monster Manual and can advance to as many hit dice as an orc chief may. XP progression is either as fighter or something else I find on Dragonsfoot. does Muktar have stats or would I roll those next session? I roll stats for all the random monsters you encounter... nah, you can roll them next time if you want. Are character creation guidelines still as they have always been? Yup. But don't lose hope, I'm sure your companions won't abandon you in your time of need. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Jan 4, 2011 9:37:20 GMT -5
Paavo: 11159 Friedrich: 12393 ( dead) Trommer: 10100 ( level gain) Colby: -466 | (10861) Ingrid: 559 Finnious: 5477/10477 Don't forget Ingrid is a cleric/fighter so you'll need to split her xp. Did Friedrich's level drain wear off before he was trapped in the gem? |
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Post by Wolfgar on Jan 4, 2011 10:14:29 GMT -5
My first guess is that the gem acts similarly to a mirror of life trapping - but only works on the soul and can trap only one person at a time. (It's a working theory.) We could have Muktar touch it to see if he changes places with Friedrich. Or we could try breaking it. We should try peering into the gem (without touching it) to see if there is a miniature Friedrich inside. Was it still glowing after Friedrich touched it?
The best way to figure out what happened would be to capture Cathbad and make him tell us. Failing that Finnious could try Identify-ing it. Or we can ask the Masque.
One option would be for Paavo and Trommer to switch armor (so Trommer can move at a 12"). Then Trommer, Finnious and Colby can chase down the troll and Cathbad. (Maybe the troll is carrying Cathbad so as to leave only one set of footprints.) Those 3 are uninjured and should have enough fire power to take them down. Make sure they take Paavo's oil. In the meantime Ingrid and Paavo can take the body of Friedrich to Willowsby. Maybe we can get the Sheriff to send his men out on horseback to chase them down.
Paavo will hold up his end of the bargain and release the orc but he is not going to let an orc join the party. I am sure Trommer would also have a problem with a "giant class" humanoid in the party. If Muktar has more information about how or where we might catch Cathbad we will take that information and then send him on his way with a stern warning about causing any trouble in the area.
Which side of the river is the camp on? I assumed the north side since that was the side they came from and we didn't see any tracks leading up to the bridge. Also the map shows the area south of the bridge to be plains. But if they are on the north side of the river it looks like they would be heading into Willowsby to make their escape. I guess they could cross the river again. It probably doesn't matter one way or another.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 4, 2011 12:12:44 GMT -5
I don't think promising Muktar that we'd "let him go" is consistent with us letting him go... into a soul-stealing gem.
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Post by Friedrich on Jan 4, 2011 12:32:02 GMT -5
I don't think promising Muktar that we'd "let him go" is consistent with us letting him go... into a soul-stealing gem. ;D Yeah, I kind of agree with this one. I 'm not quite sure how this goes over with the paladin code-of-honor. But I really don't want to play an orc anyhow either so no problems there with Paavo and Trommer. Maybe we can track the Necromancer down and get him put in that gem!! Definitely time for that Halfling shortbow specialist. Great minds think alike. |
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Post by Ginger on Jan 4, 2011 13:04:34 GMT -5
I think dragging Friedrich and the gem to the Mask is probably a better bet then trying to chase the wizard and a troll.
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Post by venger on Jan 4, 2011 14:00:18 GMT -5
Don't forget Ingrid is a cleric/fighter so you'll need to split her xp. So modified. Thanks. Did Friedrich's level drain wear off before he was trapped in the gem? Having forgotten the time spent binding wounds after the combat, yes. Was it still glowing after Friedrich touched it? It was luminous at first and glowing brightly after Friedrich's misfortune. Then Trommer, Finnious and Colby can chase down the troll and Cathbad. Trommer is certain a troll is nearby. The spoor is fresh. Which side of the river is the camp on? I assumed the north side since that was the side they came from and we didn't see any tracks leading up to the bridge. Also the map shows the area south of the bridge to be plains. But if they are on the north side of the river it looks like they would be heading into Willowsby to make their escape. I guess they could cross the river again. It probably doesn't matter one way or another. It's on the north side of the river. Maybe I confused the direction, but it should be in the forested hex to the left of the bridge. Striking distance from Willowsby! |
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Post by Wolfgar on Jan 4, 2011 14:25:20 GMT -5
I don't think promising Muktar that we'd "let him go" is consistent with us letting him go... into a soul-stealing gem. If any of you NG characters would come up with these ideas and act on them without Paavo's knowledge then I would not need to suggest them on the board. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Jan 4, 2011 14:29:26 GMT -5
Which side of the river is the camp on? It's on the north side of the river. Maybe I confused the direction, but it should be in the forested hex to the left of the bridge. Striking distance from Willowsby! And which way do the troll's tracks lead? I had assumed they would be heading back to Denagoth (east) from some comment by Muktar but I guess they could be heading back for the Forrest of Night (south). |
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Post by venger on Jan 4, 2011 14:47:35 GMT -5
And which way do the troll's tracks lead? They wander about the camp and meander off into the woods to the north a bit. You haven't followed them to know where they go from there. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Jan 11, 2011 14:43:57 GMT -5
Did we find supplies for the rest of the ambushing group in the camp? Or when we searched the bodies of the orcs and huntsmen were they carrying food and other camping gear? I am trying to figure out if there is evidence that the troll left on a trip (taking food and supplies) or whether he just went into the woods to hide. It is possible we made it back to camp before Cathbad. The troll could have just heard us coming and hid in order to surprise us.
Do we think Cathbad would have left the chest behind as a trap? If so, why would he leave the two scrolls?
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Post by venger on Jan 11, 2011 15:19:37 GMT -5
Did we find supplies for the rest of the ambushing group in the camp? Or when we searched the bodies of the orcs and huntsmen were they carrying food and other camping gear? I'm sure I glossed over the description of the camp, but you found nasty orcish provisions and flea-ridden bedrolls to accomodate the orcs, as well as Cathbad's tent. The huntsmen appear to have carried everything they owned on them, and presumably foraged for their sustenance. Do we think Cathbad would have left the chest behind as a trap? If so, why would he leave the two scrolls? For the letter, at least, I wrote it months ago and didn't want to just throw it away without you guys reading it, since you didn't get a chance at the Warlock Stone. |
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Post by venger on Jan 11, 2011 15:20:28 GMT -5
Cathbad did not appear to leave any personal possessions behind in his tent, aside from this box and his own bedroll.
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Post by Wolfgar on Jan 16, 2011 22:48:51 GMT -5
Good game today. Here is a recap.
We found the other troll just outside of camp. Paavo decided to parley with it. It had no idea where Cathbad was but wanted the Gauntlet and the gem. Eventually we gave it the soul stealing gem hoping it would trade places with Friedrich. Nothing happened and it stuck the gem in its loin cloth. We weren't going to let it go with Friedrich's soul so eventually we forced it to attack us.
Trommer and Paavo took it down pretty quickly but not before Colby was knocked unconscious. Just as we started to burn it, the animated corpses of the orcs and huntsmen arrived at the camp. Paavo attempted to turn but failed and was taken to negative by the charging zombies. Ingrid was more successful in her attempts to turn and eventually sent 5 of them fleeing. Trommer dealt with the rest of the zombies and the last shadow hound. Ingrid staunched Paavo's wounds. Meanwhile Finnious was shooting arrows from the trees to some effect until he was blinded by Cathbad (using a Darkness spell). He still managed to hit Cathbad twice while blind (shooting at -4). And Ingrid and Trommer were able to knock Cathbad to zero.
Of course in our haste we forgot retrieve the gem from the loin cloth of the now burning troll. Lots of saving throws were rolled but it never shattered.
After dispatching the turned zombies we headed to Willowsby with our prisoner, the unconscious Paavo, and the dead Friedrich. Cathbad was placed in jail while we rested at the Hungry Halfling. Finnious read Cathbad's spell book finding lots of prohibited/evil spells. Randall was back from being a slug and helped heal the party. As did Father Thomas.
We questioned Cathbad who claimed to be a noble from Alderweg. He eventually gave up that we could release Friedrich from the gem by saying his true name. Ingrid used her best Dwarven and freed Friedrich.
We borrowed a cart and took Cathbad to Devonshire. Again we met with Lord Sherlane and Sir Eldon Greaves. Sir Eldon gave the prisoner over to the Witchhammer for questioning. We stayed at Sherlane's for a week. We attended a rather boring party. Though Finnious and Colby (sporting a new ring of Human Influence we got off of Cathbad) did finally meet a nice pair of masseuses.
Trommer and Paavo were trained by Kiernan (?), the one-armed arms master, in double-specialized sword fighting. Finnious and Colby learned binding wounds from Friedrich.
Sherlane did mention making contact with Siolan (?) the shadow-weaver who might be able to help with Friedrich's problem. We forget to get more about that. We also forgot to show Sherlane the notes from Cathbad's chest.
The night before we were planning to leave Colby got the idea to put on the Gauntlet. He was possessed by Lord Zeal. Initially he tried to fight us but then tried to flee. Eventually we knocked him unconscious and removed the Gauntlet. It is now locked in a strong box carried by Trommer. Paavo carries the key. We are supposed to take turns with the box so that no one is over influenced by it (see horcrux locket in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows).
We headed back the Willowsby with the idea of asking the Masque how to destroy the Gauntlet. Once again we were attacked just as we made it to the bridge. This time by a knight flying on the back of a wyvern. On his pass he skewered Colby with his lance. As he made his second pass Finnious placed two stinking clouds in its likely path. At the same time Paavo attempted the lasso the rider as flew by. Both were successful. The wyvern was forced to land and the rider was pulled off its back.
Trommer and Friedrich made quick work of the downed wyvern but unfortunately the knight was undead. His sword strike paralyzed people and his touch drained levels. Both Paavo and Trommer were paralyzed but luckily his attempt to touch Finnious failed to land. Finnious was knocked unconscious before Friedrich destroyed it. Ingrid valiantly attempted to turn it but her roll of 19 was for naught.
That is were we stopped. We know the sword is magic but knowing our luck it will turn out to be inherently evil.
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Post by venger on Jan 17, 2011 10:51:51 GMT -5
Paavo: 13400 (4th level paladin, x2 specialized)
Friedrich: 14858
Trommer: 12341
Colby: 1999|(10861) (1st level magic-user, untrained)
Ingrid: 593/593
Finnious: 6093/11093
Paavo does not sense the sword to be inherently evil.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 17, 2011 11:06:00 GMT -5
Untrained? I thought the whole 2000 XP progression constituted the training for 1st level? Additionally, I presume that I don't get to roll to increase ability scores at 1st level, but do I get to roll to learn a new spell?
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Post by Friedrich on Jan 17, 2011 11:16:03 GMT -5
Regarding Ingrid's xp; wouldn't she be getting a 10% to fighter xp? I remember she has a 16 str(but not a 16 wis.
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Post by venger on Jan 17, 2011 13:45:19 GMT -5
Untrained? I thought the whole 2000 XP progression constituted the training for 1st level? Additionally, I presume that I don't get to roll to increase ability scores at 1st level, but do I get to roll to learn a new spell? I just want to squeeze from training costs out of you. I guess you are trained. No % gained. No new spells learned. Finnious will let you choose whatever spells you want out of his books. You're probably going to want to get a spellbook of your own at some point though. Especially considering he's an NPC I control... Regarding Ingrid's xp; wouldn't she be getting a 10% to fighter xp? I remember she has a 16 str(but not a 16 wis. I gave her the 10% bonus to both classes. I'm going to generously let her keep the resulting 30XP toward her cleric class. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Jan 17, 2011 16:06:06 GMT -5
Paavo: 13400 (4th level paladin, x2 specialized) Friedrich: 14858 Trommer: 12341 Colby: 1999|(10861) (1st level magic-user, untrained) Ingrid: 593/593 Finnious: 6093/11093 Paavo does not sense the sword to be inherently evil. Sweet. With the new level, double specialization and a magic sword Paavo will be at least 20% more likely to hit things. He is unlikely to ever be the killing machines that Trommer and Friedrich are but he likes to contribute. |
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Post by Ginger on Jan 17, 2011 16:46:41 GMT -5
Sweet. With the new level, double specialization and a magic sword Paavo will be at least 20% more likely to hit things. He is unlikely to ever be the killing machines that Trommer and Friedrich are but he likes to contribute. The protection from evil has more than made up for any lack of fighting prowess. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Jan 18, 2011 10:09:22 GMT -5
So after we rest in Willowsby what is the plan?
We could head back to the Masque and ask about destroying the Gauntlet. The answer is likely to entail a journey of some sort. While we are in the orc caves we could also spend some time investigating the evil temple. I think as long as we have the Gauntlet we are going to be a beacon to evil creatures trying to recover it.
I am also interested in checking out Hadraith Tor. Clearly the advancing army is affecting Willowsby. And fighting a bunch of humanoids is more our speed (with 3 double specialized fighters) as opposed to dealing with faerie nonsense. However I think taking the Gauntlet with us would be a bad idea in case it were to fall back into the enemies' hands.
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