After the breakup

[Dell]

To sum up - the party, minus Hugh, Sam and Otto (and his merry men) went south through Sterich. We terrorized some refugees, killed some hill giants and took their cheese, fed that cheese to an old man wandering alone through the Stark Mounds, met some priests of Pholtus (but didn't ask them any questions, thereby avoiding any more plot threads) and killed lots and lots of undead at night. Unfortunately, Raven was unlucky (I guess that luck stone isn't all that effective) and got in the way of a mage's lightning bolt. Not even his new dexterity could save him, and one of his magic items didn't save.

We crossed the river to the south of Istvin, where we encountered four men from the Sterich army- they had names and everything. They were a little suspicious, but when we arrived at Longspear they were arrested at the gates - except for the sneaky quiet one, who must have run off during the argument. Dell bribed the party's way in (he's a merchant, you're his guards) and now we're hanging out at the Wheatfield inn.

So now we've got all sorts of stuff to catch up with in Longspear.

[venger]

dell said:

Unfortunately, Raven was unlucky (I guess that luck stone isn't all that effective) and got in the way of a mage's lightning bolt. Not even his new dexterity could save him, and one of his magic items didn't save.

You lightning bolted him and Perrin.

More importantly, we found increased S-P-I-D-E-R activity around a specific area of the Jotens.

[Perrin]

apprentice said:

More importantly, we found increased S-P-I-D-E-R activity around a specific area of the Jotens.

We did? Was that after I left?

I do remember Winthrop flying up in the form of a falcon and seeing a dark cloud in the distance towards Flen, and another, more diffuse cloud in the opposite direction. I don't think there was much to infer from that clue, though.

And what was that familiar triangle badge from the hill giants all about?

[venger]

perrin said:

We did? Was that after I left?

Antonus did. He "perceived" them. No doubt with his keen Wizard's Eye.

[Mr. Trommer]

We probably should have told the guards that four Sterich guys were part of Dell's "guards." That would have been easier way to recruit tham than trying to get them out of jail in the future.

I expect that we will need to switch to "Team Otto" since it would be best not not to go into the mountains with out Otto's natural slaying skill and tracking ability.

[Wolfgar]

perrin said:

I do remember Winthrop flying up in the form of a falcon and seeing a dark cloud in the distance towards Flen, and another, more diffuse cloud in the opposite direction. I don't think there was much to infer from that clue, though.

And what was that familiar triangle badge from the hill giants all about?

The dark cloud towards Flen is the undead army. Hopefully it is not on the move. I am not sure where the other cloud is from your description but it could be Dell's skeleton buddy laying waste to the countryside. Burning things as he goes.

The "triangle badge" is the upside down ziggurat that the followers of Tharizdun use.

[Wolfgar]

winthrop said:

We probably should have told the guards that four Sterich guys were part of Dell's "guards." That would have been easier way to recruit tham than trying to get them out of jail in the future.

I expect that we will need to switch to "Team Otto" since it would be best not not to go into the mountains with out Otto's natural slaying skill and tracking ability.

Once Otto and Hugh have saved the kids, Otto will send his followers including the bear to the Great Tree where they can help Herbert and the elves with protecting the forest. Then Otto and Hugh can make a beeline for Longspear to meet up with the rest of the party. Then we can get back to killing giants.

[Mr. Trommer]

We should also mention that there were hundreds of undead that were being directed to cross the Javan River at the ferry crossing towards Flen. Antonus decided not to take the opprtunity to sneak up and fireball on a well packed grouping of them.

Dell did see his undead buddy laying waste to a village when he checked up on him.

[venger]

otto said:

The "triangle badge" is the upside down ziggurat that the followers of Tharizdun use.

The badge was not an inverted black ziggurat. It was grey and had triangles.

[Dell]

apprentice said:

otto said:

The "triangle badge" is the upside down ziggurat that the followers of Tharizdun use.

The badge was not an inverted black ziggurat. It was grey and had triangles.

After a quick search... of my memory:

admin said:

Dell pulls forth his spy glass and begins to examine the tower while Karmuk draws a map for Raven and Winthrop. Karmuk’s map shows four major levels connected by stairwells, with Karmuk and Marbreau’s personal space on the third story. Dell lowers his spyglass and says, “Looks like you’ve been burgled Karmuk. Portcullis is up, drawbridge is down.”

...

A quick search of the bodies reveals that all but the troll wear a similar badge, an emblem of a large triangle with a small square on it.

[Wolfgar]

winthrop said:

Dell did see his undead buddy laying waste to a village when he checked up on him.

It seems irresponsible of the Company to leave this powerful undead roaming the countryside. There are many innocent people getting killed because we haven't dealt with him yet. Also he destroyed the Bergheim tower depriving us of much desired magic items.

[venger]

otto said:

It seems irresponsible of the Company to leave this powerful undead roaming the countryside. There are many innocent people getting killed because we haven't dealt with him yet.

Good point. It's one thing to have it marching around Sterich but we can't lead it around civilized lands. It should be destroyed. Besides, Dell wasting time playing around with the evil circlet is one of my least favorite activities.

[Dell]

My plan is to lead him into the enemy (which enemy doesn't really matter to me) and have them fight each other. Then we attack whoever wins.

No one ask me what happens if they decide to team up, because I don't know.

[Mr. Trommer]

What will likely happen is that we a big battle with the giants or some other enemy than while we are resting the undead party shows up and beats the crap out of us again.

I would rather try an pick a defensible spot and the lay in wait. I can't remember if they only travel at night or not. If so it would be ideal to find them during the day and attack them. it would be preferable to take care of the problem before we get into a the mountains. Right now we will be blamed for leading them into Longspear.

[Dell]

I was just hoping that being chased would make us go faster.

[Mr. Trommer]

We have all learned that doesn't work for us.

[Ginger]

dell said:

Unfortunately, Raven was unlucky (I guess that luck stone isn't all that effective) and got in the way of a mage's lightning bolt. Not even his new dexterity could save him, and one of his magic items didn't save.

Since you didn't write which one, I'll assume it was a good one. :'(

[Wolfgar]

Speaking of destroyed magic items. Did Winthrop even use Foebiter after all of that talk about wanting it back?

[Dell]

arrowguy said:

Since you didn't write which one, I'll assume it was a good one. :'(

Well, the luckstone must have been vaporized by the blast, because you can't find it anywhere... oh no, wait - it's behind your ear!

But your ring of swimming has been destroyed. As an apology, I will give you a magic item of equivalent cash value - my dancing boots.

[Mr. Trommer]

Winthrop did use Foebiter to stab a few of the undead and dimension dooer once. Of course for all his whining he didn't have any real expectations that Dell would actually use or have a wish left. I was just fun to badger Dell about it.

[venger]

otto said:

Speaking of destroyed magic items. Did Winthrop even use Foebiter after all of that talk about wanting it back?

While Perrin was on watch, Winthrop and others awoke to find themselves being choked to death by the undead. Unable to cast a spell, he instead drew Foebiter and stabbed the creature.

[Dell]

winthrop said:

Of course for all his whining he didn't have any real expectations that Dell would actually use or have a wish left. I was just fun to badger Dell about it.

I only did it because I'm going to change my alignment to Good so I can use it. With Gauntlets of Ogre Power and a maximum critical damage backstab, plus Foebiter's ability to double damage against an evil opponent, I could deal 384 points of damage in a single blow. 408 against a large opponent.

That's worth changing alignments for, right? Although I'll have to change back after we get the Hand O' Vecna back...

[Mr. Trommer]

You do have an excellent point. It would be ideal for a thief-mage. Especially since it ignores armor. Plus with the experience penalty you'd be able to pump up the stats a bit more to get the stength bonuses as well before switching pack to your old self. How come you didn't factor in a girdle of giant strength?

[Dell]

winthrop said:

How come you didn't factor in a girdle of giant strength?

I didn't want to get greedy.

(Actually, I thought they were Fighter-only.)

[Dell]

Anyway, let's put the deity-killing backstabs aside and focus on our plans in Longspear. How much cash and other assets do we have available? Dell needs about 41,000 gold for supplies.

[Mr. Trommer]

I'd like to see your shopping list? I'm sure that Cedrus has some money left over in your pouch.

What's the face value of the miscellaneous items we left at the Hall?

[venger]

dell said:

Anyway, let's put the deity-killing backstabs aside and focus on our plans in Longspear. How much cash and other assets do we have available? Dell needs about 41,000 gold for supplies.

I could use a bunch more spell ink and a couple travelling spellbooks...

: >

[Dell]

winthrop said:

I'd like to see your shopping list? I'm sure that Cedrus has some money left over in your pouch.

My shopping list has two things on it:

1. The Hall of the Blue Sun (and its surrounding lands) - 36,000 gp
We might be able to get a discount, as Longspear and Lord Highrider are in need of funds at the moment - but Lord Highrider isn't much of a haggler.

2. Leomud's Chest - 5,000 gp

And somehow, I doubt Cedrus has felt any great urge to be thrifty with our money.

I don't think Antonus needs more spell inks or spellbooks. He should spend his time in Longspear making magic potions with the alchemist.

[Ginger]

That seems like a poor use of company funds. We don't pay taxes to Longspear, do we? The inn is not exactly profitable, is it? Given that we're gone 99% of the time and don't plan on garrisoning the Hall (I presume) it seems foolish to purchase it now.

Is that the fixed cost listed on the letter you got from Lord Morgan or did he just tell you that?

[venger]

dell said:

I don't think Antonus needs more spell inks or spellbooks. He should spend his time in Longspear making magic potions with the alchemist.

Travelling spellbooks are so much less encumbering....

How about useful scrolls instead? Stuff we never memorize but always seem to need. Like Tongues, Waterbreathing, etc.