Dr Rosa Piercemuller stays at Thusia with Lady Meda.
Shieldbiter leaves Thusia after failed planning meeting to attack Ahyf, he is gathering his lizardmen from Thracia to found a Reptilian settlement in the newly dug hill caves SW of Trade.
PC Group: Hakeem, Ursa, Sandor, Ajax & the NPC Amazons Artemisia & Bricis to the Forge of Fury (2633) on the eastern Castellan slopes, 15 miles SW of Highhaven.
XP: 2000 Hakeem, 1000 Ajax & Shieldbiter.
Hakeem L19 XP 311,196/355,000
Ajax L9 XP 58,325/64,000
Sandor Lvl 8 XP 43670/48,000
Ursa Lvl 8 XP 43670/48,000
+Artemisia
+Bricis
& Shieldbiter L16 XP 196,000/225,000 - back to Trade
Hakeem, Ursa, Sandor, Ajax & the NPC Amazons Artemisia & Bricis are about to raid the likely orc outpost at Khundrakar, the 'Forge of Fury' (2633) below the Stone Tooth on the eastern Castellan slopes, 15 miles SW of Highhaven.
Your group of six is currently on the narrow path that winds east 50 yards up to A, a deep cleft in the rock that likely gives access to the dwarf hold's gate. About 100 yards to the east at B Ursa spotted a smoke trail rising from the crags, either a chimney or hidden camp. D is the barren top of the Stone Tooth, a jagged spike towering some 1450' above the surrounding terrain. To the east at E the eastern slopes of the Tooth descend to a dark tarn lake.
7:29am 2017-7-01 Smon Has entered the room
7:32am 2017-7-01 Sandor Sunneson Has entered the room
7:33am 2017-7-01 chris107 Has entered the room
chris107: Morning
Smon: Hi Chris & Fergus
Smon: I'm still waking up
Smon: Bill still sleeping the sleep of the just.
chris107: No rush, coffee time here
Sandor Sunneson: So more politics to discuss rather than fighting?
Sandor Sunneson: Where is Sandor when you need him
Smon: If we fast forward through talky stuff may get to fighting.
chris107: A few things we need to get in order.
chris107: I have been reading about the political situation in Ahyf.
chris107: I feel the council under wise Dalar will not want war.
chris107: Father Camus has been an ally in the past.
chris107: And both Warlord Braron and his wife Calpurnia Cor distrust the Neo-Nerathi.
chris107: Even though she has no love for the folk of Hara. I feel they would prefer to live under our bevifivent and light handed regimn rather than that of the Necromancers of the Black Sun.
chris107: Also, they saw first hand the wrath of Shieldbiter and Hakeem.
chris107: Something I am sure they would prefer not to witness again.
chris107: Clear Meadows their only ally (really) owes us a debt of gratitude also. I'm sure we can talk them round.
chris107: Hakeem is not Yusan. He wants to build consensus.
Smon: First up - Shieldbiter & Freya stay with the lizardmen while the adventurers Freya rescued - Kogor of Kolda, Jane Poole & Lorius Vex - return north, Lorius says something about finding the legendary riches of Erdea Manor. Hakeem & Ajax return to Selatine with Epicaste and Vuthrik. Jana Vex thanks the Thracians for their aid in defeating the First King, and asks Hakeem & Ajax if they are trustworthy to be offered a place in her Personal Guard.
chris107: A strong allience of good. One that can prosper once the current threat is neautralised.
Smon: Bill is up.
chris107: OOC Vuthrik is a Deathwalker, the last of them in fact.Not sure of his alignment.
Smon: yup
Sandor Sunneson: Ajax believes he just, is there an initiation test to join personal guard?
Sandor Sunneson: Believes he is
Smon: Epicaste was a Golden Falcon, an agent of Thracia's last great king it seems.
chris107: ""Both fought bravely, Lady Vex. I have no idea of their aspirtions however."
7:44am 2017-7-01 DESTROYERBILL Has entered the room
DESTROYERBILL: hello
chris107: (Chose +2 Charisma by the way Simon)
chris107: Morning Bill
DESTROYERBILL: morning
Smon: Jana: "They risked their lives to aid us, I would like to reward them - and I have need of warriors..."
chris107: (Are they among us as we speak?)
Smon: After securing the loyalty of the Lizardmen, Shieldbiter leaves Freya back at Trade then returns to Selatine on his Royal Wyvern.
Smon: (no obvs Jana leaves Epicaste & Vuthrik outside)
DESTROYERBILL: okay
Smon: Jana Vex looks up as the mighty Shieldbiter enters her Hall.
Smon: "Welcome, great Shieldbiter! Cake? Lemonade?"
DESTROYERBILL: hellllo
DESTROYERBILL: sure
Smon: Jana has her assistant serve refreshments. Jana: "I will speak with Epicaste and Vuthrik, and if the Shadow of Thanatos is not on them I will offer them a place here."
chris107: "I have no doubt that Epicaste would prove a most able ally and protector. Vuthrik however, is a Deathwalker, the last of his kind. He proved brave, loyal and capable in Thracia and has sworn a life debt. But I would be more circumspect and possibly test him, secretly, for evil."!
Smon: Jana nods. "Thank you for your wise council Lord Hakeem." GM: You can complete a long rest at Selatine & level up.
chris107: yay!
Sandor Sunneson: Cast an alignment spell on them if you see them as a security risk
Sandor Sunneson: Btw do we have the opposite alignment crown or donut go walkies with G1?
Sandor Sunneson: Did it go walkies?
chris107: Gracyone had it last.
Smon: So they don't have alignment spells anymore in 5e.
Smon: GM: 25/2 are you flying back to Thusia on the wyvern?
chris107: "Have them swear an oath, let them know that breaking that oath will have cosequenses."
DESTROYERBILL: deaathly conseqinses
chris107: "I should like to visit my wife and bring Lady Meda up to date. Also we must discuss the situation at Ahyf."
DESTROYERBILL: yes we shall
Smon: /roll d8
Smon rolls 1d8 and gets: 8,
7:55am 2017-7-01 subaltari Has entered the room
DESTROYERBILL: iv got all the lizard men to follow me
chris107: "Could you fly us to Thusia then, Shieldbiter?"
chris107: Hey Subs
subaltari:
DESTROYERBILL: sure
DESTROYERBILL: hi
Smon: GM: The sun is shining as you fly north to Thusia on the Royal Wyvern - it defiinitely seems Rainy Season is ending early this year.
chris107: "Our time is short."
Smon: At Thusia you are greeted by Lady Meda, Hakeem's wife Malenn is very happy to see him again. Meda explains that Ursa & Sandor are at Highhaven with the Amazons.
chris107: "The prophesy?"
Smon: 26/2 After Hakeem gets reaquainted with Malenn, next morning you meet for a war council. Dr Rosa is with you; Epicaste & Vuthrik remained at Selatine.
Sandor Sunneson: Which prophesy this time?? Virgin Queen? Thrabian sword holder??
Smon: Rosa: "My dream - that the amazons were attacked?"
chris107: "Artemissia's Spectre."
chris107: "Yes."
Smon: >>chris107: A few things we need to get in order. chris107: I have been reading about the political situation in Ahyf. chris107: I feel the council under wise Dalar will not want war. chris107: Father Camus has been an ally in the past. chris107: And both Warlord Braron and his wife Calpurnia Cor distrust the Neo-Nerathi. chris107: Even though she has no love for the folk of Hara. I feel they would prefer to live under our bevifivent and light handed regimn rather than that of the Necromancers of the Black Sun. chris107: Also, they saw first hand the wrath of Shieldbiter and Hakeem. chris107: Something I am sure they would prefer not to witness again. chris107: Clear Meadows their only ally (really) owes us a debt of gratitude also. I'm sure we can talk them round. chris107: Hakeem is not Yusan. He wants to build consensus.<<
Sandor Sunneson: Ok? See when we get there I guess
chris107: Did I say all that?
Smon: OOC I need to get jam for Bill's croissants - will be 5 mins
chris107: Hakeem is getting soft in his old age
DESTROYERBILL: thats alot
DESTROYERBILL: yum
chris107: yum
DESTROYERBILL: so ahyf shall fall
chris107: "Would it be better to have them as allies, Shieldbiter?"
DESTROYERBILL: nope
DESTROYERBILL: if they are allias they will still take slaves
chris107: "I will not tolerate that."
DESTROYERBILL: not tolrate which one
DESTROYERBILL: ?
chris107: "But if we can get the council on our side and have them change their ways. With you to rule them...."
chris107: "Slavery."
DESTROYERBILL: they will not change ther ways they are evil men cruel men
chris107: "Father Camus is wise, he aided us when we needed it."
chris107: "The men and women, the children. They are not wicked."
DESTROYERBILL: no they are not but the coincel is
chris107: "Would you have us burn the town to the ground and put them all to the sword?"
DESTROYERBILL: no
DESTROYERBILL: of course
DESTROYERBILL: not
chris107: "Waht do you suggest then?"
DESTROYERBILL: we shall take the the town and give them a fair trial
chris107: "It will not be the council who do the dieing if we storm the town."
DESTROYERBILL: i know
chris107: "It will be it's people. And they will not love us for that."
Sandor Sunneson: Fair trial? Why bother? Sounds as if they are already guilty as charged
DESTROYERBILL: its so the town wont despise us
DESTROYERBILL: if we give them fair trial then we can show ther evil
chris107: "The threat of King Shieldbiter and his Wyvern will bring the council to heel."
DESTROYERBILL: you kow i can not do this alone
chris107: "I know nothing of the law, Shieldbiter. I am a Barbarian. I leave this in your hands. But I will not become another Yusan."
chris107: "I will stand by you."
DESTROYERBILL: we will be nothing like yusan
chris107: "I only council caution."
chris107: "So tell us your plans, King Shieldbiter."
Smon: (back, minus good jam)
DESTROYERBILL: bad jam
chris107:
Sandor Sunneson: Invade the jam manufacturers??
chris107: KILL THEM
DESTROYERBILL: we attak at nght
chris107: "Attack who?"
DESTROYERBILL: ahyf
chris107: "Where in Ahyf?"
DESTROYERBILL: we scale the walls
Sandor Sunneson: The town hall? The bakery?
chris107: "Why?"
DESTROYERBILL: to open the main gate
chris107: "You can fly, You have a wyvern."
DESTROYERBILL: so we can let are armies in
chris107: "To do what?"
DESTROYERBILL: take the town
chris107: "How will they do that?"
DESTROYERBILL: by fighting
DESTROYERBILL:
chris107: "Fighting who?"
DESTROYERBILL: ahyf
chris107: "I do not think that slaying the innocent towns folk of Ahyf will achieve much."
Sandor Sunneson: Who in Ahyf are you looking to remove?
chris107: "You will be the new king of slaves in smoking ruins."
DESTROYERBILL: the leaders
DESTROYERBILL: take out the leaders
Sandor Sunneson: Why not try an assassination attempt on selected leaders instead?
chris107: "You do not think that the honest folks of Ahyf would not chuck their leaders out?"
chris107: "If they see an army at their gates?"
DESTROYERBILL: no i woiud not think so
DESTROYERBILL: mabye
DESTROYERBILL: lets just do that then
DESTROYERBILL: bring the gunpowder
chris107: "I just feel that if we scale the walls and let an army in. Folks will fight. I would."
DESTROYERBILL: lets just march in front of ther town okay
chris107: "What does wise Lady Meda think?"
DESTROYERBILL: okay
Sandor Sunneson: We should focus on the dark sun first
DESTROYERBILL: you guys are really getting on my nervs
chris107: "Then kill them all."
chris107: "Show them what a fine King you will be."
DESTROYERBILL: not the incent
DESTROYERBILL: only the leaders
DESTROYERBILL: or if battle arises some soilgers
chris107: "And as we fight our own, the necromancers of the Black Sun will destroy us all."
Smon: Meda: "I have no love for Ahyf, but I fear Hakeem speaks wisely - the city will fight if besieged. But Shieldbiter's suggestion of a surprise night attack may have wisdom too..."
DESTROYERBILL: we have beet them before
chris107: "Then why don't we, you me and crafty Ajax do the fighting? Chop the head from the snake and free the good folks of Ahyf?"
DESTROYERBILL: okay
Smon: Meda looks to Malenn, who seems more the military type. Malenn: "If the Gates could be opened at night and the town hall and Lord's mansion seized without killing, perhaps they would not dare resist?"
DESTROYERBILL: yes yes yes
chris107: "Very well. I will follow you, Shieldbiter."
Sandor Sunneson: Sounds good
Smon: Meda: "Who are the true powers there? Warlord Briaron? Father Camus? The Elders?"
chris107: "Shieldbiter?"
Smon: Meda's Weaponmaster Damne speaks up: "By all accounts Sarene the Pirate is still at Ahyf, spending her loot from her raid on Bisgen."
chris107: Hakeem groans.
Sandor Sunneson: Friend of yours I guess not?
Smon: Ahyf - (Town) (hex 3329) Conventional; AL N; TL 3; 200 gp limit; Assets 7,800gp; Population 2,375 (4447 est.); Mixed (human 93% [mostly Ghinoran & Antillian, some Skandik, a few Alryan, ca 10% Altanian), gnomes 3%, halflings 2%, other 2%); Resources: Market. Authority Figure: Warlord Briaron, male Antillian. Important Characters: Elder Dalar, male Ghinoran (leader of the Council of Elders); Father Camus, male Alryan (Clr 5, Cleric of Thoth); Seroni of Onhir, female Elf merchant; Roth, Altanian slaver; Gluck & Kym Goodkind, traders; Gorok, Half-Ogre owner of the Airshark Inn. Magra the old fortune teller. Innkeeper Hognun, cousin of Briaron, male Antillian.
chris107: "We have had our moments. She has proved a fine ally of late. Taking great risk to attack Bisgen, the Black Sun back door."
8:34am 2017-7-01 subaltari Has exited the room
Smon: Damne: "The true power in Ahyf lies in the Council of Elders. I don't know where they all live, but if we seize the Town Hall, Warlord Briaron's house, and the Temple of Thoth... Briaron could help us round them up."
DESTROYERBILL: okay
Smon: Meda: "I am concerned about letting lizardmen loose in the city - they are powerful warriors, but have a propensity to eat people."
chris107: Hakeem will follow Shieldbiter's plan
Sandor Sunneson: Kill the warlord?
chris107: "Why?"
chris107: "He is shit scared of us."
Sandor Sunneson: (yum yum)
Sandor Sunneson: Ok, i don't know politics of this place, he has a scary title
chris107: "He could probably influence Dalor."
Smon: Damne: "I have an idea... At night, most of those who matter in Ahyf come to see the fighting pit at the Airshark Inn, yes? All together and easily caught."
DESTROYERBILL: but who runs it now
chris107: "Aye dropping in on them on the Royal Wyvern would have them pissing their pants."
chris107: "Dalor, the head of the council has the greatest influence. Warlord Briaron was elected."
Sandor Sunneson: No fireballs then
Smon: Damne: "Warlord Briaron's cousin Hognun runs the Airshark now."
chris107: "Unless toasting the innocent is your thing, Ajax?"
Sandor Sunneson: No
chris107: "Then let us fly in on Shieldbiter's Wyvern, he can fly down, encourage Dalor that he no longer wants to run the town, abolish slavery then get on fighting the bad guys?"
DESTROYERBILL: okay
chris107: "I'll go get my sword."
Smon: GM Shieldbiter likes the plan, but you can only get a few people on the wyvern.
Smon: Who is going to Ahyf?
chris107: "We could march the armies of the Ghinorian Lords up there first?"
DESTROYERBILL: sure
DESTROYERBILL: but on the wyvern
Sandor Sunneson: I'll fly behind you
DESTROYERBILL: me hakeem ajax
chris107: "With the banners of the Lords planted outside their gates it would give your negotiations a certain leverege."
Sandor Sunneson: Ok r beside, in case it does a bottom burp
Sandor Sunneson: Fly by casting fly
Smon: So there are about 20 amazon guard at Thusia, 140 lizardmen in the swamp, scattered Ghinarian lords who have agreed to fight Black Sun, but nothing about Ahyf.
chris107: Hakeem polishes his sword. Thankful to not have to be making plans this time.
Smon: GM So Malenn had the idea that if you could get a large force into the city you might seize it without fighting. Damne suggested the town leaders might be collected at the Airshark Inn, but Sarene is likely there now.
Smon: With a bunch of Altanian pirates.
chris107: "Please don't kill Sarene the pirate."
Smon: What are you doing now?
chris107: "You could always challange Briaron to single combat?"
DESTROYERBILL: we will carry out the plan
8:51am 2017-7-01 subaltari Has entered the room
Smon: What is the plan?
chris107: Hakeem listens attentively
DESTROYERBILL: we do exatly what we have been planing
Sandor Sunneson: Ajax could walk into town possibly as he is unknown
DESTROYERBILL: to fly in
8:54am 2017-7-01 Sandor Sunneson Has exited the room
Smon: Who flies in - just Shieldbiter Ajax & Hakeem?
chris107: "Fly into the Airshark?"
DESTROYERBILL: yes
subaltari: ( this is fun!)
chris107: "With no allies outside?"
DESTROYERBILL: yes allias out side
8:55am 2017-7-01 Sandor Sunneson Has entered the room
chris107: Okay well we need a time table then. Our allies must be made aware and put on the move.
DESTROYERBILL: yes
chris107: "And what are we going to say when we 'drop in'?"
chris107: "And to who?"
Smon: Shieldbiter looks vexed at these queries.
8:58am 2017-7-01 DESTROYERBILL Has exited the room
chris107: Hakeem is happy to help, he just needs to know what he's helping with?
Smon: Shieldbiter looks annoyed at too much thinking, leaves the Hall, going to remount his wyvern and return to the lizardmen.
Smon: You get the impression Dragonborn are not much into complicated plans...
chris107: "I only wanted to know who we were going to kill."
Sandor Sunneson: Nobody I thought?
Smon: Shieldbiter: "I'm going to bring lizardmen to Trade. See you later."
Smon: SB flies off.
chris107: "Or who we were going to convince to give their town to us then."
Smon: Meda puts a hand on Hakeem's shoulder. "Do not worry yourself overmuch. The dragonborn are hot-headed. I think perhaps it best we focus on the Black Sun and the threat to Highhaven for now."
Sandor Sunneson: Ajax sgrees
chris107: Hakeem agrees. Sad that his friend has gone.
subaltari: ( or was it the jam? )
chris107: "To Highhaven then! Let's put this Spectre to rest!"
Smon: (yeah bad jam no good)
Smon: GM: SB is planning to bring his lizardmen north and settle them in the hills south of Trade, as there are too many to fit in the village itself. That will take awhile.
Sandor Sunneson: Ajax is happy to head to the village of highhaven too, can cast fly out n hak so they get there quicker?
Smon: You can travel to Highhaven on foot, or Meda can send a raven to ask them to send griffons for you - either way will take a few days. Meda suggests that foot travel might be a good idea, she tells you of Artemisia's plan to partially evacuate the town and a pathfinding expedition for the route would be useful.
chris107: Hakeem is happy to walk.
Smon: Fly spell lasts all of 10 minutes.
chris107: Maybe kill any dangerous monsters along the path that the refugees will take?
Smon: >>Fly 3rd-level transmutation Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Components: V, S, M (a wing feather from any bird) Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes You touch a willing creature. The target gains a flying speed of 60 feet for the duration. When the spell ends, the target falls if it is still aloft, unless it can stop the fall. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, you can target one <<
Smon: additional creature for each slot level above 3rd.<<
Smon: Meda agrees with Hakeem's proposal.
chris107: H visits his young family. He has had far too little time to spend with them.
chris107: Then grabbing enough food for the journey he is ready for the off.
chris107: He sees if young Hassan's tiny hand will yet fit the Sword of Bondorr
Sandor Sunneson: Ajax will follow H
Smon: Baby Hassan's hand closes on the Sword of Bondorr's hilt "goo-goo!" he says happily.
chris107: Hakeem is happy.
chris107: "Come friend Ajax! Let's go save the Amazons!"
Smon: Meda: "The best route is probably south on the hill trail to the Temple of Belaras, then south-west from there across the Vale to Highhaven."
Sandor Sunneson: Ajax follows H and high 5s the baby farewell
chris107:
Smon: You could head directly SW from Thusia but the hills are rugged.
chris107: Hakeem agrees with the route.
Sandor Sunneson: Ajax wanted a G1 fly spell, cast once, lasts for enough time to get them both to highhaven
Smon: G1?
chris107: Gracyone
Smon: hmm
Sandor Sunneson: 😋😘
Sandor Sunneson: Wondering monster??
chris107: "Let's be off. It's seventy miles or so to Highhaven!"
Smon: GM: 26/2 Late that morning you bid farewell to Thusia and head south through the hills.
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 3,
Sandor Sunneson: Cloud giant as wm??
Sandor Sunneson: Storm even
Smon: You pass a couple groups of pilgrims returning from the Temple Vaults, but no danger threatens and around 4pm you see the white marble walls of the Temple-Vaults on its high hill, glittering in the sunlight.
chris107: "You want to spend the night here, Ajax?"
Smon: From here trails run east towards Sky God Idol & Bratanis, SE towards the Citadel of Water. A faint goat path leads SW through the hills down into the Vale, towards Highhaven.
chris107: "Or press on?"
Sandor Sunneson: Press on
Smon: You could probably do another 8 miles this afternoon/evening before camping, but would need to camp in the hills. Heading SW?
chris107: "There is no shelter between here and Highhaven."
chris107: What is the weather like?
Smon: There is shelter in the Vale, various villages, but you'll not reach them by nightfall.
Smon: It's sunny now, but might rain overnight.
chris107: Hakeem shrugs, he's not bothered about getting damp.
Sandor Sunneson: Press on
chris107: "Let's see if we can't make ten more miles then."
Smon: Sorry guys I need to walk Bill up, will be gone 30 mins.
chris107: No probs
Smon: maybr 15
Sandor Sunneson: Play on without me
chris107: Enjoy France, Fergus!
chris107: Hve a little Vin for me!
Sandor Sunneson: I'll catch up on thread later
Sandor Sunneson: Will do,
9:29am 2017-7-01 Sandor Sunneson Has exited the room
9:33am 2017-7-01 subaltari Has exited the room
9:47am 2017-7-01 Smon Has exited the room
Smon: back
9:47am 2017-7-01 Smon Has entered the room
chris107: back
chris107: Hope Bill's okay?
Smon: GM: Turning away from the Temple-Vaults of Belaras you head SW through the wild hills.
Smon: Bill is ok yup, we were talking on way up about plan to resettle his lizardmen SW of Trade in the caves his dragonborn have been digging out.
chris107: Hakeem's Barbarian senses alert to danger.
chris107:
Smon: (I think he wanted a bloody battle at Trade & wasn't ready to work out anything too complicated)
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 3,
Smon: /roll d8
Smon rolls 1d8 and gets: 4,
chris107: Find some shelter and set two watches.
Smon: You make good progress, as night falls you top a ridgeline and see before you the broad sweep of the Vale, extending off to the distant peaks of the Castellan mountains.
Smon: Here and there the light of villages twinkle in the gloaming.
chris107: Can we reach them?
chris107: Or does it look like a night under the stars?
Smon: It's about 7pm, nearest village is about 7 miles off so you could be there around 9pm though Ajax may be exhausted.
Smon: You might need to carry him the last bit.
chris107: Fergus seemed happy enough about camping out.
Smon: You can settle here and camp in a dell on the edge of the hills?
chris107: If we can find some cover, stunted trees, clusters of rocks etc. We will make a basic camp.
chris107:
Smon: Yup there are plenty of trees, you set camp.
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 3,
Smon: /roll d8
Smon rolls 1d8 and gets: 4,
chris107: two watches
Smon: The night passes peacefully, with just a light drizzle pre-dawn.
chris107: Hakeem dries his equipment before setting off again.
Smon: Ajax hasn't used any spells today so you both get by with 6 hours sleep and head out a little after 7am.
Smon: Heading SW across the pastoral meadowlands of the Vale, you soon see ahead the stockaded village you passed last night, shepherds grazing their sheep around it.
Smon: Do you want to check in there, or skirt the place?
chris107: Check in, maybe see if they are friendly. Could be a good stopping off point for the refugees from Highhaven.
chris107: Under cover of buying supplies.
chris107: Old cloak pulled around tightly etc.
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 3,
Smon: GM: You enter the Ghinarian village, and are greeted friendly enough. The locals tell you the place is called Sane, a track runs SW from here 8 miles to the main road that runs from Carchimish to the Citadel of Water.
Smon: /roll d10
10:02am 2017-7-01 subaltari Has entered the room
Smon rolls 1d10 and gets: 8,
chris107: Hakeem offers to buy trail supplies with silver. Do the seem like a village that could supply a larger party?
Smon: The village is notable for a large central tower of ancient design, the villagers say there are dungeons beneath but no one goes in or out on account of the magical spiked pendulum that swings back and forth...
Smon: Yes, the villages of the Vale meadowlands are rich, and Lord Tug takes far less in taxes than did Yusan...
chris107: Hakeem marks Sane on his map. He wishes he did not have the fate of the world on his shoulders. He would dearly love to just explore this dungeon.
chris107: (OOC 3032 = Sane + dungeon?)
Smon: yup
chris107: Hakeem will leave them the burdoning silver and copper coins he has been hauling around.
chris107: "Imay have friends pass this way shortly. Look after them pleaee."
Smon: The village headman, Durgos, approaches, looking at Hakeem quizzically.
Smon: Make a Bluff check CHA+Prof
chris107 rolls 1d20+8 and gets: 12, (+8) = 20
chris107: His new charisma helping already!
Smon: "You look familiar, Altanian - were you with Hakeem's warband?"
chris107: "I was." He answers true
Smon: GM Hakeem passed through the Vale last year w Rey on the main road to liberate Carchimish.
chris107: He has had a lot on his mind
Smon: Durgos nods. "Then all the Vale is in your debt, friend. You may keep your coin - our harvest has been good, we have plenty to spare."
chris107: "Please, friend. If you do not need the coin now. Save it for the bad harvests and think kindly of me."
Smon: Durgos doesn't need too much persuading. "As you will, lord... friend."
Smon: He smiles. "Travelling to Carchimish for the Spring Revels?"
chris107: Hakeem smiles, hefts his pack of new supplies and hits the trail.
chris107: "Travelling to Highhaven to battle the Orc threat. Stay safe."
chris107: "Lord Rey knows well enough how to revel without me."
Smon: "Orcs. eh? Good fortune, friend." GM: An 8 mile hike SW from Sane brings you to a large village on the ancient road that runs west to Carchimish, east to the Citadel of Water.
Smon: It's about noon now - you see this place has a tavern/inn and stables.
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 4,
Smon: Are you passing straight through heading west?
chris107: Pop in, incognito, for a pie and a pint and listen to any gossip.
Smon: GM: You remember vaguely passing through here last year in triumph with Rey, on your way to Carchimish to accept Dark Odo's surrender.
chris107: And to get directions to Highhaven. We need to hit the Carchimish Road then take the fork to the mountain citadel of the Amazons.
Smon: /roll d10x3
Smon Rolls 1d10x3 and gets:
2 = 2
6 = 6
1 = 1
Smon: GM: The village is called Plato, the Inn the Siren's call.
Smon: The locals are friendly enough, and tell you to turn off the main road where an outcrop of hewn stone engraved with 'incoherent labyrinths' marks the trail towards Highhaven.
Smon: A troupe of travelling minstrels starts up a performance in the Siren.
chris107: Hakeem watches only long enough to be polite then we must press on to Highhaven.
chris107: Time is pressing.
Smon: Hakeem recognises one of them - the bard Orph, who it's rumoured sold the slave Lucy Prentice in Ahyf last year.
Smon: Hakeem make a bluff check CHA+Prof
chris107: Orph, that sly pig. He was at Ahyf and would have sold us to Crowfinger!
chris107 rolls 1d20+8 and gets: 13, (+8) = 21
Smon: Hakeem's disguise seems to work, or perhaps Orph is distracted chatting up the buxom barmaids, he doesn't seem to recognise you.
chris107: Grrrrrr
chris107: If only time were not agains us...
chris107: Hakeem slips off. Checking that he has not been followed.
chris107: (That huge reward could well cause problems..)
Smon: GM: Hakeem & Ajax finish their lunch and slip away, taking the road west.
Smon: /roll d6x2
Smon Rolls 1d6x2 and gets:
2 = 2
5 = 5
Smon: /roll d8
Smon rolls 1d8 and gets: 4,
10:27am 2017-7-01 subaltari Has exited the room
Smon: You see a few signs of habitation, but this part of the Vale seems largely unsettled, pastoral wilderness.
Smon: Around 6pm the sun is lowering toward the western mountains when you see ahead the marker stone you were told of, and a faint trail leading south-west.
chris107: (OOC - looks about ten miles further to Highhaven?)
Smon: You know this is the territory of the Unseen Conclave, powerful illusionists who are supposedly now vassal to King Rey, but these lands are renowned for eldritch effects - often all is not as it seems.
Smon: Perhaps 15 miles hike up country to Highhaven, about 5 hours.
Smon: /roll d10
chris107: "Bloody Wizards! Oops, sorry Ajax, no offence."
Smon rolls 1d10 and gets: 5,
chris107: "Are you up to carrying on, Ajax? I need you fresh."
Smon: Ajax: "I bet those wizards have many spells worth knowing.... if only I could see their books, *sigh*"
Smon: OOC sadly Fergus took no detection spells that would let you find the Conclave's hall.
Smon: Ajax: "I can do another hour or so..."
chris107: "Then come, let us make what headway we can. Keep an eye out for wizardy stuff."
Smon: 3 mins tea
Smon: GM: You take the track SW through willow trees, enjoying the gently rolling countryside and the evening air.
Smon: There do seem to be a lot of ancient ruins in these parts, even more than in the hills.
chris107: Hakeem does not relax..
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 5,
Smon: After an hour's hike you come to a broad dell which shows signs of having been used as a camp for hundreds of men, but the grass grows over the remains.
Smon: /roll d20
Smon rolls 1d20 and gets: 16,
Smon: This is likely where Yusan camped in his failed campaign against Highhaven years ago.
Smon: A stream runs along the north side of the dell, it does look like a nice campsite, well drained and sheltered.
chris107: No signs of movement?
Smon: You scout around.
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 4,
Smon: Some white-tailed deer break from a copse and scatter, but nothing threatening.
chris107: If it seems deserted then we make camp.
Smon: GM: You settle down to camp - you've made nearly 40 miles today, a regular hike for Hakeem, but Ajax is distinctly footsore.
Smon: /roll d20+4
Smon rolls 1d20+4 and gets: 19, (+4) = 23
Smon: He's not Exhausted though.
chris107: Stout fellow
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 3,
Smon: Again the night passes uneventfully.
Smon: /roll d8
Smon rolls 1d8 and gets: 5,
Smon: 28/2/47 You wake to a cool dawn, breakfast and begin the final leg of your hike.
Smon: Here the land grows wilder as it rises towards the Castellan peaks.
chris107: Hakeem is pleased.
Smon: Around noon you get your first sight of Highhaven in the distance on its towering cliffs, the grainfields and vineyards in the valleys below.
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 1,
Smon: An hour later you reach the narrow trail that winds up the cliffs.
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 6,
chris107: oops
Smon: The fields around Highhaven seem strangely deserted. You have just begun to ascend the trail when suddenly figures rise up from their ambush positions in the rocks all around you...
Smon: "Lord Hakeem! Welcome! I am Bricis." says a sturdy Amazon.
chris107: Phew!
Smon: Bricis https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPTC603FwNooNGfEFTrmDPCLF4n4d6QvDRHK1FpAs5-lD5AVGzXc1d69McprOEk0cnb59B8CZKgvQkJql8GfcwEq7aad79kFq5VJeKfpx0mstBjuishYIXaHf_C7sasW8vI6iZxI6z34/s320/amazon+scout.jpg
chris107: "Thank you Bricis, you have keen eyes. Artemissia is lucky to have you."
chris107: ah, yes. I remember the picture well.
Smon: Bricis nods, enjoying the flattery. "I will escort you to the Queen. Your dwarf Ursa has been scouting for us, and has just returned last night with news... "
chris107:
chris107: "No sign of the Orcs yet then?"
Smon: "Ursa has found an old Dwarf Hold in the mountains, with signs of Orc infestation..." GM: The amazon patrol escort you up the long and winding path to Highhaven's front gates, they open at Bricis' command.
Smon: GM: Ursa and Sandor have spent the past week roaming the mountains, looking for paths whereby an Orc host might approach unseen by the Highhaven griffon-riders.
chris107: "I'm surprised that it's still infested if Ursa has been there."
Smon: Beneath a steep hill that rises to a prominent bare knob of rock that the Amazons call the Stone Tooth, Ursa found signs of an old Dwarf Hold, and on the narrow track running up to it signs of recent passage by Orcs - lots of Orcs.
chris107: OOC Glad we got here before the battle.
Smon: Bricis escorts Hakeem & Ajax to the Queen's Hall, which is bustling with preparations for war.
Smon: Clearly the amazons are on high alert.
chris107: Hakeem looks around for Artemissia, Laurana and his other friends
Smon: Artemisia looks up from her map table, smiles warmly: "Welcome, Lord Hakeem, Master Ajax! Laurana is just fetching the others..."
Smon: On cue Hakeem's sister enters, alongside a familiar hairy dwarf and Sandor Sunneson.
chris107: "Artemisia! Good to see you looking so well."
Smon: Laurana: "Welcome brother!" She goes forward and embraces Hakeem.
chris107: "Sister!"
chris107: He embraces her warmly.
Smon: Laurana grins: "It seems Ursa has found some Orcs for us... a night's march from our walls. Probably their intended staging-post."
chris107: "Should we go spoil their plans? Or do you have some surprises waiting for them?"
Smon: GM You can add (2633) Stone Tooth.
chris107: done, thanks
Smon: Artemisia: "We have been preparing a good welcome for the Orcs here - the question is whether we should strike at this lair. Ursa found signs of dozens of orcs I think, not hundreds yet."
chris107: "Can we get in and out quickly?"
Smon: GM: Ursa knows it could well be over a hundred there, but not enough to take Highhaven. Not the many hundreds of Rosa's vision.
chris107: "Could that be a trap to draw us out?"
Smon: Artemisia: "It's an easy flight for the griffons - 15 miles, we could have a small force there in less than two hours."
chris107: "Would smashing this small force weaken their chances?"
Smon: Laurana: "Looking at the terrain, I think it likely the orcs have prepared this Stone Tooth hold as a staging post from which to attack us - the paths are rough, but they could cross the eastern slopes of the mountains in a night and be on us at dawn."
chris107: "If we were to take this post, could we lay our own ambush there?"
Smon: Laurana: "It might deter their attack altogether. There seems no other way for an army to cross the mountains and approach unseen."
chris107: "Then let's go flush them out!2
Smon: GM: There is a high pass west of Stone Tooth you could lay an ambush, but it's exposed terrain you wouldn't want to keep amazons there long term. Stone Tooth hold could serve you as a forward base to lair amazons and prepare such an ambush if you can take it.
chris107: Hakeem makes a mental note of this.
Smon: Ajax: "I'll just need to bathe me feet..."
chris107: "No problem my friend. You have done well."
Smon: Artemisia: "I suggest you rest now. Tomorrow three hours before dawn we'll take you there by griffon - if the griffons leave you a few miles east I doubt the orcs will see us approach."
chris107: Hakeem is happy to be back in action
Smon: Laurana: "My Queen, you should stay here, I will go with my brother."
Smon: Artemisia frowns: "No, this time Laurana I want you to hold Highhaven. I will go with Lord Hakeem and his companions. My sword arm has gone too long unused."
chris107: (Privately, Hakeem worries that the Spectre will call while we are away.)
chris107: Oh...maybe not
Smon: The two Amazons glare at each other, squabbling as usual.
Smon: Laurana: "My Queen, you are still not fully recovered from your tribulations..."
chris107: "Come, Sister! There will be enough Orcs for you to slay soon enough."
Smon: Artemisia: "I am quite well I assure you, Princess Laurana. You will stay here."
Smon: GM: Should wrap up soon, would be good to have Fergus for the raid. Who do you want to take to Stone Tooth?
chris107: Sandor, Ursa, Artemisia and a number of Amazon guards for the Queen.
chris107: If it is to be just a raid, that should be enough.
chris107: And if the Griffons are on alert to get us out in a hurry..
chris107: Just in case it is a trap.
chris107: Ajax as well of course
Smon: OK so 4 PCs, Artemisia Bricis & 2 more amazon griffon riders can get you within a couple of miles.
chris107: That sounds great.
Smon: GM: 29/2/4447 You rise three hours before dawn, eat a frugal breakfast and mount up, Artemisia offering Hakeem the place of honour behind her on her royal griffon.
chris107: yay
Smon: Artemisia: "Hold on tight..." She smiles at Hakeem, it's clear if not for Malenn the young Queen would be courting...
Smon: The smelly dwarf Ursa gets sat behind doughty Bricis, Sandor & Ajax with the other two warriors.
Smon: /roll d8
Smon rolls 1d8 and gets: 4,
Smon: Again the weather gods favour you - or perhaps it is this early end to the Wet Season that is bringing forward the Orcs' own plans... it is dry, but overcast and dark, moonless night.
Smon: Perfect for flying south-west unseen 13 miles until the pale jagged outcrop of the Stone Tooth comes in view.
chris107: (Does Ajax have the Darkvision spell?)
Smon: Nope - http://smons.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/ajax-of-rallu-fergus-pc.html plus Cone of Cold.
Smon: He's pretty much all attack spells.
chris107: Ah, thanks.
Smon: The griffons set down in a rocky defile 2 miles from the Stone Tooth, an hour before dawn.
Smon: Artemisia: "You two will guard the griffons, be ready in case we need a swift departure. Bricis, you are with me. Lord Hakeem will lead the attack."
chris107: Hakeem is happy to do so. He creeps forward stealthily. His Barbarian senses working overtime.
Smon: Leaving 2 amazons to guard the griffons, Hakeem Ajax Sandor Ursa Artemisia & Bricis head for the Stone Tooth...
Smon: Half a mile from the jagged crag you reach the path leading up to it, with signs of recent passing. There are old Dwarf marker stones, Ursa can try to read...
Smon: INT+Prof check as he's no great reader.
chris107: he will try
Smon: DC 12
chris107 rolls 1d20+3 and gets: 8, (+3) = 11
chris107: fail
Smon: Ursa makes out the words "Durgeddin" - a dwarf name - and "Khundrakar", which means "The Forge of Fury".
chris107: interesting
Smon: Sounds familiar but unfortunately he was never very attentive in dwarven history class.
chris107:
chris107: Any of the Amazons know of this place?
Smon: /roll d20
Smon rolls 1d20 and gets: 12,
Smon: Artemisia: "There is a legend of a great dwarf smith, Durgeddin the Black, who made the finest weapons in the land... But two centuries ago his Hold in the mountains west of here was overrun by the Orcs of the Arang-Tok. Some say he survived the battle..."
chris107: Ooooooo
Smon: Artemisia: "This can't be Durgeddin's Hold - but perhaps this Forge of Fury was a hidden place he retired to, to continue his work and plan vengeance on the Orcs?"
chris107: "Let's see if we can't find him?"
Smon: Artemisia nods. "To my knowledge there have been no Dwarfs in these mountains my entire life - but there are so many ruins, who knows who or what might lurk in hidden fastness."
chris107: Hakeem nods. Eager to slay his enemies.
Smon: "Forge of Fury" does sound to Ursa like the name of somewhere an angry and displaced dwarf chief might build...
chris107: Ursa "A Dwarf like that would make a fine ally."
Smon: GM: It looks like the dwarf-built path winds up NE to a bare shoulder of rock then turns into a deep cleft in the hillside.
chris107: Hakeem, fresh from the forge himself would also be interested to meet such a fellow.
chris107: Ursa will creep forward with his darkvision to scout.
Smon: You don't see any sign of observation and the night is still dark, though pre-dawn is beginning to lighten the eastern sky, as Ursa creeps forward, alert for sentries.
Smon: Make a WIS+Prof check Ursa.
chris107 rolls 1d20+5 and gets: 13, (+5) = 18
Smon: Ursa's darkvision picks up the faint heat-glow of a thin smoke trail rising high upslope to the south-east - a chimney?
Smon: The orcs are likely cooking at night, thinking the smoke will be unseen by any amazon scouts.
chris107: He strains to hear any sounds.
chris107 rolls 1d20+5 and gets: 4, (+5) = 9
Smon: Only sound is the wind, blowing the smoke NE.
chris107: He creeps back to tell of his findings.
Smon: GM: Good place to stop, I'll see about getting local area map posted for next game - Monday 7pm?
chris107: That's super. Thanks for the game Simon. We've moved on a lot. L3 game tonight?
Smon: Cheers, yup Kyle is free?
chris107: He is. Finishing at 4. Says he's looking forward
Smon: Great, see you guys at 7!
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