The usual out of character thread for general chat.

Oh dear, what have we unleashed!?

About time you climbed out from beneath the sheets!

In reply to Legbreaker (msg #2):

Yes, well, it had to happen. One can suppress the inner D&D only so long...

What day do you get back?
And are you going to need a new place to live?
Sometime in the next few weeks I'll be dealing with a bucketload of residential properties too (we're merging/allying with Rescom).

We'll get back to Melbourne on the 9th Feb. Haven't as yet got a house organised, which is bad. Certainly it'd help if you could show us some options in the way of  4 bedroom places.
Maki is set on having a fireplace and some sort of verandah. Also a chicken named fungus.
You have fun over new year's?

I'll keep an eye out for something suitable although you're leaving it a bit late to find something decent near the uni.

Hey there. Is that a ghost I am hearing? And just when the internet is looking to be out!

You'll just have to hurry up and finish moving won't you...?

Working on it. Hey Veres is back...cool!

I was under the understanding that you'd be thoroughly moved houses by now, everything not going accordig to plan?

It's happening, I've got the sore muscles from helping out on Sat to prove it!
Nice place if it wasn't for the damn hill it's halfway up! Access with the heavier items is a bitch.

Pretty much according to plan. Just finishing of, before handing over keys on friday. Nice long period to move helps. What price range are you looking at with your 4br place? I will see if I can find one near us...Maki will enjoy being closer to hospital!

We're looking at 2 to 4 hundred max a week, anywhere within bicycle distance from uni

OK. will try to look early next week.

Cheers, extra input is welcome. Meanwhile, what shall we do in Greyhawk?

I'll throw something up when I get some time - probably 4-5 hours from now.

Fellas - I feel stupid not knowing this - what is a heat pump in a house and how does it work?

Also, how much does one cost in relation to say a fireplace or electric heater?

A heat pump is basically a reverse cycle air conditioner. No work, but more expensive to run. Gas is cheaper, and wood cheapest, but wood is more work...

Unless you want to pay up around $80 per cubic metre and have it presplit and delivered to your back door...
Personally though I can't see anything wrong in taking an hour or two and heading to the local sawmill with the trailer. Sure a fire creates soot and ash, but that's a small price to pay for very cheap heating.

On the other hand, heat pumps can often be used for cooling too, but is Tassie really hot enough to justify that?

Note that's 3 gp taxation on each blade carried, not just swords. Blunt weapons, spears, bows, etc are exempt.

The char sheets I got yesterday are all at lvl 1 for some reason, and don't seem to include any of the stuff we've accrued. I'm sure Brutus has a list of all the gear, and since I'm in Japan I can download Unearthed and the Player's books, so if Brutus sends me a gear list and Legbreaker sends me current XP, I'll update them.

Ummm, current XP.....
Ah, that would be, err.....about "that" much...

Well I recall most of us being lvl 3 or four save Jeremiah who was set back a level, so pending an accurate XP count would you like do DM us up to an appropriate level for the next adventure?

I think I've got something at home re XPs. I'll let you know in a few hours.

Yup, looks like I've something here. Damn file is corrupted though but I'm working through it.

Natasha has 13145 XPs and Jeremiah 11645 making them 4th and 3rd level respectively.

I'll post character sheets here shortly.

Note you're currently at the Marsh gate which is located on the western side of the city, just north of the southern internal wall from the south.
The Dukes gate is on the eastern side, just north of the northern internal wall.

Some guy bothered to do an interactive map (wave the mouse over a red dot to see location name)

http://melkot.com/locations/cogh/cogh.html

could be useful

He looks to be basically just a REALLY big human although one of the more homely ones...

Righto, well we're not size-ist, so we'll order a meal from the nice lady then go over and ask the big man for accommodation.

So go post that IC....

Ah,... we're still i OOC aren't we?  .... Baaaa....

really don't like the new map. Vomiting over...can we have the old one back?

Umm, what old map?

Well, considering you're sitting down to the evening meal.....

What did you wish to buy?

I am sure I saw a map of Greyhawk there before...

I would like to find some magic daggers, +1 or +2 if I can afford it...and a +1 spear or short sword.

Good luck with that....

Come on, the biggest city in the land does not have anywhere to sell the most basic magic weapons? Excuse me if that sounds a bit ridiculous...

Maybe it does, but you're not about to just stumble upon them after less than an hour in the city and strolling just a few hundred yards...
It's not like they're being given away on every street corner.

OK, then we will be looking for them.

Dead tired. Will update tomorrow as soon as I can.

we still have stuff from the last adventure to offload don't we? Lute, notes etc.

Lute yes. Notes no.
The notes (from memory) contant vital clues regarding the Red Death although I think you might have some more song notes which are potential sale items.

Sure do remember there being song notes.　Could be worthless, but maybe someone's keen. I've started asking around, beginning with Thraydin.

How are we looking for Tuesday evening for a bit of face to face?
I'm out of town next week from the 3rd to the 10th (Wednesday to Wednesday).

From what you've seen, Tristan is on the right track. Although a handful of people have been seen in armour and carrying weapons, they are by far the exception rather than the rule. Armed and armoured people attract a LOT of attention in the city.

The standard for adventurer types seems to be more along the lines of plain civilian clothes and perhaps a single sidearm such as sword or mace. A dagger or other small weapon could of course be carried concealed about the body, but if searched by the guard for some reason, one could potentially be in trouble for carrying a concealed weapon...

There is nothing to say you can't wear armour though, as long as you don't mind people staring and pointing fingers at you everywhere you go.

Joan and Brutus have known each other for a while, the looks are nothing special. Brutus comes from Elredd...so it is odd for him to EVER be without a weapon. Similar for Joan...They paid the swordtax for a reason, and they intend to maintain that. Healty Paranoia has kept them alive thus far, and it should not be abandoned because of a few kids staring...even if they are older kids!

The answer to your question is fairly obvious.

In Brutus defence, gaurds are often hired by merchants and basically anyone wanting some defence. It would be wrong to assume that just because he is a gaurd he is part of the town gaurd. Especially considering where he is from.

They're dessed and equipped identically to the gate guards from the previous evening. Insignia and just about everything else is the same. It's a fair and reasonable assumption they are city guards.
Think of them as policemen - would real policemen take kindly to impostors especially on a main thoroughfare in daylight?

Possibly not, but the policeman concept is still fairly new to Brutus...at least, trustworty policemen! And policemen would have no hesitation in showing ID...they usually would not wait to be asked.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:36, Sat 27 Feb 2010.

They're wearing their I'd....

That is not even acceptable here, where there is comparitively MORE law and order...theoretically, any way. Much less in a place where there exist illusions, etc. There it no way that would pass as ID, unless they had a very distinct coat of arms on thier shields or breatplates. Normally, only knights, diplomats and the like had such distinct clothing or heraldry, as it does not come cheap. Hence, this would not be normally part of the uniform of regular gaurdsmen, though, so I have assumed it is present in this case, as it has not been mentioned.

It's a middle ages style society with magic thrown in (which at best is frowned upon within the city) and you want foolproof ID's like only became common in the 20th century?
Not going to happen.

The guards wear a uniform. That's their identification. If anyone is caught impersonating a guard, the penalty is severe.

Hmm, yes MODERN ID's are Modern, but ancient societies still had various forms of ID, as I mentioned. So how do they stop people with similar clothes acting as gaurds? In most places, there is a decree carried by the town gaurd from the monarch that they are acting in his place. This is the sort of thing Brutus would be used to, and certainly what would have been the nor in a place like Elredd, where uniforms ment somewhat less. Or a signet ring, or some such thing if the person was not of sufficient rank to justify proper heraldry.

At any rate, if the uniform is it here, Brutus would nonetheless be expecting more, given his background. And I am sure the town gaurd in a city that is significant as this had met plenty of such people before, and they would be wise enough to know it would be in thier interest to have something simple, even if it's sole purpose was to ease dealings with out-of-towners such as Brutus.

Sooooo, how do people feel about meeting, oh, I don't know, "death"?

In reply to Legbreaker (msg #56):

Meeting death? As long as it is not ours, we don't have too many problems...

Well, not yours, but not theirs either really.
But Death all the same...

:D

For that I think we will have to wait and see...Joan is never in a hurry to meet death!!

So, the odds for this week? I give 3:2 against...

100:1 against cancellation and about 3:1 against Tristan being late.
Yes, that's right, I'm saying he'll be on time....

Well, if changing the day does not count, he was not very late!

While Joan is researching ressurection spells, Brutus will learn what new spells he can. Only understanding darkness seemed dark to him (85% chance).

He will also buy new spell books of the minimum size for regular spell books (approximately 100gp weight, as per Xanes spell books, which fitted into his Haversack). Perhaps he would buy these in Rauxes to make travel easier.

He will then scribe into them, using 1 book per level, spells from levels 1 to 4 from both Xane and Temperance. Costs as per unearthed Acana.

He will then attempt to sell Xanes Books lvls 1-4 to recover costs. UA costs are given below.
Lvl 1 10000 gp
Lvl 2 19000 gp
lvl 3 28000 gp
lvl 4 33000 gp

Total UA value, 90,000, enough for a scroll of resurrection!

Gotta say, you totally abused that Symbol of dischord. If Brutus NEVER used his fighter abilities when facing vampires or Liches, when his own life is in danger, there is absolutely NOTHING in the spell that says he would use it even if the spell made him HATE the paladins and he failed every roll! The taking over his mind as you suggested simply is not in that spell description...it cannot make him see the others as any worse that an undead trying to kill him, and even that would be extreme! Especially if there is only a 50% chance that we were to even attack each other, (a roll we never made!) Brutus should be lvl 4, needing 1 XP for lvl 5 now...

Did we decide if Bracers and ring of protection combine for armour class?

Captialisation as per the book.

Therefore, ALL GM statements stand.

Blank spell books are NOT commonly available. The materials usually are however.
Therefore somewhere is needed to work in to create the book from the materials and then transcribe spells (1 day per spell level I believe). This is not something that can be done while on the road.

Also, as said last night, there is NO WAY full value will be received for the books. Nobody besides small countries and larger have the available funds. Remember, the vast majority of people are lucky to be paid a few gold in a whole year!

Bracers and rings do combine. Bracers, rings and shields do not.

The book I was referring to was the PLAYERs handbook, actually, which states the spell abilities. Consistancy is a key element to fun of any RPG, and it was for that reason that rulebooks (which are guidebooks to aid with consistancy really) were made. Hence, the quote you mentioned, taken from the DMG, (which I have refrained from quoting) is not relevant. So my statement that you abused the symbol royally stands, as it is information readily accessable to a player, or even a character with some study! The quote from the PHB we have heard many times, but there are also less quoted parts, such as "There is a need for a certain amout of uniformity from campaign to campaign". I know the GM's decision stands, but the decision abused the spell (and hence the rulebook) in a way we are never able to do, and that is hardly considered fair. And that is my point, nothing more. Moving on...

I understand that such quantities of gold are not commonplace, and these transactions and the writing of new books would be done over time as time permits, while others are looking for ressurection spells. I also understand we may not get full price, but with time we can look for buyers in multiple cities (whilst looking for ressurection scrolls) who may get close to the price, or perhaps willing to exchange them for a scroll.

Noted with Bracers and rings, thanks.

Another matter, and one that could provide a nice side adventure, Joan is 8th approaching 9th lvl. She will be interested in constructing a stronghold, considering the complete lack of temples to Celestia she has come across in her travels.

As such, she would like to look for a place, considering the following priorities in order:

-On a dangerous section of a major trade route. Or where she could open a new trade route.
-A rocky island or hilltop/mountaintop.
-A days travel to a major centre without a temple of Celestia, such as Greyhawk.

At this point she is looking to get everything ready, including permission from her superiours. She is also interested in training other young clerics of Celestia.

Investigations into this are being done in parallel with other investigations, such as ressurecting a certain paladin. Please let me know what is found.

sooooo
have we distributed goodies and gold for the module and decided where to go now?
do we need to bring anything special tomorrow?
modified character sheets, a tombstone with a comical header etc...
what level is Mr pleb? is he to train a week or two and be gone from this bedragghled party (remembering one can train but once, and the trainer is *ahem*, for want of a better word, dedded)

and what's the go with the adventure? do we hve an on the road event, a small module or a separate series to do now?

Strongholds are a good idea - if you have the funds (damn things are EXPENSIVE!!!)
Another issue is time. Chances are Joan would need to take a break from adventuring to supervise contruction, or alternatively pay an exhorbitant fee for somebody else to supervise plus arrange regular (once per week, or perhaps per month) contact via magical means to ensure things don't go off track (very easy for funds to be "misdirected" for example.

I'm still considering the rammifications of resurection, but as the next phase is aimed specifically at Palidins it's probably a very good idea to get him back on his feet. There may also be a side trip to deal with Natasha's lost levels, Brutus' lack of experience and the party as a whole's lack of magical weaponry.

Basically the party has a VERY long way to travel from Rauxes to the next stop - a LOT can happen on the journey....

and how about sir pleb?

What about the pleb?
He's, well, just a pleb....
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:47, Mon 26 July 2010.

Yep, that is what I understood. I was thinking that a lesser cleric of celestia could supervise, and be given a position in the building once it was finished. With regards to the finances, the spellbooks are worth heaps, and while a buyer will be needed, they should provide plenty of funds if sold properly.

I have a basic design that costs, using DMG because that is the only place for such costings I know of, about 37k gold, plus some mundane equipment. It is pretty much a small keep only, and it may need to be made bigger. I know that this varies with a lot of factors, but it is a starting number. Initially, only making preparations, however.

It would be good to get him back on his feet. Surely there is someone on the planet willing to resurrect a paladin who died killing a lich! And perhaps restoring him as well...

Somebody, yes. Finding them is the big problem....

for shame guys, for shame on us all... I have class (am home though 'cos the techies are fixing my phone line all impromtu like), sam is in class, no doubt supposed to be using his high powered CAD machine for good (i.e, actual CAD, not rpol) and andrew is supposed to be striving his best for the good of the company. we three slackers are... but tech work must be done, sam can multi task, and andrew seems to just produce money by simply existing in the office, presumably with a whip to encourage the others...

I have a work experience girl at my beck and call for the next few days....  :P
Hmm, work experience...that's another term for slavery isn't it?  :D

niiice. 1 to 10?

also just finished that article. i like the idea of post ressurrection disorders. which do you think is more fun - absolute and undwindling frothing at the mouth holy warish rage against the undead, or a smokey-the-bear-esque penchant for pausing the game to deliver frank and helpful monologues about fire danger to all the kiddies watching?

Multitasking does well. Does that mean you will not be here at 2?

The rage against undead sounds like fun...

I have even managed to make up an excel spreadsheet of the stronghold, complete with floor by floor plans, and cost listings! Stables included, but accommodation is not so flash! Has accommodation for 96 plebs gaurds, 24 workers 12 clerics and 12 officers. 5 rooms for us, and even our own tavern, as Celestia is a god of travellers!

Andrew, does she do ANYTHING you tell her? Shame on you for trying that out...lol
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Mon 26 July 2010.

In reply to Natasha (msg #75):

About a 8.5. 18 and has a boyfriend though dammit! :(

Disorders? Ummm, I have to admit I skimmed that part...

Does anything work related... Anything else might get me in a LOT of hot water. :(

I assume we are still on for today?

As far as I'm concerned, yes. I'm down a car for the rest of the week (catching the bus home tonight) so unable to provide transport for Simone.

Ok, then. I don't think I have her number, so if she calls, I can give her and you a ride tonight by taking the other car. But I will have to pick up Karina first, and I expect I will have plenty of time to have tea with her as well. We should be done around 6:30, though, so i can take whoever then.

What happened to the car?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Tue 27 July 2010.

Simone's number is
I finish here at 5, so it's easier for me to bus it home. Car is in getting the door fixed.

Ok, then. I spoke to Tristan, and he said barring a big argument, he will come, but I think the big argument is almost a sure thing, given history. Still, if he can manage to master bribery, it may be averted. Should see you guys there then about 6:30-7:30. I will call Simone when I am free.

Greetings

Assignments are ramping up considerably with Uni, and with 3 nights a week at work, I will probably have to take a break from D&D for a while. I will get my character sheets up to date and send them to you before next week, Andrew, but I will leave the magic weapons and armour so you will know what they had, and you can allow for it in your calculations until their stuff is returned (as I expect it will be).

Cheers

I clearly didn't make the intention clear just now - she was to walk up to the door, rest the bow with the tip of the arrow just penetrating the hole, line up the stationary (presumably watching the corridor with their own weapon ready) target, take her time and nail the focker to the wall, not stay ten feet back and shoot into a tiny narrow gap in the hopes of the enemy miraculously becoming magnetised enough for the bolt to find them of its own accord.
What would you do?
If there's not a clear shot, why bother exposing self to fire? And presumably this guy is watching the corridor, so if his eyeball is in the vicinity of the window (has to be for him to get a clear shot) then shooting him in the eyeball should be the simple solution.

Natasha failed her move silently roll - VERY BADLY!
Chances are they knew she was there. I suppose I should have posted that she fired when she did because she saw the opponents fingers squeezing the trigger and needed to get in first.
Not that it matters now though....

She would risk taking an arrow to get the shot she wanted, but next time i'll specify eh, moving right along

We don't know directions so when I say 'goes left, right up or down' I mean those corresponding map dimensions in orientation as posted

OOC: The plan behind the actions is for Nat to use her monkly speed to investigate if the rest of the party is locked here. If not, we will release the captives later, but if so we will rescue them. Time is critical though - we have been seen. Hence Jer is trying an alternative route to wherever we need to go. Since he is relatively slow, and she fast, the two should converge soon enough.

North is up...

Speaking of up, holidays next week...sort of. I can make it this Tuesday if it is cool for everyone, and Maybe next Tuesday. But it may be the last before the end of semester.

Only this coming Tuesday, and next Tuesday we leave on Tuesday afternoon for a boat ride!

Apparently Tristan is away this Tuesday. He's rather needed too - deep in the action at the moment with the rest of the party sitting on their hands waiting for "rescue"....
(not that they know they need it)

OK, then. Will get some assingments done.

Back (in Black) - where were we?

Hate to be the party pooper, but I have 2 fairly big assignments due on Friday, and I will be fully Booked Thursday and Friday, and i have work on Wednesday and extra classes then as well so unless I have them close to done by Tuesday Arvo, don't think I can make it.

I can probably make it this week, on one condition though! I am allowed to take an hour break to watch the season return of Glee?? :D

NOOOOOoooooooo........!!!!!!

we're good here for tomorrow. Andrew's place (he has tv) at half past five

As I said, I'm only attending if I can watch it! Andrew, have you got a car, or am I bussing out?

My mistake, you're safe! It returns tomorrow night.. Damn it! Might have to crash at yours again, A. :D

It's a bus job I'm afraid. No car available for the next couple of weeks until this damn car park is finished.
Crashing is optional. ;)

Start without me, I will come if I can, but will be late if at all. I will have to pick Karina up around 7ish regardless, but after that I will try. But no promises. Made good progress on asignment today, so that is good.

Ok. Tristen is planning on 5.30, Simone will be about 6.30.

We all good for Tuesday?

I'll update the map this weekend so you can see where the party went Sam.

Would be cool, but this week looks worse than last. I am guessing i will not be able to make it until after the 8th of October now.

You still out Sam?
I think Tristan is too based on a conversation I had with him in the last day or two.
Which leaves just me and Simone.... Not really worth you running late again is it Simone?

I've got the maps updated, just need to upload them. The current one is somewhat "confusing" to say the least...
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:59, Mon 04 Oct 2010.

Hmmm, test next day at 9:00, another on Friday, 3 assignments due in the next 2 weeks. Yeah, I would say I will be out this week and next. The 2 weeks after looks like a real possibility though!

In reply to Brutus (msg #106):

Im not particularly fussed, but I should stay home and clean my uniform; we got in the mud today :D Next week it is, i guess :)

Next week it is.
Get on and finish your assignments Tristan!

What's the plan lady and gentlemen?

I'm guessing you're still out Sam. How about you Tristan?

I'm thinking of going to see the latest Resident Evil movie Friday night....
Better than staying home by myself...

Greetings

Yep. Big presentation tomorrow. Hey, Prudence, you get to play Multi-User Dungeons? (MUD), as part of uni? Soooo coool, if nerdy!

I do like the idea of the latest resident Evil movie, Karina has already said we can go watch it, but she is not so keen. But after next Monday, if it is all the same for you guys, or Saturday during the day, as I start work at 5:00...

I'm confused (no surprise there). What is going on?

At this stage it appears to be nothing. I think Tristan is flat out this week like Sam.
Next week though appears to be a definate!

You said last week you got in the mud...:)

I will not be able to play tonight. But yes, next week looks very Good!

In reply to Brutus (msg #114):

Ohh! Wow it has been a while. I left Uni a while back and am now doing a Cert II in Conservation and Land Management! :D

Okai, I'm following now.

That'd be a first! :D

Now, now, Andrew, no need to be mean! It must be the GM coming out in you...lol

We on for tomorrow?

I am up...

I am not so sure. I have to be in Kings Meadow (?) before 8.30am Wednesday.

That can be arranged....

There is a bus from town at 7.55am or 8.05am. As long as I make it there by that time, I should be fine. Preferably the first one since I have no idea where the place is that I am to be at.

Can provide a lift back.

Thank you, but I sort of became accustomed to staying at Andrew's pace. Let me work out something and I will let you guys know. Chances are that I will attend tomorrow night, but cannot be sure on the time as it depends on work.

Oooh, I see. Sorry, din't mean to get between you two.

[Backsteps now] :)

For some unknown reason she likes sleeping on my lounge. Makes absolutely no sense to me.
I can drop you off in Kings Meadows in the morning if you like.

There is a good reason! Anywho, I'll see you guys tonight, and Andrew, that would be amazingly splendid if possible. As I said, not sure which bus I'll be out on tonight.

Ok, I should be there about 5.30 although I do need to stop at the shops for a moment on the way.

See you guys at 5:30-6:00 then. Hey Andrew, how did you post the graphics in RPOL?

<src img=
Then type in the web address of the picture and close the line. Using the help menu will show you a few tricks like justifying left, right, centre, etc.
I use photobucket.com to host the pics and link to there (hit "quote" on one of them to see the full code).

Ah, I see. I need to look for a host. I feel like a parasite saying that...

Photobucket is good - cheap (aka "free"), allows hotlinking, and plenty of storage capacity.

tristan said he probably won't make it tonight. We still up?

Might as well.

Cool. see you at 5:30-6:00 then

We on for Tuesday?

2 exams this week. Sorry, have other priorities...

WITHDRAWALS!!!!

We'll have to reassess the ideal day once everyone is back and knows their study/work roster.
The next stage includes all sorts of fun situations for killing, maiming and destruction. Who knows, the party might even get their turn to dish some out....

Greetings

Understand about withdrawals, but not suffering from it! Shadowrun 4thed is also not a bad change of scenery. Did you drop over to tynehouse (The game Tristan and I are playing here, 3.5 ed) to read how tristan nearly drowned his party :D?

Thanks for the cookbook...I was almost expecting something seedy around page ##, but it look cool.

Karina is joining me in Melbourne (finally) today, and Tristan and Marke are moving house this weekend if you get too bored!

Best Regards
Sam

Jer thinks we should rpol this game as well. Sam knows the ropes, it is more than feasible. I miss this game :(

Yep, been lurking over there for a few months now. Been short of time to keep up with the handful of games I'm in already though.

Rpoling the next section could be difficult though given, well a number of factors which must remain secret. Could use the time to carry out some admin tasks while in town though - should have a couple of in game days to sort things out before the next mandated encounter.

Helped Maki and Tristan move actually. My legs have never been so sore! you wouldn't believe it, but nearly everything they had in their house actually fits nicely in their 1 bedroom unit! :O Doesn't even look crowded (or won't once they've actually put things away in cupboards, etc).

The cookbook is an unauthorised copy - Mr Oliver is probably loosing a mint in royalties!

Cool, so what admin stuff shall we do?

Motivation, wherefore art thou?  :(

How's the character sheets looking? Up to date?
Any equipment anyone needs to acquire?

Bear in mind that the Caravan you arrived with is due to leave in approximately one week. Also worth noting is the contract you all signed to act as additional security for the caravan.
The pay is good though - 100gp per person, payable on completion.

What's that you say? You signed on as passengers and not security? You should have read the fine print then.....

Since we got back to town and now we're not outcasts, will the sheriff, head copper or city council give us back our gear?

I am pretty rusty, how about an update on the full current situation?

aaaaaannnnndddddrrrrreeeeewwwwwwwwwwww

*sigh*

I would have thought you could all talk amongst yourselves, you know, just like the active PCs would have discussed what happened with the two who stayed in Nimborten.

Oh well...

Castle Hydell consisted of 3 underground levels. The ground level held only a stable, carriage house and small storage shed besides the still strong walls and gates.

The 1st level consisted mainly of guard stations and "showing rooms" for Slinks. The latter rooms are where the three acting buyers (Brutus, Prudence and pleb) were blindfolded and taken to. Natasha and Jeremiah found them there after about an hour or so.
Also on the 1st level was a shambling mound, apparently named "Shambles" appropriately enough by the guard commander (a half elf Fighter/Mage) and his Adjutant.

The 2nd level was quite confusing for a while, right up until the mirror image illusion was worked out. One this level were found a temple previously dedicated to the good god of the sea, Ahto, but defiled and reconsecrated to the evil elemental good of the sea, Olhydra. Also found was an old guard Sergeant, dressed (barely) in an old stained singlet and watching a small box with a chalk picture drawn on it. A full ashtray was under one hand, and the other held a fairly average quality beverage, similar to the other half dozen in an iced box by the side of his armchair.
Furthermore, a "morgue" was found:
Additionally a large number of skeletons and zombies were found (and destroyed) along with a female human cleric/shapechanger.

The 3rd level was almost fatal. Although much smaller in footprint than the other two, it contained much evidence of it's recently fled inhabitant's nature. A well stocked illusionists laboratory, quickly stripped of anything portable and worth more than a few coins was discovered, along with what was apparently the illusionist himself in bed with his wife. The party (what remained of it, the pleb having been drained back to 0th level and wisely electing to head back up to the surface to tend to the horses) boldly attacked, their weapons inflicting grievous wounds upon the wand wielding illusionist. Every last member of the party fell victim to it's firey bursts, regaining consciousness a while later with not a single scorch mark upon them....

Further exploration showed that those that had not been killed in the first hours of the party's intrusion, had wisely grabbed whatever valuables they could lay their hands on and fled.

Joan is not happy about missing out on the action, nor is she happy with the less than conclusive results. Having regained strength, the party examines what they will keep and what needs to be sold. Given that Joan never gave up her gear, nor was she involved with the parties action (her only action being to try to leave town to recover) she still has her stuff. The rest of the group, Brutus and Gerty, will try to recover whatever was taken. I will assume that my character sheets and cart sheets contains whatever I get to keep at the end of the adventure.

PS, my pleb was not drained, but failed a save vs fear and ran out, and was too scared to re-enter. Not sure if that is waht you were referring to below.

With regard to the contract that Brutus and Joan signed, they did read the fine print, they just crossed out that section, since they were just travellers with a cart of their own!

It was Jeremiah's last surviving Paladin pleb. Yours, the female ranger, stayed well out of the entire affair.
As for what gear you have, I'll have to review. The items that were confiscated by the court are gone though, for now at least. Application will need to be made through one or more upstanding citizens (hopefully council members if you can get your hands on one) to try and get it back.
The good news is though that there was a substantial haul of goodies recovered. and LOTS of cash (if my memory is correct). Might be a few days without a full set of equipment, but between application to the court and buying replacement gear you'll soon be back and overloaded.

Having brilliantly and single-handedly brought our party to the present by exclusive use of my good friend MacGyver's pocket knife time-machine, we, gentlemen, are free to proceed...

You're welcome, you"re welcome
<bows, exits stage left, spotlight is turned off and curtains close in the OOC theatre. Jeremiah walks calmly backstage munching some popcorn and signing autographs, then re-enters the game stage>

Do cloaks even stack with magical armor or monkliness w/ bracers? My guys might express interest if so, but I have my doubts...

Depends on a number of factors.

What you see is what you get...
What? You never heard of Eyes of Purification before? Try 'em out, see what happens... :P

Note that the Cloak of Protection +2 is human sized, and can be combined with rings, bracers, or leather armour.

The Cloak of Elvenkind will only fit a dwarf, a gnome or a large halfling.

The spell "Conjure Earth Elemental on the magicuser scroll is a 5th level spell as per the books....

Umm, not having seen said character sheet in quite a number of months, I couldn't say. Gut feeling is no, it's an additional one.

No, it's definitely a new ring.

I've added in 8 scroll cases below the staff of curing which I'd missed (they were in the case with the staff). Note that the staff of curing does not have a command word available (has to be discovered by other means.

Recharging the staff, and other charged items will require IC character research. This will require both time and money to be devoted to the task. Both of these resources are probably a little short at the moment.

Considering we paid quite a price (apparently) to have the items identified, the nature of the eyes of purification and it's basic effects should be known, otherwise how would he be able to tell us what it was? Hence, we will ask about that.

Joan is still wanting the staff of curing. It is in all of our interests to research how to recharge it, given that it will proably be used on everyone, more or less equally.

Brutus is definitely interested in a second Dagger +2 then, and the ring of levitation, and the scrolls, plus a scroll case to store them all in. Non-magical scroll cases, or someting identified there as well?

What about XP?

Look at the Identify spell description again....
It does not tell everything about an item. It has serious time restrictions. It takes a caster 8 hours to recover. In fact, you're lucky to even know the exact pluses on weapons and armour.
Also, considering several items were cursed HEAVILY!!! or poisoned, or simply had a bad effect when used / identified (take the necklace of strangulation for example and tell me they don't deserve a little slack).
Oh, and that doesn't even take into account that the party has only been back less than three days - that's a lot of Identify spells in a short space of time.

A good idea. Even without the command word to activate it, it's still a big stick suitable to thumping heads with. Who knows, you might even find the command word one day.

There's certainly plenty of cases laying about (one cleric spell scroll in each of 8 cases found with the staff, all bone).

Loads of magic items not enough for you!? :O

Small problem. The time in which a Restoration spell is effective has expired.
Happened a long, long, long time ago.

On the bright side, you can always hope to find a Wish spell. :P

I need a list of all items confiscated and who had them.

Did everyone lose kit or just Jer? If so;

Nat:
H. Xbow of Distance (pretty recognisable)
10 javelins

Jer: (shamelessly copied from char sheet)
Knife                                    6
Dagger
Long Sword +1                           60
Horseman's Mace +1                      50
Lance, Light                            50
Lance, Heavy
Hand Axe                                50
Field plate                            550
Plate +2
Shield, Large, +1

Finally, also on the sheet is a spellbook we picked up in Hydell to flog / use for training cash or use for good...

The spellbook proves to be a little difficult to decipher. It's not a Wizards, (and definitely not Druidic of Clerical)....
Searching the town uncovers no Illusionists to confirm it's nature.

Just to jog my memory, is Prudence a mage, or ranger?

If we can't find an illusionist, then we will keep it. Read magic, however, should enable Brutus some insight to it, perhaps enough to glean a spell or two that magic users can also use? Like any mage, it is magic, therefore interesting to him...

Temperance was the Mage. Prudence is a Ranger.

Read Magic doesn't do the job I'm afraid... It's almost as if it's written in some kind of foreign language or cypher.

Just remembered - Grisson Oyle was instrumental in certain party members losing their equipment...

So in bringing this Grisson to justice should involve undoing his injustices...

And our XP?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:11, Sun 06 Feb 2011.

Could do....

I can do some of the XP now, but the final/totals will need to wait until all the items and treasure have been sorted out (who gets what).

Alternatively, you can all agree to an equal share of XPs regardless of who gets what items....?
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:17, Sun 06 Feb 2011.

Given the uncertainty of what was gained where, and who gets what back, I am all for sharing XP equally this time. Memories are rather too rusty for details, as far as I am concerned.

Yes.... Joan would say that.....

Despite the fact that Jeremiah would still be horizontal if she was involved in the adventure, I was actually assuming she did not get any XP for this adventure...she actually has the most to loose from this method as if she got items, she would get XP, otherwise not. So your point is...

By the way, has anyone here playes SR 4? If so, what were your thoughts?

Calculated for monsters and a few other things as follows:

Magic items and cash are:
And that is all the XPs there are.... Don't see a lot of levels coming on.

Except for Me! Training costs please, if different from usual...
Level 5 Magic User, in case you forgot.

Oh, and Level 3 Ranger training for Gerty, too.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:17, Sun 06 Feb 2011.

Whoa! Slow down there pilgrim...
The party has only been back in town a couple of days at this point (the items still being identified truth be told).

Is that levels 5 & 3 that they're going up to or starting from?

Going up to for both...

Ok, you're looking at approximately 9,000gp total, provided instructors, and time can be found.
I can say right away that there are no mages of sufficient level interested in training anyone at any price, but Prudence should be able to provide training if Simone wishes - she's certainly high enough level.

So, if Gertrude was to begin training under Prudence, she'd better hope nothing happens before it's completed! (The training puts Prudence out of action for the duration also).

So Brutus must self train, teaching himself a new 3rd lvl spell. What is the cost for him self-training? He considers this his highest priority.

Currently that would seem to be the situation, which would increase the total training cost to 15,000gp (12k for Brutus, and 3k for Gertrude). It also means at least 2 weeks are required for him.
I'll let you pay in weekly instalments, just in case something happens... that is, 6k upfront, just to begin his training.

Brutus will first tell the caravan that he intends to stay for a fortnight before continuing on, as this is required for his work as a gaurd. Then he will set about gathering the required equipment to train, and finding an isolated place just outside of town. I presume that gathering this is what the costs are to cover, but if not, then where are the costs paid?

He will have to gather some funds from the party funds as well, so we will have to sort that out.

He could try telling them that.....

Much of the equipment can't be gathered in advance as he probably doesn't have a clue as to what he may need beyond the next day or so. According to the DMG, his costs cover equipment, books, experiments, etc - ie research materials which may, or may not even be available at the drop of a hat (could potentially be ordered in from elsewhere with part of the training costs covering magical delivery).

A mage needs to conduct experiments, etc to see what works, and therefore is a line to continue exploring, and what does nothing but waste resources (and especially cash). They also need to be inside, out of the weather so a place "out of town" isn't going to cut it I'm afraid. Shouldn't have too much trouble renting a room now though, of course paying a "damages" premium (and included in the total training cost).

Hmm, I think I'll be kind. He can pay daily but at 1,000gp per day. He needs 14 days of uninterrupted time to complete the self training. The last two days therefore will be 0gp (equipment, etc for these last couple of days having been already acquired). That 2,500gp of Gertrude's fees would end up in Northending anyway, so...

However, if interrupted, every last coin spend to that point will be wasted, as will the time. i.e. an interruption on day 5 means 5,000gp down the toilet and he needs to start over from day one again.

Gertrude on the other hand needs to stump up the cash up front. Much of hers is going to end up as tithes, etc and in the coffers of the ruling establishment (not the local council, but those who rule them). If she is interrupted then she loses it all (3,000gp). As Prudence could be the one doing the training, I'll let her keep 10% of the total as her fee for the week (300gp not a bad earner for a weeks work ;)). It's up to Simone if she wants to waive it or save it for her own level increase, etc down the track.

Note that 2,500gp of Getrude's can potentially be offset against the 10k each owed to Jeremiah, Natasha, Brutus, Prudence and Jeremiah's last surviving lackey (who has been drained to 0th level, never to rise again). The cash is collectable in Northending but you won't be able to leave for a couple of days (Joan still needs to recover and there's a bit of mucking about still to do in Nimborten - getting confiscated gear back for example).

So it looks like training will be done in northending. Where is the caravan headed to, anyway? Also, how long will it take to get to northending? Brutus would still like to train, but he is not silly enough to start without the cash in hand...hence, how much can we get selling unclaimed items?

Nimborten, being essentially a mining town, doesn't have a lot of demand for magic items, although there are a number of EXTREMELY wealthy individuals who may be interested in purchasing for their private art collections...
Selling the items in Northending is sure to get a decent price for relatively little effort.

The caravan will be heading back the way it came - Endril, then Newford then parts further off. It's not due to leave for about a week.

I want to hear from Simone about items before we start selling anything off. At this time I don't even have an equipment list showing what she's already got.

What about pain and suffering? What about the loss of Constitution that can never be recovered?
Take the Mage that identified the necklace for ecample, how do you think they feel now about jewelery? Chances are they'll run screaming from the mere sight for the rest of their lives!

That is what the cash is for. What about the pain and suffering of us in getting the gold, that they did not have to go through? The mental anguish of not knowing if we will live to see tomorrow that they did not have to worry about, because we were there to save them? They are experienced mages, they know the risks, as do we. They accepted the job knowing the risks, and they were paid accordingly. Otherwise, they should run screaming from customers, not jewellery! But they don't, because they need the cash, and we provide it!

Have we heard from Simone yet?

Yes, I just had lunch with her and she's heading out to my place for the night (like she does almost every second Friday).
I'll sit her down in a few hours and try and sort out her wish list.

Hey, hey, let's not take the caravan too seriously, as mentioned we have some game time to play with. So, gents (and lady, of course), I propose we spend some real time planning for the next encounters of issue.

As a team, we suffered from the illusions put up - is there anything we can do about that? Any ideas from experienced hands? For instance, do illusions usually cover external objects? Could a party disbelieve a fireball if the room is undamaged or such?

Secondly, Undead. I suggest using the cube to prevent contact and a fireball to send 'em packing. Andrew, how far does the cube protect? is the force field a cube, or just the item? Cal you use it with a charge to knock stuff in front of you over? Push objects? Set off traps? Do bad guys get in if you advance? Can you let people / objects/ magic in or out and to what extent?

Thirdly, the invisible guy we never catch (although the wargs did...). I suggest; powder of some sort around the door / tent and a guard in a place to observe and re-lay the sections he/she walks over. How about routinely utilising a ploy where one of the stealthy front liners (ranger / monk) disappears to the loo with a magic user (Brutus, hurry up and pick up some levels...), cast an illusion of the frontliner to be an illusory sleeping guard, and have the real front liner watch and take out anyone who approaches the bait? Use cube of force here to catch the bad guys all prison-like regardless of speed or visibility?

Ideas, folks, let's get on the same level. Andrew rightly points out that in game time we don't have the luxury of discussing this, but our characters are smart, and don't just jerk off on the many weeks they're on the road. If we post a thread full of SOP strategies (like we had an SOP with using and abusing the physics involved with the everflowing water decanter... :D ) then we avoid lengthy player-GM disputes over what works when.

Your turns...

Brutus has been trying to level up at every opportunity, but GM intervention to remove level advancement (completely against his will, mind you) has hampered this considerably. But he is ready to level up. Chalk is the standard method to detect invisible creatures, and invisibility is only a 2nd lvl spell, which Brutus can now cast, though rarely. Ditto for detect invisibility and ESP...

Cube of force is one of those things that is different for each GM, so I will leave that up to the GM to answer.

Brutus has just had the bad luck to need to level about ten times more often than anyone else. Give it a few levels and that "problem" will resolve itself.

Yes, there are things you can do regarding illusions.....  ;)

You'll just have to try the cube and find out for yourselves re undead. :P
Same for all the other ideas.
Note that the cube may not be as all powerful as you might first think - use with caution!

Chalk is good, however it's not perfect. Unlike the magical Dust of Appearance, once it lands on the invisible target, it's possible that it too will become invisible, negating the intended effect (of course the target will look really silly once the spell, etc wears off).
It may be best used scattered on the floor where the footprints will show up. Alternatively, if may be blown into the air - the space without dust is then probably the location of something/someone invisible - this may reduce the penalty to hit somewhat, but will only last a round or so for each "dose" (although will settle to the ground and show footprints).

I've been TRYING in another game to get the other players started on developing, and following SOPs. Have at it!  :D

Ok, NPC'd Prudence and allocated magic items according to relative values and posted claims/requests. Note a full "share" is worth about 26,500gp, with the two NPCs entitled to a half share each.
In other words, you owe Tyus a bit of superannuation and no, they don't want the studded leather - they were a Paladin! ;)

Jeremiah:
Long sword, flametongue +1
shield +1
mace +1
Cube of force
1 continual light gem
Total value: approx 30,000gp

Joan:
staff of curing (mid range charges) - no command word available
Scroll protection from good
Scroll sanctuary
Scroll hold person
Scroll slow poison
Scroll animate dead
Scroll glyph of warding
Scroll curse
Scroll neutralize poison
Scroll of resist cold, resist fire and heal
Total Value: approx 20,500gp

Natasha:
cloak of protection +2
1 continual light gem
Total Value: approx 20,000gp

Prudence:
potion of longevity
halberd +1
hand axe +2
red ioun stone (+1 Dex)
ring of plant control
1 continual light gem
Total Value: approx 15,750gp

Brutus:
dagger +2
ring of levitation
wand of paralyzation (few charges) - only one that can use it
Scroll (written at 9th level) sleep, magic missile, clairvoyance and conjure earth elemental
1 continual light gem
Total Value: approx 15,500gp

Gertrude:
Potion of heroism - will get most benefit
plate mail +1
dagger +1
scroll of protection from undead
1 continual light gem
Total Value: approx 13,500gp

Tyus (retiring due to irreversible level drain to 0):
potion of plant control
philter of love
2x 1,000gp emeralds,
5x 100gp gems
2 x black pearls (500gp each)
3 500gp gems
1,000 electrum
5,000 gp
Total Value: approx 11,100gp

Unallocated:
2 x Potion of Healing
2 potion of Extra Healing
2x potion fire resistance
Potion of poison
Studded leather +1
necklace of strangulation
eyes of purification
elven cloak (small)

NOTE!: Both Jeremiah and Natasha have a really big issue to sort out re number of magic items they've got...

Brutus also needs to train, so anything that can be sold, he will take. Joan is willing to give up the rest of her share, as she was recovering from bringing acertain paladin back from the hereafter, so as long as everyone can train, she is happy. Continual light gems...for sale, as Joan has already put continual light on other objects.

Brutus just wants to train. Gertrude probably wants to train too, but that is secondary, as Prudance can see to that. Perhaps Prudence can use the elevn cloak, but upsize it?

Again, enquire to the identifying mages what eyes of Purification do (as they have to activate it to identify it, as you clearly point out with the not-so-nice stuff!) Results?

Don't forget there's still 10k per head to be collected in Northending so cash shouldn't be a problem.

The cont light gems are basically worthless - the stones are 1gp rubbish and the spell value.....well it's probably better to hand on to them for tossing into dark corners and the like.

The elven cloak will only fit small dwarves, halflings and gnomes. Totally ineffective for anyone else. Worth a few coins to the right buyer, or could be saved until somebody picks up a pint sized sidekick.

The eyes, well, they purify things.... Stagnant water? Purified! Rotten food? Purified! Undead corpse? Well, try it and see... ;)
I'll leave other potential applications up to your imaginations (which also might be purified by the use of the eyes :P)

The necklace is actually worth a few coins also to the right buyer. Not exactly Good buyers, but.... Same for the poison.

I see. Could we have resale prices on items? Also, on the cloak, which Brutus would not be against taking, as it stacks with bracers and rings...

If Natasha or Jeremiah are selling anything, what, and for how much? :) Of course, they will want to use whatever they do not use for training as tithes...

Of course, Joan will want to ensure that the poison and Necklace go to those who will use them for the greater good...such as magical research, or to put the necklace in a place that evil theives will be punished for breaking into...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:35, Tue 15 Feb 2011.

Prices? Nope. Nowhere really to sell at the moment, at least not close to "normal" (aka DMG) prices.

Selling is possible though, on a case by case, individual item/buyer basis. Much better chance in Northending of getting fair prices. Basically though you're talking about 3 items to dispose of, only one of which has any significant encumbrance (the leather). The rest can be used by several people in the party (except for a handful of items as shown). Cash isn't really a concern at the moment either since you're about to come into about 50k in the near future for work already completed (can't spend the cash either until you get to the place the cash is already at - unless you wish to partake in the delights of a mining town and pay waaaaay too much for it).

Only thing Brutus is really interested in right now is training. To be completed yesterday...wine women and song can come later, and he is already travelling with enough women. OK, Prudence, Natasha and Joan may not be too obliging, but Gertrude can't afford to be fussy. But Brutus would be, if it came to that...better from his perspective to work on one of the others. Probably Joan, as it can never hurt to have some emotional attachment to the party healer...and there is the history in his favour!

Be patient, training will happen....
A few more months in the characters timeline and they'll be rolling in wealth and power.
Or being rolled in somebody elses, whatever....  :P

Yes, but we are looking for it to happen before he starts wasting more XP, which is not so far away. He has wasted enough already...

That's what happens when you dual class..... All par for the course.

Results of experimenting with the cube?

Also, how about implementing an SOP night watch which includes chalk on the floor around entrances to the room / tent, and watchman/woman takes Nat's ring of invisibility? Say we buy 10 bags of chalk for adventuring and re stock in the cities?

Most all of us, if invisible, could pose a chance of taking down any single assailant from an invisible standpoint. Jer of course would rather stand in the centre of a ring of chalk, which is fine, but Nat could grapple a baddie until the cavalry arrives, Brutus could use the wand of paralysation, Prudence can do awful violence and Joan can do Hold person or something mystical like that.

No, the multiclassing has cost me very little. The GM making my character do things he would never do cost me a huge amount...

SOP sounds good. Add in strings with bells to automatically wake the party. How long do objects stay invisible with the spell cast on them? If indefinitely, then we will add an invisible string with bells around the perimiter, on small invisible spikes...

Hmm, lets see how it effects Brutus...

Level  Fighter XPs    Brutus   Difference
 1         2,000       2,000           0
 2         4,000       4,000           0
 3         8,000       8,000           0
 4        18,000      18,000           0
 5        35,000      35,000           0
 6        70,000      70,000           0
 7       125,000     125,000           0
 8       250,000     127,250     122,750 (1st lvl Mage)
 9       500,000     131,750     368,250 (2nd lvl Mage)
10       750,000     140,750     609,250 (3rd lvl Mage)
11     1,000,000     158,750     841,250 (4th lvl Mage)
12     1,250,000     193,750   1,056,250 (5th lvl Mage)
13     1,500,000     253,750   1,246,250 (6th lvl Mage)

So, as we can see, Brutus needs 122,750 LESS experience than an average fighter to go from an effective level of 7 to 8.

In fact, by the time the average fighter has gathered enough experience to go up ONE level to 8th, Brutus would have almost enough experience to be effectively 13th! That's what, 5 more training periods than the Fighter, in which the fighter needs to sit on their hands and wait, not earning the experience they need?

So, yes, it has cost Brutus very little to multiclass. It seems to be costing everyone else a lot of time and experience earning opportunities though. Should the party withdraw halfway through an expedition just so Brutus can spend a few weeks training? Should the GM have to modify the time line of modules to allow Brutus uninterrupted training time?

Now, on to invisibility. A number of the characters cannot move silently to save their lives. Add in half (Joan, Jeremiah, Gertrude) are usually wearing heavy metallic armour and you might as well be carrying bells and whistles to announce your presence. There is the potential of hitting each other in combat - what appears to be open ground could well contain one of the party members so firing that bow through the space at the enemy....
Yes, you could go with a silence spell, but then how do you know where each other is?Somebody could wander off and you wouldn't even know it (and the individual wouldn't have a clue they'd left everyone behind).

Invisibility is great used in moderation. It's not so good when it's active all the time, or even out of action with the enemy.

There are solutions to the dilemma though, but I'll let you lot think about what they may be. :P

Re the continual light gems, provided they're not abused (ie carrying dozens of them) I'm not going to class them as a magic item for the purposes of Class item restrictions - they're a spell effect.

If it's abused though (ie doing the whole Drow light bomb thing by encasing them in baked clay and throwing), then expect that to change.

The idea was that just the watchman is invisible, and of course this will not last into combat. The first strike is key here.

Fair enough. Be aware though that depending on the situation, the watchman may be given away by the noise they make, or even their smell...

Do you want a standard watch roster that never changes or do it on a case by case?
You've only got 2 spellcasters in the party at the moment and 5+1 characters. Adequate sleep may become an issue if the party is out in the field for more than a couple of days and even more of an issue if double watch is needed (ie two on at once).
My guess is that the two spellcasters will be first and last in the order 95% of the time. At the moment, Brutus requires 4 hours plus 15 mins per spell and Joan 6 plus 15 mins per if she's recovering higher end spells. If a character doesn't average a good 8 hours per night in a week, penalties may apply (I'll need to look at the WSG for more details on this).

With only humans in the party, the ability to see in the dark isn't an issue. You could try something a little tricky for night time illumination - you've got about half a dozen continual light sources which could be arranged around the campsite under upturned cups. Thes cups could be attached to strings and when something happens, the strings pulled and (hopefully) the lights uncovered. The strings could potentially be fouled by sticks, etc or the cups could simply slide instead of rolling off on smoother surfaces, but with half a dozen out, chances of all failing are fairly minimal (I might do a 1d10 roll for each one - on a 1 that one fails to uncover modified by circumstances).

I wonder if noisy watchmen might make a constitution / concentration check instead of a move quietly roll to remain quiet - they should be stationary, and the check could simulate farting / sneezing / bumping the helmet on the shoulder while turning the head.

Smell will just have to be for now, or perhaps we could buy something strong to carry with us - peppermint essence perhaps? Coffe grounds? Anything we can test on a greyhound while in the city to check effectiveness. Not a certain test, but a hound has a reasonably good nose, so it may throw off some scent reliant predators.

If we have 5 + 1 Chars, 2 spellcasters and say 10 hours rest in a day;

1 hour x 2 for the spellcasters (probably just staying up for one and waking early for the other), leaves 6 hours for the remaining 3 + 1 Chars.

Say we split that into 3 x 2 hours for the main Chars (hirelings can be on watch, but what can they do other than alerting the party?), that gives all 8 hours sleep, more for the casters.

Sound reasonable?

Feels like talking to a wall here. It is not the training and the timing thereof that is the waste. Yes there has been a few XP wasted due to inopportune timing of training, but I never complained about that. Rather than me repeating myself, perhaps you should reread what I said, and answer that instead of answering a different point that was never made.

The SOP for the watch sounds fine, but due to Joans ring she can every second week do with much less rest. 8 hours rests is total for the night, and does not need to be continuous, as I understand. The idea with the cups sound good, but add bells as well. As for the smell, we can find some strong plant that smells much more strongly than we do to mask our odour, or at least the precise location thereof.

Masking smells with stonger smells will only work if the stronger smells actually fit the area. No point drowning yourself in aftershave if you're wandering around the woods....

Sleep, for the purpose of daily requirement, doesn't need to be in one hit, however I think we can all agree that would be prefered (nobody likes broken sleep, no matter how much they're getting). For the purposes of spell recovery however it must be in one continous period of complete rest.

At his current low levels, Brutus barely needs to sneeze and he earns enough experience to gain a level - there's no more goblins and skeletons making up most of the XPs, but instead buckets of magical items, cartloads of coins and the odd ogre, wraith, hellhound and demon. In other words, instead of a trickle, sufficient for a low level character to advance steadily, there's a deluge of XPs, which while higher level characters still need to work for it, the lower levels will leap ahead. The odd speedbump along the way, whether it be GM or player influenced, isn't going to matter all that much in the bigger picture.

Basically Brutus could probably get away with reverting to Fighter for a while and only loose a month or two in his steady advance up the level ladder.

With the wealth of XPs to come, I'm fully expecting even Gertrude, who gains only half XPs to top out more often than not. While those involved may wish to take advantage of the XPs and train, train, train, there is a set timeline in the current module which cannot be tampered with. There are times and places where training can occur, but outside these pauses in the tempo of the game will have serious and world shaking consequences.

Don't be too worried about lost opportunities for advancement - there's plenty more to come. And where's the fun in shooting up the levels too easily? Look at Natasha and Jeremiah - both had irreverably lost levels but they're recovering. A little pain and suffering adds "character" to a Character. ;)

Which was why I talked about a strong smelling natural plant from the region. I am not from the US...lol



Yes. But on campaigns, what is preferred often gets thrown out the window!



I am counting on it, otherwise he will not last long. But in the light of Jeremiahs comments, his absence is being noticed, and will be at least partially offset by the addition of Fireball to his repote, for which he only now needs to train. He even has the spell in his spellbook...



What is the point? as you pointed out, reverting to a fighter would not benefit either class, and would totally waste the experience.



Gertrude? To be honest, the Cleric sidekick promised to be a much better prospect. With Prudence now a ranger, Gerty is pretty much useless...she was hired when we needed a ranger for tracking and ranged backup, but now we have a full ranger, I wish we had something else. But time will tell. Perhaps she will prove her worth...



True. But I am looking forward to being able to use both classes, naturally!

Brutus does have the option of reading Fireball straight from the book... :P

Brutus also has a significant amount of hitpoints - he's in no real danger of dropping any time soon if he keeps his head down like a good low level mage.
He's also got about the best AC in the entire party with his Bracers AC2, Ring and Dex. Throw the Cloak over his shoulders too and he's almost untouchable.

Innate offensive power is limited, but he's got scrolls and (I think) a couple of wands. That boosts his combat potential quite a bit over and above most characters of comparable XPs.

Point? Does there need to be a point? What about the sheer fun of it? :P

Two Rangers are always better than one, especially when there's Giant class creatures in the area. She's reasonable with a bow and melee weapons and has a decent AC with the plate she's wearing.

When are we free for a game?
I'm off to Sydney in the middle of the week, but besides that...

I can do most evenings, so far. Work schedule will be discussed monday, and monday night is out, but other than that...

Ok, so say we stay here and people do theyre own thing. Until option C (GM knows what this is) happens, we chill in town, and be heroes. It is reccomended to 'purify' free food and drink (well, all food & drink) with those gemmie eye things before trying.

Also someone should at all times attend our kit to prevent theft, sitting inside the room with door shut and window open say 3 inches and held at this opening level. Chalk in the room spread on the floor is reccommended also, and I'll say Jer went and purchased 10 standard bags, carried by Equus. In the city he will restock daily so we always have 10.

Any amendments?

Powdered chalk is in extremely short supply in Nimborten - who besides a single party of adventurers even needs it?
Stick or lumps of chalk are a little more common, but still quite scarce. There's not all that many schools for example using it - most of the richer families have tutors, and the workers in the fields? Well, that tiny percentage with children (or even have a woman in the area) have to fend for themselves as far as their childrens education goes.
So, some chalk is available, but will require grinding and will only amount to one small bag (rather than the 10 you want).

The Eyes of Purification? You sure you want to try them? :D
Go on, I DARE you!  :P
Who's going to try them? How exactly do they intend to do it? How long will they stare deeply into the drinks before downing them? Will they keep the lenses in place all the time?

Soooo, if you think staring into proffered cups for half a minute before drinking is out, consider casting Purify Food and Drink? Hmm, place cup on bar, pull out holy symbol and commence praying loudly to ones god in the middle of a packed bar. That's sure to win friends and influence people... :D

And just how insulted is the chef going to be if before you even so much as TASTE his food, you start all the mumbo jumbo over it as if he'd just served up something dredged up from the pig trough?

I'm not saying you can't do it, but think of the social consequences.....

Flour does the same job as chalk, people leave footprints. Cheaper too, plus you can make bread if you're bored. One barrel, please... throw it on the wagon. useful for rations, invisible guys, and as a non slip coat on the hilts of swords... (not so much, but whatever, eh)

Eyes, Nat will wear them as a test and look at some rotten scraps (ask chef or some random) and see what happens, and how long it takes. Then we don't do anything silly in a crowded bar; we know what we're dealing with.

Nat stares intently at the rotten food fished out of the back alley behind the inn.
Half a minute goes by, then a minute - nothing appears to happen....

So, not really having a conclusive answer, she will just wear the lenses pretty much all the time. Why not? Purification is usually a good thing...

Alrighty then! I can see lots of fun for me coming! :P


"Suddenly, as she's about to deal the final death blow, Natasha's vision is obscured...."


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:54, Mon 21 Feb 2011.

A few minutes later and the message "Please register this product to continue use" appears. No options to register are given...

:P

Having realised this is a Microsoft product, we immediately try to hock it to the nearest dumbest looking rich guy in town... which is usually easy in a mining town. Then we wash ourselves of the Microsoft funk with harsh soaps.

But not before Brutus tries some of that "Purified" fish, with a cleric and Paladin standing by in case it is not-so-pure...<burp>

Brutus, not previously known for his strong stomach and unfussy eating habits brings the "fish" close to his mouth, almost gagging on the stinking flesh. Small white, ricelike maggots riddle the fish, squirting their juices into his mouth as his teeth take the first bite...

It doesn't make it down his throat, instead the day's breakfast meets it in the back of his mouth as it rushes upward. The contents of his stomach splatter all over the alleyway and dribble from his chin. The gagging continues for several minutes leaving Brutus weak and extremely pale....


Consitution check failed. Rolled a 19 - check the die roller if you don't believe me.

:D

Looks like we're on for Friday night this week. Simone will be there from about 2.30 (she looks after Loren and Bryce after school every second friday for me bless her), and I should be home about 5.30. Kids will be there, but once they're sorted, the carnage can really kick in.

So.....
No SOPs in place then....
link to a message in this game

I was agreeing with tristans SOP. Unfortunately, In start work this week, and as suspected, I am working Friday and Saturday Nights. Go ahead without me.

Grrrrrr.
Rather not as there could be some serious decisions to be made....
Still waiting to hear confirmation from Tristan on availability.

What other nights are you available?
Shall we book in for Monday the 14th of March (public holiday)?

Well, you were forewarned of the possibility, but Brutus does not get to make his own decisions anyway, so what difference does it really make? Meet on Friday if Tristan can. I am free tomorrow, now, as it is a public holiday. Perhaps you could all come round for a barbaque...

We will have to see what we are doing on Monday 14th, but we can book it in tentatively. My work schedule is not yet finalized...

Brutus has a point about the horseback thing... if he wants to risk life and limb to stay back then well done that man for taking one for the team instead of holding the party back for the six week period needed to catch up with the rest of us. Jer would respect that.

Also, if he is assaulted and happens to go all rambo and slaughter the lot of the bandidos, which he is probably capable of, then boo-hoo for losing the 100XP or so for the adventure of riding to meet the party.

Finally he has audible glamour and dancing lights, alter self and if needed, invisibility. Should be able to fool / avoid most baddies.

Well, if you don't want a full party it's your funerals then...

Of course there may be events which force your hand too. You may not like what happens, but wait until after the fact and I'll point out the bit in black and white where it says I don't have a choice either, at least unless you want the party split on a permanent basis.

SOP posted for city watches, will post one for the countryside when we head off.
Basically roll a die for who has what watch.
Position is as secure as mundanely possible - not sure if Joan / Brutus can cast glyph of warding or anything fun like that...

And that's for now? You know, the time you're effectively being treated as heros and questions as to your sanity would be asked if you didn't take advantage of the space your 5 star inn provides?

I can see some fun here - if somebody gets up in the middle of the night to answer the call of nature and trips over the invisible watch person...

Yawn. Roll against Con at -5 every half hour to avoid falling into a coma from sheer boredom - worse than watching paint dry, at least with paint something actually happens.

The maid is going to LOVE you!
And what happens if somebody spills a drink and the flour turns into glue, or what if the floor is covered with a REALLY expensive Persian rug? What if both circumstances apply? :P

Oh, and one more thing.... Light.
You know that at night it's usually dark so seeing marks in the dust aren't going to be all that apparent?
You know that leaving a light one usually makes it hard for people to sleep, and when they do drift off (finally) the quality of the sleep may not exactly be top shelf so to speak....

Glyphs and other magical traps may be a good idea - until the maid shows up to make up the beds.
*ZAP!*
One dead maid and a probable murder charge later...
Remove the glyph on leaving the room you say? Sure if you want to waste a Dispel Magic every time. Hand out the password to the inn staff? Sort of defeats the purpose of the magical protection in the first place doesn't it, and what's the likelihood of somebody who's been in and out the door thousands of times forgetting to say it on entry?

Couple of points.

Brutus continual light spell will deal with the light issue, as will the cantrip "Clean" or "Gather" with the flour issue.

If we are heroes, why have we not already been given all our stuff back? And why can't we find a mage to train the "hero"?

With regards to a watch, the check is normal for any soldier, as you well know, keeping watch is considered VERY serious business, and even invisible people can find ways to entertain themselves to stay awake. We don't want to know how you and Mrs palder stayed awake during your night watches, by the way!

Glyphs of warding would only be placed on portable object which store our stuff, which the hotel staff have no right to touch, and indeed would have beeen warned not to, not on the room itself. I did not see anything about glyphs in the SOP, though?

With regards to catching up, I assume our characters know where to go, as they have travelled here from somewhere in Greyhawk (I forget what region they were last in).

I think the point may have been missed here somewhat - light = hard to sleep.
Using spells to clean up after yourselves means less available to deal with the bad guys later in the day.

Probably because they've lost the paperwork and only had three days so far to find it? Also, as I've indicated to Tristen, several important people who were behind the seizure have since disappeared from town. What are the chances they took some of the goodies and ran before the locals tarred and feathered them?

For exactly the same reasons as stated previously. Training will be available once you reach Northending, or you can self train and run the risk of interruption.

I sooooo don't want to know! :O
See post #225 above.

Not exactly....
Yes, you're on the same planet (you think) but the night sky is very different. Sun is also to your north instead of south during the day....
Oerth is flat right so the sun being in the wrong place is really weird....

So, while you travelled by land, it's been several weeks since any of you recognised anything even remotely familiar in the landscape. Of course none of you are all that widely travelled in the first place, so it's not that much of a surprise.

Still, getting seperated isn't that much of a problem, provided you tell each othere where you're headed and don't deviate from the plan (as it would be in areas you knew intimately). Problems arise immediately should deviation from the prearrange path occur (and you just know that's going to happen).

And retracing your path? Good idea in theory, but the caravan leader you came with has already told you the path is a closely guarded family secret passed down through the generations. Magic is involved (aka serious GM fudging).

Joan, being a servant of a celestial deity and having had lots of time on her hands while confined to a bed, would have been working feverishly to identify their current location.

Cantrips are not exactly the most vital spells for the parties survival anyway. Above use would be considered good use.

I also know some ppl who find it harder to sleep with the light OFF, so it is just a matter of what you are used to...and I never said Brutus covered hit hat when he slept, so they should all be used to it by now!;)

My point was that we are not popular with everyone, and therefore have reason to be paranoid, not that Brutus need a lot of reason, considering where he was born...

And yet you've got a couple of LG characters in the party ready and willing to give everyone a second (third, fourth, etc) chance to prove their honesty and goodness... ;)

You will need to spread over at least two rooms anyway due to two reasons.
Firstly the innkeeper is, well, lets just say a bit of a prude - unmarried men and women sleeping in the same room! Disgraceful! :O
Secondly, there just isn't the space for 5 sleeping bodies and one awake without crowding each other. Ok, maybe there would be if all your equipment was stored elsewhere, but I doubt that's even close to likely given the general level of paranioa...
And you can forget about interconnected rooms aka a suite. Single rooms with access only via the hallway or window. What, you think this is the Renaissance with their fancy ideas about personal space and comfort? What's wrong with a straw mattress on a rope bed?
As for leaving the light on, is that something that happens out in the wilderness too, or even while on the road? Beacon attracting all the assorted nasties in the area anyone...?

Forgivness does NOT equal stupidity, far from it! Just because they are willing to give people a second chance does not mean that they assume everyone is good, as they would need to to refuse to take precautions! If that were the case, there would be no room for Paladins weilding a sword in their theology...but since Paladins are part of their theology, they must assume there are bad, even irredeemable beings around, and therefore their alignment would have absolutely no impact of the precautions we are taking to protect ourselves. Note, none of these measures are offensive...



Sigh. Oh for the wilderness! What kind of a wretched place is this were we can't sleep under the stars when we want to (as Joan would dearly love to do, being a cleric of Celestia), without being exterminated by the GM events?



Absolutely. Just like a campfire...just off a little from camp so we can see what is attracted...and stuck somewhere obscure, like between some rocks, etc. But yes, we want the light. It is not like we are in a war zone or anything, as far as we know...

...as far as you know...

:P

eh... can we move into the game now? It has been a while.
So... we wait a longish time.
SOP for watch doesn't entirely count because this isn't a standard situation - split rooms etc.
Say we have one watchman in each room. Flour during the day and night, have a light gem under a cup and string to uncover it. Invisible watchman - tells party where they are. Only on watch for a couple of hours at a time, so boredom is standard as per night watch we are all used to.
Good to go? Brutus agrees.
Days pass....

What's our pposition for the next 7 days or so? I'm kid free....

Brutus first reaction will be to freeze, to try to work out what is going on. Seems like poison gas or magic, or both...and why is it dark?

Post your reaction IC bearing in mind that some characters have no idea of what your character knows.... (that's why I included private lines).

I discussed the sleeping arrangements with Simone yesterday while she was writing up her post.
Three rooms seems to be the result, side by side with two per room.
As Natasha and Jeremiah, and Brutus and Joan appear to have coupled up to some degree, Prudence and Gertrude are left sharing the third room. Therefore Brutus is currently alone in his shared room (although everyone is within 15-20 feet through walls).
All three rooms are at the end of the corridor - only one way in besides the windows, fireplaces, etc.
Joan, the current character on guard duty is located in the hallway on a chair, facing the stairs and roughly outside the closest door to them.
Rooms in this section of the inn are on one side of the corridor only - windows in the opposite wall of the corridor look out into an internal courtyard used by guests to "take sun" during the day, and as a beer garden at night.
Windows in the rooms opposite the door overlook the street.
Furnishings are of good quality for the time period, but relatively simple. Single beds only (doubles available on request but only if proof of marriage is supplied).

Hmm, given that the inkeeper was a bit of a prude, I would be thinking Joan and Natasha, and Brutus and Jeremiah would be the couple. But we would want less rooms than that, with at least 3 in a room as always mentioned. If Prudence wanted a room by hersel;f, her choice, but not for us, given that we always wanted everyone in as few a rooms as possible. Joan, used to sleeping under the stars as a cleric of celestia, would have no trouble not being in a bed, and I am guessing Natasha, being a monk and therefore used to training the body under hardships, would prefer to share the floor and a room than have a separate room, as previously discussed.

Also, if we have had a constant habit (ie that is what a SOP is) of having someone on watch, then we should roll constitution checks to change that routine, not keep it. If Joan is not in the gas, then there is no logical reason why she is asleep. I have also done nigh duty, and I am aware that we all have a body clock that, once set, actully takes some effort to change. Therefore, if we gave you a SOP as you asked for, it should not be any effort to keep it, because that is what our characters are used to. If not, why did you even bother to ask for a SOP, and then ignore it?

That you know of....
There's more at play here than you can see on the surface. Everything is happening for a reason which you may, or may not eventually discover.

Did we ever get a resale value, or are we still trying to find buyers? Brutus and Joan only got 37,000 out of 53,000 share, so how much of the rest is cashable? Assuming of course, we survive...and we will want to be waiting around for a long time now to recover and investigate...

It's only been three days.....
There is unlikely to be any buyers in Nimborten as I've previously stated.


Brutus has had no indication so far of contact poison being in use - only the gas and, now he's in the hallway, the dark, sticky substance coating the broken bottles strewn across the floor (there's got to be at least a dozen pounds of the stuff scattered about).

Note that moving through the broken glass is likely to result in contact with the glass, unless extreme measures are taken to be careful - in other words, movement reduced to about 3". Wearing hard footwear will almost negate the penalty - move of about 9" instead as most can be kicked out of the way fairly safely. Soft footwear will have little effect - the glass could cut right through the light material.

Brutus is in position quickly enough to see Joan slumped on her chair closer to the stairway and witness Prudence fall and shred herself on the shards.

I'm thinking that Prudence and Gertrude's room is closest the stairs (there's another few doorways between though), Joan and Brutus in the middle with Jeremiah and Natasha at the end.

Light in the hallway is two lanterns turned down to save fuel - not bright by any means, but enough to get around in.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:10, Mon 07 Mar 2011.

I know Brutus has not seen any contact poisons, but as he has experienced gaseous poisons, and seen broken glass, so he is aware of other types of poisons that may be in use, and any slightly paranoid person would be. He comes from Elrudd, after all, and his father was killed, so sometimes a little paranoia is not misplaced.

Ok, then, so we have not been able to sell anything or start training anyone at this point, as we still have no funds. Just wanted to be clear on that point, as future plans will clearly have to take into account repercussions here.

I am still not sure why we took 3 rooms when we always wanted less. Not our choice at all, by the sound of it, despite some of us wanting to be sleeping on our camping mats, which would be comparable to the beds here anyway...

Did the detect magic happen, then?

Basically you have a wing to yourselves. There's only one way in or out unless you go for windows. You have the space to be comfortable, privacy for those who want it and a single bottleneck for "visitors" to negotiate (this is where Joan is located). Windows are lockable from inside meaning the glass would have to be broken to gain entry. Exterior walls are climbable stonework, but only by somebody with skill (or rope and grapple).

I'm waiting on Simone and Tristen to post their intended actions for the next round before I say anything about the spell. Be aware though that he has no spell components on him so spell choice is somewhat limited at the moment. The way I read your post(s) was that he's basically sprung up out of bed and headed directly out the door. I can't imagine he sleeps with weapons, components, etc strapped to his body, although rings, bracers and the like are all more than acceptable. Heavier jewelery such as medalions on a chain (the protection from evil one you've got) wouldn't be too comfortable, but a light chain would be fine.

Yes, I figured that, though he would likely sleep with a dagger well and truly hidden under the pillow...old habits die hard. But I forgot to mention that, so I will assume he forgot to grab it, though it would still be there...

Detect magic (Magic User version) does not require a material component, hence the selection. He will also ensure the wall is very close behind him when he casts, because with such security, whoever gassed people must be sneaky enough, or using magic. Either way, need to watch his back...so he will be doing so.

Just looking at Brutus' equipment, it looks to me like he'd sleep with Bracers, Ring of Protection and Ring of Fire resistance? (Levitation might be a little dangerous).
In that case that would be all he has on him besides sleepwear....

Joan is unlikely to be wearing armour, but possible if you REALLY want (not the most comfortable thing), certainly not shield anyway (heavy damn things when you're just standing/sitting about), as the area is/was essentially secure. One weapon is likely, my guess a staff (probably Kitsyrral for the spells).
Remember it's basic guard duty, combat not expected and she's only 15-20 feet or so away from the rest of her gear.

Sneakiness is pretty much a certainty for whoever's gassed you and scattered the glass shards. They're certainly able to move about quietly while you sleep.  :D

Brutus rings would be on his person even if not worn, probably in a necklace around his neck for easy access. The rest, yeah, probably securely bundled in the backpack, having memorized his spells prevously, though many of them not used. Clean cantrip, for flour(probably 3, 1 for each room) would be unused, Bluelight, and detect magic, given that he has been trading and therefore on the lookout for dodgy dealers. The rest, probably ESP for negotiation, perhaps Detect Invisibility if he wanted to see if he was being watched (because we are not expecting any clearly visible threats here now), Mending, and Charm Person in case some irate Slink owner got too out of control.

Joan, being on watch, would definitely be in armour and with her weapons worn and in hand. Not much of a watch if not ready for action, to be sure. Sheild would be within easy reach if not worn.Combat not expected, but the purpose of a gaurd it to hold off trouble while the rest of the party gears up...not something that is compatible with heading back to her room, by any stretch of imagination! Staffs of Kitsyrral and striking would be there, with short sword worn and spear likely leaning against the wall.

The sneakiness part is guessed, even assumed by those awake. Magical sneakiness part, in fact, given Joan is not in the habit of sleeping on watch. Hence the detect magic is seen as needed, but as long as an invisible killer does not strike from behind while casting, hence, Brutus will ensure such a location before casting it.

Rings on a necklace may not be the best of ideas. Not easy to use them when they're on a chain around your neck. Simply pocketing them may be easier if they're expected to be used.
I can see the necklace working for while he's asleep or not expecting to need them, just to keep them close. May take a round to remove from the necklace when the crap hits the fan though.

May be able to get away with just one Clean cantrip. Dusting around the guard position may be all that's really needed, especially as they're the only one likely to even notice.

Don't forget that he's spent the day in town doing all those things you say the spells are intended for - hasn't had time to rememorise yet. It's unlikely he'll be using many spells in the near future though so shouldn't be an issue.
Same goes for Joan should she ever regain consciousness and contribute to the situation.

Yeah, the idea with the chain would be primarily while sleeping, etc. ESP and Mending would probably have been used, but as there are 3 rooms, I don't see how 1 cantrip would cover it. Flour is not only to show invisible people, but also to show tracks, (Thieves would be as much a concern in town as assassins, though the conseqinces of them are less, hence the lower priority) and therefore flour would be everywhere, as stated in the SOP. More rooms means more flour, and hence more cantrips needed! Not a bigissue at the moment, 4 cantrips to the 1st level spell...

Detect invisibility and Charm Person would have been as a precautions, and if he has not seen anything suspicious, which would usually be the case, he would still have them. Bluelight would be used on his watch, so if his turn has come, it would be used, otherwise not.

Not a lot of need for the bluelight since there's a couple of lanterns in teh area turned down low. There's the continual lights which are strangely absent also.

Writing up a post now. Should be done soonish I hope, as long as work stays quiet anyway.

Bluelight is another one of those precautionary things, especially useful for invisible people, as it allows the person to see in case someone puts out the lights, but others can't see the light. Perfect for am invisible watchkeeper...

Hmmm.

Seems to me others can indeed see the light... May not be able to see the source itself, but that's not going to matter.

Ah, you are right. It just casts no shadows...which would be especially eerie if the source was invisible!

2 points...the wall was meant to be behind him...? what happened to that?

Also, total damage so far, 20+24 points out of much more than that. Was there something else to cause collapse, given he still has HP? He would be aware of that information...

In reply to Brutus (msg #253):

24 points in one hit is a BUCKETLOAD! That's maximum damage for an average frost giant which is more than capable of red misting a pleb with just their little finger. Looking at 2nd ed, if a character suffers 50 points from an attack, they're DEAD - OUTRIGHT, no save, no arguement, no chance. Brutus took only half that much granted, but it's a bit more than a hangnail! I think given the circumstances, collapsing in agony for a round is quite understandable.

Back, side, whatever... Didn't see nor hear it coming anyway.

2nd edition rulebook I do not have, but that is 1/3 his HP, which is the equivilent of 2 HP for the pleb you spoke of! Experience is all about learning how to take damage, and soldiering on. Yes, it will knock him about, but his response will be to initiate a grapple, removing the dagger in the side and attempting to return the favour to whoever is on the other end of the stabbing object. Given that desire, and the resulting adrenalin that would result from it, I don't see him collapsing just yet. After all, we have dished that out before, and people didn't collapse unless they were done for, so why should we?

Who said anything about a dagger?
For all you know it was a spear, or a bolt, or an icicle, or pickaxe. Deep, penetrating wound is all you kow so far.

Oops! I just realised I got my maths wrong - it's 28 points!

Hmmm, deep stabbing pain from unknown assailant. If that does not scream "Backstab" Brutus does not know what does! And Daggers are the usual weapon of choice...but he will look to find out, for sure, and grapple to stop it happening again.

Nothing more to post from Nar for now... waiting on a result from her current plan. Put something in after an appropriate number of rounds has passed for her to reach her destination, eh.

Rounds for a fast moving monk to reach the stables? Oh, about one.

good good --- what does she find?

You'll just have to wait and see...
Sooo, Jeremiah is just standing about admiring his own hardness then? I can't see any actual activity there....

Hmm, bad luck on the Con roll there for Joan....
Looks like she'd sleep through anything up to and including a volcanic eruption!

How are we looking for a F2F session tomorrow and / or Monday?

Good for me Sat from 2 to 9ish. How high is the level the chars are at? Jer may try to follow if its 1st, or clamber out, hang low and drop if 2nd. D6 per 10 feet, right?
Just an idea. Nat really isn't in a position to do more than 1 round of combat - somebody needs to follow the bad guy in 1 round.

1 round is up, btw - what is found at the stables?

Just the usual horsey stuff. Nothing out of the ordinary there.

There's a good chance Simone will be staying here Sunday night so will be ready bright and early for a Monday session.....

In reply to Jeremiah (msg #264):

Hmm, it's 3pm and no Tristen.....

Tristen, how are you looking for a game Thursday night? Think you'll have the assignments under control?
Alternatively, how about Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon everyone?

Working this Sat, Sunday arvo OK, probably thurs as well.

In reply to Brutus (msg #269):

Friday morning, Sat evening and Sun morning are the go times

Considering that I as GM aren't available this Friday morning.....

How's next week look? I'm laid up in hospital overnight Tuesday, but should escape home Wednesday sometime. Confined to quarters the rest of the week and available to GAME ON!

I'll know better on Sunday evening

Shall we rpol a bit? I believe I have the party up to date...

Well, I can RPOL for a bit...

Your turn, guys...

FYI turning lasts only 3-12 rounds/minutes. They're definitely back and functional again - Brutus has already been gaseous about an hour.

In reply to Legbreaker (msg #276):

EH? What? Since when was he gaseous? Somebody want to fill me in?

It's Brutus, he's nothing but gas - foul smelling gas... ;)

I see. You had me confused there. So the potion just made him fart a lot then? Or just augmented his powers of verbosity?

Wave a fan at him and see if he can keep himself together...
:P

I see. So, 8 guys saw him, eh? not so subtle. You'd thing a gas could be quiet, but life is funny like that, I suppose. Any indication that they acted upon seeing him? Alarm bells, sounds of assemble, warhorns...?

Bored, man... waiting for the editing man to finish our group report... supposed to take ten minutes, now taken all morning and likely most afternoon.

Yes, they definitely saw him. He didn't hang about though to see what happened.
You haven't heard any alarms, etc as yet and it's been roughly 20-30 minutes since the spotting.

GM - good for me to harass you at 2 tomorrow?

Better leave it until a little after 3.
You've got wood on your mind?

wood indeed. Be around mid arvo perhaps, with ingredients for maki's tea of course

this week is good for tues evening and sun evening if you're keen. you got a lift back from the hospital on tues? what's the op schedule?

From the side of the road near Latrobe....

Looks like I'm an overnighter for Tuesday - don't get released until Wednesday sometime.
If I can get home from here (developed an oil leak in the bike - final gears are dry) I'm free all weekend. Will be home sometime Wednesday through to the 28th.

Let us know if you need a lift. Will you have the kids while you are in bed? I can see that working out well...

Not too sure what the transport situation is yet but since Tuesday's forecast is possible heavy rain, and Wednesday more of the same... :(

And yes, I will have kids as usual - week on, week off. Fortunately they don't come back here until Friday evening so I'll have a few good days to myself.

I should be released after lunch sometime (maybe 1-2pm).
Anyone available for a lift?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:15, Tue 22 Mar 2011.

mon late
tue early
wed none
thu none
fri late
sat early
sun late

Where the hell are you!?

Sat early or Sun Late sound best for me.

Summing up finances,

Gems
10x1000=10,000
9x1000=9,000
5x1000=5,000
8,000
5,000
28x2,000=56,000
10,000

Total gems, 103,000

Cash leftover, 23,000gp

Items Sold
Longswords+1 x 4=8,000
Dagger+1x1=500
Rings of protection+2x2, 22,000(??)

Total Items sold, 30,500gp

This comes to 31,300gp each, +10,000 reward.

TOTAL CASH EACH 41,300gp, perhaps kept as gems if not spent...

Major Items kept that I can remember
(I am sure I miss some of them!)

Potions
24 Healing, Held by Joan in Haversack for general use
5 Healing-Prudence
2xPolymorph self, Climbing, 2xGaseous Form, Invisibility, Speed, Held by Joan in Haversack for general use

What to do with poisons?

Wand of Lightning/Illumination, Brutus
Rod of Charming, Brutus/Joan if she can use it.

Scrolls
Raise deadx2, Restorationx2, Cure critical Wounds-Joan
Cone of Coldx2, Ice storm, Lightning Bolt, Fireball-Brutus
Spellbook, Brutus
Dagger+3, 3 dagger+2-Brutus
Dagger+2-Prudence
Robe of Blending-Natasha
(Robe of Elevenkind transferred to Prudence)
Longsword+2-Prudence
Sling of Speed+2-Brutus
Short Sword+1-Joan
Gauntlets of Ogre Strength-Prudence
Ring of Mirror Images given to Prudence also.

Purchases

Prudence
Strength Bow, 6,000
Bow+2, 7,000
Quiver of Ehlonna, 12,000
Potion of Extra healing
Remaining, 16,300+1000=17,300gp so far

Joan
Sell Short Sword+1 (2000), Buy Short Sword+2 of Quickness (8,000), -6,000 total
Sell staff of striking(12,000?), buy Staff-spear+2 (7,500), +4,500 if allowed
Pouch of Accessability -12,000
Tithe and gifts to the poor, given to the temple of Celestia, 6,550
What is available for negative plane/energy protection?
Ordered Mantle of Celestia, -15,000gp
Potion of Extra healing, plus all other potions in Handy Haversack borrowed from Brutus.
Mundane sundry purchases, ie rations, Holy water, Incense, waterskins, oil, etc, 250gp approx (actually a little less)
Total 5,000+1,000=6,000gp left

Joan will temporarily remove the Ring of Sustainance, meaning that for the next week she will need to eat, but not for the week after that. She purchases 13 Rations and 26 waterskins, storing them in her new pouch.

Brutus
Training -25,500gp
Wand of Flame Extinguishing, about 80 charges -9,000
Wand of Fireballs, about 50 charges, -10,000gp
Sells Wand of paralyzation with fewest charges for +15,000gp
Brutus will olso specially order a 2 chamber backpack with a capacity of 800, with six pockets (total 30gp)
Total remaining, 11,770+1,000=12,770gp

Natasha
(Max 2 weapons and 3 other items)
Recieves 41,300+1,000=42,300gp, giving most away. Presume kept 10%, hence 38,070gp given away and 4,230gp kept.

Jeremiah
May have
1 Suit of Armour,
1 Shield
4 Weapons,
4 other items

After tithe, recieves 38,070gp

Jeremiah and Natasha just blew out the economy by eradicating poverty in Northending by giving away over 42,300gp...or rather, relegating everyone except an elite very few to the same level of wealth/poverty! Within a week, inflation reaches ridiculous proportions as traders increase their prices to match the sudden increase in demand, causing workers to demand higher wages and thereby increasing the price of goods. Within 2 weeks, exports cease due to high prices, and hundreds loose their jobs as a result. Investors loose all faith in the local economy and people stop buying things, causing a general market crash 3 weeks after the arrival of the paladin and monk, which have left by that time left. Riots begin, and have to be put down by force as labourers now out of work seek compensation. Hundreds dead. Well meaning do-gooders...:)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:38, Wed 30 Mar 2011.

Other items of Interest

Elixir of Life (UA, p90, 2,500gp)
Scroll, Protection from Fire (UA, p91, 2,000gp)
Scroll, Protection from Illusions (UA, P91, 1,500gp)
Buckler Wand (UA, p96, 5,000gp)
Boots of the North (UA, p97, 7,500gp) We are at the gateway to the North, after all!
Hat of Difference (UA, p100, 8,000gp) Bet you never saw that one coming!
Gem of Insight (UA, p100, 3,000gp)
Girdle of many pouches (UA, p100, 10,000gp)
Gloves of Thievery (UA, p100, 5,000gp) Especially if the Monk is staying behind...
Slippers of Spider Climbing (UA, p103, 10,000gp)
Pearl of Sirines (UA, p101, 4,500gp)
Lens of Ultravision (UA, p101, 5,000gp)

I know I asked, but are you sure no trader has a Murlynds Spoon in the back of their shop they maybe forgot about? (UA, p101, 4,000gp) Perhaps we can commission one? Likewise for a decanter of endless water, perhaps a cheap version without the "fire hose" function for 1,000gp? Brutus is training with a mage...

From the DMG
Necklace of Adaption (10,000gp)
Gauntlets of Swimming and Climbing (10,000gp)
Girdle of Giant strength (2,500gp)
Helm of Opposite alignment (1,000gp, ultimate interrogation item!)
Helm of underwater action (10,000gp)
Ioun stones, clear/iridecent or pearly white (5,000gp)
Meddallion of ESP (10,000)
Phylactery of Faithfulness (7,500)
Wings of Flying (7,500)

Rings
-Free Action (5,000)
-Telekenisis (10,000)
-Water walking (5,000)
Potions of Longetivity (1,000)

Staff of Power (Just checking that you actually read these!)
How much do we get for selling the eyes of Purification? :)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Wed 30 Mar 2011.

How do you feel about ducking out Friday evening Tristan? Depending on if Simone is there or not, we can move forward with the game, or do some woodwork.
Otherwise I think we're locked in for Saturday morning from shall we say 9am?
I'm happy for another session Sunday afternoon as soon as we can all get there too.

Sounds fine to me. Joan can play a reserve role, as she often does. I will need to send you her character sheet in that case, once I work out exactly what is on it. I have moved a lot of stuff from Brutus's sheet to hers as he is training twice.

Any word on the items? Have updated them a little...

Is it worth adding in the value of items retained also? Each share might then be in the order of say 60k each, with a cash share equal to that, less value of items retained for personal use.


Destroy them I'd say. The party is Good with a Paladin thrown in for good measure. Keeping them, even selling isn't exactly compatible with that.


I believe it takes a week of wearing before it's power kicks in, so perhaps that's not a good idea?

Elixir of Life (UA, p90, 2,500gp) - yes
Scroll, Protection from Fire (UA, p91, 2,000gp) - yes
Scroll, Protection from Illusions (UA, P91, 1,500gp) - yes
Buckler Wand (UA, p96, 5,000gp) - no
Boots of the North (UA, p97, 7,500gp) - no
Hat of Difference (UA, p100, 8,000gp) - no, too useful for those who already own it
Gem of Insight (UA, p100, 3,000gp) - no, serious rare item
Girdle of many pouches (UA, p100, 10,000gp) - no, only the puch of accessibility is available
Gloves of Thievery (UA, p100, 5,000gp) no, if Natasha is remaining behind, an NPC theif will be provided
Slippers of Spider Climbing (UA, p103, 10,000gp) - no
Pearl of Sirines (UA, p101, 4,500gp) - no
Lens of Ultravision (UA, p101, 5,000gp) - no

Murlynds Spoon (UA, p101, 4,000gp) - no
decanter of endless water - I'll think about it.....annnnnd...no.

Necklace of Adaption (10,000gp) - no
Gauntlets of Swimming and Climbing (10,000gp) - no
Girdle of Giant strength (2,500gp) - no
Helm of Opposite alignment (1,000gp) - never! (to buy anyway)
Helm of underwater action (10,000gp) - no
Ioun stones, clear/iridecent or pearly white (5,000gp) - no
Meddallion of ESP (10,000) - no
Phylactery of Faithfulness (7,500) - no, very rare item
Wings of Flying (7,500) - no

Rings - what, you want MORE rings!? Aren't one for each finger and every toe enough for you?
-Free Action (5,000) - no
-Telekenisis (10,000) - no
-Water walking (5,000) - you have swimming proficiency don't you?
Potions of Longetivity (1,000) - hell no!

Staff of Power - yes

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
but only if you sell your soul, and that of your first born, sacrifice all the items you already have (including those of your associates) and leave yourself with just the one copper to share between all the PCs

---

25,000 gp

So the eyes provide yet another bonus of 5,000gp each. Cool.

It does take a week before the magic kicks in...that is the idea! Use rations for the first week, emptying the pack, and then have the ring provide for the second week.

Will do some more shopping, then. Not much though, an awful lot of 'no's there. Pretty lousy stocks, I must say. More than the one Pouch of Accessability already purchased?

By the way, as Jeremiah seems absent, Brutus will purchase a Girdle of Femininty and swap it with his regular belt to see if he notices...magical practical Jokes!

The gateway to the north has no boots of the north??? Not much of a gateway...

Staff-Spear+2?

Can't even commission any of those items?

You also mentioned a horn of Valhalla...which one, and how much?

Annnnd 1 staff of Power please :)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Wed 30 Mar 2011.

Purchases

Prudence
Strength Bow, 6,000
Bow+2, 7,000
Quiver of Ehlonna, 12,000
Potion of Extra healing
Remaining, 22,300gp

Joan
Sell Short Sword+1 (2000), Buy Short Sword+2 of Quickness (8,000), -6,000 total
Sell staff of striking(12,000?), buy Staff-spear+2 (7,500), +4,500 if allowed
Pouch of Accessability -12,000
Tithe, given to the temple of Celestia, 10,550gp, been so long since she saw a temple she is happy to help them out. They will know the best way to use the funds.
Ordered Mantle of Celestia, -15,000gp
Mundane sundry purchases, ie rations, Holy water, Incense, waterskins, oil, etc, 250gp approx (actually a little less, but she did not mind paying extra to merchants this time)
Scroll; Protection from Fire 2,000gp
Scroll; Protection from Illusions 1,500gp
Elixir of Life 2,500gp
Total 1,000gp

Brutus
Training -25,500gp
Wand of Flame Extinguishing, about 80 charges -9,000
Wand of Fireballs, about 50 charges, -10,000gp
Sells Wand of paralyzation with fewest charges for +15,000gp
Brutus will also specially order a 2 chamber backpack with a capacity of 800, with six pockets (total 30gp)
Alchemy Jug -12,000gp
Total remaining, 5,770gp

Natasha
Recieves 47,300gp, giving most away. Presume kept 10%, hence 42,570gp given away and 4,730gp kept.

Jeremiah

After tithe, recieves 42,570gp, but also gives away all but 10% not spent.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:09, Wed 30 Mar 2011.

Well, there are plenty of other items you haven't inquired about....
Only the one pouch available (same for most items actually, just one each except potions, scrolls, etc).

Well it is southern hemisphere...
thinking, thinking...

It's not like there's a manual published for each and every item... Bucketloads of reasearch required before the mage/cleric even thinks about picking up their spell components and gets to work on fabrication.
Can ask for such items to be made, but don't count on success, certainly not in a week or so anyway. Maybe 6 months is a more reasonable time frame...
Yes I certainly did. Definitely the cheapest one, I'll have to look at the other two.

Ok, sign here, in blood of course mixed with the blood of everyone you know and your first born. Oh, no child yet? Sorry, no deal until you've got baby to sacrifice.

Hmmm, what other permanent magic items do we hear about? We already have trouble carrying the temporary ones, unless the protect from negative energy (obviously useful on a negative energy pocket plane!)

If it is the southern hemisphere, them people travelling north would be offloading them here...should be dirt cheap!

Will ask mages to look at which of those items they could consider doing in the next month or so. I presume that we will be in the general region at least that long, as when we are finished we will want to train...By the way, the paladin may have to hang around a bit to have her armour refitted due to previous practical joke, so we have time:)

Now the staff of power...I am sure babies were not part of the original price list, but I will send the paladin(s) to investigate whoever is asking for such. I am sure the discussion will be civil! From the sounds of it, it will not significantly reduce my chances of getting one, so we may as well have some fun trying!

Price of that Horn? Oh, and any chance of an Alchemy Jug?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:20, Wed 30 Mar 2011.

Well it's not like there's a catalogue of them or anything. It's a case of ask and see what happens.
Other than consumable items such as potions and scrolls, most items will take a few hours to show up in your hands once the cash has been paid. The merchants are using their network to good effect though, passing the word around about what's needed/desired. Many of the items, especially the more common ones, everyone in the trade already know about even if it's not in their particular establishments stock.
I suppose the best way to describe it is a network of antique dealers plying their trade, hurrying things along as much as possible due to the serious nature of your intended mission. If you were to come back in more settled times, you'd probably have to do the legwork yourself and spend ten times as many days and twice as much money (at least) to acquire what you're after.

Baby = first born

Brass, 15,000gp

Yes, 12,000gp

In that case Brutus will get an Alchemy Jug, leaving him him with 5,770gp.

His specially ordered pack will be sized for Joan, and will have special watertight compartments for an ivory scroll case and ivory wand box as 2 of the pockets. Other pockets will also be watertight, with tops that screw on and seal, as will the top of the pack, enabling the whole pack to be watertight. There will also be buckles along the length with small pockets for the ends of staves/spears at the foot of the pack that will enable any stored staves to double as pack suppurts, though their tips will be rather high in the air...

Brutus will also learn how to use a campfire and a hammer to make silver sling bullets from silver pieces.

He will get the name of the seller of the Brass horn, and give it to Prudence, who may well be interested in having some emergency mallea fighters in case she looses her usual meat shields...or someone gets around them.

(ie unless she says otherwise, that would be a good purchase, as well as some silver and more +3 or +4 arrows)

I don't suppose a cloak of the manta ray is available? (DMG, 12,500gp)

Done

Umm, you are aware that starves are up to 8 feet long, and spears even longer? Even with the bottom end hanging low at about 2 feet from the ground (about the same height as my desktop), which leaves the other end at a minimum knocking the ceiling with every step, or worse, catching continually and making negotiation of doorways near impossible with any speed or grace.
Yes, the bottom end could be held by a small cap, but even outside in or very tall rooms (remembering that 10 feet is rather high and most ceilings could be only about 8 feet), the height of these items will a) make a great indicator to hostile groups of your location, and b) throw off the wearers centre of balance and thereby necessitate a Dexterity penalty while wearing it.
Also, how on earth can they possibly be used as supports without tying them into the structure of the pack? It could possibly be done by lashings, but that means a minimum of several minutes spent untying them, and the pack collapsing into uselessness until a good ten minutes or so is spend replacing them.
As for "screw tops" forget it. It's made from leather and canvas, not a plastic bucket with shoulder straps. Waterproofing (to about 95% effectiveness) can be done however by layering material and use of various oils and other substances on the material itself (which requires regular maintenance). Openings can be sealed relatively well (but not perfectly) with additional flaps and drawstrings. All this means an additional round spent opening and closing the pack although it could be closed without the waterproofing quicker if necessary.
Buckles and loops are fine, although could potentially snag on things such as branches and the like. Not a major concern really but likely to get annoying for the wearer.

No, rare item and you're a long way from the sea
+2 Staff Spear is available for 7500gp - base length of 7 feet (minimum of all configurations).

Strapping the length in with buckles as support for the pack is precicly what I had in mind, but the item can be removed quickly by pulling it longitudinally out of the bindings. As it is only added supprot, the pack will not collapse without it any more than the packs made without them collapse...it is the same pack. I am aware of the length of staves, but their weight (about 8lb max, usually 6lb) is not such that, sticking with less than half it's length (as a big pack is 3-4ft long, staff 6-8ft) in the air, it will cause a character and pack weighing 240lbs or thereabouts to have trouble with dexterity. Either do the maths or try it sometime...have done both, but a staff or 2 are simply not that heavy, as they are only made of wood.

The problem with the roof height is another matter, and I agree in confined spaces it would be an issue, ideally best resolved with a quiver of Ehlonna, but we have to leave the ranger with something.

Now about screw tops, these have been around centuries before plastic...made from metal or ceramic. In this case, I was thinking of metal. If no-one on theis world has thought of screw tops, then whatever is the most effective waterproofing of the day. Keep in mind some scroll cases they have found in sunken vessels that only compromised their contents when the case deteriorated to the point of letting water through, time measured in years, not minutes, some predating Christ, I believe, so there are some extremely effective waterproofing methods. (The extra round opening and closing the main pack is why I wanted waterproof pockets as well.

The buckles are usually protected by an attached canvas sheet overlaying the entire pack.

+2 Spear-Staff purchased. 7ft length is staff/1 handed spear, I assume?

By the way, should we ask Simone if Prudence wants a bunch of crazy men around in leather every time she gets horny, or just assume that she does? :D

In reply to Brutus (msg #307):

For an extra 100gp we can arrange for a pink ribbon to be tied around it and it summons nubile young amazons....

In that case, I suspect you might just keep it all to yourself then! Otherwise, Brutus will start saving his pennies!

Just so you know, Saturday and Sunday are also possibly not happening due to a certain D&D ban attempting to extend to ALL activities at Andrews, not just when one is present. A change in venue may work, maybe...
This message was last edited by the player at 12:47, Thu 31 Mar 2011.

Heya all,
Well, as far as spreading wealth about is concerned, Jer is happy with a shield +2,+3 vs missiles as offered. Nat may ask for a +1 or +2 atlatyl.
Talisman of Zagy? It's 10000gp, effect determined by dice rolls. Could be fun. But mostly these two chars are well equipped.

Nat just wants her levels back :( poor girl.
However, looking at the player's, it seems plausible that both Nat and Jer would have plenty of xp to go up one level each. If three party members are good for some training, that may justify one week's delay.
Nat could forseeably even be 1xp off two levels, considering when they were drained.
You go down to the minimum required for the level you were drained to, right? so nat would be back to 22,501. 6th level is 47,501 and 7th is 98,000.
Jer went down to 95,001 and needs 175,000 to be back up. A suit of +3 full plate has got to be worth a bit...
While that is a lot, they were drained back in Rauxes. Jer at the beginning (literally) of the Lich expedition, and Nat towards the end when we found that vampire. So both have XP we haven't dealt with inclusive of the famous lich Rauxes job through Hydell and up 'till now. A bunch of cool magic items and cash were rewarded since then.
Worth doing a count?

What Magic items do Nat and Jerry have? Given that they can purchase their own goods, some of their funds can be redirected there...

Jer has

FP +3
FT +1
Mace +1
Shield +1 (suggested to buy +2/3vs Missiles)

Ring - SpellTurning
Ring +2
Scarab (plug version)
Equus

Nat has

Gauntlets (ogre)
H.Xbow Dist +1
Bracers AC2
Cloak of blending

Also, Mr bullfrog here has done a good % of the slaughtering of monsters on his lonesome (well, before anyone else had time to, really. Flametongue loved those mummies etc, but kudos to our archer taking point on more than one occasion, though)

Mr bullfrog did a lot of the damage supported heavily by Joans healing and buffing, I must say.

But he can carry 2 more magic weapons.

Nat can carry 1 more.

Leash is lenthening...?

It was all Timmy and you know it!

Eh, more magic weapons not really required just now. Flametongue is cool, but Nat could do with a magic atlatyl. Or another small weapon, as she will next take a melee weapon proficiency.

Yes, yes, Timmy deserves all the credit. He is a 1,000,000th level Multiclass Paladin/Ninja/HairyPoo...
We have much to thank the great, powerful and wise Timmy-the-poo.

Would it increase Jeremiahs AC to use the ring of protection +3 instead of the +2 he has? If So, Brutus is willing to swap him.

Not at all. Just saves. Still, useful.

In reply to Brutus (msg #318):

Rings don't stack with Full Plate armour....

In that case, we won't worry about it.

But Joan will also get the word out that she is interested in hiring gaurds for our wagon (10 Bowmen and a sergent, plus 2 pack handlers and a couple of mules)

Offered
Longbowmen, 4gp/mth, Long Bow, Studded Leather Armour, Helment, Hand Axe, 2 full quivers, Backpack (normal) with bedroll, waterskin and rations as standard equipment.

Sergent, 40gp/mth, Longbow, Banded Armour, Helment, Hand Axe, 2 full quivers, Backpack (normal) with bedroll, waterskin and rations as standard

Pack Handlers, 2gp/mth, Leather Armour (For protection against the weather, of course), Whip, Backpack (normal) with bedroll, waterskin and rations as standard, not expected to enter combat...that is what the troops are for.

Mules, Saddlebags, saddlerug, bit and bridle, Harness.

1 months pay in advance is also offered, but start date TBA. They are to stay with the wagon at all times, whether in country or city, once hired.

Cost, 1290gp, taken from Brutus' 5770gp, leaving him with 4,480gp.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:25, Fri 01 Apr 2011.

How about it - the shield and talisman (not likely, but optimism...) available?
Any idea of XP qty?

Done once you pay for it.+1 is available for 4,000gp (fairly rare item)
Not a hope!
Not really any time to do much about that. The idea is to equip asap and head out within 24 hours - less if at all possible.
The shield +2/+3 is available as previously indicated for 4,000gp. Can trade in the +1 shield for 2,500.
XPs were dished out only recently - post #169 of this thread. The only XPs not given so far are those from the recent expedition into the crypts. I'll calculate them shortly, but it does depend a lot on who got what in the treasure split.

Those purchases sound good.
I see the count now... so that was Hydell's XP eh? Can we remember so far back as Rauxes?
Also, you two feel like stopping by mine this morning? Sam's place?

My phone is now on (I can tell because the screen is a more lit-up shade of not-working) so I can be called to discuss.

note that i do have ALL of dragon mag archived here, and the internet has a good archive search website (several, actually) to point to which mag you need for what article / topic

back to bed now fellas, but phone will be handy

I'd be there, but there's that nasty transport issue....
Note that all xps have been awarded up to your return to Nimborten at the end of Hydell. Working on the Crypts now.

Ok XPs are now done. I've edited Natasha, Jeremiah and Prudence's character sheets with the new XP figures.
Note that the amounts shown do NOT include XPs for magic items removed from the crypts - that kicks in after you've been carrying, and using them, for a month (it's only been about 3 weeks), or, in the case of potions, when you use them.
So, you may be painfully close to going up a level, but it's not going to happen juuuuuust yet.

Does that include the XP from items sold and the gold?

Also, presuming that Brutus finishes training with what he has (ie not including stuff loaned out to Joan, being the Wand of Fear, Wand of Fire Extinguishing, the Handy Haversack, the Alchemy Jug and rings of Levitation, Featherfall and Invisibility), he has 2 Dagger+3, 3 Dagger+2, a spell book (which he has already used to scribe one spell from) and a couple of scrolls, which he will later use. My question is, how much Xp will he have after that first week?

Also, price for those spell books? I also don't recall him getting XP for claiming those spell books either, from Xene, now that it is mentioned...time for the one he can now use to be awarded, after he reached level 5, that is, and can actually use it?

Of course it does.

You don't get experience for purchased items, only those found - you already got XPs from the cash you used to buy them, so why should a character be awarded what is basically a double dip of experience?
This also applies for swapping items between characters - only ONE character gets the benefit of it's experience point value, if they party wants to share, then it MUST be sold and XPs taken on the value received (and presumably split).

Moot point now re spell book experience since he just got drained and restored. Wiped the slate clean so to speak.
He has received XPs for the Vampire's book - all up he was something like 25k over for the next level. Fortunately for him the magic items don't yet kick in so they're not wasted, yet....
It's definitely in Brutus' best interest to retain at least one magical item recovered from the crypts. If he doesn't, he misses out on that additional level...
As for cash value, that's something he'll be occupied with shortly. Can't really conduct effective business dealings while preoccupied with training now can he?

Regarding  the purchased item, yes, I expected that, was just checking to see if there were any of those items that were picked up during the last mission that were relevant. Swapping items is only relevant to see who gets the XP, I was not expecting more than one person to get it. Since he is reataining the 2 daggers+3, and 3 dagger+2 and the rod of beguiling and scrolls, as previously mentioned, he will get some XP. My question was, how much?

Regarding the spell books, it is only a moot point if he had recieved XP, otherwise it was due, but it would have maxed him out at 40k anyway. But if he was at 40k before the last mission, he definitely would not have gone. Oversight on the GM's part (ie in not giving XP properly) would have cost him dearly...

Just a thought, Joan will take about 4 1,000gp gems with her, and a couple of gold/platinum. If travelling back in time, she may see something that she can purchase not currently available. Caves of time....do they have access to previous civilizations that we need to pass through? Going cashless may not be a good idea...suggest others with unspent cash also carry most of it in Gems (for weight, of course).

Advertising can be done while training, the business dealings done afterwards, taking perhaps a day instead of the week advertising...

He'll get what it's worth, after he's completed his first week of training (which he really can't afford to delay commencing or he misses out).
Technically he received it long ago, even if it wasn't applied to his sheet.

No comment.

Again, no time to delay with the training or he could miss out on that additional XP that's just around the corner.
Not that a delay of a week or two in selling will matter that much - as Brutus will find out in due course.

No delays in training, he is training straight away, as mentioned numerous times. Just getting the word out that there are some items for sale. 5 mins to put up a flyer won't distract from training, and others, such as Joan, could even do that.

I understand he technically recieved it long ago. It would have made quite an impact on the decisions he made, though, and he probably would have taken time out from some previous missions to be level 6 now, and hence able to participate in this mission as level 6. That is the annoying part...

Hence the preparation for caves of time. Joan wil take 4 x 1,000gp gems (matching, of course, beause she is a woman!) and some gold/platinum.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:23, Sun 03 Apr 2011.

He simply hasn't had the time to train until now no matter how many points he may have had. The intent had always been to train once safety was reached, but events dictated this not happening.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:00, Mon 04 Apr 2011.

Not quite true. He could have easily trained on his own while Joan was recovering, by not running off, which he would have done.

Except that cash was in short supply at the time, and the group that went to Hydell were only gone about 36 hours at most.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:02, Mon 04 Apr 2011.

Joan was not going anywhere for a week, like it or not, before heading off to help the dragons, which wasplenty of time for what Brutus needed, and he had a heap of spell books, including a 1st level one, and there were at least 1st lvl mages in the area as they identified stuff after Hydell, so neither of those points are valid. As I said, history, but your forgetfullness (because I have been CONSTANTLY looking to train, and the excuse at the time was no XP) cost at least a level, perhaps 2.

I say again, cash.... Doesn't matter if you had the XPs or not if you can't stump up the coinage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:03, Mon 04 Apr 2011.

How expensive are spell books again?

Not that there was a buyer in the area....
It's all about the cash, or at least being able to use the goods available in trade. Trade was not possible at the time so cash was the only way to go.

Anyway, it's in the past now. Their may well have been an opportunity, but it wasn't taken for whatever reason. What's done is done and there's no point dwelling on it.