Precisely. If it is important, he may be able to take a bit of extra time, figuring on the party wanting to rest and all after visiting the negative plane, and probably at least Natasha wanting to train.

But that still did not answer the question, how long does it take to get to Newford?

The WSG?

Wilderness Survival Guide - Has travel times in there. My gut feeling is about 4-5 days but could be completely wrong.
Depending on T and S we might RP that journey both ways Thursday evening. Not exactly a secure road in these war torn times... ;)

With the plebs henchmen that might be fun!

Light warhorse with less than 300lbs (Brutus and plebs are each less than that) can move up to 36 miles per day over normal terrain (12 hrs), 18 miles over rugged terrain (2 x 6 hrs+1hr rest = 13hrs) and 6.75 miles over very rugged terrain (3 x 3 hrs + 2 hrs rest=11hrs).

Hence, for 100km along a road, the roughest would be Rugged terrain (WSG says "any well-kept path or roadway that passes through very rugged terrain"). Anything else, including a path or roadway through rugged terrain, is considered Normal.

Assume 1/3 Rugged, ie 36 miles of rugged terrain (2 days) plus 72 miles of normal terrain (2 days), maximum 4 days travel on light horses with less than 300lbs each. Perhaps 3 days if the roughest part is simply rugged terrain. Sounds feasible, I am guessing Brutus would be willing to do that, asking the council to send him work the moment the party arrives. Done in the 1st month after training finishes.

Group, Brutus + his 2 plebs. All would be on light warhorses.

Purchase price 466gp for 1 Light warhorse+Saddlebags, Saddle, Bit, Bridle and saddlerug and 3 sets of leather barding, already have 2 light warhorses that are equipped.

Does he need to buy additional horses for that little jaunt? Are any horses spare which are usualy ridden by the other PCs?
He may also wish to budget for time spent in the city - a couple of weeks livign expenses while the sages do their thing, the spell book is sold, etc
Potentially, he may be asked to escort war supplies back to Northending too - perhaps a herd of horses, a few wagons of weapons and armour, or maybe just a tonne or two of blankets for the troops. In times such as these, everyone would be asked to take on additional responsibilities such as this to free up human resources for the front lines. Probably wouldn't take it all the way back to Northending - Endril is closer to where it's all likely needed.

We only had 2 light warhorses...the rest were mediums or heavies, which are slower.

He would not really want to spend too much time there, 2 weeks at most, though the agreement with the Northending council to send word as soon as the party returns will allow him to relax a little and spend longer.

A fourth horse would probably be needed for supplies as well, and we could take our gaurd dog along for the fun of it, to watch the camp at night.

He would have no trouble escorting war supplies back if he has not heard before then, and this may not be a bad place to look for a better henchmen for Joan...with more than 2 hp, and perhaps to replace any that may have fallen by then! Actually, he would have no trouble assisting forces in a more direct way...a chance to practice his fireball skills would rather appeal to him!
This message was last edited by the player at 06:33, Wed 13 July 2011.

Ok then. Provided there's no T or S tomorrow night that's what we'll do. Even with just one it might be worth it as a bit of a distraction - they can run the plebs into their graves.

The return trip laden down with wagons, etc is likely to take a bit longer though I'm guessing. Might even have some foot mobile troops to tag along, slowing things even further, but at least you'd have an army to play with. ;)

Hmm, a bit of a scary thought isn't it - Brutus the General!

Indeed, scary thought. Sounds like the red army to me, and the scorched earth policy would be standard proceedure! And you were probably wondering how the red wizards of thay got started...

Mind you, with the plebs durability, he will need an army of them to be of any use.

Of course, if the plebs actually (Gasp, shock horror) SURVIVE, they may even be useful on the next section!

But enough dreaming, maybe the next victims henchmen will be a little more robust. Or not. No, it will take effort to get one less robust. Well, good news is, they will be back to full hit points after a nights rest without magic, assuming they did not fall unconscious the day before!

Lets work on that assumption then - we just know T will be otherwise occupied and I'm not sure if S is getting into the state in time.

OK then. Would it be interesting to try it at my place on your way home then, as you will be kidless?

ok, I'll pack the car full of books. :D

Pack the car full of books? you will be able to play with a computer as part of your DM screen, so not to many books needed, really, just the basics.

Merty's masculine macho-musk
A healthy application of this rugged, manly scent will turn any weakling adventurer into a hulking monstrosity with 18/00 strength. Furthermore, the scent acts as a friends spell on anyone within 20'. Not a scent to be used lightly! Twelve applications per vial.
Your Price: 1,200 gp

Merty's magical markers
Do you constantly get lost in endless dungeon corridors? Do you hate trying to read maps by flickering torchlight? If so, then Merty’s magical markers are for you! These colourful metal chips will save time and effort fruitlessly spent on trying to read a faintly penned map in the dark.
These chips stick to any solid surface, and they can be seen only with the use of Merty's magical membrane, which we provide with every set. (The markers glow up to 120' away when seen through the membrane - no illumination necessary!) A perfect gift for the illiterate barbarian in your group!
Your Price: 1,500 gp per set of 12.

Mirror Mask
This mask appears as a circle with dark lines radiating outwards from a central focus around the wearer's nose. Anyone gazing at the wearer does not see the mask, instead seeing the viewer's own head perfectly depicted. Creatures not looking directly at the mask see the mask instead. The mask reflects all gaze attacks back upon the gazer, and the wearer can meet the gaze of any being without being affected by awe, fear, horror, hypnotic gaze effects, charms, suggestions, etc.
Your Price: 12,000 gp

Cloth of Polishing
This one-foot-square cloth, when rubbed lightly over any metal surface, will remove all grime and tarnishes and return the surface to a like-new luster.
Your Price: 1,750 gp

Socks of Dryness
A pair of foot wrappings that repel water like rubber, but which allow air to pass through.
Your Price: 3,500 gp

Enchanted Grappling Iron
Apart from a faint aura of magic, this grappling iron is indistinguishable form any other such implement and can be used by any character class. When thrown, with a rope attached, there's a 75% chance (modified by whatever bonuses or penalties the user might normally receive for such an action) that the iron will hook onto something solid to allow climbing. Once the iron has hooked, it gives 5% climbing bonus to anyone attempting to climb the rope.
Your Price: 3,750 gp

Gown, Protection +2, Last Season
Your Price: 20,000 gp

Blouse, Ladies, Protection from Normal missiles (pink lace)
Your Price: 20,000 gp

Purse, Silenced Coinage
Your Price: 5,000 gp

Robe of Blending, 3 speed
Your Price: 4,000 gp

The vast majority of available items are of next to no use to an adventurer - a set of tableware which cleans itself after every meal, a chest which magically scents anything placed within it with pine or lavender, a broom which on command sweeps all dirt from a room, and so on, and so on, and so on, and.....

By the way, I also noticed another spellbook not needed and not sold. From Xene,

Level 3 spells

Clairvoyance
Dispel Magic
Explosive runes
Flame Arrow
Hold Person
Material
Melfs Minute Meteor
Phantasmal Force
Wind wall

Can we have a price? Book price 27k
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Sun 17 July 2011.

26k for the book.

Summing up several weeks at Newford, (repeat from OOC, with other details included):

Brutus Found Buyers for
Studded leather +1 (2000)
Rod of Absorbtion (20,000)
3 scrolls of stone to flesh were also purchased.
Also, Brutus and Skruffy trained, for a total of 4,500 plus 9,000, and an additional 6,000 was given to Skruffy for his next training.
Cash from Vampires was 5,800.

Items kept,
Ring of wishes, estimate 5,000 per wish, assume two (it is unlikely to be full, but who knows?)
Scroll with 4 x 2nd level spells, sale price 2,000gp
Unknown Elixir (assume 2,000gp, cheapest)

Distribution, as agreed with all henchmen, was one half of what Brutus recieved, after training and restorations were paid for. This is because the well-being of all members is more important that individual rewards, and is therefore the proper approach for those of morally good alignment. Putting personal rewards first is selfish, and therefore not of Good alignment.

This meant that a total of 22,300gp was divided between the five members, with Brutus recieving a double share, so each member gets 3,717gp. As Brutus share, the ring, was figured at 10,000, he has to put in 2,566. Others recieve as follows:
Skruffy: 1,717gp and unknown Elixir. He also recieved 10,500 for training, note.
Donk: 3,717gp
Sparky: 3,717gp
Benny: 1,717gp and scrolls, estimated at 2,000gp.

Now other activities. Brutus starting cash after distribution was 1,217 (message #695)-1200 for previous henchmen hired -2,566gp.

Week 1
Put out notices to hire henchmen, and hired an agent, as well as visited a popular adventurer inn. During the day, sought buyers for spell books, and sought out sages. Initiated research into
-the rod (total cost was 100gp) Learn't what it was, decided to sell for 20,000 rather than pay unknown amount when it may not be worth it.
-the rug (total cost was 10,000gp, nearly 3 weeks)
-recharging staff of curing (total cost was 7,000gp, 2 weeks)
-recharging wand of fireballs (total cost was 9,500gp, nearly 3 weeks)
Sell Studded Leather armour +1 (2,000)
Purchased 2 new spellbooks for Sparky (detailed above, cost -6,600)
Brutus will do his own research on Slyphs, Nixies and other sprites or humanoids.

Week 2
Sold Spellbooks
6,000 + 31,000 + 25,500 +26,000= 88,500gp
Purchased scrolls of Item, Protection from normal Missiles (-3,000)
Began training Brutus (-9,000) and Skruffy (-4,500). Brutus learns Haste when he levels up.

Week 3
Learn't that the rug is a Welcome Rug, and got command words for use. (paid nearly as much in research as purchasing such an item...)
Learn't enough about the rod to use it, and sold it (20,000)
Hired 2 new henchmen, a Halfling Fighter/Thief and a Fighter, somewhat tougher than Donk (-900, with equipment, a light warhorse and initial payment. Reduced because we only need one more warhorse...Sparky and the halfling can share, so he can be invisible without arousing suspicions.)
Paid 1,000 for Augury, mage researching for Staff probably would not come up with an answer next week. Stopped research.
Mage researching the wand would, continued that research. Learnt how Brutus will be able to recharge it with a little more experience (next level).
Paid 500 for Augury, sage researching staff of curing would come up with an answer, sometime.
Learn't rug is a welcome rug. A few days more research found properties, and Halfling Henchman found Command word, which Brutus has recorded in a safe place, and committed to memory.
Purchased 2 level 3 scrolls (Item, Protection from Normal Missiles, -3,000)

Spells cast in the last week:
Stoneskin on all party members
Armour on Sparky and Halfling. I think his name will be Samwise...
On the day before we leave, Invisibility on anyone who asks...Samwise may have the ring, so he does not need to ask, but can.
Polymorph self, experimenting as part of research 1) and 2) later mentioned.

Accommodation so far, 402gp

Remaining 20,950gp

Items Purchased:
Blouse of Protection from Normal Missiles (Pretty pink, for female!) (20,000) For Natasha, so not worn now.
Lockpick Buckle (7,000), loaned indefinitely to halfling henchman on condition of continued service.
Mirror Mask, (12,000) worn by Brutus
Merties musk, (1,200) give to new fighter henchman for use as directed (I think I will call him Duck)
Merties Markers, (1,500) loaned indefinitely to mage apprentice on condition of continued service
Cloak of Blending, assuming it fits the Halfling (4,000)

Cash left, 1,250gp, or 5,250gp if robe of blending does not fit.

Throughout time there, any off time, ie evenings of first week, or quiet days when no-one is responding to inquiries, Brutus and his apprentice will be researching the following topics. His apprentice will have lots of down time for this, and the two will meet at least once a day to discuss findings.

1) Exotic humanoids, particularly fey, of human size.
2) Aggressive predators and other animals.

Once some research into these is done, he will experiement by polymorphing self into these creatures.

3) Alignment altering diseases.
4) Scroll Manufacture, from DMG (or discussion with Brutus Tutor, who must be at least 7th level.)
Requirements: 7th level magic user, can only scribe spells they know.

Materials
Papyrus 2gp/sheet (+5% failure)
Parchment 4gp/sheet
Vallum 8gp/sheet (-5% failure)

Special quills and Ink, specific for spells, but it is described by the DMG as being "just as the ink for detailing spells in spell books", which cost 100gp/level.

Time requirements; 1 day per spell level
Base Failure chance; 20+ spell level - character level

Hence, Brutus will make inquiries as the the requirements for scribing the following spells, purchasing quills and ink if available:
Fireball
Polymorph other
Stoneskin
Protecion from Normal Missiles
Fly
Preserve
Web
Deeppockets
Detect Magic
Detect Invisibility
This message was last edited by the player at 22:43, Sun 17 July 2011.

Some light reading

Hired in Northending,

Benny Hinn
Young Benny always had a knack for getting into trouble. Known in Northwatch as the town fool despite his father being the high priest of Fharlanghn, he regularly showed great skill in just 2 things: proving idiot-proof things were a myth, and encouraging others to believe that a power greater than themselves was at work in this world protecting those who were unable to protect themselves. His two elder brother both entered the clergy, so it was logical he should follow, but many of his teachers were convinced it was only because of his father position, and he was given menial transport jobs most of the time. So he was sent from the temple to prove to himself and the world he does have what it takes to serve his Deity.

Sparky Ashfromwood
Sparky always had a facination with fire, so it was no surprise that his parents tried to stop him playing with anything flammable in the house. Unfortunately, his parents, though wealthy landowners, were unable to have any other children, so they doted on Sparky, and were unable to discipline him properly. Haystacks are very flammable but useful for surviving the winter, so after the destruction of the first one, he was sent to the city to his uncles to learn how to behave better. Whilst well disciplined there, he found ways to make his love for fire acceptable, becoming an apprentice to a mage. He longs to cast fire spells, as often as possible, but has learned to curb his pleasures to suitable times. Besides, he can't cast the spells that often...yet.

Donk
Donk grew up in the cold wilds beyond Northending, where riding was needed for getting from one place to another before hypothermia set in during the frozen winters. Despite being from a large family, three of his elder brothers died while young, and an extremely cold night left him mentally challenged. Studying was not an option, nor would it have benefitted him. When a particularly cold winter came last year, his father left his meagre holding with the few inhabitants who survived and came to Nimbortan, but problems there caused young Donk to move to Northending to seek work.

Hired in Newford

Duck
General Niusance of Newford was a well known for his prowess both on the field of battle and also in the dance room, so after his first wife died, leaving him with 6 offspring, just two of whom were male, he remarried to Ducks mother. It is said that he was on the feild of battle when Duck was born, and it is not known whether he was warning the messenge about incoming fire or answering the messengers question when asked about the childs name, but the messenger did not wait to find out, and the General never took any steps to correct it. Fortunately, the incoming fire missed, but when the war with Garythane started looking more ominous, Ducks father sent him with some adventurers to fight someplace else for a while, and Duck got to scratch his itchy travel bone for once without an army.

Samwise
Samwise' father is a prominent Halfling fisherman, an owner of a small fishing vessel near the "shire", but Samwise' tends to have sticky fingers, though he always means well. This has created considrable tension within his community, and as a result Samwise was 'encouraged' to leave, So he has done so, seeking to rob only those who deserve it. His time in Newford is becoming less comfortable, however, as many of those who deserve to 'donate' more to the poor (like Samwise) are also well attached to the local thieves guild. He figures some strong friends may help him avaoid further 'complications'.

Actually, given that Benny and Skruffy are not henchmen at this time, but somewhere between hirelings and adventurers due to the major level difference, does that mean they will look to purchase their own equipment to try to even the gap, and thereby strengthen their claim to more treasure in the future because they options other than 'run away'!

I would suggest better armour for Skruffy, to start with.

I thought only the cleric was Joans with the mage and fighter both Brutus'?

Correct. But as Joan is not back yet, you mentioned that the cleric was more like an adventurer or hireling. Unless he is willing to consider Brutus as his leige until Joan gets back, but you seemed to imply otherwise.

But Skruffy is definitely independant ATM. You were pretty clear in that regard. As mentioned, he may get the third wish, if there are 3, but definitely not the second.

So greed is driving Brutus then?
Tell you what, based on Brutus getting the first two, Skruffy will take possession of the ring once Brutus has had his two (he gets to sell the drained ring for it's gold value of a huge 1 gp!).
This means Brutus is absolutely guaranteed at least one, probably two from a ring of three wishes.
Note this is a HUGE concession from him as there's a fairly good chance the ring will be useless by the time he gets it.

Funnily enough the henchman would have been able to read the words stitched into the rug and identify it the whole thing at no cost. Oh well...

It's really not her colour either, but whatever (it's about the worst shade you can possibly imagine).

The salesman warns you not to use any of the items until well out of the city - there's laws against unlicensed spell and item use in and around the city due to a rather careless mage a few decades before... (cost of temporary license included in training cost). Yes, the robe will fit (so you're led to believe). Even if it doesn't automatically resize, there's plenty of others willing to use it.

Aren't any as far as I'm aware.

Fairness is driving Brutus. If he just gives stuff away now to people who run away, he will have to later, and that is not fair on those who are brave enough to fight. Skruffy can have every third wish. That is the promise, though it is doubtful there will be more than three. And yes, he can have the ring once it is no longer magical.

Blouse is for the ranger, Prudence.

Since we did not record the cloak of blending, assume it not purchased. Cash will be needed for raising the dead anyway.

Given that we have been working to help the city, escorting supplies and troops for the war and generally assisting in whatever way possible, Brutus stops by the shrine of Celestia immediatly on his return to Northending, to whom he is known as an associate of Joans, and asks them if they have any scrolls of raise dead, offering what he has, for ressurecting good people who died while travelling.

Of course, after that, he goes out to seek to raise any excess funds needed to raise his henchmen. He also asks Duck (when he is up) and Benny to see if they can find any scrolls. Perhaps the temple of Fharlaghn? Or a druidic reincarnation? It could not make Donk weaker, or more ignorant...

It seems to me it was bought since it was specifically mentioned last night....
Scratch off 4k.
Give it to somebody else - it resizes and it's better than invisibility anyway.

Nothing much available at the shrine - after all, it's essentially just a shrine in a castle but perhaps with a couple of low level acolytes to tend it.

Local gods are mainly of the Finnish mythology.

So you're offering him the vague chance of a wish and the almost impossible chance of a second one SOMETIME in the distant future IF he survives long enough to claim it. Lets look at it a bit closer. right now he's got, well nothing. He will continue to have nothing until some time in the unspecified distant future when Brutus finally decides to use two wishes. Then, and only then, which for all he knows could be five minutes before he dies of old age (half orcs don't live as long as humans) he finally gets his chance to just find out IF there was a wish worth hanging around for.

From a legal standpoint, he's got a right to charge Brutus rent until it's his turn.

We have been over this. Fact; he ran away from combat, leaving a mage without mallea defence. Fact; he only ever ran from the vampires while they were able to fight. Whatever his excuse, he ran from a fight, and was only around to collect treasure. Hence,legally speaking, he deserves no more than cash. Period.

Brutus is being generous in allowing him third wish, if there is one. He has absolutely no reasonable grounds for making any demands with regard to timing or anything else. In fact, with his intelligence, Brutus has a good mind to insist he tells Brutus the wish to ensure he gets what he really wants, as the powers that grant the wishes will be much less inclined to be as generous with the interpretation as Brutus is in giving it.


In the case I have the cloak, I am fighting for cash to raise both of them.

No scrolls, either raise dead or reincarnate?

Fact: to stand and fight was suicide
Fact: he remained in his saddle and the horse can move much faster than a vampire
Fact: you can't fight with a dagger (only available weapon with even a chance of hitting) from horseback
Fact: Tristen was in control at the time and specifically stated before the second fireball was declared, and after it became evident he might actually be able to do something worthwhile with the toothpick, that he was flanking

From where I sit, Brutus is indeed being extremely greedy in wanting so many wishes for himself. It's certainly not in line with his professed alignment of Neutral Good.

Why bother raising them anyway? They're 1st level - the cost far outweighs the benefit. They have done nothing with their lives to date and have little potential either (that's why they've accepted a role as henchmen - get carried along on the coat tails of more successful adventurers). Given that little fact, what chance is there that the divine beings who grant such powerful requests would bother?

Also, considering the module specifically states it's difficult to arrange for PCs to be raised (only one person able to do it, and they're extremely taxed by the process), I'd say no.