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10:30, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Scales of War.

Posted by NarratorFor group 0
Raichel
Player, 3 posts
Lightning Reflexes
50,000 volts worth
Mon 12 Dec 2011
at 21:19
  • msg #9

Re: Scales of War

While Timothius dealt with prices, Raichel kept an eye out, occasionally giving a nod and a smile to passers by who frequently swooned over the local heroes. Thankfully, nobody was crowding them at the moment since most people were still busy fixing the damage the ogre dealt to the town earlier.
Mittens
NPC, 8 posts
Tue 13 Dec 2011
at 22:11
  • msg #10

Re: Scales of War

"A quality riding horse with saddle goes for 99 gold," the merchant says, "But I can part with three of them to you heroes for a mere 75 each.  That's 225 gold total.  As luck would have it, I'm on good terms with the local jeweler, so I'm willing to take that gem you have in exchange for reducing the price by 100 gold.  So only 125 balance."

"That comes to about 42 gold from each of us," Mittens calculates, "Well from two of us, and 41 from a third.  Here's my 42.  You two can figure which of you puts in the extra gold."


OOC:  You can ignore all that IC math.  Did some OOC math and figured each team member should have +108 gp VALUE each in liquid assets before any purchases.  (included a gem divided among 5 team members)  -75 for the horse means Mits is now 33 gp richer than when she started.  This would be the same for Rai and Merv.  They should each be exactly 33 gp richer.
Timothius
Player, 4 posts
There is no way to peace.
Peace is the way.
Tue 13 Dec 2011
at 23:07
  • msg #11

Re: Scales of War

Timothius and Raichel donate their gold respectively and both thank the man for his generous offer. Once they have gotten horses, the siblings mount their horses and start heading out of town. Both of them look very happy to be on horseback, bright smiles on their faces.
Mittens
NPC, 9 posts
Tue 13 Dec 2011
at 23:17
  • msg #12

Re: Scales of War

Mittens is unsuccessfully trying to get her horse used to the idea of a pyromancer riding around on it's back - casting even the most harmless cantrip seems to make it nervous.

"So we gunna name our horses?" she asks, "I can't decide on one for mine.  On the one hand, I want to name her something like Epica, but on the other... well... she's not acting very Epic at the moment."
Raichel
Player, 4 posts
Lightning Reflexes
50,000 volts worth
Wed 14 Dec 2011
at 00:00
  • msg #13

Re: Scales of War

Raichel giggles. "What did you expect? A warhorse? At what point did you think you were buying battle-hardened, grizzled horses from the king's prime pick? And I dunno... possibly I'll name mine Compass."
Timothius
Player, 5 posts
There is no way to peace.
Peace is the way.
Wed 14 Dec 2011
at 00:01
  • msg #14

Re: Scales of War

Tim says, "I'll name mine Dauros. Heard the name once somewhere and liked it, so figured that's as good a name as any."
Mittens
NPC, 10 posts
Wed 14 Dec 2011
at 00:23
  • msg #15

Re: Scales of War

Mittens lifts her hand.

"I guess I'll name her Kindle, then," Mittens shrugs.

Getting used to riding is probably going to take a while, but the sibs sure have plenty of that on their 8 hour trip.


OOC: If yayvid's chars don't join like RIGHT NOW, they will be required to succeed the skill challenge of getting to Rivenroar without any benefit from the sibs who've already been there and back.  IF they join RIGHT NOW, they will be allowed to partake in the easier version:

Setup: The PCs must use their wilderness lore
to avoid hazards and monsters traveling between
Brindol and the Rivenroar catacombs.
Level: 1.
XP: 100
Complexity: 1 (requires 4 successes before
3 failures).
Primary Skills: Perception, Nature, Endurance.
Special: After the PCs have made the trip between
Brindol and Rivenroar in both directions, they gain a
+2 bonus to all checks every time they have to repeat
this challenge.
Perception (DC 20): You notice a shortcut. This
doesn’t directly contribute to a success, but it gives
each character in the party a +2 bonus to their next
Endurance or Nature check made as part of the challenge.
Each character may attempt this check (or
assist with another’s Perception check) only once, and
unsuccessful checks don’t count as a failure toward
the skill challenge.
Nature (DC 12): You stay on course and avoid local
hazards common to the mountain (maximum three
successes). If this check is failed twice during the
same challenge, the group gets sufficiently lost that
they each lose one healing surge trying to walk back
to the trail and 1 hour is added to the duration of the
trek. Up to two characters can assist this check.
Endurance (DC 10): Every character must roll one
Endurance check to avoid the rigors of wilderness
travel such as exposure to the elements and mundane
woes such as twisted ankles and exhaustion.
Each successful check counts as a success toward
the skill challenge (maximum three successes;). If no
characters succeed, each member of the group loses
one healing surge, in addition to counting as a failure
for the challenge, and everyone must reroll the Endurance
check. Each character may assist only one other
character on an Endurance check made as part of
this challenge.
Success: The PCs reach Brindol or Rivenroar without
incident after 8 hours of travel.
Failure: Roll on the table below and begin a combat
encounter with the indicated monsters. After dealing
with the monster, the PCs must start the challenge
over again to reach their intended destination.

(Riding horses will also affect the skill challenge, but I haven't decided by how much.  Especially since yayvid's chars might not have any horses at all.)
Lathilia
player, 1 post
Half Elf Ardent; Level 1
Gentle Soul, Gentle Heart
Tue 20 Dec 2011
at 19:27
  • msg #16

Re: Scales of War

She had just set out from Brindol with her brother aboard her new horse, whom she had named Rose, talking to the horse as if the animal could possibly understand what she was saying, but she had always been that way.  Gentle at heart and in soul.  That was a fun little trip, wasn't it Dalte?  Hey, let's have a race, shall we?  She said, snapping the reins, the horse taking off running, leaving her brother in a cloud of dust.

Looking back to see her brother following closely and somehow with his heavy armor closing distance slowly, she had to quickly steer the horse to avoid hitting a trio of travelers that she hadn't even noticed, allowing her brother to catch up.  I'm so sorry!  I should have been paying more attention.  Are you three okay?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:44, Tue 20 Dec 2011.
Dalte
Player, 1 post
Half Elf Battlemind Lv 1
Protective Tank
Tue 20 Dec 2011
at 19:39
  • msg #17

Re: Scales of War

Choosing a horse had been relatively simple for him.  His armor was heavy so he needed a horse that could handle carrying the extra weight.  He shook his head as his sister had sat there and debated with herself about which of the horses to get, a point that he made being that one was just as good as the other.  Just as they were heading out of town, his sister mentioned something about a race and just took off.  And she calls me reckless...  He muttered as he snapped the reins of his horse and took off after her.

They hadn't been racing for too long before his horse had nearly caught up to her, though he saw the three that his sister came ever so close to just flat out running into and possibly over.  LATHI!  Watch out for those three!  He yelled, slowing down and riding up beside her.  And you call me reckless.  You need to be more careful.  You could have gotten hurt.  He said, his voice somewhere between concern and annoyance, perhaps a mixture of both.
Timothius
Player, 8 posts
There is no way to peace.
Peace is the way.
Tue 20 Dec 2011
at 19:54
  • msg #18

Re: Scales of War

Timothius meeps and manages to calm his horse down. Looking around, he sees Raichel and Mittens are OK, then turns to look at Lathilia. "Startled, but we're OK..." he's initially not surprised that the pair hasn't made a deal of him or his sisters being cat folk, mostly because they just came from town and it looks like so did these half-elves.
Raichel
Player, 5 posts
Lightning Reflexes
50,000 volts worth
Tue 20 Dec 2011
at 19:56
  • msg #19

Re: Scales of War

Raichel managed to get over the initial scare and then slowly turns her horse so she can face the two new arrivals. "Greetings. I'm Raichel, this is my twin brother Timothius and our older sister Mittens." She figures she'll leave the "what we're doing" to Mittens or if it's asked of the trio at all.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Tue 20 Dec 2011.
Mittens
NPC, 13 posts
Wed 21 Dec 2011
at 04:16
  • msg #20

Re: Scales of War

Mittens is new to horseback riding and Kindle is new to carrying a magic user.  So near collision causes the horse to rear back!  Instead of leaning into it and staying mounted like an experienced rider would, she is thrown from the horse, backflips, and lands perfectly on her feet in a very cat-like feat of acrobatics.

"Well that was... exciting!" Mittens says, regaining her composure, "Clearly you have quite the stealthy steed if none of us nor our mounts noticed your approach.  Very impressive.  The three of us along with two others are the heroes of Brindol!  We just got finished resting from the daring rescue of some kidnapped villagers and were on our way back to the villains' lair to deal with them once and for all.  How about you two?  You have the look of adventure about you!  Are you the sorts to risk life and limb to secure the safety of others like we are?"
Lathilia
player, 2 posts
Half Elf Ardent; Level 1
Gentle Soul, Gentle Heart
Mon 13 Feb 2012
at 20:50
  • msg #21

Re: Scales of War

As she watched her brother ride up, she looked at him with a smile that was bright as the sunny day.  Yes brother, I will make an effort to be more careful.  She said, looking back at the travelers she had nearly bowled over with her negligence.  Please accept my deepest apologies for what happened.  My name is Lathilia.  This is my brother Dalte.  I'm sure I can speak for Dalte when I say that we are indeed looking for another adventure.

She glances over at her brother, but no words are exchanged between them verbally, though their facial expressions change as they telepathically communicate, completely unaware that they were the only ones that could do that.

I talked it over with my brother and we'll travel with you if you would have us.

Skipping Dalte
Raichel
Player, 7 posts
Lightning Reflexes
50,000 volts worth
Mon 13 Feb 2012
at 23:29
  • msg #22

Re: Scales of War

Raichel smiles. "Sounds great. And a pair of siblings joining us at that. Older bro? Younger? Or are you twins like Tim and I here?"

Timothius moves his horse to be next to Mitts' horse and holds a hand down to offer Mittens a helping hand back onto her horse. "You sure you're ok, sis?" he asks in a hushed tone.
Mittens
NPC, 16 posts
Wed 15 Feb 2012
at 03:11
  • msg #23

Re: Scales of War

Mittens give her bro a grin & thumbs-up and accepts the hand-up to get back in her saddle.  She perks an eyebrow and tilts an ear at Lathi.

"You 'talked' it over.  Without words.  Telepathy.  Nifty!"

Again with the signature grin and thumbs-up.
Dalte
Player, 2 posts
Half Elf Battlemind Lv 1
Protective Tank
Wed 15 Feb 2012
at 16:01
  • msg #24

Re: Scales of War

For a moment, there was silence from the two of them, exchanging glances once again, then nodding at one another.  It was the brother that spoke this time.  We are twins.  But, to be perfectly technical, I am the older by minutes.  But, yes we have a measure of telepathy between us.  It has its benefits as well as its drawbacks.

Skipping Lathi this time
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Wed 15 Feb 2012.
Timothius
Player, 15 posts
There is no way to peace.
Peace is the way.
Fri 17 Feb 2012
at 19:16
  • msg #25

Re: Scales of War

Raichel and Timothius look at each other at the same time with "hmm?" expressions. Then they both look back at Dalte and both ask in unison, "What kind of drawbacks?" which causes them to look at each other again, this time with impish smiles and giggling.
Mittens
NPC, 17 posts
Sat 18 Feb 2012
at 06:06
  • msg #26

Re: Scales of War

Mittens blink-blink-blinks in surprise.

"Woah.  Actual telepathy!  I was just being silly.  Wow.  That's fantastic!  Uh right.  What they said.  What drawbacks?"
Lathilia
player, 3 posts
Half Elf Ardent; Level 1
Gentle Soul, Gentle Heart
Sat 25 Feb 2012
at 16:26
  • msg #27

Re: Scales of War

She giggled ever so slightly, hearing Dalte's objections to telling them such things.  Well, sometimes when we sleep, we can see what the other is dreaming, which sometimes makes things uncomfortable.  She says, glancing over at him.

Dalte simply facepalms and shakes his head.

Must you tell everyone we meet about what we can do?

What harm could it do?  It's not like anyone can use it against us.

That's hardly the point.  It's none of anyone's business.

You want me to tell them what you were dreaming of?

Like I hardly dream of you...


She giggles again.  I never said you did.  But, you dream just like a man does.

And your point would be?  I am a man...

My point exactly...

If you weren't my sister...


He sighs...
Timothius
Player, 16 posts
There is no way to peace.
Peace is the way.
Tue 28 Feb 2012
at 16:01
  • msg #28

Re: Scales of War

Timothius smiles as he sees the big, macho man be more or less helpless when talking with his sister. Just like Tim would be. Heck, just like it seems poor Mittens is helpless when talking with Timothius or Raichel. The thought alone makes him smile more. "I tend to have weird dreams m'self. Though Mitts holds the record for weird dreams. She drempt she was some weird yellow humanoid creature with a tower of blue hair and giant lips."
Raichel
Player, 8 posts
Lightning Reflexes
50,000 volts worth
Tue 28 Feb 2012
at 16:05
  • msg #29

Re: Scales of War

Raichel is also bemused by the back and forth of the half-elf twins. Then giggles at the mention of Mitts' dream. "I like the dreams where I'm flying..." she says wistfully. "I wish I could share my dreams with Mitts and Tim. You two are lucky, sharing dreams like that. That's a unique bond you two have that you can treasure."
Mittens
NPC, 18 posts
Wed 14 Mar 2012
at 02:54
  • msg #30

Re: Scales of War

"You never had an embarrassing dream or thought you'd rather not share with your sibs, Rai?" Mits ask rhetorically, "I'm sure they mentioned 'down side' for good reason."

She looks back to the new arrivals.

"Of course there's obviously upside too as mentioned.  But more importantly, adventure awaits!  Onward!"

She nudges for her horse to continue on the way they were going.
Dalte
Player, 3 posts
Half Elf Battlemind Lv 1
Protective Tank
Thu 22 Mar 2012
at 17:37
  • msg #31

Re: Scales of War

He found himself wondering about these three shifters that were obviously related just by the way they teased one another, but since it all seemed to be in good fun with them, he felt no need to say much about them save for agreeing that there were better things to do, like searching for an adventure.

He nudged his horse forward, waiting for Lathi to do the same, the twins riding just behind the shifter family.
Raichel
Player, 9 posts
Lightning Reflexes
50,000 volts worth
Thu 22 Mar 2012
at 21:09
  • msg #32

Re: Scales of War

Timothius and Raichel follow along, of course.

In response to Mittens, Raichel says, "Well I've had the occasional dream where I got mad at you or Tim. And the very rare dream of being naked in public. But to me, would be worth it to share my flying dreams with you two." she smiles brightly and nods confidently.

Timothius blushes, smiling, and says, "Gosh. Thanks. For what it's worth, I've dreamed I was flying also."

(OOC: I wonder what kind of scales they mean in the title "Scales of War". Is it scales like the kind you use to measure? Is it scales like a dragon's scales?)
Mittens
NPC, 19 posts
Wed 11 Apr 2012
at 02:00
  • msg #33

Re: Scales of War

Mittens facepalms and headshakes.  "Change. Of. Topic.  SO!  To get you newcomers up to speed on what we've encountered so far..."

She begins to recount the adventure so far in detail, focusing on combat, but of course she mentions a little bit about the history behind the Red Hand.

Summary:
Sinruth is a hobgoblin with greater aspirations than
a life spent preying on the fringes of civilization. He
listened closely at the campfires when his fathers
and uncles told tales of the Red Hand of Doom, a
mighty army that ran across the land like a scythe.
And when he became an adult and a leader of his
own band of hobgoblins, he found a cache of tunics
and weapons left behind by that army. Sinruth felt
his destiny calling. He declared himself the new
Warlord of Sinruth’s Hand (as he named the group),
emblazoned every possible surface with a crudely
painted, downward thrusting red hand insignia, and
set about recruiting the massive army that he felt was
his birthright.
But starting an army isn’t as easy as those campfire
tales led Sinruth to believe. Years passed with
Sinruth’s band eking out a meager existence in the
wilderness. But slowly, he started to gain allies. A
temporary bargain with some sinister, mischievous
gnomes blossomed into a lasting friendship. The Red
Hand’s exploration of the mountains unearthed some
undisturbed catacombs beneath the long-ruined
Castle Rivenroar. Sinruth struck another bargain,
and the undead guardians let the Red Hand move
in, in exchange for periodic payment of kidnapped
prisoners.
Sinruth and the reconstituted Red Hand had a
base and a growing reputation, but they were far from
a mighty army. An emissary from another remnant of
the Red Hand offered to join forces under Sinruth’s
banner and more than double Sinruth’s fifty soldiers
under arms. All Sinruth had to do was attack Brindol,
steal some relics from the original Red Hand invasion,
and take enough prisoners to keep the undead
guardians of Rivenroar satisfied.
The new Red Hand did recently, with Sinruth personally
leading the assault on Brindol. The Red Hand
sacked Brindol’s Hall of Great Valor, stealing back
many of the museum pieces on display there. Sinruth
brought back seven prisoners, despite the fact that the
new Red Hand lost half its number in the attack. So
now Sinruth waits in the Rivenroar catacombs for the
emissary to return with reinforcements, and he bides

his time by contemplating the stolen treasures of a
grander age and dreaming of conquests yet to come.
Meanwhile in Brindol, the dead have been buried
and the damage to the town repaired. But seven of the
townsfolk are missing—taken by Sinruth and the Red
Hand. The town council is willing to pay handsomely
for brave adventurers to rescue the prisoners and
recover the antique treasures taken from the Hall of
Great Valor . . . adventurers like those at your table.
Mits, Merv, Rai, May, and Kyle rescued the kidnapped townsfolk.  Now Mits Merv and Rai are on their way back to Rivenroar to retake the stolen museum pieces.
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