Xafi takes the lead and Lapis coodinates along with the others to make it happen. The chest gets loaded onto the boat without any major incident and the party makes their way down into the boat. Tash sends the ogre off and feels much relieved after they row off. They do have a minor issue with so much weight in the boat it is sitting very low in the water and the waves are creating the edge and filling the boat with water. The party uses hands, helmets and whatever they can use to bail the water. Fortunately it's a relatively short trip but what could take a couple hours turns into easily double that. By the time they make it back to Sandpoint everyone is tired and a little on edge.

It's early evening and the dock is relatively quiet but there are some folks milling about. How does the party plan to get the chest off the boat since they no longer have a strong ogre at their disposal? The party is fatiged at this point and will suffer penalties for most tasks they are trying to do until they get a full nights rest.

In reply to GM (msg # 268):

We're still on good terms with the local watch. While the others guard the chest,  Lapis will find a couple of town guards and ask for their help in moving the chest too our inn.

The watch isn't quite as friendly as you thought. They aren't too keen on leaving their duties especially with the sheriff back in town and given all the carnage that has happened recently. You 'might' be able to buy some help but it is definitely going to cost you...something.

In reply to GM (msg # 270):
Striking out with the watch, Lapis will go see Ameiko at the Rusty Dragon to ask if she knows anyone who could loan a wagon for a couple of hours.

Ameiko is genuinely happy to see Lapis alive and asks about the other party members and is glad they are alive too. When asked about a wagon and help she pauses, thinks and considers. After a short time she smiles and looks at Lapis and says.

"Well, I believe you're on good terms with Demon Lord Father Zantus and the church certainly has a wagon and/or a cart or two to deal with the deceased. It's not too late if you hurry over now and ask. A small blood donation will probably also get you some help from the acolytes and you can at least trust them not to take anything and not tell unsavory types about it."

"If that doesn't suit you, you could try the horse guy or the wagon guy but both are probably closed for the day. Other than that, one of the local shops might but again, most places are closed by sunset. But, if you got coin, you can always find manpower at one of the taverns. As I'm sure you know, just be discreet about it if you go that route. Come to think of it, I could probably find a couple strong and honest farm hands if you like. They'll expect something for their effort though like a couple silver each. Up to you want you want to do."

She shrugs and continues giving orders to her staff serving tables but waits a bit to see if Lapis has any further comments or questions.

In reply to GM (msg # 272):

Off to Demon Lord Zantus' temple, then. :)

Lapis quickly leaves and heads to the church. It's not far and she arrives within ten minutes or less. The church itself is closed so she heads over to the clerical living quarters and knocks at the door. A young acolyte answers the door dressed in appropriate garb for his position and displyaing a concerned expression. "How may I help you?" he inquires politely and waits patiently for Lapis to speak.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:37, Mon 21 Feb 2022.

In reply to GM (msg # 274):

Lapis will politely explain that she hoped to borrow a cart from the church for an hour or two to move a heavy chest. Could the acolyte help or could she speak with Father Zantus to ask his permission.

This is a somewhat unusual request and the acolyte is a bit hesitant. Especially so with all the recent chaos, death and destruction. You are known so he isn't closing the door on you but you'll need to give me a persuasion (or equivalent) check to determine how much he is willing to do.

In reply to GM (msg # 276):

Terrible roll: 4 + 6 = 10.

The acoylte is young, nervous and not sure of himself. After a long pause he says politely "Please wait here while I talk to Father" and closes the door gently. He probably could improve his social skills but it is easy to see that he's trying to do the best he can.

It's not long before the acolyte returns with Father Zantus in tow. Father sees Lapis, recognizes her immediately, smiles and welcomes her "Great to see you, please come in." After giving the acolyte a meaningful glance he ambles off. "Now then, I hear you are in need of a cart. I can certainly help with that. We should have a cart or two by the ground keepers shed in the graveyard. You can pick whichever one you like. I'll have an acolyte unlock the gate for you. Is there anything else?"

In reply to GM (msg # 278):
I take the lead on cart selection and hustle over to the shed. I try to apply my knowledge of ships to carts and select the one that can bear a heavier burden (rolled a 12 on perception).

After an acoylte unlocks the graveyard gate, Xafi heads over to the area by the graveyard shed where he sees a number of carts in various states of disrepair. All have been well used, most likely for the numerous new graves that Xafi sees that have been dug due to the recent town events. He looks the carts over carefully trying to determine which of them is in the best shape. It's harder to notice details in the dark though. A half moon is poking out from patchy clouds giving him barly enough light to navigate in the darkness but not much for seeing any details.

OOC: Please give me an appraisal, intelligence or wisdom roll.

---

Meanwhile (time shift earlier) Father Zantus waits a moment longer to see if there is anything else that Lapis requires before heading back to finish his dinner and prayers.

In reply to GM (msg # 280):

(Rolled a unnatural 20 on Wisdom) Xafi makes sure to inspect the most important of the carts, the axles.

Xafi does the best he can picking out a cart. It's not an easy task given the lighting situation but he feels confident that he picks the best one out of the lot. However, even so, he's not sure the cart is going to be able to handle the weight..he thinks it should work..for a short distance...maybe...

You guys interested in getting together again? We can probably do an in person gathering if interested. Playing by post online is turning out to be too ponderous to be of much value. Let me know what you think.

Along those lines, I was also considering running a different fantasy or sci-fi game if there is interest. I have a LOT of gaming systems and material to work with. Here too let me know your thoughts.

In reply to GM (msg # 283):

Are you still thinking of running OSE?  That would be cool.

I'm pretty much open to anything at this point. My preference would be a simpler old school style fantasy game for which I have many systems and adventures including Old School Essentails (OSE) among others.

I'm willing try just about anything but prefer a system that has less rules than current DND/Pathfinder but if that's what folks want to do then we'll make it work.

Above all, this should be fun so I want to make sure that whatever it is we do is enjoyable for all. I take the blame on this but I feel our current game isn't bringing out enough roleplaying and enjoyment for players. I don't want a rule system to prevent players from trying and describing heroic actions because a character doesn't have said skill or feat. Lots of rules is good for ideas but it also tends to limit players and their imagination because it tends to lead to, you can't do that because you don't have this, that or the other. Original DND had a simple ruleset and encourage players and game masters to work out situations on the fly whatever they may be and for the most part that worked just fine. I'd much prefer a character say I draw my trusty weapon and leap off the roof of the stables to attack my foe below shouting "Die you evil villain!" Then have to check if you have leap attack feat, jumping skill level, etc. It should be more cinematic and not just character stats.

I can do a mega dungeon, intrigue, underdark, underwater, wilderness, large scale armies, sky cities, etc. Do you want to make stuff, trade stuff, visit many places, find artifacts, be pirates, whatever...

I could go on but I'll leave it here at ask for Richard & Andrew to weigh in on what they would like the current game or a new game to be for them.

In reply to GM (msg # 285):

I could do an in-person gathering. And I would be interested in a more OSR game. Dungeon World and Blades in the Dark caught my eye and as a result,  I've found myself more interested in those kind of "more cinematic" games in recent years.

Dungeon World and Blades in the Dark
->Thanks. I think I might have the DW but I'm pretty sure I don't have BitD. I'll check them out. I did receive just yesterday a supplement for character options for Old School Essentials or OSR compatible games that is really really good. It bascially allows you to customize or even create your own classes in a relatively simple and balanced fashion.

Now if we can get Andrew to weigh in...

In reply to GM (msg # 287):

Steve, did you get B/X Options Class Builder?

If we go OSE, I was thinking of making a Dwarven Goat Knight.  It's a 5E class, but it converts to OSE Advanced: pick Dwarf Race and Knight class; exchange the Knight's 5th level ability with flying mounts for a giant mountain goat mount (treat as a warhorse but instead of hoof attacks it can charge and gore an opponent for d8 damage and can climb sheer mountainous terrain as a third level thief).  The level cap for the Goat Knight is 9th.

If that seems over the top to you, I could also do an Elf Ranger.

In reply to GM (msg # 287):

I've got PDFs for BitD from some online purchases previously and could share them with you, if you'd like. I'm not committed to only playing those two specifically and would be interested in checking out OSE.

Steve, did you get B/X Options Class Builder?
->Yes, that is the book I got recently that really pushes me towards OSE

Dwarf mountain goat knight
->I just don't see how a dwarf is going to be able to hit anything without a range weapon. And a mountain goat isn't exactly a combat mount but I might be able to comprimise but we would have to hash out the details.

---

Dungeon World and Blades in the Dark
->Got these books on Saturday. I read through about half of the 400+ pages of Dunngeon World. It's Burning Wheel. There's some pluses and minuses to this game. Some pluses are that it is a simpler system with a roleplaying focus and a roll mechanic that drives action. Easy to pick pc abilities for leveling and allows some cross class ablity choices. The adventure/campaign building and character relationships are also good.

The not so good is that they go out of their way with funky terminology, make their game incompatible with other mainstream systems and they really nerfed the wizard class. I mean a second level wizard casts a fireball spell that does 2d6 damage and it's the same for a 10th or 20th level wizard. Really? I would play the system if that's what the majority wanted but defintely not a first choice.

---

Blades in the Dark
->Just started trolling through this. Dark steampunk type setting looks interesting from very brief overview. This type of game could also be duplicated with fantasy or something like cyberpunk. Of the 2 gamees this one seems to be more interesting but I'd like to read the ruleset more.

---

With regards to the roleplaying aspect I think we all need to push each other to do a little better. I know I could do better giving all npc's more personality. I encourage PC's to be more descriptive in their actions.

---

I still would like to get a sense of what type of game you want to play. Meaning do you want dungeon crawls, wilderness adventure, city adventures, more hack n slash versus puzzles or mysteries? Above ground, on ground, below ground, underwater, etc. or do you not care? Do you want to be good guys or bad guys? Heros, pirates, scoundrels, traders, craftsmen, a combination of things, monsters or something else? I can pretty much do anything but I don't want to spend numerous hours on preparing something you don't want to play or find it enjoyable.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:34, Tue 29 Mar 2022.

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This message was last edited by the player at 01:07, Tue 29 Mar 2022.