Once a crew is assembled,  Christine, Jednesa, Masugatan and others will be heading deep into Sonne to find the oracle of shrine to an eternal flame.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):

"Before we go, I just wanted to talk about hiring a healer, and discussing payment. I have no real cash, but there are said to be creature have have gathered massive fortunes there. I am willing to offer full shares are rewards, and I will take the last choice of magic items in the distribution of shares. In situations where a single item is worth more than a share, the group would need to agree, or the person getting the valuable item can repay the group for the extra amount.

Jednessa and I will discuss provisions, but I expect to make them magically, but to take some spares just in case. Thoughts?"

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 2):

"I can attend to acruing supplies on behalf of Jednesa. In the meantime,  there are a few candidates for healer. One is Alice Abernathy,  priestess of Vejovis,  and the other is Mcnealy,  a gnome who specializes in brewing healing potions... and explosives."

In reply to Camilla (msg # 3):

"Both sound interesting. If they are willing to accept my terms, please send them to speak with me."

“Thoughts?  Sorry, ain’t got any.”

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 4):

"I can get them into my conference room for you to interview. Let us go there, and I will have Bellarius send for them."



You head up to the large conference room and get settled.

A few minutes later, there is a knock on the door.

In reply to Camilla (msg # 6):

"Please, come in..."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 7):

A woman in black robes and a goat medallion and carrying a staff steps in.
"Good afternoon, and blessings from below."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:53, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 8):

Behind the woman in black, and lower to the ground, is a gnome with a sharp beard and goggles.

"Greetings and Salutations! I am Hugh McNealy, travelling alchemist at large."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

Masugatan suddenly realizes he really, really likes Alice's goat medallion.  He seems fixated on it.  In fact, if there was a Quest for Alice's Medallion, he'd probably be first in line, even if he had to go in with no equipment other than boxers and a torch.

He tries to express his appreciation of Alice's taste in jewelry, but somehow the words just come out wrong.  His tongue is caught in a trap!

At long last, he manages, "Whoa."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 8):

"Good Afternoon Alice and Hugh.

Basically the situation is this: I am seeking the eternal flame in order to learn how to divine. A cult has been going around killing diviners, and there are many folk who are investigating this, but the cult remains hidden. However, I figure I can get them to come to me if I learn how to divine.

In order to do that, I need to go to the eternal flame. The road is dangerous, and many creatures on the way have killed many a traveler. Whilst I cannot offer any reward up front, I am looking for companions skilled in healing us to come with myself and my few friends for an equal share in what is found. Is this what you are looking for also?"

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 8):

"I might need to be staked out for supplies, as Vejovis offers healing and justice for the downtrodden, but usually leaves it to the bakers to bring them bread."

In reply to Mcnealy (msg # 9):

"I can acquire my own provisions, and transport them along with my portable laboratory and smithy with the aid of Belasco, my trusty steed.  If we are to face the guardians of the temple of flame, some fire resistance potions would be in order. As luck would have it, I recently  came into possession of some essential salts from a flame lord that I got from.... you, wasn't it?

Do any of us have a high merchant skill?  Maybe we could do a batch haggle, if so.

Jednesa just sits waiting semi-patiently as they negotiate.  She occasionally mutters, "dragon" cracks her knuckles, and smiles broadly.
This message was undeleted by the player at 22:31, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 15):

"Yes, it was me with the flame lord salts. I am happy to create food."

Two tallish human women enter the large conference room with Bellarius, who passes
documents to Camilla,  who nods.
The two women are clad in leather, carrying coiled whips and small shields, as well as large backpacks.  Their features are strikingly similar; the most visible difference is that one is barely shorter and a little younger than the other.

The taller, older woman scans the room.  Her gaze quickly settles on blue hair, and she strides over to the table, the younger one on her heels.  She hauls her helmet off her short, curly blonde hair, revealing her pale complexion and violet eyes.

"You must be Christine.  Eamon said I might find you here.

"I'm Evelina Grattan, Queen of the Frog God Cult.  This is Holy Sister Elaina Grattan, my acolyte and little sister."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:00, Sat 15 Feb 2020.

The younger woman also removes her helmet and smiles broadly, revealing that, if they weren't obviously of different age, they might be taken for twins.

"We've been traveling for years, and we're hoping Northport can become a permanent home for us, and our god."

"Is that very large one with you?  And did she say something about a dragon?"

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 19):

"Jednessa? Yes, she is a good friend."

She will go on to introduce those in the room, and repeat the offer of conditions, highlighting what she expects to meet and how much treasure they are likely to have, before continuing.

"There are several ways to our destination. One involved a dragon. The other involved many powerful beasts. I think I would prefer to fight beasts, because they are likely to be more profitable. But what do all of you ladies, and of course Hugh, seek? I already know what Masugatan seeks!" she smiles, knowingly.

Hearing her name she smiles, turns her head to take in the growing group, and jubilantly replies, "Yes, Jednesa want wrestle dragon.  Dragon very strong, good fight!"

She punctuates the last with a smack of one fist into the palm of the other.

"Well, Jednesa, I have to say, I hope you're disappointed.  I think wrestling a dragon might be the end of you.  Perhaps you should start with a slorn, and work your way up?"

She turns back to Christine. "My sister and I, and our Frog God, can be of help.  We are both healers, experienced in the outdoors.  We would welcome the opportunity to enrich our Cult."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 22):

"Glad to have ou then. Tell me about your god, and your cult."

"Oh, it's a strange tale indeed.  When we were little -- well, Holy Sister was really little, I was, oh, maybe eight? -- I used to tell Holy Sister stories, because daddy was busy in the fields and mama had all she could do in the orchard.

"Anyway, I'd tell these stories, and the ones she liked best, even then, were always the ones about the Frog God.  Back then, I thought he was just a story, a frog who lived in a swamp and was really a god, and he'd be clever enough to keep from being eaten by the egrets and otters and big fish, and he'd have a harem of girl frogs and all the eggs would belong to him and things like that.  And Holy Sister believed every single word, didn't you?"

She looks at Elaina, who nods, eyes wide and grinning.

"I did this for years, and I told the stories to all my friends, too, and I told them all I was the Queen of the Frog God Cult and they could join if they promised to do whatever I told them to.

And then, one day, when I was oh, about fourteen -- right, Holy Sister?  You were ten?"  Another nod.  "One day, I did something, and it wasn't just me talking about the Frog God, it was the Frog God, talking through me!  Holy Sister was ecstatic, she though it was the greatest thing ever, and asked the Frog God all kinds of questions, and all I could do was sit there under the pear tree -- we'd been picking, but it was too hot to stay up on the ladder until the sun got lower -- and listen to everything.  It would have been scary, but Holy Sister was right there, and she wasn't afraid, so I decided it was okay.

"I was too tired to climb back up the ladder afterward, and we got a whipping from mama for goofing off -- but Holy Sister kept pestering me to do it again, so I tried to remember exactly what I'd done before -- and a couple days later, I managed it again.

"After that, we talked to the Frog God that way every couple days.  He's got a name, but neither of us can say it.  I don't think anyone human could.  We just call him the Frog God, and he says he's okay with that.  He told us everything we ever needed to know about how to worship him, and he gave us powers and taught us to use them."

Evelina pauses, then says a couple words and gestures, and a tiny light, like a candle flame, appears in the air before her face, then flies around the room for a moment before returning and winking out.

"That was the very first thing he taught us to do.  To make that little light.

"When I started being able to do things like that, I was seventeen, and we'd been worshiping the Frog God, for real, for three years.  When mama and daddy found out, they made me sit down and have a really serious talk with them.  They said God -- they're Triunists, they only believe in one -- didn't approve of people playing with spirits, and I needed to stop.  I had to tell them the whole thing, that it wasn't just a spirit, it was the Frog God.

"They yelled a bit, tried their hardest to make me admit I was making it all up.  Eventually, they calmed down, and I let them talk to the Frog God.  They asked lots of questions, and the Frog God answered them all.  I thought for sure they'd understand after that, but they kept it up so long, I fell asleep before they stopped.

"When I woke up, they told me I needed to leave home.  I needed to stop deceiving and misleading my sister, and using this black spirit magic to convince her I was a prophet and a priestess.  They said there were good, honest ways to use magic, even if I was a spirit talker -- but I needed to stop this nonsense first."

Evelina's voice is choked by now, and a tear runs down her cheek.

"The next morning, I packed up what I owned, some clothes and a comb and a little mirror grandmama gave me when I was little, my knife, a bowl and a spoon.  Mama gave me a water bottle, some bread and cheese and a few pears, and a sack to carry it all in.  I kissed Holy Sister goodbye, but mama and daddy wouldn't kiss me.

"I started walking.  I didn't know where to go; I'd never been farther from the farm than the village market, but there was the road, and it had to go somewhere.  When it forked, I took the left, always the left.  I think I knew it would bring me back home, eventually.

"And two days later, it did -- and there was Holy Sister, standing at the corner of the orchard fence, with a sack just like mine.  We started turning whichever way after that.  We never went back again."

She looks at her sister, notices and wipes away the tear, now fallen to the corner of her mouth.

"We've been wandering for five years, now.  It's always the same.  Find a new village, show them a miracle or two, and they get all excited.  Start telling them everything about the Frog God, and they start to look worried.  Ask them to help support us if we'll help clear away the bugs that eat their crops and clean up their wells so they don't get sick, and they start frowning and suggest we might want to move on.

"Just a few weeks ago, we cured a duke's daughter.  She was coughing all the time, and burning up.  They said she'd been getting sicker, slowly, for months.  They didn't have a healer, I guess, or the one they had didn't know how to help her.

"We cured her, and then started telling the duke and his chamberlain about the Frog God -- and he ordered us out of the house, even though he'd agreed to pay us a purse full of gold if we could save her life.  We were used to that, of course -- but the girl's mother, the duchess, caught up to us before we got to the road and slipped us a purse.  It wasn't what the duke had offered, but it was enough to buy all new equipment, and there's still enough to keep us eating for a while."

She looks at Elaina's shiny new leathers and shield, and smiles.

"So, you see, there really isn't much of a cult.  I think one of my old friends believed me, back when we were kids, before we even started doing miracles, but I haven't seen her since we left home.  We had one convert, a couple years ago, a stable boy who left home to follow us, but I still think he mostly wanted to get into Holy Sisters sleeping fur, more than he wanted to follow the Frog God.  Doesn't matter, turns out he couldn't swim.  At all.  And by the time Holy Sister and I could find him in the river, he was dead, not just drowned, but really, genuinely dead."

"So, here we are.  Queen of the Frog God cult, and her Holy Sister."

The woman in black gives the sisters a quizzical look "Really, the frog god? And establishes less than a generation  ago? Vejovis has been worshipped for well over a thousand years. And existed long before that. Your gos is a newborn."

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 25):

Christine was a little disappointment when they talked about how they were forced to leave home, but found the concept of the Frog god amusing.

"So, this frog god, he gives you powers to heal. He is not limited geographically, is he? What powers do you have then? I should check, what upsets him? I do trust that you and Alice can get along, too. We don't want to start a religious war now."

Masugatan tries hard to follow Evelina’s story, but he’s distracted by unholy musings about what these leather-clad sisters could do to him with their whips.

"Yes, Alice.  A newborn god.  A miracle.  An opportunity."  She turns to Christine.

"For myself, by the power of the Frog God I can call on the god, find and talk to animals of all kinds, make water, earth, and food pure and wholesome, detect and neutralize poison, heal wounds and fight disease, and find my way, if I know where I'm going.  I also have skills in healing without magic."

"And the Frog God permits me to heal wounds and fight disease, create and purify water, and, at some cost, lay the dead so they will not walk.  Further, the Frog God sometimes shows me signs, and has granted me the ability to repel those dead who were not properly laid to rest."

"In return, we must perform certain rituals, some daily, some less frequently, but these are in worship of the Frog God; we do them gladly.  Of those we help, all that is required is that you seek the good of the world, rather than destruction and death, do not harm the land or waters beyond need or their ability to heal, and do not actively persecute the followers of the Frog God."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 30):

"Ok, then. As I said to Alice and Hugh, basically the situation is this: I am seeking the eternal flame in order to learn how to divine. A cult has been going around killing diviners, and there are many folk who are investigating this, but the cult remains hidden. However, I figure I can get them to come to me if I learn how to divine.

In order to do that, I need to go to the eternal flame. The road is dangerous, and many creatures on the way have killed many a traveler. Whilst I cannot offer any reward up front, I am looking for companions skilled in healing us to come with myself and my few friends for an equal share in what is found. It goes without saying that fighting amoungst ourselves is not going to be acceptable.

So, Alice, Hugh, Evelina and your sister, are these terms acceptable to you all?"

The two priestesses look at each other briefly.  A nod might have passed between them, barely visible.

"We agree to those terms.

"I overheard you saying you can create food.  Do you know how long we might expect to travel?  Do you even know where this eternal flame is located, or must we first follow ancient clues and decipher riddles to find it?"

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 32):

"I am not sure, but I understand it is a long way. Yes, I can create food. I have been given directions, but not a map."

Masugatan is flattered that he wasn’t even asked to accept the terms, since his face is so cherubic that the thought of him doing anything wrong was utterly beyond conception.

If only they knew...

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 34):

Actually, message #2 was for him as well. Since he did not answer, it implied acceptance...

He accepts.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 36):

"Did I miss Alice?"

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 37):

"Wow. Two healers... of a freshly invented deiform. Are you sure you need Vejovis to bless this quest?
Also, what do we eat if somethingwould happen to you?"

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 38):

Masugatan, realizing that it is getting toward late afternoon, knows his window of getting good and tight and acquiring temporary companionship before the inevitable start up time is getting smaller and smaller.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 37):

"I see you have a surfeit of healing options... perhaps you might need my explisive flame producing ability?"

In reply to Mcnealy (msg # 40):

"Probably both are good. I can cast fire magic if we have mana...but if not, healing and fire could be in trouble... right? Do potions need mana?"

Masugatan briefly considers getting wasted and/or laid before setting out, but decides against it, in a rare moment of wisdom.  Besides, he’s rather taken by the females in the party, even though he realizes he has a rat’s chances against an owl bear with any of them.

But strange things happened on the road sometimes, and in stranger eons even he might get some without paying for it.

"We both are skilled and experienced in surviving from the land, especially in swamps and lakeshores, and my sister catches fish.  So long as we're near water, we ought to be able to eat.  And now that my Queen has seen Northport, she can, by the power of the Frog God, find her way back here from anywhere upon the Earth."

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 43):

"Excellent, then. In that case lets prepare tonight, sleep well, and leave from the guild at sunrise."

She will be ready to leave in the morning, after last minute shopping.

"We shall return here at dawn, then.  We, too, have some final items to acquire."

Ooc:

Alice and Mcnealy are both options I presented pending the addition of a healer plsyer. Do you really need them? I need at least 1 npc, and Masugatan could help with that, but I don't need more than one.

OOC:  My recommendation would be to have Alice decide to bow out.  She 'feels' like she's slightly antagonistic towards the Frog Sisters* and really, we don't need her (though running snide commentary from an NPC would be amusing...).  However a potioneer would have adequate potency in healing Jednesa as potions do not diminish despite her being SM+2 (which literally triples spell costs cast on her) and don't take a penalty on their 'casting roll' (since they don't have one, and she has MR)... though she would still be making HT Resistance checks against them (Magic Resistance is a blessing and a curse).

Honestly Jednesa needs to invest in an Ally NPC slinger who can sling Healing Spellstones at her (No resistance roll and no cost increase), as that would be literally the best way for her to heal up (since Berserk precludes using the spellstone herself)...


* Now I feel like a side trip to their hometown of Santa Carla to fight vampires is in order.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 47):

OOC: Yep, likewise, I do not think she is needed here, though I agree the potions would be useful.

I can always modify my potential Ally for that though. Spellstone is not on any of the cleric lists, though, but triple the cost would make healing more expensive. I thought I heard of a perk that could help with that, for one spell?

OOC:  Spellstone is an Enchantment and in DFRPG meant to be an expense, ie you buy Spellstone in town, you don't make them.

From DFRPG Adventurers:  Gem of Healing. Jasper stone heals 8 HP when crushed in hand. One use. $400, neg.

Referred to as Stones of Power in DFRPG Magic Items, there are like 10 different ones, all meant to be used on/by the wielder, they aren't meant as 'ranged' weapons, though there is literally nothing stopping it (particularly Healing, Awakening, Unpetrification, though a really good slinger aiming for the hand/weapon could deploy the others at party members*).



* Though a mildly complicated Heroic Archer/Slinger Wizard with a "ritual"† version of Blank Spell Arrow would be a cheaper (moneywise) way to do this.  Or a Potion Master Sage/Heroic Slinger could cook up grenade versions and sling them... that sould be interesting....

† IE replacing time/money for FP as there is no way an adventurer could Enchant a Blank Spell "Arrow" in this game on a regular basis (30 x FP capacity of Spell to be held?  Pffffft).

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 49):

This is what I was looking for...

OOC:  Yes, right.  Sorry thought you were talking about taking Spellstone... I figure if we ever get a permanent Healer in the party (Frog Sister's maybe) the healer might, might, invest in a few levels of that for a heal or two.  Though, gwythiant might also allow for a variant of "Huge Subject [Specific Subject]" instead of "Huge Subject [Specific Spell]".

On second thought, Masugatan realizes his whistle could use a little wet.  Good booze can be hard to find on the road.

He goes out for a drink.

OOC: I suspect the primary qualification for that Huge Subject perk -- being accustomed to casting on a larger than human subject -- would be covered by traveling with Jednesa for a while.  OTOH, FWIW, both of use use slings for things we can't reach with our whips.  Not master level skill, of course, but we get by.

In the meantime, both of us can cast a maximum Major Healing, even at triple cost, without just falling over afterward.

OOC:  Something else to be wary of if you cast a spell on Jednesa, she has MR 3, so you're at -3 to your spell checks.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:28, Wed 19 Feb 2020.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 54):

Does that not also work against spellstones and potions?

OOC:  Neither make a roll, so neither are directly affected.  However, she has to make a HT+MR and fail for Potions to work; against Spellstones only if they have a Resistance Roll (which none of them do as they are all meant to be used by the wielder).

So upon reflection... there is a damned good chance potions will fizzle (which I didn't think about when she took the Healing Potion as loot)... so she needs to start stocking up on Gems of Healing.  Or pick up Regeneration, somehow...
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 06:13, Wed 19 Feb 2020.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 56):

Created an Ally on standby with the appropriate perks if we cant work out something else. An appropriate fire god would be suitable for an ally of Christine...I think I still have cp I can use for her, right Narrator?

That's inconvenient, but not breaking.  If the spell fails, it only costs 1 FP; both can spare one on that (and with net skill 10, we have a 50% chance of success each casting).  Nor does that change our fumble rate.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 58):

Unless you have the Huge Subject perk, they will cost 3 fp for even the basic healing spells...

OOC:  The rules say "If success would have cost energy, you lose one energy point; otherwise, you lose nothing."  So I don't think the times 3 is applied in a failure (unless it was Information spell as well, as Information spells cost the full value even in a failure).
This message was last edited by the player at 22:10, Wed 19 Feb 2020.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 57):

Let's  look at acquiring an ally along with the spell, a suitably impressed temple guardian works well.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 61):

Alice departs, and the gnome has signed on.
Do whatever shopping you need (Camilla will arrange for Jednesa to gave her harness repaired and the wagon supplied with group basics and some rations suitable for the ogress.
All regroup the next morning.

In reply to Mcnealy (msg # 62):

Masugatan wakes up in the Shady Lady to the scent of frying bacon. His bed looks like more than one person slept in it, and once he comes down to eat, the barmaid serves him, winks, and says "Let me go pack. Be ready by the time you finish."

“You’re coming with me?  You know it’ll be dangerous, right?”

But what did it matters?  All was right with the world, as long as you got bacon.

"Been a while since we slept in a common room, Holiness.  No stones or roots, I could get used to it."

"Don't get too used to it, Holy Sister.  We need to advance the cult, and that will inevitably mean we get a place of our own, with actual beds, at some point."

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 64):

A few minutes later, she returns, wearing travelling leathers, including a light helm and a cuirasse set with metal plates and studs, and she carries a bedroll, a spiked mace, a knife and a throwing axe.

"Alright Sug, let's go kick some tail!"

Evelina notices the armed and armored woman with Masugatan.

"Good morning to you!  I am Holiness Evelina Grattan, Queen of the Frog God cult -- but while we travel together, you may call me Evelina, or just Evvie."

She gestures toward the other, very similar looking woman with her.  "This is Holy Sister Elaina Grattan, First Acolyte.  Before she was Holy Sister, but just my little sister, I used to call her Lainie."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 68):

"And I am Valerie, lately of the Shady Lady Inn and Tavern, on my way to kick tail and line my pockets with coin."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Fri 21 Feb 2020.

"That's more or less what we have in mind, too.  We need to enrich our cult.  Ideally, I'd like to see us buy a nice piece of swamp front land and build a temple, but we'll start with renting something in town, if we can raise the coin."

"I once heard someone say something about doing well by doing good.  That's us, we hope."

“When I do well, I’ll do lots of good.  The brothel and tavern segment of the economy will get lots of stim, anyway.”

Or is it ‘ecomony’?  He hoped he’d gotten it right.

Jednesa just waits by the cart for everyone to be assembled and ready to go.  There are five barrels and two chests lashed to it with rope and a tarp partially tied down covering it.

Queen Evelina and Holy Sister Elaina slip off their heavy packs and spend a few moments ensuring they won't shift or fall off the cart.

"We've seen a couple other ogres around Northport just since we arrived -- there's 'elga the Henormous who works for the city, and that fellow at the Guild. didn't catch his name -- but they seem more, um, city-bred.  I think I like you better, Jednesa.  I'm looking forward to this journey."

Jednesa smiles at Evelina, "Small ogre better for city.  Mountain tribes not have city ways." She sighs, "Small man from Camilla say Jednesa wear this while in city."

She plucks at the sailcloth poncho and skirt she is wearing.  "That why Jednesa just sitting, not moving.  Everything weak in city, break when Jednesa move and if not careful."

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 75):
The tiny alchemis pipes up:
"I had best watch my step around you, as should Bucephalos, my steed. It is good to have a woman of your... stature on our side."

“You could move on me if you want.  I won’t break.”

And if I do, who cares?

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 77):

"I am delighted to have you all join me on this trip. I probably should say something inspirational, but what the heck. Lets go kick some ass and learn about divination! "

With that she leads them out of the city on the start of their journey.

"Once we're away from the city, you can wear what you like, as far as I'm concerned."  Elaina nods agreement and smiles.

The sisters fall in behind the cart, setting their pace to match the slowest of the group (likely themselves, however).

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 78):

As you head toward the Merchant gate, Christine feels something tugging st ger sleeve.


Make a will roll.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 80):

Christine turns...

[Private to GM: Rolled 2 under will.]

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 81):

An emaciated person you are having trouble looking at is clutching at your sleeve and pleading. The sound of their voice seems indistince, and in general they seem unimportant and immediately forgettable.


Everyone with Christine needs to make a Will roll.

"Who is that?"

[Private to GM: 18:02, Today: Evelina Grattan rolled 14 using 3d6.  Will (14) relative to (beggar?).
18:04, Today: Elaina Grattan rolled 8 using 3d6.  Will (13) relative to (beggar?).]

OOC:  Oh my, Jednesa might just pass...

19:14, Today: Jednesa rolled 9 using 3d6.  Will 7.

Fail by 2 if it's straight Will.  However she has an Amulet of Protection from Evil +3, and Magic Resistance of +3, so it's possible she'll succeed by either MoS +1 or +4.

In reply to wretch (msg # 82):

"Who are you, exactly?"

She is careful not to loose anything...

19:47, Today: Masugatan rolled 15 using 3d6.  Will roll.

Sadly, this fails...

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 86):

Everyone except Masugatan and Valerie notice a frail, emmaciated woman in stained and worn blue and white robes carrying a bow. She looks like she hasn't eaten in days. Valerie and Masugatan see nothing of significance,  nothing memorable.

"Holiness, she looks starved!  How can we help, madam?  We can offer food, if you can manage trail rations, or coin to buy food for yourself.

Stop, Jednesa!"

“Huh?  What are you talking about?”

This was like one of those games he saw kids playing in the alleys sometimes.  All those weird dice...

Jednesa stops, waiting to see what comes of this.

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 88):

She spills a bag of silver into her palm,
 "I have coin, but none can see me to sell to me. I beg you Marie, lift your curse! I have been living on the flesh of rats that I shoot, and fallen crusts. Forgive me!"

In reply to wretch (msg # 91):

"I am Christine. I believe Marie is the slut that works in some brothel. But I will try to help you..."

She casts a spell...[Private to GM: Dispel Magic, rolled 9 under.]

OOC:  Christine, Dispel Magic will affect all spells in the area, this means your and Jednesa's Bless as well.  So be careful where you splash that...

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 93):

It is an area spell, with a radius of one, so it should just effect her...

“Marie sounds like my kind of gal.”

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 95):

"Then I, most definitely, am not. You would do well to remember that!" she replies coldly. You almost feel the temperature drop a few degrees...

"Alright, you two, get a, er, get separate rooms."

Elaina looks on at Christine and the beggar.  "Did it work, Christine?"

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 97):

"can you see me?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 17:41, Fri 28 Feb 2020.

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 98):

"I could see you before. question is, can any of those who did not notice you see you?"

“Just kidding.  I would never associate with the likes of Marie!  Just the thought makes my skin crawl.”

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 98):

All of you can see her now!

"Jednesa can hear you better now.  And you are not so blurry.  Who are you?"

"I agree, it's much easier to look at you now, and your voice seems clearer as well.  Do you know Christine?"

Masugatan hocks a loogie, spits it on the ground and awaits further developments.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 104):

"You can all see me? Oh thank you...wait if you are not Marie, who are you and how did you lift the curse?"

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 105):

"I am Christine, and I am told I look a lot like Marie. I am a mage, and I and my friends are headed out of town for a bit. Why don't you join us?"

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 106):

"I, uhhh. Ok then. Mind if I stop by a merchant on the way and get some food? Can I leave this small bundle with anyone so I can be a bit quicker, and meet you at least the town gate?"

She holds up a tent and blanket, tied together with string.

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 107):

"Sure. I will come with you. Jednessa, why don't you guys head to the gate, and we will see you there shortly... after I find out a bit about her..."

Masugatan shrugs and gets ready to head to the gate.  He just hopes the girls don’t get into some heavy shopping while they wait.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 109):

After a quick meal and purchasing more, Emma and Christine arrive at the gate at about the same time as the rest of the group.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 110):

Together, you head out through thr Merchant's gate, with a plan to head south and then slightly eastward. The poor folk outside the wall retreat into their shanties at the sight of the ogress. Agead lies a road past fields of .barley and lavender, and you can see the treeline of the once bandit filled woods. Masugatan, Christine, and Jednesa  all know this route. If they continued due south, they would eventually  reach the Abbey, if they took the eastern fork, they would pass through Balar's old camp, which is the direction to take.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 111):

Not knowing much about Balar, and with the problem resolved anyway, they head out past his old campsite.

As soon as they clear the gates and get far enough away as to not be in the shadow of the city, Jednesa stops, carefully takes off the skirt, gently folds it, and puts it in one of the two chests.

She seems to stand taller* and move more freely, not having to worry about destroying the "pretty dress" (or the buildings, or bystanders, etc).




OOC:  She is wearing a loincloth and the poncho.  She'd take the poncho off too, but it's under her harness, so it's a bit more involved.  Besides, it won't survive the mission.

* To her full 11' 6".  She tends to slouch and scrunch down in the city.

"Well, look at you!"  Evelina gives Jednesa a grin.  "You look more yourself already!"

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 114):

"Yes indeed! Freedom is underrated! There is something nice about being out of the city!"

Masugatan, confident in his toughness, offers to take point.  If a black arrow must strike someone in their party, let it be him!

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 116):

Offer accepted...

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 116):

"You keep some weird friends, between the Frog sisters, the ogre stripper, the invisible  beggar and the blue elf and her clay knight.  I swear she looks like Marie, but she doesn't sound like her. Mind if I walk with you?"

"We're the Grattan sisters, actually.  Holiness and I are the priestesses of the Frog God, but we were sisters before we learned about him."

Assuming he’s the one being spoken to, Masugatan has no objections to some company.  This isn’t usually a big problem for him, however.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 120):

Valerie, walking ahead of the group with Masugatan, was speaking to him.

The woods are fairly quiet, and while the road is not in good repair, there are signs of very deep mule prints coming through this way; Masugatan would remember why.

In reply to Valerie (msg # 121):

Christine is happy for company as long as she does not hear about Marie...

Masugatan sighs as he sees the deep mule prints.  Such sweet memories they bring back...

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 123):

"Is there a story, Masugatan?"

“A long one.  About a girl, and a wretched young hero who sacrificed a princely fortune just watch her steal his heart and ride away on a mule.  Not that I’m butter.”

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 125):

"Do tell..."

"I agree, a good story will pass the time as we walk."

Masugatan momentarily closes his eyes and sighs dramatically.  "Would you pluck this tale from me like a jagged arrowhead from my heart?  Very well, then.  Her name was Lisa.  Her eyes were silken orbs.  Her breasts were silken orbs too, only way bigger.  And the way she walked... it's like she had two gelatinous cubes stuffed down her pants.  Anyway, she was the princess, and I was a mere stable boy who was put in charge of her favorite pony.  She named him 'Bologna.'  One day she came in while I was greasing his sides up, and the moment she saw me her cheeks lit up bright pink.  She pretended not to see me, but I knew she had.  And boy oh boy, did I see her..."

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 128):

Christine just waited for him to keep going...wondering if she was going to regret asking...

The two sisters pass a cryptic look, and Elaina partially stifles a giggle.

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 130):

"Good gods, Sug, I heard a limerick version of this! There once was a clergyman's daughter
Who detested the pony her father had bought her,
 until she found...."

She finishes it, and then recites the sequel about the girl's boyfriend Tony...

Elaina snickers.

"What is it about limericks?  Is there some kind of rule that they always have to be naughty?"

“I was a pony once.  Then I grew into a horse!”  He winks.

"A whole horse?  Or just part of one?"  Evelina looks sidelong at Elaina, and both break out laughing.

"Never mind us, Masugatan.  We used to make fun of everyone back home."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 134):

Christine just keeps an eye on where they are going, not really getting the humour, and not really wanting to!

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 135):

Valerie's limericks may have caused Christine to have made a phobia check at +4.


In addition to that, hearing rolls all

In reply to Narrator (msg # 136):

Fortunately Christine is focused on everything but the naughty limericks going on behind her as she and Chris move ahead of the talkative one...

[Private to GM: Rolled 5 for hearing, Per 12. Rolled 6 under for the phobia, so she has mentally shut out the conversation as per previous post, focusing instead on where they are going!]

Jednesa is humming to herself, trying to find a decent marching song to fit the occasion...




OOC: 19:06, Today: Jednesa rolled 11 using 3d6.  Per 7, hearing check.

Evelina cocks her head, suddenly looking quizzical.

[Private to GM: 06:37, Today: Evelina Grattan rolled 11 using 3d6.  Perception (hearing) (14).]

"I hear it too, Holiness."

[Private to GM: 06:39, Today: Elaina Grattan rolled 7 using 3d6.  Perception (hearing) (13).]

“Hi ho, hi ho.  We’re off to kill some mo’!”

Hearing everyone else getting into the mood for a proper marching song, Jednesa begins to sing out (extremely loudly):

"Příliš horké na dnešní život,
Dnes bojuje příliš mnoho nepřátel,
Pochodoval příliš daleko aby odešel bez zabití dnes,
Co je nebezpečí? Nebezpečí!"
...

[Private to GM: Too hot for living today,
Too many foes to fight today,
Marched too far to leave without killing today,
What's up danger?  Danger!

To the tune of What's Up Danger]

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 142):

There is a faint rustling in a tree off to the side, a bit louder than a squirrel.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 143):

"Jednessa, just a minute, please...what was that noise in the trees?"

She points to the area in question.

Jednesa stops and turns to look at Christine (and thus the exact opposite direction of the rustling).

Evelina moves as quietly as possible toward the tree with the rustle, uncoiling her whip as she goes and flipping it into a ready position.  After a few steps, she veers to the left and jerks her head to the right as she heads for a position two or three yards to the left of the tree.

Elaina keeps a few steps behind her Queen, also loosening her whip, and veers right at her Holiness's head jerk, finishing two or three yards to the right of the tree.  Once she stops, she looks up into the branches.

Masu stops singing, draws Butcher’s Blade and gets ready to do some rustling of his own.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 148):

"That way, my big friend." Emma directs Jednessa quietly, staying behind Christine and Chris.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:14, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 149):

An arrow strikes Masugatan un the torso, but glances off of his heavy armor.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 150):

Christine creates a fireball as she seeks the source of the arrow.

"We are under attack!"

[Private to GM: Rolled 5 under for skill, rolled 4 under perception.]

Evelina takes a step toward the source of the rustle, looking up into the branches.

[Private to GM: 17:49, Today: Evelina Grattan rolled 5 using 3d6.  Perception (14).]

Masugatan finds a tree to take cover behind as he tries to locate his attacker.

Jednesa turns and seeing the Frog sisters surrounding the tree with weapons ready she finally groks the situation.  She gently sets the cart's tongue down and eases into a sprinter's crouch in preparation to rush the tree...

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 154):

The barmaid checks on Masugatan,  while readying a throwing axe.


Up in the tree, an archer wearing a dark ragged surcoat is trying to draw another arrow.

Evelina twirls the handle of her whip, launching the tail into the tree.

[Private to GM: Striking to disarm:
18:27, Today: Evelina Grattan rolled 9 using 3d6.  Whip (13-2 for disarming strike).
Quick Contest: 18:28, Today: Evelina Grattan rolled 6 using 3d6.  Whip (13+2 for disarming contest).  Success by 9.]

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 156):

Christine throws her fireball at the archer.

"There he is...but I bet he is not alone...check behind us, Emma."

[Private to GM: Rolled 3 under skill to him, minimum damage, as standard.]

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 157):

Emma happens to be standing in front of Jednessa when she turns to look behind them, and sees nothing. She creates a sunbolt just in case.

[Private to GM: Rolled 10 under skill for sunbolt, critical fail for perception though...she sees NOthing at all!]

Masugatan grins excitedly as he sees the fireball fly to its target.  At times like these, he loves this job.

Upon seeing an enemy Jednesa whoops "ANO!" and bolts forward stampeding past Emma to slam into the tree!




OOC:  Move and Attack, Slam.  'Ano' is Ogrish (Czech) for 'Yes'.

19:53, Today: Jednesa rolled 8 using 3d6.  Slam 16, shoulder into tree.

19:57, Today: Jednesa rolled 19 using 3d6+6.  Slam damage to tree, 3d+6 cr.

20:04, Today: Jednesa rolled 11 using 3d6-2.  Collision damage, 3d-2 cr.

Her rhinohide stops the damage, but she takes 2 injury from blunt trauma.

If the tree falls, Jednesa goes down with it, to slam it as hard as possible into the ground.

Evelina jumps out of the way of Jednesa's charge.

"Jednesa!  We had this under control!  We need to look for others, bandits of this sort are like rats -- if you see one, there are probably ten more around."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 161):

"Lets see how many fall out of the tree before criticizing her..."

Masugatan cheers on the mighty ogress.  He can’t wait to see what she does if she gets her hands on them.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 161):

The stree shifts as it is slammed, some of the roots ripping from the ground, and the frog sister whose whip had entangled the leg of the archer is hoisted off the ground as the slightly charred archer falls out of the tree, along with his arrows and bow.

ST check to hold on to the whip, or fall and take 2d-6 crushing.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 164):

Christine looks around for accomplices as she creates another fireball...

[Private to GM: Rolled 4 under perception, not including acute vision 2 and telescopic vision 1 if appropriate, 10 under to cast fireball...]

Jednesa grabs the archer and then shifts her grip to its head.




OOC:  All Out Attack, grapple and grapple head.

21:04, Today: Jednesa rolled 8, 10 using 3d6,3d6.  Grapple 16 and Grapple (Head) 11.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 166):

As Hednesa yanks on the archer, the whip weilding Frog sis yanked further into the tilted tree... now needing to roll vs 4d-12 falling damage if a ST check fails!

In reply to Narrator (msg # 167):

Does the archer have any accomplices?

Evelina's whip jerks out of her hand, and she tumbles through the air and falls to the ground, Elaina already rushing to her side.


[Private to GM: 20:00, Today: Elaina Grattan rolled 14 using 3d6.  ST check to hold onto her whip (11).
20:05, Today: Elaina Grattan rolled 6 using 4d6-12.
]

OOC: tried to post this morning, but RPOL went down just as I was typing and I couldn't wait, had to run out to work.  Also, that whip attack was a disarm in the first place, not an entangle; should have just pulled the bow out of the guy's hand.  See msg. 156.

Elaina is beside Evelina almost before she hits the ground.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 169):

Given how high in the tree he was, you would have been able to reach the ankle, not the bow.

"Ow!  That's gonna bruise, fer sure!"  Her Holiness seems to have forgotten some of her refinement in the moment.

"Oh, Holiness!  Let me heal you!"

Elaina puts her hands on Evelina's body and prays to the Frog God in a clear, carrying voice, taking longer than seems strictly necessary.

[Private to GM: 17:54, Today: Elaina Grattan rolled 10 using 3d6.  Major Healing (12+1 enhanced ritual) (2 FP = 4 hp).]

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 173):

Noticing that the only person injured seems to have been the archer and a Frog priestess, Emma looks for the archer, but it seems hidden by the foliage...

[Private to GM: With several looking for others, is there anyone else?]

Jednesa pulls the archer out of the tree slowly incase the whip is still attached to one of the sisters, "Sorry."

Then she turns and holds the archer out and looks to Christine, "Alive?  Dead?"


Note, she has one hand wrapped around the archers torso, the other about it's head, and she's holding it firmly, but not crushingly.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:40, Fri 10 Apr 2020.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 175):

"Dead if he wants to keep fighting, otherwise I want to know what he was thinking to attack us alone..."

Her holiness gets up from the ground, brushing dirt off her previously new-looking leathers.  "I wouldn't mind hearing that, either.  Do you have enemies, Masugatan?  Or was that a 'stupid tree'?"  She frowns and knits her brow.

"Even that first year, when we actually did consider banditry, and I was younger than Holy Sister is now, and she was barely a woman, we knew better than to take on a group this size."

“I know of no one who would go to these lengths just to get at me.  At least not when I’m traveling in a powerful group such as this.”

Class dripping out everywhere, he thinks smugly.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 177):

Masugatan recognizes the gear this guy is wearing... he looks to be a leftover from Balar's group.

Masugatan tells them about Balar and informs them that they may be dealing with a splinter group, contrary to what he just said.

"So, leftovers from a defeated group of robbers and bandits?  Unless there are many of them, they're barely a threat to us.  If they intended to ambush us, they should have closed the trap as soon as the first arrow was fired."

Jednesa carefully unwraps her hand from the bandits face, giving it room to speak (and breathe) but not letting go of the bandit's head.

"Why you shoot Mossygotten?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:40, Fri 10 Apr 2020.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 182):

"That bastid killed me matey!"

In reply to Narrator (msg # 183):

"They were bandits. Tell me why we should not finish what he started."

Evelina looks back toward the city to judge the distance.

"The city guards don't come this far out, do they?  I think we should just break his legs and leave him here under the tree.  Maybe some of his fellow bandits will rob him before he dies.  Or maybe he'll live as a crippled beggar."

Her Holiness considers for a moment.

"No, we can't do that.  It would be kinder to just execute him.  Or we could break all his arrows, take his other weapons, and just leave him here.  Holy Sister, what would they do to a bandit back home?"

"Holiness, I don't recall them ever capturing one alive.  They always seemed to get shot while resisting arrest.  Sheriff Ward was a really good shot, but lacked patience, I think."

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 186):

"Strip his weapons and boots."

Her Holiness brightens.  "Yes, that's even better!  He won't be able to keep up with us without boots, but we're still close enough to town that he can most likely make it there."

“If we ain’t gonna kill him, can we at least tie him up and suspend him upside down from a tree?  By the time he gets out of that, I figure he’ll be too tired to mess with us again.  Although to be honest, I like the idea of breaking his legs better.”

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 188):

"Can't say I trust him, but I don't think we can just rob him either. I can justify taking his weapons, but not his boots. Let's just take his weapons and take him back to the town guard. It is not like we have a time limit..."

"Does Northport not execute bandits, then?  How is that better than breaking his legs or taking his boots?"

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 191):

"Northport sells em into indentured servitude, and the guild buys up a lot of those contracts, and work them as heavies when guildmembers go on proficiency runs with padded weapons."

The two sisters look nonplussed, then Evelina speaks up.  "Perfect!"

"Go back to boring town?  Jednesa say just kill him and move on."  She looks longingly down the road away from town.

She gives the bandit a little shake, "Attack Mossygotten first, is okay kill in defense yes?"

"Jednesa, he's no longer a threat to us.  If he'd died when he fell out of the tree, that would have been 'in defense' but if we kill him now, it's just murder.

"If we were days from the nearest town, it might be different -- he'd be likely to try us again, and he might hurt one of us, or even kill one when he does.  He'd still be a threat, of sorts.  But here, we can turn him over to the guards and go our way, they won't kill him because the city profits from selling his indenture.  Indentures aren't permanent, so he isn't even really a slave.

"And if the guards won't take him, we can just bring him back here, take his weapons and his boots, and walk away.  All it'll cost us is an hour or so of extra walking."

"Grmmph.  Too many word.  Fiiiine, not kill now."

She turns the bandit to face her and looks him in the eye, "Do what God Sisters say or Jednesa kill you."  She grins and licks her lips.

Then she sets him down in front the sisters, "All yours," she mutters and starts turning the wagon around to trudge slowly back to town.




OOC: 09:42, Today: Jednesa rolled 9 using 3d6.  Intimidation 13  (Skill 7 + 3 Monster + 2 Hideous + 1 Penetrating Voice).

MoS +4.

Evelina retrieves the handle of her whip and, with a twitch, loosens it from the bandit's leg.

"You heard the lady.  We don't want to just kill you, or break your legs and leave you here to possibly die of thirst -- but we don't want you causing any more trouble while we take you back to turn over to the guards, either.

"Have you heard of 'parole'?  Do you understand what it is?"

Masugatan shrugs and gets ready to move on.  He thinks this is probably a mistake, but he’ll abide by the group’s decision.

Funny how being in the mercenary business could civilize a fellow.

OOC  New driver for McNealy getting ready to take over.  Just finalizing the character.  Very complex build, just need to finish negotiating a potion list with the big boss.

In reply to Mcnealy (msg # 199):

Y'all heading back or leaving him bootless and unarmed?

McNealy, send me a pm

The trio of lovely ladies (Christine, Evelina, and Elaina) have decided to turn the adventure around and go back to Northport to turn the bandit over to the Authority.

To that end Jednesa was outvoted.

OOC I have posted what looks to be the final character for the GM to review.  I need his various brews and equipment, but I think the points are done.

[Private to GM: I think a quirk will for him to be addressed as "Alchemist McNealy".  I think he will want the title since he has worked so hard for it with no help.  Mind one more minor change?]

Indeed, if Evelina is able to extract the prisoner's parole (against the consequence of being turned back over to Jednesa) not to attempt to escape or harm anyone while we do so, we'll march him back to the gates or wherever within we can find a guard or squad of guards to turn him over to.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 203):

Indeed, much as Christine would like to get rid of him, she feels morally obliged to return him to town, and the to get moving.

"I am sure we will get our chance to kill a lot, Nessy. Let us do the right thing, else we be no better than those we fight, except we win..."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 204):
You march him back toward the gates, espying another party taking the south road...
The guardsmen bristle as Jednesa apporoaches, but relax when they see the rest of your group.

"Valerie, Masugatan, you're from around here, aren't you?  We aren't, and I'm honestly not sure how to go about turning this man over to the guards."

Masugatan takes a momentary break from picking his teeth. “Nothing to it.  Just tell ‘em we brought a fresh delivery of scum, then kick him in their general direction.”

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 207):

"Didn't you lot just come through here?  Is that you Masugatan? "

OOC  Points are done, Potions are in to the GM for review.  Will work on equipment next.  Probably start posting in character once you finish the delivery of your prize.

One of the toughest characters I have had to build in a while.  Quite complicated.

OOC:  Yeah, I've toyed with making an Artificer... Potion Master is probably the best version for dungeoneering as you can always use potions and being able to rejigger a potion "on the fly" is so f-ing useful.  The Gadgeteer artificer just looks to be so very dependent on traps and having time to devise devices to deal with problems... would probably work better as an AA Build* using Powers as gadgets rather than trying to use the Invention and Gadgeteering rules.  Though for a 'less DF' more 'serious bizniz' Heartbreaker Fantasy, pulling the scrounging and 'Inventing, Upgrading, and Repairing' rules from After the End would be damned useful.  I've been waiting for Kromm or PKitty or someone to write up GURPS Gadgeteering forever now...

Are you using the Alchemist from Pyramid 3-82 "Brewmasters"?



* That is various 'one-use' traps built as Alternate Ability Powers that the Mad Trap-builder Artificer can unleash each encounter.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 210):

We are using 3/82.
The best gadgeteering  write up was in Atomic Horror, and could be used with Science! Which I liked because it had a heavy prerequisite chain; research and two hard  sciences.
Ditto weird science, which needs occultism and weirdness magnet


Similar setup I use for weird magic, but it needs occultism, enigmas, hidden lore eldee and weird thaumatology...

OOC  You pretty much nailed it.

DF 4 Sages book for the Artificer template.
Pyramid DF Collected book for the Dungeon Brewmasters template
Add in that McNealy was already created as a Gnome, which meant an additional shuffling of points.
Alchemical potions are 2 points apiece as a hard technique, which makes them quite expensive.
I decided on Average techniques for things like Alchemists Fire and Liquid Ice, subject to approval.

Every point has to be spent carefully to honor 3 different templates as much as possible while still giving him a credible role and function while delving.  Pretty sure you own Gareth and Jareth too, right?  Probably also builds with some challenge.

OOC:  I'll take a look.  I haven't delved into that book as it's not my preferred genre (likewise if they hide any Gadgeteering rules in a Steampunk supplement, I'll miss 'em).



The premise in Brewmaster (Pyramid 3-82) is to not bother with Techniques, they've been tossed to the winds, along with all the rules out of Magic.

Indeed, the rules for brewing are altered you don't need Techniques, it takes days not weeks (spending more than 1 day gives bonuses), etc...

And for you, you can even speed it up faster (down to 4 hours for a potion, 30 minutes for a poison), because Quick Gadgeteer. And with Gizmos, you can just "have it on you".

So you're better off raising Alchemy or taking the Formulary Perk out of Pyramid 3-82.


3?  Surely just Artificer with the Alchemist lens?  Or are you dabbling in other forbidden arts?


Just Jareth of those two (I'm not a fan of Wizards, I'm pretty sure Gareth is run by Christine, who also runs Melchizedek and Goran?).  I run Jareth (originally Sage 60%/Agent 35%/Psi 5%, now more like Sage 50%/Psi-Elder Thing Cultist 40%/Agent 10% - there is a lot of overlap between Psi/Elder Thing Cultist and Sage and Agent since the Psi abilities are mostly information and communication), Jednesa (a real departure from my 'skills heavy builds' and a Barbarian in 'name' and Disads only - she's got some Martial Artist mixed in, 3 skills and a Style!), Stenet (almost purely on template Holy Warrior, someone else built him), Dilandua (Swashbuckler/Martial Artist with some Ninja) and Ülo (my challenge to myself to build a Wizard that wasn't from a 'standard' Wizarding race, who goes off template a bit, and in building her I decided I really like the Troll race writeup).

And then Benny Morales†, a Dungeon Saint who is remarkably on template (for me anyway, actually like Ülo he's pretty "off template" but still does the template's job*) who hasn't had an adventure to join yet.



* Unlike Jednesa who is so off template she can't do a Barbarian's wilderness job, no Outdoorsman or Outdoorsman skills (okay, she has a Survival (Mountains) of 6).

† Yes, a pun name, I finally decided to sneak one in.

OOC  I have Balir the dwarf as my own build.  Pretty much Dwarf as a class.

Aegis was inherited, and I normally don' like the morally gray as much.  He has been decent to play with all the social disruption.  Not a nice traveling companion.

I have Haveron/Amelia/Omar over in the Al Menir thread, although the GM uses Amelia to push the plot a lot there so we share her.  Again I inherited him.  He has an interesting agenda, and has offered a lot of good meaty role play.

I own Goran too, for the record.  He's a pretty standard country bumpkin priest who looks down his nose at everyone else.  Inherited.

Finally, Nodwin.  He's got a few interesting quirks in his build.  Overall pretty good, and interesting.  Young kid, building a church.  I wish I had half the points for how I want to grow him, but I'm just trying to get caught up on the Junior House.  Inherited.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Sat 18 Apr 2020.

In reply to McNealy (msg # 214):

Christine will tell the guards that this bandit tried to attach them as the left, and will hand him over to them.

Then she will attempt to resume her journey.

The sisters confirm Christine's story for the guards.

"It's just luck his arrow struck heavy armor; Masugatan could have been killed!"

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 216):

"This boufon worked with Balar the Red to waylay travellers. We caught him shooting arrows by ambush."

In reply to Valerie (msg # 217):

"We'll bring him before the magistrate then."

Two guards frogmarch him in through the gate.

"That was easier than I thought it would be.  I expected to have to at least testify before a scribe, under a dire oath."  Elaina blinks a couple times.  "What prevents someone doing that with false charges?"

The gnome speaks up, since he has first hand experience with this sort of thing.  "They have their ways of knowing.  Magical compulsion, history spells, potions.  You name it, they can get it if they want to know badly enough.  It's not a pleasant experience.  Trust me."

"Yay."

Jednesa turns the cart back around and starts warming up for a racous marching song...

The sisters fall back into line.

"It'll be good to be away from the city again."

In reply to McNealy (msg # 220):

"The guard was on alert about people in that outfit, because the Merchant's guild had a bounty placed on them, and some priest of Helios and some bird man made a lot of noise with the guard over the bandit lord's men. Masugatan was with that group, he would know more. That was just the gossip I heard."

"Ah, I see.  So, if we're going to turn someone over to the guard, it helps very much if they're a known criminal."

Masugatan starts humming a little tune he heard some soldiers singing when he was a kid, swinging his arms in time as he walks.  So help him, he’s learning to enjoy the outdoors, even if all this fresh air is a poor substitute for the reassuring feel of scum-covered city pavement under your boots.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Wed 22 Apr 2020.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 225):

You head back down the path to the place where the ambush occurred.

"Now, if that gonif had a friend or two and an agreement with them to take a fall to find our weaknesses, the friends might pick this spot to try again -- and not aim at Masugatan's heaviest armor this time."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 227):

"They could pick any spot. Best to try to be careful and make good time..."

She will continue until evening if there are no further incidents. She will start looking for a good spot the camp about an hour before sunset...

"I don't see any dry hummocks or big tree forks to sleep in anywhere."

[Private to GM: 04:53, Today: Evelina Grattan rolled 11 using 3d6.  Survival (Woodland) (defaulted from Swampland, 10).]

Anyone else want to try a survival roll?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 230):

Not need. That is why I hired folk!

[Private to GM: Rolled 3 under IQ....]

"How 'bout here?"

Jednesa points out a vaguely flatish spot... surrounded by inconvenient brush and trees that would screen anything sneaking up on the camp, but not quite thick enough to block light or hide the camp from observers.



OOC:   21:16, Today: Jednesa rolled 9 using 3d6.  Survival (Mountains) 6, looking for a campsite.

Anyone who merely failed the roll can find a campsite with one of Comfort, Concealment, or Lines Of Sight.  If you succeed, you can pick 2.  Critical success picks 3.  Critical failure and you find none of them.  Comfort means we can rest and regain FP.  Concealment gives us a reroll on spotting ambushers and penalyzes them (-1 to Per, +1 to our Camouflage) spotting us.  LOS gives a +1 to Per/Observation rolls to notice ambushers and a -1 to their Stealth.


And yes, Jednesa has a 6 Survival... with a point spent in the skill.  She ain't no Mensa candidate.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:08, Fri 24 Apr 2020.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 232):

"We might be better out in the open somewhere..."

"Holiness, Christine, perhaps there?"

She points out a potential site on top of a small knoll, high enough to be dry, and clear of brush and low foliage.  We'd have to carry water, but we'd be able to see and hear anything around us.

"It's not perfect, but I think it's okay."

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 234):

"I can create water. Ok, that sounds good."

"Oh, yes, both of us can either create or purify water as well.  We tend to forget the create option, we've spent a lot of time in lands that have plenty of water, it just needs some help before it's good for humans to drink."

“When it’s time, I’ll volunteer for first watch.  I usually stay up late, anyhow.”  He scratches himself inappropriately.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:10, Mon 27 Apr 2020.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 237):

"I can share the watch with Masugatan"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Wed 29 Apr 2020.

"I have some brewing to do.  I will take the middle watch so I can check on it while you sleep."

"Jednesa take middle watch.  Ogres see good in dark.  Ogres, trolls, and goblin folk always take middle watch in Great Army."

"Why do we need to have people waking through the night?  The Frog God has given me a spell that will instantly wake me if anyone or anything enters its area with hostile intent -- so we only need awake if we're attacked; we can all sleep straight through a quiet night.

"Even someone leaving the spell's circle to answer nature's call, and then returning, will wake us only if they make enough noise or disturbance to wake us naturally.  The spell detects hostile intention.

"It will detect wolves or bears as readily as bandits, too.  Holiness and I have never kept watches in our travels since I received this spell."

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 240):


"Interesting. But surely the definition of hostile intention leaves room for concern."

Sounds like watches sorted. Emma and Christine can make food...

OOC:  Who is taking third watch?  Or is Christine conceding to Watchdog and not worrying about it?

“Not that I doubt the Frog God, but old habits die hard.  Besides, is it wise to put your god to the test?”

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 244):

Christine and Chris can fill in as needed.

"One could as easily ask if it's wise to show a lack of faith -- but still, if the rest of you prefer to stand watches, we will do our fair share.  I guess we'll get up very, very early to stand the last watch.

"Holy Sister will still cast her spell -- no sense giving up any sort of protection."

"As you say, Holiness.  We should bed down soon after eating, if we're to be up hours before sunrise."

About ten hours before sunrise, Elaina stands at the center of the camp site and casts, then immediately staggers to her bedroll just beside Evelina's.

"That will wake me for anything coming with ten yards of that spot with hostile intent."

In reply to Elaina Grattan (msg # 247):

"Indeed, extra protection is welcome. Keeping watches is a time honoured tradition for many good reasons, though. A band of archers or a mage that can dispel the magic can easily bypass magical protections, so while helpful, they should not be relied upon."

"P'raps we just din't have any...  ...any, um... ennnemeees."  Elaina mumbles sleepily.

“That’s why I always use protection.  Except... oh, nevermind.”

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 250):

Chris is not exactly observant as far as noticing enemies, and requires advance instructions to act. Not requiring sleep, he can be available to cover all shifts, but just needs a list of SOP to function.  Masugatan , Valerie,  and (Chris) the first watch... then who?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 251):

Probably Christine and Emma (and Chris)...

OOC:  Mcnealy and Jednesa both volunteered for middle watch.  The Frog Sisters seem to have volunteered for morning watch.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:03, Sun 03 May 2020.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 253):

So 4 watches.

Masugatan and co
Christine and co
Jednessa and co
Froggy's

Sound right?

McNealy spends time at the end of the day hunting for herbs and bringing in extra firewood.  He won't wander too far away, just enough to find what he is looking for.

When they settle in to camp, McNealy empties some alchemist's fire onto the gathered wood.  He will admire the beautiful colors in the dancing flames for a few minutes.  When he lays down to sleep, he will make sure he has a good view of the flames.

In reply to McNealy (msg # 255):

Christine will try to stop him using Alchemist's fire, using magic instead.

"Save that. We may need it later..."

McNealy resists at first, but then when he realizes that she plans to do it with magic he steps back to watch.  "I feel most comfortable when we have a robust fire.  It keeps the predators away, and I enjoy it's warmth."

"We are not great friends of fire, but we need warmth as much as the next person -- and we can put it out quickly at need."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 258):

The night passes uneventfully!

In the morning, Masugatan gnaws on some jerky, does a few easy thug stretches and otherwise behaves like he’s starring in a commercial for Folger’s coffee.  But with swords.

Jednesa rolls up her huge fur blanket, ties it onto her harness, and the shrugs into and straps on her harness.  She checks to make sure her handaxe/mace is in place, and then sits down next to the cart to wait on everyone else while chewing a food brick.

Jednesa laments the taste of the iron ration, "Not as good as donkey."


If Masugatan is a morning coffee commercial, Jednesa is a primitive 'soldier gearing up for battle montage', ending with what soldiers do best.  Sitting and waiting.

The sisters, who've been up for a couple hours by sunrise, have already rolled up their bedding and packed up their things; once others start stirring they turn to breakfast.  This close to the city, they'll eat rations without bothering to try to gather or hunt.

"Holy Sister, it's good to be out of the city again."  The older sister turns to the other travelers.

"Do we need more water?"

McNealy for the most part is up with everyone, but off doing his own work.  He has potions brewing on his miniature horse, and needs to add ingredients before their morning travel.  In his experience, the movement of the walking horse is good enough to mix the less volatile potions quite nicely.

Once that is done, he collects his belongings, rolls them up, and has a ration until they are ready to leave.

In reply to McNealy (msg # 263):

Before everyone started noshing, Valerie had her pan over the fire, and with water and some seasoning, had made a bit of a stew.

"Oh, nice, Valerie.  Can you do that with a fresh-caught duck or rabbit?"

"What'cha cookin' Val?"  Masugatan's spice-craving nose leads him to the fire.

He laughs to himself as he thinks about how much his life has changed since an adventurer tossed him a silver piece in return for his services.  These days he was a classier breed of scum.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Sat 09 May 2020.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 266):

"Eggs, bacon, mutton, beef, fish, fowl. Hare is better that rat, had to cook that often enough."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:12, Mon 11 May 2020.

In reply to Valerie (msg # 267):

"Impressive. We should see if you can make created food taste nice next. That will be the real test!"

The canteens still full from last night, we should be good for water. Christine has Chris pack up the tent and bedding and put it on his back as she guards the others doing their morning rituals.

As soon as food is eaten, she is ready to move on.

"I wonder what awaits us today...anyone else have any enemies we should know about?"

"Jednesa begin believe nejvyšší Raniba sold Jednesa and other warriors to Great Army... but not see how that come up now."






[Private to GM: nejvyšší means 'supreme' and I'm using as 'master' in this instance.  Raniba was the Martial Leader who convinced the warriors to join the monster army.]

"Then perhaps we can make camp tonight with enough daylight remaining for Holy Sister and me to hunt up some small game.  Neither of us is much of a cook."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 270):

"I am not keen for anyone to be running off on their own, or even in pairs. The attack on Masugatan indicated that together we are strong, but I do not want to find out how strong we are or are not individually. But if you want to scout ahead a little to hunt game as we travel, then that is fine."

"As long as we're following roads or a visible landmark, we can do that.  We're neither of us great navigators, but we can keep track of a road or a mountain top well enough -- and we'd normally set traps for rabbits, squirrels, and the like while we sleep rather than hunting as we travel.  We didn't bother last night because we were still so close to the city."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 272):

"That is fine, we can set traps in the evening and then clear them in the morning."

McNealy makes small talk while he mixes potions over on his diminutive horse.  He throws herbs in here, some liquid in there, and then shakes it up by walking the horse in a circle.

"What kinds of traps do you use?  I generally prefer the live traps, because the meat is fresher that way.  What do you typically favor?"


OOC McNealy is chatty this morning, and he's well versed in traps.  He'll have a lot of questions to ask, and suggestions to make.  We can do this IC or behind the curtain, whichever.

"We usually use deadfalls -- you can make one from twigs and a rock or log, no wire or string needed.  As long as you set them in the evening and check in the morning, the meat will still be fresh.  We never leave them set longer than that."

Masugatan turns to Jednessa.  “Did you say they freakin’ sold you?  Oh man, I’d be out for big time revenge.”

Jednesa  knows that the nejvyšší Raniba is still alive, they are far to cunning to have been caught by men, and wealthy enough with the coin they raised as to have hired another army again...


Thank you for worldbuilding!
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:33, Thu 14 May 2020.

McNealy grins.  They think like he does.  The more efficiently you work, the more you can get done.

"My favorite is to use a deadfall variant, with a little twist.  Being that I have a certain talent for mixtures, some good old-fashioned stickum works way better than a log.  It locks the critters down hard, without all that lifting and moving. And it works when you aren't in the forest.  Maybe we can set something up tonight and see what you think."


OOC A couple things with McNealy, now that the customer is just about finished.  Most of this should be "common knowledge" from when he joined.  Still, it should be fleshed out since he has become a PC, and thus is a full character now.  I welcome GM or player comment, to find what feels appropriate to everyone.  A happy agreement would have been ironed out at the time he decided to come along.

1. He prefers to be addressed by Alchemist McNealy, or Tradesman McNealy. It's a quirk, and seemed fun to me.  Advertising, you know.

2. As a tradesman, I assume he was retained (way back when) as a healer.  He'll provide healing potions for free as needed to fulfill his part of the 'contract'.  We should probably include antidotes as part of that, when appropriate.

3. Specialty items (Alchemical potions, known formulas, or poisons) will be provided at some level of cost.  For people in his party it will be very cheap.  I'm putting this here to try and maintain game balance on behalf of the GM.  Please remember McNealy has to manage materials and inventory, where casters can use fatigue to power their abilities.  He has to think like a businessman if he wants to break even.

4. Item cost can be paid in coin, services, or materials.  Herbs are always useful because he can gadgeteer them, if anyone has Naturalist.  Monster parts, animal venom, and whatever else the group can harvest also counts as payment.  McNealy is a team player, and he'll give you what you need for a couple chickens if necessary.

5.  Since McNealy is very talented with traps, I expect he should have some idea of the various kinds.  Hence, I researched a few kinds of traps.
https://www.outdoorlife.com/ho...best-survival-traps/
Bait Stick Snare
Motion Triggered Snare
Fixed Snare
Peg Snare
Drown Snare
Treadle Snare
Squirrel Pole Snare
Rolling Snare
Deadfall
Figure 4 Snare
Pine Pitch Bird Cup Trap
Paiute Deadfall
Greasy String Deadfall
Toggle Deadfall
McPherson Spring Deadfall

In reply to Narrator (msg # 277):

"Sure, McNealy, you are welcome to set traps as you wish.

Jednessa, after listening, these enemies of yours could be a concern. Tell me more about these...nejvyšší Raniba. What are they, and how did they 'capture' you to sell in the first place? If we meet them, we need to be prepared to deal with them...please tell us what you know of them."

"Oh, like the way pitch or sap can capture an insect?  Even mice are too strong to get trapped that way, never mind rabbits, but if you can make something stickier than pitch, it could be useful."

OOC: Both sisters have Naturalist, as well as Pharmacy (Herbal); Her Holiness also has Poisons.  Both have Esoteric Medicine as well as a number of healing spells.  Between your potions and our spells, we should be well set, even with an ogress as tank.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:18, Thu 14 May 2020.

Politely, but with a bit of an edge, the Gnome responds "Tradesman McNealy, or Alchemist McNealy.  Please."

He then turns his attention to Elaina, and walks over to her from his horse, carrying a vial of fluid.  He pulls out the stopper and hands it to her for examination.  "I tend to use brewers slang when referring to concoctions.  You probably know it as Glue."

OOC  DF Adventurers, p 115.  This setting has such a thing as a Glue grenade.  And McNealy can make them.

"Nejvyšší is, ummm.  Errr.  Leader?  No, like 'train' but also 'chief', but not chief chief, like small chief take order from bigger chief, you know?  But mostly show Way.  Nejvyšší Raniba teach warrior Srdce Vzteku, Heart of Rage, Way of Stone Fist, Way of fight like Chlapáku," she makes grappling, strangling, and 'tearing limb from limb' motions with her hands and arms.  "Ebjo, little brother, say join Great Army bad idea, him come anyway.  Say 'Jednesa go, Ebjo go'.  Ebjo say always 'Raniba sell warriors to Great Army and is bad'.  Jednesa not know slavery till Great Army.  But, Great Army was good.  Many fights.  Jednesa smash town wall, push big tower, haul rock throwy thing, punch horsemans.  HAHA, like punch horsemans.  Party many times!  Was not bad life, but always going away from home, Kamenná Hora.  Then Ebjo die.  Jednesa's clan ogres die.  Small ogres die, goblins die, hobs die, others die.  Many defeats.  Great Army, now not 'great', small.  Run away and um... dis-band?  Yes, disband, near city.  Big Sergeant take umm... 'his' ogres to city.  Big Sergeant good.  Find small ogres job at docks, with merchants, guards.  Jednesa too big for city, house break when Jednesa bump it.  Sergeant find Jednesa job with Camilla.  Camilla is good."  She taps the Guild Badge on her harness.

She sighs.  "Ebjo know way home, Jednesa not know where Kamenná Hora, um... where Stone Mountain.  But know it far away, that why Raniba not worry here.  Raniba only worry if Jednesa find home."

After letting all those words out, Jednesa seems a bit deflated.  But she just shrugs, and gets up, looking around to see if everyone has packed their belongs on the wagon, and if so, she hauls it out onto the road and waits to get going.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 282):

As Jednessa starts, Christine starts beside her.

"I am sorry about your brother. War is like that, but I am glad you are with use now. Didn't you ever want to meet a nice big Orge and settle down to make little ogres?

Ok, so this Raniba, he is only a little person in the army that got defeated. This stone mountain, I wonder where that is..."

She looks over her maps to see if there is any location that might be called stone mountain on their route...

Elaina examines the vial McNealy -- Tradesman McNealy -- has handed her.  Seeing no obvious way to open it without damage, she just turns it and watches the fluid inside creep, rather than properly flow.

"That certainly looks sticky.  Strong enough to capture a rabbit, you say?"

"Ho, yes.  Jednesa want babies, someday, not now.  Much more fight.  Also, Jednesa never meet man strong enough beat Jednesa, if not strong enough beat Jednesa, not strong enough protect Jednesa and babies."

She looks wistful, "Ebjo die battle, so was good.  Jednesa always worry about Ebjo, Ebjo small ogre and maybe 'too smart' die Nekonečný Bitva, not go Nikdy Život.  Ebjo die fighting, Ebjo fighting and partying with gods in great longhouse at end of world."

She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand and then shakes the feelings off like a dog shedding water.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 285):

Christine comforts her friend as best she can.

"Perhaps we can meet such an Ogre on our journey...time will tell."

“It would take more than a man to beat you,” he tells Jednesa.  “I’m not even sure ten men could do it.”

Then Masugatan discreetly asks Alchemist McNealy what sorts of poisons he can make.  And since he isn’t into suicide, he also asks if he can make antidotes.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Sat 16 May 2020.

"Haha, yes.  Jednesa strong like raging river!  Sweep away all enemies!  HAH!"

With a hint of boast in his voice, McNealy tells Elaina "If left for a bit it will darn near immobilize a person.  I think it can handle a rabbit.  One of these days I'll chuck it at a Goblin or something so you can see what it does."

On his way back to the horse with his glue bottle, McNealy claps Jednessa on the back in a supportive, friendly sort of way.  "We're glad to have you Jednessa.  We can be your family now, if you want."

When Masugatan happens by to ask his question, McNealy's voice lowers and he speaks in hushed tones for a moment.

[Private to Masugatan; Narrator: I can make a few of the easier ones, and a few of the utility items too.  Haven't mastered the formula for the slimes yet.  What did you have in mind?  I should have the components for some Monster Drool on Cookie.]

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 288):

"Indeed, dear. But the Alchemist is right. We can't give you children, but we can be your family. I definitely consider you like my sister.

That glue, if put on the ground, how long before it sets and can be walked on again? Also, what ingredients does it need?

Say, can you use scrolls then?"

McNealy looks at the glue a minute and thinks.  His face wrinkles up a bit, and he looks a little confused.  He adjusts his tented glasses as he looks randomly up in the air in thought.  It takes a couple seconds before he snaps his fingers and looks back at Christine with a bemused look on his face.

"For this batch I used a couple of those orange Shevnian caterpillars and some troll dung as a thickening agent.  The oil I boiled off some giant spider legs keeps it viscous.  That's just the carrier, though.  By taking the spinnerets from the spiders, I was able to find the right proportion to keep the liquid silk fluid, without coagulating.  I can't say the last batch was made the same, though.  Sometimes the combinations just come to me, and when I mix them I can usually make them work.

If you pour it on the ground, I'd say it would slow down the average person at least a step.  It takes a good long while to dry too.

Can't say I have used a scroll in years.  The last time I tried it didn't do anything.  Plus, i have my trusty mixes to help me handle trouble.  I don't really need any more firepower." He snickers to himself after saying this last part.

[Private to Masugatan; Narrator: Oh, and yes...  He can make all the necessary antidotes.]

In reply to McNealy (msg # 291):

"Good to hear. Do you have potions to not get burnt if those fire potions go off at the wrong time though? Because if you plan to use them around things Jednessa is beating up on, it might be nice to give her one of those fire resistance potions...

Also, if we come across any special ingredients, let us know. Time for sleeping now, though, isn't it?"

OOC:  It's still morning, we haven't managed to leave camp yet.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 293):

OOC: Are you sure? I thought we had only just found a spot...we were talking about setting traps overnight.

Speaking of overnight, same as last night: Christine Creates some food and water.
[Private to GM: Rolled as follows for create food, using grasses rolled under on all by 2, 7, 3, 3, 1, 7, 5, 6, 2 cost 1 fp per roll
Create Water: 7 under, 1 gal (cost 1)]
9 meals and 2 gal or water created, and shared with all, following which she will rest for one hour.
Then she will create food for tomorrows breakfast...flour, etc from grass, and 2 more gal of water with all the containers, before resting again before taking her watch.
[Private to GM: Rolled 9 more times, skill 16, rolled between 11 and 6, except for one roll of 3! Second roll was a 9, skill 16. Create water 4 under.]

9 Meals should provide 1 meal for everyone and 3 for Jednessa. If game is caught, it will be a bonus!

Masugatan and co
Christine and co
Jednessa and co
Froggy's
This message was last edited by the player at 06:51, Sun 17 May 2020.

Yes.  Go back to msg  #258 ("The night passes uneventfully!") and wind forward post by post.  It's a pair of conversations started by Valerie cooking breakfast that forked off into "Christine and Jednesa muse about Jednesa's past" and "McNealy and the Frog sisters discuss traps and hunting".  With some criss-crossing by Christine and others.

We haven't finished leaving camp, or, since Val is cooking, even finished breaking it.  ;)

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 295):

Ah, Ok. I rolled for creating food for everyone for two meals...did anyone else actually catch any food to add to it, or did we just discuss how they would do it tonight?

Anyway, lets hit the road...

OOC: we didn't even try to catch food last night, too close to town.  We'll try on upcoming nights.

OOC To review, McNealy got up, and worked on his alchemy lab for a few minutes.  Things need to mix while they travel, and Cookie does a good job of sloshing things around.  Once McNealy had everything prepared to his satisfaction, he had a ration and/or some of the cooked breakfast.  Then he prepared to leave.

As a separate thread throughout all of the activity, he discussed trapping game, glue, and some other discrete subjects.

In reply to McNealy (msg # 298):

You break camp, and pack up, and head back on the road.

The sisters resume their marching position behind the left wheel of the cart, staying attentive for hazards or opportunities as we travel.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 300):

So I assume the first set of rolls to create food was for breakfast, and the second set will be for dinner tonight. Should we fast forward until something happens/it is time to camp tonight? Some routine?

OOC Where will McNealy be?  I assume he will probably attach the reins for Cookie to the back of the cart, so he is free to move about some.

He's fine with a fast forward to evening, although he's chummy so he'll be talkative.  Probably in depth about traps and the best ways to trigger them, plus materials, and the finer part of setting them without getting caught by it.

In reply to McNealy (msg # 302):

Christine is a loner. While the talk of traps interests her, she can only listen for a while before wanting to wander ahead and leave him chatter with the others...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 303):

Emma, on the other hand, is a different story. Happy to talk the whole way, her staff glistens in the sun, the end spiked to look like the sun, the gems inside glowing brightly as she walks along. At the talk of traps, she mutters a few words and fires a bolt of light from her staff at a rabbit or edible bird seen some distance away.[Private to GM: Rolled 5 under skill to hit, so at any distance and with SM, probably a miss!]

"That, friends, is how you catch a rabbit. Or at least, it would be if I could aim straight! I don't have the patience for traps, but I do admire those that do."

He knees are only visible under her leather skirt when she steps up to something, so on this flat road it is not so often.

OOC  Just because I don't recall seeing Emma before, can I get a general idea of who are the players and what are the roles?

Jednessa - Fighter, basically the muscle
Alchemist McNealy - Healer / Alchemist (so a little bit of everything)

I know we have at least 3 of the ladies, 2 of which are spell casters, plus Senderic?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:17, Mon 18 May 2020.

In reply to McNealy (msg # 305):

Christine: Leader, she is an elemental mage seeking to learn divining. Frigid...
  Emma: recent ally joined, Priestess of Helios
Frog Sisters: Priestesses of a frog god (of some description)
Masugatan: Playboy mercenary swordsman.
   Valerie: Assistant of Masugatan...barmaid?
Jednessa: Heavy handed Ogress
and of course
McNealy: Alchemist

Think that is everyone...

Masugatan asks Alchemist McNealy if he could make a poisoned dagger lethal enough to kill something BIG.  Preferably a blade he could have ready well in advance, requiring no last minute preparations.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:06, Tue 19 May 2020.

McNealy responds discretely to the request.  "Depends on what you're looking for.  I can make a poison that would hurt.  But you wouldn't kill anyone outright with it.  However, we could blind him so he can't defend against attacks, or strip a mage of their ability to cast spells.  Some of my alchemical preparations could make you stronger, or faster, or resistant to magic.  There will never be an alchemical fix for every situation.  But, we can adjust to almost anything with time to react.  There are many ways to get the work done."

[Private to GM: Now someone with whom he could make the top of the line stuff, that person could kill someone with the good stuff.  But he can't give Masagutan the good stuff.  ]

In reply to McNealy (msg # 308):

As they walk along, Emma mentions that she is not a big fan or poisons, since they are indiscriminate if a mishap occurs. She would prefer something that would make the person exhausted, so they could not cast spells, but could be recovered from relatively quickly, say a matter of hours rather than days...

McNealy will acknowledge what Emma says.  "I prefer not to use heavy poisons myself.  Usually they require application from up close.  I try to avoid the front lines when it becomes necessary to defend ourselves.  Gnomes aren't usually the ones to wear heavy armor and dish out a beating.  We're usually quick and hard to hit, if anything.  I prefer something lighter when I do use it.  And given my skills, alchemical brews are usually more effective."

Her Holiness frowns at the discussion of poisons.

"I know something of poisons.  Many of nature's smaller creatures carry venom, but they generally use it to kill their prey, or rarely in self-defense.  Since they generally have no need to kill something much larger than themselves, they seldom have enough venom within them to do so.  Some serpents are exceptions to this, of course, but even the deadliest asp would be hard pressed to slay a great beast.

"No, if you want to slay something truly large, you should look to either dose its food, or cause it to inhale something noxious.  Castor beans in such a creature's meat might work, or hemlock root.  Perhaps Alchemist McNealy knows a way to concentrate the poisons from plants like these, or to reliably administer them?"

“But if you run into something out here, you won’t have time to dose its food.  You’ll be its food, unless you have the right weapon prepared.”

The older sister gives Masugatan a little smirk.

"That depends very much on whether you spot the thing first, or it spots you.  If the latter, it's likely to be a bad day regardless, but if the former, you might be able to arrange a special snack..."

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 313):

"Hypothetically speaking, you might be able to arrange for a snack, but the intelligent creatures that pose the biggest danger will be the least likely to take such a snack. That is why I was wondering if there was some kind of contact poison that would drain someone, so a mage or evil cleric would be too exhausted to cast spells, and yet if it were to effect one of us, we would recover soon enough without special healing. Does such a poison exist, either in nature or manufactured by our Alchemist friend? Kind of like a negative paut..."

"Bah.  Jednesa find best way deal with enemy is rip off head.  No cast spells if no head.  No bite with venom either."

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 315):

"That is true, Jednessa. I have never had that as an option though..."

"I think in this case, Jednesa may be right, though.  We were talking about something big, like a dragon or these, um, slorn? that they have around Northport, or the great worms I've heard tales of.  Things that would normally be beyond killing with weapons.

"For creatures like that, leaving some bait, like a dead horse or something, with poison in it is a much better idea than just launching into it with half a dozen swords or whips or slings or bows or what have you.  If a thing like that even notices, you're likely to make it angry."