Continuing from Hunting for a Specialty Shop

OOC In the old thread I mentioned a few checks Nodwin was looking to make.  If you can fill me in there we may be able to move this forward a bit.

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 2):

Clarence is not really one moving this thread forward, so he is going to spend time with his 8 legged friend until someone suggests more meaningful work.

In reply to Clarence Montague (msg # 3):

Benito still has much work to do with the foundations (unless he is done there) and with setting up the shop and fixing the buildings...do we have any further progress to report there?

OOC:  You might want to repost them here to refresh GM's awareness without him having to pop back over there.

So, our plans in a sketchy nutshell:

• Sell the sword, the last few bits of unaccounted for loot (playbooks), and the new loot (Clarence's mirror, the snowglobe, and the Tube of Infernal Delights), and then..
• Pop down into the sewer maintenance barracks and finish exploring the unexplored tunnel?  Maybe check to make there aren't anymore released Otyughs within a few blocks of our sub-basement?
• Then wish up the alchemy lab.

Everyone onboard with this plan?



Nodwin:  Both Herb Lore and Pharmacy can both be done with an Alchemy lab, Pharmacy can also be done with a Healer's Kit.  (I mean there is no Herb Lore lab or kit or anything.)

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 5):

To nodwin: seeker requires some specific knowledge. Seek earth with qualifiers works better"nearest gemstone grade semiprecious stone, not counting xyz.
See secrets is good if you know where but not where exactly. Using move esrth near this place can be dangerous, considering the recent collapse, but is a good idea for buried treasure.

The  nugget has immediate cash value. Having benito spend a month with it could turn it into pieces of jewelry worth more than  its value as gold, but it would take game time, equal to probably 2 years or more irl

OOC  Sounds good.  I was hoping to find a gem so we could get that done off the top, but no such luck.  Let's commence with your plan, Jareth.

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 7):

Whatever you guys want to do, Benito is fine with. He has plenty he can do.

OOC:  Okay then, gave everyone else a week to post if they had different ideas, so we'll go ahead and unload the Thrusting Bastard Sword, the playbooks, Clarence's silver mirror, the snow globe, and the gold nuggets (discreetly I hope), then split the take.  If Benito has the contacts (Wealth) and skill (Jareth's Merchant skill is only 11), Jareth will defer to him selling the sword and the gold.

Jareth suggests we get a reward for turning in the "cursed" Fleshlight, and Jareth wants to investigate the handgunne and shot a bit before selling it.

If people need to do shopping, we can break as a group briefly for the "rest of the day" and then return to go sewer spelunking "tomorrow"?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:09, Sat 13 June 2020.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 9):

Benito (Wealth: Very Wealthy + Guild Rank 2) with Merchant 14 is very happy to help sell stuff, for a little cut of course! But he has the time and skills to get the very best price, right GM?

[Private to GM: Rolled a 9 for merchant, 5 under skills unmodified, plus whatever bonii for extra time and rank he can get.]

OOC: Mario could stand to do a little shopping -- one is a bad number for arrows if they don't magically replace themselves.

OOC How about we send Benito out to sell the stuff first, while we rest here and recover from the events of the day.  People are fatigued, they need to eat, etc.  That means the GM can do only the one thing, and it will happen more quickly.

The rest of us can do the research on the stuff we want, and be ready to update when Benito comes back with our cash.  That gets us finished with the buying stage more quickly.  That would be the "rest of the day" part.

Anyone who wants to do research or perform work in the Junior House can get that organized during this time.  Research rolls for our resident sage are good during this time.  Nodwin can work with his refugees and designate a couple leaders from the group for specific tasks and teaching.

Sound good, everyone?

OOC:  That's the plan.  Unless someone speaks up.

Good with it...

In reply to Jocelyn Lemru (msg # 14):

Cool. GM, to speed things up, can you give me a list of things to roll, then we can roll with that?

In reply to Benito Drake (msg # 15):

Beat a qc in merchant vs 15 and you can sell the lot for 105% of cost. Everyone will be  docked CoL out of that. As your rate of exchange is better than theirs, keeping 10% off the price for the objects sold (not the gold, that is flat rate) might be fair,; otherwise the group makes 35-45%.  If greedy, maybe more, if selfless, a share only

OOC: Isn't a quick contest an opposed roll, whoever succeeds with the largest margin wins?

OOC:  Yeah, the 15 is the Merchant skill of the 'generic' merchants he's haggling with.  Presumably gwythaint will roll their side once he has a MoS to compare to...  it's just letting Benito know he'd up against a 15 skill in this QC.

Because he doesn't have to roll.  Winning means he's treated as 1 Wealth level higher, tie is no affect, a loss reduces his Wealth level by 1.

I need to sit with a list and get you your cash for that. Has everything been detected for magic etc?

OOC:  As far as I know.  I can review the list and threads again later tonight (after my IRL game group) and make sure.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 17):

Happy with that.

[Private to GM: Merchant roll : rolled 4 under]

OOC:  My recommendation, make a choice.  Do you want a full share, which also means you're in and will have to go spelunking, or do you want to take a percentage off the extra you can bring for brokering the sales?

OOC:  Okay, I reviewed the thread and everything except the pistol, shot, and powder (and case and satchel) were checked.  Jareth can have it checked later.

So we're selling:

Gold Nuggets, liquid cash:  $11,475

Puissant Thrusting Bastard Sword, MSRP:  $5,750
Playbooks, MSRP:  $???
Magic Mirror, MSRP:  $???
Snowglobe (Magical), MSRP:  $???
Tube of Infernal Delights, MSRP:  $???
This message was last edited by the player at 04:36, Thu 18 June 2020.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 22):

Given his skills, he is most valuable if he stays and does merchant work. Boring but in character.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 23):

Are we paying for analysis of the snow globe?

The books go for $50 each, the mirror and tube go for $5200 and $5000 respectively, and there is an offer on the globe of $800 for craftmanship,not counting its magical value.

OOC:  Yeah, we should probably taking it to Speilgud, unless someone knows of another Wizard with Analyze Magic.  That's $160?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 25):

Clarence will accept his part of $5200. How should we calculate his part? 40%?u

OOC:  We'll get a lump sum of everything being sold and then split it into shares.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 28):

With  Benito, your rich friend by way of Anita, who is off gallivanting around with the New in Town group, visiting faerie creatures and pissing off human supremacists.   His wealth and rank get you dull price. Your take would have been 40% he might return 90 and keep 10%, which.is almost a share.

Hiring Spielgud to analyze the snowglobencosrs $160, yes.

Nodwin is a charitable sort.  He's grateful for what he gets, and much less concerned that he get every penny.  He's here to do Vejovis' work, after all.

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 30):

Being a merchant with a business to run, Benito is happy to accept a full share and not keep any extra for himself. That still sounds like a good deal for all...

Okay, so we're getting the Snowglobe identified for $160, and then selling the following:

Gold Nuggets, liquid cash:  $11,475

Puissant Thrusting Bastard Sword, MSRP:  $5,750
Playbooks, MSRP:  $???
Magic Mirror, MSRP:  $???
Snowglobe (Magical), MSRP:  $???

And sending Nodwin back to the Hadereum to have them dispose of the Fleshlight.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 32):

Magic mirror was $5200 was it not?

Yup.  I forgot about msg #25.  So...

Gold Nuggets, liquid cash:  $11,475
Puissant Thrusting Bastard Sword, MSRP:  $5,750
Playbooks (3), MSRP:  $150
Magic Mirror, MSRP:  $5200
Fleshlight:  $5000
Snowglobe (Magical), MSRP:  $???
Identify:  -$125

We just need to know how much the Snowglobe goes for once Identified.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 34):

"How very curious. It has a sympathetic link to an otherworldly location, and can affect the weather there... it would appear to allow for casting without distance modifiers as well. Someone must have wanted to see it snoew in that place very badly... that is no sculpture,  and it is not inside the globe....alrhough I am sure a meticulous modrl was created in order to further the enchantment. "

In reply to Speilgud (msg # 35):

"Where is this place?"

In reply to Clarence Montague (msg # 36):

"It would appear to be somewhere in the southern mountain range, but might not bd in this world."

"Links to somewhere else?  Useful to ken where, but nothin for it.  What ya figure it go for as enchanted curio?"

Nodwin is untrained in the ways of magic.  However, he has just seen them use this bone gate to enter another realm via a magical door.  Being a more flexible thinker, he makes the next logical step in the progression.

"If someone with magical skill could affect the weather as if they were at that castle...  Well, someone owns that castle.  I expect they probably had the globe made so they could control the weather more easily.  Such an item would be very valuable to them.  I suspect they are going to want it back, and may come looking for it.  Who wants to have it rain if your daughter is going to have a wedding?

The converse might be true too.  Perhaps the globe was made by an enemy of the castle owner.  I can think of no better way to torture someone than to manipulate the weather over their home.  Crops could fail, or the owners could be isolated if the way up was always treacherous with snow and ice.  There are so many possibilities.  If this were the case, then perhaps both parties might come looking for the object."

Nodwin barely misses a beat as more possibilities come to his mind.

"It seems there must be some sort of magical connection to this castle in the globe.  Do you think we could travel to this castle as if it were right next to us?  Do you think the globe might house some sort of a door or portal, or could be used to connect one?

Or maybe the castle is some sort of magical sanctuary that doesn't even exist in the real world.  Maybe there are people in it right now, magically hiding out from their friends or enemies.

Oooh, what if it's someone's ancestral home that they want to carry along with them?  It might have all nature of undead haunting it from past generations...."

Nodwin continues to brainstorm for the next couple minutes, drawing increasingly odd or random connections.

OOC  He's a very flexible thinker, which is why he tolerates Jareth so well.  And...  Potential plot twists.  Lots of good ideas for the GM there.

Jareth just gently rubs his face.

"Ya, all good questions that we ask later... not here...  in t'e open..."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Tue 30 June 2020.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 40):

"Right. So not selling that just yet then..."

In reply to Clarence Montague (msg # 41):

With the rest of your cash, you head home. At this point, dock yourselves basic cost of living.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 42):

Ok, so that is $27,450 / 6 shares = $4,575 (1 each for Clarence, Mario, Jareth, Jocelyn, Nodwin and Benito), minus cost of living for each, which I am assuming is $600 for most.

Did I miss anything or anyone?

Yes.  You missed Mellarill and the House Fund.

Also, CoL is $150 per week, and we're basically hitting the end of the first week we've been adventuring in town.


I'm almost tempted to make a 10th split*, Emergency Funds.  Almost.  If we want that, I'm willing to do it, to cover things like Sudden Death Insurance, or "Oops, the house fell in", or "And this adventure requires extra hands, let's hire a few Henchmen" without requiring individuals to maintain a discretionary fund.


* Mostly because 10 is easier to divide by than 9...

You Miss Brodak! I make you not forget Brodak ever again.
He cracks his knuckles and advances into the discussion.

In reply to Brodak (msg # 45):

What is the difference between House fund and CoL?

Melaric + House Fund + Brodak + 6 previously mentioned makes 9, right?

The House Fund is a discretionary fund to effect repairs or purchases for the 'house' or group as a whole.  For instance when Mario went shopping for material to repair the support walls in the sewer and food and goods for Ymid, because no single one of us had enough funds on hand to cover those things I gave him the House Funds.  The reason I'm considering an Emergency Fund is a fund only to be touched int he event something truly catastrophic happens (death, house collapse, etc), whereas the House Fund would continue to be used to repair locks, put in gates, and in general affect repairs and changes as benefit the whole group in regards to the Housing block, it's immediate basements, and the catchemtn worker housing area we're going to be squatting in.

Mental Note:  Bribe Hadereum scribe to lose those plans so the Sewer Maintenance Guild doesn't get orders to reclaim it.

Cost of Living is what the campaign rules say you pay every week in "rent, food, and equipment upkeep" to remain in good health and standing (and not be tossed in debtors prison).

Which is why I'm raising again (over in the Junior House Accounting Thread thread) exactly what Base is bringing us in the future, for those who might want to spend points in it (like me).


Exactly.  It's easier to remember if you make little groupings:  Jocelyn, Mell, and Brodak are one group (they came as a package from a prior mission); Jareth, Nodwin, and Mario another (3 original Juniors*); Clarence and Benito (the new guys); and the House.


* I used to mentally break it down like so:  Joc, Mell, Brody; Nodwin, Grimbo, Mario; Jareth and the House.  But Grimbo left and the new guys showed up, so the groups got shifted in mine mind...

OOC: Given how many us are on the squishy side (beyond the general deadliness of GURPS combat, most of us aren't strong enough to wear heavy armor without causing significant problems), I think an Emergency Fund would be a brilliant addition to the shares.  We should probably define more or less precisely what we mean by "catastrophic" -- would it include things like Mario's leg injury?  And to what extent of amelioration?

In the case, we couldn't afford a Greater Restoration, and Mario's a week into a month's recovery time to get his full move back -- and that could have been much worse without a major risk of dying (would have been; the GM cut Mario a break).  As things stand, only Mario's Dodge is much affected (there are others in the group no faster than Mario's limp).

I'd suggest we define "Catastrophic" to also include lasting injuries that cause a skill penalty to a primary combat skill.  Cheaper to fix than "dead", but slightly more likely.

What we really need is insurance: a means to pay out more than we've put in to date, under contract to continue paying in, with the risk spread over a larger population.  That's a concept a little newer than our setting, though; Lloyd's was originally a coffee shop/broker in 17th century London, and we're at more like 14th century overall.

Agreed.  However I'm also fine with leaving it vague and simply voting on whether or not the the Junior House Company absorbs the cost of repair/healing when such catastrophic events occur.  Let's hear from everyone else?


Technically that's exactly what I'm proposing, just we don't have a large body of members to draw from so our coverage is held a lot closer and for a while we won't be able to cover larger claims.

Basically we'd have a smaller indemnity and a larger premium.*  I mean some day, 60 years from now, the Junior House Company might be supplying 'insurance' to all the Guild's adventurers* but for now I'm fine with just setting aside a kitty for us.

Of course this basically requires buy-in from all of us.


* I did mention I'm training for my Insurance License right?  Yeah... who has two thumbs and will soon be working hard to bilk hapless old people out of money?  This guy.... (I kid, I'll be working hard to convince young people they aren't invulnerable and need insurance...)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Sat 04 July 2020.

Speaking for myself and my team colleagues (Brodak & Mellarill), we will buy in on this...



As for selling insurance... eye opening. I had my 6 & 63 years ago and distinctly remember meeting with a Sergeant First Class (SFC) and his wife, who wanted Insurance. She had already decided to buy for herself and the children, but was trying to get her husband to buy in ... I explained, she pushed a little and he stood, obviously angry and stated loudly, "No way in hell I am paying for some other asshole to fuck my wife". and stormed out of the room.  I was stunned, to be honest and his wife was very embarrassed.   She bought insurance for herself and her kids ... I am not sure if the SFC ever got another piece of ass from his wife or not.

But she kept the insurance for the next 15 years or so ... I got the residuals, so I know.  Her name didn't change either, so maybe she did stay married to the twit.

It's situations like this that I wish I could grab the person and ask "Just what exactly do you think [SUBJECT] is?"  I mean either he had a real warped idea of what insurance was, or he believed his wife was cheating on him and he had a very hard time not crossing the streams.

OOC: Life insurance, I presume?  Yeah, warped idea.  He figured she wanted the policy so she could live like a princess if he kicked off, rather than so she could just keep the house and possibly put at least one of the kids through college without them graduating in a lifetime of student debt.

Yes, No consideration of "after I am gone" ... which for military is a greater chance that for most... all he was worried about was not paying for his replacement, assuming there was one.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 52):

Or perhaps he was aware that most life insurance policies have clauses that do not cover people killed in war...so if he died as a soldier, it would be useless.

Sorry, I worked for USLICO (Now Gone) and they had no war clause as they served the military ... that's how I got hired, as I had their insurance.

In reply to Jocelyn Lemru (msg # 55):

"I believe I am getting some pay out of this? I mean , you guys have been good with my wages, but I could use a little scratch to get an armor upgrade and whatnot."

In reply to Charlene Le Poire (msg # 56):

"Oh yeah, were you with us too? That would make 10 shares..."

"Charlene is hired.  She gets wages, deducted before the shares are divided.  Or in other words, she gets paid even if we don't."

Mario looks at Clarence.  "You, on the other hand, chose to become a member of our company, so you get a share -- even if that's a tenth of nothing.  This time, it's not, but it can happen.  First time we went down there, I spent the night before ill, probably from eating those broken meat pies I bought with my last farthing, and we came back with barely enough to eat the next day.  Time after that, I got shanked by that demon brat, and almost everything we brought back went to get my leg mostly healed.

"Sometimes things work out well -- help out a rich traveler, you might get a share of a big old gold nugget -- and sometimes they don't.

"I still think I'm better off, even with this limp, than standing in one place all day guarding a shop."

Nodwin will buy in to having an insurance policy for the group.  He's selfless, so he's more eager than most to give away his money.

Likewise, he'll absolutely pay or assist Mario with his leg if it's needed.

Jareth blinks, makes with his flipping pages memory-trigger*, "Right, Charlene!  Almost forgot, ya in half share for cartin t'e dead demon... which is technically still this run as finally paying all that out. So... carry t'e five... divide... equals sum fields 'a one' through 'a eleven', increment first square by double t'e second, set three throu... "



OOC:  * Which technically I am flipping pages, as I'm rereading old threads... and the post from Sat 29 Dec 2018...  we haven't altered her deal since and she's still with us.

So the payout at 10 and one half shares:  Each full share is $2,614, Charlene's half share is $1,307, and the Emergency Fund is $2,617.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:14, Thu 16 July 2020.

Charlene gratefully accepts the loot, pays her CoL and upgrades her leather armor for light scale, with a heavier helmet.

"Nodwin, ya should hold onto t'e castle in t'e globe till figure out who sell it to."



OOC:  Just verifying Nodwin has possession of it.

Nodwin responds "I'm way to curious about this thing to sell it.  Might make for a very interesting bit of research, don't you think?"

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 63):

Clarence will ask about getting a very fine, balanced, silver-coated large knife (normally $40 +CF 25, or $1040) with a gem in the blade that he can cast continual light on, as an alternative to his lantern flail. He will also enquire about attaching his rugged flail to his shield, and adding the 'mirrored' option to the shield the reflect the light a little further.

Mario has already determined that what he really wants (a Cornucopia quiver that produces silvered arrows) is still out of reach.  Instead, he steps out for a short while and returns with a small box, a padlock, and a short length of chain with a staple to be set into a brick or stone.

"Benito, when you can spare the time, could I get you to set this staple into the wall under my bed?  There's a couple francs in it for you."  He holds out the chain and staple, along with two silvers.

"Ya doin some entertainin tonight t'en Mario?"

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 65):

"No problemo, Senioreto!"

[OOC: What should he roll for this? Also, what should he roll to do Clarence work?]

"What are you talking about, Jareth?"

In reply to Benito Drake (msg # 67):

Masonry for the staple anchoring of the chain, armory body armor for making a mirrored shield (the old one cannot be mirrored, as it is wooden) the knife can be got at peice, getting a gem placed costs the gem value and a jewelry roll.

OOC Nodwin has plenty to spend on, but he's waiting to see what the wish roll scares up for their lab.

Don't suppose we have anyone lucky who can make the roll...?

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 70):

I know a leprechaun with a whole lot of luck, but you may have to track her down...

Benito has customers, and gets to work! Masonry first, shield second, knife third.

[Private to GM: Rolled 6 under Masonry, 4 under Armoury (Body Armour) for shield and 8 under for the knife. Any modifiers for quality of items?]

"I think we can all agree my luck is nothing special..."

"Oh, fy err, what with t'e bedroom accoutrement*," he gestures towards the chain and staple, "suspected ya were figurin on gettin lucky..." he says accompanied with a long, sly, cheesily-over-the-top, wink.




OOC:  * 'accoutrement' said with the most overly-affected upper crust accent possible (I'd say 'the french pronunciation' but... well... we're already speakin frenchy)

"Oh, I suppose you could reach that conclusion, with a flying leap, if I had a shackle on the end of the chain.  But no, no prisoners tonight.  Not planning on taking care of Crotchsniffer or Spidey, either.  Just setting up a way to prevent things wandering.

"The Brothers always said good fences make good neighbors, and locks keep honest people honest."

"For once, agree with yer Brot'ers."

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 75):

Sample things to upgrade:
Better armor
Replace cheap gear with good,
Get silver or silvered weapons for special enemies
Stock up on healing potions
Buy spell sctolls

OOC:  I suspect everyone has upgraded who is going to upgrade.  So shall our characters adjourn for the day and start Day 7 bright-eyed and bushy-tailed?

Still fixing things.... but we could sleep some...

In reply to Brodak (msg # 78):

Not sure how long my upgrades will take...a day or a couple of hours?

In reply to Clarence Montague (msg # 79):

Just to cover items,

Very fine, balanced, silver-coated large knife (normally $40 +CF 25, or $1040) with a gem in the blade.

Shield is a Small Shield (Buckler) with the boss removed and a lantern Hook added. Hence basic shield is a Small Shield (Buckler), No Boss, Lantern Hook, $40-$25+$20 = $35, 8-2+0.5= 6.5 lbs

Add modifiers Balanced, Fine and Mirrored, $35x(1+4+9+6) = $35 x 20 = $700, weight = 6.5 x 3 / 4 = 4.75 lbs

Total cost for both, $1740. Is that accurate?

If made out of a Medium shield, it would be

Medium Shield (Buckler), No Boss, Lantern Hook, $60-$25+$20 = $55, 15-2+0.5= 13.5 lbs

Add modifiers Balanced, Fine and Mirrored, $55x(1+4+9+6) = $55 x 20 = $1,100, weight = 13.5 x 3 / 4 = 10.125 lbs

This would mean $2,140 total cost. I think he would prefer the medium buckler if that would be possible to carry that as a buckler...
This message was last edited by the player at 10:25, Wed 15 July 2020.

Mine will take a full day ... slivering axe and upgrading armor.

OOC  Just checking...  Nodwin has a power item in the form of a staff.  That should allow it to hit just about anything without requiring any special treatment, right?  No silvering or anything else required?

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 82):

Power items are just batteries, not pussiant arms.

Again with the goddamn custom shields!

Custom items take 1d days.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 83):

Taking the first two dice rolls, 2 days for the shield and 1 day for the knife. 3 days total. They just don't make off-the-shelf spotlight shields, but this time I used your thread for the customization!

2 days if there was a third custom item anyone wanted?

OOC In looking it up, Flaming Weapon doesn't give Nodwin's staff a way to hit bad creatures.  Given the amount of weirdness magnet in the group, he should do that.  Is $30 for Magic Staff good enough, or does he need to spend more.

Secondary question, I think we decided on 10-1/2 shares of the loot...?  How much was that we got again?  I looked through a couple threads, but the final decision escaped me.

OOC: all Staff spell does it let you "touch" anything with the staff and cast spells as if you had touched it with your hand (i.e. no distance penalty on Regular spells, one or two yards range reduction on other spells, which can issue from the staff instead of your hand).  That is, the "mage's touch" extends through the enchanted staff.  Staff must be once-living material (wood, bone, horn, etc.) and no longer than two yards (which covers most quarterstaves, walking sticks, and so forth).

Of course, all of the above is "Unless DFRPG has changed this too."

Like Mario said, Staff enchantment doesn't do that.  Flaming Weapon will help with most creatures so don't completely discount it.

You might also consider Holy Weapon +2 for $15k.



Here ya go:

Bolded and changed the color to make it easier to find.



It did not.  All DFRPG changed was to fix costs at $20 per point of energy for Enchantments (except Staff because Casters are cheaty bitches) and get rid of a host of spells... and streamline some things, and swap Lockpicking over to pure DX default, and codify Traps as 3 Attribute skill (Per for detecting, DX for disabling, IQ for setting), and...

NOTE:  If you're getting somethin Enchanted with the Staff spell, it's only $20,,, see again them insular Enchanters only extendin a hand to the other clothies...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Thu 16 July 2020.

And increase cost of armor to roughly 50%, and "balance" it to remove any cost/benefit "sweet spots".

That was all already done in Low-Tech, DFRPG just uses Low-Tech for arms, armor, and shields* rather than the "a-historical" numbers in Basic.

It also uses CF which Basic doesn't, etc... but those were incremental changes introduced previously via other books.  The flat Enchantment rate, Slam rules, severe culling of spells, some of the changes to individual spells†, a few skill changes, etc... those were all done in DFRPG.



* I wonder how many noticed the weight change to shields...

† Technically most of the spell changes were done in Pyramid 3-60 Dungeon Fantasy III... but I'm not sure how I feel about 'counting' that for terms of discussing "incremental rules changes via books"...  also the article was supplementary to DF, so one could say DF introduced those changes, despite them not showing up in a single DF book.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 89):

Perhaps, but it is somehow a lot heavier than Low Tech...especially at the lighter end of the scale! Especially shields, as you have subtly noticed. Yes, Boss, I am a fan of shields! They are better for defence than armour for the weight conscious, but only from attacks the defender is aware of.

And some of the weights are not at all historical ... I remember checking out some work done on recreating the greek cuirass of layered cloth joined together by glue.
IIRC it weighed a bit less than than GURPS Heavy Cloth and would absolutely stop an arrow from a Long Bow (1D6+1 impaling, so & points of damage). It was seemingly designed to stop both cutting and piercing attacks and being glued, would also limit damage from crushing weapons... why didn't this wonder armor sweep the world? Because it didn't like moisture/rain.

Shields are another sore spot... some were meant to be used to "Parry" an incoming blow and weigh less than those designed to be a section of heavy armor strapped to you that you can fight from behind. Both concepts work, but are wholly different in use. The heavy shield is used by turning the whole body to place it in the way of an attack, the light parrying shield is presented at an angle to a blow in order to direct it away from the shield user. The parrying shield doesn't last well if used to block a blow, especially a heavy blow.

All of this reality adds complexity which GURPS  is trying to limit. I just think there should be two different shield skills which don't default to each other.

In reply to Oly (msg # 91):

Like Buckler (parrying shields) and the regular shield skill? Apart from the defaults, that is pretty much what they are for. But GURPs does not have the parrying shields when it comes to the weights...

OOC:  Are we waiting on something in here?  Or can we fade to tomorrow?

OOC: As far as I know, we were just waiting on everyone who was going to buy something to buy it.  I've now got a baker's dozen arrows in my second quiver, three of them with different nock wrapping and fletching, so distinguishable by touch, and my purse is looking its usual, rather flat self again.

OOC Nodwin is going to hang on to his funds so nothing more to do here.  The previous admin was pretty good about the documentation, he's in good shape.

Mell is getting her armor enhanced... GM said a day or so...

In reply to Mellarill (msg # 96):

Clarence is getting a new Shield and new Knife...

OOC:  None of that should interfere with our "moving forward" into the next day.

Jareth has no pressing expenditures right now (except for replacing Jocelyn's Pout, which I figure we should wait until we can get the real stuff, not the Blue).  So he's just socking his coins away for now.

My suggestions are for us to finish exploring the Maintenance Barracks area, where we wanted to set up the Alchemy lab.  Finish dealing with the remaining dead bodies we've got stacked up like cordwood.  Deal with the dead orc sewer worker.  And maybe explore out for several city blocks in all direction to make sure we don't have otyughs wandering around loose.

If further time remains, we can track down the silver that Jocelyn found with Seek Earth (it also might be within a few blocks, so we might stumble over it anyway), and maybe push out the boundaries of the area we have explored and established as "safe-ish".

Maybe even figure out if that bhole is still in our neck of the sewers, or if it moved to the docks, or hopefully not encounter it at all, ever again...

Given a few hours, Jareth can make maps of the areas we "know" for everyone to carry (for more than that he'll need more time, like a full day to copy his maps if someone wants to carry back ups).  If I remember correctly Jocelyn also knows how to make maps, so efforts can be combined.

That sounds entirely reasonable.

Don't suppose you know how to kill a bhole, do you?  Just in case?  Thinking something more than mere arrows is likely to be needed...

Same way you do any other giant creature... find someone else to do it...

But no, it's an eyeless worm, couldn;t even point out where it might, might, have weak spots.  My suggestion if you have to fight it?  Shoot someone in the leg so you can run faster than they can.

My plan is to avoid it if possible and hope it like the ocean enough to become someone else's problem... and that no one ever blames us.

I blame the 'underground' Rotworm fighting circuits... they're cute when they're young, but then they get bigger and someone dumps it down the privy and next thing you know, bholes in the sewers...

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 98):

She does, but is no expert at it...

What are we calling "expert"?  If it's 14 or greater), Jareth has a few, a few, skills at that lofty height... (Cartography is one of them, but that's because he has a single point in it.)

She is a good cartographer... infrequently screws up ... but not an expert.
probably messes up 15 out of 100 times.

OOC:  So like a 13-14ish, that's respectable.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 104):

No, 12 ... if we are going to just use character details...

Just means Joc spends a little more time making a map or accept slightly more errors... and hey, what's a few dungeon map errors between friends... :P

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 106):

Maps? Who uses maps?

OOC: Though I can retrace my steps perfectly even a few weeks on, and always know North, maps are very useful, in part for showing others how to get somewhere, or for getting somewhere you haven't been, or for figuring out what's above or beneath what.  Much easier to lay one map over another, than to do a bunch of geometry and arithmetic to try to determine the nearest stairwell to a destination twenty or thirty feet deeper.  Probably much less prone to error, too.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 108):

As long as they are to the same scale...
This message was last updated by the player at 19:58, Fri 31 July 2020.

In reply to Hograth Podkarmen (msg # 109):

The hastily copied map of major conduits that Jareth has does indicste the catchment roomwhere the orc was slain,
To obtain that area will require a cash bribe, and a further perk in the Department of Acqueducts and Sewers.(you can use a base point for this, just indicate it separately). You akso need an exact copy of the serial numbers of the rooms in question.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:12, Fri 31 July 2020.

OOC:  I thought he was killed in the privy down the hall...

But yes, all that will happen, at some point.  For now where just looking to get to tomorrow...

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 111):

I refer to the catchment complex, which consists of the catchment area, the otty pen, the bunk room, the privy, and the cart room.

The player is probably tracking this far worse than what Nodwin is.  Hanging out waiting on tomorrow.  In game of course.

OOC:  Right, asking this question again, Narrator, anything holding us up?  Like are we waiting on other groups to progress as well?

OOC: I have a point to spare to put into the Aqueducts and Sewers "base" if needed.  For the cash bribe, we may need to find out how much is expected.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 115):

It is tomorrow,  you are loaded up, and can head either below, or to attend to that other issue or acquisition.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 116):

Clarence can do stuff while he waits for his order to get made.

"Nodwin, Jareth, are we ready?  Are we going down, or downtown?"

"Figure should fully explore t'e barracks area, t'e area figurin on settin up in, an far out each direction as be prudent.  Make sure securable an ain't gots all t'e otyughs out wanderin."

Jareth settles his pack.

"T'en tomorrow can see about gettin t'e paperwork on t'e area lost... Nodwin, ya thoughts?"

Nodwin pauses for a moment, thinking about the question asked by Jareth.  The last period of time had been spent running around town, talking to various merchant types, and organizing with the Hadereum.  It was all work he considered boring, and he found himself wanting to avoid more of it.

"I'm ready for some excitement, Jareth.  It's necessary to interact with the administration, and we got ownership of some storefronts out of it.  There will always be more to do here.  I'm sure Benito would be glad for some help getting set up and organized, and there is always more to do with my religious flock.

I'm definitely interested to see how everything works out here, but I'm more curious to see what's going on down in the sewers.  We have set enough things in motion here.  For example, it will take some time for the buildings to get cleaned up, not that they are properly supported.  Benito now has a building to work with, and he'll need a while to build up the necessary displays.

I say let's take another trip into the sewers, to make sure the area is safe and secure.  If we are going to be managing this section of town, then we'll want to make sure the underside is secure from all the nastiness wandering around under the city.  It seems like a reasonable use of our time."

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 120):

You head back down into the basement, through Benito's new doorway, and  down to the bone gate area.

Nodwin stays towards the front, staff in hand, ready to defend the group should they require it.

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 122):

Clarence follows, holding the light high, as well as his small shield, also lit. Not as good as his new one will be...but for now...

Jocelyn and her crew are also in place, with Brodak likely in the lead.

Jareth takes the front only to open doors, otherwise he falls a few steps back behind Nodwin and Brodak, and whichever archer is upfrontish (so middleish).



OOC:  Wouldn't the easier way have been to go down through the basement, through the catchment, across the tunnel, into the catchment with the lidded spiral staircase?  That's where we're going actually, into the barracks.

Sidenote, did we get Charlene along for this, or was the prospect of "low rewards*" enough to have seek employment at the Guild?  (12 0r less Ally)

* Though to be honest, we tend to stumble into good stuff anyway, even when we aren't looking to make money that day...

Mario keeps near the front, with Nodwin and Brodak.  The light gem tied to the upper nock of his bow has faded, but we have light enough for now.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 126):

Thought you meant the catchment area where the otty was, and where the sewer worker had their bunkroom, as opposed to the place that was the cultist barracks.

OOC:  Sorry, yah, I meant the cultist barracks.  Plan is to finish exploring them (we left a whole tunnel unchecked accidentally), make sure it can be adequately secured, and then explore out from there.  The excultist barracks are probably going to become the central hub of our explorations going forward, and where we're (hopefully) setting up the Alchemy Labs by the end of today's adventure time.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 128):

With little difficulty,  you get to the area, which has a fair number orf corpses still, along with some gleaming clean bones.
There is a foul stench in the area.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 129):

Clarence, for once going out with his spider friend comments.
"Someone been cleaning down here."

Nodwin nods and adds "Be on your guard".  He considers flaming up his staff, but decides against it for now.

"Watch out -- remember those things that can jump out of any pile of bones?  Ghula, did you call 'em?"

Mario advances carefully, bow first, right hand hovering between his quivers.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 132):

"We stop them by separating the bones and bodies,. right?"

"Just make sure t'ey ain't bone pile by t'eyselves..."

Jareth gently prods the bodies wary of critters popping out (more like rot worms or rats).



[Private to GM: OOC:  02:59, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 9 using 3d6.  Hidden Lore, Ghula and bone jumping.  Lowest Hidden Lore is an 11.

Just checking to make sure it's a clean pile of bones right?  The flesh on the bodies would interfere with their ability?]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:04, Thu 13 Aug 2020.

Mario prods at a bone with the lower nock of his bow, trying to move it away from the others while checking if the bones are still joined, or loose.

"What cleans bones like this?  Rats and bugs, or something much worse?"

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 135):

Clarence moves over and begins to move them around with his flail, keeping the small shield up just in case...

"Aye, rats.  Oozes.  Ot'er vermin.  If rotworm, still gonna be here..."

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 137):

As Jareth nsmes it, the stench becomes worse. Everyone make a HT roll... resistance to metabolic hazards helps
This message was last edited by the player at 19:16, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

Jareth staggers back gagging.




OOC: 16:24, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 14 using 3d6.  HT 10, vs Rot Stench.

Brodak has no issue and promptly swings at the worm...



[Private to GM:  14:50, Today: Brodak rolled 19 using 3d6+3.  Axe swing. Corrected to 16, which is his skill ... no +3 involved
14:51, Today: Brodak rolled 11 using 2d6+3.  Axe damage.
14:50, Today: Brodak rolled 13 using 3d6+3.  HT. Actually 10 and with his +3 to metabolic hazards, not an issue ]

Jocelyn steps away pulling Mellarill with her...  Phew!



[Private to GM:   Both have a HT of 11
14:57, Today: Mellarill rolled 9 using 3d6.  HT.
14:56, Today: Jocelyn Lemru rolled 9 using 3d6.  HT.]

In reply to Jocelyn Lemru (msg # 141):

Clarence has a hard time holding down lunch, but manages, holding all lights up to see the cause.

[Private to GM: Rolled 13, HT12+1 for fit!!! But rolled 3 over perception, so I guess he has the lights in his eyes!]

Nodwin drops to a knee, and tasts bile, as he makes a small pool of brownish sludge on the floor.  He looks remarkably pale.

[Private to GM: Failed by 2.  But I'm playing it up a hare.
20:30, Today: Secret Roll: Nodwin Zideqick rolled 13 using 3d6.  HT 11 against wormie.]

"Uuugh!"  Mario covers his face, then turns to the side to vomit.

[06:45, Today: Mario Crowfoot rolled 12 using 3d6-1.  HT (11) vs. stench (correct dice).]

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 144):

The creature, neatly bisected by Brodak, twitches and oozezms foulness. Miraculously, it still lives after a fashion, insomuch as it barely lives. Horrid tendrils protrude from the severed halves, reaching for eachothet!

Jocelyn notes what is happening and casts...


[Private to GM: 10:41, Today: Jocelyn Lemru rolled 10 using 3d6.  Create Fire between rot worm sections. Skill is 14 ]

In reply to Jocelyn Lemru (msg # 146):

The soft gelatinous fless of the foul invertebrate hisses and chars ,releasing a different,  but equally putrescent odor.

Phew, how do we kill this thing?

In reply to Jocelyn Lemru (msg # 148):

"Would fire help?"

Nodwin feels better after emptying the contents of his stomach.  However, the new smell hits him when he's already weak in the knees.  He drops to a second knee, and has to struggle not to flop on the ground.

[Private to GM: Foiled again.
20:18, Today: Secret Roll: Nodwin Zideqick rolled 12 using 3d6.  Nodwin 11 HT.]

OOC:  Are we legit incapacitated with nausea, or just disabled from taking actions?

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 151):

-2 to rolls, -1 to active defenses.

This worm was SM+2

Was ... so it is now deceased?

"Fire *gag* acid *muffled sound* anythin that work on regenin creature."


OOC: 
I suspect it's now two worm halves of SM+1 to +2ish which is trying to reunite, or regenerate.

"Blaaargh."

Mario spits, inhales deeply, and manages a weak response.

"Don't...carry a torch.   Yaaaagh."

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 155):

At the word 'torch' Clarence stows his flail and opens his pack, pulling out several torches and offering to any who want them. He holds them in one hand and waves the other, making a quick incantation resulting in the torches bursting into flames...

[Private to GM: Cast Ignite fire, torch. Rolled 1 under skill, 2 fp.]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:37, Thu 20 Aug 2020.

Brodak wrinkles his nose and swings at the bigger piece ...


[Private to GM:   19:23, Today: Brodak rolled 15 using 3d6.  Axe swing.   by 1
19:24, Today: Brodak rolled 13 using 2d6+3.  Axe damage. ]

Mario reaches for one of the torches.

"Tha-- uuurp -- thanks."

Bow still in his left hand and torch burning bright in his right, he advances unsteadily toward the huge worm.

In reply to Brodak (msg # 157):

Brodack cleaves the larger half the long way. It is still twitching, but less energetically.


Torches act as batons with +1 fure damage, use shortsword or axe maxe skill, -1 to either.

In reply to Rot worm (msg # 159):

Clarence tries to wield the torch against the stationary rot grub, but fails miserably to bring the torch near it...one might think he was unfamiliar with how to hold a torch!

[Private to GM: Rolled a 17 on default, he has neither of those skills, despite his experience with torches...]

Nodwin clambers to his feet, using his staff as a crutch.  He weaves a bit on his feet as he concentrates, but does well enough to send yellow flames along the length of the staff.

[Private to GM: One round to stand, I think it's 2 more to cast, he won't act quite yet.
10:25, Today: Secret Roll: Nodwin Zideqick rolled 7 using 3d6.  Flaming Weapon 15.]

Mario lurches toward the worm, slashing ineffectually with the torch as if it were a large knife when he gets into reach.

[Private to GM: 18:24, Today: Mario Crowfoot rolled 9 using 3d6.  Shortsword (Knife-4=9, -2 for nausea, -1 for torch, SM +1 = 7).]

Jareth continues to back away towards the bronze gate to the catchment.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 163):

Clarence releases the torch as he swings, make a roll vs 9 to hit Jareth.
Jareth please dodge, you heard Clarence curse.

Mario swings, but the wirm flattens.

Nodwin's flaming Bat'Leh is ready to burn worm

Brodak can swing again, everyone else can act

In reply to Rot worm (msg # 164):

Fortunately Clarence cannot hit anything...not even Jareth! [Rolled a 12]

Nodwin swings at the closest section of rot worm he can reach, and connects with his burning staff.

Undoubtedly that will only stink worse, but Nodwin is at least prepared for it now.

[Private to GM: Hits by 7.
14:31, Today: Secret Roll: Nodwin Zideqick rolled 7 using 3d6.  Nodwin staff 14.

Damage is 7
14:35, Today: Secret Roll: Nodwin Zideqick rolled 7 using 1d6+4.  Swing 1d +2 staff +2 fire.]

Brodak takes another whack at the bigger worm half ...



[Private to GM:   13:44, Today: Brodak rolled 11 using 3d6.  Axe swing.  by 5
13:45, Today: Brodak rolled 12 using 2d6+3.  Axe damage.]

Mario takes another swipe with the torch, still trying (unsuccessfully) to reconcile its balance and weight against his reflexes for knife fighting.

[Private to GM: 19:23, Today: Mario Crowfoot rolled 16 using 3d6.  Shortsword (Knife-4=9, -2 for nausea, -1 for torch, SM +1 = 7).
Not quite a crit fail...]

Jareth continues backing away from the fight towards the door.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 169):

Clarence sighs and goes to pick up the travelling torch...

In reply to Clarence Montague (msg # 170):

Clarence picks up the torch.
Brodak further ruins the large hslf. The smaller half, scorched by Nodwin, shrivels away in foul smelling smoke.

Jareth is at the gate with the recovered key.

In reply to Rot worm (msg # 171):

Clarence goes and makes sure the burnt bits stay burnt...some more. He holds on to the torch well...

Mario, still recovering from the stench, grimaces as he holds out the torch he's been using toward Clarence.

"That would have worked better if it were the length of a staff.  I think I need to take some time to practice up with one of those."

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 173):

"You and me both...harder to hold on to than I remember, too. Keep it. You may need it again later."

With the continual light on his shield and the lantern in his flail still bright, he extinguishes the torch and stows it away, taking back up his flail and shield.

"Can't shoot when I'm carrying it, so I might have to drop it any time -- but for now, I guess I'll hold onto it."

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 175):

"Put it on your belt. You never know when you will need it..."

"Definitely need take of t'ese corpses today.  After finish t'e maintenance rooms."

He checks the main tunnel to be sure it looks empty of threats and, if so, unlocks the gate.

Mario shakes his head, extinguishes the torch and, careful of the still-hot head, slips the handle through his belt next to his knife sheath.

"So, another day hauling bodies?  Too bad we can't enlist some small, harmless scavengers to clean this up.  Didn't the ancients use some sort of ants or beetles for this?"

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 178):

"Probably rot worms..." Clarence mutters.

Nodwin raises a hand for a moment, and says "Hold on a minute.  I have an idea, but I can't think with this stench in the room."  With his fiery staff in hand, he prays for a few seconds, waving it around a bit as he speaks under his breath to Vejovis.  The air suddenly clears, and no smell is left behind.

Nodwin then extinguishes the fire on his staff, and leans on it while he looks over at Jareth.  "Since we were last down here, I have found favor with Vejovis.  He has granted me the ability to move the ground below our feet.  Would it be advisable for me to bury these corpses in the earth down here, or do you think the labor and time is worth carrying them up to the Necromancers?  Would we make a days wage doing it?"

OOC Can't remember if these were undead or not, so I don't know if they have souls, etc.  Asking for a minor assist on that more arcane stuff.

In order to bury them, Nodwin would need to remove what is in the place he means to leave them.  However, with other spells he might be able to identify building materials like clay or ore that would be worth uncovering.  I figure Jareth would know about such things, and figure we can handle the bulk of the conversation OOC...with GM guidance of course.

[Private to GM: He will purify the air, making the roll exactly.
13:16, Today: Secret Roll: Nodwin Zideqick rolled 14 using 3d6.  Nodwin Purify Air 4H range, cost 3, 14.]

Useful... Jocelyn hasn't forgotten the silver that was down here somewhere either.

In reply to Jocelyn Lemru (msg # 181):

As per your last conversation with Selan the necromancer,  these cultists have no souls to call upon , due to their pact, and thebodiesare useless.


Entombing the dead is suited to Vejovians.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 182):

"If we pile them up, could I burn them?"

Mario looks alarmed.

"If we were out in the country, I'd say smoke was the only problem.  Down hwere?  Smoke is liable to kill us!"

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 184):

"Oh, yeah. No air flow..."

He feels the air...

"What t'e otyughs be for. Would nay move stone any direction, especial like above or below, without kennin what's t'ere first."

Jareth opens the gate, crosses taking a brief look down each way, and opens the gate leading to the spiral stairs.

"Should think 'bout puttin solid doors in.  Would slow t'e vermin."

"I guess that depends on the vermin.  That really big worm, what did you call it?  Bhole?  I don't think it would make any difference what doors we have.  I think the only reason it followed the tunnels is it was lazy."

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 187):

"More of a Ahole, really, wasn't it?"

Jareth stands aside so everyone else can enter the opposite catchment, "T'e bhole more what I'd call monster than vermin.  Mostly figure door would slow down rats, t'ese bloody rot worms what everywhere, an t'e small demon imps which slip past bars on t'e gate."

OOC  Nodwin is thinking about his plan to entomb the bodies, so he'll avoid the small talk and look for places where the formed stone doesn't cover the open earth.

Mario frowns in thought.  "It'd have to be a pretty tight door to keep the worms and rats out -- need to fit like a cork in a bottle, pretty near."

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 190):

In the distance Jareth can hear the otty mumbling.  The rot worm had eaten 7 of the corpses, leaving under a dozen.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 192):

"Maybe the otty needs to eat them faster next time..."

"Goin down, keep it quiet, no need to get t'e otyugh all excited an alert everythin down here.  Let's secure t'e doorway below, t'en go left, make sure t'e summonin room an gate are secure, t'en finish explorin past t'e kitchen.  Sound good?"



If we're in agreement, Jareth waits for everyone to file past and start down the stairs while he locks up both gates and then joins them (otherwise he waits till we settle on a new plan).

"Sounds sensible to me.  Especially the part about not getting Otty going..."

Mario pitches his voice so only those nearby (or with superhuman hearing) will receive it.

Brodak nods and takes the lead.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 194):

Beliw, you can hear the sound of many reasting rats... the remaing dead are probably nearly gone.

OOC:  What remaining dead?  We moved all the bodies to the catchment under the block house...  I'm not against hearing the sounds of rats getting their feast on... but... we did empty the kitchen, summoning room, and tunnels we explored of dead and loot.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 198):

Clarence will illuminate the corridors to see where the sound of feasting rats is coming from...

In reply to Clarence Montague (msg # 199):

Pardon. It has been a very long time. If the bodies are in the catchment room, then you can hear rats from there, and the sound of the otty eating the  rats.

The summoning room still has a faint odor from the Stebch unleashed by Jareth's staff 4 days ago, but the room is otherwise nearly broom clean.
The kitchen, on the other hand, is in more disarray than you left it.
The utensils are gone, along with the iron cookwake, there is some smashed crockery and what looks like an attempt at pring the hook and hinge that the larger stewpot hung from in the fireplace.





As you

"Hmm.  Looks like we're not the only ones with access down here.  Broken crockery I'd chalk up to rats, but rats don't steal the cookware and try to pry the iron right out of the wall."

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 201):

"That would suggest another entrance...which I suppose we suspected."

"I suspect if you're small enough and determined enough, everything down here is connected.  Some of these rooms have drains in them.  The grates are coarse enough for someone even almost my size to slip through; those exploding imps probably just barely have to slow down for one.

"I agree with Jareth, we need to get some real doors down here. Even those won't stop ordinary rats and those rot worms, when they're small, but they'll keep out anything big enough to do this."

"Yeah Mario.  Bet t'e cultist what got away came back raid t'e pantry.  Let's be wary case t'ey set any furt'er traps."




OOC:

Narrator:

The summoning room still has a faint odor from the Stebch unleashed by Jareth's staff 4 days ago, but the room is otherwise nearly broom clean.
The kitchen, on the other hand, is in more disarray than you left it.
The utensils are gone, along with the iron cookwake, there is some smashed crockery and what looks like an attempt at pring the hook and hinge that the larger stewpot hung from in the fireplace.

Just checking, was the gate past the summoning room locked and 'undisturbed' since the last time we were down here?  Jareth will take a moment and check the lock for 'fresh' tool marks, and have Akimbo give the area the sniff test to see what has been by since then.

Or have we not gone that far yet today?


12:52, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 11 using 3d6.  Locking for 'fresh' tool marks.
Relevant skills:  Lockpicking 13, Traps (Spotting) 15.  +5 for Eidetic Memory, possibly.

13:02, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 11 using 3d6.  Akimbo, Tracking 16.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 204):

The gate, once you open it to inspect the reverse side, looks like something other than a key was used, and presumably from a low angke; the intruder was not tall.

When they pause for Jareth to check the lock, and for Akimbo to do his search, Nodwin pulls a light stone out of his pouch and attaches it to his head using a length of cloth.  He also hands one to Clarence, and if anyone else wants one he'll offer them one as well.

OOC  Nodwin has 5 stones with "Daylight" level Continual Light cast on them.  He will cast again when they stop to let Akimbo sniff the area, while Jareth looks over the locks.

[Private to GM: He will be down 6 fatigue, but I expect they will be here at least 15 minutes so he should only be down a couple.
13:52, Today: Secret Roll: Nodwin Zideqick rolled 11 using 2d6.  Number of days on new light stone.
13:47, Today: Secret Roll: Nodwin Zideqick rolled 12 using 2d6+3.  Continual Light 14.]

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 206):

Clarence has his own light items, but will accept another, including a candle in his headlight with continual light on it and a light in the lantern, as well as the lantern hook.

"Ah!"  Mario breaks out in a grin and exchanges the stone, now gone dark, that was tied to the upper nock of his bow for the fresh one Nodwin offers.  "This is much better than a torch for everything except starting a fire."

Jocelyn accepts one and thanks Nodwin ...

Brodak takes one and then tries to figure out where to put it...

Jareth will exchange the 'burned out' lightstone from a few days back for a new one.

"Someone short was pickin t'e lock.  Eit'er our missin cultis is short, or we got small t'eif down here.  Akimbo has t'e scent, run across t'em again, hopefully can scent it out."

Jareth stops to tie a few hairs aroudn the lower gate bars as 'the gate was opened detection device'.

"Nodwin ya need a rest or we good to check down past t'e kitchen?"

Nodwin stands up with a nod to Jareth.  "I'm a little tired yet, but not enough that you all need to ait up on me.  We can continue. I will find another couple minutes to rest along the way."

OOC  I figure we were at least 10-15 minutes here, he should only be down a couple fatigue.

"Good enuff.  Let see what past t'e kitchen an t'en decided where explore to next."

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 212):

Rounding the corner by the kitchen, a short narrow corridor heads into the darkness. Nodwin's light stones reveal a short side passage about 10 yards in. The corridor aheadis onlyba yard wide.

Brodak fills it nicely and moves slowly forward, ever alert

In reply to Brodak (msg # 215):

Clarence follows, holding up his light high. Well, all of his lights...

"Hardly any sense following him into there -- he's too big to shoot past unless something even bigger comes up."

Nodwin tells the group "You should follow Clarence so he can protect you with his shield.  Brodak can handle anything in front of us, but may need your help.  I will make sure nothing comes up from behind as a rear guard."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

Mario hangs back, going just ahead of Nodwin to be able to shoot backward past him if needed.

Jareth goes third, muttering something about "...need someone what can see case Clarence an Brodak walk into trap..."

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 220):

Clarence will continue forward with the light, in the proud tradition of torch-bearers...

In reply to Clarence Montague (msg # 221):

You get to the 'intersection' and see that there is a yard wide turnoff if three yards that end in another bronze gate. The narrow passage  otherwise heads on about 20 yards, and makes a sharp turn to the left, from which a faint breeze blows.


[Private to Narrator: this leads behind the kitchen, etc,has a chained room full of undead, and has a ladderwell down to level 3 that is adjacent to an airway]

In reply to Narrator (msg # 222):

Clarence moves past the grate after shining his light to see well past the grate.

"Brodak, hold here moment," Jareth indicates for Brodak to stay in the 'main' passageway.

He pulls Akimbo out of a pocket, "Give t'e sniff, what's gone by here, an t'en t'e gate."

Jareth moves cautiously up to the gate to examine the lock and the area before and past it.


OOC:  "...that there is a yard wide turnoff if three yards that end in another bronze gate."  Which direction is it splitting off of the 'main passage'?

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 224):

Thr side gate is to the right on the main passage (main as in longer, not wider; these are all a yard wide, and barely two yards high- 7 feet at the peak of the arch)

The gate is a standard one for this level, the lock shows few recent pick marks, and there is a wooden wedge tied to the end of the gate with a bit of twine.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 225):

Clarence makes sure the passage is well lit...

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 224):

The ferret dashes through the gate, and returns seconds later, chittering about dead thing dust and a slope.


Meanwhile,  a steady current of air comes from the bend in the corridor ahead

In reply to Narrator (msg # 227):

"That grate seems solid. Let's go where the wind blows..."

"Is gate.  That means someone could come on us behind.  Granted, same with ot'er gate down t'e otyugh way.  Hopefully oty make t'e racket if somethin come that way."

Jareth unties and pockets the wedge.  "An this wedge means t'ey come this way often, like to keep t'e gate open.  But yeah, we go find t'e end this tunnel, t'en decide."

Akimbo scampers back up into a pocket as they move away from the gate, "chitter-chitter, squeak brrrrrrrrp."

"Ya?  Somethin dead over t'ere?  An down slope.  We check it later."

Mario continues watching behind as he follows up the group -- actually going so far as to walk backward a few steps, before switching to a sort of sidling gait that lets him keep his bow side toward the rear and still put some attention on where he's putting his feet.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 230):

You round the bend (turning left behind the kitchen area), and find a stepwell- three steps up to the lip of a yard abd a half wide spiral staircase down. A cool breeze blows up the steps.


[Private to Narrator: secret door behind stairs lead to lo otomized goblin tunnels]

"Hold up.  Let me check for t'e nasty rune trap t'e cultist like use, t'en Brodak an Clarence follow up."

Jareth holds the light stone a few inches from each step, and examines them thoroughly, including the walls and undersides of the above steps, before advancing slowly up the stairs.


OOC:
12:17, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 8 using 3d6.  Trap (Spotting) 15.

Nodwin waits patiently at the back, monitoring the progress ahead of him.  He has confidence in Jareth's ability to figure out what the cultists might have done, so he was happy to rest.  Quietly he mouths a few prayers while he has a few minutes to himself.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 232):

The steps up to the well are rune free.

The steps in the  well descend into darkness... with a breeze rising from them.

Going up, slowly to see what's up there.

But Steps go Down! always one trying to go up the down stairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Sat 26 Sept 2020.

Jareth indeed goes down...



OOC:  Aha...  having reading comprehension issues for some reason.

In reply to Brodak (msg # 236):

Clarence continues to follow, holding the light.

Mario keeps his place near the rear, watching behind.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 237):

There were two steps up to the top of the well, and Jareth mounts those and begins a descent into darkness. What grade light source does he have?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 240):

Clarence has a daylight strength continual light on his shield, as well as the light stone. He is following Jareth...

Nodwin takes up the rear.  He has loaded a light stone into his pistol crossbow, and is holding it in a hand in case he needs to illuminate something for the group.

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 242):

Given that Jareth is illuminated from behind, he is casting strong shadows on the steps below. The air current strengthens as you descend.

Jareth uses his own light stone keep his footing illuminated and examine each step all the way down.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 244):

The spiral stair descends into a small room with a step up to an openwork gate, from which a stiff breeze is blowing.

The step below the gate has some writing on it.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 245):

Clarence will step close to the writing to illuminate it, trying to ready it.

Nodwin takes a look through the gate.  Can they see what's behind it?

[Private to GM: Perhaps a judgement call, but he's tempted to fire a bolt through the gate with a light stone in it, so they can see what's in the next room or hall.  If it's a smaller area, maybe he will just toss one in.  He has at least 1-2 left over even after distributing some.]

Jareth glances around the room checking for anything unusual and sets Akimbo down to check for scents.


OOC:  23:08, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 10 using 3d6.  Akimbo Tracking 16.

23:06, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 9 using 3d6.  Quick look over of room.  Possible skills:  Observation/Search 13, Traps (Spotting) 15.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 248):

Aside from the runes written on the doorsill of the gate,there is nothing exceptional here at first glance.


A very faint, rythmic sound csn be hesrd through the grate.light from the assorted sources already shines out through the grste, illuminating a space with another set of grillwork accross.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 249):

"Gates and more gates. Let us first clear the other areas before opening up a bunch of gates."

Unable to really see toward the front, and still trying to keep watch to the rear, Mario responds to Clarence.

"Good plan.  Nothing sucks as bad as getting attacked at both top and bottom of a stair."

"Shhhhh.  Everybody, back upstairs.  Fy just going read this..."

Jareth crouches and muffles the lightstone to reduce it to just illuminating the doorsill as Akimbo climbs back up into a pocket.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 252):

Looks like the same sort of vile runes you dealt with before.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 253):

Clarence backs up...

"What is it?"

Jareth just motions for quiet and shoos everyone back upstairs.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 255):

Clarence backs up the stairs, concerned about some giant monstrosity about to come through the walls...

"bugger, bugger, bugger..."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:50, Sun 04 Oct 2020.

OOC  As the rearguard, I expect Nodwin was about the first one back up the stairs.  Staff in one hand, hand crossbow (loaded) in the other.

Mario exits the stairwell behind Nodwin, holding his light stone (attached to the upper nock of his bow) over the well to help others see their footing.

I assume we all come back up.

In reply to Brodak (msg # 259):

Once back up the spiral stairs, where do you head; only a few people can be in the stepwell room, so folks had to back down the narrow passage.

Jareth motions to the closest to huddle up and tries to get stragglers in the corridor to press in, he says softly, "T'e sill trapped with t'e cultist runes.  T'e drummin could be cultist, could be somethin else.  Nodwin we proved t'e barracks area secure, which was step one for today.  Do we continue explorin t'e sewer maintenance level, drag some corpses to oty?  Better secure our foothold up t'ere and get t'e alchemy set up, or go see what makin t'e noise downstairs before it becomes serious?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:38, Tue 06 Oct 2020.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 261):

"Wasn't that the same cult that crashed the street? Perhaps we should get some serious guys to deal with that threat, and just clean up nearer to home ourselves?"

"I thought it was Ludlow who collapsed the street."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:45, Fri 09 Oct 2020.

Nodwin ponders what Jareth suggests, and then asks.

"Could your little ermine avoid the bad runes and look in the room for us?  He seems to be a very effective little scout.  But I don't want to endanger him either.  I'd llike to know what we have down here, although given the narrow access point it's easy enough to block if we really need to.

If we do have cultists down there, it seems reasonable to assume they might be using that side passage for something nefarious."

"That's doable.  Akimbo can kip down t'e hall, peek, report back."

Jareth begins creeping down the stairs, he puts his lightstone away.  "Shield your lights, dim as possible."

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 265):

Clarence thinks for a bit.

"Ooh, he could have."

He begins shielding his lights, turning around the shield with the rugged lantern handing on it.

Mario looks at the light stone hanging from the nock of his bow, shakes his head, and then wraps his hand around it.

"These things can't just be turned down like a lamp."

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 267):

Akimbo, placed above the runes,darts into the corridor. A moment later it returns, pausing at the gate.

Images rush toJareth of a creaking sound accompanying the slow and steady slapping noise.  There is a breeze that smells faintly of death and a triangle shaped thing in a cage.

OOC Since they were not planning to discuss what Akimbo found in the room, Nodwin stays at the top of the stairs.  In his opinion they could talk about it much more safely out of earshot.

"Douse lights, stay here, keep eye out.  Mario, be ready to shoot, Clarence stay ready light up for Mario.  I go up, talk to Nodwin, it's cultists."

Mario quickly unties his light stone from his bow and stashes it in his pounch, checking to be sure little if any light leaks out -- then stands ready by the top of the stairs.

"Can't see anything down there.  Hope you're quick with that light, Clarence."  His whisper is barely louder than a breath.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 271):

"Always ready with the light."

In truth, the light on his shield was only 'hidden' because he put his hand on it, and the one in his headlamp was dulled because he held it against the shield. It was a rather comical position he had twisted himself in, and probably a little light leaked out regardless, but if he was startled and turned around, both would be once again revealed. Whether it was wanted or not...

Nodwin's lightstone was still in his pocket...

Reaching the top of the spiral stairs, Jareth waves teh crew over to huddle.

"Nodwin, ain't sure, but sounds like cultist work.  Death an weird thing in a cage.  No report any actual people.  We check it out, being close to this gate, or leave for later?"

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 273):

"Maybe report if for more capable guys to deal with...we don't want another street collapse!"

"We're pretty capable of bringing down these cultists.  Not many of them can keep fighting after they get an arrow through the heart, or throat, or eye.  The little guys with the big knives are the problem -- too close down here to shoot them at a safe distance."

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 275):

"or whatever they summon..."

"In that case, the sooner we take them down, the less problems we'll have."

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 277):

"If we are able to defeat them...if not, no one is warned."

"Ssshhh.  Let's listen a bit." Mario's voice is still just a breath.

Nodwin considers a moment, then answers the question.  "I don't see where we'll be any readier later than we are now.  Can we remove the runes and make the approach safe?"

OOC  Do you think Clean (Holy) would take care of the runes?

"Quietly?  No.  Easily enough step over."

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 281):

Clean (holy) coud work; qc of clean vs Inscribe. I thought thers was an Erase spell somewhere...

Jaareth starts heading back down, "Might try rinsin 'em away like did t'e ot'ers in t'e upper tunnels..."

Mario gives up his rear watch position to follow Jareth down the stairs, right hand still blocking (most of) the light from his light stone.

Nodwin suggests "Jareth, we cn try washing off the inscriptions, if you think it wise.  Otherwise, I will implore Vejovis to help us."

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 285):

Clarence waits until directed. Withholding light goes against his nature...

"Long as it be quiet.  Don't ken t'ere be nought down here, but Akimbo could be mistaken.  Best stealthy till sure.".

Jareth whispers as he approaches the gate.  He waves over Clarence and mimes removing his hands from the light, to let it shine forth completely.  He crouches and uses a water skin to try to rinse away the runes.




OOC: 15:16, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 13 using 3d6.  HazMat (Magical) 13.  Dealing with the runes "safely".

Mario tries to position himself to have a clear shot though the gate, in case something approaches while Jareth is working.  He takes his hand off his own light stone, so as to be able to hold his bow in ready position.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 288):

Jareth pours the water, but on this occasion, onlyba little grime flows away.
Beyond the gate, nothing can be seen to be moving.

[Private to Narrator: clean may work on these. A gelatinous cube is attracted by the light]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:39, Wed 28 Oct 2020.

Jareth whispers, "Stained in, could do it, but noisy.  Can Vejovis help on t'e quiet Nodwin?"



OOC:  gwythaint, your Private Line failed.. but we'll ignore it.  ;)

Nodwin nods quietly and approaches.  Laying his hands on the stairs with much care to not disturb the runes, he murmurs quietly to Vejovis to clean the evil markings.

[Private to GM: Made it by 3.
00:00, Today: Secret Roll: Nodwin Zideqick rolled 11 using 3d6.  Nodwin Clean (Holy) 14.]

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 291):

The runes shift as the dust on them is blown away, and warp into a different set of runes...

      3j3H 5@m 》0j][!>l

Nodwin cocks his head to the side, staring at the runes in front of him.  Then he motions for Jareth to come over and look.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 292):

Clarence just holds the light nervously...

"If readin right," he cranes his head around to read the upside down righting, "either t'e infernals ain't happy Vejovis castin t'em out an are leavin t'e mark, or Vejovis has weird sense humor."

He straightens up and takes a pull from his flask and rubs his temples, "But it's backwards... an upsides down... sigh.  Probably t'e demons."  And then as an after though he mutters, "Killroy" , and shakes his head.




OOC:  11:15, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 9 using 3d6.  Cryptography (Default*) 11 (IQ 15 - 5 Default* + 1 JoAT).

* Trivial codes are IQ -5 default ('1337 speak' is technically a trivial code), non-trivial codes default to Mathematics (Cryptography) -5, there is no general default for cryptography.

11:10, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 10 using 3d6.  History (Alternate World) 10?  I dunno, I'm making things up here but that sounds like a Mythos skill specialty if I ever heard one...

Nodwin's eyebrows furrow at Jareth's explanation, as he is confused by the answer.  He whispers to the sage in an effort to clarify the meaning.  "That's a good description, I suppose, but is it safe to use the stair?"

OOC  Nodwin will prepare to lead the way up the stairs if Jareth pronounces it safe.  And if something happens, he will step to the Zide Qickly.

OOC2  I'm sure Jareth is quite happy to have such a good zideqick watching his back.  I'm Watson to his Sherlock...

"No tellin but for to try," Jareth steps confidently onto the doorsill, and checks to see if either of his keys will work in the gate's lock...

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 297):

As you are on the third level down, your level 1 and 2 keys do not work. It is an average lock of a similar type, however.

Jareth pulls out the rolled up leather wallet that contain the bent pieces of wire that he calls lockpicks and starts to work.  After a long few minutes of him scratching about in the lock...




OOC:  16:34, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 9 using 3d6.  Lockpicking 10 ( Default 5 + 2 Extra Time + 3 Joat/Dabbler).  MoS +1.

Ew, having the Lockpicking default switch from IQ or DX to DX only really killed that skill for Jareth.

Mario, watching as Jareth fumbles with the lock, bites his tongue as he makes little pointing gestures behind Jareth's back, then settles down when the lock clicks over.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 300):

Clarence gives him light to work by.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 300):

The gate unlocks, and starts to swing noisily inward. The outer surface of the gate is freebof tarnish, and has a rough texture.

Mario cringes at the noise, raising his bow to cover the section of hallway beyond that he can see.

His voice barely a breath, "You'll never make it as a burglar, Jareth."

Nodwin squares up on Mario inquisitively (not aggressively).  You seem to have some skill with this, Mario.  Sneaky do you think, or should we go in with flaming weapons, ready to go?

Jareth leans out of the doorway to have a around where the gate and walls blocked off being able to see.  He looking for more evidence of whatever dissolved the metal of the gate.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 305):

Clarence, all lights now out, lights the way, checking to ensure his lanterns have oil and are ready, in case magic fails...

"Sneaky is almost always better.  If we can kill some of them before they know we're here, that's that many fewer we have to actually fight."

"Go ahead t'e flamin blade Nodwin, ain gonna give off light more'an Clarence.  But let's be shush like eh?"

Jareth waves Brodak forward and makes to follow him to watch for traps.


If we're at a crossroads, Jareth will point out the direction Akimbo went, towards the room with the noise.

Brodak steps forward, looking and sniffing as he goes, Axe ready.

Nodwin takes up the rear, with his staff in hand.

Mario falls in with the advancing group, near enough to front to be able to shoot past those ahead (though shooting around Gorgath can be a challenge).