I moved Kara to that thread.

Would we be interested in investigating this bandit issue further? If the supply lines are affected it could affect the stock available in store. Plus those bandits might have some items or tools that could be of use to our thief.

We are fairly familiar with the bandits, having had some dealing with them. Kara tried to create an economic alliance with them- supplies and goods that they could not get on their own in exchange for free passage- but was rebuffed angrily after making the suggestion.

The cons: The bandit leader is interested in stories about rats and has paid us for information about them (so hopefully the others have a chance to tell this most recent encounter, but also remember to talk about the rats that guarded the room to the earlier bandit.) If the bandit problem is dealt with, that source of income goes away. Also, we have run into quite a few bandits outside Stonehill, so their numbers might be a bit much to handle. We also are unsure how to get to their hideout save going through Stonehell itself, so might be weakened when finally reaching them (although there is a secret room available not that far away for resting and healing if enough supplies are brought).

The pros: They control an entrance and exit from Stonehell proper. While it would be nice to not have to pay the exorbitant toll they charge for using it, if they are removed, we would have nobody to operate the elevator (I am uncertain if Wyndham could climb up to use it). Still, leaving a hireling behind to operate the lift it would be far cheaper, or perhaps it could be left in a lowered state, or the lift removed and a rope left in its place. It would also provide ready access to the slime room, which we know is a very valuable commodity that has not been tapped to the extent it should have been. Simply going up and down to collect and sell it would be very lucrative, as it covered an entire cave wall.

I see, it certainly sounds we will need a larger force if we were to deal with the bandit issue. Has our group made any effort talking with the wardens? Although it does seem this issue may be best left as is for the moment.

We did not speak with the Warden Rangers in term of assistance against the bandits, no, just Athalgrim the town guardian (there is no town guardhouse), who said it was not the town's problem. Kara also asked him about bounties on bandits, but the response on the ghost/checkered bandit gang was also no.

msg #354 in the 'In search of Modnar's Tower' thread
"The fighter Athalgrim complained of a group of brigands known as the Ghost Beggars that lurked near to Stonehell. However he offered no reward saying they kept themselves away from Fourtower Bridge and he liked it that way. For problems outside of town it was the responsibility of the Warden Rangers, not his."


The only bounty available was on one separate, solo bandit named Harry. We brought back his head, but while gold was awarded for it, no xp was given for the bounty, so you might or might not consider it worthwhile if future bounties come up.

Thanks for that information. It sounds like if the supply lines continue to be interfered and it begins to severely affect the town then Athalgrim may be convinced to support the wardens. However if there is no guardhouse it sounds that there are not many other guards in the town that can be of assistance.

Gael does not have enough money to hire Eglantine. Perhaps he would be able to hire Preston and Kara would be able to hire Eglantine. Or if the rest of the party makes it back tonight another member could hire Eglantine.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:53, Tue 10 May 2022.

While we wait for the others, there is nothing but to share information. *L*

Preston is less expensive, but might also be out of your range until you find your first haul (Kara had to go in and out about 3-4 times before she had enough to hire him, but she started with the game with the absolute minimum of gold, so maybe you have a better starting egg?)
As it was, Preston was 12 gold per day. (Although he has was given a bit above that at times.)

It is clear I am not a good fit here. Rather than continue to try to force things, it is best for me to depart.

Thank you all for everything.

Thanks to the DM for putting in the time and effort to create and run all of this. It is an underappreciated job and I do not want to make it harder.

Thanks to my fellow players for putting up with me, my characters, and for the RP interactions. A pity there were not better farewell presents for you. ^_^;
This message was last edited by the player at 07:29, Wed 11 May 2022.

It’s a shame to see you go.

The only rule I really set here is that everyone is welcome to play whenever they want. I want the game to be open so that someone can come along, roll up a character and then play them as little or as much as they want to.

Sorry to hear that, hope i dint do anything to interrupt your game. I would have enjoyed the opportunity to roleplay with you more. I understand, I have had lo leave IRL groups before due to it not being a good fit. Hope you find what you are looking for.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Wed 11 May 2022.

I feel like I missed a thing or two. First I was surprised to read that Kara had stayed behind but then she posted that she had wanted to anyway. So fine, no big deal, we'll head back at the next opportunity and all that. But then she skedaddles anyhow.

Gael, no, you interrupted nothing at all. I enjoyed our brief interaction. But the realization had come even before you joined.

Derry, it is not that you missed anything, but that you were not privy to it. I just came to the game with different expectations and beliefs. The DM and I had an extensive set of PMs discussing a few of those things. He was kind in his responses, but ultimately the fact remains that his vision and my anticipations do not align with that of the game, and are not likely to align, so it is best to step away.

Wyndham, good luck on the giant ring!

DM, thank you again. Best of luck to you and your game, and I hope it continues well for many years. At this point though, please remove me. Thank you.

My 2c: Intelligent, principled people can often fall prey to stubbornness.

DM, can Devin use his roll from last round for his turn attempt this round?

Question for the party, we have 4 possible retainers offering to join. If everyone is maxed out on retainers, Gael has enough charisma to recruit all 4. 3 are asking for a half share of the treasure. The added carrying capacity and protection seem to be well worth the price. What does everyone think?

There is also Eglantine, she is asking for 20gp per day and no shares of treasure. Gael is however about 6 GP short to be able to hire her.

Also, I was wondering, have we explored the hexes surrounding fourtower bridge? or Just the hexes leading to Stonehell dungeon?
This message was last edited by the player at 23:23, Sun 15 May 2022.

In reply to Gael (msg # 29):
Wyndham can take on Eglantine, if he survives the cuuent outing. He has no other retainers.
He's also fairly new to the group -- he's been to stonehell once and the tower a few times now. Derry and Devin are the veterans.

There really hasn't been enough space to take advantage of a large party. We're going to sorely miss Kara's sleep spell.

Once Gael levels up he can take the light spell to blind enemies. Though this only works on a single target. I bet you are often encountering groups of enemies in the dungeon. Perhaps the healing spell would be more useful to the party?

Maybe we can check with Dagunn Rakel to see if she has any underlings who could assist.
Have we been looking only for fighter types?

In reply to Gael (msg # 32):

Singles that can squash all of us or groups that can annoy us. We're all first level and have been playing for years; I would measure any expectations you might have about level 2.

Aha, thanks for the heads up. I assumed everyone else here was at a higher level. No matter, low-level adventuring is just as fun. There's no rush.

If by low-level, you mean first level, then, yes. Devin and Wyndham might not be all that far away.

In reply to Wyndham (msg # 33):

The current retainers available were due to Kara's advertisement. She did not specify that we were recruiting any particular type of retainer. Though we could try next time.

In reply to Derry the Dwarf (msg # 36):

Ah, I noticed that oddity going through the B/X rules for the first time. I wonder why they made each class level up at a different amount of XP. Perhaps somehow it is for game balance?

In reply to Gael (msg # 38):
Wyndham's about 1/3 the way there.

In reply to Gael (msg # 38):

They must have thought that, yes.