Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2021

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Alethan
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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#61 Post by Alethan »

Rhybek nods in agreement, "I didn't sign on to be an escort service for a lumberyard. How about we see what else we can find here before you head back with your equipment and likely don't come back."
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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#62 Post by Spearmint »

'Blackjack' Amistad

"I made it quite clear in my recruiting that my primary concern was to salvage the equipment. I am happy to stay another couple of days and make the buildings secure if folk want a short jaunt. But further exploration beyond the tower is out of the question until I get back from the yard. There is also a 400 lbs lump cast silver block I am lead to believe from your reports. I was also expecting from the feedback that one of you might want to lay claim rights to the place and build a life here. Lug's Locale? Rhybek's Ribat? "

Amistad has seven days of rations so, saving two for the return journey will stay five days exploring locally and securing the kobold tower complex. At least this first morning he will gather the winching stuff and store it safely.

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#63 Post by Marullus »

Rhybek is able to inform the group that the pavillion contains the winching equipment, but that the block of silver was already hauled back to town. The pavillion to the northeast contained lizard-rats which were chased off previously. The adjacent millhouse contained moose-geese, and there were lizard-chickens on its roof. The horse stables to the west of the tower contained giant spiders of some sort.

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#64 Post by Rusty Tincanne »

Clay repeats that he would be useless with the wishing equipment. He thanks Blackjack for the ride to the tower, then asks again if Lug or Rhybak would like to check it the rest of the compound. We can take a few days if we want, to be thorough. The creatures that nest here aren't evil, but they are unnatural so I have no issue with destroying them. Clay suggests the group look through the attached sheds first.

One of the sheds was opened in the previous adventure here.
After the sheds, he'd be interested in looking in on the moose-goose barn.
If Blackjack wants the equipment, Clay won't out up a fuss. But I will point out OOC that when Clay asked for folks to go with him as he mapped where Beith's Watch is, he paid them for their services.
I think enough of us are interested in continuing that we don't need Blackjack or Achedany, though they're be welcome, of course.

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#65 Post by Zhym »

Lug chuckles. "You came all the way out here for wenches?" he asks. "Shoot, you can find those in any good tavern!" He guffaws, immensely impressed with his own lame joke.

"Seriously, though. I figure any loot is one-fourth mine. I ain't moving nothin' for you unless I get paid my share first."

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#66 Post by Spearmint »

'Blackjack' Amistad

"One fourth yours? but we have five companions here and Clarabelle takes a half share for all the good home cooking and service to the Badger-Man. Presently though your equal share of nothing is nothing, but let me give you an advance for your troubles. " he snorts tossing a gold piece to Lugs' boots and goes off to check out the pavilion with Achaedany.

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#67 Post by Rusty Tincanne »

Clay and Clarabelle both state they have no interest in the hardware that Blackjack came for.

If Lug and Rhybek want to haggle over it, it would be a there-way split. I'm happy taking any XP that might come from it though. ;)

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#68 Post by Alethan »

Rhybek is fine with clearing out the buildings.

"Where you wanna start, Clay? I might mention that the lizard-chickens on the roof might just lay golden eggs..."
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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#69 Post by Rusty Tincanne »

Clay leads the way to the sheds attached to the tower, starting with the one that was already opened. He readies Entangle and Clarabelle readies her bow.

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#70 Post by Zhym »

Lug joins Clay and Rhybek. "Your friend's a jerk," he tells them. "Do you guys work for him, or does he just act like it?"

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#71 Post by Alethan »

Rhybek shrugs, "I just signed up to head back here because I was bored and knew there might be more here worth checking out. Didn't really think about much more after that, though I didn't expect to be a non-paid escort. If he wants to head back on his own with his new equipment in tow, he's welcome to it. I'll think twice about signing up with him again, though..."
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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#72 Post by Zhym »

"I wanna see him try to get the stuff and carry it on its own," replies Lug. "That should be high-larious!"

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#73 Post by Spearmint »

July 15th Tavern lunch.

Amistad hears the wild tales of the farmer priest. He is more interested in the here and now and the on going building and further construction of his present logging empire.

"I have heard there is much to salvage in that old kobold tower. I would be happy to spend a few days to recover the equipment I need and also to help other folk dig out more leftover luxuries that these dwarves have laid aside so casually. My wagon and horse can be ready to leave on the morrow, if folk are interested to claim some rich pickings?"
'Blackjack' Amistad

Looks at the appearance of the man mountain like he finds a big tree worth felling. I think even the draft horse would baulk at carry such a rider, would he even fit into a Morlock tunnel?

"Sure Lug" says Amistad, "I'm picking up some salvage for my enterprise but if critters want to pick a fight I'll leave them to you."
This is the invitation post made to Rhybek and others that Amistad spoke in the tavern thread and the invitation to Lug to join the party. I PM'd folk with this in mind and Amistad has stated his desire to salvage the winch but promised to stay extra days to secure the buildings and search locally. I don't understand why folks would have a problem with that?

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#74 Post by Alethan »

Spearmint wrote:'Blackjack' Amistad

Confesses to the group, "You know I came here primarily to salvage the bronze winches which have been left in the adjoining warehouse building. They are of considerable value to my business. I wanted to secure them and return home as soon as possible with Achaedany as well. I am willing to scout with a group for a couple of days to secure the tower here but cannot venture to much into the unknown at this point, at least until the equipment is back at my yard. Then I would be up for further discovery."

So Amistad will want to load the cart with the winches if possible after breakfast.
The problem is that the above statement came across as "I got what I want and I'm headed back. I'll hang out a little first if you want, but not for very long, and I'm not really into it, then I'm headed back." Part of that is likely a challenge in translating meaning through straight text.

In retrospect, it might have been a better venture to offer 100gp per person for anyone willing to head out with him to retrieve the equipment and head straight back. Something I'll keep in mind should I want to do something similar in the future.
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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#75 Post by Marullus »

I'm fine with IC banter, but lets make sure it stays IC. Pulling in quotes is OOC. :) I don't want players to be upset, just characters.

Amistad bought the horse and cart to handle the winch. I impressed upon Amistad that it struggled to get here, and couldn't enter the forest. From my conversations with him, I understood his intent to be that he wanted to roleplay ditching the cart/horse before you all went further, and I told him that it was three days for him to get back. Thus, I read his post as "if you guys want to hold up for three days, I'll be back without the wagon" which seemed reasonable, as I just explained you were pretty well secured in the tower.

I see these options:
  • You handle the known threats with him and Achaedany before they leave, then we fast-forward (pending feasible encounter checks) until his return. You consume 3 days rations and then move onward.
  • You handle the known threats while Amistad and Achaedany leave with the wagon. It gives you three days to handle them before he gets back.
  • You handle the known threats with or without him, then depart into the woods once he's gone rather than agreeing to wait for his return, adventuring on as a smaller party.

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#76 Post by Zhym »

I'm posting this OOC because IC it gets filtered through Lug's personality, which may not be helpful. But to me, the issue is accounting: are the winches group loot or not? If it is, is Amistad planning to pay the others for their share of the value of the winches now or later? If later, how do we know he's good for it? Or does he think those winches are his alone? That's what raises the issues, IMO—that Amistad thinks the rest of the group was just his free hired help to go get "his" winches. We're in this for shares of treasure, so a PC saying "Imma just take my winches and go," sounds like trying to skip past the whole group treasure split thing.

Although this is all quite a fuss over 100 gp worth (in materials) of heavy equipment. For 80 gp (less, if Archedany and others aren't too picky about their shares), the issue goes away. :)

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#77 Post by Rusty Tincanne »

Clay and I have no issue with Blackjack's priorities, but Clay doesn't share them, is all. Clay just can't help much and as I said, he doesn't need a share of the equipment.

To me, it seems up to Blackjack what happens. Does he want to come back to venture into the wilderness? If so, options 1 or 2 are fine. Perhaps he can return with more rations though. If he wants to explore the outbuildings, we can hand-wave 3 days I suppose.

If he isn't interested in heading into the woods, then I am fine doing what we seem to be doing, which is to just start exploring the yard as he gets the equipment.

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#78 Post by Marullus »

Amistad just invested 200gp to buy a new horse and a cart so he could roleplay coming and picking up 100gp in lumbering winches which aren't mobile otherwise. Without his horse/wagon, the group gets nothing from the winches. I'll back him up by agreeing that his 'expedition pitch' was pretty clear - he was coming to get the winches, the party can fight/collect other treasures. That said, treasure distribution is always an IC thing, if you all want to argue about it amongst yourselves.

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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#79 Post by Marullus »

Clay leads Rhybek and Lug around the base of the tower, checking first the shed built against its west side, then against its north side. They carefully ready weapons and fling open the doors, only to find the sheds remain derelict and empty since Rhybek and the group last came and opened them. Nothing new has inhabited them.

Meanwhile, Amistad and Achaedany harness Chocolate and lead the draft horse over the beaten trailway from the tower to the pavilion at the far edge of the tower's clearing near the forest where the winching equipment is said to reside. They almost reach the pavilion when the packed earth of the path collapses abruptly under Amistad's feet, tumbling him down into a pit and onto a haphazard arrangement of half-buried wooden spikes. (-5) Achaedany sees him fall before her and reigns in Chocolate to prevent any harm to the horse.

The rest of the group is alerted by his surprised yell, and can see Achaedany lowering a rope to help him out of the pit. (The groups are a significant distance apart, but within line of sight.)

Date: 9:00am, 18 July 2021
Light: Daylight (outside)
Distance: None
Injuries: Amistad (minor damage)


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Re: Expedition: Blackjack/Return to Kobold Tower - 16 July 2

#80 Post by Zhym »

When Lug hears Amistad's almost comical yell and fall,* he shakes his head and scoffs. "Moron."

"So, on to the next building, or do you two feel like you gotta help the jerk?"

* I'm imagining a Wilhelm Scream. :D
Marullus wrote:Amistad just invested 200gp to buy a new horse and a cart so he could roleplay coming and picking up 100gp in lumbering winches which aren't mobile otherwise.
Amistad's bad business sense isn't Lug's problem. :D If Amistad wants help retrieving the winches, Lug's happy to help for a share of their value. If Amistad doesn't want to give Lug anything for his effort, Lug figures it'll be fun to watch Amistad try to get them by himself.
Last edited by Marullus on Thu Nov 02, 2017 6:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Edited to add helpful URL. :)

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