The Wooden Keep

[Thebadgamer98]

Can the presence of the Cleric of Baudh have any positive impact on the roll?

[Marullus]

It is determined by two things: Your disposition/status with the ArchDuke (Friendly, Indifferent, Dubious, Unfriendly, Hostile) and your Charisma. He is initially Dubious until moved otherwise by your interactions, so that's the same for both of you. There's no inherently better disposition for being a Cleric of Baudh. You are slightly more likeable (i.e. CHA) than the surly dwarf (though neither of you are prepared for polite social circles).

[Dram]

Neegan- Good day fine sir. I have taken on the mission to free your lands of the Orb of Endless Suffering. I am asking for aid by either letting me have some of your men or coin to buy mercenaries so that we may safely escort the orb to the dwarven spirals. As of now there is only 3 in my party. He relays the details of the Orb. Unless he states that he is aware of them.


4die6 roll[4d6] = 12

[Marullus]

19 August 2021

The ArchDuke listens, his face impassive, as you plead for his soldiers to undertake a dangerous expedition under your leadership.

"I have already ordered that this orb not be permitted to enter Gaul... if you have violated that order, you already face dire consequence," his voice has an edge as he lets that hang in the air for a moment, then he continues on without making you respond. "I find you... uninspiring, Master Dwarf. If you have taken custody of this cursed orb, then that is upon you. It shall never enter the walls of this city, as I told the... badger. What you choose to do with it is your own doom."

He considers a moment, then continues, his tone more conciliatory. "Your pathway is east of the river, is it not? Perhaps you could appeal to Bremen of the White Tower to aid you. Tell him he has my permission as my vassal to do so within the land he manages, if he wishes to provide you such aid with his own men."

"Whatever you choose, I would do it swiftly... the guardsmen who ventured west speak of a werewolf which pursues the orb, while the mercenaries who just returned from the north woods speak of a prophecy of your failure spoken by their augurs. All the dark powers of the northlands take interest in your course and where it goes... beyond and, as I said, never through, my city."

[Dram]

Neegan- Good sir, The Orb is being held at Bieth's Watch. Till I have the numbers to take on such a task cause you say there many evil entities after this Orb. I will surely fail if I attempt to take it now. May we at least have a escort of your guardsmen to your border of the dwarves? I shall seek aid from Lord Bremen at Beiths Watch. He Bows to the archduke and leaves. He turns back to the duke. My apologies sir, if you need me I will be at the tavern.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Winnie purchases the chipped black obsidian (10 GP)

[Zhym]

4 September, 2021

Olaf, Son of Olaf, Son of Olaf enters the keep. A sack is in his hand.

"Who do I be seeing about rewards for killing gob?" he asks. "I be having the head o' the gob chief Guhra in this bag. Killed a bunch more gobs, too."

[Marullus]

Sometime between 04 August and 04 September...

Olaf (and the others) are escorted in to the throne room to see the ArchDuke and Sir Albrecht. "I understand you've dealt with Guhra and her threat, with finality? Tell me the tale of how this was done."

[Zhym]

Olaf takes a deep breath and tries to remember what happened.

"We be going to tower," he explains. "Witch that be with us, she be talking to critters. Critters be saying where back way into tower be. We be going that way." He leaves out any information on where that back door is. The tower belongs to the dwarves now; it's not right to give away their secrets. "Back door, it lead to rooms with gnolls. We be killing the dog things." Olaf pauses for a moment, remembering the slaughter. He decides not to mention the women and pups. Or the runt that he killed.

"We be fighting through dungeons. Fight gobs. Fight a fire thing. Fight a black pudding beastie that kill the witch woman. The other witch woman be bringing the other woman back to life. There be much arguing and crying. After that, we being going back to Gaul. Got us ambushed by bandits in the forest. Chased 'em off, but barely."

"We rest, then be going back. Use the back door again. Fight lots more gobs. Drunil, he accidentally be wishing a door to Idmi d'dum. We explore wizard rooms. Door go asplode in me face. Chest go asplode in me face. Second chest, I open with spear. It go asplode, but not in me face. Then we find room where invisible beastie be attacking. Earc, he attack big picture and wizard fall out. Hagaseth, he be. Been in that picture since Duval, son of Duveth, son of Jabal, nephew of Jarkul, he be alive and boss of the tower."

"Then we fight up tower. Earc, he drink potion so we canna see him. Go up trapdoor, but he forgot about light he be holding. So do we, but we be looking right at him! Gobs see him, they raise alarm. Lots of gobs and wolves be waiting for us at next floor. So I be drinking potion, make me strong as giant. Throw barrels o' fish at the gobs. Surprise 'em good! Except I not be so good at throwing barrels of fish. Kill gobs with sword instead. Funil and Drunil, they be fighting next to me."

"Next floor, I kick door down. Gobbo shaman be waiting for us with more gobs. He try to make it dark, but Earc, he make it light. Gobbo wizard be not ready for that! Then gobbo wizard try to make me freeze, but I don't! We kill him!"

"Floor up from that have more gobbos. They be thinking they surprise us. I throw a table at them! That surprise them! We kill lots more gobs!"

"Last floor, that be Guhra, her and her henchgobs. They be pouring oil down steps when Halfpint be scouting. Earc, he make Funil and Drunil and Halfpint invisible. They sneak up, careful, while me and Hereward, we be making noise. I be going up and throw vat at gobs! Earc be killing Guhra with magic! I be killing four gobbos with one swing! Other gobbos, them that still live, they be running away. Tower be empty, Guhra be dead." He holds the sack in front of him. "Here be her head."

"...that be the story," he concludes.

[Alethan]

OOC: Oh! You're having a busy week, Zhym; you didn't have to do the writeup. But thanks!

[Alethan]

Earc nods at each point of the story, trying to interject here and there, but is unable to get a word in past the fast-but-rudimentary-talking dwarf.

When Olaf ends his story, Earc is finally able to speak and adds, "We have Guhra's head in an oilcloth bag outside, if you need to see it for proof of our deeds."

[Marullus]

He furrows his brow, trying to follow the dwarf's tale. "So, it now has a wizard, named Hagaseth, and belongs to the dwarves?"

"Who were all your companions in this quest?"

[Alethan]

Earc replies, "I headed the expedition. Olaf, Halfpint, and Hereward volunteered to join me. We contracted two dwarfs from Idmi d'dum, Funil and Drunil, Florian from the Chapel of Baudh, and... er... Steve... the fighter... to join us."

"While exploring the lower levels, we came across a well-hidden laboratory and study of a wizard named Hagaseth. He worked closely with the dwarven community when Duval, son of Duveth, son of Jabal, nephew of Jarkul, was the reigning king. He had apparently disappeared one day, without word or trace of his existence. We found him, stuck in a place of no time, as it were, the result of a failed spell it seems. We inadvertently freed him and he... well, he lays claim to the tower, siting agreements with Kind Duval, son of Duveth, son of... well, you get it."

"I'm surprised you haven't heard of him, though, as I told him about Gaul and about your lordship and suggested it would benefit him to approach you and explain his presence. Apparently he did not do that..."

[Zhym]

"Tower always be belonging to the dwarves. And wizard," asserts Olaf. "The gobs be trespassers."

[Marullus]

"Quite so, Master Dwarf," the ArchDuke concedes. "Word has indeed reached me about the... fusion with I'didmi'dum and the reappearance of this wizard, Hagaseth. Your report is credible and aids me in choosing my course as these events adjust our diplomatic relations."

With a nod to Sir Albrecht, he continues. "But the passage south is cleared of its most immediate goblin threat and these fortuitous events make it easier for the dwarves and humans to secure our collective futures in this land as a result. Gaul is grateful to you, who have achieved the first great task to which I put my name, and before the last caravans arrive, bringing the supplies for winter. All of Gaul, indeed, owes you a debt."

"A debt to be paid in gold from my treasury and also in honor, from my people." Sir Albrecht brings forward two chests of gold coins. "Two thousand gold coins as a reward for your efforts. Plus, each of you thus named as stakeholders in this effort - Earc, Olaf, Halfpint, and Hereward - have proven yourselves worthy in this realm. You are entitled to hold lands as vassals (which this money may aid) and, if you swear your vows in the chapel of Baudh, be named Knights of the Realm. You are invited to speak with Sir Albrecht about where you wish to exercise this claim and expand the lands here in the North."

[Alethan]

Earc steps forward, bows his head, and says, "You honor us with your offer, your highness. I would accept your offer, so long as it does not impact my fidelity to Euranna. And I already have a deed of land from your lordship, so I know not if your offer would affect that deed or if it might add to it? I would leave that up to you to decide."

OOC: Can Earc be a Knight of Baudh and worship Euranna? Or how does that work out? And how would receiving a plot of land affect the deed he already has? Would it reduce his costs on it? Or would it add land to his existing plot? He's fine with either...

[Marullus]

Titles and Ranks

[Alethan]

Titles and Ranks

Soo... that's a no.

[Marullus]

I've updated the post. He can't be a Knight (Sir Earc) but he can be Lord Earc and still worship Eruanna. It requires that he man a garrison, though. Game Announcement pending.

[Marullus]

Now that I've posted the proposal, I'll provide more clarity here.

"Plus, each of you thus named as stakeholders in this effort - Earc, Olaf, Halfpint, and Hereward - have proven yourselves worthy in this realm. You are entitled to hold lands as vassals (which this money may aid) and, if you swear your vows in the chapel of Baudh, be named Knights of the Realm. You are invited to speak with Sir Albrecht about where you wish to exercise this claim and expand the lands here in the North."

Earc, Olaf, Halfpint, and Hereward are invited to swear to Baudh and become Knights. (Optional)

They are ALSO invited to claim some hexes on the map, establish a garrison to civilize it, and be named a Lord/Lady. This must be done outside of Gaul/Frogmorton, but is otherwise open.