IC

[shaidar]

Newton makes himself as respectable as he can in a couple of minutes.

"I'll speak for us if you all want me to, but I'm not bothered if someone else wants to do it."

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Seventhday
Bastion

Hungry and still tired, but having slept some, the adventurers are led by a squad of city watch through the labyrinthine streets. It's still cold, although all of the snow has melted, but the air smells like more snow, and the skies are leaden gray with cloud cover. The Baroness's seneschal is a tall, slender woman with alabaster skin and red hair. Her office is large and orderly, and there's a fire crackling in the fireplace. She regards the adventurers seriously after everyone has had a seat.

"My name is Elhro Arcaphia, and I am the Baroness's seneschal, tasked with the day to day running of the Barony. Your . . . escapade . . . from earlier this morning has gone up the chain of command, it might seem. The Mayor of Bastion was disappointed she could not be here in person, but she is dealing with other matters. We are . . . not sure what to do with you. You certainly did a great service to the city, but you did so in a manner that was . . . " she considers for a long while before speaking, "potentially ill-advised. We are a community of Law, here, and do not take kindly to armed strangers conducting running battles in out city streets. I will give you the opportunity, therefore, to explain yourselves, and your thinking, before passing judgement upon you."

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

Feargus is slow to rise but when in front of the Seneschal, he does his best to turn on the charm. "Thank you for seeing us, My Lady. Indeed it was a difficult fight against the beast and we feel incredibly honored to be the adventuring group to banish the grip of Chaos from this place. I have no doubt that your guardsmen will now be able to maintain the presence of Law. In addition we are more than willing to hear of any other opportunities where we can be at service to the Baroness."

[shaidar]

Newton

"Madam Seneschal. I would just like to add that our our sole thoughts were to assist your good people and prevent any further deaths. We meant no disrespect to the Baroness or the rule of Law."

[thirdkingdom]

Seneschal Arcaphia

The seneschal purses her lips as she makes some notes on a piece of parchment with an ornate quill. "Very well," she says, "that is in line with what my other sources tell me. The Baroness is not displeased with what you did, but neither is she exactly thrilled at how you went about it. There was no reward for the slaying of this beast, as we had hoped to handle the matter internally. Having seen it, and having heard the descriptions of its abilities, I am not sure we would have ben able to do so, at least not without a greater loss of life. Therefore, I have been authorized to grant each of you a single boon. You have some time to think over your request, should you need the time, and you need not claim the boon now."

http://orokos.com/roll/752867: 2d6+2 9
Here's what I'm going to do. The creature was a modified stirge demon from the Tome of Horrors. You'll get XP from killing it, as normal, but as it had no treasure (and I want you guys to level at a fairly regular pace) you will each get a bennie. PCs get the full bennie, henchmen half the value. Some possibilities would be:

*Notoriety (2500 XP)
*500 gold
*An item or items totalling not more than 1000 gold (including minor magical items)
*Access to the library of the Baroness's wizard for one week.
*A letter of introduction from the Baroness that can be used throughout thecourts of the Scarlet Principality.
*Resurrecting a recently dead comrade.
*An uspecified IOU.
*Something else.

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus drops to one knee and lowers his head, arm across his chest. "The Baroness' wisdom spoken through you, my lady, does not surprise me. My choice of a boon is obvious to me. My footman, the loyal Goshawk fell protecting my body as it lie comatose on the cold paving stones. Does her grace have access to the divine power to return him to the land of the living. I understand the cost, yet this is the boon I ask."

As much as I'd like to subvert expectation and leave Goshawk dead, it doesn't seem like that is what Feargus would do.

[shaidar]

Newton bows

"Milady, in our line of work reputation is very important, so I simply ask that you link my name with the defeat of the beast"

Ribar

"I too would like my name linked with this success, so that more may know the good works that Manifest and his priests are doing"

A bit boring, but at this stage I think notoriety (and XP) is important while we are building the groups reputation

[thirdkingdom]

Feargus drops to one knee and lowers his head, arm across his chest. "The Baroness' wisdom spoken through you, my lady, does not surprise me. My choice of a boon is obvious to me. My footman, the loyal Goshawk fell protecting my body as it lie comatose on the cold paving stones. Does her grace have access to the divine power to return him to the land of the living. I understand the cost, yet this is the boon I ask."

As much as I'd like to subvert expectation and leave Goshawk dead, it doesn't seem like that is what Feargus would do.

Seneschal Arcaphia

The woman nods at his words. "I will talk to the Earthspeaker this afternoon, but be aware that such attempts are not always successful, nor are they without risk. The Dry Lands, which is, incidentally, where my advisors tell me the demon you fought came from, can scar a spirit that lingers there overlong."

[VonAlric]

Gardo

"Well, my father always said you could always buy a reputation with gold. Seems like I can have a reputation and save myself some coin. Besides, I struck the killing blow, people need to know that."


Notai

"For now, I travel with Gardo. The dust of our steps are the same. I will be known for the the slaying of the spawn of Chaos."

[thirdkingdom]

Gardo

"Well, my father always said you could always buy a reputation with gold. Seems like I can have a reputation and save myself some coin. Besides, I struck the killing blow, people need to know that."


Notai

"For now, I travel with Gardo. The dust of our steps are the same. I will be known for the the slaying of the spawn of Chaos."

Oooh, nice post for Notai!

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Seventhday
Bastion

The meeting with the seneschal completed, the adventurers return to the Folly, eat a meal, and retire to continue their rest.

Fourthmonth, Eighthday
Bastion

The adventurers rise in the morning to find that a blanket of new snow covers the ground. It has snowed again in the night, depositing perhaps four inches on the narrow streets and steep roofs of the town. It is still cold, but the sky is clear.

The Temple of C'thronun is carved into the very mountain itself, through a winding tunnel that looks as though it has not been worked by the Hands of Man. The Earthspeaker is a gaunt man of middling height, his skin the grey of the stone from which the temple is held. "The Weight of the Mountains has seen fit to bring your friend back to life," he says, "although the warrior is week, and will need time to recover. You may go and see him, though, if you would like."

Goshawk is found in a small rock-walled chamber of natural stone, almost a monk's cell. A trio of candles have been adhered to the rough surface of the walls, and he lies upon a mattress of straw ticking. The warrior is pale and wan, but struggles to get rise up on his elbows as Feargus enters the room. "You yet live," he says, hoarsely, "I had feared that I let you down, and the priest who brought me back to life could not or would not tell me more. Tell me, did you defeat that fell creature?"

Using the rules from p. 50 of the OSE Advanced Genre Rules, there's a percentage chance determined by the character's Con score. I'd like to fiddle with these some, but for the time being we'll use it as written. Goshawk has a Constitution of 10, which gives him a 75% of making it back across the Veil: http://orokos.com/roll/753069: 1d100 30
Success! His Con is reduced by 1, though, down to 9.
According to the raise dead spell (p. 75, OSE Core), the newly risen character has 1 hp, moves at half their normal speed, cannot carry heavy items, attack . . . basically, they need two weeks bed-rest before being able to adventure again.

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Eighthday
Bastion

Later in the day, after visiting Goshawk, the adventurers are approached by the seneschal. "I hear your friend is recovering. That is good news. I do not know what you plan while he recovers, but if you are looking for work I have a task that you may be well-suited for: one of out outlying communities was attacked by ogres recently, and while the damage was not great we would like that threat eliminated. You would be compensated handsomely for your work, I can assure you."

[shaidar]

Fourthmonth, Seventhday
Bastion

The meeting with the seneschal completed, the adventurers return to the Folly, eat a meal, and retire to continue their rest.

Fourthmonth, Eighthday
Bastion

The adventurers rise in the morning to find that a blanket of new snow covers the ground. It has snowed again in the night, depositing perhaps four inches on the narrow streets and steep roofs of the town. It is still cold, but the sky is clear.

The Temple of C'thronun is carved into the very mountain itself, through a winding tunnel that looks as though it has not been worked by the Hands of Man. The Earthspeaker is a gaunt man of middling height, his skin the grey of the stone from which the temple is held. "The Weight of the Mountains has seen fit to bring your friend back to life," he says, "although the warrior is week, and will need time to recover. You may go and see him, though, if you would like."

Goshawk is found in a small rock-walled chamber of natural stone, almost a monk's cell. A trio of candles have been adhered to the rough surface of the walls, and he lies upon a mattress of straw ticking. The warrior is pale and wan, but struggles to get rise up on his elbows as Feargus enters the room. "You yet live," he says, hoarsely, "I had feared that I let you down, and the priest who brought me back to life could not or would not tell me more. Tell me, did you defeat that fell creature?"

Newton nods "It's dead, Gardo lopped of it's head. I'm glad to see you alive again. Feargus was crestfallen at your death, as were we all"

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Eighthday
Bastion

Throughout the day the adventurers, as they move through the town, hear tales of their exploits on the tongues of the townsfolk. Drinks are free at taverns, they are approached at random for handshakes, or handed delicate alpine flowers by shy lads and maidens. More than once each adventurer catches a glimpse of a man or woman eyeing them appreciatively.

It seems the seneschal's word is good, and she has instructed those under her command to spread word of their deed throughout the community.

[VonAlric]

Fourthmonth, Eighthday
Bastion

Later in the day, after visiting Goshawk, the adventurers are approached by the seneschal. "I hear your friend is recovering. That is good news. I do not know what you plan while he recovers, but if you are looking for work I have a task that you may be well-suited for: one of out outlying communities was attacked by ogres recently, and while the damage was not great we would like that threat eliminated. You would be compensated handsomely for your work, I can assure you."

Gardo

"Our plans were to continue our task for the Prince to reopen the road North and make contact with some place called Kimmy or such. This would probably benefit you as well. You speak of compensation, that always gets my attention. Can you give me, and my comrades, some more info to go on?"

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Eighthday
Bastion

Later in the day, after visiting Goshawk, the adventurers are approached by the seneschal. "I hear your friend is recovering. That is good news. I do not know what you plan while he recovers, but if you are looking for work I have a task that you may be well-suited for: one of out outlying communities was attacked by ogres recently, and while the damage was not great we would like that threat eliminated. You would be compensated handsomely for your work, I can assure you."

Gardo

"Our plans were to continue our task for the Prince to reopen the road North and make contact with some place called Kimmy or such. This would probably benefit you as well. You speak of compensation, that always gets my attention. Can you give me, and my comrades, some more info to go on?"

Seneschal Arcaphia

"We have already offered a bounty of 25 alcedes per ogre head. I can offer a further one thousand gold if this threat is eliminated in full. There may be other, less . . . tangible rewards, should it go well. I will have to speak to the Baroness."

[VonAlric]

Gardo

At some point in the day when Aldus reveals his desire to turn and do something different, Gardo will turn to speak to Wulfka.

"Wulfka. I know you were excited to leave the farm behind and start a new life. You have shown that you have talent to fight and defend yourself. There is so much more that you can learn. I offer you this; come join me and allow me to teach you more about fighting. You have seen my skill, give me the chance to show you more. Same deal with treasure that you had with Aldus."

"You are already getting noticed. Our group will only get more and more fame. Staying with us helps you reach whatever goals you have. What say you? Will you accept my offer?"

[thirdkingdom]

Gardo

At some point in the day when Aldus reveals his desire to turn and do something different, Gardo will turn to speak to Wulfka.

"Wulfka. I know you were excited to leave the farm behind and start a new life. You have shown that you have talent to fight and defend yourself. There is so much more that you can learn. I offer you this; come join me and allow me to teach you more about fighting. You have seen my skill, give me the chance to show you more. Same deal with treasure that you had with Aldus."

"You are already getting noticed. Our group will only get more and more fame. Staying with us helps you reach whatever goals you have. What say you? Will you accept my offer?"

Wulfka

"Very well, I will do that gladly. I have no desire to retire and farm emus, like Aldus."

http://orokos.com/roll/753272: 2d6+1 8

[The_Wanderer]

"Our plans were to continue our task for the Prince to reopen the road North and make contact with some place called Kimmy or such. This would probably benefit you as well. You speak of compensation, that always gets my attention. Can you give me, and my comrades, some more info to go on?"

Feargus
"Indeed. We are not here alone as we travel with a delegation from Rhea's Ford and I do not know if they will stand by to wait for two weeks. I would propose that we continue our current push northward to Kimrid and then return for Goshawk and see if you need further assistance with these Ogres."

[VonAlric]

Wulfka

"Very well, I will do that gladly. I have no desire to retire and farm emus, like Aldus."

Gardo

"Good. Then let me start your training now. Shiny armor is okay, clean armor is better, cared for armor is best. Don't preen. Shiny armor can bring attention that you don't want. Also, it has a bad tendency to reflect light when you don't want it to, especially when you are trying to sneak up on people or things you're trying to take out."