Interlude 3: Operation Rescue

[kalstone]

I think we should definitely go with Randolpho's idea. Beyond that, I'm interested in exploring the spy or cult angle, or I'm ok with just heading back to Dwimmermount.

[Zorroroaster]

Seconded. Lets look into selling what we've got.

[drpete]

Seconded. Lets look into selling what we've got.

You're alive!

Note: There's some chance that this mentor would buy something, but generally speaking, we're not stepping around the timelines for trying to sell stuff. You'd need to decide if you wanted to hang around for an extended time. If winter turns out to be too brutal for you to go up and down the mountain, that might make sense to take a break and do it then, but it's not otherwise going to be easy to move the items you've got.

[drpete]

Alright, so Randolpho goes to meet his former mentor, to sound him out, and see if he wants to buy some of these magic items you've found. Hours pass, and he does not return.

What would you like to do?

In other words, something seems to have gone wrong. Just how wrong will probably depend on whether the player returns. You know that he was trained by the person he went to see, who is a skilled mage, but not a lot about the teacher.

[Zorroroaster]

Did he take the things he was wanting to sell with him, or are we holding the inventory? Apologies if that's a dumb question... we've been dormant long enough that my memory has gone dusty.

[drpete]

Let's say he didn't take any of the items. If he'd had anything it was one of the masks, but let's say he left it and went to go "feel him out" about the idea.

You can investigate, give him a few days to see if he returns (doing something else), or just leave without him, or whatever you like. I figure if things get back up and moving, there'll be a way to tie in the new folks, so I'm just trying to Jumpstart things. We can play out what happens on Randolpho's side when he returns. His last post was about recovering from an eye operation, I think, so he may be down for a bit...

[Zorroroaster]

Torgyr returns to the inn they are staying at, and throws himself down heavily into a chair near the fire. When Solaine joins him, he leans in and speaks in quiet tones, watching carefully for anyone paying them any undue attention.

"So I've been thinking. Let's give Randolpho a couple of days to see if he can organize the sale of some of our stuff. In the meantime, we should get busy ourselves. We need to be on the lookout for some fresh faces, stalwart folk willing to risk the return to Dwimmermount. Also, should we poke our noses into some of the goings-on we've witnessed around town or not? It might be best to just lie low, but I have to admit to suffering from a case of overactive curiosity."

[kalstone]

Solaine agrees. "We could use the help ... and the money. It's horrible what happened to Ranulf. Bringing him to Loiza's was a mistake. I blame myself."

"Perhaps Randolpho's mentor can give us some insight into what's going on in this city."

[drpete]

So how would you like to go about finding some fresh, stalwart faces? One simple possibility would be to go out to the local bars and look to strike up a friendship with like-minded folk. Alternatively, you can advertise, etc. Would you want to bulk up on henchmen, as well?

Note also that spending money on lifestyle stuff beyond what you need for basic survival here in Adamas will net you 1 xp for each 1 gp you spend on it, both for the current character and the reserve, so you may want to consider "living large" for a bit if you want to bank that xp.

[drpete]

Date: Euryale 5, 11:30 am
Season: Mid-Autumn
Weather: Cool and Clear
Moon phase: Waxing Crescent
Location: Crimson Moon Pub

The city has begun to buzz with a bit of energy. A big celebration is coming up in a few days, the celebration of the Day of the Dead is coming up. Torgyr and Solaine go out looking for muscle to bolster the party's numbers. Emm and Audi accompany them, while Steel goes out looking to find a buyer for the magic items.

The group stops in at a tavern near the gate for some lunch, and to scope out the locals. The place is relatively cheery, with a musician singing something in the back, and a number of burly looking folks having lunch. The atmosphere of the place seems jovial, and everyone is having a good time. Torgyr notes a group of tough looking men engaged in a conversation. One of them wears an Anesidoran Holy Symbol, and he seems to be involved in an a lively discussion with a couple of other men about the merits of farming vs hunting for a living.

[kalstone]

Solaine stands up and walks over to the table. To the man with the symbol of Anesidora she says, "Excuse me. I see you are a follower of Anesidora." She pulls an Anesidoran holy symbol from her backpack and presents it to him. "We recovered this from a fallen adventurer. We intended to return it to a temple of Anesidora. I regret that we were too late to provide assistance to your fallen sister brother, but I hope that you can take this to a place that will honor her his sacrifice."

[drpete]

Just a note... the holy symbol came off of the body of a bearded guy with chain mail and a shield. Emm is actually currently wearing that chain mail. Zim recognizes this holy symbol as belonging to a fellow cleric of Anesidora named Keef.

[Stirling]

Quinn Coburg explorer

Quinn is seated at a table in one corner. Short but stockily built, a mass of unkempt fair hair and 'Asterix' long moustache frame a youthfull face, sunkissed and weathered from the wilderness. Behind him stashed against a wall is a small wooden shield, embossed with an iron spoke and a backpack loosely covered by camo-patterened large cloak.

Quinn shakes hands with a gruff dwarf over an ale and after a brief chat he exchanges a horned helm for a few coins. " and don't forget to tell Bagrim its' all legit stuff. I swear its' honest Minotaur horn, seen the beastmen' myself on the last expedition" he calls to the departing dwarf.

Quinn settles back enjoying the festive mood of the inn.

[thirdkingdom]

Plud the Panivorous

"Ho there!" the fighter exclaims, "I see you are adventurers such as ourselves, yet judging by the condition of your arms and armor you have undoubtedly seen more action in the past few weeks than we have! I am Plud, called the Panivorous, and these are my comrades in arms. If you have a place in your company for such as ourselves we would gladly accompany you into whatever dark dungeon you are delving!"

I'm typically a fan of pretty smooth transitions when adding new members to the party. I had a bad experience a few years ago when I joined a game and the original players thought it would be a good idea to be suspicious of the new guy . . . which may make sense, I guess, from a role-playing perspective but really sucked as a PC.

[sulldawga]

Solaine stands up and walks over to the table. To the man with the symbol of Anesidora she says, "Excuse me. I see you are a follower of Anesidora." She pulls an Anesidoran holy symbol from her backpack and presents it to him. "We recovered this from a fallen adventurer. We intended to return it to a temple of Anesidora. I regret that we were too late to provide assistance to your fallen sister brother, but I hope that you can take this to a place that will honor her his sacrifice."

Zim says I know this symbol and I knew this man. 'Tis sad that's he fallen. Tell me, where is his body? I'd like to give him a proper burial if I can.

Suddenly, he jumps up out of his seat and extends a hand. But where are my manners? I am Zim of Anesidora, as you've gathered. Pleasure to meet you, and thanks for recovering this symbol. More than most would have done.

[kalstone]

Zim says I know this symbol and I knew this man. 'Tis sad that's he fallen. Tell me, where is his body? I'd like to give him a proper burial if I can.

Suddenly, he jumps up out of his seat and extends a hand. But where are my manners? I am Zim of Anesidora, as you've gathered. Pleasure to meet you, and thanks for recovering this symbol. More than most would have done.

Solaine takes his hand. "It is likewise a pleasure to meet you. We found your unfortunate friend's body in Dwimmermount. We were planning on retrieving it, along with one of his companions, when a medical emergency forced us to make a hasty retreat. It pains me to say that we had to leave him there. I apologize for that. I hope his symbol will provide you with some comfort."

[Lamech]

Holla! I'm gonna reset my dice roller password. My job sort of blew up in real life so that was a distraction.

[sulldawga]

Zim replies Perhaps you would allow me to accompany you when next you return to Dwimmermount. I would bring back his bones even, if I could. That and I am here, in part, to learn more about that place and what's inside.

[Zorroroaster]

Torgyr watches the men talk to Solaine, sees the eagerness in their faces, the call to adventure in the sound of their voices. He looks on with a mixture of regret and resignation. He clears his throat.

"It is a fell place. It is death. We have attempted to plumb it's depths many times now, and been repeatedly turned back. We've lost men on each foray, and barely seen inside the front hall. I daresay it will wipe the smiles from your faces soon enough, and likely more."

He pauses, looking down at the rough table.

"Still, it is a mystery that needs solving. It is an evil that needs ending. It has taken friends from us, and that needs answering. We will go back. We won't all return. Join with us, if you have the stomach for it."

[sulldawga]

I would go, says Zim. Sometimes we choose our destiny and sometimes our destiny chooses us. For better or worse, I think Dwimmermount is my destiny.

Which is not to say we need to be all morose about it. Let's have a drink and discuss the matter. Is it just the two of you? Should we find more like-minded souls?