Barrowmaze IV: Delving for Power and Glory

[Spearmint]

Helix Village, Duchy of Aerik.

8.00am: Sunshine, light breeze.
Lanterns carried by Drew, Truro & Gnimish.

The Barrowmaze crew enjoy a breakfast of a few rashers of bacon, saved from the recent hog roast, fresh eggs cooked sunny side up and crusty bread dripping with lashings of local honey. Truro gives thanks and commits the next adventure in the hands of Ygg.

The plan seems much the same as before; trek overland via the now familiar Standing Stone Camp, enter the Barrowmaze through the Silas Bear sarcophagus and attend to various options to explore. Beyond the metal doors perhaps or investigating the flaming death Knight. Will anyone ever knock down the bricked up wall to search the iron cobra room? Those thirsty for adventure may quench their unbridled desire in the Bacchus Ale Pools or perhaps pit their wits against more of Arnaud's contraptions, portcullises, teleports, pits of spikes or sacrifice.

Outside the town crier tolls his bell announcing the days news. Waiting in the square are six men. They each carry a longbow, broadsword and round shield. The shields, freshly painted in sky blue and green quarters bearing an embossed centre with a minotaur head design. It is the symbol of Osen's mercenary guild.

"With compliments of the Guildmaster. We're to accompany you safely to the Barrows." It seems the extra bribe to second the clerics has brought additional favour.

their instruction is to accompany you to the Barrows then to retreat to the SS camp, staying overnight and returning the evening of the second day. So consider them a reserve option should you need them.

actions and comments as you make the trek.

I will hold here to confirm Isvand's status as he levels up or dual classes.

[OGRE MAGE]

Didn't like my play on words?

[sastaz]

I love the smell of ale pools in the morning.

[sastaz]

As they travel, Gerdal inquires:

"I don't think you ever told me the story behind these burrows and how you ended up here in the first place?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven is surprised by the sight of the mercenary escorts but gladly accepts their aid. “That minotaur symbol is so cool, you guys! So, what do you think of your boss, Osen? Have any of you been out on the moors before?”

The mage has a tentative game plan in mind for the maze, but he will wait for a while before he shares his thoughts with the others until he has some time to feel out these escorts.

“Is everyone ready to set out?”

Not sure who Gerdal is talking to.

I will finish up with any last minute purchases in my next post.

[Rex]

Orgoth

"I am ready to set out."

He will go around and introduce himself to all the mercenaries.

[sastaz]

Not sure who Gerdal is talking to.

She's asking Sven, Isvand and Orgoth. As they travel. Maybe we haven't set off yet, I'm unsure. If that's the case, I'll ask when we have.

Thing is, I really don't know a lot about the barrows and rumors surrounding them, and could not find a lot of rumors in the various threads.

[Rex]

Orgoth

"I didn't know much about the moors or the mounds, still don't really. I was traveling through villages looking for work, mostly working as a laborer. Then I met Sven, the rest is history I guess."

[OGRE MAGE]

“So, what do you think of your boss, Osen? Have any of you been out on the moors before?”

I was hoping for an answer on this before we leave.

(if you're getting bored looking up grappling rules, that is)

[Spearmint]

Barney, who seems to be the spokesman for the mercenerary group answers the question.

"Most of us have been once at least. Though none with much success. We know the risks, some of us bear the scars.

But we are faithful men and will stand any ground with you.

Osen seems fair minded. Treats his men well, gives everyone a clean slate. I know the Mercenary Guild had a bad reputation but he is sitting out the chaff and undisciplined. He hopes to get some formal recognition as a Duchy Militia, so we train for that enrollment also."

[sastaz]

(if you're getting bored looking up grappling rules, that is) [/ooc]

Trying to understand the grappling rules is like staring into the Abyss...

[redwarrior]

Isvand is ready to hit the road! (he did go the thief route- though I need to record the thief skills)

The grappling rules aren't bad. They were just edited for crap.

[Spearmint]

Silas Barrow: Barrow Mounds, South of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

May 20th 1066.

3.00pm.
Lanterns: Drew, Gnimish & Truro.
Everlit Candle: Sven.

After several hours of constant trek through waterlogged and boggy trails, halting only briefly to reconnaissance around the Standing Stone camp and then pressing on, the party make the Barrow Mound fringe without incident (and with several favourable random rolls).

The Barrow Moor has been strangely quiet. Very rare did birdsong or frog croak break the silence. No screams, barks or screeches. Even among yourselves only whispered conversations take place. The misty veil, impenetrable and foreboding as always.

Barney and his crew withdraw back to the stony high ground, intent on camping there overnight and being a backup should the need arise. You sense he is glad to retreat to a seemingly defensible position though six men, however well armed are a poor man's stronghold in the forsaken wilderness.

I am presuming here you would prefer not to have them in the Silas mound to keep knowledge to a minimum.

Standing in front of the now familiar excavated area of the sealed portal, the remains of skeletal guardians largely the same pile. Some bones naturally displaced but you reason scavengers are likely to pick at remnants of any exposed, even rotting flesh. It is quiet, footsteps echo, even your own heartbeats faintly heard beating with excitement and apprehension.

actions please as you enter the tomb or decide to explore elsewhere.

Power & Glory to SS camp. [1d6]=3 [1d6]=3 [1d6]=3 [1d6]=4Power & Glory: trek from SS camp to Silas BM . [1d6]=5 [1d6]=4 [1d6]=3 [1d6]=3SM wtf in BM. [1d6]=4 [1d6]=2 [1d6]=3 [1d6]=1

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth will scout into the mound and make sure it is still secure.

[OGRE MAGE]

If I am reading the rolls correctly, our escorts may have ran into a bit of trouble on their way back to the camp.

Sven will have procured more rations, lantern oil, torches, a regular hammer, 12 pitons, and some empty sacks before they leave. He will also purchase 3 more first aid kits for the trip, handing one to each of the gnomes and the last one to Drew. "If one of us goes down, and the clerics cant help, use one of these." -95gp from the party fund leaves 21gp.

He offers the last 21 gold coins from the party fund to Drew. (or Gerdal if she was the one who paid his last share) "Welcome aboard as a regular hireling from here on, Master Drew. I hope you enjoy our company better than you did your last group. By the way......do you know anything about that Garrett fellow who was your last boss? He was one of the fish who got away, if you remember, and I am certain he would like to find out more about us someday, if he can. He probably wants his cultist robes back as well. I wouldn't be surprised to find out he's been snooping around here either. We should remain vigilant of such things."

Once the escorts have departed, Sven makes a suggestion to the group. "I still think it is of the utmost importance that we try to find another entrance/exit from the maze. If we get teleported like that diamond thief did, and we end up in an area we don't recognize, we might be in big trouble. So, I would like to suggest we take a walk through these mounds a bit before we enter. Not too far yet, maybe 300 feet or so in a circle so we can at least map out the barrows closest to our entrance and go from there."

I would like to at least see where the closest mounds to our entrance are. This might be a wild goose chase, or it might save our ass some day. What do the rest of you think of a quick walk?

[Rex]

Orgoth

Sure, not a bad idea. Would like to make sure the barrow is still secure first.

[sastaz]

Gerdal

"Good thinking Sven. Although, remember that we've run into a fair amount of trouble in the immediate vicinity of the mounds already. I still believe that it's worthwhile, but let's make it quick. No long examinations, just find potential exitways, note them and move on."

"So let's do as Orgoth suggests. First we secure our regular entrance, after that a quick survey of the surroundings, then we enter."

"Perhaps this would be a good time to also talk about our goals for this delve? I feel it in my gut that the iron cobras are sitting on something valuable!"

very nice with the fighter/thief multiclass! are you 2/2 now?

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven

“Yes, I know it might be dangerous. But so is everything else out here.”

“Again, I’m not talking about miles, just a few hundred feet each way to the East, South, and West.”

Sven has a plan of attack in mind once we get below, but let’s see how this plays out first. The walled up cobra room is high on the list.

[redwarrior]

Gerdal
very nice with the fighter/thief multiclass! are you 2/2 now?

Actually, 1/1. I could have gone to FTR 2, but that would have delayed getting thief even longer. I think that thief is where Isvand's real value will come in longer term.

[redwarrior]

Isvand, marveling at how quiet he is in his new leather armor, volunteers to scout ahead of the party. If Orgoth heads toward our entrance, Isvand will make a looping circle around it and report the all clear.