"I will obviously hold no ill will against anyone who doesn't want to join, but you should also know that we have a Guild rule stating that any non-guild members who accompany a group on a sanctioned Adventures Guild mission will only receive a half-share of any treasure found."
Cosmo
"Aha, I see. What, then is the incentive to go along on such a 'sanctioned' mission ? Oh, and...<munch munch gobble>....I'm really glad that you hold no ill will towards people who treat you to banquets <nudge nudge wink wink>"
Nordbo wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 1:28 pm"Aha, I see. What, then is the incentive to go along on such a 'sanctioned' mission ? Oh, and...<munch munch gobble>....I'm really glad that you hold no ill will towards people who treat you to banquets <nudge nudge wink wink>"
Sven smiles his best salesman grin, raising his mug to the gnome in thanks.
”Well, Guild membership would provide you with several incentives, my good gnome. Besides an equal share of all treasures found, including any magical items, you will be welcome to continue adventuring with the friends you’ve already made and are already comfortable exploring with.”
“We have located many avenues of exploration in the dungeon so far, and know of at least three entrances to the Barrowmaze. All of that information will will be shared freely amongst every official member, in hopes that future groups can avoid the pitfalls we’ve already uncovered. We have an extensive map of our discoveries drawn out as well, if you enjoy studying such things as much as I do. It really is quite interesting to see how areas were laid out so long ago.”
“You are also free to live on Guild property as a paid member, and eat there as well, if you wish, which would save you some coin at the inn. My friend Yardie is an awesome chef and concocts the spiciest jerk sauce you’ve ever tasted.”
“There are rare treasures to be found below as well, magical discoveries just waiting to be brought back to the surface world. We have found new spells that can be learned across a wide variety of magical schools. Illusionists included. This naturally creates a robust opportunity for us spell casting types to learn and share incantations from each other, along with the ability to trade out other magic items that work better for different individuals.”
The young mage pulls out one of the priceless Soul Gems they found, spinning the large, flawless, fist sized diamond around on the table top, letting the firelight sparkle through its many facets. “Items like this are there for the taking. With this gem, I could probably buy the entire tavern. And we’ve found more than one item like this. Perhaps you’ve heard about the Ossithrax tapestry?”
“But I believe the greatest benefit of being a member is safety and peace of mind. Though your group will be exploring at your own pace, and making your own decisions about where you will search, other Guild members will never be very far away, giving us all a safety net that individual groups simply don’t have. We will travel to and from the maze together, in one large group, essentially eliminating the threat of being overwhelmed by all but the most powerful adversaries.”
Sven slowly puts the gem away again, hoping it worked well for a visual incentive. He scratches his chin and looks around at his friends who have already joined the not-for-profit Guild. “The friends I have made in this group so far are even more valuable to me than any gems or gold. And we help each other out at the risk of our own safety. Let’s see…….” The young mage scratches his stubbly chin. “Can you guys think of anything I missed?” He says with a sarcastic grin.
"Oh,mmm, Cosmo you have to try this venison, it's delicious! Thanks for treating us all." She gulps the meat down with a mug of ale.
"You should really think of joining. Sven talks a lot, I mean who doesn't, but he really got a knack for these kinds of dealings. An ambitious young man, to say the least."
"Are you joining another expidition at least? I mean, regardless of it being guild sanctioned or not? There's really a lot of adventure to be had!"
Shaking his head at the idea of drinking from Gerdals frog poison goblet, he shrugs.
“Ya, I’m not so sure about that. And you should probably be more careful yourself with such things. You’ll end up a drooling, shite covered mess like poor Alastar over there.”
Gerdal is visibly irritated at her good friend for not doing her the simple favour of drinking an unknown hallucunogen.
"...mrrrhph....FINE... I guess I'll never know what that goble does then."
She starts striding towards her corner table where she intends to sulk and drink wine.
OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:58 am“If you can assure me that the deadly necklace won’t be able to hurt anybody once it’s infused into the statue, and the gnomes actually agree to do it, I’d say go for it. You realize we plan to sell that thing off once it’s finished, right? I don’t want to depreciate it’s value. Oh, that gives me an idea…..”
Sven writes a quick note about the chandelier, detailing it professionally as they did the tapestry. He intends to have the note delivered to Beowulfrun, at The Sphinx and Naga Tavern, in Ironguard.
She turns around half way to her table.
"By the way, I added my beautiful necklace to that chandelier-statue of yours. Be sure to pitch me in on some coin when it comes back at twice the value, huh? And also, ask the Tavern owner if he or she wants a bona fide naga queen skull for his mantlepiece? I happen to have one surplus."
Besides an equal share of all treasures found, including any magical items, you will be welcome to continue adventuring with the friends you’ve already made
to which Cosmo replies: "But.....but - that's what we're doing already now ? .....right ?" dropping his piece of grilled boar while looking incredulously at all around the table. "...aren't we ?"
Wearing some fingerless leather gloves despite the warmth of the tavern fires, perhaps it covers up the bulge on his index finger where a certain precious ring might be worn.
He listens in to the conversations, the bard singing new lyrics, flagons of ale raised in memory of lost companions; this young priest Truro, another Yggitte priest known as Friar Marcel, the six Duchy conscripts sent to the Sauron Mound. The dull, repetitious melody hummed by the bard reminiscent of the Chant invoked by Bharazd'had. The elf tips his flagon in his memory too.
"So it is like this Cosmo. We can venture forth as an individual group. You, I, Sir Dewey, Sigrid, Sundance and the priest. Wandering blindly mound upon mound, trying to find ones that have been excavated but not plundered.
I have been to the mounds and seen for myself. You walk blind, not seeing your own shadow at times. We can go together, equal share, equal risk and come back poorer than when we left.
But the Adventurers Guild offers a Co-operative of knowledge and skills. Not least, leading us to a secret entrance to the lower labyrinths and crypts. For that knowledge and access to the maps of corridors already explored, details of critters encountered, what dangers, traps and tricks lurk around each corner. That alone, a key to survival, is worth the hundred gold membership fee.
But there are more benefits too. Help in Identifying magic items, lifting curses, researching secrets.
Consider it another 'hand of Hoodoo', a gate pass to further magic discovery."
He tries to present some benefits to characters being on equal footing.
"I myself will explore beyond the Rat room. Where it takes me, I do not know. But as Where-Rats we will explore and come back laden with treasure I am sure. All those with me, we set forth on the twenty-seventh together with Sven's team and then divide once we access the maze below the mounds.
Those who come do so on the full disclosure of our expedition and report summary, maps, discoveries; and a 5% trove value investment into future Adventurer Guild projects.
Any who cannot support that can venture forth
in any other capacity they see fit, but without knowledge of entrances, their fate or success in delving is more random."
At some point later on, really close to the departure date to the Barrows, Gerdal has breakfast with Sven (and probably the others going on the same expedition).
"I'm sad to inform you that although I took great strides in my research, I have not yet managed to produce that water breathing potion. I really think the trick is about distilling the naga scales after the infusion, so the effect will be increased by the reaction and..." seeing Sven yawning, she stops her explanation. I can still make one of us able to breath underwater, but a potion would have made it possible for all of us to go. I'll get it next try, for sure!"
"And yea you might want to bring extra vials of holy water to this expedition, because you know what? I discovered what that claw gripped goblet can do for us. If you pour one of..OH THAT'S RIGHT you're not interested in finding out what the goblet does, just remembered." She stops talking and instead demonstratively and loudly takes a huge bite of an apple, obviously less interested in eating it than making a point.
"Is that a 'crabapple' by any chance?" the elf comments regarding Gerdal's outburst.
Some things are best left untouched. Goblets, rings, the 'Ravenous touched' as Deucalion was, the imbecile Alastar is. He wonders the truth of his buttock tattoo and whether his body art is just meant to tease.
The elf will add a coin to the beggar's cup. It is supposed to bring good luck. He looks around the tavern, new adventurers still arriving mid season in hope of gold and glory. We need extra, even just 'ghoul fodder' or 'trap-finder' generals. Not that he wants to just treat a man's life lightly, but he values his own and those of his comrades.
Sigrid hears little of what else is said, being lost in her spellbook, running over again and again the variation of the spell she remembered Sir Dewey speaking at the tomb. It wasn't quite the same as what he cast but it was pulled from the weave by her own hands as if plucking the notes of song from a musician on a different instrument. She recited the words and movements in her head in her native tongue, a song to the three, Urd, Skuld and Verdandi. But those thoughts are waved away as she picks up on Cosmo's reluctance to join the guild. While she thought the benefits far outweighed any possible negatives, she isn't inclined to try to join convincing the man. He must have his reason for such reservations, so she again loses herself in her thoughts and the music that plays.
Hmmm not too thrilled with cartel-like moves putting the squeeze on PCs, it kind of points away from the co-operative fun/wide-eyed adventure vibe of 1e that I prefer. XP reductions if not coughing up protection money ? Naaah.
So it's.... goodbye from Cosmo. Thanks for an exciting game though up to this point - and congrats to @Spearmint for keeping such a giant, sprawling multi-thread campaign running - very impressive!
Have fun everyone - and season's greetings to all!
Can see various thoughts cross Cosmo's Gnomish mind. Not sure his elvish can relate so much but he goes to chat with his adventuring comrade to see if issues can be resolved. He thinks most is just a misunderstanding of expectations and perception of what is being said.
The elf takes a beer and goes to see if he can reconcile what the real issues are.
Sven looks back to Gerdal, trying to keep track of everything that’s happening at once.
“Bring the skull along with us and I promise you will get your fair share from the chandelier sale. But if anyone ever loses their head over it, that’s on you.”
“Say, do you have any way to neutralize poison in your repertoire yet? Or at least slow it down?” He looks around the room at all their new associates.
“Does anyone here have the ability to do that? I think it might be a deficiency for us. And unfortunately, in a place where it would be extremely handy to have.”
“Gerdal, will you pleeeeeeease tell us what the magic goblet can do? Besides tripping your brains out, that is.”
Final ales are served, bones from the hig roast collected for use as yesterday's stew or feeding the animals kept in the stable kennels.
I am going to wind up conversations here and script the prologue to the next Barrowmaze delves.
Remember to add to your inventory any gear and supplies bought, adjust for any upgrades and new hp and class skills, changes to Saves and THAC0, additional weapons of proficiency and etc, etc. What is not in your sheet when you leave us left behind in town.
The half elf entered the tavern room taking in the local atmosphere for a moment before approaching the Barkeep. "Good morning sir, I'd like to arrange food and lodging for the forseable future." He takes a final look around the faces in the bar before addressing Bollo again. "I'm also hoping you would be able to tell me who should I talk to about getting any information about stone formations or obelisks out in the Barrows."
Arriving mid-morning, newcomer cleric Callen touches base in the tavern. You are pointed to a menu offering food and drinks.
you simply say 'I order xyz and then note -123gp . The same with any upkeep level.
Bollo, veteran adventurer turned wealthy from pouring drinks rather than robbing graves considers. While you look at service options he chats regarding the Barrows.
"Several guys left, just after breakfast. They will be halfway there now or half dead. You want to explore the Mounds too? I know a gnome fellow came back a month ago, bored sitting around his tavern room with his nose in books. He is a veteran if you call surviving twice as experienced.
There is that elf over there also, seconded to the bowyer who came back from trekking the Moors. Has a crafted bow by all accounts, never gets lost on his treks. That must be invaluable upon the Moors with the mist closing in."
The barkeep points a few folk out, specifically Traeliorn (an NPC).
As to the actual standing stones and menhirs, he says there are many. Some are just memorials or signposts, others have darker arts, places used by Hernites to offer sacrifice or commune with the dead.
OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 9:33 pmSven looks back to Gerdal, trying to keep track of everything that’s happening at once.
“Bring the skull along with us and I promise you will get your fair share from the chandelier sale. But if anyone ever loses their head over it, that’s on you.”
“Say, do you have any way to neutralize poison in your repertoire yet? Or at least slow it down?” He looks around the room at all their new associates.
“Does anyone here have the ability to do that? I think it might be a deficiency for us. And unfortunately, in a place where it would be extremely handy to have.”
“Gerdal, will you pleeeeeeease tell us what the magic goblet can do? Besides tripping your brains out, that is.”
Ok so to wrap this up retroactively, since we are on our way to the barrows once more.
Gerdal
Sven just gets a blank "okay, sure" stare from the woman about the people losing their heads comment.
As for the next part she looks suspiciously at him.
"Have you been spying on me Sven?! Very well, let's bury the hatchet on this one. That's actually why I asked you all to bring holy water. I discovered this - don't ask - yesterday. Any magic, holy or unholy brew or elexir poured into the goblet will loose its powers but instead turn into anti venom. A very useful item!"
