IC IX

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

After listening to the outdoorsman, Bregalad could not help but wonder why this creature was menacing the loggers. Could it be protecting something?

"Jaceo, are there any other souls who live near the loggers' encampent? Druids perhaps? Were there any warnings given before these attacks started? And do you know when the attacks began?"

[thirdkingdom]

Lanny the elf

Lanny nods in agreement with Aquar's line of questioning.

"Tracking the Beast to its lair seems the right approach. We might even have to make ourselves the bait to try to lure it to us, and then track it if it chooses to flee rather than to fight. Aquar, your idea of using poison is sound. Although with a beast that size, it will likely require a lot of it... perhaps even more than we can reasonably procure. To be safe, we should inventory our silver weapons as well, just in case the rumors of a were-creature turn out to be true. In any case, we should be prepared to camp there for a few days, bringing sufficient supplies to do so..."

Lanny pauses for a moment before addressing Jaceo.

"I do believe we should be ready to leave for the logging camps today."

Jaceo

"Good. I'll be waiting here. And I don't know if you fellas ride, but we'll be going through some rough wilderness, and I'll be moving pretty slow trying to track this thing. Might want to think about leaving your mounts at the camps."

[thirdkingdom]

Bregalad the elf

After listening to the outdoorsman, Bregalad could not help but wonder why this creature was menacing the loggers. Could it be protecting something?

"Jaceo, are there any other souls who live near the loggers' encampent? Druids perhaps? Were there any warnings given before these attacks started? And do you know when the attacks began?"

Jaceo

"Some folks live out that way -- freeholders mostly, and some of them have lost folk as well. I recall the attacks started sometime in the winter, thereabouts. Ain't no druids that I know of nearby. Anyhow, we're pretty good when it comes to logging. Make the necessary sacrifices and offerings when we cut, don't take all the trees from an area, and so forth."

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

"Thank you, Jaceo. It will be good to have you as our guide."


The elf pardons himself from the group, so that he may retrieve Aquar's new mount.

When Bregalad next sees the cleric, he will present the large chestnut colored draft horse to him..... "Here you are, Aquar. I wondered what would be the fate of this powerful steed, when his previous owner, Saul, had passed. It seems now that you were meant to be his new rider. Saul called him 'Castanha', but I am sure another name would serve just as well. Saul's only request was that he be fed fresh apples from time to time. It you would honor this one wish, then I know that he was meant to be yours."

Aquar, I do not recall Castanha's hit points, but maybe TK can roll them up for you. He comes fully equipped with saddle, tack, and saddle bags.

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

Jaceo

"By the tracks I'd say some kind of giant cat, but at least twice the size of any I've ever heard of. It's carried off men -- full-sized men, at that -- while leaping o'er walls and ravines. Has some kind of bloodlust, you ask me. Some times it eats those its killed, sometimes it just rips 'em apart and spreads the bits around. 'Tis smart, though. We've laid traps, dug pits baited with sheep, nothing. Prints all around, didn't go for it; bastard killed three loggers the day after we dug the pit."

"Sounds like there could be a chance we are dealing with some sort of changeling if it can discriminate a trap." Innana says in Elvish, "a changeling that may know the area."

Innana leans over to Semele who is quietly eating her breakfast. "Do you have a way to determine what kind of evil has befallen the loggers camp?" It might be nice to know if silver daggers are even necessary.

[thirdkingdom]

Semele

The young priestess looks doubtful. "You overestimate my abilities, mistress. I suppose I could attempt the spell that Master Marodin used to query the Immortals about how to leave the maze, but if I were you I would not expect much of a result. And anyways, I have not prayed for that orison today. It would have to wait for tomorrow."

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

If there are no additional questions for Jaceo, Lanny recommends that the group gather its needed supplies and mounts and be ready to leave for the logging camps by noon. He is still interested in stopping by the forge, just to check on the status of their silver weapons order...

A quick inventory of the character sheets (assuming they are up to date) shows the following:

Magic Weapons

1 magic sword (Thordin)
2 magic arrows (Lanny)
1 magic dagger (Innana)

Silver Weapons

12 silver sling bullets (Drudsa)
10 silver arrows (Lanny)
4 silver daggers (Innana)
9 silver arrows (Rhys)

Let me know if I missed anything.

Ideally, we would wait for our silver weapons order to be completed and our new magic weapons to be identified, but time is not on our side, and the beast will not wait around for its next meal!

[Grognardsw]

Bregalad the elf

When Bregalad next sees the cleric, he will present the large chestnut colored draft horse to him..... "Here you are, Aquar. I wondered what would be the fate of this powerful steed, when his previous owner, Saul, had passed. It seems now that you were meant to be his new rider. Saul called him 'Castanha', but I am sure another name would serve just as well. Saul's only request was that he be fed fresh apples from time to time. It you would honor this one wish, then I know that he was meant to be yours."

Aquar / Outside the inn

"Thank you Bregalad, I will honor Saul by keeping Castanha's name. I will indeed feed her apples regularly," says Aquar. "I hope to return the favor to you someday."

Aquar will transfer his rations to the saddlebags and otherwise prepare for the trip North. If time permits, he will eat lunch at the Scarlet Pheasant.

[Alethan]

Lanny the Elf

If there are no additional questions for Jaceo, Lanny recommends that the group gather its needed supplies and mounts and be ready to leave for the logging camps by noon. He is still interested in stopping by the forge, just to check on the status of their silver weapons order...

A quick inventory of the character sheets (assuming they are up to date) shows the following:

Magic Weapons

1 magic sword (Thordin)
2 magic arrows (Lanny)
1 magic dagger (Innana)

Silver Weapons

12 silver sling bullets (Drudsa)
10 silver arrows (Lanny)
4 silver daggers (Innana)
9 silver arrows (Rhys)

Let me know if I missed anything.

Ideally, we would wait for our silver weapons order to be completed and our new magic weapons to be identified, but time is not on our side, and the beast will not wait around for its next meal!

So... the newly-acquired magical sword was left with Myraal for identification? Might it be better to have that handy in case we need it and get it identified later? I assume it's not cursed, or else Innana wouldn't have been able to leave it there in the first place after picking it up, so it would be useful to have even in an unidentified state.

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

"Fine, so let us pick any weapons that are completed, if any, and head to the logging camps. I also propose that we stop by Myraal and pick some of the magic weapons we left with him. Even if not yet identified these can make all the difference when we confront the beast. if it is only affected by magical weaponry not even our silvered eeapons would be of use. If those arms were struck by any major curse I believe we would most likely have been affected by it when we claimed the items. What do you fellas say?"

Agree with Al, better have the weapons now and delay identification a bi. Plus, Drudsa now has Analyse, so we can obtain some insight into their capabilities before we put them to use.

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

Makes sense to me. I don't think Myraal would be able to identify everything all at one time anyway. Now, if we do stop at Myraal's (which I believe is in the same general direction (north) as the logging camps) then what about some of the other items we left, such as:

the magic spear!
the tarnished silver dagger (just as a backup in case Innana runs out)
the magic plate mail?

Since Myraal speaks Alphatian, Lanny would really like to know the translation of the Alphatian rune on the sword before it is used (and what's with that silver wire on the hilt?)

Having Drudsa cast Analyze on them (especially if we are going to have a couple days of down time just waiting around for the beast) would be a good idea.

[Alethan]

I guess I'm just more used to figuring out what an item does through trial and error and experimentation. I certainly like the idea of having a sage we can go to for certain things, like magical rings with no markings that might take us a long time to figure out, but... they were rarely an option (either hard to find or very expensive or... just not available) when I first started playing back in the day. Maybe I've never "evolved" past that...

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

I actually really like the way that magical items are introduced into this campaign (with each item having not only certain powers but also often a unique history as well). One thing I have been doing is recording the histories of the items (as told to us by the sages who research them) on the Custom/Unique Items thread. Sometimes the history reveals a fun fact, a brand new plot hook, or even something critical to our current mission. For that alone, it is worth paying to get them properly identified (although, as you rightly mention Al, we might have an immediate need for another magical weapon or two in our upcoming fight with the Beast).

Anyway, kudos to TK for coming up with all of these cool items and their histories.

[thirdkingdom]

The Smithy of Ronan One-leg
11:00 am

The smithy is a hive of activity when the companions arrive. Several cheerful youths are whitewashing the exterior while a woman atop a hastily erected scaffolding puts the finishing touches on a garishly colored mural depicting a band of adventurers doing battle with a fearsome demon-snake. Looking closely, the painting depicts a dwarf, several elves, a robed mage, a priest calling down lightning from the sky and others. Large lettering above the sign declare that Ronan is "The Official Smith to the Heroes of Threshold".

Inside it is clear that business is booming. There are now four anvils -- all in use -- and a trio of dwarves are busy at work constructing a new forge. Ronan shouts orders while shaping the edge of a narrow sword.

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

Innana admires the mural, and smiles knowing she was part of the band of heroes that took down the worm beast. Innana ducked slightly to miss the edge of the sign before entering the Silversmiths bustling workplace. "Hmmm. Heroes of Threshold. Has a ring to it." Innana looks over at Lanny, "have we picked out our name yet?"

Innana approaches Ronan, "I see you have been hard at work, even without me.. Innana smiles, and turns to see if she can spot their weapons anywhere, and then turns back to the large, red headed Northerner, "We have come to see if our weapon order is ready. It seems we are going to be leaving soon to fight this mysterious beast, and will need them straight away."

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

Drudsa sighs, a grimace of disgust stamped obviously in his face "Official... I suppose this means we can take whatever we want with no need for paying anymore. Funny how once you have offered your hand everyone immediately assumes they are entitled to grab your arm."

He stands in front of the shop for a few seconds, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Then he looks back and says to the others "I will meet you fellas with Jaceo at the Pheasant. The city air is making me sick." Drudsa then goes to fetch Sugarfoot and his other belongings, after what he returns to the Scarlet Pheasant, joining Jaceo waiting for the group.

[thirdkingdom]

Ronan One-leg

"Milady!" he exclaims, over the din of pounding hammers, "I have finished some of the items, and ahead of schedule as well. As you can see I have hired new help, and look to be expanding! Since it is all thanks to you, I would be glad to extend an, ah, 10% discount to the agreed upon price! The arrows, sling stones and spear are ready for your use!"

Uh, I've lost track of the agreed upon price. Let's say that for everything described, as per the List in the "To Do" thread, he will charge 180 gold, 162 with discount. There are 14 arrows, one spear and, since no quantity was specified, sling stones: (2d10=15). According to p. 111 5 silver pellets cost 25 gold, for a total of 5 gp per sling stone. Arrows also cost 5 gp apiece. I'm going to say a silvered spear costs 35 gp.

• 75 gp for 15 stones

• 70 gp for 14 arrows

• Silvered spear costs 35 gp

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

I did not say it earlier, but I agree with Drudsas idea to use the magical weapons. I like Rhys approach to figuring out their magical uses when we use them.

Did we not order more blades of silver from the Smith?

[frobozz]

Lanny the Elf

The Callarii elves were known throughout the land as robust and hardworking, but also appreciative of good humor, and even a bit prankish at times. Lanny was no exception. The elf's lyrical laughter rings out into the crisp morning air as he looks upon the mural of a strangely familiar group of adventurers. He joins Innana inside the forge to inquire with Ronan about the silver weapons.

"I must say I admire your artisitc style... You certainly captured the likeness of the fabled "Heroes of Threshold"! I also admire your business acumen as well... Although I would advise you not to craft too many more silver weapons... For we are about to put to rest the beast - and the rumor - that spurred their demand."

Lanny just smiles and shrugs at Innana when asked about the party's name.

"Heroes of Threshold, apparently! I suppose it was inevitable that if we did not make a name for ourselves, someone would make a name for us!"

The elf laughs out loud again, finding the entire situation very amusing. He politely declines the discount from Ronan and pays the full 180gp. He then gathers up all of the silver, as well as his own gear and mount, and returns to the Scarlet Pheasant, ready to depart.

Edit:

Per the To Do List, here is what was ordered and by whom. I guess just deduct payment for whatever you take.

Silver Weapon Requests:

* Silver bullets (Drudsa)(Marodin) - 15 bullets (5 gp per bullet)
* Silver arrows (Saul x5)(Rhys x9) - 14 arrows (5 gp per arrow)
* Silver-coated spear (Bregalad) - 35gp

not yet ready:

* Silver-coated sword (Lanny)(Tratiln)(Innana)(Bregalad)
* Silver-coated warhammer (Marodin)
* Silver-coated dagger (Saul x2)(Innana x4)

Innana - we did order the other silver-plated weapons, but we are here 2 days before they were promised to be ready, so it looks like they are not yet ready to be picked up.

Lanny will offer the 5 silver arrows that were ordered by Saul to Thordin (since Lanny already has 10 himself). If Thordin does not want them, Lanny will keep them.

Not sure whether Drudsa or Semele want the sling bullets.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf laughs heartily when he sees the sign.

"Master smith! Seems that your business is booming!"

Thordin does not need the silver arrows at this point.