Expedition: Fingers/Treasure of Yoldessi Plains- 30 Aug 2021

[onlyme]

"We'll start at the one nearby," decides Fingers. "Seems silly to do it any other way."

Markd nods and replies in a whisper,

Normally, yes. And if we find something, we have a better chance of quickly getting any loot back the general safety of Gaul and away from these robbers. He pauses and looks at the flawed attempt at a painting, wondering whatever the poor kid who created it did before convincing some sucker he could draw.
He continues,
But, a couple points I feel should be raised before it is settled.
1)while it is notthe closest, the Map of the observatory mentioned something about winter protections. I feel if we were to travel there, we should do so before the leaves begin to change. We do not know that climate, and it may be best to go now, or wait until the spring.
2) being that this closer map connects to the City of the Yoldessi Plains, do we run the risk of losing interest in the maps to further explore it and remove those damned horse eaters? I must admit, it has merit in and of itself. Gaul could use a legitimate outcropping in this area to encourage growth?
and finally, 3) I didnt look as closely to those two maps, but I feel I am more familiar with the third. Though, it has more dangers to be sure.


EDIT---
I was corrected on my comment numbered (1)... The winter protections isnt about the yearly season, as it is the condition. So, strike that rationale. We would need winter gear before going there, apparently...

[Rusty Tincanne]

Out of fear of drawing the local militia's attention to Markd and Bandy, Winnie restrains her impulse to try her bardic talents out in this new tavern. Instead, she waits patiently while the rest of the party decides on a course of action while sipping her tea.

[Marullus]

Final decisions?

[Zhym]

What, Fingers's declaration that we'll start at the nearest map location wasn't a final decision?

[Marullus]

Okay, then. I will write that up.

[Marullus]

Deciding to go to the King's Vault first, the party finds it's way back across the plains southwest, heading directly towards the gloomy remains of the city, resting clearly visible on the motte above. You approach the place where the map indicates you should find the secret back entrance to the royal crypts, built to escape a siege.

To your dismay, however, five winged shapes have spied you from their patrols above the city proper. Diving out of the clouds towards you, there is no surprise... Only dread of the inevitable. Five gargoyles are coming for you from the sky.

Actions!

Date: 1:00pm, 03 September 2021
Light: sunlight
Effects: None
Injuries: None

[onlyme]

Did we resolve whether Allmond and/or another npc cleric was recruited and came along?

[Marullus]

You have Fingers, Markd, Bandy, and Winnie (Thief, Fighter, Halfling, and Magic User). Hengist is your cleric; nobody recruited Allmond. You have two dogs, a pony, two mules, and a warhorse. Jimmy is there to tend the mounts when you go inside.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Also, one of you needs to buy some food for Jimmy. Winnie spent her last gold coins hiring him.

[Zhym]

Actually, I said that Fingers would try to recruit Allmond:

My mistake. I thought you'd said it was a lifetime limit for some reason. I'm glad it's not.

In that case, Fingers will try to recruit Allmond again.

[Marullus]

Looks like red text to me. No IC? No required rolls? I asked if you were ready to proceed and your replied snarkily that you were ready days ago.
...this is the third request to "rewind" things after decisions were made. I need better accountability for choices.

30 August
Before leaving Gaul for the White Tower, Fingers goes to the Chapel of Baudh to see if Allmond is willing to come and investigate the maps of Kellyr's vault.

Recruiting Allmond [2d6] = 7 [2d6] = 11 [2d6] = 7
11+1 penalty = 12. His poor CHA worsens the outcome.

**The potential retainer acts so negatively to the offer that he spreads negative rumors about the PC, which results in a +1 to the roll on any further reactions to hiring rolled on the table above while recruiting in the same town or area.

Finger's smarmy greed in pursuing treasure maps which denote royal Baudhic tombs galls Allmond. Not only does he not come, but his counsel to the other clergy closes the door to any other (NPC) clerics of Baudh joining Fingers on future expeditions he is leading.
Effect: Fingers no longer has friendly status with Baudh's church for recruiting clerics.

Sorry, that sucked. Please move forward to the combat you're engaged in.

[Alethan]

Bandy draws his longsword, preparing for the gargoyles' attack... if one gets close enough, he swings.

Penderyn Longsword THAC016 [1d20+2] = 3+2 = 5 Dam [1d8+2] = 4+2 = 6

[Zhym]

I figured you just missed the post because it was the last post on the previous page. I didn't think there was a problem putting expedition prep posts in red text. It's been really busy here the past week (and it's only going to get busier), so apologies for not having made any other rolls or noticing that you hadn't responded about recruiting Allmond yet.

BTW, out of curiosity, why three recruitment rolls?

Fingers motions for Sprinkles to get behind him and looks for a spot where he can blend in, hopefully where he can attack a gargoyle from behind and with surprise.

Iff Fingers is in a position to backstab:
Backstab w/longsword +1 (THAC0 17): [1d20+6] = 17+6 = 23, [1d8x2] = 6x2 = 12+2

Someone else roll initiative, please?

[onlyme]

Markd takes the recently acquired Sword of Clelland out and slashes down on any gargoyle deranged enough to get near him.
lngswrd (+2) (Thac0 14) [1d20+4] = 14+4 = 18; damage [1d8+4] = 3+4 = 7

lngswrd (+2) (Thac0 14) [1d20+4] = 16+4 = 20; damage [1d8+4] = 1+4 = 5

Owen, his fairly recent purchase, attempts to kick whatever gargoyle got hit by MArkd. His aim is off as he is still adjusting to Markd.
1st[1d20] = 7;[1d6] = 2 2nd[1d20] = 4;[1d6] = 5

[Marullus]

BTW, out of curiosity, why three recruitment rolls?

Economy. There's a lot of re-rolls when recruiting; I use them (or not) in order.

Fingers motions for Sprinkles to get behind him and looks for a spot where he can blend in, hopefully where he can attack a gargoyle from behind and with surprise.

You're standing in a field and they're diving at you from the sky. I don't think it is reasonable they he has surprise (they're diving at the you) or that he can get behind them (which, in this case, is straight up) at least this round.

Do you have a different action? Is he aiding his friends with his sword normally? Is he hiding in hopes of not being targeted and of surprising a grounded foe on a future round? (in which case, roll your Hide.)

[Zhym]

I thought that if we were at the spot where a secret door should be, there might be something around other than open field.

Fingers has his magic cloak, which I'm hoping provides enough concealment that he can get in position somewhere for a sneak attack.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Oh to retcon that she is already invisibile... I really need to remember to mention that in the future...
Winnie squeekls in horror. But she does so in the cutest way possible, the sort of squeel that is endearing. She's just that sort of witch. And speaking of being a witch, she also casts mirror image on herself while telling Mrs. Dash to heel and stay behind any of the four of her.

Mirror Image [1d4] = 3

[Zhym]

Sorry for multiple OOC posts, but if Fingers figures that his cloak and whatever tall grass is covering the fields in early September isn't enough to give him cover, do I need to re-roll to have his attack be a bow attack instead of a backstab?

BTW, we still need someone non-Fingers to roll initiative, please.

[Marullus]

He can hide this turn with his cloak. Give me [1d6] [1d100] for your concealment.
If he wants to change to attack instead, re-roll with the appropriate weapon/damage/bonuses.

[onlyme]

BTW, we still need someone non-Fingers to roll initiative, please.

I recommend you re-rolling, but it is entirely your call on this one.

Initiative [1d6] = 1