This post will be used to maintain information on the current status and whereabouts of members of The Stride, the thieves' guild stationed in Belowtown, beneath Floivin Keep.
Anemone Hosspotch (halfling female)
Status: Slain in the War for Floivin Province.
Specialty: Spy, information broker.
Aslak (human male)
Status: Known to have been killed in Badash prison.
Specialty: Guild master.
Badle (human male)Status: Slain at Royal Leathers by unknown assailant.
Specialty: Royal Leathers clerk.
Daglum (dwarf male)
Status: Slain during the Stride Massacre in Belowtown, by members of The Score.
Specialty: Appraiser, locksmith.
Gardi (half-orc male)Status: Slain in Badash prison.
Specialty: Interrogator, Belowtown guard.
Helis (elf male)
Status: Slain during the Stride Massacre in Belowtown, by members of The Score.
Specialty: Burglar.
Hoff (human male)
Status: Slain by Imperion and Mordecai in Belowtown, during a 'disagreement'. Blood debt paid when the rest of The Stride slew Imperion.
Specialty: Belowtown guard.
Ivellio Roodeye (elf male)
Status: Alive and at large, he was not in Belowtown during the Stride Massacre.
Specialty: Pickpocket.
Jullana (human female)
Status: Slain during the Stride Massacre in Belowtown, by members of The Score.
Specialty: Burglar.
Khader (human male)
Status: Slain during the Stride Massacre in Belowtown, by members of The Score.Specialty: Belowtown guard.
Lt. Banghorn (human male)
Status: Captain of the Last Eidolorn, stationed at Ettenhead.
Specialty: Spy, information broker, officer in the Eidolorn Guard. He's more of an 'honorary' member, trained by Aslak for covert operations in Floivin Province.
Luz (half-orc male)
Status: Slain in Tarndim after a heroic stint with the Last Eidolorn.
Specialty: Belowtown guard, healer.
Nikolai (human male)
Status: Slain during the Stride Massacre in Belowtown, by members of The Score.
Specialty: Stride Market fence.
Rannveig (human female)
Status: Slain during the Stride Massacre in Belowtown, by members of The Score.
Specialty: Stride Market fence.
Slab (dwarf male)
Status: Slain in Tretcher after a heroic sting with the Last Eidolorn.
Specialty: Trapsmith.
Trifful (human male)
Status: Royal Leathers proprietor, currently hiding out in Hobfast.
Specialty: Armorer, shopkeeper.
Vay (human male)Status: Slain at Royal Leathers by unknown assailant.
Specialty: Royal Leathers clerk.
Zinsk (human male)
Status: Incarcerated at Floivin Penitentiary, apparently by choice.
Specialty: Unknown, but Zinsk is the retired old guild master of The Stride, a druid in addition to a rogue of some skill.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Session 10 / Online Session 10 Notes (11/5/10)
Essel, Clairis 28th, 868 ID.
After the attack at Gnarlbottom Manor, Mudghol flees back to the headquarters, speaking nothing of the night's events to Bulgoth or any other. Lexxi flees Floivin Keep, after she decides they've gotten into enough trouble. Unfortunately, she's still got Trifful's pistol and several of the relics and magical goods the party was packing. Luz decides it best to hide out at Royal Leathers, where he is surprised by a knife at his back. Trifful has returned to his shop, and doesn't trust the half-orc, having not known what occurred in Belowtown. Luz explains, but Trifful pulls rank and orders him to gather up Slab and Anemone, plus his cat.
Private Langston is awakened in the early AM by an enraged Captain Kennel. There has been trouble at Gnarlbottom Manor, and Langston is to accompany the Captain to the scene. Once arriving, they find two unconscious men (Ymurf Gnarlbottom and Scorzus, the gate guard) and an enraged Monch Gnarlbottom, who describes the attackers. Kennel begins to track Mudghol and Luz through Floivin Keep. En route, the troops encounter a quintet of guards they don't recognize. When hailed, the guards instead attack. A savage melee ensues, but Kennel and some of his men are victorious. Wounded, he asks Langston to check one more report of a break-in at Royal Leathers. Langston leaves to stake out the place.
Meanwhile, Doorjamb is restless waiting at the Westermarch Concourse at Odd Jon's stall, so he wanders a bit, encountering Kalkan who mistakes the prospector for his charge: Bulgoth. Later, Doorjamb heads to the Armory Square to report troubles to the guard. He is given room and board for the night (Langston's bed, to be exact). Luz gathers up all the PCs from headquarters, including Bulgoth and Ogeir, and hurries them to Royal Leathers in small groups. En route, Ogeir and Mudghol are confronted by a soldier, Lt. Hoary, who has come to protect Mudghol from assassination until Doorjamb has arrived at the Keep. Ogeir has Hoary travel with the pair to Royal Leathers, where most of the group is assembled. Langston stakes out the shop from across the street, realizing there are men inside. Bulgoth notices him, and warns Slab and Ogeir, but no action is taken. Luz remains upstairs, a fugitive. At some point, they notice two more monocle wearing men in the street.
In the morning, Langston returns to Armory Square to file his report, and finds a dwarf sleeping in his bunk. The two make friends, and Langston decides to stick with Doorjamb when he learns the dwarf is to meet Mudghol at the west gates today. Ogeir, Langston, Mudghol and Hoary travel to the gates, where they meet a reunion of Doorjamb and Odd Jon Stuckle. Doorjamb is sad to inform his friend that he must close his business for awhile, since Luorn and Parodee might try to get at Mudghol through him. The group travels to the basement of Vondort, thinking it a safer hideout than Royal Leathers. When Langston realizes he's with one of the suspects (Mudghol), he remains with the group, especially after Lt. Hoary pulls rank over him. The courier Polk arrives, and the PCs think he must have The Score trailing him. In fact, he delivers a nondescript letter containing a threat to back down, and a full set of human teeth (supposedly belonging to Lt. Banghorn).
They send Polk out, and decide to gather once more at Royal Leathers. All the PCs and Stride survivors (with the exception of the missing elf, Ivellio) debate over what steps need to be taken. They decide the best course of action is to report all of the troubles directly to Captain Kennel, instead of searching Belowtown. They seal up the Lift as well as they can, and leave in two groups to Armory Square. Captain Kennel begins to interrogate Mudghol violently, while the other PCs watch. Mudghol plays stupid, but then the second group, including Luz arrive, and Luz comes clean about his activities. Kennel becomes extremely angry, demanding the PCs tell him everything that is going on. He learns of The Score's activities and the fall of The Stride.
Since Luz has come clean, and none of the Gnarlbottoms were actually killed, Kennel hatches a plan. He decides the PCs have been hiding out too much, and must take the fight to The Score. Lt. Hoary and Langston are assigned to Banghorn's unit, Hoary to share command with Ogeir the Hawk. With the exception of Anemone and Trifful, all the others are deputized, including Bulgoth, who is wanted himself! The unit is also to find a new headquarters, outside Floivin Keep. They debate either the Old Pager's Farm or Cheeky's Hollow, with the latter winning out, so they grab some supplies and trek to the Tooth Marsh. Anemone and Trifful decide to try their luck under the protection of Grandmother Hosspotch in Hobfast. As for Luz, he is to be 'executed' at Floivin Penitentiary, but much to the dismay of Monch and family, it will not be public. Luz spends a few hours at the Penitentiary speaking to the enigmatic Zinsk, then one of the Royal Leathers clerks is dressed up as his corpse, and Luz as a soldier. He makes it out of the Penitentiary without Ymurf noticing his disguise, and then he escapes Floivin Keep.
Once they arrive at Cheeky's Hollow, they find it empty aside from two orc squatters: Vishlag and Dropy, who they enlist, after interrogating them about Ironballs and Cheeky. The orcs do not know, but they do know Ironballs is somewhere in the Tooth Marsh. Luz has little idea where exactly the other PCs have wound up, so he travels to Hobfast, where he meets some halfling mercenary guards and Captain Reckon. Reckon leads Luz to Cheeky's Hollow, where they are confronted by the latest 'door guards', Vishlag and Dropy. Luz and Reckon kill Dropy outright, not realizing he's peaceful, and Vishlag is overcome with grief, while the PCs come out to sort everything through. Reckon is told of his brother's orders (Kennel), and tells the PCs he wants constant updates if they are to use the Hollow as a lair. The PCs develop a plan to track Ironballs to his source, through other denizens of the Marsh.
Late in the evening, a pair of goblins arrive with gifts of fish to trade with the orcs. They are threatened by the PCs to locate Ironballs, and they happen to know where he might be, the abandoned lair of a hydra, deeper in the Marsh. Langston, Ogeir, Luz, Mudghol, Bulgoth and Slab will trek to the Marsh to find the hobgoblin. Lt. Hoary, Odd Jon and Doorjamb remain behind. Hoary has other plans for his old prospector friend.
BlackOps, 'Horn Division: Captain Kennel (overseer), Lt. Banghorn (missing, officer), Lt. Hoary (officer), Lt. Ogeir (officer), Mudghol (Arkana Arkiva attache), Pvt. Langston, Pvt. Doorjamb, Pvt. Jon Stuckle, Pvt. Slab, Pvt. Bulgoth, Vishlag.
PCs: Doorjamb, Langston, Luz, Mudghol, Ogeir, Slab
NPCs
Lamontain (human male): A fairly fresh Eidolorn guard recruit, Lamontain is pasty and seems constantly nervous and unsure of himself. He can't be more than 20 years old, and is very hesitant to do anything important, making him a walking target for his direct superior, Captain Kennel.
Trifful (human male): A middle aged, bossy human male with auburn hair who wears his leather goods with pride. Trifful is the proprietor of Royal Leathers, and somewhat of a higher up in The Stride. With the uncertainty of Aslak's fate, Trifful takes command of what remains of the Stride (Luz, Slab and Anemone).
After the attack at Gnarlbottom Manor, Mudghol flees back to the headquarters, speaking nothing of the night's events to Bulgoth or any other. Lexxi flees Floivin Keep, after she decides they've gotten into enough trouble. Unfortunately, she's still got Trifful's pistol and several of the relics and magical goods the party was packing. Luz decides it best to hide out at Royal Leathers, where he is surprised by a knife at his back. Trifful has returned to his shop, and doesn't trust the half-orc, having not known what occurred in Belowtown. Luz explains, but Trifful pulls rank and orders him to gather up Slab and Anemone, plus his cat.
Private Langston is awakened in the early AM by an enraged Captain Kennel. There has been trouble at Gnarlbottom Manor, and Langston is to accompany the Captain to the scene. Once arriving, they find two unconscious men (Ymurf Gnarlbottom and Scorzus, the gate guard) and an enraged Monch Gnarlbottom, who describes the attackers. Kennel begins to track Mudghol and Luz through Floivin Keep. En route, the troops encounter a quintet of guards they don't recognize. When hailed, the guards instead attack. A savage melee ensues, but Kennel and some of his men are victorious. Wounded, he asks Langston to check one more report of a break-in at Royal Leathers. Langston leaves to stake out the place.
Meanwhile, Doorjamb is restless waiting at the Westermarch Concourse at Odd Jon's stall, so he wanders a bit, encountering Kalkan who mistakes the prospector for his charge: Bulgoth. Later, Doorjamb heads to the Armory Square to report troubles to the guard. He is given room and board for the night (Langston's bed, to be exact). Luz gathers up all the PCs from headquarters, including Bulgoth and Ogeir, and hurries them to Royal Leathers in small groups. En route, Ogeir and Mudghol are confronted by a soldier, Lt. Hoary, who has come to protect Mudghol from assassination until Doorjamb has arrived at the Keep. Ogeir has Hoary travel with the pair to Royal Leathers, where most of the group is assembled. Langston stakes out the shop from across the street, realizing there are men inside. Bulgoth notices him, and warns Slab and Ogeir, but no action is taken. Luz remains upstairs, a fugitive. At some point, they notice two more monocle wearing men in the street.
In the morning, Langston returns to Armory Square to file his report, and finds a dwarf sleeping in his bunk. The two make friends, and Langston decides to stick with Doorjamb when he learns the dwarf is to meet Mudghol at the west gates today. Ogeir, Langston, Mudghol and Hoary travel to the gates, where they meet a reunion of Doorjamb and Odd Jon Stuckle. Doorjamb is sad to inform his friend that he must close his business for awhile, since Luorn and Parodee might try to get at Mudghol through him. The group travels to the basement of Vondort, thinking it a safer hideout than Royal Leathers. When Langston realizes he's with one of the suspects (Mudghol), he remains with the group, especially after Lt. Hoary pulls rank over him. The courier Polk arrives, and the PCs think he must have The Score trailing him. In fact, he delivers a nondescript letter containing a threat to back down, and a full set of human teeth (supposedly belonging to Lt. Banghorn).
They send Polk out, and decide to gather once more at Royal Leathers. All the PCs and Stride survivors (with the exception of the missing elf, Ivellio) debate over what steps need to be taken. They decide the best course of action is to report all of the troubles directly to Captain Kennel, instead of searching Belowtown. They seal up the Lift as well as they can, and leave in two groups to Armory Square. Captain Kennel begins to interrogate Mudghol violently, while the other PCs watch. Mudghol plays stupid, but then the second group, including Luz arrive, and Luz comes clean about his activities. Kennel becomes extremely angry, demanding the PCs tell him everything that is going on. He learns of The Score's activities and the fall of The Stride.
Since Luz has come clean, and none of the Gnarlbottoms were actually killed, Kennel hatches a plan. He decides the PCs have been hiding out too much, and must take the fight to The Score. Lt. Hoary and Langston are assigned to Banghorn's unit, Hoary to share command with Ogeir the Hawk. With the exception of Anemone and Trifful, all the others are deputized, including Bulgoth, who is wanted himself! The unit is also to find a new headquarters, outside Floivin Keep. They debate either the Old Pager's Farm or Cheeky's Hollow, with the latter winning out, so they grab some supplies and trek to the Tooth Marsh. Anemone and Trifful decide to try their luck under the protection of Grandmother Hosspotch in Hobfast. As for Luz, he is to be 'executed' at Floivin Penitentiary, but much to the dismay of Monch and family, it will not be public. Luz spends a few hours at the Penitentiary speaking to the enigmatic Zinsk, then one of the Royal Leathers clerks is dressed up as his corpse, and Luz as a soldier. He makes it out of the Penitentiary without Ymurf noticing his disguise, and then he escapes Floivin Keep.
Once they arrive at Cheeky's Hollow, they find it empty aside from two orc squatters: Vishlag and Dropy, who they enlist, after interrogating them about Ironballs and Cheeky. The orcs do not know, but they do know Ironballs is somewhere in the Tooth Marsh. Luz has little idea where exactly the other PCs have wound up, so he travels to Hobfast, where he meets some halfling mercenary guards and Captain Reckon. Reckon leads Luz to Cheeky's Hollow, where they are confronted by the latest 'door guards', Vishlag and Dropy. Luz and Reckon kill Dropy outright, not realizing he's peaceful, and Vishlag is overcome with grief, while the PCs come out to sort everything through. Reckon is told of his brother's orders (Kennel), and tells the PCs he wants constant updates if they are to use the Hollow as a lair. The PCs develop a plan to track Ironballs to his source, through other denizens of the Marsh.
Late in the evening, a pair of goblins arrive with gifts of fish to trade with the orcs. They are threatened by the PCs to locate Ironballs, and they happen to know where he might be, the abandoned lair of a hydra, deeper in the Marsh. Langston, Ogeir, Luz, Mudghol, Bulgoth and Slab will trek to the Marsh to find the hobgoblin. Lt. Hoary, Odd Jon and Doorjamb remain behind. Hoary has other plans for his old prospector friend.
BlackOps, 'Horn Division: Captain Kennel (overseer), Lt. Banghorn (missing, officer), Lt. Hoary (officer), Lt. Ogeir (officer), Mudghol (Arkana Arkiva attache), Pvt. Langston, Pvt. Doorjamb, Pvt. Jon Stuckle, Pvt. Slab, Pvt. Bulgoth, Vishlag.
PCs: Doorjamb, Langston, Luz, Mudghol, Ogeir, Slab
NPCs
Lamontain (human male): A fairly fresh Eidolorn guard recruit, Lamontain is pasty and seems constantly nervous and unsure of himself. He can't be more than 20 years old, and is very hesitant to do anything important, making him a walking target for his direct superior, Captain Kennel.
Trifful (human male): A middle aged, bossy human male with auburn hair who wears his leather goods with pride. Trifful is the proprietor of Royal Leathers, and somewhat of a higher up in The Stride. With the uncertainty of Aslak's fate, Trifful takes command of what remains of the Stride (Luz, Slab and Anemone).
Online Session 9 Notes (11/05/10)
This session will be played in person, so there will be a write-up here as opposed to an online chat transcript.
Evelais (Saint's Day), Clairis 23rd, 868 ID.
Doorjamb and Parodee are beset by five kobolds, each with a crossbow and spear. Parodee, sensing her racial enmity, is disgusted, but the battle is relatively short. Parodee checks inside the kobolds' cottage while Doorjamb searches the bodies, and then screams when she realizes there are younglings left inside. Doorjamb lets them go, and they question an adult kobold survivor who mocks them. Parodee kills the captive, and the pair continue to travel until they are tired, camping out uneventfully by the river.
Aric, Clairis 24th, 868 ID.
The duo awaken and take breakfast, then arrive at Cedarway soon after, stopping to bathe across the river. Parodee is introduced to Lt. Hoary and his men, and Doorjamb delivers his orders from Floivin Keep. When prompted as to what he's brought back for Hoary personally, Doorjamb offers one of his pigs, 'Dinner', and a bottle of Braulish whiskey from the Seven Flood Inn. Doorjamb is told of a prospector looking for some help, a man named Krar the Krooked. He says farewell to Parodee, who heads off to find Luorn Stride. Doorjamb meets with Krar, who enlists him to help clear a mine across the Skunk Ridge on the following day.
In the evening, Lt. Hoary holds a small feast, where he and his men consume 'Dinner' and drink from the gift of whiskey. Doorjamb and Krar join in, but before long, the old man retires to the camping area. Once the feast has ended, Doorjamb notices a torchlight away from the festivities. Parodee, Luorn and a nervous, pudgy man in spectacles named 'Wilt' are having a private conversation. Doorjamb is kindly turned away. He returns to camp, but in the middle of the night, he awakes to Luorn's longsword at his throat. He questions Doorjamb about his time at the Keep and who he met. Apparently, Parodee has tasked the old ranger with the tracking and killing of Mudghol the Undecided and Imperion of the Chaste Cloak (not realizing the latter is dead). After a cruel inquisition, Doorjamb and Krar are left unharmed.
Tault, Clairis 25th, 868 ID.
In the morning, Doorjamb checks Krar to see he's still sleeping, with a white powder on his lips. Apparently, he was poisoned by the man 'Wilt' to not interfere with Luorn's questioning. Our hero reports the events of the previous night to Lt. Hoary in privacy, in the guard tower. Lt. Hoary thinks it must be serious if the old hunter actually took out his sword. Doorjamb is torn between aiding Krar and rushing back to Floivin Keep to warn Mudghol. Lt. Hoary volunteers, telling him he is far likely to draw suspicion if he runs into Luorn and Parodee. He also warns Doorjamb that Luorn is purportedly a deadly game hunter, capable of killing dangerous beasts single handedly. He tells Doorjamb to meet with him at the western gate of the Keep on the 28th, in the morning.
Doorjamb and Krar gather some supplies and set out across the Skunk Ridge. The dwarf leaves Stickler behind, for the first time. Doorjamb insists that Krar get rid of the rattling cans, to keep them safe from harm. They encounter some giant wasps who ignore them in the hills, and then finally, as the darkness falls, Krar has found the mountain path to Hud Horrn. Following this to the North, he finds the old mine. A pair of bugbears belonging to the Blood Eagle tribe are guarding the place, and Doorjamb begins to fire at them, drawing them to him so Krar can charge. Krar, whose slow movement cost Doorjamb an entire day of traveling, cannot charge in time. One of the bugbears escapes within, calling out his leader and his concubine, who then join the battle. Krar is knocked out and dragged inside the cavern by the female, while Doorjamb and the chief nearly kill each other. Doorjamb finally wins...
He enters the cavern, and nearly falls to the wild bugbear woman, before felling her and saving the nearly unconscious Krar, who is being kicked repeatedly. The prospectors discover the remains of Krar's companions, and then bury them. The mine will now belong to Krar, once he's gotten his deed. While searching the mine, Doorjamb and Krar discover a false wall of rubble, behind which there is a dwarf skeleton bearing a masterwork silver-tipped spear, a golden trim cloak and a suit of (magical) silver chainmail. They also find the bugbears' wealth, and then divide up the goods. They spend the night at the mine.
Varony, Clairis 26th, 868 ID.
Another day is spent traveling to Tarndim, where Krar can make his claim to the mine. The two spend the day there, and then Krar promises Doorjamb he will return to Cedarway and look after Stickler for the time being. Doorjamb must head to Floivin Keep to meet with Lt. Hoary. The two spend the night in Tarndim at the Steady Oar.
Verne, Clairis 27th, 868 ID.
Doorjamb purchases a small boat on its last leg, and pilots it across the Udders Well to land West of Floivin Keep. He covers the boat and travels to the city, where he is met at the gate by guards. He decides to wait out the night at Odd Jon's stand, hoping to meet with his old friend in the morning. At one point, he decides instead to take a walk...
PCs: Doorjamb
NPCs
Krar the Krooked (human male): A robust man with a severely weather beaten face, ruddy red cheeks, and wild gray hair that flows about his head and beard like a lion's mane. He's disfigured in that he has one leg about 5" shorter than the other (right is the short), and thus limps on a stick with cans ratting on it. Krar enlists Doorjamb's help to clear out an old Silver Lode in the Vernal Wall (west of the Skunk Ridge), after his dwarf companions were slain.
Kuptka (kobold male): a young kobold that escapes the battle against Doorjamb and Parodee in the Frail Forest. Only Kuptka and two other younglings survive, but Doorjamb notices that the little kobold has the forethought to take some of the fish from the cottage before Parodee burns it down.
Evelais (Saint's Day), Clairis 23rd, 868 ID.
Doorjamb and Parodee are beset by five kobolds, each with a crossbow and spear. Parodee, sensing her racial enmity, is disgusted, but the battle is relatively short. Parodee checks inside the kobolds' cottage while Doorjamb searches the bodies, and then screams when she realizes there are younglings left inside. Doorjamb lets them go, and they question an adult kobold survivor who mocks them. Parodee kills the captive, and the pair continue to travel until they are tired, camping out uneventfully by the river.
Aric, Clairis 24th, 868 ID.
The duo awaken and take breakfast, then arrive at Cedarway soon after, stopping to bathe across the river. Parodee is introduced to Lt. Hoary and his men, and Doorjamb delivers his orders from Floivin Keep. When prompted as to what he's brought back for Hoary personally, Doorjamb offers one of his pigs, 'Dinner', and a bottle of Braulish whiskey from the Seven Flood Inn. Doorjamb is told of a prospector looking for some help, a man named Krar the Krooked. He says farewell to Parodee, who heads off to find Luorn Stride. Doorjamb meets with Krar, who enlists him to help clear a mine across the Skunk Ridge on the following day.
In the evening, Lt. Hoary holds a small feast, where he and his men consume 'Dinner' and drink from the gift of whiskey. Doorjamb and Krar join in, but before long, the old man retires to the camping area. Once the feast has ended, Doorjamb notices a torchlight away from the festivities. Parodee, Luorn and a nervous, pudgy man in spectacles named 'Wilt' are having a private conversation. Doorjamb is kindly turned away. He returns to camp, but in the middle of the night, he awakes to Luorn's longsword at his throat. He questions Doorjamb about his time at the Keep and who he met. Apparently, Parodee has tasked the old ranger with the tracking and killing of Mudghol the Undecided and Imperion of the Chaste Cloak (not realizing the latter is dead). After a cruel inquisition, Doorjamb and Krar are left unharmed.
Tault, Clairis 25th, 868 ID.
In the morning, Doorjamb checks Krar to see he's still sleeping, with a white powder on his lips. Apparently, he was poisoned by the man 'Wilt' to not interfere with Luorn's questioning. Our hero reports the events of the previous night to Lt. Hoary in privacy, in the guard tower. Lt. Hoary thinks it must be serious if the old hunter actually took out his sword. Doorjamb is torn between aiding Krar and rushing back to Floivin Keep to warn Mudghol. Lt. Hoary volunteers, telling him he is far likely to draw suspicion if he runs into Luorn and Parodee. He also warns Doorjamb that Luorn is purportedly a deadly game hunter, capable of killing dangerous beasts single handedly. He tells Doorjamb to meet with him at the western gate of the Keep on the 28th, in the morning.
Doorjamb and Krar gather some supplies and set out across the Skunk Ridge. The dwarf leaves Stickler behind, for the first time. Doorjamb insists that Krar get rid of the rattling cans, to keep them safe from harm. They encounter some giant wasps who ignore them in the hills, and then finally, as the darkness falls, Krar has found the mountain path to Hud Horrn. Following this to the North, he finds the old mine. A pair of bugbears belonging to the Blood Eagle tribe are guarding the place, and Doorjamb begins to fire at them, drawing them to him so Krar can charge. Krar, whose slow movement cost Doorjamb an entire day of traveling, cannot charge in time. One of the bugbears escapes within, calling out his leader and his concubine, who then join the battle. Krar is knocked out and dragged inside the cavern by the female, while Doorjamb and the chief nearly kill each other. Doorjamb finally wins...
He enters the cavern, and nearly falls to the wild bugbear woman, before felling her and saving the nearly unconscious Krar, who is being kicked repeatedly. The prospectors discover the remains of Krar's companions, and then bury them. The mine will now belong to Krar, once he's gotten his deed. While searching the mine, Doorjamb and Krar discover a false wall of rubble, behind which there is a dwarf skeleton bearing a masterwork silver-tipped spear, a golden trim cloak and a suit of (magical) silver chainmail. They also find the bugbears' wealth, and then divide up the goods. They spend the night at the mine.
Varony, Clairis 26th, 868 ID.
Another day is spent traveling to Tarndim, where Krar can make his claim to the mine. The two spend the day there, and then Krar promises Doorjamb he will return to Cedarway and look after Stickler for the time being. Doorjamb must head to Floivin Keep to meet with Lt. Hoary. The two spend the night in Tarndim at the Steady Oar.
Verne, Clairis 27th, 868 ID.
Doorjamb purchases a small boat on its last leg, and pilots it across the Udders Well to land West of Floivin Keep. He covers the boat and travels to the city, where he is met at the gate by guards. He decides to wait out the night at Odd Jon's stand, hoping to meet with his old friend in the morning. At one point, he decides instead to take a walk...
PCs: Doorjamb
NPCs
Krar the Krooked (human male): A robust man with a severely weather beaten face, ruddy red cheeks, and wild gray hair that flows about his head and beard like a lion's mane. He's disfigured in that he has one leg about 5" shorter than the other (right is the short), and thus limps on a stick with cans ratting on it. Krar enlists Doorjamb's help to clear out an old Silver Lode in the Vernal Wall (west of the Skunk Ridge), after his dwarf companions were slain.
Kuptka (kobold male): a young kobold that escapes the battle against Doorjamb and Parodee in the Frail Forest. Only Kuptka and two other younglings survive, but Doorjamb notices that the little kobold has the forethought to take some of the fish from the cottage before Parodee burns it down.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Session 9 Notes (10/28/10)
Varony, Clairis 26th, 868 ID.
After the clash with the Score sellsword Drado, the PCs decide not to follow the surviving halfling crossbowman, noting that he's fled back in the direction of Hobfast. Kraalt Zu'ult heals both Luz and Mudghol of their wounds but ignores the rest of the party. Mordecai's remains, which are too mangled to tote back to the Keep, are buried here in the Tooth Marsh, and Ogeir performs final rites upon the unfortunate elf. His belongings are then re-distributed, and the PCs pick over Drado's equipment also, acquiring several masterwork goods and the man's strange scabbard.
The PCs then finish their escort task, turning a cloaked Kraalt over to the guards, who quickly whisk the orc away to a guard post so they can transport him in safety to the Regent-General. En route back to their hideout, the courier boy Polk spots our heroes, calling out Ogeir for a meeting at the Cathedral of Blades (he is to bring Tundra Wolf along). The party arrives at their headquarters only to find a strange pile of refuse outside the door, which turns out to be a pair of Stride members! Anemone Hosspotch and the dwarf Slab have survived a Score attack on Belowtown, in the Floivin Keep sewers. They describe the assailants, whom the PCs recognize to be Fancy Nan, Bread & Butter, Scroundel, and possibly Shalabarr Klasp himself.
Though the Stride survivors claim that the Royal Leathers clerks have sealed up the Lift to Belowtown, the PCs decide to investigate. They find that the leather shop has been robbed and two of the young clerks slain in a 2nd story chamber, then they set about looting the tanner Trifful's bank notice and objects of wealth, to return to him if they can recover him alive. The gate to the Lift is chained with several good locks, and does not appear to have been broken in, but there are clear signs of struggle within. Lexxie finds an orange tabby cat, and takes it with her. On the street, the PCs have spied two more of the monocled men they've been seeing of late.
Ogeir and Tundra Wolf travel to the Cathedral of Blades, where they are met by Bishop Brandler and Regent-General Gurd Gnarlbottom in civilian garb. They are warned of troubles to the north, where Vandrakki painted berzerkers have amassed to assault the province of Wintersbreath. Brandler and the Regent-General will be leading a force of 400 Eidolorn soldiers, including several officers and the archmage Spurr the Meticulous. They will meet with a larger host from Toul Tabor, Nobbish and Carbadi, and converge together at the small city of Vettlar, where they will join with Regent Balewhyte and prepare the repulsion of the savages. In his stead, Gurd has appointed Commander Doolan the temporary charge of Floivin Province.
Since Banghorn has not been heard from, the Regent-General promotes Ogeir the Hawk to the position of Lieutenant, now in charge of the group's covert operations. Mudghol is to act as serving liaison from the Arkana Arkiva. Since Spurr and Gurd are both leaving for the expedition, Mudghol will now report directly to Mistlethroe, and Ogeir to Captain Kennel of Floivin Keep. The Bishop and Regent-General also beseech Tundra Wolf to aid them in their campaign, and he cannot refuse, in dire fear for his people in Wintersbreath. Tundra Wolf says his goodbyes to Ogeir, and tells him to pass word to Mudghol that he will be missed.
A strange half-orc courier wearing a fishnet shirt seeks out Luz and Lexxie at the hideout. He is sent by Monch Gnarlbottom, who wants the PCs to do some stakeout work at the Dwarf Lord's Rest, east of Floivin Keep. The dwarf Slab makes a note that too many people seem to know the whereabouts of the PCs within the city, and perhaps a move is in order. The PCs can find Monch at either the Seven Flood Inn, or the following morning at the Market Square. Bulgoth is sent off with some money to fetch supplies and remain out of the PCs hair. He returns with a pair of buxom harlots, and tries to coax Ogeir, Mudghol and Slab into sharing them. They all refuse with various excuses, and Bulgoth leaves with the whores. Lexxie, Luz and Anemone leave to the Fiery Rat tavern, which is quite busy this night. They meet a strange man named Kalkan who is attempting to track their own Bulgoth! Lexxie buys a round of drinks for the patrons, and both she and Anemone are solicited by one Berkys Hosspotch, a robust halfling that doesn't want to take no for an answer.
Verne, Clairis 27th, 868 ID, i.e. 'The Night of Grand Fuckery'.
Bulgoth hasn't returned by morning, so the PCs just set out to Market Square, where they meet up with Monch, traveling with a bunch of aides and laborers whose purpose is to carry his purchases. They decide to discuss matters at the Twin Lizard Tap, and the dwarf noble's aides scurry about to join several tables for their large party. Monch treats all to a lovely brunch, but Ogeir refuses, stalking like an emo as he 'guards' the front of the inn. Monch has some concerns that there is corruption afoot at the Dwarf Lords' Rest, the resting place of his ancestors who still covet some great hidden wealth. Monch wants the PCs to scope out the situation and report back, noting that he may have further uses for them at the Rest in the near future.
The PCs decide to pack up some rations and head out before long, leaving Anemone of the Stride behind to watch their hideout, along with Bulgoth, who has finally returned. Bulgoth is told of the man Kalkan hunting him. The PCs travel East along the Vernal Wall, through the Crown Pasture, until they come to the base of the tomb, where they stake out the Eidolorn guard detachment. In the evening, Lexxie and Slab creep up to the camp to get a closer look or listen, while the rest of the PCs stay behind a nearby copse of trees in their own camp. They notice a man coming out of the tomb, which is supposedly against the rules, but Lexxie is soon spotted hiding in the tall grasses, and when Slab flees to warn the others, he too is caught! The PCs are rounded up and forced to deal with Sergeant Screyn, the soldier that emerged from the Rest, whom Lexxie finds somehow familiar.
After threats are exchanged and Ogeir attempts to pull rank, the PCs are marched back to Floivin Keep by two of the soldiers and Screyn, where they are brought before Captain Kennel, who is quite angry to have been woken at such a late hour. Kennel accosts Ogeir and then the others when they reveal that Monch has hired them to spy out the tomb, and claims the noble has tried such folly before, and probably wants to rob the tomb for the heirlooms the Eidolorn Empire will not grant his family. Kennel lets them off with a warning and then informs them he will be giving a talk to Monch the following day. Luz, Lexxie and Mudghol, realizing the Seven Flood Inn is closed, head straight to Gnarlbottom's manor to warn him directly.
After parlaying with the irate young gate guard Scorzus, the trio are let inside the manor. Monch is extremely upset that the PCs have been caught, calling them failures and slinging out some racial epithets at the half-orcs. He tells them they will not be paid aside from the deposit fee that was granted them for supplies. Luz becomes very offended by Monch, and after a warning, he decides to deal great bodily harm to the noble. A melee ensues, with Luz attacking the dwarf. Monch manages to flee to the second floor and lock himself into his bedchamber with his wife, and the gate guard Scorzus enters to deal with the violent outbreak. Luz dispatches the guard, and then Ymurf Gnarlbottom, son of Monch who bravely tries to repel the angered half-orc.
Mudghol flees the manor, after the DM docks his alignment from LG to Neutral. Lexxie attempts to slow her companion with a number of minor summoned elements, but these are unable to do more than distract the self-healing tank Luz, who knocks out Monch before his bloodlust recedes and he takes stock of the situation. Luz leaves the manor and decides to hide out at Royal Leathers, while Lexxie is left in a state of confusion...
PCs: Lexxie, Luz, Mudghol, Ogeir, Slab
NPCs
Berkys Hosspotch (halfling male): A robust halfling trader who is also quite the drunkard, Berkys attempts to seduce both Lexxie and Anemone Hosspotch after they buy the Fiery Rat patrons a round of drinks.
General Gurd Gnarlbottom (dwarf male): In civilian garb, the Regent-General appears as a stout and sturdy dwarf with pale, knotted muscles and a braided, amber beard and topknot. His hair is struck through with veins of silver, and his eyes glitter with a gold-flecked brown. He is portly, with a weighty midsection, and has a chipped war hammer hanging by his belt even in casual garb. Normally, he is adorned in a pricey suit of bronzed chain mail. Gurd has been made Regent-General after the strange passing of Regent Bauerkraft.
Kalkan (human male): Kalkan is a tall, limber man of his 30s, with narrow untrusting eyes of deep green. He wears a fine leather cloak above a tight cap, and studded leather armor slung with a number of blades of various shapes and sizes. His gloves don't hide the fact that he's missing two fingers from his left hand, and he has a number of small scars on his lips and chin. Kalkan is attempting to track down Bulgoth, for crimes of womanizing and gambling debts unpaid in Olgest, in the neighboring province of Toul Tabor. He encounters several of the PCs at the Fiery Rat Tavern, after Lexxie buys a round for all the patrons that night.
Scorzus (human male): Scorzus is the gate guard at the manor of Monch Gnarlbottom at Floivin Keep. He fights with a longsword. He is brave but seems relatively inexperienced, and is soon knocked out by Luz after the half-orc goes mad with rage, attempting to murder the dwarf noble Monch in his own home.
Sergeant Screyn (human male): Screyn appears with long, flowing dark hair and a pair of mismatched eyes, the left being red and green, the right darker brown. His chain mail shirt has seen great wear, and he covers it with a raggedy cloak. Screyn wields both a long and short sword. He's tasked with guarding the Dwarf Lord's Rest, but he also appears to enter the tomb, thus making the PCs suspicious. Lexxie swears she could recognize the man by his left eye.
Ymurf Gnarlbottom (dwarf male): Son of Monch Gnarlbottom, Ymurf bravely emerges from his quarters to protect his parents from the rampaging half-orc Luz, wielding only a war hammer and no armor. Luz takes down Ymurf, but doesn't kill the lad.
After the clash with the Score sellsword Drado, the PCs decide not to follow the surviving halfling crossbowman, noting that he's fled back in the direction of Hobfast. Kraalt Zu'ult heals both Luz and Mudghol of their wounds but ignores the rest of the party. Mordecai's remains, which are too mangled to tote back to the Keep, are buried here in the Tooth Marsh, and Ogeir performs final rites upon the unfortunate elf. His belongings are then re-distributed, and the PCs pick over Drado's equipment also, acquiring several masterwork goods and the man's strange scabbard.
The PCs then finish their escort task, turning a cloaked Kraalt over to the guards, who quickly whisk the orc away to a guard post so they can transport him in safety to the Regent-General. En route back to their hideout, the courier boy Polk spots our heroes, calling out Ogeir for a meeting at the Cathedral of Blades (he is to bring Tundra Wolf along). The party arrives at their headquarters only to find a strange pile of refuse outside the door, which turns out to be a pair of Stride members! Anemone Hosspotch and the dwarf Slab have survived a Score attack on Belowtown, in the Floivin Keep sewers. They describe the assailants, whom the PCs recognize to be Fancy Nan, Bread & Butter, Scroundel, and possibly Shalabarr Klasp himself.
Though the Stride survivors claim that the Royal Leathers clerks have sealed up the Lift to Belowtown, the PCs decide to investigate. They find that the leather shop has been robbed and two of the young clerks slain in a 2nd story chamber, then they set about looting the tanner Trifful's bank notice and objects of wealth, to return to him if they can recover him alive. The gate to the Lift is chained with several good locks, and does not appear to have been broken in, but there are clear signs of struggle within. Lexxie finds an orange tabby cat, and takes it with her. On the street, the PCs have spied two more of the monocled men they've been seeing of late.
Ogeir and Tundra Wolf travel to the Cathedral of Blades, where they are met by Bishop Brandler and Regent-General Gurd Gnarlbottom in civilian garb. They are warned of troubles to the north, where Vandrakki painted berzerkers have amassed to assault the province of Wintersbreath. Brandler and the Regent-General will be leading a force of 400 Eidolorn soldiers, including several officers and the archmage Spurr the Meticulous. They will meet with a larger host from Toul Tabor, Nobbish and Carbadi, and converge together at the small city of Vettlar, where they will join with Regent Balewhyte and prepare the repulsion of the savages. In his stead, Gurd has appointed Commander Doolan the temporary charge of Floivin Province.
Since Banghorn has not been heard from, the Regent-General promotes Ogeir the Hawk to the position of Lieutenant, now in charge of the group's covert operations. Mudghol is to act as serving liaison from the Arkana Arkiva. Since Spurr and Gurd are both leaving for the expedition, Mudghol will now report directly to Mistlethroe, and Ogeir to Captain Kennel of Floivin Keep. The Bishop and Regent-General also beseech Tundra Wolf to aid them in their campaign, and he cannot refuse, in dire fear for his people in Wintersbreath. Tundra Wolf says his goodbyes to Ogeir, and tells him to pass word to Mudghol that he will be missed.
A strange half-orc courier wearing a fishnet shirt seeks out Luz and Lexxie at the hideout. He is sent by Monch Gnarlbottom, who wants the PCs to do some stakeout work at the Dwarf Lord's Rest, east of Floivin Keep. The dwarf Slab makes a note that too many people seem to know the whereabouts of the PCs within the city, and perhaps a move is in order. The PCs can find Monch at either the Seven Flood Inn, or the following morning at the Market Square. Bulgoth is sent off with some money to fetch supplies and remain out of the PCs hair. He returns with a pair of buxom harlots, and tries to coax Ogeir, Mudghol and Slab into sharing them. They all refuse with various excuses, and Bulgoth leaves with the whores. Lexxie, Luz and Anemone leave to the Fiery Rat tavern, which is quite busy this night. They meet a strange man named Kalkan who is attempting to track their own Bulgoth! Lexxie buys a round of drinks for the patrons, and both she and Anemone are solicited by one Berkys Hosspotch, a robust halfling that doesn't want to take no for an answer.
Verne, Clairis 27th, 868 ID, i.e. 'The Night of Grand Fuckery'.
Bulgoth hasn't returned by morning, so the PCs just set out to Market Square, where they meet up with Monch, traveling with a bunch of aides and laborers whose purpose is to carry his purchases. They decide to discuss matters at the Twin Lizard Tap, and the dwarf noble's aides scurry about to join several tables for their large party. Monch treats all to a lovely brunch, but Ogeir refuses, stalking like an emo as he 'guards' the front of the inn. Monch has some concerns that there is corruption afoot at the Dwarf Lords' Rest, the resting place of his ancestors who still covet some great hidden wealth. Monch wants the PCs to scope out the situation and report back, noting that he may have further uses for them at the Rest in the near future.
The PCs decide to pack up some rations and head out before long, leaving Anemone of the Stride behind to watch their hideout, along with Bulgoth, who has finally returned. Bulgoth is told of the man Kalkan hunting him. The PCs travel East along the Vernal Wall, through the Crown Pasture, until they come to the base of the tomb, where they stake out the Eidolorn guard detachment. In the evening, Lexxie and Slab creep up to the camp to get a closer look or listen, while the rest of the PCs stay behind a nearby copse of trees in their own camp. They notice a man coming out of the tomb, which is supposedly against the rules, but Lexxie is soon spotted hiding in the tall grasses, and when Slab flees to warn the others, he too is caught! The PCs are rounded up and forced to deal with Sergeant Screyn, the soldier that emerged from the Rest, whom Lexxie finds somehow familiar.
After threats are exchanged and Ogeir attempts to pull rank, the PCs are marched back to Floivin Keep by two of the soldiers and Screyn, where they are brought before Captain Kennel, who is quite angry to have been woken at such a late hour. Kennel accosts Ogeir and then the others when they reveal that Monch has hired them to spy out the tomb, and claims the noble has tried such folly before, and probably wants to rob the tomb for the heirlooms the Eidolorn Empire will not grant his family. Kennel lets them off with a warning and then informs them he will be giving a talk to Monch the following day. Luz, Lexxie and Mudghol, realizing the Seven Flood Inn is closed, head straight to Gnarlbottom's manor to warn him directly.
After parlaying with the irate young gate guard Scorzus, the trio are let inside the manor. Monch is extremely upset that the PCs have been caught, calling them failures and slinging out some racial epithets at the half-orcs. He tells them they will not be paid aside from the deposit fee that was granted them for supplies. Luz becomes very offended by Monch, and after a warning, he decides to deal great bodily harm to the noble. A melee ensues, with Luz attacking the dwarf. Monch manages to flee to the second floor and lock himself into his bedchamber with his wife, and the gate guard Scorzus enters to deal with the violent outbreak. Luz dispatches the guard, and then Ymurf Gnarlbottom, son of Monch who bravely tries to repel the angered half-orc.
Mudghol flees the manor, after the DM docks his alignment from LG to Neutral. Lexxie attempts to slow her companion with a number of minor summoned elements, but these are unable to do more than distract the self-healing tank Luz, who knocks out Monch before his bloodlust recedes and he takes stock of the situation. Luz leaves the manor and decides to hide out at Royal Leathers, while Lexxie is left in a state of confusion...
PCs: Lexxie, Luz, Mudghol, Ogeir, Slab
NPCs
Berkys Hosspotch (halfling male): A robust halfling trader who is also quite the drunkard, Berkys attempts to seduce both Lexxie and Anemone Hosspotch after they buy the Fiery Rat patrons a round of drinks.
General Gurd Gnarlbottom (dwarf male): In civilian garb, the Regent-General appears as a stout and sturdy dwarf with pale, knotted muscles and a braided, amber beard and topknot. His hair is struck through with veins of silver, and his eyes glitter with a gold-flecked brown. He is portly, with a weighty midsection, and has a chipped war hammer hanging by his belt even in casual garb. Normally, he is adorned in a pricey suit of bronzed chain mail. Gurd has been made Regent-General after the strange passing of Regent Bauerkraft.
Kalkan (human male): Kalkan is a tall, limber man of his 30s, with narrow untrusting eyes of deep green. He wears a fine leather cloak above a tight cap, and studded leather armor slung with a number of blades of various shapes and sizes. His gloves don't hide the fact that he's missing two fingers from his left hand, and he has a number of small scars on his lips and chin. Kalkan is attempting to track down Bulgoth, for crimes of womanizing and gambling debts unpaid in Olgest, in the neighboring province of Toul Tabor. He encounters several of the PCs at the Fiery Rat Tavern, after Lexxie buys a round for all the patrons that night.
Scorzus (human male): Scorzus is the gate guard at the manor of Monch Gnarlbottom at Floivin Keep. He fights with a longsword. He is brave but seems relatively inexperienced, and is soon knocked out by Luz after the half-orc goes mad with rage, attempting to murder the dwarf noble Monch in his own home.
Sergeant Screyn (human male): Screyn appears with long, flowing dark hair and a pair of mismatched eyes, the left being red and green, the right darker brown. His chain mail shirt has seen great wear, and he covers it with a raggedy cloak. Screyn wields both a long and short sword. He's tasked with guarding the Dwarf Lord's Rest, but he also appears to enter the tomb, thus making the PCs suspicious. Lexxie swears she could recognize the man by his left eye.
Ymurf Gnarlbottom (dwarf male): Son of Monch Gnarlbottom, Ymurf bravely emerges from his quarters to protect his parents from the rampaging half-orc Luz, wielding only a war hammer and no armor. Luz takes down Ymurf, but doesn't kill the lad.
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