In attendance were;
Kumak Morudall: Half-Orc Bloodrager
Tiberius Lionheart: Human Paladin of Sarenrae
Susan: Human Universalist Wizard
Thaddeus Whisperheart: Gnome Trickster
Cooking up a large portion of crab into a crab stew the party eats what they hope to be their final meal in Thistletop. Come the morning Shalelu elects to remain for a few days to pick off any goblins that return. Kumak leaves all the goblin arrows and his 5 days of trail rations with her to tide her over until they can return. Shalelu casts a spell transforming one end of the 200ft of rope into an arrow and shoots it across the gap. The arrow strikes true reforming itself into a rope and securing one end to the tree. Kumak lashes the large golden helmet to himself and prepares to swing across with the idea that he and Thaddeus would ensure the rope remains tied to the far end allowing the rest to corss safely. The swing to the base of the cliff goes well with Kumak casting a feather fall to ensure his descent is gentle enough but his weight, the 300 pound golden helmet strapped to his back and Thaddeus on his shoulders proves too much weight for the rope which snaps 30 feet from the top. Kumak climbs the cliff face with the reminder of rope around his waist and holding on to his end allows the rest of the party to cross before they secure the mainland end for Shalelu.
Moving through the burnt carnage of the remains of the brier patch Kumak looks down into the hole they had seen before, seeing many tracks leading into the pit he surmises that many goblins leapt into the pit to try and escape a fiery death from Susan's flaming sphere. Tiberius asks if he would like to go down there and fight whatever beast they heard roaring days ago to which Kumak raises an eye brow, hands off the rope still tied to him to Orik and jumps in. Descending about 60 feet down he stops himself and looking in the dark spies a large pool of water about 10 feet deep below him and to one side a shelf mad from the cliff on which a creature later identified as a Bunyip dozing. Tiberius grabs the rope to join him but slips at the lip of the hole and plummets into the water below waking the Bunyip. Kumak swings over to the ledge and thrusts his now repaired Ranseur into the Bunyip drawing significant blood and an ear piercing roar which threatens the resolve of the party but only Thaddeus's courage falters as the gnome moves away from the hole. The bunyip moves towards the water, either to make an escape or to attack Tiberius but Kumak gives it a parting stab which finishes off the creature. Searching the grotto finds a wand, some coins and gems and a few magical arrows, not a bad haul for few minutes work.
With that the party soon find themselves returning to Sandpoint, Kumak says he wishes to sell all the excess items he has been carrying around for the last few days and Tiberius announces he will be taking the religious iconography to the temple to be turned in for a bounty and destroyed. On their way to the market square the remainder find a crowd gathered and the Orc from before Gris is at the center of a celebration recounting his recent heroics single-handedly vanquishing the Licktoad Goblin tribe. Susan and Thaddeus wish to stay and listen, the event doesn't hold Kumak's attention long but the sticks of meat and cups of ale convince him to stay a while and listen. Soon some townsfolk's attention drifts to the newcomers and the large golden helmet, Gris noticing this yells out that this is his celebration and they need to leave. Kumak talking around a mouthful of meat calls back that Gris is welcome to the glory, he is in it for the challenge, and with that and a few magically generated heckling calls from Thaddeus, Gris jumps down and strides up the group challenging them all to a contest, that the winner is the true hero and the losers must slink away back to their rooms. Thaddeus and Susan are game, Kumak announces that he will gladly compete but since he doesn't care about the glory asks if Gris would like to make the competition interesting and wagers 150 gold to which Gris agrees. Calling out for a drinking, archery and running contest the party confer to see who will compete in which. Kumak allows the others to decide as he will take which ever they do not wish.
Thaddeus steps up to drink against the Orc but proposes a change. In one hand they will drink while the other will hold the burning end of a torch, stop drinking or remove your hand from the torch and you forfeit. Gris agrees and snatching a burning brand from a nearby fire pit does not seem to notice that the torch that Thaddeus presents does not seem to give off heat. Each grasping their torch they begin to drink, downing their first, second and third cups. Gris has a moment of weakness on his forth cup but powers through to the fifth and sixth, the crackle and smell of cooking meat coming from the Orc's torch. Thaddeus feels a touch woozy on the seventh cup but pushes through until finally on the ninth cup of ale Gris finishes consuming it, takes a moment, then heaves into the nearby fire pit. The crowd erupts in cheers and sighs depending on who they had backed, Gris angrily wipes his mouth and slurring only slightly points to Kumak "Double or Nothing!" and grabs a nearby bow. Looking around Gris declares that closest shot to the eye of the Dragon figure on the Rusty Dragon Inn wins, then fires a shot that goes wide but still in the direction of the inn. Remembering Susan's hunting prowess from earlier Kumak looks to her to see if she wishes to compete, while chanting quietly Susan grabs the bow and expertly puts an arrow just shy of the eye to the cheers of the crowd. Snapping his bow in half Gris calls out "Double Double or nothing" to which Kumak asks if he can even cover the now 600 gold bet. Gris throws a pouch filled with platinum down and a cursory inspection shows he can, so Kumak removes his armor and stretches while Gris drunkenly casts some magic on himself which Susan identifies as Longstrider. The course is determined and with a call Kumak rockets off at a startling speed, whether it is the drink, his own temper at being bested twice, or he was not expecting his half-orc opponent to be that fast Gris stumbles out the gate and lands face first just past the starting line. The race is swift and while Gris does make up significant ground that first few seconds tells the tale and Kumak wins. Collecting the money pouch Kumak pulls out 60 platinum then hands the remainder to Gris who angrily stalks out while the crowd cheers asking what to call the group. Looking around none seem to have an idea before Thaddeus steps up and introduces them as The Redeemers which the crowd eagerly takes up and begins chanting.
Shortly after their victory a shrill trumpet is heard and upon a carpet laden palanquin pulled by burly shirtless men a flamboyant stranger approaches. Calling himself Captain Creesy he takes in the newly minted Redeemers and invites them to his ship for dinner, drinks and tales of adventure. Thaddeus steps up and identifies himself as the leader of the group and accepts on their behalf, Creesy stands up on his carpet which now begins to move on its own towards the gnome and extends his hand out to Thaddeus who steps on and the 2 fly off towards the ship. Left with the now vacant palanquin Susan and Kumak look to each other, shrug and say OK. Kumak addresses Orik to find Tiberius and let him know then to wait for them at the Rusty Dragon. Susan finds the most dashing looking of Creesy's burly men and has him carry her in his arms to the ship while the strongest of the bunch approaches Kumak and after a short wrestle to see who ends up carrying whom Kumak finds himself slung over the mans shoulder eating the remainder of his meat on a stick. Creesy and Thaddeus discuss their respective exploits while they wait for the rest of the party and Creesy asks Thaddeus to choose what kind of fare they should have, to which he asks for some far off delicacy that he had barely even heard of. Creesy laughs in approval and claps his hands as more burly men move about the ship and swiftly construct a sizable table with chairs and place some aperitifs out for the now arriving Susan and Kumak. The 4 are seated and begin with conversation and feasting while Tiberius joins them by the second course. Kumak and Tiberius soon find themselves well into their cups and while Tiberius demands he be returned to the Rusty Dragon, Kumak accepts the offer to sleep the night aboard the ship. Susan and Thaddeus nurse their drinks as such keep a level head when suddenly Creesy turns the subject to business. A collector of antiquities and merchant Creesy declares himself willing to purchase their plunder and sell them whatever they desire but first wishes to hear the tale of the daring adventure. Thaddeus deftly cleans the rough edges of the journey and leaving out the discovery of the Barghest Malfeshkenor suitably impresses the Captain enough that Creesy claps his hands and declares that in celebration of this grand new arrangement he will provide a one time 5% discount to them. In the morning the accounts are settled and the Redeemers find themselves with just over 11 thousand gold. Setting aside a share for the group expenses each member makes their purchase requests known. Kumak reasonably happy with his weapons, armor, ring and amulet hands his share plus winnings from Gris to Susan to help outfit herself. Susan purchases 500 gold of inks for scribing spells into her book while the remainder of the 5,500 is put towards reagents she can use to craft magical items. Tiberius requests a suit of Full-Plate, and a Masterwork shield. The remainder of his money he had pledged to Orik and Lyrie to repay the items they had lost. Thaddeus buys some magical reagents and asks Susan to make him a headband and enchant his well made cloak.
In the morning the Redeemers look ahead to their tasks,
Susan has 10 days of crafting ahead of herself. While Shalelu was left with at least 5 days food Tiberius wishes to return to her soon and after comparing notes the Redeemers feel they have a solid plan to finish Malfeshnekor off and finally close the chapter on Thistletop. Ameiko wishing to see her friend also asks to check out Thistletop as she feels the real estate could be put to use.
Kumak introduces Sheriff Hemlock to Orik and Lyrie and ensures he understands how they came to be with the Redeemers. Kumak recommends that Orik be taken on as a deputy for a while and Hemlock see if the man is a good fit. Kumak also reccomends that Lyrie function under a sort of house arrest for a while, which spells she prepares each day is monitored and that her book remains in a secure place when not in use.
Thoughts:
A better session, there was considerably less biting back and forth though a few still did happen, the paladins player complained a bit about not having much money but I pointed out again that he was the one who wanted to pay back the people for the scrolls and wands we took. That giving them their lives was mercy enough and the loss of items would be the tax they pay for siding with Nualia and the goblins.
At the end of this Susan has crafting for 10 days and 3.5 of which she will also be scribing spells into her book. At the end she will have;
Headband of Int +2
2x Pearl of Power level 1
Pearl of Power level 2
Cloak of Resistance +1 for Kumak
Cloak of Resistance +1 for Thaddeus
Headband of Cha +2 for Thaddeus
Tuesday 10 July 2018
Friday 6 July 2018
Festering Wounds - Rise of the Runelords Campaign session 10
In attendance were;
Kumak Morudall: Half-Orc Bloodrager
Tiberius: Human Paladin of Sarenrae
Susan: Human Universalist Wizard
Thaddeus Whisperheart: Gnome Trickster
Orik and Kumak spend the next several minutes claiming coins, gems and a magically enchanted amulet from the floor of the pool. The large golden helmet is too large to fit through the doors but Kumak swims below and with much difficulty finds the exit the giant crab was about to use and determines they can move the helmet through this exit. Susan casts a spell to assist in detecting any secret doors that the group may have missed before leaving Thistletop and indeed finds one nearby, a door hidden behind a wall made to look like a pile of coins. After determining the activation method the group proceeds up to the main floor finding no additional secrets. Tiberius busys himself with burying Black Jack then sits with Shalelu and Villister in a huff and refuses to speak with the group so they return to the secret door. Searching beyond they find a strange communication room, and what appears to be a torture room. Finally they come to the final door which Susan identifies as having strong abjuration cast on it. Either meant to provide protection or containment the group checks once again with Tiberius before opening the door.
A small burning fire pit dominates the center of the room but nothing else is seen. Kumak uses his newly uncovered arcane blood to enlarge himself and steps inside with Orik, bastard swords ready. Suddenly a large paw swipes at Kumak landing a good hit. Kumak swings back but misses and the large beast which Susan will later identify as some kind of barghest unleashes a devestating barrage on the half-orc who remains standing purely on rage. Kumak orders Orik to flee and while the mercenary does so he only withdraws enough to allow Kumak to pass by. Quickly losing blood Kumak has no choice but to withdraw and flee back along the corridors calling for everyone to run. Thaddeus trusts that the creature is bound to this room somehow and once it does not follow appears proven right. Kumak downs a moderate healing potion to bring him back from deaths door and collapses in a heap panting. Tiberius walks down at this point and derides the group for bothering him before he once again returns upstairs. Kumak asks the rest to close the doors and return later to face this thing then heads upstairs to deal with Tiberius. Asking Villister for any healing magic the cleric has remaining Kumak listens to the cleric and paladin chide him back and forth over whether or not this group deserves any healing based off their actions before he interrupts and points out Tiberius's conduct including throwing the recently slain corpse of Nualia from room to room as bait and his apparent blind trust of Lyrie, who up until this group had forcibly taken her prisoner was on track to be complicit if not involved in the slaughter of town of Sandpoint, while he deems Thaddeus beyond salvation. That it was Villister's uncharacteristic refusal to lend aid to Kumak that led to Villister not being considered to heal Black Jack so that they could interrogate him. A long drawn out conversation is had between the 3 before it is decided the group will discuss the matters of our prisoners, temperament, and future. Then Villister relents and heals Kumak.
While the conversation is happening above, another more sinister one occurs below. Not heeding any warnings, Thaddeus approaches the now closed doorway with Orik in tow. Hearing a deep voice in his head asking "Who are you?" Thaddeus pries for information back. Suddenly the door begins to open again and rather than its pseudo wolf form, the barghest appears as an enormous goblin. Asking Thaddeus several questions in first common, then goblin, the barghest finally asks something in a language that the gnome shows no recognition in then chants something in that language. Thaddeus realizing that this beast has been one of the gnomes truest friends eagerly accepts its invitation to step inside to talk. It is only Oriks timely intervention that saves the gnome from becoming a meal, thwarted the beast unleashes some kind of area attack that rouses Thaddeus from his charm and with Susan and Lyrie shooting magical blasts the creature identifying itself as Malfeshnekor removes the key from inside the room. As the doors begin to close Lyrie magically shatters the key in Malfshnekors hand. The creature is taken aback for a moment before it snarls in rage and ineffectually flails against the invisible bonds that hold it in the room.
The team regroups upstairs and Kumak, Thaddeus, Tiberius and Susan move to the side to discuss their future together if any. In the end it is settled that some bending on all fronts will be required. Orik and Lyrie will be taken back to Sandpoint. Orik will be presented to Sheriff Hemlock and will work as a deputy with full pay for a period of 1 year to earn his freedom. The hope is that in living among the people of Sandpoint he will feel a connection to them and even if he should leave would not pose these people a threat. Lyrie will be presented to Broderik Quint the local Thassalonian expert, Kumak suggests she remain under some sort of house arrest that will ease over time and her spell book be provided under scrutiny of Susan or another designated chaperone. That her exact spells prepared be known until she demonstrates she is no threat to the group or Sandpoint.
Thoughts,
This was another weird game. A lot of time was spent towards the end out of character arguing between players and between players and GM. The paladins player claimed that Thaddeus had so wronged him that he did not see anyway forward under the current form he could continue with the gnome. When asked why the paladin was best friends with both people who up until hours ago were about to murder an entire town, but the gnome who had willingly fought side by side with the paladin to stop it was so bad, because he played stupid jokes like pretended to be Sarenrae speaking to him, in a mans voice. The player had no real answer to that, I suspect it had more to do with he felt teased in character and either did not have a response ready to fight back or felt he could not fight back in character. He accused me of enabling Thaddeus, but I countered that my only response was to stop obviously bigger and stronger people like a 17 Str paladin from physically picking on the much smaller and weaker 9 Str gnome. They were always welcome to meet his words with words of their own and I would only step in when I saw an obviously lopsided physical confrontation looming as that what my character dislikes. The GM began insisting that I play my character right, which I had let slide last week but this time handed him the sheet and asked if he would like to play him instead. The argument seems to be stuck at the point of whether a Chaotic Good character would feel bad about someone who had been plotting to kill them in their sleep did not survive being used as bait. I had argued that while he would not be happy at the outcome he would not lose sleep over it. Tempers I think were running high. The paladins player had been eyeing re-rolling as a 2 handed fighter and had brought it up again when claiming that he needed to see repentance from us and I told him that if he wanted to try and force my character to atone for the death of someone who had been plotting my demise then he had better re-roll or think of another way to feel ok with it. Not the most diplomatic exchange I admit, it costs me next to nothing to say I go to confession and mope around for a while and he can smile and feel like hes changing me, but change should come from within, trying to force me by the social contract of the party to lament my would-be murderers death doesn't sit right. I think rather having us help him bury the body, talking to us while we are digging, asking "Did he ever say anything about family? Children? Brothers or Sisters?" to make us think about the life before he went bad would have been a much more effective strategy. I never think a paladin should be like a school marm, slapping the hands of other alignments when they don't conform to his. I always felt the paladin leads by example, they don't offer the services of the group to a town free of charge, since that's not what the others may want, they could instead publicly hand back their own share and ask if any of their comrades will join them. If the town cant afford their assistance then the paladin could throw their own money into the towns coffers, work on the group slowly. Like with boiling the frog when you increase the temperature one degree at a time they never notice until its too late, so too can a paladin or cleric seek to convert their more wayward companions.
Kumak Morudall: Half-Orc Bloodrager
Tiberius: Human Paladin of Sarenrae
Susan: Human Universalist Wizard
Thaddeus Whisperheart: Gnome Trickster
Orik and Kumak spend the next several minutes claiming coins, gems and a magically enchanted amulet from the floor of the pool. The large golden helmet is too large to fit through the doors but Kumak swims below and with much difficulty finds the exit the giant crab was about to use and determines they can move the helmet through this exit. Susan casts a spell to assist in detecting any secret doors that the group may have missed before leaving Thistletop and indeed finds one nearby, a door hidden behind a wall made to look like a pile of coins. After determining the activation method the group proceeds up to the main floor finding no additional secrets. Tiberius busys himself with burying Black Jack then sits with Shalelu and Villister in a huff and refuses to speak with the group so they return to the secret door. Searching beyond they find a strange communication room, and what appears to be a torture room. Finally they come to the final door which Susan identifies as having strong abjuration cast on it. Either meant to provide protection or containment the group checks once again with Tiberius before opening the door.
A small burning fire pit dominates the center of the room but nothing else is seen. Kumak uses his newly uncovered arcane blood to enlarge himself and steps inside with Orik, bastard swords ready. Suddenly a large paw swipes at Kumak landing a good hit. Kumak swings back but misses and the large beast which Susan will later identify as some kind of barghest unleashes a devestating barrage on the half-orc who remains standing purely on rage. Kumak orders Orik to flee and while the mercenary does so he only withdraws enough to allow Kumak to pass by. Quickly losing blood Kumak has no choice but to withdraw and flee back along the corridors calling for everyone to run. Thaddeus trusts that the creature is bound to this room somehow and once it does not follow appears proven right. Kumak downs a moderate healing potion to bring him back from deaths door and collapses in a heap panting. Tiberius walks down at this point and derides the group for bothering him before he once again returns upstairs. Kumak asks the rest to close the doors and return later to face this thing then heads upstairs to deal with Tiberius. Asking Villister for any healing magic the cleric has remaining Kumak listens to the cleric and paladin chide him back and forth over whether or not this group deserves any healing based off their actions before he interrupts and points out Tiberius's conduct including throwing the recently slain corpse of Nualia from room to room as bait and his apparent blind trust of Lyrie, who up until this group had forcibly taken her prisoner was on track to be complicit if not involved in the slaughter of town of Sandpoint, while he deems Thaddeus beyond salvation. That it was Villister's uncharacteristic refusal to lend aid to Kumak that led to Villister not being considered to heal Black Jack so that they could interrogate him. A long drawn out conversation is had between the 3 before it is decided the group will discuss the matters of our prisoners, temperament, and future. Then Villister relents and heals Kumak.
While the conversation is happening above, another more sinister one occurs below. Not heeding any warnings, Thaddeus approaches the now closed doorway with Orik in tow. Hearing a deep voice in his head asking "Who are you?" Thaddeus pries for information back. Suddenly the door begins to open again and rather than its pseudo wolf form, the barghest appears as an enormous goblin. Asking Thaddeus several questions in first common, then goblin, the barghest finally asks something in a language that the gnome shows no recognition in then chants something in that language. Thaddeus realizing that this beast has been one of the gnomes truest friends eagerly accepts its invitation to step inside to talk. It is only Oriks timely intervention that saves the gnome from becoming a meal, thwarted the beast unleashes some kind of area attack that rouses Thaddeus from his charm and with Susan and Lyrie shooting magical blasts the creature identifying itself as Malfeshnekor removes the key from inside the room. As the doors begin to close Lyrie magically shatters the key in Malfshnekors hand. The creature is taken aback for a moment before it snarls in rage and ineffectually flails against the invisible bonds that hold it in the room.
The team regroups upstairs and Kumak, Thaddeus, Tiberius and Susan move to the side to discuss their future together if any. In the end it is settled that some bending on all fronts will be required. Orik and Lyrie will be taken back to Sandpoint. Orik will be presented to Sheriff Hemlock and will work as a deputy with full pay for a period of 1 year to earn his freedom. The hope is that in living among the people of Sandpoint he will feel a connection to them and even if he should leave would not pose these people a threat. Lyrie will be presented to Broderik Quint the local Thassalonian expert, Kumak suggests she remain under some sort of house arrest that will ease over time and her spell book be provided under scrutiny of Susan or another designated chaperone. That her exact spells prepared be known until she demonstrates she is no threat to the group or Sandpoint.
Thoughts,
This was another weird game. A lot of time was spent towards the end out of character arguing between players and between players and GM. The paladins player claimed that Thaddeus had so wronged him that he did not see anyway forward under the current form he could continue with the gnome. When asked why the paladin was best friends with both people who up until hours ago were about to murder an entire town, but the gnome who had willingly fought side by side with the paladin to stop it was so bad, because he played stupid jokes like pretended to be Sarenrae speaking to him, in a mans voice. The player had no real answer to that, I suspect it had more to do with he felt teased in character and either did not have a response ready to fight back or felt he could not fight back in character. He accused me of enabling Thaddeus, but I countered that my only response was to stop obviously bigger and stronger people like a 17 Str paladin from physically picking on the much smaller and weaker 9 Str gnome. They were always welcome to meet his words with words of their own and I would only step in when I saw an obviously lopsided physical confrontation looming as that what my character dislikes. The GM began insisting that I play my character right, which I had let slide last week but this time handed him the sheet and asked if he would like to play him instead. The argument seems to be stuck at the point of whether a Chaotic Good character would feel bad about someone who had been plotting to kill them in their sleep did not survive being used as bait. I had argued that while he would not be happy at the outcome he would not lose sleep over it. Tempers I think were running high. The paladins player had been eyeing re-rolling as a 2 handed fighter and had brought it up again when claiming that he needed to see repentance from us and I told him that if he wanted to try and force my character to atone for the death of someone who had been plotting my demise then he had better re-roll or think of another way to feel ok with it. Not the most diplomatic exchange I admit, it costs me next to nothing to say I go to confession and mope around for a while and he can smile and feel like hes changing me, but change should come from within, trying to force me by the social contract of the party to lament my would-be murderers death doesn't sit right. I think rather having us help him bury the body, talking to us while we are digging, asking "Did he ever say anything about family? Children? Brothers or Sisters?" to make us think about the life before he went bad would have been a much more effective strategy. I never think a paladin should be like a school marm, slapping the hands of other alignments when they don't conform to his. I always felt the paladin leads by example, they don't offer the services of the group to a town free of charge, since that's not what the others may want, they could instead publicly hand back their own share and ask if any of their comrades will join them. If the town cant afford their assistance then the paladin could throw their own money into the towns coffers, work on the group slowly. Like with boiling the frog when you increase the temperature one degree at a time they never notice until its too late, so too can a paladin or cleric seek to convert their more wayward companions.
Sunday 1 July 2018
Betrayals or misunderstandings - Rise of the Runelords Campaign Session 9
In attendance were;
Kumak Morudall: Half-Orc Bloodrager
Tiberius: Human Paladin of Sarenrae
Susan: Human Universalist Wizard
Thaddeus Whisperheart: Gnome Trickster
The party returns upstairs to regroup with Shalelu, Villister, Thaddeus, Black Jack and Lyrie. Shalelu tells them that she has seen movement from the Thistle patch that precedes the now repaired bridge. She guesses that whatever goblin reinforcements have arrived have seen the party's handiwork and are waiting to see what if anything comes from Thistletop. Kumak sets to carving some lizard meat from the corpse of Ripnuggets steed and starts a slow cook on some stew for the morning. Asking Villister if he could magically repair the shattered Ranseur only gets an evasive answer so Kumak requests that Villister administer aid to the 3 whose strength was taxed from fighting the spirits below. Villister at first refuses to lend any aid and it is only after Susan speaks with him that he relents. Thaddeus strikes up a conversation with their latest prisoner, Lyrie and slipping some magic into his words compels her to only lie. Asking what her immediate plans were regarding the group Lyrie falsely confesses that she would really really really hate to stab them all. Lyrie speaks with Orik and an incensed Orik confronts the party demanding her gear returned to her to which Kumak and Thaddeus scoff, Tiberius is understanding and makes a case for returning her things while Susan remains silent on the issue. Out voted the group keep her equipment and shackle her to a bed frame for good measure while they sleep. In the morning Orik confronts Thaddeus and tells him that Black Jack has approached him offering to free them and flee together, Orik had stalled for the moment so that he could tell Thaddeus. Thaddeus tells Orik to wait in the main throne room for a moment and leaves to grab Kumak, seeing Black Jack enter the throne room behind him. Returning to the throne room with Kumak in tow Thaddeus hears a swiftly hushed conversation from the back room and when Black Jack peeks his head out telling Thaddeus to go away Orik seizes Black Jack and the 2 men begin struggling. After a few moments of explaining to Kumak that Black Jack was plotting to kill them Kumak lands a solid hit to Black Jacks head sending the half-orc's eyes rolling. Thaddeus gives one good thwack from his dagger to Black Jacks temple putting the half-orc to sleep.
Just then an alarm is called from the main foyer, goblins are crossing the bridge. Tiberius activates a rigged trap that Shalelu set up overnight sending about 20 plummeting to their death. There is a rapid exchange of arrows between the goblins led by a bugbear and the party, until Susan unfurls a scroll of Flaming Sphere and burns the goblins at the cliffs edge before lighting the thistle brush on fire and rolling the sphere to block the only exit, causing hundreds of goblins to either burn to death or die from the acrid smoke. Kumak and Tiberius having nothing to offer this fight head below and between them make short work of a tentamort that Orik had warned them of. Susan asks Kumak why Black Jack is knocked out and tied up and Kumak tells her that Black Jack had been attempting to plot with Lyrie and Orik to kill them and take all the treasure, at least thats what Thaddeus had told him. Susan suggests using Black Jack as bait below with the underwater monster. Kumak is agreeable but wishes to interrogate Black Jack first if possible. Asking Tiberius to check the perimeter Kumak attempts to rouse Black Jack but to no avail. Conceding defeat Kumak, Thaddeus, Susan, Orik and Lyrie descend to the underground pool and hammering in a piece of metal bar into the wall Black Jack is dangled over the pool like a fishing line. Thaddeus requests that he and Susan hold the rope so Kumak can fight, and as the large helmet stirs below Kumak hands off the rope and leaps into the water Bastard sword in hand. The fight is swift and brutal, Black Jack is seized and pulled beneath the water where he is bisected. Just as the giant crab is attempting to flee below to a previously hidden exit Orik lands a telling blow finishing off the giant crab. Just then Tiberius enters the room, surveying the scene asks what is happening, then angrily heals himself twice and storms off.
Thoughts
There was some weirdness between myself and the GM this game. He had shattered my Masterwork Ranseur last game and when I in character asked the cleric if he could magically repair it, then explained out of character what would be needed indicating that I would forgo any lesser restoration to get the weapon repaired the GM who was running the cleric instead gave me lesser restoration. Then when I asked for the cleric to provide long term care for the 3 strength damaged people through the night he asked for a Diplomacy check. Finally when I had stated that I would be readying an action to pull Black Jack up once the crab began to move the GM declared that it would be a reflex save to do it instead of a readied action. The readied action I let slide as it would fit within character to have thought you had a plan, only for things to suddenly go sideways. The spell and refusing to long term care until another character asked felt very much like in-game punishment for something so after I made my case I let it slide until we spoke later on about it. The GM seemed to want to knock Susan and Kumak down to Evil alignment for what happened with Black Jack, and Tiberius's player declared that everyone would have atone immediately or he would leave. While I agreed that what happened was messed up I countered that the intent was to save him and with the information we had on hand Black Jack had been planning to kill us so despite it still being a messed up thing to do, the paladin throwing Nualia's corpse from room to room to try and trigger anything was in the same vein. Either way, GM and I hashed things out over the course of the week between, while initially arguing against my decisions, like taking Lyries cloak, not giving her things back when she said she would assist, he later relented on some points. Either way this group is long overdue for a talk about how we wish to proceed, and if we can finally escape Thistletop and return to Sandpoint we should be able to get a few days to weeks downtime in which to figure out our dynamic.
Kumak Morudall: Half-Orc Bloodrager
Tiberius: Human Paladin of Sarenrae
Susan: Human Universalist Wizard
Thaddeus Whisperheart: Gnome Trickster
The party returns upstairs to regroup with Shalelu, Villister, Thaddeus, Black Jack and Lyrie. Shalelu tells them that she has seen movement from the Thistle patch that precedes the now repaired bridge. She guesses that whatever goblin reinforcements have arrived have seen the party's handiwork and are waiting to see what if anything comes from Thistletop. Kumak sets to carving some lizard meat from the corpse of Ripnuggets steed and starts a slow cook on some stew for the morning. Asking Villister if he could magically repair the shattered Ranseur only gets an evasive answer so Kumak requests that Villister administer aid to the 3 whose strength was taxed from fighting the spirits below. Villister at first refuses to lend any aid and it is only after Susan speaks with him that he relents. Thaddeus strikes up a conversation with their latest prisoner, Lyrie and slipping some magic into his words compels her to only lie. Asking what her immediate plans were regarding the group Lyrie falsely confesses that she would really really really hate to stab them all. Lyrie speaks with Orik and an incensed Orik confronts the party demanding her gear returned to her to which Kumak and Thaddeus scoff, Tiberius is understanding and makes a case for returning her things while Susan remains silent on the issue. Out voted the group keep her equipment and shackle her to a bed frame for good measure while they sleep. In the morning Orik confronts Thaddeus and tells him that Black Jack has approached him offering to free them and flee together, Orik had stalled for the moment so that he could tell Thaddeus. Thaddeus tells Orik to wait in the main throne room for a moment and leaves to grab Kumak, seeing Black Jack enter the throne room behind him. Returning to the throne room with Kumak in tow Thaddeus hears a swiftly hushed conversation from the back room and when Black Jack peeks his head out telling Thaddeus to go away Orik seizes Black Jack and the 2 men begin struggling. After a few moments of explaining to Kumak that Black Jack was plotting to kill them Kumak lands a solid hit to Black Jacks head sending the half-orc's eyes rolling. Thaddeus gives one good thwack from his dagger to Black Jacks temple putting the half-orc to sleep.
Just then an alarm is called from the main foyer, goblins are crossing the bridge. Tiberius activates a rigged trap that Shalelu set up overnight sending about 20 plummeting to their death. There is a rapid exchange of arrows between the goblins led by a bugbear and the party, until Susan unfurls a scroll of Flaming Sphere and burns the goblins at the cliffs edge before lighting the thistle brush on fire and rolling the sphere to block the only exit, causing hundreds of goblins to either burn to death or die from the acrid smoke. Kumak and Tiberius having nothing to offer this fight head below and between them make short work of a tentamort that Orik had warned them of. Susan asks Kumak why Black Jack is knocked out and tied up and Kumak tells her that Black Jack had been attempting to plot with Lyrie and Orik to kill them and take all the treasure, at least thats what Thaddeus had told him. Susan suggests using Black Jack as bait below with the underwater monster. Kumak is agreeable but wishes to interrogate Black Jack first if possible. Asking Tiberius to check the perimeter Kumak attempts to rouse Black Jack but to no avail. Conceding defeat Kumak, Thaddeus, Susan, Orik and Lyrie descend to the underground pool and hammering in a piece of metal bar into the wall Black Jack is dangled over the pool like a fishing line. Thaddeus requests that he and Susan hold the rope so Kumak can fight, and as the large helmet stirs below Kumak hands off the rope and leaps into the water Bastard sword in hand. The fight is swift and brutal, Black Jack is seized and pulled beneath the water where he is bisected. Just as the giant crab is attempting to flee below to a previously hidden exit Orik lands a telling blow finishing off the giant crab. Just then Tiberius enters the room, surveying the scene asks what is happening, then angrily heals himself twice and storms off.
Thoughts
There was some weirdness between myself and the GM this game. He had shattered my Masterwork Ranseur last game and when I in character asked the cleric if he could magically repair it, then explained out of character what would be needed indicating that I would forgo any lesser restoration to get the weapon repaired the GM who was running the cleric instead gave me lesser restoration. Then when I asked for the cleric to provide long term care for the 3 strength damaged people through the night he asked for a Diplomacy check. Finally when I had stated that I would be readying an action to pull Black Jack up once the crab began to move the GM declared that it would be a reflex save to do it instead of a readied action. The readied action I let slide as it would fit within character to have thought you had a plan, only for things to suddenly go sideways. The spell and refusing to long term care until another character asked felt very much like in-game punishment for something so after I made my case I let it slide until we spoke later on about it. The GM seemed to want to knock Susan and Kumak down to Evil alignment for what happened with Black Jack, and Tiberius's player declared that everyone would have atone immediately or he would leave. While I agreed that what happened was messed up I countered that the intent was to save him and with the information we had on hand Black Jack had been planning to kill us so despite it still being a messed up thing to do, the paladin throwing Nualia's corpse from room to room to try and trigger anything was in the same vein. Either way, GM and I hashed things out over the course of the week between, while initially arguing against my decisions, like taking Lyries cloak, not giving her things back when she said she would assist, he later relented on some points. Either way this group is long overdue for a talk about how we wish to proceed, and if we can finally escape Thistletop and return to Sandpoint we should be able to get a few days to weeks downtime in which to figure out our dynamic.
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