(For the first 2 hours, all we did was non-combat, non-exploration, campaign activities. I never imagined that the players and I would remain engaged, but it was awesome. I must figure out how to better address multiple player interactions and include everyone. I might move some of the campaign stuff to email or forums.)
Session 4 – Part 1
Village People:
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Tariq the Harvester – Lvl 4 Mage (Necromancer) – Black Lore of Zahar, Alchemy (x2), Healing, Soothsaying – INT +3, CON -1, WIS +1, CHA +1. Extremely short necromancer wearing expensive black robes with skull on the shoulders (covered by a cloak in town) – has wand of magic missiles. New Spell – Deathless Minion – (no spell signature yet)
<ul style="list-style-type:circle"> <li><strong>Trained Hawk #2</strong></li> <li><strong>Lenny Davos </strong>– Lvl 1 Fighter – (Legionary) – FS (Weapon +Shield), Siege Engineering – STR+2, INT -1, WIS -1, DEX +1, CON +1, CHA +1 – Heavily muscled former soldier from Adamas, wears Plate +Shield, fighting w/ spear or a silver short sword. </li> </ul> </li>
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Eduardo aka ‘Keyser Soze’ – Lvl 5 Thief (Cat Burglar) – Cat Burglary, Gambling, Precise Shooting, Lip Reading - DEX +2, CON -2, WIS +1, CHA +1 – Budding real estate tycoon and mastermind. Wears leather and armed with Imperial Legion X-Bow
<ul style="list-style-type:circle"> <li><strong>Ukla the Quick</strong> – Lvl 2 Barbarian (Pit Fighter)–Running, Combat Reflexes, Gambling – STR +1, CON +2, CHA -1 – Ex-gladiator turned adventurer – fights with net and trident.</li> <li><strong>‘Shemp’ Fellippe</strong> – Lvl 1 Thief (carouser apprentice) – Labor (cook), Craft (brewer), Eavesdropping – WIS +1, DEX +3, CON -1, CHA +1</li> <li><strong>Boy</strong> – War dog</li> <li><strong>Girl</strong> – War dog</li> </ul> </li>
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Dave ‘the Hermit’ Carrin – Lvl 5 Cleric (Hermit) of Hera – Laying on Hands, Naturalism, Command – STR +1, DEX -1, INT -1 CON+1, WIS +1, CHA -1. Wears custom made plate (with symbol of Hera) + large shield with Embossing of Hera on the front (+2 AC and enc.) Simple, uneducated, but intuitive.
<ul style="list-style-type:circle"> <li><strong>Julia Feny – </strong>Lvl 2 Priestess (Medican) of Hera – Laying on Hands, Healing x2 – WIS +1, CON +1, CHA +2, ambitious, charismatic novice with a good heart (in town)</li> <li><strong>Jimmy Bakerson –</strong> lvl 0 Laborer – Endurance, Labor (janitor), Animal Husbandry, Labor (farmer), caretaker of the temple of Hera (in town)</li> </ul> </li>
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Jace – Lvl 4 Mage (Elementalist) – Elementalism (fire), Naturalism, Alchemy, Magical Engineering – STR+1, DEX -1, INT +2. has wand of fear and wears flame red robes with a ruby tipped staff. Quiet pyromaniac. New Spell – Hands of Stone Strength (Ogre Power) – Target becomes imbued with the power of an earth elemental – Skin hardening and turning the color of polished granite and hands becoming stone.
<ul style="list-style-type:circle"> <li><strong>Red Hawk</strong></li> </ul> </li>
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Illyrio Sicarus – Lvl 4 Assassin (Bravo) – Fighting Style (two weapons), Intimidation, Acrobatics – STR +2, DEX +1, CON +2, CHA +1 - Wears leather
<ul style="list-style-type:circle"> <li>‘Ghost’ - Guard Wolf – white w/ blue eyes.</li> </ul> </li>
The Village People ended the last session with two of their members struck dumb with terror. Their first priority was to travel to Adamas to return them to normal and spend their hard earned treasure.
After planning how they were going to lead the dumbstruck Ukla and Eduardo to Adamas, they took it slow and sure. After a quick trip to the Temple of Hera, both were returned to their senses. Ukla briefly considered leaving Eduardo’s service, but he remained loyal.
Eduardo’s first act was to look for a dwarven brewer to hire to improve his tavern’s business in Muntburg. Lucky for him it was Dwarven Beerfest in Adamas (had him roll % to see how many dwarven brewmasters were in town. He rolled in the 90s, hence Beerfest!). He was able to secure a long time contract with a prominent Dwarven Brewing Clan from the dwarven city of Vol Darul to the south. This deal provides him with a permanent +10% to his profit roll every month! (a 3d6 roll). He and Ukla spent most of their time gambling, although he did find out the potential cost of commissioning living panther statues with true seeing to serve as silent guardians for the tavern.
The two mages had never studied after advancing to 4th level. Jace went to the leader of his the Elemntalist College in Adamas, Mage Angelica Ancel. After making arrangements to purchase additional books and lab materials for shipment to Muntburg, Tariq travelled with Lenny to Yethylreom to study with his teacher, a necromancer Enchanter.
Dave was busy. He had business back in Muntburg with Legate Verodart, but that wasn’t for a few weeks. Before Dave left Muntburg, he had spoken with his henchperson Julia about expanding his church to the neighboring villages near Muntburg. She travelled with him to Adamas to try to recruit 3 priests/priestesses of Hera to join his church. She was successful, and 3 preistesses joined the growing church. He also hired every free engineer in Adamas to quickly build small chapels in all 7 villages under the authority of the Legate of Muntburg. He only had 3 weeks before the harvest festival of Hera. He spent extra gold, but was able to have them finished in time. The plan was that the 4 priestesses would rotate to cover the various chapels around the area.
Meanwhile Illyrio decided to invest some money into a trading venture. He did a little market research and decided to trade between Adamas and Yethlereom. He spent 3 weeks finding merchants, renting barges/wagons, and travelling. Making only approx. 150 gp profit, he decided to hire a smuggler, merchant, or venturer henchman before his next venture.
Dave travelled back to Muntburg to meet with the Legate on behalf of Illyrio. He also brought back Julia and her 3 new henchwomen priestesses. Legate Verodart welcomed Dave, thanked him for the free miracles for the town, and apologized for his Bailiff’s paranoia (‘it’s his job to be suspicious’). He agreed to let Illyrio and Dave build their orphanage (AKA Illyrio’s school for wayward assassins) and they could have the land for free. He had 2 conditions, 1) they had to agree to come to Muntburg’s defense if attacked, and 2) they had to pay 500 to 1000 gp towards improvements to the area outside of the gates, which he would match out of his personal funds. The money would be used to pave roads, build wells, etc. Dave agreed. Finally, Dave arranged to provide plenty of food and drink for the harvest festival (using Eduardo’s tavern to cater the event). He travelled back to Adamas to meet the rest of the party.
The party had planned to give the (likely magical) shield to the Despot of Adamas as a gift to gain favor. Unfortunately, they had no direct connection. Illyrio spent a week and 80 gp (we did a single roll determining the time and the cost) and managed to get a spot in line while the despot was holding court. Despot Cheron was attended by Bishop Saidon of Zeus and Mage General Renfred Fidlo. They presented not only a shield from the fabled IXth Legion, but also a Thulian crossbow. The party (minus Tariq, who was still studying in Yethlrreom) made a favorable impression. The despot was interested in their tale of the dungeon (although they left out the part about their treasure map). As a result, they received payment for their gift (5,000 GP). The despot told them of another party that had purchased the right to plunder the dungeon and form a mercenary company, the Crimson Band. The party told them of Isaac’s deal with the Legate and the Despot made it clear that he approved the Village People’s exploration of the dungron and recognized Isaac’s deal with the Legate of Muntburg (both in writing).
Bishop Saidon spoke briefly of his days as an adventurer before asking about any spoons they may have found. Brother Dave also talked to him of the friction between the church of Hera in Muntburg and Curate Louys of Zeus. The bishop assured them that he would talk to the Curate and the party was invited to a royal feast later that night (at a table in the back of course). Eduardo managed to use his skill in reading lips to pick up some valuable information regarding an illicit affair between a (female) senator and another senator’s adult son. Eduardo decidide to keep the secret in reserve to use at a later time.
The entire party managed to make it back to Muntburg in time for the harvest fest (Tariq having no encounters on the road). The festival was a big success, except for a suspicious fire and a few fights that broke out. The party prepared to head into the dungeon two days later.