OoC:Sorry for the delay, my Mom's health took a turn for the worse Monday. She'll be ok most likely, but I have been a bit distracted.
This XP award takes everything from after the Owlbear encounter, RP, Cloakers as well as the 6 months that you all have been with this one.We can still Rp as long as you like, or I can allow you to return to the Red Dragon, since a few of you might like to explore other opportunities. I guess I failed a bit in this one, as I wanted to have more of an investigative feel, with tension and perhaps suspense. PbP isn't the best format for that sort of game, as folks aren't facing each other across a table/ the DM isn't able to send 5 into the other room as one explores the Cellar etc... Still, I think it was an interesting little adventure, all-in-all. I am excluding Telerin's part in the adventure, as far as what follows etc...
Onwards with a Wrap-Up...
XP: 2600Each
5 Cloakers@ 1500XP each, 600 for the time playing+500 more each for RPing.
Aranel has a Ring and Rurik isn't questioned about the mail suit, although he will shortly not need it...
IG
No more in the way of hidden treasures make their appearance, and a weary and tired quintet of climbers descend once more down through the Crypt Ceiling.The cleaning up takes a few days, with the dwarves doing as thorough a job at removing traces of the Cloakers nest as they did with any task to which they set their minds. Mortar and good solid stone are used to shore up the fissure leading into the deep place from whence the Cloakers emerged.
The Spirits have come to rest once more, although some speak of the strange Moans of the Cloakers as possibly being what was mistaken for ghosts in the first place...
A week goes by, with every hospitality made available that is wished for, within the limits of the Mansion's resources. At week's end, the Gorim of Stonepike holds an audience, where all of the Dwarves of the Stonepike (save for the few guards upon the Wall) make their appearance. Near 400 of Chennet's Folk stand within the Great Hall, craftsfolk as well as soldier, musician as well as Scholar.
Algram and Urgan Jasperfist approach as the Band of heroes nears the Hall, something hidden under a tarp that they bear upon a litter.
Smiling, Urgan lifts the tarp showing piles of fur cloaks. Lifting one up, he shows it to be a cape made from the fur of the slain Owlbears, a feather trimed edge and a dark blue lining underneath 'This'ns fer Lord Rurik...there's one with a red line fer Lord Sturm, pale green fer Lady Aranel and one with grey fer lord Thurgan. Sir Ishmael we wsn't sure of, so we took a note from his fine hammer there an had our mum use a Violet fabric. I hope they's allright'n'all. She worked somethin mighty fierce on em, 'long with some of her friends. Funny, they all used ta fight Gobbies back inna day, now they take as much fun in sewing as they once did in smashing yellow skulls.
Algram retrieves a parcel from his sack, opening it to show five silver and gold brooches, small opals set in their centers.' Un..un..Uncle Rog...Roggen said these wu...wu...wuz from his unit in the Wars. He wan...wann..wanted you ta h..have somethin ta set them cl..cloaks with.' Happy at getting the sentence out at last, Algrim set about fastening the brooches to the cloak chains.
< Each character recieves an Owlbear Cloaks with Jewleled Brooch (250GP)>
Now bedecked in matching finery, the heroes are summoned forth, to stand before the chair of the Gorim. The old Dwarf had regained some health from the last time they had seen him. His color was a ruddy brown, as if her had beenout in the day,toiling. Indeed had they asked, word would have been shared that the old fellow had taken a new zest in repairing the Wall, personally overseeing the construction, as well as swinging a pick, hammer and carting stone right alongside his folk. Rubbing his chin, the Gorim waves the five forward, leaning down a bit, eager. 'Good people of Stonepike. Before us stand heroes to you all. For weeks were our halls beset by murderous fiends, were our kin slain and consumed by monsters from the Deepearth, all they while we,ourselves befuddled by their strange powers. It is with great Honour that I introduce to you all, my Goode Folke, the saviors of Stonepike. Rurik Axebender, Sturm Gerwycht,Sir Ishmael of the Wooden Sword,Lady Aranel Silimaurë and good Thurgan Hammer. These five shall be entered into the annals of Stonepike as Friends for the entirety of their lives.
Turning from the audience at large and back to the Heroes, Gorim Stonepike smiles again as several dwarves enter, each bearing a small chest set with a stoit lock. Clearing his throat, the Lord continues ' I know that a price of 5,000 Gold was given by our fine Jasperfist brothers there, but that would hardly do for such outstanding folk as yerselfs. So, I regret to inform you that I have taken the liberty of doubling the fee, raising it to 2,000GP a piece, since there are five of you. I hope that such an inconvenience is acceptable. Lastly, I would have you accompany me down into the Treasury after the festivities have died down a bit, so as to discuss further compensation from my Stores. Now, there are flagons of ale and wine, as well as half a forest of game and half a field of vegitables awaiting us in the Dining Hall. If everyone would follow the good Chamberlain, a feast awaits us all.'
OoC:We can RP to your heart's content at the Celebration, but the following will occur at it's end.
Later, walking with the Chamberlain, Grim Stonepike and a dozen guards, you are all escorted down and into the Treasury Vault.
Chests of carefully organized wealth line the walls, as well as many fine weapons and armor. The Chamberlain clears his throat, catching the attention of all, and proceeds to a chest. Carefully retrieving an old iron key from his waistcoat, he opens the lock, lifting the lid of the chest with reverence.
The glint of the torches carried by the Guards gleams brightly as the Chamberlain lifts a small shirt of Mithril, extending it out for all to see.
The Gorim then says 'Friends, for indeed, that you are to Stonepike. I would give each of you the choice from my Stores of a fine suit of mail like this one, or a weapon, enchanted all, from the wall. Choose what you will, and use them to best Evil as you encounter it. All were once used in battle, and they would sing again.'
OoC: Each Character may choose either a +1 Mithril Chain Shirt of a +1 Melee weapon. I have no problem with odd choices (like a Scythe, for instance).