Against the Shadow V - A Faded Glory Story Hour

[Darklone]

Money money money

Quintus was throwing money around like he owned the world "200 Dinarii to the man who kills that wizard!" he croaked after that lightning bolt scorched him. Meanwhile we're all wondering where the money's coming from ...

And of course Rowan's first two swings of his sword, since Lathan handled it way back when, came during their escape when he critical hit on the first attack (Natural 20 followed by confirmation) and a solid follow-up to finish the guy off.

I was happy about that.

Well. You can always sell all your magical stuff again (laugh). About that sword... I got here several interesting items, could I send them over and Lathan have a look at them...? Those things are called DICE. (got a horrible evening yesterday as player )

 

[Lela]

Re: Money money money

Well. You can always sell all your magical stuff again (laugh). About that sword... I got here several interesting items, could I send them over and Lathan have a look at them...? Those things are called DICE. (got a horrible evening yesterday as player )

Well, if anyone knows anything about bad dice nights, it's this group. Just ask Garrick--he may just show up in your dreams to warn you about something.

I'm sure he'd be willing to sit down and have a drink with you.

 

[Darklone]

*singing* yesterday.... all my troubles...

Well. We topped them in some way. Our cleric rolled three natural 1s in a row. My character got a 1 for his save against a flamestrike (we use houserules for itemsaves against spells) and survived barely, nearly naked with just one scimitar. All in all, we nearly had 5 natural 1s in a row, for two characters. The funny thing is: Those two survived. Some of the others died. They surely sit on a little cloud with Garrick and talk about the true evil on the prime material plane. Dice.

 

[WSmith]

Quintus, staggering once again, watched as Captain Rook moved forward and dispatched the enemy fighter with several well-placed blows. The few remaining grays broke and fled down a hallway directly opposite of the one they had entered through. Several sailors started to pursue, but Rook’s curt command halted them. “No, lads! Stand fast and secure this room. Stand by to repel boarders, see to your comrades and see what can be found.”

Captain Rook is the man! I love this character already. So much bravado! He should have his own "Movies for guys who like movies" movie on TNT. I think the PCs found some strong allies. If I needed passage across the sea, I would hook up with Rook.

Did you actually play put the entire lackey melee, or do something abstract, (or even just narrate some of the battle.)

 

[Rel]

It has been a very busy couple of weeks for me but I wanted to dash off a quick note to say how much I enjoyed these last few installments. Great work as always, Old One.

And kudos to the players, especially Quintus' player for the daring rescue. Bout' time you guys had some good luck.

 

[Pillars of Hercules]

Yeeeeeee-Haaaaawwww!

Wow, great couple of posts there, Old One.

I add my voice to the growing chorus in favor of NPC Captain Rook.

Mostly, though, I wanted to chime in and say that the players really got it together this time, with Quintus taking definite Session MVP honors for good RP and a great use of "ready action."

What are the rules for using ready action prior to actually initiating combat? I remember a few old threads talking about this issue, but can't remember the resolution.

 

[Darklone]

Re: Yeeeeeee-Haaaaawwww!

What are the rules for using ready action prior to actually initiating combat? I remember a few old threads talking about this issue, but can't remember the resolution.

No rules actually. If you "ready" an action against something happening, you get a surprise round against the guys who stumble into the room. Essentially the same (partial action) as ready. After that, you roll initiative, which gives you two possible actions before the enemies can act. If they enter the room cautious though or heard you, simply initiative.

As for Cpt. Rook: GO! I often had problems to play some pirates, ehrm sailors fine as DM, my players tend to see them as kinda inferior orcs,...

I'll steal some flavour here !

 

[Old One]

Interlude

We took care of some record keeping between sessions...

Here is the text of the synopsis I provided for the players:

Campaign Update #4

The last week has passed quickly. Andrimia, Drusilla and her friends from the “Red” faction have secured you in a “Safe House” under a dilapidated warehouse in the Dock Quarter. Size of the bounty on your head ensures that numerous bounty hunters and mercenary groups searching for you. On Andrimia and Captain Rook’s counsel, you decide to stay put, although you are able to communicate with the Cathedral through mundane and magical means and are able to arrange for your “stash” to be transported to the hideout for a large “tip”.

During your stay in the safe house, you learn the following:

• The “Greens” are more numerous and better organized than the “Reds”, which is essentially a loose federation of independent merchants who espouse free and unrestricted trade.
• The “Greens” on the other hand, preach organization – to enable economic clout through setting tariffs, negotiating trade treaties for the entire city and presenting a united front under the leadership of the Merchant’s Council.
• Most of the “Red” cells operate autonomously, only coming together to meet a significant threat. Andrimia and Captain Rook (whom you gather are more than just “friends”) are trying to change that.
• They feel they need proof that Antoinine Sestius and his “Greens” are allied with the Shadow Blades. Most of the other “Reds” think it is too risky to provoke a direct confrontation with the “Greens” or the Shadow Blades, but Andrimia and Captain Rook are convinced that they could sway public sentiment with the proof of the Elder Sestius’ involvement. They have about 1 month before the election takes place.
• Although they have some “street muscle”, the “Reds” lack the skills of the party. To that end, Andrimia and Captain Rook request that your group hit one of the two outlaying Shadow Blade hideouts to seize journals, papers, books or a high-level prisoner that could make the connection. They have a spy on the inside that can get the PCs close and it would be a “hit-and-run” type raid.
• Abbot Patroclian sends a general message that he is quite concerned with the allegations against the party, since a Priest of Light is among them, but wishes them well until the truth can be uncovered. He assures you that your newly purchased mounts and Pratto will be cared for. He also sends several private messages back and forth to Lew.

You are able to complete any training backlog at a 25% discount and the “Reds” safe house possesses small practice rooms for most rogue and fighter skills. You can also replace mundane equipment, although the costs are 25% higher than normal.

Within the gear taken from the dead mage during the rescue, you find the following after careful examination:

• 4 scrolls containing the following spells (all at caster level 5): knock, water breathing, cat’s grace and levitate
• A small spell book, containing the following spells: 0-Level (detect magic, read magic, dancing lights, mage hand, light), 1st Level (endure elements, hold portal, true strike, charm person, jump, shocking grasp), 2nd Level (Melf’s acid arrow, flaming sphere, blur, mirror image, cat’s grace, levitate), 3rd Level (water breathing, lightning bolt). The book is engraved with the name “Ilrayn”.
• 2 potions of cure moderate wounds
• Mixed coinage totaling 426 denarii

Captain Rook’s ship’s mage, an attractive Caeldyn named Valyria, express keen interest in the book. She is willing to trade a number of scrolls and/or potions for the tome.

A meeting has been set after dinner to discuss your plans with Andrimia, Captain Rook, Valyria and Drusilla…

~ Old One

Next: Interlude - Quintus Gets a Familiar!

 

[Old One]

Thanks for the reminder...

The entire bit with Quintus and Captain Rook & Co. coming to the rescue was hilarious. The other 4 of us sat there chuckling in between moments of sitting on the edge of our seats during the action.

Quintus was throwing money around like he owned the world "200 Dinarii to the man who kills that wizard!" he croaked after that lightning bolt scorched him. Meanwhile we're all wondering where the money's coming from ...

And of course Rowan's first two swings of his sword, since Lathan handled it way back when, came during their escape when he critical hit on the first attack (Natural 20 followed by confirmation) and a solid follow-up to finish the guy off.

I was happy about that.

Tortoise -

Thanks for the reminder about the "200 denarii to the man who kills the wizard!" - that one was great!

Quintus went from having more money than he had ever possessed in his life to having nothing, all in less than 12 hours of game time. The DM giveth and the RBDM taketh away!

~ Old One

 

[Old One]

Re: Happiness and Smiles

Very nicely done. I do love your group. Though, occationally it can be fun to take someone out of the room. I was pulled out of the room Saterday and was able to drop fun little tid-bits that only my character knew to the other characters.
Oh, the look on their faces when they started to put it all together through random conversation alone!! It was great! To be fair, I did try to tell them it at once. They just interupted me and then never followed up with questions.

Lela -

Thanks for droppin' in! I do pull people out from time to time, but it is usually only for information that I think the character would want kept private (like discussions between Lew and Abbot Patroclian). Every once in a while, I will pull someone out to let them know what happened to them...keeps the other players on their toes!

~ Old One