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(Cydra) The Year 271 Campaign (Low Magic experiment)
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<blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 2424420" data-attributes="member: 1210"><p><strong>Rewards; plus, the Great Ant Debacle</strong></p><p></p><p>Sir Martin Whitewater is as proud of his boy as he has ever been.</p><p></p><p>The sun rises into the sky over his family estate as late morning comes on. The servants and the family are all in attendance- even Lady Raven, though bedridden, has been carried out on a litter by her nurses. She would not miss this for the world. All of them, as well as several of Cedric’s friends from town, are assembled in the wide open courtyard. Several large shade trees provide some protection from the late summer sun.</p><p></p><p>The ceremony commences, with Cedric (<em>at last!</em>) taking his vows, pledging himself to valor and the service of his father and Lord. And then, at the end, the dubbing; and Cedric is now <em>Sir</em> Cedric, a knight at last! As an added bonus, Sir Martin allows Sir Cedric to choose one of the horses as his own.</p><p></p><p>Grinning, the lad thanks Sir Martin effusively; and after a warm embrace, the father tells the son to summon his companions (or at least those of them who have come to witness his dubbing into knighthood) within the castle, to the audience chamber. Soon they are assembled around the high-backed cherry wood chair that Sir Martin uses when he hears petitions. Speaking formally, Martin thanks his son’s companions for their aid and gives each of them a unique reward. </p><p></p><p>To Dahlia he gives a writ asserting that she is a friend an ally of the Whitewaters. “I know the people of this area can be superstitious,” he says. “It is all too common for the peasants to lose their heads in fear over some foolish thing. If you should be assaulted or imprisoned, this should carry some weight.”</p><p></p><p>Jorgen is made sheriff, officially, and given both a wide-brimmed high sheriff’s hat and a seven-pointed star forged of tin. Never has he been prouder. “I will execute my duties faithfully, my lord!” he exclaims, nearly tripping over his own tongue. The combination of nervousness and excitement is wearing him out- it is not easy, being close to a noble like this!</p><p></p><p>Otis first pledges his allegiance to Sir Martin, then is given a license to cast spells. Though not always strictly necessary, it certainly should help him avoid any difficulties with superstitious peasants. “Thank you, my lord!” he declares. “Have you any need of my skills, you need only ask at the tower of Lady Xastys.” Sir Martin politely inclines his head in reply. </p><p></p><p>Then Sir Martin asks Cara Reed to come speak to him privately. They are gone for a few minutes, and when they return Cara looks flushed and happy. A wide grin is on her face. She glances shyly at Cedric- no, <em>Sir</em> Cedric now.</p><p></p><p>“Son, come speak to me,” Sir Martin says. Cedric immediately joins him, and the two go to a sitting room.</p><p></p><p>“What ith it, father? Some more banditth that we mutht thtrike down? Thieveth, in the town?”</p><p></p><p>“No, no my son.” Sir Martin looks pensive for a moment; then, with a sigh, he states, “Son, I’m not going to live forever.” His strong blue eyes lock onto Cedric’s. “Your mother is very ill, and the same could happen to me. I must look to my line.”</p><p></p><p>“I underthtand, father.”</p><p></p><p>“No, son, I don’t think you do- not entirely, at least. Son, I have to ensure not just that I have an heir, but that my heir will <em>continue</em> the line. Do you understand?”</p><p></p><p>“Of courthe, father.”</p><p></p><p>“Therefore, I have decided that it is time that we found you a good wife.”</p><p></p><p>Sir Cedric is thunderstruck. “But, father, my older brother-“</p><p></p><p>“Your brother seems... unable to sire children.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, I thee.” Sir Cedric gulps. He can see where this is going, and he doesn’t really like it. On some level, he has always been attracted to boys, though he does not admit it to himself. But it is his duty to serve his father in all things... and certainly, the line must go on- it must not be allowed to die out.</p><p></p><p>“Therefore, I have decided that, assuming she is fertile, you shall be married to Cara Reed.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh.” Sir Cedric ponders this for a moment. Then, he asks, “But father, ithn’t her blood rather... common? Would it be proper?”</p><p></p><p>Sir Martin sighs. “This is indeed something that concerns me, but in an area this size we must take the noblest blood we can find. She is a beauty; I think her blood might help invigorate ours.” Still, he looks unhappy at this aspect of the arrangement.</p><p></p><p>“Very well, father.”</p><p></p><p>Sir Martin nods. “Good. Say nothing of this until I formally announce it. We must first ensure that she is... fertile.”</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The bandits’ money mostly goes to Sir Martin for distribution to the peasants, though the lord pays the group generously from the takings. Jorgen takes the suit of chain mail that Bros, that bandit that looks like Bangus Redcoat, had been wearing. Sir Cedric takes Jared o’ the Highway’s bastard sword. Several of the others take a weapon or shield from the pile of loot. Sheriff Jorgen takes the unclaimed weapons and armor to start a town militia.</p><p></p><p>“I really don’t like how two dozen armed men could ride in here and almost take over the town,” Goer comments. His ankle is still swollen, but almost healed enough for him to walk. He reluctantly declines the trip the party is planning to Castle Laagos. He can’t walk well quite yet.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Dahlia knocks on the door. She is standing before a rude shack with not-quite square walls. Impressive gardens of herbs, flowers and vegetables are outside. </p><p></p><p>After a moment the door opens. An old woman stares out at Dahlia. “Yes?” the woman asks.</p><p></p><p>Dahlia says, “Hello- uh- my name is Dahlia. I was hoping... that is...” She sighs. “I was hoping you could watch my badger. He got hurt fighting bandits, and...”</p><p></p><p>The old woman’s face goes sour. “You allowed your animal to get hurt? Fighting??”</p><p></p><p>“We were fighting to save Bangus Redcoat. He had been falsely accused of being a bandit at the festival- you probably heard all about it-“</p><p></p><p>“Skipped it.” </p><p></p><p>“Oh. Er...” Dahlia gulps. She came here, to this hovel, because of the reputation of the Three Weird Ladies. It seemed to her that if anyone in town was likely to aid her in keeping her badger safe for the nonce, it would be them. Now that she thinks about it, that may have been simply a vain hope that they would be somewhat like her. Finally she says, “Well, I’m trying to avoid taking him into danger again. I thought, maybe, you could help watch him while I go back into danger myself.” </p><p></p><p>With an icy glare, the old woman answers, “We will watch him for you. But I think you need to re-evaluate your priorities.”</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Though the bandits had surrendered what they claimed was all of their treasure (which the party turned over to Sir Martin, hoping he could redistribute it to the peasants from whom it was stolen), the party decides to return to the ruins of Castle Laagos. “There might be more,” points out Cara. “They might have left stuff behind.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about moving out there, if it’s safe enough,” Dahlia comments. This comment, of course, makes the rest of our heroes wonder just how crazy you have to be to want to live in a ruined castle. Then again, the bandits did it too, so apparently either there are a lot of crazies running around or it’s a fairly normal thing to do. Hmm. “We should exterminate those ants, too,” suggests the strange woman. She can almost picture her badger snuffling along beside her as the group walks through the afternoon warmth towards the ruin. </p><p></p><p>They must first pass through town in order to cross the Raging River, and while they are near it, Otis hurries to the tower of the sorceress Xastys, whose apprentice he is. He reports to her the nature of his activities.</p><p></p><p>She is hardly supportive.</p><p></p><p>“Don’t get killed!” she declares. “You are far too valuable, and not well-trained enough to take care of yourself yet.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, my lady.”</p><p></p><p>“And if you find any old writings, books or scrolls, bring them to me.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, my lady.” Smoothly, he pulls forth five gold pieces from his pouch. “A contribution for your research, my lady.” He hands it to the surprised Xastys.</p><p></p><p>“Thank you,” she says, quite surprised. “Go, then,” she adds.</p><p></p><p>Otis hurries back to the rest of the group before Xastys’ mercurial temper changes and she saddles him with chores. As he leaves he cannot help but think longingly of his mistress’ <em>power.</em> He finds both the power and the woman most... exciting. If only she were open to his advances!</p><p></p><p>When the group reaches Castle Laagos, they find that the portcullis has dropped shut again; from the looks of things, Otis surmises that the old chains holding it up finally snapped through. After a moment, our heroes move around to the side with the crumbled wall, where the ants are moving about, apparently scavenging. “We should destroy them so they pose no threat later,” comments Otis sagely.</p><p></p><p>“Well, if I’m going to live here I don’t really want them trying to carry off my food or something,” admits Dahlia.</p><p></p><p>The group takes up positions around the rubble. They decide that Sir Cedric will attempt to lure the ants out, away from the rubble (wherein Jorgen spots several holes that might easily house many more ants).</p><p></p><p>But of course, things go awry.</p><p></p><p>Missiles and a galloping horsemen strike down the first ant, and then Sir Cedric wheels his mount to retreat, hoping to lure the ants out. That is when the smell from the dead ant hits the group.</p><p></p><p><em>”Piss ants!”</em> shouts Jorgen.</p><p></p><p>More ants come swarming out of the rubble, and these ones are much bigger than the little ones. They are about 6’ long! Suddenly there is chaos as the ants move rapidly in and battle is joined! Cedric hews at them, Jorgen stabs and slashes with his sword, Cara sings and stabs, Otis fires off <em>magic missiles.</em> Dahlia whirls her club and smashes it into the ants, but the ants are fierce, biting with huge mandibles. In moments the stink of the ants fills the air, and soon Cara and Otis are both down. Cedric has cut down two more of the small ones. Hard-pressed, our heroes slay one of the large ants, then another; but then Cedric is pulled down, overwhelmed with a bloody gasp. And then Dahlia, too, falls, having taken the last small ant with her.</p><p></p><p>Jorgen fights alone against two large warrior ants, his new armor turning several bites. Then one of the ants rips wound in his thigh, and he staggers, barely catching himself. </p><p></p><p>With a groan, he swings his sword again, cleaving the head of the ant that bit him. Then he catches the other one’s bite on his shield and stabs it. Limping forward, starting to see spots, fatigue starting to settle into his arm, he approaches the last ant. It scurries forward, tearing at him with its mandibles, and though his armor turns the worst of the bite, it still rips his other leg. Barely standing, Jorgen swings again- and misses! The ant is quick, dodging away and then darting back in! It bites at him again, but he manages to interpose his shield. Its mandibles grasp onto the edge of the shield, and while it is right there he hacks with his sword, cutting right into the ant’s head! Bug juice sprays and the thing collapses. </p><p></p><p>Jorgen wrenches his shield free of the dead mandibles and hurries to bandage his bleeding friends.*</p><p></p><p>“Now what?” he groans to himself. </p><p></p><p>There is no real choice. Clearly, he cannot carry all his friends himself; and he doesn’t feel that it would be safe to leave his friends unattended for long. He could go into town to try to get help, but if there was something left in the ruins, especially something that saw the battle- no, it seems unwise. And there are probably more ants, too...</p><p></p><p>Wincing as his wounded legs move, Jorgen slowly hauls his friends into the ruin, finding a bandit sleeping quarters, and settles them in. It takes him over an hour, and in the end he is exhausted. He dozes off for several hours and wakes hungry. Eating a few pieces of goat salami leaves him sated, and he spends the next few hours hunting up a little wood for a fire and a few wild vegetables. The area immediately around the castle has been mostly cleared of vegetation, so he must walk a fair distance (considering the wounds in his legs). When he returns, he is in considerable pain. He groans and collapses on some of the bandit bedding, falling into a shaky sleep.</p><p></p><p>Jorgen spends the next two nights in the castle, eating rations and conserving his strength. He tends his friends faithfully, and finally, Dahlia and Otis come to a sort of groggy half-consciousness. Immediately Jorgen tells them where they are and declares that he will be back with help as soon as he can. His legs have healed enough that he does not aggravate the wounds anymore as he walks, and he moves- perhaps a trifle slower that before- to town, where he gets Goer; and together they manage to assist the wounded back to town.</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps we should see Ovina,” suggest Jorgen. Ovina, of course, is the local priestess. Our heroes agree that this seems like a good idea, and so they go to the temple. Ovina is there, and gladly heals Dahlia and Cara, but then she declares that they must work in the field from sunrise to sundown for 20 days come spring.</p><p></p><p>“Such is the price of Belthizar,” the priestess intones.</p><p></p><p>Cara protests, but Ovina insists that she will pay the farm god or he will not help her again in the future. Grumbling, she agrees. </p><p></p><p>Then it is Otis’ turn, but he refuses her healing touch. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The party spends the next week in town. Several of them spend the time training.** Cara studies under the Old-Timer, an elfblood old man who claims to have been the first baby born in Whitewater. He has many stories and is an incredible fiddler; he has many performance tricks to teach, and teach he does.</p><p></p><p>Goer spends the week crafting a longsword and putting it up for sale. Otis gives Xastys another five gold pieces for “research purposes”. Dahlia retrieves her badger from the three Weird Ladies. One of them is Drendlin, who won the chicken-plucking contest at the harvest festival. Again, they scold her; but it is clear that they treated the badger well, and he is hale and healthy. Dahlia thanks them humbly.</p><p></p><p>Finally, a week after their return from their disastrous misadventure with the ants, a number of our heroes assemble at the Fat Mallard to head back to the castle and try to finish exploring it. After all, if they wait too long, any bandits that escaped might return and make off with any loot that was hidden away. The group hardly wants that to happen.</p><p></p><p>So it is that Dahlia, Goer, Cara, Otis, Cur Sed Seed and Sir Cedric head back to the ruin outside of town to try their hand at exploring it again. And this time, they vow not to mess with the ants- or at least, not from up close. </p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next Time:</strong></em> Our heroes try Laagos again! </p><p></p><p></p><p>*At the end of this fight, every pc had burned a Wyrd (which is something like a fate or action point). This was definitely an ‘in over their heads’ encounter- it was <strong>EL 6.</strong> But that’s what happens when you disturb a nest of giant ants. Obviously what we have here is an example of ‘status quo’ encounters (vs. ‘tailored’ encounters)- let that be a note as to the style of the campaign. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> We’re using a Cling to Life variant- instead of dying at -10, you can reach a negative total equal to your con score plus level, so at this point most everyone dies around -12 or -13. Everyone but Jorgen and Otis were 1 point away from death and stable via burning Wyrds.</p><p></p><p>**Cara, Cedric, Dahlia and Jorgen leveled after the ant fight. I’m using training rules in the Year 271 Campaign, so it takes 1 week/level being gained of training to gain all your level up benefits. It takes longer and costs xp to do it without a trainer.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 2424420, member: 1210"] [b]Rewards; plus, the Great Ant Debacle[/b] Sir Martin Whitewater is as proud of his boy as he has ever been. The sun rises into the sky over his family estate as late morning comes on. The servants and the family are all in attendance- even Lady Raven, though bedridden, has been carried out on a litter by her nurses. She would not miss this for the world. All of them, as well as several of Cedric’s friends from town, are assembled in the wide open courtyard. Several large shade trees provide some protection from the late summer sun. The ceremony commences, with Cedric ([i]at last![/i]) taking his vows, pledging himself to valor and the service of his father and Lord. And then, at the end, the dubbing; and Cedric is now [i]Sir[/i] Cedric, a knight at last! As an added bonus, Sir Martin allows Sir Cedric to choose one of the horses as his own. Grinning, the lad thanks Sir Martin effusively; and after a warm embrace, the father tells the son to summon his companions (or at least those of them who have come to witness his dubbing into knighthood) within the castle, to the audience chamber. Soon they are assembled around the high-backed cherry wood chair that Sir Martin uses when he hears petitions. Speaking formally, Martin thanks his son’s companions for their aid and gives each of them a unique reward. To Dahlia he gives a writ asserting that she is a friend an ally of the Whitewaters. “I know the people of this area can be superstitious,” he says. “It is all too common for the peasants to lose their heads in fear over some foolish thing. If you should be assaulted or imprisoned, this should carry some weight.” Jorgen is made sheriff, officially, and given both a wide-brimmed high sheriff’s hat and a seven-pointed star forged of tin. Never has he been prouder. “I will execute my duties faithfully, my lord!” he exclaims, nearly tripping over his own tongue. The combination of nervousness and excitement is wearing him out- it is not easy, being close to a noble like this! Otis first pledges his allegiance to Sir Martin, then is given a license to cast spells. Though not always strictly necessary, it certainly should help him avoid any difficulties with superstitious peasants. “Thank you, my lord!” he declares. “Have you any need of my skills, you need only ask at the tower of Lady Xastys.” Sir Martin politely inclines his head in reply. Then Sir Martin asks Cara Reed to come speak to him privately. They are gone for a few minutes, and when they return Cara looks flushed and happy. A wide grin is on her face. She glances shyly at Cedric- no, [i]Sir[/i] Cedric now. “Son, come speak to me,” Sir Martin says. Cedric immediately joins him, and the two go to a sitting room. “What ith it, father? Some more banditth that we mutht thtrike down? Thieveth, in the town?” “No, no my son.” Sir Martin looks pensive for a moment; then, with a sigh, he states, “Son, I’m not going to live forever.” His strong blue eyes lock onto Cedric’s. “Your mother is very ill, and the same could happen to me. I must look to my line.” “I underthtand, father.” “No, son, I don’t think you do- not entirely, at least. Son, I have to ensure not just that I have an heir, but that my heir will [i]continue[/i] the line. Do you understand?” “Of courthe, father.” “Therefore, I have decided that it is time that we found you a good wife.” Sir Cedric is thunderstruck. “But, father, my older brother-“ “Your brother seems... unable to sire children.” “Oh, I thee.” Sir Cedric gulps. He can see where this is going, and he doesn’t really like it. On some level, he has always been attracted to boys, though he does not admit it to himself. But it is his duty to serve his father in all things... and certainly, the line must go on- it must not be allowed to die out. “Therefore, I have decided that, assuming she is fertile, you shall be married to Cara Reed.” “Oh.” Sir Cedric ponders this for a moment. Then, he asks, “But father, ithn’t her blood rather... common? Would it be proper?” Sir Martin sighs. “This is indeed something that concerns me, but in an area this size we must take the noblest blood we can find. She is a beauty; I think her blood might help invigorate ours.” Still, he looks unhappy at this aspect of the arrangement. “Very well, father.” Sir Martin nods. “Good. Say nothing of this until I formally announce it. We must first ensure that she is... fertile.” *** The bandits’ money mostly goes to Sir Martin for distribution to the peasants, though the lord pays the group generously from the takings. Jorgen takes the suit of chain mail that Bros, that bandit that looks like Bangus Redcoat, had been wearing. Sir Cedric takes Jared o’ the Highway’s bastard sword. Several of the others take a weapon or shield from the pile of loot. Sheriff Jorgen takes the unclaimed weapons and armor to start a town militia. “I really don’t like how two dozen armed men could ride in here and almost take over the town,” Goer comments. His ankle is still swollen, but almost healed enough for him to walk. He reluctantly declines the trip the party is planning to Castle Laagos. He can’t walk well quite yet. *** Dahlia knocks on the door. She is standing before a rude shack with not-quite square walls. Impressive gardens of herbs, flowers and vegetables are outside. After a moment the door opens. An old woman stares out at Dahlia. “Yes?” the woman asks. Dahlia says, “Hello- uh- my name is Dahlia. I was hoping... that is...” She sighs. “I was hoping you could watch my badger. He got hurt fighting bandits, and...” The old woman’s face goes sour. “You allowed your animal to get hurt? Fighting??” “We were fighting to save Bangus Redcoat. He had been falsely accused of being a bandit at the festival- you probably heard all about it-“ “Skipped it.” “Oh. Er...” Dahlia gulps. She came here, to this hovel, because of the reputation of the Three Weird Ladies. It seemed to her that if anyone in town was likely to aid her in keeping her badger safe for the nonce, it would be them. Now that she thinks about it, that may have been simply a vain hope that they would be somewhat like her. Finally she says, “Well, I’m trying to avoid taking him into danger again. I thought, maybe, you could help watch him while I go back into danger myself.” With an icy glare, the old woman answers, “We will watch him for you. But I think you need to re-evaluate your priorities.” *** Though the bandits had surrendered what they claimed was all of their treasure (which the party turned over to Sir Martin, hoping he could redistribute it to the peasants from whom it was stolen), the party decides to return to the ruins of Castle Laagos. “There might be more,” points out Cara. “They might have left stuff behind.” “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about moving out there, if it’s safe enough,” Dahlia comments. This comment, of course, makes the rest of our heroes wonder just how crazy you have to be to want to live in a ruined castle. Then again, the bandits did it too, so apparently either there are a lot of crazies running around or it’s a fairly normal thing to do. Hmm. “We should exterminate those ants, too,” suggests the strange woman. She can almost picture her badger snuffling along beside her as the group walks through the afternoon warmth towards the ruin. They must first pass through town in order to cross the Raging River, and while they are near it, Otis hurries to the tower of the sorceress Xastys, whose apprentice he is. He reports to her the nature of his activities. She is hardly supportive. “Don’t get killed!” she declares. “You are far too valuable, and not well-trained enough to take care of yourself yet.” “Yes, my lady.” “And if you find any old writings, books or scrolls, bring them to me.” “Yes, my lady.” Smoothly, he pulls forth five gold pieces from his pouch. “A contribution for your research, my lady.” He hands it to the surprised Xastys. “Thank you,” she says, quite surprised. “Go, then,” she adds. Otis hurries back to the rest of the group before Xastys’ mercurial temper changes and she saddles him with chores. As he leaves he cannot help but think longingly of his mistress’ [i]power.[/i] He finds both the power and the woman most... exciting. If only she were open to his advances! When the group reaches Castle Laagos, they find that the portcullis has dropped shut again; from the looks of things, Otis surmises that the old chains holding it up finally snapped through. After a moment, our heroes move around to the side with the crumbled wall, where the ants are moving about, apparently scavenging. “We should destroy them so they pose no threat later,” comments Otis sagely. “Well, if I’m going to live here I don’t really want them trying to carry off my food or something,” admits Dahlia. The group takes up positions around the rubble. They decide that Sir Cedric will attempt to lure the ants out, away from the rubble (wherein Jorgen spots several holes that might easily house many more ants). But of course, things go awry. Missiles and a galloping horsemen strike down the first ant, and then Sir Cedric wheels his mount to retreat, hoping to lure the ants out. That is when the smell from the dead ant hits the group. [i]”Piss ants!”[/i] shouts Jorgen. More ants come swarming out of the rubble, and these ones are much bigger than the little ones. They are about 6’ long! Suddenly there is chaos as the ants move rapidly in and battle is joined! Cedric hews at them, Jorgen stabs and slashes with his sword, Cara sings and stabs, Otis fires off [i]magic missiles.[/i] Dahlia whirls her club and smashes it into the ants, but the ants are fierce, biting with huge mandibles. In moments the stink of the ants fills the air, and soon Cara and Otis are both down. Cedric has cut down two more of the small ones. Hard-pressed, our heroes slay one of the large ants, then another; but then Cedric is pulled down, overwhelmed with a bloody gasp. And then Dahlia, too, falls, having taken the last small ant with her. Jorgen fights alone against two large warrior ants, his new armor turning several bites. Then one of the ants rips wound in his thigh, and he staggers, barely catching himself. With a groan, he swings his sword again, cleaving the head of the ant that bit him. Then he catches the other one’s bite on his shield and stabs it. Limping forward, starting to see spots, fatigue starting to settle into his arm, he approaches the last ant. It scurries forward, tearing at him with its mandibles, and though his armor turns the worst of the bite, it still rips his other leg. Barely standing, Jorgen swings again- and misses! The ant is quick, dodging away and then darting back in! It bites at him again, but he manages to interpose his shield. Its mandibles grasp onto the edge of the shield, and while it is right there he hacks with his sword, cutting right into the ant’s head! Bug juice sprays and the thing collapses. Jorgen wrenches his shield free of the dead mandibles and hurries to bandage his bleeding friends.* “Now what?” he groans to himself. There is no real choice. Clearly, he cannot carry all his friends himself; and he doesn’t feel that it would be safe to leave his friends unattended for long. He could go into town to try to get help, but if there was something left in the ruins, especially something that saw the battle- no, it seems unwise. And there are probably more ants, too... Wincing as his wounded legs move, Jorgen slowly hauls his friends into the ruin, finding a bandit sleeping quarters, and settles them in. It takes him over an hour, and in the end he is exhausted. He dozes off for several hours and wakes hungry. Eating a few pieces of goat salami leaves him sated, and he spends the next few hours hunting up a little wood for a fire and a few wild vegetables. The area immediately around the castle has been mostly cleared of vegetation, so he must walk a fair distance (considering the wounds in his legs). When he returns, he is in considerable pain. He groans and collapses on some of the bandit bedding, falling into a shaky sleep. Jorgen spends the next two nights in the castle, eating rations and conserving his strength. He tends his friends faithfully, and finally, Dahlia and Otis come to a sort of groggy half-consciousness. Immediately Jorgen tells them where they are and declares that he will be back with help as soon as he can. His legs have healed enough that he does not aggravate the wounds anymore as he walks, and he moves- perhaps a trifle slower that before- to town, where he gets Goer; and together they manage to assist the wounded back to town. “Perhaps we should see Ovina,” suggest Jorgen. Ovina, of course, is the local priestess. Our heroes agree that this seems like a good idea, and so they go to the temple. Ovina is there, and gladly heals Dahlia and Cara, but then she declares that they must work in the field from sunrise to sundown for 20 days come spring. “Such is the price of Belthizar,” the priestess intones. Cara protests, but Ovina insists that she will pay the farm god or he will not help her again in the future. Grumbling, she agrees. Then it is Otis’ turn, but he refuses her healing touch. *** The party spends the next week in town. Several of them spend the time training.** Cara studies under the Old-Timer, an elfblood old man who claims to have been the first baby born in Whitewater. He has many stories and is an incredible fiddler; he has many performance tricks to teach, and teach he does. Goer spends the week crafting a longsword and putting it up for sale. Otis gives Xastys another five gold pieces for “research purposes”. Dahlia retrieves her badger from the three Weird Ladies. One of them is Drendlin, who won the chicken-plucking contest at the harvest festival. Again, they scold her; but it is clear that they treated the badger well, and he is hale and healthy. Dahlia thanks them humbly. Finally, a week after their return from their disastrous misadventure with the ants, a number of our heroes assemble at the Fat Mallard to head back to the castle and try to finish exploring it. After all, if they wait too long, any bandits that escaped might return and make off with any loot that was hidden away. The group hardly wants that to happen. So it is that Dahlia, Goer, Cara, Otis, Cur Sed Seed and Sir Cedric head back to the ruin outside of town to try their hand at exploring it again. And this time, they vow not to mess with the ants- or at least, not from up close. [i][b]Next Time:[/b][/i][b][/b] Our heroes try Laagos again! *At the end of this fight, every pc had burned a Wyrd (which is something like a fate or action point). This was definitely an ‘in over their heads’ encounter- it was [b]EL 6.[/b] But that’s what happens when you disturb a nest of giant ants. Obviously what we have here is an example of ‘status quo’ encounters (vs. ‘tailored’ encounters)- let that be a note as to the style of the campaign. ;) We’re using a Cling to Life variant- instead of dying at -10, you can reach a negative total equal to your con score plus level, so at this point most everyone dies around -12 or -13. Everyone but Jorgen and Otis were 1 point away from death and stable via burning Wyrds. **Cara, Cedric, Dahlia and Jorgen leveled after the ant fight. I’m using training rules in the Year 271 Campaign, so it takes 1 week/level being gained of training to gain all your level up benefits. It takes longer and costs xp to do it without a trainer. [/QUOTE]
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(Cydra) The Year 271 Campaign (Low Magic experiment)
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