GREYHAWK CY 576: GREAT LEGENDS RETOLD -- CAMPAIGN THREAD

[Tellerian Hawke]

"...He uses his considerable charm with the bar-maids and maidens for any sliver of useful information about the area, especially the caves."

Spoiler: What Quixt Discovered

You don't hear anything about the caves themselves, but you do hear a rumor about a large, deep, sinkhole, which lies to the west of the caves that you have been exploring. Nothing specific, just that at the bottom of it, a small cave entrance can be seen, and people have heard strange sounds in the area. Almost like a wolf howling, but witnesses say that the howl had a distinctly human tone to it. The bar maid shudders, and declines to speak further, saying that she doesn't like to dwell on such unpleasant things.

During the downtime, Hawke grabs Nimbar's spellbook, and begins to peruse it while he is busy prepping the parchments for his scrollmaking endeavors. On the third day, Hawke announces that he is going to Sarris' shop, to buy a blank spellbook!

Nimbar asks, "You figured this out after only three days, reading only an hour or two at time? How in the blazes did you pull that off? Are you sure you aren't wasting your money?"

Hawke chuckles, "It's not that hard, remember how I told you you that Sir Walter said I should try it?**. Relax, I'm not going to show you up anytime soon. But having the knowledge might prove useful, especially if we have to split up."

Spoiler: **Ah, Memories!

Several thread pages ago...

Hawke looks over Nimbar's shoulder, reading his spellbook; "This doesn't look so hard. Most of it looks like Draconic. Wait...what does that symbol mean right there?" Hawke puts his index finger in the middle of the page that Nimbar is reading.

Nimbar answers a few of Hawke's questions, but finally shoos him away, with an annoyed tone.

Nimbar says, "I need to study, go away! If you're serious about learning spellcraft, you can borrow my spellbook when we get back to the keep. Until then, keep your mouth shut, you big oaf!"

Hawke nods in agreement, "Sir Walter always did say that I had the brains for it, if I would only apply myself. He was always encouraging me to try; but I never was interested, before now. But the more I see you throwing spells against these cretins, the more useful it looks, and the more intriguing the thought becomes to me. I could be... a spell warrior! Ha ha!"

Nimbar frowns, "They're called Spellswords, and there's actually a school for training in Chendl. When we get back, why don't you apply, and spend a few years there?"

Hawke snorts with a chuckle, "Chendl? You mean the capitol city? That's far and gone from Willip... we'd never see each other."

Nimbar grins mischievously, "My point, exactly."

Hawke takes the insult on the chin, realizing that Nimbar is simply aggravated, and desirous of his quiet time. He smiles and nods, giving Nimbar the space he needs to finish memorizing his spells.

GM: Hawke spends 15 gp. on a Spellbook, and 5 gp. on an Apprentice's Spell Component Pouch. (20 gp. total.) With 18% Discount from Ring: (20 x .82) = 16.4 = 16 gp., 4 sp. Hawke gives a 6 sp. tip, making total expenditure 17 gp. Hawke spends much of the downtime scribing spells into his new spell book; he scribes all of the cantrips, along with the following spells: Magic Missile, Mage Armor, Shield, Identify, Sleep, and Feather Fall.

Several days into the downtime, Hawke demonstrates some of his newly acquired skill with magic; he sets a metal mug of ale on the table of the tavern, and points at it, speaking something in Draconic. A tiny, blue, crystalline ray springs forth from his fingertip, striking the mug, and covering it in frost! Hawke waits a few moments for the mug to stop "smoking," and (wearing a glove) picks up the mug, and takes a big swig of it.

Hawke smiles, "It tastes so much better when it's this cold! And the ray is strong enough to cause frostbite and muscular damage if it is aimed at a living being. It's not exactly High Magic, but it's a start."

Nimbar adds, jokingly, with mock condescension, "Don't try that with a glass. It would shatter it."

GM: If you will remember, on post #268 (Thread Page #14), we all agreed: In the interests of story continuity, I would be willing to suspend the downtime period, and allow the party to simply rest and "level up" instantly, but with the proviso that the downtime will occur at a later point (when the story allows it); We will now spend that "delayed" training time, making the total downtime increase by an additional 44 days. Since Hawke can now cast spells, he will spend some time making scrolls as well.

GM: TO BE CONTINUED.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

GM: DM SUPPLEMENTAL: Quixt pays the 3,174 gp. to recharge the Wand of Hold Person. Hawke asks to borrow Quixt's wand of Magic Missiles for the duration of the expedition, on the condition that he pay to recharge it. Quixt agrees. Hawke spends 1,107 gp. on the recharge. Hawke has 1 gp. remaining. Wand recharge for both wands will require the remaining 44 days, thus Sarris will not be available for further enchantments (i.e., the armor, bracers, and two wands use up all of his available time remaining.)

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Spoiler: Memories, from Thread Page #7, Post #127

During the downtime, Hawke manages to befriend the captain of the guard, a man by the name of Emil Al'Tabar, a renowned warrior who dual wields as Hawke does, using a saber and main gauche dagger. Every day, just after breakfast, Hawke watches as Emil calls the guardsmen to order, and issues their daily assignments. Afterwards, he and Emil spar for the better part of an hour, the result being that Emil usually gets the better of Hawke. Despite Hawke's size and strength, Emil is still faster, and obviously, far more experienced. He shows Hawke many flaws in his counterstroke technique, and helps him practice to overcome them.

While Sarris is busy enchanting things for the party, Hawke spends a lot of time sparring with Captain Al'Tabar, who still manages to get the better of Hawke on most rounds, although Hawke seems to be improving. Emil tells him that his stance and balance are much improved, and he shows him some techniques for shifting position more quickly, to help with dodging blows and with being able to counter more quickly.

GM: The downtime is concluded; the party has spent 59 days resting, prepping materials, training, re-supplying, and re-equipping themselves. Everyone agrees that it is now time to head back to the caves.

Hawke says, "Captain Emil says there have been far fewer raids in the last 2 months, since we came back. He says that our reputation is growing, after having returned alive from several expeditions to the caves. He says that our presence here makes the citizens feel safe. They are beginning to refer to us as The Iron Men, because we seem to be unbreakable, in both body and spirit. I dunno, I kinda like the sound of Hawke and His Amazing Friends better..."

Hawke ducks as Nimbar throws his mostly eaten sandwich at him.

 

[Aust Thale]

Quixt:
Quixt pays to have the Wand of Hold Person charged and lends his Wand of Magic Missiles to Hawke. He notes Hawke’s confidence in picking up spellcasting. His own mentors within his family were no longer available, and the further along his own studies progressed, the more he found himself narrowing his own studies to mostly divination and transmutation. He had found texts referencing a secret cabal of spies who delved deeply in divination. He followed them like a conspiracy theory, eager to devour even the most fantastical elements he came across.

He spends his downtime preparing spells and scrolls, as well as becoming more familiar with the denizens of the Keep. He watches carefully for signs of Eryptian government or guild lest he is discovered.

He relays the information about the cave to the others. “We should take another go at the Wendol and their allies, but I would like to explore this other place. What say you?”

He beefs up his provisions And prepares for going back.

 

[MacConnell]

Business aside, Sphynx is less suited to remaining in town for long periods of time, any town. The press of bodies makes him edgy, for he has suffered too many things, best left unremembered. He takes occasion to unobtrusively explore the Keep and surrounding land, including climbing buildings or other structures when possible.

He smiles at the magical antics of Hawke, but is secretive about his own magical talent, as it is much more of an instinctual repurposing of what he sees, hears, or otherwise senses. He maintains the outward appearance of a functional forward scout and competent sneak.

When the conversation with Quixt arrises, he responds in Elvish if the conversation is public, "I am more than ready to be about further exploration. The Wendol, who are party to necromantic machinations, should be eliminated. Refresh my memory Quixt, what is this other place of which you speak?"

OOC: Random Roll: 13

 

[Aust Thale]

Business aside, Sphynx is less suited to remaining in town for long periods of time, any town. The press of bodies makes him edgy, for he has suffered too many things, best left unremembered. He takes occasion to unobtrusively explore the Keep and surrounding land, including climbing buildings or other structures when possible.

He smiles at the magical antics of Hawke, but is secretive about his own magical talent, as it is much more of an instinctual repurposing of what he sees, hears, or otherwise senses. He maintains the outward appearance of a functional forward scout and competent sneak.

When the conversation with Quixt arrises, he responds in Elvish if the conversation is public, "I am more than ready to be about further exploration. The Wendol, who are party to necromantic machinations, should be eliminated. Refresh my memory Quixt, what is this other place of which you speak?"

OOC: Random Roll: 13

Quixt:
“A conversation picked up in the tavern while chatting up a barmaid, no more no less.”

Conversation Details:
You don't hear anything about the caves themselves, but you do hear a rumor about a large, deep, sinkhole, which lies to the west of the caves that you have been exploring. Nothing specific, just that at the bottom of it, a small cave entrance can be seen, and people have heard strange sounds in the area. Almost like a wolf howling, but witnesses say that the howl had a distinctly human tone to it. The bar maid shudders, and declines to speak further, saying that she doesn't like to dwell on such unpleasant things.

 

[MacConnell]

Quixt:
“A conversation picked up...”

Sphynx purses his lips in concentration, then smiles. "Ah, that explains why I have no recollection. Howls that sound like a wolf or a man!? Hmm, It could be nothing more than a man who has gone mad from his isolation and howls in his insanity; or this world being what it is, it could be something far more sinister.

At this moment, I am for continuing the quest of which we are more certain, but this is good information to note."

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Nimbar hems and haws for a bit; "There are shapechanging creatures, to be sure; creatures that have both human and animal form. I've read three books on the subject, under Sir Walter's tutelage. But there hasn't been a verified sighting of one in over three hundred years, and believe me, there are a lot of people looking for them. Wizards with more salt than anyone WE know, including Sir Walter. And no one has found anything yet. A more likely explanation is a Master Druid; you see, Druids speak to animals, often in the animal's own tongue. It wouldn't surprise me to run across a Master Druid in command of a pack of wolves, who belays his orders to them by howling. And if such is the case, I'd not want to give him cause to be irritated with us. Best let that one alone for awhile."

Hawke laughs, "Druid? Bah. Druids are reclusive. I doubt very seriously that a Druid with that kind of power would make his presence known in such an obvious manner. Besides, it sounds like the so-called witnesses heard ONE howl, not a whole pack. I'd be willing to bet they heard an actual wolf, and the so-called tonal qualities of the howl are a product of fear and exaggeration. As for the shapechanging creatures you mentioned, that's poppycock as well. Bedtime stories to frighten children. We live in a world where MEN who are skilled in the magical arts commit atrocities through the use of things like Necromancy. Why invent shapeshifting boogey men? Are the Dark Arts themselves not scary enough? ... Sphynx, what say you? And what of you, Quixt? Do either of YOU believe in boogey men?"

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

GM: Posting on behalf of Sphynx

Sphynx says, "Ah, it's settled then. Although we don't agree on what the source of the howl is, we all seem to be in agreement that taking care of the Wendol is more important at the moment. I'm going to go check my supplies. We should leave at dawn. I trust everyone else will do the same?"

Everyone else nods in agreement. The party makes preparations to be on the move at dawn.

GM: Story advancement post coming soon, probably later on today.

 

[Aust Thale]

GM: Posting on behalf of Sphynx

Sphynx says, "Ah, it's settled then. Although we don't agree on what the source of the howl is, we all seem to be in agreement that taking care of the Wendol is more important at the moment. I'm going to go check my supplies. We should leave at dawn. I trust everyone else will do the same?"

Everyone else nods in agreement. The party makes preparations to be on the move at dawn.

GM: Story advancement post coming soon, probably later on today.

Nimbar hems and haws for a bit; "There are shapechanging creatures, to be sure; creatures that have both human and animal form. I've read three books on the subject, under Sir Walter's tutelage. But there hasn't been a verified sighting of one in over three hundred years, and believe me, there are a lot of people looking for them. Wizards with more salt than anyone WE know, including Sir Walter. And no one has found anything yet. A more likely explanation is a Master Druid; you see, Druids speak to animals, often in the animal's own tongue. It wouldn't surprise me to run across a Master Druid in command of a pack of wolves, who belays his orders to them by howling. And if such is the case, I'd not want to give him cause to be irritated with us. Best let that one alone for awhile."

Hawke laughs, "Druid? Bah. Druids are reclusive. I doubt very seriously that a Druid with that kind of power would make his presence known in such an obvious manner. Besides, it sounds like the so-called witnesses heard ONE howl, not a whole pack. I'd be willing to bet they heard an actual wolf, and the so-called tonal qualities of the howl are a product of fear and exaggeration. As for the shapechanging creatures you mentioned, that's poppycock as well. Bedtime stories to frighten children. We live in a world where MEN who are skilled in the magical arts commit atrocities through the use of things like Necromancy. Why invent shapeshifting boogey men? Are the Dark Arts themselves not scary enough? ... Sphynx, what say you? And what of you, Quixt? Do either of YOU believe in boogey men?"

Quixt:
“Yes, I believe in ‘boogie men’, though I’m not sure I’d call them that so cavalierly. Plenty of natural and supernatural beings want me dead, tortured, or enslaved. What’s a few more?”