THE GILDED THRONE: IC Thread

JigokuBosatsu · Post by **JigokuBosatsu** » Fri May 10, 2013 4:28 pm

Surveying the wreckage, Crazy Cloud unleashes a most unbecoming curse, then nods to Rojari and the templar. "Before battle- work. After battle, work." He grins at them and walks briskly toward the injured villagers, tending the ones who need it most.

[Crazy Cloud will use Rebuke Death on anyone below 0 hp.]

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Fri May 10, 2013 4:54 pm

Reve pulls out a medical kit from her pack and joins Crazy Cloud in tending to the injured, especially those with grievous wounds (she can stabilize with a standard action, but she uses the bandages so that it's not obvious what she's doing.) Felf holds on to the kit, while Reve cares for the wounded.

"Has this sort of attack happened before?"

Whipstitch · Post by **Whipstitch** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:05 pm

Nesha dismisses the obscuring mist and rejoins the group.

Valdym says "Their kind is famously stubborn, but if this tribe of lizardfolk speaks true Draconic than I may be able to speak with any that yet live."

JigokuBosatsu · Post by **JigokuBosatsu** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:06 pm

Crazy Cloud looks up from his work, hands bloody. "I too, could offer assistance in that."

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:19 pm

"oh yeah run ya dumb reptiles guns 1 naga scales zero"

yellow slings the gun over his shoulder then goes to talk to the Templar

"nice to meet you my name is yellow I heard Artume has been having some trouble with naga in addition to the usual crap that goes on in these parts and i think i have a more long term solution to that problem then hiring adventurers one that might make artume a super power in these parts if your interested then i would like to make an appointment with the regent or someone in a position to make decisions for the future of this places military if that's to much to ask then directing me to a reputable inn that takes adventurer clientele would be a decent reward"

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:44 pm

The townsfolk welcome the assistance of the party in caring for the wounded. The bodies and those who are too injured to stand are being taken to the temple of Milani in the center of town, so they can be treated more effectively after being stabilized. There are also several people working to put out the lightning-started fires, aided by some gnomes who just emerged from a hatch along the harbor streets.

The remaining lizardfolk all look thoroughly dead. One is carrying a wooden scrollcase, though.

Rojari laughs at Felf's question. "Damn scalies are way too fond of their own skins to risk an all-out assault unless they think they're gonna win. You saw how fast they folded here. This is the first time they attacked the town, but isolated farms and boats have been getting hit for months now. I dunno what the fuck they wanted in the warehouses that made them so bold, but it's definitely a fuckin' anomaly to me."

The templar raises an eyebrow at Yellow's words. "Sure, I can get you a meet with the boss tomorrow. He'll probably be interested in what you have to offer. You're welcome to take rooms in the keep if you like, but if not I certainly recommend someplace else to stay." Rojari cuts in abruptly, smiling faintly. "And your party is welcome to take dinner with Azul and I at our 'Manor' tonight. We're curious what the news from the rest of the River Kingdoms looks like."

Whipstitch · Post by **Whipstitch** » Sat May 11, 2013 5:11 am

Nesha nods at the templar appreciatively "I don't speak for our friends here, but I'd love to hear your recommendations, since I'm sure the innkeepers need business in these hard times."

JigokuBosatsu · Post by **JigokuBosatsu** » Sat May 11, 2013 2:54 pm

Wordlessly, Crazy Cloud nudges the lizardman with his foot, then takes the scroll case.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Sat May 11, 2013 3:28 pm

In addition to the offers of the 3 potential hosts (Castle, lord, barge), the templar, whose name is Eric, describes 2 places that should give a discount if the party says he sent them.
- The Turning Wheel Inn is by the harbor, usually catering to traveling merchants but with a substantial minority of adventurer clientele as well. It has soundproofed meeting rooms and is tough enough that a lightning bolt won't collapse it.
- Fizbavang Hotel is near the center of town (and the temple of Milani). A favored haunt of the gnomes from below, it offers cheap rooms and ready access to magic users of middling-to-neophyte power. But privacy is going to be difficult to come by, and the gnomes do their best to keep things from getting dull.

As Cloud picks up the lizard's scrollcase he notes that it is made of stained mahogany, unlikely to be a local craft. Inside is a crude scroll of fibrous paper, with blocky handwriting on either side. The first side is a divine spell scroll, with 1 copy each of Cure Moderate Wounds, Aid, and Summon Monster II. Flipped, a curt message gives instructions for the lizardfolk to find and steal 3 crates from the warehouse. The insignia of the Gralton shipping company Munin works for is carefully traced, and the message notes that the three crates will have that stamped on them, and will also weigh at least 100 pounds each. "Grazaak" has some enchanted oils that will make them easier to move.

JigokuBosatsu · Post by **JigokuBosatsu** » Sat May 11, 2013 3:41 pm

Crazy Cloud mutters to himself as he examines the scroll, then recounts the contents to the party.

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Sat May 11, 2013 4:30 pm

Once the wounded have received preliminary care, and the worst cases taken to the temple, Reve cleans herself off with a quick bit of magic, and joins the others, "Perhaps we should ask our esteemed captain just what exactly he's shipping, that the scaly ones are so interested in it."

She also checks the bodies for any other signs of magic, besides the scroll.

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Sat May 11, 2013 11:31 pm

yellow mentions to the party "i say we stay with the lord he seems like fun company and he seems like he knows these parts and would be willing to share info also we can always visit the castle in the morning"

then yellow says to the Templar "what time should i arrive for my appointment with the regent or do i need to go make an appointment at the castle myself?"

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Sun May 12, 2013 1:59 pm

"Sure, after we're done here we can accept Lord Rojari's kind offer of hospitality. But I still want to figure out what all this was about." Reve says.

Koumei · Post by **Koumei** » Mon May 13, 2013 12:24 am

"Interesting, a magical scroll that also serves as their instructions? If they need to conserve their parchment this badly, things can't be too good for them. And if they keep raiding like today, well... things aren't going to get much better, are they?"

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Mon May 13, 2013 3:40 am

Whatever wrote:Once the wounded have received preliminary care, and the worst cases taken to the temple, Reve cleans herself off with a quick bit of magic, and joins the others, "Perhaps we should ask our esteemed captain just what exactly he's shipping, that the scaly ones are so interested in it."

She also checks the bodies for any other signs of magic, besides the scroll.

The cleanup from the attack well in hand, the party focuses on other matters. It looks like they've made a good impression, and several people converse about the "new heroes" who have arrived as they go about their business.

A few of the stone- tipped spears carried by the lizardfolk warriors have some kind of weak transmutation effect slowly fading away, likely a bolstering spell one of their spellcasters placed before the attack.

Captain Munin's second-in-command (Ashel, a half-elven woman with some minor magical talent), is bickering with another templar over the "docking tax" to be levied on the Streamstinger. The captain himself seems to have entered the warehouse, and he is engaged in a whispered conversation with a couple of hooded humans [Perception] who stand out because they don't have any real visible weapons.

As the party looks on, the captain sketches a courtly bow and waves dramatically toward the boxes, his other hand carefully out of sight in a pocket of his vest.

flare22 wrote:yellow mentions to the party "i say we stay with the lord he seems like fun company and he seems like he knows these parts and would be willing to share info also we can always visit the castle in the morning"

then yellow says to the Templar "what time should i arrive for my appointment with the regent or do i need to go make an appointment at the castle myself?"

Eric shrugs a little, and says Yellow's "appointment" should be fine any time between noon and sunset, to maximize the probability that Waike is sober.

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Mon May 13, 2013 3:52 am

Reve waves Felf over, and heads for the interior of the warehouse, walking slowly enough for everyone else to catch up, if they choose.

"Captain Munin! It's a good thing we were here, to help protect that cargo. I hope it's worth the lives lost in this attack."

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Mon May 13, 2013 4:33 am

Munin winces slightly when he hears the voice of somebody else approaching, and he pulls a pair of vials from his vest as he turns. But when he sees that Reve doesn't have guards at her back, he relaxes and puts the bomb back.

"Fortunate indeed, greetings and thanks. Deal's almost closed, and I think everyone's coming out a winner." The barge-captain glances over to his companions. "Introductions?"

"Indeed!" One man throws back his hood and approaches, bowing low while balanced on one foot before snapping back to a balanced stance. Red roses are embroidered at the hems of his rough clothing. "Brother Chloris of Everbloom Monastery, at your service. You're one of the heroes who drove off that horrifying monster raid, I presume? Milani bless you!"

flare22 · Post by **flare22** » Mon May 13, 2013 4:59 am

To eric "Ok ill take you up on that by the way what king of beer or wine does waike enjoy?"

After waiting for an answer yellow heads over to lord rojari to take him up on his offer of dinner at his manor making sure he gets an address before joining reve and munin

"Hey munin I'm sorry to pry but I'm curius about crates and before you say its none of my buisiness as the guy who just put 2 bullets in a naga to protect that cargo and as the guy who was working security for it on our way down the river I'm going to have to say it is my buisiness but if you don't want to tell me what the cargo is that's fine as long as you can swear in the name of your god that said carge won't get me or my partners in trouble again in the future"

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Mon May 13, 2013 6:32 am

Chloris turns to Yellow, once again inclining his shaved head. "As you may be aware, the church of Milani is responsible for most of the reasonably priced healing available in Artume. We don't have anybody powerful enough to raise the dead, but our healers are doing what they can to aid in the fight to make Artume a better place. Recently, we've made arrangements with Gralton to help us stretch our resources farther.

The monk waves, and his companion walks over to the boxes, sniffs carefully, and then pops one open to remove a smaller wooden case. "This incense, for instance. It will allow a cleric to prepare slightly more effective healing spells, and can give the benefits of antitoxin to those who spend a half hour or so continuously exposed to it. Quite useful for a hospital ward. Some of the lizardfolk have taken to putting naga venom on their spears, and this might improve the recovery rate for people who've been weakened by it."

If Reve utters a Detect Magic spell, the box of incense does indeed register as faintly magical. Munin has several items on his person that feel more powerful, though.

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Mon May 13, 2013 2:11 pm

Reve raises an eyebrow when Captain Munin reaches for the vials, but she doesn't say anything about it. When Yellow asks his question, she takes the opportunity to check for magic.

"Yes, introductions. Reve Thaw, at your service. This is Felf." Both elves nod to the priests, and Reve continues, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, although I'm sure we all wish it could have been under more pleasant circumstances. If you follow Milani, I'm sure I support the work you're doing here. It occurs to me, though, that if these medical supplies were enough to prompt such a savage attack, you might be interested in additional security while you transport them back to--Everbloom Monastery, did you say?"

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Mon May 13, 2013 2:36 pm

The smiles slip for a moment as the monks glance at each other and exchange a few hand signals. Chloris turns to Captain Munin "You'll vouch for them?" "Yeah."

"Very well then. We would be glad to have protection from heroes such as yourselves. How would you like to be compensated? Everbloom doesn't have a lot of money right now thanks to all of Waikes 'emergency taxes', but we have do have healing potions, and a decent amount of the rosewine the monastery sells to support itself. The regent's started calling for tithes of that as well, and it might be worth something to him.

We've arranged for some carts, and plan to leave through the south end of town. We just need to hand off some supplies to a courier for the main temple here first. Probably, we'll depart in around 15 minutes."

JigokuBosatsu · Post by **JigokuBosatsu** » Mon May 13, 2013 5:20 pm

Crazy Cloud bows low, perhaps too low, and greets Brother Cloris. He listens throughout the discussions, loudly sniffing occasionally. He looks around the waterfront when the departure time is announced, frowning. "Not much time for... ablutions," he chuckles lewdly, and winking at Valdym and Nesha. The odd monastic then plops down on the street in an uncomfortable-looking folded-leg pose and begins meditating.

Whipstitch · Post by **Whipstitch** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:45 am

Valdym lets the monk's japes pass without further comment.

"Actually, how far of a journey are we talking about here?"

Koumei · Post by **Koumei** » Tue May 14, 2013 4:40 am

Sola hadn't spoken for a bit, still not sure about the contents of the crates - given the suspicious attitudes of the men (and given she's a proficient liar herself... it takes one to know one). However the others seem to be at least mostly convinced, so she shrugs it off - they're clearly less bad than the scaled creatures. Then there's the mention of a reward for further work.

"Yes, if we're travelling for a year, that's going to cost a lot more than just a couple of days. But potions and salable wine are pretty decent as far as compensation goes - and if it leads to more people being helped, everyone wins."

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue May 14, 2013 6:31 am

"With all the carts, I expect it will take a couple hours to make it to Everbloom Monastery. You'll make better time on the way back, and should be able to get back to Artume before dark. We'd.. rather not take on any new guests right now, but Everbloom could probably make room if you need someplace to take shelter. The founders built on some hills to the southeast, a secure distance from the Sellen's stream and any trouble that might flow off it. Nowadays, we haven't seen any nagas yet, but I have a feeling this is a day to be ready for the unexpected."

The monk pauses a moment in thought, then directs his companion to accompany the captain. "Munin, thanks for the other gifts you offered, but I think you'd do better holding on to them yourself. I wouldn't be surprised if somebody tried making trouble for you on the way out. Perhaps you could make arrangements to accompany Rojari's treasure ship. Your vessels could offer each other improved security. Marus here can accompany you and help finding people looking for a new life in Gralton." Nodding, the barge-captain and second monk head out of the warehouse.

Cloris whistles, and about a dozen more monks come in. They have a cart for each of the crates, and begin to pack them for travel. The remainder stand watch, seemingly ready for trouble. To the party's practiced eyes, however, Everbloom's rank-and-file looks kind of underwhelming. They don't move with ease and confidence of experienced warriors. Felf was more impressed by many of the people in the peasant militia. Several monks hold their quarterstaves like they've had practically no training.