Session 4
Day 22
The Grim Fist decides on discretion where the kobolds are concerned, and heads instead to the illusory floor room. There, they spend some time examining and then breaking the trap - now a permanent slide - and tie off a rope under the illusion for a permanent way back that isn’t obvious.
It's a very clever use of the trap itself, and I approve.
They descend and explore the narrow, unlit, barrel-vault passages, until they are surprised by a pair of rhagodessa, who capture and drag Lotharic and Chlodomer up into the vaulted ceiling. In this battle, Chlodomer successfully wrestled his back down to the ground and held it in place while Grizzba, Vulfelind, and Lanthechilde backstabbed it to death. The <em>other</em> rhagodessa, however, inflicted mortal wounds on <em>half the party</em> before they brought it down. Lotharic lost his eyes while the rhagodessa chewed on his head; everyone else was more or less intact afterward.
While the others discussed what to do, Vulfelind climbed up and investigated the ceiling ... and found a tiny hole, with a glint beyond. Lotharic was the only one who objected when Chlodomer helped Grizzba squirm up and into the hole, and a few moments later, she began lowering a veritable hoard of treasure!
<ul>
<li>Tiny chests full of silver, plus another full of gold.</li>
<li>Enough gems and jewelry to run fingers through, including three of note:
<ul>
<li>A statue of The Lady cut from a single piece of opal,</li>
<li>An alabaster flute, and</li>
<li>A jade ring with an ancient family crest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Several exquisite fur cloaks, and numerous other bits and pieces.</li>
<li>Far too many stone of richly-colored, demi-metallic feathers; goblin-sized avian bones; gorgeous unicorn-like horns; and the bird-like skulls the horns are attached to.
</li>
<li>A beautiful <em>kukri</em> made of mithril, with gorgeous inlay showing a striking bird, and a single dwarven rune. Magic? <em>Very probably.</em>
</li>
</ul>
(OOC: To be fair to Lotharic, the once-impoverished goblin <em>did</em> make a loyalty roll when presented with such an easy party theft.)
Loading themselves to the maximum, and dropping armor and gear, they eventually stagger back to town with the entire hoard <em>and</em> rhagodessa corpses. They are beginning to get a reputation for returning without their packs, however.
As before, there are no powerful healing magics, so Lotharic takes his portion of the treasure and leaves with a merchant to buy restoration in the big city.
Chlodomer retains the sword, but until the true value is known, it remains a "party" treasure.
Galswintha also keeps one unicorn-like horn and a handful of demi-metallic feathers.
<strong>End Month 1, plus Weeks 1, 2, and 3 of Month 2</strong>
After recovering and re-buying basic gear, Galswintha requests a road trip to Orléans (Class II) for "real shopping." The party maxed their level gain, however, and wants to make one more maze trip first - amazing what a difference 1 XP makes!
The dungeon trip is fast. The Grim Fist buys the new map, marches to the edge, hits a cluster of fire beetles, slaughters them, and marches back.
Galswintha begs for a road trip again, and they join a merchant heading to Orléans.
Ah, Orléans!
Vulfelind almost buys an elephant, and <em>does</em> buy a suit of leather "tanned from the hide of a giant black widow," along with numerous other lovely toys.
Chlodomer buys excessively expensive plate armor ("jack of plates, quilted white silk threaded with gold, and a jade-and-emerald Circled Eye over the heart").
Everyone acquires silver daggers, and a few silvered swords are acquired as well.
And then there is Galswintha.
She is terrifying. She is glorious. She spends <em>all</em> the monies, then sweet-talks more out of her friends, and spends <em>that,</em> too.
Every available jeweler in Orléans for the next six months is busy carving a set of rings (both full-membership and retainer-membership) for The Order of the Grim Fist from slices of the avian-unicorn horn. A number of tailors and seamstresses have found employment for the season. And countless merchants are wondering whether they rolled "teenaged hurricane" on the City Encounter table. Afterward, she comments, "Next time we should go to Paris instead."
The party also spent time interviewing potential henches (Chlodomer had difficulty because he only wanted henches that would get along with Grizzba), arguing over a mule, and so on. Grizzba argued with the local law, and Chlodomer paid some fines. And Galswintha picked up some new spells. Then they made their way back to Châtel.
We ended the session with the Grim Fist standing outside the Maze again.
<strong>End Session Notes</strong>
Good grief, there are a lot of henches running around now.
Lotharic's player quit at the end of the session, bringing us down to five players.
I established a new house rule:
<blockquote>
There is no reserve XP rule. Instead, there is a "party reserve" associated with the party, equal to 25% of the highest-XP character currently alive and in the party. New PCs start with this reserve. (Lanthechilde was ret-conned to take advantage of this.) This caps out at 8th level.
</blockquote>
The party has quite a bit of money in Basina's bank, although the trip did manage to bleed them fairly well. Galswintha spent 13,000 gold, of which only 7,000 was hers.
The party now looks like this:
<ul>
<li><strong>Party Reserve</strong> - 1,252 XP. Total XP shares 10.25 (Eldremer does not get an XP share); total treasure shares 6.5 (Eldremer and Shadow do not get treasure shares).
</li>
<li><strong>Chlodomer d'Antioch</strong> - Lawful Fighter-3, 18, Command, Diplomacy, Fighting Style (Weapon and Shield). STR +2, CHA +3. Tall and young, with dark curls and soulful brown eyes ... and a ready smile. A poetic tongue and idealist's heart make him more dangerous out of combat than in. Wears a quilted white silk jack of plates, with gold threads and a jade-and-emerald Circled Eye over his heart; carries what is obviously an ancient dwarven <em>kukri;</em> and bears a simple copper ring with the Grim Fist sigil visible upon it. XP 4,008 (10,016); 3,500 gold.
<ul>
<li><strong>Grizzba the Goblin</strong> - Neutral Goblin Thief-2, 16, Caving, Mapping, Weapon Finesse. STR -1, DEX +2, INT +1, CHA -1. A <em>very</em> well-dressed goblin (black silk-covered leathers, fine boots, and a very jaunty beret) with a pointy sense of humor. Chlodomer has been slowly winning her over to a Lawful viewpoint, but there is a long way to go. XP 2,398; 1,125 gold. Morale +7 (Chlodomer CHA +3, Command +2, fanatic +2, levels +2, calamities -1, align -1).
</li>
<li><strong>Galagunde d'Orléans</strong> - Lawful Illusionist-2, 25, Familiar (Tarantula), Animal Husbandry x3. DEX -1, CON +1, INT +2, WIS -1, CHA +1. A sharp-nosed, bespectacled woman with a cautious, occasional smile. Outfitted in sturdy tunic and pants, hiking boots, pack, and walking stick. Does not seem to care much for appearances! XP 2,500. Morale +5 (Chlodomer CHA +3, Command +2, loyal +0, levels +0, calamities +0).
<ul>
<li><strong>Eldremer the Bold</strong> - Lawful Tarantula Familiar, 3, Illusion Resistance, Healing x2, Mimicry. Move 120 ft. (40 climb). Bite 1d2 (mild poison, 1d6 damage, save for none).
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Grimoald d'Antioch</strong> - Lawful Fighter-3, 23, Combat Reflexes, Fighting Style (Two-Handed), Naturalism. STR +3, WIS +1, CHA +1. As large and muscular as an ox, reasonably pretty ... a blond farmboy, all grown up. Neither Grimoald nor his henches are dressed fancy, although all have simple copper rings showing their affiliation with the Grim Fist. XP 4,008 (10,016); 6,800 gold.
<ul>
<li><strong>Alaric du Châtel</strong> - Lawful Fighter-2, 19, Combat Reflexes, Healing. STR +1, DEX +1, CON -1, WIS -2, CHA -1. A pudding-faced peasant with poor manners, but a strong back and a strong desire to help. XP 2,226; 1,125 gold. Morale +3 (Grimoald CHA +1, loyal +0, levels +2, calamities +0).
</li>
<li><strong>Rufismund le Ruge</strong> - Lawful Fighter-2, 30, Berserkergang, Fighting Style (Two-Handed). STR +1, CON +1, WIS -1, CHA -1. Missing an eye. A seasoned soldier with a mad glint in his eye. XP 2,000. Morale +2 (Grimoald CHA +1, loyal +0, levels +0, calamities +0).
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Galswintha d'Antioch</strong> - Lawful Mage-3, 30, Elven Bloodline, Engineering x3. DEX +1, CON +2, INT +2, WIS -1, CHA +1. An apparent teenager with pointed ears, eyes the color of hoarfrost, ankle-length hair the color of a raven's wing, and a distant, wintry smile. She's smarter than you, and she knows it. How she is dressed depends upon her mood; she is currently renting space in Châtel for her wardrobe, which contains both finery and "more sensible adventuring silks." A copper ring upon her finger shows her membership in the Grim Fist. XP 5,008 (10,016); 1,500 gold.
<ul>
<li><strong>Gurund d'Orléans</strong> - Lawful Mage-2, 30, Alchemy x3, Knowledge (Natural Philosphy). STR -2, CON -1, INT +2, WIS +1, CHA +1. A salt-and-pepper gentleman in silk robes. "Your eternal servant, m'moiselle." Dressed in tailored silk robes of severe mien, and looks the part of an overly serious alchemist and apprentice sage. XP 2,500. Morale +3 (Galswintha CHA +1, fanatic +2, levels +0, calamities +0).
</li>
<li><strong>Deuteria du Châtel</strong> - Neutral Mage-1, 24, Loremastery, Mapping, Navigation, Seafaring. STR +1, INT +2, WIS +1, CHA +1. A muscular, red-headed sailor looking for more adventure than her ship offered. Dressed in raucous silks that show far too much skin. XP 0. Morale +1 (Galswintha CHA +1, loyal +0, levels +0, calamities +0).
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vulfelind de Saubruic</strong> - Neutral Thief-4, 16, Swashbuckling, Tracking, Weapon Finesse. DEX +3, INT -1, CHA +2. Tall and slender, with enormous black eyes, dark olive skin, and black hair cropped as close as possible, with a calming, professional demeanor that far belies her years and a smile that is absolutely dazzling when it appears. Dressed in jet black leather armor made from the hide of a giant black widow (the hourglass symbol is still visible between the shoulder blades) and the softest imaginable suede gloves, boots, and jacket made from same. A copper ring declares her and her henches' membership in the Grim Fist. XP 5,008 (10,016); 4,000 gold.
<ul>
<li><strong>Thorismund du Châtel</strong> - Neutral Fighter-2, 22, Animal Husbandry, Fighting Style (Two-Handed). STR +2, INT -2, WIS +1, CHA +2. A mercenary with craggy good looks and a kind heart, but no head for math. Dressed in well-made plate armor. XP 2,229; 1,125 gold. Morale +3 (Vulfelind CHA +2, loyal +0, levels +2, calamities -1).
</li>
<li><strong>Ingunde du Châtel</strong> - Neutral Fighter-2, 18, Animal Husbandry x2, Weapon Finesse. STR -2, DEX +1, CON -1, INT +1, CHA +2. A stunningly good-looking mercenary and wife to Thorismund. Does the finances for the household. Dressed in plate and silks. XP 2,216; 1,125 gold. Morale +3 (Vulfelind CHA +2, loyal +0, levels +2, calamities -1).
</li>
<li><strong>Veneranda le Vulin</strong> - Neutral Cleric-1, 16, Elven Bloodline, Animal Training (Dogs), Beast Friendship. STR +0*, DEX +1, CON +1, INT +1, WIS +2*, CHA +1. * +1 with adulthood. Green, dryad's hair, emerald-colored eyes, and pointed ears. Petite and obviously elf-blooded, with a dog she is training. Dressed in flowing silk pantaloons, a jet black satin jacket threaded with silver, and a number of wrist and ankle bangles, a pair of earrings, and attractive but not excessively expensive rings. XP 0. Morale +2 (Vulfelind CHA +2, loyal +0, levels +0, calamities +0).
<ul>
<li><strong>Shadow</strong> - Neutral War Dog, HD 2+2, attack trained. Move 150, bite 1d6. A handsome, black beast with red, slavering jowls. Dressed in a fitted black satin jacket that matches his mistress, in which he looks absolutely adorable. XP 0 (7,000 to HD 3+3). Morale +5 (Veneranda CHA +1, fanatic +2, levels +0, calamities +0, racial +2).
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lanthechilde d'Antioch</strong> - Neutral Thief-3, 20, Healing x2, Intimidation. STR +1, DEX +2, CON +1, INT +1, WIS +1, CHA +2. A low-level version of Rebecca de Mornay's character in The Three Musketeers, before she has her heart broken. Soft-spoken and kind, but a little too clever with the daggerwork. Dressed in fine leather, or an aristocratic dress, according to the occasion, and a Grim Fist copper ring. XP 2,508 (9,322); 5,000 gold.
<ul>
<li><strong>Harberic d'Orléans</strong> - Neutral Thief-1, 22, Alertness, Art (Sculpture) x2. CON +1, INT +1, WIS +1. A wild-eyed, wild-haired artiste who supplements his meager living with larceny. XP 0. Morale +1 (Lanthechilde CHA +2, grudging -1, levels +0, calamities +0).
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>