Rolls in the Silver Marches quest.
Available roll types will be impacted by your training in a skill range. You're an archer and as such any sort of roll involving aim will be best of 3.

Untrained rolls will use an average of at least 3 rolls. If you feel that an archer appropriate skill should be used for a particular roll feel free to argue it with an explanation.

1d20 is generally used for combat
1d100 for certain types of abilities and out of combat actions

Roll ranges are: (d20 example)
(1)Crit fail / 2-7 fail / 8-12 average / 13-19 good / (20)crit success

Your Adamant Poisoned Golden Tree Bow [Adabar]? allows you to crit on an 18 or higher.

File: Bow_Type2.gif (5 KB, 788x590)

5 KB GIF

Last time you met a giant by the name of Skadi while out escorting a diplomatic mission. Like you she is an archer, but the people of her village have developed composite bows specifically for use by giants. Your own have either been repurposed from ballista or crafted by smaller folk and simply scaled up. According to Skadi this is not ideal.

Cellica has been nice enough to contact a druid she knows in the dwarven scouts to help modify your bow. The Druid, an older dwarf who introduces herself as Bolinda Ironmane, finds you and Skadi trying out various types of trick shots in a field just outside the city walls. She's actually the mother of Garn Ironmane who you did some bounty hunting work with.

It occurs to you that most druids you've run into since arriving in the north tend to be women for some reason.
"I know right?!" Bolinda exclaims. "None of my sons have any interest in it at all. Or actually none of my kids do, they'd rather pound stone. Even Garn, but he was good enough that the scouts decided they wanted him to stay on.
Are he and Tara getting along? I'm hoping for grandkids at some point this century but none of my kids seem to be in any hurry. Not getting any younger here."

Seeing as you've only been out in the field with Garn once you're not really the best judge of such things.

"Let me know if either of them go and get themselves into trouble. Dwarven stubbornness has it upsides but it just so happens to have a whole heap of downsides. So, Ulf was it? What are we doing with this bow? It's serviceable in its current state but as your friend no doubt pointed there's plenty of room for improvement."


>Current bow optimization
>Approximately 60/40 Range / Rate of fire

Reminder: I am not an expert when it comes to archery. If you feel there are better optimizations or mechanics available please say so.
I've been considering changing the center ring to 3 shot but I don't want to make your already OP bow too powerful.

We had 3 votes last thread but they were somewhat split between range and Rate of Fire.

File: Unbenannt.png (6 KB, 788x590)

6 KB PNG

>>4737826
voted for range last thread (>>4721540), changing to attached image

>>4737826
I vote for range

While we do still need more votes I'll get things moving along and we can hopefully get more opinions on it through the day.

Bolinda gets to work on the bow with direction from Skadi and using her unstrung bow as an example. Both point out that it would be best to leave the newly upgraded bow unstrung except when you're about to use it. In theory golden tree bark should be more resistant to damage over time than a normal composite bow, but they cant say how that will work out with a giant bow.

"Make sure you're happy with it before risking putting enchantments on it."

Skadi, who is quite happy with the state of her own bow, wonders about enchantments. You explain some of the various options you've previously looked at. Non-aligned magic enchantments that should theoretically work with any kind of arrows, then the elemental types.

Skadi shakes her head.
"So many kinds of magic. It sounds as though elemental types would be too limited."

Bolinda seems to agree with her.
"They're definitely something you only want to get if you're preparing for a particular type of opponent. For instance if you were fighting Frost Wyrms or giant centipedes. Those bastards are hard to kill, so it pays off. Maybe not so much for a giant given the costs."

You'd been quoted about 16 gold for a basic enchantment which Bolinda agrees is probably accurate for a bow of your size since it's effectively a siege weapon. An improved enchantment would cost double that unless you had the ores needed.

"Palladium ore?"
Bolinda claps her hands. "Yes! That stuff is expensive."
If that's the case you could certainly afford an improved enchantment now.

"Is there anything more powerful than that?"

The dwarf thinks it over.
"Hmm... yes but nobody will sell them to you. Greater weapon enchantments and stronger are extremely rare because of how dangerous they are. Kingdoms dont want them falling into the wrong hands."

Skadi thinks she'll simply follow your example and buy some enchanted arrows for the time being. Speaking of arrows, one thing she does like is that your arrows are generally of better quality than what she can make in the field. You tell her of your arrangement with the city guard to store excess arrows when you buy them in bulk. That the city fortifications are using some of them for their ballista apparently amuses her.

File: image09.gif (5 KB, 200x200)

5 KB GIF

The rest of the day is spent finishing out more tests of the bow and letting Skadi try out a few enchanted arrows. One of them manages to break on a rock but she promises to pay for a replacement. Money isn't a completely foreign concept to her but having so much at once certainly is. She's amazed at how much the giants have been paid.

"Part of that is because of how dangerous things might have become if we'd had to fight so many ogres."
"I do not doubt that," Skadi answers. "If we had not been looking down on them from the ledge I would have been much more concerned."

Other jobs probably wont pay as well unless you or others can convince those doing the hiring that you're worth the coin.

The next day things in town are just as busy as before. Plenty of new faces are present around the shops and bars. Carts are rolling past laden with goods or in some cases prisoners.

A rather well dressed goblin runs up trying to get your attention.
"You're the giant Ulf right? I work for Lady Erjia's potion shop. She wanted me to tell you that she'll need a blood sample to continue work on giant potions like you'd asked."

>Are you okay with this or did you have other questions regarding the work?

>>4738159
>Are you okay with this
yes

You thank the goblin and head over to the shop. When you arrive you're just in time to see a half-elf sellsword rushing out the door. Erjia sticks her head out a window, shouting after him.
"And don't come back until you have the five hundred silver you owe me!"

"Problems?"

Seeing you the woman's demeanor instantly changes to that of a pleasant business woman.
"I have no problems with paying customers. Thank you for stopping by. I've made some progress with the potion you asked for but I need a blood sample for testing."

It only takes a few minutes for her to collect a small vial of blood. Most of that is spent trying to get through your tough skin. She seems satisfied with the minuscule amount however.
"Giants are similar to dwarves in many respects. Immutable almost, quite the opposite of elves. I need to make sure my potions won't have any ill effects before I go selling them to any of you."

"The blood will help?"
"Oh yes. Though you should be careful who you give blood to. I know some clerics are trying to find ways of storing blood for use in some non-magical medical procedures. That's very noble of them, but some mages can use a person's blood to place curses on them or otherwise inflict harm. So always be careful not to donate to just anybody."

You've heard tales around the camp fire about blood magic but you didn't realise it could work like that.

>cont

After this you meet up with Skadi to introduce her to a few people around town. Srayagoth, Enidon and Antonio are good starting points to make sure she gets her order of enchanted arrows placed. Srayagoth thinks the Titan metals expedition could be ready in just a few more days. He's not sure what the holdup is. You'll need to talk to Tenn about it.

Explaining that Antonio was the one who did up your armor Skadi questions its effectiveness. Only stronger bow shots have been able to punch through it while still causing injury, and even those have been minor. Most arrows fired by the goblins in your last battle only managed to poke through the weaker sections. The much heavier steel reinforced bracer has so far remained impenetrable. That might have changed if fighting the ogres.

The leather worker is glad to hear that your gear is holding up alright. After Skadi informs him that she'll consider buying a few pieces, Antonio is interrupted before he can respond. A rather bulky looking woman approaches from behind and slaps him over the head with a rolled up bundle of paper.
"No you won't be the one helping her, I'll be doing it. I'm not about to give you an excuse
to see a young lady take off parts of her clothes."
With that she swats him again.
"Dearest I- ow! I was about to call for you!"
"Sure you were. Last time was just a fluke you're going to tell me."
"It was!"
"And the dwarf?"
"I told you she was standing on a chair. Through the curtain I thought it was you."
"So you're saying I look like a dwarf now?"
"That's not- ow!"

Leaving this domestic disturbance to work itself out you head for the hiring hall to see about available work. Quite a few people you recognise are hanging around in the assembly field next door. Different groups of sellswords are chatting or trying to work out who to team up with. Jib Jab is already here working with one of the rangers to increase his tracking skills.

Cellica is talking with Kossia and a few others from his band. The centaurs Neia and Arix are present and seem to be having an argument. Ithica Rilynn and her friends are hanging around as well.

Hearing the flapping of wings you turn to see Ocette gliding past, the young harpy then begins to fly circles around you.
"Hello! Argigoth and Gegor aren't back yet so Cellica is trying to figure out who we should team up with."
Attempting to keep an eye on the bird woman soon begins to make you dizzy. Eventually Cellica notices what's going on and calls her friend over.
"Ocette, stop circling people like a buzzard."

When you head into the courtyard of the hiring hall itself Tenn Duskarm soon has the window open at your level.

"Ulf, it was too busy to talk the other night but I thought for sure that you'd have ended up fighting ogres on that diplomatic mission. I even bet twenty silver that you'd kill at least two ogres yourself."
You're sorry to disappoint.

"It's fine. Everything turned out well and that's the important thing. There's a whole slew of odd folk in from the south with the fast caravans. A crazy mage thinks he can use dowsing to locate precious metals from dozens of miles away."
"How successful has he been?"
"Eh, I guess it worked in the south but not much luck so far here in the north. Claims the high concentration of magic here in the city is throwing off his readings so he needs to get farther away from it. I think he's a swindler myself, but don't take my word for it. You might want to ask for pay up front or ask Flora to negotiate your rates."

Of course that might make him less likely to hire giants in the future if the outing isn't successful.
"Anything else?"

Flipping to the next page Tenn grimaces.
"Ugh, drakes, disgusting creatures. A few have been spotted coming down from the mountains to the south west. People are worried they might be migrating in the direction of Lansdowne. Brown drakes, not black ones thankfully or it would be an actual emergency. This shouldn't be any rush. Those things tend to take their time. Have you hunted them before?"

You shake your head.
"No. Cousins drove some off from the iron hills but that's about it. They did tell me how tough they were. Big enough to take arrows fired by giants. Dangerous jaws and spit."

"The good news is they're not as dangerous as black drakes, those spit acid. Brown drakes spit just sticks to things and slows them down long enough to chomp them. I hear there's a glue factory in the south that wants to capture some but nobody's been crazy enough to try it."

"Anything else?"

"The guard wants a team to sweep the west road after reports of highwaymen came in. Most groups are holding off on this one because a group of paladins are expected to be coming back that way soon.
The Red Blades are finally paying for someone to investigate reports of giant spiders down river.
Nothing else exciting right now except the one prospecting mission you said you were interested in. Everything else is basic mercenary work for the tribes fighting to the east and escort work. Caravans, prospectors, etc.
Oh there's a mercy mission of sorts being set up by the clerics. They want to try and wipe out a few more common diseases that a lot of the local tribes suffer from. They want a dedicated escort of their own even if they'll be accompanying the trade caravans. Apparently they're worried people will think they're there to spread disease not cure it."

"So what's the holdup on the Titan Metals Prospecting mission?"

"Well, uh, a few things. Firstly is muscle, both in the short term in the way of an escort, and long term in how they're going to get any metals back to the city that are found. The detractors are worried that the places the metals might turn up will be too hard to for shipments to and from. Worse that orc tribes might take control of any mine that's set up."

"That..." You stop for a moment to formulate a reply. "Isn't that like putting the cart before the horse? We don't even know if it's there yet."

Tenn agrees with you.
"It does sound a bit silly. The short term "muscle" problem is making sure they have an escort in the hear and now. Every single giant in town up and leaving on that diplomatic mission gave the Enchanters Collective a bit of a shock I guess. They need to know that there is going to be an escort here ready to go by the time they get everything ready. From here on out they could still get the mission together but the longer it's delayed the more time it will take to assemble.
Right now they can be ready in two days if they're guaranteed an escort. A week from now it'll be three days, and so on."

"So sooner would be better is what you're saying?"
"Yes, but if something important is going on then hey, at most it's going to cost an extra day of prep time for the expedition for every week you wait."


>Titan Metals Prospecting (ADMIN / ENC) (Weeks)
Is there interest in any of the jobs below, or did you want to begin putting a team together for the Titan Metals Prospecting mission?


Local Contracts
>The Highwaymen (Army/Guard)
Sweep the west road of potential hostiles.

>Dowsing for Ruins (IND/ENC)
Escort a mage who thinks he can use dowsing to locate precious metals.

>Investigate Giant Spiders (RBLD)
Look into reports from traders and trappers about spiders down river.


Long Term Contracts (weeks)

>Brown Drakes (SLVT)
Recently spotted coming down from the mountains, people are worried they might be migrating in the direction of Lansdowne.

>A Strong Sword Arm (IND/Tribal)
Chief Urag's contacts in the city have begun to offer contracts for good fighters.

>Trade Missions (MMRC/IND) +
With the yearly slow caravans now in town additional trade missions are being undertaken with the local tribes. While the pay is not great it would allow you to trade for orcish runes for your armor.

>Mineral Prospecting +
With summer on the horizon now is the time for prospecting expeditions.

>Gas Prospecting (Air Corps) +
With mithril production started the air corps needs gas for their airships before they'll risk them in the north.

>Mercy Mission (PaladinS/Clerics) +
Clerics want to try and wipe out a few more common diseases that many local tribes suffer from.

+ = Jobs of this type will be available through the rest of the season.

>>4738725
>>Investigate Giant Spiders (RBLD)
Spiders have poison, poison makes killing easier, especially for tiny kobolds.

>>4738725
Getting to this point only took about 6 hours longer than I expected it to.

>>4738725
>Trade Missions (MMRC/IND) +
>With the yearly slow caravans now in town additional trade missions are being undertaken with the local tribes. While the pay is not great it would allow you to trade for orcish runes for your armor.

>>4738725
>>Investigate Giant Spiders (RBLD)

>>4738725
>Investigate Giant Spiders (RBLD)

So we're going after some spiders, or at least having a quick look-see. Though fairly close by all things considered, it's still a good idea to take a team who can move quickly. That means horses for any of the smaller folk.

Kossia and his people are still a bit short on horses but you could probably recruit a couple of them. Cellica and Ocette you know are capable of keeping up as are most of the others you recognized in the field to the west.

Then there are the giants. Sétanta probably couldn't be bothered to go on a scouting mission, but one or more of the others might be up for it.

This might also be an opportunity to get to know a few people with the Red Blades, since they're the ones who posted this job.

Did you want to mostly recruit people you already know or use this as an opportunity to meet new people?

>>4738897
>this as an opportunity to meet new people

>>4738897
>>this as an opportunity to meet new people
Let's get some networking done.

>>4738897
use this as an opportunity to meet new people, yup.

Deciding that this would be a good a time as any to meet some of the people working for the Red Blades, you ask around to see who might be available. One of the first you run into is surprisingly enough someone you've met before. Urshul the orc spellblade you last met working for the Air Corps scout division is there. Though lacking the distinctive uniform she appears just as well armed, now wearing the crossed dagger insignia of the blades.

"I hope this is not an awkward question, but what are you doing here?"
In response to your question the orc woman briefly looks away while making a face, then turns back to you.

"With that big shakeup happening among the upper ranks here I decided it might be beter to spend some time in the reserve force. Make a bit of money, avoid questions that nobody really wanted an excuse to ask. The blades didn't really want me but I offered to help train another spellblade user so here I am."

Whatever her reasons you know she's capable and doesn't seem one for needless violence. She could have beat the hell out of a kid that ran at her with a pitchfork but didn't. Telling her of your intention to take the scouting mission to look into the spider situation, you ask who might be available with the blades to help out.

"We have a decent roster right now," she admits.

Her apprentice is Charlotte Weaver, a human woman who is still learning the basics of mastering a spell weapon. If Urshul is going so is Charlotte as she badly needs the experience. As the blades dont generally care for the so called "savage races" they must be desperate for an adequate trainer.

For heavy hitters there's Gimira Hardfall, a dwarf barbarian who wields a dangerous looking hammer... axe? Shortened polearm?
Amedee Heiroris, an elven paladin from the south who wears the more bronze coloured armor of the Dawnbreaker order.
Laeroth Balsys, another southern elf but she's a ranger.
A local half-elf by the name of Bayern is a skilled rogue who is good with his blades, but his only ranged weapons are throwing knives.
Annika Dam is an archer who arrived a few days ago with a more recent group of Luthienites.
Last is Jacques Fosse who is a cleric that has worked with the blades most of his career.

>Who did you want to recruit for the scouting mission? (Maximum of 6)

>>4739159
> Urshui
> Charlotte Weaver
> Gimira Hardfall
> Laeroth Balsys
> Annika Dam
> Jacques Fosse

File: SchedulingApr11.gif (10 KB, 781x91)

10 KB GIF

Schedule for this week. With my province once again in lockdown I won't be doing much except for friday and saturday. I'll be seeing if I can apply for the temporary layoff thing since I'll probably make more doing that than anything else right now.

In slightly easier to read format. Sorry, thought this list was in the post. This has been kind of an off day. I'll likely be stopping here and resuming in the morning.

>1) Who did you want to recruit for the scouting mission? (Maximum of 6)
Urshul (Orc F Spellblade) [Air Corps Scout Division] (reservist)
Charlotte Weaver (Human F Spellblade)*
Gimira Hardfall (Dwarf F Barbarian Warhammer)
Amedee Heiroris (Southern Elf M Paladin)
Laeroth Balsys (Southern Elf M Ranger)
Bayern (Half-Elf M Rogue)
Annika Dam (Human F Archer)
Jacques Fosse (Human M Cleric)

>2) Bow specialization
>>4737826
Could use some more votes.

>>4739159
supportin >>4739256
may as well, although the pay will be divided more hands are always good

>>4739159
supporing >>4739256

>>4739159
Charlotte Weaver
Urshul
Bayern
Gimira Hardfall
>>4737860
Rate of fire but I may have voted for that last thread. Also hope your feeling better tstg.

File: Bow_Type3b.gif (6 KB, 788x590)

6 KB GIF

This is a sort of midway point between the 3 votes so far. (Rather than making the center ring 3 shot I'm thinking of just extending the 2 shot area.) Thoughts?

>>4740324
acceptable

Urshul and her apprentice are your first choice, as is Gimira Hardfall. If the spiders turn out to be as large as that undead one the necromancer was riding on your first outing then heavy hitters will be welcome.
Though you're taking Jib Jab another Ranger would help since odds are they'll still be a bit better than your kobold companion. Maybe they can show him a thing or two?

As your bow has yet to be tested in combat another archer could be useful. Especially if the group needs to stay back and deal with enough spiders to get through an area. Lastly a cleric is essential should anyone end up poisoned.

You briefly consider taking the rogue, but you're maxing out on party size for this job as it is. As for the paladin you have zero interest in them.

Urshul says she'll help get the team together.

While that's happening you decide it might be best to tell the other giants you'll be out of town for a few days. Especially Skadi so she isn't looking for you to do more bow training. That's a thing you may have to do more of now, keeping in touch with the others in regards to where all of you will be. Especially if you plan to go looking for more ruins.

After picking up Jib Jab you meet up with the rest of the team. Most of the others are surprised to find out that Urshul wasn't joking about a giant allying with them for the mission. Gimira, who seems to like this, raises an armored fist in the air.

"Yeah! Stone kin! You hit em high, I'll hit them low!"
A few of the others chuckle when they hear this earning a scowl from the dwarf.
"He's a giant, the two of us can make height jokes with each other but the rest of you lay off."

Some of the others appear to be a bit put off by your Kobold's presence but you figure they can deal with it.

Before setting out you make sure everyone knows what the job entails. Head down river, investigate the reports of giant spiders people are seeing. Confirm if it's an actual threat. If they're just slightly larger than average spiders it probably wont be worth dealing with aside from a caravan escort needing an extra fire mage to burn the place out.

"Sounds straight forward," says Laeroth. "Let's do it."

As the group departs Urshul hangs back and whispers to you.
"I didn't realise Laeroth was a man. Elves."

File: Marches_ShamatHEX4E_Spiders.png (75 KB, 670x488)

75 KB PNG

There is still a bit of debate going on as to how best to get to the area the spiders have been reported in. Taking the road until it reaches the river and then trekking north should get you there quickly but the terrain around the river is difficult due to marshlands.
Enough of the party are experienced enough with the area that they think the group could swing through the allied orc territories and get there just as quickly without the harsher terrain. You just may have to worry about hunters and bands of orcs as you've seen.

Urshul points out that you could potentially get information out of the tribes that are closer to the area.

Did you want to stick to the road or swing through orc territory?

>>4740465
>swing through orc territory

>>4740465
>>4740509
Roll 1d100 for avoiding encounters with patrols.

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>4740517

If your previous encounters with the more friendly tribes are any indication they'll be reluctant to get into a real fight with a giant nearby.

The Red Blades for the most part turn out to have good horses. Those who have spent much of their lives in the area are quite knowledgeable of the back trails through the forests. A few times you have to put actual effort into keeping up with them. Keeping up this pace should allow you to shave most of a day off the normal travel time.

Early the second morning there's an encounter with orcs but not the one you'd expected. There's a great deal of shouting and screaming going on along with the clashing of blades.

Gimira curses, pulling her horse to a stop while trying to figure out what direction the fighting is. Laeroth points just slightly south of due west.
"It sounds like whoever is fighting is headed north. Do we want to get involved in the tribes fighting?"

Urshul answers by spurring on her horse and charging ahead. The dwarf laughs, readying her weapon and following after.

"Aw hell, she's gonna be one of those," Jacques complains as the rest of you set off in pursuit.

Breaking through a tree line you catch up only to find a full on skirmish raging. Dozens of orcs from two different tribes are fighting for control of several wagons that are trying to escape north. These look to be wagons from one of the trade caravans but they're bring driven exclusively by orcs of a tribe with purple war paint.

Urshul and Gimira are already riding in, attacking members of the northern tribe. When the rest of the party catches up to you they likewise ready themselves for a fight.
"Those ones on the wagons ain't locals, they's from the north!" Jacques shouts.

"If they're not loaded down with stolen goods they'll be full of prisoners," Laeroth warns. "Try not to put any arrows through the wagons."

Did you want to help out allies fighting in the general melee in order to break the hostile tribe? Or would you rather help catch the wagons? Or did you have another plan in mind?

>>4740599
>catch the wagons

>>4740599
Catch the wagons.

"I'm going for the wagons!" You shout.
All but leaping forward you stomp across the northern edge of the battlefield building up speed into a sprint. Behind you Annika says she's going with the giant while Laeroth tells the rest to help out Urshul and Gimira.

A handfull of wagons are clear of the worst fighting, but a few more at the back are still being harassed by riders from friendly tribes. You think there might be a few sellswords from the Mantle helping as well, but you don't have time right now to stop and check. Stopping the first wagon should in theory slow the others down. Or at the very least cause them to divert and potentially run into trees and rougher underbrush.

With bow strung the issue of how best to catch the wagons is now the question. Shooting the horses will certainly stop them dead but will make it harder for the wagons to be recovered later. Taking aim at the drivers runs the risk of stray fire hitting anyone in the back of the wagon.

There are other options of course. You are a giant, and grappling the drivers using your dagger, bracer or even bare hands are possible.

Then there's Jib Jab. You could drop him on the roof of another wagon and let him deal with the drivers. Or simply help protect one or more after you've stopped them.

>1) Ulf
[ ] Take down the horses
[ ] Try to snipe the drivers
[ ] Grapple the drivers
[ ] Write-in

>2) Jib Jab
[ ] Have him help with the first wagon, then guard it
[ ] Let him handle the second wagon
[ ] Write-in

>>4740740
>[ ] Grapple the drivers
>[ ] Have him help with the first wagon, then guard it

>>4740774
I will second this.

>>4740774
>>4740790
Roll 2d20

Rolled 14, 9 = 23 (2d20)

>>4740795

Rolled 7, 6 = 13 (2d20)

>>4740795

"Jib Jab, help with the first wagon. I am going to grapple the drivers, jump aboard then."

As you close with them, arrows begin to fly back and forth. Orcs aboard trying to deter you from approaching while Annika return fire. Putting your bow away you draw your knife, trying to deflect as many arrows as possible with your bracer. Several of them land hits on you but none serious enough to have much impact.

The orc archer begins to panic as you grab hold of the wagon seat. In response he throws his bow into your face causing your slash with the dagger to land between him and the driver. The back swing still manages to wound him.

By now Jib Jab is aboard and dodging arrows from the second wagon. There's enough fire to keep him from doing much.

Your weight on the wagon's right side is beginning to slow it somewhat, or at least pull it aside, making it difficult for the driver to maintain control. The now wounded orc passenger hurls a hatchet that strikes your upper chest armor but bounces off. Before you can try to attack them again he leaps onto your arm, trying to break your grip from the wagon. It momentarily works, causing both you to stop and the wagon wheel to run over your foot.

Backing away and sending the orc flying with a punch, you notice that you're in a good position to stop the second wagon now. Or would you rather chase after the first wagon which is now weaving between the trees?

[ ] Resume pursuit of the first wagon
[ ] Second wagon (Bonus to attack)

Roll 1d20

Rolled 1 + 1 (1d2 + 1)

Is it possible to do multi dice? I dont think I've ever tried.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4740989
dice+1d2+dice+1d20

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4740934
>Resume pursuit of the first wagon
>>4740989
Nope, just one type of dice allowed.
https://youtu.be/9qlGJUdYjwE

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4740934
>[ ] Resume pursuit of the first wagon

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>4740934
>Resume pursuit of the first wagon

Conflicted over which to chase after next, you step out of the way just in time for the second wagon to race past. By now Annika has caught up and puts an arrow into the orc guard on the third wagon.

Deciding you'd better do something you lean in and tackle the front of the third wagon. The drivers legs are crushed by your arm and you can hear the sound of wood cracking over the screaming of the horses. The wagon still has enough speed built up that your feet dig furrows into the ground.

The back wheels lift off the ground and for a moment it seems like the entire thing is going to topple over. Making things either better or worse depending on your standpoint, the front tongue snaps off the wagon setting the horses free. Eventual the weight in the back is enough to bring the back end down onto solid ground.

Standing up you grab the wounded driver by the front of his armor and send him flying off into the distance. You have places to be and with broken legs he won't be getting back to the damaged wagon any time soon.

Annika is continuing to follow the second wagon with the fourth having avoided you now following after her. A fifth and sixth wagon have pulled to a stop farther back, their drivers cutting the horses free and riding them bare back into the woods to avoid more of your allies.

>cont

>>4741028
>>4741062
>>4741079

https://youtu.be/cwJrvQwzzKA?t=160

Hearing the distant noises of an alarmed kobold you take off after the first wagon once more. After being thrown off course the wagon has been cutting a swath through underbrush, leaving a trail even you find easy to follow. There are also enough low lying branches in places that Jib Jab must be having a hard time hanging onto the wagon cover.

Picking up the pace you duck beneath branches following the continued sounds from ahead. The driver has been trying to find a trail that will lead farther north but they're clearly not that familiar with the area. A few minutes of running later you catch up shortly after he finds a good track to follow.

Jib Jab is now in the back of the wagon, trying to get a clear shot at the driver around the side with his hand crossbow.

"Hang on, I'm almost there!" you shout, as much to encourage the kobold as the scare the orc.
The driver looks back around the side of the wagon, spotting you and almost getting a crossbow bolt in the face for his trouble. After a few quick turns to the left and right in an attempt to shake Jib Jab off the wagon starts to speed up. Clearly he hopes to outrun you.

That's not happening.

Putting on another burst of speed you tell Jib Jab to hang on then grab either side of the wagon and plant your feet. Your feet leaving drag marks in the ground once again, the wooden frame groans in protest and you hear a sharp shout of alarm from the front. The orc must have been thrown from his seat as he soon fetches up against your shins.

When the wagon at last comes to a stop Jib Jab jumps down and shoots the orc in the knee. From the muffled scream you think one of the horses might also have broken his jaw.

Did you want to leave Jib Jab here to keep an eye on things while you check on the others, or focus on getting this cart back to the main group?

[ ] Leave Jib Jab here, search for the others
[ ] Escort this wagon back
[ ] Write-in?

>>4741114
>[ ] Escort this wagon back

>>4741114
> Check what's inside real quick, then escort the wagon back.

>>4741114
>Leave Jib Jab here, search for the others

>>4741122
>>4741135
>>4741187

Given how far off track you are it might be best to escort this wagon back to the others. After seeing what's inside of course.

Lifting the flap you see that it's packed full of well secured crates and at least three unconscious bodies. Double checking from the front you find that there are two human women, one human male and an orc female. Jib Jab thinks they've been drugged as neither of you can wake them.

Tying up the wounded orc raider the two of you try to find the main path back to the south that the other wagons had been following. Rolling along at a slower speed to avoid more damage to the wagons, you reckon it takes an hour and a half to get back to the site of the battle.

Dead and wounded litter the area, though less than you might have expected given the numbers present before. Jacques along with several other clerics and shamen are hard at work tending to the survivors. Once the worst of the wounded are looked after he takes a moment to see to the rescued traders. A few orcs from the allied tribes take temporary custody of your prisoner.

Some of the party is still missing having gone after the other wagons. Urshul eventually returns with Charlotte and Laeroth. Annika is slung over her horse unconscious having taken a number of arrow wounds.
"Cleric, get over here!" the spellblade orders.

While the others help Jacques with the arrows, a pale looking Charlotte dismounts and heads over to some nearby bushes to throw up. Over on the other side of the field it looks like Gimira is in talks with your allies regarding the prisoners.

[ ] Check on Charlotte (What say?)
[ ] See if you can get a bounty on your prisoner
[ ] Write-in?

>>4741188
>Check on Charlotte
Ask them about the battle I guess.
https://youtu.be/PsEq9lF9CRc

>>4741188
>[ ] Check on Charlotte (What say?)
See how she is holding up after such a chaotic event.

Also make sure to also make sure Jib Jab.

>>4741188
>[ ] Check on Charlotte

Best to check in on Charlotte. Along the way you also make sure to ask Jib Jab if he made it through okay. Hanging onto the top of the wagon for dear life was certainly scary, especially when it veered off into the trees. He'd prefer to not do that again if possible. Fortunately his combination of armor and wolf pelt are tough enough that he avoided any serious injury.

If the wagon had gotten any farther away he had been planning to use an enchanted fire bolt to block the path ahead.
"When did I get you fire arrows?"
"Found near wounded harpy. One we got bounty on."
Right. You might need to check what other things Jib Jab has been finding at battle sites. Not now though.

"Charlotte, how are you holding up? That must have been quite a battle."

Coughing a bit the young woman stands up straight, clearly trying to pretend nothing's the matter.
"I-I've never been in a battle with more than one or two opponents. Those were closer to street fights. This was just supposed to be a scouting mission. I didn't think I'd have to do anything like this for a couple of seasons."

"You're alive, that's a good start! How did you do?"
"I spent a lot of time blocking and backtracking, enough that Urshul yelled at me when she noticed. She is so much stronger than me, are all orc women that strong?"

You're not a good judge such things.
"Did you down anyone?"
"Um, I wounded one in the back, and focused enough sharpness magic into my blade that it cut through another orc's weapon. After that he ran away."

Charlotte leans against a nearby tree still looking unwell and clearly trying to avoid the site of the battlefield.
"I'm not used to seeing that much blood."

[ ] You'll get used to it, it takes time
[ ] Have you considered other jobs?
[ ] You're clearly not a warrior
[ ] Write-in

>>4741330
The first few battles are always the hardest.

>>4741330
supporting >>4741340

>>4741330
>Have you considered other jobs?

"The first few battles are always the hardest," you encourage her.
"It's true these things generally take time but life is not always so cooperative. The important thing is to find a way through and learn from it."

You point to her water skin.
"Also, water helps."
"Water?"
"After throwing up."
"Oh. Thank you."

When Annika is back on her feet she confirms that at least one wagon got away. As the allied riders begin to filter back they confirm that many others that had stolen horses also escaped into the woods. The good news is that most of the traders and artisans who were captured have been freed and there are enough captives now to negotiate a prisoner exchange through a neutral tribe or perhaps the druids.

Urshul does manage to get a few prisoners to talk. Apparently the raid may have been because the tribes to the north need to pay tribute increasingly powerful warlords across the plains.
"We've been getting reports that the black tongue tribes farther north have been trying to subjugate the more nomadic tribes that live in the plains. Maybe these ones were trying to get ahead of the game and throw in with them now? Paying a tribute of southern goods and skilled tradesmen might have earned them a respite for a year or two."

"Is this an important development?" you have to wonder.

Gimira shakes her head.
"It's not the worst thing but it isn't great either. If a warlord subjugates or unites the plains tribes it will threaten the west road. If they spread from there it could cut off all trade north of the Roaring River. We've got a lot of prospectors out there."

Urshul says she'll file a report when you return to the city. If the caravan guards don't do so first. For now you have spiders to investigate.

Did you want to continue on for the rest of the day to try and make up for lost time? Or would you rather rest up and see that traders get back to the nearby village safely?

>>4741442
I think rest would be a good idea. We are just on a scouting mission after all. Lets give everyone time to recover and help the traders get back.

Might not hurt to see what they have for sale while we are at it.

>>4741442
>>4741582
+1, we have some coin on us, maybe they have something useful.

I've been working on getting stuff together for the next post but it will have to go up tomorrow.

>>4741680
ok ~ Thanks for running today.

>>4741680
Thanks for running!

Given the ordeal the traders have just been through and the fight your wounded are recovering from you suggest seeing the wagons back to the nearby village. Jacques points out he could put the time to good use getting more people fixed up. He's done enough to keep anyone from dying but hasn't cleared the sleeping poison from those who had been abducted.

By the time the impromptu convoy reaches the fortified settlement, a so called oppidum, Jacques has most of the traders starting to wake up. Though alarmed they're quite grateful for the rescue. It's much the same for the rest of the traders who had been inside the village when the fighting started. There's disappointment that some were taken but gratitude so many were rescued.

A number of the caravan leaders are annoyed with their hired escort having failed to prevent the abduction of their people. The theft of wagons, horses and trade goods seem to be of greater concern to them. You suspect the sellswords had been more worried about security issues from the local tribe rather than an attack from external forces.

The prisoners you came back with are being taken to a holding area. A number of orcs from the local tribe are already arguing with a trader over what is to be done with them.

As you do have some spare coin this might be a good time to see what the orcs and traders have for sale. There are plenty of mundane goods and others you did not expect. Everything from raw materials like metals, leather and furs, to gems, potions and enchanted items. While in the city enchanted amulets might be made largely of finished metals, here the orcs prefer gems.

You hear Gimira shout; "Yes!" as she heads for a few orcs selling various forms of alcohol.

Annika and Laeroth inspect bundles of arrows along with materials for arrow fletching. Urshul, who is keeping a close eye on Charlotte, heads for a potion and poultice seller. Jacques is staying back with the wounded, seeing about doing the most good with the least healing so he doesn't exhaust himself.

With so many things for sale or barter you're not sure where to start first.
>What sort of things are you looking for?

>you're not sure where to start first
In other words my list of trade goods is too long.

Alcohol & Food
Furs & Leather
Livestock
Dyes
Weapons (enchanted or otherwise)
Enchanted Items & Runes
Potions & Medical supplies

>>4742618
>Enchanted Items & Runes
something to protect against arrows

>>4742639
Seconding this

Looking around you eventually find an apprentice shaman that is trading in magic items. There are even some arrows here, though none big enough for you to use. Asking about if it might be possible to get a few of your arrows enchanted the shaman answers that the could finish three by morning.

Most of the arrow upgrades cost the same or more than they would in the city. A few do stand out though, especially fire ones which remain overpriced in Silver Mantle.

>Fire- Grants additional heat/fire damage (Incompatible with ice bow)
18s (Basic)
36s (Improved)
90s (AoE)

>Corrosive/acid
20s(Basic)
40s (Improved)
100s (AoE)

>Sonic / Thunder
15s(Basic)
30s (Improved)
75s (AoE)

>Enfeeblement (incompatible with holy bow)
19s(Basic)
38s (Improved)
95s (AoE)

560s Basic Spirit magelock
1120s Improved Spirit magelock

>Amulets (You can make use of 2 amulets at a time, more will result in penalties)
520s Amulet of Protection (Physical defense)
498s Amulet of Stoneskin
640s Amulet of wound closure (WARNING: Not a substitute for healing!)
660s Amulet of poison resist
1170s/7g Pristine Amulet (Protection from curses, poison, hexes,etc)
328s Amulet of minor strength
1312s Amulet of Lesser Giant strength (No effect on giants)
700s Amulet of vigor
880s Amulet of silence
1082s Anti-spirit amulet (prevents magic-regeneration)

>Ring of stone fist
236s (Basic)
500s (Improved) (Ranged attack)

>Runes of protection (Physical defense)
143s (Basic)
290s (Improved) Will recover from minor damage, may need recharge from a mage
>Runes of warding (magic protection)
143s (Basic)
290s (Improved) Will recover from minor damage, "

The Shaman regretfully informs you that your armor is not ideally shaped for the use of runes. Being made up of what are essentially leather scale sections, putting runes on it would be difficult. Though challenging it should be possible for a sufficiently skilled leather worker to craft custom pieces of armor layered in such a way to incorporate the runes into them. You'd have to buy the runes first and provide them to the craftsmen. That will be a bit time consuming.

Or the more expensive option is to rune the various sections that make up your current armor.

If there are specific types of magic items you guys would be interested in seeing feel free to suggest them.

>>4742735
>520s Amulet of Protection (Physical defense)
Seems like it would be all around helpful.

Maybe check with Jib Jab to see if he has anything he is trying to sell or pick up. He seems to be gathering a bit of loot as we go.

>>4742735
>520s Amulet of Protection (Physical defense)
TONK

>>4742750
>Maybe check with Jib Jab to see if he has anything he is trying to sell or pick up.
He doesn't have anything he wants to sell right now, but would really like an amulet of minor strength. Being a bit small and not that strong, this would be a big help.

>>4742735
>Fire (Improved) x1
>Sonic/Thunder (AoE) x1
>Enfeeblement (Improved) x1

What's the difference between The Protection and the Stoneskin Amulet?

>328s Amulet of minor strength for Jib Jab

While you're tough, you could always be a bit tougher. Asking about an Amulet of Protection the Shaman isn't entirely certain how well it will work for a giant but it should help somewhat either way.

Gimira wanders over with a bottle in hand.
"Hey, at the very least I bet it'll keep your head from getting knocked around too much if another giant clobbers you."
"I'll take it."

The Shaman hands the amulet off to a goblin who runs off to have the necklace for it resized. Before long they're back and you put on the new trinket. You don't feel any different and begin to worry your other amulet might be in the way.
"Can it interfere with my amulet of night vision?"
"Only if you wear more than two types. No promises what crazy stuff happens when you do."

Gimira again speaks up.
"I saw a miner go mad once down in the lower levels because he'd put on too many amulets. He was so worried about some of the more poisonous elements that he'd bought six different kinds of protection. Took a week for the clerics to get his head on straight. They couldn't even get him to touch beer for six whole days."
The dwarven warrior shudders at the thought.

>>4742917
>What's the difference between The Protection and the Stoneskin Amulet?
I'm glad you asked. Stoneskin keeps things from easily penetrating the skin, but blunt impact can still cause injury to the underlying tissue.

>>4742735
>>4742917
+1, and an Amulet of Protection

>>4742930
>>4742917
Added.

All together you're set back a little over a thousand silver. It's a fair dent in your spending money leaving you with slightly more than 1400 silver left over, plus the gold back in the city.

"Dropping a lot of coin," Gimira observes. "Did you capture any enemies?"
"I wounded some, threw another whose legs I broke, then Jib Jab and I handed over one prisoner who had been knocked out."

The dwarf continues to drink until you've finished then asks another question.
"Did they pay you?"

You shake your head.
"No."

"You should see about compensation. They're going to trade those prisoners away, either to get the kidnapped merchants back or in return for money and goods from the southern slave traders. You've technically only handed over a prisoner for safe keeping, so by orc law they belong to you."
She gestures to the stockade.
"Even beat up and wounded I bet you could get 600 silver for an orc warrior."

It may be time to finally put your foot down when it comes to issues such as these. The longer you spend in the north the more they're going to recur, unless you decide to start killing all your prisoners. It might be best to deal with these situations in a consistent manner.

Did you want to discuss this with some of your party members to try and get a better idea of what options are available? Pay the tribe to hang onto your prisoner for a few days, or just leave the prisoner with the orcs and continue to ignore the problem?

[ ] Talk to the party
[ ] "Hang onto that prisoner for me."
[ ] Keep ignoring this problem for now

>>4743029
>[ ] Talk to the party

>>4743029
>Talk to the party

Yes I am writing it's just taking awhile.

This is worth discussing with the rest of the party, even if you don't know most of them that well. Once all of them are done shopping you ask to speak about the aftermath of battles and the like here in the north.

Following the previous battle between giants and goblins you'd traded the captured goblins freedom for information useful to the mission. That had worked out quite well. Everybody got what they wanted and you didn't have to deal with longer term ethical issues. This time and others may not be so simple.

Despite being the youngest in the group, Charlotte has made up her mind on such issues.
"They're a bunch of bastards who tried to kidnap civilians. They get what they deserve."

She's maybe not going to be the most helpful in terms of presenting multiple view points. You're trying to understand what options exist.

"What happens to slaves in orc society? Or would happen if the traders from the south weren't here?"

Laeroth, who you might start simply calling Roth so you stop mistaking them for a woman, is the first to speak.
"I've seen enough of the orcs to say it's similar enough to the countries in the south. At least the countries where it is present. Some might become slaves to pay off debts, or because they were captured in war. The former is more common in the south, the latter more common here."

"Might makes right," Gimira comments.

You glance to Urshul but she's letting the others speak first. Roth continues.

"The orcs in the north take tribute in resources as well as slaves. Captives are also taken in raids. These are used to swell their tribes numbers so some may concentrate on becoming warriors or in other areas where they have greater skill. Tribute or capture of those who are great craftsmen, smiths or mages can greatly enhance the strength of a tribe.
Orcs have laws -usually- against the mistreatment of slaves. These are in the captors best interests. They will want captives to assimilate into their tribes over time, pass on valuable skills."

Jib Jab makes a comment about orcs kicking kobolds out of the way. Urshul stifles a chuckle turning it into a cough.

"Orcs don't care as much about kobolds and goblins," Gimira comments. "Even I know that."
"They still don't go out of their way to torture them though," Roth counters. "Most just have a low opinion of them because they're not very strong."

Jib Jab again speaks.
"Orc tribe demand kobold as tribute. Use to dig or scout. Sometimes build if not important."
"They probably used you to scout because they figured you were expendable."

"What about warriors?" you ask, gesturing in the direction of where the prisoners are held.

>cont

Roth continues.
"Warriors are strong and can make for good labour. They can be used to help train other warriors on what to expect from another tribe's fighting styles. They're also convenient to have around in order to pay tribute without giving away any of your own kin. Many tribes will try to recruit captured warriors one way or another. Even through marriage to other tribespeople."

"And escape attempts?"
"Anyone who manages to escape is worthy of respect by the orcs but it's unlikely. Those who fail will be under increased guard and may have their meals cut back. They're not going to kill them, though a beating might be in order. That's how the tribes closer to the city and along the west road operate."

"Are there laws that protect slaves in the south?" Gimira asks.
"Yes. As much to prevent slave uprisings as it is to keep kingdoms from cracking down on them. There are some nations where slaves are treated better by law than the peasantry. Also a few notable exceptions where things are far worse."

You cross your arms, looking in Roth's direction.
"So you approve of this practice?"

"I certainly wouldn't want to be one!" Roth asserts. "In some cases it is better than the alternatives. Silver Mantle doesn't have the space or guards needed to look after hundreds or even thousands of prisoners. Few southern nations are centralized enough to make debtors prisons work properly."

Just because it's an acceptable practice to some doesn't mean you have to like it.
"Urshul?"

The spellblade shrugs.
"If you've met many orcs in the city you've probably heard this story before. My ancestors tribe fought the city, the city won. Any surviving children with magic aptitude were picked up by the Air Corps. That included me."

You met a mage by the name of Largah south in Ballidon.
"I know him," she answers. "I know most of them. Most of us see it from the standpoint of the city just being a larger tribe we've been forced to join. It may have a facade of civility but it's the same as the tribes are."
With an edge of sarcasm in her voice she looks to the others.
"So who really won the war? If the city had to become just as bad as the tribes in order to survive, did the orcs win?"

"That's... arsenic. Why did I never see it like that?" Gimira stomps off, uncorking another bottle.
Urshul doesn't seem to have derived any enjoyment from the minor victory.

You get the others attention.
"So that's the way things are right now. Nobody's saying it has to stay that way. What other options are there?"

This question gets the others thinking. Even Charlotte looks to be re-evaluating her position. Jacques is the only one who really shrugs it off as above his pay grade.
"I just heal people, don't care much what side they're on. Red, white, green, blue it's all the same to me. Undead can go jump off a pier though, hell with those guys."

>cont

File: 269-2694629_cage-png-dnd-(...).jpg (197 KB, 840x588)

197 KB JPG

After some more pondering Urshul points to Jib Jab.
"Not to change the topic but, what's the story with your kobold?"
"What do you mean?"
"He's not a registered sellsword with the MMRC. He has no professional record."

This draws a few looks.

"So what is he to you?" she asks.

You look to Jib Jab who raises both hands in a shrug.

>What say?

>>4743555
A useful ally.

Sorry for the lengthy lore dump guys.

>>4743555
Jib Jab is started out as part the payment for helping deal with some trouble while on our way north. However we take good care of him as he is a helpful ally and also a good companion. Jib Jab is a good kobold and glad to him his help.
The general gist of is that we felt having another pair of eyes on the journey would be helpful and do our best to treat Jib Jab like a proper group member and not a slave.

I'm having a really hard time staying focused this week.

"I took him from a band of raiders trying to blockade the trade road. He may have started out as something else but he has become a useful ally in my travels. I'm glad to have his help."

"Does he get paid though?"
"I've been paying his tuition while he's been learning more ranger skills. I also have made sure to provide weapons and equipment he would have had a hard time obtaining otherwise.
Once he's finished his training I'll see that he's registered with the hiring hall with... suggestions? Recommendations, from myself and any others who have worked with him that wish to do so."
You turn your head to look at the kobold.
"After that what you want to do and go is up to you."

Jib Jab doesn't take long to come up with an answer.
"Staying with Ulf safer!"
This gets a few chuckles.

"Luckily kobolds are a lot like dogs. It doesn't take much to earn their loyalty."
Annika comments.

Urshul frowns in thought.
"I don't know if that way of operating will work with orcs you capture in battle. If you put yourself at risk that's ones thing. Just be aware, endangering others by taking captives along won't earn you a lot of friends."

She makes a good point. On your trip into the north a dwarf officer warned that Goblins are dangerous to keep around. Orcs are far stronger. You're still looking for suggestions for other options.
"You said the city didn't have room for many prisoners but I've heard that people can be sent to work the mines."
"That's only for locals," Charlotte informs you. "The dwarves don't want people loyal to the tribes in the undercity if they can help it. Only dwarves and people who work there permanently. Local children are given tours or shown around sometimes."

Urshul knows that there are orcs and even some goblins who work in the mines but most of those are like her, captured at a young age. Slaves have been used on occasion but normally only ones that are about to be shipped south.

Gimira comes hurriedly stomping back.
"Has anyone ever considered a prisoner battalion for dangerous missions?"
No one present thinks anyone has been crazy enough to attempt it in the north.
"It would be perfect though wouldn't it? Offer them the chance to do a small number of dangerous assignments and then cut them loose."

The others aren't sure what to think of this. It's clearly a very specialized sort of option that wouldn't be accepted by everyone. Nor should it be.

If you do decide to just have your prisoner tag along there might be some options. Though Urshul is not well versed in the current beliefs of the tribes, many orc warriors do have a concept of honor. If he could be convinced to swear by whatever god his particular tribe worships, he could be convinced to follow you for a time until you considered his debt to you repaid.
Of course then you're basically just hoping he'll honor his word and not run away or try to kill you in the middle of the night.

>cont

Annika has a suggestion.
"Get a shamen or a mage to cast a garah... gehshala- shela kaela. What the hell is that word?"

Jacques raises an eyebrow. "Do you mean a geas?"
"Yes! One of those."
"They're real easy to dispel," he warns.

That would still require another mage or a wand of dispel magic. As the others point out having a geas cast would be far cheaper than getting an enchanted prison collar or bracelet.

>Any ideas for what to do with hostiles you may capture now or in the future?
Please write in.

>>4743830
Honestly thats a hard question but in general its not realistic to bring in every hostile we subdue.

File: Vaisseau-Droits-de-lHomme.jpg (170 KB, 885x662)

170 KB JPG

I've been searching and haven't been able to find it. There was some old age of sail naval law that allowed for the release of the crew after the capture of their ship in war time. The catch was that they essentially had to swear never to fight against that other nation again. Or at least for the course of the war. Probably on pain of death.

Does anybody know what I'm talking about? Does this sound familiar?
It's an option that sprung to mind about here
>>4743029
then I had an ADD moment and forgot what the hell it was.

>>4743896
Well for the current situation trading our current captives to the village is most likely the best route. They most likely need them anyway to prisoner trade for the people that got taken.

Though failing to decide on a new policy the issue of what to do with the current prisoner is now at issue. Are we taking the orc with us in some capacity, or leaving them here?

[ ] Take them with us now, use a geas
[ ] Take them along, swear them to service however brief
[ ] Ask the tribe to hang onto them for you until job is done
[ ] Leave them with the tribe (no pay)
[ ] Trade them to the village

>>4744705
>[ ] Trade them to the village

>>4744705
>[ ] Trade them to the village

>>4744705
>Leave them with the tribe

>>4744705
>[ ] Trade them to the village

While you may not like it taking a captured warrior along may be too dangerous an option. If he's being left here then best to get something in return for your work. It's not like you were paid for helping stop those wagons.

"I'll take care of that for you," Gimira promises. "I've been around these parts long enough to know what the going rates are. Hang on."
She heads off and soon you can hear her distant shout of; "Oi, jailer! We gotta talk!"

True to her word the dwarf returns with 605 silver for you, most of it in the form of bars rather than coin.
"Here you go. Let me know if you come up with a better idea for things like this in the future. I'm kinda curious now about alternatives. The last thing I want is to be resolving problems like an orc."
She looks to Urshul then adds; "No offense."
"None taken."

Despite being camped near the village a watch is kept. The reason why being amply demonstrated by the recent raid. A few local orcs think to proposition Urshul or the other women but are firmly told off. They don't seem to take it personally which is good.

You're up at first light only to find that some merchants are already hard at work. A few are hawking wares while others are rolling out crates. Though you haven't gotten a good look at the potion maker Erjia back in town, you spot what has to be a much larger male snake kin helping with wagon repairs. Once far enough from the village and headed west you ask the others about them.

"Snake kin? What about them?" Gimira asks.
"When I was doing siege work in the south I'd mostly heard they were a monstrous race that looked more like dragons. Since arriving in the north most that I've seen look more like elves."
"Yeah, what's up with that?" Annika wonders.

Neither Urshul or Gimira know much about this, but Roth seems to.
"I think it's their trader caste. They brokered an agreement with one of the elven kingdoms for magic centuries ago."
"So it's an illusion?" questions Gimira.
"No, they just look like that. Or some of them do. I'm not sure of the details."

Good to know that not all of the stories you heard around the fire back in the siege company were bullshit.

Delays or no the team does its best to make up for lost time. While the initial pace would have allowed you to reach the area of the reports within three days, the battle has extended that to four. So much for spending less than a full week on this job.

After swinging past the marshes to the south you've on a straight shot for the area in question. Urshul had hoped to be able to talk to some of the nearby tribes about the spiders but there are less and less signs of regular patrols.

Roth and Annika spot signs of larger than average spiders in the upper branches of the forest. A few strands of web here and there are strung tree to tree, almost like a road. It leads back to the south west.

"We've got spiders a bit larger than my hand but nothing too crazy yet," is Roth's assessment.

This might have been a good opportunity to have a druid figure out what was happening.

Do you proceed farther in and investigate as planned or did you want to divert to the nearest orc village to see if they have any useful intelligence beforehand? This will cause a delay.

[ ] Press on to investigate
[ ] Seek out nearest village to question orcs first
[ ] Write-in?

>>4744838
>[ ] Press on to investigate

>>4744838
>[ ] Press on to investigate

"We're here to investigate, let us investigate. We can always talk to the tribe later to warn them of what we find."

Gimira agrees. "Let's save any more delays for the return trip."

Resuming the advance west Annika and Roth wordlessly ready their bows, watching for signs of activity. It doesn't take long for things to begin changing. Less than an hour later the webs in the upper reaches of the trees begin to connect with other similar "roads" in a network. The spiders are getting larger too. You spot one the size of a small dog retreat into a hiding place farther up a large tree.

Urshul orders Charlotte up to the front along side her and they both dismount. Using their swords they check for any webs at the lower levels that might act as trip wires. Most are still up high where they're not in the way, but there is the occasional one. Roth and Jib Jab both note that this part of the forest has significantly less animal activity. Not completely devoid, there are still some here, but most birds have left.

Though it's getting late into the afternoon the sky farther west gets darker more quickly than normal. Networks of webs are now thick enough and scattered between so many levels that it's blocking out light. Jacques suspects this is mostly from dust and debris getting caught in them. Some of the "webways" are low enough that you might have to start ducking under them to continue.

Stopping at the edge of this new area the group spots at least 40 of the smaller dog sized spiders and 7 or 8 that may be even larger.

"How big are those?" Urshul asks.

Roth looks around trying to gauge distances.
"The smaller ones have a span perhaps two feet. Larger ones I'm seeing have entire legs that size. Chitin on the larger ones are different. Their legs are made of stronger material, maybe magically infused? They wouldn't be able to grow to such a size without it."

The bigger ones look very similar to the undead spider you saw the necromancer riding, only a good deal smaller. So far the spiders don't seem to be aggressive toward you but if that were to change things could get bad quickly.

Charlotte thinks there's a pattern to the network of webs.
"This reminds me of when we were learning stitching when I was younger. My grandmother always liked to put extra patterns in. All of these roads may lead to one place."

"We don't have a lot of daylight left." Annika worriedly points out.
That won't be problem for most of you, just the three humans lacking night vision.

[ ] They're not hostile yet, press on
[ ] Camp a safe distance back then search farther tomorrow
[ ] Split the party, those with night vision go in now
[ ] We came, we saw, let's get out of here
[ ] Write-in

>>4744970
>[ ] They're not hostile yet, press on

>>4744970
>[ ] They're not hostile yet, press on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18xGdzPvm5Q [LOST-23]

Pressing on all of you prepare to repel an attack from any direction. Charlotte helps point the way towards what might be the center of this place. After you're forced to duck under a second web bridge Jib Jab asks to sit on one of the unoccupied horses. At least that way he'll have an unobstructed line of sight with his hand crossbow.

"Just be ready to move out of the way if we need to re-mount them," Urshul warns.

Despite how ominous it may look there is still some light in this darker area of the forest. For now. Once the sun goes down that will change. For now things are slow and steady. The webs above may be worse but it takes a few hours of advance for the spider webs at the lower levels to increase. For a time you can even see signs of animal life still in the area.

As the light finally begins to fade with the approach of sunset Urshul wills her sword to glow with a faint lick of flames. Charlotte is having to cut through more webs but does so quickly and quietly.

''Anybody know if spiders can see in the dark?" Jacques asks. "Didn't really cover that in school."
"They move around in dark rooms don't they?" Annika points out.
"Aw shit. I'm getting a better weapon after this."

"Quit your jawing!" Gimira hisses. "Listen."

Tapping and clicking from spiders that are becoming increasingly difficult to see is becoming much more pronounced the deeper you get into the forest. There are plenty of larger ones now like you saw before, but smaller ones too. Some are even carrying things.

"I really hope those are not bodies." Charlotte whispers.

Roth doesn't think so. Or they're not from any of the sapient races.
"These spiders are acting more like ants in a way."

The clicking continues to increase in frequency until you reach an area of the forest where the tree trunks and ground are completely overlaid with a carpet of webbing. Charlotte stops then backs away, struggling to get a section of web off the bottom of her boot. Urshul resolves to burn it off which only takes a moment.

Before the group can decide whether to resume or not the clicking stops, only to be replaced with the whistling noise of blades cutting through air.

A spider the same size as the one the necromancer rode crashes down in front of the group, it's scythe like legs cutting gouges into the ground. Charlotte and Urshul rapidly back away, weapons at the ready. All the while it makes a series of aggressive sounding hissing and clicking noises, jabbing the air in the group's direction with its front legs.

"Okay, I don't think it wants us here!" Gimira points out.

[ ] Full retreat, spare no web bridges that get in your way
[ ] Cautious retreat
[ ] Hold your ground, try to communicate

>>4745114
>also since I forgot it.
[ ] Write-in

>>4745114
>[ ] Hold your ground, try to communicate

"Everyone get behind me."
You don't advance on the spider but hold your ground.

Putting the arrow away you hold up your bow sideways in as non-threatening a gesture as you can manage. By now the others have pulled back and are preparing to make a run for it.

"Spider, do you know any languages of the surface peoples?"

The spider continues its hissing, clicking and air jabbing but it does not get any closer. Other smaller ones do though. A dozen of the roughly mid sized ones that probably mass as much as a wolf closing in.

You try again this time in the stone tongue. It's harsh booming tones shake the ground sending smaller spiders scurrying for cover. Even the wolf sized ones retreat for quite a distance.

"What the hell are you saying?" Annika asks over the loud echoes and reverberations.
All of the smaller ones are covering their ears, with even the dwarf not really enjoying it.
"Hello I think!" Gimira answers. "I knew I shouldn't have skipped out on stone temple days."

The big spider backed off slightly in response to your queries but quickly resumes its previous position. Shaking back and forth it begins rhythmically stabbing the ground with its legs. When they pierce through enough topsoil to strike rock the tapping noise begins to sound familiar. It's not stone tongue, but it might be related. Either way you're not fluent enough in it to tell what's being said.

Then two more of the large spiders appear. These crawl up out of what you've just realised is an enormous crack in the earth a handful of your strides behind the first one. More of the wolf sized ones follow in their wake and they don't sound happy. It might be time to go, or you could try to get a few of the others to attempt different languages before fleeing.

You could probably scare the smaller ones away with a loud enough blast of stone tongue. That might help cover the party's escape, or maybe buy enough time to talk with the larger ones if it doesn't anger them too much.

[ ] We have enough data, let's go!
[ ] Hold long enough for the others to try different languages
[ ] [Stone Tongue Shout] to buy time + one of the above?

>>4745264
>[ ] We have enough data, let's go!

The Dwarven warrior tries to get your attention.
"Hey Ulf? I think they might be done talking big guy."

You agree.
"We have enough data, let's go!"

Backing away slowly until you're sure the others aren't underfoot, you turn and chase after them as they take flight. Urshul rides ahead with sword drawn, as much to act as a beacon to follow as to, or cut through stray webs. Providing enough light for the humans to avoid tripping over roots or rocks is an added benefit.

Checking over your shoulder on a regular basis you don't see any signs of pursuit from the larger spiders. The more mid sized ones however are making plenty of noise. Sound picked up and carried by those higher up in the trees. You can't spend all your time keeping the rear covered though as the lower web bridges are a serious obstacle for you when at speed. At one point you all but crash full on into one of them, though they're built out of such strong bundles of material the impact doesn't break it.

The orc has a fairly good sense of direction, mostly following the same route you came in through despite the darkness. Charlotte only has to shout left or right to her mentor on a few occasions. Given how far back you are the night vision amulet is once again proving its worth many times over.

It's easy to lose track of time during the retreat. The others are clearly not going to be satisfied until you're well beyond the range of the spiders. No point in letting them use their highways to catch up.

Annika is considering using a few of her flame arrows to torch a few trees in order to cut the link. Roth cautions against this. So far you haven't done anything that can't be explained away by a group of diplomats at a later time.

Finally the group halts to rest. None of you can spot signs of the extensive spider webs out here. You should be clear and even if you're not the horses can't go any further. Two of you are kept on watch at any given time, including at least one person with fire arrows.

When it's her turn on watch you ask Gimira bout the spiders.
"Did their tapping on stone sound familiar?"
"Not really? I'm not the most in tune with the old stone. The only dwarves who really are tend to be the temple clerics and the druids. Sorry, Stone Temple clerics, I gotta be specific.
A lot of dwarves these days follow the trinity. Gods of the forge, the hearth and secrets. Law says we can worship whatever we prefer but older law says we have to put in time at the stone temple to at least learn what it's about when we're younger. I skipped out on that a lot so my stone tongue is shit.
Mother said you'd have an easier time getting sparks trying to rub two pieces of sandstone together than trying to get a passage out of me."

You hope someone in the city will be able to make sense of your report.

>cont

File: 70c72dca8c243770ac25db236(...).jpg (131 KB, 605x960)

131 KB JPG

In the morning Roth alerts the party that a few smaller hand sized spiders have caught up but they're mostly staying back and observing.

"We should move before something else happens," Urshul suggests.

The question is where?

[ ] Return to the city ASAP
[ ] Warn the nearest orc tribes first
[ ] Try to chart the edges of the spiders territory
[ ] Write-in?

>>4745393
>Try to chart the edges of the spiders territory
https://youtu.be/7hKG33wkr0k
Still want music suggestions?

>>4745541
>Still want music suggestions?
Always.

After retreating a safe distance the party circles back and begins plotting the approximate edges of the spider territory. It does require you split up into two teams but given how few spiders are present around the edges you should be fairly safe. This takes the better part of the day before you rendezvous at an agreed location.

It looks like they're spreading out fairly uniformly in all directions from that hole in the ground you saw last night. The others couldn't get a good view of it because of their height, only that it was large enough for two of those big spiders to appear out of it. It looked substantial to you.

"We've been hearing rumors about spiders for weeks now. They can't be spreading to quickly so odds are good the nearest tribes are safe for now. Getting this information back to the city is top priority now," Urshul concludes.

By the next day the party is safely back into "friendly" territory. Hopefully that's the last bit of retreating you'll need to do this week.
"I've spent more time running away from dangerous encounters since coming north than I would have expected."

Gimira doesn't seem to believe you.
"What? That had to be a fluke. What have you been running from?"

"A forest full of windego."
"That's... okay, that's perfectly okay. What else?"
"Two full tribes or orcs with their auxiliaries."
"Oh, well that's just being smart really. Anything else?"
"A necromancer riding an undead version of those giant spiders."
"The biggest ones?"
"Yes."

Roth helpfully speaks up.
"These all sound like legitimate reasons to me."
"So it is unusual that it's happening to you so often but parties have to choose flight over fight sometimes. Part of the job, don't feel bad about it."

You leave out the part with the grizzly bears being so numerous closer to the mountains that it was easier to simply retreat than fight them all.

On return to the city all of you are called in for a full debriefing by the Red Blades officers. When they remember you can't exactly fit in their offices they relocate to a room with a window. All the information you collected is recorded along with any insights you had on the spiders communication.

"That alone is worth an extra gold piece as bonus. Good job. You understand of course that we'll be paying in silver equivalent."
That was to be expected.

With the extra bonuses it works out to approximately 500 silver in pay. Not great pay mind you but this was a regular job, not one demanding increased giant pay. The Red Blades have been against race dependent wage standards despite their reputation for preferring to hire those from civilized races.
"At the end of the day if you do the job you get paid."

Whatever the policies and politics they're glad you tried to talk to the spiders. The city may want to see you about that matter in the future, though the notes taken will do for now.

At the bar you hear that Skadi and Cirus went out as escort for the mage who wanted to use dowsing to find precious metals. Flora talked him into paying them the increased wage.
"They should be back no later than tomorrow."

>Anything you wanted to take care of in Silver Mantle?

Heading out for a bit.

>>4745808
>
I was thinking it might be worth seeking out a magic equipment merchant or an enchanter to see if we can learn more about conflicts with worn magic equipment.

We know that more then 2 magic amulets start to reduce the effectiveness. What we should try to learn is if that also includes magical rings, etc.

>>4745808
ask Vaft if he knows something about communicating spiders or speaking stone tongue by tapping on stone

Rather than wait for the papers and reports to filter through to the city guard and administration, you decide to go talk to Vaft. He's both a stone druid and older than the other giants here. Also he has more dealing with the dwarves than most. Better to talk to him now if the city decides in a few days they need him to do research on the problem.

Flora passes word to have Vaft meet you at the ramps in the mason district. Sure enough right at sunset the older giant emerges and tells you to walk with him while he heads to the temple. It's hard to get a read on his reaction to your tale of the spiders.

"Very unusual for spiders to come up to the surface like that in such numbers. Not unheard of, it happens from time to time. Rarely talked about, not our business. The surfaces will be alarmed of course."

"Are they dangerous?"
"Yes and no. Dangerous to get stabbed or bitten by. Not dangerous if you don't. They have a good reason to be there, or they wouldn't be. I'm a bit tired Ulf, let's talk to some of the clerics in the temple. They may know more."

Vaft heads inside and talks to an old greybeard relaying what you'd told him. He is far more alarmed at this news than Vaft is, and begins bombarding you with questions. You dutifly answer all he has to ask before Vaft tells him to calm down.
"He just got in with this news. It's not as though you had to wait for the elders and topsiders to pass it along the chain."

"Vaft, surfacers couldn't tell granite from marble. Of course they wouldn't think to ask somebody knowledgeable about deep spiders. Who knows what could be happening?"

"Deep spider migrations happen. This is the right time of the year for it too. Usually they're smart enough to leave the orcs and tribes alone. According to what Ulf saw that's what's happening. You're overreacting."

The old dwarf screws his face up in an inscrutable expression before it eventually reverts to a frown.
"Yea' is right, I'm overreacting. Getting to old for this, and I'm concerned. Deep spiders don't migrate in those numbers unless someone's pushing or chasing 'em. Maybe both. I'm going to warn the scouts-"
Vaft looks like he's about to speak but the old dwarf raises a hand for him to hold.
"-and I'm gonna do it calmly. I'll ask the mad lads with the cave teams to find out why we have deep spiders topside. Then I'll see who knows spider tap best. It may be related to stone tongue but damned if it's not tricky.
We'll get those bureaucrats calmed down before they even know what they're worried about. Happy Vaft?"

"Yes thank you," the giant bows in respect. "Now good night all of you, I sleep."
With that he disappears into one of the other chambers of the temple.

Vaft is barely gone before the cleric turns to you.
"Lad, Ulf. Don't go getting him killed off on some mad quest in the wilds you hear? A lot of dwarves look up to him- look to him, to help in ways of the old faith at times. I'm going back to the stone some time this century. The last of our local clerics that remember the time before the stonefall. Our people will need mentors like him still alive when I'm gone."

>What say?

>>4746213

Maybe try to find an apprentice for Vaft?
"All of stone kin need their druids... I'll do what I can."

File: Marches_ShamatHEX4G_Spiders.png (57 KB, 534x417)

57 KB PNG

>>4745667
This was supposed to get posted here.

>>4746210
It is good to hear this is not the worst of situations but we all know the dangers of digging too deep, too greedily.

"All stone kin need their druids."

The greybeard gives you a nod of approval.
"Then you understand. Good."
"I'll do what I can," you promise.

In the morning you go to see Enidon, asking about magic equipment and the like. Specifically regarding conflicts between different worn magical equipment. The gnome steps outside to talk to you.

"Finally getting enough money to spend it on enchanted gear eh? I'll tell you what I can. If you want to be safe, 2 amulets and 2 rings at a time maximum. Substitute an amulet for a belt if you want. Never have 2 magic items that affect the same thing or you'll start feeling odd fast."

"Could you give an example?"

"Tireless Archer. As you might guess that is an enchantment some archers use."
You've heard of it.
"Good. It keeps them from getting exhausted in a long battle, might even improve healing it's said. Good in a defensive siege. I heard good things about it from the war. You can't, or at least shouldn't, use an Amulet of Vigor at the same time. I've heard dwarves call it stacking. It can't be done without penalty."

Troublesome, but valuable to know.

"Also beware of enchantments with opposed effects, they can be a problem too."
"Like firing ice arrows with the fire bow?"
"Yes, but also things like stoneskin or iron toughness can get in the way of a featherlight enchantment."

You don't even know what that is. Enidon explains that the air corps use them to survive falls from great height if shot down. He thinks that should cover the basics but if you have any questions about particular combinations just ask.

Just to be safe you show him the ones you've picked up so far. Enidon pulls out a glass bead that he holds to his eye then replaces it with a small magnifying glass.
"I was about to dismiss this one as orc made trash but it's actually rather well made. I don't know how much use a giant will get of it, your kind are quite tough. Should you change your mind about it I'll give you a fair price."

As Enidon moves to head inside he notices a pair of shadows as two well known trouble makers swoop down to land on the railing nearby.
"What do you two want?!" he demands of the two elder harpies.

Ellsworth pauses and looks to Astoria. "I forgot why we're here."
"See, this is why I'm recommending you for the oversight committee."
"Wait, I remembered. Giant, there's an old trick that I wanted to tell you about enchanted items. With certain smaller ones they just need to be far enough apart. As long as they don't conflict that is. Some people will put a spare ring on one of their toes."

Ellsworth holds out one of his talons, grasping in the air. Sure enough he has ring with a few gems on it. Though you don't know how else a harpy would wear enchanted rings.

Astoria pokes his friend with a wingtip.
"Don't do that, your toes look weird."
"Now that’s being a little callous."

You thank them for the useful information. Enidon is quick to warn you that extra rings increases the chances of something conflicting. So while what Ellsworth says is true its a risk for complication.

Before heading back inside the gnome asks; "Where is the Kobold?"
"He's finishing his ranger training."
After counting off days on your hands you think today should be the last day to completed his basic training. More he can learn himself in the field, though it might take a few months to learn everything. That means you'll have to see to it he's registered with the hiring hall soon as promised.

>Jib Jab can now consistently use best of 2 on ranger skills

About mid morning you spot Cirus and Skadi escorting their mage back into town. Once they've collected their dues all of you trade stories.

Supposedly the mage's dowsing worked and pointed him to metal deposits he had recorded as references. A lot of his readings were as predicted thrown off by the city, with strong returns from it regardless of what he was searching for. When looking for gold he seemed to be pointed to the east with a few other returns elsewhere.

"Probably shouldn't be discussing such things in a bar," Drummer tells all of you.
"Why?" Skadi asks. "Only the mage will know exactly where."
"Because, you tell anyone in these parts where to even start looking for yellow stuff that's not grain or piss and you'll have a stampede."

The bartender may have a point. East also isn't the most convenient of directions right now with the tribes fighting.

To change topics you ask Skadi about any ruins she may have seen in her travels. The north is vast, but she was wandered the length and breadth of the plains.

Of the ones she's seen the most prominent is the fallen city built by the giant chieftain. The "Shining City" as some giants call it, was built into and on a mountain out in the eastern plains. Some walls with runes on them survive, made of slabs of rock only giants could lift.

The other locals know of this mountain. It's the only one for 200 kilometers and is straddled by two arms of the roaring river that stretch out farther into the plains. No expeditions have tried to climb it yet. Just as well according to Skadi, as only the stairs to survive were carved for giants and even those are badly damaged in places.

"One of my uncles knows there are ruins elsewhere. He and my father spoke of undead in an area not far from one of the southern villages. We're forbidden from going there alone and encouraged to never visit that place."

>? = Giant Village approximate area
>* = Possible ruins

File: Marches_ShamatHEX4G2(Ruin(...).png (194 KB, 1044x1100)

194 KB PNG

>>4747469
Why the fuck didn't the image post? I even double checked it was on.

I was going to resume but a thing with relatives has come up. Woo, really looking forward to wearing a mask the entire time.

At some point going out to the eastern edges of the plains basin may be in order. Neia is supposed to be from that area if you're not mistaken. Before that it would be good to get some actual use out of your newly upgraded bow to make sure everything about it is just right.

Looking around the bar you don't see signs of anyone paying particular attention to the discussions you've been having. Hopefully your earlier discussion about the gold searching mage won't cause problems as the bartender suggested. Likewise giants discussing old ruins must be fairly ordinary for those who have seen you in here before.

Aman Rosales walks in and shouts in your general direction.
"Hey, there's another new giant!"

Drummer turns to the regular.
"She's not new, she showed up last week."
"Nah not her, a bunch of paladins just came back with another one in tow."

You, Cirus and Skadi exchange glances then rise and head outside. Coming through the western gate you see Gegor and Argigoth being followed by a gaunt and badly wounded giant. One of her arms are in a sling and whatever skin her clothes dont cover shows signs of scars and lacerations. She might be missing an eye too, it's hard to tell with a jagged scar across her forehead.

When the paladin and cleric dismount Argigoth moves to direct the giant toward their temple. Gegor takes charge of the horses, four of them, two carrying sacks of gear. You hear a few other people near the bar commenting that at least one other paladin had left with them.

[ ] Investigate
[ ] Get the other giants
[ ] Stay out of this
[ ] Write-in

Hallo the party and ask what happened?

if the giant is a prisoner -> ask Argigoth where they are taking him and why.

"I'm going over to see what happened."
The others are right behind you.

As Argigoth and the giant are moving off to the south away from you, Gegor is the first one close enough to speak to. The paladin nearly has all of the horses tied up by the time you get down the hill.

"Gegor, what is going on? Is that giant a prisoner?"

Looking weary the paladin shakes his head in response to your question.
"No she is badly wounded Ulf. We all were. She's going to our temple for more healing. lt's the closest one. Most are old wounds that may not heal right. We've just been trying to keep her alive until now."

You look to Cirus who clearly has the same idea as you.
"I'll get Argen to help."

As he heads off you try to get more of the story from Gegor.
"We lost people. We should have brought more paladins but I see why it couldn't be risked. I took more lives in a week than I have some entire seasons. Wherever we went they followed like a beacon."

"Who?"

Gegor looks very distant for a long while before answering by shaking his head.
"No. No I can't say any more, I wont. It is done. May it be that no one else touched by the light ever has to suffer from it."

[ ] "I should have gone with you."
[ ] "I'm glad I didn't go with you."
[ ] Help him but remain silent

>>4748865
>[ ] "I should have gone with you."

>>4748865
>Help him but remain silent

Voting for
>>4748880

>>4748865
>[ ] "I should have gone with you."

>>4748865
>[ ] "I should have gone with you."

"I should have gone with you."

Gegor gives a tired laugh. "No it's just as well you didn't. I don't think you would still feel that way if you'd been there. It just would have been more death. You might have been fine, it might not have affected you but we took enough risks. There is one thing you can do for me."

"What is it?"

He unslings a larger sack from the horses.
"Carry this for me would you? I'm exhausted and this is heavy."

Picking up the sack it's quickly apparent to you that it's full of armor. Likely a full suit of what the paladins wear. You note that Gegor is not wearing his usual cuirass but the chest piece made from the poisoned golden tree that has been marked with wards. Probably a lighter option for on the road.

You, and to a lesser extent Skadi, help him carry the bags of gear to the Order's temple. There the wounded giant has already seated herself and more clerics are exiting the building to help see to her. Gegor asks you to stay here while he calls a few spare apprentices to help take his things in via a side door. Stepping back you give everyone plenty of room.

The clerics work to carefully remove the giant's sling and tend to the worse of her arms. They're throwing plenty of healing her way but in some cases disagreements start over how best to repair the damage. Surgery will almost certainly be needed to fix her shoulder and that can't be done out in the street.

"Never seen a half dead giant before?" she asks the two of you.

You can't say that you have. Or at least not in such a state. Most you've seen were either doing better or had died.

"That's usually how it is for our kind. Name's Rinda. Promised to help these paladins if they helped kill my son."
"You killed your own son?" Skadi asks in disbelief.
"Had to. He was... taken from me. An orc warlord turned him into a monster. Nothing but hatred left in him. Joke was on them, he killed the warlord and near the entire tribe."
Rinda gives a dark humored laugh then winces in pain.
"Was ready to go back to the stone after the killing was done. That paladin though, asked me to come here, told me I could start over. Figured I should give it a go."

Cirus returns with Argen in tow. He helps with some of the basic healing then waves the smaller folk out of the way to work on the arm and shoulder.
"This will hurt," Argen says.
"Tell me something I don't know."

Much to the displeasure of anyone within hearing range he dislocates the shoulder before fixing some of the surrounding are. Healing the collarbone, shoulder blade and socket almost completely exhausts Argen before he pops the arm back into place. A few passers by on the street are trying not to be sick from the noise. Rinda seems to have passed out, either from the pain, exhaustion or both.

>cont

The other clerics have largely stopped here to discuss treatment options. While this is going on first Flora and then Vaft arrive. Argigoth eventually relays to all of you what's going on.

"I'll give you the good news first. She's out of danger and should be fine from here. The temple's not going to charge the usual healing fees for so many clerics doing work."

"So what's the bad news?" you ask.

Flora and Cirus help lift Argen to his feet before seconding your question.
"Let's hear it."

"We can't do much for the rest. Her eye, some of the underlying issues from old injuries, these wont heal right. She needs surgery and that's something we can't provide for a giant."
"There's nothing you can do?" Skadi asks.
"Not us, but others in town can. They charge money."

Florah sighs.
"Here we go. What are we looking at?"
"Surgery plus healing, potions, maybe even an enchanted piece for the eye."
That's going to cost a lot of money you can tell.

Flora looks around.
"If we all chipped in it might not be that big of a hit. Many hands make for lighter work and all."

You have more than 2400 silver in spending money at the moment, plus twice that much in gold in the bank. Nobody is going to ask you to part with gold but silver can go a long way.

>Are you willing to chip in to help get Rinda healed? And if so how much?

>>4749644
>Are you willing to chip in to help get Rinda healed?
Yes

>>4749644
>>Are you willing to chip in to help get Rinda healed? And if so how much?
Yes, and how much depends on how much it costs. Let's say 600 for now.

>>4749644

How about tracking down the giant healers and asking a giant discount in exchange for giant-sized favours? :)

You're willing to drop a few hundred silver if it gets the ball rolling. The total costs can be figured out later. For now Flora and Cirus will drop Argen off to get some rest then head over to the saw mill to make up a suitable stretcher.

Vaft gets the names of a few available surgeons and doesn't seem to like the list. There's a dwarf in the undercity that is reliable but might not be up to the task of such work on a giant. A snake kin healer that supervises the slaves and prisoners in holding is qualified, having worked on gladiators in the south. The problem is they charge ludicrous sums for anyone not "on contract."

"Those cant be the only ones in a city this size."

One of the temple scribes does a quick check and finds that another cleric from the south has just arrived. Not much is known about them aside from the qualifications they listed when registering with the city healers. The hiring hall should know where they are.

You look to Skadi.
"What about giant healers?"
"We could reach my village in twenty days, but the healers there might not be skilled enough to repair all of this."

Vaft pauses to consider other options.
"I would almost think it would be better to amputate and use more powerful regeneration magic to rebuild the limb."

One of the Order clerics steps in front of Rinda with their hands raised.
"Please, don't do that! It's hard to do with humans, elves and dwarves. We don't have anyone powerful enough in the north to pull that off with a giant."

>Did you want to talk to this newly arrived cleric first or go with one of the others?

Heading out. Cant promise I'll be awake enough to finish another post after work. Will probably put something up tomorrow evening.

>>4749910
talk to new new guy

>>4749910
Talk with the dwarf.

>>4749917
>>4749910
+1

Best to split up and cover your bases. Vaft will go and talk to the dwarf to see if he thinks this is something he could tackle.

"I'll head to the hiring hall to see this new arrival," you tell the others. "What is their name?"
"It's Ama Botha," the scribe informs you.

Good enough. Skadi is torn between helping search for the cleric and staying so that at least one giant is present. Argigoth guesses that Rinda will be unconscious for hours given everything.
"Go, we're not leaving her alone on the front step of the temple."

Catching up with you Skadi politely suggests that the two of you try not to simply ask around for this cleric loud enough that the entire district hears. At least not yet. She hopes that will keep from annoying or scaring the smaller folk.

You shrug.
"Flora rarely seems to care about such things."
"So I've seen. I am trying not to be as brash as her."

Humoring her, you head over to the courtyard to ask Tenn if he's seen or heard anything about this cleric. While he hasn't yet that can be remedied by a visit downstairs. While he's taking care of that, Skadi talks to a few clerics in the assembly field.

After a few minutes Tenn emerges from the building at ground level, the halfling going over to talk to a caravan leader. it takes a few more minutes of conversation and follow up before the hall agent gives you a thumbs up and runs back upstairs.

"Sorry that took so long Ulf. You're looking for a human woman, slightly taller than average with very dark skin. She's usually wearing patterned yellow robes."
"Thanks Tenn. Let me know if you need a hand with anything."
"Maybe if I win the betting pool you could move a crate of gold for me."

Glancing around you don't immediately see anyone who fits the description. Asking a few sellswords you eventually run into Roth. He's seen them in the offices for the Red Blades. Waiting a few minutes a woman who fits the description exits. Yellow robes with triangle shaped patterns of many colours, darker skin than you've ever seen on a human, a bit tall for the smaller folk.

"Excuse me, are you Ama Botha?"

She looks up with a smile.
"Oh a giant. I'd heard there were giants in this city but hadn't seen any of you yet."
She speaks the southern tongue well enough but with an accent you're unfamiliar with.
"My apologies, yes I'm Ama Botha."

>cont

You introduce yourself and tell her a giant in the city has old wounds that are not healing properly.
"The clerics say she needs surgery. Would you have the skill to attempt such a thing?"

"I have done surgery in the past but mostly on humans and hobgoblins. I don't believe it would be too different. If anything it should be easier. Part of blood magic is that their blood can tell me what needs to be done for a patient."

"Wait, blood magic? I thought you were a cleric."
"Healer? Cleric? They mean the same thing in the north don't they? Blood mage is just another kind if healer where I'm from."

You can't help but notice the sound of swords and daggers being drawn by nearly everyone within earshot. The ranger Kal'al Indus approaches, sword in hand.
"You're a blood mage?"

Ama Botha looks equal parts surprised and concerned.
"Why are you pointing swords at me? Blood magic is entirely normal in my homelands."

>Your orders?

>>4751827
Slowly back off and maybe ask if anyone will vet for her?

>>4751827
I feel like the risk is worth it. We should at least take her to the hurt giant to see what her price will be.

>>4751827
>"What's the issue with blood magic?"

>>4751834
Will back.

>>4751834
>>4751827
+1

Got held up filling out paperwork for my covid layoff insurance. Technically unemployed which may actually pay better than I've been getting the last 3.5 months.
Resuming tomorrow.

Writing.

Your initial reaction is to back away slightly to give everyone room and avoid stepping on any smaller folk. While most of those who have drawn weapons are spreading out to create a cordon, nobody is willing to get within a handful of strides of the mage. Hoping to at least find out what's going on you speak up.
"What's the issue with blood magic?"

Kal'al gestures towards her with the tip of his sword.
"Blood mages massacred the people of the Kladz valley in the eastern empire fifteen years ago. They killed thousands, ripped the blood out of their bodies and wiped out armies with it. The kingdom of Arcomanni fell because of them."

Ama shakes her head.
"I don't know anything about that. I'm from Medewi, far to the south in Alkebulan."

Two southern elves approach, one of which is Roth.
"The elven kingdoms have forbidden blood magic, which means the signatories of the Empire have as well. How did you even get this far north?"

"I came by boat," Ama answers. "We landed at Hennessy and then I took a caravan north. I'm just here to study the green folk. I haven't hurt anyone."

Forbidden knowledge or not, it doesn't sound like she's actually done anything yet. That bears asking an important question.
"What law has she actually broken?"

"None." Garn Ironmane answers.
Entering the courtyard, he's flanked by two other dwarves with the city guard. Marching toward the ring of sellswords surrounding the mage, they push past them to reach Ama. Once there they take up positions around her.

Garn turns to face the mercs, mostly directing his attention to Kal'al and the elves.
"This city is not the Empire. We're allied with it as a trading partner but we aren't beholden to it. Neither is the Tyrese Gate. This shanty town on the surface exists with our blessings and by our law.
Has this woman attacked or harmed anyone in this city, or otherwise threatened to do so?"

This question draws a great deal of silence from those assembled except for Kal'al.
"She's admitted to being a blood mage! You must realise how dangerous they can be. She can't be allowed to pass on that knowledge to anyone else."

One of the elves back this up, claiming the guard already has a hard enough time trying to stop the trafficking of restricted magics and items.

Garn frowns.
"Hmm. You're not entirely wrong."
He points at Ama.
"You. You're not allowed to teach anyone your craft until the city has reviewed their policy regarding blood magic. Until then you're free to go about your business as long as you don't harm anyone."

"Can she still heal people?" you ask. "We've got a badly wounded giant that needs fixing."
"We can always use more healers but don't go making a spectacle out of it. The guard won't always be nearby to calm people down."

The crowd gets the message and begins to disperse. There's plenty of muttering and whispering going on among those who arrived late.

Ama is looking a bit nervous but tries to push past it.
"You have a patient for me?"

>>4751829
>>4752132

>>4751834
>>4752635
>>4752909
Moving on with this unless there are any objections?

>>4754205
No objections

>>4754205
No objections.

"This way."
Heading back to the order temple you pick up Skadi along the way. Even you giants notice one or two people following at a distance. That could be an issue later.

After introductions to few of the clerics that are still outside Ama gets to work. This time she didn't bother mentioning her profession to the other healers. After the reaction over at the hiring hall she's likely worried how an entire order of clerics and paladins would react to her presence.

After a quarter hour she finishes her assessment.
"This giant has clearly been infused with a great deal of healing magic. It's helping but won't do anything for old injuries that healed badly. I can already tell what needs to be done to fix these but in her current state it would be unwise."

"You can't do it?" Skadi asks.
"I can but there would be less allowance for any errors. To do this safely she would need a blood transfusion from a suitable donor. Or we could wait a week or two until her overall health has improved. Has she been eating?"

"Barely," Argigoth answers.
"That needs to change, but slowly."
"I understand that much."
The orc has seen people killed from eating too much food after starving for awhile.

So the question will be to wait or figure out who could give blood. Fortunately for the latter option Argigoth already knows how to determine giant blood types quickly. Before that though it might be wise to find out how much the mage would want in terms of payment.
"480 silver, or 100 if I'm allowed to keep a sample to study."

Though you already suspect what kind of sample, you still have to ask.
"A sample of what?"
"Giant's blood. There are no giants native to Alkebulan. Probably because there is a sea in the way. The only giants I had seen before were those controlled by the slave traders and they are jealousy guarded."

Vaft returns having spoken to the dwarven surgeon. He isn't as confident in his capabilities but is willing to try. He'll charge 400 silver. Mostly to pay for equipment needed. Much like Ama the dwarf said you'd have to wait at least a week until her overall health had improved before attempting the surgery.

Ama seems confident in her abilities and is not that far off in terms of cost. Healing this giant would certainly go a long way to improve her local reputation. She still is a blood mage though and her curiosity may be enough to call her ethics into question.

"How much would the slave trader charge?" Vaft asks.
One of the older clerics thinks he'll probably demand at least 10 gold.

>1) Who is fixing up the new arrival?
1a) The Dwarf (wait a week)
1b) The Blood Mage (wait a week)
1c) The Blood Mage, now with a transfusion
1d) Slave trader

>2) If Ama is selected would you be willing to give a blood sample to cut down on costs?
2a) Yes, volunteer
2b) No samples
2c) Not Ulf, but one of the others could volunteer if they want

>>4754357
1c) The Blood Mage, now with a transfusion
2a) Yes, volunteer

>>4754357
>1c) The Blood Mage, now with a transfusion
>2a) Yes, volunteer

"I'd rather not see her suffering for a week. Tells us what you need and you'll get your blood sample."

No one is a perfect match for Rinda's blood type but according to Argigoth you and Cirus are close enough.
Flora and Cirus at last return with a stretcher leaving only the question of where to carry out the operation. An empty lot across the road next to the city wall is cordoned off. A few temporary posts with sheets draped between are put up to isolate the area. The clerics helpfully provide some medical grade alcohol and other equipment, though Ama believes most of it will be unnecessary.

Aside from the blood transfusion the only thing she really needs help with is making sure Rinda is secured in case the giant wakes up. Weakened though she may be, a maddened giant could easily kill most humans. Supposedly for their own safety anyone from the Order are asked to wait outside.

The actual surgery requires less cutting that you might have expected. Plenty of incisions are made and things get a bit messy at points but actual blood loss is kept to a minimal. You can't really tell what's going on and in what ways the magic at work is being used.

Cirus trades places with you half way through, Ama making sure the transfusion doesn't wipe either of you out. The arm takes the longest to repair, with the other injuries requiring far less attention. According to the mage the ruined eye is a complete write off. That will have to be solved in some other way. Other than that things go well and in under two hours the operation is over.

"She'll still needs plenty of rest to recover but as long as her diet is managed carefully it should be a much quicker one now."

Ama gets her sample from you while closing the wound from your transfusion. She would have preferred to keep one from the patient to check post surgery interactions, but this is good enough.

Though tired you help the others carry Rinda's stretcher to The Big House where a room near the door is rented. Everyone will take turns checking on her as will the clerics.

"I... might stay nearby as well." Ama decides, still somewhat worried about the prospect of hostile encounters.
"I'll book passage with a trade caravan to the orc tribes eventually."
You hope for her sake the situation with the city is resolved amicably.

The next morning, though still tired, you find that Rinda is wide awake. Sitting outside she's trying to get some broth down, drinking from a mug borrowed from Drummer's bar. Her left arm is once more in a sling but doesn't appear to be bothering her as much.

"Stone below, hurts all over but different from the damned stuck feeling I'd had from the old wounds. Before it was like I had bits of tree branches inside. Now it feels like I'll actually get better."

That's good to hear. You're not sure about the eye, but the clerics did say there were other options.

"Eh, I've mostly gotten used to it. Holding your head to see better is a dead giveaway to enemies you're blind on the one side though."

>Anything you wanted to ask the new arrival?

Hopefully once she's recovered there will be enough opportunities for work to help pay for a replacement. Rinda isn't sure about this, largely having resigned herself to getting used to just the one eye.
"I wouldn't turn it down if someone could guarantee a replacement."

After wishing her a speedy recovery you head off to take care of something important you've been putting off.

Jib Jab has completed his training making him a basic trained ranger. There's plenty more to pick up in the two fields he's trained in. Some can be picked up in the field, others might need to be learned from a mentor. Fortunately some of the weapon skills are equally useful in both paths.

He's getting quite good with the hand crossbow, though still lacking a bit with the dagger. Sneak attacks are about his only hope when it comes to melee. Something you both might need to learn a thing or two about. Your own dagger is often an afterthought, used mainly for carving arrows.

The important thing is that you promised to get Jib Jab registered with the hiring hall once he was done training. He's formally recognized as having a base level of skill in certain areas that the paper pushers can gauge and calculate. That mean he'll be getting paid, maybe even providing some of his own gear upgrades now.

Not that he hasn't already taken steps to loot equipment in the field.
"Jib Jab, I hope you know not to loot or steal any equipment from allies or people in the city."

"Yes. Only take from enemy. Or dead enemy."
Okay good.

It's the time of truth. Will you uphold your promise to the kobold? Maybe even give him a bit of extra silver to start off with?

>>4754707
>Will you uphold your promise to the kobold?
Yes, release him from slavery.
>Maybe even give him a bit of extra silver to start off with?
Sure. Not sure how much.

>>4754716
>Not sure how much.
Even 1 gold worth can go quite a ways.

Marching across town you look up various people who have worked with you and Jib Jab before. It doesn't take long to get signatures from at least six people willing to vouch for him. Most importantly Cellica talks to Scott Flint, one of the officers with the Silver Talons you've worked with before. As Jib Jab helped out on two missions of considerable importance he's more than willing to add his own signature.

Tenn shows Jib Jab to one of the lower windows in the building where the smallest ones do business and soon one of the other clerks are getting him registered. Like you Jib Jab is now an associate member of the Silver Talons, as opposed to being a full member. He can't get any company owned gear but at the same time won't have to drop everything if there's an emergency and the Talons need their mercenaries called up.

It's definitely a good start though, and he'll have access to paid training from other Talons members to help hone his skills.

"Jib Jab still go on jobs with Ulf?"

[ ] "Well of course you can!"
[ ] "You can go on jobs with other people too if you want."
[ ] Encourage him to try at least one job with another group.

>>4754794
>"You can go on jobs with other people too if you want."

File: 6c7b54c5e02797cc74fd176df(...).png (1.01 MB, 1500x889)

1.01 MB PNG

"You can go on jobs with other people too if you want."

The kobold thinks it over then decides; "Stay with Ulf for now!"

You shrug.
"I'm fine with that. Just remember you have options now."
Jib Jab nods in response then uses uses his rope and grapnel to climb back up onto your shoulder. Much faster than any of the previous times you'd been paying attention. Clearly that Amulet of minor strength makes a considerable difference with a creature the size of a kobold.

"Just be careful not to hit anyone in the eye with that. We have enough giants that need eyes replaced right now."

Considering options for future employment there are of course a few things available, but also one or two that aren't likely to be listed. Your continued interest in ruins throughout the north. Now fast approaching summer, this would be an ideal time for a longer ranging expedition before the end of the season.
While you and the other giants could easily handle winter conditions, the same can't be said for the smaller folk and their horses. Freak snowstorms are possible as far south as Silver Mantle as early as the first days of fall, and that may only be three or more months away.

Skadi mentioned ruins near the giant villages far to the north east. Possibly protected by undead. That would certainly be interesting. There are also the ruins of the "shining city" along the way. The trip would also take you most of a month in one direction barring delays.

Then there are the titan metal deposits. Srayagoth and other interested parties have continued research into where best to look for these. There are two areas that should have richer deposits north of bow lake. This is part of the area up stream and north east of the larger willow lake.

Would you like to start planning one of these expeditions or continue to focus on regular jobs to build up your war chest?

I'm heading out to get some exercise! Back later.

>>4754925
Looking into the undead ruins could be fun.

>>4754925
>Skadi mentioned ruins near the giant villages far to the north east. Possibly protected by undead. That would certainly be interesting. There are also the ruins of the "shining city" along the way. The trip would also take you most of a month in one direction barring delays.

I think this is a good place to start and also might be easy to drum up interest. Everyone loves cleansing the undead.

>>4754925
>>4755011
+1 on shooting the undead

>>4754925
>Titan metal expedition

While the titan metals expedition remains of interest to you, the entire reason it held your interest was because of the prospect of finding ruins while still getting paid for it. Ultimately it's not a guaranteed thing, where as the ruins known to the giants certainly are. Not that you know much about them.

With so many unknowns it would best to be ready for anything, but especially undead. Clerics and paladins would seem to be a must. Convincing Argen to go along would be wise. You're not sure about Gegor or Argigoth. Even if it takes a week to prepare they might not want to be away from the city for so long.

A serious downside to organizing an expedition yourself is that you won't be getting paid. That's going to make it more difficult to recruit. Perhaps offering a cut of any loot would be a good start? Or a down payment of sorts?

Talking this over with Flora she suggests that unless you want to lose a good chunk of your profits from this year, finding a patron or sponsor for the trip would be in order. That's assuming you really expect to find anything and are willing to share a good chunk of whatever is discovered.

"Of course the smaller the operation, the less you'll have to share if it succeeds. Less people to disappoint if it goes bad. The benefits of having a well stocked expedition though is that you'll be better prepared for things going sideways. Plus only having to explain yourself to one person if you dont strike it rich."

"Where do you stand?" you ask.
"Oh I agree that Argen should go with you. The only thing better than smacking demons around are undead. I'm conflicted about going personally. Someone needs to keep an eye on our new arrival and it sure as hell isn't going to be Sétanta."

You wonder where the barbarian is anyways?

"He's trying to negotiate for a better rate from the orcs fighting across the river to the east. Maybe hoping he can play kingmaker. Someone is going to have to keep an eye on his dumb ass and I really don't want it to be me."

If you wanted to find a patron you've already met Agatha Balavin. Aside from being a Silver Talons shareholder she also deals in enchanted items. Something found among ancient ruins might be on interest to her.

The Enchanters Collective might be equally interested in such things. They had put some work into the Titan metals expedition so they might not be entirely happy you're ditching it. They are still a good angle for financing. It'll just be a larger number of people you'd have to report back to.

The Silver Order my not be able or willing to provide much in the way of financial support, but their backing as a means of getting rid of undead would ensure easier access to clerics and paladins. A few less people you'd need to pay personally.

>cont

>How did you want to begin organizing this?
[ ] Keep it small. Favours, loot and minimal pay only
[ ] Put down some of your own money to help (10 gold / 1600 silver)
[ ] Patron: Agatha Balavin
[ ] Patron: Enchanters Collective
[ ] Patron: Silver Order Paladins
[ ] Or did you have another plan in mind? (Write-in)

>>4755394
>[ ] Patron: Silver Order Paladins

>>4755394
>Patron: Enchanters Collective

Not sure what my new schedule is going to be like. Will try to figure out as much as I can tomorrow.

>>4755394
[ ] Patron: Enchanters Collective
Might be the best choice for a first time. If we can prove our selves then Agatha might be a good future choice. Need to build up our rep and ties.

File: Spoiler Image (146 KB, 2048x1228)

146 KB JPG

I finally get through waiting 45 minutes on the phone. Instead of hitting the button to turn off speaker phone I hang up.

Best to work with the Enchanters. If this is successful then it will at least partially compensate them for abandoning the other job.

As you'd expected the Enchanters Collective is not entirely pleased with your departure from the titan metals expedition. They're going to have to figure out how best to launch an expedition of their own without you, which was part of the reason it was able to be organised in the first place.
At any rate despite two prominent members of the collective wanting nothing to do with your new excursion plan, three others are interested. They're willing to provide some minimal funding, mostly for supplies and pack mules. There should be enough money that you could recruit 5 people at something approaching regular pay. It won't allow you to pay the other giants going with you. The collective will also be sending a specialist.

"Is it you?" you ask Srayagoth.
"ME?! No, I don't do field work, that's for actual combatants like my brother."

The collective will be sending along a mage by the name of Rolf Longgrove. A halfling that may not be the most powerful magic user, but can certainly evaluate artifacts for value. You're also informed that they'll want to have a look at all recovered artifacts, even if they'll only be getting a cut of what's found.

>Is this acceptable?

>>4756344
>>Is this acceptable?
Yes

>>4756344
Yes.

You decide to accept the enchanters offer. It's something at least and should allow you to recruit a few of the smaller ones, even if the pay won't be amazing. Any giants that come along should be able to life off the land well enough.

Talking to Argen he is interested in fighting undead. Its not a thing he gets to do very often. Skadi was already headed back to the giant villages when you first encountered her so it doesn't exactly require much if any convincing for her.

Rinda is slowly but steadily improving. She won't be ready for a fight for another week at best but all of you are certain that will happen sooner rather than later. According to Argen, Rinda is also a Paladin. Though she lacks any formal training she apparently learned to fight demons and the like in her youth near the storm coast mountains. It might be worth delaying departure until she could contribute.

Talking over planning with Rolf Longgrove he suggests including a Paladin (which you have covered) a cleric, and a rogue experienced with traps. Undead or no, ruins can be hazardous, even after hundreds of years if there are traps that have a magic based reset mechanism.

Jib Jab might be good at sneaking around, perhaps even setting traps out in the wild, but he's inexperienced in that area when it comes to civilized places. You haven't even met any other rogues while in the city. Urshul had suggested a half-elf named Bayern for the spider job but you didn't actually meet. There must be others in the city though.

Rolf offers to look for someone if you can't but that will count toward one of the 5 paid party members. You know enough people in town now that you could ask one of them to recommend someone. Alternatively the Talons might be able to give Jib Jab a crash course in learning what is necessary to check for traps in ancient ruins.

[ ] Let Rolf recruit someone
[ ] Ask your friends
[ ] Magic traps training course for Jib Jab

NOTE: You can still ask Jib Jab to take such a course either way, it will just mean less chance of delays because of it.

>>4756488
>[ ] Ask your friends

Schedule: Looks like I'll be available to run most days this week except thursday. May have to do a thing friday, don't know yet.

>>4756488
>[ ] Magic traps training course for Jib Jab

Asking around among your friends and contacts you're told of three different rogues who have the experience necessary to search through ruins. More importantly, they're actually willing to go off to a distant part of the north. There is also another one that is willing to take on Jib Jab's training and the two get to work.

One suggested by Tim quickly rejects the job offer, supposedly because he doesn't work with kobolds. Cellica introduces an ice elf that has recently arrived named Mithel. She has some experience with dwarven and elven traps and construction. She had spent a few years in the south and decided to do some work here before returning to the airless plateau. Because of this she's seen quite a wide variety of trap systems, but isn't specialized in any.

Tinik Ingmar is a dwarf that Tara recommends. He tends to complain about the outdoors preferring the undercity. Despite this he's capable enough and quite skilled in older traps and devices long used by dwarves and other stone kin. In theory this would make him a better fit for anything that the Titans might have been built, but won't be as good in other areas.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Who do you intend to hire?

[ ] Mithel (Ice Elf F Rogue) (Generalist)
[ ] Tinik Ingmar (Dwarf M Rogue) (Specialist)

>>4756631
>[ ] Mithel (Ice Elf F Rogue) (Generalist)

>>4756631
>Tinik Ingmar (Dwarf M Rogue) (Specialist)

>>4756631
>>[ ] Mithel (Ice Elf F Rogue) (Generalist)
Let's get him up to speed with everything before worrying about specialization.

Best to start with a skilled generalist and if necessary find a few examples to study while the mission is being put together. Cellica makes the introductions then attempts to calm down Ocette who thinks this is a clear sign they'll be going too.
"I always wanted to see places farther north!"
"Calm down, I thought we were going to go hunting drakes?"

Once they're gone you and Mithel gingerly shake hands.
"You look familiar, have we met before?" she asks.

This question surprises you.
"I don't think so. I didn't see many ice elves in the south."
"The south! You were in one of the siege units I'm sure of it."
"I was. For quite a few years."

Sometimes at night the siege units would be told to go out and fire lines over the walls of cities. Frequently they would be found and cut not long after. It wasn't typically your job to worry about that. Some had guessed it was a ploy to keep the garrisons on edge, watching for the threat of infiltration. It was rare for anything to come of it.

Apparently on one such occasion Mithel actually had ilnfiltrated a city, stealing plans or conducting other sabotage. All carried out before sunrise would make escape next to impossible.

"Nothing as heroic as opening the gates like in an old legend I'm afraid."
You still don't remember the time in question but she claims that's fine.
"I was trying to stay hidden after all."

Going over the basics of the expedition Mithel seems to like the idea. She'd never ventured this far into the north and hadn't paid much attention to the old stories before. Maybe she'll find evidence of her people in the north too.
"That would be quite a coup, returning to the plateau with a few things even our elders haven't seen before. Discipline me for not paying attention during my lessons will they? I can just see the looks on their faces."

Rolf will try to get her examples of ancient dwarven traps to study. The enchanters should be able to do that much.

This leaves you with 4 paid slots to recruit for not counting giants. That doesn't mean you cant try to recruit more people, you just may need to fork out money for them yourself.

>cont

You don't have a dedicated cleric yet which may be essential. A ranger might also be of use but isn't strictly needed. Besides, Jib Jab has a lot of the ranger gap covered.

>Current party
Ulf (+ Jib Jab)
Argen (GiantM Paladin)
Skadi (GiantF Archer)
Rolf Longgrove(Halfling M Mage)
Mithel (Ice elf F Rogue)

>Recruitable
Flora (GiantF Spellblade)
Cirus (GiantM Soldier)
Sétanta (GiantM Barbarian/Berzerker) (Requires extra pay)
Vaft (GiantM Stone Druid)
Rinda (GiantF Paladin)

>Paladin/Cleric
Gegor E Uller (Human M Paladin) [PaladinS][SLVT]
Amedee Heiroris (Southern Elf M Paladin) [PaladinG][RBLD]
Argigoth (Orc M Cleric)[PaladinS][SLVT]
Ferith (Human M Cleric)[PaladinS]
Jacques Fosse (Human M Cleric)[RBLD]

>Mage / spell user
Orlan (Half-demon M Mage)[SLVT]
Ama Botha (Human F Blood Mage/Healer)
Trilah Lylth (Southern Elf M spellgun) [Rancher]
Urshul (Orc F Spellblade)[RBLD]*
Charlotte Weaver (Human F Spellblade)[RBLD]*

>Mild magic
Aman Rosales (Human M Bard) [Rancher]
Kossia Skaled (Human M Bard) [Luth]
Cellica (Half Elf F Bard)[SLVT]*
Ocette (Harpy F Druid)[SLVT]*
Bolinda Ironmane (Dwarf F Druid)[Dwarven Scouts]

>Martial
Tara (Dwarf F Ranger) [Dwarven Scouts]
Ithica Rilynn (Southern Elf F Ranger) [Rancher]
Urdrenn Ghinir (Orc M Ranger) [Rancher]
Kal'al Indus (Human M Ranger) [Luth]
Roth AKA Laeroth Balsys (Southern Elf M Ranger) [RBLD]
Garn Ironmane (Dwarf M Archer / Soldier) [Dwarven Scouts]
Dayer Havashaw (Human M soldier) [Luth]
Gimira Hardfall (Dwarf F Barbarian)[RBLD]
Neia (Centaur F Soldier/Barbarian)[SLVT]
Arix (Centaur M Soldier/Barbarian)[SLVT]

Tim (Halfling M archer) [SLVT]
Annika Dam (Human F Archer)[RBLD]
Bayern (Half-Elf M Rogue)[RBLD]

*= can only be recruited in a pair

Select at least 4 party members in addition to any giants you want to take along.

>>4756867
>Gegor E Uller
>Tara
>Cirus
>Jacques Foss
https://youtu.be/Gx1Skkcjy54
Our current party is not counted as the 4 right?

>>4756867
>Jacques Fosse (Human M Cleric)[RBLD]
>Cellica (Half Elf F Bard)[SLVT]*
>Ocette (Harpy F Druid)[SLVT]*
>Neia (Centaur F Soldier/Barbarian)[SLVT]

>>4756955
>Our current party is not counted as the 4 right?
No. The current party is already looked after.

>>4756976
>Ocette
Not sure how she would do in ruins but they are giant ruins, so who knows?

>>4756867
Main
>Jacques Fosse (Human M Cleric)[RBLD]
>Neia (Centaur F Soldier/Barbarian)[SLVT]
>Tara (Dwarf F Ranger) [Dwarven Scouts]
>Cirus (GiantM Soldier)

Extend an offer to come along for Cellica and Ocette.
>Cellica (Half Elf F Bard)[SLVT]*
>Ocette (Harpy F Druid)[SLVT]*

>>4757130
I was about to post but I'll modify what I have.

Jacques Fosse is first on the list in terms of healers. He's experienced enough that you won't have to worry about any slip-ups like Ferith might cause. Argigoth also might want some time to rest after his last outing. You know he'll keep checking on Rinda.

"What are we expectin', some dungeons or whatnot?" Jacques asks.
"No idea."
"That's fair. Long as I don't have to go near those spiders again I'm set. Goin out east is gettin me farther away from them things."

Cirus might be good to have along as another close combat focused giant. He and Argen are used to covering each other's backs, or forming a shield wall together. It's true they've gotten used to taking orders from Flora but they're fine heading out with you and Skadi. Like you and the other giants he'll take any pay in the form of a cut of any loot.

Tara is next on your list of most wanted recruits. She's certainly up for supporting you giants in looking into old ruins, and is happy for the chance to get away from the city for awhile. Or more likely away from Garn's mother.

Ocette is far more enthusiastic about joining up than Cellica. This is the sort of thing the young harpy has always wanted to do. Explore far off lands. Seeing the ruins of the shining city is an added bonus.
"I never get to fly to the tops of mountains or really high up places because they're so far away."

Cellica is a little disappointed as killing a few drakes would have netted quite the bounty. Despite this she's not willing to deter her friend from an adventure long looked for.
"Ulf I'm going to be honest; the pay for this job is crap unless we find something. It does sound interesting though."

The dwarf, the half-elf and the harpy signing up puts you in the position of having maxed out the number of recruits the enchanters will pay for. That's before even talking to Gegor or Neia!

Neia seems a bit jittery when you go to see her. She's been a bit more paranoid about threats ever since getting shot by that harpy during the platinum run. A vacation of sorts back to her home range might be in order. Her people live roughly in the lands between the ruins and the other giant villages. Plenty of centaurs migrate across the plains then south west for winter, but others remain to keep orcs from moving in.

"I would be willing to go with you until the farther eastern plains. After I've spent time with my kin I would venture to the giant villages to meet with you for the return trip."
She's willing to act as an escort and guild through the plains, not that Skadi couldn't do a better job but Neia might be able to diffuse situations with other centaurs. She's willing to do this much for half pay.

"And if we need your help against the undead?" you question.
"Then you will have to decide on a better offer."
You'll consider it.

>cont

After giving him a couple of days to rest you talk to Gegor to see how he's doing. The Paladin remains somewhat bothered by whatever happened but still refuses to say any more about it. Seeing that Rinda is on the mend does improve his mood though.

When you tell him about your expedition he's somewhat reluctant to join in.
"Not that I don't appreciate the offer but there are other Paladins Ulf."
"I don't know many others aside from Argen and Amedee Heiroris."

Gegor shakes his head.
"Heiroris? No no no. He's a Dawnbreaker Order Paladin, you don't want him around. Give me a few days to think it over and I'll get back to you."
Though Gegor still hasn't made up his mind, you suspect he'll come around.

That leaves the issue of pay for Neia and Gegor. Do you intend to pay their way so you'll have a second paladin and the centaur on hand? Or do you have any alternate plans in mind?

[ ] Neia (200 silver)
[ ] Gegor (400 silver)
[ ] Both (600 silver)
[ ] Neither
[ ] Write-in

With party numbers being sorted you still have a bit of time before all of the supplies and gear are ready. Time that can be spent on getting upgrades if you so desired. While your current armor has proven adequate against most threats one capable of having runes or warding built into it could be made. This will take a few days to have the larger pieces manufactured.
Antonio is confident that he could do it at reasonable prices, though final addition of runes would take another day minimum.

Tara suggests stocking up on a few healing potions. She can get weaker slower acting ones that she considers more reliable for 34 silver, or the more common ones for 68s. The latter are better for emergencies due to side effects she's told you about. Wounds not healing entirely properly and so on.

Heading over to talk to Erjia you find out that she's had some success with development of potions for use on giants. Obviously they require more volume and kick so they cost on average double that of potions for the smaller folk. She was worried it might be even more than that due to stone kin being resistant to some magic.

While you'd just wanted to sharpen your eyesight at the longest of ranges possible, Rinda could certainly benefit from eye related potions.

"Could you regenerate an entire eye for a giant?"
"Yes I think so? I can't promise how well it would work. Follow up healing or potions might be needed to sharpen their vision."

34s Basic healing potion (promotes natural healing)
68s "Improved" common potion (Fast heal but may cause complications)
136s Giant Size common potion
310s Giant Size "Eagle Eye" potion
480s (3 gold) Giant eye regeneration

>>4757241
>Both
Not too expensive.
>>4757422
1 giant size potion and 2 basic.

Your current leather armor cost 840 silver to produce. It would cost 250 silver more to produce something suitable for runes or warding. Most of the orc prices for those should be similar, and you'd need anywhere from 2 to 6. It depends how much coverage you want. 2 for the chest, 1 each for the upper arms or maybe even for your bracer, 1 for the back.

Runes of protection (Physical defense)
143s (Basic)
290s (Improved)
Runes of warding (magic protection)
143s (Basic)
290s (Improved)

Actual enchantment for armor would require metal and would be very difficult to do with leather armor, so lets consider that effectively unavailable.

>Giant Leather Rune Armor (no bracer)
2540 silver or nearly 16 gold
This is the cost for the improved versions.

>Golden Bow Enchantment (Improved)
2x Palladium ore + 16 gold
Options available on request!

Arrow Enchantments (Silver Mantle)
>Earth/stone- Gives arrows greater strength and mass at impact (Incompatible with lightning bow)
15s (Basic)
30s (Improved)

>Lightning- Grants additional lighting damage (Incompatible with druid/stone bow)
17s (Basic)
34s (Improved)
85s (AoE)

>Fire- Grants additional heat/fire damage (Incompatible with ice bow)
33s (Basic)
51s (Improved)
+164s (AoE)
Normal=18s (Basic), 36s (Improved), 90s (AoE)

>Ice- Grants additional ice/cold damage (Incompatible with fire bow)
18s (Basic)
36s (Improved)
90s (AoE)

>Wind- Grants additional wind damage/accuracy in windy conditions
13s (Basic)
26s (Improved)
65s (AoE)

>Spirit- Grants additional non-aligned magic damage
15s (Basic)
30s (Improved)
75s (AoE)

>Piercing- Grants additional armor penetration
12s (Basic)
24s (Improved)
60s (AoE)

>Current finances (Before hiring Neia or Gegor)

2407 silver
34 gold
3 palladium ore

>Current arrow stockpile
Steel bolt 2
Wood 26 (+30 in backpack)
Tear Gas 4 (+4 reloads)

Lightning S-Bolt (AoE)1
Ice (AoE) 2
Piercing (AoE) 2
Sonic/Thunder (AoE) 1
Ice (Improved) 4
Fire (Improved) 1
Spirit (Improved) 2
Wind (Improved) 2
Earth/stone (Basic) 4
Earth/stone (Improved) 4
Poison (Improved) 1
Enfeeblement(Improved) 1

I'll update the pastebin after all the purchases are done for the expedition.

>>4757241
[ ] Both (600 silver)

>>4757422
1 giant size potion and 2 basic.

>>4757524
Runes of protection (Physical defense) (Improved) - Used on the bracer

>>4757526
Spirit Arrows
5 (Basic), 3 (AoE)

>>4757241
>[ ] Gegor (400 silver)
>>4757422
>2x Basic healing potion
>1x Giant Size common potion
>>4757524
>2x 143s (Basic) (Chest)
>1x 290s (Improved) (Bracer)
>>4757526
>3x Spirit (Basic)

Sorry for the info dump last night but sleep was going to become an issue soon.

Money is put down on potions for the giants and smaller folk. An order is also placed for enchanted arrows able to deal spirit damage. Those should come in handy.

You'd like to get both Gegor and Neia if possible and are willing to put money down to make it happen. You let the paladin know about the offer before heading out to one of the nearby orc tribes. Other gear is still being prepared including a modification of your bracer, this means you have time for a quick trip to get hold of runes.

Cirus, Cellica and Ocette join you in order to pick up a few things themselves. Much like you Cirus buys a rune for his shield, with the ladies getting ones for their armor. Ocette also seems to be looking for a weapon she could use out in the plains. After hearing stories of the last platinum run she'd like to have a way to inflict more damage if caught away from trees where her powers might be less helpful.

It's good that she's thinking ahead.

Speaking of which, Cellica thinks she could get good prices from some of the merchants for things that could be resold back in Silver Mantle for a profit. The city is still charging a premium for fire enchantments of any kind.

>Did you want to try and back a quick buck?
[ ] No, just what you needed
[ ] Herbs & Medical supplies
[ ] Potions
[ ] Fire enchantments
[ ] Gems & rare metals
[ ] Let Cellica choose

>>4758255
>Did you want to try and MAKE a quick buck?
Don't know how I screwed that one up.

>>4758255
>[ ] Let Cellica choose

>>4758255
>[ ] Let Cellica choose

File: wagoncarving.jpg (61 KB, 512x340)

61 KB JPG

Handing over a good chunk of your remaining silver to Cellica, you let her choose what to spend it on. It's quite a mix of things, half of which you can't even identify. With the amount of silver spent you could probably fill a wagon with druid goods. Once it's loaded into your pack the team heads back to the mantle.

Reselling it all is the real test. Fortunately for you it seems like the half-elf has this part down to a science.

Roll 3d20

Rolled 13, 10, 14 = 37 (3d20)

>>4758316

Rolled 6, 4, 20 = 30 (3d20)

>>4758316

Rolled 20, 18, 15 = 53 (3d20)

>>4758316

File: yrajljs2lgv31.png (162 KB, 482x600)

162 KB PNG

"Cellica, how much of my money did you spend?"
"Uh, a bit? Don't worry, I can pay you back for anything I can't find buyers for right away."

It turns out a lack of buyers is hardly a problem. Especially for vials of perfume which she sells to one of her relatives. At an almost 20% markup across the board she pays back your money plus an additional 188 silver. As she'd had to rely on you to transport some things bought with her own money Cellica considers this adequate payment.

"I do really need to buy one of those magical storage spaces one of these days. It's too bad they cost nearly a dozen gold."
You agree that sounds excessive, though it is within the range of what you could buy with the spoils of a better paying job.

"Mithel actually has one she picked up in the south, so if you're nice she might be able to store things for you."
"For a larger cut of valuables?" Cirus asks.

Cellica shrugs. "Maybe, you'd have to ask her."

Antonio gets to work with an enchanter inscribing the orc rune into your bracer. It will be ready by the end of the day tomorrow. Gegor does eventually agree to go with the party, accepting an advanced payment to get a few things he think will be needed. Neia is doing much the same.

Rolf reports that everything on his end is ready to go at a moments notice. Mithel will keep studying any traps and plans for ancient holds for as long until the last possible moment. The others in a similar state. They can go the next morning after your bracer is done.

Pastebin will be updated shortly.
>Did you have any last minute acquisitions or other things you wanted to take care of?

Pastebin updated. Stepping out for an hour or so.

>>4758413
>>Did you have any last minute acquisitions or other things you wanted to take care of?
Can't think of anything.

After more than a week of preparations all of you are ready. Cirus even found an ice holding bag. The other giants and a few of the other people you know in town show up at the north east gate to see the rest of you off. Rinda is looking a lot better. Another week and she could have gone as well, but there are already four giants going. Someone needs to stay here.

"I also don't have any weapons or armor yet. Just you wait, by the time you lot get back I'll be ready to prove I'm not some bludger."
Vaft promises to give her one of his stone clubs as a temporary weapon.

Argigoth shows up to give Gegor a few last minute items. Kossia and a few of his people wish you luck. Cellica seems to be on the lookout for someone to see her off but they never appear.

Tim gives Neia a mock tearful farewell causing the centaur to stomp in irritation.
"I'm coming back you idiot."

Farewells given Mithel and Rolf are the first out of the gate followed soon after by everyone else. There's still a matter of the best way to the first objective to discuss. Avoiding the ogre village or their trading post is possible by swinging farther north through the more open areas of the plains but Skadi warns that will make it easier for raiders to spot you from great distances.

Cirus seems to think you'll be fine taking such a route.
"We have four giants, and two are archers. I still wouldn't mind a match against those ogres though. Argen and I think we can push them out of the ring."

Before this discussion can go on much further Jib Jab gets your attention. A boy riding on horseback is catching up with the group.
"Hey wait! Let me come with you!"

You come to a halt and the dusky southerner quickly catches up.
"Please, let me come with you. None of the companies will take me. Even the review board won't let me register."

Tara gives him a quick glance.
"You look like you're too young."

Gegor nods. "Even the temples will allow someone to join if they're young, they just wont let them out into the field right away."

You suspect there might be another reason and are not the only one to guess as much. The boy sighs when asked why.
"The mage that was training me kicked me out. He said I didn't have the attention span, so I've just been charging spirit magelocks for him."

Cellica who had been staying out of the conversation pulls her horse up short.
"Wait, you're a magic user?"
"I mean... I can use wands."

>cont

Gegor shakes his head in disbelief.
"How have you not been scooped up by the Air Corps? They need guys like you to man half the stations in their vessels it seems like."
"After my master kicked me out the air corps wouldn't take me! They said I was blacklisted or something, but I know I can do better. Just give me a chance to prove it. I have supplies and everything!"

Supplies or not he has no armor to speak of. The only weapons he's carrying are a knife, a throwing hatchet and two wands. Not exactly a lot.
Jib Jab again gets your attention. Reaching into his armor he pulls out two more wands.
"Where did you get those?"
"Loot from goblins."

You might have to discuss that later. For now the question of what to do with this young human is the issue. Send him back so he doesn't get hurt or bring him along so he's at least kept out of local trouble.
On the Air Corps job you briefly visited the Silvesa farm. They make spellgun ammo and wands. Perhaps they could help him in some way?

[ ] Go back before you get yourself killed.
[ ] Take him as long as he doesn't slow you down.
[ ] Send him to the Silvesa Farm.
[ ] Write-in

>>4758676
>[ ] Send him to the Silvesa Farm.