Posts From a Long Winded Gamer

-Immersion-Smell-Salt-
Scene #14 (Positive Alteration):
Arriving at the docks, the smell of the sea in the air, I help Njora out of the boat, and we are met by Khaelrick, who helps me carry our gear back up to the temple.

-Encounter-Circus (poor performance, indifferent crowd)-
As we make our way though the city, we spot a small crowd gathered around a troupe of acrobats and musicians. We pause to watch, but the acrobat loses his balance and slips from his tight rope multiple times to the groans and jeering of the crowd. Yet he gets up and tries repeatedly to get his trick right. Unimpressed, we continue on our way.

Q: Is Kaedra expecting us? YES
Arriving at the temple, we head towards the longhouse but Kaedra stops us, “Bring her to the altar, Demon Slayer” the priestess commands me. My eyes widen at the title she give me, but I obey.

As I help her lay on the altar, Njora smiles up at me, “It will be okay,” and she pulls aside her dress to let Kaedra see the wounds.

-Heal Wounds, success, 3 points-
“You should learn to bandage wounds properly,” Kaedra chastise me as she unwraps the blood soaked linens. Then she begins muttering a prayer, and her hands glow with a pale blue light as she places them on Njora’s belly. When she removes her hands, the injury seems to have healed somewhat, as though she had been able to rest for several days. “Get her to her bed now. She should rest.”

As I start to lend her a hand, Njora stands up with ease. “Just a little sore. I can walk by myself.”

Kaedra warns her to take it easy, and Njora lets me help steady her. Though she’s right, she no longer needs the help.

In the long house, Njora gets settled, bathes and hands her clothing to another acolyte to mend and clean. I hand over my gambeson as well, and knowing that Njora is in good hands and no longer in any danger, I sit down, clean my gear, and go through our plunder. I set the three slates aside for Kaedra, and head into the marketplace with our coins.

Then I make my way to the armorer’s quarters, seeking out Jorgram, the skilled metal worker.

-Encounter-Merchant grabbing urchin-
On my way, I see a merchant dart out from behind his stall and grab a street kid, “You little thief!” he yells as the kid protests his innocence. I shake my head. It serves the kid right! The city is rife with pickpockets.

At Jorgram, I greet the armor as I eagerly eye his wares. “Hail friend, have you any mail on hand? A sturdy helm?” I ask.

Q: Does he have what I need? YES
“Another young glory hound, I see,” says the old man, looking me over with a sigh. “Wars are not to be undertaken lightly.”

-Pass reaction-Good for a fair price, Fail contested merchant check, but his friendly result prevents him from taking advantage-
I nod, “I know this well, and know that a mail shirt might help me come home. Let me take a look at this.” I indicate a mail shirt draped over a dummy, “It looks complete and about my size.” We try it on, and make sure it can be belted and strapped into a good fit. Then I pick out a sturdy helm that fits snuggly enough to strap on. “Lets talk price.” I try to talk him down, but he shakes his head and warns me to just stop there.

“1200 Skells friend, if you have it.” I nod, and start laying out ancient silver coins. “What are these, friend?” He examines one of the dwarven silver pieces, “Dwarven? Take these to a money changer, and then we’ll talk.” I nod and sweep the coins back into my pack.

-Encounter-Slave Coffle-
On my way to the moneychanger’s office near the docks, I notice a group of slaves being shown off at auction, “Mine work or rowers, there’s plenty to be had here!” the barker calls as he shows off men of Vaylan and Alnari descent, plus a couple of our own countrymen. I’ve no use for a slave and certainly no need to buy one.

At the money lender, I show him the foreign coins, and ask the value of the strange crystal coins as well. He offers three quarter value on the weight of the silver and copper, and 1500 Skells for each of the crystal coins. I sell him one of them, and trade most of the other dwarven coins for local currency as well, leaving with a large pouch of silver, copper and electrum stamped with the symbols of our people.

-Encounter-Animal-
On my way back to Jorgram’s, I spot an ox wandering loose down the street. Like others, I just take note, and then ignore it. It doesn’t seem to be causing any trouble and its owner will likely find it soon enough. Else they deserve to lose it.

At Jorgram’s, I buy the armor, handing over most of my electrum Ravenns. Then I carry the gear back to the temple.

-Encounter-Slaver-
As I head back, I run into a couple of soldiers and an officer looking for an escaped slave, “You! Have you seen a Vaylan man with an iron collar?” I shake my head and continue on my way.

-Conversation focus-Enemy-Njora public speaking pass 2-
After securing my purchases, I join Njora and the others for lunch and they ask about the foes Njora and I faced in the dwarven temple, eager for tales of our battles. I listen, enthralled, as Njora weaves a tale of courage and glory, describing my victories as though they were epic battles against giants or trolls. The other acolytes are duly impressed!

Q: Can I find lodging? YES
After lunch, I search for room at a boarding house, so as not to inflict myself on my hosts any longer. A guest should never outstay his welcome!

-Encounter-A Witness casting a spell!-(A few dice rolls for clarification and…31 year old Alnari female)-Fail Perception by 2-Pass Diplomacy-(Record Zeal, Take the Oppressed, Weaken Strength. Then I ask ChatGPT for a character and…interestingly enough)
As I walk through the streets, I notice an Alnari woman talking to a crow, who then flies away, and moments later, returns to her, dropping something shiny in her hand. There is yelling down the street as a merchant screams curses about birds. “Hey there, that’s a well trained little bird you have there!” I grin as I approach her.

She smiles, and in her thick accent replies, “Yes, a well trained bird is a fine treasure, and fine for finding treasure, as you can see.” She winks at me. “You won’t tell, will you?”

I shrug my shoulders, “If you need coin for bread, I could help you out. No need to steal from another.”

Q: Will she return the coin? YES (perception fail again)
She considers my offer, then whispers in the crow’s ear once more, and sets the bird back to drop the coin on top of the angry merchant’s cart, and then she holds out her hand. I give her a Silver Tharn. She smiles. “That was a very well trained bird.” I admire.

Q: Does she tag along with me? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“My name is Seshari,” she offers. “Why did you care that the man not lose his coin? Don’t you suspect he swindles his customers a time or two?”

“Do you know for a fact that he does? All merchants seek opportunities, but that does not mean one must steal from them to eat. If another does wrong, most one return the injury? Certainly not if you are not the one injured.” I shrug.

“How do you come to be of such wealth that you can so freely give away a silver coin?” She pries, eagerly.

“Have you heard of the sea cave that appeared with the Black Moon? Great wealth lays inside, and great risk. I had the good fortune to return from inside it, but may soon have to explore further.” I shrug.

Q: Does she wish to join me? YES
“Great wealth? Perhaps I should go with you.” She suggests, hopefully.

“And why? Can you fight the guardians of the ancient dwarves who built the ruins within?” I ask as I see her eyes light up eagerly.

“Perhaps I can be of greater help than a sword. I understand their markings and runes.” She replies.

I look at her, a grin spreading on my face. I pull out a dwarven coin and toss it to her.

She catches the coins and examines it, studying the symbols, “A Khalzur. Not as much a coin as a travel record, though yes, they are used for currency as well. This one records that the it was minted in a village called Jalstreadr by Clan Ironweld.” She tosses it back to me. “Most dwarves never left their clan, and these coins were not used as currency outside of there clan, so to have one from another people was a sign that one was of a rare breed that crossed the world. They were marks of honor and woven into a dwarf’s beard.”

I laugh, “Yes, perhaps you should join Njora and I when we return to the vault.”

Q: Does she turn away? YES
“And who is she?” Seshari asks. I tell her she is an acolyte in service to the temple. “Oh, um. Well, good luck then,” she mutters and slips away into the crowd.

(She has a critical failure trying to get away)
“Wait!” I say as she walks headlong into a passer by. Her crow takes flight, leaving her shoulder. “Why will you no longer help me?”

Q: Will she say? YES
“My people might call me a seer. Yours might call me a witch. I’d rather not draw close to your holy flames, I am no moth.” She confesses.

I nod in understanding, “Then will you help me translate the texts we bring back, if the high priestess cannot?”

Q: Will she help in that way? NO
“No. I cannot.” She mutters and tries once more to leave. This time, I let her go.

(–a few things going on here, magic is rare and distrusted in most areas of the world, and Seshari is a witch, so associating with the local clergy, the only legit spell casters, is hazardous to her health. Further, she is a known criminal in Vaylan, so being near the royal family of this city seems unwise to her, and since the King’s sister is head of the church, that gets a little close to people who might turn her over for a bounty. Third, I don’t know that I want another non-combatant in the party, so…this works well that the oracle played along, but with her knowledge of Ancient Lore, I was hoping she’d at least become a consultant).

Q: Is it a boarding house? NO
I check around at various taverns and eventually find a lead on a house that will rent me a room. It is a Vaylan style home, not like our longhouses. Instead, there is a shop on the ground floor and a couple of homes stacked above. A tinsmith rents the shop and one of the homes from a miner’s widow, and the widow appreciates the chance to take a boarder in the second bedroom of her home on the third floor. I soon bring my possessions over and start to settle in.

21 to 26th-Greenthaw-Rest and Recover, Ivarn spends 50 Skell on living expenses, Njora spends 25 skell (living at temple for free). Week event checks, no special event,unemployed, gamble 50 Skell, but lose it all, 40 hours training to read runes

I spent the next week in and out of the temple, keeping Njora company as she recovered from her injuries and letting her teach me to read runes. I lost a week’s worth of money gambling, and reminded myself that I am no good at games of chance. I see that many warriors, youths eager for glory, have gone north to face the hordes of Morgrath who rumor says have started raiding in the vicinity of Ostmark and Eiderhavn. At the end of the week, Njora and I were ready to return to the vault once more.

27th-Greenthaw-Cool, light rain in the afternoon, gentle wind
-Immersion-Sound of Wind Blowing-
The morning of the 27th, I don my battle gear and meet Njora at the temple, ready for us to return to the Vault. There is a gentle breeze that feels cool against my face and I admire the cherry blossoms swaying gently in the wind.
E: New NPC: a Triumph of Victory Q: fjarlandr? YES Q: armored? YES E: Negative for Undead Denizens: Intolerance of a Rumor

As we are leaving, we run into a young warrior a few winters shy of my age. “Hail there! Are you off to war as well?” The warrior greets me eagerly, seeing I am arrayed for battle as he is.

“There are other battles to be fought besides those to the north,” I reply as I look him over.

Njora suggests, “We are going to the sea cave at the base of the cliffs. There are ruins within, and great danger. A second shield would be welcome, for I am no good in a fight.”

“And why do you seek danger in old ruins?” The young warrior asks, his curiosity piqued.

Njora pulls out one of the rune slates, “We seek relics such as these, that record the black runes that appeared on the cliff face when the Black Moon covered the sun. We must discover and decipher their meaning.”

Halgrimm recoils slightly, and spits on the ground, “Runes and sorcery, foul magic. I’ll help, but be wary of what you might unleash discovering those things.”

I nod, “Come along then. My name is Ivarn,” I clasp his hand and we introduce ourselves as the three of us head down to the docks. I learn he was heading north to join the campaign, having fought some goblins on his way to the city, but arriving too late to join the muster that left for the north.

-Encounter-Barbarian Seeking Revenge and information- Q: Was it the same assassin? YES Q: Does he believe us? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“You two!” a heavyset warrior approaches as we reach the docks. “Are you from this city?” Halgrimm and I shake our heads, but Njora says that she is. The man turns to her with a frown, “I seek a Saurian said to have fled here. He murdered my cousin in cold blood, and fled south. This seems where he might have tried to catch a ship.”

“When was this?” I ask. “We killed a Saurian on these very docks when he attacked us a week ago. He seemed to be some sort of hired killer.” We describe the lizard man and what happened, and Njora shows them his blades. The vengeance sworn warrior accepts the weapon and thanks us for having avenged his cousin. Then we part ways.

Q: Can we find a boat? YES
As before, we hire Istvar’s boat and are soon on our way to the ancient dwarven vault.