Posts From a Long Winded Gamer

Weeding Godsday 28th-51 degrees, strong wind, leaves and small twigs in constant motion, flags fully extended
Immersion-sight-scarred nose

Scene: E: Negative for Mendy Bleher: the Gratification of Information

I wake up. My head hurts. And I’m surprised to find Sir Piero lying in bed next to me. Surprised, but not terribly upset by the fact. I am lying there staring at him as he begins to stir. “That scar on your nose,” I ask, “how did you get that?”

“I’ve had that a long time,” he says, embarrassed, “I got thrown off my horse when I was a kid, hit the dirt face first and broke my nose. I still have that cut.”

I laugh and tease, “Next time, say an ogre hit you, but you gave worse than you got!”

Q: Does he want to ditch me? NO

He smiles and leans forward to kiss me, and I let him. “I need to return to the keep. Will you be here tonight?” he asks, eyes pleading.

I pretend to think it over, then I smile and say, “Yes! Yes! I will be here.” His eyes light up as brightly as mine as he dresses and heads out the door. I lay in bed a bit longer before getting ready for my day. I feel as though I could walk on air. And then I wonder where I could find a spell to allow me to do just that.

Then I try to stand up, and suddenly it feels as though I’ve been hit in the head with a mallet! It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten so drunk on wine, and after a few minutes trying to get ready, I end up crawling back into bed. After a bit, realize that I’m hungry, go out to the main room for some bread, and then return to my quarters for some quiet, and the darkness of my drawn shutters.

Q: Am I left alone? YES E: Positive for Mendy Bleher: a Fight over a Vehicle

After lunch, I finally make my way back to Ole Amber’s, and she looks up at me in surprise when I enter and begins gushing over me, “Why didn’t you tell me that you were Maser Telgast’s apprentice! Kellan told me all about it! Here, these are the books you are looking for, the old ruins, the first cities. And the Soulbinder’s Rod is mentioned in these passages here!” she points out excitedly. “And here is a passage about how the Soul Binder’s Rod was recovered by Heirocan the Argent, so…it’s not there anymore.” she says as the smile leaves her face.

“So, where was it taken?” I ask, poring over the passages she has shown me.

“Oh dear, oh dear,” she mutters, thumbing throgh pages and then pulling other books from the shelves,

(when 3d100 indicates 153 years ago, during the war between Ardeless and Evertree-Is Heirocan the Argent-Q: An elf? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Took it to Evertree? YES) (Mendy rolls 27 on history check)

Then I sit back down, finally recognizing the name Heirocan. “This is the same Heirocan who sits on the High Council of Evertree? The queen’s consort? The elven general who shattered our armies at Hellsrage?”

Ole Amber looks up at me, solemnly nodding her head.

“Well, the rod might as well be broken in half and split between Fate and Fortune! It’d be no less out of reach than in the treasure vaults of the elven queen!” I blurt out in dismay.

“Well, maybe there is something else here,” she suggests, puttering around her shop. “Wait! Here it is! As his forces returned home, his fleet was caught by ours and some Sea Fury mercenaries, and his flagship, along with much of his army’s plunder was sunk and lost off the coast of Evershin.”

I raise my eyebrow, “You mean that it is possible that the Soulbinder’s rod is at the bottom of the sea?”

“Yes, not that it helps much,” the old woman says despondantly.”

I grin, “For you it doesn’t but for me, well, i’m used to finding valuable objects lost beneath the waves! Thank you! Thank you so much!” I then start looking through her book trying to figure out exactly where the wreck might be. The closer I can get to it, the easier it will be to search. Unfortunately, I am unable to find any better clue other than “off the coast of Evershin”, but it’s something.

-city encounter-event-
As it grows late, I head to the marketplace, to pick up some travel supplies, as I plan to depart for the City of Wedale first thing in the morning. I carefully pick out some hard rined breads, some fresh and dried fruit, dried meats, nuts, hard cheese, and a little soft cheese for tomorrow. As I am walking back to the inn with my supplies, a passing wagon splashes me with the chamberpot filth that had pooled in a rut in the road.

Q: Is the food soiled? YES

The stench makes me want to retch as I see some of the excrement had splashed into the supply pouch. I dump everything into the street in disgust, mutter a cleaing spell, and head back to the market to restock yet again.

Scene (Positive Alteration):
I return to the Spirit and Stag for dinner, envigorated by the new plan, but dreading talking to Sir Piero, wondering if perhaps he’ll come with me? Oddly, a courier is waiting for me in the taproom.

Q: a gift? NO Q: a letter? YES E: Setback to ‘The keepers seek the books of seven seals’: An Increase of a Dispute

“Mendy of White Tower?” the messenger asks, “A letter from the capital.”

I accept the note and pay the messenger, and ask him to return in the morning. As I am about to open the letter, Sir Piero arrives. He notices the bag of provisions setting at my table and the letter in my hand, and asks, “Good evening milady, I take it you will be heading out for Agleff soon?”

“No, my…love? I will be travelling to Wedale. The weapon I seek was taken from Agleff during the elven war, “I say, biting my lip and wondering what his response will be.

Q: Does he offer to come with? Very Unlikely-YES

“So, to Wedale” Sir Piero asks, stroking his chin, “have you been there before? If not, perhaps I should join you and help guide you around the city. It can be a little rough for a stranger. Though I’ve no doubt you can handle yourself.”

“Really? Your liege will allow that?” I ask.

He shrugs his shoulders and notes that this isn’t wartime, “Perhaps I’ll find a greater chance at wealth and glory travelling with you than leading patrols around here. After all, you battle demons, while here, I look for bandits and occasionally hunt down goblin raiders.”

We enjoy dinner together, and then after an hour or so, he heads back to the keep to seek leave and pack his belongings.

Q: Is she doing well? YES Q: Is she engaged? NO Q: Does she offer a quest? YES Q: Prophetic? YES

As for me, I retire to my room and quickly open the letter. It is from Aleelill, after the pleasantries of asking my health and about my quest to Dryannor, she speaks of her own life and studies. Then she says that Roneulant’s oracle has predicted that a falling star will strike the Rotting Swamp on the 33rd day of Weeding. That the magic contained within the star contains the most powerful of magic. If captured and tamed, it can be forged into a weapon of tremendous power. But it lost, or allowed to fall into evil hands, it could cause great destruction.

I immediately begin scribing my reply, telling Aleelill of my adventures since our last correspondence, the fate of Mypione, and about my budding romance with Sir Piero, and of my intention to retrieve the star from the swamp, and of my desire to investigate the wreckage of the Argent as well. Once done, I seal the letter for the courier to take in the morning.

Weeding Marketday 29th-47 degrees, strong wind, leaves and small twigs in constant motion, flags fully extended

-Immersion, Social-Sidekick bite’s lip at NPC/Enemy
Scene (Negative Alteration):
I carefully pack my things, and head downstairs to meet Piero. I am eager to tell him of my change of plans, but apprensive he may change his as well. After all, it is one thing to serve as a guide to a bustling city, but another thing entirely to venture into a great swamp as a falling star decends upon it. But when I arrive downstairs, I see Piero flirting with Bella, the tavern girl. He’s told her some sort of joke, and he’s biting his lip as he watches her blush in amusement.

Q: Is there a back door? YES E: Positive for Rival Treasure Hunters: a Trick regarding Energy Q: Do I spot the courier on the street? NO
Q: Am I spotted in the alleyway? NO Q: Is the oourir inside? YES Q: Are Piero and Bella still flirting? NO Q: Does Piero seem to be waiting for me still? NO
Q: Is he watching her? YES E: Setback to ‘The black coven seeks the books of seven seals’: a Dispute over Victory

My heart sinks. I go back to my room, collect my things, leave the rest of my rent on the nightstand, and head out the back door towards the docks.

Then I remember the letter for Aleelill. With the courier nowhere in sight, I remember that I told him to meet me at the Spirit and Stag. Slipping in and out of an alleyway to change my appearance, donning my purple dress and taking on the appearance of an older, more matronly woman, but this time remembering to alter my vocal cords as well. I return to the tavern where the courier waits inside.

“Young man,” I say to the courier, “I need you to take this to the White Palace in Coravos, for Aleelill of Grossweal. I am one of her dearest friends.” I smile and hand him the payment. “No one else will send a letter to her from here today.”

Q: Does Piero notice the conversation? NO

The messenger nods, and heads out the door. Perhaps others have mail heading to the capital as well.

On my way to the docks, I let the spell fade away and my own form recover, but I don’t bother changing clothes again. I end up passing through a work gang of goblin slaves and hired men cleaning the streets while well dressed young children, sons and daughters of merchants no doubt, ridicule them for being covered in the filth that has been thrown down from the windows above. I ignore the scene as I start looking for a boat that will be setting off towards Wedale.

Q: Is there a boat (The Moonday Meal) loading up for Wedale? EXCEPTIONAL YES (generate cargo and captain) E: Negative for Black Coven of Drouvas: the Release of a Project (urban dressing, smell of fresh fish in the air)

I pass by rows of fishing boats, including a couple that had been working overnight and whose fresh catch is now being taken to market. It takes only a few minutes on the dock for me to find a barge being loaded up with bolts of cloth, and a variety of furs for the journey to Wedale. I quickly approach the captain, a thin red-haired man who looks only a few years older than me.

(Persuasion 18, DC should be 15, but this guy is kind of wary)

“Excuse me good sir, but is this your boat?” I ask the red haired man. He nods, and I continue, “Seeing as it looks like you are getting ready to leave, I wondered if you might take me to Wedale?”

The man looks me over, taking note of my clothing and the pack that I carry, and then asks, “Why are you going to Wedale, and why would you try to board a trade barge just as it is getting underway?”

I put on my best smile and reply, “I’ve just received word of a lucrative business opportunity along the coast, and wish to get there as fast as I can. I hoped your boat would be faster and less expensive than hiring a carriage, and easier on my legs than walking.”

“Judging from your dress, I’d say you aren’t really prepared to walk to Wedale, or even to sit comfortably on a boat like yours. You should find another means of travel,” he suggests dourly.

I pull a pouch with fifty crowns from my bag and place it in his hand. “I am in a hurry. I won’t get in your way. Just get me there, and you’ve made yourself some very easy money.”

Q: will he take me now? Sure Thing-YES

He weighs the coins in his hand, shrugs his shoulders, and says, “Welcome aboard…?”

“Mendy,” I smile, “Mendy of White Tower.”

Q: Does he know my name? YES Q: reneg on the deal? NO Q: nervous? NO

“Ah, that explains a few things,” the captain says.

Scene (Negative Alteration): Immersion Smell-Fish
A short time later, the crew is pushing off from the dock and poling down the river at a quick pace. The captain’s name is Dellas. He is a quiet, somber man. His crew seems inexperienced though.

I am watching the countryside pass by as we pass slowly down the river, when suddenly I hear Dellas yelling at his men. “Pay attention! Starboard, starboard!” Suddenly, there is a jolt, and I realize the boat has run aground.

I stand up, and take a look around, seeing mounds of mud jutting up from the water’s surface, dead fish on the banks, and I hear a splash as one of the men jumps into the water to see exactly how stuck we are. The stench is horrific.

I do see a village nearby, just a mile or so from the water’s edge.

(How stuck are we? 10 +d10=DC 17 to get unstuck)

“Everyone off the boat!” the Captain shouts. “We’ve got to get her loose.” He looks up at me, in my fine dress, and says, “You too! Sorry you may ruin you dress.”

“Just a minute,” I say, and I walk over to the far end of the boat to change clothes before joining them. With the captain, and I, plus his four men all wedging poles beneath the wagon to give it a mighty push…we succeed only in getting one of the poles stuck in the mud beneath the boat. Stepping back, I point out, “This is not what I paid for.” The captain glares at me. “Perhaps you can hire a team from that village to pull us free. Use the money I already gave you. Nothing lost if it works.” I suggest.

Q: can we hire help? very likely-NO Q: Are the villagers afraid? YES E: Positive for Keepers of the Veil: the Gratification of Peace

The man sent to the village to get us some help soon comes running back our way, “Get out of the river!” he yells. “Hurry!”

A couple of the men start wading to the shore, while Dellas, the fourth man and I kind of look at each other. “What’s wrong?” the Captain demands.

“The villagers say to leave the boat! There is something in the water here. Something that came with the drought and they won’t come anywhere near the shallows here.”

“Nonsense! Boats pass through here every day!” the Captain retorts.

“Boats that don’t run aground and get stuck,” the older boatman, who is now up on the riverbank says dourly to the kid standing next to him. The kid hangs his head in shame…apparently, it was his mistake that caused the problem.

“We can’t leave the boat and wait for it to rain. Get back down here all of you and help push!” the Captain insists.

(Intimidation 9, vs DC 12-some possible risk, but since thes are friendlies (+5), they obey their captain )

Reluctantly, the men on shore climb back down into the water. They are clearly very nervous, and I’m not quite sure the place is safe either. I send Corvo up in the air to take a look around while I also try to help dislodge the boat once more.

“It’s stuck! It’s not going anywhere sir!” says one of the men. The others grumble in agreement.

I grab my bag and walk over to the shore to eat lunch. The others soon join me on the riverbank. “Well Captain, I meant to get to Wedale faster. Not slower, so after lunch, I’ll be setting off on foot.”

Q: Does he offer a refund? Unlikely NO

He looks at me and shrugs his shoulders. “Suit yourself.”

There is some grumbling by the other men, when suddenly, there seems to be a ripple in the air near the barge, and we hear something large splashing through the water.

“What’s that?” one of the men asks as the reach for their poles and daggers.

Q: Are the men armed? EXCEPTIONAL NO

The captain, the only one wearing a blade, looks at his men. “You all left your weapons on the boat, I take it?” There is some nervous chuckling as the men look towards the sound.

Suddenly, something large bumps the boat, and nearly knocks is loose of the sandbar. Then a great froglike creature clambers abort the craft, causing the wooden frame to creak beneath its weight. It’s slimy red skin glistening in the sunlight as it looks us over. Licking its lips with its thick tongue, its eyes are hungry. The men nearest me stumble backwards and even the captain retreats as he draws his sword. “What is that?” Dellas mutters in fear.

(Arcane 13, Slaadi aren’t terribly well known, so)

“No idea,” I reply, “some sort of tyrant no doubt!”

Suddenly, the thing lunges forward and I hurl a bolt of flame at the creature. The flame seems to have almost no effect, and the creatures’ wounds are fully healed by the time it reaches one of the boatmen, who it rips in half with ease!

Q: Does everyone run? EXCEPTIONAL YES

“Save yourselves!” the older boatman yells, and he and the other others make a dash towards the village. For his part, Dellas lunges at the thing, hoping to buy his men time to escape, slashing quickly at the thing, and leaving broad cuts along its arms. I strike it with a sonic blast, hoping to discover whether my shatter spell might help, but it has the same lackluster effect that fire did, and the creature’s wounds begin to close on their own! Dellas fights bravely, slashing at the creature time and again, while I hurl a sphere of acid at it using as much power as I can muster, but the thing continues undetered, ripping and tearing at Dellas with supernatural speed! I hurl a globe of poisoned air towards its face, which seems to actually hurt the creature, but it is nearly too late! The creature knocks Dellas down into the water, nearly ripping his arm off with its massive claws! And then my final spell lays it down as well, as it gasps for breath, falling to its knees, then face first into the water, before vanishing as the air around it ripples once more.

I rush over to Dellas and pull him up out of the water. He is gasping for breath, but bleeding from dozens of tiny cuts. I feed him one of my healing draughts and watch as the wounds begin to close. Not entirely, but enough that they scab over and the bleeding stops. Leaving him on the mudbank, I check the other man. His neck was ripped open. He’s dead.

I carefully try to lift Dellas up onto the shore, but it’s hard to do given that he is a good deal larger than me. But I manage. I couldn’t have if he wore armor!

Then I run to the village for help.

Q: Are the villagers in hiding? YES

There is nobody to be seen! Some loose animals, but the people must have all taken shelter in their homes. The people that had been working in the fields are nowhere to be seen either. “Help!” I yell as i start heading towards the manor house. “I need a custodian! My friend is injured and I need a healer!”

(Persuasion 15 vs DC 15- Trivial risk) Q: Is the noble here in town? NO Q: recently died? NO

Slowly, people start to look out from behind drawn shutters, and I hear doors being unlatched. “We heard the creature came! You’re alive!” they mutter in astonishment. A sergeant steps out of the manor house, “how did you kill it? Its wounds close as fast as they can be made!”

I look at the sergeant, “Wound him faster. Besides, Dellas did most of the fighting, and now he is fighting for his life on the riverbank. I need couple of strong men and a cart to bring him back here to recover.”

The sergeant, another soldier, and the boatmen are soon coming with me leading a cart. We put Dellas in it, and then the dead man.

Q: Is there a custodian here? YES Q: High level? NO

An older woman wearing the robes of a custodian meets us and begins chanting her healing prayers causing the wounds to close even further.

“Our thanks to you and your friend here,” the sergeant says. I shake my head.

“I don’t know the man. Not really. He was just the boat captain, trying to buy his men a chance to escape. He’s a good man. Take care of him.” I say, turning to leave. “And get his boat off that sandbar and make sure nobody robs it. He doesn’t deserve to be robbed.

Then I turn and continue my journey along the river, having wasted enough time trying to take the easy way.

-(Dellas will die. A slaad tadpole has been left inside him. The custodiam in the shrine with him dies as well, but the newborn slaad will be destroyed by a village dog as it attempts to slither off towards the river)-

-evening encounter roll, something from wilderness dressing-Wow! This could play nicely into “something escaped from the Black Coven”-perhaps a mad prophet? https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/prophecy-descriptions.php

Scene (Positive Alteration):
As I walk through the woods, chimney smoke from the next village is visible up ahead, I see a wild looking man shambling towards me along the treeline, yelling something at me that I don’t quite understand. “It shall be then, when the sky is colored brightly at night, the lost one shall bring forth a reunion of enemies.”

“Stop where you are old man!” I yell, my hand resting on my dagger. “Who are you? Of what do you speak?”

“I speak of dreams! Of messages whispered in the night to one who has the ears to hear and the eyes to see!” the man shouts. He is thin. His face gaunt and his hair wild and unkempt. His clothing, those of a travelling merchant not unlike my own, are torn and ragged. “I speak of what is yet to come!”

“Who are you?” I repeat.

“Mendy of White Tower! You will know me as the Red Prophet!” the man cries out. “Do not think you defeated the tyrant of the river, or saved Dellas’ life. For your foe left a poison within him and he will die by midday tomorrow if you cannot persuade Lyra of Whitewood to go with you at once to save his life! And he will not be the only innocent to die if you fail,” he warns.

Q: Is there a senior custodian in the next village? EXCEPTIONAL YES

“Is that village Whitewood?” I ask. The wild man says that it is, and asks that I free him from his bonds. That is when I realize his legs are shackled together.

I walk over to him, and kneel down while he sits and stretches out his legs. As I begin trying to pick the lock with my knife, he continues talking. I learn that he just escaped a group of men travelling towards the Rotting Swamp in search of a falling star. His words make my blood run cold. He says they are worshippers of Drouzal, and had taken him with them in the hope he could show them where the star might land, but that he had escaped them in the night when the guards had all gotten drunk and their masters were asleep. He’d had a vision that he was to help me, lest I become lost in the swamp.

Unable to make any headway with my knife, I conjure up some acid that burns away the chains between the cuffs, though he still wears them. “Let us make haste to the village,” I say, “I cannot let Dellas die!”

The old man grins at me, and says, “The Green chose its weapon well!”

“I am no one’s weapon. Not the Viper’s. Not the Green’s.” I say sternly, fire in my eyes.

The old man laughs and rises to his feet. “You are a weapon. One that should choose its wielder before you are turned against that which you hold dear,” he admonishes.

His words shake me, but I turn and head towards the village…my pace growing quicker with each step as I hear the man following close behind.

Scene (Negative Alteration):
I quickly reach the village of Whitewood seeking the custodian, but when I bang on the door to the village shrine, the farmer living next door calls out that she is away. “Nobody has seen her in four days. Nobody knows where she went. She simply packed her bags and left without telling anyone where or why.”

I look at the prophet. “You said Lyra could save him, but she isn’t here.”

Q: Does he know where to find her? likely YES

“You chose to lead. You did not ask where to go,” he replies in a low, even tone. “The blade does not choose it’s course, the one who wields the weapon does. Are you ready to be led?”

I have the sudden fear that I am being misled, but there is a chance this man speaks the truth. I sense no deceit, so I throw caution to the wind, and say, “Take me to her, and perhaps we’ll make it in time”.

(Insight 17, and he is actually telling the truth)

The Red Prophet leads me back into the forest, and eventually we come to an old shrine of ancient standing stones. At one end, there is a stone that has been carved into the shape of a circle, and arcane runes are visible, carved along its face. There is a small tent next to the circle, and a large dog next to the tent suddenly hops to its feet and begins growling at our approach.

“Lyra of Whitewood!” I call out past the dog. “We need your help!”

A middle aged woman crawls out from the tent, pulling her white custodial robes over her shoulders as she steps into the moonlight. “Why have you come here?”

“A man is dying in Mud Swallow. Infected by some wrym planted inside him by a demon,” I gesture towards the prophet, “this man says you are the only one who can save him, but only if you heal him before noon tomorrow.”

Q: Did the prophet disappear? NO

“People die all of the time,” the custodian says despondently, “Why should I save this man?”

“Because you can,” I say. That should be sufficient reason in my mind, but apparently, it is not to hers.

“No,” she says, “I am waiting here. A great danger is coming, and I must be here to face it.”

“A danger? Then why are there no soldiers here to support you? What can you strike down that cold steel cannot?” I demand.

“Oh, steel is to no avail. But if I am here, I can close the gateway that might let the danger through, so I must stand vigil here. Nobody else can. For if the enemy can step through, then many will die, so if your friend perishes, know that it is in order that others might live,” the custodian warns.

I look at the portal. “I will stand watch here. I will close the gateway when it opens. And if I cannot, I have the power to banish whatever foe comes through, ” I lie, “Go save Delas. I will be here at your post when you return.”

(Deception 12, crap!)

She shakes her head. “You cannot banish this sort of foe. She looks sadly towards the ring of stone.”

“Well, maybe not, but I can stand and fight, I am the weapon chosen by the Great Green, to tame the danger of a falling star. If I am to be of use to the Green, then the Green will not let me fail here,” I say with solid resolve.

(Persuasion 16 on the reroll, using my last luck point of the day, after using one in the fight, and one on the lockpicking attempt)

She looks me up and down, and then nods. “I will return tomorrow. May the ancestors protect you. Or may you draw strength from the Green.”

The custodian gathers her things, and she and her dog begin walking deeper into the woods heading towards Mud Swallow.

“So you have accepted your destiny?” the Red Prophet asks, a broken toothed grin on his face. I glare at him.

I lay down some warning runes to alert me to anything’s approach, and then I begin studying the ancient runes.

Q: are the runes elvish? NO Q: draconic NO Q: primal EXCEPTIONAL YES

As the night wears on, the Red Prophet and I sit by a fire he helps me kindle. We share some of my food, and he eats ravenously, nearly two day’s worth of food at once!

“The problem with dreams,” he suddenly says, “is that when they reveal something to me. I don’t know whether to warn people or not. If I foretell something good, my words are forgotten when the event takes place. But if I warn of something ill, and it comes true, then I am to blame. Yet, we do not choose our gifts. We are but mortal weapons employed by powers beyond our ken. And we cannot forsake that roll!”

I listen in silence. Uncomfortable with that thought. Then the air around the circle begins to ripple and bend, as happened when the red frog appeared in the river.
I stand up and face the ring, begin my enchantment to unravel the weave in this area, and disrupt whatever magic would otherwise take form.

(Dispel Magic, I roll a 21, high enough to crush even a 9th level spell, so whatever Gate is opening is shut down with authority!)

The air seems to bend as I see a large shadow looming beyond it. Some great beast with fangs longer than my leg and a great green eye, slitted like that of a cat or serpent. It tries to push through, but then the weave is torn asunder by my words, and the air returns to normal. Nothing has changed.

I sit back down by the fire. The Red Prophet across from me. “Well, that was surprisingly simple,” he says.

I nod, “The Green has chosen its weapon well.”