Chapter 17 [Delivering the Relic]

[reefwood]

Delivering the Relic

A couple things need to be figured out before we begin this session:

1) What time do Sahme and Paulson wake up? Rabbit can select any time, and below is info related to staying awake. It lists how long everyone can stay awake without penalty, when the penalties kick in, when you pass out, and the current time for the rest of the squad. Also, creatures can begin resting again 12 hrs after their previous rest ended, and Sahme's ring of sustenance is now working, so he only needs 2 hrs to rest.

Brion (Con +3): 19 hr awake, 4 hr tired, 4 hr drowsy = 27 hr unconscious
(woke @ 6:00am / tired @ 1:00am / drowsy @ 5:00am / unconscious @ 9:00am)
- Hunter (Con +1): 17 hr awake, 2 hr tired, 2 hr drowsy = 21 hr unconscious
(woke @ 8:45am / tired @ 1:45am tired / drowsy @ 3:45am drowsy / unconscious @ 5:45am)
- Duncan (Con +2): 18 hr awake, 3 hr tired, 3 hr drowsy = 24 hr unconscious
(woke @ 8:45am / tired @ 2:45am tired / drowsy @ 5:45am / unconscious @ 8:45am)

Sahme (Con +2): 18 hr awake, 3 hr tired, 3 hr drowsy = 24 hr unconscious
- Paulson (Con +1): 17 hr awake, 2 hr tired, 2 hr drowsy = 21 hr unconscious

Nim (Con +2): 18 hr awake, 3 hr tired, 3 hr drowsy = 24 hr unconscious
(woke @ 5:30am / tired @ 11:30pm / drowsy @ 2:30am / unconscious @ 5:30am)
-Bodyguard (Con +4): 20 hr awake, 5 hr tired, 5 hr drowsy = 30 hr unconscious
(woke @ 8:00am / tired @ 4:00am / drowsy @ 9:0am / unconscious @ 2:00pm)
-Ghoul: n/a
-Skeletons: n/a

Miners (Con +2): 18 hr awake, 3 hr tired, 3 hr drowsy = 24 hr unconscious
(woke @ 6:00am / tired @ 12:00am / drowsy @ 3:00am / unconscious @ 6:00am)


2) What, if anything, will the squad do during Time Off? This time begins on Day 62 at 2:30pm and ends at 7:30pm. There actually isn't much you can do, as per the house rules, but there are a few options (or some combination thereof):

• Hang out at the camp.
  
• Starting marching toward New Briar. Orthur has marched 5 out of 8 hrs today, and Brion has marched 2 out of 8 hrs. Once you hit 8 hrs, it becomes a Forced March. New Briar is 20 miles away, and walking through the swamp is at half-speed, so the dwarves move at 1 mi/hr. The march into the swamp was broken up into two 10-hr days.
  
• Rest. At least those who woke up earlier can start their rest. Though, no one can prep spells again until midnight (arcane) or their designated time (dawn for the current divine spellcasters).

It sounds like the current plan is to wait until everyone has prepped new spells (which would be 7am on Day 63), and then, use teleport magic to transport some members for the expedition and/or squad to New Briar, and finally, ride flying mounts and windwalk the others.

And feel free to brainstorm all you want. I tried to present the obvious options, but you can get the relic and miners back to New Briar in any way that you want.

[michael]

Is Nim casting Detect Magic and doing spellcraft checks on our 3 spoils (and the relic) something we can do during the time off?

[reefwood]

Apr 13, 2011 16:02:06 GMT -5 michael said:

Is Nim casting Detect Magic and doing spellcraft checks on our 3 spoils (and the relic) something we can do during the time off?

The mission ended with no one living wanting to touch these items. You can detect magic at a distance to attempt to identify the aura of a magic item, but you have to hold the item to attempt to identify its actual properties.

Also, Nim is still in the process of leveling up and shuffling around skill ranks and building his cohort, and I want to hold off on doing anything (aside from what is listed above) until all this is complete, so it will be easier to just wait until the session.

Although, Sahme could give it a shot because his stats are not changing, but seeing as there is hesitation to touching these items, I want to say this is done at the very end of Time Off if you attempt to identify the properties of the items, so that online stuff can end at that point and any ramifications can be dealt with at the table, so you still have to figure out what to do, if anything, during Time Off first. Or if he just wants to attempt to identify the aura, he could do that right now.

As for the items themselves, you can do what you wish with the axe, armor, and shield, but anything with the relic will have to be taken up with Orthur during the session.

[michael]

Well let's get the auras of the items right away, and go from there.

[reefwood]

Apr 13, 2011 19:09:17 GMT -5 michael said:

Well let's get the auras of the items right away, and go from there.

You got it! I've got Sahme listed as having Spellcraft +15.

Mithral Dwarven Waraxe (Spellcraft 8 +15 = 23)
2 moderate auras: transmutation and conjuration

Black Dragonscale Half-plate (Spellcraft 3 +15 = 18)
2 faint auras: both are abjuration

Heavy Mithral Shield (Spellcraft 6 +15 = 21)
1 strong aura: could not determine school

[michael]

Ok. It's up to Nim if he wants to touch them to identify them, but I think he should try it. There's only a small chance that touching them would curse him, plus I'm getting a wand of Break Enchantment from my rewards package, and some potions of Lesser Restoration. If someone does get cursed, those two things plus the stuff we already have should be able to take care of most problems that might arise.

How does it work when you use detect magic on magic weapons and armor? All of them need to be +1 before they can have another type of enhancement added on to them. If only 1 aura is detected, does that mean that it would have to be a +X weapon with no other enhancements? (Assuming it isn't a cursed items or artifact, at least.)

So if you fail a spellcraft check while using Detect Magic to identify properties of a magic item, you can't try again until you have more ranks in spellcraft. The +10 bonus from casting Identify would count as having more ranks in spellcraft, right?

[reefwood]

Apr 13, 2011 20:20:07 GMT -5 michael said:

Ok. It's up to Nim if he wants to touch them to identify them, but I think he should try it. There's only a small chance that touching them would curse him, plus I'm getting a wand of Break Enchantment from my rewards package, and some potions of Lesser Restoration. If someone does get cursed, those two things plus the stuff we already have should be able to take care of most problems that might arise.

How does it work when you use detect magic on magic weapons and armor? All of them need to be +1 before they can have another type of enhancement added on to them. If only 1 aura is detected, does that mean that it would have to be a +X weapon with no other enhancements? (Assuming it isn't a cursed items or artifact, at least.)

So if you fail a spellcraft check while using Detect Magic to identify properties of a magic item, you can't try again until you have more ranks in spellcraft. The +10 bonus from casting Identify would count as having more ranks in spellcraft, right?

Make a Knowledge (arcana) check.

EDIT: Spellcraft roll can be made 1/day to identify the properties of a magic item. The identify spell adds a bonus to the Spellcraft modifier but does not increase ranks. Skill ranks are what you receive when you level up, and I don't think there is any way to change your skill ranks except for specific situations, like the bonus skill ranks linked to a headband of vast intelligence, or losing a level (which would lower skill ranks).

[michael]

Apr 13, 2011 21:01:15 GMT -5 reefwood said:

Apr 13, 2011 20:20:07 GMT -5 michael said:

Ok. It's up to Nim if he wants to touch them to identify them, but I think he should try it. There's only a small chance that touching them would curse him, plus I'm getting a wand of Break Enchantment from my rewards package, and some potions of Lesser Restoration. If someone does get cursed, those two things plus the stuff we already have should be able to take care of most problems that might arise.

How does it work when you use detect magic on magic weapons and armor? All of them need to be +1 before they can have another type of enhancement added on to them. If only 1 aura is detected, does that mean that it would have to be a +X weapon with no other enhancements? (Assuming it isn't a cursed items or artifact, at least.)

So if you fail a spellcraft check while using Detect Magic to identify properties of a magic item, you can't try again until you have more ranks in spellcraft. The +10 bonus from casting Identify would count as having more ranks in spellcraft, right?

Make a Knowledge (arcana) check.

EDIT: Spellcraft roll can be made 1/day to identify the properties of a magic item. The identify spell adds a bonus to the Spellcraft modifier but does not increase ranks. Skill ranks are what you receive when you level up, and I don't think there is any way to change your skill ranks except for specific situations, like the bonus skill ranks linked to a headband of vast intelligence, or losing a level (which would lower skill ranks).

Woo! Natural 20! So that's a 24 Knowledge Arcana check. Or, to put it in perspective, still probably lower than Nimarius would get on a natural 1.

[reefwood]

Apr 14, 2011 1:02:01 GMT -5 michael said:

Apr 13, 2011 21:01:15 GMT -5 reefwood said:

Ok. It's up to Nim if he wants to touch them to identify them, but I think he should try it. There's only a small chance that touching them would curse him, plus I'm getting a wand of Break Enchantment from my rewards package, and some potions of Lesser Restoration. If someone does get cursed, those two things plus the stuff we already have should be able to take care of most problems that might arise.

How does it work when you use detect magic on magic weapons and armor? All of them need to be +1 before they can have another type of enhancement added on to them. If only 1 aura is detected, does that mean that it would have to be a +X weapon with no other enhancements? (Assuming it isn't a cursed items or artifact, at least.)

So if you fail a spellcraft check while using Detect Magic to identify properties of a magic item, you can't try again until you have more ranks in spellcraft. The +10 bonus from casting Identify would count as having more ranks in spellcraft, right

Make a Knowledge (arcana) check.

Woo! Natural 20! So that's a 24 Knowledge Arcana check. Or, to put it in perspective, still probably lower than Nimarius would get on a natural 1.

Woo! And I was going to say that you cannot do better than 10 with an untrained skill check (unless you have access to an extensive library), which is good enough for basic knowledge, but I see now that Brion is trained in this skill...so yes, woo indeed!

A weapon or suit of armor with a special ability must also have at least a +1 enhancement bonus, so it is generally safe to assume that a weapon or armor with a magic aura has at least +1 enhancement bonus. Although, stronger magic auras can hide weaker auras, so detecting one aura does not necessarily mean that there is only one aura. Also, the spell magic aura can alter or hide magic auras, but this spell only lasts 1 day/level, so this would be an unlikely cause unless it was cast recently, and the spell identify can be used to see through false auras with a Will save.

[reefwood]

Pre-Game

A few more things to remember from last time...

Con Damage: Damage to Constitution score causes penalties on Fortitude saving throws. In addition, multiply your total Hit Dice by this penalty and subtract that amount from your current and total hit points. Lost hit points are restored when the damage to your Constitution is healed.

• Brion: 1 pt Con damage (no penalty)
  
• Nimarius: 2 pt Con damage (-1 penalty)
  
• Orthur: 2 pt Con damage (-1 penalty)
  
• Barbazu: 2 pt Con damage (-1 penalty)

Remaining Spells (expire @ 8:25pm)

• Heroes' Feast on Brion, Nim, Ghoul, Barbazu, Orthur
  
• Wind Walk on Brion, Nim, Ghoul, Barbazu, Orthur
  
• Delay Poison on Brion, Nim, Orthur

Marching

• Orthur has marched 5 hours
  
• Brion has marched 2 hours
  
• Nim has not marched
  
• Ghoul and skeletons do not suffer fatigue and can march indefinitely

Apr 13, 2011 15:50:38 GMT -5 reefwood said:

1) What time do Sahme and Paulson wake up? Rabbit can select any time, and below is info related to staying awake. It lists how long everyone can stay awake without penalty, when the penalties kick in, when you pass out, and the current time for the rest of the squad. Also, creatures can begin resting again 12 hrs after their previous rest ended, and Sahme's ring of sustenance is now working, so he only needs 2 hrs to rest.

Brion (Con +3): 19 hr awake, 4 hr tired, 4 hr drowsy = 27 hr unconscious
(woke @ 6:00am / tired @ 1:00am / drowsy @ 5:00am / unconscious @ 9:00am)
- Hunter (Con +1): 17 hr awake, 2 hr tired, 2 hr drowsy = 21 hr unconscious
(woke @ 8:45am / tired @ 1:45am tired / drowsy @ 3:45am drowsy / unconscious @ 5:45am)
- Duncan (Con +2): 18 hr awake, 3 hr tired, 3 hr drowsy = 24 hr unconscious
(woke @ 8:45am / tired @ 2:45am tired / drowsy @ 5:45am / unconscious @ 8:45am)

Sahme (Con +2): 18 hr awake, 3 hr tired, 3 hr drowsy = 24 hr unconscious
- Paulson (Con +1): 17 hr awake, 2 hr tired, 2 hr drowsy = 21 hr unconscious

Nim (Con +2): 18 hr awake, 3 hr tired, 3 hr drowsy = 24 hr unconscious
(woke @ 5:30am / tired @ 11:30pm / drowsy @ 2:30am / unconscious @ 5:30am)
-Bodyguard (Con +4): 20 hr awake, 5 hr tired, 5 hr drowsy = 30 hr unconscious
(woke @ 8:00am / tired @ 4:00am / drowsy @ 9:0am / unconscious @ 2:00pm)
-Ghoul: n/a
-Skeletons: n/a

Miners (Con +2): 18 hr awake, 3 hr tired, 3 hr drowsy = 24 hr unconscious
(woke @ 6:00am / tired @ 12:00am / drowsy @ 3:00am / unconscious @ 6:00am)


2) What, if anything, will the squad do during Time Off? This time begins on Day 62 at 2:30pm and ends at 7:30pm. There actually isn't much you can do, as per the house rules, but there are a few options (or some combination thereof):

• Hang out at the camp.
  
• Starting marching toward New Briar. Orthur has marched 5 out of 8 hrs today, and Brion has marched 2 out of 8 hrs. Once you hit 8 hrs, it becomes a Forced March. New Briar is 20 miles away, and walking through the swamp is at half-speed, so the dwarves move at 1 mi/hr. The march into the swamp was broken up into two 10-hr days.
  
• Rest. At least those who woke up earlier can start their rest. Though, no one can prep spells again until midnight (arcane) or their designated time (dawn for the current divine spellcasters).

[reefwood]

Recap

Day 62

2:30pm – The evergrowing squad decides to split up in order to attract less attention from the swamp denizens encroaching into the dracolisk territory. Nimarius, his bodyguard, and the undead horde escort the 10 dwarven miners north out of the swamp. The route will not take them much closer to New Briar, but it leads to the nearest edge of the swamp. The large group will hopefully draw attention away from Orthur and the rest of the squad as well as get the miners out of the swamp by nightfall. Then, Nimarius will rest and teleport this group to Nemedoran compound outside New Briar.

5:00pm – Sahme and Garm hear the sound of a rushing river which turns out to be an acid flow filling the tunnels below the surface.

7:00pm – As the sun begins to set low in the west, a line of storm clouds can be seen approaching behind it.

7:30pm – Sahme attempts to identify the dwarven mithral waraxe, black dragonscale half-plate, and heavy mithral shield. The axe is determined to be a +1 dragonbane keen mithral dwarven waraxe, and the half-plate is a +1 acid resistance black dragonscale half-plate. The shield is also magic but its properties could not be determined.

7:35pm – Sahme and Garm spot movement behind a line of hedgerows. Garm loses sight of the creature, but Sahme notices that it seems to sink into the ground. The squad prepares for battle, but there is no further sign of the creature. Upon closer inspection, Sahme notes that there is no sign of digging or disturbed earth where the creature went down.

Garm and Paulson proceed to strip branches from nearby trees to create makeshift wooden sleeping pads. After 10 minutes, they have enough for 2 people, but it takes just as much time to strip one-quarter that amount off the next tree.

As darkness falls, Garm casts continual flame on numerous little branches and sets them up as torches around the camp.

8:00pm - Garm goes off alone to finish collecting wood for a third sleeping pad. Before he finishes the task, Paulson spots movement behind another tree. He calls out, Garm teleports beside him, and the creature steps out from behind the tree. It is bigger than a horse with a trio of closed leathery flaps atop its head and a large eye at the base of each flap. It also has three arms and three legs and is adorned with jewelry as well as a fine shovel and large pouch dangling by a ropes off seperate arms and a wand held in its third claw. The flaps open up to reveal rows of sharp teeth as it speaks a langauge foreign to all, but Garm is able to understand, translate, and respond to the creature. After some bartering, the creature accepts mithral items in exchange for the squad having taken advantage of its prior work to clear out the tunnels. It devours one mithral chainshirt immediately and grabs the other two items in its free hands. Brion asks for its name, and it calls itself “the eye that watches the maw” and sinks seamlessly into the earth.

8:30pm – After Garm finishes collecting wood, the officers, Orthur, and Duncan lay down to rest while Garm and the rangers keep watch. Also, drizzle begins to fall.

10:30pm – Sahme wakes up, and the rangers lay down. By now, the rainfall has been coming down heavy for over an hour and turned the already damp swamp dirt into thick mud.

Day 63

12:30pm – The camp is attacked by creatures with lion-like bodies, leathery wings, and humanoid faces. They were encountered when marching into the swamp a few days ago and are once again successfully driven off.

1:00am – The rain lets up, but the cloud cover remains. Preventing moon or starlight from reaching the ground, but the camp is still well lit by the continual flames around it.

2:00am – Several black dragons ambush the camp using hit and run tactics with their breath weapons. Brion and Garm hold their ground at first, but eventually retreat into a tent with Hunter and Duncan. Meanwhile, Sahme lights up with night with several fireballs while Paulson goes back and forth between letting loose arrows and taking cover. As the first group of dragons flee, a pair of larger black dragons descend from the night sky to press the assault. Sahme goes toe-to-toe with the first while Brion attempts to negotiate with the other. In the end, the latter has its head split open by Garm, and the former retreats from Sahme's own fiery breath. Somewhat shockingly, no Nemedoran lives are lost.

6:00am – Brion prepares spells for the day.

7:00 – Brion casts windwalk on himself, Sahme, Duncan, Hunter, Paulson, Garm, and Orthur, and the group soars over the swamp toward New Briar.

7:20am – Orthur leads the group to the entrance of New Briar's the inner sanctum. The dwarven guard is initally startled by the sudden arrival of the misty group, but a few words from Orthur alleves their concern.

7:30am – The new Archcleric and his escort arrive at the entrance. Orthur goes down to one knee and hands the relic to the Archcleric who thanks the group for their service to New Briar. Garm detects no evil from the relic but does detect a faint evil aura from the Archcleric.

---

Mission Score

Earth Creature = 15 pt
Fast Encounter = 10 pt
Black Dragons = 50 pt
Expedition Leader = 5 pt
Relic = 50 pt

TOTAL = 130 pt for a Superb rating (5 AP)

Sahme can level up to 12th-level with 7 8 AP that count toward rewards (100% 125%). Brion can level up to 14th-level with 5 AP that count towards rewards (75%). Garm uses this equation to determine AP:

Brion Lvl 14 divided by Garm Lvl 11 times 5 AP = 5.9 AP - > 5 AP

If Brion levels up, Garm can use 4 AP to level up to 12th-level and have 1 AP leftover. However, if Brion does not level up, Garm cannot level up because he is already 2 levels below the leader, so his AP total drops to 1 less than he needs to level up, which is only 3 AP, and then, he will just need 1 AP to level to 12th-level next time.

---

Spoils

Relics:

• +1 dragonbane keen mithral dwarven waraxe (4 lb; 20,330 gp value)
  +1 to hit and 1d10+1 damage vs most creatures (19-20 critical threat range)
  +3 to hit and 1d10+3+2d6 damage vs dragons (19-20 critical threat range)
  
• +1 acid resistance black dragonscale half-plate (50 lb; 20,500 gp value)
  +9 armor bonus to AC, Max Dex +0, ACP -6
  resist acid 10
  
• +1 spell resistance heavy mithral shield w/ protection from evil 1/day (7.5 lb; 20,280 gp value)
  SR 15
  protection from evil 1/day with a command word (lasts 1 min)

Black Dragon:

• Ring of protection +2
  (+2 deflection to AC)
  
• Ring of force
  (This band negates any force spell or spell-like ability targeted at the wearer. Doing so gives the ring a number of charges equal to the spell level of the incoming force effect. The ring can hold a maximum of nine charges. If an incoming force attack would charge the ring beyond this limit, the ring does not negate the attack or gain charges, and the attack affects the wearer normally. On command, the wearer can use the ring's charges to cast magic missile, unleashing one missile (1d4+1 force damage) per charge but no more than five missiles per round.)
  
• Amulet of corrosive fists
  (CL 10: +1d6 acid damage to natural weapons and unarmed strikes; 5,000 gp value)
  
• Belt of physical might (1 lb)
  (+1 Str, +1 Con)
  
• Wand of confusion (0.1 lb)
  (CL 7: Will DC 16, 170 ft, 7 rounds; 10 charges)
  
• Potion of cure serious wounds (0.1 lb)
  (CL 10: 3d8+10)
  
• Potion of cure serious wounds (0.1 lb)
  (CL 5: 3d8+5)
  
• Potion of cure moderate wounds (0.1 lb)
  (CL 3: 2d8+3)

---

Income

Days 62 - 63 = 2 days

Most of Day 62 occurred with Brion and Nim at their previous levels, so they will receive that day's income based on the lower level.

Brion:
{[Level 12 x10] + Profession (military) modifier = daily wage in gp} x1 day (Day 62)
{[Level 13 x10] + Profession (military) modifier = daily wage in gp} x1 day (Day 63)

Sahme:
{[Level 11 x10] + Profession (military) modifier = daily wage in gp} x2 days

Nimarius:
{[Level 13 x10] + Profession (military) modifier = daily wage in gp} x1 day (Day 62)
{[Level 14 x10] + Profession (military) modifier = daily wage in gp} x1 day (Day 63)

---

Time Off

5 AP = 5 days x2 for long break = 10 days (Days 64-73)

All the living creatures and intelligent undead receive 10 nights of healing. Also, the Con damage from last time will heal.

This would also be a good time to add/upgrade expensive enchantments to items. We will be switching to a new CL system for crafting, creation, and upgrades. CL will now determine total caster levels, so a CL 14 can provide one CL 14 or two CL 7's or fourteen CL 1's or anything in between. CL 1-10 can do +1,000 gp magic enchantment per day, and CL 11+ can do +2,000 gp per day. A caster can only work on one item per day, but once an item is complete, he can start on another item (if time allows).

Nim will have enough time to finish researching his spell if he has enough materials for it, and the rolls can be handled online.

---

Promotions

Command Sergeant Major Shaw is promoted to Warrant Officer Second Lieutenant.

First Sergeant Sweetwater is promoted to Sergeant Major.

---

Misc

Brion:
Brion's “great renown” for Leadership increases to +4. If he levels up, I believe his score for followers will be:
14 Level +3 Cha +4 renown +1 fairness/gen -2 failure = 20 (fifty 1st / five 2nd / three 3rd / two 4th / one 5th)

This provides a total of 15 follower levels, which means Brion would need to bring 15 levels -3 Cha mod = 12 follower levels on missions before the next level up to avoid the -1 “Leaves behind a lot” penalty.

Duncan's +1 darkwood tower shield took 27 pts of damage from a black dragon. Darkwood has 10 hp per inch of thickness and hardness 5, which is the same as regular wood. A tower shield has 20 hp and hardness 5. The +1 enhancement bonus adds +10 hp and +2 hardness for a total of 30 hp and hardness 7, so the 27 pts of damage was only 20 pts...which leaves the shield with 10/30 hp and the broken condition (half AC bonus, double ACP penalty). I will also add that a broken tower shield cannot provide total concealment but can provide cover (+4 AC, +2 Reflex), so you can now be targeted, but it is still difficult to hit.

Also, let me know what your ideas are for building a base. How? Where? With what? Etc?

Nimarius:
The command undead spells will expire during Time Off. As in the past, these spells can be recast as soon as they expire.

Day 66
Giant Ghoul (command undead spell @ 6:00am for 14 days)
B.S. Nightmares #1 - #4 (command undead spell @ 6:45am for 14 days)
B.S. Erinyes #1 (command undead spell @ 7:30am for 14 days)

Day 67
B.S. Erinyes #2 (command undead spell on Day 55 @ 5:40pm for 14 days)

---

Next Chapter

You have completed the “relic” mini-arc of this campaign, which was also the “various types of black dragons” arc Good job making it through without losing anyone! I figured at least one or two NPCs would have been lost in each of these three chapters.

I have several ideas but no definite direction for the next one, and let me know if there are things you prefer to do or not do.

The next chapter will begin on Day 74.

[michael]

Next Chapter

You have completed the “relic” mini-arc of this campaign, which was also the “various types of black dragons” arc Good job making it through without losing anyone! I figured at least one or two NPCs would have been lost in each of these three chapters.

It was a really fun arc! All of the missions seemed like they could easily go south, and we just barely squeaked by a couple of encounters, yet we managed to accomplish everything without losing anyone. As far as the combat side of the game goes, that's my ideal D&D experience.

Command Sergeant Major Shaw is promoted to Warrant Officer.

Warrant Officers are usually outside the normal chain of command. They become officers by receiving a special warrant, (as opposed to a commission, which is what all of our characters would have) and would usually be a promotion track for specialists, I think.

Spoils
* magic heavy mithral shield (7.5 lb; ?? value)
* Magic Necklace
()
* Magic Wand (0.1 lb)
()
* Magic Vial #1 (0.1 lb)
()

Nim was teleporting back with the dwarfs on the same day we returned with the relic, right? Would he get a chance to identify these then?

We also have 10 days off to get them identified. That's 10 rolls from our army identifier. Is attempting to identify magic items something you'll allow Nim and Sahme to do during time off, or no?

Also, let me know what your ideas are for building a base. How? Where? With what? Etc?

I'd do a Gather Information check with the main army looking for buildings in Verdas left vacant after the siege that Brion could use. It's standard procedure for an army to turn existing buildings into their bases of operation when they're occupying a city, so my first idea is to do just that for my squad.

If that fails, I'd make another check looking for land where a base could be constructed. Just a small spot somewhere along the inner wall of Verdas would be ideal, but I'd settle for something nearby outside the walls as well, just so long as its still close enough to have the protection of the main army. Something on stone or bedrock is preferable. (And probably easier to find, as it's not a spot people would normally build or farm on.)

As far as building it, most of the basic structure could be done with Wall of Stone and Stone Shape. The rest of the work could be done by the followers themselves. Maybe I could even hire someone to oversee the work (make the craft check) so that construction goes smoothly.

[reefwood]

Apr 19, 2011 17:06:05 GMT -5 michael said:

Next Chapter

You have completed the “relic” mini-arc of this campaign, which was also the “various types of black dragons” arc Good job making it through without losing anyone! I figured at least one or two NPCs would have been lost in each of these three chapters.

It was a really fun arc! All of the missions seemed like they could easily go south, and we just barely squeaked by a couple of encounters, yet we managed to accomplish everything without losing anyone. As far as the combat side of the game goes, that's my ideal D&D experience.

Sweet...cos that is ideally how most of the major combats should go. Close enough that one more hit here or spell there can lead to victory or disaster. Either that, or there is some trick or strategy that needs to be figured out which ultimately makes the difference, such as electing to pay off the "Eye that Watches the Maw". And that one was kind of interesting to set up because it never attacked you in the previous chapter, and 10,000 gp sounds like a lot, but at your level, it's just a fraction of what you get from a reward package.

Apr 19, 2011 17:06:05 GMT -5 michael said:

Warrant Officers are usually outside the normal chain of command. They become officers by receiving a special warrant, (as opposed to a commission, which is what all of our characters would have) and would usually be a promotion track for specialists, I think.

That sounds good to me, so make Brion a Second Lieutenant instead. Maybe Specialist Ni will become a Warrant Officer, and I should probably promote your Captain and older brother too since they've had their current ranks for a long while now.

Apr 19, 2011 17:06:05 GMT -5 michael said:

Nim was teleporting back with the dwarfs on the same day we returned with the relic, right? Would he get a chance to identify these then?

We also have 10 days off to get them identified. That's 10 rolls from our army identifier. Is attempting to identify magic items something you'll allow Nim and Sahme to do during time off, or no?

Time Off is kind of a funny nebulous time that I am trying to reign. It's good for a few things but should not be considered general time for whatever. Although, there are certain exceptions, and more likely for one-time things.

Anyway, Nim wasn't around for this one, so he cannot do anything with these items until the next chapter. But I will figure out something for the adept, and 1/day is what the rules say, so it will probably be figure out unless an item is behind his ability.

Apr 19, 2011 17:06:05 GMT -5 michael said:

Also, let me know what your ideas are for building a base. How? Where? With what? Etc?

I'd do a Gather Information check with the main army looking for buildings in Verdas left vacant after the siege that Brion could use. It's standard procedure for an army to turn existing buildings into their bases of operation when they're occupying a city, so my first idea is to do just that for my squad.

If that fails, I'd make another check looking for land where a base could be constructed. Just a small spot somewhere along the inner wall of Verdas would be ideal, but I'd settle for something nearby outside the walls as well, just so long as its still close enough to have the protection of the main army. Something on stone or bedrock is preferable. (And probably easier to find, as it's not a spot people would normally build or farm on.)

As far as building it, most of the basic structure could be done with Wall of Stone and Stone Shape. The rest of the work could be done by the followers themselves. Maybe I could even hire someone to oversee the work (make the craft check) so that construction goes smoothly.

I can work with this. It will probably be a Diplomacy check to get a spot in Verdas, and this will be without the Touch of Glory because it would be poor form to use special abilities on other officers. Especially since I don't have these "unknown" NPCs statted out, so they don't get a chance to use special abilities or items to counter it.

Also, the army will not always be in Verdas as they are not going to be a permanent occupying force. Just a transitional force, but some will always remain, and as far as the campaign timeline goes, there will at least be a sizable Nemedoran force or other reinforcements present.

And if Brion levels up, it looks like a CL 14 wall of stone can create a 70 ft wall that is 5-ft tall and 3 inches thick. How big of a base do you want to have or create? One big room? Two floors? A tower?

[michael]

I can work with this. It will probably be a Diplomacy check to get a spot in Verdas, and this will be without the Touch of Glory because it would be poor form to use special abilities on other officers. Especially since I don't have these "unknown" NPCs statted out, so they don't get a chance to use special abilities or items to counter it.

I never thought of Touch of Glory as something I used to get the better of others, only to improve myself. In that context, it's not that different from a Headband of Charisma. If I was wearing one of those, I'd never think of taking it off to make diplomacy check with an ally. The only difference is the degree to which I'm augmented.

More importantly, nothing I'm searching for can cause detriment to the people I talk to when I use the check. It would be different if I were bartering for a lower price on an item or something, since the person I'm arguing with loses out on the revenue when I talk him down. But Gather Information isn't opposing anyone, it's a DC determined by the information being sought and the size of the town. Other people's stats don't play into the check at all, as it's just a matter of Brion effectively finding the right people to talk to.

Maybe that's a good way to handle it; an opposed check against an ally would make Brion more reticent to use Touch of Glory, but when it's just a matter of beating a DC, he has no reason to refrain. Anyway, at level 14, Brion's Diplomacy modifier is 34 with Touch of Glory, and 20 without.

And if Brion levels up, it looks like a CL 14 wall of stone can create a 70 ft wall that is 5-ft tall and 3 inches thick. How big of a base do you want to have or create? One big room? Two floors? A tower?

To start with, we'll make it a single room, and we can possibly expand it later. Let's keep it 3 inches thick and make it 8.75 feet high. That gives me 40 feet of length to work with.

With 2 castings, I'll make 4 walls that are 20 feet in length. With a third, I can make a ceiling, along with a few support beams for it.


Here's how I got those dimensions, by the way.

70 * 5 = 40 * X

70 * 5 = X
40

X = 8.75 ft

[reefwood]

Apr 19, 2011 19:24:59 GMT -5 michael said:

I can work with this. It will probably be a Diplomacy check to get a spot in Verdas, and this will be without the Touch of Glory because it would be poor form to use special abilities on other officers. Especially since I don't have these "unknown" NPCs statted out, so they don't get a chance to use special abilities or items to counter it.

I never thought of Touch of Glory as something I used to get the better of others, only to improve myself. In that context, it's not that different from a Headband of Charisma. If I was wearing one of those, I'd never think of taking it off to make diplomacy check with an ally. The only difference is the degree to which I'm augmented.

More importantly, nothing I'm searching for can cause detriment to the people I talk to when I use the check. It would be different if I were bartering for a lower price on an item or something, since the person I'm arguing with loses out on the revenue when I talk him down. But Gather Information isn't opposing anyone, it's a DC determined by the information being sought and the size of the town. Other people's stats don't play into the check at all, as it's just a matter of Brion effectively finding the right people to talk to.

Maybe that's a good way to handle it; an opposed check against an ally would make Brion more reticent to use Touch of Glory, but when it's just a matter of beating a DC, he has no reason to refrain. Anyway, at level 14, Brion's Diplomacy modifier is 34 with Touch of Glory, and 20 without.

Yeah, all that sounds good, but like I said, this will be a straight up Diplomacy check, not a Gather Info check. Brion isn't the only officer who wants to make use of space in Verdas, so it's more an effort of making the best argument as opposed to finding space.

Apr 19, 2011 19:24:59 GMT -5 michael said:

And if Brion levels up, it looks like a CL 14 wall of stone can create a 70 ft wall that is 5-ft tall and 3 inches thick. How big of a base do you want to have or create? One big room? Two floors? A tower?

To start with, we'll make it a single room, and we can possibly expand it later. Let's keep it 3 inches thick and make it 8.75 feet high. That gives me 40 feet of length to work with.

With 2 castings, I'll make 4 walls that are 20 feet in length. With a third, I can make a ceiling, along with a few support beams for it.


Here's how I got those dimensions, by the way.

70 * 5 = 40 * X

70 * 5 = X
40

X = 8.75 ft

Sounds good. And I'm going to make a separate thread for this since it could be something that gets adjusted across several chapters. Do you have a name for your base?