Wayward Expeditions - Rise of the Runelords - Episode 20
Intro: For much of written history world events followed chartered routes. Oracles and seers mapped out the future in the stars above and their prophecies always gave a reliable view of the ages to come. Until a god died a century ago. No one saw that coming. And now the old prophecies are failing, oracles go mad and seers desperately tried to account for the loss of the future. While some cry out that the world is at an end, they've been doing so for a hundred years now and the world is still here, it's just unclear where things are going. The future of Golarian is open, ready to receive the triumphs and failures of a new generation of heroes. Welcome to Rise of the Runelords!

GM: When we left off, you had just returned to town from going out to try to track down what was happening in Egan's Wood with all the spiders. Wound up going to the wrong place, cleared out a dungeon that was also a holy site to Desna, and a dragons lair all in one. Welcome back to Sandpoint.

Markus: I was going to say 'cleared out' is rather strong terminology, considering the dragon is still there.

GM: The rest of the dungeon was cleared out.

Taury: Considering we weren't meant to be there in the first place.

Markus: Yeah.

Loyal: It's fair. So I assume we've just returned to the inn .

Morana: Yeah, I was going back to the Rusty Dragon.

GM: Alright, Ishmael, do you accompany them?

Ishmael: I mean, I guess. I mean I'm kind of following these people now, or with them. Yeah.

GM: Alright, you all return to the Rusty Dragon Inn. It is somewhat quiet this evening, there's not as many people in here as usual.

Taury: When you say unusually quiet? Is it like dead quiet or is it just like everyone is somewhere else?

GM: Like most people are somewhere else, there's usually about a dozen patrons in here, which isn't full, but, you know, it's not sparsely packed normally.

Taury: It's the regulars.

GM: Right. This evening, there's only a handful, four, five maybe.

Morana: That's a Perception to see if I hear anybody talking about something going on in town.

Loyal: Yeah I was going to make a most likely Sense motive just to see if I could figure out if there's anything up, if people seem off in general.

GM: Alright, let's see here. No one seems off to you, Loyal. The vibe is good. You just- there's not a lot of people here for whatever reason.

Markus: Is there anyone like serving people at the moment?

GM: Yeah, Bethana is tending tables.

Markus: "So evening meal time?"

Loyal: "I don't see why not."

Markus: Markus will try and catch Bethana's attention.

GM: "Oh, yes?"

Markus: "I believe we have all returned somewhat hungry, if you wouldn't mind obliging with that? Also, it seems a little quieter than normal in here, is something going on?"

GM: "Oh, yes, the theater is hosting a debut play, many people have gone to see the, the Heroic Exploits play."

Loyal: You hear kind of a sigh from the Loyal.

Morana: "Oh right." 

Markus: "Heroic exploits of?"

GM: "Oh, of you, I believe."

Markus: "Oh, he's already putting that on, OK?"

Loyal: "That was quick."

Markus: "Well, apparently, he works quickly. Thank you. Yes, I'm sure we can find somewhere to sit."

GM: Yeah, you have your pick of tables.

Taury: I would imagine we have like a usual table.

Loyal: Yeah. We have the usual table.

Taury: That we sit at, at this point.

Fenwarin: Fenwarin sits down immediately.

Taury: So you're like already putting on a bib and stuff?

Fenwarin: No, he's deep in thought, and can't shake what happened at the Sanatorium.

Taury: I would imagine Taury then would have sat probably across from Fenwarin, as probably keeping an eye on himm.

GM: Sense motive Fenwarin. 

Fenwarin: Ok.

GM: Alright, you're aware that Taury is trying to gauge your, well, how would you phrase this Taury? His mental fortitude? How he's holding up? What exactly are you trying to watch out for that he is now aware that you are paying concern to him?

Taury: So he was pretty weird when we left the creepy guy in the creepy Sanatorium, and he left there like pretty frickin quickly, and was still kind of shaky after that. So she's sort of watching to see maybe if she could figure out if he's like, was he scared? Is he- like did he do something? You know, as in I suppose, was it just people he didn't want to talk to, or is there something more sinister going on?

GM: Ok. Yes, she's paying close attention to you, and you can tell that it's more out of concern than suspicion.

Fenwarin: Uh hmm.

Taury: Yeah concern is a better word for it.

Loyal: "So I guess there is the matter of what we do next yeah? There is this creature in the forest, and there's also this dragon. There's also Thistletop, if you want to do that."

Markus: "I think creatures plural in the forest was the working theory."

Loyal: "Probably, wouldn't surprise me."

Morana: "Our focus right now, in my mind, should be the forest. It's too close to the town, for my comfort anyway. The dragon situation? Give me some time. I may have a lead on something, but I have to follow up on it. Thistletop we can handle after the forest."

Markus: "There is still a thing I would like to do before we go to Thistletop, but that can wait until after the forest, certainly."

Ishmael: I guess Ishmael would have said he'll be back and, you know, take his leave for the time being.

Loyal: "Alright. There's also the matter of what to do with this." And he pulls out the dragon's bain longsword that he has, and puts it on the table, "Not really sure who exactly can use this best."

Markus: "That is a very interesting blade and probably not something you ought to be waving around in public."

Loyal: "There's not really many people in here is there?"

Markus: "General principles."

Loyal: "Fair enough." I'll put it away. "Regardless, I certainly am not the one to use it."

Markus: "I mean, I know how, but- no, not me either."

Morana: "And you better check in on the shop owner that you had made your deal with."

Loyal: "Not a bad idea, might be worth seeing if it's sold by now?"

Markus: "He said a week, did he not?"

Loyal: "He did." I just don't remember how long it's been.

Morana: Yeah, I don't either.

Markus: I think like four days.

Taury: Did he not say like within a week?

Loyal: He said he did say within a week.

Taury: I think.

Loyal: He did say come back within a week. I think.

Taury: Yeah.

Markus: He said he'd be able to sell it within a week because of visitors coming in, but he yeah. And I think it's been like four, maybe five days, but I may be wrong on that.

Taury: I think it's definitely been three at least.

Loyal: At least three, definitely at least three.

Markus: Oh, yeah more than that. Furtive, were you keeping track at all?

GM: Of course.

Markus: How many days has it actually been? Can you put us out of our misery?

GM: No.

Loyal: Cool.

Taury: Hashtag helpful GM. That's because it's not in the shop, it has absolutely been robbed.

Morana: Yeah, with that kind of answer, I'd say go check on it, just to be sure.

Loyal: Yeah.

Taury: At this point, would we have been served Furtive?

GM: Yeah, Bethana's brought you drinks and your meal. She brought a drink for Ishmael, he didn't drink it, he just got up and left.

Fenwarin: Fenwarin quickly grabs an ale.

GM: Do you drink Ishmael's as well, Fenwarin?

Fenwarin: Yeah, it's swiped up as well.

Taury: How quickly is he drinking this? Is he like downing this shit?

Fenwarin: I'm downing it, yeah,

Taury: Yeah, I thought so.

Fenwarin: And you just hear a deep sigh after he takes several, like, chugs of it.

Markus: "You ok there?"

Fenwarin: "I have managed to calm down a bit. Thanks." 

Loyal: "Who was that?"

Fenwarin: "Someone from a dark past."

Markus: "Is it something you want to talk about?"

Fenwarin: "Yeah, in a while, I just need to clear my head and probably- I can probably talk about it tomorrow if I get some rest as well."

Loyal: "Fair enough."

Taury: "Perhaps you should hand the receipt to Loyal and I, can go check on the merchant."

Fenwarin: "Oh, oh, I see, yeah."

Taury: "Unless you wish to come?"

Fenwarin: "No, I'll stay here, I'll stay here and drink some more, and just sit with my thoughts." And then I feel for the receipt in my robe. Is it still there? 

GM: It is. 

Fenwarin: Ok, I hand it over to Loyal.

Loyal: I take it, put it away nonchalant, like not suspiciously and in a way that like I'm hiding it from plain sight.

Taury: What you are hiding it or you're not hiding it?

Loyal: I'm hiding it from people that would be trying to look in on our conversation.

Taury: Ok.

Fenwarin: And then I quickly return to my ale.

Loyal: What time of day is it? Wasn't it like nightfall when we got here?

Taury: Evening, I think.

GM: Yeah, evening was setting. Dusk type, and it's probably around 7:00 p.m.

Loyal: Ok, so in theory, the shop should still be open?

GM: Yeah, they should be.

Loyal: Ok. Didn't like that answer. [Laughs]

Taury: But they're not because it's totally on fire! [Laughs] I didn't like that at all.

Loyal: "Alright, since it is getting dark, we should probably go soon yeah?" 

Taury: "Yes."

Loyal: "Right, I'm ready whenever you are."

Taury: Taury would stand up and probably down the glass of milk.

Loyal: "Right." And then stand up and start walking out.

GM: All right, so the two of you are heading out?

Loyal: Yes.

Taury: Yeah, I assume no one's following us, are they? 

Morana: I am not. 

Markus: Unless you're actually indicating that you want others of us to go.

Taury: I would imagine, like probably both just would have stood up, probably looked around to see if you guys were coming, if you didn't stand up, just would have left. That's what Taury would have done anyway.

GM: Sure, as you are leaving the Rusty Dragon, you see Ishmael returning.

Loyal: Loyal just kind of gives him a nod.

Ishmael: Ishmael will just kinda go "ah" and will nod in return I guess. Are they like walking with purpose? Or like, you know, just leisurely walk? Like-

GM: Sense motive.

Ishmael: That's fair, you know, I can I can do that. I can do that.

GM: That is the purpose of this skill check, right? Yeah.

Ishmael: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I got it. I got it. Don't worry about it.

Loyal: [Laughs]

Taury: I don't like this DM sass we're getting today. Asking any questions and it's like "bitch please, don't ask questions."

Loyal: [Laughs]

Ishmael: A 17.

GM: Part of the game is figuring things out. 17, alright, they seem to be headed off with some sort of goal in mind. The rest of the group isn't with them so they apparently have some task to do.

Ishmael: Ok, I guess I head on into the Rusty Dragon. "Be safe!" I guess.

GM: All right, you enter the Rusty Dragon. Yeah, we're going to follow Loyal and Taury down to number 44.

Taury: Do we get there without getting mugged?

Loyal: I don't like that, I don't like that tone. At all.

Taury: I don't like it either.

GM: Yeah.

Loyal: Not one bit.

GM: I don't know why you guys are so paranoid. It's fine.

Taury: It's near the water Furtive that's why we're paranoid!

Loyal: [Laughs]

GM: It's totally fine. On your way there. It's only like a block or two, a very uneventful short trip. The streets are pretty empty.

Taury: How far is the theater from where we are? It's probably on the other side of the-

GM: Theater is number 23, it is the opposite direction you're heading.

Taury: Ah yeah. No I was just curious-

Loyal: Well, that's not super far away though.

Taury: Yeah, but we wouldn't be able to hear anything from that far away. 

Loyal: I don't think so yeah.

Taury: It's like fucking ages away.

GM: No.

Taury: I forgot we're in the poor side of town.

GM: So you approach the shop and you see the lights are off, windows are shuttered and door is closed, there's a closed sign hanging on the door.

Loyal: "Well, not open, that's unfortunate."

Taury: Taury gives you like a side eye and then walks up to the door and like, raps at it anyway.

GM: No answer.

Taury: She'd probably look into the windows, too, as well. To see if there's anyone in there.

GM: Give me Perception check. Yeah you can't see through the shutters very well, it just looks like the store, (what you can make out through the the slats,) is as messy and untidy as it always was with its random assortment of whatnots. You don't notice any movement inside or anything like that.

Taury: No random dead bodies or anything?

GM: No, you don't notice anything of any note, just-

Taury: Those are in the back.

GM: From what you can see between the the slats of the shutter, nothing of interest.

Loyal: I'll probably take a look to. Kapow!

Taury: 26. Nice.

GM: Same result.

Loyal: "Well I guess we'll have to come back in the morning."

Taury: "It would seem that way. Should we perhaps swing by the theater?"

Loyal: "I see no harm in it, honestly. Why not?"

Taury: You get like a grunt and a nod.

GM: Alright, you all head up towards 23, the theater. The rest of you back in the Rusty Dragon, Ishmael walks back in, rejoins your table.

Ishmael: Ishmael will look at Fenwarin like, "You seem to be doing better? Kind of." Hold up. Is he doing better? Kind of?

GM: He seems to be a little bit buzzed after hammering what looks to be three ales, Bethana is bringing him a fourth as you are sitting down.

Fenwarin: "Yeah, [Drunk and Slurring] I've calmed down a bit. I'm feeling ok. How about you?"

Ishmael: "I'm, I'm fine."

Fenwarin: "Good, good. Here have an ale."

Ishmael: "Thanks for the offer, but not all that thirsty right now."

Fenwarin: "Oh well. More for me."

Markus: "So what brings you to Sandpoint then Ishmael?"

Ishmael: "And what brings anyone here really" Ishmael will go like, "I wanted to hit the Curious Goblin, but it's closed due to this play. Other than that, nothing really. Why do you ask?"

Markus: "Well, the way at the Sanatorium that you just joined us, and that you've done so coming back to town, is there a reason for that?"

Ishmael: "I mean, you guys were kind enough to offer me a lift to town, so I figured, why not?"

Markus: "Not unreasonable, but why seek to involve yourself in the business of strangers?"

Ishmael: "I don't know, boredom, I guess. Not that often I get to, you know, run across a group of colorful individuals." Like and with that, Ishmael kind of look off past them as if thinking or remembering.

Markus: "I take it you consider yourself something of an adventurer then?"

Ishmael: "At a time, yes, but I suppose I still am."

Markus: "You make it sound like you don't believe that any longer?"

Ishmael: "Oh, you know, we all have our good days and bad days, you know. So, yeah. I mean, part of me feels like I'm not."

Markus: "And part of you wants to retire."

Ishmael: "I guess. Maybe. A bit complicated."

Markus: "I can empathize with that. Certainly. And I think you'll find complicated applies to, well, more of us than might be apparent at initial glance."

Ishmael: "Yeah, I'm already starting to get that."

Morana: Morana looks up from what she's reading and says,"I don't know what you mean, I'm the one of the most ordinary people you'll ever meet."

Markus: "And what makes you think that we were talking about you, Morana?"

Morana: "Because people always seem to have opinions about me, never understood it."

Ishmael: "Well, luckily for you, I haven't informed one about you yet."

Morana: "How lovely to know."

Ishmael: "But yes, so you guys have a problem in a forest you need to deal with huh?"

Morana: "There are many problems in this town. Yeah. But that is the most pressing one that we're looking at right now."

Ishmael: GM what is it that like we found out what was actually in the forest, right? Or what was, you know, snatching people and everything?

GM: You had learned that the Mutterer is likely in ettercap.

Ishmael: Gotcha, Ishmael will go, "Like so ettercaps then huh? Fun things to deal with."

Morana: "They don't sound like it."

Ishmael: "Yeah."

Markus: "Have you dealt with 'em before?"

Ishmael: "I have not, but I mean, you know, you learn things from word of mouth and books."

Markus: "Of course. Your interest, are you volunteering to help us at the forest?"

Ishmael: "I mean, more hands leads to stronger possibility of success, right? So, sure, why not. And what's the worst that can happen? We all die?"

Markus: "Pretty much, yeah."

Ishmael: "I mean, something you run into in this line of business right?"

Markus: "Hopefully not."

Ishmael: "But yes. Yes, I'm offering my assistance in dealing with it, you know, these ettercaps."

Markus: "Well, you've certainly not been around Sandpoint very long then. But I think we would all appreciate the assistance."

Ishmael: "Sure thing."

Morana: "I mean, I will say one thing for sure, the town hasn't been this interesting in a while."

Ishmael: "Fair"

Morana: "Of course, that depends on your definition of interesting."

Markus: "But I suspect at least some of the things that you're referring to have been there and just perhaps haven't been apparent until now."

Morana: "I mean, it would seem that way."

Ishmael: "I mean, since my time being in the area, I suppose interesting things haven't really been happening, or they have. I haven't really noticed, been a bit busy with other things."

Markus: "Well. Have you heard about the attack on the town?"

Ishmael: GM will there be a Knowledge local or would I just- Would I've heard?

GM: Knowledge local.

Ishmael: Ok, please let me roll like a one. 15.

GM: You are well aware of the goblin raid on Sandpoint.

Ishmael: "Yeah. The goblins raiding right?"

Morana: "Well, that was that's one part of it, yeah."

Ishmael: "Well, I mean, enlighten me then, I guess on the other parts are missing."

Morana: "The events at the Glassworks."

Ishmael: Knowledge local right? Another one here you go. 18.

GM: Glassworks is one of the major businesses in town, most of the wealth that's done with outside business and other cities and stuff is from the Glassworks.

Ishmael: And do I know any- I assume I haven't heard of anything that happened there? 

GM: No. 

Ishmael: "News to me so."

Morana: "Hmm." Morana kind of looks at Fenwarin, "Did you think they'd do a good job keeping that quiet?"

Fenwarin: Fenwarin's just looking up, confused, just drunk.

Morana: Looks at Markus with the same question.

Markus: "No, at least not deliberately."

Morana: "No, I didn't have faith in the sheriff to keep anything quiet."

Ishmael: "I mean."

Markus: "That assumes it was the sheriff keeping quiet."

Ishmael: "I mean, sadly, I don't get out to Sandpoint too often, so."

Morana: "That's true, word might not have traveled that far yet. All right. As far as this table goes, the Glassworks was also attacked by goblins being led by the, - was he half son? Step son? I'm not sure what the word is - of the owner of the Glassworks. The owner of the Glassworks was killed. The daughter is actually the owner of this inn. So I wouldn't bring it up too much here if I were you, wouldn't be a very good idea. I wouldn't be mentioning this much detail if it weren't so empty in here right now."

Markus: "Yeah, there are certain things that probably ought not to be discussed in public."

Ishmael: "Fair."

Morana: "And then there was the ruins under the town."

Markus: "Probably better not to go into detail here."

Morana: "No that's why I'm just giving slight rundowns. And like I said, I wouldn't even be doing that if there weren't," And she looks around again, "ample space between us and anyone else."

Markus: "Yes, also, we might want to make ourselves scarce when the theater lets out this evening." 

Ishmael: "That's fair."

GM: All right, Fenwarin, go ahead and roll me a Fortitude save as you start on your fifth beer.

Morana: Oh no!

Loyal: Oh man!

Taury: Yes! [Laughs] Drunk Fen! The hero we didn't know we needed!

Morana: Oh, no!

Ishmael: Oof!

GM: Alright.

Loyal: Ooooh. [Laughs]

GM: Ok. You are well and thoroughly drunk.

Fenwarin: Yeah.

GM: And will have a hangover tomorrow.

Taury: Does he vomit though?

GM: He does not.

Taury: Yet.

GM: However...

Fenwarin: Uh oh!

GM: You have now developed an addiction to alcohol. You have a minor in addiction.

Fenwarin: Alright.

GM: And I'll let you know what that does when it pops up. Yeah? Alright.

Ishmael: Fun times. Yeah.

Taury: Oh, that pause. Jesus.

Ishmael: "I mean, well, then I suppose at some point, when we're in a more private setting, then I suppose you could inform me more on more detail, I suppose, if you wish?"

Morana: "Oh if you're plan to stick around, we probably will need to."

Markus: "Hmm. Well. Don't get me wrong, but strangers poking their noses in has some degree of suspicion associated with it."

Ishmael: "Understandable."

Morana: "When this whole thing started, were we not all strangers poking our noses in?"

Markus: "True enough, and I'm certainly not holding it against him, and I apologize if I ever gave that impression, but yes, when this started, I didn't have an appreciation for exactly what was starting."

Ishmael: "Well, how, you know, most coming together of adventurer's go."

Markus: "Most of us had met each other, and when the goblins attacked, we were some of the few that didn't run screaming. So that kind of, you know, forced us to gel together a bit." 

Ishmael: "I get that."

Morana: "As things like that usually will, yes."

Ishmael: "Anything else that you can briefly touch that I might have missed?"

Markus: "Well, there's weird stuff going on in this town. Keep your eyes open."

Morana: "Probably things we haven't even experienced yet."

Ishmael: Local on weird stuff going on in town.

GM: Sandpoint is rife with rumors and suspicions, there's so many rumors that, you know, it's hard to say what's weird and what's not. Most of 'em you know, are not a big deal. You've heard of, you know, the Sandpoint Devil. You know, about the late unpleasantness with this serial killer. The fire that went through all that stuff. Weird stuff happens. Yeah. What specifically they're referring to or cautioning against? Who knows?

Ishmael: "That's fair, I mean, Sandpoint is just a weird place in general, so."

Markus: "It doesn't look like it on the surface, but-"

Ishmael: "Well, I mean, often places aren't or don't."

Markus: "Fair point. Let's just say I'd be very interested in comparing notes further on down the line. 

Ishmael: "Fair." 

Markus: "And rather not prejudice you in advance. I know Morana and I have talked about this, so another perspective is always helpful. You might spot something we miss or you might have insights that we're lacking, so."

Ishmael: "I mean, yeah, different perspectives, you know, lead to more answers I suppose, or more questions." 

Markus: Or both.

Ishmael: "Normally both, normally the latter, actually. It's half the the fun though isn't it?"

Markus: "Well, if I may. Do you have any particular adventuring specialty?"

Ishmael: "Some, I mean, traveled for a while here and there, done work, I can handle myself quite well in the fight, I feel."

Markus: "I see."

Ishmael: "I'm learned in the arcane arts a bit."

Markus: "Oh, what variety may I ask?"

Ishmael: Ishmael will begin to talk and then just pause, "And yourself?"

Markus: "I'm also a student of magic. I, I tend to work to hinder the opposition where I can."

Ishmael: "Fair, helpful."

Markus: "Yes, or I can potentially provide boons to the party, but, well, yes. Yeah, mostly focusing on trying to limit the damage our position can do."

Ishmael: "Quite good." And Ishmael's gaze will fall upon Morana. "And yourself?"

Morana: "I do that which I do. Suffice to say, I also use magic as a fashion in various ways."

Ishmael: "That's cryptic and vague."

Markus: "Good description of Morana. Yes."

Ishmael: "It seems you deal with things." Ishmael will stare at the doll that Morana normally carries around or carries around. "Well, so, yes."

Morana: "Rest assured that when needed, my abilities will be known."

Ishmael: "Fair."

Markus: "Well."

Ishmael: "Once again, this awkwardness is quite good."

Markus: "I know you like to keep your little tricks secret Morana, but perhaps give him some hint."

Morana: "What hint is there really to give? I cast spells, they do things." She shrugs and stares at you.

Ishmael: "Yes, right. I'll take your word on it." Ishmael just eyes Morana for a bit longer and just shudders a bit and. "Yeah."

Markus: How's Fenwarin doing at this point? 

Morana: I'd just like to point out, one second, that the whole time Ishmael is staring at her, she's looking back at him with her head tilted slightly, with that wide eyed, innocent look.

GM: Ishmael roll a Sense motive.

Ishmael: Cool with that.

Markus: Ooh.

Fenwarin: Nice.

GM: Alright, I will send you a direct message here shortly.

Ishmael: Alrighty then buddy. Tilts head, stares at innocently, 'I do no wrong.' Sense Motive.

Morana: I'm surprised I don't get a counter roll on that.

GM: Would you like one?

Morana: Yes.

GM: Ok.

Fenwarin: Why did that sound so sinister?

Taury: I didn't get a counter roll on Savage when he did this to me! I didn't get a counter roll!

Loyal: [Laughs]

Morana: Does what I'm trying to convey count as believable?

GM: Yes, but I'm not clear on what you're attempting to convey.

Morana: Well, to be fair, I'm not clear at what you're trying to have him Sense motive on! [Laughs]

Loyal: [Laughs]

Ishmael: [Laughs] Suspicious hand gestures and just wiggling of eyebrows, rich paranoia in general. I vote for paranoia in general.

GM: All right, so-

Morana: Allow me to DM you briefly.

GM: Yeah? Yeah, that makes sense. 

Ishmael: Yeah.

GM: A DM would be good. While all this is going on. I think this is a good time to jump over scene wise to Taury and Loyal. Yeah. So again, the streets are pretty vacant. It's turning into evening. You know, shops are closing. Most people that were out and about are at the theater anyway. So you arrive at the theater and there's a man standing there in front of a sandwich board placard thing with tickets, programs. He Sees you approach. "Oh, evening, evening! The play's already started, but if you want to go in late, we ask that you enter quietly and find your seats."

Loyal: I look at Taury like, "Are we doing this?"

Taury: I'd say you're getting the same look from Taury. [Laughs]. 

Loyal: [Laughs]

Taury: Does it look like there's like a side entrance anywhere in the building? Like an alley or something?

GM: There are a few, yeah. The area back around to the left side of the building from where you're at. Looks like the actors' entrance.

Taury: And does it look from a distance like it might be open?

GM: No.

Taury: No, I can't see that or no, it's closed? Like locked? 

GM: Both.

Taury: Both?

GM: Yeah, you can't really tell from over here and you're going to assume that it's going to be closed and locked, until you've actually checked it, confirmed.

Taury: But I have a fucking locksmith beside me, so it's fine.

Loyal: [Laughs] Just walk in.

Taury: [Laughs] I was just asking a question. I didn't say we were going to break in. I just asked the question. Is this guy looking at us like we're going to have to pay for tickets or is he just kind of letting us in?

GM: Yeah, he's expecting you to pay for tickets.

Taury: Right, can we like, Taury would like to peer into the doorway to sort of see what's- if she recognizes anybody in there before she actually walks in?

GM: Roll Perception... No.

Taury: It's just packed. 

GM: Yeah, you're looking in a dimly lit room at the backs of heads. "I have 5 copper per. You know, you're arriving late. I'll give you a break, 4 copper per. But don't tell anyone."

Taury: What was the name of the guy that we met in the manor place, and the mayor's?

Loyal: I know who you're talking about, the guy who was making the play,

Taury: Yeah, the writer.

Loyal: I completely forget his name, I don't remember it was not-

Taury: Oh, don't say that because then Furtive is going to be like, "you don't remember, you're out of luck." Damit.

Markus: I will just point out there are things available to you to remind you.

GM: [Laughs] There are.

Taury: What in the thing?

GM: In the appendix.

Loyal: Oh, yeah the list of NPCs

Taury: We didn't get a handout for that guy.

GM: Yeah you did.

Taury: Did we?

GM: Yeah.

Loyal: 'Named creatures and NPCs' handouts.

Taury: I fucking hate going through these because I never click the right section and then I'm always like-

Loyal: His name is Crydak Drokkus, that.

Taury: Oh, there it is. I see it. Now, the question is, would Taury have paid attention to his name? I think she did.

GM: Would you like to roll an intelligence check?

Taury: Well, maybe, but I think maybe she did because we were ignoring him, is the thing.

Loyal: They probably would have remembered his name.

Taury: I don't know, I'll just roll the intelligence because I don't know if that's a thing she would retain... No. [Laughs]

GM: No.

Taury: No. It's something beginning with like a D or something, but she doesn't remember. She's probably standing there trying to think of his name as well.

Loyal: I'll roll one too, because in Loyal's mind that that was not of high importance to remember. [Laughs] I have already subtracted the money so might as well pay the Copper.

Taury: We're paying to see this, is that what's happening? Taury hands over the 4 copper too.

Loyal: I had already paid for both of us.

Taury: Oh really? Oh, great!

Loyal: Yeah.

Taury: That's even better!

Loyal: Takes out some copper, and gives it to him.

Taury: For reference, though, Taury would be trying to like, uh, somewhat disguise herself going in, to not look super obvious.

Loyal: Oh, yeah, I put my scarf up on my face, just like, I don't want nothing to do with this.

Taury: Yeah, like the hood is up, the cloak is up.

Markus: Find some seats in the back maybe?

Loyal: Oh, yeah, definitely in the back.

Taury: Oh, yeah, we're at the back! 100 percent we're at the back! [Laughs]

Loyal: Oh, yeah.

Taury: Probably near a door, too, so we can get out first.

Loyal: [Laughs] Just like get the fuck out!

Taury: Yeah.

GM: Alright, you enter right as the scene portraying you saving Aldern Foxglove is going on.

Taury: Oh, god. Have they romanticized the shit out of it?

GM: They have.

Loyal: Nice.

GM: As if the person telling them about this encounter was Aldern himself.

Taury: Oh, because it totally was! Is he there? FYI.

Loyal: [Laughs]

GM: Give me another Perception check.

Loyal: Uh oh! [Laughs

Taury: Oh Man!

Taury: Immediately leaves. Ah no! He is there and she doesn't see him.

GM: So the scene is playing out as if Taury, you were the only person there. The rest are like cowering behind like a wagon as you're single handedly like killing like nine goblins and a goblin dog and a bugbear, while defending Aldern and his dog.

Taury: Important question: does Aldern's dog survive in the play? 

GM: Yes. 

Taury: Yay!

Loyal: Inaccurate.

Taury: Inaccurate, but I'll accept it.

GM: Yeah. Aldern is not hiding behind a rain barrel as he actually was. In this, he's clinging to your back.

Loyal: Immediately realizing this, Loyal is just kind of hiding a smirk from Taury. He is trying not to laugh.

Taury: I think Tuary is just flabbergasted, like just, her jaw's not dropped, but if it, you know, could drop it would. But it wouldn't. It's like, you know, wired shut at this moment.

GM: As you're watching the scene play out, the actor is obviously a man who's portraying you. To try to match the physique as close as possible.

Taury: Aha.

GM: And he is doing a really, really bad falsetto.

Taury: Is it singing, is there singing, right?

GM: Oh, of course, it's a play, it's full on operatic.

Taury: Oh Yeah, but it's a musical play.

GM: Yeah.

Loyal: Oh man!

Taury: Oh god. Like The Phantom of the Opera, but bad.

GM: Incredibly bad, yes.

Taury: Who's playing Aldern? Is Aldern, like built like a brick shit house? [Laughs]

Loyal: Is Aldern playing Aldern?

GM: Not really, it seems pretty close to how Aldern would appear,

Taury: Oh, it's actually Aldern, but she's forgotten what he looks like.

GM: What You remember of him.

Loyal: Please please be Aldern.

GM: It then progresses to the next scene of you, then leaving Aldern safe and going and saving the rest of the town, the rest of the party joins you. There's some very interesting effects that are being used, people throwing streamers as like casting magic missile, but then like prestidigitation is used at the end when it hits to like make smarts and like smoke and stuff. It's actually pretty elaborate.

Taury: So it's like a Michael Bay movie, the best part is the effects, everything else is falling apart.

Ishmael: Ooh.

GM: Yeah.

Taury: The set falling down, everything? 

GM: Yeah. 

Taury: Love it. [Laughs] Taury does not, but I do.

GM: There's a cameo where a depiction of Shalelu comes through, in rapid shots like nine arrows, and kills all the goblins and then walks away telling you "Thank you."

Taury: I feel like Taury would have stayed to the end, out of just sheer shock, like just, yeah just shocked,

Loyal: [Laughs] 

Taury: Not the good kind of shock, like a car accident kind of shock! [Laughs]

Loyal: I love this.

GM: Alright. The entire play just encompasses the goblin raid and various vignettes of different sections of the city under attack and what was going on, but all of them incorporate the heroic party, even though you were not actually in almost any of them in reality.

Loyal: Yeah. [Laughs]

Taury: What are you talking about? Of course we were, we're the heroes of Sandpoint! [Laughs]

GM: Right?!

Markus: Uuh...

GM: Somehow they managed to weave a narrative where you went from one spot in the city all the way around the city, like almost simultaneously and defeated all of the goblins.

Taury: Single handedly.

GM: And according to the play, you slew hundreds of them. 

Loyal: Nice!

Taury: And none of them ran away, I assume?

GM: Yeah none got away.

Taury: They were all killed.

GM: Yeah, all of them killed. Some of them you purposely drowned. In the actual attack like they were falling off roofs into barrels, catching themselves on fire, like they killed as many of themselves as you killed. If not-

Taury: They killed more Of themselves,

GM: They killed more of themselves, yeah.

Taury: They were 100 percent. Even in the fight, that fight, they killed themselves while we were trying to kill them.

GM: Yeah, that was the reality of it, in the depiction, all of the dead goblins were killed by you.

Taury: Great.

GM: Your group slaughtered them all and where the bodies were found in, you know, they're comical misdeeds and self annihilation. There were ways of, why they were there, and how you killed them in such that way. It is very, very bad, but the crowd cheers, they loved it!

Taury: There's roses fucking going on the stage?

GM: Yeah, you knowing the truth, it's a little cringe worthy, but it's good entertainment. Everyone's cheering and applauding. The whole cast comes and does their bow. There's a good dozen or so people who performed this play.

Taury: That would be the point, I think, in which Taury would just start to leave, just as they're coming out, probably.

Loyal: Loyal follows Taury, "Ok let's get out of here now."

GM: Alright, as you turn to leave...

Loyal: Ah.

Taury: Oh, no.

GM: Dancing lights illuminate around you and Crydek from the stage goes, "And we're graced tonight by the celebrities themselves! They've come to view our play, how great it is to make a showing! Thank you! The doorman told us you'd arrived late. Thank you for coming to endorse the play!"

Taury: Was about to say, the doorman is a snitch! [Laughs]

Loyal: And he made us pay?! [Laughs]

GM: Do you just continue to leave?

Taury: Can we roll fuckin stealth checks to get the fuck out?

GM: No, you are surrounded dancing lights and the whole crowd has turned to see what's happening. Yeah.

Loyal: "Don't know how they knew."

Taury: Definitely trying to escape, doing the kind of like, you know, that like obnoxious queen wave, you know, like 'I really don't want to be here' kind of wave.

GM: Oh, yeah, sure.

Taury: Yeah, that's happening. Gritted teeth. It's an attempt at a smile, but it probably isn't one.

Loyal: Loyal's just like backing out with her.

Taury: Do we get out alive?

Loyal: [Laughs] If only I had like some like smoke sticks or something, I could break and throw on the ground!

GM: [Laughs] All right. He doesn't stop you in any way as you walk out waving.

Taury: The crowds of people do it?

GM: Oh, they're applauding and cheering that you even came, yeah, they love the play. Your presence is just a ringing endorsement that this is authentic.

Taury: I hate it.

Loyal: Ah Fuck! [Laughs]

Taury: [Laughs] Ah Man! I wanted to fucking roll a disguise check and I didn't and I made a terrible mistake.

Loyal: You know, I do also have a disguise self extract I could have made.

Taury: There's so many things we could have done Colin!

Loyal: There are many things we could have done.

Taury: But we did none of those things.

Loyal: But we didn't. We did none.

GM: [Laughs] Ok, so you leave the theater house.

Taury: As quickly as possible, without running.

GM: Yeah, do you head straight back to the Rusty Dragon, or are you headed somewhere off to die in shame?

Taury: Oh!

Loyal: I think we head back to the Rusty Dragon

Taury: Probably the Rusty Dragon, they don't know where we went. It's fine.

GM: Ok, you hurry back there at double pace.

Taury: Yeah trudging.

GM: Making a short trip even shorter.

Taury: They're just not walking fast enough, so she carries Loyal. [Laughs]

GM: Alright, after Ishmael and Morana have had this latest little conversation. Markus, you will have seen Ishmael lean in and whisper something to Morana and then lean back. Fenwarin you're out of it at this point.

Fenwarin: Yep.

GM: That is when the doors open and hurriedly walking in is Taury and Loyal.

Loyal: Loyal probably doesn't look as embarrassed as Taury does, but kind of like a-

Taury: Well, Taury wouldn't look embarrassed, is the thing.

Loyal: Yeah.

Markus: Also, just how badly off is Fenwarin right now?

Taury: He asleep at the table?

GM: That is a great question. Fenwarin, how are you doing?

Fenwarin: Yeah, I've fallen asleep at the table now, I'm so drunk. And I cant hold my liquor.

Taury: Is he drooling all over himself? 

Fenwarin: Snoring loudly.

GM: Alright.

Taury: Horrific.

GM: I love it. I love all of it.

Ishmael: Ishmael will begin to say something else and then realise, "Oh they're back."

Taury: "The vender wasn't in."

Morana: "Unsurprising considering everyone in the town seems to be indisposed."

Taury: "Yes, there's something on."

Markus: "You were here when we were told about the play."

Taury: "Oh right, the play. Yeah."

GM: Sense motive.

Morana: Yup!

Loyal: Oh.

Markus: Yeah, I was just about to say!

GM: And I need A bluff.

Loyal: Loyal will say nothing! But just like-

Taury: You have no reason to be Sense motiving, absolutely no reason.

Loyal: Yeah.

GM: Roll that bluff.

Taury: I mean, I feel like I get to just-

Loyal: Loyal is just keeping his mouth shut right now. Just like he just goes over, just kinda start like, starts drinking, puts the drink up, just like masks his face.

Morana: [Laughs] Everyone is just like "Hmmmm..."

Loyal: Wow!

Ishmael: [Laughs]

GM: We need a bluff roll. Taury, roll it.

Taury: Yeah...

Loyal: Please nat 20.

Taury: Oh, so disappointing.

Loyal: Oh!

Ishmael: Right!

Taury: 15, so disappointing.

GM: Yep. Nope, they all see straight through you.

Taury: I mean, they don't know I went there. 

Ishmael: "So?"

GM: No, no. But they are dubious, suspicious, however you want to interpret it.

Ishmael: "So share with the class then I suppose, anything bad happen?"

Taury: And she looks at you like surprised, like "What? What what are you talking about?"

Ishmael: "I mean. If the shop was closed, like I feel like the shop wasn't- you know, how long has it been since they left?"

GM: It's been a good half hour, 45 minutes, something like that.

Morana: "It's not that long of a walk."

Ishmael: "Right. So clearly, you guys did something else." Like Ishmael will look to Loyal, "So, how did everything go?"

Loyal: "Fine, there was nobody in at the shop."

Morana: Sense Motive? [Laughs]

Loyal: I mean, I'll make a bluff, I'm not great at it.

Ishmael: Yeah.

Taury: Oh my god!

Loyal: Natural one! [Laughs]

Morana: I beat you with a 5!

Loyal: Its a 2! 

All: [Laugh]

Taury: Jesus, Loyal is the worst! The worst!

Loyal: I have an 8 charisma. What do you want from me?

Taury: The worst wingman ever!

Ishmael: "Like, so what did you guys do if the shop was closed?"

Markus: "Yeah, are we just supposed to invent stories?"

Loyal: [Laughs] Is Taury giving me a look right now?

Markus: I mean-

Taury: I doubt it. I'd say she would have ignored it, because if she looked at you it would have drawn more attention, but she's like internally sighing. 

Ishmael: [Laughs]

Markus: "I mean, there could be any number of explanations for what you were doing for the best part of an hour, alone, together."

Loyal: "Ok, [Laughs] ok, listen here."

Taury: "And which one is your favorite?"

All: [Laugh]

Ishmael: Shit! Shit! Oof!

Loyal: Loyal laughs at that-

Ishmael: Ishmael will go, "Um, well then, that, hmmm, right."

Taury: She sits down

Ishmael: "Well played."

Taury: She's probably poking at Fenwarin as well, just for kicks.

Ishmael: "He's, he's had a bit too much."

Fenwarin: I'm just out cold. There's no reaction

Taury: Yeah, she's doing it for her own amusement.

Ishmael: I figured. [Laughs]

Taury: Not to awaken him at all.

Markus: "Yeah, we should probably get him upstairs before the theater lets out."

Taury: "Did he stay here drinking all night?"

Morana: "He did."

Taury: "What did he have, one or two?"

Markus: "Five."

Taury: Get that eye roll, "What room is he in? I don't remember."

Ishmael: "No clue."

Taury: "Nobody knows?"

Markus: I think we would know. 

Morana: Yeah it stands to reason that we would, we've knocked on each other's doors before.

Markus: Yeah.

Taury: Yeah, I don't think Taury would remember is the thing though.

Markus: Yeah, that's fine.

Morana: No, probably not.

GM: Yeah, maybe not Taury, but one of you will know where he is at.

Loyal: Yeah I figured.

Markus: "More pertinent question, where's his room key?"

Ishmael: Ishmael will just stand walk over to him, reach into his pockets-

Taury: Just hands everywhere.

Ishmael: No the hands!

Taury: No, Jesus! Don't go there!

Ishmael: 16 to search for his room key?

GM: Yeah, you find it.

Ishmael: "Yeah it's here."

Fenwarin: Yeah, I just grunt and then he starts snoring again.

Markus: "Ok. Should we get him upstairs then?"

Ishmael: "Yeah."

Taury: Taury gets up to pick him up, like throw him over her shoulder, for the second time.

Ishmael: Like Ishmael was about to do the same but-

Taury: Well, if you got there first, you got there first.

Ishmael: Yeah like Ishmael will just hike him over his shoulder.

Fenwarin: [Groans]

Ishmael: So, like, is there like a room number attached to the key or is it just a key?

Morana: Morana will point out the door to his room.

GM: Yeah, I'm not sure if there's enough rooms to require numbers.

Ishmael: That's fair. Ishmael will just carry him, open up the door, walk in, flop him on the bed. 

Fenwarin: "Eurf." 

Ishmael: "Right. Well." 

Fenwarin: Yeah I just start snoring again, completely out.

Ishmael: "Should we like lock him in? Well I mean should we lock the door and give the key to him in the morning or?"

Markus: "Oh, unless there's room under the door to pass the key, maybe?"

Ishmael: Like, is there a lock on the inside of the door? Or is it just like straight up like-?

GM: It's a standard lock, you can lock it from the outside and shove it under the door like Markus suggested.

Ishmael: Yeah.

Taury: Please just lock him in, that'd be so good.

Ishmael: [Laughs]

Taury: I feel like Taury didn't follow you to the room because there was two of you already. So she didn't follow you.

Fenwarin: [Laughs] Am I in the drunk tank now? 

Ishmael: Like Ishmael will just lock the door and slide the key under, like, far enough that nobody can, you know, be smart and grab the key from under the door, but like not so far that it goes under the bed.

GM: Sure.

Taury: So they don't have their wicked way with Fen, is that what you're saying?

Ishmael: Yeah. Like, well, somebody be you know. "Hey look!" Yeah.

Fenwarin: Hey now.

Taury: Drunk elf, let me beat 'em up.

Ishmael: Let me let me write all over his face and nick all his shit!

Taury: Damn, we missed an opportunity.

Ishmael: Like was it Morana that you know, like led them to where Fen's room is?

Morana: Yeah.

Ishmael: Yeah. Yeah after that's done like, "Cool. Well he needs to just sleep that off."

Morana: "Sounds about right." And she turns to leave.

Ishmael: Right. Now Ishmael will head back downstairs, I guess.

GM: Ok.

Morana: Yeah that's where she's going as well.

Loyal: If they all go back downstairs I'll follow.

GM: Back at the table, Bethana is serving more drinks if you want them, whatever you want, food, et cetera.

Ishmael: Yeah, like Ishmael will turn away any drink or food.

Markus: Morana will get another glass of wine.

Taury: Probably Taury, probably order another glass of milk as well.

GM: All right, it takes about 15 minutes of you sitting here drinking your drinks, and having a pleasant conversation or sitting in silence. Either way.

Ishmael: It's up in the air right? Yeah.

GM: Yeah, it could go either way at this point with this group, and I'm not sure which.

Taury: It's a 50/50. Yeah

Ishmael: Like after a few minutes of this awkward silence, or a few moments, like Ishmael will reach into his pack and pull out a book and start reading.

GM: Ok, so we're going the silent route then. [Laughs] All of you are just kind of sitting quietly together?

Taury: Taury probably would have I asked about, like Fen, but that's probably about the extent of it.

Ishmael: Like Ishmael would look up from the book like, "Yeah, he seemed fine, he was calming down and then, you know, went a bit overboard and passed out."

Morana: Morana pulls out a scroll and starts writing.

GM: All right. Yeah, after 15 minutes of this goes on, a crowd enters into the bar.

Taury: Taury would immediately leave. [Laughs]

Loyal: Stands up, go.

Taury: Like I feel like, can I see if she would have heard the crowd coming from, like, outside?

GM: Perception check, yeah.

Taury: Just to see if she could beat them, because she probably would have been expecting them.

GM: Yeah, you hear the crowd coming.

Taury: Yeah, so she would like, you know, finish her drink rather quickly, but she usually finishes it quickly anyway and then walk to bed calmly as to not attract attention.

Loyal: Loyal just sees her get up and like, "huh?"

GM: All right, moments after - like almost at the same time - but moments after Taury gets up and walks away from the table, a crowd enters the bar being loud and raucous. It's clear that the theater is let out. Everyone's cheering and discussing simultaneously their favorite parts.

Loyal: I assume everyone is just kind of giving each other looks and they're like "Ah shit!"

Morana: Morana pulls her hood up and draws it close around her face.

Loyal: Loyal does the same.

Ishmael: "Is there a reason why you guys are hiding your-? Ah whatever."

Markus: "Yes, there's a reason."

Ishmael: "Gotcha."

Markus: "You heard talk of the play?"

Ishmael: "I know that there is one going on, but-"

Markus: "Guess who stars in it?"

Ishmael: "Hmmm, well, with how everybody's acting, I imagine it would be you guys."

Markus: "The proprietor of the theater was talking about his next project being a play about the heroes of Sandpoint, so."

Ishmael: A 13 on the proprietor of the theater, owner of the theater.

GM: Yeah, you know, about Crydak, he used to be down in Magnimar and then some scandal or something caused him to have to flee for his life and he wound up here.

Ishmael: Of course. "Well, it seems, you know, everybody's talking it was a good play. Probably not all that true or represented accurately, you know."

Loyal: Out of curiosity, just to clarify, was Loyal depicted in the play? Because I know he wasn't here for the events of the raid.

GM: No, Loyal was not depicted among the heroes.

Loyal: I'm fine then, and I just kind of look at him and be like, "I'm going to get some sleep now. We probably have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." And I walk away.

Morana: "I should probably become scarce as well." She rolls up the scroll and tucks it into her robe. "We'll see you all in the morning."

Markus: "Morana?"

Morana: "Hmm?" 

Markus: "If you have some time, you recall our conversation a while back about the nature of spirits and other such matters?"

Morana: "Yes.

Markus: "I've had some additional thoughts since then. Would you be open to continuing that conversation?"

Morana: "I see no reason not to."

Markus: "I'm assuming you'd rather not remain here. So?"

Morana: "Judging by events in the town tonight, it probably would not be conducive to a private conversation."

Markus: "Any suggestions?"

Morana: "We have rooms."

Markus: "Of course, after you."

Morana: "That or I do have where I live on the other side of town. If we didn't want to run the risk of being overheard here."

Ishmael: And with that like Ishmael would like perk up just like, "Talk of spirits huh?"

Markus: "Yes. Well, I have magic that comes from them."

Ishmael: "Hmm. Interesting."

Markus: "I have found that other perspectives can be extremely helpful in understanding, well, my own magics."

Ishmael: "I mean, if you're looking for extra perspective, then, you know, I have no problem giving mine or-"

Markus: "I might take you up on that, but perhaps not tonight."

Ishmael: "Fair."

Markus: "Sorry, I don't mean to- I had some specific points that relate to a previous conversation, so I'm not sure it would be as productive if I had to explain the context. And I probably ought not be down here either."

Ishmael: "That's fair. Well, whenever you need it. I'm here, well."

Markus: "Thank you."

Ishmael: "You understand what I'm trying to mean?"

Markus: "Yes."

Morana: "Well, regardless. The location where we have this conversation I leave up to you."

Markus: "The rooms here are convenient, so."

Morana: "That's fine with me."

GM: As you two depart the table, Bethana comes over and clears the plates away, then asks Ishmael, "Will you be needing a room tonight?"

Ishmael: "Hmm, I'm good, thank you though, for the offer."

GM: "Hmm, very well."

Ishmael: Do I need to make a roll for that whisper GM? 

GM: No, no rolls.

Ishmael: Ok.

GM: No rolls needed, you would not know. The night passes, the morning is met with light rains and heavy fog.

Loyal: From the rest, all of my- my ability score damage is healed now. God! Finally!

Taury: Yeah, I was going to ask, I lose my -1 right?

Loyal: Yeah, I (before I go to bed, I'm going to use my points of spontaneous healing (since I get that per day) to heal an extra 5 and get myself up to full.

GM: All right, Fenwarin, when you wake up this next morning, I need you to roll me a Constitution save.

Fenwarin: Oh man... Not bad.

GM: Alright. You feel really rough. But otherwise, you think you're ok. You know you had too much to drink last night.

Fenwarin: Yup.

GM: Yeah, you see your key in the middle of the floor, and you're just on top of all the covers on the bed, fully clothed. I don't know if that's how you normally sleep or not, but it's-

Ishmael: No. [Laughs]

GM: It's unusual to be in bed with boots on at the very least.

Fenwarin: Yup. I just sit up with difficulty and, "Oh, what happened?" And I'm having real trouble focusing, like everything is blurry, and my head hurts. Fenwarin's going to take some time before he stands up to actually go downstairs.

GM: Alright, you get down into the breakfast hall. You're the first one up this morning. There's a couple of fishermen here having breakfast before heading out.

Fenwarin: Oh.

Ishmael: I guess, what time of day is it? Morning?

GM: It's around 6:00 / 6:30.

Ishmael: Yeah Ishmael would probably wander into the tavern, the Dragon.

GM: Alright. You are wander in just as Bethana is setting a plate of hash in front of Fenwarin.

Ishmael: "You're up this morning. How are You feeling?"

Fenwarin: "Yeah, feels like I've been pounded on the head by hundreds of goblins. That's what it feels like."

Ishmael: "I mean, you kind of overdid it last night."

Fenwarin: "I guess so, yeah, I woke up in bed, every speck of clothing on."

Ishmael: "Oh, I mean, I could have just left you, you know, sitting at the table, but I figured."

Fenwarin: "You carried me up?"

Ishmael: "Yes."

Fenwarin: "Oh, thanks. I uh, yeah, I overdid it yesterday."

Ishmael: "Are you feeling any better besides, you know, rough?"

Fenwarin: "I feel a little better, you know, aside from the headache and yeah- thanks."

Ishmael: "Yeah, I mean, well that's fair."

Fenwarin: Fenwarin's just looking at the plate, just trying to force himself to eat. He just has no real appetite at the moment.

Morana: After a bit, Morana makes her way downstairs.

GM: You're met with the same site, a sparse crowd, typical for a morning though, Fenwarin oddly struggling to eat and Ishmael sitting across from him or somewhere around the table therein.

Ishmael: [Laughs] Seating in his lap! No.

Fenwarin: [Laughs]

GM: [Laughs] Yeah.

Morana: "Fenwarin struggle to eat? Him? He must have felt rough when he woke up. That, I've never seen that before."

Ishmael: "I suppose we wait for everybody else to show up then?" Ishmael would say, and then pulling out a book and beginning to read it.

Morana: She slips the new chair and looks at Fenwarin. "So how are you feeling?" 

Fenwarin: "[Sighs] Just don't be so happy Morana. I- it's bad, OK? I made a mistake. I drank too much. I get it. Stop gloating."

Morana: [Laughs] She attempts to stifle a laugh and fails miserably.

Fenwarin: Fenwarin just tries to ignore that.

Morana: "Oh, it happens to everyone. Lighten up."

Ishmael: "Does it?"

Morana: "As far as I know, yes."

Taury: Taury probably would have got up and knocked on Loyal's door.

Loyal: Yeah he gets up. Is she like waiting for him or she just-?

Taury: She's probably just standing outside, and if you don't come in the next two seconds, she probably just walks downstairs.

Loyal: Well two seconds is pretty quick, but like after walking away, you probably hear the door open.

Taury: Oh, yeah, she was stopped then on the stairs.

Loyal: He just kind of nods and goes and gets his stuff, comes down.

Taury: "We're going to try the merchant?"

Loyal: "Oh, yeah."

Taury: "Do you want to have breakfast first?"

Loyal: "Probably good to eat first. Not really in a rush or anything."

Taury: I head over under the table.

Loyal: As do I.

GM: As you guys are- oh, what's the term I'm looking for?

Taury: Breakfasting?

GM: I guess. Gathering around the table and enjoying breakfast, yes.

Taury: Carousing over breakfast.

Fenwarin: You ok Furtive? [Laughs]

GM: No.

Taury: What?! [Laughs]

Fenwarin: What do you call it when someone sits at the table and eats breakfast? God fucking dammit!

GM: Yeah. [Laughs]

Loyal: [Laughs]

Taury: [Laughs] That's how I react to breakfast most times. Ah fuck it's this again! 

GM: Oh! One of those days! Why?! As you're all breakfasting-

Taury: Yay! You used my word!

GM: For lack of any better term describing what's going on, as you commune for fellowship and food, as you're doing this, this activity that is happening. As you're doing it, Shalelu walks in to the Rusty Dragon-

Loyal: Oh it's her. Ok.

GM: -looks around briefly, sees you, and heads straight for your table.

Taury: Shalelu is the ranger right? 

GM: Yes.

Loyal: That we left a note for.

Morana: Oh, we did leave a note for her. Right.

Ishmael: "Good morning? Different new person."

GM: "You said you needed to talk to me urgently?"

Markus: "Oh, yes, thank you for coming."

Morana: Out of character, I'm trying to remember why.

Markus: Out of character, I'm fairly certain it's something to do with Thistletop, I can't remember what.

Taury: It was Thistletop, we wanted her to help wasn't it?

Loyal: It was Thistletop yeah. If she had information or anything.

Taury: No, we wanted her to join us, wasn't it? No?

Loyal: That's a possibility,

Taury: Am I wrong?

Markus: I suspect she'll probably say no to that, but I think we definitely wanted information.

Loyal: Yeah. Because the sheriff was like, oh, ask the ranger, she'd probably know more about Thistletop.

Morana: Right yeah.

Markus: "Yes, we were hoping you might be able to help us with finding out more about what's going on at Thistletop in particular."

GM: "You planning to head there now or soon?"

Markus: "Soon, for there are other things we need to take care of, but yes, we plan on heading there, I think, relatively soon."

GM: "Need to get supplies first. I see."

Markus: "Supplies, equipment, et cetera, yes. Let's just say, some of the information we have suggests there's a threat there to the town. So it needs dealing with."

GM: "Oh I would say!"

Loyal: "You definitely see more concerned than the sheriff is."

GM: "Well, the sheriff is an idiot."

Morana: "Thank you!"

Loyal: [Laughs]I think everyone at the table just kind of like nods their head.

Ishmael: "So I take it this is one of those things that, you know, I'll be informed later about?"

Markus: "Yes, sorry. Shalelu, would you care for a seat?"

GM: She pulls one up.

Markus: "So how bad is it right now?"

GM: "Seven tribes have gathered there. Goblins are amassing some sort of war party, and that's not the worst of it."

Markus: "Ah! O. K."

Loyal: "Oh boy!"

GM: "Bruthazmus, my sworn enemy, he's there, I've seen him, I've just not getting close enough to kill him yet."

Markus: "We knew that was a distinct possibility."

GM: "Yeah, well I've confirmed it, he's there, as are some humans."

Markus: "Humans, plural?"

GM: "I've seen at least two, one looks to be a mage and the other a fighter of some form."

Morana: "Not being able to identify them specifically?"

GM: "No, never seen em around before."

Markus: "Can you describe them?"

GM: "Yeah, one's a big guy, he's got a really big shield with a howling face on it, and he carries a long sword. He's also got a bow with a bunch of arrows. Seems to be a pretty well rounded fighter from the look at him. Probably a mercenary would be my guess."

Loyal: "Does that ring any bells?"

Ishmael: Local on that.

Taury: Yeah, can we roll local on that?

GM: Sure. All right, Taury and Morana, both of you remember hearing about a mercenary along the lost coast who kind of fits this description, you think his name was Auric. He pretty much just, you know, does whatever he can for money. He's based out of Riddleport or at least was.

Morana: And separate role for the other one I guess?

Ishmael: I don't know shit! Oh, my goodness. What's up with these fucking rolls?

GM: All right, once again, Morana, and this time Fenwarin, you recognize one of the mage students from Magnimar being described as a dark skinned Osiriani woman in white robes, has a propensity for scrolls and magical knowledge. She is known as Leery, and her primary thing of study in the Arcane College in Magnimar was magical architecture, specifically that of Thassilonian design. You had thought that you had heard that she was in line to join the Pathfinder society however.

Ishmael: So is there like knowledge local or history or whatever, of Thistletop with Thassilonian like ruins and shit? Or architecture?

Taury: But we don't know that shit though, right? That's Morana and-

Ishmael: Well, I mean, if it's being shared..

Morana: Yeah, Morana will be relaying all of this.

Markus: Ok, yes, because Shalelu definitely needs to know who these people are.

Morana: Yeah.

GM: Alright. Not without seeing it, the architecture and stuff, would you be able to make a roll. It's common knowledge that the Lost Coast and Varisia in general is riddled with various archeological sites of the distant past. Most of them magical in nature. Like the Old Light here in Sandpoint itself, is one of these such structures. Just ancient beyond belief. Someone picking up this study of such places is not uncommon. I mean, the cyphermages up in Riddleport, that's like their main thing. It's an entire group dedicated to understanding and learning the secrets of the Riddlegate, the big archway that is in front of the harbor that goes into Riddleport, and what gave the town its name. So, yeah, it's not uncommon to know anything specific. There have been reports of sailors that Thistletop in the right light and whatnot, like the rock outcropping that it is, kind of looks like a face. So if she's out there, you know, as a archeologist of magical structures, maybe it's some sort of really ancient statue. But any knowledge specific about it? No, you just have guesses and supposition.

Markus: "Ok, if sailors are suggesting that it looks like a face, is that something that's ever been recorded as a picture somewhere?"

GM: "No, they also say that there's sea monsters and mermaids and shit, but ha!"

Markus: "Yeah, ok."

Loyal: "That's that's crazy talk!"

GM: "Sailors are stupid."

Markus: "Suffice to say, we've uncovered a statue to- well that dates back Thassilonian times, and it wouldn't be entirely surprising if they'd constructed a monument to someone's ego on the scale large enough to to be a hillside or whatever now. Or it could be pure random chance and garbage talk from sailors. So."

GM: Shalelu pipes up, "Either way, it doesn't matter because, goblins."

Markus: "Yes and no."

GM: "Who cares about some old rock when there's a horde of goblins ready to kill everyone?"

Markus: "A fair point, but it depends what's beneath the rock."

GM: "Nothing good, probably more goblins."

Morana: "Potentially worse."

Markus: "Exactly, yes."

Loyal: "Yeah"

GM: "My philosophy is don't go kicking over stones. That's a bloody big stone and I ain't kicking it."

Morana: "That might be a moot point if someone else has already kicked it."

GM: "Hmm, good luck with that."

Ishmael: "Well, let's put this another way, the army gathering there is going to act sooner or later. You don't gather an army just to have it stand around and do nothing."

GM: "Yeah, true. But these tribes, these seven tribes, they don't like each other, so whoever's got them working together, that's the real threat. If you take care of that, goblin infighting will see the rest of the war band dismantle in a short time."

Loyal: "Perhaps the issue is getting to that person then."

GM: "Yeah."

Ishmael: "What deity do the goblins follow?"

GM: "The goblin gods, I don't know."

Ishmael: "So the tribes don't particularly venerate any particular deity that you're aware of?"

GM: "Oh, they venerate deities, Lamashtu is primarily one of them, the Barghests are another. The goblin warriors almost get worshiped as gods, you know, the ones that become heroics. If a goblin survives long enough to be considered a goblin hero, he's almost a god in their eyes right?"

Markus: "Fair enough."

GM: "Yeah, and they infight against each other all the time about whose god is better than whoever else's god. It's dumb, they're stupid little beasts, but they're vicious and you got to keep an eye on them because they're not harmless, despite their stupidity."

Ishmael: "So if they're being called together by a single person, do we have any idea who that might be? Or where to start looking for that person? Or leads, I suppose?"

Markus: "Yes, we do."

Loyal: "Who it might be? Yes. Where? Not necessarily, probably Thistletop."

GM: "Where is obvious! It's Thistletop, come on!"

Markus: "Yes."

Loyal: "What I figured."

Ishmael: Yeah, like Ishmael will roll a hand as in 'mind sharing information on who you think you know it is.'

Markus: Markus will glance around at the other patrons. Are there any people particularly near?

GM: It's early enough in the morning, there's just three or four fishermen in here and they're just eating their grub before heading out on the waves.

Ishmael: "If you like you could just write it down and I could read it."

Markus: Markus will keep his tone low, but will just say, "Nualia."

Ishmael: Can I make a knowledge local or a knowledge check on that?

GM: Sure, knowledge local. Alright, Nualia was the adopted daughter of the local priest before the late unpleasantness.

Ishmael: Gotcha.

GM: When Sandpoint burned five years ago, the priest died in the fire, Nualia died then too, didn't she?

Ishmael: Ishmael will go like, "Ok. That's interesting."

GM: Shalelu looks just completely puzzled.

Ishmael: "So can I take it that, you know, rumors be rumors then? Right?"

Fenwarin: Out of character, we still have umm... fuck! His name is escaping me, Ameiko's half brother. We still have his diary right?

Loyal: Tsuto.

Taury: Tsuto,

GM: Tsuto. Yeah.

Markus: Yeah. I don't think the Sheriff or anything took it, so, yeah, we still have that.

Loyal: Yeah. We have it.

Morana: Morana looks around, "Show her the diary, she needs to see that. Maybe that will spark a bit less incredulity?"

Markus: "Ishmael, you may also want to have a look?"

Ishmael: Yes I guess wait to look and read this diary.

GM: Shalelu reads through these passages and flips some pages, and slides the book over to Ishmael and just shakes her head. "That is much worse than what I was expecting. It doesn't change anything however, the goblins are hunting the region to near barrenness. They're not going to be able to sustain that for long. They're going to move soon."

Loyal: "Yeah."

GM: "-Just out of sheer logistics needs of feeding that many voracious little mouths. They're weeds with teeth, after all, like they need to feed on something and they've about depleted the resources of that area. If whoever they're working under hasn't realized that, the goblins might turn on that person, but I suspect they know what they're doing and things are about to get real bad, real fast. So if whatever you had that you thought was pressing, isn't in line with this? Change your priorities!"

Loyal: "I'd have to agree with that statement yeah. Whatever is in that forest isn't leaving the forest as of now."

Markus: "For now, certainly, but."

Ishmael: "Yeah, this seems more pressing, like-"

Loyal: "Now knowing that there's someone researching these ancient ruins and that this spot might be of interest, that name now Malfeshnekor worries me, because once it's released under her command, perhaps they've-"

Markus: We already know what that is.

Ishmael: Do we?

Markus: Yes.

Loyal: It's been a while so.

GM: Are you going to share with the class? 

All: [Laugh]

Loyal: Oh, you just fucking know, and I don't know shit.

Markus: No, I'm fairly certain it was shared at the time. It's-

Taury: But that was 84 years ago [laughs].

Loyal: That'so long ago, I don't remember that shit.

Markus: I want to say a barghest, basically one of the children of Lamashtu, am I remembering that right?

Loyal: Barghest, fun!

GM: Oh that's, that's great.

Loyal: I don't remember that ever being mentioned.

Ishmael: Would that be like a planes, Religion?

Markus: planes.

Ishmael: planes oh.

Markus: At least to recognize the name was originally.

Ishmael: 25.

GM: Alright yeah, Malfeshnekor, that's definitely a barghest and, and you know what a barghest is. They're a snarling canine-like beast that pads forwards on all fours, with slender front limbs looking more like hands than wolf paws. They almost look like a cross between a badger and a werewolf.

Ishmael: Yeah.

GM: You get three questions about what a barghest is.

Ishmael: Weaknesses?

GM: None.

Ishmael: Special attacks?

GM: They feed. Once per month a barghest can devour a non evil humanoid's corpse as a full round action and gain a growth point, it gains a bonus equal to its growth point total on attack rolls.

Loyal: Fuck!

GM: Combat maneuver rolls, saving throws, skill checks, you know, all that stuff. Maximum hit points increase by 5 for each growth point gained,- 

Loyal: Oh no!

GM: -and for every 2 growth points of barghest caster level, for it's spell like abilities and CR's increase by 1. When a barghest reaches 4 growth points, it sheds its skin and becomes a greater barghest, losing all of its growth points and bonuses, but gaining the stats of a greater barghest, because it is evolved.

Loyal: Fuck!

Taury: I hate it, it's so rude, I hate it.

Loyal: If we let that thing sit there we're fucked.

Ishmael: Right, you said once per month, right?

GM: Yeah.

Ishmael: Ok.

Markus: Once per month after it's been released.

Loyal: Yeah, that's provided it's been released.

GM: Well, you're assuming that it didn't start as a greater barghest.

Markus: Yeah, there is that, it's named barghest, so it may well be.

Ishmael: Right.

Loyal: Yeah it's name.

GM: You just know it is a barghest and you're learning about barghests in general, not this one specifically.

Taury: Nah, this one has like a name and a family and everything?

GM: Uh huh, yeah.

Taury: Fucking grandkids, the whole fucking lot! [laughs]

GM: Yeah, so that was two questions, you got one left. What would you like to know?

Ishmael: Ah like, I don't even know at this point oh let's see, the resistances I guess. Because I'm not going to make you read their whole like blurb on like, you know, what a horrible fucking monstrosities they are because- [laughs].

GM: Oh, you don't want to know it's ecology?

Taury: All the different ways it's going to kill us. What do you mean?

Ishmael: I mean fuck it, yeah let's hear it, let's hear it Furtive.

GM: Oh, you want the ecology?

Ishmael: Yeah, read for us Furtive, read for us.

GM: Alright.

Taury: Scroll through your notes.

GM: Their organization is either solitary or in colts.

Ishmael: I'm sorry, what?

Loyal: Fun!

GM: Which a colt is a barghest plus a tribe of goblins.

Loyal: Ok, if that makes a lot of sense now.

Taury: That's yeah.

Ishmael: Oh ok.

Taury: Those pennies have dropped now.

Loyal: In this case, 7 tribes of goblins.

GM: There are said to be fiendish relations to goblinoid races. The hateful barghests came to the material plane to feed, as they consume the bodies of innocents, they grow increasingly powerful. A barghest eventually sheds its skin and transforms into greater barghest, at which point they often seek out a tribe of goblins or other creatures to rule.

Ishmael: Hmm, awesome. 

Loyal: Fuck.

GM: You know what, you didn't really gain any extra info with that, have another question on me.

Loyal: [Laughs] It's probably like a fucking demon or something.

Ishmael: Why, thank you god!

Taury: I don't like that he's enjoying this, I don't like that at all.

Loyal: We needed to be prepared knowing if it's just immune to our attacks.

Ishmael: Resistances

GM: How about you pick something that'll actually give you some information?

Ishmael: Ok, something that will give us some information, right... I leave it up to other people, like anybody got any suggestions?

Loyal: I suggest resistance's because, because if we go into that thing, we don't know if it's just immune to our fucking weapons, we're fucked.

Ishmael: Can can I just go, like, give us some more information on it? Can that be my question? Can I go like, more information that is helpful questionmark?

GM: Yeah, yeah, I'll give you it's spell-like abilities.

Ishmael: Ok. 

Taury: Here we go.

GM: Spell-like abilities: At will, it can use blink, levitate and misdirection.

Ishmael: No, I hate everything about this!

Taury: Oh fuck it

Loyal: Hmm.

Taury: This is like a more- an even more obnoxious version of the fucking demon thing we already killed.

Loyal: [Laughs] That we couldn't fucking hit!

GM: Once per day, it can charm monster, cast crushing despair or dimension door.

Markus: Ok, yeah.

Fenwarin: Yay! 

Ishmael: What the fuck?! Like any one of those are all of them once per day?

GM: It can do any of them once per day.

Ishmael: Ok.

Taury: So it has to pick one and do one of them? 

GM: No, no.

Loyal: One each.

Taury: What?

GM: It gets one casting of each of those per day.

Ishmael: Each?! Oh boy.

Taury: That's such bullshit. It's so rude.

Loyal: So we're all gonna die yeah?

Ishmael: Yeah no, we'll be fine.

Loyal: Why don't we just let Sandpoint burn.

Taury: No we'll just feed it Fen and run away.

Ishmael: [Laughs]

Fenwarin: Hey now!

Markus: No, no, no.

Taury: Just get him really drunk and he won't feel it.

Ishmael: Oh so it's a puppy?! Yes, it's a puppy.

Taury: A hundred percent, it's a puppy, it's just maybe a hellhound, but still a puppy.

Markus: No, no, no no. Hellhounds deal with fire. This thing deals with eating souls.

Taury: I mean, fire eats souls technically.

Ishmael: Fire solves all problems, let's be real. Anyway-

Taury: Yeah, right?

Markus: Anyway. Yeah, back in character.

Ishmael: Anyway. Yes, hmm, right. Cool. So, yes, Thistletop [Fumbles] words, that place. Just I can't words this early in the morning. Who can?

Taury: It's contagious Furtive. Well done.

Ishmael: Shoosh.

GM: I apologize for nothing.

Ishmael: "Yeah, this is more of a problem than, you know, ettercaps in the woods, so. Right."

GM: "Ettercaps in the woods, what?"

Ishmael: "Don't worry about it."

Markus: "Egan's Wood but that's the thing that's apparently less important right now."

Ishmael: I mean.

Morana: "That's why the giant spiders have been venturing out into the hinterlands."

GM: "Huh!"

Morana: "There's at least one, possibly more."

GM: "Well, that's not good either."

Morana: "No."

Ishmael: "But, you know, yes. Might not be a Sandpoint to come back to if we wait for, you know, too long on this goblin issue."

Loyal: "I don't see the ettercaps leaving the woods."

GM: "Tell you what, I'll go deal with Eagan's Woods, you go deal with Thistletop. I've scouted around and the entrance is heavily guarded by a thicket of nettles, and the goblins have made their their base in those nettles. Me going in there alone would not end well. But if all of you went that, that could be better. I, crawling around in there, would not be able to use my bow effectively."

Markus: "You certain there's only one entrance?"

GM: "Well, if you want to go through the front, yeah. I guess you could attempt to get into the main site somehow from the coast? I'm not sure how, but it might be possible."

Markus: "Well, if they're heavily guarding the front door and we just need to take out their leadership, going in the hidden side entrance that they don't know we know about seems far better. If such a thing exists."

GM: "If it exists, maybe. I tried burning the thicket, it didn't work."

Markus: "You mean it didn't work because the thicket didn't want to burn, or because the goblins reacted?"

GM: "A bit of both. The undergrowth is too green, too new, it didn't catch, and I suspect they also have a druid."

Loyal: "Great."

Markus: "Oh, oh, wonderful."

GM: "A goblin druid, so he's a stupid druid, but a druid nonetheless."

Ishmael: [Laugh]

Loyal: "Well then, you know somewhat what we're up against, at least."

GM: "Yeah. I saw the tracks and some of the fur on the nettles of what looked to be a firepelt cougar, I suspect it's the druid's companion."

Loyal: "Brilliant."

GM: "Yeah, if you can find a side route, it would not be inadvisable to try that first."

Markus: "Wait, firepelt cougar? is that just a special color or is it actually, you know, flaming?"

GM: "Oh, ha ha, I see. No, it's it's just the breed. They've got a sleek black coat with what almost looks like skunk stripes of bright orange and fiery reds."

Markus: "Oh, ok. Anything we should know if we have to fight it?"

GM: "It's a cougar."

Markus: "And unlikely animal companion?"

GM: "Yeah, avoid its claws and teeth."

Loyal: "Sounds easy enough."

Markus: "No, but yes."

Loyal: "Well then. I guess we should start making preparations yeah?"

Markus: "Maybe."

Ishmael: "Yes."

Markus: "We definitely need better equipment."

Loyal: "Yeah, that's for sure." I'll look at Taury, "Ready to go check on that then?"

Taury: She nods.

Loyal: "It's definitely the first course of order."

GM: "Alright, I'll head out to Egan's would then and see if I can deal with this ettercap, whatever that is."

Ishmael: "Might be more than one, be careful."

Morana: "Morana fills in Shalelu on what an ettercap is."

Ishmael: Yeah.

GM: Alright, the color drains from her face a little bit at the description, it's clear she doesn't deal well with spiders.

Taury: She afraid of them?

Markus: "Maybe you just make sure the spiders remain contained, and we can come back and help you when Thistletop is dealt with?"

GM: "Arrows will be enough to contain them. I'm going to go get some, some vermin bain now, thanks. And see if I can go purchase a swarm bain clasp. Thank you."

Ishmael: "Yep, you're welcome."

GM: She rises and walks away slowly.

Fenwarin: She's like "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!"

All: [Laugh]

Loyal: Arachnophobia.

Ishmael: Internally screaming.

Taury: Yeah.

GM: Yeah, what good are arrows against a swarm of spiders, right?

Ishmael: Yeah.

Markus: Yeah, Morana is just sitting there with this look on her face, like 'you asked.'

GM: Alright, you guys did not turn in your quest for Black Fang, if you turn that in, when you turn that in, the reward is 100 gold per person. I believe.

Loyal: I think it was just a thousand to split.

Markus: Yeah, the original posting was a thousand, but we haven't actually killed it.

GM: Oh, just a flat thousand?

Loyal: We haven't actually killed it.

Taury: No, it didn't say kill the thing.

Markus: No, it didn't, but-

Taury: I said find out what was happening in there or something.

Loyal: 'This offer of 1000 to the group that stops this mysterious creature.'

Taury: Yeah.

Loyal: Which I guess we've, we've worked something out for now.

Taury: We did a thing.

Markus: We've potentially started the negotiations on a way of getting peace and placating the black dragon that, yeah.

Taury: Yeah.

Morana: We kicked the can down the road, it's the next generation's problem now.

Taury: Negotiations are well underway.

Loyal: Ok boomer.

Taury: All

Fenwarin: Ok. Yeah, we technically finished it.

Taury: Yeah, nailed it!

All: [Laugh]

GM: Ok, 1000 gold is much more than 100 per person, so, yes, as the posting says, a thousand gold. The mayor will be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is, in fact, a black dragon and is thankful to know that another one exists in the region.

Loyal: [Laughs] Yeah! Two!

Taury: Possibly another two.

GM: And will tell you that the older sister, if you divulge all this, do you?

Taury: Yeah, we would.

Markus: If the mayor actually believes us yeah.

GM: Alright. So you tell her the whole thing and not just what you want, right?

Fenwarin: Should we? [Laughs]

Markus: We need to tell her about the deal, which involves telling her about the sister, at which [point] we might as well tell her everything.

Loyal: Yes.

Morana: Yeah.

Taury: I don't know. Would we have told her about the deal. Is that smart?

Markus: Yes.

Loyal: Well it's probably the only thing which is like, 'Hey we've dealt with a situation.'

Morana: I mean, it's going to need to be known so that the farmers can do their part in it.

Taury: Oh yeah, right right right. I forgot about that.

Markus: Yeah. We kind Of need to tell her. Yeah, sorry.

GM: Alright, the sister is colloquially known as Scarhorn and was known about. The line about Scarhorn attacking passing ships, however, not true.

Taury: Dragon's a lying bastard.

Fenwarin: So she lives in Dragon's Punchbowl?

GM: Yes, she lives in Dragon's Punchbowl, and an adventure party went out there about a decade ago trying to subjugate the dragon, and were mercilessly slaughtered.

Fenwarin: Oh.

Taury: Uh huh.

Loyal: Yeah.

Fenwarin: But they knocked her horn off or something?

GM: And that was it. There was no revenge, nothing, she stays out there by herself and is almost never spotted. She stays under the water and doesn't bother the people on the coast or above the waves at all. In fact, she controls and contains the wyverns that could actually be an issue to the shipping lanes.

Fenwarin: Oh, that's fun.

GM: And they don't attack because of her.

Loyal: She's chill.

Taury: Yeah.

Loyal: The brother's an asshole!

Taury: The dragon's full of shit.

Fenwarin: [Laughs] Well, he's an angsty teen, so.

Loyal: Angsty teen dragon.

Taury: Listen, even angsty teens don't always try and start a fucking war!

Ishmael: That's fair.

Fenwarin: Well, he's trying to puff himself up, and he's got nothing to brag about.

Taury: Yeah. He's got a Napoleon complex.

Fenwarin: Yeah.

Loyal: The brass dragon could be fun though.

GM: Do you mention the brass dragon to the mayor?

Ishmael: Is that vital information?

Taury: I would say if we're talking about the other stuff.

Markus: Yeah, we might as well mention everything.

Loyal: Probably. Probably.

Fenwarin: Ok yeah.

Loyal: She may help us find it, I don't know.

Taury: Yeah.

GM: Alright. The mayor has never heard of a brass dragon in the area.

Taury: That's because this black dragon is full of shit.

Loyal: Well, can't- brass dragons can also turn- they can make themselves look humanoid, can't they? Isn't that a thing we knew?

Markus: I don't think-

GM: Not to her knowledge.

Taury: It can socialize, is what it was.

Loyal: Oh.

Taury: They're known to be more social.

Markus: They're the most sociable. Yeah.

Loyal: Yeah. That's what it was.

Taury: Yeah. That doesn't mean they turn into people.

Markus: Yeah.

Taury: Maybe they do.

Markus: But they like to make friends with people, I think its particularly halflings or something like that.

Taury: I don't know about the halflings thing, I remember the socializing thing being mentioned.

Fenwarin: So they love gnomes. Ok.

Taury: Halflings, not gnomes.

Ishmael: I just had to put it in there anyway. [Laughs]

Taury: Just the casual racism over there, and anti halfling sentiment.

GM: So, yeah, you get your payment.

Taury: How much do we get

Loyal: A thousand split, I'll do the math.

Taury: Each or together?

GM: Together.

Loyal: To split for all.

Taury: Yeah, that's what I thought. That's wild.

Morana: Yeah.

Loyal: There's six of us, so 166.667.

Markus: Are we actually including Ishmael in that? Given he didn't deal with the dragon at all?

Loyal: Oh.

Ishmael: No. Like I don't care about-

Taury: Absolutely not.

Loyal: Alrighty.

Fenwarin: [Laughs]

Ishmael: Your job was your job.

Taury: Like why would we? [Laughs]

Loyal: That'll be an even 200 split for everyone.

Markus: Yeah, it makes the maths easier.

Morana: Yeah, that sounds-

Taury: Yeah, but also he wasn't there. So-

GM: Math.

Loyal: That's fair, that's fair. I was just trying to be inclusive.

Taury: That's not being exclusive, is that he wasn't there.

Ishmael: Yeah like why-

Taury: Why would you pay him for what he wasn't there for?

Loyal: Listen, I just automatically do it based on the-

Taury: Yeah, no I get it, it's fine. [Laughs]

Loyal: I give up.

Ishmael: I get it, but yeah it's like Ishmael will go "No."

Fenwarin: Loyal is a nice guy.

Taury: Loyal is a nice guy.

Ishmael: Yeah.

Taury: And it gets him nowhere. [Laughs]

Loyal: That's very true.

Taury: The poor bastard.

Loyal: That is correct.

GM: Alright, so with that payout and all of the treasure you found in that lair, which was a few thousand worth, you should be able to stock up fairly well.

Markus: Yeah. I believe certain people also needed to go check on the progress of the dagger sale.

Loyal: Uh huh. We were going to do that.

Taury: I assume we had already left at this point.

Ishmael: Now, Ishmael would have not followed you guys to the mayor.

GM: The dagger has been sold, you get your payment, no issue.

Loyal: Oh! Oh!

Markus: Ok.

Taury: Yeah.

Loyal: It is a fuck ton!

Fenwarin: I still smell a rat. [Laughs]

Markus: Nope nope. It's fine.

Fenwarin: Nope nope. [Laughs]

Taury: Nope nope, grabs money, runs.

Ishmael: Yeah.

Taury: How much was that worth?

Loyal: It was a fucking lot!

Fenwarin: Alright... Oh!

Markus: That's better.

Taury: What? What is- what's this sorcery that's happening in Roll 20?

Loyal: That's the amount that each of us gets.

Markus: That's maths, that's that's getting Roll 20 to do maths for us.

Taury: It's dark magic, I don't believe it!

All: [Laugh]

Morana: Yeah.

Ishmael: Yes.

Loyal: Oh yes. It's like 10K.

Markus: So what is this sorcery?

Markus: Split between five people.

Fenwarin: Woah!

Markus: This is the dagger. That's how much each. Yeah.

Fenwarin: Jesus!

Taury: Wait, that entirely is each?!

Loyal: Each! 2060.80. Each.

Markus: Yep. Welcome to the world of Pathfinder.

Taury: Welcome to the world of maths. That's what I thought you were going to say.

Markus: No, because magic items are expensive.

Taury: Dang!

Loyal: They are.

Taury: Is that getting shared with Ishmael?

Ishmael: Ishmael isn't even with you guys like, Ishmael said, like, "I'll catch up with you guys later." 

Morana: He bugged off for now.

Loyal: I give Ishmael five silver pieces.

Taury: Alright, did we all go to the shop, isn't that what happened?

Loyal: I assume as we split up, we do things.

Taury: Yeah, that's what I kind of thought, so I was wondering if he was there when we shared out the money.

Morana: Yeah Morana had nothing better to do.

Fenwarin: Fen was sitting where he sat, because hangover.

Taury: Wow that's so much money! Jesus Christ.

Loyal: Yeah.

Ishmael: That's more money than I've ever seen.

Loyal: Cool. Oh god, we got to figure out what to buy.

GM: Alright. While they all divvy up money and go shopping for the gear they want to do. Ishmael.

Ishmael: Yes.

GM: You've headed off to the Curious Goblin. 

Ishmael: Yes I have.

GM: Alright. You find the bookstore easily enough.

Ishmael: Fair, I assume it's open this morning.

GM: It is.

Ishmael: Good, I enter.

GM: Alright, as you enter, there are just stacks and stacks of books. Off to the side there's a little coffee table with a couple overstuffed chairs. They're both occupied by two elderly gentleman. And behind the desk is another elderly gentleman, who is the shop owner.

Ishmael: Cool. I approach the owner.

GM: "Ah! What can I do for you? What are you here for?"

Ishmael: "Well, I'm here looking for some tomes, books on, several things."

GM: "So you had the genius idea to come into a bookstore, did you?"

Ishmael: "Well, you know, would you believe me if I said this wasn't my first stop?"

GM: "We might have what you're looking for, maybe. Maybe." 

Ishmael: "Maybe? Are you sure?"

GM: "If you're looking for books and you walk into a bookstore, it's possible we might have the book for you."

Ishmael: "Oh goodness! I was hoping! Was a little bit worried that you wouldn't! Yes. Do you have any words pertaining to the First?"

GM: "Huh... Books of the fey writes?"

Ishmael: "Hmm."

GM: "I think I might. Yeah? Yeah." He gets out from behind the counter and plods over to one of the shelves, flips through a few of the the spines and pulls a book off the shelf. "I think this is the one you want."

Ishmael: Ishmael will take it and hold it in his hands and look it over. What is the title of it?

GM: Portals of the First World.

Ishmael: Sweet. Cool. "And I'm also looking for anything you have on Thassilonian, and- this." Ishmael will hold up a symbol. DM'ing you... I'm sending it to you on Discord.

GM: "Hmm... Afraid I don't know anything about this."

Ishmael: "And the previous Thassilonian like things in general?"

GM: "If you want to know anything about ancient Thassilon," he points over to one of the overstuffed chairs, "you'll talk to that man there."

Ishmael: Cool. Does he point to one in particular? Or just-

GM: Yeah, an older gentleman wearing some spectacles, balding, in a scholar's outfit.

Ishmael: Yes. "Greetings. The owner of the shop said that if I were looking for information on ancient Thassilon to speak with you."

GM: He looks you up and down. "And what do you want to know exactly?"

Ishmael: Ishmael will show him the symbol. "Anything on that."

GM: He gestures a hand out to take it from you to closer inspect it.

Ishmael: Yeah, I clearly just hand it over.

GM: Alright. He takes it, adjust his spectacles, looks it over. "Where did you get this?"

Ishmael: "A bit of a complicated story, but a-"

GM: "I would be ever so fascinated to know where you found it."

Ishmael: "Well, not so much found as in-"

GM: "Is it a new site?"

Ishmael: "More like a marking of things that have been done by a group that I am not so much a part of, but was interacting with, yes."

GM: "Ah. Well you see this symbol put all over the place, but anywhere it's put is usually of import to the old ways of the Thassilonian empire as it was their symbol."

Ishmael: "Gotcha."

GM: "Yeah, the seven points on this star are representing the seven virtues that they espoused. Yeah. Over the years and the eras, the virtues turned to sins, and each spoke of the star then came to represent a vice."

Ishmael: "Ah. gotcha."

GM: "Thassilonian was divided into seven distinct regions when the sinlords, the runelords, overthrew the emperor of all of Thassilon. They cut the country up and ruled over their own little pieces, each espousing a certain virtue or sin, as it were, as the primary and true way to power."

Ishmael: "Gotcha."

GM: "Yeah, interesting little thing, the Sihedron."

Ishmael: "Yeah."

GM: "That's what this symbols called, the Sihedron"

Ishmael: "Yes."

GM: "Means so much and yet so innocuous"

Ishmael: "That's fair."

GM: He hands it back to you.

Ishmael: "Yes, and if this symbol is meant to represent each faction, right, what would the virtue dealing with- well, I guess murder and carving this into the flesh... "

GM: What?"

Ishmael: "Nothing then."

GM: "All right."

Ishmael: "Thank you for the information that you've given me. If any more questions I'll be sure to return to you if that's ok? And your name?"

GM: "Brodert Quink."

Ishmael: "Yes, Ishmael and..." Fuck it. Ishmael will extend a hand for a handshake.

GM: He grabs your hand, shakes it.

Ishmael: Yes. Like um. I guess, because out of paranoia, that Sense motive. Well seems fine!

GM: Yeah,

Ishmael: It's fine! It's fine. It's ok.

GM: Everything's fine.

Ishmael: Yeah.

GM: I have uploaded this symbol into artwork.

Loyal: Ooh! It's a gold one.

Markus: Oh, yes. That one.

Ishmael: Yeah.

Loyal: I don't like that.

Ishmael: [Laughs] "Anyway. Well, yes." Oh, yeah like before Ishmael leaves. "Yes. How much for the book?"

GM: "For that one?"

Ishmael: "Yes."

GM: "75 gold."

Ishmael: Uuuh... Diplomacy, "You said 75 right?"

GM: "Yeah."

Ishmael: "50."

GM: "10."

Ishmael: "50 because half the things written in this book will be wrong."

GM: "65. And you tell me what's wrong."

Ishmael: "Like, you know what?" What did he say, 65 or did he say 60?

GM: 65.

Ishmael: "55 and I will do it right here, right now."

GM: "Deal."

Ishmael: "Ok?" Ishmael will open up the book and begin skimming through it. Do you need me to make a roll or something on?

GM: Yes, I need an intelligence check.

Ishmael: Ok, that's just D20 plus my int mod right?

GM: All right, you will spend the next hour and a half pointing out everything that's wrong with this book.

Ishmael: How much is wrong with the book? [Laughs] More than half? Half?

GM: It's not more than half and it's not completely wrong, it's just some things are-

Ishmael: Different.

GM: Yeah.

Ishmael: Yes, yeah, things don't translate well here, that's fair.

GM: They don't translate or they were through a certain perspective lens, that colored an interpretation of things. So you have to get through all the author bias.

Ishmael: Yes. Gotcha. And this man's reaction?

GM: He's taking notes of everything you're saying. He's fascinated to learn more about anything of any subject.

Ishmael: Like, the whole time he's recounting, like, what's wrong and what's missaid or, you know, the bias, like he's still saying it as if, you know, nostalgic and remembering, missing.

GM: Yeah.

Ishmael: Yeah, but yeah, like he will give him his 55 gold. 

GM: Alright, after you're done here, what will you do?

Ishmael: I guess I'll go meet up with the group, probably a smart place to go, or no wait no. I head to the White Deer.

GM: Alright, that is a good spot to switch back to the rest of the group. What are you all doing? What are you buying? Where are you running around to?

Loyal: I know exactly what I'm buying! I assume we kind of all meet up, split the money.  That's pretty assumed I guess.

Markus: Yes.

Taury: Yeah, I would imagine.

Loyal: I have three things on my mind, provided the market price I could afford all of them. That would be preserving flask first level, a boro bead also first level and then a formula alembic.

GM: Anyone else?

Markus: The gear to craft stuff myself. 

Loyal: Oh boy.

GM: Interesting, what type of crafting?

Markus: Wondrous items.

GM: Interesting! 

Loyal: [Laugh]

Markus: On an out of character note. Do you know how long it will take us to actually reach Thistletop?

Taury: I think it wasn't that far away, wasn't that the conclusion we had?

GM: It's not too terribly far.

Loyal: Yeah, because based on the travels of our last time, it was like a day at most.

Taury: Yeah, I feel like every time it's mentioned, we forget how far away it is, and then we bring up the map and we go, oh, it's actually really close.

GM: Yeah, it's a few hours by foot without horse.

Loyal: There you go.

Markus: Ok. Right.

Loyal: It is through thistle's and shit though.

Markus: Yeah, that's gonna be a problem.

Taury: It's almost like the clue was in the name or something.

Markus: Yeah, I'm not going to have multiple days to craft stuff am I?

GM: No, it is only a six mile journey in total.

Markus: Well, shucks. What's the general consensus of the group? Are we basically leaving immediately?

Loyal: I think we're taking a day.

Taury: I presume we're taking a day because we're all shopping.

Loyal: Because we have to go around buy shit. 

Fenwarin: Yeah.

Taury: Yeah.

Loyal: I want to craft some shit.

Fenwarin: And I need to shake this hangover too.

Loyal: I can help with that.

Taury: I love how everyone's like buying shit and Fenwarin's like "I also need to sleep."

Ishmael: Body please stop trying to kill me. Yeah.

Markus: Ok, in which case...

Taury: He's going to the local chemist. That's what's happening.

Fenwarin: Yup or Loyal.

Markus: There is an alchemical hangover cure.

Loyal: Yeah, that's what I was going to make him.

Taury: Yeah.

Loyal: I mean, it would take time to make it. It's like it costs 1 gold, so I'll probably just buy one for him.

Taury: Especially now that he's addicted to alcohol.

Fenwarin: Minor addiction.

Taury: It's still an addiction son! [Laughs]

Fenwarin: Fine.

GM: Yeah, it's only six miles there on the map, assuming that you don't get lost in the Nettlewoods.

Taury: No, we're going to get lost aren't we?

Markus: Yeah ok.

Taury: We're going to die in the Nettlewood. That's what's going to happen.

Markus: No! Stop being so pessimistic.

Taury: Yup. [Chuckles] No, I'm being factual. It's going to happen. We got lost going to cliffs that we knew exactly where they were. We still went to the wrong ones.

GM: [Laughs]

Ishmael: It'll be fine.

Markus: I think that was partly GM fiat, but yeah.

Taury: Nah, we'll end up like walking into some camp that looks vaguely like Thistletop, we'll just assume that's it. And we'll just kill a bunch of innocent people, walk into Sandpoint, be like "We did it boys!"

Ishmael: Oh, wait, why is this place razed to the ground?

Taury: And it's just not there anymore! Yeah. [Laughs]

Morana: Let's see, I'm giving a cloak of resistance +1, an origami swarm.

Loyal: An origami swarm? That sounds dope as hell!

Morana: Actually, let's go with two of those just in case, so that's 1600. Well, actually, that'll be it for now.

Markus: This is yeah, we're going to need to decide on items today aren't we? Because we're heading out to Thistletop.

Loyal: I mean, like I knew what I wanted. I've been looking at these for a while. It's pretty standard choice.

Markus: Oh, I know what I want. I just don't want to pay twice the price for it when I can craft it myself.

Loyal: That's fair. That is fair.

Markus: Also, as a general thing, when we're not under a time crunch, if party members want wondrous items crafting?

Loyal: Yeah, mine currently require that you basically be able to make extracts so you obviously wouldn't be able to make mine.

Markus: I can emulate that.

Loyal: Oh! Cool.

Markus: It increases the DC to craft it though, 

Loyal: I see.

Markus: so depending on how high the craft DC is to start with.

Loyal: Gotcha.

GM: Have you all, for the most part, finished your shopping? Ready to progress?

Markus: Ah no.

Taury: Probably not.

Loyal: I mean, yes I know what I've bought and what I want to buy, assuming I have access to buy it.

Markus: Well, Runty are you wanting, you're presumably wanting to make your weapon masterwork? 

Taury: Yeah.

Markus: Are you wanting to make it magical? Or are you wanting magical defenses or something else completely?

Taury: See, I don't know, is the thing. I don't know what are all the things that I can do. I was going to just enchant it if I can afford to do that as well.

Markus: That would be another 2000 to make it a full +1.

Loyal: Woof.

Taury: What?

GM: Yeah, to enchant a weapon is-

Taury: Oh, yeah, no, but that's only if I can afford it, that's not my main thing is upgrading it to masterwork.

GM: Right, so masterwork is a few hundred, and then enchantment to put it to a +1 weapon is a couple thousand. And then if you want to enchant it again, which is an additional +1 or giving it special unique properties.

Taury: Right. Yeah.

GM: Each property is essentially an equivalent of a plus rating. Like if you want bain, I believe bain is a +2 equivalent. So it'd be like buying another +2 enhancement. So if you were at a +1 weapon, which it has to be magical first to give it special properties, it would then be as if you were going up to +3. So you would need the difference in cash for.

Taury: To do that.

GM: Yeah. And that's how upgrading weapons works, if you're not doing it all at once or buying in straight out.

Taury: Yeah, I gotcha. So, like, if it's masterwork, it gets no other benefits other than the fact that it can then be upgraded afterwards.

GM: Masterwork will give you +1 to attack, but not to damage.

Taury: Yeah that's ok still.

Markus: Yeah, masterwork is definitely good. Definitely do that.

Loyal: It's also on the way to enchanting.

Taury: Yeah, well, because the thing is I was also looking into like armor, too, is the thing. So I don't really want to put super a ton of money into the weapon, because the armor is important too.

Markus: Yeah. Then might I suggest you look at something like full flight?

Loyal: That could be a thing.

Taury: Yeah, I'm looking at mithril, is what I was looking at.

Markus: Mithril will be too expensive if you want it on heavy armor.

Taury: Well, I'm looking at other things as well. I was looking at the agile breastplate, is what I was looking at.

GM: Mmm. It's a good one.

Taury: Yeah, well, 'cause it's not as pain-in-the-arsy, and it's like only 400 quid.

Markus: Yeah, I suppose it depends on what your dex bonus is.

Taury: Not great I don't think. Well its 2, it's not the worst.

Markus: Yeah, so you, basically if you want to be absolutely max about this, then when you can afford like 10000 gold mithril full plate?

Taury: Oh, yeah, no, 100 percent.

Markus: Until then, a basic full plate at 1500 would get you 9 armor and 1 of your dex bonus, so you'd be at 21 with the ring of protection.

Taury: Oh, I hadn't scrolled that far down the page yet.

Markus: Yeah, yeah, full plate is really, really good, but hideously expensive.

Loyal: Yeah. Because it's a lot of fucking metal.

Markus: It's a lot of very well crafted metal. The down side, you know how unsneaky you are right now?

Taury: Well, that's the thing, because I'm looking at the agile breastplate, and that's basically +6, it doesn't weigh as much, it's not as expensive and there's only 3 armor bonus in the difference. And the other one makes me noisy as fuck!

Markus: Yeah, but ultimately, there are ways of dealing with that.

Loyal: Spells and the likes.

Markus: Spells, there are further magical enchantments down the line if that's something you want to do. But something like getting a masterwork, agile breastplate or masterwork full plate? Yeah, they're not bad choices. The other potential option for defense specifically is things like amulets of natural armor, is another obvious one. But at 2000 for a net +1.

Taury: Yeah, one is an-

Markus: Yeah, it's a thing to get after you got the armor, really.

Taury: Mm hmm. How much of that is the masterwork of the armor, because it doesn't have that here?

Markus: 150 gold pieces to make it masterwork.

Taury: Oh I see. 'Cause afterwards then it's upgrading it.

Markus: No, you can buy it masterwork.

Taury: I see.

Ishmael: Yeah so when you buy the armor straight out like you pay-

Taury: It's just straight out like that already?

Ishmael: Yeah, you pay an extra 150 and it's masterwork.

Taury: Cool, cool.

Markus: You can't, as far as I'm aware, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but you can't make an item have a special material at a later date.

Ishmael: No, it has to be built with that material.

Markus: Yeah, so you can't get masterwork full plate and make it mithril full plate later on. But you can sell your existing full plate and use that to fund buying.

Loyal: Yeah.

Markus: It depends how you want to spend the gold.

Taury: Those like minuses to the armor check, would those affect combat maneuvers?

Markus: Only if you're not proficient in the armor. Do you have armor proficiency heavy?

Ishmael: Let's see, you're proficient- Warpriests are proficient with all simple marshall weapons, as well as favorite weapon of his deity and all armor heavy, light, medium.

Markus: Yes, I was going to say, clerics get heavy armor.

Ishmael: Shields except for tower shields. 

GM: Ok.

Loyal: Yeah, you get proficient with heavy.

Taury: Oh so it's all of them?

Loyal: Yeah you can wear heavy.

Taury: So that basically means that I'm proficient in the other thing then.

GM: Yeah.

Taury: So that's not a big deal then.

GM: Anything Fenwarin needs?

Fenwarin: I was looking at a ring of protection, just a +1. And then like something to, you know, help me expand my spell library, if that's possible?

Markus: We have time so you can copy the scrolls of burning hands and flaming sphere if you want? 

Fenwarin: Oh yeah! 

Markus: So just stick them in your spell book. And that'll cost you, I think, second level is 40, so 50 all total to do that in inks.

Fenwarin: Ok. And they're both second level?

Markus: No burning hands is first level.

Fenwarin: Ok, yeah. Ok.

Loyal: I think since I bought the formula, I'm going to do the whole thing where I for like an hour I distill the potion of invisibility that we have, and then spend the money to copy it down to my formula book. I can't use second level stuff yet, but I have it.

GM: Sounds good.

Loyal: Which means we can actually drink the potion now.

Markus: Oh, yeah. While are we doing all this, on leveling up to level three, I now speak Abyssal. I have a blessed book filled with Abyssal writing.

Loyal: Oh!

GM: Yeah.

Markus: That we never actually properly identified because we couldn't work out what it said.

GM: Aha.

Taury: No, YOU couldn't work out what it said.

Markus: Nobody else volunteered at the time. Let's put it that way.

Loyal: It's true.

Taury: Because we're all humans, we don't speak Abyssal.

Markus: Yes, right. So now that I can actually understand the language, what is in this book?

GM: [Evil laugh]

Loyal: Oh boy!

GM: That book is The Unholy Scriptures of Lamashtu.

Morana: Oh, no, you've gone mad! 

Markus: Ok, how quickly do I realize that?

GM: Very quickly!

Markus: Right, OK.

GM: There's a lot more than just that though, if you want to keep reading. Do you slam the book closed real fast and get rid of it, or are you curious?

Markus: If I detect magic, obviously it's a blessed book, so that's going to have a magical aura from the book. Is there any indication of any other magic on this book?

GM: No.

Markus: How long will it take to read?

GM: Depends on how much of it you want to read?

Morana: Don't be a weenie, read the book. 

Markus: No. Ok, we're on time crunch. You've basically told me that I've got the day.

GM: Yeah.

Markus: Yeah, I need to craft at least something. So how long would it take to read the whole thing? I'm assuming it would be measured in hours.

GM: Yes. 

Markus: Yeah ok.

GM: Roll a D6.

Markus: I'm not going to read, I will skim parts of it, but I'm not going to read the whole thing now.

Taury: Oh, that's reading.

Loyal: Nice.

GM: Alright, you can read the entire book in one hour.

Morana: There you go.

Markus: Screw it! Ok.

Loyal: Yeah, do it!

Markus: Yeah ok. Let's do this.

Morana: Don't weeniss out now.

GM: Alright. This magically preserved book is an ancient prayer book dedicated to the worship of Lamashtu, the Mother of Monsters. Written in Abyssal, this well read tome was someone's pride and joy, the most important of their belongings. The book reads as much like a bestiary as it is a horrific and cruel description of how monsters kill and devour and whatnot, complete with illustrations.

Morana: Curse this lack of sanity rules! 

GM: I know right? [Laughs]

Markus: Yeah, I'm really glad about the lack of sanity rules and I probably wouldn't have finished reading the book right now if we were using them.

GM: [Laughs]

Loyal: But we're not

Markus: I was half expecting the immortal words of, "Make a Will save", but-

Ishmael: [Chuckles]

GM: No, no, not yet.

Markus: Yeah, ok.

Taury: I love the Will saves they're my favorite thing. 

Markus: I'm going to wager a guess that this perhaps might help with identifying certain types of creatures?

GM: Yes, consulting this book will give you a +2 on any attempt to identify a monster, which we will consider anything of Nature or Dungeoneering.

Markus: Oh, nice. Ok. Not planes?

GM: Not planes.

Markus: Ok? Nice, ok.

GM: Would you like to know how much the book is worth?

Markus: Yes, please.

GM: Appraise.

Markus: Yeah... Average roll.

GM: Alright, the contents alone are worth 100 gold.

Markus: It's a blessed book, it's worth a hell of a lot more than that.

GM: Right. But now that you can read the contents, you know, the full value, it's a blessed book with contents of a hundred gold.

Loyal: That's more than the dagger.

Markus: Well, let me put it this way, is it possible to erase the writing in the blessed book?

Loyal: It's a good point.

GM: That's what the erase spell is for, is it not?

Markus: Ah, yeah, OK.

GM: You might want to also consecrate the book.

Loyal: [Laughs]

Markus: Yeah.

GM: If you're trying to fully demonetize, er not, demonic-tize I guess is what- [Laughs]

Markus: Remove demonic influence.

GM: Yeah, I didn't pronounce the "C" enough in the first- Erase the infernal- this of the. Yeah, it might need to be blessed a few times [Laughs] or more.

Markus: Yeah, and the rest.

Loyal: Also, that's a lot of erase spells.

Markus: Yeah, it is, yeah.

Loyal: Because it's full, from what you've told us.

GM: Yep, all 1000 pages.

Markus: Yep.

Loyal: That's 500 erase spells. [Laughs]

Markus: Ok, so it can do two pages at time, yeah, ok. Right, ok, book is a project for another time, and if nothing else, we want to preserve the knowledge in there because that is a useful bonus.

GM: This seems like a good spot to end this session.

Loyal: Yes, so everyone can get their items figured out.

Fenwarin: Ooh.

Markus: Yeah. Ok.

GM: Yeah, give you time to purchase things out of character, wrap up the the shopping spree, and then we'll jump into your expedition in Thistletop next session.

Fenwarin: Ooh man!

That's all the time we have for now. To learn more about the show, the cast, etc. head over to http://wayward-expeditions.com/