Turn 40Darain hums, then chortles. He asks about the leather, and getting a response, answers Pressing Tide.
'He says the Leather is made from a rare sort of ambush predator that lives in the swamps we walk in at this moment, called a Pond Grabber. Apparently, they sleep in large groups, awaiting prey to pass close or fall into their lairs, at which point it is shredded with their beaks.My memories tell me these creatures group in clusters of a dozen, and it would take around a dozen to make one ogre-sized loincloth. While it's defensive properties are not remarkable, the treated leather of a pond grabber is naturally easy to work with, slick, waterproof and resilent to rot, well suited for living in these sorts of conditions, and defending oneself from aquatic creatures. The Ogres say these are merely light hunting garments designed for mobility, and they have much better battle armor at the village.(Luck roll 3 vs Fate roll 7, unlucky!)
And, I never was taught much of the Ogres culture-only their common lanugage, and how to kill them."The Kai are approaching a long set of wooden planks and sticks raised above the muck like a dock, what amounts to roads down here. It stretches off in two directions. There are a few Ogres, Kobolds and Cave Trolls here, relaxing and enjoying bartering, drink and food. Apparently, this is a rest stop, neutral territory to all-a few of them have set up shops. The entire party rests for awhile, and pick up some useful information-apparently, the Shamans of the local clans have received worrying signs. The spirits of their ancestors are missing, or at least unable to contacted. They sound very worried-most blame the "Black Stone Prison"-a term for the Dungeon below the cemetary, and say the Shamans have all been feeling evil magic from there for a long time, though it has recently gotten worse. The races of the fungal marsh even sent a group of their own warriors, who managed to sneak past the tentacled horror-apparently they found something bad, and very few returned.
One of the only survivors, a blinded Kobold soldier missing an arm, sits in the corner of the bar alone, nursing a cup of brew. We keeps fearfully whispering the same words
"The Gate will open...The Gate will open...the Gate will open..."The Ogres hoot, stomp their feet and cover their faces-a ward against evil, they explain, Darain translating. They prepare to leave, and point down to the South, and say if you go that way, you'll find the Rat-Lizards. They are going East, across the bridge, to their village, and will welcome you if you visit. They warn you not trade everything away to the junk merchants-thats the exact word they use-before you come visit them, if you are.
Darain translates the writing over the stalls-but most of the more prosperous of them are seen to have stolen tavern signs displaying their wares.
Unless these creatures have dealings with the aboveground world, they won't accept gold crowns, but you can try to barter with things you have. Darain mentions if you have food rations, Underground Dwellers usually value those as luxuries.
1. Kirknaks Basement Bargain Magic Rings of Powerful Savings
A sneaky looking little Kobold with a enormous mustache has many strange rings on display in wooden boxes. Written on a sign in front, in rough common are the words "All our sales our finals!!"
2. Thoggas Potent Potions (Going out of business sale, Buy or Die)
An angry Orc is showing off his dubious alchemic skill, while threatening to 'destroy' everyone who doesn't stop and browse.
3. Kolymarsh's Sanctum o' Shrooms
A mellow looking old Troll sits hunched behind his comically tiny stall, smoking something in a comically oversized pipe. He's got at least three dozen sorts of mushrooms laying around, each sorted into different sized baskets.
Blade Singer(Krath)
Str: 6+1=7 End: 3
Agi: 5+1=6 Int: 3
Cha: 5 HP: 7/13
Status
Equipment
-Worn and equipped-
Green Kai Cloak, worn, +2 to sneaking
Leather Armor, worn, +2 to defense
Dual Sabers, +6 damage, -2 defense
Red Headband, +1 defense
Quick Scabbard, +2 against ambushes and sneak attacks
Currency:25 Gold Crowns (minted more than ten years ago-collectors items!)
-Stowed-
Perfumed letter From the Queen of Esteros (read)
Abilities
Hardened Mind, +1 to resist mental attacks
Strong, +1 to strength from conditioning
Mastered Twin Sabers, +1 str/agi in combat when wielded
Disciplines:Weapon Mastery/Twin Sabers, Mind Shield
Pressing Tide(IronyOwl)
Str: 3 End: 3
Agi: 3-1=2 Int: 3
Cha: 9 HP: 9/13
Equipment
-Worn and equipped-
Chains, +0 damage, two attacks a turn
Green Kai Cloak, worn, +2 to sneaking
Leather Armor, worn, +2 to defense
-Stowed-
Elder Sign, does 3d10 to all undead and demons in battle when envoked-Pressing Tide must make an agility roll to avoid being damaged himself. Anyone else would have to make a charisma roll or go insane.
Karma Cards, GM hax
1x Torches, provides ten turns of light (unlit)
Darain's head, the head of a now defunct stone golem-he's very talkative, but very heavy, giving you a -1 agility penalty during combat. You love him so much though, you can't put him down until your sure he's safe.
Cave Fish Bone Two Handed Axe, +3 damage, -2 Defense-The Cave Ogre Thanes most prized possession, this axe is weighted to crush instead of slash, and is made of bone. It's pretty heavy.
2xPond Grabber Leather Loincloths +1 defense (Armor, or other items made from Pond Grabber leather are waterproof and rot resistant, protecting the wearer and its contents from water based attacks and creatures. These are far too clumsy for you to wear as is and gain any benefit from it beyond mediocre damage resistance.)
Currency:25 Gold Crowns
Abilities
Battle Mind, -1 to Enemy charisma rolls to resist mind blast
Foresight, +1 to all stats for first 1d6 combat rounds, automatic
Disciplines:Mind Blast, Sixth Sense
Molten Heart (Zako)
Str: 5 End: 4
Agi: 4 Int: 6
Cha: 2 HP: 12/14
Equipment
-Worn and equipped-
Bastard Sword, +2 damage normal, +5 damage when wielded two handed, =Elemental Bane= (This weapon give you a passive +2 to damage elemental based enemies combat-if your feeling gutsy, a passed agility roll allows you to reflect elemental attacks aimed at you.)
Green Kai Cloak, worn, +2 to sneaking
Leather Armor, worn, +2 to defense
-Stowed-
Smithing Tools, allows crafting
Iron-Mind Headband, allows Molten Heart to heal his one ally of all mental damage a battle, at the risk of taking it upon himself.
1xLampsur Potion, refill all HP, cannot be used during battle
Healing Kit (0 Poultices left, heals 5 hitpoints)
Keepers Journal (The writings of man named Richard Morrows-a prisoner in the dungeon catacombs beneath the Keening Willow Cemetary. Useful information could be read within.)
Dwarven Ring of Protection, provides a passive -3 to all damage suffered while worn, expending a charge every time it is used in this way.*the ring feels completely cool to the touch*
Currency:25 Gold Crowns
Abilities
Hardened Mind, +1 to resist mental attacks
Darkvision, +1 damage in total darkness
Disciplines:Kai weaponsmith, Mind shield
War Wind (Taricus)
Str: 2+2=4 End: 3
Agi: 3+1=4 Int: 8
Cha: 5 HP: 9/17
Light Source: *Lit Torch (5 rounds remaining)*
Equipment
-Worn and equipped-
Iron Longsword, +3 to damage
Unloaded Crossbow, +5 damage, needs a full round to reload, cant be used in melee, ignores half armor
+1 Exquisite Young Ironwood Light Spiked Heater Shield:+2 to defense, -1 damage, wielding in offhand, additional 1 spike damage on successful defense roll, damage: 12%
Spidersilk vest, +4 HP
Green Kai Cloak, worn, +2 to sneaking
Lamellar armor, worn, +3 defense (Small plates of a strange silvery metal, woven with spider wire, this armor is fairly light, but stronger that your Kai leather by some degrees.)
-stowed-
12xCave Fish Bone Dual Throwing Knives +1 damage, +2 agility
Seeing Eye Necklace (A gruesome collection of eyes, gathered by the enchantress. It may have unknown powers.)
Smithing Tools, allows crafting
Food Rations for 3 days (smoked meat, tasty)
1xLampsur Potion, refill all HP, cannot be used during battle
1x Chunk of White Iron:Weapons or armor smelted from white iron are bane to the undead, doubly so if the rites of Ishtar and Kai are spoken aloud while they are being forged.
Prayer Book, A book of prayers to the Gods Kai and Ishtar
Leather Armor, worn, +2 to defense =Demon Bane= +2 defense vs Demon enemies (The Term Demon is used to describe anything that comes from the evil realm-things like dragons, Shadows, and the Dark Lords themselves.)
Roll of Yaz Skin, can augment an existing cloak, non-metallic armor or shield with bonus HP
Currency:25 Gold Crowns
Abilities: 1/1, Used once todayFire Breathing/Three times a day and once per battle you can breath fire on your foe for 3d3+1 damage. You have to eat a full meal to use this ability, not counting what you must eat to avoid starvation, and cannot eat a sapient being to do so, such as a Giak or a Human.
Strong, +1 to strength from conditioning
Mastered Long Sword, +1 str/agi in combat when wielded
Disciplines:Kai Armorer, Weapon Training/Longsword
Companion
Horse (Paladin)
HP: 20/20
Sheltering Leaves (SeriousConcentrate)
Str: 4+1=5 End: 4
Agi: 5+3=8 Int: 3
Cha: 5 HP: 6/18
Light Source: *Lit Torch (8 rounds remaining)*
Equipment
-Worn and equipped-
Reinforced Gauntlets/Boots, +2 damage, +2 agility, dried mud spattered
Green Kai Cloak, worn, +2 to sneaking, dried mud spattered
Spidersilk vest, +4 HP
Leather Armor, worn, +2 to defense, dried mud spattered
-Stowed-
Food Rations for 4 days (Came with orange slices, so you can share with Merame)
1xEmpty glass bottle
1xVial of Unknown, Untested Antidote (Shade Cap Poison)
Draconic Flute (unknown effect)
Double bladed staff, +2 defense, +2 damage (strapped on back)
2x Torches, provides ten turns of light (unlit)
Currency:25 Gold Crowns
Abilities
-1/3, used twice today Mystical Flash/Leaf gathers energy into his palm, then lunges forward and hits the target, releasing it as a bright flash in the colors of the rainbow. The release of spiritual energy is very powerful and can blow the enemy away. (Special attack that, if successful, adds Charisma to damage, can be used three times a day, and once a battle. Recharged through meditation.)
Animal Talker: +3 to Charisma when speaking with natural beasts
Mastered Unarmed, +1 str/agi in combat when wielded
Fast, +1 agility
Disciplines: Animal Kinship, Weapon Training/Bare Hands
Companion
Monkey (Merame)
HP:7/10
Status: Well Fed, +1 to all rolls
Orders: Look in crates
Abilities: Merame trap sense, +1 int vs traps
Fetch-can use simple items like potions in combat without rolling for difficulty
Armed-Poisoned Kris, can attack an unaware enemy
Horse (Thunder)
HP: 20/20
OOC: Turn will be up in an hour, assuming everyone wants to go to the Ogre Village. Final votes!
You can vote for a path to take, and still trade with the merchants before I run it.
Oh, and retconning everyone to have 25 crowns worth of gold. Not that you can use Gold down here very much. :3