It's a new month, which makes it time for a new scheduling grid! Please let me know when you're available/unavailable for the upcoming weeks. I hope to see y'all at the table soon!

(✅=definitely, ✅❓=probably, ❓=maybe; ❌❓=unlikely; ❌=no)

Her first order of business is ensuring their safety. Realizing the townspeople may not be happy with their presence, she both seeks out ways to ameliorate the tensions and to find a suitable place for an orphanage, whether in or near the swamps or elsewhere. She will even consider placement in the city, if needed, but does not find this a long-term solution. The goal is for long-term independence, but also a mutual respect and cohesion between the two worlds (Glantrian and swamp-folk).

The sizeable earnings from the departure of the devil goes entirely to this endeavor, including hiring the right officials, teachers, and nurses to help. She has significant experience in this department following the war, having established orphanages thereafter for parent-less childen.

Meanwhile, she will discuss with Clotilde her role in the larger sect of Seff in the region. This means their closeness in moving ahead. Audrey will also seek out a hireling or two, finding the time is right to enjoin help in clearing out the remaining devils. Hopefully these individuals could also be involved in her larger prospects of bringing a better balance among the disrupted groups in the area. She does not wish to have devils take advantage of the straits of any other creatures enough to have their souls also pledged for comfort or safety.

He will pay each 2000 shiny gold pieces with full XP going towards their growth.

While this depletes his down payment fund for Castle Le Black, this will get both of these charming ladies to Swashbuckler rank… which only gains them one hit dice but it's progress!

I'll assume the gals blow some amount of their rewards to refresh their kits and gear up for future missions of mayhem.

Wednesday May 27
Wednesday June 3

There will also be a weekend session on Saturday May 30 at 3pm, located at Rockbar at 185 Christopher Street in the West Village.

The first week of June is iffy.

I'd be down for a shot at Malacoda. I was pitching a pre-emptive strike to grab the whole bounty. It sounds like Malacoda is holed up in the warrens under the mountain in the swamp where we first encountered him (no relation to the small dungeon on top of the mountain), and is likely dug in with his lizard/frog followers.

We also have a pretty clear bead on the location of Ferkus as we landed outside the Grand Library last session - I'm writing up my notes and should post shortly.

Lizardfolk and frogfolk raids on the neighboring Ivernesse lands have gone too far. Troops and adventurers are gathering at the town of Morlay, in the shadow of Rainier d'Ivernesse's Ghost Tower, to strike at the creatures' swamp lairs — and perhaps to claim the 100,000gp bounty on the devil-knight Malacoda. Will the Company of Crossed Swords join them? Or will they disregard Rainier's call, as he is no friend to the Company (some business about "the Boss" having once kidnapped his son), and stay focused on plundering Glantri's dungeons and ruins?

Please let me know what days work best for you. Thanks in advance!

PS: There will also be a Saturday low-level game at Rockbar in the West Village on the 30th, running through B2: Keep on the Borderlands. Everyone is welcome; you can bring a low-level Company member or roll a new 1st-level character at the table.

(✅=definitely, ✅❓=probably, ❓=maybe; ❌❓=unlikely; ❌=no)

There will also be a Saturday 5/2 game at Rockbar in the West Village.

It's time to loot some dungeon levels and regain some life levels! Please let me know what days work best for you. Thanks in advance!

(✅=definitely, ✅❓=probably, ❓=maybe; ❌❓=unlikely; ❌=no)

I've also added a new level for "other dimensions", since I'm pretty sure Thomasina's Refuge goes off the edge of the map.

Edit: I've also been keeping versions of the old maps as I update them. If anyone's curious to see our progress, the full log is here.

"I've no special business tonight," says Clotilde, "though tomorrow I'll be heading back north to Morlay. There have been lizardfolk and frogfolk raids on Ivernesse villages, and once I'm done here I'll need to help deal with the matter. Until then, though, I'd be happy to join you for a stroll or what have you."

"Fight is what I want," she chuckled, "Yes, obviously I will team up with any crew that will take up arms against the roiling masses of disorder. Better take up spear than yet another honey-gazed turkey leg." She blinked and paused. "Invernesse? Really? I've heard of this place." She tried to search what she remembered about it. "Infamous place. That's… yes, let me speak with my friends."

With this, she sighed. It was impossible to describe why she hung about with the grumpy, motley bunch of the Company of Crossed Swords rather than the like of the Wyvern Hunters. "Where are you off to, now? Care for a stroll?"

Not sure if we’ve ever fallen victim to this attack before but Martín’s loyal hirelings will appeal to the party’s magic users to attempt to free Martín from his mental shackles before Roland makes off with the Girdle of Giant’s strength. Etienne attempted to Dispel Magic without success (unclear whether this was a function of a bad role, caster level or just the wrong spell).

We have discussed the possibility of appealing to the priestesses of Trianomma, but are somewhat wary of the price tag this might entail. Would any of our powerful spellcasters be willing to attempt to heal Martin? It wasn't clear in-game exactly what spell or ability is in play here, but it seems magical in nature and is persevering even after some additional save attempts and removal from the dungeon.

As a further update we were able to retrieve the paintings from the "sixth" floor and some other trinkets for a nice return. We also learned from Etienne that there are a few noteworthy locations in the area that might be worth further exploration. Its unclear if this is a region regularly inhabited by the Su or if that was a wandering monster.

Taking an delicate sip of the tea (pinky up) Martin nods appreciatively as he settles himself on a cushioned setee while making pleasantries.

"Thank you for your hospitality, it is a shame to hear your husband is afield but I understand he keeps a busy schedule and has business in many sectors I bid you well, please do not hesitate to reach out if you require the services of The Company of Crossed Swords."

As he prepares to head into the sunny after noon, it occurs to Martin that being an adventurer involves a lot of tea parties.

"And yes," she adds, "you do give much away. Whatever's eating you, you should talk about it to someone. Seff helps those who're willing to accept it, and all that."

"Thank you so much for coming," she says as a maid pours tea with a generous splash of brandy, "but I'm afraid that Etienne is out of town, working with a colleague. I understand that it's a favor to your company; something about helping some dwarves find their home? If you have a message for him, I'll be glad to pass it along when he returns. I can reach out to him more directly if it's urgent."

"I'd like to trade my services for a bit of the Chateau's wealth. Whether that means selling you facts here in my townhouse or accompanying you to the Chateau for a share in the rewards is up to you.

After the recent success in their expedition to the Chambers of Thomasine D'Ambreville, Martín is intrigued about other concerntrations of power and wealth that might be found in the deeper levels of the Chateau, and will seek to call on Etienne D'Amreville. While he was somewhat unimpressed by Etienne's contribution in the last excursion in person, it's clear that the magus can be a valuable resource.

Martin would like to arrange a meeting. What sort of compensation would Etienne expect for a more detailed briefing on one or more of these sites? Ideally he would want a rough map, insight into the nature of the location, and any noteworthy guardians, traps or hazards that might have been in place at the time of the information.

• Hire Etienne D'Ambreville again to take us to another juicy part of level 6+
• Head back to the area around Thomasina's Chambers to mess with aliens and explore other rooms in the area
• Fight a devil

Any other proposals or support for the above?

Thursday 4/16
Wednesday 4/22

See you then!

In truth, she struggled with the peasants, the merchants, most anyone else, too, other than the wanderers and those who kept their traps shut most the time. It wasn't that she was a laconic soul, necessarily, but that she had a fidelity to a deeper core of passion, urgency, and meaning, that reminded her over lush dinners or the like that the lands were still heavy with marauding evils.

Clotilde, however, she liked, even if she yearned to cast herself into some fairy tale where their roles were swapped — thereby consigning her to a fate of diplomatic engagements and ribbon cutting. It made her slightly bitter to realize her mood was deciphered:

"Ah, nothing," she said, adjusting her simple gown. She did not dislike easy fineries and softness whenever she wasn't on a delve, so long as they weren't too expensive. "Eating me? Knowledge," she sighed. "The lack of the same."

She stopped, looked up at her friend. "The scourge of our mistress, Seff, is our job is never done. Pluck one thread, the others tumble and must be set aright, and no one cares. It's all a breeze to them. But, what? Do I give much away?" She sought to change the subject. "And how is it with you? Have you got your trainings in?"

We don't really have many bow users (and Martin's hands are usually best used for hitting things). I'm curious if enchanted arrows work just as well when thrown or stabbed into something. If that is the case these become interesting single use items for many characters.

Martín would be interested in the Antidote and Curative potions and arrow of Quickjump. But none are really game changers.

Martin is our only frontline guy without any level drain protection, right? As much as I covet that ring, it should probably go to him.

The ring of the silver sun: An ivory ring inlaid with a silver sunburst. It acts as a ring of protection +1 and shrouds the wearer in silvery continual light. Once per month, it can protect against a single level-draining effect by unleashing a blast of positive energy; this exhausts all of the ring's powers until it's had a month to recharge.

The lucky sword of One-Eyed Felice: A short sword +1 with a pair of dice engraved on the forte. It scores a critical hit on a roll of 7 or 20.

Antidote potion: Neutralizes poison.
Curative potion: Cures disease.
Potion of diminution: Shrinks you to 6" in height.
Potion of healing: Heals 2-7 points of damage.
Potion of innocuous polymorph: Polymorphs you into a chosen animal that has no more than 1 hit die.
Village hero’s potion: Raises a level 1-3 fighter, dwarf, or halfling to 4th level for the potion’s duration.

Arrow of law: +5 "to hit" and damage against demons and undead.
Arrow of pass-wall: As the pass-wall spell.
Arrow of the ram: As the ring of the ram.
Arrow of silence: As the silence 15' radius spell.
Climber’s arrow: Embeds itself into wood or stone and trails a climbable rope.
Firework arrow: As the pyrotechnics spell.
Magefire arrow: Turns into a single magic missile, as per the spell.
Nimbus arrow: Illuminates the target as the faerie fire spell.
Quickjump arrow: Teleports the archer to wherever the arrow strikes, as the dimension door spell.
Rust arrow: Destroys a target's metal armor.
Threefold arrow: Splits into up to three arrows to attack that number of targets.
Web arrow: As the web spell.

I am currently out of town, but I would love to run another session when I get back! Please let me know how the following dates look for you:

(✅=definitely, ✅❓=probably, ❓=maybe; ❌❓=unlikely; ❌=no)

1) As a reminder, each character can only benefit from 2 magic rings at any given time. You can swap rings in and out (though this will take actions in combat), but if you do own more than 2 rings, you'll need to specify which ones you're wearing at any given time.

2) I am thinking of porting over the AD&D rules for rings of protection, in which their AC bonus is not cumulative with magic armor AC bonuses. In addition to demanding a bit more effort to hit the -3 AC cap, it should encourage spreading the party's defensive magic items a bit more widely among its PCs.

"During the civil war," she says, "my father turned against our liege lords, the Ambrevilles. Some said it was out of ambition, to claim the princedom of New Averoigne, and there's some truth in that. Some said he did what was right. I like to think that some small part of his choice was to rescue me from a most unwelcome second marriage that the Ambrevilles had prepared for me. But above all else, he did what he thought best for House Marais."

Leading Pritchard off the path, she cuts through the overgrowth toward the base of the Chateau de Marais's hill. "It was Fowler, captain of the Torchbearers, who first presumed to propose marriage into the house. We rebuffed him, of course. But after your successes in the Ambreville dungeons and in breaking the siege of Gantelet, my brother and I hoped to use the Company of Crossed Swords to clear the monsters out of the Ambreville lands and establish control over eastern New Averoigne.

"But then Gerard and his sons died in the wars." She leads Pritchard through a crevice hidden beneath a rocky overhang, into a cave scarcely larger than the Trianoma shrine. Amid moss and twining roots stands a black stone statue, its features blurred by time. A jagged crack zigzags across its face.

"Gerard's eldest grandson is but a child, and the family had no stomach for a prolonged regency. My accession changed the political calculus regarding our marriages, as you well know. I am in negotiation to marry one Sylaire or another, after which I must somehow provide a suitable heir. Thonerite, for her part — and here I stop rambling and come to the point — is in the process of courting Frédéric de Troeven."

She turns to Pritchard, her witchlight casting stark shadows across her face in the dark. "De Troeven's connections are an open secret. But he is rich and influential, and with his wife's passing he has a number of suitors. Fortunately, he is close to Mandore, who is helping Thonerite press her suit. He is ambitious, and doubtless sees this as one step on the path to a crown and a true seat on the council. My cousin and I must both be cautious. But we do what we must to secure our family's future."

She lowers her voice. "I do not truck with Chaos, for I am not willing to pay its price. But I am not a crusader. Your pact only troubles me insofar as it seems a lapse in judgment. Our vows are broken and we have no blood ties between us, but I am still happy to aid you and your your people, so long as you and your people continue to support House Marais."

Yet he lingers, and this is his fatal mistake, because after a few moments, without looking up from the statue she speaks his name. Her tone is hard to read but he approaches and stands behind her. It is clear to him that it is best for them both if they appear to be simply two people come to pray.

She asks whats he wants and he tells her everything. The existence of a chaos cult in the city, De Troeven's offer for artifacts of chaos, the devil colony in the chateau, his new quasit familiar.

She barely reacts. She must have known all of this already. Well, of course! What was he thinking? She was always preternaturally aware of the hidden threats submerged just below the surface of Glantri's tranquility. She does glance over at him once, when he mentions the quasit has taught him secrets that opened up the tenth circle of magic to him. Is her look one of contempt, that he would succumb to the base seductions of power and curiosity, and risk his immortal soul? Or are the gears moving in her head, ticking away at a new plan that would make use of a powerful ally?

Pritchard realizes why he's come here. It was not simply to see an old friend. He wants guidance, if not command. He has come to trust Blanchefleur and he knows she will choose what is right for Glantri. After all, the health of the principalities is her own health, its security the security of her throne. Dangerous games are afoot and he remembers well how every game they played, she won. Even when it meant sacrificing a favorite piece.

"I believe I can convince my fellow Captains to pursue this unique opportunity. While I cannot guarantee the return of all of these items, I can assure you there is no better assembly to recover these artifacts than The Company of Crossed Swords."

"I understand your reservations," Micheline says. "Return what books and writings you can find, and I will reward you commensurately. I would also ask for right of first refusal to purchase any noteworthy tools and trinkets. So long as you don't withhold or destroy anything," she adds, with a glint in her eye suggesting that she will know, "all will be well. On that note, please ask your magic-users to wield their might carefully. If your best opportunity to defeat Thomasina's guardians involves incinerating her library with a fireball, I would rather you withdraw instead and discuss alternative strategies with me."

"We have explored areas of the eighth level and beyond, but our maps are incomplete. As you are surely aware, the corridors of the Chateau are many and perilous, Do you have any further insight into where or how we might locate this laboratory? Any symbols we can look out for, a map or magic compass perhaps?

"To the best of my knowledge, there is only one major corridor on the north side of the seventh floor, accessible directly from the fifth floor via stairwell. From that corridor, there is only one branch. Follow it northward to her chambers."

Any threats or perils that you are aware of?"

"I've heard no reports of Thomasina herself among the planes for many years, so she is most likely dead, or perhaps stranded somewhere without magic. But it is possible that she's withdrawn to her workrooms to work on some decades-long enchantment. If she is present, please withdraw and leave her be. I am employing you to plunder my teacher's estate, not to murder her.

"Assuming that she is gone…" Micheline shrugs and takes another sip of tea. "She kept many pets from alien realms; I suspect they've starved by now or fled to the Chateau dungeons. She kept some of Jespere d'Ambreville's clockwork soldiers guarding her foyer; their pass-phrase when I last visited was, 'I have seen the seven planes, now let me pass,' but it may have changed since then. She never showed me her inner chambers, so I have nothing to share about them.

"I suspect the most likely danger is that creatures from other planes have wandered in over the years and taken up residence. Be cautious, as without knowing their origin, there's no way to know what powers and qualities such intruders might have."

"Like my tower, her underground chambers can shift from realm to realm, though by different methods and means. I believe that they will soon come back into alignment with Glantri for some months. Should you dare those chambers and retrieve her works, I will reward you and your companions handsomely, in both coin and enchantment."

Martin brushes crumbs and droplets of sparkling spirit from the pristine embroidery of his dashing new surcoat, the complex colors and geometries of a silk scarf contrasting handsomely against his trademark black. After some discussion, Martín learns that the confluence site will manifest somewhere on the Northern end of the eighth level.

"I believe I can convince my fellow Captains to pursue this unique opportunity. While I cannot guarantee the return of all of these items, I can assure you there is no better assembly to recover these artifacts than The Company of Crossed Swords."

"As accomplished professional adventurers we plot every expedition with extensive planning and excruciating preparation, so any advantage we might bring to bear against the dark foes beneath only improve our chances to return to you the prizes you seek."

"We have explored areas of the eighth level and beyond, but our maps are incomplete. As you are surely aware, the corridors of the Chateau are many and perilous, Do you have any further insight into where or how we might locate this laboratory? Any symbols we can look out for, a map or magic compass perhaps? Any threats or perils that you are aware of?"

Several days later, after his most recent delve into the Chateau d'Ambreville, Pritchard begins the long trek back to Glantri City to sell Chaos-cult relics to de Troeven. Passing through Malinbois that afternoon, he nostalgically decides to stay the night at the town's best inn, the Wolf and Roses, to dine well and sleep well before proceeding on the morrow.

Late that night, unable to sleep, Pritchard strolls through the silent town. He finds himself in Holy Grove, a patch of woodland beneath the Chateau de Marais' hill, where several shrines stand amid the trees. A familiar path leads him to a one-room stone structure with a single doorless archway, holding a statue of Trianoma in her aspect as adjudicator.

This was Blanchfleur's favorite shrine, that she would visit late at night in the darker parts of their marriage.

And indeed, perhaps by chance, Blanchfleur is there. She kneels prayerfully before the statue, wrapped in furs against the evening's chill.

Benefits:

• Gain one level of experience.
• Telepathic connection with the quasit, including the ability to borrow the use of its senses while concentrating.
• While within 10' of the quasit, regenerate 1hp/round.
• While within 10' of the quasit, gain limited magic resistance (approx. 1 in 4 chance of resisting magic; more effective against weaker magic-users, less effective against stronger ones).
• The quasit can do quasit stuff on your behalf — polymorph themselves, regenerate, claw and bite, etc.

Drawbacks:

• Benefits of the bonus level and telepathic connection are lost if the quasit is more than 1 mile away.
• If the quasit dies, lose 4 levels of experience.
• If you die while the quasit is still alive, it swallows your soul and you cannot be brought back from the dead by any means.

Personally I wouldn't risk it. But the benefits are juicy, and if you're too powerful to worry about danger then you're probably fine!

Hirelings can also invest gold in actual purchases for their personal use as appropriate, such as adventuring gear and spell research. This is treated the same as other hireling gold expenditures for XP purposes. You can keep a running tally for high-cost expenditures as you go; you don't need to bank it till you have the full value on hand.

• As I understand it, hireling salary grants 50% xp to the player and 50% to the hireling, correct?. 
• When a hireling receives X experience and Y gold for a session - do they convert the GP to XP? 
• Is the hireling XP bump from the time skip table based on level (I believe A&Z got 2500 each - same for the Goblins)?

While Martin would like to continue to retain the services of Theodore (his original Goblin  attache), and Beaurice (a Goblin Knight, crippled by a snakeperson in transit to Barsoom), these two will not fall officially into "hireling" territory.  

Time for another session! The last one was a hard act to follow, but there's nothing wrong with a small cozy session with just a few players.

I'll be out of town for the first half of April, so we have a narrow window of possible dates. Please select from the following:

(✅=definitely, ✅❓=probably, ❓=maybe; ❌❓=unlikely; ❌=no)

Pritchard follows de Troeven back inside, then through another door to a richly appointed study, all deep-hued silks and dark wood lit by a warming fire. Seating himself by a desk, your host says, "Even the bravest are wise to sip from the cup of fear now and then. I haven't called you here today to induct you into some grand conspiracy, and you should be suspicious of any man who'd do so on first meeting.

"I am a merchant first and foremost, so for today let's speak of profit, as wealth and power are the best tools for change that man can grasp. The Ambrevilles dabbled with Chaos, and their dungeons are littered with its relics; I know your Company has brought many to the Temple of Trianoma to be sealed in its vaults. But I have friends near and far with an interest in such relics, for which they would pay well — very well — whether in coin or magic or both. Not in blessings of Law, of course, but otherwise more than any temple would pay.

"Of course, I have a reputation to uphold, so if such things are done they're best done quietly. Your spear-priestess, in particular, has an upright reputation, and would doubtless be happier not knowing of these transactions. But your own reputation is such that I have confidence in your skill.

"I hope you aren't disappointed by such a mundane proposal," adds de Troeven. "It's clear that your fire burns bright. But this is only the beginning of our acquaintance, and I hope that we might know each other better in time." He rises from his seat and moves to a sideboard laden with crystal decanters. "If you have no other engagements tonight, then I would indeed be delighted to hear of your exploits, and should you desire I would share some of mine. Do you care for brandy or armagnac, calvados or red wine? I also have a fine hippocras mulled this afternoon; it's good against the chill, and the weather may yet turn cold before you go."