in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Now Departing for Glantri... » Session 302
The next two sessions will be:
Thursday 4/16
Wednesday 4/22
See you then!
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in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Now Departing for Glantri... » Session 302
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Our Crew is Ready to Assist You... » Audrey: In the Cathedral gardens
Despite her accolades and relative power, having demonstrated them in overland campaigns as well as in the murkiest of dungeon dread, Audrey Carcassonne never sat comfortable with her status. She disliked being visible, disliked entourages and soirees and the high-minded accoutrements that trailed behind many of the aristocratic personalities she had to deal with in Glantri.
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?"
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / If You Look Out Your Window... » Session 301: Micheline's magical rewards
Those are really cool magic items. Great job on those, Q.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / If You Look Out Your Window... » Session 301: Micheline's magical rewards
Considering the proposed ring rule retcon, I'm not sure Martin can benefit too much from the Ring of The Silver Sun. He currently runs plate +1, Ring of Fire Protection and Ring of the Ram. As I understand it the Silver Sun ring AC benefit would not stack with the plate enchantment (although I would propose Ring of the Ram does stack as it is not specifically "protection"). Drain protection is certainly attractive and I'd swap out RotR if everything would stack.
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.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Now Departing for Glantri... » Session 302
Definitely for 4/21, probably for all the non-friday days, unlikely for the fridays.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / If You Look Out Your Window... » Session 301: Micheline's magical rewards
I'm of the strong opinion that passwall is the most powerful spell in the game, I'd love that arrow if nobody else has claimed it.
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.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Now Departing for Glantri... » Session 302
I mixed up when I'm going to be out of town with May. It's my wife who's going to be out of town for like 10 days this month, which actually makes me even MORE available. :-P
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / If You Look Out Your Window... » Session 301: Micheline's magical rewards
A quick breakdown of the magic items provided by Micheline of the Many Rings in exchange for Thomasina d'Ambreville's papers. Unless otherwise specified, all magic arrows have no "to hit" bonus, deal +1 damage, and break after use.
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.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Now Departing for Glantri... » Session 302
Hi folks,
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:
| Wed 4/15 | Thu 4/16 | Fri 4/17 | Mon 4/20 | Tue 4/21 | Wed 4/22 | Thu 4/23 | Fri 4/24 | |
| Ben | ||||||||
| Carl | ||||||||
| Chris | ||||||||
| David C | ||||||||
| Dave W | ||||||||
| Eric C | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Eric M | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Eric W | ✅❓ | ✅❓ | ✅❓ | |||||
| Misha | ✅❓ | ✅❓ | ❌❓ | ✅❓ | ✅ | ✅❓ | ✅❓ | ❌❓ |
| Pete | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❓ | |||
| Shane | ||||||||
| Ven | ✅ | ✅ | ||||||
| Walid |
(✅=definitely, ✅❓=probably, ❓=maybe; ❌❓=unlikely; ❌=no)
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / In the Event of a Crash Landing... » Ring rulings
A couple of points on magic rings, after Martin's demand for a magic ring led me to do a bunch of reading on the topic:
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.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Now Departing for Glantri... » Session 301
161xp per character. I haven't finished calculating gp yet; I will post the full treasure allotment over the next couple of days.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Now Departing for Glantri... » Session 301
I had to head home before XP and GP were fully divvied up, did anyone write down the split?
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Our Crew is Ready to Assist You... » Pritchard: In Malinbois, at a shrine of Trianoma
When it becomes clear that Pritchard has finished speaking, Blanchfleur rises and snuffs the guttering candle she'd set in a wall niche. She casts a spell, conjuring a small witchlight that hovers behind her shoulder. "Walk with me," she says. "I trust you'll let me ramble without interruption."
"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."
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Our Crew is Ready to Assist You... » Pritchard: In Malinbois, at a shrine of Trianoma
As much as Pritchard was hoping to find her, he hesitates now, tentative, unwilling to interrupt her at her devotions. Or, more likely, simply uncertain how to talk to her after everything that happened, and failed to happen, between them.
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.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Our Crew is Ready to Assist You... » Martin: A couple of old friends
"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."
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Our Crew is Ready to Assist You... » Martin: A couple of old friends
"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?"
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Our Crew is Ready to Assist You... » Pritchard: In Malinbois, at a shrine of Trianoma
After attending de Troeven's party, Pritchard Hood visited the Temple of Trianoma in Glantri City, hoping to spot his ex-wife Blanchfleur. Alas, she was not there.
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.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / In the Event of a Crash Landing... » Quasit familiar rules
Should Pritchard (or some other PC) take a quasit as their familiar, they receive a number of worthwhile benefits. They also expose themselves to some very significant risks.
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!
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Now Departing for Glantri... » Session 301
Yes to the first two questions, flat 2500xp regardless of level for the third question.
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.
in discussion Principalities of Glantri / Now Departing for Glantri... » Session 301
Martín has a bit of gold on hand and would like to keep his hirelings motivated. He will distribute 500gp apiece to Arielle, Zenobia, Dagobert and Beaurice. I'm also deducting 500gp for Martin's wardrobe update and upkeep expenditures (2500 gp total). A couple hireling logistical Q's:
- 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.