Midnight RPG - Chapter 7.01

FYI on XP for Bluebooking

I noted this on the xp page but FYI... Bluebook post are each worth the equivalent of one Challenge Rating .5 defeat, if a player writes/replies 3 times to Bluebooking articles that PC will recive the xp total x3. For Example:

• chapter # 7.5:1
  XP TOTAL: 10,388.35 [This is the MAXIMUM TOTAL XP available at the beginning of this Chapter (game session).] ** Wiki Bluebooking: Kyuad, Eranon & Durgaz talk about plans and traitors! [CR.5 x 1]: 47.9 xp per PC (Andrew x3, Steve x2, Bill) [ENCOUNTER | 4PCs @ 4th].

Kyuad / Bill

Kyuad: "Durgaz, you remember that cedeku that was found by the Sarcosan? The initials on the hilt are most likely those of the Night King Jazir. So this was once owned by one of our worst enemies. I think I may have a purpose for it, assuming that I can determine without a doubt that it contains no special powers that might be used against us.

"If you recall, the legate who I let go swore an oath to me that he would help me and my allies as long as we helped him in return. I personally loathe the idea of helping legates, but I know this man, and I am sure that his ego and stature are far more important to him than the goals of Theros Obsidia. My aim is to help him in any endeavor that simply brings him prestige, especially when it is at the cost of another legate's strength and influence. If Legate Possiogn were to present this cedeku as a gift to Jazir himself, it would certainly gain the attention of the Night King, and could perhaps propel his prestige amongst the other legates considerably.

"I am fairly confident that this blade is something that will prove to be a 'sack-dagger*' for us. So if either of you come up with a particular need that could be more easily solved by a legate, remember that we have this as an extremely potent bargaining tool."

* - I'm using "sack-dagger" as a made-up Midnight term that's synonymous with "ace up our sleeve" or "trump card." I figure that holding a dagger in a sack is a pretty good way to ensure that you're going to keep the upper hand, so why not?

Bill: Have y'alls ever seen the show The Shield? I really dig the show, personally. During the last game I picked up on a distinct similarity between our three characters and the Strike Team boys on the show. This newbie is like the black guy that got stuck on the team. They didn't trust him at all, but worked with him and kept him in the dark at the same time. He eventually proves himself to the others in various ways.

I'd like to explore this a little more. Maybe get a couple of schemes hatched that we can't include him on at all - like the deal with Legate Possiogn and with the young cobra. In fact, I plan on using the cobra as a way to distract Kazzir from what we're working on, though it should ultimately work to get him in tighter with the rest of us.

I'd also like to start thinking about a scheme that the characters can work on that allows Adam to prove Kazzir's loyalty to the rest of the group, so we can have a reason to trust the character. I mean, we're a team after all, even if we have to work to feel that way about it.

Speaking of shows, the deal with the legate reminds me a lot of the "inside man" themes in The Departed. I dig that stuff. Since this is the sort of focus that Adam is going for with his character, can you guys think of ways to amplify this in his favor?

Kevin

My thoughts are suggestions and advice on the Bluebooking as well as any notes that I'd offer from rules or in-game information.

I like the way this comes across Bill.

I like your tie back in to past events with your Legate "friend". I love that you have thought about using this contact. How that will work, the reliability, etc... will be handled in-game. I'm not saying if it will work or not, or to what degree.

It's a neat idea in theory though.

One BIG note I will give you as DM...

- Kyuad & Durgaz would normally roll Shadow or Tactics or Politic rolls for a little info here they might consider

In bluebooking I will take care of THOSE rolls and adding your appropriate skill modifiers (from your most recent character sheet uploaded!)

So here's the result... I'll make your D20 roll to make it easy... (looking over your Character Sheets)

ROLL: Kyuad (diplomacy or gather info +2) ROLLED: 14+2 = 16

ROLL: Eranon (diplomacy or gather info -1) ROLLED: 5-1 = 4

ROLL: Durgaz (Know: Local +2 or Know: Shadow +3) ROLLED: 16+3 = 19

Durgaz quickly shares with you (to which Kyuad nods in agreement)...

Durgaz has heard rumor of dissention, distrust and uneasy alliances of the Night Kings. All trying to gain favor with troops, local Traitor Princes and the Shadow in the North itself. Is this Legate a member of the "Order or Shadow"? Or is he a member of the "Devout"? Or is he loyal to Sunulael, or Vrolk, or someone else?

Kyuad might add from his knowledge that the legate he knew as a boy, Diero Pessiogn, studied at Theros Obsidia and from their he's not sure of the political direction. Kyuad/Durgaz could assume that Legate Pessiogn may have ties to Sunulael (and/or Vrolk) moreso than Jahzir specifically because of his recent involvement in the jungles of the Aruun. Sunulael (through Vrolk) has had ties to many sites of archeological importance... This may be another. Kyuad also can note that while Diero said he created those half-breed beasts, Kyuad doubted his competence to have that kind of magic or scientific ability. (although Kyuad can't be for certain that this is true, that is just Bill's feeling ge mentioned)

Further... Depending on the answers to whom the Legate caters toward, a question that would come up might be... IS his want for political manuvering something that would cause him to want to gain favor with Jahzir? And would this "gift" be something that Jahzir would even give him an audience to speak to the King of Erenland?

Or ... would their be opportunities with Vrolk and/or Sunulael ... or the other Night Kings or even army generals/commanders such as: Grail the Fey Killer (the orc that is Jahzir's lead general), Kulos the Exonerated (the Sarcosan Legate that is Sunulael's lead general), any of the district Greater Legates or other orc/merc leaders...

[NOTE: I am not trying to alter your goal, the "best" option might be to go to Jahzir as you suggest. I'm just offering alternatives that your characters would have in their thoughts to consider]

Lastly... Is that dagger even that important, if it truely IS Jahzir's.

ROLL: Durgaz (Craft: weapons +7 or Know: Shadow +3) ROLLED: 12+7 = 19

Durgaz takes a good look at the make/style and the signate brand and says to HIS expertise that YES this is Jahzir Kammil's cedeku. It's of his signate mark from the days prior to his fall to Shadow. Durgaz would guess from the small gems that have been added per generation around the hilt that it's an ancesteral blade passed down through his family line (but not currently a covenant item) since the early days before the Sarcosan immigrations and it is the highest level of masterwork blade, but the wear/tear has dropped it to only a +1 for masterwork use.

I love the Shield TV show. I'm surprised it's one you'd like Bill...  :)

I totally get that vibe now that you mention it. It's hard being on that kind of team though... Don't know if you're up on the most current last season cliffhanger, so I won't spoil it.

I dig your note that your Legate friend is sorta like the characters in the Departed. The funny thing is who knows where his loyalties lie. You'll be able to "learn" more when next you talk.

PS... I would totally allow you to send "letters" to Legate Pessiogn if you want. I can imagine your bird Nesse taking them to Alvedara or someplace to get it delivered. If you wanna do that write up the letter (sooner than later) anytime you want and I'll "reply" as soon as I can with it.

I also LOVE the "sack-dagger" phrase. That's awesome.

You should post that as a thread on AtS forum - a thread for phrases in Midnight. Like I did to gather the big list of other terms for the name of Izrador.

Lastly I would remind you not to take everything or everyone at face value.

ROLL: Kyuad (sense motives +1) ROLLED: 7+2 = 9

Not high enough... so no specifics on what I'm referring too but just keep the paranoia thing alert.

Don't rely on anything too much...

Trust no one. and be ready to use the fact you can't trust anyone to get to your goals...  :)

Durgaz/ Andrew

Durgaz: "You trust this legate too much. I don't care if he swore an oath to you or not; as long as he wears the robes and symbols of a legate, his first and only loyalty is to the Shadow. If he is ambitious enough to think that presenting Jahzir with this cedeku will increase his standing among the legates, he is certainly ambitious enough to betray you and the rest of us if doing so is to his benefit.

"I am also not eager to let anything currently in our possession fall into the hands of any servant of Shadow who knows that we ever held it. There are ways to find beings through their possessions.

"That said, if your friend truly is as trustworthy as you believe he is, maybe he would be willing to do something for us, out of gratitude for sparing his life. If his allegiances lie with Sunulael or Vrolk, he may have some way of finding out where Walden is. If he can provide us with that information - and if it does not turn out to be a trap - then I will, maybe, be willing to trust him. And if the cedeku helps him continue to aid us, then so be it, he is welcome to it.

"As for this Al'Kazzir, I don't trust him either. I think it's far too convenient that he should just happen to appear less than a day after we know we were seen by Vrolk. I think it's suspicious that he claims to be in contact with Evelos, an elf we know nothing about, but who we just happened to encounter while the wyvern's eye was in our possession. I don't know a lot about merhcants, but I don't know what one could be selling, or looking for, out here in the swamp. We don't know how he got here. He just appeared while we were all unconscious ... and when we woke up, he was here and one of us was dead. Maybe Thorton saw something he wasn't supposed to see. We have reason to believe that he made some sort of 'deal' with one of the snakes, a deal that the other snakes don't want him to speak about. And finally, he seems awfully eager for us to go toward Vrolk's tower ... as do, incidentally, some of those snakes. If I had to guess, I'd say he serves Vrolk, and was dispatched to bring us to him. Or maybe he's trying to get us to lead him to Evelos. Or maybe he's just here to lead us away from Cambrial. I don't think he's a legate, because he didn't get up to pray at midnight, and he doesn't have any legate's trappings on him. But I don't trust him, and I don't think we should let him out of our sight until we know what he's doing out here."

Andrew: Durgaz doesn't like legates. He didn't like them when he had to take orders from them, and he doesn't like them now. He's also a strong believer in the "I don't trust you until you've had the opportunity to screw me over for obvious personal gain, and you didn't take it" school of alliance-building. Combine that with the shady back-room-deal style of Kyuad and Diero's arrangement, and there's just no way he's going to be favorably disposed toward trusting this guy.

OOC, though, I think it's a good plan. If Kyuad actally knows where Diero is likely to be, and could get a message to him some way (via Nisse, or spell, or whatever), we could damn sure use some help finding out where Walden is ... Durgaz only knows that he's in "the land of the dead", which could apply to Cambrial or the Dead Marshes, and it'd kind of suck to go 100 miles in the wrong direction before finding out for sure. That would also assuredly meet Durgaz's standards for trustworthiness. He still wouldn't feel terribly comfortable about giving up the cedeku (I'm sure that being a Seer in this world makes you even more paranoid than most), but at that point he wouldn't resist it.

Eranon / Steve

OOC For this inital post to this conversation, I will assume Eranon is speaking in Elvish to Durgaz, who can translate, rather than write in my pigeon Erenlander. Kevin, if you actually want me to do that, I will, and I will do so in any conversations in which Durgaz would not be present.

Eranon "I don't trust the Legate either, though if we can get information from him without giving him our location, that would be good, though I don't see how. It will be important to know where Walden is before we go chasing off after him."

"Right now, it's important to figure out where we should go. Something we haven't considered yet, Durgaz, to whom does your brother own alegiance? He is the one that took Walden. If we know something about him, that will tell us something about where Walden may be."

"I have to say, though, after thinking about it, the Cadaverous eye would definitely make it easier to get into Cambrial. Also, there is something else I must tell you. I recently found Valendil's trailmark just outside of our camp. It indicates he was this way two weeks ago, around our second day at Shadow Wall. It says he has gone to the Obsidian Spire. This may not seem important, but I know him better than anyone in all of Eredane. He feared the spire more than anything, I cannot even imagine what would drive him there."

"I must go there, he may be in trouble. Also, if something drew him there, it must be something unimaginably important, like Walden. The timing works out, he went just after Walden was captured. He may have been following your brother. I may see if anything of a trail remains, though probably not. We can also ask Valendil's fellow raiders why he went, they may know, but I am beginning to believe more and more that Walden is in that spire. Plus, the snakes may be able to show us a way in."

"As for this Sarcosan, I don't trust anyone who survives by his words, especially out here."

Steve Kevin, I am going to want to make a tracking check, which seems rediculous, but the group was large, it's been about 2 weeks (+14) to the DC, but I will want to take a 20 on it, and it's a nice marshy area that keeps tracks very well. I only want to know if the group (Durgaz's brother and co, dragging Walden) have passed this way, and gone to the spire.

Kevin

QUESTIONS/Thoughts and Notes - Asked & Answered

• [Durgaz] Maybe (Legate Pessiogn) would be willing to do something for us, out of gratitude for sparing his life.
  • [A]: Reminder: Kyuad knows to greater extent as to how true this may or may not be. I'll allow Bill to elaborate. Bill if you'd like me to offer you insite on Kyuad's feeling about this it would be a Sense Motive check (which I'll make) and I'll give you anything else as a reminder... Otherwise if you remember all we role-played in that conversation, you can reply as you like.
• [Durgaz] Does Kyuad actally knows where Diero is likely to be, and could get a message to him some way?
  • [A]: Kyuad may have ideas... That's up to him. But know for sure - not likely. However I am more than open to him sending Nesse out to the various locations he might think of. This would have Nesse making a Search or Gather Information check, which I'd want to roll in-game. If you (Bill) want's to write him a letter to have Nesse deliever if she can find him, do so asap and if I can I'll reply. Current possible locations may include: Cambrial, The Obsidian Spire, Festrun, Alvadara, any Orc/Merc camp between those locations, or somewhere else entirely. Knowing his last "plan" Kyuad would likely guess them in the THAT order. But that's entirely up to Bill.
• [Durgaz] I don't think (Zal'Kazzir) is a legate, because he didn't get up to pray at midnight, and he doesn't have any legate's trappings on him.
  • [A]: Devil's Advocate - I would remind Durgaz (and you others) that this isn't necessarily confirmation. Not praying or not having the unholy symbol on him only really disallows him from casting spells. If he's a legate/spy he can avoid praying as necessary. Consider in "real life" how people can "skip" prayer or church service anytime they need/want to. Maybe you should torture him just to be sure... heheh (there are rules in the Book of Vile Darkness if needed!)
• [Eranon] Assume Eranon is speaking in Elvish to Durgaz, who can translate, rather than write in my pigeon Erenlander. Kevin, if you actually want me to do that, I will, and I will do so in any conversations in which Durgaz would not be present.
  • [A]: No need, no worries. This is all for your enjoyment. Do it as you like.
• [Eranon] though if we can get information from (Legate Pessiogn) without giving him our location, that would be good, though I don't see how.
  • [A]: The obvious way is to send Nesse for correspondence. But even that could have ways to track back to you. No method is 100%. But Nesse would be 90% safe or more.
• [Eranon] Something we haven't considered yet, Durgaz, to whom does your brother own alegiance? He is the one that took Walden. If we know something about him, that will tell us something about where Walden may be.
  • [A]: Wow, good thinking Steve! This info is all for Durgaz or Kyuad to share as they like. Just use your common sense to know if YOUR character would have these rumors and facts about the region and the shadow... Firewall it all until Andrew or Bill says it...
  • Like Durgaz, Radagug is of the Dark Mother Tribe (Tribal Lands: Bastion region, Warlord: Agnum, Head Mother: Raarn). The battle group they were attached to is the "Dafrum-Dâgalûr" led by Talûn-karkû, the white worm. They fall under the dominion of: "Jorg Kinslayer" an orc commander under "Grial the Fey Killer" who is Jahzir's lead general. Jahzir continues to build an army with smaller tribes and legions stripped from garrisons in the Dornish north. Three tribes vie for leadership of the army: the Bloody Sword, Scaled Mother, and Dark Mother. While the army gathers, Jahzir has allowed the warlords of the tribes to fight for his favor. The warlords know that the Night King will choose the army’s leader by the end of the arc. Whoever gains that command will have to consolidate control of the army quickly. While the legates are obviously powerful and necessary to his armies and his master’s cause, Jahzir dislikes the fact that they exist outside the Shadow’s normal hierarchy. They do not take governmental positions or military appointments, yet their status allows them to supercede the orders of any who do. The more the Order fights within itself, however, the fewer problems they can cause for Jahzir’s armies and governments throughout Eredane, so the Sword of Shadow is only too happy to support the Cabal when possible. Whether because of these efforts or due to Sunulael’s seeming hatred of his fellow Night King, the Devout in return do their utmost to weaken Jahzir’s control over the war and Erenland’s shell of a government. In addition to the priests’ less subtle bids for power and questioning of his decisions, Jahzir has learned that the legates have begun wooing the orc warlords in his armies. They offer the assurances of powerful spells, healing, and enchanted arms and armor to those tribes that vow to serve the Priest of Shadow over the Sword, and for those who resist these entreaties, they threaten to withhold even the most basic spellcasting support. Jahzir has entrusted the war against the Caransil to the most competent of his generals, Grial the Fey Killer. Grial has divided the Shadow’s army into four separate commands in an attempt to stretch and weaken the elven defenses. Along the Gamaril River, Belark the Blackheart (Oruk) commands 40,000 orcs that have tried to secure the river basin and cut off the Caransil villages north of the river. In the Green March, Frag Longtusk (Orc) with his army of 45,000 orcs fights a more mobile war against a scattering of human and elven villages, attempting to bypass the elven defenses. Just south of the March, in the scorching heat and choking smoke along the Burning Line, Kiah the Flame Axe (Oruk) leads the largest of the armies, over 90,000 orcs and goblin-kin, against the heart of the elven defenses. Finally, in the Darkening Wood, Jorg Kinslayer (Orc) besieges the elven stronghold of Three Oaks and deals with a forest gone insane, although it is rumored among the orc troupe that Kulos has been given command of Cambrial's great host (in definance of Jorg's efforts) to finally break the stalemate in the Darkening Wood.
  • The masters leading the Priest of Shadow's directive have sent three generals to command the forces that are to prove Jahzir and his generals are inferior by taking the Erethor... "the Hanged Man" (human?), "the Hunter" (a North man), "Jaran the Reaver" (Caransil?). By the time of the great arc of Obares, the fey resistance in the Darkening Wood will either be crushed or Kulos will be sacrificed to his god.
  • Krell Azam'han (a Sarcoson merc leader) had recently conscripted dozens of the "Dafrum-Dâgalûr" and other army groups seemingly with the permission of Jahzir, although the orcs didn't appreciate the "transfer"...
  • There are also the men and women became the Traitor Princes, and theirs is the responsibility of governing the Night King (Jahzir’s) kingdom. Most Traitor Princes have fully thrown in their lot with the Shadow, jockeying for prominence in the new power structure. But a few struggle to salvage what they can of the old ways and safeguard their people from the worst of the atrocities. Regardless of their motives and actions, it is clear that they must serve Jahzir, as those who fail him face a terrible end. The most influential of these collaborators is Ahvazi Abbas, cousin to Jahzir and Prince of Alvedara. As governor of Jahzir’s seat of power, his ambition is tempered by his fear of the king. His kinship with the Night King gives him more leeway than others, but does nothing to reduce his terror. The Greater Legate of Cambrial is Shantelus Ereach. The control of the grand mirrors in Cambrial and Sharuun by greater legates outside the Keepers of Obsidian is a source of concern for the Five, particularly as these high priests are of the Devout.
  • Kuros the Exonerated, An outspoken supporter of Sunulael and enemy of his critics, his command of the armies of Cambrial came with orders to raze the forests of Erethor. The Priest of Shadow entrusted this Priest of Shadow mission to Kuros not because he felt the man was a great leader, but instead because of his fanaticism. In his years of service, Kuros has personally led many forays against those who oppose the Priest’s rule in the south, even orcs and other legates. However, in so doing Kuros has made many enemies in Theros Obsidia; to maintain the careful balance of politics, Sunulael believed it was best to remove him from the center of intrigue lest he lose him to a Cabal knife.
  • REMINDER: Radagug, the dog: Durgaz’s older brother, by about twenty minutes. Although most orcs have numerous half-siblings, only those born at the same time can be sure they they have both parents in common. Competition was fierce between the brothers, due primarily to Durgaz's superior strength and skill with arms, and matters did not improve when Durgaz was made an officer with the Dafrum-Dâgalûr, leaving Radagug in a demeaning position as the head of a company of goblins. Radagug is known derisively as "the dog" by his fellows due to the goblin association.
  • REMINDER: Dafrum-Dâgalûr: Durgaz’s old regiment, consisting of somewhere between 400 and 500 Orcs at any given time. Led by Talûn-karkû, the white worm, a fearsome Orc with a distinctive mane of white hair. Consists of members from approximately a dozen families, all of whom are constantly jockeying for position within the regiment (whose leaders are, of course, doing the same within the army of which the regiment is part.) Durgaz’s treachery is not tremendously well-known within the regiment, as open discussion of the incident tends to rouse Talûn-karkû’s anger. Among those that do know, not much is known beyond the fact that Durgaz went mad, killed two fellow soldiers and fled. It is assumed that he is dead.
• [Eranon] After thinking about it, the Cadaverous eye would definitely make it easier to get into Cambrial.
  • [A]: I'm not sure what you mean here. Do you have any thoughts on this that I might help comment on?
• [Eranon] I recently found Valendil's trailmark just outside of our camp.
  • [A]: REMINDER: Eranon knew that this is Valendil's trail mark but something seemed odd about it's carving...
• [Eranon] Kevin, I am going to want to make a tracking check, which seems rediculous, but the group was large, it's been about 2 weeks (+14) to the DC, but I will want to take a 20 on it, and it's a nice marshy area that keeps tracks very well. I only want to know if the group (Durgaz's brother and co, dragging Walden) have passed this way, and gone to the spire.
  • [A]: Has Radagug and/or his troupe been through that area? Maybe. Wolf-like tracks can be found, some goblin and Orc. Though the Orc may be of the Bog Orcs... In your tracking/searching you would have found the wolf tracks passed within a mile of the area where the Trail Mark was, but not specifically at the mark. They did not stop and seem to be moving at high speeds at any point on their tracks Eranon sees in this immediate area. Were there "drag" marks? Yes, intermittenly. But this could be other prey if the wolves took down something hunted. If you like you might find more, so remember to search more in-game. Tracks were headed in the Northwestern direction - that could lead to the Spire, the Dead Marshes in general, into the Erethor, or even toward the Darkening Woods or farther North... There are also a great deal of orc and human (merc?) and even some bare footed humans and elf tracks heading Southeasterly. The tracks are very hard to follow at points. It will take time to track them in detail but one of Eranon's skill level could do it if needed (and if time is available)

Durgaz / Andrew

Durgaz: "Assuming that he has not been reassigned, Radagug should still be taking his orders from the white worm, Talûn-karkû. Talûn-karkû answers to Jorg Kinslayer, who serves directly under the Fey Killer himself. I don't think I need to tell you who the Fey Killer is, or who he takes his orders from.

But that necessarily means nothing. Dafrum-Dâgalûr was not a part of the war against the Caransil; we operated out of Zorgetch, taking resources from the towns and settlements within a 100-mile radius and sending them up the river to the front lines. There was some talk that the Magauth, warlord, might order us north, as he had with some other units, to represent him in his battle for leadership of the Sword's new army. I don't know whether that happened. I had heard rumors that some number of us were to be placed under the command of a Sarcosan - Krell something - when we returned to Zorgetch, but I don't know why, or how many of us.

"Those are rumors, though. There was also one that we were going to be sent to serve the Kinslayer in the Darkening Wood. Then there was one that said he didn't need us, because a mad legate was going to bring the hordes of Cambrial up to put an end to Three Oaks once and for all. I don't know which was true. They may all have just been wishful thinking from a detachment that hadn't seen real combat in over a year.

"So I don't know. Perhaps Dafrum-Dâgalûr was sent north. Perhaps only a part of it was, and the rest now serves this Sarcosan, or the Kinslayer, or the mad legate I spoke of - the Exonerated One. Radagug and his dogs would not have been much good on the front lines ... it would make sense that, if anyone was left behind or reassigned to some other duty, it would be him.

"I wonder if this Sarcosan who just happened to appear in the swamp with us knows of this Krell. It would be interesting to find out."

Andrew: Regarding suspicions that Al'Kazzir is a legate: Lacking any practical knowledge of legates, I'm assuming Durgaz operates primarily on hearsay ("Legates have to pray every night at midnight, or the Shadow will strike them down! They have creepy animal companions that can sniff out magic! They can't walk across a line of salt!"), which may or may not be accurate. Kyuad may know more, but the fact that Al'Kazzir has no legate's trappings and did not get up to pray as expected is enough to lower Durgaz's suspicions regarding him from "possible legate" to "likely spy for Vrolk who apparently wants us to either walk into an ambush or lead him to Evelos."

Kevin

QUESTIONS/Thoughts and Notes - Asked & Answered

• [Durgaz] Regarding your understanding of Legates
  • [A]: Good logic, I like when players work in legitimate "leaps" in logic that help the game progress. Obviously we "know" Adam isn't a Legate, he's a PC (or is it just a ruse?!?!!)... So it's good to find reasons to have him join to help the DM and that new member. That's a GOOD player! Nice job Andrew.
• [Durgaz] I had heard rumors that some number of us were to be placed under the command of a Sarcosan - Krell something - when we returned to Zorgetch, but I don't know why, or how many of us.
  • [A]: ROLL: Durgaz (Sense Motive +0) ROLLED: 14+0 = 14
    Logic and experience might dictate for Durgaz a few things...
    • a.) If Radagug "failed" in his mission to kill Walden and/or the PCs, then he'd be punished or demoted, etc...
    • b.) We know that "Fork" was demoted to poo-shoveller along the Shadow's Highway.
    • c.) (you all have this intel) Thorton had mentioned that he found a large silver coin from the audience people who were watching the beheading (that began our campaign), they were seen paying Radagug for the entertainment of watching the unusual beheading. Some of those city folk were from Festrun, Thorton assumed many were from Alvedara since he found a large silver coin with the Traitor Prince of Alvedara on it. So the question is - was this a "mission" for Radagug? Or was he freelancing in his scouting time? If so what ties did all this have with Walden? Did they know who Walden was? Was it a fluke? For that matter, you might ask - how/why did Legate Pessoign just "happen" by Shadowwall.
• [Durgaz] Perhaps only a part of it was, and the rest now serves this Sarcosan, or the Kinslayer, or the mad legate I spoke of - the Exonerated One.
  • [A]: FYI on "alliegences" recap: Krell (unknown), the Kinslayer (the Sword), Kulos (the Priest). Lots of names... Any others I can help with...?
• [Durgaz] Radagug and his dogs would not have been much good on the front lines ... it would make sense that, if anyone was left behind or reassigned to some other duty, it would be him.
  • [A]: reassigned or he could have been sold, bartered, or given from one warlord to another, one Night King to another, one warlord to a politician - if that's the case.
• [Durgaz] "I wonder if this Sarcosan who just happened to appear in the swamp with us knows of this Krell. It would be interesting to find out."
  • [A]: They all know each other... right?? hehe... Yes, he MIGHT know this Krell. You'd have to ask him. (ie. I'd have to have Adam roll, and fill him in if he doesn't recall Krell off the top of his head)
• [Eranon] All this intel and info being said makes Eranon think of Valendil, his scout group, and the area of the Dead Marshes, the Druid's Swamp, the Darkening Wood, Three Oaks and such...
  • [A]: : ROLL: Eranon (gather info -1) ROLLED: 17-1 = 16
    Why hadn't you thought of this before? Beyond Valendil's scouts aid. There is another immediate alternative, a place of knowledge in the center of the Druid's Swamp there is told to be a place where the elves learn to commune with the Erethor. Simply known as the Hamlet, this is "where the Whispers are born". It may be a place of relief. Looking at the map though, you may be 100-300 miles Southeast from the center of the Druid's Swamp.

Eranon / Steve

Eranon "I'm not really sure what all of that means. Does that give a clear indication of where Walden might be, or is it still just guesswork?"

"By the way, something I forgot to mention, there was something odd about Valendil's trailmark. It's unlikely that it's a forgery, there are less than 50 people in all of Erdane that would even be able to recognize his personal mark, but there was something about the way it was carved. Kuyad, maybe you can take a look at it? It's a long shot, I know, but maybe you can see something I missed."

"Also, I went scouting for old trails and tracks, and it seems that orcs have passed this way, maybe the orcs we were looking for. Some wolves went this way also, it's hard to tell after two weeks. They look like they're headed Northwest, maybe the Spire, maybe Dead Marshes, Darkening Wood, maybe Three Oaks, but it looked like a small detatchment to me, probably Radagug and his dogs. More oddly, however, there was a large number of orcs and humans, also some barefoot humans and some elves all headed southeast. The trail ebbs and flows, it would take time to figure it out. Time we probably don't have. I don't know what that means. Do you know of a detatchment that would be headed that way?"

"Finally, I had completely forgotten another palce we can go for help, and it may be easier than finding Valendil's raiders. This place is called the Hamlet, I've heard it as the place "where the whispers ar born." That means the tenders of the wood must be there. They are wise indeed, and we may benefit from their council. The wood may be able to tell us or them more information. However, it may be much further from us, though in the same direction. I need to consult the map"

Steve Is it possible to tell how large each of those groups were (the orcs and wolves headed northwest, and the orcs, men and elves headed southeast)? What is the comparative distance between the are where the raiders might be and the Hamlet? This may be information best dealt with in game.

Durgaz/ Andrew

Durgaz: "It's all guesswork. I only know that Walden told me that his destiny lay in the "land of the dead." That could mean many things. He could have been referring to Cambrial. He could have been referring to the Dead Marshes. Or he could have meant he believed he was going to die. The only thing we know for sure about Walden right now is who took him.

"So. The tracks you found. Here is what I take away from those. Judging from the barefoot human and elf tracks, I think it's likely that the southeastern trail was left by a contingent transporting prisoners, probably from the Darkening Wood. I don't know where they would be headed. Cambrial would be a good guess. If so, I would guess that they will likely be sacrificed at the next new moon.

"As for the other trail, maybe it is Radagug's band - I didn't see any wolves with the bog orcs. Your wolf would know the scent of its former handlers, wouldn't it? Can it smell them here?

"Did Radagug know who Walden was? I doubt it. Radagug is ambitious, but he is a weakling and has earned no respect from his superiors - he would never have been chosen for such a significant mission. He certainly would never have been given permission to publicly execute Walden in front of an audience of peasants for a handful of silver. My guess is that he did that on his own. He must have brought Walden back to his superior at some point, though. That may be the same superior who demoted Fork for fleeing and leaving the rest of his group to be killed - Radagug would probably not have had the authority to do that on his own, even to a goblin. And the road Fork was placed on belongs to the Krankloburz, the Dark Mother. So whoever Radagug currently serves, he is probably either a member of or has strong ties with the Dark Mother tribe.

"So, really, if we can determine without a doubt that the northwesterly trail was left by Radagug's band, then we can follow it and hope that it leads us to Walden. If not, we know nothing.

"I was going to say that we should press on to find the Elves, and hope that they can provide us with more information, but now I don't know what to make of this matter with Valendil's symbol. Any permanent encampment is bound to be far too deep in the forest for us to reach it in time. I still believe that our best, if not only chance lies with Kyuad and his ... friend. Unlike Radagug, Diero was probably at Walden's house for a reason. Maybe he knew Walden was there. And if he was sent there to find Walden, he may have been told where Walden is now. I still don't trust him. But Kyuad does. And no, Kyuad, I still don't know that you did the right thing when you let him go. But I think he may be the only way for us to find out where Walden is before it is too late, so we may know very soon whether you did or not."

Andrew: Do my assumptions regarding Radagug and the chain of command make sense here? I still don't know that they particularly help as far as finding Walden is concerned, but they may become useful if we re-encounter Radagug's band. Also, my suggestions may change significantly based on what Kyuad has to say regarding Valendil's strange mark.

Incidentally, just to clarify: In my earlier post, when I refer to the Sword, I'm talking about Jahzir. The Fey Killer is Grial, the Kinslayer is Jorg, and the Exonerated One is Kulos. It appears as though most orcs don't have last names, so I am assuming that those who have earned honorifics are typically referred to by the honorific instead of the name. (Humans appear to use both the name and the honorific, but I imagine orcs would just stick to the cool part.)

Kevin

QUESTIONS/Thoughts and Notes - Asked & Answered

• [Erenon] Is it possible to tell how large each of those groups were (the orcs and wolves headed northwest, and the orcs, men and elves headed southeast)? What is the comparative distance between the are where the raiders might be and the Hamlet?
  • [A]: How large? ... sure, in-game you might be able to track for details but here's the basics:
    the Wolves = a small pack, some of their paws much bigger than Eranon's wolf, some smaller and rat-like. These are accompanied by intermitent goblin tracks, as if the goblins are riding and jumping down now and then.
    The Orc, men & elves moving Southeast = seem to be "straglers" consistent with scouts or something, around a good 30-40 tracks that are obviously different that you've found. Ask more on this in-game.
    Distance between the raiders and the Hamlet? The Hamlet is somewhere in the middle of the Druid's Swamp some 100-300 miles northwest into the Erethor away from your current position. Not sure what "raiders" you're referring to.
• [Durgaz] Do my assumptions regarding Radagug and the chain of command make sense here?
  • [A]: To me... totally.
• [Durgaz] there was something odd about Valendil's trailmark. It's unlikely that it's a forgery, there are less than 50 people in all of Erdane that would even be able to recognize his personal mark, but there was something about the way it was carved. Kuyad, maybe you can take a look at it? It's a long shot, I know, but maybe you can see something I missed.
  Also, my suggestions may change significantly based on what Kyuad has to say regarding Valendil's strange mark.
  • [A]:  : ROLL: Kyuad (+ a hidden skill modifier) = 22
    Kyuad inspects the mark, at first he has nothing... Walking away he thumbs through his Lorebook, turns back looking intently... at the tree then the ground cover, then up into the sky... (as the camera pans in spiral upward, leaving the group growing small from the distant height... at the screen goes black it's Kyuad in voice-over...)
    "oh dear... th-th-this sight, the ground through and beneath this tree... Look ... there... there and there, all pointing at one thing - the tale-tell signs of ritual magic... Not long ago, here where we stand, this was the sight of a Dance of Ruin..."
    FIND OUT WHAT KYUAD suspects IN-GAME TOMORROW!!

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Midnight: North & South Portal