Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Final Preparation: Envoy Revealed!

At one point both Dr. House and Yosser seemingly disappear from Oleg's. They return the morning three days later, dirty from travel and with crimson their faces.
Doctor house throws his arms wide when approached by the other Charter members about where he and Yosser had gone. He happily says;
" We rode out to meet the Envoy on their way here. Not to actually meet them, but to observe them from afar so that we might now what to expect when they arrive! This is what we have learned!":

-The Envoy from Restov is made up of around 20 men, they travel mostly on foot and carry with them 2 carriages, one obviously built for luxury while the other is built to transport a large number of prisoners.
- Of the 20 men only 3 of them bear any likeness to people any of you recognize. ( Yosser drew quick sketches of the men through a Spyglass). With your varying knowledge skills you are able to determine the following information about them!
-Sir Gregory Kastavaeryn: A true Knight and a Venerable man, Sir Gregory has served The Dawn flower as a Paladin for well over 40 winters. Originally from the Nation of Mendev, Gregory retires from Active Military Duty there and came to Brevoy nearly 10 years ago, where he now serves the SwordLords in an Advisory capacity. Sir Gregory had marched in no less than 2 SEPERATE crusades into the World Wound but even so, his most recognizable accomplishment was 25 years ago when he fought in the Wars waged against The Mad King in Numeria...
-Esten Sellemius: Oldest son of Joseph Sellemius, Lord Mayor of Restov, -Esten heads the Envoy Party sent into the Greenbelt. He is a likeable sort for a nobleman and is well liked by most common folk for his fair judgements. Even so, he is a Nobleman, and Their to Restock seat of power. As such he is very calm and calculating, possessing a wide array of skills to both help him survive, and end those that would come against his Family.
Roland Sellemius: Youngest son of Restovs Lord Mayor, Told an is a rambunctious, adventurous young man. He rarely sees the downside to anything and always loves a good tale about things Outside the life of Nobility. Even as young as he is Told an has been well trained and practiced in the Noble Arts.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

New Items Available at Oleg's!

The influx of coins and people into the Greenbelt has once again increased Olegs holdings at the Tradingpost. The following items are now available for purchase:
Oil of Magic Weapon, Scroll of Fabricate, Wand of Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Merciful Metamagic Rod, Ring of Ferocious Action, Ant Haul Belt, Tree Feather Token x2, Potion of Bulls Strength, Grave Salt, Seer's Tea, Origami Swarm, War Paint of Terrible Visage, Formula Alembic

Also, all of your special ordered Items arrive at Oleg's to be purchased!

Story Preparation: What Will You be Doing?

Hey guys! I need to know a few things from each of you before I can continue planning out the storyline of the campaign! Please leave a comment answering the following questions! ( You do have some time, so if you need to do research please do so! If you want to keep anything secret from your allies make sure to leave a comment that has false information and email me with the true info!).

1. Leadership Feats: Which of you are planning on taking ANY of the various leadership feats?
2. Leadership Roles( Kingdom Building): I need to know which leadership roles your character is planning to fill IF you guys are able to earn the Colonization Charter from the SwordLords.

Thanks guys! Be sure to continue to look for more posts!

Thursday, November 24, 2016

The People of the Greenbelt: Key NPC's

Oleg : The owner and operator of Oleg's Trading post, Oleg is a humble man. He has a way with number and figures, aswell as his customers. Likeable, friendly and extremely blunt and to the point Oleg has built a decent living for he and his wife here at the edge of the Untamed Stolen Lands.

Svetlana: Oleg's wife and head cook at the Trading Post, Svetlana is a rugged sort of woman. She loves her husband and will do anything she can to make sure his dreams come true. Svetlana learned to cook at a young age so she has perfected that craft at Oleg's, providing the visitors here good hearty meals. Despite being middle aged she hasn't lost much of her youthful appeal either, yet another reason the customers of the Greenbelt leave satisfied.

Kesten Garess: The Garess family of Brevoy has long held seats of power among the council of SwordLords. Kesten is the youngest son of the family and unfortunately for him he fell for a married woman at a young age. When the scandal was discovered, Kesten decided it best to volunteer for the SwordLords new expedition into the Stolen Lands, rather than face his families wrath. He now leads a small company of guardsmen and is here at Oleg's to regain atleast some of the honor he has lost. Kesten is nobleborn and received appropriate training among Brevorys Aldori Sword schools before he came here, so he is well suited for the role of Watch Commander.

Jhod: A Priest of Erastil, Lord of the Hunt, Jhod has come to the Stolen Lands by divine will, claiming to have been sent here to help restore Erastils strength in the region. Since our Heroes discovered Erastils lost Shrine and cleansed it of its guardians, Jhod has spent the vast majority of his time there, working to retire the Shrine to functioning condition. Jhod is friendly and always willing to give advice in matters of Religion and Belief.

Bokken: A slightly crazed Hermit, Bokken is a unique character, constantly speaking to things that arnt there and making motions with his hands. Despite his apparent mental handicap, Bokken has proven a capable potion maker, and has done many deals with Oleg in the past to keep the Tradingpost stocked with them. Bokken doesn't like "Civilized life" and much prefers to remain on his own in the wilderness.

Auchs : A former Bandit in service to The Stag Lord, Auchs is a human born of giants blood. His extreme size and strength make him obviously useful to those that can control his radically flaring temperament. Auchs may be very dim witted and slow in the mind, but does know what he likes; cooked meat, his Knights and Dragons toys, "Games", and hurting other people.

Akiros Insmorte: A disgraced paladin of Erastil, Akiros was formally a lost man. He found himself here in the Greenbelt working for the notorious Stag Lord until he was inadvertently liberated by our Heroes. Once swayed back toward the path of a righteous man by Marshal, Akiros aided our heroes in over throwing The Stag Lord, risking his own life in the process. Decidedly ready to accept the fate Erastil has played before him, and ready to face judgement for his crimes as a murderer, Akiros now serves Marshal to the best of his ability, all the while hoping that Marshal is right when he says that one day Akiros may once again be able to wield Erastils power for the greater good.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Trouble at Olegs

The Bandit prisoners at Oleg's are fully aware what awaits them once they are taken back to Brevic Lands... a quick trial, and a swiftly tied noose awaits most bandits. Because they no longer have anything to lose, the bandits have become very difficult to control, the fact that Oleg simply doesn't have the room or man power to hold them all securely lends to their increaseing bravery and bravado.
More than once one of the Charter Bearers has happened upon one of the prisoners attempting to influence Auchs toward escape...
Oleg is very concerned with the safety of the Trading Post should our heroes depart once again into the Wilds before the Envoys arrival. " I simply can't handle em all's with the men I gots... specially the the bigun'...".
Even with Akiros serving as a guardsman for the time being and Auchs seemingly docile for now, the threat the bandits pose should they get lose is still dangerously high... and Oleg wants something done... fast.
When questioned or threatened the bandits are rude and tight lipped. " I'm a dead man anyway, don't expect me to lie down to accept that fate, traitor!" Has been said more than once.

Friday, November 18, 2016

RET-CON: What really happened when The Stag Lord met his end?

After Uldons heroic leap from the second story balcony of the Forts tower, both he and the Stag Lord came crashing through the first story roof and onto the ground. Uldons battle reflexes allowed his mind to recover quickly, but his body was beaten and torn from the battle, he could only watch as the Stag Lord leveled a deadly arrow at his eye at point blank range... Uldon would finally meet his ancestors...
At the last moment the Stag Lords neck errupts in a spray of blood! The mans hands weaken and he drops his bow, one hand slowly lifting to pull a single paper playing card from the gushing wound...
He stares at the card in disbelief, then slowly tracks his gaze upward through the hole above him.
There, on the upper landing Uldon had flung himself from, bathed in bright sunlight from the noon day sun stood the groups new comer! A man known only as doc, in his hand rested a deck of simple playing cards...
Runes flash suddenly to life all over the Stag Lords body, burning a brilliant first blue! The Stag Lord convulses in pain as the runes seem to rip themselves from his body and flow upward into the helm that granted him his name. In another blinding flash the blue fire shoots upwards and wraps itself around Doc! Rather than burn the man though the runes seem to gently caress him as they settle down onto his body in an intricate pattern, and suddenly wink out of existence...
It is thusly that yet another Mythic hero has been born... claiming the Stag Lords Mythic Power as his own!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The Story Continues!: Returning to Oleg's after the Stag Lords Defeat!

Besides Akiros Insmorte and Auchs, 11 bandits survived the battle at the Stag Lords Fortress. After officially being taken into custody by our heroes using the Writ of Law given them by the SwordLords of Brevoy the bandits now make their way solemnly once again to Oleg's Trading Post as prisoners.
The people of Oleg's rejoice to see the charter bearers return yet again from a successful trip into the Wilds! Oleg himself is surprised at the number of prisoners they have brought back this time around and expresses worry about the room he can afford to house the prisoners until they are sent of to Brevoy for trial.
After many assurances from both our heroes and Kesten Garess( who has recruited yet more aid in the form of guardsmen for the Outpost), he puts aside his worries and sends word of the new development to the SwordLords immediately.
After discussing with Marshal it is decided that the bandits will be placed under Kesten Garess and used to make final repairs to the Outpost while they are here. Akiros Insmorte expresses the desire to aid Garess as a guardsman to keep the bandits in check until the SwordLords arrive to transport them to Brevoy. The request is granted by Marshal who knows that Akiros is done running from the crimes he has committed. Akiros is also the only one who can keep the large brute Auchs under control while Uldon is away.
Once the prisoners are situated Oleg pulls our heroes aside to discuss a few remaining matters regarding their charters for exploration of the Greenbelt. There are relatively few areas left to explore but it will take at least one week for an envoy from the sword Lords to arrive and assess the progress in the region, so they do have some time.
He reminds them that the following issues still need to be addressed :
-Finish Exploring the remaining areas of the Greenbelt
- Deal with the threat of the reported Tatzylwyrms living in the region
- Deal with the threat of the strange Undead Haunting the Toll Bridge to the Southeast
-Speak to the priest Jhod to see what can be done about cleansing the Stags Helm ( He suggests this AFTER hearing the tale of what transpired at the Stag Lords Fortress).

Furthermore Oleg presents Flynn with a special package he received while at the Stag Lords Fortress. The package need the symbol of Flynn's noble house. ( Flynn will receive a private email regarding this).
Oleg is also ready to take any additional special orders our heroes might have and makes delivery on any special orders that have been made thus far.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Against the Stag Lord!: A Lord no More

With yet another successful day of drinking comradary with the bandits inside the Stag Lords Fort, and the sudden arrival of yet another charter bearing explorer from Brevoy it seemed our heroes had finally mustered enough man power to take the Fort for themselves.
After another successful gambit by Flynn Magnamir the bandits where further turned against their Lord when their chef, Fat Nory , was tricked into destroying ALL of the forts food stores and alcohol supplies. Using the confusion the scene caused the next morning, Marshal and the new comer Absolam stole off into the cellar to investigate rumors of an old man apparently held prisoner down there. What they found was a room stocked full with the Stag Lords treasurers and guarded by several creatures!
Unbeknownst to our heroes the room was also magically warded to let the Lieutenants know when it's doors had been breached, naturally this caused troubled surface side for Uldon and Flynn as it seemed they would have to fight the bandits all alone..
Luckily the pair kept a cool head as Uldon feigned ignorance and Flynn delivered a speech regarding the uncaringness of the Stag Lord. Equally luckily Marshal had taken time the night before to befriend the fallen paladin, Akiros Insmorte, how sided with his friends now!
A mighty battle ensued in which all of our heroes were nearly laid low by their opposition. Through the combined efforts of Flynn and Marshals ranged capabilities, Uldons overwhelming presence on the battle field, and Absalom's ability to support them in all areas including magical healing our heroes were victorious! Laying the both the Stag Lord and Devon from Nisroch to their final rest. Auchs was bested by Uldon during the battle and gave up, whimpering for his life, which Uldon spared, and Akiros nearly died from wounds inflicted by the Stag Lord but was saved by Absolams quick reactions and amazing battlefield awareness!
With the Stag Lord defeated our heroes have finally claimed his Fortress aswell as his considerable wealth for their own, not to mention recovering an Erastillian Artifact in the form of The Stags Helm.
What now will they do? Only the gods might know!

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Against the Stag Lord!: Murderous Intent

Upon returning from a " hunting " trip ( really just a ruse to allow our Heroes freedom to say their prayers and prepare spells for the coming day away from prying eyes) our heroes discover that one of their pranks has apparently been successful... dangerously so.
Amidst screams of pain, shock, and outrage bandits please our out of the common room followed swiftly by the broken bloody body of what was once Jex the Snitch. Behind him emerges the large, hulking form of Auchs still holding onto the broken pieces of a large nightstand he had used to crush Jex. The half giant roared in an obvious state of blind rage.
" Auchs calm down!", Akiros's voice carried across the courtyard with authority, though it was obviously lost to the enraged man.
Auchs simply turned his hate filled gaze on Akiros as he drew his large, nail spiked club in defiance.
He charged across the courtyard, barreling threw the bandits in his path like an elephant through a stream and swung his weapon with murderous intent. With reflexes unusual for a man of his age Akiros tumbled underneath the blow, coming up from a roll some 10 ft from Auchs. Akiros's hand fell to the hilt of the longsword at his side, his face like stone, resolute that he would finally be forced to draw the blade.
Then, seemingly for no reason at all, Auchs simply slumped forward his club falling to the ground. He turned to the stunned crowd of on lookers flinging globs of tears and snot from his simple face.
" I telled Em , I telled you all! DONT PLAY WID ME TOYS!!" his voice rumbled with assured demise for the next vilotater of his rules about toys. And it was over. Auchs wiped one meaty hand across his face, doing nothing to actually clean the snot and tears from it and instead smearing them across it, and stalked back into the common room...
Visibly relieved at this Akiros released his sword still un-drawn turning to a couple bandits nearby and ordering them to clean up this mess. " Throw the body over the wall and let the dead claim the fool".
Just like that everyone was left to wonder just what the hell Jex had been thinking touching the big mans favorite Knights and Dragons figurines....

Against the Stag Lord!: Inside the Bandit Kings Fortress

Fort of the Stag: The fortress itself is another ruin left from the last attempted Taldan Colonization of the Stolen Lands. Sitting atop a large hillock on the northern shores of Lake Tuskwater the original structure featured 10 ft high stone walls that surrounded a stone inner building. The inner structure was multi storied with a large tower in it north eastern corner that reaches 3 Stories (36ft).
Much of the original structure has succumb to the decay of time leaving large holes in its walls and roofs.
The Stag Lords bandits have cleared out the rubble and debris from these collapses and have used wood and leather to cover the holes in the roofs.
The collapsed sections of the outer walls has been replaced with a wooden Palisade and 4 20ft tall wooden watch towers have been constructed (one at each corner inside the outer wall).
A large courtyard now functions as the bandits staging and recreation area, where they share meals, gamble, and train with each other in complete safety. The inner structure holds the "common room" where the majority of the lower ranked bandits sleep, kennels for the Stag Lords "hounds" , a large store room for basic supplies, a small kitchen on its ground floors, and a large room that has been claimed as a "play room" for one of the Stag Lords Lieutenants ( Auchs ) on its ground floor. The second level of the tower has been claimed by Devon from Nisroch as a living quarters. The Stag Lord himself has claimed the the tip floor.
A wooden scaffolding has been effected along the out side of the tower for easy access to the upper floors.
Akiros makes his home in a small makeshift hut on the western end of the courtyard, opposite the main building.

What's happened so far?:
Our heroes have already befriended one bandit, a jovial seeming lad named Topper Red. They have also made huge strides towards swaying numerous other bandits by besting some of the Stag Lords Lieutenants at their own games.
Auchs (3rd rank Lieutenant) lost a game of Rock Throwing for the first time in his life against the mighty Uldon who managed the almost inhuman feat of throwing an 800 pound rock over 25ft!
Devon from Nisroch allowed over confidence to get the better of him when he challenged all of the " new comers" to a game of 3 Dragon Ante. A simple tactic of teaming up paired with expertly placed wizardly cantrips allowed Flynn to HANDEDLY best the bandits 2nd ranked Lieutenant.
With the " Bandit Brawl" on the horizon it seems our heroes may get yet another chance to best the Bandit Lieutenants on their own ground as apparently the contest is an open invitation from Akiros (1st Ranked Lieutenant) to attempt to best him in a fist fight to earn his Title (aswell as a sizable pot of 300gp). Rumor says that the man is supremely formidable as only Auchs has managed to even cause him any injuries thus far.
The 4th ranked Lieutenant and master of Hounds Yikory has yet to be encountered... and it seems our heroes own Animal Whisperer Yosser is missing in action aswell... gods know what mischief is taking place in that regard.

Benefits earned thus far: Besting Auchs and Devon at their own contests has earned our heroes a large amount of respect and admiration. Thusly they will receive a +2 bonus/ contest won on the future Diplomacy check to influence the bandits into a mutiny.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Update : Magic Items Available for Purchase in the Greenbelt

Now that our heroes have befriended Bokken, the strange Hermit to the East of Oleg's Trading post, they find that they have access to a large number of new potions! Further, Bokken has offered to provide his wares at a 10% because his new friends delivered to him a large batch of Fangberries!
The following potions can be ordered from Bokken in any quantity and picked up from him within 3 days of placing the order. (Orders of more the 6 potions may take more time to craft).
Further more, Bokken always keeps a ready supply of a few potions in stock that can be picked up immediately upon purchase. They are as follows :
Cure Light Wounds ×2, Endure Elements ×2, and Cure Moderate Wounds

Oleg's Trading Post: Any magical items not currently in stock at Oleg's can be special ordered at Oleg's (Up to a maximum price of 1250gp). Items ordered this way take 1 week to arrive. 
Oleg's has the following Magic Items in Stock and ready for pick up:
Elixir of Vision, Iron Rope, Universal Solvent ×10, Feather Token ( Bird)×3, Nugent of Timelessness, Stubborn Nail, Bookplate of Recall, Cloak of Resistance +1, Bracers of the Brawler, Scroll of Endure Elements ×2, Scroll of Longstrider, Scroll of Goodberrie ×2, Scroll of Invisibility

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Against the Stag Lord! : Information you have learned so far.

Capturing the 2 bandits alive in the Stag Lords camp and questioning them profusely has revealed a good amount of useful information about The Stag Lord, His Fortress, and his Lieutenants. The information here should be used to plan the Assault or Infiltration of the Stag Lords Fortress. Please feel free to post comments to speak amongst each other in character while making your plans.

- The Stag Lord makes his home in an old Fort built by the Taldan Colonists some years ago. The fort is land based on three sides with the 4th being next to a large Lake of some kind. All of the sides are reinforced with walls and towers making it extremely defendable. There is only one road leading into the fort itself.
- The Taldans built the fort on an ancient burial ground. Anyone approaching the fort from anywhere off of the round disturbs the cursed land and is set upon by ravenous undead. Any encounter with the Undead outside the fort will immediately alert the forts defenders who will aid the undead in killing the intruders.
- Besides the Stag Lord himself the fort currently houses his 4 remaining Lieutenants aswell as around 30 other bandits (Give or take a Couple). From what you've seen the bandits are actually quite well trained  defenders and could pose a large obstacle when encountered in such large numbers, especially from the walls of such a fortified location.
-Because of the number of bandits that flock to the Stag Lords banner it is difficult to keep track of who exactly is working for the Stag Lord. The bandits use a Master Phrase and Answer system to identify themselves as servants of The Stag Lord when attempting to gain entry into the fort. The current master phrase is : "By the fury of St. Gilgamore who calls my name!?" With the answer being " Who in the hell is St. Gilgamore".

The Stag Lord :- A monstrous man and a mean, seemingly permanent, drunk the Stag Lord is feared, loathed and respected by all those under his banner. A deadeye with a Longbow the Stag Lords servants seem to think the man blessed by Old Deadeye himself and many claim to have seen him do impossible things. It's also rumored the Bandit Kings stylized Stags Helm is actually the mans face! Half of what he used to be and never right in the head the Stag Lord maintains his power through brutality and fear. He remains unchallenged however as apparently even drunk out of his mind the man still has a great deal of fight in him.
Yikory the Master of Hounds:- The Stag Lords 4th ranked Lieutenant Yikory maintains the Stag Lords collection of "Hounds". He is the master of 8 of the creatures as of now and they are all housed within the fortress. Yosser Wilcryn has determined that these hounds are Domesticated Thycrines, which are dangerous pack predators in the wild.
Auchs:- A lumbering lumox of a man and the Stag Lords 3rd ranked Lieutenant Auchs is rumored to have Giant Blood in him. He is overly simple minded when it comes to any subject except cruelty as he delights in the sounds of sobbing and cries of pain that come from victims of his "Interrogations".
Devon from Nikras:- Second ranked Lieutenant and Deadly feared for his mastery of swordplay Devon has been with the Stag Lord for over a year now. He is definetly a wierd sort of man but noone questions his words, especially since Auchs seems to be willing to crush any man Devon becomes unfond of.
Akiros :- A fallen holy man of Erastil, Akiros came to the Stag Lords camp a mere 4 months ago. His cunning and prowess as a brawler have seen him rise quickly to the 1st rank among the Stag Lords Lieutenants ( much to the annoyance of Devon). Akiros seems a quiet sort normally but in battle seems to have a death wish. Niether bandit interrogated has ever seen him draw the longsword he wears on his side, nor has either ever seen the man ever take notice of any injuries he has received in his battles.
Through Knowledge History the PCs learn that Akiros is from a Southern land where he once served Erastil as a paladin. He was well loved and respected until one day a woman stepped forth and accused him of forcing himself on her! In a fit of rage Akiros struck her, killing her in one blow. To escape he also attacked the man that she had brought with her as witness, beating him to death before fleeing into the wilderness to bear his shame.
Old Man Locked in the Basement :- Apparently the Stag Lord keeps and elderly man locked in the basement of his fortress. The bandits dont know who this man is but one thinks that he is the power behind the throne... looking into the mans eyes he said showed him what true terror was...

Loot Lists: Forward Bandit Camp

The following is the loot List for the Bandit Camp ran by Kessler ( One of the Stag Lords 5 Lieutenants). Remember that when selling gear or items the GP value is cut by 50%.
6 Longbows, 4 Short swords, 4 Longswords, 2 Short spears, 80 Arrows (Claimed by Marshal), 142gp, 12 Sets of Studded Leather Armor, 2 MWK Handaxes, 8 Daggers, +1 Returning Handaxe, 2 Potions of Cure Light Wounds
Aside from the gear carried by the Bandits there are a number of Mundane Supplies that can be sold to Oleg for a total of 500gp. Amongst those supplies the Bandits had also hidden a few pieces of their personal loot from Banditry as follows:
321sp, 178gp, A pair of Silver Earrings (150gp), An Expertly crafted Music Box (90gp), 3 Crates of Furs and Hides (50gp/each), and a well polished Dark wood Case containing 12 Bottles of a Dark Green Liqour. Each bottle is designed with a silver pourspout in the shape of an open mouthed Stags Head. ( This shipment of Liqour is for the Stag Lord, and he expects it within 7 Days).
The clothes and gear gathered from the camp provide a +7 bonus on any disguise checks to appear as a Bandit.