Karnakiid: Valley of Mist and Flame (Campaign Thread)

Annette · Post by **Annette** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:44 pm

(note: Please read the "Player Discussion Thread" first. It can be found [url="http://www.gamebanshee.com/forums/forum-based-campaigns-95/karnakiid-valley-of-mist-flame-player-discussion-thread-119056.html#post1092233"]here.[/url])

Karnakiid City. Never before has any of you set your eyes upon such a magnificent sight; the desert's harsh cruelty and unforgiving aura melt away as your finally reach your destination. The dust and sand covering the darkened walls somehow looks warm and inviting, a sharp contrast to the same sediment you've been cursing at for weeks on end.

It's late, so you are all surprised to see each other arrive at the same time. While during the day it would not be uncommon for dozens upon dozens of merchants and travelers to grace Karnakiid City's gate, it is unusual for anyone to travel through the desert at night, unless they are either desperate or up to no good.

Before any of you can address each other, one of the guardsmen hails you. "Hey there," he shouts over to you, an unnecessary show of bravado (considering you are standing not ten feet away from him.) "You lot coming in or not?"

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Mon May 23, 2011 11:12 pm

"Yes, while I cannot profess to know who they are, I can at least assume that they are travelers seeking refuge in an inn, as am I."

Intelligence Check to know basic laws like no weapons-
1d20+1
12+1 = 13

If so-

Pondering for a moment, she remembers the law of no-weaponry as she takes her morningstar and hands it to the guard (spikes pointed down to the ground), "I need it not anyway."

If not-

Shar'ra waits patiently for the guards to open the gates.

Moogleman · Post by **Moogleman** » Tue May 24, 2011 5:35 am

Hearing the Asherati speak breaks Ehren out of his mesmer. What a strange creature, he thought. He blanched when he saw her hand over her weapon, reminding him of the no-weapons law here. Never before had another held The Temperate Star.
"This is precious to me, keep it safe," he said, handing over his morning star followed by his crossbow and bolts."And could you please direct me to the nearest inn."

After recieving his directions Ehren plods to the inn, legs leaden with melancholy.

EDIT: Knowledge (local) check: 16+3=19 I'd figure whether I pass or not I'll quickly learn about the no weapons law from seeing Shar'ra hand over her weapons.
Knowledge (history) check: 1+3=4

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Tue May 24, 2011 8:14 am

@DM, I've included an intelligence roll for knowing this town (I can't make a knowledge local roll because I'm not trained in it), and a contingency for if I failed in the knowledge.

Annette · Post by **Annette** » Tue May 24, 2011 9:40 am

Shar'ra
Failed!
The guard turns to you expectantly. After several moments of silence, he says, "You have to give me your weapons, Wise One." He sounds almost apologetic. "Sorry, but it's the law around here. No weapons, no magic."

Ehren
The city streets are quiet, but not uncomfortably so. The only source of sound nearby is the very inn the guardsman recommended, so you are able to find it without difficulty. It's too dark to make out the name, but you do see an unusually large manticore devouring a sand wyrm on the hanging sign.

Upon entering, you see that the noise is coming from a group of half-orcs arguing ferociously in one corner. The other patrons, a dwarf and an asherati, look on with amusement.

The innkeeper, a human, notices you, and shouts, "Come on in! Always happy to serve a foreigner!"

Moogleman · Post by **Moogleman** » Tue May 24, 2011 11:30 am

Ehren nodded towards the innkeeper in response to his greeting and approached the bar.
"Hail barkeep, I'll take a watered wine and a hot meal over in the corner, if it's not too late." He said, gesturing to the corner furthest from the rowdy orc band. "I'll also be needing a room for the night."

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Tue May 24, 2011 11:51 am

"My apologies. Take it, I need it not" I say, handing him the morningstar and proceeding inside.

malinzaro · Post by **malinzaro** » Tue May 24, 2011 12:17 pm

Westan approaches the gates still looking long at the might citadel before him and speaking to himself:
Impressive feat to raise such a magnificent building. I might need some refreshments and a hot meal after so many days in the desert.

Out of game: Intelligence rolls for both local and history since I am not trained in them, I also added +2 circumstance bonus

Knowledge (history): 1d20+3+2=19
Knowledge (local): 1d20+3+2=19

Westan takes off all his weaponry and with a swift move he hands them to the guard: Keep them well. I will need them when I move out again.

He takes a quick look at the other fellows waiting as him the gates to see what could be expected from the, and then enters the city trying to grasp the attitude of the locals and the general mood around.

Out of game: With my lack of experience I cannot figure out what rolls are needed at this point to figure if the other 3 sitting at the gates are friendly or not, how the city mood is and the way they are handling strangers. Either way I am rolling for sense motive (the other members) and gather information (for city).

Sense Motive: 1d20+0=6
Gather Information: 1d20-1=16

Annette · Post by **Annette** » Tue May 24, 2011 1:51 pm

Moogleman
Knowledge (history)-Failed! You unfamiliar with even the most basic elements of Karnakiid's history.

The innkeeper smiles as you point away from the half orcs. "Don't worry about them," he explains. "We're in Karnakiid City; not even those half breeds are stupid enough to start anything in here." He fetches your meal, and a serving girl takes it over to your table.
"5 silver, please," she holds out her hand expectantly.

Shar'ra
The guard looks relieved, and lets you in. For politeness's sake, he reminds you how to reach to nearest inn, despite you having heard him speak to the priest moments before.

Westan
Knowledge (local)-Success! You are familiar with the laws against weapons and magic.
Knowledge (history)-Success! Studying in Theodyn's library paid off; you can recall Karnakiid's entire history with ease.
Sense Motive- Failed! The darkness prevents you from succesfully reading your companions' faces.
Gather Information- Not Possible (the streets are abandoned, so there is no way to judge)

The other guard takes your weapons without a word. You walk in with the asherati, unable to tell what she is thinking.

Shar'ra AND Westan
The streets are quiet as you step in. You have directions to the local inn-a few streets away- and following the sound would be a trivial task.

Moogleman · Post by **Moogleman** » Tue May 24, 2011 2:06 pm

Ehren smiles as the serving girl places the meal on his table.
"Thank you, it smells delicious." Handing her 7 silver pieces he adds,"If I might also have a moment of your time, I'd like to learn a little about the city, anything happening at the moment?" He sips his wine and awaits her answer.

Gather Information: 18+1=19

Sense Motive: 10+3=13 (not sure if I need it but I'll roll just in case)

MistSonata · Post by **MistSonata** » Tue May 24, 2011 2:09 pm

Elliah brought up the rear, garbed in worn, dusty shrouds over her leather armor. Her tressym curled over her shoulder, wings tucked in, looking quite comfortable. She lagged behind the group cautiously. She didn't know these people—save for the Cleric, who she had noticed when she was making her way to this strange land. They met eyes once or twice but never spoke to one another. Still, she felt better keeping these strangers in her line of vision for now.

She studied the guard as he hailed them, he seemed suspiciously friendly for a guard, and he didn't seem to be taking down their names so that he would know what belonged to whom. Something within her was telling her something was amiss... ( Spot check: Roll(1d20)+4: / 13,+4 / Total:17 | Sense Motive check: Roll(1d20)+2: / 8,+2 / Total:10 )

Provided she didn't see anything suspicious about the guard she quietly prepared to surrender her darts. "Stay wary, Aesenyth," she murmured to her animal companion in Druidic, "for I may need to rely on your claws and fangs."

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Tue May 24, 2011 2:26 pm

For now I am glowing, and feel free to assume I am in this town alone unless I indicate otherwise.

I casually stroll through town taking in various sites and familiarizing myself with the land. Is this kind of a stereotypical desert town with a dirt/sand ground and adobe huts like Tattoine from star wars or is it more refined and built with ceramic, stone, or even iron?

I also look/ask around for any modern news source other than word of mouth, such as a bulletin or a newspaper (I don't know how technologically advanced your custom world is so I might as well ask).

Gather Info-
1d20+2
2+2 = 4

1d20+2
15+2 = 17

Search-
1d20+5
6+5 = 11

1d20+5
19+5 = 24

If I find one I look over it for any interesting news or adventurous work-

Search ([url="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/usingSkills.htm#taking20"]Taking my time[/url], Automatic 20)-
1d20+0
20+5 = 25

Regardless of whether I find anything, afterwards I head to the nearest inn, acquire a modest room, purchase some wine, and find a seat near the center of the tavern to eavesdrop on any interesting and/or adventurous conversations going about-

Listen-
1d20+5
8+5 = 13

1d20+5
13+5 = 18

(Spending about 2 gold on food, wine, and a room in total). Feel free to take your time dealing with these actions, or interrupt them if you want (i.e. if something happens while I roam the streets or something, I can always get the inn eavesdropping later).

Annette · Post by **Annette** » Tue May 24, 2011 4:33 pm

Ehren
Gather Information- Success!

She raises an eyebrow. "What's NOT happening?" she asks rhetorically as she takes a seat across from you. "Things are still pretty screwed up since King Arluss died. Debates about his patricidal daughter taking the throne are still ongoing, so I'd avoid the forum while you're here." She pauses for a moment, sizing you up. "Say, you aren't another tomb raider, are you? God knows we've got enough of them here lately." Before you can respond, another asherati- the one you saw at the gates- walks in. Rolling her eyes, the girl tells you that she'll be back in a minute.

Elliah
Spot- Nothing Found
Sense Motive- Success! While you can't put your finger on it, something does seem "off" about this guard. Closer inspection might yield more conclusive results, though such an action could prove dangerous.

(Since you did notice something about the guard, I'll assume your final paragraph does not occur?)

Shar'ra
Gather Information- Not Possible The streets are empty; there is no one to talk to.
Search- Success! As you wander through the streets, you quickly discover that they are laid out in a simple, grid-like fashion. Every other corner has a news stand- do you take the latest issue?

After you finish your wandering, you retrace your steps and reach the inn the guard spoke of. The innkeeper greets you as you enter: "Welcome! What can I get you?" You purchase your food and lodging (spending 2 gold, as you requested) and sit at one of the middle tables.

Listen-Success!- The dwarf and asherati are silent, paying close attention to the half orcs' bickering. The half orcs are arguing over who gets what share from their latest adventure. While this on it's own does not grab your interest, something else they say does; from their conversation, it seems like a number of ancient tombs were recently uncovered not 20 miles from here, and the government is unwilling to send excavators in to explore. The solution they came up with was to open them to the public: adventuring parties may keep 25% of what they find, while the rest of the treasure goes to the state. Judging by the mound of coins and jewels sitting on the half orcs' table, and their bulging sacks, 25% seems to be quite a bit...

You can also overhear the conversation Ehren is having with the serving girl, who returns to him after getting your food.

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Tue May 24, 2011 4:54 pm

I take the latest issue and casually read it as I head back to the inn.

Overhearing the orcs, I sense this may be related to my own personal goals, and find it to be an opportunity waiting to happen. I scan through the latest news issue I procured to find any relevant information on the tomb. If I don't, after finishing my meal, I head to the orc table and gain their attention.

"Excuse me, might I inquire where this tomb is that you seem to have gotten such a bounty from?"

Diplomacy-
1d20+12
12+12 = 24

Annette · Post by **Annette** » Tue May 24, 2011 5:27 pm

Shar'ra
The issue is about a month old, and the ink has begun to fade. As can be expected, it focuses on King Arluss III's recent death at the hands of his daughter, Arlenna II, and her ascension to power. Apparently, she won the ensuing election by a mere 2% of the population, the rest of whom are still fuming.

Once you arrive at the inn and rescan the paper, you find no mention of the tombs.

Diplomacy-Success!
The half orc leader (that is to say, the largest one) stands up as the rest fall silent, their beady eyes driving into you like daggers. After glancing you over, the leader says, "You new? You must be, if you aint heard. Last week a couple of gnomes found a whole bunch of tombs in the desert, about 20 miles south. There's a little road now, you can't miss it." His companions lose interest and resume their argument, and their leader lowers his voice. "Some are saying they knew about 'em all along, and are just using 'em now to raise morale after the assassination." He looks around, hoping no one else heard. "You didn't hear that from me, okay? Damn, I don't even know while I told you that." With a scowl, he sits back down.

Ehren
Listen-Success!
You overhear the conversation Shar'ra holds with the half orc leader.

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Tue May 24, 2011 5:33 pm

"Thank you, and do you happen to know what authority authorized the spelunking of the tomb? I wish to speak to him as soon as possible, tomorrow morning if I can.

If not, perhaps you know someone who does know?"

Moogleman · Post by **Moogleman** » Tue May 24, 2011 5:37 pm

"Please do." Said Ehren as the serving girl left. I'm here so I may aswell make myself useful and help those I can, thought Ehren. Debating the line of succession doesn't sound appealing, too tedious. However she did mention something about tomb raiding. I'll have to look into it a bit more. If it turns out to be grave robbing . . .
The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth so he tried his palate on the meal the serving girl had brought over. Delicious would be a generous evaluation. Serviceable would have best described it. He stole a few glances of the Asherati when he could. They still looked alien to him.
His thoughts started drifting when he noticed the orc banter in other corner had died down. He looked over and saw the Asherati who had arrived a few minutes ago talking with orc troop. His meal finished he had nothing else to do except eavesdrop, or so he told himself.

Listen check: 9+3=12

Annette · Post by **Annette** » Tue May 24, 2011 6:07 pm

Shar'ra
"Goddamn queen herself," he says without turning back to you. "Talk to the Adventurer's Guildmaster if you're interested. It's over in the forum."

(By the way, I notice I neglected to answer your earlier question; the buildings are built mostly out of a combination of mud brick and stone, with a very deliberate, geometric architectural style.)

Ehren
(I already rolled you a listen check, since I didn't realize you were going to try and eavesdrop. You overheard the entire exchange.)

After their conversation, the serving girl returns. "So, you got any questions?"

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Tue May 24, 2011 6:15 pm

mud brick and stone, with a very deliberate, geometric architectural style.

Thanks.

"Goddamn queen herself," he says without turning back to you. "Talk to the Adventurer's Guildmaster if you're interested. It's over in the forum."

I respond to the orc, "Oh I have quite a different motive but thank you for the information.

Spot check to notice Ehren making his glances-
1d20+5
20+5 = 25 (woot!)

Assuming that succeeds, I head over to his general location.

"I noticed you were quite curious of my conversation with those brutes and the surprisingly eloquent leader. Any particular reason why?"

If I don't happen to notice, that statement is obviously non-existent.

Annette · Post by **Annette** » Tue May 24, 2011 6:23 pm

Shar'ra
(Normally Ehren would have to make an opposed Hide roll, but with his Hide skill, success is impossible. So, success.)