20010630 ImperiumStrikesBack

<H1> The Imperium Strikes Back </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 12th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 15th Human Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kieran </TD>
 <TD> 9th/5th Half-Elf Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Estus </TD>
 <TD> 9th Human Cleric </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 6th/9th Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 6th/9rd Human Fighter/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 13th Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Fingle </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/11th Gnome Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Richard Jacobsen </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Auric </TD>
 <TD> 10th Human Druid </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
</p>
<H3> Preparing for War </H3>
Kieran talks to the group about leaving back home to Kennetar. To his surprise, they object strongly to his leaving.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> Without you in the party, we lack a miracle worker in Home.
<B>Kieran:</B> You have Father Cullaim.
<B>Donner:</B> Yeah, but it's not the same...
<B>Kieran:</B> He is certainly more powerful than I. I fail to see any difference.
<B>Donner:</B> I can see it now. The Guardian Circle will give me grief about letting you go back to Kennetar when they have need of your abilities.
<B>Donner:</B> It certainly seems as though every time we lose a companion, another one appears. However, I can't rely on that occurring each time.
<B>Colin:</B> Well, if you're set on leaving, it's only decent that you say your goodbyes to the Guardian Circle.
<B>Kieran:</B> I planned on that just before leaving.
<B>Donner:</B> How about this: since it will take you three days to go to Kennetar, stay here three more days and we will teleport you to Kennetar.
<B>Kieran:</B> Very well. That will be suitable. (Leaves the room)
<B>Donner:</B> Okay, we have three days to convince him to stay.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
In the meantime, the party talks with the Guardian Circle about the defense of Home.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Philip:</B> Well, the only evidence of teleporters are the fiends. If those are the only foes we face, any of us can face a fiend. I have enough faith in my protections and my god that I can face one alone.<BR />The entire town is covered in alarm spells that will alert the city that a fiend has teleported into town.
<B>Donner:</B> (So why is the GM asking us where we're sleeping?)
<B>Philip:</B>
<B>Donner:</B> (Tries to convince Philip to stay in the temple)
<B>Philip:</B> Here is the difficulty. There is no guarantee when they will come. I cannot run the town from the temple. I cannot practice swordplay there. I cannot run the military from there.
<B>Philip:</B> If we had any magical indications that an attack was imminent, then we will definitely make such preparations.
<B>Donner:</B> Then where could we stay.
<B>Philip:</B> There is my home. However, the soldiers there are not quiet. The temple has rooms for quiet studying, but are not good for sleeping. George's place will
<B>George:</B> Here is the difficulty. At my home, you will be safest from a magically teleporting opponent. My home is also equipped with laboratories and libraries for studying. However, I have no such facilities for military studies and I would not welcome such noise. I'm also going to be unavailable while I'm working.
<B>Donner:</B> I have a compromise. During the day, we can conduct our normal business. Let's pick a place to stay together during the evening.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The party spends the next three days making preparations. After asking questions of Philip, they decide to stay together in the
<H3> Day One </H3>
Kieran asks for weapons, armor, and shield to enchant from the party.
<UL>
<LI> Grackle: longsword
<LI> Donner: bastard sword
<LI> Colin: long spear, half plate, shield
<LI> Travian: bastard sword, half plate
<LI> Kill'Dar: longsword
<LI> Young Philip: bastard sword
<LI> Home Warriors (2): Greatsword or arrows
</UL>
His enchanting schedule looks like:
<UL>
<LI> <B>Day One:</B> Grackle's sword, Donner's sword, Travian's sword. Colin and Travian's armor and shield.
<LI> <B>Day Two:</B> Kill'Dar's sword, Philip's sword, Colin's spear
<LI> <B>Day Three:</B> Young Philip's sword, Home Warriors' weapons
</UL>
Donner teleports to Aquitaine.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Exchequer:</B> On a fine line, we have borrowed from neighboring kingdoms to support the war. And, of course, after the war is over, we will have rebuilding costs to consider.
<B>Exchequer:</B> And our elven allies have promised to help us financially when the war is over.
<B>Donner:</B> I haven't withdrawn the money in at least a week...
<B>Exchequer:</B> Eight days, Highness.
<B>Donner:</B> I was trying to figure out how much money would be acceptable.
<B>Exchequer:</B> Well, your Highness, I can give you a rough idea about the kingdom's expenditures.
<B>Donner:</B> That would be great.
<B>Exchequer:</B> We have set aside 150,000 gold for the payment of mercenaries through this campaign season. There is a reserve fund of 50,000 gold for the rebuilding of structures in Grax and Og-Kund. We will be paying out to troops some 100,000. Each year, we collect in taxes some 300,000 gold.
		 For other reference, a mansion in the nice part of town will cost between 5000 and 10000 gold.
<B>Donner:</B> I may not need all of it, but for now I would like 15,000 gold for magical research.
<B>Exchequer:</B> Understood Highness. I will see what I can do. We only keep a few thousand at hand for such emergencies.
<B>Donner:</B> Okay, I'll check back tomorrow.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Donner tries to contact his brother's wife (Mary Allison). He wants to get a letter of introduction to Marta for himself. He then teleports back to Home.
Donner gets notification from Philip that a messenger from Kennetar has arrived. Throughout the first day, Fingle and Kieran look for the various spells in George's library. They successfully find a copy of Legend Lore.
The group gets a letter from Ansrak in Kennetar. The letter says that he spotted an envoy from the Imperium Consulate heading to Home. It's lead by the attache from the consulate at Kennetar. The party convenes with the Guardian Circle.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Colin:</B> It may be they're trying to get into the good graces of the Guardian Circle by providing assistance in the protection of Home.
<B>Donner:</B> Hmmm...somehow I doubt that. Would you like to handle this one Grackle?
<B>Grackle:</B> Don't we have reason to believe that the Imperium is behind Graden and Ciarda?
<B>Kieran:</B> Yes and no. (Re-explains the web of connections that the party believes)
<B>Fingle:</B> They could be heading to the gnoll camp.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> I think we should find out why they're here.
<B>Donner:</B> We're only sort of nominally involved in the running of Home. Perhaps the Guardian Circle should be talking to them instead.
<B>Philip:</B> Well certainly Home would welcome any diplomatic envoys, but we will not allow them to rule over us.
<B>Donner:</B> Let us know what we can do to help.
<B>Philip:</B> Do you want to be part of the conversation with the attache?
<B>Donner:</B> I would be very interested.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H3> Day Two </H3>
Donner learns Fly. Kill'Dar learns Mass Teleport. Kieran continues to search George's pile of uncategorized spellbooks, but still hasn't found Mass Haste for Fingle. Fingle learns Legend Lore.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Travian:</B>
<B>Colin:</B>
<B>Philip:</B> I was looking for a way to improve reaction time.
<B>Philip:</B> I can't think of a good way. I was thinking of a better way to rearrange the village to protect everyone.
<B>Philip:</B> The main problem is that group hasn't worked in groups larger than five. They also have no skill to fight from horseback.
<B>Both:</B> We can help with that.
<B>Colin:</B> I'm not sure what I can teach your man in terms of fighting from horseback in such a short time.
<B>Philip:</B> Well, if you could simply teach them how to ride a horse, that would help in the communication area.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Colin notes the standouts among the warriors. There he notes Rulf the Mad (a well known barbarian) and Ansom the Wolf (best archer in the group).
In the first day's test of the communication system, one of the soldiers rides into town and warns of the approach of five riders.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Philip:</B> I am going to personally meet them. Why don't you go tell Donner, because he wanted to meet them.
<B>Colin:</B> Very well. Where should I tell him to meet you?
<B>Philip:</B> My house is probably best to accommodate such a meeting. I will send word to George and Father Cullaim.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Word gets to the rest of the party for dinner at Philip's. The envoy arrives. Their tabards are black with a gold symbol. The golden symbol is the double headed wolf, the Imperial sigil. Four of the riders are clearly armed as soldiers, surrounding a single rider. The shields of the soldiers indicate the symbols of the Occident province (crouching cat).
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Philip:</B> Let us go inside for a drink.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The various members of the party are on their best behavior to greet the envoy. Two of the soldiers enter the room and stand in the opposite corners of the room. Fingle and Travian note that the emissary is wearing the holy symbol of Apollo--Fingle knows that Apollo is something of a free spirited deity. Travian realizes the significance of sending such a person as an diplomat.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Emissary:</B> Greetings, my name is Estus. I serve as the representative of the diplomatic corps of the Imperium.
<B>Philip:</B> I am Philip--I am mayor (Introduces Guardian Circle, describes function of circle) We have simple rules here, you don't harm anyone here. You should know that we are under inimical threat from a powerful supernatural enemy. We, of course, welcome contact with the Imperium and anyone of good intent.<BR />You are fortunate in that we have Prince Donner as our guest. Arguably, the most honorable and (good) kingdom of the Westmarch.
<B>Donner:</B> (Stares at Colin)
<B>Colin:</B> I am Sir Colin, leader of his military forces.
<B>Donner:</B> (Continues Stares at Colin)
<B>Colin:</B> We are fortunate to have Sir Travian, Fingle, and Kill'Dar.
<B>Fingle:</B> Greetings from myself and the city of Rivergold. I can't help but notice that you represent both Imperium and Apollo.
<B>Estus:</B> Yes, I also am a miracle worker in service to the god of the sun.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> I am Kill'Dar of the Silverveils. Greetings from the elven kingdoms. I serve the party in the capacity of wizard and alchemist.
<B>Estus:</B> Well, it is good to meet you all. I am here on behalf of the Imperium to open up initial diplomatic channels.
<B>Philip:</B> Before we start, I do want to make one thing clear. We are an independent village and intend to stay that way. Like many cities on the Plateau, we are people who wish avoid living under a larger government of any kind.
<B>Party:</B> (Stares at Philip's blunt outspokenness)
<B>Estus:</B> As an Imperial diplomat, I have run across this sort of thing before. I can assure you that I am only interested in coming to a mutually beneficial agreement--in this case, it seems a non-aggression pact. And as long as I am here, I will only act in an honorable fashion.
<B>Colin:</B> You might want to talk to a fellow named Kieran. I understand that
<B>Estus:</B> I would certainly enjoy talking to him during my spare time.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
<B>Estus:</B>
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
<B>Philip:</B> (History of Guardian Circle)
<B>Philip:</B> Again, I should warn you that we are extremely deadly when aroused. And anyone else is likely to be. We have surprised a fiend from the Outer Planes.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
As dinner ends, Colin notices that the knives at the belts of the soldiers have an oddly curved design. Grackle notices that the knife is a curved fighting knife with a built-in brass knuckles.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Soldier:</B> This? This is your basic fighting knife. It's for basic trench fighting.
<B>Grackle:</B> Trenches?
<B>Soldier:</B> Trenches were used to fight the horsemen of the north.
<B>Grackle:</B> Wouldn't the horses be able to jump the trenches?
<B>Soldier:</B> You haven't seen these trenches.
<B>Grackle:</B> Interesting. I've seen such knives before but they are largely used for injuring, not killing.
<B>Soldier:</B> This knife will kill someone.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Game Terms:</B> The knife can be used to create an unarmed strike (+2 damage). It has the critical range of a scimitar/falchion (18-20). It requires an Exotic Weapon Proficiency.
<H3> Day Three: Emissary </H3>
Kieran finds Mass Haste for Fingle. At the end of the day, Fingle takes Kieran to Kennetar. Grackle, wishing to check in with the temple of Hades, also goes. There, they go through the normal gate interview and walk to the library.
At some point in town, Fingle gets a message in his pocket. Grackle spots an individual bump into Fingle during the day. They read the message:
 D,
 There's a 10,000 (unauthorized) bounty on you from
 an unnamed source. Z is still in area and has
 operatives that enter the city. He wants your head
 as well. Stay alert and protected.
 -A
Fingle and Grackle drop Kieran off at the library
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Grackle:</B> (Hits Kieran in the face) Traitor!
<B>Kieran:</B> (Covers face with hands) Ow! What was that for?
<B>Grackle:</B> (Shouting angrily) You know what you've done!
<B>Kieran:</B> (Understanding dawns) Well, forget about getting any more help from me. (Storms into the library)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The building next to the temple of Hades appears to be nearly complete. Janos is back in the temple. Grackle hasn't seen him in a while.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Grackle:</B> I just wanted to stop by and give my regards.
<B>Grackle:</B> I don't have time to give a full report today. I'd like to be able to give you a briefing, but could you spare some people to
<B>Janos:</B> It's common knowledge that there's a bounty on Donner. There's a well-known place to collect the bounty. It's at Hangman's drop next to the bridge at Hensen.
<B>Grackle:</B> That's Sir Donner.
<B>Janos:</B> Yes, Prince Donner who has failed to follow through on his promises to us.
<B>Grackle:</B> I can't really speak to that, I'm not much of a diplomat.
<B>Janos:</B> Me either. What brings you back here?
<B>Grackle:</B> We're here checking up on some stuff dealing with the fights going on at Home.
<B>Janos:</B> Are there many dead at Home?
<B>Grackle:</B> Not too many. I can't really say since we weren't there.
<B>Janos:</B> Well, if charnel gets to be a problem, send word--we'll send some people.
<B>Grackle:</B> If you send some people, we would appreciate such help.
<B>Janos:</B> The current thinking is that we would most like to assist the bereaved. If you could arrange for us to handle all bereavement and burial tasks, that would be all we need right now.
<B>Grackle:</B> I'll pass the offer along. How goes the preparations for the war?
<B>Janos:</B> I can't vouch for all our recruits, but we have 150 people who are ready for battle.
<B>Grackle:</B> How quickly could they get there?
<B>Janos:</B> I think it's worth mentioning, since you are of the faith. A large number of those who have arrived who we have sent into the afterlife, a large number have been brought back into our service instead.
<B>Grackle:</B> I see.
<B>Janos:</B> (Almost apologetically) My harsh words don't completely reflect my attitude. I mean no disrespect, but we are about to engage an implacable enemy who will mostly likely annihilate us. So, anyone of the power of Donner, Kill'Dar, yourself, and I suppose even Travian. And miracle workers are always welcome as well.<BR />As commander of these forces, it irks me that while we have received many promises, we have yet to receive any concrete evidence of such aid.<BR />We have word from the temple of Aquitaine that we will have many new recruits soon.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Fingle and Grackle teleport back to Home. Grackle outlines the Hades deal to the Guardian Circle. Cullaim states his stance (Raising Dead should be freely done).
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Grackle:</B> (Tells of warning notice from Ansrak)
<B>Philip:</B> This is bad. We know nothing of the mercenary group.
<B>Grackle:</B> We
<B>Philip:</B> This may not be a good place to be at this point.
<B>Grackle:</B>
<B>Philip:</B> We will accept their aid in the area of bereavement, burial, and raising. Frankly, they're good at that--we admit it. However, what we will not tolerate, up front or afterwards is any use of the miracle of Resurrection as a recruitment tactic for the churc.
<B>Norc:</B> I can almost certainly find her. I can mostly likely bring you to her. What is unknown is whether we would be able to defeat her. What I don't have is sufficient information.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Kill'Dar and Grackle teleport to Kennetar and deliver their message. The temple of Hades refuses to give complete aid without conditions.
The group decides to sleep in George's home, with most of the party sleeping in a Rope Trick.
<H3> Day Four: Et Tu, Zachary? </H3>
<B>Day Four:</B> Grackle and Estus discuss trading magic items, but there is no immediately obvious trade. During the day, the spellcasters are scribing with Donner. Donner detects that they are being scried upon and casts Haste. Kill'Dar dispels it with the Ring of the Silverveils.
<B>Round One:</B> Fingle activates the Rune of True Seeing. Kill'Dar casts Mage Armor on himself. Donner casts See Invisible. From out of the floor, Donner and Fingle spot a figure rising from the floor, armed with an odd crossbow. He fires and hits Donner three times. Immediately following is a gnoll with a bow which fires five more arrows at Donner. All of the missiles appear to be poisoned (DC 24 Strength). A troll with a huge greatsword and wearing a chain shirt moves towards Donner and hits him once, then turns and guards. An ogre wielding a large flaming spiked greatclub comes out of the hole, but does nothing else.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> Can I cast a spell with zero strength?
<B>GM:</B> No.
<B>Donner:</B> Well, that limits my options then...
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Round Two:</B> Fingle delays for Kill'Dar. Grackle attacks the ogre doing some damage. Kill'Dar attempts move past the troll, but is tripped and hit by him. In response, Kill'Dar casts Disintegrate on the troll. Fingle casts Projected Image with the image next to Kill'Dar and Donner. Donner is hit by five attacks, all criticals, killing him (201 points of damage). The gnoll shoots Kill'Dar, hitting him twice (48 points).
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> (To GM) You're teaching me what acrimony means.
<B>GM:</B> One of these days, I'm going to teach you what rectory means.
<B>Donner:</B> (Snickers at the word rectory)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Grackle hears some deep grumbling sounds and is paralyzed.
<B>Round Three:</B> Grackle turns gaseous. Kill'Dar teleports out of the room. The troll attacks Fingle's illusion. Fingle thinks about the capability of using Teleport through the Projected Image--he's sure that Donner is teleported, but he may not. He casts the spell and everyone disappears. The figure with the curved knives moves over to Grackle and barks orders at the rest, who turn towards Grackle. He is hit by four arrows (44 points). The ogre attacks twice, killing him.
<B>Round Four:</B> Fingle casts Haste on Kill'Dar. The priests at the Temple of Diancecht cast their healing spells on Kill'Dar. Kill'Dar teleports back to the room in front of Grackle. There, he sees the ogre standing over Grackle. He teleports back with Grackle's body.
<B>Round Five:</B> Fingle casts Haste on himself. Kill'Dar casts a Sending warning to George. Fingle casts Improved Invisibility on himself and Teleports back to the study in George's room. Three earth elementals enter the room, followed by six Georges.
George casts a few more spells to make sure that Zachary's group is gone. Apparently, George spent some time making his way to the study where Donner's group was, but not without making preparations. George appears to be quite remorseful. He feels like he totally failed the group.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
Grackle being resurrected. He hears a voice: "Will you serve Diancecht?" (Just kidding)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Fingle noted that the ogre was wearing a holy symbol of Vaprak. After some quick cleanup, the group meets in Philip's home. They wait for the guards to bring Estus to explain the coincidence of his arrival with the assassination attempt.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Philip:</B> (Explains the situation) Explain yourself.
<B>Estus:</B> From all descriptions, it appears it was Zachary's group.
<B>Philip:</B> (Looks over Estus and the two guards) (To Travian) Do you see that? (To the guards) You and you are not welcome here. Leave at once. (To Estus) We do not welcome those of evil intent or those who would do others harm.
<B>Estus:</B> (To the guards) Go back to the consulate. I will meet you there.
<B>Guards:</B> Alone across the Plateau?
<B>Estus:</B> <Sigh> The consulate <I>here</I>.
<B>Philip:</B>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
Zachary's Group