Play by Post D&D: The New Begining

[Glitch Girl]

"Good to know", remarks Ambrose, "I'd hate to think I was harboring a murderer after all that."

He meaders over to Daniel and watches the young thief draw.  Daniel doesn't appear to notice him, he's concentrating very hard on his work.

Starbuck and Nathan feel a large shape looming over them.

"ooh.  Can Og have?  Kinda like pretty rock.  Og keep it with other pretty rocks."

"Uh..." says Nathan.  He looks at Starbuck helplessly for an answer.

[Viking]

Starbuck has a flash of insight, and smiles patiently at Og.

"Well Og, the kitty isn't ours to give.  Why don't you wait for Daniel to finish drawing his pictures, and then ask him?  You can offer to squish stuff for him in exchange for the kitty."

[Glitch Girl]

Daniel snaps to attention at mention of his name.  "What?"

"The big guy wants your cat," Ambrose explains.

Daniel looks up at Og.  Since he's sitting on the floor, he looks waaaaaaay up at Og, and smiles weakly.  "Sure, go ahead.  It's all yours."

[Viking]

Starbuck dutifully hands the ornametnal kitty over to Og.

"That was a very nice thing that he did," says Starbuck.  "You should make sure to keep the drawing man safe from bad guys in exchange."

[Panther_Gunn]

Daniel looks up at Og.  Since he's sitting on the floor, he looks waaaaaaay up at Og, and smiles weakly.  "Sure, go ahead.  It's all yours."

"ooh, nice kitty.  Like pretty rocks!"  Og's happiness is unmistakable, as a grin plasters itself across his face.  He cups the ornament gently in one hand, "petting" it softly with one finger.

"That was a very nice thing that he did," says Starbuck.  "You should make sure to keep the drawing man safe from bad guys in exchange."

His attention distracted away from his prize, Og's face shifts from confusion to deep thought (or at least a close approximation).  "hmmmm....pretty kitty...", his eyes drift back towards his hand, an idle finger pets the cat as he glances at it, "hurt man give to Og.....*could* be present.....but maybe Og protect hurt man for little while, in case not present."  He turns to Starbuck.  "Og not know what that X word you use, bird man.  Og also not know what humans are bad mans and what are good.  Maybe bird man tell Og, so Og not gets in trouble.  Jail food not so good."

[Viking]

Starbuck adapts to the situation, keeping in mind another truism of bards everywhere.

Always know your audience.

"Er... right!  Hurt man do nice thing for Og, so Og do nice thing for hurt man!  It's what friends do!"

[Glitch Girl]

You hear a chuckle from Ambrose.  He looks amused.

Time passes, all is peaceful, until you hear a quiet knock on the door.

Amrbose raises his hand as if to say "don't worry" and  gets up.  He opens the door, revealing Whisper, damp and spatterd with mud standing outside.

[Uncle Yuan]

"Did you learn anything new, Whisper?  Did you learn if they believe the bits about the murders, or are they just trying to turn up the heat?"

[BlueBard]

"They truly believe they pursue a murderer," Whisper replies.  "Myself, I have doubts that our charge was involved or I would have turned him over to them.  Their mistake was involving the Cleansing Flame in the search.  I speak of the one who has orchestrated this, likely Lord Niles himself I imagine."

Whisper explains that the men are still searching the wood for Daniel and that he has obscured the tracks leading back here as best as he can.  It is possible that they may wind up back here if their search is fruitless.

"Have we learned anything new?"

[Uncle Yuan]

Orloid shrugs, "Daniel did not commit any murders during his theft, took what he stated plus a small statuette that Og has taken a fancy for, and is," glancing at Daniel working on the floor, "doing his best to recreate the maps.  What we need to decide at this point is what is the best way to proceed.  Check out the maps, conduct our own investigation of the Cleansing Flame, or  . . . " Orloid shrugs again.

[BlueBard]

"And what are we to do with Daniel?" Whisper asks.  "I believe they, or someone else, will return here eventually."

"We need to understand what is going on to have any hope of hewing down the root of this tangled vine of treachery.  We need to understand why they pursue him.  It is even possible that people were murdered to provide a rationale for seeking him."

Whisper turns to Starbuck.  "You are a man of lore.  What do you think of Daniel's maps?  Could they be worth killing for?"

Whisper then eyes the statue.  He mutters something and makes quick gestures with his hands.

GM:
[spoiler]Whisper casts Detect Magic.  He examines the statue (and everything else in the room) while under the spell's effect.[/spoiler]

[Glitch Girl]

Og:
The patchy elf is making passes at your kitty.  (Okay,they're magical passes, but I just wanted to say that :D )

At any rate, he really looks like he wants to look at your new toy.

Whisper
[spoiler]Just about everyone in the room has something magical on their person except for Nathan and Daniel (PM me if you want specifics).  The tiny statuette of the cat however, is about as magical as something very non-magical, even though it seems to have cast some sort of spell over the Half-ogre[/spoiler]

Orloid, Daniel doesn't notice you as you look at his handywork. He seems to be concentrating very deeply on his drawing. It's pretty good actually.  (see PM for more)

[Viking]

Starbuck takes the opportunity to look intently at the maps that Daniel is recreating, and to see what sense he can make of them.

[Glitch Girl]

As a second shape looms over Daniel, he looks up from what he was doing.   

"I'm..um... I'm almost done."  he says.

[Viking]

Starbuck nods and looks back to the group.

"The symbols don't yet have any meaning that I recognize, but the geography is pretty clear.  The map seems to be of a mountainous area about... oh... two days' travel north from here.  Dangerous wildlife and goblinoid types live up there, or so I've heard.  Not exactly the kind of place one chooses to casually wander into.  It's a fair distance from any town I know of, actually.  Which certainly begs the question of why someone like Lord Niles would have a map of that region."

[BlueBard]

"I can confirm that the statuette is not magical in nature.  That would seem to rule out that item as being the focus of Lord Niles' interest."

Whisper looks over Daniel's map himself.

(GM: Does Whisper know anything about that region?  He is using his knowledge of geography and nature.)

[Lord Elcorion]

Starbuck nods and looks back to the group.

"The symbols don't yet have any meaning that I recognize, but the geography is pretty clear.  The map seems to be of a mountainous area about... oh... two days' travel north from here.  Dangerous wildlife and goblinoid types live up there, or so I've heard.  Not exactly the kind of place one chooses to casually wander into.  It's a fair distance from any town I know of, actually.  Which certainly begs the question of why someone like Lord Niles would have a map of that region."

"as i said before, there must be something concealed there, some secret. perhaps a valuable mine, or ruins bearing ancient tresures.. or perhaps it is something less physical.. some locus of power.. in my studies, i have read of mighty demons being imprisoned deep within the earth.. perhaps some such being lays here, and lord niles seeks to free it and garner it's debt."

[Uncle Yuan]

"Hmmmmm . . . Mileaus the Great.  Gentlefolk, I believe Daniel has stolen a map to the long-lost burial chamber of Mileaus the Great.  Starbuck may know more details about him, but quickly speaking, he was able to conquer most of the known lands and unite them under his rule, only to have everything collapse upon his death.  He was rumored to have several powerful artifacts that aided him and are believed to be entombed with him."

[Glitch Girl]

"Hmmmmm . . . Mileaus the Great.  Gentlefolk, I believe Daniel has stolen a map to the long-lost burial chamber of Mileaus the Great."

"I did?" Daniel says, looking surprised.   He looks down at the map he's drawing.

Starbuck may know more details about him, but quickly speaking, he was able to conquer most of the known lands and unite them under his rule, only to have everything collapse upon his death.  He was rumored to have several powerful artifacts that aided him and are believed to be entombed with him."

"Are you sure about that?" asks Ambrose.  "The kid is drawing from memory.  Sure you didn't get something wrong there?"

[Uncle Yuan]

"Hmmmmm . . . Mileaus the Great.  Gentlefolk, I believe Daniel has stolen a map to the long-lost burial chamber of Mileaus the Great."

"I did?" Daniel says, looking surprised.   He looks down at the map he's drawing.

Starbuck may know more details about him, but quickly speaking, he was able to conquer most of the known lands and unite them under his rule, only to have everything collapse upon his death.  He was rumored to have several powerful artifacts that aided him and are believed to be entombed with him."

"Are you sure about that?" asks Ambrose.  "The kid is drawing from memory.  Sure you didn't get something wrong there?"

"Well, mind you my Old Orcish is extremely rusty, but that phrase right there reads "Mileaus the Great."  And I understand he's working from memory, but if he were writing gibberish the chances that he would come up with anything recognizable, much less something as specific as Mileaus the Great, is extremely low.  By the same token the map is also recognizable.  We can certainly argue about whether the map was genuine, but I'm pretty confident that what Daniel is showing us is a reasonably accurate reconstruction of the papers."

[BlueBard]

Whisper is studying the map even more intently (using his skills of Knowledge:Geography and Knowledge:Nature) to identify whether the map seems to be an actual region that he recognizes and, if so, what he knows about it.

"I can certainly see why many folk might be interested in recovering artifacts which could conquer an empire.  The question is, what are we to do about it?  Starbuck, or Ambrose, can you tell us anything about the artifacts that Mileaus supposedly possessed?"

[Viking]

Starbuck is visibly impressed with Orloid's learning and familiarity with Old Orcish.

"At some point, you simply must tell me how you came to learn of these things, good priest!  Well done!" he exclaims.

He gets a thoughtful expression as he prepares to wax eloquent on Mileaus the Great...

"Ah Mileaus... there's a name of legend. 

Mileaus the Great, Mileaus the Mighty, Mileaus of the Iron Hand... All these describe a ruler that once was.  A general of a mighty army, he wrested control of a kingdom from its previous ruler - some say the previous ruler was a just man ripped unfairly from his throne, while others say he was a tyrant and deserved to be usurped, all depends on whose history you follow - and then set forth to conquer the surrounding lands until his banner waved over much of the continent.   It was said that he wore golden armor which no spear could pierce that allowed him to fight like a demon, a helm that made him swift of both feet and mind, and hefted a rod that allowed him to command thousands. 

Mileaus was neither a particularly righteous nor evil man, and his rule, while absolute, was not marked by crusade or wanton slaughter.  If he had had a son that lived, perhaps there would have been a great dynasty.  Such was not to be, however.  Instead, when time finally took its toll, he was left without an heir.  There are those who say he did not name a sucessor on purpose, but for reasons all his own.  The circumstances of his death are quite a mystery, as there are many conflicting versions... that he was poisioned by a 'trusted advisor,' or he was mortally wounded in a hunting accident, or that he simply grew tired of living.  But after his death, it was said he was laid to rest in a tomb of his own designs hidden away from the rest of the world, and that he had several of his most important posessions burried with him: his armor, his helm, and his rod of office.

This legend has fallen out of fashion over time, as some legends do, but the Treasures of Mileaus are objects of great fascination for those who have a historical interest.  Most people think they don't exist, if they  know of them at all.  The grave, as far as anyone knows, has never been discovered."

Starbuck takes a moment to clear his throat.

"Until now, it would seem.  Why a map leading to the Tomb of Mileaus the Great would be written in Old Orcish is a mystery in and of itself.  I can clearly see why a man like Lord Niles would want to retrieve the treasures within - he's very much involved in the governance of Oakenhold, so it doesn't surprise me that he might aspire to grander dreams."

His expression grows serious as he continues.

"This map also raises a very real question of what we should do next.  I'll confess that I would dearly love to go questing in search of this tomb.  The final resting place of a legendary ruler?  The chance to prove that his powerful tools of office actually existed?  Bards such as I live for such adventure!"

GM:
[spoiler]With my knowledge of the Orcish language, plus my Decipher Script ability, am I able to make any further sense of other scrawls on Daniel's map?[/spoiler]

[Viking]

And, as Daniel finishes his rendering of the map, Starbuck furrows his brow in concentration as he tries to make sense of Daniel's attempted recreation of Old Orcish...

"Let's see...  I believe this refers to... Hm... some number of furlongs in 'sun direction' - could that be East or West, I wonder - of the Gap With Blood... Then there's reference to a seal.  I imagine that part means 'Travel several furlongs along the Gap With Blood to find the seal.'"

"Next... well, that looks like 'Personal mark of the human Greatlord, Mileaus the Great.'"

"Then... hrm.  Hard to make sense of that part.  Something about guards protecting that area.  I don't know if that refers to stationing orcish guards, or if the tomb has magical guards of its own."

"Finally... mmm-hmm... I'd translate that loosely to 'Grumak demands magic to break the seal.'"

[BlueBard]

"I recognize the region," Whisper informs the group, mainly talking to Orloid and Starbuck.  "Goblinkind hold sway there in contest with each other.  It is a wasteland of few resources and the wildlife there tends to be dangerous.  It would indeed be a trial to travel there, especially for a group with elves among its' members."

Whisper looks pensive.  "I find I have little desire to go there.  It really would be no business of mine, except... this Lord Niles apparently trafficks with goblinkind through the Cleansing Flame.  If he were to gain control of items that would allow him to present himself as the successor to Mileaus' empire, it could threaten my home forest.  I cannot allow this."

"I think we can assume that the knowledge of the map does not reside solely in Daniel's head and that even now there may be an expedition underway.  If he were the only person alive who in possession of the map's secrets, they would be taking great pains to capture him alive and their methods suggest they are indifferent."

"So what are we to do?  Seek Mileaus' resting place?"

[Lord Elcorion]

"that would seem the wisest course of action. if there is an expedition, then not pursueing it could allow our enemies to gain the prizes they seek, and if they have not set one out yet, getting there first might allow us to secure the artifacts, or destroy them. as for the goblinoids, some are known to worship demons. perhaps if confronted by a.. 'demonic emmisary,' --annia gestures to herself, her hand trailing eldritch energy as she does-- they may be.. persuaded.. to lend assistance, or at least to avoid hindering our path.."

[Panther_Gunn]

"We go to goblins 'n orcs?  Og not 'fraid of them.  They just go squish and run 'way.  They sometimes give Og food if he go away.  Easy way get food if Og not have monies."  :D

Og goes back to "inspecting" the kitty, giving it tiny pets, and staring into the deep, mesmerizing green eyes.   :lol:

[Viking]

Starbuck's face shows his plain delight at the growing consensus to seek out the Tomb of Mileaus the Great.  However, it is tempered by a momentary bout of seriousness.

"Far be it for a bard to speak words of wisdom, but this course of action will pose a connundrum... a riddle, if you will.  Namely, if the treasures of Mileaus are real, and we do find them... What are we to do with them?"

"Legends throughout history show a common thread - when magical items of transcendent power are carried about, they become a target for all number of unsavory types.  We may not need to answer this riddle immediately, but we should be mindful of it as we continue this quest."

[BlueBard]

Whisper replies to Starbuck with the hint of a smile on his face.  "Why, there is nothing simpler; Merely hide them again.  No one need know they have ever been found at all.  If their original resting place ever be found, it will be assumed that tomb robbers claimed them long ago or that they were never there at all."

"Frankly, I do not expect to actually find them.  They probably were stolen away.  Yet we cannot take the chance that evil men might recover them."

"Well enough; I am committed to the quest.  So too, I assume, are Orloid and Starbuck.  Who else is with us?"

"There is one danger yet that awaits us before we even depart.  To journey to this region as a party, we require provisions and beasts of burden.  We shall have to venture into a town or city to get them.  Oakenhold, most likely.  I am but a poor ranger of meager means.  How then shall we provide for the necessities?"

[Glitch Girl]

"'Frain you're on your own there," says Ambrose. 

Nathan tenatively raises his hand.

"I might be able to help.  I have a cousin in Oakenhold.  He sells mules but he might know people and.. well, he might be able to help us with supplies."

[Viking]

"Well then," replies Starbuck, "it would seem that we should get a good night of rest tonight, and then continue onwards to Oakenhold in the morning.  Though Daniel still needs resolution to his own problems.  Regardless of any trumped-up charges, he will still be wanted for theft, so I can't imagine he'll be wanting to show his face around local authorities even if he were suddenly cleared of all murder charges.  And I suspect that when Lord Niles discovers that the legitimate authorities failed to locate Daniel, he'll mobilize forces amongst the Cleansing Flame to scour the forest for him."

Starbuck looks at Daniel speculatively.  "So, Daniel... since it seems that we are to begin questing after items that Lord Niles desperately seeks, it stands to reason that we are arraying ourselves against Lord Niles' interests.  How would you view the possibility of traveling with us?  I have my own skills that can be used to disguise or hide you as necessary, and I suspect that the skills of a... roguish sort would be quite useful.  Plus, you'd be in the company of adventurers strong enough to protect you from thuggish search patrols."

Starbuck shrugs apologetically at his companions.

"Not that I mean to presume to speak for the rest of you.  Such an arrangement would depend on mutual consent, naturally."