Castle Amber: A D&D Adventure

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 2:41 am

"I can't stop worrying about the children." Says Tammytharn. "they have NOBODY, and their condition isn't going to give them any advantages at their young age... When I think about this quest of ours, I feel discouraged. How many other adventurers have tried and failed to break this curse in the past 200 years?"

She stops to take a breath.

"What I am saying, is that I am abandoning my quest. I hope you all don't hate me for it, but I think False was right. It is better to just try and make a life here... And now that these children need my care-- as difficult as it might be to provide-- I know the life that I want to try and build here."

She stands waiting to see what the others will say.

BMR · Post by **BMR** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 2:57 am

"I see. I had hoped you would accompany us, as another cleric would have been useful considering all that is happening. I will not fault you your decision though, as it is yours to make. We will at least escort you to Galse once this business with the colossus is finished."

Kalar pauses a while, and then says:

"If you are leaving though, I must ask if you will surrender that mercurial potion to me. We know that it is related to this entire mess, and I believe I am in the best position at the moment to look into and deal with that potion."

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 4:24 am

"Maybe..." Tammytharn says thoughtfully. "Although if it is a medium by which the bearer's god can interfere with the quest, it might be SAFEST in the hands of a nonbeliever."

Tammytharn takes the mercurial liquid out of her pack. "Rachelle, I know you are a worshiper of Corellon Larethian, but what about you, Lynda? And you, Voulton. Do either of you follow any god or goddess?

BMR · Post by **BMR** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 4:27 am

"In my experience, ignorance of a subject has never been the safest trait to have when dealing with said subject. But as it is yours to give, I will abide by your choice, ill-advised as I may see it. But again, the choice is yours."

Gizmog · Post by **Gizmog** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 8:09 am

That's a question that takes Voulton time to answer. Back home, he knew many professed worshippers of a variety of Gods. Some revered Gods of the forest and they were damned hippies. A forest is what you make of it! Some admired Gods of work ethic and fortitude. Good virtues, but virtues of MEN, not divinity! He knew those who respected nothing but strength and greed, and even one who professed the joys of slaughter. None of that rang true either. The one person who Voulton would've listened to never revealed his patron, preferring to let kindness and good deeds speak for themselves.

Something may've delivered him safely through Castle Clover and that deserves gratitude, but that something put him there to begin with. Worse, that something threw a lot of people to the wolves (proverbially speaking) to make that delivery. Whether or not that means anything in the long term, he doesn't know. The agendas of the Gods are impossible to understand. Voulton doesn't consider himself anyone's pawn, though he is a long way from home and that's no place to make enemies.

After chewing it over for a bit, he finally concludes: "I consider myself unaffiliated. Not that I'd object to taking a side if the opportunity presented itself. And not that I wouldn't lean towards sunshine and second chances over skeletons and rotting corpses... no offense."

"What you're doing is very noble, but be careful. I've seen people afflicted with this thing who thought they were doing the right thing too, even after they were waking up in the chicken coop with bits of their own children stuck in their teeth. Give them a chance but don't give 'em a *chance*, if that makes sense." Heh, wonder if anyone ever said that about me? "Without you, I'd be one of Kalar's "resources" by now. Getting home is going to be harder without you, but you're doing the right thing. Thanks, Tammy."

He looks around confused. Are we going to the city alone now and just leave them here in the woods? What a strange place to say goodbye.

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 3:12 pm

"Kalar, I DO trust you to experiment CAREFULLY with the mercurial liquid, I just think it is SAFER for someone like Voulton to carry it right now."

She hands the Mercurial liquid to Voulton.

"I do want yo give you this, Kalar."

She gives Kalar the Tome of Warforged/Iron Golem Manual.

"Whether you use it, or sell it, it is valuable, and it will do you more good than it will do me."

"And of course, I will return this chest of potions also, it can go back in your wagon."

"I won't leave you right this minute. I will come with you back to Vyones. I have enough money left that I can hire a carriage and a driver, and I am hoping to hire a nurse or a nanny to help me... perhaps a nurse or a nanny who has experience working with noble's children. Her services will cost more, but she will already be familiar with being discreet, and will have already dealt with children who are... DIFFICULT. Once I have hired some help, The children and I will depart to go to stay with Galse."

She begins working open the door the children's cart.

"That also means that yes, I may still be around to help you fight the Undead Collosus... although if that Sword is all it is rumored to be, it may be an easy fight."

Tammytharn plans to take out the smallest child (not counting the baby) and walk holding its hand for a little while.

After that, she will move it back to the cart, and walk for a while with the next oldest child, walking with each one, one at a time (while the others ride) from youngest to oldest.

Her goal is to begin the process of bonding with them, and to learn which of them will be cooperative and which ones will fight her or run away.

She has four castings of "Calm Emotions" queued up and ready, but she will only use them in absolute emergencies.

If a smaller one breaks away and runs, she will chase and catch them. If either of the oldest two break and run, she will just let them go. She has a plan brewing for that contingency.

BMR · Post by **BMR** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 3:39 pm

Kalar takes the tome and says:

"Very well then. We will at least see you to Galse's inn after this business with the colossus is finished. That way you will not need to hire a carriage. Besides, it will be good to speak with Galse, to see what he knows and what new developments have arisen.

"For now, let's continue on our way then. The city awaits, and we must be ready to do battle very soon."

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 3:53 pm

Meanwhile...
<a href="http://www.thetangledweb.net/forums/pro ... 90">Robert Rottlerwits</a> 40-year-old Fancy Bard, is taking a nap on an ornate sofa in the sitting room of his dear old mother's posh apartments in the upscale part of Vyones.

Normally he doesn't like hanging around her house, but she has left town, fearful of the "Graveyard Colossus" nonsense, so he has the place all to himself all week long. This is great, because it is a really nice house, and he gets a kick out of bringing lovely tavern wenches home to bed in the same room where he lived as a skinny teenager who couldn't get a date (back in his youth before he took up barding, fencing, and amateur adventuing)

He is scheduled to sing a gig at a local Inn, and he is supposed to meet his friend Gaspard Du Nord for drinks, but he can't remember if that is tonight or tomorrow. Oh well, if Gaspard shows up, then he shows up, and if he doesn't he doesn't.

Gaspard is another person who is all worked up about this Graveyard Collossus business, and Rob finds that annoying. Sure, Gaspard is an important guy, but he takes his job way too seriously.

Gaspard never tells Rob *anything*. They may be longtime drinking buddies, but Rob knows he is not one of Gaspard's confidants.

(Spoons, feel free to ignore 100% if this, I am just warming up the character, and I can edit any of it that doesn't fit.)

Spoonweaver · Post by **Spoonweaver** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 9:43 pm

Hrulgin explained to Kalar that Vyones had been setting up defenses for the whole time they were gone. He'd been unable to get too close to the city. The one time he tried he was spotted and had to flee.

The party follows the bank towards Vyones. Voulton tries to pawn the sword off on someone else. Meanwhile, Tammytharn let's the children out of the cart one by one. The oldest child does make a break for it. It's not long before Lynda spots him on the edge of the tree line, following the party. In what seems liek no time at all, the party sees the towers of Vyones in the distance.

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 9:56 pm

About an hour or two after nightfall, Tammytharn will use one of her Sending spells to try and contact the eldest child who ran away from her. She is confident that she can do this without knowing his name, since she has spent enough time looking at his face. She will tell him she has food waiting for him, and that if he returns, he does NOT need to go back in the cart.

If he agrees to come back, she will cast Helping Hand to lead him back to her.

If he refuses, she will try again tomorrow.

As soon as they get to town, she will start asking around for reputable nannies who are likely to be interested in helping her with "uniquely" troubled youths. If she has any trouble finding someone, she will cast Divination, and ask Rao for guidance in finding help.

Master K · Post by **Master K** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:06 pm

"So, the eldest of them dashed...but he's still following us, just keeping his distance..." Lynda comments. "Interesting. Either way, we'll soon be upon Vyones..."

"I do wonder...now that we're in the present, whatever became of Helena and Alexander? We had warned them of their traitor...but how will that change things? Did they succeed in their quest? ...Are they even still alive? I've been thinking about all those things. Alexander should theoretically have the twin to my onyx statue, and the platinum coin bearing Voulton's attractive monarch...I wonder if he'd be even willing to talk to us even if we did find him..." Lynda muses to nobody in particular.

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:09 pm

Hearing Lynda's musings, Tammytharn offers to use a Sending spell to contact Helena and relay Lynda's questions.

(she has 3 Sending spells prepared for today)

BMR · Post by **BMR** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 12:07 am

Kalar looks around for Hrulgin. He says to the others:

"Why don't the rest of you head on into the city. I'll stay out here with the skeletons and with Bill, keeping a look out for Hrulgin."

He then turns to Lynda and says:

"My dear, I believe you had a ring of some sort that was marked with a feather? If it is what I believe it to be, then it might be of use. Might I borrow it for the duration of our upcoming battle with the colossus? As soon as the fight is over, I shall return it to you at once."

Master K · Post by **Master K** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 12:27 am

"This ring?" Lynda says, holding it up. "If you can get a use out of it, be my guest."

"Speaking of which...now that I can remove my amulet, shouldn't I get my multitude of items identified?"

BMR · Post by **BMR** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 12:58 am

Kalar takes the ring and then says:

"Yes, that would be wise. The more we know what you're able to do, the better. At the very least, it will help with planning our strategy."