The journey back to Stavanger by boat takes a few hours. I should take a moment and explain that the ship that found you is little more than a two-masted schooner, not more than 10 tons, with a crew of four. Between the crew, the official, the cleric Magnus, the mage, and the seven members of the party, the ship is fairly crowded, and the journey back is somewhat uncomfortable. But wonderful compared to those few hours when the party thought they were lost.
You will arrive in Stavanger just before noon. As you come to the dock, you're met by a dozen gentlemen, many that the party will recognize as important members of the town, aldermen and such. These men are gathered, you now find out, because the mage was able to shoot a message spell some miles out, to say they had found the party and were on their way back.
The spokesman and Alderman, Sigurd Trevvaldson, speaks to the party and the crew; thanking the crew, thanking the party. "We would ask, if you could, to wait here on the dock for some bit of time. We have made some space at a workshop at the top of the pier ... if you would please consent to wait there, until we can have things organized ...
"See, the Prince and Ordforer have just returned themselves ... and we understand there is to be some sort of ceremony and celebration. In which, we were hoping, humbly, that you seven would take a part. May I know all your names, and how you relate to one another, in order that when the presentation occurs, we are all well-informed?"
If the party consents, a scribe will copy the names of the party, and learn that Bergthora, Willa and Fjall are in your employ. That is, if you wish to them to know this information.
Do you consent to wait?
47 comments:
I consent to wait and to share our names.
I ask after our other companions - Petar and the others.
None of these people here know who Petar, Oddsdrakken or Valda are.
Uh-oh. Hope they weren't beset by anything on their way back.
I probably don't even need to share my name, but there it goes.
I'll avail myself to 15 of those 37 points of healing. Two more days of rest will probably see us hit top form and with spells in reserve cherry-topping.
[Also, I hereby extend Shelby my condolences.]
You're taken around to the workshop, which you discover has been abandoned for some time. You sit on benches that have been added to the room for your comfort. A barrel o water has been placed here too, along with a dipper and five cheap clay cups.
You wait. For a goodly long time. The sun comes out, shining through some small windows.
Outside, you begin to hear some cheering. This goes on for a while, as well. You rise, and look out the windows, and see that the streets are full of people, some of whom you recognize. But you can't see anything of what's going on, or hear anything but the sounds of the crowd, or see what they're cheering at.
No word on the whereabouts of my squire and our fellows?
I'm glad for our tremendous fortune, but concerned for theirs.
(Uhm, guys, I don't like the sound of this... we should send someone to get a handle on what's what; I don't know, call it a gut feeling.)
[Waiting for a second player to weigh in]
The door opens, finally, and a guard in a very clean, very polished uniform beckons at you; not rudely, but certainly business-like. "They're ready for you," he says. Then he waits a moment, before adding,
"Time to get your rewards."
In fact, since we weren't actually under guard, I'm not thinking of trouble, rather I'll go on a limb and say that the big-wigs have probably just done stolen our glory. Nothing at all unexpected.
So be it. I take a moment to gather myself, and stride out in the forefront as confidently as my weary self is able.
I AM a big damn hero!
37 minus 15 equals 22, which I am thinking ought to be split between Pandred and myself, since Embla got 18 from Engelhart's Aid spell. If that is acceptable I'll have 2 of my 11 land on Bergthora and 2 on Fjall, with the remaining 7 of my split on myself.
We've still got our weapons, so they aren't planning on hanging us, and they wouldn't have bothered healing us. Forward into the sunshine to allow the bureaucrats to have us hold their banners. Sooner we're through with this pageantry, the sooner we can get back into the wilderness and seeking real treasure.
As you're brought out of the shop, you hear a strong voice, one that you recognize belongs to the Ordforer. He's addressing the crowd. "And now it is time to bring out some other heroes for this campaign ~ residents of Stavanger, brave men and women, who took it upon themselves to venture into the lair of these killer frogs, courageously blazing a trail for our guardsmen and soldiers to put an end to this tragedy. Allow me to introduce ..."
And then he will, one at a time, with each of you climbing aboard a platform above the crowd, where you can see hundreds of people cheering you. It all feels a little strange; the ordforer is flat out lying about things you've done, saying you killed thirty frogs in the forest, and nearly fifty inside the barrow ... but with all the cheering, even if you tried to correct the record, no one would hear you.
The platform is quite big, large enough to contain fifty people ... and there are nearly that many people standing around you. The Prince is sitting on the platform with two of his attendants, in large wooden chairs. They are watching everything and smiling.
The Ordforer continues, "These seven heroes have helped save us, along with the soldiers and guardsmen of the town ... and now, I give them the highest honor that I am empowered to give. The ORDER of ROGALAND!!"
You're each given a large, embroidered patch; all of you, except for Embla perhaps, understand what this means, but the Ordforer explains it. It exempts you from all tolls in Rogaland; it enables you to billet in any government house or barrack in Rogaland; and it gives respect and acknowledgement of service throughout the Kingdom of Norway and Denmark, and of course in other lands that recognize the power of that kingdom.
There's more applause as you each accept this honor. The patches are like a passport; but it also bestows the privilege of including the Stavanger Coat of Arms on your equipment and persons:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stavangercoatofarms.gif
And now the Ordforer will step back and the Prince will rise. There is a hush. Charles Gustav is the cousin of the present Queen of Sweden, Christina, who has no progeny. "I wish to give my own honors to these brave men and women, for their service." A man steps forward holding a tray; it is clearly quite heavy. It has seven silken bags sitting on it.
"First, I wish to give two hundred gold coins to each of these heroes!"
Knowing the gold will most likely be spent in town, the crowds shouts wildly. You are each given your coins.
"Then, I understand, two of these women and two of these men are of special note and importance! And so, I wish to give gifts!"
Now, without my making this a group of speeches, the Prince will give some items to the party.
To Embla, he will give a battle axe that was used by Gabriel Oxenstierna in his youth, the deceased brother of the present Lord High Chancellor of Sweden, Axel Oxenstierna. This is a +1 battle axe.
To Pandred, whom it has been learned was the first to fall in the fight, the Prince will give a small iron bottle; this bottle will dispense one healing salve a day, into perpetuity. It is said that Gustavus Adolphus last used it on the day of his death.
To Lothar, he will give the bloodhound figurine, which at present is about half the size of the elf's fist, and made of bloodstone. Upon uttering the word, "Hunt," Lothar is told, the figurine will transform into a bloodhound that will be able to follow overland any person that the utterer has met face to face and knows by name.
And finally, to Engelhart, so that he might never be alone, the Prince offers a flag, featuring a lion holding a mace, which was brought by Kristianstad nobles to Germany in the late Great War, and lost there, and only lately recovered ... which the Prince meant to return to Norway this journey. Now he gives it to the cleric. "If raised in any town," says the Prince, "It will call 15 men who will step forward to give their service for a month, as long as the flag does not touch the ground."
With these gifts, the Prince bows to you.
Embla and Lothar should add 550 x.p. to their totals. Pandred and Engelhart, who get 10%, should add 605 x.p.
I am almost speechless. I am a bit overwhelmed, and a bit amazed, and deeply honored. I bow deeply to the Ordforer and the Prince (and anyone else who warrants a bow) as I accept the award.
[This is bizarrely wonderful - as a history buff who's primary area of attention is 16th century England and Scotland, heraldry is one of my pet projects. I have for whatever reason long desired to be an armiger, and though this isn't quite the same, it sure feels the same.]
[Above typed before the Prince's presentation... Now my hands are shaking. This is soooooo cool!!!]
[I'm such a nerd! Oh my goodness, this is great. Wow. Just... wow.]
More bows all around. Not that I imagine I'll get the chance for a while, but I'll definitely be buying some rounds of drinks later.
I return the Prince's most gracious gesture.
I can't help but stare at my new honors.
We can mince words about not doing all they said, but I personally feel we fought damn hard. We'll make up the difference in no time.
Well, this serves my old cynical self just right.
I'm floored, Alexis, by these rewards. They're varied, well thought out and inherently call out for adventure, very nice work!
I've just gotten this itch for hoisting flag, going forth and conquering.
(I also levelled, along with Embla, I believe, so that's a whole extra ladle of awesomesauce on top of it all)
[This is my method of awarding experience for adventures completed. And it follows the argument I've made over the last year that status is as important a treasure and a reward as coin and magic. Something that many DMs just don't understand.
[I am sorry for the bit of mind fuck before the awards ... I just can't help myself. Being in situations of being rewarded, they rarely, if ever, tell you what's coming, while tending to treat you like baggage. And so I recreated that here]
I'll celebrate and crush some tankards, but I'll make sure to drop by the family home first, both to shed my weight and to show that all is well. I want to leave a gift but I don't yet know for certain the state of my finances.
Alexis: I've been wanting to enroll a hireling of my own, but I wanted a full fledged man-at-arms rather than a simple set-of-arms. I imagine the present environment, flush with excitement, would be pretty ideal for meeting a number of suitable candidates, yes?
I mean, I don't even know as yet if I'd be able to afford it...
As a cleric, without a leadership sage skill, you're limited to hirelings like the one's you've had. You can load them up with heavy armor if you want. And they will start with a 9 morale, unless your background adjusts that.
You will get a henchman with 5th level, so that is in your near future. With the much lower x.p. requirement for 5th with a cleric, you'll get there long before Lothar or Pandred, and probably sooner than Embla.
I should add that the party recovers their donkey and all the goods piled on top of it.
Ah, very well.
We've enough load bearers as it is, then, I feel. I'll just wait it out.
After the ceremony we should make more strenuous inquiries as to the whereabouts of our missing retainers - is Captain Hagen in attendance?
I think you could probably find him, after the ceremonies begin to break up. There are going to be celebratory games in Stavanger in a week, but you don't have to attend them. They're just because a small, worrisome war has come to an end.
I've been trying to keep accurate track of everyone's experience, but I've obviously missed something.
I have the following:
Embla, 3723
Engelhart, 5872
Lothar, 5751
Pandred, 4721
Please correct my numbers if they are out of synch with your own.
Once you guys feel the need to hit the market, I'm game.
We still have to liquidate our kitchenware catch and our two spearpoints to perceive where we're at, financeswise.
Then we can all pitch in for rations, healing salves, other victuals.
After that, its all about resting for two days, setting course and go.
[Also: drats, it seems like I didn't quite made level yet. It'll take another skirmish or a tussle with a feistier wench or three.]
I have 5752 XP on my sheet, which is an interesting discrepancy.
After the ceremony, I seek out Captain Hagen to ask after Oddsdraken, Petar, and Valda.
I bow appreciatively upon receiving my gift. This is fantastic! Eeee!
I have my experience at 3,693. Regardless of the total, I level up!
After the festivities, I join with Lothar to inquire after our friends.
Let's saddle up and find our lost 'lings.
Want to tell me first how much of your money you wish to spend on ales?
Lothar, I don't know what to tell you about experience. You've been a ways behind Engelhart for a while now, and at the restart of the campaign you confirmed the number I posted.
Embla, use my number, which is slightly higher. You must have missed a number somewhere.
Fuck it, I'm generous. I'll buy a pair of kegs and share around.
12gp. I don't know how many people want to drink with our amazing company, but it's enough for two dozen folks to drink madly.
Everyone want to partake?
Well, I take it I'm supposed to set some sort of example of sobriety, at least in public. I'll forward three kegs myself but just dip the beard with some foam, until I reach the first stages of warming up.
There ought to be an anti-intoxication spell.
I drop another 5 kegs of ale onto the festivities.
However, I would like to celebrate our victory with all of our comrades. I drink a mug with everyone, but I would like to sneak out fairly soon and find everyone.
How are Willa and Bergthora doing, with respect to those of our company not present?
Your present followers are taking advantage of the ale. And nobody is going anywhere after this until tomorrow morning.
So, if you want to talk a bit over your precise plans, that would be helpful in me drawing up a new post.
[It was just interesting to me that our numbers were a single point off. I'm good with using either. Might Slow Poison have an effect on alcohol?]
Was I able to find Captain Hagen after the awards ceremony before we starting pouring beer into the fountains?
It is my plan to use my brand new bloodhound token to track down Valda and the rest, hopefully we'll be able to get some more HP before we need to go out though...
I'm on a holding pattern. Celebrations, then rest plus market seem like enough of a plan for now.
I think you'd be able to find the good Captain.
Do you need a market generated, Engelhart? I think the Stavanger one is still on the Drive.
No, no need at all, thank you.
I'm just saving myself until we all get together to take stock of our situation, sell off our plunder and decide what we do need to purchase (and carry, donkey permitting).
Same holding pattern here. I want to come at our next venture rested and recuperated, but tonight is an evening of celebration!
I just remembered that the three were heading to the coast to find a fishing village, so Hagen's group wouldn't have run across them except under exceptional circumstances. I won't bother him with questions right now after all. However, I do want to ask how the token works. If I give the command can I recall it before we reach the target? Is it able to track someone if they are no longer alive?
Some of the details of the token (and each of the magic items I've handed over) will need to be individually learned through an identity magic spell, or through use.
If Lothar was told to hold the figurine in hand, and say the magic word. You'll have to experiment from there.
[Sorry all. The crash of Wikipedia has really thrown off my game. I got up this morning and started moving pages across, rather than taking up the adventure. I am off work today; off work for awhile now, because the restaurant that employs me is undergoing renovations.
[Let me tidy up the bard posts on the new wiki, because they're in a temporary state of disarray, and then I'll write a new post for the campaign]
[Sorry, that should be, the crash of "wikispaces." I said I was off]
No worries. Now that the missing three are not in immediate danger in my mind I'll be alright with celebrating tonight and seeing about setting up and setting off in the morning.
The next post is up.
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