4. The First Expedition

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Nov 24, 2024 11:52 am
Jacky puts on his most aggrieved tone of voice. "Dalton didn't say anything about a license. The boss never bothers to tell us anything."

He raises an eyebrow at the grizzled halfling. "You've met him, haven't you? Guy who looks at you like you're something stuck to the bottom of his boot?"

"Listen, we're just the help. He hasn't paid us yet. If it's gold you want, you need to talk to the boss."
Nov 24, 2024 7:36 pm
Ella kept a quiet stance from where she was next to the southern door, considering rather urgently if she ought to take an action she had considered overnight. Enchanting the halting leader, or one of his aides, was not a safe proposition. An enchantment could fail, and it would only take one of them out of the confrontation.
OOC:
In AD&D charm person could be used on any "person" regardless of hit dice. According to Osric, p. 70 "The powerful enchantment woven by this spell will affect any "person," meaning character races (but note that elves are 90% resistant), and humanoids (as defined in Chapter V) up to a ceiling of one hit die of charmed creatures per character level at any one time". Does this mean Ella can only charm a 1HD person? Or does this mean that at any one time, the spell-caster cannot charm an additional individual if she already has a number of HD equal to their level under charm? If the former, she would have definitely prepared a sleep spell instead of charm person for this day.
Last edited November 25, 2024 3:31 pm
Nov 24, 2024 9:01 pm
We won’t be payin’ ya any gold!
Nov 25, 2024 2:41 am
After an arduous journey to join the party he had heard tale of, Akoslan heard raised voices in a large chamber. He walks through the northern entrance and stops cautiously to gauge the tenor of the situation. It is clear to him that he would like to help the adventurers he had heard about at the Broken Head, but they may not yet know his aims.
Nov 25, 2024 4:35 am
Thrudmarr's grip tightens around his axe as he maneuvers his shield into his off hand. He glances back and forth between Jacky and the armed halflings, struggling to follow their confusing talk about bosses and licenses. Though his instincts tell him the quickest solution would be to cut down these little robbers where they stand, he holds his position, waiting to see how his more clever companions handle the situation.
Nov 25, 2024 5:09 am
Zach takes notice of Thrudmarr's preparation and places himself in position to cover Thrudmarr and vice versa should conflict come to pass.
Nov 25, 2024 9:29 am
Seeing how tense his newfound and potential friends are, Aokslan decides to take a gambit, and walks up to the lead halfling, without a weapon ready.

Hello, my brother. From other mothers. For are we not from the same thought?

He takes two gp to palm into the hand of the halfling if he will shake it.
Last edited November 25, 2024 9:30 am
Nov 25, 2024 1:18 pm
Noticing the stranger approach and proffer a hand, Ellagel mentally prepared the runes of her single enchantment, hoping it would take effect.
OOC:
Waiting for a ruling on what charm person can accomplish. Assuming I cannot charm someone with more than one hit die, and the DM does not agree to a retconning of her spell preparation (I should have read the description before...), she'll probably cast the spell on the halfling leader before violence erupts, hoping for the best.
Nov 25, 2024 3:22 pm
OSRIC is our primary rules source, and the ruleset for which Arden Vul was written, so we will always defer to OSRIC unless there is some ambiguity (as was the case with weapon specialisation). Actually, the OSRIC description of Charm Person is considerably clearer than 1E, even if it is significantly nerfed.

I'm not going to force you to prepare the spell though. We need to work through Jackie's and Aksolan's interventions first before we get to any potential conflict (unless you want to initiate it). I'm a bit pressed for time today, but I'll update the game as soon as I get the chance.
Nov 25, 2024 3:34 pm
Ellagel strained to keep herself from initiating violence.
OOC:
Sounds fair to me. I'll keep charm person because I did not envision this as a combat encounter, and I still think that is our best chance. Even if we dispatch these fellows, there's a whole gang of them and we might prefer not to start a war with them immediately.

Could you describe the makeup of the halfling party a bit more? Anyone look like a book-keeper for the gang? Or is it more like a sergeant and five grunts? Trying to figure out who to target the spell at.
Last edited November 25, 2024 3:35 pm
Nov 25, 2024 3:39 pm
matmaisan says:
OOC:
Could you describe the makeup of the halfling party a bit more? Anyone look like a book-keeper for the gang? Or is it more like a sergeant and five grunts? Trying to figure out who to target the spell at.
It's very much a sergeant and five grunts. The sergeant has an air of quiet confidence and competence about him.
Nov 25, 2024 3:54 pm
testlum says:
Jacky puts on his most aggrieved tone of voice. "Dalton didn't say anything about a license. The boss never bothers to tell us anything."

He raises an eyebrow at the grizzled halfling. "You've met him, haven't you? Guy who looks at you like you're something stuck to the bottom of his boot?"

"Listen, we're just the help. He hasn't paid us yet. If it's gold you want, you need to talk to the boss."
This is rather ingenious and might just work. There’s sufficient detail that it could be plausible - there IS a certain amount of turnover in adventuring parties, and Dalton IS a well-known arse.

I’ll resolve using a reaction roll. Jackie’s Charisma of 12 doesn’t confer any bonus. You want the roll to be high.

Rolls

Halfling reaction roll - (1d100)

(72) = 72

Nov 25, 2024 4:04 pm
Somewhat to your surprise, the halfling accepts Jackie’s explanation.

"Oh, so you’re Darlings then? Say, no more and be on your way. Just remember to check in and declare any loot on the way out."

He also tips an imaginary hat to Aksolan at the two gold palmed to him by the Khumus (remember to knock those off your character sheet).

"Better change those torches," the leader says to one of his men, gesturing around the room, before heading back east towards the iron gate.

---
10:40 am, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …
Nov 25, 2024 8:55 pm
Grim shakes dwarven head. Then exudes a solemn Hmph, impressed with the halfling newcomer.

Ya either saved us some gold, a headache, or heaven forbid, a bit o’ unneeded bloodshed. Well met, small folk. I’m Grimidek Granite, a dwarven cleric, but friends, well dey jus’ call meh Grim.

I ‘spose you can be callin’ meh Grim.
Nov 26, 2024 5:32 pm
WhiteDwarf says:
Grim shakes dwarven head. Then exudes a solemn Hmph, impressed with the halfling newcomer.
Akoslan is a human - a Khumus - not a halfling! It was largely Jackie who talked the halfling's around, although Akoslan's coin didn't hurt.
Nov 26, 2024 5:45 pm
OOC:
Sry, I got a bit turned around with all that.
Nov 26, 2024 5:57 pm
Zacharias sighs, releasing the tension he was holding. Turning to Thrudmarr he says well, we will have to exercise another time I guess, Master Thrushbeard.

Returning to his position at the front of the party, Zach taps Jacky on the shoulder. Nice move with the halflings, Jackson, he says as he passes. Suddenly, he stops and looks at Aokslan. Funny, you don't LOOK like Vascular. He left, you came, who the hell are you?
OOC:
@Dorkelf Hi. If I could trouble you to post as your character and not player, it would help me to remember your character name. I'm a bit like my character; I'm bad with names :) Thanks!
Last edited November 26, 2024 5:58 pm
Nov 26, 2024 7:41 pm
OOC:
no worries, White Dwarf, i thought it was funny. I am short, for a human. ;)
Nov 26, 2024 7:42 pm
OOC:
if you want to keep calling me halfling, i won't take offense
Nov 26, 2024 7:49 pm
OOC:
got it Avrahaim. I'm just learning
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