Barons of Bellevue

[Ancalagon]

The group struck out for the dungeon lair of Gritznak, confident that it should be nearly, if not completely, devoid of threats after the assault on Malforten. The two-day trek was uneventful. The party was able to re-enter the lair through the hilltop opening used previously.

When the group reached the chamber that lead down to the 2nd level of the complex, they noticed two open corridors that were apparent on their previous incursion. They decided that some illusion magic had been in play, causing them to more quickly enter the lower level... for whatever reason. The party explored the many passages beyond the now-open passage and discovered several storage areas used by Gritznak's troops to store their ill-gotten gains.

Eventually the group descended the stairs to the lower level of the dungeon. In short order they discovered Skinny humming, whistling, and working away at whatever he had cooking in his cauldron. Skinny, ladle in hand, was taken completely unawares by Rif who moved towards him saying, "Make ready and defend yourself!" Rif was still quite upset at the deal that Vulrog had made and the loss of one of his fingers. Skinny let out a surprised "EEeeeek!" He jumped, reflexively raised his ladle and began to say, "My friend - it is good to," but that is as far as he got before Rif's morningstar crashed down atop Skinny's head with such force that neck bones could be heard breaking and the horribly obese goblin's head was forced halfway into his chest cavity.

At that instant, the mystical contract Vulrog made with Skinny was broken. All of the party members who had received help from Skinny returned to their previously injured states as wounds reappeared and poured blood. At that instant, every party member collapsed, unconscious... except for Short Shanks. The halfling was not part of the bargain between Vulrog and Skinny. With Rif, Eribus, Elimar (the ranger), Ulrich, and Menlaus, Short Shanks did the only thing he could by binding wounds and standing watch until someone recovered.

During the watch, a kobold (random encounter) wandered into view. It spotted Short Shanks & company, let out a yelp, then began moving towards them with a wicked looking dagger. Fortunately, Short Shanks was able to kill the kobold with a bolt from his crossbow before it cold reach the party.

After a day, Rif awakened. "I wondered what would happen if I killed that little bastard. It would've made no difference. I still would have killed him." Rif prayed over Eribus and the wizard revived. Eribus ate and composed himself then studied from his grimoire. He then drew his athame (personal, ceremonial dagger) across his forearm and wiped his blood upon Ulrich then recited the words of power and cast The Necromancer's Gift. N.B. This is a spell I designed for the game that allows the wizard to bestow limited healing to another (never himself) by either wounding himself or another living sentient creature. Within another day, the continued efforts of Rif and Eribus (with a few blood donations by Short Shanks) had the party back on its feet.

The group decided to continue exploring. They reasoned that if nothing more than a kobold appeared during the two days they were incapacitated then the lair must be unoccupied. One of the passages through which the group walked possessed a feeling of malice. Elimar was particularly sensitive to it as he was afflicted with migraines and nausea. He stayed at the rear of the party until he recovered sufficiently to walk. The party found the room Gritznak used as his personal bedchamber. Rif and Short Shanks entered the room to investigate. The noteworthy contents were three chests, each with a different type of coin. As Short Shanks was practically diving into a chest, Rif was surprised by a large snake that emerged from beneath the makeshift bed and bit him. The wounded warrior-priest staggered and the snake began to wrap itself around him. Short Shanks emerged from the chest and decided to shoot the snake with his crossbow. He missed and hit Rif instead (C&C's close supporting fire rule), knocking him out. the other party members were able to quickly dispatch the snake and revive Rif. The party sorted the treasure then decided to continue exploring....

[Arashi]

As Short Shanks was practically diving into a chest, Rif was surprised by a large snake that emerged from beneath the makeshift bed and bit him. The wounded warrior-priest staggered and the snake began to wrap itself around him. Short Shanks emerged from the chest and decided to shoot the snake with his crossbow. He missed and hit Rif instead (C&C's close supporting fire rule), knocking him out. the other party members were able to quickly dispatch the snake and revive Rif. The party sorted the treasure then decided to continue exploring....

Killing Skinny outright was not the most intelligent move Rif could have made (and I stated as much before even making the attack roll), but it was fully in keeping with his personality. Had things played out a little differently that decision could very well have resulted in a TPK.

I believe Rif has the highest AC in the party. I also believe Rif eats dirt more often than anyone else. AC17? Goes down. AC19 with Armor of Faith? Goes down. AC20 with Armor of Faith and Protection from Evil stacking? Almost goes down. AC21 with Armor of Faith, Protection from Evil and Ring of Protection all stacking? Still nearly goes down.

Here's another example why Rif was kind of partial toward Bigby. Did an admirable job in the battle of Malforten, protected the party solo after everyone ate stone floor following Skinny's death. Then he went and sunk a quarrel in Rif's side. I think he'll be able to control himself enough that he doesn't pull a Skinny on Bigby, but the hobbit's starting from scratch on the make-Rif-stop-scowling-at-me meter.

[Ancalagon]

As Short Shanks was practically diving into a chest, Rif was surprised by a large snake that emerged from beneath the makeshift bed and bit him. The wounded warrior-priest staggered and the snake began to wrap itself around him. Short Shanks emerged from the chest and decided to shoot the snake with his crossbow. He missed and hit Rif instead (C&C's close supporting fire rule), knocking him out. the other party members were able to quickly dispatch the snake and revive Rif. The party sorted the treasure then decided to continue exploring....

Killing Skinny outright was not the most intelligent move Rif could have made (and I stated as much before even making the attack roll), but it was fully in keeping with his personality. Had things played out a little differently that decision could very well have resulted in a TPK.

I believe Rif has the highest AC in the party. I also believe Rif eats dirt more often than anyone else. AC17? Goes down. AC19 with Armor of Faith? Goes down. AC20 with Armor of Faith and Protection from Evil stacking? Almost goes down. AC21 with Armor of Faith, Protection from Evil and Ring of Protection all stacking? Still nearly goes down.

Here's another example why Rif was kind of partial toward Bigby. Did an admirable job in the battle of Malforten, protected the party solo after everyone ate stone floor following Skinny's death. Then he went and sunk a quarrel in Rif's side. I think he'll be able to control himself enough that he doesn't pull a Skinny on Bigby, but the hobbit's starting from scratch on the make-Rif-stop-scowling-at-me meter.

It does seem like my dice have taken a liking to Rif....

[Arashi]

It does seem like my dice have taken a liking to Rif....

And its starting to show in Rif's personality. The whole God of Blood schtick that the priest threw at him really did not sit well with him, so what did he do? Everything possible to reinforce the priest's concerns! I have to be more careful about me wisecracking about burning and killing everything in my attempt to poke fun at the murderhobo mindset and Rif's actual comments and actions, because he really isn't anything like that.

Okay, maybe he might have been okay with murdering the Vistani. And maybe he was getting a bit miffed at the apathy of everyone in the village when he walked into the baker's shop. After all, how much respect can one show to a bunch of folks who seem to have no interest in defending or protecting themselves?

On second thought, he might be fine just the way he's perceived to be.

[Ancalagon]

It does seem like my dice have taken a liking to Rif....

And its starting to show in Rif's personality. The whole God of Blood schtick that the priest threw at him really did not sit well with him, so what did he do? Everything possible to reinforce the priest's concerns! I have to be more careful about me wisecracking about burning and killing everything in my attempt to poke fun at the murderhobo mindset and Rif's actual comments and actions, because he really isn't anything like that.

Okay, maybe he might have been okay with murdering the Vistani. And maybe he was getting a bit miffed at the apathy of everyone in the village when he walked into the baker's shop. After all, how much respect can one show to a bunch of folks who seem to have no interest in defending or protecting themselves?

On second thought, he might be fine just the way he's perceived to be.

I was wondering how Rif and/or you would react to some philosophical differences of faith when spoken by another priestly type and alignment. Father Brucienn just sees the basis of Augustus' religion from a very different perspective.

As to the townsfolk, they're fairly simple and they're scared... except for Mr. Mordu. They don't know what to do with some serious supernatural happenings occurring. Some of them engage in their routines to try and distract themselves (Louise the baker, Jerald Bascolm the innkeeper), lock themselves away (many others), consumed with grief (constable Gremin) or flat out lost (Luc).

[Arashi]

I was wondering how Rif and/or you would react to some philosophical differences of faith when spoken by another priestly type and alignment. Father Brucienn just sees the basis of Augustus' religion from a very different perspective.

As to the townsfolk, they're fairly simple and they're scared... except for Mr. Mordu. They don't know what to do with some serious supernatural happenings occurring. Some of them engage in their routines to try and distract themselves (Louise the baker, Jerald Bascolm the innkeeper), lock themselves away (many others), consumed with grief (constable Gremin) or flat out lost (Luc).

From a player perspective, for all I know Brucienn's take on Augustus could be rock solid. I honestly can't recall half the stuff I initially read regarding Augustus. To be honest I've just been coming up with my own basis for Rif's beliefs and calling him an Augustan. For all I know Rif doesn't really represent the Augustus as presented in that deity entry. Rif, on the other hand, like any zealot, would be offended by even the slightest hint of disrespect shown towards his god. Real slight or perceived. Throw that on top of his opinion of Brucienn being a complete idiot for not destroying their undead and I don't think Rif would have a very high opinion of the man, nor much respect for him.

As for the rest of them, if it weren't for his belief that Unklar somehow transported the party to their present location for some larger, nefarious purpose, he'd probably sit back with a pint and watch events in the village unfold as they would without the party's intervention. I don't see him as having much sympathy for those unwilling or unable to take up arms and defend themselves, or proactively root out threats to their lives. Rif doesn't see himself as a shepherd of sheep. Or a protector. Someone he respects, like Erebus, he'd die for. A simple farmer who cowers in fear and relies on others for protection... not the slightest hesitation in leaving them to their fate.

The increasing tension between him and the bard is going to be interesting, I think. He's trying to get along with his fellow party members but he has a more direct, blunt approach to things than others. He's going to have to learn to put up with those who adhere to the "weak, sniveling" diplomatic approach to problems, who give respect to those undeserving of it, protect those who refuse to protect themselves, etc. At the same time though, he's not going to continue to allow others to impugn his honor by castigating his more direct approach to solving problems.

Sunday should be just as fun and interesting as the previous sessions!

[Ancalagon]

I was wondering how Rif and/or you would react to some philosophical differences of faith when spoken by another priestly type and alignment. Father Brucienn just sees the basis of Augustus' religion from a very different perspective.

As to the townsfolk, they're fairly simple and they're scared... except for Mr. Mordu. They don't know what to do with some serious supernatural happenings occurring. Some of them engage in their routines to try and distract themselves (Louise the baker, Jerald Bascolm the innkeeper), lock themselves away (many others), consumed with grief (constable Gremin) or flat out lost (Luc).

From a player perspective, for all I know Brucienn's take on Augustus could be rock solid. I honestly can't recall half the stuff I initially read regarding Augustus. To be honest I've just been coming up with my own basis for Rif's beliefs and calling him an Augustan. For all I know Rif doesn't really represent the Augustus as presented in that deity entry. Rif, on the other hand, like any zealot, would be offended by even the slightest hint of disrespect shown towards his god. Real slight or perceived. Throw that on top of his opinion of Brucienn being a complete idiot for not destroying their undead and I don't think Rif would have a very high opinion of the man, nor much respect for him.

As for the rest of them, if it weren't for his belief that Unklar somehow transported the party to their present location for some larger, nefarious purpose, he'd probably sit back with a pint and watch events in the village unfold as they would without the party's intervention. I don't see him as having much sympathy for those unwilling or unable to take up arms and defend themselves, or proactively root out threats to their lives. Rif doesn't see himself as a shepherd of sheep. Or a protector. Someone he respects, like Erebus, he'd die for. A simple farmer who cowers in fear and relies on others for protection... not the slightest hesitation in leaving them to their fate.

The increasing tension between him and the bard is going to be interesting, I think. He's trying to get along with his fellow party members but he has a more direct, blunt approach to things than others. He's going to have to learn to put up with those who adhere to the "weak, sniveling" diplomatic approach to problems, who give respect to those undeserving of it, protect those who refuse to protect themselves, etc. At the same time though, he's not going to continue to allow others to impugn his honor by castigating his more direct approach to solving problems.

Sunday should be just as fun and interesting as the previous sessions!

Emphasis mine.

This is my first time running a C&C campaign and the first time using the Airhde setting so keep having fun with the Augustan faith. I'm enjoying your creativity and it prompts a great deal of RP from several of the other players.

I'm picturing Rif leaning back in a chair with his feet propped up, a large mug of ale, and a smirk as stuff goes down in Marais de Tarascon. Heh.

This campaign has had a goodly amount of RP among the PCs. It's like I get to take my hands off the wheel for a bit from the DM perspective when the characters discuss, debate, etc., and just listen to the potential for character development / growth.

[Necron 99]

It can be fun to watch the PCs do some of the leg work and also spawns ideas that allow the GM to then pick up the ball and run. Some of the best campaigns and sessions I've played have had this.

[Ancalagon]

The Barons' current membership composition is the strongest its ever been. I've got a great mix of players with a dynamic range of PC personalities at the table.

[Arashi]

The Barons' current membership composition is the strongest its ever been. I've got a great mix of players with a dynamic range of PC personalities at the table.

I have to say its one of the best groups I've been a part of, and I've been involved with more than a few over the last 35 years since I got the the Mentzer-revised Red Box set in 1984 as a birthday present from my parents. (Whom a short time later become part of the D&D hating religious crowd, funnily enough.)

The Barons are going to be the one good thing about being in the US that's going to suck giving up when its time to return to Australia.