A job?, darkwood shield, shield shopping, shield shaping
Subject The trial
Salix thinks Kal is just one of many narrow-minded zealots he's encountered among both Human and Elf races, but probably more so among the Elves. Sure, Kal really believes what he did was right, but that just makes it all the more frustrating. (OOC - I'm playing Salix lawful/neutral, which means he puts Kal's usurping of authority far and away above his need to do what he thinks is "good". It's going to be really interesting to see the two of them continue together, especially if either of them is actually in charge, depending somewhat on how Kal seems to take the sentence. By the way, I think you're playing Kal pretty well. It's probably not how *I'd* play him, but that speaks to my own weaknesses as a writer. The peacemaker in me always wants everyone to reach agreement and get along, but in real life and good fiction that's oh-so-often not the case. It's even worse in this case because Kal *does* have a plausible internal rationalization for acting the way he does. Good job.)
From: Karl
Subject The verdict
Just wanted to say that this whole trial thing is a very interesting (to me) turn of events and it wouldn't have happened without people playing true to their characters. This is the kind of stuff that makes PBEM really fun, IMO.
From: Karl
Subject The verdict
Salix responds with a non-committal, tight-lipped smile. "They seem genuine about his need to follow orders. No one likes a loose cannon in a battle. I'm just glad *I* don't have responsibility for keeping him in line. I don't envy Harp if Angelwing sends him to get the next gem.
"Speaking of that. I won't be going on that quest. I have to see to an urgent matter for my Order in the Great North Woods. Were you serious about wanting to travel that way? I could really use your help. It would probably give you more than a few chances to test your new magic axe. I'm going to ask Allistair and Surin, too, as soon as I get a chance. I'm sure these Paladin would never give the others leave, what with all the other stuff going on now."
He gives Mund an elbow to the ribs. "In Kal's case, that's probably a good thing."
From: Porter
Subject The verdict
"See, I told you that something would come up."
"So, this urgent problem you've got, does it pay, or is it just for the exercise?"
From: Karl
Subject A job?
"Well, as for myself, The Order provides for my needs where they go beyond what I can do for myself, so payment isn't really an issue. However, The Order has been known to hire outsiders in special cases. I'm not sure if this is one of them. I think we need good hearted people responding to a case of need over mercenaries - and I don't mean anything bad by using that term, everyone has to eat, right? I simply don't have enough information to make any promises on behalf of The Order at this time.
"What I can promise is an equal share in anything of value that we come across, and I'm sure The Order will provide just compensation for services after the fact - we've always taken care of our own and our friends. But if you need a wage, I still have the 1000 gold from the last quest and nothing pressing to spend it on. Of course, if I pay you, I'll have to make the same offer to Ally and Surin. For that matter, Harp's people will probably be better able to offer a contract of some sort, and I'll understand if you guys need more sure payment.
"On the other hand, I know it's an awful lot to ask, but if you come with me as a friend, you are free to leave at any point you see fit."
(OOC - Can we assume Salix approaches Ally and Surin with a similar proposition. I'm willing to role-play the conversation if either of you wants to. I just want you three to have the above information *before* we meet with Quarion. The other four, Salix figures, will already be committed to the "current" situation, which he doesn't even begin to think might be related to the issue the Druids are having right now. And in fact, *I* don't even *know* there's any relationship. I'm just guessing. This could be a side quest after all.)
From: Porter
Subject A job?
"I was just wonderin. I'm interested, though. Tell me more about this urgent problem and why you need our help."
From: Porter
Subject Darkwood shield
Would it be possible for Salix to shape that darkwood shield so that it can hold Mund's everburning torch, allowing Mund to carry a torch and a shield and a weapon?
From: Mark
Subject Darkwood shield
I will have to check. I do not see any problems off the top of my head other than one small one.
Salix would have to make a craft check. If he does not have any ranks in craft armor then there is a chance he could ruin the shield when he shaped it.
What I mean by this is that he could shape the wood so that it would hold the shield, but with out the craft skill, he would not know how the shield would perform in combat. The first strike might shatters the shield becuase he would not know about the stresses the shield has to deal with.
From: Porter
Subject Darkwood shield
Perhaps we could hire the services of an armorsmith to work together with Salix?
From: Mark
Subject Darkwood shield
You could try.
From: Porter
Subject Darkwood shield
Would it make more sense to just get an armorsmith to bolt on a couple of brackets to hold the torch?
From: Mark
Subject Darkwood shield
You tell me.You tell me.
From: Porter
Subject Darkwood shield
Huh? What are you getting at?
Let's have Mund go talk with an armorsmith and ask these questions. Do you want to role-play it or not?
From: Mark
Subject Darkwood shield
You asked if it would make sense to do something. I try not to make that decision for people. If you want to go ask an armorsmith, then do so. I can role play it.
I have to go to lunch in about 20 minutes, so it would be best for after noon.
From: Karl
Subject A job?
"I don't know much. A contact from my Order has told me that several lower-level Druids have gone missing from an area in the Wildlands. Stormfather Acer, the head of our order, has gone himself to investigate the trouble, and has asked me to come assist as quickly as possible and with whomever I can call upon for help. I've given this information to Quarion, but I don't know what he'll be able to arrange, especially considering what Angelwing and his people are facing right now."
From: Karl
Subject Darkwood shield
I would think so. I don't know the rules as far as effectiveness of the weapon once it's altered, but Salix does know Shape Wood, and should be able to shape it in such a way that it can hold a torch. And I'm sure you know he'll be willing to if Mund asks.
From: Porter
Subject DArkwood shield
OK, let's have Mund ask Salix to come with him to an armorsmith, where they can figure out together the best way to proceed.
From: Karl
Subject Darkwood shield
Could this be ret-conned to before the trial? If not, Salix still might be able to do this, but it will depend on whether he has an hour or two to kill before Quarion's meeting. He could also use that time to talk with Ally and Surin. Maybe he can get them all together and go to the armorsmith as a group.
From: Mark
Subject Darkwood shield
There will be time after the verdict and before the party is called together for Mund and Salix and whoever wants to join them to at least see about the shield.
Did Salix take the spell shape wood today?
From: Karl
Subject Darkwood shield
No, that's why it would be better if we could retcon it.
From: Mark
Subject Darkwood shield
If you want to make the conversation happen just after the fight, that is fine. Then it would happen the evening before and then they could go look for an armorsmith between the time of the verdict and when Angelwing calls them back.
From: Mark
Subject A quick note
Just to clear something up.
Kal has been assingned to Angelwing, not Quarion.
Quarion, works with/for Angelwing.
From: Porter
Subject A quick note
Thanks. I was confused.
In all seriousness, would you mind explaining how this is an actual punishment?
From: Karl
Subject Darkwood shield
OK, in that case, in spite of what's at Sakeriver, Salix would have prepared "shapewood" for the day.
From: Karl
Subject Darkwood shield
All right, Mark, how shall roleplay this?
From: Mark
Subject A quick note
Kal is a bit of a racist, just as Mund is. He is being made to work for other he thinks of lower status. He is being made to answer to them. He is responsible to them. He is dedicated to protecting the elven home land, and unless Anglewing sends him there, he is basically in exile.
Remember, Kal joined the group when he was hunting the were bugbear that killed a party member. He joined the party at that time out of a sense of obligation: his quarry killed a party member that was on a quest. The quest might fail becuase of that, so he took the fallen members place. He then joined on the mission to the testing grounds of his own free will. I would expect, just as Salix wants to return home to the Great North Woods, Kal would like to go back to the Elven homelands. Now he can not for 5 years.
From: Mark
Subject A quick note
write up Salix and Mund going out into the town looking for an armorer and when you find one I will take over. This would happen between about 10 AM and lunch time.
From: Porter
Subject a quick note
Huh. I guess I didn't think that Kal would consider a celestials to be on a lower level than elves.
From: Jason
Subject A quick note
Maybe think banished, combined with suspended without pay. That way we get a nice old-fashioned punishment, and a more modern-era one. Of course, Kal was getting paid *something* wasn't he? I mean, even elves have to eat.
From: Karl
Subject A quick note
Right. I didn't mean to imply otherwise (if this was directed at something I wrote.) I'm under the impression that all of Harp's order (Harp, Ran, Rag, and now Kal) are under Angelwing, and the rest of us are here because of some allegiance to Quarion.
From: Mark
Subject A quick note
To an elf, everything else is on a lower level. :)
And Angelwing is only 1/2 celestial. He had a human mother.
JUst like Harp.
And he will not be with Anglewing the whole time.
From: Mark
Subject A quick note
The others are there at Quarions request, but he is closely aligned with the order. His position is a bit murky.
From: Mark
Subject A quick note
He got paid what the others did, but then that was before the trial.
His upkeep will be part of the Order now, but he will have other obligations.
From: Karl
Subject Orders
So do Druids, but I've been envisioning The Order of the Great North Woods as more a communal-style community. Salix doesn't get a salary, but he can count on all necessities and a few luxuries (druid style) at any Druid grove. And he's pretty self sufficient. I mean he can live outdoors pretty comfortably and create his own food if he's unsuccessful hunting it.
Those pansy bladesingers, though, probably need a salary so they can hire someone to cook for them and show them where the blade polish is, etc. :-P
From: Mark
Subject Orders
At home the druids do not use money. It is a form of pure communism for anything major. Since they are usually self sufficient in the woods and do not fear the weather or the animals, at least at higher levels, there is very little they need. They trade forest items for barter or other trade goods. Things like truffles or stuff like that.
When a druid goes out into the world at the behest of the order, he is given some money but knows that he can contact the local druid for some assistance.
From: Porter
Subject Shopping
On the way home from their wrassle, Mund asks a favor of Salix. "I've heard that y'all druids can do magick stuff with wood. Well, I've got this nice shield from Lothnar's "test", and I'd really like to make it so that I can hang my torch on it. That way I can carry a torch without putting down my shield.
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After chatting with Salix about going back to the North Woods with him, Mund says "Hey, wanna come with me and talk with an armorer about my shield?
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Mund and Salix walk into the smithy and says "I was told that you might be able to help me." He pulls out his shield and his torch and explains exactly what he's trying to accomplish. "So, what do y'all think? What would be the best way to do this? Should we just put some leather straps on it, or having Salix re-shape the wood make it work better?"
"The thing is, I really like how light this shield is. It's much easier to use. I'm hoping that whatever we do to it won't mess that up."
From: Mark
Subject Shopping
As Mund, Salix at his side, talks to the armorsmith he pulls out the darkwood shield. The man looks at it and scowls. "I don't work on wood it self. The shields you see in here I bought off a buddy. He is a woodworker and he makes all my shield for me. Try his place. It's just down the road a bit." He gives him a name of Lothario Sharpedge and direction that are only a few minutes walk away.
A few minutes walk and the two are standing in front of Shields and Such. They see a short, heavy set man, with a black beard and bald head. Seeing them approach, he calls out "Hello gentelmen. How can I help you this fine day?" Mund pulls out his shield and repeats his story for the man.
"Hmm" is the reply. "Let me get a closer look at that. Don't see much darkwood around here. Wonderful stuff to work with, but a bear to work with." He studies the shield, looking closely at how the wood is bound an how the shield is assemled. He whisltles a couple of times as he does his inspection. "This is fine work. Look at how tight that joint is. Perfect. A real craftsman made this shield." Realizing he is talking to himself, he turns an sheepfaced grin at the two. "Sorry about that. This is a fine piece of work. So you want to mount one of those ever burning torch on it, huh? Do you want it to be a permanent mount or do you want to be able to take the torch on and off?" He looks at Mund, waiting for an answer.
From: Porter
Subject Shopping
"Yeah, I wanna be able to take it off and only put it on when I need it."
From: Mark
Subject Shopping
Lothario rubs his chin. "How hard do you want it to be to take on and off? I mean are you willing to spend 5 minutes to take it off or do you want to be able to take it off quickly? The faster you want it the harder it makes it to keep steady on a regular basis. Not that I cann't do it, but it will take alot of work and cost a bit. This stuff is delicate to work with and the wrong move and you weaken the whole thing."
From: Porter
Subject Shield shopping
"Well, tell me this: how heavy would it make this shield to have the torch on it? I really like how light it feels, and don't want to give that up normally."
From: Randy
Subject A quick note
Ranthir isn't actually a part of the order. He was placed in charge of the first mission as a favor to his friend Heronin. He refused to join the order after his mother died.
From: Mark
Subject Shield shopping
Lothario purses his lips. "Well you'd have the weight of the torch, of course. And the materials needed to hold the torch on. The weight isn't the only problem, its the balance. Gotta keep the balance right. And the weight depends on how fast you want to be able to take the torch on and off."
OODM: As far as I am concerned Mund and Salix have not mentioned that Salix has a shape wood spell.
From: Karl
Subject Shield shaping
Salix interjects, "Well, what if I were able to shape the wood itself to hold the torch? I can do that, but I'd need some guidance? I don't want to weaken the shield in the process."
From: Mark
Subject Shield shaping
Lothario looks up in surprise. "What do you mean shape the wood itself? That's my job."