If That Diamond Ring Don't Shine -- 039 (The End)

[TheZebraShakes™]

(Sorry Askr, feel free to post, I just want to keep moving on)

The goblin warriors have been seen to by Mercy and her priest. One is able to be saved, but the other is not as fortunate. Ana helps to move its body aside and wrap it.

"The region is their home as well," Mercy explains regarding the goblins. "It has been this way for as long as I can remember, and in maintaining diplomacy, we have managed to share the land in peace."

As she speaks, three crossbow wielding goblins emerge from the bushes alongside the trail.

"You kill them. Good," one says.

"We ready to shoot if they getting away," another says, demonstrating by aiming the crossbow toward the front of the cart.

"Bears got loose. They was gonna be big fighters," the final one remarks and they head off to rouse examine their wounded and retrieve their missing.


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The battlefield is getting cleaned up and the villagers are being allowed back to their homes.

Jade and Jasper rush to see Taylor as he is being helped into the village.

Mercy nods to Ana and Garor

"Taylor is someone quite special to us all. He is courageous and loyal, and yes, quite skilled as I have seen here today. . . but he is young and naive still, not yet prepared for the cold realities of such a lifestyle. Perhaps, as you say, he would do well to learn at the Academy, but that is not my decision to make. For now I can only pray that his heart will not be tainted by the events that have taken place today,"

"I will send word to the Academy seeking aid. As I understand it, in most cases, money is to be offered to the students as recompensation, but we have not much to give. Hopefully there will be more noble souls like you who are willing to take up this cause."

Jade, who had been nearing and listening, closes the distance and comes to stand with the group.

Her eyes are filled with tears as she hugs each of the students carefully.

She speaks softly.

"You can use this to send a message." She unclips her bird pin which Garor had noticed earlier and hands it to Askr.

"My Mama gave it to me before she died. It should get any message you send straight to the right person. You all have to finish going to Bridgeport right, but maybe by the time you get back you can help us get back those other boys and stop these horrible people from ever thinking about coming back here."

She begins to cry again as Marlowe and Edrianna approach the students now.

Ana hands the ring back to Marlowe, speaking of how it may have indeed saved her life.

Edrianna smiles, her eyes clouded with tears.

"We are glad not to have lost you, any of you." she says.

In a surprising gesture, Marlowe extends his hand and offers the diamond ring to Edrianna, who looks to him, not quite understanding.

"Keep it," he says, which she does with a nod, slipping it back onto her finger.

He then steps foward and wraps his arms around Jade as she cries. Marlowe's eyes look out onto the battlefield and an odd unreadable expression crosses his face.

"Please, get some rest," he says to the students as he gently leads the girl away.

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Everyone rests up and in the morning healing is administered once more.

Eventually, the students and jewelers are ready to head on their way to Bridgeport.

Many of the villagers gather to see the group off, thanking the students for their bravery and bringing gifts of food for their journey.

Taylor and Jade are present to see the adventurers off as well. Jade hugs everyone once more, reminding them all that they are always welcome at the inn and should return regularly.

Taylor's farewells are far more somber as he seems unsure of what to say and still appears weak as the bones of his crushed arm continue to mend themselves.

He says few words, but when it comes to Noic, he struggles to hold back the tears in his eyes and puts his arms around the dwarf to bid him farewell, an expression of pain upon his face due to the strain on his arm no doubt, but he ignores it, not lowering his arm until he is ready.

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The next stretch of the journey is quiet and uneventful. The group manages to make it to Bridgeport in good time.

The jewelers' business there is completed in a couple of days and after a bit more time on the road, the students find themselves back in the familiar confines of the Academy.

THE END

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(feel free to add closing thoughts. I'll have one more post coming with the matter of leveling and gear and wrap up, so stay tuned.)

[TheUdjat]

(OOC) Fun short! Thanks for running it, Shakes. I actually want to go help the villagers with their slave ring problem in a follow-up.

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Ana goes through the farewells and thank-you's as graciously and warmly as she is able. She is glad to have helped these people, all of them, and is already making plans to return and help them. Perhaps others in the academy will accompany her, but who knows? These are the kind of bandits that killed her father, the very kind she joined the academy to stop. She will be back.

She whistles to Shadow and heads out to Bridgeport with the others. The dog has been pampered by food and treats just as much as the rest of them. She ruffles his fur, then looks to her traveling companions, some of them more injured than others. "We did a good thing today," she says happily. "Now let's get this caravan to Bridgeport. And then we can see about that second ale you owe me, Askr, and maybe I can show you the proper way to dodge." She grins. "Though you didn't do half bad, for a caster."

"And Garor - I'd be happy to have you fighting by my side any day. You and Noic are a credit to dwarves everywhere."

[TheZebraShakes™]

EVERYONE

The students take a much needed time for rest and recooperation at the Academy.

During this time, the students are called to receive the remainder of their payment which the jewelers have send in full.

Along with the coins, there are four packages, each addressed to one of the students.

A letter signed by Marlowe and Edrianna reads. . .

At the request of Taylor, Jade, and the other citizens of Greenvale and the surrounding villages, we have crafted for each of you a gift to signify their appreciation for your courage in standing to defend their home. We all hope to see you again soon.

A package for each student

ANA
-A delicate bracelet of white and yellow braided strands of gold. Tiny jade colored stones carved in the shape of leaves are woven throughout the shimmering mesh.
-When worn, this item grants a +5 competence bonus to Bluff checks made to deceive orcs and half orcs
-This item is a gift and may not be exchanged for a gold value, nor will its effects work when wielded by another.
-This item occupies no body slot

ASKR
-A silver double shot glass with an onyx and pearl inlay.
-After a shot from this glass each day, gain a +5 competence bonus to Diplomacy checks made when dealing with orcs and half orcs.
-This item is a gift and may not be exchanged for a gold value, nor will its effects work when wielded by another.
-This item occupies no body slot

GAROR
-A piece of polished ebony intricately carved to resemble a black bear.
-Twice per day, while equipped with this small bear figurine, gain an additional 10 feet of movement when attempting to charge (as per SRD definition of the action) any orc or half orc.
-This item is a gift and may not be exchanged for a gold value, nor will its effects work when wielded by another.
-This item occupies no body slot

NOIC
A silver medallion with the engraved image of a dwarven waraxe flanked by a pair of handaxes, one crossed over the other.
- When wearing this medallion and flanking an orc or half orc with an ally, gain an additional +1 to attack and damage Twice per day.
-This item is a gift and may not be exchanged for a gold value, nor will its effects work when wielded by another.
-This item occupies no body slot.


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IN ADDITION

Everyone. . .
-Level up characters to level 3 in a post at the bottom of their respective sheets.
-Gain 1,800 gp to be used as you see fit, (or you may leave it unspent for the next player who should come along)


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Thanks to everyone for posting and playing along to keep this short on a pretty good pace.

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If there's interest in doing another short at some point, I'd be willing to delve into the adventure hook regarding the slave ring.

[TheUdjat]

thezebrashakes said:

If there's interest in doing another short at some point, I'd be willing to delve into the adventure hook regarding the slave ring.

I'm willing to play it whenever you're willing to run it.

[TheZebraShakes™]

(I guess I'll put Noic and Askr back with the other students with their new gold and gifts. I'll level them with the basics and leave the feat and gear selections to any who may play them in the future, or Jolith can do that stuff for Askr if he has the time before I get to it. )

I'll be happy to run that adventure if there is enough interest. It will most likely be a little higher in level. I'll put a post up soon, see if anyone else bites.

Already took care of it Sorry it took so long. Trying to catch up with everything today. Also planning on getting a post in with Lance today too.



Oh, I also wouldn't mind playing in the next game either.

[TheUdjat]

thezebrashakes said:

(I guess I'll put Noic and Askr back with the other students with their new gold and gifts. I'll level them with the basics and leave the feat and gear selections to any who may play them in the future, or Jolith can do that stuff for Askr if he has the time before I get to it. )

I'll be happy to run that adventure if there is enough interest. It will most likely be a little higher in level. I'll put a post up soon, see if anyone else bites.

Aw, I was kinda hoping to keep advancing level-by-level rather than skipping ahead. Either way's cool, though; I'm digging the character. Even if she's not technically mine.

[TheZebraShakes™]

(I guess you're not the kind of person who's cut out for shorts. You get too attatched, sounds like you want a campaign. Actually, I could do the adventure at lower level, but I thought higher would give a bit more leeway. I have this sick love of trying to get PCs to get themselves killed. I mean, ummm. . . I was only thinking about level 5 or six, not too high. So she won't have to advance much, but we'll see.)

I actually appreciate the fact that you liked the game and you still want to play some more. I think I've said it before, I'm never really sure if anyone's into my games or if they're just going along with it. I wouldn't want to continue spending time on a game that no one enjoys, not that I'd take offense or anything. But the feedback definately helps, which is why I'm always trying to get people to speak up in terms of what they want.

So thanks.

I'll get to work on thinking something up. Maybe in a few weeks, or after the holidays if people are going to be away. We'll see if there's room for another short along with all the current and upcoming games.

Well you have nothing to worry about Shakes. I really like your games. You always go into great detail and so far I've really enjoyed your games. I know sometimes I disappear and you think that maybe I'm not enjoying myself, but trust me that's not the case. Plus I do like Askr. He's a dwarvish Human to me, and considering Dwarfs are my favorite race, he's cool.m

[TheUdjat]

Haha! Yeah, I do get attached. But I like Shorts, because it keeps the pool of characters circulating, so with the natural ebb and flow of players, there's always somebody around. Something about the Shorts is nice, too, the way it feels like classic D&D. But that could be my imagination.

You run a good game, Shakes, rest assured. I'm envious of the... I'd call it the 'uniqueness' you bring to a game. It's interesting, and that's good. You do that with your characters, too. You also have good pacing, which is something I wish I could emulate.

But enough ego-stroking. You're welcome, I'd love to play a follow-up, but no rush, either. There's plenty going on, and there's always this book thing I should be writing. Again.