Grigor Payne's notes and diary

896. The month of Plenth. I have arrived on this wretched island, it is small, provincial and the smells here are mostly awful. Such an incredible change I have to suffer. After I lived almost all my life in Valmar the White City, the glorious capital of our Empire. I don't know why I was sent here by the captain of the city watch of Valmar, my superior, but he must have had good reasons. I wouldn't be surprised if he was giving this order on the behalf of another. I have to be careful here, the criminal element is strong in this town.  896 The month of Plenth. I was invited to an expedition to the Fey Isles. The boat ride was long and uneventful. There was a difficult battle to be had but many of my companions impressed me with their courage and might. We slaughtered countless demons and zombies. - Later I read the description posted around town about our adventure. Unfortunately, that description completely underplayed my heroism and combat abilities, but I didn't say anything to correct the inaccuracies. I resign myself to write down the true events in my notes in case I need to refer back to them later. Our party consisted of several notable people Lux a knife thrower, Cain a knight. Sabaufein; another knight, Nyx an archer, and Kaar half-dragon half-knight. I will briefly describe this quest in the temple, even though a lot of time has passed and my memory might not be as fresh as was on that day. As soon as we entered the temple we were greeted by a giant Oooze and a horde of pestilence demons. This battle was chaotic and dangerous as our party become completely split. Cain, a knight fighting on our front line rushed forward and was completely and utterly surrounded by about 10 pestilenz demons. Other demons used their flying to harass our back lines, and attack our vulnerable support troops. I was amazed that we got through this fight without anyone dead. I mostly used my heavy crossbow to shoot at the oooze during this fight but had to fight some of the demons who flew over our front lines. The confusion and the chaos was great indeed. I was even bitten by one of the demons, even though my extensive training and expertise with heavy armor protected me more than most (I was one of the noted teachers of heavy armor combat in the city watch, and a recognized expert back in the capital on the same topic). Even though a vicious bite from one of the demons somehow pierced my armor and poisoned me to some effect. All in all we suffered a great setback in the demon ambush. We suffered great wounds (most of which were healed by some of the knights by laying on hands), but more importantly several of us suffered great exhaustion. For example the half-dragon called Kaar spit fire (!) on the demons. This seemed like a great ability but the demons were barely affected by it. Kaar later told me that the process is very demanding on his body and he can only do such an attack but once in a single day. Such a waste of such a powerful attack. This could have burned a dozen rats at a time (more on that later). After the demon ambush, we delved deeper into the depths of the dungeon. We wandered mile long corridors and pathways aimlessly. Until after such time we found a room with a large amount of green goo and plague zombie's inside. I was determined that we will not let our line get broken again and I shouted for our party to get in formation. The plague zombies were incredibly strong, much tougher than the demons and the ooze but our battle plan made all the difference. Our toughest fighters stood on the front lines, Cain, Kaar, and Sabufein shields at the ready, heavily armored. I stood right behind them at the center of the second line and rushed forward with my shield whenever a zombie attacked. This placed the zombie in question at a huge disadvantage, because not only did he try to claw through the defenses of a strong fighter, he had to break through the additional protection offered by my shield. Our second line harassed the zombies with javelins arrows, and throwing daggers, even the bard contributed to our team effort.  (who left soon after this fight, he was probably too scared to continue deeper into the dungeon due to the horrors witnessed) Thus even though the zombies were the toughest opponents, we butchered them with relative ease. Good tactics and positioning and excellent teamwork were all crucial to our victory over the zombies.  Soon we found a room with three gold statues in it. We spent about 20 minutes investigating this room. Nobody wanted to pick up a statue. They were all very afraid what would happen. So they sent me in the room to pick up one of the statues, while they were all hiding 60 feet away. I was the only one brave enough to pick up the statue, and they all waited for me to die on the spot. They were all willing to sacrifice me. After all not much came out of this statue after all. I put it back before we left after one of the others essentially wanted to steal it from me, he threatened me to put it back. Too bad I couldn't remember the name of the person who made this threat. I should have written these notes sooner.  The last fight wasn't as difficult as the other ones, but the party didn't want to take direction from me and find a better position a defensible one. As such we were badly positioned and disorganized even though we had better options. We were attacked on both sides on one hand by zombies and demons and insects. On the other hand a squadron of 20 rats who marched in battle order and were controlled by some demon. Since they didn't follow my directions which made the battle a lot more hard than it should have been. I wasn't that surprised though since this was the first time we adventured together. How can I expect them to follow my orders if they barely know me, even though . I have to remember this is not the city watch of Valmar any more where my orders given to the men in my unit were always followed and there was a clear chain of command, under which we all had to follow the orders of superior officers.  In this battle, Nyx the archer got separated from our group and I saw her skuling in the shadows. She thought she was hiding well from the mass of rats, but I suspect the rats just went for our main group since they saw us as the bigger threat (they were controlled by some demon or other. These were no normal rats. This whole temple was desecrated).   Another notable event in this fight : Cain was almost brought to ground by a vicious bite from an insect. I saw the poison taking hold in Cain's body and it was indeed a great amount of poison he was bitten for several seconds straight. But incredibly Cain was able to shake off the poison in its entirety. Later Cain told me that this was a lucky turn of events indeed, and was not a given that he will be to shake off all similar attacks like that in the future.  In the end Cain butchered our enemies on one side, swatting them away with his mighty hammer sometimes three at a time. It was a sight to behold. On the other end we used oil to burn the rats. Unfortunately we were still in the green goo, since we did not seek a more defensible position. Thus the oil did not burn on the ground as it should have. Even though we managed to harm some of the rats with the oil, since it still managed to burn (briefly) at the top of the green goo. We had to use several flasks of oil to get rid of most of the rats. As it turned out the rats were not as great a threat as I previously thought. Their weak attacks were not capable of penetrating my heavy armor for the most part. In any case the burning oil made quick work of them, as the Dragon's fire breath would have done the same, if we still had it...  After this final battle Cain purified the temple and we all went back to the camp of the Iron Fists. 

Draft document towards the founding of an association of adventurers.  On the establishment of the Maladon United Adventurers (also known as MUA) Chairman and founder Grigor Payne - came up with the idea to better organize adventurer's in Maladon and to ensure that the basic rights of adventurers are being respected in terms of no thievery by potential employers.  Founding members: Ironside the Elf - Founding member               paid 50 gold into MUA to provide the initial funds Blunder Battlehammer - Founding member Bort - Founding member Ivilion - Founding member Charter: The purpose of MUA is to ensure that the posessions and wealth of adventurers are not lost but can be put towards expenditures serving the common good of all adventurers, such as : helping out starting adventurers, potential funeral expenses (if requested in writing), and providing small loans for short periods of time to adventurers, adventurer run businesses. With other possible uses being made possible by a supermajority vote of all full members.  During the initial period of MUA trying to establish itself the only activity of it will be to gather more members, funds and provide loans for starting adventurers only, who are fresh off the boat. How to become a full member? All full members are required to name MUA as their next of kin. In essence when they sign up a standard WILL AND LAST TESTAMENT is created, in which MUA is named as the sole beneficiary. This means that all their posessions and equipment will be inherited by MUA and added to the available funds should they die to be put to use on helping the adventuring community. More importantly, MUA will demand that employers pay out fees for all their members, should they perish in service of an employer trying to complete a quest. If an employer hired 7 people for a large sum of gold each he should not be able to get away with paying only two of them if the others make the ultimate sacrifice in service of the quest. The precedent for this is already established with the Bearer's Guild. If a bearer should die on a mission this does not mean payment can be denied. MUA will fight so that adventurers might enjoy the same rights as the Bearers joining them on missions. Once someone joins as a full member, they can donate funds if they wish towards the common aims of MUA. Even though donations to become a member is not required. The only requirement to joining MUA is to have a LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, which names MUA as the next of kin. 

Reserved for the list of rare language speakers  (OOC Grigor will set up a list of adventurers who are able to speak rare languages - those which cannot be learned at characther creation only bought with experience during downtime in Maladon) List of rare languages: Keldish; the language of the Erkeldi* Hardic; the language of a race of High men who lived in Netherfell and were not of the four kindreds* Sondish; spoken by the Wood Elves of the Sondar* Avalonian; the language of the Ice Elves* Archaic Avalonian; an old distorted version of Avalonian spoken by the gnomes on Makra* Encakhuli: spoken by the Dwarfs of Khulican* Vorac; Black speech, a language so evil that even demons and devils have trouble speaking it* Alvar; The language of the fabled Elvarin, the High Elven race that inspired the Gods to create all the others* Dwarro: the language of the Dwarren or High Dwarves of old* Cernish; the language of the Fey of Cerngard including Cernas, Snowmantle and Arawn* Quor; the language of the Sea-Kith; a race of Fey who roam the Mysts in great ships* Sandspeech; the language of the Jinn or Sandfolk* Primordial; the language of Abberations and some monsterous humanoids* List of rare language speakers: Nyx Archaic Avalonian (language of the gnomes of Makra) Raven Encakhuli: spoken by the Dwarfs of Khulican* 

Meaty Witchhunter; +50 XP for log writing.

I have finished training the adventurer Ferhem in the art of heavy armor combat. He is now almost as good as myself, one of the foremost noted experts of heavy armor in all of Valmar, the White City. He didn't provide me any payment for the training, he said he needed more time to collect the funds. Let it be known that he owes me this debt, and should I perish on the field of battle, the inheritors of my estate should claim it in my name. 

1st of Quickern: On the first day of Quickern, Grigorn Payne hears the town cryer shout: Oh Yea! Oh Yea! let it here be known that his illustrious Majesty Octavin doth hereby decree on this, the first day of Quickern 987 that the Iron Fists shall no longer be responsible for the Watch on the City of Haven and that the Watch of Haven is hereby formed with immediate effect; those wishing to join apply to the Chapterhouse of the Blue Sashes. He rushes over to the chapterhouse of the Blue Sashes intending to join City Watch of Haven. He reminds the prospective employers that he is intending to apply for a bodyguard mission to guard the Princess Vedinia, so he might be away from town for a while, and similar circumstances may always arise in the future. Important missions might come up as is often the case.  However he will also list his qualifications upon trying to apply. 12 years of service in the City Watch of Valmar, the White City as follows: First trainee, then Watch Patrolman, then low level officer leading small patrols, then member of the elite bodyguard unit guarding the City Watch commander of all Valmar, then member of the same in charge of heavy armor inspection, maintenance and repair, then vice-commander of the same bodyguard unit in charge of field operations (battlefield command). He will also mention that the Payne family have a long history of serving in the City Watch of Valmar, including Maximillian and Eric, the grandfather and father of Grigor respectively.   Grigor will also mention that if he is accepted he might be able to make small repairs or improvements to the heavy armor of the watch but he can not guarantee any results in this regard. ((OOC: Tinkerer's tools as a Free artisan proficiency was picked up at level 3 as part of the Battlemaster features)) He wishes to serve honorably to maintain law and order and to increase the good standing of the Payne family name. 

Oops, I might have misunderstood the purpose of that town cryer. I thought it was some RP based thing or some condition applied to characthers or a work opportunity. Seems it might just only be a mission opportunity and nothing to do with downtime activity. 

Adolfo looks at Payne and says Oh; so Iron Man Payne was your grandfather eh? Yeah; well we've all heard of him. I'll put in a good word for you. A few days later, a note arrives at the Tipsy Mermaid for Gregor Payne from Lord Darvin of the Blue Sashes. It reads Master Payne, Ye Grandfather and Father were well known to me; and though I'd rate your Father as the better man, that is much to your advantage. I have convinced the Emperor to name you Guard Captain of Northferry, as the area is a hotbed of crime and vice and we are tasked with cleaning up the City. Your pay shall be 50 gp per month plus bonuses based on success. You are hereby given use of rooms in the Guildhall overlooking the Grain Market and the cells there. Please recruit such men as you deem fit to aid you. Your first task is to root out the Brotherhood of Light from Haven. Most fled but some are known to have gone to ground and are hiding in the City. In particular we seek Alexia of House Valentis who tried to leave the City but was prevented. Find her and take her alive, as she may know the location of the Brotherhood's secret hold. Enclosed is a writ to enter the Upper City; remember that some of these traitors had friends in high places. Just be careful and don't overstep your authority; you will need evidence to accuse Nobles of crimes. OOC; you are granted an adventure pass for a mission to find this man.

Updated; Grigor Payne is granted a Silver Pass; see recent post for the powers this grants. This pass is tied to Grigor Payne and this Haven based mission.

Quickern 29. Grigor Payne arrives back to Haven, from Khulican From the weaponsmiths of Khulican he bought back some items to sell or give to some friends or just for reserve, he doesn't have an exact plan right now. These items are : 15  Fine Enkhuli daggers (90 gold cost) 2    Fine Enkhuli short swords (60 gold cost) 4    Fine Enkhuli hand axes (60 gold cost) 1    Fine Enkhuli battle axe (30 gold cost)  spending a total of 240 gold out of the 350 he received as payment for guarding the Princess Vedinia. The weapons will be temporarily stored in the MUA guild house a small building that is being renovated, but doesn't have much use for the moment. It is just a meeting place and storage for items that are too heavy or numerous to be carried into battle.  However Grigor saw an ad in the first edition of Maladon Times (which was placed at a five gold cost), it was an ad for a smithy, operating in Cain's fort. Dark Sal's Forge it was called Grigor thinks. He long commissioned a new piece of armor from this forge but so far he never had enough gold to pay for it. He will offer 100 gold pieces for the armor which is a Splint mail and usually sells for 200 GP. So Grigor will offer 100 GP plus some Enkhuli weapons OR his old armor (which was a chainmail with a market price of 75 GP). Alternatively he can offer 100 GP and 100 GP worth of debt. Grigor thinks that studying the Enkhuli weapons could potential be beneficial for a smith, as they could perhaps improve their smithing abilities, or learn over time how to make such weapons after examining them ((OOC: If someone wants to RP Dark Sal and determine which one he should pick as payment or propose something else, feel free. Grigor is the first PC customer at this forge))

I think Dark Sal would want 100 gp plus 200 gp in Enkhuli weapons or armour (since old equipment always sells for half value).

Gaurd Captain Payne is in his offices in the Guildhall, just off of the Grainmarket. Money to hire new guardsmen arrived from the Imperial Treasury this morning and you are just supervising the installation of a huge iron pay chest that is being bolted into the floor and 2 huge padlocks fitted. An messenger in Imperial Livery arrives and bows and proffers the notes on one knee. It reads Captain Payne; you are hereby required by the Emperor to accompany Abbot Cain of the Temple of Light, on an embassy to the Kingdom of the Vale. His illustrious Majesty has been informed by Lord Darvin that your Grandfather was well known in the Vale, having been stationed there during the Great War. He apparently saved the life of the then Talidd during a hunting trip and this may accord you some respect that will aid us in this mission. Your specific responsibilities are to protect the gifts his Majesty is sending to the Vale as peace offerings and to grant Abbot Cain the benefit of your experience. You are also to protect the Abbot at all costs; assassins of the Red Hand have apparently sworn to slay any who support Emperor Octavin and Abbot Cain is one of the most important dignitaries to open lend his Majesty his service. A number of assassins are known to have escaped the assault on their monastery and are still at large. You are advised to exercise extreme caution. Marcus Rufio; Imperial Legate.

Grigor will accept the mission to protect Abbot Cain who is known to him as an adventuring companion. After much negotiation Grigor and Dark Sal come to an agreement. Grigor will pay a 100 gold  out of pocket and will give 200 gold worth of equipment. Previous armor 75 GP, 2 Enkhuli Short Swords 60 GP, 1 Enkhuli Battle Axe (30 GP), and Enkhuli Daggers to make up the difference (6 daggers). The weapons are transferred into Cain's Fort into Dark Sal's posession. The remaining Enkhuli Weapons are in the MUA guild hall for storage. 

My notes on meeting the White Emperor after the mission the Embassy to the Vale: The emperor asked whether I require a boon for my service after we returned from the mission, alive and successful. I replied that I ask a boon for the purpose of strenghtening the City Watch of Haven. In response the Emperor granted the following boon: In the Imperial army there are the so called Grey beards experienced veterans of many battles. They are close to retirement and are highly valued for their experience. The Emperor will allow 50 such corporals to join the city watch and provide the funds to pay them. After five years of service in the City Watch of Haven the Emperor provides a stipend and land to the men who apply to fill the role of one of the 50.  In the same meeting the Emperor also knighted me and awarded me my own lands. Ser Gregor Payne's lands now lie in Maldon proper. The estate in question is one of the four vassal lands under the Baroness Donau. It is but a small patch of farm land named the Leaford Grange estate but with enough time and investment it could become a nice place to live and retire to.  

Grigor Payne notes down the following for his records: Heard a rumor regarding the Redvale and Baroness Aurelia.  Knights of the Redvale are whispering that a number of bandits were recently caught in Redvale and after extensive questioning they revealed that they were spefically hired to prey on travellers in Redvale by someone in the Noose tavern in Haven.

Note to self: some time during the month Quickern. I have to look for and find the person called "Sharleen" as I want to ask her to teach me a new skill ((feat)). If she is not willing one of the companies might be able to teach me for 250 gold of payment but first I will ask Sharleen.

The Dwarf named Kaurik, would donate his scroll of Alter Self towards the mission of capturing   Alexia of House Valentis (take her alive, as she may know the location of the Brotherhood's secret hold.). Grigor accepts this donation and makes a note about this fact so he can recall it when the mission goes ahead.