MF

Rule of Three thread for Michael Franklin and his characters.

Ok, Ready, Set, Start Rolling!

For your new level!

You should be gaining a new feat and a utility power and each one requires 6 successes each to acquire (for a total of 12). It's a d20 roll and the DC is 11. You get a +4 bonus to all of your rolls since you'll be working with your trainer, *Shagold. You get to make three rolls per D&D day so start rolling and let me know how many days it takes for you to get 12 successes. Also, post up what you'd like to do with the rest of this week burnoff to level up.

*I think you also joined the League of Fighters? If not, then you can easily join. Wil and Jordan's characters already joined.

Leveling up from 3rd to 4th level

• The DC for each roll is 13
  
  
• You get a +4 bonus for working with a trainer
  
  
• You need six success for your new feat
  
  
• You need eight success for each ability score going up
  

If you want to sell magical equipment you may do so at 50% exchange rate.

Boom!

The front door of your apartment is kicked open. Groaning to yourself, you already know who it is as you hear a series of boot stomps around your dwelling. Seconds later, your bedroom door flies open.

“Lendri Ezekiel Bologard!”

The unmistakable voice of your father, Milo. “This tom-foolery has gone on long enough!”

“What? What are you talking about?” you ask.

This just infuriates your father even more, “This nonsense joining this damnable adventuring party, the Brigade! Do you know how much money you have cost me or the Coalition? Do you?!?”

You smile to yourself, knowing exactly how to push his buttons, “But we are doing fine work, why just the other day we saved-“

“I DON’T CARE!!” shouts Milo, “That’s it! Grab your things, you are going to live with your Aunt Prisca in Waterdeep, maybe some schooling will do you well!”

“But what about my place, my friends?”

Your brother Homba will stay here while you are gone, why I don’t know. That boy is as reckless as you are troublesome!”

And off you went to Waterdeep as your father eventually follows through with that threat he had been making for years. Growing up with an uptight father and businessman that he is, he is short of patience and temper. Whenever he would get upset, he would exclaim that he is shipping you off Aunt Prisca in Waterdeep, and that her stern attitude will whip you into shape.

The trouble is Aunt Prisca is old. Damn near senile. You and Homba kept the joke going, letting your father continue to think that she is a horribly mean person, when in reality – it was really a vacation.

Homba never went to business school as he was supposed to do in Waterdeep. Instead he studied at School of Wizardry because of his long time affinity to fire. Aunt Prisca was none the wiser when Homba “graduated” and recently returned to Rock Hammer. Not with a business degree but as a mage instead.

Lendri and Homba reconnected briefly before Lendri was shipped off to school. Homba was jealous of the adventures Lendri experienced and Lendri was about to approach the Brigade to see if he could convince them to accept his brother into the group. Instead, Homba would be taking his place.

The following day Lendri and his cart of belongings, along with father’s Coalition soldiers as “escorts” was seen by Baern near the front gate. Lendri quickly filled the dwarf in on what had transpired. A thoughtful Baern placed his hand on Lendri’s shoulder, “Ah, it won’t seem right not having a halfling in the group. Safe travels friend.”

“Oh worry not Mr. Coldforge, I found my replacement! My brother Homba!”

“Oh….great.”

Lendri goes on to describe Homba’s skills and knowledge of arcane magics while Baern nods his head, seeing the logic of adding a mage to the group. Eventually Baern comes around on this idea.

“But, be careful around him,” warns Lendri, “he tends to set things on fire. A lot. That’s why he got sent away. Burned down our house years ago.”

“Wait….what?!?” shouts Baern, snapping back to reality.

“Don’t worry, he’s more responsible now. I think.”

And that is how Homba became a member of the Brigade.

You stand at the window of your apartment staring out at the city. Sometimes you wonder how difficult it would be to burn a building down. Perhaps your brother Lendri is right, there is something wrong with you.

Hmmmm….but could I do it?

Your attention is snapped when you hear the screams from the street. Quickly you exit your place to see what is going on.

The skies seem filled with small, white flying creatures, and unmistakable chill washes over the valley. Some of the creatures are on the streets as citizen run to cover. One of these beasts, a white dragon wyrmling, steps in front of you and the two of you are locked in a one-on-one battle.

…to be continued…(on Sunday!)

Homba: A chance encounter with your father

As the Brigade returns to Everlund you all stop in the streets to grab a quick bite to eat before finding the warehouse with the red door. As you munch on a leg of lamb you feel something hit the back of your leg. You turn and see a small rock, and looking up you see your sister, Tabitha Bologard, motioning you to join her in a back ally.

You duck away from your compatriots for a moment while your sister glares at you. You can tell she is pissed off. She leads you around a corner where standing before you is your father, Milo Bologard.

“I am very disappointed Homba, in you and your brother. I have clawed and fought to provide for all three of you to inherit an economic empire and this is how you repay me?!? By following that foppish, drunken dwarf as he tries to ruin everything we have worked for?!? Are you serious?!?”

Tabitha, who has always sided with your father and his beliefs, just shakes her head. She is the ruthless one of the family.

Your father settles down for a moment, “Look, you are a good son, so is Lendri. But I need your help. We need the democracy to prevail in Rock Hammer, so when you return to Rock Hammer you, your brother, and your sister are to go around to the other factions that the dwarf has talked to and “persuade” them to reconsider their alliances. In the meantime, you need to make sure that Deven Ferrain is not turned over to the Association. If you do, I’ll see to it that you and Lendri receive the proper compensation (Homba and Lendri gain enough XP to go up two levels each).

Can you do this for me?

You meet up with Tabitha just outside of the Sly Flourish restaurant. She has always been the tallest and, quite frankly, the toughest of the Bologard children. She claps you on the back as the two of you walk off.

“It’s good to have you back in Rock Hammer and fighting by my side Homba, just like old times.”

You think back to your youth, when the two of you would “encourage” merchants to join the Coalition. Tabitha would threaten and you would coerce.

And then set the place on fire.

Tabitha sighs, “It’s not going to be easy. Those damn do-gooders in the Coldforge clan have everyone convinced they are the right choice. I honestly don’t know what us Bologards would do if we lose this fight.”

Tabitha smiles and pokes you in the side, “Maybe set the town on fire, eh?”

You get a chuckle out of that as your sister places her hand on your shoulder, “We really have free reign to do whatever we want. Dad is 100% behind us. Whatever it takes is what he just said to me. Just ask Officer Greywind. You know, if you could.”

You both get a laugh out of that, and now it has been implied that the Bologard family had the leader of the City Watch killed.

“Ok Homba, here is what we are looking at. Here are the factions that still support us”:

• Amyria Ward
  
• Bologard Family
  
• City Watch
  
• Laborer’s Guild
  
• Rock Hammer Trade Coalition

“These are the factions that support the Coldforges"

• The Arcane Academy
  
• Clan Oakbeard
  
• Clan Stonghammer
  
• Clan Coldforge
  
• Dwarven Ward
  
• Elmshire Ward
  
• Greatrock Ward
  
• The League of Fighters
  
• Longfang Tribe
  
• Lunini Family
  
• The Order of the Shining Fist
  
• Temel Ward

“These are the factions that are still undecided”:

• Blackrock Ward
  
• Lower Ward

“What do you think? Should we go after the two wards that are still undecided, maybe beat them to the punch? Or should we work on flipping some of the supporters of Coldforge?”

so before we actually visit any of these factions...homba will insist that they start the rumor mill running rampant...

as covertly as possible the way rumors work,, no one knowing who wisperd first...

first spreading through the areas of same persuasion

•City Watch

•Laborer’s Guild

•Rock Hammer Trade Coalition

then spending a few days in various spots in the city...markets, taverns, wells, squares, any place of gathering...

rumors to be spread

bloodthirsty drunk

gambleing debts

never around/off adventureing

died on last adventure now undead

agent from other competeing citys

feasts on children

buggers corpses

owns competeing trade

wants to replace city watch with royal guard

converses with dragons

hates magicusers/wizards

wants to make non magic users a slave class

hoarding magic items

killing rivals and anyone that gets in way

letting children get slaughterd in street by dragonets

for/against abortion

ect...

then homba and tab will visit the wards

blackrock
lower
greatrock
elmshire
temel
dwarven....last if at all...

The seeds of rumor have been planted without anyone the wiser, while you and Tabitha wait to see what is to become of them. In just a couple of days you find that a handful of the rumors are really taking off. Here is a sample of some of the things you hear:

Quote :

“That drunken lout is always in a bar! If he is in town, that dwarf is drunk!”

Quote :

“What kind of King would he be, I ask? Always out adventuring, when would he have time to run Rock Hammer?”

Quote :

“Since the days of this town’s inception, the have received a stipend from Silverymoon. That dwarf is in league with merchants from that city to take over this one!”

Quote :

“I have been defending the city wall’s my entire career in the City Watch, I’ll not stand idly by when he replaces us hard working folk for his own self interests!”

Quote :

“Amazing that his claims to king started about the same time that Frost Reaver showed up. That dragon could have leveled this city! Perhaps a deal was brokered to give that dwarf an excuse to claim Rock Hammer.”

Quote :

“You know dwarves have no love of magic. When the change happens, arcane powers will be outlawed!”

Pleased with your work you and Tabitha set off to visit the two wards that were still undecided. You first meet with the ward rep of Blackrock, a female half-elf named Osi Garam. She used to own the armor and weapon shop called “Sword & Cleave”. And it is quite easy to see that the rumors have gotten to her.

Quote :

“It makes perfect sense. This dwarf has delusions of grandeur, like his great grandfather. He seems like he is hell bent to get at the Rock Hammer Trade Coalition, on a personal level. He must be backed by Silverymoon, why I saw High Lord Methrammar Aerasume meet with the dwarf just before his claim of kingship. Something is going on here and he will not have the support of the Blackrock Ward.”

The next place you visit is the Lower Ward where you meet the representative Jald the Hero. Jald was a former adventurer who is not the sharpest blade in the weapon rack, but he is quite popular in the ward even with the minorities. He is easily swayed.

Quote :

“Yea, I am mad that they no talk to me! What, he no care about Lower Ward? Him too good for us? What?!? He talk to every other ward, but not us? To the Nines with him! I thought Un’Goro was trustworthy orc, but I guess not.

Next you move to the Greatrock Ward, where you are careful to avoid speaking with High Moonstar C’Nedra (Blaine’s NPC) of Sehanine/Selune as well as High Priest Malik Ironhands of Moradin as the two of them are well known to be in support of Baern.

Instead you talk to High Lady Kadaline Willow of Waukeen, Sister Emesha (of Torm), and Luckmistress Calrissa Lupkas (of Tymora). They have all heard the rumors flying around town and are now hesitant to lend support, although Sister Emesha speaks her support for him to an extent since his group tried to rescue Troy Percival, until Tabitha speaks.

Quote :

“You only have the dwarf’s word that Troy Percival turned evil and lead the Cult of Bane high in the Mountains. Do you not think it plausible that the dwarf wanted to get rid of a pillar of the community such as Troy Percival to help pave his road to become king?”

Sister Emesha nods and gives this some thought. Collectively the three of them agree that at the very least they should withhold their support until more deliberation can take place.


Next you head to the Elmshire Ward where the richest people of Rock Hammer live. They are an easy ward to reason with as they are fearful of change. They were swayed by the fancy talk of the charismatic dwarf, but gold is more important that words.

You do have an interesting talk with the tiefling Tain Bravis, current rep of the Elmshire Ward and former president of the Rock Hammer Gold & Trust until your father, Milo Bologard, pushed him out of office. Since the Brigade acquired the Wraithstone for Tain Bravis, he has changed. He seems more…evil. You and your sister fear he may be plotting something.

You are about to head to the Temel Ward when Tabitha grabs your arm, “Don’t bother, that is a waste of time.”

Back in the master suite of the Green Fields Hotel of your father, you fill him in on your progress. He is quite proud of what you and your sister have accomplished so far and sees support for Baern at 10 (Arcane Academy, Clan Coldforge, Caln Oakbeard, Clan Stronghammer, Dwarven Ward, League of Fighters, Longfang Tribe, Lunini Family, Order of the Shining Fist, and Temel Ward). Support for Democracy at 8 (Amyria Ward, Blackrock Ward, Bologard Family, City Watch, Elmshire Ward, Laborer’s Guild, Lower Ward, Rock Hammer Trade Coalition). Undecided at 1 (Greatrock Ward).

He has two questions for you.

Quote :

“What do you think about planting a murder on Baern? We know his disdain for the Trade Coalition, perhaps we could martyr one of our own, I’m thinking maybe Victor Canith, whom who we had poised to be elected the next president. I know some dwarves out of Mithral Hall that will do it, make it look like some of the local dwarves did it. Maybe we pin it on Osath Stronghammer of the Kingdom Society, he is a strong supporter of Baern and has been promised a job in the new kingdom. What do you think of that idea?”

“Second, great idea with the rumors. I think we need a unflattering nickname for Baern. Something that the people will think of when they see him and it will stick in their minds. Come up with one and float that around.”

“Anything else? I know Homba is to leave with the Brigade to free the ogre’s people tomorrow. Anything else you want to do before you leave or things we can work on while you are gone?”

killing people might find a way to come back and harm all our endevors... unless we have a real need to be rid of victor canith?.. he'd be better used continueing to be a figure head; opposed to this "blight of the king"..and "blowhard Baern"...

along with our actions to reduce his 'numbers' by continueing with the rumors... we can attempt to increase our own..I propose the first "rockhammer trade fair" a convention of sorts to showcase trade and services...show people the prosperity and way of life already available without the troublesome meddleings of kings...

that and makeing sure that baern and his entourage are kept busy as far out of town as long as possibe..find for him some adventures that are desperately needing his attention..

decrease his stock
increase our stock
keep him busy
maybe even turn a profit

Milo smiles, “True, Victor Canith can be a good ally to keep. Perhaps we keep him in reserve in case the people of Rock Hammer turn on President Lunini. We can prop him up as a better solution than Baern Coldforge.”

“Also, I will start organizing the Rock Hammer Trade Fair. Should have it up and running when you get back.”

“Last, pulling him away on an adventure is a great idea. Tabitha and I will keep our ears to the ground and funnel any out-of-town adventures towards Baern.”

You are about to leave when Milo pulls you aside. “Your new friends, no doubt, will want your assistance making Baern king. You should do your best to let them think you are an asset.”

Your father is upset again.

“One of your friend’s is causing a commotion. That godforsaken orc is putting pressure on Jald the Hero (ward rep of the Lower Ward). We’ve had him on our side and on lockdown so that he pea brain doesn’t wander off and change his mind about our arrangements. Now that orc is causing a scene near the main gate about Jald’s hiding.”

“No worries, I send a team of sellswords down to discourage him from continuing this nonsense.”

What started as a good day of progress for the Bologards is quickly turning south. Your father, who was mad before, is now furious. The sellswords he sent to the Lower Ward to intercept Un’Goro from speaking to Jald the Hero (the dim Lower Ward rep you just convinced to side with you), just returned with severe injuries.

All of the except their leader, Ehlo.

“That damn orc must have captured him. He was still fighting when we got knocked out.”

“Dammit!” shouts your father Milo, “Ehlo was there last night. He knows you swayed Jald.”

“And on another note, where is the damn president?!?” shouts Milo, “no one has seen her all day?”

You can see things quickly spiraling out of control for your family. If things continue on this line, Baern will soon be king and who knows what will happen to the Bologards. Perhaps the smart play here is to be on the winning side.

Hmmm, such decisions.