GMsui |
Forgot to roll for Haltani
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Also typo'd the name of their tribe. Whiterook, not Whitetook.
The closest of the two border patrol speaks. "Ah, kinsmen," he says, addressing Baloo and Huron. "It suits you ill to travel into the land of our oppressors. Do any of these outsiders claim to possess you?"
The other continues. "While we'd love to take you at your word, such a ship is not usually afforded to the merest of travelers. We've a right to know what everyone moving through our lands takes into the witches', and honor demands we exercise that right."
"Aye that," the first responds. "State your true purpose in Irrisen, let us search the ship, and you may yet leave in peace."
The conversation has gone on long enough that those who have fallen can stand up.
Huron Magnusson |
Huron makes a show of his empty hands as he shouts to the men on the shore.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
GMsui |
The closest guard addresses Huron in skald.
He turns to the rest of the group and continues in common. "Our Battle-Leader, Halvor, gave us leave to inspect, not to negotiate. If your intention is to trade with that witch-city, we would have you speak to him first."
Rogzul the Whisperer |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
"We are foreigners here. You trapped us. Why should we trust you or your Battle-Leader? Just let us go."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
GMsui |
"You're foreigners here," one of them replies. "Why should we let you pass through our lands freely? Why should we trust you or your intentions? We have you trapped. Why should we let you go?"
The second speaks reassuringly. "You will come speak to Halvor under guest-right. Abide by it and you will not be harmed. If Halvor finds nothing wrong about you, you'll return to the river and continue your journey. If Halvor does find wrong, you'll return to the river and reverse your course. Let it not be said that we are an unjust people."
Rogzul the Whisperer |
Begrudgingly Rogzul nods his acceptance. He tries to catch Haltani's eye, noticing their guide has been oddly quiet.
Nicholas von Dorn |
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Reflex: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 4 = 17
Nicholas saw the trap almost as the boat hit it, but his reflexes were quick enough for him to keep his balance.
As the 'inspectors' show up, he does not draw his blade but keeps the hand on the hilt.
"You speak of honor, but you have trapped our boat without warning, like brigands. We have no ill intent towards your kin, but rest assured we are prepared to defend ourselves should the need arise."
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Sensing that the Whiterook people seem to be genuinely concerned, Nicholas relaxes his stance and lets go of his weapon.
"Do you not have a Customs-leader to deal with peaceful travelers? No? I should have known. Fine then, let's go make peace with your Battle-leader."
As Nicholas is being escorted, he does two things:
First, he tries to remember the terms of the Ulfen Guest-right:
Know(local): 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 7 + (1) = 20. If he fails, he asks Huron and Baloo.
Second, he strikes up a conversation with Rogzul, attempting to pass a secret message (that anyone who speaks Common can overhear).
Bluff: 1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 3 + (6) = 19 expending a use of Inspiration
"Why keep our cover? They should support taking things from under Witches' noses."
Rogzul the Whisperer |
Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Perhaps still not understanding the nuances of human nature, Rogzul does not seem to even try to hide his response to Nicholas.
"Two men do not wish to fight six. This does not make them allies."
GMsui |
"Have we stolen anything from your boat, like brigands?" one of them asks, responding to Nicholas. He rifles through the trade goods packed onto the boat before sorting them back into place. "No? Then call us not brigands. What we do, on our lands, to defend ourselves from the witches, can not be called dishonorable. It is for you to obey our laws and not for us to bend them to your needs."
The other stifles a sneeze as he sniffs a pot of ground spices. he speaks to his companion in Skald.
The first responds in kind.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Here's hoping those rolls were taken away from an attack somewhere. That said, in the future I'd rule that a complex message.
"Maybe because changing your story now will make us trust you even less. Trying to fool us doesn't help, either. Let it not be said that we are an oblivious people."
We've a sufficient quorum to head to Whiterook, methinks.
The two guards guide the ship ashore with tow lines and gently run it aground. The secure it in place with a large net woven with branches and leaves and hammered into the ground with long iron spikes. "Our clan-hold is two hours away by foot," one of them says. "Gods willing, you'll be back before nightfall."
Haltani remains quiet, if nervous. As you hike to Whiterook, she seems to keep at least one party member between her and either of the guards.
The village of Whiterook sits against a tall cliff wall. A line of close-growing birch trees and tangle of vines shield the village, acting as a natural palisade. One of the larger birches bears a carved bird, which lends the village its name. In the center of the village, a massive fire pit sits stocked with timbers and dry brush as if ready for a massive bonfire. Several humanoid bodies hang naked in the trees outside the palisade. Hanging next to them is the skinned corpse of what
appears to be a bear-sized wolf.
Haltani stares at the hanging bodies, muttering under her breath, “Savage butchers... monsters all.”
"The price for breaking guest right," one of the guards replies. "Rest assured, if any of our number attacks one of you unprovoked, he will join the swingers."
The guards lead you to the unlit fire pit. They send one citizen for warm wine, and one guard leaves to summon Halvor. The Battle-Leader arrives just as the wine does. He is inordinately large in height and in musculature. His scars mark him as seasoned, his long, blond hair as wild. He drinks deep of the offered wine, letting a small stream of red trickle through his beard before addressing you.
"Tiorun tells me you're heading to Dalun as traders. He also tells me you tried to hide from him that this was, what did he call it... a 'cover story.' By your clay and your bearing I make your destination to truly be Irrisen. To go to Irrisen willingly seeking anything but death is folly. To lie to my broder guards is greater folly still. What is your true purpose in the witches' lands?"
Rogzul the Whisperer |
"Lying to those that lie in wait, trap us, and speak angrily in strange tongues does is not so strange. Would have been honest if you had been us? It is not folly to mistrust strangers."
"Why are you so concerned with what we are doing? How does it concern you?"
diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 I hate you so much dicebot
GMsui |
Before attaching a diplomacy roll to everything, please consider that there are penalties for failing by a large enough margin, and trying with just one statement is not possible without skill unlocks or feats or somesuch. Recall that the standard usage requires a full minute of interaction. PFS tends to have more concrete rules for diplomacy checks than the "I can always try to improve his attitude" set-up present in home games to prevent tables from getting bogged down in constant diplomacy rolls. You'll be prompted when one is possible.
Rogzul the Whisperer |
fair enough. It's been a near constant with me so far that gms have asked for a diplomacy check when I try to communicate with an NPC so I've started trying to head it off at the pass. I'll avoid it unless prompted going forward.
Huron Magnusson |
Huron frowns at Rogzul, glancing around at the rest of the village and wondering how fast he can make for the exit before one of his headstrong companions picks a fight. Speaking up suddenly, out of turn, he attempts to defuse the situation with the only thing he can think of: the truth.
Yakanzi |
Yakanzi is tired of all this talking..."ENOUGH TALK! YOUR MEN HAVE SEEN THE WARES, THERE IS NO THREAT. LET US PASS... NOW! OR MEET YOUR ANCESTORS!" and he hefts his blade in his hands daring them.
please be a good roll
Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
couldn't hurt
Balooo |
"Huron speaks the truth. We are here for knowledge, not death.
" Balooo sighes. "Excuse our companion, he is easily sparked."
"You need to have patience like the mighty bear, Yakanzi. There is no glory to be had dying here like this."
GMsui |
Yakanzi, it can very much hurt.
Halvor smirks a little as a dozen of his warriors immediately draw weapons and surround Yakanzi.
"I know well how blood can boil," he says as his guards close on the rager, "so I'll let that one go. For now. But heed your friend's words. Stow your blade, or I'll gladly use it to strip your skin from meat and bone. I'll hang it from the trees next to the betrayers and lay the rest of your corpse next to the wolf's. Man on the outside, beast within. Like with like."
Nicholas von Dorn |
Nicholas is frustrated when his message reaches the wrong ears, so he decides to keep his mouth shut. But when Yakanzi very nearly spells their doom, he feels he must intervene once more.
"Look, if we wanted a fight with your men, we'd have attacked them before being brought here. I suppose that's true for you as well, and since we're not fighting yet, you must be willing to hear us. Yes, we had a cover story, but it was for the Witches, not for you. We didn't expect to be stopped without warning like this" - he throws an annoyed look at Haltani - "so we were on our toes. We're sorry for trying to deceive you before, it was a mistake."
"The truth of the matter is that we are actually Pathfinders, adventuring explorers, employed by the Pathfinder Society to explore a location of a long-lost dwarven relic, rumored to be in Irrisen, and study it for the sake of gathering knowledge. Our organization is not allowed in Irrisen - you would know pretty well, I assume, how close-minded and hostile their laws are to anything foreign."
Not that we have a huge step forward here, he thinks to himself.
"Hence the need for the cover story, to be allowed into Irrisen - but it's not too far from the truth actually, we are not looking to pick a fight with anyone, just find the relic we're after, hopefully avoid having to kill any wolves or trolls in self-defence, and safely return home."
Still, given how well it went so far, we probably need to come up with a better one.
Gregor Little Bear |
Gregor weathered the search with his usual aplomb, keeping Ironclaw firmly in check as the ulfen searched the boat and insisted on accompanying them to their chief. He was a well-spoken dwarf, but not one much for convincing people of anything, and Yakanzi was stirring things up on the militant front without any need for assistance. He decided to bide his time. In this inhospitable land with its strange customs, he was out of his element.
GMsui |
Apologies for long delay. Mix of waiting for someone else to pipe in and a rough patch at work.
"Right out from under the witches'..." Halvor mutters to himself, trailing off. The prospect excites him; he smells opportunity.
"I assume you know where you're going? I said to enter Irrisen seeking naught but death was folly. Worse yet is wandering it aimlessly. Do you have a destination? A map?"
Rogzul the Whisperer |
" Dalun, then north. We have a guide." He nods at Haltani.
GMsui |
"Your guide can tell you of the road ahead. What should concern you is the road behind. I know of Dalun and their claims of peace. I believed those claims myself, up until the last moon. They sent envoys to talk of trade, but as we were about to let them in, we were attacked by winter wolves, ice trolls, and a dozen Jadwiga soldiers. The... false guests in the trees.”
He spits on the ground before continuing. “We slew enough of them to scare them off, but lost many good warriors. I just wished we had captured that Jadwiga witch while she was here, but she vanished into the night.”
"Give the witches your back and they will take a scourge to it. If your intent is peaceable passage through Dalun, know your folly. If not, I would... we would help you crush that Witch-City. No need to fear the rubble behind you. You'd have your safe road, and we our retribution for their offense."
Huron Magnusson |
"Perhaps the best way to continue would be to slip in and out as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary attention. When my companions are rested and ready, we'll depart immediately."
Nicholas von Dorn |
Nicholas wonders incredulously if the Battle-leader is actually proposing to turn their stealth mission into a full-scale assault.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
We thank you for the fair warning of the Irriseni treachery, and the offer to stand side by side to your mighty warriors, but please, understand - we are not here to make war. While it's true that the Witches are hostile to Society, the Society is not a nation and cannot muster an army to crush all witches in one battle.
Please consider this: you have already lost some of your men to a single ambush. You may win a single city and its leader; will Jadwiga not retaliate by sending in a full-fledged force from Whitethrone? And to be completely open about our interests - will the warfare not obliterate everything in the path of our research?
I am not against aiding your cause, but I think a discreet effort by our group could bring more use in the long run than just adding six soldiers to your army. Perhaps you know something about their supply chains or recon patrols - we could be of use in dealing with that."
Nicholas gives a tentative pause to hear what his companions have in mind.
Rogzul the Whisperer |
Rogzul nods in agreement with Nicholas
"Even if the Society could take the Witches in war, it is not our place to make that decision. We have a purpose, we must see to it."
Huron Magnusson |
"My half-orc friend is right; we're not able to start any conflicts on behalf of the Society. However, we could gather information relevant to your cause and return it to you on our way back."
GMsui |
"Your mission doesn't matter to me. I demand retribution. My warriors demand retribution!"
He gestures towards his assembled guards, who howl in response, before turning to face the party once again. "If you sail upriver, I will take a longship, load it with the fiercest of my followers, and sail alongside you as your guards. Once we draw near, I will lead my men into the wretched city. I will claim ten men for every one laid low by their betrayal. I will rip their leader from her throne and make her watch the death of Dalun. I will cast her from her walls before I cut them down swing... by... swing!"
His guards erupt in furious approval as he finishes his speech. "As for reprisals?" He spits upon the ground. "We will show the witches just how hot fire can burn in their frozen land. We will show them the cost of treachery. The witch cities have no love for each other, but they will surely have respect for us. Your arrival here is a happy coincidence for us. Consider our razing Dalun to the ground a happy coincidence for you."
Haltani, having made a conscious effort to stay quiet through the proceedings, can listen no more. "Treachery?" she screams. "Are you mad? I've traveled these lands as a guide for most of my life, and Dalun has never broken an oath or taboo!" She calms down a bit. "If you were to just visit, you will see their forthrightness. You will travel safe upon the river in a land full of monsters because they care that travelers and traders arrive safely. Between regional patrols and the city's own guard, they haven't the men for raids like what... like you've attributed to them."
"Ha!" shouts Halvor. "Good. Then it will not be too hard to take the city." He addresses the party. "You will dine and sleep here tonight. You will depart in the morning, with host-gift. If there's nothing else, then this... business... is concluded."
You can leave it at that or try to convince Halvor to at least try a more peaceful visit. Anyone giving a half-coherent argument can roll diplomacy to change his mind or to help a specified ally in his attempt.
Rogzul the Whisperer |
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Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Sensing Haltani has an investment in this cause Rogzul speaks up.
"If Haltani is right, if Dalun is innocent, than you will be the traitors. Even Orcs scout their enemies before a raid. Come with us as traders and make sure your decision to fight is the right one."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Gregor Little Bear |
diplo, aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
"Yes, I believe that I concur. A straight on rush into violent confrontation is rarely the best option."
Nicholas von Dorn |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
"Your lust for retribution is justified, but revenge is a dish best served cold. A well-placed and well-timed strike will be more effective than random acts of wanton violence."
Diplomacy, aid Rogzul: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 (using Int instead of Cha to persuade others)
Nicholas feels that his words fall on deaf ears and gives up with an exasperated look, letting fate decide the course of their expedition.
GMsui |
Perhaps a bit cowed and embarrassed by Rogzul's words, the war leader before you stands down.
"Very well," he says. "It is decided. This does not change my... immediate... plans. I will still take my longship and my best warriors. We will go in peace as... ambassadors... and weigh our options against their intentions."
He beckons you follow him into a great hall. "For now," he says, "you will join us to feast. My hunters brought back a bear and a hind today. May their flesh give us strength."
Should Gregor react in disgust, Halvor will assure him that his bear, as a bonded companion, is perfectly safe, and also that by culling the local predators just a bit, they ensure more game meat is available to feed them through leaner seasons.
Assuming no objections, you spend the night eating, drinking and hearing and telling stories of adventure and strange lands. If there are any questions you would pose to Halvor or his tribe before leaving in the morning to continue your journey, please do so. Otherwise, we will continue your journey into Irrisen.
Rogzul the Whisperer |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Satisfied that, at least for now Halvor is intent to keep an open mind, Rogzul will feast and have an otherwise uneventful evening, then wake up ready to move on the next morning.
Gregor Little Bear |
Dispite the obvious concern of their "host", Gregor did not rise up in disgust at the thought of bear for dinner. Erastil provided for his children by summoning animals to their place of need. As long as no one killed for pure sport, or threatened to overkill wildlife in an area, Old Deadeye was satisfied. Still...
"I thank you for your kind invitation, but I think Ironclaw and I will abstain from the meat this evening. I am sure you understand."
GMsui |
The night passes uneventfully, if boisterously. The night watch stops by occasionally as everyone else sleeps to tend the hearth and keep the great hall warm, even as the cold bites bitter outside its walls. In the morning, Halvor and his men pack up and escort you to your boat, promising to catch up with you when his group fins their own.
True to his word, however disquieting or comforting that may be, his longship catches up with yours around midday. He posts four of his twelve men on watch at all times while the other eight row, claiming that the rivers aren't so safe in Irrisen as they are in Whiterook lands.
As nightfall approached, a near collision with the ship of "guards and emissaries" prompted Haltani to shout out that they keep a greater distance. Halvor obliged, though he did not hesitate to show his frustration. His boat pulled ahead, perhaps far enough that you might speak amongst each other without being overheard...
Rogzul the Whisperer |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Haltani, you are from Dalun." This is not a question.
"When you asked me about my life, I said one day you must tell me about Haltani. That is today."
GMsui |
"I've spent most of my life wandering these lands. Is it so strange that I might have called this city home? Some of the city rulers in Irrisen treat their power as a cudgel rather than a heavy burden, but Nadya... I know her well, and I know her interests lie in peace and cooperation. This land may seem warmer when we've friends who were born into sunshine."
Haltani says no more. She pulls the boat alongside Halvor's and quickly sets herself to striking up the camp.
Your night watch wakes the rest of the party in the middle of a night bright with the light of a full moon. Across the river, on the north shore, he'd spotted a white wolf skulking and pacing along the water's edge and watching the camp intently. However, as you and all of Halvor's retinue stumble out of your bedrolls and ready weapons, the creature disappears into the far treeline.
The temperature drops to a stinging cold as you approach Dalun.
Cold enough to require saves or other means of mitigating the cold. Fort DC 15 or 1d6 nonlethal cold damage plus fatigue/frostbite.
Both boats dock a hundred yards or so from the Dalun's gates. You spot two guards waiting as a welcome party outside the walls, each accompanied by a small white bear.
You approach, but you quickly notice that Halvor stops maybe twenty paces from the guards. "To approach in peace, after all the witches have done..."
His hand twitches towards his weapon, and his guards seem ready to mimic him.
You've got one chance to try to convince him of the folly of attacking now. State your argument, threat, bluff, etc., and roll whatever you will.
Huron Magnusson |
Fort save vs cold weather: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Huron grins when the cold sets in, a warming wave of nostalgia washing over him.
Sense Motive aid another (for whoever wants it): 1d20 ⇒ 14
"It's not too late to change your mind."