Merchants and Marvels (Inactive)

Game Master Mowque

A clever merchant attempts to make a fortune in the Inner Sea Region.


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Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng stops Ute from going to far when he catches the thief. Explaining to the thief and the rest of the lizardfolk that taking things without asking is rude, if not perhaps dangerous or fatal in some cases. The offender is denied any food for a day, if they object. Rileng offers a one on one fight to first blood.

As their health improves and they seem to get spoiled. He has Ute and Sasthiss work up a training program, making them practice with the weapons they have and spar with one another. Those that rank low get less food then those that rank higher. The one that ranks the lowest gets nothing from the food gathered and must get their own food. Any fish the lizardfolk manage to catch and is not consumed is stored to keep the reserves up and replace what they took.

He reminds the lizardfolk that this village was originally another peoples. Their is no guarantee they won't return or that others will not come to claim it having prior rights to it. They may find themselves unwelcome and driven out again. Gaining back their own home was important in many ways and while he was helping them. He would only help them as much as they helped themselves. They would need to fight for their home if they wished to have a real future and he would help. They simply needed to put the effort into it and listen to him.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 18 + (5) = 40

Rileng will also use the three days to craft some alchemical items.

Edit- Oh yeah I'm their fiend blooded god who can sell ice to a white dragon. ;P


What did you make? Also, those dice modifiers are disgusting.

Rileng keeps the peace with the lizardfolk, although it isn't an easy task. Using food as reward works well on them though, and they soon rise to the challenge. He does catch one of the best, most clever recruits is found stealing fish out of the reserves however.

How do you deal with it?

After

The ship returns, with the load of goods. The man shakes his head, 'Caught sight of pirates a day back. They didn't see us, but let's get this little operation on the move?"


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng worked hard for those mods. He makes two tanglefoot bags and a thunderstone if it was only three days. :)

When Rileng finds the thief he sighs but has him restrained. He gathers the lizardfolk and exposes the thief.

"This one takes what he has not earned and has challenged not only the way of things but me with his actions."

He lets his words linger, even the lizardfolk have not forgotten his actions on their first hostile encounter.

"Yet he is not worthy of it. For his actions have done more then bring shame on him, they bring punishment. He took not from me but from all of you. I warned you all that their would be a price for breaking the way of things I set down fairly. I keep my word, those that rank among the five lowest will receive no food and nether will he. The rest of you will only get half the food you normally would be given regardless of your rankings. Thievery will not be tolerated among us. I said I would bring you food and shelter, I did. I said I would help you reclaim your home and I will. This is how you act."

He shoves the thief before the lizardfolk.

"Ask yourselves, would you be so kind."

Almost turning away he says one more thing.

"I will tolerate no bloodshed. We have enemies to face soon, you would do well not to break this rule. My kindness is not without limits."

After

"I don't expect to live out my days here. Don't worry about that."

He turns to Ute and tells him to hand out a spear and javelin to every lizardfolk and have them start practicing immediately. He has Sasthiss take care of the rest, seeing that the livestock is secured safely and the dogs expected to guard their charges. Along with the other gear being put away.

Later that day when the lizardfolk have finished their training he gathers them.

"Today we have proper weapons and supplies to support us in this village. But this is only a temporary haven, we will march to reclaim your ancestors land and your stolen home. To defeat those that have robbed you and wronged you without cause. Tonight all will feast for the challenges ahead. Gather your strength, soon we will fight. Soon you will return home."

Rileng will have at most 5 goats and 20 chickens cooked for everyone. The rest are for the village to have more then just fish to rely on as a meat source. Also yeah he went all viking chief on them. xP


The other lizardfolk mill around, incensed by Rileng's words about thievery and punishment. The theif looks nervously around, eyes shifting. Finally, he tries to make a bolt for the trees but the others catch him and haul him toward the surf, pushing his head under the water.

One of the other lizardfolk grins grimly. 'No blood in drowning."

after

The lizardfolk begin to chant Rileng's name as he whips them up into fighting.

'Ri-leng. Ri-leng" the sound echoes over the water and into the swamps. Shaking spears, the lizardfolk dance and strut. Ute is amused, Sasthiss is silent. Thirus, as he has done mostly, simply stays quiet and tries to hide.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng watches just long enough to keep the thief from drowning.

"Enough! bring him up, we don't weaken ourselves before the battle. Let him redeem himself on the battlefield. The dead learn no lessons."

After

As he intended he gets their morale up, even if he was not overly fond of their chant. He was never one for that sort of ego stroking. Yet he makes sure come the next day they are fit to march. He leaves the ship and it's crew to mind the village, while his party leaves with the lizardfolk and some supplies for the trip. He sends Sasthiss with a pair of the stealthiest lizardfolk as forward scouts, so that they had warning before marching onto anything dangerous or a possible ambush. He has Ute bring up the rear with his pick of the lizardfolk to share the position. While he keeps a look out and manages the lizardfolk from the center. When night falls he splits the watch so that one of his party is awake and on watch along with a few lizardfolk, taking pains to find or build well secured and hidden sites for their number.

Think that covers things until we get their or you throw something at us. ;)


It takes awhile to organize the lizardfolk, but Rileng manages. Sasthiss is particularity displeased to have to scout with the 'savages' but she does so. Ute is his usual unflapplable self, bringing up the rear.

The going is slow, but they soon fall into a rhythm. For two whole days they make good time, no sign of anything untoward. Finally, at the end of one day, Sasthiss sneaks back, her two scouts on either side. She looks grim, eyes hooded.

"You'll want to see this. Our...quarry is ahead."


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng did not like the sound of that, he leaves Ute in charge and goes with Sasthiss. Taking his time, keeping themselves undetected was the whole point after all.

Stealth: 20 + 15 = 35


Following Sasthiss (she leaves the two lizardfolk behind), he silently leads her through the muck and mess of the swamp. They travel for what seems like hours, dodging pools, mud and sinkholes. Rileng is about to ask what is going on when she motions for him to creep under a huge bramble bush.

Peeking underneath he sees... Perception please. Please roll itmo taking 20.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Perception: 1d20 + 22 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 22 + (1) = 26

Edit- Will take 10 if I can, this is why I have such high mods in some things. I rightfully expect the dice to screw me. :P


Dice screwing is a fact of life...

Peering out, Rileng sees a wide area cleared of trees and brush. While still swamp, it is free of any open pools or standing water. It is a tumbled mess of old stone buildings and ruins, choked by vines and mud. It is partially cleared and the in middle is an obvious digging. A small crane and other machines sit there. It is much as Thirus described. A few small wooden buildings, ramshackle, stand off to the side. One, smaller then the rest, is adorned with the sign of Dagon, the god they have seen signs of so far.

More surprising are the inhabitants. A good many are humans, of all ages moving around. Some are moving mud out of the diggings, some preparing food, others simply standing around. Intermixed are boggards, the ugly toad-like creatures doing much the same (although more of them have weapons and fewer are digging).

Off tot he side is a small paddock with a few goats and cows, grazing. Next to it...is a sign Rileng could have done without.

A gigantic, toad-like beast that combines the most disgusting traits of dragon and amphibian. Reptilian wings unfurl from its leaking corpulence, its frame heaped with rolls of corded muscle and moist frog fat. Three buckler-sized yellow eyes protrude above a wide, drooling maw lined with teeth the size of daggers. From this cavernous hollow echoing with deep croaking belches darts a thick tongue the color of an angry bruise, darting in and out.

Even as he watches, Rileng sees two boggards lead a cow over to the massive beast. Quick as lightning it swallows the cow whole, vanishing into the jaws in a eyeblink.

Good luck


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 15 + (2) = 23
Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 15 + (4) = 38
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 15 + (4) = 29

Let me know if I need different knowledge rolls. Can I get exact numbers of humans and boggards? Do I see my target noble? Do I see their food stores and/or water supply?


No sign of your targets but there are plenty of shacks and hovels to hide them in.

You see probably three dozen humans, and double that in boggards. The food stores are small that you can see and dwindling. They are obviously more concerned with digging then adequate preparation. The diggings are haphazard but the older ones are the more random. Obviously, lately, they have been getting more reliable information. There are no obvious magical things going on. At this distance.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

The knowledge rolls were more for the big nasty monster then anything else, sorry if I was vague.

Nothing was ever easy or quick it seemed. They had over a hundred enemies that he could see and some massive beast. Still he had some things working for him, he would just have to work them harder to get his results. Honestly he had less trouble as a thief and a killer, if being a good merchant got any more difficult he would consider restarting his pirating career. Not a thought he relished considering how much work he put into leaving it behind to begin with. Then again the way he had been treated, pirates had a better code that they at least stuck to.

"Let us return."

He whispered to Sasthiss as he withdrew back to the camp. Upon arrival he does not bother to cover up any of the information. A rather dark part of him hoped the lizardfolk would flee into the night and he would have an excuse to return empty handed, he was not one for hopeless causes or suicide runs. He knew when to cut his losses in such cases. Still he had a little trickery left in him. He raises his hands as he finishes.

"I would never ask any of you to throw yourselves at such a vast enemy. But I have no intention of simply turning tail and running at the first sign of trouble. Not without cause at least. Our enemy does not know we are here and we will keep it that way. They unlike us are low on supplies with no way to replenish them as well. Their numbers mean far more mouths to feed. I think it only fair we repay them with the same fate they nearly forced upon you. I intend to starve them and more."

Rileng will have the camp move back the way they came, increasing the distance between the enemy camp and themselves a bit more. He will then break the lizardfolk up into groups and split them up in the general area. So they are not all clumped up or easy to spot. He will also speak with the lizardfolk about the local plants, herbs, and animals. Looking to gather toxic or poisonous varieties.

Let me know if I need a knowledge check of some kind or alchemy check.


The hungry creature is unknown to Rileng but it seems to ring a bell as a native to these swamps. In his memory he recalls that it does have some natural magical ability despite not being very smart and (barely) capable of speech.

As Rileng addresses the lizardfolk they seem nervous at first but the idea of starving the boggards out is amusing to them. The warfare is also not unknown to them, as raiding is often a way of life int he swamps. Indeed, it is far more comfortable then considering a frontal assault.

Please make a Dip and a Sense Motive. Oh, and a alchemy. Do you want them to remain hidden or not after they disperse?


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Hidden from the enemy but not from each other. Which means we know where we are from each other roughly. Post again in a bit.


Sorry about delays. I have made a commitment to get back to daily posting. At least for this game!


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 18 + (1) = 39
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 17 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 17 + (4) = 38
Craft (Alchemy): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25

Thinking ragespittle is a good poison for his purposes. It's craft DC is 17 so unless I get a nat 1 I should be good.

Edit- Wow that came real close to being real bad for me on the alchemy. At least I know the lizardfolk love me forever. ;P


The lizardfolk help Rileng find the various plants and toxins he needs. A few times they try to lead him astray (pretending they know more then do or just usual pranks) but Rileng sees through them fairly easily.

At night, as the investigator is piling his finds, Ute comes over.

"You really think we can do it? I really don't want to have to fight that toad-looking thing myself. " he offers, a weak smile on his face. "This sort of hit and run strategy is risky and the enemy will soon know we are out here."

Sasthiss is close by, listening but not saying anything. Thirus is helping the lizardfolk disguise the little huts everyone is living in.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

"I am well aware of the risk. I am not in the habit of risking my life. If I find the noble before I have done anything and can remove him from the camp then I won't so much as trip one of them. Yet I am not prepared to go back empty handed, at least not without making someone pay for my misfortune or having a hand in it. Anyways I think your forgetting something."

He looks at Ute from his work for a moment.

"Sadly most people have certain opinions about themselves and others. Do you think the boggards and cultist like each other? That they respect and value the lives and state of one another? I think they share a mutual beneficial alliance that both are aware and intend to be temporary. Putting aside your nature for a goal is one thing, changing your nature and trusting those you dislike is another entirely. I am going to take advantage of that in due course. For now I am going to gather as much information as I can."

He pauses for a moment before returning to his work.

"I have no intention of having you or anyone else for that matter, fight that creature. Ideally I would rather it leave or be killed by our enemy. Or kill our enemies forces, I am not picky and I doubt it has any interest in whatever they seek."

Let me know when enough time has passed to change my extracts, he has the poison ready, and it's night. The cultist can't see at night so less eyes, not that it will help them anyways. ;)


What extracts and poisons do you have? Mind sharing the plan?


Just say midnight. It is dramatic! Whoa re you taking with you, anyone? Any directions to the bands of lizardfolk?


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng will go by himself, he does not have enough extracts for more in case he finds the noble. He will have the lizardfolk have watchmen in shifts with orders to stay hidden. If a cultist or boggard wanders close to their camps for any reason, they can't be allowed to escape if in small easily overtaken numbers that is, also to inform him when he gets back in that event. He will leave his minions in charge of the lizardfolk while he is gone in shifts as well.

Perception: 20 + 22 = 42
Stealth: 20 + 15 = 35

Rileng takes his time making his way to the enemy camp, the darkness and state of the moonlight having no effect on his sight or senses. Pausing at it's border long enough to down his extracts, he then continues. He goes about his search for the noble, food supply, or a water supply in a systematic fashion. Stopping only if he encounters enemy forces speaking or spots a individual that stands out as exceptional or in a position of leadership. He gives the monstrous toad creature a wide berth, he did not know the extent of it's senses or ability so would err on the side of caution for now. Hoping to deal some more round about blow to the seeming horde of enemies, he doubted the creature was a figure of leadership or tactics considering it. Under the right conditions it could even be a useful tool, but only if the conditions could be met.


Rileng slides into the camp like a shadow. he sees few of the humans, mostly boggards have the night shift, apparently. They do not see the investigator, and mostly seem bored or arguing with each other.

Rileng passes one building lit up, which seems to be the temple to Dagon, the strange God whose signs they spotted on the way here. Fires burn within and the smell of burning human flesh drifts out.

The other small shacks are shut up and guarded, some better then others..

Rileng finds two wells, with a bored looking boggard sitting in between, staring into the night blackness.

More details if you specify. Just ask.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

How many well guarded shacks? May do more depending.

Having found the wells, he was going to leave nothing to chance. He downs an extract that causes him to become invisible. Moving carefully he goes over to the wells and drops some king's sleep poison down them. Retreating as soon as he does to make sure he is not in the open when his invisibility wears off.


A dozen huts at clustered together, most only guarded by a boggard or two, if that. One, has four of the toad like creatures in front of it, all having large spears. One human as well, a weathered old fisherman, holding a rusty trident.

The poison seeps into the wells, the guarding boggard unaware. He seems to hear something, but is soon stuck arguing with one of the other boggards about feeding the huge fenced in creature. Apparently feeding it is not a favored job....


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng will try to listen in on the heavily guarded hut while his invisibility last, a minute before it is due to expire he will sneak back out regardless if he hears anything. He was done for the night, he would return tomorrow with more gifts and tricks.

Poison stacks with itself, so he'll have to keep dosing them to keep increasing the DC.


Rileng slides up to the heavily guarded hut, which is made of lashed bundles of swamp timber. He can't hear any voices, but he thinks he hears a very quiet, very steady scraping as if someone was digging...


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Not feeling like pushing his luck by taking on four guards for an unknown prize he makes a mental note to check it out next time. He leaves as carefully as he entered.

Do you want me to give you a few nights worth of actions or prefer to keep going night by night?


A brief rundown of what you plan to do, will work. I'll interrupt if I need to.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng is going to keep poisoning the water with king's sleep for 3 more nights while trying to eavesdrop as long as he extracts last, about an hour for the shortest with enough time to keep them while he sneaks out. As well as get an accounting of the forces and their state, as well as any notables like that trident wielding cultist. The 4th night he will change things up.


Does King's Sleep have any symptoms?

Rileng's nighttime forays gain him some knowledge.

It appears the boggards are two main tribes, the Blues and Green, divided by spotted patterns on their pale bellies. they hate each other, but are untied in freeing...something from the pit. Something they are digging up. Each tribe has a chief, supposedly equal in standing but both waiting to get the drop on the other.

As for the humans, they seem strangely lackuster and listless. Most do little except stand guard, gather food and attend religious ceremonies, where they get very excited. The head priest, a strong young man who always wears a sword, is the highest held human in the camp. Rileng spots him twice leaving the heavily guarded huts

It only takes two days for the lizardfolk to grab an isolated boggard however. They take him quietly (and eat him) but the camp is soon aware something in up. Guards are tripled, although Rileng has no trouble dousing the wells. Everyone seems more nervous and on guard.

What else, if anything?


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

By itself, King's sleep has no symptoms which is part of the reason I choose it. It drains Con so it does not recover without some sort of magic unlike Con damage which will recover with time and rest. Also poison stacks so night 1 it's fort DC was 19, night 2 was 21, night 3 was 23, and on night 4 it's 25. Con drain should be at 4 by night 4 for those that did not make their saves reducing Hp, fort, and such accordingly. Which will become noticeable sense losing 4 Con off your score means you are getting weaker physically, but their will be no outward effects to tip it off. It could be mistaken for a disease or simple heat exhaustion etc etc.

Before I post night 5, from which tribe was the boggard that the lizardfolk took out?


Excellent drug selection. Blue tribe. Sorry they ate him before you could question him.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng will gently yet firmly remind the lizardfolk that he would prefer boggards captured alive and kept that way until his return. He makes no mention of what is to be done with said captive afterwards. Man you think training lizardfolk would be easy when they love you. xP

He could feel the tension in the camp and his poison was weakening all who drank. Most if not all were enemies, as he had yet to spot the noble or any sort of prisoners. Still he needed a distraction and touch of discord to keep attention away from his true aims and methods. It was time for the ragespittle.

Once more he crept in as he had done many times before at this point. His first target as always was the wells to add yet more king's sleep. Once that is taken care of he moves towards the temple and smears some ragespittle on the entrance. The humans may wear clothes and shoes but the boggards less so, he was sure none wore gloves. Even if they did the transfer would strike someone sooner or later. Someone would have contact with the poison, when they did it's effects would be most interesting.

With his poisons delivered he makes his way out. He did not want to be around for the aftermath.

To recap Ragespittle causes the victim to become enraged and attack anyone (friend or foe) with in range and gives them a little dex damage too. I forgot to ask, what sort of weapons do the blues, greens, and cultist normally carry and use?


They respect you, but they aren't the best are following orders..The boggards generally have spears and tridents, some with bows and slings. The humans mostly the same except for a few metal weapons. As noted the priest has a sword. Are you staying to watch what happens?


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Nope, I am sure I can pick up on the gossip come next night. Don't want to risk getting stuck in the enemy camp or having a paranoid spellcaster type looking for something out of place. Having nothing and no one guilty around to pin it on, makes it all the more unnerving and for the faithful types it may even spark a little talk of a mad (both meanings) god being a little displeased. Maybe they killed someone they shouldn't have or broke some taboo, oh how will they make amends. ;)

Rileng was not always a nice guy you know. Your forcing him into some old bad habits.


During the day, Rileng sees smoke rising from where the encampment is.

IS that enough to entice you go go during the day or not?

Also, he gets word the lizardfolk captured another boggard and managed to not eat him.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng may check it out after he gets the boggard to talk.

Without delay Rileng makes his way to the lizardfolk that captured the latest boggard. He reminds anyone he see's along the way to stay alert, he did not know what the smoke was about but he would later on. The boggard could have information about that very thing after all.

Once he gets to the captured baggard he attempts to speak with it. Tring every language he knows of before resorting to an extract.

"Do you understand me?"


As he begins questioning one of the lizardfolk mention one of their own was killed and one other boggard made it back to the encampment alive.

If I recall, Understand Languages only let's you understand other tongues, not speak them?

Helpfully, one of the lizardfolk speaks a little boggard and can translate. (In addition Rileng can understand the boggards answers).

To save effort, I'll just do the translating. Interrogate away.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng does not waste time, he has Ute and Sasthiss begin getting the lizardfolk ready to move. As well as placing extra guards to make sure if they were attacked before they were ready that they could defend themselves. He then turns his attention to the boggard.

"Tell me why the blues, greens, and humans are working together. What are you looking for?"


The boggard grumbles and mutters but soon offers. 'We are searching for the god. Dagon. He is buried in the mud. We have been sent visions and signs!"

'All bow before his power and might.'

The lizardfolk hiss and jeer as it is translated.

Ute and Sasthiss help scout and prevent any attack. So far, there is no sign.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Predictably dull gibberish, at best what was buried was some sort of bound monster. Still that was not his concern.

"What did you do with the people from the village? Were any captured and kept at your camp? If so where?"


The boggard seems loath to answer the question, and the exchange is quick and full of nasty slang.

Soon though, the answer is wrung out. "We have them in huts, built by the other humans. We ask them questions, questions about the buried God. Where to find him, how to free him. They did not answer at fist but...." The boggard grins, the huge lopsided mouth hanging open, droll dripping onto the wet mud. "They talk now."


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

"Which huts? Where are they located?"

That was what he needed and quick. Who knew when they be ready to move or get attacked. Time was not on their side.


It is rambling, but between the boggard's descriptions and Rileng's own knowledge of the camp he manages to figure out that it is the guarded hut, where he heard digging sounds.

Apparently, during the day, the humans are brought out to help supervise the diggings and locked up at night.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Unless Rileng can get anymore information and the boggard starts making a case for it's life he give it to the lizardfolk and goes out to help move the camp.

Once the camp is moved and secured with extra guards and such in place, he will then go scout out the enemy camp to see what all the fuss is about. You got your wish. ;)


The boggard reveals very little else before he is eaten.

Rileng moves in to look at the camp.

It is a mess. A number of huts have been burned down, still smoking in the wet damp air. The corral for the huge toad beast has been smashed and hastily repaired (the beast is still enclosed, now sleeping).

In addition, the hut holding the prisoners is now guarded by humans and nearly double as many. Rileng notes all the boggards stay away from that hut, despite glaring at it.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

What are their numbers now?


You probably can't make an exact count. There are more about but that might because of the tension obviously gripping the area.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Well that was not a bad result for one little dose of ragespittle. It was very fortunate that the day they were discovered was the same day they started distrusting each other. Now even the truth will not be believed now. He could work with that, sadly an unintended side effect was that his target was now guarded even more tightly. No matter, he had a way around that. He would just have to alter his extracts a bit. Not that he intended to stop weakening the enemy, both their bodies and their trust. He retreats back to the new camp's location to wait for night fall.

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