Merchants and Marvels (Inactive)

Game Master Mowque

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


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A light rain begins and picks up as Rileng returns to camp. The sky turns dark as the rain turns into a driving tempest, shaking the trees with a mighty force.

Rileng meets Ute at the edge of camp, rain sloshing over both of them.

'Some of the lizardfolk got chased off!" he says, shouting over the roaring storm. "A big force of boggards came at them, and they ran off. No one was killed and we are trying to re-gather them. Tough in this mess. Gods, what a storm!"

The rain increases and Rileng can see flashes of lightning and hear rolls of thunder.

"Sathiss just came back with a report. Let me try to find her!" Ute shouts peering into the darkening rain.

It is not nighttime yet


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

He was trying to preserve his forces and now they have been cut. If he was lucky then they would be saved, if not then the enemy had weakened him without a single loss on their part. Now with this storm, who knew how things would turn out. It almost seemed as if fate was giving him all the reasons to abandon this venture and he was considering doing just that. The last few days could turn out to be a complete waste and he would not do the same to his time. He waited in the rain for the report weighing his options of gain vs effort.


As Rileng watches the rain pour, the ground begins to turn into sticky mud, even worse then usual. Normally high ground,t he entire area of the camp begins to bubble and shift under the deluge.

Rileng spots Sasthiss appear out of a sheet of pouring rain. She nods curtly to him and starts to cross.

Suddenly, as she does so the ground shudders and heaves, nearly throwing Rileng off his feet. The space between Rileng and Sasthiss begins to sink, the ground churning into a frothy mass of brown sludge. The sinkhole grows swiftly and Sathiss falls into it, trying to swim int he thick ooze.

"Help!" she shouts, her usual calm demonor shattered by panic. "Help!"

A nice non-monster challenge


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

-.- You sir forget who I am.

Rileng removes and extract and downs it before jumping in to grab Sasthiss.

"Watch those hands but hang on."

He has just enough time to quip as he grabs her as well and wills the extract's power into effect. They fly out of the hole and into the air enough to get to more solid ground, he did not want to go to high in case mother nature wanted to strike him with a little lightning.


You have to name these extracts when you use them. Which one was that?


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Sorry forgot it at the end. Fly extract.


Fly is useful!

Rileng skids to a stop, mud flying. They are on the edge of the sinkhole, which is setting peacefully. Sasthiss, while clinging tightly during the ride, disentangles herself quickly.

"Thank you." she says simply then adds, "We are down to 79 enemies in the camp, between killing and deserters."

The rain lessens, but still pours as she talks. Out of the sheeting water , Ute and Thrius appear, looking muddy.

The dwarf has been quiet the last few days. After building the huts, he had vanished for hours at a time into the swamp. Questions were evaded but it mostly seems he hated the lizardfolk. He seems in a bad mood now, as the sinkhole swept many of his huts away.

His words belie that though, "I have some good news, boss." He then grins, white teeth against black rich mud. "I might have a way for you into camp. What would you say to some tunnels, underneath?"


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

"I would say has the enemy dug into them? As well as do you know of any that could come up beneath a certain hut I know to have prisoners?"

That was promising but could also be a problem if not used right and quickly. He turns to Ute for a moment.

"How many lizardfolk remain?"


"No, no. Older, much older." he wipes the rain out of his face. "Part of the original complex. We sketched out a few of them. Some are flooded but most have magical or mundane drains. this was swamp back then too, so it was planned for. Most of the entrances are inside the camp but I found one, last night, that'll lead you right between the toad monster thing and the guarded hut. Best i can do." The dwarf bows.

Ute nods and answers, "Oh, all of them. We have about two dozen of them. They scattered when attacked, but none ran off. They are used to this warfare sir. It'll just take some time to re-form them." Rileng notes some grudging respect in the sellsword's voice.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Well he supposed that was something. The tunnels could be a nice killing ground if the enemy gave chase and their numbers would work against them rather then for them. With his abilities he could easily sneak in, the problem had always been getting out with any people and this served as a nice option.

"What are the dimensions of the tunnels? How many people cam stand abreast and the height of the ceilings?"


The dwarf shrugs, 'We explored a few of them. They varied. It appeared to be some sort of ruined temple complex, with tunnels to and from various buildings. Why they needed underground passage, I don't know. The ones we explored were in pretty good shape, we didn't have to crawl or anything. A few places were single file but most were three, four men wide. Who knows what you'll run into." Thirus adds, unhelpfully.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

He gives the dwarf a look that said he was about as helpful as a two headed slug.

"Well then I guess you will have to show us."

Turning to Ute.

"Once the lizardfolk are all gathered. Break them up into three groups. We are going to have you and one group guard the entrance up here. Another group will be in the tunnel just below you, in case they are needed on ether end. While the third group will be with Sasthiss and Thrius under the entrance of the camp's tunnel. That way if any enemies come after me, they'll get nothing but a bunch of spears for their troubles. Also make sure we are ready to move. Even if things go smoothly, I would rather not stick around the same place afterwards."

Rileng is ready to spread some more poison and see about rescuing some prisoners. ;)


So what is the plan exactly? if you mind sharing.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Same as all the other nights. Poison the water with king's sleep first. Slap a little ragespittle somewhere far from the hut he is targeting but somewhere it's only a matter of time before someone touches it. Then sneak to the guarded hut and use gaseous form extract to get inside, if the coast is clear of any baddies. He will turn into his solid state and see what or who is there. Can't say much after that sense I don't know. :)


Sorry, mis-remembered from last time. I shall ret-con, feel free to delete your post too.


Rileng sneaks past the outer guards to the camp. The numbers are increased, the camp is one edge. The rain continues, covering everything in a slick slime.

Near the well, he is finally spotted by a jumpy looking human guarding the water supply.

'Who are you?" The man asks, pointing a spear shakily.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

I could point out that this is the part I do use invisibility but going to roll with it anyways. :)

"Come...Water...

He replies in broken common.

"Sky....Water...Not....Good

He found it a little odd they choose a human over a boggard with their weaker eyes at night but maybe that's because they had them covering the parameter.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 18 + (4) = 39


'Go ahead.' the man grumbles.

'You know the new rules. No getting water after dark, same with food. After the riots, something is going on." the man looks a little shaky and sickly. Probably the king's sleep.

The man eyes Rileng at the well.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

He grumbles himself but says nothing as he takes out a few empty bottles, along with the one holding the king's sleep. He pulls up the bucket and drowns the first empty bottle until it's full. Repeats it with the others, using the king's sleep in the middle and making sure their is still water left in the bucket before tossing it in. He collects his bottles taking note of the tainted ones and retreats. As soon as he is out of sight he makes his way to the hut, seeing the level of security before taking his gaseous form extract to sneak inside and do the same to the interior.


Clever!

Rileng finds the hut well-guarded, but only the front. In the back, he manages to get close and slips in as smoke.

Inside he sees four humans, all dirty and wearing rags. Rough cots are against the wall, and a small smoky fire. they all look thin, pale and hungry.

One dark corner suddenly moves and Rileng spots a man, half-hidden in a hole, climb out. He is younger, fitter, taller then the rest. He fits the description of Anson, the noble that Rileng is searching for.

He has finally found his quarry.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Having confirmed things at last, he slips back out. He needed a distraction and a nice one in all this rain to draw those guards away. Yet not enough to have the whole camp erupt into chaos. That would only serve after he got the prisoners out. Well he supposed he should take advantage of his current form and the ragespittle. Five on one or better yet four on two should work about right. Thankfully swamps were known for their fog and with the rain it was only thicker among their feet. With a dose of ragespittle in each hand he only needed to touch a little of their bare skin, like say the ankle to poison a pair. They would never know it was the fog that did it, creatures aplenty in a swamp. More so when the rain is out and frogs, not the kind walking upright on two legs, would practically be swarming. At worst the guards number would fall, at best they would subdue and drag away the pair leaving the hut guard less for at least a while. Ether outcome would serve him well.

Gaseous Form makes you immune to poison so I can use it via touch. ;)


I don't think the gaseous form of the poison would actually BE position. And that form can't hold unaltered ragespittle.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

My bad I thought it was like invisibility, in that case his paste should still protect him when he goes solid. He will use an invisibility extract and still touch two of them with ragespittle. It's not considered an attack so his invisibility will hold. I assume the guards are not standing out in the rain. If so then I will have to think of something else.


Rileng sneaks up, and attempts to tag two of the guards with the ragespittle. The noise of the rain helps cover Rileng's footsteps, as he approaches the half-dozen watchful guards.

He touches two of them, and then melts into the distance.

Astonishingly, one doesn't react to the poison, apparently having a stronger constitution then is average. The other soon starts to shake, then, without warning, attacking the other guards. His spears starts slicing and dicing before the others can react.

'Heathen!" the others shout and start to pile on him, wrestling him painfully to the ground.

'Go get the priest. We found another heretic!" with that shout one, a younger boy, takes off into the rain, running toward the temple. The other remain behind, cruelly pinning the still fighting, poisoned man.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Really, these people sure were a glutton for punishment. He supposed yet another dose would have to work, he didn't need a priest around. At least not one that didn't have his hands full. Sense they were so busy with one victim, they should have even less of a chance of noticing him. He touches another one, picking out the weakest looking. They were going to leave the hut, or he was going to make this a night of heretics.

Your going to push Rileng until he finds a way to dose that frog monster with ragespittle aren't you. :P


I have no ulterior motive although that would be awesome. You still invisible? How many extracts do you have left?


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Yeah invisibility is short but with my level it should last 7 minutes, that should be more then enough to dose them again and retreat. I have one dose of ragespittle left. I'll have to make more and come back tomorrow night, unless I stock pile it.


Rileng sneaks in and dabs some of the virulent poison onto the back of one of the wrestling men. Invisible, he darts in and out without a sound.

The fight becomes more intense as one of them turns on the rest, fists flailing. One of them, unaffected with curly black hair, "Sharn, you?" he says in shock.

'Heretic!" The turning, twisting knot of fighting men rolls away, heading toward the corral with the now sleeping toad monster. The door is unguarded although the men aren't THAT far away.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

How many feet exactly?


Say 20 or so


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Yeah even with the rain that's to close, I am assuming a light source at the door, to get one much less five people out without being noticed and a priest on the way. Rileng will retreat and make some more poison to weaken and cause havoc with. They seemed determined to murder anyone that falls to ragespittle, maybe I'll pick a priest next. >:)

Having run out of ragespittle and these fools already calling for aid rather then dragging away the victims. It's to big a chance to tip his hand. He didn't need the priest looking for a saboteur. He needed them thinking their god was at work. The king's sleep would continue to weaken them and once he had more ragespittle he could try another distraction. Perhaps a bigger one this time coupled with a little selective poisoning. For tonight he would retreat, hopefully the weather would improve.


Rileng retreats to another short night's rest. The rain lessens to the merest drizzle, but the morning is heavily fogged and misty. In the middle of it, a lziardfolk rushes into camp.

"The...the lady sent me. Big group of boggards, chasing us! They are everywhere, came out of the mist." the young lizardfolk looks panicked.

Ute looks at Rileng, "Sasthiss knows enough to lead them away. She might need help though. Permission to go to her aid?"


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Rileng waves away Ute.

"That's hardly needed, go."

Looking at the lizardfolk he wondered how the boggard even knew where they were. Didn't they have problems of their own, he was seeing to that. Even so with all the king's sleep he was giving them they should be weaker then normal by a fair margin. Even in large groups, which he wondered about considering how few of them their were compared to before, they should be little threat to the likes of Sasthiss and Ute.

"Alert the others to be on guard. If any boggards come across us, they won't be making it back to their camp."

Their numbers had been cut nearly in half at last count. Yet now they sent out blind search parties to fight enemies while in a weakened state. They really were lead by foolish fanatics. The lower their numbers the better, at the rate they were going. He was walking into their camp and over their bodies to retrieve his prisoners with ease. Mad gods breed mad followers, useless followers in his opinion. Bless sensible Abadar and his love of sound reason.


So you are making a move on the camp by yourself?


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Nope waiting on Sasthiss and Ute while keeping alert for the boggard patrols. But if their numbers keep dropping and my lizardfolk are still intact. Rileng may consider a full on assault of the camp, sense in a equal fight the lizardfolk are stronger due to the poison and Rileng does not do equal fights if he can help it. But at last count the enemy still outnumbers us 3 to 1.


It is late evening when Ute wanders back into camp. He waves at Rileng and says, 'Reporting in boss. Whatever you are doing is working. The boggards were slower then molasses in the middle of a Linnorm winter. We sent them running into the swamps and a good many won't be coming back, for sure."

The merc sits down 'Do you have anything to drink? Still thirsty work, even if the boggards are drugged to the gills. Got plans for the breakout? Tonight?"


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

"All I have is water, but I'll buy you a drink when we get back."

He hands a bottle over, having disposed of the tainted water he had long ago.

"As for tonight, the same as last time. Hopefully I can lure the guards away but if not then I may have Sasthiss create a distraction for me. I'll need you and some lizardfolk in the tunnels in case we have company or at the very least help with the escapees. With any luck we will have our targets and little will be left of the enemy to be a concern."

He needed the prisoners out of harms way. Then he would be able to help the lizardfolk deal with the remaining boggards without concern. He could even use that toad monster without worry of what it's rampage would do. Which reminded him.

"How many of the boggards did you see and how many will no longer be our problem?"


Ute scratches his chin, "Three score maybe, total. Probably sent half of them off or dead in the mud. Sasthiss is still rounding them up. So you want me to clear the tunnels? Gods know what is down there. You know, it is never just mud and moles. It si always a unholy god or undead."

The hired sword sighs then nods, 'Fair enough. Please, no holes in walls though?'

Feel free to get going for the nightfall. Lets get out of this swamp!


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Hey you put me here with the toad army of loons. :P

"From what our dwarven friend has said, their is nothing. At least not in the tunnels we are using, I suggest you don't explore."

If everything goes well he can just lead the prisoners to the hidden tunnel and got out from under the enemy without having to deal with patrols.

Once Sasthiss returns, he makes his way as usual to the enemy camp. Going to the wells and dropping more king's sleep, certainly would not hurt. He then makes his way to the hut. Watching what they had in store for him tonight to deal with before choosing a course of action.

Who is guarding the prisoners this time and how many?


Four guards. Two standing, two pacing around the hut. All humans

Rileng sees few boggards around the camp this time, and all are grouped nervously in clumps. The humans are more active. Apparently tensions are high between the two groups. Again, the temple is brightly lit and smoke belches out of the crude chimney.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

Well they do sure like making his life difficult, he supposed he would just have to take theirs. Again he uses an invisibility extract and a dose of ragespittle. Aiming to brush it against the leg of a guard as he passes by. Regardless of the result he retreats right after. Joining a group of near by boggards that match his color.

"Those humans, one was watching me. Cursed they are, that why they suffer punishment from the god."

He croaked to the other boggards quietly. Seeing if they would take the bait and waiting for their replies.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 18 + (2) = 31

Rileng has tongues active so he speaks boggard and understands it. How many boggards and human cultist are left?


The boggards croak and nod in agreement.

"Taking all the best food." one says, grumbling loudly. 'But they have better swords and weapons. Also, the leader says we must work with them, if we wish to free the god. then he can judge the humans."

It is hard for you to count totals.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

What happened to his ragespittle victim?

Rileng croaks slightly.

"Boggards do all the work, Boggards do all the patrolling, and the humans go mad just standing guard."

He grumbles for a moment.

"When boggard was standing guard, no madness. Now only humans and the madness comes. Maybe it better if human guards stop guarding. Maybe if they given to god, madness stop."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 18 + (3) = 31


Darn it, knew I forgot to cut part of it.

The poison works quick and soon the two guards and wrestling with each other near the back of the prison hut. Hearing the noise the other two run to the back, leaving the door unguarded.

Rileng's voice sounds wise and smart. 'You say attack humans despite leaders words?" It sounds more like an open question then a objection.


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

"Not attack, they help feed it."

He makes a gesture towards the frog monsters location.

"They eat all the good food, it has to eat good too so it be happy."

He gives a wicked smile at the others.

"Not our fault humans bad guards and get eaten."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 18 + (2) = 38

Well that's perfect, madman is giving the perfect excuse for the boggards now. :)


release the kraken!

The other boggards look at the fighting wrestling humans then back at the towering toad creature. They too break into lopsided grins. Then, as a group they rush the corral, yelling and shouting.

They soon have the gate open and are showering the bewildered creature with insults and encouragement. It takes a while but all chaos is about to break loose in a moment and the noise is growing.

Time to make your move


Male Tiefling Investigator (Empiricist) 7

He lets the boggard go about their business hanging back to let actions unfold. As the hut is left guard less he enters carefully, upon finding nothing but the prisoners he speaks.

"I will be taking you from this place. Do as I say and draw no attention to yourself. If you find these terms disagreeable I will leave you here at the mercy of your captors."

He said this in clear common without any hint of a boggard accent or mannerisms. If they didn't figure it out then they were better off with the boggards. If no objections are made he frees them from their chains to the hut but leaves any manacles on and such if it does not impede their ability to run.

"Move as silently as you can and follow me. If we are stopped by anyone, let me do the talking. We do not have far to go so do not rush or panic."

He leads them out while keeping both watchful and careful of his movements as he makes his way to the hidden tunnel. Once he see's that it's clear he opens it and hurries them down, going in last to make sure it is shut behind them.


The prisoners look shocked at Rileng and a few look ready to argue but Anson quiets them with a hard nod. He waves a hand for Rileng to lead them. As soon as they step outside the hut though, chaos breaks loose.

The huge toad creature takes one huge lunge out of the corral, loose among the running boggards, wrestling humans and everything else. A moment of silence passes then suddenly, all over the camp the plants begin to grow.

Trees swell and bulge, throwing new leaves and branches. Bushes shoot up, turning thick and impenetrable. Tangling, gripping weeds and vines appear everywhere, up from the wet, muddy earth. All over the camp a new forest seems to spring back into being.

The mess of new plant growth muffles sound and blocks sight but is also makes getting to the tunnel very difficult and round about. As Rileng notices all this, he hears shouts and calls from the temple and men begin pouring out of it in a panic.

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