Taklinn Ungart |
"We were passing through your waterways on our way to the village of Dalun and, as my eager to please elf compatriot has already mentioned, seek the settlement of Naldak's Point. If there are any routes or perils worth a mention to that end you would be willing to share, we'd be in your debt."
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Taklinn sees Halktani looking sorrowfully toward the bodies hanging outside the palisades, a hint of familiarity in her eyes.
Halktani may have known a few of the dead these Ulfen have put out on display. A warning sign to be sure, but is it to strike fear into these savage's enemies, or to ward away what they themselves fear? In either case, our guide may be tempted to act rashly here.
GM Crucible |
Halvor grunts “Pahtfinders. I should have known.You must meddle in everything, it seems. Up river is Irrisen, and going into Irrisen expecting anything but death is folly. Ice and pain await you there; even if you live, you will have lost much by going there. Turn back. Abandon whatever fool’s errand has sent you.”
Halvor's face darkens when Varian and Taklinn mention Dalun. “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.” 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.”
Taklinn Ungart |
Turning to speak only to Halktani in a whisper, "Halktani, what do you make of Halvor's claims? Are the villagers in Danlun prone to this kind of behavior, and what do you know of this witch he mentions? I know this might be hard to take in right now, but we need to know if we walking into trouble of some kind."
GM Crucible |
Haltani turns as if to speak, then pauses and reconsiders her words. "I'm sure a wise leader such as Halvor would only speak with the weight of evidence behind him."
"True words, at that," replies Halvor. He waves his hand, and an assistant brings scraps of patches and insignia forward. Another brings etched helmets and a breastplate with similar markings. "These are from the invaders. The armies of Irrisen marched on our settlement and attacked our people. You saw some remnants of the battle, I'm sure. They shall be made to pay."
Varian Jeggare |
Varian carefully looks over the insignia.
Knowledge(Nobility) - 'Take 10' = 19.
"You know... I don't think these are from Dalun. Look at this insignia - it belongs to Saarbotten, an Irriseni town near the border..."
He then turns back to Halvor.
"Is it possible that another town might have sought to sabotage the peaceful overtures between your settlement and Dalun?"
Mercutio il Fata |
Mercutio, now intently listening, doesn't move a muscle. However, internally he reacts to Varian's impressive (and completely passive aggressive) find/retort.
Thinking, "DAAAAAAAAAMN, SON!"
GM Crucible |
(You had a hidden "aid" that bumped you over DC 20 for this extra information.)
Halvor glares at Varian. “My warriors demand retribution. Their honor demands it. The witches who control Irrisen approve of these skirmishes, for they would not occur without their commanding it.
"If you insist on going to Irrisen, we will go with you to Dalun, acting as your caravan guards. Once outside the city’s walls, we’ll attack. After that, you can continue on your way without the threat of Dalun at your backs. And we can have our recompense.”
Doodlevain "Doodle" Montafescue |
"It'd be great if you'd hold off on your attack, but I'm not going to turn down caravan guards for our trip. I've never been in this land before, so help would be appreciated."
Varian Jeggare |
Varian shrugs.
"Okay... but as I said, it looks like Dalun isn't responsible... moreover, each town is known to act independently from the others as they vie for power; seeking revenge is a natural, and right thing to do, but wouldn't it be better to make sure that you take revenge on the right people?"
Taerel Morgenfrei |
"I do not wish to get involved in your fight, but it seems your cause is just, and so I will help you. But not against the wrong people. Approach with us, but then give us a chance to enter and investigate before we come to blows. Can you abide by this?"
Mercutio il Fata |
Mercutio attempts to help Taerel with his suggestion.
"I must agree with Taerel. I have traveled with him before, and he is wise beyond his years. His advice has been sound in the past. And while we do not lightly back down from a fight, especially a just one, with this group I have noticed that there is usually more than one way to skin a cat."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
GM Crucible |
If you wish to dissuade the outright attack on Dalun, you need a better Diplomacy roll than 17 ...
GM Crucible |
Think of it as a measure of *how* you say it ... No matter how many times I give the wife 'facts', I'm still 'wrong' most of the time ... ;-)
GM Crucible |
I know it's a holiday for those of us in the states, but does anyone else wish to aid the Diplomacy roll?
Taklinn Ungart |
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
With Doodle's aid, Taklinn implores Halvor to not repeat any mistakes of the past. If it there is honor to be redeemed, let us determine first who has actually shed the blood of your warriors before more innocent life is lost, and let not the wicked go unpunished.
GM Crucible |
Ah, there, we have it. Just needed that last aid to push you over the edge.
Haltani steps in at this point. "Peace may be the braver course. War does not feed the mouths of widows. Come, join us on our journey to Dalun, and see that they desire peace."
Halvor considers your arguments. "Peace is kept by preparing for war. But we do not have to be the ones to start it. My warriors will accompany you to Dalun, and treat for peace. But we will stand ready for their inevitable deception."
That's the proposed plan, but you can change it, if you want.
Halvor offers you space to seep overnight in the village. He profers two potions of resist energy (cold) to assist those not yet acclimated to the north.
When you set out for Dalun the following morning, a dozen warriors in a longship sail beside you.
GM Crucible |
As you travel north on the river the following day, you soon cross into Irrisen. The temperature drops dramatically, falling to well below freezing. In the distance, log cabins march across the snowy fields, walking on knobby wooden legs.
Perception
Doodlevain Montafescue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Mercutio: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Renedar the Young: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Taerel Morgenfrei: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Taklinn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Varian Jeggare: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Several hours into your trip, everyone (except Mercutio) sees a winter wolf on the north bank, openly following the boat.
How do you react?
Varian Jeggare |
Varian, noting the winter wolf, keeps an eye on it, but otherwise does not react, not wanting to provoke Halvor into attacking it, and potentially provoking a diplomatic incident.
Doodlevain "Doodle" Montafescue |
"There's a wolf over there, and I think it's watching us! Don't mention it to the Warriors," Doodle whispers to her oblivious friend.
GM Crucible |
The party chooses to (mostly) ignore the watching white wolf, perhaps suspecting it of being an Irrisen citizen. The wolf eventually slips away without a sound.
Stone cliffs mark the border of Irrisen on the northern bank. Chill winds send urries of snow over the edge, landing in the river and on the grassy bank of the southern shore where maple trees ght the icy doom of Irrisen’s endless winter. A long, narrow cart path winds its way up the side of the cliff from the docks to Dalun’s iron gates.
Guards and their Irriseni ice bear companions wait just outside the gates of Dalun for the Pathfinders and the Whiterook Ulfen to approach.
You're still too far away for the guards to hear you, when Halvor turns to the party of Pathfinders. His rage has been growing throughout the trip, and is beginning to boil over. "The Jadwiga have done much to our people. Now is the time for retribution..."
Varian Jeggare |
Varian loses his patience with Halvor.
"You yourself said that your people did not have to be the ones to start war, and we presented you with evidence that the people of Dalun were most likely not responsible for the attack on your people. What sort of Ulfen would murder those not responsible for a deed, and claim that as just retribution? Do you really want to be the one responsible for opening up another theater of war, when you could instead have allies here?"
Intimidate: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16.
Mercutio il Fata |
Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
Mercutio cocks his head at Halvor. "This again? We talked about this already."
Sighing, All right...
Intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9 to assist Varian
"Get it together you big oaf. Are you going to let your emotions take over and ruin everything you want, everything you're trying to accomplish? Everything that could help you honor your fallen brethren?"
Doodlevain "Doodle" Montafescue |
Doodle shakes her head. "We have to be able to trust you, Halvor! If you keep losing your head at every turn, you aren't being trustworthy and I don't think we can work together. Get your head right!"
Intimidate aid another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
GM Crucible |
The little gnome is not terribly intimidating. A bit amusing, but not terribly intimidating. Halvor looks down at Doodle and almost smiles.
It's Varian's threats that do the trick, however. Halvor looks mollified. "Alas, lad, methinks you speak reason again to an old warrior. Let's try this peace thing of yours. Maybe they won't muck it up this time."
You approach the gate, where two gate guards each lead an Irriseni ice bear. "State your business here," one demands.
Varian Jeggare |
Varian nods to the guards.
"Greetings. We've come up river with a ship packed with supplies, and a letter of trade. We would also like to seek permission to investigate a ruin north of the city. Can you tell us where in town would be the best place, or places, to do both?"
As far as I can tell, that is both true, and accurate.
GM Crucible |
The guard looks unimpressed. "If its merchants you seek, try the merchants' quarter. As for permission, that will have to come from Baroness Nadya."
The guard eyes Halvor and his Ulfen companions. "And don't be causin' no trouble, eh?"
He waves you through.
As you enter Dalun, Haltani gives the names of several prominent Jadwiga merchants with whom they can trade, including Alexei Kartov, a respected jeweler. In the merchants' quarter you can exchange your letter of credit for trade goods. (Whatever you like; ore, furs, rare witch-tree seeds are 'easily' available.)
Diplomacy of Profession(merchant) to get a good deal.
Haltani also gives detailed directions to the keep where you can find Baroness Nadya. "I have other business to tend to in Dalun, but please tell the Baroness that 'Haltani sends her regards.'”
Again, I don't believe anyone is 'Scarab Sages' faction, but if you are, please let me know.
Doodlevain "Doodle" Montafescue |
"Hiw about we pick up some of those neat witch tree seeds? Those might be neat to grow," Doodle days, excited at the thought.
Aid another diplomacy 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Mercutio il Fata |
Muttering to himself in amusement, "Do witch tree seeds grow witches, trees with witches on them, or trees that witches like? Come to think of it, why would you grow trees that had to do with any kind of witches. Wait, do we like witches?"
Then to the merchant at hand, "Ah, yes. These are fine specimens of witch tree seeds."
GM, you posted "Diplomacy of Profession(merchant) to get a good deal." Is that supposed to be Diplomacy or Profession (merchant)? Or is it haggling only if you have Profession (merchant)?
If I can with only Diplomacy: Mercutio attempts to get a good deal on the seeds.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
If I need Profession (merchant), then just aid.
GM Crucible |
GM, you posted "Diplomacy of Profession(merchant) to get a good deal." Is that supposed to be Diplomacy or Profession (merchant)? Or is it haggling only if you have Profession (merchant)?
Yes, that should be an 'or'.
Taklinn Ungart |
While his companions are going on about plants or something, Taklinn decides to go look for a local tavern in order to buy a few rounds of ale in the name of Cayden Cailean and a good time.
GM Crucible |
Mercutio takes the lead in negotiations, and secures an very good deal that will provide excellent cover for your story as merchants, and make some money for the person who financed the expedition.
Do whatever shopping/drinking/etc., you like in town. I'm going to assume that at some point you go see the Baroness.
...
The party easily locates Baroness Nadya outside her palace, seated in a garden whose “foliage” is intricately sculpted out of ice. A group of guards stands nearby, and they eye you with open suspicion. The guards demand that you lay down their weapons and explain why they would dare to enter the Baroness’s presence without invitation. The is a very present, but unspoken "Or else" punctuating their "request".
Mercutio il Fata |
Before we had to see Nadya, Mercutio asks the group, "Are we to be incognito on this one? Or do you think Pathfinders will be openly welcomed? I'm up for whatever. And who wants to take lead talking to the Baroness? We have a trade letter, check. We want permission to travel inland, check. We have 10 blocks of black fire clay, check. Well, we don't have to tell her about that last bit.
Are we just going to tell her we are looking for some keys from the sky or do use the merchant, trade cover? Either way, I'd rather not come to blades in a freak show town like this one."
Varian Jeggare |
"From memory, Pathfinders are not particularly well liked here, so I wouldn't make a big deal about it, but if we are directly asked, I wouldn't lie about it, either."
When the party gets to the guards, Varian willingly sets aside his weapons, before stating "Haltani sends her regards".
GM Crucible |
Hearing Varian's statement, the Baroness looks up and waves the guards away. The guard grudgingly returns Varian's weapons with a look that suggests great pain would follow should he attempt to use them in the very near future.
Baroness Nadya remains seated on her sculpted ice bench, but looks up at you expectantly as you approach.
Varian Jeggare |
Varian bows.
"Greetings, Baroness. We seek permission to explore what we believe to be some dwarven ruins about half a day's travel north of your most excellent settlement. However, we have also been pressed into the role of impromptu diplomats; we were passing by the Ulfen settlement of Whiterook, and they said that, after receiving overtures of peace from Dalun, they were subsequently attacked by Irriseni forces. We pointed out that the livery of the attackers was consistent with the forces of Saarbotten, but the leader of the town insisted that we get formal confirmation from Dalun. As fostering peace makes it safer for merchants and explorers alike, we thought it prudent to help to smooth things over."
GM Crucible |
The Baroness remains expressionless in the face of the truth. She pauses, not yet answering, considering your words. (... and giving the chance for others to speak as well.)
Diplomacy rolls, please.