Orryn Quattlebaum |
Oorryn looks over the goods, impressed by their quality. You do excellent work, my good sir, the halfling says. Great weaponsmithing should never be rushed, wouldn't you agree? Why would a fine craftsman take such a charge, if time is all that matters to this client?
GMTrex |
"This work is inferior," frowns Valsog. "I could make finer pieces, yes, if given more time. But Tygora brought me here, and I must meet her demands."
Skybek Odeon |
"I ken that yae like dae'n what yer suppose tae, but Ahh hope that yae dae see that this Tygor lady is causin a lot o' pain fer the gud folk here. Wid yae consider helpin us oot? Ahh mean, we're tryin tae help oot the gud folk here while we rescue oor friends. We dannae live here, but we see injustice and tyranny and we'd just assume put an end tae the entire nasty business. The problem is, we could really use some help. Wid yae consider giv'n us yours?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
GMTrex |
The giant considers the dwarf standing ten feet below him for a long time. Finally he asks, "What kind of help?"
Harnac Lucridious |
Hang on, Skybek--let's not get ahead of ourselves here.
Hack regards the towering smith. You say Tygora brought you here. May we know the nature of that bringing? Were you brought here against yer will?
GMTrex |
"I was," the giant says matter-of-factly.
Orryn Quattlebaum |
Another injustice to rectify, Orryn says angrily. We have a date with this Tygora, friends.
To the smithy, Orryn says, We would be grateful for any information you might be willing to offer, as well as hidden passage into her stronghold when the time comes to deliver her order.
GMTrex |
The Brobdignagian smith shakes his head. "A contingent of Tygora's soldiers will come by tomorrow to take what I have to the barracks. What you see here is the product of many months' work--rushed though it is, inferior work itching at my pride--and there are many months to go." His hammerfalls continue to ring out in the mountain air. "Tygora gives me business and provides prime materials to use, despite her demand for inferior work. Why should I abandon that purpose? Crystalcrag is my community and Tygora it's ruler." His tone is flat and detached rather than angry or disapproving.
Orryn Quattlebaum |
My friend, I can only respect your decision, Orryn says with a bow. At the same time, my friends and I have seen first-hand how those in Tygora's employ treat those under her. I would not want to see you treated similarly. I hope you do not come to regret this choice.
I suggest we come back early tomorrow and be unseen nearby when these troops of Tygora arrive, the halfling says. If nothing else, we can at least trail them to her lair.
GMTrex |
"Decision? No, no decision. Only a question."
Harnac Lucridious |
"Tygora gives me business and provides prime materials to use, despite her demand for inferior work. Why should I abandon that purpose? Crystalcrag is my community and Tygora it's ruler."
Wis: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Purpose?!?! Ye think making these wares be yer purpose?? Just because Tygora is the rule, don't make it right. A ruler who does as she does--lettin' her muscle burn down shops, taking outlander prisoner fer no reason--deserves to have her head removed. Here Hack thumbs the sharp blade of his axe.
GMTrex |
The giant shrugs. "She gives me work, and materials to work with. If she is gone, what future do I have here?" Again his tone is detached but friendly, rather than guarded or insulted.
Skybek Odeon |
Wisdom: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
"If yae worked fer the people, mebbae you could mak weapons and armor the way yae were destined tae mak them. Yae could put the care and craftsmanship intae it the way we dwarves like it tae be. Dae yae nae think that yer talents could be put tae a better use workin fer the gud people?"
GMTrex |
"Hmmmm," rumbles the giant. "Perhaps. You think they would give me business? And resources? Hmmmm. Perhaps... perhaps I can trust the oreads to make right. Perhaps I will trust you to make right. Perhaps I will not fulfill my obligations to the efreeti."
His mind apparently made up, the giant symbolizes it by picking up a breastplate from a nearby pile, setting it atop his anvil, and smashing it to bits with his hammer.
He no longer seems to be paying you any attention whatsoever, as he begins systematically destroying the accumulated arms and armor around his shop.
Orryn Quattlebaum |
Excellent! Orryn exclaims, clapping the cleric on the back. Well done, friend Skybek!
Perhaps we should greet these soldiers of Tygora tomorrow, when they arrive to collect the smith's work. No good having them try to burn down another shop, eh?
To the Fifth Facet from here?
Harnac Lucridious |
His mind apparently made up, the giant symbolizes it by picking up a breastplate from a nearby pile, setting it atop his anvil, and smashing it to bits with his hammer.
HAR!! I admire a man who makes up his mind, then DOES SOMETHIN' ABOUT IT!! Strike while the iron is hot, eh??
before they leave the shop...Orryn, I think ye have the right of it.
He turns back to the smithy, and enters again. Master Smith! Hey, Tiny!! Are Tygora's goons s'posed to be collecting the gear tomorrow? When do ye think they'd show up? We'd like to lend a hand in dissuadin' them from seein' how flamable yer shop is, if you'd welcome the help...
pending an answer to that...yes, I think Fifth Facet is the place to go next...
GMTrex |
The giant frowns. "Why should this matter not be settled before then?" he asks, as he continues to demolish his various wares.
GMTrex |
The Fifth Facet is a square, two-story, stone tavern that sits on the main roadway of Crystalcrag. The smell of charred timber and cooked food waft gently out of multiple windows hewn into the building’s facade. As you enter, many of the oread patrons regard you with discreet curiosity and others with more open stares. The barkeep waves you over and calls out to you in Terran, then again in Common when you don't reply. "Welcome, strangers! Come have a drink, on the house."
Orryn Quattlebaum |
Sounds grand to me! Orryn exclaims. We've had a rough day today, what with stopping an arsonist this morning over at Morak's shop this morning. I could use a drink or three!
Senzo Tanaka |
With an alacrity unknown to those who do not train as monks, Senzo partakes of the complementary drink. He keeps his eyes alert for action, but his mouth closed for the mission.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 Looking for anyone paying TOO much attention to us.
Harnac Lucridious |
Aye, Orryn, lessee if ye can put away as many as a thirsty dwarf!!
Hack moves up to the barkeep and extends his hand. Speaks well o' ye offering drink to newcomers, don't ye doubt, sir. But I wonder, is givin' away yer wares to newcomers customary?
GMTrex |
"No, not customary, no," smiles the barkeep as he hands you five pints of foamy ale. "But we heard about your work over at Morak's. Thought we might return the favor!" He leans in a little closer, tombstone-sized molars glinting in the bar's dim light. "Now, I ain't too keen on ol' Tygora myself, nor are many here. Word's been getting around about, ah, doing something about that. You have somethin' to do with that?"
As Senzo eyes the surroundings over the rim of his tankard, he notes a great many eyes drifting in the group's direction. Almost the whole place seems to hang on your next words...
GMTrex |
"Smith? Which smith? Valsog? I'd never'a thunk it. Whaddaya mean 'NOT doing his part?' Details, beardy, details!"
Orryn Quattlebaum |
Orryn sips his ale and keeps watch about the room, looking for anyone less than thrilled by what the dwarves share with the room.
Sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Harnac Lucridious |
"What mae bearded friend is tryin tae say is that the giant smith has decided he wants tae make quality goods fer all o' yae instead o' the rubbish that Tygora was makin him bash oot."
Aye! Even as we speak, he be takin' his hammer to the "goods" (here Hack does the "air quotes") he's already made fer yer tyrant. He'd love nothin' more than to ply his trade and make goods of a quality befittin' his formidable skills, to sell to ye good townfolk!
GMTrex |
Orryn finds only an array of curious (even pleased) faces as Skybek and Harnac share a few short details. The barkeep, meanwhile, seems surprised. "Huh! Never woulda thought. Shame, though, we coulda used those weapons." But he smiles broadly, "Well, if we can't have 'em, best they not have 'em either, eh? So what's your plan, then?"
Harnac Lucridious |
Hack holds up his tankard for a second. As he takes it, he looks at his companions. Well truth be told, we don't know enough about the current, er, power structure to have much of a plan quite yet; things are movin awful quick. We came here to rescue some friends, and it seems that now in order to do that we need to...um, see to a power transition?
here Hack falters a bit, not wanting to give *too* much away to a stranger--but hey, this stranger gave him beer, how bad could he be!! he glances back at his companions, looking for a cue as to whether he should keep talking and go for broke, or if anyone else wants to speak up...
Skybek Odeon |
"Huh! Never woulda thought. Shame, though, we coulda used those weapons." But he smiles broadly, "Well, if we can't have 'em, best they not have 'em either, eh?"
"What maks yae think that yae cannae get the Giant's weapons? Ahh think he's willin tae make the finest weapons available fer all the toon folk! Yae just need tae let em mak them his oon way. Yae cannae rush perfection. That's what Aye always say. Well, mae pa, Cayden rest his soul, was a watchmaker and he use tae say that tae me. Aye, Ahh never figured oot how he could get his pudgy fingers tae dae such detailed work. Ahh imagine he couldnae rush that kind o' work."
"So what's your plan, then?"
"Aye, we're workin on that richt noo. We think it would be best tae rescue oor friends and help oot the toon in the process. We've got the giant on oor side and we're wonderin if we can get the others tae help oot as well. We're tryin tae find a way intae the keep while causin the least amount o' injury as possible. That is tae us and the ifrits. We also want tae ken how tae tak doon this Tygora witch. What dae yae ken aboot her?"
GMTrex |
Pathfinders really are the least trusting folk in the world. :)
"I mean, we could have used the ones he already made. Ah well. And I doubt he'd do any fighting, he's a peaceable sort. So no plan then, eh? Morak did tell you Tygora's got a right fortress, no? You'll need more 'an just the five of ye to break in there."
At Skybek's last question, another geniekin from further down the bar gives a loud comment in Terran that draws considerable laughter.
"Aye, that she is, that she is," the bartender replies, in Common. "And a right cruel one, too. All gussied up about herself, decreein' this, declarin' that. And now this war, too. No thought for us oreads, not since the sky fell, generations ago."
Orryn Quattlebaum |
"I mean, we could have used the ones he already made. Ah well. And I doubt he'd do any fighting, he's a peaceable sort. So no plan then, eh? Morak did tell you Tygora's got a right fortress, no? You'll need more 'an just the five of ye to break in there."
He told us that indeed, Orryn replies. However, my friend, I'll respectfully disagree with your assessment that we'll need more than the five of us. I dare say, the five of us is all we'll need! He lifts his mug in toast.
At Skybek's last question, another geniekin from further down the bar gives a loud comment in Terran that draws considerable laughter.
"Aye, that she is, that she is," the bartender replies, in Common. "And a right cruel one, too. All gussied up about herself, decreein' this, declarin' that. And now this war, too. No thought for us oreads, not since the sky fell, generations ago."
How long has she lorded over you?
GMTrex |
"Oh oh, near a thousand years now. A few generations. But not so long that we don't recall the days when we ruled ourselves." The bartender looks downright proud.
"Listen, friend," says another oread, walking over from a nearby table. "Word's been gettin' around fast, and you lot look as formidable as the rumors tell. But Tygora's got a whole army. If you want to see your friends again, you might not want to go alone."
GMTrex |
The oreads give each other significant glances and... Make a diplomacy roll (or Perform Oratory), and your best rousing speech! Aids are welcome.
Orryn Quattlebaum |
My companions speak true, friends. The time has come — there is no tomorrow without justice! Better to die questing for freedom than to live cowering in fear!
Aid another (I hope)?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Harnac Lucridious |
Hack rallies behind Skybek, whom he has known to be a far better speaker than himself...
Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
...and barely manages to avoid spitting his beer at someone. whew. That's +4 for Skybek...
Skybek Odeon |
Skybek finishes his tankard of ale in one steady stream of gulps, then he casts guidance upon himself and stands up to declare the following.
"Alricht, mae friends. Lemmae put it this way! We've come here tae help oot oor friends, but we're Pathfinders and Ahh'm a Liberty's Edge Pathfinder tae boot. The fact is, Ahh cannae stand opression and especially when it comes tae takin one's oon child. This is an absolute disgrace and Ahh dannae care what the rest of yae say. We need tae dae something about this Tygora! She is opressin the hell oot o' yae and Ahh doubt that this is gonnae end any time soon. So if we are going to set this place aricht, we need tae band together and all join forces tae put her doon. If the almighty orphaned Cayden Cailean is mae witness, Ahh tell yae that Ahh willnae stop until we set matters richt. Noo who is with us?! Raise yer tankards with me tae liberty and the end tae opression! Come on noo. Stand up and raise yer mugs! Noo is the time fer action!"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 20 (+4 Aid, +1 Guidance)
GM Reroll: 1d20 + 7 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 31 (+4 Aid, +1 Guidance, +2 Stars)
GMTrex |
Skybek's stump speech is very stumpy (he is a dwarf), and although his audience has difficulty parsing his thick dwarven accent, his words are met with much satisfied grunting and cries of "Hear hear!" in both Common and Terran. Incidentally, you rolled exactly what was needed the first time around. Oh well! :)
After a few quick moments of discussion, the Fifth Facet all but empties as oreads head out to pass the word to their friends and families. The pre-arranged is for you to blow three blasts on a signal horn (the barkeep lends you one if you're without) and the rebelliously-inclined will meet you on the road to Fury's Hold, gathering whatever weapons they can.
Delgur (that's the barkeep's name) gives you one last bit of advice as folks file out. "Talk to Eurdan--and quickly. The more... eager... come here, but ol' Stonemantle's support would carry a lot of weight with those on the fence. But hurry! Tygora will surely know soon and we can't let her ready her defenses!" With that, he begins closing up the tavern.