Ricdak helps Catalina as he can, holding down limbs and pulling meat away with his strength.
Ready to move on, unless something else needs to be tended to. The linos that technically survived may very likely be up now, thanks to the channels. Hopefully, though, they just move on, not wanting to mess with us anymore.
Okay you gather what you can from the lions and move on past the unsettled herd of elephants. You move on for much of the road without incident and make another couple of days journey. You finally arrive at the border between the lands of the Shaitan and the lands of the Djinn. The Road leads to a fort that is standing smack dab in the middle of the road.
Knowledge Engineering DC 15 or Profession Architect DC 10:
It is easy to tell this structure is new and makeshift. However it shows signs of considerable craftsmanship given the crude resources and is structurally sound for the most part. It is likely this structure would endure a sizable bandit strike or a small military force given the right amount of man power.
Perception DC 20:
You can make out humans walking the ramparts of this structure. So it is clear this place isn't run by anubites. Could be bandits though.
This structure is visible at several hundred feet down the road and is right on the road. It is a good couple hundred feet by couple hundred feet. It is a good size structure right in your path.
"Hey, I see some folks up there." He motions toward the ones he sees. "They look like regular ol' folks too. Whaddaya say we see if they're friendly types?"
"Perhaps we do not show them our full strength before we know their purpose? I say a few of us go to gauge these men. If it is safe, we can call for the rest. If not, the others can mount a rescue."
"I will go. It is my plan and it could be dangerous."
"Keep the bows ready." He winks at Catalina. "Just incase I will go as well, the forge father allows me the insight if they mean us ill will." He marches ahead with the two, "I will follow your lead since my eyes aren't as keen as the rest, haha." He gives a good natured chuckle and uses his double spear as a walking stick.
As soon as I get in range of anybody detect ill intent.
Catalina responds to Pavok with an uncomfortable nod, "You do realize that we are still quite a ways away. I doubt my arrow would reach your enemy from here..." She looks off to measure the structure and get an idea of the terrain surrounding it.
KGeography:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
"I suppose we who stay can sneak in closer along with you to observe and assist if need be."
Tam shrugs as the braver members of the party head out. He turns to Catalina with a smile. "So, pretty lady, do you like men with wild animal natures?"
You approach the fort. Once you are within about a hundred feet you are spotted. One of the men on the rampart calls out. "Hold! You are trespassing on the sovereign lands of Queen Aiessa. state your names and business in these lands!"
The Three who went on ahead Knowledge Local Check DC 15:
It is clear that these men do not belong to a noble faction as their armor is more hodgepodge and the insignia's are patched on. The flag in the wind it to has a rather unprofessional painting of the insignia on it also.
Perception DC 20 for those watching from the distance:
You see the three members of your group walk up to the fort without incident.
Catalina wasn't expecting Tam's presence, let alone his question. She pulled out an arrow and flexed it on her bow string before addressing him, "Are you suggesting you wish me to skin you like the Lionesses from before?" She looked down at him with a smile that would suggest jest and malice at the same time.
Perception:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 Lol, dang we can't see squat! XD
The dark haired woman keeps her bow at the ready preparing for anything that might wish to just out at the three as they journey to the fortress.
"Well madam, as interested as you are in my skin, I have other parts that are more fun to play with!" Tam's eyes sparkle as he meets malice with double entendres.
"The last thing we want is to trespass on the good Queen's land. We are simply making our way to Aridia to rendezvous with an old friend: An elf named Yalandere."
"I am Arik. My friends are Joe and Pavok. We come peacefully and wish only to pass through with the great Queen's blessing."
The man snorts. "Never heard of him. To get through you need to either pay the entrance fee or be a citizen. To be a citizen you must own property in these lands. The fee is 50 rupia a head and we do not accept that gold stuff as currency here. Rupia only. Unless you have that or "official" business with our queen, you cannot enter. Well? What say you? Gonna pay the fee? If not you best clear out." he awaits your answer.
Pavok studies the guards as he thinks back to the map that was made for them and if they need to get through there. Hearing his friend's words he looks to the man trying read them.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
And do my detect ill intent.
The guard stands his ground. We cannot allow any trespasser no matter the intent. These are the lands of our queen, to step foot on them one must pay tribute! NO Exceptions! Unless you have legitimate business with are queen, or are a citizen, you may not come and go as you please. That is my final word on this matter."[/b] The man stands quite proud of his speech as if he had done a great deed.
Pavok:
He intends to stop you from passing this fort in any way it seems. Any attempt to push forward without permission would surely provoke violence from any and all within this sizable fort. Though his manner of speech suggests that if you did fulfill any of the requirements he laid out then he would allow you to pass without incident. He is, if nothing else, honest and not truly a bad person. There is a light note about this place on the map but not much detail beyond. "Aiessa's lands. New to the landscape. If her men won't let you through, Best to go around on either taking the high mountain route, dangerous for mounts. OR to take the northern route through the lands of the Djinn. This could add as much as a week to your journey but it is safe enough. Not sure what the barter would be to enter Aiessa's lands but it will likely be steep given her history.
"I can see that your a loyal soldier, if I pay tribute for my group do I get something to prove that I have paid tribute so I won't run into any further problems."
"Were you not just attempting to woo the Lamia?" She was clearly becoming irritated as she shifted uncomfortably from the Halfling's persistence. "Can you not go bother her for a time..?" Unable to really see what's going on the the peacemaker, Catalina decides to relax a bit, while also growing a tad impatient.
"You will recieve documentation to present to the guards anywhere in our lands. Guards on patrol will ask for it and all you need do is show it. When you enter a town. Only the gate guards need to see it. Do not lose those documents. Now, will you pay the fee?" The man awaits your decision.
"Does your queen seek to redeem these lands against the Annubites? If so, you should know that we have routed those forces of theirs where we have encountered them. Is that not "Queen's business?" I say you let us pass. For the sake of those beset by this blight, let us pass unhindered."
"Let us say ridding her land of Annubites shall be an added bonus to our offering to your Queen my good sirs. Since my group is quite large I will offer you 300 rupia for the group to pass with documentation. In these trying tries that kind of money is rare to collect so fast, what do you say to my offering?" Diplomacy:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
The man calls out to Arik. "We do not delude ourselves in believing the Anubite threat has any chance of being averted. Many come through claiming to slay Anubites and we believe it. But this is not grounds to allow people instant entry. If we did we would have no money to fund our defenses and arm our men. We aim to fortify these lands against the threat and for that we need funds. No where in Aradina will you find military might to match our queen's. So I say, pay up or go round."
At Pavok's request the man turns to discuss with others. A few moments and he return. You seem a capable sort. We will allow you to enter for your offer. If you desire further reimbursement, seek out our queen at her capital. Is this acceptable?"[/b]
"Agreed." Pavok waves over the rest of the group then gets his money collected, "Now the documentation please and where is the capital if we choose to seek the queen out for our reimbursement." He gives the guards a bow as he exchanges the money for the documentation.
The gates to the fort open and the group is allowed to enter. There is a bit of alarm at the sight of Samal but they let you all in after they realize she's harmless. The fort is busy with people moving and bustling about. For a kingdom the map claims to be made of thugs, they are remarkably well organized. Even more astonishing is how well armed they are. There are more trained warriors and weapons in this one fort than any town or village you've been in combined. Even more well fortified than the city of Umbab, and that was a major city with walls and everything.
The man who met you at the gate approaches escorted by a man holding a bundle of scrolls. "I wasn't expecting to see a Lamia among you....a bit alarming but you have not been hostile so I guess its fine." He looks you all over. "Very odd group indeed." He pauses at Arik and Ricdak. "Wait a second. You ain't human. Your more of them short people callin themselves, uh darvs! Last time your bunch came through here we got along great. Helped us build all our forts and set up the capital too. Hmm. Queen might have need of you yet. Last group proved useful enough but they were even ruder then some of the bandits we took in. We can talk more about them in a bit. Now, matter of payment. We have the documents here, do you have the three hundred?" He waits for you to pay him.
Has Pavok the cash, or do you need to tap the Bank of Mus'ad?
When ushered forward, Mus'ad kicks Al Gasreed into a steady languid gait and moves forward. His icy eyes look out from the slit in his tagelmust to regard the one bearing scrolls.
"300 as promised, and its pronounced dwarves. The ones that stopped by are any still around or if they aren't do you know where they went?" Pavok quickly comments with a calm voice before his friend rushes the man.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Thanks for the offer Mu'sad ,but I got enough thats why I offered less to save me a little money hehe.
The man takes the Rupia and nods. "Come in. You are welcome here now." He hands over the documents. One for each of you. The documents have the head of this forts signature on them and a space for your own. It also has an unfamiliar seal, probably the queen's seal of approval given to the fort's scribe. The document looks quite legit and with arcane marks on it, difficult to reproduce. Regarding the dwarf he bows "My apologies. The first batch of these....dwarves was the first time any of us had ever seen them. Just something new to get used to. They helped us with the architecture of these forts and smithing our weapons. We gave them provisions and they left before we ever finished construction. They were looking of a way into Aridia so they set out east of here to seek out the legendary seer. That was several months ago. Haven't seen them since. There were a good fifteen dwarves overall." The guard pauses and points to a building. "That is the tavern. Feel free to make yourselves at home or carry on. If you need to sell weapons, we are always buying." He points to the smithy next to the barracks. "We pay a good sum for weapons here than any other kingdom will offer."
