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Calling upon her healing magic, Veres charges her hand with positive energy and then rushes down to her friends. With a touch she releases the held power into Criscius, closing his wounds.
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The wounded drake folds its wings and charges straight at Jacques, using the full force of the impact in addition to its teeth!
Even though Jacques manages to escape the drake's sharp teeth, he is still bruised by the impact. However, the drake is forced to land on the main deck, leaving Jacques with the advantage of the higher ground.
Criscius regains consciousness thanks to the healing power of Veres, but finds himself lying prone on the deck. Thankfully, his hands still clutch the weapon.
As Jacques steps back, the drake becomes partially covered by the edge of the forecastle, but even so, Jacques manages to catch a moment when it raised its head and release the arrow to pierce its neck. The drake roars in rage, bloodied but still dangerous.
Elemenar finds it next to impossible to aim for a snake without hitting Zorahas, and the ray hits the deck and dissipates.
Criscius strikes with surgical precision, cutting the snake in twain.
Carrick manages to catch the drake unaware and drives the longsword through its spine, leaving it on a brink of death.
Those of the crew who haven't yet retreated below the deck shout encouraging cheers, praising the Pathfinders' skill and bravery.
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"You know, this thing that attacked us, a drake, is not really a dragon despite looking like a miniature one. However, you may not know that drakes tend to hoard things just like real dragons." When Criscius and Zorahas point out the gems on the beach Elemenar has trouble spotting them but he believes that they are probably there.
"It might be worthwhile to check out the hoard. But remember that there might be others around."
The drake, realizing that it's in way over its head, attempts to flee to safety, but with its broken spine and punctured wings, the most it can do is awkwardly clamber over the railing and fall into the river waters.
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"Yes, let's go grab some gems.
We should definitely get something out of this excursion other than the excitement."
Seeing Veres with the healing wand, he mentions:
"I took a pretty good shot from that thing's tail myself. If healing is available, I'd certainly appreciate it.
Criscius, are you planning to hold onto that potion. I could always use that."
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"I am glad to be of help Zorahas. That was quite the surprise attack just then."
Noting that Criscius is still wounded Veres activates the wand once more, before she hears Jacques comment.
"Of course I will heal you Jacques!" Veres says with great concern as she touches his chest with the wand's magic.
The river current is not strong here, the water is smooth and calm . Jacques does not see any other creatures - looks like the drake nested here alone.
With some digging in the beach sand, Carrick uncovers a nest full of assorted semiprecious stones an jewellery. He pockets all that he can before returning. On board, the dwarves congratulate you with the spoils of victory, estimating the treasure to be worth around a thousand gold pieces total.
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"You are most welcome brave Criscius. I only wish I could have done more sooner."
Turning and watching the gallant behavior of Carrick, as he selflessly takes the time to return the drake to its island home, brings joy to Veres' heart.
"Your kindness toward that creature is truly uncommon, good Carrick. Most would have slain it with nary a second thought. We are lucky to have such a good soul as you among us. Thank you." Veres says earnestly.
The captain is also surprised by Carrick's actions.
"If you would have been attacked by a tiger, would you also drag it to its lair? It's not like you can change its stripes by being kind to it.
That said, river drakes normally don't attack boats alone, this one was still young and foolish. With luck, it may yet leave this place to look for a mate. But equally likely a mate may find it here and in a few years they will become a scourge of the river travelers."
The sails are unfurled again and the boat resumes its journey upriver.
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With a warm smile for Veres and a nod to Jacques, Carrick listens to the Captain's assessment as he dries himself off. Before offering an explanation.
You may be right, it may have been a mistake to let it live. But I know drakes have more smarts than most predators, and it may be that a thinking creature might be redeemable. Maybe our mercy changes the way it thinks, and it causes it to fear or respect humanoids. It will still hunt and keep other pests in check and my effort will be worth it. I just couldn't kill it when it was disabled like that.
He shrugs his shoulders, it may be that Carrick doesn't appreciate just what a menace river drakes can be, but it just felt like the right thing to do for him.
"The better part of the day still. We should be arriving by dusk. In the meantime, I think you lot have earned yourself a lunch!"
The food on the ship is simple but hearty, with a healthy dose of Druman spices. Temel Passad seems to have gotten over your choice of cover story, and even brought a couple of fine Chelish wine bottles from the reserve storage to let you celebrate the victory over the drake. An hour or so later, when Jacques announces he feels well compensated for not getting to try drake meat and goes upstairs to enjoy some fresh air, he soon finds himself in Temel's company.
"The Pathfinder Society continues to amaze me, and it seems to me increasingly prudent to enter into a business arrangement that would certainly be to our mutual benefit—particularly for those with an eye for spotting profit. Let me make my case simply: my trade network is growing and already blankets the Inner Sea like no other, and the dwarves cannot hope to compete with the prices I offer. Let us not forget that the Pathfinders have had many mutually profitable business dealings with me in the past.”
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"A prudent businessman is always on the lookout for additional contacts, as I see it.
It is obvious, as you say, that you have been very successful in managing those trade contacts and are marketing your wares far and wide. However, like no other is quite the statement.
I assure you that the Pathfinder Society already operates in every country in Avistan, Garund, and further afield. Additionally, we operate in a manner that allows us to cloak trade shipments when needed. Delivering food to a friendly town in Irrisen, for instance. Sending a weapons shipment to Galtan rebels. Or perhaps you find the Satrap's taxes to be a bit excessive.
My superiors are more than capable to provide these resources that a more reputable merchant might find tiresome to arrange.
As well, they have many contacts that are well above board, where favorable terms have been arranged as a thank you for other services rendered by the Society.
Your network is obviously impressive, but it cannot compete with the reach the Society has. A partnership between yourself and the Society would doubtless prove to be extremely profitable for both sides.
I would be more than happy to put you in touch with my superiors so that we can discuss the arrangement more fully."
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"Er, what I believe my friend means to say is that the Pathfinder Society is always interested in strengthening our bonds with other beneficient organizations. You have treated us fairly and shall be reported as such. As a member of the Silver Crusade, I have little interest in business affairs personally, unfortunately, so I don't feel confident into entering such an agreement on others' behalf."
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Lightly touching the clever merchant on his arm, Veres smiles her brilliant smile before she speaks, though her eyes hold a previously hidden steel.
"My my, you have spoken of advantages and profits regarding an alliance with our two organizations, and while that is very important I'm sure, there must also be a vision and direction to promote good in the world." she paused to look to the others present before continuing.
"By that I mean stamping out evil and oppression where ever it has taken root. If your organization would be willing to work toward that goal, I'm sure I could speak to my superiors on your behalf. " Veres says with both conviction and a tone of friendliness.
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Temel Passad harrumphs. "Well, I was hoping for a more... substantial conversation. I suppose I should have foreseen that you are serving here as operatives, not negotiators. Very well. You would do well to remind your venture-officers upon your return that a Kalistocrat's trade network is more than just a business - it is both his armor... and a weapon. I am sure your superiors will know what I am talking about. Still, I only have our mutual interests in mind, and I would like to offer you this healing potion as a token of my good faith." The last words sound almost sarcastically deadpan before Passad smiles again. "Or, if you will, as an insurance against this mission's failure."
He hands you a potion before excusing himself of your company with a polite nod.
Not long afterwards, Metella approaches you with Amauhak in tow.
“So, did Passad promise you all of the riches from the bottom of the Inner Sea? Yes, Temel has his bejeweled fingers in many pies and can offer cheaper wares, but consider the advantages of a business relationship with my mercantile concern: our network is many centuries old, and the quality of our goods is unrivaled. Furthermore, an arrangement with a firm with such deep roots in the Five Kings Mountains would reinforce the military alliance the Society is already negotiating.”
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Responding to Temel, Jacques bows. "As the mission is always of primary importance, any insurance against failure is appreciated. You have our most gracious thanks, sir.
Hmmm... I begin to suspect that we might not all share the same definition of what the actual mission is, though. I hope this doesn't become a problem down the road."
When approached by Metella, he bows again. "Yes, Monsieur Passad did in fact make overtures toward a trade relationship.
Personally, I do not understand all of this discussion of exclusivity. The Society's contacts are wide and varied. Some customers are interested in cheap goods, others are interested in quality goods. Why must this be a competition?
A group of revolutionaries deep in the interior of Cheliax might simply want to procure any arms they can, and the more the better, while a rich Pasha in Qadira might want to procure the finest quality of spice out of Sothis but not be willing to pay for the exorbitant taxes involved in the transportation of said spice.
These customers require different contacts with different sources. The one thing they share is the difficulty of procuring an honest trade agreement. That is where the Society can be of primary benefit.
As I said to Monsieur Passad, we operate everywhere and our presence can easily be explained away. Trade shipments can be sent as secondary missions on these excursions.
I see no reason why your trade groups need to be in conflict. As I see it, there is more than enough wealth to be earned in the world."