Umpteenth Dragon's Demand Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Arthur Severance

Roll d20 Page
Rafaelis Reeves
Recruitment Thread Discussion
Silas Gribb
Map of Taldor
Werebats
The Deep Cave
Ettin Damage


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Dragon's Demand is coming....

Grand Lodge

Male Human Spiritualist 1 | HP 10/10| AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | F +4, R +2, W+5 (+2 special) | Perception +4, Init +1 | [dice=Attack Scythe]1d20 +0[/dice] [dice=Damage]2d4 [/dice] [dice=Attack Crossbow]1d20+1[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 [/dice]

(sighing)"There is no way to 'Send her on', she is bound to me as surely as the day is long."

"The only way to release her would be to kill me, to which she would strongly object.... and as would I."

"We are two bound as one, I guide her and protect her. She is still unused to this new state of existence. Sometimes she becomes flustered or confused. At other times, she has outbursts of the great anger she harbors toward the shattered memories of her past life."

Using his foot to scatter the drawings and rocks...

"Because of her strength, only now have I deemed it safe for her to be around the general populace."

"Please be kind and patient with her, this is all very new and bewildering for her."

Grand Lodge

M Human Cleric (Merciful Healer) 1 (8/8hp; AC 15 / T 11 / FF 14; F +3, R +2, W +5; Init +1, Perception +2, Diplomacy +5, Heal +11, Kn(A,R,H) +7, Kn(N)+9)

"Hmmmm," says Professor Bellerophon.

Maybe I should've focused less on matters of anatomy and listened more to the incorporeal undead lecture.

Dark Archive

Male Varisian Wizard 1

Fine, fine. You will eventually die after which you both can move on; I pray that it will be a long time from now. For the moment you both have each other for company. Let's focus on our priorities shall we? Guarding the caravan is our priority.

Hmmm... we've got our magic types. Now all we need us some muscle to round things out


At the Pig and Roast in Maheto, Taldor - Starday, 28 Erastus, 4715 A.R.

Business is booming, and the heavily-fortified dwarven city of Maheto is bustling with factors organizing spring caravans that will soon carry the winter crop of the city’s famed blades north to Yanmass and ultimately to Galt and the River Kingdoms and south to Oppara and the glittering metropolises of the Inner Sea.

Each of you, for reasons of your own, has found work with a caravan headed west toward the Verduran Forest. The caravan will travel first to the Verduran fork of the Sellen River, where it will offload much of its wares onto barges bound south to Cassomir and north to Bellis and into the River Kingdoms. The caravan will then cross the Verduran Fork and pass into the Verduran Forest. It’s ultimate destination is Wispil, a gnomish town deep in the heart of the Forest. Map of Taldor

The leader of the caravan is Silas Gribb, a middle-aged, balding Taldan man. When you met Mr. Gribb this morning, he seemed very eager to hire guards and get going. The shiner he was sporting and the fact that the caravan will leave on Sunday, traditionally a day of rest and worship, suggest he has personal reasons for wanting to get out of Maheto sooner, rather than later. That timeline and the caravan's ultimate destination met your personal needs particularly well. Silas Gribb

Mr. Gribb promised you each 25gp to guard the caravan as far as the Verduran Fork, 25gp to stay on to Wispil, and a fine Mahetan weapon of your choice if the caravan runs into trouble and you comport yourselves well in combat. The caravan is scheduled to leave Maheto at dawn tomorrow. This evening he asked you each to meet him and the other caravan guards at the Pig and Roast, a tavern just inside the fortifications of Maheto, near the yard where the caravan is being assembled, to discuss the details of the trip.

The Pig and Roast is not the nicest place you’ve ever seen, but it is cheap and the roast pork smells good. Entering the establishment, you are greeted by the proprietor, Grudge Pickaxe, a grizzled dwarf. He seats you at one of three empty tables, where you are soon joined by two other caravan guards.

The Pig and Roast is relatively busy this evening. Seated at the six other occupied tables, more than two dozen humans and dwarves are eating, drinking, and talking. Seated on benches on the back wall and eating from plates perched in their laps, there are also two elves and a half-orc. A fire roars in the hearth, driving away the chill of this early spring evening. A small, empty stage holds a large war drum and a number of other percussion instruments, but no performers. Two young dwarves, a man and a woman, bustle about the taproom delivering steins of ale to the customers.

Silas Gribb has not yet arrived, but you are a few minutes early.

Grand Lodge

M Human Cleric (Merciful Healer) 1 (8/8hp; AC 15 / T 11 / FF 14; F +3, R +2, W +5; Init +1, Perception +2, Diplomacy +5, Heal +11, Kn(A,R,H) +7, Kn(N)+9)

"Well, well, my fellows. I am curious about Whispil and the gnomes there. Has anybody visited before? What is with these gnomes and their terribly odd names? Why, I once saw a gnome with pink hair (pink!) and she said her name was Whispery Gobbledygookshput," says Professor Bellerophon. "I mean, really."

He begins to get a head of steam going about names.

"Names are important. Not to be trifled with and made up! Take my name, for example. An interesting lesson in history it is. Bell is actually an ancient Taldane phoneme used to refer to crop rotation every 7th year. If you add ero and phon, the phoneme's meaning is modified to reference one's self or clan, mean 'greatest of clan' or 'chief of'. In about 1256AR, the influx of predatory languages from south of the Inner Sea (by predatory I mean languages, that until then, had acted assiduously against the normalization of phonetic translations across cultural barriers, of course, as I'm sure you understand) began to cause a drift in the phonetic assumptions linguistic scholars assigned to..."

Taldus is truly working up a big lecture, completely missing any contrary cues from his fellow guards.

"Now, you may wonder about the potential derivative contextual spelling rights of the Opparan nobility. You would be right to, as this has a strong effect on where the translation of bilateral lingual meanings come into effect on the perception of non-derivative spelling rights. But first you need to really understand spelling rights as practiced by the nobility in post 1400AR Taldor. Err - perhaps this will take longer than I thought. Let us refresh ourselves to better prepare for the thinking involved. WAITER! Yes, my good man, ale all around and some soup, too, I think."

After paying for the ale (but not the soup), Taldus begins again.

"As I was saying..."

Dark Archive

Male Varisian Wizard 1

Ahem... fascinating, truly fascinating, but perhaps we should turn our attention to matters prosaic i.e. what kind of trouble is our good caravan master in such that he has gotten himself roughed up and is, pardon the vernacular, "skipping town" on a day of rest? More to the point, what kind of trouble is he getting US into? I think I shall ask about and suggest you do the same.

Rafaelis starts to mix and mingle with the other patrons, buying drinks, telling bawdy jokes, exchanging gossip, the transformation from somber to life of the party is remarkable, but does seems to your eyes a little forced.

Rafaelis is trying diplomacy to gather information. He gets an additional +2 with Taldan officials if any are about due to a book of letters he owns and uses for liguistic flourishes. He is also casting his eye about appraising things in his mind just to keep in practice +8 Appraise

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15. Appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16


As Professor Bellerophon launches into his lecture, the young male dwarven server approches the table with a trencher of roast pork, potatoes and carrots held in one hand, and a large loaf of dark bread in the other. The female server trails him with seven large steins of ale, all held in one hand, and a crock of butter in the other. They set the feast on your table.

As they do so, the male dwarf chuckles, and says, "So you're the lot old Mr. Gribb talked into making the Wispil run? I knew he was desperate to get going, but...." He trails off, leaving the thought unfinished. "Aren't there supposed to be six of you?" he asks.

He pulls seven place settings from the pocket of his apron and lays them on the table. He pulls seven bowls and salt and pepper shakers from there, too. From where you sit, you see into the pocket and catch a glimpse of the starry, extradimensional space within.

The female dwarf claps the male dwarf on the back roughly. "Leave off, Burr, they've enough trouble, travelling with Gribb, and don't need extra from you." She turns to Denge, addressing him quietly, "Make sure Gribb pays you at least half up front and that you've got provisions for yourselves. Something's got him spooked. He wasn't supposed to leave for another week or two. I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't gotten to purchasing food for the trip yet."

The two dwarves busy themselves for a moment, setting the table, slicing the roast, and serving the three of you who are already present.

"We made Gribb pay for this in advance. Your room and breakfast, too. Enjoy it. There's also a second round of ale, when you're ready. Seems he's trying to butter you up."


Looking through the establishment, Rafaelis spots a Taldan man with ink stained hands who is conversing with a group of other Taldan clerks. The man wears a badge indicating that he is a government clerk.

The man and his friends readily accept Rafaelis' offer to buy drinks. They are soon laughing at his jokes. On the topic of Silas Gribb, the government clerk states, "He's strictly small time. He talks a good game, and he's managed to wrangle a contract to deliver Mahetan blades and saws to some gnomes each year, but in all of his years working out of Maheto, he hasn't saved up enough to buy a dispensation, so taxes have to be killing him."

One of the other clerks speaks up, "He was in our counting house last week, asking for a loan to finance this year's expedition. The old man only lent him half of what he was looking for, and he made Gribb put up the deed to his house as collateral. If he really needs the whole 10,000 he was seeking, I can't see how he's going to get it now. At least not legally." The clerks all laugh at that sentiment.


Casting about the taproom, Rafaelis finds little of worth to appraise. The dwarven server's apron clearly has an extradimensional space in it. It would sell for about 500 gp if pawned, and would go for about 1,000 gp if one wanted to purchase it, more if the interior space is very large.

The business itself looks to be quite prosperous. The building is plain, as is the food. The employees all look alike enough to be relatives. While inexpensive, the prices of the food and ale on the chalkboard imply that the owners are making at least a 60% profit. If they own the building, they are likely netting at least 30 gp a night. Overall, the business, without the building or the apron, is probably worth 3,000 gp. Knowing dwarves, they probably have a clan connection to a pig farmer and a brewer, so their markup could be as high as 75%, in which case, the business is worth considerably more.

Overall, it looks plain, but this taproom is a gold mine.

Grand Lodge

Male Human Spiritualist 1 | HP 10/10| AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | F +4, R +2, W+5 (+2 special) | Perception +4, Init +1 | [dice=Attack Scythe]1d20 +0[/dice] [dice=Damage]2d4 [/dice] [dice=Attack Crossbow]1d20+1[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 [/dice]

As he stands. ”I shall return shortly.”
Denge excuses himself to ‘call’ Penelope. He returns a few moments later with Penelope in tow. She is dressed in dark robes which cover her from head to toe, hood pulled low, she also wears gloves.

Penelope greets everyone at the table in a warm but formal fashion. It is obvious that she is not a natural conversationalist, and that she has practiced these greetings extensively before this meeting.

She sits very close to Denge and the two of them whisper to one another while they wait for Silas Gribb. It appears he is instructing her and she is eager to learn.


Female Outsider (Phantom) Phantom 1 |HP 8/10 |AC 17 / T 11 / FF 16 | F +4, R +1, W+2(+4 vs Enchant) | Perception +6, Init +1 | [dice=Slam (Power Attack)]1d20 +3[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 + 4 [/dice] [dice=Slam)]1d20 +4[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 + 2 [/dice]

”Good evening Sir Reeves I trust your nighttime activities go well.”
”Good evening Sir Bellerophon I see you are relaxed and at peace.”

After which she pointedly does not make eye contact and stays deep within her robes, hood pulled low.

Dark Archive

Male Varisian Wizard 1

Hmph! I knew it. This guy is indebted to a loan shark and we are the ones who will get knives in our backs unless we are careful. Scoundrels are usually quick and dexterous but are easily influenced, particularly mentally. I will memorize accordingly.

Gentlemen it seems that our good caravan leader may be in over his head with a criminal element. We must be cautious.


Female Outsider (Phantom) Phantom 1 |HP 8/10 |AC 17 / T 11 / FF 16 | F +4, R +1, W+2(+4 vs Enchant) | Perception +6, Init +1 | [dice=Slam (Power Attack)]1d20 +3[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 + 4 [/dice] [dice=Slam)]1d20 +4[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 + 2 [/dice]

Lifting and replacing a the mug of ale on the table--she does not make any move to drink it.
Whispering to Denge "This feels familiar and unnatural at the same time."

Grand Lodge

Male Human Spiritualist 1 | HP 10/10| AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | F +4, R +2, W+5 (+2 special) | Perception +4, Init +1 | [dice=Attack Scythe]1d20 +0[/dice] [dice=Damage]2d4 [/dice] [dice=Attack Crossbow]1d20+1[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 [/dice]

Whispering back to Penelope "yes, yes dear, stay focused and aware of your surroundings. Try to stay calm, this employment may fall through, in fact there may be some sort of a disturbance, if master Reeves information is correct. So try to maintain control, especially in a crowded tap room such as this."

Turning to Rafaelis and speaking in a low but normal tones. " Do you think it is that bad? Perhaps we should beg off? I have no desire to be on the wrong side of the criminal element of this town or any other."

"While we could use the coin, I do not want to be targeted by this criminal element."

"Perhaps we can salvage the commission if we gather Mr. Gribb and leave quickly before attracting the attention of those we would prefer to avoid."

Denge thoughtfully drinks his ale, knowing he has been in similar situations before, and wonders if history will repeat itself.

Thinking about this, his mind goes to the vast information he has gathered in his travels, specifically, what he knows about the local history of the area, the political factions, and power groups of the area and about the trip to whispil.

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Survival : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Grand Lodge

M Human Cleric (Merciful Healer) 1 (8/8hp; AC 15 / T 11 / FF 14; F +3, R +2, W +5; Init +1, Perception +2, Diplomacy +5, Heal +11, Kn(A,R,H) +7, Kn(N)+9)

"But, but - I haven't gotten to the finer points of derivative and non-derivative pronunciation schema of lesser Taldane immigrants!" cries the Professor as Rafaelis gets up and walks away, chatting with others in the establishment.

He stands, one hand extended with his index finger pointing, his mouth open in mid-lecture.

"Ah, well, yes, I guess I see his point. Time enough for the pronunciation of names later. Maybe I ought to follow his lead and get to know some of these gentleman, too. But Pharasma ought to bring me some luck here, no doubt."

The Professor concentrates and he can feel the divine spirit of the Lady permeate his brain.

"Oh yes, so many questions and so much these people can tell me..."

Cast Enhanced Diplomacy for a +2

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 16

Grand Lodge

M Human Cleric (Merciful Healer) 1 (8/8hp; AC 15 / T 11 / FF 14; F +3, R +2, W +5; Init +1, Perception +2, Diplomacy +5, Heal +11, Kn(A,R,H) +7, Kn(N)+9)

He considers Wispil, as well, following Denge's wise lead. But instead of asking around, he spends a large amount of time recalling everything he's ever known about Northern Taldor, the Verduran Forest, as well as Wispil.

Inspiration and Take 20 Knowledge (History): 1d6 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25

Grand Lodge

M Human Cleric (Merciful Healer) 1 (8/8hp; AC 15 / T 11 / FF 14; F +3, R +2, W +5; Init +1, Perception +2, Diplomacy +5, Heal +11, Kn(A,R,H) +7, Kn(N)+9)
Penelope Waystrider wrote:
”Good evening Sir Bellerophon I see you are relaxed and at peace.”

"Ahh, yesss," says Taldus, hesitantly. "But, my dear, you must call me Professor Bellerophon, please. I hardly merit the Sir you bestow upon my unworthy self."

Dark Archive

Male Varisian Wizard 1

Rafaelis turns and smiles at Penelope Good evening Miss Waystrider, it is so charming to see you again. Please do call me Rafaelis or if we must be formal "Mr Reeves" will do nicely.
Looking over to Denge Fevor Let's not be alarmist, just cautious. You are right, we should expedite our employer's expedition, but we cannot run from bullies and thieves or we will never stop running.
To the group in general I am hatching an idea. What Mr Gribb really needs, and hence us, are honest, well heeled, backers that can invest enough to put him over the taxation hump and into profitability. Currently he is a bit small time and is treated as such. Small fish get gobbled up by larger ones.
glancing about
These dwarves seem to be just the thing, obviously well heeled with lots of connections. I am sure that they would love to cut out the middleman on the weapons trade by owning controlling interest in say, a caravan. They are hard working, hard nosed, and prudent. No one in this town will want to tangle with them. Take on one and you take on the whole clan. Not to mention, HEAVILY ARMED! Yesss, that just might work.... his voice trails off as his face gets a far away look. The WHEELS are turning.

Grand Lodge

M Human Cleric (Merciful Healer) 1 (8/8hp; AC 15 / T 11 / FF 14; F +3, R +2, W +5; Init +1, Perception +2, Diplomacy +5, Heal +11, Kn(A,R,H) +7, Kn(N)+9)

"Why, what a brilliant idea, Mr. Reeves!" exclaims Taldus.

Dark Archive

Male Varisian Wizard 1

Rafaelis starts from his macinations and smiles
High praise indeed coming from an intelligent person such as yourself Professor Bellerophon! There are still some unknows in our equation. Yet I'm cautiously optimistic.


Denge Fevor wrote:

Denge thoughtfully drinks his ale, knowing he has been in similar situations before, and wonders if history will repeat itself.

Thinking about this, his mind goes to the vast information he has gathered in his travels, specifically, what he knows about the local history of the area, the political factions, and power groups of the area and about the trip to whispil.

[dice= Knowledge History] 1d20 +7
[dice= Knowledge Local] 1d20 + 7
[dice= Survival ] 1d20 + 6

Denge knows that Maheto lies in the heart of Taldor, far from the hotbeds of political intrigue that are Cassomir and Oppara. The local power groups are the dwarven clans that mine the Worldsedge Mountains and forge the famed Mahetan blades, the Bearded (the Taldan senatorial class and the Governor of the Prefecture of Maheto), the Lion Blades (Taldor's infamous secret police), various merchants whose caravans ply the trade routes that pass through Maheto, the Church of Aroden, the Church of Torag, the commanders of the legions of the Taldan Phalanx and Taldan Horse that are stationed in Maheto, the bureaucracy, and various criminal elements.

To know more about Maheto or any of those groups, Denge would have to ask a more specific question and make another appropriate knowledge check.

Regarding Wispil, Denge knows it is a semi-autonomous gnomish town and the heart of the Taldan logging and woodcrafting industries. Guilds wield a great deal of influence in Wispil, including the lumberjacks, the woodworkers, and the boomrafters (gnomes who guide lumber down the Verduran Fork to Cassomir). The other power groups are the druids of the Wildwood Lodge and the three Taldan lumber companies: Puumerkki Hardwoods, Danzer Timber, and Verduran Forest Resources.

To know more about Wispil or any of those groups, Denge would have to ask a more specific question and make an appropriate knowledge check.

Regarding the trip to Wispil, Denge knows that the trip from Maheto to Belhaim, on the banks of the Verduran Fork, can be made by road or by canal. The route is heavily patrolled by the Taldan Phalanx and Taldan Horse. Nevertheless, the area between Maheto and the Verduran Fork is very sparsely populated and home to numerous goblinoids. Banditry is also relatively common. The military presence keeps both menaces largely in check.

The trip from the Belhaim to Wispil can be made by road or barge. This route is not patrolled by the Taldan military. Instead, pursuant to the Treaty of Wildwood, the land route is patrolled by the druids of the Wildwood Lodge and associated rangers. The water route is virtually unpatrolled.

The Verduran Fork is patrolled by the River Guard of the Taldan Navy, stationed on the Isle of Arenway. Despite the patrols, four bands of river pirates ply the Verduran Fork.

The Verduran Forest is quite wild. Hazards include the ever present fogs, dragons, fey, gnomes, sentient and flesh-eating plants, shambling mounds, and treants.

To know more about the route between Maheto and Belhaim, about the Verduran Fork, about the route from Belhaim to Wispil, or about the Verduran Forest, Denge would have to ask a more specific question and make an appropriate knowledge check.


Professor Taldus Bellerophon wrote:

"Ah, well, yes, I guess I see his point. Time enough for the pronunciation of names later. Maybe I ought to follow his lead and get to know some of these gentleman, too. But Pharasma ought to bring me some luck here, no doubt."

The Professor concentrates and he can feel the divine spirit of the Lady permeate his brain.

"Oh yes, so many questions and so much these people can tell me..."

Cast Enhanced Diplomacy for a +2

[dice=Diplomacy (Gather Info)]1d20+5+2

What information is Professor Bellerophon seeking to obtain from the patrons of the Pig and Roast?


Professor Taldus Bellerophon wrote:

He considers Wispil, as well, following Denge's wise lead. But instead of asking around, he spends a large amount of time recalling everything he's ever known about Northern Taldor, the Verduran Forest, as well as Wispil.

[dice=Inspiration and Take 20 Knowledge (History)]1d6+20

Professor Bellerophon knows that the area between Maheto and the Verduran Forest has been historically loyal to the Taldan Empire and consequently has seen virtually no political unrest over the years. Moreover, it is well-removed from Taldor's borders and therefore has never been invaded by Taldor's foes.

Nevertheless, the area is sparsely populated and somewhat remote, so it has been subject to frequent attacks by goblinoids and rare attacks by giantkin over the centuries. It has also historically been plagued by banditry.

Nearly 1,000 years ago, the druids of the Wildwood Lodge negotiated the Treaty of the Wildwood with the Taldan Empire. The Treaty granted autonomy to the prefecture of the Verduran Forest. In exchange, the druids promised to supply blackwood to the imperial shipyards in Cassomir.

Wispil is the largest settlement of note in the Verduran Forest. The druids of the Wildwood Lodge have permitted gnomes to live there in order to harvest the promised blackwood and guide it downstream to Cassomir.

The Verduran Forest has a history of problems with dragons and the fey.


At the Pig and Roast in Maheto, Taldor - Starday, 28 Erastus, 4715 A.R.

While Professor Bellerephon and Rafaelis Reeves are speaking to other patrons in the taproom, two relatively young male haflings enter. The proprietor greets them and ushers them to your table.

"Here you are, gents," he says as the group reaches your table. "This is Mr. Gribb's crew. Oh, I say the young lady has joined them, too." The older dwarf busies himself serving food to the two halflings and giving them each one of the steins of ale. He also serves a plate to Penelope. "Here you are ma'am," he says.

The two halflings fold their cloaks on the bench and sit on them to reach the table.

One has dark hair and a wide smile. The other is a bit stouter than the average halfling. He has sandy brown hair and is scowling.

The dark-haired halfling turns to Penelope and Denge and says, "Hi, my name is Bray Burrowfoot. This here is Tark Toughtoe. We're driving. Are you the guards?" He eagerly digs into the plate of roast pork, potatoes, and carrots before him. He salts his food, and, after doing so, he absent-mindedly sticks the salt shaker in a pocket.

Tark, the sandy-haired halfling, remains quiet and sips his ale. When Bray, the dark-haired halfling, takes the salt shaker, Tark silently reaches into Bray's pocket, removes the salt shaker, and sets it back on the table.

About this time, four dwarves come out on stage and start setting up drums. One tilts the large drum on it's side, stands behind it, and begins striking it with two padded drum sticks. The noise is pleasant, but deafening. The tableware vibrates with the deep base tones. Conversation is still possible, but only when putting your mouth right up to the other person's ear and speaking loudly.


Female Outsider (Phantom) Phantom 1 |HP 8/10 |AC 17 / T 11 / FF 16 | F +4, R +1, W+2(+4 vs Enchant) | Perception +6, Init +1 | [dice=Slam (Power Attack)]1d20 +3[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 + 4 [/dice] [dice=Slam)]1d20 +4[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 + 2 [/dice]

Penelope stumbles with the unexpected conversation"Um.. master Bray, oh. Um Mr., sir Burrowfoot...howdoyoudo...Iamfineplease tomeetyou"

She lowers her head and shakes it slowly from side to side.

Grand Lodge

Male Human Spiritualist 1 | HP 10/10| AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | F +4, R +2, W+5 (+2 special) | Perception +4, Init +1 | [dice=Attack Scythe]1d20 +0[/dice] [dice=Damage]2d4 [/dice] [dice=Attack Crossbow]1d20+1[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 [/dice]

Denge picks up where Penelope falls off.

Shouting and pointing as he speaks. "Pleased to meet you! This is Penelope and I am Denge Fevor! We as well as two others will be providing security for this expedition!. I am very glad to meet you"

Denge will cast message in an attempt to facilitate communications. On the two halflings, Penelope, Rafaelis and Taldus.

NOTE: Dange uses psychic magic, which has neither verbal or somatic components. It's all in his mind, material components are still required, but he has two foci, one he wears around his neck, the other sewn into his under garments. Per the Spiritualist handout, Denge can cast spells while paralyzed.


Denge Fevor wrote:
NOTE: Dange uses psychic magic, which has neither verbal or somatic components. It's all in his mind, material components are still required, but he has two foci, one he wears around his neck, the other sewn into his under garments. Per the Spiritualist handout, Denge can cast spells while paralyzed.

Sweet!


The halflings seem to take Denge's communication via the message spell in stride and quickly are responding by pointing at Denge and whispering back to him. The see him point toward Rafaelis and Professor Bellerophon. Bray asks, "Are those the other two? I know this is a rush job, but we're going to be in trouble if we run into anything worse than goblins. I sure hope the gods are with us on this mission!"

"What's that skinflint Gribb giving you for this job? He promised us 75gp total for each leg, and a Mahetan blade each if we get into a fight. That's unusually generous for this run, but from his shiner, I assume his rush to get out of town is personal, rather than professional."

"We made this run a couple of years back. The trip to Belhaim along the canal path is pretty easy. It's heavily patrolled by the Phalanx and Horse. The trip through the forest is harder. The road isn't as well maintained, and we ran into trouble with a dryad."

"We asked around earlier today, seems there's no barges headed to Belhaim in the next week, which must be why Gribb hired our carts. Some Phalanx boys told us there's talk of an ettin working with some goblins on the route this season. I really hope that's just talk."

Both Bray and Tark help themselves to seconds and thirds as the conversation progresses. Bray tries to steal one of the unused place settings, but Tark stops him again.

Dark Archive

Male Varisian Wizard 1

He wispers to Denge Drivers? Good! I was concerned that I would have to portage my personal belongings over half of Taldor. I am going to continue gathering information. I will pass along what i find. Let me know when Mr Gribbs make his appearance.

Rafaelis will continues information gathering. This time on the criminal element in Maheto, particularly on those who seeking to expand their influence or smuggling activities. Are there elements willing to pay handsomely for a Maheto blade with no questions asked?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

In his mind he also starts to estimate the size of coffin a body would require like a taylor sizes up a customer. Hmmm... the fellow in the corner is a 42L for sure.

Grand Lodge

Male Human Spiritualist 1 | HP 10/10| AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | F +4, R +2, W+5 (+2 special) | Perception +4, Init +1 | [dice=Attack Scythe]1d20 +0[/dice] [dice=Damage]2d4 [/dice] [dice=Attack Crossbow]1d20+1[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 [/dice]

Denge will message both his compatriots that the drivers have arrived, and carries the conversation on in such a way that they can keep up with the conversation if they choose.

"75gp a leg, that is great pay for a driver on an expedition like like this."

TO THE PARTY ONLY: "75gp for the drivers! we need a raise!"

"Are the two of you based out of Meheto? or have you been here long? Do you know who might have given Gribb that black eye?"

"You called Gribb a skinflint, do you know him well? What can you tell me about him? I would like to know a little more about our employer."


Appraise Check DC10 re Drivers' Pay:
75gp a leg for the services of drivers, along with the use of their carts and livestock to pull the carts is on the high end of reasonable, assuming that the drivers are providing two carts, two teams to pull them, and supplies for themselves and their teams.

Bray and Tark continue to talk to Denge...

"Well, it is a rush job after all," Bray replies with a grin.

"Yes, we've been hauling out of Maheto for quite some time now." Bray turns to Tark, asking, "What has it been, eight years now?" Tark nods silently. "For the last eight years," Bray says, addressing Denge once again.

"We know Gribb. He's tried to hire us before, but in the past he's always tried hard to haggle us down. We've never hauled for him before. Others who have say he counts every copper, tries to charge his crews for their food, tents, ale, and healing, and tries to negotiate discounts at the end based on 'complaints' about the crew's performance. We aren't having any of that and demanded our normal fee, up front, plus a premium for the rush. We're surprised he agreed. You should make sure you're getting your pay up front, too. At least to Belhaim."


Rafaelis asks around about less-than-legal transactions in Maheto...

The clerks are talkative on this point, too. The government clerk says, "Well, my official position as a servant of the Empire is that there is no appreciable crime in Maheto." He tucks his right hand into his vest and raises his nose in the air and closes his eyes as he says this. The other clerks laugh loudly, pounding the table, and the government clerk soon loses his composure and joins them.

One of the other clerks chimes in, "Everyone knows that Dark Lil' runs Maheto. She's a half-elf, half-drow they say, and as beautiful as she is crafty, too. Anything illegal happening in and around Maheto is surely Lil's doing, or she's taking a cut."

"The Emperor's boys permit her little transgressions, because she keeps the pickpockets and burglars in line."


(Tomorrow's post from me, a little early...)

At the Pig and Roast in Maheto, Taldor - Starday, 28 Erastus, 4715 A.R.

Rafaelis is about to go on to ask some others about the opportunities to fence Mahetan blades, and Denge has noted the halflings failed to answer his question about how Mr. Gribb got his shiner, when Mr. Gribb enters the taproom and approaches the party's table.

The stout, balding Taldan man no longer has his black eye. In contrast to this morning when he hired each of you, his hair is combed, and his clothes are fresh. He smiles broadly when he reaches the table. His eyes are shining, and his mood is very good.

As he approaches the table, he slips something into the young female server's hand. She quickly clenches it in her hand, moves over to the stage, and gets one of the drummers' attention. The dwarven performers abruptly break off their performance and head toward the bar.

The room is quite for a moment as everyone adjusts to the silence, then normal conversations resume.

"Ah, excellent! Mr. Fevor and Ms. Waystrider, I see you've met Mr. Burrowfoot and Mr. Toughtoe. And I see Mr. Reeves and Mr. Bellerophon are here, too. Wonderful."

Mr. Gribb takes a seat, pulls a stein of ale toward himself, breaks a large piece of bread off of the loaf on the table, and proceeds to lather it in butter.

He looks toward Rafaelis and Professor Bellerophon and gestures for them to join the rest of the caravan crew at the table. When they arrive, he continues.

"Well, I'm glad to see you all here. Dinner has been paid, as have rooms for each of you. I suggest you make it an early night, as we will leave just before sun-up. I've arranged with the proprietor for breakfast to be packed up and ready for us. We can eat in the carts at a more reasonable hour."

"I think I've told you all the route," he says between bites of the break. As he continues, he serves himself a generous portion from the trencher. "Maheto to Belhaim by the tow-path, then Belhaim to Wispil by the road. I'm afraid we can't wait to travel with a patrol of Phalanx or Horse, but we should be just fine this early in the season, just fine."

"I've arranged food, tents, firewood, everything any of us should need. It cost a bit, but you lot are well worth the expense."

"Oh, that reminds me, before I forget, here is the pay for the first leg for the guards." Mr. Gribb reaches into his jacket and pulls out eight platinum coins, pushing two each toward Rafaelis, Professor Bellerophon, Denge, and Penelope. Then he pulls out four good-sized garnets and pushes one toward them. "Twenty-five pieces of gold, as promised. I thought you might want to make some purchases before we leave. Given the last minute nature of the trip, I want to be sure you have the funds to do that. As I said, I have food, tents, etc. covered."

Bray's astonishment is open and apparent. Tark frowns.

Mr. Gribb tucks into his food. "I trust you're enjoying yourselves," he says.

Grand Lodge

Male Human Spiritualist 1 | HP 10/10| AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | F +4, R +2, W+5 (+2 special) | Perception +4, Init +1 | [dice=Attack Scythe]1d20 +0[/dice] [dice=Damage]2d4 [/dice] [dice=Attack Crossbow]1d20+1[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 [/dice]

Nodding to Gribb's " Well met Master Gribbs. You seem much chipper than this morning, I trust you have had a productive day?"

As I mentioned this morning, my business will take me all the way to Wispil, so Penelope and I plan to make both legs of the trip."

"It is very considerate of you to pay in advance for purchases. Thank you, As the way things are, my compatriots and I have asked around about the possible dangers we may face along this trip."

"Based on what we have uncovered about our expedition and the route, I would ask that we be paid in advance for both legs to Wispil. This would be very generous of you, and helpful to us. As there are provisions I would like to purchase for the trip paralleling river as well as the forest leg, and it appears there will be no opportunity to makes purchases again until our caravan reaches its destination."

Denge also thinks about what he knows about Darl Lil.
Denge centers his mind to clear it and increase his mental performance, and casts Guidance, for the +1 no verbal or somatic component

Knowledge Local- Dark Lil: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 = 20
I had my numbers wrong before, 3 for class skill, 3 for int mod, 1 for a rank, 1 for trait bonus, 1 for guidance.

Does the same for Gribbs to get a read on his general reputation

Knowledge Local- Gribbs: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 = 24

.
.
.
As my Phantom, should Penelope receive a share also? It seems like double dipping.


Denge Fevor wrote:
As my Phantom, should Penelope receive a share also? It seems like double dipping.

You've been playing the phantom as if she is a person. I'm not so familiar with phantoms, but I'm thinking that the drivers and Mr. Gribb are not certain that she's not a person. Adventurers are odd folks. She's a little odd, but not so clearly your agent as a familiar or an animal companion.

The fact that Mr. Gribb is treating her as a separate person might explain the lack of guards for this trip, as well.


Denge Fevor wrote:
" Well met Master Gribbs. You seem much chipper than this morning, I trust you have had a productive day?"..."Based on what we have uncovered about our expedition and the route, I would ask that we be paid in advance for both legs to Wispil. This would be very generous of you, and helpful to us. As there are provisions I would like to purchase for the trip paralleling river as well as the forest leg, and it appears there will be no opportunity to makes purchases again until our caravan reaches its destination."

Mr. Gribbs scowls breifly at the mention of his productive day, but his good spirits quickly return.

"My good man, you will be able to resupply in Belhaim. It is a respectable town. I will pay you for the second leg when we reach Belhaim."


Denge considers what he knows about Dark Lil', recalling that she is a half-elf who claims she is descended from a Drow. She operates a taproom called the Dark Rose, which operates 100% on the up and up. She can usually be found there conducting business.

It is commonly believed that Dark Lil' runs a protection racket. Her thugs call on local residents and businesses regularly to solicit donations for various charities that Dark Lil' runs, from an orphanage to a boarding house for the indigent. The thugs always seem to know just how well everyone is doing, and the "recommended" donations are always about 10% of a person or business' income.

The thugs patrol the streets of Maheto much like the city watch does. They bring beggars to the boarding house. They bring street urchins to the orphanage. They accost pickpockets and track down burglars and turn them over to the watch.

Everyone assumes that Dark Lil' is behind the underground gambling and prostitution operations. Both are technically illegal and both are literally underground. The city seems to have little interest in shutting those operations down. It is widely believed that the Governor of the Maheto Prefecture and the mayor of Maheto have agreed to look the other way, probably in exchange for some of the donations that the people have made to Dark Lil's charities.

There are rumors that Dark Lil' is involved in more sinister pursuits. Some criminals that her thugs have removed from the streets are never heard from again. Despite her public comments against the use of illicit drugs and her thugs' anti-crime campaigns, Maheto is awash in drugs. Some people believe that she is either involved in the drug trade or is working with someone who is.

Personally, Dark Lil' is involved in the financing of many local ventures. Individuals and groups who cannot obtain conventional financing from money lenders sometimes seek her assistance. She is known to pay individuals to perform services for her and to make short term loans at very high interest rates.

Finally, Dark Lil' is known to be a connoisseur of antiques. People with items to sell, stolen goods some would say, frequently bring them to her. She offers free appraisals in exchange for a first option on purchasing items. If she is not interested in buying something, she usually knows just the person to whom it should be offered.

Because Dark Lil' has her fingers in so much of the business conducted in Maheto, and because she transacts her business in the Dark Rose, some refer to it as the Heart of the Web or, more simply, the "Web".


Denge also considers what he knows about Mr. Gribb, recalling that he is a small-time merchant without a standing caravan whose primary business consists of a contract he has secured for transporting Mahetan blades and saws to Wispil each spring.

Mr. Gribb has a reputation for being exceptionally tight with his money in business, but being rather too free with it when gambling. He is rumored to have had several large gambling wins but also several very large gambling losses. It is commonly believed that his gambling is the reason he has not been able to parlay his steady Wispil business into a full-blown, if small, merchant house.

Mr. Gribb also has a reputation for being a cranky, gruff man with few social skills. Everyone assumes his lack of charm is another reason his business has gone nowhere.

It is not commonly known how Mr. Gribb managed to land the Wispil contract or whether it was awarded by the guild of smiths in Maheto or by someone in Wispil. There is not much competition for the route, as the trip from Belhaim to Wispil is considered rough and generally unprofitable, as there is little trade between the two communities, despite their proximity to one another. Most of Wispil's trade is with Cassomir, to which Wispil sells lumber. Most of Belhaim's trade is with other communities on the Verduran Fork and, to a lesser extent, Maheto, given that barges travelling to the Fork from Maheto pass through Belhaim.

Mr. Gribb is not a native of Maheto. He speaks with a slight accent that suggests he hails from farther north, some say Ustalav. Mr. Gribb's lack of social skills mean that few, if any, have ever bothered to ask him where he comes from. He has few known friends and associates, and mostly keeps to himself. It is believed that he spends all of his time in Maheto when he is not travelling to Wispil. However, no one can really account for his activities in Maheto between trips to Wispil.

Dark Archive

Male Varisian Wizard 1

Appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Wispers a message back to Denge Hmmm... the price seems fair to me.

Rafaelis gives out a loud hearty laugh at the clerk's jest. Really appreciating the company. Thank you good Sirs one and all. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance. Your insights are much appreaciated. But now I must take my leave as my employer has arrived. A safe night to you all. Wish me luck. The road to Wispil is a hard one I hear. Perhaps I will get kidnapped by a beautiful Dryad, eh? What horrible things will I be made to do as her love slave!?!
Rafaelis's face takes on a look of mock shock then gives the clerks a wink and moves to where Mr Gribbs and company are sitting

Rafaelis returns to his more somber demeanor.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Good evening Master Gribbs. I trust all is well? Leaving before first light and on a Sunday no less? Is there somethig we should know? Forewarned is forearmed.
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Dark Archive

Male Varisian Wizard 1

Rafaelis examins the two platinum and garnets he received with curiosity not being familiar with the coin of this realm Appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13


Rafaelis Reeves wrote:
Rafaelis examins the two platinum and garnets he received with curiosity not being familiar with the coin of this realm [dice=Appraise]1d20+8

The coins are recently minted and bear the mark of the mint here in Maheto. Each is worth 10gp. The garnet is worth between 5 and 7gp, depending on the market.


Rafaelis Reeves wrote:
Good evening Master Gribbs. I trust all is well? Leaving before first light and on a Sunday no less? Is there somethig we should know? Forewarned is forearmed.

"Good evening, to you, too, Mr. Reeves! No, no, all is well. I have other business, is all, and I need to get to Wispil sooner than planned to take advantage of the opportunity."

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Rafaelis does not pick up on anything. Mr. Gribb is apparently excited about getting underway and feeling particularly generous this evening.

Sense Motive DC22:
Mr. Gribb is not telling the whole truth about the opportunity that has come up. There is definitely more to the story. Furthermore, his mood does not fit the information you have about him and is markedly different than it was earlier. He seems to be under the effect of some spell or alchemy which is artificially improving his mood.

Professor Bellerophon, Denge, and Penelope may attempt Sense Motive checks, too. If they succeed, they may check the spoiler above.


Female Outsider (Phantom) Phantom 1 |HP 8/10 |AC 17 / T 11 / FF 16 | F +4, R +1, W+2(+4 vs Enchant) | Perception +6, Init +1 | [dice=Slam (Power Attack)]1d20 +3[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 + 4 [/dice] [dice=Slam)]1d20 +4[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 + 2 [/dice]

Penelope watches the interplay between Rafaelis and Gribbs fearfully, expecting the worst.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

and is satisfied that these rumors are just that rumors(whew!) Everything is going to be all right.

Confident that the previous concerns were just a false alarm, Penelope goes back to exploring the intricacies of the mug of ale.

Grand Lodge

Male Human Spiritualist 1 | HP 10/10| AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | F +4, R +2, W+5 (+2 special) | Perception +4, Init +1 | [dice=Attack Scythe]1d20 +0[/dice] [dice=Damage]2d4 [/dice] [dice=Attack Crossbow]1d20+1[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d8 [/dice]

Denge is not so easily fooled, and something seems amiss.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

But apparently it's not Gribbs. He is telling the truth about this new opportunity. Maybe Dark Lil and gambling debts are not involved here. Gribbs seems to be having a much better evening than his morning.

Grand Lodge

M Human Cleric (Merciful Healer) 1 (8/8hp; AC 15 / T 11 / FF 14; F +3, R +2, W +5; Init +1, Perception +2, Diplomacy +5, Heal +11, Kn(A,R,H) +7, Kn(N)+9)

"Hmmmm," says Taldus under his breath.

Sense Motive DC22: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Nope, just my imagination.


At the Pig and Roast in Maheto, Taldor - Starday, 28 Erastus, 4715 A.R.

Mr. Gribbs pushes back his plate, takes a final swig of his ale, wipes his mouth with his napkin, and pushes up from the table. "Well, then, since we're getting an early start tomorrow, I'm off. I will see you all in the assembly yard before Somal sets."

Knowledge (Nature) DC 5:
Somal is the Azlanti name for Golarion's moon. The moon will set about an hour before sunrise.

Mr. Gribb smiles broadly at you, then makes his way toward the exit of the Pig and Roast.

The dwarves on stage resume their pounding performance as he leaves.

Dark Archive

Male Varisian Wizard 1

Hmmm... something doesn't add up here. I percieve no deciption from the man, but I am not particularly good at reading people. Facts, however, I am VERY good at, they tell me to watch out.

Rafaelis ponders by what other means Mr Gribbs might pay off debtors such as, "What does a highly trained person such as myself and others go for on the slave market?"

Appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Since I am rubbish at tailing people, following Mr Gribbs is out; I think I will rise early and look about the place. Any ideas on how to confirm or deny my suspicions?


Rafaelis Reeves wrote:
Rafaelis ponders by what other means Mr Gribbs might pay off debtors such as, "What does a highly trained person such as myself and others go for on the slave market?"

Rafaelis knows that the day rate to hire skilled labor is roughly 3 pieces of silver per day. Slavery is not common in Taldor. While slave ownership is legal in Taldor, slave trading is not. Any slave trading that occurs in Taldor necessarily occurs in the black market economy, where prices are disproportionately high. Illicit trade in skilled slaves within Taldor is highly problematic, as such slaves could easily report the crime.


Rafaelis Reeves wrote:

Hmmm... something doesn't add up here. I percieve no deciption from the man, but I am not particularly good at reading people. Facts, however, I am VERY good at, they tell me to watch out.

Since I am rubbish at tailing people, following Mr Gribbs is out; I think I will rise early and look about the place. Any ideas on how to confirm or deny my suspicions?

Speaking for the very first time, Tark Toughtoe quietly rises from his seat. "I'm on it," he says, and slips out of the taproom behind Mr. Gribb with surprising speed.

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