Dungeon Master S's "The Glass River Rescue" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Marika looks down at her lap, hiding her expression from the others as she speaks in a somewhat level, low voice. "...as a merchant it might be plausible that we'd evade the taxes and take our chances, but I doubt the truly faithful would seek to evade taxes to their own theocracy. Since I believe we're taking the pilgrim route, we should probably allow the inspection. If you've got anything suspicious with you, toss it overboard now. Wayfinders, Society papers, anything that might tie you to the Grand Lodge. I won't try to demand that you get rid of any holy symbols, but if you don't need it and can't think of a good explanation for having it, make damn sure it won't be found. Cram it up your own ass if you have to."

Kageko winces slightly at Marika's choice of words. "... I fear Milady has an excellent point; as pilgrims we would be expected to abide by the laws of the land we regard as holy."

She withdraws the Venture Captain's missive from her sleeve and holds it to an open flame, then waits until it has burned almost completely away before flicking the remnant into the river. "Of course, this will likely be easier for some of us than others, and we still have some time to decide which tactic we'll commit to. Ser Passad, I yield to your knowledge of these waterways; how would you estimate our chances of successfully avoiding their patrols?"

Khamul listens intently to his colleagues before relenting. "Marika makes good points. What is the usual toll though? I doubt pilgrims would throw around platinum pieces and we don't want to attract any undue attention. We should pay no more than is necessary."

"You might be surprised at how much money the faithful would be willing to save to make a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to their holy land," Kageko points out to Khamul.

"True but would they give it all away in tolls?" Khamul questions.

"When you've already sold your soul to one god, particularly one that would charge such horrendous tolls? Without a second's hesitation, if that's what's asked of you."

Cram it up your own ass if you have to."

Chusynd looks appalled at this suggestion. That sounds rather painful. Also, I would think most items would lose much of their utility after being transported in such a manner. Scrolls would be worthless, for instance. And then some items would unquestionably be more painful than others. Swords would certainly hurt more than wands. I suppose I can understand the concept, but practically speaking it seems difficult...

He trails off for a second, then whirls to face Passad. How fast is this vessel? Can we win a race with the Razmirian boats? Maybe we should make odds on that and see whether we can raise the toll fare that way!

Sigrun frowns in thought, her arms folded against her chest.

"Is there any place on this ship where we might hide the dwarves and anything else we don't want a patrol to see? It might be uncomfortable, but a crate hidden in the back corner of the bilge, for example, might not be checked."

"Also..." She smiles knowingly, "perhaps a little extra coin to sweeten the deal may let us pass through with haste -- that is, without a full search of the vessel. We've important business with a high-ranking member of the priesthood, after all, we cannot be held up here!"

Marika Vanhannen wrote:

Cram it up your own ass if you have to."

Chusynd looks appalled at this suggestion. That sounds rather painful. Also, I would think most items would lose much of their utility after being transported in such a manner. Scrolls would be worthless, for instance. And then some items would unquestionably be more painful than others. Swords would certainly hurt more than wands. I suppose I can understand the concept, but practically speaking it seems difficult...

He trails off for a second, then whirls to face Passad. How fast is this vessel? Can we win a race with the Razmirian boats? Maybe we should make odds on that and see whether we can raise the toll fare that way!

"...are you serious? I obviously didn't mean to hide the weapons. Just obvious signs of our origin point or any hint that we might not be faithful little followers of this so-called Living God." Marika bites back something of a stronger tirade that's obviously boiling just under the surface.

Kageko places a hand on Marika's shoulder. "Softly, Milady. Harness your ire until such time as it is needed..."

She nods to Sigrun. "I'm not sure how high a sin they regard bribery to be, at least in theory, but few people indeed are fully immune to money's capacity for greasing the wheels of daily life; if we offer the bribe circumspectly while saying the right things, it may well convince them to permit us to expedite."

Kageko's hand causes the sparks that had just been starting to appear around the girl's shoulders to die down as she takes a deep breath. "...okay, I think we need to back up here. Lay out everything we know about Razmiran faith first. If we're gonna try to pass we need everyone to know everything we can in case we're questioned on it."

"I only mean that legitimate pilgrims would have no need to bribe. Giving away more on the toll than is needed will only arouse suspicion. A true pilgrim with nothing to hide would simply pay the toll and move on, giving his true wealth at the temple."

Sigrun smiles behind her hand at Marika's outburst. She's a walking tempest, this one. Little did she know how right she was.

"All I know is that they wear those dumb mask things."

"That's a start." Marika grins. "Just the priests, or does that include lay worshipers?"

Sigrun shrugs. "Beats me. Sorry - religion's not my forte. Or should I say I really don't care about it. Was raised in an Erastilian home, but since I left I ain't been too devout, y'know?"

"How about you dwarves, or you, Passad? You know much about 'em?"

Feel free to offer up Knowledge (Religion) checks.

"Worry not of the coin. Mercantalism requires much skill in pecuniary negotiations. We cannot outrun their ships, which is why you shouldn't hid your weapons too thoroughly", says Passad

Actually, Khamul did on the last page, got a pretty good roll.

Thanks!

When prompted about his knowledge of Razmir, Khamul will sit back and think for a moment. "If you will allow me a short history lesson. . . ."

"Razmir, known as the Lord of the 31 Steps and referred to as the Living God, claims to have taken the Test of the Starstone and ascended to divinity. He appeared before the people of Xer in the Duchy of Melcat 52 years ago and now acts as both sovereign and god of those captured lands. In my scholarly opinion and as a worshiper of the god of magic Nethys, it is clear that Razmir is not a true god at all; he is simply a charlatan who has fooled an entire nation into following his absurd order."

After pausing for a bit Khamul continues, "It is no secret that the Razmiri clergy rely more on bullying than on divine miracles, often exploiting travelers to fill the church’s coffers. There are regular patrols of faithful enforcers searching for dissension throughout the country of Razmiran."

"Now that we are all on the same page," Khamul continues commandingly, his voice growing louder, "I still maintain that if we're are to pose as pilgrims we must be as commonplace and simple as possible. Bribes will only attract attention. Passad and the dwarves will remain hidden, our Society identities will remain hidden, but we will remain armed as a backup. I do not think openly carrying weapons is against the law or frowned upon in Razmiran. We should quietly pay what we need to avoid disputes and be on our way to rescue our captured comrades." Khamul leans back with satisfied authority and waits for a response.

Kageko listens attentively to Khamul's lecture, her smile hardening slightly as the details are filled in.

"Ah, good," she finally says, smiling pleasantly again. "I do so detest having to deceive people I respect."

"That said, " she continues in a more serious tone, "I do worry that in order to pose as completely harmless pilgrims we may need to conceal more of our gear than we can afford to do without. Perhaps a hybrid strategy may pay better dividend -- while some of us are pilgrims seeking to visit the holy land, fear for our safety prompted us to hire protectors to keep us safe as well as charter passage on Master Passad's ship. This should permit at least some of us to retain our weapons close to hand and explain our presence on a merchant ship..."

"Frankly..sorry, Khamul was it? Yes, I agree that going the Pilgrim's path that we should keep bribes to a minimum. Pay without question if they're asked for, don't offer. Treat any request for an 'additional donation' as a bribe."

She gives Kageko an odd look. "What's wrong with pilgrims also being mercenaries or adventurers escorting other faithful, like myself?"

"Right," Sigrun interrupts abruptly, "so the plan is that some of us are mercs and some of us are pilgrims. This doesn't solve our primary problem: what do we do about the dwarves? Is there some place they can hide?"

"I'm going to have a look around below-decks," she says, waving over her shoulder as she stomps towards the nearest stairs or ladder to head down below. "Keep me updated with the plans, y'hear?"

Sigrun's going to head below-decks and have a look around. If there's a small, nondescript storage room, or a bilge, or anything like that we can get into, for example; as well as looking for any crates or barrels etc. that a dwarf might be able to fit in.

Marika looks down at her lap again. "First, that's not quite what I meant. I was just trying to point out that the two roles are not incompatible. The god you worship and the way you make your daily living aren't attached to one another. Particularly in this case, where our Razmir doesn't seem to have a coherent set of beliefs. It seems simply accepting Razmir's ascension and a belief that he might bless you is all that you need to join the club."

"First of all, do we, any of us..." she looks to the hosts in particular "...actually have the resources to hide living beings from detection?"

Passad looks bemused at the banter, "Yes, I think Sigrun is checking it out now. It's not fool proof, but it'll work. We have plenty of places to hide."

Indeed, Sigrun

Sigrun returns shortly thereafter, rolling her eyes at the sound of the backwards-and-forwards banter that was going on. Seemed like this Marika girl liked to get her own way.

"Looks like there's plenty of places below-decks that we could hide 'em in. Sorry, you two, but you might have to spend a bit of time in a musty old crate if we get pulled up. That alright, though?"

If the dwarves OK the plan (at least, to her eyes, the more important part of the plan - the side issues the rest were arguing about would no doubt be filled in by those who actually cared), Sigrun will head back down and empty out a crate hidden right at the back of a room somewhere, moving whatever is in it into other boxes and barrels. If possible, she'll turn it on its side so that the top of the crate is facing a back corner, allowing the lid to be left open for breathing room. She will then rearrange the other crates and whatnot in the room such that there are tonnes of various things in front of the back-most hiding crate to stop any curious and nosy inspectors.

"...all right." Marika seems a little doubting, but she lets it go. "Razmir's faith sounds expansionist to me. Would that be right Khamul? Do we know what's downstream from here?" She thinks. "We need a city where one of these priests might have been proselytizing recently, so somewhere close to the nation's border would be best. I think I'm starting to pull this together..."

Kageko nods. "They'll need to be hidden well, mind -- being caught smuggling people in would be infinitely worse for us than having to explain their presence on board were they seen in the open. The latter we could possibly explain; the former, we would not be able to."

She looks around the group. "Past that, we'll need to divide and decide our roles -- who'll be a pilgrim and who'll be a guard; who espouses Razmir's faith and who came along for mere coin..."

Though Sigrun is not present for Kageko's comment on role division, it is clear from her absence and recent boredom that getting her to play the part as a pilgrim is possibly not the best of ideas. That much is clear.

Chusynd looks on as the ideas are discussed. No boat race, then? He seems a little disappointed, but then brightens almost instantly. Oh! What if I offer the Razmirian guards odds on whether we have something hidden on the boat? That wouldn't be suspicious!

Kageko's expression freezes for a moment as she tries to decide whether Chusynd was being serious or drunk.

"... No. No boat race, and I do not think it advisable to make any bets. In fact, it would probably be best for all concerned if you were to speak as little as possible to anyone in authority while we are in Razmirian territories..."

... And if it doesn't look like he's capable of keeping quiet I'll have to see about dosing his next meal with something to keep him delerious and bedridden for the duration of the trip; explaining that we're hoping Razmir's mercy can cure him might help cement our cover as pilgrims... she thinks but takes care not to say out loud.

Marika, on the other hand, starts visibly sparking with electricity. "WHAT KIND OF MORON ARE YOU!?"

Her hands slam down on the table, sparks still flying "Don't you understand what is going on here?! We are going into a country that is likely to be actively hostile to our presence and you continue to talk about taunting the authorities. I'd question your competence but you have to have somehow succeeded in accomplishing something on your own to be sitting at this table, so I can only think you hit your head on something hard, possibly someone else's mace, while you were in the process and someone felt sorry for you, or amazed you survived the head trauma!"

Chusynd smiles and nods at Marika. I appreciate your concern for my well-being, that's very kind! By the same token, if you or anyone gets hurt, I'll be glad to use the grace of Aroden to help patch you back up!

Are we ready to go? (Fel will offer to be Faceman.)

Ready to go.

Ooc- ready. Fel will be a pilgrim. He loves turkey so he can play the part.

Fel observes the proceedings with a detached smile. He is slightly taken aback by the intensity and passion the discussion has taken, but pleased to see his companions care so deeply about the mission at hand.

As for the dwarves hiding belowdecks, Fel wonders how long they might have to stay secreted below, and thoughtfully outfits their crate with some water and snacks. He has worked with dwarves before and as much as they might prefer ale to water, the results of 2 dwarves in a crate with a quantity of ale might be less than the subtle approach called for.

With a mein of religious fervor descending on him gradually as he assumes the role of an earnest and star-struck pilgrim setting foot in the holy land for the first time, Fel toys with his trusty 10 foot pole, allowing the tip to dip into the water and slowly fall away scraping along the gunnel as the current takes it. When the pole begins to crest a rippling wave, Fel swings it forward in a gentle arc to repeat the process becoming entranced in the gentle splashing and glittering water.

Chusynd takes up a position in the bow like a sentry, looking out over the water with an alertness and enthusiasm that Fel admires. He addresses the cleric, Chusynd, tell me about your people if you've a mind to. Fel sees something in the man's ancestry that seems almost celestial in nature, but can't quite put a finger on it.

As he and Chusynd converse, Fel continues to pole the water introspectively. The Glass River is quite scenic at this point of the journey, and Fel enjoys the mild weather while it holds. As adventures go, this one is certainly starting off comfortably enough. No sewers, slime, or nasty undead to deal with. The accommodations are warm and dry and the company seems a fascinating lot. This is Fel's kind of adventure.

Why, I'd be delighted to do so, Fel! Chusynd gladly chats with the elf, knowing him to be one who will understand his long-term perspective on life better than most. He tells Fel stories about his upbringing on the isle of Hermea, about his unceremonious departure from there, and about his journeys across the Inner Sea region. He actually seems to welcome the opportunity to talk with someone about things usually left unsaid.

During their talk, Fel determines that while Chusynd can embellish a story with the best of them, his devotion to Aroden appears quite real, and that he firmly believes that Aroden isn't dead ("he's just resting"). Fel also learns that Chusynd rarely thinks inside his head, seeming rather to speak his thought processes out loud in a stream-of-consciousness fashion. While this sometimes results in awkward moments with conversants, his charm and genial nature frequently serve to smooth things over.

The trip is rather quiet outside of the Pathfinders. It seems that once cooler heads prevail, the party is well equipped for all manner of action. During a break in the discourse, Passad interrupts, "LAdies and gentlemen, we are fast approaching a decision. Let us decide now, are we to stop in Xer and pay, or head straight up towards the inn?

"I think stopping to pay is the best way to proceed. It is most consistent with our cover story" Fel says.

The elf turns to his new companion, "Chusynd, are you content to let me do the talking and provide backup if necessary?"

"Let's pay and get it over with. C'mon, dwarves; down to the storage you go. Stay as quiet as you can and hopefully the silver tongues up here can keep prying eyes away from your hidey-hole." Sigrun gives them a grin that she hopes is at least somewhat comforting.

"I'm gonna try and look the part of a guard to whomever's doing the paying, aight? Stoic and silent, hanging just behind you in case of trouble."

"can we all agree that I will try to get the fee or bribe or tax or fare or whatever it is as low as possible? I would ask you all to trust me and agree ahead of time to split it evenly. It wouldn't make sense to have this discussion in front of an official, or for the mercenaries to object to how much the pilgrims decided to pay" Fel sureys the group.

-ooc sorry for the lack of formatting. I am doing my best to post off of my phone. And no I am NOT planning to use way finder lol.

"No bribes." says Khamul. "Just pay the fee like any good pilgrim and hopefully we can move on. If they start asking for more than the normal it would perhaps be best to feign poverty and not give away our wealth. In that instance, Fel, you may barter to keep the fare steady."

"Chusynd, are you content to let me do the talking and provide backup if necessary?"

Of course, of course! Chusynd replies. I will be glad to let you lead the way! May Aroden bless our task!

"Agreed with Khamul. Inconsistency is the death of any good con," Marika says, although she's almost certainly quoting an instructor given the tone of voice.

Aboard the ship Khamul will spend most of his time speaking with Amauhak about the philosophies of the sand dwarves and the rich history of Osirion. Trying to make friends with him just in case he has something my faction might be interested in.

You can only improve someone's attitude once/day so I think I used my first roll on that.

Diplomacy (if necessary): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

"No bribes." says Khamul. "Just pay the fee like any good pilgrim and hopefully we can move on. If they start asking for more than the normal it would perhaps be best to feign poverty and not give away our wealth. In that instance, Fel, you may barter to keep the fare steady."

Ahhh... But how are pilgrims to the Great and Powerful Raz normally treated? If things start getting out of hand we can always adjust. If some low-level clearly expects a little palm-greasing I'll do my best to sense his motives to see if this is something normally expected of pilgrims.

Bear in mind I am not interested in parting with my hard-earned gold for the excitement of it. Let's introduce a few code words. If you work one of these words into normal conversation, we can react to your ideas without giving away our intent.

Fel details his suggested code and asks the others to commit it to memory.

red = this is an excessive bribe, don't pay it
faithful = this is working, keep it up
hot = abandon the ruse and use violence
flies = distraction required, divert attention from me
banana = take cover, I'm calling Aroden to make another Eye of Abendego on these fools!

Kageko nods at Khamul. "An excellent point -- spending too much money too willingly might rouse suspicion as easily as would refusing to pay at all."

She then turns to face Marika. "Milady, while your qualities are sterling and many, the ability to act meek and humble numbers not among them." She removes her sheathed blade from her side and offers it to the other girl. "Will you do me the honor of looking after Natsu-no-Kaminari in my stead?"

Marika looks for a moment like she might object to this evaluation of her abilities, but sighs. "I guess..." She takes the blade and tries to work out how to attach it to her outfit, only taking a minute to work out putting it in her belt.

The city of Xer occupies the north bank of the Glass River, and its dozens of docks remain busy as ships headed both east and west call at the port. Grubby men and women in bulky jackets patrol the docks, and few smiling faces are to be seen. The boat’s captain chooses an isolated berth sheltered on either side by tall warehouses, and one of them automatically tosses a rope to the dockworker, who moors the boat to post near him.

As the Abacus finishes docking, three Razmiri faithful—one holding the taut leash of a slavering, halftamed wolf—approach and make eye contact with each on deck before settling on Fel. It's clear that the man is accustomed to being obeyed and speaks with a mixture of boredom and cantankerousness. "You there. There's a toll to be settled 'ere. How many souls be aboard?"

In the interest of efficiency Fel, include your Diplomacy, Bluff, or Intimidate check with your post. Some goes for anyone looking to either Aid Another or use a different skill than Fel.

Aid Another (Diplo): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Aid Another (Bluff) +9, thus auto-assist