GM BPC's Deepmarket Deception PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

"We may also be here to trade, if what we seek has not already been traded away." The half orc takes a step closers to the blades. "May I ask what was given in exchange for these blades?"

If possible Gob would check the quality of the weapons given to the grippli.

Appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

"Maybe, what do you wish to discuss with Mother Bogwynne?" He seems to ignore Gob's question.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Gob stares hard at the grippli, not liking the fact his question was evaded. "What was traded for these weapons."

sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 darn, just missed it

"We are in search of something that was said to belong to your tribe... we want to assure that you still own said item and perhaps arrange to trade for it."

"What do we have that you seek?", once again ignoring the half-orc.

Wyeth watches the interaction (and the non-interaction) with a deepening frown, but says nothing.

"That is what we must endeavor to determine, and why we must speak with the Bogmother. It is a matter of some delicacy and perhaps privacy?"

Give me a Diplomacy check Hakime!

diplo: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Shasta chimes in with, "We are also concerned for your tribe's well-being. We are aware of some traders who generally care more about themselves than their trading partners. They offer what seems a fair trade, but they hide the true value of what they get in return."

aid diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

"Hmmm, very well.", the grippli relenting more out of tiredness than anything else. He croaks out loud and several other grippli lower a tall ladder from the trees to the jungle floor.

The grippli the party is talking to then starts climbing the tree the ladder is attached to and motions the party to follow. Rickety rope bridges connect half a dozen grippli tree houses to one another, though to the north, many more appear overgrown and abandoned. One dwelling is larger than the others and overhangs a small pond. The guide opens a curtain of knotted vines and nods for your entrance.

Inside, three gripplis with mottled gray-brown skin pass a finely crafted short sword back and forth with admiration. The guide announces each elder to the party: Mother Bogwynne, the lorekeeper and chief elder; Finyik, the hunt-master; and Diblop, the chief brew-mistress and miracle worker. The largest of them, Bogwynne speaks after slowly getting to her feet and hands the sword to the guide.

"Thank you Gwellik. You have done well in our time of need, bringing both weapons and travelers from afar to lend aid to the Krihilik.". She doesn't leave the party time to think before looking over the group and continuing. "So what is it that you have to offer us, tall ones?", she asks.

"What we might have to offer depends on what you have to trade with us... we seek an artifact that can defeat something called the golden god of the kobolds. We heard you hold this item in trust. We would be willing to pay well for such a trade. What say you?"

While she speaks, Hakime watches all three of the gripplis for their reactions to her request.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

well those were pretty unspectacular rolls... sigh

"So you seek a weapon to fight against the guardian of the Bandu Hills? Word of our tribe's secret seems to reach many ears of late.", the bogmother nodding accordingly. "The Krihirik have such an object, but is a treasured possession, entrusted to us long ago - one we could not surrender lightly. However..."

She looks to Finyik, the hunt-master whose old bones creak as he gets to his feet to speak. "We are fewer in number with each season, for we are hemmed in by enemies on all sides. Those who would seek our remaining weapon would do well to bring us one in return, and this is the same opportunity we gave those who came before you. Travel to the Deepblood Ridge, wehere to beasts of the Kaava Lands reign, and bring back one or more of their eggs. These we can nurture as our own, far from the hungry talons of the lizardfolk who fear the beasts and would eat their young. Do this while surviving the dangers of our forest home, and you shall have our gratitude and our respect."

Finyik sits down, and Diblop, by far the oldest of the three, speaks. "The great scaled ones are mighty creatures, the king and queen of the Kaava Lands’ many beasts. But the lizardfolk—may curses haunt their
breed to the ends of the jungle—chased them off, leaving the nest vulnerable. Now is the time to strike! Those who can defy the lizardfolk
and aid us now will be most fit to wield the weapon the dwarves gave us
so long ago and end the vile guardian’s threat once and for all."

Any questions for the elders?

"Can you perhaps describe the eggs of the great scaled ones for us so we make no mistakes, perhaps size and color?... and perhaps give us insight into how to find this vulnerable nest? We will brave the lizardfolk and bring you back an egg, for the gods themselves favor our cause."

Wyeth cringes and mutters something under his breath at the reference to gods favoring them.

Mentally changing the subject, he leans toward Marduk and quietly says, "Please tell me this isn't going to turn into one of those, 'Oh sure, you can have this but first you have to bring me that which requires we've already acquired one of those which we have to fight a tribe of them to get.' "

As an afterthought he adds, "And them can only defeated by the Sacred Dagger of Here We Go Again."

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Marduk nods with a sigh.

"Might be, sadly.
It's so common...us honing our martial and mental skills via menial tasks, impossible for the ones giving the tasks....instead of other hired help."

Aspex smirks at Marduk. "And this is different from your other experiences with this group how? It was the same for me in the north as it is here."

Does Aspex have any ideas on what the kings of the Kaava Lands might be, from context or knowledge of the grippli? I'm guessing dinosaurs, but who knows.

Kn:Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Kn:Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"We appreciate the opportunity to aid your people. Did those who provided you these fine swords also go after one of the eggs that they might secure the needed artifact of the dwarves? Not all who seek the artifact may do so for the greater good of the inhabitants of the Bandu Hills. May Sinashakti and your gods grant you the wisdom to judge who is worthy of such a potent item of power. If there is anything we can do beyond collecting the eggs you desire, anything that will satisfy you of our motives, let us know."

After her comment about the gods, Shasta glances back at Wyeth and winks.

Wyeth rolls his eyes but, in deference to the sensibilities of their hosts, remains silent.

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"Right, send the guy in the 500 gold suit to pick up some eggs and kill some lizards, sounds like a solid plan." Gob says as he tries not to roll his eyes. "We shall do what you ask of us, but we expect that you will keep your end of the bargain. As Shasta put it, we would like to know if there is other competition out that. You can at least acknowledge that right?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Good questions and rolls! There will be responses shortly!

Finyik answers as best he can.

@Hakime: "The eggs are large for our kind, nearly our size. They are mottled white and brown. We can give you directions to the Deepblood Ravine."

@Aspex: You recall in your studies on your way to this area that large dinosaurs to roam this area from 'small' megaraptors the same of a man to mighty tyrannosaurs towering two stories.

Also, you are aware that the lizardfolk of the Kaava lands are generally more open with other non-lizardfolk than others. Nonetheless, they are still a proud, unpredictable, and violent people - a combination that has resulted in many deadly encounters over the years. Their conquest over the smaller gripplis will be inevitable unless the amphibious people secure some sort of advantage.

@Shasta & Gob: "Yes, the explorers who Gwellik brought back for trade have set out to find the eggs as well. They seemed eager to help us with our problem and earn the weapon." Mother Bogwynne also interjects something. "I understand your desire to procure this artifact. For whatever means, we do not care; we need to protect our tribe before we are lost and if ending our charge of the ancient weapon is necessary for this aid, then so be it."

Any other questions for the elders? Likewise, I'll take Knowledge: Geography or Kn: Local checks as well

Does her Kn:Nature check tell her anything about the kind of creature once the grippli describes them as grippli-sized, mottled brown and white eggs?

"Somewhat in our favor is the fact that the lizardfolk of the Kaava lands aren't reputed to be implacably hostile to outsiders. That hasn't prevented violent encounters with explorers, however." Aspex smiles at Shasta. "Perhaps we will be able to talk them into helping us, if this other group hasn't riled them up before we get there."

If the eggs are that big, the parent must be good sized. Something in the allosaur to tyrannosaur range seems feasible. Not enough to be specific to the species, though.

Finyik visible frowns at Aspex's suggestion. "It would be unwise of you; they are cruel and disgusting creatures who eat the flesh of anyone they can get their claws on - including us. We have warred with them for many generations, but now they have the upper hand. They only think of resources, and any threat to their food sources is their enemy. If they find the eggs first, they will simply eat them as a way of eliminating a future competitor."

Aspex nods at the grippli, understanding why it would say that about its enemies. "Of course. Thank you for your counsel."

Know Geo: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Know Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"Now just to be clear before we set out. You are not overly concerned about either party, just the fact that the threats to you tribe are removed yes?"

"Yes; you both seem only interested in our weapon, so whoever first returns with the eggs shall receive it. They do have a headstart, too, so you may find it prudent to make haste, tall ones.", Bogwynne, confirming Gob's question. "The leader of the others explorers is a man with terrible scars on his arms; he carries numerous blades and wore a strange badge with a serpent insignia. His colleagues referred to him by the name Fiveknives."

Gob also confirms that the Deepblood Ravine runs northeast to southwest in the eastern Kaava Lands; the majority of the western half is close to the lizardfolk territory, and the eastern half is considered less dangerous. The entire ravine used to be lizardfolk territory, but the arrival of carnivorous dinosaurs drove them out, causing the lizardfolk to expand in every other direction, thus into the path of the Krihilik.

Gob's knowledge of the area is also good enough to grant the party a +2 bonus to Survival checks while in the Kaava Lands

"Let's go!" Shasta chirps and stands to leave.

Anyone up for a game of Cadillacs and Dinosaurs?

The party going to follow Shasta's lead to make haste for the Deepblood Ravine? Want to ask any other questions? Any other preparations?

ready to go here. I do have a wand of endure elements - if it's hot enough to need it, I'll use it on everyone.

"A guy that likes to use knives and I'm wearing a 600 gold suit. Fantastic, lets get going."

Shasta will make sure she has a way to secure large eggs onto the mule, perhaps by purchasing a couple of large baskets that can carry one large egg on either side of the mule.

She will purchase saddle-bags, which the baskets would resemble.

Sounds good! And since half of the party is ok with progress, moving on!

Shasta quickly picks up a pair of saddle baskets and secures them to her faithful mule before the party hurriedly heads towards the ravine.

The jungle canopy shades the understory of the Kaava Lands during the day, casting the ground in dim light even during high noon. Luckily, this area is less humid than the rest of the Mwangi Expanse and with the shade the party travels far more comfortably than on their first trek through the Bandu Hill jungles.

The Kaava Lands teem with wildlife, from squawking birds and stinging insects to humongous trees that create a dense canopy above. Vines, roots, and large-leaved plants cover much of the ground. The gripplis’ directions lead northwest through the dark, virtually trackless terrain. The myriad sounds of the jungle grow louder, and the undergrowth grows thicker, as the Krihirik village vanishes into the distance.

Thanks to Gob's knowledge of the area Really, it made the difference!, the party makes quick work in the direction of the ravine. Confirmation that they are in the right track are from footprints of at least six Medium sized humanoids and a curiously smaller set of tracks by a barefoot humanoid missing two toes on the right foot.

About four miles from the Krihirik village, the terrain suddenly drops off into a deep ravine. The far side of the ravine is sixty feet away, and its craggy faces descend one hundred feet to the ravine floor below. The gap in the jungle allows a glimpse of the sky above, but the trees grow to the very edge of the ravine, and their dense canopy still blocks out much of the light. Several of the trees have massive, shaggy-barked
trunks sporting countless twisting limbs. The trees’ strong roots grow deep into the earth and some even dangle over the side of the ravine.

I'll need a Climb check to head down unless you wish to do something else :)

"A guy that likes to use knives and I'm wearing a 600 gold suit. Fantastic, lets get going."

Aspex looks Gob up and down, her expression skeptical and her ever-present smirk on her lips. "What possessed you to wear a 600 gold suit to the middle of nowhere?"

Kn:Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The Chelaxian woman grimaces at the tree roots. "Monkey tree. The oils in its bark and roots stain and will leave their stink for a whole day." She shakes her head and glances back at Gob. "Glad I'm not wearing an expensive suit."

Climb, when required: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

"I like to look my best, and I see it as a personal challenge to keep it neat and tidy." Gob replies to Aspex as he casts infernal healing on himself from his wand and jumps off the edge of the ravine.

Gob, the descent is 100 feet down, even assuming you make the Acrobatics check 9d6 damage on average will put you negative and could possibly cause the death :) Still want to make the leap of faith!

Boots of the cat baby! 10 damage and I land on my feet

Heh, forgot that! Give me an Acrobatics check!

climb, dc unknown: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"What about the mule? they don't climb so well."

You guys using the roots to climb down or not? Using the roots does reduce the climb DC

roots, rope, whatever is handy... I someone should have rope

I think we have enough rope to lower the mule down before the majority of us go down. If we use the rope instead of the roots, what would the DC be compared to the roots?

knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Does the scent of the monkey tree oils have a known effect of attracting predators or any other side effect?

The spicy oils are incredibly fragrant and would easily make you more noticeable to predators or anything with scent

Also, since you'd have to avoid the roots entirely (can't even kick off of them), the Climb DC does go up using ropes compared to using the roots. Possible, but more challenging if you wish to remain scent-ftee.

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can't a simple prestidigitation at the end clean and de-scent everyone? Does anyone in the party have the spell?

Not something this strong. . I would allow a Craft: Alchemy, Kn: Nature, or Spellcraft check to come up with other solutions that will aid the Climb check

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Well, in that case...

Kn:Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"Ooow"Gob calls out as he lands on the ravine floor, his infernal healing already working to fix the damage he suffered from the fall.

Shasta discusses with Aspex possible applications of known spells and/or natural ways to remove or mask the scent.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

So she can't think of anything magical that would help, but it seems she and Aspex might have a brilliant idea using natural solvents or some natural way to neutralize the odor.

Whatever method provides the lowest climb DC, she'll use to climb down. If she can neutralize the scent issue without upping the climb DC, she'll do that. Otherwise, she'll use the safest method, even if she ends up smelling like she has been working in a combination kitchen, alchemy lab, and perfume factory. Let me know if she has to make multiple rolls.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21