Male Half-Elf Cleric of Desna [3] | HP 24/24 | AC 18 T 11 FF 17 | F +4 R +2 W +7 | CMB +3 CMD 14 | Init +1 | Perc +14 | SM +4 | Heal +8 | Diplo +6 | Channels Remaining 3/7
Selkin manages to evade the blade! He then swings his morningstar in self-defense!
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
Kaye yawns and hurls a firebomb at her.
"Not now, bandit. We have a much more valuable mission at stake."
Ranged Touch, Point Blank Shot:1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13 Fire Damage:1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9If he missed, She can make a Reflex Save DC 14 for half of 5 damage. Miss Direction:1d8 ⇒ 1
He then draws his shortspear and prepares for her assault.
"Have at thee!" Torriki's challenge is given with exaggerrated volume and tone. Nevertheless he dashes into place, giving a flip with twist at the last second. Acrobtaics:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
and stabs with his trusty rapier: ATK:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13, but falls short.
Male Half-Elf Cleric of Desna [3] | HP 24/24 | AC 18 T 11 FF 17 | F +4 R +2 W +7 | CMB +3 CMD 14 | Init +1 | Perc +14 | SM +4 | Heal +8 | Diplo +6 | Channels Remaining 3/7
You distract her! Selkin wants none of the woman's blade.
The woman shakes her head and resists Zhatara's command as Selkin's blade is parried to the side. Kaye's aim, however, is spot-on and the blast leaves burn marks along the woman's side. Torriki then slips behind her but misses in his attempt to look really cool doing that spin-maneuver around her.
Suddenly there is movement from the sides of the bridge as two men who must have been hanging from the sides pull themselves over the lip and leap behind Torriki, drawing longswords. The woman silently stabs at Torriki as they move into position.
Male Half-Elf Cleric of Desna [3] | HP 24/24 | AC 18 T 11 FF 17 | F +4 R +2 W +7 | CMB +3 CMD 14 | Init +1 | Perc +14 | SM +4 | Heal +8 | Diplo +6 | Channels Remaining 3/7
Oh no! I'll help you Torriki! Selkin goes to flank one of the new enemies!
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
Kaye stifles a yawn. "Oh, they're the bandits. Let's help Torriki, eh?"
Kaye hurls another firebomb at the woman, controlling the blast so it hits her but not Torriki.
Precise Bombs allows Kaye to exclude up to 3 squares from the splash. He'll make sure Torriki isn't in one of them. Ranged Touch, Point Blank Shot:1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12 Fire Damage:1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7If he missed, She can make a Reflex Save DC 14 for half of 5 damage. Miss Direction:1d8 ⇒ 3
Shisen endeavors to keep her mouth from being agape as the ambush occurs. When she recovers her senses, she decides to boldly stride forward and unleash a cone of bright bubbles upon two of the assailants.
Move, then swift: hypnotic stare at blue (-2 on Will saves), then casting color spray defensively - Will DC 15 negates.
Concentration DC 17:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 The spell fizzles!
I remembered the -2 on her Will save, she just had a good roll.
Will:1d20 ⇒ 20Speaking of good rolls... Ref:1d20 ⇒ 9
The woman again scowls at Zhatara's command as Selkin leaps behind one of the men and stabs him in the side.
This time Kaye's aim is off and the bomb explodes to the woman's left. She turns just in time to avoid the blast. But Torriki needs a Dc 14 Ref save for half against the 5 splash damage since I don't think you can exclude people if you miss your target.
Torriki quickly recovers his wits and works with Selkin to wound the bandit further. The man is left staggered on his feet! Then Faellynn sends a pair of arrows into the mix, one of them taking down the woman! Who I just realized is actually a dwarven woman. Don't trust the descriptions, always check the stat line, I guess!
The two bandits continue to fight on to defend their leader's body though. Stepping south, they flank Torriki and hack with their swords.
However, the effort sends one of the men toppling to ground bleeding from two large wounds. When this happens the final bandit steps away, throws his sword down, and puts his hands in the air. "Surrender! Surrender!"
Male Half-Elf Cleric of Desna [3] | HP 24/24 | AC 18 T 11 FF 17 | F +4 R +2 W +7 | CMB +3 CMD 14 | Init +1 | Perc +14 | SM +4 | Heal +8 | Diplo +6 | Channels Remaining 3/7
Yes, we accept. No more blood needs to be shed! Selkin will wait as the others ensure that the man is disarmed and restrained. Now, what is the reason for this ambush? Answer with truth, friend.
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
Torriki needs to make the reflex save because I missed, yes.
"Oops! Sorry about that, friend."
Intimidate, Aid:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Kaye stifles a yawn as he juggles one of his alchemical bombs. "He is merely another bandit. Are we going to get anything important out of him besides greed? I saw we skewer him and leave him here to die."
The man stutters, "No one sent us! No one other than Fowrah, that is," he nods his head in the direction of the dwarven woman bleeding on the ground. "We've done it before, taken out other caravans and merchants. I don't think she expected a group as strong as you though." He shrugs a bit. "But that's the danger of the profession, right?"
Male Half-Elf Cleric of Desna [3] | HP 24/24 | AC 18 T 11 FF 17 | F +4 R +2 W +7 | CMB +3 CMD 14 | Init +1 | Perc +14 | SM +4 | Heal +8 | Diplo +6 | Channels Remaining 3/7
You have any others that might try to ambush us somewhere or are you alone? What do you know of this area?
"So you would just be common thugs? Tell me why we should not put the lot of you down like the rabid dogs you clearly are?" asks Zhatara, suddenly sounding distant and detached.
"You may be near the Druman border but you're still in Isger now. Do you want the blood of Isgeri citizens on your hands?" the man asks.
To Selkin he says, "Beyond the Path of Commencement here the path winds down to Druma's border. There's a signpost down there with a map of the whole area, the whole country in fact. There ain't any more in this area, at least there better not be after Fowrah set up shop here."
Zhatara looks at the surviving thief long and hard before turning towards Kaye:"You wish to let this worm crawl away? I really can't see why we shouldn't rid the world of his hideous presence but if you insist I guess in the grand scheme of things it matters not"
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
"It's not worth my time. He will either redeem himself and become a useful part of his community, or he will die upon a brigand's blade, unknown and unloved."
Male Half-Elf Cleric of Desna [3] | HP 24/24 | AC 18 T 11 FF 17 | F +4 R +2 W +7 | CMB +3 CMD 14 | Init +1 | Perc +14 | SM +4 | Heal +8 | Diplo +6 | Channels Remaining 3/7
We should get going. Let's find the path to the border. I'm sure its safe to release him as long as he goes the other way.
The bandit takes off, quick to leave his companions behind but likely looking to set up his own band with himself as the leader. But then again, perhaps he has learned his lesson...
---
Beyond the Path of Commencement, the mountain pass winds down into the southwestern border of Druma. A golden-framed signpost illustrating the region is the only notable landmark denoting the border. The map depicts the entire nation of Druma, with important landmarks and cities denoted by sparkling gems.
By the time you enter eyesight of the landmark, a half-dozen Mercenary League soldiers have approached to investigate you. The leader introduces himself. "I am Colonel Hachren. I hope you don't mind answering a few questions before we let you pass. First, I'd like to know what business you have in Druma."
Male Half-Elf Cleric of Desna [3] | HP 24/24 | AC 18 T 11 FF 17 | F +4 R +2 W +7 | CMB +3 CMD 14 | Init +1 | Perc +14 | SM +4 | Heal +8 | Diplo +6 | Channels Remaining 3/7
Selkin recalls that the party was given documents for such an occasion as this. We do have the proper papers for travel if we need to show them?
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
"Ah yes, these documents should suffice." Kaye presents the documentation. "While we are here on business, I do wish to see the sights of Druma, and its many offerings."
Diplomacy:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Kaye is blunt and smug as he tries to talk to them.
Human Fighter/2 | Init +5 | Per +8| HP 12/22| AC 17, 14flat, 13touch | Fort +5 | Reflex +3 | Will +1 | BAB +2 | CMB +5 | CMD 18
Knowing she lacks any social grace and would likely endanger their mission if she spoke up, Faellynn keeps her mouth shut and tries to look non-threatening.
Male Half-Elf Cleric of Desna [3] | HP 24/24 | AC 18 T 11 FF 17 | F +4 R +2 W +7 | CMB +3 CMD 14 | Init +1 | Perc +14 | SM +4 | Heal +8 | Diplo +6 | Channels Remaining 3/7
That's right, Kaye. I understand this country is quite special. Many things to see and experience. I hope all is in order?
"Forgive our rough edges and poor speaking. We've always wanted to visit, and as a new merchant myself, I'd love to learn more. So consider our lack of decorum a function of our excitement. "Diplomacy:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
"Merchants?" Colonel Hachren asks. "I don't see a caravan." He glances down at your papers. "Oh, here for the auction, I guess? Well, everything seems to be in order and you are free to go. Did you have any trouble on the way in?"
Human Fighter/2 | Init +5 | Per +8| HP 12/22| AC 17, 14flat, 13touch | Fort +5 | Reflex +3 | Will +1 | BAB +2 | CMB +5 | CMD 18
Faellynn nods to Colonel Hachren, "Greetings... and thank you," and then follows the others inside. Gripping the handle of her bow that is slung over her shoulder she, takes a deep breath.
"Bandits? And you took care of them? Well, I must thank you for that and apologize that we can't cross over the border to deal with it ourselves. Good luck then and welcome to Druma."
---
The full journey to Kerse, from the border of Druma is a long affair, taking its course over 250 miles of river travel. This trek takes roughly a week.
First you reach the town of Petitioner’s Port. You board a riverboat called the Sapphire Star and begin to travel along the Profit’s Flow River.
After departing Petitioner’s Port, as night falls, you pass by the island city of Alabastrine. The city is visible by the magical lighting of the Luminous Wharf.
You then take a brief stop in the city of Macridi, a calm wooded town. Macridi is far less ostentatious than other settlements in Druma, relying primarily on its sparse logging industry, which specializes in the harvesting of darkwood.
---
Finally you arrive in the Drumish capital city of Kerse, where an aide of Temel Passad escorts you to the Kalistocrat’s manor estate. It will take several hours before Passad can meet with you—he is immersed in overseeing the final preparations for the upcoming auction. During this downtime, Passad’s servants spare no expense to shower you with whatever luxuries you desire, including lavish baths and full feasts from the cooking staff at Passad’s manor. The staff also lends each of you a courtier’s outfit and 100 gold pieces worth of jewelry, explaining to each of you not wearing fine clothes that your current attire is unseemly for respectable individuals in Druman society. Once you have had some time to enjoy the services of Passad, you are summoned to a private meeting chamber to meet with the Kalistocrat.
Temel Passad only has an hour or so to spare with you, as the auction is set to begin tomorrow. He reviews the rules of the bidding process and then hands you a map of Alabastrine. He points to each of the map’s districts and relays some information about each of the districts. He also lists the names of the participants in the auction. Finally, he stresses that Druman society does not tolerate violence or theft of property, and that anyone who engages in such criminal activities should expect severe consequences.
Bidding:
There are a total of five districts up for purchase in the scheduled bidding for Alabastrine, as well as a conveniently matched number of bidders. Each of the five bidders is required to host a social function as part of the bidding. During these soirees, a member of the Resplendent Bureaucracy—Druma’s governing body—takes bids on each district of Alabastrine. At the conclusion of the social function, the Resplendent Bureaucracy representative relays the current lead bidder for each district. At the end of the final function, the winners are announced, and the allocation of Alabastrine is declared complete.
The five different parties take place throughout Kerse, and while they are meant as formalities to allow the bidding to take place in stages, they also make for an opportune time to influence the bidders. Temel Passad says, "I believe that you can influence the other bidders during these social functions. There are two events each day, taking place in the morning and evening respectively. The final hosted event takes place on the morning of the third day of bidding. Use the time wisely."
Alabastrine:
The city of Alabastrine was meant to be one of the greater settlements in Druma. Its size alone positioned it to possibly become Druma’s second largest city—rivaling the shipyards of Detmer. Located on an island at the mouth of the Profit’s Flow, the city would have allowed the proper segregation of a refugee influx, giving adequate time to convert these newcomers to the ways of the Prophecies. Alabastrine earned the moniker City of Heathens from its intended role as a home for the uninitiated. Instead, the world surprised even the fiscally conservative minds of Druma’s elite, rebounding from the catastrophe of Aroden’s death quicker than anticipated. Alabastrine now stands as an empty city. It contains five distinct districts, each of which is open for bidding.
Numbers refer to the map, which is linked above.
1. Courts of Abstinence: Numerous massive apartments fill this tightly crammed district. Where the other districts of Alabastrine are sparse and given to architectural fits of opulence, the Courts of Abstinence are as utilitarian as their name would suggest. The expected refugee population was meant to dwell within the labyrinthine apartment complexes, but none ever filled to their massive capacity. In recent years, the government of Cheliax and several Hellknight orders have requested temporary use of the Courts to improve their urban fighting skills.
2. Luminous Wharf: A constellation of magical lights gave this district its name. The wharf ’s builders installed the lights atop hundreds of marble towers to assure those seeking refuge from the tumult of the rest of the world that Alabastrine was always open. Now, the lighting serves a new purpose: reminding passing ships of the existence of the city, which they might otherwise condemn to fade into obscurity. In his discussion of this district, Temel indicates that none of the bidders have a keen interest in the wharf, and that you would need to specifically champion it among the bidders to see it taken from Myrosype’s ambition.
3. Prophet’s Burg: The center of Alabastrine was never completed, leaving an abandoned patch of land in the city’s core. That changed when High Prophet Kelldor invested in the city, self-funding an entire city district, which received the unofficial title of Prophet’s Burg. The most ostentatious structures in the whole of Alabastrine reside in this district, which is considered to be prime real estate for those seeking to live within the city. The city’s ruling council meets in the central structure of the district—an awe-inspiring edifice of glass and gold known as Kelldor’s Spire.
4. Scriptum: This district houses dozens of titanic libraries, containing innumerable treatises on the history of the Prophecies of Kalistrade. Other libraries detail different religious, but always from a clinical examination devoid of religious fervor. It was here that the architects of Alabastrine intended to indoctrinate the new arrivals, by providing free access to the texts within Scriptum’s libraries. Many ideas from this district were later employed in the successful Drumish settlement of Twingate.
5. Working End: Much of this section of the city was meant for industrial purposes. Vast empty warehouses and smaller uninhabited structures fill the majority of Working End. This district is commonly thought to be one of the least appealing bid sites, and has most commonly been used in the past as hosting sites for illegal trade or the long-term storage of goods by outside nations. One of this district’s attractions is that any goods not specifically removed from the warehouses by the completion of the bidding are forfeit to the new district councilor.
I will put up information about the bidders later, as there is already a lot of information above for your to absorb.
During the long trip, Torriki's boredom becomes annoying to most of his companions. Thankfully he calms down when Passad gives the lay of the land (and the sweet threads don't hurt either.)
Assuming a similar set up to things like Blakros Matrimony et al. Torriki is likely better at discovery than influence.
"Mr Passad, we would be grateful if you could give us a schedule for those bidders you mentioned. We'll be attending all of them, of course, but we need to know where to start" considers Zhatara smiling at the host
There's a new slide on the map link with a brief reminder of who each person is, although you can also come back to this post. Feel free to add notes about the people in the map link if you want though.
Temel gives you a brief overview of each of the guests and promises to formally introduce you at the events whenever you request it.
"First there is Cyran Androtus. No one really knows much about Cyran. He’s an elf; perhaps one of the longest lived devotees of the Prophecies. He is said to traffic outside of Golarion, supplying extraplanar factions with raw materials and facilitating negotiations among them. He possesses considerable magical abilities. If you can learn something from him, you’ll do better than most."
"Next is Irith Nomzamo. Can barely get close to that woman; what, with all the eccentric clothing she wears. If she speaks more than ten words a day, I’d be surprised. Can’t help but feel sorry for her though; Irith made a good run of ruling Alabastrine since the last bid, and now that trade looks to be on the upswing, her time as lord-councilor is running out. I’d be surprised if she manages to acquire more than a single district."
"Now Myrosype, she’s no prophet, nor does she even hail from
the Inner Sea. I have heard that she hails from the distant land of Iblydos. I hold no grudge against Myrosype, though I know your Society does. She’s always been pleasant in our interactions, and she has a reputation for always keeping up her end of a bargain. She has enough clout to have made her way into the bidding, and is poised to take the lion’s share of the districts if left unchecked."
"Vayde Petronax is a veteran to these affairs. He’s a damn skeleton of a man. Some say he adheres to the strictest tenures of the Prophecies when it comes to the consumption of food and drink. I can barely stand listening to his hoarse voice for more than a few minutes, but it’s clear the wizened elder of the Petronax family knows much about the city. After all, his family’s servants and soldiers have been working the streets since before High Prophet Kelldor enacted the bidding process."
"And, of course, there is me." Temel finishes with a smile. "What can I say about myself? I’m a devout follower of the Prophecies of Kalistrade. I only hope to carve out a single district, though I remain unsure if I possess the wealth to contend with the likes of Myrosype and the other attendees."
"I will be hosting the first round of bidding in my mansion on the waterfront of Lake Encarthan. I hope you will enjoy and I look forward to seeing you there."
With that Temel Passad gestures for the door to indicate that you are to leave so he can continue with his preparations.
And I'll give you a bit more time to prepare and make a plan before we jump into the first event.
And the rules for these events will be similar to Blakros Matrimony if you have played that, but a bit different. You can start the social encounter making a Recognize check. Making this gives you a bonus on your Discovery check, which can be used to discover their strengths, discover their weaknesses, or discover the skills necessary to influence them.
You can also just make an Influence check, although without doing some Discovery checks first you are left simply guessing what skill is required and thus you might waste your check if you guess poorly. (But you can still try an Influence check blind if you want.) Usually more than one successful Influence check is required to win over an NPC to your cause.
"We thank you for your help Mr Passad and we'll make sure to be at your mansion. I'm sure it's as lovely as this one... if not more. Before you depart I have a question though. Of the districts up for bidding which one do you fancy the most? Something like Prophet’s Burg should be an impressive catch even for someone as distinguished as you are..." says Zhatara, smiling.
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
"Quite a description!" Kaye smiles. "We'll do our very best." He stands up and turns to leave.
"Cyran Androtus is interested in extraplanar activities. Does anyone know about the outer planes? I've no interest in it at the moment, but a good conversation about it may convince him to pool his resources."
"Vayde Petronax seems like a family man. Heritage, lineage and all that." Kaye rolls his hands, knowing of them but not caring about them. "Maybe someone can talk about families and the law to him."
As they leave, he pulls Torriki aside and whispers in his ear.
Torriki:
"Whom do you think we should talk to about the Exchange? Myrosype seems right out, since the Society didn't get along with her in the first place. We'll need her help in the main mission, and I think she'll be tough enough. Irith Nomzamo may be a good target." Kaye straightens his collar.
"The Trade experience the Exchange can offer may give her an advantage in reclaiming the region during the next bidding process. What do you think?" Kaye pauses.
