The party goes to work securing the bodies, setting the anchor and preparing to depart. After the captain gets the Abacus underway once more the passengers down below are given the all clear to come up.
Passad checks in with Tsadok'ul and says, "I'm sorry that Matella's short sightedness put you through that. I'm glad you were all able to pull through without much difficulty."
As the Abacus sails smoothly up the Glass River, Amauhak asks you "How do you intend to perform the rescue mission? How do you intend to gain access to the inn without arousing unwanted suspicion?"
Matella recommends "You could pose as religious pilgrims seeking answers to spiritual questions that require privacy and freedom of movement."
Passad, rather deprecatingly dismisses Metella’s suggestion as "Transparent nonsense", a challenge that clearly offends Metella. The Kalistocrat counters with a proposal that "you should pose as merchants seeking a way station for a regular trade caravan, as such a cover would require unfettered access to the property in order to assess its amenities."
The two merchant's dislike for each other seems to just be growing.
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Tsadok uses the CLW potion that Shambala has handed to him, sighing as he flexes and rotates the ankle the baboon had bitten. Then moving to help the others secure the other boat and it's former occupants.
To the captain...
"Our apologies to you sir, we'll help clear it away so as not to draw any attention to you boat further."
In response to Passad....
"The decision was not only Matella's to make. She offered her suggestion and the majority chose to follow it. Life sometimes throws you options of which you like neither but must choose one or the other. Mayhaps our next choice will not be as martial in resolution."
Hearing the two merchants discuss options for entering the Inn...
"Then again......"
Passad listens to Tsadok'ul and Shambala with a frown. "Not all travelling merchants require paperwork my friend. Besides, you are simply posing as a merchant at an inn, I doubt they are going to ask for paperwork to stay there? I see you are leading towards the dwarven path once more then?"
Passat turns to the other party members, "And you? What say you all?"
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Tsadok ponders the issue before them before offering the following...
"Passad and Mazon have a point. Pardon Matelle but this group will stand a better chance of posing as merchants than trying to be religious pilgrims in a country believing they are ruled by a god. They may see that as a conflict of interest. "
"Merchants typically have a few guards around, myself and Okawa fit those roles well in manner and appearance. Shambala would be free to either be a retainer or a merchant, depending on how he chooses to portray him self. And Tryvan and Mazon could be the merchants."
"Of course this would leave some items to be determined. What are we in the business of? Do we have samples that might be of use in this deception? Where are we from, and where are we heading? Need the story thought out ahead of time, should we be questioned separately the answers will be the same."
Tsadok exhales loudly not used to taking the lead in discussions. You can see this is NOT his forte - speaking to others. And he leans back against the wall to hear the others out.
Passad smiles and shoots a side-ways glance to Metella. Before she can speak and protest Amauhak cuts her off and says firmly, "I think the majority agrees on this merchant guise then. I think we shall now stop discussing which method to take and continue working out the fine details like Tsadok'ul suggests. His words are full of wisdom and I see why he was selected for this mission."
Metella glares at Amahuak and folds her arm, shooting Tsadok'ul a quiet frown. The group continues to work out the logistics of their plan and a as the Abacus sails on.
The river narrows ahead, flowing around a central isle thick with trees and vegetation. The northern fork of the river runs beneath a canopy formed by the isle’s overhanging trees and riverside foliage while to the south, the river is open to the sky above.
The captain shouts loudly, "Pathfinders, which route do you suggest we take? I believe both of them will get us there just the same but I prefer you guide our path."
"Right then, under the trees it is. Watch your heads!" the captain shouts, taking you around the island. Half-way through the the path, a creature bursts out of the river next to the ship and lets out a roar. The dragon-like creature has graceful wings and wide fins and as it burst from the water it appears to be holding something. In it's talons is a still thrashing viper. The beast drops the viper as it lands with a thud on the deck, rocking the boat wildly. The snake he dropped lands with a thud on top of Mazon's shoulders.
None of you were ready for these animals to attack as they surprise you. The viper slithers on Mazon's body and sinks its fangs into her neck.
The dragon-like creature reaches out at Shambala with its jaws and nips at Shambala's leg.
Initiative: Shambala, , Mazon, Tsadok'ul, Trevyn, Okawe.
The dragon-like creature is able to avoid some of Shambala's massive fire spell, but the impact is still felt as a section of its scaly chest blackens and smoulders.
Enraged, the dragon-like creature moves southeast towards Shambala. Retaliating it roars as it reaches out towards him and sinks its jaws on his midsection, penetrating his armor and sinking deep into his skin.
Meanwhile the snake continues to slither on the neck of the witch. It bites Mazon on the neck once more.
Tsadok'ul moves in to attack, but the dragon-like creature rocks the boat once more when it moved which unbalances his mighty swing. Pea'nut moves up and launches a full assault, connecting with a bite and one of her claws.
Trevyn and Arthes both move up 5' to attack, but unfortunately fail to contact the scaly beast.
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That means Pea'nut doesn't get flank but Tsadok'ul and Trevyn do
Yelling out to Shambala and Mazon.
"Shamabala, can you keep it's attention and get on the other side of the mast. You'll have some protection their my friend! Mazon can you grab that thing and throw it overboard?"
Actions Round 2:
actions leaving out flank bonus until movement is resolved GM
swift action: Tsadok cast aspect of the bull on him self +2 bonus to strength 1 minute, round 1/10, and change Pea'nuts aspect to the Tiger aspect. +2 bouns to dexterity - remains until changed
Tsadok and Pea'nut each move west 5' to pick up flanking with Trevyn and Artes.
+2 to all attack rolls for flanking if above moves are confirmed.
The snake which is used to dealing out poison suddenly gets a dose of itself as the scorpion stings it.
Okawe was on the forward bow keeping lookout when the battle begun. He pivots and slides down the ladder quickly as he rushes up to join the battle. He shouts in frustration when he sees no opening for him to target the beasts. "Brudda's move over everyone and clear some room for da sword!"
When Shambala retreats the dragon-like creature thrashes about looking for a new target. It settles on the dwarf and attempts to rip him in half, but when he spins to face him it rocks the boat once more and throws off his timing. After missing it moves west 5' to avoid being completely surrounded.
The snake around Mazon begins to feel sicken from the scorpion bite and is unable to find purchase on the neck of the witch.
Tsadok'ul and Peanut both move 5' west and lay into the dragon-like creature with tremendous success, connecting with two of their combined four attacks.
The new wounds coupled with the scorching burns from Shambala are clearly taking a toll on the beast as its limbs begin to tremble and shake. It's evident it does not have much stamina left.
Okawe steps up and swings his mighty weapon but is unable to hit the dragon-like creature from the river.
The viper fails to fight off the scorpion sting and takes another dosage of its poison. Despite this, it slithers around to the beck of her neck and sinks its fangs into her, finding purchase again.
The dragon-like creature would probably laugh at the failed attempt if he wasn't struggling to stay standing. In an act of desperation, the creature takes a 5' step backwards and sucks in a huge breath of air and inflates its chest. A guttural grumbling from within its belly can be heard as it exhales and shoots a green wad of mucus towards Okawe. The green mucus seems to be steaming as it hits the ground where Okawe is and explodes in five feet all around him. The mucus feels like acid and seems to be incredibly sticky, binding you in place while it burns.
Unable to stand up to the assault from Arthes, the dragon-like creature collapses with a thud onto the deck of the ship.
The snake goes flying overboard when Tsaduk'ul tosses it. Once everyone has caught their breath the captain stands up, previously crouching behind the wheel. He peers down at the dying dragon-like creature and shakes his head. "A river drake, I'll be damned! Well this surely makes the blood of the enforces on my deck quite pale in comparisson, doesn't it?"
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"Our apologies captain, seems the new deck color is trendsing towards red. Are the river drakes common in the river this time of year?"
After Arthes finishes off the drake, Tsadok will move over to the reptile for a closer inspection; while Pea'nut curls up in a sunny spot on the deck out of the way and cleans up.
"Captain, might there be a market for this dragon-kin or should we push it back overboard?
"Are the river drakes common in the river this time of year? Captain, might there be a market for this dragon-kin or should we push it back overboard?"
The captain considers the question and shakes his head. "I wouldn't say they are common at all. I've heard stories of them being in this area but I've never actually seen one myself! Now there very well could be markets for these drakes, but that is not for me to comment on. Perhaps it could be used in your guise somehow?
Passad makes an entrance on to the deck and surveys the scene. "Ah, THAT'S what was causing the ship to flop about I suppose? Hmmm. Yes. I see, well I recommend we push it overboard. I'd hate for them to be considered illegal to kill or contraband or something else to get us in additional trouble."
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Tsadok listens to both the Captain and Passad's comments before shrugging and responding.
"It seems trouble is all that we have found on this trip, Okawe give me a hand with this thing and lets get it shoved back overboard."
Tossing the other big man a push pole from the deck stores, he moves to lever the drake back overboard. barring objections from the others
As the drake gets pushed overboard, Tsadok'ul catches something on the bank of the river out of the corner of his eye. Motion the captain to swing that we he finds a sloppily hidden cache of uncut garnets and golden nuggets, that the drake must have kept. Back on board the ship and moving once again the journey of the Abacus continues eastward. Passad and the dwarves - impressed by the heroes' performance against the enforcers and the drake enjoy the slight lull before arriving near the inn. Temel comes up with a business proposal for the Pathfinders
"The Pathfinder Society continues to amaze me, and it seems to me increasingly prudent to enter into a business arrangement that would certainly be to our mutual benefit—particularly for those with an eye for spotting profit. Let me make my case simply: my trade network is growing and already blankets the Inner Sea like no other, and the dwarves cannot hope to compete with the prices I offer. Let us not forget that the Pathfinders have had many mutually profitable business dealings with me in the past.”
Passad seems pleased until he spots Metalla approaching. Passad holds his arms held wide. "I am only trying to point out that I believe now is the time for establishing friendships. I firmly believe we would make better trading partners than the dwarves." At this point, Matella steps forward, clearing her throat gruffly. She shakes her head at the overt and obvious move Temel makes, and hastens to make her own offer:
“Yes, Temel has his bejeweled fingers in many pies and can offer cheaper wares, but consider the advantages of a business relationship with my mercantile concern: our network is many centuries old, and the quality of our goods is unrivaled. Furthermore, an arrangement with a firm with such deep roots in the Five Kings Mountains would reinforce the military alliance the Society is already negotiating.”
She tries to get the favour of Trevyn, by handing him a potion of bear's endurance. "For you, a show of appreciation."
Matella frowns at Trevyn. She places a hand on his shoulder and shoulder and plays the race card. "Surely you can understand a fair offer when you hear it, right brother? Don't be fooled by falsities of others."
Passad shouts, "Oh PLEASE!. This is precisely why we shouldn't wait until we get back. All of your opinions are going to be swayed by this one. Best now to make your decisions and recommendations do the society now.