Velag will buy:
- Belt of Physical Might (Dexterity/Str) +2 (10,000 gp)
- Make up the 500gp shortfall by selling the Cloak of Resistance +1.
Velag will also sell Klepy's old Mithril Shirt and Kuhri +1 to pay for Badbait's gear (since they didn't start with stuff and in the original rules we were supposed to give 'em 2,400gp of gear stuff)
The next day, you are told the ship is arriving, and the LK invites you to join him. Instead of going towards the river, the LK and his retinue go to the top of a treeless mound not far from his castle. Coming towards you from the eastern sky, you see THIS.
It lands silently on the ground and lowers itself. 2 figures climb down a thick ladder; the first one is a lightly armored female elf with black skin and white hair.
After she greets the LK, the second one comes down.
Captain Renyldz! I trust your journeys have gone well? says the LK.
Is that 3450 all we are allowed to spend on them? or is that in addition to 9500 we have to spend between both of us. Cause I spent over 4000gp on gear for my little buddy Stones. If I have an additional 3k for him then I can up his gear some.
The elf and big man return the bow, and the big guy speaks to the Lizard King.
Things have gone awry. I lost my entire crew to a pirate attack. Even my pilots. They took everything that wasn't hidden, and we only got away because I took over and flew the craft. Z, here, finished them off by himself, he says, indicating the drow.
The LK says nothing for a moment.
But I did manage to retain the items you requested, King. They didn't get that far aboard.
Very well. I'm sorry for your loss, Captain. Do you need help with the bodies?
Left in space. It's what they would have wanted. Their souls are free.
Mysterious merchants of all things magical, mercanes are relatively weak and noncombative for creatures of their size. They prefer to bargain and haggle rather than to fight, but because they wander the planes seeking and trading magical goods, they typically travel with an entourage of hired bodyguards. Mercanes are capable of defending themselves, and often carry masterwork Large falchions. Yet these weapons are primarily for show, as mercanes prefer to let their bodyguards deal with violent opponents. If a situation turns ugly, mercanes typically use their magical abilities to flee, abandoning their hirelings if necessary.
Mercanes are known throughout the planes as traders in magical items. Mercanes have no interest in mundane goods, no matter how fine or rare. Only magical objects earn their attention and their coin. They're known for driving hard, but fair, bargains, and for hiring adventurers from time to time to recover certain goods of interest for a fair price. Although they are not particularly brave, they hold contracts sacrosanct and keep their agreements.
Rumors and legends abound as to the origins of the mercanes and their reasons for seeking out and buying magical items. Their home plane is unknown, and they have wandered between the worlds for as long as any can recall. Stories claim the mercanes feed on the magic items they acquire, or even need them in order to reproduce. There are also tales of a war in a far corner of the planes, with the mercanes serving the roles of arms merchants, aggressors, or defenders, depending on who tells the story.
Velag nods sagely and whispers (in Goblin) to Bucko and Tark, "Him a Mercane. Themses travelling Merchants -- some be weapons merchants. Me eat book about them once. It was kinda spicy, but that might have been blue moss growing on leather cover." He trails off as he considers this, and then tries to figure out how to get a good source of blue moss spores to add to future paper-related meals.
He shakes his head as he remembers what he's talking about and says, [b}"Still, King says him source of good magics -- so him just sort of new friend new goblin stronghold need, get good stuffses to crush enemieses."[/b]
His expression brightens as a thought strikes him, "Mebbe we offer go kill pirateses for him, get stuffses back. Think - it mean we not depend on LizzieKing for help with stuffses - we cut out middleman, and it let us be more harsh with Lizzies later if need be without losing source. Plus, from what me remember on book about pirates, that kind of mission usually get a percentage of recovery as reward, and if we capture pirate ship it become ours as what them calls a 'prize vessel' -- me not sure we want keep, but bet them trade for really, really good stuffses."
He chuckles evilly as he thinks of the possibilities, and then says, "So me say let go make nice with Captain, see what him can get, and if him have access to stuffs we want, we make nice offer -- all in spirit of friendship."
Stix is busy sharing tactics with Stones about how he wants him to fight when he notices the other Gobs from the licktoads talking. He approaches. "What is it y'all takin bout hm?"
Stix is busy sharing tactics with Stones about how he wants him to fight when he notices the other Gobs from the licktoads talking. He approaches. "What is it y'all takin bout hm?"
Renyldz and the LK go inside to his "stateroom," and the Captain produces a chest, seemingly out of thin air. Spellcraft DC 15:
Spoiler:
Secret Chest
He gives the LK a number of scrolls, potions, and other items. The LK gives him a pile of gems, and they're done.
The captain says, Can you help me find some willing voyagers to man my ship? I could use a few spellcasters, especially. I'm planning a very profitable journey to Akiton (Arcana DC 15), but with no crew to speak of, I have no defense. It's dangerous out there.
The LK says, We've suffered a lot of losses in our war with the boggards. I can't allow any among the few lizardfolk I have left to leave. You may be able to find volunteers among the villages, but I'd guess you'd get the same answers from the tribal chiefs. We need to rebuild and make babies.
These goblins here, however, are eager to get magic items, and are more capable than they may appear. They killed the Mobogo, and saved the Mushfens.
The big blue fellow seems impressed, and looks you over. The Mobogo? These little folk? Hmm... Can any of you cast spells? he asks.
What sort of magic, Bucko? I know a few wizard spells, but I doubt I'd have the magic to defeat the goddess's favored mogobo. And what of the other seven? It looks like some of them could use some gear.
Stix looks at the people talking. He looks at Stonez quizzically. Stonez shrugs. He then looks to Valeg. "Yo. Whacha y'all takin bout here? Can't unda stands hummie speak."
Z explains to you that the big blue guy wants you to help him fly his ship. He can get you the items you'd like to buy/trade for. You can bring your pets, too.
Help him with a job or 2, and once he can find more crew, he can drop you wherever you like.
It just so happens that I have enough salvaged items on hand to outfit your fellows. We fell afoul of some small folk near Castrovel some months back, and I still have their weapons and armor. It would fit any of you nicely. As for specific items you need, I can get them from my planar sources on Akiton.
I hope some payment now and the assurance of payment later will suffice. The King here can vouch for me. My people are known for keeping our agreements.
You can gear up your leftenants as you like right now. He'll get your stuff later. Treasure from encounters is split. Equal shares between the 4 of you and him and Z. He makes money on commissions for specific items, but you'll pay book price for whatever you want. A good guy to know. As a player, I like getting my toys without 3 hours of RP. I'd rather kill stuff.
If you want to head back to Licktoad village, you can do that before you leave. You can be there in just a few hours.
Tark listens to the wild tales and remains doubtful and skeptical. Ships flying sky not natural he thinks to himself.
He looks over the ship in front of his eyes again and continues to stare at it in dis-belief. Stupid elven magic me thinks he mutters to himself.
Tark's interest wanes and just as he begins to turn and walk away, he hears Velag say "...and if we capture pirate ship it become ours..."
Tark's attention then wanes as be begins visualizing himself commanding the ship and dropping down upon his enemies. He sees wafts of goblins descending the sides of the ship on ropes, like lemmings over a cliff. Tarks grins, as much as the thought of the destruction he could cause, as well as the fruitful chore of constantly breeding goblins to keep his troop numbers bountiful.
As Tark's day dreaming comes to an end, he looks around realizing he completely missed what was being spoken about. Tark just looks at his goblin companions and says, "I'm in"
Stix looks at Valeg with a broad smile. He whispers. "We shud take dat dere flyin tingy fer ourselves once we lern hows ta fly it. Be great fer new tribe dontcha tink?"
EDIT:Hm seems Tark and Stix have the same idea. Great minds think alike or so the saying goes.
If you're all amenable, Cap'n Renyldz will let you stop at your village before you go.
I'd drop off the mounts (other than Fangz) and pick up your second leftenants, myself. There are already qualified Licktoads who would go with you. Your call, though. You can be there in just a few hours (see discussion thread).
Very well. The journey back is uneventful, though F###o needs to be told where to go. One rather large black dragon sees and avoids you. You land not far from Licktoad Village. The Cap'n and Z stay to guard the ship, and let you do your business.
When you get there, the village looks abandoned. Cooking fires are still burning, so they bolted quite recently.
Once they see it's you, various goblins come out of hiding. Soon the village is abuzz with news of your return, and they all come back.
Even Gutwad is impressed, and asks what that thing was that they saw flying over the trees. You see also that Rukus and Slem are there, looking very pleased to see you alive.
Stix and Stonez stay on the flying ship not really wanting to interfere with the three big heroes reception. Looking to Z he chuckles. "I ain'tsa licktoad. Dis ain't ma tribe. Ma tribe is dun an gone. I not a hero heres. Gonna stay on dis here flyin ting wit you guys while em others enjoy they're celebration." With that Stix will lead Stonez, Turboflex, and Mcgibbans to a different part of the ship a Stix will bust open a bottle of booze he bought from the merchants and have his own celebration with the other three. Yes he even pours a glass for Mcgibbans and Turboflex.
Special “Leftenant” follower rules for the Licktoad Riders of the Black Moon:
Think of this as a muted form of the Leadership feat. Rather than taking the feat, you will instead each have two followers who aren't meant to go on adventures with you, but can act as lieutenants/couriers/proxies for you as important leaders of the Licktoad tribe, and defenders of lesser goblins when you're away.
Your leftenants are much stronger than other goblins in the following ways:
Leftenants may take ranks in any of 3 NPC classes: Adept, Expert, or Warrior.
They gain levels automatically, as you do, at 2/3 of your character level (rounded up).
They can multiclass as though any NPC class they take is their favored class. They cannot take levels of PC classes.
Leftenants get a standard 15 pt. Buy, adjusted as normal for race, with normal race traits.
Leftenants start their 1st level at max hps.
Leftenants get standard (heroic) NPC WBL, but can also get extra treasure from you.
Being Licktoads, Leftenants are proficient with dogslicers and get swim as a class skill.
For example, if you're a 7th level character, your leftenants would have 5 levels (7 x .66 = 4.66, or 5 levels, rounded up, in any of 3 classes) each. One could be an Adp 2/ Exp 2/ War 1, or any other combination of the 3. She would get her favored class bonus at each level. Another could take levels of Expert, and be an Exp4/ War1, able to craft items and also be stealthy, a decent healer, and use any martial weapon, for instance. You may want them both to be warriors; not as strong as fighters of their level, but still capable of defending the tribe when needed. They might both take teamwork feats to make their enemies cry.
These characters can help the tribe as warriors, crafters, shamans, or anything else their skills and feats would make them good at. As with any followers, if they are mistreated or abused, you may lose the ability to replace them easily, should they die.
Treated well, they will serve you and the tribe as useful, fairly tough Licktoads.
I started a level 5 leftenant, just for fun.
Kookie: adp 1/ exp1/ war 3
S 12, D 18, C 14, I 13, W 12, Ch 7
HP: 54. BAB: 3. Saves: F 5, R 4, W 3 Feats: toughness, improved initiative, dodge
Class skills: all adept skills, warrior skills, and 10 others of Kookie's choice, 19 total before assigning.
That's Craft, Handle Animal, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (All), Profession, Ride, Spellcraft, Survival, Swim, and any 10 others. 29 class skills out of 35. Should have given him more int.
Spells: 0: 3/day, 1: 2/day Prepared: 0: detect magic, mending, stabilize. 1: cure light wounds, sleep.
Stuff: 2400 gp worth. More, if he gets any of your unwanted items.
Not tough enough to hang with you big boys, but he can keep the Licktoads safe from most threats and is quite useful to the tribe.
Stix still gets one, regardless. You will all get 2, total. Good idea on a ship.
Just tryin' to spare too much dialogue. We got a homecoming to RP. I wish Stix had gone with, but he has a point.
Gutwad declares a celebration. Gutwad (along with Rukus and Slem, who he's also treating as honored guests) says to get the party started, and the Licktoads get to it.
R and S have had adventures of their own, and regard you guys as truly heroic. They knew about you killing the mobogo before they arrived here from the south.
The tribe looks a bit smaller, but a lot tougher. Some of them leveled almost as fast as you did, but not in PC classes, for the most part. Some became adepts, and while the goblin pantheon is well-represented, many have turned to the worship of the Gray Man.
Capn' Renyldz asks Z to interpret, and asks Stix if the goblin noise is going to go on all night. He and Z decide to turn in, figuring the area is pretty safe.
Gupy Wartbits is lookin' mighty fine, and Slem can barely keep her hands off Bucko. The fermented food comes out, and there are toads a- bein' licked.
Velag praises the new followers of the Grey Master, and tells them it's their destiny to spread the ways of secret-murder-trickiness to all goblinkind.
He then gets sloshed and drags off the cutest she-goblin he could find -- and if she has a mate, he threatens to pass judgement on him to make him back off.
The Licktoads carry on as only goblins can. The morning finds you hung over, but otherwise raring to go. The Licktoads bid you a fond adieu, many hoping you will return to lead them to greatness.
The ship has a limited amount of room, but 12 goblins are no problem. They only use up the air and food of 3 humans, so the Cap'n will be glad to have a few more "spacers" keeping an eye on things. Other than Fangz, you've got little use for mounts.
F***o has prepped new spells, and is actually eager to fly the ship again. She apparently loves it.
I've got a couple of stops to make before we leave Golarion, but it shouldn't take long.
He pores over some maps, then hands one to Z.
Z, set a course for Urglin. I've a debt to collect!
With that, Z leads F***o to the helm, and tells her what to do. In a few minutes, you've flown straight up, out of the gravity well of Golarion, and reenter the atmosphere over 500 miles away. The ship sets down on a hill outside a rather ratty looking town in the Cinderlands, a hot and dusty mountainous desert.
He wants the 4 of you to accompany him as bodyguards. The town is teeming with orcs, and they tend to play rough.
