Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

"Actually I'm at a bit of a loss myself. Tamris?"

"Yes. Tamris? We risked our lives to rescue you. We deserve an explanation. At the very least I would expect you wouldn't want the things that Tor here says to go unchallenged, would you?"

Numalar looks at Tor.

"But first perhaps we should separate the prisoners from Tamris, so he can speak freely. I am willing to be one of those watching the prisoners though I would not want to do it alone. Zokon, perhaps you would join me? You seem to want to speak to Tor here."

Numalar escorts Tor over to where the mounts are corralled. He gets a jug of whisky from Gertrude's back and uncorks it. He takes a swig.

"Ah, I needed that, after a day like today."

Quick retcon if that's OK - before separating the prisoners, Numalar will renew the message spells.

Zokon untenses in relief when he is healed, he hadn't realised how much he was tensing up against the uncomfortableness of the injuries.

"Yes Numalar I'll accompany you, but I really want to stab this guy so you talk I'll imagine unpleasant outcomes."

"Thanks, but I'll feel a lot better once we get this straightened out." Scarlet feels a bit relieved as the wounds fade away.

"Tamris. We risked a lot to help you out. Rain here came to a crowded festival in the day, and Grogan there tried to kill you directly. My gut told me to help Fan's friend. It wasn't rational. Now we came out here, and besides the delicious pig and saving you, we haven't had good luck out here."

"So, I need to know what's going on. We risked our lives to save you. And for a bit I thought Numalar lost his..." Scarlet trails off, confused. "Anyway. We need your help here, because if we can't calm those villagers down they're gonna come back for you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Actually I would want Tamris to hear what Tor says, so that he may feel a need to correct him. We can split them later, and hear Tamris out alone, but right now, I'd prefer if we're all close enough...having someone else there who knows about what's going on may be a good reason for Tamris to not hold back anything he would otherwise fail to mention. It's why I asked Tor, right there by the fire.

Posh continues to eye Fan a bit, still not feeling entirely comfortable around him with all his secrets...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Even though this is clearly a case of the kettle calling the pot black...was that the term? I forget what kitchen wear it was, but I'm sure you guys know what I mean :p

"Fan, we have been more than helpful and if you had told us a few things from the beginning, we would have helped you and things like that incident with Rain could've been avoided, but instead it just caused more confusion and made it difficult for us to defend her when all we knew at the time was a monstrous wolf had been terrorising the locals." Posh highlights the recent issues back at the fair "After everything we've done, you should trust us by now."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

I guess it only sounded good in his head...

Actually I would want Tamris to hear what Tor says, so that he may feel a need to correct him. We can split them later, and hear Tamris out alone, but right now, I'd prefer if we're all close enough...having someone else there who knows about what's going on may be a good reason for Tamris to not hold back anything he would otherwise fail to mention. It's why I asked Tor, right there by the fire.

Do you plan on saying that aloud?

I don't mind if that's how you want to do that, but I was worried about the possibility that one would distort the truth in response to what they heard. As in why witnesses aren't allowed to be in the courtroom when other witnesses are testifying.

We can always say to person A "Person B said this." And we have message spells going again.

I could say it out loud, but considering we don't know anything about what happened with you yet, I was attempting to stand by what I said and withhold further interaction with you to prevent being antagonistic.

The idea was that these two are on opposite ends of the spectrum. You could say the accuser and the defendee. They're not witnesses for the same side, and it was my hope that the willingness of one to talk would push the other to do so, too, and that they'd correct each other. As in a movie courtroom, where the person accused may shout something at the witness, get a call to order, but cause the witness to reveal something they did not want...like in games and movies :) - we're not doing real world here, after all- the message things seems artificially complicated for that, as I doubt Tor and Tamris would want to "align" their statements to fool us together.

Noticing Tamris's silence, Alia raises an eyebrow:"If you feel disinclined to tell us what's going on, I have a feeling someone else would be more talkative. I would prefer hearing your perspective, but if Tor is the only person willing to share, I'll hear him out", turning to Tor: "Nope, you're stuck with that obnoxious woman and the brute."

"Pity they're both dreadfully unoriginal conversationalists. Call me Tor. May I know the names of those who are my current captors?"

"Wait, what's with the awkward silence?" She turns to Tor. "And why isn't he wetting his pants over how much trouble he's in?"

"I and 'my friends' represent a powerful consortium of merchant organizations. Who do you represent?"

I could say it out loud...

As I said, I don't mind doing it differently if you want. I thought maybe Tamris didn't want to talk in front of Tor. But Numalar isn't just going to psychically figure out what you want, so speak up.

"I and 'my friends' represent a powerful consortium of merchant organizations. Who do you represent?"

"The Swordlords of Restov and the Crown of Brevoy, since you asked. In short, the government, which has recently decided to show an interest in this backward part of the kingdom. And before you try to tell me that this isn't Brevoy, I suggest you try convincing the King-Regent of that."

BTW Numalar has already introduced himself and won't give names of everyone else, as they may or may not want their names known.

"The nation of Kyonin, under Queen Telandia Edasseril, bearer of the Viridian Crown, come to reclaim Elven Property from the ancient lands of Telvurin. We agreed to work with these agents of Brevoy, while our interests align. So, unless mentioning the merchant consortium was an attempt at a thinly veiled threat, do tell what their interest is with this man.", Alia states, pointing at Tamris.

I already gave my name

Posh shrugs his shoulders at Tor
"I represent no organisation, nor do I have any allegiances to speak of, besides current company." he states offhandedly "A question does come to mind though. Where does Rain come from considering he is a rare and assumed-to-be-extinct creature?"

I believe I read the spoiler correctly...Must be cause I'm tired but I swear earlier someone claimed Rain was female...or maybe it's because the name sounds feminine to me. One of the two :p

"My name's Scarlet. And I don't care which merchants you're hanging out with. All I have to know is that you ambushed me, almost killed Numalar, and left a poisoned man in a pit as bait."

Scarlet stands up, brushes herself off, and walks over to Rain. "You. Everyone's fighting over you, aren't they?" Scarlet exhales. "Aw man. Don't tell me these idiots think they owned you. No body owns you, and you picked Tamris."

Cha Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"That's what happened, right Tamris?"

"My name is Celyne and what is the name of this consortium you speak of? Does it even have a name?"

"The Swordlords of Restov and the Crown of Brevoy, since you asked. In short, the government, which has recently decided to show an interest in this backward part of the kingdom. And before you try to tell me that this isn't Brevoy, I suggest you try convincing the King-Regent of that."

"Ah, just the people who I wanted to see then. I represent the Aspis Consortium. I assume you have a charter of some sort? I would show you my card but well. Those who you see before you--both agents and local contractors--the kobolds, are undertaking a preliminary survey of the area's natural resources for possible investment and exploitation. We know perfectly well who this land belongs to and were planning on bringing our findings to your attention as soon as a possible business plan had been drawn up. There is rich bounty here in the Stolen Lands, bounty that Aspis would like to help Brevoy in developing toward a brighter future--and of course--our own mutual interests. Our organization could be very helpful in terms of providing expertise, resources and trade by way of an early investment in Brevoy's little boarder endeavor here."

He nods toward Tamris "This vagrant brigand, who you see before you, however stands against us--against us both! He has gone out of his way to hide what he knows of this place. He's halted our survey by way of guerilla actions and sabotage. This blackbird is the reason I and my fellows were summoned. He is an inveterate fanatic unwilling to bend regardless of the inducements provided. And I fear given what I now know that he is your enemy as well. It would do you well to restrain him again. He is quite dangerous."

Scarlet stands up, brushes herself off, and walks over to Rain. "You. Everyone's fighting over you, aren't they?" Scarlet exhales. "Aw man. Don't tell me these idiots think they owned you. No body owns you, and you picked Tamris."

"That's what happened, right Tamris?"

The muscles in Tamris's jaw clenches. He stares ahead looking at nothing.

any chance someone with know local (not me unfortunately) might know of the Aspis Consortium at all?

Fan looks about in horror between the wizard Tor, Tamris and the party.

any chance someone with know local (not me unfortunately) might know of the Aspis Consortium at all?

That roll was made here.

ah ok... so zokon knows of them..

blah blah Aspis blah blah join the dark side blah blah Tamris is a stinky doodoo head

Scarlet stifles a yawn as Tor goes through a long winded explanation of ownership and cooperation and blah blah blah.

Scarlet wonders about the origins of Dappled Wolves and their natural habitat. It's clearly not from around here.
Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Can't make a DC 20 Sense Motive check.

"Pfft. No way am I dealing with Aspis. I've heard too many rumors about what you guys do. Besides, Grogan could have told us about Tamris back in town."

She stands up, looks at Fan's face, and turns to Tamris.
"Ehh...what's goin' on. I'm not hearing the whole story here."

Tor wrote:

blah blah Aspis blah blah join the dark side blah blah Tamris is a stinky doodoo head

Scarlet stifles a yawn as Tor goes through a long winded explanation of ownership and cooperation and blah blah blah.

Scarlet wonders about the origins of Dappled Wolves and their natural habitat. It's clearly not from around here.

Edited.

know nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Celyne knows what Scarlet knows about the wolves maybe

Celyne takes a few steps, Luna at her side, closer to Fan, and stands with him. She whispers to him softly "I'm with you, Fan... Tamris and Rain need to be protected."

"You are wise Scarlet, As I said this man deserves death, he attacked us just for being with Fan, with no other knowledge of us, he struck without mercy, not knowing or caring that we were the ones he might be able to deal with. Stupidity and naked aggression in the pursuit of power is the aspis consortiums trademark. I still say we kill them and see what specifically Tamris was stopping"

Celyne, while standing in defense of Tamris and Rain, ponders the idea of a dappled wolf breeding program to repopulate the breed in the area.

"You are wise Scarlet, As I said this man deserves death, he attacked us just for being with Fan, with no other knowledge of us, he struck without mercy, not knowing or caring that we were the ones he might be able to deal with. Stupidity and naked aggression in the pursuit of power is the aspis consortiums trademark. I still say we kill them and see what specifically Tamris was stopping"

"While I will admit my co-worker can be a bit brutish, not all of us are so. Still even if you think us the worst this world has to offer, I wouldn't go there friend. Who knows who they'll get to replace us. Besides, no one is dead--yet."

Posh shrugs his shoulders at Tor

"I represent no organisation, nor do I have any allegiances to speak of, besides current company." he states offhandedly "A question does come to mind though. Where does Rain come from considering he is a rare and assumed-to-be-extinct creature?"

I believe I read the spoiler correctly...Must be cause I'm tired but I swear earlier someone claimed Rain was female...or maybe it's because the name sounds feminine to me. One of the two :p

Rain's always been a boy. The abused wolf Grogan used as a distraction was female.

"I do not think you the worst, I just think your actions prove you don' belong in this world"

Zokon is now sitting down by the fire, seemingly not having the need to accompany Numalar away.

Celyne, while standing in defense of Tamris and Rain, ponders the idea of a dappled wolf breeding program to repopulate the breed in the area.

"You don't see a lot of Dappled Wolves around here. Or anywhere, really. I thought they went extinct about a century ago!" Scarlet smiles. "Sorry about drawing my swords at you, boy."

"I'm starting to think these Aspis guys were hunting you down, Rain. Well, you're under our protection now. We'll figure out how to clear your name with the village, but I know Tamris would never let you attack people unless in self-defense."

"Tamris, you've taken good care of Rain here. He's the last of his kind, maybe. If these losers spoke to you, did they give you some kind of contract or somethin'? Anything we can bring back to town to prove they're up to no good?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"I represent the Aspis Consortium."

Numalar's eyebrows go up. "Aspis Consortium? I thought that was a maritime operation?"

"Those who you see before you--both agents and local contractors--the kobolds, are undertaking a preliminary survey of the area's natural resources for possible investment and exploitation. "

"Did you receive permission from the Brevic Crown before doing so? Or is this purely speculative? If you were not authorized by the Crown, then I can hardly be certain that you intend to work with Brevic authorities. With no contract in place, you might choose instead to collaborate with enemies of the Brevic State. So I cannot accept that your interests are the same as mine."

Numalar doesn't plan on pulling out his charter. The charter is a bit too limited in scope to give him the authority he wants to seem to have.

He nods toward Tamris "This vagrant brigand, who you see before you, however stands against us--against us both!"

"If you wish to allege crimes committed by Tamris here, you will have to be more specific. Then we can consider your allegations. But he has done us no harm. How could he, sitting at the bottom of the pit you threw him in? Of course, Tamris has the right to make complaint against you as well, and considering he was being held against his will when we found you, he would have some evidence on his side."

"But all this is beside the point."

"When you set your traps and planned your ambush, you could not have known that we were involved. So this whole operation was performed so you could do one thing; the one thing Grogan here was trying to do when we intercepted him. You were trying to kill this wolf."

"Why? How can one wolf be such a threat that it cannot be suffered to live? The 250 gold piece bounty can hardly have been enough for all this trouble. And it is hard to imagine that dappled wolf pelts are so valuable as that. Likewise such an errand can hardly have anything to do with exploration."

Tor smiles broadly and opens his mouth to speak. to be continued in about two and a half hours at which point the villain will make a startling revelation that will make the ends the movies Se7en and Ferris Beuller's Day off seem like infomercials.

"You're probably wondering what all the fuss was with Grogan trying to kill Fuzzles over there. Who wouldn't? Especially with him being all priceless and all. Truth is he would fetch some fair coin but really it was more important to catch him before he went howling to the whole countryside what was up and, well, cause this to happen." He gestures around. "Especially while we were still negotiating. Anyhow, there isn't just one bloody spotted wolf. The forest is full of them. We just need Tamris here to tell us where."

Tamris's lips form a tight line.

Poshment Underhill wrote:

Posh shrugs his shoulders at Tor

"I represent no organisation, nor do I have any allegiances to speak of, besides current company." he states offhandedly "A question does come to mind though. Where does Rain come from considering he is a rare and assumed-to-be-extinct creature?"

I believe I read the spoiler correctly...Must be cause I'm tired but I swear earlier someone claimed Rain was female...or maybe it's because the name sounds feminine to me. One of the two :p

Rain's always been a boy. The abused wolf Grogan used as a distraction was female.

** spoiler omitted **

To Alia

"So if we let this lot go, they will go back to the consortium and motivated by greed, return here with resources necessary to find the forest and harvest the priceless wolf pelts within. Tell me I'm wrong."

"...We just need Tamris here to tell us where."

Numalar rubs his mouth, lost in thought. He paces back and forth.

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

Actually, Numalar is covering his mouth so Tor cannot see that he is whispering to the others via message.

The message is: "Easy... let him speak. He is close to a confession."

He turns back to Tor.

"So all this..." he waves about the clearing. "All this was just to provide Tamris with... motivation?"

"No need to worry about that, Zokon. These are ancient Elven Hunting Grounds. They are lawless lands now, and if there are any claims, they are obviously unable to enforce their policy. As such, it would very much be possible that Kyonin reclaim this very local part of Telvurin and place it under their protection. All that is necessary is for me to get to the Aiadura Network before they get back to their consortium, then they can report their failure. We don't really like Poachers, so if we renew our claim, hunting these Wolves could be a lethal affair. Without a greater power to protect Rain and his family, others will come. And eventually, some of them will succeed. Re-establishing Kyonin's presence here would be the best chance to keep Tamris and his wolves safe. Oh, and I can vouch for my brethren not hunting the wolves themselves, of course!"

In regard to Numalar's earlier inquiry about the Aspis Consortium, Tor gives you the presentation speech he memorized from various motivational and organizational seminars he has grudgingly attended back at the home office. Specifically that the group is branching out from the coast and up the Sellen River into its many tributaries amid the River Kingdoms (where their diviners are projecting a lot of market growth). He uses a lot of foreign nomenclature and can go on like this for hours.

"While we may be a lot of moving parts we can network ourselves together and by leveraging our individual core-competencies we should be able to reach out to the kobolds (and anyone else) and come to an a mutual understanding. I don't expect everyone one here to drink the healing potion without running it up the flag pole first, but by each of us employing our best practices we should be able to give 110% and thereby move the needle on this project. The adventuring party model is after all a vertically scalable ecosystem with each of us contributing value to empower one another toward a final beneficial price point with very little out of pocket buy-in on your part. Really, it all comes down to strong organizational values to reach a solution and then take it to the next level."

And now to the Power Point Presentation.

Any decisions on consortium policy or the allocation of resources, personnel or profits must go through the head office first, but he does imply that they would obviously split any profits based on locally sourced resources equitably based on work and services provided. *wink*

He also uses the word 'who' a whole lot you notice.

Knowledge Nature Rain's Physiology: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"Why would I want Kyonin to move into these lands just to protect the wolves? That does not really benefit me at all, killing them solves the problem neatly and it helps my own people gain a foothold here rather than a foreign nation. You have to admit the elves being here would not be great for any humans in the area, the Elves are not known for playing nice."

Alia's eyes narrow down:"What exactly do you mean to imply, Zokon?"

Zokon faces Alia squarely

"That having a foreign power that I am no way engaged with take power in the region, is not my mission here. I have been engaged by Brevoy in these lands, whose ultimate success will benefit me and mine. "

"I was referring to your remarks regarding Elves. Do elaborate on that.", Alia coldly replies."Besides, why would Brevoy care who settles in these lands, if it makes the countryside safer. It's not like they invited these humans to start living here, either."

Scarlet splits her attention between playing with Rain and making sure Tor doesn't do something stupid.

"Whoo me?"

Where's his birdy, anyway? Also a prisoner? Or flying free?

It flew off after it realized Zokon couldn't climb.