Merisiel gets thoroughly entangled in sticky acid.
Writhing against the entangling goop, Merisiel finally manages to wriggle free.
|
Tanriel quickly heals himself, while Merisiel extracts herself from the acidic gloop, but not before it burns her some more.
Pulling out his shortbow, Iago snaps off a shot, but it bounces off the drakes thick hide.
Status, bold may post:
Tomren
Theodic - 5 damage
Drake
Gratius
Iago
Merisiel - 4 damage,
Tanariel -
|
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The bolt sinks into the river drake, which roars in anger.
It surges from the river and pounches upon the sorcerer,
While its tail goes for Tanariel
Draconic teeth sink into Theodic.
Seemingly satisfied, it looks as if it might try and pull the sorcerer into the river for lunch...
Status, bold may post:
Gratius
Iago
Merisiel - 4 damage,
Tanariel -
Tomren
Theodic - 15 damage ; must make stabilize check.
Drake - 9 damage
Merisiel dances around to a flanking position, and readies for someone to move into a flank with her.
|
|
Merisiel and Tanriel double-team the drake, with Tanriel posing as a tasty morsel, and Merisiel as the poor innocent maiden. The drake falls for it and Merisiel's blade comes out covered in dragon blood.
So does Iago's axe, which scores a solid hit on the beast.
Status, bold may post:
Gratius
Tomren
Drake - 24 damage
Iago
Merisiel - 4 damage,
Tanariel -
Theodic - 16 damage ; dying must make stabilize check.
|
|
The darke, already looking sick and wanting to flee is finally brought down by the magical missile of Tomren!
Even as the great beast slumps on the deck, the ship tilting alarmingly as it bears the large creatures full weight for the first time, Theodic continues to slip toward the Boneyard...
Status,
Gratius
Tomren
Iago
Merisiel - 4 damage,
Tanariel -
Theodic - 16 damage ; dying must make stabilize check.
Merisiel nods, carefully severs the thing's head, and then helps to push the body over the side.
"That thing was technically a dragon, right? Does that mean it had a horde somewhere nearby...?"
She then hopefully glances around the horizon, looking for any signs of a nest...
|
|
Merisiel notices an area of river bank that appears to have been dug up recently... while Tanariel takes care of Theodic
She jumps ashore and after digging in the mud for a bit finds a cache of uncut garnets and gold nuggets!
Status,
Gratius
Tomren
Iago
Merisiel - 4 damage,
Tanariel -
Theodic - 14 damage ; unconscious but stable.
Merisiel smiles widely when she uncovers the cache.
"Well, that was painful, but at least we got something out of it..."
Her mood does, however, become more subdued when she gets back aboard the ship, and realises that Theodric is still very unconscious.
|
|
Several of the sailors along with your passengers also try to help..
While often full of conflicting advice, together they manage to help enough.
As the Abacus continues up the river, Passard approaches the group.
"That battle was amazing. You worked together in a wonderful way."
His fingers reach towards his belt pouch for a moment.
"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.”
He takes out a potion bottle. "This may help your companion, please take it as a sign of good faith and an indication of some of the benefits the Pathfinder Society would get from forming an alliance with myself."
Status,
Gratius
Tomren
Iago
Merisiel - 4 damage,
Tanariel -
Theodic - 13 damage ; unconscious but stable.
|
"And your appreciation is well received indeed master Passad, a sentiment I'm sure good Theodic will readily opine to. If I may take a few moments of your time, what do you know of the dwarf Amauhak? I would like to make a better impression to him than I have so far. Perhaps you have more sound advice to give to a man such as myself."
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|
Metella steps forward.
"Amauhak is a dwarf, if ye be wanting me to put in a good word with you, I'd be surely pleased to do that." A slightly sly look comes into her eyes . "Of course, I'd love to be able to say that you had been helpful to another dwarf, recommending me as your point of contact for appropriate trade deals."
She too fishes around in her pouch, taking out a potion.
“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.”
He hands over a potions of Bears Endurance.
|
|
Iago smiles softly, chuckling. "Well then, it looks like we have a bidding war! With two merchants of such caliber aboard, I'm surprised this hasn't happened earlier."
Shifting to look at Metella, he continues: "Amauhak is a dwarf, but he is a follower of the Diamond Sage is he not? I doubt that wisdom dictates racial loyalty at all costs. Rather, the wise would probably accept aid from the most capable. So tell me; which of you or master Passad fit that criteria?"
There you go Iago. Let them argue over who's getting the big fat contract till the end of the trip; in the meantime they'll be heads over heels trying to woo all of us to their "cause". Hopefully that will include getting me some time to speak honestly with Amauhak about the mysterious Diamond Sage.
|
Gratius listen to the two merchants.
If he had to choose, his own inclinaison will been to side with the dwarf. Because Dwarf are reliable and good soldier, Loyal and organized and trustful. Passad seems to be a good merchant and an asset to the Pathfinder, but how could you trust a man who hide behind white gloves ?
|
Tanariel looks over the two competing positions. "The Pathfinder Society is sincerely flattered by both your open interest in a continued arrangement with us. We welcome such opportunities. Are you certain there isn't some arrangement that would suit all three of our parties' interests? The Five Kingdoms and the Kalistocracy have gotten along well over the years, and being able to turn to such a lucrative pair as the two networks would be so very useful."
He deliberates a moment before continuing. "Let me paint you a picture. Can you imagine the profits to be had with the far-reaching procurement and exploration skills of the Pathfinder Society, Passad's expertise in dealing with the surface kingdoms and human society, and the wealth and deep reach of the Five Kingdoms? We would combine prospecting, resources, and development, all in a single unit. What do you think? Would there be even more profit to be had by combining our networks and expertise?"
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|
The two merchants look at each other. Amauhak grins "But of course as the Diamond Sage points out both the merchants scale and the dragons tongue are best to not under estimate."
As it approaches nightfall, the captain points out a pleasant country in nup a hill on the north shore of the Glass River. Below it a small dock offers a berth for the boat. Passad and the Metella agree for once that they will stay aboard the boat while the team investigates.
Amauhak urges you. "[b]Even were you not sorely taxed by the River, still would I urge you to refrain from violence on Razmiri soil. Bloodshed should be avoided if at all possible. Both Passard and Metella agree! Twice in ten minutes, who would have thought it.
A stone path leads from the dock up the hill about 200 yards through some light trees and to the villa's gate.
It appears a very cozy establishment.
At the gate a sign reads "Welcome to the Gray Revelation Inn". The wooden gate leans open invitingly, and the smell of fresh flowers wafts on the cool breeze.
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|
***************************************************
Iago nods wearily, his self-confidence shaken by his failed attempts to sway people to his point of view. What is wring with me? Did I offend one of the gods? Desna have mercy... "Yeah, lets go in. Where are you merchants from? Druma? Cheliax? Andoran? I'd join in on the ruse, but it seems like I'm likely to talk us into house arrest. So I too am your noble bodyguard" he finishes with a courtly bow that lacks a little of the panache he had at the beginning of this journey. "I don't know how you want to go about casing the place, and that's something we probably should discuss. Do we wait until they are all asleep? Do we sneak around?"