Coetis jumps across from the boat to the dock pulling out his rapier as he makes it across to strike the wolf near by.
to udderly Miss his hit.
Gyrand's dart flies through the air, the thick spike slamming into the man as he cough's in surprise and swiftness of the assault. He reaches for his crossbow, but crumples to his knees before slumping onto the dock. The wolf stands, growling at the Coetis. His swing was to wild, and doesn't connect with the wolf, who barks at him as he stands close.
Bold May Act
Daedin
Gyrand
Coetis
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Thug 1 Dead
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Rilmore
Atronia
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Wolf
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Gwerrmet
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Thug 2 Dead
Coetis Waves back to Atronia.
"Alright then, I'll try to get back. But I'm not sure about my furry combatant will let me"
The wolf stands it's ground, growling at Coetis, but not leaving his Master's body. It barks and snaps a bit at him again, trying to drive him away. Its body is tense as if it's just waiting for him to move.
COMBAT ENDS (Unless someone attacks the wolf)
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Ships hands move quickly to obey the cast of the call, the captain swearing up a storm as he runs to the helm. One of the sailors is currently struggling with the thick tar covered knot that is tied to the boat, trying to pull it free, but something is wrong, and he's struggling.
Daedin moves like lightning, untying the intricate knots and unleashing the boat in mere moments, Coetis is able to come aboard with Gyrand as the ship slowly pulls away from the dock, leaving the wolf sitting at its master's fallen form. The Captain unfurls sails and the ship is off, leaving the harbor at a pace that might charitably be called "Break Neck".
Luckily, the secluded area delays discovery and pursuit long enough for the Abacus to hit the river water and melt into the distance long before Razmiri ships can begin pursuit. The sun rises over smooth waters as the Abacus makes good it's escape.
LATER THAT EVENING
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Passad, Metella, and Amauhak sit with the pathfinders on the deck of the ship. The rising tension between Passad and Metella is palpable and has made discussion... difficult. Amauhak is the first to speak for almost an hour.
Pathfinders... We should discuss the plan to look for my fellow dwarves. How will you gain access to the inn without arousing unwanted suspicion?
Metella pipes up.
Oh! I know. Razmiri are expected to travel to Razmir to show devotion to their god at some point right? You could say your religious pilgrims, seeking answers and will need time and private contemplation.
Passad snorts in derision before pulling out his little tin of Snuff.
What a stupid idea. They'll be seen right through.
He snorts his snuff and sneezes loudly. Metella looks at him with a face made of pure disgust.
Well, if we had gone with my idea first, maybe we wouldn't have needed to start our trip by killing a bunch of enforcers!
SILENCE
Amauhak's stern voice silences the bickering merchants and he sighs, looking at the pathfinders.
It is true. We are not off to a good start. But you kept us safe so far, if... a little more bloody than I'd prefer. Whatever plan you decide would be best. Though i do suggest thinking it over before we get there. We shouldn't reach our destination until morning, so take your time coming to a decision.
All three sit or stand expectantly, waiting to hear the pathfinders opinion on what to do.
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Rilmor looks a bit uncomfortable as he speaks, "I don't think I could easily pass as a pilgrim of another deity and the idea is a bit repulsive to me. Instead, could we claim to be traveling to somewhere further inland into the River Kingdoms or Numeria?"
"Also, if someone is going to be convincing others of this tale, who would be the best one to keep a straight face while doing so?"
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Daedîn nods in agreement with Rilmus.
"Ma'am, as right as you were about not docking here, two Elves and an Aasimar would make for poor Razmiri pilgrims...but I don't think we'd pass for merchants well either as some of us are armed to the teeth...
I suggest we pose as a company of adventurers traveling to Daggermark, in the River Kingdoms, for possible employment in a venture there...we're already dressed the part for that and this would be the quickest route there..."
He turns to Rilmus. "You and Coetis would probably make the best spokesperson...Atronia and Gwerrmet could probably assist as well. Heck, anyone other than myself and Gyrand would probably do well with that..."
Coetis speaks up after Daedîn
"I agree with Daedîn's plan, but Metella's I couldn't say as much. Truth be told, I my self am not a man of religion, but being a spokesperson on the other hand I can side with."
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We should have discussed this earlier.
Atronia looks towards the two dwarves.
I'm sorry this has become so complicated.
She turns back to her fellow Pathfinders.
I'm not particularly good at hiding the truth, so it would certainly be easier to hide only our intention and not our identity. However, with three enforcers dead or wounded, I doubt they will simply trust adventurers. We should find some way to gain their favor. What if we pretend to have found Daedin and Rilmor causing trouble? If we say we want to bring them to the authorities, they might even bring us to where their prisoners are kept.
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Well, if you are unwilling to try this, I suppose we should just hope they have not heard the news yet and be ready for a fight. We probably should not wait too long before we go. Shall we leave? Coetis and Gwermet, I trust you can speak for us. As well spoken as Rilmor is, I doubt he would be well received around here.
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"Not unwilling m'lady...I stand ready to do the will of the group even if I disagree. I just don't think my talents lie in bluff or disguise. I think I'm more useful to the party with my longbow in hand...
As for fighting, I agree with you, we should be ready. Seeing how the Razmiri greeted us at the dock, I think we're in for a fight no matter what plan we choose..."
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To be sincere, Daedin, I'm still quite shocked and disappointed with the way the dock business was conducted. As much as our attempts of diplomacy were not great, it feels to me you might be a little too trigger happy with your longbow.
The brawler was quite serious as he spoke. He wasn't necessarily unfriendly, but showing his disagreement with Daedin's methods.
The Razmiri were greeting us with their expected rudeness, maybe. But you let the arrows fly before we were actually engaged in a combat situation. I understand you didn't want to see our boat locked to the dock but this is not how the Pathfinder Society should conduct their business. We're not a bunch of murder hobos.
He finally turned to the others.
With that all said, I'm not a good spokesperson either. All things considered, we now have no other plan other than trying to go as fast as we can and travel faster than the news. Atronia's idea might be our best bet to try to approach the other prisoners and avoid all the unnecessary bloodshedding.
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Daedîn eyes the Brawler...he was impressed with man's prowess in the fight at the dock, but is somewhat surprised at his reaction...
"I've dealt with Razmiri once before...I felt otherwise. Most are fanatics and words rarely work with them. They had no reason to tie us down unless they were going to search the ship. If the dwarves and envoy had been found, then they, and perhaps we, would've most likely joined the ones we're searching for...and then someone would have to be sent after us...
I felt by striking fast we could salvage the mission and hopefully do so with no casualties on our side. I admit it was a chance and I could've been wrong...but I can live it with it if I was..."
Daedîn ponders for a moment...Making no friends here...I'll lay low till we get to the Inn...
"Whatever the rest of you decide is fine by me. I'm gonna head up to the deck, find a nice spot, and keep lookout...and perhaps sleep a bit..."
Daedîn heads up to the deck and finds a good place to watch out and conceal himself and watch for a Razmiri patrol...or any other trouble that might seek them out...with his bow by his side...
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"Well, if no one can think of a better plan, I think we should get going. Rilmor, don't worry, you won't have to say a thing as a prisoner. Just stay quiet and look unhappy while Gyrand escorts you."
Atronia winks. "I'm going to have a word with Daedîn. Then, if everyone is alright with this, we should go, before more trouble comes up."
Atronia goes back up on deck and looks for Daedîn. She walks around the deck for a moment, looking for him. Unable to see him, she calls out softly. "Daedîn? Where are you? I'd like to speak to you."
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Atronia is startled when she hears Daedîn. She looks in the direction the sound came from.
"That was harsh of him. That's part of why he won't be our spokesperson. You seemed anxious back there, but perhaps it was the only safe course of action. We will never know what would have happened. What I do know is that you're an important part of this team. For now, though, fighting our way through an entire city doesn't look like the best idea. If most Razmirans are as bad as you seem to imply, we're vastly outnumbered."
She chuckles as she says this, catches herself, and goes back to a more serious tone.
"We don't seem to have other choices than what I suggested or storming the inn, so I think we're going to try this. I saw you work the ropes earlier. Would you be able to tie Rilmor's hands in a way that looks real, but lets him go free easily? And do you think you can escape some bonds as well, or show us how to do the same for you? I know it's annoying and stressful to be weaponless. I'd hate to be in your place. But you're the one who has the best chance of getting out of those restraints, and if they do know how the enforcers died, they might not easily trust a foreign archer. I'll be holding onto you and your bow. Someone else can take your arrows. At the first sign of trouble, we will give them back to you. Is that alright?"
Not knowing what answer to expect, she lets her eyes wander.
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Daedîn listens silently until Atronia is finished speaking. This one will make a good leader...even if I disagree with her...
He speaks softly. "Begging your pardon, ma'am, but I have an idea what would've happened back there...as I said, not my first instance in dealing with Razmiri enforcers. I too once tried to talk my way past them; now I have no consort..."
Daedîn silently chides himself for revealing that tidbit...he does not like talking of his past...he continues...
"Once they tied the ship down, we weren't leaving without a fight...we struck first and took three of 'em down before they fired a shot...they all had loaded crossbows and, believe me, they know how to use them...if they had struck first, it might've been us with three down...not to mention what the wolf might've done...
While I disagree with your plan, I respect it...it's bold and might reveal where they're holding the hostages. If that's what everyone wishes, I'm all in. A couple things you might want to mull over on our way there. First off, you'll need to have three of us be prisoners...unless you can hide the half-Elf's pointy ears and facial features, Gwermett will have to join Rilmor and I...and yes, I should be able to manage false rope ties...
My biggest fear however is alerting them that we may know they have a hidden prison/holding cells at the Inn...if we show up asking if they can take our prisoners, it may put them on guard...they may wonder why we show up at this particular inn asking that...
From what I've heard 'bout the inns on this river, few are located near cities of any size; most are either in small villages or more remote areas...if the Razmiri have a detachment there, we'll likely have to fight our way in regardless. If it's an actual inn, or if they're posing it as one, they may have a spy or contact there who'll alert the authorities once anyone arrives...I'll be shocked if there's no fight...I'm better fighting when concealed, but I'll do my best.
Just let me know what you need from me when we get close. In the meantime, I'll stay here and be on the lookout for any further trouble...we murder hobos are good at that..."
Daedîn gives Atronia a wink at that last statement...before realizing she probably won't see it...
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Atronia frowns more and more as Deadîn speaks. "Are Razmiri so hateful toward all non-humans? I thought they were just religious fanatics. I wasn't too worried about tipping them off, since inns have always seemed to me like a good place to go when you need information... such as where to bring prisoners for questioning, in our case. But if Gwerrmet can't help with the lie and if half the party is tied up, that starts to get more complicated."
She shakes her head and runs her hand through her hair. "I'm still not used to taking leadership... I'll go talk to the others about this. Hear what they think."
Atronia goes back below deck and tells the group about the further complications to her plan: Gwermett possibly getting singled out and the difficulties of organizing for a fight if needed. "Do you still want to go through with this, or do you have a better idea before we leave?"
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Daedîn reflects but a moment. "I'd guess they're hateful (or suspicious) towards all those who don't worship their leader Razmir...which would include almost all non-humans. Humans could maybe pass themselves off as Razmiri faithful (or peasants)...highly doubtful that non-humans could do the same...
You will make a fine leader, Atronia, much moreso than such as I...you know how to talk to people, they listen to you, and you think boldly. Best you talk to the others and then get some rest...tomorrow will be a busy day for us, methinks..."
Daedîn stays hidden in his spot, watching the river, watching the sky, and cat napping as needed...
The river narrows ahead, flowing around a central isle thick with trees and vegetation. The river runs beneath a canopy formed by the isle’s overhanging trees. As the team sits and chats about what to do, suddenly the water to the side of the boat erupts into a geyser. Something flies through the air before slapping into the deck right in the middle of the team! Passad and the others quickly dive for cover, rolling behind barrels or generally out of sight. The thing in the center whirls around, and hisses. It's a water viper! Even as the team leaps to their feet, a roaring hiss is heard from the water as a giant snake like creature the size of a man leaps out of the water onto the side of the boat! How do our heroe's react to these stunning developments?
THE BOLD MAY ACT:
Gwerrmet
Rilmor
Atronia
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Snake
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Coetis
Gyrand
Daedin
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River Drake
Startled, Atronia takes out her great sword and cuts down the snake.
Atronia takes out the snake with one swift blow of her massive sword, lopping off it's little head neatly so that it bounces down the length of the boat, it's body falling limp.
THE BOLD MAY ACT:
Gwerrmet
Rilmor
Atronia
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Snake (Very dead)
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Coetis
Gyrand
Daedin
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River Drake
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Daedîn is taken aback by the huge drake emerging from the river. Erastil's antlers! He quickly recovers and fires an arrow from his concealed position at the beast...
Daedîn will then move back roughly 12 feet SSW, making an acrobatic tumble (to avoid the drake's attack of opportunity) to end up directly behind the rowboat (15' south of the drake), hoping to secure partial cover...
Coetis will enter urban bloodrage then move pass Gyrand to be adjacent to the creature pulling out his rapier, trying to acrobatic dodge the creature, then if he can attack the creature.
The Drake rears back to strike when Daedin's arrow flies from his hiding spot, striking it under the chin. It howls in pain as it swings it's head around, trying to lock onto the offending archer. As he does so, a sparkling ray of frost flies by its head, distracting it for just a moment as Gyrand steps up to the creature, bringing his Madu crashing down into its skull, a sickly "CRUNCH" echoing across the water as its eyes go bleary. It tries to strike back, but Coetis deftly steps in the way, his rapier sliding through the leather skin of its throat like a hot knife through butter. As soon as the attack happens, it is over, and the beast slumps backward, sinking into the depths below. The crew, the dwarves, and even Passad give out a cheer for the pathfinders and their heroic and impressive display of battle.
Even from the ship, it's easy to see what prompted the attack. Drakes are a kind of dragon, and they like to horde gold just as much as their true cousins. The stash is small, but made of gold nuggets and uncut gems, making the little detour worth a pretty penny.
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LATER THAT DAY
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After the day wears on, and the Captain calls out that they should be reaching the Inn within a hour or two, Passad stops by the pathfinders, smiling as he sneezes out another puff of Snuff.
Pathfinders... You have done a excellent job, and proved your worth over and over again. 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 holds up his hands and continues.
Do not feel like you must make a decision now. Just consider this...
He places a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds on the makeshift table the pathfinders are using.
A token and taste of the things to come, of a mutually benificial partnership. Keep it, no matter your decision. He walks away back to his cabin, snorting another puff of snuff.
Once Passad is out of sight, Metella walks up, glaring at where he left.
“Yes, Passad 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. As for the bribe he would offer you... I offer a counter "Token of appreciation”. "Keep it, no matter your decision." She mocks Passads voice in a whining tone and lays down another potion, this one of a potion of bear’s endurance.
Same as that sniveling polished brat though... do not feel the need to make a decision now. We have other, more important matters to attend to soon.
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Near dusk, the captain of the boat points out a pleasant country inn up a hill on the north shore of the Glass River, where a small dock offers a berth for the Abacus. Passad and the dwarven envoy indicate they’ll wait out the night in their cabins while the team executes their mission at the Gray Revelation Inn. Before leaving the boat, Amauhak strongly advises the party to refrain from violence on Razmiri soil if it can be helped; Metella and Passad, in rare agreement, concur. A stone path leads from the dock about 200 yards through some light tree cover to the villa. All appearances suggest a very cozy establishment, and the inn certainly serves the obvious purpose of a way station for travelers; A sign above wide wooden gates reads, “Welcome to the Gray Revelation Inn.” The gate leans open invitingly, and the smell of fresh flowers wafts on the cool breeze.
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"Yes, ma'am, will do...I'll leave my bow here...and most of my gear as well for that matter..."
Daedîn quickly strips down to his skivvies...carrying a dagger in his mouth, he enters the river from the backside of the ship, and swims to shore. Once there he surveys the ground and selects a way towards the inn with lots of foliage/cover...he'll very cautiously select a concealed spot, hopefully close enough to see the layout of the inn's grounds, but far enough away as to not draw unwanted attention...
Once settled in, he'll observe for just a little while, looking for enforcers, patrols or anything suspicious, before heading back to the boat and reporting to the others...