RD's Fangwood Keep (Inactive)

Game Master Rene Duquesnoy

If it will help us, that snake wanted her head. Narvik states. Hopefully this agreement will be enough to gain whatever useful information the snake has.

"Why don't a few of us go downstairs, inform the snake that she has been dispatched, and see what it has to say. There has been enough ruckus up here for it to believe she is dead."

"I have some small skill at deception. Does anyone wish to accompany me? Some of us should stay here to ensure Fethi's adherence to whatever agreement we reach. When we speak to the snake, those who go downstairs can represent that we are survivors from the battle against Fethi and question it about what it knows. If it asks about a head, we will inform it that we have no stomach for such grisly work, and that it is free to go upstairs to retrieve the head itself."

Pribam waits for a volunteer or two before going downstairs. While he waits, he draws and activates the wand of innocence, then restows it. He also restows all other wands.

Armun volunteers, saying, "Words are my forte. Let me help this."

Very well. I'll stay here with Tarrow and Kelvor then.

"Indeed, you may be even more skilled than I am. Take the wand, it cannot hurt." Pribam passes the wand of innocence to Armun to use, then takes it back and stows it.

It's a personal spell on the bard list.

Pribam & Armun go downstairs to talk to the snake, while the rest stay with Fethi.

Since we are now splitting the party, it may be difficult to track what is actually going on. what are you trying to figure out?

We're just trying to bluff the snake that we killed Fethi so we can get its information before Fethi and whatever hobgoblins she takes with her march out past it and demonstrate that we're lying.

Gotcha

The goblin snake is there below Yesss? Isss it done?

What Pribam said

Armun will use the Wand of Innocence on himself, and head down with Pribam.

"It is, goblin snake. She is dead. Now, tell us what you know. As you can imagine, we don't intend to stay here any longer than we have to."

Bluff: 1d20 + 11 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 10 = 38
(added the +10 from Innocence to this roll)

"Hurry up with it, snake. This is grisly work."

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 10 = 29 to aid

The snake smiles and looks happy Yay. Dead. I'm free yesssss! I'm free! No more nassssty Fethi!!!

Very excited snake.

"Good. We've held our part of the bargain. It's time for you to hold yours. Tell us about this riddle down below."

Yessss...the riddle. Firssst you need the key from Vosssss. Down below is death. I hear screamsss coming when exploring. Sstay away from the bassssement, and go home alive. Come...letssss leave together!

Armun is not convinced that the snake is leading them with good intent.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Armun believes that the snake is ready to leave and feels free, but that he doesn't know anything about what is below.

"Do you not know the answer to the riddle? You may feel free now, but we are not leaving yet. What is the riddle that you spoke of!"

Pribam attempts to slip his wand of web out of his bag of holding without being noticed, so he can trap the snake if it tries to slither away.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

I moved Armun and Pribam's tokens downstairs by the goblin snake.

There isss no actual riddle like why isss the ssky blue...just that death awaitsss.

Pribam takes wand out.

You can tell that the snake just wants to leave.

"Vermin, you lied to us to get us to murder for you. You had best offer some better coin than, 'be careful,' to pay for your life or we will roast you like we did Fethi and the other hobgoblins, then take it from your charred corpse. We might even eat you as a snack."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The snake tries to flee the keep. Do you let it leave, or will you attack it?

Armun will let it go.

Pribam activates the wand of web to keep the snake from leaving the keep. He aims the web so that it blocks the snake's route out of the keep and catches the snake one the edge closest to Pribam and Armun.

The Reflex save not to be caught in the web is DC 13.

"We're just going to need to search you before you leave - a temporary delay," Pribam says.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Pribam: make a diplomacy or bluff check

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

The snake dodges the web, then sighs. Jussst a delay? Yesss. Well here. On the snake, you find 2 potions of CMW, a scroll of scare, and a wand of bulls strength with 11 charges.

You let Asssseri keep the healingss? It isss a nasssty world out there.

"One of them. Now be gone." Pribam dismisses the web.

Snake slithers saway

Pribam collects up the other items, hands them to Armun, and goes back upstairs to rejoin the rest of the party.

Armun shakes his head in disbelief and says, mostly to himself, "I think I just watched a mugging. I expect this from a Razmiran priest, or from an Aspis agent, but never from a Pathfinder. Incredible."

He heads back upstairs, not in any hurry to keep up with Pribam.

I just snorted up my coffee laughing at Armun's comment!

When Pribam gets upstairs, he speaks to Pastor Narvik. "Pastor, the snake had nothing useful to say. I disarmed it and solicited a donation as compensation for the trouble it has caused. Armun has its gear, which included a wand that increases an individual's strength significantly. I suggest you take it to use on Ambassador Kelvor when matters come to blows again. It should make his blows with Earthbreaker even more fearsome."

Pribam looks at the party. "The snake is gone, you can release the hobgoblins now."

Armun nods, turns to Fethi, and says, "Ok, one loose end has been tied up. Now, we're going to organize your withdrawal as follows. You will remain bound and with us. Any troops you have still on this floor we are going to meet with, and you will tell them that you give the order for them to withdraw. If it helps, ensure they know that you've all been made a priceless offer by another employer. They are to spread the word to each other, but not to Ellena or Vos. Once this is done, we will lead you to the front of the keep and free you from your bonds."

He stops, looks at Fethi, and adds, "Given that we're here at the behest of the Nirmathi military, we are being incredibly generous. Do you agree?"

Kelvor listens to Pribam's discussion with Narvik.

He flexes his muscles, wondering what further enhancement will feel like.

Fethi considers Armun's suggestion. We work for gold. You want everyone to leave, we expect gold for it. I can blow this horn which will make my men all leave at once, thus pissing Vos off. I assume that is your goal. Hell, he may even be stupid enough to try and fight us. My charge is 500 gold.

I was afraid that might be necessary. Alright then.

Armun gives Fethi a hard stare, then stops and thinks. "Wait. Your life is now in my hands. You might be dead soon, but we'll see."

He then pulls his companions aside and quietly says, "Truthfully, I'm willing to chip in to this cost, just so we don't have to fight every single hobgoblin in this place. This is pocket change for us, I think. Agreed?"

Pribam rolls his eyes, thankful that his mask of office hides his expression from the hobgoblin's sight.

"How many hobgoblins can be left? The servants estimated 10 to 15. We've killed at least 10 now. That much gold to let a defeated foe go with her life and some of her followers is unreasonable. She should count herself lucky to go at all, much less with some of her forces."

"I will follow the group's decision on this, but I think it is folly to PAY a defeated foe to leave the field of battle."

Sorry, the eye roll comment was intended as a response to Fethi's demand. However, it posted just after Armun's comment.

If it's not obvious, I'm trying to create a basis for Armun to haggle the hobgoblin down. As a player, it doesn't matter to me whether we pay for them to leave or wipe the floor with them.

"Ok guys, if we are going to make a deal, make a deal, but we need to get on with this, I don't want to give the other side time to fortify defenses, kill her or make a deal. But I am not paying her any gold."

"Master Armun, I have some experience with dealing with these types of foul creatures, if you would like I can take over the negotiations."

"You know where I stand. It is not a matter of gold. We have the gold. Gold means little. The Battle Sages of the Shoanti Quahs say, Leave no enemy commander on the field to threaten you. Gold will not make her a friend. It simply stays her hand for a time, if she can be believed. She is an enemy whom we cannot allow to continue to attack us. Or allow to blow a horn that will signal anybody about anything. Why let Vos and this Elassa woman know we're here? Her life is forfeit, I say.

Kelvor thinks for a bit.

"I say let us take her head with us. It will serve just as well as some horn. And it will be quieter. After we show the few remaining hobgoblins the price their best paid for opposing us... they will flee. Or we shall serve them Justice."

Narvik accepts the wand with a nod. Hmm, some interesting magic indeed. Perhaps using a charge now might be useful. Kelvor could test the results on our friend here. It may help in the negotiations.

If needed, Aid for Diplo or Intim: 1d20 ⇒ 16 Add 3 for Diplo, 5 for Intim

"It appears three of us are willing to let the hobgoblins go, but not for 500 pieces of gold, and that the Ambassador would just as soon exercise Justice. Why don't you see if she will go with 'merely' her life and remaining followers. If she doesn't like that idea, we can let the Ambassador attempt to change her mind. Pastor Narvik, trying out the wand now is an excellent idea, please do."

Armun tries one more empassioned plea. "I agree that time is being lost. However, I don't consider the foe 'defeated' just yet. We have their leader, but that is all. We're dealing with mercenaries, who are obviously behaving like mercenaries. They're hobgoblins, sure, but we would be facing the same negotiations were they humans. If anything, I've had worse dealing with humans."

"Fethi seems to be working with us in good faith, which is remarkable given that she could easily have lied, agreed to the deal, and used her horn to summon all of her soldiers against us. Plus, it will be a more telling blow against Vos when the hobgoblins up and leave. Let us not forget the strength of demoralizing a foe before we even meet."

"If the question is gold, I can easily suggest 250 gold and her life as a final offer. Would that be acceptable?"

Lastly, Armun says to Kelvor, "Fethi has yielded, and is a foe no more. Execution after surrender makes us worse than the enemy we face. Or has it suddenly become the way of the Shoanti tribes to slay their prisoners?"

"I defer to our colleagues. If the majority are willing to pay a lower price, I agree."

Enough blood has been spilled, even if it may be that of hobgoblins. Narvik seems to agree with the idea that for 50 gold a piece solving the issue of the hobgoblin mercenaries is well worth the cost. Yes, make it so. I'd prefer to conserve the charges of this wand if we could, saying the last bit with a smile toward Kelvor. I'm sure a new chance will present itself.

Lastly, Armun says to Kelvor, "Fethi has yielded, and is a foe no more. Execution after surrender makes us worse than the enemy we face. Or has it suddenly become the way of the Shoanti tribes to slay their prisoners?"

Kelvor intones deeply, "The Shoanti do not take prisoners, tshamek."

Kelvor frowns at Armun, as if he is bothered by something.

"Armun, you are mistaken in your reasoning. She has not yielded. She was beaten to Pharasma's door by our combined power. Only the priest's suggestion has brought her back to face her death yet again. For this, you may find fault. Yet her battle is not yet done. If she were not tied up, do you think she would be negotiating? Nay, she would be fleeing or fighting, struggling to bring her forces to bear on us.

The Shoanti looks at the tied up hobgoblin dispassionately. His eyes focus on her horn.

"Wherever your misguided feelings take you, skald, under no circumstances should her horn be blown. Let us sunder it now."

Kelvor believes Fethi from his sense motive check earlier that she will take her troops and leave.

"If she doesn't like that idea, we can let the Ambassador attempt to change her mind."

Kelvor steps up to the Razmiran, invading his personal space just enough to cause discomfort.

"Pribam Pey, I dislike the idea of 'changing somebody's mind,' as you so blithely call it. I will not dispute that the application of pain sometimes results in a loose tongue. But I find it distasteful. Fethi has told us what she knows. Or is willing to tell us. If it were I, she would receive the Final Blow, and we would move on. Your hell-magic brought her back to face this over again. And she faces it with guile and strength. For that I respect her. But I do not delude myself into thinking that my respect for her will keep her from killing me or us."

Kelvor turns to Armun. "The Plateau is a hard place, Taldan. Be weak or be strong. But do it quickly."