Rappan Athuk set in Nirmathas, Golarion

Game Master baldwin the merciful

In reply. "HAIL...we scavenge battlefields. No need fer hostilities. Jus' looking for remnants and what brings you to field?"

In reply. "HAIL...we scavenge battlefields. No need fer hostilities. Jus' looking for remnants and what brings you to field?"

Calain, not one to lie, answers honestly.

Ohhh.

Scavengers.

Desmond's people.

'We've found valuable dragon scale but it's worth lots of gold. Makes perfect armor...fer my soldiers."

"I've got green, black, and red scales fer sale."

"I've got green, black, and red scales fer sale."

Really? Per chance did ye find any scales O the silver? I'm told twas a Silver and a Red that battled here last night.

"Hmmm...I wonder if these mercenaries might want a job, hunting down some demons and the like? Plenty of spoils from their battles, no?"

Karnog muses to the group while Duncan negotiates.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

Totally Forgot Duncan actually has ranks in Diplomacy I'm so used to having someone else be the face

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
The red I seen before Gargantuan in Size and I believe the silver mighta lost. Should be at least a blood covered scale or two rent by the Reds claws laying about somewhere, eh?

"I wonder if any red scales may have silver blood on them?" Desmond thinks aloud.

Nym stands stoically to the rear of the group but makes sure the hobgoblin and kolbolds can see him

"Treasures like that are hard to come by. Argnak didn't kill the silver jus' immobilized her and took her away. Don't think magjicks can bring back the living." ther is pause, "Course I can sell you a scale for a handsome price if you really want it."

Duncan and Karnog you get a sense he is being truthful in your negotiations.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31

Hmm. I thought we had heard the silver died though? Desmond floats down and whispers into Karnog's ear. "Weren't we told the silver was killed by somebody?" He asks.

Remember goblins told the story to Mother.

Post 1

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"Second and third hand information is rarely as accurate as we'd like, Desmond. If he slew the silver and flew away with both Meathead and her corpse, he may be planning some nefarious spells of his own. Much as I hate to face the red, backed up with a necromancy-d silver, that would be even worse."

Desmond just narrows his eyes. "I trust mother and your faithful followers more than these random hobgoblins. But hey, I'll follow you into hell. You point the way forward."

"Second and third hand information is rarely as accurate as we'd like, Desmond. If he slew the silver and flew away with both Meathead and her corpse, he may be planning some nefarious spells of his own. Much as I hate to face the red, backed up with a necromancy-d silver, that would be even worse."

Duncan turns his back to the Job and lowers his voice, I don't think he's lyin. If he has a silver scale then it might be worth purchasing, but it could easily be from a Dragon far too young to be of aid. If the red carried her off and the scale does belong to her we could at least use it as a focus for Kalim's scrying and get a reliable location for a teleport. Might even tell us if she's dead or not. If she is dead, we resurrect her. If she's alive then at least we know he hasn't animated the corpse.

He turns back to the Job and projects his voice again, Is yer SILVER scale from this battlefield? How much d'ye want Fer it?

There is long pause before the Hobgoblin answers. "Yes here here. Silv'r be nearly as good as gold, useful for all sorts of things, 10,000 gold pieces. Not that fools gold either I can see through that gimmick." there is another quick pause then he adds. "I take genuine gems too....pearls and diamonds are me favorite. Good use for those."

He turns back to the Job and projects his voice again, Is yer SILVER scale from this battlefield?

Fantastic question! Obviously someone who has been through a meat grinder with me. All those battle wounds have made you wise.

Duncan Redhammer wrote:

He turns back to the Job and projects his voice again, Is yer SILVER scale from this battlefield?

Fantastic question! Obviously someone who has been through a meat grinder with me. All those battle wounds have made you wise.

As much as Duncan re:ME. Loves to charge in and smash he is supposed to have a good wisdom. Which I will totally roleplay via my knowledge that DM almost always has a wicked twist

While they are conversing Duncan uses his Detect Evil SLA on the Hob and his forces, as if taking in the breadth of this band and listening for telltale signs of a lie, like a merchant making a story up to jack up prices.
Sense Motive to detect lies: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Yer asking alot Fer one scale. Let me check with me friends...per chance how's an army the size a yer's findin yer way to a seemingly random battle tween 2 dragon's. A force the size of yer's attracts attention, less ye expect me ta believe ye keep yeselfs invisible the full 24bells. We be pretty familiar with the area and ain't heard tell O ye or even a stray kobold...

Turning to Karnog, Duncan opens a very fat coin purse, not bothering to hide it. He wanted to keep the Hob I interested in the gold, but felt confident they could make short work of a small army of Kobolds like they did the Centaurs, if the Job decided to simply try to take it.
Whad'ya think? He might O been the one ta through that spell at Desmond, but given that lads lack o will power and the spells failure, pretty sure we can take em if this goes sour. I can pay half O what he's asking outta me own purse and so long as the scale is genuine we either get a solid spot ta port into and rescue the silver OR she'd dead already an we ressurect her and take a big ally in. Though gods know my decisions ain't been goin' well lately

Duncan you sense that this hobgoblin can be a trickster and that he could try to pull a fast one on you guys if you aren't careful.

"Me and me band are good scrying where the battles gonna be and then we walk b'ween the ethers, we scavenge battles for treasures."

"The price is the price, you can deal or not deal, it doesn't matter to me. If you're crazy 'nough to want to fight ov'r it you'll be the focus of my disintegrate spell, then when your sorcerer tosses a spell at me it'll be absorbed or ricocheted, and who knows maybe everyone gits to meets a dinosaur face-t-face." He seems a bit annoyed when questioned about the price.

"DEAL or NO DEAL" the hobgoblin shouts.

"No reason for violent conflict. We are merely trying to see if we have the material to meet your price. Would you be interested in unholy potions? We have quite a few on hand."

"Hey don't get snippy we've fought multiple armies, this wouldn't even be an interesting enough victory to brag about."

"No reason for violent conflict. We are merely trying to see if we have the material to meet your price. Would you be interested in unholy potions? We have quite a few on hand."

"You demon-worshippers?" The spellcaster commander asks. "Didn't figure you for evil-uns." He waves off the potions, "No....No."

"Hey don't get snippy we've fought multiple armies, this wouldn't even be an interesting enough victory to brag about."

"You no see mighty kobold army fight." he thumps his chest.

"In that case, lads, between Duncan and my purses were about 4000 short without tapping into the magical healing components. Anyone got some coin they can part with, if we assume this scale is worth the gold?"

Karnog shrugs at the mention if demon-worship, not bothering to correct the hobgoblin, then looks to the party.

It should give you some satisfaction that he did not want unholy potions.

There is a long, lengthy pause.

Then the most dramatic, exaggerated groan one could possibly imagine.

"Fiiiiine. But next time I whore myself out to an evil creature for money, I want to hear absolutely nothing from you." Desmond reluctantly counts out the 4000gp for Karnog.

Thank ye Desmond.

He turns to the Hob.
Ye say yer scale be one from the Silver that battled here? Beggin yer pardon but it wouldn't be the first time a merchant has fudged the history of their goods. Then I offer he yer price. IF it be hers. 2500 now and ye let me Sorcerer friend cast Scry on the scale so we can see if it's hers. If it is, ye get the rest of the coin. Shouldn't be no problem there since ye say it be hers...and ye're too powerful a wizard ta steal from since apparently Disintegrate is in yer power to cast, so we all doing this the honest and peaceful way.
Diplomacy to let them Scry the scale before completing the deal: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

A 20! Huzzah! Hopefully the awesome negotiation to let them Scry the coin works. If the Hob says no after that roll he's probably be lying about the scale being from this battlefield and belonging to the Silver we are looking for.

'You...talky dwarf come forward to 50 feet and have yer sorcerer come fly down to examine the scale, stop 50 ft from me army. Toss pouch of coin this way. I will then magically send the scale t'wards you for examination." When he mentions the sorcerer he points directly at Kalim. It's clear that he can see the invisible flying spellcaster.

He wiggles his fingers and large scale begins to hover and move forward.

Duncan take half of his 5000 and gives it to Karnong to hold. The rest of the 2500 he keeps in his pouch and walks the 50ft towards the Kobold army as instructed. The throws the coin purse the remaining distance towards the Kobolds.Since I'm guessing another minute or two has elapsed. Duncan will use another minute of his Sacred armour ability to impart SR17 to his armor for the next minute if things turn sour.

Come down Kalim. I need yer magics fer the next part. If the scale be what we're lookin fer then we complete the deal, fair n square.

Kalim descends as majestically as possible. "You are a capable bunch. In this world, with these tactics, you should prosper. I am impressed. I offer you advice for free: prepare for the Void."

The scale moves slowly towards over to Kalim for inspection. Kalim you figure the hobgoblin commander is using either mage hand or telekinesis to manipulate the scale. when the scale arrives it weights 4 or 5 pounds.

"The size appears correct, at least. Must have been a big dragon that thing came off of."

Kalim what are you going to do when the scale is presented to you for magical inspection.

Kalim wishes up a Scry.

Kalim wishes up a Scry.

will save: 1d20 + 17 - 10 ⇒ (19) + 17 - 10 = 26

Kalim your scrying attempt failed but you have a good idea that the silver dragon is alive since your spell failed.

I think the DC 24 based off of your 4th level spell DC, correct me if I'm wrong.

"She lives, but resisted my scry. We must assume the worst."

"Satisfied? Now pay-up!"

Kalim make a know arcana check for me.

knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Damn those sorcerer skill points.

Hmmm, well that roll isn't going to help. I was trying to give you a bit more information from your scry spell.

A few moments go by and the hobgoblin commander yells out, "Come on now, pay up!

10,000 as agreed. Karnog, Desmond. Send over Tha rest. He allowed us ta Scry Fer half and Kalim says it's hers.

Duncan's Dwarven greed caused him to harumph. If the silver was alive, then they didn't actually need the scale for a ressurection, however, a deal was a deal.

Karnog uses his own telekinesis to hand over the remaining gold.

"Well, we have a means of tracking her down now, so that's good. How do we get there safely and effectively?"

The commander counts out the gold. His troops do nothing but remain at attention. Assuming all is there, "Our business is concluded."

What are you intentions? Kalim got a solid read on Meath'd's eye. He did not get through to the Silver, but believes she is still alive since his scry was resisted.

What are your plans?

Is the Hob and Kobolds still here or did they port away?

Hmmm, well that roll isn't going to help. I was trying to give you a bit more information from your scry spell.

know arcana to help: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32