Shadows of the Sand (Inactive)

Game Master caster4life

K. local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 to answer Amari's question.

Zaza knows that there aren't a lot of people out here in the desert but there are some nomadic hunters. Also hunters from richer parts of the country will occasionally boat down the river while hunting and sell their goods where they may.

Guess other option is see if there are any wells for a well traveled trading route through the desert and try to ride in with another caravan...assuming with the fort being situated on a river there will be plenty moving towards it to then use the river as an easier way to move their goods.

While stating this Agaban attempts to recall any possible historical or religious significance that he could use as another reason to travel to the fort.

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Agaban believe trade routes come through here on occasion but doesn't think of any religious significance.

"Or we could be mercenaries looking for a caravan to guard. That gives us a reason to arrive and to linger, and would explain our weapons."

Amari nods multiple times, then signs:
<We could be both.
Hunting in between jobs.
Nomads of the desert living the harsh life in the sands.
That should work.
Let us move.>

Any more preparations or heading into the fort? If it's ambiguous, I'll move us forward to entering the fort tomorrow at the latest.

<Nomads and mercenaries it is> agrees Zatinya. With all the travels in the desert, she had to admit they looked the part.

Anyone want to attempt disguise checks for the four of you?

Oh, disguise checks x4 are going to get ugly. Unless I'm allowed to disguise the party?

Disguise: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Zaza throws in some prestidigitation to make the party look sufficiently dirty to be nomadic.

Disguise(Dis Guy is*): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

Takes a disguise check for each. It's not super hard since you're not trying to pass yourself as a different individual, just a different profession. Aid another, guidance etc are all on the table.

Lo XD

Aid Another (Agaban): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Aid Another (Amari): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Aid Another (Lo): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"Let me help with some finishing touches," suggests Zatinya, as she looks over everyone's efforts to look more nomadic.

While his skin seems to ripple a little before the tone takes on a much darker hue.

Disguise: 1d20 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) - 2 + 4 = 10

Taking the +4 from my racial trait to appear human assuming that would be a benefit here, and guess lets hope the heavy robes help with the disguise with that roll.

Just wondering are we saying we are looking for a client or waiting for a client? Maybe the client is coming downriver and we are meeting before the overland journey. Where would the likely destination be Zaza do you have any idea likely trade routes/goods that come through here?

Amari follows the steps of Savings, without too much effort - he of babpy looks like a nomad-hunter anyway, without any armor and weapons but his bow.
1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

You approach the fort on the river, disguised as nomadic hunters. You are hailed by guards at the large wooden gate as you approach. A man wearing the green turban of a lieutenant hails you "Halt, travelers! State your business!"

You guys can keep discussing your plan in sign language, thankfully. Want to move forward so we don't get stuck.

"We are here to sell goods and find work!" says Zaza simply, as she tries to revert to the more rural accent of her youth, rather than that of the great city of Katapesh.

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Amari holds up one of the crocodile skins up for the guards to see.
Let's hope that those aren't considered holy or something ^^

I'll give Amari a free aid another with the crocodile skin.

The guard speaking to you nods as if this is commonplace while another guard standing nearby looks at you for a second longer than you'd like before appearing to lose interest. The first guard replies "That is well. The quartermaster is over there." He points to a brick building about fifty paces away.

"Thank you, sir," expresses Zaza with gratitude, as she tries to avoid the gaze of the second guard. She looks for a spot to stable the camels and drop off their things. She assesses whether the fort has the same layout as the one they previously visited, such that they might know where the commander's quarters are.

Zaza notes that the layout is very similar indeed, following the standard protocol of the Qadiran military. The only difference is that this fort has a dock that leads onto the river attached to it and guarded houses for the boats.

Nodding to the guards as he rides by before turning to sign to the group after they are out of sight of the 2nd guard.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

<Think that one was suspicious of us? Guess the next step either way is to find the local watering hole and lets see what the rumors are potentially for this fort.

<That's a good idea. Not to mention I could use some food and drink after that long journey.>

Playing up her role as an exotic nomad, Zaza will try to collect some interesting gossip or tidbits of information.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Agaban doesn't have much to say about the guard's opinion. The guard doesn't seem to be acting in a way that is overtly odd. You head to the mess tent first and purchase provisions.

1 sp for a meal. 1 sp for a drink.

Zaza begins asking around, talking to folk in the tent. She soon learns of the dice games held nightly in the mess tent. Merchants, soldiers, and anyone else is welcome to play. The commander himself often plays and loses badly. She also hears about the poor financial condition of the commander and how just yesterday he sold off a family heirloom in order to pay gambling debts for which he had been hounded for weeks.

Zaza perks up at the mention of a "family heirloom." "Oh, that sounds awful. I hope it wasn't a wedding ring . . ." she says, hoping to get someone to fill in what the object was and where it came from. It would be interesting if the heirloom was never seen in his hands until recently.

A thick-set guard snorts. "Yeah awful alright. It sure pains me to wear this instead of him." With great satisfaction, he pats an amulet hanging around his neck. He speaks in a low voice that doesn't carry past those at his table but is obviously very pleased with himself. "I got tired of him showing off his mark of nobility day after day. We'll he won't be showing it off now!"

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Lo'Laan and Serenity look around for signs of break-ins or any tracks of interest while the others put their own skills to use.

Amari is taking a several portions of salty food and lots of water to replenish the resources his body had to spend during their trip through the desert and waits for the Ifrit-woman to return.
He knows that he is not exactly helpful in most social endevors, so he seeks out a lone corner of the canteen and recovers while keeping a careful eye on whatever else happens in there.
(Once Zaza returns to tell her gathered intel)
<Hmmm, so this man had to sell his mark of nobility?
That does not sound as if he got bribe-funds just recently, does it?
Or he somehow covered it up nice and clean.
Zaza, can you inquire further whether the last remaining commander is a known gambler as well?
Maybe he got here for a high-stake game in the past?>

Lo, are you in the mess hall with the others or wandering around inside or outside the fort?

Amari does overhear someone talking about the commander of Fort Al-Nayiz coming here to play dice once.

While Zaza and Amari take the mess hall. Agaban wanders towards the dock and then the marketplace to see how commerce is and maintain the cover of the group looking for work to guard a caravan.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16

After getting back to the group and hearing Zaza's account.

<Since that necklace that he used to pay off his debts sounds like a legit heirloom since he showed it off constantly...leaning towards this not being our target...should we just try to head to the next one alone or try to sign onto a caravan that is heading that way as guards? Slower travel probably but also have our reason for traveling there on hand.

Agaban works the docks, a natural place to draw the Undine. He is so pleased to be near the water in this desert that he is unusually charming! Everyone is happy to greet him and chat. He soon learns that the commander of Fort Seleukka formerly owned property in Osirion, is not well-liked, and is deathly allergic to shellfish.

It was unclear what your diplomacy check to gather info was about so I just gave you some info which may or may not prove useful to you about the commander since that was the most obvious topic.

Probably outside.

<I agree, that it seems this one is less likely than the other.
We can ask around if one leaves in the next day or two.
Otherwise I think we should make speed over there.>

Lo'laan and Serenity don't find any tracks that stand out to them from those of the soldiers. They also do not detect any signs of a break-in. They do, however, that one of the storerooms seems to be bigger on the outside than on the inside. Some of its space is missing in the NE corner. Lo'laan investigates and finds a small smugglers cache containing very finely-crafted Taldane spectacles, spyglasses, and other lens-works.

That works though was as much to see if there were any caravans heading in the Al-Nayiz direction or any that were looking to hire guards to maintain the cover for how we entered the fort.

Lo'Laan confiscates the contraband before he returns to the mess hall to meet up with the others.

Next caravan in: 1d20 ⇒ 4days

Lo'laan confiscates the contraband. Can appraise it if you want.

What is everyone else doing/attempting?

Amari will spent most of the evening (I guess we're resting for a day?) in the canteen, observing the come and go of men.
He searches for someone matching the description of the big, tall human fighter that is still on their list (he is especially on the lookout if any of the guards is wielding a glaive) as well as whether there is gnome in the camp or not.
Otherwise ... stocking up trail rations and water and taking a good, long nap before we head out again(?).
1d20 ⇒ 17

Appraise: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Ancient priceless artifacts no doubt.

Amari, what check was that you rolled?

Lo'laan thinks that the artifacts are incredibly valuable but isn't very sure of his evaluation.

Searching for know-Taldans.
So either Perception or Sensee Motive whatever feels more appropriate.

Amari doesn't sees some tall, burly fellows but none are carrying a glaive. Mostly longspears here.

Returning to the group in the canteen a little dejected.

<No luck finding any caravans to provide cover as we move on...though apparently wouldn't be too hard to take out the commander if you just had some shellfish...almost feel sorry that he cant enjoy the little suckers, but then again seems to be a right selfish bugger based on everyone else's impressions of him.

Guessing Lo will bring the contraband back so will roll an appraise check if not guess ignore it.

After heading back to their rooms Agaban takes a moment to look over the stuff that Lo found on her scouting run.

Appraise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

<Guessing we will head on to the next fort in the morning or does anyone else feel that there is any benefit staying here for another day or two?

<I am fine with that, Agaban.
Maybe we can try to pay our debts in the camp by selling the leather?
Even if it would be more valuable than the goods we got in return?
May prove enough to keep up appearance?>

Sorry for the typo in my last post. Hate that. Amari DOES seem some big guys.

Agaban determines that the contraband is worth 2000 gp to the right buyer. He also knows that this is a kind of awkward situation with the contraband as generally contraband should be turned in to the proper law enforcement authorities but you don't want to spoil your cover.

You could keep it, return it to the stash, turn it in later, etc. What else would you like to do at this fort?

I figured that out ... even at the time of posting.
We're in a military camp after all, so there should be no shortage of burly human fighter-types...
Just trying my luck there.

Just curious while it would be worth 2000 gold to the right buyer do any of the pieces have uses for a shadow? Also, assuming it is something that would be considered common contraband and not used for sabotage.

<Agreed lets sell the leather don't have the time to cure it properly so will start to stink/degrade if we wait too long. Now as far as these goodies do you think we should try to catch the smugglers before we leave or give to a messenger to send back to HQ with maybe keeping a select piece or two for ourselves? Though guess a last option is to have the contraband just appear in the HQ building here with no one the wiser...though that is probably the most dangerous cause would be tough to explain away why we have the contraband in the first place.

Yes you might find a spyglass useful. Also a magnifying glass. I don't think any of you need spectacles. Taldor has fine glass Crafters and some rich Qadirans value these products. But there isn't exactly free trade between the two countries right now.

Seeing no one objecting Agaban points out the spyglass.

<Lets keep that on hand especially with us about to traverse more desert and just store the rest of the goodies in our little bag until we return to HQ. Figure the other stuff would be put to better use there than just turning this in to the authorities...who could very well be in on it anyways.

After signing this Agaban turns back around and starts to get out of his armor before going to sleep.

Oh anyone need healing before I turn in for the night?

Zaza awakens as if from a slumber. <It's curious that we've found a trove of Taldan contraband. It seems someone is making deals with the Taldans, even if it is under the commander's nose and not the commander himself. Let's see what we can find in case it leads somewhere, but I agree it's time to consider the next fort.>

Zaza tries to figure out what she might learn about the storeroom, and particularly who might be the one who built / had access to such a place. Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

If that doesn't go anywhere, she'll amuse herself with some dice games, enjoying what amounted to civilization before another long overland journey. She'll then turn in for the night.

I'm all healed up, thank you!