Steel Wolves - A Mercenary Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

Icy looks up and barks "Feel as weak as a pup still suckling at it's mothers teat, but ready to get the hell out of this jungle cesspit. You satisfy the money?" He stands a little unsteadily, but is able to support himself - waving off Sangoma's protests in the process.

Sentis - Icy looks weak, but seems to be free of most of the symptoms he had previously.

"Yea, we did, I think. If you're good enough to move on your own, let's get the hells out of this jungle." If there's anything to help pack up, the Keleshite will lend a hand, trying to move things a long as fast as possible.

Icy to Blaze: "Aye, I can walk; lets get to moving. I'd prefer my convalescence to be surrounded by wenches and wine than more of these frigging mosquitoes." slapping at one that just landed on his neck.

Vote - are you happy for me to put the tape on fast forward for a few days and have you pulling out of the jungle and onto the plains?
Also, check OOC thread

Kaavel sits with the others as they wait for what is going to happen. Hearing about getting out of the jungle he stands up and waits to hear more.

I'm ok with a time skip.

Cort spends the day practicing the movements he learned from the manual and attempting to use the leather strap with the special design. his movements are still awkward at first. He drops his blade a few times and nicks himself once or twice, but he's getting better.

+1 to time skip

Sentis was elated that Icy had seemed to recover from his illness. He spent the day in quiet contemplation. He felt changes to himself. An animal like change. He was part of a pack now.

When the call came he gatherd up his pack and joined the squad as they headed out of the village.

Assuming that Blaze, Doc and Grusk have no objections, I'll put in the time skip tomorrow when I get a chance (probably about 22 hours from when this post goes up)

take it away

I'm good with the time skip

With Cpl Valorious returned to the squad, though in a weakened state, you set off once more with Vankerman's haul from the vault in tow. You make steady time through the jungle, though with Icy's sickness and the weight of books you are carrying you need to rest often.

The route you follow out is different to the one you entered through, as Vankerman explains that you are now making for Kalabuto. He knows of a number of scholars there who are very interested in any items that hearken back to the history of the region.

He is fully aware of the weapons and magic items that you retrieved from the vault, though only has eyes for the decorative objects and tomes of knowledge. Anything that can be easily turned into hard currency.

During the trip Icy calls Blaze to the side often, engaging in hushed communications with the Keleshite.

After a few days hard slog through the jungle the entourage emerges onto the Plains, and you can see Kalabuto looming up in the far distance. You make camp knowing that the next couple of days travel will be easier and soon you will know the relative comfort of the threadbare beds that are in the barracks in the city proper.

As you make camp for the last day outside of the walls of Kalabuto, talk around the campfire turns to a topic close to many of your hearts:

Cpl Valorious: "So Vankerman, obviously a job well done... When do we get paid?"

I realize this question is rhetorical as I will have to answer it, but will do so later tonight.

Vankerman replies while smiling: "Recompense shall be made once I am able to realise the value of the cargo. This may take a day or more, but word will be sent to your company's headquarters."

Valorious responds: "Fair enough, though we'll need agreement on who you're using for the valuing so as we can make sure they're honest" to which Vankerman nods his assent.

On the following day the squad wends it's way into Kalabuto proper, making a beeline for the barracks. Once arrived Icy turns to you "Right, I'm off to make a report. Stay sharpish and close, should only be a few tens of minutes afore ye can be let loose to wine, wench or whatever takes your fancy" and he departs.

Sentis was in an awed silence during the entry into Kalabuto proper. It had been many years since he'd been in any sort of settlment larger than a village.

As they got to the barracks and settled in he eyed the bed with trepidition and wonder...looks comfortable enough...

He wondered how long they'd be here as he was already feeling a bit claustrophobic and the noise of the mass of people outside was beyond anything insects in the jungle could make.

Doc had barely taken his nose out of his new book enough to pay attention to where he was walking. Upon entering the city he glanced up, irritated at all the noise, and then went back to reading.

When they reached the barracks he simply dropped his pack and sat down, never even closing the book.

While others in the squad are uncomfortable in a larger town or city, Blaze is more in his element here. He seems to relax visibly and begins looking around for a tavern or other public house in order to learn what, if anything, is going on.

Darkbiter contents himself to his book, much like Doc, watchful for trouble, but otherwise keeping his concerns about his surroundings to himself. On the trip here, he had watched Kaavel practice, understanding that in a town, his greatsword would not be a very practical option, and leaving claw and bite marks might not be desirable, either.

"Yea Gods..." Cort doffs his hat and sinks into the bed. "I never thought it'd be so nice to see a bed." He laughs as he sees Sentis and Doc's reactions. "Calm down Greens, you're on my turf now. Doc, wake up, we need to head up to the tavern. I've been told you haven't lived till you've drunk with a dwarf. Show me the truth of it." THe duelist is in high spirits as he stands. "When are we picking up our money anyhow? I'm ready to hit the town."

"Im fer gettin a sap, so I ken hit people an not kill em."

"I had a hard time with them porters, while they was possessed o demons."

Kaavel watches and listens to the others as they speak about what they will do inside of Kalabuto. He shakes his head at Cortlands before saying "I am off to practice if any of you need me for anything. Have fun with your free time."

You won't be coming into the additional cash for a day or so, but there was a smattering of coin among Sentis' loot list - so you should have more than enough to hit the town with if you were so inclined.

Just let me know who is heading where and with what intention.

Darkbiter sticks to either his own room, trying to put together details from the book he picked up in the ruins, or some place where he can train, either by himself or with Kaavel, until they get paid. He has little care for what the city can provide until he has coin in his pocket to upgrade his equipment with. Aside from meals in the common room, either before or after the crowds hit if possible, and occasional travel on the city roads, he tends to avoid large crowds, preferring the peace and quiet of relative solitude.

Sentis spends most of the first night pouring over their haul. He first splits the coins and gems into 6 equal piles and doles i tout to his fellows.

Thats 50 gp each my friends.

and the remainder of the evening trying to determine the function of all of the enchanted stuff. He'll take his meals from the common room but he doesnt like the idea of leaving their treasure unguarded...and thats just a good excuse for not having to brave the city just yet.

Late that evening, one of the gate guard going off shift passes on a card to Sentis.

Icy returns to the barracks later than night as well, but is tight lipped as to what was discussed - apart from the fact that the higher ups want a meeting with the squad come late morning.

"Hey good man Sentis, I ken use tha coin!"

50 gold - 1 gold for a sap

At talk of money Doc finally shuts his book and stretches.

"It's been almost a day since ah've had booze in mah veins. That's 'bout a day too long. Damn book makin' me f'rget th' important things. 'Cmon Cort, les' see how ye handle yer drink."

Hold up Grusk and Doc! Its actually 53 gp 3 sp and 3 cp each. Enjoy.

Sentis will go back to studying the loot and the letter he got earlier. He is more than willing to show it to any of the other Wolves including Icy.

Between seeing the big chiefs and this guy it will be a busy day for us.

After dropping off his gear, Blaze will go with Doc and Cort to the best tavern they can fnd. He walks up to the bartender and says "First round is on me boys, you earned it!. Barkeep, if you'd be so kind as to give my friends a tankard of whatever they desire. Also, you happen to have anything from Qadira? Its been forever since I've had a drink from my native land"

"That is more like it my short friend." Cort marvels at the odd city as they move through it, taking in the sights and sounds of such an unfamiliar place. The tavern however, is entirely familiar. "Do you have Brevic Bitter?" He asks hopefully, taking whatever is offered if not. "This is the life my fine friends, leaving that damp, ugly jungle behind for a while. Still... does anyone get a feeling that... we were meant to find that place?" Cort has been considering this the entire way to this place. "Seems there was something for everyone within the vault."

When he learns of the note, Darkbiter tries not to groan. After that last run, he isn't quite sure he wants to have anything to do with other peoples' ideas of dragging profit out of that particular culture. A paycheck is good, but another virtual suicide run like the last would be quite unpleasant.

I dont know Dark, maybe he's an expert on all things Ghol-Gan and can help us with deciphering some of these things? Id sure like to find out how to use these wooden spheres. I have an idea but I'll need someone that can actually speak Ghol-Gan to fully understand them.

"Let's hope he turns out to be a genuine scholar, unlike Vankerman, who seems more interested in the gold than much else. At least I doubt Vankerman will be repeating anything like that in the near future. No porter with half a brain cell would touch that job."

Cort, Blaze and Doc have head out for a drink.
Sentis and Darkbiter have stayed in the barracks.
Did Grusk head out as well?

The Wolves that have moved into the night find a poorly named but well lit drinking house called the Drowning Man not far from the barracks. The guard at the gate gave you a steer towards it as you were less likely to end up with trouble from the locals, as there have been some reports coming from Mzali that have the indentured Mwangi whispering in dark corners.

As you enter the tavern proper, you are greeted by a rough and tumble half-orc "Youse want private room or drink at bar? he inquires in broken common.

Grusk had to head out and buy a sap in town, what is the point of loot if you do not buy anything?

@ his fellow half-orc
"What is better for us?"

"Drinkin's a team sport. We don' need a'nother room. We jus' need a sturdy table an' a fast servin' wench. An' music. Who do ah gotta kick t' hear some good drinkin' music?"

wolves we've got some loot dividing to do in the ooc thread. Please come join the discussion

"Bar it is!"

When applicable, Blaze will repeat the above post where he pays for the first round and asks for something Qadiran

The half-orc gestures to the left where the common room of the tavern is located. The squad is able to find an unoccupied table in the half-full room and settle in for the night. A comely human lady of roughly thirty takes their orders and returns quickly with a laden tray of beverages.

For entertainment there is a small stage in the corner that currently is home to a halfling troubadour strumming away on a lute. From the looks of the small poster on the wall he is just the warm up act though and there should be an ex-pirate ballad singer on shortly.

The tavern is fairly well stocked, though as far as beer / ale goes they only have the local varieties. Spirits and wine is a bit better as they have a good range from far away as well as close.

Doc grabs the lady's attention and says "Lady, ah don' ever want t' see th' bottom o' this stein t'night. If'n ye c'n keep up wit' me there's a full shiny gold piece in it fer ye'."

Looking around at the meager entertainment Doc scowls. "Ah swear on m' grandfather's beard, if'n these pantywaist skin-chins start playin' a bunch'a limp fingered ballads ah'm gonna git downright unpleasant."

Grusk approaches tha musician(s)....

"Plays wha a dwarf might like none o tha elven sleepy music!"

Places 5 gold coins on the stage....

"If tha dwarf hates somethin he ken come up an take one o these coins, iffen he likes it tha coins stay. I guess he is tha customer tha counts tha most!"

Just as Grusk moves forward to the stage, the halfling with the lute exits stage left and is replaced by a crusty looking bearded human on crutches. His left leg is missing below mid-calf, with the ragged stump in full view. After he makes the stage, he coughs to clear his throat regarding the crowd with his one remaining eye before launching lustily into a ribald number.

Like this but without the guitar.

Before the barmaid pulls away she tells Doc "Aye I'll keep ye lubricated, though iffin ye really want tae drink ye'll be tryin the Drowner's gulp..." lingering a few moments to see if she's struck some interest.

Before the barmaid pulls away she tells Doc "Aye I'll keep ye lubricated, though iffin ye really want tae drink ye'll be tryin the Drowner's gulp..." lingering a few moments to see if she's struck some interest.

"Oh, I gotta hear the story o' why this brew's gonna be th' one tha' finally bests me. Go 'head. Bring me a pint."

The Keleshite orders something from his homeland, then tells the waitress "First round of drinks for my fellow Wolves is on me. They've defintely earned it!!"

A wry grin crossing the wench's face "Oh the gulp ain't a brew - it's more an experience" leaning in over the table and talking conspiratorially.

"Ye put ten gold on the bar fer the privlidge, then we strap ye to the table so ye can't move. We fill the big ol' tub behind the bar and put that over ye mouth. Pop out tha spigot and ye got to try and drink it up wivvout spillin nothin. Most make a few gulps in then get off put and end up drowning lyin down as the brew keeps on spillin out an ye can't move away."

"If ye make it through you and yer friends drink fer free the rest o' the night. So, are ye dwarf enough tae give it a spin?"

"Tha's it? Really? Back home tha's a kids game. Lead th' way."

So I figured out what my save bonus vs. alcohol is last night. It's impressive.

Raising her voice up above the din "We got a live'un, drag out the drownin post." and with that the wait staff start clearing a space in front of the bar. A table is brought out from the next room that looks almost like a mini-guillotine - with strapping to secure a person or dwarf laying on their back with their mouth under the upright at one end. The bartender brings down a large glass inverted bottle from behind the bar and affixes it to the upright before starting to fill it with the local brew.

Ok, so heres how I figure it. It'll take about ten rounds for the beer to drain out of the funnel.
The first three rounds will be fairly easy and I'm happy for you to take ten on the alcohol checks.
Then the lack of breathing and continuous swallowing will start to get to you - and you'll need to make a Will save vs Fear; or a Con check to maintain your focus despite the lack of air. Failure means that you're shaken and accrue penalties on future saves. That will serve you for rounds 4-6.
As long as you maintain 'focus' you can take ten on any alcohol checks.
Then you'll need further Will / Con checks at a higher DC before rounds 7 and rounds 9 to continue maintaining your focus.
A single failure won't make you fail, but will accrue stacking penalties on future saves - third failure means you are out.
Any lead in questions to clarify or make things clearer? Otherwise I'll whack up a table of DCs and rounds for you to follow over the course of events

There are a few mutters amongst the patrons and you notice that the half-orc bouncer has seemed to start taking bets.

So Doc is going to get water-boarded!

So Doc is going to get water-boarded!

Pretty close :) - no risk of actual drowning as he can always turn his head to cough and splutter, but then he'd lose the gambit...

To argue a quick rules point- "Any character can hold her breath for a number of rounds equal to twice her Constitution score. If a character takes a standard or full-round action, the remaining duration that the character can hold her breath is reduced by 1 round."

Doc can hold his breath for 28 rounds, and has an ability that allows him to drink as a Move action instead of a Standard. He'll never lose duration for drinking. According to the rules (especially considering that he's not really holding his breath, just breathing infrequently through his nose between swallows) this should be a cakewalk for Doc. He should be able to do this for nearly three minutes straight without even making a check. Heck, if we're using the drowning rules, I'll bet he could make it to three minutes.

Yep, but this challenge isn't following RAW for drinking, etc. Think of it more like a structured challenge rather than a strict rules scenario.

I gotta agree with Doc here, epsecially the bit about drinking as a move action. Its part of his build, based around both being a dwarf and an Alchemist. To rob him of that is a little unfair.

But, I also get your point Voiceless, as this is clearly not a normal drinking or drowning situation, rather this is a controlled one. So I suggest a comprimise: Grant Doc some sort of competence bonus based on both what he posted above as well his bonuses to poison, as I believe that would come into play with alcohol. How big of a bonus is up to you, but I think that would be the most fair, at least to me. Obviously you and Doc have final say, just thought id offer some friendly advise.

we can do it however you'd like. I was just mentioning the rules that seemed to apply. I will say that it seems odd to me that Doc can actually resist drowning for nearly three times as long as he's likely to be able to do a medieval kegstand.

thanks for the vote of confidence Blaze.

Accelerated Drinker: You know how to drink a potion efficiently, such as by not using your hands, tossing it in the air and catching it in your mouth, or opening it with your teeth.

Benefit: You may drink a potion as a move action instead of a standard action as long as you start your turn with the potion in your hand.

I've recopied the trait that Doc has above from D20PFSRD. This gives you no benefit in this situation. The trait flavor text itself even suggests that it is more about delivery of the potion bottle to the mouth rather than the actual act of drinking.

On drowning - this is far from a standard 'hold your breath' scenario. You are actively swallowing a continuous stream of fluid that will not stop. This is not explicitly covered by the rules, so I've cobbled together what I would say is a reasonable interpretation that allows for the scene to play out.