Swords in Sigil

Game Master Patrick Curtin

Yeah, okay.

The Masque walks over to the blackberry bushes and starts eating.

He takes a look back in the cave to see where he might touch the nail to to return to Sigil once he has that sorted out he looks back half expecting his friend to be posed and ready with his bow. When he sees him walking towards a bush he gives the "what the heck look".

"Hey Crimmy, get a weapon out like a bow or something. We may have company soon. Remember we are not on some nice little plane here this is attached to the Abyss. So everything maybe sorta nasty even a ... oh man you really are eating those berries aren't you... Your funeral."

He walks past his friend and keeps an eye out for trouble. Following the path which he hopes takes them somehwere close to where they need to be.

The Crimson Masque belches, casts summon instrument and loosens his rapier in its sheath.

Badger

The narrow path leads down a fairly steep switchback slope. The two make good time. The Outlands doesn't have a sun, like Sigil, but the sky is blue and there is a source less light that keeps things at a noon ish light level

The group arrives at the foot of the hill. Several streams can be seen pouring off the rocks and collecting into small rivulets. The path winds on into the forest. Clouds of Mosquitos begin to swarm them.

1d6 ⇒ 4

The group hears a lot of birds in the trees and a few distant animal screams. The path joins a larger road that parallels a larger slow-moving stream. The come upon a sign with an old skull atop its pole

PLAGUEMORT 20 miles

Kravok using his Survival sense trys to remember how best to deal with those swarms and make him less delectible.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

He can't seem to remember a proper remdy and decides they will need to just deal with it.

"We better get a move on to Plaguemort. And out of this swamp as soon as we can. I could use a nice ale and some lamb."

1d6 ⇒ 1

They trudge on down the rutted dirt road towards Plaguemort. There is a sudden animal screaming, and the bushes ahead shake. Several large dinosaurs emerge , narrow heads sniffing the air. Atop them are several lizard men. They are armed with large riding lances, hammers and bows.

Actions??

Have they certainly seen us?

If they have Badger will prepare for combat, but not attack unless attacked himself in which case he will rage and deal death.

So he will have his weapons drawn but take no further action unless they attack themselves.

F+$#. So, how many are "several"? And one lizard man on each dino or more than one?
----

If it is possible that the reptiles haven't noticed The Crimson Masque, he stands very, very still.

If, as seems much more likely, they have noticed him, the Masque casts haste on the Badger and himself and steps 10 feet back.

. I'll give tall a stealth roll if you want to avoid them.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Trying to step into thr woods the Mad Badger turns and does not see where he steps and crunches a big stick.

Seeing he is not going to get out of this he turns back towards the lizardmen attempting to stare them down. He growls at the dinosaurs and lizrdsmen a warning in common and then Abyssal if need be hoping they understand.

"We are not looking for trouble just traveling through. But I will tell you attack me and you will get trouble."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

In that case, I guess the Masque casts haste.

The five lizardmen hiss. One with elaborate armor fashioned in the form of screaming skulls and spikes calls out in Abyssal

"SssS .. You go to Plaguemort? Maybe we trade with you? You have goods?"

The seem to be relatively friendly, or at least impressed with Kravok's fearsome aspect.

Oohwhatdoyouhavetotrade?Doyouhaveanynicecowryshellsorthrowpillows?

The Crimson Masque clears his throat and tries again, consciously pacing himself against the haste.

What...do...you...have...to...trade?

"SSSSsssSs ... We have gold, we trade for weapons, sssspicess, magic. We make potionsss, we trade for gold"

Quietly says to Badger in Common,

Doyouwanttotradewiththeseguys?

"Ask them what sort of potions they have for sale?" That way we might get something to help us out some?"

In common. "A couple of healing potions or helpful potions might be a good idea like fly? levitate or something?"

"SSSssssSss. We make Many potionsss. we have heal, fly, invissssibilty, many otherssss."

"How much for invisibility and fly?"

The Crimson Masque is not interested in buying potions, so he remains alert as The Mad Badger barters with the lizardfolk.

Badger looks to Masque to begin the trading as he is usually the face man.

Motioning for him to step forward and begin talking.

But you're both green! That should give you a bonus.

Um, greetings folk of lizard! How much would you require in trade for water of flight and elixir of no-see? We have wampum, firewater and shiny bits of metal!

1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

"We have some of those special blankets you had made up too Crimson didn't we pick them up at the temple can't remeber the god but you said I should not touch them myself?"

Bad Badger!

"I am so bad I am good."

You also did start it with the wampum and firewater bit.

Swindling them and getting them addicted is not the same as infecting them with smallpox!

The Masque has switched to speaking in Orc for this bit.

In orcish "Hey what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. We would be helping their tribe weed out the weak genes and thus only produce stronger lizardmen."

"So what did you plan to do with the blankets you bought then anyways?"

"Okay forget it. let's find out how much they are going to charge for the potions of fly and invisibility and get this thing moving."

The Masque turns to the lizardman he has been speaking with.

So, how much is this goin' to be, Spanky?

Ssss...

The lizard ticks off a few prices About 75% list price so a decent bargain

WhatdoyousayBadger?

"Oh yeah lets do it. Seems like a good deal. We could use the potions later I am sure."

In orc "Ask them while dealing whats the deal of the area. We could probably use some intel know what the lay of the land is."

I don't think I have any money.

But the Masque does inquire about the locality.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

(OOC: What about money we just got before we left on the mission? Did we blow it all?)

The lizardmen listen to the Masque's questions

"Ssss. Plaguemort is close by thisss wood. City isss in chaos, but that isss nothing new. The Illuminated are in flux and fight with the Lector'sss men for control of the ssstreetsss."

"Who are the Illuminated and Lector?"

"A faction of mercenariesssss that attempt to take the Lector's place assss ruler. The Lector rulesssss Plaguemort, in name, if not in truth."

So the Illuminated are trying to take rulership of Plaguemort from Lector? Who is the more powerful right now?

"Sssssss. The Lector holdsss the loyalty of the Houndsss, hisss faction. The Illuminated nip at the edgesss of their territory like a pack of jackalsss on an old lion. "

The lizard stops and his eyes narrow

"Thissss issss valuable darkssss. You buy potions, yes?"

"Right, Masque pay these guys for their potions."

Um...

The Masque pays the lizardmen and tips the one doing the talking.

That, unfortunately, represents the last of my petty cash the Masque says as he hands the potions to the Badger. You'll have to buy the rounds tonight, dear Badger.

So, what do you think, hmm? Pretty simple operation, your typical smash-and-grab. Um, I forget. What are we looking for?

He smiles at the lizardmen and says. "Which is the quickest route to Plaguemort?"

They head off towards Plaguemort.

"So we are supposed to learn the darks of the matters of Plaguemort and find out what is going on. Come in as mercs and make ourselves useful like and see what the story is. Looks like we have some go intel so far. Lector and his Hounds or the Illuminated might be they are looking for some new steel to help out. We might make a pretty coin to boot."

What potions are you buying?

The trio move on towards Plaguemort, leaving the lizardmen behind. Eventually, the forest thins and a few farms spring up on the side of the road. A few crucified skeletons also line the road. Flocks of ravens line the trees, muttering and quorking as they pass.

Eventually, the trio approach a fearsome set of town walls. Made of black granite, the crenelations are huge spikes reaching up to the sky. A large gate lies open at the terminus of the road. A cluster of pedestrians and few wagons wait to be checked by a group of mailed guards. The guards wear hunter green cloaks fastened with a silver dog's head. Their captain has an ornate helm shaped like a snarling dog. They seem to be collecting tolls from the people waiting to enter.

Actions??

fly and invisibility

"Looks like the hounds working for Lector. I think here is where we talk up our cred as mercs."

Do you think we should just walk over there and announce ourselves, or, perhaps, a bit of sneaky-sneak?

Meanwhile, the Masque is casing the joint.

Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Badger takes a moment to see if there is a quick way to avoid the guards yet still get inside.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"Other than use the potions we just got not sure there is a way in the place without getting seen."

He looks around still trying to keep out of sight for the moment to see if they can see another method of less conspicious enterence.

The walls look fairly tight, and they are about 40 feet high. There is no cover within a half-mile of the walls, just grass and muddy patches where several tent aggregations have sprung up like patched toadstools.

You don't really perceive any other way in (from this angle)