[AP] The Shackled City Adventure Path by GM Rutseg (Inactive)

Game Master Balacertar

Maxim works away on Kikinnin's armour, but oft defers to other smithies;

"Weapons were always my area of expertise bror. Keen edges an' such. Hammerin' out dents on a bulwark is a skill I need to work on..."

As noted earlier given time and coin Maxim can enchant your Waraxe to +2.

He enjoys working again with his mentor, soaking up the knowledge of black-powder that Hackbus has and with him finishing the enchantment of the double-barrelled pistol Smaug (Cost: 2000GP and 2 days work. Auto success on Spellcraft and Craft: Weapons. Pistol now a +1.)

Noting the increase in trade Maxim wryly comments;

"Seems the Hold is thriving in spite o' Zenith's untimely demise bror. Just you remember to make me yer Mesteren af Mønt (Dwarven: Master of Coin) when ye finally take up the throne here!"

Between time in the Malachite, Maxim returns periodically to the city and looks up old friends and acquaintances.

He reconnects with Ghelve, asking about how the locksmith is finding married life once again (and generally checking all is well with their old ally).

Maxim also seeks out both Deven Myrzal and Irruth Mercadi again, making sure his Uncle's patronship is remembered. He will ask them if they have heard any rumours or been privy to information that has value, and providing them both with 5 Gold Suns for their trouble (regardless of if they have anything worth of his ears).

In the evening's he drops past his Uncle, passing on news of the group's meeting with Lord Vhalantru and Celeste's absence (knowing the canny merchant has little love for her).

Finally, at Skie's he purchases the Scroll of Fly and festoons the veteran adventurer with tales of the Darklands. He passes on the information that Hackbus now resides in the Malachite.

"Wh...th-that's..." she stammers, clearly unnerved. But then she swallows hard, trying to keep herself calm for her friend's sake. "O-okay. Th-they obviously c-came for th-that one b-book when they c-came. Wh-what did K-Kikinnin say their n-names were? M-Motruk and Zaur Sza?"

The little halfling narrows her eyes. "W-We need to f-find them. If we f-find them, I b-bet we'll f-find the b-book!"

Then, turning to Losriel, she gives him a comforting hug. "I'm s-sorry...m-more than you kn-know," she whispers, feeling responsible for her friend's trauma.

If it weren't for me and the others, they never would've broken in here and stolen the book...
_______

Psst...Losriel is male, but that's okay - just lends to the stereotype of male elves being girlymen ;)

Looking up, Ryan is surprised to find the library empty and the late hour. He knew he'd been here a while but closing down the library was not what he'd had planned.

"Apologies master Renjin, the time had slipped away from me. There is a wealth of knowledge here. I'll be talking with my uncle about membership. But here, I've taken way too much of your time tonight, let me put these away and I'll make my way out." Ryan returns the books to their respective shelves before leaving.

You do spend a lot of time working on your faith with Jenya. She offers you discussion about plenty of topics you had rarely thought of, but which really have an impact on how the world and human relations work.

As well as your studies with her prosper, you feel your faith grows stronger and it is backed up with a powerful divine surge in your blessings.

Nonetheless, you do spend time also working out with Rufus Laro and some of the other soldiers of the Church. You are told Alek Tercival is out in a research mission.

Ryan is up daily in the pre-dawn hours, trading blows with the new recruits, Rufus and any of the guardsmen he can convince the captain to bring in. The guardsmen were eager and learned quickly like the new church recruits. Felt strange to be the one in the middle watching, teaching, that was always Alek's place. He needs to come back <sigh>

Afterwards a quick wash and his breakfast would find him studying the text he and Jenya had talked about, everything from church history to accounting practices of major cities to engineering principles for wall and bridge building and then reviewing old cases that the church had settled between members.

A full day put in most days by lunch time he would spend part of the afternoon making rounds within the city helping others as he could. During those afternoon trips he would study the town for areas in which they could improve the defenses and flow of the people from one part to the other. Often he could be found listening as anyone from the peasants to the merchants to the minor nobles bent his ear about the taxes. He allowed them they say, at least until they had begun repeating themselves, then remembering what Jenya had said, would try and show them the good the taxation was providing to the town.

Ryan keeps an eye on the city as he makes his rounds.

"This is getting better by the minute!"
"I'd forgotten about that incident Kikinnin saw."
"So, how do we go about finding a weretiger and a giant?"
"And get that book back?"

"Well, I've been doing a bit of research on those two dragons, Gotrrod and Dhorlot."
"First of all, Gotrrod... Seems he's one of the offspring of a pair of dragons: Hookface and Taliraxia."
"Those two terrorised this region about one hundred to two hundred years ago."
"But about a hundred years ago, they went into a cavern deep below Cauldron."
"They're probably still alive. And, as such a potential threat to Cauldron."
"Occasionally, some of their offspring make an appearance on the surface."

"Dhorlot is a bit more problematic. And not just because I'm tied to him whether I like it or not"
"He first made an appearance here about fifty years ago."
"Seems to have been with some minotaurs in the Jungle north of here."
"Probably leading them like he was with the Kuo-Toa."
"He was, and probably still is, obsessed with increasing his progeny."
"Unfortunately, he took to shape-shifting and bedding unsuspecting women in Cauldron."
"At least two cases documented, but many more suspected."
"Which means that Dhorlot could well be one of my natural grandfathers."
"Or Father."
"Or both." Juraan says with a shudder.

"It's a guess on my part, but Dhorlot may have done that to more than just human women as well."
Juraan will try to nonchalantly gauge Kikinnin's reaction to that one.
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

"Anyway, Skie and her late adventuring friends drove Dhorlot out of Cauldron about twenty years ago."
"I want to talk to her about that, and see if she can add anything else to what I've found out."

"Oh, yes, I also took the liberty of researching the Darklands in general."
"As well as the dos and don'ts of spelunking."
"Mostly because I figure there's an excellent chance we'll have to go back there."

"Marigold, JJ, and I also found out that the book that was stolen some time back by that weretigre and giant was the same book we've been looking for about this Smoking Eye business."
"Anyone else find out anything interesting?"

He also wants to talk to Skie sometime about what she remembers about Dhorlot.
And taking notes of anything she is willing to share with Juraan on this topic.
If needed to keep her talking, Juraan will buy some useful stuff in her shop.

Deven Myrzal and Irruth Mercadi are happy to learn about you once again and share experiences. Deven explains you "A merchant from Hollowsky, told me more giant snakes have been sighted near the village to the east. I bet the yuan-ti of Shatterhorn are back!" he seems terrified by the idea. Meanwhile Irruth shares on a different rumor "I have heard the City Council raised the taxes to buy a powerful artifact that will permanently protect Cauldron from future floods"

Adrick does not give much importance to Vhalantru and Celeste, and seems much more concerned by the raise of taxes "It is much more expensive now to do business in Cauldron. And smuggling is not going to help anymore. With each day it passes, there are more and more guards keeping an eye to gates and unofficial tunnels. We need to find a way to get an exception on the taxes to have an advantage over all those other merchants"

Skie is happy to sell the fly scroll and smiles happy to know Hackbus is well and living at the Malachite "So that sly old fox made it to live all that time alone in the Darklands..."

At Ghelve's news Maxim scowls, offering protection should the locksmith find himself pressured by the collectors.

At the rumours from both outwith, and within Cauldron's walls, the gun-mage takes note, allowing for the possible credence of each. He bids both farewell for the time being, and bids them keep their eyes and ears ever open. Will give them each an additional 2 gold for their troubles.

Maxim broaches the nature of the taxes and increasing presence of the half orc guards with his Uncle;

"We've Drakthar's Way Uncle - mind that route should we need it. Reckon we do need to be canny tho... Although the nobles turnin' the screw ain't helping. Whose behind bringing' in them half-orcan? If they're all the same merc company then someone's made a killin'..."

"As for the half-orcs I just know the mercenaries are lead by a commander named Zarn Kyass who sold them to the city watch at a good price. They are too much for the old city barracks and some of them are living at Minuta's Board. The leader of the group at Minuta's is a sergeant half-orc called Rokewko" Adrick drinks a cup of rum before concluding "That's all I came to learn about them at the rooms of the Cusp"

"Thanks for that, Skie. Unfortunately, I'm one of his descendants."
"He seems to have done a lot more of that sort of thing before you encountered him."
"And I strongly suspect not just with humans either."
"Having said that, I hope he actually died when we fought him."
"He's not the sort of father or grandfather one wants to get better acquainted with."
"He'd also grown quite a bit since you last saw him."
"At least it explains how I've come by some of my abilities."

After looking at her inventory, Juraan chooses the wand of Cure Light Wounds (375 GP).
"It's always useful to have one of these in this adventuring lark!"

After his spending spree, Juraan is starting to run a bit low on cash.
But, oh well. Easy come, easy go!

Ryan takes to his studies and his trips about town with equal determination yet he remained somewhat conflicted. He watches the improvement to the town and weighs them against the taxes being levied against the people.

wisdom: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Do the improvements add up to the taxes being levied

Returning to Jenya...
"I understand you want to bring back Taxfest in an effort make the taxing a bit more palatable and I have been studying the process and the celebration. Is there a point though where the taxation, either through intentional greed or well-intentioned mistakes, exceeds the ability of the community and becomes a detriment to the ability of the community, that the church would step in?"

Going to stop there in this conversation to know how the roll turned out and Jenya's initial answer.

JJ definitely enjoys spending time with Sara. He'll arrange for a picnic on the city wall if he can, to give a great view of both the city and the area surrounding it.

"I'd not worry about giants invading Cauldron Sara. The mayor has been hiring lots of extra guards. But our walls are strong, and even a giant would have to think twice before trying to attack a whole city."

He brings forth a couple of bottles of a locally brewed ale and offers her one.

"How are you settling in? I'm sorry I was away so long, but what we are doing is important. And lucrative. I've made more money in the last few months than my father would have in his entire life. And if I wasn't doing things like this, I'd have never met you..."

"Abadar teach us the importance of Law and Trade, so I guess the limit is when it starts affecting prosperity. That said, he is also the god of Fortifications, and there is some times the community has to endure to prepare itself to defend against stronger forces so it can survive stronger threads. The community expects we are the golden eye looking vigilant over those managing that money, so if it is used for a private interest, it is our superior edict to judge and purge corruption from root" Jenya winks an eye at you at that point "That said, the most important is we avoid Chaos and inner wars inside the city. That is exactly the kind of forces that can lead a community to destroy itself without even knowing why. Whatever we contribute it should always be in the most transparent and lawful way, so the decisions taken can be respected by the most possible of the citizenship"

Sara breaths calmer to know about the extra guards "It is soothing to know the Mayor is doing something about it. There has been so much trouble in my life and the city recently I was quite believing the giants could be true" she embraces you while you talk and smiles when you ask her "In fact, we have been offered a job at the Coy Nixie. The Aslaxins have offered a place for my mom as a cooker and me as a waitress." the girl listens with enthusiasm your talk about money "That is great! Perhaps we can rebuild together the Lucky Monkey once you find what you are looking for. Or maybe we do not need to work anymore and we can life in our own castle" the girl laughs at the idea.

"Got it, so we keep the population from boiling over while keeping an eye on the town governing members to make sure they are not motivated to tax for personal reasons. As long as the mayor and his cronies are on the up and up, we suport the taxation"

"Yes, I would like to meet with the mayor to discuss a new festival that could help to ease concerns with the citizens about the new taxes."

"I've always thought of Cauldron as home. But..." here he gestures to the wider world "out there, there is so much more. The last few months have opened up my horizons. The feel of the wind in my face. Exploring underground grottos. There is a huge amount of beauty out there is the world. Things to see..."

He glances over toward Sara, a smile on his face. "Of course there is a lot of beauty to see here too."

"It is not pleasant for anyone to pay taxes, but as you do know, the collection of taxes is a basic part of the maintenance of an advanced society. As such it is therefore holy to our god Abadar. As you know we are a frontier land and do not sometimes observe all the rites other civilized areas follow. Well, I do think it might be a good opportunity to establish in Cauldron a tradition already existent in some of those more traditional societies of the Inner Sea, the Taxfest. Let's try to make this a bit easier for people to swallow it."

Kikinnin allows his face to stay still, while Jenya encourages them to plan a festival based on paying wages to the city. He looks at Ryan, and waits to hear what the young man has to say regarding that endeavor.

One thing that strikes you during your stay in the Malachite is despite the lack of leaders all the dwarves seem to keep working well organized. The treasury and the Forge is seeing quite a lot of work, and wagons are often seen traveling from the Forge to the treasury and from the treasury to the surface.

"Weapons were always my area of expertise, bror. Keen edges an' such. Hammerin' out dents on a bulwark is a skill I need to work on... Seems the Hold is thriving in spite o' Zenith's untimely demise, bror. Just you remember to make me yer Mesteren af Mønt (Dwarven: Master of Coin) when ye finally take up the throne here!"

Despite the recent history of events, Kikinnin can't help but feel a contentment with Malachite nursing itself back to fuller health. He helps where he can, especially paying attention to the Blond Beard's crafting, oftentimes enjoying a cold beverage while jawing with the burgeoning crafter.

"Well, I can only thank you for your expertise, Bror. For your effort, I might have just enough coin to cover the cost of seeing each piece a little stronger, for the next time we venture out. Where'd you come to learn this work? That gnome teach you dwarven forging?"

Kikinnin allows his face to stay still, while Jenya encourages them to plan a festival based on paying wages to the city. He looks at Ryan, and waits to hear what the young man has to say regarding that endeavor.

Ryan on one hand aggravated with the treatment of his companions by the taxman, and on the other hand having grown up during his formative teen years under the Church of St Cuthbert, respected Jenya's opinion; was momentarily dumbstruck and could only mumble a simple "Yes ma'am, are the taxes fair in your opinion"

Ryan will study the festival, finding good reasons for the festival to happen, but that means the local government would have to be open about the taxes they are charging.

Kikinnin, I believe this is happening shortly after we ave arrived back in Cauldron, before much of the spoilered things have been made known.

"What'dya think? I've been studying one of the tomes within the church's library. It is a treatise on how to apply the graces given by our god, or even the magiks employed by arcane casters into everyday items to make us better protected. The silver threads have been worked repeatedly with the magical resistance that Marigold and I have been able to give you during our battles, this one works to protect you all of the time, it's not armor and wont stop JJ's short swords or even the professor's rapier, nice work by the way Maxim, but it will help to protect you from attack of the mind and body , such as sorcerer's spells and poisons."

Drawing Maxim to the side, he inquires about the wizard learning the spell Cat's Grace, offering to pay both the fee to copy it and for the inks required to do so. Hinting that he has another project in mind that he would need Maxim's knowledge of the spell to work on.

Later in the evening JJ approaches Ryan about a belt to enhance his strength.

From his hardwon cash, JJ is generous in giving coins to Ryan to help with the belt. "I'm sure this would cost more if I got it else where. Would you take some extra for your trouble in making it? What say I give you 2500gp?"

"Save the extra, I may have need of it in the future but for now it's better if I provide what you have requested first, should I mess up the material is wasted."

A few nights later Ryan returns bearing a wide brown leather belt, the buckle appearing to be a pair of silver crossed swords.

"the stitching was I believe more tedious than the keys on the cloak, with this heavy leather each hole had to be drilled with a hand drill before the thread could be passed through. Think i'm still finding splinters from the drill. Everything feels right about it, let me know what you think."

"This isn't good" Ryan says with a worried look on his face.

During the conversation it results clear, the idea of a taxfest is well received, but they put it off ahead, and in any case "We will see, we will see, it sounds good. Of course the Church is invited to prepare some festivities, those are always liked by the people, isn't it?" Navalant looks at Vhalantru seeking confirmation.

Maxim grins at his bror as he works away on the warrior's arms, honing edge and reinforcing bulwark.

"Was destined to be a smith by my family an' the gods... An apprentice armorer for Zenith's crazy crusade bror. Always been good, but never felt the call o' the forge like I was supposed to. Reckon it came to a head when they marched an' I bolted to the gnome..."

The wizard frows, remembering the troubling time and sets about the glowing metal with a degree of frustrated anger...

Maxim nods in interest at Ryan's proposal, and agrees on how they will proceed.

"No worries Taskerhill. Once I've learned it, have a mind to collaborate on some items..."

Allowing for the flow of the conversation to continue, Ryan tries to get a word or two in edgewise but for the most part is unable to do so until the mayor finishes

"We will see, we will see, it sounds good. Of course the Church is invited to prepare some festivities, those are always liked by the people, isn't it?"

"Mister Mayor, you misunderstand, the idea is not for the church to just throw a festival for fun; plenty of those happen.

Ryan looks at the mayor and Vhalantru, gauging their response.

sense motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

"Was destined to be a smith by my family an' the gods... An apprentice armorer for Zenith's crazy crusade, bror. Always been good, but never felt the call o' the forge like I was supposed to. Reckon it came to a head when they marched an' I bolted to the gnome..."

Kikinnin raises an eyebrow. "Well, looks like the gods had a grander plan for you and your craft, Bror. Looking back with a knowing eye, it's a good thing you didn't get swept up in Zenith's madness. Malachite still needs the blond beards to breed. It's getting awfully black down there."

I'm not reading spoilers, save my own, Ryan.

"Have you heard the rumors? Alek Tercival is coming to the demonstration today. Where are Ryan and JJ? Please, Kikinnin, I need someone to go to the demonstration and try to find out about it. I do not know from him since weeks ago and I am growing worried for him. I have no one else to attend so would you be able to do this for me? If he is there, ask him to come visit me at the Church please."

"You have my word. If I find Alek, I'll notify him of your concern, and bid him visit you. The rest of the Watchers have every intention on overseeing the Demonstration, and prevent any anger from boiling over."

Kikinnin gives a quick bow to the priestess, and finishes his armor-donning, before heading out.

Thanks to his ancestry, Alek happens to be among the few who can issue such a challenge.

Juraan is actually very suspicious indeed!
He will try and watch carefully to see if that really absolutely positively is the same Maavu he bought some goods from way back during the festival.
He doesn't know Maavu very well, but he did meat him in person.
Which may make a difference.

Disbelieving illusions or whatever it is: Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Oooooh! That was jammy. Hope I didn't waste a natural 20 as a result!

And, if needed, as possibly being relevant: perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Merthan answers to you We are aware. I already sent the Striders to keep an eye on the thing.

A character in a crowd during the riot can take a full­ round action to defend himself (and stand motionless) or move with the crowd (moving a distance equal to his normal speed in a random direction Throw a 1d8 being 1 up/north). If the character takes any other action, she must make a successful DC 15 Reflex save to avoid suffering 1d8 points of nonlethal damage from various bruises and bumps. A character who tries to cast a spell in the crowd must make a suc­cessful DC 15 Concentration check or lose the spell.

Characters can attempt to direct the non-mob crowd by making a DC 25 Diplomacy check or a DC 30 Intim­idate check; the cbaracter making the check must be obvious to the rioters. Attempting to direct the rioters is a full-round action for Diplomacy, but a free action for Intimidate. Success indicates that a 20-foot square of rioters cease their destructive activity for a number of rounds equal to 1 + the character's Charisma modi­fier. Since there are nearly 30 groups of rioters this size, chances are you won't be able to calm the entire mob down.

"We are thankful for your attempt to help, but we know what we are doing. The city guard is recovering its numbers so we can face all the challenges the city has been suffering with for years now. We are also taking action so we do not depend on your well received deeds for next Flood Season and any other upcoming dangers"

"I see... Well gentlemen, it appears this meeting has come to it's conclusion, I'll not take any more of your time." Ryan nods to both men. And takes his leave, returning to the temple.