As he considers further Korian also adds "And I don't like that these Chelaxians are already asking about the Paracount. I want him to rot in his cell for a good long time still. Maybe we should pay them a visit. We can find out about Khymrasa, see what's up with Estaban and stop any plans they have to rescue or buy back the Paracount. All in a nights work, no?"
While speaking the young mage also considers what he may know of this 'thin man'. Knowledge(local):
As he considers further Korian also adds "And I don't like that these Chelaxians are already asking about the Paracount. I want him to rot in his cell for a good long time still. Maybe we should pay them a visit. We can find out about Khymrasa, see what's up with Estaban and stop any plans they have to rescue or buy back the Paracount. All in a nights work, no?"
While speaking the young mage also considers what he may know of this 'thin man'. Knowledge(local):1d20+9
A Chelish man who signs his name R. E. Villuk works as a secretary and accountant at the House of the Loyal. He's said to be tall and thin. He's a fairly harmless character though, unless you've miscalculated a bill.
"Well once we find this Esteban we should probably get going to the dig site."
Upon being informed that the Julistar is not a place but instead the Paracount she continues in Elven, "You mean they may come to free the Paracount? Good, maybe they will come to us then."
I'll have to check what the pricing is for such. Beyond that, he will be looking for tools and materials that can be used to sabotage things to slow down the caravan -- break axles, flatten the side of a wheel so it rides very rough, leaks in water containers, any other suggestions?
Talk some of the slaves (possibly even the guards) into deserting?
Talk some of the slaves (possibly even the guards) into deserting?
"'s 'n idee, but ye'll 'ave t' offer 'em somethin' t' desert - money, freedom, somethin'. 'at d' we 'ave t' offer?"
Akkhunis pops his head in the door to the room set aside for your group, "Somethin' for desert? The cook prepared some raisins in goat cheese covered with mixed berries. Get it yourself if you want it."
[/ooc]Yes, in addition to the traps and sabotage Korian has been thinking that illusion spells and the like designed to scare the bejezzus out of the slaves & guards may be effective. Along with that also poisions and such in their food and drink (to make them sick, not dead) could be good. The general idea being to make them all feel that their expidition is cursed rather than under attack. These are just ideas I'm tossing around though...[/ooc]
At the announcement Korian's head pops up from his work with a smile: Standing and brushing off his hands he says to his companions "The Society cook here is an excellent one my friends and deserts are one of his specialties. I highly reccomend them!" and with that the young mage heads out, following the minotaur towards the tasty treats.
At the announcement Korian's head pops up from his work with a smile: Standing and brushing off his hands he says to his companions "The Society cook here is an excellent one my friends and deserts are one of his specialties. I highly reccomend them!" and with that the young mage heads out, following the minotaur towards the tasty treats.
"'at'd be th' best idea Ah've 'eard fer a while now!" Ovirid follows them down the hall.
You know the location of both the Sand Sage's compound outside of Sothis and the House of the Loyal. These are pretty secretive places though, in both cases.
"You mean they may come to free the Paracount? Good, maybe they will come to us then."
"It sounds like they will. Maybe we should wait here for them instead of going to their place."
"'at'd be th' best idea Ah've 'eard fer a while now!"
"Yes it is!" This being the first thing Ovirid has said in a while that Ixius can make out.
A messenger arrives at the Pathfinder Lodge bearing a message from the Vice-Secretary to the Ruby Prince for International Disputes. He requests that Venture Captain Krenshar accompany him to the palace to discuss a foreign noble apparently taken into unlawful custody. She leaves.
A messenger arrives at the Pathfinder Lodge bearing a message from the Vice-Secretary to the Ruby Prince for International Disputes. He requests that Venture Captain Krenshar accompany him to the palace to discuss a foreign noble apparently taken into unlawful custody. She leaves.
Somewhat troubled by the message and the Captain's departue, Korian starts packing up his thiings, getting ready for a quick departure and reccomends to his companions that they perhaps do the same.
Sykala just smiles at Korian's suggestion and says in Elven, "I am always ready to leave."
"I'm ready to go."
Ixius starts packing his things. He again leaves his chest and canoe behind
Ixius starts packing his things. He again leaves his chest and canoe behind
You spent about a week in Sothis between adventures. If you want to harass the caravan of slaves, it should be a week exactly as the caravan is leaving. You had enough time to go shopping and what have you. (I want to be lenient in terms of crafting time but still keep the sense of urgency for story purposes.)
Ixius can store his chest at the Pathfinder lodge if he doesn't distrust the ashen-skinned pesh addict.
Is the intention to head to the site or to harass the caravan?
Is the intention to head to the site or to harass the caravan?
Is the intention to head to the site or to harass the caravan?
Once the decision is made to harass the caravan along the way, Korian packs up his crafting materials and prepares for another extended desert adventure. Obtaining a map of the region they shall be heading into from The Society stores, he calls his comrades to come around to discuss the best place to set up their first 'ambush' of the caravan.
Once a location is settled upon, the mounts are prepared and everyone is ready, Korian says farewell to Captain Krenshar and calls for the small caravan of his friends and allies to be on their way.
Krenshar does return from her meeting. Cheliax has petitioned for the release of the Paracount and has pressured the Court of the Ruby Prince to do so. The Ruby Prince is hesitant to just cave in so he has asked that the Pathfinders seek to make it so he doesn't have to make a decision. Krenshar plans to drug the Paracount and book him passage on a ship to Qadira.
Trapmaking
Trapmaking
Trapmaking
Trapmaking
Trapmaking
Trapmaking
Trapmaking
Trapmaking 1d20 + 15
Trapmaking 1d20 + 15
Trapmaking 1d20 + 15
Trapmaking 1d20 + 15
Trapmaking 1d20 + 15
Trapmaking 1d20 + 15
Trapmaking 1d20 + 15
The map that the lodge provides to the site shows a couple of interesting places to ambush the party.
The caravan will probably travel by road while in the vicinity of Sothis. This gives you a day of rather predictable travel as they head towards the smaller villages outside of the city. These smaller villages make their money from travelers and won't look kindly on being the site of an ambush, but it is possible.
There is a series of constantly shifting dunes that they will have to pass through. These dunes shift in somewhat unpredictable ways, but those who fly over insist that the dunes for Osirion hieroglyphs and can be read from the air. Those within cannot sense the large shape.
Finally, according to Krenshar, the site is in a valley and, though it may be guarded, they will probably descend into the valley at the easiest point of entry.
Unable to resist, Korian may pays a visit to the Paracount "Ah, so I see you're are comfortable? How nice for you, I did ask that they use only the softest manacles possible. What's that? Oh, no, no, don't bother to thank me, I know it's hard to talk with that gag in your mouth. Well, anyway, I'm off to do what I love most, explore more runes and find more ancient treasures! I'll also probably follow up on that portal you were seeking. Wouldn't do to have all your hard work gop to waste now, would it? Isn't it just lovely when life works out and everyone gets what they deserve? Well have a nice day!"
The trip should take four to five days, but only because the caravan will be moving slowly and largely on foot. You could make it by camel in half that time easily. There are many possible routes, I've given you the likely choke points. The village I've mentioned is a fixed destination that you can predict in advance. You could follow and find your own choke points. You don't know how many guards until you spy on them.
Unable to resist, Korian may pays a visit to the Paracount "Ah, so I see you're are comfortable? How nice for you, I did ask that they use only the softest manacles possible. What's that? Oh, no, no, don't bother to thank me, I know it's hard to talk with that gag in your mouth. Well, anyway, I'm off to do what I love most, explore more runes and find more ancient treasures! I'll also probably follow up on that portal you were seeking. Wouldn't do to have all your hard work gop to waste now, would it? Isn't it just lovely when life works out and everyone gets what they deserve? Well have a nice day!"
A permanent silence spell prevents either of you from hearing this speech. As the Paracount is also blindfolded and in a cell far out of your reach, he can neither see nor feel you.
A permanent silence spell prevents either of you from hearing this speech. As the Paracount is also blindfolded and in a cell far out of your reach, he can neither see nor feel you.
"'t least Ah'm able t' see if'n 's one tries t' bite me..."
Sykala finds the caravan easily. It consists of over 200 slaves guarded by 20 whip-bearing slave masters. Eight ankhegs travel in front of the pack pushing scoops that flatten the path, sometimes plowing a road straight through smaller dunes that are in the way. Three clay golems carry palanquin's on their heads. You can't see inside the palanquins, but on the outside of each are bare-chested, muscled men who look like they aren't just there to look pretty.
There are many larger dunes that they will have to go around rather than through. Those would be ambush points.
As the group travels Refina seems to ponder something about a day into her journey she decides to speak up "I think I can help Ovrid with the trap's. you all remember the trouble you had with the Glyphs well I was thinking of something similair but on a much smaller scale. I think I could make Glyph's that could temporary deabilitate someone or scare them"
The ankhegs aren't tethered. Two of the slave masters occassionally prod them, but they're pretty much moving along without much urging. Doesn't seem right to nature girl.
The slaves are bound by a rope around their necks with their hands and feet unrestricted.
After Sykala makes her report, Korian considers what he knows about Ankhegs and shares the information with his companions.
Knowledge(arcana):
Knowledge(nature):
He also makes sure all are aware of the abilities and immunities of the dangerous clay golems.
"It is a bit strange that they are untethered, but perhaps they are simply well trained." Korian muses to his friends. "Still though, given a big enough fright or injury, I am sure they would flee or panic. I like your idea Refina. Perhaps one of your fear spells could be used in conjunction with Orivid's traps for the first ambush against the beasts? Then, after one or two attacks perhaps Sykala could charm or speak with the creatures and convince them to leave their masters? What think you all? "
After Sykala makes her report, Korian considers what he knows about Ankhegs and shares the information with his companions.
Knowledge(arcana):1d20+14
Knowledge(nature):1d20+9He also makes sure all are aware of the abilities and immunities of the dangerous clay golems.
"It is a bit strange that they are untethered, but perhaps they are simply well trained." Korian muses to his friends. "Still though, given a big enough fright or injury, I am sure they would flee or panic. I like your idea Refina. Perhaps one of your fear spells could be used in conjunction with Orivid's traps for the first ambush against the beasts? Then, after one or two attacks perhaps Sykala could charm or speak with the creatures and convince them to leave their masters? What think you all? "
Two muscle men on each, so six.
Korian is pretty sure that these ankhegs would not be trainable. He suspects some kind of magical dominance.
Korian knows that clay golems are normally obediant, but sometimes go into a rage. He knows that they can be dangerous. These ones, however, hold the palanquins on their heads with two hands. Fighting would be a challenge for them without dropping the palanquins.
It's either solid gold or wood with a whole lot of gold paint.