Chumani kneels, catching his breath as he lets the more talented speakers of the group attempt to resolve the issue. Taking the time to try and heal a few of his wounds in case the fight continues.
”By all means Santhaal,” replies Nadar, rolling his eyes. ”Enact your vengeance for each elf that died when you took the caravan. [b]”Oh wait, none did. If you would please get on with it?”
Santhaal rubs her chin, considering your words. ”We already have a mage, and I have no interest in human politics.” Your entreaties cause her to hesitate to give the order to fire for a moment.
A single elf steps forward from the encircling line. You recognize him as Dukkoti Breezechaser, the dehydrated elf whom you aided earlier. He calls out to his leader: “Wait. This human left me to die in the sandy wastes.” He gestures at Nadar. ” These others showed me compassion and saved my life.”
Santhaal considers Dukkoti’s words with no hint of thought, then turns her gaze to Nadar and then to your party. “You” – she says and points at Thaxos, “go over there with the others.” Santhaal pauses briefly as Thaxos reluctantly complies before she continues. “You know, Nadar, we already repaid the favor by saving you from becoming a meal for the bugs. But I am feeling generous today, hence I will grant your request.”
Nadar bows deeply. “Most gracious, my dear Santhaal.” The female elf smiles and turns to address her warriors. “By all means. Let him witness that we elves are true to our words.”
As the elves draw arrows and pull back their bowstrings. You prepare to fight for your lives. Nadar turns to you and makes a waving gesture. “Too bad you won’t be around to see me lauded as a hero when I bring Thaxos’s body before the Council.” The sound of a dozen arrows being fired at the same time pierces the air. Instants later Nadar’s eyes widen as the arrows penetrate his body, and the trader falls to the sands dead. The sand is washed red with his blood and the faint desert wind blows stronger, whirling sand and dust into the air. For a moment the desert is quiet, then Santhaal repeats her words spoken in elven. “E'Komtii Matota. Maakotii Matota”
Santhaal Wind Dancer gazes down upon you with discontent to the visage of her fallen comrades and the slaughtered kreen you stand amidst. “Do not outstay your welcome. Leave while you still can.” she says coldly.
We shall do as you request.
With that Rennoc seems to put back his lens into the pouch of flesh were he generally keeps it, he subtly moves his fingers as he does so... Then he moves to leave, better for them to turn in the prize while they still could...
Have no doubt that the loyal are rewarded, if you so desire to be my apprentice then you shall be. Meet me in Tyr if that is what you desire.
Chumani moves to grab Thaxos before he can get a chance to do anything unwanted.
Once he has Thaxos in hand he calls out to his companions, "Grab anything of value from the bodies and let us go."
Rahger spits at the ground near Nadar's corpse. Looking up to the elf chieftain, Rahger pounds his chest in some sort of halfling salute. " Being there, Rahger see your tribesmen fight with courage. Many thri-kreen die by their hand. Leave you in peace in this knowledge."
"Finally" Lucian says, tipping his hat to the elven leader, "That guy was really starting to piss me off."
Thaxos glowers at being manhandled, but puts up no resistance. ”It seems that I am in need of replacement agents. Once we are clear of the tribe, let us discuss terms.” he whispers.
Asher:
1 steel bastard sword
1 large hide shield
2 javelins
1 chili pepper
1 chitin shirt
13 silver pieces
Cratek Skullsplitter:
1 carrikal
1 ankheg breastplate
Borras:
1 set of thieve’s tools
2 silver pieces
1 crystal
Crakos
1 dart
1 obsidian dagger
50’ of silk rope
3 silver pieces
1 intricately knotted piece of string, worn as a necklace. You identify it as a spellbook. You will need to memorize Read Magic in order to decipher it however.
Nadar of Mericles:
1 masterwork carru leather armor
1 tortoise blade
1 shortbow
20 arrows
11 silver pieces
1 cloth wrapped steel lockbox. There look to be some markings on the lid.
20 rations and 20 waterskins between them
Kreen:
As many gythkas and chatkchas as you want to carry.
“What do you think you’re doing, round ears?” Santhaal asks rhetorically. You get the impression that there won’t be a second warning.
Rahger makes it a point not to loot the dead elves. Also, Rahger would like to take some mantis man meat with him.
Rennoc takes the knotted string and puts it into a pocket of his blood spattered and burned robes and grabs everything else of Crakos's body.
Chumani will take the rope offered by Ranger to bind Thaxos before the group moves out.
You begin the trek back to Tyr, prisoner in hand. Without enough kanks for everyone to ride, the going is much slower than the chase that brought you here. Once the Wind Dancers are out of sight, Thaxos wastes no time in getting down to business.
“So, what is in it for you?” The aging trader asks with an almost casual calmness. “How much are they offering, the Council and my treacherous cousin?” He looks rather feeble as he shifts his weight to one leg.
Rennoc voice is calm as he speaks to Thaxos, it is the voice of a man who knows victory is close at hand and will not allow it to slip his fingers.
Your efforts at persuasion are worthless Thaxos, your capture will make us seem to be the heroes of all Tyr and that combined with your sister's ascension to leader of the House will ensure our rise to power... The end of this age is close at hand and you are on the wrong side, we by contrast will enjoy the fruits of victory.
Chumani brings the procession to a halt as Rennoc replies to Thaxos.
Once stopped he takes a solid silent minute to thoroughly search Thaxos, then looks to Gideon. "Do you mind checking him for anything hidden as well?"
Once the searches are complete the march back to Tyr will continue.
"We best all be on alert, Thaxos likely still has people in his employee that may think it a good idea to rescue him."
Now is the time to discuss what we are ultimately after... Do you still truly want the power that rulership can provide? How far are you willing to go in your vision of a slaver free world?
Lucian chuckles as he listens to the mage speak, "Bribery won't get you far here Thaxos, though I must say Rennoc, perhaps enjoying the fruits isn't something you should try again. I seem to remember you being a bit... stiff the last time."
The Gulgite blinks once as Nadar meets his elf-apportioned end. She picks through the remains of Nadar's special force, but finds little of interest to her apart from Cratek's ankheg breastplate Nadar's tortoise blade, a short bow and a few javelins...
Dai smiles as the House lord makes his belated offer. She has little to add that Chumani and Rennoc have not already said.
"Still, I would have like to know what he was offering. Just to see what he thinks he can rustle up…"
She walks alongside Thaxos kank, keeping an eye on him, and her fractured gouge at the ready…
Swift Action: Change Bane designation to Human - Subtype - Dodgy Varmint.
Gideon will do as Chumani asks and search Thaxos.
1 masterwork steel short sword, covered with intricate engravings of jagged lines
1 plum
1 key
1 ring
richly appointed clothes (tunic, vest, cloak, pants, sandals, cap)
”Come now, let us be civil. Why do you cling so steadfastly to my naive cousin? What did she promise you, knowing full well she is unlikely to be able to deliver? Do you really think she has any chance of taking over the trading house? The organization I have spent longer building than most of you have been alive.” Thaxos shakes his head. ”Talara is an idealist. I, on the other hand, take this world for what it is. A harsh place without respite. Kalak’s death was a boon to us all, and for a time Tyr and its inhabitants prospered under Tithian’s just rule. Now that he has gone, the city falls to bickering and anarchy. Did you see the council meeting? Petty lords vying for petty favors. Tyr needs a strong king to prosper once again. I see now I chose my agents poorly. I am not above admitting my mistakes. But we can change things for the better. The people know this. The Council and its members are desperately clinging to their power. Tyr needs a king – a strong king. A just king. One that listens to his subjects. Don’t you agree?”
He smiles at Daishata's query. "As for recompense, I pay my agents well. I will make you richer than beyond your wildest dreams. Steel, gold, gems, art, servants, whatever you want at your disposal. Name your price.”
Dai smiles again and bows with an exaggerated flourish.
"My lord Thaxos, I am not your mark - my loyalty is not for sale... The scarred arcanist is the one you might win over."
"If that is the case madam, then I must know, why do you so blindly follow Talara? If not for wealth or comfort, what is it you seek?"
Collecting the items from Thaxos Chumani turns to Rennoc, "Can you see if any of the items we have found are magical?"
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Hamailii seems to ease up while Thaxos pours his sweet words into everyones ears.
Mh, you make some sense. Speak the truth to us, speak clear and tell us all. I at least will listen. What were your plans? Do you intend to become king? By having the elven tribes ransack the city? Along with the kreen? What´s that about?
"Indeed, I would be a just king, A worthy successor to Tithian's legacy. The people of the city were with me. With your aid, they can be again." He shakes his head at Hamailii's second question. "This business with the Wind Dancers was not my doing, but I now have a theory about Nadar's traitorous machinations. It does explain why he failed to return my caravan to Tyr intact. He probably traded it to them for his 'favor'. You did notice when he attempted to have me killed back there alongside yourselves, did you not? The thri-kreen were simply mercenaries of convenience." he shrugs.
Rennoc holds the lens out to his eye and scans for magic on loot...
After he is done and hears Thaxos speaks he laughs at the idiocy he sees before him...
Old man I think you fail to see a point here, the age of kings is coming to an end. One King lies dead and another faces open rebellion, we stand upon the precipice of change and unlike you we are prepared to make the great leap forward.
It will be a glorious age, as the Kings bicker their gaze will turn inward. Besides the dangers already present the paradise beyond the mountains is open for the taking, such a dominion will be able to expand without worry nor fear safe behind the mountainous shield that defends it.
Such a dominion could in but a quarter of a century raise an army mighty enough to challenge any city state save Urik, given fifty years it will surpass even Urik in strength and unlike the city states it will have numerous magi who call upon the same power that I do.
Did you really think that defiler you hired would save you?
"Quite the ambition you have." Thaxos notes. "Correct me if I am in error my small friend," he looks to Rahger, "But is it not so that your people do not suffer outsiders in their lands? I think there is a reason that few who venture that way return to tell the tale. And if memory serves, Hamanu, whom you deign to challenge is already in alliance with at least one halfling tribe."
"Now, assuming that you defy the odds and establish your paradise beyond the mountains mage, what will you do when the people who settle ignore your calls for conquest? I know the nature of men. With a few notable exceptions, they seek comfort and plenty and will not follow you to their deaths at the hands of the Sorcerer Kings willingly."
He shrugs once more at the mention of Crakos. "I have already admitted that I erred when choosing agents. I have seen many a mage in my time, both preserver and defiler. The difference I find is only in degree. All wizardry comes with a price, some are simply more visible than others."
The Halfling tribes are not an obstacle that can't be overcome, with one hand I might offer them complete annihilation. With the other I shower them with gifts, this is the way of power. To drive a kank forward a man needs both a stick and food, this lesson applies to all of us to a lesser extent.
As for challenging the Sorcerer Kings that is fairly simple, encourage them to destroy one another and they will do so. They are defilers to a King and defilers see one another as rivals exclusively, their can only be two defilers in one area at most. One to wield power and one to crave it. When they finally have weakened themselves it will be easy to convince even people used to comfort and plenty to attack them.
For all men are decidedly like vultures, when they smell blood and see the enemy's weakness they will not take much convincing to swoop in to enjoy the feast.
All wizardry may come at a price but their is one think to note Thaxos, I am neither a defiler, a being too lazy to seek out a proper source of power nor a preserver who is to craven to harness true power. Why do I need to bother with the lagging life force of this planet when I have the limitless power of the Cerulean Storm to call upon?
As Rennoc speaks of the Ceruluean Storm his eyes seem to glow like a Tyr storm as his gaze bores into Thaxos...
Intimidate
Thaxos does not flinch as he returns your gaze with a smile. He seems uncowed by your theatrics. "Good, Then you agree that a strong hand is needed to guide lesser men. Partner with me and we can remake the Tablelands in whatever manner you wish. The Sorcerer Kings have ruled since before anyone can remember, but perhaps you are right and their time is over. Together, we can banish both their monstrous ambitions and the ineffectual anarchy of the council and lead the way into a new golden age. If you have the power you claim, I am willing to take a chance and back you in this gambit."
Chumani listens carefully as the men speak, opting to remain silent.
If Rahger had much knowledge about this desert blighted world, then Thaxos' words may had sparked some interest. "Know nothing of this Hamanu or this tribe."
Rennoc calmly examines Thaxos before pointing out the glaring gap in his logic...
You forget something old man, you are old and experienced. Your younger successor is far more pliant and judging from how you out maneuvered her when she discovered your plot less experienced. Just as a mage prefers a young, pliant apprentice accepting of his will and vision so do I prefer a pliant, easily controlled head of "her" trade house.
"Hamanu the Lion is the iron-fisted tyrant who rules Urik. Rumor has it that he keeps a few legions of your people in his service, not as slave-soldiers, but as mercenaries on loan from a tribe in the Forest Ridge."
You are correct, I am old. And probably not long for this world. I have no successor chosen. As I said before, house Vordon is my creation, its agents will not answer to my cousin. Hypothetically, were she strong enough to take control, she would be canny enough to ignore your hamfisted attempts at manipulation. As I also said before, I am a realist. I can accept setbacks in stride in pursuit of my goals."
He turns to the others who have been looking on. "Tell me, do this man's ambitions speak for all of you?"
steel bastard sword (not masterwork) - unknown, *
chili pepper - unknown, moderate evocation
masterwork leather armor - +2 leather armor
steel lockbox - unknown, faint abjuration, there appear to be a few more auras inside the box, but they are obscured.
masterwork steel short sword - unknown, moderate evocation
ring - ring of protection +2
plum - unknown, faint transmutation
crystal - unknown, *
everything else listed in the loot document is nonmagical as far as you can tell.
Dai likewise listens closely. She appears nonplussed by the old lord.
"Thaxos. Save your breath. Your ambitions are passé, your methodology from a bygone age. By your own admission you cannot choose wisely - if you side with us, are we another bad choice? I prefer to see you and your ilk gone from this place."
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After seeing Rennoc furrow his brows Hamailii takes a look at the crystal and the blade. She also searches the lockbox for traps.
And if not checks if it opens.
What´s in this box Thaxos?
You know, i do´t care so much of the fate of human cities. We elves are mainly not welcome there and treated badly. We can see who strikes the better deal.
Hamailii identifies the crystal as a type of construct creature called a psicrystal. With its master Borras dead, it isn’t capable of much at the moment. She would need a detect magic or detect psionics active to get any info on any of the other stuff he wasn’t able to identify.
The elf examines the box. The markings on it turn out to be writing. In the common tongue they read HOUSE VORDON DOES NOT TOLERATE THIEVES. The box then explodes with arcane energy. Luckily, she was the only one examining it. The force of the blast sends the box flying up into the air. It lands on the sand, severely dented, but not quite destroyed.
Thaxos chuckles softly. “It seems I’m not the only fool. At least that mage was a good investment.” He sighs. ”My dreams have been shattered. Remove these bindings and let me go now. Give me one of your mounts.”
And thus Gideon is totally unaware of everything happening, up until the lock box explodes, which startles him horribly.
will save
Init