WHOA - where is any of that content? Is this a Paizo thing (again) tonight?
Part of the Pathfinder ruleset better detailing equipment for a while now. (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Equipment (OGL) © 2012)
"Many thanks strangers, things looked bad there for a bit. My name is Dalton, a merchant from Mivon. I am on my way to the new capitol of this new barony to trade, although if the ruler of these lands cannot better protect the roads, this may be my last trip here."
Faerin suppresses a smile as Valerie makes the merchant aware of just how far into his mouth he'd placed his foot.
"I suppose it is to your fortune that the ruler of these lands was actually here, protecting the road himself." she says turning to draw the man's gaze to Pyros, standing next to the bristling form of Valerie, still glaring at the man.
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"Ah, no offense, Your Grace, but these trolls have been devastating the area. Two of the villages along this route have been razed. Attacks against travellers have all but shut down travel in this area as well."
Dalton says apologetically.
"It is good to see that you take such a personal interest in the safety of the people though."
Stepping up next to Valerie, Pyros smiles at the man. "No harm done, friend. As is said in these parts, 'Say what you will, I live free.' I certainly do agree that more could be done, which is why I'm out here doing it! Alas, I can only be so many places at once. For the moment, why don't you walk this road with us? I believe we were heading back to the capitol ourselves."
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"Thank you for the offer, your Grace."
Dalton pauses in thought for a moment.
"These trolls are acting strangely, much more organized than usual. I also heard from one of the villages that they saw Kobolds working with them, that's even more unusual. There is a mage nearby, Barthalemow, that studies trolls. A very polite man, but a bit... odd. I visit him once a month to sell him reagents and such. He is somewhat of a recluse and his home is surrounded by traps except for a single path to his house. You should visit him, his knowledge of trolls may be of use to you."
"Well my Octavia & I can certainly tell you that study makes the mage. We should talk to this Bart; even if he's a little odd, we are certainly a mottled bunch ourselves. We do need to understand this magic to protect the Barony."
"Indeed. He sounds like a valuable ally to have."
"If his expertise can help deal with the threat to our lands, then his help is more than welcome." Faerin says with a nod. "Once we see you safely to Stagfall, that will likely be out next step."
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The house is along the way back to your capitol. As you approach, there is a sign warning that there are traps in the woods and to stay on the path (I assume you do so). There is evidence of fiery explosions in the surrounding woods and there are a few old troll corpses.
As you approach you see a modest cottage and a large barmn further back. Standing in front of the gate to the fance surrounding the property is a well dressed middle aged man. As you get closer, he smiles and approaches, giving a slight bow.
"Ah, what an honor, welcome your Grace! How can I be of service? Perthap some refreshments?"
"Do you have an idea of what's behind the recent rise in their activity?" Faerin asks. "And what might be the reason some of the more organized ones seem resistant to fire of all things."
"Allow me."
Reg quickly casts Presitigation ...
... and proceeds to create redish dust motes suspended in the air forming the symbol they saw on the trolls they ambushed
"Have you seen trolls with this symbol emblazoned on their bodies? Trolls who are immune to fire damage?"
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He looks startled, then alarmed.
"Immune to fire?! Your Grace, recently I had a troll trigger one of my traps and escape harm. I thought he was just lucky, but this news of yours is dire indeed. Please.., follow me, there is a troll not far."
The wizard rushes off, leaving little choice but to follow him. A short distance later you come across a lone troll. Bartholomew's initial fire attacks do no damage, but you are able to down the troll with little effort once you resort to acid.
Bartholomew wipes sweat from his brow and leans over the troll's corpse.
"Amazing, fireproof after all. Fortunately steel and acid still work."
He searches the body then uses a knife to remove a patch of hide. Branded there is the same symbol you saw previously.
"This is it." He looks over to Reg.
"Just like your image. Interesting. I need to get some things from the house."
He hands you a key.
"Here, your Grace, this will open the barn where my lab is. I will meet you there shortly."
Pyros takes the key with a nod, and turns to the others. "Indeed, Valerie. To the barn."
As they approach the barn, Octavia quietly utters the words to a spell, allowing her to see magical auras.
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As you scan with detect magic you do see a magical trap within 30' of the barn on the wilderness side, but your path is clear and there are no magic auras at the door or on the barn.
The key opens the lock and inside is mostly storage, but a ramp leads down to what is obviously a well stocked labratory. immediately in front of you is a room with many implements, a fire circle, tools and such. It alsmost appears to be a torture chamber. To your left is a small, but well filled library, an alchemicla lab, and a comfortable set of chairs and reading table. Further in is a very stout cell, with extra thick bars and solid stone work. Inside you see a troll. At first he appears lifeless, but then he moves. His eyes are distant and he seems to look through you as if you aren't there. his body is heavily scarred. He mumbles something and then turns away again.
After a few minutes, Bartholomew arrives waving the flap of hide with the brand.
"It's amazing! Someone has found a way to brand these trolls and imbue them with immunity to fire. The symbol is still unfamiliar to me, but I can tell you this much, this is no ordinary enchantment. This brand was made by a very powerful magic item, perhaps an artifact. The artifact would allow even a mediocre wizard to perfom this brand."
He pauses in thought.
"This is quite dangerous, and reckless too. I will have to reset all of my traps as well."
"If you can convert the energy used in your traps to acid instead of fire, they should remain effective. Acid still appears to work on the tattooed ones as normal." Octavia advises.
Pyros nods absently as Octavia speaks, but his eyes are on the troll.
"Understandable. In your studies of them, have you come across any idea of a troll kingdom, or them banding together under a particularly. Icious leader?" Faerin asks.
"Don't really care what this guy has heard about kingdoms, or how the f&%k smart he thinks he is. I want to know - NOW - why there's a troll in his cages who looks like the future Octavia & I were headed for. At least tell me the Technic League came by and gave you pointers old man ..."
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@ Faerin:
No, trolls are notoriously intractable and disorganized. To forge an actual kingdom of them would require a great power."
At Reg's outburst Bartholomew is at first taken aback, but recovers.
"It is a troll, an enemy of humanity. And practically nothing more than a dumb beast. I study their regenerative abilities and they can be applied to curing traditional humanoid ailments. For such research, test sunjects are needed. I do not see why you are so angry, I am performing a service to humanity after all."
He turns to Pyros.
"Your Grace, I do hope my studies can continue. I break no laws and the research is important. I moved to such an isolated spot specifically to avoid causing any discomfort to others."
Octavia studies the wizard for a moment, looking at the captured troll before turning toward Regongar. "The troll is a prisoner Reg, not a slave. Given the chance he'd happily eat your face or mine."
She states directly at the eccentric specialist. "If he truly is studying their regenerate e abilities to aid others, and help us find ways to defeat them, I'd consider that worth it no? Even if the method are...unsavory."
Octavia studies the wizard for a moment, looking at the captured troll before turning toward Regongar. "The troll is a prisoner Reg, not a slave. Given the chance he'd happily eat your face or mine."
She states directly at the eccentric specialist. "If he truly is studying their regenerate e abilities to aid others, and help us find ways to defeat them, I'd consider that worth it no? Even if the method are...unsavory."
"Ah, what an important distinction, the League would be proud. I will be sure to make the proper announcements when we get back to the capital."
Faerin looks to Pyros at Bartholomew's plea. There was definitely something...unpleasant about the man's experiments, but trolls were a ruthless and merciless threat to everyone in the area. There were times where extreme measures needed to be taken for the greater benefit, k!%% a controlled burn of a forest to stop a spreading blight.
"The trolls endanger the community we protect...left tovtgier own devices this whole region will fall to their predations, and if they truly are banding together it will be worse than anyone can imagine. For us, the kobolds, anyone not a troll will be eventually be wioed out if they have their way. Your personal history aside, the lives of people who count on us for protection are what matters most here."
Pyros thinks for a bit before answering. "I don't particularly like the idea of experimenting on sentient beings. Even trolls. But, well, I do understand the value in these experiments, and the menace trolls pose. Furthermore, Bartholomew is correct that he has broken no laws, at least as far as I am aware. And he is correct that this isolated spot is a better venue for such things. We came to him, it isn't as though he set up shop in the square at Stag's End. Bartholomew, I'm not going to stop you. But if you wish in the future to expand your experiments beyond trolls, please discuss it with us first." he turns to Octavia. "Octavia, could you serve as the point of contact for that? Such magical experiments would seem to fall within your area of expertise." After a pause, he turns back to Bartholomew. "Also, please do keep her informed of anything you learn."
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The strange wizard brightens noticably.
"Thank you, your Grace, And I will glaldy keep your ministers updated on my progress. As for the current situation, as I said, there must be a powerful intelligence behind this unnatural organization of trolls. These lands are replete with the ruins of the many short lived civilizations that came before this age. There are also several formidable dwarven ruins of forts that once belonged to the Road of Shields that traversed this area. They would make an ideal base for such a group."
"Absolutely, Your Grace." Octavia says with a nod, sparing a concerned glance for Regongar.
"Dwarven ruins, that would serve as a good base for them, and might well be the source of thier elemental protection magic. Any thoughts Hargrim?" the druidess considers, before turningvtovthier healer.
Harrim scowls and thinks for a moment.
It is part of why I asked Pyros to accompany you to any of these ruins. The wizard is correct that there are several ruined forts in the area. Perhaps the man we rescued, Ekundayo, can give us more information. He seemed to knwo the area well."
Nodding at Harrim's response, Farrin turns to the tormented ranger, "Have you managed to venture that far, Ekundayo? Any insight into to the possibility of the trolls using the Dwarven ruins as a stronghold?"
"Then that definitely sounds like where we should focus next. If we find their stringhold we can stop their growing invasion." Faerin responds.
"Then we should complete our trip back to the capitol. Once we gat any reports and take care of any outstanding business, the ruined fort should be our next focus." Faerin recommends.
Yes, I think that is the best idea." Pyros says.