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"It is good to see you again bard. Have you composed some marching songs? Or training drill one?"
"I sure have! Four marching songs and one for training drills! Though it may be a little unconventional." Salaish beams as she furiously begins composing a training drill song in her head. Marching songs are easy enough to compose on the spot, right? Yeah! Focus on the training drill song. What the heck is that supposed to be like?
Evening passes quickly, the food is good but not memorable. However, the long hard days of the upcoming journey will make you long for this food.
The next day you depart with Sergeant Drussem and her cart pulled by a horse. She informs you that the journey should not last more than two weeks, and the most difficult part is crossing the mountains. During one of the days, she tells you
"Before we get there, let me tell you a thing or two about Lieutenant Eloqi. A distinguished veteran of the Ironfang Legion, Eloqi has aligned himself with General Azaersi’s nation-building efforts, though he harbors a long-seeded distrust of humans and, by extension, both the Aspis Consortium and the Pathfinders. Eloqi will be leading the discussions at the trading camp. He places great value in military discipline, particularly in maintaining schedules. Lieutenant Eloqi does not tolerate violence within the camp save in self-defense. He demands the delegates within the camp be kept free from harm and that their things not be taken as a sign of mutual respect. Threats of violence between delegates are to be met with swift and overwhelming force and would certainly bring the trade talks to an abrupt end."
After a couple of days, the road begins to go higher into mountain ranges, and the weather changes to cold windes with frequent snowfalls. Step right up, who does not have winter clothes?
The frigid wind howls and flurries fly as a ferocious storm overtakes the mountain pass. A horrid cracking sound of a distant avalanche echoes the length of the narrow valley as tons of snow plummet down upon the path ahead.
Drussem tells "Ok, so that was our road, we need to find an alternative, otherwise, I know a second road but it will cost us a couple of days of travel."
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"Oh, Grog! Don't feel bad. It looked good at first to me too. Gosh! Learning about this in class is so different from actually doing it!" Salaish conjures a harmonica (because it's not loud enough to trigger an avalanche and she can play it while wearing mittens) and begins to play a tune, hoping to inspire Grandel or Rannarix to find a better path.
Rannarix
Rannarix heads out in a different direction than Grog, Argoni and Salaish, and disappears for an hour.
Grog walks into deep snow and falls into it almost completely. Argoni tries a different route but the only thing that he discovers is an armored goblin trying to dig himself out of the snow.
Salaish tries to play inspiring tunes for Rannarix but besides that stays close to the cart.
Tiger tries a few trails that could be promising, but very quickly they turn out to be too steep, slippery or end with a cave. After an hour he comes back to the others
Finally, Rannarix comes back and says that he found a path that should be suitable for the cart and seems to come back to this road.
After all of your goblins are gathered in one place, you head out to use that trail.
Soon you leave the highest mountains and begin the climb down towards the camp.
Your remaining trek to camp is uneventful. It is late afternoon when the party reaches sight of the camp. Only a few remnants of melting snow linger here from the earlier storm. The trade camp lies below the tree line in an isolated valley along a stretch of Oprak’s western border. A series of ditches, earthen walls, and buried alchemical mines form the camp’s outer defenses. A collection of dirt-floored huts rests at the center of the camp’s borders. The enclosures here are all constructed of mud and wood collected from stunted trees dotting the nearby mountainsides. Escorting the PCs into camp, Drussem ensures that they have lodging and informs them that their introduction to Lieutenant Eloqi will take place in the meeting hall in two hours. Until then, you are free to explore the camp, so long as you don’t cause any trouble. Artennod Raike of the Aspis Consortium is already in camp. The dashing Chelish woman has an aura of confidence around her she is accompanied by a halfling and six humans.
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"Oh boy! How many friends can I make in two hours?" Salaish is being a bit facetious, but she takes her time spent seriously. She chats with as many hobgoblins as she can while lingering long enough with each one to make a (hopefully positive) impression. High on her list of objectives is gauging their opinions of all the parties at the table.
Tiger walks around the camp, he sees Hobgoblins, fire and horizon...
Grog spots a few groups speaking and move closer to drop and ear on the conversation but quickly he spots Tiger whom he joins in looking into the horizon...
Argoni walks around and looks closer to the Aspis delegation, he learns few things: Artennod Raike, leader of the Aspis Consortium delegation, is accompanied by six bodyguards and a halfling valet named Greeleep Muckfellow. Raike wears a necklace affixed with a glass vial pendant filled with ruby-red liquid and capped with a depiction of a coiled serpent. She wields an ax with the image of a kobold on it and is supported by a hunting hawk.
Grandel walks and chats with a guard off-duty who tells them that Aspis Consortium delegation arrived under heavy snowfall during the storm’s onset sometime ahead of the Pathfinders.
Salaish also finds guard off-duty but the only thing that they want to talk about are their sore feet and fixes that they need to make to their gear.
Rannarix, oddly quiet, chats with a few hobgoblins and he learns some fact about Master Sergeant.
Master Sergeant Morgroar is ambitious, openly stating his desire to seize Eloqi’s position. He bullies the camp’s cook, Oltug, who has long held a grudge against Morgroar. This grudge began several years ago, after Oltug single-handedly killed a wolf that had attack Morgroar. Rather than promote Oltug, Morgroar ordered Oltug to cook the creature. After finishing the meal, Morgroar declared the dish “lacked seasoning”.
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Well, that group was frustratingly banal. Let's try those folks over there! Salaish conjures a drum and begins playing a lively marching beat (with freshly composed lyrics) as she heads over to the next group of victims potential pals. She uses the new song as an ice breaker, asking the group what they think of the song before segueing to more productive subject matters.
"I don't know what you've been told!
I don't know what you've been told!
But your foe's a tough kobold!
But your foe's a tough kobold!"
"I don't know about the lyrics in this part. Does it make sense?"
Grog sits in the middle of the camp and observes the Aspis delegation. He notices that the Aspis agents appear underequipped for a lengthy, mountainous trek.
Hobgoblins laugh a bit at the song but you can catch them murmuring the melody. Then they continue their conversation, Salaish learns from it few things
The Aspis delegation has only met with Lieutenant Eloqi once when they were formally introduced. Lieutenant Eloqi openly remarked to his attendant that the Aspis agents appeared feeble and weak.
They they change the subject and Salaish learns that None of the hobgoblins use arcane or occult magic or magic items derived from these traditions, many share a traditional disdain for these types of magic.
Argoni keeps an eye on the halfling he spots him a couple of times walking around with an unusual gait, possibly attributable to an unseen injury. He also smells a pungent, musky odor wafting from the halfling’s hut.
Tiger listens to a few conversations, apparently standing still makes you being ignored by many so he learns a few facts.
Raike was seen handing a piece of red-tinted vellum to Master Sergeant Morgroar, which the hobgoblin tucked behind his bandolier, as well as a small, leather-bound book bearing a serpent motif.
Small craters pock the camp’s defenses, indicating a number of alchemical mines recently detonated.
Grandel keeps chatting with the same Hobgoblin, who heard that
Oltug (cook) claims that Morgroar recently stole alchemical supplies from his kitchen.
Rannarix seems a bit off and learns nothing useful.
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Gathering back with the Pathfinders, Salaish starts things off with one of her most recent discoveries. "Sooo... The hobgoblins really don't like arcane or occult magic. Like, my whole deal falls under that. So, I'm probably gonna have to try to avoid using my magic as much as possible so we don't give the Apsis an edge. Apparently they didn't make a strong impression during their one meeting with Lieutenant Eloqi, but I didn't get any details about why. Just that they seem weak. What did you guys find out?"
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Rejoining his companions, Tiger shares his observations.
"Raike was seen handing a piece of red-tinted vellum to Master Sergeant Morgroar, which the hobgoblin tucked behind his bandolier, as well as a small, leather-bound book bearing a serpent motif. Also, small craters pock the camp’s defenses, indicating a number of alchemical mines recently detonated."
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"I learned a bit about the Aspis too."
"Artennod Raike, leader of the Aspis Consortium delegation, is accompanied by six bodyguards and a halfling valet named Greeleep Muckfellow. Raike wears a necklace affixed with a glass vial pendant filled with ruby-red liquid and capped with a depiction of a coiled serpent. She wields an ax with the image of a kobold on it and is supported by a hunting hawk."
"Greeleep Muckfellow walks around with an unusual gait, possibly attributable to an unseen injury. I also smelled a pungent, musky odor wafting from the halfling’s hut."
After having a few minutes to chat, Drussem comes to take you to the meeting.
You are taken to the meeting hall in the middle of the camp which also serves as Eloqi's living quarters.
A red banner displaying the toothy shield of the nation of Oprak hangs over a large, stone table, which fills the interior of this hall. A few well-built wooden chairs are arranged on the earthen floor around the table alongside a collection of sizable rocks that are suitable, if not ideal, for sitting. A soft, finely embroidered chair sits at the table’s austere wooden head. Splayed out on the table is an assortment of maps, ledgers, and trade documents. A second banner, torn, tattered, and bearing another insignia titled the Ironfang Legion, hangs opposite the front entrance to the north, partitioning the southern end of the room. The banner’s ripped cloth fails to conceal an armoire, a large bed, and a few personal items of exceptional quality in the otherwise sparsely furnished room.
A hobgoblin, stately and aging, emerges from behind the tattered banner. He wears ceremonial, full plate armor and has a bow strung across his back. "I am Lieutenant Eloqi of the nation of Oprak," he declares. "With whom am I speaking?"
After you introduce yourself he adds
"Thank you for arriving at camp. I heard you encountered a blizzard? Surely, you found it to be cold and wet."
"Do dragons frequently walk in blizzards? Especially so minuscule dragons?" asks Eloqi
Then they turn to Salaish "We have a similar saying among hobgoblins, There is no bad weather, yet another opportunity to practice combat in the mud." you can see Drussem smiling as she recalls some events
"Tomorrow we will start the negotiations, I hope for them to go smoothly and without incidents. You would have to select one person to present your case. Is that clear?"
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Ensuring that her posture is as straight and sturdy as can be, Salaish replies crisply: "We understand, Lieutenant Eloqi. I will speak for the Pathfinder Society during the negotiations, and I can vouch for my team's behavior." She knows that she could say more, but guesses that long-winded speeches about strangers' perfection probably aren't the Lieutenant's favorite thing.
Eloqi nods their head. "Very well, we see each other tomorrow morning." They smile to Salaish and stand up letting you know that it is time to leave.
The following morning, just before the scheduled start of the formal talks, Drussem collects you to assemble in front of the camp’s meeting hall. "I hope you have selected your prolocutor to state your case, only one of you will be able to state your case"
Raike, her bodyguards, and the halfling Greeleep, all arrive ahead of schedule. Raike holds a mug in her hand.
Morgroar and a team of hobgoblins, including Drussem, act as security.
"Finally, we have the pleasure of being formally introduced, Pathfinders. My name is Artennod Raike, the Aspis prolocutor and representative of the Consortium," declares a clearly self-assured, middle-aged woman. An impressive greataxe is slung over her back and a hunting hawk sits on a gloved arm. Holding a full mug of a warm beverage in her other hand, the woman shakes off the bird, which promptly flies into the sky. As she reaches forward with a hand greeting, her balance shifts, dumping the full contents of his mug onto the ground. "My apologies.” Raike smiles. “I hope that I didn’t get any on you."
You believe the spill was intentional and the liquid seems to have metallic smell, much like blood.
The spill provokes only a grunt from the hobgoblins who enter the hall first, then bid the delegates to enter. None of them pay any further heed to the spill and continue by it. Inside, Eloqi offers the wooden chairs to Raike and Pathfinder designated as prolocutors. Anyone else must stand within the cramped interior.
Once the parties settle in, Eloqi speaks
"I would like to formally begin the negotiations, I am reluctant to sign trade agreement with Aspis Consortium or Pathfinder society, but I can also see that some benefits could come out of them. You should know by now that I do not trust any of the delegations or your offerings and that I will try to fairly consider both presented cases."
Lieutenant Eloqi keeps the introductions short before gesturing for Raike to say her piece.
Raike speaks up
"The Aspis Consortium has a well-established reputation throughout the Inner Sea for obtaining high profits and engaging in once-in-a-lifetime ventures across the globe..." She waxes about how the Consortium, unlike the Society, had demonstrated an ability to get the most of out of cheap sources of labor. The Aspis Consortium’s fighting strength, however, she declares to be the organization's greatest asset as displayed in the Consortium’s ability to field its black and-white-sailed fleets, expansive, mercenary armies, and pinpoint strike forces of highly-trained Aspis agents.
You notice that Raike’s glass vial pendant is empty. You also note that the bodyguards, Raike and the halfling all wear crude charms fashioned like a four-legged mammal or reptile. You also notice that the image on Raike’s greataxe matches the shape of the creature on the charms. You recognize the creature as bulette. Bulettes are fearsome predators that roam just beneath the surface of desolate wilderness areas
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"Oh goodness!" Argoni jumps back as Raike spills her mug all over the ground. "You're not drunk are you? Look at all this mess! You don't want the Lieutenant to get mud on his boots." He goes over and tries to kick more dirt over the spill, though the halfling clearly steps into the liquid. After he goes to sit back down, he cross his legs trying to get a better smell of the substance tracked on his boot.
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Shortly before the meeting, Salaish digs out her Matchmaker Fulu and affixes it to her armor. Hmm... They don't like arcane or occult things, but this one is from Shelyn, so it should be okay.
When Raike dumps her cup, Salaish at first doesn't react, but as the metallic scent reaches her nose, she gives a snort bemusement. She speaks loudly enough for the hobgoblin soldiers nearby to hear. "Why are you walking around with a mug of--what is that? It smells like blood. Huh." She gives herself and the nearby Pathfinders a look over to see if they're soiled.
When it's her turn to speak, Salaish rises, activates her Matchmaker Fulu, steps forward, and stands with her best approximation of a military stance.
Taking a deep breath, she launches into her prepared speech. "The Pathfinder Society is a well-known, respected organization with ties around the world. Our motto is: Explore, Report, Cooperate. As we explore, we uncover knowledge both old and new. We report on and publish this knowledge, as we believe that all peoples are enriched by having access to as much knowledge as possible. Cooperation, both among ourselves and with the nations in which we are working, ensures that everyone involved gets a fair piece of the pie." She continues in this vein, sticking to the facts and trying to put as much performance into it as is appropriate for the audience. "Ultimately, Lieutenant Eloqi, the choice between our two groups boils down to which economic model you prefer: an operation that emphasizes financial gain over the well-being of the people with the Apsis Consortium, or cooperation for maximum mutual benefit with the Pathfinder Society."
Argoni is easily able to put some of the spilled substance on his boots. However, during the negotiations, it is not easy to examine such substance, especially when it is on your boot. He feels like taking his boot off might not be taken well...
Grog notices what Argoni does and nods. Grandel makes a comment about an empty mug and Raike puts her cup down and heads inside.
There Salaish is trying to make a case for Pathfinders, she is doing well, but it is either the crowd, angry looks, or a combination of both that makes her not sound as compelling as she should. She tries to save the situation but she actually makes it worse.
Eloqi concedes that Oprak would benefit from a strong, capable ally and acknowledges that both sides have given him much to consider. Before the meeting can continue, however, the ground rumbles and there is an explosive sound. Clumps of rock and dirt pelt the structure’s door and northern wall. Cries outside make it clear: the camp is under attack!
Within seconds of the explosive sound, the hobgoblins and Aspis delegates rush outside. You follow after.
The ground rumbles as several giant fins poke through the earth and glide effortlessly through the soil. Dirt throughout the camp explodes in showers of roots and rocks as multiple, mighty beasts erupt from the earth. Covered in huge, gray armored plates, each sports an armored crest, much like that of a shark’s fin, along its backs. The hobgoblins instinctively draw their weapons, preparing for battle, even as three of the creatures charge towards them. Eloqi follows-up, leading his forces into combat against the attackers. "These beasts have chosen the wrong prey!" Drussem declares as she draws her blade. "Keep those claws and jaws at bay! I will see to my compatriots, then come to your aid!"
Round 1
Grandel
Salaish
Tiger
Red
Green
Rannarix
Argoni
Grog
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Of COURSE I don't have an instrument! Fuming briefly, Salaish presses her lips together before making a snap decision: It's time to make up a song. She claps her hands in a strong beat and begins singing at the top of her voice:
"Monster, you're a foe, making big noise!
Swimming in the muck, gonna be a land shark today.
You got mud on your face, you big disgrace
Wavin' your fin all over the place. WE SING:
We will, we will beat you!
We will, we will beat you!"
Then she draws her rapier and scoots into the center of the group of Pathfinders for a moment of relative safety.
Tiger throws a javelin, pulls another one, and hopes that no one have seen his first throw...
Salaish inspires her allies with a very catchy song ... then she pulls out a rapier and clusters together with others.
Grandel grabs her bastard sword and charges at green.
Then the creature strikes back, the massive jaws make an attempt to bite Grandel
The jaws hit and the creature follows up with claws...
Claws rips through Grandel armor leaving a massive wound
The third attack misses. The other creature moves closer and attacks using its superior range
The creature bites Grandel which takes her down, the follow-up strike misses.
Round 1/2
Salaish
Tiger
Grandel -54 dying 2
Red
Green -13
Rannarix
Argoni
Grog
"Grog help Salaish."
He flexes and suddenly moves extremely fast, heading around a bit to beside Salaish. He touches her and then tries to thwack Green...
12 points healing to Salaish.
[dice=heavy pick+1] 1d20+11+1
[dice=damage] 1d10+4