Legacy of Fire: Module 3: The Jackal’s Price

Game Master BloodWolven

"I am Oolong the Golden One. Nice to meet you Sasha and Aukan. Oh yes years ago the Golden Ram was slain I found it and decided to add its fleece to my top. The golden color is not just for show, it has hardened my bark, given me actual tentacles besides my strands. Also it draws the greedy to my belly. I saw the Golden Ram... then I became rooted..." He lifts one of his 'feet' out of the dirt. It is more akin to a root. "I would say it has been two weeks. It kinda wanders a similar path so it should be here in the next few days. I would love another fleece! You promise me the fleece and I will tell you about ta weaknesses and immunity I know it has. "

"May we please confer in private on your offer?" She subduely asks.

Raising an eyebrow as the roper actually congratulated them on seeing him, Ala'Ihys lowers his bow as he realizes Aukan and Sasha actually began speaking with the creature. As the creature shares the benefits ? it had been conferred by the fleece, Ala'Ihys leans over and asks. The goliath, is he your brother as well?' He knew that most acolytes of the Dawnflower were willing to offer clemency if evil creatures were willing to change their evil ways, but he'd not seen too many groups of adventurers willing to do it. But if they all were related it would make sense that the had the same moral values.
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As Sasha says they should confer, Ala'Ihys nods to Nima to approach. As they gather he asks, "If I understand out task correctly it is to acquire the horn." He furrows his brow, "I've no concern about the fleece either way." He looks up at the Roper, wanting to know if it is evil like most of it's race. Turning his face toward the family, "My concern is leaving a powerful evil creature to entrap other travelers."

using detect alignment, looking to see if the roper is evil.

She quietly whispers back to him, "No Aukan is our rescuer, protector, warlord, and lover of Sasha."

The roper does ping as evil as you focus on him.

The roper does allow it and seems sincere in his words, "Go ahead and confer with your group, I have all the time in the world!"

Away from the Roper, likely 100 feet, she offers, "Besides our own group there likely will not be other travelers. We are in the scroll of Kakishron or it was the key to get here. Either way we are stuck for now."

"Mr. Roper", Davod inquired from the safe distance on Carpet. "What do you normally eat to survive?"
Diplomacy + Practiced Impression: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 2 = 27

'Ahhhhh! That explains much!' Nodding at the revelation Nima has provided, he stores it for future consideration of the group's dynamics.
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Raising an eyebrow at Pharos nonchalance about the possibility of other travelers being in danger, Ala'Ihys is grateful that Davod seems to take the topic of the Roper being a threat to others seriously. Leaning in he adds, "The Roper is truly evil and obviously waiting here to trap the innocent." He pauses, thinking of his father, and mentally adds 'Or at least the greedy. but chooses not to muddy the issue.

"Oh pretty much anything that comes by! I move slower than most and use my strands on what gets close." He states as if it is obvious.

"So we fight it?" He says once again getting ready for the direct approach.

She quietly offers, "We could rest and tomorrow I could try to encircle it with my wall of fire."

She quietly offers, "Oh... uh... Alexandria and I can blast it with fiire from afar, Ala'lhys has his bow, Aukan has javelins, Dyjn with his blast would be excellent for this. Vivi and Aukan will be the protective wall. Sound good? If we wait I can prepare some lesser restoration spells."

She quietly offers, "Oh... uh... Alexandria and I can blast it with fiire from afar, Ala'lhys has his bow, Aukan has javelins, Dyjn with his blast would be excellent for this. Vivi and Aukan will be the protective wall. Sound good? If we wait I can prepare some lesser restoration spells."

" ... and in truth Lady Nima, I can blast out to 500 feet, so perhaps I could open fire to distract while you all move in?"

Davod makes a shrug to the others, willing to go along with whatever plan the group decides.
Looking back to the intelligent roper, the suli nonchalantly tells the abberation, "Sorry."

Ninja'd by Davod, will edit:
Nodding to Aukan, Ala'Ihys turns towards Pharos, "We know not who it may kill between today and tomorrow. Hearing DAvod's 'apology' he turns towards the rogue, We may not need to destroy it, but be ready.'

Looking towards the others, he requests, "Let me speak to it, see if it will give up this lifestyle." Turning he looks behind them, "We should make sure we are out of it's reach."

Moving so he is about fifty feet from the creature he lowers his bow and calls out: "I am Ala’Ihys Amatullah al-Rashid, Servant of the Dawnflower, Venerator of the Sunlord Thalachos, Rider in the Histaqen and protector of pilgrims and travelers. By the confession of your own mouth, you prey on the weak, innocent and foolish, I cannot permit that to continue. Please give up this evil and move on from this place or face the consequences."

Not really diplomacy or intimidation in my mind, but maybe making a request? Or do you see it as a threat?
request (diplomacy): 1d20 ⇒ 1 If you see it more as a threat add 1 for intimidation
Edit: Wow that is a terrible roll!

I mean, one thing all of my mental co hosts agreed on was death to tentacles, if rested, I can blast it at range too
She whispers to the group

Just to make a thing certain, you arent the artist known as "Ronda Rhopey", winner of ultimate tentaclebowl XXXIII and LIV in Alyushinyrra?

Alexandra looks at the roper from a distance

Dont think its her, she was missing some tentacles after the final match against the Gylou Devil.

She says.

He questions Ala’Ihys, "What evil do you speak of? I eat what comes into my range, would you have me starve?"

The roper actually looks confused and states in response to Vivi's words, "WHAT?!"

The roper has still not moved. It has said it could, maybe there is a reason it is not moving...

He continues to strategize on the best options, "So we have Dyjn at 500 feet... that is astounding how about the rest of you? First couple of rounds we will have Djyn go and then when it gets closer we release the next barrage or something like that."

She offers the likely shortest range attack she has, "Fire Bolt (Sp): As a standard action, you can unleash a scorching bolt of divine fire from your outstretched hand. You can target any single foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack with this bolt of fire. If you hit the foe, the fire bolt deals 1d6 points of fire damage + 1 point for every two cleric levels you possess. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Fire Bolt ranged touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
11/day
channel positive energy 14/day (DC 21, 2d6) XxXxX,-_-_ 9 left."

3/day—produce flame ( 120 feet), pyrotechnics (DC 14), scorching ray (45 feet).

"I think I shall leave this conundrum to the ranged specialist", Davod comments, reclining on Carpet.

When Ala'lhys returns...

The sunlight catches Davod out of the corner of his eye as it's reflected off the Shooting Starknife. The sulu frowns to himself as Sarenrae appears to get his attention.

"Fine. Fine. I shall help your little archer with his roper. Al’ama!!"

Davod directs Carpet to set the thief down about 60 feet away from the roper.

Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

Seeing Davod landing out of the ropers view, Ala'Ihys continues his conversation with the Roper as the others strategize. Hoping to save the Ropers life, he shakes his head. "The evil I speak of is setting a trap for sentient beings. Only we will search for the gold you bait your hook with. It is your intent, not to just eat, but to eat those who are intelligent enough to fall for your trap."

Remembering what the roper had bargained with earlier, he continues. "We would appreciate whatever information you can give about the ram and are willing to let you eat it's carcass so you do not starve."

He gestures away from the fleece. " But I must insist that you recant eating sentient beings and move from here."

You see what could be a golden fleece but you don't think it is attached to a creature anymore as it hangs from a tree. The tree glows and piles of gold lie around it.

Is the Roper near the tree or is the roper the tree we saw itself?

"Oh I don't care who or what I kill as long as it sustains me. Well the gold just falls from the fleece... but I see your point. I have already told you what I know of the Ram's location. I also offered to kill it with you. I would love to have another fleece. What more do you want to know? Cold iron or adamantine weapons are needed to bypass some of its damage reduction. Most have hunted the Ram for his horns and fleece. But not many have the skills to skin it, even my work is shoddy with the tough material. I will not hunt sentient beings, even let them near me but I can still defend myself if they attack?"

The roper is the tree itself that the fleece resides upon. The roper's feet come free of the root system pulling itself several feet out of the ground. Which leaves behind a tangle of vines and with sticky amber looking like it's blood ooze out. The tentacles/snakes stop moving. He slowly backs away from Ala'lhys watching him and Davod.

Turning to the others, Ala'Ihys nods, "He has said he will not hunt sentient creatures, that's good enough for me. Shall we let him join us and give him the fleece?"

Davod looks up over the dune he was hiding and blinks. "If it's good enough for the sarenite, it's good enough for me."

The group likely returns with the statement from Ala'lhys, and the roper begins to lead the group to the East. He leaves behind the piles of gold coins. If asked he states, "Oh you are welcome to that it is just a by product of the fleece at least upon my branches."

Survival Check DC 20/30 to see if you find any trail of the Golden Ram. Otherwise if you are airborne just a perception check DC 30.

Heading East you see The Tall Grass. The eastern sections of the islands, including the whole of the small island of Azzabes, are broadly covered in lush grasses, in places only waist-high savannah grasses, but elsewhere topping the height of a full-grown human. These snake-infested fields are broken by small copses and thickets and tumbled rock formations sheltering pools of clear water.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Davod and Carpet fly high into the sky, looking for the Golden Ram.

Following the roper, Ala'Ihys raises an eyebrow when the creature says they were 'welcome' to the gold the fleece created. Maybe he had misjudged the creature. Shaking his head he considered whistling for Khamsin but realized the others had decided to walk. Wanting to stay close so he could protect them he walks as well, making sure he stays near Nima, to protect her.

Keeping a keen eye out as they moved towards the tall grass. He pauses for a moment, kneeling looking for tracks.

taking 10 (20) on perception looking towards the tall grass
survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Ala'lhys finds some spoor, it is hard and crusty so likely weeks old.

Shaking his head, Ala'Ihys points towards the spoors. "The ram was here but these spoors are likely weeks old."

Looking towards the others he asks "Should we search the tall grass?"

He aids Ala'lhys with his survival checks, +4 for DC 20. Taking a ten.

He points out rather nuetrally, "Well unless we want to fight all sorts of critters we should probably go airborne."

Otherwise, do another survival check for each hour. You likely have 6 more hours to search with. If airborne Perception checks.

She would aid Ala'lhys with his survival checks too, +4 for DC 20. Taking a ten.

She offers with a glint in her eye, "Either way works for me, killing these beasts are great experience!"

Perception (Hour 1): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Perception (Hour 2): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Perception (Hour 3): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Perception (Hour 4): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Perception (Hour 5): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Perception (Hour 6): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Flying situation: Davod on Carpet, Nima with Ala'Ihys , Alexandria with Aukan, Sasha and Vivi. Roper in tow. Doable, Alexandria has a speed of 40. Carpet 30 but can dash if needed. Ala'Ihys has a speed of 60 I believe.
So does Ala'Ihys continue to search for tracks and clues to the Golden Ram or does he begin flying?

Khamsin's/Pegasus listed Speed 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (average) so with Sasha's and Aukan's aids he gets + 8?
survival: 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 4 + 4 = 37So even at just + 2, he would be ok :)

Looking up at Davod on his beautiful carpet, Ala'Ihys considers whistling for Khamsin. Not wanting to put his friend in harms way, he turns to the others. "Let me look here on the ground for more signs, If I cannot find any then we shall take to the air."

Redoubling his effort, he see's Aukan pointing at something. Hustling over he nods, "Yes, that looks the same as the dry scat we found earlier." Chuckling at Sasha's comment, he looks towards her feet, she was also standing by fresher skat. Pointing at the ground below her, "Sasha, I believe you found something."

You have discovered the Golden Ram’s trail! All further checks in this region gain a cumulative +2 bonus on the Survival checks—if anyone in the party has the Track feat, treat any further result of “Tracks” from a Survival check as a “Sighting” instead.

next hour: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28
next hour: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (14) + 22 = 36

She chuckles, stating, "Apparently I am standing in it!" She continues to aid in the search of the Golden Ram. After two more hours she keeps her eyes on the horizon.
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

He continues to aid in the search of the Golden Ram. After two more hours he mentions, "Do you see the glittering object over there? Just past the tree."
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Davod descends to meet the others. "Did you see it?" The suli asks. "It's just past the tree up ahead."

Davod dismounts Carpet and unsheaths The Shooting Starknife. Once the party is ready to advance, Davod will use the tall grass to stealthy up to the Golden Ram.
Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Chuckling at Sasha's response, Ala'Ihys continued on. As he walks he lets his mind wander back to his own sisters and their responses to cleaning up after the horses. His sisters were So different from each other, like these three. Esther would...

Pausing he hears Aukan say something about a 'glittering object' just as Davod landed asking 'did you see it.' Shaking his head Ala'Ihys refocused on the task at hand. Drawing an arrow from his quiver, Ala'Ihys followed Davod, keeping a keen eye out, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive creature.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

He follows Davod at a slower pace. Taking a 10, Stealth 18.

Perception DC 26: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
He acts in Round 1.

Nima follows close behind Aukan. As Alexandria takes to the skies becoming a flaming beacon that lands on the far side of their quarry.

She moves with Davod in the grass toward the target.

stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
high run away: 1d100 ⇒ 77

On its turn, the Golden Ram bleats and moves away from Davod, Sasha, and the others. It moves about 40 feet away from Alexandia. It walks upon water as it goes. Davod and Sasha were 30 feet away from it and after it moves 60 feet.

Surprise Round: Perception DC 18

She is likely over head, 100 feet up but still overhead as battle or at least the chase breaks out.

Perception DC 18: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Surprise Round
She just stops flying and pushes herself as needed to adjust towards the Golden Ram.

The streak of flame courses from far above down to the ground striking the Golden Ram.
fall damage: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5, 6, 2, 5, 4, 3, 1, 3) = 38 half to the Ram plus fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6

CMB: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32

Round 1
She tries to keep hold of the Ram but it just slips from her hands. Some sort of magic. She charges after it summoning her glaive.

PA, +3 Glaive: 1d20 + 22 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 22 - 2 = 40
damage: 2d6 + 21 + 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 21 + (3, 3, 2) + 6 = 41 x3

PA, +3 Glaive: 1d20 + 22 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 22 - 2 = 25
damage: 2d6 + 42 + 12 ⇒ (6, 4) + 42 + 12 = 64

Round 1
Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
Davod tries his best to stay hidden and approach the Golden Ram, hoping to get into flank, and closing the 30 feet distance.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Not wanting to spook the prey too early, Ala'Ihys keeps his arrow nocked, as he slowly moves closer. Seeing Davod move the one direction, Ala'Ihys carefully moved the other.

stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21