As Tavern Tale speaks of the naga, Gothia steps forward and slices the creature's head from its body.
"A trophy for Heironeous, god of Law and Honour!"
When she gets the chance, TT also casts detect magic and makes a physical scan of the area for any treasures.
Vesica Perception Check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
She was sitting on 5,000 gold pieces, 2,000 silver pieces, and two swords that glow orange and blue respectively.
"That was a very timely intervention," Vesica says to the wizard stranger. Curtsying slightly, she adds, "I am called Tavern Tale...." She then introduces the others. "And who might you be, friend?"
"I'm James, of Furyondy."
Warbbblllllll! Er...What happened?
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"Well met, James. Your help was well-timed. How did you find us here?" The half-elf is suspicious of the timing, but isn't displeased in any way.
When TT asks about skinning the naga, he laughs. "Fine boots indeed! I will do what I can, my lady. But I'm afraid I'm not much of a bootmaker. You'll have to find someone else with that particular talent."
Sea Ranger grins at the dwarf. "The naga is dead, Chestman. And she was laying upon a fair amount of gold - and perhaps a pair of magical swords?" The druid looks over the weapons, but his own magic isn't the kind that will help him identify them.
Vesica Spellcraft Check (orange sword): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Vesica Spellcraft Check (blue sword): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
The blue sword is a frostbrand. The orange sword is a flametongue.
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Hrumpphhh! We we cam be getting back home I guess with it's corpse to prove that it is gone.
"Uh, so...James was it? I suppose you followed us out of the goodness of your heart and concern for the citizens of Orlane, right? You've no interest whatsoever in this...uh...filthy lucre?"
"Uh, so...James was it? I suppose you followed us out of the goodness of your heart and concern for the citizens of Orlane, right? You've no interest whatsoever in this...uh...filthy lucre?"
"Yes I followed you," says James. "But I have no interest in the gold."
"Nice!" TT chirps happily. "So why did you follow us?"
He's probably infatuated with me....
"Nice!" TT chirps happily. "So why did you follow us?"
He's probably infatuated with me....
"I was one of the people you rescued from this fool," said James. "I wanted to say thank you. I don't need any gold the naga was sitting on, helping you defeat her was thanks enough."
"Thank you as well!" TT tells the wizard. She then helps the others gather up treasure and prepares for the trip back to Orlane. When she sees what a great job Sea Ranger did skinning the naga, she squeals giddily and gives him a quick peck on the cheek.
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I would like to do a final scene, to give proper closure to the events that transpired.
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Well let's head back for ale and stew. Chestman knows what his priorities are.
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"Thank you, James, for stepping in and helping us and your community in defeating this evil!
With the naga's defeat, Gothia looks over her comrades and nods in satisfaction. Not only have they dealt evil a blow in the region, but a strong group of adventurers has been forged together in the fire of combat and camaraderie. All in all, a good day!
"Thank you, James, for stepping in and helping us and your community in defeating this evil!
James' nods to the paladin. He says, "That's appreciated. I just wanted her to stop producing her own tools. I don't know what she was planning. Maybe if she gathered enough worshipers, she might apotheosized into Godhood."
"Instead, her wicked plotting seems likely to turn her into someone else's leggings and boots!" TT quips with a grin. On the trip back to Orlane, she begins to compose an epic (and wildly exaggerated) tale of how the party slew the mighty serpent queen. She reluctantly adds in James's contributions as she builds the tale.
"We're taking a boat perhaps Chestman? Don't dwarves hate water?"
I don't know who told you that but that is like saying all elves live in the forest and frolic in flower fields
When she gets the chance, TT examines the scroll with an unknown spell on it and Chestman's mace taken from the evil ex-high priest in Orlane.
Sea Ranger blushes slightly when TT gives him a peck on the cheek, and stammers an awkward reply that he can't recall two minutes later. He busies himself with helping inventory the loot and listening distractedly to James, chuckling at Chestman's retort to the elf's question about dwarves hating water. He lifts the magical shortsword, testing its feel and balance, then finally shrugs. "If nobody objects, I'll take this for myself. It's got a different feel from the scimitar, but I've trained with short swords enough to use it nearly as well. The magic imbued into the blade could certainly come in handy too."
When she gets the chance, TT examines the scroll with an unknown spell on it and Chestman's mace taken from the evil ex-high priest in Orlane.
Vesica Spellcraft Check (spell on scroll): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Vesica Spellcraft Check (Chestman's mace): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
The spell on the scroll is Fireball
The mace is a +1 Keen weapon.
After the long trek back through the swamp to the village of Orlane, the heroes took some time to rest and recuperate: real food instead of trail rations, sleep in an actual bed rather than in a hammock or curled up on the bare ground, maybe even a real bath, or at least a quick dip in the small pond at the center of the settlement. Eventually, though, it came time to receive the reward promised by the mayor and for a celebration of the victory over and the removal of the frightful threat of the spirit naga and her minions.
Tavern Tale waits until dozens of Orlanians are present before bowing to the audience, introducing herself, and launching into her story.
“Something was not right in your charming village…but what? Some folks—formerly friends and neighbors—became surly and suspicious; others just up and left, sometimes in the middle of the night. As if sensing the fractured unity and vulnerability of the settlement, scaly monsters crept out of the swamp to add to the overbearing sense of fear and uncertainty already running rampant throughout Orlane. Things looked grim indeed….
“And then a band of strangers arrived, seeking rest and solace at the Golden Grain Inn after days of tiring travel. But there would be no rest for the weary: troglodytes made two bold yet stealthy raids but were defeated by the bad of strangers! Gothia the Gallant led the fight against the scaly invaders, cutting several down. At her side stood the mighty dwarf, Chestman—always with a drink in one hand and a club in the other! Sea Ranger—smart, wily, stealthy, and fearless—chipped in with wisdom and warfare. Others helped in the defense of the town from the troglodytes—Tallen, Brenfine, Krishka and others…though these folks drifted out of the village rather than stay to investigate and battle the evil threatening the settlement. And, of course, your humble storyteller—Tavern Tale the bard—did her part to support her friends against the hidden evil.
“Members of a wicked cult had somehow interspersed themselves into the rural community, raising a hidden hand against those who had been dear neighbors until very recently. The evil spread as the righteous were culled….
“The heroes set out to break the good folk of Orlane from the cult’s tightening coils. Supported by your fine mayor and his advisors, our group avoided capture when a cultist poisoned our food in an attempt to take us prisoner and add our lot to the cult’s growing roster. But Gothia and Sea Ranger saw through the ruse in time, thwarting the dastardly plan!
“The evil in town ran deep…even so far as corrupting the high priest in the temple of Merikka. When the Heroes of Orlane paid the temple a visit, he attacked them in the name of his new deity, a foul naga from the nearby Rushmoors! Even aided with some minion troglodytes of the Scaly Queen, he was no match and fell before the weapons and spells of the brave outsiders!
“The fight was then taken into the dreary depths of the swamp itself. En route, the remaining heroes teamed up with a new member—the noble elf, Alenthieal—who helped them rescue an elf family from an attack by more trogs loyal to the naga. The heroes prevailed and pushed ever deeper into the foul Rushmoors, until they came at last unto the Scaly One’s hidden lair. There they defeated more troglodytes and rescued several kidnapped locals from the dank cages in which they were being held, starved unto weakness ere they’d be presented to the naga for conversion.
“For the Reptile Goddess built the cult herself by capturing and then magically charming unwitting folk to unquestioningly serve her wicked cause! Let with an awful choice—deal with the naga presently (perhaps perishing in the valiant endeavor!) or leading the weakened ex-prisoners back through the dangerous swamplands to the relative safety of the village—the caring adventurers chose the welfare of the weak over the immediate call of glory.
“Once the captives were back within the confines of Orlane, however, nothing could stay their feelings of outrage and vengeance against the naga and her remaining troglodyte servants. Fighting their way through dozens more guards, the intrepid heroes engaged the mighty naga herself! The wicked serpent tried to charm me to her side, thinking I would betray my friends in their moment of need. But she underestimated the intestinal fire, depthless determination, and iron mental fortitude of this plucky bard, and I resisted her compulsion to forsake my friends and join her empire of evil! Her other magical tricks did not avail her either and she soon found herself assailed on all sides. Each stalwart hero scored at least one strike against her scales, even Sea Ranger’s courageous hawk companion, Scout. While the hawk harried the naga, Sea Ranger struck a mighty blow with his scimitar, beheading the naga with one precise cut! The nightmare reign of the Reptile Goddess had come to its fitting conclusion!”
Tavern Tale grins triumphantly to the crowd before ending her performance with an even deeper, sweeping curtsy.
Sea Ranger jumps to his feet, applauding heartily and giving a sharp whistle of appreciation to TTs ballad. Even Scout - who is perched up in the rafters of the tavern with a window nearby to fly in and out through - gives a piercing cry, perhaps in recognition of his own accomplishments.
When TT rejoins the others after her performance, Sea Ranger buys her a drink and shakes his head in admiration of the bard. "How did you manage to pen that epic during our journey back to Orlane? Or do you have it all up in your head and just... put into words as you go? I could never manage such a thing. Especially not in front of a room full of people!"
"It was a long walk back through the swamp," Vesica replies with a grin, taking a deep pull from the drink Sea Ranger bought her. "I put together the general structure in my head during our travels, then wrote out a more detailed outline once we'd rested after getting back. The hard part was keeping the fabrications and exaggerations at a low enough level that Gothia wouldn't reprimand me! So far, so good...."
Gothia smiles and claps to show her approval and admiration of TT's skills.
"A story for the ages! Thanks for such a wonderful tribute, but I fear that there is still more evil in this world for us to overcome...if you are willing to travel with me!"
TT blushes a bit, unaware that Gothia was so close by. "I have no home to go to," the teen replies slowly. "I wouldn't mind traveling with you to other places." She looks to Sea Ranger, Chestman, and Alenthieal. "Will you be journeying with us as well?"
"You left out the mud and mosquitos!"
TT giggles at Alenthieal's words. "Those things aren't very cinematic, glamorous, or exciting," the young bard points out.
Sea Ranger grins at TT, then at Gothia. "Just try to keep me away. Scout and I are with you in your journeys. Have you any thoughts as to where to go next? Preferably with less mud, more beer and fewer mosquitos." He chuckles as he flashes a smile at Alenthieal and Chestman.
Chestman thumps his tankard on the table as the tale finishes. Bloody good story there! We'll be known far and wide in no time!
Ready to move on?
Be sure to answer oocly.
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Okay, if the paizo boards are up tomorrow, then we start the Slave Lords.
You have been traveling to High Port on the Wild Coast for days now. The town, as you hear, has become overrun by orcs, goblins, and other humanoids. You also hear that the place has become a base for slavers dealing in the slave trade.
Each of you have come under the guise of dealing with the slavers. Whether or not you purchase your own slave here, that's your own prerogative.
DM's Note: I allow the purchasing of slaves in game. But you will be responsible for the care and keeping of another sapient being.
State your individual motivation for coming here.
Sea Ranger is in the guise of bodyguard for TT, but has nothing but anger toward slavers. He can smother the need for immediate action when confronted by it, but will be seeking ways to free the captives as soon as possible.
As the party plans on how best to eliminate the scourge of the Wild Coast slavers, TT voices the beginning outline of a plan. "Let's say that we're in the market for slaves to crew a pirate ship we're planning on sailing in the waters far to the south of here," she suggests. "Vague, yet hopefully believable enough to get us close to the leaders of the ring so we can eliminate them in one fell swoop."
Hmm.. Slaves for a pirate ship? Maybe a galley but pirates are more the type to make slaves of others instead of hiring them on I think
TT scratches her head. "Yeah--they're considered slaves until they've helped us recoup all the gold--and then some--that we spent on them. Then they become true members of the crew and get a share of the booty from that point on."
Though she uses makes a declarative statement, TT's tone sounds more like she's asking a question.
"NO!...I will not condone it! These slavers must be driven from the land and the people freed! These are the words of Heironeous!"
The paladin seems quite settled on her stance...might take some work to get her around to acting a part! Sorry :-(
"Um...if that's truly the case, can't Heironeous say a few more words...something along the lines of 'My armies of worshipers assemble here now to wipe this scourge off the face of Oerth!'?" TT asks, a little snarky in tone but mostly serious. "But unless my one eye deceives me, it's just you--representing Heironeous--and the rest of us, four kindly folks willing to put our lives on the line to possibly eliminate a great evil from the region. But if we just announce ourselves, that evil is going to crash down upon us all at once like a tidal wave and wipe us out. Am I wrong?"
We could smite the wicked slavers by sneaking in the back door and being real quiet.