Pathfinder 1E [IC] - TIDERULER OF MARAN

Archon Basileus · May 18, 2018

EVERYONE

Weren't you told that your leader is dead and operation shut down.

I did warn them. But they presented me with a problem.

"Aye, the ooorc t-told us alright!" - the blinded rogue receives Marius' attention with a small amount of fear at first, but recognizes his unwillingness to do harm. "We ha-had no choice, we didn't!" - his high-pitched voice disagrees with his dwaven nature. "Ya think we li-k-k-k-ked to serve these dark p-p-purposes! Not for the life of me, be sure!" - tough luck. Marius sees in the frozen archer a delicate disposition. Very few scars, a well-tended skin underneath the leather helmet. He could be mistaken for a merchant of sorts. "This.... This will pass, then?" - he rubs his teary eyes, covered in golden, cascading glitter. "Thank the go-gods..."

"Miss, are there any more of these around? Are other girls alright?"

“Lass…?”

"Weeeell, there are so-some upstairs, at th-the Long Return... Some men t-took'um out right b-before..." - she cuts her nasal speech short and gasps for air, clearly holding back on her tensions and her shivers - "... B-B-Before this..." "They took ...a horse car with'um. And the brothel still wo-works with the g-gals left behind... Seven or sssumthing like it." - she grimaces towards the duo, rubbing her bloodied arms to heat up.

"And I thought ...you orcs ....were on their side!" - she starts over, glances around at all the death and takes the circumstances for their unusual aspect. "Th-Thank you..." - she glances at Hagadark, recognizing him, and then turns to Morgrym. "And you... The very first mmmmountaineer to la-lend a hand" - she nods in approval. "Won't forget it... no time soon."

How about you tell us about the operation while we wait? Don't forget we will hear the other side as well."

“Ye assume ‘tis left t’ me whether ye live ‘r die, lad

"DON'T!" - the other one says, in a firmer, deeper voice. "You gotta understand... We...we.. were in for the-the sssake of our lives!" - he removes his helmet to show a bald head, covered in scars and tattoos as well as .... A SHAVED FACE. "La-Listen, we know we were in for a b-bad ride... But not this! B-Boss started it... because of that... thing." - he shivers as he speaks, but not because of the ice. "And... and then... T-the voice... In our m-minds...."

"I should've just bombed them all to hell, but I thought they will break. Dangerous mistake from my part."

"Gla-glad you didn't..." - the bald dwarf repeats. "I... tell you. W-we... were caught into... this." - his pale-blue face seems perplexed and fearful. "I-it's out there, isn't... it?" - he tries to listen to something, clearly becoming aroused by some unknown thought.

[Ok, perception time everyone, DC 20! I also need Morgrym to roll a pure Intelligence test against DC 15.]
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION]

MetaVoid · May 18, 2018

Hagadark, engrossed in binding his wounds and listening to chattering of the dwarves, does not pay attention to his surroundings.

"The slime and naga are dead. You're free. That DOES NOT free you from responsibility for what you did. As for the orcs...are all dwarves in league with the monsters? No. But you are. Why would it be any different with orcs? Do you notice how subtle prejudice can be? Learn about history. You might be surprised that orcs were bulk of the military at one point in time. And we can be again."
He pauses and then grins
"It just occurred to me, easier than fighting all the prejudice to return orcs among accepted races...it might just be easier to kill them all. Now be lucky, dwarves, that I don't share bloodthirst of some of our warlords. And it seems I need to have a talk with some of them."

[roll0]

Neurotic · May 18, 2018

Marius listens to the dwarves and binds wounds. He is less than usually aware of his surroundings. Especially while watching the girl all the time. He is suspicious of her, given the description of the situation, hardened criminals or dominated merchants would have no qualms about killing her before focusing fully on the orc. She may be Madam of the House or simply someone in the criminal band.

[roll0] failed an easy roll

Shayuri · May 22, 2018

"Some naga do have magic powers," Shayuri mentions as she comes over to where the assailants have surrendered. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar enough with them to know offhand whether or not this type does. A little research would reveal much."

She looks back at the unmoving, black coils. "They also live a very long time, and are often set as guardians by powerful creatures. Hm."

One might expect a dragon to use such a guard. I wonder.

Perception [roll0]

KahlessNestor · May 24, 2018

Nerath Wall/Long Return/Mine
Night
Round 0

Perception: 1D20+14 = [3]+14 = 17
Intelligence check: 1D20+1 = [1]+1 = 2

“Och, lass. ‘Tis all roight noo. Ye’ll be jus’ fine. ‘Tis over. We’ll get the rest o’ the lassies.” Morgrym removed his cloak and put it around her shoulders against the chill. “If there’s nae more o’ these ruffians.” He averted his gaze from the shaved dwarf. What self-respecting dwarf would do that?

“Wot were they up tae, anyway?” he demanded of their prisoners.

[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Move:
Action:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Ministats]
HP: 55/59 NL: 0
AC: 17 FF: 11 T: 16 (+4 vs Giants)
CMD: 16 (+2 vs bull rush, trip)
Fort: 8 Ref: 2 Will: 8 (+2 vs poisons, spells, SLA; +4 v fey and plant effects)
Armed: MW Cold Iron Battleaxe
Ammunition: 9/10 bullets
Storm Burst 7/7/day
Wild Shape 1/1/day

Conditions: Barkskin 497r (AC 19/13/16)

Spells Prepared
0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
1: Obscuring Mist (Domain), Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame, Faerie Fire, [Summon Nature’s Ally 1 (Spontaneous)]
2: Fog Cloud (Domain)*, Barkskin*, Flaming Sphere*, [Summon Nature’s Ally II (Spontaneous)]
3: Call Lightning (Domain), Cure Moderate Wounds, Protection from Energy*, [Summon Nature’s Ally III (Spontaneous)][/sblock]

Archon Basileus · May 28, 2018

EVERYONE

"It just occurred to me, easier than fighting all the prejudice to return orcs among accepted races...it might just be easier to kill them all. Now be lucky, dwarves, that I don't share bloodthirst of some of our warlords. And it seems I need to have a talk with some of them."

The rogue survivors are at a loss, as is the victim. The trio remains silent as they get scolded by the half-orc. After a long while, the lady is the one to open her mouth, heating up as gestures become more agitated and vivid.

"Red beard a' Muradin, no need ta get preachy!" - she waves her hand around. "It ain't the color o'your skin, shaman... It's just that ya're mercenaries! I mean, I'd sooner see a mountaineer such as this one..." - she motions towards Morgrym and lays a hand on his shoulder. "Ta pull his weight..." - she retrieves her hand, sniffs it and cleans it at her bloodied skirt as best as she can - " ... but a merc?" - she falls silent, studying him for a moment. "True what they say 'bout you, shaman. Quite smart, quite honored. Bad combination, if ya ask me..."

Her gestures are peculiar. Brutal, brave and still, quite refined. Indeed, she might be a Valley Damsel, daughter to some important dwarf at the mountains. They're simple people, but well trained. The way she brandished the dagger showed skill, but lacked experience.

He averted his gaze from the shaved dwarf. What self-respecting dwarf would do that?

No dwarf would tolerate such dishonor. Mountaineers, above all, praise the way they decorate hair and beard as clan legacies, lineage privileges. No, this one was shaved on purpose. Odds are he became a convict at Carvall's Prison. It's said they shave and mark dwarves like this over there, to make them forget their origins and pay the price of shame.

“Wot were they up tae, anyway?” he demanded of their prisoners.

The merchant speaks in a feeble, exhausted voice, trying to control his twitches and spasms from the cold air around.

"At first it was just a smuggling operation. Then it turned into slave capture, when the orcs got involved. They could easily get people from outside the valley, operating beyond Dram's attentionc- or concern. But as they found those - things" - a shiver still runs through him, even after knowing of their deaths - "the game changed completely. We began feeding the oozes. In exchange, they'd possess bodies, wander around, spy. The Naga told the boss about them... And then, afterwards, the boss became obsessed with Dram's business." - he glances towards the group, ashamed and afraid. "He didn't hear us. He wanted to spy on the big guy himself. He was preparing some of the ladies to become infused with the things..." - he shakes his head in denial. "Pretty stupid, if you ask me."

"Some naga do have magic powers," Shayuri mentions as she comes over to where the assailants have surrendered. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar enough with them to know offhand whether or not this type does. A little research would reveal much."

She looks back at the unmoving, black coils. "They also live a very long time, and are often set as guardians by powerful creatures. Hm."

The bald prisoner glances at her in fear.

"You... You don't think there's worse down the mine, do ya? Behind that ominous door, across the chasm... Oh, oh no, nononono!" - he becomes agitated all of a sudden. "Is that why they'd never let us in? Ok, ok... I'm ready, I'm ready now! Take me up, I'll tell you everything, everything, I'll go back to prison, I'll take the gallows, but please, please let's leave these mines!" - he motions to rise, but seeing the quartet brings him to a halt.

As Shayuri glances over her shoulder and towards the dead Naga, she sees the very last flames of her magic dying out against the lift's floor. A last glimmer still waves to her, still, and amidst the distorted mess that once was the snake creature, something glitters under the dying flames...

@Neurotic @Shayuri @KahlessNestor @MetaVoid

KahlessNestor · May 31, 2018

Nerath Wall/Long Return/Mine
Night
Round 0

“Aye,” Morgrym had to agree. “The mines ain’t gaein’ anywhere. Let’s gae up an’ get the lassies. Then we can check oot tha’ door, if we need t’. We might want t’ let Dram know they been peekin’ intae ‘is business.”

[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Move:
Action:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Ministats]
HP: 55/59 NL: 0
AC: 17 FF: 11 T: 16 (+4 vs Giants)
CMD: 16 (+2 vs bull rush, trip)
Fort: 8 Ref: 2 Will: 8 (+2 vs poisons, spells, SLA; +4 v fey and plant effects)
Armed: MW Cold Iron Battleaxe
Ammunition: 9/10 bullets
Storm Burst 7/7/day
Wild Shape 1/1/day

Conditions: Barkskin 497r (AC 19/13/16)

Spells Prepared
0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
1: Obscuring Mist (Domain), Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame, Faerie Fire, [Summon Nature’s Ally 1 (Spontaneous)]
2: Fog Cloud (Domain)*, Barkskin*, Flaming Sphere*, [Summon Nature’s Ally II (Spontaneous)]
3: Call Lightning (Domain), Cure Moderate Wounds, Protection from Energy*, [Summon Nature’s Ally III (Spontaneous)][/sblock]

MetaVoid · May 31, 2018

"And you're telling me there are no dwarf mercenaries, dwarf? I called you once for your racism, please think before you open your mouth next time."
Hagadark looks at the girl and motions for Marius and Mourgrym to join them.
"Let's check the others."

Archon Basileus · May 31, 2018

EVERYONE

The prisoners are smart enough to know when to keep their thoughts to themselves. Scratching their heads, they stay quiet, answering to the commands of the victors as they proceed.

Leaving the mines behind is no problem. No one's left behind it seems. The doors to the Long Return remain ajar, and it seems that everyone left in a hurry - even the patrons. A minute later, Arvana and the rogue traitor can be seen 'escorting' four halfling servants and a brutish-looking dwarf - all of them bearing arrows as signs of an ill-fated fight. Behind them, the mountaineer girl and a few other dwaven maidens lick their wounds and comfort each other. Arvana reports a strange escape attempt from the Long Return, as sudden as it was mysterious. No sounds of battle had reached the upper areas of the cave by then, and even so everyone ran away from the place. Arvana and the traitor managed to catch a few of the enslavers. Saddly, though, the chariot had escaped with a few of them.

[Ok, you have rallied as many prisoners as you can, rescuing as many victims as you could find. The chariot wouldn't leave proper tracks on the stone floor, but a pursuit might be attempted, even with small chances of success; also, you can return to Dram or send emissaries. Aside from that, the Long Return and the doors below remain to be explored, if you wish. You can state your general actions and we'll post the consequences, given the end of the riskier circumstances.]
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION]

Neurotic · May 31, 2018

"What you're saying is that there is a monster up there - maybe one of these slime-beings - and it is possibly still inside. We know more about them now...just not how to kill them permanently. Going to Dram with this might be useful for his knowledge. But it could simply give him more to experiment upon. Let's do this ourselves. Arvana, can you keep the girls safe and these ruffians bound?"

Marius turns to the prisoners.
"Who had the headband on the surface? Who could communicate with the boss?"