While speaking, Danica had slowly extracted herself from the pool and used one of the towels laid out to try and dry off some. She was no stranger to being wet, but in this tropical humidity, it wasn't a boon with the heat unfortunately. Fastening the buckle for her shield to her pack and shouldering it before securing her scimitar, the adjusted her blue sash at her waist before tugging at her collar to straighten it. Her clothes felt even more stifling than before and she nearly regretted enjoying the coolness of the water. Nearly.
Chuckling at Ran's display of soaking up what water he could she remarked, "You'll be regretting that in about ten minutes when none of that has dried off still." She keeps with the group and follows Velan and Ran while casting a glance back at Mica and Meili ever so often to make sure they weren't lagging behind. "You'll not catch me getting scurvy that's for sure. Fresh fruits and vegetables are just as important as hard tack for long journeys."
Perking up at the decision to visit Savras' temple, the druid commented, "Closest and most interesting. Win win. Surprised you're a local, though I mean no offense."Her head tilted as she tried to re-appraise the man, unable to place his race but not rude enough to pry. It mattered little in the long run. "Always glad for local knowledge though. We'd stand out like woodpecker at sea without you likely."
Once Ran began talking, Danica walked closer and kept quiet while listening, her eyebrows raising higher and higher as she did so. "Sweet Lady of Silver," She exclaimed quietly at the end of his tale, "You're not hurting for trouble, are you? Kid doesn't even want to be found, why can't his parents just leave well enough alone, save a lot of people a lot of trouble. Pah." She tutted, shaking her head. "Well here's hoping we catch up to her before she catches up to him."The elf tried to make a note of remembering the names he had said.
((What would I roll to try and guess Velan's race? xD Insight? Perception?))
Meili was not lagging behind but kept a polite distance, perfectly in earshot range. The whole affair of a runaway noble and the chaise, though definitely very intriguing, went over her head right now - the point was, they chose a direction. The reason was secondary. "If we get a chance to visit Chauntea's temple too later, it would be good to do so. She is the life itself, the curse is an insult to her very existence. If anyone wants it gone, it's her priests."For now, though, Savras was as good as any other and she walked eagerly, though, allowing herself some gazing at the colourful busy streets, full of exotic ... everything - from people to the buildings themselves. No matter how far you travel, the destination can still be surprising.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Following Velan'sdirections, you depart the Thundering Lizard and make your way through bustling Port Nyanzaru toward the Temple of Savras. It is early afternoon now and the sun is unrelenting. Even shade offers little respite as the warm, wet air traps the heat and threatens to envelope you. This is particularly true for Micaand Ran, as your medium and heavy armor, respectively, feels stifling. The cool relief of the wading pool is already a distant memory.
You emerge into the commercial chaos of the Red Bazaar. Everywhere there is the sound of merchants calling out to customers, haggling over terms, and coin exchanging hands. The wares here are mostly simple or unfinished goods.
Foodstuffs, including fruits and vegetables from the jungles, rice, grain, hard tack, and bags of sun-dried fruit including bananas, apricots and other exotic fare
Building materials like brick and cut stone
Animal hides, pelts, bones and teeth
Colorful feathers
Rolls of fabric dyed in various colors
Basic Chultan Clothing and accessories like belts and hair beads
Semi-precious stones and uncut gemstones
Flowers and other potted plants
Crafting supplies like metal ingots, cut leather, etc.
Common healing and alchemical reagents
It is noticeable that there are no 'general' shops. Every merchant deals in one type of good or material and nothing else. While there are physical items on display for sale here, larger transactions can also be arranged. Several foreign merchants argue with traders over the price on shiploads worth of ore and wood.
Exiting out the other side of the Red Bazaar you pass a group of young children, gathered around a minstrel. As he finishes a song, he leans in toward the children in the front row and says, "That song was about Good Lord Ubtao. And what did the great god Ubtao love most - other than his little children, of course - ? Mazes, that's right! He loved to draw and design mazes for his children to solve. So remember kids, if ever you come across a maze, trace the solution with your finger. Wherever he is, in this world or another, the Good Lord Ubtao will look down on you with favor."
As you continue on your way, warders hold back the pedestrian traffic. You must wait and watch as a four-legged dinosaur, larger than an ox and covered with a thick, shell-like mass of bony plates across its back, hauls a wagon full of mahogany timber toward the docks. It even sounds a bit like an ox, mooing with dull-eyed displeasure as its handlers prod it along with blunted spears. Once it passes, the warders along foot traffic to continue along the road.
You soon come to another marketplace: the Grand Souk. This marketplace put the Red Bazaar to shame. Traders from up and down the Sword Coast come to this market to buy carved ivory, spices, medicines concocted from jungle plants, mounted or bejeweled dinosaur skulls and claws, tiger skin rugs and capes, Batiri and grung handiwork, monkeys, and all the other riches of the Cultan jungles.
Arms and armor (though from what you can see, there does not appear to be any heavy armor for sale)
Spidersilk gowns and handsome vests cut from crocodile leather, among other fine clothing
High end furniture built from exotic woods, some with stone or metal inlays or tabletops
Spices and medicines, ground and bottled and ready for use
Woven tapestries available in a breathtaking array of colors
Animals: colorful birds, trained monkeys, and even dinosaurs. Only small dinosaurs are actually here at the Grand Souk... merchants invite potential buys to the pens in Tiryki Anchorage if they wish to view the larger specimens available.
There are even some limited magic items being hocked by merchants, though the price of such rare goods is understandably exhobitant
It’s a noisy, jostling, aroma-rich circus. Guards are numerous, but less numerous than the urchins and possible pickpockets. Street performers and tabaxi minstrels add to the cacophony. Colorful awnings protect the market from sun and rain but also trap the heat and smells.
Hurrying past the Grand Souk to reach the temple, you press deeper into the Merchant's Ward, where the wealthy elite of Port Nyanzaru make their home. You must take a circuitous route, for the city is laid out with winding roads divided by low stone walls or wooden fences, all designed to slow any undead which should breach the outer walls. Soon though, you spot the Temple of Savras up ahead. Savras’s temple is one of the oldest, grandest buildings in the city. The tiled roof of its great dome resembles an unblinking eye, staring skyward.
Before you arrive however, a heavyset Chultan woman with expensive looking rings on her fingers and a serious look on her face holds up a hand to stop you.
"You are the Five Foreigners, yes? Grandfather Zitembe told me I would find you here, and here you are. My name is K’lahu and I serve the people at the Executioner's Run. Grandfather Zitembe said you were coming and that you would be in need of coin. I have work that needs doing... a debt that has defaulted and which must be collected. The debt is 500gp and I can offer the standard 10% of any amount you help me recover. He said you would be in a hurry and I am prepared to hurry as well if that is what is required. Will you help me, as the Grandfather predicted?" She looks at you expectantly, and a bit impatiently.
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
As Ran further described his sister, Velan imagined a version of the fighter in a dress tending for a herd of sheep while wearing shawl made of leopard skin. To his ears the name did sound like a combination of shepherd and leopard. More importantly, he was starting to feel curiosity towards the purpose of said wizards. Before he could as anything, though, Meili spoke and then Danica.
“We can go there too and none taken, even more because I am not local. Apologies if it seemed that I said otherwise.” The wizard answered the monk and the druid, starting to guide the group to Savras’ temple. “Just mentioned that not everyone from Chult have an accent because it is a common trick to play on newcomers.” He heard as much in the Golden Macaw, during mealtime. Better saying, overheard. “A local passes himself by a foreigner, acts like a client and goads others into paying for a scam product or fake info.”
He studied the reaction of the his new company as the timber carrying beast passed by. The beast should look particularly bizarre to them. It certainly had for him, when he first arrived at the Port. After there it didn’t take long for the temple of the All-Seeing to come into view. Impressive as always, Velan thought moments before a woman, K’lahu, she introduced herself, spoke to them.
“I do not know her.” The wizard speaks to the others, visibly surprised by the situation. “And K’lahu, it would be easier for us to give you a proper reply if you told us of whom is this debt to be collected, how much resistance are you expecting to find and how Grandfather Zitembe know of us.”
((What would I roll to try and guess Velan's race? xD Insight? Perception?))
This is for the DM, but I would say Danica would simply guess he is a Half-Orc, albeit one with a uncommon skin tone. Velan does not have any indication of his actual race that cannot be confused with a simple aesthetic option. If he ever gave indication of not being a Half-Orc I would say the most adequate check would be Investigation, since it would take not only noticing clues that he is from a different race, but making a deduction based on said clues too.
You recognize the name Grandfather Zitembe. He is the high priest of the Temple of Savras. He has a good reputation in town but he is seldom seen, preferring to let the lesser priests and acolytes handle the day to day business of the church.
"Of course! I had nearly forgotten. He said it would be important to tell you." The stern look on her face switches to embarrassment for a moment, before returning. "The debt is owed by Taban the gladiator. 3 tendays ago he got himself drunk and bet 500gp that a peg-legged man would survive a race against two velociraptors. He found excellent odds, but a fools bet is a fools bet. He lost, of course, and has chosen to refuse to pay. We gave him time to reconsider, but Taban thinks his reputation as a warrior will protect him from his obligations. Grandfather Zitembe said you would immediately know the right thing to do. Which I am certain is to help me with this task."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“No need to apologize.” Said the wizard with an understanding smile. The woman was clearly in a hurry so forgetting a thing or two was to be expected. “I’m guessing you consulted the high priest at the order of your employers to find information about your debtor and he divined our arrival and possible collaboration.”
That or the woman was a con artist, giving a fake name and using the name of a figure of authority to lead the group to a trap. Danica display at the Thundering Lizard would insinuate the quintet, or at least the druid, had good money. K’lahu, if that was her name, could simply have left as early as she saw the group being formed. But then, how could her know we were going to the temple of Savras? Even if the woman had good truly exceptional knowledge of the city streets, she would not have time to arrive at the temple earlier than them. Not without being short of breath and drenched in sweat. Not in Port Nyazaru. Or anywhere in Chult, for that matter. Besides, Zitembe should know if his name was being misused so close by. The man was the high priest of the god of divination.
“Grandfather Zitembe is the leader of the temple and a man of good reputation.” Velan starts, remembering that the man was also known for being rarely seen. Nothing that Jessamine’s influence couldn’t remediate, he knew. “If he is involved then this debt collection won’t bring any trouble for us. Provided we can take care of it in less than three hours and Taban doesn’t offer exceptional danger.” The wizard looks at the K’lahu, still expecting her to mention the degree of resistance the gladiator was expect to demonstrate.“What do all of you think?”
Velan could feel satisfied - Meili was properly awestruck by the dinosaurs. Not only them, the colours and smells alone were dizzying, but the dinosaurs could make one forget everything else. Truly, Chult was like no other places she saw or even heard about. "I might have bought that book from Mr. Geddarm,"finally admitted Meily watching yet another plated lizard moving importantly along the street. Alas, her wallet protected itself by having nothing in it. Well, at least she did not have to worry about pickpocketers.
K’lahu's sudden "attack" fully returned Meili to the earth, so to speak, and (after Velan explained who Grandfather Zitembe is) raised the reputation of Temple of Savras in Meili's eyes. Even if priests there were using their gift on such mundane subjects, it was still very impressive. Except... Were they just offered a job of enforcers to collect a debt from a drunk that was fooled? Meili could be young and inexperienced, but not stupid and did not cross half the world for nothing. To get entangled with the criminals right from the start did not sound that exciting. "If that was a legal bet, should not the law see to it, that the rules were obeyed?"The unspoken part "...or are you a criminal and can not appeal to the law" hanged in the air.
Mica strides through the bazaars and streets of the city, staying close to the others while letting his eyes wander over the wide variety of goods displayed by the merchants. He paid special attention to the animal hides and trophies, and even the smaller animals caged and traded in the Grand Souk. He studied the dinosaur with great interest, used as if it were a common beast of burden back home.
He listened closely to Ran’s story as they walked “Do you know where these white robed wizards are going or what they seek? May be easier to find their trail in that case.”
His attention wandered to the tiled roof of the temple ahead. A grand building, but he was unsure of if it was out of honor for the god or comfort for the priests. The many gods of nature were worshiped wherever one found themselves at the time, whether an isolated hilltop or a stand of trees. The Chultan woman approaching the party brought his mind back to the present and he listened closely to her conversation with Velan. It was not a reach to assume foreigners were in need of money, but performing such a task could put them in favor with the high priest, or make enemies for them of others.
Mica looks at both Velan and the Chultan with doubt “Who or what is the Executioner’s Run? And why is a high priest involved in collecting a gambling debt?”
“Oh, apologies. I am so used to this place that I forget some of its more common peculiarities are strange to newcomers.” He said after Mica’s question, only realizing the details that the others might have been missing because of the question he made. “There is no city guard in Port Nyazaru. Powerful merchants, like the princes, put warders on certain areas, like markets and their properties. Executioner’s Run is a pit in the Old City where convicted criminals are dropped with loose beasts, generally hungry dinosaurs. More specifically the criminals are dropped in one end and have to make it to the other and climb up. If they can, they are cleared of all chargers. There’s a lot of gambling around it and more than a few commit crimes just to be sent to the run. There is a reputation to be made in the pit and theft, even petty theft, is enough to land there.”
The more he thought about it the more likely it was that K’lahu was part of the hired muscle of some prince, maybe Jessamine herself, to deal with the debt. Five hundred gold could be enough to catch her attention, but not enough to give much importance to the matter. Meili asked about the law seeing that the rules of bet were obeyed, but in this case the woman in front of them could very well be closest thing to the law reaching to the bet. That or the help of the law was the thing and allowed her to see the high priest.
“Assuming K’halu can’t prove the involvement of Grandfather Zitembe now we can always confirm her history in the temple.”The wizard suggest trying to see the reaction such idea causes in the Chultean. “She certainly wouldn’t be against it.”
Insight Check to see how K'lahu reacts to the mention of confirming her history (the involvement of Grandfather Zitembe) in the temple:14
She nods along as you answer the questions on her behalf and seems quite content, even looking at you with something like respect... in a 'this foreigner actually knows what he is talking about' sort of way.
But... at the mention of going into the temple, she seems crestfallen. She responds...
K'lahu starts to answer the questions posed by Micaand Meili, but defers to Velanand smiles as he confirms her position and explains the Executioners Run. At the idea of going into the temple, however, she rebuts, "Please. Let us not do that... time is short for all of us." She looks back and forth and then sighs. "The priest... he told me that if you go inside to speak with him first, the chances are you will decide on some other course and will not help me. But... I must collect this coin, and it must be done now. The collection fee rate is set in stone at 10%, I cannot offer more for it is not mine to offer. All I can offer, is that if you assist me with this, I will arrange for an audience with Prince Jessamine. That is worth more than coin, yes?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“Jessamine rules over the Run.” He said to others members of the group, remembering Mica’s question earlier about Wakanga and deducing the four were likely to not know the name of the princes. “Deals with plants, poisons, assassinations and Zaidi Sahandi. A woman who coordinates shipments of plants from the jungle to Tiryki Anchorage that commissions my services to evaluate said plants. Meaning that if you are lying, K’lahu, I can make the prince aware that you used her name.”
The rest Velan left unsaid. Merchants feared the wrath of the princes for a reason. He did want to check the history with the high priest, but K’lahu seemed dispirited, not in fear when he mentioned doing so. Either she is doesn’t fear we speaking with the Zitembe or she is really good at lying, he concluded still untrusting.
“This is what I suggest, my dear friends.” The wizard speaks with a familiarity he didn’t really have with the other four.“We take the job, avoid any place where we could be trapped and if our estimate patron tries something uncouth or fail to give us an audience with the prince we go the Tiryki and I give her name to Zaidi, after we speak about her in our meet with Wakanga, of course.”When the Hells did I get so well connected? He thought surprised with how much trouble he could actually cause to the woman. “If she is telling the truth we gain ten gold pieces each, an audience with another prince and in time to speak with the Grandfather, since he seems to have something interesting to tell us.”
Early, when Mica had asked about any knowledge of what the white wizards were up to or where they would be headed, Ran just shook his head and raised his eyebrows.
The interruption of their trip into the temple by K'lahu piqued his interest though and he listened as the others asked their pointed questions and smiled at what would be a good scam on visitors. She hadn't named names, just that they were 5 foreigners and she had waited to engage them just before they entered the temple so she could add that her story. He did lean towards this being a bad idea. But he did still watch her for signs of lying.
Insight: 18
"In addition to finding people, my father and mother were often approached to retrieve items, often stolen, and occasionally collect on debts," Ran says. "I've done it a few times myself."
Ran watches K'lahu for a few moments longer.
"Standard practice is half up front, and half on delivery. Any thing less than that is a pretty sure sign that we'd be the ones getting worked over. Even your guides here appear to demand 100% up front." Ran say.
He looks to the others then back to K'lahu.
"25 gold in our palms now as a show of good faith and I'd say this sounds interesting."
@DM
Would Ran's background be viable here - specifically the "Ear to the Ground" You are in frequent contact with people in the segment of society that your chosen quarries move through. These people might be associated with the criminal underworld, the rough-and-tumble folk of the streets, or members of high society. This connection comes in the form of a contact in any city you visit, a person who provides information about the people and places of the local area.
If Ran would have a contact here, most likely someone on the edges of the criminal underworld that keeps their eyes and ears open - just wondering if that could be used to at least verify if K'lahu is a con artist or not (obviously after Ran found the contact to ask).
Chult turned out to be the place not only of magnificent beasts and scary monsters but traditions as vicious as the jungles themselves. Which, actually, hinted at being double cautious. If it is all legal - why on earth would that woman seek the help of the strangers? Foreigners above all? The only explanation was "locals do not want to be involved". Especially, if the priest even said openly that after meeting with him the group might not want to get involved either (she, personally, did not want it already). The request was beginning to sound like a straight-up path into the Executioner Run for the group. "Forgive me, but why would you need strangers for something sounding like a common established job of the locals?"
K'lahu's eyes widen a bit as Velanstarts name dropping 5% of the Chultan political powers.
Ran:
You struggle to get a read on her. You do notice the rings on her fingers are all gold or silver. By your best guess, she might have 50gp worth of jewelry on her hands. That doesn't mean everything, but it suggests she isn't some common charlatan.
She looks taken aback at Meili'squestion. "I come to you strangers because this is where Grandfather Zitembe told me to go. I asked him what path would see me recover the money, and he sends me to find you here, now. He says, 'this path will be the smart gamble for them' or something similar."
"Jobal controls the guides and they answer to his rules and prices," K'lahu says to Ran. "I answer to Jessamine. And the fee for collections is 10% of recovery, payable upon recovery." She crosses her arms as if this is the final word on the matter.
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"50 gold pieces to go threaten this dead beat gladiator and collect on a debt?" Ran says. "Sounds like easy money and we might need it. Plus it's another one of these princes to have a chinwag with. I'm in."
“I’m in. We could use the gold to prepare for our expedition, as well as the favors of the high priest and the princes.” Mica looked between Ran and Danica. “Let's go pick up this guy, shouldn’t be anything we can’t handle.”
He glances over at Velan, he did seem to know the workings of the city best “The princes aren’t at each other's throats are they? We are not in danger of losing support of one by helping another?”
"The book about monsters?" She asked as Meili spoke up about purchasing Mr. Geddarm's book. "Wasn't that something like fifty gold?" She couldn't imagine the girl had much money left. Danica arched an eyebrow at Velan's comment about possible scams locals might play, though he insisted he wasn't a local himself. She herself was rather taken aback by the sudden address of the Chultan woman and floundered for a moment for a response and was grateful when Velan took the lead. She made a surprised noise at the knowledge that there were no official guard in Nyanzaru and then a startled bark of a laugh as they were told what happened to criminals. Horrifying but effective she was sure.
Watching the haggling go back and forth after Velan's suggestion on their forward action, Danica rested a hand on Ran's shoulder. "She can't cough up what isn't there."With a shrewd eye she continued, "But neither can this Gladiator if he doesn't have the coin either. If he isn't a very successful fighter, it could be he's refusing to pay because he simply can't pay what he doesn't have. What then Miss Debtee? Will bringing him to you be enough for our end?"
The brunette waited after Mica posed a question and glanced back at Velan, glad that he was both with them physically and helpfully. "We certainly could use the gold..."Though she wasn't convinced it would be as easy as this woman made it seem.
"I have no doubt he possesses the coin. Taban has been successful in the gladiatorial pit and he continues to gamble regularly... and he pays his losses. Just not this one."
"Besides, he is known to be a collector of Batiri masks... even if he were short of coin, a few of those masks would likely cover the loss. He is collectible. Have no fear."
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
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While speaking, Danica had slowly extracted herself from the pool and used one of the towels laid out to try and dry off some. She was no stranger to being wet, but in this tropical humidity, it wasn't a boon with the heat unfortunately. Fastening the buckle for her shield to her pack and shouldering it before securing her scimitar, the adjusted her blue sash at her waist before tugging at her collar to straighten it. Her clothes felt even more stifling than before and she nearly regretted enjoying the coolness of the water. Nearly.
Chuckling at Ran's display of soaking up what water he could she remarked, "You'll be regretting that in about ten minutes when none of that has dried off still." She keeps with the group and follows Velan and Ran while casting a glance back at Mica and Meili ever so often to make sure they weren't lagging behind. "You'll not catch me getting scurvy that's for sure. Fresh fruits and vegetables are just as important as hard tack for long journeys."
Perking up at the decision to visit Savras' temple, the druid commented, "Closest and most interesting. Win win. Surprised you're a local, though I mean no offense." Her head tilted as she tried to re-appraise the man, unable to place his race but not rude enough to pry. It mattered little in the long run. "Always glad for local knowledge though. We'd stand out like woodpecker at sea without you likely."
Once Ran began talking, Danica walked closer and kept quiet while listening, her eyebrows raising higher and higher as she did so. "Sweet Lady of Silver," She exclaimed quietly at the end of his tale, "You're not hurting for trouble, are you? Kid doesn't even want to be found, why can't his parents just leave well enough alone, save a lot of people a lot of trouble. Pah." She tutted, shaking her head. "Well here's hoping we catch up to her before she catches up to him." The elf tried to make a note of remembering the names he had said.
((What would I roll to try and guess Velan's race? xD Insight? Perception?))
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Meili was not lagging behind but kept a polite distance, perfectly in earshot range. The whole affair of a runaway noble and the chaise, though definitely very intriguing, went over her head right now - the point was, they chose a direction. The reason was secondary. "If we get a chance to visit Chauntea's temple too later, it would be good to do so. She is the life itself, the curse is an insult to her very existence. If anyone wants it gone, it's her priests." For now, though, Savras was as good as any other and she walked eagerly, though, allowing herself some gazing at the colourful busy streets, full of exotic ... everything - from people to the buildings themselves. No matter how far you travel, the destination can still be surprising.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
18
98
1
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Following Velan's directions, you depart the Thundering Lizard and make your way through bustling Port Nyanzaru toward the Temple of Savras. It is early afternoon now and the sun is unrelenting. Even shade offers little respite as the warm, wet air traps the heat and threatens to envelope you. This is particularly true for Mica and Ran, as your medium and heavy armor, respectively, feels stifling. The cool relief of the wading pool is already a distant memory.
You emerge into the commercial chaos of the Red Bazaar. Everywhere there is the sound of merchants calling out to customers, haggling over terms, and coin exchanging hands. The wares here are mostly simple or unfinished goods.
It is noticeable that there are no 'general' shops. Every merchant deals in one type of good or material and nothing else. While there are physical items on display for sale here, larger transactions can also be arranged. Several foreign merchants argue with traders over the price on shiploads worth of ore and wood.
Exiting out the other side of the Red Bazaar you pass a group of young children, gathered around a minstrel. As he finishes a song, he leans in toward the children in the front row and says, "That song was about Good Lord Ubtao. And what did the great god Ubtao love most - other than his little children, of course - ? Mazes, that's right! He loved to draw and design mazes for his children to solve. So remember kids, if ever you come across a maze, trace the solution with your finger. Wherever he is, in this world or another, the Good Lord Ubtao will look down on you with favor."
As you continue on your way, warders hold back the pedestrian traffic. You must wait and watch as a four-legged dinosaur, larger than an ox and covered with a thick, shell-like mass of bony plates across its back, hauls a wagon full of mahogany timber toward the docks. It even sounds a bit like an ox, mooing with dull-eyed displeasure as its handlers prod it along with blunted spears. Once it passes, the warders along foot traffic to continue along the road.
You soon come to another marketplace: the Grand Souk. This marketplace put the Red Bazaar to shame. Traders from up and down the Sword Coast come to this market to buy carved ivory, spices, medicines concocted from jungle plants, mounted or bejeweled dinosaur skulls and claws, tiger skin rugs and capes, Batiri and grung handiwork, monkeys, and all the other riches of the Cultan jungles.
It’s a noisy, jostling, aroma-rich circus. Guards are numerous, but less numerous than the urchins and possible pickpockets. Street performers and tabaxi minstrels add to the cacophony. Colorful awnings protect the market from sun and rain but also trap the heat and smells.
Hurrying past the Grand Souk to reach the temple, you press deeper into the Merchant's Ward, where the wealthy elite of Port Nyanzaru make their home. You must take a circuitous route, for the city is laid out with winding roads divided by low stone walls or wooden fences, all designed to slow any undead which should breach the outer walls. Soon though, you spot the Temple of Savras up ahead. Savras’s temple is one of the oldest, grandest buildings in the city. The tiled roof of its great dome resembles an unblinking eye, staring skyward.
Before you arrive however, a heavyset Chultan woman with expensive looking rings on her fingers and a serious look on her face holds up a hand to stop you.
"You are the Five Foreigners, yes? Grandfather Zitembe told me I would find you here, and here you are. My name is K’lahu and I serve the people at the Executioner's Run. Grandfather Zitembe said you were coming and that you would be in need of coin. I have work that needs doing... a debt that has defaulted and which must be collected. The debt is 500gp and I can offer the standard 10% of any amount you help me recover. He said you would be in a hurry and I am prepared to hurry as well if that is what is required. Will you help me, as the Grandfather predicted?" She looks at you expectantly, and a bit impatiently.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
As Ran further described his sister, Velan imagined a version of the fighter in a dress tending for a herd of sheep while wearing shawl made of leopard skin. To his ears the name did sound like a combination of shepherd and leopard. More importantly, he was starting to feel curiosity towards the purpose of said wizards. Before he could as anything, though, Meili spoke and then Danica.
“We can go there too and none taken, even more because I am not local. Apologies if it seemed that I said otherwise.” The wizard answered the monk and the druid, starting to guide the group to Savras’ temple. “Just mentioned that not everyone from Chult have an accent because it is a common trick to play on newcomers.” He heard as much in the Golden Macaw, during mealtime. Better saying, overheard. “A local passes himself by a foreigner, acts like a client and goads others into paying for a scam product or fake info.”
He studied the reaction of the his new company as the timber carrying beast passed by. The beast should look particularly bizarre to them. It certainly had for him, when he first arrived at the Port. After there it didn’t take long for the temple of the All-Seeing to come into view. Impressive as always, Velan thought moments before a woman, K’lahu, she introduced herself, spoke to them.
“I do not know her.” The wizard speaks to the others, visibly surprised by the situation. “And K’lahu, it would be easier for us to give you a proper reply if you told us of whom is this debt to be collected, how much resistance are you expecting to find and how Grandfather Zitembe know of us.”
@DM
Would Velan have heard about Grandfather Zitembe?
This is for the DM, but I would say Danica would simply guess he is a Half-Orc, albeit one with a uncommon skin tone. Velan does not have any indication of his actual race that cannot be confused with a simple aesthetic option. If he ever gave indication of not being a Half-Orc I would say the most adequate check would be Investigation, since it would take not only noticing clues that he is from a different race, but making a deduction based on said clues too.
Velan:
You recognize the name Grandfather Zitembe. He is the high priest of the Temple of Savras. He has a good reputation in town but he is seldom seen, preferring to let the lesser priests and acolytes handle the day to day business of the church.
"Of course! I had nearly forgotten. He said it would be important to tell you." The stern look on her face switches to embarrassment for a moment, before returning. "The debt is owed by Taban the gladiator. 3 tendays ago he got himself drunk and bet 500gp that a peg-legged man would survive a race against two velociraptors. He found excellent odds, but a fools bet is a fools bet. He lost, of course, and has chosen to refuse to pay. We gave him time to reconsider, but Taban thinks his reputation as a warrior will protect him from his obligations. Grandfather Zitembe said you would immediately know the right thing to do. Which I am certain is to help me with this task."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“No need to apologize.” Said the wizard with an understanding smile. The woman was clearly in a hurry so forgetting a thing or two was to be expected. “I’m guessing you consulted the high priest at the order of your employers to find information about your debtor and he divined our arrival and possible collaboration.”
That or the woman was a con artist, giving a fake name and using the name of a figure of authority to lead the group to a trap. Danica display at the Thundering Lizard would insinuate the quintet, or at least the druid, had good money. K’lahu, if that was her name, could simply have left as early as she saw the group being formed. But then, how could her know we were going to the temple of Savras? Even if the woman had good truly exceptional knowledge of the city streets, she would not have time to arrive at the temple earlier than them. Not without being short of breath and drenched in sweat. Not in Port Nyazaru. Or anywhere in Chult, for that matter. Besides, Zitembe should know if his name was being misused so close by. The man was the high priest of the god of divination.
“Grandfather Zitembe is the leader of the temple and a man of good reputation.” Velan starts, remembering that the man was also known for being rarely seen. Nothing that Jessamine’s influence couldn’t remediate, he knew. “If he is involved then this debt collection won’t bring any trouble for us. Provided we can take care of it in less than three hours and Taban doesn’t offer exceptional danger.” The wizard looks at the K’lahu, still expecting her to mention the degree of resistance the gladiator was expect to demonstrate. “What do all of you think?”
Velan could feel satisfied - Meili was properly awestruck by the dinosaurs. Not only them, the colours and smells alone were dizzying, but the dinosaurs could make one forget everything else. Truly, Chult was like no other places she saw or even heard about. "I might have bought that book from Mr. Geddarm," finally admitted Meily watching yet another plated lizard moving importantly along the street. Alas, her wallet protected itself by having nothing in it. Well, at least she did not have to worry about pickpocketers.
K’lahu's sudden "attack" fully returned Meili to the earth, so to speak, and (after Velan explained who Grandfather Zitembe is) raised the reputation of Temple of Savras in Meili's eyes. Even if priests there were using their gift on such mundane subjects, it was still very impressive. Except... Were they just offered a job of enforcers to collect a debt from a drunk that was fooled? Meili could be young and inexperienced, but not stupid and did not cross half the world for nothing. To get entangled with the criminals right from the start did not sound that exciting. "If that was a legal bet, should not the law see to it, that the rules were obeyed?" The unspoken part "...or are you a criminal and can not appeal to the law" hanged in the air.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Mica strides through the bazaars and streets of the city, staying close to the others while letting his eyes wander over the wide variety of goods displayed by the merchants. He paid special attention to the animal hides and trophies, and even the smaller animals caged and traded in the Grand Souk. He studied the dinosaur with great interest, used as if it were a common beast of burden back home.
He listened closely to Ran’s story as they walked “Do you know where these white robed wizards are going or what they seek? May be easier to find their trail in that case.”
His attention wandered to the tiled roof of the temple ahead. A grand building, but he was unsure of if it was out of honor for the god or comfort for the priests. The many gods of nature were worshiped wherever one found themselves at the time, whether an isolated hilltop or a stand of trees. The Chultan woman approaching the party brought his mind back to the present and he listened closely to her conversation with Velan. It was not a reach to assume foreigners were in need of money, but performing such a task could put them in favor with the high priest, or make enemies for them of others.
Mica looks at both Velan and the Chultan with doubt “Who or what is the Executioner’s Run? And why is a high priest involved in collecting a gambling debt?”
“Oh, apologies. I am so used to this place that I forget some of its more common peculiarities are strange to newcomers.” He said after Mica’s question, only realizing the details that the others might have been missing because of the question he made. “There is no city guard in Port Nyazaru. Powerful merchants, like the princes, put warders on certain areas, like markets and their properties. Executioner’s Run is a pit in the Old City where convicted criminals are dropped with loose beasts, generally hungry dinosaurs. More specifically the criminals are dropped in one end and have to make it to the other and climb up. If they can, they are cleared of all chargers. There’s a lot of gambling around it and more than a few commit crimes just to be sent to the run. There is a reputation to be made in the pit and theft, even petty theft, is enough to land there.”
The more he thought about it the more likely it was that K’lahu was part of the hired muscle of some prince, maybe Jessamine herself, to deal with the debt. Five hundred gold could be enough to catch her attention, but not enough to give much importance to the matter. Meili asked about the law seeing that the rules of bet were obeyed, but in this case the woman in front of them could very well be closest thing to the law reaching to the bet. That or the help of the law was the thing and allowed her to see the high priest.
“Assuming K’halu can’t prove the involvement of Grandfather Zitembe now we can always confirm her history in the temple.” The wizard suggest trying to see the reaction such idea causes in the Chultean. “She certainly wouldn’t be against it.”
Insight Check to see how K'lahu reacts to the mention of confirming her history (the involvement of Grandfather Zitembe) in the temple: 14
Velan:
She nods along as you answer the questions on her behalf and seems quite content, even looking at you with something like respect... in a 'this foreigner actually knows what he is talking about' sort of way.
But... at the mention of going into the temple, she seems crestfallen. She responds...
K'lahu starts to answer the questions posed by Mica and Meili, but defers to Velan and smiles as he confirms her position and explains the Executioners Run. At the idea of going into the temple, however, she rebuts, "Please. Let us not do that... time is short for all of us." She looks back and forth and then sighs. "The priest... he told me that if you go inside to speak with him first, the chances are you will decide on some other course and will not help me. But... I must collect this coin, and it must be done now. The collection fee rate is set in stone at 10%, I cannot offer more for it is not mine to offer. All I can offer, is that if you assist me with this, I will arrange for an audience with Prince Jessamine. That is worth more than coin, yes?"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“Jessamine rules over the Run.” He said to others members of the group, remembering Mica’s question earlier about Wakanga and deducing the four were likely to not know the name of the princes. “Deals with plants, poisons, assassinations and Zaidi Sahandi. A woman who coordinates shipments of plants from the jungle to Tiryki Anchorage that commissions my services to evaluate said plants. Meaning that if you are lying, K’lahu, I can make the prince aware that you used her name.”
The rest Velan left unsaid. Merchants feared the wrath of the princes for a reason. He did want to check the history with the high priest, but K’lahu seemed dispirited, not in fear when he mentioned doing so. Either she is doesn’t fear we speaking with the Zitembe or she is really good at lying, he concluded still untrusting.
“This is what I suggest, my dear friends.” The wizard speaks with a familiarity he didn’t really have with the other four. “We take the job, avoid any place where we could be trapped and if our estimate patron tries something uncouth or fail to give us an audience with the prince we go the Tiryki and I give her name to Zaidi, after we speak about her in our meet with Wakanga, of course.” When the Hells did I get so well connected? He thought surprised with how much trouble he could actually cause to the woman. “If she is telling the truth we gain ten gold pieces each, an audience with another prince and in time to speak with the Grandfather, since he seems to have something interesting to tell us.”
Early, when Mica had asked about any knowledge of what the white wizards were up to or where they would be headed, Ran just shook his head and raised his eyebrows.
The interruption of their trip into the temple by K'lahu piqued his interest though and he listened as the others asked their pointed questions and smiled at what would be a good scam on visitors. She hadn't named names, just that they were 5 foreigners and she had waited to engage them just before they entered the temple so she could add that her story. He did lean towards this being a bad idea. But he did still watch her for signs of lying.
Insight: 18
"In addition to finding people, my father and mother were often approached to retrieve items, often stolen, and occasionally collect on debts," Ran says. "I've done it a few times myself."
Ran watches K'lahu for a few moments longer.
"Standard practice is half up front, and half on delivery. Any thing less than that is a pretty sure sign that we'd be the ones getting worked over. Even your guides here appear to demand 100% up front." Ran say.
He looks to the others then back to K'lahu.
"25 gold in our palms now as a show of good faith and I'd say this sounds interesting."
@DM
Would Ran's background be viable here - specifically the "Ear to the Ground" You are in frequent contact with people in the segment of society that your chosen quarries move through. These people might be associated with the criminal underworld, the rough-and-tumble folk of the streets, or members of high society. This connection comes in the form of a contact in any city you visit, a person who provides information about the people and places of the local area.
If Ran would have a contact here, most likely someone on the edges of the criminal underworld that keeps their eyes and ears open - just wondering if that could be used to at least verify if K'lahu is a con artist or not (obviously after Ran found the contact to ask).
Chult turned out to be the place not only of magnificent beasts and scary monsters but traditions as vicious as the jungles themselves. Which, actually, hinted at being double cautious. If it is all legal - why on earth would that woman seek the help of the strangers? Foreigners above all? The only explanation was "locals do not want to be involved". Especially, if the priest even said openly that after meeting with him the group might not want to get involved either (she, personally, did not want it already). The request was beginning to sound like a straight-up path into the Executioner Run for the group. "Forgive me, but why would you need strangers for something sounding like a common established job of the locals?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
K'lahu's eyes widen a bit as Velan starts name dropping 5% of the Chultan political powers.
Ran:
You struggle to get a read on her. You do notice the rings on her fingers are all gold or silver. By your best guess, she might have 50gp worth of jewelry on her hands. That doesn't mean everything, but it suggests she isn't some common charlatan.
She looks taken aback at Meili's question. "I come to you strangers because this is where Grandfather Zitembe told me to go. I asked him what path would see me recover the money, and he sends me to find you here, now. He says, 'this path will be the smart gamble for them' or something similar."
"Jobal controls the guides and they answer to his rules and prices," K'lahu says to Ran. "I answer to Jessamine. And the fee for collections is 10% of recovery, payable upon recovery." She crosses her arms as if this is the final word on the matter.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Ran turns and looks at the others.
"50 gold pieces to go threaten this dead beat gladiator and collect on a debt?" Ran says. "Sounds like easy money and we might need it. Plus it's another one of these princes to have a chinwag with. I'm in."
“I’m in. We could use the gold to prepare for our expedition, as well as the favors of the high priest and the princes.” Mica looked between Ran and Danica. “Let's go pick up this guy, shouldn’t be anything we can’t handle.”
He glances over at Velan, he did seem to know the workings of the city best “The princes aren’t at each other's throats are they? We are not in danger of losing support of one by helping another?”
"The book about monsters?" She asked as Meili spoke up about purchasing Mr. Geddarm's book. "Wasn't that something like fifty gold?" She couldn't imagine the girl had much money left. Danica arched an eyebrow at Velan's comment about possible scams locals might play, though he insisted he wasn't a local himself. She herself was rather taken aback by the sudden address of the Chultan woman and floundered for a moment for a response and was grateful when Velan took the lead. She made a surprised noise at the knowledge that there were no official guard in Nyanzaru and then a startled bark of a laugh as they were told what happened to criminals. Horrifying but effective she was sure.
Watching the haggling go back and forth after Velan's suggestion on their forward action, Danica rested a hand on Ran's shoulder. "She can't cough up what isn't there." With a shrewd eye she continued, "But neither can this Gladiator if he doesn't have the coin either. If he isn't a very successful fighter, it could be he's refusing to pay because he simply can't pay what he doesn't have. What then Miss Debtee? Will bringing him to you be enough for our end?"
The brunette waited after Mica posed a question and glanced back at Velan, glad that he was both with them physically and helpfully. "We certainly could use the gold..." Though she wasn't convinced it would be as easy as this woman made it seem.
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
"I have no doubt he possesses the coin. Taban has been successful in the gladiatorial pit and he continues to gamble regularly... and he pays his losses. Just not this one."
"Besides, he is known to be a collector of Batiri masks... even if he were short of coin, a few of those masks would likely cover the loss. He is collectible. Have no fear."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War