[DFRPG] Crawl! IC

[vicious Violence]

Vic was learning how to play this new card game Bain was playing, and walks to the meeting as well, noting the placement of the bodyguards.

[PumpkinLorica]

Originally Posted by Hide

...Bain takes one of his arrows out, and holds it showing its head...

This we can trust...For our hands hold this question to our enemies... the RIDDLE OF STEEL...

I LIKE IT! AND WHEN THEY LOOK FOR THE RIDDLE OF STEEL... THE LAST THING THEY WILL HEAR WILL BE: "DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER?"

[Hide]

Noticing the merchant and his people, Bain gets serious.

What’s up buddy?

Gathika and Bain talk in private.
You want my help because you helped me? Sometimes you are funny (not that I haven't noticed before)... By the way have you seen Telrith? No?

Bain approaches the man...

I am Bain of Avalon, first of his name. And this is Gathika, the man over there is Vicious.
And you are?... Mendel, Daisy and Otis.
Good, nice to meet you.

Well, you heard the miss; she wants to know more about you.
Sometimes she's a bit shy, so let's break the ice.

Have you heard about Daisy & Otis?
It’s a great fairy tale about a Cait Sìth & Cù Sìth; sometimes the refer to Daisy as Milo.

Why don’t we seat over there? Let's listen to you.

He points to an empty table.

Bain is wearing his new armor with +2 to reaction; he also has +3 reaction with soldiers, hunters, etc. and potential clients.

[ajardoor]

The merchant gives a big smile as he discusses things with Bain.

According to Mendel, there are rumours that monsters from the Caves, orcs, have raided a caravan of a fellow merchant and have kidnapped the people driving it, planning to sacrifice them to horrid Elder Things.

He wants Bain and his merry men to save the captives from the clutches of the foul brutes. The orcs should be making their home in the cave on the highest level, on the far left side.

Mendel promises the party a reward - bottles of secret alchemical wonder elixirs, one for each of you.

[Hide]

Originally Posted by ajardoor

The merchant gives a big smile as he discusses things with Bain (...)

Bain tells Mendel they might be able to help the man.
However, the party needs more details about the event, and both groups have to revise a few details.

When did they kidnap him? It may take at least 5 days to find your friend.
One-way travel takes about 3 days, reaching the caves and searching the location might take another 2 days.

How do you know he will be alive once we arrive?
Gathika here, could tell us more about such rituals.

On the other hand, we should consider combat, we might have to face a cult of orcs but they are not alone. What can you tell us about the orcs and their allies? Or, could you point us to someone willing to share details about them with us?

We have a potential contact, lizardmen. We must pay visit to them; they might know how to deal with the orcs and they know the place. Perhaps you could provide us with something to draw their interest, and have them give us information to deal with the orcs.

I should note that we have provisions, but that they might not suffice to sustain your friend’s health; to work the miracles of our healer we are going to need food and medicine for him.

Finally, we would also like to know more about those elixirs.
What do they do? What's their worth?

Bain makes a pause to let Gathika speak...

[PumpkinLorica]

What Comrade Bain means is that we can bring your friend back, but maybe as a corpse. It's okay like that? All this is founded on our experience, on this and on that.

Furthermore, trade is the responsibility of the kingdom. Why didn't the soldiers help you if you are such an important figure?

BUT! We think there is a possibility of saving it, but we would occupy certain things:

• A wagon and two horses to bring him safe and sound, also for us to arrive as soon as possible.
• A gift that the lizards cannot refuse, to help us ambush the caves and the orcs.
• Enough medicine and food for your friend, if we find him alive.
• A consignment note, where it is clearly stipulated that you give us all this of your own free will and in full use of reason and that you release us from all responsibility in case of loss or theft. You also release us from any responsibility for your friend's life, holding the orcs responsible. It is also understood that your friend's medicine and food are travel expenses and that they will be non-refundable, as long as he returns alive, the gift for the lizards is not refundable, no matter what.
• The terms of this contract will also come on the consignment note, with your stamp and signature. Bringing your friend dead or alive. If he he he returns dead, the reward is the elixirs. If he he he comes back alive, we will keep the horses and the wagon in addition to the elixirs you will give us. You will also cover the expenses of our trip once we return (food).
• You will also give me a bag of candy in advance (^つωฅ^)
  

The contract should list our party, and note that we are the "Riddle of Steel".

Gathika looks at Bain and Vic when she says "riddle of steel".

[vicious Violence]

All of us have different creeds, but one thing remains true among us:

IN STEEL WE TRUST.

If you are accepting of this, we can work together.

[ajardoor]

The orcs kidnapped the people two days ago. Mendel thinks they might still be alive because typical squid cults need specific times of the month to sacrifice innocents to the horrors. The stars are right only once every three months or so.

The orcs number about twenty, they probably do not have allies except the horrors - squid cults are very unpopular.

Mendel warns the party not to go near the lizard men - they are savage people-eaters who have a home turf advantage in the swamp. Besides, they are too stupid to know anything about squid cults or Orc tactics.

Mendel nods, and asks the party to provide a list of what specific items they need - healing potions? He can spare about $300 of supplies for their rescue mission.

The elixirs are priceless, they are lost artefacts of the oldest wizard empire. When consumed, they permanently improve the power of the imbiber.

Mendel accepts the possibility that the captive may die, but he wants the adventurers to try anyway.

Mendel says the soldiers are currently only assigned to the Keep and specific outposts. They cannot defy orders to go off the major trade routes. And Mendel is not really that important.

Mendel can not provide a wagon or horses, sorry. He can provide medicine and food. He can write a note, of course.

Mendel gives Gathika a bag of delicious candy.

[PumpkinLorica]

Gathika buys a draft horse for the quest, she buys it from Mendel, if he likes us; she makes haggling and succeeds!

Merchant 15:
3d6=12… Success, margin 3.

Merchant haggling (13):
3d6=8… Success, margin 5.

Gathika buys it for $ 1,800; she put luck into play.

[PumpkinLorica]

After the two weeks, Gathika tries to find the name of the "demon" monster head with her demon lore skill (14).

She makes it with a 7.