A War of Three Kingdoms (Eos, Blue)

[Acanous]

Welcome back, Commander.
Your province's final statistics are as follows:

Population 1 (Resources are bountiful, and natural hazards are few)
Economy 3+1
Production 2
Warfare 0 (The prevalence of thick forestry makes it difficult to defend, and lends aid to small bands looking to hide)
Technology 2

Waking up in your palatial estate, you are pleased to find the bustle of trade already stirring the morning air. Walking through your stronghold, you find the war room showing the state of affairs exactly as they were last month- you have allies to your North and East, and.. not allies to your South and West. You have not deployed any scouts.

The treasurer's report stands on your end table, showing the levies for this month brought in 6,500 Gold, double what was projected. Your people are thriving.

Your military advisor's report is short; No hostile action has been spotted within your borders. You have no standing army.

For ease of recall, here's your sheet. (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=934811)

[Don nadie]

---------------------------------The Free City of Nive---------------------------------



https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/aa/09/34/aa0934e54c43732aa812d42346369345.jpg

Province Statistics:

Population 1
Economy 3+1
Production 2
Warfare 1
Technology 2

Treasury: 11938

Standing army:



Class: Beguiler 1
Race: Changeling

Abilities
STR 8
DEX 14
CON 12
INT 15
WIS 10
CHA 13

Racial features: +2 vs sleep and charm effects, +10 to Disguise when given time to change
Class features: Armored mage, Trapfinding

Feats: Cosmopolitan (add Survival as class skill, +2 to survival)

Skills: Bluff 4 (7), Disguise 4 (5), Move silently 4 (6), Hide 4 (6), Survival 4 (6), Disable device 4 (6), Search 4 (6), Spot 4 (4), Sense motive 0 (2), Intimidate 0 (2)

Attacks:
Shortbow: +2, 1d6 damage, 60' range, 20x3 crit
Rapier: -1, 1d6 damage, 18-20x2 crit
Dagger: -1, 1d4 damage, 19-20x2 crit
Dagger, thrown: +2, 1d4 damage, 10' range, 19-20 crit

Defenses:
AC: 14 (16 with Mage Armor). Touch: 12 (16), Flat-footed: 12 (16)
Fort: +1 Ref: +2 Wil: +2

Spells:

Cantrips: 5/day: Dancing lights, Daze, Detect magic, Ghost sound, Message, Open/close, Read magic

Lvl 1: 4/day: Charm person, Color spray, Comprehend languages, Detect secret doors, Disguise self, Expeditious retreat, Hypnotism, Mage armor, Obscuring mist, Rouse, Silent image, Sleep, Undetectable alignment, Whelm

Equipment:
Leather armor
Shortbow
Rapier
Daggers

Tactics:
-Never hit an enemy directly: hide and attack from the shadows starting with disabling spells (sleep, obscuring mist) to wreak havoc
-Use natural changeling talent + Disguise self (+20 total bonus) to infiltrate enemy ranks and assasinate important objectives
-Retreat into the jungle and let the enemies fight the terrain
-Maintain distance from the enemy, those in the front fight defensively while those behind use their bows and spells


Stronghold and other Infrastructure




https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/7a/ac/e6/7aace6e33b1c64201d79bfd2239b3d91.jpg

The House of Chora was one of Nive's main temples in ancient times, taken as a palace for the many petty tyrants and kings for centuries. After her successful leading of the revolution, Chora received the land from the City to pay for all her property lost in the struggle. The House of Chora is a beautiful building, expanded with every generation. All is built in marble, with numerous entrances and exits to and from the city, both by feet and by boat.

GENERAL MODIFIERS
In a metropolis (+10%)
The House of Chora is built in the Free City of Nive, near its centre.

Aquatic (+15%)
The City and also the House are built where the Mirror Rivers cross. Thus, whatever reaches them must arrive via boat.

Warm climate (-5% to the prize of everything)
General weather of this region.

Site controls income source (+10%)
As a mercantile House, this stronghold can take a tax on all caravans passing through Nive.

Natural feature that prohibits movement x 2 (+8%)
The Mirror Rivers are the means of transportation of most people in the region. They are calm and mellow rivers, rarely with strong currents. They also too shallow for great army boats and too long and muddy to cross by feet. Thus anyone who wants to get to the Free City must use the long and flat boats of the Niveans.

Natural feature that makes movement difficult (+2%)
To access the House of Chora, one must be able to find in the messy streets of Nive and among many similar ones. A test of Knowledge (local) DC 18 is needed to get there directly.


Chora’s Seal (Lyre of building type of item) (-30%)

TOTAL MODIFIER: +10%

SPECIAL COMPONENTS:
Scrying beacon
The office, common area, dining room and the one empty bedroom are all equipped with a small scrying beacon built as a vase. In case of need, the master of the House can use them to spy on less savoury visitors.

Seal of Chora
The Seal of Chora is one of the most marvellous items created by the founder of the House. It is a flat circle made of brass and filled with arcane symbols. Once a week, when the word of command is spoken, a voice begins to speak in a strange language which sends chills down the spine of the wielder (it’s Infernal). The wielder can understand the words and communicate with it telepathically, giving it orders.
Once per day, the wielder may order the Voice to protect the site, making the walls and structures in 300 feet impervious to all attacks and damage for 30 minutes.
Furthermore, the Voice can be commanded to work for the wielder lifting stones, draining ponds or any similar duty. However, after the first hour the voice grows weary and must be misled into continuing its labour with a Bluff DC 18. While the effect is maintained, every hour gets the work done of 100 humans in 3 days, but once the wielder fails a Bluff check it cannot be used for this purpose in another week.

Warding bell
One of the warding bells is a Holy Symbol of Waukeen, resting in the centre of the altar at the chapel. This symbol may be activated by touching it and asking the Lady of Coin for her intercession, instantly creating magical defences. These affect the Chapel itself, the Throne Room, the Common area, the Dining hall, the Office, the workspace (ground floor); and the Servant’s quarters, Bedrooms and Bedroom Suite (first floor).
The other is another Holy Symbol, this one bigger and kept in the barbican. In this case it protects the Barbican, Gatehouse, Barracks, Storage room, Prison cell, Kitchen and docks (all ground floor, save the Barbican).

SOLDIERS QUARTER
Basic Armory (can contain weapons and armors for up to 25 soldiers)
Barracks (has space for about 10 soldiers who keep the stronghold protected)
Gatehouse
Barbican
Prison cell


MASTERS QUARTER
Fancy Bedroom suite (Eos and Ismael sleep here)
Fancy Bedrooms (room for two people, one of the rooms currently taken by Eos's daughter)
Fancy throne room (fits up to 20 guests, grants +2 to Eos on Diplomacy rolls)
Fancy office
Basic chapel (fits up to 40 people)
Fancy common area
Fancy dining hall (seats up to 30 people comfortably)


SERVANTS QUARTER
Basic dock (space for 1 boat)
Fancy kitchen
Servant’s quarters (space for 6 servants)
Basic storage (2000 cubic feet of storage space)
Basic Workplace (suited for Ismael's work)


Log of activity


Production: Increase Warfare to 1 by training and outfitting a unit of Changeling Beguilers (Nive's Sparrows)
Research: Create an item of Fabricate, continuous. Will take 2 more months.
Events: Explore the north and visit Lady Starbound... Almost get killed by a giant dragon-turtle?



Production: Increase Economy by 1 by creating a Warehouse that will safely hold merchant's property.
Research: Continue with the creation of the item. Will take one more month.
Warfare: Nive's Sparrows are set to defensive duty, merely escorting merchants, dealing with bandits and trying to make the region safer for commerce.
Events: Obelisk loaded with psionic energy discovered.

[Acanous]

The Spymaster of the hands whispers to you that training an entire compliment of (PC classed) skirmishers would cost you 15,000 gold, with a smaller monthly upkeep, roughly 6,000 gp/month.
You could also recruit (NPC classes) for half that cost, and press-ganging people into service would cost a mere 3,000 GP per month- but they'll be unruly and instituting a draft would raise unrest in an otherwise free city.

-these costs include equipment and food. Providing equipment for them reduces costs by 50%.


Your spies are dispatched. You know that being on foot, it's unlikely you'll start getting reports for at least a month.

Your construction efforts are noticed by the city, and they love you for it.

(You're the first to act, so I don't have much to add right here, but as for things you can do- adventuring, managing affairs of state, construction and warfare are the main ones. Anything you can think to do will be used somehow.)

[Don nadie]

Eos is calmly listening to the City's advisors. They are meeting in the Ambassadors' Room of the House of Chora which, for this occasion, has been barred from visitors and foreign dignataries. The changeling rulers of Nive have long enjoyed a fair land that makes both defense and offence dificult, relying only on the miriad of rivers as mercantile roads. It is good that the city is prospering... But Eos is beginning to suspect prosperity means the Free City will, yet again, look like an apetizing fruit ripe for the taking.

Thus, the High Elector and Mercantile Prince orders some of his advisors to study how expensive would it be to raise a small army of scouts. Eos knows any actual army will have difficulties moving through his territory, so what the region needs are rather troops of skirmishers that can add to the terrain's treacherousness. Ideally they shall be changelings. Of course some of Nive's human population feels jealousy at the better oportunities awarded to changelings, but it is unreasonable to pretend a scout with one single face is as useful as a many-faced spy.

The military advisors dispatched, Eos starts a conversation with representatives of the artisanal and magical guilds, as well as with one of Waukeens higher priests. It is time to encourage experimentation within the city walls, and thus Eos is creating a grant for the research of new technological and magical capacity. This grant will of course depend on the City's prosperity, but the ruler expects that every month a good percentage of the City's taxes can be put to such good use. Eos's consort shall serve as a liason for this particular purpose, since magical experimentation is one of his fields of expertise.

Last but not least, Eos's secretaries draft a kind missive to the not-so-friendly neighbours, inviting them to send their ambassadors so they can enjoy the pleasures of the Free City and make sure all of them can enjoy great prosperity.

--------------------------------------------------------

Later that day, Eos meets with the Hands. They are five grey-faced changelings, presumably servants of his household who Eos has been training and recruiting as spies. Now he distributes them, spreading their ears and eyes through Osse in an attempt to make their lifes easier.

Two will go to the rival regions, mixing with the general population and spying on the plans of their lords. It is not in Eos's interest to remain blind to their plans, and the High Elector hopes the changeling will have an easy time disguising themselves as kitchen personel and gaining access to more intelligence.

Two will stay in Nive. It is a well-known fact that ambassadors are but official spies, and Eos wants to keep an eye on whomever may be looking to gain information (or assasinate) him. Anything that de-stabilizes Nive is not a good idea.

Finally, Eos will send one of his spies to the capital of the Palatinate. Yes, he certainly has an ambassador there, and visits often enough... But there's a value in accessing the kind of intelligence that is only availible once the officials are alone with "their" servants. Again, the changeling's natural affinity for intrigue and disguise will come in handy.

----------------------------------------------------------

The next day, Eos takes time for a little of public-relations work. The High Elector goes with his full entourage (including his consort and his first-born) to one of Nive's less well-off districts. There he distributes some alms and listens to the locals. With the guidance of the inhabitants of this section of the city, Eos will use the Seal of Chora. The High Elector does not feel comfortable every time he summons the item's power, knowing far too well that the seal's power is of a dark origin... But it is far too useful. With its magic, the stones move, the walls are raised in the air and masonery arranges itself beautifully.

Eos uses its power often to improve the neighbourhoods of the poorest citizens. He raises free houses and turns the sheds into more sallubre and stable locations, which won't fall off on the next storm. He is the first of the Chorei to use the Seal for this purpose, but Eos does so out of conviction. On the one hand, this type of activity helps keep the peace and gain the love of the population. One the other, saving the poor from spending their little money in ever-increasing rents or ever-sinking sheds frees them to pursue more lucrative activities or at the very least, to spend their money in more expensive goods.

Thus while the palaces of the rich are built with labour, the houses of the poor are built with magic.


Ok, here are a few actions for the first month. We're playing by months, right? I'm not entirely sure of what the rules are for actions and such, so these are just a few of the things. Thins months I want to spend my hard-earned cash on increasing Warfare and Technology. Dunno if I can push both. In case I can't, Warfare goes first, I guess... Maybe if there are some specific rules you could write them and we can add them to the 1st page of Blue's thread?

If I'm not mistaken, I have now a grand total of 12105 gold (6500 now, 5605 of leftover from the building of the house). From that we'll have to discount the cost of the House's servants and workers (I'm thinking we have about 6?) and of some basic guards at the House (I'm thinking about 6 too?). Beyond that, all goes into increasing these things.

The sending of invitations I was thinking of sending to the two neighbouring regions (one Red one Black... btw, what are the names of their confederacies?) I roll two rolls of Knowledge (nobility) to see what I am aware of about them. I have a 10 +5 bonus from the Tome of wordly memory. If that's ok with you I could actually create a thread for diplomats in the Ambassadors' Room of the House of Chora... Btw, that will do as War Room, since I didn't buy one! :(

Knowledge: Red neighbour [roll0]
Knowledge: Black neighbour [roll1]

Finally, the thing about the houses is to do a little of welfare state :P Have to keep those masses happy... and freeing their cash for shopping rather than rent is always good for business.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The High Elector is slightly dismayed at the cost of raising an army, which remind him why the Free City mostly relies on mercenaries for punctual wars. Keeping an army up costs more than bribing every enemy soldier! Still, Eos feels it is necessary to get the city a decent defense, so he puts some of the money aside for training... Once they have more funds.

He is still curious about how much would it cost to improve the City's research capacity, however. If pressed, he'd probably be more interested in that, which could perhaps grant them cheaper weapons or better defenses, that in merely training warriors.

----------------------------

After he has taken care of most of the city's affairs, the High Elector begins to consider going outside of Nive for a while... He goes through the city under many shapes, trying to get rumors. Are there any bandits disrupting commerce? Monsters killing the river-fishermen? Rumors of ancient ruins with possible treasure to add into Nive's coffers?


Well, glad I'm first! I'll then use Gather information for some adventuring opportunities :P

[roll0]

Btw, any result on the Knowledge: nobility? I wanna know my neighbours :P

[Acanous]

you know that your Ouroboros league neighbor is Abrogail Thrune, a female humanoid divine caster of some sort.
You have no idea who your Blackwastes neighbour is.
Gathering information, you hear that there is a necropolis to the west, in enemy territory. To the north and in the waters, a Dragon turtle has been menacing shipping lanes.
There are no other reports of monsters. (Yet.)

[Don nadie]

Eos decides to take care of the matter of the dragon turtle. It is after all an intelligent creature, and all intelligent creatures want something ... which they can get in exchange of something else. Perhaps the dragon could be persuaded into becoming an asset.

Thus, the High Elector takes to a boat with the House of Chora's guards and his consort. Before he has prepared well, studying some spells that he hopes will be useful and getting a plan together. He brings with them a dozen pieces of fattened cattle, bought for the occasion. Once they are edging the territory of the dragon, they will begin dropping one piece every hour, letting the current carry them into the dragon's territory so that they can incite the dragon into talking to them.

Once the creature emerges, most of the troops stay by the shore along with Ismael. Eos himself remains hidden, but summons the power of Waukeen to create an image through which he will talk. After all, if the dragon is aggressive he'd rather not be right in front of its arms.

Hopefully, all will be well.


I memorize a few better spells for the occasion (Protection from energy and Gaseous form seem more effective than knock!) and... let's try and find that turtle!

[Acanous]

You head out for the Northern sea, taking a large vessel suitable for the task.
After about a week, you've made it to where you think the Dragon Turtle may reside (Knowledge: Arcana check) and begin dropping meat.

[Don nadie]

Eos waits patiently, his hands free of any weapons, shufling his weight from one side to the other. He certainly hopes this is the right place.

Knowledge arcana: [roll0]

This roll also takes the benefit from the Tome of Wordly memory. Maybe there's an extra +5, if you think Collector of stories can apply here (this is to remember/know information about a monster, yes?)

[Acanous]

OK, you've certainly found the monster. Give me Knowledge: Nobility and Royalty as well.

Days pass as you sail about until you've found where you're certain this Dragon Turtle must live. You begin dropping meat, a bloody haunch at a time. [roll0] (Turtle hide check) [roll1] (Half-elf scout's spot check)

After a few hours, you feel something surfacing below the boat
(If you bought a longship or your stronghold IS a boat, tell me now, I'm about to roll for capsize)

[Don nadie]

While they wait, Eos picks up his book and shuffles through the pages. They are enchanted, magically creating new shapes and lines that help remembering information. There's something at the bottom of his mind...


K (nobility) [roll0]

[Acanous]

you're in Ouroboros league waters. At least, waters they contest.
Roll for capsize: [roll0] (50% chance, 51-100 and your boat is in trouble)
The Dragon turtle surfaces from below with a bellow, and while your boat is rocked severely it does not capsize. You may roll initiative.

[Don nadie]

Eos stands in guard, beyond sight. His troops are trying to keep away and the illusory image of their leader is ready to speak with the turtle-like monster.

Oh mighty creature, we ask for you to parlor! We have brought these tribute as a gesture of good will!


[roll0]

[Acanous]

[roll0]
The creature sees your forces aren't attacking it, and starts chowing down on some rawhide. You may make a diplomacy, as it watches you warily.

[Don nadie]

Grandest and wisest of all creatures, I am Eos, and I am a humble admirer of your greatness!

The High Elector is speaking from his own image, an illussion created by the Lady of Coin. Eos, as always, can but praise Her Name, always willing to bestow Her blessings on those who can give her a fair prize. Eos and his image bow.

Please, listen to our plea! For we are but ants, to be smashed by your will... But, like ants, we may build great things to your glory!


Since I have my special "I am a changeling rogue" thing, I'll just take ten and not risk it. My diplomacy result is 34. (24 +10)

[Acanous]

You're getting a +2 for feeding it, and that puts you at just enough.
Because another ship just rolled in, and it's sporting a rather intimidating flag.

The dragon turtle is speaking to your image.
about time someone recognized their place around here. What did you have in mind?
Know: nobility on the other ship, which appears to be an elven wingship.

[Don nadie]

[roll0] (I'm presuming that here I cannot check my book... since I'm talking to the turtle monster)

Edit: Woa: Natural 20 :D I'd rather have this at the "kill the great super-enemy moment", but it's always nice

Great lord of these waters, my boats would ask of your mercy. We are but a mercantile nation that travels long and wide. If you'd so kindly allow us passage and protection, we'd be happy to pay tribute and guide you to other, equally worthy prey. We are not interested in taking your hoard, and we recognize the superiority of your might. We just hope we could stablish a mutually beneficial relationship that will allow both you and my City to get the best of these waters. We only hope your glorious lordship will deign to differenciate between ants like us, willing to worship was a creature of your power, and ants like those - Eos's image points at the elven ship - which believe themselves above you.

Of course, Eos wouldn't mind taking the dragon's hoard... But only after they've gotten rid of the boat (most likely belonging to the Ouboros Confederation) and he is sure he can do so without putting himself in danger. Paying a dragon to attack enemy ships and not allied ones is, after all, a perfectly reasonable deal.

[Acanous]

That ship is the Widow's Dowry, personal flagship of Hanlana Starbound, Grey elf Lord of these waters.
Also you can hear her voice boom from the ship, 2000 feet out from the dragon turtle. "This is Hanala Starbound. Captain of the Widow's Drowry. She salutes you mighty creature, from a sea hunter to another. She would like to reach friendly terms so we are not forced to prey on one another."
The dragon turns from your image due to the interruption to regard the booming voice from the ship.
"What an eventful day. Perhaps I should attack vessels more often."
Hanlana begins speaking in Draconic. You don't have your languages written down. Write down your languages, but you're missing this part.
The Turtle replies, also in Draconic.
Your ship is under some kind of magical effect and turns to flee from the Dowry at top speed, leaving your force beached.

[Don nadie]

Eos frowns, surprised at this turn of events. He is of course very much unable to do anything in this situation... The High Elector merely raises one finger and casts a simple cantrip, creating the illusion of a white "flag" made of small motes of white light. He directs it at the Widows Dowry. After all, he is stranded, and running into the jungle seems unadvisable... and not entirely possible when dealing with someone with such power. He still trusts his ability to survive this event.


Woa. Natural 50? I think I'm not the most optimized diplomacy person here... O.o

[Acanous]

(there were some buffs on the roll, but you weren't close enough to get a check and figure out what.)
Your white flag goes up.
Quick situation report;

Your image is still standing out there with the dragon turtle (it isn't moved by the ship or natural effects so far as I can tell, it takes your action to move it.) You have yourself and a brace of your best guards with you on the beach. Your ship is currently 80 feet away from the dragon turtle and moving away for a while. You have a white flag cantrip above your unit.

There is a jungle behind you. You are on a beach. The enemy ship is 2000 feet away from the beach. It will take a few rounds for it to get close enough to pick you up, if that's what they decide to do, or fire on you.

[Don nadie]

With the white flag above himself, Eos decides to take a slightly riskier action... He stands for a few moments, disguising his spellcasting carefully in a series of seemingly inconspicuous movements. Of course they are probably too far to notice, but better safe than sorry. His magic tries to affect the giant turtle and to manipulate its mind. Swiftly, the spell tries to burrow this suggestion in the mind of the monster:

"As most elf-kind, they are lying to me. I should take their boat and treasures."


Casting Suggestion on the turtle dragon, the DC is 15 (hey, just trying something here!)ç

I'm using the conceal spellcasting trick, so anyone has to pass a Spot check against my Sleight of hand roll (penalties for distance apply) and otherwise they don't see I'm casting anything.

[roll0]

[Acanous]

2000 feet, -1 for every 10 beyond what, 30? So minus 197 on a DC 30?
Kay. Turtle save [roll0]
Reasonable to assume that nobody saw you cast.

[Don nadie]

Eos remains waiting calmly, though he indicates Ismael he should be in guard. If the dragon attacks them, Eos will consider whether to help or not depending on the direction this battle is taking.


Yay! It failed!

[Acanous]

Captain Starbound offers you surrender terms, which I'll copy in here after I'm home. You wait (delay) and do your indicating. The dragon turtle submerges.

Hanlana acts next unless you stop waiting and do something.

[Don nadie]

Eos is quite dissapointed to see the giant turtle-dragon leave without further hostility despite his spell. He is also dissapointed when the captain of the boat assumes they are surrendering. He was trying to indicate he came in peace and had no intention to fight, but if he is going to be treated as an enemy either way, he'll rather try his luck in the jungle.


Well, the turtle as distraction did not work... But unless the terms of "surrender" are really reasonable, Eos and his people are off to the jungle. Can't say this was the most fulfilling adventure XD

To be clear: if she really wants me to surrender, everyone goes into the jungle and hides for his/her life

[Acanous]

Here's a direct quote;

In order to come abroad to negotiate terms, leave all weapons and magical items on the shore. Only one of you can come aboard. Anything you take with you will be taken as a gift or as a threat. Once you are ready wave that flag of yours harder.

It's delivered by magic, and is a parchment.

[Don nadie]

Eos is not keen on being taken hostage, but at the same time the idea of going through the jungle seems slightly unappealing. Thus, Eos takes a very simple decision. Concentrating his will and with a prayer to the Lady of Coin, the image of himself that is floating mid-air begins to walk towards the boat, calmly. Needless to say if the boat's reaction is to attack them or to come much closer, they will go into the forest.

Once there, Eos intention is to speak through this proxy:

Salutations and may the blessings of Waukeen fall upon you. Please, allow me to apologize for not inmediately obeying the terms offered, but seeing as you seem to expect ill from us, I'd rather make it the safest through use of this illusion.

We only came here to deal with the danger of a dragon-turtle, which threatened our commercial routes and thus the prosperity of all Osse. Our interest is only the common interest. We intend but to make it easier for merchants and goods to travel from your land into ours and viceversa. If you are willing, we'd happily join you defeating the monster. While alone I was planning to rely on trickery, I believe our combined forces would easily destroy it. If you believe you'll be able to take care of it yourself, we only ask leave to return to our land. Our only desire is, after all, to make it safer for all travellers.


Of course, this is also a Diplomacy roll of +34 :)

[Acanous]

quick check, what's the range on your projected image? The ship is literally 2000 feet from it.

[Don nadie]

Actually I just saw it's a maximum of 30 feet away. Ok, change of plans... Eos does not send the image (let's let its duration run out and that's it). Rather, he scribbles the same text and creates an Invisible Servant to carry it. The boat sees an almost invisible creature made of light and mist delibering a message. The servant is instructed to return with their

Salutations and may the blessings of Waukeen fall upon you and your People, lady Starbound. Please, allow me to apologize for not inmediately obeying the terms offered, but seeing as you seem to expect ill from us, I'd rather make it the safest through use of this messenger.

We only came here to deal with the danger of a dragon-turtle, which threatened our commercial routes and thus the prosperity of all Osse. Our interest is only the common interest. We intend but to make it easier for merchants and goods to travel from your land into ours and viceversa. If you are willing, we'd happily join you defeating the monster. While alone I was planning to rely on trickery, I believe our combined forces would easily destroy it. If you believe you'll be able to take care of it yourself, we only ask leave to return to our land. Our only desire is, after all, to make it safer for all travellers.

The letter is written in elven (btw, I took care of putting now the languages Eos speaks)

[Acanous]

Don, check the range on Unseen Servant :p

[Don nadie]

Ugh... Silly me. Of course it also doesn't work. In this kind of moments I wish I had a familiar

Calmly, Eos instructs his soldiers and consort to try to recover their boat. Then he will meet them and hopefully they shall all go in peace. Once this is clear, Eos makes his "flag" wave higher and advances to the beach, ready to wait for the others. Of course, he leaves all his magical items behind. He is still wondering where the dragon has gone, but cannot expect much from the monster.

Once before the captain, he speaks calmly:

Salutations and may the blessings of Waukeen fall upon you and your People, lady Starbound. I hope you do not take us for enemies: I believe the fact we didn't so much as attempt to engage in hostilities proves we are not. We only came here to deal with the danger of a dragon-turtle, which threatened our commercial routes and thus the prosperity of all Osse. Our interest is only the common interest. We intend but to make it easier for merchants and goods to travel from your land into ours and viceversa. If you are willing, we'd happily join you defeating the monster. While alone I was planning to rely on trickery, I believe our combined forces would easily destroy it. If you believe you'll be able to take care of it yourself, we only ask leave to return to our land. Our only desire is, after all, to make it safer for all travellers.

[Don nadie]

By the way: a question... Can I still make a few more decisions for this month even though I'm currently tied waiting for the other player's response? I'd like to do something with my Tech and Production now that we know the rules about them, but I'm afraid any conversation with a PC will take quite long.

[Acanous]

it is at this point that the Dragon Turtle with it's move of 30 finally gets to the Widow's Dowry. (It was hiding)
At least you'll have a good alibi. Here's the capsize roll;
[roll0] 51+ is bad.

You can assign production and tech, yes

[Don nadie]

As he sees the dragon emerge, Ismael acts quickly. He takes a small stone off his pocket and rubs it at specific points of the crossbow. The inherent properties of the stone awake something else in his crossbow, which inmediately begins to shimmer with a reddish light, and hums when aimed at the dragon turtle.

Does this happen when I have also gotten to the boat? Or when the elven boat that would take me is already coming? I don't know exactly what is Eos's position here.

Another question... Is our boat too far? Can we reach it to come closer and help against the turtle? My plan really has more to do with getting the turtle killed and becoming besties with the elven woman... I don't want a player to die!

Until I know more, Ismael casts Weapon augmentation, personal to grant his weapon the Dragon bane property

[Don nadie]

Before current events, while Eos was still preparing for his trip and arranging his bussiness...

Eos decides what his priorities are...

First, he puts the money of the Free City into the training of troops. The workshops of the city meanwhile are directed to outfit and provide food for the troops now being trained. After some consderation, Eos has decided to ask for Changelings of good health and sharp minds, who will become trained in stealth, sabotage and infiltration. Rather than direct combat, the High Elector trusts a troop of sneaky warriors can protect the city's interests best.

Finally, Eos directs the City's magical crafters into the fabrication of one specific item. He intends to make the city more reliant on magic for small and repetitive tasks, freeing citizens to pursue other venues of profit.


So... I've decided the city's first action will be to outfit and train a cohort of changeling beguilers. Do I create a "sample soldier"? How much would it cost if I put my production 2 into outfitting them?

Meanwhile, my Technology 2 wants to be dedicated to developing some system to make Craft checks easier. A bit like the Lyre of building, but for crafting. It would be a wondrous item.

Spell based on: Fabricate
Spell level: 3 (Trapsmith list)
Spell caster level: 5 (would equal to 50 cubic feet of material being transformed)
User activated or continuous.

This would mean a cost of 3 x 5 x 2000 = 30.000.

Ideally, this would mean I could give the item to a craftsman and he'd be able to do alone a lot more of work... So a single craftsman would turn into a sort of small factory. Is this reasonable? Allowed? Makes sense?

My main aim is of course to speed up the production in the city, so that there can be higher benefits. The Chorei would use this to create best quality merchandise in larger amounts.

[Acanous]

You brought arms and magic stuff on the boat? Make a sleight of hand :p

[Don nadie]

I did not! But I am a warlock! So if I'm in the boat, I am able to fight the dragon alongside them... Though first I'll wait to see what happens. The one casting is Ismael, who's at shore.

[Acanous]

The captain invites you to breakfast and says you're free to go whenever you like(I lost the quote, here it is) and then goes full evasive when the turtle attacks.
So far, no one has replied to the idea of sending an emissary. It might be being overlooked, or perhaps I haven't called enough attention to it.

Also, sorry for the delay, weekends get busy. Here's an update from your host.

"You are no one's prisoner. You can leave whenever you want. I'm certain Deep Sashelas wanting you will find strength in your arms to swim you to your shores. I got you here to have breakfast..."

It is at that time that lord Asahad tries to surface under the Drowry, a dangerous move by Hanala's reckoning.

"Corellon's hairy balls. Asahad! We had reached an understanding. Don't attack my ships. In case you need it spelled a ship I'm willfully standing in qualifies as mine. Stop trying to send me to meet Sashelas early!"

She swiftly turns around to the helmsman.

"Mister LeafintheWind make the Drowry dance."

Immediately Alesia starts yelling orders and coordinating the elven sailors atop the Widow's Drowry that starts to soar the waters increasing the distance with the Dragon Turtle. The ship moves in an erratic patern maintaining sight of the land and with the scouts on the lookout for angry Dragon Turtles trying to capsize it.

That done, Hanala turns to the guest, once again. She signals a table with three chairs and pulls one to allow the guest to sit down.

"Well what a sudden and inevitable betrayal. Anyway, what would you like to have for breakfast? I don't encourage you to try to swim to your coast now, there is after all a dragon turtle set on the loose. But I won't stop you if you want to."
T U R T L E power. You're on board while the ship darts off at incredible speed, leaving the turtle in its wake.

[Don nadie]

Eos is quite impressed at the boat's speed, it must be somehow magically enhanced. Seeing as the elven woman is openly willing to work together, Eos speaks this proposition:

Madam, I have a number of soldiers and my own consort in the coast. I believe we may be able to defeat this creature. It would appear the treacherous monster is not kind enough to accept deals and, if I'm entirely honest, I'd rather have no dragon, pacified or not, in the trade-routes between your country and mine. If we work together, I do think it should be possible for us to succeed. And maybe, if the Lady is smiling to us, take possesion of its treasure.

[Acanous]

She darts the Dowry about, until a second attempt sends the ship vaulting onto it's side. Sailors begin to work in a coordinated panic, manning bilge pumps, working the rigging, and apparently steering the ship towards the island.

Also make a balance check.

[Don nadie]

[roll0]

If able to (depending on the result) Eos tries to cast Protection from Elements (fire) on both himself and the captain.

But really, talk about backfiring! Turns out she's a perfectly decent lady that didnt want to kill me :(

If we begin to fight, Eos will go to the top and begin launching blasts of eldritch energy. I roll Knowledge (arcana) to see if I can have an advantage on the monster. Using the Collector of stories trick, of course.

[roll1]

[Acanous]

You're flat on your rump, but can still make the arcana. You can cast while this is going on with a concentration check, or change your action to standing as a full round action.

[Don nadie]

Standing then.

[Acanous]

Alright. Also, I fixed a misplaced quote, it's up there in red ^

[Acanous]

Month 1 ends.
Production on equipping a small force of changelings is going smoothly, and you have enough for a single unit.
Research on your fabrication item is slow, you expect it will take 2 more months to complete a single such item.
you gain 833 GP from taxation.

You have not heard back from the changeling scout you sent to the Capital.
You have not heard back from the changeling scout you sent West.
The changeling scout you sent Southeast reports that the leader of this province is named Argee, and that he is a caster of some sort.

Events: The Hand has discovered an ancient obelisk buried beneath the Free City. It seems to have a great deal of untapped psychic energy.

[Don nadie]

Eos is quite happy at the progress of Nive, even if the finances have not been as well this month. It may be worth looking at ways of increasing the flux of money by encouraging more caravans to pass through Nive.

The High Elector establishes a series of tax breaks and incentives, encouraging researchers to continue attempting to fabricate a magical item that should, hopefully, increase the City's exports exponentially. If a single craftsman were able to apply his knowledge to an entire workshop... well, the City would have surpluss of goods as long as it could obtain sufficient raw materials. Thus, in preparation, Eos tries to negociate a few more buyouts of raw goods. He also studies ways to bring more artisans to the Free City.

Finally, Eos happily receives his newly trained soldier force. In a formal event performed in Nive's main plaza, Eos pins the insignia of their office: a silver circunference with a sparrow within. Nive's Sparrows, like their namesakes, are meant to be everywhere and to pass unnocited, but also to keep the city clean. The soldiers will be expensive to maintain, but they can also provide the services of spies and skirmishers in case of need. Their first mission is, of course, escorting him to the newly discovered obelisc. Eos also sends word to another of his allies, knowing his region is famous for dealing with this form of energies.


Ok... So if I read this correctly, I now have a force of changeling beguilers, right? How many are they in quantity? And how much do they cost to maintain? I may start using my first post in this thread to update what goes on so that we have an easy access to it and to some other info... For the moment, I take the liberty of creating the basic one (I'm presuming they have all elite array like other npcs?). It should be a good, flexible soldier, able to infiltrate an enemy camp, do a bit of skirmishing, etc... But not so great at open battle and fighting fairly.



Class: Beguiler 1
Race: Changeling

Abilities
STR 8
DEX 14
CON 12
INT 15
WIS 10
CHA 13

Racial features: +2 vs sleep and charm effects, +10 to Disguise when given time to change
Class features: Armored mage, Trapfinding

Feats: Cosmopolitan (add Survival as class skill, +2 to survival)

Skills: Bluff 4 (7), Disguise 4 (5), Move silently 4 (6), Hide 4 (6), Survival 4 (6), Disable device 4 (6), Search 4 (6), Spot 4 (4), Sense motive 0 (2), Intimidate 0 (2)

Attacks:
Shortbow: +2, 1d6 damage, 60' range, 20x3 crit
Rapier: -1, 1d6 damage, 18-20x2 crit
Dagger: -1, 1d4 damage, 19-20x2 crit
Dagger, thrown: +2, 1d4 damage, 10' range, 19-20 crit

Defenses:
AC: 14 (16 with Mage Armor). Touch: 12 (16), Flat-footed: 12 (16)
Fort: +1 Ref: +2 Wil: +2

Spells:

Cantrips: 5/day: Dancing lights, Daze, Detect magic, Ghost sound, Message, Open/close, Read magic

Lvl 1: 4/day: Charm person, Color spray, Comprehend languages, Detect secret doors, Disguise self, Expeditious retreat, Hypnotism, Mage armor, Obscuring mist, Rouse, Silent image, Sleep, Undetectable alignment, Whelm

Equipment:
Leather armor (10 gp): +2 AC, no Armor penalty
Shortbow (25 gp) + Arrows (1 gp/20 arrows)
Rapier (20 gp)

Tactics:
-Never hit an enemy directly: hide and attack from the shadows starting with disabling spells (sleep, obscuring mist) to wreak havoc
-Use natural changeling talent + Disguise self (+20 total bonus) to infiltrate enemy ranks and assasinate important objectives
-Retreat into the jungle and let the enemies fight the terrain
-Maintain distance from the enemy, those in the front fight defensively while those behind use their bows and spells



My Research will continue towards the production of "minifactory" v.1. It's their deal for the next 2 months :P

With my Production I'm a little unsure... Could I build new things to increase other stats? I'm considering either building a Library/University to increase Research, building a Hospital to increase the happiness of my citizens and building a series of Warehouses where merchants can stack their goods safely and for almost free.

[Acanous]

Yeah, you CAN up other stats with Production. Using it on Beguiler stuff is what's letting you increase your War right now.
You have basically half of the GP paid to train the beguilers. You need to assign another 1,000 GP to have them fully trained up, and then they'll cost you an upkeep of 3000 GP/month. Which can be paid out of Production. Having the unit completed increases your warfare by 1.

[Don nadie]

Ok, if that's the case...

I'll of course pay the extra 1000 gp for the Beguilers. This puts my current cash, if I'm not mistaken, at 11.938 gp

I'll also use Production this season to increase Economy by building the warehouse. How long would that take?

After some consideration, Eos decides to dedicate the City's artisans to create the infraestructure needed to increase mercantile traffic and make the city even more attractive as a commercial hub.

[Acanous]

It'll be done next month.

The warehouse should be 5k, plus soldier upkeep leaves 550 gp for other things.
Also, gain 1800 XP.

[Don nadie]

After making a few more political decisions, Eos deploys Nive's Sparrows with their first mission... They must patrol the territory that falls under Nive's control trying to put a stop to banditry and make the rivers and roads safer for merchants. Some of them will also scort the most important caravans.

Very well... I've updated my first post as a sort of Log... and a way of having all relevant information in one single place (including what we've agreed to do for the month). Thet 550 I think I'll just add to the treasury (next month).

I'll use my newly minted Warfare 1 to help merchants and/or deal with bandits... basically defensive duties. Eos has no intention of invading anyone!

Also... Can I already begin exploring the obelisk? Is the whole story with the dragon-turtle still ongoing? Do we just keep paralell timelines? XD

[Acanous]

You are still there with Hanlana and the dragon turtle, which she just shivering touched to paralysis. Also Abrogail Thrune just ported in to uncapsize the ship

[Don nadie]

Then after standing, and if the others attack, Eos joins with his own Eldritch blast (and I presume since the monster is paralized, he gets to deal more damage).

Also... Teleport? Woa. And do I know who Abrogail is? Anyone who can teleport at lvl 6 is someone to fear XD

[Acanous]

Knowledge nobility on Thrune. The dragon takes the blast, then sinks below the waters. Its paralyzed.

[Don nadie]

K: nobility: [roll0]

I'm surprised something so big and that breathes fire just sinks, but to be honest I have no idea of the physics of dragons...

[Acanous]

You have no idea who this is.

Dragons are weird. Dragon turtles are weirder.

[Acanous]

Hanala is angry. Really angry. She turns to her "guest" with her eyes still bright blue from the arcane sight spell.

She walks, if she can, towards him while at the same time Mr Handy, the homunculus valet, comes at the guest back.

"You! I should tie you to my ship's ram and go **** all your navy's arse with it. I have been nothing but fair with you. And you, you have a goddamned cloaca for a mouth. So now I'm going to be crystal clear with you. And the only words that are going to come out of your asslicking mouth are "Yes, Captain Starbound". You have landed enemies on the League's land. You have enchanted trade partners of mine and maneuvered them into attacking me. That counts as an attack on the League you dimwit. And the league is going to respond in kind. Every last one of us is going to pool all our resources on a personal vendetta against you. I will get your skull as a drinking cup! Unless you do what you came here to do.

You came here to establish a god willing trading deal. I got you into my ship to talk about it, break fast, and spill the salt. But you are no honorable guest and I should tie you to the rigging and let you drying until you brittle into dust. So hear me out. This are the terms. You are going to give us, right now, six pints of your blood. That's going to be a collateral. Then you are going to sign what I'm going to put in front of you. A trade agreement. By which the seasalt principalty is going to send to your ports a hundred thousand pounds of salt monthly for the next year. And you are going to pay in a fair value, nothing more nothing less, in whatever good I deem necessary. During that time I'm going to keep your consort as a guest. If something happens to any of my ships on the meantime. Anything. Whether you had a play on it or the bitch queen simply got funny with storms I'm going to do to her what you did to my beloved. So you better pray to the golden lady that your deal is fruitful.

Then you are going to negotiate with Miss Thrune, who laboriously kept this ship you tried so hard to sink while you were standing on it from sinking, the best trade route she's ever seen. And while doing so you will remember that she will have a pint of your blood. So you are going to be extra nice.

So what do you say you piece of guano?"

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag124/Elbeyon/Tokens/ThruneIcon_zpssnhexkqk.jpg Thrune

Thrune giggles at the "guests" embarrassing situation. She struggles hard to hold back a full-out laugh.

"I should have brought Puppy! She claps. "It would have loved this."

She shakes her head. "I was here to do a trade deal. Just not one of this sort. If you don't mind me setting my own terms. I would take a trade deal.... but I rather do it on more equal terms sometime later. How about an alternate agreement, hm? I want the guest to join me in a ritual. It's a simple but long divination of sorts. I just want to take a peek into those beautiful eyes without resistance. Nothing too harmful, right?" She crackles

[Don nadie]

Sorry, but what?!

I am a bit confused... Isn't Suggestion only in effect until it is completed? (aka, until the dragon has attacked the ship?) That is to say, once the dragon has attacked the ship, the effect ends (quote from Suggestion: "the spell ends when the subject finishes what it was asked to do". Either the dragon is still hostile or the effect ended. The aura is supposed to linger for 1d6 rounds after that attack at most. And how do they know it was me? And what's going on with the dragon? It just sank? But she casts arcane sight and saw it? Even though it takes at least 2 rounds to figure out what the spell is, and it works only up to 120 feet? Did she cast Arcane sight inmediately? Did the dragon resurface and talk calmly? Although it did not knew I cast a spell? Did she jump underwater to examine the aura?

I'm feeling a bit out of the loop on what happens in the boat, and its not ideal. Mostly because it does not allow me to react. Eos is just pasively waiting for several rounds while the dragon attacks or they figure out what's going on. I'm trapped and I couldn't do anything while the trap closed. I would've much rather used Conceal spellcasting to create mist, then create an ilusion of Eos escaping while the real one just disguises itself as a sailor.

Now I can't do nothing but lie. And seeing as they are so well magic-equiped, they'll probably just use a spell to get over my ... creative interpretation of truth.

Well, regardless.

Edit: (And sorry if I sound a little angry, I'm just not keen on losing a character I put so much effort into without even knowing what is going on XD)


Eos stares calmly into the woman's eyes. He takes in her speech without so much as a smirk. He does not respond to her insults and, as far as anyone can see, seems relaxed now that the dragon is gone.

Madam, what makes you think I would encourage a monster to attack your ship, then go into that same ship? I believe I made it quite clear that I seek only our mutual benefit. I too have worked to defend this ship from the dragon as if it were my own, for indeed my life was as much endangered as yours.

I'm trying to use Diplomacy to appease her. I take, of course, 10... Total result of 34.

[Don nadie]

Hey Acanous! I've been told you may return soon, so I figured I'd give you an update:

The player of Hanala reached to me to make sure that we arrive at a situation we both are ok with, and we've basically agreed she'll provide Eos with a lot of salt. We also agreed that Eos can probably sell his "I'm innocent, but if I werent you don't want to start a war with the Palatinate" strategy.

How much could Eos re-sell with Proffesion (Merchant)? And how much benefit could he make?

The player was also kind enough to give me a rundown of what transpired on the boat. I understand that it's a lot of players to keep updated at once at once, and now at least I have an explanation of what happened. Nonetheless, may I advice that next time there are several players on one same spot, you create a common thread? That way, the players can know what's going on without you having to go back and forth.

If need be, the rolls can be made in our normal threads... But I think it'll be easier for you and also make it more convenient for players.

Well, I look forward to seeing this continue ^^