(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and LEAFY (L) - HP89/98 - AC34/27/31 - CMD 20 Monday January 4th, 2021 3:16:46 PM
(ooc - checking in - all the best for 2021 friends)
Rill (MarkB) AC32 T19 F30, CMD 27, HP 181/181 Monday January 4th, 2021 7:01:36 PM "I agree that we could do much good with that money. But what message do we send as Dragons if we can be bought off by a well connected and powerful thief? And if we did accept the good in his tent, are we not just accepting goods stolen from other victims to look the other way?
"Perhaps Tahni should instead geas the man to payback all his victims."
Fang (Mitch) HP: -38/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Tuesday January 5th, 2021 8:13:23 AM
Fang exists. Which is an impressive feat considering how many times monsters have tried to kill her.
DM Ken - The Final Round! Final Arena d20+25=37 ; Tuesday January 5th, 2021 4:09:55 PM
Akim seems a bit indignant. "I saw a chance to grab a once in a lifetime supply of artifacts. [b]Dragon Consortium artifacts. It was a calculated risk that cost me a lot. I don't sell stolen goods otherwise. Have I maybe been an aggressive business partner in the past? Sure. Have I taken advantage? You bet."[/b]
He snorts. "But every bit of my inventory is my own. If it makes you feel better, force me to make a donation of 5,000 gold to the temple of Wardd to help the starving businessmen who I've left in my wake. Take the deal, Dragons. Sell my inventory, liquidate it through the other vendors easily, and either keep it for yourselves or the consortium. I don't care which, I just want out of the frying pan and to avoid the jailtime. I'll pack up my personal items and leave immediately. What say you?"
Sense Motive: 37 Highlight to display spoiler: { Akim is probably too careful to actually sell stolen goods himself on most occasions. He's also telling the truth, you assume, about not breaking the law in his dealings. He seems too careful to expose himself to reparations. However, the slight tug of a smile hints that 5,000 doesn't even begin to cover his lopsided deals. Still, forcing him to offset business deals legally made is murky waters. And there's nothing actually preventing him from returning to the island once he leaves, other than his word, short of some sort of magical compulsions.}
Fang and those not with Akim are enjoying the post championship celebrations. Heather pokes her pair of gruff adventurers. "Why don't you two go relax somewhere? The Village is always lively after an event. I'll find out what I can about your issue, and I'll see what I can pry regarding the magic tournament."
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (25% no crit, rage 35/45, channel 7/7) Tuesday January 5th, 2021 5:36:16 PM
Terser finally has a moment of relief with the pressure of the tournament off. He's sure that the others will make the right decision regarding Akim, so he invites Fang to join him for a drink in the village. They can see if their sisters want to join them.
Rill (MarkB) AC32 T19 F30, CMD 27, HP 181/181 d20+34=52 ; Wednesday January 6th, 2021 1:20:42 AM
(Sense Motive 52) Rill shares what he knows.
"Friends, I sense that Akim is probably too careful to actually sell stolen goods himself on most occasions. I think he's may be telling the truth, about not breaking the law in his dealings. He seems too careful to expose himself to reparations. However, I sense that 5,000 doesn't even begin to cover his lopsided deals. There's nothing actually preventing him from returning to the island once he leaves, other than his word, short of some sort of magical compulsions. And he's certainly not a man of his word - this we know.
"Facing the legal consequences of his action and a Geas to pay back all his victims seems to be in order. The Geas may be a bit heavy handed, but I think he's earned it.
"Dealing with him justly is the right thing to do, and it sends a consistent message to others. After all, there are many that know that we were attacked by thieves. It would be good to show others how we deal with such matters."
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 30/20/26 -- CMD 24 -- HP 199/199+20 -- DarkVision Wednesday January 6th, 2021 5:26:40 AM
Tahni places her headband back on her head.
"Yeah, 5 grand seems a really low donation to someone who has 400k worth of goods back in his tent. He'd recoup that very quickly."
"I don't like the idea of geas'ing everyone we come across though. You're right. It does feel heavy handed."
"If that's the approach we take, then rather than forcing his to pay back all of his victims it might be more appropriate to use it to question him. We gain all the information we can and we provide it to the authorities. They can best determine the next steps. They may have him make amends or they may lock him up. Whatever the laws of this place dictate for his crimes"
She looks to Akim and then asks with genuine concern. "Are your wife and son aware of your business practises?"
Tahni explains her question to the others telepathically. "I've no intention of telling his son of these crimes if he isn't already aware. It's not for us to ruin their relationship, no matter what we might think of Akim."
Fang (Mitch) HP: -38/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Wednesday January 6th, 2021 7:05:08 AM
Fang goes drinking.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC41 T16 F36, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Wednesday January 6th, 2021 10:36:27 AM
Bralin stands wordlessly next to Akim.
I would favor taking back what is ours, and turning both Akim and the rest of the goods over to the good monk.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and LEAFY (L) - HP89/98 - AC34/27/31 - CMD 20 Wednesday January 6th, 2021 11:14:40 AM
Aex nods in agreement with Bralin. She's eager to end this matter and get back to the rest.
DM Ken - The Final Round! Final Arena Wednesday January 6th, 2021 6:42:08 PM
Akim loses a bit of his vigorous confidence. "No. That I'll have to explain to them myself I suppose. I'll probably try to lie my way through that one, I think. Sometimes it's easier than the truth. Might as well prepare to hear rumblings of a merchant accusing the Consortium of setting him up so they could steal his wares." He states this plainly. It's not a challenge or a threat, just an admission of dishonest intent from a man who is probably dishonest in most things. "I don't think I could bear the boy thinking ill. Sorry if a lone swordsman shows up in a decade."
It seems like there's a consensus. Whenever the away team is ready, they can teleport back and turn the merchant over. --------------------------------
Back in the village, its a weird table for sure. Terser, Fang, Claw, and Jada are all gathered around at a table. Jada seems to be absolutely bursting with pride. She's already ordered everything on the menu, ten rounds of beer, sharp chasers, and is telling everyone within earshot about her brothers success.
Claw is more reserved. From time to time, an ear flicks itself in discomfort. She locks eyes on Fang. "So. You're a priest. I'm a druid. You're a raging madwoman in a fight. I've learned from the beast rangers in the Atlas plains. I guess twins are similar even after time apart." Small talk is a struggle.
Rill (MarkB) AC32 T19 F30, CMD 27, HP 181/181 d20=17 ; d20+15=19 ; Wednesday January 6th, 2021 9:38:02 PM
Rill rubs his eyes with one hand as he listens to Akim's. He prays to Gargul as he chooses his words carefully. (Diplomacy 19 - anyone else is welcome to provide an assist for on his Diplomacy check.)
"Akim - If you intend to raise a son that would grow up to oppose a group like the Dragon Consortium, you're kind of setting him up for failure, don't you think? Let me suggest for you another path that benefits both you and your son. The truth.
"Tell your wife and your son that you've been a shrewd merchant, and that you have profited well from this. Tell them that in your pursuit of profits that you made a terrible mistake, that you decided to steal from someone and you used your considerable skills and abilities to engineer this theft. You got caught and that it's critically important that your son understand that being a clever merchant is good, but that stealing is bad, and that you will need to pay a price for this. And tell your son that you want him to grow up smart and strong and to learn from your mistakes. Tell him that this is now a chance for you to choose a different path, both for you and for your son.
"Do this, and I will speak well on our behalf to the authorities we turn you over to. And if you want, I will stand by you as you explain this to your son. Who knows, maybe instead of being opposed to the Dragons Consortium, your son may one day grow up to be a member of the Dragons Consortium himself. Would that not make you proud to see your son grow up a hero, admired in the Wold?
"This sucks right now for you Akim, but you alone have the power to turn this around, both for yourself and for your family. For it is written, 'None of us are beyond redemption, but woe betide the man that leads another astray.' What say you Akim?"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (25% no crit, rage 35/45, channel 7/7) Wednesday January 6th, 2021 11:24:35 PM Good thing I don't have to fight for a few days with all this weighing me down!
Terser does what he can with social lubricant and tales of Fang's exploits to try getting the sisters out of their shells a bit. He supposes it was easier for him, since he wasn't as close to Jada when they were younger, and there's seems to be plenty of time to make up for it now.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 30/20/26 -- CMD 24 -- HP 199/199+20 -- DarkVision Thursday January 7th, 2021 6:05:59 AM
If Akim is repentant and wants to atone for his crimes, Tahni will agree to cast an Atonement spell upon him. She doubts that will be the case though.
With nothing more to add she is ready to teleport the group - and captive - back to the pavilion.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and LEAFY (L) - HP89/98 - AC34/27/31 - CMD 20 Thursday January 7th, 2021 6:07:25 AM
Aex is happy to leave when all is settled. She has her cloak back and to her that was what mattered most. She cares little for Akimīs future but does feel for his wife and kid....
Fang (Mitch) HP: -38/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d6=6 ; Thursday January 7th, 2021 6:39:47 AM
Fang disagrees. "What, just because we both mix martial skill with magic? It's like saying a wizard and a sorcerer are the same. Sure there are similarities but also big differences. You can find both in most things if you look for them, but we're both our own people with our own experiences. Like you just said you're not a raging madwoman anymore whereas I've stuck with it for decades despite becoming a priest of Alemi. See, wild difference between us right there."
Fang clearly has no problems with small talk and since she got the basic explanation of Claw's survival she shares her own tale of her early days surviving the wilderness by the skin of her teeth before being rescued from madness and death by her mentor which eventually lead to her current path.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC41 T16 F36, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Thursday January 7th, 2021 12:37:46 PM
Bralin nods at Rill's words.
"Turn this page now, and write you and your son a new chapter," he offers.
[Aid Another for Rill's check - autosuccess - +2 to Rill]
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 195/195 --Shadow Companion 97/97hp d20+26=32 ; Thursday January 7th, 2021 5:11:27 PM
Jozhur nods in agreement with Healing and Rill.
"Rill is a wise man, Akim. His advise is sound, and the best thing for you and your family. I've stolen before, plenty of times. But that was a different life of sorts, and I don't hide it from anyone."
DM Ken - The Final Round! Final Arena Thursday January 7th, 2021 9:12:00 PM
Akim seems torn. "I know you are wise, dragons. I see the merit in your words. I'll consider them." Then Jozhurs own admission seems to finally push him over whatever barriers he had remaining. (Moved from unfriendly, to indifferent). "He.. is a smart boy. I'd rather him learn not to reach for too much, than have him discover his father was slandering the heroes of the consortium because he did not want to face truth."
Akim slaps his own cheeks a couple of times. "Lets go Dragons. There's more luxury in prison than this cave. I'm ready to leave."
------------------------------------------
As the food and drinks keep coming, Fang finds that Claw seems to be coming around to her way of thinking. The other woman gasps a few times, not realizing quite how hard Fangs trials had been. "I think there's a good chance you were harder on yourself than I could have ever been on you." After awhile, she shifts uncomfortable, and draws in both Terser and Jada. "Fang has shared with me her insights on the voice I've heard. At least some of them, on this.. Meddler? What can you tell me, Terser? I feel like I'm still missing something."
Jada looks confused. "What is she talking about, Terser?"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (25% no crit, rage 35/45, channel 7/7) Friday January 8th, 2021 12:31:28 AM I'm sure you've noticed some fishy things going on around here. Though maybe not, since neither you nor one of your boys was captured. There was the rescue operation, the construct monks, and some voice has been tempting fighters with power to overcome their opponents. So far as we can tell, everyone has resisted thus far.
Have you noticed anything similar?
Fang (Mitch) HP: -38/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Friday January 8th, 2021 12:33:18 AM
Fang let's Terser answer his sister. She sees no reason to keep quiet about it but she did ask Terser not Fang. She tries to remember if she told the others via rings of what happened and her deductions and if she hadn't she does so now (think I did, not sure)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 30/20/26 -- CMD 24 -- HP 199/199+20 -- DarkVision Friday January 8th, 2021 2:45:56 AM
Tahni gives a nod to Akim and then to the others. "Was there anything in those chests back there?" She wants to make sure they grab every piece of equipment before teleporting away.
Rill (MarkB) AC32 T19 F30, CMD 27, HP 181/181 d100=55 ; Friday January 8th, 2021 3:56:14 PM
Once everyone is ready an we are assured that we have gathered all the thing here, Rill will gathr everyone together and cast [i]Teleport[/] (55 - success!) We will arrive at our pavilion as the place there that Rill is most familiar with.
He will use the rod to summon Heather, and once she arrives he will ask her, "Heather, we have found one of those involved in the theft of our goods. To whom should we turn him over for justice? And we would like to speak to this person in the process."
He turns to Akim. "Now, before we go, would you like to speak with your family and would you like any of us there? As I said, I am happy to help explain things to your son. I don't imagine your time in jail will be for too long. Afterall, it's not like you killed someone."
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and LEAFY (L) - HP89/98 - AC34/27/31 - CMD 20 Friday January 8th, 2021 6:20:46 PM
Once back Aex is eager to find the others and learn how they did in the final rounds.
DM Ken - The Final Round! Final Arena Friday January 8th, 2021 10:14:30 PM
It doesn't take long before Heather has Akim rounded up with a a pair of monks ready to take him into custody. Both a construct and a human, neither seems to think Akim deserves much sympathy. He politely refuses the offers to speak to his family on his behalf. There's some thing people should handle themselves. One of the monks hangs back, and his partner waits. "You had a requestm, Dragon?" He looks curiously at Tahni.
Meanwhile, Jada seems oblivious. "Nothing like that, but my team is mostly just metal and magic." Fang is correct, she did inform the others she had suspicions they were dealing with a foe from their past, known as the Trickster. *(Or maybe Tinker? I've seen references to both)
Once Akim is carted away, Heather will lead the away team to those drinking and eating in the Village.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 195/195 --Shadow Companion 97/97hp Friday January 8th, 2021 10:48:15 PM "Best luck, Akim. Hope you get things straightened out."
Jozhur will happily follow Heather to the drinking and eating.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -38/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Saturday January 9th, 2021 7:42:04 AM "As far as I can tell it's some bored immortal who's scheme we stopped at some point so now he's screwing with us just to see how we react." Fang clarifies.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC41 T16 F36, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Saturday January 9th, 2021 11:06:43 AM
Bralin is relieved to divest himself of Akim, and happily heads off with Heather to celebrate Terser's victory.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 30/20/26 -- CMD 24 -- HP 199/199+20 -- DarkVision Sunday January 10th, 2021 12:47:49 AM "I did?" Tahni looks curiously back at the monk. She's not quite sure what it may have been, but it has been a long and confusing day. "Has that Chatterton fellow answered all of your questions? If so I'll release him from the geas and leave him in your care"
She too is keen to join the others in celebrating the success of all competitors in the martial tournament.
Rill (MarkB) AC32 T19 F30, CMD 27, HP 181/181 d10=1 ; Monday January 11th, 2021 1:41:31 AM "As you wish Akim."
"My good monks, please inform the Abbot that this Akim fellow did surrender to us once we found him. He confessed his crimes and has restored to us what was stolen."
Rill is looking forward to some rest with his friends.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and LEAFY (L) - HP89/98 - AC34/27/31 - CMD 20 Monday January 11th, 2021 6:06:48 PM
Aex follows Heather to her friends.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (25% no crit, rage 35/45, channel 7/7) Monday January 11th, 2021 7:11:17 PM
Terser welcomes everyone else to the table when they get to the food plaza. Join us! There's plenty to go around!
He shows them the rune that he was presented for winning the tourney. Ever seen the like of this before?
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