Part MMCXCVII: Raiders' Tales
Raiders' Tales

Sixteenth Day of the Fourth Month 293 AC

Explaining your circumstances proves a far more straightforward affair when dealing with the Shaitan lord. He does not seek to know the world through you, nor yet does he question you of your origins beyond anything that may impact the bargain you already struck. However, in those matters that interest him, Mahuroos Tepani is as relentless as the stone from which he was birthed. The Deep Ones, the realm of the archons in Mantarys, and Relath in Tolos, all these fall under his exacting scrutiny, and you can almost see the wheels of dozens of plans readjusting to take such potential disruptions to interests of the Peerless Empire. It quickly becomes clear that it will be a while yet before he considers the new developments in terms of opportunity. Like the helmsman of a storm-tossed ship he sees the reefs before the land on the horizon...

Still he offers the same promise not to meddle in the ruins of the Freehold, with the same caveat you had received in Armun Kelisk, though from the lips of a Shaitan talk of independent expeditions sounds more like a veil for any covert expeditions the Sultana may wish to send. Ultimately you will have to trust that the Opal Throne does not have the funds or time for such distractions, and indeed it seems to be the case to judge from the fact that he is able to offer unequivocal confirmation of Shaitan participation in the conclave you offered to organize. Far be it from you to wish that the Efreeti win their war, but a stalemate will suit you quite well.

Thus you come at last to the task he wishes you to take on: "I require raiders on the Brazen Throne's ships in the Sea of Fire, particularly raiders with seemingly no connection with the Peerless Empire. Powerful creatures begotten of flame that scorn the Sultan's rule and might tempt the local salamander petty kings to try their own luck, perhaps even desertions among the Crimson Fleet. Tales of a dragon of flame such as have not been seen in hundreds of cycles would surely be most likely to rally them. However, the hunt would be relentless. A more subtle approach might also serve..."

"How would we be paid for such an effort?" Dany asks, a glint of unselfconscious draconic greed in her gaze.

"Flat payment for each tribe that begins wide-scale raiding and a bounty for any Efreeti ship larger than an Oil Runner captured in addition to a standing offer to buy any prizes, cargoes or slaves you may wish taken off your hands at a good rate," he replies. "This is a standing task with no obligation to begin operations before a certain date."

In other words a test of skill and perseverance that is to serve as a gateway to more urgent or delicate tasks, you nod in understanding.

Lost 200 Gold (Extraplanar Living Expenses)


***​

Seventeenth Day of the Fourth Month 293 AC

Your tasks in otherworldly realms fulfilled in full, you step once more onto the shores of the Deep, mind filled with plans and hopes for the future, yet still content to smell the sea and upon the wind after days in the realms of sky and stone. Alas you do not have long to linger, for the expedition to Sothoryos is set to leave today, and on the morrow Zherys' plot in Volantis will come to a head.

Just as you begin to turn your eyes from the sea you spot the Valyrian resting at anchor together with a handful of other galleys flying the pirate lord's flag. Rather than bothering with a messenger you simply will yourself onto the deck of the ship waving off the startled crew as you head to the captain's cabin.

The sound of feminine laughter as you approach followed by the hurried rustling of clothes being set to order greets you, though to his credit Salladhor does not seem put off to have his seduction interrupted, unlike his companion, a Tyroshi noblewoman by her accent and dress.

"Wine, Your Grace?" the lord of Deepcleft asks, quickly producing a third goblet and filling it from of an already three-quarters-empty pitcher of Myrish Gold.

"Thank you," you accept, though only drink enough for courtesy's sake. Today's battles will require a clear head.

Beginning with a discussion of raiding in the Narrow Sea and commiserating over the slimmer pickings of late, you bring up the possibility of shifting his focus to the Basilisk Isles once they have been pacified, or even further afield to the Endless Sky or even the swirling maelstrom of the Eternal Fire.

"Well now I hardly know what one of these genies are..." he begins. "Mayhap I should meet one before I make a choice."

You open your mouth to suggest he speak to Embra, close it, then spend a good half hour explaining precisely how powerful even a single Djinn is, much less a kingdom of them, with particular emphasis on who Embra's father is both in position and temperament. By the end of the discussion Saan looks to have grown abruptly sober, with no magic required.

"If it's alright with you, Your Grace, I'll take the Basilisk Isles for now, savages, snakes, plagues and all," he says at last. "It's going to take a lot of gold to make something of those misbegotten ports, though. How much are you willing to pledge beside whatever I can gather?"

A smile twitches at the corner of your mouth at the blunt question. For all the nods to royal etiquette he piles on, Saan is not one whit less blunt when it comes to his pockets than he has ever been.

What do you answer?

[] Write in


OOC: Next update will be Sothoryos and then the decision on what to do with Embra. For now she is just gawking at practically everything around her as Dany gives her a tour.
 
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"If it's alright with you, Your Grace I'll take the Basilisk Isles for now, savages, snakes, plagues and all," he says at last. "It's going to take a lot of gold to make something of those misbegotten ports though. How much are you willing to pledge beside whatever I can gather?"
Saan: "I think I'm quite happy with the leftovers. Have fun meddling with demi-gods your grace."

@DragonParadox, is he angling for payment or aid in making something useful out of these ports?
 
Okay, @Everyone, today is when we need to decide if anyone is going to be added to the Sothoryos action.

Right now, we have Viserys, Dany, and Richard kicking off the first day, but then leaving Vee, Xor, Maelor, and Malarys on their own for the rest of that time.

I would very much like to include Bronn in that group. He's not assigned to anything important enough that it won't keep without him, and he will otherwise have the days available. Waymar would probably be a better choice, but even if we reassigned him from his upcoming Tools of the Trade(Cursed Athame) action, he would have far too few free days remaining this month.

Also, @DragonParadox, last month we made 18 doses of Alchemical Vermin Repellent. I had that in mind to use on the Sothoryos trip. With the change to Alchemy production, the first week of this month I had Valeria work on a vastly larger quantity of Vermin Repellent. Counting those first 18 doses, we should now have 849 doses. We can calculate final production quantities, with your permission, because I remembered that Unseen Crafters can automatically Take 10 on what they craft. Can we just assume that everyone on the trip will be using the stuff? I doubt it will make a difference, mechanically, unless they encounter any Vermin Swarms, in which case it could be a huge help.
 
@DragonParadox Another item of importance is enchanted gear crafted up to this point of the month. I know you normally disperse it at the end of the month, or the beginning of the next, but there are quite a few items which should have been crafted by now which could be very important considering the potential danger of the Sothoryos and Volantene Coup missions.

Going down the crafting list, here's what I see as potentially relevant that should be crafted by now;
-Richard's +1 Animated Extreme Shield has been replaced.
-Vee and Dany's +1 Mithral Fullplate should now be Glamered.
-Bronn, Teana, and Varys the Pseudodragon should have Anklets of Translocation, and Malarys' boots should be upgraded with the same effect.
-Garin's Mithral Chain Shirt should be upgraded to +2, and he should now have his Cloak and Boots of Elvenkind (suitably renamed?).
-Maelor should have his Page of Spell Knowledge (Rope Trick) to provide safe accommodations during the Sothoryos trip.
-Viserys should have the beginnings of his own Grimoire, with Pages of Spell Knowledge (1st level: Ant Haul, Comprehend Languages, Cure Light Wounds, Instant Portrait, Moment of Greatness, Shield of Faith, Zone of Truth, True Casting, 2nd level: Detect Thoughts, Resist Energy, See Invisibility, 3rd level: Heart of Water).

And here are relevant items which could have been crafted by now, if you're feeling generous, but may not have because of their placement on the crafting schedule;
-Beads of Newt Prevention (x10) to go along with the four we already have. Everyone needs one ASAP.
-Vee and Garin's Earrings of Arcane Acuity getting the Third Eye of Clarity effect upgrade.
-Malarys and Dany's Earrings of Arcane Acuity getting the Goggles of the Golden Sun effect upgrade. If only one of these is possible, Malarys should get it first.
 
@DragonParadox do Viserys think it polite / possible to suggest of Embra to teach in the Scholarium until she understands how mortals are handling magic. Also would help to get more to protect civilization.
 
The Advanced Lotus Leshy that currently hangs out in the pool in the scholarium wants to go adventuring, lets see if it does any good going along on this trip. It does have 7hd, and the Advanced template gives all its other abilities a bit of ooomph as well.
 
Thus you come at last to the task wishes you to take on: "I require raiders on the Brazen Throne's ships in the sea of Fire, particularly raiders with seemingly no connection with the peerless empire. Powerful creatures begotten flame that scorn the sultan's rule and might tempt the local salamnder petty kings to try their own luck, perhaps even desertions among the Crimson Fleet. Tales of a dragon of flame such as have not been seen in hundreds of cycles would surely be most likely to rally them, however the hunt would be relentless. A more subtle approach might also serve..."
Okay this is a perfect task to set Amrelath to, we just have to impress upon him that he's to leave the slaves alive, he get all the loot, except the slaves who will of course be set free, and half of the bounty, this sound pretty much like a dream job for Amrelath, and he's plenty able to do it.

We get a good profit and Amrelath get a good profit, our profit is half of the bounty, and more importantly a lot of new citizens, we aren't going to leave any freed slaves to be re-enslaved after all, and our empire can always use new workers.
 
@Goldfish, AntaeusTheGiant has a good point.
Lotus Leshi can be of use for Vee and expedition, if the weakest of members.
 
The Advanced Lotus Leshy that currently hangs out in the pool in the scholarium wants to go adventuring, lets see if it does any good going along on this trip. It does have 7hd, and the Advanced template gives all its other abilities a bit of ooomph as well.

@Goldfish, AntaeusTheGiant has a good point.
Lotus Leshi can be of use for Vee and expedition, if the weakest of members.
Not really. Once Vee, Maelor, Xor, and Malarys, along with Bronn I hope, are left on their own, most of their movement is going to depend on Maelor's Phantom Steeds (limited to four due to him only having four 3rd level spell slots), Vee's extremely limited Fly spells (13 minutes per casting), or Malarys' Wind Walk (if he prepares one, it'll affect himself plus a maximum of four others). And that will require us to harness Xor and pull him along behind us when using the Phantom Steeds.

There just won't be room for another party member, especially one so likely to die.
 
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[X] [Saan] Be careful with what you reveal, since the lady in Salladhors arms is most likely a spy or has connections to Tyroshi magisters.
-[X] "The Basilisk Isles are a strategic location for me. Close to Sothoryos and far away from any other power which could reasonably stop us from taking them. This us not a foolish attempt to take whatever is in reach, but a investment. Trade will flow between Sothoryos and Essos in time, making the man controlling such strategic ports rich as sin and courted by all from Braavos to Volantis. And his raiding fleets feared from Slavers Bay to Yi-Ti." Take a look at the map and you will notice the value of the location once it's cleaned of the local riff-raff.
-[X] "I for one are quite happy with my small cut that the taxmen will bring and the knowledge that there are strong ports and fast ships to enforce my will upon these seas. And of course, I will have a vested interest in seeing such ports build, ships and crews brought to the islands and ample work supplied for the taxmen. Coin and men will flow as soon as the first island is taken." He gets both the manpower and the funds to make something out of the place. We want this place wealthy and strong, so he will soon enough sit on a huge pile of money by virtue of being the local lord.
-[X] "This is not an exile to a disease ridden backwater, but an opportunity for you. Bring me these islands Salladhor and I will turn them into something that lords and ladies the world over will envy you for." Look at what became of SD and the Stepstones over the last year. The Basilisk Isles will see a similar fate and he will rule them for us. Does he really need more payment then a future of sipping booze from a coconut while laying on a beach with a bakers dozen of scantily clad women?

Work first, payment later.
 
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[X] [Saan] "The Basilisk Isles are a strategic location for me. Close to Sothoryos and far away from any other power which could reasonably stop us from taking them. This us not a foolish attempt to take whatever is in reach, but a investment. Trade will flow between Sothoryos and Essos in time, making the man controlling such strategic ports rich as sin and courted by all from Braavos to Volantis. And his raiding fleets feared from Slavers Bay to Yi-Ti."
-[X] "I for one are quite happy with my small cut that the taxmen will bring and the knowledge that there are strong ports and fast ships to enforce my will upon these seas. And of course, I will have a vested interest in seeing such ports build, ships and crews brought to the islands and ample work supplied for the taxmen. Coin and men will flow as soon as the first island is taken."
-[X] "This is not an exile to a disease ridden backwater, but an opportunity for you. Bring me these islands Salladhor and I will turn them into something that lords and ladies the world over will envy you for."

Work first, payment later.
As I understood it, he wanted a payment to sponsor turning the Basilisk isles into a productive fief, he's expecting to spend some of his own money as well, and wanted us to contribute to the initial funds.
 
[X] Azel

We're getting paid to get flying ships?! :D @DragonParadox, there's no obligation to start that right away? When should we start?

Also, @Goldfish, preparation for Sothoryos—give them a bag of holding, a bunch of Dawn Fruit, and right before the spiders have Vee use Heroe's Feast.

I also think Waymar should be going with them.
 
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