A Kindly Request (Chapter 1)

[Callix]

1d20+7=13. Missed it by 1, I believe. Ah well, it was fun while it lasted.

[SixthDeclension]

Actually, I decided that it would be a 12 AC as the Scorpion was bred in captivity, so the poison would be lower. So, in fact, you do not die.

[Callix]

Tarik's options were thinning. He couldn't fight with his injuries, and his foe was faster than him. Rather than continuing to fight, he focuses for a moment and his form flows into a black-and-white furry mass about the size of a large dog. His transformation into a dire badger complete and a few of his injuries restored, he attempts to burrow down where the scorpion can't reach him.

Fighting a Large monstrous scorpion while on 1 hp does not look smart.
Move 10 feet down. The movement would provoke an AoO. Since I'm on 6 hp after Wild Shape, anything but minimum damage will disable me, so I hope it misses. Especially as being hit will cause a berserk rage...
Also, I'm assuming the horse ran of a ways when the scorpion charged for dramatic purposes.

[SixthDeclension]

The scorpion lashes out at Tarik with it's potent claws, and just barely missed the human's dire badger form.

Scorpions don't have a burrow speed, so you're set. Encounter avoided. They do have tremorsense, so going 60 feet down and then over would be a good idea.

4\10 encounters completed before Lvl 6. No more of them will include charging barbarians.

[Callix]

Safely underground, Tarik tunnels his way down until he's comfortable that the scorpion's sense for vibrations can no longer find him. He takes a few minutes to lick his wounds and let the beast leave, then burrows back to the surface. Resuming his own form, he assesses the situation.

Charging barbarians is fine. It's just that I didn't know he was a charging barbarian and not a high-speed mounted archer.

[SixthDeclension]

O I see.....

As far as Tarik can tell, evening is approaching and camp should soon be set up if he wants to find a defensible position. He is in orc country now, and shouldn't leave himself open.

2 days down. 2 and a half to go. Assuming you don't do anything stupid, you won't get seen or attacked. Do you want to teleport to 2 days in the future? If so, just write a cutscene!

[Callix]

Tarik quickly resumes his own form, then sets about making a camp for the night. Once he's safely concealed, he takes out his healing wand and works its magic on his injuries. His body whole once more, he makes a simple dinner of trail rations.

Assuming shifting back gives the "day's rest" bonus (5 HP), I need 25 HP.
CLW rolls: 1d8+1=9, 1d8+1=6 1d8+1=9.
I'll leave the last point to tonight's rest.

Two days of cautious travel, camouflaged camps and freezing at nearby sounds later, Tarik sets out, hoping to reach the encampment sometime today.

[SixthDeclension]

As you near where you see orcs gathering, a giant line of black crows flies off to your right, as if something is charging through there at an incredible speed. As you get nearer to the camp, you can tell that it is not a humanoid on horseback, but what seems to be a combination of a female human and a tiger. Her beauty, even from a distance, is absolutely stunning, and her form seems perfectly fitted.

There are three massive tents in the gathering, each with a strikingly different flag over their entrances. The flags of different tribes, no doubt. The lioness lays in the middle, approached by three different emissaries, from their respective tents. There are smaller camps within a few minutes running distance, but not much besides that. As of now, you are about 200 or so feet away. About noontime.

Gotta love reflavored monsters.

[Callix]

Tarik's ears are keen, but even he can't make out speech at this distance, and the cover is poor enough that stealth is difficult. Instead, he hobbles the horse and moves away so his next action will not startle it. He oncentrates, and feels his body flow into the form of the leopard, one of the best ambush predators around. Using the leopard's agility and camouflage, he ries to sneak near enough to hear what they're saying.

A Dex of 19, a +4 racial mod and 8 ranks goves +16 hide/move silently. If there's any cover within 90ft, try and sneak up to that distance. Otherwise, as close as I can. DC 10 + distance mod should make out what they're saying, ad Tarik speaks Orcish.
Hide, MS, Listen: 1d20+16=31, 1d20+16=33, 1d20+9=29
EDIT: Lol. Would make it by moving 10 feet closer. Still, there are worse combat forms than a leopard with Power Attack.

[SixthDeclension]

With those rolls, you can do whatever the hell you please. I will assume you want to get as close as physically possible, which is right behind the nearest tent.

Tarik, in his muscular leopard form, sneaks and slithers his way towards the back of the closest tent. By the time he had gotten there, introductions were long over and the most regal looking orcs he had ever seen were out in what could only be described as a courtyard with the odd tiger creature. When she speaks, her voice is soothing and calm, but you can practically feel the anger underneath her lustrous tones.

My masters believe that it would be best if you reconsider what they previously asked of you. There is a rising paranoia in the lands, and they will not easily treaty with orcs. They believe that you should simply slaughter the council when you meet with them. Bring hidden weapons and guards. My masters can supply you with shadows and other incorporeal creatures that can easily sneak in. Of course, someone would have to pick up the ashes of their silly government. My masters have already arranged for one who could do just that thing. He will establish this trade you wish, no worries.

Her voice did not sway, and all three orcs were nodding in agreement to her, and her masters', plan.

The strongest looking orc, who's clothing was a deep red and had blue linings, spoke up.
I will take my warriors with me, and we will do the things you have asked of us. He turns to his guard to his right and begins whispering with him.

Knowledge arcana/nature check to know what it is. Can I also get a spot check?

[Callix]

Arcana, Nature, Spot: 1d20+5=12, 1d20+6=26, 1d20+9=15

[SixthDeclension]

The creature is a reflavored Lamia.

Tarik spots on the left shoulder of the beautiful tigress a tattoo of a single eye.

The eye is the symbol of vecna, right? Anywho, its the symbol of vecna on her shoulder.

[Callix]

The removed eye, the severed hand, and the stilled tongue are various symbols of Vecna, but the eye is the most common.

Tarik chafes at having an enemy so close, but he continues to hide behind the tents. With so many orcs ready to jump to her aid, he could not hope to defeat the tigress.

[SixthDeclension]

When the orcs were done whispering, the strong one turned and said, It will be done, Caealin. Meet us with these shadows outside of Compton, in the place you first met us. With that, the lamia bowed and trotted away. The three orcs just stayed and looked at each other.

[Callix]

Tarik, concerned by the idea of the orcs serving Vecna en masse, decides to take a bit of creative action. With the tigress out of sight, he resumes his own form behind the tent. He steps out and addresses the orcs.
"Ho, the camp. I have an offer for you."

[SixthDeclension]

Instantly, the orcs, about 10 of them, including the three leaders, draw their weapons and the strongest one, who replied before, spoke out. Who are you!? And what are you doing here?

He obviously doesn't know that you killed that whole bunch of orcs by trueport....

[Callix]

"My name is Tarik. I'm an enemy of those that wear the lidless eye, and I'm here to offer you another option. Some of what that creature offered you is true. The people down in the plains are getting paranoid, mostly because her and her friends are wreaking havok. They might well shun an orcish envoy after what orcs wearing the eye of Vecna have done. If you want to trade with Compton rather than raid it, I will stand beside your envoy and guarantee it. In return, I simply ask that you honour the agreement should we reach one, and that whatever your previous visitor asked of you is not done."

[SixthDeclension]

Ah, but what is to gain by being peaceful over the slaughtering of the council? They hate us, and will never trade with us, as you must have noticed. The only way to establish that is by putting a new leadership into power, and that is something you have not offered us.

A new leader speaks up, this one's clothing a light blue with red trim. He waits for your response.

Thank you for doing something I didn't expect. Its always a pleasure when that happens.

[Callix]

Tarik's good like that. He hates the cult so much that anyone non-cult is more or less equal. Plus he speaks orcish.

Tarik suposes to himself that he really ought to have expected this line of reasoning. Nevertheless, he continues trying to argue his point.

"While sacking a city can hold rewards, you would not seek trade if you did not know that wealth is easier and safer gained by peaceful methods. My way does not cost any of you any raiders. The way of the lidless eye would leave the one who led the charge chief only of old women and babes. Second, you mean to place a puppet rulership over the city. Unless you mean to rule the city directly, and move your tribes in to enforce this, you will need someone in the shadows, controlling them. But if you can control one set of rulers, why not another? How can you trust the man who holds the strings that he isn't manipulating you too? Finally, there are many like me who oppose the lidless eye. By taking their aid, you involve yourself in a conflict far beyond these hills. My aid can be kept only to the council, but impossible assasinations and an orcish invasion will be the news of half the world. You will have shown your hand before you even know the game."

[SixthDeclension]

The last orc leader steps up. He is clothed evenly in black and red and wears the symbol of Gruumsh.
Fighting and raiding is the orc way. We are built to survive losses, so much so that they hardly affect us. And the mistress has it planned, we kill only the council, and leave before it is known. The city will still be intact. It will not be known that we work with those you despise to anyone, save us and you. You do bring up a point however, concerning whether we can trust those we follow. Come with me.

He motions and begins walking toward his tent, the two other orcs following. The guards are eying you suspiciously.