frp

• Third Age, Year 1108
• 4 June - The party meets Polikwaptiwa.
• 5 June - Vincent hires Sahale, a guide, to take them up the river
• 6 June - Polikwaptiwa finishes her repair attempts on the party's magic items.
• 7 June - The group leaves Shiriki, heading for Baka. The rain stops.

The river that merges with the Etenai at Shiriki comes originally from the high elevation lake of Songan. From there to here, it is a fairly rough ride. There are two major rapids - both many miles long and very treacherous, plus one large waterfall. (See map)

The trails up the river are not as well marked as the party was led to believe - so the guide, Sahale, will be more useful than originally thought. Sahale is a rather surly fellow. He has been burned in life too many times and no longer trusts his fellow man - in fact, he has given up hope and has decided that he must take from life before he is taken. He is, however, a very intelligent man - and with a little skill can carry on a scintillating conversation.

Sahale, male Exp/2: CR 1; Size M (6'0“); HD 2d6+2; hp 12; Init +2 (+2 Dex); Spd 30 ft.; AC 12 (+2 Dex); Attack +2 melee, or +3 ranged; SV Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +4; AL NE; Str 12, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 13, Cha 9.

Skills and feats: Climb +6, Concentration +3, Craft (Armorsmithing) +6, Craft (Painting) +4.5, Craft (Trapmaking) +9, Hide +2, Intimidate +4, Knowledge (Geography) +7, Knowledge (Nature) +4.5, Listen +1, Move Silently +2, Perform (Act) +3, Perform (Comedy) +2, Perform (Dance) +4, Profession (Guide) +2, Profession (Driver) +3, Search +9, Spot +1, Tumble +7; Exotic Weapon Proficiency (whip), Skill Focus (Knowledge (Geography)).

The trail up the river is hard at times, so normal overland movement will be slowed. Plus, the party hasn't been on foot for several weeks, and will take a few days to get into the rythm of the march. On a good day, the party can expect to make 16 miles. However, once they leave Nita territory and enter the wilds between Nita and the Ogedei, their daily treks will drop to 12 miles. If the party opts to push it, they can get this back up to 16, but much more is unlikely as a group.

All in all, the trip from Shiriki to the Songan river gate is 260 miles, so the total travel time will be roughly three weeks. Though there are plenty of hardships between here and there that may delay (or stop) the party!

The first noteworthy event will occur at the end of the first day (June 6th). The ever-present rain will stop. While this wouldn't normally be a thing of note, the rain has been with the party non-stop for almost the past two weeks. In fact, it has been nearly constant since before the mountain crossing, but has been constant (as in 24 hours a day) since the party returned from the desert. It's absence will be noticed.

Sahale will take the party overland - away from the river - for the first two days. This is because the lands near Shiriki are relatively safe and well travelled and the river is not needed as a guide during this portion of the trip. It will also save nearly a day since the river bends far north.

The group will hook up with the river at the rapids of Tatanka-ptecila late in the second day (June 7th).

The first dangerous encounter on the road to Baka will be a flying reconnaissance Slaad and his rider, a Chaos minion. A squadron of four of these pairs have been sent by Chaos to find the party and determine what dangerous artifact they possess.

And here is where the subtlety of the gods' plan comes into play. If the minions are successful at scanning the party, they will discover three items of artifact level: Kesi's staff, Matchitisiw's staff, and (to a lesser extent) Matchitisiw's ring. They will NOT be able to detect Vincent's frog, which is the real power in the group. The other items are there primarily as diversions.

The encounter will occur near Poloma falls (which is known in Baka as Erdenechimig). The one Slaad (and rider) will fly near to the group and spot them on the ground. Let the party have a Listen roll to hear the buzz of the Slaad's wings as it approaches. If the party manages to evade detection (which seems very unlikely - considering there are now eight people and a mule), the the Slaad will miss them and not encounter them again until the next day (on a reverse pass back up the river).

The flying reconnaissance Slaad has the same basic stats as a Red Slaad with the following modifications: Its ground movement is only 20 feet, but it can fly at 60 feet (and is rated “average”). It does not have the Pounce special attack. With these two modifications, it's CR remains at 7.

The Chaos minions are more like men than Slaad.

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