Janosz Frogshanks |
"Flaying? Sweet Arawai, what kind of sick freaks are we dealing with here?" After a pause, Janosz recovers his composure, though he is obviously still unsettled. "While Venk's parlour is quite possibly a dead end, I'd still like to check it out - after all, we won't know until we get there... Hopefully, we'll find something there that will help us locate his kobold companion".
Lightbringer |
You can ask your new friend the guard - Trose got a very good roll, he loves you guys.
I was thinking that, but it seemed un-paladin-like to suggest it.
Trose - Clone |
"Well," I say to the guard, "seems we won't be getting much information from Venk himself, but perhaps he left something behind that would give us a clue. Think you could point the way to his parlor, and possibly wherever he has been laying his head?"
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
The guard scatches his chin thoughtfully. "It's pretty bad in there right now. It's bad at the best of times, but I can see the gates getting closed on this one. The only reason we haven't closed 'em yet is 'cos that'll be just the sort of excuse they need to start rioting. I wouldn't go in there if the life of me Mrs was on the line. My girlfriend, maybe... Nah, not her either. Something this morning's got them all riled up - warforged and elves, or some nonsense like that."
The guard casts his eye over the party, seeming to notice Lightbringer and Runzyl for the first time. He frowns, as if there is something he ought to remember to do. Then he shrugs and loses interest.
Trose - Clone |
I carefully control the urge for my eyes to roll heavenwards, "Well, my life or my love might not be enough, but my House, now that is important. I am certain that we are capable enough of being subtle not to instigate a full scale riot, right fellows?"
"So why don't you just give me a pointer in the right direction, and maybe when I get back up to the Enclave, i can put in a good word for you. A House retainer must be a better position than a guard of High Walls and low hopes."
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
OK, if you insist...
"Venk used to hang about in a pub called the Dirty Dog. Bad place - lot's talk about the Cyran appreciation, even if most of them are off their faces on dreamlily. We don't go in there without a lot of back-up, if we go at all. Don't bother mate, it isn't worth it - not for a scumbag like Venk."
Trose - Clone |
"Fine, fine," I say to a point just over the shoulder of the guard, as though he were a ventriliquist's dummy and the operator was invisible, "then one final questioin and we will be off. My investigation has shown that Venk had a connection with a kobold named Uli, and it is Uli that I am really looking for. Any thoughts where I might find the little lizard?"
Lightbringer |
"It seems that our continued presence in High Walls will only cause unnecessary trouble," says Lightbringer. "Let us return to Downstairs, perhaps Jendry will have some information for us. If not, that is on the way to Lower Dura anyway." I think
Trose - Clone |
"Yes, lets get far from here before we draw out a riot."
"We have some unexpected time now, do we want to go to the shrine now, and return to The Roll of the Dice later, or does anyone have something else they wish to follow up on first, or we could stick to the plan as is, and see if Jendry will meet with us early?"
Janosz Frogshanks |
"I doubt that the Dask will ambush us in broad daylight, no matter how much power they might hold in the lower city. I vote for seeing Jendry early, and then going to the shrine. He might have more information for us - and our potential ambushers will be more confident, and thus vulnerable to our counter-ambush".
Lightbringer |
Lightbringer thinks for a moment. "As eager as I am to return to the shrine, Janosz speaks wisely about being armed with information. As Lower Dura is directly across the city from where we are now, and Lower Menthis is on the way, I do not see the harm in seeing Jendry now, If he is not ready to see us, we will not have wasted a significant amount of time on a detour."
He looks at his companions, particularly Runzyl and Ezrael to see if they are in agreement.
"Either way, let us begin walking."
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
It’s the middle of the afternoon, and the air between the tower roots is humid, still and stifling. The sky is low and thunder reverberates miles away in the distance.
The party walks back to Downstairs, crossing between Tavick’s Landing and Menthis on a low level bridge across the chasm that divides them. Back in Menthis, people sit around listlessly in the omnipresent bars, enervated by the heat. A human beggar sprawls semi-naked in a doorway, displaying the layer of grime that coats most of his exposed flesh, snoring loudly as the companions pass by. A large, matronly shifter woman sitting at a drink stall pants in the heat, fanning herself as she perspires.
Eventually, they reach The Roll of the Dice. Trini greets the party, smiling particularly warmly at Nox, while the doormen nod curtly. One of them goes to fetch Sardu, Jendry’s tattooed henchman, who then takes the group to the office where Jendry is waiting.
Jendry looks up as they enter, eying them coolly. “You’re early.” He smiles sarcastically. “I like keenness.” He signs a piece of paper on his desk and then leans back, giving the group his full attention.
“I have a name, and I have a place. The name is Gelb, comes from the Cogs. He’s an enforcer, works on-off for Daask. He’s a changeling and changes his appearance all the time, so I can't give you a description. He’s smart and very vicious, usually runs protection and extortion with a bit of contract killing on the side.” The last piece of information is delivered in the same flat, matter-of-fact manner as the rest.
“The place is the Quarlo Tannery in Cliffside. You can’t miss it – follow your noses. Rumour has it that they have had a change of management, and suddenly the place is heavily guarded by gnolls and kobolds. Our sources say that Gelb and his cronies are operating out of the tannery, peddling dreamlily and some stronger shit, and not producing too much leather anymore.
“And I also have this.” He proffers the piece of paper he just signed. “Some ‘friends’ of mine like what you are doing with Daask, and would like to contribute to the cause. This is a note for three thousand gold, which can be drawn on Bank Kundarak. You might need it if you are going to hit Daask in one of their strongholds.”
Trose - Clone |
"Thank you Jendry," I say as I take the letter of credit, "this will be put to good use. We do have another question for you, our investigation turned up another link to Daask, a kobold named Uli, who had some contact with a Dreamlily peddlar named Venk. You wouldn't happen to recognize either name, would you?"
Trose - Clone |
I will officially make this suggestion after we leave Jendry's shop, but this may be a case where we get lots more milage of an unfair split of wealth. We have enough for 2 sets of light +1 armor, or a +1 weapon, might be good to get that into the hands of a tank.
Runzyl Steelsong |
A +1 weapon is not going to help Lightbringer all that much, but two sets of +1 light armor will definitely help some of our light armor people. I think Trose, Janosz, and myself are all using light armor. My frenzy gives me a bonus to AC, but Trose and Janosz could probably use an AC bump more than Lightbringer could use +1 damage. Just my 2 cents.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
If I might NPC Nox a little - it is for your own good.
"I'd like it if you could put aside some cash for a healing wand - I reckon I need a total of five hundred, as I still have the voucher. As I already have 225, I only need 275."
This is a suggestion - it isn't remotely obligatory or even a hint - but would improve Nox's utility as a healer.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
What the hell is mournlode?
I hear what you are saying, and am happy with the lateral thinking. However - and again, this isn't a hint but merely a suggestion - don't forget that there is more than one way to skin a cat. You are thinking a little bit one-dimensionally - i.e. weapons and armour. You have two casters, one divine and one arcane. Don't forget that some fairly powerful scrolls are well within your budget now, and not just one or two. Also, buying some Oils of Magic Weapon or Potions of Shield of Faith might go a lot further than permanently enchanted weapons and armour, and can be distributed to most or all party members. Yes, once used they are gone. But at this relatively lowly level, you might get more bang for your buck this way. Also there are, of course, also the alchemical items like tanglefoot bags, alchemist's fire and so on.
Trose - Clone |
Ok, so it is my fault, but if we don't have anything else for Jendry right now, lets leave, and we can have this conversation in-character
"Well, armor would be nice, but I am personally aiming for something beyond the means of that little note. I think a weapon might be a good start, as even the most minor enchantment lays the groundwork for more powerful enhancements later on."
"As an alternative, we have enough for everyone to get some of the finest quality weapons, and a blanced and sharp blade strikes true."
If Nox gets the wand, which is probably a good idea, then we will have roughly 2700 left, which is enough for 7 or 8 masterwork weapons.
And before anyone asks, I am aiming for mithril chain shirt, or even mithril chain
Dragonmann |
What the hell is mournlode?
I hear what you are saying, and am happy with the lateral thinking. However - and again, this isn't a hint but merely a suggestion - don't forget that there is more than one way to skin a cat. You are thinking a little bit one-dimensionally - i.e. weapons and armour. You have two casters, one divine and one arcane. Don't forget that some fairly powerful scrolls are well within your budget now, and not just one or two. Also, buying some Oils of Magic Weapon or Potions of Shield of Faith might go a lot further than permanently enchanted weapons and armour, and can be distributed to most or all party members. Yes, once used they are gone. But at this relatively lowly level, you might get more bang for your buck.
Mournlode comes from the Magic of Eberron book, and it counts as silver or cold iron as appropriate for negating DR on undead. I only mention it because it is dead cheap, almost as cheap as alchemical silver... okay that, and becuae I read up on it yesterday...
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
Just to remind you, you can get anything that is legal in House Cannith (which basically excludes thieves' tools and not much else), magical and mundane, up to 5th level caster. Remember (in case you were unaware or had forgotten) that House Cannith comprises artificers, and they can make items with caster levels two less than normal. So it is possible to get there a scroll of fireball, for example, at 3rd level caster, doing 3d6 damage and costing 225gp but otherwise identical to the normal fireball spell. (It is also perfectly possible to buy one of 5th caster level too, of course.) So you can access a slightly inferior versions of some fairly powerful spells at relatively cheap prices.
Runzyl Steelsong |
"As an alternative, we have enough for everyone to get some of the finest quality weapons, and a blanced and sharp blade strikes true."
Runzyl nods enthusiastically at this statement. "You speak truth, though I believe a craftsman of the type I seek may be difficult to locate." The elf nods over his shoulder to the massive, twin-bladed weapon that rests on his back. "I know of a few of my people who make their homes here, but I am not certain if there is a craftsman amongst them. A finely honed blade would certainly be an improvement, though I will admit some sadness in parting with the weapon my father had made for me."
Double weapons are double expensive. Yuck.
Aubrey the Malformed |
OK - we've had a discussion, now we need some decisions. The problem with the "buying a few big items" approach is that everyone needs to decide what to do (difficult with the time differences) whereas the "split it evenly and buy your own" approach allows people to make individual decisions. So - we don't want to get bogged down in discussions of inventories for a week. What are you buying?
Also, what are you doing after your retail therapy?
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
Trose - Clone wrote:"As an alternative, we have enough for everyone to get some of the finest quality weapons, and a blanced and sharp blade strikes true."Runzyl nods enthusiastically at this statement. "You speak truth, though I believe a craftsman of the type I seek may be difficult to locate." The elf nods over his shoulder to the massive, twin-bladed weapon that rests on his back. "I know of a few of my people who make their homes here, but I am not certain if there is a craftsman amongst them. A finely honed blade would certainly be an improvement, though I will admit some sadness in parting with the weapon my father had made for me."
Double weapons are double expensive. Yuck.
Valenar elves don't exactly grow on trees around here, but the group you hang with back at the Bazaar will be able to point you in the direction of a valenar smith in Sharn. Obviously, a full-blown masterword double scimitar will cost in the region of 600gp+, but maybe you can teem and lade the money allocation to funnel more cash in Runzyl's direction.
Trose - Clone |
"Not to complicate the matter further, but should we be off to the market now, or should we head for the shrine first as we planned, and be off shopping at first light?"
With perhaps a bit more gold to spread around, or a few less hands to share the money with if things go awry, I think to myself.
Trose - Clone |
Trose - Clone wrote:With perhaps a bit more gold to spread around, or a few less hands to share the money with if things go awry, I think to myself.Well, that's one way of getting the money to go further, I suppose...
Well remaining neutral means every once in a while, got to admit your not all good
Lightbringer |
Lightbringer is silent throughout the brief meeting with Jendry. The more he has to do with the halfling, the more he feels that he should not. However, even if he is a criminal himself, he seems the lesser of two evils compared to Daask. And whilst Lightbringer briefly considers refusing the money, he realises that it would be wise to accept all the help they can get against Daask – and it is not like Jendry would be using the money for charitable works if it did not go to them.
“The weapons I have should be sufficient,” he says to his companions later. “Nox’s suggestion of purchasing some type of healing wand is a wise one. That may make more of a difference in this.”
“But I agree with Runzyl, if the rest of you are willing, let us continue with caution to the shrine now, and make our purchases and discuss strategy in regards to Jendy’s information once that is done.”
Trose - Clone |
"Well then, why don't you all take a meal and I will make my way to the shrine ahead of you. Remember the plan, Lightbringer make a show of being at the front door while the others hide nearby, hopefully if there is an ambush we can draw it out."
I then take my leave of the group, and make a few minor stops along the way to pick up a humble and roomy robe, one which will conceal my weapons, and a cheap symbol of the flame.
At that, I make why way to the shrine. Barring anyone pokling me with sharp things:
Search: Specifically looking for clues - 13+9=22
Lightbringer |
Whoa there T-man! Are you hiding or keeping an eye out for ambushes on the way there? Lightbringer will have said to you "Be vigilant!" or some such... And we'll be only a few minutes behind you, in case things should turn nasty. They may not know you by sight ... but I wouldnt stake my life on that.
And yes, once the rest of us get there, Lightbringer will approach obviously, attempting to draw out any ambush.