He seems annoyed at the attempts of the humans and eidolon to talk 'Dwarven' "Hmm, well show me the webbing you have"
He moves his fingers through the webs and nods "Fine quality indeed. Listen, I am willing to pay you 200 gp as well as two flasks of alchemist’s fire and three potions of cure light wounds. And because it is such good quality I will even let you know where to find an ancient blade."
He holds out his hand [b]"What do you say, do we have a deal?"
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Though he knows enough not to make the final call on whether to accept Ninefingers' offer or not, Relas does return Lyn's high-five as best as he can.
"Arr, t'wasn't nothin'," he whispers before a glare from Palomia signals that he'd better be quiet for a few minutes.
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Krieger narrows his eyes, suspicious of the portly dwarf. Is this really his best offer, or is the merchant trying to exact his pound of flesh?
"We honor the customs of Daggermark, and we consider your offer with the respect it deserves. Tell us more about this blade, Narngar Ninefingers. If it is truly of value, why have you not retrieved it sooner?"
He pets his belly "Do I look like the adventuring type?"
The dwarf nods "Whatever you want. I've got more stuff to do. If you won't sell to me then stop wasting my time!"
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Krieger heads for the door, but he turns back one last time before he walks out.
"My colleagues are eager to find another buyer, Narngar Ninefingers. This ancient blade you mentioned intrigues me. Anything to add?"
Krieger gives the dwarf a moment to reconsider.
"If not, then we'll be off. Perhaps, we'll return. May those to whom you owe gold treat you fairly."
"Anything to add? Yes, that I am having some difficulties and that is a great offer I made you. I am not sure if I can meet it when and if you get back."
Nevertheless you make your way to the gnome. You meet the blue-haired gnome at a market stall. She investigates the wares
"Hmmm, I do not know, how do I know this is as fresh as you say it is? Harvesting the adhesive is a tough job and if this is not fresh I have spend good gold on a worthless product."
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"Right, we even turned down a pretty good deal from another guy who was interested in this stuff because we thought that you might be able to offer a better deal," Palomia chimes in, trying not to let her exasperation show. "Also because this guy here was hoping to get to chat with a fellow gnome for a little bit," she adds, nudging Hanlin.
Clearly, Palomia doesn't have much experience in bargaining with gnomes.
"Ah, ok. Well, in that case I am willing to offer you a great bargain: 200 gold and I will also throw in these three healing potions and two flasks of alchemist's fire!"
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Hanlin, a bit late to the party as he was trying to keep Sunny from consuming a vase of flowers from a nearby merchant's cart, steps up with lead rope in hand, just hears the offer from the gnome.
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Krieger frowns, "Very similar indeed, Relas, though this merchant dangles no promise of an ancient blade's location, and neither offers any information about the half-orc scholar Ulisha."
Krieger turns to the gnome. "Is that your best offer?"
His expression reveals only the serene patience of his Tian mother, as he gives the merchant an opportunity to increase her price.
Then, Krieger turns to the party. "If neither of these offers is acceptable, shall we seek out the Iobarian Johannes Vox?"
These Daggermark merchants do not seem as desperate as our intelligence suggested. The dwarf's offer seemed as good as the gnome's, though the dwarf's lead on the location of an ancient weapon appeals to me.
The gnome turns to Krieger
"Yes it. It is a fair offer and I have the funds available to immediately meet it"
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"Oh for..." Palo begins, then takes a deep breath and slowly exhales.
"Alright, if we want to go try Vox then that's fine. Or if we want to go back and see if Ninefingers is still willing to make that deal then that's also fine," she whispers. "But what will not be fine is if we do either of those two options and then decide that maybe we'd just better try following up on the other option, just to be safe! I like making money just as much as the next person but at the rate we're going I'm going to have to spend what we do on specialty shoes for my aching feet!"
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"I still think the dwarf should have it..." Lyn mumbles. "But I do agree with Palomia. I'd prefer not to barter all day. Sell the stuff to the gnome and let's be on with it - perhaps we might head to Allenstead and check out this magical scepter next?" With an intrigued smile, she eyes the sheet from Ulisha's journal titled Colony.
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Krieger exits the gnome's shop. He nods in agreement with Lyn's suggestion. "Yes, Allenstead is as likely a next destination as any other on our quest."
He tries to recall what he knows about the place, its inhabitants and its laws, customs, traditions, and legends.
Krieger asks the other members of the party, "What do you know about Razmiran, the town of Allenstead and the worship of Razmir, this 'Living God'?"
The gnome pays you the gold, flasks and potions and takes the webbing "It was a pleasure doing business with you."
You gather some information on Allenstead and Razmir
And head for the town of Allenstead. The town consists of a few dozen buildings built along either side of a solitary dirt road that leads from Razmiran to a ferry dock on the West Sellen River. At the center of the village, construction is nearly complete on a large stone statue of a Razmiri priest that stands nearly 20 feet in height. The head of the statue peers down at a stage.
An elderly woman sits on a bench under an appletree. She is looking at some children that are playing on the square before the statue and stage. Several men are working on the statue.
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Not knowing any more than what Ashwell just stated in his typical annoyed fashion, Hanlin stays relatively quiet as he trudges along leading Sunny by the rope. I guess I never thought about just how much travel we'd be doing on this, Sunny must be tired from carrying me around so much.
Seeing the apple tree and a few small apples in the grass beneath, Sunny quickly drags Hanlin by the rope over to sample them. Hanlin smiles at the woman as he waves "Good afternoon. Fine day to be outside isn't it? Mind if Sunny here eats a few apples?"
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"Supposedly this 'Living God' completed the Test of the Starstone and gained divinity," Palomia adds as they make their way towards Allenstead. "Him and his faithful are all about law, luxury, and obedience. Which I guess aren't bad things to get behind, depending on the circumstances," she adds with a shrug.
When they arrive at the town, the young woman looks around, unimpressed. Her gaze is drawn the to the nearly-complete statue in the center of the village. "Well, that sure does add to the nice, peaceful atmosphere here," she remarks sarcastically. "I'm sure I'd enjoy going about my day with that fellow staring down at me."
"It is a lovely day! As long as the beast only eats those that have fallen I don't mind at all. I have never seen a slug that big! Isn't it gross to touch it? I understand you gnomes are always looking for new experiences, but taking care of a slug wouldn't be my choice. Are you here for the sermon?"
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To fill in his intelligence gaps on Allenstead and the worship of Razmir, Krieger conducts some field research about the party's destination and its patron deity.
When Krieger rejoins his colleagues, he pulls out his journal and shares the information he was able to gather. He confirms what Ash reported, and he adds:
"Worship of Razmir began in the River Kingdoms, where it spread quickly and led to the creation of a theocracy."
"Razmir, 'the Living God,' claims to have ascended to divinity by completing the Test of the Starstone. His faithful preach law, luxury, and obedience."
"Priests wear identical masks to conceal their identities, but the material the masks are made of denotes one’s position in the clergy: gold is above silver, and silver is above iron."
While Hanlin flirts with one of Allenstead's elders, Krieger watches the crew constructing the large statue and stage.
"This statue is a demonstration of power and influence and an effort to maintain both. The one behind it is likely the visiting priest Ulisha mentioned in her journal. She said the cleric carried a jeweled golden scepter, and she suspected it was magical, able to exert influence over the villagers."
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"It is a lovely day! As long as the beast only eats those that have fallen I don't mind at all. I have never seen a slug that big! Isn't it gross to touch it? I understand you gnomes are always looking for new experiences, but taking care of a slug wouldn't be my choice. Are you here for the sermon?"
Hanlin is pleasantly surprised at the friendly tone of the woman "Oh I'm sure she would grab whatever she could reach if I let her, but she's pretty good, well trained even!" He takes a firm grip on the rope and gently pets her side, leaving a bit of stringy slime stretching from his fingers as he does. "She's a bit slimy but firm, want to pet her? Just don't touch her head, her drool can burn a bit if you aren't used to it."
Hanlin then looks around at the stage and the statue "I guess I could stay and have a listen if that ok? How much longer before it starts? Who's preaching and about what?"
"Folloch, priest of the great Razmir is preaching. He has given our lives meaning and shown us the joys of servitude and obedience. He will be here at noon, as he always is. Folloch never misses his daily sermon.”
As Desna wills it, it is just a few minutes before noon. The townspeople stop their various activities and form a crowd at the base of the stage. At noon, a man wearing an iron mask exits from a house and makes his way to the stage. He is flanked by two sturdy townsmen and looks at the crowd gathered before the stage. Seeing you he turns his attention on you “Ah! My dearest children, it appears some stray lambs have wandered into our flock! Surely Razmir can uncloud the minds of these wayward souls.”
With a flourish he points his scepter at you and mutters an arcane word "Alacambra!" nothing happens, the next word is slightly louder "Alacambra!" and finally the man almost screams
The man stumbles and calls out to the crowd "They are enemies of the faith! Defend me!" as he quickly moves himself from the back of the stage. The villagers that have gathered at the base of the stage turn against the pathfinders, grabbing at you and trying to hold you back. While the unarmed townsfolk are no challenge in combat, their sheer numbers can prevent you from chasing down your quarry.
Round 1:
Krieger
Hanlin/Sunny
Palomia/Relas
Ashwell
Lyn
"Our priest has said that you are enemies! Thou shall not pass!"
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"Hey, come on now, you'll all get a turn, I promise?" Lyn says with a wink at the grabbing villagers. "Just let me through, please?" She hikes her gown up just enough to show some thigh.
... And quickly recalls she had forgotten to bathe and shave her legs for the past two weeks.
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Hanlin looks around at the grabby hands of the larger people and decides nothing would part the sea of people like a Gnome riding a big scary/gross slug, so he hops up on her back. "Back off people or I'll show you what its like to be trampled beneath Sunny the giant Slug!" Alas she doesn't seem to want to cooperate this time and stays put.
Sunny rears up when Hanlin tries to get on her back, still not accustomed to the gnome riding her. The villagers seem to misinterpret this as an attack and scamper out of the way! The other pathfinders don't seem to find the right arguments...
Round 2:
Krieger
Hanlin/Sunny
Palomia/Relas
Ashwell
Lyn