GM Kyshkumen's The Dragons Demand

Game Master Kyshkumen

Ate my post last night and it was a long one too.

Baccus walks back over the the weapon barrels and examines the hilts. "We don't worship the Dawnflower up here in Taldor, but I have to admit she does wield a wicked blade. Ahh here it is," he says as he grabs the hilt of a weapon and pulls a scimitar from one of the barrels. "It was one of my earlier attempts so the curve and balance may not be perfect. If you were looking for something higher quality I could get to work on it right away for you."

The Smith nods at Aodan's request for arrows. "He have some limited stock of cold iron and even silver arrows. I'm sure the apothecary down the road will have some alchemical silver, but that tends to dull the points on the arrows. Now if you don't mind me asking what did you need all this hardware for?"

"We're guards, by trade. And, when looking for work, it is best to look prepared." Candrana studiously avoids looking at Zilch. There is just no explaining *him*.

"But, our last job left us feeling... a little under prepared, and so we're looking to expand our inventory before heading into something even more dangerous."

There...that as circumspect enough, I hope.

The half-orc chuckles, "A little vague, but I understand. I won't pry any further."

Zilch immediately picks up on Candi's meaning.

She's looking for more work...smart lass. Maybe she's good at being smart. Maybe that's her one thing she's good at.

"Yeah, we're pretty good guards. I can also drive pretty good too. If you need something guarded or driven around, you should hire us after we finish with this kobold thing. We just bought this booboo wand so yeah, once I...uh..I mean, *we* get finished cleaning out the kobolds, we'll need more work," Zilch says helpfully.

Zilch peruses the weapons inventory, but needs nothing else.

GM roll: 1d12 ⇒ 11

The smith chuckles again "Ahh well I don't have any work for you, but there have been some odd things going on around town lately. I myself found a few footprints around the shop a week ago. Thought they were large wolf prints, but they can't be as I noticed the same muddy prints on my roof as well. If you want my advice I'd ask around town and you may find the odd job or two and if you're taken care of these kobolds I'll get you anything you need all you need to do is ask."

"Pests. Flying invisible, disappearing, stinging, mocking pests. Could always run into bad fey. But I think this pest was... otherworldly." And then he remembers the tricks played by that particular pest. "And he supported the long-dead, traitorous Baron Sarvo."

"If you can say any more about the paw prints or see any more, let me know. Don't think they'd be confused for kobolds." Or would they, to an untrained eye?

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 In case he can tease any more information about he reported wolf prints.

Aodan will buy 20 cold-iron tipped arrows if available, and get directions to the apothecary.

Aodan pays for his arrows and the Smith points out the Apothecary just 3 buildings to the west.

"Off we go then, shall we?" Candrana says, smiling. Her fingers dance over the pommel of her new rapier. Though it is not the beauty from the case, it already seems more a part of her than the butterfly blades.

"Zilch, try to remember that we're not supposed to be telling everyone about the kobolds. The Baroness wants to keep that quiet" she says, once they are out of earshot. Any other day, it might have a grumble to it, but today with her new sword, her voice is surprisingly mellow.

Zilch immediately picks up on Candi's meaning.

Oh yeah, she's good at being smart.

"Oh yeah, that's a good point, Candi," Zilch says, giving the woman at least a little credit for being right for once. For *once*.

Zilch follows along.

p.s. I think we sold the daggers there too. Just remembered that that's part of our spending money.

"Yes, I would like to commission a high quality scimitar if that would no be a problem." Davros says to the smith.

Finally, a true blade will be in my hands - soon!

"Oh, yes, the eh-POTH-o-cary. Yes. I must purchase some, eh, reagents and refill my pouch. Please be leading on the way, Candrana."

"Right, Davros. This way. It wouldn't do to be without your re-agents."

"Yes. I must purchase some, eh, reagents.."

I do not like the sound of Qadiran agents... hmmmm... better watch and make sure reagents are the only types of agents the Qadiran gathers. He studies Zilch as they travel through town. Could the Qadiran try and recruit this uncouth beard for some nefarious eastern plot? Zilch might sell out for the right amount of coin, wouldn't he? Perhaps Candrana or Grayson will help me keep an eye out.

When they enter the apothecary, if he can find someone to address, he'll inquire. "Hey. The Smithy said you might have stuff to tip arrows. With silver stuff. Or silver-like stuff. Maybe a blanch?" Heladel was always equipped with a few different blanches. And now that we've got some coin, perhaps its time to take stock of kobold, and paw-print, hunting gear.

Walking into the the building called Xemne's Tonics the party is greeted by Xemne (The nice lady that patched you up last night). "Good morning, nice to see you are all looking much better then when we meet last night." She looks over at Davros, "Oh and you've made a new friend as well.' At Aodan's request she nods, "I have a few blanches if you'd like. If you have ten arrows I'd be glad to apply the silver blanch to them for 5 gold."

Zilch follows along, still hoarding his money. He does not need to buy anything but is happy to help others find things if they need help.

"Yeah, you guys are going to want to get some weapons to handle that little flying jerk that you let get away after I totally had it."

"I knew we should have kept one of those daggers." What was I thinking? before turning to smile at the woman.

"This is our new friend Davros. He's in need of... re-agents?"

The half-elf rolls his eyes when Zilch pontificates, wondering if he could get away with shaving the obnoxious one's beard while he slept.

But he also keeps alert, curious as to what kind of agents the easterner is seeking, but conducts his own business as well.

Aodan hands over ten arrows from his quiver and retrieves the coins from his pouch. "Your the good kind of 'pothecary, right? Not the wart remover, love potion kind? But the salve your wounds, burn things with firey water kind?" Your ministrations were much appreciated last evening, so it's likely your wares are effective, right?

"So have you got the 'chemists fire water? Vials of acid? I could use one or two of each, if ya' got 'em. Oh, and the sticks that glow like the sun." He scans the establishment to see what Xemne has to offer.

"I'm also got the itch to write somethin', believe it or not. Somethin' special. Do you or someone sell good ink, a good pen, and some parchment or vellum?"

Zilch notes at Aodan's good thinking.

"Oh good, you can also scribe what we do. I'm sure I'll give you plenty to write about. You just stick with me, Aodan. History happens when you '*ko boldly*' like I do..." Zilch follows statement up with several obvious winks and a knowing smile at Candi.

I wonder if they got the message.

Walking into the the building called Xemne's Tonics the party is greeted by Xemne (The nice lady that patched you up last night). "Good morning, nice to see you are all looking much better then when we meet last night." She looks over at Davros, "Oh and you've made a new friend as well.' At Aodan's request she nods, "I have a few blanches if you'd like. If you have ten arrows I'd be glad to apply the silver blanch to them for 5 gold."

"Have you reagents required for the, eh, more common arcane uses? Bits of wool, a few dragonflies, a couple brass keys and a clear crystal for focusing? Is this the right place for the purchase of such items; as you might tell I am no from around here."

"...ko boldly like I do."

I must have done something horrible in a previous life to have fallen into such company. He turns to Candrana and mumbles... "ನೀವು ಕೋರ್ಸ್, ಸರಿ. ಹಾಗೆ ಯಾರಾದರೂ ಅವರು ಮಾಡಬಹುದು, ಒಂದು ನಿಜವಾದ ಬೆದರಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ? ಬಹುಶಃ ನಮ್ಮ ಘನತೆ ಹೊರತುಪಡಿಸಿ"

.

"...as you might tell I am no from around here."

Hearing the foreigner's comment, Aodan barely muffles a little snort. As the Qadiran rattles off a strange list, the half-elf's eyes narrow. His materials do not sound those of a spy, but they sound more like.... His face lights up in a sudden realization. He couldn't have seen my book, could he? Aodan glowers a bit, but the thought of his father's tome reminds him of what he read, and he realizes he needs to add couple of things to his list.

"Oh yeah, along with the other stuff, I need butter and some cured leather. And have you ever heard of Yuelral?" He has his doubts whether they have in his rustic village, but it can't hurt to task. "I'd like a blessed token from her, too." He feels around his rather empty pack. "And maybe a suggestion on where to go to get resupplied with traveling gear."

So, in sum, in addition to the Silver Weapon Blanch, from the Apothecary he's probably looking for Alchemist's Fire, Acid Flask, Sunrod, Tindertwig, Spell Component Pouch. It also looks like I never purchased/equipped the standard Pathfinder's Kit and Dungeoneering Kit in my online character sheet, so he's looking for a place to round out his basic adventuring gear, too. He will keep his eye out for a Holy Symbol of Holy symbol of Yueral (Elven goddess of magic and patron of half-elves).

"I can help you out with the alchemist fire, acid flasks, sun rods and regents. If you are looking for writing materials you should try Nachis Sisters next door and basic gear would be Tymek's just west of here."

Adding Tymek's to the map.

"... And have you ever heard of Yuelral?"

Candrana raises a brow at the half-elf's question. Perhaps he isn't quite so thoroughly human afterall, even considering his oversized shoulders and oddly harsh features. He isn't sprouting all those chin hairs like Zilchus, afterall.

Zilch follows along, still hoarding his money. He does not need to buy anything but is happy to help others find things if they need help.

"You know if there is other arcane scholar in town? I would be pleased to purchase inscribing rights from their books if they would be willing or possibly interested in trading inscriptions."

Looking for another arcane caster in town to scribe spells into Davros' spellbook.

"Well you are welcome to look at my book of formulas, but the only other person I can think of with a spell book would be Hunclay. Which reminds me, did you have any luck finding him?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Wouldn't call it luck." A learned man who argues with his liege and then attempts to sabotage the town's heritage while working with the most undesirable sorts. Not good luck at least.

"Apparently he wanted the tower gone. And wasn't picky about who helped him. Have you heard anything about that, or what else is going on?"

"Well you are welcome to look at my book of formulas, but the only other person I can think of with a spell book would be Hunclay. Which reminds me, did you have any luck finding him?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Yes, if it would no be too much trouble, I would like to see your formulae." Davros turns to his companions, "I would very much like to trade with Xemne which might take me a moment of time or more, is that going to be a problem?"

...to anyone other than Aodan?

GM stuff: 1d12 ⇒ 9

"Well Hunclay always gave me the creeps. I heard he worshiped devils and collected evil books." She pulls a book out from under the counter for Davros to look at.

It is an alchemist formula book so Davros can't make any sense of it other then it reads more like a cook book.

Davros looks at the book for a moment, thumbing through the pages with a confused look.

What in Sarenrae's Name is all this gobble-dee-g%!*? Maybe I didn't ask that right. Maybe if I ask in al-Qadiri...

He turns to look at Aodan as if to ask for help but think better of it.

"Eh, I am thanking you for your favor, but, eh, this is of an Art that I no understand. However if you want to trade for store credit, maybe you can find something you do not have in here that you could be using." He reaches into his backpack and withdraws his spellbook.

1st level spells - Keep Watch, Kreighton's Perusal, Serren's Swift Girding, Shield, Shocking Grasp, True Strike, Weaponwand

"Well Hunclay always gave me the creeps. I heard he worshiped devils and collected evil books."

"So not surprising that he died while working with kobolds then, huh. Good thing the Lady has us to get things under control.". Well, maybe except for Zilch of the unwashed and unworthy beard. And the possibly infiltrator.

Glancing over the Qdiran's shoulder, he realizes that Xemne's book makes no sense, but the foreigner's tome reminds him of his father's book. I wonder if he stole that from an Elf? Hmmm, or maybe he bought it with some strange eastern spice or trinket.

She examines the book, "hmm there are some spell that interest me here and if you allowed me to copy some of them down I would be very grateful. I do not know about a trade but I can offer you a discount today and any time you come back along with my thanks."

Zilch follows along, still hoarding his money. He does not need to buy anything but is happy to help others find things if they need help.

Zilch passes gas as he waits.

Candrana watches the book people do the book thing until they are ready to book on out of here...

She examines the book, "hmm there are some spell that interest me here and if you allowed me to copy some of them down I would be very grateful. I do not know about a trade but I can offer you a discount today and any time you come back along with my thanks."

"I need no things today, but a discount would be a mutually beneficial arrangement."

1d12 ⇒ 7

As she takes down some notes from Davros' book she opens up a bit more. "Since you are new in town I don't suppose you know about Tula the town's founder? Well they say that her crypt is haunted by the spirit of her dead husband. I find the rumor rather silly since no one has been inside to confirm this story for years. Ahh there we go I should have enough to figure the alchemical side out on my own. Thanks again and feel free to stop by any time."

"Yeah. Crypt. Dead husband. Uh-huh. O.k." Ahh, welcome to the superstitious sticks.

"So, I'm headed to the Nachis Sisters, for writing, and then Tymek's to replace some of my very, worn out... stuff." Not sure if the others will be interested, he's happy for the security and company of the fellow kobold hunters, well the company of most of them, but not too concerned if they split up, either.

He arches a brow at Davros. "You could ask the sisters about... your writing and stuff. If they have ink, they might have other... ya' know... written stuff." The half-elf heads next door into what he thinks might be some sort of scribing service.

Davros looks to his companions, clearly shocked.

"Did he? Did he? Did he just talk to me and give me information? Willingly?

What does he want? Why's he nice ambivalent now?

"Oh yes, thank you again. What is Tula? Can you tell me about her?"

"Oh yes, Tula was a noble warrior whose mercenary band killed many dragons back during the Dragon Plague years. In fact she killed the very dragon that slew her parents in the marshes just northeast of town. Because of her heroic deeds in slaying so many of the dragons the nation of Taldor gave her the title baroness. Her followers founded the town Belhaim after her family name."

Zilch listens to the story of Tula impressed.

"Oh yeah, that's the same path I'm on...which is we have two scribes with us to recount my deeds. Ah yeah, I'm going to be just like Tula, I am. And you guys can come along too...just follow in Ol' Zilch's footsteps and take notes."

So to the scribe or the general store?

"Dragon Plague years, huh? Sounds like somethin' truly noble.". Perhaps this village was not always such an isolated, unimportant, crossroads.

Aodan will head into the scribbery. "Hello. Anybody about? We need some ink. And a pen. And some good parchment. For writin'. About deeds. And maybe some, um, arcane knowledge.". It should be arcane, at least if I am interpreting my heirloom correctly.

"Oh yeah, and anything you know about Kobold infestations, long dead traitorous Barons and his tortured prisoners, invisible stinging pests, recently dead deceitful wizards, and why he would have dealings with a Qadiran."

"Ummm, and why a long dead Dragon Slayer's husband isn't at rest."

Davros thanks Xemne for doing business and then follows Aodan to the scribe shop.

Scribe shop it is.

Zilch follows along, still hoarding his money. He listens intently to the answers to Aodan's questions.

Zilch breaks wind as he waits.

Candrana waits by the door while the others shop. Oh, sure, inks are useful, but not very interesting...

A tall well dressed woman greets Aodan. "Good morning and welcome to Nachis Sisters. I am Ionnia Nachis and we have all manner of inks, quills and parchment to fit your needs. While I do not know anything about all those things you mentioned maybe you could look into another problem as well?"

"...I do not know anything about all those things you mentioned maybe you could look into another problem well?"

"You have a problem well? Bad water?" Zilch asks, mishearing. "How can we help? Need a new draw rope?"

He motions at Zilch. "Yeah, what he said." Wait. The unworthy beard inquired about a draw rope? "I mean, how can we help?"

Ionnia looks Zilchus up and down due to his odd commments. "Based on how much dirty and filth is on you I can see why you might have had trouble hearing me. Your ears must be full of dirt and who knows what else." She looks to Aodan, "One of the local women by the name of Isadorer Malak is still holding out hope for her missing daughter Bophre, but she has been missing for three months now. I fear she is growing desperate as she increased the reward for her daughters return to 200 gold pieces. Poor woman must be offering copper to her name."

Candrana, her interest piqued by the mention of both a problem and a reward, perks up. "Where was her daughter last seen?"

"I am a little fuzzy on the details, but I'm sure you can speak to Isadorer. Her family live over at the Malak dairy farm across the river."

"One of the local women by the name of Isadorer Malak is still holding out hope for her missing daughter Bophre, but she has been missing for three months now."

Zilch sticks his pinkie into his ear, drawing out wax and wiping it on his jerkin.

"Was Bophre an attractive daughter?" Zilch asks innocently. "I mean, what does she look like?"