City of Nine Stars -- City of Twilight
Game Master therealthom

Waifrin greets the returning Children of Westcrown with concern, knowing Janniven meant a lot to them. She squeezes Ermelos' shoulder and says simply: "You did what you had to. The one thing Janniven would not want us to do is give up."

Marius nods.."There are always strength in numbers..perhaps there is a plan of the temple on file with the city council..would it be worth taking that path ..at least we would have some idea of the layout.?"

"I doubt there's much...if any...record of the Parego Dispora," Akorian answers, "It's lain in ruins for a long time. And the followers of Erastil aren't prone to elaborate houses of worship. A small shrine or lodge is usually the most they ever bother to construct. But we can ask, I suppose."

Sclavo speaks up regarding the records. "All the old records are still kept on the Despora. The Registrar of Land and Buildings will have something. It may or may not be useful. I can check it out."

Akorian -- private conversation with Amaya, check. She provides bascially the same story as above. But was especially freaked out handling the corpses.

A little more detail comes out as the Children talk about yesterday and last night. The armigers played cat and mouse, trailing the wagon sometimes in sight sometimes not. The obviously just wanted to follow the wagon, not draw a fight. Janiven circled behind the armigers and came up on them from behind. She got between them , but didn't finish her first target right away. She was wounded by both. Killed one before the other finished her. Ermolos, VItti and Mathalen had been charging back to help her. Ermolos got the last armiger with a lucky crossbow shot.

Got to do something about a map. With Janiven dead you'll have to scout the Bastard's hideout yourselves.

"All the old records are still kept on the Despora. The Registrar of Land and Buildings will have something. It may or may not be useful. I can check it out."

"That's perfect. I'd like to go with you, if I may - there are other," she glances at Akorian, "details I'd like to look up at the same time."

She listens in silence to the unfolding story of how Janniven met her doom.

"That tells us one thing my friends, one rule we all need to follow: No-one gets to play 'lone hero.' We are to few to do this. In future, in whatever we do, we must always have someone to watch our backs. I know it's not in the nature of any of us to thrust anyone else into harm's way, but some of us joined for that ... well, it's what we're here for."

"That's perfect. I'd like to go with you, if I may - there are other," she glances at Akorian, "details I'd like to look up at the same time."

Akorian gives a knowing -- and approving -- nod.

"That tells us one thing my friends, one rule we all need to follow: No-one gets to play 'lone hero.' We are to few to do this. In future, in whatever we do, we must always have someone to watch our backs. I know it's not in the nature of any of us to thrust anyone else into harm's way, but some of us joined for that ... well, it's what we're here for."

Waifrin's words give Akorian pause as he reflects on his own assumption that he may someday have to martyr himself for Milani's cause. Would it be better to go out fighting alone or with friends at his side that may also lay down their lives to accomplish some greater good. His reflection doesn't provide an answer. But he turns silent and thoughtful for several moments.

"I could also ask around," the rogue offers. "I have an... acquaintance that, considering his line of business, might have had dealings with the so-called 'Bastards'. At the very least, even if he has never done business with them, he might have heard something that could provide us with a little more insight."

In his mind Raven starts counting the coins such a course of action will probably cost him. In his experience, information is almost never given for free.

Has this scene played out? is everyone splitting up? If you have any more questions please post.

What I'm coming away with is:

• Waifrin goes to record hall with Sclavos
• Raven checks out contacts regarding the Bastards
• Akorian prepares his suicide pills
• Most of the Children are going home
• Rizzardo, Mathalen, and Amaya are heading to a teahouse
• Actually Arael wants to speak privately to Akorian.
• Marius and Zara, tag along with anyone or develop another plan?

Please see discussion thread.

Raven, if you're contacts are who I think they are, it might be a good opportunity to cash in some of the party's loot.

What I'm coming away with is:

• ...Akorian prepares his suicide pills...

What?! Hey! ;-P

"I also know someone who may know," Waifrin grimaces, "but he's not likely to be about yet. I can touch base with him at sundown. Otherwise, I think we all have our work to do."

Raven, if you're contacts are who I think they are, it might be a good opportunity to cash in some of the party's loot.

The thought has indeed crossed my mind.

I am assuming that the various longswords (11), lances (2) and daggers (9) are to be sold, yes? Same with the light crossbows (6) liberated from the knights guarding the wagon Arael was kept (the ones from the sewer encounters have been given to the rebels, along with the ammunition). Methinks Raven will be needing someone to help him carry all that stuff... :-P

I am also assuming the healing potions are kept in order for them to be divided among the group.

The masterwork mace, the Asmodean (un)holy symbol and the full plate armor are cached somewhere courtesy of Zarabeta (not really sure if the rest of us even know about it really).

The masterwork mace, the Asmodean (un)holy symbol and the full plate armor are cached somewhere courtesy of Zarabeta (not really sure if the rest of us even know about it really).

She did share the quality of the items and the plan to cache them outside of the city walls, but only she and Marius, at the moment, know exactly where they are, since they were apart from the others at that time.

Seeing Raven gathering up spoils, presumably to be fenced, Zarabeta will tell him where to find the items left outside the city, and offers to show him the exact location, and possibly to assist with any bartering that may ensue, as well as to assist with schleping the many items, bundled in cloth, to avoid notice.

She also makes another attempt to use prestidigitation to change the coloring of her clothing, skin and hair in an attempt to appear different enough to avoid recognition, but to no avail. Disguise 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Marius will join Raven and Zara in their little jaunt outside the walls...if Raven can err..borrow.. a barrow from somewhere we can load it up then Marius dressed as a labourer will wheel it out off the gates and we can pick up the armour and bring it back a few hours later under a load of firewood.

She also makes another attempt to use prestidigitation to change the coloring of her clothing, skin and hair in an attempt to appear different enough to avoid recognition, but to no avail.

"Oh here, you need to do it like this," Waifrin assists Zarabeta with some advice, a bit of hair-styling and some nips and tucks to her clothes ...

Disguise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"There, that looks better," she adds after a long critical look.

"There, that looks better," she adds after a long critical look.

Zarabeta blushes a bit, which she tries to hide behind her hand.

"Thank you, Waifrin." she says, folding her hands and giving a slight bow, "I am quite envious of your skills. My own mastery of the art has left me feeling somewhat clumsy in matters other than the arcane, and your ability to walk with one foot in both worlds is inspiring. And somewhat humbling."

"I wouldn't call it that ... I can do something that frankly scares me sometimes, and I get by in a world where you have to take your chances and run with them. You can do stuff I can't even dream of, and wouldn't know where to start with."

It's clear Waifrin very much admires and respects Zara's magical skills.

bump

While the others depart for their stated tasks, Akorian hangs around to converse with Arael at the half-elf's request.

Sorry guys. A home improvement project is teaming up with work to eat all my days. I'll be posting sporadically this week and mostly in little bite-size pieces, but I'll try to post at least daily.

Raven, Marius, and Zarabeta:

A wheelbarrow can be easily procured. Trundling out to the hiding site takes longer than you might have thought from riding out there yesterday. The cache can be dug up. Did anyone bring an axe for firewood or will you be using a different ploy to get the goods back into the city?

Waifrin and Sclavos:
On the way to the Registrar of Lands and Buildings, Sclavos asks, "what else will you be looking for at the Registrar?"

Akorian:

Arael waits for the others to depart. He sets Morosino on guard outside. "Well, my friend. Thank you again for pulling me out of that jam. I have been thinking about the nature of our enterprise for some time. My capture and Janiven's unfortunate death have crystallized my thinking. Even our rather meager efforts previously have attracted too much attention. We need a way to simultaneously cloak our actions from scrutiny and to legitimize ourselves in public."

Sclavos asks, "what else will you be looking for at the Registrar?"

"My home," Waifrin replies quietly. "I can barely remember it, so I couldn't tell you what part of the city it was in, but somewhere there must be a record of what happened to it ... I can only remember it burning when the Hellknights came."

Marius will definitely have brought an axe but hopes that he doesn't have to use it too much..the woods should hold a fair amount of deadfall timber.

"Well, my friend. Thank you again for pulling me out of that jam. I have been thinking about the nature of our enterprise for some time. My capture and Janiven's unfortunate death have crystallized my thinking. Even our rather meager efforts previously have attracted too much attention. We need a way to simultaneously cloak our actions from scrutiny and to legitimize ourselves in public."

"We have the masks Waifrin made," Akorian notes, "That alone should protect our identities and give a visible symbol for the Wiscrani to rally around and inspire hope. But how do we cloak our actions further? Do we risk operating at night when the shadowbeasts are hunting and violate the Mayor's curfew?"

Raven, Marius, Zarabeta: You recover the goods and there's enough deadfall to load the barrow without cutting fresh wood. But it's hot enough, and the load heavy enough, and the distance far enough, that you're all feeling distinctly peasant-like when you reach the gate. And Marius, who's done most of the heavy lifting, smells authentically like peasant. The guards at the gate look twice at Raven, (must be the ears) but otherwise pass you through without a hitch.

Raven, want to give us two or three lines describing your destination and contact. Just set the scene, please. We may as well pass sometime in conversation.

Waifrin

Sclavos asks, "what else will you be looking for at the Registrar?"

"My home," Waifrin replies quietly. "I can barely remember it, so I couldn't tell you what part of the city it was in, but somewhere there must be a record of what happened to it ... I can only remember it burning when the Hellknights came."

Sclavos looks subdued and embarassed. "I'm sorry, " he mutters. "that's terrible. What did you do after the fire?"

Akorian

"Well, ... We need a way to simultaneously cloak our actions from scrutiny and to legitimize ourselves in public."

"We have the masks Waifrin made," Akorian notes, "That alone should protect our identities and give a visible symbol for the Wiscrani to rally around and inspire hope. But how do we cloak our actions further? Do we risk operating at night when the shadowbeasts are hunting and violate the Mayor's curfew?"

Arael sighs, "I can't be publicly associated with the cause now. It would just brand everyone as criminals. I was thinking that Amaya could take over the public leadership. "

"We'll split into two camps. We'll continue to use the Children of Westcrown for goods works to inspire the populace, a civic boosters organization. Amaya or Tarvi can front it."

"Heaven Sent (good name by the way) will be your group, composed of the new batch of recruits. You'll handle the more active, more dangerous parts of our business. They seem better prepared for that kind of work. "

"I have to keep out of sight, but I can act as secret go-between for the two groups. That will let me monitor and advise everyone."

Sclavos looks subdued and embarassed. "I'm sorry, " he mutters. "that's terrible. What did you do after the fire?"

Waifrin grimaces.

"It was a long time ago, and I barely remember it. The Hellknights found us, seized us and we were sold as slaves. They didn't get father, though, although they got Marius and his family. They were very unhappy about that," Waifrin smiles briefly.

"I never saw any of my family since - not until Marius came back to Westcrown. I don't even know if any of them are alive still, but I doubt it. I was only six years old, then, so most of what I remember ..."

She kicks at the stones in the street disconsolately.

"I don't care what anyone says, slavery is just wrong," she says in a quiet tone. "So is punishing one person for what another one did."

Wrinkling his nose, Raven takes care to keep a bit of distance between Marius and himself, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Not that your strong arm is not appreciated, but still..."

The elf leads the way, bringing the three of them to an old building. The place looks like it has been there for more than a few decades and the sign reading 'Fair Jerrick's Fair Deals' seems to have had the 'Fair Jerrick's' part of it added on top of what probably was the name of the previous owner.

"Jerrick is usually anything but fair, but this little pawn shop has served me well on many an occasion. Its owner asks few to no questions about the origins of the items sold to him and expects no questions about the various items sold by him. Furthermore, he also buys and sells information from time to time, so we might learn a thing or two about the aptly-named group."

Once they get to the door, the rogue adds with a wink, "Mind you my friends, he is a little unpleasant, more than a little slimy and quite the annoying haggler. All in all, a true professional where his line of work is concerned."

Arael sighs, "I can't be publicly associated with the cause now. It would just brand everyone as criminals. I was thinking that Amaya could take over the public leadership."

Akorian nods. "You're probably right. And Amaya's a good choice. Level-headed. Good-hearted. She'll do fine."

"We'll split into two camps. We'll continue to use the Children of Westcrown for goods works to inspire the populace, a civic boosters organization. Amaya or Tarvi can front it."

"Heaven Sent (good name by the way) will be your group, composed of the new batch of recruits. You'll handle the more active, more dangerous parts of our business. They seem better prepared for that kind of work."

"That they are..." Akorian agrees. Some small part of him wonders how Waifrin or Marius might feel about him taking on the accountability for their group. He reminds himself again to involve everyone in the planning and execution of anything they pursue...and hopefully, that would be enough.

"I'll do my best," he assures Arael, "But what about you?"

"I have to keep out of sight, but I can act as secret go-between for the two groups. That will let me monitor and advise everyone."

"We'll need to make arrangements, then...both Amaya and I...so you can reach us. Or, when we need to pass messages to one another. But I think it's a sound plan. I and the others among the Heavensent will do our best to take the heat and carry out the more dangerous missions to start making changes for Westcrown. And the Children can start capitalizing on whatever we manage to accomplish by showing people there's nothing to fear in taking charge of their own future. It's a solid way to start making some changes for the better around here."

"You know, I..." Akorian hesitates, but then presses on, "...I may have argued at times with Janiven. But, I respected that woman tremendously. She had a fire for what we're about like few others. I intend to carry on what she started in bringing these folks together. To that end, I am avowed, my friend. May Milani herself bless this undertaking. And Iomedae...and the last vestige of Aroden...do the same."

Marius grins at Raven.."I'll be needing a bath-house after this..and I understand what you say about no questions asked"

...

"I never saw any of my family since - not until Marius came back to Westcrown. I don't even know if any of them are alive still, but I doubt it. I was only six years old, then, so most of what I remember ..."

She kicks at the stones in the street disconsolately.

"I don't care what anyone says, slavery is just wrong," she says in a quiet tone. "So is punishing one person for what another one did."

Sclavos nods sympathetically. "A sad story. It must have been very hard for you."

"You're right about punishing people. The law should be for the good of all; not just those at the top. And justice should look at the facts and punish the wrong-doer. That's why I joined Arael and Janiven. I work with the law everyday. I respect its power and potential for good. I want to see it realized."

Sclavos nods sympathetically. "A sad story. It must have been very hard for you."

"You're right about punishing people. The law should be for the good of all; not just those at the top. And justice should look at the facts and punish the wrong-doer. That's why I joined Arael and Janiven. I work with the law everyday. I respect its power and potential for good. I want to see it realized."

"It wasn't pleasant, but at least while I was very young the other slaves cared for me. Sadly, girls develop," I grimace, and clamp down on the comment.

"You are right, Sclavos. Law should protect people, not bludgeon them. Look at the law now, where bribery is legal, and it all depends on who you are and how much you can pay as to what justice you get. The Asmodeans have their system that only works for one purpose: to keep them in charge. I swear, one day I'll tear down that obscenity they call a temple." Her voice is quiet and low, so no-one can overhear, but her passion is fearfully intense.

nice description for Jerrick's

Raven swings the door open to reveal a square room whose walls are festooned with all manner of goods. A narrow counter separates prospective buyers and sellers from the goods on the walls and the immense man behind the counter.

The man plops off his stool in the corner and sidles along the left-hand wall toward you. He fills the narrow space between counter and wall seamlessly. He stops about halfway down. "Raven, good to see you again. What can I do for you?"

"We'll need to make arrangements, ... It's a solid way to start making some changes for the better around here."

"You know, I..." Akorian hesitates, but then presses on, "...I may have argued at times with Janiven. But, I respected that woman tremendously. She had a fire for what we're about like few others. I intend to carry on what she started in bringing these folks together. To that end, I am avowed, my friend. May Milani herself bless this undertaking. And Iomedae...and the last vestige of Aroden...do the same."

"So be it. May the gods bless us. " agrees Arael. After a pause, "There will still be times when both groups must work together, on big projects. You may need the help of everyone to take down these tieflings. We will discuss it after your team has scouted the site."

"It wasn't pleasant, but at least while I was very young the other slaves cared for me. Sadly, girls develop .... The Asmodeans ..., one day I'll tear down that obscenity they call a temple." Her voice is quiet and low, so no-one can overhear, but her passion is fearfully intense.

Sclavos makes a small sympathetic noise, but remains quiet until Waifrin finishes. Then he says quietly, "That would be a great day. If..." But he doesn't finish, instead he says "Here we are."

The Registar's is a large solid building of the local limestone. Sclavos leads you in and puts you in the care of one of his fellow-clerks, a personal friend. "I will catch up with you, Waifrin, after I have finished my errand here. Take good care of her, Gil."

"I will catch up with you, Waifrin, after I have finished my errand here. Take good care of her, Gil."

"Thank you, Sclavos," Waifrin smiles at the clerk. "Gil, is it? I am trying to trace the land holdings of some distant relatives. Would you be able to assist me? They are the Goddon family, who I understand were dispossessed some years ago ..."

"There will still be times when both groups must work together, on big projects. You may need the help of everyone to take down these tieflings. We will discuss it after your team has scouted the site."

"Very well. I'll gather them together and we'll discuss the best time to check out the Parego Dospera again. I must admit I don't have much of an appetite for tieflings. I try to think of myself as enlightened to accept most any race or species. But those with the taint of fiends in the bloodlines certainly have an uphill struggle to earn my trust."

...

"Thank you, Sclavos," Waifrin smiles at the clerk. "Gil, is it? I am trying to trace the land holdings of some distant relatives. Would you be able to assist me? They are the Goddon family, who I understand were dispossessed some years ago ..."

Gil smiles, "Of course I can help. Anything for a friend of Sclavos. Do you have an address? It's easiest to search by parcel. Or your father's name. I could check the tax rolls. Have you known Sclavos long? How did you meet him?"

...

"Very well. I'll gather them together and we'll discuss the best time to check out the Parego Dospera again. I must admit I don't have much of an appetite for tieflings. I try to think of myself as enlightened to accept most any race or species. But those with the taint of fiends in the bloodlines certainly have an uphill struggle to earn my trust."

"That's more than understandable. They are the walking face of evil on this earth. Even the Azmodeans scorn them." More than a trace of antipathy colors Arael's normally benevolent tone.

"But Akorian, you especially, must be careful. You have so much more to lose than any of us. And your family as well. "

Marius, Zara, and Raven: After a slight pause, Jerrick's eyes slide quizzically from Raven's face to Marius' and finally to Zarabeta's where they linger long.

"Of course I can help. Anything for a friend of Sclavos. Do you have an address? It's easiest to search by parcel. Or your father's name. I could check the tax rolls. Have you known Sclavos long? How did you meet him?"

"We only recently met through a mutual acquaintance," Waifrin smiles, "but he has been most helpful. Now, the family name was Goddon," Waifrin says carefully, watching for a reaction, "they were very well-to-do at one time, but alas I do not have the precise address."

Waifrin can only give a rough idea of the location (she was only six years old at the time) and I shall leave it to Thom to decide where exactly it was.

"But Akorian, you especially, must be careful. You have so much more to lose than any of us. And your family as well. "

Akorian flinches at Arael's reminder.

"My family is already complicit in the tyranny gripping Cheliax," he complains, clenching his fist both in anger and embarrassment. But then he relaxes and continues, "Though there is one redeemable soul among them. My sister. I wouldn't want any harm to come to her as a result of our activities. You're right to counsel me in that regard, my friend. It is my fervent hope to provide inspiration and hope for others...including her. But it does no good if she suffers after I'm unmasked."

"I'll ponder more on this..." he shares, gathering his things and preparing to leave so he can return to the Henderthane estate and look in on things. "When I get back, I'll make sure we have everything we need to lay these tieflings low. I'd like to talk with Amaya as well about how she can capitalize on our actions. We'll need a voice among the commonfolk to point our heroic deeds so even the Hellknights will come to realize we're good for the city. And they'll have a much harder time characterizing us as something bad for Westcrown after that."

"We only recently met through a mutual acquaintance," Waifrin smiles, "but he has been most helpful. Now, the family name was Goddon," Waifrin says carefully, watching for a reaction, "they were very well-to-do at one time, but alas I do not have the precise address."

Waifrin can only give a rough idea of the location (she was only six years old at the time) and I shall leave it to Thom to decide where exactly it was.

"Good!" says Gil. "I mean if we don't have the address then could you give me your father's first name? The easiest place to look will be the tax rolls. When exactly did you lose the house?" He leads you farther into the building.

No reaction to the family name or your father's name in particular.

***
After a few tens of minutes of searching through dusty stacks, Gil grunts triumphantly and pulls three heavy ledgers down from the shelves. "Here." He opens the first ledger, dated the year you were five, and shows you the entry. He whistles in surprise. "That must have been quite a house."

Then he opens the next year's ledger. "Hmm, no entry here. The taxes must not have been paid." The third ledger shows the same.

Gil smiles encouragingly, "Well, no matter. We have the address, 16 Eylsium Street." He shoulders the ledgers back onto their shelf. "Is there anything else I can do? We can look up the current owners or ... anything?" His eyes are getting distinctly puppy-like.

Waifrin blushes slightly at his expression.

"You are too kind, but I'd appreciate if you could tell us who owns that now, yes," Waifrin nods emphatically, her heart in her mouth. Where is Elysium Street? "And which ward it is in, if you can."

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

"Greetings on this fine day my friend," the rogue greets the 'merchant' in as friendly a tone as ever. "I am certain you have missed me as much as I have missed you, yes?"

Looking towards Marius and Zarabeta, he goes on, "These are friends of mine. Between the three of us we have brought a few items we would like to... pawn. I am sure a businessman as fine as you will easily discern the quality and value of what we are carrying."

Zarabeta can't help but notice the proprietor's interest, and puts her hand up to her face, as if uncertain that he has noticed some blemish or imperfection. She turns slightly and opens the satchel of weapons, taking advantage of the shift in posture to also part her top covering. She has no intention of seducing the portly man, but has found that in haggling, a man's attention is sometimes distracted by the sight of a woman's treasures.

She shows him a blade, hilt forward, holding it in such a way as to maximize the view of her (meager) attributes, and says in a thickly-accented voice, "We have items of this sort to offer in trade for coin. The quality is good, and the items are clean." Having been cleaned by prestidigitation.

While the 'no questions asked, no information offered' nature of the negotiation places her at a distinct disadvantage, she still attempts to use her diplomatic skills to haggle a fair return, trying to play the 'exotic foreign beauty' but leaving the nature of her exact status uncertain, so as not to appear as a desperate girl, who can be forced to accept a fool's bargain.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Marius remains an imposing figure in the background..he keeps an eye on the door

Akorian: I didn't pace that very well, did I? I'll try to hurry the others. Or if you've got something else to talk about or do ...

Waifrin: Working on that. I've got to get a look at the Westcrown article to be sure. I think I want to put the old homestead out on one of the islands.

Marius, Zara, and Raven: Jerrick nods as if agreeing Marius and Zarabeta are friends of Raven's. His eyes don't leave Zarabeta until she offers the sword. Then they lock onto the blade as if she wasn't there at all. He takes the blade and hefts it, checks its balance. "Not bad. But swords .... How fast should I move these?" It's a question, but one asked as obliquely as possible.

His eyes snap back to Zara while he awaits an answer.

Are you offering the entire haul from the discussion thread aside from the potions, or are you holding anything else back?

Akorian: I didn't pace that very well, did I? I'll try to hurry the others. Or if you've got something else to talk about or do ...

Nah. I'm good. I'm a little tied down with writing assignments right now anyway. So, take your time... :-)

Are you offering the entire haul from the discussion thread aside from the potions, or are you holding anything else back?

Zarabeta looks to Raven with a deferring gesture, unsure as to whether it would be best to fence these items quickly, or sit on them for awhile, until the situation cools down.

Holding back the Asmodean holy symbol. That would be a step too far, IMO. Selling the 11 longswords (15 gp each), 2 lances (10 gp each), 9 daggers (2 gp each), 6 light crossbows (35 gp each), masterwork mace (305 or 312 gp, depending on if light or heavy) and full plate armor (1500 gp), although if the price is not right (at least half value) for the mace and light crossbows, she's likely to balk and walk away with them, waiting for a better opportunity to fence them (or just have the NPCs use the crossbows during ambushes and the like). The full plate armor, as much as it's worth, is harder to smuggle around, and she might be willing to eat a bad deal on that item... These are her opinions, obviously, and Raven (or Marius) might have other ideas.

Bless you, Set, for listing everything out. I make the total MSRP as 2225 gp --> 1113 half-price fenced value. New community loot list in the discussion thread.

Jerrick's face darkens as he realizes the nature and extent of the haul. He mutters under his breath about risk and discovery as each item appears, ending with, "Damn, Raven, did you start a war?" He tots up some numbers, writing with his finger in a sandbox on the countertop. "I'll give you 300 gold in your hand, and another 500 in goods from my shop."

Raven:

"You know me well enough Jerrick. I do try to avoid unnecessary fighting and a war has a lot of that, yes?" The rogue winks at the merchant as he moves a little closer, his own eyes on the various items the group has brought to the pawn shop.

"A fine offer, a fine offer," Raven mutters just loud enough for Jerrick to hear. "But I believe I have a better one my dearest friend, one that is somewhat more... balanced. I am thinking more along the lines of 500 pieces of gold and 600 in store credit. And I should think the credit extends to items not currently on your shelves; it would not be the first time one would place a special order and I know you are superbly capable of handling such a thing."

Running his fingers over the weapons and armor, he adds, "These are well-crafted as your own most experienced eyes can easily tell and they will bring you quite the tidy profit. Not to mention the fact that they are devoid of any, shall we say, distinguishing marks that might make your selling them tricky? Between your own considerable talent and the demand for a good blade, these should not remain on your shelves for more than a week I wager."